Chapter 11: Stop the Cavalry.

December 11th.

Kai could feel it in the air. Sometime soon there would be snow. There had been no mention of it on the weather report, but he knew regardless, and the knowledge pissed him off to no end. Snow reminded him of Russia. Russia reminded him of things he'd rather forget. Before his train of thought could progress any further, Tyson rugby-tackled (or at least that was what this brand of Tyson hugs felt like) him from behind.

"Hey Kai!" Tyson yelled. "And how is my favourite person today?"

"Struggling to breathe. I would greatly appreciate you getting off my back," replied a winded Kai.

"You're no fun," the younger blader said, pouting.

"I know. Just remind me why you called me out here again."

"We need to get presents for friends and family. I want your help."

"You know I'm not good at this kind of thing."

"That's not the point. There're going to be from us as a couple, so I want your input."

Kai merely grunted in reply, trying to hide the little glow of contentment he'd felt. Tyson wasn't fooled.

"Stop being a tough guy and help me with this then!" he said, grinning.


An hour later and they had made little progress. Their different tastes made it increasingly difficult to come to a decision that they both agreed with. Currently they were stuck on what to get Hilary; it was nearly at the point where the shop assistants would have to call security.

"You are insufferable sometimes, you know that?" Kai seethed, steering Tyson back outside.

"Right back at you."

There was a frosty silence until Kai said, "Maybe we should take a break. Give ourselves time to think."

"Good idea. We could always just browse and see what catches our attention," Tyson agreed.

"That could be a lot, knowing you."

"Very funny."

"I try."

They spent another 40 minutes just walking around the town centre, with Tyson explaining whatever perplexing Christmas-themed idea that came their way. Having picked whatever presents they still needed to find, they were on their way back home, when Tyson tugged at his boyfriend's coat.

"Mind if we stop off in here? I want to get a little treat for the kids at the nursery," he said, nodding towards the local supermarket.

"Sure. No problems here."

While Tyson automatically homed in on the sweet aisle, Kai just wandered, eyes taking in various food he'd need to get if he was actually going to make this Christmas dinner thing (which he was beginning to regret), until something caught his eye. A middle-aged man was stood at the end of the aisle, staring at the light-weight box in his hand, shoulders drooping, head barely upright; sighing audibly, he dumped the box in his shopping basket and moved off towards the till. Curious, Kai went to investigate. Searching the shelves, he noticed several boxes of Christmas cake, each with the words "Serves 1" printed on the side.

"Hmm. That makes more sense," he muttered, frowning.

It reminded him of the first December he'd known Tyson for; while the younger boy was happy, spending time with his Grandpa and recently-returned father, Kai had spent his days alone, aware that something special was occurring outside the four walls of his home, but not allowing himself to get involved, afraid that they might somehow pity him; because pity is worse than loneliness, or at least that was what he had told himself.

"Why so gloomy?" Tyson asked, breaking Kai from his reverie.

"I'm fine. What made you think otherwise?"

"I know you, that's what."

"Honestly, I'm fine."

And he was. He wasn't alone anymore, so how could he be anything but fine?