“Are you okay? You seem a bit jittery…”

“just…cold?”

Lies. Kyungsoo tugs on the glove Sehun had lent him in a weak effort to seem believable.

He knew that the past two hours he’d spent with Jongin seemed too good to be true. The taller boy proved to be wonderful company, making Kyungsoo laugh and smile and nod with much interest. Out of the long minutes they’ve spent talking with mouths full of cupcakes and hot chocolate, He picks up that Jongin is a med student at one of the Universities situated in Hongdae, he also takes up dance classes during the weekends and  owns  a hella lot of dogs he calls his children.

He has two older sisters, a bestfriend named Krystal and a dance mate named Taemin. He also likes his coffee extra sweet and he jokes about the color of his skin more than necessary (really, it’s not that dark. Kyungsoo would persist). When you’re talking he wold give you his full attention and give you reactions that leave you satisfied, like you’ve just told the greatest story on the face of the earth.

He has a wonderful smile where the corner of his eyes crinkle when he laughs and his teeth are a perfect 10/10. When you’re busy taking a big bite from your cupcake he would sometimes nudge your feet playfully under the table or sneakily snap a photo of you when your mouth is open at its widest.

Basically Kyungsoo relished in everything Jongin. And for a moment he wondered why he ever doubted agreeing to this in the first place.

It wasn’t until Jongin offered to walk him home, taking the shortcut through the park, that he remembered how much at risk he was. The moment his eyes set on the snow covered narrow path, on the lifeless tress and the dried fallen leaves, his heart immediately quickened its pace. Instinctively he holds his hands close to himself, darting his eyes from one lifeless branch to another with much worry.

Jongin, who’s kept silent for most of their walk, couldn’t help but feel a little concerned at Kyungsoo’s sudden change of behaviour.

“…cold?” he questions again after seconds of listening to nothing but the scrunch of snow beneath their boots. Kyungsoo nods wordlessly.  

It takes him by surprise when he suddenly feels something soft and warm being pulled over his head as he watches Jongin tug a beanie on him.  Blinking once, Kyungsoo stills, turning wide curious eyes towards the taller boy who nods and meets his gaze with a playful thumbs up, before quickly turning to continue his walk. Kyungsoo staggers behind cheeks aflame.

Suddenly everything’s blurry as he stares at the other’s back walking ahead of him, even when snow begins to fall gently kissing his nose and cheeks with a stinging cold. It’s like the world is a white canvas where Jongin is a spash of color. He walks after him like he’s walking after a dream, Kyungsoo’s never felt so attracted to someone before and the new feeling has him dazed, drunk and-

Completely disoriented.

“Ah- Ow!”

Kyungsoo winces. The snow beneath pillows his fall as he trips over a tree’s root.

“Are you okay???” Jongin is by his side immediately pulling him up to his feet, causing him to unconsciously grasp onto the closest tree. Wearing Sehun’s gloves, he feels a little security knowing that it would probably take longer for his ability to effect. But then when a strange rough texture grazes over his finger he whips his head to the side and panic takes over him upon realizing that the tip had been ripped off where his index finger now peeks through, making contact with the dead tree.

The gray bark gradually turns brown. Oh no

 “Are- Hey! Wait!” Jongin’s vision goes black when Kyungsoo’s instincts take over.

Instincts that tell him now isn’t the time for a big reveal, that he mustn’t let the other watch how a dead tree is now slowly springing back to life in vibrant colors of green and yellow leaves. He isn’t sure however, why the first method that comes into his mind is to haphazardly return Jongin’s beanie and hold it down until practically half of his head is enveloped in it.

“Kyungsoo???? What are you doing??”

“U-uhm, I- I- uh I want to tell you something-“

“But I don’t understand-“

“It’s- It’s uhm-“

“I can’t see anything-“

"No don’t!-“ Out of panic, Kyungsoo grabs onto both of Jongin’s hands when he attempts to pry off the material obscuring his sight.    “Don’t- I mean- I don’t want you to uh to see…me.”

“Why not?”

“Im uhm I’m shy. I’m shy!”

“Shy?”

“yeah, I just wanted to say that uhm…I’ve h-had a great time with you tonight, I think you’re amazing and I’d like to see you more often.. ”

“…Are you confessing to me Do Kyungsoo? After two meetings?” Although very much confused Jongin manages to chuckle at Kyungsoo’s stuttering.

What he is unaware of however, is the tree now blooming fully above them with its leaves multiplying more and more each passing second. Kyungsoo lets out a silent whine as he tries to come up with a quick plan. Removing his hold on the other would only allow Jongin to take the beanie off as he pleases and ordering him to keep it on that way would just be plain bizarre. Deciding it be best to give the tree it’s second and final touch, he takes the chance to run his bare index finger down its trunk and true enough it starts decaying again, though sadly it will forever be stuck in its dead winter state.

It’s almost completely back to how it was when Jongin chooses to feel alarmed at Kyungsoo’s sudden unresponsiveness. “Kyungsoo?” He calls out, taking advantage of the split second the smaller lets go of his hand to lift the corner of his beanie and peek.

He thinks he sees falling leaves or dying branches but he’ll never know for sure, not when Kyungsoo’s lips are all too suddenly pressed against his.

The tree is now completely dead again, but neither of them notice, both too busy drowning in the moment. Adrenaline and panic made Kyungsoo forget whatever sense of dignity he had left as he pushed himself forward and kissed Jongin square on the lips. Out of shock, the tanned boy lets the beanie fall over his eyes again while Kyungsoo shuts his own, his hand still lingering on the dead tree, praying at the back of his mind that the other had not seen anything.

It’s a strange sight, small boy standing awkwardly on his tiptoes with one hand outstretched to a tree, kissing another boy who’s head is half hidden under a beanie.

Jongin’s lips are slightly parted when Kyungsoo finally pulls away. There is a momentary silence as both of them stand frozen on their spots, unsure of what to do next. Kyungsoo glances sideways, making sure his second touch had done its job properly before clearing his throat and deciding that Jongin’s been blinded long enough. He carefully folds the beanie upwards until it’s how it’s supposed to be, the other boy remaining still as he does so.

Kyungsoo clears his throat again. “We should go.”

“Yeah.” Jongin nods “Okay.”

The two of them resume walking down the snowy path, Kyungsoo promising to himself that he’d watch his damn step.

Jongin (who is now a little less aloof) provides a little help with this by shyly taking the smaller boy’s hand in his.

Kyungsoo suddenly wants to thank the poor dead tree.

***

Steam clouds the mirror as Kyungsoo watches his reflection with little amusement, eyes falling closed as he mechanically brushes his teeth. The bathroom door opens once he’s finished and he turns his head only to see his brother enter half-asleep.

“Out- Gotta pee.” Seungsoo mumbles.

“I’m not done.”

“You are. Out. Gotta pee.”

“But-“

“Out.”

And just like that the door slams shut behind him. He scowls, rubbing his hair dry with a towel while making his way to his room down the narrow hallway. It’s immediately replaced by a smile however, when he spots the black beanie hung over his room’s doorknob. Taking it and shutting the door lightly behind him, he stares at it a few more seconds longer before submitting to the butterflies inside his stomach. He almost prances to his bed, passing by the window to pat and say hello to his little mum flowers before flopping onto his pillows holding Jongin’s beanie close to himself. Closing his eyes he smiles and not too soon later he dreams of snowflakes and kisses.

The mum flowers wither slowly and permanently as he sleeps.

             ***

“YOU WHAT.”

"I kissed him.”

“DO KYUNG-“

Luhan stops, feeling the eyes of several customers judging them. He grabs Kyungsoo by the arm before pulling him to the kitchen with Sehun trotting behind, eager to pry into his hyung’s personal business.

“One day ago you made me worry sick with your ty drama- Oh~ No~ It’s not that easy Lulu I can’t get into relationships I’m a boohoo freak~ AND NOW YOU COME TO WORK TELLING ME YOU KISSED A GUY YOU JUST MET?!” 

“Jesus lower your voice would you, I already told you I had to do it.”

“Can’t you control your hormones?!”

“It’s not my hormones!”

“Oho no it’s not, then tell me you didn’t like it.”

Kyungsoo remains silent, Luhan throws his hands in the air.

“Great. My friend’s a manwhore.”

“Hey!”

“Next thing I know you’re dating more guys than I do.”

Sehun turns to the doe-eyed boy. “You’ve been dating?”

“Of course I’ve been dating my face is every gay man’s dream.”

“Oh.”

"Problem baby boy?”

“No.”

“Good.” Luhan turns back to Kyungsoo, missing the way Sehun’s stoic expression goes a little blue.

"Now Do Kyungsoo you have to learn a little…no wait, a lot of dating etiquette, let’s start on how kissing on your first date i t r e m e l y desperate-“

Kyungsoo groans, cutting Luhan’s lecture short. “Lu! I already told you, I. Had. To.”

“Lu. Lu?! Whatever happened to Hyung?!”

 “Look.”

Stepping back Kyungsoo now makes his way towards his backpack, where he retrieves Sehun’s damaged glove. Returning to his spot in front of his doe eyed hyung he raises it to Luhan’s eye level.

“It’s sehun’s glove. He gave it to me before I left with Jongin last night.”

He carefully wears the garment before raising his index finger and displaying its torn tip.  

“See? It tore off when I tripped over a root. But I hadn’t realized until I grasped onto a tree for leverage. A tree Luhan hyung. In the dead of winter.”

“So? I don’t get why you’re…wait a tree?- Ohmygod you didn’t…did you…?”

“Yes.” Kyungsoo takes off the glove and hands it back to Sehun with a mumbled Thanks. “I touched it in short. And of course I didn’t want him to see so at first I well, I pulled his beanie down till it covered his eyes-“

"YOU-”

“NOT- a word. He persisted, but I decided to touch the tree a second time around to get it over with, but then he suddenly tried to peek and I panicked and well- I kissed him.” The smaller boy shrugs, a blush covering his cheeks. Luhan and Sehun remain silent, not knowing what reaction to give.

“Please say something.” Kyungsoo begs, feeling uneasy under the sudden awkward silence that reigned the atmosphere.

After a few more seconds of cricket chirping, Sehun finally speaks up. Although his words don’t really solve anything, heck they aren’t even the slightest bit important. “…wow. I should bring a beanie the next time I go on a date, maybe I’d get kissed too.”

Luhan and Kyungsoo both turn their gazes towards the maknae who is clueless as he nods his head in approval of his own idea. They continue to stare at him like he’s got an extra arm or something until he finally notices. “What? It worked on him!” Sehun points an accusing finger towards Kyungsoo. “And he’s anti-social!”

Thwak goes the flick of Luhan’s fingers against the youngest’s forehead. “You’re an idiot.”

Kyungsoo finds himself laughing at his two closest friends.

“And you’re not off the hook yet, stop laughing.”

“It works like a Charm Sehun-ah.” Kyungsoo shouts past Luhan who proceeds to push Sehun out of the room till he disappears behind the counter to attend to arriving customers. The eldest re-emerges into the kitchen with his arms crossed over his chest, gaze intense.

“So. Are you dating or not?”

“…well..”

“Did he ask you out?”

“N-not exactly. But he said he wanted to see me more.”

“Okay. That’s good. Get to know each other more. I know you did some really…couple-y stuff last night, but for your sake, I wouldn’t put any labels on your relationship just yet, not until he formally asks. It’s still different from a kiss. A kiss may be a seal of affection yeah, but you need to hear it from him Kyungie, he needs to ask you out.”

“So- he what- doesn’t like me back or something?”

“No, genius of course he does. It’s just…He might not be so sure about it himself. It’s one date Kyungsoo no one is sure about anything after their first date. Let him figure it out first.”

Kyungsoo sighs. “I know.”

“I just…maybe it’s also because I need some time to take a good look at him too. I need to know he can be trusted. I’m worried for you…You have a wonderful gift soo, but to some people it may look like a defect or a money maker.”

“It’s not wonderful it’s annoying as .” Kyungsoo mumbles, but Luhan hears none of it so instead he responds with a nod. “I’ll be carefull.”

“Good.” The doe eyed boy stuffs his mouth with the nearest pastry (which turns out to be some kind of unfinished croissant) he could get his hands onto.

"Now that that’s over and done with,” He talks, mouth full “Let me just congratulate his parents, because he’s a damn fine product of the art of .”

Good morning how may I help you today? Kyungsoo hears Sehun greet from the counter when the bakery doors chime, indicating the arrival of yet another customer.

Specifically a tall, tanned boy with blonde hair. Oh it’s you. Sehun comments unamused, and Kyungsoo is already on his way out smilling.  

             ***

He follows Luhan’s advice like the good little dongsaeng he is.

Kyungsoo and Jongin see each other almost every single day in a week and as time passes Kyungsoo finds himself more and more eager to see that familiar face enter those glass doors with (what he decides is now) his most favourite smile in the world. But he also reminds himself to be cautious. He makes sure that Jongin doesn’t find out about his little ability just yet, and with the help of Luhan and Sehun, the other mostly remains oblivious. They haven’t kissed again since that day and Kyungsoo tries not to think of what relationship they share, instead choosing to enjoy what they have and patiently wait for Jongin’s affirmation.

It’s a week before Christmas when Sehun and Luhan spot Jongin while making their way around Myeongdong, shopping for holiday gifts.

“Sehun-ah”

“What?”

“Look over there! Isn’t that…it’s jongin right?”

“Huh? Where?”

“There! Look in front of that clothes store!”

“Oh…hey what do you know it is- ACK-!” Luhan abruptly pulls the other behind a lamp post.

“Uh what are we-“

"Shut it.”   

Sehun merely rolls his eyes, looking around in hopes to find a bubble tea stall or something.

The last they had seen the tanned boy was a few hours ago when he had paid his daily visit to their bakery, although he hadn’t been able to stay long due to the fact that he had classes to return to. Curious as to what he was doing out here at such an hour, Luhan decides to stand by and watch.

“What’s he doing here…”

“Such a gossip girl hyung.”

“I am not a gossip girl hyung-“

“Mhm”

“Oh be quiet.”

Luhan watches as the blond haired boy eye one of the items behind the glass window closely.

“Sehunie can you see what he’s looking at?”

The elder gets no reply.

“He’s going in he’s going in! Come on Se-“

To his surprise, when Luhan turns to tug Sehun along his stalking adventures the younger is nowhere to be found. He looks around frantically, before finally noticing that the other is already on his way inside the store. He runs after him.

"Hey! What the wait for me! Where are you going!”

“Where you’re too afraid to venture.” Sehun shouts over his shoulder, striding through the doors and looking around for a certain crown of blonde hair. Once he spots his target he quickly steps behind and taps him lightly on the shoulder.

Jongin blinks at him, and for a moment it seems as though he’d been caught mid-crime. “S-sehun.”

“Yo.”

“Jongin-ah!” Luhan pants, pushing through the doors and catching his breath once he’s made it to Sehun’s side. “We…we saw you while walking around…We thought we should say hi.”

“You mean I thought.”

Luhan elbows the younger boy harshly while radiating his brightest smile.

“O-oh…Yeah I guess you caught me then…hi.” Jongin scratches his nape in a shy manner.

“Caught you?”

“I-I mean…I was…”

“Are you seeing someone?” Sehun asks straightforwardly, earning another hit to his stomach.

“What? No I’m not.”

Suspicious, Luhan eyes the other from head to toe until his gaze lands on the item Jongin holds carefully in his hands. To anyone it would seem like an ordinary pair of leather black gloves, one that looked quite pricey, but somehow at the back of his mind Luhan knew what, or rather, who it was for. He smirks knowingly, causing the other to shift uncomfortably in his place.

“Buying a gift?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it for who I think it is?”

Jongin merely smiles, eyes downcast. “Ah.” Luhan nods, not needing a response.

“Well I’m sorry for disturbing you, we’ll be going now.”

 “Oh- no you weren’t disturbing me at all.”

“That looks pretty pricey.” The doe eyed boy’s gaze falls on the leather gloves.

 “Nah…it looks like something that wouldn’t tear off easily anyway.”

They both laugh, knowing the backstory. “You noticed that huh.”

“Of course.”

 “Goodluck. I’ll see you soon then!”

“Thanks, and yeah I guess you will”

They say their goodbyes, and part ways, Luhan walking out the door while Jongin goes towards the counter. He stops a few steps away however, when he notices that Sehun hadn’t left his previous spot. He turns to the other curiously.

 “So Jongin,” the skinny boy begins, lowering his voice and leaning closer.

“Do you know any bubble tea places around here?”

 Jongin doesn’t even have time to respond when Luhan comes stomping back in, pulling Sehun out of the store by the ear. 

A/N: /LOLS/ suuuuuper fluffy chapter. Idk. No drama yet, but the drama is to come! Dun dun duuuunnn. Oh and do you like the edit i made a long time ago for this fic? c: huehue hope you like this! if the chapter isn't satisfying then i apologize! ;o; its shorter than usual but its neccessary i guess