Chapter Text
Yoongi is used to waking up early. Living with three dogs in a flat, albeit one with a balcony, has its drawbacks. Every morning, Yoongi awakes to one of the three dogs (usually Bomi, who has yet to grasp the concept of a lie-in but has, at least, finally mastered the art of waiting to be taken outside before she starts to pee) pawing gentle at his face as a signal it is time to start the day. Starting the day means groggily setting the coffee he prepared last night to brew, gathering the leashes, and taking his girls outside to do their business.
It would be a stretch to say he enjoys these mornings, but it’s still odd when there are changes to his schedule. It usually means there’s something wrong. However, on the morning that none of this happens, Yoongi wakes a little too late, and finds the reason for the change in schedule to be a good one.
Yoongi eyes snap open; his mind still hazily revolving around the last whisper of the dream he’d been having. It’s fuzzy, slipping quickly out of his grasp. Yoongi tries to chase it but finds himself at a loss, remembering only the vaguest of images; Hyojin with a microphone, Hyerin, as a cat, pouring juice on herself? Hoseok- well, Hoseok had been there, that much Yoongi remembered. Hoseok was always there.
It’s not often Yoongi gets this chance to ponder his dreams, and once he has given up hope of ever remembering just what happened, he begins to realise that this is the first time in a long time he has woken without disturbance. Frowning, Yoongi raises himself, stretching as he does so, and leans over the foot of the bed, where Bomi and Micha usually sleep curled up together on the grey ottoman that sits there. It’s vacant this morning.
Narrowing his eyes, Yoongi turns his head to find that the door to his bedroom, the only possible escape route, is closed. He gets up and moves to open the curtains, almost hissing at the harsh light. It’s late, much later than he usually gets up. The sun is never up when he gets up to start his day, the dogs make sure of that.
He gives another quick scan of the room, finding Byeol missing from her bed in the corner. She likes to sleep alone, though will always jump at the chance to sleep on Yoongi’s bed with him, if he allows her to. She’s so small he has to pick her up to get her there. He smiles fondly, then frowns when he remembers they’re all still missing. Fearing the worst, that his dogs have actually learnt how to open closed doors, Yoongi makes his way to the living room. It’s likely Hyerin has taken them, Yoongi thinks, trying to be rational, probably felt lonely this morning, with Hyojin away on her course.
The second he opens the door, Yoongi is met with a sound of nails on wood as Bomi’s feet (that she’s still growing into, Yoongi has assured her, there’s nothing to be self-conscious about) scramble to pick her up to greet him. Yoongi blinks, absently petting Bomi’s soft head as he takes in the sight before him. His living-room, his messy, dark den, has been transformed.
Hanging precariously over his framed posters of various movies, are blinking Christmas lights. Tinsel is strewn haphazardly around the room. Yoongi locates Micha, playing happily with a bauble that rolls across the floor. Yoongi follows the direction and finds a Christmas tree, a large, tacky silver affair, standing to the left of Yoongi’s tv. It’s not quite decorated yet, only a few blue baubles hang from it.
“Hyerin?” Yoongi calls, suddenly anxious to find out just what the hell is going on. He hears movement from the kitchen; clattering around and a pan being dropped. Yoongi ponders the likelihood of someone breaking into his flat. In the middle of the afternoon. And putting up Christmas decorations. And taking his dogs out to piss.
Yeah, probably not very likely.
Yoongi isn’t panicking but stills feels relief when it’s Hyerin’s face that pops around the corner. “Good morning sleeping beauty!”
“What are you doing here?” Yoongi grumbles. “What’s all this stuff?”
“It’s Christmas!”
“It’s the nineteenth of December.”
“And our sweet Hoseokie is going back to Gwangju tomorrow. He wanted to do something special before he left.”
Ah, right. It’s today. The day Yoongi has been dreading; his last full day with Hoseok before he goes home to be with his family for the holidays. He’ll be gone for little under two weeks, and Yoongi can’t say he’s been dealing with the idea all that well. As much as he values his alone time, he’s grown accustom to Hoseok fitting himself into his life pretty much daily for the past couple of months now. They’ve been an official couple for only a few weeks, but Yoongi can’t deny he’s fallen hard and fast.
“This was Hoseok’s idea?” Yoongi hates how noticeably his voice changes at the prospect of Hoseok. “He’s here?”
“He went out maybe twenty minutes ago? Said he had to go get something. He’ll be back, don’t pout.”
“Ah, shush.”
Hyerin grins, going back into the kitchen. Yoongi takes the chance to further inspect the living room. His heart gives a jolt when he sees the carefully cut out paper snowflakes taped to the wall. He can just picture Hoseok, with his tongue peeking out slightly, cutting out shapes. His thoughts are disturbed by another crash from the kitchen, followed Byeol scurrying quickly into the room and retreating to her bed.
“What are you doing in there?” Yoongi calls.
“I’m cooking!” Hyerin’s voice is cheery, cheerier than it’s been since Hyojin left. “Christmas dinner; bulgogi and sweet potato noodles!”
“Right.” Yoongi pauses. “Why in my flat, again?”
“Hoseokie wanted the day centred around you!”
“Oh.” Oh.
“Cute, right?” Hyerin’s voice is knowing, and Yoongi hates it. A fond sort of hate.
“I-”
Yoongi is cut off as the front swings open and Bomi and Micha rocket towards it. Towards Hoseok, who is already smiling and- woah- Hyojin, looking tired but not the least bit miserable.
“You’re up!” Hoseok all but shouts, striding towards Yoongi the second he sees him. Yoongi accepts the embrace he offers. He jumps a little at the coldness of Hoseok’s jacket but doesn’t give up on the hug. He only has a few hours left with Hoseok, and if Hoseok has decided to make a day of it, he’s intending to get his money’s worth.
“Morning, Yoongi-yah,” Hyojin says, scratching the dogs under their chins and laughing when their back legs start to stamp.
Yoongi peers round Hoseok to look at her, and Hoseok immediately takes the cue and spins them around, directing Yoongi to stand in front of him so he can hug him from behind. Yoongi would feel bashful at the public display of affection in front of Hyojin, but he’s been putting up with her and Hyerin for going on four years now- it feels nice to repay the favour.
“Noona, I thought- you’re meant to be in Anseong for another couple of days.”
Hyojin nods. “That was the plan, but I missed it here. I missed my girls. My Hyerin. Missed you too, Yoongles.”
Yoongi rolls his eyes as Hoseok laughs. Yoongi feels it against the back of his neck.
“Hoseok texted me a couple of days ago and told me about what he was planning for today, and I said I’d finish up with my tutors and come home earlier. He picked me up from the bus station, Hyerin doesn’t know I’m-”
“Unnie?” Hyerin stands in the doorway; a ridiculous apron that is definitely not Yoongi’s now tied around her waist. Yoongi feels Hoseok push his face into the back of his neck, and he just knows the big softie is grinning as Hyerin rushes across the room to jump into Hyojin’s arms. “What the hell are you- Why are you- What?”
“I missed you,” Hyojin says by way of answer to Hyerin’s unfinished questions. She holds Hyerin in her arms, clutches her tight as Hyerin clings tightly around her neck, as if not sure it’s real.
“I missed you too,” Hyerin whispers so quietly Yoongi almost doesn’t catch it. “Oh my god. Hoseok,” she says suddenly, face whipping to look at the two of them. Yoongi feels Hoseok wince and clutch him tighter. “Did you bring her here?”
“Picked her up from the station,” Hoseok says from behind Yoongi, like he’s hiding. “She wanted it to be a surprise, so I couldn’t tell you.”
“You asses!” Hyerin says, throwing herself into Hyojin again, half-laughing, half-crying. “Asses!” she says, muffled into Hyojin’s neck. Hyojin laughs, holding her close.
“Merry Christmas, Baby,” Hyojin says into Hyerin’s hair, “I’m home.”
Yoongi smiles at the display, turning into Hoseok’s arms to give them some privacy and greet his boyfriend. “Hi,” he whispers.
Hoseok smiles. “Hi.”
“Thanks for all this, I wasn’t expecting it.”
“That’s okay. To be honest, I’ve been worrying lately that I’d started dating the Grinch. Would you even have got a tree if I hadn’t got this one, hyung?”
Yoongi shrugs. Truth be told, he hadn’t really thought about a tree. He has no need for one, usually. It’s not like the girls ever have want for decorations. He finds the whole thing a little childish. He indulges in the presents, but that’s the extent.
But now, looking around the room covered in hand-crafted decorations and lights, knowing that it was his favourite people in the world who put them there, for the sake of making him happy, he can’t help but smile. He feels a tug in his chest, and thanks his stars they’d bothered at all.
“I love it all, thank you.”
“Can I take my jacket off, it’s really warm in here.”
Yoongi nods, pulling away from Hoseok and letting him take off his coat. He peers at the girls, Hyerin now leading Hyojin into the kitchen to no doubt show off her cooking-prowess. Micha and Byeol trot along behind them, hot on their heels. Bomi has lost interest, scurrying around chasing another stray bauble.
“I think Bomi likes her new toys,” Yoongi chuckles, turning back to Hoseok just as he’s throwing his jacket over the armchair. Hoseok goes to hug him again, but Yoongi holds his hands out to stop him.
“What is it, hyung?” Hoseok says, head tilted to the side.
“Your jumper…” Yoongi stares at it; the royal blue close-knit, a large golden ‘H’ written in English dominating most of the front. Hoseok tugs his sleeve self-consciously. “It’s the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Ah,” Hoseok says, looking relieved. A slight blush starts to form on the tops of his cheeks. Yoongi wants to pinch them. “I’m glad you like it, my friend made it. It’s like the one in Harry Potter.”
Yoongi smiles, knowing how much Hoseok loves that damn film. They’ve already had a marathon of all the films. They’d cuddled and made-out throughout each and every one. “You’re cute.”
Hoseok’s blush deepens, and Yoongi finally pulls him back to cuddle him again, just as the smell of food starts to waft from the kitchen.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too, hyung. I’m so, so glad.”
Hyerin and Hyojin leave not long after dinner, both slightly tipsy from a little too much wine. Hyerin giggles and sways against Hyojin, who makes good attempts at staying solid enough to keep Hyerin steady. They stumble a couple of times but manage to make it out the door, with Yoongi holding it for them and seeing them out. He makes a mental note to tease them mercilessly tomorrow morning.
“Can I give you your present now?” Hoseok says, once Yoongi has closed the door behind them and sits next to Hoseok on the sofa.
It’s been a long day, and he feels thoroughly worn out from the big meal and chasing the dogs around for hours on end. They’d watched Christmas movies and played charades. Or rather, he and Hyojin had suffered through four rounds of charades for their childish, but adorable, undoubtedly adorable, partners. Hyojin and Hyerin had won every round; they know each other too well. Yoongi wonders if he and Hoseok will ever be so in sync as a couple. Maybe, given time.
“Sure. I don’t have your gift yet.” Yoongi suddenly feels guilty. He didn’t know they were doing presents this year. They have been dating for a few months, he supposes. “I’m sorry, I haven’t had much time to think about it and I didn’t know you wanted to do this today and I-”
“Hyung, stop, it’s okay. You don’t have to get me anything. But I got you this.” Hoseok gets up, and pulls a box from under the tree Yoongi hadn’t noticed there was anything under it, and they’ve been in the room for the entire day, he’s been so wrapped up in everything. “It’s for the girls too.”
“Oh, Hoseokie,” Yoongi says, touched that Hoseok has considered the girls too. He knows it might be weird, buying presents for your dogs to unwrap and enjoy on Christmas day, but it’s something he’s kept up, ever since he first got Byeol. He’d tried to teach her to rip apart the wrapping on her brand-new collar, but she’d merely looked at him like he was mad. Maybe he was, a little. A healthy amount of mad.
“Open it, hyung. I’m kinda nervous. You might think it’s ridiculous, which is fine. I won’t cry about it. Probably.”
Yoongi grins, tapping Hoseok on the nose and getting to work unwrapping. It’s simple, yet beautifully and carefully done. He removes the red and white string quickly, trying to put it beside him but instead accidentally handing it straight into Bomi’s waiting mouth. He goes to chase her when she runs away with it but stops himself, turning his attention back to the present instead (her small triumph later betrays her when she nearly swallows the thing and grumpily abandons her new toy).
Yoongi tries not to rip the brown paper as best he can, since it’s clear Hoseok went to a lot of effort to wrap it. Yoongi isn’t usually one for saving paper, but then, he never gets a lot of presents. Hyojin and Hyerin usually get him vouchers for Christmas and his birthday, and the few friends he’s managed to keep from high-school don’t even bother with cards. Well, except Namjoon, but Namjoon is traditional like that.
“Just rip the paper if you want, hyung,” Hoseok says, nervousness evident in his voice, “I have plenty more if you ever need some.”
Yoongi smiles, nodding as he finally tears the paper to reveal a brown, cardboard box. Hoseok pulls away the paper, throwing it on the floor and accidentally covering Micha in it, prompting an indignant huff out of her before she moves away, bored from the lack of attention. Yoongi bites his lip with excitement as he opens the box, all but tearing the flaps of cardboard in the process. He reaches inside, his fingers clutching a thick, soft material. He pulls it out, holds it up, realises what it is-
“Oh, Hobi.” Yoongi almost laughs. In his hands, he’s holding a jumper, almost identical to Hoseok’s, just red instead of blue, with a white ‘Y’ instead of ‘H’. He holds it against his chest. It’ll be roomy, but he’ll make it work.
“One for each of you,” Hoseok says, reaching into the box and pulling out three, much smaller jumpers. These ones are striped with the exact shade of blue and red as on Hoseok’s, and now Yoongi’s, jumpers. One large, with a white ‘B’, one a little smaller with an ‘M’ and the third, the smallest, with another ‘B’. “Specially made.”
“Hoseok, these are…” Yoongi begins, unable to put down his own jumper, snuggling it into his chest.
“I know it’s kinda dumb, and I knew you probably wouldn’t want to like, actually match, so I got another colour, I hope it’s-“
Yoongi cuts him off by all put launching himself at him. The dogs bark at them for a such an unprovoked attack. He’s their Hobi now, after all. Bomi abandons her string to jump at Yoongi, and Micha is quick to copy. Byeol almost loses her place on the neck of the sofa as her sisters shuffle their way in-between Yoongi and Hoseok’s bodies. Yoongi clings to Hoseok tight; a difficult feat when you have two reasonably strong and determined dogs are trying to get you apart, but he does it. He locks his arms around Hoseok’s neck, his face burrows into the space where his neck meets his shoulder. Hoseok clings back, kissing the top of Yoongi’s head softly.
“It’s not dumb at all, Hobi,” Yoongi says, quietly, “and I wouldn’t have minded matching with you in the slightest. In fact, I think we should match. All the damn time.”
Hoseok chuckles, and Yoongi feels a pang when he realises he won’t be hearing that sound for another couple of weeks at least.
“You really like them?”
“Of course I do. Can’t say the girls will, though.”
“Ah, it’s okay. They’re more symbolic, anyway.”
“Ah, really? Can’t we put them on them?”
Hoseok shrugs. “We can. I got them made to fit.”
It’s quite the job, getting the girls into their new clothes. Hoseok mostly sniggers throughout it, watching Yoongi trying, as gently as possible as they wriggle and squirm against him, to get their tiny legs through the tiny sleeves. Micha is the easiest; seeming to enjoy the attention but going a little too lax in Yoongi’s hands for the task to be considered functional. Hoseok goes to manage Byeol, but Yoongi stops him before he can. Byeol is warming more and more to Hoseok every day, but there’s still some trust left to be built up.
“Where did you even get these?” Yoongi says when Hoseok finally manages to wrestle the buzzing Bomi into her jumper. She bounces off the walls when he finally lets her go.
“I have a friend who knits,” Hoseok answers, smoothly, leaning back against the sofa and running a hand through his hair. “Like, seriously, he can knit a mile a minute. I told him I needed one human and three dog jumpers and he got these done in less than a week.”
“That’s insane.”
“Right? He’s amazing.”
“You know what else is insane?”
“What?”
“The fact that you haven’t kissed me all day.”
Hoseok snorts, and Yoongi just about manages to pinpoint the exact moment he falls in love as Hoseok begins to lean in to press their mouths together, the dogs, his precious girls, sandwiched in-between their bodies.
Hoseok pulls away, a little too fast, but Yoongi hasn’t the energy to chase for another kiss. Instead, he lets the quiet settle for a moment, pressing his forehead against Hoseok’s. The sounds of Bomi and Micha beginning to playfight punctuate the silence, and Hoseok squeezes Yoongi so tight, Yoongi swears he feels them all melt into one.