[incomplete] 24 hour fic challenge; midnight check
Title: (yet untitled)
Group: U-Kiss
Pairing: none
Rating: G
Warning: no beta, unfinished, MESSY
Summary: A grumpy boy hates Christmas while a cheerful one loves it with all his heart.
N/A: For the 24 hour fic challenge. This has very little to do with Grinch, since I never really read the story neatly and remember very little from the animated movie. Well. I don't think I'll finish it in time, so :/
There is nothing like big cities during Christmas time. All the lively lights and decorations, plastic reindeers and Santas everywhere, the stores framed with reds and greens. The strangers seemed nicer and more welcoming during December, the sales clerks’ smiles were more convincing, and one could even spot families hanging outside, going to churches, restaurants or maybe amusement parks - parents and his children, all grins and fun.
Seoul was nothing different from the pattern. In mid-October, the city began dressing for Christmas, elevating its spirits and lowering its prices, eyes on the bigger profits the sacred time of the ear could offer. The children, of course, were the ones who enjoyed it the most. A break from school arriving was already enough to make their small eyes sparkle, but the way their parents actually tried to stay more at home, decorating their houses and apartments for the season was the true reason for their glee.
However, children who did not have their parents to go back home to also seemed to have greater will t o enjoy themselves in the merry season. Take for an example the kids from Yoon Mintae’s Home for Orphan Boys. Something about the trees made them all excited, anticipating Christmas with the hope that maybe next year would be better. Maybe the young children would be adopter and the teenagers would get a scholarship to a great high school. “It might happen,” was what echoed in the boys’ heads all month long.
After all, Yoon Mintae himself did it. Raised in an orphanage, at the age of fifteen he got into a boarding school and, from then on, became unstoppable. After establishing himself in a successful medical career, he decided to open an orphanage of his own to give other poor boys the same chance he was given. None of the boys in the hostel had knows him in person since he had died numerous years before they were born, but they all knew the story by heart, since the staff always repeated it.
“Only nine days till Christmas,” one of the boys chirped after just getting into the dining room to have his breakfast, clapping his hands. Kevin Woo was, indeed, a ray of sunlight with his cheerful voice, cute smile and blonde hair strands. He was easily pleased and tricked, which made him the perfect company for both good and bad people, a reason of distress to all his friends and orphanage’s staff. “I can’t believe it’s so soon!”
Kevin loved Christmas. It was his favorite time of year and he actually announced the countdown to it from the beginning of November, every year of his life. His fellow colleagues were used to it by then. He religiously insisted to decorate the bedroom he shared with nine other boys - at first, they were reluctant and refused to let him hang adorns over their beds, but they came to learn that resisting was pointless. If they showed any sort of discomfort with his doings, Kevin would pout and aim the saddest glance at them, for some reason completely ridding them of any trails of anger. They would just look troubled and say they were kidding, of course Kevin could carry on. The boy grinned and resumed his bright, fussy ornamenting.
“Wouldn’t you shut up and just come sit and have breakfast?” came a sleepy snap from Eli Kim, a buff, surprisingly fair-skinned boy who happened to be Kevin’s roommate. He had harsh times in the morning and couldn’t get why they had to get up so early when they were on winter break. Also, the fact there was always glitter pouring on his face from the garland Kevin had placed over his bed made proper sleeping very difficult.
“Good morning you too, Eli,” Kevin giggled as he took a sit across him. He was more than used to his friend’s morning grumpiness and knew it vanished as soon as he properly woke up.
“Kevin ah, this is the last time I’m warning you,” said a voice from Eli’s left. They both looked at Shin Soohyun, the most important boy in the orphanage for a number of reasons. He was naturally gifted at everything, from studying to singing. He had taken a test to get a scholarship to Seoul University, so he’d been very nervous all week long. The result would only come out in late January. “Stop distributing mistletoes over the corridors and bedrooms, please. There are only boys in here. It’s awkward!”
Kevin pouted, making him gulp uneasily. No one was immune to that pout, not even boy wonder Shin Soohyun. “But what’s Christmas without mistletoes? They’re a part of the scenario!” As much as he wanted, Soohyun didn’t have the heart to argue with that. Christmas was such a huge thing to Kevin no one dared to ruin anything for him.
“Well, ok, but at least stop saying we have to kiss whenever we walk under one,” he tried with a gentle smile. Kevin opened his mouth to protest, Eli kicked him under the table.
“Yes, Kevin, quit that. Seriously,” he said while munching on his mouthful of bread. “It’s embarrassing even with girls, let alone guys.”
Deciding to at least let them have that, Kevin nodded with a smile. Of course only a small thing wouldn’t ruin Christmas for him - in fact, nothing could ruin Christmas for him, he was a hundred percent sure of that.
But not all the boys in Yoon Mintae’s were like the sweet Kevin. There were the ones who didn’t see anything special in that season, the ones who disliked it - and that one who hated it. Yes, there was one kid whose hatred towards Christmas was widely known, one young boy who couldn’t stand even looking at a Santa Claus hat and despised everyone’s babble about that day. Albeit his young age, cute face and big eyes might create a misled idea of him, Shin Dongho was firm - he would have none of that.
Speaking of whom, that early in the morning he could be found having breakfast in the music room. He didn’t like sitting with the others, and the director of the institution never was there in the morning, so he took the opportunity to not have the meal in the dining room. Alexander, one of the few volunteers in the orphanage, always secretly took some food from the kitchen so he could eat. And the two of them would sneak into the music room and sit on the floor, Dongho eating, Alexander keeping him company.
“Why can’t you just eat with the other guys?” Alexander asked, grabbing a bite of his pancake. He was a foreigner, Alexander. Ever since he’d got into Seoul University, he’s been working as a volunteer in Yoon Mintae’s. Dongho couldn’t talk to anyone in the orphanage at all, but he found it easy to open himself to Alexander, from the day they’d met. Well, not actually then, but just a little after that. Mostly, Alexander did the talking, but Dongho would say something or two occasionally - he wouldn’t be brave enough to say it out loud, but he considered Alexander his best friend. His only friend.
“You know I can’t be comfortable around them,” he muttered before taking a sip of his juice. It was overly sweet, just like Alexander knew he liked it. “And they don’t like me either. Actually, I think they make fun of me behind my back.”
Alexander shook his head firmly at the insinuation. “They don’t, you know that,” he was fairly close to most boys from all ages so he felt confident enough to tell. They wouldn’t be the kind to bully anyone, no matter how anti-social and uninviting as he knew Dongho was. “You just have to give them a chance. Saying ‘hello, how are you?’ and offering a small smile once in a while wouldn’t rip your arm off, you know.”
“They might not make fun of me, but they do talk,” he simply shrugged. “Not their fault, I’d talk about someone like me too.”
An awkward silence lingered for some seconds. Pursing his lips, Alexander looked down at his hands, not sure of what to say. It took him some moments to decide to change the subject for something less heavy.
“I bought your gift yesterday,” he suddenly giggle, making cheerful hand gestures. “I know you’ll love it.”
Though Dongho had stopped chewing, thinking and breathing only to fix him a nasty stare. “You got me what?”
Alexander stuck his tongue out at him as a way of showing complete disregard towards his obvious fury. “I got you a gift! I’m tired of this ‘no gift’ policy you have, honestly. That’s what people do on Christmas, you see. Give each other gifts, pray for each other, stay close to the ones we like,” as a demonstration, he reached for Dongho’s shoulder and half hugged him, pressing their cheeks together. “It’s supposed to be fun!”
“But it isn’t,” he said with a grunt, pushing Alexander away. “It’s ridiculous and fake and a huge, blatant lie,” he eyed a smiling Alexander very seriously.
“You’re just too cute not to like Christmas. It’s about time you get rid of this pointless grudge once for all,” Alexander said, nudging him softly. “If you only tried getting into the mood…”
“Hyung, there’s no mood. Christmas is completely material - it’s about the decoration and the creepy guys dressed as Santa and gifts,” he gave Alexander a pointed, impatient stare. The boy didn’t mind a whole lot. “I don’t know why we should celebrate that.”
“Come on, does it really matter, Dongho? If it’s truly all about that, then just pretend it isn’t and try to have a good time as well,” Alexander raised his arms, trying to convince Dongho for once. He was very stubborn, it was an innate quality of his, but Alexander couldn’t just understand why he’d be so persistent in being gloomy and annoyed while everyone was having a good time.
“Just what do you think I have to-” Dongho paused, looking certainly scared for some seconds before taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes and opened them again as Alexander looked confusedly at him, feeling a little nervous by the abrupt silence. “I don’t want to have this conversation, hyung. Let’s leave it at that, please.”
Biting his protest back, Alexander forced himself to nod and leave Dongho alone. He was probably holding everything he had back not to fight with him, and the older boy didn’t want to spoil his hard effort. It was always very unpleasant when they got into an argument.
Dongho proceeded eating quietly. The heavy silence was back again. It was unusual, for them not to find words when they were together. Usually Alexander would talk and talk and Dongho would feel cozy and welcome, unlike with the other orphans. He made a face. It was all that stupid holiday’s fault. The more he lived, the fewer reasons Dongho had to consider celebrating Christmas.
*
“Kevin, would you just put on a normal beanie?” Eli grunted when he saw Kevin putting on a beanie designed after Santa’s hat. “You’re seriously overdoing it.”
“But this one is so cute,” he began pouting until Eli rolled his eyes and said it was ok. “I bought last year from that small shop near the bridge. So cheap! I couldn’t believe it,” he kept on describing the ribbon gloves he saw but couldn’t buy because he lacked money.
“Ok, but would you just hurry?” Eli shifted his weight from one foot to the other with a sigh. “Your boyfriend is probably waiting for you.”
Clasping a hand over his mouth, Kevin hit Eli’s arm quite strongly, rosy cheeks telling on him. “He’s not my boyfriend,” Kevin snorted indignantly in a high pitched voice. “I don’t even know his name.”
Eli snickered, “then maybe try paying attention to his name tag today so you can write it all over your journal along with doodles of hearts.” He dodged Kevin’s next punch with a sly smile. “I will stop making fun of it when you stop looking at him like a girl,” and he couldn’t avoid Kevin’s entire body, tackling him down to his bed and hitting his shoulders between giggles.
They had already stopped when a boy got into the room, heading for his own bed. Eli took a quick glance at him and remained silent, fumbling with his fingers, but Kevin, who was trying to decide if he’d need a scarf that day or not, smiled at him.
“Dongho ah, hello,” he waved, and the boy looked back at him, giving a shy nod. Kevin always thought he looked so adorable… but was always so unhappy. How could someone be that cute and that dreary at the same time? He didn’t think it was fair, he needed to do at least something about it. “Hey, we’re going bowling, Eli and I. Why don’t you come with us?”
Eli looked up from his seat beside Kevin’s, giving him one meaningful glare. He’d always found Dongho quite intimidating - it was almost comical that a big guy like him would be scared of such a harmless young boy like Dongho. But he couldn’t help but feel wary around him, and the fact they shared a room wasn’t doing him wonders already, so why would Kevin, who was aware of his mistrust, invite him along at all?
Kevin didn’t even spare him a glance and only smiled brighter at the youngest one, who seemed surprised by the offer. He could even agree, if Kevin were to trust the dubious expression that flashed through his face.
“I’m sorry, hyung,” he ended up saying quietly and Eli breathed out in relief, “but I’m really short on money right now. Have fun today,” he said awkwardly and turned around again.
“But it’s really cheap there,” the blonde insisted, hopeful. “Or else Eli and I wouldn’t go at all,” he gave a small laugh and eyed Dongho expectantly. The boy only raised his hands slightly as to say he was sorry, but wouldn’t change his mind. Kevin pouted, grip on his scarf stronger. Dongho just repeated, “have fun,” and hopped on bed.
Kevin could barely believe someone would resist his pout - he never did intentionally, but he was glad it always worked either way. But Shin Dongho… he was different.
*
“It’s the sixth ball that you let slide to the corners,” Eli said with a frown. Usually, Kevin was very good at bowling and could get neat strikes without much effort - that’s why Eli always liked to pair with him. “Is the shoe boy distracting you again?”
Blinking absent-mindedly, Kevin eyed Eli, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. Eli tried waving a hand before his eyes.
“Why doesn’t Dongho ah hang around with us?” he suddenly asked. Since the moment they left their bedroom, Kevin couldn’t stop questioning himself about Dongho. So many unanswered wonderings poured inside his head it was making him dizzy. How could they have lived together for almost seven years and barely spoken to each other?
“He scares everyone out,” Eli shrugged and, while people wouldn’t like putting it that way, it was exactly what it was. Eli had this amazing and questionable talent to be as straight forward as one could be and say what no one would like saying in the way no would like voicing. “Also, he doesn’t seem to like anyone but Alexander hyung a lot.”
Nodding slowly, Kevin took the seat beside the ball rack. Eli asked him if he was still going to play, but Kevin didn’t seem to hear him. Maybe Dongho only liked Alexander hyung because he’d been the one to actually talk to him. The rest of the boys were, as Eli had said, too scared out to try, including himself, Kevin thought guiltily. No wonder he always seemed to be so uncomfortable around them.
“But Alexander hyung wouldn’t be friends with a bad person,” he commented thoughtfully, earning a weird look from Eli.
“Why are you bringing Shin Dongho up, anyway?” he asked impatiently. “He never even talks to us!”
“Exactly!” the younger boy exclaimed. Eli looked confused, so Kevin pulled his hand and made him sit down beside him. “Don’t you find it weird that we’ve lived in same house for so many years, even sharing the same bedroom, and never talk to him? I mean, we know a lot about everyone else back in Yoon Mintae’s but Dongho ah.”
Leaning back on his seat, Eli shrugged once again. “I always found it weird and I’ll bet he does too, but, since he doesn’t seem willing to change that, I just respect his will. And, of course, he freaks me out,” he said calmly and Kevin was surprised to know that Eli had considered that before. Was he the only one not to have thought about that? “Don’t think you’re a bad person for not questioning about it,” the boy went on as if having read Kevin’s thoughts - he probably did, Eli always read him, “the fact you’re too good is what never let you wonder. You just thought there’s nothing wrong.”
“But there is,” Kevin mumbled with a sad sigh. “And no one seems to care about it. They’re all too stupid to talk to him because of that silly story,” he made an annoyed face, biting his lip.
Eli nodded. He knew what the story was about, they all did. The all knew Dongho had been adopted as a kid when he lived in another orphanage, but for some reason, he was placed at Yoon Mintae’s Home for Orphan Boys a time after his adoption. No one knows what happened to his family, Dongho never mentioned them (Dongho barely talked) nor did the working crew or volunteers. Either they didn’t know or they didn’t feel like talking about it.
Some boys who didn’t like him maliciously suggested that he’d been given back, but Eli knew it was a lie. Adopted kids weren’t just given back, it didn’t work that way. Plus, he hardly believed people who spent months, maybe years trying to adopt a child would just back away on the idea. No, Eli, like most of the boys, thought his parents had died, which didn’t really make the story any happier. He couldn’t imagine what that felt like. He knew how much he’d craved having a family, having parents, how many nights he’d spent awake crying just because no one wanted to have him as a son. Feeling the taste of what that was like, having a home and a room, eating food cooked by a mother and playing baseball with a father, only to lose it all and have to move into an orphanage again… he didn’t know if he’d handle it.
And, at that moment, Eli understood and even admired the intimidating Shin Dongho.
“He’s always so sad and gloomy,” Kevin propped his chin on a hand, “not even during Christmas season-”
“Kevin,” Eli cut in with a laugh, “he hates Christmas. Everyone knows that.”
Eyes about as big as gulf balls and chin hanging, Kevin was obviously having a hard time processing the idea of someone hating Christmas. It sounded like blasphemy. He couldn’t believe it was real. “I can’t believe it’s real. No one hates Christmas!”
“He does,” the older one seemed amused by Kevin’s shock. “We know almost nothing about him, but that fact’s a given. He’s despised the holiday for as long as he lived in Yoon Mintae’s. It’s just a remarkable aspect about him.”
Now that Kevin stopped to think properly, he never saw Dongho in the Christmas parties, not even during the supper. And he never got gifts, not even from Alexander, but never seemed to be bugged by that, nor did he wish anyone a merry Christmas. He… just didn’t seem to be a part of it.
“That’s horrible,” Kevin frowned worriedly. No one should be excluded from the joy Christmas brought, that was too unfair. If only Dongho could know what that date was all about, if was allowed in for once, wouldn’t he change his mind? Wouldn’t he become friends with the other guys? Wouldn’t it be so much better?
His thoughts were disturbed by someone shaking his shoulder. “What are you planning, Kevin?” Eli asked suspiciously, narrowed eyes pointed at him. “I hope it’s nothing about Shin Dongho. Kevin, he’s-”
“He was never given a chance! It’s not that he’s a bad person - Alexander hyung wouldn’t befriend a bad person,” he said as if that solved everything. Eli shook his head.
“It’s more like he doesn’t want to be given a chance-”
“Nonsense!” Kevin cut in again, smiling excitedly. “I’ll make him feel like a part of us for the first time,” he said with a gleam determination in his eyes, a gleam that Eli disliked because he knew it was almost impossible to make it disappear. Kevin was too oblivious to understand he could possibly be in for some unpleasing times. Not that Eli wouldn’t try persuading him, but he recognized the chances of success were minimal.
His mind was perfectly settled. He’d have a whole week to make Dongho like Christmas, and giving up was never an option for Kevin.
*
On the December 17th, Dongho was about to get into the music room and wait for Alexander when someone approached him. He froze, afraid it was one of the supervisors. When he turned around and found Kevin Woo smiling brightly at him and a sleepy Eli Kim behind the blonde boy, giving him an apologizing, unsure half smile, he was both relieved and unnerved - what did they want with him?
“Good morning, Dongho ah!” Kevin said, making Dongho wonder what had been the last time someone had said that to him without a reason. He didn’t know how he should feel about that.
“G-good morning,” he stuttered awkwardly, trying to smile back but, from Eli’s face, he was probably just looking creepy. “Um, can I help you?”
“Well, not really,” Kevin put a hand over Eli’s back, bringing him closer to Dongho. The boy seemed to be trying to keep his head away from the youngest one, just to be safe. “We were just waiting for you to come have breakfast.”
A pause ensued. Dongho eyed Kevin as if he was afraid the boy either suffered a sudden case of amnesia or serious stupidity. From what he knew about Woo, the latter was more likely.
“Have… breakfast?” he repeated the words dumbly. Eli nudged Kevin, who didn’t seem to pay particular attention to that and only nodded. “I don’t-“
“Come on,” Kevin curled an arm around Dongho’s much to the latter’s baffling and led them both down the stairs, heading for the dining room. From the corner of his eye, Dongho saw Alexander leaving the corridor that went from the kitchen to the hall with a box in his hands, probably aiming for the music room. He looked, puzzled, at the trio for a moment before grinning in realization. He was probably happy that someone forced Dongho downstairs for breakfast after such a long time.
As Dongho sat beside Kevin, Eli across them, he couldn’t avoid the feeling of utter discomfort. All the other boys had looked at him when he made his way, some still peered over their shoulders as to make sure they hadn’t got it wrong and it was indeed Shin Dongho, having breakfast at the dining room just like all the other mere humans.
“So, Dongho ah, did you sleep well?” Kevin asked while pouring himself hot chocolate, offering Dongho some, happy when the boy accepted.
“I guess?” Dongho was still wary and a lot suspicious about that sudden behavior. Did Kevin want anything from him? Was he trying to play a trick on him? What could they have to do with each other, anyway? Dongho took a sip from his cup, grimacing a little.
“Is it too hot for you?” Kevin asked, putting his own cup down with worry. The younger boy shook his head.
“No, it’s just too bitter,” he muttered, making Kevin frown. The chocolate was perfectly sweetened in his opinion. Dongho turned to Eli, who started under his attention, “could you hand me the sugar, please?” Eli complied, careful enough not to make their fingers brush as he did. One could never be too cautious. He and Kevin stared as Dongho served himself not one or two, but four spoonfuls of sugar, clumsily mixing them into his chocolate and taking another sip, this time making a very approving face. “This is much better.”
Kevin’s surprised face solved into one fond smile. “You’re so cute,” he said as Dongho used both hands to take another gulp childishly. Eli actually had to agree, completely confused as to how someone could look so scary and so lovely in a matter of seconds. Dongho only blinked at him.
At that moment, Soohyun entered the room with a polite, “good morning,” to everyone. He distractedly took a seat beside Eli, raising his brows when he looked across the table. “Dongho ah,” he exclaimed, not keeping back his surprise.
Group: U-Kiss
Pairing: none
Rating: G
Warning: no beta, unfinished, MESSY
Summary: A grumpy boy hates Christmas while a cheerful one loves it with all his heart.
N/A: For the 24 hour fic challenge. This has very little to do with Grinch, since I never really read the story neatly and remember very little from the animated movie. Well. I don't think I'll finish it in time, so :/
There is nothing like big cities during Christmas time. All the lively lights and decorations, plastic reindeers and Santas everywhere, the stores framed with reds and greens. The strangers seemed nicer and more welcoming during December, the sales clerks’ smiles were more convincing, and one could even spot families hanging outside, going to churches, restaurants or maybe amusement parks - parents and his children, all grins and fun.
Seoul was nothing different from the pattern. In mid-October, the city began dressing for Christmas, elevating its spirits and lowering its prices, eyes on the bigger profits the sacred time of the ear could offer. The children, of course, were the ones who enjoyed it the most. A break from school arriving was already enough to make their small eyes sparkle, but the way their parents actually tried to stay more at home, decorating their houses and apartments for the season was the true reason for their glee.
However, children who did not have their parents to go back home to also seemed to have greater will t o enjoy themselves in the merry season. Take for an example the kids from Yoon Mintae’s Home for Orphan Boys. Something about the trees made them all excited, anticipating Christmas with the hope that maybe next year would be better. Maybe the young children would be adopter and the teenagers would get a scholarship to a great high school. “It might happen,” was what echoed in the boys’ heads all month long.
After all, Yoon Mintae himself did it. Raised in an orphanage, at the age of fifteen he got into a boarding school and, from then on, became unstoppable. After establishing himself in a successful medical career, he decided to open an orphanage of his own to give other poor boys the same chance he was given. None of the boys in the hostel had knows him in person since he had died numerous years before they were born, but they all knew the story by heart, since the staff always repeated it.
“Only nine days till Christmas,” one of the boys chirped after just getting into the dining room to have his breakfast, clapping his hands. Kevin Woo was, indeed, a ray of sunlight with his cheerful voice, cute smile and blonde hair strands. He was easily pleased and tricked, which made him the perfect company for both good and bad people, a reason of distress to all his friends and orphanage’s staff. “I can’t believe it’s so soon!”
Kevin loved Christmas. It was his favorite time of year and he actually announced the countdown to it from the beginning of November, every year of his life. His fellow colleagues were used to it by then. He religiously insisted to decorate the bedroom he shared with nine other boys - at first, they were reluctant and refused to let him hang adorns over their beds, but they came to learn that resisting was pointless. If they showed any sort of discomfort with his doings, Kevin would pout and aim the saddest glance at them, for some reason completely ridding them of any trails of anger. They would just look troubled and say they were kidding, of course Kevin could carry on. The boy grinned and resumed his bright, fussy ornamenting.
“Wouldn’t you shut up and just come sit and have breakfast?” came a sleepy snap from Eli Kim, a buff, surprisingly fair-skinned boy who happened to be Kevin’s roommate. He had harsh times in the morning and couldn’t get why they had to get up so early when they were on winter break. Also, the fact there was always glitter pouring on his face from the garland Kevin had placed over his bed made proper sleeping very difficult.
“Good morning you too, Eli,” Kevin giggled as he took a sit across him. He was more than used to his friend’s morning grumpiness and knew it vanished as soon as he properly woke up.
“Kevin ah, this is the last time I’m warning you,” said a voice from Eli’s left. They both looked at Shin Soohyun, the most important boy in the orphanage for a number of reasons. He was naturally gifted at everything, from studying to singing. He had taken a test to get a scholarship to Seoul University, so he’d been very nervous all week long. The result would only come out in late January. “Stop distributing mistletoes over the corridors and bedrooms, please. There are only boys in here. It’s awkward!”
Kevin pouted, making him gulp uneasily. No one was immune to that pout, not even boy wonder Shin Soohyun. “But what’s Christmas without mistletoes? They’re a part of the scenario!” As much as he wanted, Soohyun didn’t have the heart to argue with that. Christmas was such a huge thing to Kevin no one dared to ruin anything for him.
“Well, ok, but at least stop saying we have to kiss whenever we walk under one,” he tried with a gentle smile. Kevin opened his mouth to protest, Eli kicked him under the table.
“Yes, Kevin, quit that. Seriously,” he said while munching on his mouthful of bread. “It’s embarrassing even with girls, let alone guys.”
Deciding to at least let them have that, Kevin nodded with a smile. Of course only a small thing wouldn’t ruin Christmas for him - in fact, nothing could ruin Christmas for him, he was a hundred percent sure of that.
But not all the boys in Yoon Mintae’s were like the sweet Kevin. There were the ones who didn’t see anything special in that season, the ones who disliked it - and that one who hated it. Yes, there was one kid whose hatred towards Christmas was widely known, one young boy who couldn’t stand even looking at a Santa Claus hat and despised everyone’s babble about that day. Albeit his young age, cute face and big eyes might create a misled idea of him, Shin Dongho was firm - he would have none of that.
Speaking of whom, that early in the morning he could be found having breakfast in the music room. He didn’t like sitting with the others, and the director of the institution never was there in the morning, so he took the opportunity to not have the meal in the dining room. Alexander, one of the few volunteers in the orphanage, always secretly took some food from the kitchen so he could eat. And the two of them would sneak into the music room and sit on the floor, Dongho eating, Alexander keeping him company.
“Why can’t you just eat with the other guys?” Alexander asked, grabbing a bite of his pancake. He was a foreigner, Alexander. Ever since he’d got into Seoul University, he’s been working as a volunteer in Yoon Mintae’s. Dongho couldn’t talk to anyone in the orphanage at all, but he found it easy to open himself to Alexander, from the day they’d met. Well, not actually then, but just a little after that. Mostly, Alexander did the talking, but Dongho would say something or two occasionally - he wouldn’t be brave enough to say it out loud, but he considered Alexander his best friend. His only friend.
“You know I can’t be comfortable around them,” he muttered before taking a sip of his juice. It was overly sweet, just like Alexander knew he liked it. “And they don’t like me either. Actually, I think they make fun of me behind my back.”
Alexander shook his head firmly at the insinuation. “They don’t, you know that,” he was fairly close to most boys from all ages so he felt confident enough to tell. They wouldn’t be the kind to bully anyone, no matter how anti-social and uninviting as he knew Dongho was. “You just have to give them a chance. Saying ‘hello, how are you?’ and offering a small smile once in a while wouldn’t rip your arm off, you know.”
“They might not make fun of me, but they do talk,” he simply shrugged. “Not their fault, I’d talk about someone like me too.”
An awkward silence lingered for some seconds. Pursing his lips, Alexander looked down at his hands, not sure of what to say. It took him some moments to decide to change the subject for something less heavy.
“I bought your gift yesterday,” he suddenly giggle, making cheerful hand gestures. “I know you’ll love it.”
Though Dongho had stopped chewing, thinking and breathing only to fix him a nasty stare. “You got me what?”
Alexander stuck his tongue out at him as a way of showing complete disregard towards his obvious fury. “I got you a gift! I’m tired of this ‘no gift’ policy you have, honestly. That’s what people do on Christmas, you see. Give each other gifts, pray for each other, stay close to the ones we like,” as a demonstration, he reached for Dongho’s shoulder and half hugged him, pressing their cheeks together. “It’s supposed to be fun!”
“But it isn’t,” he said with a grunt, pushing Alexander away. “It’s ridiculous and fake and a huge, blatant lie,” he eyed a smiling Alexander very seriously.
“You’re just too cute not to like Christmas. It’s about time you get rid of this pointless grudge once for all,” Alexander said, nudging him softly. “If you only tried getting into the mood…”
“Hyung, there’s no mood. Christmas is completely material - it’s about the decoration and the creepy guys dressed as Santa and gifts,” he gave Alexander a pointed, impatient stare. The boy didn’t mind a whole lot. “I don’t know why we should celebrate that.”
“Come on, does it really matter, Dongho? If it’s truly all about that, then just pretend it isn’t and try to have a good time as well,” Alexander raised his arms, trying to convince Dongho for once. He was very stubborn, it was an innate quality of his, but Alexander couldn’t just understand why he’d be so persistent in being gloomy and annoyed while everyone was having a good time.
“Just what do you think I have to-” Dongho paused, looking certainly scared for some seconds before taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes and opened them again as Alexander looked confusedly at him, feeling a little nervous by the abrupt silence. “I don’t want to have this conversation, hyung. Let’s leave it at that, please.”
Biting his protest back, Alexander forced himself to nod and leave Dongho alone. He was probably holding everything he had back not to fight with him, and the older boy didn’t want to spoil his hard effort. It was always very unpleasant when they got into an argument.
Dongho proceeded eating quietly. The heavy silence was back again. It was unusual, for them not to find words when they were together. Usually Alexander would talk and talk and Dongho would feel cozy and welcome, unlike with the other orphans. He made a face. It was all that stupid holiday’s fault. The more he lived, the fewer reasons Dongho had to consider celebrating Christmas.
*
“Kevin, would you just put on a normal beanie?” Eli grunted when he saw Kevin putting on a beanie designed after Santa’s hat. “You’re seriously overdoing it.”
“But this one is so cute,” he began pouting until Eli rolled his eyes and said it was ok. “I bought last year from that small shop near the bridge. So cheap! I couldn’t believe it,” he kept on describing the ribbon gloves he saw but couldn’t buy because he lacked money.
“Ok, but would you just hurry?” Eli shifted his weight from one foot to the other with a sigh. “Your boyfriend is probably waiting for you.”
Clasping a hand over his mouth, Kevin hit Eli’s arm quite strongly, rosy cheeks telling on him. “He’s not my boyfriend,” Kevin snorted indignantly in a high pitched voice. “I don’t even know his name.”
Eli snickered, “then maybe try paying attention to his name tag today so you can write it all over your journal along with doodles of hearts.” He dodged Kevin’s next punch with a sly smile. “I will stop making fun of it when you stop looking at him like a girl,” and he couldn’t avoid Kevin’s entire body, tackling him down to his bed and hitting his shoulders between giggles.
They had already stopped when a boy got into the room, heading for his own bed. Eli took a quick glance at him and remained silent, fumbling with his fingers, but Kevin, who was trying to decide if he’d need a scarf that day or not, smiled at him.
“Dongho ah, hello,” he waved, and the boy looked back at him, giving a shy nod. Kevin always thought he looked so adorable… but was always so unhappy. How could someone be that cute and that dreary at the same time? He didn’t think it was fair, he needed to do at least something about it. “Hey, we’re going bowling, Eli and I. Why don’t you come with us?”
Eli looked up from his seat beside Kevin’s, giving him one meaningful glare. He’d always found Dongho quite intimidating - it was almost comical that a big guy like him would be scared of such a harmless young boy like Dongho. But he couldn’t help but feel wary around him, and the fact they shared a room wasn’t doing him wonders already, so why would Kevin, who was aware of his mistrust, invite him along at all?
Kevin didn’t even spare him a glance and only smiled brighter at the youngest one, who seemed surprised by the offer. He could even agree, if Kevin were to trust the dubious expression that flashed through his face.
“I’m sorry, hyung,” he ended up saying quietly and Eli breathed out in relief, “but I’m really short on money right now. Have fun today,” he said awkwardly and turned around again.
“But it’s really cheap there,” the blonde insisted, hopeful. “Or else Eli and I wouldn’t go at all,” he gave a small laugh and eyed Dongho expectantly. The boy only raised his hands slightly as to say he was sorry, but wouldn’t change his mind. Kevin pouted, grip on his scarf stronger. Dongho just repeated, “have fun,” and hopped on bed.
Kevin could barely believe someone would resist his pout - he never did intentionally, but he was glad it always worked either way. But Shin Dongho… he was different.
*
“It’s the sixth ball that you let slide to the corners,” Eli said with a frown. Usually, Kevin was very good at bowling and could get neat strikes without much effort - that’s why Eli always liked to pair with him. “Is the shoe boy distracting you again?”
Blinking absent-mindedly, Kevin eyed Eli, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. Eli tried waving a hand before his eyes.
“Why doesn’t Dongho ah hang around with us?” he suddenly asked. Since the moment they left their bedroom, Kevin couldn’t stop questioning himself about Dongho. So many unanswered wonderings poured inside his head it was making him dizzy. How could they have lived together for almost seven years and barely spoken to each other?
“He scares everyone out,” Eli shrugged and, while people wouldn’t like putting it that way, it was exactly what it was. Eli had this amazing and questionable talent to be as straight forward as one could be and say what no one would like saying in the way no would like voicing. “Also, he doesn’t seem to like anyone but Alexander hyung a lot.”
Nodding slowly, Kevin took the seat beside the ball rack. Eli asked him if he was still going to play, but Kevin didn’t seem to hear him. Maybe Dongho only liked Alexander hyung because he’d been the one to actually talk to him. The rest of the boys were, as Eli had said, too scared out to try, including himself, Kevin thought guiltily. No wonder he always seemed to be so uncomfortable around them.
“But Alexander hyung wouldn’t be friends with a bad person,” he commented thoughtfully, earning a weird look from Eli.
“Why are you bringing Shin Dongho up, anyway?” he asked impatiently. “He never even talks to us!”
“Exactly!” the younger boy exclaimed. Eli looked confused, so Kevin pulled his hand and made him sit down beside him. “Don’t you find it weird that we’ve lived in same house for so many years, even sharing the same bedroom, and never talk to him? I mean, we know a lot about everyone else back in Yoon Mintae’s but Dongho ah.”
Leaning back on his seat, Eli shrugged once again. “I always found it weird and I’ll bet he does too, but, since he doesn’t seem willing to change that, I just respect his will. And, of course, he freaks me out,” he said calmly and Kevin was surprised to know that Eli had considered that before. Was he the only one not to have thought about that? “Don’t think you’re a bad person for not questioning about it,” the boy went on as if having read Kevin’s thoughts - he probably did, Eli always read him, “the fact you’re too good is what never let you wonder. You just thought there’s nothing wrong.”
“But there is,” Kevin mumbled with a sad sigh. “And no one seems to care about it. They’re all too stupid to talk to him because of that silly story,” he made an annoyed face, biting his lip.
Eli nodded. He knew what the story was about, they all did. The all knew Dongho had been adopted as a kid when he lived in another orphanage, but for some reason, he was placed at Yoon Mintae’s Home for Orphan Boys a time after his adoption. No one knows what happened to his family, Dongho never mentioned them (Dongho barely talked) nor did the working crew or volunteers. Either they didn’t know or they didn’t feel like talking about it.
Some boys who didn’t like him maliciously suggested that he’d been given back, but Eli knew it was a lie. Adopted kids weren’t just given back, it didn’t work that way. Plus, he hardly believed people who spent months, maybe years trying to adopt a child would just back away on the idea. No, Eli, like most of the boys, thought his parents had died, which didn’t really make the story any happier. He couldn’t imagine what that felt like. He knew how much he’d craved having a family, having parents, how many nights he’d spent awake crying just because no one wanted to have him as a son. Feeling the taste of what that was like, having a home and a room, eating food cooked by a mother and playing baseball with a father, only to lose it all and have to move into an orphanage again… he didn’t know if he’d handle it.
And, at that moment, Eli understood and even admired the intimidating Shin Dongho.
“He’s always so sad and gloomy,” Kevin propped his chin on a hand, “not even during Christmas season-”
“Kevin,” Eli cut in with a laugh, “he hates Christmas. Everyone knows that.”
Eyes about as big as gulf balls and chin hanging, Kevin was obviously having a hard time processing the idea of someone hating Christmas. It sounded like blasphemy. He couldn’t believe it was real. “I can’t believe it’s real. No one hates Christmas!”
“He does,” the older one seemed amused by Kevin’s shock. “We know almost nothing about him, but that fact’s a given. He’s despised the holiday for as long as he lived in Yoon Mintae’s. It’s just a remarkable aspect about him.”
Now that Kevin stopped to think properly, he never saw Dongho in the Christmas parties, not even during the supper. And he never got gifts, not even from Alexander, but never seemed to be bugged by that, nor did he wish anyone a merry Christmas. He… just didn’t seem to be a part of it.
“That’s horrible,” Kevin frowned worriedly. No one should be excluded from the joy Christmas brought, that was too unfair. If only Dongho could know what that date was all about, if was allowed in for once, wouldn’t he change his mind? Wouldn’t he become friends with the other guys? Wouldn’t it be so much better?
His thoughts were disturbed by someone shaking his shoulder. “What are you planning, Kevin?” Eli asked suspiciously, narrowed eyes pointed at him. “I hope it’s nothing about Shin Dongho. Kevin, he’s-”
“He was never given a chance! It’s not that he’s a bad person - Alexander hyung wouldn’t befriend a bad person,” he said as if that solved everything. Eli shook his head.
“It’s more like he doesn’t want to be given a chance-”
“Nonsense!” Kevin cut in again, smiling excitedly. “I’ll make him feel like a part of us for the first time,” he said with a gleam determination in his eyes, a gleam that Eli disliked because he knew it was almost impossible to make it disappear. Kevin was too oblivious to understand he could possibly be in for some unpleasing times. Not that Eli wouldn’t try persuading him, but he recognized the chances of success were minimal.
His mind was perfectly settled. He’d have a whole week to make Dongho like Christmas, and giving up was never an option for Kevin.
*
On the December 17th, Dongho was about to get into the music room and wait for Alexander when someone approached him. He froze, afraid it was one of the supervisors. When he turned around and found Kevin Woo smiling brightly at him and a sleepy Eli Kim behind the blonde boy, giving him an apologizing, unsure half smile, he was both relieved and unnerved - what did they want with him?
“Good morning, Dongho ah!” Kevin said, making Dongho wonder what had been the last time someone had said that to him without a reason. He didn’t know how he should feel about that.
“G-good morning,” he stuttered awkwardly, trying to smile back but, from Eli’s face, he was probably just looking creepy. “Um, can I help you?”
“Well, not really,” Kevin put a hand over Eli’s back, bringing him closer to Dongho. The boy seemed to be trying to keep his head away from the youngest one, just to be safe. “We were just waiting for you to come have breakfast.”
A pause ensued. Dongho eyed Kevin as if he was afraid the boy either suffered a sudden case of amnesia or serious stupidity. From what he knew about Woo, the latter was more likely.
“Have… breakfast?” he repeated the words dumbly. Eli nudged Kevin, who didn’t seem to pay particular attention to that and only nodded. “I don’t-“
“Come on,” Kevin curled an arm around Dongho’s much to the latter’s baffling and led them both down the stairs, heading for the dining room. From the corner of his eye, Dongho saw Alexander leaving the corridor that went from the kitchen to the hall with a box in his hands, probably aiming for the music room. He looked, puzzled, at the trio for a moment before grinning in realization. He was probably happy that someone forced Dongho downstairs for breakfast after such a long time.
As Dongho sat beside Kevin, Eli across them, he couldn’t avoid the feeling of utter discomfort. All the other boys had looked at him when he made his way, some still peered over their shoulders as to make sure they hadn’t got it wrong and it was indeed Shin Dongho, having breakfast at the dining room just like all the other mere humans.
“So, Dongho ah, did you sleep well?” Kevin asked while pouring himself hot chocolate, offering Dongho some, happy when the boy accepted.
“I guess?” Dongho was still wary and a lot suspicious about that sudden behavior. Did Kevin want anything from him? Was he trying to play a trick on him? What could they have to do with each other, anyway? Dongho took a sip from his cup, grimacing a little.
“Is it too hot for you?” Kevin asked, putting his own cup down with worry. The younger boy shook his head.
“No, it’s just too bitter,” he muttered, making Kevin frown. The chocolate was perfectly sweetened in his opinion. Dongho turned to Eli, who started under his attention, “could you hand me the sugar, please?” Eli complied, careful enough not to make their fingers brush as he did. One could never be too cautious. He and Kevin stared as Dongho served himself not one or two, but four spoonfuls of sugar, clumsily mixing them into his chocolate and taking another sip, this time making a very approving face. “This is much better.”
Kevin’s surprised face solved into one fond smile. “You’re so cute,” he said as Dongho used both hands to take another gulp childishly. Eli actually had to agree, completely confused as to how someone could look so scary and so lovely in a matter of seconds. Dongho only blinked at him.
At that moment, Soohyun entered the room with a polite, “good morning,” to everyone. He distractedly took a seat beside Eli, raising his brows when he looked across the table. “Dongho ah,” he exclaimed, not keeping back his surprise.