Kesarah and Ka, Winter Warmth

Snow was falling on Coronet. It didn't happen often, but for a few weeks out of the year temperatures dipped and the clouds released a flurry of white flakes that covered the city in a film of snow. Kesarah hated it. It was too cold for her tastes and if she had her way she'd just remain inside bundled up and out of the snow. Those were her thoughts as the aircab she'd taken landed at her apartment complex and she stepped out into the cold. Gathering her things, she steeled herself against the chill and prepared to walk through the snow to her door.
That was when her mind filled with a familiar and welcome warmth and she felt an arm close around her waist as her baggage was taken from her hand.
“Welcome home.” Ka murmured against her ear cone.
“What are you doing here?” Kesarah asked her husband as she leaned into him. “You're supposed to be on a mission.”
“I finished ahead of schedule.” he replied as he pulled her close. “Hang on.”
The familiar sensation of teleportation whisked Kesarah away from the chill of the outside and then she was standing in the living room of her apartment where Ka guided her down onto the loveseat and wrapped a warm blanket around her. She smiled up at him from her place on the couch as he took her hand and kissed it.
“Just wait a moment, I'll be right back.”
Kesarah couldn't help the smile spreading wider and wider across her features as Ka headed to the kitchen. She would have loved him either way she imagined but the fact that he actively sought to pamper her only intensified her affection towards him. When he reentered with two cups of tea she couldn't help the rippling pleasure of her lekku as she opened the blanket and let him insert himself besides her. Taking one of the cups she sipped the warm liquid, feeling it heating her deep from inside as Ka slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
She settled in against him, closing her eyes contentedly as she took a deep breath and smiled happily. She could go on a hundred missions for the Jedi Order if each of them ended like this.

Jaeriel and Orchid, Solstice Surprise

“That's enough for now.” Jaeriel called out to her small group of trainees as she came to a halt finally.
The collection of a dozen or so individuals all let out a joint sigh of relief as they stopped and took in great gulps of air. Water bottles were passed around between them as one of them, a Bith, looked at Jaeriel in disbelief.
“Master Nokta how do you run around in that armor? We're wearing gym gear and this is killing me!”
Jaeriel smiled and shrugged, her shoulders heaving in her armor.
“I've got a lot more practice than you do. I've been doing this far longer.”
She was fairly certain that none of her current students actually had any idea just how old she was at this point which was just fine with her. She wasn't ashamed of her age, far from it, but there was a certain level of embarrassment she felt when she showed up the much younger trainees.
“Go get something to eat and rest up all of you. Tomorrow you'll be training with Shibari.”
There was a collective wince from all of them which made Jaeriel chuckle. Orchid's one time apprentice and former dark acolyte Shibari had a well earned reputation amongst the Sharans for being a sadistic trainer. Nevermind that she was getting older, that hadn't lessened her fire at all. Leaving the trainees to find their own way, Jaeriel walked alone down the corridor. On her way she passed several of the multitude of droids that ran the Starchaser under the direction of the droid brain named Kiri.
Jaeriel always had to wonder what Quinn's thinking had been. Renaming the star dreadnought to Starchaser made some sense since Kiri Starchaser had died saving Quinn's life during the Vong War, however calling the droid brain Kiri seemed a bit odd and a little unnerving given that the woman had only died a handful of years prior to the droid brain being named. Still Kiri had stuck and now the droid brain was an intrinsic part of the Sharans.
In the course of her considerations Jaeriel reached the suite that she shared with her wife and the leader of the Sharans, Orchid Shara. She was Quinn's daughter and as such had been the obvious heir to everything that Quinn had built with the Sharans and the Starchaser. That Jaeriel had been dragged along for that ride hadn't bothered her overmuch. She got to be with her beloved and see her not only succeed but support her in that success. She could only hope that the relationship she and Orchid had built over these decades was every bit as loving and supportive as her own parents' marriage was and they were both nearing their century and a half mark.
Keying the door open, Jaeriel frowned when the lights didn't immediately turn on. Reaching over to slap the control panel. When nothing happened in response to her touch she scowled and turned to look around the darkened living area. Aside from the glow from the clock against the bulkhead there was nothing to be seen. Then her eyes fell upon the faint glow emanating from the partially closed door leading to the bedroom.
Equal parts confused and curious, Jaeriel crossed the darkened room and keyed the bedroom door, letting it hiss open as her eyes widened and her jaw fell open wordlessly.
Sitting on their bed, surrounded by the flickering light of dozens of candles, was Orchid. She was completely naked save for a wrapping of red ribbon that had been suggestively done up to cover her most intimate parts as she sat there blushing at Jaeriel.
“H—happy Winter Solstice cyare.” Orchid said with an attempt at a seductive tone that didn't quite keep her from stumbling over her words. “Do...do you want to unwrap your present?”
Jaeriel stood there for a stunned moment, her mouth moving as she tried to process what she was seeing. After a moment however she gave up and simply crossed the room as she phased out of her armor and clothing both, letting it all fall to the floor in a heap as she crawled into bed and pushed her wife down into the sheets where they kissed passionately. She'd completely forgotten that the galactic solstice was coming up but that had only heightened the surprise.

Clan Gotevaar'la, Winter's Day

“Come on!” Jaeriel called eagerly as she rushed out into the snow ahead of the others.
“Hold on!” Hanabi protested as she tried to maintain her grip on the two excited purple-skinned boys she was holding the hands of.
She lost the battle however and the two young boys ended up scampering off after Jaeriel in the snow as Hanabi's husband Sly laughed as Hanabi toppled into the snow. She turned on him with an exasperated sigh as she scowled fiercely. Sly immediately stopped laughing though it was clear it was with great effort that he kept a straight face. Further back from the excited children and the two parents Aira-ty and Kahan stood watching with a young boy who stood stiffly at attention besides them. In Kahan's arms squirmed a green-haired toddler who reached out towards the other children as they played in the snow, making urgent noises as she tried to formulate her thoughts audibly.
“I think she wants to play with them.” Kahan said fondly as he jostled the little girl in his arms.
Aira-ty smiled, looking at the bundled toddler affectionately.
“She's never walked in the snow though.”
“Buir!” the little girl squawked as she turned and whacked Kahan's chest urgently with a dainty palm.
Kahan chuckled, kissing Ay-lana's forehead.
“Hello to you too treasure.”
Aira-ty watched the pair of them interacting for a long loving moment. She adored the way Kahan handled children. Her own fondness for kids was mirrored in the glow of his expression whenever he held one of the children or simply got to interact with them. There had been a time when she'd doubted whether or not he'd make a good father, being a former Jedi. However those doubts had vanished the moment he'd held Jaeriel in his arms for the first time and Aira-ty had seen the love in his eyes.
Looking down at the young boy standing next to her, Aira-ty felt a pang of sadness touch her heart. His name was Sigma, and he appeared to be around ten years old. She still wasn't sure if he was the last of Jango's clones or not, it was hard to say if she were honest, however when Boba had brought the frightened boy to her earlier this year she'd instantly taken him in without question. Like all the clones she recalled from Kamino, he didn't quite understand how to act his age. The first thing that Aira-ty had done when he'd been brought to her was to take him to Kal to get the anti-aging treatment. Now, despite the scars on his face, he'd be able to live the rest of his childhood and life like a normal boy.
He was watching Jaeriel and the boys intently, his face fixed in concentration as if he were trying to understand what they were doing. Aira-ty placed a hand on his back gently, causing him to jump as he looked up at her in surprise.
“Ma'am?” he asked immediately.
Aira-ty snorted, giving him an affectionate frown.
“Sigma, it's 'mom' or 'buir' one or the other. Never call me ma'am.”
The clone boy frowned, the expression twisting the scars on his face. Those scars had been received during some sort of attack on Kamino according to Boba. Why he hadn't also given Sigma bacta was beyond Aira-ty but she'd already had that fight with her estranged son.
“The other troopers call you 'ma'am'.” Sigma replied.
“The other troopers served with me in the war.” Aira-ty said patiently. “You didn't. You aren't a soldier, you're my son.”
Sigma stood there, seemingly confused as he tried to understand what she was saying. It took Aira-ty back to her time on Kamino and the clone boys she'd interacted with then. It had been painful to see all those boys lose their childhoods to their training, seeing Sigma now only further proved in her mind that the Kaminoans were nothing but cruel.
“What are they training for?” he asked suddenly as he turned back to look at Jaeriel, Haden and Riyo playing in the snow.
“They aren't training.” Aira-ty said simply. “They're playing.”
“Playing?” Sigma asked in confusion.
“Go ask if you can join them.” Aira-ty prompted. “You'll have fun.”
Sigma stood there for a hesitant moment before he nodded.
“Yes ma'am.”
Aira-ty thought to correct him, but didn't want to spoil the moment as the young boy marched off towards the other children. Hanabi and Sly didn't stop him as he approached the trio, watching him along with Aira-ty as he spoke to Jaeriel and the boys. Haden looked at Jaeriel who grinned and nodded. Then there was a wet SPLAT as Riyo beaned Sigma in the face with a snowball that sent the clone boy sprawling. Amidst his giggling, Riyo found himself falling into the snow himself as Jaeriel pushed him over. The three year old picked himself up, his purple face covered in white powder as Jaeriel helped Sigma to his feet, handing him a ball of snow and pointing at Riyo who yelped and fled to hide behind his parents.
“I think he's going to be alright.” Kahan said as he watched.
Aira-ty smiled, nodding as Jaeriel showed Sigma had to throw a snowball.
“I hope so. He's lost enough already.”
“He has us now.” Kahan said as Ay-lana made a bubbling sound and slapped both her palms on his chest. “Now I think I'd better take Ay-lana over there before she gets upset.”
Aira-ty laughed, nodding as she followed after Kahan and the now jubilant Ay-lana. This was her family, her clan, and she could never be more thankful for all of them.


Harry Potter AU, Christmas at Home

The box of ornaments tore open violently, showering the floor with ornaments as the two boys who had been fighting over it stood in shock over the disaster they had rendered.
“That's it!” Rena snapped furiously. “Everyone to your rooms!”
The trio of boys, nearly identical to one another, looked between each other before they all turned their faces towards Rena with mixtures of hope and regret.
“No!” Rena barked. “Rooms, now!”
“Mom,” one boy spoke up nervously. “Sehan didn't do anything.”
“Don't care, go!” Rena repeated furiously. “Before I ground all three of you for the holiday!”
That got them moving as the three boy scampered out of the living room and up the stairs, leaving Rena to scowl as she began picking up the ornaments.
“That sounded bad.” Gabril said as he entered from the dining room.
“Not now Captain.” Rena snarled angrily. “Just look at this,” she declared as she held up a broken ornament. “The little terrors can't share anything!”
“You wanted to adopt all three of them Sergeant.” Gabril reminded her as he sipped his coffee.
Rena turned a vicious glare at him and he held up his hand to halt her outburst.
“I didn't say it was the wrong decision.”
“Damned right it wasn't.” Rena grumbled as she finished collecting the fallen ornaments and glowered at the bare tree. “I don't even want to bother with this right now!”
“Then don't.” Gabril said simply. “There's plenty of time, we can do it another day.”
Rena heaved a tired sigh as she placed the box of ornaments on the coffee table and turned to look at Gabril, her expression melting into sorrow.
“Am I an awful mother?”
Gabril snorted, giving her an exasperated smile.
“You've been asking that for seven years now.” Gabril replied. “The boys adore you, I think that speaks for itself.”
“The boys are terrified of me.” Rena retorted.
Gabril shrugged. “You're pretty terrifying Ren.”
Scowling, Rena marched across the living room to take Gabril's coffee mug, downing the brew herself as he blinked in surprise.
“That was mine.”
“Tough.” she replied as she shoved the mug back at him. “Let's go get more.”
The pair of them went back through the dining room to the kitchen where they stood drinking coffee together for a time before they eventually retired upstairs to their room together. Leaving the tree unladen with ornaments or lights. After a while, when the house was still, two boys crept down the stairs silently with torches in their hands. They didn't say a word as they moved about the living room hurriedly as they went to work. The family pets, Leroi the dog and Triage the cat, watched from their places on the furniture as they two boys opened boxes and went to the tree where they placed strings of lights and hung ornaments carefully.
Once they'd finished, they went into the kitchen before returning with a bottle of glue. The pair of them sat down at the coffee table and began reassembling the broken ornaments. When their work was done they'd been at it for a few hours and both boys simply crawled onto the couch together where Triage hissed at them in irritation as they laid down together and fell asleep. The irate cat hopped up to the back of the couch, his tail flicking in irritation as he settled once more. Leroi came over and sniffed at them for a moment before jumping onto the couch and flopping down with them where one of the boys draped an arm around him and closed his eyes sleepily.
When Rena and Gabril came downstairs in the morning, they both stopped in surprise at the finished and decorated tree.
“Did we get elves?” Rena asked dubiously.
“No.” Gabril said with a warm smile as he looked over the couch at the sleeping boys as Leroi's dark eyes looked back at him curiously. “We got sons.”
Rena's eyes fell on the two sleeping kids and smiled.
“Oh those two little sneaks.” she frowned. “They probably thought I wasn't going to forgive them.”
“I'll make breakfast.” Gabril said quietly as he squeezed Rena's shoulders fondly.
“Hot chocolate for both of them.” Rena replied.
“And Trehan?” Gabril asked.
Rena frowned, looking at Kahan and Sehan as they slept on the couch before she nodded.
“Yeah, him too.” she sighed as she looked at Leroi. “You kept watch on them did you?”
Leroi let out a huff as Rena patted his head gently.
“Good boy,” she looked at her two sleeping sons fondly. “Good boys.”

Harry Potter AU, At the Station

The Hogwarts Express pulled away from the station as those students who were heading home for the holiday rode off into the snow. On the platform stood a collection of students who were staying behind and as the train departed with their friends they too began to disperse into Hogsmeade.
Aira-ty looked at the boy walking besides her as he held her hand, frowning slightly.
“You know you could have gone home. You didn't have to spend the holiday here with me.”
Kahan smiled at his girlfriend as he shrugged.
“I know, but I wanted to spend it with you.”
Her face heating despite the snow, Aira-ty looked away from him.
“Idiot.” she muttered.
Still smiling, Kahan turned to her as he leaned down suddenly and kissed Aira-ty on the cheek. Her face turning scarlet, Aira-ty looked up at him in surprise.
“Wh—what was that?”
“Uh, a kiss?” Kahan replied uncertainly as he smiled sheepishly.
Blushing, Aira-ty took a hold of his scarf and pulled his face down to hers so she could plant her lips on his. They stood there like that for a moment, the snow falling gently around them, before she released his scarf and they ended the kiss.
“That is a kiss.” she informed him haughtily.
Kahan smiled happily, his own face flushed happily.
“I'll remember it.”
“Better.” Aira-ty replied as she turned away and walked into the town to hide the blushing smile. “Let's get something to eat, I'm hungry.”

Harry Potter AU, By the Fireside

Ruto sat on the couch in front of the fire, her infant son asleep in her arms. She'd been so worried about him all semester, despite the constant letters from Rena updating her about her little boy's progress. It had been anguish to look at the letters and know that she was at school while her baby was at home with...she frowned, just who were Gabril and Rena to her? Turning her head to look at the boy sitting on the couch next to her reading a book she wondered as well who he was to her too. Sehan looked up from his book, smiling at her.
“How's he doing?”
Ruto gave an awkward smile, trying not to blush as she looked down at the sleeping boy.
“He's fine.” hesitating a moment, she spoke softly. “Sehan, thank you so much for coming back with me.”
He shrugged, scooching over to give her a brief hug.
“Of course, I didn't want you to come home by yourself.”
Ruto hesitated, thinking about that. Was this her home? She hadn't thought of it that way, she'd been thrown out of her home by her own stepfather over the summer. Not knowing what else to do, she'd contacted Sehan and his family and they'd taken her in along with her soon to be born son. Now here she was, spending the holiday at Sehan's house with his parents. It was much quieter without the other two brothers, Kahan and Trehan, here she noted pleasantly which was good for Mason she thought.
“Here you two.”
Ruto looked up as Rena, Sehan's mother, walked into the living room with a pair of steaming mugs. She placed the two on the table in front of them and Ruto looked down to see hot chocolate with marshmallows bobbing in it.
“Thank you.” she said emotionally as she looked up at Rena.
“Don't mention it.” the red haired woman replied. “Just enjoy the holiday with your little one.”
Ruto blushed, nodding as she looked at the hot chocolate. It smelled wonderful, but she didn't want to put aside Mason and risk waking him. Unsure what to do, she found her blush intensifying as Sehan picked up one of the mugs and brought it to her lips. Neither of them met the other's eyes as she sipped the piping hot chocolate. It was at once incredibly awkward but also it made Ruto's heart flutter to know that he cared enough to help her like this. When she'd finished her initial drink Sehan placed the mug back down on the table and retrieved his own.
Ruto scooted over slightly, careful not to wake Mason, as she leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes in an attempt to keep the tears at bay.
“Thank you.” she murmured. “Thank you so much.”
In the kitchen, Rena picked up her own hot chocolate as Gabril finished pouring bourbon into her mug.
“I hope you didn't put any of that in their cups.” she remarked dryly.
Gabril smiled. “Of course not. What do you think?”
Rena snorted as she sipped her hot chocolate.
“They're getting married.”
Now it was Gabril's turn to laugh as he looked at his wife in disbelief.
“He didn't just propose did he?”
“No.” Rena replied simply as she shrugged. “But I can tell, there is no way those two aren't going to raise that boy together.”

Demia and Halna, On Assignment

Halna shivered in the cold despite his warm weather gear. The sooner this was over the better. He couldn't stand the cold of this planet. Hopefully this mission would be worth it, the CIS needed all the support it could get with the war going the way it was. His thoughts were interrupted by an impact on the back of his head as soft powder burst over his shoulders and he stumbled forwards.
Turning in surprise, he found Demia standing there with another snowball in her hand as she grinned at him.
“I'm bored Admiral, catch!”
She chucked the snowball at him as Halna turned and let it impact on his shoulder.
“Demia!” he snapped. “We're on a mission! This is serious!”
“We're standing around in the snow waiting for a contact.” she retorted as her big hand scooped up another pile of snow. “Until they get here you're going to entertain me!”
With that declaration she hurled another snowy wad at Halna who ducked out of the way. The military officer in him wanted to rebuke her, but there was a boyish part of his mind that couldn't help but smile as he knelt down and picked up his own handful of snow.
“If this goes wrong I'm laying all the blame in my report at your feet.”
Demia grinned, her pointed teeth showing as her breath fogged in front of her face.
“Fine by me.”