Brokengem's Fic Center @heartsfate - Tumblr Blog

Dec 27, 2024

Bright Lights and Hot Chocolate

Fandom: Twisted Wonderland Characters/Paring: Leona Kingscholar/Vil Schoenhiet, Cheka Kingscholar Rating: T Word Count: 3,636 Warnings: AUish, Post-Canon. Summary: Leona had been keeping tonight’s destination a secret and while Vil loved surprises -- especially when the beastman put actual effort into their plans -- his curiosity was getting the better of him. Vil had tried everything he could think of to get Leona to spill it, to no avail. Now with Cheka spending the night, he hoped for better results. Merry Christmas @glidiaxoxo! Forgive for my lateness, I hope you enjoy this little gift. I loved all 3 of your prompts and tried to mash them up into this piece. I hope it worked XD. Written as part of the #LeoVilSecretSanta set up by @leovilweek. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Holiday!

You can now read it on AO3.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

“Are you ready?”

Vil smiled into the mirror, spying Leona in the reflection. The beastman dressed warmly in the designer sweater he’d gotten him last Christmas with those delicious pair of dark jeans that seemed to want to hug him in all the right places. His hair was pulled back, neatly tied to the base of his neck, rounding out the outfit with his best pair of boots.

“That outfit suits you.”

Leona looked down at himself and shrugged, “you have good taste.”

Vil hummed happily, giving Leona an appreciative glance “I truly do.”

He listened as Leona chuckled, watching him shake his head at the comment. “So, are you ready?” Leona repeated himself, leaning against the doorframe as he met Vil’s gaze through the mirror.

“Almost,” he carefully applied his favorite mascara to his lashes, “I just have a few last touches. Where’s Cheka?”

Leona snorted, looking away to glance behind him, “waiting as patiently as he can for you to hurry your ass up.”

Vil frowned, turning to face the man directly. Before Vil could even reprimand Leona for his language, an orange little blur rushed forward and crashed into the lion’s legs. Leona grunted in pain, frowning down at the little boy pouting up at him.

“You’re not allowed to say that word, Unka. Santa will leave you coal for saying bad words.” Cheka reprimanded as he clung to Leona’s jeans.

Vil couldn’t help the small peals of laughter that escaped him. “Yes, Leona. You must be on your best behavior or else Santa will only be leaving you coal this Christmas.”

Leona rolled his eyes in response, “Alright, alright.”

Cheka’s face broke out into a massive grin, he gently patted Leona’s thigh, “good. I don’t want you to be sad if Santa leaves you a bad gift for being naughty.”

Leona’s hand rested on Cheka’s head, careful of the boy’s ears. He gently nudged him forward, trying to both pry him off his leg and push him towards Vil.

“We’re going to be late,” he gives Cheka another push towards Vil. “Get uncle Vil to hurry up. I need to grab more things.”

Cheka nodded his head quickly, detaching himself from Leona’s leg in favor of rushing to Vil’s side. As a final touch, Vil put on a pair of matching sapphire earring Leona had given him for his birthday one year. He turned to the young cub with a smile.

“How do I look?”

It was amusing to see the boy carefully look him over, taking the question far more seriously than intended. Cheka continued his thoughtful inspection, before finally giving a nod of approval.

“Very beautiful and handsome.”

“Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself.”

Cheka beamed up at him proudly. Leona did well with making sure Cheka was dressed in the outfit he’d set out for him before he’d gone for his shower. Vil took a moment to admire the boy. Cheka was dressed in an adorable sweater that matched Leona. Not that the older man wanted to have matching outfits with his nephew, he just knew better then to complain to Vil’s face about it. Besides, as far as Vil was concerned the pair looked wonderful in their outfits.

Vil reached for Leona’s brush, being careful of the cubs’ ears as he fixed his hair. Cheka stood still as Vil got tamed his hair back into place after Leona he previous messed it up. Satisfied with his work, Vil set the brush back down and inspected Cheka’s face.

“So, Cheka,” Vil pulled a moist towelette from a box he kept at his vanity and wiped away a smudge of powder from Cheka’s cheek. “Can you tell me where Leona is taking us?”

Leona had been keeping tonight’s destination a secret and while Vil loved surprises -- especially when the beastman put actual effort into their plans -- his curiosity was getting the better of him. Vil had tried everything he could think of to get Leona to spill it, to no avail. Now with Cheka spending the night, he hoped for better results.

Much to Vil’s surprise, the cub shook his head violently. “I promised Unka I wouldn’t say anything.”

“Really? Even to me?” Vil gave the cub his best pout.

“Especially to you,” Leona answered before Cheka could reply.

Cheka raced over to Leona’s side, crashing into his legs with an ‘oof’. Vil doesn’t think he’d ever tire of seeing how much Cheka admired his uncle, always looking at him with every little ounce of love the cub could convey. And despite Leona’s grievances, he had a soft spot for the boy that he always refused to admit.

“I kept my promise!” Cheka happily announced.

“I saw,” Leona ruffled his hair, much to Vil’s annoyance. “Keep it up.”

Vil sighed, standing up from the vanity and making his way to Leona’s side. “I just fixed his hair.”

“He’s going to be wearing a hat; does it really matter?”

He knew Leona was right, but that was beside the point. Cheka wasn’t his uncle, and the cub still should look presentable. He didn’t want to argue over a silly detail, snatching the hats in Leona’s hand without a word.

Vil smoothed down Cheka’s hair to make a point. The cub giggling as Vil’s finger gently ran through his hair. Once again satisfied with his work, he put the first hat over Cheka’s head, making sure it was properly in place so the cub would be nice and warm.

“There we do,” Vil smiled, “it’s not bothering your ears, is it?”

Cheka shook his head no, “nope.”

“Good,” he turns the cub down the hallway, “now go get your coat and we’re head out.”

Cheka whooped excitedly, racing down the hallway without anymore urging. Beside him, Vil caught something fond crossing Leona’s face. Vil couldn’t help wonder if Leona was thinking fondly to any of his own childhood memories. Perhaps remembering his own excitement for the holidays back home.

“Are you excited?” Vil asked, placing the second hat over Leona’s head just as carefully as he had done to Cheka. Leona’s ear flattened against his head to help as Vil secured it in place.

Leona scoffed, an arm wrapping around Vil’s waist to pull him in closer, “I think you and the brat will be more excited.”

Vil hummed, “Maybe, but I hope you’ll still have some type of fun.”

Leona gave him a quick peak on the lips as a response. Vil would have pulled him back for a more proper kiss if Cheka hadn’t come back to ask for one of them to help him put on his coat and scarf.

~X~

“If you ask me one more time if we’re there yet, traffic laws be damned, I’ll turn us around.” Leona growled, his hand gripping the steering wheel tightening.

“No!” Cheka yelled from the backseat. “You can’t. You promised, Unca.”

Leona looked back at the cub from the rearview mirror. Cheka looked terrified that Leona would make good on his threat. They were a half hour into their drive with about another half hour until they’d finally reached their destination. Vil was getting on his nerves with his constant questions.

“Maybe if you convince Vil to shut up, I won’t turn us around.”

Vil humph from the passenger seat and Leona could see Cheka debating with himself on what to do.

“That’s mean, Unka.”

“And he’s being annoying.”

“I’m seating right here you know?”

“How can I forget? You haven’t shut up the whole time.”

Sniffling from the back caught their attention. Leona caught Cheka’s eyes beginning to water and it’d only be a matter of seconds before he the cub releases the water works. Leona didn’t not want to deal with that when he was already annoyed with Vil. He took in a deep breath, counted to ten as he tapped the wheel with his nails.

Speaking far softer and sweeter than expected, “I told you this was a surprise.” He caught Vil’s movement from the corner of his eye, seeing a pout forming on his lips when he quickly turned to look at him. “It would defeat the purpose of the surprise if I told you where we were going.”

“Don’t worry I’m not going to turn us around.” The sniffling from the back seat thankfully stopped.

“How have you dealt with the other surprises?” Leona frowned, not remembering Vil putting up so much of a fuss the last time Leona had made plans. “Wait, no I don’t want to know. Knowing you, Rook’s some how involved and I’d rather not know.” After making sure the road ahead was still clear, Leona looked at Vil, the blondes’ cheeks reddening at his words.

“You’ve had me blindfolded since we left.”

“Part of the surprise,” Leona rests his hand on Vil’s thigh, palm up. Despite Vil’s current blindness, Leona wiggled his fingers. The movement was enough to get his point across as Vil slid his hand into his. Interlocking their fingers together, Leona brought Vil’s hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Trust me, okay.”

“I do,” Vil gave his hand a squeeze, “sometimes against my better judgement.”

“Whatever you say, your highness.”

“We’re gonna have so much fun, uncle Vil!” Cheka giggled from the back.

The rest of the drive goes by smoothly. Vil gave up on his attempts to learn the truth of their destination. Instead, he convinced Cheka to join him for a mini-Christmas concert. The duo singing along to every Christmas song that blared through the radio. Leona kind of missed the annoying persistent questions.

“So, when do I get to take off the blindfold?” Vil asked.

“Wow!” Cheka exclaimed before Leona could reply. The cub leaned forward his head popping up between the seats, surprising Leona. “Unka, this place looks even better then the pictures.”

“Cheka, sit down and put your seat belt back on!”

Vil hurriedly took off the blindfold, looking back at the cub who was standing up to look out between the seats. He reached back to gently urge the cub to sit back.

“Cheka, you can’t take your seat off like that. Please, sit down.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Cheka sounded anything but sorry, but listened before he was reprimanded again. The excitement and wonder shone as he sat back, this time sitting in the middle to see out the front window.

Vil sighed in relief, sitting back with a hand to his chest as though willing his racing heart to calm down. Leona’s own heart was slowly calming down, after the near heart attack his nephew just gave him.

“Oh Leona,” Vil breathed out, “it’s beautiful.”

The journey up the hilltop was slow, a line of cars ahead of them leading towards a massive village. The view was breathtaking. The whole village was lit up, not a single spot covered in darkness. Cheka was right, the pictures didn’t do the place justice. It looked even more magical with the snow-covered ground.

“Snow White’s Christmas Village,” Vil read the sign welcoming them in. “Snow White? As in the daughter of the Great Queen?”

Leona shrugged, “I guess so. I didn’t pay too much attention to the details.”

Cheka bounced in the back seat, “I can’t wait. It looks so pretty.”

Vil nodded in agreement, “It does.” He patted Leona’s hand, grateful for his surprise.

Though the line of cars looked intimidating, Leona was pleased to see it went by quickly. They were directed to a parking spot, the trio finally able to exit. Vil double checked everyone wore their hats and gloves. He made sure Cheka’s scarf was securely wrapped and covered his nose from the cold. Even pulled a spare scarf to wrap around Leona’s neck.

“It’s not that cold out here,” Leona tried to protest, letting Vil fluff the scarf up.

“We have to be well protected,” Vil patted him over his heart. “This is an outdoor place, right? We don’t know how long we’re going to be walking around. I don’t want you or Cheka to get sick. Isn’t that right, Cheka?”

“Right!” The cub’s voice was muffled, bouncing on his heels between the pair.

Leona rolled his eyes, resting a hand on his nephew’s head, “you always agree with him.”

Vil smiled smugly as Cheka giggled, reaching up to grab his uncle hand. Cheka held Leona’s hand swinging it from side to side.

“Well, I think we’re ready,” Vil clapped his hands together, “what should we do first?”

The village was even more beautiful up close. Cheka grabbed Vil’s hand, pulling the two adults quickly towards the village. Leona paid their entrance fees, allowing Cheka to continue to pull them forward. The village was packed to brim. Crowds of people covered the streets, walking the various paths. People on dates with their partners. Children tugging their families along to the different displays in their excitement.

“Unka! Uncle Vil! Look!” Cheka stopped at the first display. The house’s lights were decorated in the style of a gingerbread house. Various colored lights shaped like gumdrops, chocolate kisses, licorice and other candies. The pathway was lined with candy canes. Even the icing was shaped from brightly lit white lights.

Vil admired the display with a warm smile, reminding Leona of one of the many reasons he’d fallen for the man. “Makes you hungry, doesn’t it?”

“Hot chocolate?!” Cheka looked up at them.

“Of course,” Vil promised, “I’m know I saw others walking around with cups of hot chocolate, we’ll get see when we find a stand.”

Cheka started tugging them towards the next house. They continued from display to display. Vil stopping to organize pictures whenever he could. Cheka happily chattering to them, telling them about what he liked best from each one. Vil replied with equal enthusiasm, the pair going back and forth for hours. Leona listened to their chatter, replying with his own brief responses or when asked directly. Cheka let Leona’s hand go, walking ahead with Vil. The pair return to their mini concert, singing along to the carols that blared through the speakers.

“Uncle Vil! Hot chocolate!” Cheka stopped suddenly, causing the blond to almost trip over the cub. He pointed ahead to the small stand surrounded by a swarm of people eagerly waiting for their hot beverages and other treats.

“A promise is a promise. Let’s go.”

Leona trailed behind as Cheka pulled Vil along. They waited patiently, Cheka asking Leona to read the menu of goodies.

“To drink they have coffee, hot chocolate or hot apple cider.” Leona read as they got closer.

“And treats?” Cheka swung Vil’s hand.

“Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, popcorn, cotton candy or funnel cake.”

Cheka nodded, tilting his head as he thought over his options. “Can I get some cookies too?”

Leona shrugged, seeing no reason why he couldn’t. Vil on the other hand, looked pensive. “It’s getting late, I don’t think having too much sugar before bed would be a good idea.”

“He’ll be fine. You wanted to take him to see Santa before we left, right? And visit the Toy Maker’s toy shop? There’ll be plenty of time for him to burn through the sugar. Besides we have an hour drive back home.”

Vil hummed, tapping his chin in thought, “Alright, you’re right. It wouldn’t hurt. Only two cookies, okay?”

“I can help who’s next,” a charming girl dressed as one of Santa’s elves called.

“Hi there, can we get a medium apple cider, a small hot chocolate, two cookies and –“ Vil turned to Leona, “did you want anything?”

“Large hot chocolate.”

“And that, please.”

“That’ll be five thousand thaumarks, please.”

Leona handed over that payment before Vil could even process, giving a simple “My treat.” When Vil looked at him in surprise.

“You already paid for our admission. You didn’t have to pay for the drinks too.”

Leona waved him off, taking his drink when another elf brought out their order. “It’s fine. This is my treat for you and the brat.”

“Well, thank you,” Vil kissed his cheek, before handing Cheka the small bag with his two cookies. “Oh look, I see a table there. We can sit and enjoy our drinks.”

The table is cozy, with a little heater to keep the patrons warm as they enjoy themselves in the cold nights. Cheka chose to sit on Leona’s lap, alternating between sipping his hot chocolate and munching on the cookies. Vil and Leona take the time to plot out the course of the rest of their evening. Vil wanted to leave by eight so Cheka’s bedtime would suffer too much. Leona didn’t argue. There were only a few more displays for them see, including Santa and the Toy Maker’s workshop.

Once sedated, they continued on their way. The Toy Maker’s workshop was too far from where they stopped for drinks. Cheka’s eyes grew wide as they approached the large barn. It was made out to look like a shop with all sorts of stuffed animals and various Christmas decorations, many of which looked handmade. The Toy Maker walked around with a smile, greeting everyone as they crossed paths. They walked pass the various tables, looking at the toys and knickknacks. Cheka reached for a stuffed penguin with a red Santa hat, giving them his biggest eyes. It was bought along with a nutcracker painted as a ballerina.

The last set of displays were just as pretty as the others. Snowmen and sleds led by reindeer. Elves tossing presents into Santa’s bag and more. Cheka walked ahead of them, stopping to chat and point out his observations. It wasn’t till they started getting close to Santa’s workshop that the cub began to slow down.

He stopped in front of Leona, reaching up to rub his eye with the arm not dragging the penguin along. A small yawn escaping him before he could stop himself.

“Are you getting tired, Cheka?” Vil asked, worried as the cub swayed slightly.

“Mhm,” Cheka muttered after another yawn, “Santa?”

“It’s okay. We can see Santa tomorrow.”

“Okay,” he mumbled sleepily, turning to face Leona. Cheka looked up at him with bleary eyes.

Leona picked up the cub. Cheka shifted as much as he could in Leona’s hold. He rested his head against his shoulder, holding the penguin close with one hand as the other wrapped around Leona’s neck.

“He’s going to be out in five minutes,” Leona chuckled.

Vil smiled at the scene, snapping a picture of the pair to send Farena. “I don’t doubt that. We did a lot of walking tonight. Do you think this will ruin him getting to be tonight?”

The cub’s eyes fluttered shut as they talked over him. Vil tucked a stray piece of hair that’d fallen out of his hat back into place.

“He’ll be fine.”

“You can be the one to put him to bed tonight then,” Vil smirked, hooking his arm with Leona and lacing their fingers together. “It’s a shame he won’t be able to see Santa tonight. He was so excited.”

Leona pressed a kiss to Vil’s hair, “Like you said, you can take him tomorrow.”

“WE will take him tomorrow.”

“Details.”

They followed the path, coming to a long winding road laced with an icicle light display for them to walk under. Vil carefully rested his head on Leona’s shoulder as they walked hand in hand, talking softly so as not to wake the sleeping cub.

~X~

“Finally, asleep.” Leona dropped down heavily onto the couch next to Vil. The blond leaned back against him, being careful not to spill his tea.

“I warned you. I knew him falling asleep would ruin his sleep routine.” Vil flinched away as Leona tickled his sides.

“You didn’t warn me about anything. Next time you can put him to bed and let him talk your ear off.” Leona pushed Vil forward for a moment, making him sit up so that he could drape one of Vil’s oversized blankets over his shoulders, “C’mere.”

Vil leaned back, Leona’s arms engulfing him, so he was just as covered. He hummed contently, shifting for a moment to make sure they’d both be comfortable.

“I had fun tonight, Leona.”

Leona buried his nose into Vil’s neck, “it wasn’t so bad. A bit crowded, but it could have been worse.”

Vil turned his head to the side, giving Leona more access. “You don’t fool me. I saw you admiring some of those displays with as much wonder as Cheka.”

Leona snorted, “no one would believe you.”

“No, they wouldn’t.” Vil smiled slyly, “It’s a good thing I managed to snap some pictures. Farena will love to see his baby brother looking so soft.”

The growl was muffled, but Leona refused to detach himself. “Don’t you dare send him anything.”

“Too late,” Vil answered back after another sip of his tea. “He sent me that adorable picture of your all dressed up as Santa for Cheka. I had to play him back somehow.”

That got Leona’s attention. His head snapped up; green eyes narrowing dangerously. “Delete it.”

“Never. It’s such a cute picture. Maybe next time if Cheka stays for Christmas, you can do an encore performance.”

“In your dreams, Mr. Kingscholar. That was a one-time deal,” Leona frowned, “I was blackmailed.”

Vil’s lip’s curled upward into a smirk, “I can think of some good incentives.”

“Trying to bribe me?”

Vill hummed in response.

“You want me as Santa, then you’ll have to dress like Mrs. Claus.”

The blonde’s brow rose, “is that all? That can be arranged.”

“Good.”

Leona let Vil set down his cup, only to quickly pull him back. The beastman shuffled them around until Vil was lying comfortably on top of him. Vil tucked his head beneath Leona’s chin, a hand resting over the lion’s heart.

“Thank you, Leona.”

#LeovilSecretSanta #twisted wonderland #vil schoenheit #leona kingscholar #leovil #leovilsecretsanta

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Brokengem's Fic Center