Love at the North Pole - (Steve Claus x Fem Reader)

Part 6: We don't believe in rumors

The sleigh was a chaotic whirlwind of noise and movement, each second feeling more frantic than the last. Arthur was clumsily fumbling with the reins, his hands slipping as he struggled to keep control. Bryony, seated to his right, furiously tapped away on her HOHO device, the screen flickering with information as she tried to make sense of their situation. You were wedged tightly between Arthur and Grandsanta, holding onto the edge of the sleigh for dear life as it jolted and rattled beneath you.

"We can still make it!" Arthur insisted, his voice high with determination that teetered on the edge of panic. "We just have to go faster, higher!"

Bryony shot him a sharp look, her expression laced with doubt as she braced herself against the dashboard. "Well, someone's had a change of tune," she muttered under her breath, giving him a sidelong glance. Arthur, oblivious to her tone, was busy taping himself to the seat with a roll of sticky tape he had somehow unearthed. The reindeer began to lift off the ground, causing the sleigh to lurch violently. You were thrown slightly backward, gripping the edge of the seat to stop yourself from falling.

Grandsanta, sitting beside you, had pulled his coat up over his head like a frightened child hiding from a thunderstorm. "I'm not going anywhere!" he wailed dramatically, his voice muffled by the fabric. "I'm not here!" He curled himself up into a ball, ducking down at your feet as though that would somehow make him invisible.

Arthur glanced down, his eyes wide with panic as he saw Grandsanta cowering. "Grandsanta, you have to help us! I've taped myself in!" he cried, his voice rising with urgency. Turning to you, he asked desperately, "[Y/N], can you take over?"

You exhaled sharply, your patience wearing thin as you turned toward Grandsanta. "Grandsanta, this isn't the time for theatrics!" you snapped, your voice cutting through the chaos. "If you're not going to drive, then at least guide me. Tell me what I need to do!"

Grandsanta peeked out from under his coat, his face frazzled and full of apprehension. "It's like that terrible night all over again!" he moaned, his voice trembling.

Arthur frowned in confusion, his hands still awkwardly holding the reins. "What terrible night?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

Grandsanta leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper, as if he were about to reveal a deep, dark secret. "The last time I took EVIE out for a spin!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with the memory. "I didn't know it was the Cuban Missile Crisis, I nearly started World War Three!"

Before Arthur or you could respond, Bryony interrupted sharply, her tone laced with urgency. "Enough stories! Someone has to steer this thing, and it's not going to fly itself!" she declared, grabbing a pair of scissors and leaning forward to free Arthur from his hastily applied restraints.

Just as she moved, the sleigh gave a sudden, violent jolt. Bryony slipped, the scissors in her hand swinging dangerously close to Arthur's face. "Bryony!" Arthur yelped, leaning back to avoid the blade as his eyes widened in alarm.

"Oh no!" Arthur cried out, his voice cracking with panic as he watched two of the reindeer break free from their harness. "Fencer! Mincer! Come back!" he shouted helplessly, his gaze fixed on the reindeer as they bolted into the distance, their silhouettes vanishing into the night sky.

You gritted your teeth, gripping the edge of the sleigh to steady yourself. Determined, you declared, "I'll try to fly it! Someone needs to take control before we crash!"

Arthur nodded quickly, though his face remained pale with fear. "Grandsanta, get up here and help!" he yelled, reaching down to tug at Grandsanta's coat.

Grandsanta groaned in protest as he shifted slightly, his expression one of reluctant defeat. "Oi! That's me, new hip!" he muttered, clearly stalling for time.