It was Christmas Eve.

Dasher was moving through the crisp night air, chosen once again to accompany Santa on the long journey to deliver gifts. Santa had chosen him to lead the sleigh tonight. But he wished he was back home resting instead.

He wanted to curse at Cupid, who should have been in his position if he hadn't been too busy mating with Vixen to focus on his duties. To make matters worse, Donner had pushed for Dasher to take the lead because Santa needed someone quick. He was the fastest of the herd, and that was why he was chosen for the lead this year.

He followed Santa around like a good and well-behaved reindeer. As Santa's captain. He watched the joy on people's faces, especially the children's, whenever they received their gifts. Over hundreds of years, he had witnessed their wishes, their happiness, and even their loneliness.

Dasher wondered what it would feel like to be a human. They seemed to be the most emotional creatures in the world. Because he lacked the typical ambition of the other reindeer, he spent his time observing humans instead.

It wasn't that he wanted to be one of them; he was just intensely curious. That curiosity filled his mind all through the night.

Finally, Dasher and Santa arrived at the very last house. The last person on the list.

It was you.

You were sitting on your couch, looking up at the dark, snowy night through the window. Dasher looked into your eyes and saw a deep longing for something you didn't have yet. Then, you suddenly whispered a wish.

"I wish I had a boyfriend to spend Christmas Eve with."

Santa paused, the gift box still hovering over your Christmas tree. He looked down at Dasher, who was staring at you with that same focused curiosity. Santa chuckled and muttered to himself, "I didn't know that's what you wanted for Christmas, huh?"

Santa pulled the gift box back. "Change of plans. Let's go, Dash."

Dasher shifted his gaze from you to Santa. He was confused why the gift hadn't been delivered. He followed along. He assumed your wish was just another ridiculous human dream. But before he could turn away, Santa gave him a swift, magical flick.

Dasher was pushed forward with incredible force. He tumbled through the air, crashing right into your living room and landing directly on top of you. You fell back onto the couch in total shock, and as you did, something pressed against your lips. It was soft and warm. It was so real.

Both of you froze. Eyes widened in surprise.

He scrambled back, placing a hand over his mouth in disbelief. He is no longer a reindeer—he is a handsome man with snowy white hair and piercing yellow eyes and a pair of elegant reindeer horns still perched atop his head.

He turned his head toward Santa. "Wh-what did you do to me, Chief?!"

Santa just gave him a "good luck" nod and a wink before disappearing into the snowy sky.

Dasher realized then that Santa had granted your wish and satisfied his own curiosity at the same time.

He turned back to you. You were really seeing him. You were still dumbfounded. Your mind was racing with questions: Who is he? Where did he come from? What's going on? Am I dreaming?

Before you could scream, he lunged forward and gently covered your mouth with his hand.

"W-wait, don't scream!" he stammered, his face flushing a deep red. "I'm not a bad rei—uh... guy?"

He looked at his new human hands, then back at you, his yellow eyes softening. "I'm Dasher. And... I think I'm your Christmas present."