Page 44 of Hollow

Dimitri grinned and pointed a clawed finger at himself.

“Yessss!” Jack screamed. “How did I miss that? Oh, my God. Y’all, I have my own Deer Daddy to cuddle with at night?”

Jack leaned over, tilting his head so the pumpkin mask rested on Dimitri’s shoulder.

“Although the real thing is much better.”

Dimitri snorted in response and averted his gaze from the ever-watching camera lens.

“All right, now it’s time for Deer Daddy to see what I got him.”

Jack started up a little drumroll as Dimitri opened his present, then began narrating to his audience.

“I’m planning more gifts, already sent Santa my list, but who can really wait until Christmas day?” Jack spoke with such animated cheer, Dimitri fell into a trance as he tore through the wrapping paper.

Dimitri’s eyes widened with surprise at the gifts inside. Books. Several of them, in fact.

“Oh, lookie here.” Jack pointed to Dimitri’s face. “He likes ‘em for sure. You can tell from the softening scowl and the slightest hint of a smile.”

The first book was a collection of the fauna, flora, and fungi in the region.

“He loves nature,” Jack explained. “Like a lot. Like daily hikes a lot.”

Jack made a shadowy tongue to profess his disdain for the outdoors, but Dimitri couldn’t help but smile. It was such a sweet gesture.

Beneath the first book was a historic text that professed to explore ten thousand hidden historical truths not taught in school. This would likely help with the many things Dimitri missed out on, even if the cover appeared to show history dating further back from his capture. There was so much of the world Dimitri never learned, even before the hunters grabbed him, so much of his life was spent hiding away from the world. Now, he could learn everything about it thanks to Jack.

“This is honestly a book everyone could use,” Jack said, holding it up for the camera. “I’m not linking it because I don’t sell shit, but everyone should be informed. Go grab this book.”

The next two books were romance novels with monstrous men on the covers.

“I see you roaming my library looking for something good to read,” Jack teased. “Thought you’d enjoy some monster romance. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a scene you like so much we can recreate it for⁠—”

Dimitri cut Jack off, swooping in close and pulling him into a tight hug. They were such thoughtful gifts. Even the silly monster books were meaningful. It reminded Dimitri that his life wasn’t a horror show anymore. He wasn’t trapped or tortured.

Jack wrapped his arms around Dimitri and returned the hug. They sat in that embrace for some time before Dimitri released Jack.

“Just so we’re clear, this means I won the gift-giving contest.” Jack grinned, then turned his phone off. “I’m the champion.”

“You are insufferable.” Dimitri fought back a smile as Jack teased him about being the best gift-giver in the world.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Dimitri shrank his antlers and leaned over, resting his head on Jack’s shoulder as they read through some comments on their latest video. It’d become a little ritual of theirs the last few days. They’d post a video, they’d let it circulate, then they’d sit on the couch together, sinking into the cushions while Jack introduced Dimitri to the underbelly of social media.

@DarkBookGurl666: You two are TOO cute! It’s killin me!

@OmegaRiley: Look at that afterglow. Deer Daddy must’ve cracked you good, Jackie Boy.

@ShyLoverYaoiYuri: When is Deer Daddy going to talk? I wanna hear what he has to say.

@KingGael: He can’t talk. Voice is probably too hoarse from Jack ramming his lantern down his throat.

@JackFanEdits: My boy is thicc!

@Username433224538:

@DevotedCryptid: Does Deer Daddy got more than the antlers? Like does he have the hairy legs like satyrs?