#holidays 2024

[bcakesbaxter]

Hope your new year ‘rocks’!

from the Baxter family💕

[preservationofnormalcy]

The scene is sombre. Though Königsratte the rat king is hooked up to various forms of medical machinery, they seem to be a formality. They can measure his vitals to a point, but the cause of his condition seems unclear, even to the parafictional professionals at the Office. The tone is one of hope, of chances taken wildly. Of wishing, perhaps, for a miracle.

The King's form has been insubstantial. His furred skin feels like paper in a way that seems literal. He changes appearances, unstable, his reality unable to settle on a single depiction.

Surrounding the figure in the cot are, by now, dozens of kitschy figurines. Nutcrackers all, from cheap plastic candy dispensers to ancient family heirlooms. On every flat surface there appears a wide-mouthed garish depiction of a soldier, of Santa, of a man in ski gear. There's even a crude alligator, dressed in the orange and blue of a Florida university. Taped to the walls are art pieces. Scribbles on napkins, doodles, some crayon drawings from a Virginia school catering to the extranormal. Digital art, painted mugs.

There's something to be said for the commercialism of the season (something worth continually critiquing) giving way to honest empathy and compassion. Beneath the thin plastic and gold paint of modern Christmas lies a core of good will. Scratch a dollar store ornament, and a thoughtful gift bleeds.

Very few people are allowed in to see the Rat King. Yours truly is only allowed due to a longstanding friendship between the King and I - European figures of myth and story share a kinship that stays across oceans.

One figure stays during my visits. After the first few days of the king's hospitalization, one Orson Knight stays by his bedside. The Office's head of security (or O-Sec) is an imposing figure, silent, unwilling to engage any other visitor. Rumors abound about his relationship to the King, but I am unwilling to speculate.

It is perhaps chance, perhaps a miracle, perhaps a grand joke at Director Knight's expense that I am present when the king stirs.

Knight's face behind his ever-present mask is fear, worry, faint hope being kindled. He reaches for the king, hesitates.

"Ah...dummerchen," mumbles Königsratte. His muzzle barely moves, a smile trying to break onto his face.

"Johann?" Breathes Orson.

"So brave in the scharzwald. And now not brave enough to hold my hand? What has become of mein ritter?"

Königsratte extends his weak hand, and I notice his fur seems more...substantial. Like he's been coloured in. Knight reaches for his hand, and takes it gently.

[danzendojin]

FGO holidays! something from last year

[jerzwriter]

It's Christmastime - and Ethan is thoroughly unimpressed. Luckily, he has Kaycee to turn that around - but can she make it happen?

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Kaycee MacClennan (F!MC) Rating: Teen Words: 1,411 Summary: See above.

A/N: Participating in @choicesholidays winter event - New Traditions - they have a few in here! :) Also, @choicesdecember2024, I think Miracle is the best match! lol

The line felt like it stretched the entire length of the mall, accompanied by all the annoyances that came with it: frazzled parents, sugared-up kids, and the occasional beleaguered adult questioning their life choices. It didn’t take long to determine what group a tall, scowling doctor with his arms crossed in front of his chest belonged to. Ethan Ramsey was firmly in the last group, and Kaycee couldn’t have been more amused.

He should have expected this, she thought; after all, this was their second Christmas together, and he had already survived year one at her side. She smiled at him, the picture of holiday cheer in her red sweater adorned with tiny reindeer. That sweater wasn’t a split-second decision. No, Kaycee had taken months to find the perfect design and purchased two, one for each of them. Ethan was wearing his, too. It would be visible if he took off his leather jacket, but he had made it clear before they left his condo... he was NOT taking off his leather jacket.

Kaycee’s eyes were full of mischief as she gently nudged him with her elbow. “You’re awfully quiet today,” she said with a slight smile.

Ethan let out an exasperated sigh. “You dragged me here against my will. Can’t you just enjoy my silent suffering?”

Chuckling, she stepped closer and leaned into his side. “Stop it, grumpy! You enjoy this, too! You’re just too much of a curmudgeonly old man to admit it!”

He arched an eyebrow, looking at her with a frown. “Negative,” he deadpanned.

“Yes, you absolutely are!” Kaycee insisted. “You’re so lucky to have me here to fix all this bah-humbug of yours! Besides... remember what I promised you later... if  you’re a good sport.”

His demeanor seemed to change on a dime, the corners of his mouth twitching upward despite himself. He leaned in close and whispered so only she could hear him. “I seem to remember a promise that involved scanty red lingerie and mistletoe. Can you remind me of the other details again? It might make this whole experience a little more bearable?”

“Sorry, babe,” she answered with amusement. “There will be no reward until we finish the task at hand, and your chances are better if you do it with a smile on your face.”

The line continued to shuffle forward at an excruciatingly slow pace, and though he tried to contain it, Ethan’s grumbling continued. “This is ridiculous.” “You realize we’re adults, Kaycee.” “We really don’t belong here.”

She bit her lip to refrain from laughing, her amusement growing with each mumbled complaint. She peeked ahead and saw it wouldn’t be much longer; the jolly man in red was getting closer with every step. “Stop it, Ethan! You know I’m right about this.”

“Right? Right about what?”

“That this is going to be fun. Admit it—deep down, you’re excited.”

Ethan snorted. “The only thing I’m excited about is how you’ll be repaying me later.”

She looked up at him with a smirk and playfully punched his arm. “If you keep torturing me here, I may just renege on my promise!”

Ethan looked stricken. “You wouldn’t!”

Kaycee didn’t get a chance to answer as they finally reached the front of the line, where an overly excited elf dressed in green and red tights greeted them with an almost eerie smile. “Hi there! Are we going for the basic photo package or the deluxe? The deluxe comes with extra prints, digital downloads, and even a festive frame!”

Before Ethan could say a word, Kaycee jumped in. “Deluxe, please. I want as many prints as possible to send to all our friends and family.”

Ethan’s eyes went wide. “That was not part of the deal,” he protested.

Kaycee remained the picture of holiday bliss when she smiled at his side. “Ethan, but it’s Santa!”

How had he ended up here? He was almost forty. He should be home with a glass of spiked eggnog by the fireplace. He ran a hand down his face and grumbled. “This is absolutely absurd.”

He was about to complain more when a tiny voice from behind interrupted him. Ethan felt the little hand tugging at his jacket just before the words hit his ear. “Mister, are you saying you don’t believe in Santa Claus?”

Ethan froze, turning to find a little boy of no more than six staring up at him. His wide eyes were filled with innocence, almost begging Ethan to offer a reassuring response. Ethan glanced at the boy and then at his parents, standing behind him. They watched with an amused expression as they waited for his reply.

Ethan hadn’t asked for it, but in that moment, memories from his own childhood rose to the surface. When he was about this boy’s age, he would spend his whole year compiling lists for Santa, three to be exact. One was a compilation of all the good things he had done, and the second was confessions of the not-so-good stuff. That one had an attachment with explanations and how he attempted to atone.   Then, there was his Christmas wish list. Each year, when he wrote it, he was sure he wouldn’t receive most of the things he asked for. He might have been young, but he was smart enough to know his family was struggling. He could tell when his Mom put an extra sweater on him instead of turning up the heat, when his dad insisted on taking extra shifts even though he was tired, and when his parents would put a few items back before they checked out at the grocery store. He was young but bright, and he knew.

Yet, every Christmas morning, it seemed like a miracle took place. He had no idea how it happened, but most, if not all, that he wished for would be wrapped beautifully under the family Christmas tree. Back then, he took that as proof positive that Santa was real. There was no other way. He hadn’t thought about that for years, but standing before this little boy, he could feel the emotion welling inside.

There was magic during the holiday season. It didn’t come from mythical creatures in red suits or tiny reindeer – but from the people who loved us the most. It came from parents who worked hard to create that magic, including his own parents, who did without themselves just to see the look in his eyes on Christmas day.

It came in the form of the beautiful woman beaming at his side. The one who knew him better than he knew himself and was not about to let him spend the rest of his days thinking wonder and hope were something that had died long ago. She insisted they had a place in his grown-up life, and looking at her now, it was apparent, the message was received.

He knelt down to the child’s level, his voice soft and tender, his eyes warm. “Of course I believe in Santa Claus. Santa is all about the magic of the holiday season. And you know what? That magic is real. One hundred percent real.”

The boy’s eyes sparkled with his reply. “Really? You mean it!”

Ethan nodded, wrapping his arm around Kaycee, who was beaming up at him with so much affection it made his chest tighten. “Really. It’s all around us – it’s surrounding you and me.”

The boy grinned as he turned and hugged his parent’s knees, and Ethan met the gaze of the woman he loved. “YOU are all the magic I need,” he murmured placing a kiss atop her head. “Thank you for reminding me of who I used to be.”

Kaycee’s eyes filled with tears as she held him tight, he didn’t know it, but he had just given her the greatest gift of all.

“Uhm, so... the pictures?” The now irritated elf asked.

“You heard the lady,” Ethan stated. “The deluxe package, in fact, make it two!”

Before they stepped into the winter wonderland that served as a backdrop to Santa’s throne, Ethan turned to Kaycee once more. “Merry Christmas, baby,” he said with a smile she’d cherish for all time.

“Merry Christmas, Ethan,” she whispered back.

Ethan took her hand and led her down the candy cane-trimmed path toward Santa, knowing precisely what he’d say when the jolly man asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He already had his gift, and she was standing by his side.

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

[mightypieworkshop]

This holiday season, may you be as cozy and content as Mothman!

[nomoremaybe]

[theyanderespecialist]

Christmas With Velvette Part 1 (Scenario) Yandere Velvette X Autistic Reader (Hazbin Hotel)

[Hello, My Sexy Muffins! This is going to be a four-parter series! The first one is going to be shopping for and making gender bread men with Velvette as you are the autistic gender neutral reader! Also will have this in a video form as well! So, please enjoy this chapter here!  (Disclaimer: Velvette is not yandere in canon! This is just for fun and not to be taken seriously at all! Simping for fictional characters and yanderes is fine! Just do not be illegal or gross about it! You know who you are! You Dirty, Flaky, Biscuits! Yanderes are not ideal partners to have in real life! Also, remember to separate fiction from reality and headcanon from canon! Thank you!  Disclaimer 2: Not All Autistic people act in this way, it is a spectrum and some Autistic people are good at masking so they can appear not to be autistic when they are! They may not even know they are autistic because of all of it!) 

Disclaimer: The reader/listener is Gender Neutral In This I believe.) 

(Velvette) (Christmas With Velvette Part One Shopping for/Making Gingerbread Men Cookies)  (No One's POV) 

You were out in the store with Velvette, it is the Holiday Season in the pride rings. Which meant people were even more assholes than normal. Of course, you were excited about making Gingerbread Men Cookies, but you wanted to get specific ingredients because of texture and taste. You are Autistic and an emotional one at that so it was hard for you to deal with the crowds and constant Christmas music in the stores.  You loved the holidays, but the stores and such were not made for you during this time. Velvette had your hand in hers as you two walked through the isles. It was extra packed today and she ensured you were okay.  "Now we just need this specific ginger." She says and you nod your head, making it down the spices aisle, you pull away from Velvette as you see there is only one left of the ginger you get. 

Once you got to it some sinner demon grabbed onto your hand and you froze. Like a deer in headlights.  "Let go of that!" She says. "I need it!"  "I-I got it fi-first, and I need it." You say not looking her in the eye as you feel like you might panic because of the confrontation. 

"Well, I do not give a damn if you need it!" She snapped. "Who the hell do you think you are, some big shot overlord!" 

"No, they are not." Velvette's voice came from behind you. "But they are dating an overlord, now let them go before I put an angelic bullet in your skull."  Velvette was right behind you and had an angelic gun in her hand with angelic bullets. You were still frozen and did not see how angry Velevette is but you can hear it in her voice. She was beyond pissed right now.  The sinner demon let you go and she ran off leaving you shaking, your knees felt weak, and your chest was starting to tighten. It was bad, as tears ran down your face and you fell in Velvette's arms. She helped you up and got you to calm down. The rest of the shopping trip was a blur and you soon found yourself at home. bundle up in blankets with hot cocoa.  "There we go, you calm down and then we can make your grandmother's recipe for gingerbread men." She says and kisses your cheek.  You felt much better and started to work on your tablet with your comfort destress apps and soon everything was in peace for you. 

Velvette was talking to Vox. "I want you to find this bitch, she dares laid her cheap ass hands on my (Name)!" Velvette growled into the phone.  "Do not worry, Velvette, I am on it, I know no one touches your sweet little one," Vox says. "Just give me some time and we will have her for you to deal with."  "Good, I got to go, text me when you got the bitch." 

"Of course, and save some of (Name's) cookies for me, their grandmother's recipe is so damn good," Vox says.  "Not if Val eats all the first," Velevette says and hangs up. 

It was now time to make them and you got up putting your mug into the dishwasher after rinsing it. She looked at you with a smile. "Ready?" She asks you and you nod.  You put on a pair of gloves because you did not like things touching your hands or getting messy. It made Bakin a lot more easier this way. It was a fun time and you notice a bit of cookie dough on Velvette's cheek. You leaned in and licked it off her cheek and then kissed her on the mouth. She was a bit shocked by this and kissed back. She then pressed you into a table and SMASH a bowl fell on the floor and she shooed you out so she could clean it up.  You two snuggled on the couch and waited for the cookies to be done. Once they were you went to the kitchen to get them off the cooling tray since it had been about a minute and get some ice-cold milk.  You are dipping the gingerbread man's head into the milk when you hear Velvette's phone go off. You grab it.  "Hey! Velv!" You call with a mouth full of cookies. "Vox texted you, says he gots the bit-"  You stopped as you saw the message. Velvette came in. "I can explain."  "You are killing people because of me, again." You say and she looks at you.  "It is not like that luv, she hurt you."  You hold your hand up. "I-I don't want to hear it, just please leave." She took her phone and left and you grabbed the plate of cookies. You were going to eat your feelings... 

You loved Velevtte, but her love could be toxic and sometimes you had no idea how to deal with it... 

[YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS first Christmas with Velvette is done! I hope you all enjoyed this, and stay sexy, all of my sexy muffins!] 

[brandtsstuff10]

was nice to see you brother

📸 julianbrandt.