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"Bah Humbug!" Hoseok yelled when his friend Jimin asked him if he wanted to participate in a gift exchange on Christmas.
"What's your problem, Scrooge?" Jimin asked. "I thought you liked Christmas!"
Hoseok sighed. "I do, it's usually my favorite holiday. Maybe Bah Humbug was a little too strong but I'm just exhausted."
"Sorry, Hobi. You work too much! Can't you take a break?"
"Maybe a few days after the holiday, but you know how crazy it is right now."
Hoseok's job as an attorney was getting a little out of hand. It was always busy but this year had been another level. He sank back into the booth and tried to relax instead of thinking about it but relaxing was difficult when you were sticking to vinyl. Why did they like this crappy dive bar again?
"Kookie, what do you want for Christmas?" Jimin yelled, already tipsy from his peach wine cooler. He was getting right into Jungkook's face and practically crawling into his lap.
Jungkook pulled Jimin closer somehow. "You don't need to get me anything, baby, I have you." Jimin giggled and kissed him.
Oh God, Hoseok thought. Those two were always hanging on each other. He thought about Jimin's question. Not about what to get Jungkook, apparently he had everything he needed. But what did he want for Christmas?
As busy as his job was, it paid well so he didn't feel like he needed other people to buy him things. Could someone give him the gift of time? Probably not. Jimin and Jungkook were still canoodling across from him and not paying attention, and his mind wandered to the beginning of the year. He thought that the best gift might be reconnecting with someone he'd met back then.
In January, Hoseok's friend Taehyung had dragged him to a ski shop for a fashion emergency. Taehyung was trying to impress a guy at work and they were having some sort of team-building thing at a mountain. Hoseok was pretty stylish but knew nothing about skiing so he wasn't sure how helpful he'd be. Just looking at all of the bright, puffy clothes freaked him out, but Taehyung was insistent.
After Taehyung had commandeered a dressing room with enough clothes to outfit an Olympic team, Hoseok continued to wander around. He was looking at expensive clothes and accessories that he had no use for when he bumped into someone. He quickly looked up, and up some more, into the dark eyes of an extremely handsome man. A tall man, with a firm chest and broad shoulders. The man smiled and suddenly the cutest dimples appeared. Hoseok involuntarily gasped.
"I'm so sorry!" he immediately apologized.
"No problem, I wasn't paying attention. It was probably my fault."
"No, it was my fault. I was... distracted by these neon... things." Hoseok waved his hand in the direction of a rack filled with bright legwarmers.
The stranger smiled again. Damn, he was really hot. "Those are gaiters," he said.
"Oh, of course," Hoseok replied. "I don't have a lot of skiing experience."
"What brings you here, then?"
"My friend is in the dressing room trying on a million things," Hoseok explained. "I think he wanted my fashion advice but I don't even know what gaiters are, so I don't know how helpful I'll be." Hoseok felt like he was babbling now, but the man just smiled again and... was he checking him out?
"You look stylish, I'm sure you'll be helpful."
Hoseok blushed. "Ah, thanks," he said. "Do you ski then?"
"I just started last year but I haven't had much time to get up there so far this season."
"That seems to be my problem too," Hoseok said. They continued to talk and Hoseok was surprised by how easy it all seemed. His last few dates had been terrible, the guys were either boring or egomaniacs who just wanted to brag about how successful they all were. But Namjoon - that was his name, Hoseok liked it - was fun and friendly and seemed interesting.
They were in the middle of talking about the newest Toad the Wet Sprocket album when Hoseok heard Taehyung calling him from the dressing room.
"Oh, that's my friend," Hoseok said regretfully. "I should go." He really didn't want to leave - Namjoon was nice and handsome. Maybe he should ask for his number?
"I guess I should too," Namjoon said and Hoseok didn't think he was imagining the disappointment in his voice. "Uh, would you like to exchange phone numbers?"
Hoseok's heart beat a little faster. "Yeah, we should," he said, knowing he sounded a little breathless. Maybe that was embarrassing, but he was actually excited about someone for once.
They quickly exchanged numbers and then Hoseok went to give Taehyung his fashion advice. He was in a much better mood now and took his time to help Taehyung find the best pants to highlight his... assets.
"Hobi!" Hoseok suddenly sat back up. His mind had really wandered there for a bit. It was such a pleasant memory though. It had been a long time since he'd felt interested in someone. Unfortunately, he'd gotten assigned to a huge case right after that and by the time he had more time for a date, he figured Namjoon had probably forgotten about him.
"What?"
"Are you spacing out again? Look, if you don't want to do a gift exchange, what about at least helping me and Kook decorate our tree?"
Hell no, Hoseok thought. The two of them would probably celebrate every ornament hung with a kiss or some sort of grope. He loved them but he couldn't handle that.
"No, I'm good," he replied, taking another sip of his Zima. "I just really need to catch my breath. I'm going to have Christmas by myself this year."
***
Hoseok looked at the calendar hanging in his kitchen - he couldn't believe Christmas was less than a week away. The calendar's photo was a landscape of a wintry scene - pine trees, miles of unblemished snow sparkling in the sunlight, a tiny cabin near a frozen lake. Why did he even have this calendar?! He was a 32-year old man, not a grandma.
Get this winter over with, he thought. He thought of warmer weather and Namjoon again. Why was he thinking about him so much lately? Sometimes the holidays had a way of making a person feel alone. Or maybe it was because the end of the year made one catalog all of their regrets, and he had a few.
This past spring, when the weather was mild and the days were longer, he'd run into Namjoon at the drug store. It was a different one than he usually went to, but he'd been in the neighborhood and needed allergy medicine. It had felt like fate when he saw Namjoon comparing Claritan to Allegra.
"I'd go with the Allegra," Hoseok said. Namjoon jumped slightly, but then he gave him a warm smile. Hoseok had forgotten how cute the dimples were.
"Hoseok! You have allergies too?"
"Yeah, every year," he replied. "I've tried everything. That extra-strength Allegra always works really well for me."
Namjoon smiled again, his eyes crinkling behind his tortoise-shell glasses. Hoseok resisted the urge to fan himself.
"I'll give it a try then," Namjoon said, dropping it into his basket. "I'm glad I ran into you," he continued. "I really wanted to get in touch to do something but my work has been so crazy. And then I just figured you'd probably forgotten about it by now."
Hoseok couldn't believe it - that had been his assumption too. "It's okay, I was thinking the same thing! My schedule really was nuts. I didn't think you'd still be interested either."
"I am," Namjoon confirmed, making Hoseok's heart race again. "Would you like to have lunch some time?"
Hoseok agreed immediately, happy to hear that Namjoon hadn't forgotten about him, he'd just been busy as well. They both got their matching Palm Pilots out and his heart sank when he looked at the next month. His calendar was almost completely full. Hoseok was frustrated - was his stupid job really worth this? Unfortunately, Namjoon was busy too - he travelled for work sometimes and was going to be gone a lot.
"Well, this is annoying, but I do think I'll be a little less busy in the summer," Hoseok said. "Should we just try to keep in touch?"
"Yeah, let's try that," Namjoon agreed. "I think my job will be settling down then too."
Hoseok was disappointed, but he reminded himself that Namjoon seemed interested and it did look like his work load would lighten in a month or two. That turned out to be true, but when Namjoon called him in July to offer to take him out on the lake on his boat (he has a boat, Hoseok thought), Hoseok regretfully had to decline, thanks to his third-degree sunburn from the weekend before. He'd gone to the beach with Taehyung and his boyfriend Yoongi (of the ski weekend, Taehyung's tight pants had done the trick), and it had been such short notice that Hoseok had not had time to get sunscreen.
Hoseok sighed, as back in current-day December, he had no sunburn and no one to go boating with either. (Taehyung and Yoongi were still going strong, though, he thought bitterly). The calendar's last page reminded him that the New Year was coming and what did he have planned? Just more work. Since there was no avoiding that he figured he'd better take a break now - he was going to skip Christmas this year.
***
Christmas Eve and Hoseok was trudging through the snow, taking care of some last-minute grocery shopping after a full day of work. He still had to get home and call a few people to decline their party invitations. Usually he'd do that sooner, but this whole month had been a nightmare. Why was he throwing himself into work so much - so that he could make partner and then have more to do? What was the point of working so hard when you couldn't enjoy life? He liked Christmas parties and didn't usually want to skip them, but this year, he just needed to relax and unwind. A Christmas alone sounded delightful.
A night to himself was kind of a novelty and he remembered that time this past fall when he was planning on relaxing for the evening. He'd thought about calling Namjoon but he'd had such a busy week he didn't know how much fun he'd be. He was laying on the couch watching a movie when the phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered suspiciously.
"Hi, Hoseok? It's Namjoon." Hoseok's heart started pounding. He couldn't believe Namjoon was calling out of the blue, and right after he'd been thinking about him.
"Hey, hi Namjoon," he blabbed like an idiot. "Uh, how are you?"
"I'm good," Namjoon replied. "Um, I'm going to a Halloween party tonight and I was wondering if you'd want to come?"
"Oh," Hoseok said, thinking quickly. He did want to do that, but he didn't have a costume. Maybe he could borrow one? "Yeah, I would love to, that sounds fun."
"Cool," Namjoon said. "Can you be ready in two hours? I know it's short notice, but I was supposed to be travelling for work today and then that changed kind of last minute. The party is at my sister's house and she's basically forcing me to go."
Hoseok laughed. "Oh, you have a bossy sister too?"
Namjoon laughed too. "Yeah, sounds like you know what that's like. Anyway, I'll let you get ready - where should I pick you up?"
Hoseok quickly gave him his address and then said goodbye, energized by his sudden plans. He'd have to track down something to wear, but a fun party with Namjoon would be a nice way to get to know him. His friend Seokjin was about his size, maybe he'd have something.
Hoseok ended up waiting around in Seokjin's cowboy costume wondering if he was getting stood up. Maybe Namjoon was actually married or something and that was why they could never get together. Finally, many hours later, when Hoseok had given up and had practically fallen asleep, Namjoon called, apologetic - his car had broken down on the way to his house and it had taken that long to find a roadside assistance company to help him. After that mess, Namjoon had not been in the mood for a party.
Forget it, Hoseok thought, getting irritated all over again. It was not going to happen with Namjoon. This was why he threw himself into work - at least he knew that wasn't going anywhere. He was doing Christmas right by doing it alone.
***
The next day, Hoseok started preparations for his tiny Christmas dinner for one: the world's smallest turkey was currently roasting in his oven, getting nice and hot. He was starting to prepare the potatoes and yams when he realized something was missing.
"Oh damn," he said. "Of course I forgot something."
He groaned, found his snow boots and scarf and drove to the closest late-night grocery store he knew of. He walked in the store and just about did a double-take - in line was Namjoon also bundled up in a gray turtleneck sweater and black leather jacket. He looked handsome and a little tired, but gave Hoseok a kind smile when he recognized him.
"Spending this one alone," Namjoon explained. "I need a break, this year's been crazy."
"Me too," Hoseok said. "But why are you -" suddenly Hoseok looked down at Namjoon's one item. "You forgot cranberries too?"
Namjoon seemed surprised, but then he laughed and Hoseok joined him.
"So are you making dinner for yourself then?" Hoseok asked, once their giggles had subsided.
"Yeah, but since it's just me I don't have a lot," Namjoon replied, smiling fully so that his dimples were on display. "Uh, maybe we could combine our dinners?"
"That sounds perfect," Hoseok said, relieved he'd forgotten the cranberries and had had to go out.
They made plans to meet back at Hoseok's and Namjoon made it there with no car troubles and side dishes in hand. Between Hoseok's turkey, potatoes and yams and Namjoon's stuffing, green bean casserole and rolls, they had a pretty impressive dinner. Hoseok found a bottle of wine he'd gotten from work and they enjoyed getting to know each other over candlelight and Christmas music.
After dinner, Hoseok made hot chocolate with Peppermint Schnapp's and they reclined together on the couch. Namjoon wrapped an arm around Hoseok's shoulder, and he instantly relaxed, feeling peaceful and calm. The Christmas tree sparkled in the dim lighting and Harry Connick Jr. was singing "Let It Snow".
Hoseok glanced at Namjoon, and he was smiling brightly, his face full of warmth and cheer. Namjoon leaned down to gently kiss Hoseok's waiting lips and he tasted sweet and spicy from their drinks.
"Merry Christmas, Hoseok," Namjoon said, resting their foreheads together. Maybe Christmas wasn't so bad after all, Hoseok thought - it's magic had brought this tale to a very happy ending. He wouldn't want to miss it.