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It's been a while since Seokmin pushed himself to attend all 9 early morning masses for the Christmas vigil. He just didn't believe the myth that completing them would make your wish come true. But maybe missing his childhood self attending this religiously with his grandparents is enough of a push this time.
And there's also this cute guy he'd been seatmates with since the first day. Not to mention his voice, Seokmin didn't know Christmas carols could even get merrier with his soft angelic voice.
He's not there to look for a man whatsoever, but maybe it's destiny's will for him to be beside each other. On the third day, the two realized how they both sat at the same pew for three consecutive days. From then on, their greetings became more than just a nod. To Seokmin's surprise, the guy saved a seat for him the next day, and they eventually, become mass buddies.
They aren't really on speaking terms. They don't even know each other's names. They just greet or smile at each other. But the two share something special. When one of them is running late, they save a seat as if they are attending the mass together.
It's the last night, more like the dawn, of the 9-day Christmas vigil at Seokmin's church. He slept through his alarm and now running late. As soon as he woke up, he fixed himself as fast as possible, wearing the first sweater he reached and a pair of jeans. He combed his hair with his hands and dashed out of his apartment, almost running to the nearby church.
When Seokmin arrived at the entrance, he phased himself to catch some breath before searching at the right side of the church. And to the pew where the two always sit.
There Seokmin saw him sitting and happily chatting with his now new seatmate. Seokmin felt a tinge of jealousy when he saw him smiling, with his eyes forming a crescent, just as he greeted him before and after the mass. But fails to see that he still saved a spot for Seokmin beside him, and so the smile he had is now slowly fading.
Dejected, Seokmin sat two rows behind him and tried to ignore whatever he felt. But still, he thought that the two of them saving a seat for each other was just out of courtesy and wasn't really something special.
The mass proceeded, as usual. Seokmin tried to focus and look straight at the altar, not minding anything. He didn't even notice how the man kept looking at his back in search of him.
When the priest signaled everyone to greet each other as a sign of peace, Seokmin nodded at his sides and back. Upon looking back in front, and him looking at the back for the last time, their eyes met each other. Seokmin saw him opening his mouth as if mouthing an, oh, and instantaneously smiling at him - the same way as before. Seokmin just smiled back at the guy and broke eye contact immediately. He didn't even notice how he was so relieved to finally see Seokmin.
As soon as the mass ended, Seokmin made his way toward the exit but was stopped when he felt a light tug on the sleeves of his sweater. Seokmin saw him smiling when he looked back to check who it was.
"Hey, I thought you wouldn't come," he said with a slight pout, still holding the end of his sleeves. Oh God, he's charming.
Seokmin didn't know what to say, and shock was evident on his face. He looks at his hand holding Seokmin's sweater and back to his face. He saw Seokmin's reaction and suddenly got shy. He then removed his hand and touched his nape.
"S-sorry, it's just that-" he paused for a while, "you know I saved a spot for you, but you didn't sit beside me."
There he is again with his slight pout, but Seokmin also sees how his cheeks grow redder as he waits for you to talk.
"Oh," Seokmin managed to make a noise, but it seemed like he couldn't form cohesive words. He looks straight into his eyes and waits patiently for Seokmin to continue. "I-" he stuttered a little, and again breaking eye contact, he continued, "I thought someone's sitting beside you already."
"What? No, I wouldn't allow that," he replied
"Ha? Why tho?"
"My wish wouldn't come true," he sheepishly said. Then this time he was the one who looked away, breaking eye contact. He continued, almost whispering, "I attended all nine masses and wished to know you."
Oh, Lord, he's adorable. Is it too late to wish the same?
Seokmin chuckled when he saw how red he was. "Hmm, ok-" the two are now giggling. "Let's make your wish come true then."
"I'm Joshua," he said as he extended his hand to you, smiling ever so brightly, ready to replace the sun.
"Hi, I'm Seokmin," he replied, mirroring the shy and blushing expression Joshua had.