Chapter Text
Quiet, careful, precise.
That’s how Mingyu moved through the house after chugging the glass of milk, even going so far as walking barefoot and on his tippy toes in order to avoid causing any noise from his bedroom slippers. It’s dark in the house, only one light from the second floor hallway casting a soft glow through the space. It’s cold and quiet too, and though Mingyu knows his children are in deep sleep, he still makes sure he’s moving with the stealth of a ninja. He certainly thanks god he built their house so well that there are no creaking floorboards or door hinges that would potentially give away his early morning mission. It’s not like it was his first of the season— he was currently on his 4th and last Saturday— and it’s not like it’s the first Christmas he’s doing it. But that is just how Mingyu is, he puts great care in preserving the magic of the holidays for his sons. The clock reads 4:18am and, while still groggy, he is committed to accomplish his task without getting caught or waking anyone up.
There’s a sigh of relief when he slips back under the covers, his head settling onto the soft pillow and muscles finally relaxing, when Wonwoo shifts and turns to drape his arm around Mingyu’s torso, snuggling onto his side. It almost made Mingyu jump, scared he was caught, but this was his wife. Wonwoo knew what he was up to anyway. “Is Santa successful?” The latter whispers, eyes still closed.
“Mhmm,” Mingyu reaffirms, kissing the top of Wonwoo’s head that was already resting on his chest. “Mission success.”
There’s mumbled words from Wonwoo which Mingyu safely assumes were “goodnight” and “i love you” so he responds the same before finally allowing himself to drift back to slumber.
⋆꙳•❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔ ⋆❅*𖢔𐂂☃︎꙳*:･*❆ ₊⋆
“WOAH! THREE HOT WHEELS!” Jeno exclaims loudly, hurriedly tearing through the packaging to fish out the miniature car he was holding in his hands, the widest smile plastered on his face.
“A ROBOT!!!!” San, their eldest, announces in shock when the wrapping paper reveals the mechanical toy. His eyes were as round as his “O” shaped mouth. “WOW!”
“Papa, look! Santa got my wish!” Jeno tries not to drop any of his three cars while skipping to his dad who was standing by the foot of the stairs, still clad in his pajamas, hair still sticking out in all directions, with the biggest smile on his face.
Wonwoo, on the other hand, was sitting on the couch, watching the excitement unfold. It’s not Christmas morning, but it sure feels like it. There’s christmas wrapper strewn about the floor and carton packaging too. The smell of coffee and breakfast— sinangag, tocino, sausages and scrambled eggs to be specific— already wafting through the air while his children giggle and wow at the new gifts they’ve unwrapped. It’s not an entirely new scene for Mingyu or Wonwoo. Again, this is already the fourth Saturday they've been at it. In fact, it’s how every Saturday of December is for the Jeon-Kim’s, but something about watching your children be in absolute awe with waking up to gifts from a big old man in a red suit with a white long beard was just magical. And Wonwoo absolutely loved the feeling of it.
It was only about three years ago when Mingyu decided he wanted to start a new Christmas tradition for his children: have the boys write their wish list to Santa and then for every Saturday of December, they would get to run to their Christmas stockings hung by the stairs and see if Santa had left a little gift. Mingyu had done it once to four year old San and he still has not forgotten how his first born son’s eyes lit up at the sight of the very same plushie he was staring at at the store suddenly being inside his Christmas stocking. Wonwoo was just as on board with the idea. The next Christmas after that, he had bought nicer stockings for their boys and had their names embroidered on each one. Santiago. Jeno. Sunoo. To manage expectations and avoid spoiling the kids with too many gifts, Mingyu had made it a point to tell them Santa could only come by their house every Saturday of December to do his deliveries— there were simply too many children around the world to get to before Christmas. They had also made sure that the Christmas stocking gifts would clearly be attributed to Santa Claus and must only be small and minor, “If it cannot fit inside, Santa cannot give it,” Wonwoo would remind. It was definitely something they looked forward to at the end of every week. Besides, the bigger gifts were reserved for Christmas Day, with ‘From: mom and dad’ on the gift tag this time. Nevertheless, big or small, San, Jeno and even little Sunoo were always so appreciative and excited of the trinkets they’d pull out from their own stocking.
It wasn’t only the kids who got excited, Mingyu too. He liked shopping for what was on the wishlist, he enjoyed wrapping and hiding the gifts in places he hoped San and Jeno would not find, and oddly enough, for someone who loved to sleep, waking up in the wee hours of Saturdays, and sneakily stuffing the stockings excited him too. Perhaps having to eat the cookies and treats + milk the boys always left Santa in the kitchen had a lot to do with the fun as well. Whatever it was, somehow, it also made Mingyu feel like a child again.
There’s a saying that goes, the older you get, the more you realize that Christmas magic was just your parents. But now a parent himself, Mingyu Kim thinks otherwise. Oh, if only little San and little Jeno knew just how much christmas magic they gave their dad too.
Both San and Jeno were now seated on the floor, in front of Mingyu who had also plopped himself down, examining the toys Santa had so graciously given the 7 and 6 year old.
“Are these the colors you wanted, bud?” Mingyu asks, pointing at the red, yellow and metallic purple cars.
“Yes papa! This one is like my big car!” Jeno jumps happily, holding onto the red hot wheel which looked an awful lot like the RC car Wonwoo’s dad had given him on his 6th birthday that year.
“Papa, help po please,” their eldest pulls on Mingyu’s pajamas, waving around his robot in front of his dad’s face, needing assistance to place the batteries inside the right way.
“Mooooom,” Jeno runs towards Wonwoo, his eyes already turning into its signature crescent shapes, “can I show Sunny my new cars?”
“Not yet, kuya. Baby Sun is still sleeping pa po. Maybe later when he wakes up, ok?”
Just then, Wonwoo could literally see the bulb in his second born’s brain light up, his eyes shining with so much interest as the six year old gasps and climbs up his mother’s lap, drawing his mouth close to Wonwoo’s ear to whisper, “mama can I look inside Sunny’s stocking?”
If the request just hadn’t been laced with so much mischief, Wonwoo would’ve already said yes just by the sweet puppy eyes staring back at him. Damn, kuhang kuha niya talaga yan kay Mingyu.
“No, kuya. That’s not your gift po. We have to wait for your brother to wake up so he can open it.”
“Okay,” Jeno whines but there’s no real fuss to it. “Mama, why does Sunny sleep so much? Can he wake up already so we can play na?”
Mga bata nga naman, Wonwoo thinks to himself. Just last week, San had asked him the exact same question about their three year old currently asleep in the nursery now, and now Jeno too. The two older boys absolutely adored their little baby brother the moment he came into this world. While they were surrounded by many other baby ‘cousins’ in the dormie fam, the excitement to finally have their own baby in the family was unlike any other. Both boys loved to dote on Sunoo, kissing his head, gently poking his cheeks, sniffing his hands and feet, and doing every possible silly thing just to make him laugh and smile throughout the day.
“Because he’s still a baby kuya, and he needs more rest time. He’s not like you and your kuya San that have more energy na po,” Wonwoo explains calmly, brushing his fingers through Jeno’s hair who was listening intently to his mom. “And Sunny had a bad dream last night, he woke up crying and did not sleep well so he needs more sleep this morning. Is that ok po?”
“May monster sa dream niya, mama?”
“I think so, kuya,” Wonwoo resigns, recalling how Sunoo had woken him and Mingyu up last night at 2am with frantic cries.
“Okay. I will protect him from monsters! And play with him today.”
“Hmmm will you share your new hot wheels with him, anak?”
Jeno pauses and scrunches his brows deep in thought. For a moment, Wonwoo was sure he’d say no. “Yes. Basta no lang niya put in his mouth and get laway on it.”
⋆꙳•❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔ ⋆❅*𖢔𐂂☃︎꙳*:･*❆ ₊⋆
“Here, dad!” San hands his father a folded bond paper after eating his breakfast. On the outside, it was decorated with red and green drawings on it that resembled a Christmas tree, some stars and “HO HO HO” written hastily on the bottom.
“What’s this?”
San looks at him so innocently with so much childlike wonder, “please give it to Santa. He is your friend man diba?”
“It’s a thank you letter!” Jeno adds with so much cheer.
“How very sweet naman my boys,” Wonwoo coos. “But I’m sure Santa has heard your thank you’s already, kuyas. Diba he ate the oreos and milk you left him last night?”
The two younger kids look at each other and giggle. The moment they had woken up, they ran to the kitchen to check what was left of the little treat they left for the big old man in a red suit. It was clock work every Saturday of December: wake up, check the kitchen counter and if their treats were eaten, it meant there was definitely something inside their Christmas stocking.
“Yes but mama, it’s already the last gift today so we need to give extra thank you so that we are always on nice list,” San reasons out, his eyebrows expressively moving with every word uttered, showing he means business. There was absolutely no way he’s risking his spot on Santa’s nice list for next year.
Mingyu chuckles at the seriousness of his sons, endeared with how the two boys still hold such high regard for Santa Claus. “Okay, bud. I will leave this in our mailbox tonight so Santa can pass by it. Is that ok?”
“Mhm.”
“Yes, papa. Can Jeno and I play na po?” The first grader asks. They only had a short time to enjoy their presents before Wonwoo had asked them to sit down for breakfast and eat first.
“Okay, one more glass of water first and then you can play,” Wonwoo demands, handing a glass of water to each of his sons, watching them hurriedly gulp down the liquid before retreating off to the living room, new gifts in hand.
When the younger boys were out of earshot, Wonwoo finally said, “Akala ko ba no big gifts for the stocking?”
“Huh?” Mingyu feigns innocence.
“The robot is not a small gift for San, honey. Weren’t we looking at getting that for him for Christmas?”
The architect grins at him, scooping up some scrambled eggs and placing it on his plate, as if it were some sort of peace offering. “Yeah pero hon, I didn’t know what else to get him. There were only 3 things in his wish list, and I gave those already. Besides, sure naman tayo na gusto niya yung robot.” This year’s December had four Saturdays to it so it was inevitable that Mingyu would eventually get stuck in a pickle for the last of Santa’s Saturday.
“So what are we getting him for Christmas? That’s only a few days away.”
“Don’t worry, meron na. Nakatago na sa opisina,” Mingyu assures and Wonwoo doesn’t question anymore, he trusts his husband enough to have figured it out.
“And what’s inside Sun’s stocking?” Wonwoo’s curiosity peaks. Most of the time, they both agree on what “Santa” stuffs in the red velvety pouches, but Mingyu, who was always in charge of procuring the items often strayed away from the plan whenever he felt like it.
“Still the horsey beanie baby, like we agreed.”
As if on cue, they both hear familiar grunts and whines from the baby monitor placed by the edge of the table, signalling their youngest has woken up. “Ako na,” Mingyu is quick to stand up from his chair and give his wife a soft pat on the shoulder, “kain ka muna. Ako na magbababa.”
“Love you.” The small pout on Wonwoo’s mouth forms when he gently professes it to his husband. Mingyu need not ask what it was for, only one look at Wonwoo’s eyes told him enough. It was sincere gratitude for offering to get Sunoo from the nursery. And while it seems like a small trivial task, Mingyu knows it’s more than that for Wonwoo. Wonwoo who makes sure their children are always taken cared of. Wonwoo who manages duties in the hospital on top of their kids’ school activities. Wonwoo who hardly got any good sleep last night after Sunoo’s nightmares. Mingyu had a lot to thank the heavens for: a successful career, a thriving business, a comfortable home he’s dreamt of building since he was young, and three lovely children that welcomed him home with tight hugs everyday, but most importantly, his most beautiful wife and mother to his kids who gave it his all in caring for the family.
⋆꙳•❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔ ⋆❅*𖢔𐂂☃︎꙳*:･*❆ ₊⋆
It was on the evening of December 28th when San had asked for his mom to read him a book before he slept. It was late. Well, at least for San who was awake for almost 2 hours past his bed time. It was beginning to concern the doctor that his first born just would not close his eyes. They had been out the whole day, having a belated Christmas celebration with the entire dormie fam in Jihoon and Soonyoung’s home, this year’s host. Surely, San was tired from running around and playing with all his friends. Yet here he was, eyes wide open and looking very much deep in thought, despite having gone through five books with his mom already.
“Sani—” Wonwoo calls.
But before he could even finish his sentence, the little boy had blurted out what was in his mind all along. “Mama, what if… what if Santa is papa?”
There comes a time in a child’s life when they realize that Santa might not be real. In Mingyu’s case, he figured it out when he was 9 years old when the gift inside his stocking on Christmas morning accidentally read “from mommy & daddy” while the one from Santa was under the tree. For Wonwoo, he was 10 years old. There was no accidental mishap or a classmate who decided to ruin the fun. He simply grew older and realized it had been his parents all along. What Wonwoo had not expected though was for this moment to happen to his son at the early age of seven… or at least something to that sort.
“Hmm? What made you think that?” Wonwoo asks, still laying flat on San’s bed, trying to keep his composure. Wow, he was not prepared for this conversation yet. In which part of the non-existent Parenting Manual does the ‘Who Is Santa?’ chapter appear?
Compelled to make his case, San sits up from where he lay and turns around to face his mom. “Because mama, remember my thank you letter for Santa last Saturday? Papa said he will put it sa mailbox for Santa to get diba?
“Mhmm.”
“You know where I found it, mama? I saw it yesterday, in papa’s office table! Under sa books niya.”
“You went inside daddy’s office without permission?”
“No man. Papa told me to go inside and get his notebook. And then it was there!” San’s eyes grew wide, like that of cartoons. “I saw the thank you letter! Under sa book ni papa about houses.”
“Baby, you know it’s not good to be sneaking into other people’s things, right?” Wonwoo reminds, making sure his children were taught good manners at an early age.
“I was not sneaking! I promise!” San exhales, brows meeting in the middle, “it was like this man oh,” mimicking with his hands how Mingyu’s books were stacked and how practically half of the letter was peeking out. “I did not even touch it, mama. I just looked and ran away.”
There’s a soft chuckle from the older man at his child’s action of running away, “okay, anak. Did you tell daddy about it?”
San’s face immediately turns sour, offense written all over it after hearing his mom’s question. “No way, mama! That’s Santa’s secret!”
The laugh Wonwoo lets out is uncontrolled, bursting out of his mouth before he could even stop himself. But the seven year old sitting in an indian squat in front of him did not chuckle one bit. He was serious, and he was going to prove his point.
“But mama, I’m not lyiiiingggggggg,” he reasons out.
“Yes, darling. I know you’re not.” It takes all of Wonwoo’s face muscles to keep a straight face. It’s not that he didn’t believe in San, he just found the coincidence of all his husband’s gimmicks comedic. He makes a mental note to remind Mingyu to hide his evidences better.
“What if Santa is really papa. Like… my robot! You know that was not even in my wishlist to Santa. I did not ask for it, mama,” explains San, voice already increasing in pitch. Despite being a shy, introvert kid, their eldest never failed at speaking animatedly. “I did not even tell you, diba? I told no one. Only daddy. But then last saturday, SURPRISE! Santa got me a robot! Like how did Santa know, mama? Right? Right?! It’s papa! It has to be him! He keeps saying he just knows Santa and Santa is his friend but what if he really IS Santa?”
“And then… papa really likes oreos and milk. And stick-O! Every time that is the snack we leave sa kitchen, always ubos ni Santa ang snack!”
“But kuya, papa has no white beard and big belly di—“
“Magic, mama! Magic!” San interrupts in a tone that was dripping with eagerness and a hint of sarcasm, as if to tell Wonwoo that the answer was obviously magic, not even some sort of costume that Mingyu just puts on. “That’s how Papa goes around the world too. With his magic reindeers that can fly! They drive very fast kaya they can visit many kids. And papa even knows magic tricks, right mama? Remember when he swallowed that coin and then pulled it out of Jeno’s hair? Or when he guessed my card right? Papa is so magical, mama!” And then he gasps, mouth set in a perfect “O”, and now he’s clapping his hands and bouncing where he’s sat on the bed.
“What?”
“Mama, I think Santa is papa! Papa is an architect, he likes to design and draw and build houses. That is his earth job. And Santa? Santa designs toys, remembers? He designs, draws and builds toys! They both like toys also. That’s papa’s magic job! Or his work in North Pole!” The seven year old is gobsmacked at his own discovery, slamming both his palms on his forehead, “Oh my gosh! It makes sense! Santa. Is. Papa!!!”
At this point, it’s safe to declare that his son is stunned out of his mind. Like the missing piece of the puzzle he’s been building since yesterday had finally been found and it fit right in. The far off look in San’s face shows that he’s still hung up on the revelation he just uncovered himself. Ironically too, he was dressed in green pajamas that had little prints of Santa’s face all over. There’s a smile that cannot be wiped off of Wonwoo’s face too. Just when he thought his son had discovered that Santa was just his dad all along, his son discovered that Santa is his dad all along.
“This is so cool, mama! Did you even know?”
“Hmm… maybe? Maybe that’s why daddy likes the cold weather, right sweetheart? Papa likes it when we go see snow. Remember last year Papa brought you and Jen sledding when we went to America?”
San simply squeals in delight with this new piece of information. “Yes yes! See! Papa is so cool, mama! So cool!”
For a split second there, Wonwoo wonders if it was wrong how he added into the fantasy, but then he looks at San whose eyes of wonder just seemed to sparkle brighter than the stars in the sky, and he knows he made the right call. After all, San is only seven years old. He deserved to still live in a world where the magic is kept alive, or in this case, where the magic equated to his own dad.
He caresses San’s round cheeks, praying to god San never forgets this feeling. “Will you be telling Jeno, kuya? That maybe Santa is papa?”
A pause. The seven year old is now deep in thought again, crossing his arms and tapping his chin. “No,” San shakes his head, “because I’m not super duper sure yet. I’m only super sure. And I can wait until Jeno finds out… It will be funny. He will be so shocked. More than me!” San covers his mouth laughing.
“Okay, kuya,” Wonwoo giggles, “that’s fair. What about papa? Will you tell him you know the secret?”
“Oh nooooo, mama. Hindi pwede!” His little head shakes again, with more vigor this time. “Papa will be sad. I don’t want daddy sad. Or Santa sad. He works very hard to give us nice gifts and then he travels around the world. And then he works his earth job pa. He always cooks me good food and then he makes Sunny laugh so hard when he is crying. And he drives us to school. So busy man si daddy. But he’s still making many kids happy. And me. Even when sometimes I’m not good, he puts me in the nice list pa rin and makes my wish come true. But you know what, mama?”
“What, my darling?” Wonwoo indulges his son’s rambling, despite the very late time appearing on the clock.
“Papa siguro is always on the nice list because he loves me and Jeno and Sunoo and you! Always!” San beams, falling into Wonwoo’s chest and wrapping his little arms around his mother’s neck for a hug. “Papa should also get a nice gift. Can Santa gift himself something, mama?”
Wonwoo squeezes San even more kissing the top of his head. “Maybe, kuya.”
“Or maybe you can pretend to be Santa, mama. Just for Christmas… just for papa… you can be a cool Santa too,” the child trails in a softer tone, like sleep had finally started to come to him the moment he lay on his mother’s chest. “You love daddy okay, mama?”
It’s impossible for Wonwoo not to melt at the statement of his eldest because he was right. Mingyu was an incredible husband and father… and Santa Claus, apparently. If “Dad Of The Year” was a real award, there was no doubt in Wonwoo’s mind that Mingyu would be the undefeated winner year on year. “I will, sweetheart. I will.”
“Goodnight, mama. I love you.” San declares, kissing Wonwoo quickly before settling back on his chest.
“I love you too, my Sani.”
There’s a saying that goes, the older you get, the more you realize that Christmas magic was just your parents. But turns out, you only need to be as young as seven to realize that the man in the big red suit that brings all the Christmas magic is actually your parent.