The Nutcracker (Seventeen SoonChan story)

Chapter 1 - Christmas

A/N: Heyyo everyone! I was really excited about starting this book sooo I'm here already with the first chapter! Let's begin our journey by getting to know our main character - and with some CuLtUrE, now everyone let's listen to Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Op 71 Miniature Overture. Obviously it's not necessary I just wanted to include this masterpiece ^^ Warning, this chapter is long af. I didn't expect it to turn out this long, but my draft was so old (this was actually the second book I started drafting after Swan Lake which was almost a year ago) and so cringey, I had to rewrite basically the whole thing... And ended up with 1.5K words. Almost really like my Mermaid Au...

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Once upon a time, far far away, farther than the place where Shrek lives... I have no idea where so it's definitely somewhere far away... there was a town. In this town lived many many people. They were all simple ordinary people with simple lives, simple stories and simple dreams. They could be any of us.

There lived a young boy in this town too. His name was Lee Chan. This boy was just like everyone else. Chan and his little brother lived with their grandfather. He raised the two boys since their parents sadly died in an accident not long after Chan's brother was born, leaving the two of them with their grandpa. Despite the old man being very old-fashioned and strict, Chan loved him with all his heart. He knew how much he did for them and he tried to thank him by being a diligent and hardworking boy. Even though Grandpa didn't really show his gratitude, Chan knew he was proud of him. Kinda.

When our story takes place it's currently Christmas time, Chan's favorite time of the year. He loved everything about Christmas: the smells, the food, the gifts, the family gathering together, the snow, the decorations... his list could honestly go on for like forever. He believed that Christmas is not just a holiday that's about money or gifts. He knew that everyone has the right to celebrate Christmas the way they wanted to and never understood people who hated the holiday out of trend.

But back to the Lee house. Chan was currently decorating the living room. Well, at least that was what he was supposed to do until he got distracted by a beautiful, huge snow globe he found in one of the boxes. He had never seen that ornament before. He stared at it in awe as he carefully shook it and watched the small snowflakes swirl around inside it. It contained a snowy landscape with a small hill that had a tiny castle on top. Next to it was a small square where there was a dancing couple. The figures were really tiny, but as Chan leaned closer he was surprised to see that they were two boys. He found it weird, seeing how old-fashioned Grandpa was. Maybe it was his assistant's...

'Chan, where are you?' Grandpa's voice startled the 19 year-old young man and he almost dropped the decoration. He put it on the table carefully.

'In the living room, Grandpa!' he yelled back. He gave one last glance to the snow globe before turning towards the door where the old man entered.

'Quick, quick, we need to finish the decorating by the time the guests arrive!' he urged.

'I think there's nothing wrong with being a bit late' Chan said. 'We could decorate together with the guests!'

'Channie, I get it, you are so young and carefree, but be a bit more mature. The guests aren't coming here to play with you guys... by the way, where's your brother? Tell him to get ready!' At the same time the doorbell rang. Chan fought back a smile as he saw his Grandpa already mad, knowing really well who just arrived.

'23 minutes early! I can't believe this man! How many times do I have to tell him-' Grandpa left the room while scolding the guest to no one in particular.