The Elf Who Saved Christmas [Oneshot]

Description

Summary: The curiosity of three mischievous elves almost put a stop to Christmas this year. You managed to find just the right elf in time to make sure the children around the world still woke up to presents under their trees.

Characters: Do Kyungsoo x female reader ft. some EXO members

Genre: Christmas au / fluff

A/N: I don’t know why but I randomly imagined Kyungsoo as this quiet yet capable elf who managed to save Christmas after Beagle line accidentally attempted to destroy it when I was talking with a friend, and decided to write it as a fun story for Christmas! I hope you enjoy it!

Word count: 4372

Foreword

The three stood in front of the large doors, wide-eyed with intrigue. Baekhyun then stepped towards the golden handle on the door and glanced back at the two with him, a tentative grin crossing onto his face. “I just want to take one peek.”

“It’s not really ours to be looking at,” Jongdae mentioned, though he edged forward to his elf friend’s side. His eyes were keener than his words were and he chewed at his lip in anticipation.

“I hear the list is so long that when Santa is reading through, it covers his entire office in piles of paper that reach to the ceiling!”

The other two gasped at the tallest elf’s words, leaning toward Chanyeol who chuckled with glee. They all then stared up at the door in wonder again, before Baekhyun’s hand on the handle twisted it. The door creaked open and they peered inside the darkened office, Santa having retired to his home with Mrs Claus for the night. It meant the Christmas factory was free of anyone, except for them.

They crept into the office, marvelling at the stacks of books on his desk and maps of the world all over the walls. Jongdae gasped at Santa’s chair ahead and pointed to his friends, the curious pair following him over to it.

In front of the chair was an incredibly large roll of paper held up on a wooden stand. As the three elves rounded the stand, they gasped when they saw the scrawl of Santa’s handwriting and names separated by a gold line down the middle of the paper.

“It’s the list!” Baekhyun cried happily and Chanyeol ran his hand along the edge of the paper with another giggle. “How long did you say it was, Chan?”

“I heard it could cover this entire room four times over!”

Jongdae nodded in thought. “Well, there are a lot of children in this world. It makes sense.”

“I want to see exactly how long it is,” Baekhyun whined and his friends nodded their heads eagerly. There would be no way they could watch Santa go through the list themselves, there was much work to be done in preparation for Santa’s flight in two days time.

Chanyeol placed his hand down softly on the list and let out a heavy sigh, his hand slipping when his attention shifted. Jongdae gasped and he looked back, realising his hand had unravelled some of the list. Baekhyun quickly grabbed the edge of it and started reading out some of the names. He then grinned up at his friends.

“This is amazing; I just saw five different Jack’s in a row!”

“Do you think our names would be on here?” Chanyeol asked and Jongdae raised his index finger to his chin in thought.

“Elves aren’t on the naughty or nice list are they? But maybe the children in the world might share our names!”

“Let’s have a look!” Baekhyun suggested and all three excitedly started scrolling through the list, reading out all the names on both lists. It wasn’t long until the elves were overwhelmed by too much paper.

“We need to do something about this!” Jongdae cried, lifting a heavy pile off of him from where he had disappeared a moment ago.

Chanyeol reappeared with the end of the roll and pointed to the door. “What if we unravel it to the very end and then we can come back in here and read as we roll it back up?”

“That’s a clever idea,” Baekhyun agreed and then nodded. “Let’s do it!”

And so that’s what the three did. They all held onto the paper with giggles and cautious steps, making their way down the staircase with the list in hand. They were invested in getting the paper out gently, that when Jongdae smacked into the side of a machine, they all giggled at their lack of awareness.

“Oops!” he mentioned with a small cringe, but it wasn’t long until he was deeply involved again in helping Chanyeol and Baekhyun drag out the list. They were so focused on their travels with the paper and taking extra care of it that they were oblivious to what was happening around them.

Jongdae’s bump into the machine had accidentally hit a button to one of the travelators for the toys to be transported along and it started moving, shifting the toys onto their next destination. Except, with the other machine beside it not working, the toys began to pile up on one another until one fell off and hit into another button on a nearby machine. It was soon chaos within the Christmas factory, with toys being made incorrectly on some machines, glitter shooting out in bursts and covering everything in the area with fine particles of sparkle. Other toys were piling up and moving into areas of the factory they shouldn’t be, and books were suddenly being inked up to the wrong covers.

All the while, the three elves focused on getting the list laid out carefully as not to ruin it at all. And when they felt the tug of there being nothing more to unravel, they looked among themselves, grinning at their efforts.

“We did it!” Baekhyun cried and gave each of them a high five before Chanyeol clapped his hands together.

“Now we can go back to Santa’s office and start reading the list!”

They all nodded and turned around, stopping in their tracks as a machine suddenly caught on fire in front of them. Wide-eyed, they glanced at each other and then back at the destruction.

“Uh oh.”

“What do we do?! Santa is going to kill us!” Jongdae looked between his friends rapidly.

Chanyeol groaned loudly. “I think we just made the naughty list.”

 

The next morning you found Santa in the midst of the damage, his eyes wide as elves worked hard to clear up the debris. You had been alerted to antics within the factory when the fire alarm went off and rushed over, screeching to a halt at the sight in front of you.

And when you spotted Baekhyun, Jongdae and Chanyeol in the middle of the room attempting to shoot a fire extinguisher at the flames and instead were covering themselves more in the process, you sighed heavily. You should have known something was up when you saw the three mischievous elves out of their beds and playing with snowballs outside when you went to go home last night. You knew they meant well, they were simply too curious for their own good, but there was no way they would get out of this situation easily.

You had called everyone in to help clear the place as best as you could and as the sun rose you heard the jolly cries of the big man in red as he got ready for his day. There was still too much to clear away and even with everyone’s help, Santa would still be faced with the disaster when he stepped inside.

And you could see on his face now just how distraught he was. “How on Earth did this happen?!”

The three culprits hid behind a machine shakily and you took a heavy breath before you stepped in front of them, hoping to lessen the blow by giving Santa an update instead. You could deal with them later, right now it was important to figure out how to save Christmas. It wasn’t looking good though, nearly every machine in the factory was destroyed and the repair team had been dispatched to help across the North Pole where the snow had gotten so bad that the Polar Express was blocked from making its way to the station.

Christmas this year was already proving a bit of a mission.

But as head elf, it was your responsibility to provide solutions promptly and execute Santa’s instructions effectively. You looked to the man at your side and began listing off what you had done so far. You told him about the number of toys damaged, and what machines weren’t working. You then let him know how little you had managed to save and he gasped, looking at you with grave concern.

“Did you say, only one load of toys are ready to go? But we need five more to reach all the children in this world! This is a nightmare! It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow!”

You stared at him hopelessly, your mind blank with what to do. The truth was, you didn’t have many options. With the machines being down, handmade items would be the best thing you could offer right now. But with the state of the factory, it would prove difficult to get to work right away in here, and you needed elves to clean up, but you also needed toys to be started upon immediately.

Everything was a mess and you shot Baekhyun a glare as he peered up over the machine, a muffled shriek leaving him as his friends dragged him back down.

“It’s finally happening,” Santa said with a defeated tone, sitting down on the floor with a thud and balled his fists up. You glanced down at the man in horror, crouching down beside him. He couldn’t give up, the spirit of Christmas resided inside of him. “This Christmas is ruined. We won’t have gifts under the trees for the children to wake up to.”

“Santa, this isn’t very productive,” you urged quietly, yanking on his arm to no avail. “You need to get up and help me solve this problem.”

“How though? We have no machines, no workspace and only two days to get it all done in. Even if we get the machines back up and running by tomorrow and work the entire night, we won’t have enough toys for everyone.”

“Santa,” you pleaded, glancing around yourself for a miracle. You needed something, anything to get him up and help you with the problem. You couldn’t do this on your own.

It was then in your desperate moment where you spotted an elf across the factory, quietly helping another clean up from the glitter explosion that had occurred. He felt your gaze on his and shot you a polite smile before returning back to work. Your mind rushed with an idea and you yanked on Santa more relentlessly. “Get up, I have an idea!”

He looked up from his spot on the floor, mid-whine in his tantrum and knitted his grey eyebrows together. “You do?!”

“Well, if there’s any elf here at the North Pole who could help us, it’s him. Come on, let’s see if he can.”

 

Kyungsoo stared at you and Santa, his round eyes trying to understand why you were both looking at him like that. He was merely a worker, someone who did all the jobs around the factory to a satisfactorily level. He didn’t have an area of expertise like most elves did, and this usually made him someone the others greeted in passing or thanked without really getting to know him past the effort he put in. All the same, Kyungsoo knew everyone. He knew the machines too and the way the factory ran. He was one of the only people who did, except for you but that was because you were in charge. It made sense you knew the happenings of the factory in a similar way he did.

What didn’t make sense was the way you were smiling at him right now.

“We need your help.”

He nodded. “I am helping; I was helping Jongin clear out the glitter debris.”

“No no no, we need you to help us with something bigger,” Santa implored and you nodded your head in agreement. Kyungsoo was hesitant to ask why and thankfully for him, Santa suddenly was talking again. “We need you to save Christmas!”

“What?!”

You groaned and shook your head impatiently at the older man and then turned back to Kyungsoo. Your eyes were kinder, not as desperate as the man’s beside yours but at the same time, he could tell how much you were relying on this conversation to go well. It made him uncomfortable and he wanted to leave the office and return back to where he belonged – being unnoticed.

“I know how well you know this factory, Kyungsoo. In fact, I’m certain you know it better than me.”

“I very much so doubt that,” he mumbled, and you sighed, stepping forward and grasped one of his hands. He visibly flinched at your connection but didn’t shift away, too stunned at how warm your hand felt upon his. It was a struggle to keep his blush to a mere minimum. Many of the male elves had a crush on you for how well you organised everything and got along with everyone, and he wasn’t an exception to this either.

But he had honestly believed you wouldn’t ever turn to him for help. Even the troublesome elves had their own areas of expertise when it came to toy making. He was different than the rest.

“You are one of the biggest assets we have to our team, whether you believe it or not,” you continued and he quirked an eyebrow at you. This was wasting precious time away from making toys for the children and he took his hand out of yours, folding his arms across his chest. He didn’t need to hear about how you considered him when things were this dire. He couldn’t save Christmas at all and needed to get back out and help salvage what they could.

“Will you tell me what it is, because you seem so sure Y/N, and Kyungsoo here looks like he’s not going to help us,” Santa mentioned and you looked at the man again with a heavy look. Kyungsoo could tell that as much as everyone loved Santa, if it wasn’t for your help each year, Christmas wouldn’t even be as successful as it is. He knew deep down you were the one behind everything to do with Christmas and lead the team, not Santa. But he wasn’t in a place to refute anything and waited for more information.

“Kyungsoo’s gift is observation.” No one responded and you smiled before continuing. “He sees everything in this factory, and he knows everyone’s talents better than myself. I’m sure you will know who we need to bring to build a team of workers whilst the rest of the elves continue to get the factory in order. I thought of making a workstation at the town hall for now, and bringing over a team of elves with the best skills. What do you say, Kyungsoo? I need your knowledge of the elves to make this happen. You are the brains we need behind this project.”

“Me?”

You nodded. “Yes, you.”

“Well, I mean, I do know some people,” he said slowly, his mind instantly deciphering who would be needed. He knew Tori would be perfect to make dolls, and Ashley was the best with games. Glynnis knew a lot about the history of Christmas and would have a catalogue of perfect toy ideas that could be made handmade. Fawn and Sem would be perfect to assist her with those, being hardworking elves that were able to adapt to making most toys. And even though he knew they had caused the trouble in the first place, Chanyeol was good with musical instruments, Baekhyun’s specialty was gimmicks and nonsensical toys, and Jongdae was the fastest writer in the North Pole.

Just with that team alone, they could churn out enough toys and books to get the sacks growing whilst the factory was cleaned up.

Although he had been hesitant, the more he thought about it, Kyungsoo’s confidence grew and he nodded his head finally. “I know what we need to do.”

 

The temporary workstation was immediately set up and Kyungsoo had gathered the workers, some excited, whilst others stood awkwardly to the side. Chanyeol was trying to hide still, which was pointless when he was the tallest elf you knew. You smiled at everyone and then glanced at Tanith who held her hand up high. “Yes?”

“What am I doing here, I’m from the kitchen,” she asked meekly and Kyungsoo stopped at your side, smiling broadly at her.

“You’re good at making food, I thought you would have some ideas on toys that are non-toxic that you could make,” he explained and she grinned, nodding her head happily enough. Kyungsoo then turned to everyone else. “We don’t have much time but I know you all can make it work out. Whatever you need, just ask me or Y/N and we will make sure it happens.”

“We need to save Christmas,” you added on and raised your fist up and shook it encouragingly. “I know we can do it if we work hard. You’re the best at your stations, so let’s make some magic!”

There was instant bustle and this continued for the rest of the day. The toys and games poured out of the elves, their personal touches making everything seem more magical than it normally did with the help of the machines. You smiled as you placed one of Tori’s dolls into a sack and glanced at the packets of unicorn slime Kyungsoo put into another. He caught your gaze and shot you a genuine smile. You were thankful for Kyungsoo’s leadership today. Although he was a quiet elf, he was more than what he seemed to be. You could see as the day shifted into night that he was in his element, assisting the elves and directing them when they were lost. He helped you encourage the team and even made everyone dinner. It was funny; you knew Kyungsoo viewed himself as a member of the team who didn’t offer much each Christmas. You however, were aware of just how many talents he had, and they only were continuing to impress you the more you were around him today. You admired him immensely already and knew that once this situation was all over and done with that you would be insisting that Santa promote him to a role that better supported his skills.

“Do we really have to work all night long?” Baekhyun whined as the clock struck midnight and before you could say anything, several elves all turned and looked at him, making him retreat back in his seat sheepishly. “It’s fine, I don’t really need sleep.”

“We’re lucky they’re letting us help as it is,” Chanyeol mentioned to his friend and then shot you another apologetic look. You hated how much he would do this to you whenever he caused trouble, knowing his puppy expressions would wear you down and you’d give him a lesser punishment. You blinked when someone shifted in between you and Chanyeol and realised Kyungsoo had noticed the situation, and Chanyeol was backing off as much as his best friend had, returning back to stringing up a ukulele.

You bit back your flood of emotions at the protective stance Kyungsoo held and tried to turn your focus back to sewing up a teddy bear that Tori had cut out for you.

The early morning wore on and when you saw the sun shine through the windows signalling it was a new day for Christmas-town, you got up from your seat to stretch your tired limbs. Only you and Kyungsoo were awake, the other elves crashing about an hour ago over their work. You had felt they needed a rest and didn’t wake them up, instead continued on working until you felt it was time to go check on the factory.

Kyungsoo glanced up at your movement and smiled. “Off to check the factory?”

“Want to join me? We have some time,” you offered and he wiped his hands on his pants before climbing up, going over to the door and held it open for you. The walk was comfortably silent; with you stealing glances at the elf at your side, trying not to smile too widely whenever he caught you in the act.

He finally chuckled. “It’s been nice, you know.”

“What has?”

“All this. Although the situation isn’t ideal, I’m grateful that you gave me a chance.”

“You needed someone to, you weren’t going to yourself.”

Kyungsoo chuckled again. “You’re observant yourself, you know.”

“I know, but I was too frazzled to think correctly. I knew your steadfastness would help me find clarity.”

“Just how much do you know about me, Y/N?” he asked and you blushed before raising an index finger at him objectively.

“It’s my job to know a lot about all the elves.”

“Huh.”

You were nearing the factory doors when you slipped on a bit of ice, Kyungsoo’s strong arms reaching out to save you from falling. You gasped when you looked up within his embrace, his own eyes seeming rounder from the predicament you were both in. Instead of leaping apart and acting like you felt nothing, you pressed your hand tenderly to his chest and smiled. You hoped the gesture would be enough and he seemed to accept it well, blushing lightly as he grinned back and let his arms fall from around you, instead sliding his hand into yours and helping you to the door. You both stepped inside and Junmyeon spotted you both, running up to your sides. You were slightly distracted by the fact that Kyungsoo didn’t let your hand go in front of one of your supervisors and it made you cough a little from the flutter in your stomach.

Junmyeon grinned at you both and pointed across the room. “We managed to get three machines working again overnight and there are toys being made again!”

“Really?!” You looked to where production had resumed and grinned back at Junmyeon. “This is excellent news!”

“The repair team have been back for an hour now as well and claim they’ll have the other machines up and running within two hours. We should get enough presents together in time for the flight! Santa has already been in and is out in the stable giving his morning pep-talk to the reindeer. Christmas is saved!”

“We did it!” Kyungsoo cried and gave Junmyeon a high five before he hugged you. It made you laugh happily and bury into his embrace, relief coursing through you. Now you could go back to the others and tell them all to go home and have the morning to rest up and then return to help with the final preparation for Santa’s delivery.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Everyone rested and then regrouped, continuing to make the handmade toys along with the machines producing gifts non-stop. You decided that in preparation for next year once your annual holidays were over that you would gather the teams differently and focus on what skills elves could use to make more innovative toys. The machines could assist in making duplicates of what you all created instead of relying on them to do all the hard work. This disaster had made you remember just how magical the elves around you really were.

It wasn’t lost on Santa either. On Christmas morning you woke up and didn’t get dressed, simply putting on your boots and headed to breakfast in the dining hall. It was tradition to eat breakfast in your pyjamas with the other elves and you giggled at Tori’s dramatic fashion for this year’s breakfast as you gave her a hug. You moved around your friends and wished them all a Merry Christmas until you arrived at the head of the table where a surprisingly alert Santa sat, and Kyungsoo already stood. He smiled at your arrival, though you could tell he was nervous standing next to Santa.

The man in red and white stood up and gathered everyone’s attention by clearing his throat. He chuckled with a hand over his belly and everyone giggled along. He then lifted his hands up to address everyone. “Elves, we all faced a difficult lead up to Christmas this year due to some curiosity getting the better of three of our friends.”

Jongdae nodded weakly as both Chanyeol and Baekhyun attempted to hide behind him.

“But we were able to pull it off to the fast thinking of Y/N who knew Kyungsoo here would be able to bring together a team to make the best of our situation. I am grateful to everyone who helped save Christmas, but especially to Kyungsoo who without him, we may have faced the darkest Christmas of our times! Today is dedicated to Kyungsoo and his team of elves who helped make all the toys when the machines were down!”

There was a deafening cheer and Kyungsoo waved at everyone awkwardly, soon turning to face the wall as Santa continued on with his yearly tradition of talking about his adventure out. You watched Kyungsoo instead and moved to his side out of view of everyone, nudging him lightly.

“That was embarrassing,” he admitted and you grinned at him.

“You deserved it though.”

“You helped too. It wasn’t just me who organised that team.” He took your hand again and smiled at you. “It was you who figured out how to make me realise how special I was.”

“Well, when you put it that way I do deserve a reward, right?” Kyungsoo nodded slowly and you giggled before impulsively kissing him on the cheek. You then blushed and shook your linked hands happily. “There, I got my reward.”

“Really, that’s all you wanted?” he asked, having recovered from your gesture and you looked at him confused until he edged closer. “I think we can do better, right?”

His lips were soon on yours and you kissed him back happily, feeling the weight of all your burdens disperse now that you had him at your side. You knew Christmas would be different next year with his help guiding the elves in making the best presents for all the children in the world.

But until then, you were now on holiday, and you were kissing Kyungsoo. You decided you needed to know all about the elf who saved Christmas, and couldn’t wait to find out more about the man who now held your heart too.

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affinityy #1
So cute!