T'was the night before the night before Christmas, and the atmosphere in the house was electric with energy. Every creature was stirring, a collective buzz of excitement lighting everyone up like a string of fairy lights. Down the hallway ecstatic laughter could be heard as two boys bolted through the house, one taking the lead and tugging the other by a trail of tinsel.

"James s-slow down!" the younger boy laughed, eight years old with eyes large and sparkling like baubles.
"No you speed up!" A twelve-year-old James demanded, grinning back at his brother and preparing to sprint even faster when he collided with a massive, fuzzy red mass. "Oof! Hey-" The fuzzy red mass had broad shoulders and a buff chest. Large strong arms showcased by sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His suit was embellished with a fuzzy white trim, an iconic addition.

"What did I say about the tinsel?" A stern voice boomed from above, both boys stumbling back and looking up hesitantly. James mumbled under his breath, prompting the man to huff. "James."
"No running with the tinsel, you'll trip over the elves." Alexander recited obediently, dropping his end of the tinsel and tucking his hands behind his back. James glared back at him with a sour pout, Alex shooting back a shit-eating grin.
"See, your brother kno- hey, no elves. I told you, no calling them that. It's derogatory, they go by operatives now. Now, we're almost finished with loading up those sleighs, no funny business until boxing day, you hear me?" The red-clad man ordered.

"Yes dad." Both boys muttered with a small nod. Their father smiled and dropped to one knee, his thick black boots squeaking and causing the boys to snicker. He reached forward to place a gloved hand on each of the boy's shoulders.
"James, my boy, one day this suit will be yours. And Alexander, our little right-hand-man, you'll be dressed prim in green just like Mr Burr. I need you boys to be on your best behaviour and set a good example. Show my staff that you'll be ready to take on the roles when your time comes." Their father beamed proudly, giving their shoulders a reassuring squeeze.
"We won't let you down, Dad," Alex butt in quickly, launching himself forward for a hug. James sighed through his nose and smiled at the two before joining.
"Thanks, Dad," He murmured.

"George!" A clarion call interrupted the sweet moment, the gentle clicks of little heels pattering down the hallway the boys had just emerged from. James, Alex and their father all glanced to the hallway entrance to see Martha hurrying down with Mr Burr in tow. Alex's eyes lit up and he grinned, pulling away from his dad and running towards his mother. "George darling Aaron just reminded me-"
"Pardon me, Aaron Burr, Sir?" A tiny voice called. Aaron glanced down from the conversation occurring between the 'adults' to see a small, scrappy boy with messy hair grinning up at him. Aaron was the Tony Stark to his Peter Parker in Alex's eyes, he wanted to be just like Mr Burr in his lavish green suit and fancy clipboard with the candy-cane pen.

"Hello, young Claus, what can I do for you?" Aaron give a tentative smile down to Alexander. He was only 17 himself and was, irritated, yet oddly flattered by how much Alexander idolised him.
"Can I tick something off of your Christmas list?" Alex asked quickly, leaning up on his toes trying to see the mountain of paper clipped to the board in front of Aaron. Aaron snickered, pausing a moment before nodding his head.
"Sure, give me a second," he murmured, knowing the sooner he entertained Mr Claus' youngest son, the sooner he could get back to work.

Aaron scribbled something on his board before kneeling down to show Alex, handing him the pen. Alex's eyes lit up as he took the red and white striped pen with caution, an expression of awe gracing his features.
"Where do I tick?" He whispered, reading over the hundreds of dot-points.
"This one," Aaron pointed to the line right at the bottom, Alex reading it out under his breath and smiling as he did. 'Make Alexander smile'.

Alex ticked the box and grinned proudly, passing the pen back to Aaron. Alex opened his mouth to thank him but before he could speak Mr Burr was on his way, chasing after Mr Claus.
"You boys run upstairs, we'll be up to say goodnight soon!" His mother cooed, following after Santa and his right hand man. Alex watched the warm green coat-tails swish on Mr Burr's suit, still grinning, his eyes then shifting to the lavish red velvet of his father's coat. Red and green, what a perfect duo.

"Last one there eats a soggy gingerbread boy!" James cackled, spinning on his heel and zipping back up the hallway.
"Ew! James that's disgusting!" Alex cried, running after him. "I don't wanna be the soggy gingerbread boy!"

"I said you gotta eat one!" James called back as he made it into their shared room, still laughing as Alex tumbled through the doorway.
"Jus' as bad!" he huffed, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes and stumbling to the large arched window at the end of their bedroom, pale blue light filtering through the ice-frosted glass. Alex climbed up onto the window sill and perched himself up against the cold glass, peering out into the snow and watching all of his father's staff rush about like ants at a picnic, stocking up on presents instead of food however. Alex jumped a little when he felt something nudge his foot, his brother climbing up beside him.
"Pretty cool huh?"

Alex nodded, his eyes darting erratically, his young brain trying to capture every aspect of the Christmas-craze ahead of him.
"One day it will all be yours." Alex muttered, sniffling a little and shivering. James smirked, scooping a blanket off the floor and chucking it in Alex's direction, the blue blanket landing on the boy's head and startling him, causing James to snicker.
"Yeah, or whatever," he nodded, resuming his spot lazily slung over the ledge, one leg hanging over the edge and the other on the sill, his elbow resting on his knee. "And you'll be by my side dude," James added, seeing their mother and father emerge into the snow with Mr Burr trailing after.
Alex nodded, squinting down at them.

"When do you get a- a Mrs Claus?" Alex questioned slowly, his gaze shifting to James. "Do you get to pick an elf or...?" James through his head back with laughter, causing Alex's cheeks to flush dark Scarlett. "I- I don't know! I'm just guessing I- stop laughing!"
"I'm sorry I just- no, no I don't choose an operative!" James chuckled, rubbing his eyes. "Have mum and dad not had the talk with you yet?"
"I know what sex is James." Alexander huffed stubbornly.

"No not that one," James rolled his eyes with a smile. "Okay okay look, on my sixteenth birthday I go to the observatory-"
"Why do you get to go to the observatory?" Alex whined, kicking his legs a little in frustration.
"Hey, hey, let me finish! So I go there and the soulglass- which is meant to be this big fancy telescope thing by the way, will basically show me the girl I'm meant to be with. Then I just go down to the warm-lands and woo her or something, and when I'm 21 she'll be my Mrs Claus," he shrugged.

"You get to go to the warm-lands too?" Alex groaned, shoving his face into the blanket. "This is so not fair."
James snickered and reached forward to ruffle his brother's long hair affectionately.
"Don't worry lil' dude, one day I'll bring you with me, you can meet her! And maybe find a special someone for yourself," James grinned, Alex beaming and snuggling into the blanket, excitement-fuelled adrenaline making him all jumpy.

"One day," Alex whispered, gazing out the window into the snowy horizon beyond their jolly town.