A Christmas Tale Part 2
Luhan is early again. Sipping on a hot chocolate with marshmallows inside the cafe, he traces invisible lines over the table. Today his writer’s block wasn’t to blame for him leaving his bed early but the inner excitement of seeing Jongdae again later. He cradles his phone in his hand, rereading Jongdae’s text that greeted him first thing in the morning, “Couldn’t sleep very well because the mere thought of you kept me awake.”
“What happened that makes you appear so aloof from the world?” Baekhyun slumps down in the free seat next to Luhan, a slice of carrot cake and a cup of cafe latte are gently placed on top of the table and Luhan stretches his arms over his head. Easing some kinks out.
“You are early.” he hides a yawn behind his hand. Baekhyun just shrugs and uses his fork to separate a small piece from his cake and offers it to Luhan who gladly opens up and accepts the treat.
“So are you, which doesn’t answer my question why you look like the queen proposed to you.” Baekhyun forks in his first piece of carrot cake and moans ridiculously loud ones the flavor hits his taste buds, “Kyungsoo is evil but a baking genius.” Luhan snickers but nods his head in silent agreement.
“His date obviously went well, why else would he drink a hot chocolate with puffy marshmallows. Gross,” Sehun adds, concquering the other free seat to Luhan’s right, hair sticking up in various directions and nursing a cup of white chocolate mocha in both of his hands.
“Says the kid who basically lives off hot chocolate and feeds his applebum with it.” Crossing his legs, Baekhyun raises one eyebrow at Sehun to emphasize his statement, only receiving an incoherent grunt in return. The sun is out today, chasing away the clouds and making the snow glow in the light.
“Luhan,” Baekhyun is waving a hand in front of his face snapping, Luhan out of his thoughts, “Tell us about your lover boy or so help me god!”
Snatching Baekhyun’s fork, Luhan helps himself to another piece of cake, wondering if his two friends only came in early to bomb him with questions.
“It was nice,” he settles, to Sehun’s audible dismay. “Nice as in we held hands, or nice in I had a dick up my ass.”
Luhan chokes; Baekhyun is right there to slap his back. After a good coughing fit, Luhan narrows his eyes at Sehun whose facial expression resembles the one of a sly fox, eyes crinkling on the corners.
“We just had dinner and talked.” Luhan clarifies, arms coming up to cross in front of his chest and Baekhyun's hand resting on the back rest of Luhan's chair.
“Not all of us put out on the first date.” Count on Baekhyun to walk all over Sehun and put him back in place. The problem with Sehun is that said male doesn't take any offence. Quite the opposite, he moves his palm and smacks his own ass, gaze locked with Baekhyun.
“This ass must be tapped good and often to stay in shape. You'd should take my advice mister flat ass.”
Luckily, Kyungsoo decides to make his grand entrance just then, because Luhan is pretty sure Baekhyun was about to scratch Sehun's face and pull his hair out.
“I'll count to three, and if you two,” Kyungsoo points from Sehun to Baekhyun, “are not changed and behind the counter then woe betide you!”
Luhan has never witnessed Baekhyun and Sehun stumble into their aprons before and he throws Kyungsoo a grateful smile. He doesn't mention the kiss to anyone, even though they are his closest friends. It makes Luhan giddy that the kiss is a secret only he and Jongdae share.
Pulling his phone out of his back pocket he texts Jongdae about his lunch break, then he gathers the plates and cups to start his shift.
~*~
Jongdae is on time today, a red scarf hiding his mouth, eyes shining up at Luhan whose face immediately lights up.
“You made it.” He sounds breathless, but he can't help it when Jongdae pulls down his scarf to reveal his signature grin.
“You won't get rid of me that easily now,” Jongdae lowers his voice so only Luhan can hear him. “Especially not after last night. Your lips are quite addicting.”
The temperature sky rockets, or maybe it's Luhan's blood pressure. He can't tell, but it doesn't really matter when Jongdae sends him a cheeky wink that almost knocks him off his feet.
“Gross, just get out of here.” Where did Kyungsoo even come from? But who is Luhan to argue when is own boss offers him to leave for lunch ten minutes early? He manages to stumble over his feet twice on the way to the staff room, which has Baekhyun rolling his eyes fondly and Sehun whistling inappropriately. His black coat still open in the front, and with Jongdae's wool scarf loosely wrapped around his neck, he approaches Jongdae at the entrance door. Jongdae gives him one look before he pulls him closer by grabbing Luhan's unbuttoned coat. Instead of an anticipated kiss however, Jongdae carefully buttons up Luhan's coat, smoothes down the collar and tightens the scarf, only then does he rise on his tip toes and presses a soft kiss to Luhan's lips.
“You taste like fresh coffee, just as addictive.”
Luhan covers his face with both hands and groans, “I can't believe you just said that.” Jongdae sticks his tongue out, taking Luhan's fingers and entangling them with his. It feels natural, as if Luhan's hands were made for Jongdae's to embrace.
They don't go far, only to the place down the street that sells chinese food, and they both order a bowl of jajangmyeon, feeding each other with tiny radish pieces that comes with the main dish. The ahjumma doesn't pay them much mind and Luhan is grateful for that. Luhan's eyes drift through the room, blending out the soft tune of Christmas music in the back, and he finds a small calendar that announces in big red letters that there are only five days left until christmas eve now.
Jongdae who has noticed Luhan's sudden shift of mood follows his eyes and tilts his head to the side. “Are you off on christmas eve or do you have to work?”
Luhan pushes a piece of radish back and forth on his plate, not daring to meet Jongdae's prying eyes.
“I'm only working during the morning. Want to go watch a movie or something?” Jongdae always creates that kind of atmosphere in which Luhan can be his shy self and yet feel completely comfortable if not a little bit daring.
His face probably lights up like a Christmas tree as he eagerly nods his head. Who cares if they just met the day before yesterday. Jongdae is sweet, attentive and shows more interest in Luhan than any other guy in Luhan's life ever had, so why not for once dive in head first?
“Do you even realize how hard it is for me to not just get up and kiss you senseless with the way you are looking at me right now?” Jongdae's words are playful but his body posture is tense as is he is using his all willpower to suppress his body to move over to where Luhan is sitting.
It's ridiculous how many times Luhan's cheeks have been colored rose red because of Jongdae, he is honestly surprised there isn't a hole in the hem of his sweater yet from all of his nervous fiddling.
Time is not on Luhan's side and they are soon on their way back to the cafe. Just before they round the corner, Jongdae pushes Luhan against a brick wall and nips on his bottom lip, tongue swiping over it asking for more, and Luhan is more than willing to grant him access. Jongdae kisses like he speaks, full of confidence, emotions mixed with a gentleness that come in form of soft pecks and fingertips ghosting over Luhan's jaw.
They don't stay kissing for long against the wall, their noses brushing against each other when Jongdae takes Luhan's left hand and presses his lips to the back of it. “I'll text you handsome.” Luhan is still in a daze, when he enters the store, he ignores Sehun's teasing and positions himself right behind the coffee machine. Today it's him singing along to Mariah Carey's “All I Want for Christmas is You” and swaying his hips along to the rhythm.
Jongdae's eye smile persistently remains in the back of his mind for the rest of the day.
~*~
Luhan isn't very fond of Sundays, especially if he is off work and has nothing to do. Today is different however; Jongdae had texted him about being out of town to visit his family which had originally lowered Luhan's mood until Baekhyun had called him and proposed they go Christmas-gift shopping together.
That's how Luhan finds himself wandering through one of the busiest shopping malls in Garosugil-- one of the trendiest district on the rise in Seoul. Baekhyun has pushed a straw through his venti take out cup of hot chocolate and is happily sipping away as he and Luhan stroll from one store to the next. Luhan guides his own cup to his lips. The americano isn't as good as the one made at their cafe but he'd still rate it with three stars. Maybe an extra star for the cute reindeer cup design.
“What are you getting your boyfriend? What's his name again?” Luhan asks Baekhyun when they enter yet another clothing store.
“Minseok, and honestly beats me. I can't come up with something - creative. A tie would be nice, very multifunctional.” He winks, and Luhan smacks his friend's shoulder.
“Sehun is rubbing off on you.” They bicker around, shoving each other but careful to not spill their coffee anywhere, well aware of the shop keeper's hawk eyes on them.
“I'll get him a black tie, a nice maroon dress shirt and some italian coffee.” Baekhyun taps his index finger against his lip mole, pondering on the plain back tie and the one with the white plaid pattern on it. In the end he decides on the black one - simple is best after all.
Luhan isn't sure if he should get Jongdae a present or not, maybe he has read too much into their little dates and Jongdae just wants something casual. They haven't defined what they have going so far and Luhan doesn't want to push that topic either.
“Jongdae ask me to watch a movie with him on Christmas Eve,” he starts, scanning the store for anything that isn't Baekhyun's face. “We haven’t known each other that long yet, but Baek, I--” Baekhyun cuts him off by stepping right into his field of vision.
“Speak no more my child, I understand. You have no idea where you stand considering that you only met last week and now you are wondering if you should buy him a gift or not.”
Luhan wants to applaud, “Did you read my mind?” he deadpans which results in Baekhyun leaning in to pinch his cheek.
“No, idiot. You're just way too easy to read. So what you only know each other for a few days, what does your gut tell you? If you like him enough then buy him a damn gift.”
“It's that easy?” Luhan worries his bottom lip when Baekhyun simply slaps his butt and nods.
“Yes, most of the time it is,” Baekhyun philosophises. “Humans just have a tendency to complicate things.”
“Thanks a lot, mum.” Luhan quickly avoids the punch Baekhyun is aiming at him by hiding behind the display doll. They walk up to the register next to ring up the pieces Baekhyun had picked out for his boyfriend.
Baekhyun is right, he usually is. Luhan needs to stop rationalizing everything and start to follow his heart. In the end, Luhan picks out some silver earrings in the form of thunderbolts and a blue dress shirt. Later that day, when Baekhyun and him have finished their little shopping tour by treating each other to chicken and beer, he sits down on his couch and wraps the gifts in red wrapping paper. He even tightens a golden bow around the bigger package and a silver one around the one that has the earrings inside. A CD with a collection of different Christmas songs fills his usually quiet apartment with life. Luhan can't wait for Christmas Eve to arrive.
~*~
Monday marks the fourth day before Christmas Eve, and Luhan has set his alarm clock extra early today because Kyungsoo promised him to bake chocolate and vanilla cookies if he arrives at the cafe around 8 a.m. sharp.
Luhan showers and dresses in record time, with Jongdae's scarf around his neck and a text message from Jongdae promising to visit Luhan later during his shift, Luhan starts the morning skipping down the road to the train station.
The kitchen smells of icing, cinnamon and flour when Luhan steps inside. He is wearing a simple black button up and black dress pants topped by his black apron. This way people won't be able to spot any stains by chocolate or dough easily afterwards.
Kyungsoo greets him with a lazy smile and hands him different cookie cutters. One in the shape of a star, a christmas hat, a christmas tree and a snowflake. Luhan is getting to work when Kyungsoo points at the rolled dough and they both harmonize when “Silent Night” comes on. An hour later sees the kitchen filled with loud giggles and cheers as Sehun and Baekhyun join their little Christmas baking party. Sehun keeps dipping his fingertips into the chocolate sauce which earns him a smack on the butt each time courtesy of Kyungsoo's favorite wooden spoon.
Baekhyun is sneaking bits of the brittle chips, but Luhan pretends not to notice. He garnishes his Christmas tree cookies with green icing and colorful sprinkles. The stars are colored with yellow icing; the slay is golden with red, and the christmas hat a mix of red and white icing.
The cafe won't open before 10 a.m. today, so they manage to finish three batches of Christmas special cookies just in time for the shop to open. Luhan has set aside a dozen and is now carefully wrapping them in transparent wrapping foil spread out on a red napkin. Carefully he ties a red bow around it anticipating Jongdae's face when he gifts them to him later.
“Made some for your lover boy, I see.” Baekhyun peeks over his shoulder. Luhan is in too good a mood to deny it, so he just grins and adjusts the reindeer headband on his head. Baekhyun and Sehun are reindeers as well today; only Kyungsoo wears a Santa Claus outfit. They always dress up the last few days before Christmas, especially for the families who visit the cafe with their children. Baekhyun even brought face paint to color their noses red and add brown streaks across their cheeks in the form of whiskers.
The first customers are indeed a family of four, and the little girl keeps her arms wide open until Luhan lifts her up and carries her around the whole store, both of them laughing loudly. Baekhyun serves the children a few cookies - they are for free today - and plays with them so that their parents can have some privacy, drinking their coffee and sharing a chocolate tart.
The store is busy, Luhan and his friends get caught up in taking orders, fixing drinks and serving pastries to the customers. Luhan startles when two arms wrap around his waist from behind but immediately relaxes when Jongdae's familiar scent envelops him. Jongdae presses a soft kiss to his cheek right in front of Sehun who grimaces at the sight, threatening a cackling Jongdae with a broom while Luhan allows a natural blush to spread all over his face and neck.
“You look busy.” Jongdae's thumb brushes over Luhan's lip longingly. “Would your boss strangle me if I kidnap you?”
“Most definitely,” hollers Kyungsoo's deep voice from the kitchen, and both Luhan and Jongdae take a step back, frightened. They exchange looks before bursting into quiet laughter, hoping to avoid Kyungsoo's wrath. Luhan then remembers the cookies and excuses himself to the kitchen, takes a deep breath and is sent off with an encouraging nod from Kyungsoo.
“We baked cookies this morning for the children, but I made some extra for you, if you like.” Luhan nervously shifts from one leg onto the other, hands with the cookie bag extended to Jongdae whose eyes have formed crescent.
“Thank you, those look delicious, they'll get me through the rest of my shift.” Jongdae checks if no one is looking before he pulls Luhan down for a brief kiss. They've kisses so many times during the past days and yet it sends Luhan's heart into a over drive each and every time. It leaves him dizzy and sends tingles down his spine. Addictive indeed.
Luhan smoothes over the front of Jongdae coat, back of his hand caressing Jongdae's cheek in a affectionate gesture. They just remain standing close to each other, just enjoying each other's presence before the bell at the door announces another group of customers and Luhan has to return behind the counter.
“I'll call you later,” Jongdae promises when Luhan sneaks him a cup of coffee and sends the other off with a wave. The rest of the day is drowned out by loud cheers from small children full of joy, Christmas carols and the smell of coffee. Luhan feels at ease, heart beating steadily inside his chest.
~*~
The days before christmas are always the busiest, and both Luhan and Jongdae get wrapped up in work, only managing to text and call in between short breaks or when they both lie in bed at night.
The night before Christmas Eve, Jongdae proposes that they watch a movie at his place and cook dinner together. Luhan agrees, both of them have been dealing with too many people during the past weeks. A little privacy sounds amazing to him.
The mere thought of Jongdae and him, huddled up on Jongdae’s couch feeding each other popcorn and sneaking kisses in between has him rolling around his sheets and hugging his pillow tightly to his chest. He can’t wait.
On Christmas Eve, Sehun is off work, but he comes in around 11 a.m., dressed up in a suit with a white bowtie. He isn’t alone, his boyfriend, who introduces himself as Kim Jongin, has an arm wrapped around Sehun’s narrow waist. They look cute together, and even Kyungsoo can’t help but coo and gift them two hot chocolates on the house.
It isn’t as busy today since most couples are out dining in expensive restaurants, only the younger couples stop by at the cafe to share ice cream cake and beautifully wrapped gifts. The whole christmas spirit mixed with cheesy love songs has Luhan chewing on his bottom lip, ready to leave work and spend the rest of the night with Jongdae.
Kyungsoo senses his impatience and tells him to get the hell out of the store before he mixes juice into the coffee and vice versa.
“Take this,” Kyungsoo presses a box with a tiny but pretty cake into Luhan’s hands. The cake is round, white icing decorated with golden and red pearls and a chocolate snowflake in the middle.
“Thank you Kyungsoo, I mean it.” Luhan embraces a surprised Kyungsoo who awkwardly pats his back, “Don’t mention it. Merry Christmas, Lu.”
“Merry Christmas, Soo.” Luhan only uses his friend’s nickname when they are alone, and Kyungsoo gently smacks his butt with his wooden spoon. “Your boyfriend is waiting you love sick fool! Get out!”
Luhan chuckles, grabs his coat and heads to the door, blowing a kiss in Baekhyun's direction. He's sprawled out on his boyfriend's lap, looking content with a bit of chocolate smudged at the corner of his mouth. Minseok had stopped by for a visit, but now they are sharing a table with Sehun and Jongin to share a big serving of ice cream cake. Maybe they can all celebrate New Year's together if Jongdae agrees to it.
Speak of the devil, Jongdae is already leaning against the doorframe when Luhan jogs up to him. His black hair is styled up; he is wearing a black tie on his white dress shirt and tight black pants. Luhan feels overly brave today and sticks his hands inside Jongdae’s coat around his back to hug him closer. Jongdae’s amused laughter rings in his ears like music, they sway from side to side before Jongdae slowly lifts Luhan’s chin and guides their mouths together. Luhan sighs contently, he missed Jongdae’s presence during the past two days.
The taxi ride to Jongdae’s apartment takes about twenty minutes and Luhan has put the bag with Jongdae’s Christmas gifts between his legs and the cake on his lap, hands entwined with Jongdae’s as they talk about funny encounters with customers but also about how Jongdae wants to introduce Luhan to his friends after christmas. The old Luhan might have been overcome by anxiety to meet new people but the new Luhan is looking forward to it.
Jongdae’s apartment has big windows; the interior design is dominated by light wood and white-- it fits Jongdae’s positive mind set. There is mistletoe hanging from the ceiling at the entrance door and Jongdae promptly points it out to Luhan pressing him against the wall and peppering his flushed-with-cold face with kisses.
They rid themselves of their coats and Jongdae’s tender grip around Luhan’s wrist guides him into a spacious kitchen. Jongdae pulls out a bottle of red wine and two glasses from the cabinet.
“I always wanted to have a glass of wine with my boyfriend on Christmas Eve,” Jongdae confesses when he fills their glasses with the red liquid, and Luhan’s gaze snaps up.
“B-boyfriend?” he stutters, and Jongdae meets his eyes in confusion,
“Yes, that’s what we are, right?” his charming smile and the confidence in his voice has Luhan closing the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Jongdae’s neck to kiss him straight on the lips.
“Yes,” he whispers in between a couple of kisses, and Jongdae’s arms wrap around Luhan like a protective blanket.
Since they have wine and cake, they both decide to save dinner for later. Dessert comes first tonight-- they can grow up tomorrow. A small Christmas tree, decorated with red and golden baubles and fairy lights illuminate the room in a warm orange glow. Sitting on the couch, Jongdae has pillowed his head on Luhan’s shoulder as they watch Love Actually. Luhan always gets a little bit teary eyed at the scene where Andrew Lincoln confesses his feeling for Keira Knightley through cardboard signs in front of her doorstep. Jongdae presses closer into his side, legs entangling and hearts beating in the same rhythm.
“Is that movie that interesting?” Luhan can hear the smirk before he sees it curling up the end of his lips but he still sneaks a glance at his boyfriend over his shoulder.
“Why?”
Jongdae’s eyes are dark, his gaze glued to Luhan’s lips and tongue swiping to wet his own lips. “Because you could be kissing me instead.”
Luhan’s mouth forms a silent ‘o,’ but Jongdae is faster, straddling Luhan’s lap and licking into his mouth. Their teeth clack together a few times, noses bumping but too caught up in this to stop as they try to find the right angle. The moment is sweet, lust and desire poured into tongues sliding against each other. Jongdae’s fingers are buried in Luhan’s hair, tilting his head for better access. Luhan’s eyelids feel heavy, only half open when he rests his forehead against Jongdae’s who has made himself comfortable on his lap.
“I have something for you,” Luhan mumbles a few minutes later in between feeding Jongdae cookies and replacing them with his own lips. Jongdae is wrapped around him like a koala, and it takes some tickling to separate him from Luhan’s neck where he was working on a purple hickey.
He stumbles, laughing when Jongdae whines at the loss of warmth. Luhan snatches the red bag and his hands tremble when he passes Jongdae the two packages.
“You didn’t have to,” Jongdae pushes his bottom lip out in an adorable pout and Luhan doesn’t hesitate and leans onto the backrest to seal their lips yet in another kiss. Jongdae pulls on the red bow and unwraps the dress shirt carefully. Blue is a good color for Jongdae, and the earrings are a perfect fit. Luhan nibbles on his boyfriend’s earlobe; Jongdae squeaks in surprise.
“Kinky, save that for the bedroom,” he murmurs, sinking back down onto Luhan’s lap and reaching under the couch, presenting Luhan with a small white box of his own.
Inside is a necklace with a single golden ring attached. Jongdae gently takes it from Luhan and closes it around his boyfriend’s neck, “Mine,” he mumbles, and Luhan cradles the ring between his thumb and index fingers and mouths, “Yours,” in a silent promise.
They move to Jongdae’s balcony, a fluffy blanket wrapped around the two of them as they sip on their wine and gaze up at the stars. This Christmas, pressed against Jongdae's side, is the best Christmas Luhan has ever experienced. Luhan learned that if he can’t be honest with himself, then he won’t be able to truthfully care for somebody else. Jongdae, with his shining eyes and sweet smiles, lured him out of his shell, showed him that life is all the more worth it if he just takes a risk.
Luhan inhales the cold winter air, nuzzling his nose against Jongdae’s nape. His boyfriend hums contentedly, pulling the white blanket tighter around them.
“Thanks for finding me,” his lips ghost over Jongdae’s nape who let’s his head drop to the side granting Luhan’s lips better access, to mark his pale skin.
“No, I’m sorry for being late.” Jongdae leans against Luhan’s chest, guiding Luhan’s glass of wine to his lips and gulping the rest down in one go.
“Will you sing for me?” Luhan finds himself asking, and after a moment Jongdae stands up, spreading his arms and his voice fills the air with a sweet, slow melody. Luhan could listen to him forever, but Jongdae has different plans, cutting out and kissing Luhan as if to apologize for stopping his performance short.
“Come on.” He takes Luhan by the hand, and they find themselves tumbling into Jongdae’s bedroom. “Time to unwrap your real present.” Jongdae’s index finger runs over Luhan’s dress shirt,the tension between them popping with each button that comes undone. Luhan leans into Jongdae's touch and reaches out to carefully pull Jongdae's clothes out of the way of seeking lips and tentative hands. In the distance, Luhan can hear the faint ringing of the church bells, and it's the sweetest accompaniment to Jongdae's bare form and his sultry eyes as they dance together under the dark sky of Christmas Eve.
~*~
Christmas morning finds Luhan in front of his laptop. He is only wearing his boxers, hair sticking up in all directions. He sits cross-legged on Jongdae’s couch, a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a plate of biscuits on the coffee table in front of him. Jongdae is only wrapped in a thin white blanket when he flops down on the couch to rest his head in Luhan’s lap. He cards his fingers through his boyfriend’s silky back hair out of reflex, images of the night before flashing through Luhan’s mind. Heat, lips meeting bare skin, Jongdae sprawled out beneath him, chanting his name like a mantra, promises under the moonlight and bodies dancing in the same rhythm.
When Luhan woke up this morning, his mind was filled with words and phrases, long lines of prose clawing at him, begging to be written down, to fill page and Luhan had stolen another kiss from Jongdae before he ran for his laptop. He is at a peak of an inspired high, and the words flow like water heading down a free fall.
Jongdae is there, playing with his fingers and singing along to a love song playing on the radio. Luhan could get used to this, waking up to Jongdae’s peaceful sleeping face next to him, legs entangled and unable to resist pulling Jongdae closer until his head rests under Luhan’s chin.
No one knows what the future holds, but with Jongdae tightly holding onto his hand, Luhan thinks that maybe one day he’ll find the courage to send one of his finished drafts to an editor and try again. To aim higher, to believe in himself and to take life as it comes.
“Hey handsome,” Jongdae lightly pretends to paw at Luhan’s bicep who looks up from his laptop and into the sweetly smiling face of his boyfriend, “Mh?”
“I want a kiss or two, and then we should get some breakfast my future author boyfriend.” Jongdae is cheeky and playful, but he believes in Luhan despite them only knowing each other for a week. Luhan’s heart is warm, and three words burn on his tongue but he’ll keep those for a better time, a time when Luhan has sent off his first draft and Jongdae has opened his own law firm.
Today, they just stay in bed, share kisses and watch another romantic comedy. They have some cake left, and Jongdae pointed out that chinese take out is the best solution for a day spent in bed. Happiness comes in many forms and colors: in Luhan’s case, it comes in the form of hazel eyes and feline lips that are glued to his cheek right now.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
~*~
Merry Christmas my dear Kayleigh and also to my dear Tlist and readers. I love you all, always be happy! <3