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Taehyung loved Christmas. Not because of the religious purposes behind it, only because he got to spend it surrounded by those he loved most. The only difference is that this year, he would be spending Christmas on campus.
Taehyung wasn't going to allow that to ruin the holidays for him, and he sure as hell wasn't going to allow the fact that he'd just run out of wrapping paper, ruin it either. He looked at his empty closet—the confidence he had was now gone. Empty rolls of wrapping paper were all that was left, and he has 20 gifts to wrap before the clock struck 12 o'clock.
Okay, he thought, this is bad. This is bad.
He was more than certain he'd bought enough. He knows this because, after purchasing, he had scanned the receipt and gasped at how much money he'd spend on wrapping paper itself.
But maybe it wasn't enough—because Taehyung loved to spoil his friends, he loved to make sure they knew how appreciative he was, whether it was with material things or emotional reassurance.
He looked at the clock on the wall, 8:24 PM.
The nearest mart was five blocks away, sadly—he didn't have a car. But he loved walking, and he loved snow, so he found himself making his way to the mart in the bitter winter cold. The streets were decorated with Christmas lights and if you paid close attention, the old rusting speakers outside were playing old Christmas tunes. He was thankful the people on campus were festive—nothing worse than spending the holidays and having to take finals. At least with decorations, everything seemed a little better and gave him the motivation he needed.
The red glowing lights of the mart were visible, but the store itself was empty. Taehyung checked his watch again, 8:50 PM.
It didn't usually take this long for him to reach the store on foot. But again, his attention span was so short so he wasn't exactly surprised.
He gathered all the strength he had and made a run for it, crashing into the doors of the store and almost slipping on the floor due to the snow on his boots. He managed to balance himself, grabbing onto cans of beans. He looked up, flashing a smile at the cashier that sat behind the register, phone in hand with an annoyed look on his face.
"Do you guys have wrapping paper—by any chance?"
The guy sighed, standing up. He was sitting on a stool because as he straightened up, he magically lost about 5 inches in stature.
He was also ridiculously cute. Skin tanned despite the weather outside, hair jet black and messy due to the Santa hat he held on his hand. His name tag read Hello, my name is Jimin.
"Why would anyone think we'd have wrapping paper when Christmas is," Jimin said—pausing to take a look at his watch, "exactly 3 hours and 10 minutes away."
He had a point. Especially since this store was the closest one to campus, everyone relied on it for things.
"Okay, I understand, but I currently have 20 unwrapped gifts sitting under my tree that I have to deliver tonight, so if by any chance, there's a roll of wrapping paper in the storage, I'd be more than happy to buy it."
Jimin laughed, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair.
"Listen, sweets, even if there was paper—which there isn't—I wouldn't be able to help you. The manager locked the register."
Taehyung groaned, rubbing his face with his hands in distress. He had to deliver the gifts, there was a party tonight which his friends were throwing and he wasn't going to let this get on the way of the party.
"Do you know any nearby stores that might have some?"
"Not really, but I might have some at my place. You'd never guess the privileges of working at this shithole," Jimin said grabbing his belongings and putting on a hat. The hat made his face look chubbier, he was so cute—too cute to be human—Taehyung almost saw him as a little cherub, but with black hair.
Taehyung was desperate. The thought of letting down his friends and not being able to fulfill the tradition of secret Santa was way worse than breaking the stranger danger rule.
So without thinking, he asked Jimin if he could have the leftover wrapping paper he owned. To which the latter responded with a chuckle and a nod.
Taehyung waited outside as Jimin finished closing up shop, making sure he locked the doors—not like anyone would break in. He understood why the man—Jimin—had given him such a harsh look. He'd barged in 2 minutes before closing time, and not that he had any experience in retail shops but the last thing he would want is costumers holding him back when he could be on his way home. So he made a mental note to himself—to never do that again.
They made their way to his car in comfortable silence, despite only knowing each other for less than 20 minutes.
Turns out Jimin was Taehyung's neighbor. Not exactly the neighbor who lived next door—but lived on the other side of Taehyung's dorm.
"So you're the one who's always listening to instrumental music at 2 o'clock?" Jimin asked, smiling as he opened the door to his room.
Taehyung's cheeks reddened at the comment. Giving him a nod for an answer.
"It's nice, I like it. Sometimes it helps me sleep."
Jimin threw his coat on the sofa, making himself at home while Taehyung stood awkwardly on his doorstep. "Don't just stand there, come in—wait on the couch while I get the paper."
Taehyung closed the door behind him, waddling his way over to the black leather couch. His eyes wandered around the living space, his dorm was the same size—but somehow this one looked bigger. There were barely any home decorations, only a candle on the dining table and some dried up roses from God knows.
"Uh, here you go. I'm sorry for it being so wrinkled—I found it under my bed. Don't know how it managed to get there."
Taehyung stood up, taking the paper into his hands and smiling brightly at Jimin. "Thank you so much, you don't know how many lives you just managed to save."
"Dramatic. I'm guessing the only life I saved today was yours?"
They both laughed, falling into comfortable silence once again. Taehyung shuffled his way to the door, bidding farewell to Jimin—who stood behind the kitchen counter, pouting but managing to smile at the same time.
Taehyung opened the door, gasping as he was met with heavy snow. He stepped foot outside, the winds were strong and the temperature seemed to drop lower and lower with each passing second. He stepped back in, unable to stand the cold—shoulders sagging in disbelief.
"Looks like the gifts aren't gonna be wrapped any time soon," Jimin chirped, a mocking tone to his voice.
Taehyung rolled his eyes, stepping back into the room and closing the door behind him.
"Can I—uhm—stay here? Until the storm passes?"
Jimin nodded, opening the refrigerator to get a bottle of soju out. He popped the cap open, chugging it down like it was water. Taehyung stared.
Jimin looked better now, not that he didn't look good beforehand. He looked even prettier up close and under proper lighting. His facial features were more visible. Taehyung could see his little moles and freckles and the way his lips turned into a natural pout after he drank. He had dark circles under his eyes, probably from staying up and overworking himself with his store job and school.
"Don't stare too hard," Jimin said, followed by a small chuckle.
Taehyung lowered his head in embarrassment. Fiddling with the wrapping paper on his lap.
Jimin made his way towards the couch, handing Taehyung a bottle of soju to relax a little. They talked a little. Talked enough to know each other.
Jimin was a dance major, with an interest in science. He was born on October 13th, 1995. Making him a 23-year-old Libra sun.
Makes sense, Taehyung thought.
Taehyung was an art history major, with an interest in acting.
"It's funny how we were born in the same year. Like, you were really born 2 days away from 1996. You didn't wanna leave me behind. That's so cute," Jimin said jokingly, taking another sip from his soju bottle.
"Shut up," Taehyung said in return.
Jimin flicked through the television channels until they both settled on The Polar Express. They watched the movie in silence, Taehyung mumbling the words to songs every now and then as Jimin shook his head. They spent the entire snowstorm like this, keeping themselves warm and entertained in Jimin's dorm. It almost felt domestic, even if they were practically strangers.
Taehyung took a peek outside, seeing that the once strong winds were just now mere breezes carrying snowflakes from place to place. He figured he'd leave, make it home before his party and get the leftover gifts wrapped once and for all.
"There's this party my friends are throwing. There's six of us—and I, sorry—we—would love to have you there."
Jimin turned his head towards Taehyung, eyes squinting and a smug smile on his lips. "You said I—so only you want me there."
Taehyung's cheeks started heating up, even though he knew Jimin was right. He wanted Jimin to accompany him, to become friends and not let this be a one-time thing. Because Taehyung enjoyed Jimin's presence, and he was hoping Jimin felt the same way.
"I'll go," Jimin said, standing up to turn off the TV and stretch. His shirt slid upwards, revealing his perfectly toned body that Taehyung couldn't help but admire, even if it was for a mere 0.2 seconds.
Taehyung stood up, straightening his clothes and grabbing the wrapping paper. Taehyung gave him the details of the party. Where it was, when it was and who would attend. Turns out Jimin and one of his friends, Hoseok, knew each other from some class they had together. They bid each other farewell, Jimin promising him that he'll attend and would try to be on time.
Taehyung made his way towards the door, stopping midway and turning around one last time.
"Thank you, by the way," Taehyung said, holding up the wrapping paper and offering Jimin a smile.
Jimin nodded his head in return, closing the door behind him as Taehyung made his way towards his own dorm. There was a little skip to his walk that wasn't there before. Suddenly Taehyung felt more than determined to get to the party on time.
It was 11:46 PM—Jimin was nowhere to be seen.
Taehyung should have known better. Always getting his hopes up knowing that in the end, he'd always end up disappointed.
He's not exactly disappointed in Jimin, because Jimin didn't owe anyone anything, but he was sad. Sad because he really, really, really, wanted him to be here. Not only because he wanted to become friends—but because Taehyung knew Jimin would end up spending the holidays on his own, drinking soju and watching re-runs of terrible Christmas movies.
So he plopped down next to a very drunk Seokjin, going on his phone and pretending to be unaffected. It didn't really work though, because his friend, Jeongguk, was already nagging at his side demanding an answer as to why he'd been pouting the entire night.
Taehyung locked his phone, throwing it on the coffee table in front of them. He slid down on the couch, letting his head fall on the backrest. "I met this guy, I invited him here and he's not showing up—I was so certain he'd come too, I was looking forward to actually meeting him."
"Does he have black hair?"
Taehyung nodded, turning his head to face the man.
"Does he happen to be the guy that's been throwing snowballs at the window for the past 7 minutes?"
Taehyung's eyes widened, sitting up to look out the window and sure enough, Jimin stood there, rubbing his hands together to create warmth. Taehyung stood up, face full of disbelief at Jungkook's dumbass smile. "Why didn't you tell me he was there?"
"Well, Seokjin hyung kept saying that was his ex and to not let him," Jungkook said, staring out the window again.
Jimin looked like he was close to freezing, the skin that was once tanned and glowing was now starting to look like snow. Ironic.
"Well yeah, but then again—Seokjin is very drunk."
Taehyung ran out the door, almost spraining his ankle as skipped down the stairs. He opened the door, a shivering Jimin stood behind it. Taehyung took him in, taking his own jacket off to wrap it around Jimin in an attempt to warm him up.
"I'm sorry, I'm so fucking sorry," Taehyung said apologetically, running his hands up and down Jimin's back.
"It's fine, don't worry," Jimin said, struggling to get his words out. They reached the door to Namjoon's dorm, the chatter that was going on died down as they both stepped in.
"Namjoon get me all the blankets you own," Taehyung said. He walked Jimin to the sofa, who sat down and curled up into a little ball to get more warmth—if it wasn't for the fact that the man might've gotten frostbite, Taehyung would've found it endearing.
Namjoon returned with about four blankets, which he wrapped around Jimin. Once he gained back his strength, he handed the gift to Taehyung—smiling like he didn't almost freeze to death minutes before.
"For you."
Taehyung took the gift with shaky hands, mouth agape at Jimin's thoughtfulness. He looked up at the latter, whose cheeks were turning pink as the blood rushed back to his face. He was smiling nervously, not knowing if Taehyung would like the gift.
"It's nothing big, you'll see. I barely had time to find something good—so I'm sorry, in advance."
Taehyung placed the gift on the coffee table, turning to face Jimin and wrapping his arms around him. He was still cold, but somehow the embrace felt warm. Taehyung watched as his friends looked at them in amazement and confusion, but he didn't really care.
He introduced Jimin to all of his friends, except for Hoseok because they knew each other.
"We actually met at a dance studio some years ago—ended up attending the same school too," Jimin said.
Seokjin couldn't stop apologizing to Jimin, for telling the others to not let him in. His excuse was that the wine he'd been drinking had way more alcohol than regular wines—and that Jimin was pretty. Pretty enough to date him.
Taehyung pretended that the comment didn't bother him.
They spent the rest of the night playing games, telling stories and truly getting to know each other.
Taehyung was more than happy. To know that Jimin ended up spending his Christmas with them, not alone in his dorm. He was glad that he'd run out of wrapping paper in the first place—if it wasn't for that he wouldn't have met Jimin.
"Alright doofuses, let's gather around Namjoon's poorly decorated Christmas tree and open up the presents," Yoongi said, kneeling down and placing the boxes in nice positions to take pictures of them.
Jimin looked at his watch and then back up to Taehyung. "Merry Christmas," he said, audible enough for Taehyung to hear.
"Merry Christmas Jimin, I'm glad you're here with me."
Jimin smiled at him, not bringing up the fact that he'd say me instead of us. They stood up and walked over to the tree, joining the other boys in opening up their presents.
Taehyung had saved Jimin's gift for last, taking the gift in one hand and Jimin's hand in the other—guiding them to Namjoon's bedroom to get more privacy and to stop the other boys from cooing and embarrassing him in front of Jimin.
Taehyung pretended not to love the way Jimin's hand fit perfectly in his own, almost like they were two pieces of a puzzle.
He closed the door behind them, patting the empty spot next to him in Namjoon's bed. Jimin sat next to him, making sure to give him space and leaving some between them both.
Taehyung's hand unwrapped the gift, stomach turning in all different ways. Not because he was sick—but because he couldn't stop the butterflies from forming as he saw Jimin stare at him with a smile like he was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen.
Taehyung eyed the present, eyes widening as he took in every detail. "This is so beautiful," he said, holding Jean-Michel Basquiat's Scull in his hands. It wasn't the original version, but a smaller version the size of a notebook.
"I didn't know what to get you, so I called Hoseok and asked what a cute art major named Taehyung would like. He told me one of your favorite artists is Basquiat, and I happened to have this in my closet as a gift from other friends. So I decided to give it to you—because I know you'd appreciate it more than I do."
Taehyung ran his fingers through the painting, eyes welling up as he looked over at Jimin.
"It's beautiful, I love it," Taehyung said, turning to his side to hug Jimin once again.
Jimin stopped, placing his hand on Taehyung's chest to stop them from hugging. "There's one more thing," he said, pointing at the small cassette tape at the bottom of the box.
Taehyung was so caught up with the painting that he failed to notice the small cassette tape titled "for taehyung" in messy handwriting. He grabbed it, his hands too big for the tape. Jimin brought out a walkman—Taehyung surprised to see that they still made those. He plugged in his regular headphones and gave one to Taehyung.
"I managed to remember the type of music you like, not because I stalk you—but because it's hard to dismiss when you play it at ass o'clock."
Taehyung laughed, running his fingertips around the tape and holding it close to his heart. He looked at Jimin, vision blurry with incoming tears. He was so overwhelmed. Mostly because in such a short amount of time, Jimin managed to get him these things.
And because Jimin bothered to ask Hoseok what he liked.
Also because Jimin remembered the type of music he liked.
But most importantly, he felt overwhelmed because Jimin did this voluntarily.
They settled themselves on Namjoon's bed. Jimin's arm wrapping itself around Taehyung's shoulders, as the latter rested his head on Jimin's chest.
One ear listening to the beautiful lyrics and melodies to the songs on the tape, and one ear listening to Jimin's heartbeat.
Everything felt so domestic, the way they both felt to secure around each other. Even if they'd just met that same day—Taehyung felt like he'd known Jimin his whole life. And now that he was in Taehyung's life, everything felt complete.
They stayed like this until the tape came to an end. Taehyung looked up at Jimin, being careful not to make a noise as he saw the man peacefully sleeping.
Lips formed into a pout and hand tangled in Taehyung's hair.
Taehyung settled back into Jimin's embrace, this time—wrapping his arm around his torso. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to sleep.
He couldn't have asked for a better way to spend Christmas.