I wake up once again to a pressure on my body "Baekhyun not today, let me sleep" i groan.

An icy chuckle that didn't belong to Baekhyun cuts into my half asleep brain "see comments like that don't help to convince me that things are strictly platonic between you two" Chen says in my ear causing a shiver to slid up my spine.

My eyes fly open "Chen? what are you doing?" i ask alarmed by the closeness of his face to mine.

"It snowed last night hyung" he says excitedly "want to go sledding?" he asks in a manner that reminds me of a child waking their parents up on Christmas morning.

A few chuckles escape my lips "give me a few minutes to get dressed"

Chen squeals and starts bouncing up and down on me, making my bed squeak in protest, and my lower regions spark into attention. "Chen, stop doing that" i say pushing him off of me and pinning him against my bed breathing heavily.

Our faces are once again to close to each other and I find myself leaning down slightly staring at his beautiful lips.

"Are you ok hyung?" Chen asks looking at me questioningly, breaking me from the trance I was caught in and possibly preventing a disastrous situation.

"Yes" i breath "just go get ready, and i'll be out there in a few moments" i let go of him and sit back on my bed so he can get up.

"Do you want me to make you some coffee?" he asks stopping at the doorway.

"We can get some later, just let me get dressed" i say a bit too harshly, but quickly recover throwing him a sweet smile.

Chen smiles back and runs down the hallway thankfully seeming to be oblivious to my problem.

"It's a bitch, isn't it?" my eyes snap up to find Lay staring at me sympathetically from the doorway of my room "i swear, every time Suho use to touch me before we got together, it would lite my body on fire... i still have to control myself sometimes"

I nod shifting on my bed and covering myself with the blankets. Lay laughs and grasps onto the door handle on my bedroom door "take care of your problem, and be ready to go in ten minutes" then he shuts the door leaving me alone.

>>>>>

Twenty minutes later we find ourselves at the park with sleds in tow. We had large coats and hats on so we wouldn't get recognized, and it seemed to work, which was a nice change to just be normal young boys for once.

"Oh it's so pretty" Tao says snapping a couple pictures of the snow covered trees on his phone.

I laugh at his innocence and start making my way up a large hill followed by an overexcited Chen.

"Want to slid down together hyung? our combined body weight will make us go faster" he asks when we reach the top of the hill.

I shrug "sure" and sit down on the round plastic sled.

Chen sits behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to him. My heart pounds against my chest and i struggle to calm my breathing, but before i can bail Chen pushes off and we begin flying down the hill.

I grab Chen's arms and hug them against me tightly, but still find a grin breaking across my face. Chen giggles and yells in excitement behind me before resting his head against my shoulder. The sled spins around a couple times, and we stop at the bottom facing the top of the hill watching the other guys come down after us.

We sit there for a couple minutes until i realize that Chen still has his arms around me "uh Chen... you can let go of me now" my voice comes out a little more strangled than intended.

Chen hugs my waist tighter "but i'm comfortable here, and besides you're warm"

I feel myself gasp lightly and suddenly get the strongest urge to turn and kiss him, but i think he wouldn't feel the same about this.

"Hey, i want to go down the hill with you" Lay says coming over to me and pulling me up to him before Chen has a chance to protest.

When we are out of earshot of Chen who was staring after us almost pouting, i speak "thanks"

Lay chuckles "i could see your distress....trust me, he has feelings for you, but he isn't ready yet"

I looked over my shoulder at Chen who had now commenced in making snowballs and staring hard at Baekhyun who was leaning against Chanyeol lost in their own world.

I snorted and pointed it out to Lay, who shook his head "nothing good will come of this"

My smile widened "i know, its going to be awesome"

Chen finally took a large almost perfectly shaped snowball and rolled it around in his hands, stepping closer to Baekyeol. Chen cocks his arm back and throws the snowball hard at Baekhyun's awaiting head.

Snow exploded across the side of Baekhyun's head with a loud 'smack', causing him to stagger slightly and stare ahead, blinking repeatedly, clearly stunned about what just happened.

Then Baekhyun slowly turns his head to glare at Chen, his eyes intensely terrifying. "Yah, jegulle?" He asks in a low tone that sends shivers up my back.

Suddenly howling laughter pierces the silence that I just noticed had formed around us.

My head snaps in the direction of the laughing and I am shocked to find D.O. doubled over, holding onto Kai for support and laughing so hard he's turning red.

Following D.O., Suho makes a loud snorting noise and joins in his laughter causing everyone to burst into gut wrenching giggles.

Soon all of us are gasping for air and holding our sides, even Chanyeol was rolling on the ground.

"It's not funny" Baekhyun says throwing his arms across his chest like the diva he is and gives Chanyeol his best death glare.

"I'm sorry babe, but yes... yes it is" Chanyeol says then loses himself in another fit of giggles.

Baekhyun clenches his jaw, but he can't fight a smile that makes its way onto his face "stop laughing guys" he says then starts to bite his lip in attempt to suppress his own laughter.

Lay holds onto me for support because he's laughing so hard, while I support myself on my knees cracking up.

"I hate you guys" Baekhyun says before finally giving in and laughing along with us.

Abruptly a snowball comes flying through the air, smacking me right on top of the head.

I look up to see Chen grinning at me proudly and snickering.

"Yah" I say giggling and start running at him. His eyes widen and he starts to run away, but the snow pants he has on prevents him from getting away to quickly. I tackle Chen onto the ground and sit on his waist "how dare you do that to your best friend" I say smacking his arm.

Chen barks a laugh "no one is immune. This is war, you get no special treatment"

"Oh? So that's how we are playing it" I scoop up a handful of snow and Chen suddenly becomes serious.

"Don't you dare" he warns, but I can see the humor dancing in his eyes.

I grin wickedly and scoot back quickly onto his thighs, stuffing the large amount of snow into his pants in one quick motion.

Chen squeals and jumps up throwing me off him and onto the ground, where i start rolling with hysterical laughter, and from the sound of it everyone else was to.

Chen jumps up and down multiple times trying to shake the snow out of his pants, making high pitched noises the whole time.

It was one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time, and it reminded me that before anything else, Chen is and will always be my best friend... for that reason I think I fell deeper in love with him in this moment.

>>

What had started with Chen and Baekhyun eventually escalated into a full on snowball war which didn't really have sides or an objective, but it was the most fun I have had in a long time and I know it will always be one of my favorite Christmas memories.

>>>>>

After all day of playing in the snow, we decide to head to a near by coffee shop to warm up and relax.

"This is shaping up to be a pretty good Christmas so far" Suho says sitting down next to Lay careful not to touch him to adoringly.

"I agree, but we need to have some more... adult type fun" Baekhyun says wiggling his eyebrows at Suho.

"Like?" Kai asks intently interested.

"Club S" Baekhyun whispers and smirks.

Everyones attention immediatly snaps to Baekhyun.

"Baek... that's a little extreme" D.O. says looking worried.

Tao smiles brightly and leans forward "i want to go, last time you left Sehun and me home, please" he wines grabbing Suho's hand, begging.

"Yeah, we're old enough to do what you guys do... we're not children" Sehun says crossing his arms over his chest contradicting his words.

"Yeah, it shows" Chen snorts.

"But seriously, we have the time off, and i want to go have fun" Baekhyun says sipping at his latte.

Suho sighs "what do you think?" he asks looking at Lay.

Lay blushes "i would like to dance a bit, when we went to that club on vacation it was fun"

Suho smiles remembering that night "ok, we will go tomorrow, but tonight i'm exhausted and just want to go home and snuggle onto the couch with a movie"

"Deal" Baekhyun says smiling at his victory.

>>>>>

"I'll see you guys back at the dorm, i think i just want to go for a walk right now" i say when everyone starts to head back to the dorms.

"Are you sure?" Suho asks giving me a worried look.

"Yeah, it's so beautiful around this time" i say looking around me, the sun was just starting to set and everything was covered in shadows and yellowish light making the snow sparkle.

"Ok, well don't be out to late, it's starting to get cold" Suho says then steps closer to me, wrapping his scarf around my neck because i didn't have one. "and be safe"

I smile at his father like care "don't worry appa, i'll be fine" then turn the other way and start walking back towards the park.

Honestly I didn't really feel like walking, but I also didn't feel like sitting through a movie surrounded by happy, snuggling couples. All I would be able to think about is Chen and how much I want to curl up beside him and snuggle the cold away.

On the way to the park i pass many couples walking hand in hand, or curled into each others sides, and I find myself thinking 'what is it about Christmas that makes everyone suddenly become so lovey... or better yet why do you feel so alone if you don't have anyone to share Christmas with?' I didn't have answers for either of these questions, but I knew easily which category I fit into.

By the time i reach the park, my mood has dropped considerably. All i want is to feel loved in that way, to have someone hold me in their arms and pull me close to them... but most importantly i want the person to be Chen. I realize that i had started to cry when an abrupt hot wetness flows down my cheek. I reach up and wipe it away, sniffling in cold air.

I curse myself for being such a child, at least Chen is in my life, he's my best friend. He makes me laugh when I need to laugh, holds me when I cry, and takes care of me when I need him. But still I can't help but want more of him.

I decide to stop at a small bench on the edge of the park out of sight so I can rest. I sink down onto the bench, slumping in on myself feeling an intense pain squeeze my chest. Why did i have to be in love with the one guy who will never see me as more than a friend? 'Notice a pattern?' my head questions me wickedly and I curse it for bringing that up now.

Tears start to flow freely down my face, landing in the snow at my feet melting it instantly. Suddenly i feel arms wrap around my waist making me yelp and pull away.

"shh Xiu, it's me" i calm immediately at his voice.

"C-Chen" i whimper.

"Shh, it's ok... whatever it is, you don't have to tell me. Just let it out" Chen says sitting behind me and pulling me tighter against him.

"What are you doing here?" i ask in between my silent sobs.

Chen places his head on my shoulder "i was worried about you, it's getting cold" he says in a concerned tone.

I spin my body around and bury my face in his neck letting out a small audible sob at his words.

"It's ok, whatever is wrong, i'm here... i won't leave you" he says tightening his grip on my waist.

A louder sob breaks my lips 'i wish i could believe that Chen, but the thing is... i've heard that before'

>>>>>

Chen takes me home and helps me into the bedroom, i didn't get a chance to see if the other guys were up or if they had seen me because i was still tucked into Chen's arms. He had carried me all the way from the park in his arms like a baby, whispering calming things to me the whole way. At times like this i really don't question why i fell in love with him, but it does make it hurt more that i may never get to feel him love me in return.

"Here you go," he sets me down on my bed and helps me out of my jacket and pants that were still a bit damp from playing in the snow.

I shiver slightly when he pulls my shirt over my head and he grabs a heavy sweater out of his drawer, then slides it over my head "better?"

I nod and lay down on the bed, climbing under the covers. Chen helps me pull the covers up more and pets my hair for a second. I feel a large shiver take over my body when i finally realize how cold i really am, and i hear a frustrated sigh come from Chen's lips.

Shuffles and the sound of fabric being moved sounded through the room and the light flicked off, which led me to think that Chen had laid down in his own bed, but a second later i was surprised when cold air hit my back before i felt arms slid around my torso and Chen's body presses up against mine "you shouldn't have stayed outside after dark in this cold" Chen says pulling another blanket on top of us and snuggling closer to me.

Heat envelops my body almost instantaneously with Chen's arms and i sigh contently at the welcoming warmth, and also at Chen's embrace. Quickly, too quickly, sleep starts to pull at my consciousness, i wanted to enjoy this feeling of having Chen this close, but i can't keep my brain away from the edge. The comfort of Chen's body, plus the heat he was providing finally succeeds and i fall fast off the edge into the awaiting sweet darkness.

My Chickens!!

Another fun chappie, with a sort of sad ending, you'll understand more about what happened to Xiumin later.

But how cute is Exo playing in the snow?? I can just imagine them acting like children, beating each other up and laughing cheerfully. Ugh Aegyo!!

Anyhoo, I think you'll like the next chapter, you get a little bit of Xiumin's past and sexy side... but I won't give to much away!

I love you guys!!

사랑해💕

~M~