Last Christmas- DNF

~10~

22nd December 1921

Dragging the tree back to Clays house was nothing short of a nightmare, sap attaching itself to both of them so that when they tried to put it down, they were both covered in pine needles. Though despite the chaos, George found himself laughing, having fun at the most wonderful time of the year for what felt like the first time.

Clay was bringing magic to this perfect time and that was something the brunette would be incredibly grateful for over the next days. After not experiencing a proper Christmas for such a long time, these days felt precious.

"Lift it up a bit more", Clays voice cuts through George's thoughts, "Put it in the pot", he directs, using one hand to point towards the pot they're going to put the tree in.

Using all of his strength, George tries to lift it up higher but stumbles against the foot of the sofa, collapsing on to it. The tree falls atop him and Clay lets out a yell, letting go of the tree and allowing to to fall even more on to George.

"Shit", it's the first time George has heard Clay swear, "Oh gosh are you okay", he can feel the tree beginning to move above him.

His face is covered in pine, the scent overwhelming, yet there's something so beautiful about it. It's the scent of Christmas, one he hasn't smelt properly in such a long time, too long. So he laughs, a small giggle from under the needles as Clay tries his hardest to manoeuvre it off his body, eventually lifting it enough so that it rolls to the left.

Though it's not done gracefully, the tree rolling to the side and causing the blonde to collapse as the loss of weight catches him off guard. His body falls on to George's, cheeks instantly blushing a deep red with embarrassment and something else he keeps refusing to place.

The brunette on the other hand, allows himself to blush, allows his cheeks to tint a maroon when Clay remains on top of him for slightly longer than a normal person would if they fell onto someone.

"I'm so sorry", Clay rushes out, "So so sorry, oh god I feel like an idiot", he quickly scrambles to get off of George when his brain kicks in and stops short circuiting.

"It's fine", George speaks a little too fast, "You're good", he pauses after realising how that might sound, "I mean, you're fine y'know, like I don't mind you fell on me", the more he rushes out in a will to correct his wording the worse it gets, "I mean of course I mind you fell on me- no wait I don't mind- I'm going to shut up now", he mentally facepalms as Clay looks at his even pinker cheeks.

A laugh escapes Clays lips, he can't help it when the brunette is getting all flustered in front of him- it's cute. Then his eyebrows furrow at his thoughts, there's something not quite right with them yet he can't bring himself to edit them. After all, he can't change the past.

He coughs, "Anyways, lets put this tree up now shall we?", he moves himself towards the tree, picking it up so that it's leant against him.

George takes a moment to compose himself, standing up and brushing himself down and trying to calm his burning cheeks. It doesn't quite work, but he takes the tree from in front of Clay so they're both hugging it from one side.

Without the tree, they'd be touching, but not quite. It lifts up easily this time, no stumbling so that it's placed into the pot, Clay quickly dipping down to the trunk to tighten it in.

As soon as he's done he lifts up, walking backwards to admire his work. George does the same, stepping back so that the tree can be clearly seen.

It's so pretty, the green complementing the wallpaper perfectly and the branches pointing out in the perfect directions. It's a sight George wants engraved in his brain forever, one burned in the back of his mind that he can always revisit whenever he feels like.