“Merry Christmas, Taemin Oppa”.

He couldn’t get it out of his head.

She called her Oppa. Naeun called Taemin, Oppa.

A knock on his door broke his trance, “Taemin”.

It was Mommy Son. “I’ve made breakfast, come dine with us”.

He thanked Mommy Son for her kindness before following her to the dining area. Naeun was already there.

She smiled sheepishly at him, “Morning”.

“Morning,” Taemin said back, softer than expected.

Mommy Son’s eyes swerved between the two repeatedly but made no comment to avoid making the atmosphere even more awkward.

Breakfast was silent for the most part, with the occasion of me ‘pass me this, pass me that’ conversations. Both Taemin and Naeun avoided each other’s gaze throughout their meal too.

~~~

“Make sure you text me once you’ve arrived, okay?” Mommy Son told Naeun, “I’ve packed some fruits for you and your friends to enjoy, and a warmer sweater for you to wear for the rest of your time there”.

Naeun hugged her mother in thanks.

“Come stop by at the restaurant soon,” she turned to Taemin, “And make sure you bring your other friends too. I’ll make the finest kimchi stew you could ever taste”. He nodded at her and thanked her again for her hospitality. The two then entered the car and drove away, excited for the event that would commence once they reached back to their friends.

~~~

Everyone had gathered in the boys’ room and sat near a small Christmas tree that Eunji and Key had decorated. The fruits that Mommy Son prepared were placed on the coffee table near the circle the teenagers made. With their respective gifts all huddled under the Christmas tree, they were ready to commence Secret Santa.

“Why not we start with the oldest,” Krystal suggested. Key immediately got up and began searching for his gift. It was a medium-sized, rectangular-shaped box wrapped in a pumpkin spice latte design. The rule of the game was simple: you open your gifts before asking who your Secret Santa is so that everyone would see your raw reaction.

When Key opened his, a wide grin formed on his face. It was a rare collection of baking spices that included a jar full of vanilla beans. Key described it as the perfect collection for a holly jolly tummy. To make the game a little more exciting, each gift had a small note that briefly described their Secret Santa.

Key’s Secret Santa was described as,

‘A confident girl who knows how to have fun but keeps poised and calmed expression’.

His initial thought was Krystal since she was literally their tour guide, showing them all the best places to eat and have fun. However, she was far from displaying poise and calmness whenever they were out in the snow. He turned to the brunette, “Is it you, Eunji?” A smile that she had tried to resist cracked on her face as she nodded.

“Merry Christmas, Key Oppa”.

“AWW,” everyone teased.

“Merry Christmas, Key Oppa,” Kai kidded. Key gave him a slight smack in the arm before thanking Eunji for the generous gift. More awws attacked the blushing ‘couple’.

Oppa…

Taemin got reminded of last night’s incident. Naeun hadn’t said his name since then (not that she ever needed to since he was always close by), but he was anxious to know if Naeun would call him that again. He liked the sound of it. He wanted to hear her say it again.

“Taemin, you’re up next,” Key called to him as he sat back in the circle.

Taemin’s gift was wrapped in plain red with a golden ribbon wrapped around it. His Secret Santa description was,

‘Gentle as doves, but shrewd as serpents’.

His was a little trickier than Key’s. He quickly unboxed his gift.

“That’s so cute!” Krystal commented. In Taemin’s hands was a rather large snow globe with little Rudolph and his shiny red nose inside it. There was another note stuck on the globe.

‘Turn off the lights and delve into the magic of Christmas’.

Taemin turned the lights off and everyone awed at the now glowing globe. He placed it near a wall and could see the distinct shadow of Rudolph and his very shiny, very red nose.

“Wah, yeppuda,” he said, before returning to the center of the circle.

Gentle as doves, but shrewd as serpents.

Taemin knew all the girls were gentle (in their own unique senses), so shrewd was his main clue. He knew the word meant being intelligent, wise, and…His eyes widened.

Prudent!

There was only one girl out of all three who practiced prudency like a hobby.

“Son Naeun,” he looked at her, “Are you my Secret Santa?”

She burst out laughing, clapping her hands like a happy baby.

“Yup! You said winter was your favorite season, so with this globe around, you’ll have winter every single day!”

He chuckled at her attempted aegyo, “Thank you”.

Up next was Eunji. Her note read,

‘Sees the world through art’.

Too easy, Eunji thought.

“Yah Kim Ki-bum, aren’t you being a little too obvious?”

“Naeun sees the world as art too!” he protested, pointing at Naeun, but since she was Taemin’s Secret Santa, the answer was pretty obvious.

The last three - Kai, Naeun, and Krystal - opened their gift and read their note together to avoid that one individual from knowing who his/her Secret Santa was before he/she unwrapped their gifts. Krystal squealed when she opened hers: an adorable, fluffy, corgi pillow.

Kai got an LED floating book lamp for him to use whenever he’s reading.

Naeun received a floral-scented perfume in a pink glass bottle. It smelled heavenly.

Then, they read their notes. (A/N: Krystal, Kai, Naeun)

‘Sticks & Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’

‘A merry heart does good in medicine’

‘Hermes’

“Hermes?” Eunji cocked an eyebrow, “You mean the brand?”

Naeun looked at everyone’s outfits but no one wore anything from Hermes.

It must mean something else then…

“Krystal,” Kai blurted out of the blue, “I’m right, right?”

Krystal’s eyes widened in surprise, “How’d you figure it out so quickly?”

It was the word, ‘merry’ that gave her away.

Kai explained how throughout their time at the resort, Krystal had always been the most cheerful of the group, taking them to the best places to eat and play, and putting a smile on everyone’s face at the end of the day.

“So, it had to be you,” he said sheepishly. Krystal was so touched by what Kai said that she gave him a friendly peck on the cheek. Nevertheless, Kai’s cheeks grew redder than a tomato and everyone burst out laughing again.

She really does have the cheeriest of hearts, Taemin thought.

“I’m fresh out of ideas,” Naeun pouted. She stared at her note again and flipped it around:

‘Hint: Greek Mythology’

Greek Mythology?

She quickly pulled her phone out and searched up ‘Hermes Greek Mythology’.

“Hermes - Messenger of the Gods, God of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, and athletes”. Naeun knew who her Secret Santa was and her heart sank but didn’t show it on her face.

“Kai, it’s you isn’t it?”

He smiled at her, “Merry Christmas, Naeun. Do you like it?”

She smiled and nodded in reply and Kai let out a relieved sigh.

“I had to search online what perfumes girls like nowadays because I had NO clue what you’d like and perfume was the first thing that popped up”. Naeun giggled and thanked him once more.

“So that means, Taemin is my Secret Santa?”

He winked and pointed at her simultaneously.

“Ahh, Gomawo!!” and hugged Taemin.

Naeun tried hard not to crack a frown.

It’s just a friendly hug, nothing more. She kept telling herself that but her heart remained bitter and sad.

~~~

The gang strolled around Starlight one last time before they’d have to return to Seoul first thing tomorrow morning. They captured more memories together, played games at a mini carnival located near the ice skating rink, had lunch at the restaurant where they first came together and experienced the Illumination event at the amusement park. It was a beautiful event but Taemin couldn’t help but hold onto the box that was safely hidden and kept in his coat pocket. He had been wondering when it would be the right time to drag Naeun away from the group and bring her to yet another surprise place. Of course, it didn’t involve another road trip or anything like that.

They were walking in a rather crowded area of the amusement park. Naeun was having a difficult time catching up with the rest with so many tourists intervening her path.

“Sorry, excuse me,” she didn’t want to shove her way through them, worried that they might pick a fight with her.

Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed her by the wrist. It caught her by surprise and was ready to smack whoever it was when her eyes met his familiar deep brown eyes.

“Easy there, kitty,” he whispered, “Follow me”.

She didn’t get the chance to respond as Taemin dragged her out of the amusement park. They were at the parking lot by the time Taemin had let her go.

“Where are we going?”

“A surprise,” he replied simply.

She frowned, another one? Surprises were starting to become an everyday thing for Naeun whenever she was anywhere near Taemin now. She asked about the rest and again, Taemin simply answered that they’d be back to pick them up before the Christmas fireworks started (hopefully).

It was about a ten-minute drive to their destination. During the ride, Naeun decided to tease Taemin a little.

“You know, if you’re so into surprising people, you should consider finding yourself a girlfriend”.

Taemin stayed silent.

“I mean, it shouldn’t be too hard for you since every girl in school is head over heels for you...well, maybe except us my girls and me,” her voice lowered when she mentioned herself. She continued on, “I think you and Krystal would make a great couple,” and the car abruptly stopped.

“What?” Taemin said, bewilderment written all over his face.

“What?” she responded innocently.

Taemin only shook his head. He unbuckled his seatbelt; they had arrived at their destination.

A little bird had told Taemin about that secret place - A hill not far from the resort where an old, wooden bench laid at its edge and a lamp post much like that you’d see Narnia stood next to it. Trees surrounded the small area. They say if one were to visit that place in the spring, the trees would blossom in all sorts of colors. It would be like a fairytale experience coming true before their eyes.

Naeun found the place adorable as well.

“What is this pl-” she was cut by Taemin’s question, “What made you say that?”

She blinked in confusion. She said a lot of things on their way.

“The one about Krystal and I being a good match,” he elaborated.

Ohh, that...

She pursed her lips and dug her boots under the shallow snow.

“I see the way you two interact; you look cute together,” Naeun hated to admit it, but it was true. Sure, she and Taemin became close too but unlike Naeun, Krystal reciprocated his jokes and teases; She knew how to respond back. Naeun would mostly end up blushing or avoid his gaze.

“She’s a pretty good catch, though,” Naeun continued, “She’s cheerful, confident, knows how to have fun, kind, generous,” the list went on until Taemin had to cut her off again.

“You really are that dense, aren’t you?”

She blinked in surprise, “Huh?”

“You are the most oblivious girl I’ve ever met”.

Naeun was frowning now, “Well I’m sorry for not being a smartass as you hoped I’d be, but you’re not the clearest cut guy I’ve met either”. Taemin raised an eyebrow.

“I mean, you indirectly stole my gift, drove me to Seoul - which I’m still thankful for but a slight heads up would’ve been well appreciated - you dragged me away from the rest when the highlight of the Christmas festival was starting and drove me all the way here for a ‘surprise’, and now, we’re arguing!”

“We’re not - you’re the one who assumed that I have feelings for Krystal!” he yelled back.

Naeun was flabbergasted, “Assumed?! I did NOT assume! I only said you guys looked good together! There’s a difference. If this was your surprise, then you’ve just wasted your ti-”

“Stop!” he yelled. The scene happening before her reminded Naeun terribly of her night encounter with L. The fear she had shunned for a while was slowly creeping back up.

“I’m sorry, I’m just...a little nervous. I’ve never done this before”.

“Done what?” she asked, her voice still sharp and cold.

“Close your eyes”.

Huh?

Their situation was getting nowhere. “Taemin-”

“Please”.

Naeun let out a sigh but did as was told. She heard Taemin ruffle through something. He took her hand in his and felt something hanging on her wrist.

“Open your eyes”. (CUE MY LOVE - CHUNG HA)

A beautiful, silver rosary bracelet hung around Naeun’s left wrist. She was at loss for words. All she could do was stare at him.

“Merry Christmas,” he spoke softly, a small smile forming on his face. Naeun continued staring at him.

“W-why?”

“You said you wanted something permanent and meaningful. Let this bracelet be a token of my feelings for you”.

Her heart stopped.

“I don’t want just any girl in school to be with me and as kind as Krystal and Eunji are, you’re the one I want”.

He moved closer to her.

“I want you”.

I must be dreaming.

“Joahae, Naeun-ah”.

This can’t be real.

“You didn’t see me as Lee Taemin, the golden boy, or Lee Taemin, son of a multi-billionaire and heir to Korea’s leading company. You saw me as me”.

Her visions blurred.

“Nan Joahae, Son Naeun. Even if you don’t feel the same way, nan jeongmal-“

It was like her body had a mind of its own.

The small gap between them disappeared.

Her lips on his, gentle and warm.

She released seconds later.

“M-mianhae,” she mumbled, staring down. They were still for a while until Naeun felt his thumb caress her chin as he pushed it up for her eyes to meet his. There was that gravitational pull again. His other hand, on her back, pulling Naeun in closer to his warmth.

He leaned in.

Electricity pulsed through the two teenagers’ bodies. Naeun found herself deepening the kiss, her hands trailed from his arms to his neck, and Taemin’s, one hand on her cheek, and the other remained on her back. His first kiss was far from what Taemin saw in movies. He thought it’d be aggressive, enticing, the hunger of wanting more to be present, but that wasn’t the case. His first was gentle like snow touching the ground beneath them. He had wanted to taste her lips since their heartfelt conversation, but he didn’t want to rush it; he wanted to savor every kiss he planted on her lips. He preferred it that way.

Their heads remained touching as Taemin broke the kiss for breath.

“Nado,” Naeun mumbled, her voice so hoarse, “Nado joahae, Taemin Oppa”.

He smiled hearing that word again. All fear had disappeared again.

White spots caught both their attention. Naeun reached her hand out, “It’s snowing!”.

It was the first snow she’d seen that winter and she saw it with Taemin. He was about to go in for another kiss when his phone rang. Naeun felt the vibration of her phone too.

“Aish,” they both cursed.

Kai had called Taemin, “Yah! Where are you?! The fireworks got canceled because of this stupid snowfall. We’re at the parking lot right now but we can’t find your car. Hurry up and pick us up! We’re freezing here!!!”

“Araso, araso, I’ll be there in ten,” Taemin replied. He heard Kai yell the word, ‘five’ before hanging up.

“I got a text from Eunji too,” Naeun giggled, “We should probably get there ASAP”.

As she buckled her seatbelt in, Naeun was curious about something, “Did you practice that speech?”

“Maybe?”

She giggled at his innocent expression. The engine then roared wide awake.

“It was beautiful,” Naeun complimented sweetly.

With one hand steering the wheel, Taemin clasped Naeun’s hand with his other. If there was one (of many) word(s) that best described Taemin, it would be ‘warm’. She reciprocated the action, their identical bracelets touching each other ever so slightly as they enjoyed their short ride back to face four very cranky teenagers.

The Christmas fireworks may have been canceled, but Naeun wouldn’t have changed it for the one she experienced.

Not in a million years.