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"Papa! Papa! Will Grandpa Santa come tonight?" Hyunwoo, their first son, asks, with a pair of eyes beaming with pure happiness and excitement. He has been waiting all year long, trying to keep his promises to be a good boy. Truth is, both of them, Baku and Gotak, bribed him that if he manages to be a good boy for the full year, Santa will come and give him his presents. The gullible little kids of course believes that. I mean, who didn't believe about the miracles of Christmas and the one and only Santa every 25th of December? Hyunwoo is just a little kid and he is no exception. Safe to say that both Baku and Gotak have been having an easier time with their son this year because of this made-up pact.
Gotak sips the hot chocolate from his white mug, looking at his prideㅡhis son, asking while playing with his toy cars and blocks. Only god knows what kinda colorful buildings or racing tracks Hyunwoo manages to make. Gotak just smiles at him as he puts down his cup. "Well, that depends, if you have been a good boy the whole year or not," he answers, slightly crouching to meet eyes with his son, his eyes gleams just as brightly as those of his kid's. "Grandpa Santa doesn't like misbehaving boys!" He then pounced on him slightly, catching him by his sides gently.
Hyunwoo lets out a laughter as he feels the tickles, a symphony to Gotak's ears. Ever since he was born, his pride extends from only Baku to his son too. They have been living a very happy little family life, just three of them. It's just wonderful and miraculous that the two of them pair perfectly ever since... forever. It's as if nothing has changed ever since they started dating in college, which transitioned into living together, and then boom, suddenly they were on the altar vowing to be by each other's side forever.
Of course it's not always rainbows and glitters. They have their own struggles and hardships. We don't talk about love lives hereㅡit's really just jealousy here and there, little fights. Not much. They really can't be mad at each other for more than... I don't know, three minutes? Baku is too clingy to handle and Gotak is just too soft for Baku to not forgive him.
Their struggles leaned more towards realistic parts of life. Adult life. Like Baku's first job being a total toil he got no time to take care of the house and his Gogo. Or when Hyunwoo was barely 1, and Gotak, being a stay-home dadㅡhe works remotely, was very stressed because he needed to take care of everything alone while Baku was away. Or when Hyunwoo got a very high fever and they, being inexperienced parents, kept blaming themselves. Or the other day both of them got laid off almost at the same time, savings running out thin, they needed to cut every expense to the minimum possible.
But what can we say? They stayed through everything together. And that's why everything worked out. Hardships won't stop ever, they know, but it's in their bones that they will get through no matter what. Both of them take their own wedding vows seriously. Really, no break ups allowed this time, like those silly, childish times. At the end of the day, they only have each other. But that's okay, because that alone is more than enough. Now that they have their own son, as their responsibility spikes up, so does their determination to do good in life. For each other, for the people they love and treasure.
"Hyunwoo has been a veeeeery good boy, Papa!" Hyunwoo answers, forming both fists, eyebrows reminiscent of Baku's frowns of determination. His cute pout just adds a cherry on top.
"Oh, yeah?" Gotak lifts his son and puts him on his lap, sitting cross-legged on the rug near the newly-decorated Christmas tree. Standing tall next to them, its lights twinkle, various in colors, illuminating the corner of the room with alternating beautiful sparkles. Outside the window falls snow gently.
A white Christmas. It takes him back to how the two of them started. A first snow. A confession. And a kiss.
"Why don't you tell Papa how good have you been, sweetie?"
Hyunwoo frowns, thinking hard. "Ummm... Hyunwoo has been learning how to read diligently! And numbers! And... and... Hyunwoo has been a good friend in school too! And... and... Daddy always says to Hyunwoo, 'Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?'!" he answers, trying his best to impersonate Baku saying that while touching noses with his kid.
Gotak laughs. How can he not find his son endearing? It's not hard seeing Hyunwoo growing up to be a second Baku. He's brave, bold, and outgoing. One time they lost him in a grocery store the later they found him going along with another family, already looking like siblings with their kid. Yeah, just like how Baku was. Everybody knew him. He knew everybody.
"Is that sooo?" he says, in aegyo, something only Baku would melt upon while his friends would at the very least give side eyesㅡworst being puking. "Well then, let's see if Granpda Santa recognizes that or not!"
Hyunwoo looks up, craning his neck 90 degrees to see Gotak's face right above him. "Hyunwoo will be sad if Grandpa Santa does not come!"
"Is that so? But Papa has a veeeeery strong feelings he will come tonight!"
Hyunwoo turns around excitedly, smile growing from ear to ear. "Really?! Yay! Grandpa Santa! Grandpa Santa! Hyunwoo wants to meet Grandpa Santa!" He flees from Gotak's laps and now is busy jumping in excitement. "Too bad Daddy won't be here tonight..." he says as he stopped jumping, visible disappointment drawn across his face.
Baku just left again after dinner earlier. Well they already celebrated their Christmas together, just little time spent together around dinner time and all. Baku, working in a department store, has to take the shift tonight to ensure the Christmas sale for tomorrow will be smooth.
Though, that was just a lie they both made so Hyunwoo believes it.
Truth is, Baku will be playing as Granpda Santa tonight, so Hyunwoo's imaginations and wishes live on as a kid. Growing up, both of them didn't get the chance to experience so. Being envious of other kids were not a good feeling, they both understand it. So they wanted to make it happen now, not intending to fail as parents.
"Aww, come here, honey, don't be sad," Gotak says, and Hyunwoo just obliges, hugging his papa. "Daddy already met Grandpa Santa, so he's fine missing tonight!"
"What about Papa?" Hyunwoo asks, earning a hum from the parent. "Has Papa met Grandpa Santa?"
Gotak spends a few seconds humming, thinking of a good answer to white-deceive his sonㅡnot a bad thing, of course. "Of course Papa has! But it was a very long time ago Papa doesn't really remember..."
"Was Grandpa Santa young?" Hyunwoo asks and Gotak swears he is in a checkmate. What kinda question is that? This little fella is a little too witty. "Was he Uncle Santa to Papa?"
"Umm, about that..."
Gotak pauses, now the still air is filled with silence. He peeks groggily at his son's eyes which are aimed at him. Eyes filled with curiosity. Gotak gulps. Still unsure of what to answer.
Just as he is about to answer, heavens heard his prayer by making his phone rings, blaring across the room. "Oh no, it seems Papa got a call," Gotak says, lifting and putting Hyunwoo next to the block building as he hurries standing up. "Stay here and play, okay?"
"Aye-aye, Papa!" he answers, jokingly saluting.
Gotak ruffles his soft hairs. It really feels like ruffling Baku's hair. "That's a good boy!"
Just after he puts down his sleeping 4-year-old son on his bed, Gotak's phone dings in his pocket.
[my baku ❤️]: how do i look?
[my baku ❤️]: [image attached]
His husband just sent him a selfie of himself wearing all redㅡnot his usual casual attires, but a Santa costume he bought a few days ago for this occasion. His face is also decorated with thick white facial hairs, just like a typical Santa in fairy tales and children books, something that would definitely satisfy Hyunwoo's imagination.
The plan is actually Baku coming home, sneaking inㅡnot from the chimney definitely, and then they both would pretend that Hyunwoo accidentally catch him. That's entirely based on their son's will to stay up late so he can meet Grandpa Santa. But well, he is just a little kid. Spending his time in the day playing and running in the snow exhausted him enough for him to doze off even earlier than usual. Not having the heart to wake up the baby who is sitting down on the sofa, head barely standing still, eyes half-open, Gotak lets him fall asleep on his lap before carrying him to bed.
[me]: you look just like yourself lol
[my baku ❤️]: EXCUSE ME?!
[my baku ❤️]: I'M NOT DAMN 80?!?!
[me]: HAHAHA kidding baby
[me]: hyunwoo would definitely buy that
He might not have realized it, but it's always been like this every time he texts with his husband: all smiles and butterflies as if they are still teenagers dating for fun. Heck, even he can't remember the last time he got mad at Baku or vice versa since their marriage. Small fights happen, but not to the point it upsets each other and needs huge acts to be resolved.
[me]: just don't forget to disguise your voice too
[my baku ❤️]: dw i'm master in shits like deez
[me]: he's asleep btw
[me]: exhausted from playing outside too much i assume
[my baku ❤️]: 1 energetic kid like his dad
[me]: he really is just a mini you
[my baku ❤️]: anyway alr8 then i'll be there in 1 or so!
[my baku ❤️]: is dat okay? just pretend wake him up or sumn
[me]: leave it to me
[me]: don't forget the presents
[my baku ❤️]: OF COURSE I WON'T I'M DUMB NOT FORGETFUL
[me]: OKAY OKAY LOL
[my baku ❤️]: juntae asked if he can give something 2 but then he decided he will just come 2morrow
[me]: oh sweet juntae as usual
[me]: hyunwoo's favorite uncle lol
[my baku ❤️]: sure he iz
[my baku ❤️]: ok see you luv ❤️ can't wait!
[me]: okay okay see you hun 💙
Baku has been at Juntae's for a while to commence this plan of showing 'Santa' to their son. The small guy just lives a few blocks away, alone, so it's really easy to crash his place without making any possible roommates uncomfortable. Why does Juntae live alone in his thirties you ask? Well, quoting him, "I gave up on love. Besides, I still have you guys, so, I don't think whether I marry or not matters." It isn't like he didn't try at all. He did, but they didn't go as well as he expected. And soon, he just didn't find the interest anymore. Although, there has been a rumor circling around his office that there is this coworker named Seongje, around his age, single father of one, seeking matrimony. Just a rumor. Definitely.
Juntae is, just like Gotak has said, Hyunwoo's favorite uncle. He comes often afterwork, bringing snacks and sometimes toys. Both Baku and Gotak appreciates that very well, especially when their hands are full with house works, Juntae's presence helps take care of their son. Hyunwoo would just yap about everything after greeting him excitedly, running across the room as soon as he heard, "Hyunwoo! Uncle Juntae is here!", spreading his arms for the grown-up to pick him up and hug him. Whether it's a weird bug he found at the playground, or how his teeth hurt from biting popsicle, or how Baku kept hitting his head earlier in the morning.
Gotak goes back to the living room, lying flat on the sofa, the TV still running as a background noise. Closing his eyes, he sighs as he puts his phone and hands on his stomach. Flashbacks and memories rush in his head as he catches a glimpse at the mistletoe by the doorway. He smiles, feeling very grateful of his life. They might not be living neither crazy rich nor fairy tale-esque life, but sometimes moderacy is even more than enough.
And that's how it is to both of them. If they were to pick one thing they are most grateful of, they would just blurt out each other's name, consciously and unconsciously. No matter how many times he imagines what his life would like without Baku, he couldn't. In every image he picture, Baku would always be there.
As if saying, there'd be no life without Baku. No future.
And it's true as it is.
In the dimly lit room of his son's, Gotak silently climbs onto the bed. "Hyunwoo, sweetheart!" he shout-whispers as he gently pats his sleeping son on his thigh. Hyunwoo is a swimmer in bed. No matter how neat he starts the night, he always wakes up in a random position, a new one every new day. And today, he is woken up in the middle of the night, positioned on one corner on the bed, leaving an entire bed almost empty from occupation, an arm flipped under his back, his head halfway from falling down to the floor. Gotak would be lying if he didn't try to disperse a loud laugh upon the sight.
"Huh?" Hyunwoo hums in confusion, eyelids barely open, string of drool garnishing his right cheek. Gotak's cute aggression almost takes over him completely.
"Papa heard something!" he continues, now lightly shaking his half-conscious toddler. "I think it's Grandpa Santa!"
After a single second not responding, Hyunwoo's eyes suddenly open wide, as if 'Grandpa Santa' is a magic spell to wake him up from a deep, delicious slumber. He slams the bed with his untangled arm and sits up straight. If this hasn't happened a few times too before, Gotak would think he is possessed... well like the first time it happened when the first day of preschool was starting. Being an active and social kid he has been, Hyunwoo was very excited to begin his preschool journey that the word school managed to forcefully drag him away from his dreamland of cotton candy clouds and chocolate rivers.
"GRANDPㅡ"
Before Hyunwoo can finish his high-pitched excitement, Gotak shushed him, putting a finger on his little lips. "No screaming at night, honey," he says delicately. "Remember, Grandpa Santa don't like bad kids!"
His son freezes for a moment before closing his mouth, forming a pair of pouty lips. One would mistake him for sulking, but that's actually one of his face of determination. He secretly whispers 'Okay' to his father, following putting a finger on Gotak's lips. "Papa too has to be quiet, okay?"
Gotak smiles at his reaction and gives a nod. "Did you hear that?" he questions as soft, muffled rustles seeps into the room behind the wall. "I think Grandpa Santa is looking for your present!"
The kid opens his mouth in both surprise and joy, believing that he actually has been a good boy all year. His eyes lights up, shining brighter than the twinkling stars outside the window. "Papa, Papa! Can I go out and meet Grandpa Santa?"
The father can't help but draw a wide smile. "Sure, let's go greet him! Remember, stay a good boy!"
Hyunwoo excitedly nods for how many times Gotak can't count. It's as if his head vibrates instead of nodding. He quickly jumps off the bed and runs toward the door with his tiny feet. He pulls the unlocked door as lights from outside, from the Christmas tree, illuminates his line of sight. As his eyes fully regain their vision, Hyunwoo stills in disbelief, as there, next to the colorful tree, stands a figure in all red, crouching down, putting a box down by the tree. This time, his eyes sparkle even brightly than before. It's like a dreams come true to him. A miracle of Christmas, and a fictious tale of reindeer-riding old man who rewards well-behaving kids.
"Grandpa Santa?" he calls across the living room, earning the attention from 'Santa' as Gotak follows his son outside the room.
Gotak might not notice it before because the pic Baku sent him was only his face, but now that he actually sees him in full, that fake belly almost makes him let out a laughter. "Ho, ho, ho! I have been caught, it seems?" he said, in a faked, deep, old man-like voice, that Gotak can't help but flatlines his lips, resisting from laughing out loud. "Park Hyunwoo, isn't it?"
Again, the toddler's mouth drops very low, his eyes getting teary, as his name is mentioned. "Grandpa Santa knows me?" he asks, politely. Gotak lightly pats his back, gesturing him to come closer. Let's hope that his son isn't sharp enough to notice Baku's face behind those many fake white hairs. Yes, he is still holding his laugh.
"Of course!" Baku answers, pulling out what seems like a fake note from his belt as his son walks closer in extreme amusement. "Let's see... you are among ten most behaved kids this year! That's why I remember your name! Ho, ho, ho!"
"Really?! Yay!!!" he retorts in excitement from imagining what kind of presents he is getting. Would it be the most fancy car toy that can change colors? Or a lifetime worth of chips? He then runs toward the old man, not knowing it was Baku, and hugs him by his left leg. Both Baku and Gotak almost lost it as the cute moment plays to scene. "Thank you, Grandpa Santa! Hyunwoo promises he will always be Daddy and Papa's good boy!"
"Ho, ho, ho! Aren't you the bestest boy ever?" Baku reaches down, slightly struggling due to his fake belly and ruffles the baby's dark brown hair.
"Grandpa, Grandpa!" Hyunwoo calls 'Grandpa Santa' excitedly as he lets go of the hug. "This is Hyunwoo's Papa! The best papa in theeeeeeee world!" he says as he faces Gotak, while tugging Baku's big furry red pants, attempting to shift his attention to his papa.
Gotak slightly blushes at the remarks. Hyunwoo of course often says that to him, but seeing his son saying that to a stranger to himself, bragging about him, feels different. He is a little too close to crying tears of happiness. He a lot of times doubts himself if he, and Baku, has not been a good parent to Hyunwoo. Hearing that really just removes a lot of those anxieties and weights.
"Papa said you two has met when Papa was little! Do you remember him, Grandpa Santa?"
Both Baku and Gotak choked on air as they heard the question. That... was really unexpected. Baku exchanged subtle looks with Gotak, hoping his husband has a suggestion of what to answer. Hell, even Gotak is lost on how to answer that. Gotak blinks a few times while shaking his head in a really small motion, not wanting Hyunwoo to see through all the trickery.
"Well, little boy, Grandpa Santa meets so many good kids every year," Baku improvises. "If it was when your Papa was little, I'm afraid I have long forgotten, ho, ho, ho!"
"Ah, is that so?" Hyunwoo continuously taps his forefinger on his chin, lips slightly pouty, trying to make sense of Baku's answer. Their son can really be dangerously curious at times. "Grandpa! Grandpa! Hyunwoo is really happy Hyunwoo gets to meet Grandpa Santa!" Thankfully for both of them, Hyunwoo diverts the topic on his own.
Baku fakes the Santa laughs again, genuinely happy that his son finds himself exhilarated about this made-up dream he and Gotak conjured for him. It has also been their plan for the past year, and nothing feels better than seeing their own flesh and blood happy, spending a very nice time joyfully. "Grandpa Santa is also most happy to meet such a good boy!"
Hyunwoo then looks up at his eyes, with a quite sad look and a pair of sulky lips. "Now, grandson, what's wrong? You don't look happy."
The kid shakes his head. "Hyunwoo is happy, Grandpa, very happy," he answers, although tone a little too low for a kid like him. "But Hyunwoo is a little sad that Daddy isn't home to meet you too."
'Uh-oh... well I am your daddy, sugarplum...'
Gotak quickly comes to his aid as he can sense Baku's awkwardness from afar. He kneels down right next to Hyunwoo, circling an arm around him, pulling him into his embrace. "It's okay, sweetie, Papa's sure Daddy has met Grandpa Santa too!"
He can feel Hyunwoo nods to his arms. "That means Hyunwoo can tell Daddy a story tomorrow! Papa can tell Daddy too! Meeting Grandpa Santa!"
Baku inhales deeply. He is struggling not to just blow up his cover and give his son the tightest hug ever in this happy day.
Hyunwoo.
'Hyun' from 'Hyun-tak' and 'Woo' adapted from 'Hu' from 'Hu-min.
Their pride.
Their bliss.
Their everything.
He can't keep his eyes still from how adorable his son is especially more that he is yawning, body clock not adjusted to staying up this late. "Ho, ho, ho! Look who is sleepy?" Baku says, forcefully stripping himself away from his fleeting thoughts of what Hyunwoo would be like grown up. Would he be just like Baku, loud, noisy, friends with everyone, just like he has always been today? Or would he somehow turn into a rough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside like Gotak, who always wear a strong facade while actually cares very deep down?
"But... still wanna be with Grandpa Santa..." Hyunwoo says lazily, lips pouting.
Gotak taps his son's chubby cheek lightly. "Sweetie, Grandpa Santa still has to deliver so many more presents for tonight," he explains, hoping his son would buy it. "We should not hold him here for too long."
Baku assesses the situation and crouches down, squatting on his toes with a hand supporting on one side as his fake belly really makes him hard to get into certain positions. "What about this, son? I will give you an extra present next year if Hyunwoo gets to bed now like how a good boy should be!"
"Extra present?" the toddler responds, asking back in confusion, eyelids heavy as he stares back at Baku's face under the fake mustaches and beards.
He nods twice. "What do you want for next year?" he asks, still committing to his silly voice act.
"Umm... Hyunwoo wants..." the kid looks down deep in considerations, fingers fidgeting, left food fiddling with the warm purple rug.
"What does Hyunwoo want?" Gotak asks, encouraging his child.
The small fella claps his hand excitedly as an idea pops up in his head.
"A brother!"
Both Baku and Gotak chokes on the air upon his plight, not expecting that kind of present at all. Hyunwoo of course, the curious little chum he is, glances at both of them, confused about the harmonious coughs.
"Sweetheart, I don't think Grandpa Santa can give something like that." "Ho, ho, ho! One brother for next year that is!"
...
Both the parents still at their contrasting responses. Most of timesㅡalmost every single time actually, the two of them can tell what the other's thinking just from a glance and breathing rhythm. But that's not the case this time, sadly. Is it because that Gotak can barely see Baku's handsome face under those white hairs? No, that makes no sense.
"Anyway!" Baku stands up, trying to avert the topic and break the silence. "You won't be getting a present if you don't go to sleep anytime soon!"
Hyunwoo panics at the requirement as he turns to his Papa, spreading his arms, a gesture he'd give every time he wants his parents to pick him up. Gotak catches the signal and quickly picks him up, holding him by his left side of torso, Hyunwoo's head facing back, head caressed gently. He mouths to Baku, "Wait for me a few minutes, alright?"
Baku just smiles as he watches his lovely husband disappear into their son's room, making sure he sleeps deep and well so the chance of his coming out of the room blowing Baku's cover is next to nothing. That... would be their worst nightmare.
Baku stands up from the sofa as he can see his spouse carefully tiptoeing by the door, closing the room cautiously not to make any disrupting noises. Gotak sighs in relief as he succeeds putting Hyunwoo to sleep without sweats. He turns around, seeing Baku still in his Santa costume already spreading his arms, ready for a warming sofa cuddles on a white Christmas. Thankfully though the fake belly and white beards are gone, his ethereal figure and gorgeous face full on display once again. Baku still does look fluffy and Gotak can't help but feel butterflies exploding in his stomach. He immediately rushes, not wasting any second to jump into his husband's embrace.
Warm.
Just like how it's always been.
He snuggles closer as the two shifts on the sofa, making space for each other despite the narrow space. He ends up lying on top of Baku, inhaling his usual woody perfume fragrance right from the crook of his neck. The smell of home for the past how many years he lost count of. It feels like foreverㅡwell, it actually is forever.
Baku smiles, closing his eyes, at how his lover can be very touchy, very contrasting to their high school and college days where Baku was always the one to initiate. He transitioned from denying skin ships, to tolerating, to initiating, and Baku couldn't be happier. He circles his arm around Gotak's lean waist while placing a soft kiss on his crown.
"Did I do well?" he whispers, eyes still closed, completely bathed in the affectionate atmosphere. "Do you think Hyunwoo bought that?"
Gotak looks up, somehow their eyes open at the same time the eye contact feels intimate as he sees Baku's eyes flutter open beautifully. "Can I kiss you?" Instead, he asks back.
The man in red laughs. "That's not the question, love," he answers, earning a pair of pouty lips which are always hard to resist. "Ugh, you are always weaponizing that kitty pout, it's unfair!"
Gotak chuckles, his melodious laughter fills the air, his chest vibrates against Baku's. "You like them, though? What can I do?"
And he is right. Baku hates how it always works against him, those damned lips: plump, pink, and kissable. "You are one confident baby, aren't you?" he retorts. "But not this time! It won't work!!!"
The other stares in wilderment at his persistence before breaking into a contagious laugh from under his lungs. "Really? So I can't kiss you?" he says, in a joked disbelief.
Baku raises his chin arrogantly, pride rising up, as he shakes his head in disapproval. "That's right, I'm beginning to master the arts of how not to get steered into doing everything you want just because of your pouts!"
And... whatever that is. Gotak scoffs. "Look at this damn fine man, huh?" Gotak sneers once again before getting up a little, earning full attention from Baku who suddenly feels very hollow as the weight left him. "Reaaaaaaally? So I can't kiss you?" Gotak repeats, but now with a cute, annoyingly high pitch adorning his voice.
Baku gulps. His heart starts beating very fast as blood rushes up into his cheeks, slowly tinting them in red that would soon match his clothes. Gotak can't be more adorable than he already is.
It's illegal. He shouldn't be.
But here he is: lips protruding as far as they can go, eyes almost teary full of pleas. Baku has one more problem and that is he somehow might get hard from the sight so he tries to save himself from embarrassment. He tries his best. Wait, when did he learn acting cute again? He rummages his head searching for memories from school but found nothing about such behavior. Is it being a parent to a toddler? Maybe. But who cares, he gets the sweet side of this anyway!
"W-Well, not yet!" he corrects himself, panic evident in his tone. Amidst Gotak's confusion, Baku reached down to the floor behind the sofa, taking a sprig of mistletoe he retrieved from the doorway while waiting for his husband. He smiles as he lifts it up above Gotak, shaking it a little. "Not before this."
Gotak laughs, again. He hates how he always laughs around Baku when he is supposed to be the serious one. Because how can he when the love of his life is both extremely endearing and funny, even though he can get a little too ridiculous at times. "Seriously, that's why?"
Without answering, Baku pulls Gotak in with his other hand and kisses him deeply, just like every year, under the mistletoe, ever since their first Christmas together. It's become a tradition at this point. Gotak tilts his head a little to get a better angle, one hand finding Baku's cheeks, cupping and caressing them gently, thumb fiddling with his cheek bone. Another hand of his reaches for support on Baku's shoulder as he drops his whole weight on him. Baku wastes no time, dropping the sprig on the floor once again before putting a hand on his lover's waist. Another hand of his makes its way to caressing Gotak's milky nape, locking him deeper into the kiss. Soft breaths slip out of them right into each other's mouth as the scene progresses. Both of them indulges in the sweet scent of love blending in the air, face tinging pink from affections.
Gotak pulls away, giving both of them some space to breathe. They stare at each other lovingly, smiling to their heart's content as they get lost in each other's eyes, in the ocean of endless tenderness. "You did well," he says, still smiling at his husband.
Baku exhales, putting on an 'of-course-I-did' face Gotak would otherwise hiss if not for the soft mood. "The roleplay or the kiss?" he asks back, smile slowly turning into a smirk.
Gotak softly giggles. "You're silly," he answers. "Yes."
Baku shifts in his position before pushing Gotak up sitting on his lap. The other adjusts as Baku touches his forehead and nose with his own, eyes closed. Gotak might be crazy, but even at that angle, Baku still looks heavenly to him. Even at that angle, even after all these years. He can't believe how he never gets bored at his visual. Of course sometimes he would acknowledge random attractive people on the streets. But as he turns his head at the one holding his hand, all fall pale in comparisons.
It's always been him and will always be Baku, his ideal type.
"I love you," Baku mutters delicately, "so much that I can't believe it's possible." Gotak almost tears at his words, no matter how many times Baku has told him.
Maybe it's the Christmas mood, maybe it's the memories, he isn't sure. It just hits him again and again that confessing to Baku that very day, under the falling snow, was his four-leaf clover. Ever since, his life has only gone up and north as it progresses. He can't wait to spend the old days with him too, living long and dying together. He is intrinsically a part of him now. Take him away and you take Gotak too. Like a soul linked together.
"I love you too, my dumbass," he answers, using a term of endearment only Gotak is allowed to call him with. Baku notices the faint shaky tone in his voice, though, as Gotak gets closer into shedding a tear. "Don't you ever break that wedding vow."
Baku laughs lightly. "Come here, baby," he says, shifting their position to give his lover a bear hug, pulling him close, patting his wide back just with the right amount of force. Gotak's smile never falters, sticking on his face persistently. He returns the hug, wrapping arms around Baku's shoulders. "You know I would never do that."
"Yeah, obviously." Gotak plans his face on Baku's broad shoulder blade as sweet memories of past Christmas rush into him.
Pre-dating, childhood Christmases where Baku would spend the whole day or weekend at his house.
That one Christmas spent in the hospital filled with guilt at how Baku couldn't stop blaming himself for Gotak's knee.
A soft, tender kiss under the snow as Baku reciprocated his confession.
Their first intimate winter getaway the following year. Also their first ahem moment too.
Also that one Christmas when Baku dropped onto his knee, a wedding proposal.
And after that, every Christmas has to be made sure to be spent with love pouring all over both of them. Mistletoe, whatever, both of them know better they need to kiss the other on Christmas as a tradition at this point, with or without mistletoes.
"We've come a long way, haven't we?" Gotak asks as he slowly pushes away from the tight hug Baku is giving, eyes beaming with no other than endearment for his husband.
Baku nods. "And still have a long way to go too, Gogo," he answers, leaning in to put a quick peck on the other's forehead.
Gotak is one lucky bastard to bag a Park Humin. Oh, well, Baku is even the luckier one to snag a Go Hyuntak. Future is unforeseeable, for sure, but that doesn't stop them to anticipate upcoming Christmases as well as imagine what kind of future fate reserves for them. For no matter how many plans they create, the other half of them would always be there, in their imaginations, in reality.
"So," Baku breaks the melancholic silence, "wanna give Hyunwoo a brother?"
"Oh, come on!" Gotak hits his shoulder in annoyance at how he just shatters all the atmosphere for that question. "Are you suggesting we are getting another September child?" Funny, because Christmas was also the reason their first son was born.
Baku laughs as he shrugs. "I don't know, wouldn't birthday parties be more budget-friendly then?"
Gotak jaws dropped at how extraordinary his mind can be. "You really have a one-in-a-million brain right there, don't you?" he says, knocking Baku's temple with his forefinger.
"Am I hearing a yes, baby?" Baku wiggles his eyebrows along with a sneaky smirk.
The other scoffs in disbelief at how serious he actually is. "Let's hope it's a boy."
And the rest, is up to imaginations.
"Hyunwoo, let's wake up and get ready! Uncle Juntae is coming here shortly!"
"But, Papa, Hyunwoo had a weird dream last night... Hyunwoo saw Papa sleeping at the couch with Grandpa Santa... and then Grandpa Santa is actually Daddy... It was so weird..."
...
"Hahaha... haha... ha... yeah that's definitely very weird..."
"Daddy, can daddy do the Santa laugh?"