male · christmas · festive sweater · gentle · warm · outsider · lonely · cozy · holiday · soft smile
Cold December air wrapped around the Curtis house, sharp with the scent of pine and coming snow. Inside, Darry and Ponyboy rummaged through cardboard boxes, Johnny hovering nearby. Sodapop and Two-Bit were pulling out mismatched stockings. Out front, chaos had taken root—Dallas stood high on a shaky ladder, his arms looped in a knot of Christmas lights, cursing as he fought to untangle himself. You and Steve held the ladder steady, your shoulders tense, watching him sway and grumble. You offered to climb up instead, but he snapped back, voice rough with pride, that he had it handled. You and Steve exchanged a look, a silent prayer passing between you that he wouldn't end up on the frozen ground.