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Christmas, it was a magical season within your home. Family and friends would come, bringing good tidings and cheer. You stare at the living room, memorized by the twinkling lights and tinsel of silver and gold. You could hear the sounds of your younger siblings laughter and your parents, and other relatives talking. You tear your eyes away from the beautiful sight and aim your gaze towards the present your beloved uncle had just given you. The box was wrapped in shimmering red wrapping paper, a bright golden ribbon on top of it. Your uncle had given it to you, a gleam in his eye as he told you Merry Christmas before going to chat with the other adults. Your fingers gently play with the wrapping, carefully undoing the shining red square present. Beneath the colorful lights and comforting Christmas tree you opened it. Revealing a box.
Curious you reached for the lid and opened it, the true gift inside causing your breath to catch. Nestled within velvety fabric, staring at you with grey painted eyes was a nutcracker. The nutcracker was beautiful, dressed in a dazzling uniform of red, and silver. A sword placed on his hip, and his hat large and festive just like his uniform. You caught hints of bright red wood beneath said hat, realizing that it was supposed to be his hair. His expression was stern and serious but in a way it fit him quite well.
"Uncle really went all out this year......you're lovely."
You muttered, tenderly pulling your nutcracker out of his box. With a tentative hand, you moved his arm, causing his wooden mouth to open up. A small smile came onto your face, immediately endeared to him. You'd only had your present for a few moments and it already had become your favorite. You were so taken by the nutcracker you'd failed to hear your younger sibling come in, his high pitched voice drawing your attention.
"Whoa! A nutcracker! Can I see it?"
He asked gaze zoned in on your gift. You quickly opened your mouth to tell him no, to explain that the nutcracker was a delicate gift only to have him try and grab it. What ensued was a slight scuffle and with one harsh pull you heard the sound of wood creaking. Your brother froze, expression clouding with guilt.
"Oops...."
He said voice small as you saw the damaged arm of your nutcracker. You sucked in a sharp breath, fighting the urge to lose your temper with him as you caught his guilty face. His remorse plain as day.
"This is why I didn't want you to mess with him!"
You scolded frustration leaking into your tone as you managed to get the wooden man back from your brother. Accessing the damage done, you breathed a small sigh of relief at his arm still being attached. Though it was clear to see that it wasn't as sturdy as it originally had been. Frowning a bit you gingerly move his arm, trying to figure out a way to fix it before an idea struck.
"You want to make it up to me? Help me find a piece of good cloth. I have an idea."
You bargained with your brother earning a quick nod at the chance to make it up to you. After a few moments of looking around your living room, you'd finally found the tiny piece of cloth. You skilled, steady hands you made a makeshift wrap around your nutcracker's loosened arm. A temporary fix till you could actually fix him. Your younger sibling apologized to you again as he watched you work, and you let out a sigh of eldest sibling exhaustion before ruffling his hair. Warning him to not touch your things anymore. He smiled at you, a missing tooth peeking at you before he bounded away to go back to playing with your other siblings and cousins. Once again leaving you alone with your nutcracker. Gaze softening in apology you place your gift on the stand above the fireplace.
"Forgive him, he's excitable for his age. He didn't mean to do it. I'll make sure you're fixed up in no time."
You promised. The nutcracker didn't respond, but you could have sworn there was a twinkling sparkle in the grey depths. You blinked, unsure if it was the Christmas lights from the tree or your imagination. Putting it aside for later thought, you made sure he was sturdy before going back to enjoy the festivities of the holiday.
🩰🎄❄️🩰🎄❄️🩰🎄❄️🩰🎄❄️
Christmas while festive and fun could also be whimsical and quiet. It had been several hours since your family had their Christmas celebration and you'd gotten your nutcracker. The house which was once full of life and warmth was now dark and quiet. All the lights were turned off, save for your Christmas tree in the living room. The quiet ticking of the grandfather clock filled the house, which now laid slumbering in warm beds. The snow outside softly floated down from the sky, piling up on window panes. Downstairs in the living room your nutcracker stood on the fireplace stand, while you yourself had fallen asleep on the sofa. A book long forgotten sitting in your lap as you slept. Dreams filled with snowflakes and wintery sights.
The clock continued on, it's ancient keys slowly going towards midnight. The sudden ding of the clock finally striking twelve filled the house. The residents sleeping through it, having gotten used to it throughout the years of owning it. As you slept away on the sofa, the nutcracker on your stand twitched. As a flash of light came from the farthest corner of the living room. Buried behind furniture and festive decorations and presents, a mouse hole filled with light. Tiny pitter patters of feet filled the night as mice began to pour out of the hole. They walked further into the living room, eyeing the presents and tree, tiny swords attached to their hips as they began their invasion. Searching for something. The something in question now sitting away hidden from view with his sword drawn despite his loosened arm. A larger mouse came through the hole, his face stained in a nasty look.
"Find him, and bring him to me."
He said, voice low and full of authority. The smaller rodents beside him nodded before scurrying off to search. Grey hues watched as the mice scattered into the living room, while you remained fast asleep. Oblivious to what was going on. Gaze narrowing, he gripped his sword, knowing it was only a matter of time before he was discovered by the rodents and their king. With quiet, clinking steps he made his way to the ledge of the fireplace he sat on. Being careful not to be seen just yet. A gloved wooden hand reached out towards tinsel, to use it to get down. However before he could grab it he heard a screech.
He'd been found.
Whirling around the he braced himself as his trusty sword was met with another. The mouse solider pushed against him, in an attempt to gain an upper hand in the fight. But he refused to lose. With a grunt he pushed back, causing his enemy to stumble backwards and slip off the ledge. He squeaked in surprise, pine wheeling before tumbling right into the Christmas tree. The force of his body causing the glass ornaments to shake and fall shattering against the hard wooden floors. Drawing the attention of other rodent soliders and their king as well as you. Once deep in the realm of dreams, your were awakened by the sounds of glass shattering. With a slight mumble you slowly sat up, rubbing your eyes to get the sleep out of them. Confused by the noise. Blinking sleepily, your (E/C) hues caught sight of movement across the floor. Taking a moment to adjust your eyesight you couldn't help but let out a gasp at the mice. Only these weren't like any mice you'd ever seen in your life. Before you could question if you were awake or not, you heard the sound of a grunt and snapped towards it. There on your Christmas tree, clinging to tinsel was your nutcracker. His damaged arm was holding his sword as the mice started to climb to get to him. You stood up, not thinking about it as you rushed to help him. Failing to see the mouse king.
"LOOK OUT-"
Your nutcracker called out noticing the king. But it was too late. With a wave of his staff, a burst of magic shot out hitting you. Soon you were no taller than the very mice that were running around on your floor and on your Christmas tree. Startled by the sudden change you stumbled a bit.
"What-!?"
Your question was cut off by a sword coming towards you. You ducked to avoid getting your head taken off, tripping in a tumbling way. Panicked you scooted backwards, confused and disoriented by the fast pace of everything before the mouse attacking you was kicked backwards. Your nutcracker who had been hanging on to the tinsel, had used it to not only escape his own attackers but to also swing down to the ground to get to you. The nutcracker now stood in front of you, his sword drawn.
"Are you alright?"
He asked glancing at you. You could only nod scrambling to stand up, and prepare yourself to defend against this fight. You and your nutcracker huddled together as the mice gathered around, their king glaring menacingly at you both.
"End of the line Rosehearts. I win this fight."
The evil king said, his own weapon drawn to strike down the nutcracker. Said wooden man glared back, keeping himself between you and the king. Eyes defiant.
"Bold of you to assume you've won when I'm still standing."
He snapped back. The rodent hissed and lunged at the nutcracker. The fight was brutal, swords clashing between them. You could only watched awed and terrified as your brave nutcracker stood toe to toe with this corrupt king. Despite his arm being loose he kept up, skilled in a way that was impressive and awing. However it was also becoming clear that he was wavering, because of his arm. The king struck a hit against his sword causing him to stumble backwards onto one knee. His arms trembled, teeth gritted as he strained against the brute strength. You didn't think about your next course of action. You just moved. Tearing off one of your slippers you took aim at the king, who's back was turned and threw it as hard as you could. It happened quick, one moment the rat king was standing and the next moment he was on the ground unconscious from the force of your shoe hitting him in the back of his head. The mice soliders gasped, becoming disarrayed by the unexpected turn of events. With no leader they were useless. Grabbing their fallen king, they retreated into the mouse hole leaving you and the nutcracker alone.
"Are you alright!?"
You inquired, holding your hand out to him. The nutcracker gave you a nod, exhausted but grateful.
"I am thanks to you. What you did was both brave yet foolish. Yet I owe you my life for helping me."
He replied, causing you to be a bit flustered.
"Oh no if anything I owe you. You'd saved my life earlier back there. If you hadn't intervened I wouldn't be standing here."
You mumbled before suddenly feeling a sense of dread when you realized that you were still the same size.
"Wait shouldn't have I....? Why am I still small?"
You asked looking yourself over as the events of the night were not finally hitting you full force. A grimace came onto the wooden man's face, his gaze apologetic.
"Because you were cursed by the mouse king, just as I have been."
You felt your heart sink at his answer.
"Isn't there anyway we can break it? I can't stay small forever!"
You choked out trying not to let your panic through.
"There is one way. Back in my homeland there is a old, powerful being known as the Sugarplum Fairy. She's been known to help those who need it. If we find her, we'll be able to break the curse. In fact that's who I myself was going to see for my own curse."
The nutcracker supplied. You processed what he'd said, your mind racing from everything. From evil mice kings to magical realms and fairies to curses. This night had taken a bizarre turn, and it was rather overwhelming. Biting your lip, you began to mentally go through your options. It was silent for a beat before you'd finally came to a decision.
"If you don't mind can I accompany you? I can't stay like this forever unfortunately and I don't know magic or curses to fix this."
"I don't see why not. As long as you stick close to me and listen, we'll find her in no time......uh....."
He paused giving you an awkward embarrassed look.
"I didn't catch your name my apologies."
You blinked realizing that you two were never probably introduced before holding your hand out in a friendly way. A hesitant smile on your face.
"(Y/N). It's a pleasure to meet you...?"
"Riddle, Riddle Rosehearts. And the pleasures all mine, considering all you've done for me."
Riddle said, vaguely gesturing to the arm still wrapped in its cloth bandage. You felt your face flush, a bit embarrassed now too before feeling his wooden hand grab yours to shake it. With your introductions now out of the way, and your slipper back on your foot, you follow Riddle towards the mouse hole.
"We'll go through here to get to my home. Are you ready (Y/N)?"
Riddle asked grey eyes on you. You took a deep breath, preparing yourself.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
And with that the two of you stepped into the hole, a flash a magical light consuming you both as you leave your home behind in search for the Sugarplum Fairy.
❄️🎄🩰❄️🎄🩰❄️🎄🩰❄️🎄🩰❄️🎄🩰
The first thing you noticed was the snow crunching underneath your feet. It was a lovely sound, one that you loved quite a bit from your childhood. The second thing you'd noticed was just how beautiful this world looked. Vast lands laid before you, covered in snow that looked like sugar. Glittering in the sun like thousands of diamonds. It was breathtaking and you couldn't help but feel awed. Despite the circumstances.
"You live here....?"
You asked voice full of breathless awe. Riddle glanced at you, surprised by your reaction before a small smile appeared on his face.
"Yes, this is only a bit of my homeland."
"It's beautiful."
You proclaimed eyes sparkling. Riddle swallowed taken aback by your expression. It was a rather lovely one he noted. The two of you stepped further into the snowy wonderland. A surprisingly comfortable silence falling between the two of you. Despite the cold you found yourself not feeling it, probably due to the warm fluffy pajamas you were wearing. You noticed the trees with their winter branches, covered in crystal ice droplets and fluffy snow. Bringing a magical feeling to the world you were in. Glancing around your eyes landed on Riddle who had a fond look on his wooden face, obviously happy to be back home.
'Maybe this adventure to break our curses won't be so bad after all.'
You thought keeping in step with your nutcracker. The two of you traveled the snow covered hills, Riddle showing you all the sights and telling you the history of landmarks and villages you two would pass. You'd become entranced by his talking, voice soothing and comforting that put you at ease. Listening with rapid attention. You crossed through rivers made of ice and snow, and came across villages with candy on them or other festive Christmas like decorations. Your days were spent learning about Riddle and him learning about you in return. Becoming closer to each other despite the situation at hand. You'd learned pretty quick that Riddle could be stern, and a stickler for things. But it usually came from a good place rather than being mean. As you passed through towns and villages you'd began to notice Riddle seemingly getting more excited. The reason why being answered when you'd arrived to the newest village.
Once Riddle had stepped into the entrance of the place he was greeted by tiny fairies, their chimes sounding magical. You watched amused as he greeted them back, a warm smile on his face before a voice called out.
"Oi-! You're back-!"
Glancing up at the voice at the same time Riddle turned his attention towards it, you'd noticed two men making their way to you. They looked younger than him, a look of relief on their expressions as they drew closer.
"Ace, Deuce...!"
Riddle's voice drew your attention, the relief in it mirroring their expressions.
"We'd thought that you were a goner after the mouse king had-"
The one boy, the blue haired one started to say only to be interrupted by the other one with orange red hair.
"You owe an explanation and an apology! You had Trey and Cater worried sick, you dummy!"
He snapped, reddish brown eyes narrowed. Riddle sputtered at the tone and began to try and defend himself. You watched, amused as they went back and forth.
"Are you a friend of Riddle's?"
The blue haired boy asked you, his teal eyes meeting yours.
"Yeah, my name's (Y/N)."
You introduced, friendly and warm. The boy smiled at you sending his own friendly smile.
"Deuce Spade. That idiot over there is Ace Trappola. How long have you known Riddle?"
You hesitated for a moment, wondering how you could explain everything without sounding a bit unhinged or straight up lying.
"It's....a long story."
You answered instead. Deuce gave you a look, questions on the tip of his tongue when a shout of Riddle's name interrupted him. You looked towards the village further in to see two older men staring at you all, the man with green hair looking like he had the weight of the world lifted off of his shoulders as soon as he seen Riddle. Soon they too joined the group and you watched as they looked Riddle over, their voices ranging from relief to scolding somewhat for worrying them the way he did. You watched as Riddle seemed to get flustered by their concern, endeared by his face and fluttering hands that seemed to not know what to do with themselves.
'He's quite precious when he's flustered.'
You mused, before you turned your attention to the fairies that were now hovering around you. You let out a small giggle as you felt one of them settle on top of your head, their gentle wings feeling like a butterfly's. Unaware of Riddle's eyes landing on you and softening a bit at the scene.
"So who's your friend Rid?"
Cater's voice startled Riddle causing him to stumble a bit over his words. Seeing the fellow red hair grinning at him in a Cheshire cat manner.
"A traveling companion. They were cursed by the king like me, so I'm helping them reach the Sugarplum Fairy."
The wooden redhead explained. Cater's smile grew dim at the reminder of the king. Trey who had been looking at Riddle's arm in concern, seemed to go still at the mention of the king. Ace and Deuce just frowned at the news, expressions grim.
"Even when he's gone, he still inflicts misery on the people."
Trey muttered. Earning hums of agreement from the others. Riddle huffed but didn't disagree.
"Well, are you going to introduce us to them or are we gonna just keep addressing them as your friend?"
Cater asked lighting up the mood. Riddle let out a sigh and gestured them to follow to introduce you to his friends.
🩰🎄❄️🩰🎄❄️🩰🎄❄️🩰🎄❄️🩰🎄❄️
Riddle's village you'd come to learn is a quaint place. It was homey and welcoming and had a special kind of magic to it. The people as well were magical within their own rights, friendly and warm like a fireplace lit with a toasty fire. You'd grown to enjoy Riddle's friends, who were strange and fun and incredibly helpful. Once they'd learned about your curse and the situation at hand, they'd offered whatever they could to help you and Riddle locate the Sugarplum Fairy. You were incredibly grateful to them for it. At the present moment you were outside Trey's home, surrounded by the sounds of your newly made friends talking and gathering around to enjoy the snow with the snow fairies. It was dark outside, the moon glowing in a beautiful silvery shine, bringing a sort of whimsical feeling to the moment. You heard Trey chatting with Chenya, another friend of Riddle's as they carried trays of hot chocolate. Ace, Deuce and Cater were entertaining the fairies, enjoying the snow bursts they gave with their magic.
And sitting next to you was Riddle.
The wooden nutcracker had taken refuge with you, staring up at the stars and taking comfort next to your side. You looked at him discreetly, noting his eyes shining in the snow and moonlight. Giving him an otherworldly feel despite his wood based appearance. The silver on his uniform enhancing him in a lovely way. The beloved nutcracker who had been nothing but kind to you in trying to turn you back to normal just like him. As you stared at him, eyes soft and unguarded you made eye contact with him and froze slightly at his intense gaze. His own eyes mirroring you own, fond and soft.
"What?"
He asked giving you his full attention.
"I just.....wanted to say thank you for everything. From the moment this situation happened you've done nothing but help me. That means a lot to me Riddle...."
You said, voice soft as if afraid to disturb the moment around you both. Riddle's eyes went wide with surprise. His expression unreadable for a beat before he slowly reached for your hand and squeezed it softly. You felt your cheeks warm and your chest give a small tug as you squeezed his wooden hand back. You both didn't say anything after that, just basking in one another. Riddle didn't say it out loud, but his hand grabbing yours conveyed his silent promise to help you. That you were both in this together now, from the moment you'd opened his box back in your home in front of the twinkling Christmas lights and warm fireplace.
You'd find the Sugarplum Fairy. And you'd find her together.