#12daysofchristmas2023

About & Rules

The challenge will run from December 13-24, 2023.

The challenge is open to any and all fandoms.

Submissions must include the sentence prompt for that day.

Tag your submissions with #12daysofchristmas2023 AND tag either this blog or my personal blog (@debbiechanclub​​) so that I will be notified to reblog your submissions here. (Also, it would be super cool if you gave this blog a follow!)

Submissions for the day must be posted before midnight YOUR time. I’m not super hard-and-fast about this rule, but posting within time is very much appreciated! (For your reference, I live in the Eastern Standard timezone.) 

If you're posting your submission directly on Tumblr (as opposed to linking to an external site such as AO3), you MUST use a "keep reading" cut!

Please format ALL submissions with the following heading:

Title Day/Prompt Fandom/Character(s) Warnings (if applicable): Word Count:  Example: Santa, Baby Day 8 - "Prompt for that day" AEW - Adam Page x OC Warnings: Alcohol, cursing, sexual situations (explicit) Word Count: 7,290

You can also include a summary, gif, edit, whatever you want! Just don't forget the "keep reading" if you're posting directly on Tumblr!

2023 Prompts

"I know it's winter, but you don't have to act so cold!"

"Please open the door before I freeze to death."

"If you don't have gloves, you can just hold my hand."

"Looks like we're snowed in for the night."

"I'll be your date for that Christmas/holiday party if you don't have one yet."

"Sorry! I didn't mean to throw that snowball so hard."

"The holidays aren't so bad with you around."

"Either you cuddle me, or stop hogging all the blankets."

"I like it out here. It's peaceful."

"I'll be home for Christmas/the holidays, I promise."

"Skip Santa, we're both on the naughty list, anyway."

"I don't need mistletoe to kiss you."

Many years later, Ethan still loved to skate but didn’t have as much time for it. As head of diagnostics at Boston’s Edenbrook Hospital, his duties kept him much too busy. But something about the holidays made him nostalgic for simpler times.

“Earth to Ethan. Anyone there?” Cassie Valentine snapped her fingers in front of his face.

Ethan shook his head to clear the memories clouding his thoughts. “Sorry, I was miles away. What were we talking about?”

“Okay, that was some trip,” Cassie commented, giving him a strange look above the rim of her wine glass. “Holiday traditions from our childhood. You were telling me about skating with your parents, remember?”

“Oh, right,” Ethan said, feeling his face flush.

For a moment, he’d forgotten where he was. He glanced around his apartment and the holiday decorations they’d put up a few days ago, scratching the back of his head as he tried to collect his composure.

A Christmas tree stood in the corner against the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay — the first one they bought and decorated together — tinsel and fairy lights winking against the dark. Presents had found their way underneath the tree at regular intervals in the last couple of weeks.

This was their first holiday together, technically second as a couple, but he’d been in Providence last year, and she’d been working. Somehow, without realizing it, he found himself in a relationship that was more serious than anything he’d ever had before.

What else would you call meeting each other’s families and planning together what presents to buy for their respective relatives?

“Do you still skate, or is that in the past?” Cassie mused, her legs curled up beneath her on the couch.

“Not as much as I’d like,” Ethan confessed, picking up the near-empty wine bottle to top up their glasses. “A few years ago, a bunch of us started getting together in the community center rink for ice hockey. Nothing formal, just pick up games to blow off steam.”

“Why am I only finding out about this now?” she said, somewhat disgruntled. “We’ve known each other for almost three years!”

Ethan rolled his eyes at her dramatic response. “Because I have other, more pleasurable things to say and do when you’re around. Besides, I had Naveen’s condition to occupy my mind that first year, and then my mother’s return and addiction last year. This is the first normal holiday season for both of us.”

“You have a point,” Cassie conceded with a regal nod before twisting in her seat to regard him thoughtfully. “I bet you’re a goalie. You’ve got the build for it.”

“You’d lose that bet.” Ethan raised an eyebrow in amusement. “I play center.”

She harrumphed and then tapped her index finger against her lips. “Remember how we talked about making our own holiday traditions when we decorated the tree last week? Let’s add skating to the list. The Boston Common Frog Pond rink is open for the season, and it always looks fun when I go running past it.”

“I’ve been, and it is fun,” Ethan said. “How about Friday? You’re working a double before that, so should be post-call, right?”

“It’s a date,” Cassie smiled, intertwining her fingers with his and nestling against him. “This is going to be the best Christmas season ever!”

When Friday came, Ethan was run off his feet. Herb, one of his oldest patients, had been admitted with an unknown infection. He spent the entire day running tests, frustrated when the results didn’t reveal anything useful.

Deciding to return to the beginning, he sat behind his desk, switched on the monitor and pulled up Herb’s medical history. He wasn’t leaving here until he figured this out.

“You’re still working?”

Ethan looked up at the intrusion, eyes unfocused, the screen’s glare reflecting off his reading glasses. Cassie stood inside the sliding glass doors, wearing a pink long-sleeved sweater beneath a puffy white vest and black jeans. A knitted cap with white and pink stripes sat atop her long blonde hair.

He wondered whether she coordinated her outfits or if it was an innate style. Maybe even both.

He noted the small duffel bag in her hand and cursed internally. He’d utterly forgotten their skating date, and judging by Cassie’s amused expression, she knew it, too.

“You’re important to me. And I want you to know that,” Ethan said, coming around from behind the desk to stand before her. He took her hand in his.

“I do know that, but thank you for telling me,” Cassie chuckled, lightly swinging their clasped hands before letting go. “What’s going on?”

Ethan quickly explained the situation, running frustrated fingers through his hair, his inability to solve the case coming through in the irritated tone of his voice. Before he knew it, he started brainstorming Herb’s condition with her, pulling up test results and walking her through his thought process.

Herb wasn’t the diagnostic team’s patient, but it helped to have someone he trusted from the team working with him.

“Could be GI. Have you considered….”

“…barium follow through?” he said, reading her thoughts as perfectly as she could his. He frowned as he tried to connect the dots to the other symptoms.

“I thought I saw something in his chart,” she said, nudging him out of the chair to take control of his keyboard, her eyes scanning the electronic medical records. “Aha, there it is. Small bowel obstruction, managed through a steroid protocol, so no biopsy was done to rule out Crohn’s or colitis.”

“Good catch,” Ethan said, reading over her shoulder. “I’ll put in orders for a barium test tomorrow. Nothing more we can do today.”

Her light floral scent drifted into his nostrils, and he sighed in disappointment. Date nights were already hard to organize with their erratic schedules. He couldn’t help but feel he’d wasted this one.

He turned the office chair around, placed his hands on either side of her and leaned in. “I’m sorry, Cassie. I not only messed up our plans tonight, but I pulled you into this after you’d already worked a double shift. I heard about the clusterfuck that was last night.”

“That would be an apt word to describe it,” she murmured. “Not sure how I got home this morning, but at least it was quiet in the apartment with everyone else on shift.”

“Still, tonight was supposed to be the start of another holiday tradition for us,” he insisted.

For the first time in forever, he resented work coming in the way of his personal life.

Cassie framed his face between her hands. “I’m here with you. I’m right where I belong. Doing what I’m good at with the man I love and one who taught me that patients come first.”

Ethan closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a slow, sweet kiss, thanking her for understanding with the promise of more to come. Cassie locked her hands behind his neck, and he tugged her out of the chair, reversing their positions without breaking the kiss.

They slowly drifted apart, foreheads touching. Cassie smiled softly, her fingers trailing down the side of his face. “Raincheck on our date?

Ethan checked his wristwatch and noted it was almost half past eight. Where had the last few hours gone?

“We could try to get to the Commons before the rink closes at nine,” he offered, mentally calculating the distance, traffic and parking situation.

“It’s okay,” Cassie said, getting off his lap and stretching her arms upward. “Another night. Besides, we’re doctors. Disrupted plans are par the course.”

“There are other rinks in Boston,” Ethan said, standing beside her. “Let me google what’s open. Tonight doesn’t have to be a total loss.”

“Actually,” Cassie said, taking her phone out and unlocking it. “Rafael’s old neighborhood has a small rink that’s open all night. He invited the Roomies there last year. It’s no Frog Pond, but it was nice. Let me text him.”

While she did that, Ethan tidied up his desk, closed out files and powered down his computer.

“Yes!” Cassie pumped one fist in the air. “It’s still around, and Raf is sending directions.”

An hour or so later, after stopping by his place to change and pick up skates, Ethan parked in the lot on the other side of the community park from where the rink was located. They walked hand in hand down the walkway, the soft glow of street lamps a welcome relief against the shadows around them.

The rink was small, as advertised, and empty, given the lateness of the hour. And yet Ethan liked it all the more for its relative privacy versus other public rinks.

“I like it out here. It’s peaceful,” Ethan commented as they sat on a bench and strapped on their skates.

“It’s popular with local families, so it can get busy early in the day,” Cassie explained, her voice muffled as she bent down to tighten her laces.

Ethan flicked the light switch, the red and green lights bright against the darkness. He stepped onto the rink, gliding effortlessly on the ice, feeling the familiar rush of wind rushing against his face.

“Whoops,” Cassie giggled behind him.

“Are you okay?” he asked, looking back to see her arms flailing before she caught her balance.

“I’m good,” she said, carefully holding herself still.

He laughed as recognition hit. For all Cassie’s bravado, she was not as comfortable on skates as she pretended to be.

“You think it’s funny?” She lifted her chin mulishly, spreading her legs wide and turning her skated feet inward.

“Yeah, I do,” Ethan smirked, skating in a loop around her.

He took her hand as she continued to struggle and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Because I finally found something that Cassie Valentine isn’t good at.”

He grinned as Cassie pretended to be offended. She started to push against his arms, but her skates slipped, and she clung to him like a barnacle. Within seconds, they were both laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

“You figured me out,” she confessed, tears leaking from the corner of her eyes as she swallowed back her laughter.

She placed her gloved hands on his upper arms, her green eyes sparkling as they gazed into his. “I suck at skating. No matter how much I try, I will never be more than passable.”

Ethan brushed his hands down her arms and folded her hands in his. “Then it’s a good thing you have me to hold on to.”

He lowered his face as Cassie stretched on her toes, and their lips met in a kiss that chased the cold away. They looked up as snowflakes started to fall from the sky, sprinkling over them like stardust.

And under a starry, magical night with snow falling around them, Ethan looped Cassie’s arm through his and skated them expertly around the rink, making another holiday tradition just for them.

-----------------

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @genevievemd @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @debbiechanclub

Hook hated parties. Parties meant a lot of people and Hook preferred to stay somewhere alone, not crowded. 

He was walking back to his locker room, eating his favorite bag of chips, still trying to think about who he could bring to that Christmas party. The first name which came to his mind was Orange, but honestly he didn't want to bother him. Same thing went for Best Friends, not that he was really close to them either. 

“Danhausen…” Hook snapped his face towards the source of the voice, looking at the older man from head to toe. 

“Danhausen'll be your date for that Christmas party, if Hook doesn't have one yet.” The demon had backed two steps, but wasn't frightened. 

Hook raised an eyebrow, taking him by his long sleeve shirt, pondering that offer. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad after all. “... Fine. 8 pm.” He went back to eating his chips, ready to go on his way. 

“Danhausen will be ready by that hour.”

The younger man walked on, just raising a hand to make him understand he was okay with that. He was already regretting that decision, because that demon wasn't really able to keep his mouth shut, especially around him. But still, a slight smile appeared on his lips as he finally entered his locker room. 

He didn't care about what the others would think, at least he wouldn't be bothered too much. Plus… very deep down, he felt like something was slowly starting to change in regards to Danhausen. 

The next day at the right hour, Hook picked Danhausen up, not able not to realize how fancy Danhausen had dressed up. 

“Looking good.” He said as a greeting, hiding his face in his hoodie. 

Riley looked Robbie up and down and shook his head.

“We’ll have to work on getting you proper winter clothes.”

Robbie let out a noise of protest as Riley turned back to the closet to dig through it. He was looking for something that would fit the other man and would keep him warm on the hike. It wasn’t too terribly cold, but Robbie was from Australia and it gets cold up on some of the mountains they would be hiking.

Riley spotted a pair of boots in the closet from a friend and pulled them out. He had already found a spare coat and Robbie had put it on, the oversized jacket look making Riley giggle nonstop about how silly he looked.

“These should be your size. My friend left them here years ago.” Riley handed the boots over and watched as Robbie tried to bend over with the heavy winter coat on and he knew he shouldn’t laugh, but the whole sequence was comical.

“If you take your jacket off first it makes putting the boots on easier.”

Robbie glared at Riley before unzipping the jacket in the most unsexy way possible, causing Riley to pout a little. He watched as the other man carefully put the boots on, wiggling his toes to prove that the boots fit. He carefully helped Robbie put the jacket back on and pulled his green and yellow hat over his ears.

“Oi! My hair!”

Riley couldn’t help but laugh as he put his own snow gear on.

“It’s a hat dude. It’s going to mess up your hair. It’s what happens.” Riley blew a raspberry at Robbie as he grabbed his hiking bag.

The pair headed to Riley’s car, bickering playfully over nothing really at all. Once they were in the car, Riley set off for the park he liked to hike at. He had been wanting to show Robbie some of his favorite spots, and since he was actually in Vancouver for the holiday, this was the perfect time.

On the ride over, the pair chatted about the upcoming show, Robbie sounding proud of Riley for being in the Wrestle Kingdom lineup. It brought some joy to Riley because he knew that Robbie was hurt when he moved weight classes.

Riley spotted the parking spot he liked and pulled into it. He turned off the engine and grabbed the bag from the back.

“Ready?”

Robbie nodded and Riley winked as they headed towards the walking path. Riley noticed that Robbie had his hands jammed in his pockets and was confused.

“Babe? Do you have gloves?” Riley couldn’t believe he forgot to check to see if Robbie had gloves. Because the temperatures were still pretty mild, Riley had forgone his own, but Robbie wasn’t used to these temperatures.

“I forgot them in my suitcase.” Robbie sounded disappointed as if he had failed a test.

Riley grabbed Robbie’s hands in his.

“Well, you know what that means? We just have to hold hands so you can keep your hands warm.” Riley laced his fingers in Robbie’s and pulled their joined hands up so he could kiss them.

“Let’s get going.” Riley led the way up the mountain and through different trails. He pointed out different hiding spots that he used to hang out at during the summer and spend hours drawing in the forest. Robbie clung to every word, smiling at all the memories Riley would share.

They continued on, only stopping for a few moments to have a drink of water. The air was getting thinner and colder and Riley made sure to not let Robbie’s hands go unless it was absolutely needed. The stories continued to flow out of Riley, him getting Robbie to laugh at a particularly funny one from when Riley was in his early 20s and was out partying with friends in the forest.

“One day I’ll have to take you to some beaches.”

Riley snorted and kissed the top of Robbie’s head.

“You have taken me to plenty of beaches.”

“This is different. You keep telling me all of these stories and I just want to share the same ones with you.”

They paused for a moment to kiss before heading further up the trail.

“I just like sharing my life with you.” Riley squeezed Robbie’s hand as they started to get to the apex of the hike.

Riley led the way to the top and pointed at the bench on the overlook. He led Robbie to the bench and sat him down.

“What a fucking view!” Robbie exclaimed, seeing the mountain overlook the forest below. It was nothing like what he could see back home and it made sense why this was such a safe space for Riley.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Riley was a bit quieter and was focused on Robbie’s reaction. He had seen this view a million times and it never got old. It was his favorite place to be and he was finally there with his favorite person.

“I love it. I see why you love it too.”

Riley pulled Robbie in for a kiss.

“I love you too you goober.” Riley said against Robbies lips before kissing him again.

Robbie broke the kiss and smiled.

“As much as I love you. I don’t love the cold. Let’s go home and get warmed up.”

- Exceptional snowstorm is causing lots of trouble in Montreal, Canada. All the flights are canceled, many people are snowed in their homes. - 

Claudio opened the door of the house they had been renting, sighing softly at the scenery in front of him; the snow was higher than him and that was really bad, first because it was Jon's birthday, second because who knew how much they would have to stay there.

“Looks like we are snowed in for the night.” 

He said as he closed the door, turning to face his stablemates. Wheeler and Bryan seemed calm about it, but the birthday boy clearly wasn't. The Swiss man observed how Jon started to pace the room, swearing. 

“Are ya serious, Swiss? Come on…! Fuck!” Jon had noticed it too, but he didn't want to believe it. “It's my fuckin’ birthday and we are stranded here?” He scratched the base of his nape, nervous. 

“Sorry Jon…” Claudio almost felt guilty, even when it wasn't his fault at all. 

“It's okay Swiss. I'm sorry, I'm overreacting.”

Jon sighed heavily and opened his arms to better accept his young boy between them. Wheeler hugged him, letting out his pheromones, letting Jon nuzzle his scent gland. He purred, rubbing a hand on Jon's back, scratching his nape with a hand. 

“Babe, stay with Bryan, Claudio and I will take care of everything. We may not be able to get out, but we can surely come up with some ideas.” Wheeler smiled up at him, pecking him on the lips. “This birthday won't be ruined.” 

“Okay puppy…” Jon murmured, giving him a last squeeze, before Wheeler made him sit down on the couch.

“Decide what we are gonna watch tonight. It's your special night after all.” 

He motioned Claudio to go with him in the kitchen, taking a look in the fridge: luckily they had gone grocery shopping the day before, so they had plenty of things there. 

“He loves soup with green vegetables, which is also perfect for Bryan's diet. We could surely add a sandwich, since he loves them so much.” 

Wheeler offered, getting a nod from Claudio. The soup was a clever idea with the temperature,  even if the fireplace was on. 

When they finished everything, they brought all the plates in the living room, Wheeler sitting near Jon, happy that he seemed to be feeling better than before. When they started the film, Yuta put his head in Jon's lap, purring loudly as one of his boyfriends rubbed his cheek. He sat up for a moment, whispering in his ear. 

“Well, I may not have a real gift, it is in our basement, but…” Wheeler nuzzled him and scratched his chest over the T-shirt. “Maybe you can have me, before bed.” He teased him with a wink, laying down once again in his lap, like he said nothing. 

“Fuck… such a tease, puppy.” 

Claudio looks at the couch in front of the fireplace, where Nick Jackson is sitting, shivering under a cover. They have gotten some free time for Christmas and gone to Switzerland, so that the youngest Young Bucks could visit it. 

Being born in Rancho Cucamonga, Nick has witnessed winter, is used to it, but Californian winter is way different than Swiss winter and he can feel it till deep in his bones. Nick peeks at the tall Swiss man from the couch, knowing he may seem ridiculous, but it is so damn cold and he couldn't help it. 

He can see Claudio take two big mugs, serving the hot chocolate in both of them, before he finally reaches him. 

“Here you are, birdie. It's really hot, so don't burn yourself.” Claudio sits at Nick's feet, handing him the mug. 

“Thank you, Swiss.” Nick murmurs as he sits straight leaning against Claudio’s shoulder, still shivering. 

“I know it's winter, but you don't have to act so cold.” It is difficult for Claudio not to say those words and the pout which forms on Nick's mouth makes him wonder if he has the right Bucks there. 

“Are you serious?” Nick asks after sipping the hot chocolate, looking up at him. “We are stuck in a mountain cabin, outside there is an effing snow storm, the temperature is around 23° F, add that Swiss winter is colder than Californian’s, of course I am cold!” The pout grows wider, but he tries to sneak even closer to Claudio, to get more heat. He still can't understand how the Swiss man is able to stay there in a T-shirt and not feel an inch of cold. 

“I always saw you and Matt so different, but right now you are acting like a princess exactly like him.” He chuckled and, before Nick could say anything, he leaned over to him, closing his lips on Nick's. “Do you want to wear one of my hoodies?” Claudio asks seriously, standing up, ready to go get one. He knows it'll be big for the younger man, but he would look cute in it at the same time. 

“I act like a princess way less than Matt.” Nick's pout disappears at that kiss, which he happily gives back. “Yes please.” He doesn't want to admit it, but he wants Claudio's scent all over him. The whimper which leaves his mouth once he is alone on the couch, makes Claudio grin. 

“I'll be back shortly, don't worry.” He leans over and kisses him once more, before disappearing in the bedroom to take one hoodie. “All for you, Birdie.”

Nick can only mutter a thank you before he wears the hoodie, sinking more into it, to inhale more of his scent. With his eyes, he follows Claudio's movements, as the Swiss stands up and takes some wood pieces to let burn more. He can't help but focus on how Claudio's shoulders move back, how his muscles are so evident, how much his triceps flex while taking the wood and throwing it in the fireplace. 

Nick can't help but wonder how lucky he is to have a boyfriend like him, even with the difficulties coming from their clashes at work. He is in love with that man ever since the Swiss wrestler has joined AEW, madly in love. 

“Come here, please.” Nick knows he is very demanding but doesn't care at the moment. He is cold once again and only Claudio can make him feel better. 

“Everything you want, Birdie.”