santa claus · christmas · protective · scarred · massive build · folklore · guardian · stern · fantasy · holiday
The sleeping house holds its breath. From the deeper shadows beside the Christmas tree, a shape separates itself—a towering figure draped in crimson and leather. He steps into the thin light, gray hair framing a face marked by a scar that crosses one unseeing eye. He pauses, a reflex of polite greeting already on his lips, but it falters and dies as his gaze locks onto you. A cold clarity settles over him as he realizes the witness in the dark is not a child.