#Ficmas 2021

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

The Food of Love

Day 1 of 2021′s 31 Days of Ficmas @doctorroseprompts Prompt: holiday music Rating: PG-13 Pairing: 12xRose Summary: If music be the food of love, play on. All Ian wanted was a quiet cafe where he could practice Christmas tunes for a holiday party gig - what he got was so much more. 2021 31 Days of Ficmas masterlist AO3

---

Adjusting his grip on his guitar case, Ian took a deep breath in preparation before pushing open the door to the coffee house.  At six o’clock they were fairly empty, as he’d expected – it was a decent place for warm drinks and baked goods, but as it was properly tea time and they didn’t serve meals, only a few customers were seated at the tables.

Swallowing in a futile effort to work up the nerve, he stepped up to the cashier.  A pretty woman of about thirty, her easy smile put him at least somewhat at ease.  “Hello.”

“Hi!  Welcome to The Bad Wolf.  What can I get for you?”

“Uh, I’d actually like to speak to the manager, please.”

The woman’s brow furrowed, in a way that made Ian’s heart thump strangely.  “Of course – is something wrong?”

“No, no,” he was quick to reassure her.  “I just- please?”

She looked around the shop; the handful of customers present were all seated with no indication of moving, and no one had joined him in line.  The only other individual around was someone in the back, and they were washing dishes by the sound of it.  “That’s me, actually.  Um…”  Stepping out from behind the counter, she led him to a table as far from the other guests as possible.

Hoping to make a good impression he pulled her chair out for her, waiting for her to sit and push her in before sitting across from her.

“Oh!” was all she said about it, cheeks flushing a pretty pink.  “Erm- anyway, whatever it is, I’m the one to speak to.  What’s on your mind?”

Ian took a moment to gather his thoughts.  “I’m a musician,” he started, nodding to the guitar case beside him, “and I’m looking for somewhere to play over the holiday season.  Christmas music, specifically.”

“Why?”

“Practice,” he shrugged.  “I’m set to play some holiday parties, and I figured if I had to practice the songs anyway, others might as well get to hear it.”

The woman nodded, the wheels clearly turning; she hadn’t said no yet, which was the furthest he’d gotten with the other few spots he’d tried.  “And are you expecting compensation?”

“I was hoping to barter, honestly.  Coffee, maybe a sweet.  I don’t want- nor need- any financial compensation.  Just a space to practice with some human interaction – requests, possibly feedback on setlists, that sort of thing.”

“I can’t afford to pay you.  I mean, a hot beverage is reasonable, and a pastry I suppose, but I can’t pay you.”  Her lower lip had caught between her teeth, and it was a surprisingly distracting sight.

Pull yourself together.  You’ve almost got the spot.  Ian shook his head, both to clear it and in response to her words.  “I don’t need it,” he repeated.  “I’ve been in here before- you have a nice clientele, you’re always nicely decorated at the holiday season, and you have an unused dais.  I’d be happy to play for you now, if that’s a concern.”

“All right,” she agreed, perking up a bit.  “Play me something.”

With practiced ease he opened the guitar case, sliding his chair back slightly to give himself some room before settling the instrument across his lap.  Giving the strings an experimental strum to check the sound, he looked up at her.  “Any requests?”

“Winter Wonderland,” she challenged him, with a raised eyebrow.  “You sing, right?”

“Aye.”

Winter Wonderland.  Locating the music in his mind, he placed his fingers on the strings and began to play.

-

When Rose had first sat down at the table, she was just grateful to be sitting – though she’d been under no delusions of grandeur, running her own coffee shop/bakery required more time on her feet than she’d anticipated.

His proposal was interesting – who didn’t like live music? – but she was more intrigued by him.  He had a good decade on her, and sort of a college-professor-thinks-he’s-a-rocker vibe going on, but he was handsome, with ice-blue eyes and wild, graying hair.

And then he began to sing.

His Scottish lilt gave the classic new life, his soft voice infused with warmth and something alluring, something that caught her attention and held it, and by the time he reached the bit about Parson Brown, had said parson appeared in front of them and asked the same question, she might very well have agreed.

The spell broke when the song ended, and apparently, she wasn’t the only one he’d captivated; a round of applause broke out, and she glanced around to see most of the remaining customers were clapping.  At least half of them were semi-regulars, so she addressed them directly.  “What d’you think – should I let him play here?”

The resounding enthusiasm for that idea had her turn back to face the man, laughing.  “Well, it sounds like we have a deal.”  She extended her hand towards him to shake on it.  “I’m Rose.”

“Ian.”  He shook it, then turned their hands and kissed her knuckles, sending a shiver up her spine.

This is going to be interesting.

-

A week later, on the first of December, Ian arrived early at The Bad Wolf to get set up.  They’d agreed on no advertising for the first week to make sure it was a good fit, but based on Rose’s bright smile as he stepped inside, he had high hopes.

“Hello,” he greeted her warmly when he came closer, “all right if I get set up?”

“Please!  I set up everything as we discussed, but if you need anything moved or changed or whatever, just say the word.  I’ll bring you a cuppa once you’re ready.”

“Ta.”

Another customer came in, so he moved over the small dais, marveling at the decorations.  They were well-done, defining the space without taking up room he would need, making for a festive little corner.  Opposite him in the corner by the window sat a decently-sized tree, bare of any decoration but white fairy lights and candy canes.

He got set up quickly, and by the time he was tuning his guitar she’d appeared at his side with a steaming mug.

“Thank you,” he accepted it gratefully, breathing it in before taking a sip.  “Wonderful.”

She smiled, and impossibly it warmed him as much, if not more, than the cuppa had.  “Of course.  What’s on today’s setlist?”

“Now, that would be telling,” he teased, setting the mug down on the small stand he assumed was meant for the purpose, “but today’s theme is easy listening.  Background, rather than concert – I figured it might be better to ease into it, you know?  Take it slow, see how it goes?”

Rose nodded.  “Good idea, I don’t want to spook anyone.  So, play for forty-five, fifteen minute break?  Is that the plan?”

“Roughly speaking,” he agreed, smiling at her.  “Thank you, again, for the opportunity.”

“Thanks for the offer.  I…” her voice trailed off, and she glanced around before muttering, “to be perfectly honest, I really need this to drive traffic.  I don’t mean to put any pressure on you or anything but… I really need this to go well.”

Ian was equally touched that she confided in him, and concerned about the pressure.  “I’ll see what I can do,” was all he said, overly confident to try to make her smile.  “And I’m open to suggestions.”

Rose smiled at that, shaking her head.  A tuft of hair fell loose, and he was overcome with the urge to push it behind her ear, though he managed to resist.  “Thanks, but don’t worry about it – just play, and let the music and the magic of the holiday do the rest.”

A shout of her name from the counter drew both their attention, and she sighed.  “I’ve got to get back, and should let you start.  And if you want to put out a tip jar or something, that’s perfectly fine.”

And then she was off, weaving her way through the small shop to help with the line, and he watched her go.

-

The next two weeks followed in the same vein – and while he obviously had no metrics or sales data on the business, he did have eyes, and it was clear with every passing day more people were spending longer in the shop, to the point of leaning against walls because no seats were empty; by the midpoint of the second week a new girl was helping out behind the counter, they were so busy.

And he was having fun.  It had been so long since he’d had such free reign over his setlist, been able to experiment, and the customers seemed to lap it up – he played with rearrangements, taking requests, interacting with them and cracking jokes between songs.  He made sure to check in with Rose after every set, make sure she was happy with what was happening in her shop, but she always was, beaming if perpetually exhausted.

With every smile, every shared break, every lingering look shared across the café he fell for her, to the point of dreading the end of the holiday season, when Christmas music was no longer appropriate.

In all honesty, it took more effort to not tell her that, than it did to perform the two sets.  Especially after setlists she was particularly enthusiastic about.

“So, we didn’t talk end dates,” Rose said casually on the nineteenth, as she flopped across from him with a steaming mug for each of them.  “There’s only a week until Christmas, and we’re open everyday but the 25th, but you said this was practice for a gig, right?  Can I ask when that is?”

He took a long sip of his tea first, savoring the heat.  “Twenty second.”

“Oh.”  She deflated like a balloon, but tried to rally.  “I mean, that’s great.  Right?”

“I’ll be glad when it’s over – all the anxiety and anticipation for it.”  He watched her nod slowly, and offered tentatively, “of course, that’s not really the end of the Christmas season now, is it?  If you want, I’d be happy to play the 23rd and 24th.  The actual gig is in the evening so I can’t do the 22nd, but otherwise…”

“I’d love that!” she enthused, perking right up, then flushed.  “I mean, that’ll be great for business – you’ve been a big hit.  We’ve gotten quite a few reviews online mentioning you- your playing, I mean.  You could even- I mean, if you want- nevermind.”

“What?”

Rose licked her lips, and his eyes followed her tongue.  “It’s just an idea- probably a stupid one- but… the season doesn’t really end on the 25th, does it?  I know that’s the day, but it’s not like everything comes down then, not until just after New Years.  If you want.”

Come in here and serenade you for an extra five nights?  Sign me the fuck up.  “I could do that,” he nodded, “definitely.”

“Great!”

“Great.”

They shared a smile, his heart thumping away, and something in the way her eyes lingered made him say, “You know, you’ve been so great about having me here, and listening to me play, it almost seems a shame you’ll miss the actual performance.”

“That’s true!  I’ve invested a lot of time into this.  Let me know when and where, I��ll sneak in,” she joked.  “D’you need a roadie?”

“No, but I can bring a date.”

She abruptly stopped smiling, and his heart dropped.

“I mean- I don’t mean a date like a date date, but that I can bring a guest would be more accurate, and far less presumptive, and probably a terrible idea anyway so forget I said anything.  I have lots of stupid ideas, and it’s hard to keep shit from coming out.  Of my mouth.  And to stop talking when I really, really should.  Shit.  Sorry.”

“So… not a date, then.”

Ian shook his head.  “No.  Very emphatically, not a date.”  He looked around the café as if searching for a rescue, and caught the eye of a regular who was seated two tables away.  She was watching with a strange expression, and just shook her head at him, as if disappointed.

When he looked back at Rose, she was trailing a finger along the rim of her mug, and when she spoke, her voice was soft.  Vulnerable.  “That’s a shame.  It being a date would’ve made it more appealing.”

He blinked rapidly, baffled by her words; when he glanced at the regular again, she made a gesture like come on, already! so he offered tentatively, “I mean, it can be a date.  A date-date I mean.  If you want.  I… I’d like that.  If you did.  Or that’s what you mean.  Do you want it to be a date?”

“I like date-dates,” she smiled up at him from beneath her lashes.  “And live music.  And, well, you.  So, yeah, a date would be fine with me.  Be brilliant, actually?”

“It’s a date, then.”

He grinned uncontrollably, and she beamed back, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the regular do a fist pump.  Maybe I’m not as alone with these feelings as I thought.

-

Packing up his equipment, Ian let the breath he’d been holding escape.  The performance had gone well; the CEO of the company had been so happy he’d tipped an extra grand, and promised him the job again the following year.  Rose had seemingly had a good time; it was no surprise she was a social butterfly, and he’d spent more time watching her than his iPad with all his music on it.

“That was incredible,” she appeared in the door, enthusiasm contagious.  “You were so good!  I really liked the way you did Winter Wonderland, by the way – so soft and romantic.  I don’t think anyone’s ever slow danced to that before.  Everyone I talked to loved the music – even before they knew I was here with you!”  She picked up the last case as if it were natural, following him out into the hallway and out the side exit.  “Did you have fun?”

“It’s such a relief that it’s over,” he agreed, “but yeah, I enjoyed it.  I like when they give me such leeway; some gigs can be very specific, it’s like if you want it just so, burn a CD and a call it a day, don’t waste time and talent for that.”  Loading everything into his boot he closed it and turned to her, momentarily stunned at her beauty in the moonlight.

“I couldn’t tell you the last time I enjoyed live music so much!  Other than every day at the café, of course.  You make it look so effortless!”  Her eyes were shining, breath visible puffs, and he couldn’t help himself.

Stepping forward he cupped her cheek, leaning in until they were almost touching.  “Is this okay?”

Her answer was to grab his lapels and pull him the last few inches, fusing their mouths together.  She tasted like peppermint and chocolate, and her tongue sliding against his sent shivers down his spine that had nothing to do with the ambient temperature.  Her arms went around his neck, his around her waist, and time ceased to exist as they melded and parted, repeating the cycle over and over until they were both panting.

“Ian?”

“Yeah?”  He rolled his hips against hers, pushing her hair out of the way to kiss her neck.

“D’you wanna make me pancakes in the morning?”

It was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

#bbatcfic #doctorroseprompts #31 days of ficmas #Ficmas 2021 #ficandchips #Doctor Who #12xRose #12th Doctor #Rose Tyler #The Food of Love #AU

[neeksnorton]

ficmas 2021 masterlist

hello there! i know it's 2023... I cannot find the masterlist i made 2 years ago. so heres the new one!

day 1. teacher's pet - james lewis

day 2. sunset flashbacks - bob taylor

day 3. crumbling walls - james lewis

day 4. airplane antics - abner krill

day 5. extra maintenance - lonny crane

day 6. reborn - dennis murdoc

day 7. through sickness and health - piter de vries

day 8. under the mistletoe - johnson

day 9. sensitive - bob taylor

#abnersluvver ficmas #abnersluvver ficmas 2021 #neeksnorton ficmas 2021 #neeksnorton ficmas

[thebunnyslibrary]

Ficmas Week Two: I'll Be Home For Christmas

Date Originally Published: November 22, 2020 - January 8, 2021

Multi/One Shot: Multi, 9 Chapters

Summary: When (y/n) is invited home for Christmas, Bucky volunteers to play the role of “dutiful boyfriend” and to fend off questions from annoying relatives, especially her parents. All the while both of them harbor secret feelings for one another.

Posting Location(s): AO3 and Tumblr

About This Fic: I wrote this fic at Christmas time during the pandemic. I was fucking miserable and my mom and I decided we were going to "Christmas the shit out of this..." We went all out that year, as much as we could. Extra presents, extra food, and some extra volunteering

Ironically, I'm trying to capture that same spirit this year (hence this collection and the new fic coming soon)

I'm usually not one for the cheesy Christmas rom-com but I was REALLY excited for Happiest Season which had Kristen Stewart and Aubrey Plaza in it (I was really disappointed, tbh but that's another post. So I thought i'd try my hand at casting Bucky in a Christmas Rom Com with a fake dating trope (my one weakness). I saw this playing out in my head as i was writing it, even if it didn't always translate right. I still love reading this fic and all it's Christmas fluff

#merry ficmas #ficmas #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #fake dating #christmas #christmas fake datings #christmas rom com

[12daysficmas]

It's time for prompt picking!

If you’d like, you can fill this short form out before midnight 11/30 CST!

I’ll then look over the results and post the prompt list on December 5th at 11pm CST!

More info about the event is below the cut.

Okay so this event is basically a fun little countdown to Christmas via prompt fills, but feel free to use it as a happy winter celebration!

With the name of the event being called Ficmas, it sounds like it’s just a writer-focused event, but you can do whatever you want to fill the prompts (I’m mainly a writer and the title is catchy)!

You can join in as little or as much as you’d like. If you want to just vote on the prompts and see what gets made, or if you want to try to make something for every day, or something in between, it’s all up to you!

I’ve got some links with more info:

FAQ

AO3 collection

2021 calendar

2022 calendar

If you have any questions feel free to shoot an ask to the blog and I’ll answer them as soon as I can as best as I can!

#12daysficmas #prompt ideas #event prep #danny phantom #ficmas23 #ficmas2023

[mysterynoel]

12 Days of Ficmas Day 12 - Blue Lions Count of Monte Cristo Inspired

Title: The Boar Prince of Remire

Chapter Title: Engagement Ball

Ship: Sylvain Jose Gautier/Ingrid Brandl Galatea, Mercedes von Martritz/Dedue Molinaro, Annette Fantine Dominic/Felix Hugo Fraldarius (and Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd/Female My Unit | Byleth, but despite being the main ship, it isn't present here)

First made: April 2021

Last worked on: December 2022

At another table sat two people not unfamiliar to the expectations of arranged crested marriages.

Sylvain Jose Gautier, heir to House Gautier and the title of Margrave Gautier, had been told since he was young that he would carry on the family line. He had built up a reputation as a philanderer for that reason; playing with the affections of many of the girls he met, knowing they were not interested in him but what they could get from him. Nobles had wondered about when he would settle down and take a wife while young woman had tried to enter a courtship with him, but he had turned them all down.

Mercedes von Martritz, though a commoner, had the distinction of being a crest-bearer. Many young noblemen looking to strengthen their house and name had sent letters asking for her hand in marriage, but she had refused each one. Her father’s anger at her actions was no secret to those in the merchants’ district, but she was adamant in her wish to either devote herself to the church or marry for love.

To say Sylvain escorting Mercedes to tonight’s ball earned the attention of a few guests would be an understatement. All around them, whispers involving a union between them swirled about. A few were excited gossip, though many were laced with talks of scandal and impropriety. The two had spent a few dances together in an attempt to enjoy the evening, but as the attention became too much for them, they chose to instead return to their table for a quiet discussion over a drink.

“How are you holding up?” he asked her.

“I was about to ask you that.”

“They’ve been saying those things about me for years. I didn’t think they would start about you. Had I known, I wouldn’t have asked to escort you.”

Mercedes smiled softly at him. “I’m not sure it would have been good for you to attend alone. I’m worried you would have done something you would regret.”

“You’re right. I would have.” Sylvain took a sip from his glass.

“Did you ever tell Ingrid how you felt?”

Panic crossed Sylvain’s face. He quickly composed himself, falling into his notorious playful smirk. “You sure you don’t want to keep that guard company?”

“Sylvain!”

He put his hands up in surrender. “Okay, you win. I haven’t told her. But what am I supposed to do? Walk up to their table, say, ‘Ingrid, I’ve been in love with you since I was sixteen, leave your arranged marriage and marry me instead,’ and then pray to the goddess that it doesn’t end in my death?” He sighed. “I can’t do that to her. The two of them are going through with this for multiple reasons. The last thing I want is to make matters worse. Tonight, I’m here to support them.”

She took a drink from her glass. “Annie is the same way. I kept checking with her to make sure she wanted to attend, but she swore she would be fine.” She looked out at the dance floor to see Annette currently dancing with Ashe, no doubt surrounded by their own set of whispers of how House Dominic could help the heir to House Gaspard into a new era. “I’m happy he’s able to help her smile.”

“Returning to that guard, are you sure you don’t want to meet with him?”

“He’s currently working.”

“Mercedes, I’ve never seen you gaze at a man like you were when we approached the steps. It’s too late for me, but you deserve to find love. If anyone begins talking about you speaking to a Duscurian, I’ll stop them immediately.” Mercedes blushed.

#noel's 12 days of ficmas #mercedes von martritz #sylvain jose gautier #sylvgrid #mercedue #netteflix #i so badly want to return to this one day #this would be what i would work on if i could take a year off of anything to work on one fanfic #couldn't decide between this section or an earlier one where felix learns he's engaged to ingrid #unfinished fanfiction

[placeinthemiddleofnowhere]

I posted 1,199 times in 2022

That's 654 more posts than 2021!

135 posts created (11%)

1,064 posts reblogged (89%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@ithinkwehitametaphor

@buckyhoney

@mariamariquinha

@cheesybadgers

@justanotherblonde23

I tagged 295 of my posts in 2022

#the corinthian - 14 posts

#lou's gifs - 12 posts

#boyd holbrook - 11 posts

#bishop losa - 10 posts

#bring me a dream - 10 posts

#jon bernthal - 10 posts

#mayans mc - 9 posts

#ficmas - 9 posts

#sandman fanfiction - 8 posts

#the sandman - 8 posts

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Princess

Pairing: Simon "Ghost" Riley x Female!Reader

Warnings: Angst, Smut (18+), spanking, fingering, PinV, choking, brat taming, slight bit of name calling (slightly dubious to have sex with someone after rescuing them from a kidnapping but we'll ignore that)

Summary: Reader is the daughter of a prolific genral who's been kidnapped while she was trying to party it up with her friends. Ghost and Soap are recruited to rescue her, and soon find out that reader's attitude might be more of a challenge than the gang they're trying to rescue her from.

(No use of y/n)

A/N: I can't get Ghost out of my head and tbh I kinda feel like he'd be so good at dealing with your bratty nonsense if he had to.

- 👑-

You were sure you were going to die. 

Not because your family didn’t have the money, not because there weren’t enough resources  to save you, or even because of your own natural pessimistic tendencies. No. You were sure you were going to die because your father had made it abundantly clear long ago that you didn’t matter to him. 

You weren’t a man. You couldn't carry his title on and you’d grown up learning that that was mostly all he cared for. His legacy. It was one of the few things that cold man spoke of fondly, always lighting up at the mention of your brothers but never you. And as a result you’d grown up living for even the smallest chance at spiting him for it. You partied and drank and slept around with boys that made even your friends curl their lips at you sometimes. 

So, you were pretty sure that once your kidnappers realised that, that could only mean one thing. One of those big guns they were carrying was going to end up pointed right in your face then…bang. 

It was enough to leave you disoriented, you weren't taking in much. Not that there was much to take note of. Your eyes were shoddily covered over with a scrap of harsh, scratchy cloth and you could only see little slivers of things here and there. Your hands were duct taped to the arms of an office chair and your mouth was similarly covered so as to prevent anymore screams and curses.

You watched sets of boots as they echoed around the frigid room, and saw gun barrels and machetes, men roving across a scuffed up concrete floor. You didn’t catch anything that made you want to see more. Especially when you heard the taunts they slung at you in their thick accents.

“Don’t worry precious, I’m sure a spoiled little rich girl like you will get a good ransom, you’ll be home soon.”

“Bet you’re used to guys with big guns like this, daddy’s men must love you.”

“She’s a cute little thing, we should have some fun with her before we send her back.”

“I’ve heard she likes to have lots of fun, bet we’d slip right into her, fucking american girls.”

If the blindfold came off then that would only mean one thing. They were going to make good on the salacious threats they were now casually slinging your way. The fantasies they were now trading back and forth as they returned to speaking their own language. That was a small mercy at least. Not having to hear about how the last few moments of your life would go. 

You could feel your body shaking like an addict in withdrawal and your poor heart was leaping around in your chest like a caught frog. It didn’t help that you were riling yourself up either, imagining what the newspapers would say. Flashing up in your mind like something out of an old batman episode with a blaring brass section accompanying them.

 Daughter of a notable general killed in shock kidnapping

Holiday in Cancun turned nightmare as General’s daughter taken in the night

You couldn't even be sure if you were still in Mexico. For all you knew you were in all those other countries that you’d been too busy crafting a reputation to learn about in school. What were they again? Guatemala, Cuba? You were sure those were somewhere close by. Funny the things the mind distracts itself with when you’re stuck tightly in a chair surrounded by leering wolves. 

If only you hadn’t been drawn in by that tattooed man with the big arms. If only you’d been a good girl and enjoyed your holiday and stuck close to your friends instead of going out on the hunt for attention from bad men covered in tattoos and cologne that smelt like bad decisions. You could practically hear your father’s growly voice echoing through your mind. 

Stupid little girl. 

He’d been saying that for as long as you had memories of him. He’d be satisfied now, you lamented. You’d proved him right in the end, he’d always said your lifestyle would catch up with you and you’d be wishing that you’d just behaved for once sooner or later.  

At the very least, you figured, you wouldn’t have to hear him say I told you so. 

- 👑-

You weren't sure how much time had passed. It could’ve been a few minutes, or it could’ve been hours, but as your breathing grew more ragged behind the tape you knew you were experiencing the last few precious moments you had left. 

The men were sounding more and more pissed off as they rattled off curses to each other, filling the room with sharp hisses. They weren’t getting the results they wanted. They’d even removed the tape at some point and had you screaming out for a video, but apparently that wasn’t getting them anywhere either. They got tired with your cries and slapped an even thicker strip back in place.

You were starting to cry, feeling the stiff cloth go damp against your skin and irritating it further. It was so thick and itchy over your eyes, you wanted nothing more than to pull it off. You needed to see, needed to breathe. You were panicking. You needed out, you needed air, you needed to feel safe again. 

See the full post

340 notes - Posted November 19, 2022

#4

Bring me a dream

Part 3: Vanilla Marshmallow

Status: Ongoing

Masterlist

Pairing: The Corinthian x F!Reader

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI, smut, horror elements, manipulation

A/N: ok i think I got everyone tagged that wanted to be, but if not please don’t take it as a mark against you! Just message and let me know to add you ☺️ enjoy everyone!

-🍰-

Perhaps it was the thought of your sweet face, or maybe it was the flashback of you making him “pinky promise”; or it was some combination of those things and others that was making Corinthian feel bad about the dead person in front of him. He stared back at the hollow eye sockets with a grimace, holding the cooling body close to himself and brushing its dark hair away from the trickling blood. What was he going to do?

Of course he had no intention of actually stopping his illicit activities, those were a part of his life’s rich tapestry. Naturally he said what he could so that you would give him a chance, but now he was genuinely beginning to feel like he should at least dial back. He tilted his head at the corpse and arched his back, coming to lie back against the soft, thread rich sheets and letting the body slump off of the bed.

“Gonna have to hide that now,” he said to himself, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Never had to do that before…”

His naked thighs tangled in a blood stained white throw, burrowing him closer into the warmth of the bed. He could’ve lain there all night, staring up at the ceiling and into the emptiness there, contemplating you. There was a softness that grew inside his chest as he thought of you. A need that tingled through him as the blood that remained on his bare skin seemed to scratch at him.

He needed to wash off his sins.

The bed was slicked with crimson, evidence of his failed promise. He glanced at the glasses on the bedside table and stared back at himself in the reflection, considering his toothy eyes and solemn lips. His cheeks were trickling with blood that looked like tears. Was this what Morpheus envisioned when he was created? He often wondered about that.

Corinthian trailed his thoughts toward the entrapped endless and smiled. thinking of him caged and seething often brought a grin curling to his lips. It had upset him to know just how much you revered Morpheus upon talking to you more. You’d denied yourself the pleasures of the human realm, waiting so loyally in the dreaming, it was unfathomable. Beyond his comprehension. There was so much to gain from life, so many experiences to live.

He intended to make sure that you experienced them all. He wanted to claim it all for himself anew, seeing what the human realm had to offer for a dream. What would you do? How will the world change you? He couldn’t wait to see. It made his heart flutter thinking of all of the possibilities.

All he had to do was hide that poor wretch sprawled on the floor and he could drive back to the city and go meet you at daybreak. A thought that had him sighing into the pillow, moving his hands so that they trailed down past his stomach. He had some time before the darkness would dissolve and until then, well, he intended on having some fun to himself before he had to restrain himself once more.

Not for much longer, he hoped.

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380 notes - Posted August 29, 2022

#3

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405 notes - Posted February 6, 2022

#2

Bring me a dream

Part 2: Cherry Cheescake

Status: Ongoing

Masterlist

Pairing: The Corinthian x F!Reader

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI, smut, horror elements, manipulation

-🍰-

You spent all day on a knife edge. You couldn’t take your mind off of the ‘date’ you were to go on that night. At least, that was what you’d told Casey when she asked why you were flitting around the kitchen, baking all manner of different tray bakes and cakes. Your human companion was less than pleased that her kitchen was rendered unusable for breakfast before her work, but you didn’t have the mental capacity to think about that. 

“Oh my god, will you stop already!” 

You looked up from the messily iced cupcake you’d been working on and faced your roommate, looking into her incensed green eyes. Your hands shook for a second, continuing to pipe out icing until finally Casey reached out and snatched the bag from you. It left you standing like a hamster with your hands still in position, staring ahead into the abyss.

“What’s up with you? This should be exciting! You’ve never even talked about fancying a single man or woman, or anyone since I’ve known you and now the minute you go on a date you’re acting like you’re in a TV heartbreak!” she said, half laughing, half looking ready to strangle you.

You sighed and looked around at the floury mess you’d left all over the room and at the numerous treats you’d made, finally registering the extent of your work that day. You couldn’t believe what you’d done. You wondered for a second where you’d get the time to give them away, until you realised that her presence meant that she was back from work. Time was creeping on you faster than you'd realised  and you were going to need to prepare to go out soon. Shit.

“O-oh well I um- I’ve never been on a date before,” you said truthfully, looking back at Casey as she started to clear up your damage. 

She stopped in her tracks just as she began to take your mixing bowls over to the sink and whirled back around. Her eyes were as wide as an owl’s. Now you were beginning to think that your excuse wasn’t the best cover up. 

“You’ve never been on a date?” she echoed.

You nodded and rubbed the back of your neck, already regretting your idea so much more. It was obvious she was invested now. Invested in your date with the Corinthian, oh gods, what were you going to do? You didn’t want to get all dolled up for him, you didn't want to indulge him in any way really, but the look on Casey’s face now was the ‘you’re not getting out of this without a makeover’ look.

“Hold on, before you get any ideas-” you tried.

“Oh I have so many ideas!” She interrupted. “ We need to start getting you ready now, we need to prepare you. Right, you go get in the shower then I can do your hair and bring up first date topics- oh and then we can-”

You zoned out while she rambled on about her schemes, lost in your own despair. Her head was filled with roses and your’s was occupied by those dark soulless shades and fox-like smile. You were going for a date with the devil and she was acting like you were meeting prince charming and getting ready for a life in a castle. It made your lips turn like you’d just eaten sour candy.

You knew better than to argue with Casey, however. Once she got on one of her tirades you’d never be able to stop her, especially not while she looked so full of childlike excitement. Who were you to ruin her dreams of preparing her friend for her first date? 

-🍰-

You looked like something out of a magazine. Your eye makeup was perfectly applied and glittered like a fairy had flown over you, your cheeks were glimmering with highlighter and your lips were pink and glossy. Kissable, she had said. As if you were going to allow him to kiss you. Ha!

You stood in the doorway, glaring at the thought of the nightmare you were going to meet. Only for a second though. Casey turned back around to face you and continued to rattle off her first date rules, while you stared off into the distance. Somehow, you didn’t think you were going to need to use them. Instead of listening, you played with the skirt of your white cotton dress and admired your pretty pink nails.

“Are you even listening to me?” Casey snapped.

“Oh- yes! I’ll let you know as soon as I’m there and I’ll call you if anything happens,” you said dutifully, gesturing away with your hand.

“That’s not what I was-”

“Actually, you know what, I really should be going! Don’t want to be late,” you interrupted, finally growing tired of humouring her.

With a squeal of good luck being shouted out to you, you closed the door and rushed down the stairs of your apartment toward the exit. You stood in the lobby for a second, feeling as if your breath was being stolen from your lungs. You didn’t want to have to go to the club, you didn’t even know if he’d be there yet, he hadn’t been so prudent as to give you a time. It made you wonder if he’d make you sit there all night for him.

Think of the humans, you said to yourself over and over like a mantra. You whispered it at first until you got into the cab you’d called, and even then, you took to recycling it in your head instead. You had to protect these beings' lives with your own, no matter what fiendish plans the Corinthian had in store for you. 

“You look real pretty tonight, miss,” the driver said, eyeing you appreciatively in his mirror. “Somethin’ special on?”

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472 notes - Posted August 21, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Bring me a dream

Part 1: Strawberry Daiquiri

Status: Ongoing

Masterlist

Pairing: The Corinthian x F!Reader

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI, smut, horror elements, manipulation

A/N: This part is more of an introduction so nothing really to warn about here, but The Corinthian is pretty creepy so I'll add anything else on that I think needs to be there as I go!

Summary

The corinthian has been enjoying his time away from Lord Morpheus (that is, his forced imprisonment of course). Being free has been a dream. However, when he meets another from the land of the dreaming, he realises the exciting potential to corrupt one of his masters sweet creations. And so he decides he has to have her for himself...

-🍰-

The moment he caught sight of you, of your sweet face and soft nature, he felt compelled to have you. To possess you. To corrupt you completely. Knowing what you were was just the icing on the cake really. 

Had you been just any being he’d have felt a pull, but knowing that you were one of his master’s dreams only ramped up his terrible desire all the more. Especially when you were so beloved by dream, his little baker, the girl that could completely change a human’s emotions with just a bite of something sweet.

The Corinthian had wandered alone for such a long time, he’d almost forgotten there were others out there. Other dreams and other nightmares. He’d been unimpeded by his master for so long, living by way of his own twisted whims that when he saw you it reminded him of a world outside of his own. Reminded him of a place he detested so wholly he wanted to rip apart like a daisy. He desired to tear the petals off one by one and scatter the pollen like ashes. 

And what better way to do that than to take you and bend you to his will. At least that was what he’d intended on anyway. 

You were out in a booming city club with one of the humans you’d befriended only a few months after you’d left the dreaming. A decision you’d not made lightly. You’d watched so many others abandon hope while you’d held on so resolutely, had been so sure that Lord Morpheus would return that you couldn’t let yourself disappoint him. Until finally the lonely crumbling expanse had turned you away with a heavy heart.

You couldn’t bring yourself to watch the last walls of the palace tumble down, and so you’d come to earth like many other dreams in search of somewhere less lonely. Somewhere alive. And you’d found that in the city. It was odd at first, speaking with the beings you had only interacted with in their sleep, conversing with them and getting to experience every part of them and their confusing natures. You’d thought them frightening and, in some cases, cruel at first when you’d just arrived, but soon you came to realise how multifaceted they could be. it only made you love them all the more.

You were watching Casey now as she attempted to flirt with some man from another group, and smiling fondly to yourself as you often did. She was awful at it. She fumbled with her words and awkwardly played with her straw, stealing glances at the stocky man and trying to tell him jokes. She’d grown up insecure, carried her lack of confidence into her twenties like a backpack she couldn’t take off. She was more than the little red head girl hiding in the corner with her frumpy hand-me downs that she believed herself to be, she was the first human to show you kindness.

It comforted you to know that she would be returning home with you that night and delight in one of your signature bakes. Perhaps a big gooey brownie that would inexplicably dry her tears and put a smile on her face, or maybe a richly iced cupcake that would fill her heart with sprinkles of joy and laughter. She wouldn’t go home with some man that wouldn’t appreciate her tinkling laughter and hand-knitted creations. Wouldn’t be led away from you. She needed you. At least that’s what you told yourself every time you would spirit her away from nightclubs and back to your shared kitchen. 

“Thinking about somethin’ sweet, sugar?”

A southern drawl broke you out of your thoughts and had you craning your head up into the strobing darkness. You’d been leaning your head in your hand, looking far into the distance but once you met the sculpted face peeking out of the shadows you felt more alert than ever. You felt a chill working it’s way down your spine when you stared into the soulless lenses of his midnight black shades. You tried to place him in your mind, but you couldn’t think of any solid. Only an instinct telling you that he was trouble.

“W-What do you want?” You uttered quickly, hands shaking as they clutched the leather of your seat. 

You weren't sure who he was, but you knew for definite that he was a nightmare. There was a dark aura expelling from his pores despite his clean pressed suit jacket and charming smile. You didn’t trust him one bit. 

“Now now, sugar, no need to be like that. I just wanted to offer you a drink. After all it’s not often I come across a dream like you,” he’d said so smoothly you could imagine him wink. “Can I sit?” 

You were about to protest, you’d opened your mouth and were about to unleash hell before he placed a glass of bright red liquid in front of you. You frowned at it and then looked back at him, catching him gracefully sloping into the seat next to you. Who was this man? Who did he think he was to come and disturb your night.

You looked down at your drink finally and looked at it suspiciously, running your finger up and down the condensation covered glass. What was it? Was it something sinister? You inspected it all over,there was a sugary cherry pierced onto the drooping straw and a little sparkly umbrella that twirled around in the ice that could barely be seen through the dark crimson liquid. It smelt fruity to you, and probably sickly sweet to most humans. Maybe you could give it a taste…

“It’s a strawberry daiquiri. Sweet drink for a sweet dream,” the man drawled.

You tensed as he called you out again. Did he know who you were? If he did then he had you at a disadvantage and you didn’t care for that one bit. The man was too slithery to hold power like that and you knew all this had to be some kind of manipulation, but to what end? It’s not like he could hurt you, you thought to yourself. You can’t kill a dream.

“You never answered my question,” you said finally, taking the straw in your fingers. “What do you want?”

You took a tentative sip of the drink and found yourself holding back a moan at how good it was. It was ice cool and had several shots of extra syrup, too much for a human palette, though it was perfect for you. How did he know? Your eyes drew back to him and that equally sweet smile of his, running your eyes across his soft pink lips. If only you knew who he was. 

“I want some company, sugar. Nothin’ sinister, I just saw you and thought you’d like a conversation…I don’t know about you, but I don’t run into dreams often,” he said smoothly, sitting back in his chair and relaxing into the booth.

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639 notes - Posted August 17, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #Wow #yeah that tracks

[lesbianreinaa]

Idea for you!

Dana and stella think they have the house to themselves for the night and start to get a little ~frisky~ in the living room when emily and her friends come home sooner than they anticipated. Something a little funny I’ll let your creative mind do the rest

not that i wouldn’t LOVE to write this i have something very similar from ficmas 2021!! if this is what you were looking for, if not let me know and i can write you a new one for this ficmas🤗

read here on ao3

[suitofvibraniumarmor]

Ficmas #5: Baking

T’Challa woke up to a very enticing combination of smells he hadn’t experienced before. Chocolate and brown sugar and coffee …

“Y/N, babe, what’s that smell?” he groaned, rolling over to face her. His hand searched but found the edge of the bed and no Y/N.

Frowning, he got up from the bed and pulled a shirt on before going in search of Y/N and the smells … although he had to admit the smells had piqued his curiosity more than Y/N’s whereabouts just then.

Fortunately, he found both Y/N and the source of the smells in the kitchen. She was pulling a sheet pan of fluffy, gooey chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. T’Challa raised his brow.

“Cookies for breakfast? Y/N, my love, are you – do I need to prepare for –”

He couldn’t finish the sentence but Y/N simply chuckled. “Not pregnant, don’t worry. I wouldn’t tell you with chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.”

He let go of the breath he had been holding. “A custom from your country I’m not aware of then?”

Again, she chuckled. “It’s the first day of winter weather! When I was growing up, on the first day of really cold winter weather, he would make us chocolate chip cookies for breakfast. Normally it’d be with hot chocolate with a ton of marshmallows, but today I made us coffee instead.”

T’Challa wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her cheek. “If it’s so cold, we should stay inside all day and keep each other warm then.”

“Oh, I’m absolutely okay with that idea,” Y/N returned with a grin, “but first, look.”

She pulled his hand so they were standing in front of the window. T’Challa was in awe; he had seen snow before but today, with Y/N, it seemed more magical than what he’d seen before. Y/N leaned back on his chest.

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

He kissed the top of her head, grateful to be spending this moment with her. “Beautiful, my love.”

AllOfTheThings: @captain-s-rogers @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @hurricanerin @im-not-an-armrest-im-short @shynara51 @sea040561 @pinknerdpanda @xtina2191 @beakami @heartsaved @fullprunerebelstatesman @blackwidowismyhomegirl @averyrogers83 @jennmurawski13 @connie326

#marvel fanfiction #tchalla x reader #mcu fanfiction #black panther x reader #ficmas 2021

[marauderss-hp]

Love through the Ages

Hi :) welcome to ficmas 2021. so this year, none of the fics are going to take part in the sweater weather universe or the marauders era, they will all be AUs which is both fun and scary. i hope you enjoy :)

cw: mentions of food and drink | panic attack

characters belong to the amazing @lumosinlove

word count: 9,455

Ficmas Day One - Museum Au

-

Logan’s favourite part of the Christmas discount tours at the museum was the huge crowds that raked in throughout the month. Last year was a sellout and he was just as ready for this year to be the same, filled with small children with their faces pressed up against the glass of the exhibits and parents who pulled them away, apologising profoundly. Logan never found it in himself to care, taking the extra twenty minutes at the end of his shift to wipe away the small fingerprints and fogged up patches.

He trudged through the thickening snow an hour before his shift started, wrapping his coat closer around him and fiddling with his beanie, tugging it further over his ears. It was a lot colder than it was when he planned last week to walk for the month to save having to defrost and warm up his car, but he was almost there now and he could feel the excitement heat him up inside.

There was a long list for today’s tour, filled with families and the last-minute school trips of the year, a fun little Christmas special. He was planning out the route in his head, the floor plan of the museum imprinted into his head as he imagined the happy faces of everyone as he went around to each exhibit.

He sighed in relief as the building came into view, snow-coated and bleary but so pretty in the winter weather, the long stone walls taking up the majority of the street and the doors wiped down and waiting for him to open. As soon as he stepped through the door he shook himself off, shaking slightly at the abrupt difference in temperature and switched his snowshoes for his trainers, heading down the staff room.

He stripped his soaked coat off and placed it on the rack by the heater, beanie and gloves joining the pile. He breathed in the smell of hot coffee wafting through the room and followed it through to the sofa’s, plopping down next to his coworker and taking the mug she held out for him.

“I don’t know why you still decided to walk,” she sighed at him, turning slightly to face him fully. “James could have picked you up and dropped us both off on his way to take Harry to school.”

Logan shrugged, letting himself take small sips of the large coffee and relaxed back further into the seat. “He would have had to go in the opposite direction to get me. It was easier to walk.”

She scoffed but dropped it, reaching forward and passing him the list for today. “You have forty-five minutes to set up and get ready,” she stopped and looked over at him with a knowing smile. “But I’m guessing you already did most of it last night when you stayed back another hour.”

He merely nodded, eyes trailing down the list of people, pairing together the families and counting the children he still needed to make bags for. He started the idea last Halloween and kept up the trend of goody bags for the kids, loving the bright smiles and high-fives he got in return from both them and their parents.

“Mostly. There’s still a few more signs to put up and a warning about the new exhibit not being ready yet but then I should be about ready to go.”

She nodded, taking her own coffee from the table. “Any plans for Christmas this year?”

She asked the question every year and every year was the same answer. “Just me this year, again. The weather is too bad to travel right now and my sisters have busy schedules as it is. And so do I. I can’t rely on the Dumais for any more events this year, it’s been far too many.”

“Logan there are other people that work at this museum with you, you know. You can take a break and visit your family. And even if you don’t, you know our door is always open. Harry would love to spend Christmas with you and so would we.”

He smiled faintly at the mention of her son but shook his head anyway. “I don’t want to impose. I’m perfectly capable of spending Christmas on my own again.

She looked like she wanted to argue but held back, simply shaking her head slightly and turning back to her phone. Logan basked in the quiet, the soft groan of the heater providing the only noise in the room and closed his eyes, smiling, enjoying the warmth and relaxation until the tour was ready.

*

Most of the people were here now, standing at the beginning of the first exhibit with him, children already asking questions about what they could barely see in the room. He grinned at them and answered as best he could, crouching down to their level, ignoring Lily’s dig of how unnecessary it was to bend down when she walked by him, keeping his focus on the child to stop himself from swearing back at her. 

There were people heading over to the group, the final family and Logan went to introduce himself and hand out the small bags to the girls, asking simple questions on what they were excited about and what they wanted to see.

He made his way back to the front and grabbed his list, ticking the family of five of the list. There were only two people left and he checked his watch. Eight minutes late. He sighed and rested against the wall, keeping an eye on the group to watch for any wanders or any joiners who weren’t supposed to be there. It hit the ten-minute mark and he pushed off and cleared his throat ready to just start.

He flinched when the doors almost slammed open and two figures crashed through the door, eyes glancing all over the place before they both sighed in relief when they spotted him and his group, making their way over. He excused himself, straightening out his clothes from where they scrunched up against the wall and heading towards the pair.

“Hi, welcome to Gryffindor Museum. My name’s Logan, today’s tour guide. You must be Finn and Leo, right?” He asked, eyes pointed down to his list to make sure he got it right.

“Yeah, we are,” his eyes widened at the soft southern accent from in front of him, and he stopped himself from whipping his head up to see them, instead slowly lifting it like a normal human being. “We’re sorry we’re late. The weather,” he trailed off slightly at the end.

The blonde had spoken and Logan caught his gaze as he waved his hand around, his arm slowly lowering as he looked back at him. Logan felt his breath catch in the back of his throat at the blue gaze that settled on him, eyes piercing into his own. He unconsciously let his eyes rake up and down his body, from his adorable mussed up hair hidden beneath a woolly hat to his Christmas sweater, oversized and hanging down his figure. God, he was tall, at least 6’2, 6’3.

He recovered slightly and willed himself not to blush when he saw the blonde do the same to him before his eyes snapped back to his, a wide smile adorning his face. Logan almost whimpered at the sight. Dimples.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I’m Finn, that’s Leo,” he turned his attention to the other boy and almost had to take a step back.

His fringe covered over his eyes lightly from where his beanie - a dark blue - rested over his auburn hair, a perfect colour contrast. His deep brown eyes captured him immediately and this time he let the blush take over his face. His features were soft and his freckles took centre stage. Logan wanted to map out everyone one of them, but he immediately willed that thought away. He was shorter, maybe 6’0 but still, so much taller than him. But it wasn’t intimidating. It was nice. He kept going down and felt himself visibly stop when he saw their hands, clasped together tightly between them and pulled his eyes away, ignoring their curious glances.

He coughed, remembering where he was and the people waiting behind him and internally shook himself out. “Don’t worry about it. Come on, head over to the group and we’ll get started.”

He didn’t wait to hear their answer, turning sharply and walking forward, trying to keep his breathing under control. Why did two gorgeous boys decide to come on his tour? He wasn’t sure whether this was a blessing or a curse as he tried to get his opening sentence out, eyes trailing over to the back of the group against his will.

“Hey everyone. Welcome to the first of the Christmas tours. You guys are lucky, you get to be the first ones this year!” He smiled at the excited whispers of the children. “If you’ll follow me, the tour lasts for around 30-45 minutes, unless you have any questions. Try not to wander too much and keep away from any exhibits which are under construction. Please, if you have any questions throughout the tour, just make your way to the front. During stops I’ll make my way around and check with you all but don’t feel like you have to wait for that,” he looked around at all the nods and smiles. “Right, let’s go. Our first destination today is the medieval exhibit…”

*

He had done well to stay away from the couple for the first twenty minutes of the tour, sticking with families for the most part, but feeling their gaze - or what he assumed (hoped) was their gaze on his back. It was once they reached the Ancient Greek and Roman section of the exhibit, right in the back corner of the huge building that they made their way over.

He was walking around the group, checking in on everyone and directing people to the toilets with other members of staff so they could make their way back over to them when they were ready. He heard their footsteps behind him and calmed down his heart, beating furiously in his chest and turned around, a wide smile on his face.

“Hi, what can I do for you?” He asked in an even voice, keeping his eyes pointedly at the spot between them.

“Oh, we just wanted to apologize again for being late. My boyfriend isn’t the best driver in the winter. We know you guys have a tight schedule here,” it was Finn who answered, one arm wrapped around Leo’s waist now and the other tucked into his jacket pocket. 

“Don’t worry about it,” he repeated but then backtracked slightly. “Have you done the Christmas tours before?” He would have definitely remembered if they had been here last year.

“No, no. We came to the summer ones, just two of them, while we had a break,” Leo said, hand reaching out to brush away some hair from his face. Logan realised it was streaked grey.

Ah. The summer tours. There were a couple done this year, but Logan had - he realised, now regretfully - taken Lily’s warning and took two weeks to visit his family’s summer house in Nice, so it would have been Regulus doing the tours when he was taking up his summer position while back from NYU.

“Well I hope you enjoyed them,” he repeated the same old phrase, though this time it was softer and he internally rolled his eyes at himself. They are dating, idiot.

“Your accent…what it is,” Finn asked and Logan stopped for a second. People didn’t normally ask about him while he was touring.

“I’m French-Canadian. Rimouski,” he answered, his accent coming out heavier when saying his home town and he swore he heard Leo’s small intake of breath. “You two aren’t from Gryffindor either.” It wasn’t a question, but they answered it anyway.

“No, I’m from New Orleans,” Leo said and Logan could have swooned at the way the name came out with his soft accent. “Finn here is from New York.” Hmm. Logan thought. City boy.

He smiled at them and turned to look around at the rest of the group, people returning back from the toilets. They would need to be moving on soon. He glanced back at them, both of their gazes already on him.

“We’ll need to be moving soon. Any questions about this exhibit while we are here?” He hoped they would.

He watched them look at each other, a silent conversation passing through their eyes. Logan deflated slightly at the reminder. Boyfriends.

“Nah, I don’t think we do. And if we later think of some…well it gives us an excuse to come back, doesn’t it?” Finn smiled at him and pulled Leo away to another wall, pointing out the different pieces of literature pinned up as delicately as possible. Logan felt his heart almost stop.

“Right, everyone,” he ignores the crack in his voice, as did everyone else but the two at the back. “Let’s move on now, to the Egyptian exhibit. So, first over here, we have…”

*

Logan was exhausted by the time he lead the group back to the front desk, smiling tiredly at Lily when she glanced over at him, preparing another group at the other end. He turned back to his own and clapped his hands, grabbing their attention.

“That was the final exhibit. Thank you all for joining us on the tour, I hope you had a fun time,” he smiled down at the kids who nodded up at him. “Of course, we are running for three more weekends and more on Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the weeks, except for, of course, the 25th and 26th. Christmas Eve is still going to be a tour, though it will be quieter if you want a closer, almost a one-on-one type tour,” he ignored Finn and Leo’s glance at each other. “Have an amazing Christmas everyone, and I’ll hopefully see you for the tours next year as well.”

He waved goodbye to everyone, giving fist bumps and high fives to the kids and thanked the parents for coming. The majority of them left straight away, a couple heading over to the information desk where Remus was handing out leaflets and making more bookings. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. It began to get even bigger and brighter when the final two headed over to him and stopped a couple of feet away, hats and gloves reader, car keys in hand. They wore matching smiles and Logan clasped his hands in front of him waiting.

Finn broke the silence first. “That was amazing,” Logan startled and blushed, turning his face to the ground. “I’m serious. The way you talk about each aspect of history without needing notes or reading any of the signs is incredible. You talk so expressively and passionately about it it’s like we’re physically there with them. You’ve got a real talent for this.”

Logan switched between Finn and Leo for a moment before turning back to the floor. “Well, thank you. History…it’s always been my thing, so it comes naturally.”

“Did you study it at college?” Leo spoke up, glancing at him curiously.

“Yeah, I graduated two years ago. Harvard. It was my minor but it captured me more than business did. I moved here in the winter that year and found this place. Celeste and Pascal are like my parents. I’ve been here ever since.”

“Harvard,” Finn let him finish before interrupting, though Logan can tell he was close to butting it. It wasn’t a question but he answered it with a nod anyway. “I went to Harvard. Graduated three years ago.”

That caught Logan’s attention and he snapped his head up to meet Finn’s incredulous look. “Huh…” was all he could think of saying. “Guess we just didn’t cross paths?”

Finn nodded absentmindedly and Logan watched Leo rub a finger up and down his palm soothingly. He broke away from his daze and turned to the station next to him, lifting out a set of leaflets and grabbing two from the pile. 

“Well, thank you for coming. I hope you had a good time?” It pitched up at the end questioningly and they both nodded furiously. He smiled back, rubbing his neck softly to smooth away the redness creeping up. “Good. Here are some more events that we have going on if you ever wanted to come back,” Please want to come back. 

They took them and pocketed them away, sending him a nod and took each other’s hands again. “It was great to meet you. Thank you again, and sorry for being late,” Leo’s voice was barely heard over the harsh wind that entered the building when the door was opened, but Logan grinned anyway, regardless of what was said.

They stared at each other for a moment longer and Logan swore Leo was about to say something else but he stopped and squeezed Finn’s hand. The two waved him goodbye and walked to the door, wrapped up tightly around each other, fighting against the strong snowfall and walking out of sight. Logan hadn’t realised he was still stuck in the same position.

*

The next weekend Logan didn’t turn down the lift from James and Lily, squeezing himself into the back with Harry who talked a mile a minute about how much he loved the snow and about the playdate he was having with his best friend Ron after school on Monday. Logan nodded along animatedly, feeling James’ soft smirk through the mirror. He ignored it.

He was excited again for today’s tour and he had changed the route last minute yesterday when he stayed behind to clean up the mess from when a school trip had knocked over a stack of flyers. He volunteered, which gave him more time to set out his plan for today and get the exhibits perfect. 

They climbed out, Lily giving out soft kisses to James and Harry before rushing over to link arms with him. They walked the short distance from the door to the staff room, Lily beelining for the coffee machine as Logan laughed behind her, picking up her coat that was carelessly thrown on the sofa.

“Tired, Lily?” The groan was an answer in itself and he laughed again but took the coffee handed to him gratefully. “Ah, thank you.”

“Hmmm,” they stayed quiet like they normally did when the two of them opened the place up. “How many have you got today?”

“Just the three. One in an hour, one after lunch and the last one before closing,” he loved the last tour of the evening, the dark atmosphere and night sky keeping any light from shining through the windows, making the exhibits even more magical.

“Are you expecting to see the two boys from last week?” He didn’t even need her to specify which two boys, despite the fact that he did five tours last week.

“No,” he wanted them to be here but it was unrealistic to think they would come back for the same tour all over again. “No, they already came once, it’s only the same information again.”

“It might be the same information but you deliver it differently every time. It’s always amazing to watch you talk about history. It’s not the same.”

He shrugged, holding his coffee closed. “Maybe. But I don’t think they will.”

“You never know.”

That was the end of the conversation and Logan headed down half an hour later to prepare for the first of the day. He couldn’t shake what Lily had said though and reviewed in his head what he was going to say today. It was exactly the same.

*

By six, he was dead on his feet, waving out the last of Lily’s tour from where he was sitting at the information desk, tapping absentmindedly on the keyboard of his computer. He had an hour until his final tour and the final one of the night before he wrangled out the stragglers and closed up. 

Lily headed over to him, bag hanging off her shoulder and coast wrapped firmly around her. “The offer’s still there. James can come back for you and you can eat with us?” 

“No, Lils, it’s okay. I have some dinner in the fridge and it’s only a half-hour walk home. The weather has calmed down slightly so it’s fine.”

She sighed, a sad smile on her face as she waved a final goodbye, rushing off towards James’ car. He sunk back in his chair, reaching across for the list of people for tonight’s tour. He swept down the names, taking note of the families and grabbing the bags he needed to fill and started the older members so he would remember to check in with them more often. He made it to the end before stopping and backtracking, making it halfway back up before a familiar name caught his eye. Finn O’Hara.

*

He was trembling with excitement when the doors started opening and the group started walking through, staring around in wonder at the pictures and statues around them. He kept his eyes on the door mostly, though he greeted everyone that came towards him. 

His face instantly brightened when he caught sight of red hair hidden between the same dark blue beanie. Though today, he had Leo’s Christmas sweater from last week and Logan smiled to himself at the sight. He was adorable.

He kept his feet firmly planted on the floor where he was, simply grinning widely over at him when he joined the back of the group, not wanting to come across as too eager. He was.

“Right, everyone,” he turned his attention to the group, his watch telling him it had just turned seven. “Welcome to Gryffindor Museum, my name is Logan and I’m your guide today. A bit about myself, I’m 24 and I’m from Canada, so excuse the accent,” he chuckled at the laughs that went around. This part wasn’t normally this long, but he felt as though he was talking directly to Finn this way. “I’m a history minor student from Harvard and I have worked here for two years…” 

He moved on to the normal section of his introduction and then directed the group to the other end, where normally they end the tour. He saw Finn’s eyebrows pitch up in confusion but he followed along anyway. 

“Now…here we have our section on The Cold War…” he waffled through the rest of his knowledge, stopping every now and then for the questions that arose and he led them through to the next exhibit.

It wasn’t long until he was joined side by side with Finn, just as they were entering the African animal exhibit, where the children rushed over to the large statues dotted around the room.

“So…what brings you back here?” He asked first, still walking around and pointing the children to other areas when they got too close.

“What can I say…your tour is amazing,” he blushed and smiled, heading over to the lions. “Leo wanted to be here too, he really did, but he had to work tonight. One of us had to and he drew the short straw. Literally.”

“Thank you. I hope I don’t bore you too much with the same information over and over and over…” he trailed off sheepishly when he saw Finn’s expression, his eyes soft and trained on him.

“You won’t,” his voice came out gentle too and he felt him reach and squeeze his arm slightly before walking back to the group.

Logan was once again stuck to the spot. It wasn’t until a little girl came over to him, pointing and asking what was next behind him. He snapped out of it and drew everyone’s attention away from the animals and back over towards where he was standing to take them through to the WWI section.

*

He stood by the door, arms around himself as he watched everyone walk away, thanking everyone for coming as he got ready to close for the night. This tour was calm and quick, the questions dimming the further they went around and the more tired the children got. He checked around and saw the cleaning equipment there by the door, the cleaner already gone after Logan said he could handle the final sections when they crossed paths halfway through. 

He went to close the door when Finn appeared beside him, his jacket zipped up and one air-pod sitting snug in his ear. “Ready to head off?” His voice was no more than a whisper, his hands clutching the handle tight.

Finn hesitated, looking out into the street before glancing at the equipment. “I can help you tidy up?”

Logan looked at him in surprise. “I…no there’s no need for that, really. It’s late and cold, get home to Leo. I’ll be fine on my own I do it all the time.”

Finn looked at him worriedly. “There’s only one car left and that’s mine. How are you getting home?”

Logan thought about lying, saying that he had a lift, someone coming to get him. But he didn’t want to lie to Finn. “I’m walking,” Finn made to interrupt him but he stopped him. “It’s fine. It’s not that cold and I don’t live that far away, half an hour at most.”

“Logan it’s freezing out there! Let me help you tidy and I can drop you off at home,” Finn urged and Logan could tell he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“You really don’t need to…” he trailed off when he saw Finn already walking over to the bucket, picking it up and looking back over his shoulder for him.

“If you come now we can leave a lot quicker. It will make me feel more comfortable, and in turn, Leo, if we know you got home safely.”

He hesitated one more time before internally groaning, dragging himself over to Finn. It was worth it for the blinding smile he got in return. They entered the first room, and Logan went around picking up any rubbish trapped under cabinets and pushed under tables. The rooms were normally spotless, but there were a lot more tours today so there was of course more rubbish to tidy.

When they entered the cafeteria, the sky was pitch black and Logan smiled at the soft atmosphere around them. He gasped, flinching when he felt something cold hit him in the back of the neck and slide down his back. He turned slowly, seeing Finn’s smirk, a challenging glint in his eyes. He trailed his eyes down to the floor to where a wet sponge was by his foot.

His head shot back up to Finn when he heard the shifting of the bucket and saw another sponge in his hand, raising and aimed at Logan. He leant down himself, slowly, picking up his own sponge and walking slowly towards him. 

“Oh, you’re on,” he charged, and Finn took off, Logan rushing around the tables to get to him, squeezing the sponge down the back of his shirt.

“Oh, you fucker!” Logan laughed breathlessly and Finn stilled from where he was standing right in front of him. Logan held his breath as Finn shifted, and swore he saw his eyes flick down to his lips. He gasped, moving away slightly, running his hand through his hair.

“We…we should keep going. Lots more rooms,” he swallowed hard and turned, grabbing the bucket and waiting for Finn to be at his side before they moved on to the next room, soaked and feeling the chill. 

He glanced over at Finn, his fringe stuck to his forehead and he let out a short giggle. When Finn hears, he looked right back, a faint smile growing on his face. They bumped arms gently and Logan let himself lean slightly more on to him, not moving as they continued down the hall.

*

“Why are there so many exhibitions? There is no way we went through all of them,” Finn complained, and Logan snickered, putting the bucket back in the corner and leading Finn over to the staff room.

“Not all of them, no. Some aren’t included in tours specifically and some aren’t allowed access yet, those are the ones I cleaned.”

“Well, there are too many. Tell me we’re finished now?” Logan walked through to get to his coat, watching Finn from over his shoulder leaning against the wall, eyes on him.

“I didn’t ask you to stay,” he pointed out. “You just decided to.”

Finn shrugged, grinning over at him as he walked back over. Logan just sighed and led the way back out. “So where in Gryffindor do you live?”

Finn bummed, pushing the door open and hissing at the cold air that blew over them. Logan shivered, turning the lights off and locking the door before following Finn to his car. “Not far from here. Thirty-minute drive in that direction,” he pointed out and Logan sighed. That was the other way from where he was going.

“Finn, I don’t live that way. You go home, I can make my own way back.”

“Absolutely not. Logan, it’s pitch black. Get in the car, I’m driving you home. It’s not safe,” Finn stressed and Logan let himself be dragged to the seat, the door closing behind him. Logan watched him out the window walk to the other side and strap himself in, turning to Logan. “You’ll have to direct me, Lo, I don't go that way much.”

He felt the heat crawl up the back of his neck and across his cheeks. “Um…Lo?”

It was reflected back on Finn and he coughed into his shoulder, pulling away, sheepishly smiling at Logan. “Is…is that alright?”

“More than alright,” his voice was soft and quiet and he turned his attention to the road in front of him. “Take the next road on the right and then follow until the next right. Just a couple bends around and then the next left is my street. If you pull up there I can walk down to my place from there.”

Finn made a disapproving noise. “Nope, I’m taking you right to the door. Look, it’s starting to snow, you’re not walking in this, not if I can help it.”

Logan nodded after a moment of glaring and leaned back into the seat. Finn reached forward for the music, turning the volume low and glanced over at him. Logan kept his eyes on the road but let the corners of his mouth pull up a little. That was good enough for Finn.

They pulled around the corner onto his street and Logan sat himself up, grabbing his bag and tuning to Finn. “If you keep going down, it’s the house in the middle.”

“You live here by yourself?”

“Mostly. My roommate, Sirius, he’s like my brother, he stays at his boyfriend’s house nearly every night of the week. You met him today, Remus, the man at the desk. Yeah, he stays there a lot. I’m by myself more often than not.”

“And for Christmas?” He pulled up outside, putting the car in stop and twisting to face it. “What about then?”

“I’m on my own then as well,” he shrugged, the statement coming naturally. “They’re heading to Remus’ family, back in Wisconsin. So it’s just me.”

“Lo…” he turned to face him, frowning at the sad look in his eyes.

“Hey, it’s fine. Nothing I haven’t done before, don’t worry,” he didn’t do much to reassure him and Logan sighed, reaching for the handle. “Thank you for helping clean and dropping me home. I…I really didn’t want to walk home tonight.”

“Yeah, I could tell. It’s no bother, really,” he smiled, leaning over to rest his arm on the back of Logan’s chair, hand grazing close to the back of his neck, too close, the tips of his fingers catching in his hair. Logan wanted him to push forward and let his fingers tangle in his curls fully but pulled his head away. Leo. 

He popped the door open and stepped out, turning back to wave goodbye. “I’ll…I’ll see you whenever, yeah?” He hoped that it would be soon.

“Here, give me your phone,” Finn asked suddenly and Logan passed it over without a second thought. “There, you have my number. Text me so I can save yours. Just in case you ever need me again.” I'm starting to think I'm never not going to need you.

“I…we shouldn’t,” he wasn’t sure what to say, but he knew having Finn’s number in his phone after the night of flirting they just had when Finn had a boyfriend was not a good thing. “Leo?” Was all his mind could come up with.

“Oh. Yeah, I’ll pass your number to him too when I get it,” his smile was bright and unknowing of the inner turmoil in Logan right now.

“I…” that wasn’t what he meant. “Okay. I’ll see you soon then,” but he’ll take it any day.

Finn’s smile was soft and small, eyes shining from the car light. “Yeah, soon. Have a good night, get some rest.”

He nodded. “You too. Say hi to Leo for me.”

“I will.”

He watched him pull away and drive back down the road, walking backwards up the path, bumping into the door. He sighed, tipping his head back and eyes closed, sighing deeply, feeling the soft flakes of snow fall on his face, sliding down to his neck. He was so far gone for them.

*

“Hi!” 

Logan jumped slightly from where he was kneeling down by the floor, collecting any dropped flyers scattered around and turned to see Leo grinning behind him, dimpled-smile bright and blue eyes shining. He was in a similar beanie to Finn, a pale blue, the same as his eyes, pushing his hair down to the point where Logan was holding back from pushing it up. His coat was pushed back, a backpack hanging on one shoulder. 

His grin fell slightly and he reached forward to grab his arm to stop him from falling. “I’m sorry, I thought you would have heard me coming.”

“It’s alright, Leo. What can I do for you?” He grinned, standing up and wincing at the crack of his knees, straightening out the flyers and tucking them under his arm.

“It’s my turn this week. Finn got the last one so…” he shrugged, looking shy all of a second and Logan reached forward to stroke down his arm quickly before pulling back.

“Hey, it’s okay. Well the next tour isn’t for another hour or so and it’s Lily’s so if you want to go sign up for it, the sheet is over there with Remus,” he nodded his head over to the desk and then stopped, mouth opening and closing as he thought through his words. “Or…you could come to the cafeteria with me, it’s my break now. Get some food before you start…if you want to?” He quickly rushed out, stacking the flyers back on the table to distract himself.

“Yeah. Yeah, that sounds nice,” he heard from next to him and smiled to himself, glancing over at him. “I haven’t eaten much yet today.”

Logan frowned, looking at the clock. “Leo it’s almost half one!”

“I was busy at work,” they started to walk, Leo following behind him, towering by his side. Logan couldn’t help but love how it felt. “I haven’t had time.”

They joined the queue, conversation steering off until they reached the counter, Leo reaching forward to grab a sandwich, smiling when Logan glared at him to grab something else. “Is that all you want? Not a drink or anything?”

He ended up getting a drink and Logan pushed in front of him, blocking him from the card machine. “Logan! No, let me pay.”

He didn’t answer, and he heard a sigh behind him, reaching to grab their food and walk over to the only free table left, placing Leo’s bag on the spare chair. “So, anything on the tour that you’re looking forward to seeing again? Lily is a bit different from me when she goes around, so at least you get a different outlook on events.”

Leo was silent for a minute as he finished his bite and then looked at him hopefully. “Well…I was hoping that it would be you. I…I was looking forward to you. But if not, that’s okay too,” he rushed out, blush rising on his cheeks. Logan felt himself melt at the sight and his words. “I just…you were so amazing last time. So amazing. I wanted to experience that again, but I don’t want to bother you.”

“No, no, it’s okay. I can see if Remus can cover my shift at the desk, it won’t be very busy today with the weather. I can follow round with the group, do a joint tour if Lily wants or…stick by you. Whatever I can do.” Leo nodded, glancing at him for a moment before staring straight back down at his food. Adorable. 

They finished slowly, savouring both their food and each other’s presence before the area cleared out, the two of them heading over to the meeting area. Logan broke off, heading over to the information desk, Remus simply raising an eyebrow at him.

“Please, please, please cover my shift for me,” he got straight to the point, sighing at Remus’ muttered curse and dig at his lack of manners. “Désolé. Bonjour. Please, please, please can you cover my shift for me?”

Remus peered over at Lily’s group, eyes zeroing in on the blonde and Logan closed his eyes to avoid the smirk that was bound to be present on his face. “Fine. But you owe me.”

“Yes, ouais, whatever you want,” he left straight after the words left his mouth, hearing Remus’ bark of laughter behind him, but focused instead of making his way through the crowds to Leo.

The taller boy glanced up from where he was furiously texting on his phone, a beaming grin sent over to him as he reached his side. “Yes?” 

“Guess you’re stuck with me for the next forty minutes, Peanut,” the nickname slipped out unconsciously and he swore to himself, shyly glancing up to gauge Leo’s reaction. He was not expecting the wide blue eyes and open mouth staring at him, almost in wonder, but he soon shook himself out.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing, Lo,” ah, so Finn had let the nickname slip to him as well. He was certainly not against it, the two letters sounding so pretty in Leo’s accent that he hadn’t realised they had reached the first stop until Lily was beckoning him to the front.

He sent an apologetic glance over at Leo, who simply waved him off, and set off to the front of the group, letting himself fall back into his routine, the names and dates coming to the front of his mind and as soon as the question was out of Lily’s mouth, he was off, information spouting from who knows where, hands animatedly pointing out different areas and facts he never remembered telling people before. The soft look he got from Leo was worth the ache in his throat from all the talking by the end of the session.

*

Logan jumped as Lily tapped her hand against the door frame from where he was starting to take down the Christmas flyers, her bag in hand, James behind her, Harry gripped tightly in his arms.

“Hey guys. You heading off Lils?” He put down the staple remover, wandering over and tickling Harry softly on his stomach, cooing at the giggle that he let out.

“Yeah, you got the last one right?” There was still one more tour of the night, but he was expecting to lock up early, the place already deserted. He nodded, taking note of the gift she placed in his backpack from behind her back. “Okay, well have a good day tomorrow. Please call people and leave the house, even if it’s only for a walk. Pop by tomorrow night, if you want. Thomas will be there since he’s not with your sister and I’m sure Nado and Kuny will come around for some drinks too. Don’t spend the whole day by yourself.”

“I won’t, promise,” he meant it this time, planning out his day already in his head. He could easily come around for an hour or two. “You have a good Christmas, yeah? All of you. Don’t forget to put out a carrot for the reindeer,” he reminded Harry. “Otherwise he’ll be too tired to continue,” the young boy nodded seriously and they all let out a quiet chuckle. “Right, head off then so you get home nice and early. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow, or if not, then in a couple days, okay?”

He waved goodbye to the family, checking his phone for the time and any messages. The next tour was to start in ten minutes and he set down the rest of the posters from the wall, scrunching the tape into a ball and throwing it to the bin, pumping his fists in the air when it cleanly went in. He didn’t have his list today to check, since there were no names on it. Still, he planned to stay for an extra fifteen minutes in case of stragglers appearing needing some place to go showed up and then he would close down for the night and head home.

He made sure all of his bags were packed and his coat was on his chair at the desk so he could leave quickly when he could and perched on top of the table, eyes wandering over to the new exhibit opening in the new year. He couldn’t wait for this one to open. He hoped it would help people and provide an area in history not often portrayed in museums. He spent nearly all of November working through it himself, collecting all the information and making all the business deals to get statues made and relics collected. He was really proud of it and it was almost ready to be on show.

He checked the time again, now ten past six and made to stand up, reaching for the light switch for the main exhibits, letting the dark fall over the rooms, when the door was pushed open, a draft of cold air and flakes of snow entering the building and he glanced up, expecting to see someone trying to escape the bitter snowfall.

He gasped slightly when he saw the two men stumble inside, much like how they did the first day they met, panting harshly and leaning heavily on each other. Their eyes snapped up when they saw the dark encompassing them and audibly sighed when they caught sight of Logan still standing there.

“We thought we might have missed you,” Finn huffed out, still trying to catch his breath, tugging Leo with him when he started moving. “We weren’t sure what time you would leave.”

“I’m still here,” he said, mostly still in shock, reaching out and brushing the snow off the collar of Leo’s coat, fingers grazing his neck slightly and he pulled away at the iciness. “Merde, you guys are freezing. Come on,” he walked them over to the heater, switching it up to full blast and watched them relax into the heat, stripping off their hats and gloves. 

Logan reached up to Finn’s hair unconsciously, moving the parting slightly away from his eyes and felt his breath hitch when the older man reached up and grabbed his hand, bringing it down but holding it tightly. Logan knew Leo was right there, eyes closed and basking in the heat, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go.

 “You can’t possibly be back for another tour. You’ve each done it twice already, you know everything you need to know.”

They looked over at him kindly and Logan felt his heart stutter. “You’re spending Christmas by yourself,” Finn pointed out, squeezing his hand gently. Logan saw Leo glance down at them and made to pull away put Finn held on tighter. Leo looked back up at him, the same kind look in his eyes and a dimpled smile showing off his pearly whites. “You think we’re gonna let you spend Christmas Eve on your own?”

They’d done it now. They’d given him so much care and happiness in the course of the month and Logan could feel his self-restraint wearing thin. So instead of doing what he wanted to do, pull them both down by their collars and kiss them soundlessly one after the other over and over until it turned to Christmas morning, he shot a glance over to his new exhibit and took a deep breath.

“Okay. Well you guys are the only ones here tonight, and I’m not going to take you back around the same sites,” he hesitated. He wanted to wait for the new year, for when it was officially open. But he wanted them to experience it all. Just the three of them. “Why don’t I show you my new exhibit? It isn’t open to the public yet…but I want you to see it.”

Leo stepped forward, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder, rubbing gently and despite his thick jumper, Logan could feel the heat from his palm soak into his skin. He wanted it to encompass him. “Of course we want to see it. If you want to show us something, I’m pretty sure me and Finn would never pass up the opportunity.”

Hand still clasped in Finn’s for reasons he couldn’t even comprehend right now, the trio started up towards the black curtain and Logan abruptly turned to them. “Close your eyes,” he whispered, and grabbed Leo’s hand as well, shivering at the heat that filled him again, squeezing back when the faint tightness appeared.

He took a deep breath and stepped through the curtain, pulling the two of them behind him and closing his own eyes. He let go of Finn’s hand, swallowing down the lump in the back of his throat when it reached out to follow him and turned on the lights, blindly. As soon as his hand was down, Finn was grabbing it again and holding it close. He opened his eyes and quickly surveyed the area before gripping their hands tighter.

“You can open your eyes now,” his voice was still a whisper and he waited until the boys joined their own hands together before he let go of theirs, moving to stand behind them. 

He heard the twin gasps as they spun in slow circles around the room, saw the emotion gathering behind Leo’s eyes who was brought in closer to Finn’s side as he tried to subtly wipe away his own tears. He felt the wetness gather in his own eyes and willed it away, wanting a clear few of the two of them taking in the room, he didn’t want their reactions to be blurred.

He looked around himself, from the sign at the top of the exhibit to the mass colour surrounding the room, the most colourful room in the museum. His eyes scanned over the collections of literature and authors over to sections of artwork and artists. He sighed, collapsing against the side of the wall. It felt so good to share this with people, people who could relate and could reflect.

“Lo…” Finn’s voice was hoarse and quiet and he turned his head to find the source, seeing the two boys gazing at him, tears still streaming down their faces.

He held his arms out, gesturing to the room as a whole. “Welcome to the LGBTQ+ Through History exhibit.”

*

They spent a good half hour in the room, Logan carefully going over each and every piece of work there and every person shown in the room until the three of them came out feeling lighter than ever, hands back together again.

“You’re amazing,” he glanced up at Leo. “I knew it three weeks ago and I knew it when I came tonight but…you truly, truly are so amazing.

He gave them a shy grin, walking them over to where his stuff was laying, grabbing his coat and wrapping it around himself. He checked his phone, the time only eight. He didn’t want to end this here and he had a feeling that they didn’t want that either.

“It’s still early,” Finn spoke first. “Come and get a coffee with us?” Logan couldn’t have said no even if he wanted to.

They trekked out back to their car, Logan adamantly taking the backseat despite Leo’s protests. Finn set off, taking them in the opposite direction from his house, further into the town. The snow was still coming down heavy and Logan let the fear leave him when he saw the way Finn was staring at him through the mirror, comfortingly and just safe. 

They pulled up outside a small corner shop, lights out and door locked, a closed sign obvious even from in the car. Leo got out first, heading straight for it and Logan followed, confused and clearly showing it. Then the blonde was unlocking the door and light filled the place, Finn walking in after him and Logan reluctantly following.

“This is where you work?” He scanned the place over, from the small cafe section to the back and the seating area all the way to the bookshop at the front. It was cosy and warm and symbolised Finn and Leo so perfectly Logan couldn’t see them being anywhere else.

“Yeah, we bought the place at the beginning of the year,” Finn answered, crouching in front of the fireplace, flames starting to burn bright. “We weren’t together at the time, not until Valentine’s day, but we’ve been friends since we met last summer. Leo works the cafe with our coworker Kasey and I do books with his girlfriend Nat and my brother Alex when he’s in town. Sometimes we have events on and Natalie sings but normally it’s just for people who need a quiet place to go.”

He had settled down on the sofa by now, blankets resting on his knee ready to be spread across the three of them and he beckoned Logan over. He took a quick sneak over to what Leo was doing, perching down on the side next to Finn, relaxing back into the softness of the cushions. Leo joined them a moment later, three mugs in hand and passed them over.

“I figured hot chocolates were the best bet tonight,” he placed his down on the table and reached over the side of the coach. “Lift your legs up.” Logan did, jumping at the footrest that jutted out and Leo pushed a wooden table underneath it, pressing down to be sure it wasn’t going anywhere.

They squished together on the small sofa, Logan practically in Finn’s lap and he looked straight ahead at the fire, blaming the heat rising from it as the cause of his blush. They didn’t say anything, sipping on their drinks, snuggling further under the warmth of the blankets. Logan was sure this was going to put him to sleep and he felt his eyes drooping. They snapped open when he felt a weight on his shoulder and saw out of the corner of his eyes Finn’s head dropped down onto it, his eyes still wide open. Logan didn’t breathe, didn’t want to move, wasn’t sure what this meant.

He didn’t realise how tense he had become under Leo’s hand snaked over to rest on his knee, rubbing over his jeans slightly with his thumb, soothing the muscles. His breath was shaky when he released it and he looked over fully at Finn now, who lifted his head the slightest bit up to meet his gaze. He may as well have kept his breath in, his nose nudging Finn’s, face closer to him than he ever thought it would be. His breath hitched when Finn moved even closer and his eyes dropped closed without his permission.

Then he felt Finn’s lips capture his and the warmth suddenly spread through his entire body, too much too quickly. Finn’s hand came up to clutch at the back of his neck and Logan parted his lips, whimpering quietly when his tongue brushed against his own. The sparks behind his eyes could have blinded him and he sunk further into it, ignoring everything around him, the world melting away behind him. Finn sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and Logan had to pull away to catch his breath, resting his forehead firmly against the others.

He heard gasping breaths, and he knew that two of them came from them but his eyes flew open when he recognised another behind them and he whipped his head to look behind Finn’s shoulder to Leo. He didn’t look mad or upset or even surprised, but Logan felt his stomach drop.

“Leo…” he swallowed, moving away from Finn and standing in front of them. “Oh my god, Leo, I…I can’t believe…merde, oh my god,” he was rambling now, hands flying to his hair, gripping and pulling tightly.

He heard voices around him but he couldn’t place who was talking, his eyes clamped shut tightly. A hand was pressed to his cheek and he unconsciously leaned into it, feeling lips press to his ear. “Logan, you need to breathe, sweetheart,” the southern drawl and pet name pulled him out of his panic and he gasped harshly, listening to the shushes whispered in both of his ears, Finn’s arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

“That’s it, Lo, there you go, breathe love,” Finn whispered and Logan felt his heart rate slow and his gasps soften. “There, good.”

He forced his eyes to open, a blue pair right in front of him, shining with concern. “You, okay, Lo?”

He nodded, throat still closed and went willingly into the arms that immediately opened up for him. Leo’s arms were strong and tight around him, soothing him and protecting him from everything around him.

“It’s okay, Logan, it’s okay. You did nothing wrong, and neither did, Finn, alright? Nothing,” he continued to whisper, hands stroking through his hair, scratching at his scalp.

“But…but I kissed your boyfriend,” he murmured and then his face was being lifted up and was back in Leo’s hands.

“Did you want to kiss him?” He nodded, a guilty look crossing his face again. “Don’t look at me like that. Finn wanted to kiss you too. I don’t mind,” Logan nodded again, relaxing slightly. 

He breathed deeply again and shyly turned his attention back to Leo, his hand reaching out to grip his wrist before going behind him and grasping Finn’s hand. “Can…can I kiss you too?”

Leo looked at him longingly but he could see the hesitation in his eyes. “Are you sure? That was quite an attack you just had,” but Logan just nodded, reaching his free hand to tangle in Leo’s curls.

He leaned up as far as he could, Leo meeting him in the middle, and Logan gasped when they collided, fireworks shooting throughout his whole body. He clutched him closer, arms winding around his neck as he let his mouth drop open, Leo licking into it. He moaned softly and they pulled back together, Leo letting quick bursts of kisses press to his lips before pulling his face fully away.

Finn wound his arms around his waist and he leant back into the embrace, eyes still tightly closed. “That…that was nice.”

The two of them chuckled, directing him back towards the sofa, plopping down and wrapping the blankets around them.

“You okay?” Finn whispered, and Logan nodded, eyes drooping onto Leo’s chest, pushing back into Finn’s warmth. “In the morning, we’ll talk about this more, okay?” He just nodded again, snuggling closer.

“Yeah, okay. I don’t know where we’re gonna go from here but…I want you. Both of you.”

He felt two smiles press into his skin and he breathed out softly, letting sleep overtake him. They stayed there for the rest of the night, the embers of the fire dying out and the snow continuing to fall outside. The clock turned midnight and Logan was still wrapped up in the two boys’ arms as Christmas dawned outside. They would wake up soon and discuss everything that happened, where they stood and what they were. Maybe Logan wouldn’t be spending Christmas alone afterall.

#marauderss-hp ficmas 2021 #ficmas 2021 #o’knutzy #finn o'hara #leo knut #logan tremblay #love through the ages #museum au #ficmas day one #coast to coast lumosinlove #sweater weather lumosinlove #characters by lumosinlove #>9k words #9.4k words

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

31 Days of Ficmas 2021 Masterlist

2017 |  2018  |  2019 | 2020

Holiday Music - 12xRose. If music be the food of love, play on. All Ian wanted was a quiet cafe where he could practice Christmas tunes for a holiday party gig - what he got was so much more. AO3

Workshop

Holiday Market

Stockings

Wrapping paper

Tree

Family

Joy

Cookies/biscuits

Wish

Bells

Candy Cane

Gift

Cheer

Holly

Jingle

Reindeer

Toys

Yule

Garland

Peace

Bows

Tinsel

Miracle

Santa and/or Elves

Fireplace

Eggnog

Love

Mistletoe

Fireworks

Midnight

#bbatcfic related #31 Days of Ficmas #Ficmas 2021 #masterlist

[neeksnorton]

hihi welcome to my page! <3

hello there! welcome to my page! my name is parker, i'm a multifandom account, previously known as @/abnersluvver, as most of you know. i've been off tumblr for about a year, but i am here and i plan to come back in full swing, baby! here's some fandoms ill be dipping my toes into.

fight club | dune | the suicide squad (2021) | star trek | star wars | primal fear | edward norton | david dastmalchian | hunger games |

list will be updated as necessary!

character masterlists!

abner krill

piter de vries

event masterlists!

ficmas 2021

#neeksnorton welcome #neeksnorton masterlist

[allsassnoclass]

if we make it through december

Written for Ficmas Day 1 Pairing: Luke Hemmings/Ashton Irwin Rating: Teen and Up Key Tags: Fake/Pretend Relationship, Exes to Lovers, Angst Word Count: 28,045 Read on AO3

Summary:

“I didn’t tell them,” he blurts. Ashton falls silent on the other end of the line. “My family. I didn’t tell them about the breakup. And I know that I should’ve and I swear I will, but Gram asked about you today and it’s probably her last Christmas with us and you know how much she loves you. I couldn’t do it. It’d break her heart, and I can’t do that to her. Not right now. So if you-- I mean. What I’m trying to say is that you’re still invited to Christmas, if you want. You don’t have to, I can make an excuse for you, and I swear I’ll tell them after the holidays, but I thought maybe… maybe you’d want to see them one last time.”

#lashton #my writing #5sos fanfiction #ficmas 2021 #this is my longest fic to date! exciting! #and it's a fake dating au!!!! an EXES TO FAKE DATING TO LOVERS au!!!!!! very exciting #merry christmas y'all #also this fic officially puts my word count for the year on ao3 over 100k which is neat! i didn't know if i'd make that word goal this year #but i'm happy i was able to

[shenanigans-and-imagines]

25 Days of Ficmas 2021

Hey y'all! I know I still have a backlog from October, but December is coming so I want to include something seasonal in there too.

I'm only doing 25 this year, and hopefully I'll have them all out by the end of the month. I've learned my lesson from Halloween.

Rules:

Send Me a Prompt:

Taking Care of Them When They Get a Cold

Hot Chocolate

Snowball Fight

Build a Snowman

Play Christmas Music for Hours

Make a Wish List

Ice Skating

Lending a Coat/Scarf/Hat to Keep Them Warm

Cuddling to Keep Warm

First Time Experiencing Snow

My Car Got Stuck in the Snow and You Saved Me

Matching Christmas Sweaters

Making Holiday Cookies

Sing Carols/Holiday Music

Holiday Movie

Secret Santa

Getting Them in the Christmas Mood

Putting Up Christmas Lights

Tree Decorating

All I Want for Christmas is You

Fake Date to Family Christmas

Snowed in at the Airport Christmas Eve

Spiked Eggnog

Mistletoe Kiss

Last Minute Shopping

Wrapping Presents

School Christmas Play

Meeting your boyfriend/girlfriend’s family for the first time at Christmas

Surprising Your boyfriend/girlfriend Christmas Eve

Open Gifts

Christmas Morning

“Look, we’re standing under mistletoe.”

“Did we really get each other the same gift?”

“Are you seriously leaving cookies for Santa?”

“You did not just throw that at me!”

“You know I hate Christmas shopping.”

“Hey, it’s snowing!”

“Did you really get us matching Christmas sweaters?”

“Hey, you weren’t supposed to get me anything!”

“I hate the holiday season.”

“I don’t need a present if I’ve got you.”

“Tell me again why you’ve dragged me to this holiday party?”

“I know we agreed on no presents this year, but I got you this.”

“Surely you realize we’re snowed in, right?”

“Let me show you exactly why I’m on the naughty list.”

“You didn’t need to bring that, your presence is enough of a gift to me.”

“Shut up and look at the mistletoe.”

“Shit, you’re freezing!”

“You didn’t think I’d let you spend Christmas alone, did you?”

“I might hate the holidays, but you don’t, so here’s your gift.”

“Shut up and open the present already!”

“Aren’t you cold?”

“I didn’t think I’d be spending my holidays with you.”

“Here, let me warm you up.”

“This Tree won’t fit in the house” *Time skip* ”I told you so”

“How could you?!”  “All I said was that [Person C]’s cookies were better!”  “You’re sleeping on the sofa tonight.”

“How dare you say Santa isn’t real!”

“I’ve never seen a white Christmas before!”

“If you can’t get home for the holidays then I won’t go home either.”

“Next Christmas we’ll be needing one more stocking...”

“I didn’t have a star so I just-” “Put a photo card of [BLANK] instead.”

“Don’t tell me you ate the whole- YOU ATE THE WHOLE TIN OF COOKIES?!”

“I can’t believe you’re making snow angels at a time like this.”

Stuck in an Elevator with Them on Christmas Day

Going on a Horse Drawn Sleight Ride

Person A’s Friend Rigs the Secret Santa Game Because A Has a Crush on Person B

“I can’t get home in time for Christmas...”

“Please stop singing”

“If you carry on this halls won’t be the only thing getting decked.” *Proceeds to hit person A with decorations*

“Did you seriously just spike the eggnog?”

Make Up Your Own!

Send Me a Character From One of the Following Fandoms:

Star Wars (Prequels, Original Trilogy, Sequel Trilogy, The Clone Wars, Thrawn Trilogy)

Marvel/MCU

Star Trek: TOS

M*A*S*H

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Game of Thrones

Any of My OCs

Or other fandoms you’ve seen my reblog

Remember to Send All Requests to My Ask Box

REBLOG AND COMMENT WHEN I POST YOUR REQUEST

#ficmas 2021 #star wars #marvel #mcu #star trek: tos #star trek: the original series #mash #m*a*s*h #the magnificent seven #game of thrones #asoiaf #my oc stuff

[mysterynoel]

12 Days of Ficmas Day 6 - "This isn't your problem"

Title: Duty of the Shield

Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Ship: not present in this snippet, but Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd/Female My Unit | Byleth, and Annette Fantine Dominic/Felix Hugo Fraldarius

First made: June 2021

Last worked on: May 2022

[a few spars of Byleth losing later]

“I guess the stu—”

“Take this seriously!” Felix’s words hung in the still air. “You always told us the most important thing to be when facing an enemy is present. Your mind wandering is the difference between life and death, and not just your own life. You made sure that each and every one of us knew that. Yet you’re letting your mind be distracted with the damned boar!”

Byleth thought about what he said. While the two of them getting their anger out through training worked well when cycling through formations, acting only out of anger was not something to practice in sparring. If this were a real battle, such behavior would be reckless at best.

It was exactly what her problem with Dimitri’s actions was.

“I’m not setting a good example.” She stood up and held her sword in a fighter’s stance. “Once more?”

“Only if you’ll actually make an effort.”

She nodded.

“On my count.”

#noel's 12 days of ficmas #fire emblem 3 houses #f!byleth #felix hugo fraldarius #unfinished fanfiction

[tryingthisfangirlthing]

Sanctuary Flash Fic-mas Exchange

Calling all Sanctuary fans! It’s what it says on the tin: I’m going to organize a Christmas Fic Exchange for all fans of the amazing show Sanctuary. However, since a lot of people are busy around this time of year (and because I know I’m kind of late announcing this), this exchange is going to be for flash fanfiction: stories ranging from 400 to 1,500 words. Sign-Ups will be open until November 21st.

Assignments will go out within the week afterwards, as soon as I can arrange them all.

Fics should be finished by December 25th. This is open to all fans of Sanctuary, and all ships. I’m sure nobody will be upset if you write more, however, in the interest of fairness, I will ask you to try to keep your writing within the word count parameters.

From those signing up, I will need:

sent to me either here on Tumblr (likely best via chat/private message, in case Tumblr swallows asks) or via Discord (again via private message; I’m in both the Sanctuary and Amanda Tapping servers as “Rinari”)

Your AO3 Handle: self-explanatory.

What You Would Prefer to Write: ships, genres, scenarios, AUs, smut, etc. Note that I may not be able to completely satisfy your wishes here, depending on who signs up and wants what, but I will try my best.

What You Would Like to Receive: again, ships, genres, scenarios, AUs, what have you.

Five Prompts for Your Author: This is somewhat similar to the above, but a little more in depth, to act as a bit of a jumping-off point should your author desire a bit more prompting, or if you’ve had something lurking in the back of your mind you’d really like to see brought to life.

No-Gos: both to write and read (please specify which if they’re different). Triggers, squicks, anything you’d want tagged on AO3 and want to avoid, period.

Maximum Rating You’re Comfortable With: e.g. PG, AO3′s “Mature,” explicitly NSFW, etc., regarding both smut and violence.

Feel free to add a note to your sign-up form or go in-depth on any point you’d like.

Finished works should be posted on AO3 to the Sanctuary Flash-Fic-Mas 2021 Collection.

Feel free to message me here or on Discord with any questions, concerns, etc.

I look forward to hearing from you!

#sanctuary #helen magnus #will zimmerman #kate freelander #henry foss #abby corrigan #nikola tesla #john druitt #james watson #nigel #the big guy #ashley magnus #erica #sally #(look i know i haven't been super active here recently or in sanctuary but this idea hasn't left my head this past week) #(and i figure it's as good a way as any to sneak back into fandom stuff) #sanctuary flash fic exchange #ficmas 2021 #ficmas #edited to add contact info whoops

[sellyoursoulforagoodfic]

12 Days of Ficmas Masterlist

List

Holiday Decorating (Pyro x Reader)

Mistletoe (Jason Todd x Reader)

Holiday Movie (Pyro x Reader)

Holiday Music (Slade Wilson x Reader)

First Holiday (John Constantine x Reader)

Holiday Cooking/Baking (Jason Todd x Corvid!Reader)

Snow/Ice/Hail/Rain Storm (Jason Todd x Corvid!Reader)

Holiday Shopping (John Constantine x Reader)

New Year’s Eve (John Constantine x Reader)

Quiet Winter Night (Ares x Reader)

Family Visiting (Aleksander Morozova x Inferni!Reader)

Holiday Party (Viktor x Reader)

#masterlist #mobile masterlist #12 days of ficmas 2021 #ficmas 2021