Stebon Oneshots

Christmas Companion

Living alone can really get to you. It wouldn't have bothered Steve if he still had his old dog, Littlefoot. Hafu had invited him to Las Vegas for the week but Steve declined because he knew this was the first Christmas she and David were spending together as a married couple.

Observing the houses around him, Steve could see lights being hung upon the roofs. Christmas decorations are usually in stock at the start of October but Steve didn't buy any due to not having a special plan in mind.

On Christmas day this year, he asked to Cib and a few of his old sugar pine 7 friends if they'd want to celebrate together. Majority of them had plans already or were too busy, so Steve left it at that. Asking Ellum or Koji if they'd want to visit felt rude, as that meant coming to America and not celebrating with their friends and family. The searching streamer was really tempted to ask Dumbdog but Steve recalled his friend mentioning a celebration with relatives.

The idea of spending Christmas alone was depressing and Steve wanted to celebrate with someone. At one point, he contemplated to ask his parents. He just decided to keep looking for friends who also faced a potential Christmas alone.

Before he knew it, December 17th had arrived and zero presents laid under his rushedly bought tree. As Steve untangled his Christmas lights, a familiar ringtone echoed in the air.

"F**king dammit!" The streamer cursed under his breath when he almost tripped on a chord. Picking up the phone, he answered, "Hello?"

"Hey Steve, Apollo here. Would you like to celebrate Christmas with me?" His friend rambled before Steve could give his joyous response. "I know this invitation is kinda unexpected but my family bailed on me. You can say no, I just thought.. sorry, I assumed you weren't busy already-"

"Oh yeah, I'm super busy planning that Christmas party I wanted to host but that no one could come to. ARE YOU SH*TTING ME?! OF COURSE, WE CAN CELEBRATE TOGETHER!" Steve shouted, followed by him lowering his voice remembering such things are noise complaints existed.

"Just saying, I didn't think I'd be buying gifts for any of my friends so I'll have to go shopping." Apollo said.

"Yeah, the ground under my Christmas tree is super bare. Don't worry too much about a present for me though. Although I'd like to see what your motherf**king ass got me."

A laugh from the other side could be heard before a solemn voice spoke. "Hold on, go back. YOU GOT A CHRISTMAS TREE?!"

Steve shrugged then realised his friend wouldn't see. "It's nothing grand and my room looked rather glum. I haven't used any tinsel yet and I am..well, was decorating the tree with lights."

The two of them had a long conversation and when Steve next checked the time he had to leave, because dinner doesn't cook itself.

Forward a week later, the noon of December 24th, Christmas Eve.

Apollo told his exuberant friend that he was driving up and would bring food (which Steve was not against him bringing). Half past one and Steve, who at the time was in the kitchen, heard a car door shut. Figuring since Apollo was bringing food, a present and personal items, the brunette streamer decided he'd better help carry stuff inside.

Once Steve exited the building, he greeted his friend with a bright smile and went for a safe hug. Reaching for the remaining box in the boot, they made a single trip, each individually carrying a box, to bring all the food and belongings inside. Energetically, the brunette bounced into the kitchen where a pile of printed recipes lay, scattered across the island bench.

"I know you just arrived but I've been collecting Christmas recipes that we could make for tomorrow! Obviously it depends if you're not tired-?"

"Steve, I will never turn down a Christmas cooking session. Let's f**king do this." Apollo grinned.