Chapter 16: The Man He Becomes
923 Words
Nicholas had always thought of Christmas as an obligation.
It was a job, a responsibility, a burden.
Something he was meant to do, not something he had ever chosen.
But this Christmas… this was different.
Because for the first time, he had found something he wanted for himself.
Someone he wanted.
And now, lying beside Alina in the soft glow of the fire, his body still humming with the aftershocks of their passion, he realized something terrifying.
He could lose her.
And that thought was more terrifying than anything he had ever faced before.
Alina stirred beside him, shifting slightly, her bare skin brushing against his beneath the fur blankets. Nicholas instinctively tightened his grip around her waist, pressing a lazy kiss to her shoulder.
She made a soft sound—content, sleepy, warm.
Nicholas smirked against her skin. “Tired?”
Alina let out a quiet laugh. “Exhausted. Someone wasn’t exactly gentle.”
Nicholas chuckled, dragging his lips up her neck, savoring the way her breath hitched.
“You didn’t seem to mind,” he murmured.
Alina turned in his arms, eyes still hazy with sleep but shining with something more.
“I didn’t.”
And just like that, his chest tightened.
Because it wasn’t just desire between them. It wasn’t just physical.
It was so much more.
It was her.
And that realization… it scared the hell out of him.
They lay there for a long time, wrapped in each other, listening to the fire crackle.
Nicholas had never felt this before.
This warmth. This peace.
And yet, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered, You don’t deserve this.
You don’t deserve her.
Nicholas swallowed hard, his fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on Alina’s back.
“What happens now?” she asked softly.
Nicholas tensed.
Because he knew exactly what she was asking.
Not about tonight.
Not about this moment.
But about them.
And Nicholas—he wasn’t used to thinking about the future.
His whole life had been about duty. About doing what was expected. About keeping people at a distance because it was easier that way.
But now…
Now there was her.
And suddenly, distance didn’t feel so easy anymore.
Alina sat up, pulling the blanket around her, watching him carefully.
“You’re thinking too hard,” she teased.
Nicholas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t think I’ve ever thought this much in my life.”
Alina smirked. “I’m sure Bernard would agree with that.”
Nicholas shot her a look. “Careful.”
Alina only laughed, but then her expression softened.
“I meant what I said before,” she murmured. “About not leaving.”
Nicholas stilled.
Because hearing it again—hearing her choose him, choose this place, choose a life here—
It did something to him.
Something dangerous.
Something permanent.
And for the first time, he realized—
He wanted to be worthy of her choice.
The next morning, the North Pole was alive with post-Christmas energy.
The elves were celebrating, the reindeer were resting, and yet Nicholas felt different.
Lighter.
Changed.
He wasn’t sure what to do with it.
But everyone else seemed to notice.
Bernard found him in the workshop, overseeing the elves as they worked on repairs.
“You’re in a good mood,” Bernard noted, raising an eyebrow.
Nicholas shot him a warning glare. “Don’t start.”
Bernard smirked. “I’m just saying. You actually look… what’s the word? Oh, right—human.”
Nicholas scowled. “I’ve always been human.”
Bernard snorted. “Debatable.”
Nicholas shook his head, but deep down, he knew what Bernard meant.
Because he felt different.
Like a part of himself that had been locked away for years had finally thawed.
And all because of her.
He found Alina later that evening, sitting on the balcony, watching the Northern Lights.
For a moment, he just watched her.
The way the colors reflected in her eyes.
The way the wind played with her hair.
The way she looked so at home here.
And suddenly, he knew.
Knew what he wanted.
What he had been afraid to admit before.
So he walked forward, slid his arms around her from behind, and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
She hummed in contentment, leaning into him.
“You’re thinking again,” she teased.
Nicholas smirked. “Can’t help it.”
Alina turned slightly, looking up at him. “What are you thinking about?”
Nicholas took a breath.
And then, he said it.
“I want you to stay. Not just for now. Not just for a while.”
Alina’s eyes widened slightly.
Nicholas cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek.
“I want you here. With me.” His voice was low, rough, honest. “For good.”
Alina swallowed hard. “Nicholas…”
But he wasn’t done.
“I know I’m not easy,” he admitted. “I know I can be selfish. And impatient. And—”
Alina pressed a finger to his lips.
Then, slowly, she smiled.
“Nicholas,” she whispered, “shut up.”
And then—she kissed him.
The stars burned brighter above them.
The wind howled through the mountains.
And Nicholas Claus, for the first time in his life, finally understood what Christmas was really about.
Because it wasn’t just about gifts.
It wasn’t just about duty.
It was about belonging.
And now—
He finally belonged.
- Writer
