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Christmas in South Korea is more of a romantic holiday, similar to Valentine's Day in that way. It's actually an excuse to stay at home with your partner and celebrate in a small, intimate way that brings you closer together.
But right now, Mashiho ponders over if it's even possible. The thought is irritating him and he's on the verge of popping the balloons he's been working with as Christmas decorations since earlier. Because where the hell is his boyfriend when the big day is just hours away?
Did he freaking forget that it’s Christmas?
Gifts? Check. Cookies? Check. Food? It’s on the table and everything is ready. Decorations? He's nearly finished with it.
Kim Junkyu is the only one who has gone missing! Even their dog is decked out in his festive attire and chewing on some of his treats.
For the ninth time, the Japanese grabbed his phone from the couch in order to text or call his lover.
But nothing has changed, and no one has responded.
Truth be told, it’s starting to bother him. It's almost their sixth Christmas as a couple, and they've spent the last five years doing so in each other's arms.
They don't do anything spectacular; they just eat, cuddle, play with their dog, and end the night with silly kisses and tight hugs.
However, it has always been the best.
So, as usual, they planned everything ahead of time this year, but the older ones decided to do this. Ignoring Mashiho's calls and messages, and perhaps just letting him celebrate alone.
As he tried not to scoff, the small guy looked at the massive box under their Christmas tree. He was just thinking about his efforts to buy a present for Junkyu when he remembered the game he'd been eyeing since last month.
If that idiot decides to abandon him, he will have to say goodbye to this enormous gift.
And possibly to his boyfriend as well.
“Idiot! Kim Junkyu, you moron! " Mashiho says to no one in particular.
He hung the last balloon on the wall just behind the couch, and the guy had to readjust it several times because the position is awkward. It's clear that he's lost control of himself as a result of annoyance.
Almost losing hope, Mashiho heaved a loud sigh as he roamed his eyes around their shared apartment. Everything is beautiful and lively. Yet he couldn’t even feel the spirit of Christmas.
He jolted when his phone suddenly rang and of course, he immediately expected that the caller was none other than his boyfriend.
But the guy was again a bit disappointed when it displayed his best friend’s name instead. Don’t get him wrong, he knows Hyunsuk will greet him early because he won’t be able to later when he’a already enjoying the wine in his unit.
With his boyfriend.
That fact just hit Mashiho again. He could only wish that Junkyu is here too and that he won’t need to get envious of Hyunsuk celebrating Christmas with his partner.
“Shihooo!”
“Ya, you’re too energetic, Suk!”
“Merry Christmas bestie! You won’t believe this, we’re finally adopting a baby soon! It’s Jihoon’s present for me.”
Mashiho was filled with awe and excitement because of the announcement. He congratulated Hyunsuk and greeted him with a Merry Christmas too. They were having a little chit chat when the other suddenly decided to ask him.
“So, where’s Junkyu? I always hear him in the background every year playing with Kotetsu.” The couple on the other line giggled, totally clueless about what’s happening.
“Uhm…”
Just before he could even make an excuse, the door opened.
“Oh. He’s right here. Call you back later. I’m excited to meet my nephew!”
The Japanese tried his best to sound enthusiastic before ending the phone call.
“Love?”
Huh. The audacity to call him with their endearment with a soft voice! No, Mashiho won’t give in easily.
“Where have you been?” The younger replied with the coldest tone, not even looking at the latter and pretending to fix the food on the table.
“I’m sorry. I totally forgot about Christmas eve. We had to fix a problem in the company. We just solved it now.
Indeed, Junkyu is an idiot. Did he just admit that he forgot about the celebration? It’s just an hour and thirty minutes before the clock ticks twelve. Isn’t he even aware of the date today?
Ridiculous.
“Oh, what am I supposed to say? Congratulations on solving your problem?” The smaller scowled.
Junkyu put down his bag with a gulp. He doesn’t want Mashiho getting mad. It’s torture. But he’s well aware of what he did too.
“Love, i’m really sorry. I still made it on time, so please forgive me?” The taller used his signature pout already but to his surprise, it only made Mashiho furious.
“Made it on time?! It’s a national holiday for Pete's sake! You should’ve been at home with me, preparing everything. But what did you do? You only ignored my messages the whole night.” The younger gripped on the chopsticks he’s holding a little tighter that it started to break.
Kyu was lost for words and instead of letting his lover walk away, with his fast reflexes, he immediately wrapped him in a warm embrace.
“I’m sorry, my love. This won’t happen again. I’m here now and i’ll make it up to you.”
Mashi tried to push him away but to no avail, he failed and landed back in Junkyu's arms. He let his tears fall.
“Dumbass. Don’t do that again!” He started throwing light punches on the other’s chest and Kyu just let him because he knows he deserves it.
He also peppered his lover with soft kisses all over his face.
“I won’t. Promise. I love you.” Junkyu whispered to his ears lovingly, enough for Mashiho to calm down and embrace him back.
The two stayed like that for a few minutes before the younger decided to prepare food for their dog. Meanwhile, Junkyu went to the room to change into comfortable clothes — rather into his pajamas. Mashiho’s already wearing his and they’re matching.
One of their traditions.
Mashiho eventually prepared plates and utensils for them both, but he noticed that his boyfriend was still not coming out of their room. They only have two rooms in their apartment, one of which is theirs, and the other is where they keep their belongings and some clothes.
It had been locked earlier for some reason. He had only recently remembered.
“Love?
" The younger one spoke up. His brows knitted in confusion as he waited for a response. He decided to enter their room, but he was surprised to find it empty.
“Kyu? Where have you gone? " He called once more. The door to their other room opened not long after.
It revealed Junkyu, who had a nervous expression on his face. It's as if he was caught doing something illegal. The manner in which he slammed the door shut was also suspicious.
“What are you doing there?” Asked Mashiho.
“O-oh.. I just looked for something.”
The smaller man nodded, but he was clearly not convinced. He took another look at the room's door before returning his gaze to his lover.
"The food has been prepared. We should eat right now. It's only a few minutes until Christmas."
The dinner was delicious, and the couple was full of laughter and smiles. They took pictures with Kotetsu and some Instagram-worthy shots. When the clock struck twelve, they kissed each other on the lips and pressed their foreheads together.
The opening of gifts is their next agenda.
“Love, haven’t you still placed your gift here?” Mashi asked. He thought Kyu put it under the tree earlier when he asked him to because he wanted to take pictures of the presents under the Christmas tree.
When he didn’t receive a single reply, he raised his eyebrow at the dumbfounded Junkyu.
“Love— i… uhm.”
Why is he stuttering?
“What?” The Japanese asked, still calm.
It took a while for the latter to form a reply because he knows he will hurt Shiho’s feelings again. Or worse, they will have a huge fight when it’s just an hour since Christmas started.
“I… forgot.”
He forgot.
“Oh.”
The disappointment was evident in both the guy’s face and tone. Junkyu felt even more guilty. There’s no excuse as to why he forgot to buy a present for his lover.
But he’s just really preoccupied with a lot of things these past few days.
He is worried about his proposal.
Yes.
Not in work, but the real thing. A marriage proposal for Mashiho.
“It’s okay. I’m still glad i’m with you!” The younger one gave Junkyu the sweetest smile but it couldn’t still ease the guilt creeping on him. Junkyu scooted closer to his boyfriend and made him sit on his lap.
“Love, i’m really sorry. I’ll make it up to you.” He whispered.
The proposal is well planned. What’s lacking is Junkyu’s fighting spirit because nervousness won’t just leave him alone. He’s planning to do it tomorrow, at their favorite restaurant, but because he messed up big time tonight, he thinks he should just do it now.
Right at this very moment.
“It’s really fine.” Mashiho buried his face on Junkyu’s neck, feeling his warmth. He may be a bit sad but what’s important is his boyfriend’s presence and love.
The apartment was filled with silence for a while. The two hadn't pulled away from the hug yet when Mashiho felt a soft kiss on his forehead.
And the next words that came from Junkyu’s mouth sent him strange feelings..
“Love, how about we change the promise ring I gave you?”
“H-huh? You mean, you’ll buy me a new one?” The latter asked.
“I already bought it. But it’s not another promise ring.”
“It’s an engagement ring.” Junkyu added.
Mashiho opened his mouth and closed it again because… he’s lost for words. He definitely didn’t see this coming.
And when Junkyu carefully placed him beside him on the couch, the taller one proceeded to stand up.
Then kneeled after.
“I know this won’t be the most romantic. I swear I planned it really well. I was just looking for the perfect timing. But i’m an idiot. Well, your idiot. So I messed up my own plan and it led to this.”
“I’m really sorry for forgetting about the special occasion tonight. I was busy thinking about how i’ll make this proposal perfect.”
“If you want, I can just repeat it tomorrow if you’re not satisfied.”
Junkyu finished his speech while scratching the back of his neck due to nervousness. He started getting anxious when Mashiho was just staring at him without saying a single word.
“I’m waiting for the question? You said a lot. But why didn’t you ask me? Dumbass.”
“H-huh? Oh! Uhm… Takata Mashiho, my love, my other half, dad of Kotetsu, my favorite person…
Will you marry me?”
The diamond shined, but it still couldn’t beat the glow on the Japanese’s eyes. His tears started to fall. Happy tears, of course.
He slowly nodded his head and uttered a sweet “Yes.”
“I love you, even though you’re an idiot. I love you so much, I will marry you.”
Junkyu didn’t waste any more time and slid the ring on the younger’s finger. They were both in tears already and they couldn’t stop hugging and kissing each other.
“I love you more than anything in this world.”
Ah, Christmas this year is different from their usual.
Yet Mashiho thinks this will be the most unforgettable one.
“So, this is why you looked stressed earlier when I saw you in the room?”
“Yeah. I was afraid of being caught. And… I thought I lost the ring. I had to find it in my pockets.”
“Idiot.”