Chapter Text
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Nights were best with Rudolph.
Tony loved flying through the darkness.
Eyes capturing any hint of light, the feeling of wind on his skin.
The cold, soft hand keeping him from falling.
The hand belonging to a boy with dark slicked hair and crimson red eyes.
It could have been anyone else. But…only he could truly make those nights special.
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It's been three years since that night. It was never meant to be permanent. Afterall his parent only went to Germany to relax. Of course, that got prolonged for a while.
It felt like a dream. So, distant, he wasn’t sure if it was real anymore.
Maybe it wasn’t, his parents kept telling him that.
But none of that really mattered.
He was going to find out for himself sooner than later.
Tony reached over for his suitcase, throwing in his laptop before zipping it up.
He stood up taking his suitcase with him, setting it by his bed.
Looking over at his desk laid his old red hoodie.
He walked over to pick it up, holding it out in front of him.
“Hm, that’s a bit small now.”
Throwing it back on the desk he walked over to his closet.
“That has holes in it..” His face squints in confusion.
There’s a row of clothes to choose from.
His eyes land on a crimson coat with white fur inside.
Taking it out and walking over to the mirror, he tries it on.
“Yeah, this’ll do.”
A wink and a smug pointing of the fingers later, he walks over, grabs his suitcase and heads out of his room.
Walking down the stairs in a hurry.
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“When are we heading out mom?”
Dottie walks out of the other room dragging suitcases behind her, arms filled with bags.
“Just a moment sweetie. Your dad and I need to grab a few more things. Why don’t you hang out in the car?” One slips out of her hands.
‘Ah!’
Tony quickly catches it before it falls.
“I’ll take this one. You know dad can take some of that?” A smirk grows on his face.
“Oh, you know how stressed your father is. Let me handle this.” As she’s talking another bag falls out of her arms.
“Why won’t you stay still!” She sighs loudly, clearly needing a break.
“Just…let me take that too?” He points to the bag on the floor.
He said it like a question but already has it in his hands by the time she answers.
“You know me to well honey.” She smiles as she heads for the door.
Rolling his eyes he holds the door open, following closely behind.
I hope he’s real.
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Rudolph never truly forgot that boy.
I mean, how could he?
After hundreds of years of doing the same thing every day.
Wake up, fly, mingle and repeat.
He showed him how to live again.
He could still remember his soft hair, the warmth of his skin.
The sound of his laugh still right there.
Playing in his mind over and over again, like a tune you can’t quite get out of your head.
But his name...what was his name again?
He sat dangling underneath a gargoyle statue.
Tracing its rigid teeth with his finger.
It reminded him of what little memories he had left.
He stared into the night.
Dreaming of how simple things used to be.
Sunrise began to break over the trees.
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“Snap out of it, Rod.”
Anna floats down into view. Although her face is hidden by the statue.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite sibling.” He scoffed.
“Mother wants you inside soon. The sun will be up within the hour.” She flies down into view.
Poking his face and giggling as she flies away.
“Oh, you little…get out of here!” He swats at her as she leaves.
She was right. The trees could only hide it for so long.
He stood up, stretching his limbs. Flying back down to his window. Just as his hand glazed the window frame, he heard a loud noise.
‘Clunk’
A look of horror fell on his face, he threw himself into the room, hitting the floor.
Ugh.
Darting towards the window, he looks out.
There’s a familiar face down below.
Laughing away while helping with his parent’s bags.
It can’t be.
What is he doing here?
Why.
Why did he come back?
Then he felt it. That familiar feeling.
He didn’t remember the name exactly.
That hole in your chest.
The endless racing thoughts.
He was told it made humans…sweaty.
It was a nice feeling.
In a way.
Looking back, he watched as they grabbed bags and headed towards the building’s doors.
He ducted his head back inside.
He wasn’t prepared for this.
What would he say?
Should he wear something different?
Oh, who was he kidding. He wore the same old clothing every day.
He began pacing back and forth in his room, not sure how to feel.
If it were night, he was sure to run, but it was almost daybreak!
He heard ruffling at the door.
Walking over, he put his ear up to it.
“Thank you for having us again! Its good to be back”
“Yes, well The Bed and Breakfast welcome you back with open arms!”
Then he hears it.
“Um, excuse me?” The boy’s voice appears.
“Yes?” A woman asks.
“Do you mind if I stay in the same room as last time?”
There’s no sound for a moment.
“Oh! Oh, no dear! I fear that’s a storage room now.” She chuckles nervously.
Rudolph breathes a breath of fresh air and sighs.
“That’s okay. Um. Lead the way then?”
“Of course, dear!”
He hears more shuffling and then everything goes quiet.
He moves away from the door; his hand moves to push his hair back.
His mind racing, full of thoughts colliding with one another.
While walking, his foot bumps into his coffin.
The sun starts to peak out of the window.
He runs over to shut the blinds.
“Sleep. I need to sleep first.”
His hands unclip his cape, throwing it on the floor.
Along with removing his shoes and jewelry.
He got new piercings over the years.
Laying in the coffin, he rests his eyes.
He thinks about that boy again. He can’t help it.
He looked…beautiful.
He was beautiful.
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