365 Days of You

Chapter 20

Nayeon tries to figure out what she is feeling. She has promised Mina she'd be nice to her, but that doesn't mean she has to open herself up in a way that would leave her bare and vulnerable. Destructible.

Besides, she has only refused to hear about her family because she doesn't want to get attached.

She has regretted those words immediately and wished she can take them back when she sees the flicker of hurt in the blonde's eyes.

Her regret becomes deeper when her own friends had to lie to her to spend time with Mina's family.

She doesn't want them to choose between her and Mina. She actually appreciates how they care for the younger girl's feelings when she can't.

Sure she doesn't know how to care for someone but that doesn't mean she likes seeing them hurt.

They have been making some progress in whatever fragile relationship they have and she feels like she has just dragged them back ten steps.

"Do you want to go with me somewhere?"

Mina stops playing with Romeo. She looks tired. Tired of her.

Nayeon can't blame her for it. It is Christmas morning and she has barely spoken to the younger girl since she got home.

"Okay."

That's all? She isn't even going to ask where? However, a part of her is secretly relieved that she hasn't.

"Nam-ji loved Christmas."

She says as she looks at the headstone affectionately.

They stand in the cemetery in comfortable silence.

"This is why you don't like to celebrate them anymore."

Mina's voice is low and understanding and Nayeon doesn't know if she deserves it.

The younger girl takes a step closer to her. Nayeon knows tears in her own eyes are pooling up. She looks away so that the girl next to her can't see them.

"Merry Christmas Nam-ji."

She hears Mina whisper. Nayeon swears she can feel her heart grow bigger in size.

When they get home, she sees Mina gasp at the gigantic Christmas tree in the corner of the living room.

All the effort of calling her assistants secretly and getting them to arrange this while they are away seems worth it when Mina falls  into her in a tight hug.

As Nayeon leans against the wall, holding Mina in her arms, and an excited puppy runs around them, she supposes Christmases aren't all that bad if she got moments like these.

"She put up a Christmas tree?" Jihyo asks in astonishment.

"This has to be a joke." Chaeyoung refuses to believe the giant tree in front of her eyes is real. She thinks it's probably a product of her imagination.

"She never let us." Dahyun shakes her head as she turns to look at Mina. "Thank you."

Mina doesn't know why the girl is thanking her. She only knows she is just as astounded as them.

"Let's open our gifts."

Mina laughs at Tzuyu. She always knows how to make any situation less sentimental.

The girls opens their gifts Nayeon has got them and feels guilty for not getting her anything.

Romeo is busy shredding the gift wrappers they leave by their sides making them laugh.

"We should have got her something too." Dahyun says regretfully.

"It doesn't matter." Nayeon comes down having changed into a pair of beige slacks and a red sweatshirt. "I just wanted to get you guys something."

"What did you get Mina?" Tzuyu turns to Nayeon when she realises there are only seven gift boxes.

Everyone's names except Mina's is on them.

Nayeon feels four pairs of eyes looking at her questioningly. A pair of eyes look at her fondly.

"I didn't." She meets the blonde's eyes across the room. She bends down to pick Romeo in her arms. "I got her Christmas. That's the only thing I could do in this short notice, besides I don't know what she really likes."

Nayeon feels the room go quiet as she rambles and wonders if she has said anything wrong.

She probably should have gotten Mina something.

Hours later, she finds herself alone with Mina. The members have just left after a dinner they all prepared together.

Nayeon isn't a wizard in the kitchen like Mina but she manages to make some pie without burning it.

They are cleaning the kitchen and sorting out the dishes side by side in
companionable silence. When they are done, Mina picks Romeo up and disappears down the hallway.

Nayeon feels strangely disappointed that she hasn't even gotten a goodnight.

Just when she is about to retire to bed too, she sees the blonde approaching her.

"Merry Christmas, Nayeon-chan."

The younger girl shoves a box in her hands.

"You got me a gift?"

The girls haven't. She wouldn't blame them, she is a right bitch during Christmas. Mina has. Even though she is a bitch to her all the time.

"I hope you like it." The blonde removes her hands gently out of the singer's hands.

Nayeon feels her eyes prickle when she sees the box of legos. She remembers how she has mentioned to the members once that she has loved them as a child.

And only Mina has noticed enough to give her a part of her life that holds happy memories back to her.

"I love it." She tries to stop her voice from breaking.

"Really?"

"Really."

She tucks a strayed hair behind Mina's ears. She feels her heart swell at the teary smile that is thrown her way.

She is surprised when she realises she would do a lot to receive one of these smiles.

"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything." Her hand cups the blonde's cheek. "I'm just really awful at giving gifts."

She is stunned when Mina throws her head back and laughs.

"You gave me Christmas. Nothing could beat that."

They stare at each other fondly.

Nayeon hopes she can stop smiling like a fool. She hopes that Mina can't hear how loud her heart is beating.

"Goodnight."

When a kiss lands on her cheek gently, Nayeon knows she doesn't mind being a fool in front of Mina.

She sighs as she sees the blonde walk into her bedroom.

"Merry Christmas Mina."

She whispers it like a prayer to the empty room.