| T H R E E |

D-5 UNTIL CHRISTMAS

 

He had tried to sleep. He really, really had. But for goodness’ sake! According to his phone, it had been almost 1 in the afternoon when Sehun had gone to bed. There was no way he was sleepy—jet lag was a , he had concluded.

Feeling like an intruder hadn't helped either. He realized that he was about to sleep in a stranger’s bed without said stranger knowing. He had ended up lying there, anyway, but after rolling in the bed for an hour or so, sleepiness hadn’t come. What had come instead was hunger, so he got up and went to the kitchen. A few minutes later and sandwich in hand, he was snooping around the place.

This type of apartment wasn’t very different from what his apartment—or any other apartment—was. It had everything to survive; maybe even more; and the furniture seemed no less elegant than that at the office. It made Sehun think that once he was old enough to retire, he would like to have a place like this.

He didn’t find anything that would completely call his attention until he saw the huge TV working as a wall in the living room. After having devoured two sandwiches, he decided that there was no point in going back to the bedroom, so he sat in front of the TV. It surprised him to see a menu of all countries arranged alphabetically when he turned it on. He selected Argentina just to see what would happen, and it directed him to a list with all the Argentinian TV channels. He then searched South Korea and went through the different channels, watching one program after another—and that was more or less what he had been doing for maybe five hours.

Well… That and thinking about how messed up everything was.

An hour ago his mom had called. She rambled for more than thirty minutes about how wrong it had been to leave them just like that; and even more so when Christmas was a few days away. After she had let it all out, she asked him where he was going and who he had traveled with.

Sehun wouldn’t say he was a professional of the lie, but by then he had already created a story, and he felt somewhat proud of it. He only hoped that his mom would believe it complete—and apparently she did. Now she knew that Johnny, his best friend, had found an incredible 2x1 offer on tickets to England. The poor man had no girlfriend, and he hadn’t gone with his family to Hawaii; that’s why he had asked Sehun to join him. And as the best friend he was, of course he had agreed. The plan was to stay until Christmas. Then he would return to Seoul, and Johnny would fly to Hawaii. That way everyone would celebrate New Year with their family.

His mom had scolded him again; yet she still told him to have fun and not to get in trouble. Sehun had expected to hear something like that, and he felt guilty for lying to them. But it wasn’t as though he had another choice. How was he supposed to explain what he was involved in? Nobody would ever believe him!

What gave him some comfort was that he hadn’t lied about Hawaii… Kinda. Johnny and his family were in Hawaii, indeed, and they wouldn’t return until the first week of January. The thing here was that now he also had to find a way to explain to Johnny why he would have to pretend they had gone to England for Christmas. His friend would never help him unless Sehun told him the reason, and Sehun’s creative mind could only plan one master lie a year. There was no other way but to tell him the truth. But for that, he would have to show him that that was the truth, and there lay another problem. What could he show him?

Maybe he could ask Yixing… He had got him into this, and since he couldn’t help him with Zitao, at least he would have to help him with Johnny. Sehun, however, knew it wouldn’t be easy. He was certain that Yixing would never accept, for him to have been bewildered every time Sehun had either lied or hinted that the elf had lied.

He turned the TV off, feeling a headache rising powerful. He wasn’t prepared for this.

Suddenly, the elevator doors came back to life, startling him. His eyes found Yixing jogging down the hall and into the bedroom; with a bag and some papers in his hands, and a small backpack on his back. Sehun frowned when a sharp gasp reached his ears. He then heard Yixing scouring the bedroom, muttering something like, ‘No, no, no’. A few seconds later, he appeared in his field of vision again, with utter disbelief reflected in his face.

“He had promised he wouldn’t escape…” Yixing mumbled. “Once a liar, always a liar!” He threw rather harshly the papers he had brought with him, and stared at them scattering around.

Sehun’s frown deepened.

He felt insulted. He wasn’t a liar! Not a full-time one, at least…

“Why don’t you look over here, pointy ears?”

His voice made Yixing jump, reminding Sehun of those cats afraid of cucumbers he had seen going viral.

Yixing stared at him for a moment, and when his brain registered that Sehun was still there, he offered a sheepish smile.

“I… I hadn’t seen you.” Sehun narrowed his eyes and Yixing cleared his throat. “Did you… sleep… well?”

Sighing, Sehun shook his head. “Apparently my body thinks I’m still in Seoul.” He pointed to all the papers on the floor. “What are those?”

“Oh!” Yixing bent down and gathered them again. “I spent the night tracing a map for you. I don’t want you to get lost and—”

“Why would I?” Sehun straightened in the couch, frowning again. “Aren’t you going to be with me?”

Yixing was standing again, with all the papers back in his hands. “I wish I could, but I have to work.”

Alright, Sehun hadn’t seen that one coming.

“But I can’t do this alone! You can’t leave me alone!”

There was no way on Earth he could make it without Yixing. What if he forgot something? Or if they asked him something he didn’t know? What if he did or said something Yifan would never? They would discover him! They would exile him somewhere in the North Pole to freeze to death. His family would find out that he hadn’t gone to England and they would be disappointed because he had lied. Johnny would hate him for including him in his lie. And then nothing would’ve been worth it because he wouldn’t give Zitao the pearl and— oh, God! Zitao! He would never tell him that he loved him and he—

A violent shake of his head made him come back to his senses. It came as a complete surprise to him, as if something had…

“Did you just hit me?!”

Yixing was in front of him, holding a cushion. When had he come so close?

“You were hyperventilating and I panicked!”

Sehun’s eyebrows snapped together faster than ever. “You panic very often, don’t you think?”

Yixing threw the cushion back to the couch and crossed his arms, seeming offended. “I’m not the one who was hyperventilating a moment ago.”

“No. You are the one who almost killed us trying to land a sleigh with his eyes closed and the one who hit me, because you panicked!” Sehun stood up, not minding that he was standing close to Yixing, and crossed his arms as well. ”And it all happened in a span of six or seven hours!”

Yixing stared at him, still frowning, but didn’t say anything. After a moment of silence, his face softened and he dropped his arms to his sides.

“Maybe I really don’t know how to handle stress. I’ve been told very often,” he said, trying to unwrinkle the papers on his hands.

Sehun dropped his arms as well. He was about to ask who had told him so when Yixing beat him to speak.

“Did I hurt you?”

The look that he offered was full of concern and regret. It reminded Sehun of all those looks his brother or Johnny had given him when they were children and had accidentally hit him while they played. He couldn’t help but smile; though he didn’t know whether it was because of the memory or the goodness radiating from Yixing.

“No,” Sehun said. “But you’re dangerous to the world.”

Yixing smiled; his gaze fixed on the floor. “I’ve been told that, too.”

They stood there, each in his own thoughts, until Sehun realized that they were still standing very close. One more step and he would crash with Yixing, so he tried to, discreetly, back off. However, Yixing noticed, so he increased the distance between them by heading to the dining room.

“I came because I need to tell you some stuff before I go to work,” Yixing said, placing his backpack on the table.

Sehun quirked his eyebrow and walked to the table.

“The factory starts operating at 10. Santa’s check-in is at 11. Junmyeon comes at 10:30 to explain the schedule for the day, which is in—“he fished his phone out of his pocket”—48 minutes. Now, we obviously can’t let you walk around showing your face.”

“What’s wrong with it?!” Sehun frowned, feeling offended yet again. “How rude.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Yixing chuckled. “Your face actually looks really goo—“ He cut his sentence; his cheeks turning slightly red. Sehun’s eyebrows rose and Yixing pretended nothing was weird. “What I’m saying is that you don’t look like Yifan, so we’ll have to do something about it.”

Sehun frowned again.

“I searched on the Internet and found a way to use magic to change your appearance.”

“I still can’t believe you know Internet exists,” Sehun mumbled, out of topic.

Yixing sent him an are-you-being-serious look.

“We’re living in the North Pole at the 21st Century, Sehun. We’re not Neanderthals.”

Touché…

“But stop interrupting. I don’t have much time.” Sehun nodded and Yixing continued. “If the article didn’t lie, and I hope it didn’t, everyone will see you as if you were Yifan. The only problem’s that it only lasts 12 hours. I’ll have to do the trick every day.”

Sehun raised his eyebrows, skeptical. “Is it safe?”

“I’ve no idea.”

Sehun gaped at him. He was about to refuse when Yixing moved his hands and did the magic. The trail of glittery light surrounded Sehun for a few seconds. He just stood there, not knowing what to do. But when the trail disappeared, and Yixing frowned, he felt confused.

“Are you done? Do I look Yifan-ish?”

“I…” Yixing stared at him, dumbfounded. “You look the same.” He sighed and closed his eyes, shaking his head. “What a scam.”

“Now what?”

“There’s a plan B.” Yixing opened his backpack and took out a— was that a fake beard? “Yifan lets his beard grow one month prior to Christmas. You’re not even close to that, so we’ll give you one.”

Yes, it was a fake beard.

Sehun wasn’t a man of beards.

“We’re not giving anyone a beard,” he said, shaking his head.

“Yes, we are.”

Yixing handed him the garment, and Sehun took it, scrunching his nose up.

“This won’t work.”

“Let’s hope it will because we have no other option.” The elf placed the wrinkled papers on the table and put on his backpack again. “Here’s the map. You can check it out later. Go take a shower, eat something and wait for Junmyeon to come. You have about 40 minutes.”

“No, but wait!” Sehun exclaimed. “I can’t do this. I—“

“You’ll do fine, okay?” Yixing placed his hands on Sehun’s shoulders and absentmindedly caressed him with his thumbs. “Everything will be alright.”

He finally beamed at him and there it was. That peaceful smile Sehun had met a few hours ago. Just as he felt the calmness flooding his being, Yixing withdrew his hands.

“I’ll be late if don’t go, but I’m sure you’ll be okay,” Yixing said, turning around. “Please use that beard. Maybe we’re lucky and nobody will notice.”

“Hey, wait! I…”

The elf stopped and faced Sehun again.

“I don’t have clothes to wear.”

“Right! Just wear Yifan’s. He doesn’t have a uniform, so take whatever you want. Except his… Uh…” Yixing looked away, seeming uncomfortable. “There’s… There’s underwear in the bag that’s on the bed, as well as a toothbrush. They’re new. I thought that maybe you would need them and I couldn’t make you wear or use Yifan’s. That would be horrible, and disgusting, and very unhygienic, and I’m already late, so have a good day, alright? Bye!”

Yixing fled using the stairs, not wasting time on calling the elevator.

Sehun made his way to the bedroom, and although he was nervous as hell, he couldn’t help but laugh softly.

When Yixing wasn’t attacking him, he was cute.

 

•*.¸¸.•*❆*•.¸¸.*•

 

The clock struck 10:30 and Sehun was sitting in the office; bathed, eaten, and with the beard on his face.

He looked ridiculous.

Not only was he using that stupid beard, but had only found horrible clothes inside Yifan’s closet. He was wearing a white shirt and a Christmas sweater with a huge wreath in the front. He might as well climb the tree at the plaza and work as an ornament. He almost removed the beard when the sound of the elevator made him freeze. He considered hiding under the desk, but before he could move, someone came in.

“Good morning, Santa! How did you—“ Junmyeon stopped abruptly, staring oddly at him. “What’s that on your face?”

Sehun didn’t speak.

Junmyeon shrugged and looked down at his tablet.

“Okay, so, today’s the first of the best five days of the year. Are you excited?”

Excuse me, elf Junmyeon, Sehun thought. Didn’t you notice?

At the lack of reply, Junmyeon stared at him again. “Are you alright?”

Sehun breathed in, and not thinking much about it, nodded. He would just go with the flow.

“If you say so…” Junmyeon tore his eyes away from him and proceeded to scroll through his tablet. “Anyway, since Christmas is just five days away, you know you have to check on each department to see how things are going. Today you’ll start with Jongin. Lunch is at 2. Then you have to be at the RBCD with Luhan at 4. From 6 to 8 with Minseok, and after that you’ll read letters. I’ll send you the schedule, but we’re using the one Yixing did.

“And speaking of, the Gingerbread Cookies Department informed me that yesterday you requested a wall repair. They’re asking if there’s something else they have to do here, so send them an email if there is.

“The Cafeteria Team sent me their Christmas-dinner options. Since you didn’t want turkey this year, they want to know whether you prefer Garlic Butter Herb Prime Rib or Apricot-Stuffed Pork Loin. And also if you want roasted potatoes or carrots. Choose preferably before Saturday.

“What else…? Oh! The Coal Department will start the extraction in the northern area today. Apparently this year they needed more coal than usual, but Kyungsoo will give you more details on Friday.

“Any questions?”

Junmyeon stared intently at him when he finished rapping.

Sehun couldn’t help but to stare back.

What had that been?! He was a person, not a robot. Never in his life would he remember all those things!

“Are you sure you’re alright, Yifan?” Junmyeon asked.

Wait, Yifan?

Junmyeon’s concerned look made something inside Sehun’s head react.

Could it be…?

“Do I look the same as always?” Sehun asked.

The elf frowned, and after a long stare, he said, “You didn’t sleep, did you? You always say weird things whenever you don’t.”

Sehun wanted to scream, but he contained himself. He couldn’t celebrate yet.

“You’re unbelievable.” Junmyeon shook his head. “I’ll leave you now, but let me know if you need something.” He turned to leave the office, not before adding, “And please take off that thing in your face. You look ridiculous.”

No need to tell me, Sehun thought, throwing the beard away.

 

•*.¸¸.•*❆*•.¸¸.*•

 

Ever since Sehun stepped out of the elevator, he ran into elves everywhere. The empty place he had seen the night before was gone. Although he was impressed with the whole scene, nothing could compare to the way nobody realized he wasn’t Yifan.

He was greeted with, ‘Hello, Santa!’ here, and, ‘Good morning, Santa!’ there. He had left the office suspicious of what was to be found, but a few seconds walking down the hall confirmed that whatever Yixing had done, had worked.

He discovered that the sign-less door he had seen last night after coming out of the SIM Workshop, directed to both the Manufacturing and Wrapping departments. The place was enormous, he noted after walking in. It was probably just as big as the Gocheok Sky Dome, maybe even more. There was nothing separating the two departments, but there were two arrows hanging on the ceiling with each department’s name. Sehun followed the one that pointed to the right.

The Manufacturing Department had three main areas—‘Boys’, ‘Girls’, and ‘Babies’. Each one was divided into different stations, according to the type of toy that was produced. Sehun had expected to find some kind of mass production of toys performed by machines. Yet the production lines were commanded by elves who assembled each toy with their own hands.

He stared in awe at how one elf was sewing a teddy bear until he heard something about glitter and fabric that called his attention. He turned to an area with several rolls of shiny purple fabric, finding Jongin examining one of them.

“I think these here will be enough for the remaining dresses,” Jongin said. “But if not, just use another color. There’s blue and pink fabric in the warehouse.”

The elves that were there nodded and proceeded to work.

Jongin turned and smiled when he noticed that Sehun was there.

“Apparently purple and shiny doll dresses became fashionable this year,” he explained, once near. “How’re you doing today, Santa? Excited for Christmas?”

“Uhm… Yeah.” Sehun scolded himself. He had to come up with better replies. He remembered Junmyeon’s words, and added, "Today’s the first of the best five days of the year, after all.”

“That sounds like something Junmyeon would say.” Jongin laughed, interrupting a yawn. “But I agree.”

Alright, Sehun. Let’s try again.

“Did you work late last night? I can see you’re all pretty busy here. How’s everything going?”

That was better.

“Yeah, we’ve been working all three shifts since Monday.” Jongin jerked his head, indicating Sehun to follow him. “I’ve hardly slept and I get up earlier than usual. This is like torture. But the production’s going smoothly, as always. The only toys left to be assembled are those of the letters you have yet to read. If everything goes as planned, we’ll be done on Saturday night; Sunday morning, at the latest.”

“How many toys have you produced?”

“As of Wednesday December 19th, a little bit over 400 million.”

Sehun’s eyebrows rose to the sky. Those were a lot of toys! How did they even manage to produce that much using only their hands?!

“But you’ve seen behavior patterns,” Jongin continued. “The statistical data was drastically altered. We had predicted a decrease in production for this year, remember? We’re now estimating a total of 450 million toys at most.”

“Is that bad?” Sehun asked, eyeing at the station they were passing by. They were building a doll’s house.

“Bad?!” Jongin looked at him, wide-eyed. “Yifan, it’s awful! Production at this time last year was around 600 million, and we closed the season with a total of 638 million of toys.”

Well, that changed everything.

Jongin shook his head. “Also, considering this year’s numbers, the department’s working with an 84% of efficiency.”

Was that bad, too? Sehun wasn’t an expert, but it couldn’t be bad. 84 was near 100.

“I mean, it’s good, but… it’s 11% less than last year,” Jongin dejectedly said, making Sehun feel bad for guessing e