The Stunner and the Stunned

the one with the company christmas party

It's that time of the year again. And he doesn't mean the most wonderful time; although, his mother would beg to differ given by her tenth text message about all her exciting plans for Christmas. No, Sehun is talking about the annual office Christmas party. Minseok and Junmyeon just sent out the email to everyone this morning. Sehun has never been much of a party person, but he's gone every year he's been at the company just to be courteous. How could he not when Minseok brings it up every single day leading up to the event? The first year, he stood by the punch and sugar cookies all night because he didn't know anyone well enough to mingle.

The only conversation he had was uncomfortable small talk between some people from marketing. He hadn't become friends with Kyungsoo yet at the time and Baekhyun wasn't able to attend because of a family emergency. The year after that, Kyungsoo didn't attend because he had said, and he quotes, "I would literally rather do anything else" and Baekhyun had another family event. So, Sehun spent another painfully uncomfortable night watching his coworkers socialize without him.

This year, apparently, everyone was allowed to bring a plus one since a few of the married employees had complained they couldn't bring their partners the previous years. Sehun decides he won't be attending this time. The previous years were awkward enough, now everyone will have their spouses with him and he'll be stuck by himself by the refreshments table once again. To be fair, Minseok and Junmyeon didn't specifically tell everyone to invite their significant others, but of course, everyone is going to.

He glances over at Baekhyun who is pouting in concentration as he clicks away at his keyboard. Will Baekhyun be bringing someone? Perhaps that handsome IT guy he and Jongdae had been talking about. He instinctively frowns at the thought, but immediately wipes it off his face, questioning his emotions. Why does he feel slightly bothered by that idea? He shakes the feeling off. It's none of his business. Dating within the company isn't allowed anyway. Maybe Baekhyun won't even go. Either way, Sehun will never know because he isn't going this time.

"I'm so excited about the Christmas party," Baekhyun suddenly says. "This will be the first year I'll get to go since family stuff always comes up...Are you gonna go, Sehun?"

On second thought, maybe he will go. Without hesitation, Sehun nods.

"That's nice they're letting us bring someone this year. They never did before, right?"

Once again, he wonders who Baekhyun will bring. He finds it hard to believe someone as charming as Baekhyun wouldn't have a date.

"I don't think so."

"I have a special outfit saved for it. Are you gonna dress up too?"

Baekhyun really enjoys dressing up for the holidays. He can tell because the other has been wearing some of the most interesting Christmas sweaters he has ever seen every day to work ever since the first of December. Yesterday it was a bright cobalt blue one with Santa riding on the back of a T-rex on the front of it. Today it's a navy blue knit with all sorts of ornaments, bells, and bows hanging off of it. He jingles every time he moves a muscle and you'd think Sehun would be annoyed by it by now since Baekhyun can't sit still for more than five minutes to save his life, but it doesn't. If his sweaters are already this extravagant now, Sehun wonders what he has in store for the party.

Sehun thinks about it for a moment. He's always just worn his usual clothes since they still have work earlier in the day. Before he can reply, Baekhyun says in a teasing tone, "You're not just gonna wear your argyle vest, are you?"

He was in fact planning to wear his argyle vest. Baekhyun seems to have taken notice of his predictable clothing choices and he doesn't know if he should be flattered or embarrassed.