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andreafmn · 1 year

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12 Days of Ficmas - Day 9

Prompt (by @12-days-of-ficmas): christmas baby is sensitive about never being celebrated on their birthday/always feels skipped over

Word Count: 1.9K

Story Description: There's something about birthdays close to Christmas – they always seem to be overlooked. And that had been (Y/N)'s whole life, especially after she entered Hogwarts. But a certain golden boy would never let the day be passed over anymore.

Fandom: Harry Potter

Pairing: Cedric Diggory x Female!Slytherin!Reader

Warnings: underage drinking, slight angsty ending

A/N: this one was literally just for me because my birthday was yesterday and it always ends up being sort of an afterthought of Christmas and I love Cedric. I also had to add a tiny bit of angst at the end.

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My Christmas Wish

Spending Christmas without family was hard. Spending Christmas and your birthday without your family is harder even. But spending them whilst your own family overlooked the dates was gut-wrenching.

But (Y/N) had experienced it for many years.

Since she had gotten to Hogwarts at eleven-years-old, her family had simply set her aside. It had been years since she had gone home for the winter holidays. Instead, she spend that time roaming through the halls of the school, lounging around her empty common room, and avoiding the fact that she was a year older and her family has avoided her for another year.

She was in her fourth year now, and nothing had yet to change. Her parents had called to tell her they had booked a holiday for the Caribbean and would not be home during winter break, and there simply was no way she could come home. She wasn’t surprised, simply disappointed. They had said they would be sending her a gift – stating that it was a joint birthday and Christmas gift, as usual.

To her family the Christmas holiday and her birthday were interchangeable. Unlike her sisters, whose birthdays didn’t fall anywhere near the special day, (Y/N) had not gotten a celebration that didn’t overlap with a Christmas party. It had been that way her whole life, and she saw no change in the future.

It was difficult and frustrating feeling like the day she was born was simply an afterthought for the people that supposedly loved her the most. She didn’t want to grow used to it. The pit in her stomach that formed every time she got that letter or every time the date would be skipped over by her family. That’s why when she started at Hogwarts she never told her friends when her birthday was. She couldn’t take any more heartache.

“What’s going through your head?” Cedric Diggory startled her out of her thoughts as he joined her in a corridor near the dungeons. “You seem very deep in thought.”

“Nothing,” she smiled, quickly dismissing any worry he could have. What she couldn’t say was that she had sneaked a bottle of fire whiskey into her room and had already downed half the bottle. “What’re you doing here? You’re never at school during Christmas.”

“Well, dad had a research trip in Romania, and mum decided to join him. I wasn’t too in the mood for a magical creature trip so I decided to stay here,” he gave her his signature smile. If he knew she was drunk, he hadn’t said anything. “What about you? Why are you always here during the holidays.”

“Oh, Ced, some of us aren’t lucky enough to have loving and caring families,” she sighed. “Some of us have to always find shelter in the towering walls of Hogwarts during wintertime. Others have their birthdays forgotten because there are pretty lights, presents, and snow that overshadow you every year.”

“Is it your birthday, (Y/N)?” She nodded, feeling a string of tears escaping her eyes. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It wouldn’t have changed anything, Cedric. It never has. It’s too close to Christmas. It doesn’t matter.”

“Darling, are you drunk?” he asked, and she nodded again, looking up at him with sad eyes. “Your parents haven’t celebrated your birthday in a while I can assume?”

“Again, it doesn’t matter, Ced. I’m used to it,” she slumped.

Cedric wrapped her in his arms, hugging her tightly as she sobbed silently. “You shouldn’t have to, (Y/N),” he whispered into her hair. “Everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday.”

“Tomorrow will be just another day closer to Christmas,” she cried. “Nothing more, nothing less. Like always.”

She didn’t know when she had fallen asleep but when she woke, she was warm. Too warm. Her eyes struggled to get used to the bright lighting, her pounding head only making it worse. But she knew she wasn’t in her own common room.

Warm-colored brick made up the walls and plants riddled the space. The couch she was on was cozy and fluffed. Light shone in from every window and the fireplace was lit. Nothing like the cold and gloomy area of the Slytherins. She could smell the kitchens from where she lay – bread, muffins, eggs, bacon, sausages, everything you could think of. It made her stomach grumble.

“Well, look who’s finally up,” a voice startled her. She turned around to find Cedric smiling at her. (Y/N) got up from the couch and into his outstretched arms. He was always her comfort space – her own safe haven. “Happy birthday, (Y/N).”

“Wait, how’d you…?”

“You sort of confessed that it was last night… when you were drunk,” he chuckled. Cedric pulled a box from behind his back, a present perfectly wrapped in yellow paper. “I got you a little something. It’s not much but I only had a couple of hours to get it. And don’t worry, it’s not your Christmas present.”

“Cedric, you didn’t have to,” she said. But on the inside, she was screaming for joy. It was her first-ever birthday present. “Seriously. You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to, (Y/N). You deserve it,” he smiled. “Now, quit stalling and open it!”

(Y/N) carefully unwrapped the shiny wrapping paper, a childish glee falling upon her. Under the paper, a black box was revealed. It was heavy and she had no idea what it could possibly be. Until she opened it.

“Ced,” she gasped. “It’s beautiful.”

She pulled out an enchanted snow globe. Inside, the image was one she would never forget. It was back in their second year, before Cedric and she had ever crossed paths. It was a winter, much like this one, a week before winter break. It was the weekend, and no classes were in session so the whole school was out in the courtyard.

(Y/N) was with her friends, eyeing a certain Hufflepuff bunch from the other side of the yard. Of course, Cedric happened to be in that bunch. She had heard of him in passing, the golden boy of that house was known to everyone. He was a kind person, attractive, and smart. The whole package. And she could admit, she was interested.

But she’d never get the courage to talk to him. It wasn’t in her nature to be bold – a rather quiet Slytherin. So, as she walked away, she thought that was all they were destined for. Maybe she could live with stolen glances and daydreams.

The universe had other plans. (Y/N) was almost out of the courtyard when a snowball hit her straight on the side of her head.

“Diego! I told you to be careful,” Cedric yelled before turning toward her. “Are you okay? I swear he wasn’t aiming for you.”

“It’s quite alright,” she chuckled. “Serves me right for walking right through the battlefield.”

“Pretty girl like you should never be a casualty of war,” he grinned. “I’m Cedric. Diggory.”

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N),” she grinned in response, taking his outstretched hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

And the rest was history.

They had become quick friends after that. The snow globe perfectly displayed that moment. (Y/N) with clumps of snow on her hair, Cedric’s lopsided grin, and a friendship that would last through the years.

One thing she did get right was they would only express their feelings through stolen glances, seemingly accidental touches, inside jokes, and everything that could entail harboring secret feelings for someone. Because neither of them was ready to confess how they felt, even as strong as those emotions were.

“So, you like it?”

“I love it, Cedric,” she smiled brightly. “But this couldn’t have been done last night.”

“Okay, I’ll admit it,” he chuckled. “I may have forced your sister to tell me your birthday with a little veritaserum. Don’t hate me, but I couldn’t coax it out of her normally.”

“I could never hate you, Ced. It’s beautiful.” She wrapped her arms around her neck, tightly hugging him to hide the stray tears that had started to fall. “Thank you. Truly, you have no idea how much this means to me.”

Flutters started to happen in their stomachs. And as they pulled back, they couldn’t help but stare into each other’s eyes. Everything quieted around them, and maybe – just maybe – this was the Christmas wish she was hoping for.

But he pulled away.

“Uh, we should head to the great hall,” he chuckled. “Get some breakfast into that hungover stomach of yours.”

“Sure, sounds like a plan.”

“Here,” he handed her a piece of clothing. “I got you a jacket. It’s quite chilly today.”

They walked side by side to the dining hall, chit-chatting over mindless things. It was like every time they were together. Comfortable, peaceful, just right.

And it would be like any other day if it hadn’t been for what happened when she opened the doors.

“SURPRISE!”

Inside, her friends and other students were waiting for her, all with bright smiles on their faces. People from every house had gathered to celebrate her birthday. And instantly she knew Cedric was behind the heartwarming surprise.

The hall had been enchanted with balloons and falling confetti that never reached the ground. Lights shone in her favorite colors and the Slytherin table was decorated with a big cake and all sorts of sweets down the table.

“You did all this, Ced?” (Y/N) turned to him, tears welling in her eyes. “For me?”

“Of course,” he smiled brightly. “You deserve this and so much more, (Y/N).”

At that moment, she couldn’t help the overwhelming joy that took over her. As she stared up into his eyes, there was only one thing she felt she could do. And he felt it too. She stood on her tiptoes to match his height, and he leaned down to meet her.

Finally, they met in a kiss – their first and most memorable. For a second, they forgot where they were and how many people surrounded them. Until they heard the whistles and cheers of approval from everyone, even a couple of teachers joined in.

Their faces grew red quickly in embarrassment, realization dawning upon them as soon as they pulled away. (Y/N) hid her face in his chest and it moved as Cedric chuckled at the responses. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and hugged her tight.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he spoke into her hair. “I’ve just never had the courage to do it.”

“Me too,” she giggled. “Since the first time we met, actually.”

“Precisely since then as well,” Cedric laughed. “I can’t believe we’ve been skating around our feelings for two years.”

“Regardless, I’ve got my Christmas wish,” (Y/N) smiled at him, her eyes staring into his grey ones. Everything simply felt right.

“Funny, I also got mine,” he said before giving her another quick peck on the lips. “Now, let’s celebrate your birthday. I’m in the mood for some cake.”

Hand in hand, they walked to an empty spot in the Hufflepuff table where (Y/N)’s and Cedric’s friends were waiting. At that moment, they believed this was the start of a whole future together. No one present knew it was only the start of the end.

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steddielations · 1 year

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Of course Steve’s birthday is on Christmas.

It’s like the universe aligned perfectly for his parents to ignore his existence. Sure, he got enough presents to cover both when he was younger, when his parents wanted a perfect family holiday card to send out, but it was never about Steve.

When he got older, it was so easy for them to wrap it all up in one, mail him a check from whatever city, until the cards stopped saying happy birthday at all. Steve started wrapping it all up in one too. If his parents were going to leave him alone on Christmas and forget his birthday, it’s better at the same time, one less day of the year to be disappointed.

He hates December. He hates winter. He hates being surrounded by all those pretty lights taunting him for being alone in the dark.

He sort of forgets he has a birthday, until the last couple of years with Robin and the kids. He always tells them his Christmas present can double as his birthday present. Robin never goes for that though, she only gets him a birthday present.

Now comes Eddie. He doesn’t know about the wrap it up in one deal. He doesn’t know that Steve gets all broody around the subject. He’s just sitting next to Steve on the couch, going on about the fishing trip he’s taking Wayne on for his upcoming birthday.

It sounds nice. It’s only one weekend. Steve shouldn’t feel a pit in his stomach that already misses Eddie. They’re just friends, they can’t spend every weekend together, as much as Steve likes tagging along with whatever Eddie’s doing, he has to give him space.

“Yeah so it’s nothing compared to a big Harrington bash,” Eddie teases, passing Steve the joint, “Say, am I cool enough now to be invited to your birthday rager this year? When is it anyway?”

And that’s a simple question, but Steve doesn’t know what it is about Eddie that just draws the truth out of him, that makes him give the not simple answer. He blows out smoke and all the years of forgotten birthdays wrapped in one check and a Christmas card with it.

It’s too much, he’s too much and he starts to apologize, but Eddie cuts him off with a certain intensity he gets sometimes.

“Well, starting right now, fuck that. When do you want your birthday to be?”

Steve chuckles, tries to brush it off, “What? Eddie, c’mon. It’s not a big deal, dude.”

“No, seriously. When do you want your birthday to be, Steve?”

It’s so stupid. It’s so silly sitting in Eddie Munson’s living room trying to decide which day he’d prefer for his birthday, when he’s barely holding back saying how he sort of wishes he didn’t have one at all. He thinks Eddie knows anyway, without him having to say it, so he makes it easier. Eddie always makes it easier.

It takes a couple of tries, a couple cups full of torn pieces of paper with scribbled numbers randomly chosen, but Steve Harrington gets a new birthday that night.

“Yeah, you look like more of a summer baby anyway,” Eddie says and Steve wishes he wouldn’t, it’s so hard not to love him when he does.

Steve gets to tag along on Wayne’s birthday fishing trip, or rather, he was invited, as Eddie keeps correcting.

It’s nice, it’s May, it’s quiet by the river and it gets just cool enough at night to build a campfire. Eddie pulls out his guitar, a pretty acoustic one, and he playfully strums out the chords to happy birthday for Wayne. Steve watches across the fire, he feels warm down to his bones, melting away all those cold lonely Decembers frozen inside them.

Wayne spends his birthday teaching Steve to fish. He catches the biggest one, and he hopes the Polaroid that Eddie snaps doesn’t pick up the tears in his eyes.

Eddie sidles up next to him, pretending not to notice Steve wiping his eyes. He rubs his back, whispers congratulations, “Look at you, summer baby.”

He feels the sun rising in his cheeks, bright and burning. It’s impossible not to love Eddie, not when this is the best birthday Steve’s ever had and it’s not even his own.

Steve forgets all about the new date he chose to come into the world, and as the weeks pass in a warm haze, he stops trying not to love Eddie.

It’s too late to catch himself. He’s already falling as they lie on the trailer roof, talking about everything and nothing while sunset colors melt over them, as he rides along while Eddie deals and calls Steve his summer baby in the passenger seat.

Steve’s so in love with Eddie that it burns, makes him golden inside, even the places in him that have never known anything bright.

He doesn’t want to lose that, so he tells himself he can settle for just this.

And it’s true for a while, until that date comes along, the one he forgot about, but Eddie didn’t.

Robin has a spare key to his house, she helped Eddie plan all this, that’s the only explanation for what Steve sees in his backyard when he gets off work on a Friday in July.

All the kids are there, Dustin Henderson is in the pool that Steve hasn’t used since ‘83, with El Hopper on his shoulders, Mike Wheeler is doing the same holding up Will Byers, Lucas Sinclair and Max Mayfield are wrestling inside a bounce house, Nancy Wheeler is manning the grill Steve’s dad bought for show, Robin Buckley is grinning ear to ear with a bright glass of lemonade, and Eddie Munson’s at the center of it all.

Everyone that Steve loves is there yelling, “Surprise! Happy birthday!”

He can’t describe the feeling that bursts through him.

The July sun isn't in the sky anymore, it’s rising inside Steve’s chest. It’s too big and too bright. This body of his that grew up alone in the dead of winter wasn’t made to feel such warmth, bringing hot tears to his eyes.

He’s hurrying back inside the house before he knows it. He feels bad, rushing out like that, away from his party, but he just needs a second. He has to lean against the kitchen counter, run his hands over his face and through his hair, trying to stop all these feelings from melting out of him.

He hears someone come in behind him, assumes it’s Robin, but he feels a hand on his back, hears a low, reassuring voice next to him that belongs to Eddie.

“Sorry, fuck, I’m sorry, Steve. I should’ve asked if you were okay with this. I shouldn’t have sprung it on you like that.”

Steve blinks hard, brushing away the tears, “No it’s— It's fine, Eds, really.”

Eddie doesn’t look convinced, brown eyes deep with concern, he holds Steve’s elbows, “Okay well, Robin said you weren’t really a fan of your pool but that’s okay, if that’s what you’re worried about. No one expects you to get in, Stevie.”

He’s perfect. He’s everything Steve wants and needs. The light that’s been missing inside him, Eddie struck a match to it. Steve never knew his heart was so flammable and he doesn’t know how Eddie can’t see that he’s burning for him.

“No, thats— that’s not it, Eddie.”

“Is it the kiddy theme? Listen, I had trouble picking it, so I just thought maybe since it was mostly gonna be kids here and you never had a kids' birthday party then, y’know, summer, pool, bounce house, games— okay it sounds dumb now, I’ll just get everyone to leave—”

Steve reaches out when Eddie starts to pull back, hands catching his shoulders and the ends of his hair, “No, no, please don’t. This is— it’s perfect, Eddie. I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“Then why do you look so sad?”

“Because I—” Steve can’t hold it in anymore, it’s too hot, summer beneath his skin, he has to let it out, “Because I want to kiss you so bad right now and I can’t.”

He expects Eddie to pull back, or worse, let him down gently, like the quick press of fingertips to the flame of a candle, snuff the feeling out just like that.

Instead, Steve’s breath catches when Eddie’s hands cup his face, thumbs brushing away the stray tears Steve missed.

“Who says you can’t?” Eddie asks and part of Steve wishes he wouldn’t, because it’s so easy to love Eddie with every piece of him when he does, and Steve’s going to fall apart trying to stop.

“I shouldn’t have said that, sorry. I just don’t want to lose you as a friend, you don’t have to feel the same, but that’s what it is,” Steve lets it out, let’s it catch fire between them and just hopes it doesn’t turn them to ashes, “I want to kiss you for doing this for me, for being you. I want to kiss you all the fucking time and especially right now, Eddie, but I can’t.”

He waits for it, to be left out in the cold, for frost to cover his bones again, but Eddie’s hands stay warm on his face.

A smile lights on Eddie’s lips, the kind that Steve can feel radiating between them. He doesn’t know why Eddie’s smiling when he should be leaving, but Steve wants to keep that feeling forever.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you, Stevie? You can do whatever you want when it’s your birthday.”

Eddie’s eyes fall to Steve’s lips and back up again, setting off a surprised flare in his chest.

“Whatever I want?” Steve repeats in disbelief, searching Eddie’s eyes.

“Whatever you want.”

“You want that too?”

“I want you, too,” Eddie grins like it’s the easiest thing in the world to want Steve, then leans in.

Their mouths connect and it’s like something fiercely cosmic, a solar flare at the touch of their lips.

Eddie’s been sipping lemonade, Steve can taste it on his tongue. Citrusy and warm, Eddie tastes like pure fucking sunshine, all golden in Steve’s mouth.

Kissing Eddie feels like he’s at the center of the universe. He makes Steve feel like the sun, like the brightest thing in the goddamn sky is Steve Harrington.

No pretty light could compare.

Steve chases the heat of Eddie’s mouth, letting it light a fire inside him. His hands have a mind of their own, making Eddie’s messy hair even messier, then falling to his waist to pull him close and hold him while he just kisses and kisses and kisses Eddie.

They have to break for air, foreheads resting together, Steve misses Eddie’s lips already.

Their panting breaths fuse, gazes locked for a few delirious moments, half-lidded and close.

Eddie breaks the silence, laughing breathlessly, giving Steve’s lips one final peck before pulling back, brushing Steve’s hair out of his eyes for him.

“You good?”

Steve laughs then too, a rush of breath, relieved and light, “Never been better.”

Eddie smiles, taking Steve’s hands in the warmth of his, “C’mon then, summer baby. Don’t wanna miss your birthday party.”

They go back outside and Eddie stays close by Steve with a pretty flush high on his cheeks. Steve’s face feels sun-kissed too, and judging by the look he gets from Robin, it shows.

It should be stupid, having a birthday party with a bounce house and a bunch of screaming kids. Maybe it is a little, but it’s still the best birthday Steve’s ever had, and it’s actually his own this time.

He spends the better part of it trying not to cry, especially when he opens the few presents they got him. He’s not used to everything being about him, but Eddie’s arm stays around him, giving him encouraging squeezes, bursts of warmth that keep him going.

Steve’s not forgotten in the shadow of something bigger, wrapped up in one so it’s easier to forget he exists. No, it’s like nothing’s more important than him that day. He doesn’t need it, and it’s hard to let himself have it, but it’s nice to get a day that’s his.

When Christmas comes later that year, Robin still gets Steve a birthday present, there’s no arguing with her. Then Eddie tries to pull the same thing, and Steve’s not having it.

They’re both in their flannels on the couch, Eddie throwing his legs over Steve’s lap and trying to push the extra gift into Steve’s hands.

“C’mon, Stevie, I swear it’s not a birthday present. It's just because.”

“Uh huh, sure. Just because what?”

Eddie shrugs, rests his arm around Steve’s shoulders and presses the words against his cheek, “Just ’cause I love you,” he says like it’s the easiest thing in the world to love Steve.

Steve thinks he knows what to call that feeling now. The one that makes December easier because he’s got his own summer sun pumping warmth through his veins now.

It's love.

Eddie loves him.

Not just on his birthday, or on Christmas, or only on occasion, but everyday. Eddie loves him everyday.

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