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Minho doesn't hate Christmas, that would just be ridiculous.
What could you hate about a creepy old white man watching your children sleeping and giving them gifts?
No he detests Christmas.
The bright lights that run the electric bill sky high, the sound of people caroling at ass crack of dawn, and the people god the people are the worst. Everyone thinks they are better than everyone, so quick to show off what they want, what they have, and what they are getting. And honestly the color combination of red and green is just plain ugly. How do you choose two colors on the opposite color wheel, colors that cancel each other out, and think "You know what they do! look good together"?
So yeah Christmas is his least favorite holiday, but that doesn't mean he is going to ruin the cheer for everyone (he remembers Yongbok crying when he cut off Jingle Bells and banned gingerbread from his house)(worst day in 2025).
Plus there is one exception to the rule…
"Minho hyung!" a voice breaks through the one sided glare he is having with his coffee (black like his soul black just like the power grid after it gets overwhelmed with those godawful lights). Looking up he sees Jisung making his way over through the crowd mall. Normally he wouldn't even be out this late in the Christmas season, too many people and too loud music blasting, but when he got a call from a panic Jisung needing help to pick out a secret Santa gift, he put everything on the back burner.
"Hyung! Hyunggg, thank you so much for coming out with me." Closer Minho can see he is wearing a godawful looking sweater. Its bright green with Santa Claus riding Rudolf with…blinding lights for eyes and a giant red light bulb???
"Jisung what on earth are you wearing?"
He looks down at his sweater before grinning back up at Minho. "This ? I got this from the Winter Wonderland Christmas Tree Hunting Spread Joy Extravaganza."
Minho blinks.
Jisung blinks back.
Minho blinks again.
"What the fuck-"
"Anyways! Moving on!" Jisung hooks his arm through Minho and drags him to the nearest store. "I have a secret Santa that I have to shop for and I totally did not wait until the last minute I just got busy."
"There is no way that's a real thing-"
"So! What I was thinking is that I can have my wonderful amazing best friend help me!"
"Who even came up with that name?-"
"Moving on!" Jisung shouts shooting Minho a look."My secret Santa is Jody. Remember her?"
Minho sips on his now lukewarm coffee as he thinks back to the various eccentric coworkers Jisung has talked about on his couch. "Is she the 60 year-old that doesn't stop talking about her grand kids?"
"No that's Susan. Jody is the one with the pet iguana who went on that blind date her roommate set her up on that sent his order back 3 times." Jisung replies looking through the rack of (hideous) Christmas sweaters. "I think maybe she would like this one." He mumbles under his breath.
Minho looks over at the sweater he is holding and it isn't all the worst thing Minho has seen this month. It's a brown sweater with brown antlers coming out of shoulders annnd a bright red nose. What is with Jisung and Rudolf this year?
"Hmm yeah sure I guess."
"Don't be such a Grinch Minho-hyung." He says smirking at him, putting the sweater over his arm before making his way closer to Minho. "I thought this year you would have loosened up. You know since you got a new neighbor." He continues wiggling his eyebrows.
Minho shoots him a glare before walking out of the store throwing his empty cup on the way. Leaving a screaming Jisung behind.
He is not completely wrong. He did get a new neighbor and he did change Minho.
It is almost 7pm by the time they finally leave the mall, Jisung picked out the brown Rudolf sweater as well as a scented vanilla and peppermint candle (a weird combination but doesn't smell all that bad). Minho groans as he makes his way to his car, Jisung happily talking next to him.
He doesn't understand how he still has so much energy after the draining day they had, must be the Pumpkin Spice Peppermint Mocha he scarfed down when they stopped for a snack. (Yes its a real thing and yes it is as disgusting as it sounds).
"Hyung-ah thank you so much for coming out with me. I know Christmas is not your favorite holiday." Jisung says fiddling with the bags in his hands. Minho feels himself softening at the sight. As much as he bitch and moans about the holiday he wouldn't trade the time spent with his friends for anything.
"I had to do one nice thing so I can be on the nice list this year." He jokes lightening the mood. "After all I was the best choice anyone else and you guys would have spent 24 hours in there."
They say a quick goodbye, with promises to get the gang together sometime soon before Minho makes the long drive back to his house. Pulling in he notices that his neighbor is struggling with bags while trying to open his door.
His neighbor.
Chan.
The only exception to the rule. The reason why he had to suck up his pride and ask Yongbok and Jisung for help find something a little bit festive.
Chan whose house looks like it belongs in a Christmas magazine and smells heavenly in a not stalkerish way of course. The tiredness in his body evaporates when Chan turns around and gives him a smile and wave. Getting out of the car Minho is met with a sharp wind in the face, it must've gotten colder on the drive home. Wrapping his arms closer to him, he jogs over to where Chan is when he hears a sharp yelp coming from the man.
"Is everything alright Bang Chan-ssi?"
He gets met with a pout. "Minho-yah I said you can call me hyung. I thought we were friends."
Minho rolls his eyes at the dramatics before taking 3 of the falling bags from Chan. "Alright Bang Chan hyung. You didn't answer my question though. Why do you have so many bags?"
The pout still remains on Chan's face but he does brighten up. "Oh I'm just doing a little bit of decorating."
Minho gives a confused look as he looks at Chan's porch, then the house, and finally goes back to Chan again. "More decorating? Are you sure your place needs it, hyung. Imagine your electricity bill when the season ends." He teases.
Chan huffs before putting down the remaining bags and digging through his coat jacket for his keys. "You can never have too much decoration, Min-ah. Plus this is my first real place and I Just want to make the most of it you know?"
"No I don't know."
"Ok Mr. Grinch."
"Honestly the Grinch was very misunderstood and had every right to ruin Christmas for the Whos in Whosville. I hashtag respect that man. Anyways what are you still doing here? I thought for sure you would have plans." Minho questions but he immediately regrets it when the playful light in Chan's eyes dim. "You dont- you don't have to answer that. Its a bit invasive-"
"No," he whispers out looking at the floor, the search for he (probably) lost keys stopped. "No it's ok. No plans, my family… they are all in Australia and I couldn't afford the flight back home." he says looking back up at Minho, a sad smile on his lips. "What about you? Do you have any plans?"
"Oh God no." He replies a shudder running through him.
Chan lets out a surprised and startled laugh.
And Minho cant help but stare at the twin dimples that appear.
Cant help but watch the light blush that takes over Chan's face from the cold.
Cant help but stare at the crescent moons his eyes turn into and he makes Minho want to do something really stupid.
"Youshouldstayover." Minho rushes out.
"Huh?" Chan stops laughing to look up at Minho.
"You should stay over…" he mumbles. He feels his cheeks heats up but doesn't break eye contact.
Chan lets a smile cross his face. "Minho-yah," he starts stepping closer. Minho smells the peach and vanilla that is just Chan's scent. "You're mumbling, it almost sounded like you wanted me to come over?"
Minho straightens up. "Hyung you should come over."
"Really?" Chan asks eyes wide. Minho doesn't blame him, him the guy who only put a wreath on his door because someone gave him puppy eyes and asked why he doesn't have any decorations.
"Really. I mean you don't have any plans, I don't have any plans, we should not have plans together. And you can come over and spread your joy over my doom and gloom house. Plus its really fucking cold outside and I would like to be warm. Like now please." he says shivering.
Its like the sun just appeared. Minho can't feel the cold wind whipping around him when the sun just materializes in front of him in the form of his cute whimsy next door neighbor. The lost of feeling in his feet and hands means nothing to him when the warmth of Chan is right in front of him.
Chan let out a giggle. "Really really? Are you sure I wont be intruding?"
"Hyung, I wouldn't have offered it if I didn't mean it now lets moveeee." Minho says turning around and walking towards his house.
"Wait what about my bags?!" Chan shouts behind him.
"Bring them!"
Minho wakes up warm, strangely so, he is used to waking up either freezing cold or sweaty, but not warm. He hums as he snuggles deeper into the warmth around him pulling what he assumes is his pillow closer to him.
But his pillow makes a sound.
Pillows don't make sounds.
Eyes shooting open Minho looks down in his arms and is met with brown curls in his vision. Chan. He relaxes before memories of last night come flooding in.
Chan was in absolute horror when he realized the own Christmas thing Minho owned was the wreath that hangs outside on his door and quickly went to work sprucing up the place. Minho tried to explain that there is no reason to really get worked up over a single holiday but was met with a glare and an order to go in the kitchen and get started on the hot chocolate.
Minho sheepishly explained that he doesn't own any. It had Chan rolling his eyes and digging through his mountain of bags before pulling out a container. Telling Minho that he should be glad he had enough hindsight to buy another one.
Minho scurried into his kitchen reading the back of the container. He had never made hot chocolate before, someone had always made it for him. After spending an unreasonable amount of time, Minho emerges from the kitchen carrying two cups of hot coco. (If anyone asks this was his first attempt, ignore the 3 dirty pots in the stove).
Stepping into his living room, Minho lets out a gasp. It looks- it looks like a Christmas store threw up all over it but in a cohesive way. Little fairy lights cover his walls, a mini tree standing in the corner with candy canes and silver balls hang from the branches, and sitting in the middle was Chan, tongue sticking out in deep concentration, as he writes their names on stocking. There were probably more stuff but as soon as Minho laid eyes on Chan everything faded into the background.
There were pieces of gold and silver tinsel in his hair intertwining with his curls'. His dark green sweater, that was hiding under his giant winter coat, fitted him perfectly. His brows were furrowed as he connected the n and h in Minho's name.
He had to break the picture otherwise their hot chocolate would be cold and Minho did not want to go through the trouble of remaking this. Chan's eyes lit all the way up at Minho when he approached, pulling him down to him and going on about everything he added and moved around.
Minho really should have been paying attention, its rude to ignore someone when they are speaking. but Chan was so animated and lively which led to Minho just staring at him.
It also led to Minho saying yes to everything Chan asked for.
Could they build a fort? Yes.
Could they have a Christmas movie marathon? Yes.
Could they cuddle because Chan is so cold and- Yes yes yes
They talked late into the night about their lives getting to know one another. Talking about anything and everything under the Milky Way. Minho got to know everything he wonder about Chan. Was he a cat or dog person? Both but he does feel more connected to dog given his dog Berry. Could he handle spicy foods? No, but he is trying to up his tolerance because he wants to try more foods and he is tired of getting teased by his friends. Did he like scary movies? Absolutely not, but he would watched one with Minho. (Minho prayed Chan didn't hear his heart skip multiple beats).
Soon Chan was just mumbling words into Minho's chest. When his breath evens out, Minho got bold and placed a small kiss on his head. "You know Channie," he whispers pulling the boy closer. "I starting to really fall in over with you. Please don't break my heart."
Minho slowly pulls away causing Chan's face to scrunch up in search of the warmth leaving him. He quickly puts a pillow in his place hoping it would satisfied him before Minho wakes him up for breakfast.
He makes his way over to the window, pulling back the curtain in hopes of letting in some natural light.
He blinks.
White.
He closes his eyes and opens them again.
White. Again.
He looks out the window and just sees white. Bright, blind, white snow covering literally everything. "Chan. Chan-ah wake up."
"Hmm?" Chan replies groggily rubbing his eye and sitting up. "Minho-yah, you should call me hyung." He pouts.
"That is besides the point hyung, we are snowed in. Like up to the window snowed in." Minho says panicking.
"What?" Chan says sounding way more awake, searching around the bed for his phone. Minho doesn't move from where he is staring wide eye at the at least 6 feet of snow. "Oh my god." Chan says behind him. "The snow storm came earlier."
Minho whips around to Chan who is scrolling through his phone. "What?" He chokes out. "You knew about this?"
Chan looks up startled, "Yeah I thought everyone knew…" he trails off at the look of horror on Minho's face.
"You knew and you still came over?"
"Well it was supposed to hit later on today. I thought I would be back home in time. I'm sorry Minho. I thought you knew. I didn't mean to intrude on your space." Chan says eyes full of sadness.
"Hyung forget about me. What about you? I could have been a serial killer for all you know. This is a perfect time to kill you and hide your body."
Chan blinks at him.
Minho blinks back, running a hand through his hair.
"Do-do you want me to go?" he sounds so small and Minho is kicking himself because he knows its his fault he sounds that way.
"What?! No! God no. No one is going anywhere. Hyung you will literally die out there. We can… we can figure something else out." Minho says flopping down on the couch.
This was not how anything was supposed to go. Granted it's not like he asked Santa to snow him and his crush in his house. This must be one cruel trick of the universe for being such a Grinch this season. But in his humble opinion he is nicer this year.
Minho runs a hand through his hair again when a small "Minho?" is heard.
"Did you really mean what you said last night." Chan whispers. It pulls Minho from his internal struggle.
"What do- what do you mean?" Minho asks praying to all known and unknown gods that he isn't talking about what he is pretty sure he is talking about. Chan blushes before untangling himself from the sheets. He moves to sit next to Minho on the couch pulling the hand from his hair into his lap fiddling with it.
"Late night," he continues. "When I was falling asleep you whispered that you were falling in love with me." He looks up and into Minho's eyes. "Is it true Minho?"
And Minho is stuck.
On one hand he can confirmed that yes he did say that and it can go down two ways: Chan saying he feels the same way they kiss and make out and live the rest of their lives together in harmony. or Chan gets utterly disgusted with runs out of his house in the cold and die or never speak to Minho again.
And on the other he can deny that it never happened and Chan is hearing things and they can live their lives in harmony and peace. (Minho's heart will shrink 3 sizes small and he will die).
But
But there is something in the way that Chan is looking at him, eyes wide and curious and maybe a little bit of hope? And Minho is tried and Chan is so so warm and its Christmas time.
Minho lets out a sigh before breaking eye contact and letting out a meek, "Yes."
Suddenly he gets a lap full of Chan who begins laughing and peppering kisses all over his face. "I was waiting for you to make a move Min-ah! You have no idea." he says giggling. The sound has quickly moved to one of Minho's favorite thing in the world.
He stutters before what Chan says fully registers. "I- Um- Huh?"
"Me! You really like me!"
"And you like me back?"
Chan pulls back before giving Minho a deadpan look. "Minho, no one would want to hang lights out with no shirt on. In this weather?"
"I thought you got hot quickly!"
"I left you homemade cookies for a month straight."
"I thought you were being hospitable!"
"Minho! I told you I don't have a gag reflex!"
"In case you started choking?!?!?"
"Yeah choking on your di-"
Minho shuts him up with a kiss. Chan's lips are just as soft and pillowy as he imagined them to be. Chan quickly deepens the kiss letting out a soft sigh in Minho's mouth.
They pull back after what feels like hours (10 minutes). Chan plants another kiss on Minho's forehead. "I wonder what changed for you Minho-yah."
"Nothing really changed. I- God this is embarrassing- I always liked you. You are so sweet and kind and warm, and literal the sun personified, and trust me I know I've been around Yongbok. And I just thought 'wow what would I give to have him' and last night really clarified that my feelings for you aren't surface level. Like you are crazy talented and look out for others like it is second nature. You even turned me a grumpy old Christmas Grinch into tolerantly a Christmas movie marathon and decorating my home." Minho lets out a sigh at his rambling. Reaching a hand up to wipe away a fallen tear from Chan's face. "You're really special to me, Chan-ah."
Chan lets out a choked sound before burying his face into Minho's sleep shirt, soft cries following. Minho runs a hand through his hair, "Aish you and you're weeping heart."
A muffled "Shut up." is heard.
Chan's cries stop after awhile and they just sit in the quiet holding each other, watching the snow fall (again! really?). Quiet giggles float through the silence. Chan sits up, eyes rimmed red, lips puffy, with a soft smile on them. He reaches his hands up to hold onto Minho's face peppering small kisses all over. "My cutest little thing. My very own Grinch. You really like me." He says giggling. "You really like me and Christmas."
"I never said all of that." Minho grumbles hands holding onto his waist. "I like you and I tolerate Christmas, again for you."
Chan pulls back and grins. "All for me."
Minho can't wait to spend the next Christmas with them and hopefully they won't be snowed in.