Christmas was always a happy time for the local, run-of-the-mill, slightly aloof judge that all knew and loved. He always loved the joy and good cheer it brought to those around him, and the fact that it felt safer around random members of the public when out and about; he loved the fact that he could indulge in pleasures that he usually had not much time for, such as reading by the fireplace, baking, and listening to his favourite jazz channel on the radio; and, most of all, he loved the fact that he got to spend time with his younger Canadian brother, who he never actually saw that much. Together, the two would go for leisurely strolls in the park, discuss cases they had recently presided over (for they were both judges), drink a good old cup of cocoa at that relatively nice coffee shop on the corner, and do many other things.
This Christmas, however, the poor judge's brother had to cut his visit short, as he was to visit relatives back home and spend Christmas with them. He would have stayed for the whole of the month, that was certain, if not for one of his relatives suddenly procuring a disease which made sure that he wouldn't survive much of the year ahead. He was used to unexpected things cropping up at the most inconvenient and random times- his brother a little more so, as his brother had actually presided over a trial with involving cross-examining a parrot- but this was quite the shock. Leaving today, only a few days before Christmas, was most certainly not ideal.
Both now stood together side-by side at the train station, looking up at the electronic notice board which proclaimed that the specific train they needed was to arrive in five minutes. Looking at each other, the duo smiled warmly, and the Canadian brother was the first to speak up.
"I'll miss you, you know."
"As will I. It's a shame something like that came up at this time, isn't it?"
"Yes, I agree with you."
"It's quite a shame indeed."
"Indeed. Quite the shame."
Both smiled back at each other before the Canadian brother turned and noticed that his train had arrived.
"Oh, that's my cue. I'd best be off."
"Are you sure that you'll be alright? I mean, travelling alone is a little dangerous…"
A laugh. "I'll be fine. Anyway, I'll speak to you on the phone when I arrive to tell you about the journey."
"Let's hope you make it."
Laughter filled the space around them as, waving, they walked away to where they needed to be in the opposite direction.