The tigress was at home, preparing tea, cooking a small meal, and waiting for her boyfriend. She peeked out the window, looking at the rainy cloudy day outside. It sure wasn’t a nice time to be out in the cold. Especially since the sun was already setting even in the early afternoon. But at least she was already trying to make the best of it and prepare something for the stallion to look forward to when he came home.

Tashi looked around as he stood in the middle of the street. It was the day of Christmas eve, a day when things should be calm and relaxed, the festival of love, a somber celebration. Yet the stallion’s mind was anything but calm. He walked around his car and then towards the car that was parked on the side of the street. There was only a scratch on his car, but the cover of the turn signal of the other car was broken. It was just a minor accident, yet it was the last thing he needed.

He took his phone out and texted his girlfriend. “I’ll be a little late, I’m sorry. Stupid accident. I’m okay.” He wrote and sent a picture of the damage on the other car. Then he leaned against his own vehicle and sighed. His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket. “It’s okay, Tashi. Just come home safe.”

The stallion nodded to himself and replied. “I will. Love you. See you in a bit.” After putting the phone back into his pocket, he peeked into his empty car. There should have been a big, gift-wrapped package on the backseat, but instead there was just the empty faux leather surface, covered in a bit of dust. When he looked up again, he already saw the flashing lights of the police car coming closer. “Alright, let’s get this over with…” He mumbled to himself as he took his papers out of his pocket and approached the officers that came closer.

***

Alex eagerly ran into the hallway when she heard the card reader beep and their door unlock. Her boyfriend was standing there looking all gloomy and his clothes were damp from the rain outside. She looked at him and shook her head. Even though he always refused to put on a jacket, at least this time she had been able to convince him to wear a sweater.

She only stopped for a short moment, though, enough for a few drops of water to fall from the stallion’s mane. Then she jumped into his arms and he caught her and hugged her tightly. “I’m glad you’re home safe, my horsey.” She whispered into his ear. The stallion held her up and against his chest, but he snorted weakly. “This Christmas just sucks… So much to do… barely had time with you. Not even a Christmas tree. And now they didn’t even have your present ready. I’m sorry. I’m really looking forward to our vacation together.”

“Shh…” The tigress interrupted his tirade of apologies by putting a finger on his lips. “It’s all okay, come with me, Tashi.” She said and wiggled out of his arms until her paws were on the floor again. The stallion sighed and put his keys up on the rack next to their door. After wiping his hooves on their doormat, he followed the tigress along to their living room.