#dust winter wonderland

[hiraya-rawr]

everywhere, everything – alhaitham

synopsis !! somehow, you find yourself stuck in a broom closet with your academic rival, alhaitham— and oh? is that a mistletoe?

contains !! 2.4k wc , gn reader, enemies to lovers? fluffy drama! dialogue-centric post, some intimacy (obviously)— lots of fluffy love. flustered things, alhaitham can't hold back okay- FOR SOME REASON IM NERVOUS ABOUT POSTING THIS IDK the outline was way longer than I thought, hence the late Christmas post

note !! i joined my first christmas collab event by @dustofthedailylife ! aaaaah and im also practicing scenario events where the setting is restricted (like a broom closet heheh)

11:46 PM, Christmas Eve

You shouldn't have listened to Kaveh. It's his party, in his (shared) house, yet you nodded along when he told you to grab a broom from the closet. It sounded simple enough—

Walking over to the broom closet at the end of the hall, away from the bustling party in the livingroom. Grabbing the handle, pulling it open, almost shrieking when you spotted the actual homeowner standing with the most irked expression on his face, then—

There are hands on your back, shoving you in as the closet door slams, the bang muffled by loud music. Your breath catches in surprise. Your face plants firmly on the forbidden chest. There are clicking noises outside the door handle.

In front of you, Alhaitham scowls and you can practically feel the anger radiating off of him.

"Did- did Kaveh just—" You stutter, still confused from the whirlwind of events that happened within seconds.

"Yes. He did. That bastard, I swear I'll-"

You drown out the insults and threats spewing from his mouth as you turn to look around. The closet is small, very small, the type that shouldn't have people in it in the first place.

The door is firmly on your back and you can feel that Alhaitham's own back is up against the shelves. Next to you stand a broom and mop, taking up the remaining space in the room. It's dark and you could barely tell what's in front of you (this firm thing. . . it is his chest, right?).

"How long have you been here?" You wonder out loud.

"5 wasted minutes. After he knocked over a bowl of chips and told me to get a broom. Honestly, that imbecile–"

"He told me to get a broom for the chips too! What the heck. This was premeditated!"

"Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out."

Your eyes narrow at his comment, glaring at what you suppose was his face.

"If you're so genius, you could have escaped the second he opened up that door."

"Ha, I could have if it weren't for a certain someone getting shoved into me."

"I'm not a wrecking ball, Scribe Haitham." You scoff, shifting to face him better. Of all the people to get pranked with, it just had to be your academic rival —from the day you received second place in the akademiya entrance exams to the day you both proposed the exact same thesis topic— he was always a step ahead and that infuriated you.

5 years ago, Entrance Exam Results Day

Of course, it wasn’t that he’s a smidge better than you that you hate him; rather, it’s because he acts like he’s so much better than anyone else that you hated him — from staring you down the day you tried to congratulate him on getting first place, to refusing to cooperate together despite having the same thesis topic — you believe your reasons for hating him are quite valid.

“You’re Alhaitham, right? Congratulations on receiving first place on the exams!” You greet cheerfully, a hand extended for him to shake. It was the first day commemorating the start of your academic life and you figured you might as well surround yourself with the right crowd.

Yet, he stays frozen, an odd squint in his eyes and you wonder if you should keep your hand out longer.

“It was to be expected.” He states simply, lightly shrugging, before returning to the book he was reading.

To be expected? First place? In Teyvat’s most prestigious academic institution? The one you toiled day and night in, consuming mountain loads of information, just to deserve your rank? Internally, you decided that you didn’t like him and that he’s an arrogant piece of sh– no, good thoughts (Name), you should befriend your schoolmates.

“Hahaha is that so? I guess you really must be smart,” You force a laugh, retrieving your hand, “If you don’t know yet, I’m–“

“I know you. You’re the one who received second on the exams.”

Okay. It’s official. He’s an arrogant piece of shit.

You grit your teeth, smiling, “. . . It was nice meeting you, Alhaitham. See you when lectures start.”

11:53 PM, Christmas Eve

". . . Stop moving." He tells you.

"What?"

"I said stop moving."

"I'm literally just breathing here, do you want me to stop that too?"

"You're squirming like a worm. Do you want to knock over chemicals off their shelves?”

Oh yeah, this was a broom closet.

"I can't help it when you're taking up all the space!" You huff in his direction, trying to get a clearer view of him with squinted eyes in the dark.

"Unless you want to kiss me, I suggest you stop trying to shove your face into mine as well."

You feel your face heat up, a stutter evident in your voice, "W-what? Why on Teyvat would I ever want that!"

"It's a statement, I never said you wanted it." He scoffs. It was getting warmer in the room, the inescapable warmth of him spreading to you and you wonder if your heartbeat was always this loud. You shuffle uncomfortably, how could he even insinuate that? This arrogant guy!

Maybe it was the small space getting to you, or the tension of being so close to someone you clearly feel contempt for, but you couldn’t stop the next words you say.

“Maybe you’re the one who wants to kiss me! How would I know you didn’t plan this with your roommate?” You jibe back, “Honestly, what kind of homeowner gets trapped in their own broom closet!”

“First of all, we both know -as Kaveh’s mutual friend- that he’s a bastard with his mind in the gutters. This is all his mastermind plan. Secondly, if you want to kiss me that badly, you don't even have to provoke me. by starting a fight.” Before you could even respond to that (or manage to comprehend it), you feel him shuffling back, his muscular torso moving to the whims of his arm as it presses against your own chest.

You unknowingly hold your own breath. Thump, thump, thump– is that his heart or yours?

A sound of a chain, metal clinking, reaches your ears.

“H-hold on, what are you doing?!” You panic, flustered.

“I’m trying to grab the pull-switch for a light, what do you think I’m doing?” He all but hisses back, “Now hold still—”

Light floods the room at the clicking sound, blinding you temporarily.

"—Oh, how convenient, there's a mistletoe above us. Now here's your chance to kiss me." You hear him say and you freeze, quickly glancing up at the bright bulb to see the unmistakable mistletoe hanging next to it. Your jaw drops slightly.

"I— I am not kissing you! I told you that!" You exclaim, hands trying to shove him away for what little space you could muster. Kaveh is dead once you get out of here, you think to yourself.

You hear him scoff, "Again, I was only teasing you-"

"Then I suggest you stop!"

"-but I'd rather not reject tradition."

"W-what?"

5 years ago, Entrance Exam Results Day

Alhaitham believes in love. He understands everything about it– from the chemical compositions to the process. He understands the build up of love.

Naturally, it began when he saw your name only second to his first rank. It wasn't anything particularly special, you were a few points below the prodigy and he found it curious how someone managed to keep up with his wits.

“You’re Alhaitham, right? Congratulations on receiving first place on the exams!”

He's frozen. He knows he's staring. There's a hand outstretched for him yet he hasn't willed his own to take it. It's only for a second but internally, he recognizes the lapse in his act. Say something, Alhaitham, say it now–

“It was to be expected.” He states simply, lightly shrugging, before returning to the book he was reading. It lays flat on his hand and he rereads the same sentence, conscious of your presence next to him. He tries to rationalize– he finds you attractive, you seem to be his type, and it's natural for a man such as himself to eventually feel such things and react this way. Not even he, as logical as he is, could be an independent variable for love.

“Hahaha is that so? I guess you really must be smart,” You laugh and he finds the sound pleasant but forced as you retrieve your hand. “If you don’t know yet, I’m–“

He knows you. He saw your name and looked up the basic credentials already, it's natural as the soon-to-be-top student of your batch.

“I know you. You’re the one who received second on the exams.”

“. . . It was nice meeting you, Alhaitham. See you when lectures start.”

It seems he didn't make a good first impression; but that's fine, logically, he has no plans to act on his feelings anyway. As the elders would say– studies first before lovers.

5 years ago, Thesis Proposal Day

Logic was harder to act on when love was the opponent –as Alhaitham later realized– because, Archons, were you difficult to get rid of.

He notices you– everywhere. This shouldn't be surprising considering your similar academic strands and ranks, but that was exactly the issue! He was hyperaware of everything you did and what you would next do.

Alhaitham believes in love. He knows of all the ridiculous tropes, unable to escape the concept of it as it floats around even in one of the most highly rational spaces in Teyvat. He had no plans of pursuing love, it isn't something he wanted to fit into his intricate schedule,

Yet, he feels pulled by it.

He sees you in class, the seat next to you empty, and he wants to take it but he doesn't.

He bumps into you in the halls, your hands carrying stacks of research materials, but you could handle yourself as he glances the other way.

You ask him, almost hesitantly, shyly, if he would like to pair up for one of the most important thesis projects in your lives and– he flat out refuses, because -archons forbid- the remnants of his discipline and self-control be lost over sleepless nights with you next to him, working on something you both proposed.

No, he would not have that. It's not a part of his life plan (you aren't part of his life plan).

Yet, as he passes out papers in class, people's hands brushing against his, he can't help but compare yours– your hand, your fingers brushing on his, skin on skin, he feels it in his nerve receptors, electric despite not electrifying– yours is felt so much more than how he felt the others and he can't describe how.

12:00 AM, Christmas Day

And he feels it again now. The hyperawareness of you on him, like the day your fingers brushed– this illogical, subtle, uncontrollable feeling.

It must be love, he tells himself. He understands love and everything about it and it infuriates him.

But the closet is too small, you're much too close, he wants to do something. Then– he remembers. A mistletoe. Kaveh hung a mistletoe in the broom closet. Mentally, he knew this all along, but now it was becoming increasingly obvious that a mistletoe existed above him (Above you. Above you and him).

Thump, thump, thump– it's his heart beating. He shuffles to reach a chain, he needs to see it to believe it (that a mistletoe is there) but what good would that do? Is it to simply show you? To see how you'd react? A chance for him to act on these frantic feelings?

Love is illogical, it's breaking the bottle he so carefully closed.

“H-hold on, what are you doing?!” You panic, flustered.

“I’m trying to grab the pull-switch for a light, what do you think I’m doing?” He replies and he hopes he doesn't sound too rushed, “Now hold still—”

Light floods the room at the clicking sound, and it blinds him temporarily, but he feels everything– you being there, your clothes brushing against his and your skin on his, everything and everything–

–and the mistletoe, there.

"Oh, how convenient, there's a mistletoe above us. Now here's your chance to kiss me." He says and time unmistakably slows for him. His heart is steady, as if acting on his feelings were the only way to calm his fight with himself.

You look up at him frantically, "I— I am not kissing you! I told you that!" You exclaim, hands trying to shove him away for what little space you could muster.

He scoffs, "Again, I was only teasing you-"

"Then I suggest you stop!"

"-but I'd rather not reject tradition."

"W-what?"

You freeze as he tests the waters. He understands love, he understands all the tropes, the build-up, the chemicals, but -holy dendro archon- is he taking risks.

"I'm asking if I could kiss you."

"Wha-what!"

"You're repeating your words now. Would you like me to ask again or should I give you time to clear your ears?"

Under the warm light, he sees you visibly gulp. He can't help the way he leans in closer, an arm resting on the door beside your head.

"I don't need to clear my ears! I just- I thought you, well, hated me," You hurriedly reply, looking away from his own gaze. The floor is way more interesting, it seems.

"Hated you? Whoever said that?"

"W-well, you acted as though you did. Always avoiding me, always pulling away–"

"I'm not pulling away now, am I?" As if to prove his point, he leans closer, slipping his fingers under your chin to face him directly, "But it seems like you're the one shying away."

You're sure you stopped breathing at some point.

"To be fair, I was trying to avoid you back then. But not in the way that you think." His thumb brushes over your lower lip, "It was never because I hated you. In fact, it's quite the opposite."

Silence lingers in the air at his subtle confession. At the lack of a reply, Alhaitham sighs, "If I'm making you uncomfortable, we can break this door down and yo-"

"I'm not uncomfortable!" You blurt out, "I- I just didn't think you- you felt this way."

"Then may I?"

"May you?" You repeat questioningly.

"Mistletoe." He states and stiffly, he feels the slightest nod of your head on his fingers and–

The door swings open.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, LOVEBIRDS! How are we doing? Is my dear housemate finally getting some action in his bleak life?"

"KAVEH!!!"

prompt !! "oh, how convenient, there's a mistletoe above us."

ko-fi !! commissions !! best m.list

taglist !! @absolut-wildflower @boundedbyfate @sadlonelybagel @eissaaaa @ladycoleigh @nejibot @milkypompon @bloodreaper08 @irethepotato @x-zho @roriver @mich-cola @mxsomn @ackrylik @nicebonescomrade @starforecasts @stygianoir @yuminako @eccedentesiast-sapphic @nebulaera @nuttytani @klutzkat @stygianoir14 @shizunxie @bluriie @aestellia @abyislan08 @scooterscoob @lordbugs

#dust winter wonderland #yaepublishinghouse #al haitam x reader #al haitham #genshin al haitham #alhaitham #alhaitham x reader #genshin #genshin impact #genshin fluff #genshin fic #kaveh #genshin kaveh #genshin impact imagines

[actiniumwrites]

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

synopsis: when ayato’s flight home to visit his family for christmas is cancelled because of a snow storm, he’s stuck at his apartment with you, his best friend and roommate. forced to spend christmas together, it leads to unexpected confessions and newfound love

characters: ayato x gn!reader

wc: 3.3k

warnings: modern!au, fluff, best friends to lovers, roommates to lovers, mutual pining, a few cuss words, uses prompts 3 and 9 from the collab list

notes: this fic is a part of @dustofthedailylife ‘s winter wonderland collab! i’m not the best at writing strictly fluff, so hopefully this turned out alright. if you enjoy this fic, definitely consider checking out everyone else’s amazing works in this collab! i’m so glad i got to be a part of it, thank you, dust <3

The loud slamming of the front door to your apartment was the last thing you were expecting to hear on the night of Christmas Eve. Well, that and the sound of your best friend (and roommate) entering the door with a bunch of curses flying left and right out of his mouth.

In an instant, you were on your feet, turning the corner to find Ayato, standing in the doorway absolutely and utterly soaked from head to toe in his black trench coat and sleek suit underneath. If he didn’t look so furious, you probably would have laughed. That, and you were concerned as to why he was even home in the first place. Not even an hour ago was he supposed to be on his flight back home to his sister to spend Christmas with her. Yet, here he was, dripping icy water onto the floor of your shared apartment.

“Ayato?” you called out, a twinge of concern in your voice, “How come you’re home? I thought you should already be on your way back home to Ayaka?”

The tall male grumbled under his breath as he patted his hands against his coat before sliding off his gloves and slicking back his wet hair. Only now could he finally look at you, “Yes, I was supposed to be on a flight, but those goddamn incompetent pilots couldn’t bear a little cold wind. Now I’m here.”

As if on cue, a strong gust of wind seemed to pound against the windows of your shared apartment. While they were normally crystal clear, the glass now seemed icy with frost and you could barely see the other buildings around you. Hell, you couldn’t even the rest of the city.

“A little icy wind?” you scoffed, “Ayato, that’s a full blown snow storm. I guess we’re stuck here until it blows over, not that I was planning to leave anyway.”

Ayato let out a dejected sigh and shook his coat off his body, folding it gently over his arm. You watched as his light blue hair fell forward onto his face again and onto his eyes. You stepped forward, your hands instinctively moving up and gently moving it to the side of his face as he spoke again, more calmly this time as he melted into your touch, “I suppose so. All the flights got cancelled, so I guess I’ll be spending Christmas here.”

Your eyes met his again and you snorted, “Jeez, don’t sound so disappointed. At least you’ll have me here.”

For the first time tonight, the corners of Ayato’s lips pulled upward as he gazed down at you, “Ugh, don’t remind me.” Your mouth gaped open at his teasing, your hand reaching up to playfully punch his shoulder. Ayato couldn’t help but laugh loudly as he gathered his things and walked down the hall to his room.

“I’m going to go take a hot shower, don’t miss me too much,” he called out, the same teasing tone in his voice.

You scoffed as he shut the door. In moments like these, you couldn’t tell if you were happy or regretful you became roommates with him all those years ago. You had been best friends forever, and once time for college hit, you both decided to move in together. It was expensive to live on your own and Ayato was kind enough to offer you move in with him in his fancy new apartment. But even now, years later, here you were, still living with him. Unknowingly, you had both told yourselves the same lie: it was convenient. Though, deep down, you both knew that wasn’t the real reason why you continued to live together.

Best friends was all you guys ever labeled yourself as. Ayaka always made snide comments whenever she was with the two of you, Yoimiya was always giggling, and even Thoma sometimes joined in on the teasing. And it certainly did not help when the kind old lady at the grocery store always asked when the wedding was going to happen, or the way your landlord would comment on how you guys always acted like a married couple. And as smooth and nonchalant as Ayato was, even he got flustered by the comments. Sometimes, though, you wished you could just be together. If only Ayato held the same feelings, you thought.

Shit, when had you fallen so in love with him?

The sound of footsteps padding down the hall interrupted your thoughts as you sat on the couch, zoned out thinking of your best friend. When he turned the corner and into the living area, you noticed his hair was all wet and he was now dressed in a baggy purple and black sweatshirt with the logo of Inazuma University, the school you both attended, alongside a pair of black sweatpants. What a rare sight, you thought. Normally, he was so professional it was like he could never be caught dead wearing anything informal or casual.

Although you found him to be quite attractive like this, you couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. He frowned at the sound, “May I ask what’s so funny?”

Your hands waved him off as you sighed beneath your small smile, insisting it was nothing. Although he wanted to press further as to why you were laughing, Ayato didn’t say anything more. Instead, he opted to sit next to you and slump against the comfortable pillows of the couch while shutting his eyes.

You frowned before asking if he was alright. The blue haired boy waved you off, just as you had done moments ago, before sighing, “I’m just a little stressed. I’m not sure what to do about Ayaka now.”

You hummed in understanding, “Have you called her yet?” He nodded in response.

“She said it was fine and not to worry about it, but I don’t know. I suppose there’s always New Years.”

Your hand reached out to his shoulder, “Don’t worry, Ayato. Ayaka is going to be fine, you should really listen to her sometimes. And just like you said, there’s always New Years and other holidays too. I’m sure it’ll all work out.”

Ayato nodded, his eyes still shut, “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

A few seconds of silence had passed before either one of you spoke up again, only the sound of the crackling fireplace and icy wind pounding against the window filled the space. Your eyes drifted to your hands that had been clasped together as they lay upon your lap, desperately thinking of ideas.

“You know what might cheer you up?” you spoke softly, careful to not disrupt him in case he wasn’t in the mood for your antics. Ayato’s eyes flickered open and met yours as a confused expression made its way to his face, “What?”

“Baking?” the proposal fell meekly from your lips.

Ayato sighed and shut his eyes again at the suggestion. You got up in an instant. One of your hands pulled at his, “C’mon! I know you don’t like it, but you never know, it might lift your mood? Do it for me at least?”

Ayato’s eyes slowly opened as you held tightly onto his cold hand and plead for him to join you in your silly baking ideas. But oh well, it was Christmas Eve and Ayato really did have nothing better to do. And besides, who was he to say no to you?

“Okay,” he whispered.

An hour later, the both of you were standing in the kitchen cleaning up the horrible mess you had made. It turns out, neither of you were very good at baking — even though it was just the boxed stuff. Eggs that had missed the bowl were on the counter, grains of sugar coated the floor, and there was flour drifting in the air. Yet, somehow, the box of brownies you had purchased at the store a few weeks ago was now cooking in the oven. How you managed to salvage it? You had no idea. The entire situation was almost comical.

Your hand moved in a circular motion against the tile counters in your kitchen, a sanitary wipe in your hand. Ayato was on the other side, broom in hand and his back to yours, sweeping away the flour that had now fallen to the floor.

“Ugh,” you groaned. The wipe you had been using had just filled up again. It was the third one you had used. How many more would it take to clean up these stupid eggs? “Hey, Ayato? Can you grab me another wipe?”

“Sure,” he said without turning around to face you. His hand grabbed another wipe out of the container as he turned around to face you, broom still in hand at his side. His blue eyes paused as they landed on your face.

Ayato squinted before silently laughing to himself and walking closer to you, cornering you against the kitchen counter. His hands let the broom fall against the counter to his left and his hand reached up to your face as a gentle smile pulled at his lips.

Your eyes widened at the lack of space between the two of you while your heart pound against your chest. The beating was so fast that you wondered if he could hear it. His blue eyes never left yours, though you couldn’t say the same about your wandering eyes. “Ayato?” you whispered, “Is something wrong?”

Ayato’s only response was a slight hum as his hand set itself against the side of your face, gently swiping his thumb back and forth as his eyes concentrated on your cheek. His lips were so close that, if he had moved any closer, they would have been on yours. Though, perhaps you wanted that.

As quick as he came, he was gone. Ayato pulled himself away from you and held out his other hand. The wipe you had asked for just moments ago was within it. Truthfully, you had forgotten all about it already. In fact, your heart was still beating rapidly against your chest.

“There we go,” your roommate spoke happily. His hands clapped against each other, grains of flour flying off of them. When his eyes met yours, his face contorted into one of fake confusion. You knew him well enough to know what he had been doing, “What’s wrong? It was only a bit flour on your face. As your best friend, it was my duty to remove it for you.”

Your jaw dropped, but before you could say anything, a loud whistling sound erupted into the air. The wipe in your hand was long forgotten as it fell to the counter behind you. Quickly, you moved to where the stove was, quickly grabbing out a pot holder from within the drawer next to the stove. In your moments of fluster, you had completely forgotten all about the hot water you began boiling for hot chocolate.

Ayato turned around and opened the cabinets behind him, pulling out two mugs and handing them to you. A fond smile made its way to your face once you realized they were your favorite ones. They were a gift from him the previous year, two matching mugs, one belonged to him and the other belonged to you. Of course he had picked those for tonight, you thought, so sentimental sometimes.

As soon as Ayato received his cup back, he grimaced as the hot liquid made contact with his mouth. “This is far too hot,” he complained. You only rolled your eyes and continued taking small sips out of yours. Ayato set his down and leaned against the counter as though he were thinking of something. Once his eyes glanced to the windows outside to the clock on the wall that read 8:10 PM, it was as though he finally remembered.

Your best friend’s eyes lit up and he pushed himself off the counter. “I almost forgot,” he announced as he walked off down the hall and to his bedroom. A few moments later, he called out again, “I got you a gift!”

Your eyes seemed to widen at his words, suddenly remembering that you, too, had also gotten him a gift. Setting your hot chocolate down next to his, you reached into one of the cupboards just outside the kitchen. It was your favorite hiding place for gifts, somewhere Ayato never seemed to check.

Walking over to the hall, you waited against the wall. A few moments later, Ayato had finally returned with two neatly wrapped boxes in his hand. Stopping next to you, he spoke, “So should we kiss right now or later?”

As if your heart hadn’t beat fast enough earlier, it was now furiously trying to escape you. You gawked at him as you tried desperately to say anything to him, but it was as though you no longer had any words left to say.

Ayato loudly cackled and pointed to the small piece of mistletoe above the two of you, “What? Didn’t you place the mistletoe here so you had an excuse to kiss me?”

Your heart dropped into your stomach as you furiously began defending yourself, “What? No! I didn’t— I mean, I…Ugh! I didn’t put here on purpose, I swear!”

“It’s okay to admit you wanted to kiss me, darling,” a devilish smile crossed his face as he stared down at you. In an instant, one hand balanced your present to Ayato as the other swiftly raised itself and playfully punched his chest.

“You know what? You can open your present tomorrow. I’m so sick of you,” you said, flustered at his flirtatious accusations. Seriously, what do you even say to that?

Pushing past him, you reentered the living area and bent down to set your presents to him under the tree. In your rush to escape your best friend and his antics, you had missed the way his eyebrows furrowed and smile seemed to turn into a frown in disappointment as you walked away from him. Opting not to say anything, Ayato followed silently behind you and bent down to place his presents under the tree as well.

Only a few seconds later, a faint musical tune rung out from the clock that hung against the wall near the kitchen signalling that it was 9:00 PM now. You sighed to yourself and thought for a moment before an idea popped into your head, “Do you want to watch a Christmas movie with me? I’m not really that tired.”

Ayato nodded and began grabbing some blankets and tossing them onto the couch. You hadn’t caught it, but a small sigh of relief fell from Ayato’s lips when you asked him about the movie. For a moment, he was worried he had upset you.

It was rather silly though. There had to be some chance that you returned his feelings…right? That’s what he thought anyway.

The movie you had chosen to put on was good, but man was it hard to focus on it with how cold it was. The fireplace below the TV was crackling with warmth, but it was no where near enough to satisfy the shivers in your hands or the trembling of Ayato’s lips. Even the blanket that was tightly wrapped around the two of you hadn’t been doing much.

Ayato glanced over at you, surprised to see you were just as cold as he was. In an instant, he was taking off his sweatshirt and holding it out to you. It was his favorite one. You were allowed to wear any one of his sweatshirts you wanted, but not this one. To see him offering it to you made you freeze in place, more than the cold did.

“No, I can’t take that,” you murmured, “it’s your favorite one. And besides, then you’ll be even more cold.”

Ayato laughed softly through his chattering teeth, “It’s fine, I’ll just go grab another one. Just- please…take this one.” You looked at it hesitantly for a moment, but he merely pushed it closer to you. As much as you didn’t want to take it, you knew if you didn’t, he’d probably just put it on you anyway. And so, you gently grabbed it and slid it over your head.

Before you knew it, Ayato had returned with another sweatshirt of his and a few more blankets from his room. There was a faint smile on his face at the sight of you wearing the sweatshirt, one you had barely noticed. Feeling much warmer, your focus returned to the movie, trying desperately to ignore the fact that Ayato was sitting much closer to you now. His arm was even wrapped around the back of the couch aligned with your shoulders.

But it hadn’t lasted long. Soon enough, his phone was ringing and he was standing up and heading into the hall. It’s Ayaka, he mouthed. You nodded and hoped that nothing was wrong. They talked for a few moments, but with the movie playing and Ayato now being further down the hall, you didn’t hear much from the conversation aside from a few words you couldn’t seem piece together coherently.

“Everything okay?” you asked when he came back.

“Yes, everything is fine. She just filled me in on some rearrangements for our plans and wished you and I a merry Christmas,” he spoke. You noticed the way he seemed less stressed now that everything was fixed. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t feel a little relieved yourself.

“You know?” Ayato began, ignoring the movie that was long since shoved to the background, “I think I’m happy there was a storm tonight.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I just mean, yes, I was upset at first. But, look what happened? Tonight was great and I’m really glad that I get to spend Christmas with you.”

Your mouth gaped open, “When did you get so sappy?”

Ayato laughed with you lightly giggling alongside him. But as your shared laughter died down, something shifted in his eyes, a more serious look if you had to describe it, “Have you seriously never noticed?”

Your eyebrows furrowed and you cocked your head to the side. Leaning closer, you asked, “Huh? Noticed what?”

A small, but knowing smile graced Ayato’s face. Or perhaps it was a mischievous smile, you could never really tell with him. Maybe it was both. You watched as his eyes stared down at his hands. It had been a long time since you had witnessed Ayato express nervousness.

“That I’m in love with you,” he whispered softly. You almost didn’t catch it, but your heart felt like it stopped when you did. A shaky breath fell from your lips as your head tried to wrap itself around the fact that your roommate — no, your best friend of many, many years reciprocated your feelings with a warmth you never could have imagined. You couldn’t possibly think of what to say in return.

And so, you wordlessly moved your hand to gently grab onto his own, your fingers intertwined with one another. Your other hand moved hesitantly up to his face as you cupped his cheek. You inched closer to his face just as he had done to you in the kitchen just hours ago. Only this time, your lips actually touched.

Ayato smiled into the kiss before he pulled away, his eyes searching within yours. His vulnerability had only lasted for a few seconds before his mischievous and arrogant personality had returned with that smirk you loved so much etched back onto his face, “So, I’ll take that as you return my feelings then?”

You grinned at his words as you mocked his words from earlier, “Have you seriously never noticed?”

Ayato playfully smiled as he ignored your mockery and pulled you gently toward him while he leaned back, your hands still intertwined. Eventually, you were laying partially on him with the other half of your body on the couch and your head against his chest. His arms were wrapped warmly around you with the addition of several blankets covering the both of you. As much as he wanted to, Ayato couldn’t keep the smile off of his face.

“I love you,” he whispered as his eyes drooped shut.

“I love you too.”

#genshin #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact fanfiction #kamisato ayato #ayato #ayato fluff #ayato x reader #ayato x y/n #ayato x you #kamisato ayato x you #kamisato ayato x reader #kamisato ayato x y/n #dust winter wonderland

[intothegenshinworld]

Summary: Thoma and you promised each other to spend the Christmas alone together and to not buy any gifts this year. When Ayaka accidentally tells you he has something planned, you want to do some last minute gift-shopping, but the snow storm seems to have picked up and you’re running out of time!

A/n: Hi hi! I’m quickly breaking my hiatus to post this for the winter event of @dustofthedailylife​!! I really liked the prompts but my life turned upside down so it ended up really hard for me to write this TuT But I hope it’s at least fun for one person! XD Anyways- I’ll be off till the new years most likely :) Sorry for the long wait! 

Prompts used: “I guess we’re stuck here until the snow dies down.” & “This is the best gift I’ve ever received in my entire life” - both altered slightly to fit the story better.

“Are you kidding me?”

The storm outside seems worse than before. The wind has picked up and snowflakes race down from above, a few landing on the glass window in the door before they melt.

You feel your boyfriend Thoma place his hands on your waist before he gently pulls you back into his chest.

“I guess you’re stuck here with me until the snow dies down.”

If it wasn’t for your thick winter coat and the two scarfs he had wrapped around you, you could’ve turned around to see the soft smile on his face moments before he buried his face into the crook of your neck. 

Around an hour ago, you had gotten ready for some last minute gift shopping. You both weren’t planning to buy any this year, but after Ayaka accidentally told you Thoma had plans to give you something after all, you wanted to return the favour. 

You wonder why he bought you a gift.

Wasn’t it his idea in the first place to stay at home and ‘take things easy’?

“I can’t believe the storm decided to pick up right now! It’s been calm the whole day, and right before I wanted to go shopping it had to pick up again.” 

You turn around in Thoma’s arms to lock eyes with him.

He’s wearing a red Christmas sweater with two reindeers on it– one similar to the one you’re wearing under your coat. His hair is messier than most days and his headband is discarded.

Thoma’s eyes soften a moment before his hands move up to your face. 

“I told you, I don’t need any gifts.” 

He gently cups your cheeks before placing a kiss on your nose.

“But I want to give you one.” You place your own hands over his, “You deserve it! You’ve been working so hard lately, and I know you’re already happy but-”

You sigh.

There’s no winning this argument. Not when all the shops close for Christmas tomorrow, and definitely not with the blizzard outside. 

He presses another kiss on your cheek and pulls you in closer. “I don’t need any gifts, because you’re the best gift I’ve ever received in my life.” 

He places his forehead against yours. You stay silent like that for a moment before he continues, 

“Well…second best.” 

You gasp as you pull back to look him in the eyes. 

“Taroumaru places above me?” You place a hand against your chest to feign hurt.

“You have to admit, he’s very cute!” Thoma lifts his hands up in the air as he laughs. You gently push him against the shoulder and cross your arms over your chest. 

“Maybe I don’t feel so bad for you after all.”

Thoma smiles and captures your hand. “Let’s get that coat off of you, alright?”

“Want me to make us some hot chocolate?” You wiggle your way out of your coat as Thoma gently removes the scarf from your neck. 

“I’ll be with you in a minute, alright?” 

◦

As Thoma hangs up your coat and scarf, he can hear you rummage around in the kitchen. A few cabinets open before they close, and he can hear you getting a pan to warm the milk in. 

•

You’re really the best lover he could ever wish for. 

◦

He stands still in the hallway for a moment. His hand moves to the small box in his pocket.

•

He really hopes you’ll accept his gift on Christmas and become his partner for life.

© intothegenshinworld. Do not copy, repost, translate or take heavy inspiration from my content. Thanks for reading.

#dust winter wonderland #yaepublishinghouse #thoma x reader #genshin x reader #thoma genshin #genshin thoma #thoma #Genshin #genshin impact #genshin drabbles #genshin fic #genshin fluff #fluff #winter #still on hiatus though- #gonna poof after posting this one

[silentmoths]

Breakroom Spaghetti

Christmas drabble for @dustofthedailylife's winter wonderland event!

I chose Zhongli, obviously.

With the prompts of: "I think the power just went out.” & “I guess we’re stuck here until the snowstorm dies down.”

Zhongli x AFAB Reader.

SFW, Fluff, Office AU because yes please and thank you.

Not proofread, 2.3K words, weird title is weird.

Curse your inability to just leave things alone.

You were meant to go home an hour ago- wait no, a quick glance at the clock tells you that you were meant to clock out two hours ago, but the sooner you got these reports done, the happier your boss would be. 

The sun had long-since set, the bright white-out of snow slowly drifting into a dark flurry outside your office window. You’d been so focused on getting this done, you hadn’t even bothered to turn on the lights once daylight had faded, likely doing some choice damage to your eyes as you continue to stare at the brightly-lit computer screen in otherwise darkness.

That is until the screen flickers and then dies, along with the rest of the power in the building.

Your work? Gone. 

The groan? Loud.

What a time, what a goddamn time for the power to go out on you. You’re sure you spit every slur, swear and insult at that damn computer screen, offensively dark and lacking of your documents as you push yourself out of your chair, feeling several vertebrae in your back crackle and pop after hours of sitting in one spot.

Welp, if the power was out, now might as well be a good a time as any to head home, frustrating, but what could you do? 

You just needed to pop down the hall to the front desk; likely no longer manned, your receptionist having gone home at four, always like clockwork she was - to sign your timesheet.

You barely make it two steps out of your office before you collide with someone else, only just managing to hold in your horrified scream.

“Miss l/n? What are you still doing here at this hour?” Now that was a voice you knew well. 

“S-sir?!” you splutter, thankful that your boss was, despite his graceful, handsome, upper-class appearance, very casual with his workers. 

Zhongli chuckles, you hear a rustling before his handsome face is illuminated by the light of his phone’s torch. “I do believe I asked first.” He retorts with a cheeky almost-grin.

You huff, crossing your arms at him. “Well, I was just about finished with those reports you asked me to complete…I figured I’d stay behind to finish them but then…well.” you motion at the darkness engulfing his office building.

“Ah, I see….you know you did not have to push yourself to have them done immediately, they’re not due until next week.” He points out, motioning with his head for you to follow him down the hall towards the front desk. 

“Yes but…with the holidays approaching I figured you could use the break, the sooner things get done for the year…the sooner you can relax.” 

Your boss hums, you’d always been rather taken with him…smart, funny, understanding…really you couldn't have asked for a better boss. He was always looking out for his workers, and that’s what made everyone want to work hard for him, they all knew he would look after them in turn.

Case in point when you’d broken your ankle not three weeks into being hired as a fresh-faced administrator. You had attempted to force yourself to come into work, despite your need for public transport (driving was scary, even without the damn moon-boot.) and the pain.

The moment Zhongli’s golden gaze had landed upon it, he had called a cab and sent you home, despite your protests that you really needed to work, honestly you thought you sounded pathetic, but instead of just telling you to rest, he told you he’d handle it. Sure enough, by the time you arrived home in your pre-paid cab, an E-mail was waiting for you, with a list of tasks he wanted you to complete from home, whilst also reminding you that your benefits included medical care and leave.

Even now, he simply smiles at you as he leans over the desk to sign your timesheet for you, adding in the two extra hours you had worked, and another for good measure, before signing it himself, ignoring your flustering.

“I know you, Miss l/n, you wouldn’t have charged your overtime.” He chides, and while yes, he was absolutely right, how dare he. 

The rattling of the large window in the break room catches your attention.

“Huh…when’d the snow get so heavy?” you ask, Zhongli’s gaze follows your own and he quirks an eyebrow, quickly checking his phone before both brows furrow.

“We had best get out of here, The snowstorm is only likely going to get worse… come, I’ll drive you home.” 

“O-oh no sir I couldn’t possibly-” You’re quick to try and politely decline, but he quickly shushes you with a single, serious look.

“I will not have one of my best employee’s attempting to brave the outside world to wait for a bus that has likely already been cancelled. Come on.” He urges, leading you towards the stairs (goddamn power outage meant the elevators were a no-go.) with a gentle, guiding hand on your back. 

However, you both come to a stark realization when you reach the underground carpark, more specifically, Zhongli’s shiny black way-too-expensive-for-you-to-be-sitting-in car.

The garage doors were shut…and couldn’t be opened without…power.

For the first time in your years working here, you hear Zhongli curse. 

Plan B was to catch a cab, first to your home, and then your boss would take it back to his; but another problem swiftly arises as you both emerge from the staircase and into the main foyer of the building.

The snow had already built up several feet against the doors…

You get to hear Zhongli say fuck a second time. 

You sigh quietly, pulling your own phone from your pocket to check the forecast yourself…yep, that certainly wasn’t looking good… curse you and your inability to just leave things alone.

But if you had…then Zhongli would have been here, all alone…and that somehow doesn't sit right with you either.

“Guess it can’t be helped.” you concede as you put your phone away, wanting to conserve what little battery it had left. “Looks like we might be stuck here until morning..”

Zhongli grumbles, but eventually sighs, you only just make out his shoulders slumping in defeat. 

“You’re right…come on.” He coaxes, leading you back towards the staircase to ascend, you don't question where he’s taking you this time, he knew the building better…he owned it.

However you’re not exactly surprised when you both end up in his office. A comfortable space, large and furnished with a few couches and comfortable chairs for anyone visiting or in personal meetings. 

“Make yourself comfortable, we might be here a while.” He tells you as he fiddles with his phone “I’ve let the security agency know we’re stuck in here, but I wouldn’t count on them being able to help in this climate.

—

The night draws on, and you find yourself settling into a strange comfortability, Zhongli had asked you to help him shift one of the couches to face the window, so you both could watch the city below as the snowstorm rages. 

You both talk, he talks of his days in college, working at his father’s firm first, before he branched out and opened his own, you talk about your own college days; living off nothing but ramen noodles and eggs, taking more than a little amusement in the look of horror on your boss’ face.

You both raid the breakroom like gremlins, the food in the fridge needed to be eaten after all, it was just a shame all of it had to be cold. You felt a little bad, but Zhongli simply waves it away, and tells you he’ll send out an email when the power returns…and buy everyone lunch the next day.

However, you’re taken off guard as you sit, munching away at what you can only assume is spaghetti,it was difficult to tell in the dark, when Zhongli opens his arm.

“You’re shivering, come here.” It doesn't sound like an order or a demand, but you were getting a little chilly; so scoot closer you do, glad for the shroud of darkness covering your flustery face as he pulls you into his side, removing his jacket to use as a makeshift blanket for you both.

“So…what were you doing here so late, sir?” you eventually work up the gall to ask, glad you didn’t have to look him in the eye. It feels…nice…when he hums as he thinks on his response.

“I was organising everyone's christmas bonus.” he eventually admits; ah, the yearly bonus…Zhongli was a strange one for that, asides from a nice amount of money, he also had a tendency to give a physical gift to his employees as well, last year you’d gotten a set of the loveliest tea…it had taken you months to finally open and try it because it just looked so fancy and nice…but you were glad you had because wow, what flavor!

“Oh really? Don't suppose I can sneak a hint at what my bonus is this year, can I?” you giggle up at him, only just making out his amber eyes in the darkness.

“Usually I would give you a hint, but it’s you that’s causing me the biggest problem this year.” He retorts, and you feel your stomach twist.

“O-oh..y-you don’t actually have to get me anything sir! Really, put it out of your mind I’ll be fine-” your flustered, anxious stammering is quickly shushed by a finger pressing to your lips.

“Absolutely not.” He states with such determination that it kind of spooks you “You are one of my finest, hardest working employees, and I want that reflected in my gift to you.”

Goddamn him.

“It’s fine sir…really.” You press “I’m still working my way through that expensive tea you got me last year.” “Oh? Are you enjoying it?” His sudden shift from absolute seriousness to what you could only describe as…curiosity is somewhat alarming, but not unwelcome as you nod.

“It’s lovely…I try to only drink it on special occasions but it’s so nice…where did you get it?” 

You feel your boss’ chest rumble for a moment, almost like a purr as he hums. “It’s one of my favourites…It’s from a small-batch family business in Qingce…I’m glad you enjoy it.”

“I…wouldn’t be opposed to more of it as my-”

“Not a chance.”

Damnit.

You both once again lapse into a comfortable silence, his warmth, presence and scent all mingling so wonderfully, that you find yourself nodding off, trying to remain awake, atleast until a hand gently rests your cheek against his chest, stroking down your back and lulling you further into the realm of sleep.

“Rest…” His warm baritone is the last thing you hear before your eyes flutter shut.

–

You both wake with a start when the power suddenly flicks back on, every light, computer and thermostat blaring to life at once.

You’re saved from jumping out of your skin and likely falling to the floor by Zhongli’s firm hand on your waist, as you both rub sleep out of your eyes.

“Wh-whatimehissit?” you mumble, trying to hide away back into the warm darkness of your boss’ chest as he flicks his wrist, finally able to read his watch.

“S’two in the morning…” he mumbles back, just as sleep-drunk as you were.

At least with the return of power, came the return of the heater, a wave of fresh warmth washing over you both, only serving to make you sigh contently, nuzzling back into the crook of Zhongli’s neck with a quiet huff. Tomorrow you would definitely scream internally, but you and sleep had a precarious relationship, and you felt like you could still settle back into it like this.

“Bare with me for a moment.” Zhongli’s voice is softer now, and you vaguely feel his arms wrap around your body as he shifts and lifts you into his arms, his jacket still draped across your sleepy frame as he shuffles towards the office door, just to hit the lights and return back to the couch.

“S’not like we’ll be getting rescued until the morning anyway.” he mumbles, deigning to kick off his shoes before settling back down with you “n’ this is comfortable.”

Well, at least you weren’t alone on that front.

Rescue comes just after dawn, Zhongli’s phone ringing rather loudly, and shocking you both awake. 

Thankfully there is enough time between his phone alerting him that security had finally gained entrance to the building after shovelling several feet of snow out of the garage door, and them actually arriving in his office for you both to look presentable. 

Your boss gives you the day off, and makes good on his offer to drive you home. The car ride is a little awkward at first, not knowing how to bring up last night, was this something you were meant to talk about? Or was it something you just…forgot happened?

Zhongli answers that for you when he pulls up to the curb by your apartment building, turning to regard you with a fond look.

“I think I know exactly what to give you for your bonus this year, miss l/n. He tells you, a small smile tugging at his lips when you tilt your head. “Shut your eyes for a moment?”

“Really? What’re you gonna do, pull a puppy from the back seat?” you tease, giggling at the look you recieve.

“Humor me.” 

“Oh, just for you.” You sigh, shutting your eyes. 

You expect something to be placed in your hands, but instead a pair of lips press to yours for just a moment and you can almost hear the gears in your mind scream to a halt.

You almost don't believe it, and you don’t dare open your eyes until that pair of lips pulls away, and when you do, you’re met with the most charming smile from your boss.

“That and…would you like to join me for dinner tonight? Something warmer than breakroom spaghetti?”

Taglist: @stygianoir @meimeimeirin @ainescribe @dustofthefailylife @theheartshaker @rjssierjrie Want to be added to the list? shoot me an ask~

#Silentmothwrites #moth is not silent #dust winter wonderland #Zhongli x reader #Zhongli genshin #Genshin x reader #Zhongli x reader fluff

[dustofthedailylife]

GENSHIN WINTER WONDERLAND

EVENT MASTERLIST

Masterlist to the corresponding [Winter Wonderland Event]

Thank you to everyone who has participated in my first-ever writing collab and with their contribution helped to spread a little festive spirit <3. I really enjoyed reading your works! Merry Christmas everyone!

All included works are fluff and x Reader fics! Refer to the author's specific tags in their posts if you want to know more. Check them out and leave them a follow if you liked their works.

🍁 Beneath the Mistletoe // Scara/Wanderer → @teyvattales Prompts: “Did you put the mistletoe here just so you had an excuse to kiss me?” - "You're definitely the only person I would do this for."

🍁 Breakroom Spaghetti // Zhongli → @silentmoths Prompts: "I think the power just went out." - “I guess we’re stuck here until the snowstorm dies down.”

🍁 Genshin Winter Wonderland // Thoma → @intothegenshinworld Prompts: "I guess we’re stuck here until the snow dies down." - "This is the best gift I’ve ever received in my entire life" - both altered slightly to fit the story better.

🍁 I'll be home for Christmas // Ayato → @actiniumwrites Prompts: "I guess we’re stuck here until the snowstorm dies down." - "Did you put the mistletoe here just so you had an excuse to kiss me?"

🍁 Winter Waltz // Dottore → @vens-wrld Prompts: "Are you cold? Here, take my [clothing article]" - "Everyone should dance amidst the falling snowflakes at least once in their lives." - "You're definitely the only person I would do this for."

🍁 The Broom Closet // Alhaitham → @hiraya-rawr Prompt: "Oh, how convenient, there is a mistletoe above us."

🍁 Mistletoe // Thoma → @thcma Prompt: "Hey, look up…mistletoe."

If you haven't posted your work yet - I will of course add it after you have posted it <3

#genshin impact #dust winter wonderland #genshin x reader #genshin fanfic #genshin drabbles #genshin blurbs #genshin scenarios #genshin fluff #wanderer x reader #scaramouche x reader #zhongli x reader #thoma x reader #ayato x reader #dottore x reader #alhaitham x reader

[theonlyheracless]

Winter Waltz

Notes :

Hello !! This is my first time writing a fic so i'm sorry if it's not up to standards </3 While reading the Winter Wonderland prompt list this idea came to mind and I just couldn't NOT write it down. So I gave writing a shot ! Constructive criticism or suggestions to help me improve are 100% welcomed 🤍

【 FILE INFO 】:

⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎... ⋙

➣ Slight (It isn’t slight, im so sorry) ooc Dottore

➣ Dottore x gn!reader

「PROMPTS」 # 16, 23, 25

「WORD COUNT」: 647

「EVENT」: Winter Wonderland by @dustofthedailylife

↯ CW: none

It has been a while since Dottore has visited you, usually, he would be out and about executing orders from the Tsaritsa, or attending fatui meetings. Leaving his schedule packed. It was finally the month of December and you decided, why not give him a surprise visit in Snezhnaya? Christmas was coming and you wanted to spend it with Dottore, it would be your first Christmas together. Surely even the Fatui gets holiday breaks too right?

You finally stepped out onto the docks of Sneznhaya, it was a sight to behold, the land covered in a blanket of white. You clearly underestimated the temperature, this being the first time you went into the nation, it seems like you didn't have enough layers on you. You clearly lacked preparation.

Oh, oh you clearly lacked necessary preparation. Dottore has never told you the location of his lab, he never felt like he had to tell you, because he expected to be taking you to Sneznhaya. He never expected you to go on a surprise visit.

Gears started turning in your head, how am I going to make it to the lab? Will I be able to survive in this cold? Maybe if I look around for a bit I can run into a Fatui member and ask them where his lab is? Scratch that, I don't even think they know me.

“Name.” Your thought process was interrupted by a voice, a very familiar voice. You look took a glance behind you to confirm if you were hearing things or if he really was there. He is there, Dottore, in the flesh, standing and staring at you, arms crossed with a questioning look on his face.

“How?.. ” you stared back at him in bewilderment. Dottore sighs and started explaining something regarding his clones, right his clones... You couldn't catch the rest of his explanations, it was starting to get unbearably freezing. You felt something draped over your shoulders, it was a long white coat with black fur, it was the coat Dottore was wearing. "You're cold, take it. We don't want you dying during your first visit do we?" He chuckled as he started walking in a direction, the direction to his lab you assumed.

This was the very first time you were seeing actual snow, you saw them on the pictures Dottore would include when he sends mails to you, but you never saw them with your own two eyes. Not too far off into the distance you could see a frozen lake. Dottore notices your attention is focused elsewhere and looks at the direction your attention was focused to.

"Do you wanna go to the lake?" He asks. You weren't sure if you were disrupting his schedule, what if he had meetings to be in right now? Dottore, sensing your worries grabs your hand and makes a detour towards the frozen lake.

"Everyone should dance amidst the falling snowflakes at least once in their lives." He hummed offering you support while he leads you to step onto the iced lake. It was hard to get a hold of yourself at first, almost landing on your butt a couple of times if it wasn't for Dottore holding your hand.

You skated and slid across the surface of the lake, admiring the colorless landscape. Compared to you who is constantly almost in the verge of slipping every second, Dottore skid gracefully, it almost even seemed like a dance. Before you knew it, Dottore was holding you by your waist and hand, inviting you for an enthralling dance of waltz, on this grandiose stage of ice.

Pulling you in, one last time to end off the dance. "You're definitely the only person I would do this for." He murmurs, head on your shoulder, arms wrapping you in the warmest embrace. One warm enough, to brave the glacial winds of Shneznhaya.

#dust winter wonderland #🤍 : genshin files #🤍 : fic files #dottore #dottore x reader #dottore genshin impact #il dottore #zandik #dottore x you #dottore x gn reader #Genshin #genshin impact #dottore genshin

[slowips]

mistletoe

thoma / reader

no one knows what a mistletoe is. it's just a flower spun out of a legend. at this rate your friend might become a legend too. when you notice a unique commission related to dragonspine, mistletoes, and inazuma, you take it up. what's the worse that can happen?

# childhood friends to lovers, kissing, marriage proposal, canon universe, unresolved tension, 4.7k words.

read on ao3 / event masterlist

.　⁺ . 　 ˚　✦　.　　+ ⁺　 　 . ✦

dragonspine houses death. countless adventurers have trekked through its pristine snow to find themselves trapped in frost or hounded by monsters. despite it, life will thrive. the mistletoe, for example, is a rare species of mint that has adapted to dragonspine’s climate, or so people say.

no one has seen a mistletoe. at least, not in a hundred years. an adventurer who found himself on the verge of death pulled through with thoughts of his lover, and when it seemed like all hope was lost, he found a trial of alleged mistletoes.

flowers that thaw in hopelessness. flowers that glow when the heart yearns deeply.

he returned safely and presented the mistletoes to his lover. it’s ended in happily ever after. from then on, only those madly in love would risk their lives for mistletoes…

and you aren’t complaining. more experienced adventurers are quicker, stronger, and smarter to snag the good, high-paying commissions leaving the rest with less desirable ones.

but commissions at dragonspine will always be unpopular, and more often than not, priced higher than average.

commissions related to mistletoes are the simplest. all you need to do is protect the commissioner as they find their way around the area. if they leave empty-handed, it’s not your fault for doing your job of allowing them to live after experiencing dragonspine.

(“a mistletoe?” you ask. your childhood friend just shared a tale he’s heard at the plaza. “is it even real?”

“that’s what i want to find out.”

“but we can’t go to dragonspine.”

he laughs, bright green eyes sparkling. the light hits his blonde hair to create an illusion of a halo. “not now of course, but when we’re older. promise?”)

there’s no other reason you’ll take these mistletoe commissions other than to put food on your table at the end of the day.

⠀

⠀

“good morning, katherine,” you greet as you approach her stand. she replies with the adventure guild’s motto without fail. “you know the drill. are there any commissions related to dragonspine?”

katherine nods, the perfect smile plastered on her face, which is unsettling on her but when she’s kind enough to set aside commissions related to dragonspine for you, there’s no point in picking out details. you smile in return, taking the papers she placed on the table.

“all 3 are related to mistletoes,” she explains as you rotate between each paper. “after you choose one, i’ll open the remaining to the public, but you can pick them up again if no one does.”

“thanks,” you say absentmindedly.

the first didn’t offer a lot, yet had a disproportionate list of demands. you slapped it back on the table, unwilling to waste your time.

the second tingles your adventure senses as the best pick. not only is the pay above average, but all the commissioner wanted is someone to carry their equipment for her research. you recognise the name. she’s probably one of those who frequent dragonspine.

the last commission pays less, the demands slightly more. it’s reasonable though because you notice the purple stamp at the bottom that signifies this commission was placed in a foreign land—inazuma, to be specific. the cost of safe transport probably took a large portion of the commissioner’s budget.

to your surprise, none of the requirements mentions anything about being able to fight, but, expectingly, it states the adventurer must know the area.

easy.

(“where are you going?” you ask, a hand reaching out towards your childhood friend. you rarely see him over the past few days. he’s never at the plaza anymore. your fingers brush against his clothing. you can grab onto it, but the look he gives when his eyes meet yours begs you not to ground him.

“to find my dad,” he says, fully turning around to face you. the resolve in his voice dampens your selfish desire for him to stay. “in inazuma,” he finishes. you notice the crate he’s carrying. the smell of wine is pungent.

“to give him this? but, he hasn’t been in contact with you for years. how do you know…”

“well… isn’t that why i have to go? i have to know how he’s doing.” he adjusts his grip on the crate, glass clinking akin to the wind chimes people set at their houses for good luck. the one outside his house has long been taken down since last year; since he started living alone; since he hung out with you less.

“will you return?”

“i will.”)

“inazuma, eh…” you say offhandedly, hoping you’re loud enough for katherine to hear but not the adventurers who make their way to the bulletin board beside you. commissions from foreign lands are a hot topic. you wouldn’t want someone to overhear and try to butt themselves in when the pay is only considerate. “shouldn’t there be more information on the commissioner? you know, for security reasons.”

“for security reasons, and as the commissioner requested, the identity will remain confidential until you accept the offer and meet,” katherine replies. the ends of her lips tug down. “but i can assure you, we, at the adventurer’s guild, have confirmed the identity of the commissioner. things should be safe.”

you toggle between the two choices.

well, you want a bit of adventure. it can get kind of boring just ushering people around. who knows what false information you can feed to this foreign commissioner? maybe they’ll even make your name big overseas.

(“is there no reply?”

“child,” your father says as he looks at you with pity. “i didn’t send out your letter. we don’t even know if he made it to inazuma. it’s a lost cause.”

“but that’s why i used a random address. as long as it’s sent and someone reads it, they can help us find him.”

his eyes gleam with disbelief. it’s like he’s looking at a clone of you. you’re anyone but you.

“please, stop. it hurts me to see you like this.”

“give me the letter” you seethe, a hand outstretched. you should have griped on his clothing but now you only grasp the air. “if you don’t want to see me like this, then send the letter.”

“no.” your father stands and tears the letter. “you have to accept that he will not come back. it’s reality.”)

“i’ll take this one,” you give katherine the paper with the inazuma stamp at the bottom.

⠀

⠀

you’ve got jars (big enough to fit a warming seelie), food and water. you also have your weapon that you sharpened the night before, your map, extra clothes, and a bunch of wood for a makeshift fire. you’re all set, yet your stomach turns itself inward and you can’t help but surrender to apprehension regarding the secret identity of the commissioner.

to soothe yourself, you occupy your mind with stories of the mystical mistletoe. one research paper from years ago speculated that it would grow in high places. it was a report your previous commissioner gave you as a “reward”, and what shaped his decision to climb the mountain in the middle of dragonspine. unfortunately, his journey was useless.

recalling the original legend, you believe the guy was trapped in a cave system. your childhood friend had another perspective. he believed he was trapped in areas where snowstorms raged.

deep in thought, you didn’t notice footsteps. when a hand lands on your shoulder, you jump, quick to spawn your weapon and point its sharp tip at the neck of the person behind you.

“woah,” the person says, hands up in the air and nervously chuckling. “easy now. i’m not trying to hurt you, just trying to find the adventurer i’m to explore dragonspine with.”

his facial features are darkened with the rising sun behind him, making it almost impossible to decipher how he looks, but that voice—

you’re pretty sure you’ve heard familiar mirth in someone’s words before.

“…thoma?” you lower your weapon.

he says your name. he says it like he’s never stopped saying it, each syllable the same as many years ago. you almost choke on your saliva when nostalgia transports you back into mondstadt’s plaza, where both of you will sit at the fountain and talk to your heart’s content. you swallow thickly, a mixture of feelings boiling in your chest.

he has grown. a lot. his voice is slightly lower, although not low enough to remove that everlasting cheer in the way he speaks. his hair remains short—oh, wait. he turns and you notice that there’s a lock of hair tied behind. it… surprisingly suits him.

he’s clad in inazuma-styled garbs, and behind him is a polearm. no wonder he didn’t need an adventurer who knows how to fight.

“it’s good to be back,” he says with his hands on his hips, gazing at the outline of mondstadt in the distance. it’s nice to hear him again, to see him stand in front of you after all the years of searching for a speck of hope that he’s alive. but the way he says it and seeing how… intertwined he seems with inazuma’s way of life, there’s a warning in your heart that your father was partially right all those years ago.

he’s back, but he’s not coming back.

“i missed you,” you manage to muster, taking a step forward. you aren’t certain what you’re trying to do by standing closer to him; maybe have a taste of his warmth again before the inevitable parting, but when he opens his arms for a hug, you jump into his embrace without hesitation. “i miss you, so much.”

“i’m back like i promised.”

and he’s right. even if melancholy looms at the edges of this cheerful moment, the fact that he’s back—right now, right here, heart beating in his chest, big arms around your frame—that’s all that matters. the future will be settled in the future.

when you pull away, you see the perfect smile.

it had always looked good on him.

⠀

⠀

“so…” you start, unsure how to continue. conversation with thoma has been easy the first few minutes, although you notice it was mostly you talking. about your friends; about the celebrations; about yourself. he rarely shared his experiences in inazuma, much less why he commissioned someone to find mistletoes with him, much less why find mistletoes at all.

the journey feels less like an excursion to seek a plant because of a promise and more like a mission. he examined your map, shared his research—even correcting you at one point, not that you mind because right and wrong determine life and death in such a climate—and even chose to march through fatui camps despite the danger. so long as he gets his hands on those flowers.

the only thing both of you avoid are lawachurls, their hammer on the ground enough to obliterate.

his steadfastness is admirable. charming even. it reminds you of the little boy who you should have held. a part of you is glad he didn’t change; a part wished his gaze was directed at you instead of someplace far away.

silence settles eventually. you find yourself lost with how to ask. he remembers the promise, it just isn’t satisfactory to know the promise wasn’t enough to move a rock like him. so what did?

it makes you feel small.

“are you alright?” thoma’s voice rings clear despite the roaring winds and the fact he’s a few meters away. you pick up your pace, a little surprised you slowed down at all. were your thoughts always this heavy? “you wanted to ask something, right?”

“oh, right.” you rub your hands together, nervous. he comes closer and drapes a blanket over your shoulders as if you’re not paid to babysit him. “why did you want to conceal your identity?”

thoma’s smile drops, just a little.

“i’m getting mistletoes as a surprise,” he answers simply. you stare at him, hungry for more, hoping he gets the hint, but he just grabs your hand and trudges forward, gently pulling you along.

“for who?” your heart sinks, and your grip on his blanket loosens.

he’s good-looking. long lashes frame his green eyes curating them perfect for getting lost in. his hair looks so fluffy you bet the tufts of hair sticking out is something he has tried to tame but failed. his build is large; you can feel the hours of effort when his arms wrapped around you.

not to mention, he fights so elegantly and courageously, anyone would swoon at him redirecting an arrow shot to strike at the heart (it actually happened. you think your heart proclaimed its loyalty to him right there and then.) you knew the signs of fondness, and you were falling faster than someone being pulled by gravity.

he thinks over your question.

you can’t help but jump to conclusions that whatever is happening between him and the person he’s picking mistletoes for is complicated, vindicating you’re not part of the equation.

“it’s for my lord,” he finally says. his voice is softer, yet it’s like an arrow that impales you. he sounds ashamed to admit. “their family did a lot for me, so i wanted to decorate his upcoming wedding with mistletoes, for good luck.”

you hum, tugging your arm out of his grasp. it’s warm, but the chill of dragonspine holds greater comfort. regardless, you readjust his blanket to wrap snugly around you.

“he sounds like a crafty person if you need to go to the extent of hiding your identity.”

thoma chuckles, his now free hand rubbing the back of his neck. he looks ahead and you stare at his broad shoulders.

“he can be. i just told him i was going to mondstadt for my vacation, so to the records, thoma should not be in dragonspine.”

“how long is your vacation?”

“about three days. i’m leaving early morning.”

in the commission, it said to prepare for three days.

“you didn’t really intent to visit mondstadt, did you?”

you see your breath in mist as you let out a quiet sigh. it fogs your vision, turning thoma into an outline you can’t make out off.

he sucks in cold air. it sounds like he’s been burned.

“i can’t. the wedding preparations need to be done soon. i don’t have the luxury to stay.”

“if you didn’t want to return you could have just said so.”

“no—” he says your name, says it pleadingly when you unwrap his blanket and hand it back to him. he stares at it as if you tore his heart and were presenting it to him. “it’s not as easy—“

“you had years,” you shot back. “even if you couldn’t return, you could have at least written something to me. my address never changed.”

“it—it would only make things harder for me.”

“have you ever thought about me?”

how selfish. how very selfish you were. of course, he won’t think about you. you were just his friend that he could discard when he found fancier ones.

he wants to say something, mouth left ajar, but the words are stuck and he looks at you like you’re an open wound, infected.

in the near distance, a monster roars.

lawachurl.

“…let’s keep moving, although if you want to take a break… that can be arranged.”

“it’s okay,” you say, mostly to reassure yourself. “no breaks needed on my side. i’m not an adventurer for no reason.”

when he turns and reaches out to hold your hand as support to climb a ledge, you stare straight ahead and carry yourself up.

just as you have all these years, without him.

⠀

⠀

the winds have picked up and the snow caught in it obscures your vision. you have to place a hand in front of you so that you can squint at what’s ahead. the winds push you at every step, and it seeps a chill through your three layers of thick clothing.

“we should find a place to rest,” thoma shouts to be heard.

“your mistletoes,” you reply with all the air in your lungs to beat the roaring winds. “if we don’t search it now, you’ll return empty-handed.”

but there’s no chance to take another step. he twists you to face him before grabbing you by the legs. he lifts you such that you rest over his shoulders.

“thoma!” you hit his back in protest, “we’re not here to surrender.”

he doesn’t entertain. at least, not until he finds the entrance to a cave system, one you note isn’t on your map.

(or perhaps it is, just that the snowstorms disorient you enough.)

without hesitation, he starts a fire with his pyro vision. the sound of teeth clattering echoes throughout. you lower your head in embarrassment, but thoma doesn’t chide you and instead gives you the blanket you rejected.

“we have three days,” he says as he adjusts the flame in the centre. it glows brighter, warmth so inviting. “let’s rest for the time being.”

digging through his bag, he hands you a stick with 3 round substances poked through—pink, white, and green.

“dango,” thoma says when you look at him with suspicion. “it’s rather popular in inazuma, but sweet. i have onigiri too if that’s more to your liking.”

he takes out another snack made completely out of rice, shaped in a triangle with seaweed cut into a square wrapping its bottom.

“save them for yourselves. i packed enough for me.” you take out a container of mint jelly. it’s probably the only food you know that can survive the cold. plus, the mint helps keep you awake.

“it doesn’t look very nutritious.”

“but isn’t dango a sweet? doesn’t sound filling to me.”

thoma laughs. he hauls his big bag in front of him and takes out some ingredients.

“wait, you can’t be…”

“we have a fire.”

he has a point.

not long after, the aroma starts filling up the cave. he hands you a bowl, claiming the dish he made is called miso soup. the liquid slides down your throat, melting the frost that rendered your voice sore.

before you know it, you’re asking for seconds, your eyes bright with gluttony. it’s the most flavourful soup you ever tasted—better than good hunter.

but before you can drink a second serving, the ground shakes. the roar is getting closer.

“shit,” you utter, quick to dump your soup onto the fire. it hisses as if insulted, and thoma stares at you incredulously. “the aroma will only attract the lawachurl.”

he nods, packing his things as you pack yours, and then grabs your hand to lead you deeper into the cave system.

“stay close.”

you don’t have the courage to tell him that’s all you ever wanted.

⠀

⠀

the path is illuminated by your torch, and the tunnels seem to have no end.

“you good?” thoma asks, a hand still on your back.

“yes. i’ve just… never seen this place before.” you fish out your map after giving the torch to thoma to hold up. “we were here when the snowstorm started.” you point towards the south, along the coast.

“then, through logical speculation, we should be somewhere here.”

“that’s where we entered,” you clarify. “i’m not too sure if we’re anywhere near that now, especially since this cave system has so many paths.”

it’s also surprisingly warmer, which you believe is a sign you’re extremely deep, far from the raging snowy tempest. or perhaps the storm has stopped, you like to believe, but snowstorms in dragonspine take days to weaken.

in the distance, there is the faint sound of rushing water. when you look at thoma, he seems to think the same, and both of you head towards it, against the gentle airflow.

there’s a plateau with the stream a few meters away. it’s clear running waters. he tries to set up a fire once more, and the area lights up.

“sorry,” you say for the miso soup you wasted, reminded by the fire.

“i think it’s me who owes you an apology.”

oh. so he’s talking about that.

you sit and press your knees close to your chest, the green of your attire a reminder of all you’ve worked for; of an emotion associated with the same colour when you think of the adventures he had in inazuma without you.

(of the high chances his heart belongs to another.)

“you asked if i ever thought of you,” he continues, sitting at the other side of the fire, his arm propped on one knee, the other leg outstretched. “i have.”

you press your head against your knees, face warming up not because of the fire.

“then why?” you squeak. “why the silence?”

“the family i’m working with right now, the kamisato clan, saved me. they found me stranded at the beach and taught me how to live in a foreign land. they gave me shelter, a job, and friends.”

you flinch when he mentioned friends, and the thought of how you’re probably something he’s willing to neglect for others arises again.

he seems to notice it. he scoots closer to you. you turn your head away.

“what about your dad?”

“he was nowhere to be found.”

you nod, unsure if you should apologise, but thoma is quick to continue.

“the kamisato family did so much for me, i found myself in endless debt. i never planned to stay, but when the clan went through tribulations, i had to. after all they did for me.”

“and…?“ you look at him, head no longer resting on your knees, eyes begging for an answer that you can accept.

“by that time, i figured there’s no point contacting you because…” he gulps, adam’s apple bobbing. the flames highlight his mature facial features, and you feel your heart thump rapidly. “…you deserve someone better. i wanted you to forget me.”

you hit him, rolling your eyes.

“you were my best friend. do you think it’s that easy to forget?”

he laughs and ruffles your hair like good old times, causing you to swat his hand away.

“no, because i can’t forget either.” he looks at you. you’re no one other than you in his gaze.

“there’s one more thing you haven’t explained.”

he jerks, slightly. you should give him mercy and let this slip, especially since he’s squirming in his position. you don’t want him to feel uncomfortable around you.

but your heart is pounding. it is about to lunge out of your throat if it needs to obtain the answer. why would writing to you be so hard for him?

he coughs. “when i chose to stay… it wasn’t an easy decision. writing to you… knowing you’re doing well or not will just… make me miss home more than i can bear.”

oh. it’s satisfactory to your ears, but your heart isn’t pleased. or at least it is, but something about what he is anti-climatic.

“i’m glad.” it feels like a lie. “i thought you’ll just throw me away since you found someplace better.” (or someone better.)

“i’ve met plenty of good people,” he says as he leans his body weight on his hands behind him. “but no one can ever replace you.”

you let out a weak chuckle.

“now… if i may ask, why are you searching for mistletoes?” he asks.

“make a guess?”

“you found someone.”

he sounds oddly melancholic. or maybe you’re just picking out the details.

“or rather, lost someone.”

thoma lowers his head but doesn’t fail to emit a few breaths that sound like a would-be laugh if he had the energy.

“the only way i could feel connected to him,” you say as you stare at the flickering flames, then at the pyro vision at his side, “is through the promise he made to me many years ago.”

you unwrap yourself and imitate his posture, purposefully placing your fingers inches from his.

he nods, eyes closed.

“i’m sorry for my actions. you have all right to be angry at me.”

“i can’t be angry at you for long,” you say bumping shoulders with him. “you have those eyes that are just so bright even after all those years. when i get lost in them, i literally can’t feel anything other than—“ you’re quick to swallow your words, if not you would have accidentally confessed.

“other than?” he says with some tease, leaning into you.

“fill in the gaps yourself.”

he throws his head back in laughter, and you find yourself enamoured with the way he expresses his joy.

you push your fingers closer to his. when it touches, you don’t expect him to hold onto your hand, his face tinted a warm hue.

probably due to the fire.

he grabs your hand gingerly, eyes sparkling with excitement and crinkling at the edges.

“hey…” he says out of the blue. “look up.”

you narrow your eyes.

“this is not a time for jokes.”

“no, really. look up… mistletoe.”

you do as he says. specks of white decorate the ceiling. thoma extinguishes the flames and the flowers shine like galaxies.

“wow…” you breathed out, standing and reaching upwards to touch them. its trail leads deeper. it's a way out. “we did it!” you exclaim. “i knew it was in a cave system!”

“we wouldn’t have found it if we didn’t risk our lives at the area with the greatest snowstorms.”

“fair. who would have thought our promise would be fulfilled? i’m so happy i can kiss you right now!” you say as you jump for joy, pointing at the mistletoes.

thoma stands, dumbfounded. seeing him so still while you’re hopping a child makes you stop and stand closer to ask what’s wrong. he grabs onto your hands, closing the gap till you feel his breath on your face.

“do you mean it?” he whispers, but the proximity makes it sound like he’s speaking through a voice enhancer—something one of the mondstadt merchants tried to sell. it makes you dizzy. “do you really want to kiss me?”

“i—“ you sputter, unable to look at his eyes but unable to pull away too. it’s an attraction you’ve tried to deny since thoma being so distant made it weak, but when he’s inches away, denying it is like denying your very existence in the adventurer’s clothes. every single step was to find him, and you believed you would die trying.

“may i?” he says when you are unable to answer. you close your eyes, bracing for impact.

his lips press onto yours and you think dragonspine, for all the death it’s associated with, is truly a place where life can thrive.

⠀ ⠀

“i guess this is goodbye,” he says at the gates of mondstadt. many were pleased he returned, but despite the happiness of reunion, he knows deep in his heart he has another place he calls his home now.

this is the eventual parting.

“it doesn’t have to be,” you plead, holding onto his hands, fingers interlaced. the mistletoes he plucked for you are pinned on your attire, but after a whole 3 days of his warmth, a trinket to remind you of him is not enough. selfishly, you want everything. “i’ll go with you, to inazuma.”

“but,” he says and then closes his mouth. you stare at him with great determination, the same intense resolution he gave you years ago. “…you’ll be sacrificing so many things. i cannot promise you a good life.”

“look,” you say pointing to your adventure outfit. “i put myself in these so i can get enough money to ship myself to inazuma and find you anyway. you might as well do it now.”

thoma stifles a laugh, a hand on your cheek.

“you never gave up on me, yet i…”

you give him a chaste kiss to shut up.

“so you’re going to give up on me again? i thought you’ll learn your lesson.”

he blinks, then blinks again.

“i will never grow tired of that.”

the guards at the entrance turn their heads to look away, and thoma notices it, so he ushers you further down the bridge.

“bring me with you, and you’ll have endless kisses.”

“tempting offer,” he teases, but the way he grips your hand is already proof you’ve won. his hold is tight. it feels like you’ve moulded your hand perfectly into his. it can’t be separated. “you’ll have to do the explaining. i’ll be busy with preparations for the weddings.”

you tilt your head to get a better look at him, an uncontrollable smile on your face.

you caught that little detail he slipped in.

when he asks, you’re answer will be “yes”.

───・

my entry for @dustofthedailylife's writing collab, genshin winter wonderland. / +notes

#genshin x reader #thoma x reader #genshin impact x reader #thoma x you #thoma x y/n #genshin impact x you #genshin x you #genshin impact x y/n #dust winter wonderland

[nerdstorming]

Repositioned and dusted my Pops. They were in a sad state.

They always talk about Spring cleaning, but winter cleaning is just as vital.

#collector #winter cleaning #2022 #funko pop #fluffy puffy #naruto #dbz #doctor who #the last airbender #GOT #game of thrones #cheshire cat #alice in wonderland #powerpuff girls #dusting #classic novels #anime #cartoons #scifi #fantasy #figures #shelfie

[corroded-hellfire]

My Favorite Elf - Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: When you and Nancy go to the mall to finish up your Christmas shopping, the sound of a familiar voice leads you to a jolly surprise.

Note: I wrote this for @palomahasenteredthechat’s 12 Days of Joemas with the prompt “Is that velvet?” 💚❤️

Words: 1.4k

The holiday season at Starcourt Mall can be a chaotic nightmare on nights and weekends. Crowds so dense you can hardly see any of the mannequins modeling the latest looks at the GAP. It’s for this reason that you and Nancy decide to make a mall run straight from school one Tuesday afternoon. 

With most parents still at work and middle and elementary schools still in session, the mall is the calmest you’ve seen since before Halloween. You and Nancy plan on taking full advantage of getting all those last minute gifts you’ve been meaning to buy.

“Okay, I got the shoes,” Nancy says, jostling the brown paper bag in her hand in emphasis. “You wanted to go to Walden Books next?”

“Yeah!” you say. “I saw this book there the other day and I think Eddie would really like it.”

“Why didn’t you get it for him then?”

“He was with me,” you laugh. “As busy as it was, I still think he would’ve noticed me buying something.”

The bookstore is on the second floor, so you and Nancy have to take the escalators closest to the food court. Right before you lift your foot to hover over the silver steps, you hear a familiar voice coming from behind the escalators. 

“Are you ready? Come on, we’ll go up together.”

Your brow furrows in puzzlement, and Nancy turns to look at you with the same expression mirrored on her face. Together, you walk around to see what Eddie is doing at the mall and who he’s talking to.

A Winter Wonderland greets you and Nancy as you step around the towering escalators. The centerpiece is a life-size gingerbread house decorated with every type of candy you can think of. Colorful gumdrops frame the front door, pieces of licorice act as shutters to the icing windows, and oversized swirling lollipops stand around the house like a security team. 

Fake pine trees dot the scenery, their needles covered in fake snow. In fact, fake snow permeates about every spare inch on the display. It’s all around the platform and heavily dusted over the roof of the house. 

Sitting right in the middle of it all is the man himself: Santa Claus. He’s perched atop a large red throne smack dab in the middle of the wonderland. The entire display is surrounded by a white, glittery snowflake fence. 

There’s a girl dressed as an elf in a green tulle skirt and red tights standing behind a camera facing the big man. Your eyes then come across the best sight of all.

Your hand comes up to cover your enormous grin as you take in your boyfriend in his very own elf attire. The left half of his button up shirt is red, while the right half is entirely green. The same is true of the pants, just reversed; a green left leg and a red right leg. His hair is tucked up in a bun at the base of his neck and the rest of his curls are hidden by the green Santa hat on top of his head. The hat has golden jingle bells on the top and fake points to rest on top of Eddie’s ears to give the magical illusion of elf ears. The part that tickles you the most though is the shoes. They’re green with pointed toes that curl up, with a golden jingle bell attached to the tip of each. 

“Did you know he was working here?” Nancy asks you, a few giggles escaping her. 

“No!” You laugh but find it strange to look at his hands and see no chunky silver rings. 

The only people in the line to meet Santa are a little girl with long blonde hair, half up in a pink ribbon, and her mother. It’s understandable that there's hardly a crowd here on a Tuesday afternoon. The little girl looks scared and won’t let go of her mom’s hand no matter how much she encourages her. 

Eddie walks over to the girl and crouches down to her level.

“Hi. My name is Eddie. What’s your name?”

“Christina,” she answers softly.

“It’s nice to meet you, Christina. Are you a little nervous to meet Santa?”

She nods her head.

Eddie offers her his hand. “What if we go up there together?”

Christina still looks hesitant.

“You don’t have to be afraid of him,” Eddie says with a shake of his head. “He just wants to know what you want for Christmas so us elves can get to work on it. That is…if you’re on the nice list.” Eddie tilts his head and raises his eyebrows. “You have been good this year, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s what I thought! Now, do you want to come up and tell Santa what you want?”

Christina stares at Eddie with wide blue eyes for a few moments before she nods her head. Eddie gives her a smile and extends his hand again. This time, Christina takes it. 

You watch as Eddie leads the small girl up to Santa and tells him her name. He crouches down and stays there until Christina seems more comfortable with Santa. When she climbs on his lap, Eddie steps aside so she can share what she wants with Santa in private. 

Once a picture has been snapped, Christina hops off of Santa’s lap and Eddie gives her a candy cane before she leaves the little Christmas village with her mom.

There’s nobody else in line to meet Santa, but he’s still scheduled to be there for another two hours according to the sign. The photographer elf starts cleaning up around her area and Eddie shuffles around his small space, looking for something to do. You take the opportunity to walk closer to the magical scene, Nancy right behind you.

“And here I thought Hermey the little elf dentist was the cutest elf I’ve ever seen,” you say as you approach the fence.

Eddie looks up and you immediately see his cheeks darken, but he gives you a bright smile.

“What’re you doing here?” he asks.

“Shopping,” Nancy answers, holding up her bags as proof.

“What’re you doing here?” you ask, looking at all the festiveness around him.

“I’m just here for the candy canes.” He laughs when you pinch your eyebrows together. “Figured I’d get a holiday job and make some extra money.”

“What for?” you ask, knowing there’s nothing you want that could cost more than a few dollars. And that Wayne will probably just get a new mug. Again.

“Well,” Eddie says with a shrug. “I know your favorite band is starting a tour next month…”

“My favorite band besides Corroded Coffin,” you say, pointing an index finger at him.

“Yes, of course, that goes without saying.”

“Eddie, you didn’t have to do this,” you tell him, though your heart grows three sizes at the gesture.

“I wanted to,” he says with a bashful shrug. 

You peek behind the gingerbread house and raise your eyebrows at Eddie when you see it’s away from any possible prying eyes. He chuckles and nods his head in that direction.

“Be right back,” you tell Nancy.

“Take your time,” she teases.

Eddie helps you over the snowflake fence and you take another look at his costume. He looks even cuter in it closer up.

“Is that velvet?” you ask.

“No, thank God. Cotton. This already gets hot enough.”

“Look at my adorable elf boyfriend,” you say with a playful smirk.

His face starts to turn red as you wrap your arms around his neck. He places his hands on your waist and gives a small squeeze.

“You know,” you muse, tilting your head to the side. “You didn’t ask me.”

“Ask you what?”

“If I’ve been good this year.”

Eddie laughs and leans in to nudge his nose against yours.

“Because I already know the answer to that one. Pretty sure I contributed to it,” he says in a low voice, causing goosebumps to run down your arms.

He presses his lips over yours and holds you up against his body as he claims your mouth. Your hands slide into his hair, and it makes the green hat move, causing the little bell to jingle.

You pull away, unable to keep kissing because you’re full of giggles. Eddie sighs.

“Fine,” he whispers. “I guess we’ll just have to get naughty later then.”

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson fan fiction #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fic

[081314]

Twisted Wonderland - Gift Calendar 2023 Login Greetings

The JP server once again held its annual winter holiday calendar this year, and for each day during the campaign, a character would greet the player upon login with a short message. Following is my translation of the login greetings.

These are sorted in order of dorm, and then alphabetically by character name.

Heartslabyul

Ace Trappola

Q: What are your plans for today?

❤️: What, today? I don’t got basketball practice or anything, so I’m just gonna chill in my room and stream something I’ve been wanting to watch. Ooh, and I think I’ll grab some snacks while I'm at it. Not a bad way to spend the day, honestly.

Cater Diamond

Q: What are your plans for today?

♦️: Probs a little Magicam snooping ☆ I wanna check out what's trending for #winter right now. Seeing cool shots of ice hotels and diamond dust always gets me so hyped ♪ 'Cause we don't get to enjoy seasonal stuff like that everyday, ya know.

Deuce Spade

Q: What are your plans for today?

♠️: I wanna finish up the homework we got assigned today, as any honor student would do. Wait… It starts off with a super hard question right off the bat…? Hmph! Time to roll up my sleeves and get to work, then!

Riddle Rosehearts

Q: What are your plans today?

🌹: I'll be stopping by the library, as the book I checked out yesterday has a bunch of writing in it. I find all the marks distracting, so I’d like to find something else to read. Good grief… Defiling a book like this is no laughing matter.

Trey Clover

Q: What are your plans for today?

🍀: Since it's been so cold lately, I thought about whipping up some ginger lemonade syrup. A cup'll warm you right up. What, the Queen of Heart's rules nixes lemonade after 8? It's got ginger in it, so it's basically a whole other dish, right?

Savanaclaw

Jack Howl

Q: What are your plans for today?

🐺: Track & Field club's got practice today. But it's s'posed to snow later, so we might have to move it indoors. I know it takes longer in winter for your body temp to rise, so I gotta warm up thoroughly.

Leona Kingscholar

Q: What are your plans for today?

🦁: A whole lotta nothing. What? Not what you were expectin'? Too bad. Honestly, since it's so cold out, I might as well hightail it back to Savanaclaw already so I can hole myself up in my room and chill. I'll play some chess or something.

Ruggie Bucchi

Q: What are your plans today?

🍩: Ya even gotta ask? I’m gonna be workin’, of course! Cake decorator today, waiter tomorrow… There’s tons a high payin’ temp jobs poppin’ up all over the place, ‘cause of the holidays an’ all. ‘Tis the season… for rakin’ in the dough! Shishishi!

Octavinelle

Azul Ashengrotto

Q: What are your plans for today?

🐙: As per usual, I'm looking forward to welcoming our dear customers at the Mostro Lounge. We typically offer a specially selected winter menu on chilly days like this, and I feel we'll be quite busy today.

Floyd Leech

Q: What are your plans for today?

🦈: I saw this guy wearin’ some fluffy ass boots yesterday, and now I kinda wanna go look for a pair in town. I wonder if they’re hard to walk in… ‘Cause I mean, long as they look good, I’ll buy some and give 'em a test run.

Jade Leech

What are your plans for today?

🐬: I’m considering making a herbarium, as the dry climate this time of year is ideal for such a venture. Would you perhaps care to join me? You needn’t worry, for I’ll be sure to instruct you every step of the way.

Scarabia

Jamil Viper

Q: What are your plans for today?

🐍: I don't have basketball practice, so I'll be busy doing some info gathering. My family's traveling for the holidays, and I want to find out about the local cuisine and souvenirs, the climate, must-see spots… It never hurts to be informed.

Kalim Al Asim

Q: What are your plans today?

☀️: A peddler from Scalding Sands is gonna drop by today. And I’m gonna stock up on all sorts of stuff for the holidays! Man, just thinking about making a great find is getting me excited! You should call up your friends and come take a look, too.

Pomefiore

Epel Felmier

Q: What are your plans for today?

🍎: Me and the Spelldrive guys are gonna shovel out the field again 'cause the snow's piling up. Honestly, it's no skin off my back, but everybody else just about keeled over yesterday from shoveling… Pretty pathetic, huh?

Rook Hunt

Q: What are your plans for today?

🏹: I intend to go check on the house plants I've been cultivating as part of my science club endeavors. Just how will their little countenances look today, I wonder… I'd be delighted to observe any new changes in them.

Vil Schoenheit

Q: What are your plans for today?

👑: I'm going to go pick up this spring coat I ordered, and then look for some accessories to pair with it. What, you think it's too early to prep for spring? Oh, please. If you wait until it starts getting warm out, you'll already be a season behind.

Ignihyde

Idia Shroud

Q: What are your plans for today?

💀: Uhh, same thing I do everyday: game… Don't really see any reason to go out when it's so friggin' cold. Besides, we upgraded Ignihyde's network recently and now it's fast af lol. And that means it's finally time for another all-nighter!

Ortho Shroud

Q: What are your plans for today?

🤖: This new game I pre-ordered online has arrived, so I guess I'll just spend the day playing it with my roommates. I bought the physical version, so it does take up some space, but I like having my favorite series close at hand.

Diasomnia

Lilia Vanrouge

Q: What are your plans today?

🦇: I’ve got band practice with the pop music club today. Alas… It’s so cold out I can hardly feel my poor fingers. Hm? Oh, don’t you worry a thing. I've already got the sheet music memorized, so all that’s left is to make sure we're all in sync!

Malleus Draconia

Q: What are your plans for today?

🐲: Rather chilly today, isn't it? Perfect weather to enjoy some frozen dessert indoors, where it's nice and warm. Perhaps I shall invite Lilia and the others to join in later… I like to play host every now and then for a change.

Sebek Zigvolt

Q: What are your plans for today?

⚡: I intend to read the book I ordered at the Mystery Shop recently. I’ve been eagerly awaiting its arrival. FOR YOU SEE, MY GRANDFATHER WAS SO KIND AS TO RECOMMEND IT TO ME! AND SO I MUST READ IT AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND IMPART TO HIM MY IMPRESSIONS!

Silver

Q: What are your plans for today?

⚔️: My father's going to go over some sword fighting maneuvers with me in a little bit. I'd wanted to get my homework done beforehand… But I ended up falling asleep, and my notebook's still totally blank. Not good…

Ramshackle

Q: What are your plans for today?

😺: Ugh, it’s so cold!! Oi, henchman! Let's just chill out in that Kotatsu thingy today. We’ll chow down on lots of yummy candy together, and play video games… Nyahaha! I gotta feeling today’s gonna be totally awesome.

#twst #twst jp #twisted wonderland #riddle rosehearts #deuce spade #ace trappola #trey clover #cater diamond #leona kingscholar #jack howl #ruggie bucchi #azul ashengrotto #jade leech #floyd leech #kalim al asim #jamil viper #epel felmier #rook hunt #vil schoenheit #idia shroud #ortho shroud #malleus draconia #lilia vanrouge #sebek zigvolt #twst silver

[hollytoshaw]

ski season | harry lewis

summary : ig feed of harry and y/n’s annual ski trip ft a cute surprise

face claim : dua lipa

a/n: feel free to request any insta au’s or fics, i'm excited to write some more stuff!!!

other stuff by me linked here : masterlist

-

y/n_username posted a photo!

liked by ksi and 342,053 others y/n_username harry and i 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 fluorescent outfits tagged: wroetoshaw

...

tobjizzle fits go crazy ↳ y/n_username we look crazy more like

behzingagram cold fits from you two ↳ y/n_username literally

faithlouiseak so cute

w2sfan20 omg their annual ski trip so cute :))

vikkstagram try not to stack it on a ski jump and break your collarbone like i did ↳ y/n_username ouch don’t remind me 😭😭😭 ↳ sidemenfan21 6 years later and he’s still traumatised

-

wroetoshaw posted a photo!

liked by calfreezy and 729,047 others! wroetoshaw Snow tagged: y/n_username

...

calfreezy bet you feel right at home

y/n_username why have you tagged me i’m not even in this ↳ wroetoshaw thought i’d give you some free promo #AD wroetoynfan first harry post in years and this is what we get

theburntchip hot

-

y/n_username posted an instragram story!

-

y/n posted a photo!

liked by vikkstagram and 398,349 others y/n_username having snow much fun ❄️

...

vikkstagram punny caption ↳ y/n_username felt so clever when i thought of it

calfreezy cringe caption ↳ y/n_username hater

taliamar obsessed with your outfit omg ↳ y/n_username i’m obsessed with you omg

wroetoshaw must of had a good photographer ↳ y/n_username fully only 2 good ones out of the 100 you took

-

y/n posted a photo!

liked by wroetoshaw and 342,982 others! y/n_username last day of our trip :( tagged: wroetoshaw

...

freyanightingale snowboard queen

wroetoshaw good looking fella in the last picture

calfreezy bet bog was scared of the ski lift ↳ y/n_username poor boy can't do heights 😂😂

chrismd10 always some sort of alcohol around you two

faithlouiseak yay come home i miss you 😭 ↳ y/n_username its been a 1 week but i miss you too

-

Harry and Y/N were on their annual winter skiing trip in Geneva - a tradition they had taken up about 3 years into their relationship. They had reached the last day of the trip and decided to go out to a local bar and drown their sorrows - the pair not wanting the trip to end. After getting a few rounds between them they decided to call it a night, with their early flight and lack of packing done, they knew they probably should have ended the night a long time ago.

As they walked out of the bar, snowflakes fell softly from the sky and all the rooftops around them were dusted with a shimmering blanket of white, Harry and Y/N found themselves caught in a playful dance amidst the winter wonderland - the cold had knocked them back and they felt a lot more drunk than they thought they were.

Hand in hand, they ventured out into the cold air, their cheeks flushed red (Harry blamed the 2 bottles of wine they had shared). With each step, they left behind a trail of footprints in the snow, their laughter mingling with the soft crunch of their boots against the frozen ground.

Their destination? A secluded clearing nestled deep within the town—a secret spot they had discovered during their first winter together, a place where the world seemed to stand still and time lost all meaning.

As they arrived at their snowy sanctuary, Harry and Y/N wasted no time in diving headfirst into their wintry adventure. They built snow angels side by side, their bodies creating patterns in the pristine snow as they flapped their arms and legs, laughing at the mess they were creating.

Next came the snowman—a creation that looked a bit insane due to its lack of carrot nose (none of the shops around them were opened) or buttons for eyes (harry protested against the buttons) but nonetheless the snowman was standing proudly in the center of the snow as a testament to their love and creativity. With gloved hands and rosy cheeks, they worked together to shape and mold the perfect snowman, their laughter echoing through the quiet town as they occasionally through handfuls of snow at one another.

Yet amidst the flurry of snow and laughter, there was something else stirring in Harry's heart—a feeling so profound and overwhelming that he couldn't keep it inside any longer. Something that he'd been thinking about for months...years even.

With a nervous flutter in his chest, he turned to Y/N , his blue eyes shining with love and affection. And in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the winter landscape and the warmth of their shared laughter, struggling through the snow to get down on one knee, he spoke the words he had been longing to say.

"Y/N, will you marry me?," he whispered, his voice barely above a hush and slightly hoarse from all the singing they’d done in the bar but still managing to carry with it all the depth and sincerity of his feelings.

Tears welled in Y/N's eyes as she gasped in astonishment, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief. Her heart swelled with overwhelming joy, and her stomach felt sick (a mix of shock and booze) and it was as though she might burst with happiness.

It had felt like hours had gone by as the two faced one another, Harry shaking on one knee and Y/N stood in shock.

With a trembling voice, Harry broke the silence rambling in his drunken state, “You know it's okay if you say no, but I'd love it if you said yes - it's just sort of freezing down here and I’m scared if I stay like this any longer I’ll have turned to ice.'' Y/N could barely choke a laugh at his attempt of a joke but his panic shook her slightly and she realized she hadn’t replied to him yet.

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. "Yes! Yes, a thousand times yes!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure elation. A sigh of relief passed Harry's lips.

And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, surrounded by the beauty of the winter landscape, Harry and Y/N knew that their love was as enduring and timeless as the snow that blanketed the earth—a love that would warm their hearts even on the coldest of days, and carry them through all the seasons yet to come.

-

y/n posted a photo!

liked by ksi & 560,203 others! y/n_username there's snow way we're officially engaged!!! tagged: wroetoshaw

...

calfreezy SHUT UP WHAT

ksi Congratulations! ❤️

faithlouiseak i'm crying i can't 😭😭😭

taliamar omfg facetime me right now

theburntchip go on bog finally

behzingagram shit i need to get my best mans speech prepared

wroetoshaw ❤️

vikkstagram Congrats you two!

r0sielewis finally going to be my sister in law omg

w2sfan2 omg nearly all the boys are engaged now i feel so old

zerkaa congrats bro, it only took us both 10 years plus 🥵

sidemanxixfan the caption hahaha they're meant to be

-

hollytoshaw : thanks for reading!!! hope you all enjoyed my second instagram au!!! let me know what you guys think and if there’s anything i should change about these. really enjoying making them!

#w2s #wroetoshaw #w2s x reader #harry wroetoshaw #harry lewis #harry w2s #sidemen #w2s fic #w2s imagine #wroetoshaw imagine #wroetoshaw oneshot #hollytoshaw #chris md #arthurtv #sidemen x reader

[mixtercandy]

Drew this for the Winter WonderLand Zine! My piece here is based off of the diamond dust events ^_^

#its free go check it out!! lots of good artists and writers!! :3 #cand posts #cand arts #pokemon #trainer lucas #togekiss #pachirisu #piplup #glaceon #frosslass #weavile #pokemon platinum #cus of the platinum specific outfit..

[sinkovia]

Polaroids

Simon Riley x Fem!Reader

Angst, mention of suicide, mention of death.

Underneath the winter sky, the world transformed into a pristine landscape of snow-covered fields and frost-kissed trees. You and Simon found yourselves amidst this winter wonderland, bundled up against the chill, ready to capture a moment frozen in time.

With the camera in your hand, you pulled Simon close, wrapping your arm around him as you both huddled together for a picture. There was anticipation in the air as you counted down. "Three!" you exclaimed, and just as the flash burst into life, Simon seized the opportunity. A mischievous grin played on his lips as he swiftly smashed a snowball onto your head right at the moment the picture was taken.

"Simon!" a mix of laughter and surprise in your voice. Your hair was dusted with snow, and you looked at him with mock indignation, but the gleam in your eyes hinted at joy. Simon, with a mischievous grin, reveled in the success of his snow assault.

The snowball ambush marked the beginning of a delightful chaos. Laughter echoed through the winter air as you both dodged, ducked, and retaliated with fluffy ammunition. The pristine landscape transformed into a battleground, each throw leaving its mark on the snowy canvas.

As you dodged and weaved, Simon's infectious laughter filled the air, his playful spirit contagious. Eventually, he closed the distance between you, wrapping his arms around your waist from behind. You felt a mischievous glint in his eyes, and before you could react, he playfully brought you down into the soft snow. The cold powder cushioned the fall, and you found yourself rolling together, laughter bubbling up between you.

In the midst of the snowy tussle, the world around you blurred into a playful dance of white. The winter air was filled with the sounds of your laughter and the soft crunch of snow.

Eventually, the playful roll came to a gentle stop, leaving you on top of Simon. Amidst the falling glistening snowflakes, you looked into each other's eyes, the two of you catching your breath between fits of laughter.

As your laughter gradually faded into a contented quiet, you leaned down, your smile lingering, and pressed your lips to his in a soft kiss. The softness of the snow beneath you mirrored the tenderness of the stolen moment, and the world seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of you in your snowy sanctuary.

In the midst of this tender exchange, a soft click resonated. You turned your gaze to the right, where Simon held up the camera, capturing another candid moment, immortalizing the post-snowball fight kiss.

Taking the polaroid, you began to huff warm air onto it, warding off the haziness that the cold weather threatened to impose. Squinting at the image, a frown creased your features.

"What's wrong, love?"

"My face is all hazy, damn cold weather."

"Let me see." you turned the photo over so he could examine it with squinted eyes.

"Hmm, only a little, but why would I look at a picture when I'll always have you next to me?" Shaking your head, you kissed him again. "For memories, Si."

Those words echoed in Simon's mind as he held the Polaroid in his hand, sitting alone on a bench. The serene snowy landscape looked dull and gray without you. It had been a year since you passed, your life cut short by a drunk driver hitting the passenger side of the car. The memory of that tragic day haunted him, and the Polaroid served as a bittersweet reminder of the love and laughter that once filled his life.

In the quiet solitude, Simon vividly recalled the moment he turned to look at you in the passenger seat. Laughter filled the car as you both shared a moment over an awful joke. He just wanted another glimpse of you laughing, savoring the way you closed your eyes and held a hand to your stomach in pure joy. Your radiant smile, the tears in your eyes—he longed to see your radiance, a sight he had always cherished.

Then came the headlights on the other side of the passenger window. Panic set in, and Simon tried to react, to steer away, anything to shield you from the impending danger. But it was too late. The impact sent the car flipping several times before landing upright. Simon, initially dazed, was jolted into awareness by the sound of your labored attempts to breathe, a shard of glass embedded on the left side of your neck.

You turned to look at him, tears streaming down your face. Pure desperation filled his gaze as he swiftly unbuckled his seatbelt, reaching over to hold your neck in an attempt to stop the blood spurting from your neck.

"S…si…" Your eyes conveyed agony as your choked attempts at breathing became more shallow.

"Shh, sweetheart, it's okay baby. You're gonna be okay, I promise." He spoke with a tremor in his voice, desperately denying the gravity of the situation when your hand fell limp from your neck, landing in your lap. He reassured himself that you were still alive.

"Help is coming, baby, I promise. Just hang in there, okay? For me, can you do that for me, baby?" His words were a desperate plea, and when he heard you stop trying to breathe, he continued to deny the reality, reassuring himself that you were still alive.

"Just breathe slow, sweetheart. Please, just breathe, baby. Please just—" When your head slumped against his shoulder, he felt his hands begin to shake, a lump forming in his throat that made it hard for him to speak.

"Y/n, baby, I need you to lift… I need you to lift your head up, baby. I can't… I can't." He choked out a sob as his hands slowly moved away from your neck. He started heaving in breaths as he threw open the driver door and collapsed on the ground. His chest tightened, and his heart raced a million miles per hour. He couldn't bear to see your lifeless body. He clawed at his chest as a sharp pain tore through.

He was having a heart attack.

The paramedics arrived just in time to tend to Simon, nearly saving his life, a fact he later cursed them for. Why couldn't they just let him follow you into the afterlife?

Staring at the two Polaroids in his hand, he longed to go back to that day. Back to a time when everything that reminded him of you didn't cause insurmountable pain, a time when he still felt warmth—a time when you were still alive.

Despite the accident not being his fault, Simon carried the burden of self-blame, haunted by the regret of not noticing the oncoming car. The echoes of that fateful day lingered, casting a shadow over the stark winter scene surrounding him. Rising from the bench, he walked back to the house you once shared—a place you had made a home.

In the hallway, he stopped and looked at the framed photo of both of you, taken on your first date. You insisted on framing it, and he softly smiled, almost hearing your voice echo through the walls of the house.

He continued walking until he reached the edge of the bed, where he sat down and pulled out his phone, dialing 911.

"911, what's your emergency?"

“I heard gunshots at my neighbor's house, the address is 1311 Amberville Rd,” he reported stoically before hanging up and reaching for the metal box under his side of the bed. Slowly opening it, he revealed a pistol.

He tried his best to carry on, to honor the memories you had together, to keep you alive through the love in his heart. However, the weight of living without you became unbearable. Tired of waking up each day without you by his side, exhausted from the relentless nightmares that plagued him.

He was simply tired of experiencing life without you.

He took the gun from the box, raising it to his temple. Without hesitating he pulled the trigger.

His eyes flew open, and he quickly sat up in bed, confusion clouding his gaze as he realized it looked just like your shared home. The surroundings appeared brighter, more vivid than before. Slowly getting up, he walked through the hallway, glancing at the framed picture on the wall before searching the entire house, only to find it empty. Opening the front door, he stepped outside, the soft crunch of snow under his shoes echoing with each step. The snow seemed to stretch out for miles, and trees covered in a thin layer of snow surrounded the yard.

Furrowing his brows at the unfamiliar scene, he noticed it was odd—they never had trees in their front yard. He remembered your dream of having big oak and willow trees. He smiled when he remembered the small pout you made when he told you that trees take years to grow full size.

Suddenly, a snowball crashed onto the side of his head. He heard your laughter and turned wide-eyed to see you running up, tackling him to the soft snowy ground. Rolling with you until he stopped, you ended up on top of him. He looked up at you in disbelief, tears welling in his eyes. Cupping your face with shaky hands, he questioned if it was too good to be true. Was he dreaming again? No, this felt too real. You felt too real.

“Y/n?” You smiled and gently pressed your lips to his.

“You came too early, Si.” He shook his head, his eyes bouncing all over your features. “I didn't come soon enough. I'm sorry I kept you waiting, love.” You smiled as you gazed down at him, your heart swelling. He combed his fingers through your hair.

“I missed you so much, sweetheart.” You nestled your head in the crook of his neck. He took in a deep breath, your scent filling him with warmth. “I missed you too, Si.”

#call of duty #cod fanfic #cod #This was almost fluff #cod modern warfare #cod mw2 #cod mw3 #cod x reader #call of duty modern warfare #writers #cod mwii #mention of death #mention of blood #mention of suicide #simon riley cod #simon ghost riley #simon riley x reader #simon riley x you #simon ghost x reader #simon ghost x you #simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley angst #simon riley #simon x reader #simon ghost riley x you #simon ghost riley fanfiction #cod angst #angst #ghost angst #ghost cod

[cinnies-stories]

grace clinton / like a hallmark movie

this is short, sorry, but her 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

You hummed a festive tune as you sifted flour onto the kitchen counter, glancing over at Grace who was wrestling with the tangled lights for the Christmas tree. The room was filled with the scent of cinnamon and the promise of holiday joy.

"Having a little trouble there, Ms. I-don't-need-help?" you teased, eyes twinkling.

"Just trying to untangle the holiday spirit, darling. Maybe I need a magical touch?" Grace replied with a grin, her hands still in a wrestling match with the lights.

"I'll save you with my superior untangling skills later. But first, focus on these cookies. They need your culinary genius," you replied, playfully waving a rolling pin at your girlfriend.

Winking, the young forward responded, "Your wish is my command, Chef Y/N. What's the secret ingredient this time?" Her words were met with a gentle kiss on the cheek from you.

"Love, of course. But also a hint of mischief and a dash of holiday magic," you answered with a mischievous smile.

"Love, mischief, and holiday magic, coming right up!" Grace said, mock saluting.

As the two of you worked on the cookie dough, your girlfriend stole a quick kiss, leaving a dusting of flour on your nose. Giggles filled the room as you both engaged in a playful flour fight, turning the kitchen into a winter wonderland.

"I think our cookies just got an extra sprinkle of love," Grace remarked, looking at the snowy mess you two had created.

"And a touch of insanity, but that's what makes it perfect," you added, nudging her.

Your playful banter continued, punctuated by sweet kisses and laughter. Flour dusted both your cheeks as you exchanged affectionate gestures, turning the baking process into a delightful dance of love.

As you rolled out the dough, Grace paused, her gaze fixed on you. "You know, these cookies may not be as sweet as your kisses." You rolled your eyes but another soft kiss followed, making the kitchen feel even warmer.

While the cookies baked, you sat by the fireplace, cups of cocoa in hand, and admired the twinkling lights on the tree.

"You know, the lights on this tree can't compare to the sparkle in your eyes. "

Blushing, you responded, "Smooth talker. But seriously, this feels like a Hallmark movie, doesn't it?"

"Only if Hallmark movies involve flour fights and stolen kisses in the kitchen," Grace replied with a smirk.

You chuckled and the banter continued as you decorated the cookies.

Holding up a snowman-shaped cookie the brown-haired forward proclaimed "Clearly, my decorating skills surpass yours."

Examining her creation, you teased, "It looks more like a blob with a hat, but nice try. I, on the other hand, am a cookie Picasso."

"Picasso, huh? I think the world needs to see this masterpiece," she said, mock gasping.

Handing her a cookie, you declared, "Instagram-worthy, right?"

Taking a bite, Grace responded, "Definitely. But I think the best part is the chef herself."

Blushing once again, you replied, "You're laying on the charm thick tonight."

"Can't help it. Christmas brings out the romantic in me," your girlfriend grinned.

You continued decorating, the kitchen filled with laughter, sweet words, and the scent of freshly baked cookies.

"This is the perfect Christmas," you sighed contentedly.

"Almost perfect. We still have mistletoe to hang," Grace said, wrapping an arm around you.

Saving the best for last, you smirked, "Wouldn't have it any other way."

And so, with cookies in hand and mistletoe above, you both enjoyed a Christmas filled with love, laughter, and a touch of holiday magic. The kitchen, now adorned with imperfect but heartfelt cookies, became a canvas of your shared joy and affection.

#woso imagine #woso #woso x reader #grace clinton #grace clinton x reader #grace clinton imagine

[xoverarts]

THE SCARIEST THING ABOUT THE WINTER KING

Is that maybe almost all of us would have done the same.

I doubt that the transferation of the madness towards princess Bubblegum was intentional in the first place, I think it was a spell that the Ice king cast so Bonnie reciprocate his feeling but the magic went rouge and the Candy Queen was born (similar how the heart spell backfired with Ricardio). Now when Simon recovered his sanity, keep in mind that he remember everything about his life as the Ice King, he is now faced with the following situation, losing his mind and identity again just so Bonniebell is free from the curse. I can only imagine that being controled by the crown is pure torture. Simon would rather die than being the Ice King again, and I cant blame him, Being trapped in a identity crisis, full of conflicted emotions and you do a lot of stuff against your will cause you are not yourself anymore, and that could last forever, Death would be a kinder fate.

Thats why in the "Winter wonderland" song, The winter king never explained how he coquered the crown, he just justified his actions explaining how the winter kingdom is so cool and awsome. Same reason why he said that "perhaps" he would tell Simon how to control the crown, he needed to know that Simon would not judge him for his actions, The winter king was always using a mask to hide his guilt and shame (reason why he never showed the ice marceline). Madness is a terrible curse that no one would jump into, and probably the Winter king dying would not have broken the spell (the crown could still be magical and sometimes do magic on its own), so his only option would be to go back to be the Ice king. I dont justify his actions, and he got what he deserved, but also I get why he did what he did.

Also fun question. ¿Is our Simon the only Simon in the multiverse with an universe inside his mind? or did we witnessed an universe turned into dust with the Winter king?

#winter king #candy queen #adventure time fionna and cake #fionna and cake #simon petrikov #ice king #fionna campbell #adventure time

[dustofthedailylife]

Welcome to my first-ever writing collab event! I’m really excited and hope to welcome as many Genshin writers as possible. Everyone is welcome to participate!

Winter is rapidly approaching here and so is Christmas. And with it, it brings the most comfortable and cozy holiday season for me. Therefore I’d like all of us to come together to celebrate it with the most sickenly-sweet and cavity-inducing fluff we can come up with.

✦ Event Status: ENDED ✦ Deadline for join-requests: December 20, 2022 ✦ Deadline for fic posts: December 25, 2022

✦ Event Masterlist → this way! ♡

✦ — 「INSTRUCTIONS」

Please make sure you’ve read the Guidelines for the event. 

Send me an ask stating that you’d like to participate in the event and which characters and prompts you intend to write for. 

Example: “Hi Dust, I want to participate in your Winter Wonderland Collab for [character(s)] and with [optional prompt(s)]”)

Reblog this post once you're in, please! ♡

✦ — 「GUIDELINES & RULES」

The fics should only be SFW, Genshin Men x Reader. Slight suggestiveness however is also okay as long as you tag it accordingly. NSFW is not allowed.

Genre: Fluff. Make your readers kick their feet and bite their pillows because they can’t handle the cuteness.

The fics should be at least 500 words; there is no maximum number of words.

There is no limit on how many characters you want to include in your post.

You may write/post up to three individual posts for the event. 

You are not allowed to write for the child/minor characters if the fic is romantic; do not age them up either.

It’s optional for you to use up to 5 prompts from the prompt list below. You may also alter or combine them.

The format can be headcanons, drabbles, one-shots etc.; you choose.

The deadline only concerns posting so make sure to have posted it before December 25. You can post it at any time from now until then.

When you post your fic make sure to tag me and use the hashtag #dust winter wonderland so I can add it to the event masterlist.

Please reblog this post as an acknowledgment if you participate.

I’d prefer if there is no backing out once you’re in unless of course there is a valid reason/emergency on your end.

Make sure to tag the contents of your fic accordingly so readers know what to expect (e.g. trigger warnings, quest spoilers, etc.)

If you want to change your prompt or your characters after being added to the event, please send me an ask so I can alter it on the masterlist.

Any further questions or interest in participating? Hit me up with an ask! 💕[Prompt-List below the cut.]

✦ — 「PROMPTS」

"I think the power just went out.”

“This is best gift I have ever received in my entire life."

“I guess we’re stuck here until the snowstorm dies down.”

“So, are you going to be my Christmas present?”

“Come on! Help me decorate [the tree/the house/etc.]!”

“It’s our first holiday together.”

“You look adorable covered in snow.”

“The snow got everywhere and now it’s melted and I’m soaking, uuugh”

“Did you put the mistletoe here just so you had an excuse to kiss me?”

“Hey, look up…mistletoe.”

“Come under the blanket! I’m freezing!”

“Mhhh, smells good, what are you making?”

“Have you been naughty or nice this year?”

“Cuddles? Please?”

“You spent how much on decorations?”

“Are you cold? Here, take my [clothing article].” 

“All I want for Christmas is you”

“I'm hoping Yule come with me to make some wreaths and decorate." - "I suppose that depends on if you intend to keep making these terrible puns."

“Oh, how convenient, there is a mistletoe above us.”

“Stop moving! I’m trying to get warm!”

“Cookies? Oooh, are they for me?”

"You smiled! I saw it, so no denying it."

"Everyone should dance amidst the falling snowflakes at least once in their lives."

“I even put some extra mini marshmallows in your hot cocoa.”

"You're definitely the only person I would do this for."

✦ — 「PARTICIPANTS」

@teyvattales || @silentmoths || @intothegenshinworld || @actiniumwrites || @dottorearchive || @hiraya-rawr || @thcma

#dust winter wonderland #genshin impact #genshin fanfic #genshin fanfiction #genshin fluff #genshin x reader #genshin drabbles #genshin headcanons #genshin x you #genshin imagines #genshin x y/n #genshin x female reader #genshin x gn reader #genshin event #genshin writing