Felix danced through the apartment, humming lightly to the beat of All I Want for Christmas is You, turning on every Christmas light he passed. Smiling, he paused at the window front of the living room after switching to the desired program on the fairy lights.

Small white snowflakes swirled past in the cold winter wind and disappeared again into the darkness of the night - or evening, as it was only 6 pm. In the neighboring apartment complexes, you could also make out decorations in some, albeit few, windows that glowed just as warmly as the festively decorated city. After all, Christmas was only about a week away.

Starting with a slight turn, Felix swung himself back into the narrow entrance through which he had come only a few minutes before. Shouldering the backpack he had left behind, he made his way to the bedroom. With a well-aimed throw, he banished it and his university things to the far corner of the room - he wouldn't be looking at them again until Sunday evening at the earliest.

Maria Carey's sweet voice was followed by that of Michael Bublé. Meanwhile, Felix set to work making himself a well-deserved hot chocolate after the last day of class of the week. And as he melted the chocolate and, after a long search, successfully pulled a packet of mini marshmallows out of the cupboard - the familiar Christmas carols rang through the apartment - everything was nice and cozy and perfect and just as it should be.

Except that it wasn't...

With a deep sigh, Felix finally put the mug down on the coffee table with a little too much momentum - the colorful ceramic clinked dully against the dark wood - which is why the marshmallows were also swaying dangerously in the steaming hot chocolate. But he didn't give them a glance as his eyes flitted to the wall clock again - 6:25 pm.

Sure, the apartment was nicely and comfortably decorated. But the situation was far from perfect, as long as Hyunjin wasn't sitting next to him, drinking hot chocolate with him.

Pouting, he snuggled into the velvety cushions and upholstery of the sofa. It just wasn't fair. While he was here easing into the Christmas spirit, Hyunjin might still be doing some kind of shit training at this godforsaken time.

Felix tapped the cell phone screen to light up the lock screen photo, and his heart tightened slightly. This photo held so many emotions. The way he had just thrown himself into Hyunjin's arms when he had come home for the first time during his compulsory military service - still in uniform and not three meters away from the train the older man had just got off. A wistful smile formed on his lips before he began to sip the hot chocolate.

He hoped that he would soon be able to jump into Hyunjin's arms just like this again. Even though the black-haired man had been serving his compulsory military service in the Republic of Korea Air Force for almost a year now, the distance and the infrequent contact still bothered Felix. Especially now, at Christmas time, it had really been hell. While other couples had been out at Christmas markets, watching clichéd Christmas movies or simply enjoying the Christmas atmosphere and the city lights together, Felix had been desperately longing for the next call from Hyunjin.

Not as if Hyunjin did feel any better in this situation.

The thought that many women and men in Korea felt the same way because of this stupid system was only a small consolation - if it could be called a consolation at all.

He put his cup down halfway through when his eyes fell on Hyunjin's easel. The canvas was already stretched out, a rough sketch had been drawn and the first colors showed the colorful floral splendor that was to be created. It was as if the work had only been left alone for a moment, as if Hyunjin had just got up quickly and had to come back at any moment to continue painting.

But it wasn't just his painting equipment, it was also their pictures, the gifts they had given each other, in fact the whole apartment they had furnished together, which reminded him of Hyunjin. It gave him comfort and consolation, as well as sorrow and yearning.

With a depressed sigh, he was about to fall back into the couch when his mobile phone started ringing on the table. His eyes lit up instantly. He grabbed the smartphone and answered the call before his eyes could catch the signs of Hyunjin's name or it emitted a second ringtone.

"Hey!" he pressed the cell phone close to his ear as he tried unsuccessfully to restrain his broad grin.

"Well, sunshine, how are you?"

Felix could feel himself relax instantly at the familiar sound of Hyunjin's voice. He eased back and drew his legs closer to him: "Quite well, actually. Fortunately, I've made it through the week and I finally got rid of my cold today. It's just that the one prof. is really stressing out about the oral exams - as he has been all the time. Really exhausting, this guy. But anyway, the same old story. I'd rather you tell me how things are going for you, Hyune~"

"Uff, that old fart still can't leave you in peace? In the end, you guys have more stress preparing for the presentation than he does." - "Tell me about it..." - "And about me? Mhh, to be honest, I'm pretty exhausted yet again. Especially because the winter has been really tough this year, but we're still training outside. But well, that's just the way it is. Let's not talk about it, I've been dealing with it all day," he laughed muffled through the phone. "You'd rather tell me what you're doing right now."

Even though the Australian had a lot to say about the conscription, he dropped it at Hyunjin's request. His gaze softened and his fingers began to fiddle absent-mindedly with his sweater fabric.

"Not much. I haven't been home that long. But I'm having a hot chocolate right now before I start wrapping the last presents for the barbecue on the 26th. Just so I'm done and can finish the rest of uni next week," he replied as he fished contentedly for a marshmallow.

Though it wasn't very common in Korea to give presents at Christmas, Felix couldn't completely renounce the Australian Christmas traditions. So this year too, he had a little something for each of the group of six - his best friends. Of course, he also had a present for Hyunjin and his heart skipped a beat at the thought.

Although he couldn't see the other, the blue-haired could recognize the warm grin in his voice: "Remember when you and Chan dragged us to the barbecue on the first 26th because of Boxing Day?"

Felix also had to grin at the memory of his first Christmas in Korea and his new group of friends: "That was simply wonderful, the way we all had this culture shock - also both ways. I mean, as if a toned-down Christmas wasn't enough, you hadn't heard of Boxing Day sales, cricket matches, or yacht races."

"Let alone really Boxing Day itself," Hyunjin agreed with a laugh.

"The puzzled looks on your faces as you looked at us blankly over the barbecue were really cute. Which kind of balanced out Chuseok," Felix joined in, and they laughed lightheartedly for a few moments about the past festive season.

While they got their laughs back under control, Felix pushed a few of the faded blue strands behind his ear before returning to the subject: "But you're spot on with Boxing Day. - We Aussies have rubbed off on you in a positive way - Oh right, this year we want to go to Innie afterward. And speaking of Innie, we went ice skating on the ring at Seoul City Hall yesterday. The lights were breathtaking at night ... I wish you could have been there." His own words left him with a swelling sadness and longing in his chest, so he quickly continued, "But at least you're here for Christmas. You're arriving quite late on the 24th, right?"

Felix only realized that Driving Home for Christmas was playing when Hyunjin didn't answer right away.

"Well..."

"Well?" Felix repeated faltering, while an uneasy suspicion spread through him. And in the next moment, he felt his heart drop as Hyunjin sighed loudly.

"I'm not going to make it home for Christmas."

"Wha- What...?" He had jumped up from the sofa as if struck by lightning. As if he couldn't process what he had just been told while sitting down. No, actually, he didn't want to process it at all, "I-I thought it was pretty much certain that you'd be able to come home for Christmas?"

"Me and a few of my unit got the shit end of the stick and have to go on special duty," Hyunjin confirmed dejectedly, however.

Felix groaned softly and ran his hand through his hair in frustration as he paced around the living room, "But you're coming home for a few days afterward, right? Over New Year's Eve, then?"

Once again, Chris Rea's voice drilled into his consciousness for far too long before Hyunjin replied.

"Earliest at the end of Janua-"

"Fucking hell!" the blue-haired man interrupted him before he could finish, trying to swallow the anger that was bubbling up at the same moment. After all, he couldn't help it, but - "Why does your damn training camp have to be in the middle of fucking nowhere? And with dickheads in the leadership positions at that?"

Felix let out his pent-up frustration about the compulsory military service of the last few months. Because seriously? He was always the supportive, motivating, positive-thinking boyfriend who tries to understand or at least accept Korea and the other customs and systems. He finally ended with a "We absolutely should have moved to Australia!" and the first notes of Jingle Bell Rock rang out.

"Feeling better now?" He could hear a hint of amusement in Hyunjin's voice and to be honest: "Yes, actually, I am." He even felt a small smile twitch at his own lips for a second, "Jeez ... Hyunjin, the only thing I wanted for Christmas was you."

"I feel the same way, Lix," he heard Hyunjin say distortedly through the phone call before an awkward silence spread. Felix gnawed on his lower lip for a few seconds before half-heartedly breaking the silence: "Mhh. Are you calling at the same time again?"

Hyunjin didn't say anything to Felix cutting off the call, except for a brief agreement and an equally brief goodbye before the typical hang-up tone beeped, and he was gone.

He slowly took the cell phone from his ear before his arm slumped down limply. Felix stood lost in the middle of the small living room decorated for Christmas and suddenly felt painfully alone. The large drawing above the television, which Hyunjin had painted and which showed them grinning happily, nestled together in front of the Sydney Opera House, seemed almost mocking to him.

"Why the fucking air force of all things, with the longest conscription period too?" he muttered quietly to himself, because he knew the answer long ago. Hyunjin's father, grandfather and his father had been in the air force - it was a family tradition.

He threw his cell phone on the couch and felt stinging tears trying to force their way into his eyes. Sluggishly, he ran his hand over his face and blinked them away with all his might.

What a bummer of a Christmas.

Disappointed, he reached for his cup before shuffling to the adjoining kitchenette and turning the hob back on. Putting the pot back in the right place to melt the chocolate, he threw in the rest of the bar. He would drown himself in self-pity and hot chocolate today.

Just as he was considering the depleted source of mini marshmallows, the doorbell rang.

Astonished, he turned his gaze from the empty package crumpled in his hand to the front door. He wasn't expecting anyone and he didn't really want to see anyone right now anyway.

The doorbell rang again, this time an annoying double ring - which Felix absolutely couldn't stand, the doorbell rang even if you only pressed it once. Nevertheless, he didn't lift a finger, wishing he could be left alone to wallow in his self-pity. He stared intently in the direction of the door, as if he could persuade the other person to leave with just enough mental concentration.

But the doorbell rang again - three fucking times! "Okay! Okay! I'm coming!" he gave up and turned in the opposite direction to throw away the marshmallow bag and turn down the hotplate.

His right eye twitched as he stomped towards the entrance area more than he walked. Because whoever it was actually had the balls to ring in fucking Morse code by now. He rolled up his fluffy sweater sleeves on the way and finally, with more force than intended, tore open the apartment door.

But whatever phrases his brain had prepared to blurt out shattered before he could say anything. Instead, his mouth fell open wide and his eyes grew wide as he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Who he was seeing!

"Hey, sunshine."

Hyunjin stood in front of him, just as he had left a month and a half ago - in a perfectly fitting uniform and with a backpack too big even for his long body. It could have been an illusion, if it weren't for the absolutely self-satisfied grin on his lips that was widening by the second.

Hyunjin was standing in front of him.

Hyunjin. Was. Standing. In. Front. Of. Him.

"Hyune..." he finally managed to say, flabbergasted - that was all the wild whirlwind of thoughts within him could manage. Actually, he was still coming to terms with the fact that Hyunjin wouldn't be standing in front of this door again so soon.

And Hyunjin's grin turned into a gentle smile, which was instantly reflected in his eyes as he took the last step over the doorstep to Felix. He carelessly tossed his rucksack on the floor and hugged Felix tightly.

"Felix."

It took a few seconds for Felix's body to react and return the embrace just as warmly, but he still couldn't quite believe it. He buried his head in the crook of the taller man's neck and his fingers in the thick fabric of his jacket. Their bodies nestled close together as if they were made for each other.

And he was there, actually holding him in his arms. Felix breathed in and out deeply. He could feel the familiar scent of Hyunjin mixed with the smell of the uniform and the chill of winter. The tension fell away from him as he let himself sink further into the closeness and warmth of Hyunjin and the genuine, real presence of him. Meanwhile, his thoughts slowly caught up with the situation and hormones of happiness began to race through his body.

"I've missed you, Hyune," the blue-haired murmured muffled into the fabric of his uniform, unwilling to let go so soon.

"I missed you too," Hyunjin replied just as quietly. He stroked Felix's head lightly and let his hand linger warmly on the back of his neck as he breathed a kiss on his hair. A small chuckle escaped his lips: "Far too much for the short time, actually."

Felix lifted his head in response, a similar small, sad smile appearing on his lips - he was absolutely not the person for long-distance relationships, "If only you knew."

Hyunjin lifted his other hand and brushed some of the faded strands of hair from the shorter man's face. The look in his eyes was so warm and loving that Felix was sure he could feel the love in the air around them and he just was about to melt under Hyunjin's gaze, into his arms.

"Then show me."

Felix pushed himself up with a little laugh to place his own lips on Hyunjin's mischievous, smirking one. And it was heavenly. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, just like when they first kissed.

Tenderly and full of longing, their lips moved against each other as Hyunjin's tongue slid over his lips. The kiss was far from innocent and yet far from lustful; it felt like home, like a feeling of being at ease.

Nevertheless, they broke away, breathing heavily, after what felt like an eternity, which could just as easily have been the blink of an eye. They gently rested their foreheads against each other, enjoying the familiar closeness as their breath mingled.

"How did you like the surprise, Lix?"

"Frighteningly good." Felix laughed slightly, mirroring the soft look in Hyunjin's eyes, "But please don't do that crap again."

"It wouldn't work like that the second time anyway."

The younger rolled his eyes, but this was exactly what he had missed so much. He wished he could burn this feeling into his memory. But just as he was about to lean in for another kiss, he heard a strange noise from the hallway, followed by a rustling sound that he had already tuned out earlier - they still had the apartment door open.

The noise echoed again, and this time Felix was able to identify the sound. His eyes widened dramatically for a second time that evening and he heard Hyunjin make a chuckling sound before he even saw the matching sparkle in his eyes.

"No..." he breathed incredulously, taking Hyunjin's face in his hands and looking at him scrutinizingly, the knowing smile only widening on his lips. And the sound repeated.

Hyunjin pressed a quick kiss to his right palm before gently releasing both from his face: "Yes."

He took the two steps back into the hallway and, with a proud grin, actually conjured up a dog bag from behind the door frame. A cute Chihuahua tilted his head slightly as soon as he saw the blue-haired man and barked once more.

"Oh my god, Hyune," he held a hand over his mouth, overwhelmed, while his gaze kept bouncing back and forth between Hyunjin and the dog as he took the cute spotted dog out of the bag. They had been thinking for so long about when and where they should get a dog - the only certainty was that it should be a Chihuahua from an animal shelter.

"Here, welcome the little one too."

Felix tentatively took the little dog and his heart leapt when he felt the little creature in his arms. The way the fur nestled warmly and softly against his skin and the initial trembling stopped a few seconds later.

"This is Kkami, the good boy is 3 years old and was looking for a home from Jibeseo" - an animal shelter - " Hyunjin smiled as he quietly closed the door behind him, "and found one with us."

"Hyune~", Felix hadn't known that his heart could feel any more fulfilled that night, it was as if it was about to burst with bliss, joy and love. Instead, a tear rolled down his cheek, which Hyunjin kissed away with a laugh.

"I hope that was a tear of joy."

"Of course it was a tear of joy, you don't know how my heart is bubbling over with emotions right now," and if he hadn't been holding their new family member in his arms, he would have punched Hyunjin in the arm before pulling him into a breathtaking kiss. As it was, however, he let Hyunjin pull him into the kiss, laughing and loving to have his breath taken away.

"Merry Christmas, Felix," the taller one murmured into the kiss, which Felix returned just as sweetly, "Merry Christmas, Hyunjin."

Kkami barked again, as if wishing his new owners the same and Felix laughed even louder when the little dog tried to push himself up as if to catch a kiss as well.

"Merry Christmas to you too, of course, Kkami~"

When Felix sat Kkami down on the floor, he ran forward curiously into the living room area. And All I Want For Christmas Is You began to play quietly again, whereupon Felix threw himself into Hyunjin's arms with a wide grin. And as he wrapped himself happily around Hyunjin and Hyunjin picked him up with a laugh, to go into the living room with him in his arms - the familiar Christmas carols sounded through the apartment - everything was beautiful and cozy and perfect and just as it should be.

And this time it really was.

- the end-

Of course I wish you a Merry Christmas as well and hope to have been able to sweeten the Christmas season a little with this little oneshot. <3

(Sorry for some inaccurate depictions regarding South Korea's compulsory military service.
I threw together my researched knowledge about it with my little knowledge about the German Armed Forces and took some literary license :) )