Simmons' holidays go in an unexpected direction.


Pairings Beyond Grimmons:

~Background Docnut

Other Notes for This Story:

~High School AU

~Transgender character

~Misgendering and deadnaming of said character in one specific scene.


Legal Disclaimer: I do not own Red vs. Blue or any of the show's characters. They are the rightful properties of Rooster Teeth.

Holiday Comfort

Simmons felt the cold seep into his very being as he sat on the icy bench in the park close by his house, feeling completely numb. The flurries the area had been experiencing for more than a day had turned into freezing rain, the beautiful snow from before now an icy sludge. Sitting in it was almost unbearable, but he couldn't bring himself to move or take shelter even as his maroon heavy winter coat was nearly soaked through. Simmons was shivering, but that was only partially due to the weather.

Things had been going great earlier. He'd just been on his way back from a Happy Holidays party with his friends, referred to at school at Sarge's insistence as the Reds and Blues even though they'd long since put aside old playground rivalries now that they were in high school. Church's older sister Carolina and her friend Washington, both honorary Blues evidently, had hosted the party at their place, which they could only afford thanks to grueling freelancing jobs they took while attending college. Church had opted to spend the winter break with them instead of having to deal with his cold and distant father. Donut had insisted on being the one to decorate Carolina and Wash's place with Doc's help, causing it to be a celebration of all the winter holidays leading up to New Year's, which would also be hosted in their apartment. Truth be told, it had been a very lively event!

Kai had wrangled Caboose and Tucker into helping her set up a karaoke machine, which resulted in gleefully belted out songs while Donut coerced Doc into dancing until the neighbors complained. Sarge was busy talking Washington's ears off about his family's military history, while Carolina and Church discussed school.

And Simmons? Well, Simmons had been hanging out with Grif as usual, the two leaning in unnecessarily close to one another as they huddled by the cookies, a spot Grif had claimed as his the second he'd entered the party zone. Grif talked about his Oreo diet while Simmons informed him of how unhealthy it was. That is until Grif suddenly got an unreadable and rather intense look in his eyes as he leaned in even closer to kiss Simmons on the lips. Simmons was so caught off-guard that he didn't even complain about the crumbs that got onto his face, and he spent the rest of the party in a pleasant daze even as Grif acted like what had happened was no big deal.

Those happy memories were sure to bolster him through what was no doubt going to be another tense and altogether stifling Christmas in the Simmons' home, with his immensely cold and dismissive father. He'd even been smiling and humming to himself when he reluctantly pulled away from the continuing festivities, since the others had much more lax or nonexistent curfews, to go home. The redhead's face heated up when Grif gave him a cheeky grin and waved him off. Simmons' good mood, however, only lasted until he got home to see his mother's car in the driveway. He thought that both she and his dad would be away from the house for a few more hours, especially since he'd gone out for the night.

"Roberta, what on earth are you wearing?" His mother had been waiting for him inside, her eyes going wide with shock and distaste at Simmons' decidedly and purposefully not-at-all feminine attire.

He froze then, unsure of how to respond. In a way, his mother's disapproval was even worse than his father's because they were usually closer and she wasn't always seemingly disappointed in his actions.

"You're a girl, and you need to start dressing like one!" She shrieked, "What will the neighbors say? Didn't we raise you right?"

Simmons lost it. He defiantly remembered yelling at his mother that he wasn't a girl, that he wanted their acknowledgement. All the years of pent up feelings that he released then were met with a stony silence, his mother staring at him as though he were a stranger in her house, "Maybe you should leave until your senses come back." She finally said, her voice going as cold and distant as his father's on his worst days.

...That was how Simmons found himself sitting on a park bench, pelted by icy rain and not sure what to do because he knew he sure as fuck wasn't going back to that house. Though that spark of determination might matter very little if he succumbed to hypothermia like his chattering teeth were telling him he was bound to do. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to move.

"Simmons!"

He started at the voice that suddenly called out his name, looking over in surprise when he saw Dexter Grif running towards him with more effort than the fat-ass usually put into anything, an umbrella outstretched towards him.

"Grif?" Simmons squinted through the chilly raindrops falling against his face, both surprised and unsure as to how to react to the orange-wearing boy's presence, "What are you...?" He trailed off when the umbrella was placed over his head to block out the worst of the rain, though it did little now that he was soaked through.

"Looking for you, kiss-ass." Grif told him, rolling his dark-colored eyes, "Why else would I be out here?"

"But why?" At Grif's prodding and pulling gently on his arm, Simmons managed to get up from the bench and start walking.

"I called your phone, and your mom picked up. Started saying some weird shit." Grif explained as Simmons realized they were walking in the opposite direction of his home, "So I got worried." Simmons nodded, unsure of what to really say. Grif gave him a sideline glance, and Simmons knew he had likely put two and two together already, "Do you want to talk about it?" The heavyset teen asked.

Simmons shook his head, water droplets falling to the slush on the ground that was sure to freeze overnight, "Not really."

Grif didn't press any further, to which Simmons was grateful. He simply leaned in closer to Simmons so that their shoulders were touching, and Simmons let out a sharp breath, immensely grateful for the comforting contact. They didn't go back to the party, which Simmons was also glad for since he didn't want the others to see him like this, to have to answer a myriad of well-meaning questions when he just felt so tired. Instead the pair went to Grif and Kai's apartment since their mother pretty much lived there in name only, as she was mainly absent.

Simmons glanced around the feeble Christmas decorations that tried to convey a sense of cheer in the messy-yet-sparse space, knowing it was all that the Grif siblings could afford. He looked down at the puddle that was forming on the floor from his soaked clothing and nearly broke down into tears right where he stood, "S-Sorry." He murmured, futilely gesturing to himself.

"Dude, it's fine." Grif pulled Simmons further inside, "A little water isn't going to hurt."

"But!"

Grif shook his head, "I have some spare clothes you can wear while your stuff dries."

Simmons numbly nodded and followed Grif into his bedroom, the one that he'd been in a million times before. A few minutes later, he was dressed in an orange hoodie that was way too big for him and pants that he had to belt to keep up. Grif looked him over almost fondly, "That's a good color on you."

The redhead felt his face heat up with a blush, "Y-you think so?" He managed to ask through his embarrassment.

Grif nodded and they went back into the small living room with its ratty couch and too big artificial tree with twinkling lights, "I need to call Kai and the guys and let them know I found you. I kind of left in a hurry." He explained.

Simmons' face felt hot again with shame and regret, "I'm sorry you missed the rest of the party." He said.

Grif shrugged, "No big deal. It was winding down anyways, and I'm glad I found you before you froze to death out there."

Simmons said nothing, looking over at the tree instead. It was a much nicer sight than the gargantuan one his mother and father put up with its impersonal decorations. Grif joined him a few minutes later, his phone conversation with his sister evidently finished. For a moment, they remained standing by the tree in silence and then Grif reached out and gently clasped Simmons' hand with his own, their fingers entwined reassuringly together and shoulders leaning against one another once more.

"You're staying with us." Grif said with finality, "For Christmas and the next year."

Simmons blinked, completely caught off-guard, "B-but...!"

"No arguing, Simmons. Kai already said it's no trouble for her either so it's settled." Grif looked over at him, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze, "We'll figure shit out, but you shouldn't have to go back to those assholes."

"I..." Simmons' eyes began to water, and he hastily rubbed at them with his free hand.

"Besides, I totally forgot to buy anyone presents this year so it counts as my gift to you." Grif grinned, "It's a win-win, right?"

Simmons let out a watery laugh, and he was smiling so much it nearly hurt, "It's...it's perfect, Grif. Thanks."

That was the end of that conversation, because both of them sucked at really talking about their feelings. Still, this time it seemed as if the message got across regardless. Grif leaned over again and kissed Simmons a second time that day, and he didn't even complain about Simmons' no doubt icy lips. Instead, they both smiled into the gesture, the warmth behind it both present physically and symbolically.

"Merry Christmas, Richard." Grif told him, Simmons' eyes widening at the use of the name he'd given himself since Grif jokingly referred to him as "Dick" usually.

Simmons couldn't help but smile even more at the gesture, squeezing Grif's hand and bringing their lips together once more, "Merry Christmas, Dex."


Author's Notes: I apologize for being so absent this month in terms of writing, as real life has decided to kick my butt quite a bit. But this story idea would not leave me alone, so when I finally had some free time I decided to actually sit down and write it. I hope it was at least an enjoyable read for the holidays! Hopefully I'll be able to start back on updating my WIPs soon too. I'm wishing everyone who celebrates them Happy Holidays! :D