#bf!junhoe

Snow used to remind you of the bad times. 

That was the time you couldn't escape from home, thus you couldn't escape from all the anger and frustration that your parents triggered in you. Everyone was convinced that you had a loving family, one that was perfect and flawless. The truth couldn't have been further from all the assumptions. Your parents were supportive ‒ in some cases. Your parents took your side ‒ sometimes. Your parents wanted you to be whoever you wished to be, and they accepted you just the way you were ‒ never. They always found something to point out, to criticize, to make fun of. That's why you used to spend so much time outside your house, let it be at the school library, at the mall or at the café with your friends. However, getting home at night in winter was more frightening than spending your time with your parents. Since you lived in the suburbs, only one bus came in every hour, and it darkened quite early. Not to mention that your neighbourhood wasn't the safest one either.

Ever since you met Junhoe, snow wasn't such a bad thing anymore. You met him at a Christmas market when you accidentally bumped into each other, the story of how you two met as simple as that. There was nothing extraordinary about that; you were with your brother and he was with his group of friends. You both apologized, then went on your separate ways. 

However, a week later, you noticed him in your favourite independent café where you frequently went because they had the best caramel latte in the city. Plus, they had one of the nicest staff which was a huge bonus when it came to eating (or for that matter drinking) out. You didn't come up to him because you didn't really have a valid reason to do so. Yet, you noticed him and he noticed you, a small appearing on both of your faces. Not until you visited the café next week, did you actually start talking. The café was crazy busy, and you could barely sit down, so you opted for the seat beside his instead of the one beside a creepy old dude.

Everything was history since then; you started out as mere friends, then friendship turned into something more serious. You started dating after two months of getting to know each other. You grew fond of each other through conversations above a steaming cup of café and through walks along the icy river that ran across the city.

Small wonder he always had something special for each winter you spent together. He exactly knew your relationship with parents, thus he tried his best to make you forget about your painful memories related to winter by creating heart-warming memories instead.

This winter was no different.

Junhoe couldn't stop talking about the annual Christmas market, suggesting more and more activities that were related to the winter celebration.

"How about ice-skating on the Town Hall Square? And there's also a carousel there. Not to mention that a week before Christmas, they'll hold an outdoor movie night when you can watch Frozen," he chattered happily, not giving a crap about the disapproving glances people threw in his direction.

You were having a chill afternoon at the independent café where you met, talking about your plans and duties in December. Your boyfriend was quick to bring up the Christmas market topic, much to your amusement. He was way too adorable when he got immersed into something.

"They play Frozen?" You raised a curious eyebrow at him. A movie night wasn't unheard of, if anything, it was a tradition during your city's Christmas market. However, you had never seen an animated movie in the programme book before.

"Yeah." Junhoe shrugged with that infamous deadpan expression of his. "You know, they want as many people as possible."

"You sure you've seen it right?"

"Yes, it was there. Come and join us for the winter fun ‒ Frozen at the outdoor cinema, December 17th, 7 pm," he cited as if it had been in the news, his unworldly expression making you chuckle. He seemed just as excited as if he had been someone 10 years younger, and his childish joy was contagious.

However, you couldn't deny that you were a bit suspicious, so you decided to check the facts for yourself. Frozen was indeed in the programme booklet of the Christmas market, though not in the way you had expected. It was mentioned in the kids' section. It was stated that they welcome kids up to the age of 14, and there was also a special discount for families. You didn't know how strict they were, thus you gave a call to the organisers.

"So you can't watch the movie if you are an adult?" You repeated the words, furrowing your eyebrows in question.

"Only if you are with a child under the age of 14," the woman on the other side of the phone stated flatly, her voice as bored as if she had been answering the same question over and over again.

You didn't know what kind of regulation was that and what was it for, yet a day after Junhoe first mentioned the Frozen movie night, he also looked into the issue, and found the very same result. Needless to say, he was disheartened. He was sulky for a while because he had already planned out how you would spend the whole day on December 17th. You felt guilty for doubting him, yet at least he didn't have to get to know about the whole thing on the spot. That would have been way worse.

You felt so sorry for Junhoe that you wanted to do something for him. After many failed attempts, you finally came up with an amazing Plan B. Though you needed to convince your 6-year-old cousin who told you at least thirty times that Frozen was too childish and cheesy for her liking before you bribed her with an entire month worth of chocolate, the plan was actually pretty good. Not just because you were the one who came up with it.

So on December 17th, you went to the Christmas market with your little cousin ‒ Daseul ‒ and your boyfriend, Junhoe. Those two didn't really know each other, small wonder Junhoe always whispered questions into your ears such as:

"Do you think she likes me?"

"Did she really laugh at my joke? Was it that good?"

"Would she be mad if I bought her something?"

"Relax, Junhoe," you reassured him with a pat on his back after some more questions. "She likes you, okay? She wouldn't be here if she didn't like you," you tried your best to soothe his nerves because truth to be told, Daseul was a very adamant and very strong-headed girl despite her age, so if she wanted to leave someone behind, she would do it without giving it a second though. Plus, she was hard to please, so seeing how she laughed and enjoyed herself beside Junhoe, you were sure she didn't plan on running away.

"Good." Junhoe let out a long, long sigh as if all the weight had been lifted off his chest.

"You are doing great. Just be yourself, she likes it," you encouraged him, and gave him a quick peck on his left cheek. Him, on the other hand, turned to you and attacked your lips, squeezing all of his gratitude into one very long, very passionate kiss.

"Argh," Daseul snorted from behind you. "You guys are gross," she huffed, turning her head to the little wooden houses instead of you two.

Junhoe was the first to back away, smiling sheepishly at her words. You two exchanged a knowing glance because that's exactly how you felt when you were her age. However, as time goes by and as everyone matures, love doesn't seem so gross anymore.

"Ah, kids these days." You shook your head, a mischievous grin plastered on your face. Junhoe reciprocated your reaction, turning back to watch her reaction.

"Ah, adults these days," Daseul added cheekily. Junhoe and you, you both burst into laughter seeing her theatrical reply. Even though she wanted to appear all fierce and mature, she was as adorable as a little puppy.

Needless to say, the rest of the night was full of teasing remarks on Daseul's parts, and after a while, Junhoe also joined in, his sassy side showing. They got along even better when they were teasing each other, thus you had the time of your life watching their interactions. Watching Frozen was just a tiny part of the wonderful day you spent together, the rest just as heart-warming and fun as the movie itself, if not more. You were supposed to be a family (at least for the movie night), and you had to admit that it wasn't even that odd.