Can't Love Christmas

Ten

The reindeer lived up to expectations of being the perfect photo op. His name was Reuben, and he had very impressive antlers. There was a small red ball in his pen which led Ash to believe that they had tried to give him a red nose at one point, but it didn't last long. Ash captured the perfect frame of Rowan feeding a handful of leafy greens and mushrooms to the reindeer. His face was hidden and he gave Ash permission to post it. Pleased, they headed back inside.

Rowan stopped short just inside the door. "Holy shit. Did it get busier when we were outside?"

"Maybe? It's tough to say. It was always busy." They fought their way down the next row of booths. Halfway down, Rowan let out a frustrated growl.

"It is so crowded, why do so many people want to subject themselves to this torture?" He ran his hand through his hair, causing part of it to stick up.

"But the stuff here is amazing. You can do all your Christmas shopping in one place, and feel good about supporting local small businesses, not billionaires who will just spend your money going to space for kicks."

"Well, I don't really have anyone to buy presents for, so it doesn't make sense to me."

Ash stopped dead and turned to face him. "You really don't have anyone at all?"

"I mean, I give my staff a Christmas bonus, but I don't try to pick gifts for them. The money is just a better choice. I spend time with my best friend but we don't buy each other objects. I don't have anyone in my life who just wants random stuff from me."

"I'm sorry Rowan."

He shrugged. "Is what it is."

They walked in silence for a few minutes, and Ash tried not to notice the small thrill that ran through her every time he was pressed against her by the crowd.

"Okay, there's one more thing I need to get for my mom. Please bear with me, but we have to get all the way," she looks at the map, "over there." She points to the opposite corner and Rowan grimaces.

"Lead the way."

They bobbed and weaved through the crowd and finally made it to the stall Ash was looking for. Rowan whispered an "oh thank god" when she found exactly what she was looking for, and gave her a wan smile when she beamed at him.

Ash debated the various bath trays in front of her, before finally settling on the one with the flip up tablet or book holder. She paid and ambled up beside Rowan.

"Alright, I think I'm ready to get out of here. Just need to pick up the things I was getting personalized. Are you ready to go?"

"I've been ready since we got here."

"Okay, well let's sneak out that door and we'll go around instead of through."

Rowan was not one to complain with this good fortune, and made a beeline for the side door.

Rowan passed through the door with a yelp. Ash ran over to him, and found an older lady fussing over him. She caught his eye and he was grimacing in pain.

"Rowan, what happened?"

The lady responded for him, "I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking, and I crashed right into your friend here. I'm afraid I've spilled coffee all over him."

There was a large brown stain in the centre of his chest, which carried over to his left arm, leading to an angry burn mark wrapping around the back of his hand, covering his entire thumb, and the inside of his wrist. There was a puddle of coffee around him, and a half full percolator placed on the floor, its lid askew and steam escaping.