How to Use Mistletoe with Your Crush

A Guide by Lee Hyukjae

1. Call them from a different room

"Donghae?"

"What is it?"

"Can you come here?"

"Sorry, no can do, I'm in my blanket fort and I am starting my Christmas movie marathon!"

"Uh―"

"I'm gonna watch until I pass out!"

2. Lure them in with the promise of some sweet treats

"Donghae, I bought some cookies! Come here quickly before I eat them all up!"

"It's okay, I gotta stay healthy. The grind never stops!"

"But―"

"And I know you love them, so just enjoy them all yourself. You deserve it!"

3. Fake an emergency

"Donghae!! Come quickly, it's an emergency!"

"I'm not falling for that again! Last time I ran over to help you, you doused me with a bucket of water."

"No, really, come here right now!!"

"Nothing you say can change my mind. I'm not that gullible anymore!"

4. Drag them with you and point up at the mistletoe

"Come on, follow me."

"Wait, what's going―"

"You know where we're standing, right?"

"Uh, in the―"

"And you know what this is, right?"

"Oh! That's―"

"So you know what we are supposed to do, RIGHT?! We're supposed to―"

"That's holly!"

"...What?"

"Yeah, it's a common misconception. Mistletoe is actually a plant with rounded leaves and white berries, not red ones."

"..."

"I can see why you'd be confused, but I know everything about Christmas! Did you know that―wait, where are you going??"

-

Hyukjae is lying down on his bed, despondent, when Donghae knocks on the door.

"Come in," Hyukjae mumbles.

Donghae shuffles in, head bowed, as he stands next to Hyukjae's bed.

"I-I'm an idiot. I think I know what you were trying to do before, so..."

Donghae's face flushes red.

Donghae pulls out a real sprig of mistletoe and holds it above their heads.

"Kiss me?"

Hyukjae stares at Donghae before smiling and grabbing him by the collar and pulling him down.

Donghae squeaks and drops the mistletoe, where it lay forgotten for the rest of the night.