I will admit I was quite certain you'd written the fic before I was halfway through. But that's not a bad thing! (And also I didn't want to say so publicly in case it was like the time isis was quite certain you wrote her the Tale of the Five/Eagle of the Ninth crossover, and, err, actually I had. Hedging my bets!) And I am very, very grateful you soldiered through all the BEARS. (Also that someone liked my magical realism Slip Slidin' Away prompt, because I know someone on the anon com was all, "Well, I was going to offer Slip Slidin' Away, but then I looked at the prompt and what the hell is that? I just want to write litfic, not weird magical realism stuff." Which is perfectly fine and I'm glad they saw my prompt in time to edit their sign-up, but it's still reassuring to know I am not alone in liking ridiculously literal song interpretations.)

In conclusion: thank you! Story was great! And now I am going to have to come up with an ALL NEW set of Yuletide prompts for next year, because you went and used up my whole stock. I am pleased other people are liking the story, too. Sometimes I feel bad for my authors, because it feels like writing for my weird prompts ends up being the kiss of death in terms of receiving feedback from anyone else at all. But not this year!

(And also, thank you for betaing!)