December 24th

The world moves at a rapid pace around me. Elves stand in production lines, loading cargo, ensuring everything is ready for my take off in the next three hours.

My mind, though, stays trapped in Kris’ workshop. Flashes of last night pull my attention away from the bustling crowd.

Sitting on Kris’ lap in the sleigh’s cockpit, back pressed to his chest as his cock slammed up into me. His grunts of “Fuck me Santa” playing on repeat alongside the sound of our mingled groans.

If I look closely, I’m sure I could see marks where my fingers have indented into the dashboard as he pumped his seed deep into me, the feeling causing my own to shoot all over the controls. 

It took us until the early hours of this morning to drag our hands away from each other, then another hour to clean up all the mess we made in the freshly polished sleigh. My father would be mortified if the sleigh came out drenched in our mingled cum for takeoff tomorrow.

Should I have stayed up fucking Kris most of the night? Probably not.

Even with only five hours of sleep and the long journey ahead, I couldn't bring myself to regret spending another night with him, worshiping each other’s bodies.

My eyes find him across the runway, strapping in the reindeer. Even from here I can see his hair still disheveled, evidence of the hours I spent running my hands through it.

He pauses at each animal, ensuring their new helmets are secure before leaning in to whisper into each of their ears.

When he finishes, his face lifts and he searches the crowd before his gaze falls on me. A small smile crosses his lips before he turns back to Arthur and together they run through the final safety checks on the sleigh.

Even after he has returned to his work, my body remains attuned to his presence, humming with awareness.

I stand amidst the gentle snowfall, my heart clenching as I watch the flurry of activity surrounding me.

This is real.

Inhaling deeply, I take one last look at Kris before jumping into action. I have a few last checks I need to oversee before I need to get back into my suit and make my way up to the village center for the annual farewell town breakfast.

“It suits you.” Carol’s voice startles me from my thoughts, her words echo my father’s. I stand at my office window looking out at the now empty workshop. After months of this workshop overflowing with toys and elves, hard at work, the now baron space feels strange.

I run my hands down my suit for the twentieth time since I put it on. I force a tight-lipped smile, my face unable to hide the nerves coursing through me, but she wraps me in the type of hug that only she can give. Instantly a wave of comfort washes over me.

“You’ll be back in no time. It will be over before you know it and you’ll be wondering how it went by so fast.” She offers and I nod, not knowing what to say.

I have stood here for the last hour questioning my ability to get this job done. If I could be as good of a Santa as every other that has come before me. Could I live up to the legacy set by my forefathers?

She loosens her grip on me, but her hands linger on my face, caressing it gently, her touch warm and comforting, as tears well up in her eyes. “I am so proud of you.”

“What if I mess up?” I whisper, my voice barely audible, scared that someone might hear me. I look away, not ready to handle the look of disappointment on her face.

“Nicolas.” She scolds me as her grip on my face grows tighter. “Do you really think your father never worried about making a mistake?”

When my eyes come back to her, she stares at me, head cocked to the side and a slight smile tips up her mouth. I shrug, burying my hands in my pockets.

“Every morning for the last fifteen years, your father has put on his suit, looked in the mirror and asked me the same question.”

“What did you tell him?” Her smile grows as she grasps one of my hands, dragging me over to the ornate mirror that still stands against the wall in my office, and pushing me in front of it.

“I told him that to the world he may be Santa Claus, but to me he was just Klaus. That no matter what happens out there, here, we still love you.”

I stare at myself. The red suit, with its vibrant color, shines brightly under the bright office fluorescents. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see my hat sitting limply on my desk.

Carol notices where I am staring and moves to pick it up. Walking it over to me, I inhale deeply as she lifts onto her toes to place it securely on my head.

“From today you are Santa Claus, but to us you will always be our Nick. No matter what happens, out there, here, we will always love you.” A tear falls down my cheek at her words and I turn, enveloping her in a hug, pressing my forehead into her shoulder.

“Thank you.”

“Come now, my boy, everyone is desperately awaiting breakfast and you know how your father likes to kick this morning off with a speech that goes until the new year.” A snort escapes me as she pats me on the back. His speeches do usually drag on for an unreasonable amount of time.

As we make our way out, I pray he is already near the end of his speech, although the thought of standing up to address everyone has my stomach churning and my palms sweating.

“Ah, there he is, the man of the hour.” My father’s voice booms across the square.

My father has always made the residents of the village feel like an extended part of our family. Everyone is welcome at our table and this morning feels more like a big family reunion than a work breakfast.

For everyone here today, their work is done. After months of planning, prepping, and executing, the workers have completed their work by making the presents, carefully wrapping them, and storing them in the sleigh ready for delivery.

With meticulous planning, the team has ensured that no child is missing from their carefully designed routes, and the reindeer have been diligently honing their skills during training sessions.

Kris and Arthur have spent months crafting the upgrades needed to ensure my trip goes smoothly.

From here on out, it’s up to me.

The crowd bursts into a symphony of cheers, with hands stretching out towards me, shaking my hand and giving me encouraging pats on the back as I move towards the front.

Their enthusiasm fills me, and I straighten, a smile spreading across my face as I greet them back.

When I reach the front, Kris stands waiting alongside the stage, his jade eyes filled with something I only hope is real, making my stomach flutter with much more than nerves. He gives me a quick wink and nods towards the stage, urging me to go on.

Carol joins him, and he wraps his arm around her shoulder as she leans into him. My father meets me at the top of the stairs, shaking my hand, giving me a warm hug and I take a second to revel in this moment, soaking it in.

Festive ornaments beautifully decorate the stage, and at its center stands a single microphone adorned with a mistletoe garland, patiently waiting for me.

“Friends, family. Welcome. I know my father has probably already thanked you for your hard work this year, but I wanted to thank you all as well.” Eager eyes look back up at me, families grouped together, hugging and holding each other. 

“Although children around the world will go to sleep tonight, eagerly awaiting my arrival. I want to acknowledge that there is no me without all of you. Although I may be the representative of our work, it is the tireless efforts of each and every one of you that give Christmas its true meaning.”

Claps ring out across the crowd. With a slight nod of his head, my father encourages me to go on.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. This year has been a year of change for us and though the path ahead may not always be easy, it will be one we can all travel …” My eyes drift to the side of the stage, where Kris waits, his intense gaze locked on me, “together.”

He gives me a barely perceptible nod, which gives me the strength to turn back to the waiting crowd. “Now I won’t keep you from Mabel’s breakfast feast. Goodness knows you have earned it. Please, celebrate with me and my family and then join us for takeoff.” I motion towards my family as my father and Carol make their way towards the crowd. Kris choosing to linger behind, waiting for me.

As the crowd disperses, moving towards the endless trays of every breakfast item one could think of. I stuff a hand into the pocket of my suit as I move towards him, pulled by an invisible thread, linking us together.