Chapter Text
It was December 24. School was out, the winter sun was shining, and you were busy getting ready for the holidays. Currently, you were in the living room, decorating the tree Hades had helped you put up. The tree itself was fake, sitting from ceiling to floor in the corner of the living room. Boxes of ornaments covered the ground as you picked the best one. Pain and panic are by your side to help you.
Like most things in your house, the ornaments were Disney-themed. Some of the characters, others like park memorabilia, and even one from each of the hotels you stayed at. You stood on a ladder by the tree as the two imphs handed you the ornaments. “What about this one?” Pain asked, handing you an ornament of Cinderella's castle.
“Perfect Pain.” You took it from him and laid it on a branch.
“Got any of us?” Panic asked, rummaging through one of the boxes.
“Perhaps not of you two,” you responded, reaching for the next ornament, “but there should be a couple of villains in there.”
One by one, the ornaments were decorating the tree, its branches becoming much more colorful and full of life. It wasn't long before Maleficent entered, surprised at the progress. “Well, well, what a marvelous tree you have there.”
You turned your head and smiled. “Thanks, Mal, I've been working on it all morning.” You grabbed the next ornament from Panic. “How's supper coming along?”
“Smells divine,” she spoke, coming closer. “You really have thought all this through, haven't you?”
You nodded, “If there's one time of year I love, it's the holidays where everyone comes together, has a warm meal,” You shot Mal a grin, “and exchanged presents.” Once again, you grabbed another. “Sure, I'm sad my mom’s not with me, but now I get to share this holiday with the people I care about.”
You took a step down and admired the mostly decorated tree. You smacked your hands together as if they were dusty, congratulating yourself on a job well done. “Think I can leave you two to decorate the bottom?”
“On it boss!” Pain saluted, grabbing an ornament from panic.
You then turned to face Maleficent. You glanced at your watch, checking the time. “Supper should be ready soon, might as well get changed.”
“You know you don’t have to dress up. Most of us are going by ourselves,” she gestured to herself.
“I know.” You walked past her, hand on the railing leading upstairs. “But Cruella has been working on the outfit for days. As much as I hate fancy, I’m kind of excited to see what she crafted.” and without another word, you headed upstairs.
Thankfully, her door was only four doors down from your room on the right-hand side. As you got closer, you heard yelling from the inside.
“No, you fools, that plum! Not violet!”
“Sorry ma’am.”
You shook your head, Jasper and Horace getting cruelly colored fabrics wrong again. You let your hand rat tat tat on the door.
“Who is it?” Cruella snapped from the other side.
“It's me, I'm here to pick up my order,” you joked as if you were a customer. There was a quick clicking of heels before the door opened, revealing Cruella, who was in a red velvet dress with white trim. As much as you hated to say it, she looked ravishing.
“(Y/N) darling, do come in,” She held the door just wide enough so you could enter.
“I love the look of Cruella,” you complimented as you entered her rather luxurious red room, complete with the latest sewing equipment and fabrics. Hades had done a good job at creating rooms fit for each villain’s unique taste. Your eyes traced around the room to an outfit laid out on her bed. You assumed it was yours and approached it.
Your eyes widened. You were expecting some sort of dress. But this was more than you could hope for. It was a jumper with little Christmas trees and ornaments on a white t-shirt-like fabric. It looked adorable; you couldn't wait to put it on.
“I know you don’t like dresses,” Cruella said, crossing over to you, “or dressing up fancy. Still not sure how we are friends, but I figured you could use a new outfit this holiday season.”
You picked it up and laid it against yourself. It looked like a perfect fit. It felt comfortable, not like that horrible silk or scratchy wool. “It's perfect,” you said, smoothing it out. “I’m gonna go put it on right now, dazzle everyone at dinner.”
“So long as you don’t outshine me, Dahling!” Crualla winked before looking back at Jasper and Horace, who were watching the two in the corner. “Don’t just stand there! Oh, must I do everything myself!” she shouted at the two before marching over in their direction.
You took this as your cue to leave and quickly exited to your room. You entered and changed into your new outfit. It felt so comfortable, the best Christmas outfit you owned. Well, other than your Christmas Grogue sweater. But this was much more appropriate for a night like tonight. You glanced at yourself in the mirror, smiling at how good today was turning out.
“Dinner!” you hear the shout come from downstairs. All the villains were becoming too lazy to seek out each other for mealtime, so most of the time, shouting was how they communicated. You took a breath before heading downstairs, and different delicious smells hit your nose.
You had made it clear what you wanted for supper: prime rib, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Not the long ones, the ones that came in the microwave bags that are so soft to bite into. Sure enough, as you entered the dining room, you found it full of everything you asked for and more. There were mashed sweet potatoes, gravy, ham, salad, rolls, etc. Definitely something for everyone.
You took your usual seat between Hades and Maleficent, table setting set out way too fancy for what you were used to, but you would manage. “Well, would you look at, well, you,” Hades commented about your outfit, “Cruella did a good job.”
“Indeed, the best one she has made so far.”
“Anything for my favorite client.” Cruella gave you a pat on the head as she walked by.
Once everyone was seated, you all quickly dug in. Skinner tried to explain the menu, but everyone was too busy passing plates around. Your plate was filled the quickest, and with the least amount of stuff. Just prime rib, mashed potatoes with no gravy, and a very small spoonful of green beans.
Which, of course, the mad doctor commented on. “(Y/N), we’ve talked about your vegetable intake.”
You gave him a look from across the table. “Mad, it's Christmas, chill.” And just to spite him, you took one green bean, covered it in potatoes, and took a bite. He simply shook his head and poked around at his own meal.
The rest of dinner went by rather fast; everyone, for once too busy enjoying the meal instead of yelling at each other. Some even shared what they did around the holidays. Kronk talked about how he would make free rolls and hand them out outside his shop. Hook talked about how he and his crew would sing sea shanties in the middle of the ocean. Pain and panic said the underworld souls through the best holiday party, even better than Olympus. Gothel said she mostly spent it at home in a small cottage she bought back in their realm. And you knew Frollo's answer: he went to church. But there was one thing they all agreed on: this was one of their best Christmases yet.
Once the meal was over, you all gathered in the living room for a gift exchange. Because there were so many of you, you decided to do Secret Santa. Everyone drew a name out of a hat at the beginning of November. You were very happy with your person, even if you weren't sure if they would like your gift. With a gift in hand, everyone stood to find their person. You found her standing by the railing, having already exchanged her gift.
“Ursula,” you said, going up to her. She looked down at you as you presented her with a small box. “Merry Christmas.”
“Why, thank you, angel fish,” she snatched the box for you and lifted the lid. Inside was a small necklace with a locket. She picked up with curiosity and opened the locket. Inside was a picture of her, flotsam and jetsam.
“I hope you like it,” you said a bit nervously. “I know you have your shell necklace, but I know how much you-” you paused by her pulling you in for a hug.
“It's beautiful, (Y/N).” She then lowered her face to your ear. “And don’t finish that sentence too loud, don’t need the others to know I'm going soft on my boys.”
You simply shook your head and returned the hug. They all were soft on their side kicks, if they had one’s, at one point or another in their films. Just some more than others. As Usrula let you go, you heard your name being called from the fireplace.
You turned to find Cruella over there, a thin, flat wrapped object in her hands. You raised a brow in curiosity. “So I had you, but I did have a little help, so this gift is a little from all of us.” She handed it over with an outstretched hand.
You took a step closer, eyes wide with curiosity as you grabbed it. You carefully unwrapped the gift and smiled at what was inside. You could tell it was a frame of some sort by the wrapping, but inside could be better. The frame itself was covered in signatures of the villains, some even going onto the back and the stand.
“Hades caught a glimpse of one of your autograph books in your mother's office.” She stated, “We figured you could use something with a personal touch.”
You smiled at the signatures surrounding the empty portrait. You then glanced up at the villains, eyes heavy with gratitude. “Thank you, I love it.”
“Now all it needs,” Hades' eyes drifted towards the mantel. “Is a photo.”
You turned to the mantel above the fireplace behind you. You noticed what his eyes were focusing on: the hit he was giving you. You placed the new frame down as memories came flooding back to you from previous holiday celebrations in years past.
(holiday from the heart, Pattycake Productions Princess Academy)
You picked up a picture frame on top of the fireplace, smiling at the family you once had. It was a photo of you, your mother, and your father standing in front of Cinderella's castle. “Safe in the quiet of moments that passed,” you traced your hand down the side of the frame. “Lies to all the magic that we hoped would last.” A single tear hit the glass of the frame as you set it back on the mantle. “Laughter and smiles that somehow slip away.” You then turned to face the villains. “We find again with loved ones on every Christmas Day.”
You hear the light sound of piano keys coming from the piano nestled in the living room. Last you checked, you didn't own a piano, which must have been one of the villain's magic doings. Sitting behind it was Hook, who gave you an encouraging wink to keep going. “It’s the season of hope and the season of cheer,” you collapsed your hands together in front of you. “Memories that we cherish and celebrate each year.” You glanced around at all the villains, each one smiling back. “It’s the love that we share even when we’re apart.” You then glanced at the tree, and an idea hit your brain.
“‘Cause what keeps us togethеr is a holiday from the heart.”
“I have an idea.” You pulled out your phone from your dress pocket. You clicked on the cram app and flipped it so it was facing everyone. “Gather everyone, we're taking a group photo!” You rested your phone on the mantle against a flower pot. You clicked the time button and clicked the longest one.
“It’s the season of hope and the season of cheer,” you heard the villains behind you all signing in unison. “Memories that we cherish and celebrate each year.” Once the camera was positioned correctly, you shuffled back so you were centered, right in front of Maleficent and Hades. “It’s the love that we share even when we’re apart.‘Cause what keeps us together is a holiday from the heart.” The sounds of the voices around you make your heart sore with love. Never did you think you would have a normal Christmas again after your mother died. But this Christmas was sure to go down as the most unexpected, yet magical one you've ever had. “‘Cause what keeps us together is a holiday from the heart.” That's when your camera flashed, and your brand-new family photo was taken.