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Jongin sighs for the tenth time in the last ten minutes. He doesn’t have time to wait; he has warehouses to check, clients to visit, and a ton of paperwork waiting for him despite not being the one in charge of it. He swears he’ll never listen to Kai again. He glances around the room full of people with a tired stare, which is met only by uneasy eyes everywhere he looks.
They don’t usually show up for every induction, however, considering the size of this group and the fact that this is for their illegal side of the business, they always like to make an appearance, encourage the new kids, answer questions about the job. Usually, these meetings are done in their office building. However, due to the nature of their business, their nightclub would have to do for now.
It was empty during the day anyway, except for the few security guards and perhaps one or two other employees getting ready for the night.
Another sigh escapes him and Minseok shoots him a glare.
He can’t help being impatient. It’s wired into his brain. Kai, however, could’ve avoided being this late. It doesn’t help that every call he makes goes to voicemail either.
If he’s sitting in the office staring at his laptop’s wallpaper again, Jongin will definitely punch him.
Hard.
It doesn’t matter that a picture of Kyungsoo is what he set up as said wallpaper.
The sound of an electric guitar starting a song fills the space, coming from the music system, snatching more than a few gasps of the new recruits. Jongin frowns, as music isn’t supposed to be playing. He has his hand on his gun in no time. Whoever thought this was a good idea would get an earful and not even from him. He can see the ice settling in Minseok’s eyes.
That means danger.
Other instruments join the initial guitar and Jongin thinks he recognizes the rock song playing. The lights on the second floor turn on, successfully getting their attention. Standing there, wearing his usual attire along with sunglasses he didn’t need inside the nightclub, is fucking Kim Kai, a smirk tugging at his lips as he leans against the railing of the VIP booth.
He pushes himself off and slowly makes his way to the stairs, almost as if he’s timing his every step with the beat of the song. Jongin hears Minseok and Chanyeol sigh in unison.
When Kai finally reaches the main floor, he takes his glasses off so painfully slow, Jongin is sure he’ll slap them away soon if he doesn’t hurry. The man glances at the new recruits, who simply observe him in both shock and confusion. Jongin suddenly feels bad for them.
Kai eventually pulls out his phone out of his pocket and stops the song.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Minseok says, folding his arms over his chest.
“Did you guys wait for too long?” Kai asks. He squeezes his glasses into his pocket with a smile. He’s pleased with himself, as he always is when he pulls something like this.
“Twenty minutes and forty seconds, to be exact,” Jongin says, gazing at his watch.
“Ah, sorry, I was here all along.” He shrugs. “Just in the back, setting up my big entrance.”
“Is that what that was?” Minseok gestures at the sound system.
Kai smiles, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yes, it took us some time to set up my phone with the sound system.”
Jongin frowns. “Is it on? Why did none of my calls get through?”
“Airplane mode,” Kai coughs, clearly disguising his laugh.
“A menace,” Jongin turns to the new kids and shakes his head. “I wish I could tell you he’s not like this all the time, but I would be lying.”
“Give me some credit, I’m trying to make it fun for them,” Kai’s smile fades slightly as his eyes land on the new kids. There’s a hint of amusement, but also something more dangerous hiding underneath. “Especially since what’s coming is not as fun.”
“Kai,” Minseok warns.
Kai raises a hand. “Did you guys explain our initiation process?”
Minseok and Jongin exchange a look. They know nothing they say will get Kai out of this mood at this point.
“No.” Minseok begrudgingly replies.
“Good, let me explain then.” His long legs eat up the distance between him and the new recruits. “I’m sure you all know who I am, so I won’t bore you with introductions. Let’s get to the juicy part.”
He pauses, observing their faces attentively.
“By tomorrow, around this time, every single one of you needs to bring me something.” He says, tilting his head to the side. “Something you consider valuable.”
One of the new recruits spoke. “What if you don’t think it is?”
“It’s your job to convince me it is.” Kai shrugs. “It can be anything, as long as you consider it to be the most valuable thing. Although I give extra points to those who bring body parts of loved ones.” He grins as he circles the recruits. He then points at one of them in the back. “You have the eyes of someone who would, don’t bring body parts, please. That was a joke.”
“Kai…” Minseok shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
“Meet here at the same time and we’ll see what you bring, then.” Kai wiggles his eyebrows. “You’re dismissed.”
The new kids scatter after that. Some of them look cautious while others glance at Kai as if he had two heads. Jongin couldn’t blame them.
His need to punch his brother only increased.
“Was that necessary?” Jongin asks. There was no such thing as initiation, at least nothing outside of the initial process to join their organization, which every single one of them had gone through already.
Kai shrugs. “Isn’t it funny, though? I just came up with it.”
“You’re wasting our time,” Minseok says.
“Well…” Kai pulls out a cigarette from his back pocket and holds it between his nose and his upper lip. “It’s cold outside, Christmas is coming, business is slow, and I need something to keep me entertained.”
“I’m telling Kyungsoo,” Jongin replies, earning a glare from his brother, which he ignored. “And are you smoking again?”
“No, I’m not. I just… smell them from time to time.” Kai sighs, putting the cigarette back in his pocket.
“So, you admit you were addicted.” Jongin raises an eyebrow.
“Kim Kai is not addicted to anything.” Kai points his index finger at him. “Except for maybe Do Kyungsoo.”
Chanyeol rolled his eyes in the back and left the building.
“Well then, can we get to work now?” Minseok is not amused, and Kai can tell. “Because unlike what you may think, business is not slow and we have a ton of work you just delayed.”
“I’ll make it up to you.” Kai blows him a kiss, making the other man scoff.
“That’s your answer to everything,” Minseok says. Nevertheless, he’s always the one to pick up the pieces of whatever it is Kai is up to for the day.
“You know you love me.”
Minseok rolls his eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
…
Despite looking relaxed, Kai is very far from it. The wheels in his head are working at the speed of light as he tries to come up with the perfect idea. The perfect Christmas gift.
For Kyungsoo.
This would be technically their first Christmas together as a couple. The first of many, he hopes. Even when he had been getting him small things every day, no matter how much thought he put into it, he still didn’t know what would be the perfect gift for the man who changed his life for the better. Kai has never been the one to give meaningless gifts, and he’s not about to start now.
They arrive at the office a while later, after taking care of a few business deals. He still has some work to do before he can call it a day, however it’s almost as if he can’t concentrate on what he needs to do. His mind keeps coming back to the gift.
He walks to the bar and grabs the last bottle he has of his favorite whiskey, pouring a glass before setting it back.
“Minseok, did we not restock on these?” He asks, taking a small sip. Minseok turns to face his boss, his nose wrinkling slightly.
“No… I couldn’t find any.”
Jongin, who’s sitting behind the computer, claps. “It’s finally happening.”
Kai shoots his brother a glare. “I’ll find it wherever it is. I still have one bottle at home.”
Jongin types into the computer, not minding his brother. “I’m glad to see your old addictions are dying one by one.”
Kai rolls his eyes. Just then, he feels his phone vibrating inside his pocket. He pulls it out and his worries wash away instantly at the sight of Kyungsoo’s name flashing across the screen. He quickly answers the phone, pressing it against his ear. “Mr. Do. What a pleasure it is to hear from you again.”
“We saw each other this morning.” Kyungsoo’s deep, yet melodic voice is accompanied by a low chuckle. Kai’s chest fills with warmth. He would never get enough of Kyungsoo’s voice.
Or Kyungsoo.
“Too long ago, if you ask me, but it is what it is.” He walks over to the couch, folding a leg over the other once he’s sitting down. “I miss you.”
Kyungsoo’s laugh reaches him, and he swears it’s the best sound in the world. “I miss you too, darling.” There’s a pause. “What are you up to?”
“We’re in the office… I’m still thinking about your gift.” Kai sighs. Jongin looks up from the computer.
“You’re still on that?” Kyungsoo sighs. “Darling, you’ve been sending me a gift almost every day since December started. I’m already happy enough.”
Kai leans back in his seat. Why does he feel like it’s not enough then? “I don’t know.”
“Let it go, you’ve given me more than anyone ever has,” Kyungsoo says. “I barely have any space left.”
“We can always find you more space. That’s not a problem.”
There’s silence for a moment. “Anyway… a little bird told me what you did today with the new recruits.”
Kai’s head snaps to look at Jongin. The other simply raises an eyebrow. “Was that bird, Kim Jongin?”
“No, but it wouldn’t matter if he did.” Kyungsoo lets out a sigh. “Why are you bothering the new kids?”
Kai shrugs, even when he knows Kyungsoo won’t be able to see him. “I thought it would be funny.”
He can feel the love and disapproval from the other end of the line. “You’re impossible. Maybe I should get you a leash or something.”
Kai laughs.
“Moving on to better things. Do you have time for lunch with us?” Kai sets the glass down.
“Sorry, I have plans, however I’ll see you tonight.” Kyungsoo replies.
“Plans? With who?”
“You don’t need to know. I’ll talk to you later.” Kyungsoo sends him a quick kiss before hanging up. Kai is speechless.
“So… no lunch?” Jongin asks.
Kai blinks. “No lunch.” He frowns. “Did you tell him about today?”
Jongin shakes his head. “I haven’t had the time to yet.”
“Then how does he know?”
They both glance at Minseok.
“It wasn’t me.”
“Fuck, he has eyes everywhere.” Kai groans. He left that conversation with more questions than answers. No lunch, and to top it all…
No idea what to get him for Christmas.
…
Kyungsoo shoves his phone back into his pocket with a sigh. He doesn’t know how Kai does it, but his chaotic side surprises Kyungsoo every day. There’s not a day he doesn’t question what goes on inside of the other man’s brain. He doesn’t know what he’ll do with him at this point. At least it was harmless, in a way.
He stretches, glancing at the bouquet of sunflowers showcased on his desk. These came in the day before and he’s still waiting for the next delivery. Because he knows they’re coming. He’s been receiving a bouquet of fresh flowers every single day of December.
The first day he got roses. A ton of them.
One bouquet for each color.
On the second day, he got tulips.
The third one he got orchids. Kyungsoo could go on.
Of course, each day he also received a gift along with the flowers. Either things for himself, for his house, for his business. There was no limit, despite how many times Kyungsoo told him he didn’t have to. Kai refused each time, saying this was something he wanted to do for him, something he wanted to do for his boyfriend. His boyfriend. So, eventually, Kyungsoo gave up. His enthusiasm was endearing.
Yesterday, he got a gun with a brief message engraved on the side. Kyungsoo thinks this might be his new favorite gun.
He leaves the office eventually, walking downstairs. He doesn’t have long until his lunch appointment, but after a long morning of paperwork, a break is deserved. Not long after, he hears his front door opening. Sehun comes in with yet another bouquet, gardenias this time, and sets it by the front door. He takes a quick scan around the living room, where most of the flowers are.
Sehun sighs. “Forgot the vases again.”
Kyungsoo chuckles, following Sehun’s eyes. At some point, they ran out of vases to put the flowers in, so they had to use what they had, which in some cases wasn’t the most convenient, but it worked.
“I’ll tell Jongdae to get them, don’t worry.” Kyungsoo smiles. “I don’t have any more cocktail glasses to put those in.” he scans his kitchen, looking for something that could work. “Here.” Kyungsoo grabs the blender cup and fills it up with water before handing it over to Sehun.
“There’s something else,” Sehun informs before putting down the flowers and heading back outside. He comes back with a giant framed painting. Kyungsoo’s eyes widen when he sees poor Sehun struggling to get it through the door.
“What did you do, Kim Kai?” Kyungsoo walks over to help. Part of him is amused. He didn’t expect the gifts to increase in size, however, part of him knows the sky is the limit for a man like Kai. He started with jewelry and went up from there. When Sehun sets the painting down, they turn it around so Kyungsoo can see what it is.
He can only laugh.
It’s him. Just him in casual clothes.
He can recognize the picture that served as a reference. Him sitting on the twins’ couch, back when they started officially dating. It had to be around the time when Kyungsoo was spending every breathing moment at their place to care for a wounded Jongin. Kai decided to take a picture, because ‘he looked cute’. He knows Kai has this picture as his phone’s wallpaper, too.
Kyungsoo has no idea how long this took, or where he was going to put it.
Sehun hands him a note. “This came with it.”
Kyungsoo takes a deep breath before opening it.
I think you don’t know, or maybe you do, but when I took this picture, I realized my entire world was in it. Jongin’s too. So, we had this made two months ago and we really wish we were there to see your reaction. I got one for myself too. I’ll put it above my bed so I can see you when you’re not here.
Anyway, I still don’t know what to get you for Christmas. Please send me a hint.
Or a sign. Anything.
Love you, Kai and Jongin.
Kyungsoo shakes his head, a grin spreading across his face. Kai always had a way to make the silliest things special. He can hope he can return this much love.
“Is the car ready?” he asks.
“Yes sir,” Sehun replies.
“Good, I don’t want to be late for lunch.”
.*.*.*.*.
The next day, Kai is sitting on top of the bar at his favorite nightclub. Just as he said the day before, right on time. A leg crossed over the other and a cigarette carefully tucked between two fingers. He tried not to give too much away, but he could see the nervousness in every single one of the new recruits. It was funny to him.
Probably the only one this was funny for.
“Alright, is everyone here?” Kai asks.
“Yes sir,” Minseok replies behind him. Both he and Jongin stood behind the bar with boredom written all over their faces. Chanyeol was standing by the door, keeping an eye on all of them.
“Good, then we shall start.” He smiles at the group. “Who wants to go first?”
They all stay silent, neither of them moving.
Kai raises an eyebrow. “Don’t make me call you by name… that will just deduct points.”
The new kids glance at each other nervously, until one of them bravely steps forward. The guy clears his throat, not even making eye contact, holding a box tightly against his chest. Just as he’s about to open it, he drops it, apologizing at least three times as he drops to his knees to pick it up.
Kai sighs. “Alright, you pass… now go back to the line.” The kid’s eyes widen and he nods before rushing back to the group. Kai glances over his shoulder, whispering to Minseok. “Make sure he spends some time with Chanyeol.”
Minseok takes a deep breath. “Yes, sir.”
The next one walks up to Kai holding a small box. His face was expressionless as he puts it down next to him. He doesn’t say a word as he waits. Kai opens it to find an empty zip bag inside. He doesn’t know what he’s looking at and the confusion must be obvious on his face. He glances back at this kid.
“Explain.”
“This is my submission, sir.” The recruit says.
“Okay, but what is this?” Kai is seconds away from shutting this entire thing down. He had a different idea and thought he would have fun with the things they brought, but so far it was far from it.
“It’s for you to put in some of your hair,” the recruit explains. “In the future, when science is advanced enough and they can clone someone, then they can take your hair to bring you back.”
Kai blinks. “Why is this valuable?”
“People say you love yourself the most.”
Kai can hear the moment Minseok holds his breath behind him. Not a soul moves as they wait for his reaction. He pulls out the little bag, staring at it for a good minute, and then, against all odds, he bursts out laughing.
The recruit doesn’t move; he doesn’t laugh. Instead, he looks quite confused, as if he didn’t know what was so funny about it.
“I like you. You pass.” He waves the guy off and, as soon as he’s at the back of the group again, Kai turns to Minseok. “Make sure that one never hangs out with Chanyeol.”
“Noted.” Minseok replies, and Kai can see he’s also concerned.
More of the new kids come in and out as they show him what they brought. A lot of them were very similar in reasoning or what they brought. But eventually, Kai was starting to lose interest again.
He’s about to call it off when the next kid gives him a note and a single flower. He raised an eyebrow, kind of questioning his choice, but when he opened the note, he immediately recognizes Kyungsoo’s handwriting.
“How did you get this?” He asks, handing the flower over to Jongin. The kid bites his bottom lip nervously.
“Mr. Do gave it to me.” His voice is barely above a whisper. Kai has to lean forward to hear him.
“When?” Kai jumps off the bar, stepping closer.
“Yesterday over lunch.”
Kai narrows his eyes. “So, it was you…”
“I asked for advice, and he asked to have lunch with me.” The kid was sweating under Kai’s attentive stare.
Kai shakes his head, mostly in disbelief. He glances at Jongin, who’s more interested in the flower that came from Kyungsoo than anything else. “That’s a good distraction tactic, I’ll admit. What did you two talk about?”
The recruit clears his throat with flushed cheeks. “Nothing much. He wanted to know about me, and I told him what was going on and why-”
“Ah, so it was you,” Kai says again.
“He was going to find out, anyway.” Minseok intervenes.
“Uh… he said it was smart coming to him. Apparently, not many have the courage to.” The recruit says. There’s whispering rising in the back.
Kai doesn’t reply right away, however, he opens the note again and reads through it. A grin spreads across his face instantly. “It was smart. I’ll give you that much.” He nods. “What’s your name?”
“Kang Seojun sir.”
“I like you. You pass.” Kai laughs at how the kid deflates with relief. He turns to Minseok. “Call Kyungsoo and tell him we need to have a serious conversation.”
“No need.” A new voice echoes from the back. Kai blinks when Kyungsoo stands up from the couch further from the dancefloor, behind the wall of new kids, and walks towards him.
“How long have you been there?” Kai chuckles.
“Enough.” Kyungsoo smiles. “Can you stop torturing them now? I’m sure they have better things to do.”
Kai lets out a dramatic sigh. “Alright, but just because you asked nicely.” He grins. “Okay kids, you’re all dismissed.” He waves them off and shoots Chanyeol a look who opens the doors for the new recruits to leave. There’s a sense of relief and disbelief amongst the new kids as they leave the place.
Minseok scoffs in the back.
“So you couldn’t have lunch with me because you were having lunch with the new kid?”
Kyungsoo shrugs. “He asked for help. I delivered.”
“I wanted to have lunch with you.” Kai folds his arms over his chest.
“We always have lunch together. Besides, I wanted him to have some peace while he ate.”
“I know how to behave.” Kai arches a brow.
Jongin approaches them, pressing a kiss to the top of Kyungsoo’s head. The other reaches out for his hand in return. “We all know that’s not true.”
Kyungsoo chuckles. “How about lunch today as compensation?”
“Fine… I shall accept this peace offering.” Kai smirks. “Also, what is this about?” he shows Kyungsoo the note.
“It is what it is.” Kyungsoo tries and fails to hold back his smile. He turns to Jongin, who’s nothing less than hypnotized by Kyungsoo’s presence.
Meanwhile, Kai looks down at the white paper in his hand again. Just a few words written on it, however, they held the power to make him incredibly happy.
I just need you.
That’s all the note said.
Kai bites his bottom lip, the hint of excitement clear in his eyes. He doesn’t say anything, but; he reaches out to run his fingers through Kyungsoo’s hair. He plays with it for a moment and eventually pulls out a couple of strands, making Kyungsoo complain.
“What are you doing?”
Kai grabs the small box from earlier. Putting the strands into the bag and sealing it. “In the future, when technology is advanced enough and cloning is possible, I would rather the world have Do Kyungsoo again.” Kai shrugs. “People are wrong. I actually love you the most.”
Kyungsoo could only smile at his cute boyfriend. Weird, but cute.
.*.*.*.*.
Jongin sits down next to the Christmas tree, extending a hand that Kyungsoo eventually takes, and he pulls the other man into his lap. Resting his chin on Kyungsoo’s shoulder. The sight in front of them is one they didn’t think they’d ever see, yet it makes perfect sense. Of course, this was Kai’s idea. Opening their gifts on the night of Christmas eve instead of Christmas day, since most if not all of them would be busy with their own families the next day.
Kyungsoo had already wrapped his parents’ presents along with Youngmin’s and he was sure Kai had an entire ordeal for his parents as well.
But having both teams sit around the Christmas tree and open presents was as strange as it was endearing. Some of the most dangerous men in Seoul gathered around the presents, each of them looking as awkward as anyone would expect them to be.
Kai sits next to Kyungsoo and his brother, a glass of wine in hand, as he smiles at everyone. “We’ve gathered you here today to-”
“We’re not doing this. Someone start before he really gets into it.” Jongin interrupts, reaching out for the closest present to him. He reads the name on it and passes it down to Minseok. “This one is yours.”
Minseok chuckles. He can already tell what’s in the box, judging by the size. He opens it meticulously, making sure the wrapping paper is as intact as it can be, and setting the bow aside to find a large sword inside the box. “With Love, Kai.” He reads the card.
“For your collection.” Kai raises his glass with a smile. He then wiggles his eyebrows. “Check underneath.”
Minseok frowns, fishing inside the box until he finds a small booklet. He sends Kai a questioning stare.
“Those are ‘stop this now’ coupons… you each get three of them, to use whenever you want and when you redeem it, I will stop doing whatever it is I’m doing.” Kai says. He notices the way Minseok’s and Chanyeol’s eyes light up at the mere idea.
“No matter what it is?”
“No matter what it is,” Kai confirms. “You only get three to use as long as you work for me, so use them wisely.” He chuckles. “Chanyeol has a few in his present, too.”
Kyungsoo raises an eyebrow. “I don’t get one of these?”
Kai smirks. “You get something better.”
“Alright,” Minseok grabs another present with his name on it and opens it with as much care as he did the last one. He finds a large box of some very expensive chocolate that he likes.
Jongdae clears his throat. “I didn’t know what to get… but I heard you really like these.” He scratches the back of his head, avoiding Minseok’s eyes, who’s staring with such intensity. “I hope you enjoy them.”
Minseok takes one out of the box and pops it in his mouth. “I will. Thank you.”
Jongdae opens his presents next. He opens his boxes and finds that more than one person got him the same book he’s been waiting to read for a while. He chuckles and holds the three copies against his chest with a big smile while Baekhyun and Kai argue about the other not communicating what they were going to get him.
Kyungsoo moves to let Jongin grab his first gift, who frowns at how heavy it is. He waits patiently until the other man unwraps it, still sort of holding on to him. Jongin’s eyes widen when he pulls out a large resin block. Inside of it were a bunch of flowers, preserved in time.
Kyungsoo smiles. “These were one of the first flowers you gave me. I thought it would be nice to preserve them like this and that they would eventually become an acceptable gift for you.”
Jongin says nothing as he watches the flowers inside the block. He gently sets it down and pulls Kyungsoo into an embrace. Murmuring a quick thank you against his skin. Kyungsoo pats his head.
“I thought you would like it.”
When Jongin finally let go of Kyungsoo again, he grabbed his flowers and sat back to watch them some more.
Minseok sighs. “He forgot he has other gifts.”
“Yeah, we lost him.” Kai adds.
“Open yours then.” Kyungsoo nods towards a couple of boxes under the tree. Kai sends him a mischievous smile before he runs to get them.
“What did you get me, Do Kyungsoo?”
“You’ll see.”
Kai opens his, only to find a couple of whiskey bottles inside. One of them was slightly bigger than the other. He blinks.
“I did some research, and turns out your favorite brand was bought out. My plan was to buy it for you, but someone was ahead of me. However, they kept the cheap one and renamed it. So that’s the smaller one. They also make good quality whiskey, so that’s the big one you can serve others.”
Kai stands up, kissing Kyungsoo’s cheek. “You’re an angel.”
“Did you really have to?” Minseok asks, however he looks somewhat amused.
“Sorry, Hyung, we’ll have to put up with it for a little longer.”
Kai smiles. “You just lost me too; we can move along while I pour myself a glass.”
Jongdae passes down a couple of boxes to Chanyeol, who sets them to the side, saying he’ll open his later. After Kai and Baekhyun’s nagging, he opens them, giving in with a sigh. Everyone studies him attentively as he opens the first one.
Chanyeol’s eyebrows furrow and Kai stretches, attempting to see what’s inside the box.
He pulls out a little octopus plushie.
“Why is it mad?” Jongdae asks.
“Okay, let me explain,” Baekhyun chuckles, reaching out for the plushie. “It’s a mood plushie. Since it’s reversible if you flip it…” he flips the plushie as he speaks. “You get a smiling plushie,” He then flips it back. “You don’t talk much, and it’s hard to know what your mood is or what you’re thinking… with this, we’ll be able to know your mood at least.”
The room falls silent. Waiting for whatever it is Chanyeol will say, or not say. The man in question stares down at the little octopus, no emotions on his face. Eventually, he grabs it and pulls the smiley octopus out and places it back inside the box.
Baekhyun smiles proudly. “There’s something else in there.”
Chanyeol arches a brow, looking behind the plushie. The slightest chuckle leaves his lips.
“What is it?” Kyungsoo asks from the other side of the room.
“A picture of me,” Baekhyun smiles. “In case you ever miss me. Say my name three times and I’ll be there.”
Chanyeol shakes his head, however, he closes the box and sits in the back with it. Baekhyun is next to open his gifts, and his smile becomes laughter when more than one box had a brand-new phone in them. Except this time, they agreed it wasn’t miscommunication as everyone knows it will take Baekhyun a couple of days to break or lose his new phone.
Kai then grabs a box from under the tree, setting it on Kyungsoo’s lap with the widest grin known to the human race. “Your turn.”
Kyungsoo smiles, leaning in to kiss Kai’s cheek. “Did you finally find something?”
“Oh, we had this idea for a while, both Jongin and I got you this.” Kai says with a sigh. Jongin nods, arms still wrapped around Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo raises an eyebrow. “So, what was that all about?” he unwraps the gift, finding a smaller velvet box inside the first one. He pauses.
“No, we’re not getting you an engagement ring for Christmas,” Kai explains. The rest of the room sighs in relief.
Kyungsoo looks skeptical, but then he opens it to find three silver rings inside.
“One for you, one for Kai, and one for me.” Jongin says.
“They’re smart rings. The middle one is yours.” Kai can barely contain his excitement, leaning closer to get a better look.
“You can set it up with a password and it can do a bunch of things for you.” Jongin says.
Kai nods. “Considering what we do, and what we went through over the past year. We wanted to find something that could help us find you in case something happens.” He shrugs. “Nothing will happen, and of course we would only use it in case of emergencies, but…”
“We don’t want to feel like that ever again.” Jongin finishes for him.
Kai smiles. “Look inside the ring.”
Kyungsoo does as he’s told, pulling out the middle ring and smiling when he reads what’s engraved on the inside.
Love you, my cute-cumber.
“We both picked a side and decided what it would say. I think it’s obvious who picked what.” Kai chuckles when Kyungsoo turns to kiss him and then does the same with Jongin.
“Thank you, I love it.” He says. “And I love you both. But you’re right, nothing will happen.”
“Alright, alright, Sehun, open yours before the love bug spreads.” Baekhyun bites back a smile, handing Sehun his presents. “It’s contagious, you know.”
“You’re just jealous.” Kai shoots back. However, he sits back as they pivot their attention back to Sehun. He still has something to give Kyungsoo, but he’ll wait for the others to leave. Sehun opens his presents as well, thanking everyone and they eat Jongin’s cookies and drink hot chocolate as the night continues.
Both Kai and Kyungsoo made sure others also received some Christmas love, especially their designated doctor and Kai’s favorite lawyer.
After all the presents were opened, and there was no hot chocolate left, they called it a night. Minseok and Jongdae cleaned up the best they could, despite Kai’s protests. Everyone grabbed their things, and they were on their way.
Jongin stretched, yawning, as he watched the fireplace. “I’ll go get ready for bed first.” He stood up, placing a gentle kiss on top of Kyungsoo’s head, earning a smile from the other.
“We’ll be there soon.” Kyungsoo reaches out for his hand, kissing it too.
Once Jongin disappears down the hallway, Kai turns to Kyungsoo. “Are you ready for your actual gift?”
Kyungsoo frowns, confusion gracing his features. “What?”
“I got you something else, but I had to wait until everyone was gone.” He approaches the back of the three, pulling out a bag. “Close your eyes.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Just trust me, close your eyes.”
Kyungsoo does as he’s been told, sighing at Kai’s antics. He never complains, however, somehow loving someone like Kim Kai meant having a life full of surprises. A few seconds later, Kai tells him to open his eyes again and what he sees has them widening, jaw almost on the floor.
Standing there, with a smirk tugging at his lips, is Kim Kai, wearing a thick black collar around his neck, a leash hanging from it. Kai slowly makes his way towards him, never breaking eye contact, until he’s a few inches away from him, their bodies not touching, but so incredibly close still.
Kyungsoo blinks, unable to wrap his head around what his eyes are seeing. Kai grabs Kyungsoo’s hand, putting the other end of the leash in it. “Kim Kai…”
Kai bites his lower lip, on a failed attempt to hold back his smile. “What? You said it. I just did it for you.” He chuckles. “Now the question is, what will you do with all this power? With great power comes great responsibility… or something like that.”
“You would be on a leash for me?” Kyungsoo lets out a sigh.
Kai tilts his head. “Sometimes I really think you have no idea of all the things I would do for you, but also…” he shrugs, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. “Honestly sounds fun.”
“Should I be concerned?” Kyungsoo shakes his head, still in disbelief. This powerful man, one of the most dangerous in Seoul, would willingly be on a leash for him. There’s something about it that makes it difficult for Kyungsoo to wrap his head around it. Regardless of anything, he can see how Kai’s eyes sparkle at the mere idea. He tests this by tugging on the leash, watching his face light up even more. “You like this, don’t you? How long had you been thinking about it before I made my offhanded comment?”
Kai pretends to think about it. “It was probably in the back of my head a few times.”
Kyungsoo nods, pondering over it. “This is very vulnerable of you.”
Kai stares at him. His eyes say more than words could ever express. “Because I trust you. You said you only needed me.”
Kyungsoo hums. “I did.” However, he feels his heart swelling.
“Besides, how many people can say they have Kim Kai on a leash?”
“Just me.”
“Just you.”
Silence falls between them for a moment. He must decide how he will proceed next.
“What should I do then?” He pulls the leash slightly, making Kai lean closer, their lips barely inches away.
“I would say just go for it.” Kai whispers, his stare lands on Kyungsoo’s lips.
“What are you going to do if I take this seriously?” Kyungsoo teases.
“What are you going to do if I like it?” The other shoots back.
They were both about to find out.