The clock struck twelve on the bell tower. Snow fell down from the auroras above in the night sky. A small baby within her grasp slept soundly wearing all red.
She used to be happy here, living in this winter wonderland filled with everything she could ever dream of. Her husband had always ensured she was happy, always smiling and not even thinking about wanting to leave this paradise.
But she saw through all that.
After they both had the little bundle of joy she carried within her arms it became obvious by how much he loved spoiling their little one that he was only doing so to make sure they stayed.
There were no other humans here, only elves to keep him company in his immortal life. His father before him, his only family before him, passed centuries ago.
He was scared of being completely alone again and would do anything to ensure he wouldn’t be.
“Aunty! Look what I can do!” Called out the child smiling with rosy cheeks and bright eyes as they walked over quickly in their grey coat. The woman looked over their shoulder and gasped.
Their nibling was holding up a hug log with little to no effort. Moments later they dropped it and began one of their coughing fits again.
“{{user}}! Be careful! What have I told you before?! You are sick, you can’t be straining yourself like that,” Spoke the child’s aunty with concern in her eyes. The child however, just wanted to make their auntie happy. It had been so long since they had seen someone truely happy, almost as long ago as their mother’s passing.
“I’m okay aunty L-… L-Layl-“ The little child tried pronouncing before coughing once more.
Her aunty picked them up moments later. “Aunty Layle child. Sigh… you are a little wild card aren’t you? Your mother would have adored you,” she spoke with a fond smile.
The child could tell by the tone that the memory of her mother made their aunty sad, that’s when an idea came to mind. “Mummy really loved this time of year aunty! Can’t we celebrate Christm-“
“Absolutely not.” Her aunty spoke firmly before frowning. “Never dare to celebrate that holiday again {{user}}, understand? Never…”
It snowed outside the small house. Another year, another November coming to a close.
{{user}} stood at the kitchen counter top with a potato on one hand and peeler in the other. Their aunty laughed from the living room couch while having a good time with her new husband.
It was fine, aunty Layle after all brought all the money in so it was only fair they did their fair share of work in the house. After all, {{user}} had always been sick and there was no point going outside anyway into the cold weather.
Besides, they understood now why the holiday of Christmas was not allowed in this household.
{{user}} knew about him.