Archive of Our Own

Hao was bored. He'd been kicked out of yet another friend's house just hours before and once again needed somewhere to stay. Anywhere would be better than home. He shudders outwardly as he nurses his drink, ignoring the rowdy atmosphere of the pub he's currently sat in and staring into space. He's got his suitcase right by his side, littered with stickers that have faded so much he should probably get rid of them, but he can't be bothered. 

He's still spaced out thinking about his life, his fall from fame, and about how his younger brother Ricky practically hates him and always felt like their parents favoured him from the beginning and how much their mum dotes on him a little too much despite the fact that he's nearly 30. Even his dad wants nothing to do with her. Then there's the whole soulmate issue— the looming problem of not having one yet. 

But considering how their financial situation isn't the best, he just puts up with his mother's antics, resigning himself to staying out as late as possible with cabbing so that by the time he finally comes home (if he DOES come home that is), she'd be asleep and not have time to pick a fight like she always does.

Speak of the devil. He thinks with a scoff, bringing the shot glass he's nearly finished downing to his lips, side eyeing his phone as the 50th call of the night from his mum comes through. It vibrates on the table, pitifully, begging him to pick it up, but he really doesn't want to talk to her. 

Every time they talk, it makes him feel stifled– he hates how much she still babies him at his big age. So he continues to stare at it, wishing he could just throw it away, but everyone has a phone these days, it'd be weird if he didn't. It eventually goes off and the screen flashes with a notification that he's missed her 51st call of the night. He sighs even harder, refilling his glass as more texts come through from her. He ignores them. There's a few messages from his dad and Ricky, as much as Ricky hates to be the one reaching out. He looks around the dingy bar and wonders how his life had gotten to this point. He's still thinking of himself in a self-deprecating manner when someone steps into his peripheral vision.

He looks up with tired eyes, wishing he could feel some shame and embarrassment at how he probably looks like a wet dog, hair unruly and lashes clumped together with weeks old mascara. But at this point, he could care less. His eyes widen when he realises how pretty the guy in front of him is.

The guy smiles at him, "Hey, you look like you need another drink." He nods at Hao’s empty glass with a smirk.

Hao smiles back, "Yeah? You gonna buy me a drink…" He trails off unsure, waiting for the guy to take the hint and give him his name (not that it'll matter after tonight, but he at least wants to give the illusion that he has some kind of decency, sue him).

"San." He offers, smiling so hard his dimples pop out. Hao already feels weak in the knees.

"You gonna buy me a drink, San?" He looks him up and down meaningfully.

He laughs, "You bet."

At the sound of his phone alarm blaring Check by his favourite girl group FLO, he groans, feeling around for his damned device so he can turn it off. He's half asleep until he realises he's in a room that isn't his own and when he sees the time, Hao realises he should probably get ready for work.

He leaves the guy (whatever his name was) and hobbles to the bathroom, turning on the light and brushing his teeth with a spare toothbrush he finds, taking the time to really look around before hopping into the bathtub, seeing more shower gels than he'd expect from the beefy guy he'd found himself spending the night with. But as soon as the nearly piping hot water hits him, he relaxes- until he hears a higher voice outside. He freezes, cursing to himself and hoping they don't come in, but the door opens and the voice gets louder.

"...San, I've missed you so much. You've been so busy lately, I'm surprised you're up so early." Please don't open the curtain. Hao silently begs, he'd barely started scrubbing himself clean yet.

"Oh? Why aren't you saying anything?" The person says, clearly pouting, "Is this another one of your fun games? Well, challenge accepted, we haven't showered together in a while." And with that, Hao’s hopes and dreams come crumbling down when the person yanks back the shower curtain.

They look at each other and scream, Hao using the ugliest piss yellow shower curtain he'd ever seen to cover himself.

"Who the fuck are you?" The person screams.

"Look," Hao starts, holding onto the curtain for dear life, "I promise it isn't what it looks like, I was just checking the plumbing! Your lovely husband…"

"San." They interject sceptically.

"Yes, San! Wanted me to take a look! I swear that's all it is!"

The stranger turns up their nose at him to sniff, "And you doing that requires you to shower in a stranger's home?"

Hao shrugs helplessly.

"Be honest, did you shag him?" They ask, voice rising.

Hao doesn't know what to say and suddenly  guesses that San finally woke up. He hears him yawn loudly before padding over to the source of the noise. "Wooyoung-ah, what's wrong now?" He groans groggily.

"You tell me!" Wooyoung screams, "What is this thing doing in our shower!"

"Excuse me?" Hao butts in sharply. Sure, he may look a bit worse for the wear right now, but his face card is not one that ever declines. 

San is now more awake, guilt painted on his features, "Ah, shit."

"Don't ever come here again!" Wooyoung yells, throwing Hao's suitcase after him. Hao has never felt so humiliated in his life.

Once the door slams shut after him, he throws up a middle finger and curses them before pulling his coat tighter around himself and picking up his suitcase (along with his remaining intact dignity) to drag down the steps as obnoxiously as he can (because he's petty like that) so he can start his commute to work. He's already running pretty late, he hopes Santa won't bite his head off.

When he arrives at his place of work, bell chiming to announce his arrival, Santa almost appears from thin air, not looking amused in the slightest (or maybe that's just his face, he can't tell).

"You're late, again." He remarks, giving him an unimpressed stare.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that, I've got a bit of a situation you see." Hao grimaces.

Santa rolls his eyes, "Right. Who did you piss off this time? Did you accidentally electrocute someone's fish again?"

Hao walks to the back to unlock his suitcase so he can get his stupid elf outfit out. He really wishes this wasn't his "uniform", but Santa's really committed to the bit and the concept of the Christmas shop that he's doomed to wear it. "That was last week and that was Soobin. I swear I didn't mean to, I was just drying my hair and next thing I knew, the dryer fell in the tank somehow." He shudders at the memory and how Soobin had angrily slammed the door in his face after nearly breaking his nose with how hard he'd thrown the suitcase at him. "Just… Some couple, I guess. I swear he said he was single when I met him at the bar last night, but I guess it slipped his mind that he was married." He calls out as he gets changed.

Santa laughs, "One day you're going to meet your match,"

Hao comes out, now changed, feeling stupid wearing his stupid elf hat, stupid elf ears and stupid elf shoes, "Well, that hasn't happened yet, has it?" He asks brightly.

Santa rolls his eyes, "Whatever. Get to work, elf."

Hao rolls his eyes in return and walks over to the front door, grimacing every time his hat and shoes jingle. He sighs as he turns over the CLOSED sign to OPEN and steps back behind the counter. He checks his phone, just to have something to do, ignoring how a call from his mum comes in once again.

"You should talk to her," Santa says.

"I'd rather die," Hao shoots back. Santa shakes his head and shrugs, walking over to one of the ugliest decorations they sell and looking at it longingly. Hao shakes his head, Santa has always been a bit of a weirdo.

Business is busy as usual, considering the time of year and Hao prides himself on being able to sell even the ugliest of Christmas decorations. He's just about to go on break when Santa looks towards the door. Hao deflates when he realises who's outside.

"Can you just tell him I died or something?" Hao whines.

"Well, even if I wanted to, he's already seen you." Santa comments, "You should go and talk to him, find out what he wants. He is your brother after all."

Hao sighs, "I hate you." He says, as non-threateningly as possible.

"Sure you do," Santa shoots back, amused.

Stroppily, Hao stomps over to the front door and pulls it open, feeling extremely embarrassed once again at what he's wearing. "What do you want?" Hao spits when he reaches Ricky.

Ricky sighs, "Good morning to you too, Hao." He looks him up and down, no doubt judging how pathetic his get-up looks. 

Hao already feels his eye twitching at the lack of respect from the way the younger addresses him, but he doesn't have the energy to argue, it's too early in the day, "Mum told me to tell you to call her. She's been getting on my ass for the past few weeks, so just call her, alright?"

"I don't want to, though."

"Stop being so childish, you're pushing thirty!" Ricky exclaims, causing people to stare back at them worriedly as they pass.

"Whatever." Hao winces when he can hear his phone ringing from inside the shop, no doubt his mother once again. 

Ricky sighs once more, "And anyway, we're having a dinner to celebrate my promotion this weekend. You should come early, mum's making your favourite cake anyway." Ricky rolls his eyes, "Gosh, It's like you're the one getting promoted not me." He adds bitterly, "Anyway, just come, yeah? I didn't want to come either, but she forced dad to drive me here." He doesn't wait for Hao to reply before walking off and Hao feels his blood boiling, a vein in his forehead starting to throb. He steps back into the shop feeling like he's aged about 20 years.

"Everything alright?" Santa asks, now wearing glasses as he sips on a mug of black coffee.

Hao huffs, "Don't even get me started."

"Things looked pretty tense back there."

"Mmm."

"Oh, another customer for you," Santa remarks, nodding to the door.

Hao furrows his eyebrow in confusion and then sees a guy busy looking up at something outside. Oh, he's just my type. He thinks, adjusting his hat and looking at himself in the reflection of his phone screen before stepping out.

"Alright, who are you?" Hao asks flatly.

The stranger looks at him and his breath catches in his throat, but he tries to act nonchalant. The stranger gives him a dazzling smile, "What do you mean?"

"Look, did you follow me here? Did we meet on Tinder? Grindr? Bumble? Have we met before? How'd you know where I work?"

The guy shakes his head in disbelief, his smile not dimming in the slightest, much to Hao's dismay. "I didn't follow you. I was busy looking up."

"Huh?"

The stranger points up, "Look up." Hao stands next to him and follows his gaze. He sees a pair of birds looking quite cosy above the shop. 

"Wow," Hao breathes out, "So pretty."

The stranger nods, "Yeah, it's pretty rare to find birds like this in the city."

Hao smiles until he unfortunately gets bird poop in his face that nearly blinds him, "Fuck!" He screams clutching his eye.

The stranger gasps, "Are you okay?" He follows Hao who marches into the shop.

"Hao," Santa calls out after him, "You need to attend to this customer,"

"Yeah, just let me get this bird shit out of my eye first," He yells back.

Hao manages to make himself as presentable as possible before he comes out, his mood souring when he sees the stranger is still there, looking around like a kid lost in the candy store with genuine wonder. "You're still here," Hao deadpans.

"Yeah, just wanted to make sure you were alright?" The stranger tilts his head, looking genuinely concerned.

"Yeah, well. You can see I'm just fine, so you can leave now."

"It's good luck, you know."

"I beg your pardon?"

"The bird." The stranger offers unhelpfully.

Hao scoffs, "Nearly going blind by being shat on by a bird is 'good luck?' You're actually taking the piss, now."

"I'm serious! You should look it up."

"Can't be asked. Anyway, you've seen I'm doing just fine, so you can leave like I said."

"Do you wanna go on a walk with me?"

Hao's eyes nearly bulge out of his head at his shameless audacity. What was wrong with this guy? "You're a total stranger. I don't even know anything about you? What if you're an axe murderer or something?"

The stranger shakes his head with a smile, "I'm Hanbin, I'm twenty-seven and a dance teacher. And you are?"

Hao rolls his eyes, "Tired." Hao says, Hanbin pouting in return. Hao can't seem to resist him. "Fine. Hao, twenty-eight and I work here full-time. Is that enough? Can you leave me alone now?"

"Let's go on a walk,"

"I have work to do,"

"When do you get off?"

"Not today, Hanbin. I have a stage play audition that I'm already running late for."

Hanbin pouts, "I really feel like we should go on a walk—"

"I'm not a dog! You don't need to walk me! I'm just fine, So leave!" And despite his protests, he manages to push Hanbin out. He stands at the window for a bit, still pouting at being locked out, but Hao shoos him away with a broom and closes the curtains.

The customers have started to dwindle and Santa comes out looking a lot more dressed up than usual. "I'm going first, don't forget to lock up," He reminds. Hao nods distractedly before a customer brings him back to the present.

He successfully talks their ear off and ends up selling yet another hideous Christmas ornament. He doesn't know what Santa sees in them. His phone chimes with an alarm and he gasps, realising he's already running late for his audition. He grabs his suitcase and dashes out, running as fast as he can with his heavy ass suitcase and only just manages to make it to the venue on time.

The panel of judges are already going through their notes, discussing who's made it to the next round or not when Hao stumbles onto the stage, lugging his suitcase carelessly behind him.

"Bloody hell," Wonyoung exclaims quietly.

"Oh, great heavens. What a sight for sore eyes," Renjun mutters.

"Hey, yeah. Sorry love, but I think you're a little lost? This isn't Santa's Grotto unfortunately. Just take the Jubilee line from here, shouldn't be too long and you'll be at Westfield Stratford in no time." Chanhee calls out with a tight smile. The rest of them laugh.

Hao blushes when he realises he's still in his elf attire, taking off his hat, even more embarrassed when it jingles pitifully. He really should've stopped somewhere to change. "That's just my work uniform. Look, I'm really sorry I'm late, but you've been expecting me? I'm Zhang Hao?" The judges furrow their brows and flip through their lists to see that his name is in fact there. They already look over it, but Hao powers through, "If you can just give me a chance, I'd really like to show you what I can do! Just let me audition anyway, I promise you won't regret it!"

The four judges look at him and then turn to each other, huddling closely to discuss.

"Is this really a good idea?" Chanhee asks, looking over at Hao sceptically before back at them.

"I say let him audition. I've never seen an elf rock up to one of these things before. Who knows maybe he'll be the next Zayn Malik or something." Yeosang jumps in.

Wonyoung and Renjun look at each other with a grimace and back at Hao, who still looks at them hopefully. "Ugh, you'd better not make me regret this." Wonyoung adds. They all sit back down and face Hao.

"Sure, let's see what you've got." Renjun says with his best customer service smile.

Hao beams, "Thank you so much!" He looks around excitedly," So where can I um… Plug my sound system?"

The judges laugh, "Sound engineer left an hour ago. You'll have to do it acapella as a punishment for being so late." Chanhee challenges.

Hao rolls his shoulders back and clears his throat. The judges lean forward in anticipation, "No wizard that there is or was is ever gonna bring… Me… Down. Bring me down! Oh woah-woah-woah-oh-" He begins singing. 

"Ok. Stop, stop, stop. We've heard enough." Yeosang calls raising a hand. Hao stops immediately. 

"Yeah, you've got the part." Chanhee nods.

"Really? Holy shit, thank you so much. I knew you wouldn't regret it!"

Renjun tries his best to stifle his laughter. "No, just kidding. That was the worst audition we've heard. Ever. Gave us a good laugh though, so thanks!" Chanhee smirks.

Disappointed and dejected, Hao sits on a park bench after the failed audition, scrolling through his limited contacts before he lands on Kuanjui. His fingers hover nervously before he thinks, fuck it. What do I have to lose at this point? And hits the call button. He picks up almost instantly.

"Hao? Is that you?"

"Jui! Yeah, hi… Sorry for calling you so late, I know you're busy and everything, but do you think it might be possible if I could crash with you and Wumuti? I'm in a bit of a tight spot, so-"

"What? Of course you can stay! You don't even have to ask!"

"Thank you so, so, so much. I owe you my life, I swear. Love you..." They talk a little longer before Hao hangs up and picks up his bruised and battered suitcase to start the journey to the younger's home.

Before he can even knock once he gets there, the door flies open. Kuanjui gives him a gentle smile, "Hey, come in." He says.

Wumuti is already sitting at their kitchen table seemingly working on a new sculpture, leveling Hao with an unimpressed look as he steps inside. Hao lifts a hand awkwardly with a nervous smile, "Hi, Wumuti. Good to see you again."

Wumuti doesn't smile back, but he does give him a nod of acknowledgement.

Hao flops on the sofa, hugging a pillow as Kuanjui starts to make dinner listening as the younger rants about how he just can't understand why people frown so much on the concept of soulmates. He's still in the middle of his tirade when Wumuti interrupts, "Babe."

Kuanjui points his kitchen knife at him with a cross expression, annoyed at being cut off as abruptly as he was, "I was still talking. You just don't understand these things."

Wumuti sighs, "No, I mean your friend." He gestures his head so Kuanjui looks over and sees that Hao is already snoring. His shoulders deflate as he puts down the kitchen knife and finds a blanket to cover him with. 

He raises a hand before Wumuti can even make a snide remark, "Don't."

"That's not right and you know it. He could care less about what you're talking about because he only ever thinks about himself."

"Look, I know he can be a bit self-absorbed sometimes, but he's my childhood best friend, so come off it. We go way back and I haven't heard from him in years. Just trust me, Wumuti. I know what I'm doing." Kuanjui defends.

Wumuti sighs, "I still don't trust him. Don't you remember what happened the last time?"

Kuanjui grimaces as he recalls the memory.

Kuanjui had just made breakfast and Hao had come out of the guest room chatting animatedly before he sat down on the sofa with a sickening crunch.

Hao winced as he pulled out what used to be a miniature dollhouse. He turned to smile at the pair sheepishly as he pulled out bits and pieces of it from underneath him, "...Oops."

Wumuti stood up with a start, "My sculpture!" He cried running over. Hao stood by the arm of the sofa like a child that just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar, feeling extremely guilty. Wumuti shot him the angriest glare he could muster, "This took me six months to complete!"

"I-I'm really sorry." Hao tried to placate.

Kuanjui walked over and tried his best to calm the other down by stroking his back and shooting Hao a disappointed look as he shakes his head. He shrunk back at the look and stepped back, starting to panic as he observed the two and feeling terrible for the chaos he caused. His heart panged with envy and bitterness as he watched them. The two of them being the textbook definition of soulmates makes him burn with jealousy. 

They make him wish that he had a soulmate of his own, but he had long come to realize that it would never happen for him. And he'd come to accept it. Besides, who needed a soulmate when it was so much more fun to date around without the attachment or having someone else to look after? He was the only person who had his back at the end of the day.

Wumuti gave Kuanjui a dismayed look, nearly on the verge of tears as he looked back down at the wreck of his sculpture. Kuanjui stroked his face with a look of sorrow and rubbed it comfortingly as Wumuti leaned into it. 

Hao felt even worse just observing them, he shouldn't be there. He left before they could even kick him out.

"Fine, I agree. One wrong move and he's out." Kuanjui sighs as he puts his hands up in surrender. He looks over again at Hao snoring and nestling into the sofa. I wanted to believe in you so bad, why couldn't you prove me wrong just this once? He thinks as he stares at Hao's sleeping frame before Wumuti clears his throat. He sits at their table with a dejected sigh, already with a lot on his mind as they eat dinner in silence. 

They hear some shuffling from the coach and Hao rises up groggily, looking around like a newborn baby chick.

Kuanjui looks over with a tired, awkward smile, "Hey sleeping beauty, you're up. Come and eat."

Hao pads over cautiously and sits with them. Wumuti doesn't look at him at all and he feels terrible. He's the first to finish and says he's going to bed. Kuanjui bids him goodnight and turns to finish the rest of his meal.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep earlier, I swear. It's just I was really tired from my audition and there was just so much going on-"

Kuanjui smiles tightly, "It's fine, Hao. I understand." He gets up and sighs, running a hand through his hair as he carefully picks up his dishes. He pats Hao's shoulder, "Good night, sleep well."

Hao tries to offer to carry the plates, noticing that the younger is wincing slightly and remembers how bad his back problems are, but Kuanjui just brushes him off. He walks to his and Wumuti's room and gives Hao one last look before closing the door behind him. Hao hears some muffled voices, no doubt Wumuti voicing his complaints about him and hears some shushes before the light underneath their door disappears. 

Hao sighs and takes out his phone. More missed calls from his mum and Ricky sending him a string of texts cursing him out and just one message from his dad saying he misses him and hopes to see him soon. He ignores all of that to go on Tinder and start swiping.

Wumuti sits at the kitchen table stony-faced while Kuanjui puts his head in his hands. They can both hear Hao, but pretend it's not happening.

"Alright, that's enough." Hao says in a hushed tone, trying to get out of the guest room, the guy whose name he unfortunately can't remember something that rhymes with hysteric who is currently clinging to him like a koala and still kissing his neck, "We don't have time for this, you need to go."

In the end, Hao has to physically pry his hands off him and  hurriedly push him out of the front door. The couple don't say a word.

"Good morning! We all sleep well then?" Hao asks brightly, swinging his arms and trying to act like he doesn't look like he was mauled. Wumuti doesn't say a word, looking at Kuanjui pointedly. 

Kuanjui turns around tiredly to address him, "Mmm, morning Hao."

The pair get up and go to their room and Hao feels extremely bad, so he decides he should surprise the couple with breakfast to make up for their bad start and hopefully win Wumuti over too. He rummages through their cabinets until he finds some salt and finds some eggs in the fridge. Unfortunately for him, he gets a little distracted and goes to watch some TV.

After about 20 minutes of Hao watching some of The Amazing Adventures of Gumball on Cartoon Network, Wumuti comes out first, sniffing the air. "Eugh. What's that smell?"

Hao is too unfortunately far too engrossed in what he's watching to hear him.

Wumuti screams, "What the fuck! That was my favourite frying pan! It took me nearly a day to craft that frying pan! Now you've gone and ruined it!"

Hao turns to see the stove in flames, he leaps up. "Oh my god, I thought I turned the stove off!"

Kuanjui rushes out at the commotion, "What's going-" He freezes.

"Don't just stand there you two! Someone call 999!" Wumuti bellows.

With shaky hands, Hao dials as Wumuti tries to find something to put out the flames with. They end up leaving in the end and the fire brigade comes thankfully fast.

Once the fire scare is over, Wumuti hands him his suitcase without a word and stalks back in the direction of their flat. Kuanjui gives him one last pitiful look before he runs after the elder. 

Hao sighs, hands shaking. He really wanted to prove himself and make up for everything, but he messed up once again. 

He realises he's running late for work again, so he struggles a bit to lug his suitcase which feels a bit heavier today and then feels a sense of dread as he approaches the shop, sees the smashed window, the trashed shop with the massive Christmas tree they knocked over, Christmas decorations scattered everywhere before his gaze lands on two policemen taking notes inside talking to Santa. He suddenly remembers that he forgot to lock up in a rush to get to his audition just the night before and feels a sick sense of guilt. 

Hao approaches cautiously, "Hey… What's going on here?" He wipes his sweaty palms on his jeans as he gets closer.

The two policemen turn to face him, stopping their conversation with Santa. "And this is my only employee Hao. He was here last night and I left him to lock up."

One of the policemen looks at him sceptically, his badge reads Officer Kim. "Good morning, I'm Officer Kim Sunwoo and this is my colleague Officer Na Jaemin, I just have some questions for you, if that's alright?"

Hao can already feel himself sweating, feeling Santa's heavy gaze on him, judging him which he pointedly ignores. 

Hao gulps, "Sure, g-go ahead."

"So, you were the last one to lock up. Did you see anything odd? Any customers that aroused some sort of suspicion?" Hanbin suddenly flashes in his mind, but he wills his heart to stop suddenly yearning for him.

"Err… Nope! Nothing out of the ordinary." Hao smiles.

Officer Na nods as he puts his notepad away. He turns to address Santa, "It was probably some young kids that don't know any better, not to worry. We'll be in touch." He says with a polite smile.

"Merry Christmas." Officer Kim says as they start to make their way out.

"You need to say it with more enthusiasm! You make it sound like a threat!" Officer Na hisses.

"What do you mean? I think I said it normally. I literally said 'Merry Christmas'. What was wrong with it?" Officer Kim bickers back.

"But you just make it sound so miserable!" Officer Na argues. 

Officer Kim rolls his eyes, turning to the pair. "Happy holidays, we'll come round again soon just to check in and keep you updated." He deadpans. The police officers continue to argue about Officer Kim's delivery as they exit the shop, the bell chiming behind them.

Before Hao can even say anything, Santa raises a hand to stop him, "Don't even try to lie, I know you forgot to lock up last night. I had to break the window myself or I wouldn't have been able to claim insurance. You turned me into a person that broke the law, Hao. When I first met you, I felt so lucky to have you. You were a hard worker and never gave me any problems. I was happy to have employed you and taken you under my wing and promoted you from part-time to full-time when you got fired from your job. But I don't feel lucky anymore. You've completely changed. You're selfish, you only ever think about yourself and don't think about how your decisions affect others." He breathes out. Hao looks at him with tears welling in his eyes as his heart feels like it's starting to shatter from his words alone. "I can't even believe I'm saying this but, I'm giving you one last chance to prove yourself. But one more thing and you're out."

Hao nods, "Thank you so much, I promise you won't regret it. I swear!"

Santa gives him a withering look, "I'm already regretting it."

Hao makes sure to work extra hard today, talking the person's ear off more than usual to make sure the sales skyrocket. He can feel Santa's eyes on him the entire time, but tries his best to ignore it.

The bell rings announcing a customer, but Hao is trying his best to sell to this one woman who's extremely indecisive. She holds up two equally hideous Christmas ornaments that have Hao doing his best not to shudder.

"I just can't decide which one would compliment my home more," She muses, "I have quite the lovely home, you see."

Hao smiles tightly, "Why not get both! Your little monkey ornament can have a friend."

"Ooh…" She hums, "No, best to just get the one."

"Hao!" A familiar voice calls, making his heart pound in his chest. 

"I'm a little busy!" Hao calls out, turning to the woman again.

Santa appears once more seemingly out of nowhere, "It's fine, I can take it from here. Go talk to your friend." He practically pushes Hao out, who sighs.

He comes face to face with Hanbin, who still looks as boyish and charming as the first day he'd met him, "Can we go on that walk now?"

Hao looks at Santa whose eyes bore into him, seemingly encouraging him, "Oh, I don't know. It’s very busy as you can see and Santa needs me."

Hanbin laughs, "Your boss seems to have it under control, though? Let's just go for a little walk, I promise it'll just be a short one and you'll be back in time to lock up."

He makes a convincing offer, once again bringing out those eyes that Hao just can’t resist, "Fine. You'd better make it quick."

Hanbin beams and practically drags him out of the shop, Hao only just managing to grab his suitcase. They walk down the street together, feeling embarrassed as his hat and shoes jingle. "This won’t do," He says, pulling Hanbin into a corner. "Cover me, I need to change."

Hanbin awkwardly tries his best to stand and cover his modesty as he changes while listening to Hao talking his ear off. He hears wolf whistles and flushes, "So much for covering me!" He hisses with an accusatory tone.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm trying my best!" Hanbin protests.

Hao straightens up, "Ok, you can move now."

"I want to take you to my favourite place," Hanbin says, eyes shining.

Hao raises an eyebrow, "This is the second time you've met me, by the way."

"I promise you'll love it! We just have to take a shortcut and remember, look up." He says with a laugh. Hao shakes his head watching as Hanbin jumps in the air and taps his feet together.

"You're so weird!” Hao calls out with a laugh.

Hanbin turns around with a bright smile, "Who wants to be normal anyway?"

They go from street to street pointing out cool signs that Hao had never seen before.

"Woah," Hao says as they stop in front of a building that has a massive golden plated grasshopper above it, "You know, I've walked down these streets everyday for the past few years on the way to work and would you believe it, I've never seen that before—" He then face plants into a heap of rubbish bags full to the brim. He wishes the ground would just swallow him whole. A few people laugh as they pass.

Hanbin helps him up as Hao dusts himself off, wishing he still had some dignity. "You know what, this was a stupid idea, I should've never followed you. You keep telling me to look up and now I've just gone and fallen into a pile of rubbish. Just leave me alone."

Hanbin bites his lip, quivering slightly as if he's about to cry from Hao's harsh words and feels a sharp throbbing pain in his chest that nearly makes him double over. "I'm really sorry. When I said look up, I didn't mean don't look down at all, I just wanted to show you things that you'd probably never noticed before."

Hao feels like the worst person in the world as they come to sit at a random bus stop, "By the way, I never got your last name."

Hanbin gives him a weird look, "You did, but it's Sung."

Hao nods, "Sung Hanbin, cool."

"And yours?"

"Zhang."

"Nice."

They sit in silence for a while until Hanbin breaks it. "Ah, yeah. I nearly forgot, I wanted to show you a place that’s special to me and brings me peace. It's best to see at this time of day. We should hurry there so you can get back to lock up."

They walk down a narrow alley that really makes Hao feel as though he might be kidnapped, but something just tells him to trust Hanbin. Hanbin continues to talk his ear off about the cool architecture and they soon come to a secluded park that has a few people dotted around. The people there seem to recognize Hanbin and they exchange greetings. Hao looks around in awe at how colourful and vibrant the place is. Walls full of pretty abstract art and flowerbeds growing flowers he's never seen before, despite it being winter. It felt like they were in a completely different season. They walk over to a bench and sit for a while.

"Everyone here has a story," Hanbin breaks the silence again.

Hao looks at him, "Really?"

He points to a guy reading a book, "That's Hwiyoung, he's in a crazy amount of debt."

Hao looks at him bewildered, "How do you know that?"

"I overheard him on the phone once. And over there, that's Xiaoting. She was once a famous actress, model, and singer that retired early due to a major scandal."

"How do you know all of this?"

"I'm kidding, I just made that one up. It's kinda fun to people-watch and give them stories."

Hao hums, "I guess you're right."

"Her name really is Xiaoting, though. We've spoken a few times, but I don't know anything about her." Hanbin checks his watch, "Ah, it's getting late. We should probably get going."

They're approaching the shop when Hanbin speaks first, breaking the silence once again. "I noticed things seem to be a bit strained with your boss, can I ask what happened?"

Hao sighs dejectedly, "It's all my fault, you see. I was running late for an audition and I swear I locked the door and um, I came back the next morning having failed the audition and the store being trashed."

Hanbin hums, deep in thought. They stop in front of the shop, "Why not do something nice for your boss?"

Hao turns over Hanbin's words as he sits on a bench near the River Thames near his shop, eating a hamburger that doesn't taste the greatest, but he has fish and chips to accompany it. After licking his fingers clean and wiping his hands with some tissue he found in his pocket, he gets out his phone again, pointedly ignoring his family contacting him and goes to Tinder again, looking for somewhere else he can spend the night.

Hao looks at the clock, willing the time to go faster when the bell chimes. A guy who looks close to his age stumbles over his feet, clearly distracted by something. He looks over to see Santa who seems to be staring at him just as dazedly. Why not do something nice for your boss? Hanbin's words ring in his head again.

"Excuse me," The customer brings him out of his scheming, "I'm still in need of your assistance?"

"Ah, yes. Sorry." He quickly finishes the transaction as the bumbling guy walks in further to the shop. Santa walks towards him as if in a trance and they stand and look at each other. Hao looks between the pair.

"H-hi, I was just looking and I wanted to buy some Christmas ornaments. Would you have what I'm looking for?"

"Yes, we do Christmas ornaments, this is my shop." Santa flushes a deep red as he holds up one of the most hideous Christmas ornaments Hao has seen yet. He seriously needs to find out where Santa gets his stock from. 

"Lovely," The stranger smiles shyly. Santa and the customer continue to stare at each other.

"Alright, I've seen enough." Hao remarks. The pair ignore him, clearly in their own bubble. 

"Would you… Like to buy this beautiful ornament?"

"Y-yes. I would very much like that."

Santa nearly trips over his feet as he bumps Hao away with his hip, who yelps in protest. Santa bats his eyelashes as he scans and puts the item through.

"Thank you, I'll treasure this ornament." He says with a shy smile, walking away and turning to look at Santa on his way out.

After the door slams, Santa seems to snap out of it, busying himself with dusting as if the interaction never happened.

"Oh my gosh, did you like him?" Hao teases.

"I do not know what you are talking about," Santa denies, putting more ornaments on their big Christmas tree as if it didn't already have enough.

Hao cackles gleefully, "You totally like him! You're crushing! I can't believe I see the day Santa has a crush on someone!"

Santa looks at him pretending to be annoyed, "Be quiet, elf." He pushes him playfully.

"You know, I've always thought Santa was such an odd name."

"That's because it's not."

"What?"

"It's Kim Jiwoong."

"You're kidding."

"Of course not! It's just for my shop." He gestures, "I went by a different name too when I used to run a bakery."

"Lemme guess, Bun."

"Nope."

"Cookie?"

"Not even close. It was Muffin, Muffy for short."

"No way."

"I'm serious!"

They're interrupted by the bell chiming. Hao’s heart is in his throat when he sees who peeks their head around with a grin. Jiwoong smiles knowingly, "Ah, you should spend time with your friend, I'll head out first. Make sure to clean up before you lock up." Hao doesn't even get to protest before Jiwoong winks and leaves while Hanbin walks over to the counter.

"Hey, you." He greets.

Hao pretends not to hear him, picking up the broom and sweeping close to him, purposefully hitting his foot with the broom. He looks up, "Oh, didn't see you there."

Hanbin rolls his eyes playfully, "Sure you didn't."

"I'm a bit busy, I have to clean up and lock up, you see."

"Can I stay?"

“I don't know..."

"I promise I'm really good at tidying up."

Hao levels him with a stare before tossing the broom at him, "You can help sweep."

Hanbin fist pumps, "Yess, I love sweeping."

Hao laughs and puts on the radio, humming along to Last Christmas as he dusts the shelves.

Before long, Hanbin has finished sweeping and they're now on the first floor, Hao busy adding decorations to a tree. "You can take the other one," He offers.

Hanbin goes to the tree behind him and audibly gags.

Hao turns to see Hanbin looking like he's just seen a ghost as he stares down at the ornament in his hands, "Ah, Santa really has an eye for these things, you could say." He laughs.

Hanbin shudders, "Where does he find this stuff? I feel like I shouldn't be seeing it."

Hao shrugs, "Beats me," He's nearly finished decorating his tree, "He has all kinds of weird suppliers. That's not even the worst one we have." Hao fishes around and Hanbin covers his mouth when he sees it. The pair laugh about it for a while.

"Now that we're finished. Let's go somewhere." Hanbin says with a twinkle in his eyes.

Hao tilts his head, "Where did you have in mind?"

This is how they find themselves in some kind of underground tunnel or maybe a vent, he's not too sure.

Hao looks around, nervous. "I feel like I'm about to get kidnapped again. Where are you taking me?"

"Just trust me!" Hanbin calls out, hopping over a table, "Do you need any help?"

"I can do it myself."

Hanbin shrugs, "Suit yourself," And with that, he starts climbing the ladder in front of them.

Hao manages to haul himself onto the table, rather painfully groaning when he feels the edge of it hit where the sun doesn't shine. "Fuck." He groans.

"Oooh…" Hanbin winces, "That sounded painful."

Hao raises a hand, "It's fine, not like I needed my nuts anyway." He manages to get over it and follows Hanbin up the ladder. He gasps when he realizes they've snuck into an ice-skating rink.

"Woah! This is so cool!"

Hanbin giggles, running over to get some skates. Hao has never ice skated before, so Hanbin guides him carefully, then giggling every time Hao nearly falls flat on his face.

They're still giggling when they hear a gruff voice yell, "Oi! You shouldn't be in here! What do you think you're doing?"

They giggle, turning to the stranger. 

"Sorry!" Hanbin calls out, "Sorry, we were just leaving!" Hao giggles as they skate to the edge, ignoring the burly security watching them as they toddle off the ice, still wearing their ice skates.

They sit on another bench, Hao taking off the skates and Hanbin also changing his shoes. They remember the shock of the security guard and giggle some more before they sit in comfortable silence.

"So," Hanbin starts, "What's your deal?"

Hao smiles, "What do you mean?"

"Why don't you have a soulmate yet? I mean… you don't, right?"

Hao always knew this question would come up, but he just didn't expect it to be so soon, "Why do you ask?" He says icily, already putting his guard up.

"I didn't mean any harm by it, you just seem… Really sweet and lovely. I really thought you would have someone by now, I promise that's all there is to it."

"Well, I'm just like, totally unlovable or something." Hao laughs bitterly, "I don't know, all my friends are happy with soulmates, but I've never had one even once. But it's okay, I don't need one anyway. Who needs soulmates? I'm doing just fine on my own, it's way more fun just dating around anyway, there's no expectation. And my brother, he thinks he's so much better than me, but he's in some weird situationship thing with his roommate. Yet he has the gall to berate me! He's always thought mum favoured me more, and maybe he's right, but I never asked for it! I hate going home, it's the last place I'd ever want to be. It's just so stifling and mum coddles me so much, it's suffocating. You know, I never thought my life would turn out this way. I used to be doing so well for myself, I had a good acting job and I was finally about to get my big break, but I got caught with a male co-star in a compromising position and it was really bad with all those trashy news outlets. His fans hated me anyway and they were determined to ruin my career. It got so bad, my manager advised me to drop the role. Would you believe it? I got dropped a few days later and haven't been able to find work since. Until Santa. He um, really came through for me. I used to work at the Christmas shop part-time, but then he gave me a full-time position. It's not exactly what I ever thought I'd be still doing now, but it's been five years and I'm happy with how my life is now."

Hanbin says nothing, but looks hurt, "You should go home, Hao."

"Are you stupid? Did you not just hear what I said?" Hao's phone rings and he sees it's his mum again. He sighs, powering the darn thing off.

But Hanbin is already on his bike, one that had been parked nearby, putting on his helmet, "I'll see you around,"

Hao sighs before he turns his phone back on, "Hi, yeah I'd like to order a taxi please. Yup, I'll see you soon."

His dad's busted taxi soon pulls up, Hao sighs again as he gets in after throwing his busted suitcase in the boot. "Hi dad, thanks for coming."

"Nice to see you again, Hao." He says tiredly.

Hao lies down on the seats, his dad already mentally tuning him out as he starts ranting about something as he drives, "...And I just don't understand why people care so much about soulmates. I mean, sure. They're supposed to be your other half and complete you and all of that, but I think it's totally bollocks! I mean what if you do nothing but hurt each other?" His dad has nothing to offer except grunt in the right places.

They soon pull up to the house and Hao hesitates. "You coming in?"

"Nah, I'd rather do a few more jobs before coming home. You know what your mum's like, I'd rather not have her pick a fight with me."

"Why don't you just get a divorce? You guys have been so unhappy for so long anyway, I don't know why you still put up with each other."

Hao's dad laughs, "It's not that simple, divorce is for rich people." Hao laughs back.

"Don't stay out too long, yeah? You know I worry about you." He says as he gets out. He opens the boot and takes out his suitcase with the help of his dad. "And don't pick up anyone suspicious, okay? I'm serious."

Hao's dad waves a hand dismissively, "Yeah, yeah. I know."

"Stay safe, love you."

"Love you too, Hao. Go inside, it's cold."

Hao gives his dad one last longing look before he drives away. He sighs once again as he lugs his suitcase up to the front door. He hesitates before he rings the bell. No answer. "Mum?" He calls. He presses the bell again, "Mum, it's Hao. Open up." He sighs before he pounds on the door.

Suddenly the door flies open, "Do you have any idea what time it— Hao! My baby! Why didn't you answer my calls! I was so worried about you." His mum presses wet kisses all over his face.

"Mum, that's enough. Stop!" He protests.

"Come in, come in. I was so worried about you. You need to answer my calls more often." She fusses.

Hao sighs, feeling like he's been transported 10 years into the past. Nothing has changed. The decor has stayed completely the same and the ancient television that has always sat in their living room is still there.

"Sit, sit." His mum pushes his shoulders and forces him to sit on the sofa, "I'll make your favourite dish, just relax."

When his mum physically tucks him into bed, part of him feels relief that at least someone cares. He always protests how his mum acts like he's still about 3 years old, but it's comforting. That's until she starts singing. He rolls over, feeling a wave of nostalgia as his room is just the same as it was when he was a teenager. It's weird. "Mum, I don't need you to sing me a lullaby, just let me sleep, okay?"

"Of course, sleep well." She walks over to his suitcase and starts going through it.

"Mum!" He yells scandalised as she pulls out a skimpy lingerie set.

"Oh my, this is very naughty." She scolds.

"Put that back!" Hao nearly howls.

She looks at him crossly as she wags a finger, "You've been very naughty and scandalous." She looks at how sheer it is, "I can't believe this. I'm taking this away. Naughty, naughty." She scolds again, before she turns off the light and walks out.

Hao buries his head into his pillow and screams.

"Where's your friend?" Jiwoong asks when he sees Hao staring longingly out of the window.

"Hm? What friend?"

"That boy you're obsessed with."

"Dunno. Not seen him in a few days, Not sure what I did."

"Hm."

They get back to work, the shop as busy as ever when Hao sees a familiar guy across the street staring longingly at Jiwoong while standing at a stall. Why not do something nice for your boss? Rings in his head again, so he looks around before running out of the shop.

"Hi, you. Why don't you just come inside? Santa's been expecting you." He all but drags the stranger inside who doesn't protest and when the bell chimes, Hao calls out, "Santa, there's someone here to see you."

He looks over and Hao can practically see the hearts in the stranger's eyes when he looks at the older. Jiwoong stands there in a daze, ignoring the customer talking his ear off as the stranger shyly steps in again, nervously walking towards him as if pulled by a magnet. "H-hi." The stranger says.

"Hi," Jiwoong says.

Hao giggles as he observes them, taking the customer over and leading them away so he can once again successfully sell some Christmas themed ornaments and items to them.

Hao later comes back to see Jiwoong giggling to himself, "What’s up with you?" He asks.

Jiwoong immediately stops laughing, "Nothing," He says, but his cheeks are still flushed.

"So, how'd it go with that guy? What's his name?"

"I haven't got a clue, so for now, I'll call him… Boy."

"Right. So what's happening with this 'boy', then?"

"Well, we've got a date at the end of the week." He giggles again.

"Wow, I've never seen you so giggly before. This 'boy' must really be something.” 

"He is," Jiwoong says dreamily, "I can't wait to see him."

Hao is busy lugging his suitcase on the way home when he notices that he's in front of Hanbin’s dance studio. There are still lights on, so he debates on whether or not he should go inside, but he doesn't feel like he has anything to lose, so he pushes open the double doors. 

When he walks in, he's greeted to the sight of two men who look slightly shorter than him, directly staring at him.

"Hi, we're actually closed. Can we help you?" The shorter of them addresses him first with a nervous smile. Wow, he looks like a baby chick. He thinks.

"Ah, yes. I was looking for someone called Hanbin Sung? I believe he works here as a teacher."

The other one speaks up looking him up and down, "And you are…?"

"Hao? I'm sure Hanbin's spoken about me before?"

The pair exchange a glance which Hao catches, "Please, if he comes into work tomorrow, can you just tell him that Hao needs to talk to him? And that I'm really, really sorry."

The pair nod without a word and Hao leaves just as swiftly as he came in.

"Huh, I'm surprised he came. I didn't think he cared." The taller of them says.

"Myungjae-yah, you really need to stop being so pessimistic and sceptical of everything! I think it's romantic," he says dreamily.

Jaehyun scoffs, "Of course you would, Sohee. But let me tell you, I've seen people like that Hao guy before. They're always exactly the same, just you wait and see."

"Well, I dunno. The fact that he came shows that he cares for someone other than just himself, don't you think, Jae?"

Hao finally lugs his suitcase home and when he unlocks the door, he sees a massive cake on the table.

"What's all this? What's happening?" Hao asks.

"Baby, you're home! What took you so long?"

Ricky scoffs, "Of course the one time I ask you to come early, you can't be bothered. You know, you're so selfish, Hao. We were meant to be celebrating my promotion. It's the only way this family acknowledges me anyway."

"What do you mean?" Their mother interjects confused, she looks at their father, "What is he talking about?" Their father just shrugs.

Hao sighs as he sits at the table, “Ricky, don't start. I've had a really long few days at work, working my ass off. I don't want to deal with this."

"No, I think I will start, actually. I'm so tired of this. It's like mum forgets she has another son—"

"What do you mean?" Their mum interjects, "I love you just as much as I do my Haohao."

"Yeah right. You always coddle him! But you've never coddled me even once. Dad can't work as a lawyer here, so I had to be the one to step up and become the lawyer in the family. No one ever asked me what I wanted to do! I wanted to be a model, I wanted to act. I wanted to do so much with my life but I couldn't!" He bursts out. Their dad, joining them for once, at least looks a little ashamed as he hangs his head in shame. "And Hao, your selfish attitude drives away anyone who would ever even give a shit about you. It's always me, me, me, me, me. I asked you to do a simple thing! But it's always one excuse after the other with you. I'm so tired of this."

"And where's Gyuvin? Your boyfriend."

Ricky looks stony faced, "Shut up, Hao."

Their mother looks confused, "What are you talking about? Gyuvin is Ricky's nice roommate, not boyfriend. What are they talking about?" She looks to their dad for answers who just shrugs.

"Right, because still to this day you're still keeping him in a limbo. You knew how much he liked you, but you're stringing him along. You keeping him a secret isn't fair to him."

Ricky stands with a start, causing the cutlery to rattle. "I said shut the fuck up!" He screams, "I hate this family. I wish I had a better older brother to look up to and I wish my parents actually loved me." He storms out.

"Ricky," Their mum calls after him, "Ricky, come back!" She gets up to go after them, leaving Hao and their dad at the table.

Their dad sighs, "So much for a peaceful dinner, huh."

Hao sighs, "I should go, I can tell when I'm not wanted. It was nice seeing you."

"Hao, don't be like that. You don't have to leave." He says as Hao starts gathering his things, "Hao, stop." He calls out more firmly. Hao ignores him.

"I'll see you around." He says before he throws open the door and lets it shut behind him.

He finds himself at the park that Hanbin had shown him a while back, missing him even more than ever as he pulls his coat tighter around himself. He still can't fathom what he'd said wrong that day, no matter how much he thinks about it. Just then, his phone vibrates in his pocket.

He sees that he's matched with someone on Tinder and they've already sent him a message. He sighs as he types back a flirty message, already arranging where to meet. He soon arrives at a dance studio, which he guesses isn't the weirdest place he's gone for a date, but he doesn't think anything of it.

"Hi," The guy greets, eyes shining. Like Hanbin's. His brain taunts. He forces the thought out of his head immediately.

"Hi, nice to meet you."

The guy leads him into a studio and from the beginning he's eager when he starts to kiss Hao. Something feels wrong in his gut, but he pushes it away.

Suddenly, the dark room is flooded with light. Hao tries to pull away as the light hurts his eyes, but the guy is persistent. He suddenly feels that sharp pain again.

"Hao."

That one word makes his blood run cold. He looks and sees Hanbin looking angrier than he'd ever seen him, "H-Hanbin."

The guy stops when he's not getting any more attention, "Huh?" He looks to where Hao is looking, "Oh, Hanbinie. You were here." He says flatly. Hanbinie? Who was this guy? 

"I told you not to call me that." Hanbin says stonily.

The guy laughs, "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I was about to lock up and go home when I heard noises and came to investigate. But it was just you. I'll be taking my leave, good night. And I've told you so many times, stop coming here Jinyoung. Oh, and one more thing. Don't bring your hookups to my dance studio. Have some shame." With that, he walks out.

"Hanbin! Wait!" Hao calls.

"He's just salty, ignore him."

Hao pushes Jinyoung so hard he falls and runs after Hanbin. "Hanbin! Hanbin please wait!" He cries.

Hanbin turns to him with tears in his eyes. He angrily uses his elbow to scrub at his eyes, "What."

"I-it wasn't what it looked like?"

"Haha. Very funny. You snogging my ex wasn't what it looked like?"

Ex. Hao feels a sharp pain, "Okay, maybe it is what it looked like, but I swear I didn't mean for this to happen! I didn't remember you worked here."

"You're so cruel," Hanbin says in a near-whisper as hot angry tears cascade down his cheeks, "Why were you so nice to me that you made me fall for you only to break my heart?"

"What are you talking about? All those other people don't mean anything, I only want you. I feel a pull towards you, Hanbin. Can’t you feel it too?”

Hanbin scoffs, "Yeah, well you have a funny way of showing it."

"You can't put all the blame on me! You disappeared for days, I was looking for you, but you don't even have any kind of social media! You don't even seem to have a phone!"

"I choose not to have one for personal reasons." Hanbin replies frostily, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can do this anymore."

Hao starts to tear up too, "If you never wanted anything to do with me, you should've just said instead of stringing me along. If you're too much of a scaredy cat to commit, just tell me now instead of just keeping me on a leash. I'm not going to give my heart to someone who's just going to break it."

"You seem like the type of person to depend on me too much. I won't always be there, Hao." He says, near-whisper, "It hurts, so much. I don't know why my heart hurts so much. Is this what it feels like to yearn?? Jinyoung is the worst person I'd ever met and seeing you with him, I just don't think I can forgive it."

"Wow."

"Goodbye, Hao. I hope you find someone who makes you happy." He doesn't wait for a reply before he walks away, leaving Hao to clutch at his chest which suddenly starts throbbing really badly, leaving him to sink to the floor as he lets the tears fall freely.

"Is Hanbin coming today?"

Hao's blood runs cold at the mention of his name, "No. He's not." He tells Jiwoong.

"Why not? What happened?"

Hao shrugs, "He just doesn't want anything to do with me. I guess he got tired of me like everyone else."

Jiwoong shoots him a sympathetic look, "I'm sure he'll come to his senses soon enough."

Hao smiles tiredly, "Maybe it's better this way, I always hurt everyone, anyway. No matter how much I try to do things right. So maybe it was inevitable he'd leave me, too." He starts to tear up again.

"Oh, Hao." He comes around the counter to give him a hug, letting Hao cry loudly into his chest and shushing him, "It's alright. There, there. Let it all out."

"Hanbin," Sohee says gently as he pushes the door open with his foot, carefully as he balances a tray of hot soup. He addresses the lump in bed again, "You can't wallow in self-pity forever. It's been a week, you need to go to work."

Hanbin pulls the duvet off his head so he can say, "Don't wanna," petulantly.

Sohee sighs, "At least come and drink this soup I made you, maybe you'll feel better."

There's shuffling before a pouting as Hanbin gets up and waddles over to sit at his table, covered in the mess that he haphazardly pushes to the side, ready to stubbornly eat his soup. He looks up towards his roommates— Sohee and Jaehyun— ready to spill his feelings.

"I just, I don't understand him." Hanbin sighs, "I can't stop thinking about him either. It hurts so bad, I've never felt this much pain before. From the moment I first met him, he's always been on my mind, plaguing my dreams. I hate it. I hate that I've become like this. And I hate that I'm dampening you and Myungjae's relationship by acting like this. I feel like I'm ruining things by being so down in the dumps all the time. But I can’t help it— the way I see him, the way I feel about him. It's like he could be my soulmate."

Sohee smiles in understanding, "It's okay, Hanbin hyung. You're heartbroken, it's normal. And you're not ruining anything, don't say that." Hanbin lets out a weak chuckle when he pouts like an angry baby chick.

"You're so cute," Hanbin teases, "What did I do to get such an amazing best friend like you,"

Myungjae clears his throat, "What about me?"

Hanbin laughs again, "You're up there too."

Jaehyun's face falls, "I'm going to get you!" He lunges forward.

"Noooo!" Hanbin starts running around their flat, Sohee watching them endearingly.

Jaehyun shuts Hanbin's door as quietly as he can after he's fallen asleep, going to the living room to see a concerned looking Sohee already sat waiting for him.

"To be honest, I'm worried about him." Sohee starts.

"Me too," Jaehyun replies quietly, "I know heartbreak is one thing, but he looks weaker and weaker by the day. Do you think he's—" He stops, looking at Sohee not wanting to speak the dreaded word.

Sohee pales, "He can't be… Let's be logical about this and lay out the facts."

Jaehyun nods, "Right, right. Let's start with what we know. So Hanbin hyung talked about this guy he'd met at a Christmas shop…"

"Hao." Sohee says quietly.

"Yes, Hao. And he was looking brighter than we'd ever seen him, even more full of life, plus he was even more energised at work."

Sohee nods, "And then they fell out… Didn't he say Hao didn't believe in soulmates?"

"Right, right. And then there was that thing with Hao and Jinyoung, ugh I hate that guy."

"That night Hanbin came home, It felt like he looked like he had aged ten years."

"Exactly, he was extremely lethargic and kept clutching his chest and saying he was in pain."

"And when we took him to A and E, they said there was nothing wrong with his heart…"

"Could it simply just be heartbreak and Hanbin hyung is even more sensitive to it because of his personality?"

Jaehyun gasps, "I just remembered. Didn't this happen to Kun and Ten hyung?"

Sohee gasps, "You're right. Weren't they…"

"Soulmates."

"Soulmates?"

"Holy shit. What do we do? Hanbin'ss way too hurt to talk to Hao now…" Jaehyun says, worrying his lip between his teeth.

"Well, he has to! Unless he wants to… You know."

Staring at Ricky's door, Hao already wants to run away, but he pushes through and walks up the steps and rings the doorbell. There's some commotion before an unimpressed Gyuvin looks him up and down before crossing his arms, "Lovelicky doesn't want to talk to you." He announces.

"I know. I deserve it, but can you just let him know that I'm really sorry? He was right, I was totally selfish and self-absorbed and I understand if he never wants to see me again, I just… Wanted to say that I’m sorry. And I'm sorry about what I said about you too. I was just angry, I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to lash out and say all those mean and horrible things." He confesses in near tears.

Ricky steps out from behind the door and Gyuvin goes inside. "Please don't show up to my house uninvited." He greets.

"Yes, I'm really sorry. I know I'm the last person you'd want to talk to, but I just wanted to say sorry."

Ricky glares at him, "You keep saying you're sorry, you know sorry doesn't fix everything, right?"

"I know."

Ricky’s expression softens, "But for the record, I really appreciate it."

"I can see that you and Gyuvin are…" Hao smirks as his words taper off.

Ricky laughs, a genuine laugh. Hao feels his broken heart smile just a little at the sight of his brother lighting up for the first time in years. He's not sure if he's ever heard the younger laugh in his time knowing him. "Shut up, Hao- ge." Hao gasps and Ricky covers his mouth, "Not a word." He closes the door embarrassed.

Hao rings Soobin's doorbell before he can get any second thoughts, holding a small fish in a bag. 

Soobin sees it and giggles, "It's so tiny."

"I'm really sorry, I know it's not the same as that big ass goldfish you loved to bits, but I hope this is a start and a token of my genuine apology."

Soobin smiles, dimples popping out. "It'll do." He hugs Hao carefully so he doesn't squash him and pulls away just as fast, swiftly taking the bag and going inside, leaving the door open and Hao gingerly steps inside. Soobin carefully places the bag on the table and dusts off his fish tank. It takes him a while to clean it, but once it's clean to a satisfactory level, he puts the little fish inside. 

"It's kinda cute."

"Yeah, it is." Soobin smiles.

"What are you gonna name it?"

"You should name it."

"Mmm… How about… Joey?"

"Sure, Joey it is then."

On the way to Kuanjui and Wumuti's house, Hao passes by Ricky and Gyuvin’s house as well, so he leaves a little cat-shaped plush that he'd wrapped on their doorstep. He skips away and Ricky opens the door shortly after. He looks around and then looks down, seeing the wrapped gift. He smiles before schooling his expression, picking it up.

"What came for you?" Gyuvin asks. 

"I'm not sure yet."

"Unwrap it!"

So Ricky does, and he sees a calico cat plushie with a little smirk. 

"It looks just like you!"

"Shut up!"

Hao breathes out nervously before he presses Kuanjui's door number on the intercom. He hears the door release and quickly runs up the stairs. 

"Hey, sorry about how we left off the last time." Hao brings his hands out from behind his back to show two carrier bags. The couple look at each other and then back at him. "These are for you, Wumuti. I hope you can forgive me." They smile as Wumuti takes the bag and realises it’s fragile. He places it carefully on the kitchen table and sees an even bigger dollhouse and takes out a pretty looking frying pan. 

Wumuti smiles at him for the first time ever, eyes crinkling up in happiness. "Thank you, Hao. I'll treasure this forever." He pulls him into a hug.

Kuanjui secretly shoots him two thumbs up. Hao already feels ten times lighter.

He's back at work a few days later and Jiwoong looks as happy as ever. He smiles, glad that it worked out for at least one of them.

"So, how's 'boy'." Hao nudges.

"Boy is actually Taerae, and he's doing well." Jiwoong says, already taking on a dreamy look, "He's everything I ever wanted. I didn't think I'd ever find a soulmate as old as I was, but I guess it was meant to be."

"I'm happy for you." Hao says and Jiwoong looks at him with a raised eyebrow, "Genuinely, I am. Happy for you, I mean."

Jiwoong looks impressed, "You've changed, elf."

"Have I?"

"In all the time I've known you, I've never heard you say something like that."

Hao laughs, "I'm not completely heartless."

“I'm seeing him again tonight, we're going to watch the new Wicked film at the cinema." He says with a twinkle in his eye, "I've been showing him stuff I'm into and he's really into musicals. I've never seen one before, so I'm excited."

"You deserve it. Have fun on your date."

"I'm leaving first," Jiwoong blows him a kiss, "Don't forget to lock up this time, elf."

"Eye, eye santa." He salutes.

"It's captain, mind you."

"Whatever."

Hao is humming a tune to himself while locking up when he suddenly feels like going to the garden Hanbin had shown him weeks ago. He takes the same scenic route the other had taken him through, remembering to look up on the way (while watching where he's going) and makes his way over to the bench he'd sat with Hanbin on.

He'd frequented this place quite often after Hanbin, so the people there came to know him pretty well. At this point, he knew them all by name. They greet him with kind smiles in which he returns before he sits down on the bench, pulling out a sketchbook. Yes, he's into drawing now. It wasn't something he ever expected, but he learned it somehow helped to ease the heartache. Snow starts to fall, wetting the pages so he's ready to get up when he feels a presence looming over him.

He looks up and gasps when he realises it's Hanbin. And suddenly, despite the snow, the sun shines on the two of them. It almost blinds Hao.

"Hi," Hanbin says weakly, a strange air of certainty around him. He really doesn't look so good. Hao can't help but feel extremely worried, but he doesn't know how to act around him now.

"Hey," Hao greets back.

Hanbin sits next to him. "It's been a while."

"So it has."

"You've changed."

Hao looks at him, "Have I? I feel like everyone says that to me lately."

"I can tell," Hanbin points to his chest, "In here, it feels different."

"What do you mean?"

Hanbin breathes out, "Me and you, we're destined to be together. I think- no. I know. You're my soulmate, Hao."

Hao feels his heart start to thump again, tears welling up in his eyes, "Really?" It comes out of nowhere, but Hao begins to run the permutations through his mind.

"Really. I thought about it. I mean, why else would I have approached you out of nowhere?" Hanbin laughs. "There's no denying that I'm drawn to you. There's no denying that things were brighter when I was around you. What else could it mean? You feel it too, don't you?"

"All this time, I thought I was never going to have a soulmate." Hao sniffs, not even stopping the tears from falling. He thinks momentarily— the strange desire to follow Hanbin without knowing him very well, the lingering ache he felt when Hanbin wasn’t around, the way life was lighter and absent of its inconveniences when the handsome man was at his side. And suddenly, it clicks.

Hanbin wipes his tears, "I'm sorry I'm late, but I'm here now."

Hao takes his scarily cold hand and holds it, "I'm glad it's you." He starts to feel his hand warm up and suddenly Hanbin looks just as vibrant as he once was.

"I'm glad it's you too, I'm sorry it took us so long to get here."

"Mum, dad, Ricky, Gyuvin, I want you to meet Hanbin." He looks at the younger, "My soulmate," He says proudly. Hanbin blushes profusely as he smiles shyly.

Everyone gasps. "My baby has a soulmate!" Their mother cheers, "Don't just stand there, sit down. Sit down!"

Everyone laughs. They sit together and catch up. "I'm just so happy, both of my sons are happy." Their father says, trying not to shed tears.

"Dad!" Hao and Ricky say simultaneously, "Jinx!" They start to bicker about who's jinxed until their mum clears her throat. They groan, knowing what's to come.

"I want to perform a song for Ricky's boyfriend, Gyuvin and Hao's boyfriend, Hanbin."

"Alright, that's enough! Let's eat, shall we?" Their dad claps and they all laugh.

"Why? Why can't I sing? I had the perfect performance planned. I was working on this for weeks!" She protests.

"You always sing that one song so drearily. At least sing something fun and upbeat!" Their dad teases.

"You're on thin ice," She threatens as she sits down. Hao and Ricky exchange glances as they laugh. Gyuvin and Hanbin also try not to laugh.