(Christmas special)

A cozy bar inside a bustling mall during the holiday season. Santa, played by a man in his 50s named Rick, sits at the bar in his full red suit, complete with a fake beard and hat. Next to him is his friend, Reggie, a wiry guy with a mischievous grin. Two college girls, Amy and Becca, have taken quite the interest in Santa and are seated nearby, giggling and making comments as they sip their drinks.

Amy: (leaning forward with a flirty smile) Sooo, Santa... you must get lonely up there at the North Pole. All those elves and no Mrs. Claus?

Rick: (chuckling uncomfortably) Ho, ho, ho! Well, uh, I like to think my heart's pretty full from all the joy I bring, y'know? (clears throat) And uh, Mrs. Claus is a very lucky lady... in theory, anyway.

Becca: (grinning) Bet you get a lot of letters, Santa. Ever get one from a naughty list girl like me?

Rick looked uncomfortable.

Rick: (blushing under the fake beard, looking to Reggie for help) Oh, well, I, uh... I try to, uh, bring out the best in everyone! Ho, ho... ho...

Reggie: (nudging Santa) Come on, Ricky, you gotta give these ladies what they want! I mean, it is the season of giving, right?

Rick: (under his breath, flustered) Reggie, you're not helping...

Amy: (winking) Well, maybe we'll see you around, Santa. You know where to find us.

[The girls get up to leave, throwing one last flirty look over their shoulders as they disappear into the mall. Rick watches them go, still blushing.]

Rick: (sighs, shaking his head) Man... I've been doing this gig for ten years, and I've never seen anything like that.

Reggie: (laughing) Told ya, Rick! That suit comes with perks. Doesn't matter what's under the beard—women just love Santa.

Bartender: (chiming in as he wipes down a glass) Reggie's not wrong. I see it every year—old Santa here gets more action than Cupid on Valentine's.

Rick: (chuckling) Well, maybe for the first time I'm starting to see the appeal of the suit. (takes a sip of his drink) It's kinda nice, y'know? Even if it's just for a laugh.

Reggie: (grins, clapping Rick on the back) That's the holiday spirit! Now, let's get you some mistletoe and maybe even some reindeer ears for good luck!

Rick: (laughing) Oh, no, no, no. I think I'm just fine with my usual routine...plus I'm still not over Rebecca.

Bartender: I still find it hard to believe that she was eaten by a rhinoceros, escaped from the zoo, on a crowded street, in full daylight, in 12 seconds flat.

The three of them share a laugh as holiday music plays faintly in the background. They had arrived to kill a bunch of parents who had trampled seven people to death on Black Friday.

Y/N stops mid-stride, his eyes widening as he spots something through the glass doors of a bar in the bottom floor—Santa, chatting with a couple of people. Y/N's face lights up in childlike excitement.

Y/N: (whispering, awestruck) Oh... my... Satan! Santa Claus?! Oh my god!!!

Blitzo: (confused) Huh? What're you—?

But before Blitzo can finish, Y/N practically bursts out of the stealth formation, rushing toward the bar entrance.

Blitzo: Y/N! Get back here! We're in the middle of a mission, you idiot! I knew I should've brought the leash!

Millie: (trying not to laugh) Aw, let him go, Blitz. I think he's excited.

Moxxie: (facepalming) Unbelievable...wait...leash?

Blitzo: Verosika has that and a dog collar for him...sent it to the dry cleaners.

Blitzo sighs in exasperation, muttering under his breath, but they watch as Y/N runs right past a couple of surprised mall-goers and heads straight into the bar.

Santa (Rick) and his friends, Reggie and the bartender, are still laughing about their recent run-in with the college girls when Y/N skids to a halt in front of them, practically vibrating with excitement.

Y/N: (breathless, wide-eyed) S-Santa? Is it really you?

Rick, Reggie, and the bartender stare at Y/N in shock, taking in his gray skin, black eyes, sharp claws, and teeth.

Reggie: (whispering to the bartender) Uh... you seein' what I'm seein'?

Bartender: (nodding slowly, raising an eyebrow) That's a fucking first. You want me to make an excuse or something...

Y/N stands by the entrance, shuffling on the spot as he tries to summon the courage to approach Rick, his hands fidgeting.

Rick: (whispering to the others, trying to keep a straight face) Alright, alright, calm down, you two. (clears throat) It's ok. I'm in the suit, remember? Just like when kids see Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. If this fella wants the full Santa experience, then he's gonna get it.

Rick puts on his best Santa smile and opens his arms wide.

Rick (Santa): (booming, cheerful voice) Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! Come on over, don't be shy! What can Santa do for you, my... uh, very special friend?

[Y/N's face lights up as he hears this, and he rushes over, almost tripping on the way in his excitement.]

Y/N: (stammering a little) S-Santa! Wow, it's really you! Uh, I mean—sorry, I know I look... uh, different, but... can I... can I just say, I've always wanted to meet you!

Reggie's jaw drops a little, and the bartender is watching the scene with a grin.

Bartender: (smiling) Aw, look at him. Like a kid on Christmas morning.

Rick (Santa): (beaming) Why, of course, son! It doesn't matter what you look like—Santa's here for everyone! Now, what's on your Christmas list?

Y/N looks bashful, his sharp-toothed smile showing.

Y/N: (shuffling his feet) Um... I don't really need anything. Maybe flea medicine for my girlfriend, Loona? Please.

Reggie and the bartender looked at each other.

Reggie: Must be working with pets...

Y/N: Maybe some of the Absolute DC comics? I just, uh... wanted to say thanks, I guess. You... you're kinda like a hero, you know? Bringing everyone joy and all that.

Reggie: Wow Santa. Looks like you got a fan.

Y/N: Well... I do know my girlfriends might want some things too.

Reggie: (grinning, impressed) Girlfriends, huh? Well, Santa, sounds like we got ourselves a bit of a ladies' man here!

Santa (Rick): (chuckling) Alright, let's hear it. What're you hoping to get them?

Y/N: (thinking carefully, holding up his claws to count) Okay, so, first off, I'd love it if Verosika got , like... the most fluffy, cozy blanket ever. She loves snuggling with me, and I want her to feel warm when I can't be there.

Santa (Rick): (nodding) Alright, cozy blanket for Verosika. Got it. And you said something about flea medicine for Loona. What else?

Y/N: (smiling softly) For Octavia... I think she'd love this rare vintage vinyl of her favorite band. She's into all that music stuff, and I know she'd freak out if she got it.

Bartender: (whistling) A guy with taste! Better keep an eye on this one, Santa.

Y/N: (blushing, a little more nervous) And, um... for the last ones... Barbie Wire and Bee. I think they'd like a day just for themselves, something that makes them both feel special. Maybe... a day at a really fancy spa? Like, the kind where they do all the pampering.

Santa (Rick): (nodding thoughtfully) A cozy blanket, a rare vinyl, and a spa day. You're really putting thought into this, aren't ya?

Y/N: (sheepishly) I just... they deserve the best. They mean everything to me, and I want them to know it.

Reggie: (chuckling, elbowing the bartender) Look at this guy! He's got a heart, too! Now that's Christmas spirit if I ever saw it.

Bartender: (nodding) Can't argue with that. Some lucky gals, sounds like.

Santa (Rick): (grinning) Alright, pal. I think we can make a little Christmas magic happen. They've been good this year, right?

Y/N: Uh... depends on who you ask.