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Tommy wiped off the frost accumulated on the window. He grinned as he set his eyes on the falling snow. It seems like it was going to be a white Christmas this year.
He finished off the windows and went back to the kitchen to check on the brownies he was baking. Tommy peaked inside the oven and decided that it wasn't anywhere near baked when he saw the still batter-y edge.
Standing up, he glanced at the digital clock set by the kitchen counter.
December 24. 6:07 pm.
His family should be arriving in around an hour or so. But in the meantime, he should get the rest of dinner finished up.
It wasn't always that the four of them got together. With Wilbur and Techno going to college in other ends of the country, and Phil going on occasional trips over the weekdays, it was a tight fit in their schedules.
Luckily, both Wilbur and Techno are allowed home for their winter break,and Phil uses all his leave credits to stay at home for the holidays. They can eat pre-Christmas dinner and watch movies as they wait for the clock to strike midnight.
Usually though, they'd get those Christmas bundles that fast food chains offer, but this year, Tommy wanted to surprise them. Clara, their home economics teacher, has praised him multiple times for his cooking and baking skills, and he has gained enough courage to actually try cooking a whole meal.
So here he was, poking a potato to make sure it's soft enough to be mashed.
Cooking everything was very much a hassle and he probably won't be doing it again for another Christmas or so, but as he set everything on the table. Tommy couldn't help but feel proud of his work.
A plate of roasted chicken sat in the middle of the table, right beside the mashed potatoes and gravy, some garlic bread, ham, and brownies. There was also a tub of ice cream in the fridge and some microwavable popcorn he got from the store earlier for when they watch movies.
Tommy glanced back at the clock which read 8:51 pm, just as his phone began ringing.
He glanced at the caller ID and beamed, "Hey Wil!" Tommy greeted him.
"Hey, Tommy," Wilbur said, followed by an exhausted sigh.
Tommy immediately felt the mood shift, "Hey bitch boy, what's wrong? Did you forget the way home again? I swear, your memory's getting worse than Phil's, and he's old."
Wilbur let out a low chuckle, "Sorry to disappoint, king. I still very much know how to get home."
Tommy took a breath to interrupt Wilbur, but the older one loudened his voice as if he knew what Tommy was about to do.
"But! The thing is…I don't think I'll be able to make it home for Christmas."
Tommy was silent for a moment, his brains still processing his brother's words. "What?" He said, voice as soft as a whisper.
"Yeah…I was hoping to leave earlier, but our professor came up to me and said that my group and I have to revise our project proposal before we head home for the holidays or he's failing us," Wilbur explained, "As much as I want to go home, believe me, I really do. I just can't fail this subject Toms. It's a prerequisite and I don't think I'll be able to graduate next year if I fail."
Tommy let out a shaky breath, "Yeah, no, you do what you need to do big man. Education and all that shit."
Wilbur couldn't help but giggle at Tommy's words. Though, it was interrupted by the boy's quiet, "When do you think you'll be back?" Followed by a louder, "Not that I miss you or anything. I was just wondering when I'll get the pest exterminator to come over."
Wilbur rolled his eyes, "Aww Tommy, you don't have to get rid of yourself for when I get home. I hate pests but I think you're quite alright."
"It's for you bitch! Fuck you! I hate you so much!"
Wilbur shook his head fondly, "I think I'll be able to get home by the 28th. I'm sorry I won't be around for Christmas, but I'll be there for New Year, I promise. Maybe I'll even buy a couple light fireworks."
"Well you better, or else I'm gonna assume you've moved out entirely and take over your room and claim everything in it," Tommy taunted.
Wilbur laughed, "You can try. I'll go and call Techno and Phil now. Happy Christmas!"
"Christmas is tomorrow, dipshit. Happy Christmas."
He shouldn't be sad. Sure, he's a bit disappointed, but he really shouldn't be sad. It's not like Wilbur meant to not come home.
Tommy sighed. So he might have prepared a bit too much food. Oh well, he'll just bring some over to Tubbo's tomorrow when they visit.
His phone rang once again, this time it was Techno calling. "Hullo," Tommy said, imitating Techno.
"Hey…"
Tommy recognized that tone, "Please don't tell me you aren't coming home too."
"How did you—"
"Wilbur greeted me with the exact same tone," Tommy sighed.
"Wilbur's not coming home?" Techno asked.
"Yeah, I think he's gonna call you later," Tommy said. "So, what's going on?"
"Yeah… I was supposed to start driving home like a couple hours ago, but there's no convincing the security around here, reasonably so since it's snowing pretty hard," Techno explained, "I probably won't be home until the 26th."
"Why the fuck are you trying to drive when it's snowing??" Tommy exclaimed, "And here I thought I was the reckless child."
"Technoblade never dies."
"Fuck you. Stay there, you idiot. I can wait 'til the 26th,'' Tommy said.
"Are you sure? Children aren't very known to be patient ya know."
"Not a child! I will hang up on you."
"Whatever, child. I'll see you on the 26th and I'll call you tomorrow. Merry Christmas," Techno greeted.
"Happy Christmas," Tommy emphasized.
Techno rolled his eyes, "Fine, and a Merry new year to you," he said before hanging up.
Tommy rolled his eyes at his brother. So, he and Wilbur aren't coming home, not a big deal. He still has Phil. Phil makes awesome hot chocolate, they're gonna miss out. He giggled a little, trying to keep his mood up.
It was instantly brought back down by the sound of his phone ringing once again.
"Hey Toms," Phil greeted, "I'm sure Wilbur and Techno already called you."
Tommy slouched on the couch, "Yeah, guess Christmas is just gonna be you and me old man," he laughed.
"Yeah…about that…"
Tommy straightened up, "Don't tell me you're not coming home too!" Frustrated tears began to form by the corner of his eyes.
"I will, I will be there Toms. Just—just not immediately," Phil said with a sad sigh, "The train tracks are covered in snow and they don't think it will be safe to use until tomorrow noon, which means I will probably be home around 5pm?"
Tommy couldn't help but feel bad for all the food he prepared as he glanced back at the dining room, "Why didn't you call me earlier then?"
"We were hoping to get a private bus so we can transport all the machines, but the company couldn't find any available ones big enough," Phil explained, "I was really hoping to get home today even if it was late, but I don't think the company's willing to find other ways to get back."
"Well, I mean, it's not like it's your fault," Tommy said, "I guess I'll just… I'll go over to a friend's house tomorrow?"
Tommy could practically hear Phil's overthinking through the silence. "Okay, maybe I can get back if I ask my boss that I'll be using a sick day leave and—"
"Phil, Phil," Tommy interrupted, "Even if she approves, you'll be getting here around 2 maybe 3 am. I don't think your old man bones can handle that."
Phil couldn't help but laugh, "You little shit. Are you sure? Have you even eaten yet? Shit, I probably should have called earlier."
"It's fine Phil," Tommy said, eyeing the food he prepared, "I can just order food, it won't take long. It isn't snowing hard here."
"...If you're sure," Phil said, "Feel free to call me if you need anything. I'll message you once we start heading back, yeah?"
"Yeah, alright. Happy Christmas," Tommy said.
"Happy Christmas, I'll see you tomorrow."
Tommy hung up. He let out a groan, before pulling himself up to his feet. He started packing the extra food into containers and putting them away in the fridge, only leaving a portion for himself out.
Guess I'll be bringing a lot to Tubbo's tomorrow. He thought.
He grabbed his plate and sat in front of the television. Tommy stared at the food on his lap angrily. Though, he really shouldn't.
It wasn't like they planned to not come home. He couldn't blame them for things that are out of their control.
Lightening his grip on his utensils, Tommy sighed then began to eat.
Inside the dark house, with the only light coming from the television, a boy sat eating alone, waiting for Christmas. One could say that if you are close enough, you can hear the soft music of an advertisement...
🎶It's the most wonderful time! It's the most wonderful time, of the year!🎶