Gingersnap

Reunited For Christmas

This was a long time coming. And I'm pretty sad and irritated at myself that I didn't do this one a long time ago....

On Christmas Eve, Edward and Ginger went to Yuki’s house to spend the night. Yuki had a few other friends over, and after dinner and some movies and games, Ed and Ginger retired to their guest room on the second floor. 

Ed sat on the bed, and Ginger on the window sill, both looking out and watching the snow fall. Edward sighed suddenly, and Ginger turned to look up at him. 

“Are you okay, Ed? You’ve been really quiet since we got here…” Ginger frowned as she connected the dots. “You’re missing your brother, Alphonse...aren’t you?”

“Yeah. I am. I always am, actually. Just...sometimes it hurts a little more than usual, you know. It’s been years since I saw him, heard his voice. I don’t even know where he is, if he’s back home, or if he got transported to some random alternate universe like me. I’d do anything to go see him, no matter where he is..” The young man’s voice cracked, and he angrily swiped away a tear on his sleeve. 

“I-I’d miss you too much if you left…”

“I’d bring you with me, of course.” Ed put on a smile for her. “And Yuki too. My brother is obsessed with cats, he’d love you guys. He’d tried to hide you in his armor body and never let you out.” He laughed weakly then sniffed as his lower lip quivered. 

“D-did you have Christmas where you’re from?” Ginger asked, hopeful she’d be able to distract him from the pain of missing his brother, like usual. 

“We had something like it, yeah. Al and I would play out in the snow and make snowmen and snow forts. At night we’d have hot cocoa and play with our toys before we’d fall asleep in front of the fire or on the couch. Then our mom would cover us with a blanket and kiss us goodnight.”

“That sounds like so much fun! I’m glad you have memories like that.” Ginger fidgeted while Ed didn’t meet her gaze. Her ears then perked up when she heard the sound of snow crunching outside. 

“Look, Yuki’s outside in the backyard! What’s she doing?”

“She’s a snow leopard, she likes to go outside in the winter at all hours.”

“Oooh, can we go out and make snowmen with her?! Maybe that will cheer you up!”

“Nah, it’s too cold.”

Ginger’s ears and tail drooped at the flatness in her friend’s voice. “Um...will a hug help?”

“You know it.” This time, Ed gave her a small but genuine smile and scooped her up into his hands. He sighed softly and cuddled her to his chest as he lay down. “Time for bed.”

“I’m so excited for Christmas, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep!” 

“Well then I’ll just have to help you with that.”

“You mean?!”

Ed nodded, then watched the ocelot crawl up his chest and climb into his mouth, where she was swallowed and tucked away into his stomach. Ginger fell asleep quickly after being gently rocked to sleep by the natural motion inside. On the other hand, Ed lay awake staring at the ceiling in deep thought until he eventually fell asleep. 

-

“Ed! Ginger! Merry Christmas!!!”

Edward grunted and opened his eyes. It was still dark in the room. He looked at the clock on his bedside table and groaned. “Yuki, it’s 6AM. Can’t Christmas wait a few more hours?”