If Ten could choose a month that was going to remain in his memories till the end of his life, it was December. He hadn't ever thought much about December before. December was cold in Korea and he had always looked forward to January, to New Year's, to exciting new things, rather than think of dreary, gloomy December but it was now his favourite time of the year.

He looked at Johnny walking beside him and smiled. They were at the airport, flanked by hundreds of fans, camera shots blinding against the blurring, jostling crowd. His face was still burning hot from when Johnny had booped his cheeks out of the blue while they were waiting. He liked this Johnny who giggled and laughed and did impulsive things. This was his Johnny, the one he had always known and he was happy to have him back.

Johnny caught his smile and raised his eyebrows slightly, giving him a crooked, playful smile and Ten nearly stopped in his tracks. He was still in awe of their relationship some times. Johnny Seo...liked him? And it wasn't a dream? He smiled to himself. They had only been dating a few days but it already felt comfortable. It was similar to being best friends but there was also a lot of open flirting and kissing. It was tough finding times when they were both free because Ten had endless practices and Johnny was promoting non-stop with 127 but when they did find the time—which was more often than not because they were both stubborn people—every second was special.

Ten stiffened as he felt Johnny nudge him and curl his pinky finger around his.

"You alright?" Johnny whispered, almost imperceptibly.

Ten flashed him a huge smile. "I'm perfect."

Johnny was already being rushed forward for immigration check but he turned to mouth something that was definitely, "Yes, you are."

"So, I take it that the floor is really beautiful?" Jaehyun said, sidling up to Ten.

"What!?"

Winwin flanked his other side. "There has to be a reason why you're just smiling in adoration while looking at the ground."

"I hate you guys." Ten groaned.

"You teased Taeyong and I to no end but let me tell you your DLCB is worse," Jaehyun said, laughing and referring to Ten's acronym for Jaeyong's disgustingly-loud-couple-behaviour. He walked ahead for the check.

Ten looked at Winwin who had suddenly quietened down. "Hey, you okay?"

Winwin broke out of his thoughts. "Of course, I am."

"Yuta and Taeil pestering you again?" Ten asked, sympathetically.

Winwin rolled his eyes. "Just Yuta today, thankfully."

"Should I talk to him?"

"Like you have the courage." Winwin smirked and walked ahead.

"Eh, I can ask Johnny to talk to him about him," Ten called after him.

Practicing and performing for the Maya festival was one long blur but Ten loved the fact that he was in Thailand again. The weather was perfect and he liked traveling with the other members. There was always so much to catch up on, jokes to share, stories to retell and of course, the Thai fans were special to him. He went all out for his performances and he was glad when he saw the audience was enjoying itself.

This was also the first time he saw 127 perform "Simon Says" and it was amazing. He screamed himself hoarse, cheering for them. Okay, so yes, he missed out a ton of their choreo because he saw Johnny with curly hair and ever since then, his eyes never left him. Johnny shined onstage, the curls falling across his forehead shone against the sun; his moves were smooth and his voice was clear. He was more beautiful than any art Ten could ever hope to see.

When the performance got over and everyone was scrambling backstage for the ending ment, Johnny self-consciously patted his hair. "Is there something in my hair?"

Ten reached up and twirled a curl. "It's so pretty."

Yes, that was incredibly cheesy but it was true and he got to see Johnny blush which always made his day.

Johnny looked around furtively before pressing his lips to Ten's cheek in a quick kiss. He played it off as a whisper. "Lies. You're the pretty one."

-

Johnny had always felt lonelier around December. It reminded him of all he was missing out at home. The dorm was his home, of course, but right before Christmas when there was light snow and people were out and about with their families, he missed his family and friends back home. He had preferred to find himself some hobby to bury himself into until the year-end party came along which never failed to lift up everyone's spirits.

But this December was different.

This December, he was dating Ten. There was something very comforting in the way Ten would cuddle into his side, rest his head on his shoulder and play with his fingers as they watched a movie together. They had started a Marvel marathon with a lot of shouting and cheering and speaking along of the dialogues until Taeyong and Yuta had jointly decided to throw them out.

This didn't really deter them as they just moved themselves to Ten's dorm where they managed to create an even louder ruckus with the Dreamies.

The Dreamies liked them together. Chenle had very ceremoniously told Johnny that they all shipped them.

"I love the kids. They're angels," Johnny said.

Ten threw them a look full of loathing. "They made me buy them a piglet because I lost the Kun bet—" he gave Kun a particularly withering scowl, "—and then named him Pigeon."

Jisung petted the piglet which grunted happily. "She's so cute though."

"I still don't get why you didn't tell me you have a boyfriend," Ten said to Kun. "I mean, think of all the things we could have made the dreamies do if I had won the bet."

Kun blushed.

When Ten went to get a popcorn refill, Jeno told Johnny. "He's nicer with you."

Renjun nodded. "He smiles so much these days and even lets most of our pranks slide. We need someone new to prank now."

Jisung said, "Well, there's always Lucas."

They turned to look at Lucas who was engrossed in reading Crime and Punishment.

"Hey," Jungwoo said, "don't mess with him."

"Oi," Ten said, coming from the kitchen, "get away from my boyfriend, you demons."

Johnny noticed that Ten liked referring to him as 'boyfriend', a fact that Ten stressed throughout their short Maya festival trip with the other members. They had just finished their post-performance VLIVE and everyone was heading off to bed.

"Hey, boyfriend!"

Johnny looked up from his phone. He had been waiting for Ten in the hotel corridor instead of going to bed. They were planning to sneak out for a late-night coffee run. He grinned at the smaller guy. "I thought we were going to be inconspicuous."

Ten was wearing a studded black jacket over a floral shirt, a hundred earrings and ripped, skinny jeans over boots that glittered with sequins. He raised an eyebrow and took out a cap and face-mask, putting them on. "See? No one can recognise me now."

"Yeah, right."

Ten nudged Johnny as they walked out onto the streets. "You dressed up too."

Johnny looked at his light denim jacket thrown over a white tee and black pants and gave Ten a look.

"Okay, okay." Ten rambled on. "You are wearing your favourite earring. Besides, this is our first date. I had to look my best."

Johnny scoffed. "This isn't our first date. I'm going to make that first date special."

Ten stopped in his tracks dramatically, letting him walk ahead. "John, that means I have to find a new outfit!"

Johnny turned to look at him, eyes twinkling. "You could be naked and you'd still look perfect."

"Wouldn't you like that?" Ten smirked.

The taller guy was speechless. "Uh—that's not—I mean—"

Ten laughed his lilting laugh and ran to him snuggling into his chest letting his denim jacket envelope him. "Fine, you owe me a first date."

Johnny mumbled something like, "Teeeen, you enjoy doing this to me" but he hugged him tightly. "You're lucky I like you."

"You love me." Ten breathed happily, inhaling Johnny's warm scent.

"Damn right," he said, as they walked on, putting an arm around him, holding him close.

They felt right together and in a fateful sort of way, they would always find themselves running to each other. They were inseparable like that. In the coming time, they would find out time and time again that they were strong enough to bear whatever came their way because they helped each other through.

When Johnny dropped off Ten to his room later, Ten seemed to have something on the tip of his tongue but he opted to tiptoe and press a kiss on Johnny's lips, cherishing the soft, careful way he kissed him back. "Good night, darling," he whispered, winking as he stepped into his room.

He would say it the next day, when they were sitting together on the plane back home. "Hey, Johnny?"

He hummed in response.

"I'm sorry," Ten said, looking at his hands, fidgeting with the seatbelt, "for messing up. You had to suffer so much and yet you still...Thank you, Johnny, and I'm really sorry."

Johnny tilted his chin. "Hey, look at me. Can I ask you a question?"

Ten nodded, still looking miserable.

"How many times are you going to apologize for something I need no apology for? I told you, I love you, and thankfully, you like me back, and that's all that should matter." Only yesterday Ten had apologized once again for not making it to the terrace date which he regretted missing so much. Johnny kept on telling him it was okay. This time he looked at him with determination. "Ten, I swear if you apologize once again, I'm going to change seats with Haechan."

Ten smiled softly. "Okay." I am lucky to have him.

"Good." Because I am lucky to have you.

"Can I ask a question too?"

"Yeah."

"Do you have a message timer app or something?"

"Huh?" Johnny looked bewildered.

Ten took out his phone and pointed to Johnny's morning message—Good morning to my handsome boyfriend! We leave in an hour so wakie wakie. He tapped at the timestamp, 6:10. "You always message me at ten past six."

"Oh, that. It's not an app, idiot." He took out his phone and showed Ten the alarm. "My morning alarm goes off at six. I take around five to seven minutes to actually wake up and then I think of you and message you. Just, you know, checking up on you. Over time, I guess, it just became a habit. I didn't know it always goes at ten past six. Wow, I really need to break my life out of routine."

Ten's heart was racing. So, that was the story. He looked at Johnny in awe. His first thought in the morning was Ten. "Don't you dare stop messaging me in the morning," he said. strongly.

"I thought it disturbed your sleep?" Johnny teased.

"Oh my god, you're so annoying, John. Maybe you should swap with Haechan."

"You sure?" Johnny made as if to get up prompting Ten to clutch at his arm.

"No, no, I'm just kidding."

Ten tried to keep up his smile as he waved the other members goodbye before they began walking to their separate car which would take them to their dorm. He really didn't like the idea of spending time away from him but knowing that it was hard for him too, he didn't create a fuss. He shouldered his backpack and walked behind his manager as they sat in the car that would take him to Dream dorm.

He jumped slightly as the car door opened from the other side and Johnny clambered in, exclaiming loudly, slightly out of breath, "Did you miss me?"

Ten gaped. "Did you just...?" He craned his neck to look at the other car which was driving away.

"I believe I owe you a date."

They got off at the Dream dorm for lunch after which Johnny promptly abandoned Ten at his room. "Gotta do some stuff. See you at seven?"

"What is happening?" Ten peeped out a few minutes later only to be handed Pigeon.

"Take care of her, hyung," Jaemin said, running away. "And don't step outside unless we say so."

He tried to put his ear to the door and listen but all he could hear was running feet and the doorbell rang twice but that was it. He decided he might as well plan his outfit for the date but he couldn't figure out anything. "I guess, I'll have to call up some help."

And so, six o'clock found Jaehyun and Winwin in Ten's bedroom sneaking in with clothes and make-up.

"What news of Johnny's whereabouts?" Ten asked them.

Winwin told him, "He's been here the whole day. You would know better."

"I have been under bedroom arrest," Ten said. "Ooh, you got clothes for me?"

"Yeah, we just brought a bunch of whatever was best in our closets," Jaehyun said, proudly. He kneeled down to say hello to the little ball of sunshine which was galloping around the room. "Aww, your pet is so cute, Ten."

"I know," Ten admitted now that none of the dreamies were around. "Say hi to your uncles, Pigeon."

"Why is a piglet called Pigeon?" Winwin asked.

"The kids think they're funny." Ten shrugged. "Okay, let's see." He looked at the clothes. "I can totally see which of these are yours, Jae. You wear such Dad clothes."

"Hey, that's my aesthetic you're slandering." Jaehyun covered his sweaters protectively.

"And Winwinnie, do you seriously plan on wearing these to a date? Remind me to dress you up when you go on a date because sis needs an upgrade."

Winwin made a face. "Okay, Jaehyun and I are going to join Johnny's team then."

Ten stopped them, smiling cutely. "Fine, fine. You guys pick an outfit."

At fifteen minutes to the date, Ten looked at himself in the mirror and gasped. His hair was styled in a mid-parting. He was wearing a button-down, suede sweater over jeans and sneakers.

Jaehyun and Winwin gave each other proud thumbs-up.

"We did it!" Jaehyun cheered.

"You're welcome." Winwin clapped.

Jaehyun pulled out his phone. "Let me send a pic to Taeyong. He would be so proud of our work."

Ten gave them an awkward look. "Thank you, guys. I look perfect." For picking up my kids from school, maybe.

Jaehyun frowned at his phone. "Why is Taeyong saying he's coming over?"

Taeyong did come over in record time, clutching a small bag. "Here, change quickly." He handed over an embroidered white, linen shirt and a slim, black overcoat with magenta lining. "Top it with your black jeans and you can have my golden boots."

"Why?" Jaehyun and Winwin chorused.

Taeyong sighed. "I know what Johnny is wearing. I wasn't going to do anything but Ten needs to be at his best too, right?" He looked at Ten who was looking appreciatively in the mirror this time. "Come here, we got to do your make-up. Jaehyun, Winwin, here's what you got to do."

It wasn't even two minutes when Ten's phone dinged with a message. "Hey, come to the terrace?" He looked up at his friends. "Shit, I'm going to be late."

"No, you're fine," Taeyong said, stepping back. "You look amazing."

Winwin nodded. "Just don't mess up your nail paint. It's still a bit wet."

Jaehyun hugged him. "Have an awesome date."

Ten gave himself a last look in the mirror and smiled. His hair was styled up from his forehead, piled messily in a side parting. He was wearing a simple chain and cuff earring on his right ear. His eyes were lined with just the right amount of dark and glitter. He fixed his shirt over his slightly exposed chest and put his hands in his coat pockets. The golden ankle-length boots glittered with movement. "Well, fuck, I look sexy. I owe you, Taeyong."

Taeyong sniffled. "I'm a proud mom. Now, go."

Ten was too excited to saunter up to the terrace so he basically ran all the way and reached it out of breath and panting. He stopped at the sight.

The terrace was decorated with golden fairylights that glowed against the plants. In the center, there was a small table, lit with twinkling candles and laid with—Ten was amazed—all of his favourite food.

Johnny stepped out from the shadows. "I'm glad you came."

Ten blinked. Thank god for Taeyong. Because Johnny looked hot. He was wearing a red dress shirt topped with a chic black jacket, over black, ripped jeans. When Johnny smiled at him, his eyes twinkling, he saw the way his eyelids shined with gold glitter. Shit, I'm dating the hottest guy in the universe.

He was about to say it but Johnny beat him to it. "You are so beautiful."

Ten punched his shoulder playfully. "Have you seen yourself? You're making my knees go we—"

Johnny leaned forward and kissed him, thumb grazing his jawline. Ten smiled, closing his eyes and pulled on the lapels of his jacket to keep him close. One of Johnny's arm held Ten's waist tightly, holding him in place. Ten opened his mouth and let him in and Johnny deepened the kiss, while Ten's fingers undid Johnny's shirt buttons, seeking the warmth his skin always brought to him. Johnny always kissed him with care, softly, like every moment was an articulation of the sincerity of his feelings but tonight, it was different. Johnny's hands roamed over Ten's body and he kissed with a passionate fire, his lips burning in a trail from Ten's lips to his jaw to his neck to his collarbones and it was only when Ten shivered that Johnny stepped back in a daze.

He ran a hand over his face, mumbling. "That was supposed to happen after dinner."

Ten pulled down his hand and peered at him. His face was as red as his shirt, his ears tinged too. "Really?" he teased.

Johnny blushed deeper when he saw Ten's cheeks blushing aflame and his lips pink and swollen. "I swear. But you look so..." he looked away, "sexy."

Ten nudged him. "Okay, let's wait till after dinner as long as you let me unbutton more of those buttons." He laughed at the way Johnny realized the state of his shirt, buttoning up the three buttons Ten had managed to deftly undo. Ten pulled him to the table.

Johnny sprang to action pulling out a chair for him and putting on a soft piano composition on his phone.

Ten looked around, eyes lit up with wonder. "You did all this?"

Johnny sat across him. "Kun and Doyoung helped but I cooked all the food."

"How do you know what stuff I like? This is wow."

"Go on. Try it." Johnny watched Ten try out some of the pad thai, smiling when he saw Ten's eyebrows shoot up in appreciation.

Soon, they were eating happily, Johnny relaying how the Dreamies had done their best to help too and how they were the world's best kids. There was laughter and love and that was all they would ever need.

"Wanna come to my dorm?" Johnny asked afterwards.

"Let's go."

They walked around, finding and taking the longest route, holding hands and talking and never tiring so that when they reached the dorm and found Jaehyun asleep in Johnny's bed, they didn't mind crashing on the couch.

"Want to watch 10 Things I Hate About You?" Johnny asked, throwing a blanket at Ten.

"This is why I love you." Ten settled down comfortably, latching himself to Johnny's arm as the movie started. They were well past the half-way point of the movie, having whispered out the dialogues to each other when Ten said, sleepily, "How am I ever going to top this date?"

Johnny kissed the top of Ten's head. "Maybe you could cook me some pasta."

"And risk poisoning you? I'd rather ask Kun to make something and pretend like I made it."

Johnny laughed and Ten frowned before realizing and laughing too. "Pretend you didn't hear that."

"Okay, I didn't hear that."

Yuta found the two of them sleeping uncomfortably on the couch in the morning—Ten hugging a shirtless Johnny with contentment in his sleep—and he mumbled darkly. "Why are all couples so loud? And when is Winwin going to be loud for me?"

Taeil was the next one to see them and he groaned. "Why are all couples so loud? And when is Winwin going to be loud for me?"

Johnny woke up slowly. "You two are being so loud. Let Ten sleep."

Yuta and Taeil looked at each other and scowled when they echoed. "They're so perfect, ugh."

But it was true, Johnten were perfect in the most beautifully, adorable ways, complementing each other in a manner only soulmates could. This was only December and the start of many, many more moments of bliss and they would meet it all together, with warm smiles, and flowers, correctly self-delivered love letters, 6:10 am messages, kisses and everything else to swear by.

[ this chapter is huge omg BUT LET'S ADMIT IT JOHNTEN ARE SO ADORABLE :') really hope they managed to put a smile on your faces because it was so heart-warming to write about them. i'm so soft, i love them <3

how was the date, though!? please tell us your thoughts, we really want to know. and do tell us your views of the chapter as a whole as well :D

remember when we said this will be the last chapter? yeah we lied, there's more. please look forward to the epilogue since it will contain lots of important developments regarding our Empathy series overall, various side-ships, and a taste of what's to come in the next fic in the series. are you looking forward to it?

today also marks 5 years with johnten and yuta!! let's keep on supporting and loving these amazing people.

thank you so much for reading and enjoying!

love, positive vibes and merry christmas~~ ]