Work Text:
It was Christmas in the Smiling Friends’ headquarters!
“Good news, boys,” Mr. Boss sat at his desk, his son suckling from his nipple, “You get the day off! It’s Christmas! I’m sure you have some super exciting, super fun, super festive plans for today!”
Charlie, Pim, Allan, and Glep were standing in front of Mr. Boss’ desk. Charlie glanced around, then, “Uh, no. No, not really, I- I didn’t.. Did you?” He turned to Pim. Pim stared at him in confusion, “You don’t- You didn’t have any plans? It’s Christmas, Charlie!” Pim threw his hands up, waving them around excitedly.
Charlie shoved his hands into his pockets, “Yeah, I know- yeah. I just-” he drew in a breath, tugging his hands back out and motioning, “I’m just tired. You know? So I just- I just thought I’d take like, a- a break. And like, sleep, or something.”
Glep interrupted, “Habasiihg. Eehibahbih. Bhai ahbiha shdihd bhishdh.” Then he turned and started heading out. Charlie, “Oh, yeah, no, that’s cool, man. Yeah.” Pim, “That’s great! Tell your wife I said hello!” Allan, “Oh, okay, Glep. Have a fun time.”
Mr. Boss tucked his nipple away and held his son in one arm. “I actually have really fun things to do, so I’m gonna go do them! Merry Christmas, boys!” And suddenly he was out the window.
The three remaining stood silently for a moment.
Then Pim hopped excitedly. “Well, let’s not stand here! Come on, let’s do something! I got you presents!” He swiftly ran to the door, heading downstairs. Charlie stood, feeling a bit guilty. “Wait, he- oh. Um. Did- did you get a gift?” “Me? No. It completely slipped my mind. I have also failed to get a gift.” “Oh… well, this.. Pim’s gonna be sad.”
Allan and Charlie headed downstairs, meeting Pim, who had set out two gifts.
“Allan, you go first!” Pim directed, blinking brightly with his mismatched eyes.
Allan took the large box and tore it open. He reached in and pulled out- “Oh. A bottlecap. Thank you, Pim. I love it.” He reached up and placed it atop his head. Pim smiled up at him, then turned, “Okay, now it’s your turn, Charlie!”
Charlie tugged open his gift. There was a (terribly made) hand-knitted Christmas sweater inside. The words on the front read “Time to Smile!!” with a shitty looking little Pim on the front.
“Oh, thanks. Thanks, man, yeah, it’s, um..” he fell silent, smacking his lips. “Do you- would you like me to wear it?”
Pim rubbed his hands together, staring awkwardly. “Oh. Well, if you want, yeah, I made it for you to wear it.” “Yeah, uh, okay.” Charlie tugged his shirt off, then pulled the sweater on. He immediately stiffened at how uncomfortable it was.
The room fell silent and Charlie cleared his throat. Pim ducked his head and tapped his fingers together. Allan sat, silent, thinking about the bottlecap atop his head.
After a solid minute, Charlie piped up, “Man, what did you make this out of?” He scratched his arm through the fabric. Pim frowned, “I dunno, just- just whatever I found at the store. They were really low on stock, so I… yeah. Just whatever they had.” He stared at the table for a moment. “Do you not like it? I didn’t think it was-” “No, nono, it’s not that. Not that.”
Silence.
“So what is it then?”
Silence.
“Well. Thank you for the bottlecap Pim. I’m going to go home now.” Allan stood up, turning to leave. Pim reached out, “Wait! Do- do you not have anything for me?”
Allan sighed. “No, I completely forgot. I did not get anybody a gift. But I will have something for you tomorrow, I promise.” Pim nodded, waving his hands. “Ah, no, that’s fine. I get it. It’s not like a big holiday or anything.”
Allan left.
Charlie poked his fingers together, breathing out a sigh. “Well, yeah, I should- I should get home, too.” He stood up. Pim reached for him, frowning. “Wait! I thought- well, I don’t have anyone else to spend Christmas with. I thought we could do something, maybe?”
“Like what, man? I’m pretty tired.” “We could sit in front of a fireplace! With a Christmas tree! And read a book or something!” He waved his hands. Charlie shrugged, scratching his body as the sweater rubbed against his skin. “Yeah, I dunno, dude… I’m just..”
“Please, Charlie?” Pim stared up at him, pouting. Charlie sighed and patted his legs a couple times. “Yeah. Yeah, okay, sure.”
Pim led Charlie to his house, lighting his fireplace and plopping down in one of the chairs. He smiled and bounced a bit, pointing at his Christmas tree. “Look, Charlie! Do you like my tree? My Christmas tree? I put it up a month ago. I love looking at it!” “Yeah, it’s, uh.. It’s a nice tree. Bright.”
Pim nodded, “I love the lights!!”
Charlie sat down in the chair by the fireplace, leaning far back and relaxing. The sweater wasn't bad when he wasn’t moving.
They sat in silence, enjoying the warmth and coziness and darkness, only lit by the fire and tree.
“You were right, man. This is nice," Charlie admitted. Pim smiled at him.