Ian loved Christmas. He enjoyed decorating his small apartment back when he was single and when he was living with his beloved in the condo they rented. It wasn’t hard to see why he enjoyed it, the holiday was to promote joy and love for all. He loved the cute decorations of happy people bundle up in warm clothes. Of the plush moving dolls that sang cute songs about christmas. Of a fur tree standing tall and proud. Of the the old pictures of Santa from the mid 20th century. The joyful commercials that would play nonstop until three days later. His friends Thomas and Delilah both called him crazy but he didn’t care. This was a holiday he enjoyed, just as Delilah enjoyed Halloween.

“Ian, why are we looking for trees? Why not bring in one from our backyard?” Grim asked, walking beside his friend in cat form.

“Right, first Christmas for you.” Ian said as he picked up the cat. “Well buddy, it’s Christmas time! It’s part tradition to bring in a nice beautiful fir or pine tree. Normally people go pick a tree, chop it down and bring it in to decorate. What we need is a fake tree that looks natural.” Ian explained to his familiar.

“Again, why not bring in the tree in the backyard, wouldn’t it be cheaper?” Grim asked, climbing onto Ian’s back.

“Because it’s dormant and waiting for spring to come so the leaves can grow. Plus it’s home to a few chipmunks that you like to try to hunt but fail every single time.” Ian answered, pulling the cat off of his back. “Next ally, turn human so we can talk normally. A lot of shops don’t let familiars in when they’re animals.”

Grim pouted and ran ahead to an alleyway, he stepped in then popped out in his human form. Black hair hanging in his face.

“I hate people sometimes.” Grim said.

“I know buddy, I know.” Ian smiled. He felt his phone rang and looked down to see it was his boyfriend. “Drewy, what’s up?”

“What are you doing?” Andrew asked.

“Uh nothing really! Just doing some shopping!” Ian said with a smile.

“Same here! I thought I would go ahead and get some decoration shopping done!” Andrew said on the other end.

“Oh, where are ya? Grim’s with me because I don’t trust the mofo at home alone.” Ian said, getting a loud hey from the familiar.

Ian smiled when he heard that laugh from his boyfriend. “Okay, meetup at the home improvement store, I saw some there in an ad that would be perfect for us!”

Ian nodded and took his familiar’s hand and quickly ran. He hung up and shoved his phone back in his pocket. He knew which store his lover was talking about, that was where they were going originally. They made it in under ten minutes and was greeted to the red keddle guy, smiling at everyone but him and Grim as they walked in. It was as if he could tell that Ian was gay.

“Well screw you too, jackass.” Ian mumbled as they walked in.

Andrew was standing by the trees, waving his boyfriend down. “Hey babe! I think I found us the perfect tree, as long as Grim doesn’t climb all over it!” He half joked.

“Ha ha, just tell me to keep off of it and I will.” Grim said.

“Grim, keep off the tree.” Ian told him.

“Kay!” Grim smiled as Ian petted the familiar.

Andrew laughed and took his boyfriend’s hand into his own, he made a comment about how cold they were, as if they had no life in them. This caused Ian to laugh. He was a necromancer by trade, he normally worked with the dead. Grim just rolled his eyes at the two and walked away, looking at the fake trees.

“I still say we should just bring the chipmunk infested tree inside.” Grim announced to the two.

Andrew laughed once more at the cat as the two walked off to find a nice tree to decorate and store for the next year. The three settled for a lovely near realistic pine tree with small pinecones attached to the branches with soft yellow lights that faded slowly on and off already placed in the tree. They packed it into Andrews car and the three got in. Ian suggested to get decorations for both the house and the new tree. Andrew nodded, driving them to a small mom and pop shop first to check things out. They didn’t allow Grim to stay in the car, they dragged the familiar into the shops and forced him to help pick out things to put on the tree.

Grim felt like it was taking forever when only it was ten minutes in each shop. He was forced to carry every bag the two loves handed him Grim had to recite the oath the two took when beginning this partnership, to which Ian stated that a familiar was to obey his master’s orders and this was his order, to help out with Christmas decoration shopping. After the third shop, Andrew made Grim sit in the car with the heater on, they would be done after the shop they were going to.

“I want sushi for lunch!” Grim announced as he walked to the car.

“We’re going for ramen! You can get sushi another time.” Andrew told him.

Grim grumbled as he walked away. Ian rolled his eyes as they enter the final shop. The old woman behind the counter shot the two a dirty look as she pointed to a sign.

“Right to refuse entrance to anyone.” It said.

“So get out! I will not be having you gays in my shop!” SHe announced to them.

Andrew looked at her as Ian pulled him down to kiss him, flipping her off. They walked away and went to their car.

“What happen? Thought you guys were gonna buy something from them?” Grim asked.

“They’re bigots…” Was all Ian said as they got in.

“Don’t let that woman ruin our Christmas cheer! We’ll turn on the radio, go get lunch and a few more decorations and head home and get the house looking like a catalog!” Andrew suggested.

Ian nodded and sat there as they drove off. He watched the snow fall gently out of the window. He tried to get his joy back, it only returned when he got home and got everything out of the car. Grim watched in cat form the two reading the instructions on the floor, they put the tree up in under an hour. The fun part was putting the decorations, according to Ian. The two went to town putting everything on the tree while still making it look nice. Grim was amazed and wanted to play with all of the shiny ornaments, Ian quickly put a protection spell around the tree, keeping everything in place.

“Not gonna happen, kitty cat.” Ian said.

“Now let’s get to work on decorating the house!” Andrew smiled.

Ian nodded, making Grim help out this time. The trio worked all day to prepare the house to look good for the season. Grim was amazed by the large change only to be told that more was to come soon. Grim wasn’t happy with that, being a cat familiar. Ian laughed and told his familiar that he’ll be given better gifts from Santa if he behaved. He laughed to himself when Grim started to ask questions, so many that it caused Andrew to pull Ian to the side and ask if this was smart.

“He’s still a kitten, he doesn’t know the truth yet.” Ian smiled.

“Better tell Thomas not to spoil our fun!” Andrew sighed.

“At least Delilah won’t.”