Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or worlds herein; they are property of Square Enix, Tim Burton, and Disney. The only rights to which I have are the creative contexts, writing, and original plots created in this fiction.

Genre: Romance, Friendship, General

Rating: Mature, for Romance and Lemons

One

Everyone was working at two hundred percent. The air was filled with shouts and clangs and machines and orders. Although the air was frigid, everyone sweat as they flitted around frantically. Their deadline was approaching with astonishing speed. Stress was paramount, but they had never failed before.

Sora was worried that, in the wake of all the chaos of Christmas coming, Santa wouldn't be able to see him. Jack reassured him time and time again that he could get him in to see Sandy Claws. And so Sora followed his skeletal friend through the door to Christmas Town where the elves were in hyperdrive. It was December 12th and Sora's days were numbered. If he were to find the perfect gift for Kairi, he needed to do it within the next eight days before he returned home to Destiny Islands. Evidently Jack could see through his dark eyes and fake fanged smile.

"What's wrong, Sora?" He asked, looking down at his bat-winged friend.

"Huh? Oh, nothing, Jack. I'm fine."

"Hmm." Jack said, tapping his bony jaw and quirking an eyesocket at his friend.

"What?"

"I think someone's lost his Christmas spirit."

"Me? No. I'm full of Christmas cheer." Sora said, and stretched a forty inch grin across his face. Jack smirked.

"If you brought that smile to next Halloween, it'd be the best ever." At that, Sora's face melted and he stuck his tongue out defiantly at the Pumpkin King. The two then set out to Santa's Workshop where they would undoubtedly find their friend this time of year. The snow crunched loudly beneath Sora's boots, while the surface was barely disturbed by Jack's spindly legs. A few working elves paused to wave congenially to the regular visitors. Jack and Sora would wave back with similar joy.

Sora's mouth was salivating when he smelled the pies from Mrs. Claus's bakery. However, his need to see the Big Man kept him moving in the wake of Jack's quick footsteps. Finally they walked into the workshop. A rush of warm air greeted them, melting the ice from their flesh and bones. Elves moved around and between their legs to go about their busy schedules. Sora and Jack walked tentatively across the workshop floor, trying to avoid disturbing any of the workers. Sora accidentally backed up into a column of presents.

"Agh!" He cried, shielding his face. Jack quickly stepped over and stretched out his arms, catching the presents one by one until three stacks were balanced on his two arms and one knee. The surrounding elves let out a sigh of relief before thanking Jack. Sora groaned, berading himself for being so clumsy.

"Oh, no." Santa heard the commotion, and inwardly winced. He didn't hate Jack, but the Pumpkin King usually only led to mischief and complication. He pattered across the workshop floor to greet his scary friends.

"Sandy!" Jack exclaimed, handing the last present to one of the elves.

"Jack, what are you doing here? You know I'm busy! Christmas Eve is only twelve days away!"

"It's because of me, Santa. I asked Jack to take me here." Sora said before Jack could explain himself. Santa stroked his white beard, examining the two before him. Imbetween his thoughts, he was interrupted by his Head Elf who needed opinions on what gift to give Henry Smith, whether Donnor should be attached to the sleigh with his sprained ankle, and to report what pies Mrs. Claus was planning on serving that night.

"Busy, busy, busy." Santa sighed. He then looked up and gave a velvet smile to Sora. "Come on, Sora, Jack – we can go to my house. The Mrs. will have my head if I don't take a break soon anyways." With that, Jack and Sora followed Santa through the labyrinth of the workshop and reigndeer stables until they reached his cozy home. The fireplace inside was lively, stockings hung and holly draped over the mantle. Chestnuts were roasting, lights were glowing, nutcrackers were standing handsome, and wreaths were on every door. Jack couldn't help but grin across his whole skull at the Christmas decorations and knick-knacks. He picked up one of the more detailed nutcrackers, examining the finishing on the wooden soldier. He curiously began to click its jaw closed and open with infantile fascination.

"What's wrong, Sora?" Santa asked, groaning as he sat in his favorite chair (whose cushion was now contoured to the shape of his rear).

"Umm, nothing. I just, well-"

"Let's not lie to Santa Clause, now, Sora." He said. Sora sighed. They heard a small clang and turned. Jack was crouching near the floor, tree topper Star in hand. He grinned sheepishly and laughed nervously before standing to his intimidating height and placing the Star back in its proper place. Sora and Santa both shook their heads.

"Well, it's just...I don't really know what...I kind of...Kairi..."

"Oh. Kairi." Jack and Santa spoke at the same time. Jack was now absorbed in the conversation. He and Sora sat down on the couch, though Jack had to awkwardly spread his legs out to fit in the short house. Sora sighed, ruffling his spiked chocolate hair. The pumpkin patch over his eye shifted and nearly snapped off when he accidentally hit the string attached to it.

"I don't know what to get her for Christmas. We've been friends forever, and we've been dating for a few years now, but...I just...I don't know what to get her." Sora said.

"But that isn't the only problem, is it, Sora?" Santa asked, pushing on. Sora looked up to Saint Nick with sincere hope.

"She...she's said that she feels like she's half-empty. Like a part of her isn't loved or happy...I want to do something to make her feel whole..." Sora said. Jack looked gently at his friend, sympathy boiling in his heart. He patted Sora's shoulder with his bony fingers before looking to Santa for help.

"Have you felt like this as well, Sora?" Santa asked.

"...maybe a little...but it isn't like I don't love Kairi! I still do – with all my heart. But..."

"Maybe it's time you let her love the whole you."

"Huh?" Sora asked. Santa stood from his chair and walked over to the couch. He touched the crown of Sora's head. As his fingertip grazed his head, a small light sparked. Sora gasped; he felt as though his blood had been shocked by compassion. His heart was flushed with Christmas spirit. But, there was something else...something that had been locked in the back of his mind that was louder now; stronger now.

"Sora, this isn't really about finding the perfect present. It's about giving who you love the most the gift of yourself. Christmas is more than just wrapping and decorations and me – that's something Jack learned the hard way." He added, glancing at the sheepish but agreeing Pumpkin King. Fishing inside his red coat, Santa retrieved a ripe sprig of mistletoe. As he twirled it in his nimble old fingers, the berries changed shape and texture. When he handed the mistletoe to Sora, the berries looked like tiny Paupu fruits.

"When you want to truly give the gift of yourself, your whole self, hang this mistletoe before you go to sleep." Santa said. Sora looked into the glossy berries and vibrant leaves. He nodded before leaping up and hugging the old man.

"Thanks so much Santa!" He beamed. Santa laughed heartily with a gentle, "Ho, ho, ho."

"Hey, Sandy Claws, do you need any h-"

"No, Jack!" Santa said quickly, breaking from the hug with Sora. "I'm just fine!" He said, before rushing back to his workshop. Sora glanced between the door Santa disappeared to and Jack.

"What exactly happened between you two?" He asked.

Jack opened the front door to walk back to Halloweentown. "It's a long story."