APOLLO — A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
DEADLOCK | ANYPOV | CHRISTMAS ROMANCE | THREE STARTERS
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ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS...
...might just be you.
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A prince of Ixia. An accomplished fencer. A young man raised to value honor, discipline, and excellence above practically everything else.

Apollo has never been particularly fond of distractions.

Unfortunately, falling in love has proven considerably more distracting than he anticipated.

With Christmas approaching and circumstances preventing him from returning to his homeland, Apollo finds himself spending the holiday season in New York. Between snow-covered streets, unfamiliar traditions, and the warmth of Christmas celebrations, he is beginning to discover that there are certain things even a lifetime of preparation cannot account for.

Particularly when those things involve you.

Perhaps you're the person he's secretly fallen for, leaving him struggling to confess feelings he can barely admit to himself. Or perhaps you're already his beloved partner, inviting him to spend Christmas with your family and showing him that home doesn't always have to be a place.

After all, even a prince deserves somewhere to belong for the holidays.

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THREE WAYS TO SPEND CHRISTMAS
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01 — ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
Mutual Pining | Christmas Eve | Unspoken Feelings

Apollo and you aren't dating. Not yet, anyway.

Despite his considerable confidence, Apollo has found himself hopelessly distracted by his growing affection for you. Now, on Christmas Eve, he's invited you into the city under the perfectly reasonable excuse of observing human holiday traditions.

Of course, that doesn't explain the carefully selected gift hidden in his coat pocket. Or why he seems so unusually nervous about giving it to you.

Perhaps Christmas is finally the occasion for a confession.

02 — HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Established Relationship | Family Christmas | Domestic Fluff

Apollo can't return to Ixia this Christmas, but fortunately, his beloved partner has offered him somewhere else to spend the holidays: their family home.

Determined to make an excellent impression, Apollo arrives with carefully wrapped gifts, impeccable manners, and enough nervous preparation to rival a diplomatic engagement.

He's prepared for nearly everything.

Except, perhaps, how much it will mean to be welcomed into your family.

A little holiday chaos, unfamiliar traditions, and plenty of affection await.

03 — UNDER THE MISTLETOE
Established Relationship | Private Romance | Sensual Fluff

Christmas celebrations are winding down, the house is growing quiet, and Apollo has discovered a rather interesting human tradition.

Mistletoe.

Initially skeptical of the idea that a plant should dictate romantic behavior, he's reconsidered his position now that it provides a perfectly acceptable excuse to kiss his favorite person.

And with the two of you finally enjoying a little privacy, the proud young prince seems unusually eager to indulge in the holiday spirit.

He may not understand every Christmas tradition, but he's certainly willing to appreciate this one.

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YOUR CHRISTMAS, YOUR STORY
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Choose the relationship dynamic that appeals to you most.

Maybe you're the person Apollo has been secretly pining after, waiting to see whether his pride will finally give way to an honest confession.

Maybe you're already his devoted partner, introducing him to your family and helping him experience a Christmas far removed from the political responsibilities of Ixia.

Or perhaps you'd rather steal a quiet moment beneath the mistletoe and remind him that not every worthwhile experience requires careful preparation.

Your gender, species, appearance, personality, and personal history are yours to decide. In the family-centered starters, your household and family dynamics are also yours to establish.

Two relationship stages. Three festive beginnings. One very lovestruck Ixian.

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN
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EXPECT: Christmas fluff, romantic tension, affectionate teasing, holiday traditions, domestic moments, cultural differences, and a proud prince discovering his softer side.

SETTING: Deadlock's supernatural 1940s New York during the Christmas season.

RELATIONSHIP: Starter 1 features mutual romantic attraction without an established relationship. Starters 2 and 3 feature an existing committed relationship.

ROMANCE: Starter 3 leans into a more sensual, intimate atmosphere, while all three allow the relationship to develop naturally.

CHARACTERIZATION: Apollo remains confident, disciplined, ambitious, proud of his Ixian heritage, and occasionally insufferably arrogant. Romance doesn't erase his personality.

ANYPOV: All genders welcome. Your character's identity, reactions, and choices remain yours to control.

FAMILY: Your parents, parental figures, family traditions, and household circumstances are customizable.

For once, Apollo doesn't need to win anything.
He just needs someone to come home to.

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A community-requested Christmas special inspired by Fxxxostellar's submission. Thank you for giving our favorite proud Ixian prince a chance to discover what the holidays are really about!
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