SSS 2010: for cerixxe
For: cerixxe
From: Your Secret Santa
Title: Figuring it out; Happy Christmas!
Pairing: Minho/Jonghyun
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 3,800
Summary: No better way of spending Christmas than to have those days free from any schedule. As Jonghyun and Minho enjoy their free time everything suddenly turns upside down. Where are they? And how do they get out of there?
"Look at this!" Jonghyun shouts, waving his arms at Minho as he glides around in an eight shape on one leg. Minho chuckles when Jonghyun stumbles over a frozen bump in the ice. He sets in to skate after Jonghyun, catching up to him in a few seconds.
"Hyung!" Both Minho and Jonghyun look back to where the voice comes from, Taemin running and sliding over the frozen lake towards them. Behind Taemin are the Christmas lights and a big Christmas tree next to the little café they made their residence for the day. Minho and Jonghyun laugh when Taemin slips, flailing his arms about, but regaining his balance.
"Kibum-hyung is waiting at the café for you!" Taemin yelps as he loses his balance yet again.
"Okay, tell him we'll be there after another lap." Minho responds, skating away in the sunset, following the trail of lights set out around the lake. Taemin gapes after him, before he looks at Jonghyun.
"I have to go back all by myself?" Taemin huffs into the cold air. Jonghyun throws him an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Tae." He says, patting Taemin's head so the winter hat slides over his eyes. Jonghyun pushes himself off and glides after Minho, before Taemin can do something back to him.
"Fine. Just look out for weak parts in the ice!" Taemin shouts after Jonghyun, but he isn't sure if Jonghyun heard him. Taemin shrugs and goes back to the café where Kibum and Jinki are, waiting for their hot cacao and apple pie.
"Tonight, it's Christmas Eve." Jonghyun says as he slides next to Minho, taking hold of the taller boy's hand.
"Hmm, yeah. I'm glad we can spend our free days nicely." Minho murmurs when he clasps their gloved hands together tightly. Jonghyun is smiling from behind his scarf. They slowly come to a halt in the middle of the frozen lake and neither of them makes a move to get going again. Jonghyun looks up to Minho, moving a bit back as to not strain his neck.
"Minho, I-" But Jonghyun gets interrupted by a loud creaking noise. They both try to find the source when suddenly the ice breaks in half between them. Or not between them but in a perfect circle around Jonghyun, whose face is filled with fear and disbelieve. Just as Minho wants to pull Jonghyun to safety, Jonghyun falls through the hole, his hand slipping from Minho's grasp.
"JONGHYUN!" Minho shouts as Jonghyun disappears in the water and under the ice. Minho falls when the ice breaks further, the floe on which he is, capsizing. Minho holds his breath and prays both he and Jonghyun will survive this.
"Cold. So Cold. Can't breathe. I can't-" Jonghyun coughs, sucking air into his lungs. He notices the green and red cushions underneath him, making it comfortable to lie down, but he also notices the room’s temperature which is way too warm. Jonghyun feels at his clothes, but they are dry, which makes him frown. He clambers up and frantically looks around the circular room, but he couldn't recognize anything.
The room is strangely cozy though, decorated with a Christmas tree and small Christmas themed toys everywhere. The whole floor is covered with cushions and pillows, and underneath the Christmas tree are presents, waiting to be opened.
Jonghyun grins, walking towards the tree when something white catches his eye. He turns his head and squints, making out the form of a small cat-like creature between a Santa Claus doll and a golden paper wrapped present.
"Here, kitty." Jonghyun says as he walks closer, extending his hand to pat the soft fur. The white ball moves and Jonghyun screams when the kitty roars and transforms in a big snow leopard. Sweat drops drip down Jonghyun's face and he brings his hands up in defense.
"Cute kitty… Don't get angry…" Jonghyun whispers as he slowly backs up.
"I'm not a kitty!"
"No, no! Of course you're not-wait… You can talk?!" Jonghyun ends in a shout. The snow leopard sighs, or at least, its movement is similar.
"Have you ever seen a snow leopard talk?"
"Well… no, but…" Jonghyun scratches the back of his neck, "I mean, it could be possible, right?"
"Jonghyun, really. It's using telepathy to talk to us." A deep voice echoes through the room and Jonghyun whips around to see Minho walking towards him.
"Minho? Is that really you?" Jonghyun asks, his eyes growing wide.
"Of course it's him! How thick-headed are you anyways?"
"Hey! I won't take any insults from an animal!" Jonghyun scowls, crossing his arms.
"I'm not an animal. I'm Taemin. Tae-Min. I'll be your guide here." With a poof the snow leopard transforms back in its cub version, big blue eyes staring at Jonghyun and Minho.
"Taemin? You're Taemin?! What-?!" Jonghyun starts, but Minho interferes.
"A guide for what?" Minho questions, eyes piercing the blue eyes of the cub that cocks its head to the side.
"For you to find your way home of course!" It giggles, nails plucking in the soft fabric of the cushions beneath its paws.
"Our way home?" Minho repeats, his eyes darting from left to right, "But there are no-"
"Doors?" The cub grins. Suddenly snow falls from the ceiling and a whirlwind rages through the room. Jonghyun feels two arms wrap around him and he buries his head in Minho's chest as he feels Minho's head own his shoulder. When the wind lies down again, Jonghyun pushes himself from Minho's embrace, frantically looking around. With one meter between each two the whole wall is filled with doors.
"Come on, come on! Pick one!" The voice of the cub runs through their heads, its tail waving and curling through the air.
"Alright, we'll pick one." Minho's deep voice speaks up, before Jonghyun can even think of a reply. Minho walks to the closest door and pulls the handle. There's nothing but black at the other side of the door and Minho hesitates to go in. Looking back to Jonghyun, who walked up behind him and grabbed his arm, Minho releases a breath to calm his nerves. He sets his foot over the doorstep and the black dispatches to make room for nothing but white snow against a dark sky.
"Minho, I don't like this one bit. Let's go back?" Jonghyun whispers and Minho nods his head in response.
"Yes, this isn't the way out." Minho answers, turning back, but he gasps when the door which they came through has disappeared.
"What is this?!" Minho shouts and at the same time a cold wind starts blowing.
"It's a test."
"A test for what? Taemin!" Minho yells, feeling just the slightest bit agitated. Far off in the sky the low rumble of thunder is heard.
"You have to figure it out for yourself. Don't think it's easy to find your way from here." The smirk is audible in the soft voice.
"Damn! I knew we couldn't trust Taemin! Even as an animal he's a trickster!" Jonghyun grunts, shaking his fist for extra effect. Suddenly lightning hits and barely misses Jonghyun's foot. Jonghyun jumps, shrieking bloody murder.
"Our mood…"
"What did you say, Minho?" Jonghyun asks, breathing heavily from the shock and adrenaline running through his body.
"I said that the weather's influenced by our mood. We have to be happy for the sky to clear." Minho repeats.
"That sounds like a lot of trouble to me." Jonghyun sighs, looking up to the sky. He closes his eyes and slowly breathes in and out. Minho watches Jonghyun and smiles to himself, before averting his gaze up, seeing the clouds break. His lips stretch in a wider smile, but a voice in his mind ruins it.
"That's not enough, you know?"
Minho feels the leopard cub grin, and he grits his teeth, willing himself to think happy things. For one reason most of his memories involve Jonghyun smiling at him, or just sitting beside him. Minho looks back to Jonghyun, who has his face scrunched up in concentration. He slowly reaches out and pulls Jonghyun to him, hugging him close.
A bright light lights up the sky and snowflakes flutter around them. A door materializes a few feet away, swinging open and both Jonghyun and Minho stumble through it.
"We did it, Minho! We did-" Jonghyun stops when he realizes Minho isn't celebrating with him. Then his eyes fall on the snow leopard, the cushions and the many doors, and Jonghyun curses under his breath.
"Taemin! This isn't funny!" He roars, "You're deceiving us!"
"I dare you to say that again."
"You're a liar!" Jonghyun shouts, immediately regretting it when the cub transforms again and he lies on his back with a full grown male leopard with bared fangs standing over him.
"Taemin, you know how Jonghyun is. I bet he turns around when you show him your tail." Minho grins. Jonghyun tries to look back, craning his head, as a soft, hairy tail gets pushed into his face. Jonghyun shoots up, hands running over the long, thick tail, his eyes shining like a kid's.
"It's so soft and warm."
"Yes, yes. Now get moving." The tail hits Jonghyun in the face and continues on to push into Jonghyun's back, lifting him back up his feet again.
"Pick a door."
Jonghyun rolls his eyes, before he lays his hand on a door knob, trying to twist, but the door doesn't budge. Jonghyun growls under his breath, grabbing onto the knob with both of his hands, pushing and pulling. He sighs, dropping his hands and walking over to the door next to it. The snow leopard appears next to him, flashing his tail as his eyes glint almost golden. Jonghyun stares, hand turning and this time the door opens.
"Don't let go off the handle if you don't want to get trapped alone." Taemin whispers, paw coming up to smoothen out his whiskers on the sides of his nose. Jonghyun snorts, but holds onto the door as he steps inside, the black disappearing. The only thing Jonghyun sees is a wide expanse of meadow, and he almost lets go off the door when a large foot is planted right in front of him. His eyes widen as he looks up, breath coming out in small pants as an enormous version of himself looks down on him.
"Holy..." Jonghyun breathes, as his giant me crouches down in front of him. Jonghyun is rooted to the spot, eyes widening more as a hand descends rapidly onto him.
"Jonghyun!" A hand pulls him back, the door slamming almost in his face and Jonghyun falls back into the wall that is Minho, sending them crashing to the floor. He is still breathing hard, his head snapping to the cub hopping its way towards them.
"What the hell was that?!" Jonghyun asks, mind rumbled from the weird things happening. There is no way this is reality.
"Your desire." Taemin responds, licking his paw, before turning his gaze to Minho, disregarding Jonghyun's confused stare. He is sure Jonghyun saw it too, the enormous Minho keychain hanging from his giant version's beltloop.
"Pick another."
"You sure are bossy." Minho sighs, gently pushing Jonghyun off of him and standing. His calculated gaze slides over the doors, noticing the ones already opened are marked with candy canes around the knobs. There are still a lot of doors left; this is clearly going to take a long time. Minho strides over to the door on his left, flinging it open. Darkness greets him and Minho looks back at Jonghyun, a smile gracing his lips as Jonghyun sneakily tries to pet Taemin. Minho coughs, grabbing Jonghyun's attention and he watches as the shorter male stands to his feet, his hand coming up to grip tightly onto Minho's. Minho feels like his heart just skipped a beat, trying to pound its way out of his chest as Jonghyun looks him in the eyes, before averting his gaze. Minho is just imagining he sees a light dusk of pink tinting Jonghyun's cheeks. From a distance Taemin watches them intently, a grin playing around his lips.
"Come." Minho whispers, stepping forwards into the black space, Jonghyun close behind him.
It isn't that they didn't expect it. They only didn't expect it now. Jonghyun stares dumbly as he sees Onew, or what is supposed to be Onew, but is a water mass, standing a safe distance away from a flame that looks an awful lot like Key.
"Welcome!" They both echo, as Minho frowns and Jonghyun's eyes almost bug out of their caskets. They don't have time to say something, as the water mass moves towards the flame. The flame stepping back, clearly scared the water would extinguish its heat. Then the roles are reversed and the flame chases the water mass, both yelling and shouting at the other to either stand still or stay away.
"Can you do this too?" Taemin's voice hammers through their heads. Suddenly Minho doubles over, his hand engulfed in flames and spreading all over his body. It doesn't hurt, he doesn't even feel it, but the sudden pull on his other hand signals him that Jonghyun can obviously feel the heat. He turns to look at Jonghyun, finding him with half of his body covered in water, panic getting to him when the water builds a firm protection around Jonghyun's head.
Jonghyun is in shock to say the least. First Minho suddenly catches fire, like his flaming charisma went out of control and here he is himself, feeling the cold liquid hug him like a second layer of clothing. His scared eyes flick all over the place, a sharp tug made him move forward towards Minho. Their hands touch and they both pull back in horror as they feel their senses scream out in pain at that simple touch.
"Acceptance." Key speaks loudly, before running after Onew again, leaving Minho and Jonghyun to stare dumbly after him. Acceptance? What did they even need to accept? They accepted each other's friendship already, a long time ago when they debuted with SHINee.
"Sacrifices." Onew adds, turning on his heels, sprinting after Key. Sacrifices? Minho glances briefly at Jonghyun, seeing large and unsure pools of dept swirling around, captivating him. He would deliberately drown in them. Realization hits him like a rock; sacrifices for Jonghyun. That's what Onew meant. Minho feels his heart leap into his throat at the vulnerable behaviour Jonghyun displays. Hand on his wrist as Minho brings his arms up, inviting Jonghyun. He sees the flaming Key copy his move, but Onew is still running with Jonghyun frozen in his spot.
"Trust me." Minho whispers, taking a step forward. Jonghyun releases his own wrist and Onew stops running.
"Minho..." Jonghyun returns. He has never felt such a swirl of emotions wrack his being, not when Minho usually stands up for him, despite their love-hate relationship they have established. Jonghyun takes a deep breath, blowing it out through his nose. No need to get nervous now. His feet are slow in their movement, something Jonghyun isn't quite happy of, but he can't seem to speed things up. Not when it feels like he's moving for Onew too, him copying exactly what he is doing.
They're standing there, one foot space between them, both locking in on the other's eyes, which seem so full of promises. They are unsure, of course they are. Jonghyun's breath hitches when Minho lifts his hand, his own following to place their palms together. The fire and the water steam and transform into mist.
It happens too fast all of a sudden. Onew and Key fall in each other's arms, smiling, but Jonghyun gets water in his mouth, choking on it. He coughs at the same moment as Minho gasps for air, the heath blocking his way of getting oxygen. Jonghyun wants to pull away, his head feeling dizzy and his vision blurring, but Minho grips his hand tightly, shaking his head. Desperately Jonghyun grabs Minho's other hand.
"You're almost there."
Jonghyun is almost glad to hear Taemin's voice in his head, knowing this is what they need to do. He reaches and pulls Minho against him, both of them stumbling but staying upright, as Jonghyun hugs onto Minho, feeling the other's arms around his lower back. The flames and water are gone, leaving Minho and Jonghyun to stumble through the reappearing door, collapsing onto the cushions. After a moment of silence Jonghyun snorts, evoking a chuckle from Minho.
"We made it." Jonghyun smiles, snuggling closer to Minho in his happiness. Minho blushes as Jonghyun cuddles close to him and subconsciously he weaves his fingers to the hair on the back of Jonghyun's head.
"You still haven't found your way out of here though."
Jonghyun grumbles, pushing himself to his feet and stalks towards another door and disappearing half, before he screams and leaps back, slamming the door close as his heart threatens to beat through his ribcage.
"What happened?" Minho asks at Jonghyun's reaction. The older boy looks at him in horror.
"I turned in a two dimensional drawing! What the hell is this place anyway?!" He proceeds, stalking over to the snow leopard.
"You don't want to know."
Jonghyun fumes, but the leopard roars and Jonghyun backs off, not exactly eager to be the prey of a full-grown leopard again.
"Come on, Minho. Let's just find that damned door!" Jonghyun shouts, throwing his hands up as he continues to stalk off through different doorways.
Minho follows him behind, laughing at some of the things they encounter as they make their own pathway through the different stages of clearing this so-called test. They actually have fun when they run into a snow field, reindeers standing everywhere. It is their task to find the reindeers of Santa, and lining them up in the order in which they are bound to the sleigh. Minho laughs as Rudolph nudges Jonghyun with his red nose; Jonghyun startled, but eventually calm enough to stroke the furr on the reindeer's back.
Out of nothing Onew and Key appear, each dressed in a Santa Claus costume, happily holding hands and exchanging pecks on the cheeks.
"Now you two." They grin at Jonghyun and Minho. Jonghyun's mind blanks.
"W-what?" He stutters, face a nice mix of growing pale and a dark blush adorning his cheeks.
"You heard them"
Jonghyun internally groans and wants to smack his head against the nearest tree as the leopard's voice filters through his mind. Shyly he glances at Minho, who is looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face.
"C-can we not do this?" Jonghyun asks, hating how his voice is all over the place and he can't seem to get his gut and pride together long enough to say something with confidence. Not when Minho is involved anyway. Just thinking about leaning up and placing a kiss on Minho's cheek has Jonghyun squeezing his eyes shut, willing this is all a dream and he wakes up any moment. No such luck. But when he opens his eyes he gasps as Minho is suddenly in front of him, having moved when Jonghyun wasn't paying attention.
"It's our only way to get home, Jonghyun."
Damn Minho for hypnotizing him with that deep voice of his!
Minho leans closer and Jonghyun closes his eyes again as he feels the press of soft lips against his cheek. Minho could probably feel the heat radiating of his face now. As to not stay behind Jonghyun quickly goes in, pressing his mouth somewhere close to Minho's ear. He is almost ecstatic when the door appears and he tumbles out, landing in the cushions.
"I think we had all the doors now." Minho says as he takes a seat next to Jonghyun.
"Yeah, I think so too. I mean. All the doorknobs have a candy cane hanging from them, haven't they?" Minho nods in response.
"I must say I'm impressed. BUt you have still one more door to go to get home."
"I don't see a door." Jonghyun says, looking around.
"Maybe because you're sitting on it." The leopard rolls his eyes, sticking his nails into a cushion before pulling it aside, revealing a part of what seems an enormous, round, wooden doortrap. Jonghyun and Minho help Taemin to move all the cushions to the side, staring at the image that is portrayed on the door panel. Taemin's laugh bounces through their minds.
The panel sports a large painting of a shared kiss. And the persons depicted aren't just any persons. Jonghyun blushes as he sees himself in a lip lock with Minho. Even if it's a picture, it still looks too real. A part of Jonghyun's brain nags that the background of the painting looks all too familiar too. With a gasp he realizes it's the lake they have been ice-skating on.
"Minho! It's our way home! It's our world!" Jonghyun erupts. Minho notices it too, but it seems there is only one way to get home. Minho steadies himself on his feet, grasping Jonghyun's face in between his hands.
"Can I kiss you?" He asks, afraid Jonghyun will pull away. It is quiet for a while and Minho almost misses the soft whisper in response.
"You can."
Minho smiles as he dips close, lips ghosting over Jonghyun's. It's nothing but a slight press of the lips and it's so much more than that. It's like every inch of him is filled with warmth, warmth only Jonghyun can provide. He smiles into the kiss, feeling Jonghyun's lips curl, before they break apart. They look at each other, before they get pulled together again, this time it's Jonghyun who tip-toes and places his lips against Minho's in an innocent kiss. Warm puffs of air materialize as they breathe out and they hear voices calling out to them. With a shock they realize they're back on the lake. The sky is dark and three figures are running towards them.
"Where were you?" Key's trembling voice cut through the air; "You've been gone for half an hour after Taemin went to retrieve you."
He falls around Jonghyun's neck, pulling his best friend closer. Onew and Taemin come to stand next to Minho, smiling.
"Next time let us now? I don't think Key can handle it if you disappear like that." Onew speaks softly to Minho who nods back at him. They watch as Jonghyun struggles from Key's grip, and Key falls into Onew's arms, quickly pecking Onew on the lips.
"Everyone! Let's hurry back! The fireworks are about to start!" Taemin shouts, sliding back over the frozen lake towards the café. Onew and Key follow close behind him. Minho looks down as he feels Jonghyun's hand slip into his, giving a light squeeze. Minho is about to say something when the first bang reaches their ears and the sky turns a nice shade of red, followed by orange and blue.
It's beautiful and at that moment Minho feels complete just holding Jonghyun's hand as they watch the fireworks. A tug on his sleeve makes him look to the side and his eyes widen in surprise as Jonghyun kisses him softly.
"Merry Christmas."
From: Your Secret Santa
Title: Figuring it out; Happy Christmas!
Pairing: Minho/Jonghyun
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 3,800
Summary: No better way of spending Christmas than to have those days free from any schedule. As Jonghyun and Minho enjoy their free time everything suddenly turns upside down. Where are they? And how do they get out of there?
"Look at this!" Jonghyun shouts, waving his arms at Minho as he glides around in an eight shape on one leg. Minho chuckles when Jonghyun stumbles over a frozen bump in the ice. He sets in to skate after Jonghyun, catching up to him in a few seconds.
"Hyung!" Both Minho and Jonghyun look back to where the voice comes from, Taemin running and sliding over the frozen lake towards them. Behind Taemin are the Christmas lights and a big Christmas tree next to the little café they made their residence for the day. Minho and Jonghyun laugh when Taemin slips, flailing his arms about, but regaining his balance.
"Kibum-hyung is waiting at the café for you!" Taemin yelps as he loses his balance yet again.
"Okay, tell him we'll be there after another lap." Minho responds, skating away in the sunset, following the trail of lights set out around the lake. Taemin gapes after him, before he looks at Jonghyun.
"I have to go back all by myself?" Taemin huffs into the cold air. Jonghyun throws him an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Tae." He says, patting Taemin's head so the winter hat slides over his eyes. Jonghyun pushes himself off and glides after Minho, before Taemin can do something back to him.
"Fine. Just look out for weak parts in the ice!" Taemin shouts after Jonghyun, but he isn't sure if Jonghyun heard him. Taemin shrugs and goes back to the café where Kibum and Jinki are, waiting for their hot cacao and apple pie.
"Tonight, it's Christmas Eve." Jonghyun says as he slides next to Minho, taking hold of the taller boy's hand.
"Hmm, yeah. I'm glad we can spend our free days nicely." Minho murmurs when he clasps their gloved hands together tightly. Jonghyun is smiling from behind his scarf. They slowly come to a halt in the middle of the frozen lake and neither of them makes a move to get going again. Jonghyun looks up to Minho, moving a bit back as to not strain his neck.
"Minho, I-" But Jonghyun gets interrupted by a loud creaking noise. They both try to find the source when suddenly the ice breaks in half between them. Or not between them but in a perfect circle around Jonghyun, whose face is filled with fear and disbelieve. Just as Minho wants to pull Jonghyun to safety, Jonghyun falls through the hole, his hand slipping from Minho's grasp.
"JONGHYUN!" Minho shouts as Jonghyun disappears in the water and under the ice. Minho falls when the ice breaks further, the floe on which he is, capsizing. Minho holds his breath and prays both he and Jonghyun will survive this.
"Cold. So Cold. Can't breathe. I can't-" Jonghyun coughs, sucking air into his lungs. He notices the green and red cushions underneath him, making it comfortable to lie down, but he also notices the room’s temperature which is way too warm. Jonghyun feels at his clothes, but they are dry, which makes him frown. He clambers up and frantically looks around the circular room, but he couldn't recognize anything.
The room is strangely cozy though, decorated with a Christmas tree and small Christmas themed toys everywhere. The whole floor is covered with cushions and pillows, and underneath the Christmas tree are presents, waiting to be opened.
Jonghyun grins, walking towards the tree when something white catches his eye. He turns his head and squints, making out the form of a small cat-like creature between a Santa Claus doll and a golden paper wrapped present.
"Here, kitty." Jonghyun says as he walks closer, extending his hand to pat the soft fur. The white ball moves and Jonghyun screams when the kitty roars and transforms in a big snow leopard. Sweat drops drip down Jonghyun's face and he brings his hands up in defense.
"Cute kitty… Don't get angry…" Jonghyun whispers as he slowly backs up.
"I'm not a kitty!"
"No, no! Of course you're not-wait… You can talk?!" Jonghyun ends in a shout. The snow leopard sighs, or at least, its movement is similar.
"Have you ever seen a snow leopard talk?"
"Well… no, but…" Jonghyun scratches the back of his neck, "I mean, it could be possible, right?"
"Jonghyun, really. It's using telepathy to talk to us." A deep voice echoes through the room and Jonghyun whips around to see Minho walking towards him.
"Minho? Is that really you?" Jonghyun asks, his eyes growing wide.
"Of course it's him! How thick-headed are you anyways?"
"Hey! I won't take any insults from an animal!" Jonghyun scowls, crossing his arms.
"I'm not an animal. I'm Taemin. Tae-Min. I'll be your guide here." With a poof the snow leopard transforms back in its cub version, big blue eyes staring at Jonghyun and Minho.
"Taemin? You're Taemin?! What-?!" Jonghyun starts, but Minho interferes.
"A guide for what?" Minho questions, eyes piercing the blue eyes of the cub that cocks its head to the side.
"For you to find your way home of course!" It giggles, nails plucking in the soft fabric of the cushions beneath its paws.
"Our way home?" Minho repeats, his eyes darting from left to right, "But there are no-"
"Doors?" The cub grins. Suddenly snow falls from the ceiling and a whirlwind rages through the room. Jonghyun feels two arms wrap around him and he buries his head in Minho's chest as he feels Minho's head own his shoulder. When the wind lies down again, Jonghyun pushes himself from Minho's embrace, frantically looking around. With one meter between each two the whole wall is filled with doors.
"Come on, come on! Pick one!" The voice of the cub runs through their heads, its tail waving and curling through the air.
"Alright, we'll pick one." Minho's deep voice speaks up, before Jonghyun can even think of a reply. Minho walks to the closest door and pulls the handle. There's nothing but black at the other side of the door and Minho hesitates to go in. Looking back to Jonghyun, who walked up behind him and grabbed his arm, Minho releases a breath to calm his nerves. He sets his foot over the doorstep and the black dispatches to make room for nothing but white snow against a dark sky.
"Minho, I don't like this one bit. Let's go back?" Jonghyun whispers and Minho nods his head in response.
"Yes, this isn't the way out." Minho answers, turning back, but he gasps when the door which they came through has disappeared.
"What is this?!" Minho shouts and at the same time a cold wind starts blowing.
"It's a test."
"A test for what? Taemin!" Minho yells, feeling just the slightest bit agitated. Far off in the sky the low rumble of thunder is heard.
"You have to figure it out for yourself. Don't think it's easy to find your way from here." The smirk is audible in the soft voice.
"Damn! I knew we couldn't trust Taemin! Even as an animal he's a trickster!" Jonghyun grunts, shaking his fist for extra effect. Suddenly lightning hits and barely misses Jonghyun's foot. Jonghyun jumps, shrieking bloody murder.
"Our mood…"
"What did you say, Minho?" Jonghyun asks, breathing heavily from the shock and adrenaline running through his body.
"I said that the weather's influenced by our mood. We have to be happy for the sky to clear." Minho repeats.
"That sounds like a lot of trouble to me." Jonghyun sighs, looking up to the sky. He closes his eyes and slowly breathes in and out. Minho watches Jonghyun and smiles to himself, before averting his gaze up, seeing the clouds break. His lips stretch in a wider smile, but a voice in his mind ruins it.
"That's not enough, you know?"
Minho feels the leopard cub grin, and he grits his teeth, willing himself to think happy things. For one reason most of his memories involve Jonghyun smiling at him, or just sitting beside him. Minho looks back to Jonghyun, who has his face scrunched up in concentration. He slowly reaches out and pulls Jonghyun to him, hugging him close.
A bright light lights up the sky and snowflakes flutter around them. A door materializes a few feet away, swinging open and both Jonghyun and Minho stumble through it.
"We did it, Minho! We did-" Jonghyun stops when he realizes Minho isn't celebrating with him. Then his eyes fall on the snow leopard, the cushions and the many doors, and Jonghyun curses under his breath.
"Taemin! This isn't funny!" He roars, "You're deceiving us!"
"I dare you to say that again."
"You're a liar!" Jonghyun shouts, immediately regretting it when the cub transforms again and he lies on his back with a full grown male leopard with bared fangs standing over him.
"Taemin, you know how Jonghyun is. I bet he turns around when you show him your tail." Minho grins. Jonghyun tries to look back, craning his head, as a soft, hairy tail gets pushed into his face. Jonghyun shoots up, hands running over the long, thick tail, his eyes shining like a kid's.
"It's so soft and warm."
"Yes, yes. Now get moving." The tail hits Jonghyun in the face and continues on to push into Jonghyun's back, lifting him back up his feet again.
"Pick a door."
Jonghyun rolls his eyes, before he lays his hand on a door knob, trying to twist, but the door doesn't budge. Jonghyun growls under his breath, grabbing onto the knob with both of his hands, pushing and pulling. He sighs, dropping his hands and walking over to the door next to it. The snow leopard appears next to him, flashing his tail as his eyes glint almost golden. Jonghyun stares, hand turning and this time the door opens.
"Don't let go off the handle if you don't want to get trapped alone." Taemin whispers, paw coming up to smoothen out his whiskers on the sides of his nose. Jonghyun snorts, but holds onto the door as he steps inside, the black disappearing. The only thing Jonghyun sees is a wide expanse of meadow, and he almost lets go off the door when a large foot is planted right in front of him. His eyes widen as he looks up, breath coming out in small pants as an enormous version of himself looks down on him.
"Holy..." Jonghyun breathes, as his giant me crouches down in front of him. Jonghyun is rooted to the spot, eyes widening more as a hand descends rapidly onto him.
"Jonghyun!" A hand pulls him back, the door slamming almost in his face and Jonghyun falls back into the wall that is Minho, sending them crashing to the floor. He is still breathing hard, his head snapping to the cub hopping its way towards them.
"What the hell was that?!" Jonghyun asks, mind rumbled from the weird things happening. There is no way this is reality.
"Your desire." Taemin responds, licking his paw, before turning his gaze to Minho, disregarding Jonghyun's confused stare. He is sure Jonghyun saw it too, the enormous Minho keychain hanging from his giant version's beltloop.
"Pick another."
"You sure are bossy." Minho sighs, gently pushing Jonghyun off of him and standing. His calculated gaze slides over the doors, noticing the ones already opened are marked with candy canes around the knobs. There are still a lot of doors left; this is clearly going to take a long time. Minho strides over to the door on his left, flinging it open. Darkness greets him and Minho looks back at Jonghyun, a smile gracing his lips as Jonghyun sneakily tries to pet Taemin. Minho coughs, grabbing Jonghyun's attention and he watches as the shorter male stands to his feet, his hand coming up to grip tightly onto Minho's. Minho feels like his heart just skipped a beat, trying to pound its way out of his chest as Jonghyun looks him in the eyes, before averting his gaze. Minho is just imagining he sees a light dusk of pink tinting Jonghyun's cheeks. From a distance Taemin watches them intently, a grin playing around his lips.
"Come." Minho whispers, stepping forwards into the black space, Jonghyun close behind him.
It isn't that they didn't expect it. They only didn't expect it now. Jonghyun stares dumbly as he sees Onew, or what is supposed to be Onew, but is a water mass, standing a safe distance away from a flame that looks an awful lot like Key.
"Welcome!" They both echo, as Minho frowns and Jonghyun's eyes almost bug out of their caskets. They don't have time to say something, as the water mass moves towards the flame. The flame stepping back, clearly scared the water would extinguish its heat. Then the roles are reversed and the flame chases the water mass, both yelling and shouting at the other to either stand still or stay away.
"Can you do this too?" Taemin's voice hammers through their heads. Suddenly Minho doubles over, his hand engulfed in flames and spreading all over his body. It doesn't hurt, he doesn't even feel it, but the sudden pull on his other hand signals him that Jonghyun can obviously feel the heat. He turns to look at Jonghyun, finding him with half of his body covered in water, panic getting to him when the water builds a firm protection around Jonghyun's head.
Jonghyun is in shock to say the least. First Minho suddenly catches fire, like his flaming charisma went out of control and here he is himself, feeling the cold liquid hug him like a second layer of clothing. His scared eyes flick all over the place, a sharp tug made him move forward towards Minho. Their hands touch and they both pull back in horror as they feel their senses scream out in pain at that simple touch.
"Acceptance." Key speaks loudly, before running after Onew again, leaving Minho and Jonghyun to stare dumbly after him. Acceptance? What did they even need to accept? They accepted each other's friendship already, a long time ago when they debuted with SHINee.
"Sacrifices." Onew adds, turning on his heels, sprinting after Key. Sacrifices? Minho glances briefly at Jonghyun, seeing large and unsure pools of dept swirling around, captivating him. He would deliberately drown in them. Realization hits him like a rock; sacrifices for Jonghyun. That's what Onew meant. Minho feels his heart leap into his throat at the vulnerable behaviour Jonghyun displays. Hand on his wrist as Minho brings his arms up, inviting Jonghyun. He sees the flaming Key copy his move, but Onew is still running with Jonghyun frozen in his spot.
"Trust me." Minho whispers, taking a step forward. Jonghyun releases his own wrist and Onew stops running.
"Minho..." Jonghyun returns. He has never felt such a swirl of emotions wrack his being, not when Minho usually stands up for him, despite their love-hate relationship they have established. Jonghyun takes a deep breath, blowing it out through his nose. No need to get nervous now. His feet are slow in their movement, something Jonghyun isn't quite happy of, but he can't seem to speed things up. Not when it feels like he's moving for Onew too, him copying exactly what he is doing.
They're standing there, one foot space between them, both locking in on the other's eyes, which seem so full of promises. They are unsure, of course they are. Jonghyun's breath hitches when Minho lifts his hand, his own following to place their palms together. The fire and the water steam and transform into mist.
It happens too fast all of a sudden. Onew and Key fall in each other's arms, smiling, but Jonghyun gets water in his mouth, choking on it. He coughs at the same moment as Minho gasps for air, the heath blocking his way of getting oxygen. Jonghyun wants to pull away, his head feeling dizzy and his vision blurring, but Minho grips his hand tightly, shaking his head. Desperately Jonghyun grabs Minho's other hand.
"You're almost there."
Jonghyun is almost glad to hear Taemin's voice in his head, knowing this is what they need to do. He reaches and pulls Minho against him, both of them stumbling but staying upright, as Jonghyun hugs onto Minho, feeling the other's arms around his lower back. The flames and water are gone, leaving Minho and Jonghyun to stumble through the reappearing door, collapsing onto the cushions. After a moment of silence Jonghyun snorts, evoking a chuckle from Minho.
"We made it." Jonghyun smiles, snuggling closer to Minho in his happiness. Minho blushes as Jonghyun cuddles close to him and subconsciously he weaves his fingers to the hair on the back of Jonghyun's head.
"You still haven't found your way out of here though."
Jonghyun grumbles, pushing himself to his feet and stalks towards another door and disappearing half, before he screams and leaps back, slamming the door close as his heart threatens to beat through his ribcage.
"What happened?" Minho asks at Jonghyun's reaction. The older boy looks at him in horror.
"I turned in a two dimensional drawing! What the hell is this place anyway?!" He proceeds, stalking over to the snow leopard.
"You don't want to know."
Jonghyun fumes, but the leopard roars and Jonghyun backs off, not exactly eager to be the prey of a full-grown leopard again.
"Come on, Minho. Let's just find that damned door!" Jonghyun shouts, throwing his hands up as he continues to stalk off through different doorways.
Minho follows him behind, laughing at some of the things they encounter as they make their own pathway through the different stages of clearing this so-called test. They actually have fun when they run into a snow field, reindeers standing everywhere. It is their task to find the reindeers of Santa, and lining them up in the order in which they are bound to the sleigh. Minho laughs as Rudolph nudges Jonghyun with his red nose; Jonghyun startled, but eventually calm enough to stroke the furr on the reindeer's back.
Out of nothing Onew and Key appear, each dressed in a Santa Claus costume, happily holding hands and exchanging pecks on the cheeks.
"Now you two." They grin at Jonghyun and Minho. Jonghyun's mind blanks.
"W-what?" He stutters, face a nice mix of growing pale and a dark blush adorning his cheeks.
"You heard them"
Jonghyun internally groans and wants to smack his head against the nearest tree as the leopard's voice filters through his mind. Shyly he glances at Minho, who is looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face.
"C-can we not do this?" Jonghyun asks, hating how his voice is all over the place and he can't seem to get his gut and pride together long enough to say something with confidence. Not when Minho is involved anyway. Just thinking about leaning up and placing a kiss on Minho's cheek has Jonghyun squeezing his eyes shut, willing this is all a dream and he wakes up any moment. No such luck. But when he opens his eyes he gasps as Minho is suddenly in front of him, having moved when Jonghyun wasn't paying attention.
"It's our only way to get home, Jonghyun."
Damn Minho for hypnotizing him with that deep voice of his!
Minho leans closer and Jonghyun closes his eyes again as he feels the press of soft lips against his cheek. Minho could probably feel the heat radiating of his face now. As to not stay behind Jonghyun quickly goes in, pressing his mouth somewhere close to Minho's ear. He is almost ecstatic when the door appears and he tumbles out, landing in the cushions.
"I think we had all the doors now." Minho says as he takes a seat next to Jonghyun.
"Yeah, I think so too. I mean. All the doorknobs have a candy cane hanging from them, haven't they?" Minho nods in response.
"I must say I'm impressed. BUt you have still one more door to go to get home."
"I don't see a door." Jonghyun says, looking around.
"Maybe because you're sitting on it." The leopard rolls his eyes, sticking his nails into a cushion before pulling it aside, revealing a part of what seems an enormous, round, wooden doortrap. Jonghyun and Minho help Taemin to move all the cushions to the side, staring at the image that is portrayed on the door panel. Taemin's laugh bounces through their minds.
The panel sports a large painting of a shared kiss. And the persons depicted aren't just any persons. Jonghyun blushes as he sees himself in a lip lock with Minho. Even if it's a picture, it still looks too real. A part of Jonghyun's brain nags that the background of the painting looks all too familiar too. With a gasp he realizes it's the lake they have been ice-skating on.
"Minho! It's our way home! It's our world!" Jonghyun erupts. Minho notices it too, but it seems there is only one way to get home. Minho steadies himself on his feet, grasping Jonghyun's face in between his hands.
"Can I kiss you?" He asks, afraid Jonghyun will pull away. It is quiet for a while and Minho almost misses the soft whisper in response.
"You can."
Minho smiles as he dips close, lips ghosting over Jonghyun's. It's nothing but a slight press of the lips and it's so much more than that. It's like every inch of him is filled with warmth, warmth only Jonghyun can provide. He smiles into the kiss, feeling Jonghyun's lips curl, before they break apart. They look at each other, before they get pulled together again, this time it's Jonghyun who tip-toes and places his lips against Minho's in an innocent kiss. Warm puffs of air materialize as they breathe out and they hear voices calling out to them. With a shock they realize they're back on the lake. The sky is dark and three figures are running towards them.
"Where were you?" Key's trembling voice cut through the air; "You've been gone for half an hour after Taemin went to retrieve you."
He falls around Jonghyun's neck, pulling his best friend closer. Onew and Taemin come to stand next to Minho, smiling.
"Next time let us now? I don't think Key can handle it if you disappear like that." Onew speaks softly to Minho who nods back at him. They watch as Jonghyun struggles from Key's grip, and Key falls into Onew's arms, quickly pecking Onew on the lips.
"Everyone! Let's hurry back! The fireworks are about to start!" Taemin shouts, sliding back over the frozen lake towards the café. Onew and Key follow close behind him. Minho looks down as he feels Jonghyun's hand slip into his, giving a light squeeze. Minho is about to say something when the first bang reaches their ears and the sky turns a nice shade of red, followed by orange and blue.
It's beautiful and at that moment Minho feels complete just holding Jonghyun's hand as they watch the fireworks. A tug on his sleeve makes him look to the side and his eyes widen in surprise as Jonghyun kisses him softly.
"Merry Christmas."