“Yah, Youngwoon-ah, you coming home for break?”

“You know it, Heechul hyung. It’ll be nice to see everyone again for the holidays.”

“Alright, meet up with me before you leave camp then.”

“See you then, hyung. And… I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Kangin. I really do.”

~~~~~

“It’s Christmas, everyone, it’s Christmas!” Donghae squeals, running out of his bedroom and into the dorm’s living room. He's jumping and flailing out of excitement, nearly knocking over their Christmas tree in the process.

“Morning, Donghae hyung!” Ryeowook chirps from his spot on the floor, on which he was sitting and rearranging the presents under the tree. “It’s going to be such a perfect holiday, I just know it!”

Just then, Hyukjae trudges out of his room sleepily, rubbing his eyes and frowning at the pair in the living room. “Lee Donghae! What did I say about leaving me all alone in bed? You always get up before me, while I wake up cold and lonely!” He pouts, making Donghae jump up and run over to where his boyfriend was standing.

“Aww I’m sorry Hyukkie, but it’s Christmas! Won’t you forgive me just this once?” His large brown eyes widen, and he knows Hyukjae is about to give in. Works every time.

“Fine,” Hyukjae grumbles. He crosses his arms over his chest, but he's smiling now. “Hae-ah, Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, babe,” Donghae whispers. Leaning his forehead against Hyukjae’s, he bends his neck forward a little bit more, quickly closing the gap between them and giving the latter a peck on the lips.

“Ugh, why do I always have to watch your lovey-dovey moments?” Ryeowook whines, his face scrunching up in mock disgust. “Jongwoon hyung!”

Skipping out of the dorm’s bathroom, Jongwoon immediately makes his way over to where Ryeowook is. “Good morning, my love!” He sang, gracefully sitting down and looping an arm around Ryeowook’s waist. He chuckles upon seeing the other couple, who were currently kissing and cuddling some more on the couch. “Ignore them, I’m here now! Besides, it’s Christmas, so smile for me, okay?” Ryeowook giggles, snuggling tighter into Jongwoon’s hold.

Suddenly, they hear a loud thud coming from Kyuhyun’s room, followed by a “Kyuhyuuuuun! Wake up already!” 

There was the sound of Kyuhyun’s groan, before he says, “But it’s only 7 in the morning!”

“I don’t care, it’s Christmas and you have to get up right nowwww!”

Hyukjae sighs, shaking his head with a knowing smile. “Sungmin-hyung must’ve kicked Kyuhyun out of bed again. Those two… every year.” 

Pretty soon, the dorms come alive with the sound of members walking around, washing up, or singing along to the carols blasting from the stereo. The entire dorm's sparkling with festive ornaments hanging from the tree and the plants, as well as strands of tinsel and garlands of holly along the walls and corners. It is going to be a very special day.

~~~~~

“Knock Knock, Santa Claus has come!” Siwon’s cheerful voice sounds from the door. Sungmin walks over to let him in, revealing Siwon adorned in a Santa outfit, red hat and all. 

“Siwon-ah, you’re here! Come, sit down and help wrap presents!” Leeteuk calls from inside, beaming at everyone’s enthusiasm. “And whoa, what’s with the outfit? Going all out this year, huh?”

“Just getting into the holiday spirit, hyung,” Siwon grins. “By the way, Henry and Zhoumi are coming over today. They might stay for a couple days before leaving too.”

Leeteuk clasps his hands together. “Oh, that’s perfect! At least… most of us will be here this Christmas…” He trails off, and Siwon swears he sees a glint of something wet in the leader’s eyes.

Poking his head out from the kitchen, Shindong’s stomach grumbles loudly. “Wookie-ah, when’s lunch time? I’m starving!”

“Coming, hyung! Lunch is almost ready!”

At that moment, there is another knock at the door; the voice this time is foreign, and thick in accented Korean. “Wo men lai dao le! We’re here!”

Throwing open the door, Siwon greets the two standing before him. “Finally! Zhoumi ge! Henry! Merry Christmas!” He grabs their gift bags and backpacks, carrying them to the living room after ushering them inside.

The dorm is filling up quickly, and after everyone had settled down comfortably, Leeteuk does a head count. “Whew, we really need a bigger living room. Everyone is here now, right?”

Henry, looking somewhat conspicuous, shares a secret smile with Zhoumi and pipes up. “Well… not quite…” Leeteuk was about to question what he meant, as all the members that were supposed to be here have already arrived.

As if on cue, there came two all-too-familiar voices from behind the group.

“Has the party started already?”

“Of course not, Youngwoon. No party can start without me there.”

Upon hearing them, the rest of the members turn around slowly, most in shock and others just not believing their eyes. Leeteuk is first to recover, although speechless. Standing up, his words catch in his throat as the tears already begin to sting at his eyes. “Oh my god. Kangin… Heechul… I-“ He runs forward and hugs the both of them like no tomorrow. “Oh my god… you’re… you’re home.”

Heechul gives Leeteuk a loving squeeze, and walks into the room to greet the rest of the members. “Hey guys, Merry Christmas, we’re back! What, don’t look at me like I’ve just come from the dead!” He smirks at the others’ gaping expressions. “I know it’s an honour to see me, but honestly… say something!”

Turning to Kangin, Leeteuk questions as to how this was possible. “But, how… how-“ The other man chuckles, and Leeteuk’s heart leaps in his chest when he hears that deep, throaty voice he’s missed so much.

“We just got lucky, I guess. Hyung and I were two of the few soldiers fortunate enough to take a break for the holidays, so I could come home and spend time with… you know, you.”

“Youngwoon-ah, welcome home…” The tears finally make their way down Leeteuk’s cheek, but they are of pure joy as he is wrapped in the strong arms of his lover. “I’ve missed you… so, so much.”

“I missed you too, Teukie. Merry Christmas… hope you like your present.” Eyes twinkling, he swoops down and presses a gentle but passionate kiss to Leeteuk’s waiting lips. With Kangin there, nothing else in the world is important anymore. Indeed, Leeteuk loved his present; everything just feels right, and he is truly happy.

~~~~~

After Kangin and Heechul had settled in and joined the rest in celebration, there comes an abrupt ring from the phone, diverting all their attention towards it. Walking over to the phone, Heechul mutters, “Who dares interrupt our Christmas party at such a bad time,” earning laughter from all around.

“What?!” he demands.

“Um… Heechul?”

“… Hangeng.”

The name causes ears to open and eyes to widen, but Heechul barely registers them as he listens to Hangeng’s quiet breathing on the other end.

“You- you called,” Heechul breathes.

“Yeah,” comes Hangeng’s soft reply. “I… I miss you guys.”

“Aren’t you going to say Merry Christmas or something?” Heechul tries to laugh, but even he is beginning to choke on his words. This voice… Hangeng’s voice; it feels so good just hearing it after so long.

“No, I’m not.”

Confusion and anger is written on Heechul’s face, and all the members strain their ears to try to listen to their conversation, not understanding.

“What do you mean you-“

“… Because I’d much rather say it in person,” someone says from behind, and everyone spins around with a start.

“Oh my g-“ Heechul barely whispers, dropping the phone before he throws himself onto the figure in front of him.

The tears are uncontrolled now, flowing freely from his eyes. It’s going to leave his eyes swollen later, but he doesn’t care. The one he loves is here right now, looking into his eyes with ones that were b with tears as well. It’s all too much for Heechul, and before long he breaks down completely, arms clinging tightly around Hangeng’s torso, sobbing into his shoulder. He is so overwhelmed he can barely speak, and pulls away with a hand over his mouth, still sniffling.

his cheek, Hangeng smiles softly down at Heechul. “Heechul-ah… Merry Christmas.” A silent I Love You is spoken between them; no words need to be exchanged as they gaze at each other with expressions of love. It’s a heartwarming sight, seeing their normally spoiled princess show a weak side for once. There isn’t a dry eye in the room, as they all came to their senses to gather around the two, forming a circle and into a group hug, just like they used to when Super Junior was still complete. Now was not the time for questions or debate, it was time to just savour each moment that they had together.

“Oh come on, excluding me now?”

It couldn’t be.

That voice. Vaguely familiar, yet at the same time, there’s no mistaking as to who that was. And their reaction was synchronized; just one word, the name they longed for, spoken in unison.

“Kibum.”

Surely enough, there stands Kibum, suitcase in hand and smiling brighter than ever, as he looks at his brothers for the first time in years. There is a moment of silence, followed by a chorus of shrieks and yells and more cracked voices in the heartfelt embrace.

“I can’t believe –“

“It’s really you…”

“3 years, it’s been…”

“You’re back… you came back for us.”

Although there are no guarantees for the future and Kibum does not know what could happen to him a week, or even a year from now, this feeling of finally being part of the family once again overflows his heart. It causes gut-wrenching sobs that course through his body, and he fights to suppress them as he feels Siwon slip a hand in his, giving a comforting squeeze and a reassuring smile.

“I- I said I would be back. I said that someday, I would definitely come back and I did. Here I am,” he tells them. Taking a deep breath, Kibum continues. “I realized that… my heart has always belonged here. I could never leave the group for good. And… I could never be content without you by my side. So believe me, please…”

“Oh Kibum, we never doubted you for a second,” murmurs Leeteuk, pulling him into another hug. “We always knew you’d be back. It was only a matter of time… and fate.”

Stepping back, Leeteuk looks at the 14 boys huddled together, and he decides that yes, this is all he’s ever wanted for Christmas and more. For the last three Christmases, he’s wished for nothing but this, for the 15 of them to be one again. But for his wish to come true in this way, all the gifts in the world would not compare.

Finally, the initial shock dies down, allowing their party to continue. Suddenly, Donghae glances out the window and gasps. “Guys, it’s snowing! It’s going to be a white Christmas!” Everyone rushes over, staring in awe at the magical sight, feeling blessed to be witnessing the first snowfall of Christmas with friends that mean so much.

As the tiny snowflakes, dancing along with the wind, lightly sprinkle over the streets of Seoul like icing sugar on cake, the people within are dancing too. There is so much to celebrate that day, and so many memories that will remain with them forever.

And just like Ryeowook had predicted, it really was the perfect holiday after all.

--