#But we just won't be in the holiday spirit at that point man | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thedrunkenreadersreviews · 5 months

Text

A reaction to the Goodreads Choice Awards of 2023

Oh, the weather outside is frightful! At least where I live. No snow, but, man, is it cold. So, I am staying toasty with a little rose chocolate tea spiked with some nice peppermint schnapps to get into the holiday spirit because Lord knows I need to get jolly after this shit show.

*Sip, sip*

Anywho, the Goodreads Choice Awards winners have been announced for this year, and while I won't comment on every category because some I simply do not read, I will put in my two cents for any who care to know it about particular categories. I'll go through them one by one in the order in which they appear on Goodreads.

So, grab some nice tea and schnapps, put on those fuzzy socks, and let's get to it.

*Sip, sip*

Best Fiction - Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

In my humble opinion---as I assume that is what you are here for---the Goodreads Choice Awards has become a popularity contest. Now, I do not often read contemporary fiction so I cannot speak fully on this, but I will make one comment; I did not know or have heard of any of the other authors in this category. Just looking at the nominees, I knew without even having read the thing, "Pffft, Yellowface is going to win." Lo and behold.

*Sip, sip*

Now, it is very possible that Yellowface deserved to win. I know of R. F. Kuang's writing through the Poppy War trilogy, which is well crafted, to say the least. Having not read any of these books, I cannot be too harsh. It does twist my lips a bit, however, that this one was predictable without even having to read any of the books in that category, so that's how this "voting" process, I thought, was going to go.

And sometimes ... damn ... sometimes I hate being right.

*Sip, sip*

Romantsy - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

*Sip, sip, sip, sip, sip, sip*

Oh, a full review of this book will be coming after the holiday season. As with all the others I mention. But this one winning compared to the others in the lineup ...?

We have Foxglove King, The Hurricane Wars, The Jasad Heir, and Assistant to the Villain!

I am in no way suggesting that if you enjoyed Fourth Wing that you are wrong. Having it win in this category with the other nominees feels almost like a worm burrowing beneath my blood if I think on it for too long. The book, I am sorry to say, is just not that great. The romance does not at all feel like romance, it feels like lust. If Goodreads really wants to put books that have "romance" in them that is not legitimate romance, they should create a "Spicy" category or something like that. I did not feel the devotion between the two leads in this book. I did not get the sense that they would do anything for each other, make tremendous sacrifices, or perform grand gestures. I fully believed they wanted to bone each other since they met, but that is all. Yarros, known for her romance books and not her fantasy ones until now since this is her first fantasy book, fails to capture this sense of not needing each other physically, but in all the other ways. I would not be upset if these two end up not being endgame by the conclusion of the series, that is how little I feel for them as a couple.

*Sip, sip*

Yes, I know it is the first book and that the relationship between the two can develop in future books. In that case, let that book, which presents their devotion, be nominated in this category. Not the starting point book.

Fantasy - Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

I will confess that I did not read Hell Bent and so I cannot speak to the winner. I did, however, read most of the nominees. Tress of the Emerald Sea is not Brandon Sanderson's best work, but it is not a bad book at all! A Day of Fallen Night ... well, I wasn't that big a fan of Priory either, so I guess it is understandable that I wasn't too entertained with this one.

V. E. Schwab is one of my all-time favorites as that woman has the ability to rip out my heart, stomp it into hardening cement, and shove it back into my chest just for me to come limping back, hands outstretched, begging for more. I still do not forgive some of her past cruelties and yet, I am not complaining. However, I understand why The Fragile Threads of Power did not win this round. Again, not a bad book by any means! I just get why it wasn't the winner. I am currently reading The Witch King, and I am devouring it!

But the one I was rooting for, the one I was hoping would win, even though I knew in my heart that it wouldn't was Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries. A review of that book will be posted shortly and perhaps then it will become clear why I was hoping it would win.

As for Leigh Bardugo, great job! Fantasy is the one category I feel might still maintain some creative integrity. But not always.

*Sip, sip*

Also, did anyone else notice that The Unmaking of June Farrow has an eerily similar title and font to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, so much so that I thought it was a spinoff series to the latter until I saw the author's name?

*Suspicious sip, sip*

Science Fiction - The Lives of Puppets by T. J. Klune

NO! NO!!! THE FERRYMAN HAS FAILED ME!!! Oh, I was so sure it had a chance! I believed in it ... until I saw the cartoonish cover that brought my thoughts immediately to The House in the Cerulean Sea and then I knew The Ferryman was doomed.

Of course, T. J. Klune would win. I knew it because, no, they are not a bad writer, but they are a resoundingly popular one. The House in the Cerulean Sea was everywhere, that cover art has become synonymous with T.J. Klune. Even if you don't read the synopsis or were aware that a new T.J. Klune book was coming out, you see that cover and you suddenly know without looking for the name, "Oh, a new T.J. Klune book is out." I am almost convinced that a nice chunk of the people who voted for this one didn't even read it. They saw the cover art, heard of House, and clicked "vote."

*Somber sip, sip*

Horror - Holly by Stephen King

I think it should be a rule that Stephen King's works can no longer be nominated (I'm joking). But the same issue still applies; you know the author, you vote for the author, and the lesser-known authors who may have written a horrific masterpiece do not stand a chance against the King.

*Shivering sip, sip*

Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction - Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

*Sip, sip, sip, sip*

Don't talk to me. Do NOT talk to me! I will not yield on this one! A Curse for True Love (it has its flaws, see my review of it, but still), Foxglove (fucking FOXGLOVE), THE STOLEN HEIR!

Let me say, even though ACfTL was not the masterpiece it could have been, my goodness, the magic in it, especially that finale! But I can excuse Curse not winning. Truly, I'm not that mad about it.

Foxglove?! FOXGLOVE?! Adalyn Grace has grown so much as an author! And Foxglove totally displays that. I was convinced about the whole main plot point until we got to that realization and it's like, I want Wisteria now! I hated and loved Fate the whole way through that damn book. But even that one, I can forgive.

*Sip, sip*

*Peeks from the rim of my cup, eyes caught in the glow of the flames from my hearth*

But ...

you have come after my child.

You have crawled from the depths of a black abyss and come to steal away my precious.

My love for the kingdom of Elfhame cannot be burned away by the fires of Mount Doom.

The dementors cannot steal it from my soul.

The White Walkers cannot freeze me enough to abandon it for the promise of warmth.

And even if I were to be turned to stone by Medusa's gaze my heart would continue to beat with devotion for the High King & Queen of Elfhame as well as all of the inhabitants of Elfhame!

*Sip, sip*

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black, in case you haven't figured it out, is who I was rooting for (review for that one to come around Christmas).

*Calming sip, sip*

Memoir & Autobiography - Woman in Me by Britney Spears

*Raises mug* Go off, Queen!

*Sip, sip*

History & Biography - The Wager (extended title) by David Grann

Surprisingly, I have no qualms with this category. This book was a banger! So was Killing the Witches and Pathogenesis (extended title). I recommend all three of these and was simply wishing one of them would win.

Victory screech!

*Sip, sip*

Now ... my biggest gripe with these choice awards ... where is the Middle Age & Children category? Where is the Graphic Novels, Comics, & Manga category? Where is Poetry?

I don't even read that much poetry, but I appreciate it as an art and believe it should be represented.

Graphic Novels, Comics, & Mangas ... like so many of those have genius writing and storytelling within them. The worlds are incredible and the art sometimes so amazingly compliments it! One of my favorite comic book writers is Al Ewing and one of my favorite artists is Lee Garbet, and when the two of them worked together, it was outstanding! The art and the story went hand in hand so well, it was as if it all came from one mind. They deserve to be acknowledged, even if it is one person doing both.

And manga ... some of the most intricate universes, complex worlds, and ingenious magic systems are created in mangas. One of my all-time favorite stories ever told is Fullmetal Alchemist. Every single detail matters in that story, and it was heartbreaking, and hysterical, and action-packed, and touching all at once!

But to strip away Middle Grade and Children? You might as well discourage kids from reading. It was when I saw that these categories were removed to make room for "romantsy" that I knew this is a popularity contest. It has been for a while. But those in middle school and younger, they probably don't have a Goodreads account, they probably aren't voting.

But they might be looking.

And teachers, and parents. They're still here. And some of them want kids to read.

*Sip, sip*

In conclusion, I don't really believe the choice awards hold that much merit anymore. I couldn't care less if a book was a nominee or a winner when deciding if I should read it. To be fair, I never really did. But I would encourage others who are wandering into the culture of Goodreads and documenting their reading that just because the book is a trend and popular and is a Goodreads choice award "winner" or "nominee" does not mean that the book is good.

It might be mediocre.

*Sip, sip*

Well, I won't take up any more of your time. Reviews for the books I mentioned will be posted in time. If you would like a review for a book in particular, do not hesitate to tell me what it is.

Stay warm, keep calm, and always have a good evening.

Cheers.

*Festive sip, sip*

#books #goodreads #goodreads choice awards #the stolen heir #a curse for true love #foxglove #fourth wing #hell bent #fullmetal alchemist #manga #comics #graphic novel #poetry

4 notes · View notes

dianaposting · 10 months

Text

Christmas' spirit

Noelle watched the campfire in silence as Azzy counted the children. Even if Susie had reassured her that it was safe, the fear of the fire spreading out was still somewhat present.

"...where is Jamie?" Azzy asked.

Noelle looked at the children again. Jamie, a small squirrel-like monster, seemed to be missing. A kid raised their hand. "He said he was going to the bathroom"

Noelle sighed in relief. She fidgeted with the lantern in her hands, glaring in the direction of the toilets. Of course, she couldn't see them because the bunkhouses were on the way.

"So, are you kids having fun?" Azzy asked. Some kids nodded. "Which has been your favorite part of the camp so far?"

Noelle saw something move between the bushes. A snake-like girl raised her tail. "Swimming in the lake!" She cheered.

Noelle glared at the human kid in the multitude. They were slightly older than the rest, and very quiet. They reminded her of Kris. They shyly raised their hand, and Noelle pointed at them, inviting them to speak. "And you?"

The kid hesitated. "I... I liked building a tent... with the purple lady"

Noelle smiled. "I'll let her know!" She replied.

The kid looked down, blushing a bit.

Soon after, Jamie appeared through the corner. Azzy waved at him. "Hey, Jamie! Everything okay?"

Jamie nodded nervously as he went to sit next to his friends. Noelle gulped. This was her time to shine.

"What story are you going to tell us tonight?" MK's younger sibling asked.

Noelle turned on the lantern and placed it below her chin, giving her that silly scary look. Between the bushes, something moved. Noelle smirked. "Have you ever heard the tale of Christmas' spirit?"

"Do you mean the Scrooge story?" A kid asked.

Noelle shook her head. "It's a different one. A legend that not many people know about. It's not documented in any book, so you won't learn about it in the library. Only the Boom family knows about it, and those they share it with"

"Sounds like bullshit!" A little boy claimed.

"Hey! Watch your mouth!" Azzy replied.

"Bullshit bullshit bullshit-" the boy began repeating.

"You're not getting your t-shirt tomorrow," Azzy warned him. It wasn't true, but it made the kid go silent.

Noelle sighed. "Where were we? Right. Anyway, this is a real story. It happened back in the 15th century, when this was the Ebott kingdom."

"You kids know the deal," Azzy explained. "Princes and princesses! Knights in shining armor and dragons hoarding treasures! Brave sailors and reckless pirates!"

Noelle giggled. "You're confusing them, Azzy"

"Do you kids know what was invented in the 15th century? A hint, it has to do with books"

No kids raised their hand. Noelle sighed. "The print was invented in the 15th century. Anyway, Hometown is a very old town. Back in the day, it was a county ruled by a cold countess with two daughters. The oldest one was named Christmas, like the December holiday."

Noelle heard a kid mutter "what a boring history lesson"

She chuckled. "Des- Christmas was a very talented girl. She showed admirable skills in sports, and a great interest in legends. Despite being a teen, she was close friends with the old blacksmith of the town, a man known for his fantastic tales about a world beyond our own"

"Darn, we should've played them the Lord of the Hammer movies..." Azzy muttered.

"Eventually, the old blacksmith passed away, not before giving Christmas one last request. He left her a very cryptic note, which led her to believe that she had to find some sort of hidden treasure at the bottom of the lake"

The snake girl raised her tail once more. "This lake?"

Noelle nodded and put on her best devilish grin. As scary as she tried to appear, she just looked like a dork. "Yes, Sally. This same lake. One night, when everyone else was asleep, Christmas dived deep into the lake, carrying only her trustful club. The following morning, Christmas was nowhere to be seen, and eventually she was assumed to be dead. Her gown appeared at the shore, which led everyone to assume she had drowned. And, in honor of her memory, her mother composed a song that you've probably heard already"

Azzy took the red guitar from the ground and began playing the only song he knew to play. Dess' favorite song. The lost girl.

"However, her spirit didn't die," Noelle revealed. "People say that if you go deep enough in the lake, you will hear her song playing"

The lights suddenly flickered. "What was that?" A scared kid asked.

"Nothing to worry about," Azzy tried to calm him down. "The lightbulbs are kinda old"

Noelle sighed. "Rumors say that during the middle of the night, the spirit still wanders around the lake, searching for the hidden treasure that costed her life, and lusting for revenge of those who wronged her"

The lights began flickering again as Noelle turned off her lantern. Azzy sighed. Suddenly, the speakers began blasting an eerie melody, the same song Azzy had played in the guitar, now whistled and with an unnerving droning bass. Noelle covered her ears. Too loud. "DID YOU SET THIS UP?" Azzy yelled.

The volume lowered as an eerie laughter resonates through the camp. Noelle noticed a figure leave the bushes and pointed at it. "OH, WE'RE GONNA HAVE SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER!" A distorted voice announced.

The figure finally stepped into the light. A feminine figure with black hair wearing a torn red princess gown, a hockey mask and a baseball bat covered in barbwire. The kids began screaming. "IT'S THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!" Azzy shouted. "GET INTO THE BUNKHOUSES!"

Chaos ensued, as the children ran towards the safety of their bedrooms. However, the human kid and the snake girl tripped and were left crying on the floor. "Shit" the distorted voice realized as the ghostly figure took off her mask, revealing a deer girl the same age as Azzy. "Are they okay?"

Noelle was beginning to regret this. She helped the kids get up from the floor, and made sure they didn't have any injures. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She apologized while imagining the angry parents. "Nothing to fear, see?" She pointed towards the deer girl. "She's not a ghost! She's Dess!"

The kids stopped crying as Dess approached them, still dragging the bat through the dirt. She turned off her microphone. "Sup?"

"That was too scary!" The human child sobbed.

Azzy sighed. "We're getting in trouble for this..."

"Dess is that barbwire?" Noelle pointed out.

Dess grinned as she displayed the bat with pride. "Hell yeah! Kris had some laying around and I thought, why not?" She touched it and grimaced. "And it's pointy!"

"Dess what the hell?" Azzy protested.

"Can I hold it?" The human kid suddenly asked.

Dess offered the weapon to them. "Sure!"

However, as the kid was going to take it Noelle confiscated it from her hands. "How about we watch a movie and you don't tell your parents?"

#deltarune #fanfic #summer camp #idk lol just a silly shortfic i thought of

0 notes

the-shared-brain-in-retrograde · 3 years

Text

Spiderman: Homecoming

A joint review...

We're trying to have one unproblematic week, ironically with the most problematic person in the MCU (according to some people... he hasn't wronged us yet!) so enjoy.

Let it be known we're in much better spirits than last week (although we have just had a little spat about an outburst Becks had last night, but we won't dwell on that and Cassandra knows what she did to deserve it - ah to be in control of the typing makes Becks all powerful, POWERFUL!) Right, on to Spiderman.

Adrian Toomes

We were totes on the side of Adrian Toomes (which is apparently his name, although we didn't hear it) he was fucked over, that man deserved to be punched, and we love to see small businesses thriving. He did take things a bit far, going from underdog start up, making an empire from the ruins of his misfortune, to really wanting to kill that one kid. But I guess if he keeps foiling your plans its going to start getting irksome. The brain differs a little here, harking back to Steve dropping that walkway on Peter in Civil War, does he deserve it or should you just be nice to the little puppy dog?

@becksxoxo: I loved it when Toomes just lost his shit, sort of forgot all about the alien tech he was after and just wanted to kill Peter. I love Peter, he's totes adorbs, but I can see how he could really piss you off with his constant presence. For the record though I don't want him to die. I also enjoyed that they took their fight on the road, over to the fairground. Got to see the Cyclone. You know who rode the Cyclone...[there was more to this sentence in my notes but I have chosen to keep it to myself, this being unproblematic week]

@cassandrafey: I was furious about this. Absolutely seething when he kept getting progressively more violent with Peter. Honestly, if you are a grown man and your nemesis is an actual child you should think on a bit! Also, he said he was willing to kill him to protect his family but Peter wasn’t actually threatening them was he? Just you, cos you had done wrong and were scared of them finding out you’d bought them all nice things with money from alien tech weapons. So just you think on, and leave the kid alone you absolute lunatic!

His bird costume was a little much, but if you're gonna go super villain may as well go full out. Cass did not like his wing fingers, and also felt he didn't pull it off as well as other people who also utilise flight as a mode of transportation (bird costumes), and his glowing green eyes split the room. Becks was in favour and Cass wasn't (what I would like to add is that wasn't what was mentioned in the first draft, but as we are striving for unproblematic and not NC17 we did some editing), she found it terrifying, which Becks' pointed out was sort of the point. Also, Becks' dad went on holiday last week and has bought himself a bomber jack that is near identical to Toomes' one, and there is now a worry that he might also be becoming a super villain, although Cass and I have discussed it and in the long term we think we will support it, for some of the other benefits it will bring. Also he has just retired and so needs something to occupy his time, and also living with my mother will turn anyone into a super villain, it’s an origin story waiting to happen (so says Becks, Cass is wisely staying out of this one).

Adrian is also one of the smarter people in the film as he manages to work out the link between Peter and Spiderman. Every one else in the film, including all them kids and teachers at the smart school for smart people really just skim over the fact they're never in the same room as the same time. We also gave him big props for not selling Peter out to his prison pals, we liked that.

As a villain we liked him, we didn't want him to win, but we got his motives and he did it well. We didn't get hot villain vibes, which is always a shame, but I'm sure Michael Keaton will get over it.

Aaron Davis

Sticking with the baddies, we shall now say how much we love Donald Glover. Its always a treat to see him. He's a good egg. He's just good at everything he does. Cass would like to say that Redbone is a sublime song, and Becks is drinking out of her Troy and Abed in the Morning mug as we speak. The whole scene where Peter is trying to intimidate and interrogate him in the car park is just cracking. He's sexy, he's scary, he's helpful and he's funny (the four main food groups, we’re not too fussed about smarts it seems - give us that himbo energy please) and we're sorry his ice cream melted.

Peter Parker

We should probably now mentioned Spiderman, what with this being his film and all that. His little home videos of his trip to Germany really struck a chord with the pair of us, because we too are annoying idiots who blog things for fun and no profit...(although it only takes Kevin Feige to see just one of these... Feigey, the Feigmeister, Feige Fi Fo Fum - aaand we've blown it.) Cass, in her notes, has described Peter as being like if a Wizard made a puppy human. By which she meant cute and enthusiastic and not, as Becks thought, concerned about whether he is house trained or not. We loved seeing him as just a plain teenage boy, a wholesome kind teenage boy (which is nice because some teenage boys, and just feeble minded men in general, oft deviate from wholesome and trip all the way into cuntishness) who hung out with friends, had silly little in jokes and endured high school.

We loved how quickly he made friends with the suit lady (Karen) and how he rescued both the man and the cat from the bodega. His constant messages to Happy and his struggle to be the best he could be all the time just made him so adorably relatable. Speaking of Suit Lady she is a little bit trigger happy with the instant kill, but that can be a loveable characteristic right Cass? Its also reassuring that he has someone sort of with whilst getting into peril, otherwise we would be worried. We don't want him to be alone. When he is stuck in the rubble of that building, alone and scared, our hearts broke. But we knew he'd be alright because he is resilient, and you can't kill off sunshine.

He does need to work on his poker face though. You can't be breaking out into cold sweats when you see the bad guy, especially when you're not wearing your mask. People can see you. We also hope he takes on Aaron Davis' advice on chatting up criminals, but I guess we shall see in his next outing.

His relationship with other characters was also what made us love this film. His relationship with Happy, with Tony, with Ned and with May. He's just good and we love him for it. Sure he gets a little carried away, and breaks a ship or two, but who hasn't?

Ned

We also love Ned. He's adorable, and takes on the news that his best friend is a superhero very well. His questions were a bit too much, and Becks hurt herself snorting when he asked is Peter laid eggs, although perhaps we would have all those same questions. We would also have questioned the hat, but then perhaps we won't given our own teenage fashion choices. He is the perfect chair guy, and the way he took the hit to hide Peter's adventures was perfect.

"I was looking at porn."

Such a cutie. Also impressive web-slinging when needed.

Both of us made a note of Peter and Ned's secret handshake. We don't have a secret handshake. Should we have a secret handshake? Handshakes are a very sensitive subject for Becks, but perhaps this could be the breakthrough we need.

It’s sad that MJ isn't in the film more, as we like her very much. The snark, the intelligence and the sheer joy she feels in other people's misery. We wish she was our friend. Also we reckon she knows.

And we certainly liked MJ more than we liked Liz, who doesn't invite people to whole school events unless she's forced to or bumps into them in a hallway. Also, why was she dressed like a 28 year old secretary at her house party? We hope you enjoy Oregon, so much that you don't return. Bye Liz. (But also did feel bad that Peter was more into your dad than you...)

Peter and Ned's other high school chums brought up a fun game of Fuck Marry Kill that we thought we might play in the blog, but then decided it was maybe for the best that we didn't because, to quote Cass, it might lead to some cuntish behaviour. Becks doesn't know what she might be referring to, at all. Cass thinks by aborting the game she has saved Becks from having to make another public apology for her calculatedly troubling hypotheticals…

Tony Stark

Tony and Peter's relationship is one of our favourites. Tony is clearly trying not to be Howard and its good to see him focused on something positive, and looking out for the wellbeing of Peter. As we may have previously mentioned this might be improved on if he'd maybe talked to Peter a bit more, and not left him spiralling. Peter doesn't know you're constantly thinking about him, he doesn't have amazing mind reading spider skills. We wish they had had a hug, and this scene also trigger Becks for handshaking reasons. Because yes Peter, Tony did make it seem like he wanted a hug and wasn't just grabbing for the door, some people should be more clear in their intensions when they come at you, arms outstretched.

There were also moments when Tony sort of troubled both our finances. It occurred when he activated full angry dad mode, make of that what you will...

Can we also mentioned that him and Pepper seemed to now be fine, fine enough to causally get engaged. What the fuck is going on? Did we miss something? Was another giant bunny bought?

Happy Hogan

Happy Hogan. A little bit shit at his job, and always very stressed. At one point he is lurking in the school toilets and we really questioned that, because if he was doing that to avoid looking suspicious he really missed the mark. We also wouldn't hire him to move our furniture. Did Tony have any belongings left after that? What were you letting the robot do, picking up that vase in the first? We do love him as a grumpy babysitter though, even if he did properly drop the ball in paying more attention to boxing up shit than the needy super boy who texts him every five minutes. If we were to get absolutely shit faced on a night out, as is our want to do, we could rely on him to get us safely home though. Home to Stark Towers and the Avengers Sleepover Club of Dreams.

Aunt May

Aunt May is hands down one of the best parents in the MCU. She's involved in her kid's life, she cares about him, she dispenses good advice and she looks hot while doing it. Good hair, great trousers, the glasses. Also, now she knows what is going on, shit is going to go down, because she is a responsible adult. We larb her. 10/10

And finally, we come to the best moments of the film, according to some people [its @becksxoxo becks is some people] the Captain America School Videos. Oscar worthy in their own right. The whole series sends Becks funny, and Cass is still trying to get over him flipping that chair round before sitting down. Cass likes to imagine the other Avengers getting hold of these little videos and ripping the shit out of him at film nights, the real reason he had to engineer a break up of the whole team so that he could run away from the bullying.

We proper enjoyed ourselves watching this film. It was funny, it was poignant and it had a number of very good backflips. We've never seen a spider do a backflip, and perhaps if we did we'd like them more, but if we developed the skill to be able to backflip like that we probs wouldn't move about it in any other manner.

Also the bloopers for this film (cos we watched it on DVD) are brilliant, and it’s just nice to see them all being friends IRL. Perhaps if we'd watched the bloopers from Civil War last week wouldn't have been so bad. But let’s not think about that. It’s unproblematic week, and so it shall stay.

There seems to be some debate over which film is next but we're gonna go with Black Panther. So there.

love cass and becks

26 notes · View notes

itsadamcole · 3 years

Text

bet pt. 2

fem!reader x adam cole

Reader and Adam come face to face after six months apart at Survivor Series ... “please, forgive me”

word count: 3.4k+

warnings: smut, angst, a lil bit fluffy

— hey hey, here’s part 2 of the short adam cole series .... on a side note, i’ve really been in the holiday spirit so i’ve started writing some christmas / fluffmas imagines ... the first two are scheduled to be posted december 1st and 2nd —

masterlist || part 1 || request an imagine here

~ 18+ content below - read at your own risk ~

Survivor Series. The day you've been dreading for six months since you left Adam.

Six months ago, you walked out on the best and the worst thing that's ever happened to you. Six months ago, you lost a piece of yourself and turned to sleeping with your best friend, Tyler Breeze, just to fill that void.

But it's not filled. It'll never be filled. So you stopped about a month ago, and Tyler now has a girlfriend so nothing's weird between you two.

You've never gone back to Adam. It's taken everything in you to stay away from him. You've barely spoken to him in six months, but since he's NXT Champion and you're Raw Women's Champion, you both have matches at Survivor Series.

You sit in your dressing room, scared to leave. Scared to run into Adam or one of the Undisputed Era boys. It's your worst nightmare.

"Y/N! You're on in five minutes!" someone calls through your door.

Sighing, you get up and grab your title, throwing it over your shoulder. With your anxiety rising, you leave the room.

You don't know what you'll do if you see Adam. It's been so long and he's probably moved on. You haven't, but you've tried.

Once backstage, you stretch out. Your opponents, Smackdown Women's Champion Sasha Banks and NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai, into the small room.

"Hey, girlie," Sasha says. "You have an audience in catering."

You sigh and say, "If it's Adam then I don't care."

Sasha says, "Y/N, come on. I've told you before. That man is head over heels for you. Maybe the beginning was a lie or a bet or whatever it was but he truly loved you. I saw it. We all did."

Your music hits and you say, "I can't talk about this right now, Sasha. I have a match to focus on."

You make your entrance, forcing a smile onto your face as you step into the ring.

****

Adam's POV

She looks beautiful in her dark red gear. It's my favorite ring gear that she owns. It sparkles but is dark at the same time. Definitely her two personalities mixing together.

I miss her like hell. I haven't been able to move on from her. It's been six months and I'm still infatuated with her. I love her. I've loved her for so long. It pains me to see her. Rumor has it that she's seeing her friend, Tyler.

I stand in catering to watch her as the match begins. My match is next and I know they'll call me back any minute and I'll come face-to-face with her when she walks through those curtains.

She's distracted by something. Her footing is off and she's not selling moves like she usually does. Maybe Sasha told her she saw me in catering. I told her I was going to watch Y/N here on the TV.

"Yo, Cole," Kyle says, clapping me on the back. "Your match with Drew and Roman is next. Let's head backstage."

I say, "Yeah, okay." I leave the TV and walk backstage with Kyle, Roddy, and Bobby.

We get backstage and I see there is a TV. I watch it.

Roderick says, "Talk to her after your match. I know that you've been wanting to talk to her."

I sigh and say, "She doesn't want to talk to me. She doesn't even want to see me, Roddy. There's no point."

Bobby says, "You should still try instead of sulking."

I look over at Bobby and say, "She left me, Bobby. If she wanted to talk to me then she would have already." I'm starting to get heated.

Kyle says, "Adam, bro, calm down."

"You want me to calm down? Seriously?" I say, my voice rising. "You three are the reason I'm in this mess. You three came up with the bet and I accepted it because I was drunk and secretly was crushing on Y/N. I never should have accepted it because I fell in love with her and now she's fucking gone! I can't live without her, and the only reason I'm still in this damn company is because of the title around my waist. There's nothing else for me here because she's gone!"

What I didn't know was that Y/N's match ended and she came through the curtains in the backstage area with Sasha and Io. The guys were all looking behind me and that's when I realized she was standing right behind me, listening to every word.

****

Your POV

As you walk backstage, you can hear someone shouting.

"... I was drunk and secretly was crushing on Y/N. I never should have accepted it because I fell in love with her and now she's fucking gone! I can't live without her, and the only reason I'm still in this damn company is because of the title around my waist. There's nothing else for me here because she's gone!"

The voice is Adam's. He's shouting at the guys. You've never once heard him raise his voice at anyone, not unless it was important or serious.

You stand backstage with Sasha when Adam turns around and he sees you. His title is secured around his waist and he's wearing his black and gold gear with his Undisputed Era t-shirt.

There's nothing else for me here because she's gone. Those words stuck with you. If it wasn't for that title around his waist, he probably would have left WWE and gone to work with Ring of Honor again or maybe even AEW.

Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns come backstage at this moment. The tension between everyone in the room is thick. Drew and Roman realize this and ask to make their entrances first.

Right before Adam makes his entrance, you rush out of the backstage room. Sasha right on your heels.

Tears have started running down your cheeks. You get to your locker room and throw your title on the couch.

Your win tonight means nothing anymore. It doesn't matter that you won. Your happiness was swept away when you heard Adam ranting to the guys about you. Six months later and he's still trying to defend his lies.

He'd have left WWE if it wasn't for that title he's managed to hold for two and a half years. It's the only reason he's still in WWE.

You start to throw things around the locker room. You're upset, you're angry, and most of all, you're frustrated. Even after finding out about the bet and after he lied to get you to sleep with him, you still love him. Six months later you still love him. After everything, you'd go back to him.

Sasha grabs your wrists and says, "Y/N. Y/N, stop it. Please. Before you hurt yourself or break something super expensive."

You look at your best friend and cry, "Why do I still love him even after he lied to me? Why would I drop everything and go back to him if he asked me to? Why would I take him back?"

"Because deep down you know that he never lied to you," Sasha says. "You know that he actually loves you and it wasn't for some stupid bet he made with his friends. Love is crazy and makes us do crazy things."

You sniff and wipe away your tears. "Can we get out of here? I don't want to be here when his match is done because I know he'll want to come looking for me," you ask.

Sasha nods and says, "Of course. Get changed and we'll head back to the hotel."

You nod and change out of your ring gear and into your street clothes. You let Sasha borrow some extra clothes you had so the two of you can leave as soon as you're changed.

****

Back in the safety of your hotel room, you order room service and watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix as you lay in bed.

There's a knock on your door at around midnight. You think it's Sasha coming to return the clothes she borrowed earlier so you answer the door.

It's not Sasha at your door. It's Adam Cole.

"What?" you ask. "It's late."

Adam says, "I looked for you after my match. I wanted to talk about what you heard."

You say, "I don't blame you for wanting to leave WWE since I left. I'd want to do the same thing if I was you."

He says, "I tried to leave the company. A few weeks after you left, I went to Regal and Triple H to get them to let me go. I was ready to drop my title just to leave the company but they convinced me to stay."

You look at Adam as he talks. This is going to be a long conversation so once he's done talking, you say, "Come inside, Adam. We can keep talking inside." You move to the side and he walks inside.

Closing the door, Adam says, "I get why you left. I lied to you a few times at the start but within two weeks, I called off the bet."

"Adam," you say.

He shakes his head and he says, "Let me explain."

You sit on the bed and look at him. "So explain," you say.

Adam walks and stands in front of you. He says, "The night of the bet, the four of us got drunk. We drank a lot and we started talking about relationships. I mentioned to them that I had a little thing for you and that's when Bobby came up with the bet. He said that there was no way that I'd be able to get you into bed. Kyle and Roddy joined his side. I accepted the bet because I was drunk and liked you for some time. I was the only single guy in the Undisputed Era. But, like the dumbass I am, I took it a step further and started a relationship. Two weeks after the relationship started, I completely called off the bet because you meant so much more to me than a stupid bet."

You say, "Being drunk doesn't excuse you from accepting it. It won't work on me."

He says, "I'm not done yet. After the bet ended, I told myself that I'd never tell you about it because of this happening with us. You getting mad and leaving. I'd never choose my career over you because I know in the long run, you'd always be there for me. Wrestling is something I'll do until I'm fifty or so but there's nothing for me after that until I met you. Then I messed everything up. You're even seeing someone else right now so I don't expect you to come back to me."

You sit and listen to every word. Once he's done talking, you say something. "I'm not seeing anyone right now. I've been single for the past six months, But if I asked you to retire right now, you'd do it?" you ask, testing him.

Adam nods and says, "Yes, I would. You mean more to me than a bet or than wrestling. I love you, even after all this time. Please, forgive me."

You sigh, "I have forgiven you, Adam. For the most part. I just can't forget what happened and what you said to me that day. You lied to me just to get me in bed. You lied to start a relationship with me. All you had to do was say, 'hey, Y/N. I like you and I'd like to take you out on a date' because I would have said yes. I liked you for so long, Adam. All you had to do ask me out."

He looks down at you and he says, "You don't have to forget because we can both grow from what happened. I'm a dumbass, I know. I was just nervous and in a way, the bet made me talk to you. I just want to make it up to you, Y/N. Let me make it up to you. Let me take you on that date. A real first date."

You look up at Adam and say, "I don't know. I don't fully trust you, Adam."

Adam tucks a piece of loose hair behind your ear and he says, "I can make it up to you, Y/N. Let me at least try. I've learned from this and I want to show you that I've learned from this."

Your heart pounds in your chest as he touches you for the first time in six months. Without knowing it, you lean into his touch and close your eyes.

His hands rest on your cheeks for a second before he pulls you up so you're standing in front of him. You look up at Adam. "I'll think about it," you say, finally reply to what he said.

You feel Adam's hands leave your cheeks and slide to your waist. He pulls you closer to him. You're eye level with his chest before you look up at him with your eyes, meeting his pretty blue orbs.

"Can I start right now?" Adam asks as he starts to lean into you. You grab a fistful of his shirt, not knowing if you should back away or not.

Your lips brush against Adam's and you say, "I still need some time."

His lips move down to your neck and you gasp softly, tilting your head back a bit. Adam mumbles, "I need to make it up to you, Y/N." He starts to kiss your neck gently. Your hands slide into his hair as he picks you up by your thighs. You wrap your legs around his waist.

Sighing as he kisses your neck, you give in and say, "God, make it up to me, Adam. Make it up to me all night if you want to. I need you."

You look down at Adam and he looks up at you, pulling away from your neck. He kisses you hungrily. Your lips move feverishly against his, both of you letting out soft moans into the kiss.

He lays you down on the bed and hovers over you, not breaking the kiss. He grinds his bulge against your clothed core. You moan into the kiss, reaching down and pulling Adam's shirt up over his head. That breaks the kiss momentarily but your lips connect again like magnets right after.

The passionate kiss becomes more intense when Adam slips his tongue into your mouth. His fingers dip into the waistband of your sweatpants, rubbing you slightly over your panties. You moan against his lips.

Adam's hands run up your body, slipping under the shirt you're wearing. He pushes up the shirt until his hands are on your breasts, massaging them. You gasp and moan, pulling back from the kiss. You lift your arms above your head so Adam can pull off your shirt. You never put on a bra when you got changed earlier.

He pushes up your shirt, kissing and sucking on your breasts. Your eyes close and you smile.

"You're so beautiful," Adam mumbles against the sensitive skin on your breasts. "I am so in love with you."

You sigh, "Less talking, Cole. More fucking."

Adam smirks and says, "With pleasure."

Within seconds, both your pants and Adam's pants are off with both your underwear. Adam hovers on top of you between your legs.

His lips are on yours, moving feverishly against yours. Your hands are on Adam's back, holding him close to you.

The tip of Adam's erect member runs through your wet folds, making you moan into the passionate kiss.

"Adam, baby," you mumble against his lips. "If you don't stop teasing me instead of fucking me, I'll walk out the door. I swear to God-" You're interrupted by Adam thrusting hard into you, making you cry out in pain and pleasure. Your fingernails dig into his back.

He has a smirk on his lips and says, "You were saying?"

You stare up at him and move your hips so he's completely inside of you. "You gonna do something or are you just gonna lay there?" you ask.

Adam positions himself above you so he thrusts into you. Slowly but deeply. His hips are already flush against yours as he pushes your legs up so they rest against his arms.

He's kissing your neck as he thrusts his hips into you. Every few seconds, his thrusts get faster and harder. Your fingers slide down his back, definitely leaving scratch marks.

The room is filled with your moans and the sound of skin slapping together. A layer of sweat has appeared on both your bodies. It's a little warm in the room.

Your moans get louder the harder he moves. Your hands eventually make their way into his hair, gripping it a little bit as he moves.

Adam lets out soft groans as he thrusts harder and deeper into you than he ever has. You throw your head back and pant, "God, I love you so much. I love this so much."

He smiles and starts to kiss your neck. His thumb rubs your very sensitive clit, making you almost scream out his name. "Fuck, Adam. Just like that," you cry out.

The bed begins to creak and hit the wall a bit when Adam picks up speed again. Your legs begin to shake and your walls clench around Adam.

Adam realizes how close you are and he says in your ear, "Come for me, baby. I want you to come around me like you always do."

You don't wait anymore. You release around Adam, crying out his name. He pulls out right before he comes, releasing his seed all over your core and stomach. His fingers help you ride out your high.

Adam collapses beside you, grabbing his shirt and wiping you down. You pant and stare up at the ceiling.

You think about the day you left and you close your eyes.

Maybe you overreacted a little bit by leaving. You never heard the whole story, until today. You never let him fully explain.

You let out a sigh and ask, "Do you really love me? Even after six months apart?" Your eyes open and you look over at Adam.

Adam looks over at you and says, "I was ready to love you forever. Of course I love you after six months apart."

"Do you have any other secrets you need to tell me?" you ask.

He shakes his head and says, "I'm a completely open book to you now. No more secrets, I promise."

You lean over and press a lingering kiss to his lips. After a few seconds, you answer the question he asked you six months ago right before you walked out the door.

"Then yes," you say, not pulling back very far from the kiss.

He tilts his head and asks, "Yes, what?"

You smile and say, "I'm answering the question you asked me six months ago before I left. Yes."

Adam thinks for a second before he finally gets it. He smiles wide and puts his hands on your cheeks, pulling you down for another kiss. You giggle against his lips.

He rolls onto you then gets off the bed. He fetches his jeans, pulling something out. "I've carried this with me everyday for six months, hoping that one day you'll accept it," Adam says, coming back to the bed.

In his hand is the same velvet black box that he held out to you six months ago and inside, the same diamond oval engagement ring he presented to you.

You smile as he pulls out the ring, sliding it onto your left ring finger.

Adam lightly kisses you and says, "That's my promise that I will not keep another secret from you, unless it's a secret to surprise you in a good way."

You giggle and look at your ex-boyfriend turned fiancé before you say, "The guys and Sasha will be so confused when I show up with a ring on my finger."

"Let's worry about that tomorrow," Adam says. "I still have a lot to make up for and it might take all night."

And with that, you spend all night having the best make up sex with Adam. You don't fall asleep until the sun has begun to rise.

139 notes · View notes

hearteyes-for-killmonger · 3 years

Text

The Spirit of Christmas

Did someone order a Christmas fic? Oneshot. Erik is being hassled by his annoying neighbor.

Erik's eyes drooped as he looked down on the overgrown child standing before him, short, bundled up, and grinning in a hideous bulky sweater that Christmas threw up. Gold bells dangled from her sleeves. There were multicolored puff balls. His four-year-old play niece couldn't even make anything that ugly. Wasn't she embarrassed? No, she'd have to be somewhat aware for that to kick in.

From the moment she knocked on his door back in April with that same unsettling grin and an offering of rabbit-shaped cookies to let him know she was his new neighbor, he knew there was something wrong with her mentally, he just didn't know what. Needless to say the cookies went in the trash and from then, he'd made it a point to avoid her. He'd tried! On God he had, but as hard as he tried was as strong as she would not let that happen.

What went through that happy little empty head of hers? Did it sound like air blowing through or were there little dancing elves singing all day like Smurfs? As she beamed up at him, he didn't like the hope in her eyes. She was gonna ask for something and it was never anything simple like sugar or flour.

"Merry Christmas neighbor!" Her large dimples sank in. She looked sneaky.

He threw the door shut, but stopped when he heard a loud squeak. Her hand was in the crack blocking the door from closing in her face. That had to have hurt. Opening the door, he started to ask if she was okay but she spoke first, rubbing her hand with a slight wince.

"I've been watching you."

His eyebrows went down knitting together.

"I've seen a lot.. Things you don't think I've seen," she bragged with a smug cross of her jingling arms. Erik stiffened thinking of the bands of cash sitting out on his coffee table.. drugs in a duffel on the floor. His eyes narrowed.

"Oh?" His eyes flickered to the neighboring apartment doors as he wondered who else was watching. "What you see?"

She pushed her index into his chest. "You haven't had visitors since I moved in! No friends.. no family!"

Erik exhaled his relief. "I'm not a people-person."

"If you're a people, you're a person. That makes you a people person," she chirped. Again she made no sense. Erik took a long blink closing the door more carefully this time. "Wait," her hand jetted out again. It was the other hand now blocking the door from shutting.

"What do you want, Jessica," Erik waved impatiently leaning with his elbow on the door frame.. partially to support his resting weight and partially to keep her out. She liked to be nosey looking into his apartment past his body, craning her neck to get into his business.

"I'm doing Christmas in Pittsburgh with the fam, come with me."

He almost spit.

"No."

She blocked the door again and he rolled his eyes putting his head briefly on the door.

"Jessica, I'm tryna be nice 'cause I don't know quite what's wrong with you... but you pushing it."

"It's Christmas spirit! Oh Erik, can't you feel it? It's all around us! 🎵 Christmas is the time of year for being with the one's we love. Sharing so much joy and cheer," she sang. "What a wonderful fe'-"

"PLEASE..."

She froze.

"Don't sing..," he whispered. "Look I have plans. Thanks for the invite but I can't make it."

"Hm." Her finger pointed hard and accusingly. "Erik Stevens you're lying to me! You spend every holiday here in this apartment. I know!" Looking around first, she leaned forward. "I check..."

"With who?"

"This won't do! You gotta get into the festivities, it's Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year!"

"Busy."

"But-"

That was all she got out before the door closed in her face. Erik didn't like holidays. To him, they were regular days but worse because everyone seemed so damn happy as if reality had somehow slipped away. He couldn't just forget real life so easily, he wasn't built that way. Finishing his count, he stored his cash and started on dinner.

"A man fires a rifle for many years and he goes to war. He comes home and he sees that whatever else he may do with his life like build a house, love a woman, change his son's diaper but he will always remain a jarhead," Swoff said onscreen as Erik shoveled a forkful of cheesy pasta into his mouth. This was reality. War, death, power struggle, and debauchery.

A series of knocks on his door had Erik rolling his eyes again. He ignored it until he realized she wasn't leaving then he paused the movie.

"What," he yelled swinging his door open to that same annoying grin.

"Erik, don't close the door! Please, come with me it'll be so much fun. It's twenty minutes away!"

"NO."

"You'll get a present!"

"Nuh-what kinda present? Not one of those ugly ass sweaters I hope."

"Oh this," she chuckled pulling on a bell. "My mom sewed it.. One night and I won't bother you ever again... until New Year's."

"Bye," the door closed.

"Okay okay!" She blocked it. "You won't hear a peep from me until Memorial Day, thank you for your service!"

"My what?"

"I accidentally got your mail one day, you had a VA appointment."

Erik could feel the intense irritation palpable and radiating on his skin.

"I swear, you won't see or hear me just one night of fun," she beamed, blinking quickly with praying hands. Erik sighed looking back at his leftovers to put away.

"Do you promise?... You won't look at me, talk to me, bother me if I go with you this one night?"

---

The ride took twenty-five minutes, five minutes longer than she'd said and she'd sang the entire ride. He was Christmas'd out already. Then he saw the house surrounded in snow.

It was a humble cream colored house with white around the windows and a red door decorated with a wreath. Multicolored lights lined the roof and an inflatable snowman stood guarding the bushes out front. Jessica giddily bounced behind the wheel turning off the car including the heat and Erik was forced to follow her into the residence. The door wasn't locked. They were greeted with heat, strings of Christmas lights, a tall tree decked in pricey looking ornaments, and the sound of old music. Erik knew the song by Bing Crosby.. but he didn't like it.

"Mommy! Daddy! I'm home!"

"My baaby," a woman's voice came, chased by an older woman with neatly arranged grey twists pinned by a mistletoe hair clip. She was definitely a Claire Huxtable type in a white silk blouse, red lipstick, pearls, a red skirt, and low heels. Why wasn't she as tacky as her daughter? Hadn't she made that hideous sweater? She hung onto Jessica, smiling and swaying her back and forth in her arms as if she hadn't seen her in a while.. and then she noticed Erik and straightened. "Ooh. Where are my manners," she smiled looking between him and her daughter as if she were missing something she'd ask Jessica about later in private. Erik felt only mildly uncomfortable. "I'm Ernestine... you are?"

"Mom, this is my neighbor, Erik. I told you he was cute! Ain't he HOT!"

Ernestine's brow raised at her daughter and Erik wondered if something really was wrong with Jessica.

"He has dimples like me! He-"

"Okay dear, that's nice. Erik could I speak to you for a moment?" Ernestine smiled gently but he could read it. She had something serious to say. Following her into the kitchen where casserole dishes and pots and pans of food sat, he could smell cooking like he hadn't smelled in a couple of months. She cooked like his late grandmother and it made him salivate. Greens, shrimp, chicken, ham, mac and cheese, yams, potato salad. He could almost taste it.

"Sorry I'm not really dressed," he offered with Ernestine waving him off.

"Not at all.. Erik..," she paused choosing her words carefully. "What.. exactly.. do you.. know.. about my daughter?"

Erik felt her meaning between the words. "Not much," he admitted. "We're just neighbors. Is she..." He didn't know how to ask it.

"She's eccentric" was the answer. "A little.. different than most."

Erik swallowed his response.

"I know," Ernestine nodded seemingly reading his mind. She must've been used to it. "But I look at it this way.. It's rare that such a beautiful spirit is born into this world, since she was a baby that's never changed. She's our angel.. Please, I know it's not your responsibility but.. look out for her. Will you?"

"Sugarplum," a booming voice yelled from the living room taking the attention. When Erik looked back to Ernestine she smiled and he followed her from the kitchen to see a heavyset older black man shaking Jessica in his arms as she grinned.

"Me next," a younger guy said. From the context, Erik could see it was father and brother. Donald and Joshua who was probably in his early twenties. They both nodded to him as he smiled politely, hands clasped in front of himself. "What you been up to sis? Staying outta trouble I hope."

She shared a few tales from her job. He didn't know she was a dentist, it shocked him completely. Was she really smart enough? Apparently so.

"And I told Mr. MacDougall the SNUGGLE is real," she snickered tickled rosy by her own joke to her patient. She laughed from her nose, forever on the verge of snorting while her family looked at her like she was the baby Jesus. They really did adore her. "But wait! There's MYRRH!!!" Tears leaked from her eyes from laughing and Erik found himself smiling to blend in.

"Oh phooey, Erik, don't be a phoney," Jessica wiped her eye, still shuddering in her laughter. She threw a white pillow from the leather couch at him and he caught it feeling suddenly awkward. "You never laugh at my puns! That's what makes it's so funny," she gasped in stitches. "Mr. MacDougall didn't laugh either. He just stared like he was so confuuused," she wheezed, her nostrils flaring like headlights. It broke her brother who snorted. "I swear I love your faces!"

"Hey hey!" A voice came from the front door as a woman with a brown fur vest scooted inside to the living room with matching brown boots followed by a small group of happy people carrying gifts. They kissed the rest of the family, laughing and talking about everything from rowdy kids to the snow. They seemed like a normal family, everyone but Jessica. She jumped up quickly to take the gifts adding them under the bigass fir tree and Erik wondered what type of gifts they gave and how he'd get one.

Jessica hugged every single person in that group as well as the next. The house was full and loud with laughter, stories, and the sound of kids running back and forth.

"SIT YA ASS DOWN," he heard an auntie growl at a kid only a little older than his play niece. The kid looked at her, sitting immediately.. reminding him of his childhood with his family. "Excuse me," the woman waved apologetically when she made eye contact, but it made Erik feel comfortable. He smiled.

When the family played charades, he sat quietly and hoped they wouldn't call him up and he was lucky because they were too busy competing for a turn, each person imitating a family member and getting roars of laughter followed by an "I am not like that" or an "AND?!" The reactions tickled Erik more than anything. He tried to watch each family member from then to see if the impressions were accurate and he laughed to himself on the ones he could personally confirm.

"Hey Erik," one of the men called from around the kitchen table. The seats were full all around with additional folding chairs pulled up. "Prettyboy like you know how to play spades?"

Erik's brows rose and he blew out a breath. "Old man.. you sure you in the mood to lose?" The man's face dropped and instantly Erik felt his foot in his mouth. He'd gone too far.

"..I think you got a challenge, Lem," the man beside him on his right smirked, coughing to hide his laugh. Lem cut the cards after the man to his left shuffled.

"I'll ask you the same question when you're digging this old foot out ya ass," Lem chuckled and another man stood to let Erik sit. Erik played four successful games before Jessica appeared over his shoulder whispering loudly in his ear. He controlled his shudder feeling the air on his face.

"Christmas scavenger hunt," she said pulling him from the chair. "My neighbor," she explained to the table, hugging him proudly. "Okay, let's go!"

The outdoor scavenger hunt happened in the backyard in the dark. Erik didn't understand why his wrist had to be tied to Jessica's. It wasn't like any scavenger hunt he'd done, not that he'd done one since he was eight and that was for Easter.

"Follow me," Jessica pulled as if he had a choice. She fell almost instantly. "Owww, I bongo'd my booty," she pouted seriously, rubbing her butt.

"..Now I gotta get outta here," he muttered.

"Huh?"

"I said did you see that reindeer."

"What reindeer?" She looked puzzled but forgot it fast.

She pawed through trees and got down on her knees in the snowy grass to feel around which was more than anyone else was doing. They were mostly talking and enjoying the view of the bright sky. It was a beautiful night. The more Jessica searched through the snow, Erik began to think of her hands. She wasn't wearing gloves. Her hands had to be freezing. He looked around at the guests standing around casually.

"Jessica.. I don't think you'll find anything under the snow let's look somewhere else."

"I'm like a bloodhound for this, I can smell it!" She continued to shift snow, digging on her knees shifting around the ground and Erik's mind went to Ms. Ernestine.

"Jessica.. stand up," he whispered through his teeth tugging her up with a quick yank of his wrist. "It's too cold for you to be digging through snow with your bare h-" There was a plastic ornament in her palm, a proud grin on her face.

"I knew it," she leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. "Joshua planted it and he's not that creative," she whispered giddily. "He must have done it before the snow... WE FOUND IT! WE FOUND THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS! WE WIN! YES!! TAKE THAT LOOOOSERRS!!"

As the round of applause and some disappointed groans followed, Erik felt awkward standing with her as she gloated in her ridiculous victory dance but he couldn't negate that... she was right. Once untied, he stood next to her as she turned in the ornament to Ms. Ernestine exchanging it for two small red gift boxes. Handing Erik one, she beamed at him and the small crowd.

"Same time."

He nodded and at the same time they opened the boxes.

"Socks!!! Oh my God I love fuzzy socks," she spazzed bending backward to cheer at the sky. When Erik looked in his box, he looked up at the crowd and Ms. Ernestine. Was it really cool to accept this? Should he give it to Jessica? "What did you get," Jessica asked. He showed her. "Eh.. it's nice but I like mine better," she winked. It was a $100 bill. She could've had tons of socks. He sat down their boxes and felt her hands, they were still cold.

"Let's go inside and warm up," he nodded toward the house glad when Ms. Ernestine agreed, announcing that it was definitely time to eat. She said the prayer as people held hands and Erik couldn't remember the last time anyone around him had held hands to pray. "Let me get that for you. You want a lil everything?" He stepped in to fix an older lady's plate so she wouldn't lose her seat or wait in line. That led to him fixing three different plates for people but Jessica was right there with him, smiling the whole time. "Have a seat," he told her, doubling down when she politely declined. "You've done enough, enjoy your family."

Confused, she did what he suggested and he brought her food and drink to her in the living room before finding a nearby seat. She was just as quirky as ever, saying things that made no sense, but Erik was too into the food to care. He ate three plates and drank two eggnogs.

Right when he thought he'd go into a food coma, he heard his name.

"Erik," a gruff voice called from the dining room. It was her dad waving him over where most of the men were. "Hey, do me a favor and go upstairs to the room on the right and grab that jar from the top shelf of my closet.

Erik looked around briefly with slightly widened eyes for Joshua but didn't see him.

"You want me to..," he questioned.

"Yeah, son, go get it and bring it here. Thanks."

Son, Erik thought as he went up the stairs. The man barely knew him yet called him son. This family was something else and it wasn't something he was used to.

In the closet was a glass mason jar full of pocket change and dollars of varying values. There were 50s in there. The fact that he was trusted to retrieve it spoke volumes. He carried it down the stairs carefully fulfilling his mission to get it back to Mr. Donald who thanked him asking no questions.

"And the jar this Christmas... goes to.. drumroll," he commanded getting a loud drum of hands on laps, tables, and walls. "DREW!"

"YES," a teenage boy shouted hurriedly finding his way forward to pose beside Mr. Donald with the jar. His grin full of braces was as big as Jessica's in that moment and when Erik glanced at Jessica, she waved. He nodded back with a small smile. She was beginning to grow on him... just a little.

When the house erupted in carols, he didn't feel pressured to sing. He sat and listened, smiling at the little kids who sang the loudest with the drunk uncle leading in an offbeat baritone. It was a warm feeling he'd forgotten.

And then they exchanged gifts with some people opening there's on the spot and some people taking theirs to go along with several plates of food.

"Erik," Jessica smiled bouncing happily in front of him like she had the best news. She put a red and green gift box in his hands. The dog design was tacky, but he could look past that now. "Open it now," she rushed and when he did, he was taken aback.. again. "I made this on the off chance that you'd say yes and come home for the holidays with me."

His fingers rolled over his face pasted on top of a photoshopped body added to her family's group photo and it was the most bizarre and lowkey creepy gift he'd ever gotten.. but in that way, it was also perfect which hit different. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't stop looking at it.

"Ew... Don't get all soft on me now Stevens," she blurted rolling her eyes with genuine disgust. What kind of response did she expect? He laughed thinking about it.

"Come here," he grabbed her into a hug she fought to get out of.

"Ew ew ew, feelings!"

It only made him laugh and hold tighter.

---

The ride back to the apartment was more chill. Quiet except for the old music that Jessica sang along to, this time under her breath. When they reached the building, there was a relaxed peace as they went up in the elevator together.

"I owe you a Christmas present," Erik said at the door glancing over as Jessica opened the door to her apartment.

"You do, I gave you a good one."

He blew a small laugh through his nostrils. "Yes. Yes, you did. Have a good night, okay?"

"Sleep in heavenly peace," she smiled leaning her head on her door. He nodded and entered his apartment, picking up in the living room before getting ready for bed. There was another series of knocks on the door.

"What's up," he asked opening it to a squinting Jessica. She looked a little constipated or confused. "You good? What you need?"

"Uh. I know I promised, but do I still have to stay away from you until Memorial Day? I kinda had a lotta fun tonight. It looked like you did too."

Erik shook his head, too tired to laugh at the nonsense. One thing for sure, he'd never be bored.

"You can talk to me," he nodded dramatically before yawning. "We family ain't we?"

"Good because for New Year's we gotta go turn up at my granny's cat hotel! Eee!!" She clapped squealing in excitement. "You'll love her, she's just like me but she's just a little weird," she whispered.

Erik's brows knit together as he broke down that statement. That was something to think about when the time came, he was too tired.

"Good night, Jessica," he sang closing the door gently. She stopped it.

"One more thing!"

"Girl do you ever get tired!"

"Merry Christmas, brother from another mother," she grinned. He shook his head with a sigh.

"..See you on New Year's."

@nahimjustfeelingit-writes @goddessofthundathighs @thadelightfulone @mszrenee @woahitslucyylu @badgalbrix1 @supersizemeplz @idont-know-shit @vikkidc @ladymac82 @xsweetdellzx @msreshel

#original #erik killmonger #killmonger #erik stevens #erik killmonger fanfiction #erik stevens au #christmas fic

121 notes · View notes

daisylincs · 3 years

Text

Today is, officially, the last day of 2020 - so it's literally just in time that I'm getting to @aosrecweek's amazing challenge. But that does go to show the nature of this crazy year a little bit, right? Time has just been INSANE, and I honestly cannot believe it's so close to over.

That said, I want to put it out there that everyone - absolutely everyone - who created something in this mad year, is a SUPERHERO. Like. We could have hidden away in dark corners, curled into little balls, and lost touch with our creativity entirely - but instead, we made some of the most fantastic content I have ever seen. And, excuse the language, but that is fucking amazing, of each and every single one of us. We're bloody INCREDIBLE, you guys. We really are.

Now, the rules of this challenge dictate that I've got to start with some of my own things, then repeat with the same number of creations by other people. So I'm going to do that, and I apologise for the sheer length (and self-plug-iness) of what is about to follow - but, bloody incredible, remember? I really mean that. 💜💜💜

My Own:

you could call me babe for the weekend - 19k of Spideychelle being oblivious, mutually pining IDIOTS while being snowed in. And, you know, fake dating. (This thing was SO MUCH FUN to write and though, yeah, it got completely out of control, as evidenced by the 19k, I still really love it.)

'tis the damn season - my first attempt at writing a multi-chap, and, yeah, it only has one chapter as of now, but I really love said chapter. Basically, it's Daisy and Mackelena being friends, and honestly just the BEST friends - I adore the style I managed to achieve in this thing. Plus, the Skimmons I have planned up next is going to be da bomb.

the closest thing - Philindaisy plus fake family. Also; amusement parks. And for a fangirl like me - well, it was pretty much a dream come true to write!

oh valley of plenty - in this fic, I basically told myself, so AoS won't give us Huntingbird in the finale? Fine. I'll just do it myself then - in the fluffiest way possible. And that's exactly what I did - making them, and their kids, be best friends in Perthshire.

maybe life should be about more - a very angsty Skimmons and Daisy-centric AU, focusing on the internalised homophobia Daisy has experienced through her life, and shaking it off (and eventually, y'know, getting together with Jemma.)

and it's dark in a cold december (but i've got you to keep me warm) - Fitzsimmons just make such a supreme pairing for hurt/comfort, what with how insanely well they understand each other and care about each other, so I'm really glad for the Fitzsimmons Secret Santa giving me the chance to write this! Basically, this follows our science duo through a stressful mission on Christmas Eve (so yes, it's a mission fic!!) and realising that the two of them can do anything together.

july second - ahhh, one of my personal favourites to write! Daisy birthday surprise fluff will always be top-notch for me, especially for all the team-as-family fluff you can add in, especially especially that this is set in Staticquake times! Also, it's from Hunter's point of view, which will forever be the most insanely fun thing to write, I do think.

i just wanna be with you - man, I'm such a big royal fan, so getting the chance to write a modern royalty AU for my OTP was nothing short of amazing!! This is Princess Daisy and her fiancée Lincoln Campbell at their official engagement interview

see the line where the skye meets the sea - shameless season 1 bby Bus Kids fluff, featuring movie nights, singalongs and... so much fluff your teeth will rot. Also I'm really freaking proud of the pun in the title okay

'cause all that you are is all that i'll ever need - Huntingbird waking up together fluff (because, fight me, Huntingbird in their sweet moments is one of the sweetest things you will ever get to read or write.) This is also my, fluffy, take on the origin of the Franny's Saloon keychain.

we love you, we love you (and we hope you love we too) - aha, my first polyship fic! Also my first try at some actually fancy HTML formatting (forever thanks to Kat for explaining.) Both of these things combined to form a fic that even I think is ridiculously fluffy and funny, and kinda amazing, at that.

and man I don't know where the time goes (but it sure goes fast like that) - Another Bus Kids movie night fic, but this one set post-season 7, and reflecting on how far they've come. A little bit more hurt/comfort-y than it's pure fluff prequel, but still super fluffy and soft. And, of course, with a happy ending.

she shares my dreams, i hope that someday, i'll share her home - snowy Fitzsimmons fluff, complete with them falling in love at the Winter Olympics, as you do.

then you walked in and my heart went boom - 16k of Dekesy for the wife, and remarkable for that, because literally a month ago from this, I hated Dekesy with my entire soul. Then I started reading Kat's fics, and, well, fell in love with them... so much so that I wrote sixteen thousand words of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, bed sharing holiday fluff for them.

a love like that - a Fitzsimmons Cinderella AU, featuring my two favourite science babies, in true science bby style, falling in love over science and how stupid the whole courting thing is. Also, Daisy makes a brief appearance, and she's the freaking best.

ever after - ah, probably the one single fic I'm proudest of. A post-season 7 Daisy character study focusing on her emotional rollercoaster re: losing her family/things never being the same again, which just achieves... an emotional level that I have never managed to replicate again. I was full-on sobbing while writing it, and, guys, it also part-holds the Closest To Making Kat Cry prize.

blue - Daisy character study spanning snapshots of seven seasons, and before - but tied together by something blue in every moment. Researching for this, and finding all the blue moments, was very interesting, and immensely satisfying, especially since all the moments where a little bit of blue was present actually combine to chronicle Daisy's journey on the show remarkably well.

who is that girl I see - the one time I decided to write straight angst, and straight angst with no happy ending. Melinda May post-Bahrain, folks.

take my hand, take my whole life too - aww, the first thing I wrote that I really and truly loved. A Staticquake and Fitzsimmons Actors AU, featuring a proposal on set and INCREDIBLE amounts of fluff and softness.

hold out your hand, 'cause friends will be friends - the wife's favourite, and, as second fics go, pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. It's a Soulmates AU for Staticquake and Mackelena, with the focus being on DaisyMack friendship, and lots of denial, angst, and guilt about finding their soulmates. (They figure it out eventually, don't worry - it's me, of course I made them happy.)

Fitzsimmons + Fake Dating moodboard - Fake dating will always be FAB, and picturing it out in a moodboard - especially for my clueless bby best friends in love - was the best, and super satisfying.

Staticquake + Orange moodboard - One of the cooler ideas I had for Trick or Treat (which I still have not finished, heaven help me) was to make a series of moodboards for my OTP plus different colours. This orange one is just so light, and cheerful, and happy, and honestly I kinda adore it.

This Philindaisy + Family Moodboard - making moodboards can be insanely frustrating when you just can't find the photo that fits exactly right. With this one, however, I found all the pics I needed pretty insanely fast, and, better, the whole thing just worked, and really nicely so, too.

This Bus Kids + Baking Cookies moodboard - there's absolutely NO faults to be found with tiny, adorable Skye, Fitz and Jemma concocting choc chip cookies - but I'm actually doing a tiny cheat here, because, cute as my moodboard here is, the accompanying fic by my love @eowima is the SWEETEST and best thing you could ever wish for!!!

This Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week Photoset - Day 3 of Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week focused on an emotion, and I picked confidence and power, because honestly, it's nothing short of amazing how confident and powerful our gorgeous girl has become.

This Daisy Johnson Appreciation Week Photoset - One of the times I wish I could gif, because this quote about struggling though never giving up just suits Daisy perfectly. The photos I found are cool, though, and I mean, it's Daisy, so that's already absolutely fabulous.

Other People's:

I managed to find twenty-six of my own things that I liked enough to put up there (because, yes, I'm that big a dork, 26 things for me being 26 is the way to go :D) Anyway, now that gives me the amazing chance to spotlight twenty-six of my favourite creations by my FANTASTIC mutuals! 😍

To start, my wife - Kat said I couldn't put everything she's ever written on here, so, ugh, I guess I'll just do my top five then. *grumbling* Everything by Kat is on here in spirit, though!!

Chasing Cars (even after the story ends) by @aleksandrachaev - the epic Dekesy roadtrip AU and incredible Daisy character study itself, which, I do believe, finishes today!! Words aren't enough to describe how freaking AMAZING this thing is, or how spectacularly well characterised. Just: if you haven't read this yet, you are missing out. You will laugh, you will groan, you will want to wrap Daisy in a very tight hug, and you will probably cry, too. This fic just has it all, really!

there goes the maddest man this town has ever seen by @aleksandrachaev - the post-season 7 Deke-crashes-the-Framework-Zoom-call fic I didn't know I needed (but spent the next two weeks rereading every single night.) It is absolutely INCREDIBLE, with all the Deke & Team feels we missed in the final outro scene, and honestly just the most fantastic writing. I cannot recommend it enough!

To Box It Up And Start Again (everything must go) by @aleksandrachaev - bloody hell, this BROKE me. Deke never really got to say goodbye in canon, but Kat gave him the chance to do it here. And, my freaking GOODNESS, she made it so incredibly bittersweet and heart-shattering. 10/10

i am a leaf on the wind by @aleksandrachaev - a little bit of a stretched-out, reflective moment in the season 7 finale. As Daisy lingers on the edge of death, she reflects on all the lives she could have had - and, man, what a study in bittersweetness!! This entire fic is utterly incredible, and something I think all Daisy fans should read.

Falling Into Place by @aleksandrachaev - here's a tiny cheat from me (sorry, babes, lmao) because technically this isn't one fic, but a series of three. Way too amazing to miss out on, though!! Set mid-season 7, this has the Chronicoms go after a young Mary Sue Poots to kill Quake before she can become a problem for them. They stop the Chronicoms, yes, but not without a TREMENDOUS dose of feels and hurt/comfort. There's also a wonderful little dose of Dekesy friendship, and then an adult adoption (!!) that honestly made my entire day to read. Actually, that's true for the entire series - I really canNOT yell about it enough!!

destroyer of worlds by @bobbimorseisbisexual - a study in incredible parallels between Jiaying's daughters. Utterly breathtakingly done, this will give you ALL the feels for this small and complex Inhuman family.

Muscle Memory by @robotgort and @bobbimorseisbisexual - a Huntingbird!! Bones!! AU!! And also a collaboration between two of the most fabulous Huntingbird authors in the fandom - honestly, what more can you ask for?! This will make you laugh, and gasp, and wince, and keep you guessing at each new plot twist (and also screaming at your screen for Hunter and Bobbi to get their acts together and TALK ABOUT IT.) In short: it's completely and utterly amazing, and I cannot, cannot recommend it enough!!

You Belong Among the Wildflowers by @libbyweasley - a freaking incredible Scis & Spies Regency AU! I only just started reading, but I was hooked all the way through, especially on the way Libby writes all four characters' complex relationships (and their attraction, and their history!) Everything about it is just completely stunning, and I for one cannot WAIT for these beautiful idiots to figure out they all belong together.

Family Snapshot by @tomatobookworm - if it's family fluff you're after, especially Staticquake family fluff, look no further! This tremendously soft and utterly amazing fic follows a day in the lives of a pregnant Daisy and her husband Lincoln, and their not-so-little family of Inhumans, both adopted and biological. There's also shopping with Grandma May, lots of feels, lots of shippiness, and just AMAZINGNESS all the way through!!

Best Day Ever by @loved-the-stars-too-fondly - Jemma and Daisy want to adopt a pet, and make a very special trip to Wisconsin to do it. Also, whether he knows who he is or not, Jemma has an important question to ask Cal - and just, AHHHH, everything about this is utterly stunning! For starters, Aubrey's writing is FANTASTIC, and the scene she sets is absolutely beautiful, and so very bittersweet. I was actually misting up a little with happy tears towards the end of this - really, I cannot recommend this enough, to any Skimmons fan.

so why don't we go somewhere only we know by @loved-the-stars-too-fondly - more Skimmons (platonic this time, though), more hurt/comfort, and, yes, again, more absolutely INCREDIBLE writing. This one is canon compliant, following a shaken Jemma struggling to sleep after Maveth, and how Daisy finds a way to help her out. Incredibly sweet, tender and BEAUTIFULLY written, this one was an instant favourite the moment I read it!

Unspoken by @anxiouslynumbme - a birthday fic for yours truly, and, honestly, one of the most STUNNING Staticquake introspectives I've read. It follows Daisy and Lincoln in a beautifully tender missing moment in season 3, with them both realising their feelings, and just... AHHHHHHHH, everything about it is utterly incredible!! I cannot, cannot recommend this gem of a fic enough

the thing about water droplets and ruffled hair by @que-mint-tea - here's another fic that proves, once and for all, how good Kat's Dekesy is, because it managed to convert T to write some Dekesy smut. And, oh my GOSH, what Dekesy smut - so goshdarn angsty, but so FANTASTICALLY characterised and written that it leaves you more than a little breathless, and gaping at your screen. The first chapter initially left us on the most HORRIFIC cliffhanger, but then T fixed it, and it's just... this thing is really a whole new level of emotional writing, raw and gripping and intensely perfect for both of these characters. My haw still drops whenever I think of this thing, and how utterly AMAZING it was, so yeah. Fic rec!!!

beautiful stranger, there you are by @justanalto - I do believe I still owe Serena a long and very gushy comment on this thing, because, MAN, does it ever deserve that!! Pipsy and fake dating, with the most HILARIOUSLY incredible writing, plot and characterisation, and honestly just a giddy "askhdfkhsfh" whenever I think back to how much I enjoyed it. Yup, it was that good.

Jumping to conclusions by @eowima - a very special one, because it marks my love Océane's first venture into writing AoS fic! It's an AU of 1x06 (the Fitzsimmons episode of s1) where Fitz does actually jump out of the plane to save Jemma. Realisations of feelings, and some of the most genuinely FANTASTIC Fitz characterisation I've read in a while, follow - and, yup, I was shouting at my screen for them just to get together already. Amazing stuff, really!!

Look into your eyes and the sky's the limit by @eowima - okay, this. This. Another gift for me, and one that I will probably treasure forEVER, because it is just?? so?? utterly?? perfect?? Just for starters, the title is a Hamilton reference - and then the theme of Hamilton references continues into the fic itself, I'm delighted to say. There's also the most BEAUTIFUL, playful Skimmons friendship, and teasing, and then of course the bet about who can make out with their crush first... Staticquake & Fitzsimmons perfection. And all rendered in Océane's delightful, best-thing-ever-to-read writing!! I'm going into a giddy keyboard smash just THINKING about this, so yeah, cannot recommend it enough.

lullabies and clear blue skies by @springmagpies and @bobbimorseisbisexual - okay, I never thought I'd catch myself shipping FitzBobbi, let alone shipping it this hard, but... wow. Maggie and Al teamed up to completely blow me away, and MELT MY WHOLE ENTIRE HEART with the sheer cuteness of this!! It features Fitz, Bobbi and adopting two daughters, and it's just the most tender, beautiful development through that little family - I love it so, so much.

We made all the wrong choices by @browneyedgenius - the winner of the AoS Angst War 2020, how could I not include this one? It is such a well-deserved win, though, whoa - I was sobbing, full-on sobbing, at least twice while reading. It follows the season 5 team through the events of the time-loop, after they failed to save the world - and, oh my gosh, it ripped my heart right out of my chest, but beautifully so. Everything about this fic just hits so hard, and it's written so well - yeah, really a most AMAZINGLY deserved win, for an utterly SHATTERINGLY incredible fic.

I threw stones at the stars (but the whole sky fell) by @nazezdha321 - this is Z showing us all how to write a backstory for a minor character, and write it so well that everyone's hearts break all over again when she dies. This one is about Victoria Hand, and it builds a stirring and profound childhood for her, also making her rise through the ranks of SHIELD and just her entire character mean so much more. Really, fic-wise, this is goals, and I take my hat off to you, Z, 1000%, for writing it.

in which the universe is put together by @besidemethewholedamntime - Rebecca's emotional writing, particularly Fitzsimmons' emotions, is incomparable, and she proves it all over again in this fic. If follows Fitz and Jemma before, after and during the bloodwork, and I just... wow, honestly. The emotion!! And the characterisation!! Absolutely stunning, and honestly all I could wish for in a we-had-time fic.

Agents of SHIELD Season 8 by @egumal - THIS. This, this, this, oh my gosh - as fix-it fics go, this has to be the most spectacular one I have ever read. What it does is find a way - a potentially canon compliant way, too - to bring back Lincoln Campbell, and reunite Staticquake. Basically: just about as season 7 finishes, the Astro Ambassadors get an unexpected visitor from another timeline, who asks them to come help out against Hive. Case in point, Daisy meets her lost love again (... but he has no idea who she is) and also has to relive the Fallen Agent drama. It all gets even more complicated when Kora restores Lincoln's memories, and Daisy meets the full team Deke has assembled around him in the 33 years (for him) that they've been apart... in short, this is one of the most thorough, well-written and downright SHOCKING plot-twist-wise fics that you will ever read, and honestly, saying "I can't recommend it enough" is an understatement. This thing is thd BEST, plain and simple!

Black Roses aren't real (but you and I are) by @ohwriteiforgot - ahhhh, a fic that will always have an incredibly special place in my heart, because it introduced me to one of my best fandom friends. The main focus is on Clintasha, it's true, but it's also a crossover with AoS in the sense that Clint was adopted by Coulson and May. Also, Daisy is his little sister, and their bond is gold. Also - there's Staticquake!! And flower shops!! And rivals to friends to lovers!! All I'm going to say is, what more can you ask for?!

A book to shield my story by @maybebrilliant - Staticquake High School AU, ahhhhhhhh!! There are only two chapters out so far, but the way this is shaping up is making my DAY - with Daisy as the new girl who meets Lincoln and his group of friends, and, though her foster parents are absolutely shit, starts to find actual happiness in a school for the first time in her life. Also - THE REFERENCES. Guys. I'm crazy for those, and in this book, so are my favourite dorks, Daisy and Lincoln - and let me tell you, it's nothing short of the best thing ever.

This AoS Finale Gif Edit by @heysteverogers - AoS really has been the most INCREDIBLE journey through the years, but what's really made it special is the company - and that's summed up perfectly in this gorgeous gifset. Also, the graphics on this are just, ahhhh, stunning - I'm in awe, and I've spent very long periods of time just looking at this thing in a state of heart-eyes.

This AoS Finale Gif Edit by @jemannesimms - combining Auld Lang Syne and the final scenes of my favourite show was a raw emotional - but utterly brilliant experience - for me. It's just so absolutely beautiful, and perfectly suited to the team, and their goodbyes!! Breathtaking editing work here, too.

This Daisy as Peter Parker and May as Tony Stark moodboard by @agentsofcomedyandchaos - ahhhh, a crossover of two of my favourite fandoms!! And what a lovely one, too - the colour scheme, quotes, and just the whole FEEL of this is absolutely genius, and I am guilty of being inspired by way too many fic ideas by it. Stunning stuff!!

And... whoa, that was long, but I really do feel that we deserve a bit of a proper pat on the back after creating such magical content in such a messed up year. So that's the note I'm going to leave you with for 2020, my friends: hell-year or no, look at the absolute beauty we were still able to create!! We really are freaking amazing, guys.

#aos best of 2020 #fic rec #massive fic rec list #and honestly; WHAT a list!!#despite this utter hellstorm of a year #we as a fandom have still been nothing short of INCREDIBLE #and honestly; I am SO proud of us #💜💜💜

33 notes · View notes

honey-makki · 4 years

Text

Sorry

Characters: Haiba Lev X Fem!Reader Summary: After talking to your father on the phone, Lev wants to help you unlearn unhealthy coping mechanisms. Warnings: family issues, allusions to abuse, bad childhoods, abusive language Song: seven- taylor swift Genre: hurt-> fluff Word Count: 1.7k+ A/N: This is about a rough childhood and growing from that. It’s deeply personal and could very well be triggering to people. I wanted to write something about the value of having a support system without undermining the work an individual has to do personally.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The holidays are generally a joyous time of year, full of reflection on your growth, sweet traditions with friends, and time spent with family. You adore the yearly gift exchange that you and Lev host in your shared apartment. Wreath cookies fresh out of the oven, hot cocoa in everyone’s mugs and silly pajamas.

The gifts were never serious, ranging from bacon toothpaste to a copy of Flubber (which Lev would argue is a fantastic movie, but that's besides the point) to a unicorn mug. Laughter floating around the house as people switch gifts and mosey around snacking on food and catching up with others.

Nothing brings you more joy than seeing your friends, all gathered together and just existing. Nothing can crush your spirit other than a phone call from your father. “Y/N, we expect you will be home Thursday night for the family dinner and stay for breakfast with Grandma in the morning.”

You know it won't matter how you try to get out of it, years of attempts proved that you go, or it gets worse. The already tense relationship strung even tighter, harsh words thrown your direction, implications that were clearly false, guilt piling up until you can’t take it anymore and you head home for a visit.

You tried explaining to your father that you had an overnight shift at the hospital and wouldn’t be able to make it. Hearing laughter from your friends through the phone, he tears into you for “valuing their companionship more than the people who gave you everything.” You try to get a word in but he doesn’t stop.

Lev notices you’ve been gone for almost 20 minutes on a call and decides to check on you. He walks outside to see you, sitting on the snowy stoop. The scene breaks his heart and lights a fire in him. Seeing you crying into your knees, your father still spewing vicious words from the phone sitting at your side. Both of you can hear him clearly even though he isn’t on speaker, the venom of his voice is amplified through sheer anger.

In the coldest tone your silver haired boyfriend has ever used, “Y/N has to go now,” and hangs up on your confused father. He slides into a seated position next to you, placing an arm around your shoulder, cooing soothing nothings to you. His voice brings you back to earth a little, silently crying, rather than the gut wrenching sobs.

Voice raspy from overuse, “I-- I’m sor- sorry-- sorry you had to c-come check on m-m-me.”

“Angel, don’t worry. You have nothing to apologize for. I checked on you because I care about you, not because I felt obligated,” knowing you want to rebut, he continues “don’t talk, let your voice rest. Just let me tell you that I love you and I’m here for you for as long as you’ll have me.”

He pulls you onto his lap and holds you until you feel strong enough to go inside, watching the snowflakes fall together in the meantime. ------------ Lev knew that your childhood wasn’t the best. You never brought up him meeting your parents or visiting home for the weekend. You never joined in the conversations reminiscing about “the good ole days” stating rather that you were more than happy to live in this moment.

You always shot Lev a loving glance or gave him a peck on the cheek to show that you weren't being cheesy, but genuinely meant it.

You were never slow to tell him how much you loved him, lamenting the fact that he made you feel safe, like you truly had a home. He took your words to heart, but never really understood what you were implying until that night on the phone with your dad.

Everything seemed to fall into place, puzzle pieces of your life up until now finally fitting together in his mind. The way you looked relieved when he told you that he loved you, brushing off talking about you family despite loving seeing Alisa and his parents, how you mentioned being independent at an early age.

The way you repeatedly apologize over every tiny mishap from bumping into him in the hallway or spilling a glass of water. How when you have an argument, you put space and preferably a piece of furniture between you two. The way you flinched when you heard a man yelling, retreating into Lev’s arms reflexively.

He didn’t realize what he was seeing were coping mechanisms from abuse. Overapologizing for existing, always being ready to run if needed, anxiety, and the pavlovian physical reaction you have to loud noises.

How did he not see this before? -------- It became Lev’s one true intention to help you. He tracked and noticed what triggered your anxiety so he could remove or reduce them in your daily life, always trying to stay seated and relaxed whenever an argument occurred knowing that his imposing 6’3 figure makes the problem worse, never raising his voice, even in glee, not when he was playing video games.

You noticed he was acting a little different, but weren’t exactly sure where it came from. You had still avoided his questions after the party a few months back just brushing your dad’s behavior as a one time thing. Lev made it clear that you didn’t need to go visit them if you didn’t want to do so, and if you did, that he would be going with you. Not wanting you to face that alone.

Lev started going to therapy, wanting to make the idea normal. He talked about coping mechanisms he was learning to deal with stress, offering up these little nuggets of advice in a way that you could take them and avoid his questions until you were ready to talk.

It was almost 6 months after the night Lev talked to your dad on the phone that you broke down in his arms again.

----------- Your birthday was next week. When you got out of the shower after a double shift at the hospital, the first thing you saw on your revived phone was a voicemail from your dad. Lev already knew something was wrong by the whimper embedded in the way you called out to him from your bathroom.

You were never one to show emotions unless you wanted to express them, having learned that skill at a young age, but this time it broke through. The image of Lev opening the door with force that teetered between firm and tender, face contorted into concern, his body glistening with a thin sheen of sweat over his bare chest was the epitome of comfort.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your work out ses-”

“No. Y/N you do not need to apologize to me for existing, for feeling or for needing me. Ever. I love you so, so much and would do anything to make you realize that. To make you understand that.”

That confession is how you realized Lev already knew your secret. You didn’t have the ability to process that his past actions were intentional, trying to make you comfortable and grow as an individual. You can’t process that because the thought of someone knowing about your past brought you to tears.

You never wanted to seem broken, like damaged goods, someone with too much baggage to handle. It’s the whole reason you never told Lev even though you were planning on spending your life with him. You didn’t want to ruin that; to have him not pick up the pieces of your heart. Leaving you even more broken than you were before.

He knew that his love wouldn’t fix your heart in totality or immediately resolve bad habits, but he wanted to give you the support to get there. And right now, you needed him to hold you.

The warmth of his body encompassing yours as he moves you into a sitting position reduces the cold wave of worry that ran through your body. The coo of his gentle voice whispering words of adoration and pure unadulterated love into your ear brings you out of your head, grounding you in this moment.

To the only moment that matters. Moments with him, safe, tender, and full of support. When you gather yourself, you quietly walk him through your childhood. He patiently waits, not interrupting you but assuring you to take your time when you get choked up.

“Y/N, I want to make sure that you never feel like that again. I want to help you move forward.”

And he does just that. He watches you go to therapy and come back a little lighter, even on the bad days. Lev brings you a cup of tea when your anxiety gets too bad, always fast to remove you from situations that might be triggering. He is a constant companion and cheerleader for your transformation.

------

You stand in the nursery for your soon to be child with Lev. Basking in what the future holds for the two, no, three of you. Lev notices the wistful expression on your face as you seem lost in thought. “Hey, we will be fantastic parents. Our kid is going to know what love is and see it exemplified every day.” He cups your cheeks, staring into your eyes trying to see if you not only understand, but believe him.

“I know. Sorry, I’m just, It’s just a concern I have. I don’t want to be like-”

“Y/N. You would never emulate your childhood. I’ve seen you grow so much and become the most resilient and compassionate woman I know. You will be able to teach those things to our child. I have no doubts about that.” He punctuated his proclamation with a sweet kiss on the lips and a soft hug, accommodating for your belly which holds the future, not a repeat of the past.

Tags @ceo-of-daichi @roandtheroses @sugawara-sweetheart @iguessimastannow@laughingismorefun

#lev #lev haiba #lev haikyuu #haiba lev imagine #haiba lev #lev x you #lev x y/n #lev x reader #lev haiba x reader #lev haiba x you #haiba lev x reader #haikyuu!!#haikyuu #hq #hq!!#haikyuu!! imagines #kristen writes #folklore series

73 notes · View notes

palaugranetes · 3 years

Text

🔵BLAUGRANETS🔴

JC: Y'all really gonna just be quiet this entire time huh...

Riqui: I mean.. What is there to be said

JC: 😐

9 December 2020

JC: Sometimes I feel so glad to not be there and other times I'm just sad ...

Ansu: These are sad times

Ansu: Very sad times

Ansu: One might even say depressing.

Riqui: That is exactly it.

Carlitos: You know what Ricard.. Look on the brightside...

Riqui: What brightside... There is only one side and it is as dark as night

Carlitos: Even the night has moonlight to brighten it up...

Riqui: Shut up Curlitos

Frenkie: What is that brightside?

Carlitos: Oh.. um.. this only concerns us.. the non playing players

Frenkie: 🤦🏼‍♂️

Carlitos: It is what it is.. the brightside of this @Riqui is that you and I are not part of this clownery..

Riqui:

Carles: Uhm.. why?

Riqui: You can look at this in two ways.. the brightside where it says you got a point or my side, the correct side, that says No shit Sherlock.

Carlitos: I pick the first.

Riqui: And you, once again, would be wrong

Ansu: Who do you guys think we will get 🙄

Pedri: It doesn't matter

Sergiño: It kinda does though

JC: I wonder who we will get.

Ansu: I just asked...

JC: I meant We as in Benfica

Ansu: Ah.. yeah well idc about Europa sorry 😋

JC: Well at least We have a chance at it... unlike you.

Ansu: Hey.. Words hurt..

JC: Don't poke the bear.

Dembz: Sam is the bear.. you are more like a Giraffe..

JC: Either way both can mess you up.

Dembz: Can they though?

Ansu: A Giraffe? Really?

JC: 😒

Francisco: The way the tables have turned on us in just 2 pens

Riqui: 🙂

Iñaki: I would like to not be called up anymore tbh

Arnau: For real.. I mean no amount of pep talk and hugs can save us now

Carlitos: Sure they can.

13 December 2020

Ansu: ARNAU THAT SAVE BOY!

Ansu: Y'all I'm really happy for Alex! Look at him tearing it up!!

Iñaki: Right?!

Iñaki: Cannot believe I am missing the Derbi.

Ansu: Dang Hiroki...😕😕

Riqui: Man his luck.. wtf even was that

Riqui: I really hate them

Carlitos: Me too

Ansu: @Riqui I think it is time to bring in Oscar..

Riqui: Sighs.. I know

Carlitos: Well do it then

Riqui: Fine..

Riqui added Oscar

Ansu: YES!!

Oscar: Well.. this is new

Riqui: Behave

Iñaki: YO!!!

Oscar: I literally just got here.

Riqui: I said what I said.

Oscar: 😊

Carlitos: HEYYYY

Oscar: EL DERBI ES BLAUGRANA!!! Fuck yes!!

Riqui: Language!

Ansu: 😂

Carlitos: Ouff I am so happy for the boys. We needed that

Ansu: We did.. and the adults need a W as well

Riqui: Don't put money on it

Pedri: Okay.. but as long as we have Leo we always have a chance.

Riqui:

Carlitos: Now what

Ansu: I really don't get him

Riqui: @Pedri is right

Pedri: I know

Francisco: I'm lost..

Dembz: What else is new

JC: Bro

Ansu: Harsh

Dembz: JK bro 💙

Francisco: I kinda expected that... but I am still hurt

Frenkie: I have a good feeling about today.

Arnau: hotspot that good feeling to everyone bro cause we are not having a good time

Sergiño: Some decisions are just.. 🤷🏽‍♂️

Iñaki: Yes.. some.

-------------

Dembz: Damn we really do look awful out there

Ansu: Torture. This is torture.

JC: I don't know why I keep watching.

Ansu: MARC!!

Arnau: BOSS!!!!!!! KING

Arnau: I am so glad I'm not there

Iñaki: Same

Dembz: Here here

Ansu: I wish I was... I miss it..

Iñaki: awh

Ansu: How are you even texting

Iñaki: Bro I am bored and I am not gonna play

Ansu: Fair

Arnau: LIONEL DE LA MEVA VIDA!!!!

Ansu: FUCK YES LEO!!

Dembz: Jeez Finally!

Ansu: Look at Geri hehehe being all 💪🏿💪🏿

Dembz: The way we all got injured and the pranks just poofed away

Ansu: I am safe.. so I don't care

Dembz: 😒

Arnau: Don't sleep on him though

JC: It's the Holidays.. times of joy and happiness

Arnau: And crappy football apparently

Ansu: Thank God it's over

Arnau: The way I have been saying that every match lately...

Arnau: I hate it here.

Arnau: So back to the CL.. who do you think we'll get?

Ansu: I hate that I am going to miss these matches

Dembz: I feel a Barça-City

Ansu: Just for laughs.. Bayern

Ansu: And by laughs I mean plenty of manful tears

Ansu: And by manful tears I mean crying like babies.

14 December 2020

Carlitos: So France

Riqui: Oui

Carlitos: Hey we get a free trip to Paris at least @Riqui

Riqui: In this pandemic? What's the use..

Carlitos: for once agree with me on something

Frenkie: I expected worse

Pedri: Our options were so not light

Oscar: I wonder...

Sergiño: You wonder?

Oscar: If we will get a taste of our own medicine.

Riqui: Nope we won't

Ansu: That's the spirit

Riqui: Chill

Carlitos: Look at you!

Riqui: I am trying to be nice.. Apparently I have an attitude problem...

Pedri: You? Smiley MCSmileton?

Riqui: 🤷🏼‍♂️

Ansu: I mean

Riqui: 😒

Frenkie: Nah

Pedri: The amount of BS you read in the papers

Francisco: The only problem you have Riqui is that you are not playing tbh.. and that would make someone a bit iffy.

JC: Like the stunt he pulled yst.. wtf do you mean you warmed up for nothing.

Ansu: 🤦🏿‍♂️

Oscar: Some of these decisions I tell you..

Dembz: You misspelled all*

Oscar: Working on my attitude like Riqui is.

Carlitos: 😂

Iñaki: I suggest attitude lessons from @Arnau

Arnau: Don't drag me into this please.. I only give out hugs not lessons.

Iñaki: See?

Dembz: Both of you are fine.. forget about those idiots

Ansu: You need an Attitude adjustment too

JC: *Calls John Cena*

Ansu: You are not better

JC: I would give you the finger but I won't cause I'm nice like that

Frenkie: Enough with the attitude talk.. You all are good

Pedri: What Frenks said

Francisco: So back PSG..

Riqui: We will get to it when we get to it.. We have more pressing things now I guess.. We gotta win more guys this is really making me upset

------------

Carlitos: Tusquets needs to shut the hell up.

Pedri: He could not be more wrong.

Carlitos: CAN JANUARY COME ALREADY SO WE CAN GET RID OF THESE BRAINLESS PEOPLE!!

Riqui: 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

Oscar: This is really not helping anyone.. LIKE DOES HE UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS HERE AND HE CAN HEAR HIM SAY ALL THAT SHIT?!

Riqui: I volunteer to pay for some econ and marketing courses for him

Oscar: And save some money to buy him some sense cause Holy shit

Carlitos: I am really pissed off. Like dude.. SHUT UP

Oscar: For real.

#fc barcelona #blaugranets #blaugranets gc #babies gc #riqui #ansu #carles #frenkie #pedri #fran #dembz #jc #iñaki #arnau #sergiño #oscar #football imagine #eps 11 #episode 11

13 notes · View notes

lochsides · 3 years

Text

evermore: Track-by-Track review

I didn't think I'd be writing another review for a Taylor Swift album so soon after folklore but here we are. Truthfully though, evermore feels more like a figment of my imagination than a real album, and as a result this album has been a grower for me. When Taylor said evemore would be the sister record to folklore, I was curious as to the distinguishable differences between the two, because Taylor wouldn't simply give us the same album twice. evermore is, strangely, both the wild younger sister that's more experimental and the wise older sister with a mature outlook on life. Where folklore was a product of isolation, evermore is a product of creativity and that can be felt in the music.

I’ve written my thoughts and theories on each song, and bolded my favourites, below the cut, if you’re interested. I also included my current ranking at the bottom.

Taylor has been very good at picking leading singles for the folklore/evermore era. willow is brilliantly catchy while maintaining the alternative folk sound that she established in folklore. Her vocals suit the song so well, especially on ‘follow’/“hollow” in the chorus. They pair so beautifully with the mesmerising production. The reason this song is one my favourites is purely because of the rhythm and the guitar. The lyrics are, for once, a bonus. As an entry point to evermore, willow does not ease the listener in, the song instead throws the listener in the deep end — which I feel was intentional, as Taylor said evermore was the product of wandering further into the folklorian woods.

champagne problems is easily my favourite song on this album. Storytelling is Taylor's biggest strength as a songwriter and I think this song is a achingly beautiful example of what an emotive storyteller Taylor is. It would be so difficult for me to pick a favourite lyric from this song but I love how she sets in train in the opening line, "you booked the night train for a reason, so you could sit there in this hurt / bustling crowds or silent sleepers, you're not sure which is worse." The accompaniment is gorgeous and the composition of the bridge is breathtaking. Every time the bridge plays I get chills.

gold rush was a grower for me. I'm still not a fan of the intro/outro but I enjoy the production in the rest of the song once the beat kicks in. I think it's one of the more experimental sounds on evermore but it's very catchy. I won't even talk about how the chorus called me out with "I don't like slow-motion, double vision in a rose blush, I don't like that falling feels like flying 'til the bone crush."

'tis the damn season is the non-holiday-holiday song that still has a classic sound and production. I know this song is Dorothea's perspective but I get a lot of illicit affairs parallels with this one as well: "don't call me baby" / "you could call me babe for the weekend", "what started in beautiful rooms ends with meetings in parking lots" / "the road not taken looks real good now, time flies, messy as the mud on your truck tires".

tolerate it is a hard song for me to review because I literally zone out every time I listen to it. I think it's my brain's way of protecting me from toxic relationship trauma 🙃 but it's another gut-punch track five, what else is new? I mean she literally said "now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life, drawing hearts in the byline, always taking up too much space or time," and broke my nervous system.

no body, no crime is the best country song Taylor has ever written, period. The sirens at the start, the storytelling, the way it sounds like an old-school murder-mystery movie. HAIM on the backing vocals were great, though I do wish they had at least a verse of their own. That's literally my only critique of this song. It's that good.

There's so much maturity in Taylor's outlook on happiness. I connect this song to her tarnished relationship Sc*tt/BMG and how she's happy after leaving but she was also happy during the time she was with them. I really enjoyed the simple addition of the piano and the way it built up to add depth to the production. Taylor's delivery of the line "no one teaches what to do when a good man hurts you and you know you hurt him too" really hits me.

dorothea is a really nostalgic, retro school-dance-vibe, kinda playful song with a personality, which I adore. The production is absolutely timeless. I woke up today with the chorus stuck in my head. I think "if you're ever tired of being known for who you know, you know, you'll always know me" is fun word play and I'm a nerd of that type of thing. (Side note: to me, this song feels very reminiscent of her friendship with Karlie Kloss, right down to the "selling makeup in magazines.")

coney island gives me desolate, abandoned theme park vibes. The simplicity of the production only enhances it. It's everything I could've hoped for in a song titled "coney island" and featuring The National. Matt Berninger's vocals are absolutely astounding. What does it say about me that my favourite aspect of this song is the feeling of despair laced into its bloodstream.

ivy is another favourite but what did I expect from a song filled to the brim with longing and mentioning the crescent moon? The instrumentation and her vocal styling is similar to willow. There are also lyrical parallels of "... your freezing hand, taking mine" / "I'm begging for you to take my hand" and "how's one to know I'd meet you where the spirit meets the bone" / "I never would've known from the look on your face" and she echoes both those sentiments in a different way after the respective bridges and I wonder if that's intentional. Knowing Taylor Swift, probably.

cowboy like me belongs in the center of a country/folk/slow blues Venn diagram. It's the perfect blend of the three genres. Marcus Mumford's back vocals sound so good with Taylor's. "We could be the way forward, and I know I'll pay for it" and "the skeletons in both our closets plotted hard to fuck this up" are great lyrics.

I'm not all about the way long story short stars but the song quickly settles into its skin. This is easily the most pop-sounding song on evermore but it's still somewhat experimental in comparison to Taylor's existing discography and I think it's cool that she can find space to experiment within a musical space that she has all but mastered. Say what you will but Taylor Swift knows how to make hits no matter the genre. The lyrics "he's passing by, rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky and he feels like home" reminds me so much of Call It What You Want.

marjorie gave me chills on the very first listen when Taylor sings about how her grandmother left her backlogged dreams to her. I love that they used her grandmother's actual vocals in the background, that's a really heartwarming detail. This song comes with some really solid advice too. It just feels very personal. I love the way production builds on "what does didn't stay dead" right to the bridge, which is my favourite part of the song.

closure is easily the most experimental song on the album with that the scratch tape sound and those drums. I love the sheer pettiness in her tone and the lyric "don't treat me like some situation that needs to be handled" is brilliant. That said, this is probably my least favourite. I think it's a cool song but just not for me.

evermore has some of the most beautiful lyrics on the album. "I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone, trying to find the one where I went wrong" and "barefoot in the wildest winter" are some of my favourites. I'm not a big fan of the sudden shift in tempo on either end of the bridge but Justin Vernon's falsetto makes up for it. The production is otherwise beautiful.

Note that the bonus tracks are currently at the bottom because they have not been released yet.

#taylor swift #evermore #reviews #music #ts

3 notes · View notes

wishingupontheskyandstars · 3 years

Text

Our Secret This Holiday ❄️ Chp. 7

Fic Summary: As the Holidays approach, Arya and Gendry are a new couple spending a lot of time together before they reveal to everyone else that they are dating and what better day to reveal that than on Christmas…

AO3 Link Here | Rated M

Chapter 7: Home

It was near evening when Arya and Gendry were driving on the main road in the town of Winterfell. There were shops with colorful holiday displays in front windows. People walked on the sidewalk with shopping bags in hand, passing by the shops, going in, and coming out of them. Festive lights were decorated around trees all along the road, leading to the large Christmas tree in the main square, near the town's largest theater.

"Hey, let's take a quick picture in front of the tree," Arya said with genuine excitement. She had already taken many pictures on their road trip.

"I don't know—It's pretty chilly, and it looks like it's going to snow," Gendry said as he parked the car in an empty spot in front of the theater.

Arya scoffed. "Oh come on—it was also like this, earlier today when we fuc—"

"Okay, okay." He gave in as he followed Arya to the large decorated tree.

Arya wore a gray scarf along with her teal sweater and jeans. She took one end of the scarf, and once Gendry was at her side, she wrapped that end around him. She stretched her hand, holding her phone, and as she continued to press the button to take pictures, she leaned in and kissed Gendry's cheek. He turned, and with no space between them, he kissed her hard. Arya stopped taking pictures and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him in front of the bright Christmas tree as the snow started to trickle down on them and all of Winterfell.

Half a block away, Jon and his girlfriend, Ygritte, came out of a sweets shop, holding hands. She was in a spirited mood, noticing the drizzle of snow in the air. She stuck out her tongue, catching a snowflake instantly.

"You know, you look cute doing that," he said, squeezing her hand gently.

With her eyes still closed, feeling the beauty of snow on her face, she said, "You know nothing, Jon Snow." She grinned, opening one eye and saw her man chuckle at her nickname for him.

He brought her close and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips. She kissed him back, feeling the snow rain on them.

As they continued to walk down the road, past a few shops, Ygritte looked over at the Christmas tree and then stopped.

"What is it?" Jon asked with brows raised.

Startled but with a grin on her face, she nodded her head toward the tree. "There's Arya."

"Where?" Jon looked around anywhere but at the tree.

She scoffed. "Near the tree."

Jon looked over, and his eyes enlarged as he indeed saw his younger cousin kiss some guy in a leather jacket. "I can't see who's with her." Jon started to walk their way when Ygritte pulled him back.

"Oh no, you don't."

Jon was surprised. "What?—Why?"

She rolled her eyes. "We're going to see her at the house in a little bit. Let her have some quality time with her man—whomever he is."

"I didn't know she had a boyfriend or that she's dating!"

Ygritte gave him an obvious look. "She's twenty-one. What do you expect?"

"I don't know, I—"

"Come on, Jon Snow," Ygritte said as she grabbed his hand and walked away from the couple kissing in front of the tree.

"My parents are usually in bed before midnight, so I say we wait until a quarter past."

"Wait—what?" Gendry said with an incredulous expression as he drove and turned on to the road that lead to the Stark Residence. He quickly looked over at Arya and saw her wink at him.

"It will be fine—trust me," she said.

"I don't know, Arya. If they catch me leaving your room in the morn—."

"They won't—My room is literally on the other side of the house. You're just a few doors over, much closer than they are."

Gendry sighed, hoping she was right. Before he said anything else, the house came into view, full of different colored Christmas lights. It was overwhelming yet beautiful, he thought.

"There's my dad," Arya said with a smile. Ned Stark, in his bulky coat, was putting more lights on the Weirwood tree as Gendry parked nearby. Arya opened the door and sprinted into her father's arms, knocking down the lights.

"Arya!" Ned was surprised as he held his youngest daughter in his arms. He smiled, hugging her tightly. "I missed you, my little wolf," he whispered.

It had only been a few weeks since she last saw him, but for some reason, it felt longer to her. "I missed you too," she whispered back.

"Ah—Gendry, how are you, son?" Ned said with a genuine grin as Arya pulled back.

"Doing well, thank you," he said, shaking Ned's hand.

"And the restaurant?"

Gendry rubbed the back of his neck. "It's great—You and Mrs. Stark need to visit sometime."

"There is some delicious food there, dad," Arya added in, with a smile towards Gendry and a wink, which made Gendry cough.

Ned rubbed his chin in thought. "Maybe once business at the ski resort has settled down—Perhaps in the spring." He shrugged.

Gendry nodded. "Sounds fine," he said as he looked down at the lights in the snow. "Let me help you with those."

"Thanks, Gendry," Ned said. He looked at his daughter and said, "You should take your luggage inside. Dinner will be—"

"At seven," she finished. She hugged her dad again before leaving him and Gendry.

The Stark's dining room was richly decorated with Christmas wreaths hanging on the walls, with lights sparkling above their wooden chandelier. A fresh mistletoe was hanging from the doorway, like almost every other room in the home.

At the dinner table, there was a couple of different conversations occurring. Arya and Gendry sat at one end of the table, near her father. Across from them was Sansa and her boyfriend, Theon Greyjoy.

Sansa pulled back her long auburn hair as she grabbed a lemon cake from a platter.

"Still your favorite food?" Arya teased with a grin.

Sansa nodded as she finished her cake. Theon smiled towards her as he said, "San—you have..." He pointed near the corner of his mouth.

"Oh!" Sansa wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, then leaned toward Theon and kissed him on the lips as she whispered, "Thanks, love.

Arya looked at her sister and Theon with an almost sad expression, wishing she could be affectionate with Gendry in front of them all. She took a sip of water as her other hand slid down and reached for his underneath the table.

Gendry gulped, not looking in her direction as he finished his salad. He felt hot even though he removed his leather jacket earlier. He still felt her hand on top of his. He squeezed her hand in response, circling his thumb over her skin.

Arya looked at her sister with a smile forming, feeling Gendry's warmth.

Next to Gendry was Jon. He whispered to Ygritte, "I should at least ask her."

She shook her head as she used her knife and fork to cut into her steak. "Nope," she said.

At the other end of the table was Catelyn Stark. Her youngest son, Rickon, was seated near her and next to Theon.

"I'll miss Bran this Christmas," he said with a sad face, using his fork to push his vegetables aside.

"I will too, but he told me he sent everybody's presents, including yours yesterday in the mail, so it should be here before Christmas Eve."

"Really?!" The young boy’s face was ecstatic.

“Yes and please eat your greens, Rickon.”

He gave her an anguished expression as he started to eat his vegetables.

Catelyn Stark drank from her wine goblet before her eyes diverted to her youngest daughter. Oblivious to the conversations occurring, she said, "Arya, I'm glad you made it up here at all—I didn't think you got any of my messages." She gave her daughter a sharp look.

The table quieted down as Arya said, "I got all six of them." She smiled at her mother as she ate a piece of boiled potato. She felt Gendry's shoe next to hers as if reminding her to cool down.

Catelyn smiled in return. "Good—I thought perhaps you lost your phone like you lost track of your days."

"Cat," Ned said with a tone of urgency.

Arya put her fork down and looked at her mother without emotion, "I'm sorry I wasn't here yesterday. Let me know how I can make it up to you," she said convincingly.

"I'm glad you said that. We're all busy with the resort and getting ready for the family gathering on Christmas Eve. If you were here yest—" She shook her head. "Anyway, I have a list of Christmas presents for you to purchase for everyone, from your father and me. You'll go to the mall tomorrow."

Arya dropped her fork and heard it clatter against the metal plate. "What?! You know I hate—" She looked across the table at Sansa, who was looking at her with raised eyebrows. "Why can't Sansa go—she loves to shop!"

Sansa raised her brows and said, "Mom, I can go with—"

"I need Sansa at the resort tomorrow, Arya," her mother said calmly. "You did just say to let you know how you can make your mistake up to me, well, here it is."

Arya sighed and felt Gendry's hand over hers, underneath the table. She was going to reply when she heard a snort from Jon. She rolled her eyes and said, "Shut up, Jon!" She looked just in time to see Ygritte, one of her favorite people, shove his arm with hers. There were more chuckles from the table as Arya met her mother's eye, stabbing her fork in another potato, and said with a forced half-smile, "I can't wait for tomorrow."

#gendrya #arya x gendry #ao3 #fanfic #multi chapter fic #inspired by Tumblr prompt #Holidays #Christmas #my fanfic

1 note · View note

pathetic-has-been-rockstar · 3 years

Text

Memories and a movie

Pairing: Castiel x Dean

Written for: @spnchristmasbingo

Square filled: Miracle on 34th Street

Warnings: none

Summary: Dean Winchester has never been one for holidays, but he's fond of his few good childhood memories. When Castiel unwillingly upsets him, he will have to find a way to make up for it.

Words: 2391

Beta: @raspberrymama

my work can be found on AO3, here! If you’re interested in the whole series, you just have to click here!

Dean is in the kitchen again, making popcorns and humming a cheesy Christmas song that he heard while grocery shopping, and just won't get out of his head. He's not too bothered about it, all in all.

You won't be joining them at the bunker at least for another day, due to the closed roads, but the rest of them can start to get in the Christmas spirit. They decided to watch a Christmas-themed movie, so to give Cas and Jack the full holidays-are-coming experience. While he throws some more butter in the popcorn, he looks for the salt, trying not to spill stuff around.

A moment later, Sam walks in the kitchen, holding his pc and looking at him.

“Hey. Need a hand with that?”

“Yeah, pass me that bowl. Do we have it?”

“Yep. Miracle on 34th Street, as usual. Are you sure you don't want to watch the new version, too? I think maybe Jack...”

Dean stops him before he can go on. “Sammy, we've been over this. You and I are going to show the kid our Christmas movie, and that's it. If he doesn't like it, he'll show us his favourite one, and we will never forgive him for that.”

Sam scoffs softly and clicks a key on his pc. “Alright, then, I'll throw in the subtitles and we're good to go. We'll wait for you in the...”

“Dean cave!”

Sam sighs, exasperated. “... yes, Dean, we'll wait for you in the Dean cave.”

“Don't say it like that. It's a temple of happiness and comfort. It's the Dean cave!”

Sam opens his mouth to say something, then decides against it. He sighs and walks away from the kitchen, smiling. Dean is insufferable, of course, but it's a different kind of a pain in the ass. A light-hearted, happy Dean who teases and mocks people around him because it's fun, and not to keep a distance to avoid painful separations. All in all, he's glad of being nagged like that.

He walks in the infamous Dean cave and he finds everyone already settling down. He connects the HDMI cable to his pc and goes to sit on the couch, next to Eileen. She makes a small hint at him, and Sam nods. He clears his throat and looks at Castiel, curled up on an armchair next to the couch.

“Uh, Cas... why don't you give us the armchair? We can definitely be more comfortable there. Here, take the couch.”

Shrugging, Castiel moves on the couch. A moment later, Dean walks through the door with a ridiculously huge bowl of popcorn, and goes to sit next to Castiel. Jack stands up, going to turn off the lights, and Sam hits play on the pc before going back to the armchair and letting Eileen sit on his legs.

“So... did you love it, or did you adore it?” Dean beams at Castiel and Jack as soon as he turns the light back on.

“I like it! It put me in a good mood”, Jack nods, smiling. Dean chuckles, satisfied, then turns at Castiel, who still hasn't spoken, and looks pretty confused.

"What troubles you, Cas?" Dean asks, curious to see if he will have to explain something.

“I don't really understand the point of this movie.”

“The-the point? Cas, it's the best Christmas movie ever made, until Trading Places, what do you think is the point?”

Castiel shakes his head, an incredulous expression on his face. “Dean, it's a terrible story about how the American system cages a man for believing to be a fictional character. The judge emits his sentence on a case that doesn't belong in a courtroom, based on what's written on currency. It all stems from the troubles of an alcoholic man. How can you love this movie?”

Dean looks at Castiel, horrified. Sam knows that face. It's the same expression he had when he was forced to destroy Baby to survive a ghost attack. Whatever it's going to happen, the happy atmosphere of movie night is about to go up in flames. Surprisingly, Dean just sets his jaw and nods.

“Alright, I get it. Not everyone can appreciate it.”

“I'm just saying that there's not a lot that...”

“Shut up!” Dean barks, a second before walking away without giving anyone the time to stop him. Confused, Castiel turns to Sam.

“What did I say?”

“Cas, uh... Dean loves this movie. Very, very much. We... we used to watch it with dad, so... I-I think he was hoping you'd like it, too.”

For a long moment, Castiel stays quiet, then nods. “I understand. I suppose I'll go apologize to him.”

“It's not... let him cool off a bit, maybe.”

“Don't worry, Sam. I know exactly what to do.” Castiel ignores Sam's suggestion before going after Dean, leaving Sam, Eileen and Jack in the room. Jack stands up and stretches, still in a good mood.

“Don't worry Sam. If there's anyone able to calm Dean down, that's Cas.”

Sam chuckles, taking Eileen's hand. “You know what? You're right. Let's clean this place and go to bed, we'll deal with the lovebirds tomorrow.”

They all laugh, and start tidying up the place.

Castiel walks in Dean's room, awkwardly standing just a few steps from the door. Dean is sitting at his desk, going through some stuff, and Castiel can take a look at him. He studies how his dark blond hair is slightly ruffled on the back of his neck, after being pressed against the back of the couch for the last couple of hours, how the shirt's fabric stretches on his broad shoulders. It's looking at the movement of his shoulders that Cas realizes that Dean is moving. He turns to him, and gives him an indecipherable look.

“Hey, Cas.”

“Dean... I wanted to...”

“Ah, look... it's fine, man. It's just a movie. No big deal.”

“Sam explained to me it was a sort of tradition. I should have known there was a story behind it. There's always a story with you.”

Dean's lips curl again in one of the half smiles that Cas has learned to map and interpret down to a fine art... in a few seconds. There's always a moment or two of pure amazement at seeing how his whole traits seem to turn him from a weathered hunter into a smiling man, showing the Dean he's always cherished so deeply.

“You know... you're right. Guess I was mad because it's one of the good stories, this one.”

“... would you like to share it with me?”

For a fleeting moment, Castiel sees the surprise in Dean's eyes, as clear as fleeting. It almost hurts to think that he could be surprised to be asked to share something obviously so dear to him, but Castiel stays quiet and watches Dean nodding in agreement.

“It's just... you know we didn't have exactly an easy childhood. I had to take care of Sammy from day one, cause dad... you know. You heard more than enough. But Christmas... soometimes it was not about... this.” Dean says, gesturing at the room around him. “Sure, it was always in a different motel, always after some monster. But... the police rarely work on Christmas' night. Families stick together, making it harder for the monsters to hunt. Motels would offer something to their guests, especially to us. They saw a single dad working his ass off with two children... it tends to make people feel sympathy, especially at Christmas.”

Castiel nods, entranced by Dean's voice. He keeps smiling, and it's clear that, despite everything that man put him and Sam through, he still misses his father. His dad.

“And no matter where we were... that movie is a classic. If it wasn't on a channel, it was on another. When he managed to stay with us, Dad would make some popcorn, usually with so much butter that you could see through the bag once you were done, and we would all hunker down and watch that movie together.”

“... it sounds like a wonderful memory, indeed.”

“Yeah, it... it is. One year... one year Sammy was so upset that we had to decide: telling him that Santa wasn't real, or inventing an excuse to justify the fact that, once again, we didn't get a new house.”

“How did you deal with that?”

“We told him that Santa couldn't get a new house for us because we had to move constantly, to stay safe. We had to stick with that for a couple of years, before he grew out of that. I... I did my best to let him be a kid, Cas. Standing up to dad wasn't easy, and I... I just did my best.”

Castiel must fight the anger he feels understanding why Dean sees himself the way he does, and walks as close as possible to Dean. He places a hand on Dean's shoulder, trying to find the right words to say.

“Dean... you did a wonderful job with Sam. You shouldn't have been forced to look out for him. Your father was supposed to do it... and I'm sure that Sam is grateful for it. I'm sorry I didn't appreciate the movie.”

“Ah, Cas, it's fine. I overreacted.”

“No. It's not fine. Allow me to apologize.”

“... there's no need to...”

“Dean, I understood that around Christmas is customary to make kind gestures to each other. Please, let me.”

Dean chuckles, raising his hands.

“Alright. Let's see what you got for me.”

“Fine. Get dressed.”

“... what?”

“Get dressed.”

Dean smiles, curious to see what Cas has in mind and stands up to grab his coat. He puts it on, takes a scarf and a hat, puts on his gloves, and finally turns to face him.

“Is this enough?”

“It is. Are you ready to take a flight?”

“Not a fan of it, but... whatever makes you happy.”

Castiel gives him a small hint before placing a hand on his shoulder, and Dean experiences the familiar and dreaded feeling of his stomach being mashed from the inside during teleportation. A second later, when he opens his eyes, he manages to steady himself against a brick wall and take a deep breath before bending down and trying to catch his breath.

The air is cold, heavy, and Dean knows the smell lingering in the air, even if he can't pinpoint where or when. It feels familiar, but somehow distant, and it brings mixed feelings with it. When he finally feels his stomach settling down, he straightens his back and looks at the angel who just brought him there.

“Cas... where are we?”

“Why don't we go find out?” Cas answers, with a small smile that lets out his anticipation. Dean, affected by Cas' visible excitement, starts walking towards the exit of the alley where they appeared.

Before they walk out of it, Dean has a clear idea of where they are. There's only one city in the world that has that particular kind of bright night, those sounds mixed in a cacophony so terrible to result irresistible, topped with the smell of a thousand different foods, people and exhaust pipes. When they walk out from the alley, his hypotheses are confirmed, and Dean laughs, incredulous, turning to Cas.

“You brought me to New York?”

“So it seems.”

“What the...”

“There.”

Cas points at something behind Dean, who feels his heart stopping for a second, then starting to beat furiously in an attempt to catch up. Sure enough, turning around Dean sees the building of Macy's, dressed in blinding lights and Christmas decorations.

For a moment, Castiel is deeply worried. He never saw Dean reacting like that. His mouth fell open, while his whole face transformed into a blank expression of utter disbelief. He just keeps staring at Macy's, his eyes running up and down the building the only movement that Cas can see, as if trying to find a way to get in, or something like that. After a few very long moments, he decides to risk a question.

“Dean... are you alright?”

Dean turns to Cas so quickly that he almost takes a step back. He raises his arm, pointing at the building.

“You... you brought me to New York. On Christmas' week. To friggin' Macy's? Because you didn't like my favourite Christmas movie... you thought it was a good idea to bring me into it?”

At six and seven for Dean's reaction, Castiel nods. He thought he'd appreciate the intention behind the gesture. Perhaps he's been too intrusive. Perhaps he interpreted the sharing of his story in the wrong way, or perhaps Dean didn't mean that...

“Cas... that's the... that is the most stupid, senseless, sweet thing that anyone is ever done for me!” Dean practically shouts in Castiel's face.

“Why are you yelling now?”

“Because you are not supposed to... Cas, how... why did you do this?”

When he finally realizes why Dean is so upset, Castiel smiles. A big, wide smile that makes his eyes crinkle and the most human side of him flash clearly like one of the Christmas lights around them. Dean Winchester, the legendary hunter, the man who came back from Hell, the one who died and came back to tell the tale more than once... is embarrassed. The most brazen, skilled conqueror of waitress of the United States has no idea about how to react to a genuine gesture of care and affection.

The smile of Castiel erupts into a light-hearted laughter, and Dean is bedazzled in finding out that, in fact, he loves that. He thought he'd hate Castiel laughing at him in a moment like that, but... he was wrong. He adores his laughter. It tells him that Cas just read all the right things in his reaction, understood where they came from, and why they are there.

Dean blushes, sticks his hands in his pockets and mutters, in a falsely angry tone “Shut up” at Castiel. He doesn't stop Castiel when he nudges him with a shoulder and stays close to him.

“What do you say about we go and take a closer look at that place?”

Trying to keep his coolness, and failing miserably, Dean nods. “Well, since we're here...”

Cas shakes lightly his head, impatient and slightly exasperated. “Yeah, we're here. Thanks for seconding me. Come on, let's go.”

----------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading!

I truly hope you enjoyed this little story. Every kind of feedback is very much appreciated, just as much as likes and reblogs!

Please, do not repost my works or part/s of it on different places, not even if you give credits.

#spn #spnfic #spnchristmasbingo #dean x castiel #fluff #christmas movie #romantic gestures #cas got moves #fanfic

1 note · View note

katedrakeohd · 4 years

Text

Twas the Day before Christmas

(Catch up on the first three Parts Here)

Part Four of A Very Valtorian Christmas

The kitchen at the manor in Valtoria was a bustling hive of activity. Cakes and pies were being made for the meal on Christmas day, and the warm scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and vanilla filled the air. Standing at the long marble island, Hana and Kate are rolling out sugar cookie dough and cutting out shapes to bake.

Hana picks up a star-shaped cutter, "I love stars, they're my favorite shape of Christmas cookie."

"I'm partial to snowflakes myself." Kate says, laying the cut shapes carefully on the baking tray.

Kate feels the baby move and lays a hand on her belly. "What about you little one? Will you be a snowflake lover like Mommy or a star lover like your Daddy and Auntie Hana?"

"Speaking of Daddy, I wonder how Drake and Maxwell are getting along with their mission to spread Christmas cheer." Hana says as she hands off the tray of cookies to one of the cooks.

Kate giggles as she rolls out more cookie dough, "I'm sure they're fine. I know that Maxwell can be unpredictable at times, but Drake assured me that he would let him help in whatever way Maxwell as an elf can. I'm proud of Drake for taking on the responsibility of playing Santa this year. I can imagine all of the smiling faces of the little children."

"I'm still trying to get over seeing Drake in a Santa suit. Shockingly he wears it well. Who knew Mr.Grumpy would make such a good jolly old elf."

Kate swipes a bowl of gum drops as the bakers shoo her and Hana out of the kitchen. There was still much to be prepared, and having the Duchess and her Lady friend in the way was slowing them down.

The two women giggle like school girls as they make their way back to the Great Room. "Well I guess that officially takes us off baking duties. Now what?"

Hana links her arm through Kate's, grabbing a red gumdrop out of the bowl, "Any gift wrapping left to do?"

Kate shakes her head, "No, all done."

Hana takes in the lavish decorations around the Great Room as they sit down on one of the sofas to relax. "Thanks so much for inviting me to your home for Christmas Kate, it really is a nice place to spend a holiday. And you and Drake have really captured the spirit of the season in your beautiful decorations."

Kate smiles and reaches out to squeeze Hana's hand. "You're always welcome here sweety, and Drake and I wouldn't dream of letting a friend spend Christmas alone. I'm so glad to have you, Maxwell and Nicholas here. You're part of the family."

Hana wipes away a tear, "You're the best, Kate."

Pulling her friend into a hug, Hana giggles as the baby belly ends up in the way. "And our family is growing too. I can't wait to meet your sweet little baby."

Kate looks down and smoothes her hands across her belly in a gentle hug of her own, "Can you believe my child is going to be King or Queen someday?"

"You and Drake must be over the moon excited about being parents. This little royal heir is going to be born into such a world of love. Between all the attention from Mommy and Daddy, plus their Aunts and Uncles. I truly believe they're blessed."

"We're both excited and a little nervous, as any first time parents would be. But we also know we've no shortage of help if we need it."

"Have you picked out names yet?"

"We've talked about it, but haven't narrowed down a list."

Hana frowns, "I suppose it's a little complicated to pick out baby names when there's going to be so much importance attached to it."

Kate's eyebrows shoot up, "Exactly! Knowing that the title of King or Queen is going to be forever associated with their first name is a heavy burden on my mind."

"Have you thought about picking a name from ancient Cordonian history and giving it new life?"

Kate smiles, "Ooh that sounds like a great idea. It would give our son or daughter a connection to history and we can tell them stories about who they've been named after. Plus where I'm not from here it's a way to show the people that I'm embracing their Country as my own."

Hana glances around the Great Room, "Does the manor have a library? Surely there's a Cordonian History book around here."

"We don't have a library, but there are plenty of books in the study."

Hana helps Kate up off of the sofa. "Cool, what do you say we score a plate of cookies and some hot chocolate and head down to the study and research some cool baby names?"

Kate tucks her arm through Hana's and gives it a squeeze. "I'm so glad you're here Hana. Do you have to go back to the Palace tomorrow? Because I'd love it if you could stay longer."

Hana grins at her best friend, "Wouldn't I get in the way of you and Drake having time alone?"

Kate laughs, "As sweet and comforting as Drake can be, he can be a bit too helpful sometimes and I have to shoo him away to do something else. I know he means well, but I can tell he gets bored just sitting around while I sit and read or take a nap. And there's only so many romantic comedies on Netflix he can suffer through before he just pretends to take a nap or finds a game to play on his phone."

Hana scoffs, "Well that won't do. You need another girl around to binge watch stuff with you and to gush over cute baby things online."

"Exactly! Drake doesn't have a clue about all the adorable baby clothes, toys and other gear there is out there. I want my nursery to be fully stocked."

"Do you think Drake will change diapers? Or if he knows how?"

"He said he was willing to learn how to do all of that stuff, but I guess we'll have to wait and see."

"Hasn't he helped Savannah with Bartie before?"

"He has, but beyond holding his nephew and chasing him away from things he shouldn't touch I don't know what else he's helped her with."

After stealing a plate of cookies from the kitchen along with two glasses of milk. Hana and Kate head for the study.

As they pass by Kate's office, they can here Nicholas on the other side of the door, his voice is raised and he's talking to someone.

Hana frowns, "What's going on in there? I was wondering where Nicholas was hiding."

"Oh you know Nicholas, you can take the King out of the Palace but he can't leave the Crown and everything that goes along with it behind. He asked me if he could use my office as a base of operations while he's here in Valtoria. I'm hoping he takes a break at some point from running the country and enjoy the Holidays."

The main Study is in the room next to Kate's office, and as the women enter Kate turns on the lights. Hana sets the tray of cookies and milk down on the large oak desk.

"So as the Duchess, you have an office. Does Drake have an office too?" Hana asks, picking up a cookie.

Kate smiles as she leans her hip against the desk and folds her arms. "Well, it's not quite an Office for business anymore. The room next to this one used to be the Duke's office, but Drake had it converted into his own personal man cave."

Hana giggles. "Let me guess, it's upholstered in leather, dark wood and smells of whiskey?"

"Pretty much. He's basicly turned it into his own pub. With a bar and a pool table. Although he still calls it his Office."

Hana looks at the array of bookshelves lining the walls of the Study. "Hmm, where do we start. Do you think Drake would be upset if we start researching names without him?"

Kate shrugs, dunking a cookie into her glass of milk. "I think he would just be happy to have a list to pick from."

Hana runs her fingers along the spines of the books, "So how far back into history should we go? There are books here going back to the 17th century."

"Is there one that chronicles the nobility from way back then til now?"

Hana picks two books, "Yes, two actually."

Kate clears a spot on the desk for the two books. "Cool, let's take a look."

Hana and Kate settle into the desk chairs and each grab a book. Kate pulls a couple of notepads from the drawer and hands one to Hana, along with a pen.

"Ok Hana my love, you pick me out some nice girl names and I'll look at names for boys. And we'll take note of any interesting facts about these people as we go."

Nicholas opens the door to the adjoining office, "I thought I heard voices in here. What are you Ladies up to?"

Kate waves him over, "Welcome your Majesty! Just the royal brain we need to help us out."

Nicholas grabs a cookie from the plate and leans over to see the open books on the table. "Doing research?"

"Well kinda, we're looking up baby names." Hana says from behind her glass of milk.

"I don't want to impose my opinions on Kate or influence her in any way. She made it clear this is her and Drake's child first, and heir to the throne second. If it got back to Drake that any of my suggestions made the list I don't think he'd be very happy."

Hana and Kate exchange a worried look, "Well I'm sure Drake wouldn't protest that much would he? You know Cordonian history better than we do. I'd hate to pick someone bad out of history to name my child after."

Nicholas nods, "Well I can help steer you away from repeating that kind of history for sure."

"Ok good, pull up a chair."

Hana looks through ancient family trees from the 17th century, "So are you partial to any letter of the Alphabet for name starters?"

Kate blushes slightly, "Well I do have a soft spot for names starting with K. Or containing the letter K. Since Drake and I both have that in common. I figured it could be our new Walker family tradition."

Hana smiles, "That would be nice, plus it would help narrow things down."

.........

Drake and Maxwell opened up the back doors of the SUV and climbed in. Pulling off his Santa hat, Drake settled back against the seat wearily.

“Take us home, Preston.”

In the front seat Preston nods and makes eye contact with Drake in the rearview mirror, “Very well, Your Grace.”

Beside Drake in the backseat, Maxwell's tank of exuberant Christmas energy is still half full. If it weren’t for the requirement to wear a seat belt for safe travelling, he'd be bouncing all over the car like a rubber ball. Between Drake and Maxwell there's a large bag of candy on the seat. They're leftovers from the parade, and Maxwell has already had more than his share. Drake pulls it over closer and throws his hat over top to discourage Maxwell from eating anymore of it. Who needs little children to worry about when you have a Maxwell?

Maxwell looks like he might explode if he doesn't talk about his day, so Drake reluctantly engages him to let him let off steam. “Ok Maxwell, out with it. Did you have fun today?”

Maxwell beams, “Yes! This was the best Christmas adventure ever. Bertrand never lets me do this sort of thing. Now that he has Savannah, Bartie and now dear old Dad to keep him busy he has even less time for doing fun stuff.”

The warmth inside of the SUV is starting to get to Drake and he struggles his way out of his Santa coat, Max grabs a sleeve to help him get free of it. “Best adventure ever, huh? So what was your favorite part of today?”

“Seeing all the kids happy faces when I handed them candy canes and presents. They were so excited. What was your favorite part?”

Drake looked at Maxwell and thought about his answer. He didn't want to admit to Maxwell that the happy children were his favorite part too. Every smiling, rosy cheeked, grateful child reminded him that he was going to be a father himself soon. That warm, emotional feeling he felt every time one of the kids said: “thank you Santa..” had nearly brought him to tears.

Oh my God what's happening to me? I’ve gotta maintain my tough, grumpy guy persona in front of Maxwell or he’ll tease me like the schmuck that he is.

“Uh, sure the kids were great, but driving that sleigh was definitely the highlight of my day. Three horse power doesn’t mean shit as far as motors go, but with three actual horses? Damn that sleigh flew.”

Maxwell frowns, “But the drive to town was terrifying. I fell off, remember?”

Drake gives Maxwell a reassuring pat on the shoulder, “Well that part sucked, sure, but after you got back on the sleigh and sat up front with me; you had fun right?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” The corner of Maxwell’s mouth turns up in a smirk as he shrugs his shoulders.

“The children really did seem to enjoy the sleigh’s jingling bells, and the fancy horses.”

Drake gives Maxwell a gentle punch to the shoulder, “See? That’s why the sleigh was my favorite part. Besides, I couldn’t have handed out all of those candy canes by myself. You did good today, Max. Heck, if we do this thing again next year maybe you can play Santa, and I’ll …”

Maxwell’s face lights up, “O..M..G, could I really play Santa?”

Drake nods, scratching at the itchy white beard on his cheek. “Well sure you could. But just let somebody else drive the sleigh for you OK?”

Maxwell grins at Drake, “And would Daddy Drake be my elf helper?”

“Nope, not a chance.”

°•~⭐❄🎅🍭🎄🎁🏰~•°

Continued in ^♡^ Part Five ^♡^

25 notes · View notes

hinshinotsuki · 4 years

Text

🖤 Switched 🖤

***

One day prior.

***

"(F/N)!" A bespectacled woman called, trying so hard to let her voice be heard amidst all the noise. "Where did that girl go?"

"I don't know, Hange." Moblit half - spoke, half - cried. "But, don't you think we must go back now? She might be waiting for us there."

"Are you stupid? Of course, she wouldn't be there! And you can blame Shorty for that!"

But, try as she may, she couldn't do anything else but to give up in her pursuit of their female companion and go back to headquarters.

Dejectedly, the woman called Hange made her way towards her room. She was still thinking of what happened earlier that day when her friend and fellow Section Commander (F/N) (L/N) had a really big fight with Captain Levi of the Special Operations Squad. The headstrong woman argued so hard with both the Captain and the Commander about their upcoming Expedition and why it should not happen that she was understandably refused and dismissed. But, she still didn't budge and tried to persuade Levi instead, who only made things worse by bringing up her grievances and mistakes as a Squad Leader, that she was only alive because of the sacrifices of her comrades, and that she was the most useless person in the Legion.

The woman, whom Hange knew had strong feelings for the Captain, was hurt beyond belief that she started arguing with him, telling him that this time, she was right regarding the imminent failure of the Expedition. The Captain did not listen, making the woman beyond angry and frustrated. Strong and rude insults were soon heard being exchanged in that corridor. She heard her call things to the short male as she made her way outside the Headquarters for a drink.

Now, with the whole District in full celebration of the Feast of the Maiden of the Lake, an annual Wall Rose holiday, it was totally fine for one to drink his or her heart out.

But, Hange knew that her friend would soon cause trouble for other people if she got too drunk for her own good.

So, with Moblit on her heels, she looked for her in all the drinking establishments she could think of amidst the wild crowd in full celebration.

But with no such luck.

"Ah, (F/N)!" Hange exclaimed as she almost pulled her unkempt and still unwashed hair off. "Why would you have to argue with Shorty in the first place?!"

Really, why?

She knew her friend to be a bit of an eccentric when it comes to those horoscope things in the daily Berg,...

... but her trying to stop an Expedition and even arguing, and almost fighting, with both Erwin and Levi due to those silly old - wives' divinations?

That was really some kind of high insanity.

Besides, what was her agenda behind her strong opposition to the upcoming mission? She knew the real reason for the next sortie, being one of those Soldiers who survived the Fall of Wall Maria five years ago, but,...

... why?

Hange was still asking herself that same question a day later in the cafeteria as she waited for the attendant to fill her tray with the usual and boring soup, black tea, and hard bread.

"Oi." Called a low, familiar male voice that finally caught her attention. "You gonna let me pass or not?"

Hange snapped back to reality as she looked behind her and found the short Captain staring back at her and waiting for her to pick up her food.

"Oh, hi Shorty!" Hange said and laughed nervously, trying not to look distracted, but to no avail.

Levi just clicked his tongue in annoyance and looked past her. Then, as if not finding what he was initially looking for in the first place, he just shrugged his shoulders, took his tray of food and went past her like nothing happened.

Hange, who noticed this, grabbed her tray and immediately followed the man.

"Are you looking for (F/N)?" Hange asked him, still trying to keep up with his pace.

"Why would I go looking for that spoiled brat?" He just answered in his signature monotone.

"Oh." Disappointed, Hange just practically collapsed on the chair just beside Levi's. "I thought you would be looking for her,..."

"For what?" Levi snapped and took a sip of his black tea, still irritated of what happened the day before.

"Well, you know, to calmly talk things through,..."

"Four Eyes," Levi said as he slightly slammed his cup down on the wooden table. "You know fully well that things would never be the same as before. And she knows this. You, as her friend, must know this, as well."

"You're right." Hange replied and finally dropped the whole topic as she took her spoon.

Everything went on according to the schedule that extremely boring and normal day. Training started at seven in the morning and ended at noon. It was immediately followed by lunch, an hour - long rest, then separate Squad discussions at three in the afternoon regarding the next mission, as planned.

But, still, no (F/N) and her bossy self.

"Hange, I know (L/N) to be a bit of a slacker at times," Abel, one of her subordinates brought up. "But I never knew her as one who would simply take missions like this for granted."

"I agree." Answered Keiji as he unfolded the visual aid made by Moblit. "Where is she?"

"I don't - "

But, even before Hange could explain, a teenager with blonde hair, one among the new recruits from the 104th Southern Trainee Squad, came towards them. He saluted at Hange and waited for her to give him permission to sound off.

"What is it, Arlert?" Hange patiently asked the boy.

"It's Squad Leader (L/N)!" The boy called Arlert squeaked.

At the sound of her friend's name, Hange's spirits lifted, but she also could not ignore the feeling of dread that just washed over her.

"Have you seen her?" Hange asked him.

"I just thought, but no, it couldn't be! I - "

"Arlert, calm down!" Hange began shaking the boy's shoulders as she, herself, could not calm down.

"Hange, stop shaking the recruit!" Moblit shrieked and pulled his hysterical Squad Leader away from the nervous teen. "Arlert, where did you see her?"

"I'm positive she went towards that secluded lake near the old Headquarters last night. But, then - "

At the boy's answer, Hange quickly strode towards the barracks, not even giving the chance for him to finish what he was saying. She entered the building and flew past the other Soldiers towards Levi's office. And, as soon as she arrived there, banging the door open, she was met with six pairs of scrutinizing and scared eyes.

"Where are you hiding her?" Hange asked, insanity slowly getting the better of her.

"What are you blabbering about now?!" a curly - haired man, who deliberately imitated his Captain's fashion sense with the same white cravat, said. He was, unfortunately, grabbed by Hange, who was way stronger, by his collar, slowly and painfully suffocating the life out of him.

"I won't ask again! Where is she?!"

"Hange, you're going to kill him!" A little female with ginger hair tried to stop her.

"Hange! What insanity is this?!" Levi shouted at her, making the whole room shake with fear. Hange dropped the man on the floor and made her way towards the short Captain.

"You're coming with me!" Hange took Levi's arm and tried to lead him outside the office when the man shook it away and gave her a deathly glare, which did not affect her the least.

"Can't you see? We're way behind schedule!" Levi shouted at her, slowly drawing the attention of the other Soldiers outside the office. "We're supposed to escort that brat to the old Headquarters!" He said, then pointed at a teal green - eyed teenager, who waited at the corner of the room, confused.

"Then, I'm coming with you!"

No storm, war, or angry Captain was able to stop Hange from coming with the Special Operations Squad that day on their way to the old, secluded Headquarters, and as soon as they arrived on the said lake near the building, Hange sped towards it, leading her already stressed bay to the edge of the water, then dismounted.

"What is she doing?" the teenager, who was being escorted by the Special Operations Squad, asked.

"Hey, you're not allowed to ask questions here, brat!" the curly man, who was nearly choked to death by Hange, ordered. "Rookies like you should - uhh!" His speech was abruptly cut off as he bit his own tongue.

"That's what you get for yapping away on horseback." Sneered the ginger just behind him. "Oh, Eren, don't mind him! He - " But, then, it was her turn to be abruptly stopped as the Captain left her side to see what Hange was staring at on the Lake. "Captain!"

As Levi made his way towards the lake, he couldn't ignore Hange's strange look on it. It was as if something has made her rooted to the ground and petrified her on the spot.

And when he finally dismounted and went towards her, he couldn't help but look at her wide eyes.

"That's,..." she began. "But, no. It can't be,..."

"Captain, we're running late - " Levi's blonde right hand man began, but, then, his eyes, too, were drawn to the lake, like Hange. "Hey! Someone's drowning!"

It was only then that Hange finally shot back to reality as the severity of the situation hit her hard in the face.

"It's (F/N)! She's drowning!" Hange shrieked. "Levi, save her!"

"What?!"

"Do it!" she pleaded frantically.

"But - "

"Can't you see? She's dying!"

"Alright!"

Levi hastily stripped from his green cape down to his cravat and dived unto the lake to retrieve the drowning person. And when he fulfilled his mission, all of them, including Hange, herself, were speechless as to what they saw: from long, (H/C) colored hair, to her (S/C) skin, it was, indeed, (F/N) (L/N).

But, what's different about her, aside from the fact that she's soaked to the bone and clinging to dear life, was her strange attire. She was wearing what appear to be a pastel - colored, ruffled, short dress made of an extremely soft fabric that they were unfamiliar of. Her footwear, which had long and pointy things at the soles, looked equally strange, and, what's more, she was wearing, on her left pinkie, a spectacular and fancy - looking ring with a blue gem on it, also unknown to them.

"What the hell is she wearing?" Curly asked, bewildered of her strange looks.

"That attire stenches of Sina all over." Blondie added, still looking at her strange dress.

"I've seen Wall Sina fashion," Hange told them as she helplessly watched Levi put the girl down on the ground. "I don't think it looks like that."

"Will she be alright?" asked the teenager. Levi just looked at her with worried eyes and started performing CPR on her in an attempt to save her. It was then that the boy noticed the look of disdain on their ginger - haired companion.

"What's so special about her?" he heard her whisper as she clenched her fists. He ignored her as (F/N) finally coughed and ejected the water out of her system. Levi was successful.

"(F/N)! (F/N)!" Hange kneeled down as she took (F/N) into her arms. The girl slightly opened her eyes before collapsing into oblivion.

***

🖤🖤🖤

***

#attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #levi ackerman #switched #levi x reader x levi x reader #levi x you x levi x you #chapter 2

5 notes · View notes