Chapter Text
“Merry Christmas!”
“It’s December 13th,” Billy deadpanned.
He had never really been one to get in the holiday spirit, something that he knew surprised most people. He was bubbly and optimistic, always happy to help—pretty much the blueprint for the type of person who usually thrived during the holidays. People assumed, based on everything about him, that this would be his favorite time of year. Or at least that he’d enjoy it.
But Billy had had one too many awful Christmases to drum up much excitement for the holiday. Just the memory of the biting cold outside was enough to sour his mood—manufactured merriment and overly consumerist everything didn’t help matters. So even if he got labeled a grinch, a grouch, a no-fun-stick-in-the-mud, he refused to indulge in anything Christmas if he could help it.
Darla however, remained undeterred, already grabbing his arm and dragging him towards the hot chocolate stand. “Yeah, so basically Christmas,” she shrugged.
“You’re twelve days early,” he teased.
“It’s never too early for Christmas!” she said. “Besides, we’re Christmas shopping! You have to get in the right mindset!”
Billy sighed, wondering why Victor and Rosa had trusted him to pick out presents at all. He and his siblings had all split off into pairs with some of their foster parents' hard earned cash in hand to buy each other gifts. Darla had latched onto him immediately, even before Freddy could try to call dibs on having him as a shopping buddy. The traitor had just shrugged and wished him luck.
“Christmas is a holiday, not a mindset.”
“Oh Billy,” Darla sighed, doing her best wise old Shazam impression. “You have so much to learn. Which is why I’m here. We’re going to do all the classics. Buy presents, drink hot chocolate, take pictures with Santa—“
“Oh come on, really?” Billy groaned.
“Yes. And then we’re gonna look at the lights and sing carols. You’re gonna love it!”
Billy was already dreading the rest of the day. Possibly the rest of the month too.
Darla grinned, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face into his swearer. “Merry Christmas Billy.”
Billy sighed, enjoying her affection more than he wanted to admit. She definitely knew what she was doing.
“Merry Christmas Darla.”