“That sounds nice,” Geoff said. “I can tell the story of Krampus.”
“Honey, you know I love your stories, but can we do a different one?”
“Wait. Krampus…The man who does the opposite of Santa Claus?” Ciaran said.
“You don’t know the story of Krampus?” Geoff asked, surprised. “Oh, I have to tell you.”
Teddy just laughed. “Okay. We’ll talk about Krampus.”
Teddy brought the tray of cookies, and Ciaran followed behind with the tea. They placed the teapot and cookies on the coffee table. Geoff had lowered the lights, so only the light of thefire lit the room with an eerie glow. He grabbed a cookie and his cup of tea before settling down, prepared for storytime.
“Ready to hear the story of Krampus?” Geoff asked.
“Yes,” Ciaran replied. He’d tucked his feet under him and held his tea in both hands.
Geoff leaned in. “It’s a cold December night, and you’re tucked away in bed. A little eight-year-old, reading your comic book with a flashlight under the covers so no one sees. Then, you hear a twig snap. You pull the covers aside to see a shadowy figure cross your bedroom window. Is it a man? Is it a demon? You can’t tell.”
Teddy glanced over to see Ciaran leaning in, hanging on to Geoff’s every word. Every few seconds, he’d take a sip of tea, never taking his eyes off him.
“It’s Krampus,” Geoff continued. “A creature so terrifying, children cower in the corner all night, praying he doesn’t come for them.”
“What does he look like?”
“Every child who has seen him describes him as a man-like demon. He has hooves instead of feet, and he’s covered in shaggy fur. His face looks like that of a man, but it’s twisted and distorted, appearing more like a demon. He has two or four horns, depending on who you ask.”
Ciaran curled up tighter. Teddy hated scary stories and wanted to curl up with someone. Geoff was telling the story, so he was alone in this.
“What does he do?” Ciaran asked.
“Krampus has a basket on his back large enough to carry a child. In his right hand is a switch. If you were bad, he’d whip you with the switch to make you behave.” Geoff paused and leaned forward. “If you were really bad, he’d trap you in his basket and take you to the depths of hell, never to be seen again.” He let out a maniacal laugh.
“Have you ever seen him?” Ciaran asked.
“Only once,” Geoff said. “I was six. He stood outside, brandishing his switch and pointing at me. I never disobeyed my parents again.”
“Creepy.”
“So, that is the story of Krampus,” Geoff finished with a flourish.
“That was amazing.” Ciaran smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Geoff said.
They finished up their cookies, and Ciaran headed to bed while Geoff and Teddy curled up on the couch.
“He enjoyed the story,” Teddy said.
“It was nice to tell it to a new person,” Geoff said. “Makes it more fun.”
“I’m glad you had fun.”
Geoff gave him a long, passionate kiss.
“I have to tell you something,” Teddy said. His stomach churned. He’d almost kissed Ciaran. He had to tell Geoff.
“What is it, Teddy Bear?”
“I almost kissed Ciaran while we were baking cookies.” Teddy waited. The silence lingered between them.
