Imperfectly Perfect [Chaelisa]

fifty one

"Merry Christmas!" Chaeyoung announces in a sing-song voice when Lisa opens the front door. "Let's go shopping!"

"Rosie..." Lisa rolls her eyes, "it's November. Cool it with the festivities for a moment, yeah?"

"You're a festivity." Chaeyoung childishly retorts. "And it's never too early. Don't be a Grinch. I want to get my Christmas shopping finished today, and you're coming with me, and you need to get into the festive mood!"

"I haven't even started my Christmas shopping," Lisa says, and Chaeyoung can't comprehend how her girlfriend is so unorganised, "and you're talking about how you're finishing today? Crazy, Roseanne Park. You're crazy."

"Last year I finished in October," Chaeyoung says, rocking on her heels, "so I'm a little behind schedule. But I'd like you to come with me and help me finish my shopping. I will help you start yours, too."

"Okay then," Lisa nods and gestures for Chaeyoung to come inside, so the older girl walks into her house and closes the door behind her. "What do you want for Christmas, anyway?"

Chaeyoung watches as Lisa starts putting her shoes on. "I don't know. Lots of hugs and tummy rubs, please."

"Chaeyoung," Lisa rolls her eyes and pauses in the middle of tying her laces to look up at Chaeyoung, "you know I meant what material item. I give you hugs and tummy rubs every day, pretty much."

"Well... give me extra, then. And a card, I love Christmas cards!" Chaeyoung smiles to herself, thinking back to the Christmas card she'd received from Somi last year - it had been really glittery and there was gorgeous scenery on it. She'll probably put it up again this year. "Get me a pretty Christmas card, please."

"Okay, but what present do you want?" Lisa persists, and Chaeyoung rolls her eyes this time, because she doesn't want Lisa to get her anything. "And before you say nothing, that's not an answer. You're my girlfriend and I'm getting you something."

Chaeyoung hums in thought. "Can you get me a bottle of mulled wine, please? But I still want my card."

"Sure, babe," Lisa nods, "I'll have to make my mom buy that, though. I'm not exactly legal. Unless you want the non-alcoholic kind."

"No, normal please," Chaeyoung is quick to reply, "and I already have your present. So you don't need to tell me what you want."

"Organised little cutie," Lisa smiles and pulls her in for a kiss, "okay. Drag me out on your festive adventure."

"I'm not- well, I am organised, but mostly just because malls are even more crowded around the holidays, and some things I'd rather pick up in store than buy online," Chaeyoung says, tapping her hand against her leg. "Anyway, I have a schedule. First, we get cocoa in my favourite little coffee shop. Then, we go shopping and I- um, I am sorry if-"

"If you're about to apologise for going into sensory overload, I'll smack you," Lisa threatens, but Chaeyoung knows she's only joking, "you never have to apologise for that, baby. I promise. Sometimes it happens and you can't help it."

"Okay," Chaeyoung nods and sends Lisa a smile, "good, then. I don't think it will happen, but... just in case it's busy. And- and, um, I'd like it if we held hands in the mall today."

"I would've held your hand anyway," Lisa replies as they head out to the car, "whether you like it or not, Roseanne Park. Romantic affection is a must with me."

"Don't call me Roseanne Park, Pranpriya Manoban," Chaeyoung says as she buckles herself in, "or I won't buy you a hot chocolate with marshmallows in it."

"Bringing out the big guns, huh?" Lisa laughs, and Chaeyoung isn't entirely sure what she means by that. She's about to ask, but Lisa keeps talking. "Alright, babe."