I'd Follow You Anywhere

Redemption

Santa pulled Earth by the hand into a secluded room away from prying eyes, their surroundings a cocoon of privacy that mirrored the tender vulnerability they felt. As soon as he had closed the door Earth shook Santa's hand off. Earth's gaze held a cautious flicker, his heart guarded by the scars of their past.

With a deep breath, Santa stepped closer to Earth, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and pain. Earth took a step back. His back hit the wall behind him. Santa rooted to the spot from the sudden resistance.

"Earth, I understand your hesitation, your need to protect your heart," Santa spoke softly, his voice filled with a sincere sincerity. "But I want you to know that I am here, I am ready."

Tears welled in Earth's eyes, his emotions swirling like a tumultuous sea. The pain of the past and the fear of repeating it battled within him. His heart longed to hold Santa, to surrender to the love that still burned brightly, but the scars were etched deep. Instead, he wrapped his arms around himself. A self-soothing technique he had become accustomed to.

Santa couldn't stand seeing Earth so hurt. He reached out his hand, hesitantly brushing his fingertips against Earth's cheek, wiping away the tears that were silently replaced by new ones.

Nothing. For an electrifying few seconds there was no sound in the room. Only their hearts and slow breathing.

"I want..." Earth whispered, his voice trembling, he hesitated on the sentence but Santa didn't push him. "I miss you, Santa. But everything that happened. I can't do that to you again, to us." Earth let out a resigned sigh. His body became less tense as he stopped fighting against himself.

Santa nodded, close to tears. "Earth, I can't predict what they're going to do or say, but I promise to protect you. I promise to communicate, to be there for you, and to fight for us." He said with passion. Determined to persuade Earth. "Believing me will take time. But I'm willing to work hard. For us." Santa placed both hands on Earth's shoulders. Squeezing slightly, reassuring him. 

Earth looked into Santa's eyes for the first time since the office. As their eyes locked, an unspoken understanding passed between them. Earth knew in his heart what he wanted. He had to be brave and fight for it as much as Santa did.

Earth unfolded himself and slowly wrapped his arms around Santa. He buried his head into Santa's chest and let out the feelings he had been holding onto. Santa held him tightly. One arm around his shoulders and one stroking his hair. Soothing Earth, whispering as his head rested atop Earth's.
"We're going to be okay, I promise." Santa said as a tear fell from his eyes.

They had stood in their embrace long enough for their heart rates and tears to slow down. A light knock on the door before Director Lee entered the room. He stopped short as he saw the current state of them.

"Santa, Earth, I understand the complexities of your history," Director Lee's voice carried a note of compassion and wisdom. "But trust me when I say that the path to healing begins with yourselves. Please, take this opportunity to read the script"

Santa and Earth exchanged a glance, the weight of their shared past still present, "I don't think that's a good idea," Earth said. They had just spoken to each other for the first time in months, the status of themselves still uncertain, and now they were expected to do a project with each other?

Director Lee nodded in understanding, "while I know why you're saying this Earth, trust me. You need to read the script." Santa looked at Director Lee puzzled. But, he had worked with him before and Santa had confided in him what happened between him and Earth before. Santa trusted Director Lee.

He looked down at Earth, "let's just read it," he said. "I trust Director Lee. He has helped me so much."

Earth thought for a second. He looked at Santa deeply and then turned to Director Lee. Earth nodded a small nod. Director Lee turned to the side and opened the door. Signalling for Santa and Earth to go first.

Santa entwined his hand with Earth's a show of solidarity. Then they walked out of the room together.

With the encouragement from Director Lee, Santa and Earth prepared themselves to take the first step toward healing. The script lay before them, its pages representing a chance to rebuild, to rewrite the narrative of their love story.