Nick tapped his foot against the floor as he waited (impatiently) for Kris to come through the fireplace. It had been a whole year since he’d taken on Kris’ delivery for him. A whole year of being married to the most insufferable (wonderful) man he’d ever met, and it was time for Kris to get an earful.

“He’s not coming, you know.”

Nick spun around and his jaw dropped. A Santa elf. Not just any Santa elf, either. The Claus himself. “Sir! I-”

A laugh tumbled from the grinning elf, his belly jiggling as great ho-ho-ho’s rang through the room. “I haven’t been ‘sir’ed in an age!” Claus said. “No need for such formality, Nick. I’m just hear to make a special delivery.”

It was rare to get a visit from Claus. Very rare. “Davie deserves it. I’m glad,” Nick said.

“Hmmm, perhaps he does,” the Claus agreed. “But you have questions.”

Nick nodded. “Kris was supposed to make the delivery that night, wasn’t he?”

There was silence for a moment while the Claus stroked his beard and tapped his belly while he stared off over Nick’s shoulder in consideration. “I suppose - technically - he was. It wouldn’t have been the same, but it could have worked.”

“Could have?”

“Kris is a very good delivery elf,” the Claus said. “We would definitely feel it if we lost him. Not that we don’t miss you! But this way - Davie got his wish, you got yours, and Thomas gets his very own naughty elf to keep him straight.”

Nick frowned. “But - I wanted to be a toymaker elf?”

“And aren’t you making toys?”

“Well, yes. Just - not for you.”

Claus smiled. “Nick, does it really matter who delivers the toys? Either way they end up in the hands of children who enjoy them.”

“Am I really supposed to be Thomas’ personal naughty elf?” Kris asked skeptically.

Claus winked. “That’s up to you. I think I should be going now, though. It’s a busy night.”

Between one breath and the next, the Claus was gone like he was never there. Under the tree were three new gifts all wrapped with bright paper and bows.

Two long arms wrapped around Kris from behind. “So about this naughty elf thing…” Thomas whispered in his ear.

Nick felt his face heat. It really was an awful job title.