Bambi takes a quick peek at the living room before sighing to herself for the fifth time today.

 

WHAT is the BIG DEAL? It's just a Goddamn movie. It's not like you're going to DIE if you offer him to watch it with you.

 

But it might be non-platonic? Won't I be sending the wrong message? She makes a face at her own conflicting thoughts. Especially after your gaping hole of a memory during Dara's party.

 

It's been two weeks since that fateful day and from that moment on, the same doubtful and questioning thought always pops in her head every once in awhile. If only Sehun answered her properly and decided not to feign ignorance, she wouldn't be in such a bind. She wasn't brave enough to ask him again about what they did that night and he was both annoyingly nonchalant and teasing regarding the matter.

 

Well, it's only non-platonic if you THINK it's non-platonic. If you two TRULY did ANYTHING during that party, then he would probably be super uncomfortable around you!!!

 

Do you REALLY have to watch it today with HIM though? That's the real question.

 

Well, missy. We're trying to make an effort in this 'friendship'. We said we would, wouldn't we?

 

...

 

Oh for 's sake, just get it over with already!!! Big in' hoo. It's not like you two are gonna have . Lighten the up.

 

She rolls her eyes at the unyielding mental debate. Literally no one should be allowed inside her head. They might think that she's on the brink of insanity; although she's half-convinced that Sehun's mental state is far worse than hers.

 

Without further ado, she reluctantly drags her own two feet to the living room and stops right in front of the TV. Her eyes flicker up to meet his as she shyly waves a DVD.

 

“Um...?” He asks puzzled.

 

“My favorite movie is Breakfast at Tiffany's,” She replies looking away as she proceeds to bore holes into the DVD, “This is um...my favorite movie.”

 

Sehun tilts his head at her still feeling confused, but a tiny bit amused.

 

She immediately sputters out of frustration, “If you don't want to watch it, it's fine. You just kept asking before so I figured--”

 

“Pop it in,” He utters casually with a warm smile. “You know we can always buy or download a copy online. You didn't have to go out your way to buy a DVD.”

 

“I've had it for awhile,” She responds quietly and puts the CD in the player without much difficulty.

 

“And you're only having a rewatch NOW????” He sends her a look of disbelief.

 

She meekly sits on the couch, making sure to keep a certain distance between them. The unnecessary thoughts of her lost memories during Sandara's party still nagging her at no end.

 

“Lots of other movies to watch.” She shrugs despite having a mental breakdown.

 

“Okay, little one.” He pats her head and flashes an innocent smile.

 

She scrunches her nose up and huffs in annoyance. “Uck. What's yours?” She questions, trying her hardest to forget the fact that he petted her like some kind of dog only moments ago.

 

“My what?” He looks at her doubtfully.

 

She makes a face and replies, “Favorite movie.”

 

“After we finish yours.” He points at the TV, already noticing that Breakfast at Tiffany's has started.

 

“Wow. After We Finish Yours! I've never heard of that! We should watch it together!” She reminds him of his mocking response from before with a smug smile.

 

“We've not only got a little one over here, we've also got a witty one!” He hollers, throwing his arms up with a little too much enthusiasm as he ruffles her hair.

 

She glares daggers at him in response, but immediately focuses on the movie when a familiar song meets her ears. As the opening scene unravels on the screen, she couldn't help but hum along to the instrumental of Moon River.

 

She remembers the first time she watched the film and it was also Christmas Eve then. She was thirteen and her mom hinted that hers was the present that Bambi was going to love the most. Being young and a lot more impatient at the time, she unwrapped that present way too soon. The gift turned out to be a DVD of Breakfast at Tiffany's and she ended up watching it that same night. She didn't think much of it at first and even fell asleep halfway through the movie, but when she watched it again that first day she moved in the loft three years ago, it had left a mark on her.

 

There were so many aspects of Holly Golightly that resonated with her. She wanted so much to be that cool, chic gal in the city that captured men with her charm and left them whenever she pleased. Although Holly is portrayed as somewhat of an 'American geisha', as Truman Capote has mentioned, she earnestly dreamed of living the life of someone like her. Maybe it's the reason why she was so enthralled by Sandara the first time she met her. Her friend is far from anything related to an American or actual geisha, but she exuded so much elegance and class that Holly has. She still does, of course, but there are so much more sides to Sandara that's worth getting to know and love.

 

Bambi slowly takes a peek at her roommate, who is unexpectedly concentrated on the film they're watching.

 

It's been at least an hour and a half. How is he, a boy, still finding this interesting?? She thought, her puzzled eyes glued at him. Maybe Audrey Hepburn's his type...

 

MEN. She makes a face as her eyes fall upon his lips. I wonder if they're soft... Maybe it wouldn't be bad if we actually DID--

 

She shakes her head, trying to literally empty her mind of such thoughts. WHAT ARE YOU GOING ON ABOUT??? This is SEHUN we're dealing with here. SEHUN.

 

The guy who won't stop mentioning he met your eye crud first before you.

 

The boy who won't stop calling you 'little one' just because you're like, what? Twenty centimeters shorter than him?

 

The one man who consistently brings girls over and creates noise pollution in the loft.

 

Bambi huffs in irritation for thinking with her instead of her brain. While internally scolding herself, she scowls towards his direction and folds her arms across her chest.

 

“I know I'm rather enchanting to look at, but I think the plot of this movie is way more fascinating than my face, little one,” He chuckles without taking his eyes off the screen; his all too familiar smirk slowly creeping up his mouth.

 

She rolls her eyes and quickly looks away. “Stop thinking you're hot , head,” She snaps before her eyes linger back to his direction, but towards the window. “Is that... snow?”

 

“What?” He furrows his eyebrows at her and then shifts his gaze to the same place. “Well, I'll be.”

 

“That's the first one this year. I didn't think it'd come.” She stares out the clear, transparent glass as if in a trance.

 

For a moment or two, everything is still and silent. Nostalgia hits her like a freight train as she starts to reminisce on some of the events that happened the entire year. How in the world could time fly so fast? How even was she able to get this far? How could so many things change so swiftly? And has she changed for the worse or the better?

 

She looks down and lets out a sarcastic chuckle, unable to answer her own question.

 

“You know what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-you-are?” Her eyes suddenly avert to the TV screen, aware of what Paul Varjak, the male lead of the film, is about to say. “You're chicken, you've got no guts. You're afraid to stick out your chin and say, 'Okay, life's a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to each other, because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness.' You call yourself a free spirit, a 'wild thing,' and you're terrified somebody's gonna stick you in a cage. Well baby, you're already in that cage. You built it yourself. And it's not bounded in the west by Tulip, Texas, or in the east by Somali-land. It's wherever you go. Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself.”

 

She blinks twice, frozen in place. That particular monologue has never had an impact on her until now.

 

“Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself.” The line keeps repeating itself in her head.

 

“Not anymore,” She whispers to herself with a smile.

 

She looks back at the TV, only to see 'The End' with the Paramount background. She then glances to her side, where her loftmate's nowhere to be found.

 

“Hey.” Sehun nudges her from behind and she jumps towards the direction surprised. “Wanna watch the first snow together?”

 

He offers her pajama like coat and she smiles up at him. “Sure,” She softly replies, taking her fleece dressing gown and wearing it hastily.

 

Her eyes dart briefly towards his arm as she recalls the day that it completely healed. The boy was over the moon and did almost everything humanly possible to show it off. It didn't bode well with her since she had to be dragged all over the city like some kind of pet or rag doll.

 

At least I don't have to take care of him anymore. She thinks while nodding to herself. One day of suffering is better than two more weeks of nurturing.

 

As they skip their way to the roof terrace, Sehun couldn't help but stare at the top of her head, which is covered by the hood of her dressing gown.

 

“What?” She says as she opens the door and a chilling gust of wind hits them both.

 

“Nothing.” He shakes his head and sends her a dismissive wave. “Just the ears is all.”

 

“This?” She points at the two cute flaps that resembled bear ears on her hood with a childlike grin.

 

He nods as they slowly make their way to the rails of the terrace.

 

“Weird that it's come so late this year,” Bambi remarks up at the night sky and rubs both her shoulders to keep the cold from taking over her body.

 

“That's climate change for you,” He claims with utmost certainty.

 

“Fascinating,” She snorts. “Never would've pegged you as the type who cared about the environment.”

 

“Nah. It just seems to be the reason behind everything weird or off going on these days.” He shrugs and goes on, “You know, like bipolar weather, melting ice caps, drought... you finally welcoming me as your friend.”

 

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms on her chest unimpressed. “Really? Again? I thought we were over that.”

 

“Can you blame me?”

 

“Yes,” She hisses. “I blame you.”

 

He only gives her a sickly sweet smile in response as they continue to watch the snow fall upon them in silence.

 

“Merry Christmas, little one,” He abruptly whispers with a warm beam plastered on his face.

 

“Merry Christmas, poophead,” She replies reluctantly, biting her tongue to prevent herself from returning a grin, let alone a smile.

 

She clears and glances at him. “I know this is going to sound a bit random, but about Dara's party...” Her voice trails off as she avoids his eyes.

 

“Nope. Nothing happened,” He lies, calmer than he expected. “Except that cuddle in the trampoline.”

 

A sigh of relief escapes . “Which is completely okay for friends to do, right? You know...I would've cuddled with Kyungsoo or Jongdae too,” She manages to reply all in one breath, “...right?”

 

“Sure.” He shrugs.

 

“Good!” She blurts out quickly and clears awkwardly shortly after. “So, we're cool, right?”

 

“'Course,” He replies, maintaining a nonchalant demeanor.

 

Fireworks seem to be going off inside Bambi's head in celebration. We didn't do anything except cuddle. Her brain repeated.

 

He said it himself. There was zero non-platonic interactions between them that night. Nothing. Zilch. Hard to believe, but she'll take it for what it is. Her friends have told her that there were rare occurrences when she didn't flirt with a person. Instead, she would steal something from them or make them cry. She must've done one of the two, but who cares at the moment? She and Sehun did nothing to put their pleasantly platonic friendship in danger!

 

A giddy smile forms on as she watches the snow with much more admiration than before.

 

I wonder if it's a good idea to invite him over to mom and dad's for New Year's... She wonders with her gaze lingering towards him.

 

I mean, it feels a bit weird leaving him here all alone while the rest of us are having the time of our lives elsewhere. She looks away, delving deeper into her thoughts. But then again, wouldn't I make things weirder if I DID invite him??

 

…

 

Jesus Christ, what is with me today?

 

“God, I'm freezing. Wanna go back in?” Sehun asks, jumping up and down from the wintry cold.

 

Bambi stifles a laugh at how ridiculous he's appearing and nods in reply.

 

They both rush inside the apartment and he runs straight to the kitchen. Although slightly bewildered at his hurry, she follows him and watches as he heats some water up.

 

“Hey. Are you gonna be okay?” She asks while simultaneously trying to figure out what he's cooking up.

 

He looks back at her questioningly, but answers, “Of course. This isn't the first winter I've experienced so...”

 

She laughs, feeling rather stupid at how vague she sounded. “No, I meant for the rest of the um...the year? Holidays...”

 

His eyes flicker to meet hers in surprise as he grins. “Yeah. I'll keep everything in tiptop shape. Don't worry.” He gestures to their surroundings with both hands. “And I promise not to sneak into your room.”

 

She forces a smile. God why is he making this so hard?

 

“Have I...left something...out...?” He asks a bit anxious, unable to read her reaction.

 

“No. I was just um...” She chuckles and sends him a dismissive wave. “You know what? Never mind. The cold's freezing my brain cells.”

 

“Right.” He dips his head forward rather unsure and then points at the kettle currently sitting on the stove. “Tea?”

 

“Mhmm, sure.” She proceeds to slump on the living room couch, feeling irritated at her unusual behavior.

 

What on God's green earth are you thinking? Of course you shouldn't invite him. The . He'd think you're creepy as and also, HELLO? Strictly platonic.

 

But hey, it's not like the others haven't been to my parents' place. What's wrong if I invite him? There's nothing 'more than platonic' about that.

 

You are inviting him ALONE. ALONE. A-L-O-N-E.

 

Yes, yes. I'm aware of the ing spelling. You don't need to go all elementary on me.

 

Then come to your ing senses, you stupid !!!

 

RUDE.

 

Ugh enough! I've had enough of this thinking. Just do what you always do: keep it all in, get over it, and move on.

 

“Here we go.” Sehun's warm voice interrupts her thoughts. He places both their mugs on the coffee table carefully and adds, “I know you like lots of milk in yours.”

 

“Thanks,” She responds shortly, grabbing her cup.

 

“Oh wait! I forgot one thing!” He jumps up from his seat and runs to his room in a hurry.

 

She furrows eyebrows in suspicion, but shrugs. As she waits for him and sips some of her tea, his phone beeps loudly and her eyes dart towards it.

 

She manages to read a text message from his brother:

 

Hey, bud. Sorry I can't be there this time of the year. You know how it is. I'll see you in 2016 though!

 

She frowns at how insincere the message sounds. No wonder the boy doesn't celebrate Christmas or New Year. His own brother doesn't even care about spending time with him. Sighing as she gets lost in her thoughts again, the idea of inviting him over for New Year's from earlier on pops in her head once more. Should she or shouldn't she?

 

“Ta-da!!” Sehun suddenly cheers, holding an all too familiar life-size cardboard cutout.

 

Snapping back into reality, she tilts her head and furrows her eyebrows skeptically at the object. “A Harry Styles standee?”

 

“Look, don't deny it,” He sasses with a frown and flicks the cardboard, “I know how much you adore this curly-haired freak.”

 

It's true. She blasts One Direction songs almost 24/7 in the apartment. At first, she did it just to annoy him for constantly calling her 'little one' and she even went as far as endlessly proclaiming her love for the band; and of course, Harry Styles. But it soon became a habit and Sehun grew to like their music despite his insistent refusal.

 

Bambi bursts into fits of laughter as she stares at the cheesily smiling inanimate Harry Styles in front of her. After a few seconds, she pauses and looks at Sehun curiously, then proceeds to laugh again. Just where in the world did he manage to obtain one of these?

 

“How did you--?”

 

“Stole it from my previous shoot. It's not like they needed it anymore anyway. I'm their new model,” He proclaims with pride. “And I would've stolen all four of them, but my dignity can only handle this much.”

 

She snorts while attempting to bite back a smile. “I appreciate it.”

 

He plops next to her and makes a face. “You better.” He shakes his head as he recalls, “People kept giving me dirty looks the entire time I dragged it here.”

 

She looks down and laughs, imagining the horrifying experience. But her mind couldn't help ruining her fun by reminding her of his brother's text message only minutes ago.

 

“Sehun.” Her tone turns serious as she gulps nervously.

 

“Mmm?” He fiddles with the remote and browses through some channels. “Do you want to watch another Audrey Hepburn movie? I've always been curious about Roman Holiday. I wonder if they have it on Netflix.”

 

“Celebrate New Year with me.”

 

Silence.

 

His eyes slowly focus on her. “...what?”

 

“Come celebrate New Year with me and my family,” She states boldly and gazes back at him with a sincere smile.

 

“Are you... okay?” He asks, feeling both confused and unsure.

 

“Totally, yeah,” She reassures, but avoids eye contact. Why in the is my heart beating so disgustingly fast??????

 

“If this is about the 'kind of' Christmas gift I just gave you--”

 

“I just um...I figured that you haven't experienced a proper New Year celebration... which is probably why you don't like it very much.”

 

REALLY?????????? She internally smacks herself for having such incompetent rationale.

 

“Well, I do have my reasons, but what you're saying is partially true.”

 

“And I kind of feel guilty for leaving a friend here all alone on the most festive time of the year,” She further asserts, “It's not like our other friends haven't been there too. You are a new friend after all and my family has no clue as to who you are. So why not...have them know you...like the others...on New Year's...?”

 

He chuckles at the amount of words she's spewing incoherently. “You sure you won't regret this?”

 

“Pretty sure I won't.” She meets his eyes and forces a smile. While rambling doesn't seem to be the best idea, she continues, “They don't really mind visitors. You also kind of get to judge the whole New Year celebration objectively and make an informed decision about whether you actually like it or not.” She lastly adds much to her dismay, “Only if you want to, of course. I wouldn't want to force you into anything you don't want to do.”

 

“Nah, I think I'll take up on that offer.” He beams. “Thanks for the nice gesture.”

 

She tries to hide the small smile creeping up . “No worries.”

 

“You didn't have to babble so much though,” He teases with a smirk that she knows all too well, “If you wanted to spend New Year's with me THAT bad, then you should've just--”

 

Her smile from before immediately turns into a frown. “OKAY. Listen here, noodle boy. If you aren't going to play Roman Holiday now, then this is pointless.”

 

“Okay, okay, okay, little one!” He concedes, although in a semi-mocking tone.

 

She scoffs annoyed and mutters under her breath, “head.” Damn the generous Christmas spirit.

 

 

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AN: 

Hope you enjoyed all the fluffiness and crayness with this chapter! Thanks to everyone who's subscribed and upvoted so far!! Hehe I appreciate every type of feedback, no matter how little or big. Anyway, catch you all next week with another chapter! :)