The Christmas market is really busy, the amount of people taking cute photos with the beautifully decorated trees, shopping and just hustling around was something Brian wasn't prepared for. He stands still and just observes for a bit, taking in the little ornaments and the smells of gingerbread, cinnamon and nutmeg that linger in the air. Brian's always been one to love Winter, he much preferred it over any of the other seasons, so just being in the Christmas market made him smile. After a few moments, he moves into the market, spending significant time at each stall. Along with the festive items, there were regular items that were being sold for gifts and Brian takes his time there. He already has a few things bought when he notices a model of an antique airplane, and he can't help but pick it up and examine it in his hands that are red from the cold. He smiles at the tought of Jae, and notices that there's a little message on the wings of the plane. 

"Fly away with me," he reads, and the store owner comments,

"Cute, right?" and Brian wears a polite smile as he nods.

"How much is it?"

Brian goes home that night, satisfied as he completed his shopping. He takes his time walking home, finding peace in the snowflakes that are coming down softly, slowly, silently. 

The group is preoccupied with excitement about their skating and Secret Santa plans that they barely focus on school - they never talk about university application approaching very soon.

"Okay, so we'll all be ready by 5?" Sungjin clarifies,

"Yeah, and I'll drive all of us," Junhyeok says,

"I can drive us," Brian offers,

"We'll be going back to Sungjin's anyway,"

"Yeah, and how will the rest of us get home from Sungjin's?" Junhyeok points out and Brian nods in defeat.

"Sleepover?" he suggests with a mischievous smile and Sungjin smacks his best friend,

"Nope," and the group laughs. 

Junhyeok picks up Dowoon first and he takes passenger seat, then picks up Wonpil, Jae, and Brian and Sungjin who are conveniently neighbours. Jae is smiling the whole car ride there. 

He smiles at Brian screaming along to the Christmas carols, Wonpil harmonizing and Sungjin complaining about how he's heard Brian's rendition of every Christmas carol for the past 8 years. Jae laughs at Dowoon navigating Junhyeok incorrectly and Junhyeok yelling at him, he laughs at Wonpil talking about Sungjin's mom's pudding again. He's so happy that this is how he's spending Christmas this year.

"Jae, you okay?" Sungjin asks, noticing how quiet he is,

"Yeah, I'm just..." he looks around the car and smiles even wider,

"Super grateful for all of you." and he continues,

"This is the first time I have friends to actually do festive stuff with, and today doesn't end with ice skating, we're going back to Sungjin's and-" he lets out a content sigh,

"I'm just super grateful that you guys are my friends." 

It's quiet as Brian's just staring at Jae, a small smile on his lips as he admires Jae's confession. A sniffle from Junhyeok breaks the silence,

"A-are you crying?" Dowoon asks and Junhyeok just says,

"It's 'cause Jae said that out of no where!" and the group laughs,

"You're such a softie," Dowoon teases and Junhyeok shoots him a glare that shuts him up.

"You know, we're grateful for you too, Jae," Wonpil says with a warm smile,

"Yeah, if only you met Brian sooner," Sungjin comments and Jae laughs as he goes to look at Brian who has a seemingly sad smile on his face, not looking Jae in the eye.

Brian reflects on the way him and Jae met, and thinks

If we met sooner... would he like me instead?

"Okay we're finally here!" Junhyeok says,

"Already?" Wonpil asks, surprised,

"Yeah, we would've been here sooner if someone," Junhyeok looks at Dowoon whose wearing a guilty smile,

"Could recite directions properly."

"You could've had your own GPS on, you didn't have to listen to me!"

"I'll do that next time, thank you!" and the group laughs at their bickering before exiting the car.

The ice skating rink is huge, and not that busy, Brian notices as they're walking to rent skates. They're lacing up when Jae admits,

"I don't know how to skate," and they stare at him.

"Why didn't you say so sooner?!" Wonpil breaks the silence,

"Does everyone else know how?" Jae asks, looking around surprised,

"Yes!" Brian says, laughing at Jae's helplessness,

"I took a bet that at least one other person wouldn't know how," he admits,

"We could've done something like sledding or tubing," Sungjin says,

"We still have time," Junhyeok says with raised eyebrows, prompting a decision,

"No, no let's just stay here. I'll learn soon enough," Jae says and they all look at him with uncertainty,

"It can't be that hard, right?" he comments with some confidence.

"He looks like a newborn baby deer." Wonpil comments, watching Jae flail, fall and fold on the ice. 

"Shouldn't someone help him?" Dowoon suggests,

"Our best skater is enjoying the rink right now," Sungjin answers and they watch Brian who's skating freely. 

"Once we get our laces done and we're on the ice, let's help Jae," Junhyeok says, laughing as Jae continues to try and fail. 

"How come he went on?"

"He was stubborn with Brian, told him to lace him up after Bri was done, and wanted to go out at the same time," Sungjin explains,

"But why?" and Wonpil answers,

"He wanted to have a few extra minutes to practice before we got on the ice,"

"I don't think a few minutes is gonna cut it," Dowoon says with a laugh as he starts his right skate,

"Okay, whoever finishes up lacing first, go help the poor guy," Sungjin instructs,

"Oh," Wonpil says, pausing on his left skate,

"Looks like Bri's got it,"

Brian circles around back to Jae,

"How are you doing that?" Jae asks, out of breath from falling and struggling so much,

"You gotta balance first, try to just stay still," Brian says and Jae tries to straighten his back, wobbly, but he manages to do it.

"Great, now you're gonna slowly try to move forward," and with those words, Jae tries but falls back down. 

"Okay, here," Brian says, after laughing at Jae's fall, and he holds out his gloved hands.

"I'll lead you for a bit, but once Sungjin gets on the ice, ask him to help," Jae holds his hands and replies,

"Can't you just help me?"

"Wouldn't you want Sungjin to?"

"I don't wanna embarrass myself in front of him too much," and Brian nods. 

"Why aren't you wearing gloves?" 

"I forgot them," Jae says and before they move, Brian slips his off and gives them to Jae,

"Your hands will probably be on the ice longer than mine, so just wear them," and Jae puts them on, smiling to himself as they're already warm from Brian's use.

"Okay, hold," Brian instructs, and Jae listens,

"Now, slowly," Brian thinks of how to describe the movement,

"Move like a penguin,"

"What?" Jae says with a laugh and Brian laughs too,

"Waddle a bit, but slowly... Like, keep one foot steady and with the other foot, push yourself forward,"

"That's more helpful than 'move like a penguin'," Jae comments and Brian threatens to let go of his hands, to which Jae tightens his grip,

"Try." Brian encourages, and Jae does. It's really unstable and even Brian almost loses his balance due to Jae holding his hands so tightly. But Jae's persistent, and he continues to try until they're moving a bit,

"Oh!" he exclaims,

"I'm doing it!" and Brian smiles at Jae and it's so pure and wide that Jae almost stares,

"Don't get too excited or else we'll fall," he warns with light laughter. 

By the time the rest of the boys get on the ice, Jae's moving more confidently but still while holding Brian's hands. They surround the duo as Brian easily skates backwards while guiding Jae,

"Does someone wanna take a guide shift with the baby deer?" Brian jokes, but he's honestly happy. The rest of the group skates freely around the rink while Brian stays with Jae for a bit longer. His hands are so cold that they feel like they're burning, but he's happy that Jae wanted him to teach him, guide him, to hold him. Maybe it was because he was the only other one on the ice, but still, Brian's happy. He settles for little moments like this when Jae's not distracted by Sungjin. Sungjin takes peeks at the two as he circles around the rink, noticing Brian's smile that seemingly won't go away.

"Once more around the rink and then you gotta try by yourself, okay?" and with a nod, the two set off one more time around the rink.

With the snow falling, the glow from surrounding Christmas lights, and them moving slowly, Brian decides to take a mental picture of this moment so he can cherish it. 

"Okay, I'm gonna let go now, but if you fall, I'll help you back up," Brian assures with a smile. 

To all of their surprise, Jae manages to do it. They follow the boy around the rink, cheering him on as he succeeds a single lap by himself. 

"I did it!" he cheers,

"Thank you, Bri," Jae says, the beanie pushing his bangs into his eyes that are now happy crescents, his nose a bit red from the cold, and the cutest smile Brian has seen.

"You're welcome," he replies and he's thankful for the cold that can be blamed for his slightly flushed cheeks. 

The rest of their time skating is fun, and Jae's more comfortable on the ice, skating at a reasonable speed with the guys. It ends with Brian asking a stranger to take a photo of them, asking them to make sure their skates are in the photo. The group photo is cute, and Jae wonders if Sungjin will develop it and hang it in his room. 

The car ride back is just as happy as the ride there, all of them discussing how their shopping went for their Secret Santa.

"Wouldn't this be hardest for Jae?" Dowoon asks and elaborates,

"To be fair, he's known us the shortest amount of time,"

"Shopping wasn't too hard," Jae assures,

"Even if I haven't known you guys for years, you guys make me feel like I have so,"

"You'll make Junhyeok cry again," Sungjin teases and the group laughs.

When they get to Sungjin's house they all say hi to his parents, with some hugs and kisses from his mom,

"Oh, Jaehyung!" she says when he goes to greet her,

"You're back, good!" and Jae laughs while nodding while Wonpil and Brian watch the interaction, no one noticing.

"You're staying to eat this time, right?" she asks and Jae replies,

"Yes, I'm staying this time."

They compliment the Christmas decorations that the family put up in the living before going to the basement. Sungjin tells them to make themselves at home, which they all do, Jae a little more hesitant than the rest. They have some hot chocolate and cookies before they get to gift exchange, each exposing the neatly wrapped presents which they all hid in their backpacks. 

"Jae's ribbon is so cute," Sungjin comments and Jae smiles while Brian agrees in silence.

"Okay, so who should go first?" Dowoon prompts,

"Why don't you, since you said it," Junhyeok says, and Dowoon replies,

"Wow, you're just extra sassy today, aren't you?" and the group laughs while Brian eyes the two and makes an internal bet. Dowoon gets up with his gift, neatly wrapped with a card on top and stands in the middle of the group,

"So, the name I pulled was..." he pauses for dramatic effect, and eventually extends the gift to Sungjin, which he receives with surprise. 

"Sungjin!" he says excitedly, and it's Sungjin's turn to announce that he got Junhyeok. Junhyeok got Brian, who got Wonpil, who got Jae and Jae got Dowoon. They agreed to distribute gifts before all opening it at the same time. 

"Everyone have theirs?" Sungjin asks over Brian commenting on Junhyeok's neat wrapping, Dowoon saying Jae's ribbon is adorable, and Wonpil complimenting Brian's choice of wrapping paper. After nods and words of affirmation, they open the gifts.

Dowoon got Sungjin an antique polaroid camera, explaining that he knows that Sungjin likes to develop photos and thought the camera would be a nice addition. Sungjin's so happy that he hugs Dowoon while saying thank you before going to talk to Junhyeok about how he liked his gift. Sungjin got Junhyeok this pair of headphones he'd been talking about for weeks, along with a converter jack so he could plug it in and practice his piano. From Junhyeok, Brian receives a sweater that Brian was eyeing one time at the mall and he's surprised Junhyeok even remembered, he tries it on and everyone hypes him up like they usually do. Wonpil opens the gift to reveal a set of mini Avengers action figures, and his excitement when he thanks Brian makes him laugh. Jae's surprised face and happy smile when he opens Wonpil's gift of a certificate to a nearby flight school for one free fly causes the group to laugh. Dowoon opens the gift decorated with cute ribbon and smiles at the little gifts within the big box, a pack of his melon milk being one of them. Jae had gotten him a drumming pad and new sticks that varied, even some brushes because Dowoon mentioned he liked jazz. 

After they all say their thank you's, they talk about how happy and satisfied they are.

"Actually, I have a little something for you guys," Jae announces and reaches into his bag and pulls out cards.

"There's nothing inside, it's just cards," he says with a shy smile as he hands them out. 

Each card has a candy cane attached, with a heartfelt message from the boy inside.

"Are you actively trying to make me cry?" Junhyeok says and Jae laughs,

"I didn't realize you were so softhearted!" he defends as they all read Jae's card. 

Brian reads Jae's neat handwriting, 

Hi Burger Kang! ^_^

I've only known you for a few months, but I'm so thankful for you.

This is our first Christmas together, and I hope for many more!

With the new year approaching, I hope to maintain this friendship. Because of you, so many good things have happened to me - you being one of them!

Merry Christmas, Bri Bri!

Much love & blessings - Jae

He smiles to himself and wonders what Jae wrote in everyone elses', wanting to take a peek at Sungjin's because the smile on his best friend's face is rather obvious. He makes eye contact with Jae,

"Thank you," he says with a small smile and Jae replies with a wide one,

"Merry Christmas, Bri!" 

"Merry Christmas, Jae," is his response that activates a chain reaction of echoes, and the boys all go to Jae and envelop him in a group hug. 

After they settle down and clean up the garbage of wrapping paper that was left on Sungjin's basement floor, they decide to watch some Christmas movies. They get through one and a half when Sungjin's mom calls them up for more food and they make their way up the stairs to grab food and go back downstairs. Brian, Dowoon, Wonpil and Junhyeok are downstairs, talking about some trivial things when Brian slips away with something in his pocket. He goes upstairs and finds Jae, who he's about to call out to but then he notices he's talking to Sungjin. 

"Hey, it's not much but I... actually got you," Jae pulls out a little box,

"A little present," and Sungjin accepts with a surprised expression,

"Oh, what," he says and smiles at Jae,

"Thank you, you didn't have to." 

"I-I wanted to," Jae admits and Brian watches and listens, holding the box with the little antique plane model and shoves it back into his pocket with a defeated smile. Before Sungjin can open it and talk to Jae even more, Brian makes his way downstairs, 

"Oh, that was quick," Wonpil says.

"Yeah, just had to pee," Brian lies. 

He decides to leave the box with a little note attached in Jae's bag, and slips it in there quickly without getting noticed. 

Seungmin-ah: Hey! Are you free rn?

Brian looks at his phone confused,

Kang Brian: Uhh, I could be if you needed me to, are you okay?

Kang Brian: Are you hurt?

Seungmin-ah: Lol I don't just contact you when I'm in danger

Seungmin-ah: Can I meet you in front of your house in a few minutes? 

Seungmin-ah: I have a gift for you

Kang Brian: Oh, whaaattt

Kang Brian: you didn't have to!

Seungmin-ah: yeah yeah, so I'll see you in a few?

Kang Brian: yeah sure, gimme like 10 mins

Seungmin-ah: kk!

Jae and Sungjin make their way back downstairs, and that's when Brian starts saying his goodbyes, explaining that Seungmin needs to see him for a bit and Jae's ears cling on to that name. 

"I swear you guys have something going on," Wonpil says and Brian shakes his head, 

"Should we head home too then?" Junhyeok suggests and they agree considering the time.

As Brian is saying bye to Jae, Sungjin notices a little box in his own bag that has a small tag that reads to: Jae and he notices the from: Bri. He looks at the two briefly before he discreetly slips it in the appropriate bag, eyeing Brian. They say their goodbyes and thank Sungjin's parents for having them over, and thank Sungjin for hosting as they all get into Junhyeok's car after Sungjin telling him to drive safely. Brian shares their handshake with Sungjin when he sees Seungmin approaching his house, and Sungjin watches for a few moments, thinking of the little gift for Jae, before going back inside. 

"Hey!" Brian says when Seungmin approaches, holding a gift,

"Hi," he says with a smile before extending the gift to him,

"Merry Christmas," 

Brian accepts with a sweet smile before saying,

"I actually have something for you too, it's a small thing, but," he reaches in his backpack and pulls out a small box with a bow on top.

"Merry Christmas, Seungmin-ah," he says. 

"Why did you react like that if you got me something too!" Seungmin says and they laugh.

"Do you want me to open it now or when I get home?" 

"Now," Seungmin says, 

"And I'll open mine after,"

Brian unwraps it and inside the box is a cute mini fox plush keychain,

"It's kind of random, I know, but I just thought of you when I saw it..." Seungmin explains,

"Plus, doesn't it look kind of like you?" Brian lets out a laugh,

"Yeah, it does." he looks at Seungmin with gentle eyes,

"Thank you." and he ruffles the younger's hair like he always does,

"Okay, your turn," and Seungmin pops open the box and pulls out a panda phone chain and small plush. He looks up at Brian with happy eyes,

"To match your giant stuffed one," he comments and they laugh.

"Thank you, Brian... Seriously." and Brian just ruffles his hair again,

"Don't worry about it."

"Merry Christmas, Bri!"

"Hey, watch it," at Seungmin just laughs.

"Did you have any other Christmas plans?" 

"Yeah, I was just walking home from Secret Santa with my friends," he informs with a proud smile,

"Oh look at you, all grown up," Brian teases with a sniffle and Seungmin shoves him. 

They say their good nights, Brian offers to walk Seungmin home but Seungmin calls him ridiculous because Brian's already home.

"Text me when you get home, then!"

"Will do!"

"Merry Christmas, Seungmin-ah!"

"Merry Christmas, Kang Younghyun!"

"What-"

"You said I couldn't call you Bri," he teases and jogs as he notices Brian threatening to run after him. Brian laughs it off, and waits till Seungmin can no longer be seen before he goes into his house. 

He's scrolling through Instagram while lying in bed, liking various posts from the group and other people he follows. He posts the group photo from skating, and reflects on his time with Jae. He smiles to himself while thinking,

Today was a good day. 

While recalling the feeling of Jae gripping his hands, he recalls the gift he put in Jae's bag and thinks,

It's not over yet...

When he gets a text from Jae, and suddenly he gets nervous.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

hi hello my days!♡ I can't believe it's already been a week since I saw my boys in concert.. I'm still suffering that post concert depression LOL. Anyway! how did you guys like this chapter? JaeBri had a moment, but Jae got Sungjin a separate gift, Brian put his for Jae in the wrong bag and Sungjin noticed!! :D the next chapter will be up tomorrow because the content for the following chapter was originally going to be in this one, but I didn't want to rush anything, so look out for that! 

please please please comment any of your thoughts on this chapter or story as a whole! I know I say this every author's note, but I really adore comments.

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