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Writing Inktober entries were moved to another book so read that too :)
The only new chapters of this book are part 2s or the off chance I write for a fictional character
New stories are posted in book 2 on m...
Warnings: Injury depictions, lots of blood mentioned
W.C. 1301
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There was not enough time. There was so much to do, and so little time to do it. Christmas was fast approaching, Santa was visiting the Millers, and Bernard was running like a chicken with its head cut off. Everyone was frantically trying to meet the deadlines, and everything was just so hectic! I was sitting at my station, screwing wheels onto trucks as quickly as possible. I must have been going too fast because before I knew it, my grip slipped.
Even with the blood dripping onto the table, I did not realize that I cut my hand until Curtis came up to me.
"Did you know that it is a biohazard and violation of rule 1627 to knowingly bleed at your station, and possibly, contaminate presents? I'm gonna have to report this to Santa," He chastised as he opened the book to rule 1627. He started talking more, but I was not listening. I was focused on the growing pool of blood in my palm. "Are you even listening to me?"
"Why are you lecturing them, Curtis?" Bernard sighed with a roll of his eyes as he walked over to the station, immediately moving to take the book away from Curtis. "Just let them work. You are wasting their time."
"I am not!" Curtis exclaimed, pulling the book back. "I am here to enforce the rules, and their injury is breaking rule 1627!"
"What injury?" It is then that Bernard notices the puddle of blood in my hand that has begun to overflow onto the table. I followed his eye line, finally actually looking at my injury, and I felt lightheaded immediately. In response, Bernard rushed forward to apply pressure on my hand, and he pulled a cloth from his pocket to clean up some of the blood to see the wound. Once he got a clear view of the injury, he came around the bench to help me stand, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Come with me. I'll take you to the infirmary."
"But I need to finish these before Santa gets back," I tried to argue, but my thoughts were getting jumbled. I leaned more into Bernard's side, suddenly not feeling strong enough to stand on my own.
"No, you are coming with me to the infirmary, now," He said, pushing past Curtis, who was still going off about rule 1627 and deadlines. "Curtis, no offense, but shut up."
"And that right there is a violation of rule 2256," Curtis replied, smugly, "The head elf must treat all other elves with respect, regardless of personal feelings."
"And you are breaking the only rule I remember," Bernard said, pointedly, trying to move past Curtis. "Rule number 9, an elf's mental and physical health prioritizes deadlines and even Christmas." Curtis was, for once, speechless. Bernard knew he finally won an argument against Curtis, but he suddenly became aware of the bloody cloth in his hand. "That being said, Curtis, do not stand in my way."
In the infirmary, Bernard made quick work of cleaning and wrapping my hand. Thankfully, the wound was not too deep to require stitches since Bernard had no idea how to do stitches, but it was still pretty deep. He cleaned it up, apologizing after seeing me wince, and wrapped in it gauze. "Should stay put for the rest of the day, but don't take my word for it. There's a reason I'm not a medical elf," he laughed.
"It's better than I could do," I joked back. "Thanks, Bernard. I really appreciate it."
"Now, I don't want you going back to your station today," he started. I began to object, but he made a motion for me to stop. "You are going to go in the kitchens, eat something, and chill for the rest of the day. No exceptions."
"Was that a pun?" I laughed, moving to stand up and adjust the gauze. I lost my balance for a second to which Bernard grabbed my shoulders to steady me.
"That's all you go from that?" He replied with a weary smile. "And stop doing things so fast. You lost a lot of blood."
"Sorry, didn't think standing would be so strenuous," I replied sarcastically. He gave me a pointed look before I changed my tone. "Fine, but I don't know what you expect me to do."
"Go eat, drink some hot cocoa, sleep, I don't know! Just don't do work," He responded. "Simple."
"Well, if it's so simple," I started, and I could see the gears turning in Bernard's head along with what I was saying, "you'd have no problem with joining me?" I could not tell if it was the blood loss making me delirious or not, but I thought now, 4 weeks out from Christmas, was the best time to shoot my shot with the ever-so-busy head elf.
"There's not enough time for me to take a break," he sighed. "You know that."
"Well, when was the last time you took a break?" I pressed. He hesitated, and immediately, I knew he could not remember the last time he took a break. "Maybe you need to take a page out of the rule book. Rule 9, what was that rule again?" I asked rhetorically, tilting my head in a joking manner.
"An elf's mental and physical health prioritizes deadlines and even Christmas," he exhaled, knowing exactly where I was going with this. "Please, I don't have time for this."
"Not with that mentality," I relented, grabbing his hand with my good hand, as I pulled him towards the kitchens. "If there's one thing I learned from Carol, it is if you can't remember the last time you took a break, it's been too long. Now, you are going to chill with me before you work yourself to death."
"Y'know, I didn't think you would be this assertive when injured," he laughed as he let me drag him around the square. Some of the other elves looked at us funny, and a couple of the yonder elves giggled at our antics but continued on with their activities.
"Oh trust me," I chucked, pulling him into a little shop that did not have loads of elves inside. I pulled him into a booth beside me. I leaned into his shoulder and whispered, "I've always liked you, but maybe I just needed a push."
"Well, you know what?" He whispered back, leaning closer to me as well. "I've always thought about you, but there are rules for that."
"So many rules, Bernard!" I exclaimed, throwing my head back. "Don't you wanna live a little? What is Santa gonna do? Fire you?"
"I don't know?" He responded sincerely. "I don't really want to find out either."
"I'll handle Santa if he tries anything," A new voice responded from behind us. Our heads snapped around to face the one and only Mrs. Claus. "You two deserve to be happy. Forget about the rules for once."
"Look at that, you've got someone in your corner," I laughed. "Are you going to take the chance?"
"If that's your way of saying that today's events are considered a date," he paused. I was giving him the side-eye as he pretended to contemplate his choices. "I accept, but I need to tell-"
"No worries! I will take over your responsibilities for the day," Carol offered. "You two enjoy your day."
"Thank you, Mrs. Claus," I responded. She headed out of the shop, and it was just the two of us again. "So, no more working, no more deadlines, no more stressing, no more Curtis, and no more rules for today."
"Well, there are still rules! We can't have disorder everywhere!" He interjected.
"Well, I've got some new rules for you," I replied quietly, "and none of which relates to work."
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