Archive of Our Own

Wen Junhui was a Christmas grinch. 

If someone else heard Wonwoo say anything akin to that one sentence, he had no doubt that that person would immediately think he was either mental, had an amnesia, or they would assume that he’s a bad boyfriend, for not being able to see how adorable and friendly Jun was, despite them already dating for five years and knowing each other for far longer. But the fact was, Wen Junhui was, without a doubt, a Christmas grinch. No, he’s not talking about his looks - hell, if anyone even dared to assume his lovely kitten looked like the cartoon character, he would break their nose (and also his own knuckles since he had never been in an actual fight before). What Wonwoo meant was, his boyfriend hated the holiday to the core.

Every year, people at Jun’s work and their neighbours would get in the holiday spirit, sing Christmas carols and ask him to join numerous Christmas events. And every year, his IT supervisor of a boyfriend would reject with his adorable face and say something akin to ‘Ah, I’m sorry I can’t join. You see, my partner hates Christmas so I have to stay at home and make sure he feels loved!’. And who would think the oh so fluffy, oh so sweet, and oh so lovable Wen Junhui was actually the one who hated Christmas and would use his boyfriend as a scapegoat? So every year on winter, their neighbours would pat his shoulders whenever they met and say something about how he should try to enjoy the holiday, and that maybe he should try to join more Christmas-y events since Jun looked like he’d enjoy them and was so devastated that he had to babysit Wonwoo in their apartment. 

Being the good - the best! - boyfriend he was, he’d just chuckle and nod to their neighbour’s words, making empty promises that maybe they’d come to the events the next year. He’d feel irritated if it was someone else making an incorrect claim to his name, but one sad kitten look from his boyfriend’s eyes instantly diminished any irritation he felt, changing it into a fond exasperation instead.

This year was their fifth Christmas together as a couple living together, and Wonwoo was heating a pot of soup in the kitchen when the door lock to their apartment clicked open and entered Wen Junhui in all his 182 cm glory, dusting off snow from his coat and scarf. “It’s snowing so hard outside Wonwon! God I hate winter and snow,” he grumbled, not looking up since he’s still adamant on getting all the snow stuck to his clothes off in their foyer. Wonwoo can see the miniscule shiver running through his boyfriend’s body from where he’s standing behind the stovetop, wanting to meet Jun halfway to warm him up, but not daring to leave the pot unattended, lest he burn the soup. Finally satisfied with the amount of snow now not stuck to his clothes - even though the foyer’s now all wet with all the melted snow - Wonwoo watched Jun finally take off his coat and shoes, stepping inside their apartment and walking right to where he was standing in the kitchen. After he got rid of his initial irritation, Jun finally realized what he was watching and raised one of his eyebrows in suspicion.

“What…are you doing?” he asked tentatively, taking even more small steps towards the kitchen, fearing what he would see when he saw the whole countertop. “I’m making dinner, of course,” was the deadpan answer he got.

Eyes blown wide, Jun marched the remaining steps towards the kitchen, mouth already forming protests, “Wonwon! What did I say about cooking and breaking mo-”

Oh?

His kitchen was, for once, looked spick and span, unlike what was supposed to happen if Wonwoo actually did some cooking there. But, he couldn't be sure just yet. It was not the first time that Wonwoo cooked and cleaned, but then gave them food poisoning after. In a contemplative gaze, he turned around and watched the pot bubbling on the stove. 

“What are you cooking this time?”

“Wow, what a funny way to convey your trust in me.”

“I’d trust you with everything else in my life but this, sorry Wonwon,” Jun muttered, still looking at the pot in suspicion and horror. He had already dreaded having to come home, clean, and cook when he got home after a very tiring day at the office. It's what he had to do almost everyday actually, not saying Wonwoo didn't help though, it's just that it's usually faster to do them alone. But he hadn't prepared himself for food poisoning. They (meaning their friend Mingyu and him) had tried to teach Wonwoo cooking numerous times, with questionable results each time that they had stopped trying altogether.

It was a light chuckle coming from the bespectacled man that finally eased the tension in his mind, the chuckle turning to a full blown laugh that Wonwoo had to stop stirring and clutched at his stomach. “I'd take offense to your insult, but after going to the hospital because of my own cooking several times, I have to incline to agree with you.”

Jun sighed in relief, letting his boyfriend tuck him close to give a kiss to the top of his hair. “Retract your claws, kitten. I bought this at the Chinese restaurant a few blocks away. Thought I'd give you a nice little surprise today. Gotta pull my own weight sometimes, y’know, can't have my princess do all the hard work in this kitchen.” Even after five years of dating, Jun can't throw away his shyness every time Wonwoo gives him even a little bit of affection. So they're not a really affectionate couple, sue them. It's what works best and fulfills their hearts. 

“And y’know,” Wonwoo’s voice had a teasing lilt to it, “it's all part of the whole near Christmas holiday spirit, eating something warm in the middle of a snowstorm with your loved ones.”

Tsk.

Jun’s palm stopped any advance Wonwoo made to steal a peck from his lips. Wonwoo could only huff fondly, seeing the look of absolute annoyance marring his cutely pouty boyfriend’s face. “You know the rules,” he grumbled, “any mentions of the holiday will get you banned from my lips for the next hour.” Used to his antics, Wonwoo only chuckled and slapped Jun’s butt lightly when he passed him by to get to the bathroom. “I know, and I still stand by my opinion that the holiday’s great, Junnie! Lots of decorations, lots of sweets - which you love, by the way, you sweet-toothed gremlin, merry songs on the streets and at the malls, and it can be used as a reason for us to have get-togethers with friends and family, exchanging gifts! Also, the cold prompts us to cuddle more!”

Wonwoo knew he was just igniting more of Jun’s annoyance. He’d repeated the same sentences multiple times since they met each other in university. Jun’s actually lucky if Wonwoo was the only one saying those to him. The other members of their university squad would be more obnoxious and teasing about it. After all, Jun was such an easy target. Wonwoo didn’t really love or hate the holiday, in honesty, he’s actually pretty neutral about all the things he had listed. But getting such a cute and bristled reaction every time from his lover prompted him to just go all out with his declaration of love towards the holiday and the season in general. He was just chuckling to himself and preparing to move the pot to the table when he suddenly felt a shy peck on his right cheek. Oh. He didn’t realize Jun went back to the kitchen.

“Thank you for preparing dinner,” the brunette whispered, cheeks aflame not unlike a tomato, “was actually quite tired today so…thanks.” Smiling, Wonwoo ruffled Jun’s hair, “Anytime Junnie. Now go take a bath so we can eat the soup before it gets cold. Then we'll cuddle.”

Wide eyes stared dreamily at him, “You don't have any articles you need to write down tonight?” Wonwoo's shake of the head was rewarded with a brilliant smile, the kitten seemed to have forgotten his initial irritation of Christmas. “Okokok! Just you wait! I'll cuddle you to death tonight!" And with that, he took off to the bathroom, leaving a smiling Wonwoo in his wake.

“Here!”

Jun pulled Wonwoo by the sleeve of his coat when he saw their friends waving from their table inside the hot pot place. He might be vibrating - or shivering, he didn’t really know - with excitement and cold when he finally came to a stop beside their table of four, mouth watering at the sight of the pot of mala and beef stock broth in the middle of it. “Hi guys. Oh god it looks so good. What level of spiciness did you order for your broth?”

“Close your mouth babe, you look like you rather have sex with the darn pot than your actual boyfriend,” Soonyoung snickered, squealing in shock when he felt Jihoon’s hand hit his head. Blushing profusely, Jun didn’t realize Wonwoo’s palm was actually closing his mouth, mindful of the drool threatening to pour out. “I’d take offense at his hungry gaze, but considering we had gone a month without eating hotpot and with the weather this cold too, I’ll let it pass.” “Not to mention,” Jihoon added, “it is currently snowing quite hard outside. How did you guys get here? Did you take Wonwoo’s car?”

At this, Jun pouted, “No. He said he wanted to enjoy the - and I quote - sun and clear skies while the snow surrounding us is melting slowly. So we walked from home. I dunno who gave him the top graduate title at university but I demand they take it back cuz it had been exactly fifteen minutes of clear skies then we had this blizzard.” “Calling it a blizzard is a bit of a reach-” An intense glare from his boyfriend promptly shut Wonwoo up, their friends laughing at their antics. “The blame’s totally on you, Wonwoo my bro,” Soonyoung cackled, “you know how irritable Jun is every winter, especially in December. Should've taken the safer method of transportation.”

After Jun and Wonwoo were done getting out of their coats, folding them, and getting themselves fixed with a pot of super spicy mala hot pot broth, the conversation lulled down a little to give time to the four friends to eat their hotpot. It had been a monthly tradition of them, being the four same aged close friends of their friend group who knew each other from the start of their university days, to eat together, taking turns on who decided where they get their food. Sometimes they will go to each of their favorite restaurants, sometimes they’d be feeling adventurous to try a new one, or sometimes they’d just cook and catch up at each others’ home. The latter only applied to Jun since the other three couldn’t cook to save their lives. This time, it was Jihoon’s turn, and surprisingly, he had actually chosen Jun’s favorite hot pot restaurant as a place to eat and catch up. If you ask him, he’d say that he was always craving hot pot in winters, hence the hot pot place. But the other three knew, the real reason was because of Jun’s aversion to the winter season (and particularly the Christmas month). And since Jihoon was a real sucker to the Chinese man and his cute and funny personality, he’d give up his choice of favorite food to instead let Jun get excited for having hot pot with the four of them together. Seeing Jun’s initial cloudy expression morph into a happy and blinding one, Jihoon couldn’t say he regretted making the hot pot restaurant choice.

Soonyoung and Wonwoo would probably get jealous that Jihoon would drop anything for Jun, if they didn’t know for a fact that Jihoon’s love for Jun was purely platonic, and was more like a big brother’s love to his younger brother (never mind the fact that Jun was actually several months older than Jihoon). And Jun himself was someone with that big of a heart that he always had too much love to give, and he’d always give them equally to all of their friends, who he dubbed his family in this land away from home (not that he’d ever admit that to their faces, he’s too shy for that). Soonyoung himself was also guilty of loving Jun more that he should have too, so that’s another reason for him to not feel any jealousy towards his boyfriend and his so-called gemini twin. Soonyoung loved spoiling Jun, even though he’s the one who was the youngest child and Jun was the first born, but his gemini twin had that effect on others. He made people want to spoil him rotten, shower him with love. So Wonwoo understood all the love Soonyoung, Jihoon, and by extension, the other people in their friend group kept giving to his boyfriend. 

When all of the food was gone from the table though, Wonwoo knew it was time to open the can of worms. And by the look of it, both Soonyoung and Jihoon realized it too. Sighing fondly, Sooyoung started the conversation, “So as discussed before, this year there’s only the four of us celebrating Christmas Eve together.” Jun’s previously soft and blissed gaze took on a sharp glare, directing it towards Soonyoung, but he kept quiet. “Yeah,” Jihoon mumbled, “the others are either out of the country, travelling, or going home to celebrate with their parents.” 

“If I recall correctly, the hyungs - Cheol, Hannie, and Josh hyung - are currently in LA, they’re going to celebrate with Josh hyung’s mom. Mingyu and Hao are on a trip to Italy, and come Christmas Eve they’re going to be in Germany, going to the Christmas market there. Seokminnie and Seungkwannie are going to Jeju,” Wonwoo ignored Soonyoung’s indignant squawk of being left out, “Vernon is on a trip to Thailand with his family, and Channie’s going home to celebrate with his family.” The table went quiet for a few moments. 

“Well.”

The other three snapped their heads in shock, and were rewarded with the sight of a pouty Jun.

”If the others are not here, we can just not have a Christmas - ugh - party, you know. None of us actually celebrate Christmas, so let’s just, I dunno?  Get together like we always do without any celebration happening?”

Soonyoung blinked for one second before a loud protest came out from his mouth, making the other three wince with the sudden increase in volume. “Nonsense! It’s Christmas, Junnie! We have to celebrate! And truthfully, with how busy and different all of our schedules are now that we’re part of the working society as to when we were just dumb university students, I’d take whoever was available for the party. And having you three - my bestest friends! - there will be so cool!” Jihoon chuckled at the grumbling sound Jun made. “Sorry, Wen. I know you hate the notion of the holiday, but don’t lie and say that you hate having a get together with the squad and receiving presents.” “But -“ “We’re having a party on Christmas Eve, just the four of us. End of story,” Jihoon stated in his no nonsense tone. In his defense, he would feel guilty and would not force anything if he (and the other two) knew Jun genuinely hated the idea of a Christmas party. But since they had long figured out that their resident kitten was only acting out in denial of his own feelings that he did enjoy their Christmas get-together especially when seeing their friends’ happy faces, all of their friends always force Jun to come to the party. The party itself was also the only way all of them could give something to Junnie without the other feeling guilty about it, because on a normal day, Jun loved giving gifts for other people but always felt like other people were wasting money if they gave him gifts. It became another reason Jun said he hated the holiday though. 

Deflated, Jun slurped on his iced tea in protest, but said nothing else. Wonwoo secretly sent a grateful look towards Jihoon. He already had another thing planned for his boyfriend that he’d execute on the day of the Christmas party, and he was afraid that he wouldn’t have the heart to force Jun to have a party this year. He was actually very weak to his boyfriend’s big kitten eyes. Woozi gave an inconspicuous nod, sharing a look with his own boyfriend. 

“Hey, cheer up, Jun. It’s not like you absolutely hate having a Christmas party, y’know - no, don’t try to deny it. And you actually love and enjoy it every time we actually get together!” 

“One,” he raised a finger, angling his body towards Soonyoung, “we can have food and get together without the context of a Christmas party.” 

“Two, I hate snow, and I hate that bearded red suited scam of a man-“ “Santa?!” “-and the whole holiday is a capitalism scam made up so you spend extra money buying all that decorations-“ “You don’t say that about valentines though,” Jihoon muttered.

”And three,” Jun continued, being extra petty this time, “there is no such thing as Christmas magic, anything good that happens at our Christmas parties will happen without it being a Christmas party. And I doubt we will have a special Christmas only edition amazing thing ever happening.” 

At Jun’s proud huff, Jihoon gave a meaningful look to Wonwoo, “Oh I wouldn’t be so sure, Junnie. Perhaps on Christmas this year, you’ll experience something truly magical that will turn your whole world upside down.”

Having nothing to say, Jun resigned himself to being dragged to the Christmas party discussion, sporting a petulant pout the whole time. It was actually so cute, but the others feared if they pointed it out, he would really have a real tantrum. They were in the middle of discussing potential options on where to hold the party when Jun felt a hand caressing his own hand slowly. Blushing slightly, he turned his head towards his boyfriend with a questioning gaze. “I know you’re being extra cranky because you miss the others and are sad because there’re only four of us this year. But cheer up, ‘mkay? We’ll contact Cheol and the others when they get back to arrange another get together, how’s that sound? It’s going to be a bit hard now that we have jobs and families to take care of, but we’ll always find a way. We always do. Right?” Jun could feel his cheeks turning more crimson as he heard his boyfriend’s soothing deep voice. Silently nodding, his face heated up more when he felt Wonwoo’s lips kissing the back of his hand that he had caressed. Jun instantly felt warm inside, his lover could always read him like an open book and know what and when to say the right things.

”Okay then, it’s settled!”

The loud exclamation from Soonyoung snapped Jun and Wonwoo out of their own bubble, confused gaze looking at the smugly smiling couple in front of them. 

“What’s settled?” 

“The location for our party! Jihoon and I have discussed it and decided it would be best to have it at your apartment!”

Two seconds of silence, then, “WHAT!”

The next fifteen minutes was then spent with both Soonyoung and Jihoon explaining to Jun about the perks of having the party in one of their places. That they would be saving money usually spent on eating out, that Jihoon’s been craving on eating Jun’s cooking since he’d been swamped with work and was so very stressed, that they’d also save time commuting to a restaurant and commuting back to one of their places to open presents, that they can have a sleepover after the party, and that they want to eat Jun’s pancake on Christmas morning, just like what they usually saw on TV. Halfway through, Wonwoo quipped his own supportive comments here and there, watching in pleasure how the walls Jun desperately built to defend his opinion on not having the party at their place slowly crumbling away. When their two friends threw their last point on having a party at Wonwoo and Jun’s place - and that was, if the party was held at Jihoon and Soonyoung’s place, Jihoon - being the workaholic he was - would unintentionally go to work and drown himself in it again, even though he was already exhausted as he was, Jun finally relented. Jihoon felt bad about having to resort to use Jun’s bleeding hard for their friends’ wellbeing, but if it could get him to agree, he’d go for it. 

Exhaling a collective sigh of relief, Wonwoo, Jihoon, and Soonyoung looked at each other with meaningful stares. The three of them had actually decided on the place and plan of the Christmas party way long before the dinner had taken place. Wonwoo had explained his plan to both Soonyoung and Jihoon, asking for some kind of assistance and support. The both of them had actually executed the plan thus far flawlessly, succeeding in ensuring Jun to hold the party at their place, knowing Wonwoo was too weak to Jun to actually debate him. Wonwoo’s really glad he decided to tell his two friends, even at the risk of Soonyoung not being able to keep his mouth shut. 

“…what are you guys looking at each other for?” Jun inquired with yet another pout, realizing the weird silence that went on for a few moments.

”Nothing!” Soonyoung laughed awkwardly, the heated stare of his own boyfriend and the bespectacled man hard on his face, “Just imagining the fluffy pancakes you’d cook for us on the 25th!” “I swear, you only love me for my foods,” Jun huffed fondly, and the rest of the dinner went by without a hitch, planning out more details for the party and wolfing down a few plates of desserts.

It was Sunday the 21st of December, and Jun was in another bout of pouting - the nth time of the month actually, but Wonwoo’s so used to his boyfriend’s antics that he felt no annoyance whatsoever. Wonwoo was currently driving their car to the mall to buy decorations and Jun’s playing a game on his phone while making a show of being pouty and angry (not that he’s actually angry). On Saturday they had actually debated on buying the decorations - Wonwoo insisted they buy some new ones, while Jun insisted that they were a waste of money and insisted on using the old ones. “We don’t actually have proper decorations for Christmas you know, only some small ones here and there cuz we have never held the party at our place.” “So? What’s wrong with small decorations here and there? Minimalism is the new trend, you know!”

Wonwoo had given Jun a deadpan look, turning his head towards Jun’s side of the shelf fully littered with cat figurines, decorations, and whatnots, as if to say ‘You wanna talk to me about minimalism? There’s nothing minimalist about your shelf.’ Jun’s response had only been a sheepish smile, finally promising to get more decorations the next day but not the obnoxious ones.

Jun’s mood at the mall unexpectedly took a turn to the better. Wonwoo had brought them to a store selling themed Christmas decorations, and they had an aisle full of cat themed decorations. Even though he still rejected many of Wonwoo’s decorations proposals (which, in Jun’s defense, had actually been quite obnoxious. A big christmas tree made of baubles, a larger than a human santa sock, some gigantic baubles, and many more) he had actually allowed Wonwoo to buy more than what he had initially expected. It was the cats’ effect, he mused. 

Their cart was already full of multiple colors of wreaths, mistletoes, baubles, socks, and other kinds of decorations, the majority of them cat themed, when Wonwoo stopped them at yet another shelf of tinsels. Jun gave the journalist a skeptical look. “Don’t you think we have enough? I don’t think we need more of these long thingies.” Wonwoo leveled him with a serious look. “But Jun, think of all the sexy things we can do with these tinsels!” “Wha-“ Wonwoo ignored Jun’s rapidly blushing face, “We can wrap you up in nothing but these, and I can take the time to unravel you slowly, romantic music in our background..”

The next thing he knew, Wonwoo’s already at the ground, face full of the colorful tinsels Jun had thrown at him. Said man himself was rolling their cart away to another aisle, but Wonwoo had managed to take a peek of his reddened ears. When Wonwoo finally caught up to his boyfriend, Jun was standing in front of a row of Christmas themed cat plushies, staring intently at one of them. The plushie in question was of a brownish-orange cat, his face a cute excited expression, wearing glasses and a Santa hat. The fur was actually very thick and fluffy, so Wonwoo understood Jun’s interest in it. He himself loved fluffy plushies, as proven by their joint pile of plushies kept safely in one of their shelves. With a determined nod, Jun grabbed the plushie he deemed having the cutest face, lifting it so the cat’s eyes were eye level with his own. 

“Okay Mr. Whiskers,” Wonwoo chuckled at the way Jun already had a name ready for it, “from now on you’ll be my new boyfriend. You’ll sleep with me in our bed. The four-eyed guy can sleep on the couch for all I care. He’s a pervert and he gets too excited for Christmas." “You know the cat’s actually wearing a Santa hat, right?”

Sticking his tongue out, Jun cradled Mr. Whiskers protectively in his arms.

”Why’d you pick him, though?” Wonwoo eventually inquired when they had finally carried on with their shopping, walking side by side with Wonwoo pushing the cart and Jun cradling Mr. Whiskers, “I think the other grey cat was actually cuter. The tail was so fluffy. You usually like those ones more.” “I like this one, he’s orange and he’s wearing glasses!” When Wonwoo didn’t show any signs of understanding, he continued cheerfully, “you know how everyone always says that I’m like an orange cat? And he’s wearing glasses. So he’s like our son! Cuz you wear glasses!” 

Suffice to say Wonwoo spent the rest of their time in the decorations shop with a red face, his mind conjuring images of Jun with rounded belly (no matter the impossibility of it), them being married and domestic, and so on. Thank god the Chinese man never took notice, though, too busy cooing at their so called son. The heat only went down when they were already seated at a restaurant specializing in porridge, filling their bellies with warm and hearty porridge before venturing out to go back home.

On Tuesday evening, Jun and Wonwoo could be found working in tandem in decorating their apartment with decorations they had bought on Sunday. After getting over his initial aversion to decorating the place, Jun had actually become excited with the prospect of decorating the space. ‘I try not to think of these as Christmas themed’, he had said, but Wonwoo wanted to believe that the man had warmed up to the idea of Christmas if only just a little bit. 

They had decided to have the Christmas eve dinner in their dining room, so they put up some decorations on the walls and door around it, but the more festive part of the decorations could be found in the family room, which they were currently working on. The walls were lined with tinsels and mistletoes, mini ginger bread figurines could be found hanging from multiple surfaces. Some wreath was put up above the TV table, multiple candy cane and socks were also hung around the cupboard and shelves. They even changed the couch cushions’ sheets with reindeer themed ones. A mini Christmas tree could also be found on the edge of the TV table, courtesy of Jun’s work colleague who had given it to him in an attempt to cheer him up from his ‘apparent’ sadness of missing out another year of Christmas party at the office because ‘Wonwoo is such a grinch’, their words, not Jun’s. 

After he finished installing the fairy lights all around the tinsels and wreaths, Wonwoo took a step back to take all of the family room and let out a happy and proud huff. Their family room had been magically turned into a room with such a cozy, warm, and merry vibe - well, not magically, but semantics. He could already picture his plan going down smoothly in this very room the next day, his right hand unconsciously palming a small object he had kept hidden inside his pants’ pockets, not daring to leave it anywhere lest Jun accidentally found it. He’s still getting lost in the feels when excited stomps were heard from the hallway on his left. 

“Wonwon! Wonwon! Look! These socks are sooo fluffy!!!” Jun chirped excitedly when he was finally in Wonwoo’s line of sight. True enough, Jun was wearing the decorative santa socks they had brought before, and they were very white, red, and fluffy. They were also not what caught Wonwoo’s eyes. Eyes raking the smooth expanse of legs and thighs being exposed to him, scattered with moles he could point out even with his eyes closed, Wonwoo tried so hard to keep the growing excitement down. The unaware little vixen though, not realizing that he just went out in just a big oversized fluffy sweater and his boxers, with oversized socks at his feet, continued to ramble about the fluffiness of the socks and the possibility of him using it everyday to sleep. It took exactly two minutes (Wonwoo would clap himself at the back for holding out that long) of trying to temper down his excitement before he gave up and tugged Jun’s hand hard towards their bedroom, effectively cutting Jun’s rambling off and eliciting a surprised squeal from his throat. 

“Wha- Wonwon?!”

Fast forward two hours later, they were both cuddled up on the couch, watching a horror movie with mala xiang guo takeout boxes in their hands. Their hair was messy and tousled, but their face and body were clearly fresh out of the shower. Jun was sitting beside Wonwoo a bit uncomfortably, with the latter’s hand rubbing Jun’s waist soothingly every few minutes. 

“I was planning on cooking some beef noodle soup for us tonight,” Jun muttered flatly, “before you went and drowned my plans down the drain with how you cannot control yourself.” He slurped his noodles loudly to make a point.

”I didn’t hear you complaining earlier in bed, though,” Wonwoo replied casually, also slurping his noodles as the ghost appeared on the screen with a horrifying scream. 

“And after five years,” he continued, “you should have known that I have a weak spot for your legs. It’s literally your fault that that happened. Hell, if I may say, I think you did that on purpose!”

The rest of the movie was totally forgotten as the couple bickered about who actually initiated their earlier impromptu naughty session, even though both actually quite enjoy random impulsive sessions that they sometimes had throughout their time together. As they continued to bicker, eat, and when finally Jun fell asleep on his shoulder in exhaustion, Wonwoo thought, ‘Yeah, I want to have this for forever for as long as I live.’ 

Wonwoo was banned from entering the kitchen.

It was noon the 24th, and Jun was anxious about all the cooking he had actually started from earlier in the day. Wonwoo had tried to assist him just once, and had been banned after he almost threw in a pack of salt instead of sugar to the pot of soon-to-be-cookie dough Jun had made. That didn’t stop Jun from using him as a punching bag - not literally, no - for all his complaints about the holiday. 

All the stress of cooking everything perfectly - even though the other three would be grateful with anything Jun prepped, but he committed to making a feast for their dinner that day - had actually made Jun’s hate for the holiday resurface, Wonwoo thought wistfully. On their counter, Wonwoo could see a big plate of crab rangoon, a pot of chicken and mushroom cream soup, a tray of chocolate cake, and a bowl of salad. Going from Jun’s ramblings, they would also have cookies, some lasagna because Jihoon liked it, a tray of fruit and chocolate pudding, and hot chocolate. Ah, so we’re going with western foods this time. 

Tired of receiving only ‘yeah’s and ‘oh’s from Wonwoo, Jun actually redirected his complaints to Mr. Whiskers who he had put on the corner of the counter earlier. 

It was common knowledge in their friend group, but when Jun’s cooking or rambling, he’s actually hyper focused on what he was doing at the moment - even more so when he’s cooking while rambling. So one cannot fault him for jumping almost a foot in the air when suddenly an arm gathered him from behind into a sturdy chest. His protests were cut off though, when Wonwoo shoved a straw to his mouth, urging Jun to take some sips of the milk tea his other hand was holding. Confused but happy, Jun continued to sip the milk tea given to him, leaning on Wonwoo for support. 

“Wha- How did you get a milk tea?!” he exclaimed after the cup was empty and thrown away, turning around to face his boyfriend currently hugging him from the back. “Oh. I went out for a sec to the convenience store on the ground floor.” “WHAT?! When did you leave?! How did I not realize you leaving the apartment?” “It was when you were complaining about why Santa liked cookies, cuz if he didn’t like them, you wouldn’t have to bake cookies to Mr. Whiskers, which, if I may insert my opinion on the matter here-“ “You went out in the middle of my complaints?!” Jun balked, hitting Wonwoo’s chest lightly, “How dare you!”

”In my defense, Junnie, the cat’s a better listener to you than me. And technically, you didn’t have to bake cookies, nobody asked you to.”

”But it’s a Christmas dinner, whether I like it or not, we have to have cookies!”

”And that is why you’re the best and everyone loves you so much, cuz you do these things for us even when you don’t like it.”

With a chaste kiss placed on Jun’s lips, Wonwoo let go of him and walked away, “Well, I’ll go out of your way now..” A hand grabbing his shirt halted his movements immediately. “Where do you think you’re going? After leaving me talking to myself you think you’re exempt from punishment? Wash the dishes, now.” 

It was 6 pm when the doorbell finally rang. Both Jun and Wonwoo’s already freshly showered, donned in their nicer casual shirts, food and drink already set at the dinner table. “I got it!” opening the entrance door, Jun was greeted with a loud flurry of ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS JUNNIE!!!’ from Soonyoung, followed by a smaller ‘Merry Christmas, Jun.’ from Jihoon. “It’s not even Christmas yet, why are you so merry,” he grumbled. ”Ha! Is that a pun?”

”At this point, Jun,” Jihoon said with a smile, his hands deftly taking off his coat, “you know he’s only doing that to get a rise out of you, right?” 

“Hi guys,” Wonwoo greeted, “come in, Jun’s made a feast!”

Excited pairs of eyes raked over the whole table, where pots and pans of western styled food were served. “Woah!! Junnie, you didn’t have to go this far! They look soooo delicious, but they also look like so much work to cook!” “Yeah Jun,” Jihoon agreed with his lover, “when we said I miss your cooking, I was thinking that a plate of your homemade steak or pasta will be enough. But wow, you outdid yourself for us. Thank you.” Jun flapped his hands at them bashfully, as always not used to receiving compliments or gratitude, face crimson with shyness. Not wanting to pressure their resident orange cat, the others sat down and they finally had their meal together, tastebuds pleasantly blessed with Wen Junhui’s amazing cooking. Without the cook noticing though, both Soonyoung and Jihoon kept giving Wonwoo knowing and excited glances, Wonwoo giving back his own nervous ones. 

Their meal was filled with talks about Jun and Soonyoung’s IT work related topics, Wonwoo’s new piece in the newspaper, Jihoon’s new song, and compliments for the Christmas decoration and food. Against their initial thought of not being able to finish all the food, the only thing left over after the meal was the tray of pudding and its accompanying vanilla sauce. 

“I’m stuffed. I don’t think I can stuff that pudding in my tummy right now,” Soonyoung huffed, the buttons of his jeans already opened to give more room for this stomach. “We don’t have to eat it now. We can just snack on it while we watch movies after opening the presents.” As the sentence came out of Wonwoo’s mouth, the four of them unconsciously turned their heads towards the pile of presents scattered in the family room in front of the TV. Jun and Wonwoo’s on one side and Jihoon and Soonyoung on the other side nearer the front porch. “Yeah, we can work with that. Let’s open those presents! Let’s just wash the dishes tomorrow after breakfast.”

Just as the four of them sat on the floor in the family room facing the presents, Jun in a carefully concealed excitement, the other three in nervousness, Jun exclaimed, “Oh wait! Let’s move the pudding here! I’ll be too lazy to get up to get it later when we’re already comfy here.”

”NOO!”

The other three was shocked by Soonyoung’s sudden shout, eyes blown wide.

”What-“

”I- I mean!” he glanced nervously at Wonwoo and Jihoon, “I can’t wait to open presents! Let’s get on with it! I’ll get the pudding for you later, Jun.” Still looking at Soonyong strangely, Jun slowly nodded, “Err.. okay? I’ll take you on that offer, then.”

They had actually planned the whole gift exchange thing too, well, except for Jun, of course. Soonyoung would go first to open his gifts, followed by Jihoon, then Wonwoo, and lastly Jun. They had deliberately put Jun last so Wonwoo can execute his plan perfectly, without any lingering other gift giving left to do. Sitting in a circle, Jun excitedly gave his present to his gemini twin.

“Open mine first, Hoshi!” his college days nickname slipping out of Jun’s mouth.

With dismay, Jihoon watched his boyfriend ripping the wrapping paper excitedly, he himself was the type of person to open a gift slowly and carefully just because. 

“It’s a brand new headphones!” Soonyoung shouted in glee.

”You said your current ones’ making your ears hurt because they press too hard at your head. And half of our days at work are spent in meetings so, yeah.”

”Thank you Junnie!” Jun was rattled when Soonyoung suddenly hugged him and gave a loud smack at his cheek, only laughing in joy when he saw both Wonwoo and Jihoon propel the man with sofa cushions.

The next gift ripped open was Wonwoo’s for Soonyoung. To say that Soonyoung was unimpressed with the content was an understatement. There were actually two gifts inside, one of them a book titled ‘How to use a phone correctly’ and the other ‘Knowing when to shut up!’. Soonyoung’s a genius when dealing with complex code on computer, but he was absolutely hopeless in using a phone, hence the teasing gifts from Wonwoo. “Now I regret giving you something so thoughtful, Jeon.” “Waa, I can’t imagine what thoughtful thing you gave me,” was the flat response he got.

For all his flair and loudness, Soonyoung actually went silent and red when he opened Jihoon’s gift for him. It was a red lingerie, the material so soft and sheer, complete with a garter belt and stockings. It even had a choker with a bell attached to it, and imagining what sort of picture the accessory made when used gave Jun secondhand embarrassment. “I want you to use it next time we do it. Christmas vibes, y’know.” “I will actually kill you, Lee Jihoon, if you rope Soonyoung into doing it in our guest room,” Wonwoo glared at Jihoon. 

“Well, um, yeah,” Jun blubbered, “open mine now, Jihoonnie!” Jun shoved his gift to Jihoon in a desperate attempt to change the topic. Both Jihoon and Soonyoung always teased him of acting like a virgin when he was, in fact, not, even when he shot back with saying the sentence back to them. Soonyoung was still frozen in shyness beside him. 

After careful unwrapping and setting aside the folded wrapping paper next to him, Jihoon took out Jun’s gift for him - a pair of new headphones, designed for music producing use. “Thank you, Junnie. Mine’s actually getting bad, so you’re a lifesaver. This type of headphone’s not cheap.” “Yeah! The one you gave me is also not cheap either, what the hell, Junnie!” Soonyoung quipped. Jun waved them off with a shy expression.

Jihoon noticed a slight trembling in Wonwoo’s hands when he handed his gift to Jihoon. Smiling reassuredly, he subtly squeezed Wonwoo’s hands, eliciting a grateful smile from said man. Wonwoo’s gift was a novel that Jihoon had always wanted to read, but hadn’t been able to buy because he either always forgot or hadn’t had the time. “Thanks, Won. I’ll read it well.”

Soonyoung’s gift for Jihoon, was hilariously, a lingerie set. It was orange with black stripes, a tiger ear headband, a whip, and a letter that read ‘Please let me use this when we do it. This tiger will blow your mind.’ Jihoon actually had the audacity to throw a cushion at Soonyoung even though he did the same thing himself, his other friends laughing uncontrollably seeing that the couple had actually gotten the same thing for one another - a lingerie to be worn by Soonyoung. 

Wonwoo’s anxiousness was so high the moment it was his turn to open gifts. He tried so hard to conceal it as he received the gift Jun put in his hands. His heart melted when he opened it, though, seeing the box of gaming headphones he’d mentioned wanting in passing a few months back. “You remembered, Junnie?” “What’s with you and headphones Junnie?” Wonwoo and Soonyoung said at the same time. “Well, not my fault all your needs or wants have to do with headphones!” He gave a grateful peck to Jun’s cheek, whispering a quiet thank you that had the other blushing because of the proximity.

”Let me open Jihoon’s gift first,” he rejected Hoshi’s shove of his gift, “I’m sure yours is a bit idiotic and I want to save it for last.” “Hmph, meanie.”

Jihoon got him a game CD that he had mentioned he wanted before, but the price’s a bit too much for him. So he gave Jihoon one of his most sincere smiles and gratitude, asking him to come whenever to play the game together. 

Jun was the one breaking down in mortification when Wonwoo finally opened his gift from Hoshi. It was a short tennis skirt with a letter of ‘I know you like it when my baby Junnie wears a skirt for you, you big pervert.’ “Hm,” Wonwoo mumbled, “it’s not as idiotic as I had expected.” “WONWON!” Soonyoung was full on cackling in glee at that moment. 

Finally, it was time for Jun to open his presents, and by extension, for them to execute their plan. Against their expectations, though, Jun suddenly moved to stand up. “Whe- where are you going?!” “I want to get the pudding! I’m craving it now and I want to eat it while opening presents!” The other three men exchanged panicked glances, Wonwoo’s face actually a bit white from nervousness. In panic, Soonyoung offered to get the pudding instead, so Jun can start opening his presents. “Wait, babe, we,” Jihoon tried, but his boyfriend’s already panicking, running to the dining room while exclaiming, “The pudding with the sauce in the refrigerator, right! Wait for me and open your presents, Junnie!” Jihoon had meant to make Soonyoung stay and negotiate for getting the pudding later but since he had gone and said all that, now Jihoon was faced with Junhui opening up his palms towards him in anticipation and Wonwoo’s nervous expression. So with a sigh, he slided the box to Jun who ripped open the wrapping immediately - again, much to his dismay. 

“I hope you’ll like it, Junnie.” “I’ll love anything you give m- oh,” Jun stopped ripping off the wrapping in shock, staring at the book in his hands in astonishment. “You.. This is Chef Martin Yang’s cookbook?! Jihoon! It’s even signed!! And addressed to me! How did you even..” “A while ago his manager commissioned me for a song for his upcoming cooking show. I asked for a favor and got that for free, actually.” “Aah!,” Jun was actually a bit teary eyed, “I don't think any word can say how happy I am right now Jihoonie… Thank you..” Jihoon gave him a fond smile and said not to mention it.

”Now since Soon’s not here yet,” Jun turned towards Wonwoo in anticipation, “gimme Wonwon!” 

A “NO! WAIT! OPEN MINE FIRST JUNNIE!” could be heard from the kitchen, along with frantic footsteps coming over, but Jun’s already determined to get his present from Wonwoo, so as not to garner suspicion from him, Wonwoo reluctantly but resolutely gave his box to Jun. Jun’s ripping open the wrapping as Hoshi’s running from the kitchen, Jihoon found horrifyingly. “Oi, slow down-“ 

Inside the box was another cat plushie in black color and glasses, holding a small velvet box. Speech left Jun as he looked up at his boyfriend in utter shock. His eyes widened even more when Wonwoo took the box in his hands and moved to kneel on one knee in front of him. Both of them oblivious to the horrified face Jihoon made as he watched Soonyoung trip on his own foot, the pudding and sauce he was holding in his hands thrown as he fell to his face.

”Junnie, I know it’s sudden, but will you-“

Wonwoo didn’t get to finish his sentence before he was drenched in vanilla sauce, the sticky and gooey white liquid pouring down his hair, his face, and the majority of his body. Jun’s eyes that were previously wet with unshed tears were blown wide once again, this time for another reason altogether. Two heads simultaneously snapped towards Soonyoung who’s still laying flat on his face with pudding jiggling on the top of his head. 

“…..did he say yes? I didn’t ruin it, did I?” was what Soonyoung muttered after a prolonged round of silence.

Jihoon and Wonwoo didn’t dare look at Jun, while Soonyoung didn’t even dare lift up his face.

A chuckle, then a beautiful laughter was heard.

Flabbergasted, the three of them stared as Jun laughed in happiness, his face scrunching up in joy and tears actually flowed down his face. One by one, the three of them followed, laughing at the absurd situation they had gotten into. 

“Why,” Jun rubbed at his tear streaked eyes, “would you choose to do that in the one holiday that I hate?” And laughed some more.

”Well,” chuckling, Wonwoo thumbed at the box in his hands fondly, “the whole Christmas atmosphere is perfect for things like this, you know. And I dunno? Maybe you’d like it if you can finally experience Christmas magic. Well, not literal magic, but it’s a happy event, no?”

“That’s so risky Wonwon!” Jun continued, still trying to calm down from his laughing bout, “there are two possible outcomes from proposing in Christmas, one is the one you envisioned and the other is me being irritated and rejecting it you know!”

The light atmosphere immediately halted, the other three giving out nervous glance toward the still chuckling man. 

“So.. So what’s your answer?” Soonyoung inquired carefully.

Smirking teasingly, Jun made a show of thinking hard. “He hadn’t actually finished asking me anything, though? What kind of answer should I give? I have to hear the question first.” Clearing his throat, Wonwoo once again opened the velvet box - the ring inside also sticky with vanilla sauce - and stated clearly, “Wen Junhui, will you marry me?” 

In front of their anxious friends, Jun took Wonwoo’s jaw in his hands and pulled him for a searing kiss. His face was properly sticky with vanilla sauce when he pulled away, whispering a quiet ‘Yes’ to his now fiancee. His fiancee and friends were still gaping in shock that he had to thrust his hand to Wonwoo’s face to break their trance. “Come on, put the ring on me!” “Ah, but,” Wonwoo mumbled dumbly, “It’s sticky..”

Junhui stared at him unimpressed, his sticky face scowling lightly. Wonwoo took it as a cue to immediately slip the ring into Jun’s ring finger. 

Looking at the ring in his finger happily, Jun smiled beautifully and gave the three of them each a forehead kiss, saying his gratitude for proposing to him and helping Wonwoo do it. 

The party was actually put on hold after that, the pudding and sauce making a mess on the floor and they were all sticky, sans Jihoon. What had initially been supposed to be a movie marathon session became a cleaning session, not exactly an activity suited to do on a holiday but Jun wouldn’t trade it for the world.

The next morning, Jihoon and Soonyoung got their long awaited fluffy pancakes, courtesy of Junhui. It was in the middle of wolfing down the pancakes that Soonyoung remembered that Jun hadn’t opened his present yet. So immediately he went and grabbed the gift, shoving it in Jun’s direction. “You have got to stop running and bringing things in panic, babe. It was what made that mess yesterday.”

Both the gemini twins ignored Jihoon’s scolding, opting to rip the wrapping paper together. When he saw the red fluffy fabric inside, Jun excitedly pulled out the fluffy sweater. “Oh man! A new fluffy sweater!! Thank you Hoshi!” he exclaimed, looking up at the back side of the sweater. Jihoon and Wonwoo, who were in front of him, made a face. Soonyoung’s already full on cackling when Jun realized there’s something else inside the gift box. “What is this..” and when he moved to put the sweater down, he finally saw it - the thing that made Jihoon and Wonwoo make weird faces - the sweater’s front was embroidered with a sex joke involving a picture of Santa and a reindeer. It was impossible to wear it outside the apartment without receiving judgemental glares from people. And when he pulled out the other thing inside the box, Jun realized it was lingerie. A Christmas themed one, with red and green colour and a sheer short dress covering the bralette. 

Jihoon laughed gleefully, “You were already sure Jun would say yes, huh? You’d not give that kind of gift if you’re not sure yet.” “Of course, babe! No way my Junnie wouldn’t say yes to the nerd.” “The lingerie’s nice, Soon, but what’s with the sweater-“

Soonyoung’s face was smushed with a pancake thrown by Junhui, face burning in embarrassment. “No more food for you Kwon Soonyoung, what the hell!”

Jihoon cackled at the despair marring his boyfriend’s face, while Wonwoo pulled Jun for a loving kiss, ignoring the whines coming out of Sooyoung. 

“You might not be able to wear it outside, but I think we can use it for our private time here,” the bespectacled man grinned, “Love you, Junnie. Merry Christmas.”

”Love you too, Wonwon,” resting their heads together, Jun gazed at Wonwoo lovingly, “and ugh, Merry Christmas too, I guess.”