@protecticarus / protecticarus.tumblr.com
you might have noticed that i posted another prompt fill!
this one, however, came out pretty long, so if you don’t feel like reading it on tumblr, here’s the link to the fic on ao3.
as it came out so long, i also decided to make it a story of its own on my ao3, instead of a chapter in my prompt fill collection like the previous ones. plus it’s christmas and i made the fic christmas themed so... there ya go, it’s own occasion
I didn't know I needed this until now. Prompt idea: Dirk meets Todd's parents who just assume Dirk is his boyfriend, and for fun Dirk plays along while Todd is clueless
i decided this prompt would work with a christmas setting, so here we are! i’m back!
i tweaked the prompt just slightly by making dirk “play along” unknowingly, so without realizing what todd’s parents are implying. the result however is the same mortifying ordeal for todd, amusement for everyone else and fluffy set up for the next step in dirk and todd’s relationship! i hope that’s alright!
possible tw: alcohol and some swear words.
merry christmas y’all! x
-
”Are you absolutely certain it’s alright for me to tag along?” Dirk asked, for maybe the 18th time that day.
”For the last time, Dirk, my parents were the ones to invite you themselves. I know you don’t know them yet, but let me tell you, my parents are the kind of people who won’t do something they don’t actually want to. So yes, Dirk, I’m absolutely certain you’re welcome to spend Christmas with me and my family this year. Now please, stop asking.” Todd explained, for what he hoped would be the last time. He kept his eyes on the road as he drove - much to Dirk’s dismay who wanted to be the one behind the wheel himself, which Todd refused to let happen, insisting that he wanted to live to see the new year - but he could practically feel Dirk furrow his brow in deep thought.
”As long as you’re sure.” Dirk finally mumbled his reply.
Todd resisted the urge to roll his eyes. ”I’m sure.” He said instead.
Dirk was uncharacteristically quiet on the drive over to Todd’s parents’ house, a fact which would normally demand all of Todd’s attention, but he was currently too nervous himself to be of much comfort to his friend. The last time Todd had seen his parents was when he told them everything. The faked pararibulitis, the real reason for him dropping out of college, the screwing his band over, the money… They had, of course, been very upset and hurt, but ultimately willing to forgive Todd. They just asked for some time, which Todd happily gave them.
That had been four months ago. Todd had talked to his parents in the meantime, on the phone and via email, but he had yet to actually spend time with them, face to face. His mother had assured him that she and Todd’s father had moved on and forgiven him. And Todd believed them. But he also knew they would like to talk about it. As soon as his parents had expressed their need for some time to think, Todd had taken the opportunity to escape the uncomfortable situation. Four months ago.
It was one thing to hash things out over email or even on the phone, but another to do so face to face. While his parents’ gesture to invite Todd’s eccentric colleague/best friend along had been made to assure Dirk didn’t have to spend Christmas alone, Todd’s relief of being able to take Dirk with him had been partly selfish. Dirk was his buffer. Any time he felt too uncomfortable, he could just use Dirk as a distraction. That, and Dirk provided Todd with comfort and support he desperately needed, a fact he was a little less willing to admit, even to himself.
Too soon for both of the men, they had arrived at Todd’s parents’ house. Todd took a deep breath after putting the car safely in park. ”Ready?” He asked the man next to him.
”No.” Came Dirk’s reply.
”Yeah, me neither.” Todd sighed. ”Let’s go.”
a prompt by @easywayouthuman!
I’m so sorry it took me approximately a century to get to this (I usually pick my prompts from my inbox). I hope it’s any good. I went with the vibe of the song, but it’s not really a song fic, if that makes any sense?
merry christmas you guys! xx
~
Amanda furrowed her brows and stared at her brother. Her brother, who was basically a Grinch 364 days a year, was currently busy making sure the Christmas tree in his shitty little apartment, along with the other decorations and food, looked perfect. He had gone all out this Christmas. And all for the quirky detective who didn’t seem particularly interested in the tree, or the holiday at hand in general.
Amanda gave one final look at her brother, currently shooing Vogel away from the most delicate decorations and moved to sit next to Dirk on the couch.
“Hey, Dirk.” She greeted.
Dirk’s head snapped up immediately and a smile was plastered on his face. “Hello, ‘Manda!” He chirped.
Amanda handed Dirk a glass of eggnog, which Dirk only looked at with a curious expression.
Amanda laughed and placed the glass in Dirk’s hand. “You looked like you needed something to take the edge off.” She explained.
Dirk sniffed the eggnog. “There’s alcohol in this?” He asked.
Amanda snorted. “Yeah, Dirk, there’s alcohol in it.”
Dirk hummed and looked torn. Then he shrugged and took a sip. His face immediately scrunched up in surprise at the taste. Nevertheless, he took another sip, now a bit more confident.
Amanda laughed lightly. “There you go.”
“Thank you! It’s terrible but it makes me feel warm.” Dirk retorted.
Amanda rolled her eyes affectionetly. “That’s alcohol for you.”
A sudden crash from the other side of the room interrupted their chat. They both turned to watch as Todd screamed at Vogel for breaking a bauble. They both giggled.
“I’ll go save Vogel from Todd. Or Todd from Vogel... Either way, those two need to be away from each other for a while.” Amanda said and patted Dirk on the back before walking over to separate her brother and Vogel.
During the day, Dirk kept watching his friends. Amanda took Vogel away from Todd and the tree and walked him over to the rest of the rowdies on the other side of the apartment. Todd sighed frustrated and cleaned up the shards of bauble on the floor. Dirk smiled, enjoying his time with his friends, but a deep melancholy still lingered at the back of his mind. Upon hearing about Dirk’s lack of experience with Christmas, Todd had taken it upon himself to give him a proper, normal Christmas. But Dirk was distracted. This year had been hard. Hell, his whole life had been hard, but the unexpected return to Blackwing had really taken a toll on Dirk and he felt like the trauma kept creeping up on him in these quiet moments.
Deep in thought, Dirk kept sipping his eggnog and contemplating the year up to that point.
Suddenly Todd appeared in his field of vision and his train of thought was broken.
“Dirk?” Todd said.
“Yes, Todd?” Dirk replied very loudly, taking another sip of his eggnog.
“Didn’t you hear me? I was calling for you.” Todd explained.
“Oh. I must not have. Sorry. What did you say?” Dirk asked.
Todd shrugged. “Eh, it was nothing. Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yes, of course! Must have been lost in thought.” Dirk replied nonchalantly.
“Are you having fun?” Todd asked.
“Sure.” Dirk replied, less than convincingly.
“Sure? It’s Christmas! You should be having fun.” Todd said.
“I’m sorry, Todd, I just haven’t exactly celebrated Christmas since I was a boy, I don’t have your affection towards the holiday. And to be totally candid... I’m more looking forward to the new year.” Dirk explained.
Todd sat down next to Dirk. “Yeah? Why?”
Dirk sighed. “I don’t know. I feel... Uneasy. This year has been... Hard, I guess. I just know that next year will be different. I don’t know if that’s good or bad but right now, I just want different. I need different.”
Todd nodded sympathetically. “I know these last few months have been really hard for you.” He said.
Dirk shrugged. “They have been hard on all of us. Wendimoor and all.” Dirk said and sipped his drink again.
“Well, sure, but Blackwing... That’s definitely hardest for you.” Todd pointed out.
Dirk gave a loud laugh. “Oh, yes. That bloody hellhole.” He said.
Todd looked surprised at Dirk’s words accompanied by inappropriate laughter.
Dirk laughed again. “I might be slightly pissed.” He said in between giggles.
Todd looked down at Dirk’s hands holding a now almost empty glass.
“Is that Amanda’s eggnog?” Todd asked.
“Indeedy.” Dirk replied.
Todd sighed. “That thing is more brandy than anything else.”
“That’s one of them harder liquors, eh?” Dirk asked, in an even harder accent than his normal one.
Todd blinked a few times. “Dirk... Have you ever drank alcohol before?” He asked.
Dirk pondered on this for a moment. “I think I sipped some beers whilst at uni. I have never been drunk though.” He explained and then hiccuped.
Todd laughed. “Oh God help me.”
“Can I have some more please?” Dirk asked and offered Todd his glass.
“I think you should take a break. Maybe have some water before you drink any more.” Todd said and took Dirk’s glass from him, placing it on the coffee table.
Dirk sighed. “Fine. But water doesn’t make me feel warm.” He complained.
Todd contemplated whether or not to say what he wanted to say next, but decided to go for it.
“Did you decide to drink now because of all the crap that’s made this year hard for you?” Todd asked.
Dirk groaned. “No. I didn’t even know what drunkedness feels like. Is that a word?” Dirk mumbled.
“Okay. Just asking. And no, it’s not.” Todd replied.
“Amanda said I looked like I needed it.” Dirk added.
Todd sighed. “She might’ve been right. But don’t make a habit of it, okay? Drinking doesn’t erase your problems. You’ll still have to deal with them. And be hungover doing it. Take it from me.” He said.
“Promise.” Dirk said and crossed his heart.
“So, did you like any part of Christmas?” Todd asked.
Dirk gasped. “Oh Todd! I love that you tried to make Christmas for me. I know you did most of this”, Dirk said and gestured around the obnoxiously decorated room, “for my benefit and I appreciate it so much. I’m just tired. I just want to feel normal again.” He said quietly.
Todd patted Dirk on the back. “You will feel normal again, okay? Next year will be different, right? You’ll be fine. And I’ll be here to help.” He assured Dirk.
Dirk just stared at Todd, his eyes shining. He looked emotional. “You will be, won’t you?” He repeated.
“Yeah. Of course. If you couldn’t get rid of me because of all the time traveling and shit, there isn’t much that could rid you of me.” Todd laughed.
Suddenly Dirk launched himself at Todd and wrapped his arms around Todd’s neck. Todd was taken aback but quickly recovered and hugged the detective back.
“Thank you, Todd.” Dirk whispered, his eyes filling with tears.
“No problem.” Todd replied.
“No, really, Thank you.” Dirk pressed.
“Really, you’re welcome.” Todd laughed.
Dirk sighed. “I love you.”
After a moment of silence, it suddenly seemed to dawn on Dirk what he had just said and he quickly untangled himself from Todd and stood up, slightly swaying on his feet.
“Dirk, hey, calm down.” Todd laughed and took Dirk’s hands to pull him back down on the couch.
“Alcohol is the devil.” Dirk mumbled.
Todd laughed again. “I know.”
“I didn’t mean to say that.” Dirk added.
“It’s okay. I know.” Todd replied.
Dirk looked confused. “Know what?”
“I know, Dirk. And it’s okay.” Todd said.
Dirk stared at Todd for several seconds before speaking up again. “It is?”
Todd smiled. “Yeah. Totally. I mean... Me too.” He replied.
Dirk’s eyes widened. “You too?”
Todd nodded. “Yeah.”
Dirk smiled like the sun and his eyes watered.
“Should I fetch you guys some mistletoe?” Amanda called from the kitchen.
“Fuck off.” Todd mumbled and blushed.
“Cheers.” Amanda replied and chugged the rest of her eggnog while the rowdies laughed.
“I’m not an expert on Christmas so correct me if I’m wrong: it’s okay to kiss on Christmas even without mistletoe present?” Dirk asked.
Todd laughed. “Yeah, Dirk, it’s fine.”
Dirk lifted his brows in a question.
“Oh. You want- now?” Todd asked.
“Why not?” Dirk asked.
“Well, you’re drunk off your ass for one.” Todd chuckled.
Dirk moaned. “Accidentally! And I’m fine. Sober me wants to snog you all the time too.”
“All the time, huh?” Todd teased.
“You know what, maybe I should just get some more of this eggnog-“
“Oh come here you.” Todd laughed and pulled Dirk to him and planted a kiss on his lips.
After a moment, they pulled away, both smiling brightly.
“You know... I am enjoying Christmas after all, Todd. And I have a feeling next year will indeed be better than this one.”
~
if you have any ideas for fics, send me prompts! my inbox is always open! x
if any of you want to focus on something other than christmas/are bored/are currently online: ask me things.
it’s the end of xmas eve & I’m slightly tipsy & miss you guys. would love to answer some qs so hit me up in my inbox. xx
