WHERE:Vallo: Serendipity Hills WHEN:December 11th, 2021 (In Serendipity Hills it's Christmas) WHAT:It's a job well done for Santa Thor, with a hint of romance in the air with Head Elf Jake. WARNINGS:None STATUS:Complete
Killing Santa Claus was one thing. Becoming him was a whole other ballpark and Thor wasn't sure if he was that great of a baseball player. However, after a stern (read: threatening) talking to from the Head Elf of Santa's Workshop, he was fairly confident that he didn't have this and he was going to be kneecapped by a very angry elf at the end of this.
But for the kids, he had to try.
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...
Santa Thor filled stockings, left presents, squeezed himself up and down impossible chimneys. Milk was drunk, cookies were eaten, and a reminder to hit the gym after was set. Head Elf Jake had tagged along and part way through the night, he even stopped scowling and started to join in on the laughs as they went from house to house. Thori, who had somehow become the "head reindeer" was having a grand old time dragging them through the sky on the little red sleigh Thor managed to fit himself into.
By the time the last house was hit and the last of the presents were delivered, Thor still couldn't believe that he was managing to pull this off. Smiling over at Jake, he said, "I think we did it, my friend." Clapping Jake on the shoulder and smiling fondly down at the elf, Thor said, "I think this calls for a drink." His stomach rumbled, a reminder of all the cookies and milk he had consumed throughout the night. "Perhaps a drink in a few days," he conceded.
Jake did not think they were going to make it. He spent eons at Santa’s side - several of them - but none came into the position so close to the night itself. His first thought upon Thor’s arrival had been magic or not, this guy was not going to fit down a chimney with broad shoulders like that. Maybe the chimney of an industrial furnace but not the one that came standard on most homes. (He was looking very respectfully when he made this assessment.)
Thor surprised him though. The man neither glommed on to the power or tried to exploit every possible loophole to get out of it. He saw the doubt in Thor’s face but he tried and Jake’s fear of failure started to ease through the journey, to the point where he went from accompanying him to instruct him on the fly to genuinely enjoying the ride, the deliveries, the company. He figured they were over Sri Lanka when a delivery that required some creative problem solving earned a smile from Jake.
It was a new and strange feeling and one he didn’t mind in the least.
“You did do it,” Jake pointed out, easing up on his toes in his old workboots to make an attempt at patting Santa Thor on his back. Sweet Jingle Jangle Bells, the man was tall. “It’s my job to assist but you surprised us all and got the job done.” Because Christmas also came with good will towards men and admitting ones shortcomings (that was not the literal inches that made him feel shorter than usual) his face screwed up as he worked up what might be the hardest task of the night: an apology.
“Look…’m sorry. For yelling at you. Being stressed out wasn’t an excuse and you had a lot thrown at you too. So I’m sorry.” He scratched behind a pointed ear awkwardly. “So those drinks you mentioned, the first round of egg nog is on me. No one makes it like the North Pole.”
Thor wasn’t sure what it was about the pointy eared elf that had him so intrigued, but regardless of what it was - his frowning face, probably. It was very becoming - he smiled down at him. Stroking his newly acquired white beard, he explained, “You have no need to apologize. I did, after all, put a rather large wrench in the North Pole’s plans.”
Though one thing bothered him, you know, aside from killing the previous Santa Claus. “What does this mean for me now? Do I have to come live at the North Pole year round now?” Thoughts drifted to his sweet daughter Torunn and his ex-wife, Sif. He didn’t know what he would do if he didn’t get to see them.
“It wouldn’t be the first time.” The words slipped out before Jake found a more tactical way to lay it out. “You’re easier to work with than the last guy so maybe you improved on them,” he added. Truth be told he couldn’t figure out if that was because Thor seemed to have a better work ethic, Jake feeling inclined to trust him and feel comfortable in his presence, or something else he couldn’t quite figure out.
Possibly the mistletoe feelings he was having about the big guy even once the beard established its hold on his face.
“Of course not. Every Santa has a life outside of the North Pole. You go back about your life until December comes ‘round again. Then you’ll start to notice you’re going through changes the closer you get to Christmas Eve, getting into the role.” The awkward expression returned and Jake crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly. “You stay in the role long enough and you’ll be expected to find a Mrs. Claus though. Tradition. So you might want to consider that with your dating life.”
Well, that was something. At least it was good to know that the beard and extra padding around his stomach was temporary at least. His eyebrows furrowed together though, as he considered this Mrs. Claus Clause. “Does it have to be a Mrs?” Because it was 2021 and Thor was very comfortable with his romantic leanings and sexuality.
But he realized that it probably didn’t need to be considered right away. Who knows? Maybe he’d be kicked off a roof next year and he won’t have to worry about anything again?
Jake snorted at that. “No set rule that it has to be. It’s always been a Mrs. but maybe things are finally going to change. Just find someone who makes you happy.” Which, not for the first time, he wondered what that would be like.
He leaned in to Thor before righting himself. “Not something to worry about yet though. You can just hang out around the North Pole if you want,” he added, the prospect of not seeing the big guy until next year oddly depressing. “I know you got a kid back there but just in case you want to visit. It’s there. To visit,” he finished awkwardly.
There was something of a sparkle in Thor’s eyes, as he took note of how close Jake got before fixing himself. “To visit, hm? So if I wanted to visit someone in particular up at the North Pole, it’d be fine?” This time he was the one that leaned into Jake’s personal space, a towering presence with a very specific intent in mind.
It was good to know that it seemed like the elves, or at least, one particular elf was okay with the idea of there be a Mr. Claus to his Santa Claus.
His smile grew a little wider and Jake ducked his head and nodded, arms crossing over his chest again as he tried to remain noncommittal about the offer. Jake was absolutely fine with him visiting though, as much and whenever he wanted.
(The elves of the North Pole would be thankful to Thor as well in that regard.)
“Yeah,” he said after a beat, glancing up at Thor. “That would be just fine indeed.”
“Hm.” Making a show of giving that answer a thoughtful once over, as well as the elf in front of him the same consideration, Thor nodded. “Very good.” Then he nodded at the sleigh, where Thori and the rest of the reindeer waited for them. “So how about we head there now to get that egg nog you were talking about?”
Offering Jake an arm, Thor was pretty sure he was making his interest clear.
“Just let me know. I can make it happen.” The door was open for him to return at any time and Jake wanted to make sure that was absolutely clear. He looped his arm around Thor’s, motioning to the sleigh.
“It’s the best stuff, man. It’s egg nog but with some extra Christmas cheer...”