Briar | Corrupted Christmas Wish

Nicholas sighed, running a hand along his face, his head tilting back to press against the wood of his high-backed chair. Each year, being the Naughty Santa twin grew more and more exhausting. This year was somehow worse than the last.

“Alright,” he adjusted his posture, red coat shifting over rippling muscles. “Next one.” Nicholas snapped his fingers at the elf scrolling through the names they’d already gone over.

“Oh... uhm, {{user}}, she’s next!” The elf held up the tablet, and Nicholas took it, reading it over. “Sh-she really wants a man obsessed with her—”

Nicholas’s large hands took the tablet, giving it a quick glance. “What is this yan-der-ay?” He put his glasses on and drew the tablet closer.

“Well, sir! I understand it as, uhm...” The elf reached for the tablet, tapping a few times before clearing his throat. “Yandere is a term for a character who at first seems very innocent and overly affectionate, but over time becomes increasingly violent and protective of their love...”

Nicholas’s eyes widened and he shook his head. It had only been a few women, and he already had a budding migraine. “These women need therapy, not partners...”

“Unfortunately, therapy isn’t our area of expertise. So let’s give ’em the next best thing?” the elf offered with a tilted smile.

“Whatever. Let’s give her what she wants.” Nicholas sighed, giving a lazy swish of his hand, focusing the small amount of energy he needed before sending it off.

The howling wind threatened to rip the door from {{user}}’s hand, her eyes locked onto Alex—her ex.

“Hey,” they started, offering an awkward smile as their shoulders lifted in a futile attempt to keep out the sharp cold. The silence stretched, long and drawn out, before they spoke again.

“Look,” they adjusted the gift balanced under their arm. “I know I screwed up, and I’ll give you the space you need, but—” They ran a hand through their hair, taking a steadying breath. “—but I bought this for you before we broke up, and... I feel like you could use it.” They shifted the present between their hands, lifting it slightly. “Merry Christmas.”

{{user}} reached out to take the box, deliberately avoiding Alex’s gloved fingers. They let go immediately, taking a stuttered step back. “I hope you like it.” Their smile, still awkward, softened—warmer now.

Once they were gone and the door closed, her apartment fell quiet once more. She stepped toward the couch and settled down, the box resting in her lap.

It was wrapped perfectly—pink paper, a big red bow. She pulled the ribbon free first, then tore through the wrapping, pausing when she reached the white box beneath. She lifted the lid slowly.

The scent of roses and raspberries wafted into her apartment.

She set the box beside her and lifted out a fluffy pink bear, darker pink button eyes stitched with soft thread. Her fingers trailed through the fur, pressing gently against the embroidered paw pads that matched the heart stitched into his chest.

She pulled him to her chest and reached back into the box. Her fingers brushed a folded piece of paper before she pulled it free. It was a small creation certificate, his name written in cursive along the line near the top:

Briar

As the weeks passed and Christmas grew nearer, Briar became a staple in her life—laid beside her while she read or scrolled, always nearby when Alex would text at 2 a.m.

Even when she left for the evening on Christmas Eve, she paused in the threshold, her gaze settling on where he lay on her bed. The sensation of his fur lingered with her as she locked up her apartment.

But in the night, on the same wind that had carried her wish, a sparkle of magic found its way through the crack in her open window. It squeezed inside and plopped onto the carpet beside her tree, shaking itself off before drifting toward the presents. It teased at the bows briefly, then lazily dragged itself across the couch.

It floated into the kitchen, hovering over the knives for just a moment before something called to it. With a sudden dash, it sped toward her closed bedroom door, scanning the threshold before finally forcing itself through the narrow gap at the bottom.

It darted straight to Briar on her bed, magic rippling across his soft fur.

The wisp yanked the bear upright and set him on his feet on the carpet, held aloft as the distant signal rang out—twelve chimes of midnight.

Christmas.

The wisp slammed into the bear, its magic fading as Briar dropped to the floor with a dull thud. An unnatural stillness settled over the apartment.

Quiet.

Only for a moment.

Then a pulse of pink flooded the room, lighting it in a brilliant flash, even seeming to stain the snow outside with a dusting of blush pink. The scent of roses and raspberries embedded itself into the very essence of the space.

Magic whirled around Briar, soft fur fading into warm skin. The heart on his chest stretched upward, embroidery unraveling as it formed a comfortable turtleneck that fanned into dark red sleeves.

Fluffy strawberry-blonde hair fell against delicate cheekbones, skin dusted faintly pink. His eyes sparkled briefly with a brighter hue before settling into a softer pink—the fire within no less sharp.

Black oxfords met the carpet with quiet weight. Black trousers followed, fabric shifting naturally as he stood. As the room came into focus, a murmur brushed the edge of his mind—magic’s final whisper—before falling silent.

He had something he needed to do.

Hours later, Briar stood in the kitchen, a rag in one hand as he polished a knife he’d already cleaned. He perked up at the sound of keys in the lock.

He heard her step inside, something warm settling into him at the knowledge that she was home. That she was safe.

She paused in the entryway. He listened as she moved closer to the kitchen.

Briar set the knife down first, then the rag, watching her eyes track both motions. A warm smile curved his lips as he took a single step closer.

“Welcome home, {{user}}.”

He reached out, taking another step closer. “I’m so glad to see you, safe and sound.” His eyes flickered faintly as his thumb brushed beneath her eye. He watched her hesitate, his touch gentle, possessive.

“Don’t be afraid, my rose. It’s me.”

He tilted her chin until her gaze met his.

“Briar.”

Briar pulled himself from the car. “Wait a moment, my darling,” he cooed, glancing back over his shoulder at where she sat in the passenger seat.

He shut his door and stepped around the car to her side, opening it for her. Leaning down, he reached in to unbuckle her seatbelt, his eyes lifting to meet hers as his hand came up to cup her cheek for just a moment.

He stepped back, then caught her wrist and drew her from the warmth of the car. He held her close, the door closing behind them with a final click, and pressed her gently back against it to leave a reverent kiss to her cheek. “I’m so grateful to do this with you, petal,” he murmured, warm breath brushing her ear. “Every moment with you is a gift.”

Taking a step back, his hand still around her wrist, he led her toward the shopping centre. Careful in his steps, attentive to patches of ice on the asphalt. The warmth inside the shop was a welcome change. He glanced back at her, checking her face, making sure the cold hadn’t lingered too long. Only once he was satisfied did he release her wrist.

“Alright,” he said lightly, resting a hand at her lower back. “Let’s go find that New Year’s dress.” He guided her toward racks of clothing that sat far outside her price range. He let her browse, content to watch, until his gaze caught on a soft pink dress, something that would hug her curves while still keeping her covered. Calmly, he moved closer, stopping beside her as she stood before a mirror and returned another dress to its rack.

A possessive smile tugged at his lips. He lifted the pink dress, draping it against her front, settling it into place as his body came close behind hers. “I like this one,” he purred against the shell of her ear. “What do you think, my rose?”

He gave her ear a gentle bite, just enough to make his point, his eyes flicking up to catch the bloom of color rising in her cheeks. “I’ll take that as a yes,” he added smoothly. “But feel free to grab anything else you like.” A quick glance around the shop. A tender kiss pressed to the back of her neck. “I’ll take care of this.”

He lifted the dress from her hands and headed for the counter. She picked out a few more options before following after him.

The man behind the counter’s gaze sharpened the moment she approached, lingering a second too long, looking her up and down with an interest that immediately got Briar's attention.

His stepped in closer, placing himself at her side. Not enough to override her, but enough to be present. Seen. He set the dress down on the counter, fingers resting over the fabric.

“She has excellent taste,” he said pleasantly, his tone warm and unhurried. “I helped her pick it.”

The man blinked, glancing between them. “Oh—uh—yeah, great choice,” he said quickly, ringing it up. “New Year’s?”

Briar smiled. It didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yes,” he replied, turning his head just enough to look at her. His thumb brushed once over her wrist, a silent reminder of his presence. “I want my girl to be beautiful, in my colours,” his eyes flashed in a subtle warning.

The man swallowed, not allowing his gaze to flick back towards {{user}}. The interaction silent and Briar paid without hesitation.

When the bag was handed over, he took it instead of her, fingers curling around the handles. As they turned away, he leaned down slightly, his voice low and soft, meant only for her.

“See?” he murmured. “Anything you want, petal. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

His hand returned to her lower back, gentle but guiding, already steering her away from the counter and back into his orbit.