#jarry week

“Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright” 

The house is asleep. James is awake 400 words | Rated G - No warnings | Christmas fluff

It's just after three o’clock when James wakes up. A thin beam of moonlight is creeping in through the blinds, splitting the room in two.

Harry's head is on James’ chest, arm thrown possessively around his waist. James rubs Harry's back absently, losing himself in the comfort of having him there in his arms.

James had never imagined that he would enjoy this. If he’d woken up in the middle of the night with John Paul or Kyle and they’d been lying the way Harry was, he’d have nudged them off, rolled onto his side and fallen back to sleep.

But Harry was different. Harry had always been different. In the past there’d been so few times he’d been able to enjoy simple things like this. They’d never had the time to take things slow.

The house is silent, not even a ticking clock to disturb the peace. James wants to bottle the moment and take it out whenever things get too loud or too stressful.

Harry looks beautiful and James’ lips curl into a smile when the thought flies into his head because Harry always looks beautiful. He always has. But now there’s an added something that had never been there in the past.

He looks content, like there’s nowhere else in the world he’d rather be.

James wants to believe that’s true more than anything.

Harry shifts slightly, lips parting as he takes a deeper breath, eyes crinkling at something only he can see. James realises he’s stopped stroking and resumes rubbing Harry’s back, smiling a little when his face slackens again in sleep.

It’s still incredible to him that Harry has changed him so much. The things he’d been so uncompromising about in the past didn’t seem to matter as much when it was what Harry wanted. Like the six-foot Christmas tree sitting in his living room, covered in lights, or the turkey in his freezer for Christmas dinner, or the four stockings hanging above the fireplace embroidered with their names... and Romeo’s… and Juliet’s!

Harry had insisted and James had agreed with barely a token protest. They’re having a family Christmas. He has a family now. One that loves him despite his flaws. Or in Harry’s case maybe because of them.

Somehow, suddenly, he had everything he never knew he always wanted.

James hugs Harry closer and presses a kiss to the top of his head.

For @happyjarryholidays Day 1: Outside – “(Walking in a) Winter Wonderland”

Pinene (noun) one of the chemicals in pine trees that makes them smell so good. James takes Harry to buy his first ever real Christmas tree. 

“I’m afraid our relationship is going to have to end,” James says as he stumbles bleary-eyed into the kitchen. “We’re just two different people.”

“Ah, right. And how did you figure that one out?” Harry replies, knowing instinctively that James is only joking.

“You have committed the cardinal sin of being a morning person.”

Harry just rolls his eyes and hands a mug of freshly brewed coffee to James.

“You never make a fuss when you have to get up early for a case,” Harry points out.

James rolls his eyes dramatically, “that is because I have to. It’s Sunday Harry.”

He puts his mug down and sidles up close to Harry, pulling him into an embrace. “Sundays are for lounging about in bed.” James slides his hands down Harry’s back before sneaking one into the back of Harry’s jogging bottoms, giving his bare arse a friendly squeeze. “And for doing other things…” He continues with a flirty smirk.

Harry can’t help but reach up and kiss him. James takes it as encouragement and sets about taking Harry apart with his hands – one sensual stroke after another.

“Come back to bed,” James whispers against his lips.

Harry considers it. But he started the day with a mission, and he’ll be dammed if he let James distract him from it.

“Don’t you want to know why I got up so early?” Harry asks when they break for air.

There comes a moment in your life Like a window and you see Your future there before you And how perfect life can be But adventure calls with unknown voices Pulling you away Be careful or you may regret The choice you make someday

James and Harry take a trip to see the Christmas lanterns at Chester Zoo.

To everyone who has participated in Jarry Week Round 1 - creators and fans alike - thank you so much! We’re so pleased with how the first week has gone and we hope you’ve enjoyed all the excellent content that’s been shared.

If you were making something and haven’t had a chance to finish and post, you can do so any time before the January 1st and we’ll include it in our collection of works post in the new year.

He must be so lonely He must be so sad He goes to extremes to convince us he's bad He's really a victim of fear and of pride Look close and there must be a sweet man inside... ...Nah!

Despite his reputation for being a bit of a Scrooge, James Nightingale has never once uttered the phrase ‘bah, humbug’. He’s coming dangerously close to it now though. Everyone around him seems to be exuding an obnoxious amount of Christmas cheer as if they have been put on this earth with the sole mission of irritating James into an early grave. The same tacky decorations as last year litter the village and on every corner there is a McQueen with their cheeks red from too much mulled wine, wearing Christmas clothing that is so garish it should be illegal.

          -   extract from Kismet, by @brightingales  (Coming soon)

The week will run from Monday 10th December - Sunday 16th December.

What are the prompts?

Day 1 : Outside – “(Walking in a) Winter Wonderland”

Day 2 : Peaceful – “Silent Night”

Day 3 : Heart – “Last Christmas (I gave you my heart)”

Day 4 : Cold – “Let it Snow”

Day 5 : Alone – “Lonely this Christmas”

Day 6 : Presents – “All I Want for Christmas is You”

Day 7 : Creator’s choice!  

How does it work?

On the appointed day, post on tumblr any sort of creative work that corresponds to the above prompts. Tag your work with #happyjarryholidays in the first five tags and we will reblog your work to this blog.

If you post your work on AO3, let us know and we’ll also add it to the Happy Jarry Holidays collection there.

What can I make?

Anything you want!  As long as it’s new work; you can write fic, make gifs, art, videos, playlists, headcanons - whatever takes your fancy!

Do I have to make something for every day of the week in order to take part?

Nope! The festive season is a busy time for all of us and we appreciate that there are lots of other things to be getting on with at this time of year. So, if your schedule is tight, or you simply don’t feel inspired some of the prompts that’s totally fine!

We’re a small, growing fandom, so if you can’t meet the deadlines, just tag your work when you finish and we’ll include it here.

Why are there two prompts for each day?

The mods for this week are both writers. When we were coming up with prompts we decided we wanted to make the week as inclusive for all types of creators as possible. You can make something that only corresponds with one of the prompts, or with both, it’s up to you! 

I don’t have a single creative bone in my body - can I still take part?