Blessing in Disguise

Chapter Four

12/24/2016

The sound of holiday music filled Yunjin's living room, mingling with the warm chatter of both families gathered around the brightly lit Christmas tree. Twinkling lights reflected off the ornaments, casting a soft glow around the room. The scent of cinnamon and pine wafted through the air, carrying the unmistakable feeling of Christmas.

Y/N sat on the couch, watching as his sister, Betty, helped Yunjin's little sister, Rachel, hang the last few ornaments on the tree. They were giggling about something, Rachel standing on her tiptoes as Betty playfully lifted her up to reach the higher branches. Yunjin's little brother dashed by, holding a bowl of popcorn that was barely surviving the journey from the kitchen to the living room.

"Careful with those, lil bro!" Yunjin called out from the other side of the room, her eyes sparkling with amusement as her brother nearly knocked over a chair. She was sitting next to Y/N, her legs tucked beneath her, wearing a red sweater that matched the festive colors all around them.

Y/N smiled at the scene, feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth. This had been their tradition for years—spending Christmas together, both families gathering like they had always been connected. There was no awkwardness, no formalities, just the easy flow of people who knew each other well.

Yunjin nudged Y/N lightly with her elbow, catching his attention. "Wanna help with the cookies?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Only if I get to taste-test them first."

She grinned, standing up and pulling him off the couch. "Deal."

They made their way to the kitchen, where the smell of freshly baked gingerbread filled the air. Y/N's mom and Yunjin's mom were chatting as they arranged the cookies on trays, exchanging stories and laughing as if they'd known each other forever. The kitchen was cozy, the counters cluttered with frosting tubes and sprinkles, the very picture of festive chaos.

Yunjin grabbed a gingerbread man from the tray and handed it to Y/N. "Taste test. Let me know if it's worthy of the table."

Y/N took a bite, pretending to consider it seriously before grinning. "Definitely worthy."

Yunjin laughed, stealing a bite from the same cookie. "I knew it."

They spent the next hour helping the rest of the family decorate the cookies, smearing colorful frosting and adding ridiculous amounts of sprinkles. Yunjin's little brother kept sneaking more cookies than he decorated, and Rachel meticulously created little patterns on hers, while Y/N's sister Betty supervised with a laugh.

After the cookies were finished and set out on a large platter, everyone gathered back in the living room. The tree was finally complete, shimmering with ornaments, lights, and tinsel. Y/N sat next to Yunjin on the couch again, feeling the warmth of her presence as she leaned into him slightly.

The room buzzed with the sound of conversation and laughter. Y/N's mother shared stories from when he and Betty were kids, and Yunjin's parents responded with stories about her and her siblings. Everyone was relaxed, content, the glow of the tree casting a soft light over the room.

At some point, Rachel and Yunjin's little brother had wandered over to the pile of presents under the tree, their eyes wide with curiosity. Y/N smiled as he watched them, remembering how he used to be the same, impatient to tear into the gifts.

Yunjin turned to him, her voice soft so only he could hear. "I'm really glad we could do this."

Y/N nodded, his heart full. "Me too. It wouldn't be Christmas without this."

She smiled, her hand resting on his for a moment before she looked back toward the tree. "And next year... we'll still make it work, even if I'm far away."

Y/N squeezed her hand gently. "Promise?"

"Promise."

As the night went on, the room grew quieter. The excitement settled into a cozy stillness as the kids tired themselves out and the adults reminisced. Y/N leaned back against the couch, watching the lights twinkle on the tree, Yunjin by his side, and for a moment, everything felt right.

The living room was warm with the glow of Christmas lights, the soft hum of holiday music in the background as everyone gathered closer, the cozy warmth of the fireplace filling the air. Y/N sat beside Yunjin, his hands fidgeting slightly, the weight of the small box in his pocket pressing against him. He glanced around the room, catching his sister Betty's knowing smile and his mother's gentle nod of encouragement.

Yunjin was laughing at something Rachel had said, her eyes bright with the warmth of the evening. She hadn't noticed Y/N's nerves—at least, not yet.

"Hey," Y/N murmured, his voice low as he gently nudged her. She turned to him, her face softening into that familiar smile.

"Yeah?" she asked, curiosity in her eyes.

He took a deep breath, his fingers slipping into his pocket and pulling out the small, velvet box. The room seemed to quiet just a bit, though the chatter of their families continued in the background. Y/N opened the box slowly, revealing two delicate rings nestled inside, shimmering under the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights.

Yunjin's eyes widened, her breath catching as she took in the sight. The rings were simple yet elegant—a pair of intertwined bands, one silver and one black, seamlessly blending together. The silver band was smooth and bright, symbolizing Yunjin's warmth and light, while the black band, matte and solid, mirrored Y/N's grounded strength. Together, they created a perfect balance, their edges winding around each other as if they had always belonged.

"I wanted to give you something... to symbolize us," Y/N began, his voice soft but steady. "The silver is you—bright, and strong, always pushing forward. And the black is me—grounded, steady. They fit together because... well, we do."

Yunjin's eyes filled with emotion as she stared at the rings, her fingers reaching out to lightly touch the bands. "Y/N..."

He smiled, taking one of the rings from the box and holding it out to her. "It's a promise, Yunjin. A promise that no matter where we go, no matter what happens... we'll come back to each other when we've both made our dreams come true."

Yunjin's hands trembled slightly as she took the ring, slipping it onto her finger. It fit perfectly, the bands shining against her skin, catching the twinkling lights of the tree.

"I don't even know what to say," Yunjin whispered, her voice breaking with the weight of the moment.

Y/N slipped his own matching ring onto his finger, the cool metal feeling like an anchor, a connection between them. "Just promise me you'll keep it," he said, his tone light yet filled with meaning. "Until we're together again."

Yunjin nodded, tears glistening in her eyes as she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Y/N in a tight hug. He held her close, the warmth of the room and their families surrounding them, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them, a quiet promise shared in the heart of Christmas.

As they pulled away, Yunjin looked at the ring again, her smile radiant. "I'll keep it forever."

Around them, the quiet murmur of their families watching added to the warmth of the scene, Betty offering a playful "Aww" while Yunjin's mother smiled knowingly at the two of them. Y/N's mother reached over, giving him a soft pat on the back, her eyes filled with pride.

Rachel, ever the one for teasing, leaned closer to Yunjin, her eyes wide as she admired the ring. "Does this mean you guys are getting married?"

The room burst into laughter, but Y/N and Yunjin just shared a smile. Not yet, maybe. But someday.