Christmas's Beauty Within a Beast

19: Evermore

With some persuasion, Jesper is able to get Klaus to make more toys. But due to how much time and effort it takes, they decide to only give out toys on one special day: December 25, the anniversary of Klaus and Lydia's marriage. The kids get made aware of this by Pierre.

Speaking of Pierre, he is told of how Charles and Margú are okay and of Lydia's death, but not yet of Jesper's suicide attempt or his true identity. In return, he tells of how he eventually hooked up with Alva shortly after every kid in Smeerensburg went to her school.

Charles and Margú begin to live with the two men as they each grow a bond with them. The latter, however, did have a chance to stay with some fellow Sámi people, but she thought it would be better for her to stay with Jesper and Klaus. She did, however, invite them to help Klaus out in making toys.

Soon enough, the process of making toys begins to the expand. Along with the Sámi folk, Jesper and Charles are taught to make toys while Pierre and Margú sends the letters. Sure, they are always interrogated about the beast's whereabouts, but no one can get a straight answer out of them. This is mostly because of Margú not speaking English and Pierre always calling the beast by "Jesper".

Pierre: I'm telling you, Janna, why would a beast named Jesper kill a human named Jesper? It just sounds so otherworldly.

Janna: I am this close to smashing some common sense into that mushed up brain of yours, you fucking shit for brains.

Pierre: Listen, I'd love to help you out, Janna, but I have to deliver some mail for the kids.

Rose: Maybe the beast is a cursed human? But what demon could've cursed him, hmmm.... Ember, maybe?

Janna: WE ARE MAKING NO FUCKING PROGRESS!!!

Margú: Gokčat son beargalat badjin, dii bihttá válie baika.

Pierre: (gasps) Janna, look what you did! Now you're setting a bad influence on this little girl by cussing!

Janna: I am done with this shit....

As they went off to Klaus's cabin, Jesper went to talk to Margú about which words are not appropriate to use. The little girl says her apologies and now she, Jesper, and Charles are making a snowman. Klaus and Pierre watch from the distance.

Pierre: This is weird for you, isn't it?

Klaus: What do you mean?

Pierre: All of this. A few months ago, all you had were the birds and your memorial of Lydia. Then, suddenly, Jesper enters in your life and poof! Now you have me, Margú, Charles, pretty much every kid and Sámi people near this forest!

Klaus: I guess it is... But I do like this. Quite a lot, actually.

Pierre: .... Jesper really changed up your whole attitude, huh?

Klaus: .... In a sense.

Klaus walks up to his shelter of the toys, both old and new. Pierre follows, looking like a rabbit compared to a large wolf.

Pierre: Say, um, about Jesper... What exactly are your feelings toward him?

Klaus: I like him. I... I really do appreciate his company and his loyalty toward others.

Pierre: Yes, but what do you see him as? A work partner? A friend? A roommate? Perhaps... even more than a friend?

Klaus: I.... I don't exactly know. My heart will always be set on Lydia, that I do know. But with Jesper... He really does confuse me.

Pierre: ..... Love does tend to confuse many people. I sensed that about Alva at first...

Klaus: Are you saying that I love him?

Pierre: I'm saying that... it is a possibility.

Klaus lets out a big sigh with the huge gulp of air he inhaled. He walks toward his figurines of cupboard. It had recently been refurbished with all new figurines of Jesper, Pierre, Alva, Margú, Charles, and the Sámi people. He picks up the Lydia figure.

I never really had it all
Once my dear one succumbed her fate
I shut out anyone wanting in my life
Never taking the bait
I'll never shake away the pain
I close my eyes but she's still there
I let her death steal life in my once joyous heart
It's more than I can bear

But I know she'll never leave me
Even after she runs away
She will still torment me
Calm me, hurt me
Move me, come what may
Wasting in my lonely cabins
Waiting by an open door
I'll fool myself, she'll walk right in
And be with me for evermore

Klaus then picks up the Jesper figure.

I shut out any sight of love
I curse against the fading of the light
Though he might be just out of my reach
His smile makes the dark bright

Klaus, after much thinking, moves the figure of himself in the middle. He places Jesper on his left and Lydia on his right.

Now I know they'll never leave me
Even as they fade to view
They will still inspire me
Be a part of everything I do
Once wasting in lonely cabins
Waiting by an open door
No more fooling, they're always there
There'll be no dark nights to beware
Now that I know that these two care
Forever and evermore

Pierre looks up at the top cupboard, now with the inclusion of Jesper.

Pierre: So... You do love Jesper?

Klaus: .... After buying myself some time to think about it.... Yes. I do love him.

Pierre: So what's stopping you from telling him? Your requited love for one another is the final puzzle piece for making your life as whole as it was before!

Klaus: You think Jesper... feels the same way?

Pierre: How do you not notice that he blushes ever time you hold hands? Or the time he once sniffed your favorite pajamas? Those gazes he makes at you when you look at the stars... Of course Jesper feels the same way, you oblivious nutcase!

Klaus: Alright, alright.... I can tell him tonight if that makes you satisfied.

Pierre: Whatever makes you content. Are you ready?

Klaus: .... Ready as I'll ever be.

Little does Klaus knows that a certain blonde female is also ready as she'll ever be. There she is, rallying up people with pitchforks, torches, bows with arrows, and swords.

Rose: I have hunted wild beasts and I've seen what they will eventually do! It will make off with your children and come after them in the night like it almost did with the little Sámi girl!

Janna: We are not safe till its head is mounted on my wall! I SAY WE KILL THE BEAST!!!

Author Note: Happy Pride Month, you peons!