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

Part 9: I'll be the candle eh?

Inside the S-1, tension thickened as Steve finally broke the silence, glancing up at Santa. "Okay, so I'm not great with children. Does that make me a bad Santa?" His tone was sharp, his frustration bleeding through.

Without pausing, he continued, "You're hardly perfect, either. Let me guess-you put in the address, saw a list of Trelews, and clicked on the first one? You're just like Arthur!"

Santa blinked, visibly taken aback. His expression softened into something uncertain. "Am I?" he asked, his voice quieter, almost reflective.

The North Pole computer interrupted with a calm announcement: "North Pole incoming."

Margaret Claus, watching the exchange from the pilot's seat, broke the tension with her usual warmth. She turned toward Steve with a soft smile. "You may not be great with children yet, Steve," she said, her voice steady and soothing, "but I'm positive [Y/N] doesn't think that. She knows what you're capable of-you just need a little practice."

Steve's gaze flicked to his mom her words tugging at something deep inside him. Though he didn't reply, the set of his jaw relaxed slightly, her encouragement settling over him like a comforting weight.

---

Back in Trelew, Arthur, Bryony, and [Y/N] braved the harsh snowstorm, their eyes fixed on the goal ahead. The mission had reached a critical point, the air thick with urgency.

In the North Pole command center, the elves were in chaos. "Sir! The soldiers have shot down the sleigh!" One elf shouted, panic in their voice.

Deborah, standing nearby, countered firmly, her voice filled with determination. "Sir, it's Arthur and [Y/N]! They're still going!"

The atmosphere shifted instantly. The chant began low, then grew louder as hope spread through the room. "Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!"

Bryony, keeping pace with [Y/N], couldn't help but admire her determination. Even with an injury, [Y/N] moved with fierce resolve, her focus unwavering.

"No one gets an unwrapped present on my watch," Bryony muttered to herself, glancing briefly at [Y/N] before jumping towards Arthur. "Three bits of sticky tape. Three."

Arthur shouted over the wind, pointing into the distance. "The church! I see it!"

Bryony snapped into action. "Stand up! Finger!"

Arthur followed her commands without hesitation, his determination shining through every movement.

"There it is!" he called, a spark of hope lighting his voice.

Bryony shouted back, "Front wheel! Two!"

Arthur grinned, his focus unshaken. "Yes! That's it, there!"

"Back wheel! Ready?" Bryony yelled.

"Do it!" Arthur's response cut through the roaring wind with unyielding confidence.

Bryony's smile widened, her determination mirroring his. "Here we go! Three!"

This made the bicycle fly up into the air, making them fly before falling into a tree, Bryony was tangled in Christmas lights. "Elf down!"

Arthur turned, his voice tinged with worry. "Bryony?"

Bryony waved him on, her voice firm. "Go on, Arthur. Quick!"

Arthur hesitated briefly, his concern clear. But then he grinned, his humor breaking through. "There's always time for a bow!"

The rising sun peeked over the horizon, its golden light slowly illuminating the snowy town. It was a breathtaking sight, but it also marked the end of their race against time. Then, as if on cue, the massive shadow of the S-1 descended over the town, blocking out the sunlight and casting the area back into darkness.