Work Text:
SanTaebaby: Still on for 4pm?
XmasKookie: idk. They want me to stay late at work :( busy.
SanTaebaby: It’s alright, I can hang back a bit. Come over when you’re done. 6 maybe?
XmasKookie: idk maybe
Taehyung locked his phone and put his head back with a sigh. Something was wrong. Jungkook had never been so short or so avoidant with him before. Maybe Jungkook didn’t share the same feelings as Taehyung. When Taehyung invited the younger over for Christmas, maybe he thought that they were just going to decorate cookies.
Taehyung groaned in frustration about his stupidity of trying to orchestrate a surprise romantic dinner.
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Meanwhile, Jungkook was busy bussing tables and serving patrons at the fried chicken restaurant where he worked. Tonight was Christmas Eve, and of course they were offering a very popular Christmas deal. To top it off, half of the staff called out “sick,” leaving only Jungkook and his two remaining co-workers left to pick up the slack and cover shifts.
He found himself nervously glancing over at the clock hoping that 4:00 wasn’t really only 10 minutes away.
Customer after customer came in. Just when he thought he could sit down and text Taehyung, someone would shout for more water or their check. Jungkook felt bad, he worried that Taehyung would think that he was avoiding him, so he tried to respond to him when he could, even if it was short.
4 o’clock quickly passed and Jungkook didn’t even realize that 5:30 was fast approaching. When he noticed he felt his heart drop. Taehyung was probably expecting him in thirty minutes, or at least expecting to hear from him. And even if Jungkook was able to leave right now, he wouldn’t even have time to get completely ready.
You see, Jungkook was head over heels for Taehyung, and what he wanted more than anything was to announce his feelings through a custom cake. Which needed to be picked up at 6pm. Jungkook could have planned this better, but he was so excited that he didn’t think Taehyung would be inviting him over as early as 4 o’clock, he didn’t even think he would invite him over at all until last week.
At 5:45 his 5 minute break began, knowing he wouldn’t be able to leave before 6, he called the bakery and asked them to hold the cake until closing. They obliged and Jungkook was certain he would get to leave the restaurant by 9 pm.
Now it was time to text Taehyung back.
XmasKookie: sorry can’t come at 6
He wanted to elaborate on his current restaurant situation but he heard his boss yelling for him to come back inside.
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When Taehyung saw that Jungkook wasn’t able to come over at 6 either, his anxiety grew. He thought to himself: Is he completely ditching me? Did I come off too strong and scare him away? I could have sworn he had feelings for me too.
The dinner Taehyung had cooked sat on the table growing cold. He felt a little stupid, he shouldn’t have cooked it so early in the day. However, they did make plans a week ago to have a Christmas Eve dinner at 4 o’clock. He figured the food could just be heated up if his crush ever decided to show up, so he put it away.
It’s okay. I’m sure work is busy. I’ll give him more time. He thought to himself.
Taehyung promptly responded.
SanTaeBaby: No problem. I’ve got nowhere to be. Let me know when you’re on your way :)
After cleaning up his cooking efforts, Taehyung paced around the living room a bit, fiddling with some of the Christmas ornaments before reclining back into his chair. He turned the tv on to get his mind off of Jungkook.
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6 o’clock turned into 7, and 7 turned into 8, and Jungkook still didn’t have a single chance to catch a break. He was feeling very antsy to leave but he guessed everyone loved to take advantage of the Christmas chicken special.
Finally at 8:30, a lull in hungry people finally appeared. Jungkook sat down, swinging his feet onto a chair in front of him and whipped his phone out of his pocket.
Seeing Taehyung’s text, he was relieved that the older boy wasn’t angry with him. He could even feel himself beginning to blush, a smile plastered onto his face. He couldn’t wait to tell Taehyung how he felt.
Jungkook began his response:
XmasKookie: good news! restaurant closes @ 9 and everyones leaving. Be there around 10. can’t wait to see--
And with that his phone went black. Jungkook froze staring wide eyed at his phone. Then it dawned on him that his battery had died.
Of all times to not have a phone charger, this was the worst time of all. There was no way Taehyung would know when Jungkook was arriving. Or IF he would show up.
Thirty more minutes and Jungkook would be free, then he only had to pick up the cake and get his outfit on. If he ran, Taehyung would know his true feelings in no time.
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Taehyung wasn’t nervous when Jungkook didn’t respond for an hour. No--he was too enraptured in a cheesy Christmas movie. Only when it ended did he think to check his phone.
Nothing.
Okay Jungkook is just busy, it is Christmas Eve after all.
But Taehyung couldn’t help but feel worried.
When 9 o’clock approached, he had lost all hope. Jungkook wasn’t coming. He was avoiding Taehyung. He didn’t like him at all and was too afraid to say so.
Taehyung blew out the pine scented candle that burned on the coffee table in front of him, unplugged his Christmas tree, and turned off the living room lights.
As he made his way to his bedroom, he felt his face burning, tears welling up in his eyes as he sniffled trying to hold them in. He failed. Taehyung collapsed on his bed and buried his face in his hands as his shoulders shook, his cries getting stronger the more he thought. He felt sad, he felt embarrassed, but worst of all he felt like he had ruined things with the person he felt closest to. If anything, he would want to always be Jungkook’s friend. He would be okay with unrequited love, sure, but Jungkook seemed like he didn’t want anything to do with him. He felt pathetic for thinking so drastically, but this night was incredibly important to him.
For some reason Taehyung was still unlocking his phone in hopes that maybe he somehow missed a notification, but each time he was greeted with nothing but the time--currently reading 9:32 pm.
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9:23 pm, the clock in the restaurant read as Jungkook grabbed his backpack and rushed out the door and into the frigid outdoors. The bakery closes in 47 minutes, it’s a 10 minute run. He can definitely make it. Jungkook runs down the street, not even bothering to change out of his apron he wore during the very long work day. He didn’t mind the cold, despite wearing short sleeves, he was warmed by his adrenaline.
In no time at all- Jungkook arrived at the bakery, hoping he didn’t miss a call saying they would be selling the cake to someone else. He was greeted and informed the baker that he was here to pick a special Christmas cake. The kind woman at the counter smiled and nodded, then brought a box to him. She opened it up so that Jungkook could make sure it was exactly what he wanted.
As it opened Jungkook could hear angels singing and see beams of light pouring from the box. It was the most beautiful cake he had ever laid eyes on. It was covered in white icing, buttercream ribbons hugging the strawberries artfully placed around the rim, a sugar santa and reindeer at the top, and two candy canes crossed so that they form a heart. But the most important part was, written in chocolate ganache were the words “Merry Christmas. Will you be my boyfriend?” Jungkook’s eyes lit up, his smile was blinding, and said “It’s perfect, thank you.”
He paid for his gift, and was on his way by foot once again.
Jungkook knew exactly where Taehyung’s apartment was, as he had been there many times before. He couldn’t wait to see him, and see the look on his face when he saw his Christmas present. He hoped that it would more than make up for his unfortunate lateness.
Only about 20 more minutes until they would be together.
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Taehyung’s ceaseless sobbing started to take a toll on his energy supply. He felt his eyes grow heavier, and his breath slow. With blurred vision, he read that the time was 10 o’clock sharp and his eyes shut and he drifted off to sleep.
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Breathless, Jungkook arrived to the outskirts of Taehyung’s apartment. It was almost time. He trudged on, feeling excited and made it to the stairwell closest to his door. This was the perfect time for the second part of the plan. Jungkook threw his backpack down and unzipped it, revealing red fleece fabric. He grinned as he reached in and pulled out an entire Santa Suit, beard and everything. Jungkook couldn’t contain himself, he had this planned for weeks. Laughing to himself, he untied the apron he still wore and slipped Santa’s coat and pants over his other clothes. He then adjusted the hat and secured the beard.
On to apartment 320, Taehyung’s home. He noticed that the lights were off--weird. There’s no way Taehyung could be sleeping, right? After all it wasn’t that late, right? Knowing Taehyung he was probably waiting to catch Santa, you know, just in case.
Jungkook breathed in and knocked on the door. He waited. No answer. He observed his surroundings, rocking back and forth on his heels. He knocked again. He waited. Still no answer.
Okay, perhaps he wasn’t knocking loud enough. He tried again but this time he knocked harder, surely he would hear this time. Then he cleared his throat, and said in a deep and jolly voice, “have you been a good boy this year?” His face instantly turned red in embarrassment.
He jiggled the doorknob just in case, but it was locked. He looked up at the sky, biting his lip and thinking--
But then he remembered, since Taehyung’s apartment is on the end of the building, as long as Taehyung forgot to close his blinds (as always) Jungkook can look in through the bedroom window to make sure Taehyung was actually home by going around the corner.
There it was, Taehyung’s window and of course, the blinds were left open. The window began at his shoulders, the perfect height to be able to easily see in. And there Taehyung was, curled up in his blankets fast asleep. Jungkook shook his head and smiled. He felt bad for coming so late, but his (hopefully) soon to be boyfriend was adorable.
Another thing Taehyung also always forgot to do was lock his window, this is something Jungkook knew from all the times they would play video games with the windows open during the spring. Jungkook always told the other that he should lock his window for safety; but Taehyung never did. Luckily, the only thing Jungkook was looking to steal was Tae’s heart, and not his belongings.
With a slight pull on the sliding glass window, it opened. Jungkook never stopped for a second to think that maybe--just maybe what he was about to do wasn’t the best idea. In fact he was blinded by excitement.
“Cake first.” Jungkook said to himself. The cake was the most precious thing in his life right now, as long as the cake made it in, he would be okay.
It was a risky move, dropping the cake onto the carpeted floor from a height of about four and a half feet. Granted the cake was in a box, but things could have gone horribly wrong had Jungkook not been so skilled as to drop the cake so gracefully.
He was certain the cake faired well. Now it was time for him to climb in. The task shouldn’t be hard, Jungkook wasn’t a large man, he had squeezed through windows before anyhow. He pulled himself up and got his head, shoulders, and arms through the window. Smooth sailing so far. Jungkook went to further pull himself in quietly, then found himself stuck.
In all of his excitement, Jungkook forgot to take off his backpack. He was stuck halfway into Taehyung’s bedroom and halfway into the freezing outside. He tried to wiggle out, wherever he ended up, inside or outside, was better than being stuck in his crush’s window.
It was useless, the battle with the window was a stalemate. Jungkook decided to admit defeat. “Taehyung” he whispered rather loudly, hoping to wake the sleeping man up without scaring him. “Taehyung” he repeated, even louder this time.
In his bed, Taehyung stirred, his eyes fluttered open and then closed again.
Jungkook said his name again.
Taehyung began to rise from his covers with a chill. He wasn’t completely awake yet when he muttered “Kook--”
That’s when Taehyung became fully awake. As soon as he opened his eyes he was met with a very round looking stranger hanging into his window. Taehyung briefly flashed his phone light at the man and saw a wide eyed face with a long white beard. This was no one Taehyung had previously been acquainted with. Or so he thought.
“OH MY GODDDDDDDD” Taehyung jumped up screaming. Scrambling in the dark to find anything he could use as self defense. He picked up a table lamp and cowered backwards, looking at the man defensively.
“Tae, Tae, no! It’s me. Jungkook.”
“What?” Taehyung lowered the lamp and instead turned it on, lighting up the room to reveal Jungkook’s familiar face. Only half covered by a fake white beard.
“Jungkook, what on EARTH are you doing?” he asked still surprised, but relieved.
Jungkook began explaining himself. “Well half the staff didn’t come to work today so I had to do all the work, but it was too busy for me to properly explain through text, then my phone died. So anyway I finally left when the restaurant closed. Then I had to pick up the cake but you were asleep and your door was locked but I wanted to surprise you so I thought, why not come through here?”
Taehyung’s eyes widened, “cake?”
Jungkook, still halfway hanging in the window looked at the box on the floor, “yeah that cake. I’m sorry. I wanted to surprise you on Christmas but it didn’t really go as planned.” He let out a defeated laugh.
The shock had worn off of Taehyung’s tired face and started laughing at Jungkook. “I’m sorry. You look ridiculous.” He said laughing harder until tears began to form. “Okay I’m sorry. Let me help you.” He scooted the cake box away from the window and helped pull Jungkook into his room, trying to stifle his laughter.
The younger man brushed himself off and closed the window behind him, he picked up the box and held it in front of Taehyung. “Anyway, here...Merry Christmas Tae!”
The box was passed to the older man and he opened it, revealing a beautiful cake in perfect condition, with “Merry Christmas. Will you be my boyfriend?” written on the top.
Taehyung’s face brightened, a stark contrast from just a few hours ago. A boxy smile appeared on his face as he looked into the still polyester bearded Jungkook’s eyes.
“Of course.” He said, and pulled the white beard down, revealing Jungkook’s handsome face. Taehyung leaned in, and gave the man he loved for so long a soft kiss on the lips.