What time is it?
Seven.
I only slept for, like, two hours.
Same.
You worried about today?
No, I'm just… thinking about what presents I'm gonna get.
I hope I get a soul.
I hope I get good mental health.
I hope I get a mum who can regulate her emotions.
I hope I get grandparents who don't comment on my weight.
I hope Dad remembers to properly season the turkey.
He won't.
Yeah, he won't.
Merry Christmas.
- Gonna beat you. - I'm so close!
- I always do. - No.
You're always trying. Come on, come on, come on!
- No! - Yes!
Um… are you two getting dressed?
Yeah, in a minute.
Don't take too long. Everyone will be arriving soon.
She's always grumpy when Grandma and Granddad are coming round.
And yet she still invites them every Christmas.
I think you and Nellie are gonna be best friends. Right?
Yeah? Good boy.
Henry is the cutest dog I've ever seen.
I need to meet him immediately. Also, happy Christmas, I love you.
Henry says hi. Say hi, Henry.
Happy Christmas. I love you too.
You can come over and meet him any time if you want.
I know you've been stressed about today.
If it gets too much, there's a little guy here who needs hugs.
By "little guy who needs hugs," I did mean Henry,
but, actually, that applies to me as well, so, yeah.
You're still looking a bit skinny, aren't you?
I thought you were getting all that mess sorted out.
- Um… - Uh…
Oh no, Victoria. Why did you cut all your hair off?
Let's get you a drink, hey, Mum? A beer for you, Dad?
- Yeah. - Come through.
There'd better be champagne. None of that cheap stuff from last year.
- Charlie! - Oliver!
You've gotten so big!
Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas. - What did you get?
I got loads of tractors. What did you get?
I got some socks, some shoes, a tuner, and…
and a PlayStation.
It's okay if you're feeling stressed. Geoff said that it was completely normal.
We can always try the breathing exercises that he suggested. You know, the…
I'm fine.
Everything okay?
- Yeah, fine. - Okay. Good.
- Um, come and sit down. - Yeah. Yeah?
- Yeah. - All right.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Merry Christmas.
- Do you want some gravy? - Yeah.
Any roasties, sis?
- Wine? - She's offering you wine.
- How's the turkey? - Lovely.
Charlie, you need to tell us about your boyfriend. What's his name?
- Nick. - How long you been going out?
Uh… eight months?
Oh, wow.
What about you, Tori? Any lovely men in your life?
- No. - You're not missing out on much.
Straight boys are the absolute worst.
- Let's hope this one turns out better. - He might not end up being straight.
You're so right.
When did you realize you were gay?
Uh…
How's everyone doing down here? Everything okay?
- Yeah. - Great, thanks.
- I'm fine. - We're fine.
Okay.
Stop getting up. They're fine down there.
I… I think she's just worried.
Can't I just try and have a normal…
- You know Dad's not coming? - Maybe he will. Maybe he won't.
He won't. He always says he's gonna pop in, then he never does.
Stop acting like you know everything.
Ever since your boyfriend became mentally deranged,
you've been acting like the savior of the Earth.
- Don't say that about Charlie. - I get it.
He wants attention, he stops eating, you have to be the hero who saves the day.
Can you just shut the fuck up?
What do you think?
Oh, you look handsome.
Come and use those big, strong muscles.
Help me move the table.
- Come on. - I'm coming!
- I can't pick this up. - One second.
School prefect. Oxford.
You're gonna do wonderful things and make us all so proud.
- d Are you okay? d - d Oh-oh-oh d
Oh, I think I'm gonna explode.
I ate too much. I need something cozy and not tight.
- d Oh-oh-oh… d - There we go.
- d And I love the seaside… d - Yep. There, there, there.
That's so nice.
What? Enjoying the view?
What if I was?
Some might say you fancy me.
What if I do?
I wonder what we'll do?
You do?
- Wait. Glasses. Glasses. - Okay.
Uh…
Sorry, was that… was that, um…
- Sorry. - It's fine.
- Shall we… shall we go for a walk? - Yeah.
- He always wins. - How are you doing anyway, Charlie?
Uh, doing okay, thanks.
It's a relief you could come back for Christmas, isn't it?
Can't imagine what Christmas would be like in a place like that.
Uh… they… they decorated it for Christmas.
It was really helpful, actually, so…
Oh, yeah, of course. You just hear horror stories, don't you?
White walls, straitjackets, all that.
Did you meet anyone, like, really crazy in there?
You're not supposed to say that.
We're just happy that Charlie's back to normal and back with us.
I'm gonna get a drink.
He seems great.
As if nothing ever happened.
I'm sorry, Charlie. Try to ignore.
Not everybody understands what you've been dealing with.
So I just have to put up with ignorant comments from family?
We just need to get through the day.
We'll have some tea later, but that's not for a couple of hours. How about a snack?
Is there a snack on your meal plan for today?
Stop pestering me about food.
Charlie, why don't we just go play Mario Kart?
Oliver wanted to…
I'm just aware that today has been a very difficult day for you, Charlie.
You only managed half your dinner. The dietician said that's a concern.
You're not helping. You're making me feel worse.
Fine. Well, I'm… I'm sorry I even tried.
I'm going to Nick's.
Please don't.
I just can't deal with all of that.
Can't you at least spend Christmas with me?
You spend all your time with Nick.
He treats me as something other than mentally ill.
I do too.
Sorry. I…
I… I'll see you later.
- Hey. - Hey.
Where's your coat?
- d Not as beautiful… d - Sorry.
- I had an argument with my mum. - d But still as sweet… d
Wanna talk about it?
I take it this is the boyfriend, then?
Merry Christmas! Are you coming in? We don't bite. Promise.
- Yeah. - Yeah? Okay.
Um…
- Probably a little bit big. - I don't care. I'm so cold right now.
Can you turn around while I change?
Oh. Uh…
Yeah. Um…
Yeah, course.
Okay.
All done.
You look… adorable.
- I look ridiculous. - Ridiculously adorable.
Mwah! Mm.
Sure you don't wanna talk about it?
I just wanna have a nice day.
Okay.
Let's do that, then.
Come on.
Merry Christmas.
- Good to finally have you. - Good to be here.
Everyone.
Look out. All right, I'm gonna take your glass.
Okay. Hello, Henry.
Merry Christmas!
- We've not kissed like that in so long. - Yeah.
We should probably go back down now.
Yeah.
Good idea.
Yes!
It's gonna go.
Nick!
- Great. - Toast is good, yeah?
- It's really good. - Yeah.
That's the deal though.
Oh right. Thought so.
Taxi!
Thanks for nothing, Space Man. See you in court!
Donna!
Did he text you?
Dad? No.
You know you got a real family who actually wanna hang out with you.
You know, Dad is family.
I think family are the people who actually give a shit.
Merry Christmas.
You left me to fend for myself against our cousins.
Oliver's in a bad mood because no one will play Mario Kart with him,
and I think Mum might be willing to apologize.
As wild as that sounds.
I hate Christmas.
You don't.
I hate this one.
I worry about you all the time.
Did you know that?
I get that you're scared of being a burden.
We just wanna be there for you.
You have to let us.
And not just say you're fine when you're not.
I just wish we could rewind and start today all over again.
Well, there's always New Year's Eve, huh?
Hey, buddy. Hey.
Hey, I'm sorry about earlier.
- I just… - Tao…
I don't wanna do anything unless you also wanna do… things.
I mean, I think about it, like, all the time. Not all the time.
A respectful amount of time that one thinks about one's girlfriend that way.
- I'm gonna stop talking. - Tao…
I also want to do things.
It's just… more complicated for me.
I don't really think about you being trans, if that makes it easier…
I know, but…
I am trans, and it's a big part of me.
I never imagined finding a boyfriend
and… and feeling so safe with him that I'd even think about, like,
taking my clothes off in front of him.
And when you put your hand there…
…all my dysphoria just hit me.
It made me feel like my body wasn't my body, like…
like I wasn't there at all.
- I'm sorry. - Hey.
Don't be sorry.
There's no pressure.
I'm sorry I made you feel like that.
It's okay. I…
I know we haven't really talked about this before, so…
It's hard to talk about.
I love you.
I love everything about you.
And whatever you wanna do or not do, it's okay.
I still wanna be with you.
Come here.
How about while I walk you home,
we can talk a bit more about what you're comfortable with?
- Okay. - Okay?
- Okay. - Okay.
Okay.
Let's go.
How are you…
Stop it!
- I'm in second place! - You're in second already!
- No! - Stop!
- Yes, Oliver! - I'm gonna do it to you.
Yes, sabotage. Go on!
Stop!
Come on, buddy.
- d This must be love… d - Ready?
- d People say we don't need to rush… d - You ready?
- d We spend too much time together… d
- Hey. - Hey.
How is my tiny boy?
- Oh, he's missed you. - Oh, I've missed him.
- You missed him, buddy? - Hey, buddy!
You do know you're gonna be my taxi driver from now on, don't you?
- Really? - Mm.
Lucky me.
- Charlie! - Charlie!
- Hello!
- We missed you so much! - Nick.
- It's okay. - Nice to see you.
Come on! We need to dance!
So my art keeps going, like, viral,
then I get a wave of new followers.
- You are so amazing. - Thank you.
Charlie!
Hello!
- Come dance with us! - I don't dance!
No!
- Why don't you ask her? - Come on.
- Oh, hey, Tara. - You're a prefect, aren't you?
- Can you talk to Miss Greenwood… - Sorry, I… I… I've just gotta go.
Uh, sorry.
Hi. Ooh, champagne.
- You gonna drink that? - Yeah.
It's gonna come up through your nose.
Yep. Just like that.
Now it's coming out of your mouth. Don't. Not on me!
- Hey. - Hey!
- You all right? - Good. You?
- I'm all right. Let's dance! - Let's do it.
So I've told the others about my pronouns, but that's kind of it.
I think I just wanna see how I… how I feel for a bit.
Yeah.
You don't need to rush to come out as anything.
Just chill and, like, have fun with it.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
- I will have fun with it. - Do.
- Thank you very much. - Please have fun with it. Cheers.
I'm driving, so this…
What is it…?
Hey, Charlie. How comes you were off school for so long?
Uh…
Sorry, mate. We were actually just gonna go head outside, but see you later?
- d All yours, baby… d
Hello.
I'm gonna get a drink.
Hey.
Want one?
No. I'll be sick.
Oh no. How much have you had?
Hardly any.
Just…
Me and Tao…
We want to have sex.
Oh my God.
Or, I don't know, do something more than kissing anyway.
You… don't seem that happy about that.
I am, but it's a big deal.
I mean, what if he touches me and I… and I just freak out?
If you're not ready, babe, then… you don't have to do anything.
I want to. I really, really want to. I'm just scared.
I mean, I hate that this is stopping me from being with him in that way.
Come here.
You trust him,
and he loves you.
And… if anything goes wrong…
…I'll be here for you.
And he'll be there for you.
I know he will.
- I love you. - I love you.
I'll probably be ready to go once the fireworks are done.
That's okay.
I'm pretty tired anyway.
It's nearly midnight.
Exactly. Need to recharge.
Thank you.
I'm really glad you're back.
Being without you was
not fun.
Hey.
- How's your night? - Mm. Better than Christmas.
That's a pretty low bar.
Yeah.
Still, managed a whole night out without a breakdown,
so therapy must be doing something right.
Maybe it is.
Praise be to Geoff.
Where are your friends?
Off being fun.
And cheerful.
One day you're gonna make friends with someone you actually enjoy being around.
The only person I care about is you.
That won't be true forever.
We'll see.
Almost midnight. Make sure you've got someone to kiss! Let's get cracking.
Fireworks?
Fireworks.
Here we go. We haven't spoken properly since Halloween,
and now you're here to kiss me at midnight.
I'm not here for that.
I wanted to apologize for Halloween.
I was being so toxic.
Oh.
Okay.
I wasn't doing it… for attention or anything.
I don't really know… what I was doing.
Look,
I don't…
…wanna be just an experiment to you.
Especially when you know you're the reason I realized I was bi in the first place.
- Wait. - Mm?
I didn't know that.
Ten, nine, eight…
There you are. Where'd you go?
Just needed to get away from everything.
Seven, six…
Hiya. Don't worry. I'm not here to kiss you.
Just don't want to be alone at midnight.
Five, four…
Come with me.
Okay.
Three, two, one!
Happy New Year!
- d As he pins me down… d - d For auld lang syne d
- d I look for you in the wrong places… d - Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.