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not-quite-there-myself · 2 months

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ACTS OF SERVICE

Various from Arcana Twilight, Food Fantasy, and Twisted Wonderland; featured in alphabetical order. Romantic/platonic is unspecified, characters may be mentioned multiple times.

They show their love for you with actions, and most of it is something you don't notice until you really think about it. Small things like opening the door for you to walk in first; small things like making your favourite drink on a stressful day; small things like doing the dishes and putting them away for you, even though you swore up and down that you'd get to it. These "little" actions were a sort of luxury you almost took for granted. To be fair, they never pointed it out themselves, the subtle things they do for you to show they care. Maybe they're not the best with words or maybe they haven't got ideas or money for gifts, but they still express their love in a way you can appreciate. And who knows? Maybe they prefer the secrecy.

Azul Ashengrotto, Brownie, Epel Felmier, Jack Howl, Jade Leech, Raindrop Cake, Rook Hunt, Ruggie Bucchi, Sirius

From the moment you met, they've taken notice at quite a few things about you. They know the things that make you happy and sad, relieved and stressed. They often keep you in mind when doing various things. Would it be okay if they took care of a few chores for you? Did you remember to eat today? Maybe they should make you something when you get home... Oh, you've got quite a few things in your trash can, perhaps they can take it out for you. During times when you occupy their thoughts, they tend to think about what they can do to make life easier for you. Life is already tough enough, and they wouldn't mind helping you lessen any loads.

Black Tea, Brownie, Cater Diamond, Fish and Chips, Jamil Viper, Lilia Vanrouge, Spica, Toast, Trey Clover

No matter how bad their day was, they can always turn to you for help. Or rather, turn to you to help. Perhaps they'd rather not talk about themselves in the present moment. Perhaps they'd much rather take care of you. It's a distraction, sure, maybe even a coping mechanism. But they genuinely do care about you and your needs... sometimes a little too much. Whether it's making you food, surprising you with all your to-do tasks completed, a nice cup of tea or coffee or just treating you with a moment of relaxation. They always let you know that if you ever need help, you can always go to them for assistance.

Cassata, Cater Diamond, Gingerbread, Malleus Draconia, Rook Hunt, Toast, Trey Clover, Vega, Whiskey

divider by @/inklore on Tumblr

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whimsicallyenchantedrose · 4 months

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Christmas Reruns 2023 Day 19: The Gingerbread Castle

Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and happy holidays if you don’t! One of the things I love about Christmas is watching reruns of all the old classic Christmas movies–Christmas is a big time for nostalgia. A few years ago, I decided to incorporate that tradition into my fandom life and post my CS holiday reruns. So here you go! Enough holiday (mostly) fluff to get you to New Year’s Day. (With a new story posting on Christmas Day.)

Rating: G

Word Count: 1986

Other chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Notes: This story was written for my “Christmas with Captain Swan” collection in 2020.

CS Genre: Neighbors AU

Killian Jones had been in love with Emma Swan since the moment she moved into the apartment across the hall three years ago. The day she’d moved in would stand out in his memory forever, like a pivotal moment in his life where everything suddenly stood still and came into focus.

It had been a snowy, bitterly cold day in early December. He’d been enjoying his morning cup of coffee while he read the newspaper when he heard a commotion out in the hallway. A commotion, and a string of language that would make a sailor blush.

Curious, Killian stepped outside to see a gorgeous blonde woman in a red leather, fleece-lined jacket struggling to drag a sofa down the hallway.

“You look as though you could use a hand, love,” he’d said, quickly moving to the opposite end of the couch and lifting it.

“What I could use,” she said through gritted teeth, “is for the idiot mover I hired to actually do his freaking job and bring my stuff into my apartment instead of dumping it at the building entrance and slinking away. Serves me right for picking a moving company called ‘Grumpy and Brothers’, I guess.”

Killian laughed as they maneuvered her couch through her doorway and then set it against the far wall under a set of windows. “Is that the company with the tagline ‘We whistle while we work’?”

Emma groaned, swiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. “Yep. That’s them. Anyway, next time you’re moving, pick a different moving company. Any different moving company. I guess I’m lucky I live on the ground floor, right? Can you imagine what a bitch it would have been dragging that thing up a flight of stairs?”

Killian groaned at the thought. “Anything else I can help you with?”

“I don’t want to put you out,” she said, hesitating. “It’s Saturday, after all. I’m sure you’re busy.”

“Hadn’t a thing in the world to do today, save for finishing the decorating of my Christmas tree,” he assured. “I’d be happy to help my newest neighbor move in. My name is Killian Jones, by the way. I live in 109 across the hall.”

Emma shook the hand he extended to her, and just the touch of her hand against his sent a jolt of electricity through his system. Killian didn’t believe in love at first sight, but this meeting certainly had the feel of destiny. “Emma Swan,” she answered, “in 108, obviously.”

“Well, Swan,” he’d said, “I’m at your service.”

They’d spent the better part of the day together moving her in to her apartment, and Killian was surprised at how easy it had been to talk to her. It was as though they’d known each other all their lives. When the day came to an end, Emma had tried to pay him for his help, but he’d steadfastly refused any remuneration.

“It was my pleasure, love,” he’d insisted, quite sincerely. “I’ve enjoyed the company.”

They’d parted not long after that, and Killian went home buoyed by the hopes and dreams of years to come living less than ten feet from the woman who could very well be the woman of his dreams.

The next morning, Emma had knocked on his door around 10:00 am with a tin of Christmas cookies and the intention to return the favor.

“Since you spent your whole day helping me yesterday,” Emma said, “today I’m here to help you. It was your tree you were going to decorate yesterday, wasn’t it?”

It had been a pleasant, beautiful day spent decorating, watching Christmas movies and consuming an unconscionable amount of Christmas cookies.

They’d been fast friends ever since, rarely going a day without seeing each other. They’d been there for the good times…and the bad times.

Killian had known from the moment she introduced him that Neal Cassidy was not nearly good enough for her. Killian had supported her, trying to feign happiness for her when she told him she and Neal had started dating. When Neal cheated on her with a woman named Tamara six months later, Killian had been there for Emma, doing all in his power to help her heal her broken heart.

He’d longed to confess his feelings, longed to tell her he’d never treat her so badly, that he’d love and treasure her forever, but she wasn’t ready. She didn’t need a rebound. She needed a best friend, and so that’s what he was to her.

Aye, Killian had loved Emma since the day he met her, which was why when she showed up at his door at seven a.m. on the Saturday before Christmas looking agitated and asking for a favor, he’d agreed without hesitation, no questions asked.

“What’s troubling you, love?” He asked.

“I’ve got to make a gingerbread house,” she said. “It’s got to be from scratch, and it’s got to be the best gingerbread house to ever gingerbread.”

“That’s quite the tall order,” he said. “What precisely has brought on this culinary endeavor?”

She’d glanced aside then, and the pain on her face was unmistakable. Frowning, he turned her to him with a gentle hand to the side of her face. “Swan, what is it? You can tell me anything. You know that right?”

She closed her eyes for a moment and then looked up at him. “Storybrooke has this gingerbread house competition every year,” she said.

Killian nodded, remembering the day she’d told him about her hometown of Storybrooke and some of its quirkier traditions. “Aye, I recall you mentioning. I was under the impression you thought the contest was rather silly.”

“Well, yeah, it is,” she said, beginning to pace, “but…but this year Neal entered. Neal and his brand new fiancee, Tamara.”

Killian took a deep breath and slowly blew it out, feeling sympathy for her. “And you wish to challenge him.”

“Yeah,” she said in a small voice. “It’s just…I’ve wasted way too many tears on that son of a bitch. I just want to show him that I’m not, you know, pining after him or anything. He did me a favor showing me who he really is before things got too serious.”

“I quite agree,” Killian said with a decisive nod, “although I do wish you’d allowed me to put my fist through that bastard’s face after he cheated on you.”

She’d smiled at that. “Trust me, I was tempted,” she said, “but if I’d decided to take the high road and not punch him, I certainly wasn’t going to let my best friend risk an assault charge just to, I don’t know, defend my honor.”

“Still,” Killian said, “the offer stands. Give me the word, and I will gladly beat the fool to a bloody pulp.”

She’d stood on tiptoes then and kissed his cheek. He’d closed his eyes, savoring the gesture, wishing he could turn his head and turn the friendly gesture into a true kiss. Instead, he patted her shoulder. “At any rate, I am at your disposal, love. How can I help you win this contest.”

“Well, my first problem,” she said dryly, “is that I don’t have the first idea how to make gingerbread. My second problem is that I don’t have the slightest idea how to construct a house, so obviously I came to the best architect I know.”

Killian grinned. “I’m fairly certain I’m the only architect you know, love.”

“Still,” she said, “I’m pretty sure you’re the best out there.”

He felt his chest swell with pride at her compliment. It was always like this with her. She had always believed in him, and when she gave him her support, it made him feel invincible. “Swan, I promise you this. I will help you win this contest or I will perish in the attempt.”

She’d given him a stern look then. “Oh no you don’t. You aren’t allowed to ‘perish’, like ever. I really don’t know what I’d do without you, Killian.”

His smile turned tender, and he’d cupped her face, caressing her face with his thumb before he could rethink the gesture. “You’ll never have need to find out. Now, I propose we go all out. Why stop with a gingerbread house when we can build an entire gingerbread castle?”

It had taken them three days, but when Emma put the final gumdrop “rock” on the lowered drawbridge and they surveyed their completed work for the first time, Killian had to admit they’d done a damn good job. The castle was two feet tall with magnificent crenelated turrets on all four corners of the keep. It was surrounded by a curtain wall, and contained an inner bailey with two knights practicing their swordsmanship. (Killian had wanted to rig up a motor of some kind to make the two figures, made out of modelling chocolate, actually move, but Emma had insisted it was overkill).

It was magnificent if he did say so himself.

“Killian,” Emma said, stepping back, “I wanted to thank you for this, all of this. Not just helping me design and make the castle, but, you know, being there for me through everything.”

The lights of his Christmas tree flickered over her face, as he looked over at her, feeling like his heart would burst. “Neal Cassidy is a bloody fool, Emma,” he murmured, stepping up to her, and cupping her face in both hands. “Any man who would fail to see what an extraordinary woman you are doesn’t deserve you.”

She was silent for a long moment, looking intently at him, as though looking for a lie. After a moment, a single tear fell from her eye and he wiped it away with his thumb. “I think maybe I was the fool, Killian, to ever fall for him in the first place when…”

“When what?” he prompted.

“When I had the real deal, Mr. Right himself living right across the hall,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Killian felt his heart turn over at her admission. Was…was it possible that he’d been mistaken? Was it possible his feelings weren’t unrequited after all?

As though to answer his unasked question, Emma took the final step toward him, brought his head down to hers and kissed him as though her life depended on it.

The kiss went on and on. One kiss melting into two and three, and then they were engaged in a full blown make-out session on his couch.

“Will you come home with me this year?” she asked in a breathless voice when they finally came up for air.

“Of course,” he said, running a hand through her hair. “I have to witness our moment of triumph when our gingerbread castle wins the grand prize, after all.”

She grinned up at him. “That the only reason you said yes?”

He turned serious. “Swan, you know it’s not.”

“Good,” she said, “because I was kind of hoping I could introduce you to my parents as my boyfriend.”

He leaned over and kissed her again, couldn’t help it. That first kiss seemed to have opened the floodgates, and he suspected he’d never be able to get enough of this woman. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers. “Nothing in this world would please me more than to go home with you as your boyfriend.”

They did, of course, win the grand prize in the gingerbread house contest. Killian suspected he would have found great joy in the disappointment and frustration and outright jealousy on Neal Cassidy’s face, but as it happened, he didn’t even see it.

He had eyes only for the woman who he hoped would be his present, his future and his everything.

Perhaps he ought to send Grumpy and Brothers a thank you. Turns out, their incompetence was the best thing that ever happened to him.

NEXT CHAPTER->

#christmas reruns 2023 #cs fanfiction #captain swan christmas ff #my fanfiction #the gingerbread castle

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