Northern Lights

<~07~>

Crowded people in every stores and a line to see Santa for what they want for Christmas. Food court hustling giving out orders and some were closed for the holidays. San's experience with the mall is new to him but rather familiar to his liking from back home. "So, this mall is where parents buy things for their kids or for themselves and families? Even when my dad brings gifts as well."

"Pretty much," Wooyoung holding a few bags in his hands for his family and for San in secret. Plus one for Seognhwa, "right now, it's a big sale on everything and people here go crazy for it at last minute stuff. Not like the movies but I wish it was."

San was concerned on the last part but smiled how thoughtful can be during this time. "I should probably get something for you, Seonghwa, and the family." his friend shook his head, "You don't have too unless you want to pay a lot for a lego set for Seonghwa from his favorite game and movie series." good point on that. He'll just make Christmas cards and add some magic to it.

That's when he saw snow globes at a stand. Cute themed ones that'll make a perfect gift. San ran towards them in a cheery way, "Oh! these are like the globes back home." Wooyoung caught up with him, slight out of breath. "You don't say, I can pay for them if you want."

The cheery man didn't want his friend to pay for the snow globes since this was something meaningful to him back home. "I'll pay for them since I work now." therefore, San paid for the snow globes and had them in small white boxes for safety and in a nice bag to carry.

As they both walked around, sight seeing all the people with kids asking what they want for Christmas, teens hanging out since school was out for them, and adults trying to leave with the items they've been needing to buy since fall.

Stepping into the center of the mall was Santa's workshop. A long line of children with their siblings and parents getting to meet the jolly man himself. Which wasn't the son's dad of course. San walked up to the white fence, amazed how a fake Santa can give little children so much joy for their innocent fantasies. Even taking pictures with them. He kinda wished his dad would be here to experience these human things with him. Sadly, that couldn't happen at all since he ran away of course.

"Hey, you're the dude from the daycare from the other day." a familiar voice caught San's attention that it was Y/N. "Um...hi?" the flustered man didn't know what to say when the girl walked up to him in a cute elf costume. "You look good in those shoes." the shows curled at the tips of them.

Y/N chuckled at the compliment, "Thanks. I heard you're a kid magnet." that caught him off guard while Wooyoung was watching the whole thing smirking. San didn't like that but continued talking. At least trying too when his face was starting to get warm and hands cold. They never get cold until now. "You could say that. Why do you ask?"

"Seonghwa told me after his shift ended you were the guy that kids walk up to you like Santa."

"I see." well, he does get it from his dad and a smile like his mom's.

Changing the topic of things, Wooyung asked when his stomach growled randomly, "Anyone want lunch? I'm starving here." others could go for lunch themselves. "Sure, I'm getting on break now anyway and my treat too."

Heading to the loud food court, Y/N went to get Chinese while the two men got their simple fast food. All three sitting together at a table with the three chairs being provided for them. "Thanks for paying for lunch Y/N." San was thankful even though they went to different food places to get their meals. "It's alright, I've been craving Chinese this past week." grabbing her chopsticks and slurp the noodles to her mouth.

Wooyoung cut in asking, "So, Y/N, if you didn't know. This guy here was wondering about you." San almost choked on his drink. Giving his friend a panicked look when the girl in front of him was quirking an eyebrow right at him. His heart felt like it was going to drop out of him. "You don't say? Well, as you can tell, I work as an elf for the mall Santa for the winter. For the spring to summer, I work for Seonghwa at the daycare."

"So family business."

"Pretty much. That's how I put it." Y/N wanted to know who San was while watching him hiding behind his food trying to eat. "I never seen you around before San. Only at the Seonghwa's work place once, what's your story for this holiday season?"

San was finishing a bite of his sandwich before speaking shyly, "I'm actually here because of my mom. She thought it was a good idea to travel. Where I'm from uhh, it's in a different country where it gets cold."

"Like the northern parts of Europe?"

"Something like that. For now, I'm rooming with Wooyoung at his place because his mom and my mom are friends. I even visited Namhae, beautiful place with a mountain range. That was where my mom grew up."

"That's cool. Maybe I should call you farmer boy then." Wooyoung snickered at that nickname which made the other pouty on the lips. "It's not funny." back handed slap on the shoulder of his snickering friend. Y/N couldn't help laughing too. "I'm just joking. I'm glad you're visiting Seoul though. What are you gonna do for Christmas since you're here?"

"I found a present for certain people and make homemade cards when we get back home."

"That's sweet of you and I hope the people you love most will like them a lot."

That one word. Love. San wanted to experience that love other than friends and family but in a romance way. "What about in a romantic way?"

Wooyung cut in once again, "It can be romantic too for the holidays. It's like a thing for couples to get together on dates and stuff."

"Agreed but I haven't found a guy I like yet." Y/N sipping on her soda. Adding on anything to it. "I bet with some holiday magic, some guy will take me away on his sleigh on a beautiful winter wonderland," she kid herself on that, "I know that probably won't come true."

Moreover, this was news that the girl was single. Hearing how she wanted to be in her dreams of being romanced that way. Wooyoung nudged San that he got a chance with her. Mostly gonna get teased during the whole thing.

That wasn't the time now when two figures within the food court crowds. Familiar faces to San that made him feel uneasy in his seat. This wasn't great timing. He stood up at the table eyeing Wooyoung to stand up too. Giving the sense it was time to go. "Thanks for lunch Y/N. Great talking with you but we have to go."

"Um, no problem and I'll be off to my finish my shift." when she left, San immediately panicked grabbing all of their things and weaving between the people of the food court. Not saying a thing until they were in a big clothing store away from the two figures. Wooyoung wasn't having it. "Why or what are we in a hurry for?"

"They found me."

"Who's they? I'm so confused here." judging from his expressions, San had to make things clear. "Listen, people don't know this but my dad has elves that are trained for any disasters to happen. If I ran away or he's in trouble during the night of Christmas Eve, they come to rescue to either bring me back home or saving Santa from anything bad happening."

"Are these elves assassins?" Wooyoung couldn't imagine sweet elves to be trained to be assassins or whatever they do to help Santa and his friend.

"More like protectors. Although, since I ran away they're looking for me," this wasn't good as they kept moving with the bags in their hands. Leaving the whole mall being unnoticed, "They're the top two elves for this job. Jongho and Yeosang. If they find me, I won't be able to comeback here, ever."

Wooyoung couldn't let these elves protectors take away his friend. Not on his watch. He's finally to become best buddies with San and now danger is upon them. "We better get back home where it's safe."

<~~>
Dun dun dun~!! ('⊙ω⊙')
A little sneak peek
with introducing
Jongho and Yeosang!!