It was finally Christmas Eve!
Helsing: Oh you two are home.
Helsing let out a relieved sigh almost as soon as you opened the door leading to the garage.
Helsing: I was starting to get worried. The snow was about here....
He peeked out the window again while yoh hung up your coat in the mudroom.
Behind you, Frankie stepped inside, shivering as her body began to thaw out in the warmth of the Dracula home.
Y/N: Did Santa come early this year?
You gestured to the tree all ready for Christmas morning.
Helsing made a disappointed face. Just in your behavior. He never did like the mention of that Santa character. He shook his head.
Helsing: Frankie, your parents are ok with you spending the night?
Frankie: Yup!
Frankie smiled.
Frankie: As long as you guys are ok with me intruding on Christmas.
Helsing waved his hand at her.
Helsing: You could never intrude. It's an honor to have you here for your first Christmas.
You smiled, wrapping an arm around Frankie's waist before cheering.
Y/N: Sleepover time! Part 3!
Frankie: I just need a spot by an outlet.
Helsing nodded.
Helsing: I'll get the guest room ready for you.
He smiled before he headed for the hallway, opening up the linen cabinet. You made your way to the kitchen.
Frankie: I'm gonna go get changed.
Y/N: Ok. Want me to make some hot chocolate?
She smiled.
Frankie: That would be awesome.
Helsing, now taking a pillow and some sheets to the extra room, looked to the two of you.
Helsing: What Christmas special are we watching tonight?
Y/N: Charlie Frown, obviously.
Frankie headed towards your room where her things had already dropped off. She quickly found her pajamas and her toiletries before heading off to the bathroom to change.
A moment later, she was stepping out of the bathroom into your chest.
Frankie: Bolts- sorry.
Y/N: Nah, it's my fault. I was just gonna knock- Are you ok with me getting in the shower quick?
Frankie: Oh no. Go for it!
Y/N: I'll try to be quick so my uncle doesn't interrogate you too much.
Frankie chuckled.
Frankie: Well, get clean.
Y/N: Hot chocolate is on the counter. Your's is in the blue mug.
Frankie: Thanks, Y/N.
Frankie smiled, walking back into the kitchen, grabbing her mug, then walking into the living room. A moment later, the bathroom door closed, and your music started blasting.
Helsing was sitting in her arm chair, trying to pull BooTube up on your smart TV. Frankie sat on the couch, pulling the pillow into her lap as she sipped at their hot chocolate.
Like every time she sat on the couch, Cerberus hopped up and laid on the pillow. You had told her that Cerberus seemed to have a fondness for her.
Frankie: Do you need help?
She pulled her iCoffin out of the waistband of her shorts. She pulled up BooTube on her phone, typing in 'Charlie Frown Christmas special' into her search bar.
Helsing: That would be nice. Y/N usually handles that stuff.
He sat next to her.
Helsing: Did you get the thing?
Frankie was a bit confused. Then it occurred to her what he was talking about. The case for your new iCoffin.
Frankie: Oh yeah!
Frankie beamed.
Frankie: I picked one up at the maul, and I got him a screen protector too so when he does eventually get his hands on it, there is no chance it's getting shattered.
Helsing: Good.
Frankie was quickly able to pull up the Chaie Frown Christmas special up on the TV using the bluetooth on her phone, pausing it before looking at Helsing.
Frankie: Thanks for letting me crash here.
Frankie smiled.
Frankie: And, you know, letting me be a part of your Christmas...
Helsing: Oh, it's nothing, Frankie. We're glad to have you.
Helsing put an supportive hand on her shoulder.
Helsing: Y/N is a handful, and sometimes it's nice to just have a nice, relaxed kid in the house. Draculaura and Elissabat aren't much better.
Your music soon shut off and you were coming out of the bathroom. You wore a tank top and a pair of shorts, seeming to forget that it was December and there was snow falling outside right that very second. You grabbed your own, now not very hot, hot chocolate and walked into the living room sitting between your friend and uncle, quickly separating the two of them, almost making Frankie spill her warm beverage.
Helsing: Y/N. I was just saying how calm Frankie was compared to you and...
You laughed out loud.
Y/N: Frankie? Calm? You have not seen Frankie in the morning yet. As soon as she comes off her charger, she's practically bouncing off the walls. It's the only reason Mad Science class is any fun.
Frankie giggled, nodding in agreement.
Frankie: My peppiness annoys Mr Hack.
Y/N: Anything and everything annoys that guy.
You muttered a curse into your mug.
Helsing: Now let's not talk about teachers like that.
Y/N: Shouldn't we just watch Charlie Frown?
Frankie hit the play button, leaning into you as she watched. You started to pet Cerberus while Helsing got comfortable. The smell of Christmas was in the air and the warmth that came from the room was unbeatable. You wished everyone was here, but that would problematic.
Afterward, Frankie turned off the TV, still leaned against your shoulder. Her electricity was starting to feel drained.
You held her close, your arm draped over her shoulder, fingers tracing over the stitches on her arm. Neither you nor Frankie made any sort of move to get up, hoping that your uncle would get the hint and give you a second alone before you went to sleep.
He got no such hint.
Helsing stood up, wrapping his robe around himself tighter as if to get warmer.
Helsing: Can I get you anything before you get some rest, Frankie?
Frankie: Nope. I'm good.
He walked towards the kitchen, flipping off a few lights.
Helsing: Do you need any lights left on?
Y/N: I'll take care of it. Get some rest.
Helsing smiled before wishing you both a goodnight. Once he was gone, you and Frankie both got up. Frankie held Cerberus, who was also half asleep, and followed you to the guest room where you would leave her for the night.
Frankie: This has been really fun.
You smiled as you leaned against the doorframe.
Y/N: Well, it was nice having you around to spellebrate.
Frankie looked at you oddly.
Frankie: What did you just say?
You groaned.
Y/N: I'm tired. Cut me some slack.
Frankie just smiled. She leaned up and kissed you cheek as a sort of thanks for having her celebrate with you and your uncle.
Y/N: Are you taking my dog?
Frankie nodded. You simply allowed it and wished her a goodnight. Once you returned to your room, however, you were suddenly wide awake. You peeked across the hall and smiled when you saw Draculaura's name.
You walked to your desk and picked up the Monster Mapalogue.
Y/N: Draculaura. Extro Monstrum.
---------------
The next morning seemed to come quickly, Frankie's charger waking both of her up with a small beep once she was at 100%. Cerberus lifted his head and looked at the door while Frankie sat up. She stretched, careful not to lose her limbs, before she crawled out of bed.
She pulled on a hoodie over her top and felt nothing but joy over what she was sure would be an fangtastic first Christmas. It always was, so it was bound to be great. She opened the door but found the house to be oddly quiet. Was no one awake? But, it's Christmas.
She began to walk through the halls before she heard what sounded like people whispering. Then she stepped into the unliving room where she was surpised by the loud jingle of bells and shouts.
All: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Frankie was absolutely shocked to find all of her friends gathered in the room. You were all wearing festive wear with Santa hats. Well, Deuce was actually wearing clothes to celebrate Hanukkah. Still, he was always happy to celebrate stuff with his friends.
Frankie: What?
Draculaura hurried over and hugged her friend. She quickly pulled a Santa hat on her friend's head, clearly wide awake.
Draculaura: Y/N told us you were celebrating your first Christmas. We had to be here!
Frankie looked over to you while you stood there a bit embarrassed. You had bags under your eyes, telling her that you didn't sleep last night.
Frankie: You did this?
You smiled.
Y/N: Got them last night. Guess I'm like Santa Claus now, huh?
Deuce: Santa Claws. I don't even celebrate the holiday, how do I know better than you?
Y/N: Go light a candle.
You both shared a laugh as the Christmas party began. Frankie was beyond happy to see her friends again. Even Helsing seemed happy. Of course, that might just be because Dracula was here as well. He wore a Santa hat himself, sipping on some eggnog.
Dracula: At least the house is still standing.
(Dracula by Necessary_Chaos)
Helsing just chuckled.
Helsing: I told you I had it under control.
Dracula rolled his eyes. However, Helsing awkwardly cleared his throat.
Helsing: You know, Y/N had been busy with Frankie. We didn't look at the lights this year.
Dracula: Really now? What a shame.
Helsing: Meh. Just means I'll have to take someone else.
Helsing looked away while Dracula smirked. He took another sip, deciding he would allow himself to relax for a night. Besides, it seemed like you had your bases covered here.
However, seeing you all like this, it made him remember his own youth. His first celebration of the holidays.
Back in his old home.
Dracula groaned. He had hoped to get some peace in the library, but he found it hard with Beauty's instance to rally the entire school for a spellebration. He dropped his head while his friend smiles awkwardly.
Wicked: Not feeling the holiday cheer, Drac?
The vanpire lifted his head and looked at the girl and her holiday themed attire. She was always one of the firsts to jump on a good time. Despite her namesake, she was actually quite a caring person who loved joy. She often inspired him when he was at his lowest. He hated it, but he loved his friend.
He rose to his feet and began to browse the books nearby. He wanted something to read to distract him from all of this fuss.
Wicked: Are you not going to spellebrate?
Dracula: What would be the point in that?
He picked out a book and looked at it. "Wonderland! A Libretto of Whimsy". Not his cup of tea, pun intended, but it was something. He returned to the table and joined his friend. He opened the first page and immediately realized he would not be able to read it due to its bizarre and, quite frankly, mad structure.
Dracula: I hate this place.
Wicked: If that was true, you would've left by now.
She had a point there. Still, he wanted peace. Something he would not have anytime soon if the snowball hitting the window was any indication. The two looked outside to see a familiar figure standing there, smirk present on his face.
It wasn't long before Dracula found himself standing across from his roommate and, much to Dracula's chagrin, best friend.
Oz: You don't look very joyful, Drac.
Dracula let out a grunt before looking at the boy's new scarf. Oz noticed and lifted it up with a wide smile.
Oz: You like it? Wicked gave it to me. Made it herself.
Dracula rolled his eyes. He was dating Snow. Why was he still trying to be with Wicked? This guy had no shame at all.
Dracula: Did you need something?
Oz just smiled as he walked over and placed his index fingers on the corners of Dracula's mouth.
Oz: I need you to turn that frown upside down.
He moved his fingers up, forcing Dracula to smile. In response, he bared his fangs which made Oz flinch. He then laughed.
Oz: Man, that is freaky. I love it.
Dracula was ready to walk off, but he was stopped when Oz held out a box towards him. Dracula stared at it for a moment before looking at the boy.
Dracula: What is this?
Oz shrugged.
Oz: A present. This is your first winter holiday, yeah? Figured it was only right.
Dracula's eyes went back to the box. He reached down and took it, carefully opening it and taking a look inside. It was there that he found a brand new pocketwatch. He took it out of the box and examined it. It was well crafted and it was clear that a lot of care went into the design.
Oz: I would've gotten it done sooner, but I needed to get some help from Pinocchio.
Dracula looked up in surpise. He made this? For him?
Dracula: Why.....
Oz: Don't start asking questions, now. Just take it and maybe smile a bit.
Dracula stared at the boy dumbfounded, but he did smile. It was a sincere smile. Oz held out his fist, which made Dracula playfully roll his eyes. He relented and placed his fist against his friend's.
Oz: So, you wanna go to Hocus Pocus and get some Hot Cocca?
Dracula: Sure. You want me to invite Wicked?
Oz placed a hand on his heart.
Oz: You really are a good friend.
Dracula pushed him which made the boy laugh. While he did, Dracula looked at the watch in his hand.
The same watch that he had kept all these years. It was just as golden as the day he got it from his dear friend. He never let so much as a scratch get on it.
You were actually surpised when he tossed it your way, barely catching it. You looked at it confused before looking at the man.
Dracula: Keep it safe.
He drank his eggnog while you smiled. You held up the watch.
Y/N: Merry Christmas, Drac.
The old vampire smirked behind his cup. The tears in his eyes began to build, but he choked back a sob just enough to respond.
Dracula: Merry Christmas, Y/N.
He then whispered to himself.
Dracula: Merry Christmas to you to, old friend.