Start of Something New

Mall

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"Hey, enough junk food already." Perth scolded Santa when the younger one picked up another kind of junk food.

"You're no fun. This is where I survived during college." Santa complained, pouting. He then placed the junk food back on the shelf. It's Perth's money that is used to pay for the groceries anyway. Besides, Santa had placed plenty of other kinds on the cart already. They then headed to the meat section where Santa became busy picking up different kinds of meat.

"Can you get a whole chicken for me please?"

"How many?"

"Uhhh..three."

Ever since Santa has lived with Perth, he has taken over the kitchen. That's why Perth let's him get everything he wants because he's the one that decides on what to cook.

"I think we're nearly out of eggs too. We should get a tray."

"Sure. How about frozen foods?"

"Just take what you want."

After the groceries had been paid, Perth went to place everything in the car. One of the perks of having a boy scout husband was that a cooler had been ready in the compartment for the frozen food. He then went back inside the mall to where Santa was waiting. The two decided to stroll around first and probably go watch a movie afterwards.

Santa found a kiosk which sells trinkets and he ran excitedly to look for something to buy. He likes trinkets that he can keep in his bag. He found a keychain of a tiger and giddily placed it next to Perth.

"Looks like you. I like it." He giggled then paid for the keychain.

Perth just adores Santa at this point. Their age difference may not be much with Perth being just two years older than Santa but the younger one brings a kind of youth Perth never experienced before. The kind of freshness that is so thrilling it makes his heart beat fast. It's like hiking on a mountain early in the morning just to see the sun rise. If Perth could describe the way he sees Santa at that exact moment; he's a whole new adventure waiting to be discovered.

"Hey! Perth to Earth?" Santa snapped his fingers in front of Perth. He looked at random stuff at the other stalls but when he was about to show one to Perth, he realized that his husband had not left his place.

"What?" Perth snapped back to reality after Santa called his name. He was embarrassed when he realized that he got so lost in thought that he hadn't moved in place. When he saw Santa's worried expression, he couldn't contain his grin. I really got this person as my husband?, he couldn't help but think.

"Are you not feeling well?" Santa asked and checked for Perth's temperature.

"I'm more than fine." Perth assured, flexing a smile. "Did you find another interesting thing to buy?" He added.

"Yes! I found a mug with a beagle design!"

"Oh? How about for me?"

"You want one with an animal design too?" Santa was shocked. He had not deemed Perth to be someone who would like cute things, considering that the house followed a monochromatic theme.

"Yeah, is there something wrong with that?"

"You don't look like someone who would touch a mug with designs."

"Hey!"

Santa just laughed and ran back to the stall that sells cute mugs. Perth followed him, shaking his head but also smiling. When Perth got to the stall, Santa had already paid for the mug.

"Wait, can we go somewhere first? I just want to check a place."

"Sure."

Perth led the way to the store that he had in mind while Santa just followed closely behind, busy on his phone. Perth abruptly stopped, causing Santa to bump on his back and drop his phone. As he was about to pick his phone, someone kicked his phone away.