Holiday Spirit丨VerKwan

One: Dec. 25th

Christmas morning snow is falling.

Vernon couldn't afford a real Christmas tree this year, but the little plastic shrub he bought was big enough. Underneath it sat the Christmas bonus from work that Vernon decided to pretend was from his parents.

Michael Bublé played on the radio.

The pajamas Vernon wore were the present he got from Minghao during 'Secret Santa'. They were red and gold and although the shirt was a little big, Vernon thought they were perfect. They were warm, and since the radiator broke last week (Vernon was still waiting for his landlord to fix that) he had been waking up in the middle of the night, freezing. This morning Vernon woke up well rested after having sleep like a log all night.

The festive gold envelopes Seungcheol liked to use around this time of year had a delicate, glittery, snowflake design on them.

Vernon wondered what his co-workers were doing today. He debated whether on not to call up one of them but decided against it. They were probably with their families. Vernon felt like the only person in Seoul without plans on Christmas.

'Stop,' he told himself. 'We won't accomplish anything if we sit around here all day feeling sorry. Let's just get some coffee and relax, okay?'

Vernon made for the kitchen before remembering that he ran out of instant coffee months ago. Determined to not be a bum, Vernon got dressed to leave the house. He nearly forgot his coat, but grabbed it at the last second.

Halfway down the street he patted to pockets to make sure his wallet was still in there. It was, and Vernon sighed in relief. The closest Starbucks to Vernon's apartment complex was just a block away, but even the short walk in the cold December air left his fingers frozen.

A bell jingled when Vernon stepped into the coffee shop. Christmas music floated through the speakers and warm cinnamon-smelling air filled his lungs. This is what Christmas was supposed to feel like. The shop was empty, aside from a couple in the corner and a barista. He was short and looked bored but perked up when Vernon walked in.

"Merry Christmas!" The barista chirped. His hair bounced when he straightened up, and his eyes had a curious sparkle to them. "I'm Seungkwan, what can I get you today, sir?"

"Merry Christmas," Vernon copied Seungkwan's smile without noticing it. "What would you recommend?"

Seungkwan launched into a (probably rehearsed) detailed list of holiday themed drinks.

Vernon laughed nervously when he was done. "How about you pick for me?" In actuality, Vernon hadn't been listening to anything the cute boy said. Seungkwan's fluffy hair was too distracting.

Seungkwan beamed. "No problem, sir. Is there anything you don't like?"

"Oh," Vernon blinked, feeling like a deer in headlights. "I can't have peanuts."

"Okay then," Seugkwan's smile didn't waiver- that's professionalism right there. Vernon wondered how many people Seungkwan had shown that smile to.

"What's your name, sir?" Seungkwan had a pen in hand, ready to write on a cup.

"Vernon."

"Bornun?"

"Vernon. I'm from America."

"Oh, sorry!" Seungkwan laughed at himself, crossing out what he originally wrote down. Seungkwan's laugh sounded like how Christmas felt. Christmas felt great.

"Feel free to have a seat while you wait." Seungkwan gestured to the tables behind Vernon.

"Thank you." Vernon pulled out his cellphone to find no new messages. His heart sank, but he quickly put it back in his pocket. He was determined to have a damned merry Christmas. If his parents didn't want to talk to him, so be it.

Seungkwan had his drink ready soon enough. It was sweet, and warm, and full of delicious cinnamon. Without noticing it, Vernon stayed at the coffee shop for hours.

Seungkwan didn't mind. Vernon was pretty.