Page 51 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift
“There’s nothing to tell!” Jasper snapped, lying once more. He knocked Leo’s hand off his shoulder. “Why can’t you just fucking leave it? Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
Leo pulled back. “I?—”
It was all too much. This illness. Kraghol not even wanting to try for a future together. And now Leo wouldn’t bugger off so Jasper could fucking mope!
“Just leave and go back to your phoenix. Be happy. Forget all about me. I don’t need you nagging me all the time. I am dealing with enough already.” But even as the words left Jasper’s mouth, he knew he was being a colossal prick.
A heavy silence followed, and Jasper wished he could take back the words.
“I’m sorry, Jas. I didn’t mean?—”
“No.” Jasper exhaled. “Shit. I’m sorry. Don’t apologise. I— I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped like that. I’m just exhausted and tired. I just can’t deal with—” He cut himself off.
“I just hate being sick. That’s all. I’m always exhausted. My head aches. My body aches. My heart—” Jasper tried to smile. “It all just makes me lose my temper. You’re a good brother. I’m sorry, Leo.”
“It’s fine,” Leo said.
“Anyway, you should get back to your phoenix. He’s much better company than me tonight. And he’s probably waiting for you.”
“I can stay longer,” Leo said.
“Nah. I’m fine. I just need to be alone to rest.”
After several moments, Leo stood. “Well, drink your tea and rest up. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” He walked to the door.
“Leo.” Jasper didn’t want to leave it like this.
Leo paused and looked back.
“I’m happy for you and Percy. Really. I hope you and he are happy together for a long time.”
“Thanks,” Leo said and left.
Jasper sighed. He dropped his aching head into his hands. “Fuck. I’m such a dickhead.” Kali jumped up onto the bed beside him, curling around him. Jasper patted her fur.
“I’ll tell him soon. But not yet.” He rubbed his hands over his face. At least Leo had Percy to comfort him tonight.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Kraghol stared at one of the paper stars on the floor of his cave. The afternoon had turned windy. Gusts must have blasted through the cave and knocked several of the stars down. The wind had since died away.
The picnic basket sat by the blanket, which now lay askew. Had Jasper forgotten the basket? Or had he decided to just leave it? Perhaps he had been so displeased with Kraghol he’d decided not to return.
Kraghol rubbed at his arm. Jasper had seemed so frustrated with him. But Kraghol couldn’t just enter Anorra! He had tried one time outside of Krampus Night. He was not so foolish as to try again.
He walked to one of the fallen stars. He picked it up, brushed off the dirt, and rehung it. Then he rehung every fallen star. He lifted the picnic blanket and took it outside the cave, giving it a shake to remove dust and debris. Then he lay it back down.
Next, he went out in search of firewood to top up the pile. He needed to have a decent supply for Jasper, to keep him warm when he visited.
But what if Jasper didn’t come back?
No. He said he’d be back tomorrow. So he will.
Kraghol clung to that idea. He didn’t want to imagine that Jasper might be done with him. He found fallen branches. If they were too long, he snapped them into smaller bits. He placed them along the cave wall. Once they’d dried out, he’d add them to the main pile.
Kraghol surveyed his cave. He wished he knew how to make it more hospitable. In the past few days, Jasper had made Kraghol’s cave so much nicer. But Kraghol had no idea how to improve it himself.