The Holly and the Tentacles (Tinsel and Tentacles 2.0)

Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

O n his rest day, Aeryn headed to the commissary on the station to do some grocery shopping.

He and Legacy opted to order out quite a bit for supper, but they still needed pantry staples like cereal and canned fruit. Milk. Legacy loved milk.

When he got to the shopping common, which was at the center of the spokes of the station, Aeryn blinked, because the place had exploded with sparkle and glitter. Holy moly. And Christmas music played over the loudspeakers. Something about holly and ivy. He knew the song, but he’d never had holly in the house for Christmas.

Shit. How had he missed that it was almost Christmas?

Up on stations like this, time meant little, really. There were no seasons. But a few of the major holidays from old Earth and some of the other planets were still observed, just to make special occasions. The management said they liked to spread the feeling of peace on planet and goodwill to all.

Okay, and the station shops didn’t suffer from all the gift giving either.

He had a little Christmas tree he would put up when he got back to their quarters, and a bitty string of lights that went around the doorframe to make things festive. Legacy always laughed, but on Christmas Eve, they usually had homemade posole, one of the few things Legacy bothered to cook.

Traditions carried on, he guessed.

He really should get something for Legacy, though. They exchanged small, silly gifts every year, and he was running behind the times now, so he would get something on station rather than order a delivery.

So Aeryn detoured from the commissary to the shops that carried clothing and gadgets and such, hunting something that would make Legacy smile.

As he entered one shop, a big man carrying a huge bag almost ran him down, not even noticing he was there until they hit arms, and Aeryn spun in a staggering circle, his bad leg almost giving out.

“Watch where you’re going, asshole!” the guy snapped.

“Sorry.” It was automatic for him to apologize. He knew it kept him from getting hit or yelled at most of the time, so he just did it by rote.

“You should be. Little freak.”

“What?” His eyes widened, because he hadn’t meant for that to pop out. But it had come out as an indignant squeak.

“You heard me. Little freak with your ginger hair and your defective leg.”

Ouch.

He tried to back away, but said leg gave out, and he started to topple backward.

“Whoa, hey, careful.” Someone caught him, strong hands popping him back upright. “You okay?”

“I—Maybe not?” He looked at the big guy, who was still glaring at him, chest puffed out.

“Back off, man. You ran into him. I saw it.” The guy who had helped him was tall, muscular, and covered in red dust. Not Legacy, but definitely another miner.

“Bah. Asshole.” The guy stomped out of the shop though, and Aeryn felt air rush back into his lungs as he breathed.

“Thanks.”

“No, problem.” The man who’d helped him stepped around so Aeryn could see him. “You’re Legacy’s roommate, right? Aeryn?”

Aeryn blinked, because he couldn’t remember ever having seen this man. And he was memorable. Handsome. “Have we met?”

“Nope. I’m Jameson. I know you from your description.” Jameson stuck out a hand. “Nice to meet you. Legacy talks about you all the time.”

“He does?” That was—wow. He had no idea.

“Yeah. He’s fond of you, man.”

He shook hands with Jameson, his cheeks flaming. “I am of him, too.” He tilted his head, a thought occurring to him. “So you’re his friend, right? Do you have any ideas about what to get him for Christmas?”

“Oh, man.” Jameson stroked his chin. “You know what he was saying the other day?”

“What?” He perked right up, hoping for something good. Off-hand comments to friends could result in the best presents.

“He wants a subscription to the ball court here at the station. You know, the handball one?”

“Really?” Huh. He’d never known Legacy liked to play. But then Aeryn wasn’t able to play that kind of sport, so it stood to reason. “Cool. That would be unique.”

“Yeah.” Jameson chewed his lip. “It’s pricey. I didn’t think about that before I blurted it out.”

Aeryn snorted. “What do I spend money on?”

Jameson laughed. “Well, I spend mine on booze and omegas of all types, but hey.”

He chuckled too. “I’m not into either of those.”

“Good for you. It’s a much cheaper life.” Jameson winked. “You gonna be okay if I leave you to it?”

“Oh, that guy? Nothing out of the ordinary, but I appreciate the save.”

Jameson scowled. “People are unkind?”

“I’m a ginger freak with a bad leg.” He waved at his deformed foot. “People are weird and superstitious. They don’t like anyone who’s different. I’m lucky if people just ignore me.”

“You’re a sentient being with a sharp brain and a good heart.” Jameson was just furious, he could tell. “You ever need help, call me.” He held up his communicator.

Stunned, he took out his own unit and moved it close to Jameson’s so their information was exchanged. “I—Thanks.”

“Anytime. I’m off duty now if you want me to go with you anywhere.”

“No, I’m just going to get grocery items now that I know what to get Legacy.”

“Cool, cool, cool. All right. I’m off to get a tree then.” Jameson patted his shoulder a little awkwardly.

“Good luck.” He waved as Jameson walked off, and he felt…lighter. Happier. It was good to be seen.

And it was amazing that Legacy talked about him when he wasn’t there.