► Christmas Playlist

If the playlist doesn't work, here are few of the tracks I listen to while writing - incase you'd want some music to get in the feel :)

► Pictures are not attached - I'll let your imagination do its work; my writing is pretty detailed anyway ;)

► As always, hope you enjoy ♥

Word Count: 3828

The living room was beautifully decorated. Its Christmas theme of blue and silver was spread out all over the usually pristine white interior. There were blue Christmas balls in different sizes lined up in the arched entrance paired up with blue and silver fake poinsettia flowers and several more ornaments on each window. There were sparkling medium sized gold and silver stars hanging lined up in the walls. The white Christmas tree sparkling beautifully in one corner decorated by more blue and silver Christmas decorations. It was also wrapped up in pretty lights lighting as if following a musical rhythm – lights following the theme of blue and white; its golden star at its tip bright and shining just as the rest. The royal blue color was just magically standing out amidst everything; embossed by the touches of silver.

When Baekhyun came to Junmyeon’s house earlier, he failed to notice the decorations that surrounded the place – too excited of preparing the party’s meal he disregarded his surroundings. Now that he was able to look at everything, he couldn’t help but have his jaw dropped in awe as he looked around. If this was a normal sight to the others, this was magical to Baekhyun’s.

“So… pretty.” He said as he eyed the pretty lights of the Christmas tree.

“It is, isn’t it?!” Kyungsoo beside him squeaked in equal awe.

“You guys came before us and you only noticed now?” Jongdae teased as he walked in.

“Just like every year, you did a wonderful job Junmyeon.” Minho proudly kisses Junmyeon’s temple as he walked in.

“You decorated the place?!” Both Baekhyun and Kyungsoo shriek in surprise as they turned to Junmyeon who now sat at the sofa beside the Christmas tree.

“He does it every year, never fails to miss doing so.” Jongin answers as he pulls Kyungsoo to sit beside him.

On one side of the couch across where Junmyeon, Minho, Tao and Jongdae were now seated, Chanyeol sits down and waits for Baekhyun. He watches him fondly as his eyes sparkle laughing along with Kyungsoo who both just couldn’t stop admiring the beautifully decorated place. And he couldn’t help his large smile when Baekhyun skips to him and sits beside him as he bounced happily up and down praising the decorations.

“Chanyeol! Pretty!” Baekhyun’s eyes turn into tiny slits and crescents due to his very large smile.

He hears Jongin laugh in the background, amused at the two friends’ cute childish antics. “You guys are such children.”

“Well sorry Jongin dear, but it’s too pretty to ignore and Junmyeon hyung decorated it too!” Kyungsoo slaps him playfully.

Too distracted of just about everything around him, Baekhyun mindlessly links his arms around Chanyeol and interlaces their fingers, which Chanyeol gladly accepts and tightens his hold.

“Ready for the presents?” Junmyeon announces as he pulls out a few of the many wrapped up boxes under the Christmas tree. Everyone excitedly answers a Yes!... except Baekhyun.

In less than a second, Baekhyun’s enthusiasm plunges and is replaced by insecurity. He was excited, yes definitely; this is after all, the first ever gift exchange he is participating in – who doesn’t get excited when you’re about to receive gifts? However, he can’t help but feel small over the gifts he prepared especially when compared to the others – his gifts surely the cheapest among the rest.

Beside him, Chanyeol felt the sudden change of demeanor, all the more the squeeze his hand gets from time to time. “What’s wrong?” He lightly nudges Baekhyun.

“What if… what if they don’t like what I give them?” Baekhyun pouts sadly – different thoughts of rejection and dislike to his gifts swirling in his thoughts.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” He squeezes his hand back for assurance. “I’m sure they’ll like it… maybe love it even.”

“What if you don’t like my gift?” Baekhyun turns to him with eyebrows furrowed, worry etched on his features.

“Is that even possible?” Smiling, Chanyeol nuzzles his nose to Baekhyun’s. “Doubt it.”

With Chanyeol’s reassuring smile, his insecurities slowly ebb away as it is once again replaced by excitement.

One by one, Junmyeon hands out the gifts of and to each person. And to Kyungsoo and Baekhyun’s horror, albeit with amusement, theirs was held off last with the excuse that they were the new members of the group and this is their first Christmas together – ‘save the best for last’ said Jongdae. And so, with their exemption, the rest open the gifts they received with excitement and happily gives out their respective gifts; their laughter filling the air of the ridiculousness of some – Jongdae’s especially, he’ll bring his mischief anywhere he can.

“Yah! Jongdae you !” Jongin throws Jongdae’s gift back to him.

“Mwahahah! Jong, maan it’s just reindeer boxers.” Jongdae tries to keep his cool but fails and bursts into a fit of laughter.

“Oh my god, Jongin. Red. Nose. Crotch.” Kyungsoo wheezes as he joins in the laughter.

“WAAAH!! HYUNG!! FOREAL?!” Tao shrieks in happiness as he squeezes Junmyeon in a tight hug.

“I knew you’d love it.” Junmyeon hugs him back.

“Give me credit too; I got lost trying to help him find it you know?” A rare pout appeared on Minho that amused everyone in the room.

When it was Chanyeol’s turn to open his gifts, everyone held their breaths – they did not exactly know how to react; save for Kyungsoo and Baekhyun who just sat there waiting.

If a year ago, before Chanyeol’s change, his laughter was among the happy sounds that filled the air – this year he sat quiet. If a year ago, along with Jongdae and Jongin, Chanyeol joined in on their mischief and added to the happiness that surrounded them – this year he only sat with a smile and a calm demeanor. The heartwarming greeting he gave his friends earlier was enough of an indication that the old Park Chanyeol was back. At least in the way he smiles and the laughter, albeit light, he had; the attention he gave them even if small talks were already enough for his friends to say so. Because through these little things, they saw the old happy friend they once had.

They knew that the old Park Chanyeol they knew a year ago would probably never fully come back, but that does not mean that they would not accept nor love the Park Chanyeol of today. His change may be slow and different, but they were satisfied and glad.

Each of them watched Chanyeol open his gifts with a happy expression and warmth in their hearts. Because just months ago they expected a blank, expressionless Chanyeol to open their gifts, or worse.. would not even bother – let alone attend even. Throw away all thoughts of receiving a gift from him; his presence was more important to them. But that was before, as Chanyeol now opened their gifts one by one with a smile on his face, the occasional quiet laughter, and most importantly the sincere thank yous they received.

They felt touched at the gifts they received from him too; the smile he had, although small, sent a warm feeling inside of each of them when he gave them out. Friendship is a beautiful thing they all thought. The warm feeling inside of them grew tenfold as they watched Baekhyun who sat beside him, his signature big grin on his face the whole time he watched Chanyeol open his gifts. It was, after all, thanks to Baekhyun he smiled again.

Amidst all the laughter, Baekhyun sat idle as his insecurities couldn’t help but grow again each time a gift is opened. They were all expensive and made in high quality – what is expected of rich, all the more elite, people.  Some were extravagant like the expensive leather jacket Tao received, some were simple but nevertheless still cost a price like the limited edition luxury brand t-shirt Jongin was given. They were all obviously high end while Baekhyun’s was… How can his even match theirs.

When it was Kyungsoo’s turn, Baekhyun’s smile and laughter slowly turns forced. It was his turn next and the nervous feeling just kept growing and growing after every gift Kyungsoo opened. He watched Kyungsoo open his gifts with sincere joy though, smiling and laughing as the smiles his friend had and the laughter he made were too contagious not to. He was genuinely happy for his friend because it was a pretty rare sight to see him this happy it was as if his eyes sparkled literally. At that moment, he couldn’t help but feel so glad he thought of asking Junmyeon if he could invite a friend that one time. The joy he felt when he said yes.

But his insecurities grew even more when Kyungsoo handed out his gifts. As always, like the gifts he received from him since they met, they were just as equally high end as the rest. The reaction his friend got from his gifts was all just as pure happiness and the gratitude he got from them was just as happy. Will his get the same reaction too?

“Baekhyunnie! Your turn!” Tao claps his hands excitedly. “I can’t wait for you to open mine!!”

Flustered and his nervousness increasing tenfold, Baekhyun shakily smiles. “Uh… they are…” He turns to the last set of gifts left under the tree – his gifts from them wrapped in pretty wrapping paper with matching ribbons for some while his were plain and simple. He didn’t know what to feel at the moment, a mixture of happy excitement and scared nervous.

“Open our gifts first Baek.” Junmyeon, along with Tao stands to collect their gifts for him under the tree.

Tao skips towards him and nearly pounces on him due to his excitement while Junmyeon hands over the gifts in his hands with a gentle smile.

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