( Backdated to Christmas )

Al had dropped off his final gift. Well, more like taped it to someones door. He had picked up a few goodies for himself along the way, some even waiting in front of his brand new door when he returned. He opened the door and shuffled the whole mess inside. He turned to lock his door and turned again on his very merry Christmas.

But he stalled. About to lunge, he noticed something that did not belong in his mess. He usually kept empty cups, bottles and cans on his desk but today his desk had been cleared when he left. Readied for eating a big Christmas dinner later (and storing various wrappers from oh so much junk food).

There was something bright orange there now. That was a color very specifically associated with a specific someone.

He felt his heart lurch up into his throat as he approached. Was it a trap? A trick? A... -no. His eyes focused keenly on the book. He pushed the bright orange ribbon aside to read the cover. Dread was replaced with ache.

He picked the fragile object up and clutched it tightly to his chest as tears filled his eyes. He blindly wandered over to his pile of furs and collapsed to bury his face in a pillow.

Suppress.
Don't show ******** it.
He had a door now.