Part One:

» [Xiumin] Santa

» LOVE ON CHRISTMAS EVE THEME

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You almost could hear the snow laying gently on the streets outside. Still all alone in the house, with the undecorated Christmas tree of course, the place was terribly silent. Out of all the houses in the neighborhood, your house must be the loneliest one this Christmas.

Sighing, you continued staring out the window, sipping hot chocolate while snuggling comfortably in a blanket you wrapped around yourself. You gave up on the idea of sleep, because everytime you close your eyes, you would see Xiumin's face; that guy in a santa costume getting chased by children last night.

A smile tugged at your lips. Even just by talking in the park for a few hours, you were able to find out so much about him.  And it all summed up to one thing: He was a very admirable guy. You wanted to be able to talk to him more, but duh, he has his own life that is probably more interesting than yours. You have seriously got to find a way to make your life interesting other than sitting ducks in the house all day.

The doorbell suddenly rang.

Wait... Didn't mom say she won't be able to come home until evening?

Slowly, you set the mug down and unwrapped yourself from the blanket.

Or maybe she wanted to surprise me?

Just with that thought, you felt excitement pump through you. You almost literally threw yourself across the room before the bell even rang a second time. You were about to throw a hug as soon as you opened the door, but froze when you saw who it acually was.

It was Xiumin.

He was standing there awkwardly, a large christmas shopping bag in hand, trying his best not to show that he was already freezing cold.

"X-Xiumin?" You mentally face-palmed for stuttering. But could it even be helped? The boy you have been thinking about all night was suddenly there at your doorstep. You had every right to stutter in surprise.

"Hey," he shyly smiled, and once again, you felt the familiar warmth bubble in your chest. It felt so comforting against the cold breeze of Christmas.

"Uhh... C-come in. It's cold." You stepped aside, and he hesitantly stepped inside. He placed his shoes on the shoe racket to avoid bringing snow in, and you saw he was wearing spongebob socks. You almost giggled at that.

"Wow... You really weren't joking." He said in awe as he looked around. You stood there by the side, still contemplating if this was for real.

"Joking about what...?"

"That you have no Christmas decorations at all."

"Well we have a Christmas tree." you motioned at the ever so lonely tree at the corner. He lightly laughed.

"It doesn't even have a star."

You blushed, suddenly feeling embarassed. It's like this is implying you're too lazy to even decorate. You went to the kitchen to grab some hot choco for him. You could hear him walk around the living room to look at family portraits.

"How's your mom? When is she going to come?"

"This evening. She already boarded the earliest plane today." You walked back and handed him a mug. He smiled again before setting himself beside you on the couch.

"Good thing I came, then. If I didn't, then you're probably still wrapped up in a blanket sipping choco alone."

He joked. You blushed again. How the heck did he guess that? That was 100% exactly as what you were planning to do all day.

"So what brought you here?"

"Oh yeah," he beamed as he started digging into his shopping bag. He revealed a long strip of Christmas lights, Christmas balls, and other more little Christmas decorations. "Since you said that your house is 'so unChristmasly that Santa most probably wouldn't notice it,' I thought maybe I can help you decorate. Even if it's a little late already."

"But..." You scooted closer and looked at the items. There were A LOT. "How much did this cost you? You didn't have to buy all these..."

"But I wanted to." That made you look up, and your eyes locked. There was something in his eyes that kept you from looking away. "I haven't even thanked you enough for helping me last night. You bothered to do all that just so the children would stop chasing me."

"All I had to do was buy candies." You lightly laughed. He softly smiled, making the warm feeling return.

"I was the one in the Santa clothes, but you were the one more like Santa to the kids. Now, I want you to let me be the Santa for you."

He maintained that eye contact as he waited for you to agree. Eventually, you fell for his charm and ended up slowly nodding. He jumped up, beaming with the Christmas lights in hand.

"So where do you want us to start?"

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"A little more to the left."

"Here?"

"No, I mean right."

"Do you think it'd fit?"

"I hope."

You pouted and looked back at the star. You can't place it properly at the top because you're a few inches short to see if the slot was placed on where it should be. You stepped down the ladder, sighing.

"How about you do it? You're taller than me." You handed Xiumin the star, and he nodded. It was his turn to climb up the ladder. But without even needing much directions, he was able to secure the star in place. He leaned back a little.

"Do you think it's leaning a bit to the left?"

"No. It's perfect." You said softly, feeling yourself fall in a trance as you stared up at the bright star. It reminded you of last Christmas, when it was your dad that placed the star atop the Christmas tree.

You fought the urge to cry as you started to miss your parents again.

"Looking good," Xiumin stated proudly as he looked at the tree, now prettier with bright Christmas balls, dangling snowflakes, and a star. "It'll look even more beautiful with the Christmas lights."

He started unrolling the long wire, and you couldn't help but watch this happy look on his face. He looked like he was enjoying this, as if he missed putting up decorations as well.

"Hey Xiumin..."

"Hm?"

"How did you know where I live?"

He froze. The he blinked a few times, blushing.

"Well... You did tell me last night you live by this street, so I asked around..."

You laughed. He is so adorable. "You did all that just to help me decorate a Christmas tree?"

He looked you in the eye and smiled. "It was all worth it."

And he went back up the ladder to start wrapping the lights from the top. You stood there, just watching, as you felt the warmth again but this time, it was stronger... And clearer... And this thought passed through your head.

It seems, the night before was just the beginning of something magical. Your dull, boring life has taken a completely new path. Just like Christmas lights, Xiumin came and brought brightly shining colors with him. And it seems, it made things look a bit nicer, livelier, and nothing will ever be boring again.

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[A/N]: Our baby panda Tao will be next! ^^