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Judy was a mother, and mothers could tell when there was something wrong with a child. Maybe it was some sort of sixth sense, or maybe it was a great deal of experience, regardless of why, Judy could tell the moment she met Timmy Turner that things were not good for him.The way he was always hungry when he came over, the way he got nervous when people raised their voices, the way he’d flinch away when he dropped something, something was very very wrong at home, what she couldn’t be sure of with the way he talked so fondly of his parents. But there wasn’t anything she could do to help besides keep her doors open for him and have a warm smile for him when he needed it.The only comfort she could get from it all was seeing how happy Timmy was every year around the holidays. He looked lighter, like a weight for just a little bit was lifted off his shoulders. He wasn’t around as much, which if Judy was being honest was an emotionally mixed bag, but it was good he could feel safe at home around the holidays. But, she did like having him around, he was a sweet boy, and it was obvious Jimmy was smitten. She saw the way he stared at Timmy when he was talking about his comic books or video games, the way Jimmy was most interested in what Timmy thought about his inventions, how sad he got when Timmy didn’t visit for awhile. And if she had to guess, Timmy was just as smitten with Jimmy as Jimmy was with him.She saw how desperate Timmy was for Jimmy's approval, she saw how nervous he got when showing Jimmy anything, how often he’d linger longer then he probably should because he so clearly didn’t want to leave. Even around the holidays when he wasn’t visiting he was constantly texting Jimmy.This year though was very different. The normally very cheerful Timmy was unusually blue. He didn’t carry the usual holiday cheer, he wasn’t asking to help decorate or bake cookies, he just looked painfully sad. She wanted to ask, but she didn’t want to scare him off. But if she didn’t ask, would he feel comfortable enough to open up?Judy watched with concern as Jimmy helped Timmy with his homework, Timmy doodling and not focusing like he should.“Everything okay Timmy?” Jimmy finally asked, Judy pausing washing dishes to listen to them.“Yeah I’m fine,” Timmy mumbled.“You sure?” Jimmy asked, Judy watching the pair out of the corner of her eye as Timmy shrugged and said,“Just not feeling the Christmas Spirit this year.”“Well…maybe it’ll hit in Christmas morning with your parents-““No.” Timmy said.“No?” Jimmy asked.“My parents left to go on a cruise.” Timmy mumbled.“They did what?” Judy asked before she could stop herself, Timmy looking at her in surprise before slowly saying,“They left last week for a Christmas Cruise.”“Did you not want to go?” Judy asked. That had to be why Timmy wasn’t with them. It had to be-“I would want to.” Timmy said, voice cracking as he fought back tears. “They didn’t even ask. They never ask.”“Will they be home tomorrow for Christmas?” Judy asked, already guessing the answer but not wanting to believe it.“No.” Timmy whispered, Jimmy looking at Timmy with heartbroken eyes. “They never wanted to be with me, they were just stuck with me because they couldn’t get a babysitter. Now that I’m old enough to not need one they won’t be around.”“I’m so sorry,” Judy softly said. “No one should ever be alone on Christmas.”“That’s so messed up to your parents.” Jimmy said, “I don’t want you to be alone on Christmas…”“Well he doesn’t have to be!” Judy declared.“What do you mean?” Timmy asked in confusion.“You can join us for Christmas!” Judy said.“Really?” Timmy asked, eyes lighting up in excitement.“Yes!” Judy firmly said. They always had room for one more at their table.“Thank you!” Timmy said, eagerly jumping up and hugging her, sniffling as he tried to contain his emotions.“Of course!” Judy softly said, wrapping her arms around Timmy and hugging him close, patiently holding him until he had calmed down.“Do you want to spend the night with us?”“I-I don’t want to intrude-““It’s not intruding at all!” Judy assured. “We love having you over.”“Thank you.” Timmy said, smiling gratefully at her.“Anytime.” Judy assured, meaning it. “Now, why don’t you head home and grab your things? We’ll have the best Christmas ever!”“Thank you!” Timmy said, beaming at her before quickly leaving, Jimmy following close behind him, Judy smiling at the pair.“Uh honey?” Hugh asked.“Yes dear?” Judy asked.“How are we going to have the best Christmas ever?”“…I don’t know but I’ll figure it out somehow!” Judy firmly said. Timmy deserved that at least after what happened with his parents.She would need to break out all of the Christmas Traditions. That would bake cookies together and roast marshmallows at the fireplace and leave out cookies for Santa- wait Timmy and Jimmy didn’t believe in Santa anymore. They could still bake cookies. They should have everything they needed, she had already gone shopping for everything, she always bought enough for leftovers so feeding an extra mouth wouldn’t be an issue.But she didn’t have any presents for Timmy. He wouldn’t have any presents to open or a stocking-“Hugh, I need to go to the store!” Just exclaimed, Hugh saying,“But Judy it’s Christmas Eve will any of the stores be open?”“I don’t know but I have to try! It’s an emergency!” Just sternly said, grabbing her purse and marching out. She would go to a dozen stores if she had to, Timmy would get something for Christmas even if his parents wouldn’t!——It took going to four stores including a dollar tree, but Judy did manage to track down a two pack of stockings at a 99 cents store and grabbed some candy to stuff one of them with. She knew Timmy loved the Crimson Chin so she searched high and low for anything Crimson Chin, but no one she spoke to at the stores seemed to even know who he was, so she was forced to settle with some popular comic books she hoped Timmy would enjoy.Shopping had taken longer then Judy expected, the stores crammed with other last minute shoppers. There was still plenty of time for Christmas Eve left, Judy just hoped they hadn't come back yet so she could set everything up for Timmy.“Hugh! Did the boys come back?” Just called as she hurried inside.“Yeah they’re in Jimmys lab!”“Hopefully they’ll stay there while I get everything ready.” Judy said, quickly getting to work.She got Timmy’s stocking hung up and put the candy in it and then got the present wrapped for him and under the tree. She then realized it would be best to get the sugar cookie dough mix fed so it could start cooling off in the fridge so they could roll and cut them together.Once that was done, Judy looked around the house, trying to see if she should try and add any more decorations to really make it feel even more Christmas-like.Satisfied she’d done all she could, Judy made her way outside to Jimmy’s lab. It had been years since they had baked sugar cookies as a family, but she had a sinking feeling Timmy’s parents had never bothered, and she wanted him to have that experience. Judy knocked on the door and said,“Jimmy, Timmy can you two come into the house?”“Just a second mom, we’re on the phone with someone”“Who are you talking to?” Judy asked, placing her hands on her hips. Instead of responding, Jimmy opened the door, Judy walking in and hearing unfamiliar voices loudly arguing. As she walked deeper into the lab, she heard Timmy asking,“Are your parents always like this?”“Around Christmas,” A male voice sighed. “No matter how many times they swear they won’t do this, they always break out into these massive fights and it kills the Christmas mood.” The words setting off alarm bells in Judy as a loud crash could be heard over the phone. What kind of parents got into regular fights on Christmas?“That sucks,” Timmy sympathetically said.“I wish I had somewhere else to go, you know?” The voice mumbled.“You can come over here!” Judy said, Timmy and Jimmy looking over at her in surprise.“You sure mom?” Jimmy asked in surprise.“Of course! Everyone should have a fun Christmas!”“T-thank you,” The voice on the other end of the line said.“Timmy’s already spending the night so you can too if you don’t think your parents will mind?”“I doubt they’ll even notice,” the voice deadpanned.“We can have an epic sleepover!” Timmy cheered, Judy beaming at Jimmy and Timmy’s excitement. It wasn’t the family Christmas she had been planning for, but it felt right nonetheless.“I’ll get my stuff and be over soon,” The voice said before hanging up, Judy realizing she didn’t even know his name.“We should head back up before Danny gets here,” JImmy said. So Danny was his name.“Right!” Judy agreed, glad she wound up forced to get a two pack of stockings. “I’ll get his stocking hung up as well!” She had no idea what she’d put in his stocking but she would figure it out.“You got Danny a stocking?” Jimmy curiously asked.“I went to get Timmy a stocking and had to get a two pack,” Judy nervously said, worried she may have crossed a line.“You got me a stocking?” Timmy tearfully asked.“I didn’t want you to feel left out,” Judy admitted, Timmy beaming as he said,“You didn’t have to do that.”“Well I wanted to,” Judy said.“Thank you,” Timmy said, Judy assuring,“Of course.”Judy quickly ushered the boys out of the lab and into the house, Judy grabbing the extra stocking and hanging it over the fireplace next to Timmy’s, freezing when she realized with the pair having identical stockings she didn’t know how she would tell them apart.“Everything okay mom?” Jimmy asked.“I just realized I have no way to differentiate Timmy and Danny’s stockings,” Judy admitted.“Oh…hmm…” Jimmy said, looking at the stockings for a moment before exclaiming, “I know!” Racing upstairs without another word. Timmy awkwardly shrugging, clearly just as confused as Judy was. A minute later, Judyheard Jimmy running down the stairs with some ribbon in hand.“Jimmy?” Judy asked, Jimmy grinning as he said,“Which is Timmy’s?” Jimmy said, holding up a pink ribbon, Judy realizing what Jimmy was doing, pink had been Timmy’s color for the past six years she’d known him.“That one,” Judy said, Jimmy tying the pink ribbon to it with a grin. “Perfect!”“Danny should be getting here soon-” Jimmy said, just as there was a knock on the door.“I’ll get it!” Judy said, walking to the front door and excitedly opening the door, pausing in surprise as she took in the nervous man standing on her doorstep. His hair was mostly black with a white streak in it, likely dyed if Judy had to guess. He didn’t look like he was in highschool like Jimmy and Timmy, but he had a bag slung over his shoulder, so it had to be Danny, but how did they meet?“Hi, I’m Danny, you must be Ms. Neutron?” Danny awkwardly said.“It’s very nice to meet you,” Judy politely said, as Timmy raced over and grabbed Danny’s arm, excitedly telling him,“Come on Danny, we've got Christmas stuff to do!” Before dragging him into the house, Judy couldn’t help but smile at seeing Timmy get excited for Christmas again.“Sorry about that mom,” Jimmy sheepishly said.“It’s okay, Timmy’s happy and that was the goal,” Judy said, pausing as she tried to figure out how to approach the topic about Danny. “So uh, how did you meet Danny?”“Oh, yeah he helped me and Timmy out of a pinch a few years ago and we kept in touch. Danny sees Timmy as a little bother.”“Oh I see,” Judy softly said. Timmy certainly could use familial figures that actually cared about him. “How old is Danny?”“19.” Jimmy said, Judy frowning. Four years older than Jimmy and Timmy, but not that much older at the end of the day. She needed to focus, keep an eye on the boys but focus on making their Christmas the best ever.“Jimmy, get the boys and all of you join me in the kitchen, we’re baking sugar cookies!”Jimmy looked at her in confusion, but thankfully did as she asked and went to find Jimmy and Danny as Judy went to the kitchen to start pulling out baking sheets and cookie cutters so they could cut out the sugar cookies.Danny might feel too old to bake sugar cookies, but hopefully he won’t make Jimmy or Timmy feel uncomfortable if they wanted to. Hopefully Timmy and Jimmy at least would want to.“Hey Mrs. Neutron!” Timmy greeted as he walked into the kitchen with Jimmy and a nervous Danny. “Jimmy said were baking sugar cookies?”“Yes we are!” Judy said as she pulled out the sugar cookie dough. “And there is enough for everyone who wants to join in to make some!” Judy added, Danny perking up at her words.“Alright!” Timmy cheered, eagerly looking at the cookie cutters she had pulled out, Danny awkwardly watching Timmy, as Goddard walked into the kitchen, walking over to Danny and happily greeting him.“Oh hey Goddard.” Danny greeted, reaching over to pet his head, Goddard playfully barking in response before excitedly walking over to Timmy. Goddard liking Danny was certainly a good sign.“What’s your favorite cookie shape to use?” Timmy asked Danny who nervously rubbed the back of his neck as he said,“I uh don’t really have one.”“What do you mean? Everyone has a favorite!”“At home we never really ever got to the baking cookies step.” Danny admitted. “Mom and dad would always start fighting and ruin the dough and we just kind of eventually gave up trying.”“What could they possibly find to fight about around Christmas?” Judy asked.“Santa Clause,” Danny deadpanned. “Dad believes in Santa, mom insists he’s not real and the fights get really bad really fast.”“I can’t believe they would fight about that in front of their children!” Judy said, rage filling her. Why did Timmy and Danny get stuck with such horrible parents? Even if his mother didn’t believe in Santa, why ruin the magic for her child?“Jazz tried her best to keep it away from me but there was only so much she could do,” Danny said with an awkward shrug.“Is she your sister?” Judy asked, Danny nodding his head.“She was smart and decided to not come home for Christmas. Not that I had much choice.” Danny mumbled.“Hey at least we can enjoy a fun Christmas now right?” Timmy eagerly asked, wrapping an arm around Danny’s shoulders, Danny softly smiling in response.“You said everyone had a favorite cookie shape, what’s yours?”“The gingerbread man duh!” Timmy said, holding up the gingerbread man cookie cutter. “It’s versatile and a classic.”“Do you know how you’ll decorate yours?” Judy asked, Timmy beaming as he said,“At least one has to be the Crimson Chin!”“Of course silly me.” Judy said as she began rolling out the cookie dough.“Well maybe your Crimson Chin needs a Nega Chin to defeat!” Danny playfully said, Timmy laughing as he said,“The Crimson Chin can kick Nega Chin's butt any day!”“Wanna bet?” Danny playfully asked, leaning in close to Timmy who puffed out his chest as he declared,“Oh you’re on! Who do you think would win Jimmy?”“Well it would be entirely based on who had better wit and strategy since they have all the same powers.” Jimmy said in a matter of fact tone.“Oh come on, the power of good always triumphs over evil!” Timmy exclaimed. Judy couldn’t help but smile as she watched all three goof around with one another. It was clear they were all close despite Danny being older than them, and she could tell what Jimmy meant about Danny being an older brother for Timmy.The three of them luckily seemed to be having a blast cutting out cookies and making their own changes to them, Timmy added wings and crowns to a couple of his gingerbread cookies, Danny made a ghost from one of his, which Judy could only assume was some sort of inside joke when she noticed Timmy and Jimmy laughing when they saw it, and Jimmy tried to make a Goddard shaped one.As each tray was filled, Judy would load them into the oven to bake and while they were waiting for the cookie dough to cook off again before cutting more sugar cookies, Judy decided to show them how she made frosting for the cookies. She grabbed the few ingredients needed along with the food dye colors she had and instructed the boys on what to do.“Okay what colors do we want?” Judy asked once they had a bowl of white royal icing.“Red!” Timmy immediately exclaimed.“Red, gold and green are traditional Christmas colors,” Jimmy said, taking off his glasses to try and clean the powdered sugar off of them.“If you want red Timmy you’ll have to mix it,” Judy said, scooping out some of the white icing and placing it into a small bowl, handing it and the red food dye to Timmy.“Can I make pink as well?” Timmy asked, Judy chuckling as she said,“Pink is the easy one, red will be the hard one to get to.” As she made a second smaller cup and passed it to Timmy.“Can I make some blue and gray?” Danny sheepishly asked, Judy happily giving Danny two small bowls as well along with the requested dye colors. Jimmy started working on yellow and green while Judy checked on the cookies in the oven and checked the dough to see if it was cool enough to start the last batch of cookies in the oven.The dough was cold enough so while she waited for the boys to finish, Judy started mixing some black, realizing they’d probably want it for smaller details on the cookies.Soon all of the icing was mixed and the last batch of cookies was in the oven so they could start decorating cookies. Timmy and Danny both reached for their standard gingerbread shaped ones, Timmy starting to color his red while Danny started using gray.“Oh you were serious about Nega Chin?” Timmy asked, a playful glint in his eyes.“Oh yeah, can’t let Crimson Chin get comfortable, gotta keep him on his toes.”“Oh really?” Timmy playfully said.“Wouldn’t all his other villains help keep him on his toes?” Jimmy asked in confusion, a small frown on his face.“Well Nega Chin is his biggest rival and the one who regularly comes closest to defeating the Crimson Chin!”“Oh?” Jimmy curiously asked, Timmy excitedly launching into a discussion about the Crimson Chin’s top villains and why Nega Chin was the best, Timmy listening in rapt attention, eagerly drinking in every word out of Timmy’s mouth. Judy out of the corner of her eye noticed Danny watching the pair, a small smirk on his face. Did he know about Jimmy and Timmy’s crushes?Timmy’s phone went off, cutting Timmy off, Jimmy’s smile wilting away to a frown as Timmy looked at the screen in confusion.“SpongeBob’s calling?” Timmy said in confusion, Judy frowning at the name, what kind of name was SpongeBob? Was it a nickname?“Is everything okay?” Danny asked, perking up, concern leaking into his voice.“I don’t know,” Timmy said, answering the phone saying, “Hey SpongeBob, everything okay?” Timmy frowned as the voice on the other end of the line spoke, Timmy saying, “I’m at Jimmy’s house! Danny’s here too! Let me put you on speaker!” Timmy pulled the phone away and clicked a button to put the call on speaker, Danny saying,“Is everything okay SpongeBob?”“Oh yeah everything’s great!” a high pitched voice said. “I just wanted to check in on Timmy and make sure he was okay!”“I am thanks to Mrs. Neutron,” Timmy said, flashing a grateful smile towards Judy who smiled warmly in return.“Well I’m glad because I was worried about you Timmy!” SpongeBob said. “Why is Danny over?”“Parents fighting again,” Danny grumbled, glancing at his phone, likely to confirm his parents haven’t noticed he was gone, based on how he angrily shoved his phone back in his pocket, he didn’t have any messages or calls from them.“I’m sorry Danny,” SpongeBob sympathetically said.“Don’t worry, Mrs. Neutron has been a very kind host.”“Mom’s good at that,” Jimmy agreed.“Well that’s amazing!” SpongeBob said. “Maybe I can swing by later after the party and say hi to you guys?”“That would be wonderful!” Judy found herself saying before she thought about it, Jimmy looking at her in surprise as Timmy cheerfully said,“That would be awesome!”“Once the party calms down I’ll swing by!” SpongeBob cheerfully said before hanging up, Timmy chuckling as he did so.“I’m not sure if I should feel bad for Spongebob being left out of our Christmas fun or glad he doesn’t need someone else to step up to help save his Christmas.” Danny admitted.“SpongeBob is such a happy go lucky guy I doubt he’s upset we’re hanging out without him.” Jimmy said with a shrug.“I know but I still can’t help but feel bad,” Danny admitted.“Well it’s not like we intended to hang out without him,” Timmy assured. “We’ve all got our own lives, the three of us just kind of accidentally wound up together.”“And he’s coming by when he can when he isn’t busy.” Jimmy added.“True…” Danny mumbled, seemingly still worrying about it. Timmy frowned in concern before a small smirk spread across his face. Picking up his gingerbread Crimson Chin, Timmy said in a deep voice,“Ah-ha! I found you Nega Chin! I knew you of all villains would never respect Christmas!” Danny couldn’t fight a smile as he picked up his Nega Chin cookie and said in a deep voice,“Ah! The Crimson Chin come to spoil my fun! How did you find me?”“Everything is covered in snow and you’re wearing all gray!” Timmy said, Danny tapping his chin as he said,“Hmm good point I’ll have to consider that for next time.”“There won’t be a next time! Not if I have anything to say about it!” Timmy declared as he attacked Danny’s cookie with his cookie. Jimmy shook his head at the pair's antics but Judy could see a small smile he was trying, and failing, to hide as he watched the pair. Danny and Timmy trading blows and witty remarks as they “battled”.“Take that! And that! And- oops.” Timmy said, wincing when he accidentally broke off Danny’s cookies arm when he bumped into it. Danny glanced at the broken arm, quickly grabbing the red frosting and crying,“Oh no I’m dying! The Crimson Chin has brutally injured me! Ripping my arm off and leaving me to die!” Before pouring the red frosting over his Nega Chin, Timmy saying,“I am not a doctor, this is not in my job description.”“Murderer! My lawyer will avenge me! Ahhhhhh!” Danny cried as his cookie collapsed onto the counter.“Actually since Danny-““Nega Chin!” Timmy and Danny exclaimed at the same time.“Right Nega Chin,” Jimmy corrected, “was committing a crime when the injury happened Crimson Chin would probably not even be charged.”“Plus he’s a superhero!” Timmy exclaimed.“That isn’t really relevant-“ Jimmy began but Danny said,“I mean they couldn’t keep him locked up even if they wanted to.”“…yeah good point.” Jimmy said with a laugh. The group finished baking and decorating the cookies without further incident, Hugh begging to leave some cookies out for Santa, Danny temporarily tensing until Judy happily obliged, grabbing a plate and the boys all donating a cookie to the plate. Judy then told the boys to get ready for bed, Hugh mentioning Santa wouldn’t come if they stayed awake, Jimmy rolled his eyes, but complied, Timmy and Danny following behind.While the boys got ready for bed, Judy started cleaning up the kitchen, happy with how the evening had gone. As she was starting to clean the counters she heard Timmy’s voice saying,“Thanks again for everything. Sorry if I messed up your plans for the evening.”“You didn’t mess up anything.” Jimmy’s voice said, Judy sneaking over to the entryway leading into the living room and peaking out to see Jimmy and Timmy standing close to one another. Out of the corner of her eye, Judy noticed something moving, worriedly glancing over to find Danny peeking out from the other side of the room.The pair locked eyes, both frozen, waiting for the other to say anything, but when both remained frozen, the pair nodded at one another and focused back on Jimmy and Timmy. Judy knew the pair were standing beneath the mistletoe, she just wasn’t sure if either one would notice or say anything.“I really like spending time with you.” Jimmy sheepishly admitted, Timmy ducking his head, face pink as he said,“I do too.” Timmy tentatively brushing his hand against Jimmys.“You know we’re standing beneath a…mistletoe.” Jimmy nervously said, Judy barely able to contain a yelp of joy. She could not let them know she was watching.“Yeah.” Timmy softly mumbled.“It would be wrong to disrespect the tradition,” Jimmy mumbled. “Unless you don’t-““No, no I- I think you’re right.” Timmy mumbled, slowly leaning in closer, Jimmy leaning in as well, their eyes fluttering shut as their lips drew closer together-Suddenly the sound of the doorbell rang through the house, Timmy and Jimmy jumping apart, faces red as Judy stepped back so she was in the kitchen before calling out,“I’ll get it!” Before walking to the door, ready to kill whoever was on the other side and ruined the moment for Jimmy and Timmy, Judy yanking the door open to find a man standing in the doorway, frantically dusting off what Judy thought looked like glitter. The man had curly blond hair and had freckles all over his face and arms.“Hello Mrs. Neutron! My name is SpongeBob!”“Uh hello?” Mrs. Neutron said, even more confused.“Hey SpongeBob.” Danny warmly said, SpongeBob happily waving at him.“Hey SpongeBob,” Timmy nervously greeted.“How are you guys doing? Is your Christmas any better?”“Thanks to Mrs. Neutron, a lot better,” Timmy said with a grin, Judy smiling softly in response.“Well I’m glad! I know this year you’ve been really down and no one should be sad on Christmas!”“Sometimes it’s unavoidable,” Timmy said with a shrug.“Well if your parents keep leaving you alone on Christmas you can keep coming over!” Judy firmly said, Timmy smiling gratefully at her as SpongeBob cried,“Your parents left you? On Christmas Eve?”“Yep.” Timmy grumbled.“I’m so sorry!” SpongeBob cried, throwing his arms around Timmy in a comforting manner.“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”“You’re always welcome to join me as well for Christmas!”“Thanks,” Timmy gratefully said.“Would you like to come inside?” Judy asked, SpongeBob shaking his head and saying,“Oh no thank you Mrs. Neutron, I need to get back soon, we need to finish getting ready for Santa!”“Oh uh of course,” Judy assured. Did all of SpongeBob’s friends still believe in Santa? Was one of his friends sneaking them all presents and claiming they were from Santa?“Tell Cosmo and Wanda thanks for me Timmy!” SpongeBob cheerily said, Timmy nervously saying,“Yep yeah totally will don’t you need to get going?”“Oh right! Bye guys Merry Christmas!” SpongeBob said before turning and walking down the street, the boys all waving and wishing him a Merry Christmas as well.“Cosmo and Wanda?” Judy curiously asked.“My pet goldfish.” Timmy said, further confusing Judy. Why would SpongeBob want to thank goldfish?“Well we should probably finish getting ready for bed.” Danny said, Judy glancing at him in confusion before realizing what he was trying to do and said,“I should finish cleaning up the kitchen!” The moment may have been ruined already, but maybe if they were left alone they would talk about what almost happened. She could hope at least. Before Jimmy or Timmy could say anything, Danny went upstairs and Judy went back into the kitchen, listening to see if the boys talked.For several long and tense minutes, the front room was silent, the only sounds coming from Jimmy and Timmy laying out sleeping bags. Just as Judy feared the boys wouldn’t talk about their near kiss, Timmy timidly asked,“Jimmy…about the mistletoe-““I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to pressure you-“ Jimmy frantically said, Timmy saying,“You didn’t pressure me. I want to kiss you.”“I-…what?” Jimmy asked, seemingly not processing what Timmy said to him.“I uh- I’ve wanted to for a while now.” Timmy continued. “I really like you Jimmy. And I uh- if you don’t feel the name I uh I get it-““I like you too Timmy. Like…like like you.”“O-oh.” Timmy said, seemingly unsure how to process what Jimmy had said to him.“Can I kiss you.” Jimmy timidly asked, Timmy softly saying,“Yeah. I’d really like that.” Judy knew she should give them some privacy, but she couldn’t help but peek around the corner just as their lips met, the air melting into the kiss. Judy quickly ducked back in the kitchen, desperately trying to contain her joy. Finally they realized their mutual feelings for each other-“Finally!” Danny exclaimed, Jimmy and Timmy startling at the sound of his voice, Judy barely able to contain a chuckle. Clearly she wasn’t the only one waiting for the pair to sort out their feelings.“Danny, where you watching us?” Timmy exclaimed.“Well yeah I didn’t want to walk in and interrupt you.” Danny said non apologetically.“But you did interrupt us!” Jimmy exclaimed.“Couldn’t let you two get too steamy without any adult supervision.” Danny teasingly said, Jimmy and Timmy both letting out embarrassed stuttering as they both scrambled to come up with some sort of reply.It certainly wasn’t the Christmas Eve Judy had planned on, but it was still perfect in its own way. Maybe she could have the boys over again next year as well. She hoped Jimmy would like that, it could be the start of a new family tradition.——-Jimmy had an amazing dream. It was Christmas Eve, his mom had invited Timmy to spend the night and he’d finally gotten the courage to tell Timmy how he felt, and they’d kissed. As Jimmy slowly awoke on Christmas morning, his heart felt light and fluttery and he found he couldn’t stop grinning. Too bad it was a dream…As Jimmy opened his eyes and looked around the room he was in, he found Timmy sleeping on the floor in his living room beside him and with a start, Jimmy realized last night hadn’t been a dream. He had kissed his best friend. As Jimmy stared at the ceiling, he felt his mind start whirling with endless questions and worries.Did that mean they were dating? Did Timmy want to date? Did Jimmy? He supposed if it was with Timmy the answer was an obvious yes, but is that what Timmy wanted? He had initiated the kiss, what if Timmy felt pressured to kiss him? What if-Jimmy was yanked out of his spiraling thoughts when he felt a hand take his and squeeze it, bringing him back to reality. Jimmy glanced at the owner of the hand and saw Timmy had woken up and was reassuringly holding his hand. Jimmy gratefully squeezed it back, sheepishly mumbling,“Thanks.” Timmy always seemed to know when he was getting stuck in his head. Though if Jimmy was being honest, he could also read Timmy like an open book.“Course,” Timmy assured, soothingly rubbing the back of his hand with his thumb. “Sleep okay?” Timmy asked as Jimmy rolled onto his side so he could properly face Timmy.“I slept pretty good actually despite sleeping on the floor.” Jimmy said with a small chuckle. “You?”“Same honestly.” Timmy said.“Good.” Jimmy said, without thinking about it, bringing Timmy’s hand to his lips and softly kissing it, Jimmy freezing as his brain processed what he just did, Timmy staring at him with wide, shocked eyes as his face turned bright red, Jimmy trying to hide behind his hands, but Timmy was holding tightly onto one of his hands, so he could only use his free hand to try and hide his face, quickly saying, “I-I’m sorry I don’t know why I did that!”“You don’t have to apologize.” Timmy quickly said. “I-I like that a lot.”“Really?” Jimmy nervously asked, peeking out from behind his hand.“Yeah. I did.” Timmy admitted, leaning forward to kiss Jimmy’s forehead. Before he could pull away, Jimmy laid a hand on his cheek and pulled him into a soft kiss, Timmy scooting closer to Jimmy as he melted into the kiss.Yeah, he really liked kissing Timmy. He didn’t have a clue what this all meant for them moving forward, but Jimmy did know he wanted to keep kissing Timmy.“Apparently I’ll need to keep you two separated during sleepovers,” Danny’s voice teasingly said, Timmy and Jimmy letting out surprised yelps as they pulled away from each other, Danny smirking at the pair as they refused to look at one another. “Can’t risk you two being tempted to do anything naughty-““Danny!” Jimmy cried as Timmy buried his face in his hands, curling up in a tight ball, seemingly wishing he could melt into the ground, much like Jimmy.“But they’re so cute together!” Cosmo said as he, Wanda and Poof, poofed into the room with a scattering of fairy dust.“Our little Timmy with his first boyfriend!” Wanda said, flying down to Timmy and playfully squeezing his cheek, Timmy groaning,“Wanda!”“We love you Timmy!” Cosmo said, hugging Timmy, Wanda hugging him as well as Poof said,“Merry Christmas!” Flying down and eagerly Timmy who frantically shushed,“Careful you’ll wake up Jimmy’s parents!” Poof however was far too excited to listen to Timmy, Cosmo and Wanda equally distracted. Jimmy glanced up the stairs and didn’t hear anything, so for now they were probably safe.Cosmo, Wanda and Poof had really kept themselves hidden last night, Jimmy only occasionally catching glimpses of them hiding around the kitchen. Thanks to their quick thinking disguising SpongeBob he didn’t have to try and explain a talking sponge to his mom.“Aww we just want to celebrate Christmas with our boy!” Wanda cooed, Timmy trying to wiggle away as Wanda kissed his cheek, Timmy saying,“Well hang out later I promise! I’m probably overstaying my welcome-““Never.” Jimmy found himself firmly saying before he’d fully processed what Timmy had said, meaning it with every fiber of his being. Timmy looked at him in surprise, cheeks pink as his dad shouted,“Wake up Judy, it's Christmas!” His voice muffled slightly by the door but still loud.“Hugh! Be quiet the boys might still be sleeping-“ his mom said, her voice much quieter, his dads voice getting louder as he slammed the bedroom door open shouting,“It’s Christmas!”“Hugh!” His mom exclaimed, running out after him and calling down,“Sorry boys!”“Don’t worry mom, we were already awake!”“Oh good!” His mom sighed as his dad said,“That means we can open stockings and presents!”“Well what if the boys want breakfast first-““I think it would be fair to follow the usual routine of the hosts.” Timmy said, Danny nodding in response.“Well…if you’re sure-“ His mom began, his dad cheering as he raced down the stairs. Jimmy rolling his eyes at his dads antics. At least he was happy.“Oh look everyone’s stockings are full!” His dad exclaimed.“Wait, everyone's?” His mom asked, walking down the stairs and joining everyone downstairs, brows furrowed in confusion.“Everyone’s! Even Danny’s and Timmy’s!” His dad said, grabbing the stockings his mom had bought for Timmy and Danny and eagerly passed them to Timmy and Danny respectively.“Oh.” His mom said, making it clear to Jimmy that she didn’t buy that much for the stockings. His dad shoving his stocking into his hands shoved the thought out of his mind, instead focusing on the stocking his dad had eagerly passed him.All five curiously opened their stockings, finding mostly candy in their stockings, but based on how emotional Danny was getting, he had a feeling Danny wasn’t expecting anything. As amazing as this all was, Jimmy found himself getting distracted by Timmy, how happy he was, his wide smile, the joyful sparkle in his eyes, wondering if and how he should tell his parents that they were…he didn’t know what they were. They kissed, and they both enjoyed kissing, but that’s all he knew.“Come Jimbo time to open gifts!” His dad cheerfully said, and as much as he wanted to enjoy the gifts, he couldn’t take his eyes off of Timmy. How excited he was to open presents Crimson Chin merch, his eyes lighting up with joy as he excitedly talked to his parents about the Crimson Chin, his mom getting visibly more and more anxious with each gift he opened.If his mom had tried to get Timmy a gift involving the Crimson Chin, she would have inevitably failed because the Crimson Chin wasn’t from their dimension, but she didn’t know that. Did she feel bad for seemingly failing Timmy?“Judy, why don’t you give the boys your gifts!” Jimmy’s dad exclaimed, his mom fidgeting nervously as she said,“Well…I’m so sorry Danny I didn’t have time to get you anything-““It’s okay I wasn’t expecting anything!” Danny assured, his mom still looking guilty as she handed Jimmy and Timmy their gifts. Jimmy however was locked in on Timmy as he opened his gift, curiosity in his eyes as he opened his present to find a collection of comics books from a superhero he didn’t recognize.“I-I know it’s not Crimson Chin but I couldn’t find anything and-“ his mom began, Timmy on his feet and throwing his arms around his mom in a flash, Timmy’s voice cracking as he said,“Thank you so much.”“You're welcome.” His mom said, sounding surprised as she hugged him back.“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.” Timmy said. “You’ve given me the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”Timmy’s words struck something within his mother who hugged Timmy tighter, fighting back tears, whispering something into Timmy’s ear that Jimmy couldn’t quiet here, but when they pulled apart, both were crying, Jimmy immediately getting to his feet and hurrying over to Timmy who hugged Jimmy tightly.“Thank you.” Timmy whispered, kissing Jimmy’s cheek without thinking about it, both pulling away from each other, eyes wide as Jimmy’s mother exclaimed,“Finally!” Jimmy and Timmy looking at her in surprise.“Oh we’ve known for a while you two have had feelings for each other!”“Wait really?” Jimmy asked in surprise, Danny calling out,“Yeah you two are terrible at keeping your feelings secret.” Timmy and Jimmy both ducked their heads, cheeks red as his mom said,“And now you’re finally dating!”“Well-“ Jimmy began, just as Timmy said,“I don’t know-“The pair looking at each other, faces red.“What do you mean?”“I uh- we didn’t talk about that.” Jimmy sheepishly said.“Jimmy, I want to date you,” Timmy softly said. “So uh would you go out with me?” Jimmy looked at Timmy who looked at him nervously as Jimmy smiled and said,“I’d love to go out with you.” Timmy beaming as he pulled Jimmy into a kiss. This really was the perfect Christmas.