Hello, everybody; ModernDayBard here with this year's Christmas Special! For those of you new to this tradition of mine, it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like: every year, during the month of December, my regular stories go on hiatus for the month while I post a Christmas-themed fic. Two years ago it was a Peter Pan/Rise of the Guardians cross over, last year it was a series on one-shot song fics set in the MCU. This year, I'm narrowing my focus to a single show with a lot to offer: Young Justice. Like last year, there are twelve stories, and I will posting every other day from now until the 23rd. Merry Christmas, everybody!
Disclaimer: Young Justice is not mine. Since this takes place the winter following Season 2, my oc's do not even show up in this fic. I OWN NOTHING.
"So, this C'hristmas' thing is a pretty big deal, huh?"
Jaime looked up at Bart in surprise as the speedster tried too hard to ask his question casually. The two had just made their way off of the Watch Tower to the Hall of Justice, and were about to make their way out into the chill air of wintertime DC.
"Esse," he said at last, "that's the understatement of the year. But why—?" He interrupted his own question as realization struck. Really, he shouldn't have been so surprised, based on the kid's reaction to his first Thanksgiving a few days ago. "You've never seen it, have you?"
"Nope," Bart said, still avoiding eye contact as the two bundled coats and such over their civilian clothes, in preparation to taking the Zeta tube to respective homes. "Didn't really get to study too much about it either: hard enough learning earth history in the future, but culture? Forget it. And the Reach weren't exactly big on human holidays."
Jaime knew, had it been any other League-er or Team member, Bart wouldn't have revealed nearly as much, but Impulse had always been willing to open up to him at least a little bit more. "You have anything you really need to get home to do?"
"Uh, no," Bart answered, apparently confused by the topic change—those were normally his job.
Jaime nodded, abruptly steering him out the door, into the crowded streets of the capitol, and National Mall. "Hermano, call the Garrick's, and let them know you'll be back a little later. I've got some things to show you."
Honestly, he hadn't had much of a plan, beyond walking around, letting Bart take in the sights, explaining what he could and answering the Speedster's questions. And at first, that's how it went. He'd braced himself to deal with KF's constant questions and never-ending energy, but gradually he began to realize his friend was slowing down.
"You alright, Esse?" Blue asked, concerned. "You need to eat something?"
"No. I mean yeah, that'd be nice but…" Bart shook his head. "It's a lot you know? Growing up under the Reach's thumb, I thought I'd seen the worst of it. But it's only after beating them that I'm beginning to see how much was at stake. Freedom, yeah—but also huge parts of what it is to even be human! I mean, an entire holiday dedicated to love and family and peace and joy? And then just…gone."
Jaime lay a hand on his friend's shoulder, caught in the rare position of trying to cheer up the more exuberant teen. "Not any more, thanks to you." Then, feeling the moment had gotten a bit too somber, he spotted the store he'd been scanning the streets for in the last fifteen minutes. "Here, let's head inside and warm up. This place has some of the best cocoa you've ever tasted, Hermano."
The mention of the sugary, chocolate-y treat snapped Bart from his reverie, but as the two boys made their way inside, the Hispanic teen resolved not to forget the conversation—and to make sure that his friend's first Christmas was a crashin' awesome one.
So, yeah. I had the premise, wasn't sure where I'd take this one, but decided to sit down and write it anyway. I liked the result, and hope you did, too. Stay tuned for other Team faces in the coming days!
As always, if you saw something you liked, or something you think I can fix/improve on for next time, don't hesitate to leave a review and let me know!