What would be everyone's reaction to suddenly finding themselves under the mistletoe with the person they have a crush on?
I am sorry for not getting to these out on Christmas Day. I tried, but the holiday was busier and my niece’s jolly holiday gift of a cold made me more sluggish than I expected. I will get to the rest in the queue ASAP!
These are a little long all together, so they are going under a cut. Mod Apostle covered the Gang, while Mod Nautilus is smooching villains!
Mod Apostle’s headcanons:
Lupin:
Lupin thought the tradition of kissing under mistletoe was terribly romantic and made sure to hang bunches strategically around the mansion. He was careful not to get caught himself, but he enjoyed watching his confused friends getting kissed. He laughed until he cried when Saint kissed Van. Van’s shocked expression was priceless.
Lupin himself thought he was immune to the prank. He knew where all the bunches were, after all.
He was standing in the foyer when he felt a hand on his shoulder and smelled a familiar sweet perfume.
He turned and saw her, the girl he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about. He didn’t know she was coming. His heart skipped a beat to see her after so long. She was so beautifully dressed in her holiday velvet gown with her hair falling soft around her shoulders. He was uncharacteristically tongue tied, but gathered himself and greeted her formally.
She said good afternoon with an amused sparkle in her beautiful eyes, and without warning, slipped her hand behind his head and pulled his lips to hers.
It took a moment for Lupin’s head to catch up with what was happening, but luckily his heart needed no such instruction. He pulled her close and gave her an ardent, gentle kiss. Her heart beat fast against his chest and her pretty face was flushed when he finally pulled away.
He heard a light laugh above his head and they both looked up to see a bunch of mistletoe suspended on a string. Standing on the staircase above were Saint and Impey with identical mischievous smiles on their faces.
Lupin silently thanked his meddling friends and pulled his lady tightly against his chest, “Merry Christmas.” he said softly, and once again pressed his lips to hers.
….
Van:
Van was only vaguely aware of the tradition of mistletoe before his foolishly romantic friends started hanging the stuff everywhere in the mansion. He didn’t see the appeal In such a thing. It was just an excuse for people to make fools of themselves.
So why was he sitting there staring moodily at his drink and thinking about it?
He dismissed it from his mind. He would not participate in such nonsense. It didn’t matter if…
Van saw her speaking with Delacroix. The girl who caught his eye every time she walked in the room. Her gentle figure and strong spirit captivated him. He was content to watch her, and enjoy listening to her lovely voice. Just her presence made his burdens seem lighter.
He watched her walk towards him with a bright smile on her face.
He gave her his customary wave. No, he would not try to get her under the mistletoe. He was an adult man, not some infatuated boy.
She walked up and greeted him warmly. He couldn’t help but smile just to see her up close. Her modest gown suited her well. She was truly a beautiful woman.
He rose and bowed to her, as was only proper. He offered to get her a drink, and she accepted graciously.
He would certainly not do anything stupid.
He returned with drinks but saw that she was now speaking with Duke Renfield near the entryway…
Under the blasted mistletoe.
He waited for the Duke to depart before approaching her with the drinks. He tried to forget the bunch of plants over their heads as they chatted. It was irrelevant… even if her lips looked very soft stained with sweet wine, and her face radiant with happiness… was she so happy to speak with him? His heart seemed to be beating too fast. Perhaps just a single kiss would be all right…
He leaned close and their lips met. She gasped a little but answered him with surprising hunger. He slid his arm around her back, forgetting for the moment that they were surrounded by revelers who were watching the proceedings with great interest and amusement.
“Should we arrange a room for you two?” Duke Renfield asked with a laugh.
Van pulled away quickly. He was sure his face was as red as his lady’s. He cleared his throat, “It is just traditional…” he muttered, pointing at the mistletoe. He fervently hoped Delacroix was elsewhere…
“Ha ha! You told Impey that mistletoe was stupid!” Delacroix laughed, throwing his arms around the two of them, “wait til I tell him, Helsing!”
Van took a deep breath. The young man was a king. It would not do to punch him, even if he deserved it.
He gave his lady a rueful smile. He could still see desire in her eyes and feel the imprint of her lips on his. He supposed mistletoe wasn’t so bad after all.
….
Fran:
Fran was working late, as usual. Patients’ problems didn’t stop, even on Christmas.
He sighed as he mixed the last vial of medicine. A baby with a fever had kept both Fran and the child’s parents up all night. He felt like throwing himself in bed and sleeping for a week.
He gazed sadly at the invitation he’d received to the party at Saint’s mansion. He had sent word earlier that he couldn’t make it, but it made him feel lonely. He would see everyone tomorrow, but it wasn’t quite the same. He wished he could have asked… no, he certainly couldn’t do that. She would definitely not accept…
He heard a knock on the door.
He sighed again and did his best to slap himself awake, hoping fervently that it wasn’t another feverish baby. He opened the door.
It wasn’t an anxious parent, but a girl he was very pleased to see, though he wished he didn’t feel so run down. She was wrapped tightly in her coat and carrying a festive package. She greeted him and handed him the package, saying it was a token of her appreciation for the care of her father.
The sight of her sweet face revived him as nothing else would have. He mustered the best smile he could and thanked her for her kindness.
She noticed his exhaustion, of course. She was always caring and observant. She insisted on staying and fixing him some soup and he opened his gift of her handmade cookies and sweetbreads. He listened to her lively voice and sipped strong tea until he was finished his meal.
When she finally took her leave they stood dithering on the doorstep, she took his hands in hers and jokingly asked if he had kissed all his patients that day and if that was a healthy practice.
He was confused as to her meaning, so she pointed up to the doorframe.
A bunch of mistletoe was hung from a nail over the door. He certainly didn’t put it there.
He looked down at her expectant face and felt as if he had caught the baby’s fever.
“Ah, that… I didn’t put that there… um…” this was too embarrassing.
She giggled and pulled his head down to hers to kiss him.
He froze in a panic. The feel of her lips on his filled him with a rush of emotions and feelings he wasn’t prepared for in his frazzled, exhausted state.
She gave him a smile and wished him good night before turning to go.
“Wait!” he shouted, grabbing her hand.
He pulled her to him and, holding her close, he lifted her chin and leant down to kiss her gently. She clutched his coat, moaning a little as she leant into the kiss.
They were both breathless when he pulled away.
“Will you come with me to the party tomorrow?” he asked her, feeling unprecedentedly bold.
She agreed immediately, much to his relief. He felt a lot happier when she finally took her leave. His loneliness forgotten. He would be sure to get plenty of rest before tomorrow. He couldn’t disappoint his sweetheart.
….
Impey:
Impey was hard at work in the kitchen preparing for the holiday feast. He already finished the entrees and appetizers. Now all that was left was the desserts. He found a new recipe for brandy fudge and was giving the sticky, warm chocolate a taste test when he heard someone enter the kitchen.
“Hey! No samples before dinner! Licking the spoon is the privilege of the chef!” he cried, looking back to see who entered his domain.
A beautiful lady stood in the doorway still dressed in her overcoat. Her bright eyes were shining. He didn’t know she was coming to the party so early. He would have gladly given her the whole bowl of fudge if it made her happy, but she just gave him a smile and left too quickly for him to offer.
Feeling excited to see her again, he finished up and went to change his shirt before taking the dishes to the dining room. A vigorously boiling pot had splattered sauce over his sleeve and it wouldn’t do for his lovely angel to see him in such a dilapidated state.
He turned a corner towards his room when he saw her outside the door, hanging up her overcoat. She was wearing a golden gown that left a surprising amount of her uncovered. He stopped in the hallway and stared. Then he saw it… the bunch of mistletoe over her head. Was she waiting for him there on purpose? Or was it just a stroke of amazing luck? That passionate plant offering its blessing to kiss this divine vision before him.
He bounded towards her excitedly, afraid she would move away and the moment would be lost.
But then a moment of hesitation entered his heart… what if she didn’t want it?
She turned to him with a smile and that was enough to tell him that she didn’t object. He swept her in his arms and kissed her gently, “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas.” she said, and leant in to kiss him back sweetly, licking his lips before pulling away, “Is it all right to sample the chef before dinner?”
Yes, he agreed enthusiastically. It was MORE than all right.
….
Saint:
A crush? What a strange word for one such as him. Saint contemplated it for a awhile. He had seen countless people in the first blush of infatuation. It was one thing that never changed and wouldn’t as long as people existed. He had to admit he had been the object of others’ intrigue and misplaced desire, as well. It brought them nothing but suffering. Even if he was too weak to refuse them, he always had to let them down in the end.
He was, however, unused to the feeling himself. What a odd thing it was. To experience such joy when someone was near. To feel warmth at the mere sight of another person. It also carried a sense of anxiety that the other person might not feel the same way. He was the last who would inflict himself on someone unwanted, least of all this girl who so captured his heart.
He quite uncharacteristically didn’t know what to do.
The source of his conundrum sat quietly reading a book near the fireplace, oblivious to the jittery confusion in the heart of the man sitting across the room. Her concentration on her book was absolute. He was sure she wasn’t even aware that he was there.
Saint sighed to himself. He truly had no right to bother her. He rose from his chair and decided to leave her in peace.
She looked up the moment he moved. Her eyes questioning his departure. Perhaps she was more aware of him than he thought.
Impulsively he asked her if she would mind walking with him, to which she happily agreed, much to his delight.
She allowed him to tuck her hand beneath his arm on their stroll through the long halls of the mansion. She didn’t question his odd request. Was she perhaps leaning a little closer to him as he spoke of winter traditions of the past? He knew she was an intelligent girl, with a bright and curious mind. She always listened raptly to his stories for the pleasure of learning. It was one of the many reasons he was so delighted by her company, but it was more than that. Her presence was a peace he had never known before. Now that he was free, he could be allowed to contemplate such peace. It was heady and frightening at once.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked him curiously as they stopped and gazed out the glass door at the fiery sunset.
He was at a loss for words, and cast around for an innocent topic. His eyes fell upon the bunch of mistletoe suspended on the he doorframe above their heads, “Ah, there is a tradition we haven’t discussed. Mistletoe was sacred to many ancient cultures as a fertility symbol. In France it is given as a gift of peace and good luck for the new year. In Britain-“
“Kissing.” she said, blushing very prettily, “Most recently it has been used as an excuse for people to kiss each other.”
“Yes, That is so.” Saint kept his voice unruffled by long practice, “Many lovers observe its history as a symbol of fertility and luck by kissing beneath it.” he hoped she didn’t she didn’t notice the slight tremor in his voice as he spoke the latter sentence.
She nodded and gazed up at the bunch of sacred mistletoe above their heads, “If it is to honor the gods… perhaps we should?” she looked away nervously.
Saint was startled. Did she truly feel as he did? He gave her a smile… a true smile from his heart, “Honoring the gods is never amiss, my sweet lady.” he said very gently, and softly touched her face. He could feel her trembling beneath his fingers. It lit a fire in his heart he thought gone cold long ago, but he held back and lightly brushed his lips against hers. Just a fleeting touch before pulling back, to gauge her reaction.
“Please…” she said softly, her eyes holding a fire to match his own.
Something in his heart gave way and he again lowered his lips to hers. She yielded willingly to his gentle explorations, and he reveled in the sound of her breaths, the softness of her lips… the taste of her tongue. If they were honoring the gods, it could only be those of love and desire.
He pulled away reluctantly and breathlessly. Her flushed face and shining eyes held a deep, passionate longing. Oh, how he wished to answer it. All of it… but the time was not yet right. There were many things she needed to know about him first. However… perhaps for the first time… he was truly looking forward to the future.
….
Here, handling the villains as usual, are Mod Nautilus’ Mistletoe headcanons!
Mistletoe~
Nemo:
Meeting the object of his affections under the mistletoe isn’t really on his radar.
What IS on his radar is meeting EVERYBODY under the mistletoe because he has it HANGING FROM HIS HEAD on a headband he constructed the night prior.
… Unfortunately, Impey ends up taking it from him after a bad encounter involving Van Helsing and a very traumatized Fran.
So he’s moping, not realizing that he’s moping under the mistletoe until he feels a pair of soft lips on his cheek.
I mean, he just looked so sad sitting there all by himself, you know?
“H-HEEEY! Wait a minute, I didn’t do it proooper–!”
Nemo yanks his crush back to him with a surprising amount of strength, though he doesn’t immediately kiss them, instead choosing to rub his nose against theirs.
“Meeeeerry Christmaaaaaas–! [SMOOCH!]”
Aleister:
The object of Aleister’s affections probably doesn’t even realize that they’re standing under the mistletoe. They’re probably just talking with a friend, smiling, sipping their cider and enjoying the atmosphere.
But when their friend steps away, they suddenly feel another presence next to them, warm and eerily comforting.
Jimmy A. Aleister smiles down at them before leaning forward, the bristles of his mustache tickling their skin as he whispers: “Merry Christmas” before pressing his lips to their cheek.
Avido:
Avido has made his intentions clear from the very moment he realized he wanted his paramour (’crush’ is a rather childish term, don’t you think?). Mistletoe and, indeed, Christmas itself is another game piece in this delightful game of cat and mouse he’s been participating in.
Both he and his paramour know about the mistletoe. It’s obvious, couples have been stealing kisses all evening. The two of them purposefully play nearby, never interacting but allowing their social circles to get dangerously close to the poisonous plant.
But his paramour still lets out a surprised gasp when Avido suddenly stands next to them, offering a drink with that charming smile on his face.
Kissing under the mistletoe is a little too juvenile for a man of Avido’s taste, but using it as a starting point for an invitation elsewhere? Perhaps a place a little more secluded, where lips already sweet with wine can finally meet…
could you do the most romantic, fluffiest, possibly domestic, sugar-filled headcanons for nemo, aleister, finis, avido and... impey? you know, to warm up the heart in this cold, cold winter. thanks for all the hard work you do both do writing!
My, my, this ask seems perfectly tailored to Mod NAUUUUTILUUUUUS! Ehehehe, how fun! Thank you for letting me talk about my boys~!(These turned out to be more ‘romantic’ in the warm, general sense than in the ‘love’ sense, so I do apologize if this isn’t what you wanted.)
—
ALEISTER:- Despite being a man of many talents, Aleister is only so-so at cooking and baking. He knows how to prepare any kind of tea perfectly, but it’s usually accompanied by store-bought food items.
- Probably because of this, it’s become sort of a custom at the university for his students to bring him biscuits before their graduation.
- Every Sunday at promptly 2 o’ clock in the afternoon, Aleister visits his favorite barbershop to get his beard trimmed. He often laughs about how old men need to let themselves get spoiled every once in awhile.
AVIDO:- Prides himself on luxury, not only keeping on top of fads but innovating them. All of this is to say that he does stuff like drink champagne while soaking in the bathtub.
- Though it would be easy (and half-right) to say that Avido’s love of the Gloria came from the luxury she represented, he does love sailing. Being on the water makes him feel like he really is king of the world.
- Though it takes a lot for him to get inebriated, when Avido is drunk he’s actually a lot of fun to be around! He lets down some of the man he’s fashioned himself to be and honestly laughs and has fun. He’s the kind of drunk who would walk straight down to the beach and take off his shoes just because he wants to feel the sand between his toes. He is so much warmer than he is usually. It’s almost like the alcohol warmed up his heart. He remembers hardly anything about this the morning after when he’s coping with a massive hangover, of course…
FINIS:- Finis is quite fond of clothes shopping and enjoys visiting London with his sister to peruse the different boutiques. He’s rather disappointed that his sister doesn’t enjoy trying on clothes as much as he does, but he’s happy to let himself be the center of attention, of course.
- He’s an avid reader and misses the access he had to books back when he was the head of Twilight. However, he has more time to truly enjoy the books he has now, so he considers it more than an even trade. Though he will never consider himself to be “close” to Saint Germain, in Saint’s visits and letters to Cardia he often includes different recommendations for him. Finis will argue that such recommendations are ‘hardly necessary’, but he often finds himself reading those exact recommendations sometime later.
- He will never say it out loud, but if you ask him who his best friend is, the image of Hansel will flash in his mind. He also enjoys it when he sees Delly, though Van being there tends to make things rather awkward. Out of Cardia’s possible beaus, he enjoys Fran’s company the most… though he is a fan of reading Sherlock Holmes’ adventures!
IMPEY:- If someone close to him gets sick, congrats they have a Nurse Impey. He gives ‘round-the-clock care, cooking nutritious meals and making sure they get plenty of fluids. If it’s particularly bad, he’ll personally run into the city and haul over a doctor (usually Fran or Watson). (A certain lavender-haired ‘rival’ of his might or might not have faked being sick for attention once, only to find himself flung into a freezing cold bath as revenge.)
- Makes all kinds of things for Sisi, most of which go unnoticed. He made Sisi a two-level dog house with a plush interior that’s never been used, an invention that will throw a ball for him– never used, and even invented a pillow that regulates and distributes heat evenly. Thanks, but Sisi would prefer Cardia’s lap.
- Though he doesn’t ‘chill’ with him as often as Lupin or Fran, Impey really enjoys Saint Germain’s company the most. They have a mutual love for mischief that feeds off of each other until they end up doing some escapade at 3AM. The usual result is Impey screaming while Saint is calmly chuckling. If Impey has some harebrained idea, you can bet that more often than not, Saint will be on board because it “looks like fun”.
NEMO:- An incredible artist. Though he mostly does technical drawings and mechanical diagrams, he could easily apply it to portraits or painting. He has no interest in doing so, though. His concept art of the Nautilus is confusing, a little frightening, and awe-inspiring.
- Is a remarkable tailor, too! What, do you think he just walked into a store and bought his clothes? No way! He sketched, designed, and modified them himself. Even his Royal Society lab coat was modified to suit his taste (his usual black coat is modeled after it, in fact, though he turned the customization up to eleven in a form of rebellion).
- He really, genuinely considers Cardia and Finis to be little siblings to him, especially Cardia. He wants to be someone that will be able to ‘save the day’ for them.
- Is capable of eating anything, his mouth is a garbage disposal. So… no need to worry about your cooking skills! He’d love it if anyone cooked something with him in mind! Just, uh, be careful if he decides to return the favor.
