"Jun, wake up," Minghao said as he shook Jun's arm. "You have to get ready so we can go out."

"Don't want to," Jun mumbled, squeezing his eyes shut and hugging his pillow tightly. Minghao sighed and pulled on his arm more.

"Jun," Minghao whined. "Come on, get out of bed alrea–"

"If you don't stop, I'm pulling you onto the bed with me," Jun told Minghao quietly.

"Jun, come on, seriously, you need to get up," Minghao repeated, and Jun felt a corner of the bed comforter being lifted up.

Jun growled and reached blindly for Minghao, tugging the younger boy onto the bed by the wrist. Minghao yelped as the upper half of his body landed on Jun, and he tried wiggling out of Jun's grasp. Jun wrapped one arm around Minghao's waist in response, and then, he wrapped the other one around Minghao's back. He pulled Minghao into his chest tightly and warmly cuddled the other boy, nose brushing against the nape of Minghao's neck.

"Just stay still. It's less tiring for both of us. I'm going to sleep for five more minutes, okay?" Jun murmured.

Minghao buried his face in Jun's chest, and Jun smiled in bliss, thinking he had earned himself a little bit more time to sleep. However, a few seconds later, Jun's eyes flew wide open in shock as Minghao pounded his fists against Jun's chest. On instinct, Jun immediately rolled the two of them over and grabbed Minghao's wrists. Jun held the small wrists together above Minghao's head with one hand and glared down at Minghao as he ran the other hand through his hair.

"I just asked for five more minutes, so why–" Jun started angrily before cutting himself off with a tired sigh. Jun closed his eyes and counted to ten in his mind, reopening his eyes when he was finished. He stared at Minghao silently for a moment, finally realizing the position they were in.

"W-What?" Minghao stuttered, avoiding Jun's gaze as he focused his eyes on the TV in the room. Jun's eyes drifted to Minghao's lips before quickly snapping back up to Minghao's eyes. Minghao was still looking away from him, and he was breathing heavier than earlier. Jun scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

"Minghao, what's taking so long? We need to go quickly, the mall's closing early today because it's Christmas Eve!" Shoi-ming's voice called through the door. Jun pushed himself off of Minghao's body and let go of Minghao's wrists, leaning back to allow Minghao to sit up too. He watched Minghao place a hand over his chest and exhale deeply.

"You okay?" Jun asked.

"Fine," Minghao muttered as he rubbed his wrists. Jun winced.

"Sorry about that. I'm really cranky when I wake up," Jun explained. Minghao shook his head.

"It's fine, I am too," Minghao replied. He wrinkled his nose. "Go brush your teeth, your breath stinks. And get ready. You heard Shoi-ming. Be quick."

"Okay," Jun responded, and Minghao got off of the bed and smoothed his clothes. Jun's eyes followed Minghao as the younger boy put on his jacket, grabbed his wallet, and exited the room. After Minghao closed the door, Jun groaned quietly and covered his face in embarrassment. Fuck.

♢✧♢✧♢

"Wow, your jacket looks so cool on you, Minghao!" Shoi-ming complimented. He grinned. "It makes you look really sexy. I bet all of the hot Australian guys are going to be staring at you."

"Don't lie," Minghao retorted, playfully shoving Shoi-ming. He sighed wistfully. "That would be nice if it were true though."

"Who cares if they aren't looking at you? I bet a bunch of them are fuckboys anyways," Jun interrupted, trying his best not to scowl. He saw Ai smirk at him.

"Takes one to know one," Shoi-ming replied teasingly.

"I should've never gotten Minghao that jacket," Jun said, ignoring Shoi-ming's gibe. "Don't worry, Minghao, I'll protect you from any fuckboys we encounter. I can be your hero."

"Wait, you bought him that jacket?" Ai asked. Her smirk widened. "Sounds an awful lot like what someone in a relationship would do..."

"Ooh, look, a dog tag machine!" Minghao exclaimed, quickly running over to the machine at the bottom of the stairs. Jun tilted his head to the side in confusion. Why was Minghao so excited?

"Ugh, why are these so expensive?" Minghao moaned. Jun checked the price, and his eyes widened. That much for a single dog tag?

"I'll get it for you if you want," Jun offered coolly. It was pricy, but if it would make Minghao happy...

"No, don't worry! It's fine, Jun. Let's just go inside, alright?" Minghao replied, tugging on Jun's arm and pulling the older boy inside. Jun glanced back at the machine thoughtfully as Minghao dragged him into a souvenir shop. Hmm...

♢✧♢✧♢

"How much candy do you think I can fit into my suitcase?" Jun heard Ai ask Minghao as he walked past the pair and approached Shoi-ming.

"Hey, if Minghao wonders where I am, tell him I'm in the restroom," Jun said. Shoi-ming grinned.

"You're going to go get him that dog tag, aren't you?" Shoi-ming responded. Jun nodded.

"Don't tell him," Jun requested. "I want it to be a surprise."

"Got it." Shoi-ming winked at Jun and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You should give it to him tonight. I plan on giving my significant other some jewelry tonight too."

"We aren't dating," Jun corrected. He blinked. "Wait, you're proposing tonight? That's great! Good luck!"

"Thanks." Shoi-ming smiled shyly. "Hopefully, it'll go well."

"Don't worry, she'll say yes. You should see the way she looks at you when you aren't looking," Jun sighed wistfully. "Wish I had something like that."

"Well, you would if you just grew some balls and asked Minghao out already," Shoi-ming told him.

"He doesn't like me like that," Jun denied. Shoi-ming gave him a flat look.

"Dude, you realize that you're talking to his best friend right now, right?" Shoi-ming replied. "Who knows his heart better than I do?"

"I still don't believe you," Jun responded.

"Alright, don't believe me." Shoi-ming shrugged. "Just...look at Minghao real quick?"

"Okay?" Jun turned his head and locked eyes with Minghao. Jun's eyes widened. Minghao had already been looking at him?

"That doesn't necessarily mean anything," Jun said.

"No, but the glare he gave to those girls who were flirting with you earlier certainly implies something," Shoi-ming told him. Jun blushed.

"If he rejects me, I'm blaming you," Jun grumbled. Shoi-ming perked up.

"You're going to ask him out?"

"I'll have to rely on my good looks, the power of persuasion, and a Christmas miracle, but I'm going to try," Jun decided. "I'm trusting you, okay?"

"You won't regret it!" Shoi-ming beamed. "Now quickly, go get your boy what he wants!"

"Not my boy yet," Jun reminded him as he walked out of the shop. He breathed in and out nervously. He was actually going to confess his feelings to Minghao tonight. It really would be a Christmas miracle if Minghao liked him back.

A/N: hope this was okay!!! sorry it was late D: but wow yes can you believe this is happening wow okay let's see how this goes and what happens anyways I'm gonna go watch some dramas linked song is "Hero" by 몬스타엑스 (MONSTA X) bc my friend's trying to get me to stan them so I'm gonna start getting into them soon and also this song is rly catchy I love it so much okay that's it for this chapter ily guys tysm for the continuous support bc it means so much y'all are the best have an amazing rest of your day and gn!!! ily!!! ty again!!! bye!!!