The next thing he knew, Bellomir was knocking on the big red door in two bursts of three. He heard the gasp of someone just waking up. 

‘Uh, come in, my dear boy, come in.’ Santa was still sitting in his chair, a carton of eggnog and a small bottle of brandy beside a shot glass on the table. There were dark bags under his eyes but his smile was bright. The fireplace was still ablaze. No music was playing this time. ‘What brings you here?’

‘I guess… I wanted to talk.’ Bellomir looked at the eggnog on the table, his heart twisting. ‘But first, have you had much to drink?’

Santa shook his head. ‘I didn’t have much, and I’m pretty sure I slept off what I did have. He lifted his bottom off the chair and used his big, beefy arms to pull it around to face Bellomir. Despite now being away from the fireplace, his cheeks were rosier than usual. ‘So what’s, uh, going on, Bello?’ 

Bellomir finally noticed that the Christmas sweater was on the floor next to the table, yet it was folded perfectly. Santa grabbed it, unravelled it and held it up in front of his face. ‘Did you change your mind about the gift? You said earlier that you liked it. Was that a lie?’

The elf took slow steps towards Santa, and when he finally got up to him, he pulled the sweater down so they were staring face to face. He raised his leg until his knee was on Santa’s lap. Santa blinked, his cheeks getting redder and redder. Their hands met as they held onto the sweater, sending a little spark synced with a crackling sound from the fireplace.

‘I like your gifts, but there’s one little thing I really need.’

‘Oh, a fur coat?’

Bellomir wrapped his hands around Santa’s cheeks, brushing his thumb against the man’s lips.

‘All I want for Christmas is you.’ Just as Bellomir started to lean in closer, Santa turned his head away.

‘I-I’m flattered, but you’re my employee. I mustn’t-’

‘Oh, so you can’t kiss me but you can treat me like your sugar baby?’

Santa turned his head back around to face him. ‘I’m Santa Claus! What else can I do to show my affection besides giving you gifts?’

‘Oh, so you do like me,’ Bellomir whispered into his ear, running his hand down his cheek. ‘If you want to show affection, just be honest with me.’ He snatched the sweater. ‘You put a lot of effort into making this, but why? Why did you choose me, Nicholas?’

Santa gulped as his eyes darted around the room, always avoiding Bellomir’s gaze. ‘Well, I, uh, I don’t know. I was just drawn to you for some reason. I thought you seemed lonely like me. You were the only one in the factory not doing small talk.’

Memories of chatting with Snowren and Mistlebo played in Bellomir’s mind. What was Santa talking about? He always conversed with people… He suddenly remembered the truth. Those memories were from after starting this situationship with Santa. Love filled Bellomir’s heart, almost overflowing into tears.

‘I wanted a friend, honest!’ Santa added. ‘But then you hugged me that night, and everything changed.’ He scratched his own cheek. ‘I kind of like it when you take charge.’ He sighed. ‘But, to go any further when you work for me…’

‘Alright, then. I’ll get another job. I hear the reindeer barn is looking for work.’

‘But I still work with them-’

‘At least I won’t be working under you.’

‘Are you really willing to go this far? You’d have to move out of your apartment-’

‘Can I move into yours, then?’ Bellomir asked with his pointer finger against Santa’s chest. He leaned in closer and whispered in his ear again. ‘Please, Nicholas?’ When he leant back, he spotted the golden frame of the photo of Mr and Mrs Claus. He closed his eyes and spoke at the speed of the machine in the factory. ‘If you think Mrs Claus would be okay with it. You’re still grieving, after all. It’s only been a few months and I’d hate to interrupt that process-’

A belly laugh from Santa roared through the room. ‘You’re really worried about that? She would be happy to see me happy.’ He smirked and whispered in Bellomir’s ear. ‘In fact, we occasionally brought in a third person.’

Now Bellomir’s cheeks were reddening. ‘I… I see.’

Santa reached behind Bellomir’s head and threaded his fingers through his curls. ‘May I, my dear Bello?’ he asked as he took a candy cane from the pocket, unwrapped it with one hand and bit a big piece off. He speedily chewed it into smaller pieces and swallowed it all.

The answer was given not by words but by a peck on the lips, which quickly became another one, then a series of deeper kisses that went on for several blissful minutes. The scent of eggnog and brandy was still on Santa’s breath, but the minty taste of the candy cane mostly covered it. Bellomir thanked Santa’s courteousness with more kissing. Despite the icy coolness of the peppermint, everything else about Santa was warm and comforting, from his arm wrapped around Bellomir’s waist, pulling him closer, to his soft lips. The couple’s movements were slow and delicate but passionate.

When they finally pulled themselves away, Bellomir sat on his lap and cuddled him. They silently stayed in the chair, Santa resting his chin on Bellomir’s head as he ran his fingers through his hair. Eventually, Bellomir buried the fireplace in cool ashes until the flames went out, hopped back on his lap, and rested in his big, cosy arms. 

‘Good night, Baby,’ Bellomir whispered as he drifted into a pleasant sleep. Snow began to fall outside, but neither man could feel the cold.