On this particular night in Smeerensburg - Christmas Eve Eve - it wasn't warm by any means, but definitely less cold than it had been all season. Or at least slightly less cold than Jesper Johanssen felt his entire time there. On the inside though, he was freezing.

He manned the lantern while Klaus drove the sleigh - their brand new ride hooked up to reindeer as a mode for delivering toys. This was their thirteenth run, but they weren't making drop offs as much as scouting a route. Klaus would have to stop at fifty-two houses in eight hours - not to mention deliver at least five presents per home - and not be seen lest it ruin the illusion.

If everything went right, this was about to become a Christmas custom. And it all started with one little postman.

Jesper was flattered, really. However Klaus was his friend too, and it was time to fess up. Delivering joy to a dark, dank village was not some charitable action from the bottom of his heart but punishment. His father wanted him to shape up - shed that pampered, spoiled son skin - and so had sent him on this mission to receive 6,000 letters before the end of the year or kiss his good life goodbye.

But Klaus was blissfully unaware. He was in it for the goodness of his heart; he was that sweet of a person. And the guilt was just about eating Jesper up inside.

Still, he wanted to tread lightly. Jesper's relationship with Klaus was still precarious. A few days ago in his study, Jesper had asked one question and Klaus blew up. He got so upset. It was an accident to ask about his family, to go there, but he had. So he told him, and a wall had fallen between the two.

Maybe it should have stayed up.

"You're being oddly quiet," Klaus remarked, cutting through the hush. It was true. Where Klaus was a big silent stone, Jesper was a yipping chihuahua.

"Klaus, I just wanted to say sorry," Jesper said. "What happened back in the study… that was totally my fault. I apologize."

"I do too."

"Like I never want you to feel like you can't talk to me. Or trust me," he muttered to the side. "You're my friend, and I never want to jeopardize that. Or make things awkward. I don't think I have a genuine friend back at the academy. 'Cause my dad is rich and I'm… comfortable. I mean I've had friends before, but I felt like they always wanted something from me, y'know? It's like I was never shown love to give it, you know? My father never hugged me. He hasn't hugged me in… no. He has never hugged me, ever - "

"Are we gonna have Chicken Soup for the Postman's Soul all night?" Klaus asked, his eyes trained in front of him. "Because I made you something."

"For me? Where?"

Klaus grunted in the direction of the back. Jesper climbed into the passenger's seat. A little lone, poorly-wrapped package with his name on it existed under the bench. Bunched up at the top of the mess was a neatly-folded drawing, clearly done by a child. A gigantic jolly Klaus and his skinny-fat sidekick Jesper held up presents, exchanging happy glances.

"Oh wow. This is… "

"I ran out of wrapping paper," Klaus said. "I knew you wouldn't mind."

Jesper blew out an annoyed breath as he tore off taped patches of Christmas tree paper. In the center of his lap was a small clock, carved with care. He sat back, staring out at the snow.

Anyone who engaged Jesper in conversation would know that he'd been complaining about living in a timeless void since he got to Smeerensburg. He could have just walked into the square to look at the town clock, but Jesper was kind of lazy, and plus it was cold out there so he would go whole days in his bed not knowing what time it was. Also Jesper was notoriously late for everything back home.

But this was important. And somebody had been listening to his incessant chatter.

"Hey." Klaus's big hand came down on Jesper's thin shoulder, snapping him out of whatever he sank into. Tears were sitting comfortably on his face.

"Sorry." Jesper let out a weird, strangled laugh as he wiped his eyes on his lapel. "Sorry, sorry, sorry."

"Talk to me."

"Sorry, I… it… my contacts are drying - really bothering me right now. They're dry."

"I didn't know you wore contacts."

"Yeah it, it, it - it happens when it's kinda warm out like tonight. I should take my prescription elsewhere and get… oh no." He covered his face, mortified, because he was insanely awkward when it came to showing people how he felt. At the manor and later at the academy, Jesper was always trained to hold back on certain emotional states. Now he was all red and hot and uncomfortable because he didn't know how to cope.

"Well… okay," Klaus responded. "I just thought I'd do something to show my appreciation. You came into town, and turned it around. We appreciate you."

Oh boy, he was gonna cry again. Oh God he was gonna cry. Jesper bit his lip, pulling the bill of his hat lower over his eyes. First the sleigh and now this; Klaus was making it really hard to come clean here.

"Don't worry." Klaus clapped him on the back so hard it knocked the wind out of him for a moment. "I won't tell anyone you're human."

"Thanks. And I do love it, Klaus, I do. I'll look at it every day." Jesper sniffed long and loud. "I'll hold it back next time, I swear."

"Thank you. It's better for me." Jesper didn't ask why. He was done prying.

The cheerful jingling of the bells signaled their quiet arrival as they pulled up to the first house. Jesper slumped down in his seat. Guess the truth would have to wait.