#winterfic

[catapparently]

Warm Me Through December Nights

AO3 LINK

MASTERLIST

Fandom: Folk of the Air

Ship: Jude x Cardan

Word count: ~1.4k

~~~~~

Thousands of little snowflakes fluttered around us in lighthearted spirals, occasionally kissing our noses or our cheeks while others preferred plummeting to the ground to join their own in the endless heaps of glistening white. A slight shiver coursed my spine, though not from Cardan’s intoxicating presence by my side but due to the cold breeze slicing through the winter air like Madoc’s blade on one of his particularly moody nights . Cardan paused in his step, turning slightly towards me to give me that famous jaunty smirk he always reserves for his “darling nemesis”. It seems as though becoming his wife didn’t change a thing.

“Chilly already, Jude? In your own world?” he asked, small bells of tease and laughter jingling in his voice. We’d gone to the mortal world, mid-winter, to give Oak a little birthday present. It never snowed in Elfhame, but this arrogant man’s faerie body had already adapted, warming up a few degrees higher while I was left shivering and freezing endlessly.

Suddenly, strong, delicate fingers enveloped my right hand into a warm gloved palm. Cardan’s thumb gently stroked over my knuckles, one by one, carefully tracing the scars and hills he was all too familiar with. His grip tightened over my folded fingers in a sweet attempt to warm me up with the seeping warmth radiating from his magical blood.

He gently tugged me over to an empty street, the honey golden glow of the dim streetlamps painting starry streaks on his sharp cheekbones and ebony dark locks. I fell right into his intimate embrace, one of his hands latching onto one side of my waist while the other one held out my opposite arm, fingers intertwined with mine, his grip firm and real.

“Let’s dance, my sweet villain,” he murmured directly into my ear, molten saccharine words flowing like the finest of velvet straight into my mortal heart. “I heard that movement and exercise warms you up.”

With that, a soft twinkling hum of no particular provenance rose in the air as we spun and danced under the faithful watch of this December’s night’s stars. Though it did nearly nothing for my practically frostbitten fingertips, it sent a loving warmth blooming in my chest. Between steps, I gently lifted my head up towards him to press a chaste kiss to the underside of his jaw. He laughed softly, the constant irritating smirk that I’d grown to love ever present on his face. Cardan leaned down until his breath playfully ghosted over my features, and his lips finally settled down, crashing upon mine like Icarus falling into the sea.

It surprised me every time just how such a man could have such soft lips. His kissing mannerisms were a mix of both worlds, too. Cardan’s lips would be sweet and gentle, handling my own with utmost care and devotion while his tongue battled fiercely and roughly, even a bit messily, unleashing a whirlwind of passion and the pent-up emotions of years of not having anything or anyone to permanently call his own.

His hands drift up to cup the sides of my face, thumbs delicately retracing the blooming blush of my cheeks. It was incredible just how soft and flawless his hands were, almost a bit feminine, devoid of the scars and calluses of a fighter, unlike mine. Though this did not make him in any way a gentle lover. Not in the slightest, and especially not in the way that his teeth playfully nipped my lower lip every now and then. His fingers moved to brush over the round curve of my ears in fascination before returning to their regular spot, fisted in my hair, palms resting on my nape, holding my head still as though he were afraid I’d pull away and deny him.

After a while, satisfied, Cardan pulled away, hands falling to the sides of my neck and shoulders. “There. That’s better.” Though the faint redness painting the tips of his ears and his frantically swaying tail proved that he wasn’t as self-confident and unaffected as he proclaimed.

I smiled at him, fingers brushing his hair behind his ears to get a better view of the effect I have on him. “We should get going, Vivi will get bored of waiting for us and might just lock us out.”

He gave a condescending laugh, pulling my hat a bit at the sides to make sure it covers my frozen ears. “Oh Jude, darling Jude, would that really be so terrible? It would be an excuse for you to hide in my coat, against my body, all night to keep warm.”

I couldn’t help but blush at his claim. He had such a way with words; once in time he’d turn compliments into insults and vice versa, now he just uses his talent to tease me relentlessly. I stepped away from him, out of his arms, though still holding his hand, ducking my head a bit to keep my flushed cheeks out of sight. “Let’s go.”

And so we walked and walked and walked towards Heather’s apartment. Why did she have to live in the middle of downtown? It was worse than having to navigate through the halls of the Tower of Forgettings at night with no lamps lit.

I elbowed Cardan. “Psst, Cardan, can you glamor that taxi driver to drive us instead?”

He raised an eyebrow at my so extravagant request, dramatically sighing and shaking his head as though I’d just given him the most difficult of quests. “Anything for you, I guess, my High Queen.”

He gave an overly exaggerated wave of his hand simply for the purpose of entertaining me, an o so feeble and magic-less being. The driver’s eyes glazed over, a pleasant expression appearing on his face as he stopped the cab near the sidewalk. Cardan, the ever regal gentleman, opened the passenger door, gesturing me to get in. And we were off.

“We could have just stolen his car and drove off alone instead, you know.” Cardan looked horrified at my proposition. “What do you mean, drove off alone instead? Do you even know how to drive?

I shrugged, not too preoccupied. “It can’t be that hard, right?”

Soon we made it to where Vivi and Oak now live with Heather. Cardan released the driver, and we walked up to the apartment building. Not used to seeing such immense constructions, he stared wide-eyed at the massive 30 story-high building. “Isn’t that going to fall over?”

I sighed and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “No, it’s not going to fall over.” I led him up through the main entrance and into the elevator and punched in the numbers for the 27th floor. The moment the elevator doors closed and it jolted upwards, Cardan lurched forward in a sudden panic, his tail shooting out from under his shirt in a terrified straight line, curling up in every direction in fear.

“Jude! Jude! What is this thing? What’s happening?” His voice was all high-pitched and squeaky, it was comical to see him like this. Poor man was even more terrified than that one time I kidnapped him and threatened him. I grabbed him by the back of his feathery cloak, pulling him backwards and successfully stopping him from prying the doors back open. He held onto me for dear life, not relaxing even when the elevator came to a halt and the doors opened once again. With a trembling Cardan wrapped around me like a clingy baby koala, I exited.

“It’s just a box that moves you up and down quickly. A mortal’s version of a vertically moving carriage.”

His heart nearly lurched out of his chest, a little gasp escaping him when he saw, through the window, just how far up we were from the ground. Wait…

“Wait, Cardan, are you afraid of heights?” His head quickly snapped around to give me a half-hearted glare. “Am NOT!”

Honestly, it was insanely cute. Stifling a laugh, I showed him the way to the apartment. His arm was still wrapped tightly around my waist, nose practically buried in the back of my head.

After a few insistent knocks, Vivi popped up behind the door, greeting me with her classic smile and Cardan with her classic glare reserved just for, and I quote, “The-Fucker-That-Was-Mean-To-MY-Sister-And-Suddenly-Seduced-Her”. But then, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, she practically shoved a sprig of mistletoe in our faces.

“Kiss your girl, dumbass.”

And so Cardan pressed his lips to mine.

#jude x cardan #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #fluff #winterfic #the folk of the air #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #queen of nothing #the cruel prince #holly black #dancing #romance #vivi duarte #oak greenbriar #no beta we die like men #mistletoe

[lumosinlove]

Christmas Eve Will Find Me...

If only in my dreams...

(^Link to Ao3)

~

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin have spent their entire careers together—from training all the way to being assigned to the same team working for the secret intelligence agency, Salazar. Sirius has loved Remus for just as long, but has never told him.

Finn O'Hara is a university professor of English Literature with a spy for a husband. Logan Tremblay keeps his work mostly secret. Finn enjoys the perks of it—fancy vacations and long, luxurious homecomings. It almost outweighs the horrible waiting and worrying whether or not Logan will come home to him.

Sirius and Finn's worlds are ripped apart when a mission goes wrong and Remus and Logan are killed—or are they? When Remus' face shows up on security footage months later, hope blooms its dangerous and tedious flower once again.

#winterfic lumosinlove 2023

[kleinstar]

@vulkashunaranger || [ SILVER-WHITE WINTERS ]

" Having hard time curling the ribbons? "

Originally coming to train for his wrapping abilities, preparing for the the ongoing Holiday season and the future one's he had soon strayed from the original purpose and practically become an assistant teacher for the class, helping out with the large student bases.

This one seemed a little under the weather.

" Should I show you how to do it? You use the scissors like this and... "

#vulkashunaranger #vulkashunaranger01 #winterfes 2023

[isolaradiale]

Another year can the gentle winds of winter be felt across the island. Snowfall accompanies it soon after, blanketing much of the island in glistening shades of monochrome. Breathes unfurl into wispy puffs of white, steam rising up from the hot cocoa that sits in the cool air that keep your hands and body warm with each sip. Winter has come and, with it, another time for activities that promote holiday cheer...

As a note: these activities are separate from any ongoing or upcoming events and you are free to participate in both! Just keep in mind that WinterFES activities do not count towards ranking up because this is not an event.

WinterFES activities are available until January 31st! We will be adding additional activities at some point during this two month period as well!

FIBONACCI WARD

BUILD-A-GINGERBREAD MAN High-tech meets sweet treats in this customized kitchen. For a price of (dust), citizens of Spirale can use screens to design a gingerbread cookie to their likeness. You can watch machines behind the glass cut, bake, and decorate your cookie as you command. You could make a gift for your friend… or make a cookie that looks like your worst enemy, and bite off their face. There’s something for everyone!

SOUPS UP For the duration of December a giant pot of soup can be found in the center of Fibonacci. The type of soup changes from day to day, and how it replenishes nobody is quite sure! Regardless it is free for the taking and never dries out. Could this be the work of our goddess Ofiuco? Or could it be something more sinister? (It isn’t more sinister, it’s free soup.)

ICE TO MEET YOU A station has been set up in Fibonacci where you can come to view and sculpt ice sculptures. If you destroy any creations that are not your own, expect to have all of the Dust emptied from your account you jerk. All sculptures must be safe for work.

COTES WARD

QUID PRO SNOW Wandering in Cotes, it’s not foreign to see pixies, especially in their playground. However, it seems they’ve invited their frosty little cousins known as frost fairies over to play a few games with them… and you! Making your way into here can land you a pretty sweet reward, given the price you pay. That is, these fairies will be more than happy to make you anything you wish out of the snow and ice were you to give them a small treat or a gift of their liking.

I’M GOING GHOST… INTERACTING! Traveling through the Forest of Airaisal, one can find a passageway that mysteriously opens up on its own, leading to a path less traveled. Whether you choose to take it or not is entirely up to you. Electing to traverse it, you’ll find yourself in a small, private glen where you will encounter the ghost of your past, present, or future self. Whichever appears is up to you, though once it appears you’re welcome to interact with it as you deem fit. Maybe you want to console your past self that everything will be alright? Or perhaps you’d like to reflect on your present self, or at least the one that exists before you arrived here in Spirale. There’s also the option to speak to your future self, on what they think of you now, or maybe guidance on what might come. The possibilities are endless…

NOM RANCHING Visitors to the ward, especially around the Eternal Tree, will come to find magical marshmallow treats that appears to be causing chaos due to magical means! Whether it’s pelting themselves against passing visitors, knocking precious things over, or merely just circling about as a chaotic distraction, it’s clear the only way to keep them in check is to capture them and have a sweet treat so they don’t overwhelm  the area. Hopefully you came with an empty stomach and a sweet tooth, to boot!

GOLDEN WARD

SNOWFLAKE SCAVENGER The Mermaid Cove Mall planned on having dancing snowflakes as an attraction, but it seems the snowflakes formed a mind of their own and… danced right off of their displays! Deciding to salvage the situation, the mall is now making a game out of it–find five of them and bring them back to the desk, and you win a gift card! Watch out, though. The snowflakes are notoriously hard to capture, and seem to take your own strengths into account… This won’t be an easy task!

XTREME ICE CHALLENGE The ocean shores of the boardwalk have become completely frozen and boating is no longer possible nearby. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had there! An obstacle course has been made for the daring complete with icy ramps, jumps, and obstacles.. Come with skates or without, but the organizers take no responsibility if you slip and break your nose.

SILVER-WHITE WINTERS For the duration of WinterFES, Spirale University is offering a different selection of classes related to the season. There are knitting classes where you can learn to make mittens and scarves, latte art classes to help you decorate your warm drinks for the season, and general classes to help you learn to wrap presents like a pro!

ARCHIMEDES WARD

CAROLS OF THE BELLES On evenings in the Archimedes ward, ringing through the streets from the Calliope Theater courtyard, you’ll hear voices as lovely as the singers using them. A chorus known as the Winter Belles begin their lovely lyrical lineup, and the concerts are free to attend. There are also a few open slots to join them, as long as you attend chorus practice.

CRYSTAL FUNHOUSE This large palace is made entirely of ice, and from the inside, one can hear chimes through its halls. Inside are several attractions: a mirror room, a hall full of beautiful ice sculptures, a complementary shaved ice bar for those crazy enough to eat them in this weather… But follow the chimes, and you’ll enter the ballroom, which is completely dark save for the tile floor. Each step you take makes a note that sounds most like you, and the ballroom lights up to the tune of your very soul as you dance across the floor… …What would happen if two people danced together?

YOU BAKE IT YOU BUY IT Throughout the Star Trail, many stalls have been shifted around in order to make a large area for those who wish to put their skills to the test in what seems a continuous bake off. Not only that, but it seems they require volunteers to be the judges of the savory sweets that are gonna be pumped out throughout the days. Fancy yourself an excellent baker who can blow the socks off of any taster who tries your dish or those who wish to place their palettes to the test? Well, have a seat and be served… quite literally!

MISTWOOD

TERRES-TREE-AL DECORATING Once more, a safe passage has been made into the Mistwood, leading to an area called the Traveler’s Garden. Some might remember the need to plant more trees and won’t be surprised to find that those planted back in Spring have now sprouted rapidly and is ready for decorating! Those who planted them can find them in the same spots with several boxes around them full of holiday decorations to get them decorated and ready to shine bright for the snowy season. Oh, and no worries, even if you weren’t able to plant one back in Spring, you’re still more than welcome to help decorate them!

TIS THE SKI-SON In a clearing that breaks off from the decorating, various large hills of snow have sprung up from out of nowhere. Trekking up to the top or taking a ride on a few snowmobiles manned by some island residents will reveal that it’s a makeshift ski and snowboarding attraction! Once fitted with one of your preference, as well as given a safety helmet and goggles, you’re free to slide down those slippery slopes and show off to your pals. Or maybe you’ll just biff it as you catch sight of that rumored dragon in the distance as you ski on down!

SWIRLING GULF

SOMETHING SEEMS ICE-FISHY While the Swirling Gulf can still be accessed, it would seem that a large portion of the waters nearby has been magically frozen over in a thick sheet of ice that can be reached with their submarine transportation system, allowing many people to walk with ease across it. Several holes have been drilled into it as well, allowing people to partake in ice fishing! Though a various amount of fish can be caught, there is also the risk of danger that you may be (un?)lucky to find a murderous large fish at the end of your line. But that could just be a rumor, right? No way there’s some large ghost fish or dangerous sea creature that you could reel in, right…

SNOWMANNING THE FORT Deep below, found in various areas of the sunken city such as the Mainland, Coral Bay, and even near the Kelp Forest, snow that never melts has been brought down and packed into areas where many can build snowmen to their liking. Laced with bioluminescent qualities that offer you any type of color, you can make colorful creations come to life with ease. Not only that, but once completed, the snowman will imprint the emotion belonging to its creator, expressing itself in an exaggerated display on how they currently feel. Whether they’re the happiest they’ve ever been or happen to be a little Scrooge-y at the time, these snowmen are ways to express yourself from the bottom of your heart.

THE CITY OF GLASS

ONSEN AND OFFSEN Recently, there’s been some magmatic activity closer to the surface on the back side of the volcano… suspected Nuee Ardente Society activity. Nothing (too) dangerous, though, and in fact, it happens to be below a spring source, turning the small ponds and water pools around the area into hot springs! Despite the snow blanketing most of the rest of the island, the areas immediately surrounding the pools are kept clear, mainly by the hot cocoa vendors who are taking advantage of this sales opportunity. Be careful, though, because the magma flow isn’t constant, and the temperature of the water can fluctuate in either direction, for better or for worse.

JUST THE WAY YOU LIGHT IT Leading up to the natural tunnel that gives access to the renown Garden of Ash, many might take note of a beautiful array of lights and colorful flowers that are laid out like a path into the garden itself. It’s highly encouraged to take this path at night, where many hand strewn designs light up in the dwindling hours, also illuminating the various plants which grow in the ashen soils, all while making the already falling ash even more snow-like to fit the snowy landscape the island has become. Some of the lights can even reflect of any glass in the vicinity, creating an almost kaleidoscope effect that can take the breath away of onlookers.

SUNSET CIRCUIT

RINK AROUND THE CIRCUITS While more daring skaters might take fun in Golden Ward, more casual goers might find a bit more joy in the ice skating rink set up on the shores of Moon Beach where the waters have been frozen over and smoothed out. Even more alluring, the ice beneath seems to have a mesmerizing array of glowing colors that light up and forms into playful patterns beneath the ice to the beat of the current playlist. Whether you bring your own ice skates or have them provided, you’ll be sure to have a blast gliding along the top of the neon colors!

SNOW FUN ALLOWED There’s a designated arena, full to the brim with snow that never seems to run out, dirty, or melt. Events take place not only throughout the day but also well into the night, with the arena being well-illuminated even at the darkest of hours. A good portion of the arena has been set up with barricades and obstacles for the ideal snowball fight zone, with regular switches between free-for-all or team games; the remainder has been sectioned off to protect any poor bystanders from errant deckings in the face, and is much more for making snowmen, snow angels, or any other sorts of snow activities you can think of.

SKY-STREWN ISLES

AN UPLIFTING WINTER FAIR Life has gathered from far and wide to partake in a wintery celebration that spans the entirety of The Uplift. Snow falls from the sky and gathers on the area's many steps, and it would be quite a tumble if you were to slip and fall down them. You can find all manners of stalls, selling things from warm treats to winter clothes and toys. The perfect place to take a partner or friend to in order to enjoy some hot cocoa!

DON'T LOOK OUT BELO(H NO!) Because of the colder, snowy weather, steep slopes and ramps have formed between the isles and have been repurposed for the Ultimate Skiing Experience. Just keep in mind that you are jumping between flying islands, and there is absolutely no service available to save you if you fall. That means it's best you have wings, levitation, or know someone who does to come with you!

THE ECHO

CAROL OF THE (C)OLD ONES Even the Abyssal denizens in the Echo seem to be in the festive spirit. Taking the new crystal elevator in the museum lobby leads visitors down to the depths of Abyss, letting them out in a place that looks like a banquet. In this 360 degree crystal dome, the shadowy monstrosities outside the barrier begin to manifest... except they all seem to form a choir of beautiful, ethereal voices. As guests have dinner in the dome, they may see the shadows put on spectacular light shows in the darkness, like stars in an ever-present void. This is a formal event, dress for the occasion!

#winterfes

[blankticket]

@amoirsetpacis

Having to travel through the expanse of the Mistwood to reach Umber (and vice versa), the Forest of Airaisal now felt about the size of a flower bed, comparatively. It's the same forest as the one where he'd met Vash's brother. The sunbeams are just as scattered through magically perennial leaves. The butterflies are just as affectionate toward him nearly a year later, even if this time his reason for being here isn't totally altruistic.

And, of course, the atmosphere's still oppressive. Dense as it is, the canopy for this spot of the forest has hardly allowed for snow to accumulate. It's still cold.

Ironically, in his attempt to appear inconspicuous, the pacifist's donned an outfit closer to that of his brief time being the Typhoon that cratered JuLai, the demon that razed a straight line through Archimedes. In favoring the veneer of simplicity over anything stylish, he's wearing an oversized black zipper hoodie; the rest are nondescript matching black clothes, his fluffy hair covered by a baseball cap.

Even his lost-tech pauldron's been left at Home, iconic sunglasses swapped out for a drug store pair of low-prescription reading glasses instead. Cotes was the polar Ward to Archimedes, but it couldn't help to be safe, right?

Nearby brush snaps underneath boots he'd recognize anywhere.

"Vash?"

The younger Plant follows the sight up, blinking surprised eyes at his predecessor. It makes the growth from his left shoulder more obvious—not dark and wicked vines, but the iridescent-blue wing of a giant butterfly—along with what's in his hand—not an otherworldly cube, but the shriveled shape of a fruit half-rotted.

Vash opens his mouth to continue, only to shut it in hesitation. The last time he'd spoken to his otherself had been before Christmas, before his Wolfwood's birthday, before the new year, and it hadn't been pretty. On top of that, he probably knew exactly why his younger copy was here. Undisturbed by the appearance of this newcomer, the shoulder-creature's proboscis continues to sip away at the fruit.

#amoirsetpacis 15 #last-second winterfes moment . lets go

[punisheye]

Despite the damn thing being made of ice (that seemingly doesn't melt?), it's pretty pleasantly warm in this funhouse. Most of the people they come across are more interested in the mirrors, in taking photos of or selfies with the ice sculptures, completely ignoring the perpetual ringing of chimes. They're distant right now, but they've been getting on Wolfwood's nerves for the past twenty minutes.

So, naturally, he drags Vash off toward the source of the racket, yanking him so hard that the other nearly drops his cup of food-coloring-blue shaved ice on the floor. He hears Vash squawk in alarm and scramble to keep his hold on it, followed by a heyheyhey, be careful!

It leads them down winding corridors, and he wonders just how fucking big this thing is. It wasn't always here, one of those freaky things that just popped up because the Stars wanted it to, and he's sure that eventually it's just going to end up disappearing. But it's still kind of creepy how something this big can just... appear... out of thin air.

What's even creepier is the room the chimes lead them to: pitch black, but he can tell it's big. His brain is automatically trying to piece together where everything is with the little light they're given. The size of a ballroom, he only knows this due to having infiltrated this fancy rich person party out in Octovern this one time to take out the host. Crazy what the folks hoarding all the money could do with it.

The chimes go silent when they step in here, too. It's eerily silent.

"Electricity not work in here?" He grumbles, taking a step forward—only to shout in surprise and stumble back, falling right into Vash when a loud, but sweet note rings out through the ballroom when his foot meets the tile. White light shines from it now, but in just a few moments that, too, fades away.

"Ugh." Oh, they're on the floor now thanks to Wolfwood toppling them both over. He sits up slowly, looking over his shoulder, trying to make out Vash in the dark. "Sorry. You good?"

@amoirsetpacis

#amoirsetpacis #amoirsetpacis 20 #winterfes 2023 #<- feels weird using that tag when it is now 2024 the year of our lord

[darkenforcer]

@kleinstar || 🌡️🌡️🌡️

turns out hot springs are way more soothing without a 300,000 gald entry fee! sure, passing a group of panicked, semi-coherent visitors yapping about the water's temperature earlier was unsettling, but it only took a cautious toe dip to prove those guys wrong.

their loss! the way yuri sees it, less people means more peace and quiet.

"dunno what their problem was, 'hot''s right in the name." he sinks in deeper with a content hum, "it'd take a hell of a lot more heat to force me out."

#ic #kleinstar #kleinstar 04 #winterfes 2023 #chekhov's unpredictable magma flow #gonna hit 'em with that icy hot punch

[eusarca]

"It looks like we're not being followed anymore..."

It sounded quite grave when put into words, but their tailing troublemakers had been little... puffball creatures. Kyrie wasn't about to shove a living thing in their mouth to find out if it was as made of marshmallow as they looked, so on their way to Kyrie's home, they and Perona had hustled off-track in the forest to lose the things.

Now, while Kyrie was looking behind them, a path opened that wasn't there before. As soon as they looked ahead again, they squinted at it appropriately.

"...? I don't remember this," they remarked with a tilt of their head. It was after sunset, but could they really have just missed it? When they glanced at Perona, a slightly impish smile quirked up. "But there's something very pretty about how the greenery forms around the little path. Want to see where it goes?"

They were both able to float up and away if it led more into risk than reward.

★ @horoffic

#horoffic #horoffic o6 #winterfes 2023 #kyrie‚ judgmentally: who would eat those things. who *knows* where they've been

[elfcast]

@cladinivcry // onsen and offsen

✲ "IT'S SO COLD! I'M JUMPING IN!" Wrapped only in a towel, Marcille jumped into the warm water of the private onsen first, leaving Indigo behind her. It had been her partner's idea to come out to the City of Glass to partake in the onsen during WinterFES. Marcille had her reservations about it, namely that the only thing they'd be wearing in the water was their towels, but once she learned the springs were private then she loosened up a little.

Her jump had prompted a little splash, and now that she was in the hot was she practically melted into it with an "Ahhhhh...". It was much better than the snowy cold outside of the water!

"What's up, Indi? Not going to come in? Don't tell me you're worried about seeing me almost naked when we share a bed?" Their relationship had been moving a little slow on that front, but it had been consciously on their part. It was clear Marcille had started opening up more recently though.

#cladinivcry #cladinivcry ✲ 12 #isola ✲ winterfes #marcille in a hot spring what will she do

[galgenwerk]

the screech she lets out is rather undignified, accompanied by something hitting her directly in the face. instead of any other moment of terror she might be experiencing, she screeched. but there's also no stillness to it, because she panics immediately afterwards, scrambling to get whatever it was off her cheek— did somebody shoot glue at her? why is it so sticky—

it's a marshmallow?

   ' owww. what the ... ? ' before she can finish that sentence, even more marshmallows start pelting down on her, and garry raises an arm to try and shield her face with it. ' ow! help! '

@kindliar / winterfes shenanigans

#kindliar #kindliar — 001 #& — ic . #pity rezz for garry? #winterfes 2023

[miraclescrest]

@schleckermaul

Normally he would detest any sort of classes, but this one was quite literally a treat! This was a total instruction on how to build your own gingerbread house class with some advanced piping sprinkled in.

Poor Break, though, for being put next to this kid. Because it was apparent that Daisuke immediately off the bat had decided to forego the cute model house they were supposed to build for something more...Traditional.

"Hey, do you need some of those pieces? I'm trying to build a shinto temple, but I don't think I have enough."

#schleckermaul #schleckermaul 01 #˹☀˼ ` ɢᴏɴᴇ ᴅɪɢɪᴛᴀʟ ` ic #this could either be very funny or the worst thing known to man #winterfes.

[keiisho]

"Listen, nobody said the gingerbread people had to be...Entirely humanoid, but I am deeply disturbed at the chimera you've created." Hands on his hips, he looks at the...Being in the machine.

"...Perhaps you should start over."

#isola mini #; winterfes 2023

[lumosinlove]

Christmas Eve Will Find Me

Six: Finn

Sleeper Car

Somewhere Just Outside of Athens

The setting sun turned their small cabin a brilliant orange as the train dashed along. They were well out of the city and in rocky looking grasslands. James had knocked on their door with sandwiches not too long ago—let’s lay low for the night. They’d found porcelain plates strapped up delicately within the bar cabinet. There was heat and an extremely tiny bathroom with hot water.

And there was Logan, taking up half of the space at all times. Each time they had to move, they would touch shoulders, or hips, or elbows. Finn could feel his body heat. They both were sweaty and in desperate need of a shower, but Finn had never wanted to crush himself against someone else more than he did when Logan’s back brushed across his chest as they switched places at the sink.

Finn looked at himself in the mirror. This would have been romantic. Unbearably so. He could picture it so clearly. Calling for ice, popping that half-bottle of champagne in the fridge, complaining a little about how tight a fit the bunk bed would be but losing any and all thoughts of needing extra space when their bodies fit together perfectly after dinner. Dinner in the room? No, Logan would have wanted to watch Finn get dressed up, would have taken him to the dining car, would have pressed their ankles together beneath the table.

Instead, Finn had purple circles beneath his eyes and much darker smudges around his neck. He touched a bruise lightly.

“Sorry,” Logan said. It was the first thing either of them had said in twenty minutes. The first thing at all save for little notes about the room. Fancy. Yes. Tiny shower. Yeah. Nice pillows. Definitely. Logan cleared his throat and gestured to his own neck. He was sitting at the small window booth in front of his sandwich. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Finn said. He took one more look, decided there was really nothing to be done, then sat down across from him. “I wouldn’t have known what to believe, either.”

Logan toyed with the parchment wrapping of his sandwich but didn’t open it.

“Maybe…” Finn swallowed. He looked down at his sandwich, pulling at the sticker that kept the wrappings closed. It looked good. Turkey and lettuce and tomato. “Maybe you still don’t. That’s okay.” At least, Finn was pretty sure Logan wasn’t going to snap and suddenly try to strangle him again while he slept.

They ate in silence, too, watching the sun go down and the world outside turn into racing silhouettes. They had never been this quiet. Not ever.

Finally, Finn couldn’t take it anymore. He turned around to the bar cabinet—so small was the room that he didn’t even have to get up—and took the champagne bottle out of the fridge. He held it up questioningly.

Logan blinked. “Oh. Should we?” 

Finn was exhausted. He was dirty. He was longing, he was ecstatic, he was terrified. “I, personally, need some champagne after today.”

Logan watched Finn in silence as he got out the glasses—flutes so thin that Finn feared they’d shatter in his hands. He thought of the clover rocks glasses back home.

“You know, I never really guessed how much you guys roughed it—I mean, not that the house was rough but.” He began undoing the wire. “It wasn’t this.”

“What house?” Logan asked.

“We were at a place in Athens. No heat. No hot water unless you wanted to burn your skin off.”

“Ouch.”

Finn popped the cork. A sound that felt entirely too merry. The way the bubbles fizzed up and nearly spilled out, the clean chill of the bottle in his hand as he poured. Logan watched and Finn thought of all the bottles they’d shared—Harvard rooftop, fancy room services, their wedding.

The question that had been trying to knock its way into his mind finally surfaced: If they had to start over, could they do it?

“Remus said he was on a boat,” Finn said. “When he woke up.”

Logan nodded. “Me too. But—but not together. I’ve never seen him before. It was me and the crew. They had been out for a month and said they’d been out for another. Their home port wasn’t Greece. They were transporting cargo. They said they found me in the water, thought I was dead or a runaway. Criminal. I don’t…” Logan picked up a piece of tomato that had fallen out of his sandwich and popped it into his mouth. “I don’t think they believed me that I couldn’t remember anything. At least not in the beginning.”

Finn shivered. Logan reached for his glass and inspected the golden liquid.

“So you were at sea for the first month?”

“Yes. Wait.” Logan tilted his head. “How…How long do you think I was gone?”

“Six months.” There was no thinking. Finn took a small sip of champagne, letting the bubbles fill his nose. He watched Logan mirror the gesture. There was nothing gone about it either. It had been so much more than gone.

“You’ve been looking for me for so long,” Logan said.

Looking. Finn wished. He would have done anything to have been looking.

“No,” Finn said. “I thought you were dead the whole time.”

Again—Strange to say that sentence over champagne. This wasn’t exactly a celebration. If Logan was ever to return home—and Finn had pictured it of course—memory had never factored in. Sometimes, he imagined a knock on the door came in the middle of the night. Logan wouldn’t have his key, so a knock made sense, but also other times Finn woke to Logan’s hand on his cheek. I’m right here.

Other times, he got a call from Sirius or James and he had to go and meet them somewhere. Some tarmac, some remote hospital. And there would be Logan, battered but alive and reaching for him.

“The others came home. Without you.” Finn swallowed. He’d never said this aloud. “Without—” 

“Finn. Finn listen.”

He had been able to tell from their faces. The very second. Telling him to sit down.

“Where is he? Where is he? Sirius.”

“Finn…Just sit down for a second. Please, Finn.”

“Where is he, why are you looking at me like that, where is he—”

“And I told your family. And my family. And you…And you were dead.” Finn drew in a breath. He rubbed at his jaw. “And I don’t know how I got through it. I really don’t know how.”

Logan had his head ducked down. Green eyes looking up at him through those lashes, sad and scared and surprised.

“I’m your husband,” Logan said. “And you thought I was dead for six months?”

Finn’s jaw went tight to keep the tears in and he hoped that was answer enough. He got up, rubbing at his eyes, and sat down on his bunk—Logan had already taken the top one when he’d followed him inside the cabin. He just needed a moment. Just a moment. He didn’t want to make Logan feel bad. It wasn’t his fault.

But then the mattress shifted and Logan was settling down right across from him. His green eyes were earnest. His knees almost touched Finn’s.

“Six months.”

“Yeah,” Finn said.

“Oh,” Logan whispered. “Finn.”

Logan said his name almost like he always had. Almost.

“You know, you broke through all of this once before,” Finn said. “In the alley, by the bookshop. Something happened, and then—well you know the rest. You passed out. But for a moment you knew me.”

Leo would probably be trying to coax some information out of Logan just now rather than ogling his eyes, and the way he had eaten his sandwich the same, and how he said Finn’s name.

“Do you know who Pascal is?” Finn asked. “That’s the name you said, and we can’t piece it together.”

Logan frowned. “Non. I said to Leo, I don’t.”

“I know…I know. I just—it’s the only thing you said to me.” And I wanted an ‘I love you’ so badly.

“Am I different?” Logan asked. “I mean…Yes probably. But am I?”

“Of course,” Finn said. “Nothing’s the same. But…I don’t know. You’re…” You. He wasn’t sure how to say it. Not when Logan didn’t know who you was.

“Tell me something,” Logan said. “I want to be able to think I know something about you without it making me want to rip by brain out. Tell me something.”

“Tell me something.”

Logan had pulled the sheets over their heads and it billowed above them like a tent with the Caribbean sunshine lighting him up in bronze.

Finn ran his hands up the back of Logan’s bare thighs, which straddled his hips. “Like what?”

Logan sat back against Finn’s palms, rolling his hips down in a slow push, then grinning at Finn’s gasp. “Like what it’s like being my newly wed.”

“Oh I’m yours, am I?”

Finn’s eyes went down to Logan’s hand. “You lost your wedding ring.”

Logan held out his hand between them, turning it backwards then palm forward again. “Oh.” He looked up at Finn, at the gold around his finger then his eyes. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

Finn shook his head. “No, I didn’t mean…”

“All mine.” Logan’s smile was even in the kiss he pressed to Finn’s mouth. “All mine.”

“What did it look like?”

Finn tilted his head. He said nothing, just waited.

Logan started biting at his lip. That was the first sign. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his fingertips to his forehead. “Oh fuck. Fuck.”

And then there was the blood. Finn sat there frozen for a moment. This wound, strange and unexplainable, had no place in this memory or talk of their wedding. No place anywhere.

But this was Logan. This was Logan. This was his boy.

“Hey.” Finn reached forward and cradled Logan’s jaw, his other hand brushing his hair back from his forehead. “Shh. Hey, it’s all right, look at me. I’ve got ya, look at me.”

Logan opened his eyes, brows pulled together. His mouth was slack, surprised at Finn’s touch. But he was Logan. Brown waves falling across his forehead. He was so Logan, and he was warm, and so close to Finn’s arms.

“There you go,” Finn said. I’ve got you. I found you. “You’re okay. You’re okay.” 

“I don’t know,” Logan said.

“Let’s do this—You don’t try to remember anything. I just tell you.” He swiped a thumb under Logan’s nose without thinking. “There.”

“I’m sorry, that’s so gross.”

Finn didn’t know how to tell him that nothing about him could possibly seem gross. Loving someone this much, wanting them this badly, didn’t allow room for gross. Finn could’ve crawled in beside Logan’s heart and lived there.

“It’s not,” Finn said. He reached for one of the—very nice—cloth napkins. “See? Fine.”

Logan wiped his face, sniffing, but it looked like the pain had eased up. His eyes were clearer.

“This is the first time you’re seeing—that we’re seeing each other? After…”

Finn nodded, then paused. “If we don’t count the gun holding, sure.”

And there it was. A trace of a smile. Just half a raised corner of his mouth. Finn wanted to crawl inside that, too.

“You didn’t know,” he said before Logan could apologize again.

The bottom bunk felt small. Cozy. Fort-like. Logan folded the red on the napkin out of sight and set it aside. He scrubbed his fingers through his hair, rubbed at his eyes. Sleepy. He was tired.

Logan set his mug of tea down, pushed his hands through his hair, rubbed his eyes, and took Finn’s book, tossing it onto the floor and more or less falling into Finn’s chest.

“Sleep,” he mumbled.

Finn was about to ask, tea? when Logan spoke.

“Can I do anything?”

Finn frowned. “What do you mean?”

Logan hesitated. “I mean—we must…” Finn watched the way Logan wet his lips. His eyes darted down to Finn’s mouth. “Six months is a long time to think someone is dead. And we must’ve…kissed.”

Finn stared at him. And stared at him.

And then they were laughing, Logan with a flush on his cheeks.

“Yeah,” Finn laughed. “Yeah, we kiss.”

“Right.”

“You’re asking me if we should kiss?”

Logan shrugged, a hint of a smile back. “I’m—I don’t know. I…I mean. Was I a good…person? Did you miss me?”

“Oh…Oh, Lo.” Finn pressed a palm to Logan’s knee. “Baby, missing doesn’t even begin—I mean—”

Logan’s eyes had widened. “Is that what you call me?”

“I—Sometimes.”

“What else? Maybe I’ll…” Remember.

“Um. Lo. Tremz. Your last name—”

“Tremblay, you said.”

“Right.”

“And…” Logan was leaning forward now. Their knees were touching.

Finn bit his lip. “Yeah. Baby. Mostly Lo.”

Logan’s eyes snapped shut. He put a hand to his forehead. “Ugh.”

“Don’t—”

But Logan waved him off. “What do I call you?”

Rouge.

“Rouge,” Logan whispered. Finn felt a kiss against to his temple, a hand rubbing his back. “Baby, wake up, I have to go. I got called in, give me a kiss, come here.”

Finn fell into his arms when calls were sudden. He didn’t let go all the way to the door. Never managed to crawl back into bed after. Slept on the couch for the first day or two, hoping that the front door opened and—“Rouge? I’m home, baby, where are you, where are you?”

No. He only wanted to hear Rouge again if—when Logan remembered.

“Lots of French things that I would just butcher. And sometimes Harzy, though that was mostly a college thing. Harzy because O’Hara. My name.”

“College.”

“Harvard. That’s how we met.”

Logan flinched hard, but he kept his eyes open. No blood. “The library.”

“Yeah,” Finn said softly. “The library.”

Logan pushed himself up from the bed. He rubbed at his eyes again. “This is so—God, it’s like I can—it’s like I know that I don’t know. So I should know.” He pressed his hands to either side of the sink. “Does that make any sense at all?”

“I think so. I can’t imagine what this is like for you but…I sort of make it a point of my life to make sense of you.”

Logan stayed quiet. He kept his gaze down, brow furrowed in pain. Finn would’ve given anything to know what he was thinking.

“I don’t want this to hurt you,” Finn said. “Maybe we should—do you want to sleep?”

Logan kept his eyes closed for another moment, then shook his head. “I think I want to shower first.”

Finn settled against the spark of familiarity. Of course. He should have known that.

“Then champagne,” Logan said. When Finn looked at him, he had that half-smile in place again.

“I’ll keep a spoon in it, then,” Finn said. He smiled, too, and then he realized all over again that he was smiling at Logan and he had to blink a couple times and pick up his glass to keep it together.

“Good,” Logan said, and then he peaked into the bathroom quickly before pulling his shirt over his head.

“Oh—” Finn dropped the glass. It bounced on the carpet but didn’t break. The champagne splashed over his feet.

Logan’s eyes met his in the mirror, surprised momentarily before he understood.

He had a round scar on the back of his shoulder, another near his lower back, and a third that grazed where his neck met the hard muscle of his shoulder. In the mirror, there were matching scars on his chest and stomach.

Logan touched the scar on his neck, gnarled like it had grazed the skin but left a gaping wound. I saw it, James had said. I saw it, they got him in the head.

Finn inhaled sharply at the thought, the memory of trying to picture it alone in their dark London flat. He squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again. Logan was still there. Still looking at him.

“Sorry,” Finn said. “I wasn’t—I didn’t think about…” It was a bit of a joke, really. After so long picturing it, how had it not even occurred to him that Logan’s body would have scars?

“Not very pretty, hm?” Logan said quietly. He ran a quick hand over his chest. He had a slight tan line at his neck and wrist, like he spent a lot of time outdoors. “I was maybe better when you last knew me.”

Finn wanted to touch him. The bullets looked like stage makeup. Movie set. Sort of like how all the guns looked to him. Like they’d shoot bubbles and air. Like Logan would emerge from the shower and the pink puckers of skin would be gone.

“Logan,” Finn said softly.

Logan would have asked quoi? had he even recognized how he used to speak. Instead he just turned towards him.

“Can I…” Finn realized he was reaching forward. Just a little.

Logan looked at his hands. He set down his crumpled shirt and faced him. “So there is something I can do.”

Finn nodded quickly. The tears were rising in his throat. “Right now, it’s just this.”

Logan let Finn come to him. Their movements were so careful at first, but the moment Logan’s chest was pressed against Finn’s sweater something snapped. He let out a harsh breath and put a scar under his palm like he could protect it.

Finn turned his head into the soft warm place, the nook of his neck. Finn’s place. Logan liked to be kissed there, and God did Finn almost do it, right over the other scar. He just held on, the familiarity of the broad shoulders beneath his hands making him feel airy, almost like he was going to pass out. But then Logan’s arms were around him, too, more hesitant than he would have been before. Lighter in touch. Discovering. He let out a little breath that Finn felt against his shoulder. Logan’s shoulders relaxed.

“Silver.” Logan pushed harder into Finn’s hold. “The ring was silver, wasn’t it?”

Finn kept his tears quiet this time, soft against his cheeks as he nodded. He drew back just enough to pull Logan’s fleur-de-lis from around his own neck and place it around Logan’s. It caught on his curls briefly before settling on his bare chest. “Silver like this.”

“What…” Logan looked down at it. His rested his temple against Finn’s shoulder and picked up the pendant.

“It’s yours,” Finn said. He touched Logan’s fingertips and the warming metal. “Wear it. It might help.”

#Christmas Eve Will Find Me lumosinlove #winterfic lumosinlove 2023 #ficmas #wolfstar #finnlo #sirius black #remus lupin #finn o'hara #spy au

[kleinstar]

@sxnburst || [ SNOWMANNING THE FORT ]

" Sun. "

" Say your honest opinion. "

Since someone had been such a scrooge Eiden had made a decision on the spot to drag him along for the activity. The bioluminescent snow as too awesome to enjoy on his own.

He was already half way through his first snowman that he just had to get out of his system -- a muscular, particularly handsome one. As much as a snowman could be anyhow, he wasn't going for sculptural detail here.

" Do you think we should add some more volume for the chest department? "

#sxnburst #winterfes 2023 #dkdkd sorry about this sun

[hanabisays]

"Hm....I realize it's December and this year is almost over. I don't think I've celebrated any of my co-workers birthdays." She's looking at her phone.

"I should ask them when their birthdays are."

#isola mini #AND SHE SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE WINTERFES

[inheirit]

it's been a while, so i thought i'd put out a general starter call to try and get some new interactions going !! especially if we've yet to interact, i'd love to fix that ! i'll leave this uncapped so i can just reblog it whenever, but new interactions will definitely get first priority.

#isola rp ad #and since both are going on right now- starters might also be winterfes or cupid shuffle related!! #just didn't wanna put that in the post bc i may reblog this often even when they end to just... keep everything together #bc even if it takes weeks by god you'll get your starter