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sp0o0kylights · 1 year

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Part Two

15 days before Christmas Steve Harrington flinches when the Christmas lights strung along the arcade flicker.

Eddie only notices because he makes a habit out of keeping an eye on questionable people when he's out and about.

Watches Harrington recover with a little shake of his head and a roll of his shoulders, as Gareth finishes up his shift, swapping cashier positions with Jeff.

Dustin and Lucas stick around long enough to greet Jeff as Eddie stares, before scuttling off to Harrington's car, pushing and shoving each other the whole way.

Eddie frowns, but decides to put the whole thing out of his head.

He doesn't need his little lamb's adoration of evil high school figures to poison his day.

xXx

12 days before Christmas and Eddie is starting to realize Harrington is everywhere.

There's a little holiday display the town center has put on. A temporary ice rink surrounded by dazzling lights, hot chocolate stands, and plenty of things to see.

Wayne and Eddie, with their traditional day of Christmas shopping complete, stroll within it, a cup of hot chocolate in hand. They never buy much--can’t, but it’s still something fun for Eddie to do with his Uncle and so and he bounces about with glee as they people watch.

A familiar shriek hits the air, and Eddie turns in time to see Mike and Dustin collide on the ice, while Lucas and his sister skate literal circles around them, laughing.

Unable to pass up on the opportunity to tease, Eddie flies to the edge of the rink, waving his hand and demanding one of the kids do a flip.

"A flip!? Eddie, I can't even skate a circle!" Henderson shouts, at the same time as Wheeler adds;

“Let’s see you try and skate with these idiots!”

“Sorry Wheeler, I think getting on the ice with you might be hazardous to my health.”

“Shut up!”

Delightful banter officially traded, Eddie turns to find his Uncle in a conversation with Steve Harrington.

Grin immediately faltering into a frown, he approaches cautiously right in time to see Wayne clap Harrington on the shoulder.

“It gets better.” Wayne says gruffly, in that tone he uses when he’s trying to give deeply emotional advice without the emotional part.

The younger boy gave a hard nod, muttering something that might have been “Thanks.”

Eddie jerked to a stop several steps away, but close enough for Wayne to see him, to know he was done and it was time to go.

Thankfully his Uncle picked up the signal, and made his way over, so the two of them could finish out their lap around the town center.

"He’s one of your classmates, right?" Wayne asked, as they turned away from the rink, Harrington back to watching the kids laugh and play around the ring.

"Not anymore." Eddie scoffs. "That's Steve Harrington."

Wayne hums noncommittally.

"As in, the rich Harrington's.” Eddie prods, because come on everyone knew who the Harrington’s were, just as everyone delighted in rightfully shitting on them. They weren’t good people. “As in, the assholes from Loc Nora?"

Another hum.

Then; "People are more than their last name, Eds. You should know that."

Eddie jerks back, stung at the admonishment.

Wayne’s not mad, never is, but Eddie recognizes his Uncle’s disappointed tone loud and clear.

"One of the gifts you got from me was seein’ through people's bullshit.." Wayne continues, before sucking in a draw on his cigarette. "I'm surprised you didn't see through his."

‘I don’t want to see through his!’ Is what Eddie wants to say, but keeps it to himself.

Changed the subject instead, shoulders hiked to his ears, because Harrington having some kind of claim on his new players was one thing, but his Uncle!?

He didn’t care about whatever crap the guy was going through. King Steve has been an ass for as long as Eddie had known him, the kind of bully whose downfall you cheered for.

Sure it was petty, but guys like Harrington reveled in pettiness.

So who cared if Eddie didn’t want to look closer at him now? Harrington wasn’t a lost lamb.

He was at best, an injured wolf, and no amount of sad looks was going to make him any safer to be around.

xxx

9 days till Christmas and Wheeler is having a tantrum that's delaying Hellfire's holiday oneshot.

"I don't get why he hates Christmas so much. He didn't even know Will when he disappeared!" Mike snips with his arms crossed.

Dustin is across from him, a furious scowl on his face, as Lucas stands between, a physical barrier between the two.

"As usual, you're talking out of your ass, Mike." Henderson spits, furious. "He was in Will's house with Jonathan and Nancy. That's reason enough!"

As if that makes any kind of sense, but then this isn’t the first argument that went into weird territory like this. Eddie’s always prided himself on pulling stories out of people, earning secrets and truths with a well trained ear and a smarter mouth.

The freshman though, were proving to be a hell of a challenge.

Mike throws his hands in the air. "I'm just saying, we all have way more reasons to hate Christmas, but none of us are acting like the grinch!"

“I know you can only have two good thoughts a day without breaking your brain, but you're being so stupid." Dustin thunders. "Did you ever think Steve might have other reasons to hate Christmas!?”

Eddie almost groans aloud, because of course, of fucking course, this is about Harrington.

The guy was a goddamn ghost at this point, hellbent on haunting Eddie’s entire life.

Didn’t even have the courtesy to die first!

"Guys." Lucas stressed, hands now firmly pressed against Mike and Dustin’s chest. “Come on, we’re wasting time. We can talk about this later.”

“Oh don’t worry about that Sinclair,” Eddie purred, making the three of them jump, as though they had forgotten they had a full ass audience in the form of the rest of the club. “I’m just docking their HP points for every minute they hold up the game.”

“Shit!” Dustin and Milke yelled as one, scrambling to get to their chairs.

Gareth and Jeff snicker, Grant making it known he was over their antics with a look that could have burnt gold.

Eddie clapped his hands once, hard enough for it to echo throughout the room. “If everyone is done bickering,” He announced, slipping into his DM voice, “we can begin our tale…”

He launches into the story he’d planned, and enjoys pulling everyone into it, all thoughts of Steve Harrington left behind.

xXx

5 Days before Christmas and Eddie is panic shopping.

He’s not the one panicking, nor the one shopping, but he has a car and friends who know where he lives, so he’s woken up at an ungodly hour of the morning (10 am) by Gareth, Grant, and Henderson of all people.

“Gareth’s sister took the car again.” Grant explains with dramatic, rolling eyes at Eddie’s exasperated face.

“I’m sorry you planned going shopping five days before Christmas?”

“Well--no-” Grant continues at the same time Dustin and Gareth yell protests.

They talk over each other for a moment, loud enough to make Eddie crave coffee and the comfort of his bed.

He runs one hand through his frizzy, bedhead hair before yanking it out and waving it around to catch his friend's attention. “Alright, I get it! You all decided to do white elephant gift thing last minute, and are now scrambling."

"Speaking of which, you're invited." Henderson tells him with a cheeky grin. "We're doing it on Christmas Eve."

Of course they were.

"Please man? It'll be fun." Gareth pleads, as Grant shoots him his patented puppy dog eyes.

Eddie sighs.

"I'll do it, but!" He sticks a finger in the air as grins broke out, "I'm demanding food and coffee and payment!"

With that he retreated from the door, stomping back to his room.

"Good coffee, too!" He hollers as he throws on clothes, happy chatter breaking out among his friends.

Several arguments and one run to the best to-go coffee shop in town, and Eddie was following his buddies around as they wandered through downtown Hawkins.

Since the mall had burned, shopping options had been rather limited, shops slow to reopen.

It made it difficult to buy things last minute, but Eddie found it was actually kind of fun as Henderson explained the rules they'd all agreed on (hopefully, Gareth added, because the rules had been passed along in pieces.)

"The goal is to get outrageous, funny stuff." Dustin explains as they browsed the local bookstore. "Nothing more than fifteen dollars, and nothing Christmas-y."

Eddie raises an eyebrow. "Nothing Christmas-y?" He echoes curiously.

Dustin nods, serious.

"Yeah. Christmas can be kinda a downer for some people. We came up with this as a way to celebrate without all the holiday stuff involved."

"Some people like Harrington?" Eddie guesses, sinking feeling in his stomach.

There's no way Grant and Gareth would've agreed to do a gift exchange with Steve Harrington.

Right?

Dustin sighs dramatically, whole body heaving.

"I know you've got a weird hate-on for him, but this time of year is really hard on Steve." He snaps, exasperated. "It's not my place to talk about it outside the Party, but he doesn't deserve to deal with it on his own."

There's that word again, Party.

Capital P implied, just as it implies that it's a group that Eddie is firmly excluded from.

It stings as it lands, an unintentional insult that reminds Eddie that his newest little lambs have secrets they refuse to share.

Nevermind the fact that Steve is clearly included.

Eddie collects secrets like candy, but his poking and prodding had yet to get him a solid answer on the mysterious "party."

Rather than press, Eddie raises his hands in surrender.

"Easy there, tiger. No offense meant."

Full offense meant actually, but Eddie wasn't in the mood for a full blown Henderson Rant.

Dustin narrows his eyes, but takes his words at face value. "You know, you guys would really like each other if you both just got over yourselves."

Eddie snorts, but covers it by playfully shoving Henderson's cap down into his face.

"When hell freezes over maybe. Now look, they have a new science fiction display!" The last part is sing-songed.

Thoroughly distracted, Dustin lets the conversation drop, much to Eddie's relief.

(Because really him? Liking Harrington?

Not in a million freaking years.)

xxx

It's Christmas Eve and Eddie is staring furiously at Steve Harrington's house.

"No one told me he was involved." He hisses angrily, knuckles white on his steering wheel.

"Oh my god, stop being dramatic." Dustin rolls his eyes as he talks, unbuckling himself. “I told you Steve hates Christmas, so this is how we’re including him!”

Jeff is looking equally uncomfortable, even as Lucas and Mike fall out of the van.

Gareth's car is behind him, Grant with him.

No doubt they too, are staring at the massive house in front of them in horror.

Slowly the elder Hellfire members file out, standing in a clump as the younger members rush forward.

They storm the door like they live in the damn place, fluttering about like moths.

"What the hell." Jeff mutters quietly to Eddie's left.

"Yeah guys, what the hell." Eddie repeats, shooting a glare toward Gareth and Grant. "No one mentioned this part!"

"We didn't know." Gareth defends angrily. "This was all the freshman!"

"Are you idiots coming inside or not!?" Robin Buckley of all people yells, appearing in the now open front door.

Or rather, one of the front doors, because Harrington is rich enough to have two.

"Shit." Eddie mutters.

"It's not weird if we just--leave, right?" Grant mumbles, shuffling from foot to foot.

"It's very weird if we leave." Jeff responds flatly.

A flare of anger ignites in Eddie. It comes from Steve Harrington invading this entire holiday, and Eddie finally has a chance to catch him off guard.

He'd be damned if he let it pass by.

"Brave faces men." He says, tossing his hair back with a jerk of his hand. "We're storming the castle."

Struts forward determinedly, present in hand, fully planning on making Harrington as uncomfortable as he had made Eddie.

Unintentional, or not.

xXx

It's the day before Crapmas, the one holiday Steve hates, and he's somehow been sweet talked into hosting the kids white elephant exchange.

Which was fine--they were welcome in his home anytime and they knew it--but they'd conveniently forgotten to mention this was a Hellfire Club event.

As in, Eddie "the freak" Munson and his crew of three other dudes whose names Steve doesn't know (but who probably knew his.)

"I dunno man, I wasn't the best person to a lot of people." He worried at Dustin this morning, when the brat had sprung it on him. "This probably isn't the best idea."

"Please Steve!? It's too late to change the venue and you promised you'd do a holiday thing with each of us!" Dustin whined on the other end.

At least he had the forethought to not actually use the word "Christmas."

"You did everyone else's, you can't skip out on mine!"

Everyone else's was simple shit like taking them ice skating, or shopping, or making gingerbread houses.

Not hosting a whole ass party with four people who likely hated his guts--and for good reason.

Which Steve repeated to Dustin, staring vacantly at his carefully decorated house.

Once again, his parents had called in designers to come keep appearances, sending along their usual message that they may or may not be home depending upon various work factors.

"We just never know anymore with your father's job honey." His mother slurred on the phone, four years ago. "We'll make it up to you, sweetheart. Promise."

Like more money on his credit card could fix years of ruined holidays.

(At least them being gone was better than forcing Steve to perform in their horrible holiday parties. Dressing him up like a doll, gathering drunk adults around the piano to make him play horrid Christmas songs.

Showing him off like a well trained dog, complete with finger snaps to signal him to move on to his next trick. )

“Steeeeeeve-!”

As always, Steve crumbled under Dustin's badgering.

"Fine, fine!" He’d said. “You're responsible for letting them know me and Robin are gonna be there though!”

Robin, who’d been laying on his couch, poked her head up at her name.

“They’ll know!” Dustin had promised.

Then abruptly hung up, like the brat he was.

Now four half-terrified, half-murderous looking dudes were staring Steve down as they awkwardly stood in his living room, and he had the wondrous realization that Dustin had probably sprung this on them too.

‘Little. Asshole.’ Steve thinks, but plasters the best non threatening smile on his face.

“Hey, uh, guys.” He says with an awkward little wave.

He gets three sets of glares and one impressive looking spooked face back.

Mike and Lucas were already tackling the snacks he’d put out, cheeks full of chocolates and popcorn. Dustin was re-arranging furniture to his liking, and Robin, in-between her four classmates and Steve, glanced at both sides and rolled her eyes.

“Steve, go pull the pizza out of the oven. You lot, come sit down, you look like you’re about to bolt.” Robin snaps, making everyone sans the kids jump.

Happy for the distraction, Steve quickly retreats to his kitchen, overhearing Robin try and get the elder Hellfire members to identify themselves.

Chatter fills the room, slow at first, but it becomes more fluid with Robin’s ruthless prodding. The pizza ends up needing another five minutes, which suits Steve since he hadn’t had time to pull out drinks.

He’s bent at the waist, pulling out various cans when Dustin loudly announces his presence by barging into the fridge and smacking Steve’s ass with it.

With a yelp, cans fly everywhere as Steve drops them, bouncing off the floor and rolling across the kitchen.

“Henderson!” He gripes, standing up as the kid grins at him. He has all his teeth now but the smile will probably always feel cute to Steve. By-product of knowing the little shit for far too long.

“Sorry Steve.” He says dismissively, before stepping aside with a dramatic flair. “Now stop being a total housewife for a second and meet Eddie!”

The sound of cans still rolling ringing in his ears, Steve finds himself staring into Munson’s eyes.

Who looks all too delighted to have seen Steve fumble.

“Thought you were a jock, Harrington. What happened to those reflexes?” He smirks, and Steve feels his face flush red.

“Yeah well,” Steve says, hand reflexively rubbing the back of his neck, “Turns out hanging around kids kinda ruins them.”

This is clearly not the response Eddie was expecting.

Nor is he expecting Dustin to loudly announce that; “Steve once played a D&D campaign with us, but he totally ate it as a cleric. You should give him some tips, Eddie!”

Now it’s Steve’s turn to smirk, because Munson looks completely thrown.

“Is…that a joke?” Eddie asks carefully, looking between the two of them.

Dustin shakes his head. “Nope! You can ask Lucas’s sister, she was there.”

He then glances down at his watch, and gives the biggest fake gasp Steve has ever heard (and Steve once sat through Will and Mike acting in a play for their English class, while Nancy and Jonathan silently suffered second-hand embarrassment next to him.)

“Oh shit, I forgot something! Be right back!”

“Language!” Steve calls, as Dustin shoots out of the kitchen. “And be careful not to trip on the cans!”

Munson, who looks like he’s taken a wrong turn and ended up in the Twilight Zone, stares at him. “Did you seriously play a cleric?”

“Weave Healington was a brave man who sacrificed himself in a time of need.” Steve tells him seriously, just to see the guy’s reaction. “May he rest in peace.”

“Weave Healington.” Eddie deadpans.

Steve, keeping his face blank by the skin of his teeth, nods.

“Please tell me that wasn’t the pizza you just dropped.” Robin says as she flies into the kitchen, interrupting Eddie’s face rapidly cycling through different emotions with a badly wrapped present in her hands.

“Stevie boy dropped the pop, Buckley Bird.” Eddie says, recovering quickly. “I would not recommend drinking out of anything currently laying on the floor.”

“Noted.” Robin says, pausing to stare at the cans scattered about. “Hey Steve, did you wrap your weird eyeball thingie? Or do you want me to do it? I dunno how long the kids are gonna wait.”

Like a dog hearing a whistle, Munson’s whole head tips sideways. “Weird eyeball thingie?”

“Oh my god, it’s this--I don’t even know how to describe it. Like an alternative ouija board? It says it’s a “fortune telling game.” Robin makes the quotation marks with her hands. “It has this giant, ugly eyeball in the middle.”

She leans forward conspiratorially to add; “It glows in the dark.”

“Oh my god, Steve, your gift is Ka-Bala!?” Dustin says, bouncing up like a damn jack-in-the-box. “I’ve always wanted that game!”

“Robin!” Steve hisses, because of course she’d announce that right as Dustin would pop back up.

“Oh shit.” Robin says, shooting him an apologetic glance. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin your gift.”

Steve sighs dramatically, but keeps a small grin on his face so Robin knows he’s not really upset. “Guess I’ll have to go find a new one--which means your punishment is that you and Dustin are now in charge of the pizza. And also picking up all the cans.”

“Curses.” Robin says flatly, before breaking out into a grin herself, while Dustin whines.

“It’s probably for the best.” Eddie says, though the guy sounds weirdly like someone desperately off balance and scrambling to fix it. “You know you weren’t supposed to pick cool gifts, right Harrington?”

Steve raises his eyebrows at him. “Cool? It’s kinda weird. It’s disgustingly neon green. And Robin forgot to mention it’s a board game.”

He pushes Dustin’s hat down as he walks by, and laughs aloud when Eddie follows up by knocking it right off Henderson’s head.

“Hey!” Dustin squeaks, hands darting to cover his hat hair.

He’s ignored.

“Neon green, giant eyeball, fortune telling board game?” Eddie sums up. “Yeah might have to murder Buckley because that sounds rad as hell.”

Steve snorts as he walks down the hall and up the stairs, somehow unsurprised to find the metalhead is following.

“You want it, Munson?” He asks as they hit his second floor, Steve aiming for his fathers office. “You’re welcome to it, I never even opened the thing.”

“What do you want for it?” Eddie asks, following Steve right through the door, before stopping dead.

A typical reaction to someone walking into his fathers stuffy, stupidly expensive office. Like the rest of Steve’s house, it looks as though it was transported straight out of a magazine. Everything is shiny and worse--unused.

“Nothing, man.” Steve said, standing in front of said desk now with his arms crossed. “I mean it, it’s still got the plastic on it. You’re gonna have to sneak it by Dustin though.” He turned to smile at Eddie, feeling like they were sharing a joke, “He might physically fight you for it.”

For some reason this made a hell of a blush streak across Munson’s cheeks, before the guy coughed and swung into the office behind Steve.

“He can try.” Eddie managed finally, voice a shade higher than normal.

As he always did to social things he didn’t understand, Steve just ignored the change.

“Why’d you never play it?” Eddie asks, as Steve scans the shelves of stupidly expensive knick-knacks.

“Someone trying to impress my parents got it for me one Christmas.” He says with a shrug. “They wouldn’t let me open it then, and I forgot all about it until I was digging for something else.”

“They don’t care about it now I take it?”

Steve can’t help the snort that leaves his throat. “They’d have to be around to care.” Then to get the conversation back on track, says; “Okay, I’m thinking the shitty World’s Best Boss trophy.”

He points to the gaudy thing, all shiny from the ass kissing the person who’d purchased it had done in hopes Steve’s dad would give him a raise. Or not fire him, Steve never knew which it was.

"I take it your dad’s not gonna be here to care that it’s gone?” Eddie asks, walking up to stand next to Steve.

Another grin appears on Steve’s face, shared conspiratorially with Eddie when he looks over to the metalhead. “That’s my gift to myself man. I’m gonna see how long it takes before he notices it’s gone.”

Eddie whistled, quiet enough to not hurt Steve’s ears. “Fuck the old man, huh?”

“Absolutely.” Steve agreed, stepping forward to fish the trophy down.

“Gotta say man, you’re surprising me. I didn’t expect such a thing from you. Especially since Henderson told me you hate Christmas.”

Steve shrugged as he turned back around, new white elephant gift in hand. “Yeah it’s a thing I’m trying.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Not hating Christmas?”

“Not being a dick. Which,” He shook the trophy, “--means sticking it to the biggest dick in my life. I think I’ll always hate Christmas.”

Eddie snorted a laugh, then looked startled, like he hadn’t expected that reaction out of himself.

Steve grinned at it.

“You uh--you know if you ever want to talk about the hating Christmas thing, I think I get it. Or can relate. Sorta.” Eddie says, and it’s so stilted that it takes Steve a moment to figure out what he’s offering.

He almost asks him if he’s kidding, but thinks better of it.

“I think I’m less cut up about it then the kids are but, for what it’s worth--thanks.”

Doesn’t think he’ll ever take anyone up on that offer, epically not someone who doesn’t know that an entire hell dimension exists under them but--

It’s nice. To have someone recognize that Steve hates it. That there are reasons he might.

He recalls suddenly that the man at the ice rink who’d also seen through his melancholy was in fact, Eddie’s Uncle, and briefly wonders if this just runs through the family.

“Come on, I gotta wrap this and then get back downstairs before Robin and Dustin burn the house down.” He says instead, because he doesn’t want to get in his own head about it. Not tonight, when he knows the kids have gone out of their way in an effort to celebrate the holiday without making him feel like he was celebrating it. “Or worse, they start the white-elephant without us.”

“After you, my liege.” Eddie says with a dramatic bow.

Steve pauses awkwardly for a moment, before giving the world's most careful curtsey back.

(Laughs loudly as Eddie almost falls on his face in surprise, before the older man scrambles to chase after Steve, out of the office.)

xXx

It’s 12:00 pm, making it officially Christmas day, and Eddie Munson is rapidly re-evaluating his entire life.

Well perhaps not all of it, just the parts with Steve Harrington.

They’re playing the best white-elephant game Eddie has ever participated in, a cutthroat competition that’s filled the house with shrieks and laughter.

Henderson’s gift, cat-paw shaped mittens with “You’ve gotta be kitten me” scrawled on the back is the current winning prize, with Mike’s salt and pepper shakers made in the shape of two pigs “porking” being a close second.

The worst gift is a tie between the eye searing scarf Gareth’s mother had created (complete with bedazzled gems) and an abomination of a stuffed animal Grant insists is an ET doll.

It looked like a deformed llama sat on its ass, and Lucas already scared Mike with it twice.

Eddie’s own gift, ( a mug with Tom Selleck posing shirtless) was jokingly fought over by Robin and Steve to the bitter end, while Gareth was defending the blue circular cookie tin (the kind that mothers shoved needles and sewing threads into, but shockingly enough actually held real cookies) with his life.

Literally at one point, as he laid over it while Jeff tackled him.

Eddie himself had gone for the gold, wanting the trophy Steve had procured. He too, was defending it aggressively against Dustin, who was currently stuck with Lucas’s gift (one of his sister’s pet rock creations she’d apparently tried to sell to her classmates.

It was hideous.)

Now stretched out on his bed, legs in the air as he stares at the Ka-Bala game Steve had snuck into his arms with a wink, Eddie finds he’s the guy’s managed to go from haunting his whole life, to trying to haunt his heart.

Made him want to do the thing he’d angrily been against this entire time--take a look at the guy closer.

See past his bullshit, at the person hiding underneath.

Find out what Steve was talking to his Uncle about, and why his house looked like a Christmas themed tomb.

Why his parents were gone. What the hell made him he pick a cleric in D&D. How he met the kids and why Dustin thought the sun shines out of his ass.

But most of all?

Why the hell had Steve Harrington put a note on the back of the Ka-Bala game?

‘Hope you like the game..’ It read, with the dorkiest little smiley face. ‘I wouldn’t mind hanging out again.’

Below it was a number, and Eddie felt himself go red in the face.

Steve Harrington was a fucking mystery, but one Eddie himself, had been personally invited to solve.

‘Merry Christmas to me I guess.’ He thought, and tried very, very hard not to kick his legs in the air.

#I invite you all to end your xmas with some steddie fluff #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve x eddie #steve harrington x eddie #stranger things #stranger things fanfic #stranger things 4 #0o0 fanfics #xmas special #fluff #Ka #Ka-Bala is a real game and its the goofiest looking thing ever.#white elephant

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cheesemonky · 4 months

Text

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

ot8 x reader (separate)

genre: pure fluff, literally nothing else

warnings: almost swearing in jisung's, lmk if there's anything else <3

summary: the boys each have different ways of celebrating this time of the year, but all are special and shows how soft christmas really gets them

Chan

Near the start of November, you and Chan had been having a quiet night when he had gotten a call out of the blue. At first you didn’t pay any mind. He always got a lot of calls, whether it was from the members or staff was the question. But it caught your attention when you heard him greet the sudden caller as ‘mum’. You had met his family on multiple occasions and each time you were met with no less than the utmost kindness and inclusivity. They knew Chan loved you, and that you loved him just as much, so they made sure that they felt like family in everything they did. They were nicer than humanly possible! As Chan spoke with his mum on the phone, you couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity creeping in. His conversations with family usually weren't a cause for concern, but this unexpected call sparked a different kind of interest. You carefully observed Chan's expressions as he chatted with his mum. He seemed to be smiling, occasionally laughing, and from what you could gather, it appeared to be a pleasant conversation. Afterwards, you immediately pestered him about it and it turned out they wanted the both of you to come over to Australia for the holidays. The idea of spending Christmas with Chan's family was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. But nevertheless, preparations were made, and tickets were booked.

And here you were. A perfectly Australian, Christmas barbeque with your boyfriend and his family, in the backyard. But it wasn’t just his parents and siblings, no, no, no. Everyone was there. From grandparents to aunts and uncles, from cousins to nieces and nephews, everyone.

“Channie, have you ever even met half these people before?” You whispered, leaning over to reach his ear. “You said it would be just a small get together.”

“This is a small get together. There’s only like, 4 or 5 people I haven’t talked to before tonight.” He said normally, not bothering to whisper back.

You rolled your eyes as you scanned the sea of unfamiliar faces, each one seemingly more enthusiastic and cheerful than the last. As the lively chatter and laughter filled the air, you took a deep breath, attempting to steel yourself for the social extravaganza that lay ahead. The aroma of the barbecue and the sound of distant laughter from children playing created a festive backdrop to the gathering, but your focus remained on the daunting task of navigating through this sea of extended family. Chan, oblivious to your internal struggle, continued to mingle effortlessly. He greeted each relative with familiarity, sharing stories and laughter that echoed through the backyard. You admired his ability to navigate the intricate web of familial connections, wondering how you could ever fit in. But when you went to refill your drink, thankfully, a more familiar face showed up.

“Oh, hey Hannah. You having fun?”

“Hmm, yeah. You?”

“Kinda. Would be better if I knew at least some of these people.”

“Oh, damn. It’s okay, you’ll get to know them better in the future. Congratulations by the way.”

Congratulations? What was she congratulating you for? You hadn’t had a promotion at work recently, and there was nothing big happening right now. Heck, you hadn’t even done anything interesting for the longest time.

“Wha- huh? What did I do?” You questioned, turning to face her, but alas, she had already run off into the crowd. But looking closer, you realised a lot of the partygoers had their eyes on you, even if they weren’t straight up staring. Glances here and there, or watching you out of the side of their eye. What in the world is happening?

“Everyone, hello! I’d like to make a small speech!” The backyard quieted down at the sound of Chan’s voice resonating through the area. You wiggled your way through the crowd and up to the front, where he stood.

“I know I haven’t been here for a long while, and I’ve missed you all. Most of you know that I brought my lovely partner here with me so they could see why I hold you all close to my heart.” A smile graced your face at his words. Even if you were a bit scared to mingle with them, you had seen how caring and embracing they had been.

“Y/N, could you please come up here?”

You looked at him curiously but walked over to take your place next to him. You noticed a twinkle in his eye that you hadn’t seen for a while, especially when he spent his days working. You’d missed it.

“Now, we’ve been together for a good while and I wanted to give you a little gift to help you remember your visit here. Forever.” He said more to himself than anyone else. You could hear the whispers and giggles of the crowd but before you could say anything, a pair of hands were wrapping a blindfold around your head.

“Sorry about this, he wanted it to be real special.” You recognised the whisper as Lucas’ voice and now your confusion knew no limits.

“And… take it off.” You couldn’t see it, but you knew Chan was smiling when he said it. The cloth came off and your eyes instantly shot downwards to where Chan was kneeling. Wait, kneeling? It was only then did you notice the small box in his hand. You covered your mouth with your hands, the tears already forming in your eyes.

“Come on, don’t cry. I haven’t even asked yet!” He laughed. Everyone had been in on this, hadn’t they? This is what Hannah meant, this is why people were looking. Everything made so much more sense.

“Chris, do not play around right now…” You had forgotten about everyone else, only remembering after hearing a few chuckles amidst them.

“Okay, okay… Y/N L/N, the love of my life, my dearest one ever, my soulmate-”

“Christopher.”

“Hahah, fine..!”

A beat of silence as he opened the box, revealing a simple yet perfect ring.

“Will you marry me..?”

“Yes.”

Minho

“Aww, who’s a good kitty?”

The voice had confused him. That didn’t sound like any of the employees that worked here. An intern, maybe? Another volunteer? But they hadn’t gotten anyone new in ages. Who could it be? He glanced around quickly but there was no one in his area of the shelter. Still suspicious, he squatted down again and turned his attention back to the cats in front of him.

“Sorry about that. I guess I’m going crazy.” He murmured, mostly to the cats but perhaps to himself as well. That’s the only explanation to what was happening anyways, there's no way someone else is here with him.

Away from all the staff.

In a secluded area of the shelter.

…

He got up with a sigh and began to walk towards the door, keeping an eye out for any intruders. He closed the door, but not before looking both ways. As he walked back to the playpen, there was another sound, but not a voice. He recognised the sound; a cat’s carrier had been opened. One of the newly rescued ones. In a heartbeat, he had picked up a wooden brush and held it close to his chest. He stepped carefully and silently, moving closer to the source of the noise. But he hadn't realised how close to a cabinet he was getting. He fell back onto it, causing the contents to shuffle and the noises from before to cease. He kept as still as a dead man, which is what he could become any second now. Nonetheless, he continued forward again, because he was not about to let someone hurt or take one of these cats. He heard soft footsteps and leaned back against the wall, shutting his eyes tightly and praying to anyone that he might survive tonight. At least, if he did die, it'd be in a place he loved with those he loved.

"Uhm... are you alright?" He opened his eyes to see another, very not-dangerous looking person standing in front of him. You looked up at him with a curiosity that, in turn, made him curious.

"You're not-... o-oh, yeah. I'm fine." He mumbled, relaxing his shoulders and loosening his grip on the brush. "I haven't seen you here before. Who are you?"

"You got your confidence back quickly, eh? Well, I'm here to volunteer. You too?"

"Mhm. Is this your first time?"

"First time at this shelter, yeah. I moved here recently but I used to volunteer there as well." Minho smiled at your words. A fellow cat lover, eh? And a gorgeous one at that.

“I’m Minho. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. I’m Y/N.”

Minho couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and embarrassment as he realised that the mysterious voice and presence he sensed earlier were just those of a fellow volunteer. He chuckled nervously, feeling a bit silly for getting so worked up over a potential intruder.

"Sorry for the overreaction back there. I thought someone was sneaking around, and I got a bit paranoid," Minho explained, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish smile. You laughed, a warm and friendly sound that immediately put Minho at ease.

"No worries! I guess I startled you. I was just checking on the new arrivals. They can be a bit shy, you know?" Minho nodded, feeling grateful for the company.

"Yeah, they're still adjusting. Some of them had a rough time before coming here. It's good to have someone else who cares about them."

For a moment, the two of you just stared at each other in silence, both subconsciously observing the other. Then, before either of you could speak again, an actual staff member popped out from behind the door.

“Minho can you- oh, you guys have already met! Y/N here is a new volunteer. Well, thanks for the help tonight! You guys can head home early, it’s Christmas Eve after all.” Minho cringed internally at the reminder. Christmas this year was gonna be a pain. He turned to get his stuff as the staff member left, and then waited for you by the door.

"Are you busy?" He asked, looking you straight in the eye. It was a little nerve-wracking, having someone so openly stare at your face.

"Nope. Wanna grab a bite? It's already 8:30, and I sure am hungry."

"Is this a date?" Your face flushes and you look away at the floor. It sounded that way, hadn't it? To be fair, he was a handsome man and he seemed to have the same passions as you. You let out a small chuckle in response.

"Ah, n-no..! Just... do you want to get something to eat?"

"... why not. Let's go, I'll pay."

And after a comfortably silent walk, the two of you had sat down outside a small cafe, eating and talking.

"You didn't have to pay for me. I have my own money."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm expecting you to pay me back." He chuckled, raising an eyebrow. You sighed playfully and continued to eat and savour the moment. It’s not like you were doing anything important tomorrow.

"Got any Christmas plans?"

"Asking me on another date, while we're on a date?"

"Man, just answer the question." he smiled at your reply, but it faded as he thought about it more. This time round, Christmas wasn’t as… Christmassy as he had hoped it would be.

"No. All my friends and family are on holidays elsewhere. It's just me and my cats."

"Same. Wait- cats? You have your own cats?"

"Mhm. Soonie, Doongie and Dori."

"3?! Wow, I just have to meet them one day..."

"Come over tomorrow then." He said simply, not looking up from his food. You didn't respond at first. You couldn't. He's really inviting you over? You've only known each other for a night! He could just be doing this to let you see the cats… but still!

"Haha, are you asking me on a date now?" you teased, not expecting what came next.

"Yeah, I am. Can I get your number?"

Now you really didn't know what to say. He’s so calm and collected, no sign of hesitation at all. Yeah, he was handsome, and sure he was good with animals, but who knows what you were getting yourself into? Getting your heart broke was not one of your New Year's resolutions. But you'd rather spend Christmas with someone. You were just going to trust your gut feeling with this one.

"Sure. Wanna have dinner at yours tomorrow?"

"Sounds good to me. Also- Thank you... so much."

“It’s my pleasure… now, back to Soongie, Doongie and Dori, was it?”

Changbin

The winter sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the snowy landscape. Excitement filled the air as you set out to create the perfect snowman, armed with scarves, hats, and a carrot for its nose. You had told Changbin that you wanted to make a perfect snowman before Christmas, and were waiting for a miracle. The weather forecast had said that there would be a small chance of snowfall this Christmas, and you were more than excited to say the least. But alas, the snow never came. You’d have to wait until January, after all the festivities were done and the holiday spirit was fading. Your hopes for a perfect white Christmas and perfect snowman were crushed. But Changbin couldn’t bear to see you disappointed, even in the slightest, so he spent his days secretly searching for the best time of day to build one, what size the body and head should be, even figuring out how to compress the snow to get them to stay in shape. So here you both were. Christmas might have passed, but he was determined to make you happy.

“This looks like a nice place to start.” Changbin pointed to a spot in the clearing, his breath visible in the crisp winter air. Despite the delayed timing, excitement bubbled within you as you and Changbin began rolling the first ball of snow for the snowman's base. Changbin, ever the meticulous planner, explained the intricacies of snowman construction with a twinkle in his eye. You listened with amusement as he detailed the ideal size for each section, the right consistency for the snow, and the importance of compacting it just right.

“How do you know all this, Binnie?” You asked, a playfully sceptical grin forming on your lips.

“Ah, you know… uhm, I’ve seen things here and there…” He lied sheepishly, dismissing your question as quickly as possible. “Let’s get started, or we’ll be here until midnight.”

As you rolled the second and third sections, Changbin sneaked glances at you, trying to gauge your reaction. He knew you had your heart set on a snowman, and he was determined to make it happen. With each roll of snow, the two of you exchanged laughter and banter. The clearing echoed with the joy of creating something magical out of the winter landscape. As the snowman's form took shape, Changbin's enthusiasm became infectious, and soon you found yourself fully immersed in the whimsy of the moment. But as you went to top the snowman off with the head, you felt a sudden hit of snow on your back. Turning to see what it was, you saw your boyfriend standing behind you, staring out into nothing and glancing at you occasionally.

“Bin… was that you?” You questioned. Changbin feigned innocence, trying to suppress a mischievous grin.

"Me? No, it must have been a giant snowflake that fell off a branch or something." You raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

"Uh-huh, a giant snowflake with impeccable aim… Say, if I turn around will another ‘snowflake’ get me?" Changbin's eyes twinkled with mischief as he considered your question.

"Well, you never know. Snowflakes can be quite unpredictable." With a playful smile, you turned around again, fully expecting another surprise attack. And right on cue, a snowball landed on your shoulder. You laughed, spinning back to face Changbin, who was now trying to stifle his laughter.

"I see how it is," you teased, scooping up some snow and forming a retaliatory snowball. Before he could even say anything, the cold impact had already hit him, smack-bang in the face. Changbin's eyes widened in mock surprise as the snowball hit its mark, leaving a dusting of snow on his face. You burst into laughter, revelling in the playful exchange of snow projectiles.

"Oh, you're asking for it now!" Changbin declared, wiping the snow off his face with a grin. He swiftly gathered more snow in his hands. You, sensing the impending snow assault, tried to dodge, but Changbin's aim was surprisingly accurate. Another snowball hit you on the arm, and a delightful mixture of laughter and playful shouts filled the air as the impromptu snowball fight continued. The clearing transformed into a winter battlefield, with the snowman standing witness to the skirmish. Changbin, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, took cover behind the snowman you had just built. You, undeterred by Changbin's strategic move, gathered more snow and prepared for a sneak attack. As you approached the snowman, Changbin peeked out from behind its snowy form, ready to defend his makeshift fortress. With a quick, well-aimed throw, you launched a snowball directly at Changbin, hitting him square on the chest. He let out a mock yelp, stumbling backward but quickly regaining his composure.

The snowball fight continued, escalating in intensity as both of you engaged in a flurry of snow projectiles. The snowman, with its carrot nose and stylish accessories, stood in the midst of the winter chaos like a silent spectator. Eventually, both of you found yourselves lying in the snow, breathless and covered in a light dusting of snow. The evening sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the clearing in a tranquil twilight glow.

Changbin extended a hand towards you, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Truce?" You took his hand, and the two of you stood up, sharing a moment of laughter and camaraderie. The snowman, though slightly misshapen from the collateral snowball hits, stood as a symbol of the unexpected joy found in the simplest of moments.

"Maybe our snowman got caught in the crossfire," you remarked, surveying the snowy aftermath.

Changbin chuckled, brushing off some snow from your shoulder. "Well, it adds character. Our snowman has a story now." You chuckled, studying the snowman. Though it was far from what you envisioned it to look like, you didn’t mind.

“Yeah. Also, thanks for this, Binnie. I love you.”

Hyunjin

The cosy warmth of home enveloped you and Hyunjin as the festive season descended upon your shared space. You and Hyunjin had decided to turn ornament making into a small, Christmas date, spreading the vibrant chaos of ribbons, sequins, and paint across your living room. The air was filled with the scent of pine and the soft melody of holiday tunes that played in the background, creating the perfect ambiance for a day of shared creativity. As the two of you settled on the living room floor, surrounded by an array of colourful ribbons, glittering sequins, and jars filled with every hue imaginable, the possibilities seemed endless. Hyunjin's nimble fingers held the brush tight as it glided over the surface of the ornaments, transforming them into miniature works of art. Meanwhile, you struggled to match his finesse, attempting to channel your inner artist. Each stroke of his brush transformed the plain baubles into miniature works of art, dazzling with intricate details.

On the other hand, you were on a mission to unlock your inner artist, determined to create something that would stand alongside Hyunjin's masterpieces without looking too out of place. The room, filled with the soft sound of the gentle crackling of the fireplace, became a sanctuary for creativity. Your fingers clung over the brushes, and you experimented with different colour combinations, attempting to capture the magic that seemed to flow effortlessly from Hyunjin's hands. Except they just didn’t work out like you had hoped they would. Each stroke on the ornament felt like a battle against your own artistic inhibitions. The colours didn't blend seamlessly, and the patterns you attempted to create looked more like chaotic swirls than intentional designs. As you struggled to make sense of the colours on your palette, a playful frustration built up within you. The ornaments on the table showcased a stark contrast — Hyunjin's intricate designs and your attempts that seemed to be a kaleidoscope gone astray. A teasing smile played on Hyunjin's lips as he glanced over at your creation. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he reached over and gently poked your side, making you jump. You had only then noticed how far his bauble had progressed.

“Ugh, yours looks so good.”

"Not my fault my hands have been blessed and yours haven't," he quipped, his voice dripping with playful arrogance. You rolled your eyes, unable to suppress a chuckle.

"Oh please, Mr. Picasso," you retorted, poking him back. "I'm just getting started. My masterpiece is a work in progress." Hyunjin continued to work on his ornament, a smirk playing on his face. He held up his creation for you to see—a dazzling bauble adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colours. It only needed a few touch ups and it would be perfect.

"Admit it, mine's better," he declared, the teasing tone in his voice undeniable. You sighed in mock defeat, feigning a pout.

"Fine, fine. Your ornament is a masterpiece, a true work of art. Mine is just… this." Hyunjin wanted to continue his cocky act, but when he sensed a bit of genuine sadness in your tone. He saw how you glanced between the two baubles with a glum look in your eyes, though you just continued to smile.

“Jagi, it’s okay if yours doesn’t turn out the way you want it to.” Hyunjin set aside his nearly finished ornament, his playful demeanour giving way to a more comforting one. He could sense your genuine frustration and didn't want the day to be overshadowed by a sense of disappointment. With a gentle touch, he nudged you affectionately.

"Hey, it's not about who creates the 'better' ornament. We're here to enjoy the process together and create memories," he reassured, his voice softening. "Besides, art is subjective, and your creation is unique in its own way." Your eyes met his, and you couldn't help but smile at the sincerity in his gaze. Hyunjin always had a way of making you feel seen and valued. After a few minutes of concentrated effort, you held up your creation, a satisfied glint in your eye.

"What do you think now?" you asked, presenting your bauble, which now boasted a unique charm. Hyunjin smiled widely, reaching over to hold it himself.

“See, it turned out great!” he said, handing it back to you after careful observation. Your eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and gratitude as you took the ornament back into your hands. Hyunjin's words and supportive gesture melted away the lingering doubts, and a genuine sense of accomplishment washed over you. Maybe it wasn't a mirror image of Hyunjin's masterpiece, but it held a charm and personality that was distinctly yours.

"I guess it does have its own unique vibe," you admitted, a genuine smile replacing the mock defeat on your face. The room, now filled with a harmonious blend of creativity and shared laughter, seemed to sparkle with the magic of the season.

“Let’s go hang them on the tree, I don’t want to wait until they dry!” Hyunjin's suggestion sparked a renewed excitement, and you both gathered your creations, ready to add your unique touch to the Christmas tree. The ornaments, still slightly wet with paint, reflected the vibrant colours of your shared experience. As you approached the tree, its branches adorned with twinkling lights and a mix of cherished ornaments from previous years. Hyunjin joined you, and together you carefully hung the ornaments on the tree, finding the perfect spots for each one. As you stepped back to admire your handiwork, the ornaments seemed to tell a story of a day filled with laughter, love, and the shared spirit of the holiday season. Hyunjin's arm found its way around your waist, and you both stood there, basking in the glow of the decorated tree. The room, now transformed into a festive haven, echoed with the soft crackling of the fireplace and the distant sound of carolers spreading cheer in the neighbourhood.

"I think our tree has never looked better," Hyunjin remarked, his eyes sparkling with appreciation. You nodded in agreement, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction in the simple yet meaningful act of decorating together.

“I think you’re right. Merry Christmas, Jinnie.”

Jisung

“Pass me the green one. No, the other green one. No, the other, other green one.”

You sighed, walking over to where he stood on the couch, attempting to decorate the highest part of the tree and passed him the other, other green bauble.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help, Sungie? You look like you’re struggling.” you teased, walking over to get a closer look at your boyfriend and his hard work.

Jisung turned to look at you with a grin, “Well, it’s not my fault I’m vertically challenged. Gimme that shiny red one, would you?”

You joined in the festive activity, passing him more ornaments as he continued to decorate. But as the two of you talked and teased, neither managed to keep track of exactly how much was going onto the tree. After a while, you couldn't help but notice that it was practically overflowing with decorations.

"Y’know, I think that's enough ornaments," you suggested, eyeing the now heavily adorned tree.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Jagi, be real. You can never have too many decorations. It’s Christmas anyways so let me have my fun, you party pooper."

You raised an eyebrow and laughed at his enthusiasm, "If you say so. But let's at least save some space for the star. It's the crowning glory, after all." You continued to hand him ornament after ornament, and he happily added them all to the festive explosion that was happening on the tree.

Jisung, fueled by holiday spirit and a mischievous twinkle in his eye, decided to take things up a notch. "What if we add some tinsel? The more, the merrier, right?" he suggested, reaching for a box of shimmering silver strands.

You watched as he generously draped the tinsel over the branches, creating a dazzling cascade that almost looked like a waterfall of silver. "You really have a talent for turning a simple tree into a masterpiece," you admitted, genuinely impressed by his festive fervour, but also a little concerned with how this tree was ever going to hold all of this up.

“Now… the star. Can I put it on this year?” He asked, an intense sense of holiday spirit emanating from him. You grinned, realising that the tree had already taken on a life of its own with the multitude of decorations. "Sure, go ahead. Just promise me you won't tip the whole thing over in the process."

Jisung laughed, nodding in agreement. He carefully retrieved the shining star topper from the box, his eyes gleaming with excitement. As he reached up to crown the tree, you couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and joy in the air.

“Almost there… oh shi-”

“Jisung-!”

It was as if time slowed down as you saw the sight before you. There was nothing you could do to stop it. You watched in horror as your boyfriend toppled forward, hands covering his chest whilst pushing against the tree. You felt so many emotions in the span of 5 seconds, and could only stand and stare back at the now tinsel covered Jisung on the floor.

“Uhm… oops..!”

You burst into laughter, unable to contain it any longer, with Jisung following suit, still tangled in the tinsel with a sheepish grin on his face. The once majestic Christmas tree now lay on its side, a glorious mess of ornaments, tinsel, and lights scattered around the room.

“Well, that’s one way to make the holidays memorable,” you said between fits of laughter, kneeling down to help him up. He chuckled, brushing off the tinsel from his clothes.

“I guess I got a bit carried away with the decorating. Next time, we should probably use less ornaments.” You both worked together to upright the tree, and despite its slightly lopsided appearance, it still radiated the charm of a tree that had witnessed a unique holiday mishap.

“Maybe we should start a new tradition,” Jisung suggested, looking at the chaotic masterpiece. “The Great Christmas Tree Tumble” You couldn’t help but laugh at the idea.

“Sure, why not? It’s funny seeing you fall like that anyways."

Felix

'Twas the night before Christmas, and the scent of freshly baked cookies filled Felix's cosy kitchen. The warmth of the oven embraced the room, and the holiday spirit danced in the air. He had invited you to come and join him in this festive tradition. As the two friends gathered ingredients and prepared the cookie dough, laughter echoed through the kitchen. Felix wore a festive apron adorned with gingerbread men and candy canes, while you sported an equally cheerful one with reindeers. Together, you created a magical atmosphere, blending the excitement of Christmas with the joy of friendship. You two had been friends for ages and have spent countless Christmases together. The dough was rolled out, and soon the kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of sugar and spice. Felix handed you a cookie cutter shaped like a snowflake, and together you cut out dozens of delicate, wintry shapes.

The anticipation of enjoying these sweet treats added an extra sprinkle of happiness to your holiday celebration. Especially since it had been some time since they’ve had some alone time. While the cookies baked, Felix prepared a variety of colourful frostings in vibrant hues of red, green, and white. The kitchen table transformed into a decorating station, with bowls of sprinkles, chocolate chips, and other delightful toppings waiting to adorn the freshly baked cookies. Once the cookies had cooled, the two of you dove into the artistic process of frosting and decorating. The cookies became miniature canvases, and together you created edible masterpieces. Felix's skilled hands guided your own in creating intricate designs, turning each cookie into a unique work of art. At one point, he had accidentally swiped his frosting cover hand across your face, leaving a trail of red and green along your nose and cheek. You blinked in surprise, and then burst into laughter. Felix, unable to resist the infectious joy, followed suit and ended up getting some on his own face.

As the night unfolded, both of you completed your festive cookie decorating. The kitchen sparkled with the glow of holiday lights, and a plate full of beautifully decorated cookies stood as a testament to your withstanding friendship. The two of you dug into the beautifully crafted cookies, and simply sat down and talked.

“That was so much fun! I don’t know why I don’t join your baking sessions more often.” You said, taking a bite out of another cookie. How many you had eaten, you weren’t sure, but you were definitely sure that they were amazing.

“I can text you next time. We can make brownies or something!” You nodded, savouring the sweetness of both the cookies and the moment. The warmth of the kitchen and the glow of friendship surrounded you, creating a bubble of joy that seemed to transcend time. The holidays had a magical way of bringing people together, and in that cosy kitchen, the magic was palpable.

“So… anything new in your life that you haven’t told me yet?”

“Ah well, my boyfriend broke up with me like, a month ago? But yeah, spending Christmas alone this year, haha…” Felix's expression softened, and he reached out to give your hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I had no idea, I'm so sorry to hear that. But hey, you're not alone tonight. You're here with me, and we've got a kitchen full of cookies to lift our spirits.” You managed a small smile, appreciating the comfort in Felix's words. What you didn’t know is that Felix was planning as you spoke. He didn’t want to admit it but he was somewhat glad that you had gotten rid of that guy.

"Thanks, Felix. It's just a bit weird navigating the holiday season solo."

“It doesn’t have to be solo. You can spend it with me”

You look up at him and there is a glint of something in his eye, something you can’t quite put your finger on.

“You know what I mean, Lix. Spending Christmas with someone is great, but I wanna spend it with that someone.” You explain. You appreciated his effort though. He was always someone you could rely on to make your day better.

“I know. And I’m saying, I can be that someone.” He says plainly. You look for any signs of trickery but he seems so genuine in his words. Looking back down, you fidget with your fingers, trying to figure out what he was playing at.

“If you’re doing this out of pity, there’s no need. I’m fine, I promise Lixie.”

“It’s not out of pity. I’m saying this because I love you. More than just a friend.” Your head shoots back up in an instant. What did he say?

He loves you? He loves you? He loves you?

“I invited you to make cookies because I want to spend time with you. I didn’t accidentally get frosting on your nose. I wanted a reason to hold you close. Even if it was just cleaning it off, I was happy. Because you were happy just doing something with me. And I want to keep doing things with you, because it makes me happy. And I just-” Before he could continue, you cut him off by cupping his cheek and placing a swift kiss to his forehead. He looked at you in shock, but his eyes were shining brighter than ever before.

“Can I…?” You whispered and he nodded eagerly. You leaned in and so did he, and the two of you met in the middle for an electrifying kiss. You held on tightly to his cheek and his hand found its way to your waist, pulling you closer. The two of you pulled away, and smiled widely at each other.

“Well… I- uh, I-I didn’t know you felt that way too and can I just say-” He starts but you stop him with a small kiss to his nose.

“No need for explanations. Are you still willing to spend Christmas with me?”

“Of course! Are you?”

“I think I made that kind of obvious… but yeah. I am.”

Seungmin

Seungmin leaned back into the plush cushions of the couch, feeling the cool night air seeping in through the slightly open window. The soft glow of the moon spilled into the room, casting a gentle ambiance that wrapped around the two figures sitting there. The air was filled with the comforting scent of hot chocolate, steam rising from the mugs cradled in their hands.

His dearest jagi, the love of his life, you, who he hadn't spent quality time with in ages, sat across from him. Seungmin took a sip of his hot chocolate, the warmth spreading through him, chasing away the chill of the night.

The two of you found yourselves wrapped in the cosy embrace of blankets on the couch, the dim light casting a soft glow around the room. The night outside was nice and cold, but within the confines of your shared space, a warmth enveloped you. The air was filled with the rich aroma of hot chocolate, the mugs cradled in your hands adding an extra layer of comfort.

Seungmin leaned back, his eyes reflecting the gentle flicker of the candlelight. The atmosphere was serene, a stark contrast to the bustling world outside your haven. The silence was almost tangible, broken only by the occasional crackling of the fireplace and the subtle sounds of the night.

“How have you been lately?”

“Almost 3 months, and that’s what you’re asking?”

You looked into Seungmin's eyes, the flickering candlelight casting a soft glow on his features matching the aura of the room. Yet a warm smile played on your lips as you considered his question. The quiet intimacy of the moment made it easy to open up.

"I've been okay," you replied, the sincerity evident in your voice. "Life's been busy, as always, but being here with you like this makes everything feel just right. How about you, Min? How's everything on your end?" Seungmin's gaze softened as he listened, and he reached over to gently intertwine his fingers with yours.

"It's been hectic, but right now? Everything feels perfect. I've missed these quiet times with you. It's like a breath of fresh air." He chuckled softly, the sound resonating in the cosy space around you.

"I've missed it too, Minnie. I’ve missed you. These moments really remind me of what’s important." Seungmin's smile widened at your words, and he squeezed your hand affectionately. The warmth of the moment seemed to intensify as you exchanged these heartfelt words. The glow of the moon and the soft light from the candles painted a romantic backdrop to your connection.

"I've missed you too, jagi," Seungmin confessed, his eyes never leaving yours. "These moments make me realise how precious our time together is.”

You nodded in agreement, a shared understanding passing between you. The outside world, with all its chaos and demands, felt like a distant memory in the cocoon of your shared space. As the night deepened, the two of you continued to enjoy the quietude, the only soundtrack being the crackling of the fireplace and the occasional distant hum of the city. After a good while, Seungmin gently stood up, breaking the physical connection but not the emotional one. He walked over to the window, drawing the curtains closed to shut out the rest of the world. Returning to the couch, he opened the drawer of the side table and reached inside for a small box. His usual, enchanting smile playing on his lips, he handed it to you. The anticipation in his eyes hinted at a surprise he had planned for this evening. You opened the box to find a delicate necklace, a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. Its silver surface shimmered in the soft light, reflecting the glow of the candles. It was like nothing you've ever seen.

“For me?” You whispered, fighting back the smile and the tears that began to form.

“For you.” He breathed. Seungmin took the necklace from the box and, with a tender expression, gently fastened it around your neck. The cool metal rested against your skin, a symbol of the quiet moments shared under the moonlight. He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on your forehead and then another on your lips, sealing the moment with a touch of affection.

“Your Christmas present. Since I won’t be here. Sorry about that by the way.” You smiled at the sincerity of his words, the necklace feeling like a tangible promise against your skin.

"It's perfect, Minnie. And don't apologise; I understand. We'll make up for it when you're back."

Jeongin

“Is it too late to back out now?”

“Yep. Do you have the skewers?”

“Yessir. Marshmallows, chocolate and crackers?”

“Yeah, let me open the marshmallow bag first though.”

Leaning against the kitchen counter, you watched as Jeongin fumbled with the scissors, trying to open the jumbo marshmallow packet he had bought. You tried to convince him that there was no need for that many, but he insisted. To be honest, you weren’t even sure this was even going to work.

It all started when the two of you decided to book a holiday house for Christmas. The two of you have gone past many Christmases together, but was the first one that you guys would be spending as a couple and he wanted to make it special. What better way to do that than a private getaway? It was a nice place and it had a fireplace perfect for making s’mores. You were especially excited about that, you hadn’t roasted marshmallows in such a long time, let alone had a s’more. So you spent much time planning and organising everything you were going to do during your time away together. You had even gone as far to decide which restaurants to eat in advance. And all that was left to do was book the place. And that’s what Jeongin did… except it was for the year after, and he ended up being far more disappointed in himself than the lack of a holiday. It was his responsibility after all.

But nevermind that, that’s all in the past. Fast forward a few days from the big little mishap and here you were now. Jeongin had taken notice of how upset you were over not being able to go on holiday, especially about not being able to roast any marshmallows over the fireplace, so being the thoughtful boyfriend he was, he went and bought all the needed items. But neither of you had a fireplace, so being the geniuses that you were, the two of you decided to use his kitchen stove. As Jeongin continued to struggle with the marshmallow bag, you couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

"Need some help there?" you teased, reaching over to take the scissors from him. He pouted playfully. "I got this, just watch." With determination, he managed to open the bag, and you both shared a laugh.

"Alright, let the s'mores-making commence!" you declared, grabbing the skewers and handing one to Jeongin. The kitchen was filled with excitement as you prepared for your makeshift s'mores adventure.

As you both sat around the stove, skewering marshmallows and holding them over the flame, you couldn't help but appreciate the effort Jeongin had put into making this Christmas special. The aroma of melting marshmallows filled the air, creating a cosy atmosphere.

"So, how do we do this again?" Jeongin asked, looking at the array of ingredients on the counter.

"It's simple," you explained, "roast the marshmallow to whichever gooeyness level you want, then sandwich it between a piece of chocolate and graham crackers. Voila! S'mores."

Jeongin grinned, adorable dimples showing and eager to get started. The two of you took turns roasting marshmallows and assembling your s'mores. And honestly? This night was probably better than any other Christmas holiday. All thanks to the man currently roasting marshmallows over his kitchen stovetop.

“I’m done making mine. Let’s taste them, yeah?”

“Same time, okay? 3, 2, 1…”

As you both took a bite simultaneously, an unexpected combination of flavours assaulted your taste buds. The marshmallow, instead of being perfectly gooey, had an odd rubbery texture and tasted of gas, the chocolate was overly bitter, and the graham cracker had an unusual, cardboard-like crunch. You scrunched up your nose in disgust and glanced over to Jeongin who wasn’t having too great of a time either.

“Uhm… Innie? What does yours taste like..?” You asked and Jeongin grimaced, trying to find the right words.

"It's like a weird mix of burnt rubber and bitter disappointment. Definitely not the s'mores experience I was hoping for."

You couldn't help but burst into laughter, and he joined in, realising the hilarity of the situation. The kitchen, once filled with the sweet aroma of anticipation, now held a peculiar blend of burnt marshmallow and failed expectations.

"Well, at least we tried," you said between laughs, wiping away a stray tear. "Maybe we should just go grab some s’mores ice-cream from the convenience store. It’s not that late"

“Yeah, good idea. I’ll pay. Least I could do after messing up twice.”

“It’s okay, jagiya. At least we’re together.”

taglist: @jinnie-ret @kai-lee08 @beesspacedotorg

leisel's note: ty everyone for an amazing 2023 and i hope to see all of you (and maybe more) in 2024!! i've had an amazing time getting to know you all and am so grateful for all your support!! i'll try my best to keep putting out writings for you!!

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