awoken

christmas

merry christmas!! i couldn't upload this until today but i wrote it yesterday :")

made: 25th dec 2019
words: 900

***

Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year! as said by Andy Williams. Or at least that's what the cover of the vinyl said.

Tree had been a victim or decorating over the Christmas season and it tired him terribly. He was attacked by bright lights, suffocating tinsel, and they'd constantly jump up at him and slam a star atop his head. Listening to Christmas tunes was the only way to sooth his hurtful heart at this time of year.

Thinking about it, he was especially mad at Pen, Blocky and Eraser.

Those idiots!

In an instant reaction, he stomped his foot hard at their thought. They started it all! 'Oh ho, wouldn't it be funny to decorate Tree like a Christmas tree?' For one, he's deciduous. Secondly, there are inanimate trees out there. Why couldn't they decorate those?

But those three's funny pranks and stupid acts came down to making Tree a sight for laughter. Ridiculed, mocked, and just feeling lonely, he went down to a music store to listen to Christmas songs. It seemed a lot of that genre was in stock, Golf Ball believed Yoyle City was abandoned near the time. December.

Even if he felt lonely, was he alone? Truly, no one ever is. Bottle's voice chirped through a door.

"Hello, Tree! What's wrong? You look kinda sad."

He snapped his head up, and took the needle off the record, and sighed heavily. "You can come in, Bottle. Nothing is stopping you." He patted the part of table next to him. She strolled in quite carelessly and plodded herself down.

"Well, what's up?" She asked again, innocently. Tree looked her dead in the eyes before speaking.

"It's just Christmas! Those three maniacs keep dressing me up like a Christmas tree and all it does is annoy me. I'm here sulking over it now, listening to..." He studied the album cover before continuing. "Andy Williams! His music is only decent too, it's not as orchestrated enough for my taste." His body slumped, as the anger from him was gone and left with a strange sort of sadness.

"Oh, Tree... You didn't have to leave yourself here. Why don't you distract yourself by coming out and playing with the rest of the team?" Bottle smiled and held her hand out, awaiting him to nod and go with her. But he didn't.
"Bottle, it's not that simple. Pen is in our team and they never give me a break. I feel bad for every victim of 'Blocky's Funny Doings International', just for the pain and humiliation they would've went through. Imagine it, viewers laughing at you for dying. Painful. At least this isn't on camera." He scanned through room for any sign of something recording them.

"Look, I appreciate your help but it's so much more complicated. I'd rather just sulk here than have to face Pen and his cronies. Especially since he's in our team."

Bottle fiddled with her hands before talking again, in a softer tone, "Is anything else bothering you? Is it just more than that?"
Tree hesitated. He couldn't deny it any longer.

"Can you keep a secret?"
"Yeah! I cross my heart I won't tell anyone, but, uh, pretend I have one!" She smiled. But, it faded after the leafy boy next to her stared at the ground for too long. Solemn silence hung between them; the air was stale with patience.

"I'm gay. Is that simple enough?" Tree huffed and buried his face in his hands. He had no idea whether Bottle would accept him or not.
"Wh... What's that?" She innocently questioned. Tree looked up at her in disbelief and felt immediately relieved: at least she didn't hate him.
"I like other males. A boy and a boy liking each other, you know?"
Bottle lit up and smiled, "Oh yeah! I heard Cake was that. It makes sense now. But, is that all? You know none of us would judge, especially being around Liy, who is also attracted to the same gender."
"Though, I'm telling you that because it all ties together. But, I don't think you know how."

Bottle shook her head lightly. Tree just continued to explain. "Those three — Blocky, Pen and Eraser — even if they hurt me I can't stay mad at one of them. You see, I like one of them romantically. That's what I'm going through. It's painful seeing your crush continuously mock you."

Bottle came to a conclusion: "Move on then! There are others out there."
"You still don't understand. It's not that easy in reality. It's the one that does it the least and only did it once. Pen is a lot more considerate than the others."

Bottle shot up and pointed whilst covering her mouth. "It's Pen! IT'S PEN!!!"
Tree panicked for a second then covered her mouth forcefully. "Not so loud, Bottle! Yes, I really like him but you don't need to scream it."

"I'll tell him for you."
"No way, josé."
"Then I'll tell him to stop!"
"I can work round that, then."
"Well thanks, Tree!"

Bottle hopped up and skidded out. She waved one last goodbye before smiling her way out of the music store. Tree just comfortingly grinned at her.

There, he put the needle in the vinyl again but this time the only that came out was crackling and the sound of Bottle talking to Pen.