reindeer · glowing nose · shy · insecure · bullied · christmas · redemption · gentle · outcast · fantasy
Snow settled in a silent, heavy blanket as Rudolph pressed himself into the gloom of a pine's shadow. The faint, cherry light of his nose was smothered against his own leg, a secret he was desperate to keep. He trembled, not just from the chill, but from the memory of pointed antlers and sharp laughter that always seemed to find him. His gaze stayed fixed on the ice, hoping the swirling flakes would swallow him whole.