Here For You

Bundling Up (15)

1992
Your POV
•-•-•-•-•

I've been sleeping unintentionally on and off for a while now, all the while coughing and sniffling in between. Bill just kept holding me in his arms, comforting me just by being my cuddle-buddy.

It's surprisingly tranquil for us, considering it's the end of the world. That's why all I want to do is keep it for as long as I can before we're forcefully thrown back into reality.

My group is just talking, when a certain topic stands out among others.

"Speakin' of the holidays," I speak up drowsily, and all attention is turned to me as I rub my eyes to wake up more. "I think Christmas is comin' up quite soon."

"True," Stanley says, "and don't you have those little pieces of wood you put marks on every day?"

I nod in response, "Yeah. They're in my bag upstairs, if ya want ta go 'nd get 'em."

Stan nods my way and stands up, jogging upstairs and returns within mere minutes. I reach my hand out for the small pieces of bark, then begin counting the tick marks by tens.

Some time later, I look up and address the group again. "Christmas should be 'ere in a few days, if I counted correctly."

Buzzing excitement echoes throughout my friends, all being happy about these news.

Meanwhile, part of me is dreading the very-merry occasion.

First Christmas I had, my friends were hung before me by It. Brutally murdered.

The next Christmas I had, I was all alone. I was struggling to get past all of the shit It threw at me the whole time.

For this Christmas season, I had thought I wouldn't have made it. I honestly expected to be alone for another year and completely lose my mind, or just get broken down enough to be slaughtered by It.

All of my holidays thus far, in this apocalyptic world, has revolved around the clown in some way.

God forbid if I have another repeat Christmas.

"How will we celebrate it?" Beverly asks, her eyes lit up and practically sparkling.

"We might have to skip most of the decorations," Eddie replies. "Unless we find some lying around somewhere."

"But we'll be spending it together," Richie adds, hugging Eddie's waist and placing a tender kiss on his neck. That is, he did after Eddie fell into him with a small, surprised yelp. Richie chuckles, "As a family."

Eddie's face goes red, while Richie's face is only dusted pink. Besides, Richie's more flirtatious and confident about showing his affection for Eds than it is vise versa.

This is one of the rare moments when I actually see Richie being sweet. He's usually just such a loudmouth and trashmouth, but at times like these—especially when they involve Eddie—he's more emotional.

"W-We could b-build a t-t-tree if we n-need t-to," Bill suggests.

"Out of what?" Ben inquires, genuinely curious.