Chapter Text
~WINTER AGAIN~
As the temperature dropped nearing the end of the year, a forecasted significant amount of snowfall in Seoul had the small family out and about, looking forward to a snow day.
The adults had first planned to take the kids out to a park where snow attractions and activities had been set up, as the kids had wanted to sled and this was one of the only nearby places that would facilitate it.
They were at Jiwoong’s apartment getting ready to leave, Jiwoong helping Yujin into his jacket as he complained and refused to put it on.
“Appa this jacket is annoying!” Yujin whined as he shifted around in his puffer his father had put on him. “It’s too stuffy.”
“You have to wear it to keep yourself warm though, or else you’ll catch a cold.” Jiwoong lightly scolded, which got a pout from the youngest.
Hanbin had no trouble putting on the jacket and his boots, and did not complain at all. Yujin, however, had asked Mattchu for help with his boots while Jiwoong had gone to fetch some ear warmers and gloves for everyone.
Jiwoong comes back to find Matthew cooing at Yujin, who looked extremely tiny in the voluminous puffer, walking around like a penguin in his boots.
“Surprise!” Jiwoong said as he presented a bunch of red colored ear muffs and hand gloves. “I got us all matching accessories!”
Jiwoong handed them out and Matthew looked at the accessories closer, and saw these pretty cheesy and not so flattering winter designs on them. He knew that his boyfriend never really had the greatest fashion sense, but nonetheless appreciated and loved the gesture.
“Hyung… that’s so sweet and cute of you, thank you.” Matthew said as he put them on to exhibit them to his lover, who smiled in glee as he got to putting them on the children as well and taking a picture of his ‘three princes.’
“It’s actually quite funny though…” Matthew said as he opened a kitchen drawer to reveal a small box. “I went ahead and got us some matching scarves too…” Matthew blushed as he presented the box in front of Jiwoong, who gasped in happiness.
Jiwoong quickly opened it to reveal a pair of matching scarves, a beige and white pattern on them. They wouldn’t really go that well with the red accessories, but Jiwoong’s love for Matthew or his lack of fashion sense (probably both) blinded him into immediately putting it on and relishing in the comfort of the gift.
“I love it Matthew.” Jiwoong said as he hugged him, and gestured to put it on Matthew as well. Jiwoong quickly got to taking a couple selfie, until Yujin had complained.
“I want a matching scarf with Mattchu too.” Yujin said out of jealousy, getting a little laugh out of the adults. Jiwoong had ended up sacrificing his scarf to Yujin, who happily held Matthew’s hand to take a picture together.
Jiwoong has a little pout, which Matthew finds cute to find his lover jealous of his 6 year old boy, but nonetheless gives a little peck on the lips to him to make him smile again before they are dragged out by the children in excitement.
It’s only a short walk to the park until they start seeing man made snow hills and many stands with a plethora of snow activities. Some parents and children line up beside the hills, whilst others are making snowmen, snow forts, or other snow made features; overall, it looked like everyone was having a great time.
Yujin and Hanbin excitedly get in line for sledding first, the adults slowly catching up. The line moved generally fast as there was a set process of borrowing a sled from the top and riding it down to the bottom of the small hill, and then repeating the process. Helpers and workers would carry the sleds back up to the hill so there was no time wasted.
Nevertheless, this had the kids going up and down the hill for a while, as it kept them well entertained. Jiwoong had first ridden with Hanbin while Matthew rode with Yujin, as adults were needed to ride with their children for safety reasons. They then started switching who partnered up with who, the adults taking pictures of each other going down with the kids. Sounds of enjoyment and squeals could be heard from the children and adults alike, laughing at each other as they fell over in the snow by gaining too much momentum, Yujin quickly crawling off the sled to be chanting, “Again, again!”
After the kids got bored of sledding, they dragged the couple over to the snowman building area, quickly getting to work on the snowy ground. The family spent time lumping snow and building questionable spheres, stacking three different shaped snow lumps onto each other to make their own snowman.
“How do you make it stick?” Yujin asked Matthew, who had seemed to be doing most of the snowman construction, whilst Jiwoong and Hanbin looked around for suitable branches, pebbles, and other body parts. “When I do it, the snow all falls apart.”
“Well, you have to make sure you push hard onto the snow so that it doesn’t crumble apart, like this.” Matthew explained as he pressed down on the lump of snow, to show how much force is really needed. “But also, not too much force, or else it’ll break, it has to be just enough.
“Oh, okay!” Yujin replied as he tried to make his own snow lump. It took a couple of tries, but he eventually got the hang of it, and had started to surpass Matthew in the size of the snowman body part.
“I’m gonna name him… Rocky. Because he has a lot of rocks on him as buttons and eyes.” Yujin said as the others cooed at his adorableness naming the snowman as he finished putting a branch as it’s right arm.
“Rocky, what a perfect name for our snowman.” Jiwoong agreed as Matthew got to taking pictures of the kids with their proud accomplished project.
After a little snowball fight among the family, adults versus kids, the adrenaline wears off, with the kids finding themselves a bit cold covered in snow.
“Appa, we’re cold. Can we go somewhere inside to warm up?” Hanbin asks as Yujin dramatically shivers beside his hyung.
The family decides to head over to a nearby cafe to get some hot drinks, Yujin and Hanbin getting hot cocoa while Jiwoong and Matthew got themselves some hot lattes.
Yujin is blowing at his drink loudly after having complained about it being too stuffy with the scarf on inside, Jiwoong happily taking it back to be donning the matching piece with Matthew.
“Hyung, you’re so petty.” Matthew teased as Jiwoong pretended to be offended. “But, you’re cute when you’re being jealous and petty.”
“What, Yujin said he didn’t want it anymore.” Jiwoong defended himself.
“I know you were waiting for a moment to snatch it back up, but I have to say, it does look better on you.” Matthew whispered, so that Yujin wouldn’t overhear and get offended, getting a giggle from Jiwoong.
The family took their time finishing the drinks and talking about what they should do next.
“Ooh ooh, can we please go ice skating Appa?” Hanbin asked, getting an immediate verbal agreement from Yujin.
“Yes, ice skating!” Yujin said as he almost split the drink in front of him in excitement.
“Yeah, of course we can go ice skating.” Jiwoong said. “There’s an indoor rink nearby here at the mall so we won’t have to worry about it being too cold.”
“That sounds great, ice skating it is!” Matthew said.
“Have you been skating Uncle Mattchu?” Yujin asked innocently.
“Of course I have, it snows in Canada too, and I would ice skate and sometimes even play hockey with my friends on the ice outside. I would consider myself a pretty experienced skater.” Matthew somewhat bragged, getting sounds of awe from the children.
“I think I’m okay at it,” Hanbin said. “But Appa is definitely the worst.”
Jiwoong had almost choked on the coffee he had been finishing as he sputtered to defend himself. “W-what, I’m not that bad…”
“Appa can’t skate without grabbing the wall or the helper that old grandmas use to walk.” Yujin explained, getting echoing laughter from Matthew.
Matthew looked towards his lover to see him pouting, getting a cheek squeeze from Matthew.
“Oh, it’s okay Jiwoong hyung. Ice skating isn’t as easy as it looks, I’ll help you learn.” Matthew said, getting a hmph from Jiwoong.
“I only use the wall because I don’t want to fall. I can skate just fine…” Jiwoong explained confidently, getting a few stray giggles from his children.
They head over to the indoor ice skating rink nearby, and rent out some skates before getting on the ice. Hanbin and Yujin already speed off, Hanbin helping Yujin by holding his hand as they smoothly skate their way around the rink. They seem to be having fun, so Matthew gets back to Jiwoong, who seems to really be taking his time putting on the skates.
“Hyung…” Matthew sighs as he quickly helps him tying up the laces he pretended to be having trouble with. “I’m sorry I laughed at you earlier for being a newbie, it’s okay. I’ll help you, and we can go slow, okay?”
“Okay…” Jiwoong admitted. “The kids were always better than me and I always just watched them on the side after I had fallen on my butt once a little too hard.”
“Well, now you have me.” Matthew replied, getting a soft smile from Jiwoong. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
Matthew helped his lover up and onto the ice slowly, grabbing both of his hands and slowly sliding on the ice around the edge of the rink.
“See, it’s not too bad.” Matthew said as Jiwoong stared straight down at the ice and his shaky legs. “Now I’m gonna let g-”
“No, no, no.” Jiwoong resisted as he held onto Matthew tighter. “Don’t let go Matthew, please please.”
Matthew laughed as he teased Jiwoong, who scrambled to hold onto him.
“Jiwoong hyung, you’re going to be fine. I’m going to let you go and you can just skate straight to find your balance, okay?”
“O-okay, fine…” Jiwoong gave in as he let go and wobbly slid on the ice.
“See, you’re good Jiwoong!” Matthew cheered as he slid back and grabbed his hands. “Now we’re going to try pushing off the ice to gain some speed…”
The two spent time practicing the basics of skating, and there were a few times Jiwoong had retreated to the wall and refused to skate, until the kids had come around themselves and tried to help their dad.
“Appa, hold my hand, I can help you.” Hanbin said as Yujin skated on his other side, the kids helping him balance and skate around slowly.
“Look at you go!” Matthew said as he skated beside them.
“I’m… I’m skating!” Jiwoong excitedly said. “Okay, now that’s a little too fast kids- kids!” The kids squealed as they sped up and dragged their father along the ice, Matthew on the side laughing and taking a video of the interaction. Matthew may have been laughing a little too loudly, getting some looks from the other skaters and families. But he didn’t care, because the only thing he had eyes on were the kids and his boyfriend.
Eventually, Jiwoong had started to skate without anyone beside him. The kids had gone off the skate by themselves again, as Matthew and Jiwoong slowly took laps around the large rink.
“Thanks for teaching me, Matthew.” Jiwoong said, a soft, genuine tone of voice coming out. “I wouldn’t have got on the ice at all if you hadn’t offered, and I got to make precious memories with the kids, and you.”
“Aw, of course Jiwoong hyung. Everything is always more fun when you have someone beside you, isn’t it?” Matthew said.
“Yeah, everything is also a bit easier to struggle through if someone is beside you.” Jiwoong said, as Matthew looked towards his Hyung to see his loving eyes staring into his heart.
“Hyung…” Matthew replied, a little speechless, about to reply with something heartfelt as well until Jiwoong breaks the mood with his clumsiness.
“Okay, and I’m going to need you to hold my hand to help me through this struggle.” As he skidded and slipped on the ice, getting a roll of the eyes from Matthew and a steady hand to help his balance.
They eventually find themselves in a comfortable silence, matching scarves, holding hands, skating around the rink. It was obvious that they were a couple, but Matthew didn’t care, because he was happy to be out with Jiwoong with the kids and having fun during his second winter in Korea.
At some point, the kids came and quickly passed the couple, Yujin blowing raspberries as Hanbin taunted, “bet you can’t keep up with us!”
“Oh yeah, we’ll see about that! It’s on.” Matthew said as he quickly sped up, Jiwoong being dragged very quickly once again.
“Um Matthew I don’t kno-”
“Here we go!’
“Ahh!” Jiwoong shouted as Matthew laughed and quickly sped up with Jiwoong in tow.
________
Jiwoong and Matthew rode up the escalator in their coats as they headed towards the children’s section of the mall. They had dropped the kids off at Hao’s place for a few hours to have fun, while the adults would go do their Christmas shopping for them.
It didn’t take long for the couple to find things the children liked, as they had clearly asked for specific things for this Christmas.
Yujin really wanted a new pair of light up sneakers that all his friends had, and although he had a perfectly functional pair of new shoes he had bought a few months ago, his father believed for the holiday occasion, he deserved it. Plus, Jiwoong was glad it was something practical, not something like toys that Yujin often asked for but forgot about in a few weeks. On the other hand, Hanbin had asked for one of those fancy bookshelf stands that required meticulous construction to form cute alleyways or sceneries. He said he wanted something to liven up his otherwise dull bookshelf.
After purchasing the gifts for the children, alongside some other trinkets and small gifts that were going to be coming from “Santa,” the couple found themselves having some free time to have a little date without the kids to take care of.
They walked around the snowy scenery outside of the mall area, wearing their matching scarves.
When a cold breeze had blown by, Matthew instinctively covered his bare ears with his gloves, as he had forgotten his earmuffs at home unfortunately. However, he soon felt another pair of hands remove his hands off his ears, and felt a pair of warm earmuffs fit onto his head.
“Hyung… thanks.” Matthew blushed and smiled as he hugged the older figure who had given up his earmuffs for him.
“Our Matthew is cold.” Jiwoong said. “We can’t have that, can we? I’m the only one who should be able to make your eyes red, not the cold.” He teased, getting a giggle from Matthew.
The couple walked attached to each other for a bit longer until they stumbled upon an untouched path of snow that wasn’t too deep to walk around in.
“Winter is always my favorite time of the year.” Matthew said as he walked into the patch and felt the snow crunch beneath his feet. “The holidays bring everyone together, you have snow days, and it's easier to dress up for the weather than down… although, I did like the summer for bringing out sleeveless Jiwoong hyung.” Matthew teased as Jiwoong laughed.
“I may have worn clothes like that because it was hot, but also to impress a certain someone.” Jiwoong retorted, with a wink.
“Next summer, I don’t want you wearing clothes like that again in public. For my eyes only.”
“Hey, what if it’s really hot out, then what?” Jiwoong complained playfully as he threw a little snow at the younger, prompting a little snow fight.
There were probably onlookers wondering why grown adults were playing in the snow, but they didn’t care as they were having fun laughing, enjoying the banter and being present within the moment. Eventually, they find themselves tangled in each other's grasps, falling into the snow bed.
The landing was soft, and the couple laughed as they held each other in an embrace.
The laughter died down as they smiled and looked into each other’s eyes, leaning in for a quick peck before giggling and helping each other up.
“We should probably get out of the snow before we catch a cold… coffee?” Jiwoong suggested.
Matthew said that would be lovely.
________
“You guys don’t have a big tree for Christmas?” Matthew questioned as Jiwoong set up a small artificial Christmas tree by the couch in the living room.
“Well, it’s not practical when you’re living in a compact apartment, with nowhere to store it and stuff you know?” Jiwoong explained as the kids argued over who got to put the miniature star on the tree.
“Hm, that’s true, I guess.” Matthew agreed, as he had usually set up a massive artificial tree back at home in Canada with his family; it was always tradition to spend a whole day decorating the house, with the tree being the last centerpiece.
“I like to put up lights by the balcony, but that’s about it.”
“But lighting the Christmas tree up is the best part.”
“Is there something special about lighting up a tree?” Jiwoong questioned genuinely, getting a nod from Matthew.
“Mhm, when the tree lights up, especially a big one, all the ornaments sparkle and it lights up the space around the tree and it’s just so magical… I do it every year at the end of the night when my family is done decorating.” Matthew said, getting quieter and a bit more solemn towards the end.
He was reminded once again that this would be a Christmas without his family back in Canada, due to his tight work schedule.
Having used his vacation days a bit before… he had none left to be stacked for the holidays, and found himself coming to the conclusion with his parents that it was not worth it to fly all the way back home for only a few days to come back.
Jiwoong had noticed the shift, and had come to comfort Matthew.
“Well, you know they have a Christmas tree lighting event tonight actually in the main park, you want to go to that?” Jiwoong suggested. “We’ve never gone because there are usually way too many people, but it would be nice to see that magical sparkle you’re telling us about. Wouldn’t it, kids?”
“Yes!” They agreed, having resolved their dispute after putting the star on together. “We want to see the giant tree!” Yujin cheered.
“Hm, I wouldn’t want you guys to go out of your way…”
“Matthew, it is not out of our way. We want to go with you to see it, I think it’ll be nice, what do you say?” Jiwoong supported.
“Okay, let’s go.” Matthew quickly gave in, giving Jiwoong a soft smile and getting one back in response.
Since there were usually so many families who sat and stood around the tree, it was hard to find a good spot if you were there only a little bit before the event started. So the family decided to go much earlier, and set up closer to the tree with their blanket in the grass. They could play other games while they waited for time to pass and other people to fill in around them, and so they found themselves playing a board game.
At first, Matthew still found himself in a mood that was a bit down, but soon found himself immersed and having fun engaged in the board game, his competitive side coming out.
And before they knew it, an announcer on stage announced the tree was going to soon be lit. A carol was sung by a local choir, and a countdown was soon started.
“3! 2! 1!” Everyone chanted.
The tree lit up, and Matthew had never seen a tree so tall before. It was obviously artificial, but what a feat it was to have set it up in the park like this, and decorate it fully.
His eyes sparkled as the lights reflected into them, his mouth hanging open as the kids beside him were also in visible and audible awe.
“It’s so bright and pretty…” Jiwoong said in awe as well. “You were right about it being a magical experience Matthew… I never should have doubted you.”
And what Jiwoong had said next had surprised him.
“Thank you for bringing us out here Matthew.” Jiwoong said as he leaned into his boyfriend’s shoulder and touch.
“What… thank me?” Matthew questioned innocently.
“Yeah, you inspired us to come out here.”
“But I should be thanking you Jiwoong… for…” Matthew said, choking up a little bit. For being here for me when my family back home can’t.
“I know Matthew, it’s okay.” Jiwoong said as they enjoyed the glistening tree in front of them. And if Matthew sniffled here and there, Jiwoong didn’t say anything but just hugged him a little bit tighter.
________
With the kids shopping out of the way, Matthew wondered what to get for Jiwoong.
He decides to spend a few hours after getting off work early while Jiwoong is busy to go gift hunting for his boyfriend, wanting to surprise him.
It was easy to find gifts and things the children liked since they were so vocal about what type of gifts they wanted, but Jiwoong… as much as Matthew knew his boyfriend, he didn’t know what he would appreciate as a gift.
Well, Matthew knew Jiwoong would appreciate anything that Matthew would give him, as he’s experienced before from a bag of chips he bought from the store because he remembered he liked them, to a gum wrapper folded into a heart; Jiwoong would take anything that would come from Matthew.
However, Matthew wanted to go above and beyond for Christmas, he wanted the gift to be special this time, to really show his appreciation and love towards his partner.
Matthew spends a good time wandering around the mall, and thinks of what could make a gift to the next level. He passes on matching accessories and garments, as he already gifted that a few weeks back.
It isn’t until Matthew stops by an arts and crafts store he realizes the perfect gift for Jiwoong. An one of a kind gift, something you can’t get anywhere else, purely from the heart: a handmade gift.
Matthew buys an empty album, some stickers, a basket, sweets and little trinkets, but most importantly, prints out pictures professionally exported from his phone; his gift idea is to form a gift package with pictures decorated and labeled in an album, to display the journey of their relationship this year.
A perfect gift to encapsulate everything.
Over the weeks, as Matthew finds himself having free time, and at that, free time without Jiwoong, he spends every minute of it decorating and editing the album so that it could be perfect.
He adds cartoons and calligraphy labels, really putting his artistic skills to use to make the album above and beyond what any normal person could accomplish.
He even takes it to work during breaks, getting a raised eyebrow and head shake from Gunwook.
“Our Masshu hyung is truly, deeply in love.” Gunwook teased as Matthew didn’t reply, focusing wholly on the project.
Whenever he thought he was finished with the album, he finds that he needs more, that it’ll never be perfect enough for Jiwoong.
He eventually adds so much content and extra stuff that the album is two times as thick as it was when he had first purchased it.
And only when Matthew finds himself struggling to carry the album around due to the weight, does he consider stopping and calling it finished.
It was a few nights before Christmas, as Matthew found himself alone in his apartment, staring at the gift basket lying hidden in his office. He really hoped Jiwoong would like it - well, he knew he would like it. But he hoped he loved it, that it would surely be a good gift as much as the one Jiwoong was going to get him.
Matthew knew Jiwoong was going to surprise him with something just as impressive or more, so he was nervous about the gift exchange.
He wouldn’t know how Jiwoong would feel about the gift, or what he was going to get, until Christmas morning.
________
It was finally Christmas morning, and Matthew woke up to find the children bouncing excitedly at the foot of their bed. He felt a peck on his cheek, and a good morning from his boyfriend, as they both got up to clean up.
“Come on, let’s open the presents already!” Yujin whined as the couple urged them to be patient.
“We won’t open them until we have breakfast, okay?” Jiwoong stated, getting short lived complaints from the children.
“I’ll make my delicious pancakes, and you guys can help!” Matthew said, quickly distracting them from their unopened presents.
To be honest, for Matthew, it had been a bit tough for him these days knowing that he wouldn’t be able to spend the holidays with his family back in Canada, which would be the first holiday in a while without them.
But, Jiwoong and the kids had filled that empty gap these days, Jiwoong having noticed the shift in Matthew’s mood and inviting him over more to spend time as their own family…
So Matthew smiles genuinely as he helps the kids flip their own pancakes, when Yujin gets syrup all over his fingers and runs away from his father who desperately tries to clean him, when Hanbin excitedly calls Hao to tell him “Merry Christmas,” and whisper an “I love you.”
After breakfast, finally comes the much anticipated event from not just the kids but the adults as well: presents.
The kids open the presents from the adults first, revealing the shoes and bookshelf stand the couple had picked out for them a few weeks back.
“Appa thank you!” Yujin said as he put on his new shoes and ran out the house, the sneakers lighting up in all different kinds of colors. “Now I can run around with my friends and we can all be matching!”
“You’re welcome Yujin, Merry Christmas.” Jiwoong cooed as he kissed his youngest son on the cheek as Yujin reciprocated it.
“You really got it!” Hanbin cheered, who had for once, hastily opened his gift in excitement. “And it’s the cafe scene that I wanted, thank you so much Appa!” Hanbin rushed to hug his father.
“Well, don’t just thank me, Matthew also helped to get these gifts for you.” Jiwoong said, making the kids quickly huddle around Matthew as well.
“Thank you Matthew!” They said in unison as Matthew hugged them back.
“You’re welcome guys, Merry Christmas!” Matthew said as he ruffled their hair.
“Okay, it’s Appa next!” Yujin said as he scrambled to hand over a very… interestingly packaged gift to his father. “Open it!”
Jiwoong, despite the poor packaging, meticulously opened the gift as if every bit of wrapping paper was also part of the gift, and gasped when he had found what was inside.
“It’s a painting, with you, Matthew, and Hanbin hyung! I made it in art class, and it has a frame because the teacher did it for us.” Yujin explained innocently as Jiwoong smothered him in love.
“I love it so much Yujinnie, thank you so much!” Jiwoong cooed as the youngest smiled in glee.
“Mines next.” Hanbin said as he handed over a booklet to his father.
“What’s this?” Jiwoong asked curiously as he opened it.
“It’s a book I wrote, with poems about our family, but most importantly, how much I love and appreciate you Appa.” Hanbin explained sentimentally, getting a squeak out of his father.
“Oh Hanbin…” Jiwoong hugged his son tightly.
At this point, Matthew doesn’t know if his gift is good enough… Can his gift top the handmade gifts from his sons?
He doesn’t have time to think as the children urge Matthew to give his gift to their father. He goes under the small tree they had set up to bring out a big, heavy wrapped box.
“Woah, what a big gift.” Yujin said in awe as Jiwoong raised an eyebrow at Matthew.
“Go on, open it.” Matthew said a little impatiently alongside the kids, wanting to see his boyfriend’s reaction already.
Jiwoong, of course, takes his time to unwrap and open the box as he did with his sons, which makes Matthew even more nervous.
“I wanted to give you something special, because I always kind of give you gifts here and there, so I didn’t know what you would want and I didn’t want to ask because I wanted to surprise you…” Matthew started as Jiwoong finally got to lifting the album out of the box.
Jiwoong was silent as he flipped through the pages, and Matthew found himself being even more nervous at the silence.
“And I wanted it to be meaningful, but I don’t know, maybe this was stupid and I know it’s not much and not expensive but I wanted it to be personal an-”
“Matthew.” Jiwoong said, his voice audibly cracking. “I… I love it.”
“You do?” Matthew said in surprise.
“Of course I do. Matthew, it’s perfect.” Jiwoong said as he wiped a tear and beckoned everyone to sit on the couch beside him.
They flipped through the pages together as Jiwoong was speechless alongside the kids, as Matthew commentated the pages and his ideas for each of them, Jiwoong giving him relentless pecks throughout the whole process. Pictures of Jiwoong and Matthew were here and there, while more recent pictures of the kids and the adults as a group were more prevalent in the album, with dates and cute stickers and labels. It was a great physical piece that really displayed how much had happened these past few months for the development of this unique family.
“It’s actually perfect Matthew, it means the world to me, thank you.” Jiwoong said as he finally composed himself and hugged Matthew.
“You’re welcome Hyung, I’m so relieved you love it. Merry Christmas Hyung.” Matthew replied.
Jiwoong gives a fat, long smooch to Matthew on the lips, getting an “ew” from the kids.
“Okay, it’s Matthew’s turn to open gifts, no more kissing.” Yujin said as he quickly got the last, big box from under the small tree.
“Wow Yujin, you also got me a big gift?” Matthew asked.
“This gift has things from all of us.” Hanbin explained as Matthew made a noise in understanding.
He slowly opened the box just as Jiwoong had, and when he did, he had found three boxes inside the big box itself.
They were numbered 1, 2 and 3.
“You have to open them in order.” Jiwoong explained, making Matthew smile.
“Okay, here goes the first one.” Matthew says, obviously knowing it is Yujin’s present due to the… once again interesting wrapping technique. Matthew opens the small box to reveal an ornament, a picture of them in a small plastic orb.
“I also made this in class!” Yujin explained, Matthew pulling him into a hug with a “Thank you, I love it.”
“There’s more in the box.” Hanbin explains as Matthew finds a small book hidden at the bottom.
“It’s one of my favorite books, I don’t know if you like to read but I put notes in it that you can follow along if you want.” Hanbin explained shyly, getting a hug from Matthew as well.
“That’s so thoughtful Hanbin-ah, thank you.” Matthew said, getting a sigh of relief from the younger.
Matthew then moves onto the next box, number 2.
For this one, he can already tell what it is. It’s jewelry, and specifically when he opens it, it’s two rings.
It’s a nice shiny silver, simple with no design, but still beautiful and seemingly valuable.
“It’s a couple ring, so now everyone can really know you’re mine.” Jiwoong explained.
“Oh Jiwoong, I love it.” Matthew says as Jiwoong takes the ring and puts it on Matthew’s finger, Matthew reciprocating the action to his boyfriend as well, and giving a peck on the lips.
“It’s already perfect, I don’t know what else you could have in the last box.” Matthew asks.
“Oh, I think it might top everything you just had.” Jiwoong says, a little bit with excitement, but also with a hint of nervousness.
“Hm, I can’t imagine what it is.” Matthew questions as he shakes the box to hear a clinking noise. Maybe another piece of jewelry? It’s something small for sure.
He opens it, and his heart skips several beats.
He doesn’t know he’s crying until Jiwoong asks if he’s okay, rushing to his side to wipe his tears with concerned eyes.
“Hey, everything okay?” Jiwoong asks, voice laced in concern.
“Are you sad Uncle Mattchu?” Yujin asked, also in concern.
“No, I’m not sad. I’m just so happy.” Matthew said as he sniffled and wiped his running tears on his cheeks.
He looks down again to see what is inside the box: Jiwoong’s spare key card, with a written note “Move in?”
“You know, you’ve basically moved into our apartment and home at this point, because you sleep over and spend a lot of time here, but it wasn’t official before, and we didn’t pay rent together and you went back to your place to sleep here and there but…” Jiwoong nervously rambled. “I think it’s personally pointless to pay rent for a place you don’t spend that much time in, and you’re such an essential part of our lives so why not make it official?”
Matthew’s heart was beating out of his chest at this moment, and he looked around to see Jiwoong with a smile, holding Matthew’s cheek with one hand, the kids sitting behind him in anticipation as well.
“The last gift is from all of us, right kids?” Jiwoong explained.
“Yeah, move in with us Matthew!” Hanbin asked.
“Your cooking is way better than Appa's too.” Yujin added, getting a messy, crying laugh from Matthew before he replied.
“Yes!” Matthew repeats and sobs as he hugs Jiwoong as hard as he can. “I’d love to move in.”
The hug turns into a dog pile as the kids also jump onto the adults as well, and Matthew doesn’t say anything when he feels Jiwoong shaking a bit in his arms as well, a wet spot forming on his shoulders.
But Matthew truly believes this was the best Christmas gift he could have ever received.
…
Later that night, after the kids have gone to sleep, Jiwoong and Matthew are relishing in the presence of each other, happy and blissful in bed.
The spare key is still in Matthew’s hand, Matthew looking at it as if it held the answers to the mysteries of the world.
“You’re starting to look at that key card more than me.” Jiwoong teased. “You already know the code to my home anyway, the key card was more for dramatic effect.”
“Yeah, but I like having something physical for meaning, you know.” Matthew added, getting a hum of agreement from his partner. “I’ll probably cut my lease, sell my furniture and stuff before I move in with you guys.
“That sounds good, and I’ll help you out with that.”
“Thanks.” Matthew says, getting a sense of deja vu.
It felt only like yesterday when he had moved into the new apartment almost a year ago, and he had met Jiwoong at the front door.
Jiwoong had asked if he needed any help moving in, and ended up helping him the next day…
And now, that man, the random neighbor who was nice enough to help Matthew feel comfortable in a new home and country, was the love of his life, not to mention the father of two perfect children that Matthew loves to take care of, and hopefully call them his one day alongside Jiwoong.
He can’t believe it’s already winter, and that in the span of a year, his whole life had changed.
He starts tearing up and sniffling, prompting Jiwoong to ask if he’s okay.
“I just, can’t think of a life without you, without the kids… without this family. I love you all so much, and I love life and I really really love you an-”
Jiwoong shuts Matthew’s sobby rant up with a kiss.
“I really really love you too Matthew.” Jiwoong says as he shushes the younger into an embrace, whispering affirmations and pecks to the younger.
“I’m not sad, I'm just so happy.”
“I know, I’m really happy too.”
“To be honest, at first, I was a bit sad because I was away from my family back in Canada for the holidays…” Matthew explained.
“I know, I could tell.” Jiwoong replied softly.
“But it turned out to be alright.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I have my own family here too.”
…
“I love you Seok Matthew.” Jiwoong replies lovingly and quietly. “Merry Christmas.”
"Merry Christmas Kim Jiwoong, I love you more.”
~THE END~