On Opposite Ends. {Snufkin x OC}

-Chapter 7- Jax

I finally arrived back in my hometown. The first flurry had just begun. I walked towards my house looking through shop windows on the way. They were filled with a variety of goods for the holidays

"Surely my mother won't mind if I do some shopping on my own."

I walked into a store that was filled with all the Christmas necessities imaginable. Wrapping paper, gift boxes, bows, trinkets and clothing enough to fill two houses.

"Here we go."

I was intimidated by the amount of people in the store at the time, until I saw a familiar face. I smiled brightly.

"Bartender! I'm back for the holidays!"

He turned to me smiling back pulling me into a tight hug.

"Good to see you back kid! How was it?"

"Oh wonderful! I met so many nice people this year. I told the kids all about Santa so now I'm on gift duty."

"Jax, you know just how to get the children riled up." He chuckled.

"It's a bard's nature to tell stories. I couldn't help it." I said laughing.

"How many you shopping for?"

I counted my on my fingers remembering each of their names.

"Five."

The bartender looked shocked.

"Five? Jack of Spades you've outdone yourself. Would you care for any assistance?"

"Please." I said sighing in relief.

He chuckled.

"Well let's get started then."

• • •

That's five! Well done Jax!" The bartender said clapping my shoulder encouragingly. I smiled, thinking of their first Christmas.

"I'm excited for my friends bartender, this will be their first Christmas ever! I have the honor to be their Santa. I may not know them all that well yet, but I hope they enjoy it."

"You have a way with people, I'm sure they'll love what 'Santa's' picked out for them." He said smirking.

"I hope you're right." I said.

As we exited the shop we waved before parting our separate ways. I continued my walk home.

It was a light snow now, I could feel the flakes hit my face. I enjoyed the feeling. When I arrived at my doorstep I reached for the handle and opened the door.

"Guess who's home!" I shouted throughout the little cottage.

I saw my mother's back was turned away from me but, immediately smiled when she saw me.

"Oh Jax, sweetheart. You're home! Welcome back, how was your trip?"

"Wonderful! I met so many lovely people this year!" I said smiling pulling her into a gentle hug.

"Really? Whom?"

"I met the Moomin household, Sniff, Snorkmaiden, and a young man named Snufkin."

My mother looked surprised.

"Wow! That many huh? I bet they are lovely."

"Oh yes, very."

My mother ushered me towards the kitchen.

"Come sit dear, I've made some fig pudding for you."

I took my scarf off and placed it on the coat rack.

"Oh, mother. Thank you! You always make the best pudding."

She chuckled lightly.

"You flatter me Jax."

I pulled up a seat at the small table. My mother doing the same.

"So, tell me more about your trip."

"Nothing too out of the ordinary, though I did lose my tin mug."

"Oh? How did you do that?"

I didn't want to tell her I threw it at a creature trying to kidnap me so I made something up on the fly.

"I must have dropped it, or raccoons could have stolen it. A shame isn't it?"

"Oh dear, yes it is."

I detached my kettle from my bag holding it up so my mother could see.

"But, I still have my kettle so we can still make tea."

My mother laughed.

"I still don't know how you attached that thing to your bag. Clever girl."

I smiled. Then I remembered the presents I had gotten for my friends in Moominvalley.

"Mother, I'm sorry I was a bit late this year. I was telling my friends about the tale of Santa Claus and Christmas. They don't celebrate it because they are asleep during the winter months. So I took it upon myself to be their Santa." I said pulling up the bag of goods from the floor.

"Oh is that what that bag was? I was wondering why you were caring so much. That's very kind of you Jax. What did you get them?"

"Well, I got Moomin a Santa hat. I figured it would be a thrill to tell him Santa gave him his hat. I got Snorkmaiden this wonderful flower necklace. For Little My and Sniff I got them both wooden cars. Lastly for Snufkin, I got him a tin of black tea leaves. I figure he'd want some on his travels instead of drinking coffee all the time" I said smiling.

My mother was delighted.

"I'd be happy to help you wrap these Jax."

"That would be excellent thank you!"

'No problem dear, Merry Christmas." She said smiling

I felt warm on the inside to see my mothers happy smile.

"Merry Christmas Mom."

Howdy!

Probably the shortest chapter so far, tell me what you think in the comments. Maybe tell me something's I could do to improve the story in anyway for you guys. :)

Later~