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fandomweekly| Challenge 285: FRESH START |
Sometimes your best option is just to start over. Maybe it’s a project that isn’t going well, or a job that hasn’t worked out. Maybe it’s a new day, or a new year, one of those timepoints that encourage you to think about changes you want to make. Maybe it’s something more drastic – a new career or even a whole new life. Whatever the case, it’s time for a new start. What does that look like? Is it by choice, or are your characters forced into it by circumstance? Is it easy, or not so much? Write a story about a fresh start. If your submission features this line, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting! |
| Challenge ends Monday, January 5 at 9:00PM EST. • Post submissions as new entries using the template in the profile • Tag this week's entries as: [#] submission, 285 – fresh start • If you have questions about this challenge, please ask them here |
tags:
fanweeklymod posting in fandomweeklyHere are this week's votes tallied, and below the cut are our winners for Challenge #284 – Home for the Holidays!
( This week's finalists are... )
Total Challenge Words Written: 3894
Congratulations to all this week's participants, and thank you to everyone who took the time to cast their votes!autobotscoutriella will be making this week’s banners, so keep an eye out for those.
You may now post your Challenge 284 entries to any additional communities, blogs, archives or sites as you'd like! We also have a FandomWeekly AO3 Collection if you'd like to add your stories there.
Happy new year to everyone whose time zone has already made it to 2026!
( This week's finalists are... )
Total Challenge Words Written: 3894
Congratulations to all this week's participants, and thank you to everyone who took the time to cast their votes!
autobotscoutriella will be making this week’s banners, so keep an eye out for those.You may now post your Challenge 284 entries to any additional communities, blogs, archives or sites as you'd like! We also have a FandomWeekly AO3 Collection if you'd like to add your stories there.
Happy new year to everyone whose time zone has already made it to 2026!
matsushima posting in thankfulthursdayHappy New Year, thankfulthursday! 🥳
What are you thankful for this week?
· Photos are optional but encouraged.
· Check-ins remain open until the following week's post is shared.
· Do feel free to comment on others' check-ins but don't harsh anyone else's squee.
thankfulthursday! 🥳What are you thankful for this week?
· Photos are optional but encouraged.
· Check-ins remain open until the following week's post is shared.
· Do feel free to comment on others' check-ins but don't harsh anyone else's squee.
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denise posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
dw_maintenanceПривет and welcome to our new Russian friends from LiveJournal! We are happy to offer you a new home. We will not require identification for you to post or comment. We also do not cooperate with Russian government requests for any information about your account unless they go through a United States court first. (And it hasn't happened in 16 years!)
Importing your journal from ЖЖ may be slow. There are a lot of you, with many posts and comments, and we have to limit how fast we download your information from ЖЖ so they don't block us. Please be patient! We have been watching and fixing errors, and we will go back to doing that after the holiday is over.
I am very sorry that we can't translate the site into Russian or offer support in Russian. We are a much, much smaller company than LiveJournal is, and my high school Russian classes were a very long time ago :) But at least we aren't owned by Sberbank!
С Новым Годом, and welcome home!
EDIT: Большое спасибо всем за помощь друг другу в комментариях! Я ценю каждого, кто предоставляет нашим новым соседям информацию, понятную им без необходимости искать её в Google. :) И спасибо вам за терпение к моему русскому переводу с помощью Google Translate! Прошло уже много-много лет со школьных времен!
Thank you also to everyone who's been giving our new neighbors a warm welcome. I love you all ❤️
theemeraldgirl23Happy New Year!!! Here’s everything I did for fandom events in 2025!!
Completedfandomtrumpshate 2024 obligations (1 fic, 2 podfics)
A Red Ribbon Around Qingxin for nwrhs
[Podfic] my heart is a traveler for celli
[Podfic] When Words Fail for ThatBitchMabel
Took part in K-Pop Ficmix
never too far away (11,088 kilometers) for cortanasol
Wrote threescarygirlynight fills
see them here
Achieved my goal forficwip’s the fic that haunts you 2025
Welcome To Le Café
Wrote tenficwip drabble prompts
Fandom: XO, Kitty
Character: Yuri Han
Yuri Han left her old life behind. After disowning her father and his blood money, she had to rebuild from scratch, getting a job at a clothing store. Woo Designs was home to up-and-coming fashion designer Ji-Young Woo. She was a forgiving boss, but her assistant, Philippa Ashmond, was anything but. Philippa analyzed every stitch, every pattern, every color, every item refresh to make sure it was perfect. Yuri found these contrasting styles to make for a lively environment. It made her want to do better. She thought of the cardigan Min Ho bought Kitty. She could make one better.
Fandom: LE SSERAFIM
Ship: Kazuha/Yunjin (implied)
The low light of the club cast a shadow on the floor beneath Kazuha’s feet. Her neck itched under the collar she was wearing, but it didn't bother her as much as the overwhelming mix of scents, from artificial bubblegum to woody musk.
Two men approached her. They looked slightly older. Alphas, too, she could tell.
“An owned alpha. You don’t see that very often,” one of them said.
“Who’s your master?” the other asked.
Kazuha gestured to a woman on stage playing guitar.
“You’re kidding. She always said she would never take a pet.”
“I guess I’m the exception.”
Fandom: The Pitt
Ship: Santos & Javadi
It was another day at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, and Victoria still had the events of yesterday looming over her. Of course, the daughter of an attending at the hospital had to go and faint on her first day, and then deal with a mass casualty event hours after.
“Morning, Crash,” Trinity said from behind her, grabbing her shoulders, surprising her.
Victoria put her hand over her heart, feeling it beat in her chest. She wasn't expecting that.
“Did I surprise you?” Trinity asked. "I thought after yesterday that was impossible."
“My name is Victoria,” she said.
“Okay, Victoria.”
ao3
Fandom: Thai GL RPF
Ship: Fay/May
A lively party was happening at Fay’s Bangkok apartment after the wrap of Somewhere Somehow. Nam was taking shots like she didn't have a shooting tomorrow, Heng was blasting music from a Bluetooth speaker he brought, and Frung was trying to see how many cracker and cheese sandwiches she could fit in her mouth at once.
Fay caught May’s eye on the couch. “So, what comes next?”
May patted the seat next to her. “Whatever you want.”
Fay sat next to May. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Now that you’re next to me.”
“Charmer.”
May kissed Fay gently. “Only with you.”
ao3
Fandom: The Pitt
Ship: Ellis/Mohan
Samira was told to go home at least a dozen times as she walked around the hospital floor. She really wanted to work the night shift at least once. It seemed like the only times she and Parker saw each other anymore were when she left the house and the hospital. They hadn't had a day off in weeks.
“Can’t I stay?” Samira asked.
“Let us handle this, Samira,” Parker said.
“It feels like we barely have the time to talk to each other.”
“I'm sorry.” Parker grabbed Samira’s hand. “Dinner?”
“I can stay, then?”
“Welcome to the night shift.”
Fandom: My Safe Zone
Ship: Alin/Jane
Once again, Jane felt betrayed. Just like the time eight years ago when Alin left without a word. She knew it was irrational to be upset. Alin had never shown any interest in Pie. Pie was just overly eager over Alin. But, she didn't even bother to hear her out.
Maybe it was a bad decision to jump right into this. Alin had just gotten out of her previous relationship with Kate and Jane had always been too jealous and possessive.
“I’ll leave the light on,” Alin called out from the ground floor, leaving.
Jane heard. It was a plea.
ao3
Fandom: Thai GL RPF
Ship: Lookmhee/Sonya
Lookmhee and Sonya collected GL couples like Thanos collected the infinity stones. Sonya, as the self-proclaimed “mami of GL,” had a reputation to uphold, and well, Lookmhee wasn’t above the act of attracting women either.
But at the end of the day, they knew who the other belonged to. The jealous glances when one got too close to someone else sent shivers down spines. Lookmhee’s tight hold around Sonya's waist said what no words ever could. Sonya’s “Are you sure?” before the first time they kissed without a camera sealed their fate.
No one would come in between their relationship.
ao3
Fandom: XO, Kitty
Character: Yuri Han
“Miss, this card has been declined,” the cashier said, handing it back to Yuri.
She knew this tactic. Her mom always restricted her access to money when she wanted her attention. Not having the time to deal with it right now, she asked another worker to hold the clothes for her.
Later, she found out it wasn't on purpose. There was development in a lawsuit. Her father's assets were frozen. Now, on top of being alone, she was broke.
Karma had a weird way of coming back to you when you least expected it. Only up from here, she supposed.
Original Work (Working Title: The Secret We Held)
Pairing: Ishani/Arya
“Never have I ever kissed someone of the same gender,” Jae, one of Arjun’s friends, poses to the group.
I see Arya lift her cup. In eighth grade, she was the lead in a school play. They couldn’t find a male love interest that fit the role. It was a small peck. I wouldn’t count it. The circle gasps and whoops, anyway.
My mind goes back to Asher Miller’s eighteenth birthday party over the summer. That extravagant walk-in closet. The intoxicating scent of eucalyptus and carnations. Her sweeping a stray hair behind my ear. In that moment, I considered it.
XO, Kitty
Pairing: Kitty/Yuri
Fireworks burst into the sky in a colorful array over Han River. Kitty sits on the grass, her knees hugging her chest, looking up in awe. Last year, she saw them in a park in Portland. These are more beautiful. Maybe it's the way the water reflects their light, or maybe it’s the person sitting next to her.
Call her cliché, but she has always imagined what it would be like to kiss someone at midnight on New Year's. A countdown later, a chorus of “Happy New Year!” erupts. She turns to Yuri, kissing her. It’s everything she had imagined.
ao3
Wrote a fill forficwip’s A Picture’s Worth 1000 Words event
Fandom: LE SSERAFIM
Ship: Kazuha/Yunjin
Looking out her window, Kazuha noticed it started snowing. The first snow of the season. A special time. She wanted to twirl as the flakes fell down around her. The image looked pretty in her head.
There was a story that if you spent the first snow with someone you liked, you would have long-lasting love. She wasn’t sure if she quite believed in superstitions like that, but it was a romantic ideal. Winter was the season of love in Korea—and her hometown of Japan.
Her outfit—a black-and-white striped flannel and gray sweatpants—was the most casual thing she could think of for the occasion. Of course, the first snow fell when she was wearing the most inconspicuous ever. Maybe her black puffer jacket could save it. She stood up, grabbing it from the coat hanger by the door.
Yunjin looked up then. She was sitting on the couch next to Kazuha. She also noticed the snow. She thought maybe Kazuha would invite her outside. The hopeless romantic in her believed in the superstition, but what did she know? It wasn’t like she gave her a bouquet of flowers during last week’s fanmeeting expecting anything.
It was just that Kazuha was an easy person to love. Yunjin sensed her sincerity from the moment they met. Kazuha never did anything halfway. She put her all into everything, especially her performance. But, Yunjin would be lying if she found nothing endearing about the more casual side of her. Her easy-going, laid-back personality, infectious laugh, and samoyed-like softness made her even more likeable.
Putting her jacket on, Kazuha did a spin. “Does this make me seem more put-together?”
“Are you asking me?” Yunjin asked.
“Who else is around, unnie?”
“It’s a cute look.”
“You’re not lying to make me feel better, right?”
“Zuha, you’re pretty in anything you wear.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Come on, you rocked an inflatable riding dinosaur costume in Times Square.” Yunjin stretched her arms. “You know what? I should get my sister to send me the ugliest Christmas sweaters we own. But even then, I still think you would look beautiful.”
“I’ve never seen an ugly Christmas sweater, but if you say so.”
“Okay. I’m making you wear one this Christmas.”
“Only if you wear one too.”
“That’s a given.”
“Want to see the snow with me?”
Yunjin nodded. She grabbed a jacket that happened to look similar to the one Kazuha was wearing. Another thing to add to their never-ending thread of matching clothes.
Kazuha mentioned in an interview that if she were to wear another member’s clothes, she thought Yunjin’s style was cool. That video they did where they swapped closets made them realize that there was a lot of overlap there.
Yunjin looked at the t-shirt and jeans she was wearing. She slipped on the jacket. Stylists definitely knew what they were doing when they said adding layers made any outfit better.
They both put on boots, stepping out of the dorm. Kazuha’s were gray; hers were brown. She noticed Kazuha’s fingers twitch at her sides during the elevator ride down. She took Kazuha’s hand with a smile. Kazuha smiled back. They looked at each other. The elevator dinged. They let go, stepping out.
Same group members holding hands wasn’t anything suspicious, but they didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. It wouldn’t be the first time someone suspected something between them.
Frigid air hit them as they walked outside. Snowflakes fell. A small layer of snow squished underneath their feet.
“I understand now,” Kazuha said, catching snowflakes in her palms. “Those cheesy romance movies were up to something with this.”
“Yeah…” Yunjin looked at Kazuha as she spun in the snow. “It’s enchanting.”
Kazuha turned. “We should do the Snowman challenge!”
“Where did that come from?”
“This is the perfect vibe!”
The song was romantic. Fit for the winter. On par with The First Snow by EXO in terms of popularity during this time. Although Snowman was happier. The former was like the Last Christmas of Korea. Unavoidable. Overplayed to the point of being hated. Bound to also have a challenge done by Kazuha with it, because she was a lover at heart.
Sia’s voice filtered out of Kazuha’s phone as she set it down to record. Pressing the red button, she stepped back, grabbing Yunjin’s hands, swaying them back and forth. “Dance with me.”
Yunjin chuckled, swaying along to the music with Kazuha. She didn’t know who was supposed to be leading who in this impromptu routine, but that was the fun of it. They twirled each other, pushed each other forwards and backwards with their palms, even spun around a few times separately in front of the camera before Yunjin almost tripped. Kazuha instinctively leaned forward to catch her, but Yunjin caught herself. Kazuha ended the recording there, sliding her phone back in her pocket.
“Ah, sorry,” Yunjin apologized.
“It’s okay. How about we try something slower? Without the camera this time,” Kazuha suggested.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“I am, but it’s worth it. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you in this moment.”
Yunjin pulled Kazuha into a tight hug. A kind of hug that warmed you from the inside out. A kind of hug that let you forget you were shivering. A kind of hug you didn’t want to break away from.
Stepping back, Yunjin held her hand out. “Can you lead me?”
Kazuha grabbed Yunjin’s hand, intertwining their fingers as she moved to put a steadying arm around her waist. She stepped forward. Yunjin stepped back, matching the movement. The dance was slow, almost charged as they waltzed closer and closer to each other.
“Do you think we’ll have long-lasting love?” Yunjin asked.
“I don’t know,” Kazuha said truthfully. “All I know is the present. And I love you in the present.”
“I love you too.”
As snow fell around them, cold lips met, warm bodies tangled, and love blossomed. They didn’t need superstitions.
ao3
Wrote two gifts forelasticella’s Sapphic Stocking Stuffers event
stay with you for SaraJaye
already won for ilejeshi
Participated inyuletide
let love take control for becomingabeing
I’m so happy to be a part of this community! Cheers to 2026 :))
Completed
fandomtrumpshate 2024 obligations (1 fic, 2 podfics) A Red Ribbon Around Qingxin for nwrhs
[Podfic] my heart is a traveler for celli
[Podfic] When Words Fail for ThatBitchMabel
Took part in K-Pop Ficmix
never too far away (11,088 kilometers) for cortanasol
Wrote three
scarygirlynight fills see them here
Achieved my goal for
ficwip’s the fic that haunts you 2025 Welcome To Le Café
Wrote ten
ficwip drabble prompts prompt: something left behind
3/8/2025Fandom: XO, Kitty
Character: Yuri Han
Yuri Han left her old life behind. After disowning her father and his blood money, she had to rebuild from scratch, getting a job at a clothing store. Woo Designs was home to up-and-coming fashion designer Ji-Young Woo. She was a forgiving boss, but her assistant, Philippa Ashmond, was anything but. Philippa analyzed every stitch, every pattern, every color, every item refresh to make sure it was perfect. Yuri found these contrasting styles to make for a lively environment. It made her want to do better. She thought of the cardigan Min Ho bought Kitty. She could make one better.
prompt: shadow
7/5/2025Fandom: LE SSERAFIM
Ship: Kazuha/Yunjin (implied)
The low light of the club cast a shadow on the floor beneath Kazuha’s feet. Her neck itched under the collar she was wearing, but it didn't bother her as much as the overwhelming mix of scents, from artificial bubblegum to woody musk.
Two men approached her. They looked slightly older. Alphas, too, she could tell.
“An owned alpha. You don’t see that very often,” one of them said.
“Who’s your master?” the other asked.
Kazuha gestured to a woman on stage playing guitar.
“You’re kidding. She always said she would never take a pet.”
“I guess I’m the exception.”
prompt: heartbeat
7/20/2025Fandom: The Pitt
Ship: Santos & Javadi
It was another day at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, and Victoria still had the events of yesterday looming over her. Of course, the daughter of an attending at the hospital had to go and faint on her first day, and then deal with a mass casualty event hours after.
“Morning, Crash,” Trinity said from behind her, grabbing her shoulders, surprising her.
Victoria put her hand over her heart, feeling it beat in her chest. She wasn't expecting that.
“Did I surprise you?” Trinity asked. "I thought after yesterday that was impossible."
“My name is Victoria,” she said.
“Okay, Victoria.”
ao3
prompt: what comes next?
9/28/2025Fandom: Thai GL RPF
Ship: Fay/May
A lively party was happening at Fay’s Bangkok apartment after the wrap of Somewhere Somehow. Nam was taking shots like she didn't have a shooting tomorrow, Heng was blasting music from a Bluetooth speaker he brought, and Frung was trying to see how many cracker and cheese sandwiches she could fit in her mouth at once.
Fay caught May’s eye on the couch. “So, what comes next?”
May patted the seat next to her. “Whatever you want.”
Fay sat next to May. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Now that you’re next to me.”
“Charmer.”
May kissed Fay gently. “Only with you.”
ao3
prompt: the night shift
10/20/2025Fandom: The Pitt
Ship: Ellis/Mohan
Samira was told to go home at least a dozen times as she walked around the hospital floor. She really wanted to work the night shift at least once. It seemed like the only times she and Parker saw each other anymore were when she left the house and the hospital. They hadn't had a day off in weeks.
“Can’t I stay?” Samira asked.
“Let us handle this, Samira,” Parker said.
“It feels like we barely have the time to talk to each other.”
“I'm sorry.” Parker grabbed Samira’s hand. “Dinner?”
“I can stay, then?”
“Welcome to the night shift.”
prompt: leave the light on when you go
11/7/2025Fandom: My Safe Zone
Ship: Alin/Jane
Once again, Jane felt betrayed. Just like the time eight years ago when Alin left without a word. She knew it was irrational to be upset. Alin had never shown any interest in Pie. Pie was just overly eager over Alin. But, she didn't even bother to hear her out.
Maybe it was a bad decision to jump right into this. Alin had just gotten out of her previous relationship with Kate and Jane had always been too jealous and possessive.
“I’ll leave the light on,” Alin called out from the ground floor, leaving.
Jane heard. It was a plea.
ao3
prompt: are you sure about that?
11/25/2025Fandom: Thai GL RPF
Ship: Lookmhee/Sonya
Lookmhee and Sonya collected GL couples like Thanos collected the infinity stones. Sonya, as the self-proclaimed “mami of GL,” had a reputation to uphold, and well, Lookmhee wasn’t above the act of attracting women either.
But at the end of the day, they knew who the other belonged to. The jealous glances when one got too close to someone else sent shivers down spines. Lookmhee’s tight hold around Sonya's waist said what no words ever could. Sonya’s “Are you sure?” before the first time they kissed without a camera sealed their fate.
No one would come in between their relationship.
ao3
prompt: the credit card was declined
12/6/2025Fandom: XO, Kitty
Character: Yuri Han
“Miss, this card has been declined,” the cashier said, handing it back to Yuri.
She knew this tactic. Her mom always restricted her access to money when she wanted her attention. Not having the time to deal with it right now, she asked another worker to hold the clothes for her.
Later, she found out it wasn't on purpose. There was development in a lawsuit. Her father's assets were frozen. Now, on top of being alone, she was broke.
Karma had a weird way of coming back to you when you least expected it. Only up from here, she supposed.
prompt: never have I ever
12/20/2025Original Work (Working Title: The Secret We Held)
Pairing: Ishani/Arya
“Never have I ever kissed someone of the same gender,” Jae, one of Arjun’s friends, poses to the group.
I see Arya lift her cup. In eighth grade, she was the lead in a school play. They couldn’t find a male love interest that fit the role. It was a small peck. I wouldn’t count it. The circle gasps and whoops, anyway.
My mind goes back to Asher Miller’s eighteenth birthday party over the summer. That extravagant walk-in closet. The intoxicating scent of eucalyptus and carnations. Her sweeping a stray hair behind my ear. In that moment, I considered it.
prompt: new year’s eve
12/31/2025XO, Kitty
Pairing: Kitty/Yuri
Fireworks burst into the sky in a colorful array over Han River. Kitty sits on the grass, her knees hugging her chest, looking up in awe. Last year, she saw them in a park in Portland. These are more beautiful. Maybe it's the way the water reflects their light, or maybe it’s the person sitting next to her.
Call her cliché, but she has always imagined what it would be like to kiss someone at midnight on New Year's. A countdown later, a chorus of “Happy New Year!” erupts. She turns to Yuri, kissing her. It’s everything she had imagined.
ao3
Wrote a fill for
ficwip’s A Picture’s Worth 1000 Words event prompt: a white puppy in a field of snow
12/6/2025Fandom: LE SSERAFIM
Ship: Kazuha/Yunjin
Looking out her window, Kazuha noticed it started snowing. The first snow of the season. A special time. She wanted to twirl as the flakes fell down around her. The image looked pretty in her head.
There was a story that if you spent the first snow with someone you liked, you would have long-lasting love. She wasn’t sure if she quite believed in superstitions like that, but it was a romantic ideal. Winter was the season of love in Korea—and her hometown of Japan.
Her outfit—a black-and-white striped flannel and gray sweatpants—was the most casual thing she could think of for the occasion. Of course, the first snow fell when she was wearing the most inconspicuous ever. Maybe her black puffer jacket could save it. She stood up, grabbing it from the coat hanger by the door.
Yunjin looked up then. She was sitting on the couch next to Kazuha. She also noticed the snow. She thought maybe Kazuha would invite her outside. The hopeless romantic in her believed in the superstition, but what did she know? It wasn’t like she gave her a bouquet of flowers during last week’s fanmeeting expecting anything.
It was just that Kazuha was an easy person to love. Yunjin sensed her sincerity from the moment they met. Kazuha never did anything halfway. She put her all into everything, especially her performance. But, Yunjin would be lying if she found nothing endearing about the more casual side of her. Her easy-going, laid-back personality, infectious laugh, and samoyed-like softness made her even more likeable.
Putting her jacket on, Kazuha did a spin. “Does this make me seem more put-together?”
“Are you asking me?” Yunjin asked.
“Who else is around, unnie?”
“It’s a cute look.”
“You’re not lying to make me feel better, right?”
“Zuha, you’re pretty in anything you wear.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Come on, you rocked an inflatable riding dinosaur costume in Times Square.” Yunjin stretched her arms. “You know what? I should get my sister to send me the ugliest Christmas sweaters we own. But even then, I still think you would look beautiful.”
“I’ve never seen an ugly Christmas sweater, but if you say so.”
“Okay. I’m making you wear one this Christmas.”
“Only if you wear one too.”
“That’s a given.”
“Want to see the snow with me?”
Yunjin nodded. She grabbed a jacket that happened to look similar to the one Kazuha was wearing. Another thing to add to their never-ending thread of matching clothes.
Kazuha mentioned in an interview that if she were to wear another member’s clothes, she thought Yunjin’s style was cool. That video they did where they swapped closets made them realize that there was a lot of overlap there.
Yunjin looked at the t-shirt and jeans she was wearing. She slipped on the jacket. Stylists definitely knew what they were doing when they said adding layers made any outfit better.
They both put on boots, stepping out of the dorm. Kazuha’s were gray; hers were brown. She noticed Kazuha’s fingers twitch at her sides during the elevator ride down. She took Kazuha’s hand with a smile. Kazuha smiled back. They looked at each other. The elevator dinged. They let go, stepping out.
Same group members holding hands wasn’t anything suspicious, but they didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. It wouldn’t be the first time someone suspected something between them.
Frigid air hit them as they walked outside. Snowflakes fell. A small layer of snow squished underneath their feet.
“I understand now,” Kazuha said, catching snowflakes in her palms. “Those cheesy romance movies were up to something with this.”
“Yeah…” Yunjin looked at Kazuha as she spun in the snow. “It’s enchanting.”
Kazuha turned. “We should do the Snowman challenge!”
“Where did that come from?”
“This is the perfect vibe!”
The song was romantic. Fit for the winter. On par with The First Snow by EXO in terms of popularity during this time. Although Snowman was happier. The former was like the Last Christmas of Korea. Unavoidable. Overplayed to the point of being hated. Bound to also have a challenge done by Kazuha with it, because she was a lover at heart.
Sia’s voice filtered out of Kazuha’s phone as she set it down to record. Pressing the red button, she stepped back, grabbing Yunjin’s hands, swaying them back and forth. “Dance with me.”
Yunjin chuckled, swaying along to the music with Kazuha. She didn’t know who was supposed to be leading who in this impromptu routine, but that was the fun of it. They twirled each other, pushed each other forwards and backwards with their palms, even spun around a few times separately in front of the camera before Yunjin almost tripped. Kazuha instinctively leaned forward to catch her, but Yunjin caught herself. Kazuha ended the recording there, sliding her phone back in her pocket.
“Ah, sorry,” Yunjin apologized.
“It’s okay. How about we try something slower? Without the camera this time,” Kazuha suggested.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“I am, but it’s worth it. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you in this moment.”
Yunjin pulled Kazuha into a tight hug. A kind of hug that warmed you from the inside out. A kind of hug that let you forget you were shivering. A kind of hug you didn’t want to break away from.
Stepping back, Yunjin held her hand out. “Can you lead me?”
Kazuha grabbed Yunjin’s hand, intertwining their fingers as she moved to put a steadying arm around her waist. She stepped forward. Yunjin stepped back, matching the movement. The dance was slow, almost charged as they waltzed closer and closer to each other.
“Do you think we’ll have long-lasting love?” Yunjin asked.
“I don’t know,” Kazuha said truthfully. “All I know is the present. And I love you in the present.”
“I love you too.”
As snow fell around them, cold lips met, warm bodies tangled, and love blossomed. They didn’t need superstitions.
ao3
Wrote two gifts for
elasticella’s Sapphic Stocking Stuffers event stay with you for SaraJaye
already won for ilejeshi
Participated in
yuletidelet love take control for becomingabeing
I’m so happy to be a part of this community! Cheers to 2026 :))
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