It didn't matter that Leaf seemed adamant to not come home lately. Well, it /did/, but it wasn't something that was going to stop Crys from bringing the holiday to her if she was too busy being a big shot trainer. So with a little tracking, Crys stood before her with a huff that Christmas morning with a neatly wrapped gift held out insistently before her; a heavy, embroidered and earthen toned jacket waiting within. "If you're gonna stay out all the time, you should at least keep warm."
Stubborn. Stubborn. Stubborn.
Leaf awoke Christmas morning alone with her pokemon. So many years of Christmas with family, waking-up early, dragging Giovanni out of bed, sharing and giving presents. Simple and childish but it’s absence set Leaf in a deep melancholy. What was the other option though? Everything was different now, she’d hate anything Giovanni gave her and Leaf would spoil whatever cheer remained. Silver and Crystal didn’t need that. They needed their father to give them lots of toys and to eat too many cookies. Not worry after family drama and Leaf’s own problems.
Leaf texted Crystal that she wouldn’t be home for the holidays --a callous move in retrospect-- and Crystal must’ve refused to take no for an answer. Because despite frozen winds and layers of snow Crystal appeared in the pokemon center Leaf camped out in. Wrapped in layers and with a determined gleam in her eye. Leaf was already on her feet before Crystal was even through the door. She checked for injuries and frost-bite, grasping at Crystal’s hands then face.
“What’re you--” Leaf cut herself off as Crystal presented the gift. “Oh. Crystal.”
Leaf unwrapped the present, shrugged on the coat, and stuffed her hands in the pockets It hugged her shoulders and fit perfect. Leaf didn’t remember telling Crystal her size but if her sister just happened to know it? She wouldn’t be surprised. Since winter came Leaf’s fingers been chilled and a shiver at the edge of her body. Both absence of family and physical cold collected in her chest.
“Thank you.”
