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A/N: Hey, everyone! Since this is the official last chapter of Auld Lang Syne, I'd like to go on here to thank everyone for reading and spreading the love for this story. Your support really means the world to me! Be sure to follow me and check out the other works I have on my page. And enjoy the final chapter of Auld Lang Syne!
Also, I've included a slight NSFW warning for the spicy bits near the end ;)
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Chapter 25~ Still the Same
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After they cleaned up the mess Kit made all around the desk, they sat at the bench at the end of his bed, side by side. Kit tucked herself in, trying to remember what fierce felt like.
Bernard was first to break the silence, running a stressed hand through the front of his hair. “So, you want to tell me why you broke into my room and went through my stuff?”
Kit clenched her jaw and avoided his menacing gaze. “I’d like to think you deserved it.”
“I deserved it? Kit, that was breaking and entering. Is that something I missed? Is that something you do now?”
“No,” she spat back. “Only when I’m pissed.”
Bernard got quiet, thinking and wanting to say a hundred accusing things at once but not meaning any of them. Maybe, he did deserve it. “Okay.”
For the next few minutes, Bernard built a fire for them, knowing Kit was probably getting cold. But, Kit wrapped a nearby velvet throw around her shoulders and retreated to the white stone balcony, either out of spite or stupidity. She let the cool, clear air gently blow against her cheek and tickle the spot where her cut had once been. She brought her fingers to the spot and almost felt the stinging again. Once the fire was hot and growing stronger, Bernard shot a look to Kit on the balcony and followed her out. Kit leaned against the thick stone rail and gazed out at the Northern lights filling the night sky and the magical elf city below. Being Head-Elf gave you some pretty sweet perks. They were quiet, each looking out in different directions. Kit stared down at her hands, not knowing what else to do.
“I should’ve told you I was leaving for Columbia University,” she said. “I’m sorry. I thought keeping it quiet would make the separation easier...It didn’t.”
Bernard looked over at her, doubt still looming in his face. “Is that what you meant back there with Father Time?”
Kit hesitated, squeezing her eyes shut. “Yes.” A lie.
“I’m sorry, too,” he said, leaning on the railing, “I’ve been a jerk ever since you got here. And I underestimated you. I guess there really are some perks to being 1/8th elf.”
Kit looked over. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you have this specialness about you, Kit. We’ve all seen it before, and it only grows stronger. You believe. You believe so strongly that it makes others believe too. You got Frost to talk. You convinced Flora Mae to help you. And you tracked down Father Time and saved everyone. I was just along for the ride.”
“No,” Kit said, putting a hand to his shoulder. “I couldn’t have done any of it without you. You got me to London in the first place. You healed my hand. You were there when I had no other place to go.”
Bernard smiled. “I guess we make a pretty good team.” He tried looking away.
Kit faced him, pulling the blanket tighter around her, and suddenly felt the need build up in her blood again.
“Bernard, I don’t want to go off to school with you thinking I’ll forget it all.”
“I’m not making your decision, Kit.” His eyelids fluttered closed, and he barely shook his head.
Kit frowned and spoke up. “Why does it have to be one or the other? I don’t understand why we can’t—”
“Then, I’ll go.” Bernard turned to her, eyes hard and serious.
Kit paused, breathless and confused. “What?”
“Let me go with you, Kit.” Bernard grabbed the sides of her arms strongly. “Whatever is out there that you’re dreaming of, name it and I’ll make it happen. Days like London don’t have to be rare. We could carve out a spot for us anywhere we like.”
Kit drew back, a shaking in her chest. “But what if my spot is New York, Bernard? You said it yourself. New York chews you up and spits you out different. And I…” She shook her head. “I could never ask that of you.”
Kit brought her hand to his cheek, feeling the delicate snowy skin under her touch and the very tickle of his coal-colored hair on her fingertips. She swallowed a tremble in her voice and memorized his every detail. “I can’t lose you like that.”
She finally slipped from his grasp, wrapped the blanket closer around her arms, and left for the door. But, halfway to the door, Bernard rushed to her and caught her hand in his, stopping her completely. It fit so perfectly.
Kit’s head turned back, her body still as stone and her heart burning like a torch. The fire glowed softly around them, painting Bernard’s skin in gold and Kit’s hair in silky amber. She felt the world around them stop and hold its breath. Bernard felt the softness of her skin in his hand as he held her fingers that almost slipped through his own. His heart beat like a drum, and he felt the same hopeless longing that ate at him at the ice rink. He remembered holding her hand like this in the sleigh and how it electrified his nerves even now.
“I’m yours.” He spoke in barely a whisper. “New York or not. Now or twenty years from now. I will always want you. Only you.” He watched her perfect lips part ever so slightly and felt his insides melt. “I have always been and always will be yours.”
A sweet music played in their heads, in the place where only they two existed together. Like a dance, Bernard drew himself into her, keeping her hand enveloped in his. Kit was finding it hard to concentrate on anything. The lingering scent of peppermint and spice was drifting her far off. She felt a warmth in her chest as he grew near—a warmth she’d never known. Her heart beat slowly, patiently waiting for him. Kit held her breath as his face drew so close to hers. Her eyes were stitched to his, losing herself entirely in the warm comfort they offered. She felt her grip on the blanket loosen, letting it fall around her feet. His lips only inches from hers. She knit her fingers in his.
“Kiss me,” she breathed, letting her eyes flutter closed.
Bernard let his lips fall into her gravity and immediately was overcome with her sweet taste. But, this time was not like the last. This time was pure…bliss.
Kit drew her hands away from his and placed them around the sides of Bernard’s head, pulling him deeper in. He wrapped his arms around her torso and waist, nerves vibrating from the very touch of her. Bernard found himself bending to her every will—every turn of her head, every twist of her waist. He held onto her tight and lovingly, kissing her back with every ounce of his energy. His hands warmed and glowed against her skin. He almost saw the sparks shoot from his fingers. Finding his strength, Bernard pushed her back against the wall. Kit’s hands ran down to his collarbone and upper chest when he finally had the chance to cradle her head in his hands.
Everything was lightning. Every touch was fire. Kit’s heart pounded so fiercely and rapidly that she thought it might explode. But, nothing told her to stop, not like before.
Then, suddenly, he pulled away. She stood vulnerable, back against the wall, watching him painfully. But, his dark eyes were wide and clouded with a million thoughts. Bernard saw her confusion and smiled barely. He slowly drew back into her, this time moving his kisses to her jaw. They trailed and tickled like baby hairs across her skin until he found the soft spots on her neck. He planted each kiss with care and purpose. The breath caught in Kit’s throat as she stared at the ceiling. A flutter in her stomach pulled her down like an anchor.
“Bernard,” she whispered, a little more than a single breath. He paused, lips still stuck to her skin. This was a different Kit than before. One that Bernard had dreamed of hearing a hundred times before. He held on tighter to her waist. A burning fire in his abdomen urged him to kiss harder, explore farther. Instead, he pulled back and looked at her glassed-over eyes.
“Hey,” he hummed, drawing his thumb across her cheek gently. She blinked, being brought down to this reality once again. Bernard’s lips were pink now, almost raw. His cheeks, red and flushed. But, his eyes were loving and warm and showed the same elf she’d always known. “Tell me this isn’t over.”
Kit smiled, newly intoxicated by him. “It can’t be.” She drew her hands to his collar, grazing her fingertips across his neck and pulling him back in. “I still have your scarf.”
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Kit Calvin knew her family was different than most. Her grandfather was Santa Claus. Her best friend was a North Pole elf. She felt all throughout her life that she was looking at the rest of the world through rose-colored glasses that she just couldn’t pry off. Yet, amidst all of this, where did she fit in?
Kit Calvin didn’t belong in the North Pole, not really. And as the years passed and as Kit attended Columbia University, the fact became apparently clear that New York didn’t feel the same anymore either. Like it was missing one less person.
Bernard had run through his routines a million times, and the North Pole had once been the only place he could call home. What lied outside of his snowy white realm was only an unspoken pain that he dared not endure. But, his perfect routines soon became stale and meaningless to him. He looked out across the festive glorious city and it appeared empty. Like it was missing one less person.
The horizon began to look much more appealing.
After a lifetime of working at the North Pole, Bernard left as quietly as possible. He packed up his most important belongings, wrapped the snow globe in a cloth and tucked it in his coat, and flew off on Prancer in the middle of the night. He felt as if staying a second longer would tear him apart for good. Bernard navigated his way through the city. He rode across empty subway stations, trudged along lonely sidewalks, and even asked for directions. Finally, he found her apartment.
Bernard stood at her doorstep, staring longingly at the little metal numbers tacked on her door. Would she hate him? Would she still feel the same way for him? Would she even care? He couldn’t ignore the gnawing urge to tuck tail and run back. It felt like it’d been so long—too long. He looked back at Prancer who gave him an unsympathetic expression.
He sighed. “Why do reindeers have to be right all the time?” he grumbled. With a tight thumping in his chest, Bernard rang the buzzer and waited. Bernard didn’t feel cold all that often, but this was maybe the closest he’d ever come. He slipped his hand in his pocket and touched the smooth surface of the snow globe. Maybe this time, she’d answer. Maybe this time, she’d come back.
The lock clicked and the door jammed open but was caught on the chain lock. A groan. The door closed again as the lock was undone and finally swung open.
A half-asleep Kit Calvin stood in her blue pajamas holding an old baseball bat in her hand. She looked the same. Hadn’t even grown an inch. Her green eyes gleamed in the glow of the porch light and her memorable cinnamon brown hair had grown back out again. But, no time had passed for her. The bat tipped out of her hand and clattered to the floor as her mouth fell open.
“Bernard.” Her hand slipped from the doorknob.
He tried to smile as the cold night air forced its way between them. He felt his hand reach for the ends of his own black hair. “You, um,” he started, “You grew your hair out.”
“Oh.” Kit touched the ends of her brown locks, a familiar feeling creeping up on her. “I did. Looks a little different than before.”
Bernard’s smile faltered. “So…” He took a shaky breath, “…different?”
Kit stopped and smiled at him, a message crossing across her face. “No,” she said, “still the same.” Her hand reached out and slipped into his, a perfect fit. Her touch was still so soft and inviting, like pure velvet. She gazed fondly at their intertwined hands, and they both felt the cold air dissipate once and for all. And for Kit, there was no more New York, no more North Pole—only Bernard. Finally Bernard.
He smiled and gently squeezed her hand in his. She laughed back and began pulling him inside the warm home. His eyes twinkled happily as he followed her lead, shutting the door behind them. The New York evening air floated above the city, ceaseless and cold. But, one small Manhattan apartment was radiating enough warmth and magic for the whole world.
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The End.
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