Tell no one. [peterick AU]

Chapter 18: the chrismas from hell pt. 2

~Patrick~
The car ride back was absolute hell. Grandma kept yelling at my parents, and they just took it. When she stopped talking my dad even said, "what else you got?" When we got back to the house there was some more yelling. Pete, Pete's parents, and I all sat in the car. Soon grandma got in her car and drove off. "My grandma doesn't normally come to town so that normally doesn't happen" I said. "Is everything alright between them?" Asked Pete's mom. "I don't know. We don't talk about my moms side of the family at all." I said. "Well, you're always welcome over at our house if things get rough at home" said Pete's dad getting out of the car. My mom put on one of her fake smiles, but you could see some of her makeup running down her face. "Come on. Let's get you inside. It's cold out here, and you shouldn't be crying on Christmas." Said Pete's mom helping my mom to the door.

Inside, I ran upstairs and pulled off my sweater. Pete was behind me. I unbuttoned my shirt and replaced it with a over sized ugly sweater. I took off my pants and replaced them with sweat pants. It was so much comfier. Pete had changed into a similar outfit. He pulled me over to the bed. "What do you want now?" I asked sitting down on his lap. "You ok? You seemed pretty torn about your mom and grandma" he said. "I'm pretty sure your parents think I live in a broken home." I said. "Well, I wish I could make it better" he said kissing the top of my head. We sat for a few moments. "Now, you're already sitting on my lap. So, tell Santa what you want for Christmas" he said. I laughed. "Well I want a pony, and a tree house, and the newest iPhone, and that's only what I want in my stocking" I said mocking the voice of a spoiled 10 year old. He laughed. "But seriously, I don't want anything pete. I hope you didn't get me anything" I said. He rubbed my arms warming me up. I was cold most of the time, but I hated admitting it. Still, months after the hospital and I was always cold. I was getting better, but it was still always cold. It's why I liked snuggling up next to him at night, have his arms wrapped around me during movies. "Maybe if we go downstairs, you could open your presents and see if I got you anything" he said. "Five more minutes? Before, you know, no physical interaction for the rest of the day" I said. "Oh, I'll figure something out. I'll get everyone on the couches while we watch a movie so it's all crammed, so we can cuddle" he said. "But can we still stay up here for like five minutes?" I asked. "Yes we can. Anything for my patty cakes on Christmas" he said. "Patty cakes? That's a new one" I said. "I still like 'Trick better, but I have to switch it up here and there." He said. I had my head on his shoulder. He kissed my forehead occasionally. "I know I ask you this all the time, but why me? Why did you fall for me? I'm no one special. I'm just the gay kid who had to switch schools. Why me?" I asked. "I'm gonna tell you the story of how on the first day of school, I was sitting in math class, about ready to ask to use the bathroom so I could sneak out and smoke a cigarette, when the new kid sat next to me. His name was Patrick. I was so nervous, I tried to talk to him, but it was dam near impossible. Then I got frustrated with my math assignment and he helped me. And agreed to tudor me. In exchange for me Bing his friend. And I took the opportunity to be his friend. We had almost every class together. I found myself falling for him. His jokes. The way he talked. His smile. I dived head first into downward spiral of his cuteness. By lunch I built up enough courage to kiss him. But I needed a way to get close to him. So I re tied his tie and hoped I would kiss him. I did. It sealed the deal. I didn't care how closeted I was. I was head over heels. And there was no going back. So I didn't choose you. I didn't see a line up of people and just choose you. My heart did. It chose you before I even knew your name." He said. We were silent for a moment. "Then when you ended up in the hospital I was completely heartbroken. I didn't want you to die. And I'm so happy to be spending Christmas with you" he said. I pushed him over onto the bed and gave him a kiss. "Can we go open presents?" He asked. "Yes. Anything for you Petey. Especially because it's Christmas" I said getting off him.

~Pete~
"Mom! Can we open presents?" I called out as we walked down the stairs. "Ask the hostess" she said. "Mrs. Stump, can we open presents?" I asked with a stupid smile on my face. "I'm surprised you boys waited this long" she said walking into the living room. There was no tree, just the presents in the corner of the room. "Dearest! We're opening presents!" Yelled Patrick's mom. Everyone was soon in the living room. "Here, I got you and David a gift" said my mom handing a box over to them. Ten dollars says it's a bible. And, it was a bible. "Thank you. I'm sorry we didn't get you anything." Said Patrick's mom. "Your hospitality is enough. Thank you for having us in your lovely home" said my mom. There weren't vary many presents. There were only two left. I grabbed the one I got for Patrick. "Here" I said putting it in his lap. "Pete, I told you not to get me anything" he said. "Well too bad. You know I don't listen. Now open it" I said. He started undoing the paper. He was cautious. As if nervous of what I would get him. Then his face lit up. "You got me a camera?" He asked taking the Polaroid camera out of the box. "Yeah. So you could take pictures" I said. "Can I take a picture of us?" He asked. He handed the camera over to my mom, then wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. My mom snapped the picture and we watched the photo come out of the front. "Ok, my turn." He said getting up. He got the last box. It was small, and couldn't hold much. "You protested how much on me getting you a present? And you still got me one?" I said. "I knew no matter what I said, you would still get me one, so I had to get you something. Even if it was small." He said. I untied the ribbon that was keeping the box closed. I lifted the lid and saw a chain with a charm on it. It was a round charm. I lifted it to see it was a bracelet. "It's a tradition in my family that at least one gift we give wasn't bought. That it was something we already owned." He said. I saw what was written on the charm. It was a 'P' with a heart around it. "Patrick, thank you!" I said wrapping my arms around him. "I'm glad you like it" he said giving me a good squeeze back. I released before the hug got too long and anybody got suspicious. We all sat around and talked for a while. My mom loved her Jesus blanket, and Patrick took some more Polaroid pictures. "I'm starving" said Patrick finally. "Who wants waffles?" Said Patrick's dad. "Maybe something other than waffles dear." Said Patrick's mom. Soon they were making French toast. And everyone ate plenty of it. "Now, if you don't mind. Peter, we have to leave for the Christmas soup kitchen. Go get back into your nice clothes" said my mom. "Can I please stay here? It's Christmas. I don't want to do volunteer work" I said. "Peter. God has given you this amazing opportunity to help the homeless. Don't forget how much church group, and volunteer work, and fund raisers I've let you miss so far this school year" said my mom. "It's really no problem if he stays. The boys are good friends" said Patrick's mom. "He should really be getting some volunteer work in" said my mom. "Let him stay here. You know he's just going to be complaining the entire time" said my dad. My mom looked defeated. Like she had just lost a battle. "We'll be back later to pick you up Peter. Thank you for having us over" said my mom. "Thank you for the bibles." Said Patrick's mom as my parents left. Patrick's mom brought out a plate full of cookies, popcorn, and other goodies. "You boys want to watch a movie? It looks like the storm has really picked up outside" said Patrick's mom. Something was off about her. Something had changed. I couldn't put my finger on it. She was doing the same thing 'trick did after a few drinks at a party. Eyebrows raised, lips pressed together. Not drunk, probably not tipsy either, but drinking. "Mom, are you drinking? On Christmas?" Asked Patrick. I looked over. He looked hurt. "It was only a few glasses of wine. I'll be fine" she said. Patrick's dad seemed to be ignoring the situation. "What were grandma and you arguing over?" Asked Patrick. "You're too young to understand" she said. "I'm 15. I'll be 16 in April" he said. I could see she was gettin frustrated. "Please mom. I don't want to be lied to." He said. She laughed. "Lie. Hear that David, he doesn't want to be lied to. Hear that Pete. No lying. I don't want to be lied to either. I'll be back later. I have to go to work" she said walking out of the house. "I'm gonna go take care of your mother." Said Patrick's dad getting up and rushing out the door. I could hear Patrick start to lightly sob. He fell over into my arms. "I hate it when she drinks. It doesn't matter how much, she becomes so angry" he said. We didn't kiss. We just sat there. I wouldn't call it cuddling, it was like a hug. He needed someone to support him. I was there. I had my arms wrapped around him. "I'm sorry it's been a crappy Christmas" I said. "Thank you for getting me a camera. I can't wait to take more pictures with it" he said. "I can't wait to see all the wonderful photos you take with it." I said. He slightly broke out of my arms to grab the camera off the table. He turned it around so it was facing us. He looked to me and smiled. I couldn't help but get lost in his eyes. I soon had my lips pressed up against his and heard the snap of the camera. I didn't care. I just wanted to make his Christmas a little less crap. He put down the camera and I felt both his arms resting on my shoulders. It didn't get too intense. More loving and caring. Not as sexual. Patrick had a way of dividing them up. Some of his kisses were sexy, others were sensual, and ones like these were meaningful. He pulled away laying his head on my chest. "We've had a interesting Christmas" he said. "Yeah. Hey, the best thing about rock bottom is that there's no where to go but up" I said. "Let's just not celebrate Christmas in the future." He said slowly drifting off to sleep.

*a/n*
I've been writing non-stop guys. All I do is write fan fic. Well, that and play the piano. It's like 2 AM and I just spent the last two hours writing some piano music. I've spent the last 10 minutes polishing up this chapter. It's like June and it's Christmas. Wow. I am so good at making the times a accurate. Hey, maybe you just found this story, and it's actually Christmas time, and it's appropriate. Or ya know, it's the middle of summer and you're reading about Christmas. Okz. Bye!