Dancing King

Chapter 24

We are currently on our way to my cousin's graduation. I've just finished the new installment of Hopelessly Niave, another of Meggs fantastic stories. If you can't tell I love her work lol.

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Junmyeon's POV

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Christmas Eve. Usually it was a time mom and I spent together, baking cookies and singing carols and opening just one too many gifts before tomorrow morning. But the hospital called her in last minute, leaving me to an empty house and an empty heart. I couldn't bring myself to intrude on my friends' holiday plans, so I stayed put, mindlessly watching TV in my pajamas and drinking an inhuman amount of hot chocolate.

Finally, somewhere around seven in the evening, I decided it was time to put something in me that wasn't just liquid. I shuffled to the kitchen, a thin blanket wrapped around my shoulders for no other reason than to provide me some comfort. I needed it. I wasn't a burden, so even if I was lonely, I would endure it. A soft knock on the front door, however, was enough to pull me away from my self pity party. I padded to the door, peeking out the small window to see who it was.

"Yixing," I chirped in surprise when I finally opened the door. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "And come in... I guess." He squeezed passed me. "What are you doing here?" I repeated. He held another box out, this one wrapped in gold with a little silver bow on top. "Oh," I said, my stomach sinking. "I didn't get you anything else."

"It's from mom," he replied with a chuckle. "For you. Apparently she really likes you." I accepted the gift from him. "She wants me to stay while you open it," he explained. "Make sure everything is right." I gazed at him quizzically, but he simply pointed at the couch. I led the way.

"Thank you," I told him. "To both you and your mom." His eyes disappeared as he smiled at me, and my heart gave a little kick in my chest. I focused on peeling back the paper carefully, hoping to mask the rapidly growing feelings somewhat. I peered inside, slightly confused. I pulled the outfit out, admiring the rich blue color and the intricate designs.

"It's a tang suit," Yixing explained, a fond sort of expression settling over his features. "Mom made it so we could match since matching outfits are huge. It's a traditional outfit from China." I faced the suit again, expression lighting up at the thought. "I have a red one a lot like that one," he added. "And... She thought it be a nice memory for the two of us. Before I leave."

"I'll go try it on," I whispered, not trusting myself to get anything else out. I rose, scrambling up the stairs to the bathroom. I shut the door behind me, studying myself in the mirror before changing. It was a little loose, but not too bad. I creeped back downstairs, sneaking up behind Yixing who had his head back and eyes closed. I pecked his forehead. He hummed, his eyes fluttering open.

"My you look nice," he said, twisting so he could see me better. I glanced down, feeling the heat if his gaze lighting my skin. I felt arms around me. "I've been meaning to ask you something. Why are you home alone?" I sighed, hiding my face in his shoulder, squeezing my eyes shut.

"Mom had to work," I mumbled into his sweater. "And I didn't want to bother anybody. So I stayed here and watched TV all day." I felt him kiss my hair, his fingers trailing up my spine. I shivered against him.

"Why didn't you text me?" he asked, pulling back so he could search my face. I dropped my gaze again. "Are you home by yourself a lot?" He followed his question with another one. All I could do was nod. Another hard stare to the top of my head, my hairs rising. "Oh Junnie," he said, opting out of saying a lot of things to offer me pity. "You can come over to my house you know," he continued.

"I know." I moved away from him, turning the TV off and plunging our tiny world into darkness. "I don't want to be a burden to you though." His arms wrapped around me again, this time from behind. I leaned back, my head on his shoulder, staring up at him.