Son of Santa (4 page)

“They are,” Noel agreed. He pulled Fannar over to one of the cell phone kiosks. He might need to get a new smart phone soon. They were so useful in the human world, and his needed an upgrade. He even had a few human friends he’d met in classes over the years he kept in touch with. They went out for drinks or to the bar once in a while, or if they could get their hands on tickets to hockey games.

Fannar did a horrible job covering his smile when “Here Comes Santa Claus” played over the mall speaker system.

“This is why I avoid the malls this time of year. Reminders everywhere.”

“You’re not ashamed, are you?” Fannar asked nonchalantly.

Noel read between the lines.

“Of course not,” Noel said.

“Then why do you run?”

“It’s not running. It’s taking a break, I guess.” It was hard to explain, but Noel needed out of the North Pole at times. “There’s a lot of pressure.”

Fannar led the way into a men’s clothes shop, trendy and expensive. Nothing like what Noel wore, but Fannar seemed to like it. He probably modeled his style off places like this. It wasn’t a surprise.

“Is there really? Pressure?”

Fannar didn’t know what it was like. He was one of a hundred ice sprites, each with their own assignments and expectations.

Noel was the only Son of Santa. All the expectations were on him. His parents had never been harsh or overbearing, but there was this
idea
from everyone else that he was to be cheery and jolly yet wise and kind, just like his dad. He hated the pressure, and he felt like a constant disappointment, because he never met the standards.

Fannar added, with a blank face, “It’s not like anyone in the human world knows who you are. Not like they know your dad.”

“Thank the gods,” Noel said with feeling.

Fannar laughed. “I didn’t think that was a problem. Thank goodness for your childhood feud with Lhathron, huh?”

The mention of Noel, the Son of Santa, never found its way into the old myths and legends. They had begun before he was born, and once he did come along his parents had tried to protect him from it, like he was a celebrity baby. And then Lhathron the Elf defected from the North Pole but made his fortune in the human world under an assumed name by creating a new, commercialized version of Santa. His standing rivalry with Noel made him “forget” any mention of Santa’s son. Noel never made it into the songs, or the advertisements, or the movies, or the television shows.

Noel had never been happier in his life to have a petty enemy.

“I’m fine without being known,” Noel said. “I don’t like the recognition at home. I’m more than happy I don’t have to deal with it in the human world too.”

Fannar’s smile was soft, as if he liked that about Noel. Noel didn’t see why. Fannar was confident and flashy, and he got plenty of attention at the North Pole. He seemed the type who would like it in the human world too. Noel was convinced he had a hand at inspiring some recent popular culture versions of Jack Frost, but Fannar would never admit to it.

They walked along in a comfortable silence. When they were looking at the men’s cologne in one of the larger department stores, Noel noticed a woman sniffing a couple of different kinds. A name flashed across his mind—
Janet Brown, mother of two, wife to Todd
. A good heart, deserving—or as pop culture would say, on the nice list. Pop culture got it wrong. Division of naughty and nice wasn’t how it went. Either you were on the List for gift giving, or you weren’t.

Janet Brown, mother of two, wife to Todd was conflicted—over the price, whether or not Todd would like it, was it the right gift to go along with the others she had planned?

It was the right gift. At the right time. For the right person. Noel knew this. It was his job to know.

As Noel and Fannar walked by, he brushed his hand against her elbow, light and quick. She would never be able to tell. She chose one of the colognes and seemed much more comfortable with it. She happily took the bottle toward the cash register to purchase.

“Don’t you miss it?” Fannar asked quietly. He had picked up on what had transpired. “Being a Distributer?”

It’d been Noel’s job. It was what he’d
just
done. Santa didn’t deliver every single present in the world, and not only for children. That was a ridiculous concept. But the North Pole did have a hand in the spirit of gift giving. It was usually done from a meeting room, with the List and several large world maps and little pins to push into it showing the spirit had been passed on.

He did miss it, in a way. But he was happier out in the world instead of hidden away in the realm. He couldn’t keep the smile from his face as he saw the lady leave the store with her purchase.

He didn’t want to admit any of it. He shrugged. “I probably disturbed their process. And Himelon never forgets. He’ll give me hell next time he sees me.” Himelon was the Head Elf for Distribution and Noel’s boss when he was in the North Pole.

“I doubt that,” Fannar said. “I heard the Distribution department is behind this year. Stressed out. Having their best staff gone for a fourth season, plus Santa on the lam.”

Noel’s cheerfulness drained from him. “Are you trying to make me feel guilty?”

“No, no. I’m trying to tell you, it’s good you helped.”

Noel shifted uncomfortably. “Right. Okay.”

Fannar scrubbed a hand over his face, then dragged his long fingers through his blond hair. “I honestly didn’t mean to make you feel bad. Must you always take what I say so negatively?”

“Yes. I remember what it was like growing up with you.”

Fannar shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. His voice was soft. “I deserve that, I suppose.”

Noel didn’t want to get into this. He didn’t want Fannar’s attention. He had finally been getting over his stupid crush on Fannar, and then he had to show up out of nowhere and put himself back into Noel’s life, seemingly interested in him, and repent for all the teasing he used to dish out. Noel didn’t want to get into it.

“The mall is closing soon. We should go.” Noel turned on his heel and made for the store exit.

Fannar followed behind him and stood by his side when he paused outside, waiting for Fannar to wind them away. Fannar took his hand, but the wind didn’t rush around them yet.

“I liked watching you,” Fannar said. He clarified when Noel shot him a confused look. “Working with your gift. For gifts.” Fannar’s mouth quirked on one side, but he spoke seriously enough. “Helping that woman.”

Noel shrugged uncomfortably. “It was just cologne.”

“It was special.”

Noel could almost hear the
you are special
, but that was just wishful thinking. He didn’t know what to do with any of it, so he squeezed Fannar’s hand in thanks and waited to be transported home.

N
OEL
EXPECTED
to hear about his father being in Europe in the beginning of December. It was where the most traditional celebrations of his true self occurred. Saint Nicholas Day still existed. In whatever country he chose to visit—sometimes several in one day because it was a special knack of magic he had—Saint Nick couldn’t help but walk amongst the crowds, sit in on Mass, or participate in feasts. Noel suspected this was how he rejuvenated much of his power, to give him the extra push to make it through the North American celebrations.

There was no word by communicator or from Fannar.

But within a week of Saint Nicholas Day, Noel did receive a postcard from the Netherlands with a painting of Sinterklaas on the front. It was dated December 6 but made its way across the ocean more quickly than it should have, likely with a bit of magic touch to speed it along.

The only written marking on the back was a crookedly drawn smiley face.

Noel rolled his eyes but stuck it to his fridge with a magnet.

N
OEL
’
S
EXAMS
finished the second week of December, not too long after he’d received the postcard. He’d been fortunate with his schedule, especially since he only had three to write this semester. He had a few weeks off, not having to worry about school or work or family commitments.

He worried a little about his father, who hadn’t gone back to the North Pole yet, even though the Saint Nicholas Day celebrations were over for the time being. But according to a brief communication with his mother, the holiday cog continued to turn. She extended an offer for him to come home for a brief visit over the holidays but made it clear it wasn’t expected. Noel appreciated that about his parents. They, at least, understood he needed time away.

Noel refused to let any guilt cloud his feelings. He was done with school and would have a couple of weeks of down time and remain in the city. Those were his plans.

Of course Fannar didn’t let him leave it at that. Of course he didn’t.

Noel had brushed off any attempt for a visit the last couple of times Fannar had contacted him by plaque. He was busy—he had finals to study for and write. He didn’t want any distractions. He’d been both surprised and a little let down when Fannar had respected his wishes and left him alone.

So Noel shouldn’t have been so surprised when he walked home from school after his final exam and spotted Fannar leaning against the same brick building he’d first seen him at a month before.

Fannar smirked. “You can’t get mad at me for being here. You’re done with your semester. I know it.”

“I didn’t say I’m mad,” Noel said, walking right past him. Fannar fell in step beside him, much like he suspected. “What are you doing here?”

“Your father gives you his regards,” Fannar said.

Noel stopped and stared at him. “He what?”

“He communicated with me this morning. He didn’t tell me where he was, but he said he’d be home by the end of the week and to, and I quote, ‘Really, stop searching.’”

“Have you told my mother?”

Fannar rolled his eyes and spoke patiently as if to a five-year-old. “Of course I informed Mrs. Claus. She thanked me but said she’d already spoken with him this morning.”

Noel swallowed back a ball of hurt. “Right. Of course she did.”

Fannar’s expression softened, though it was clear he thought Noel was being idiotic. “Apparently he also tried to contact you, but you did not answer your communicator. Everyone assumed it was because you were at school.”

“Ah, right. Of course I was.”

“But you’re done now,” Fannar said, “which means you should make attempts to contact him.”

Noel bristled. “I’m not sitting around waiting for the plaque to vibrate.”

“I’m not saying you have to. But really, Noel?” Fannar smirked. “Are you telling me you have any big plans? You hermit.”

“I am not a hermit,” Noel said primly. “And in fact I do have big plans. Tonight, so if you’ll please excuse me.” Noel started walking again.

“Oh, do tell.” Fannar followed him.

“None of your business. Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

“Actually, I do not. The North Pole Christmas Crisis, as you called it, has been downgraded. I’ve been relieved of Santa-locating duties with no new assignments yet.”

“No snowstorms to scare up?”

“Not at the moment. Tell me, what are we doing?”

“
We
are not doing anything.”

“Fine, fine, tell me what you, esteemed university student, do to let off steam. It seems so unlike you, to leave your apartment without being dragged out.”

The silence hung heavy a moment too long.

“Is your friend Ruby dragging you out to celebrate?”

Noel’s jaw dropped. Was he that transparent?

Fannar laughed, pleased at pegging it right in one go. “Of course that’s what’s happening. What do two realm folk in the human world do for fun? I bet Ruby is more feisty than she lets on with her big doe eyes.”

“Dinner.”

“And?”

Noel sighed. “Maybe dancing afterward.”

“Oh, this I have to see. Noel Nicholas, cutting loose on the dance floor? Priceless.”

“Go away, Fannar.” The warmth that unexpectedly filled Noel with seeing Fannar quickly faded away. “You must be bored in the Pole if you’ll travel all this way to make fun of me. Again.”

“I’m not making fun. Noel, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

Noel had never been more surprised than at the next words Fannar blurted out.

“I’ve missed you.” Fannar looked like he’d swallowed a lemon and hadn’t meant to admit it. “And I don’t know how—I keep falling into what we were before.”

“What we were before… we weren’t really friends. We just happened to know each other.” And maybe Noel had wished he knew how to be friends with Fannar, even if it never became more, but he hadn’t known how. He still didn’t.

Fannar frowned. “Is it what you want?”

“In the Pole, I wasn’t very good at knowing how to be friends with… anyone.”

“I know. I got that, actually. You didn’t have to run away from the North Pole because of it.”

It hadn’t been easy admitting what he had, and Fannar didn’t have to make fun of it. Like usual. Except maybe… maybe Fannar wasn’t meaning to tease him. Maybe Noel needed to stop being so defensive.

“It’s not why I left. I needed a break from everything. From people and expectations and… and it’s better for me to get away.”

Fannar tilted his head to the side. “Like father, like son. I don’t understand, but… I can be understanding. I can try, for you.”

Noel swallowed around a lump in his throat. It was the last thing he expected to hear.

“I’m going home to nap,” Noel said. “I have plans tonight, and I don’t want to be a grump for my friend.” He wasn’t running. He wasn’t. He was tired, and his brain was fried from finals, and he didn’t know what to do with this gorgeous ice sprite who had dumped unexpected feelings on him.

“Yes, I’ll go. But for the record, that’s not what I want. To be like we were before.”

Fannar looked as emotionally confused as Noel felt, but Noel had to give him credit for bravery when he asked his next question.

“Can I come back to see you?”