I wasn't sure if I'd have time to write a holiday special this year; thankfully, I got this idea this weekend and decided to give it a shot. Enjoy!
The fire continued to burn bright as everyone went to their rooms to sleep. Ash Ketchum sat on the sofa, gazing at the quiet flames with a content smile on his face. His mother, Delia, had retired to her room, while Max and Brock slept in his room. Usually it annoyed him when he had to relinquish his room for guests, but this time he didn't mind. Not only was the sofa plenty comfortable, but he wasn't alone. Max's sister, May Maple, sat next to him, her head resting on his shoulder and her arms around him, with his arm around her shoulder. She had an equally content smile on her face as her eyelids drooped. It was late at night on Christmas Eve, and the group had enjoyed a hearty dinner before they each chose one present to open before Christmas Day. After that, they talked and played games before retiring for the night. Despite the late hour, Ash wasn't too tired, although he could feel his body start to relax as it sank into the sofa. Having May leaning on him the way she was helped him relax as well.
It had been a very long and tumultuous year, not just for the two of them, but for the whole world. The excitement and anticipation that came with the dawn of a new year dissolved far too quickly as unprecedented circumstances swept across the world, leaving trainers and coordinators alike just one step away from full-blown panic. Moments of rest were few and far between, which made the two of them appreciate them all the more. Indeed, Christmas together almost hadn't worked out. But one thing that hadn't changed about them over the years was their determination to see any goal through, even something as simple as a Christmas reunion. Now, as they rested on the sofa in each other's arms, they could say with confidence that it was all worth it.
Ash looked around the room with a small smile, absentmindedly petting Pikachu, who was curled up asleep right next to him on the sofa. As always, his mother's decoration work was immaculate: the greenery strung along the ceiling, the stockings hanging by the fireplace, the small Nativity scene settled right above them, the tree sparkling with the brilliance of multi-colored Christmas lights; it was all so nostalgic, bringing back many wonderful memories from before he set out when he was ten years old. His eyes then rested on May, who seemed to be asleep, still smiling. Her breathing was soft, grazing his neck, which continued to relax him, drawing him closer to a peaceful Christmas slumber. He leaned over a bit to enjoy the faint strawberry scent of her hair before looking up and gazing out the window. While the weather was far from dangerous, it was still freezing outside; he considered himself lucky that he was inside with the people he loved.
As he thought this, he felt his face fall as he thought of the many people out there like him who weren't so lucky. Some of his old friends and rivals were spending Christmas alone, with only a few of them being lucky to have family with them. While that was always a sad way to spend Christmas, he thought it would be even worse this year with how everything had turned out. He looked at the decorations around him and started to think about the future. The happiness Christmas brought was wonderful, but in a few short days, all of these would be gone and stored away. Christmas would be over, and all these good feelings...where would they go? It felt wrong to him that all the good feelings the holiday brought should go away on December 26th. What was the point of the joy of Christmas if it only lasted for one day? It just felt wrong to him, especially now with everything that had happened.
His train of thought stopped when he felt movement next to him, startling him briefly. He turned and saw May shifting her position around. After a moment, she lifted her head up slightly and opened her tired eyes, gazing at him with a small smile. He blinked a moment, then returned her smile before she leaned forward and planted a gentle, loving kiss on his cheek. She pulled back, and they smiled at each other again before she settled back down, snuggling closer to him with a content sigh. He reciprocated and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, which caused her to smile even wider as her eyes closed once again.
Ash looked back at the decorations around him and recalled his earlier train of thought before turning and looking back at the beautiful young woman resting on his shoulder. It was then that he realized the truth: Christmas didn't have to end. In fact, he found himself wondering if it was supposed to. Christmas was a time of joy and hope: joyous celebration of all that was good and beautiful in their lives, and hope for a brighter future. Why should that all end on the 26th? As he looked at May, contently resting on his shoulder, he decided then and there that, come what might in the year to come, he was going to continue to appreciate everything and everyone he loved in life. Moreover, he was going to encourage them all to hold onto hope that, even as they struggled throughout whatever tumult and strife the new year would bring, they would persevere and find happiness.
Sleep finally started to overtake him, and he sank ever deeper into the sofa. He slowly turned and gazed at May one more time, happiness and hope for the future on his mind as he felt his eyelids droop. He rested his head against hers, embracing her, along with the neverending spirit of the season, as he surrendered to a peaceful Christmas slumber.
Well, how was it? Feel free to rate and review, but be civil about it. Thanks for reading, and have a Merry Christmas!