Work Text:
As the son of Santa Claus, December was a busy month for Grian. He was always all over the place, whether that be tending to the reigndeer, checking on things in the workshops, or shadowing his father Grian was not allowed much rest. As his father always said "Rest is what happens once the day is over." And while Grian didn't dislike his father, he did dislike Christmas. He hated how it turned his loving and supportive father into a workaholic, how it turned his sweet and caring mother into a ball of stress ready to explode, and he absolutely hated how it turned everyone on earth (who celebrated) into consumerist assholes that did nothing but complain about presents. The Christmas spirit died, and in Grian's eyes that didn't make the holiday worth it. What was the point anyway? If all anyone cared about were material things and not the people who gave them then there was no reason to keep this stupid holiday going. Grian hated a lot of things about Christmas now that he wasn't a child, and sure his siblings made fun of him for it and called him a Grinch, but what else was he meant to think? He'd seen how people in the normal world treated each other. They were lucky only kids were on the naughty and nice lists.
The only thing that Grian liked about this stupid holiday, was watching a certain elf work. When his father asked the siblings what they wanted to work on and oversee for this season Grian would always pick overseeing the candy and bake shops. Why? Well, while Jimmy got to hang out with the reigndeer, and Pearl helped make toys, Grian got to watch Scar working his magic in the kitchen. And if that wasn't just the most perfect sounding thing to him. Today was a different day, Grian stood on the balcony that over saw the kitchen, resting his head on the railing as he watched Scar work. The way his muscles flexed when he stirred or kneaded something made Grian almost want to be the treat he was cooking.
The second that thought crossed his mind Grian stood straight up, disgusted by his own mind. Why the hell would he want that? What did this elf turn him into? Blech. Grian backed off from the railing and went back to his book, writing down their inventory. He couldn't focus on love when there were things to be done. No matter how much Grian hated Christmas he would never let his parents down. This was a big deal for them, and he didn't want to make it harder than it was already. After a while of boring himself with inventory another elf appeared behind him.
"Are you even actually doing inventory?" Grian would recognize that Scottish accent anywhere, he turned to see Scott looking at him incredulously.
"Of course I am!" Grian replied, happily showing the sheet off.
Scott was Tinsel's son, Grian's father's right hand man. The head elf so to speak. He managed everything, which meant training Scott to do the same. Grian and Scott had grown up together, and Grian happened to know that his little brother Jimmy had a crush on him. He also happened to know that Scott liked him back, but who was Grian to twist fate?
"Uh huh," Scott replied, "So the fact that you've been stationed here for a week straight has absolutely nothing to do with the bakers son?"
"Nothing at all," The blonde replied with a smile before going back to inventory.
"He's too old for you," Scott chastised.
"By five years, it's not that much," Grian retorted, causing Scott to scoff.
"He's 28! He's ancient! Almost in his 30's!" The elf replied with a laugh, of course he found this amusing.
"You're too old for my brother, but I haven't said a word!" Grian replied with a smug tone.
Scott rolled his eyes, "Me and Jimmy are two years apart. That's hardly a difference."
"How old are you again?" Grian asked.
"21," Scott said.
"Jimmy's 19," The blonde replied, "I'd argue that's worse. He's a teenager."
Scott flustered, sputtering for a moment before replying properly, "He's an adult!"
"Nine-teen!" Grian argued.
Scott rolled his eyes and plopped down next to Grian with a groan. After a beat of silence he piped up again, "Do you really think it's weird?" He asked.
"No," Grian replied, "He turns 20 next week, and even if he didn't it's not like you're that much older than him."
The elf let out a sigh of relief, "I don't want things to get weird between us just because I like your brother."
"You love my brother, let's be real," He began. Scott started to protest, but Grian shushed him," You do. It's okay. Regardless, things won't get weird. Unless you treat him horrible or hurt him, which I know you won't."
Scott chuckled breathlessly, "Yeah… he means a lot to me."
"What are we talking about?" A voice asked from the stairs causing Grian to jump at least 10 feet in the air.
"Scar! Hey!" He said happily, awkwardly waving.
Scar laughed, "Didn't mean to scare you G, I'm sorry. Anyway, I just wanted to say that a sheet of cookies got burnt and I had to throw them out."
Grian frowned, "Oh… how many?"
Scar counted on his fingers as if he'd estimated by looking, "12," he said finally.
Grian turned to his sheet and wrote '12 in losses' in the corner so he could remind himself when he did a final count of cookies baked later that day.
"So, what were, we talking about?" Scar asked, intrigued.
Scott smirked, "Well-"
"Scott's huge crush on Jimmy," Grian cut him off making Scott stare at him in shock.
"Ooh," Scar sat on one of the chairs, "That's always fun. Are you going to ask him out?"
"Woah woah woah!" Scott put his hands up, face bright red, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, okay? I can't."
"Wait, why not?" Grian asked, suddenly intrigued.
"Well, it's December," Scott said, "And we're both way too busy for me to ask him out on a date," I mean, I'm still drowning in all this work my father has me learning to do. It's so much, and I don't have time for a relationship or to give him what he deserves at the beginning of one."
Grian sighed, "See this is why I hate Christmas."
Scar and Scott both gasped and stared at Grian in shock, "You hate Christmas???" Scar asked.
"Yes?" Grian replied, they were clearly overreacting.
"How could you hate Christmas when you're Santa's son?" He asked, genuinely confused.
"Well think about it?" Grian replied, "Everyone treats Christmas as some sort of vanity project in the real world. Some sort of consumerist nightmare where you have to compete to get the most expensive and nicest gift. All they care about is presents, they don't care about loving each other or how it brings them together." He explained, "And besides. Everyone here is stressed out like hell. I mean, Scott didn't you just say you were drowning in work?"
"Well yeah, but it's also my first time running things mostly alone without my dad," The cyanette defended, "Of course I'm struggling."
"Or it's because he's pushing this responsibility that isn't suited for just one person on you. Imagine if I was an only child. Do you know how much work that would be for one person? I mean, it takes me all day just to fill out inventory!" Grian replied.
"Yeah, but, Grian, that's why we work together," Scar said, his voice soft, "Aren't you happy to be a part of something big?"
The blonde shook his head, "No. Not this. It's too much. Everyone is miserable."
"So… what? Are you going to leave?" Scott asked, concerned.
"I mean… maybe?" Grian replied, "There has to be more to life than… whatever the hell is going on here."
The three were silent for a moment, clearly they all wanted to say more, but none did. The silence was cut by Scar standing up mumbling something about getting back to work. Scott soon did the same and suddenly Grian was alone. He felt his heart sinking, he didn't mean to upset them, but… was he really destined to do this for the rest of his life? It was a few more days before he spoke to either of them again. Grian was on his way back from the sweets shop after inventory. It was late, he was exhausted, and it was freezing cold. Grian was shivering even in his winter coat, he couldn't wait to get home and have dinner and go to bed. Except someone else had other plans.
"Grian!" A voice called from behind, Scar. "Wait up!" Grian turned to see the elf running up to him, his breath turning to vapor in the air. Scar stopped in front of him, he had a smile on his face, but Grian could see the pain in his eyes. "Are you really leaving?" He asked softly.
The blonde looked away, unable to keep eye contact with him, "Eventually…" He muttered, "Maybe in summer… I just know if I stay till next Christmas I won't leave."
"Why?" Scar asked, his expression unreadable, "Why do you want to go?"
"I want to see the world, Scar," Grian said, "I- I can't stay here. I just can't. This place isn't right for me. I want to make my own decisions."
"And what about us?" The elf asked.
"Us?" Grian questioned.
"Yeah, Scott, Pearl, Jimmy, Me, your parents, everyone. What about us?" Grian tried not to look, he really did, but then Scar was holding his chin and pushing it up. And suddenly Grian was looking into Scar's emerald eyes.
"I… I don't know…" Grian said softly, "I just need to go."
"And what if I want you to stay?" Scar asked, his eyes pleading.
"Scar…" The elf shushed him by pulling him closer.
"What if I want you to stay…?" Grian blinked and Scar's breath was fanning his cheek, he was close, closer than the two had ever been before.
"I-I…" Grian bit his lip, "Why would you want that?" He muttered.
"Because maybe…" The elf said, his voice hushed, body warm against the cold air, "Maybe I want to be with you.."
Grian felt his brain short circuit. He wanted this. He wanted Scar. He'd always wanted Scar. He loved Scar, he really did, he opened his mouth to reply, but before he could someone cleared their throat. The two separated to see none other than Grian's father.
"Dad-" Grian began, but the older man held up a hand.
"Your mother has dinner on the stove, let's go before it gets cold," He gently put a hand on Grian's back and started to lead him away.
"Think about it!?" Scar called before walking off.
The entire walk home was awkward, the tension between Grian and his father so thick you could practically see it in the cold air. Once they got inside Mrs. Claus (Grian's mother) was instantly on them.
"Where have you two been, dinner's been ready for 45 minutes! I told you to be home on time!" She said, immediately fretting over her husband and eldest son.
"Sorry mum, got held up," Grian apologized as she dusted snow off his head.
"Held up is a word for it," His father muttered.
Mrs. Claus gave them both a confused look before rushing them to the dining room for dinner. The meal was spent with talking and laughter, family bonding that Grian couldn't stomach right now. He could hardly stomach his food either, picking at the plate and pushing everything around with his fork.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" His mother asked, "Isn't this your favorite?"
Grian immediately perked up, "Yes mum, it- it's lovely. Thank you. I'm just not hungry."
The woman frowned, "But you've been in the bakery all day. I'm sure you haven't eaten much," She said softly.
Pearl gave Grian a worried look, call it twintuition, but she always knew when something was wrong. Grian sighed, finally relenting.
"I want to leave," Gasps rung out across the table, all were shocked, except his dad. He remained stoic.
"Leave? Leave to go where?" Jimmy asked.
"Somewhere…" Grian muttered, "I-I just can't stay here, okay? I can't… I- I hate it here."
Mrs. Claus put a hand over her mouth, shocked, "Grian-"
His father put a hand on his wife's, cutting her off, "I always knew this day would come." He said, a soft smile on his face, "I knew from the day you turned 10 years old. When the Christmas spirit faded from you."
"Dad I-" He held up a hand, stopping Grian gently.
"I want to show you something," He said softly, "Come with me."
Grian reluctantly stood and followed his father to the front door, putting his shoes and coat on and following him outside. He trudged through the snow for what felt like hours.
"Dad! It's cold!" Grian whined.
"Yeah, you live in the North Pole son!" His father called with a chuckle.
"No really?" He said sarcastically, earning another laugh from his father.
"You know, you always had your mothers sass, but there was never any doubt that you were mine," Grian raised an eyebrow, confused by his father's statement. "I was like you for a while, you know?"
"Like me?" Grian asked.
"I wanted to give up. Nobody understood the real meaning of Christmas anymore and I didn't want to do it. I felt unappreciated, like nobody actually understood." He explained, "I mean, what's the point if all this work if all people think about is the stupid toys?"
Grian nodded, "It's… it's not worth it. I mean, have you seen Scott? He's exhausted and running on fumes."
Santa nodded, "I know. He needs a partner. I'm thinking of having Jimmy help him, what do you think about that?"
Grian bit back a chuckle, "Sounds great, actually."
His father smiled, "I knew it would. Anyway, you're right. It's flawed. All of this is flawed."
"Then why do it, I don't understand- woah.." Grian cut himself off as they stopped at a tree. It was a pine tree, but it was huge. Had to be at least 1000 feet tall. It was also glowing, a soft yellow light extending from the trunk to the top of the tree.
"This is where I get my magic from, Grian. Do you know what it is?" His father asked.
"Um… some sort of Christmas Spirit tree you're going to use to convince me to stay?" He said, still slightly in awe.
The older man shook his head, "No. It's the tree where my magic and all the other magic of the North Pole is created, but it has nothing to do with Christmas as a holiday. It has everything to do with me and your mother."
Grian rolled his eyes, immediately seeing where this was going, "Oh the power of love? Seriously dad?"
"That's what the holiday is about, it's about loving and appreciating each other. I'm not saying you have to stay," He said, turning to his son and putting a hand on his shoulder, "If you want to go, please do. You deserve to see the world and do what you please. You work hard, you've earned it. But I just want you to think about what this is about first. Okay?"
"Okay," Grian sighed.
"I love you, Grian," The older man said.
"I love you too, Dad," The blonde replied.
He was about to leave Grian on his own when suddenly her turned back, "Oh, and if you want to get close to that elf baker boy, go ahead. Just not in front of me." Grian blushed and opened his mouth to speak before being cut off, "For the record it's not because you're gay. I'm just not ready to see my children kissing people and having partners yet." The statement was obsured, so obsured Grian delsolved into giggles.
"Okay, dad!" The younger man called as his father walked away, he couldn't help but find his father's support amusing.
Grian stood there for a while, just thinking. Eventually it got too cold and he headed home to turn in. The next day he practically ran to the bakery, he burst open the doors and looked around for Scar. Once he found him and ran over.
"Scar!" He exclaimed, "Scar Scar Scar Scar Scar!" Scar turned to him slightly confused also looking concerned.
"G, what are you- oh-!" He was cut off by Grian pulling the taller into a kiss.
Scar melted into it, his hands finding their way onto Grian's waist and pulling him closer before starting to kiss him back. Grian tangled his fingers in his hair, it was like the world around them fizzled out. The only thing that mattered was Scar's lips on his, they were cracked and yet so soft. And for some reason Grian found himself hoping that Scar was enjoying this as much as he was.
"This is a place of work, not a porno set!" Scott said with an eyeroll, his voice making the two quickly separate as they remembered they were not alone.
"I-It's… we weren't.." Grian muttered.
Scar grabbed Grian's hand and gently pulled him away from the kitchen, "We weren't going to fuck," He said giving Scott a playful glare.
Scott made a crude gesture and laughed at them, Grian gave him the middle finger. Scar pulled Grian into a storage room off to the side.
"So? Is this your answer, you aren't leaving?" Scar asked, his voice soft, hopeful.
Grian gently put a hand on his face and rubbed his thumb against the elf's cheek, "No. I'm still leaving, and I want you to come with me."
Scar frowned, "Grian-"
"Let me finish," The blonde said, "I'm leaving for the summer, just the summer. I want to see what else is out there. I want you to come with me so we can see the world, and we'll come home in time for Christmas. We can see things together, and we can come home. Both of us will be happy." Grian looked at Scar with pleading eyes.
Scar sighed and smiled gently, "You know what? I'd love that."
"Really!?" Grian asked, hardly containing his excitement.
"Really," Scar pulled him close, "I'm excited."
"Me too," The blonde replied.
"I love you, I've always loved you, Grian. You're so beautiful and so sweet and so amazing," Scar said, gently pulling him into a hug and kissing the top of his head.
Grian blushed, hiding his face in Scar's chest, "Yeah.. yeah me too…"