Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Hey! Hey Harry!" Fred called as Harry was walking through the courtyard on a cold Christmas Eve. Harry stopped and turned around.

"Hey guys. What's up?" Harry asked half-heartedly as he knew that no good would come from the Weasley twins. That, and they had huge smiles on their faces like they always do when they are planning their next prank.

"We were wondering," Fred started.

"If we could borrow," George continued.

"Your invisibility cloak!" Fred finished.

"What?! No. Just no!" Harry could imagine hundreds of things that the twins could do if they had the invisibility cloak.

"Awh, come on Harry." George whined.

"At least let us tell you what it is first!" Fred said.

Harry sighed, "Fine. What is your evil plan?"
The twins smirked at each other.

"Well, since Ronnie Boy is sweet on Hermione." George started.

"We thought we could get some mistletoe and hold it over them when they are together!" Fred finished.

"Guys! That's brilliant! You can use the invisibility cloak for that, but I will only give it to you right before the prank and you have to return it immediately after you are done." Harry laughed.

"Deal." Fred and George said together.

XxxxxxxxxX

"This Christmas party is so much fun!" Hermione laughed as she danced in the Gryffindor common room with her two best friends.

"I know! I'm so glad we decided to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas!" Ron agreed.

"I'm just happy that we could spend Christmas together!" Harry smiled. Harry had just given the twins the cloak and he knew that any second now Ron and Hermione would be smooching.

A mistletoe appeared over Ron and Hermione's head. At first they were oblivious to it until Ginny noticed it and shouted "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Soon the entire common room had joined in the chant.

Ron turned bright red and tried to get away from the mistletoe but wherever he moved the mistletoe followed over his head.Everyone except Ron was laughing.

"I don't think it's going to go away until you kiss Hermione, Ron!" Harry laughed.

Ron gulped and looked at Hermione. "May I?" Ron asked meekly. Hermione nodded.

Ron leaned in for what he had planned to be a quick peck on the lips but Hermione surprised him when she grabbed his head, pulled it toward her and French kissed him.
After she was done Ron was in a daze.

Fred and George pushed the cloak off and started laughing, the mistletoe still in Fred's hand. Ron snapped out of it and shouted at his brothers, "I'm gonna kill you!" as he stalked off to his room. The twins however hollered even louder.

Chapter Text

"Have you gotten your Christmas gift yet?" Brandon asked Callie.

They were both standing in the living room helping to decorate the Christmas tree. Nearly everyone had dispersed, each covering a different room with holiday paraphernalia so Callie and Brandon were alone.

"No, not yet, I haven't had the chance to." Callie replied hanging up a shiny crimson orb. Brandon's reflection stared out at her. They caught each others distorted red eyes and for a single moment, it was just them. No family drama, no forbidden love, just Callie and Brandon. Brandon and Callie. Brandon's uninjured hand drifted to hers. The spark of his touch snapped her out of her daze. As much as she longed to hold his hand, she knew that any of the numerous family members could walk in at any moment. Callie turned around to grab more ornaments.

"Do you want to go with me after we finish this tree?" Brandon placed tinsel on the tree and tried and failed to keep his gaze from the girl beside him.

"Sure. Sounds great." Callie agreed. Trying to keep herself in check, Callie excused herself to wrap the stair railing with green garland.

XxxxxxxxX

An hour later both Callie and Brandon were browsing through a second hand store. With a budget of $40 each for their secret santa, they wanted to get the most for their buck.

The store was bursting with items. Maneuvering through the store was tricky as tables covered with bracelets and wind up toys, candles and decorative plates offered little room to walk. The variety of items blew Callie's mind because if you could think it, it likely was hidden somewhere in this establishment. This store was perfect for their shopping needs.

Brandon stopped and held up a black leather cuff with a silver buckle adorning the side. It was the type of bracelet you would expect to see on the arm of a goth, not fashionably comfy Callie's wrist. "So tell me, is this something you would want?"

Callie turned from looking at a toy that sat on an opposing table. Spotting the jewelry Callie chucked. "Yeah, no. However this, this is beautiful." Callie turned her attention to another bracelet. This other bracelet was silver with black half circles that protruded from the sides. A little edgy, but still something she would wear.

Brandon put the cuff down. "I agree, that is you." Brandon didn't want the conversation to die so he changed the subject. "So tell me, who'd you get for the secret santa?"

Callie smiled and looked at him, "I'm not telling! It's called secret santa, emphasise on the secret!"

"Fine, then I won't tell you mine!" Brandon teased but turned away and continued browsing for the perfect gift. Callie followed behind staring at both him and the merchandise.

After a few more minutes of searching the store, the pair came across a table. The table was white with a red outline. It was simple and functional, yet fun. A couple of knickknacks littered the table, though the table was the center of attention. Two matching red and white chairs were tucked into the table.

Brandon looked at Callie who had not yet noticed the table. "Now that's your perfect present."

Callie looked at the table then at Brandon, confused. "A kitchen table?"

"Yeah! Remember how you wanted one for your apartment? You wanted one over a tv." Brandon jogged Callie's memory.

Callie's eyes filled with recognition as she smiled at the memory. "I also wanted it over a couch."

"You did, though I remember that the floor was pretty comfortable." Brandon hinted.

Callie glanced away. Their romantic relationship was like a cliff. They had jumped over and climbed back up. But now they would move closer just to step back. They would test each other and see if they would jump again. However so far it remained as just standing at the edge.

"I remember you were going to make me pancakes in the morning." Callie said.

"Let me make you some right now." Brandon pulled out a chair. Intrigued, Callie played along with a smile on her face. Brandon sat down next to her and pretended to place a plate down in front of her. Callie laughed at the silly gesture.

"After I would make you breakfast, I would serenade you as you ate." Brandon continued.

The world and the store and all their problems faded away as Brandon and Callie fell into their own little alternate reality. A reality where every morning would begin with pancakes and music. A reality where no one could dictate their relationship for them. A reality where they didn't have to supress their feelings.

Softly so only Callie could hear, Brandon began to sing.

"I think we might be outlaws.
I think we might be in love.
Cause I'm all out of reasons, like seasons, winter, summer, fall.
And you're sitting way over there.
Come on here, by my side.
I think we might be outlaws, wanted, if you want me.
I'll love you every day and every night."

As the song came to a close, Brandon and Callie's lips began to dance with each other. Neither of them knew who had initiated the kiss, only that it was happening. They had no thoughts other than the kiss. Their lips fit together and moved together like pieces of a puzzle. It felt so familiar and so right that a part of their minds couldn't believe that they hadn't kissed in months. Hands got tangled in hair, breaths became synchronized and everything ceased to exist outside the kiss.

A bell chimed and broke into their alternate reality. Remembering where they were and who they were caused them to quickly pull apart. Callie brought her hand to her lips and Brandon patted down his ruffled hair. They both sat in a state of shock and took in what just happened between them.

"We-"

"That-"

Callie and Brandon both began to speak at the same time. Brandon motioned for her to go first.

"We can't let anyone know."

"I know." Brandon replied. "But that was amazing."

"Definitely amazing." Callie agreed.

"Should it happen again?" Brandon inquired.

Their romantic relationship was a cliff. A cliff that they would stand at the edge at and stare at the abyss. This time instead of walking to the edge, they hurled themselves over hand in hand.

"Yes."

Chapter Text

"Oof!" A big soft snowball smacked Jughead in the center of his back. "Hey!"

Betty grinned at him from ear to ear. Her gloved hands covered suspiciously in a white powder.

Jughead bent down and shaped the snow at his feet. Betty also bent down to make her own snowballs, but she was unable to complete her first one, as a projectile hit her in the arm. She fell back due to the force, and surprise. Betty quickly finished her own snowball and hurled it at Jughead's chest.

After it had made contact and Jughead stood up and raced toward her with a large clump of snow, at least a foot in diameter. Betty shrieked at the sight and ran away.

Betty zigged and zagged around trees and bushes that dotted the park. The landscape became a blur as Betty increased her speed, desperate to stay ahead of the ginormous snowball.

Cold air slapped Betty's face. Though it was bareable while standing still, the wind she was creating was knives against the soft face of her skin. Her light pink scarf flapped out behind her like a flag on a pole. Despite the chill, Betty's mouth was locked in an unbreaking smile. Laughter escaped her lips.

As fast at Betty was going, Jughead was taller and as such had longer legs than her. Jughead caught up to her within a couple minutes. He could have caught up sooner, but Jughead enjoyed this game tag. The sight of Betty peeking back at him with unbridled joy would be enough to warm even the Grinch's heart. When Jughead was only a few feet behind Betty, he threw the pile of snow that had begun melting in his arms.

Betty looked back at Jughead again and saw the snow flying toward her. Before she could jump away, Betty watched the white mass sail by her. Their distance was so close, that Jughead could have only planned the miss. Betty slowed to a stop, Jughead right beside her.

"You are a terrible aim!" Betty exclaimed.

"Perhaps." Jughead smirked.

Betty stared at her boyfriend, then at the pile of snow that rest beside them. A wonderful idea filled her head.

"Do you want to build a snowman?" Betty asked.

"Come on let's go and play." Jughead sang in a mocking tune.

Betty laughed at the absurdity of this dark, gang member standing before her singing Frozen.

"I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It's like you've gone away..." Jughead continued to sing in a horrible, intentionally off key voice.

Betty decided to join in the song, but sang to the best of her ability.

"We used to be best buddies
And now we're not
I wish you would tell me why!"

Their unconventional duet had the soundtrack of giggles, but they continued the first verse.

"Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman."

They both paused for a moment.

"Ok bye." They both sang out.

"But seriously, do you want to build a snowman?" Betty asked in her regular voice.

"Sure."

As the knelt down and started to form balls, Jughead looked at Betty, the angel who was only a foot away from him. For no one else would he sing Frozen with. For no one else would he even admit to watching Frozen. But to see her face break apart into joy, was the greatest sight in the world. Betty was so stressed and so caught up in all the darkness of Riverdale, anything to make her smile wasn't out of reach for Jughead.

Before long, the base was created, though it look more like a snow woman than a man, as the bottom was conical like a skirt. Betty was in charge of the base, and as the feminist she was, she would not be controlled by societal norms.

Jughead, meanwhile, was rolling up the head. He rolled the snowball in circles around Betty so he could always have her in the corner of his eye. Unfortunately, due to his preoccupation, Jughead slightly over shot his snowball.

Betty looked at his ball and laughed. "Don't you think that's a little big? I think that might crush our snow woman!"

The ball went past Jughead's knees, and was over half as tall at the snow woman's skirt! Jughead looked at Betty's smiling face, then back at his creation. "I may have lost track of the size of her head."

"Just a little." Betty laughed. "Here, let me help you shape it down a bit."

The two of them crouched around the head and brushed some snow off the ball. Sometimes small pieces of snow would fall off, but as Jughead was working, he accidentally made half of a side crumple to the ground.

"Well that's one way to do it!" Betty smiled and started adding some more snow to that side, as to much came off.

After a few more minutes of carving and laughing, the head was complete. Jughead lifted up the sphere and placed it on top of the base. Betty came in beside him and patted snow to the edges for support. After a sufficient amount of snow had been added, Jughead released the head and stepped back.

"Wonderful, absolutely perfect." Jughead stared at Betty, who stared at the snow woman.

Betty tilted her head in thought, "Something is missing."

"I don't know what you mean? She looks wonderful. She looks like she is about to rule the world." Jughead replied.

"Yes, but still." Betty trailed off, but suddenly perked up. "A face! She's missing a face! Gather some pine cones!"

"Alright." Jughead walked over to some trees and picked up some fallen pine cones. Betty gathered beside him until they had enough to make eyes, a nose, and a mouth.

The pair walked back to their creation and Betty formed her face. For using only snow and pine cones, the result was rather artistic.

"That looks amazing, Betty, great job." Jughead praised her. Jughead brought his arm up around her shoulders and pulled her into a side hug.

"We both did a great job." Betty stared at the snow woman, then into the eyes of her boyfriend.

"What should we name her?" Jughead asked.

"Lili." Betty replied. "I've always loved that name."

"Lili, sounds beautiful." Jughead gazed into Betty's eyes.

Jughead leaned down and gently fitted his lips to hers. A kiss that started off sweet and soft, turned into a passionate deep kiss. Jughead's hands explored Betty's back. Betty's hands twisted in the tips of Jughead's hair, the majority of it confined by his beanie. Their lips, hands, and bodies melded together to become one.

In the passion, Jughead and Betty moved around slightly, unable to keep still as they expressed their love for each other. Betty's fingers raced up and down Jughead's spine, her hands feeling the defined muscle of his back, her elbow knocking off the head of their snow woman.

Betty pulled away and gasped. Jughead confused, looked around then located the snow head.

Fake horror filled Jughead's face. "Betty! You just decapitated Lili!"

Chapter Text

"Princess, I know that you have never had a Christmas in space before," Han started, turning to his companion. "So here is how we do Christmas on the Millennium Falcon."

Leia followed Han Solo through the twists and turns into the communal space. In this room, C-3PO had played chess with Chewbacca, and Luke had learned how to use a lightsaber. The room was small, with only a couple couches, a table, and some chairs to furnish the area. A computer read-out also was visible, so Han and Chewbacca could check on the Auto pilot and any issues.

There was something different about this room though, along one wall was a makeshift Christmas tree. Though, calling it a tree was a stretch. Han had taken some spare green cables and attached them to the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree. Using green wire, he had also lit some spare light bulbs to decorate the tree. Using extra wire in red and blue, he looped them around the sides of the triangle and down through the middle as extra decoration.

Leia gasped at the sight. As hilarious as the tree was, it was sweet how much work Han had put into making it look perfect. Leia turned toward him, "Han, it's beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much."

As tough an exterior the smuggler tried to put on, a light blush coloured his cheeks. Leia stood on her tiptoes as she gently brushed her lips against each of his rosy cheeks. As Leia started to move her head back, Han swooped down and consumed her lips.

Han infused the kiss was passion and need. He attacked her bottom lip as his hands moved down her back. He knew better than to mess with her signature hair. Leia's hands, however, were able to mess up Han's hair. The scruffy hair style provided an ample to play with.

Han walked forward, still joined with Leia until her back was pushed up against the lone table. Han grabbed her upper thighs and lifted her on to the table. Leia brought her legs up to wrap around Han's waist.

As consuming as the kiss was, neither participant could hear the footsteps walking down the hallway toward them. Instead, their ears were full of small moans escaping from their lips.

"Oh my eyes!" Luke called out. He started to back pedal out of the room but hit Chewbacca, the large furry mass right behind him. As Luke's face twisted with horror, Chewbacca gave a hearty laugh.

"Come on guys, a little privacy?" Han asked, stepping back slightly from Leia, who had put her legs down. Leia quickly straightened her dress and hopped down from the table.

"You do realize that we eat there right? On that table?" Luke inquired with disgust. "And if you wanted privacy, don't make out in the group room."

"Alright then, shall we head to the Captain's quarters?" Han directed his question at Leia whose cheeks were burning.

"What, no! That's my sister your talking to!" Luke cried, indignant. "You know what," Luke walked over and grabbed Leia's hand, "Let's sit here" They sat down on the two person couch, "And you can sit over there." Luke motioned to a chair across the room for Han. Luke had effectively separated his sister and his lover with himself between them.

Despite their distance, both Han and Leia were burning up, and Han had a small smirk grace his lips. The two of them felt like school children who had just been caught. As embrassed as they were, they both felt exhilarated and were planning their next hook up in the common area.

Luke still had a disgruntled look on his face, that looked as though it were etched in place. Chewbacca watched the entire event and laughed. This was better than his favourite holographic soap opera!

"By the way, what's that monstrosity on the wall?"

Chapter Text

"Why do you put a tree in your house?" Killian asked Emma.

Emma looked down and smiled. These questions were like ones of a child, if the child was a pirate, hundreds of years old. Despite Hook's age, he had never experienced Christmas before, so his questions were numerous. "We put an evergreen tree in our homes to decorate and place presents under."

"So you bring huge, shedding trees into the confined space of your living room as a way to give gifts? What about just handing the gifts to the person they are intended for?" Killian asked, still confused by the concept.

"That would be easier, but there is something magical about Christmas morning and waking up to a pile of presents under the tree." Emma smiled, despite her rough childhood, Christmas was always her favourite holiday. She had always dreamed of having a tv Christmas, and this was her first year she would finally spend her Christmas surrounded by friends and family.

"Here we are! Here is the tree!" Mary Margaret and David walked through the door, David carrying this large rectangular box. Mary Margaret carried a smaller box filled with decorations.

"What tree?" Killian asked, puzzled by the lack of trees in the room, despite claims of the opposite.

David dropped the box with a loud "phwump" and sighed. "That thing gets heavier every year."

Mary Margaret smiled and poked back with "Maybe you are just getting out of shape!"

"Oh haha, I'm at peak prince performance." Charming laughed and flex his arm muscle at his wife.

Emma shuddered and covered her eyes. "Hello! Daughter in the room!"

Charming and Snow smiled at Emma's comment, and dialled down their flirting.

"For your question, where is the tree, it's in here." Mary Margaret flipped open the large box to produce a dark green. Dark green plastic branches stuck out its confines, desperate to be free.

"Is this magic? Or a trick? A tree could not possibly fit in a box that size." Killian looked perplexed at the conundrum before him.

"Nope, it's a Christmas tree." Emma reached down and plucked a branch from the box. She handed the branch to Killian who throughly examined it.

"This is a fake. Real tree boughs do not have metal hooks on the end." Killian proclaimed.

"And I suppose you would know that, Hook." Charming added with a slight sneer. Despite his attempt to open up to Killian, he was still Hook to Charming.

Snow White smiled and tried to diffuse the sudden tense situation. "Yes it's a fake, I couldn't bare the idea of destroying some birds home every year. This is a lovely replacement."

"So you put up a fake tree in your house for a month in the year?" Killian wondered, starting to grasp the idea.

"Yes. I know it's odd, but it's a wonderful tradition." Emma gently touched his arm with a smile. Killian looked at her and smiled back, though he thought this tradition was rather odd.

He started digging through the small box Mary Margaret had brought up. "What is this?"

"That's a star that we put on top of the tree." Emma replied.

Killian gave a small nod, looked at the box again, and gave a small look of disgust. "What is this?"

Snow laughed at the sight, "Why that's the string of popcorn some students made for me years ago!"

"Or, well it used to be popcorn..." David poked a strand at the nauseating sight. "How about it's time we throw that out?"

"I suppose that it has outlived its life." Snow sighed, "I guess the students won't know that I chucked it." Charming walked over to the trash can and dropped the strand in.

"Why do you have a small plant in here?" Killian asked, oblivious to what the green leaves and red berries are for.

The three other adults in the room blushed different shades of red, Emma's was the darkest shade, and Charming's was the lightest.

"That is mistletoe." Snow white said. "It has a particular meaning at Christmas time."

"What is that meaning?" Killian asked.

Emma walked up to him, took the mistletoe and dangled it over his head. Killian looked up at the plant, then down at the fierce woman holding it. Emma extended her height by going up on her tiptoes, and softly brushed her lips against his.

Killian's eyes widened as he realized what this plant was. As Emma started to pull away, he placed his hand against the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

Almost immediately after the kiss started, a throat was cleared. Emma and Killian broke apart and looked at her father who have a look of disapproval on his face. Meanwhile Mary Margaret, was trying not to laugh at the ridiculous face her husband was pulling.

"And that's what mistletoe is." Emma said sheepishly.

Chapter Text

"Can you please pull out the last box of ornaments?" Bella called out. Her hands dug into the large cardboard box in front of her pulling out decorations wrapped in tissue paper.

"You mean this box?" Jacob walked through the door not a moment later.

"You read my mind! Thanks!" Bella responded with a smile.

Jacob set down the box beside her, looking at the sea of Christmas decorations spread out on the living room floor, waiting to be dispersed throughout the house.

"How can Charlie fit so much inside one tiny house?" Jacob muttered to himself, though not quiet enough because Bella smirked.

"Christmas is Renée's favourite holiday. She bought all of this, and Charlie never got rid of it. She never thought we had enough tree toppers which explains this." A light up star, angel, and a jewelled star rested in front of her. Jacob chuckled at the sight. Only one medium-sized tree could fit in this house, and unless the tree was mutant, there was no way all three of those could be used.

"Oh! Look what I found!" Bella pulled out a Christmas CD and placed it in the CD player. Jingle Bell Rock filled the air.

"Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock." Bella began singing under her breath.

Jacob grinned and belted out, "Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring"

Bella giggled at Jacob's singing voice (or lack thereof) and at his complete confidence as he virtually yelled out the first stanza of the song.

At "Now the jingle hop has begun" Jacob pulled Bella to her feet and they began dancing around the first floor to Jacob's horribly unique rendition of Jiggle Bell Rock.

They jumped and hopped around, narrowly avoiding the delicate, glass balls waiting to be hung on the tree. Bella and Jacob were pressed up close to each other and moved as one.

Bella was less than graceful and actually knocked over a plastic Santa in an enthusiastic spin. However they both laughed and continued their dance.

As the upbeat song came to a close, a more subdued "The Christmas song" came over the sound system.

After the energetic dance they had just had, Bella and Jacob happily switched to a slower dance. Their new dance was closer to a waltz, though neither of them were skilled (Bella stepped on Jacob's toes multiple times) so their foot movements did not align with any formal dance.

"Yuletide carols being sung by the choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright"

At the word mistletoe, Jacob reached into his pocket and pulled out that exact red and green plant. Using his long arm he held the mistletoe high above their heads, out of Bella's reach.

Bella smiled and stared at Jacob. Jacob wiggled his eyebrows, causing her to laugh, but quickly, the laughter subsided as he pressed his lips against hers.

They fell in like two pieces to a puzzle, like a key to a lock, milk to cookies, books to soft blankets. They were the perfect mix. Where he was gentle, she was rough. Where she was uncertain, he was confident. Their kiss was waves lapping against a beach, rain tapping against a window pane. It was everything right with this world. All this perfection because of a little plant. And nothing truly could be more perfect. This moment was unbreakable, absorbing, nothing could pull them out of this love.

Nothing except Charlie.

Loud, pounding footsteps could be heard over the Christmas music. When the lock opened, their kiss closed. Jacob looked at Bella, savouring this moment before Charlie walked in and fully smashed their moment.

"Later." Bella said, saying everything with her eyes. The prospect of tonight allowed Jacob to turn toward the door and greet Charlie with a smile.

Chapter Text

"Did you get the cookie cutters?" Elena asked her loving boyfriend.

"They were the last pack in the store, I almost had to fight a Grandma for them! But she realized that I was the superior baker and let me have the cutters." A devilish grin split his face. Despite his handsome, young appearance, he was born nearly a century and a half before her.

"You compelled her, didn't you." Elena shook her head.

"Well lets just say that Granny decided that normal circles could become Christmas ornaments." His eyes glinted mischievously

"You are incorrigible." Was Elena's only reply. She walked up to her boyfriend and snatched the grocery bag out of his hands. She dumped out the shapes onto the kitchen table and fingered a tree. "I can't believe that you've never made Christmas cookies before."

"I may not have made them before, but I certainly have eaten them!" The vampire grinned.

"Well today you get to learn the process of baking them." Elena pulled out a large bowl and set it before him. "You can combine all the dry ingredients in here. I'm going to beat the butter and sugar."

He started measuring out the flour and dropping it into the bowl. With the first cup however, he dumped it in a little to fast and a cloud of white powder formed in his face. The flour lightened his already paled complextion. Elena looked at him and burst out laughing. He grabbed a wet towel and while cleaning his face he shot a look at her. Elena simply laughed again and went back to beating.

After the butter and sugar were as fluffy as clouds, Elena added the rest of the wet ingredients.

"This is the secret ingredient right here. A teaspoon of almond extract. My great-grandma Gilbert came up with it, and now it's a sugar cookie staple!" Elena proclaimed, proud by her little bit of family history.

"Almond extract, huh? That's a new one. I guess I'll try it, but if you ruin Christmas cookies..." Her boyfriend gave her a smirk, thinking about all the possibilities.

"Don't worry! You are helping to make the best Christmas cookies you'll ever taste!" Elena shot back.

"I don't know about the best cookies... There was this French woman in the 1970's, now her cookies were absolutely superb!" The vampire thought back to a time before his girlfriend had even been born, and smiled at the memory.

"Well then, its about time you get a new favourite!" Elena went back to her beating with a grin on her face. "Oh, and can you pour the flour mixture into here? Slowly?"

He learnt his lesson from the flour cloud, and this time very carefully added the dry ingredients. Elena continued to mix the dough until it was fully combined.

"Could you please divide this ball into quarters, and flatten them into disks? I'm going to wash my hands and get all the gunk off of them." Elena turned towards the sink.

Her boyfriend obliged and made four smaller, equal balls. He then pushed down on them and turned the spheres into circles. Elena pulled out a long narrow box and began wrapping the disks with plastic wrap. After the dough was squished and wrapped, Elena stacked them up and put them in the fridge.

"Now we have to wait half an hour, then we roll out the dough, cut out the cookies and bake them." Elena quickly set an alarm on her phone, then turned to clean up the kitchen. While Elena moved some bowls to the sink, her boyfriend watched her.

He notice the little bit of flour on her shirt and small amount of sugar and butter on her forehead where she had no doubt scratched an itch. He noticed her chocolate coloured hair pulled into a ponytail. He noticed the small fly aways that escaped the confines of the elastic. He noticed how light her face was, and how happy she looked. He noticed her sparkling eyes and her pink cheeks. He noticed her little nose and her luscious lips. He stared at the lips until Elena looked up at him and noticed what he was looking at. Her checks grew even redder as she glanced at the ground.

"30 minutes you said? I think I know what we can do in thirty minutes." The vampire smirked at her, never looking away from her lips.

Elena looked up at him, then stared at his lips like a confirmation of their next activity.

The vampire leaned closer to her until their lips finally touched. He devoured the kiss, a kiss filled with passion and need. He lifted Elena up and she in turn enclosed his waist with her legs. Using his vampire speed, he pushed her up against a wall, then up on the counter, the fridge, any solid surface in that room.

He used his vampire strength to move her to the couch and pin her under him. She moaned with delight at the change in position and never broke their kiss. He however changed their kiss and started kissing her face, her cheeks, her nose, her ears. Anything and everything. He kissed off the sweetness of the butter and sugar that decorated her forehead. He moved down and began kissing the pulse points on her neck, feeling the blood rushing just millimeters from his lips. He resisted the urge and only focused on worshipping this heavenly being that lay under him.

Elena may not have been a heavenly being, but she certainly was in heaven. The feelings of the kisses, soft and sweet, then rough and passionate. She truly was in ecstasy. The feeling of this man on top of her, kissing her with such love, it was absolutely perfect.

Their kissing went on and on. They had unlocked a state of being where time had no meaning. An hour could have passed, or a minute. Neither of them knew, or even cared. The Christmas cookies were long forgotten as they enveloped themselves in each other.

Though neither of them could tell time passing, time continued on. This was made apparent when Elena's timer went off. The sharp trilling broke both of them out of their trance and back into reality. They both smiled at each other, cherishing the moment that had just occurred.

"Ready to make some Christmas cookies?" Elena asked.

"As long as we could do some more of this while the cookies bake!" He gave a wiggle of his eye brows.

Elena stood up to get the now cold dough from the fridge and said, "Deal."

Chapter Text

"Wait, the Institute has Christmas parties?" Clary asked in disbelief.

Clary and Jace were walking hand in hand through the halls of the New York institute. As usual, they were the only ones in this area of the large building. They walked past rooms that stood empty, waiting for Shadowhunters to sleep in them. It was a slightly haunting sight.

"It does indeed. Well a holiday party for everyone of different beliefs." Jace corrected.

"That is crazy! Who all comes to these holiday parties?" Clary inquired

"Well for the month of December there is a party every weekend at five different institutes. It's divided by continent so there will be Shadowhunters from all over North America." Jace explained.

"What are the Institutes hosting parties this year?" Clary looked at him. "Are we?"

"No, we hosted 2 years ago. There are so many institutes that we probably won't for at least 4 more years." Jace continued. "As for the host institutes, we will be heading to Toronto, Newark, Tijuana, Calgary and New Orleans."

"Wow, I've never been to any of those cities! This should be so much fun!" Clary exclaimed.

"It is certainly a highlight of the year. After the year we've had, we particularly need this break and celebration." Jace agreed.

"What do shadowhunter holiday parties look like?" Clary imagined many possible answers to her question.

"Well, we shadowhunters truly embrace the live hard, play hard lifestyle. Our parties will blow your mind." Jace laughed, "Two years ago, actually here at the New York Institute, Alex had a little to much to drink. A table was involved, as was a potted tree and the song 'Sweet Caroline.' Let's just say that Alec still doesn't know the full extend of his show."

Clary covered her mouth as a sharp laugh escaped her throat. "Alec? But he's so..." She hesitated, unsure what to say about his parabatia.

"Uptight? High strung? Has a stick up his ass?" Jace laughed.

"Well, yes." Clary admitted.

"He really embraced the live hard, party hard when he was only around shadowhunters. Though he has matured a bit since the incident." Jace assured her.

"So, aside from a crazy Alec, what else can I expect from a Shadowhunter Holiday party?" Clary questioned.

"Well, there is holiday music, everything from Jingle Bells, to I have a Little Driedel, to Silent Night." Jace started.

"So all the holiday classics." Clary cut in.

Jace smiled and continued, "And of course, with music comes dancing."

"Dancing?" Clary lifted an eyebrow.

"Dancing, just like this." Jace swept up Clary into his arms and began waltzing her around the room.

His lithe, limber, body was the body of a warrior, but fit the bill of a dancer as well. Clary was surprised at his skill, but unsurprised by how many times she stood on his feet.

Jace towered over Clary so she had to reach far up to place her hand on his shoulder. Her elbow was almost fully extended. Jace and Clary stood chest to chest and Clary felt her hands begin to awkwardly sweat.

Jace however just smiled at this small red head who pressed against him. As doll like as she seemed, in his arms, she fit in beautifully as though she belonged inside them.

Jace lead her around the hallway in a box step, then leaned her down for a dip. Jace paused then spoke. "We also do this at holiday parties."

"You also do wha-?" Clary began to speak was cut off by lips being pressed against hers.

Jace's soft but firm lips surrounded her own. He started off slow and sweet, gauging her reaction. Clary encouraged him by deepening the kiss. She kissed him faster and harder. His lips were the only water in the desert, the only food on earth. She lapped at them desperately, savouring his earthy taste.

Jace held Clary in his arms, still mid dip, not only connected through his arms, but now through his lips as well. As tiny as she was, her lips were the perfect size against his own.

Clary brought her hands up to run through his hair of sunlight. He not only looked like an angel, he kissed like an angel too- not that she had experience in that matter. Her fingers continued to play with his golden locks as her lips playfully locked his.

Jace pulled away and stood Clary up again. Slightly taken aback by the wondrous kissing that just occurred, it was a moment before anyone spoke.

"You will not be doing that at holiday parties with anyone but me." Clary breathlessly ordered.

Jace grinned and with a mock salute he said, "Yes ma'am."

Clary laughed at him then grabbed his hand. "Come on, it's nearing lunchtime and Izzy promised that she was making soup."

Horror filled Jace's face. "Oh, please no!"

Clary laughed again, "Don't worry, let's take the long way around. By the time we get back, Izzy will have probably ordered in Chinese and thrown out the soup."

Jace smiled at his girlfriend and grabbed her hand in his. Together they walked off down the hall in the opposite direction of the kitchen.

Chapter Text

A knock on the door alerted Molly to her boyfriends arrival. Molly silently cursed the promptness of Sherlock Holmes as she quickly straightened a pile of disheveled magazines. As she walked past the mirror in her entry way, Molly ran her fingers through her hair. She did not get her desired affect though and she just decided to flattened her hair.

When Molly opened the door, she first saw the darkness. Sherlock's large black overcoat, his navy scarf wrapped around his neck and his sexy, unruly black curls. As always when Sherlock entered Molly's presence, Molly took a moment to speak. Every single time Molly thought of Sherlock she was filled with utter disbelief that this man had chosen her as his girlfriend.

"Hi Sherlock. Come in." Molly tried and failed to keep her voice level.

"Good afternoon." Sherlock stepped inside and removed his scarf and coat. He placed them in Molly's waiting arms who then hung them up.

Sherlock glanced of the absurd image of Molly carrying his coat. A coat that was nearly as tall as she was. The coat itself enveloped her.

Molly and Sherlock walked over to her small living room and sat down on the couch. Sherlock looked around the room and observed the Christmas explosion.

A medium sized Christmas tree stood in the corner of her living room. The tree was decorated with homemade ornaments or ones that had been given as gifts. A star was placed on top of the tree but was lopsided. The ornaments were placed chaoticly around the evergreen. A couple presents were neatly wrapped underneath the Christmas tree.

Silver letters hung on a string exclaiming Merry Christmas! Little snowmen stood in a row on her coffee table. Two glass jars full of metallic coloured balls stood on either side of the tv. Underneath the tv lay a string of multi coloured Christmas lights.

"This is certainly" Sherlock paused, "festive."

"I know! Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year!" Molly agreed.

"Though the ornaments on your tree could be rearranged into a more uniform manner. Your star could also be straightened." Sherlock worded his statement carefully as not to offend Molly. He'd been working with John on how to not be offensive. Despite making progress, Sherlock still had a long way to go.

Molly laughed at Sherlock. She did not have malice behind her laugh though, she was laughing simply because his effort to voice his displeasure amused her. "I like my disorderly tree! I hung the ornaments where there were gaps and I am completely content with how it looks." Molly paused. "Though maybe if you could straighten the star for me? I was standing on a chair and couldn't quick reach to fix it properly."

Sherlock smirked at the mental image Molly had just provided him with, and stood up. His height allowed him to adjust the Star with minimal difficulty until it was perfectly perpendicular with the floor. After the star was fixed, he sat back down next Molly.

"Now that you are happier with my tree, let's watch a Christmas movie!" Molly's voice dripped with eagerness.

"Which Christmas movie do you want to watch?" Sherlock cringed at the bad movies available to them and dreaded Molly's reply.

"Let's watch the Christmas Prince!" Molly had heard about the new Netflix movie but had never seen it. She wanted to watch it with her prince.

Sherlock had also heard of that movie and the review of "It's so bad, it's good!" Sherlock immediately knew that his worry about her choice was rightly justified. "Are you certain that is the movie you wish to choose?"

"Yes! I've heard it's amazing! Just the movie to get us in the Christmas spirit." Molly used the remote to search through Netflix to find the aforementioned movie.

"Are you certain you wouldn't rather participate in a different activity?" Sherlock leaned in closer to her.

"Sherlock, you said I could pick what we do today, and this is my choice! Please respect my decision." Molly implored him.

"I do respect your decision, but I think I might know how to dissuade you." Sherlock used the universal relationship code and looked at her lips.

Molly gave a small nod of consent and with that, Sherlock took her face in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. Sherlock's kissing was very methodical and resulted in the greatest amount of pleasure. As pleasurable as the kiss was, Sherlock did not fill it with passion. He didn't know how.

Molly did not care. She understood that Sherlock was unique and not a passionate lover. They both enjoyed and cherished their relationship though. Molly had kissed a handful of men in the past and they were mostly passionate and sloppy. Sherlock was an excellent change. His method of pleasure and precision took her to new heights.

As much as Molly enjoyed their kiss, she knew a distraction when she saw one. After a few minutes, Molly pulled away. She gave Sherlock the same look you would give to a naughty puppy. A scolding but amused look. "You aren't getting out of watching that movie so easily."

Sherlock admired Molly's tenacity and determination to watch this movie with him. "If you are certain you would rather watch this movie than, as you would say, smooch, then I will comply."

"Who said I would rather watch the movie than smooch?" Molly smirked.

Sherlock cocked an eyebrow, asking a silent question.

Molly gave a mischievous look and said, "Ever heard of Netflix and Chill?"

Chapter Text

"Does everyone have their wishes written down? Come on, it's one of our best family traditions!" Rebekah smiled at the fond memories of years past. Her two brothers grumbled at the silly tradition but Hayley was intrigued and looked forward to a tradition to start with Hope.

They stood just outside the farmstead that acted as their meeting place/safe house. The one area that they could be free to meet, for Klaus and Hayley were desperate to spend Hope's first Christmas with her. Any reason at all to see their baby girl was enough to pull them from New Orleans.

The air was crisp, but none of the vampires noticed, or minded really. Little Hope was bundled up in a tiny winter jacket that looked like twice her size. It covered her fully with only her head peeking out and looking like a doll.

Rebekah and Klaus stood on one side of the pyramid of wood, while Elijah stood beside Hayley who held Hope in her arms.

"Would you like to do the honours, brother?" Rebekah held out the lighter to Klaus who shrugged and took it from her. Klaus went around the tipi and lit bunches of kindling that filled the base. After he had set a sufficient amount of fires he returned to Rebekah's side.

Watching a fire start is a truly magical experience. The flame starts off small and insignificant but slowly it creeps along. The flame gets a little bigger as it eats more wood. Just before you think the flame is about to die out it envelopes everything! What started out as a timid waltz becomes a full out macarena.

The air soon filled with the music of the fire. The crackle and pop of wood that forms an unique melody. Ashes fly out of the fire. They start off as bright red coals but transform into light grey feathers that gently float to the ground.

Standing before the glorious blaze Rebekah pulls out the paper in her hand. "Time to burn these!"

Klaus and Rebekah walk up to the fire, closer than a human would, unthreatened by the extreme heat. Klaus crumbles his wish into a ball and hurls it into the fire. Rebekah burns her wish with a bit more grace. She holds it up above the fire and releases it. The paper swishes down through the air before finally joining the flames.

Klaus walks up to Elijah and Hayley and reaches out for Hope. Hayley obliges to his unspoken request and hands her over. After Hope is settled into Klaus' arms, Hayley leans over and gently kisses her baby girl.

"Our turn." Hayley says to Elijah. They walk up to the raging fire together, wishes in their hands. Hayley tosses her folded up wish into the burning inferno and turns toward Elijah. He mimics her actions and burns his wish in an identical fashion. Rebekah smirks, but Klaus just rolls his eyes.

Rebekah returns to the other side of the fire to watch it dance. Noticing the tiny yawn given by his young daughter, Klaus carries Hope inside to settle her in for a nap.

Elijah and Hayley stand side by side, virtually alone, close together but not touching. Never touching. The longing between them fills the air, but it is not addressed. Never addressed.

"What did you wish for?"

"To have a life with Hope, undeterred by witches, vampires or werewolves. For her to have a happy childhood without danger constantly looming over her." Regret and sadness were present on her face as Hayley gazed into the fire. Elijah gazed at her, the same emotions also made an appearance on his face.

"One day we will get full control of the quarter and Hope will want for nothing. She will be safe with her family to protect her from any dangers the world may throw at her." Elijah tried to help Hayley, despite a millennia on this planet he still didn't know how to console desperate mothers.

"I don't want the world to throw dangers at her. I don't want her to need to be protected. I just want her to be safe and have a normal childhood."

"I know. However Hope will never be normal. She is a Mikealson witch. A tribrid. The first of her kind. There will always be dangers which is why we will always be here to protect her." Elijah's voice was soft and soothing. Anything he could do to reassure the woman who stood beside him.

"I know. I just wish it didn't have to be this way." Hayley sighed, and something in her voice signalled Elijah that she didn't want anything else spoken on the topic.

The two vampires, one ancient, one young, stood before the bonfire in silence. After what seemed like forever, Hayley finally said, "What did you wish for?"

"I'm not sure if it's appropriate to say anymore." Elijah spoke after a moment of hesitation.

"Go on, we need something to lighten this mood." Hayley urged and gave a weak smile.

"I wished for a kiss." Elijah said reluctantly. "A kiss from you."

Hayley's face changed and became unreadable. So many emotions flashed upon her face only to be replaced by different ones.

"My wish probably won't come through. At least not easily." As Hayley spoke, Elijah looked at the ground, "But I think that your wish should have a higher success rate. That way at least it shows that our wishes may come true."

Elijah looked at her, joy filling his face. He looked like a kid in a candy store, only in a more refined way. "Are you certain? I don't want to pressure you. I know things are complicated with Jackson and I-" Elijah began to ramble before he was interrupted.

"Just shut up and kiss me." Hayley said confidently.

"Are you positive? I-" Again Elijah spoke, leading up to another ramble session.

"It's just a kiss and Jackson isn't here." Hayley replied. Though they both knew that the first part of the statement was not true. It wasn't just a kiss. It was a key to an alternate reality where two people who cared about each other could be together without complication. It was a promise of love with a condition of only today. It was a goodbye to the fantasy of could have been, and a hello to a life separated from their soulmate. It wasn't just a kiss.

Despite all the baggage that came with this action, Elijah leaned in and softly touched her lips with his. Too soon after the kiss started, Elijah pulled away. As heavenly as the kiss was, it ripped out both participants hearts. The painful kiss overwhelmed both Elijah and Hayley. Before they could be consumed it was ended.

The pair looked at each other. As heart-wrenching as it was, neither regretted the kiss. Both would end up cherishing this memory, not that they would admit it to anyone.

Rebekah walked around the fire. "So brother, do you like the wish burning tradition now?"

Chapter Text

"I was doing some digging and I found out about an old earth holiday named Christmas." Neelix announced to the dining hall full of his shipmates.

"Christmas? What's that?" B'Elanna asked.

"It's a holiday that occurred on December 25. People would set up trees, hand out gifts and eat turkey. They also had this." Neelix pulled a sprig of green leaves with little red berries out from behind his back. "This is called mistletoe. When it is held over two people, then those two people are supposed to kiss, like so."

Neelix held the plant over Tom and B'Elanna. Tom grinned at him and gave his wife a quick, yet passionate kiss.

"I like this tradition. Let's keep it!" Tom proclaimed.

Chapter Text

"Where to now, Doctor?" Rose asked standing on the other side of the TARDIS console.

"Well, do you know what day it is?" The Doctor smirked.

"The point of having a time travelling machine is that there aren't really any days." Rose countered.

"True, but if you counted the number of days you've been here and put them against a calendar starting the day you ran away with me, it would be December 23." The Doctor leaned up against the console.

Rose gasped, "It's almost Christmas!"

The Doctor laughed at her enthusiasm. "Oh yes it is. Now how about we go start a Christmas tradition?"

"Start a Christmas tradition?" Rose repeated.

"Oh yeah. The history of the mistletoe tradition is slightly foggy. No one knows exactly how it came to be that people would kiss under the mistletoe around Christmas. All they know is it started in the 18th century England among the servant class. So how about we go do some kissing in the 1700's?" The Doctor leaned toward her.

"You think you're so smart." Rose shook her head while smiling.

"What year shall we start this tradition?" The Doctor inquired.

"Let's go to 1725 in honour of Christmas day." Rose replied.

"Sounds like a great plan!" The Doctor started pulling levers and pushing buttons. He entered the date and location- Cardiff. As he flicked the last switch, he gave a shout of "Allonsy"

The Doctor and Rose gave a lurch as they landed then hopped out into the snow courtyard. Then they looked around until they found a small pub.

They walked into the pub which was lit dimly by candles. Beer was being poured for everyone as it was all anyone could afford. The people were all dressed in earthly colours. Their clothes were all ragged, but mended. Despite the dirt in their clothes, hair, and skin, they all looked happy and festive. A band was playing on crude instruments in the corner, and singing new songs that Rose was unfimiliar with.

"We didn't bring mistletoe!" Rose just remembered and gave a small face palm.

"Oh yes we did!" The Doctor pulled the aforementioned plant out of an inside pocket.

The Doctor turned to a couple of locals and said, "Where we come from, this is a Christmas tradition!" The Doctor held the mistletoe over Rose's head and kissed her.

The locals looked at them, then with a smile took the plant from the Doctor's outstretched hand and began holding it over people and kissing them.

Rose turned to the Doctor and said" I think our work here is done!" The Doctor smiled and together they walked out of the pub that was now full of kissing.