The world slows, frozen in time and temperature, as breath turns to mist, vanishing into the chill. Deep in the dense forests of Canada lies the Junction Creek reindeer herd. With snow nearly knee-high, the herd sticks closer to the trees, where the drifts aren’t as deep. The forest is quiet, save for the occasional rustle of branches as snow tumbles down or the soft crunch of hooves breaking the pristine white blanket.

Vincent snorted irritably, his breath forming clouds that dissipated into the cold air. Yet another younger bull had attempted to challenge him for his role as herd leader. The clash had been brief, a display of antlers clashing and snow spraying, but the result was the same as always. The challenger slunk away behind a few other reindeer, awash with fresh embarrassment and nursing a bruised ego. Challenges had become increasingly frequent these days, ever since Vincent had come to terms with being gay.

The older bull shook his head again, more forcefully this time, sending a spray of snow from his antlers. He stalked toward a nearby tree, his legs stiff, and lowered himself to the ground with a heavy sigh. The cold seeped into his haunches almost immediately, but he ignored it. A twinge in his hip made him wince. Getting too old for this shit.

He scanned the herd, his gaze flitting over a few familiar figures. Some of the mothers were nudging their calves toward sheltered spots beneath the trees, their soft bleats filling the still air. He felt a pang of jealousy at the sight. His own mother had been distant, her attention always elsewhere. He’d grown up learning to fend for himself, her coldness leaving a shadow he hadn’t fully shaken. But what was the point of dwelling on it now? She’d been gone for years, and no amount of wishing would change that.

Finally, Vincent’s gaze landed on another bull in the Junction Creek herd. Gods, he’s gorgeous. The bull had wormed his way into Vincent’s thoughts, living there rent-free for weeks. Vincent often caught himself daydreaming about him, unable to understand why the other bull occupied his mind so persistently.