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petri808 · 5 months

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@allaboutnalu Gift for @genavere If you have an AO3 account let me know the user name and I can tag you there. Thanks!

Happy Holidays! 🤶🏻🎄🎁 Hope you enjoy!

For being Christmas Eve, the weather is semi-warm compared to the meteorologist’s news report that morning. Not that it mattered too much, as Lucy rolls her blouses long sleeves up to her elbows, because she always wore long sleeves, long pants, or long skirts anytime she left her apartment. People often stare as they pass to the strange young blonde wearing such warm clothes during the scorching summer months, so the autumn and winter months give her a reprieve from those second glances. But she’s gotten used to the attention or at least has learned to ignore them.

Today’s outfit consists of a dark-reddish-colored, soft cotton, long sleeve, loose-fitting, high-necked turtleneck top that covers all the way up to the jawline, paired with dark gray yoga pants, and fur-rimmed, mid-calf boots. Casual, nice, but not too attention seeking. Oh, no, attention is the last thing Lucy wants from anyone. She isn’t quite an agoraphobic, but close enough. Lucy works from home as an independent contractor editor and article writer for field journalists, a ghost writer who takes all their notes and information and writes a draft that she sends back to the journalist for publishing. Her one condition is to not be listed in the article as a contributor. Most of her groceries are delivered and she doesn’t travel unless necessary.

One of the few times she leaves home during the week is to eat at a restaurant when she’s tired of cooking and since it’s Christmas, why not splurge a little instead of getting fast food. Which is where she’s heading now, to an upscale but family-friendly type place, the staff has always been nice and accommodating due to her circumstances. It’s a bit sad to be eating out on Christmas Eve alone, but as she walks in on this Wednesday early evening, the server, recognizing her, immediately guides Lucy to a booth in the back corner of the restaurants dining room. It’s her favorite table because the booth partially faces away from the other diners and it’s not near a street-facing window. The few times that it was already taken, and she had to sit at a different table, it was uncomfortable to eat with the feeling of eyes boring into her back. Whether or not people are looking, past traumas have Lucy always in an anxious, self-conscious state of mind, and it’s only when alone can she relax.

As she waits, Lucy notes the festive decorations they’ve added all around the room. It’s a mix of tradition and modern chic, perhaps professionally done, to match the fine dining restaurant. There’s a red-tinged, flocked, Christmas tree with slow-pulsing white, fiber-optic lights next to the host stand at the front, decorated with silver, black, and red glass ball ornaments, and topped with a silver star. Over every other booth along the walls there is a green holly bough with red and white berries, short silver pick sprays that are sparingly pierced between the leaves, and finished with a black velvet ribbon where the top meets the hanging wire. On each table, the normally white napkins are replaced with a red one that has an embroidered silver bell on each corner. Last year, the napkins were green with white snowflakes.

About 15 minutes later, the server brings Lucy’s meal. Her choice of dinner is a shrimp scampi with linguini noodles and side of garlic toast, the best she’s tasted out of any other restaurant’s recipes. After a few bites and a sip of wine, she’s slowly easing up in the quiet place. Soft spoken conversation can be heard around the room along with typical restaurant sounds, clinking dishes, register beeps, order up calls, and the faint sound of the cars driving by on the street next to the building. It’s only 4:30 pm, not even dark yet, but the dinner rush diners are starting to trickle in, causing the servers to pick up their paces. Lucy’s looks at her phone as she finishes up her meal. She’ll leave within the next 30 minutes to get away before it turns into a full house.

Everything is going smoothly when suddenly, Lucy’s ears perk up to a rising sound of abnormal noises she’s never heard in the restaurant before. Guest’s closer to the front are starting to look around and the conversation tones grow in both volume and tone. Banging sounds, dishes falling and crashing, Lucy hears a scream and a thud, and then— “FIRE!” She hears. Again, the domino of screams, fire, fire, evacuate! Oh, God, she can smell the smoke! Panic grips the restaurant and all hell break loose as patrons and employees are running for exits, people and tables are being knocked over, trampled, and pushed around in their bid to reach the door.

A loud whooshing roar fills Lucy’s ears and her vision somehow shifts back to the living room of her old home, sending her pulse into a sprint, yet every muscle in her body grinds to a screeching halt, a fork gripped in mid-air, eye’s wide and mouth agape. This can’t be happening! Every second counts when there’s a fire, something she knows better than most, but her legs refuse to move. She doesn’t even know where the fire is coming from, so what if she leaves the current safety of the booth and burns before she can reach the front door?! As tears stream unencumbered Lucy finally gathers her strength, only to slip underneath the table.

It’s no use, all she can hear is the phantom crackling of a fire burning its way through a structure. Trapped. The smoke is growing thicker. ‘Get down, get down,’ her dead mother’s voice rings in her ears; they can’t get out of the house! Lucy pulls her legs to her chest and wraps her arms around to protect them, head down, resting her forehead in the slight space above her chest. She fights a losing battle to slow her panic breathing despite it getting harder to breathe as the smoke envelopes her in a black, greasy haze that with each choking cough burns the throat and stings the eyes. ‘It hurts mama! It hurts!’ The scars throb on the left side of her body, burning from the phantom heat, and a phantom smell of burning flesh and hair are all Lucy can perceive, swallowing her back up again. This is it. Fate has come to finish what it started; she muses as the smoky darkness chokes the life out of her.

The street outside is cordoned off by the police to keep spectators out of the way of the emergency services. Fire trucks arrive within five minutes of the call and immediately speak to the chef and staff who explain the fire is in the kitchen. The kitchen staff has tried their best to put out the grease fire, but the flame-retardant spray couldn’t reach far into the vent above the grill where the buildup of goopy grease and oil from not being cleaned properly cling to the sides. So far, the flames are isolated to the kitchen, but the oily black smoke from the burning grease has turned into a layer of grimy fog that burns when breathed in or gets into the eyes. That stinging pain is what ultimately drives the cooks out.

While firefighters rush towards the kitchen, one is tasked to do a sweep of the building. Even though the waitstaff believe they’ve gotten everyone out, they can’t take the chance of anyone being left behind. It’s now been about ten minutes since the 911 call, so the clock is ticking against anyone trapped inside. The smoke can easily suffocate, and the oily air could do lasting damage to the throat and eyes.

Natsu Dragneel starts by checking both restrooms for guests, then sweeps his flashlight beam under each table and booth as he passes by, meticulously one by one, left, right, left, making his way towards the rear of the dining room. As a firefighter his concerns are life first, property second and each time they are called to a scene with potential people inside, his fear is being the one to find someone he cannot save. It’s the fear of every emergency responder not to be that one and just as he’s about to breathe a sigh of relief to reach the last booth without a victim, his heart stops cold when his light falls on a curled-up body under the table.

“I’ve got one!” Natsu quickly screams into his radio to put the EMTs on notice. It’s a young woman and based on the soft rise and fall of her chest she’s still alive. “She’s unconscious!”

The space under the table is a bit tight for him to get under with all his equipment, so he drags the table from the booth and shoves it out of the way. He then sweeps the limp woman into a bridal carry and rushes out of the building to an awaiting ambulance, placing her onto the gurney. As the EMTs immediately get to work, Natsu finally has a chance to see what the woman looks like. Spots of blonde hair gleam in the sunlight through the patches of greasy soot clinging to strands and skin. She looks around his age, average height, and weight with a beautiful figure, maybe a bit younger but it’s hard to tell with the oxygen mask obscuring some of her facial features. Something catches his attention, partially blocked by her hair, but if he’s not mistaken there’s a patch of distorted skin peeking out from the turtleneck along the side of her neck, perhaps a burn?

She’s breathing normally with the help of the mask but is still unconscious and the EMTs are not quite sure why since there doesn’t appear to be anything else physically wrong with her aside from some redness in her throat and eyes from the carbon monoxide and smoke. Since the fire never reached her, there’s also no burns. Why didn’t she evacuate, Natsu wonders. He checks the crossbody purse on her body and finds a wallet. ‘Lucy Heartfilia,’ he reads off her I.D. Most people’s reactions to a fire are to flee, but there are some who freeze, so is that what happened to Ms. Heartfilia?

“Oi! Dragneel!”

“Huh?” Natsu is so wrapped up in the mysterious woman that he’s forgotten he’s still on the scene. “Oh. Yeah?” He yells back to his boss Captain Guildarts.

“You, done with the vic’ yet?” The captain questions.

Natsu returns the I.D. back to her wallet. “Yeah, why?”

Guildarts points up. “Go check out the roof vent, see what condition it is for the report.”

“If it’s been cleaned or not?” Natsu clarifies. While the grill hood should be cleaned once a month, the whole venting system in a kitchen should be cleaned out fully at least once a year. Even aerosolized grease and oil can stick to the smooth sides of the metal duct work, which can catch fire under the right conditions and threaten the entire building.

“Yeah.” The captain responds.

“Got it boss.” Natsu starts off towards an access ladder on the side of the building, but his boss isn’t finished. He pauses.

“And Dragneel. When you’re done with that, go on and check on the victim at the hospital,” Guildarts winks knowingly.

It makes Natsu flush. “T-Thanks,” he fumbles, then breaks into a gaily sprint.

That Guildarts, Natsu muses. The guy is always chasing women, so no wonder he caught on to his intrigue. Nothing wrong with wanting to check on a victim, public service is their duty after all. Oh, who is he kidding himself, the pretty blonde has caught his eye, and he wants to learn more about her. Why was she eating alone at the restaurant? Her hair was up in a messy bun, but that only added to her charm, and the blue cat earrings were cute. It’s a warm day too, yet she’s wearing long pants and a long sleeve high turtleneck top. That’s unusual, and he just happened to notice no ring on her finger. How is someone like her single? … Wait. Natsu stops moving and looks around. He’s standing on the roof in front of the vent, but all he’s done is zone out thinking about the woman. Back in your pants, Dragneel. He shakes it off and gets back to work checking into the vent duct. It’s dirty, but not too bad. He’ll tell his boss to recommend they get it cleaned anyways and make sure to be more stringent in their cleaning schedule. Okay, now, back to the station to change, shower, then head to the hospital. ‘I hope she’ll be awake when I get there.’

When Natsu arrives at the hospital, he uses his privileges as a firefighter to get in to see the woman. The rules are only family members during non-visiting hours, but buttering up the nurses isn’t difficult considering he’s showing concern for a victim. He sneaks a peak at her charts and sees her prognosis. Smoke inhalation, elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, redness in the eyes from the smoke, they believe she passed out from hyperventilating, unsure of why she is still unconscious, but overall healthy and will hold overnight for observation. She’s hooked to an IV drip with some antibiotics to ward off potential infection and has a nose tube set up just to assist. He mumbles to himself. “Next of kin contacted,” the notes say, but doesn’t report if the person answered, and obviously the room is empty except for him. Add another check mark to the mystery woman.

‘She just looks like she’s sleeping,’ he notes her relaxed brows, ‘peaceful,’ really, like the day’s events were just an illusion. Natsu sits down on a chair next to the left side of the bed closest to the window simply observing, but that’s when something on her neck catches his attention. Right, and now that he can see it better, it’s definitely a burn, a large burn that travels up into the hair line at the back of her nape and down, disappearing into her gown. “Whoa…” he breathes out. That’s a serious injury, it must have something to do with her reaction at the restaurant. ‘I wonder how far down it travels…’ Natsu’s curiosity grows. He looks up from his seat to see if anyone is walking by the room, and when the coast appears clear, he slowly, gently lifts the blanket that covers her arms and body. It does in fact disappear into the gown where he can’t see, but what is revealed is more burn scars on the upper part of her left arm above the elbow and smaller groupings on her legs. He can’t see above her mid-thigh how high up the scars go, but there are also varying sized spots on her calf, shin, and ankle.

A small cloud of moisture gathers in Natsu’s eyes as he slumps back into the chair, realizing just why she wears clothes that cover so much skin. This poor woman, Lucy, has been through a bad fire before, no wonder she panicked in the restaurant. Everything makes sense now. The hyperventilating, increased cortisol, freezing and hiding under the table. Even though the fire hadn’t reached her, she reacted to it. Likely the smoke alone set her off. Natsu reaches under the blanket and takes hold of Lucy’s limp hand. So small and delicate in his larger hand that it swallows hers up. The fact that she’s been through such a harrowing event before and still carrying on sits well in Natsu’s heart. Lucy probably covers up in shame, but to him, they’re a survivor’s badge of honor, and there’s nothing ugly about that. He rests his arms on the bed and puts his head down for the time being to get some rest too. Since no one else is here for her, he’ll be the one she wakes up to.

By the time Lucy wakes up, the sun has risen and brightly shines in through the sheer-curtained window on her bed. ‘Huh? Bed?’ The last thing she remembers is passing out in the restaurant, yet now here she is feeling refreshed. How many hours has it been, at least 13 or 14 based on it being night anymore! The brilliant white room is silent except for the soft whirring sounds of the breathing machine and light beeps of the heart monitor. She can feel the small sting of the IV line stuck in her arm and the stranger sensation of the nose tube, but other than that, the only other discomfort is a mildly irritated throat and burning sensation at the corners of her eyes— Eh? And a weight on her hand? Why is hand heavy? Lucy tries to move her hand, but something not only holds it back, but squeezes! Quickly, her eyes pop open, looking towards the source.

“Eeek!” Lucy squeals and yanks her hand away, the loose nose tube pulling off her face as she scrambles against the headboard from the strange man sleeping next to her bed! “What are you doing in my room!”

The shrill sound so close to his ear woke Natsu with such a start, he’s instantly awake and jumps out of the chair. “A call?!” He thinks it’s the alarm at the station alerting them to another fire. “I’m up! I’m up!”

“Who are you!” Lucy snaps again. “Why are you in my room?!”

“Oh, shit, yeah,” Natsu stumbles over his words as his brain gets back on track. “Sorry,” he plops back onto the chair. “Didn’t mean to scare ya, but I’m the guy who pulled you out of the restaurant.”

Oh? Oh… “Firefighter?” She asks hesitantly, or could it be a cop?

“Yeah!” Natsu smiles and nervously scratches the back of his neck. “That’s me.”

But still, “why are you here?” It’s hours later! “Is it normal to check on us?”

“Not normally,” he admits. “Just… well, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Kinda had me worried a bit ‘cause the doctors said you should’ve woken up a lot sooner, and I wondered if it has something to do with that,” he points to her neck. “This isn’t your first fire, is it?”

Stunned, Lucy is not sure how to respond. This guy is a stranger, so why would she talk to a stranger, and yet he seems so earnest to have waited all this time for her to wake up, on Christmas of all days! She relaxes back into a cross-legged position. “What’s your name?”

“Oof,” duh, “sorry,” he apologizes. “Natsu Dragneel.”

“Lucy Heartfilia,” she reciprocates, “and yeah,” her voice softens, “years ago when I was four.”

Natsu’s shoulders slump and gaze lowers, eyes softening and shining from the gathering moisture, as his tone fills with genuine despair. “I’m really sorry you had to go through that. No one should have to.”

“Hey,” Lucy reaches out and places her hand over his. “It’s okay, you saved me, right? Twice now a fireman’s pulled me out of a fire, so don’t feel so bad, ‘cause you’re an angel to me.”

That heartfelt appreciation pulls Natsu to look up and what he sees makes his heart skip. Lucy’s big, almond-shaped brown eyes are teary-eyed too, but her face is graced with such a beautiful smile that’s haloed by the sun’s rays as if the angels themselves are besotted. This woman has faced death twice that he knows of and yet here she is comforting him, even though he’s perfectly fine. The sound of trumpets sounds off as his brain instantly short-circuits and quick as a flash, Natsu turns over his hand to take firm hold of hers, “Be my girlfriend!’ He blurts out with eyes flashing in excitement. “I-I mean, truth is I’m here ‘cause I’ve fallen for you, a-and— yeah,” he stammers, scratching his head from nervous energy, “sorry, I’m an idiot, but I think you’re really cute and something just makes me want to wrap you up and protect you so this never happens again…”

Though thoroughly surprised, this man’s enthusiastically embarrassing cliff jump is so beautifully endearing that her anxieties disappear— but is also so absolutely amusing, that Lucy bursts into a side-splitting laughter that brings out the happy tears. She squeezes his hand back. “Okay,” she chuckles, “I’ll be your girlfriend.”

“Hell Yeah!” Natsu loses himself and pulls her halfway off the bed into a bear hug. “Best damn Christmas gift ever!”

#nalu #secret santa gifts #nalu au #fireman Natsu #nalu fanfiction #secret santa #nalu fan fic #fairy tail

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littlelaurendraws · 5 months

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I WAS YOUR SECRET SANTA @keeira !! I hope you like this gift! :D!

I saw your story called “Descent to Madness” and read the summary you put of it in your intro and read the first chapter from the main fic and decided to draw this based off of the summary :3

The story seems cool! 👀

Hope you have a happy holiday and new year!!

(Also the thing that looks like lightning is meant to be electricity))

#dcass2023 #littlelaurendraws #art #drawing #sun fnaf #moon fnaf #moondrop #moondrop fnaf #sundrop #sundrop fnaf #descent to madness fic #keeira #secret santa #secret santa gifts #glitchtrap virus #digital art #dtm fic

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chenfordspiral · 5 months

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'tis the first of many seasons

Hi, I'm here, I made it. On time! Whew. My @chenfordsecretsanta story is finally up on AO3.

Chenford celebrate their first Christmas together with a ski trip and a cozy cabin. Bonus points if they get snowed in for a couple days.

For @dmarx 🎁🎄

#chenfordsecretsanta23 #chenford #chenford fanfic #secret santa gifts #writing for one of my favorite writers in this fandom did not help me chill one bit #so I hope this isn't total crap

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bluejay-writes · 5 months

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More Important than Money

Fandom: Apple Bag Wordcount: 1496 Rating: T for some swearing and, well, armed robbery. Notes: This fic is a secret santa gift for @dreamtydraw!!! I absolutely adored the demo for Apple Bag. I'm in love already, and I can't wait to play more of this game! Seriously, y'all, go play it, you won't be sorry. Thanks also to @crescencestudio for putting this thing together. Exchanges are a lot of work and I have seen some seriously amazing gifts come out of this one. (You can also find this fic over on AO3 if that's more your jam.)

3:00. The quietest hour of the night shift by far. I loved the night shift, and my regulars, but something about 3 am just seemed to keep even the night owls at home. It gave me time to do some of the more esoteric tasks around the shop without worrying about someone coming in, like clean up the inexplicable mess caused by sunscreen that had been sliced open.

At first, I’d thought the sunscreen issue was malicious, but then I looked at the way they were all cut the same way, and realized the obvious fact I’d missed the first time around. This was done by a box cutter. All in a stripe. They’d probably been cut almost all the way through when they first arrived, and whether that was Agathe or someone else… who knows. It was old and practically expired anyway. There was nothing to do but clean it up and put some more on the order sheet.

I was elbow-deep wiping sunscreen off of the shelf when the bell on the door jingled, signaling a customer.

Of course, someone shows up while I’m a complete mess. Why today of all days?

“I’ll be with you in just a moment!” I called, hastily wiping my arms on one of the dry towels. The customer didn’t say anything at all, which made the situation go from irritating to creepy real quick. I tossed the towel onto the supply cart and made my way back to the front where someone in a black hoodie was browsing the magazine racks. For a moment, I thought maybe it was one of my regulars, but their hoodie was usually greener than black, and a pullover not zip, and they usually didn’t wear the hood up, and their figure was definitely more… no, stop thinking about their figure, they’re not even here. Focus on the customer in front of you, silly.

“Hi, welcome! Can I help you find anything?”

The customer shook their head, and I couldn’t help but notice that they weren’t really looking at the magazines, they were just kind of standing there. Great. That’s not creepy in the slightest. I settled myself behind the counter and idly watched the little television up above the shelves. If they needed help, they’d ask for it.

Just enough time later for me to have gotten distracted by the Match Game reruns on the TV, my oddly-timed customer walked up to the counter, and I flinched, startled, when they spoke.

“Hey. Empty the register.”

I turned, wide-eyed, to see the man brandishing a rather wicked looking knife at me, then at the register. His face was covered with a mask, which wasn’t really out of place these days, but the malice in his eyes wasn’t something I would soon forget.

“W-what?”

“Hurry up. Cash. Now.”

What’s going on? A robbery? No one robs people in this town! It’s small! And quaint! And the night shift is completely safe!

Well. It was. Not anymore. Now there was a wild-eyed man standing in front of me at the counter holding me up at knife-point. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew that emptying that cash register was the last thing I could do. On instinct, I reached out and turned the key that locked the drawer, and then put it in my pocket. “No, I don’t think I’m going to do that.”

Most people didn’t have the guts to actually hurt another person. Threaten, yes, but not hurt. This person, however…

I backed up hurriedly as they vaulted the counter in front of me with one hand. What the hell. What the hell?!

They say that when your fight or flight instinct kicks in, you don’t really notice, you just react. Let me tell you, that’s a load of shit. The adrenaline spike that rocketed through my system was nothing short of legendary as I hauled ass around the shelf and back towards the entrance to the back room. There was nothing to defend myself with out here, and my phone was up at the counter still. The best chance I had was to put that door between them and me, and get out the back of the shop into the alley.

Unfortunately for me, that was never going to happen. I should have been able to make it. I was a pretty fast runner, and I had familiarity with my location on my side. But I also had a spill of sunscreen that I had been in the middle of cleaning up, and it turned out that sunscreen plus tile floor made for an impossibly slippery mess. The next thing I knew I was hitting the floor and sliding hard into the shelf, causing bottles of beauty products to fall haphazardly at my head. The would-be robber was, of course, right behind me. Having seen me fall to the sunscreen mess, he’d stopped before slipping in it himself.

I scrambled to my feet just as he got into my personal space, the knife point against my throat.

“You think you’re smart, little one?”

All thought left my brain. I couldn’t shake my head for fear of cutting myself on the point of his knife. He grabbed my wrist with his other hand, and I winced.

“You’re going to be good and come empty the register into a bag for me, and then I’m going to walk away into the night, and you’re going to tell no one. Got it?”

I swallowed, but didn’t say anything. He pulled the knife away from my neck, snarling. “Got. It?”

“I can’t do that.” I said, thinking about Agathe, about the shop, about my job and how I’d never amount to anything as a dropout without this job, this place…

White-hot pain seized me as the knife found purchase in my side. I know that I probably screamed, but if I did, I definitely didn’t hear it.

“What about now? You want another, or are you going to do as you’re told?”

Suddenly, his head snapped to the side as a yellow bag slammed into it, apples scattering everywhere, the knife skittering out of his hand and underneath a nearby shelf.

Behind him, my blue-haired regular stood, breathing heavily.

“Get. The fuck. Out. Of this. Shop.” They said, breathing hard, their tone awash with rage. The man looked at them, at me, at the direction their knife went, and at the very angry person staring them down, and ran out of the store like they, well, like they were being chased by someone with a knife.

“I’m sorry about the apples. I… uh, I’ll pay for them. Are you… oh god. You’re hurt. Stay with me, okay? Let me help you.”

It felt like I blinked, and then suddenly I was sitting on the stool behind the counter, and my regular was holding a gauze pad against my wound.

“I’m sorry I was too late, I was coming by to get noodles, and I saw the guy jump the counter, and…” They stopped, and took a few deep breaths. “Look, it’s… it’s not good, but you’ll be okay.” They said, taping the gauze down. “Please, if this ever happens again, just give them the money, then call the cops, okay? You’re so much more important than a register full of cash. More important than this entire shop. Your life is… it’s just so precious.”

They sounded choked up, and I couldn’t help but reach a hand out to touch their shoulder. Words were hard. I was still buzzing with adrenaline and pain and terror, and my throat felt like it was fused shut.

“I called the cops, they should be here.. uh, soon. I told them you’re hurt, so… yeah… But I can’t still be here when they get here. It’s not.. I just.. you’ll be okay. You have to be okay. I’ll come see you again soon.”

“Hey.” I reached out and grabbed their sleeve as they turned to go. “Can I at least know the name of my savior now? I know you said…”

They chuckled ruefully, but shook their head. “Next time, shopkeep. I’ll tell you next time.” They leaned forward and pushed their mask down to leave a gentle kiss on my forehead. I felt my cheeks flush as they hurried out the front door, and I watched, as I always did, until they made it home safe. To think I’d been afraid of them the first time they came into my shop. Afraid that they’d be like the man tonight, and instead, they were my savior.

While the paramedics who arrived were patching me up, all I could think about was that bag of apples they’d hit my attacker with. Where had it come from? We didn’t sell apples like that, and yet… there it was. That apple bag saved my life tonight. Well, my favorite regular saved my life with that apple bag. Semantics.

#apple bag #dreamty #secret santa gifts

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toruandmidori · 6 months

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OH LAWD HE’S COMING.

Christmas 2023!

Darkly funny Christmas cards featuring creepy old photos of Santa Claus and slightly threatening festive greetings!

Great xmas gifts for friends this Christmas!

Shop the full range here, individual links below:

YOU BETTER WATCH OUT

YOU BETTER NOT CRY

HE’S WATCHING

HE KNOWS

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prophetic-hijinks · 1 year

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My secret Santa gift for @rosellacwrites of her lovely OC Claire in our Circus AU.

#Claire #secret Santa gifts #oc art #circus AU

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raven-starlight · 1 year

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wintertime comes with white snow and blue ice

with lights so merry and fires burning bright

with holly and pine and mistletoe

and children laughing in joyful delight

crisp is the wind and warm is the hearth

open to the weary travelers who roam

on this winter day, let none be alone

welcome home—welcome home

my secret santa gift to the lovely @azriel-alexander-holmes! May you have a wonderful holiday <3

#wc.secretsanta #secret santa gifts #secret santa #raven-poetry #original poetry #writerblrcafe

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shunachii · 1 year

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Drops and cycles away 🚲

#xiao genshin fanart #adeptus xiao #原神 #genshin impact #genshin fanart #alatus genshin #liyue characters #liyue #secret santa gifts #this person has tumblr so if you see this hiii pretend you didn’t thanks!#lees draws overly dramatic things again #I’m THE drama queen #omg!! it’s someone who’s not a mondstadt character!! sound the alarm something is WRONG #surprise I can draw someone other than kaeya or diluc #the glaze lilies represent something… have a guess as to what #can you tell I wanted to make this a comic but gave up?

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zillachii · 1 year

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Had so much fun making this secret Santa for @/reizhuzband of their oc and Mammon!

#obey me #digital art #oc #obey me one master to rule them all #obey me oc #secret santa #original character #christmas #secret santa gifts

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animatormations · 5 months

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The goobers 💖

#secret santa gifts #art scene #gaming #furryart #couples

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petri808 · 1 year

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@rikareena Happy Holidays! I was your secret Santa :) Hope you enjoy. @iyfss

“Eh?” Kagome’s head snaps up in confusion looking from the invitation she held to the cousin that handed it to her. “But I’m not of noble class, Kikkyo, I can’t attend a ball at the palace!”

“It’s a masquerade ball,” Kikkyo retorts, “and you look enough like me to hide amongst the guests.”

“But why?”

Kikkyo waves her hand nonchalantly in annoyance. “All you do is work and go home and never have fun. So, go! Drink! Eat! Dance! If you really hate it, stay a couple hours, and leave by midnight, I don’t care. I’m just tired of seeing you look so… so plain.”

“Eh?! But I—”

“Just show up at the courtiers, I’ve already ordered your garments.” Kikkyo starts to walk away, then stops a moment and looks back over her shoulder with a smile, “don’t worry cousin, you’ll thank me one day, I’m sure...”

A month later, finds the twelfth and final new moon of the year blanketing the evening in darkness. The night of the winter ball has arrived and as Kagome steps out from the carriage, she pulls the fur wrap tight around her shoulders. She closes her eyes to the crisp clean air of the snowy night and takes a breath, opening them to see the white mist of warm wispy air. Only a light flurry of powdery snow falls over the arriving guests, with twinkling through the air from the torch lights bouncing off snowflakes. In front, rising tall is the gleaming palace lit up with lanterns to guide them along the stone walkway. She sighs, and steels herself for the night ahead. Oh, why did she succumb to her cousins’ whims?

Every fiber of her being stands on edge, feeling the stares from all around as she slowly makes her way through the large ballroom. Whether it’s all in her mind or not, feeling like a fish out of water is an understatement, for Kagome is unused to the world of aristocracy. Her parents are well-to-do merchants but hold no title, whereas Kikkyo’s branch of the family had married into the noble class. Just because Kagome’s mother had schooled her in education and manners, it didn’t help her to feel any easier in such a high-class environment.

She takes a deep breath. ‘Breathe, just breathe Kagome and mingle for a couple hours.’ That should be enough to make Kikkyo happy. Then, her mission complete, slip away back into the snowy night. She picks up a glass of wine with a courteous smile to the wait staff, then makes her way towards the balcony.

The ballroom is brightly lit and decorated in festive winter flora. Each column wrapped with green woven fabric, interlaced with red winter berry branches and white Pieris bell blooms. In the arched entry ways leading to the balcony, white sashes are draped in two, half-moons with a large bough of pine and holly juxtaposed by tiny white or red berries hanging between them. In one corner, a band plays lively instrumentals to regale the dance floor, while along a wall are tables covered in sweet and savory delicacies. Spirits fuel the boisterous crowd, beautifully dressed, they laugh with merriment, hidden behind gilded masks.

The dress Kikkyo commissioned for her is a gorgeous full length ball gown of soft white satin, with a sweetheart corset bust, and hourglass waistline before flowing freely to the floor. It is trimmed in silver patterns that resemble snowflakes along with inlaid blue gems all to attract the gaze of a suitor and lead their eyes to the prize. The accoutrements compliment the dress perfectly. A masquerade mask of azure blue with silver filigree, elbow length gloves, white satin heels, and a white fur shoulder wrap for warmth. To finish the look, Kagome’s raven hair is done half pinned up in curled tendrils and half cascading waves down her back. The hairpins have the same blue gems of her dress which sparkle when the light hits it just right. Kagome certainly looks the part of a courtier.

As she sips her wine quietly, Kagome can’t help but feel a sense of sadness while watching the partygoers enjoying themselves. All these beautiful clothes and accoutrements, the refined and polished world of the nobility. Who wouldn’t wish to just once be treated like a princess? It looks like a lot of fun… but there is the worry that someone will realize she doesn’t belong. What is Kikkyo thinking making her come here? Kagome sighs aloud, maybe one dance wouldn’t hurt…

“It hurts to see a beauty so melancholy. Perhaps I may lighten your mood?” The deep voice whispers behind Kagome’s ear sending a shiver down her spine.

Kagome turns to the voice to find a handsome male with long flowing black hair and dark eyes piercing through a golden mask. She quickly looks away to hide the instant warmth on her cheeks. “Please do not worry about me kind sir, I will be okay.”

The man gently turns her chin, forcing her to look up at him. His eyes lower in a heated gaze with a grin that makes her heart flutter. “Nonsense, my lady, as prince my pride would never allow me to ignore someone in distress.”

Her eyes flash wide in the revelation. She never saw his human side before! “Prince Inuyasha?!” Kagome immediately bows her head and averts her eyes. “Y-Your highness, I am just a lowly courtier. I do not deserve such attention.”

“A beauty such as you are always worthy of my attention.” He forces her to look at him again. “And besides, it is only fitting we follow tradition.”

“Tradition?” her head tilting slightly in confusion.

With grin widening, Inuyasha points above their heads to the decorations. “Mistletoe.” He has been watching her from across the room since she arrived, curious of the raven-haired beauty he’s never seen before. So, when he saw where she stopped to watch the festivities, it was the perfect opportunity… to pounce.

Kagome’s eyes flash wide. Mistletoe! Why hadn’t she noticed earlier?! Is he serious?! The prince… kissing… She swore she could feel even more eyes boring into her from around them. “Y-Your highness, truly I am not worthy—”

“I beg to differ.” Inuyasha swiftly covets Kagome’s lips before she can retort, with one hand cradling her head and the other gently holding her waist. Such soft lips… He lingers the kiss as he takes in the light floral fragrance of her hair and natural scent of her body… even without his preternatural abilities it’s an arousing scent that quickly take him by surprise. Who is this woman?! And why hasn’t he met her before?

She squeaks from the sudden action, but whatever concern Kagome held, melted the instant Inuyasha’s lips stole hers. This is her first kiss! So, gentle… and the warmth of his body so close... ‘I can feel his heartbeat…’ His strong hands holding her steady… Her heart flutters wildly as a wave of heat flushes over body, building the longer the kiss lingers. It feels like being hit with a magical spell! Wait! No, no! She must not fall under his spell!

Kagome quickly breaks the kiss and pulls away. “Your highness, I-I need to go. I’m sorry!” She steps back to rush for the exit, but he grabs her arm.

A shocked and panicked look flashes onto Inuyasha’s face. “Wait! What do you mean leave?!” He grips her wrist. “You can’t—”

But Kagome manages to wriggle free from his grasp when her glove slips off. She runs for the exit, leaving the stunned prince behind to the fading clicking sounds of heels and tears building and blurring her vision. As she runs from the palace, all the sounds…The light of the party fading away into darkness the farther she goes. Why does her heart hurt so much! They’d never even met before, and yet Inuyasha’s mere presence mesmerized her. A hanyo’s energy is so much stronger than she’s known. But yes, this is for the best. Kagome steels herself further into the darkness of the night. She can’t risk her identity being found out!

By this point, the ballroom has fallen silent except for the murmuring of the guests filling the air. It must have been a shock to all in attendance to see anyone dare to shun the prince, for any woman would kill to be in Kagome’s position.

“What the fuck are ya’ll staring at!” Inuyasha growls at the crowd who quickly evade his glare. “Anyone know who that woman is?!” But all he receives are shaking heads, no. “Fuck!” He stomps out of the room, heading in the direction she has gone.

When he gets outside, Inuyasha realizes she’s nowhere to be found. Damn his human night! He can’t track her scent! He looks down at the blue glove clutched tightly in his hand. It is all he has of the mystery woman, but hopefully it will be enough to track her down. “Fuck!” He grits his teeth and stomps back to his bedroom. The faster this night ends, the quicker the chase begins!

Fearing the prince or soldiers have given chase, Kagome reluctantly cuts through a forested area that lay between the palace and her home on the other side of the city. With no moon to provide any light, it’s like walking through a treacherous gauntlet. Bushes and branches tear at her gown while dirt stains it’s hem. The heels on her feet are useless against a forest floor of rocks and leaf litter hiding its pitfalls. But all she can do is trudge forward clutching the fur wrap tightly against the cold winter air.

‘Stupid mistletoe! Stupid prince! Damn you Kikkyo for making me do this! Thank you, yeah, bullshit!’ The blinding tears trickle down Kagome’s cheeks, mixing with the freezing wind to burn icy hot against her skin. Too many emotions stir within her. Anger at her cousin for putting her in this predicament, and fear of getting into trouble by the court. What punishment will she receive for talking back to the prince? But also… sadness. This is the first time she’s ever felt such a twinge in her heart. Is this what love at first sight feels like? A moment, even just a second where time stopped and all she could feel was the burn of his lips against her own… Now it’s all over.

It takes Kagome three hours to reach her home and thankfully her parents are already asleep. She sneaks in, quickly shedding the formal wear and bundling it into a sack. Such a sad ending for a beautiful gown, but she can’t let anyone see it and be recognized. ‘Hopefully Kikkyo doesn’t ask me about it…’

News travels quickly, and by the next morning the gossip around town is already in full swing. As Kagome leaves for her work at the local school, she overhears some customers in their store talking about the runaway guest at the winter ball and how the prince didn’t return from chasing after the woman. They also mention that no one seems to know who the mystery woman could be. Does that mean she’s in the clear? Kagome lets out a sigh as she reaches the school and puts on a brave face. The children are sure to make her smile and send away her troubled heart.

But while Kagome may think she’s eluded trouble, at the palace, the prince is nowhere near giving up. At the crack of dawn, he orders his advisor Miroku along with a servant named Shippo to visit every courtier in the area. But by midday, half of the courtiers have been checked with no luck. In frustration, Inuyasha meets them at the city’s main square to regroup.

“Do we really need to check the rest?” Miroku whines, “because I don’t remember any of those houses having a dark-haired female in the family.”

“Maybe it’s a visiting cousin,” Inuyasha interjects. “That is common when we hold such gatherings, ‘cause I’m not giving up.”

“Perhaps we could show the glove to couturiers in the area,” Shippo suggests. “Someone may remember it.”

“That’s actually a good idea—” Inuyasha’s voice cuts off as something catches the princes attention. “There!” He points, shouts, and takes off in a sprint, quickly followed by a surprised Miroku and Shippo. It’s a dark-haired woman with similar hair!

When Inuyasha reaches the woman, he grabs her shoulder to stop her from walking, then spins her around. “It’s— not…”

“What the— wait, prince Inuyasha?” Kikkyo’s eyes flash wide in shock.

Inuyasha quickly lets the woman go, his eyes going from bright to lifeless in an instant. “S-Sorry, forgive me I thought you resemble someone.”

“It’s okay, but is something wrong your highness,” Kikkyo questions.

“You look like the woman who ran away last night from the winter ball…” Inuyasha’s nose picks up on something. “You even smell a bit like her.”

“Oh! I heard about that— wait, she looks like me…” Kikkyo’s voice petters out when the realization hits.

At that point, Miroku holds out the glove. “Do you recognize this?”

“Yes... I believe I know who you are looking for. Is she in trouble?” Kikkyo questions hesitantly, praying that her cousin won’t be in trouble.

“You do?!” Inuyasha blurts out. “But no, no, I just want to find her!” He clasps her hands excitedly, golden eyes shining, begging. “Please I lik— S-She’s not in trouble, so please tell me where I can find her!”

The Higurashi’s store is on the opposite side of the city area from where they’re standing. So, Inuyasha dismisses Shippo and Miroku to return to palace while he follows Kikkyo. As they walk, Kikkyo explains why her cousin was at the party and apologizes profusely for the misunderstanding and trouble caused.

When they walk into the store, Inuyasha’s ears perk up as the gloves familiar scent fills his olfactory senses. “I can smell her…”

“Huh?” Kikkyo is about to question him when her aunt comes to the front after hearing them come in.

“Oh, Kikkyo, what brings you here— and your highness!” Mrs. Higurashi bows. “What brings you to our little store?”

“Aunty, is Kagome here? We’re looking for her.”

“Eh? Well,” Mrs. Higurashi gestures towards the east, “she’s working at the school over on sakura lane. Is something wrong?”

“No, no,” Kikkyo waves her hands to allay her aunt’s concerns. “We just need to talk to her.” She starts ushering Inuyasha away. “Thank you, aunty, we’ll find her there.”

It doesn’t take long for the prince and Kikkyo to make their way to the school. When they arrive, Kagome is outside in a small courtyard playing with the children, so they move to a spot where she cannot see them. Inuyasha could feel his chest tighten and heart flutter at the scene before him. The sun’s rays reflecting off Kagomes raven-hair… her beautiful smile as she laughs along to the children’s antics… Not only is this woman gorgeous, but the warmth radiating from her stirs a feeling in Inuyasha he’s never felt— Kagome’s motherly instincts are on full display and certainly not lost on the prince.

Inuyasha’s head lowers, his eyes glazing over in thought with a small smile creeping over his face. “I no longer require your assistance, Ms. Kikkyo. You may leave.” He directs in a soft but firm tone.

“As you wish, your highness.” But before Kikkyo leaves, she advises the prince. “Please wait until school is over so the children are not affected. Their classes end in a couple hours.”

“I understand and thank you.”

Why does time seem to slow down when you are waiting for something? After watching Kagome for a little longer, Inuyasha returned to the palace to make a few arrangements. There is no way he’s letting her get away again!

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” Kagome waves to the parent and child as they walk away. She wipes at her brow. “That’s the last one,” time to go home for the day.

After locking up the building, Kagome goes out through the gate, pausing to secure the hasp. But she’s so focused on her task, she fails to realize she’s no longer alone. When she turns around, she immediately flinches when her eyes land on a chest?… wait it can’t—

Eyes widening in shock, Kagome quickly bows, “Your highness! I’m sorry I did not see you there. I-Is there something I can assist you with?”

Inuyasha lifts her chin as a grin takes over his face. “Why yes there is!” He pulls out the glove from his pocket as he speaks. “Excuse me, but I’m looking for the owner of this glove.” Taking an obvious whiff of the glove, “and your scent seems to match it perfectly.”

If only she were still wearing the mask because Kagome’s face flushes brightly, giving her answer away so she covers her face with her hands. “I-I— please! I know I shouldn’t have been there, and I’m sorry for running away!”

Inuyasha gently peels away Kagome’s hands, forcing her to look at him. “You’ve got a lot of guts to have disobeyed me Ms. Higurashi, and that demands punishment.”

Her shoulders drop lower as her vision clouds over with tears. Kagome’s voice cracks. “Please have mercy.”

“Your punishment is…”

At that moment, a royal carriage pulls up beside the pair. Kagome closes her eyes, she knew it, it’s off to the dungeon…

“… to become my bride.”

“Eh?” Kagome’s eyes pop open. Did she hear that correctly? “Bride?” She blinks in wide-eyed confusion. “Did you say bride?!”

Inuyasha smiles, caressing Kagome’s cheek as he speaks. “I said bride. You caught my interest that night and today you captured my heart as I watched you with the children in your care.”

“I-I don’t understand, your highness, I am not from nobility. Don’t you have to marry from a higher class? I’m not suitable…”

“The choice is mine, and I choose you.” Inuyasha steps back, taking Kagome’s hand, and bringing it to his lips for a kiss. “Do you accept?”

A stray tear trickles down Kagome’s cheek as she stares at Inuyasha’s face. Time slows around her, and she feels like she’s under a spell again. ‘Is this really happening?’ Her heart flutters wildly, body heating up under the prince’s golden gaze. ‘Should I accept? He seems earnest, but it’s hard to believe… don’t these things only happen in fairytales?’ Kagome sucks in a breath. “Why… your highness, tell me why me?”

“Why not you?” He teases back lightly while thumbing away the drying tear trail. “You’re a beautiful woman Ms. Higurashi, breath taking to look at so of course I would take interest. And I must admit you’re running away only spurred my instincts to chase you. But when I watched you today playing with the children, your affection for them, and their affection for you—. His eyes glaze over as if seeing a vision in his mind. “It was like seeing the future… our future.” Inuyasha kneels still clasping her hands causing Kagome’s breathing to hitch. As she gazes down at him, he smiles softly. “I knew then and there you’re the only one I want to spend my life with.”

“Prince…” tears well up in Kagome’s eyes from the happiness blooming within her soul. How could she refuse such sweet sentiment? Maybe fairytales exist after all. She squeezes his hand with a smile. “I accept.”

Inuyasha stands and wipes away the few happy tears from her cheek. He then takes something out of his pocket and holds it above their heads with a grin smoothly morphing onto his lips. “Shall we continue where we left off?”

As Kagome looks at the mistletoe hanging over her head, to the man holding it, she can’t help but laugh. Oh, this man! “Well,” she pulls him down by his collar, “it is tradition…”

#inuyasha #inukag #inukag fanfic #inukag fan fiction #fantasy au #royalty au #winter #secret santa gifts

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worldofchristmas · 4 months

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