>>34745238
>"It's beginning to look a lot like christmassss~"
"Says you."
>The radio's usual cacophony of Holiday songs does little to settle you mind.
>Last night, you spoke to your parents for the first time in years. It was...weird if you're being honest.
>Despite not being face to face, you could feel how awkward it was-

-10 hours ago-

>"Is it Anon? Anon! It's Mom!"
"Uh...H-hey."
>You hear simultaneous gasps over the phone.
>"An-anon...my boy! I-I-"
>"Is that your voice?! You sound so manly!"
>"Dear, calm down! Let the boy speak!"
>You pinch the bridge of your nose, shaking your head.
>"Are you still there?!"
"Yes. You don't have to yell.I-I'm here."
>"Oh Anon~"
>Mom's voice quivers and quakes as if she's about to cry.
"Was there something you wanted? I'm afraid, I'm quite busy."
>Watching home alone, and dealing with your issues you mean.
>"R-right! right..."
>You hear shuffling and hushed whispers at first, then some clicking.
>"Hello?? HELLO?!"
>"Honey, I can do this!"
>It seems mom jumped on another phone.
>"You're taking too long! I'll ask him myself!"
"Ask me what?"
>"..."
>"..."
"Hello?"
>Did the call disconnect? Maybe they have a bad signal?
>That's absolutely not an excuse to hang up.
>"Well you see-"
>"The thing is-"

-Present-

>And that's how we've reached now. You stuck on a snowy road, moving at a snails pace, going to your parents house for the holiday, just like Blueberry wanted.
>You didn't even need to ask. They asked YOU. Quite awkwardly at that.
>In fact, the only thing you could make out through the babbling was "Please come home for Christmas" between all the chattering and sobbing.
>You feel a little bad to be honest. Maybe they've changed.
>Or this could be one of the worst experiences of your life.
"...If it's bad, I can just go. Just like she said! The only thing I would have lost is just time, and gas. That's nothing to me...PHOOOO."
>You take a long, uneasy breath, your stomach doing jumping jacks at the thought of going home.
>You continue to ponder if this was the right decision to make, as you turn onto your exit. It'd be pretty nice if your car got stuck in the snow. Just saying.
>Doesn't seem like that'll be the case as not only are they tossing salt everywhere, they even have convicts out shoveling snow.
>The heavens want this to happen. Assuming you're the religious sort.
>You look down at your phone resting on the passenger side.
>It had to be turned off while you were driving. Mom, and Dad just wouldn't stop calling it. It got super annoying.
>You find yourself smiling unknowingly.
>Still....it's nice to see those who care about you be so excited to see you.
>"-All I want for Christmas-Is YOUUUUUUU~"
"Settle down there Mariah. Let's keep it casual."
>You snicker at your own little joke, and you pass by two kids walking into a toy store. One of them has big hair loops on the sides of her head.
>Odd thing to catch your eye, but whatever.
>You'd think that after being gone for so long, you'd have forgotten how to get home. Everything looks so different after all.
>Different buildings. Different shops, and-
"....You can't be serious."
>You pull over to the side of the road, and get out of your car. You had to stop, and get a good look at this.
>A billboard with a picture of the Wondercolts mascot colored to look like Rainbow Dash-
"For an energy drink ad...PHOOOOOOOO-"
>You try to settle down, with a long deep breath, reentering your car.
"Bet I'm gonna hear about that one."
>It's not too late to turn around, and go home.
>Just say your car broke down, and you got towed!
>You got a flat!
>You forgot your toothbrush. ANYTHING.
>No...this is a test. Your willpower is being tested right now. You've been able to repress your feelings all this time. This is no different.
>Deep breaths. Breath in, and out....
>As you get closer and closer, your anxiety rises with each passing second. This is really happening.
>Why is time going so fast? Did it suddenly get hotter?
>Crud. Are you having a panic attack? Not now of all times!
>If things couldn't be worse, you're here.
>Home. Be it ever so humble.
>"AND THIS CHRISTMAS-! WILL BEEEEE- A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAAAAAS~! FOR MEEEEHEEEEHEEEE~!"
"You can say that again."
>You park on the street. Just in case you need a quick getaway, and get out of the car. You're gonna keep the bags in the car. You'll return for them once you've gotten an idea of what it's like inside.
>Just gotta get out of the car....
>Out of the car-
>.....
>Annnnnny second now.
>You see the curtains move to the side from in the house, but can't make out who's looking out.
>You've been spotted in any case. Either make yourself known or have the police called on you.
"Phhhhhoooooooo-"
>Another deep breath. Here goes.
>You shakily get out of the car, and slowly close the door. Why're you so nervous? You're a grown man! You're not gonna get beaten up or anything...
>You make your way up the walkway to the front door, taking the knocker in hand.
>nok nok nok
>You knock so softly, there's no way anyone could hear it.
>.....
>No answer. Oh well! You trie-
>The door swings open, your face being greeted by warm air, and the scent of Cinnamon.
>You're meet with a set of big violet eyes, hidden behind tangerine shaded hair.
>Her freckles easily the most prominent feature on her face, slowly rise upwards. She's squinting her eyes.
>She reaches out a hand, touching your cheek.
>"Oh...Oh..!"
>Tears start to slide down her face in an unrelenting stream of joy.
>She closes her mouth, and opens it like a fish out of water a few times.
"Hey M-mom."
>"ANON!"
>She buries herself into your chest, sobbing uncontrollably, arms wrapped around you tightly.
>"I've missed you sooooo much! I thought I'd never see you again! My baby is finally hoooooome-"
>She blubbers hard, giving you a small chest headbutt every few seconds. It kinda warms your heart, bringing a smile to your face.
>Mom lets you go, taking you by the hand, pulling you into the house.
>"You must be freezing! Come on in out of the cold! Come! Come!"
>You can't hide the grin on your face. You weren't expecting such a warm welco-
>What the actual FUCK.
>Your eyes widen to the size of saucers, once through the door.
>A large colorful banner hangs over the Fireplace. "WELCOME HOME RAINBOW DASH" displayed in technicolor letters, with little pictures of wings, and lightning bolts surrounding it.
>The living room is clad in Rainbow Dash merchandise, and pictures of her or pictures of the three of them together.
>There's even a frame with her first jersey in it right next to the entryway.
>You can feel the blood in your veins turning into magma at the sight.
>They weren't waiting for you. They were waiting for her. You're just a happy bonus.
>"Bo! BO! ANON IS HERE!"
>You can hear the sounds of plates from the kitchen in response, but you're just stunned right now.
>Mom doesn't seem to have taken notice of the sudden change in you, as she cutely hops up and down in place like a child.
>Dad finally enters the scene, wearing a Rainbow Dash shirt under a Christmas-themed apron.
>"He's here?! Anon! IT'S REALLY YOU!"
>Dad stumbles a little as he makes his way towards you, pulling you into a big hug.
>He squeezes you tightly for a moment, then holds you at arm's length.
>"Look how tall you've gotten! I can't believe how handsome you are!"
>"He's very handsome!"
>Mom wipes the tears off her face.
"Thank you. Wh-What is all this?"
>You point to all the decorations scattered around the house.
>Dad's face slightly twitches. Was he hoping you wouldn't notice all this?
>"O-oh that? We're just celebrating Dashie coming home as well! It's nothing major! Just a few things..."
"....."
>The room takes a sudden mood shift.
>This was a mistake. This was a terrible mistake.
>Mom cuts the silence.
>"B-but this makes it better! We're all here to celebrate now! We're one big happy family!"
>Mom, and dad look to one another with fearful, forced smiles, but they look like they're about to lose it.
"....I'm going to go to my car, and get my bags."
>Both of their faces fall simultaneously.
>"Y-you don't have to get them, Anon! Bo can get them for you..."
>"Yeah! It's no problem at all, my boy! L-let your old man-"
"No."
>The ice, and venom in those two letters is enough to make mom break out in goosebumps. She brings a hand to her chest with worried eyes.
"I'm going to go to my car-"
>You step towards the door, not bothering to say "And get my bags" to them. They should already have a hint of what you're going to do.
>You grab the doorknob, and step outside.
>"Anon, wait!"
>It's mom.
>You look over your shoulder, fastening your coat buttons.
>"You're coming back....right?"
"....Close the door. You'll let the heat out."
>"But Anon, we-!"
>Dad puts a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head.
>The door slowly closes behind you, as you march back towards your car. You can feel eyes watching you from the window.
>Their hurt looks aren't going to sway your mind.
>You get into your car, slamming the door, and bring the key to the ignition, and a bitter taste in the back of your throat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf-QTw615b4 [Embed]
>Your eyes widen for the second time today, as you scramble for your phone, taking it out and reading the caller ID.
>"WIFEY"
"Wh-"
>You answer the phone, completely puzzled to who this is.
"H-hello?"
>"MERRY CHRISTMAAAAAAS!"
"Blueberry?"
>"It's meeeee! Blueberry!"
"Did you set yourself as "wifey" with this ludicrous ringtone on my phone?"
>"Maaaaaaybe~"
>You pinch the bridge of your nose, and sigh.
"Remind me to write you up when we're back at work."
>"Aw hush, you love me."
"A lot less than you know."
>You stick the key into the ignition, while she hums to herself.
>"Oh! Are you going somewhere?"
"Yeah. Home."
>"Home? Like what we talked about home?"
>You look back at the house, with balled lips.
"Eh.."
>"What's going on? You did decide to go, right?"
>You sigh again.
"I'm already here."
>"You are? That's great! Wait...You're there, and you're about to leave already??"
"It didn't turn out like I thought it would."
>"Tell me what happened."
>You open your mouth, but no words come out. You don't want her to talk you out of this decision. To make you feel guilty, and end up staying.
>You also don't want to lie to her. Despite how much of a pain in the ass she can be, there isn't anyone you trust more.
>Leaning back in your seat, you take another deep breath.
"Look...uh.."
>"Yes?"
"I talked to them last night, and agreed to come by, but...uhm..."
>"But what?"
>You feel nervous.
"They had the place set up to greet my sister. Not me."
>You shut your eyes waiting for her to rip you apart.
>"Oh...I see."
>You open one eye.
"You do?"
>"I guess, but I do have some questions."
"Don't you always?"
>You hear the sound of clicking on the other end.
>"Did they set those decorations up, before they called you, or after?"
"They-"
>You think.
"I...don't know."
>"Okay. We're they expecting you to come home this Christmas?"
"Er...No. They were shocked I even answered the phone."
>"Okay."
>Here it comes.
>"So then isn't it possible they weren't expecting you to come home, when they set those up, and maybe got so excited they forgot to take them down or maybe didn't have the time?"
"Aw come on, that's not an excuse! They could have-"
>"The only one making excuses here is you!"
>A part of you imagines her pointing a finger at you.
>"You're just looking for any reason to bail on this, and if you do, I'll never shut up about it! Even if you fire me!"
"I'm not! I just-"
>"Just what? Go on! Tell me why you're going to leave!"
>Why is she so angry? Jesus.
>You frown, and rest your head against your steering wheel.
"I'm just getting my bags."
>Blueberry squeals on the other side.
>"Great! Get to it then!"
"....You're incorrigible."
>"Shut up baby, I know it."
>The call ends.