"Oh I also saw these cute matching sweaters and pajamas and I got them!" He said as he walked over to the shopping bags set on the dinner table. "You got us a couple matching pajamas?" I asked a smile playing on my lips.
Minji grinned as he pulled the pajamas out of the bag, holding them up for me to see. "Of course! I thought it'd be cute. Plus, it's Christmas. We have to match."
I chuckled, shaking my head as I walked over to get a closer look. The pajamas were festive—red with little reindeer and snowflakes scattered across them. "You really went all out, huh?"
He shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "It's tradition, right? Matching pajamas for the holidays?"
I took the pajamas from him, inspecting them for a moment before looking back at him with a smirk. "Well, if it makes you happy, I'll wear them."
Minji's face lit up, and he bounced a little on his toes. "Really? I wasn't sure if you'd be up for it."
"For you? Always," I said, pulling him into a hug. "Just don't take too many pictures."
He laughed, wrapping his arms around me. "No promises."
"Great," I teased, rolling my eyes but secretly loving the idea of sharing these little moments with him. "You're going to turn this into some sort of playlist event, aren't you?"
Minji pulled back, flashing me a mischievous grin. "You know me too well."
"I was thinking we could wear the sweaters at the Christmas dinner." He stated. "I want everyone to know we're together." He smiled.
"Trust me, everyone knows that. They are some nosy people." I told. "Well I want them to see it!"
Minji's excitement was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "You really want to make a statement, huh?"
"Of course!" he said, his eyes shining. "I'm proud of us, and I want everyone to know how happy I am to be with you."
I raised an eyebrow, teasing him. "You sure this isn't just an excuse to show off those sweaters?"
Minji laughed, shaking his head. "Maybe a little bit. But mostly, I just want to spend this holiday with you, no more hiding or worrying. Just… us."
I softened, pulling him closer. "I like the sound of that. No more worrying."
He nodded, his smile fading into something more tender as he rested his head on my shoulder. "This is the first Christmas I've actually looked forward to in a long time. It's special because… it's with you."
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2 days before Christmas:
"Where are you going now? You've been in and out of the house the whole week." Minji asked as I threw on my jacket and shoes. "I'm heading with Hyeon, his doing last minute shopping." I said.
"Okay just don't take to long, we're supposed to have a movie night." He said zipping my jacket all the way up, wrapping the scarf Well around my neck and threw my hood on.
"It's going to take about 30 minutes, not long." I smiled as I kissed her and rushed out the door.
BaekHyeon was outside for me so we could head to the jewelry shop, the ring was ready and couldn't help but feel excited. My heart was skippy and I was trying to hard to hold in my excitement infront of Minji.
As soon as I hopped into BaekHyeon's car, he raised an eyebrow at me. "You look like a kid who's about to get his hands on a new toy."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "I can't help it. The ring's ready, and I just… I can't wait to see it."
He grinned, pulling out of the driveway. "I bet. Just don't blow your cover. Minji's probably getting suspicious with how much you've been running around."
"I know, I know," I sighed, leaning back in my seat. "He's been giving me these looks, but I keep telling him it's for the holidays. Thankfully, he's been too focused on the movie nights and all his holiday plans to push further."
BaekHyeon smirked. "Better keep it that way. You're almost there. Just two more days."
I nodded, staring out the window as we drove. Two more days. The thought both thrilled and terrified me. There was still so much that could go wrong, but I had to believe it would all work out. For Minji, for us.
When we arrived at the jewelry shop, I could barely contain my excitement. The jeweler greeted us with a smile, leading me to the back where the ring had been carefully set aside. My breath caught in my throat when I saw it—the diamond gleaming even brighter than I had imagined.
"Perfect," I whispered, feeling the weight of what this ring meant. It wasn't just a promise; it was the start of a new chapter with Minji.
BaekHyeon clapped me on the shoulder.
"Looks like you're all set. Now all you have to do is not lose it before Christmas."
I laughed, carefully slipping the ring into my pocket. "Yeah, no pressure, right?"
As we headed back to the car, my mind was already racing through the proposal. Would it be during dinner? Or maybe something more private afterward? Either way, I knew I wanted it to be special, something that would make Minji's heart skip just like mine was doing now.
BaekHyeon glanced over at me as we drove back. "You're really in deep, aren't you?"
I smiled, the thought of Minji warming me from the inside out. "Yeah. I really am."
When I got back home, the house was warm and smelled of popcorn. Minji was curled up on the couch, waiting for me with a blanket draped over his lap. "Finally," he teased, patting the spot next to him. "I thought I was going to have to start the movie without you."
I sat down beside him, pulling him into my arms. "I told you it wouldn't take long."
He snuggled into me, pressing play on the remote. "Good, because you're not allowed to leave again tonight."
I kissed the top of his head, the ring burning a hole in my pocket, but I knew the wait would be worth it. "I'm all yours, Minji. For the rest of the night—and forever."
Minji glanced up at me with a small smile, his eyes twinkling in the dim light of the TV. "Forever, huh? That's a big promise."
I smiled down at him, tightening my hold. "It's the easiest one I've ever made."
As the movie started, Minji rested his head on my chest, and for a while, we just stayed like that—wrapped up in the moment, the movie playing softly in the background. I could feel the steady rhythm of his breathing, the warmth of him against me, and I couldn't help but think about how this was everything I'd ever wanted.
But even as I tried to focus on the movie, my mind kept drifting back to the ring hidden in my pocket. I knew I couldn't give it to him now—this wasn't the right moment. But soon, in just two days, I would ask him to spend forever with me, and the thought made my heart race all over again.
Halfway through the movie, Minji shifted, looking up at me with those familiar,
searching eyes. "What's going on with you?" he asked, his voice soft but curious. "You've been acting… different lately."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool. "Different? How?"
He narrowed his eyes playfully, poking my chest. "You've been sneaking around, running errands, and you seem like you're hiding something. Don't think I haven't noticed."
I chuckled nervously, running a hand through my hair. "I promise, everything I'm doing is for us. Just… trust me, okay?"
Minji's expression softened, and he leaned back against me. "I do trust you, Jihoon. I just hope whatever's going on isn't stressing you out too much."
I kissed his forehead, hoping to ease his worries. "No stress. Just excitement. You'll see soon enough."
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Christmas Eve at the Kim's family house: Jihoon and his mom were going back and forward about the guest list, "why don't you get it, I don't want Miniji to be around a person he doesn't feel comfortable around." Jihoon sighed.
"Look TaeHyun is not my child and I can't just tell his parents to not bring him along." Jihoon sighed as he sat down in his seat.
"Today is a supposed to be a happy day for all of us, it's Christmas Eve so can you just come to an agreement." BaekHyeon stepped chimed in, "I've made up my mind, I'm not bringing Minji around here and that's final."Jihoon replied.
"Fine, I'll figure something out. Just bring him, ever since you started dating you barely bring him around the family." His mom added, "this is supposed to be a special day ma, please don't ruin it for me." He added as he got up and headed upstairs. "You twins are going to be the death of me!" She groaned as she poured herself a glass of wine.
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That evening they placed all the warped gifts under the Christmas three ready for Christmas morning, the bottom of the Christmas three was packed and the fire places had stockings full of letters candy and many more others.
As Jihoon stuck his sock up he wiped his hand and let out a big sigh, "It's time for me to head out, my baby will be back in a few minutes so I'll see you guys tomorrow evening."
"Have you always been this cringy?" JaeHoon asked, "shut up." Jihoon said as he walked out closing the door behind him softly.
Jihoon stepped outside into the chilly evening, the crisp air biting at his cheeks. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and made his way to the car, his thoughts swirling with a mix of frustration and excitement. The argument with his family still weighed on him, but all he could think about now was seeing Minji again.
He drove through the quiet streets, Christmas lights twinkling in the windows of the houses he passed. Despite everything, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He knew that, soon enough, he'd be with Minji, and the world would feel a little more right.
When he pulled up to their apartment building, Minji was already waiting outside, bundled up in his coat and scarf. His face lit up when he saw Jihoon step out of the car.
"There's my baby," Jihoon teased, walking over and pulling Minji into a warm hug.
"You're late," Minji mock-pouted, but he quickly melted into Jihoon's embrace, wrapping his arms around him. "Everything okay with your family?"
Jihoon sighed, pressing a kiss to the top of Minji's head. "It's fine, just some last-minute holiday drama. You know how it is."
Minji nodded, pulling back just enough to look up at Jihoon. "As long as you're okay. That's all that matters."
"I'm more than okay now that I'm with you." Jihoon smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from Minji's face. "Let's get inside. I have something planned for tonight."
Jihoon raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? What's going on?"
Minji grinned, holding out his hand. "You'll see."
The two of them made their way inside, and as they stepped into their cozy apartment, Jihoon's heart raced. Tomorrow would be Christmas, and the day after, he'd propose. But tonight, he wanted to make it special—just the two of them, without any distractions or worries.
Minji led Jihoon to the bedroom, where he already set up the candles, lights flower petals on the bed and a box on the bed.
TBC