*✤:｡.｡sᴇᴏɴɢᴊᴏᴏɴɢ｡.｡:✤*

Hongjoong woke up to the sounds of muffled sobs and suppressed whines, feeling extremely concerned. He felt the one lying beside him twist and turn, grabbing the sheets and mumbling incoherent words complete with sighs and sobs. Hongjoong instantly knew what was going on.

He edged nearer to the other, pulling him closer to himself, the latter now turning towards him and immediately burying his face within his chest, crying loudly. Hongjoong repeatedly patted his back, sweet words of affection and reassurance rippling out from his mouth, soft kisses littering the crying boy's face and head as he engulfed his shivering body in a tight grasp.

"Shh it's okay baby, it was just a nightmare," whispered Hongjoong close to his ear, "I'm here, Hwa. Nothing will happen. I'm here."

Moments passed by and finally, Seonghwa seemed to calm down a bit, his breathing now returning to a normal rate and he was no longer shaking or sweating. Hongjoong still had him cradled within his arms, sweet words making their way into the former's ears, soothing the turmoil within himself.

A few minutes later, Hongjoong got up from the bed, taking Seonghwa's right hand within his own.

"Let's go downstairs, hm?" he suggested, to which the listener nodded. He wasn't sleepy anymore.

The couple walked down the staircase and Hongjoong quickly switched on the lights, the Christmas decorations now glistening under the shine, the room looking radiant.

They sat close to the Christmas tree, with Seonghwa's head rested upon Hongjoong's shoulder, their gaze fixated upon the green branches shimmering under the golden lights, the many symbols dangling upon them like expensive ornaments.

"Was it too bad?" Hongjoong voice was gentle and soft, his fingers now caressing the top of Seonghwa's hand that laid upon his lap, "The nightmare?"

"Just the usual," the reply came in a murmur, slight hesitation mingled within.

"Remember this darling," Hongjoong whispered back, "The bad days are over. None of it will repeat again, never. It's all okay and will always be. As long as I'm here, nothing can ever hurt you or take you away from me, hm? I'll always be here for you, I promise."

Seonghwa smiled, "They haven't been that bad since you came into my life, Joongie. They're slowly getting better. Don't worry much."

Hongjoong planted a soft kiss upon his head, "I'm glad it's getting better, beloved. It'll all be good and very soon, you won't have nightmares anymore."

Seonghwa sighed, scooting closer to the other as if in attempt to fill up any gap that was left between them. There were tears in his eyes, but he tried not to let them fall. He wanted to be happy, for his lover, for his loved ones and for himself. Hongjoong was right. Everything was in the past. Now, it was time to be merry and embrace the new journey with smiles and happiness.

"I love you, Joongie," he whispered, closing his eyes, the tears now rolling down his temple and drenching a small portion of Hongjoong's sweater.

"I love you more, Hwa," the reply was instant, as the grip around his wrist tightened, a prominent sign of never letting go, "More than anything and everything."

Seonghwa's smile grew wider, the lights shining upon his soft features now veiled under a thin palour of approaching somnolence. And soon, under the dazzle, they fell asleep, two souls intertwined in each other's arms as the shine of the Yule Tide showered upon them as sparkles of merry blessings.

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Thoughts?

(Angst everywhere hahaha)