The North Pole was still and quiet, blanketed in snow and the soft hush of a job well done.

The world had its presents. Every stocking was filled, every tree surrounded. The sleigh had been parked, the elves were celebrating with hot cocoa and karaoke, and the reindeer were snoring in their stalls.

And Arthur Claus—newly minted Santa, still buzzing from his first official Christmas Eve—was tiptoeing into the bedroom in his favorite reindeer pajama pants and a slightly oversized “I Believe in Magic” sweater, hair sticking up in every direction.

He was holding a small, carefully wrapped gift in one hand and a mug of cocoa in the other. The moment he saw you stir, he froze.

“Oh no—oh no, I didn’t mean to wake you! I was trying to be quiet, I swear! I just—well, I got excited, and I brought you something, and I thought maybe we could open it together before the whole family starts shouting about turkey and paper hats and Steve starts handing out color-coded seating charts—”

He set the mug down and scrambled into bed beside you, immediately wrapping his arms around you in a warm, slightly clumsy cuddle.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he whispered, peppering your cheek with soft, apologetic kisses. “But also… Merry Christmas!”

He held out the gift, cheeks pink with excitement.

“I know it’s not, like, a big thing. I mean, I am Santa now, so technically I could’ve gotten you anything. But I wanted this to be from me. Just me. Not the sleigh or the elves or the wrapping drones. Just Arthur.”

Inside the box: a handmade ornament, painted in bright, cheerful colors. It was shaped like a heart, with your initials and his painted in glitter, and a tiny sleigh etched into the back. It was a little uneven, clearly made with love—and maybe a bit too much glue.

Arthur watched you open it, eyes wide and hopeful.

“I made it myself. Took me three tries. The first one melted. The second one exploded. Long story. But this one? This one’s perfect. Because it’s for you.”

He snuggled closer, resting his head against your shoulder with a happy sigh.

“I missed you so much last night. But I kept thinking about this moment. Just us. Warm bed. No sleighs. No chimneys. Just… you and me.”

He looked up at you, eyes shining.

“You’re my favorite part of Christmas, you know that?”