We're on the island of misfit toys
Here we don't want to stay
As the girls sang, everyone was putting different decorations on some tree that someone found on the side of the road. Dylan couldn't remember who it was but he didn't care. He was too busy thinking about Christmas. Eric, Andrew and his other brother Nicholas was coming around the Armstrong household for Christmas. Eric and Andrew he was on great terms with. Nicholas on the other hand was a different story. While Dylan was all for gay rights and Eric was gay himself with a boyfriend, they were all positive towards the LGBT community. Nicholas wasn't and he moved out of the house the same night Eric came out, when Nicholas was 17. He moved out because he was refusing to be in the same house with a "sodomizing faggot and the delusional people that agree with this". Dylan was 13 at the time and he was having a very angry mood swing when he got into a fight with Nicholas that night. And that was when Dylan's anger issues really started. And since Nicholas is now 20 and Dylan is 16 and can also punch harder, the dancer was more than willing to drill his opinions of Nicholas into his face.
But right now, he wasn't going to go into detail because as the song picked up, he and Brittany were somehow waltzing around the choir room as the others were singing and wrapping up presents. And then they proclaimed:
We're all misfits!
Dylan was sure that he even heard Jack proclaim that one particular line and he wasn't sure if the balladeer was saying that as part of the song or if he was discreetly admitting that he was a misfit. Dylan then decided it was the former just as the song finished and Mr. Schuester came in and asked what was going on. Finn said that they were trying to get into the Christmas spirit before mentioning that his favourite holiday was Christmas. Dylan had to agree, he loved Christmas. He loved just seeing peoples faces light up when they open up their presents. He actually decided to get presents for Brittany, Quinn, Rachel and Kurt this year. He wasn't intending to get Rachel something but then realised that she had actually been quite supportive of Dylan and apart from that one time when he auditioned, she hadn't complained about when he sang and actually complimented him a few times. Plus he saw the perfect gift for her as he was shopping for the others.
Finn, Santana and Puck explained where they got the stuff from and Mr. Schuester looked almost frightened.
"Guys, I appreciate the effort, but this isn't what Christmas is supposed to be like." He said.
"For us, it is. This tree is like a mascot for glee club. We won Sectionals two years in a row and according to everyone at this school we still suck." Mercedes said and Mike said something about adding food coloring to slush from the parking lot.
"You can eat that you know." Lauren replied and Dylan could've sworn he nearly dry wretched at that. Mr Schuester then went on about not letting them throw themselves a pity party before saying that Christmas was about being grateful for the things that made their lives good this year.
"I thought that was Thanksgiving." Puck replied but Will seemingly ignored him.
"And this year, glee club will lend a hand to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth program right here in Lima." He said.
"How are we gonna do that?" Rachel asked.
"The only way we know how: by singing about it." Mr. Schuester replied before going on about going classroom to classroom to raise money. Dylan sighed at this. They were going to be lambs to the slaughter.
"Wait, classrooms at this school with like, students in them?" Tina asked.
"Well if there are no students in them, there will be no one to put money in the collection box while we sing." The director replied with a little laugh. 'He clearly doesn't get it' Dylan thought.
"We're gonna be killed." Quinn replied, looking off into space. 'Apparently, Quinn does' Dylan's mind spoke again. But Finn started talking about Christmas miracles and Mr. Schuester gave a triumphant smile.
"Finn's right. So, let's start rehearsing. This year, glee club's going full Santa." He said before motioning the tree which lit up. Dylan's head cocked to the side. 'How the hell did he do that?'
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They tried singing 'We Need A Little Christmas', which backfired terribly.
"I can't believe the teacher let the students speak to us like that." Rachel said.
"I can't believe she threw her shoe at us." Puck added on.
"Am I the only one that wanted to throw it back at her? Even though she's a teacher?" Dylan asked.
"Nope." Mitchell replied and Dylan gave a little smile to the brunette boy before Brittany spoke.
"Santa Claus can do anything and this year I asked for the glee club to stop getting picked on." She said and Dylan's head shot up. He almost dropped his string of popcorn. He definitely did not see that coming. Artie then said that this was serious and that Brittany still believed in Santa Claus.
"Okay. Someone needs to break the news to her." Lauren said whilst eating the popcorn. Puck immediately declined before Artie went on about making her world magical a little loner.
"How?" Mike asked.
"I've got it all figured out." Artie said before everyone turned to Brittany, who just sent everyone an adorable smile which made Dylan almost melt at the sight. He didn't even care about the holes Artie was burning in the back of his head.
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They were currently at the mall, and by 'they' Dylan meant Brittany, Quinn, Mercedes, Santana, Mike, Tina, Sam and Artie were and they were stood outside Santa's workshop. Brittany was saying something about not knowing the difference between an elf and a slave while Artie was saying about how everyone had to sit on Santa's knee. Everyone went and then Dylan went up, carefully sitting down on Santa's knee as he remembered Santana's complaint about having a 'roll of Certs' in his pocket.
"And what would you want for Christmas?" Santa asked Dylan who looked to the others and his eyes followed to Brittany and Quinn who were stood next to each other. His eyes locked with Brittany's before locking with Quinn's, both girls lightly smiling at the boy.
"A lot of Cherry Mountain Dew. And pineapples." Dylan said, gaining a playful eye roll from Quinn and a laugh from Brittany. Dylan cheekily grinned to the two blonde girls before jumping off and walking off to stand beside Quinn as Brittany went up. The Cheerio and Santana had a little back and forth conversation before Brittany pointed to Artie.
"For Christmas…I want him to be able to walk."
'…oh god.' Dylan thought as the blonde asked if Santa could do that. Artie signaled him to say no but he had to say yes.
"Now we're screwed." Artie said.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious." Dylan hit at Artie just as Brittany hugged Santana and they all went around the mall.
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Dylan headed straight home after he had finished at the mall. He headed up the driveway and into the house.
"I'm home!" Dylan called out, slipping his rucksack off and putting it by the door. He heard no sound.
"Mom? Dad?" Dylan called out just as he shut the door. Again, no reply. He then headed into the kitchen and saw a note on the side and picked it up.
Boys,
Gone out for a meal. Should be back around midnight.
Mom & Dad
x
Dylan put it down before spotting a second note next to it.
Dylan
Gone out with Andrew. Won't be back until tomorrow ;)
Eric
xxx
"Should've known." He said with a smile on his face before going to the fridge and pulling out a carton of apricot and mango smoothie. Pouring it into a glass, he took a sip before walking into the living room. And when he saw who was sat on the sofa, he almost spat it out. The person who was sat down just looked at Dylan smirked before standing up, looking at Dylan square in the eyes.
"Dylan." He said. Dylan almost snarled when the person said his name but he just stared him down as he answered in an almost demonic whisper.
"Nicholas."
Nicholas quirked an eyebrow, his smirk cemented in place.
"What? I don't get a 'hi'?" he asked and he was met with a cold rush to his face. He felt thick liquid drip down his face and run through his short brown spiky hair. As soon as it reached his mouth, he could taste apricot and mango.
"There. There's your 'hi' although I was sure you didn't deserve one in the first place. Not after what you did." Dylan said coldly, lowering his now empty glass. Nicholas just wiped away the smoothie from his eyes, somehow managing to keep that smirk on his face.
"How's Eric?" he asked and Dylan's eyes flashed red and his fists clenched.
"Oh, wow. The first time you called Eric by his actual name and not 'faggot', 'fudge packer' and 'sodomizing'." Dylan snarled and Nicholas let out a callous laugh.
"Only stating the truth." He whispered and one of Dylan's fists collided with Nicholas jaw. The older boy stumbled back, clutching his jaw and when he removed it seconds later, a line of red was visible to younger boy. It was trickling from Nicholas' mouth and little droplets fell onto the floorboards.
"You're lucky I didn't punch you more than once. And trust me; I have more than one reason as to why I should just send you to hospital now." Dylan said. Nicholas' smirk had disappeared but he had a fierce fire in his eyes. They were about to leap for each other when the doorbell rang. Dylan kept his shoulders hunched in his defensive stance as he went to the door. He opened it to see Quinn Fabray stood there and the muscles in Dylan's body began to relax immediately.
"Hey." Quinn said, with a smile. Dylan forced a smile.
"Hey." He replied. Quinn immediately noticed something.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nicholas is here." Dylan replied and Quinn's eyebrow quirked in confusion.
"The homophobic brother." The dancer then explained and he noticed the muscles in Quinn tense. When Dylan told Quinn the whole story about Nicholas running away, the first sentence she said was: "I hope he got lost on the freeway and was run over by a truck."
"How are you coping?" Quinn asked and Dylan looked to his hand to see the smoothie glass still in his hand. He raised it to Quinn's eye level.
"Let's just say I now know how the football players feel." He said with a smile and Quinn wore her Queen Bitch smirk before heading in. He headed back into the living room to see Nicholas stood there with his fists clenched. He was about to lunge for Dylan when Quinn walked in and Nicholas' eyes immediately went to Quinn and his smirk once again reappeared. Nicholas also had a habit of going after girls even if they were taken. And Dylan knew he wanted Quinn. Apparently Quinn knew too.
"Dylan. We're going to be late for the Gay Rights Club meeting." Quinn said. Dylan was on the brink of laughing at Nicholas' face after Quinn said that. The blonde boy knew the Cheerio was acting and Dylan decided to play along.
"Alright. Are we meeting Tina there?" Dylan asked and Quinn smirked, nodding.
"Who's Tina? You're girlfriend? Have you not joined the Queer-tron Army?" Nicholas asked Dylan. Dylan shook his head.
"No. Tina is Quinn's girlfriend." Dylan said and Nicholas turned stone faced before turning to Quinn.
"You're a dyke? Well, I think I know something that'll straighten you out." Nicholas said before striding towards Quinn, grabbing her arm. Dylan then grabbed Nicholas' shirt and pulled him off Quinn before dragging him to the door, landing a blow to his face and throw him out of the door.
"Who are you? You're sick! And don't bother coming back!" Dylan yelled before shutting the door and embracing Quinn, who looked quite shaken.
"It's okay. I'm here." He whispered, letting Quinn melt into the embrace.
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The next day, Dylan walked in with Quinn to see the choir room completely trashed. He really didn't know who could've done this. Inklings drew him to Nicholas but he didn't know which school Dylan went to. Brittany thought it was Santa and everyone went with it. And then Finn said something about not letting this get him down because way worse things have happened around the world.
"I agree. Come on guys, let's clean this up." Mr. Schuester said and Dylan gently took Quinn's hand, helping her clean up.
"Come to my house tonight." He whispered and Quinn looked alarmed.
"Don't worry. I told my parents about what happened with Nicholas and he's not allowed back in the house. And if he is, I have their permission to throw him out." Dylan reasoned and Quinn let out a shaky yet relieved breath before smiling.
"I don't want to go through that again." She said and Dylan squeezed her hand.
"It won't. Not while I'm here." Dylan said and Quinn smiled before gently kissing Dylan's hand and continuing to pick up what was remained from the midnight choir room raid.
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A gentle knock on the front window woke Dylan from his nap. He sat up, wiped his eyes and saw Quinn at the front window waving. Dylan smirked back before getting up and heading to the door. He checked his sweatpants pocket before opening the door. Quinn smiled before staring at Dylan's shirtless stomach.
"Come on." Dylan said, taking Quinn's hand and pulling her into the house breaking Quinn's stare. They went into the sitting room and Quinn sat down while Dylan rushed upstairs to slip on a plain black t-shirt and racing back downstairs.
"I actually called you round so I could give you this. Rachel and Kurt are coming around soon for theirs." Dylan said, reaching into his sweatpants pocket and pulling out a small box, wrapped neatly in snowman wrapping paper. Quinn gently took the box and looked to Dylan with wide, surprised eyes before looking back at the box, carefully tearing off the wrapping paper and opening the box. She gasped before pulling out a gold Saint Christopher necklace. Tears started to fill Quinn's eyes before she pulled Dylan in for a tight embrace. Dylan returned it immediately, tightening it and they held it for a while before Quinn looked to Dylan who smiled and took the necklace from her and put it around her neck. It was a perfect fit. Quinn smiled before sighing.
"Well, I'm glad otherwise you would've felt guilty when I gave you this." Quinn said before unzipping her bag and pulling out a small box, handing it to Dylan. Dylan smiled before opening it. It was two silver rings with musical staves on them. The dancer grinned to Quinn and hugged her before trying them on.
"How did you know my ring size?" Dylan asked.
"I snuck into your house and measured your fingers." Quinn replied, grinning. Dylan grinned back.
"They're perfect." Dylan said and they both smiled.
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Kurt and Rachel did come around later, about 5 minutes after Quinn left and they both tackled after they received their Marc Mode Pelly Watch and original Funny Girl Broadway program that his uncle was selling for $30. He clearly didn't know how much it was worth. Although Rachel did mention she was popular because of the gift she got from Jack that night.
But now the boys were selling their watches and the girls were selling their hair to buy gifts. But Mr. Schuester came in and stopped them asking what was going on.
"We're going all Gift Of The Magi to raise money to buy homeless kids school supplies." Mercedes answered.
"The guys are gonna sell their watches and the girls are gonna sell off their hair." Sam added on.
"How come Dylan didn't hand his watch in?" Mitchell asked.
"I never wear one. I was scared Puck was gonna steal it or Jack was gonna use it for…well, anything. So I donated $150." Dylan said.
"You can't do that." Mr. Schuester said.
"Oh no, it's cool. Most of this isn't mine anyways." Santana replied.
"And Mr. Schue. That money is actually mine." Dylan added on but Mr. Schue said that there were other ways to raise money.
"We tried caroling and it didn't work." Rachel said. Artie then mentioned that Rachel and Finn were supposed to be getting them a new tree.
"We did but Finn bailed before we could get one." Rachel replied.
"Nice Christmas spirit, Finn." Brittany said before Mr. Schuester interrupted, asking if anyone had read Gift Of The Magi. When no one raised their hands, he went on about what it was about. He then said that they were going to sing for people who need that Christmas spirit and Dylan agreed.
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Dylan was walking down the corridor the next day when he saw Brittany looking glum and taking down the Christmas decorations from her locker. Something was definitely wrong so Dylan went over.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"I think I've lost the Christmas spirit…its Santa. I don't know if I can tell you." She said. Dylan felt really bad for Brittany so he put a comforting hand on her shoulder and she turned to him.
"I used to believe that Santa could do anything. If Santa isn't magical, I don't know even know if I want to believe anymore." She said. Dylan sighed. He knew the Coach Beiste thing was too far.
"It's not fair that Artie can't walk. I feel so terrible." She said.
"Hey, look at me. You don't have to feel that way." Dylan softly said and Brittany just stare at Dylan when Mr. Schuester and Artie went past.
"Hey, guys. We need you in the teacher's lounge." Mr. Schuester said.
"Mr. Schue." Dylan called out while running over to the teacher and the boy in the wheelchair.
"Brittany's not feeling so good. Santa thing. If you don't mind, maybe Artie should take her home, make sure she's okay and I need to make a quick call. I'll be like a minute." Dylan said and Mr. Schuester nodded.
"Good idea. But be quick." Mr. Schuester said and Dylan nodded before pulling his phone out.
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They sang 'Welcome Christmas' which went without a hitch and even Jack placed a donation in the bucket. Apparently they raised over $450 with Jack's and Dylan's donations. And they went back to celebrate in the choir room when a living miracle happened before their eyes. Artie was standing up and walking. With the help of a machine but he was still walking. He explained that it was called a ReWalk and everyone just looked on in shock as he walked towards them. Even Puck looked amazed.
"I'm more uncomfortable with you now than I was when we first met." Jack said and everyone laughed.
"Where did you get it?" Quinn asked.
Brittany then said that they went home and it was sitting under the tree. Sam asked how they afforded it.
"I didn't buy it. I didn't know what it was. I thought it was a Transformer." Brittany said and Artie whispered something to Santana.
"So if know one we know bought it then-" Rachel started but Dylan interrupted.
"Who said it was no one we knew?" he asked and everyone looked to him. Dylan just smiled.
"Santa just needed a little help so I hooked him up." He said and Brittany's eyes widened and a huge grin was on her face.
"Santa." Mercedes said. Artie just looked to Dylan and smiled.
"Santa." He said and Dylan smiled before turning to the open door and seeing Coach Beiste stood there, smiling. Dylan smiled back and mouthed 'Thank you', to which Coach Beiste nodded at before walking away.
"A real Christmas miracle." Quinn said, Dylan stood behind her and they smiled to each other before watching Artie continue to walk.
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"Well, Santa had some helpers." Sue said before blowing a whistle and Rachel walked in, followed by the others and they helped trim the tree. Dylan managed to catch a look and a smile with Quinn before feeling someone take his hand. He looked to see Brittany smiling at him. Dylan smiled back and put an arm around her as they put the decorations up. He then leaned down and picked up a parcel with a label that read: 'To Britt, Happy Christmas, love Dyl'
She opened it and pulled out a long yellow duck bathrobe. Brittany just giggled and gently pecked Dylan on the cheek.
"Merry Christmas." She said softly an Dylan smiled.
"Merry Christmas." Dylan replied.
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I forgot to say on the last chapter: Andrew was played by Travis Wall in the last chapter and in this chapter, Nicholas is played by Kenny Wormald.
I wasn't planning on Nicholas to be such an evil douche but my douche muse just ran away with it.
I shall post the Ellen interview on either Monday or Tuesday and Dylan shall sing again in 'The Sue Sylvester Shuffle' although that will probably be quite a short chapter. Here's a little spoiler, it's a duet :)