#jatpadvent2022
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Queer Day
Day Seventeen: Done We Now Our Gay Apparel <-AO3!
Julie comes to him as a teen and tells Ray that she thinks she likes girls and boys. Ray pulls her into a hug, tells her he loves her, is proud of her, and he’ll happy welcome anyone she brings home… when she’s old enough to date. She rolls her eyes and whines, but the small bitten off smile tells him all he needs to know as she skips off, presumably to tell Rose.
Ray breathes out a breath, running his palm down over his face and then grins. He loves that Julie is able to tell him this kind of stuff, and that the world is a kinder, though not perfect place for queer people now. He remembers the hatred from his college years towards his LBGT peers, and the subtle undercurrent of derision when both he and Rose tried a few things out, with her liking everyone, and Ray falling more on the ‘heteroflexible’ side of things, but happy enough to have a bit of fun if the opportunity arose.
When Julie is old enough to date, she and Flynn decide to go together with their dates, which Rose thinks is adorable, and Ray feels like it will make things way less tense for the girls. Julie is going with some guy from the lacrosse team. “Who’s the lucky guy Flynn?” he had asked as the girls got ready.
“Girl, actually,” Flynn replied. “I’m a lesbian.” She finished applying her eyeliner, then turned to look at Ray. “It’s Carrie, by the way.”
“Well then, good job. You’re both lucky girls.”
Flynn scrunched in on herself at that, and then bit her bottom lip. “I… I don’t identify as a girl actually. I’m non-binary, I’m using they/them pronouns now. Is that okay?”
Ray gathers her into a hug at that, assuring her-them-that it is, and promises to try and remember and be respectful. He’s never met anyone who identifies as non-binary, but for Flynn, who is practically a second daughter to him, he’s more than willing to learn.
A year later, Julie brings home her bandmates. Ray likes those boys, they’re sweet and respectful, and the music they make is pretty darn good. Rose has a smile for each of them as they come in the house, and she always has a tray of snacks at the ready for them. Today though, she’s out shopping, so Ray throws something together to bring out. Julie is squat between Luke and Reggie on the couch, the three of them hunched over a notebook.
But Alex is sitting on the armchair, another boy practically in his lap, playing with his hair. “Oh hey Mr. M!” he says with a wave. “This is my boyfriend Willie.”
“Yo!” Willie says with a jaunty wave.
“Very nice to meet you Willie,” Ray replies. “You’re welcome any time.” He turns to Julie then. “Make sure to get your homework done amidst all the song writing please, and dinner tonight is lasagne if anyone wants to stay.”
He leaves the garage then, but just after he clears the door, he hears Julie say. “I told you he wouldn’t care. He’s not like your parents.”
“I know, but he’s still a dad,” Alex replies. “He just… happens to be a good one.”
Ray has to smile at that, and by the time the band meets up again, there’s a Pride flag in the window and Alex beams when he sees it, nodding at Ray when he greets him.
Luke actually comes out to Rose, and Ray just happens to be there. He approaches shyly, asking her if she thinks Julie would say yes to a movie date if he asked. Rose beams and says yes, but he’d be better off asking Julie herself.
“And you don’t mind that I’m…” he trails off, but moves his cut off so the scars are visible.
“No,” Ray says firmly. “If Julie knows and doesn’t care, then why should we?”
“She knows,” Luke says. “And that I’m pan, and she likes me just the same. She’s pretty accepting.”
“Well I’m pansexual too, so she grew up knowing that who you are attracted to doesn’t mean squat as long as you’re a good person,” Rose replied, and Luke offers her a fist bump at that. Ray grins, and thanks whatever force sent these boys to Julie, and to them. He knows not every parent would be as cool with it, and from the whispers he's heard, some of these boys parents are not.
Reggie is the last one to come out, and it’s in a weird, roundabout way. Julie and Luke march into the house, Reggie in tow and tell Ray that they’re all dating now.
“O…kay, you want to give me more details there mija?”
“I’m bisexual,” Reggie says, his eyes downcast. “I… I kind of just figured it out recently.” He lights up though when Ray grips his shoulder, offering him a warm smile. Ray has a fondness for Reggie, and any chance to make his sunshiney self come out, he takes.
“We all like each other, so why not all date?” Luke supplies.
“Love triangles are stupid, especially when polyamory is a easy solution,” Julie finishes.
Ray and Rose exchange glances, but re-assert that they love them all, and whatever they need, all they have to do is ask. There’s a lot of hugging and tears, but Ray can see those boys adore Julie and each other, so what more can he ask? Life will be hard enough on them, he doesn't need to add to it just because he doesn't understand it yet.
He and Rose spend a lot of time researching after that, but they always let their kids... all their kids know that they are loved, accepted, and safe in their home. If the guys spend more and more time there after that, well Rose just starts buying more snacks, and Ray offers as many dad hugs as they need.
That holiday season, Ray puts up a small tree in the garage. The kids all spend most of their time there anyways. And knowing the varying levels of acceptance from their respective families, bedecks the tree in as many queer themed ornaments as possible. It's a rainbow mish-mash of flags and hearts, but it's theirs. Everyone loves it, and when he brings snacks out this time, he catches the conversation as they take it in.
“Man are there any actually straight people close to us?” Alex comments wryly.
“Tia Victoria?” Luke offers.
“She’s aro-ace actually,” Willie replies. “She told me herself when I came out as demi.”
“Carlos?” Luke proposes.
“Carlos is twelve,” Julie says and Ray can almost hear the eye roll. “He's still figuring himself out.”
“You dad,” Reggie replied.
“You rang?” Ray says as he comes in, setting down the tray of hot cocoa and cookies.
“We’re just saying you might be the only straight person we know,” Julie says as she thanks him for the treats.
“Who said I was straight?” Ray replies with a wink, walking out, whistling Jingle Bells, and giggling to himself at the gobsmacked teenagers he left behind.
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JatP Advent Event 2022
🎄 Once Upon a Phantom ⛄
A Christmas Advent
Even if it’s a even later to launch it than last year, here is a JatP Advent Event for 2022! Posting will start 1st December and will end 31th December (or even in january if you want!) ~ But you can post whenever you want, or even use last year’s prompts. You can add last year prompt in either 2012 or 2022 AO3 collections, just use the 2022 tag, so I can still share them here!
How does it work?
This is pretty simple: you have prompts for each day and you can post whatever you feel like creating for this day. You don’t have to do all days, and can post as many things as you want per day. Arts, Fics (Drabbles, One Shot, Long, Multi Chapters, Sonfic, no limit), Graphics/Gifs or even Playlist, Moodboard or whatever you can imagine (even cakes), you can post it. The only rule is it has to be JatP themed.You are also free to not post them on the right day of course.
This year, there is one prompt each 5 days or so. All other days are filled with asks, but once again, feel free to do whatever you want, it’s just for fun, there is no real rule for what you really have to write.
Don’t forget trigger warnings and use proper tagging, so it can be safe and enjoyable for everyone!
AO3 collection: Jatp Advent Event 2022
Please, use the tag #JatPAdvent2022, so we can share your work and you can @ this blog too ~
If you have any question, feel free to contact us!
Day 1 – Ghost in Boots
Presents & Wrapping, Make a Wish, Love & Dreams
Day 2 – What’s on their Santa’s Whishlist?
Day 3 – Who is the best at wrapping present?
Day 4 – Any OTP or cute love headcanon for Christmas to share?
Day 5 – The Dorky Duckling
Ugly Sweater, Snow & Ice, Fireplace, Snowmen & Yeti
Day 6 – Who has the worst Ugly Sweater?
Day 7 – Who like Christmas the most and the lest?
Day 8 – Who loves the snow and who’d rather be warm?
Day 9 – Do they believed in the Yeti or elves?
Day 10 – The Guitarist of Hamelin
Children & Toys, Music & Jingle Bells, Lost
Day 11 – What did they had for Christmas as child?
Day 12 – What’s their favorite Christmas song?
Day 13 – Best and worst Christmas Memories?
Day 14 – Anything they lost on Christmas or any lost Christmas present?
Day 15 – Little Gay Riding Hood
Decorating, Into the Wood, Baking Time, Christmas Tree
Day 16 – Who does the Cookies and Gingerbread House?
Day 17 – Queer Day, for any Queer Headcanon!
Day 18 – How would their Christmas tree(s) looks like?
Day 19 – Who is afraid of the Santa Claus?
Day 20 – The Phantom of the Orpheum
Insecurities & Fear, Fabulous Outfits, Showtime, Yule Ball
Day 21 – What do they wear on Christmas eve?
Day 22 – Who do they take at the Yule Ball?
Day 23 – What are their worst insecurities (on Christmas or not)?
Day 24 – The Brave Little Skater
Courage, Ice skating, Dancing
Day 25 – Bonus: Free Day!
#jatp#julie and the phantoms#jatp-prompt#jatpadvent2022#jatpadventevent2022#I'm not even sure of what I'm doing this year#it's really quick but it's for people whom what something for this year#I hope you'll be mode inspired than me and I hope you'll have fun!#Happy creating everyone!
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Best & Worst Christmas memories?
Warning for Alex's parents being The Worst (TM) in this
Day Thirteen: Make The Yuletide Gay <-AO3!
Alex has always loved Christmas. Every year right after Thanksgiving ended, his dad dragged out the boxes, his mom set up the Advent candles, and Alex’s eyes would shine as they reflected the small flame, reciting the prayers, his heart glowing warm.
Alex loved the decorations, the tinsel and lights, the smell of pine that filled the house when he and his dad dragged in the tree. The carols that rang through the air echoing the church bells as they went to every service. Alex loved how the community came together, celebrating this joyous time of year.
Sure, he got in trouble for playing with the Nativity figurines, replacing them with his He-Man dolls and Olivia’s old Barbie's. Rolled his eyes through the lecture about respecting the sanctity of the display, and was way more sneaky about making the wise men fight.
His parents were happy to lavish them both with gifts, sitting back as Alex tore through the paper, finding toys and books and then one year, a drum set. Olivia got dolls at first, and then as she grew she got clothes and make-up, and then stuff she needed to help her once she got to med school. She stopped coming home once she was at college, and Alex kind of resented her for it. He missed his sister, so sue him.
Then Alex came out.
Things became downright frosty at home, his parents vehemently refusing to accept his sexuality-to accept him. They prayed for him a lot, bringing in Father Michaels to lecture him about the sin of homosexuality, of fire and brimstone.
“I tried praying about it Father,” Alex responded coolly. “But I’m still gay. And God doesn’t make mistakes. So he must want me to stay gay.”
“You’re not praying hard enough,” his father responded. “God will listen, he will cure you of this vile disease.”
Alex sat there, enduring the judgement, their hatred, their threats. But he knew he didn’t need a cure, he wasn’t sick. He had wrestled with the truth long enough, and everyone else in his life accepted him. Maybe it was his family who were the sick ones.
He wrote to Olivia, and even she told him she loved him, no matter what. Promised to try to come home that year. But she was married now, and her partner’s family were lovely and warm where the Mercer’s were not. Alex wondered if he could come spend the holidays with them instead. But their parents refused to let Alex go, and Olivia couldn’t go against them.
That year, Alex’s gifts were brochures for conversion camps, a very large Bible with all the parts about homosexuality and sin highlighted.
And porn.
Glossy magazines covered with mostly naked women in provocative poses that his father almost shoved under his nose. “Maybe you just need to see what you’re missing. These will straighten you out.”
Alex threw them away with the wrapping paper the next week.
The next year, he spent the holidays with Luke and Reggie, squatting in the garage they were using as a studio. The three of them didn’t make it to Christmas the year after that.
However, that wasn’t the last Christmas that Alex got to celebrate. Because he got to come back. As a ghost, granted, but here he was.
And the Molina's didn’t care that he was gay. Julie was openly bi, Victoria aroace, Carlos wasn’t sure where he fell. Ray was pretty tight lipped, but Julie confessed that her dad was ‘pretty open' and left it at that. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t get porn from them. Something super gay to make sure he felt accepted, yes. But not anything as traumatizing as that last gift from his dad.
Plus being a ghost meant he had Willie.
Willie who flaunted his queerness with pride, tagging homophobic stores with graffiti, stealing queer themed decorations to put on the little tree Julie had set up in the studio, wearing rainbow striped Santa hats and socks.
Willie, who took him through the botanical gardens that were all lit up with lights for the purpose of finding real mistletoe to kiss under. Who smuggled him out eggnog and gingerbread from the club to eat with the guys. Who gave him new drumsticks that he actually paid for (Alex didn’t ask where he got the money) and a set of matching rainbow socks.
Willie, who helped him track down Olivia.
She was older now, with an adult son named Patrick who looked like he could be Alex’s twin. Who looked at his moms with the utmost love, and who introduced his boyfriend to them without fear.
“Do you wanna go in?” Willie asked. “Tell her you’re okay?”
Alex shook his head. “Just knowing she is… that’s enough for me. Let’s go home.”
Willie grinned, took his hand, and poofed them back to the studio. Where he may have strung up some more of the mistletoe, and Alex smiled as he sank into the kiss. Sure, he was a ghost, and it kind of sucked some days. But this was shaping up to still be the best Christmas he’d had in a long time.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: What's their favourite Christmas song?
Day Twelve: Turn The Christmas Music On <-AO3!
The band was driving to get a tree for the studio when Alex groaned, reaching forward between the seats to twist the radio dial to another station.
“Hey, shotgun controls the radio, we all agreed!” Luke protests from his spot in said seat.
“Dude, that’s all well and good, but not when we have to listen to fucking Christmas Shoes,” Alex said.
“I normally am all for the sanctity of the shotgun rule,” Julie said. “But I’m with Alex here. Fuck that song.”
“What is it?” Reggie asked. “I don’t think I’ve heard it before.”
“How?” Alex asked.
“Usually I have my phone plugged into the speaker,” Reggie replied with a shrug. “Plus you guys know that I don’t listen to Christmas music unless it’s Kenny & Dolly. Or the occasional John Denver.”
“But they play it literally everywhere!” Julie stated.
“Which is why I wear headphones. I don’t celebrate the holiday, so I don’t have to put up with the terrible music.”
“Not all of it is terrible,” Luke comments. “You liked TSO.”
“Most of that is just rock guitars with a holiday twist,” Reggie argued. “But yes, I will admit to enjoying that, even if the concert you made me watch gave me a headache from the light show.”
“Anyways,” Julie interjected, “Christmas Shoes is an awful Christian song based on a book… and I think there’s a made for TV movie too? It’s about this boy who loses his mom on Christmas Eve and asks Santa for a pair of shoes so she can look nice for when she meets Jesus.”
Reggie gaped at that, and turned around to look at Julie, as if to ascertain she was serious. They were at a stoplight, thankfully, so she nodded gravely. “That’s fucking sick!” Reggie exclaimed.
“It’s grief porn,” Alex said. “And disgusting. My church loved it, tried to make it some uplifting thing, but it makes my skin crawl.”
“And I think you can all tell why I would hate it,” Julie piped up.
“Yeah, sorry Luke, you’re outvoted here. Shotgun rule of the radio is overturned if that awful drek comes on my radio,” Reggie said decisively.
“I don’t like it either,” Luke grumbled. “I was gonna turn it off myself before Alex got to it. But I suppose that’s fair. But I am so changing the channel because we’ve been listening to NPR for five minutes now.”
“Just plug my phone in and we can listen to some good old Kenny & Dolly,” Reggie said.
“No. No way. I am still in control, and I get to choose the music,” Luke stated firmly.
“And there is no way we are listening to country while I’m in control.” He turned the dial until it settled back to the original station, the last strains of Nat King Cole fading out.
But then the next song started and everyone had to laugh when it was “With Bells On”, and Reggie started singing along, loud and obnoxiously, Alex and Julie grinning as they joined in. Luke scowled but made no move to change the station. He may not like country, but he would admit, deep deep down, that his friends did sound good while singing it.
#my stuff#fanfic#writing#julie and her himbos#jatpadvent2022#julie and the phantoms#seriously fuck christmas shoes
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent What is on their Christmas Wishlist?
Day Two: Dear Santa <-AO3!
Dear Santa,
I doubt there is anything in that big old sack of yours that I want this holiday season. Not unless it contains accepting parents or a cute boy for me to date. Maybe one with really nice hair? If not, I'll accept the latest Whitney Houston album in lieu.
Sincerely,
Alex Mercer
~
Dear Santa,
All I really want for Christmas this year is for Sunset Curve to make it big. To make sure that I prove all the nay-sayers wrong, and prove to myself that I didn't just make a huge mistake. A space heater for the studio would also be nice.
Thanks,
Luke P
~
Dear Santa,
I know it might seem silly, writing to you at my age, but a part of me will always believe in you, in the magic of Christmas. This year, I'm not asking for me, but for my sister, Julie. We lost our mom this year, and while I know you can't bring her back, you can help Julie. Bring back her love of music, somehow. The house is too quiet without it. And what’s Christmas without music? Just-no Christmas Shoes please.
Thanks Santa,
Carlos
PS: And if you wanted to throw in the new Pokémon game for me, I wouldn't complain.
~
Dear Santa,
I don’t know why I’m writing to you really. Does Santa even visit ghosts for Christmas? I know this holiday is associated with ghosts, but it’s more so them haunting misers to change their ways, and Julie says we aren’t allowed to haunt Trevor any more. Either way, I figured it would be worth a shot to write, maybe get that Christmas present I missed out on in ‘95. Luke told me I’m not allowed to ask for a puppy-not even a ghost one, and wishing for pizza would be useless-unless you can return our ability to eat stuff! Anyways, for Christmas this year, I’d like a banjo. Julie promised me she’d learn to fiddle, and I wanna duet some Kenny & Dolly with her.
Thanks Santa!
Your Friend,
Reggie Peters
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: What are their Christmas insecurities?
Day Twenty Three: You Make It Feel Like Christmas <-AO3!
Julie was not a fan of shopping for people. Mainly because she was a gift perfectionist. Each present had to be well thought out, and perfectly suited for the recipient.
This year was especially hard because she had four ghosts to shop for. Like, what do you even get for ghosts?
They could only be seen by people not connected to Julie while playing or at the Hollywood Ghost Club in Willie’s case, so gift cards to stores was out. See also anything to do with food, as all it did was remind them how much they missed eating.
She could get them music stuff, but after her dad found out about the guys, that was what he and tia had opted for, so that idea went nowhere. Ditto games because while they had permission to use Carlos’ systems they seemed to be happy enough playing his emulators of games from their childhoods.
She did up a scrapbook for the band, but she wanted something for each of them to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Which left clothes. Not the best gift, but it was one of the few options she had left.
Her dad had gotten the guys a cheap dresser to store stuff in, and they had more basics now, but their wardrobe was still limited. Julie took advantage of laundry day to peek at their sizes, and off to the stores she went.
Willie was easy; crop tops in funky patterns with equally funky socks. She scoured a few stores and found a good collection, and a truly awful ugly holiday sweater, just because she knew he’d get a kick out of it.
Alex liked shirts with 80’s pop idols and anything pink, though he had admitted that his fascination with the colour came from an incident with a red sock that ruined his whites. So for him, she gets him a pair of red socks, to be cheeky, and a few new shirts in soft pastel colours.
Luke was the easiest; cut offs, band tees, and hideaway socks. The problem was finding shirts of bands he liked that he didn’t already have. Thankfully she found a bunch of vintage Green Day and Nirvana shirts at a thrift store and bought those.
She left Reggie for last. Even though she had taken him shopping a few times, he just bought more of the same few staples; monochromatic shirts, ripped skinny jeans, and that was it. She had offered to get him a new flannel, since his was getting worn, or a bigger leather jacket as he had started outgrowing his before he died. But no dice.
Alex was the one who told her that Reggie’s MeeMaw had bought him the flannel for his last birthday, so there was no replacing that. And the guys had gotten him the jacket, and Reggie considered it his signature piece, refusing to give it up.
“It made the bullies stop picking on him, because he was putting out the tough exterior,” Alex admitted. “He got into a lot less scraps then.”
Julie wished she could have known the guys when they were alive, because the little snippets she got made her more and more convinced that they had badly needed friends outside each other, and a caring environment to grow up in. The best she could do now was give them as much love as she could, both her and her family.
That’s when she got an idea. She still got a few new staples plus some fun doggy socks for Reggie and headed off to home.
On Christmas Eve morning, she pulled the guys into the living room, and thrust a present at each of them. Each of them ripped open the packages, and Luke’s face struggled not to fall. “Oh. You got us socks?”
“Not only socks,” Julie said, giving them each a gift bag. On top were the clothes she picked out, but there on the bottom, she had given them each a set of…
“Pyjamas?” Alex asked.
“Every year, we Molinas get a set of matching holiday jammies,” Julie admitted. “This year… well you guys are my family too. Molina or not. So you get pyjamas too. To wear tomorrow morning for breakfast and stockings are the rest of the gifts.”
“Thank you Julie,” Reggie said, and she could see his eyes were a little glassy, and could hear a tiny sniffle in his voice. That was what made Julie sure she had made the right choice.
“Group hug?” Willie proposed.
Everyone nodded and agreed. Getting up in a large embrace, glowing as whatever magic Julie possessed thrummed through the air, letting them touch, letting the guys be more visible, more present… more alive. It came and went, but right now Julie was incredibly glad it worked, because if she wasn’t able to hug them right then, she would cry.
Okay, maybe she was crying anyways, but so were they, so no one said anything.
Happy tears could flow freely, especially at Christmas.
The next morning they all showed up in their pyjamas, grinning and bouncing, humming and singing as Ray snapped a family photo, and they finally were able to see them, not a bunch of orbs. Carlos thought it was lame, but Reggie timidly asked for a copy for the studio. “Our first family portrait.”
“I’d be happy to do that for you mijo,” Ray replied. And no one mentioned when the tears started anew, until it was time for stockings, and they disappeared. At least until the game of charades that afternoon anyway.
Though Julie was totally blaming that on how hard they were all laughing, and not how much they felt like a family for the first time in so long.
But she was totally keeping that photo for after they made it big and made their inevitable Christmas album.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Who likes Christmas the most and the least?
Day Seven: Ghost of Christmas Past <-AO3!
When Luke was a kid, Christmas was his favourite time of year. He loved the food, and the presents, the decorations and the music. Just everything about the whole season made him come alive.
Right after Thanksgiving, his mom would take out the Advent candles, and he would be vibrating, knowing it was time. Slowly the house would be transformed; wreaths of holly, strings of lights, tinsel adorning the large pine in the corner. Brightly coloured paper and bows started covering boxes-all of which he was not allowed to shake-and cards decorated the mantle piece.
He’d watch in wonder as his mom baked up a frenzy, weighing, mixing, measuring each and every ingredient to make cookies galore. Shortbreads, sugar cookies, snowballs, snickerdoodles, little raspberry filled ones, and she always let Luke help. Even if all he got to do was add sprinkles or a dusting of icing sugar, or even just lick the bowl, he delighted in helping her.
As time went on though, Christmas lost some of its magic. First when he learned The Truth About Santa. Then when the gifts became more practical, less fun. Sure he needed new socks, but he missed the years when he got a new Gameboy or a guitar for the holiday over clothes.
Then, as the band starts to take off, it gets bad.
His mom wants him at home, as a family, not playing gigs. It’s not like he was going to play on the day itself, but she wanted him home throughout December, and each time he argued that the band was important, his music was important, she would shout back that the family was important too.
“Not if you can’t support me it’s not!”
“Then go! If you truly don’t care about this family, about this holiday, take your guitar and go!”
Luke won’t ever forget the way the lights from the tree reflected in his mother’s tears as he ran out. Or the way he could still hear the radio blasting Christmas songs as he stormed out, the slamming of the door echoing two broken hearts.
Luke didn’t know that would be his last Christmas alive.
Honestly being a ghost didn’t make it any better. Because he could see his mom putting up those same decorations she always had, still making those same cookies, though she mostly gave them away now. Could see the unopened presents stacked in the closet of his room, collecting dust. Could see the haunted look in her eyes when she looked at the third stocking in the box, and never hung it up.
He longed for the power to haunt her, but she was no Scrooge, and him no Marley. She deserved to grieve how she wanted, to keep celebrating, even as muted as the joy was. Luke wondered if she could even bear to think of that last fight, those last angry words, because they cut him like a knife, repeating in his heart as WHAM! played on in the kitchen.
He wished he could change things, could at least let them know he was okay. Julie had let them know he was sorry, had brought them his song, but he doubted even that could heal the sadness that was sure to linger today.
He watched as his mom hung one last decoration on the tree, a little picture of him as a baby in a cutesy frame. She pressed a kiss to it, whispering, “Merry Christmas Luke.”
Luke sniffled, wiped away the tear streaking down his face, and pressed a kiss to her temple, intangible and cool. “Merry Christmas mom. Wish I could celebrate with you.”
Luke turned away, getting ready to poof back to the garage, back where Christmas didn’t exist because neither Reggie nor Alex were keen to celebrate either, and just prayed they could wait out this holiday without regret eating him alive.
But he still snagged a few cookies to give to Julie and her family. Even if he didn’t want anything to do with this holiday any more, he could still do something nice for them.
He didn’t even notice the tin marked with Julie’s name on it sitting on the kitchen counter. All he saw was the memories of his mom and him, baking together, happy and whole, and never to be again.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Who has the worst Christmas sweater?
Day Six: Ugly Sweater Party <-AO3!
Alex hummed as he looked through the mail, stopping at one ornate envelope. “Willie? Are you expecting mail from your dad?” Caleb was notorious for his over the top stationary, so it seemed a fitting question to ask.
Willie bounced into the kitchen, snatching up the envelope and holding it away from him as he opened it. Which, to be fair, was only because one year for his Pride party, Caleb has stuffed the envelope with glitter. Alex swore they were still cleaning it up to this day, so they had learned caution when opening mail from him. Thankfully this one seemed to contain any unfortunate surprises. “Oh, he’s having a holiday party.”
“What’s the theme this year?” Alex asked with a sigh. Willie shot him a confused look. “Babe, there’s always a theme. Last year we had to dress up as our favourite character from a Christmas movie of our choosing. The year before was all Dickens, the one before that was Twisted Nativity. So I am terrified to know what he came up with this year.”
Willie glanced at the paper in his hands and then his face screwed up before looking up at Alex. “It says to wear your ugliest holiday sweater.”
“Are you sure it’s from Caleb then? Because I don’t think he even associates with the word ugly,” Alex snarked.
“Yup, his signature is on the bottom,” Willie replied, holding out the invitation for Alex to see. “It says, and I quote, ‘the more garish or over the top the better’, which does sound a little like him.”
“Just a bit too much,” surmised Alex. “But I don’t think I have any holiday sweaters. Reggie might, but nothing he owns would fit either of us.”
“I might have a few poked away somewhere,” Willie mused. “Provided the moths haven’t eaten them yet.”
“Well, I mean, distressed clothing is in this year…”
Willie rolled his eyes at Alex and went off in search of his holiday wear collection, finally emerging from the office, his hair a little tangled, his clothes a bit askew, carrying a dusty box and a megawatt smile. “Found ’em!”
They dug through the box, finding treasures untold. Willie snatched up a bright red sweater with a tree on the front that proclaimed ‘Let’s Get Lit!’ and all the lights on the tree actually worked.
Alex rejected the muscle Santa sweater, the truly sacrilegious one with what he was sure was a Buddy Christ from Dogma on it, and the one with the reindeer threesome on it. Finally he pulled out one, and it was perfect, and he beamed when he held it up to Willie.
“Oh… I actually bought that to give you a few years ago,” Willie admitted with a blush. “But I thought you might get offended, so I stashed it.”
“No way, this is amazing! I’m gonna wear it every year!” Alex proclaimed, tossing off his hoodie and pulling the sweater down onto him, fluffing his hair back into place as he did a little spin.
“Gorgeous as always hot dog,” Willie commented. “Now, let’s get these dry cleaned before the party and hope that Caleb’s sweater is the ugliest one of all because I don't wanna be whoever it is that shows him up.”
The night of the party, Alex donned his festive sweater, the one declaring that ‘40% of us get the gift of increased anxiety’ and got Willie. The club was hopping by the time they arrived, and got some punch as they mingled. Ugly sweaters were everywhere, and the smiles seemed a lot more genuine than they were during the Dickens year. Alex didn’t blame them there, he was way comfier in his nicer slacks and this sweater than in the whole Jacob Marley get up. He still had nightmares about getting in and out of the stupid stockings he wore, and the less said about the buckled shoes, the better.
Soon the lights were dimming, meaning it was time for Caleb’s grand entrance, so they all took their seats, looking towards the stage.
The trapdoor opened, and a star emerged, clutched in Caleb’s hands, then he popped right up, and everyone laughed and clapped. Caleb’s sweater was a bright festive green colour, but it was wrapped in tinsel and had ornaments hanging from it, so that with his arms positioned as they were, he looked like a Christmas tree.
Only he tossed the star at the band, and grinned at his party guests. “Ho ho ho everyone! Now the party can actually begin, as my mere presents is a gift to you all!”
Willie groaned and shook his head. Caleb might only be his dad through adoption, but the man had embraced dad jokes like no tomorrow from the second Willie entered his care. Even now, with Willie long out of the house, with a husband and a house, Caleb still enjoyed adding as many puns to his speeches as he could, just to embarrass his poor son.
Willie didn’t even want to think about the grandpa jokes the man would come up with once he and Alex started having kids. But he was fairly certain that kid would have the most fabulous parties this side of California, there was no doubt about that.
But even Willie has to laugh when on Isla’s first Christmas with them, Caleb shows up with matching ugly sweaters for all of them. The picture becomes a yearly tradition as the sweaters grow more and more tacky, but Isla loves them, Caleb is delighted by it, and well, Alex and Willie love their family, so the tradition stays.
Even if Alex loves that first sweater that Willie gave him most of all.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent bonus day!
Day Twenty Five: An Angel Came Down <-AO3!
As December grew closer, the administration of Los Feliz Elementary decided that a school wide pageant was a great idea. None of the children agreed, but they weren’t given much say in the matter.
The smallest kids were tasked with singing a song or two, then older ones were doing little sketches. Julie’s grade was doing The Nativity Play, and she got the role of the angel. She loved the flow white robe and the sparkly wings, twirling around and singing as she did.
“See? Nothing to be scared of Reg,” a voice said. Julie turned and saw two boys her age in shepherd costumes.
“Angels aren’t scary,” she replied.
“But the shepherds were sore afraid in the story!” the boy with freckles and darker hair said.
“Probably because it was ages before TV and a strange glory lady appeared in the sky in the middle of the night,” the other boy with messy brown curls said.
“And the angel even said Be Not Afraid,” Julie added. “For I bring you tidings of great joy! Angels bring good news, so you don’t need to be scared.”
“Are you sure?” the boy whimpered.
Julie crouched down in front of him, granting him a gap toothed smile. “I’m not scary am I?” He shook his head no. “Then you don’t need to be afraid. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
“Okay,” he said, getting up. “I’m Reggie, by the way.”
“Julie.”
“Luke,” the other boy offered. “And you must be an angel for real, because that was super nice of you.”
Julie blushed and curtsied, then it was time for places, so she squeezed their hands and rushed off. Reggie and Luke dashed off to their own places, and when Julie appeared in a burst of light, Reggie clutched at Luke for a moment then relaxed when Julie winked.
“Be not afraid, for I bring you tidings of great joy,” she said, and Reggie tried his best to look enraptured by her words, but when he glanced over at Luke, he didn’t think either of them were really acting all that much.
Years later, the three of them were back at Los Feliz Elementary, only this time in the audience, watching as Isla and Danny recited parts of The Night Before Christmas. They applauded wildly, cheering on the children. Then it was time for the Nativity, and they clapped again when Luna came on as the angel.
Even if both Julie and Luke grabbed onto Reggie’s hands, making sure he wasn’t afraid, chuckling when he rolled his eyes at them. “Not afraid of angels any more guys.”
“No?” Luke joked.
“Not since I married two of them, no,” Reggie replied, grinning madly as he received a cheek kiss on either side. “Now, let’s watch the play.”
They did, but that didn’t mean that Reggie let go of either of their hands. They could tell him be not afraid all they wanted, but unless the angel was played by Julie or his adorable daughter, he still thought they were fucking terrifying. It’s not anyone else’s fault but his own that he got exposed to the ‘real’ angel images of flaming rings and a million eyes as a kid, not the cartoony woman in a dress with wings version.
But Reggie didn’t even flinch when Luna leapt into his arms, her wings leaving a trail of glitter behind her, and her halo crooked on her head. “Did you see me daddy? Wasn’t I great?”
“You did amazing, my little moonbeam, I’m so proud!” Reggie assured her.
In a tiny little whisper she asked “Were you scared?”
“Only a little,” Reggie whispered back. “But then you smiled, and no one could be afraid of that.” He locked eyes with Julie and Luke who were almost melting as Danny yakked their ears off over the nightcap giving him trouble and Isla almost forgetting her lines. “Now, let’s get you out of the costume, and go home. Santa will be here before you know it.”
“Do you think he’ll leave me lots of presents?” Luna asked. “I’ve been super good this year.”
“I’m sure he will, my little angel,” Reggie replied. “I’m sure he will.”
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For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Ice Skating
Day Twenty Four: I Would Teach My Feet To Fly <-AO3!
Reggie is lounging on the couch, a mindless Rankin Bass claymation special playing on the television when Flynn comes barging in. “Hey bun-bun, how’s tricks?”
“Are you busy?” she asks without answering.
Reggie waves at the TV and emptied bowl of popcorn at his side. “Crazy busy.”
“Good. Put on actual pants, we’re going out.”
Reggie groans but gets off the couch, trading his sweats for some not ripped jeans, a fresh flannel and runs a comb through his hair. “Where we goin’?”
“I have tickets to see my favourite pair of ice dancers. Was gonna take Kayla, but she has pneumonia.”
“Gross.”
Flynn shrugs. “It’s what happens when you work with kids. Anyways, she’s sick, you’re free, Merry Christmas.”
“Taylor you had better not be using this as my gift,” Reggie replied. Flynn simply looped their arms, pulling him towards the ice rink a few blocks over. The place was packed. “Geez, who are these dancers?” he asked, taking in the giant crowd.
“You ever hear of Molina and Wilson?” Flynn asks.
“You mean the pretty queer girls who fought to do same sex pairs competitions at the Olympics? Fuck yeah I have! Is that who we’re going to see?” Reggie asks, and Flynn nods. “Didn’t they place third in the whole world?”
“Second.” Flynn replies, and Reggie lets out a low whistle, finding their seats.
The show started soon after, and it was phenomenal. The girls skated together with grace and finesse. They did a few simple lifts, but it was their jumps, twirls, and coordinated spins that had Reggie riveted. The lights of the rink made them sparkle, catching on the sequins of their costumes, and if someone were to ask him how he felt right now, Reggie would have to reply that he was enraptured.
He leapt to his feet at the end, applauding so hard his palms hurt, but those girls deserved it, just for the mastery over the form they had shown. They shuffled out, but then Flynn saw that there would be an autograph signing, and dragged Reggie towards that.
Though he honestly would have gone willingly. Maybe because of the rabbiting of his heart when the screens had shown close ups of the skaters, maybe because of how their performance made him feel. He's not sure, but he dutifully follows Flynn.
The line was long and winding, but it moved rather quickly, and soon enough Flynn was at the front, Reggie right behind her. They paid for the glossy photos the skaters had on hand, clutching them to themselves, and Reggie let Flynn go first, lest he gush all over these athletes. Then he was ushered forward.
Julie Molina and Carrie Wilson offered him sweet, genuine smiles. Reggie tries to ignore the swarm of butterflies that sets off in his stomach. “Hi,” Julie said. “Who should we say it’s for?”
“Reggie. You two… you were beautiful. Definitely gained a new fan.”
“You came without knowing us?” Carrie asked.
“Yeah, my friend Flynn brought me, and you two immediately captured me. It was like.. Poetry in motion or something. Way better than I could do,” Reggie said with a small chuckle.
“You don’t skate?” Julie asked.
“Nah,” Reggie said with a shake of his head. “I just wobble and then fall on my dignity, so I gave up trying.” He rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe if I had teachers as gorgeous and talented and sweet as you, I might have made more of an effort. Now I think I'm best off leaving it to the pros, because... wow you two are just.. amazing."
The girls exchanged a glance, and then an assistant came over, probably urging them to move it along. Carrie signed the photo, then passed it to Julie who did the same, then flipped it over to add another note. “Well, thank you for coming out Reggie. Hope we get to see you again soon,” she said with a wink.
Reggie thanked them and moved off towards Flynn, and it wasn’t until they were a block away that he flipped the paper over.
You ever want a skating lesson, give us a call
Beneath that there were a series of digits, and a small X and O.
“D-did you seriously get the number of not one, but two Olympians?” Flynn asked.
“I… I think I did?”
“If you score then I am totally calling this as your present then,” Flynn replied. “Are you gonna call?”
“D’uh. Even if it’s a prank, I’ve gotta try. Worst case scenario, I get a few free skating lessons from silver medalist. Best case...” Reggie and Flynn shared a grin. “But I’m not calling them in front of you, so you can forget it.”
A few days later, Flynn got a text from Reggie.
Reggie: Thanks for the gift
Below it was a picture of him, cuddled into Julie and Carrie as they stood at centre ice, two distinct lipstick kisses on his cheeks.
Flynn: I expect something equally fabulous in return.
And it's not two talented, famous, beautiful girlfriends, but Flynn does willingly accept the day long spa visit he gifts her all the same. Plus she forever gets bragging rights, and when the three of them have a commitment ceremony some years later, Flynn makes sure to mention it in her Best Woman speech.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Lost
Day Ten: I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas <-AO3!
Luna’s eyes widened as she took in the train going around the ornate Santa’s village in the middle of the mall. It was a shiny red and gold, with what looked like real steam coming from it as it meandered around the track. She turned to point it out to mami, but when she looked, her mother wasn’t there.
She looked frantically through the crowd, trying to spot the soft purple coat her mom had been wearing, her curls, her smile, anything. But all she could see was a sea of strangers.
Had her mom left her there by accident?
Had she gotten lost?
Did someone mean come along and take her?
Luna wasn’t sure, but her bottom lip quivered and the tears started in earnest as she realized that she was all alone. Clutching herself tightly, she stood by the train, wondering what to do next.
“Hey sweetheart, are you okay?”
Luna looked, and there crouched in front of her, was a Christmas elf! He was wearing a bright red and green outfit, and had a kind smile on his face. She sniffled, wiping her nose in her sleeve. “I think my mami is lost,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Well we can’t have that!” the elf exclaimed, his green eyes twinkling. “Let’s see if we can find a security guard to track her down, and you can hang out with me and Santa until then, okay?”
He offered her a hand, and Luna stalled for a moment. Her mami had told her to never go anywhere with a stranger. But elves worked for Santa, they couldn’t be bad! So she tentatively slipped her hand into his. “My name is Luna, what’s yours?”
“You can call me Reggie sweetheart. Do you know your mom’s name?”
“Julie Molina,” she offered shyly. “People say I look just like her.”
“Well that will certainly help,” Reggie said, swinging their hands together, and Luna giggled as he started to skip, making the bells on his shoes tinkle. They found a security guard and he assured them he would make an announcement on the mall PA. He asked if Luna wanted to come with him, but she stuck to Reggie, almost hiding behind him.
The guard chuckled. “Fair enough, I know I ain’t no competition with an elf. I’ll tell your mom to come collect you at Santa’s village then.”
Reggie nodded in thanks, and soon enough Luna was back watching the train, sucking on a candy cane while Reggie took pictures of all the kids with Santa. He kept talking to Luna in between shots, asking her what she wanted for Christmas (a dollhouse), if she had been good this year (of course), and what her favourite animal was.
“I like hippos,” Luna replied. “Mami taught me the song about asking for one for Christmas, but she said we couldn’t fit one in our apartment. So the dollhouse is fine.”
Reggie bit back a grin. “My mom told me the same thing about horses when I was your age, So I asked for a banjo instead.”
“A horse would have gotten too cold in the North Pole anyway,” Luna surmised. “You should have asked for a reindeer instead.”
Reggie burst out laughing at that. “You are right there Luna, I really should have!”
It was then that Julia ran up to them, looking panicked and then relieved as she scooped Luna up into her arms, covering her face in kisses.
“I was so worried! I’m sorry for getting lost my little moonbeam.”
“It’s okay mami, Reggie took care of me,” Luna replied, grinning wide.
Julie turned and saw the very cute elf standing there, pink cheeked and smiling, offering a little wave.
“It was my pleasure Luna, thanks for keeping me company while I worked.”
Julie went to open her purse, “Please, let me thank you. I don’t know what I would have done if…”
Reggie waved her off. “No, it’s fine. Anyone decent would have done the same thing.”
“At least let me buy you a coffee, hot chocolate, whatever you want. I insist,” Julie said, still holding the squirming Luna tightly, and the girl turned her big brown eyes on him.
“Oh yes, Reggie, come get a hot chocolate with us! You can tell mami all about wanting a horse for Christmas!”
“You’re still not getting a hippopotamus Luna Rose,” Julie replied automatically, then turned and offered Reggie a pleading smile.
“I’m off in like, an hour, so if you’re serious, we could exchange numbers, meet up somewhere when I’m not all-” he waved his hands up and down his outfit. Julie nodded, and they exchanged phones. Luna swore she could see Santa chuckling from his throne. And offering Reggie a fist bump after they walked away.
Later, Luna would be a little disappointed that Reggie showed up in normal clothes, though she liked the play with the zippers and chains on his leather jacket while they enjoyed their drinks.
And she definitely didn’t complain when he showed up to their house a few days before Christmas with a bouquet of dahlias for mami, and a stuffed hippo toy for her. She hid her eyes as she watched her mom kiss Reggie, but she cuddled her hippo tighter, and felt a tiny bit glad that her mom decided to get lost that day.
The next year, Luna didn’t ask for anything for Christmas, because honestly, nothing could top getting Reggie as her dad as a present.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: What do they wear on Christmas?
Day Twenty One: You Will Get A Sentimental Feeling <-AO3!
Luke would be the first to admit he doesn’t know a damn thing about style. He’s happy enough in his cut off band tees and baggy jeans. He reserves sleeves for when he’s feeling low, and even then it’s usually his oversized flannel or one of the two sweaters he owns.
So when he and Reggie start dating and Reggie brings up wanting him to meet his family for a pre-Christmas dinner, Luke panics a little.
He loves Reggie, and Reggie adores his family, talks about them all the time to the point that Luke feels like he knows them. So he wants them to approve of him, because he doesn’t want Reggie to have to choose, because Luke isn’t sure he’d win that fight.
So Luke doesn’t think his usual magenta sweatshirt or flannel of sadness are gonna cut it for a meet the family dinner. He could ask his dad to borrow a shirt, but they are such different sizes that Luke would drown in his dad’s clothes. And asking for money for a new shirt would just start yet another fight about where all his money had gone (new guitar strings, if anyone needed to know) that he’d rather avoid.
He idly wonders if he could get away with an ugly Christmas sweater, but figures that might be a bit much.
Instead he asks Alex and Bobby. Neither of them have any money to lend him, and Alex left behind most of his formal wear when he got kicked out. Bobby however, comes through in a pinch, giving Luke a white dress shirt. The arms are a bit short, but he figures he can get away with rolling the sleeves up.
He does have some dress slacks, and even neatens up his hair before taking off towards Los Feliz. He wanted to wipe his sweaty palms in his pants, but he didn’t dare stain the soft grey fabric with his excess perspiration. So he rubbed his forearms, shivering at the clammy feeling but his hands were dry by the time he arrived at Reggie’s house to knock on the door.
It was Reggie who answered, but he stopped when he caught sight of Luke. “Babe, you look adorable… but what are you wearing?”
“I-I wanted to look nice for your family,” Luke offered lamely. “Figured my cut offs weren’t appropriate.”
“I love your cut offs,” Reggie replied. “And I want my family to meet you, not some spiffed up version of you. But I adore that you went to all this trouble to impress them.”
“I have a cut off on underneath,” Luke admitted. Reggie grinned, and Luke whipped off the button up, his usual Rush shirt hanging out, and he ruffled his hair so it resembled his usual bird’s nest look.
“Perfect,” Reggie said, pecking him on the lips and pulling him inside.
Reggie’s family loved him, cut off or not. His dad Ray was super nice and welcoming, his aunt ensuring he was fed until his bust. Even made up a plate of food to bring home with him, which will definitely earn her points in Emily Patterson’s book. Plus Reggie’s little brother was hilarious with his weird supernatural theories involving the ghosts from A Christmas Carol.
It turned out that Luke already knew his sister Julie though. “Hey, you’re in my dance class!” she said as they were introduced. “You and Carrie did an amazing waltz last week.”
“Thanks,” he replied with a blush, rubbing the back of his neck. “You did great with your rhumba.”
“I mean I would have if my partner wasn’t so distracted staring at yours,” Julie snarked. “Next time we should just pair up and force those two to sort themselves out.”
“Deal,” Luke chuckled.
The night went incredibly well, and Luke found he didn’t need to be nervous, given how nice the Molina’s were. He really liked them, and Reggie whispered that the feeling was mutual as they snuggled in front of the twinkling tree.
“So… when do you wanna come over and meet my folks?” Luke asked and giggled when Reggie stammered and fidgeted, avoiding giving him a straight answer. “Don’t worry babe, they’ll be sure to love you. I mean, how could anybody not?”
“I love you too,” Reggie whispered, pulling Luke into a sweet kiss, and Luke found that with Reggie, it didn’t matter what he wore, with him he was all dressed up in love.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: How would their tree look?
Day Eighteen: Where The Love Light Gleams <-AO3!
As the holidays started to approach, Reggie noticed that the Molina household wasn’t very jolly. School was a bit crazy for Julie and Carlos, and work was even more hectic for Ray. So he decided that he would help by decorating the house while they were gone.
The attic was a maze of boxes, but eventually he located all the ones labelled Christmas and pooped them down to the living room.
Alex and Willie agreed to do the outside lights given Alex didn’t trust him not to electrocute himself (not after he fixed his amp in the rain) and Willie could manipulate electricity.
Luke wanted to stay out of it, given his history with the holiday, but he also wanted to do something nice for Julie so he offered to bake some of his mom’s sugar cookies. Reggie remembered those cookies fondly, and since it was one thing he knew that Luke could bake, he shoved him towards the kitchen.
Reggie traipsed through the house leaving boughs of holly behind him, snow globes on various tables and mantles. He set the Nativity out gently, though he had no clue which figurine went where. He’ll get Alex to fix it later, and he moved on to the most daunting task.
The tree.
Thankfully Julie’s family had an artificial tree, because even Reggie didn’t trust himself with an axe. However the tree presents its own mess of problems. All the branches have to be sorted and fluffed and inserted into the trunk, and Reggie is positive he’s going to get ghost tetanus from the amount of cuts he’s getting.
Finally the tree is up, looking semi-respectable, though he can’t get the top to fluff in the right way, but he figures it’s good enough. Look, this is his first time doing this okay? Cut him some slack.
But if Reggie thought the tree was a nightmare, it’s nothing compared to the lights.
The strands are a tangled mess that he’s sure he spends the better part of an hour untangling. Then when he plugs them in, finds one strand doesn’t work at all, and another has lights missing throughout. He tosses those back in the box and makes due with what he has. So what if the tree is sparsely lit? It looks better than nothing. He skips the tinsel, and the garland, not wanting to waste yet another hour on them when school will be out in half that time. Instead he dug into the ornaments.
Each one has a little thing hook, or a string, which makes it easier, so Reggie starts putting them up at random, not sure if they have a specific place or not. Some are glass, so he’s super careful with those. Others are obviously handmade by Julie and Carlos from childhood, and he snickers over the adorable artwork.
He does try to do the sides and back, but there’s only so many decorations, and Reggie doesn’t want the front to have big empty spaces. Then the only thing left is the star.
It’s times like this that he wishes he knew how to float, or hang from the ceiling like a real ghost. And he doesn’t trust himself to poof up and back fast enough not to fall into the tree. So he gets a step stool, thankful the tree isn’t much taller than him.
He struggles and strains, getting up on his tip toes and finally the star is in place; a little crooked, but there. It’s the thought that counts right?
He’d just taken a step back to admire his work when he heard the door open. “Papi?” Julie calls. “Good job on the lights, but I thought you were waiting until tio Ernesto was here to do them?” She then inhales deeply. “And were you baking? I thought we talked about that!”
Come to think of it, Reggie hadn’t heard from Luke since the last time the oven beeped, and figured he was off song writing while he waited for the cookies to cool. He knew Alex and Willie had a date planned, so he guessed they were gone if the lights were done.
It’s then that Julie enters the living room and stops. Reggie grins and makes a little ‘tada!’ gesture towards the tree.
“R-reggie… what did you do?” Julie asks, biting her lip as to hold back her laughter.
“I decorated for Christmas?” he replies. “I tried my best anyway. I’ve never really done it before.”
“Never?” Julie asks, turning towards him.
“Jewish,” he says with a shrug. “But I know you guys are all so busy, and I wanted to do something nice. Help you out.”
“It’s lovely Reggie, thank you so much,” Julie says, coming over and planting a tiny kiss on his cheek. Reggie blushes, and then Julie points up to where he had hung some weird plant or another along with the strands of holly. “Mistletoe.”
Later that night, when Reggie poofs back into the house, the tree looks a lot more respectable, and there, sitting on the kitchen table, is a menorah, Julie and her family grinning around it. “It’s the first night of Channukah tonight… so we figured we’d do something nice for you too Reggie,” she says.
Reggie sniffles as he subtly wipes away a tear, and grins, taking the candle from Julie’s hands, (he lets Ray light it, he’s not good with fire) and starts saying the blessing, and totally doesn’t trip over the Hebrew as Julie slides her hand into his.
And later, when she pulls him under the mistletoe once more? Her kiss is more delicious than the gelt she and Carlos had been sharing.
"Merry Christmas Julie," he whispers, nuzzling their noses, loving how the lights from the tree reflect in her eyes.
"Happy Channukah Reggie," she whispers back, and they twirl around in the glow of the tree and the dim lights from the menorah, humming quietly so they have music to dance to, and that's more than enough for them.
#my stuff#writing#fanfic#rulie#jatpadvent2022#julie and the phantoms#happy first night of channukah all!
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For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Who do they take to the Yule Ball?
Day Twenty Two: Have A Yule That's Cool <-AO3!
All of Hogwarts was abuzz with the news that this years Yule Ball was to be the biggest yet. Everyone was going, and well, Reggie was running out of time to get a date.
He could ask his fellow Hufflepuff, Kayla. She was pretty darn cute, nice, and… Reggie couldn’t find it in him to want to date her. She was a great friend, but she would never be more for Reggie.
He could ask the Head Girl of Slytherin, Carrie. But as pretty as she was, she was also mean, and a little self involved. Plus she kind of terrified Reggie.
There was the adorable girl in Gryffindor, Flynn. But he had seen the way she looked at Carrie, so Reggie didn’t think he’d have much luck there.
Who Reggie really wanted to ask though… well he knew he didn’t have a chance. Not with the Prefect of Ravenclaw Julie Molina. In his opinion she was the prettiest girl at Hogwarts, with amazing grades (aside from in Arithmancy, which is when Reggie came to shine), a gorgeous voice that lead the school choir, and just… so so nice.
A perfect girl who would in no way be interested in a loser Hufflepuff like Reggie. Who sucked at Quidditch, was struggling in most of his classes, and spent most of his time helping Professor Lovegood with all the magical creatures instead of practicing his wand work.
But he still itched to dig out the dress robes that MeeMaw had bought for him, to ask Julie to the Ball and twirl her around the floor. To watch the snow fall outside as they shared a butterbeer in Hogsmeade. Maybe take her for a spin on his broom, because he loved the feeling of flying and Julie made his heart soar-no magic needed.
He sighed as he watched her eat, whispering with her fellow Ravenclaw Bobby. Then her warm brown eyes landed on him, and Reggie blushed, quickly glancing away. He didn’t want to come off as that creepy guy who stared at beautiful girls who were completely unattainable.
He was just finishing off his treacle tart when he saw a flash of bronze and blue next to him. Turning, there was Julie, smiling at him, her glasses slipping down her nose. “Hi Reggie.”
“J-julie! Hi! You all ready for our Charms class?”
“Of course, did you manage to finish the homework?”
“Mostly,” Reggie admitted. “Two more lines, three tops.”
“Do you want me to help you?” Julie offered.
“Yeah, I’d really like that,” Reggie replied. “I can help you with Herbology later if you need it.”
“Ugh, yes. Professor Longbottom is so passionate, and I love that for him, but I can barely keep my aloe plant alive.” Julie gave him a bitten off smile, and Reggie had to hold back a sigh as the winter sunshine hit her just right, making her glow.
“Do you want to go to the Yule Ball with me?” Reggie said, then slapped a hand over his mouth.
“Really? Yes! I’d love to!” Julie exclaimed, her smile growing even wider. “Oh, I thought you would never ask, this is great!”
“Y-you wanted me to ask you?” Reggie stammered.
“Of course,” Julie replied. “You’re cute, you’re kind, you’re funny. Why wouldn’t I want to go with you?”
Reggie chose not to answer that, instead focusing on the fact that she had said yes. “Well great!” Reggie said, beaming. “Guess I’ll get my dress robes out of mothballs then. Make sure to get a picture for MeeMaw.”
“I’d love that,” Julie replied, and in a fit of boldness, leaned in to peck his cheek. “See you in class.”
Reggie was too stunned to reply, merely waved as she dashed off. Not caring about his unfinished Charms homework, or the fact that he wasn’t a great dancer. All he cared about was the fact that he had a date with Julie.
And maybe if he could find a way to magic up some mistletoe for the bouquet he planned to give her. He was sure Professor Longbottom wouldn't mind... as long as he wasn't using it with Professor Lovegood again.
#mmy stuff#writing#fanfic#rulie#jatpadvent2022#julie and the phantoms#interjecting my previous otp of neville and luna in there just beacuse
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Who does all the cookies and gingerbread house?
Day Sixteen: Let It Dough <-AO3!
Alex poofed into the Molina family kitchen and immediately regretted it. Every surface seemed to be covered, and Julie was there in the middle, tongue stuck out of the corner of her mouth as she happily stirred away at a bowl.
“Did a flour bomb explode?” he asked, taking in the dusting of white powder on the counters.
“Oh hey Alex, it’s Christmas baking season!” Julie replied. “I got a little carried away, but don’t worry, it’ll all get cleaned.”
Alex took in the ingredients everywhere, the dishes filling the sink, the oven humming with a tray of something inside. “How many cookies are you making?”
“At least ten different kinds,” Julie offered. “I give them away as gifts to my friends and then there’s more to eat when the family comes over on Christmas. I’d offer some to you and the guys but…”
“We can’t eat them,” Alex finished. “D-do you want some help baking them though?”
“You like to bake?”
Alex flushed but nodded. “Yeah, before everything, my mom and I made cookies every year at this time. Most to give away to the parishioners during Midnight Mass, but we also kept a few, just for the family. As I got older my dad discouraged it, but it was something I really enjoyed doing.”
“Well then roll up your sleeves!” Julie encouraged. “The sugar cookies are in the oven, these shortbreads are almost done, and then we can start on the gingerbread people!”
“You making a house too?” Alex snarked, starting to sort through the chaos in order to help her.
“Nah, store-bought for that is fine. We just have to watch it because Carlos likes to steal the candy and leaves the cookie part alone,” Julie cautioned.
“I mean, I don’t blame him there. No one really likes gingerbread.”
“Don’t tell my aunt that, she’s super proud of her recipe,” Julie replied.
Soon enough the mess was more organized or dealt with, the dishes cleaned and drying, and cookies were cooling on the rack. Alex helped Julie measure and mix all the ingredients. He still didn’t really like the taste of gingerbread, but he would admit that these smelled delicious, all sweet from the molasses and spicy from the ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. He cut out all the little people, half girls, half guys and put them in to bake.
A while later, when the baking was done, the kitchen disaster sorted, and the cookies cooled, it was time for Julie’s favourite part; decorating! They whipped up several varieties and colours of icing, and went to town.
Snowflakes, snowmen, trees, and presents all came to life as they did the sugar cookies. The shortbreads just got a fine layer of sprinkles. But the gingerbread people was where Julie went all out.
She held up her first one; in a sleeveless blue shirt, black pants and an orange cap with a few wisps of brown sticking out. “It’s Luke!” she proclaimed. “You wanna do one for Willie?”
Alex beamed and nodded, grabbing one of the girl figures that the skirt had been shaved down and went to town. Sure his design skills were a bit lacking, but it was a good enough cookie likeness for him.
From there, Julie did Reggie, Flynn, and Carrie cookies while Alex tackled her family ones. He was especially proud of the one for Victoria, as it was the neatest and he hoped his cookie did her proud. He also did a sneaky Julie cookie, grinning as he dusted the icing with purple sparkles.
“Here’s you,” Julie offered, handing him a cookie that did look like him, down to the pink shirt and fanny pack. He couldn’t help but smile at it, how lovingly done it was, but that was Julie, full of more love than she knew what to do with.
“Bet I’m delicious,” he commented wryly. “Thanks Jules.”
Julie leaned in, grabbing him in a fierce hug. “You are more than welcome. I wish you could get to enjoy them, so I really appreciate you helping me knowing you can’t.”
“I had fun too,” Alex said, squeezing her tight. “I only ever got to eat them on Christmas when I was a kid anyways, so it’s not such a big loss.”
“Hey guys,” Willie said, poofing into the kitchen, waving. Alex and Julie broke apart, grinning at him. “Oooh, cookies!” He snatched up a shortbread and took a large bite, moaning at the taste. “It’s delicious!” he said through the crumbs.
“Ummm… how can you eat outside the club?” Alex asked.
Willie shrugged. “Christmas magic?”
Alex picked up a sugar cookie and brought it to his mouth, gently nibbling on it. The flavour of it burst across his taste buds, and he beamed at Julie. “I can eat the cookies!” The two of them bounced up and down, then stopped so Alex could truly savour the taste.
“We’re not telling Luke and Reggie right?” Alex asked after he’d polished off a few select treats, Willie and Julie also helping themselves.
“Not if we want them to last until Christmas,” Julie replied with a wink and took another bite of her snickerdoodle. “But we’ll give them their gingerbread men later, and see what happens.”
“Ten bucks says they’ll be too terrified by the idea of eating themselves to even try,” Willie wagers. Alex agrees, but that doesn’t stop him from snagging a gingerbread star to sample, and dammit if tia isn’t right about her recipe being the one good gingerbread one.
He’s tempted to take a bit of his Alex cookie, but Willie beats him to the punch, scooping it up and devouring half of it in one bite. “Delicious!” he says with a wink and Alex is certain his face is as bright pink as his hoodie at that.
But he snags the Willie cookie and repeats the motion. He’s not sure what’s tastier; the cookie, or Willie’s expression.
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Phantom Carols
For the @jatp-adventevent prompt: Any lost Christmas present?
Day Fourteen: A Star To Follow <-AO3!
When Carrie was a child, her favourite gift she got for Christmas was a doll named Starla. She had a microphone that you could use to make her sing. Only a couple of standard songs for children, but Carrie adored her. She and Starla would have numerous concerts together, belting out Twinkle Twinkle for her father and every guest that crossed their threshold for weeks on end.
Carrie sang with Starla so much that she wore out the batteries three times before March. “This is the last time Care Bear, I mean it,” her father said as he took out the screws, dutifully changed the batteries and reassembled the microphone. “You have to make the batteries last this time, the poor thing is gonna break if you keep using her like this.”
“Okay daddy,” Carrie said, happily skipping off to play. But of course, by the time Easter rolled around Starla’s batteries were dead. She left the doll on her father’s desk for him to fix when he got home from his tour, and went off on her way.
But when Carrie asked about Starla later, Trevor claimed he never saw the doll there. And the maids all promised they hadn’t seen her either. Yet Starla was gone, and no matter how many times she turned the house upside looking, the doll was nowhere to be found.
She tried demanding that her dad buy her a new doll, but Trevor looked at her firmly. “Carrie, I told you that she would break if you kept using her so much, and she did. Maybe she left because she was tired of being broken so much. I’m not buying you another doll just for the same thing to happen again.”
Carrie wept and tantrumed, but her father remained unmovable. And no matter how she bribed the household staff, none of them would buy her a new Starla doll either.
Eventually she moved on, though the loss sat heavy on heart, but as she grew, she forgot about the doll, and then dolls altogether. But the love of singing stayed, though her taste in music evolved, she had a taste for performing now, and she did it as often as she could.
It was through this love of performing that she met Reggie and Julie, who were at the same open mic night as her. They did a country duet that had everyone up on their feet, even Carrie herself who wasn’t a country fan at all.
She sang that night, giving it her all, and when she caught sight of the coup,e staring up at her in awe, she preened a little, winking and singing her sparkly little heart out. She got their number that night, and by the next open mic, she had them both as her partners.
That first Christmas together, they gathered together in Carrie’s stylish apartment, enjoying s'mores and hot chocolate by the fire as ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ played in the background. The three of them were too engrossed in the baby albums Reggie had found hidden amongst Carrie’s coffee table books. Carrie blushed as her partners cooed over the photos of her as a kid, with promises from the both of them to let her access to their own baby books the next time.
“Awww, look at you with your doll!” Reggie said. “Giving a concert, like a oracle for the future.”
Carrie looked at the photo, and exclaimed “That’s Starla!”
“Starla?” Julie asked, snuggling in to see the photo more clearly. “Oh I saw ads for that when I was a kid. You could sing along with her right?”
“Yeah, and I did, literally all the time,” Carrie admitted with a chuckle. “Wore the batteries out so many times that my dad hid her or threw her away because he was so sick of replacing them. I begged him for another one, but I get why he said no.”
Reggie and Julie shared a glance, pressing kisses to Carrie’s cheeks and turned the page of the album, the conversation moving along with it.
The next year, the three of them were sharing a home, and Carrie was confused when the two of them passed her one last gift. “I thought we agreed one gift a piece,” she questioned.
“Just open it doll,” Reggie urged.
Carrie carefully pulled back the tape, slowly easing back the paper, just to annoy them before opening it up. And stared at the box before her. Because there she was; Starla the doll in all her glory.
“We couldn’t find the matching microphone, so you can’t sing along with her, but we figured it was the thought that counts,” Julie said quietly.
Carrie scooped up the doll, hugging her tight, and let out a sniffle. “I love her, thank you so much.”
“Give us a concert doll,” Reggie urged. “Like the ones you did as a kid.”
“You know Starla only knew like five songs right?” Carrie asked. “And they were simple ones for kids.”
“So give us some Twinkle Twinkle babe,” Julie replied.
Carrie grinned, standing up, grabbing Starla, and began to sing. And damn if it wasn’t the best version of Twinkle Twinkle that Julie and Reggie had ever heard.
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