I Won't be Home for Christmas [Holiday FrUK Oneshot]

I Won't be Home for Christmas

The seasonal phenomenon that was wintertime. Thick, cold cotton covering the streets. The smell of cinnamon and clove penetrating the air. Laughter and smiles all around. It was the perfect time of year for families to come together. Every avenue appeared to be a glistening wonderland of multicolored bulbs and fun figures made of fluffy snow.

It was an ethereal light show late in the evening. Children's little footsteps would echo through the atmosphere, as calm parents treaded behind. Memories were being made, reunions were to be held. Nothing could be more undisturbed. Peace was the greatest gift mankind could all agree on at that time of year.
Most people would go out shopping, staggering through crowded locals and stores to purchase glamorous presents for their loved ones. City plazas had a massive, synthetic pine tree adorning the very center. Red and gold ribbons, tied around its snowy branches, and a ravishing star at it's tip would sparkle all through the area.

It was the favorite holiday of many. Especially when it came to the more material side to it. Boys and girls alike would receive a plethora of toys. No matter how rich, no matter the race, everyone had a right to a gift.

It was no different for Alfred and Matthew. They were twin brothers that lived in a very nice suburban area near Washington D.C. Christmas in their home was one of the most magical things of all. They'd always be left in awe when they'd watch their fathers decorate the outsides. Every time it snowed, they'd eagerly rush to play with the fresh power, waiting to be packed into a castle. The smell of pastries was a prominent one, that always attracted neighbors to their doorstep.

Their guardians, Arthur and Francis, couldn't be more different from each other. Though for some reason, their love always prevailed above all else. The twins noticed Christmas was the time where the two were more attached to each other. Their smiles would never fade away, and they fought very little. The children didn't get told off as often as they would the rest of the year. Especially young Alfred— who had a bit of excessive energy and tended to get his nose into things he wasn't supposed to.

The kids knew exactly who they had to thank for all the wonderful things they'd been blessed with. Their parents were the thing they adored the most. The loving climate of their home kept them happy, even more so when they fathers displayed affection in front of them. It was love at its purest form. It was what brought all the magic to life.

Every year on Christmas, Francis would cook a scrumptious meal for the family to enjoy. Then, it would be followed up by delicious sweets and baked goods that the twins had probably helped make. On special occasions, external family members would fly all the way from Europe to celebrate with them. One year, the brothers' uncle, Alistair, took a plane from Scotland to spend the holidays abroad. It had been one of the children's favorite Christmases, especially since they'd gotten more gifts than usual.

But one day, everything changed. Dear Francis worked as a solider. He'd migrated from France when he was very young, in hopes of pursuing an art career in the states.
Unfortunately, his plans had been left abandoned in the dust. A few years before wedding his husband, he received his citizenship and joined the military to make ends meet. He'd done many tasks that involved them moving a lot. They'd even stayed in other countries for very short amounts of time. However, he'd never had the obligation to serve in an actual war zone.
Until now.

Francis was deployed to Iraq, forced to leave his family behind. After a long hug, a few tears, and some goodbye kisses, he vanished from the home like fog on a windy day. Having to endure his husband's absence was a nightmare for Arthur. He couldn't focus on his job
completely, for all he could do was count every minute that passed by.

Hours became days. Days became months. And before they knew it, a whole year-and-a-half had dashed by. Arthur has stopped asking the question a long time ago. But his sons simply couldn't wrap their heads around the situation. Their innocence led them to constantly quiz their present father on when the other would return to their arms.