The Best Gift
So, first, a question: does this take place in the Last Full Measure universe?
Anyway, on the story proper, I like that you gave the two members of the couple distinct personalities, but ones that complement each other. Saanvi seems like the more emotionally guarded of the two, while Zakara is more open about expressing her feelings, best exemplified when this happened...
“The universe is just beautiful.” She leaned down. “You are beautiful beyond words.
...
“You’re still just as cheesy as ever,” Saanvi looked over at her wife.
And I was like "Zip it, Saanvi! She is being romantic!"
I also like the little joke about Zakara going into the room to slip into something sexy...and tripping over a dumbell, not to mention about her being a damage control officer and being completely unable to keep things neat in their quarters. The irony of it made me chuckle.
The sex scene itself was pretty fun too, with lots of those wonderful little details about teasing nibbles and touches all leading up to the actual use of the strap-on. It was sexy and sweet. Thanks for sharing!
Speechless by PlagueClover
Very far from the feel good kind of story with a plot that makes me cringe as I realize the context of the background, but it is well written so I didn't mind continue to read to the end.
One thing that had my surprised was there was not any point of recognition between the persons involved. Seemed kind of surprising if there just had been a year between the previous event and this story. As I read the ending scene I was wondering if there would be some kind of revalation that it had been more time than the lead character thought.
Speaking about the ending I did not manage to understand who a certain person was. It was a cool and unexpected ending but it feels like this would have worked better as the beginning of a story than a stand alone story that I suppose you intend to continue later on.
Memories by JayDee
I enjoyed reading this story even if it was kind confusing with a couple of sentences that I failed to connect with the narrative. For instance the sentence "Some of them feared their presents would go unopened." made me reread the paragraph twice without me able to make sense of the purpose of that sentence. The Harry Potter joke also seemed disconnected with the rest of the story.
The sentence about the best remaining friend on earth also made me confused, Why didn't she react on the arrival if that was the case? Is this set in the future of your regular story universe with the gang of four?
I think it would have been better to either make reference to her knowing the person when she/he arrived (I totally failed to understand if the person arriving was male or a female). Actually not including this detail could also work, IMHO the story works without this friendship reference.
Ending thought is that I would love to read about the event at a previous christmas when the three saved the day.
The Christmas List
Well, this certainly ran the emotional gamut, didn't it?
I mean it, I started out thinking of this like a sweet story about a woman who couldn't figure out what to get her family for Christmas (been there), and then it turned into a sort of comedy with this younger guy who couldn't take a hint and leave her alone...and then it became genuinely frightening when he forced his way into the bathroom and blackmailed her. The exchange that basically reads..
"How do I know you won't expose all my secrets anyway?"
"That's the best part about blackmail: you don't!"
...Was actually really unpleasant.
Of course then this turns into one of those stories about how a woman doesn't realize she's a submissive until a man dominates and humiliates her and shows her her place. This has really bothered me in the past, but here it works out quite well.
The sex scene was actually pretty hot once Sarah got into it, and I like the idea that the elves actually want some people to stay on the Naughty List, at least for a given definition of "naughty," since it allows them to have some fun outside of work.
The Ninth Reindeer by GeorgeGlass
It’s not Christmas day if you don’t spend some time reading reindeer smut, as Great Aunt Euryale always said.
Loved it! Straight up loved it! A great take on the Rudolph story and, sure, there’s that hazing thing he had at the flight school as a solid call back to Rudulph’s bullying, but I enjoyed the way the new team gave him a chance even after that initial rough landing, and that it was clearly not just because the dude had a cute ass.
Two excellent sex scenes and an engaging story around ‘em. Obviously anthro reindeer isn’t everyone’s thing but they felt very human but also fantasy built with the hefty muscular guys and the curvy gals. Another thing not for everyone but also great here was the bisexual content. The whole team getting on both felt appropriate with their close working relationship, and also that ass plowing when he’s already tired was fucking hot, especially paired with the blow job – getting off at the same time Is always pretty hot, and the story’s got it in cool different ways.
The antler chaser terminology and exchange made me laugh out loud – and also that use of ‘elf magic’ at the end to fit him all inside the elf. It was sexy as hell, but the elf magic comment made me laugh at the same time. “My reasons are complex” another one that made me grin, oh, and ‘hocking one’ laugh out loud.
More heartwarming stuff though – getting to live his childhood dream, the using of the same harness from the grandfather’s run, the way he was so accepted by the team (already ref’d!), the wonderful picture he got as a present.
This is smut as I say, but it’s more. It’s a genuinely heartwarming fuck fic. I’m glad you didn’t go for a shorter one!
Review of The Ninth Reeindeer
This story is perfect fit for everyone looking for some anthropomorphic reindeer sex...the idea sounds so silly that I cannot avoid cracking up when I say it aloud.
Myself I am not really into these things and must admit that I mostly did not think about furry bodies as I read the scene scenes. On the other hand the sex scenes are good and the times you reminded the readers that they are actually reindeer did not really intrude on my enjoyment of reading about the sex. A few of images of the reindeer flashing through my mind as I read it was kind of sexy even if prefer other stuff.
As for the plot I thought it somewhat long considering the number of plot threads going on, but as setup to writing some good sex scenes it worked pretty well. Thanks for giving me something quite refreshingly new to read that has expanded my field of reference quite a lot.
"Memories" by JayDee
I'll be honest; I didn't really understand the plot of this story. But it has some good imagery. And I agree that the notion of rebooting Harry Potter is repugnant. :)
The Christmas List by ThunderCloud
It’s Sarah Miller Time! Sorry, saw the character name and bar setting and reminded of the old beer slogan. Sarah’s choice of Guinness of course is far superior to Miller. Some might say this is subjective. Pah, to them, I say. Anyway, trying to do this mostly spoiler free -
I liked the way it started, with Sarah simply trying to have a drink alone in a pub and someone not leaving her alone – unfortunately very realistic for a number of solo drinkers.
Anyway. This kind of sex theme obviously isn’t everyone’s cup for tea but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fairly rough hard sex in a pub toilet – a surprisingly nice pub toilet so as not to be too degrading! – and a good time had by all. I thought that line ‘her proper business dress pushed up to reveal her intimate parts.’ was a great image. I think it worked really well that Sarah was thoroughly enjoying it once it got going. The orgasms were especially hot!
I had an idea there was something odd about the guy with the hints dropped throughout but I didn’t twig what it actually was – very seasonal!. A pick up line as ancient as that is probably the first clue he isn’t necessarily young… Presumably he had a pretty good idea that Sarah was going to be very into it before picking her.
I’d be interested to read more of her filming her masked Pornhub scenes and any changes she might make after this experience.
The Christmas List by Thundercloud
Sarah seems quite relatable at first, then we quickly learn she's got sseeeecrets! Creep dude being creepy made me cringe hard lol and I was like "why don't you just leave, lady?!" but turned out she was into it? So you do you, Sarah gurl. Though I'm not super crazy about the trope, I did enjoy the twist at the end. Awesome short!
"The Best Gift," by tcr
I like that this story takes place in a scifi setting but deals with a real issue: couples who have different traditions, and who feel differently about them. And the Navy vs Marines banter adds another element of the familiar to balance with the unfamiliar.
Of course, the lesbian sex was fun, too. Although I thought you could have taken advantage of the futuristic setting with regard to the strapon -- maybe make it strap itself to the wearer, or transmit sensations to her, or something. But that's a minor quibble.
And thanks for "hosting" this event!