Stubborn Love

Forced Break

Bernard was almost always angry, but it was never unamusing to Allie.

Allie, Curtis, and Coco were standing off to the side, watching Bernard tried to be as respectful as he could be since he was talking with his boss, while also arguing.

"Santa," Bernard began again, his voice shaking with poorly hidden annoyance. "with all due respect, I don't think a break is a good idea."

"Bernard, when was the last time you've had a break?"

The elf paused for a second, and he struggled to find an answer. When he couldn't come up with one, Scott nodded. "Look, you need a break, Bernard. You've worked well these past couple of decades. I'll even have Allie stay with you."

"What?" Allie stood up straighter, her brows furrowed. That was not agreed on. "Dad, I don't—"

"Allie, you've worked hard for the past nine years without a break. You deserve one."

Allie stood in front of her Dad, running through every excuse she could give coming up empty handed. She watched as Bernard did the same, and suddenly, he gained a smug sort of look. "If both Allie and I are on break, who's going to run the workshop?"

"Curtis."

Allie and Bernard stopped, their eyes widening as they stared at Scott. He did not just say that. Did he? They turned to look wide eyed at the other elf, who had been smiling until he saw their looks. "What?"

"Funny." Allie said. "Who's really in charge?"

"Curtis." Scott said again. "Curtis is next in line after you two."

Bernard and Allie shared another look. Seeing their unease, Curtis said, "You guys have nothing to worry about. I've got everything under control."

"That's not as comforting as you think it is." Allie said. "Dad, come on. Why do we have to take a break at the same time?"

Though, no matter how much the two argued, they were shuffled out of the office, told their break started the next day.

{}~{}~{}~{}

Allie laid on the couch in Bernard's house, her arm resting over her eyes.

She had never been so bored before. Normally, if she got bored, she could walk around the workshop, pretending to do work, or steal Coco away from her job, and they'd go play a game out in the snow. But now, she was stuck here with Bernard, and they had never actually spent time together. Not until they were on house arrest, but that was months ago, and they had barely spoken since.

Bernard was sitting rigid in a chair, his hands clasped together. He kept glancing at Allie, and he watched her legs swing over the arm of the couch, sighing every now and then. Suddenly, she sat up, catching Bernard off guard, his cheeks burning crimson as she caught him staring. He opened his mouth to say something, but found the words stuck in his throat.

"Are you as bored as I am?" Allie asked.

Bernard nodded, clearing his throat. "I'm also highly concerned for the state of the workshop. Curtis is not made to lead. He's barely made for the job he has."

"You don't have to be so harsh on him," Allie said, though she low key agreed. "He's still maturing."

"He's 900." Bernard insisted. "He should have grown out of this childish phase by now."

"He'll grow." Allie said. "Besides, Curtis and Coco work well together."

Bernard rolled his eyes, shifting a bit at the thought of Coco and Curtis working together. "But their so young. They can't do this. 

"Come on Bernard, you know it's true. They work well together. I mean, they have been together since like, last July."

Allie slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes widening at what slipped out. Coco had begged her not to say, and Allie had kept her promise for a year. How did she let that slip?

Bernard's eyes were wide, and he suddenly sat up straighter. His eyes bore into Allie. "What did you just say?"

Allie sat up, chugging the rest of her hot chocolate. She stood up, avoiding looking at Bernard, as she muttered about how she was going to get more. Bernard jumped up, quickly following after her. "Allison! Tell me I just heard you wrong."

Allie ignored him, saying all kinds of curses in her head. She had one job to do for Coco, and she completely blew it.

Allie turned around from getting her mug of cocoa and gasped as Bernard appeared in front of her. His curls fell into his eyes, and his eyes were sharp with disbelief. Allie gasped, a hand on her chest. "Bernard. Don't do that."

"Is Coco really seeing Curtis of all elves?" He asked, following behind Allie as she walked back into the living room. "She could do so much better. Like Cade from the painting department. Or Lawrence from building. Or Lester from typing. Or anybody but Curtis."

Allie rolled her eyes, a smile spreading across her face as she set her cup down. "Really, Bernard? Curtis is a nice, respectable elf."

"He created a fake Santa that took over the workshop, put us in house arrest, and tried to give all the kids coal!" Bernard snapped. "Who, by the way, tried to fire you for being aggressive. But yes, he's a very nice respectable elf."

Allie rolled her eyes, her cheeks burning red at the mention of almost getting fired. They had told her Dad and Charlie about it, and Charlie had laughed himself silly. Anytime Allie got worked up, Bernard teasingly ask if she was being aggressive, and needed to be let go, to which she'd glare at him. "Come on, Bernard. Cut him some slack."

Bernard said nothing, but leaned forward resting his head on her shoulder. It startled her for a second, before she wrapped her arms around him, patting his back. In a shimmer of sparkles, Allie found them sitting back on the couch, Bernard having his head pressed into her stomach.

"Come on Bernard," I said, unable to help herself as she laughed. "We're supposed to be relaxing."

"I am," He mumbled, his faced nuzzling into her shirt.

Allie rolled her eyes a bit. "Now you are."

Allie took his hat off, setting it on her own head, running her fingers through his curls. They sat like that for a while, and Allie  heard Bernard's breathing even out, and she glanced down at him as he fell asleep. A smile spread across her face. It was rare he ever looked calm and relaxed, and Allie was beginning to think he would even look stressed in his sleep.

The blonde girl adjusted his hat on her head, leaning back onto the couch. She pulled it over her eyes, letting herself fall into sleep as well.