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Hey howdy hey, folks! Guess what? It’s that time of year again! 

Well, okay. Not quite. But as we draw ever nearer to December, the second year of the Milo Murphy’s Law Secret Santa is making headway! We had such a fun time last year (and hope you did too), so we’re doing it again! Bigger! Better! Even more fun!! 

For anyone who’s unsure about what the event will entail, I’d like to direct you to this informational post from last year. 

Getting right down to business: Jim (@forfuckssakejim and I (@deathishauntedbyhumans) have come up with a set up questions in this survey. Once you fill out the survey, you’re officially entered in the event, and you will receive a confirmation message from one of us here on tumblr via the messaging system as soon as we’ve processed your entry. (That being said, make sure you have your message settings turned on so that we’re able to message all of you.) Submissions will close sometime in the last week of October/first week of November. (Pinpointed date TBA; stay tuned.) After submissions have been processed, you’ll receive your assignment, and you can get right to creating your content. Content can then be posted anytime between December 23rd-December 27th. 

Any questions can be directed to either Jim or I on either of our main blogs. (Please don’t reply to this post with questions/comments/concerns; our main blogs are going to be where things will be answered.) 

We want this to be a fun event for everyone, and we also want it to run as smoothly as it possibly can! Follow this blog for updates and we’ll have them for you soon enough! 

Hey howdy hey, folks! Guess what? It’s that time of year again! 

Well, okay. Not quite. But as we draw ever nearer to December, the second year of the Milo Murphy’s Law Secret Santa is making headway! We had such a fun time last year (and hope you did too), so we’re doing it again! Bigger! Better! Even more fun!! 

For anyone who’s unsure about what the event will entail, I’d like to direct you to this informational post from last year. 

Getting right down to business: Jim (@forfuckssakejim and I (@deathishauntedbyhumans) have come up with a set up questions in this survey. Once you fill out the survey, you’re officially entered in the event, and you will receive a confirmation message from one of us here on tumblr via the messaging system as soon as we’ve processed your entry. (That being said, make sure you have your message settings turned on so that we’re able to message all of you.) Submissions will close sometime in the last week of October/first week of November. (Pinpointed date TBA; stay tuned.) After submissions have been processed, you’ll receive your assignment, and you can get right to creating your content. Content can then be posted anytime between December 23rd-December 27th. 

Any questions can be directed to either Jim or I on either of our main blogs. (Please don’t reply to this post with questions/comments/concerns; our main blogs are going to be where things will be answered.) 

We want this to be a fun event for everyone, and we also want it to run as smoothly as it possibly can! Follow this blog for updates and we’ll have them for you soon enough! 

Cavendish had been living with (and dating) Dakota for four months, not that anyone was counting. Except maybe he was. It felt almost natural, considering how much time they’d spent together working. But it still felt weird to wake up to Dakota making breakfast, or playing a game on his phone, or still sleeping.

Today he when he woke up, Dakota wasn’t there. Cavendish sat up, already worried. Dakota was always there.

“Dakota?” It was then that Cavendish noticed the music coming from the other room, quite loudly in fact. He walked inside. Dakota was standing on a stepladder, next to a giant tree. 

When did that get there?

“Good morning, Cav!” Dakota said, draping another ornament onto the tree’s long branches.

“Dakota, what on earth are you doing?” Cavendish asked, turning down the volume on the carols blasting from the speaker.

“It’s almost Christmas! And Hanukkah! And Kwanza, or whatever it is you celebrate.” Dakota hopped down from the stepladder to grab another box of ornaments and lights.

“Ah. Yes. Christmas,” Cavendish said, sounding like somebody who held a grudge against Christmas or something.

“Why do you sound so upset? Come on, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Dakota sang the last part with the carol now beginning on the speaker.

“I don’t celebrate holidays.” Dakota stopped, almost dropping the cardboard box in his arms.

“You don’t what?” He practically gasped.

“Celebrate ho-“

“I heard you! I’m just in shock!” Dakota dug through the box and pushed an ornament into Cavendish’s hands.

“Dakota, is this really necessary?” Cavendish asked, looking at the ornament he was now holding. It was basic, red and spherical, nothing special. “What do I do with this?”

“You put it on the tree-! Here,” Dakota put the box on the floor, grabbed Cavendish’s hands, and guided him over to the tree. “So you just find a branch and then put it on, and it’s a christmas tree!”

Cavendish gently hooked the ornament onto a branch, then stepped backwards to examine his work. The round ornament glimmered, and Cavendish had to admit he liked it.

“It does look nice…” Cavendish relented. Dakota smiled.

“Exactly! Here,” He picked up the box handed it to Cavendish. Then he pulled out a string of lights. “You do ornaments, I’ll do lights,” Dakota instructed.

Within a few hours, the tree was an amalgamation of lights, ornaments, and one glowing, bright yellow star. But somehow it worked.

“Okay, okay, we gotta take a picture with it!” Dakota pulled out the old polaroid camera Milo had given him for the holiday. He stood under the tree with Cavendish and snapped a picture. The flash went off, blinding them both for a second. The camera printed the picture.

“Oh! Hannukah starts tonight too,” Dakota said. “We have a menorah, right?” He shook the polaroid gently.

“We do not own a menorah,” Cavendish said. “Are you Jewish?”

“Half, on my mother’s side,” Dakota explained. “You didn’t really think Drowssap wasn’t a Jewish last name, did you?”

Cavendish didn’t reply.

“Anyways, we need a menorah. And some candles. Do you mind if we go shopping?”

“If we can pick up breakfast on the way there,” Cavendish glanced at the clock. It was half past 10. “Or maybe lunch.”

“Fine with me,” Dakota said.

———

Two hours, a trip to Walmart, and a stop at lunch later, it was sunset. Dakota and Cavendish stood at the kitchen table, Dakota with a lighter in his hand, Cavendish nervously watching.

“And you’re certain that you will not set the room on fire?” Cavendish asked for the hundredth time.

“Cav, I’ve been doing this my whole life. I got this,” Dakota promised. He said the prayers as he placed the first candle into the menorah and lit the shamash, which he explained to Cavendish was the main candle that lit all the other candles, but it didn’t count as a day.

It took some explaining, and also gathered weird looks from the other Walmart shoppers (who deserved weird looks themselves, with how late they were buying holiday gifts, Cavendish thought).

Dakota handed the shamash to Cavendish.

“Okay, light the first candle with it,” Dakota instructed, watching carefully. He was excited about sharing his traditions with Cavendish, but also… nervous. Traditions that involve fire are at risk of going horribly wrong. 

But the candle was lit without issue, and soon the glowing of the menorah was accompanied by the glowing of a tall Christmas tree. Cavendish didn’t celebrate holidays. But if it made Dakota happy, he would celebrate every single one.

“Happy holidays, Cav,” Dakota said, gently resting his head against Cavendish’s arm.

Hot sun, warm beaches– it wasn’t the way Cavendish normally spent his winter holidays, but he had a feeling he could get used to it. The waves crashed gently against the shore, and the time traveler watched with an ease from his hotel balcony that he hadn’t felt in some time. While he loved his job– and truly he did, despite the constant humiliation that came with it– it was nice to get a chance to finally stop and breathe.

Cavendish took the deep breathe he so truly deserved, before his peace was interrupted by the sound of the glass door sliding open. The older man watched with mild interest as he saw his partner come lumbering onto the balcony– one arm carrying a bucket and the other hand two glasses. Dakota waggled his brows as he nodded his head to the bucket– a wine bottle nestled safely inside, surrounded by ice.

“Ey, guess what I just ordered? I’ll give you two chances.”

“I certainly hope that wasn’t provided by room service,” Cavendish grumbled. “They overcharge for everything, and it would hardly be worth the price.”

“Don’t be a spoil sport, Cav. I paid for it out of pocket and everything.” Dakota was already opening the bottle, stepping back some as foam nearly splashed onto his sandals. “Ahhh yeah, nice and bubbly! C’mon, have a glass with. We’re celebrating!”

“Celebrating what, exactly?” Cavendish inquired, though he accepted the glass offered to him all the same.

“Us, of course!” Vinnie cried, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “We got time off, we’re having a good time. Best New Year ever!” The older man scoffed.

“New Years Eve isn’t even until tomorrow.” Cavendish corrected. Dakota shrugged his shoulders. “Alright, almost New Years then.” The younger man leaned against the balcony, raising his glass to his partner. “To us, buddy. Looking forward to another year by your side.”

Cavendish looked a bit hesitant, his thoughts automatically going to the eggroll event that happened a mere couple days before. But looking at the man next to him, Dakota all smiles as if their argument never happened, it was enough to let him exhale the breathe he didn’t know he was holding. In that moment he couldn’t think of any other possible future than with the ridiculous man next to him. “To us,” Cavendish finished, clinking their glasses. “And to many more years to come.”

I hope you like it @sweet-and-salted! I worked very hard on it, it was actually very fun too, I might write some more in the future! Happy Secret Santa!

Histrionic personality disorder:(HPD) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive attention-seeking emotions, usually beginning in early adulthood, including inappropriately seductive behavior and an excessive need for approval.

Asperger Syndrome:Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger’s, is a developmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. As a milder autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it differs from other ASDs by relatively normal language and intelligence. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and unusual use of language are common.Signs usually begin before two years old and typically last for a person’s entire life.

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It wasn’t like Bradley didn’t like the therapist per say, just the atmosphere of the whole office, really. Sure he always tries to get out of the appointments, ( Funny how the one time all eyes are on him, it makes him feel pressured ? No, uncomfortable.) but that lady always made it about him, which bad wasn’t bad, what was bad, was she only wanted to listen to his problems. He didn’t know how he felt about that.

But of course, the one time he showed up late, he had six other people in front of him waiting to go in. The people themselves weren’t in any way extraordinary(Well, maybe except for the pharmacist guy?) But beside that no one really caught his eye. But, he still couldn’t ignore the feeling in his stomach that something wasn’t going to be normal appointment, besides being late, and he could tell why as soon as he walked out.

Bradley had to take a double take, not just because the vase on the receptionist desk broke, because the Milo Murphy walked out. With his head down and Bradley could vaguely make out the wet streaks on his face. The Milo Murphy, who always had a smile, optimistic attitude, a solution for everything despite the extreme Murphy’s Law.  Was here in therapy with tears and was sniffling.

Bradley’s lips moved before his mind could make head or tails of this.

“Milo ?” Bradley could slap himself right there and then.

Milo’s head lifted and his eyes met Bradley’s, and quickly wiped away his tears and replaced them with  smile.

“Oh! Hey Bradley, you talk with Ms. Wilson too?” Milo then decided, it was his and Bradley’s interest to sit the chair next to him.

Bradley had suppressed the urge to cringe, he had no idea why Milo had to do these things.

“Yes, if you must know, I see her because I have-” Bradley stopped abruptly, was he really going to tell Milo he had HPD? He wasn’t even his friend.

Milo gave him wide eyed stare and blinked a couple of times, before he spoke “Well, if it helps, I can tell you what I have before you tell me what you have.If you want of course” he quickly added.

Bradley huffed, rolled his eyes and sunk deeper into his chair, “Sure, why not ? it’s not like I have anything else to do in this place.”

Milo ignoring Bradley’s sarcasm continued “Well, I have Aspergers! That’s means I have high functioning autism. I basically do things differently than you and regular people. I mean I try and be normal but you know Murphy’s Law,” He rubbed his arms at that  Bradley noted “I also have depression, but I try not to let that bother me, honestly! That’s all!”

Bradley could only stare at him,depression? But he was always so happy and, and it made sense now to him. He treated Milo so bad and he had depression, now he just felt like a plain jerk.

“I, well have HPD.” Bradley said it barely above a whisper that he was sure Milo didn’t hear him.

But of course, he did.

“HPD? Huh, small world. I ,think, my great,great,great Aunt Milinda had that!” MIlo said beaming.

Bradley’s eyebrows rose at that “Really ?” He said with a bit of disbelief 

Milo just looked at him and smiled, “Well yeah! With Murphy’s Law, the girls in our family tend to get well, over looked. So,” He made and arm in an circular movement “It just makes sense to me. Because, we take so much time to make sure the boys are okay, but never the girls. So, they unfortunately get less attention. But! Mom and dad aren’t doing that with Sarah, they always make sure she always, feels included.”

Bradley could only stare at Milo, his arms were on the edge of his seat now with legs swinging and smiling. And made him, feel fuzzy? Is this what making a friend feels like-

Wait, when did start consider himself making friends with Milo, he ha-

“Hey Bradley?”

Bradley snapped his attention back at Milo, for a second, he forgot Milo was there, “Yes,Milo?”

Bradley noticed how Milo was now twisting with his backpack, what was he nervous about?

Milo looked at him smiling nervously, “Would you be my friend?”

What.

“Well, it’s just Ms.Wilson said I should try to make new friends!”

Blinking a few times, trying to process the whole thing(Including he said what he thought out-loud) before he could even say anything, he hugged Milo. Forgetting everyone one in the room even teared up a little. To his surprise, Milo actually hugged back.

He mumbled back into Milo’s shirt “Yeah, that would be nice.”

Just like that, Bradley barely even noticed how much time passed before he was called back. Even then, Bradley and Milo both made sure to meet up to hang out the next day.

Here’s my MML Secret Santa entry for @darkwingsnark

Dakota stared up at the ceiling while lying in his bed, thinking over the holiday party. It was supposed to have been a joyous day…

So what happened?

Hot sun, warm beaches– it wasn’t the way Cavendish normally spent his winter holidays, but he had a feeling he could get used to it. The waves crashed gently against the shore, and the time traveler watched with an ease from his hotel balcony that he hadn’t felt in some time. While he loved his job– and truly he did, despite the constant humiliation that came with it– it was nice to get a chance to finally stop and breathe.

Cavendish took the deep breathe he so truly deserved, before his peace was interrupted by the sound of the glass door sliding open. The older man watched with mild interest as he saw his partner come lumbering onto the balcony– one arm carrying a bucket and the other hand two glasses. Dakota waggled his brows as he nodded his head to the bucket– a wine bottle nestled safely inside, surrounded by ice.

“Ey, guess what I just ordered? I’ll give you two chances.”

“I certainly hope that wasn’t provided by room service,” Cavendish grumbled. “They overcharge for everything, and it would hardly be worth the price.”

“Don’t be a spoil sport, Cav. I paid for it out of pocket and everything.” Dakota was already opening the bottle, stepping back some as foam nearly splashed onto his sandals. “Ahhh yeah, nice and bubbly! C’mon, have a glass with. We’re celebrating!”

“Celebrating what, exactly?” Cavendish inquired, though he accepted the glass offered to him all the same.

“Us, of course!” Vinnie cried, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “We got time off, we’re having a good time. Best New Year ever!” The older man scoffed.

“New Years Eve isn’t even until tomorrow.” Cavendish corrected. Dakota shrugged his shoulders. “Alright, almost New Years then.” The younger man leaned against the balcony, raising his glass to his partner. “To us, buddy. Looking forward to another year by your side.”

Cavendish looked a bit hesitant, his thoughts automatically going to the eggroll event that happened a mere couple days before. But looking at the man next to him, Dakota all smiles as if their argument never happened, it was enough to let him exhale the breathe he didn’t know he was holding. In that moment he couldn’t think of any other possible future than with the ridiculous man next to him. “To us,” Cavendish finished, clinking their glasses. “And to many more years to come.”

Here’s my MML Secret Santa entry for @darkwingsnark

Dakota stared up at the ceiling while lying in his bed, thinking over the holiday party. It was supposed to have been a joyous day…

So what happened?

One day until the posting period opens up!! I hope y'all are as excited as I am!

Feel free to tag us in it so we can reblog it here!!! Thanks again to everyone who participated!