Stray Kids advent calendar- one shots

Day 9: Decorating the Christmas tree with I.N.

The Christmas tree we had brought home yesterday stood proudly in the middle of the living room.

Jeonjin had dug out one box filled with ornaments and garland. He furrowed his brow as he looked at the decorations in hand and the Christmas tree.

"I don't think these will be enough to decorate the whole tree." He sounded thoughtful as he spoke.

I stared at the contents of the box. There seemed to be plenty of multicolored sparkly decorations.

"So how much stuff are you planning on hanging in the tree?" I asked, incredulous.

My boyfriend grinned widely. "My goal is to make the tree itself disappear underneath all decorations!"

I blinked slowly, trying to figure out if he was being serious. He seemed to be. "And will this make you happy?" I confirmed.

He nodded eagerly.

"Okay then," I gave him a kiss on the cheek, "we probably need to go shopping for more decorations." There was nothing I wouldn't do to make him happy. Love was strange that way; someone else's happiness began making you happy. The amount of serotonin and dopamine my brain produced whenever I saw my boyfriend smile was unreal.

***

"So do you have a particular color scheme in mind?" I asked as we stood in front of hundreds upon hundreds of different decorations. The store we were at is known for their insane selection of all things Christmas.

Jeongin shook his head. "I suppose we could continue with the multicolor theme and buy only the sparkliest decorations possible."

He picked a sparkly green star-shaped ornament from the shelf and turned slowly around in his hands. "Yeah, let's do that!"

I pushed the cart while he picked out the most random decorations ever. The strangest of them was a sparkly moose, because apparently someone thought that could be the next hit item. Jeonjin seemed delighted to find it.

"I think we should get a few of these."

I stared at him blankly. "Do you seriously consider that a pretty ornament?"

He laughed. "Of course not. I think it might just be the ugliest ornament I've ever seen, but I find it hilarious. That's why I need at least five of those."

I took a deep breath. "You're weird, but I love you."

He placed a handful of moose-ornaments into the cart and pulled me into a hug. I relaxed in his embrace. I could feel his lips on my forehead. "Thank you for always supporting me, no matter how many moose ornaments I decide to purchase."

I let out a laugh. "I've never been so thankful for the fact that Christmas decorations only stay on for a month!"

My boyfriend went quiet, seemingly deep in thought.

I pulled back from the hug and looked at his beautiful face. "Don't you dare suggest that we keep the horrid decorations on full display during the whole year."

"But babeee, that might be fun!"

I would do anything to make him happy. I sighed, absolutely defeated. "If that will make you happy."

Jeonjin's expression stayed serious for ten more seconds. The longest seconds of my life for sure. Then he burst into laughter.

His whole body shook as he wheezed and gasped for air. "Gosh no, I can maybe tolerate those for a month but after that they need to be buried at the far end of a closet for the next 11 months."

"You were just messing with me?" I asked. I wasn't quite sure if I should be angry at him or focus on the feeling of immense relief.

He nodded, after which he gave me an apologetical kiss.

"I'm sorry he whispered against my lips."

"All is forgiven." For a moment, I kissed him deeply before remembering we were out in public. Neither of us wanted to be recognized in a situation like this.

"To be continued at home?" His eyes had a mischievous glint.

I simply nodded without letting go of his gaze.

***

It took us almost two whole hours to decorate the entire tree. Christmas songs were playing in the background as we danced, laughed and kissed while placing various decorations on the branches of the tree.

"Now we only have one last thing left: the star on top! Would you like to do the honors?" He offered the golden sparky star to me.

"I think you should get to do it, since this has been your vision from the very start."

He smiled and I knew I'd made the right choice.

I watched as he took a chair, placed it next to the tree, climbed on top of it with the star in his hand and almost fell.

"Be careful!" I reminded him. The members would be mad if he got injured doing something as stupid as this.

I walked over to the chair and placed my hands on it to steady it.

"Babe, I appreciate the attempt, but I don't think you can completely prevent me from falling." He was trying hard not to insult me with his words.

"Yeah, perhaps not, but at least I can soften the fall if you land on me." I wanted to be of some use.

My boyfriend looked like he was contemplating saying something but decided to keep his mouth shut.

Much slower and more carefully than the last time, he stood up on the chair and managed to place the star on the very top of the tree.

"Perfect!" He exclaimed and jumped down.

"A huge thank you for helping me." He said softly and pulled me into a sideways hug so that we both could admire the tree.

It was GORGEOUS.

Sparkly, colorful and honestly only two branches were visible if you really scrutinized them.

"Mission accomplished." Jeonjin said before kissing me gently. If I could've bottled the happiness I felt and sold it, I'd be a billionaire.