A/N: Responding to @kimssi's request from last year! I'm sorry it took a year to write this again >< 

Hyukjae’s eyes widened in wonder as he watched the little white flakes fall slowly from the night sky. He had cursed his head editor numerous times for sending him to London during Christmas just to cover a global cooking competition when he could have been curling up in his comfy armchair, in his cosy apartment, drinking a mug of hot chocolate with a huge handful of marshmallows. But right now, this Christmassy setting was so mysteriously magical and breathtaking that he couldn’t help but be amazed.

He was going to walk to Westminster, where he could probably do something touristy before he had to go on full work mode the next day. And so, he ended up along the bridge were he could see the iconic Big Ben alongside the Houses of Parliament, and not to forget, the London Eye. Hyukjae did want to take the ride on the Ferris Wheel, but he was afraid to death of heights. Then again, it would be a one of a lifetime experience, especially with the combination of the snowy night.

Pulling his beanie further down to cover his ears, Hyukjae couldn’t help but smile as he took in the surroundings. There was just something so magical about this moment, but he could not pinpoint it.

Hyukjae hesitated a little as he stood in front of the ticket counter. It was late, and he was the only one in the queue. Well, at least if he boarded the capsule alone, no one would watch him hyperventilating throughout the ride. Reassuring himself once more, he counted the money carefully and paid for a pass for the ride. He was ushered into an empty capsule. Of course, Hyukjae immediately clutched onto one of the railings for dear life.

Just before the capsule doors closed, Hyukjae heard another person enter his private space. He turned around quickly, wondering who had dared to invade his capsule. Couldn’t the stranger have taken the next one instead? It was infuriating.

The brunette stranger dusted some of the snow off the lapels of his deep blue wool coat, and tucked long brown bangs behind his right ear. He looked up at Hyukjae and offered an amused smile.

Hyukjae cautiously edged backwards as the stranger inched closer to him. His hand clutched the railing so tightly that his knuckles were turning white and the tendons in his hands were sticking out unnaturally.

“You have a snowflake on your nose,” the brunette gave Hyukjae an impish grin.

Hyukjae stared at him with wide eyes. He felt his back hit the glass panel, indicating that he was at the opposite end of the capsule, where there was a full length glass panel. He didn’t want to move. He didn’t want to turn around because he was afraid of what he would see. Hell, he would even kiss the stranger right now if the stranger saved him from his predicament.

The stranger stepped even closer to Hyukjae, and Hyukjae found himself holding his breath. The brunette tilted his head slightly, and lifted his right hand, deftly brushing the flake away with the knuckle of his index finger.

Hyukjae gulped at their close proximity.

“You’re Korean,” Hyukjae stuttered, realizing that the stranger had spoken to him in his native tongue.

“But of course.” The stranger twirled and gave a bow. “Lee Donghae, the one and only.” Then, he offered his hand for Hyukjae to shake. But Hyukjae’s fingers would not unravel themselves from the cold, steel bar.

Donghae gave Hyukjae another amused smile with a slight raise of his right eyebrow. He retracted his hand, and Hyukjae felt embarrassed. The name Lee Donghae sounded familiar, but Hyukjae was more concerned about his precarious position. He had little energy to devote to using his brain to try and put a link to this name and face.

“This is a beautiful view, won’t you enjoy it?” Donghae’s svelte voice was music to Hyukjae’s ears. Hyukjae desperately wanted to turn around and see the city landscape, but he had wanted to start from a distance away, not face his fear of heights head on.

“Let’s enjoy it together.”

What was Donghae doing? That was the only thought Hyukjae had as the brunette wrapped his arms around Hyukjae’s waist, spun his around and interlacing his fingers around Hyukjae’s waist.

Hyukjae’s heart constructed as the orange lights of the city glowed in front of him.

“I’ll hold you tight, but don’t you dare look down, cupcake.”

Hyukjae couldn’t help but be awed by the beautiful view that he didn’t even bother responding to Donghae. Usually, he would have smacked someone who had dared touch him so openly and promiscuously, or call him by a nickname, like ‘cupcake’. He wasn’t a cupcake!

Hyukjae had forgotten that Donghae was backhugging him until the brunette rested is chin on Hyukjae’s should and whispered, “We’re reaching the bottom.”

That was when Hyukjae came back to his senses. He jumped out from Donghae’s hold and raised his right hand, preparing to slap Donghae for touching him inappropriately. But Donghae grabbed his wrist in time, cocked his head upwards, and said, “I believe mistletoe calls for a kiss, not a slap, cupcake.”

“I’m not your cupcake!” Hyukjae seethed, struggling to get his wrist out of Donghae’s vice-like grip. He hadn’t expected the brunette to be so strong. “Let me go!” Hyukjae glared at the brunette.

“Only if I get my kiss.” Donghae grinned as he pulled Hyukjae closer, before dipping Hyukjae downwards.

Hyukjae let out a small yelp. His heart started palpitating. This was like a dream… It was all too magical. This was something that happened in stories. Why would a handsome stranger want a kiss from him?

“Because you’re the most beautiful creature that I’ve seen tonight.” DOnghae smiled as a flabbergasted Hyukjae before he gentlemanly brushed his cheek against Hyukjae’s plump lips.

Hyukjae wanted to faint, or squeal in excitement. He couldn’t decide on which. He could barely think. He only vaguely remembered being tugged out of the capsule once it reached the bottom, and have the icy breeze blasted at his probably now flushed cheeks.

“Cupcake?” He heard Donghae say.

Hyukjae gave Donghae the blankest look he had.

“Cupcake, are you all right?”

Hyukjae snapped back into reality and mumbled that he was fine.

“Good, where are you staying?”

Hyukjae didn’t know why he obediently told Donghae the address of his hotel.

Donghae flagged down a taxi, told the driver to drive Hyukjae to his hotel, and even paid the fare in advance. He tucked Hyukjae into the taxi, and slipped a ticket into Hyukjae’s hands.

“It would mean a lot to me if you came tomorrow. Please consider it.” Donghae gave Hyukjae an earnest smile.

The taxi dropped Hyukjae off at his hotel. Hyukjae dazedly got into his room, placed the ticket that Donghae gave him on his bedside table, and climbed into his warm bed. But he couldn’t get Donghae’s earnest smile out of his head.