Rapple (Raven x Apple)

What Christmas Means To Me by Stevie Wonder

Christmas is everywhere Apple looks. Her heart is warm and fuzzy as she breathes in the scent of cinnamon , looking around at the white, sparkling snow. She feels Raven's hand in hers, soft and warm.
"We're here," Raven says as they walk into the mall. "Finally!"
Apple gasps with delight as she takes in the beautiful decorations. Glowing lights are strung over the displays. Candles are burning, filling the air with sweet and spicy aromas. Raven suddenly stops and looks up.

"What is it?" Apple asks, glancing above them.

"Mistletoe," Raven whispers, turning to Apple, smiling mischievously.

Apple giggles as Raven steps closer to her, a hungry gleam in her violet eyes.

"You know what that means," Raven purrs.
"I do," Apple murmurs, smiling as Raven connects their lips.

Apple notices that people are staring as they slowly pull away, but she doesn't care. To her, what Christmas means is love. Love and light and joy; and Raven is all these things and so much more.

Darphrey (Daring x Humphrey)

Hawaiian Christmas by Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters

When Daring suggested that they go to Hawaii for Christmas, Humphrey was astounded.
"Away from family?!" he'd exclaimed.
"It's just one year we'll do this," Daring had calmly explained.

Eventually, Humphrey had given in, admittedly tempted by the prospect of warmth and sunshine, none of which is in Book End in December.

Now, as they stand together on the beach, clear water rushing over their feet, Humphrey lets out a relaxed sigh. Palm trees sway in the warm breeze.
"The water is so warm," Humphrey marvels, walking in further.

"It is," Daring agrees. "It's warm, but do you want to know what's hot?"

Humphrey rolls his eyes, immediately knowing where this is going. He stares at Daring, holding back a smile.
"You," Daring says, leaning forward and pecking him on the lips.

Humphrey can't stop the blush that floods his cheeks. He grabs Daring's hand and pulls him along into the inviting water.

Brashlynn (Briar x Ashlynn)

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole

"I can't believe we're actually roasting chestnuts!" Briar laughs.

Her and Ashlynn are sitting by the fire, basking in the warmth. Ashlynn wraps her arms around her, nuzzling her face against Briar's shoulder.

"You know you love it," she says.
"Sure," Briar relents, "Chestnuts are good. I like Santa more, though. I'm excited about getting some sweet gifts tonight!"

"Sorry, Bri, but you're too old for Santa. I think he might pass by our house."

"Not true!" Briar protests, smiling. "You'll see, Ash! He comes to everybody who believes!"
"Well, we'll see," Ashlynn says. "He should already be on his way now. It's 11:30."

"That late?!" Briar exclaims. "I guess we better take the chestnuts off the fire and hit the sack."

Ashlynn leans into Briar.
"Just another minute," she murmurs sleepily. "You're so warm and comfy."
Briar smiles, running her fingers through Ashlynn's hair.

"Okay. I guess Santa can wait for a little while."

Clondie (Cupid x Blondie)

Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
"It's just going to be so hard this year," Blondie says, sighing as she looks at the photo of her and Cupid sitting framed on the mantel over the fireplace. She wipes a tear from her cheek. "This is our first Christmas apart."

Her voice breaks. She looks at the Christmas tree, the dazzling red decorations blurred by the tears in her eyes. This is Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year. She needs her sweet Cupid there with her. But she's far away, studying abroad in France, and all the flights have been canceled, due to several snowstorms that have swept the area.
"I'm so sorry, Blondie," Briar murmurs, squeezing Blondie's hand. "That must be so hard."
Blondie nods, sighing sadly. Snowflakes are falling outside, bringing the first snow of winter to life. It's going to be a white Christmas. And Cupid isn't here to enjoy it with her. Blondie bursts into tears. Briar embraces her, and as Blondie sobs into her chest, she imagines that it's Cupid's warm, loving arms around her; that it's her sweet perfume wafting up Blondie's nose. This Christmas is going to break her heart.

Holling (Holly x Darling)

A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives

Holly and Darling walk down the snowy path. Darling smiles brightly, Holly's gloved hand warm in hers.

"Hey there, girls!" Clara the butcher exclaims as she passes. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!" Darling and Holly joyfully reply.
As they walk into the grocery store, immediately warmed by the heat from the radiator, Darling stops.

"Look," she says softly, smiling widely at Holly.
"What?" Holly asks, looking at her quizzically.
Darling points upward. Holly giggles as she looks up, seeing the sprig of mistletoe hanging from the low wooden ceiling.
"Oh, Darling!" she exclaims. "You old rascal, you!"
Without waiting for a reply, she swings Darling around, pulling her into her arms. They kiss deeply, unaware of the shoppers staring at them. All that they care about in this blissful moment is each other. And their boundless love for each other means so much more than any present they could ever give or receive.

Appling (Apple x Darling)

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love

Apple gazes at the falling snow. It lands, soft as white silk, on her head. She sits, propped against the peach tree that she and Darling had planted years ago. She fingers the locket around her neck. She wants to look at the picture of Darling inside, but she doesn't know if her heart can take it. It aches without Darling here. Her brave knight is away at war and isn't going to be here this Christmas. Apple sighs as the snowflakes fall harder. She should go inside. She's going to catch cold if she stays outside much longer. She can't find the strength to stand, though, the hole within her widening. Every second without Darling, it grows larger.

She freezes as the sound of a twig snapping pierces the frigid air. Her heart darts up, and as her eyes land on the figure approaching her, her heart skips a beat. Long platinum blonde hair. Could it be true?
"Darling?" she asks, her voice dying in the cold wind.

As the figure comes nearer and she knows, with a full certainty, that it's her wife. Battered and bruised, yes. But alive and well. Apple jumps to her feet and dashes towards her.
"Darling!" she yells. "Darling!"
Reigning in her excitement, she embraces Darling carefully, noting that the bruises on her face suggest more injuries elsewhere. Sobs of relief burst from her as her wife's arms wrap around her, warm and soft as they've always been.
A minute later, she pulls back. She takes one look at Darling's beautiful face before pelting it with kisses. She kisses her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, and then her lips. The kiss is fierce and desperate, hungry for what they've had to go without for so long.

When they finally pull back for air, Apple's still crying.
"I love you!" she sobs. "I love you so much!"

"I love you too," Darling whispers, before sweeping Apple into another kiss.

They lose track of time, kissing with a fervor stronger than ever, as the snow continues to swirl around them. And as Apple soaks in the warm, steady presence of her wife, she knows this Christmas is going to be the best one ever.

Kizzie (Kitty x Lizzie)

A Marshmallow World by Dean Martin

Lizzie and Kitty walk hand in hand across the snowy field. Lizzie breathes in the crisp air, looking around in wonder. The snow under their feet is white and soft as marshmallows. Birds chirp their sweet melodies in the evergreen trees. Kitty's gloved hand is warm in hers.
"It's so beautiful!" Lizzie exclaims. "Isn't it lovely, Kitty?"
Kitty glances at their surroundings before turning to Lizzie, her trademark grin on her face.
"It's pretty nice," she says, a trace of mischief, as always, in her voice. "But I wouldn't call it lovely."
Lizzie rolls her eyes affectionately.
"I suppose you wouldn't find it so," Lizzie says. "Nature appreciation is not your forte."
"But do you know what is lovely?" Kitty asks, a suggestive lilt in her voice. "I'll give you a hint. It's my favorite girl."
Lizzie laughs joyously as Kitty tugs her into her arms.
"Me," Lizzie says happily, before Kitty pulls her into a kiss, sweet and toasty warm.

Kitty draws away slightly a moment later.
"And you're my forte," she purrs, before kissing Lizzie again.

They kiss as the snow sparkles around them, as the birds sing, as the sun shines. All that matters to them in that moment is each other, and the love they share.

Popchess (Poppy x Duchess)

All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

Duchess sighs as she sets down the pile of presents under the Christmas tree. She gazes at the glowing lights strung along the branches. She breathes in the warm scent of cinnamon in the air. She smiles as she hears her favorite Christmas song, Carol of the Bells, playing on the radio across the room. She would never admit it aloud, but she feels positively Christmasy. She sighs again as she remembers the other load of presents she has to carry in from the car.

"Well, I better get to work," she mumbles to herself.

She grunts, struggling to carry the pile of presents to the tree. She's just about made it when, suddenly, the presents slip from her grip. The crash of glass breaking pierces Duchess' ears. She gasps.
"No!" she exclaims. "That was the snowglobe I got for Poppy! I knew I should've put the snowglobe in a bag!" She punches her thigh in frustration. "The wrapping paper is so much prettier, though!"

She storms around the room, thinking desperately of any last-minute present she could get Poppy.
She starts as the lock on the door clicks. She looks at the presents strewn across the floor. Oh no! What is Poppy going to think?!
"Hey, babe!" Poppy greets her as she walks in. "How are you doing?"
Duchess gulps. "Um, fine, sweetie. What about you?"
"I'm good." Poppy stops as she sees the mess. "Whoa. What happened here?!"
"I'm so sorry!" Duchess bursts out. "I dropped your Christmas present, and now I don't know what to get you, and I feel so useless and-"
"Whoa," Poppy says, hurrying over to Duchess and taking her hands. "Breathe, Duchess. It's fine. Okay? I don't need a present."
Duchess sighs with relief as Poppy pulls her into an embrace. She knew Poppy wasn't going to be angry. Any time she breaks something, though, she remembers the panic she'd feel when she was a little girl and dropped something. Her mother would scream at her every time; and now the fear still lingers.
"I don't need a present," Poppy repeats. "But you wanna know what I do want?"
"What's that?" Duchess asks, her curiosity piqued.
"You," Poppy says softly. "All I want for Christmas is you."
Duchess pulls back, grinning at her wonderful, kind girlfriend before pulling her forward into a kiss. The kiss leaves her happier than any Christmas gift ever could. And she knows Poppy feels the same.

Brapple (Briar x Apple)

A Christmas to Remember by Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton

"I was thinking of going to Aspen with my family for Christmas," Briar explains to Apple, as they sit outside at the cafe, the sun shining through the frigid winter air. "You know how much my brothers love skiing. But I thought staying here sounded better. You know, with you."
Apple swears that Briar's cheeks flush as she says this. She smiles at her friend.
"Well, I'm glad you stayed, Briar," Apple says. "Now we can celebrate Christmas together!"
She squeals, reaching over and squeezing Briar's hand. Briar's face is red as a rose now. She quickly takes a sip of water. Apple has been noticing a change in her friend recently; a nervousness that's never been there before. She doesn't want to question Briar, though. It would just make things complicated, and things can't be complicated at Christmas time. They need to be calm and happy.

"Hey, wanna go to the mall after lunch and see if we can find presents for our friends?" Briar suggests.
Apple nods excitedly. "Yeah, that sounds spelltacular!"

Christmas Eve

"What's in the box?!" Apple squeals as she tears the wrapping paper off the present Briar had carefully handed her. "Wait, is it moving?!"

Apple gasps.
"Oh my fairy godmother, Briar Is it-"
Briar is buzzing with excitement, a glowing smile on her face.
Apple throws open the lid, and when her eyes land on the little black kitten inside, staring up at her with big green eyes, she bursts into tears of joy. She snatches the kitten out of the box, peppering the fuzzy face with kisses.
"Oh my gosh! Briar! Thank you so much!"
She bounds over to Briar, throwing her arms around her. Briar laughs happily.
"Don't squish the kitty!" she exclaims.
Apple looks at Briar, feeling more love and appreciation for her friend in this moment than she ever has.
"I'm so grateful, Briar! I could kiss you!"
Both of their eyes widen. Apple's stomach drops.
"Briar, I'm sorry!" she stutters.
"No," Briar says, putting up her hand to silence Apple. "Don't be." She takes a deep breath, looking away for a second before leveling her gaze on Apple. There's a hungry gleam in her mauve eyes that Apple has never seen before. "Why don't you?"
Apple is so shocked, she nearly drops the kitten. But then Briar saunters forward, and before Apple knows what she's doing she's kissing Briar. The kiss is warm and sweet and passionate-just like Briar. When they slowly pull away, they're both grinning. They laugh, feeling merrier than they've ever been as the flames in the fireplace continue to crackle.

Bonus Darphrey

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

"Isn't it beautiful?!" Humphrey exclaims as he presses the button and the Christmas tree lights burst to life. "See?! And I did it all by myself, may I add!"
Daring scoffs. "Well, I was in the shower, trying to get all the sap from that monstrous tree out of my devilishly handsome hair!" His gaze softens as he looks at his husband. "But good job! It does look amazing!"

He saunters over to Humphrey, a hungry gleam in his eyes. Humphrey flushes, as he always does when his husband looks at him like that. Like he would raise the sun and moon for him, like he would do anything for him, like he matters. Daring takes Humphrey's hands, pulling him close.
"Oh, look," Daring says casually, raising his arm over their heads.

Humphrey looks up and grins when he sees the sprig of mistletoe Daring is holding up.
"Oh, look at that," Humphrey says, a sultry tone to his voice. "Guess I'll just have to kiss those superbly soft lips of yours."
Daring smirks before grabbing Humphrey's face, drawing him forward into a kiss that reminds Humphrey of everything that matters about Christmas. Warmth and care and, most of all, love. Humphrey loves Daring more than anything else in the world, and he knows that as long as he has this wonderful man by his side, every Christmas will be better than the last.