Holiday Fanfiction Favourites

If there’s one thing that 2020 has been good for, it’s been to relight my love for fanfiction. Anything from Harry Potter, to Downton Abbey, to Supernatural, Sherlock, Merlin, even the Avengers… 2020 was definitely the year of online reading, and the last couple of weeks? That’s included holiday fanfiction – like these favourites!

(Oh, and I should probably give some fair warning – there’s a lot of non-canon couples, and all sorts of fluff and love, and alternate universes – if any of that isn’t your thing? This post probably isn’t for you, either.)

Merlin

And This Is How I see You

For months now they’ve been casually meeting in the lobby of their building, and Merlin’s been harbouring a (totally not creepy and perfectly normal and not at all pathetic) crush on his neighbour, Arthur. As luck would have it, they both suddenly find themselves on their own for Christmas, and well… They say there’s nothing like a bit of holiday cheer to bring people together. (And pancakes. And toys. And no matter what Arthur says peppermint tea is a legitimate thing. Also cake.)

The Illusion of Permanence

It’s Merlin and Arthur’s fifth Christmas together. It’s also going to be their last. Or: Merlin loves Arthur and Arthur… Doesn’t?

all ye faithful

After an eight and a half year absence, Arthur returns to his father’s house for Christmas, determined to find some closure and finally let go of the past. Merlin, as ever, gives him a reason to hold on. (actual smut included in this one)

As Long As We Have We

Arthur thinks he’s going to have to spend Christmas alone–at least until he somehow acquires a whole house full of strays.

Harry Potter

Nothing Ventured (Nothing Gained)

Malfoy wants to get back at his cheating boyfriend so he asks Harry to be his pretend boyfriend. Or, that awkward moment when your roommate that you’re in love with wants you to start kissing him in public. Featuring a Christmas ball and so much pining.

Now is a Gift

Hermione is determined to give meaningful Christmas gifts to everyone in her Ministry department.
Everyone.
Even that anti-social arse Malfoy.

Correspondence

Every year, Draco insists that Hermione take a picture for their Christmas card. Why? Hell if she knows, but if it will make him happy, so be it.

Supernatural

Angel cookies

“On Christmas Eve, if you eat Angel Cookies right before bed and then dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny.”
The Shurley clan sure believe their old family legend, but not Castiel James – not since he was a pudgy teenager, running down the church aisle on Christmas Day, trying to stop his very handsome and very straight teacher Dean Winchester from marrying someone else. He may be grown-up, well-toned, bestselling Young Adult’s book author “C. S. James” now, but Castiel will never forget that day. And he’ll never fall foolishly in love again, especially not for Dean Winchester.
But when the wish for a big family Christmas from his sick father brings him back home, Castiel has to confront his past. And not only that: a letter from a little fan from his home town is weighing heavy on his conscience. Reaching out to a troubled kid might endanger his secret identity. Adding to the problem is the shock of discovering that Dean is the little girl’s father – unattached and hotter than ever. Dean’s smile still makes Castiel melt, but Castiel knows that ship has sailed. The fact that Dean seems to be on board this time, however, doesn’t make it any easier for him.

(Or, the same story, but told from Dean’s perspective!)

 Peace and Good Luck to All Men

Christmas in the Milton household was difficult enough without the added complication of guests- and if Luke and Gabriel placing bets on who can get with Sam first wasn’t bad enough, then Cas developing a ridiculous crush on his sister’s boyfriend definitely is.

Sherlock

 5687 (Approximately)

When John’s leave request for Christmas is denied, Sherlock is nothing short of devastated, not that he’s letting it show. The holiday season now something he’s just waiting to end, Sherlock doesn’t think anything can possibly make it worse. That is, until he realises no one in his life believes his army “boyfriend” is even real, but, luckily, everyone is in for a surprise.

The Avengers

Always

Tony Stark was always alone on Christmas, so why the hell was it fucking him up now? (Sorta inspired by “Last Christmas.”)

Five times the Avengers tried to make Tony like Christmas. (And the one time they didn’t.)

In which Tony avoids Christmas because of reasons and Clint is not okay with this.
Featuring bickering, unresolved childhood issues, cookies, eggnog lattes, unicorn tree-toppers, man-eating snowmen and Steve being the only sane person in the tower.

And that’s that!

Honestly, I just really love Christmas-themed stories… And if that holiday-spirit is mixed in with a universe that I’ve already grown to love? Well, of course I would love that as well, right?

-Saar