The Moon, The Sun, and Everything Else

Dog Tags // Simply Memories AU

Simply Memories AU Christmas oneshot

"This is beautiful, Kirstin." One of her cousins, Rich, commented. It was her third time hosting family Christmas, and Avi's family joined them this year.

"Thank you." Kirstie smiled from where she was standing in the kitchen, finishing up plating the last dish.

"How are you doing, Kirst?" One of Avi's cousins asked her, as she sat down.

Avi's cousin, Melody, was married to another soldier that Avi knew. Small world, really.

"Y'know, with Avi being gone." Melody added.

It was true. This was the first Christmas that Avi had been deported away. It was hard for Kirstie, adjusting to army wife life. She missed Avi everyday, like one should and would.

"I mean..." Kirstie poked around on her plate. She'd truly lost most of her appetite since Avi had left for war. "It's hard. It's hard with him gone. It's his first Christmas away."

It seemed like they were in their own world. All of the other family members were scrambled everywhere else, people eating all around the home, chit chatting it up with people from both families.

"Well, I was really thankful that Chase got home for Christmas this year." Melody looked over at her husband, who was beside her. She lovingly placed her hand on his chest, making Kirstie's throat clog with emotion. "He was away for our first Christmas as a married couple." Melody added. "But thankfully, he's been able to be home every holiday since, in fact, we were worried he'd be deported when Archie was born."

Kirstie swallowed the tiny bite of food that she ate. "That would've been awful. I'm glad you've been able to be home, Chase." Kirstie forced a smile.

"Well," Melody started again. "You have heard about Max, haven't you?"

"Max? Max Schmidt?" Kirstie asked for clarification. Max was another solider that Avi was quite close with.

"Yes...he...he didn't make it home for Christmas this year. I felt awful for his wife, they've just gotten married."

Kirstie dropped her fork, making it clang against her plate. "Max...Max died?" Her hands started shaking when she dropped her voice to a whisper.

Melody nodded, though she shook her head right after. "Awful, isn't it?"

Kirstie swallowed even harder. "Excuse me." She sat her napkin down and dashed down the hallway.

"Kirst!" Melody's husband, Chase, called after her.

Chase shot a look back at his wife. A look that basically said 'what the heck are you thinking'.

"Kirstie?" Chase quietly cracked open her bedroom door.

"What?" She asked, her voice breaking. Kirstie had buried her face in her sleeves as her tears continued pouring down her cheeks.

"I don't know what the hell my wife was talking about." Chase started, sitting beside Kirstie. "That was insanely insensitive of her. What can I do for you?"

Kirstie sniffled, looking up at the soldier that she'd known almost since she'd met Avi. Avi and Chase had been best friends, and it was a surprise when Chase married into Avi's family.

"I-I don't know. It is so hard without him."

"Shh, shh, I understand." Chase wrapped Kirstie in a hug, not caring if her tears dampened the fabric of his coat.

"And Max..." Kirstie drew out.

"Listen, I know, that's so scary, but Avi is one of the best soldiers I know. I saw him during training, he knows what he is doing. He'll be back in no time."

"A year and a half is a long time." Kirstie spoke, wiping her eyes and making sure her makeup wasn't all that smeared.

"I know, I know, but guess what?" Chase asked.

"What?" Kirstie asked, almost in a whisper.

"I have something that might make it go a little faster."

"What is that?" Kirstie asked Chase.

Chase smiled, reaching into the inner pocket of his coat. "I was waiting for the family gift swap later, but...um...I think you need this right now."

Chase flipped a dog tag between his fingers and handed it to Kirstie.

"It's a dog tag. Avi wanted me to give it to you when he heard he wasn't going to be able to be home." Chase explained.

"Thank you, C. Really, thank you." Kirstie threw her friend into a hug.

"Of course, Merry Christmas."