This didn't turn out as long as I wanted it, but I think that it had the desired affect. I am dedicating this story to a friend of mine who will be going through her first Christmas without her mom.

Merry Christmas everyone and remember to appreciate what you have before it's gone.

It Gets Easier

Alek sat outside on the spine of the Leviathan staring at the brightly shining stars. He shivered in the cold December air and pulled his coat tighter around his shoulders thankful that he had had the foresight to bring it along with him. The boy sighed and watched as his breath fogged and spiraled up into the vast expanse of dark sky. It was Christmas Eve and the crew was throwing a bit of a party. A bit of a party meaning that everybody was as drunk as a skunk and Alek was able to sneak away. Now he was sitting alone with his thoughts.

"What are you doing out here, you ninny? You're going to catch your death!" A voice with a familiar Scottish accent exclaimed in a loud voice. Footsteps carried the body of the voice to a stop next to where Alek was sitting.

Dylan's voice softened when Alek didn't answer, "What's on your mind, Alek?"

Alek lifted his chin from his knees and rubbed at his face. To his shame, the boy felt wet tear tracks on his cheeks. He furiously scrubbed at them as Dylan took at seat beside him.

"Hey, now," Dylan whispered, lifting Alek's chin, "there's no shame in crying. What's wrong?"

Alek raised his eyes to his friend's before quickly dropping them again. "Does it ever go away?" the broken boy asked quietly.

Dylan grew suddenly serious as he picked up the frequency of Alek's thoughts. He glanced up at the stars while he composed his answer. "No, it doesn't. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but it's the truth. It does get easier to deal, though. The pain never quite goes away, but it does begin to fade eventually. The first Christmas is always the hardest." Dylan's voice broke and he swiped at his own tears.

"But come on," the blond boy said jumping to his feet and offering a hand to the darker boy. "It's Christmas Eve: A time of celebration. Let's go drink ourselves silly and forget all about our troubles for at least one night. What do you say?"

Alek contemplated Dylan's question for a moment before grinning and taking the hand of the other boy. Dylan hauled him to his feet as Alek muttered, "I've never drunken alcohol before. Volger will have my head if he finds out."

Dylan laughed. "He's not going to find out. He's too busy flirting with the lady boffin to notice anything."

Alek laughed before his face grew somber once more. "Hey, Dylan," Dylan glanced over at him questioningly. "Thanks."

Dylan smiled, his bright blue eyes twinkling like the stars above. "Merry Christmas, dummkopf."

Thank you to 2spiffy for telling me how to spell dummkopf!

Please review. You have no idea how much it would mean to me. And if you do then you understand.