A Random Book of Randomness

Captive Christmas

(This is another CH oneshot, it is based on the idea that Mandara spends more than half a year in Ussr's clutches and most likely missed out on a lot of holidays with MA, Christmas possibly being one of them.  Don't worry, it's not as sad as it sounds, because if you're friends with the right people, you just might strike it lucky even in the worst of times.  Now enough of me rambling, enjoy the oneshot.)

It was that time of the year again, the air was getting colder, the snow was falling from the sky, and the world was celebrating the jolliest season, all except for one.  In a base deep within soviet territory, one country was feeling anything but jolly, staring out his barred window, longing for his family.  Mandara rested his head on his arms as he watched the snow falling, he'd been stuck in that cursed cell for five months, he really thought that he would have been rescued by now.

"What's the point in celebrating if you have nothing to celebrate," he muttered despairingly, running his finger over the fogged glass.

While he was gazing at the clouded sky, the door behind him unlocked and someone came in, "Happy Christmas, Mandara," a young and joyful voice said.

Mandara turned to the voice, smiling ruefully at the giddy teen, "hey Kaz, what are you doing here, shouldn't you be at home with your family, celebrating Christmas together?"

"We already have," Kaz said, plopping down on the bed next to Mandara's chair, "or at least we opened presents, now we're going to a nearby town to hang out but I wanted to give you something first."

The boy held up a large box, it was wrapped in silver wrapping paper and had a golden ribbon holding it closed.  Mandara looked shocked, not expecting anyone to even think about giving him a gift, being a prisoner after all.

"Oh Kaz, you shouldn't have," he said, genuine gratitude in his voice, "I can't believe your father let you give me something."

"Yeah, it took a LOT of convincing," Kaz admitted with an innocent chuckle, "and he was even more generous than that, but you got to open your present to find out what I mean."

Mandara raised a brow at the teen's words, wondering what he meant by that, so he did as told and opened his gift.  Inside was a scarf on top of tissue paper, the scarf had red, blue, and green stripes, the ends had a large black stripe with the Mandorian crest embroidered in the middle.  Mandara was speechless, it was such a thoughtful gift even though he couldn't wear it since he couldn't go outside, but when he removed the tissue paper that thought was dashed away.  Under the paper was a wool coat, it was black with red, blue, and green stripes on the sleeves, four stars decorated the lapels, two on each side, and his crest was sewn on the left side of the chest.

Mandara could feel tears welling up in his eyes, it was the first time he felt happy in months.  Kaz's smile grew bigger as he saw how delighted his friend was, "come on, try it on, let's see if it fits."  he insisted.

Mandara chuckled and obliged, standing up to put on the coat, Kaz helped zip up the back flap that let his wings poke out of the slits.  There was a stand-up mirror in the room that Mandara stood in front of, he tied his scarf around his neck to complete the look, doing a little spin when he was done.

"It fit's great," he declared, "but I don't understand why you would give me this, I can't go outside."

"That's just it Mandara, Папа is letting you come with us to the village," Kaz exclaimed, jumping up and down with joy, "you would not believe how much I had to beg him to do this, I had to promise to do all of the chores for the next month and a bunch of other things. The catch is that you have to wear a shock collar so you don't try to escape but I knew it would be worth it, right?"