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His breath comes out in puffs of white clouds, and Jimin mentally kicks himself for forgetting his warm fluffy scarf in his hurry to leave. He’s so cold and he can feel his hands freezing over in his pockets as the snow softly falls around him like the white petals from blossom trees, gently landing on his hair and melting away. His boots leave footprints as he walks across the frosted sidewalk, crunching beneath his feet like glass cracking.
He sees the cafe up ahead, brightly illuminated through the glass windows against the rapidly darkening sky and the fairy lights hung around the entrance flash like a pulsating heart.
Jimin feels his phone vibrate in his pocket, and he knows it’s Taehyung being impatient even before he whips his phone out to check the notification, confirming his suspicions. He leaves the message on read and quickens his pace, eager to get to the warmth of the cafe, and get his hands around a hot cup of coffee.
Jimin stomps off the snow coating his boots on the steps by the door, and pushes his way in. The warm air and familiar aroma of coffee and baked goods surround him as the bell hung above the door jingles, signalling his entrance. He searches for Taehyung's mop of blond hair and finds him sitting at one of the tables near the counter, waving eagerly with his boxy smile in place.
Jimin smiles at him and makes his way over, sitting down next to him and shuffling close for body heat. They hadn't been able to see each other for most of the week because their busy schedules prevented them from seeing each other for more than five minutes when passing by for their next class. Taehyung hugs him from the side and rubs his arms, as if sensing his coldness. Jimin smiles and leans against him.
Hoseok makes his way over to the large table they’re seated at, carrying two cups of hot chocolate, one for himself and one for Taehyung, while smiling wide at Jimin in greeting.
Jimin catches sight of Jungkook trailing behind him uncertainly, but Jimin deliberately avoids his eyes and instead focuses his gaze on Hoseok, smiling brightly.
But Hoseok moves and sits down across Taehyung, which leaves Jungkook in Jimin's line of vision, leaving him to sit across Jimin, and when he offers Jimin a small smile, Jimin feels his heart pick up speed against his will.
“Hi Jimin-hyung,” Jungkook says, and the form of address tugs at Jimin's heart and painfully reminds him of a time when they were close enough that Jungkook didn’t care for honorifics.
“Hey Jungkook-ah,” Jimin replies softly. Jimin can feel Taehyung lightly kick his foot under the table from where he still has his arm around Jimin’s shoulder, but Jimin ignores him, instead striking up a conversation with Hoseok.
Jimin complains to Hoseok that his arms and legs feel like they’re bruised from hours of rigorous training while Taehyung massages his nape, Jimin lets out a satisfied sigh and crumples into his seat in relief.
“Jiminie my shoulders have been hurting for a few days now, ever since we did that lift,” Hoseok grimaces as he lifts his shoulders.
“Ah, sorry about that Hobi-hyung, that was my fault,” Jimin trails off as he watches Jungkook reaching out to land his hands across Hoseok’s shoulders, his long fingers working into the flesh and massaging the tension away from his knotted muscles as Hoseok sighs in ease.
The sight involuntarily brings back a rush of memories, causing a pang in his chest. He remembers the all too familiar hands resting on his own shoulders, rubbing deep slow circles into his flesh to ease his pain while whispering sweet nothings into his ear.
“Ah Jungkookie-ah,” Hoseok groans, “your hands work wonders,” and to his mortification, a sudden intrusive thought flies across his mind, about those hands working much more wonders than what Hoseok implied, and Jimin has to physically restrain himself from jumping out of his chair and putting as much distance as he can between Jungkook and himself.
“Careful Hobi-hyung,” teases Taehyung, “don't let Yoongi-hyung catch you saying those kinds of things” he smirks, earning him a hard kick to the shin, and he doubles over in pain while laughing, holding his leg under the table.
The door opens and the bells above it tinkle together, bringing with it a rush of cold air that snakes up Jimins legs, making him shiver. Namjoon and Yoongi step through the door, huddled in their warm scarves and hands shoved in their pockets. Namjoon finds his way over to the counter whilst Yoongi makes his way over to their table.
“Speak of the devil,” Hoseok laughs brightly, staring up at Yoongi with the reflected light hanging above them bouncing off his eyes, making them sparkle, the kind of sparkle that appears only when Yoongi is around.
Jimin wonders if he had that kind of sparkle in his eyes when the boy sitting in front of him was around.
Yoongi quirks up a brow, “I'm an angel, what do you mean?” he asks innocently, standing behind Hoseok and running his hands down through Hoseok's hair.
“Sure you are,” smirks Hoseok, and grabs him by the waist, pulling Yoongi down onto his lap and interlocking his arms around his torso. Yoongi slumps onto Hoseok and wraps his arms around his shoulders. Jimin feels as if he’s invading an intimate moment between them and looks away, only to land his eyes on Jungkook.
He keeps his gaze on Jungkook, studying his side profile and the way his lips play with amusement as he watches Hoseok and Yoongi. He notices the small scar on Jungkook's cheek, the one he used to trace his fingertips over. He sees the tiny mole just below the lip line of his bottom lip, the one he used to place loving kisses over.
There’s one on his cheek, right below his eye, and there’s another on his neck, he’s scattered with little dots decorating his smooth skin, as if the universe left sprinkles of glitter on him from the aftermath of a star that burned too bright and exploded within him.
He watches as a pair of brown doe eyes turn to face him, holding him in place as they peer into him. They hold clusters of stars in them, swirling with countless galaxies.
He remembers a time when he used to drown in those eyes, the whole universe at his reach, but it slipped away through his fingertips like stardust.
Jimin feels like he’s indulging in something he can no longer afford, only able to watch from afar but never allowed to stray close enough to touch. He breaks away from the reverie he was placed in and looks away, swallowing tightly. Suddenly the cafe feels far too hot as he feels a heat crawl up his chest and climb its way through his neck.
It's suffocating to be around Jungkook when the memories that he buried deep within him are begging to be released out into the open, where they can roam around his mind freely.
He’s playing with a fire that he can’t put out, one that he’s never been able to put out no matter how hard he’s tried, and it could engulf him whole if he gives it the power and satisfaction, and he thinks he’s insane for even contemplating the idea.
He rises out of his chair suddenly, muttering an excuse and quickly walking away towards the counter. He sees Namjoon, leaning against the countertop on one elbow, his whole body bent towards Seokjin, who’s wearing a purple apron and has his hands on the cash register. They're so absorbed in their conversation that when Jimin puts an arm around Namjoon’s shoulders, he jumps, startled.
Jimin laughs as Namjoon puts him in a headlock and lightly tackles him. Jin scolds his boyfriend, saying something about being careful with Jimin as he’s a fragile boy, to which he scowls at Jin from under Namjoons arm. Jimin stands next to Namjoon conversing with Jin, his arms around Jimin's shoulder, relishing in the warmth he provides.
He orders a vanilla latte, and just as he reaches for his pocket to pay, Seokjin gives him a pointed look and raises his eyebrow, and Jimin sighs before dropping his hand to his side in defeat, knowing it’s no use to try and argue when Jin always pays for him.
Jimin hums in delight when the warm cup of coffee is handed to him, the aroma of vanilla fused with the bitter tang of coffee wafting up his nose. He leans against the counter, drinking, while Seokjin and Namjoon talk quietly next to him, probably flirting, and tunes out the low chatter of the cafe.
He stands there for a good five minutes, when he starts to feel like he’s being watched by somebody. The distinct awareness starts off like an itch on the back of his head, and then he feels as if laser eyes are burning onto him, making the hairs on his arms stand on end in agitation. Jimin casts his eyes over the cafe, and everyone is in their own world, either chatting away with the person across them or their eyes fixed on a phone or laptop in front of them.
He turns his head towards the direction of his friends, and sees Yoongi, Hoseok and Taehyung laughing together, before skimming past a pair of eyes unfalteringly fixed on him. Jimin feels his heart skip a beat when he focuses back on those imploring eyes on the boy across the room, and neither of them back down, neither of them break away from the quiet contest they always seem to find themselves in.
Taehyung slaps Jungkook’s arm while doubling over laughing, and only then does he look away, not wanting to be caught in a staring contest with Jungkook, by his best friend, who will definitely ask questions that he doesn't even know the answers to. When he looks back at their table a moment later, all of them are in hysterics, Jungkook’s frame shaking with mirth as his cackle travels over to Jimin’s ears in waves of pure bliss, and Jimin has to fight a smile forming on his lips as he brings his coffee cup to his mouth.
_
Jimin stumbles his way into the cafe, his limbs too heavy for him to carry and the sharp glare of the bright lights makes him wince in pain as his eyes tear up in difficulty to adjust to the sudden contrast.
The cafe seems to be bustling with life, way too noisy for an average evening during the week. Jimin feels as if every ounce of energy has been drained away from him, leaving him empty and limp like a rag doll. His shoulders slump as he barely holds himself up, and he feels his face tingle from the wintry air that was biting at his skin.
He trudges his way up to the queue, standing behind a short lady with blonde hair, talking into the phone about her weekend plans. Jimin sighs aloud, knowing his weekend will be filled with endless hours of studying for the exams before Christmas break lets out. His night will be spent finishing an assignment that’s due in the next morning, but only if he can keep his eyes open for more than two minutes without passing out from the exhaustion that has seeped into his bones.
He searches for Seokjin’s mop of black hair behind the counter, but can’t seem to find him, meaning he’s probably out in the back room on his break. He was hoping to see at least one of his friends today, but sighs in disappointment as he realises he probably won't for another few days, as they’re all too busy with their own schedules.
Jimin orders his coffee and a snack when he reaches the counter, but just as he takes out his card from his wallet, an arm extends from behind him and slaps down their own card onto the countertop.
“I’ll pay,” Jimin stands, frozen in place as a familiar voice says behind him. The deep voice sends chills running down his spine and suddenly his mouth feels too dry.
Jimin slowly raises his head and looks up at Jungkook, he’s so close to Jimin that he can feel the body heat radiating from him and the arm that’s gently resting along his waist, trapping Jimin between the counter and Jungkook’s body.
He's clad in a black turtleneck that accentuates his broad chest, a black scarf hanging from his neck and covered in a long black coat that reaches past his knees like a long robe.
The bartender simply raises her eyebrows and accepts the payment, moving along to make Jimin's drink, leaving Jimin caged between Jungkook's arms still as a statue.
Jimin turns to him, “You didn't have to pay.”
“I know, but I wanted to,” Jungkook simply replies.
“Thanks,” Jimin says, shifting his weight onto his other foot.
Jimin lightly clears his throat and shuffles back, motioning for Jungkook to move out of his way.
Jungkooks steps away, and Jimin walks towards an empty table towards the window, silently hoping Jungkook won't follow him. But of course the universe doesn’t comply with his wishes, and when he takes a seat, Jungkook is right behind him, pulling out a chair from across him and smiling like a cute eager puppy that Jimin can’t even find it in himself to be annoyed. Jungkook had always been Jimin's biggest weakness.
Jimin feels an ache in his chest he recalls memories of a sweet boy with a bunny smile, eyes creasing at the corners and beaming from ear to ear just before he ducks down to place a gentle loving kiss on Jimin's soft lips.
Jimin frowns, his lips tugging down at the edges and he looks down at his lap, rubbing his hands together to busy himself with something.
Jungkook clears his throat from across him, craning his neck lower to reach Jimin's eyes. Jimin looks up questioningly, and Jungkook nods towards his hands, before gently asking, “Are you cold?”
Jimin looks at him, pondering, and then shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly, saying “Yeah, I guess. A little.”
Jungkook stares at him for a beat, taking in Jimin’s rosy cheeks and red nose bitten by the chilly wind, and the porcelain skin of his exposed neck. He then reaches up to his scarf and unravels it from around his neck, holding the bundle of cloth in his hands in offering to Jimin.
Jimin stares in silence, contemplating, then slowly reaches out and accepts the warm scarf. He steadily wraps it around his own neck, revelling in the warmth and softness of the fabric, he buries his face into his chest, breathing in.
The scarf smells like Jungkook, and the familiarity of it tugs at Jimin's heart. It carries with it the distinct smell floral fabric softener that Jungkook always uses, the sharp tang of his cologne and the light spice of cinnamon.
It reminds Jimin of a time when he used to steal Jungkook’s hoodies that were too big on his frame, hanging limply off his shoulders as Jimin pouted and Jungkook laughing at his cuteness, kissing the pout away.
It reminds him of a time when they used to tangle their limbs together in a pile of pillows and blankets, wrapped around each others' frame as they breathed in the comforting scent of one another, falling asleep together as the screen plays an old classic rom-com in the background.
Jimin smiles through the pang in his chest, even if the memories hurt, they provide him with a devastating kind of happiness as he reflects on what they shared.
Jimin looks up at Jungkook and smiles. He offers a genuine smile, the one that causes his cheeks to form deep dimples like the craters on the moon, the one that causes his warm brown eyes to turn into crescent moons. His little crooked tooth glints like a jewel as he beams. It's the same smile he once fell head first in love with.
And oh.
The soft hue of the lights hanging above them like teardrops, cast soft shadows across Jimin's face and, He looks beautiful as ever , Jungkook thinks.
The denial of his feelings that Jungkook has been burying for the last couple of months suddenly erupts inside of him, flowing into his bloodstream like hot lava. He feels his heart skip a beat as a sudden wave of realisation crashes down on him.
He might be more in love than he allowed himself to be.
-
Taehyung is lounging on his bed, scrolling through his phone with his feet up against the wall, as Jimin is preparing for his next class.
Jimin wraps Jungkook's scarf around his neck, the fading scent now having taken permanent residence on his skin. Jimin rubs the fabric between his fingers, realising just how soft and well worn it is.
“Jimin-ah,” Taehyung drawls out from behind him.
“Yeah?”
“Seokjinnie-hyung said that he’s holding a Christmas Party at their place, and that we have no say in choosing not to come or he will come and physically drag us both.”
“Yeah, I don't doubt him,” Jimin chuckles.
“So you coming?”
“Sure why not,” Jimin replies, shuffling through the content in his backpack.
“He also said to wear your most hideous Christmas jumper,” Jimin scrunches his nose at that and Taehyung cracks a laugh when he notices. They fall into silence as Jimin styles his hair in the mirror.
A beat passes. Jimin sees Taehyung staring at him through the mirror.
“Jimin-ah,”
“Hmm,”
“Who’s scarf is that?” Jimin’s hands freeze where they’re messing with his hair, he doesn’t blink, and stares directly at Taehyung's eyes in the mirror.
Jimin looks away, going back to fussing over his reflection nonchalantly.
“Jungkook gave it to me the other day,” he says casually. Taehyung doesn't say anything, instead just watches Jimin curiously.
“Since when were you two on such good terms that you're sharing clothing?” Taehyung asks sceptically.
Jimin sighs, dropping his hands to his sides, he turns around.
“I honestly don't know,” he says, staring at the ground frowning.
_
It hits him squarely on his back. Jimin whips around to see Hoseok standing in front of him with a goofy smile on full display. His hair is plastered to his forehead and the snowflakes land on him gently, swirling and dancing along with the wind.
“Hobi-hyung,” Jimin whines, stomping his foot down on the snow, “I thought you were on my side,” he says pouting.
“Jiminie, there are no sides, this is war” Hoseok declares, and runs after Yoongi with a snowball.
The air around them is filled with loud screams and shouts and bubbly laughter as they get hit or try to run away but end up slipping and falling face-first into the snow, and Jimin smiles lightly, seeing his friends having fun.
Jimin sees Namjoon slowly trailing after Sokijin who’s running after Jungkook with a snowball far too big. Jimin smirks as he gathers up snow with his cold fingers, shaping it into an uneven ball of ice. He hides his face into his puffy jacket, and quietly sneaks up behind poor Namjoon who’s unaware of the danger looming behind him.
Jimin stands at least five meters away from him, and when Namjoon is facing the opposite direction, he fires the snowball with all the might his tiny body can muster. It successfully hits the back of Namjoon’s head, and crumples as pieces of snow fall down his neck.
Namjoon yelps and jumps around, and just as he sees Jimin, Jimin also pretends he was hit with a snowball, feigning hurt by rubbing his shoulder and wincing.
Namjoon peers at him with narrowed eyes, but walks away in search for Seokjin. Jimin bites his lip to prevent himself from laughing out loud.
Before he can even reach down to get more snow, something wet and hard hits the side of his own head. Not even a millisecond later, another hits his shoulder, knocking him back a step. He turns to see Taehyung and Jungkook reach up to high-five each other, cackling away, their laughs echoing into the winter air.
“I hate you both,” Jimin grumbles, crossing his arms across his chest.
“We love you too,” Taehyung teases, winking.
Jimin glares at him, and quickly gathers up a clump of snow and hauls it at Taehyung, which misses aim and instead hits him smack in the middle of his forehead. Jimin starts to snicker and Jungkook erupts into a loud guffaw besides Taehyung as he stands there with snow stuck on his face and water dripping from his hair.
While Jungkook is too busy laughing at Taehyung, he fails to see Jimin backing away from them with a freshly made ball of snow in his hands. Jimin smirks at Taehyung whos watching him quietly from the corner of his eye, before firing the ball at Jungkook. It lands on the side of his face causing his laughter to cut off abruptly, face pulling down in confusion.
Jimin twists around and sprints away from them while chuckling and hears Jungkook exclaim a loud “Jimin-ssi,” but after a few seconds, he hears a loud set of footsteps behind him, hot on his trail. He sees Namjoon standing with his hands in his pockets, watching them, and makes a beeline straight for him.
Jimin hides behind Namjoon's large frame, using him as a human shield. Jungkook comes to a halt in front of them, holding a ball of ice that looks menacing in his hands.
“Jimin-ssi, you can't hide forever,” Jimin giggles behind Namjoon, and the sound makes Jungkook’s heart hiccup momentarily.
Namjoon stands there, arms crossed, face unimpressed, being manhandled by Jimin as he twists him this way and that to make sure Jungkook can’t reach him.
Jungkook throws the snowball and it lands on Namjoons shoulder, grazing Jimins pink fingers. Jungkook sees the eyes behind Namjoon narrow in displeasure, then Jimin reaches out and weakly hurls a snowball at Jungkook which lands on his chest, before giggling and taking off as fast as he can.
Jungkook watches him go, endeared by the sweet sounds emitting from him and watching the way he leaves behind tiny footprints in the snow. Jungkook chases after him, and misses Namjoon muttering “lovesick idiots, the both of them,” in annoyance.
Jimin keeps running through the winds that make him unsteady on his feet. He loses his balance a couple of times as the flurry of snow causes his eyes to tear up.
He hears Jungkook calling his name behind him, but the wind is too loud in his ears and he can't see through the endless carpet of snow. He stops running, and sees a black dot emerge through the veil of snowflakes tumbling down.
He watches as Jungkook runs towards him, but suddenly he trips over his feet and he’s crashing into Jimin, toppling them both over and taking them down to the ground. Jimin pushes his hands out to minimise the collision but it's no use, he lands on the cold hard ground and Jungkook yelps, landing on top of him like an overgrown puppy.
Jimin groans in pain, his arms are trapped beneath him in a weird angle by Jungkook and there’s something, a lump behind his back. Jimin's eyes fly open as he realises that in the midst of their fall, Jungkooks arm had found its way along his waist.
Now they’re both lying very uncomfortably in the snow, bodies squished together, limbs tangled and Jungkook's forehead slumped on Jimin's shoulder.
Jimin groans in an effort to drag his arm back from where Jungkook is lying atop it.
“Jungkook,” Jimin grunts, “can’t breathe, you’re too heavy” he pants out.
Jungkook huffs, and the breath he lets out directly hits Jimin's bare exposed neck, making all his muscles tense up.
Jungkook untangles his legs from Jimin’s and places his hands on either side of Jimin's head to haul himself up, his fingers digging into the snow.
Jimin stares up at him with gleaming eyes, and their faces are so close that Jungkook notices speckles of gold in his brown eyes. Jimin’s cheeks and nose are dusted with pink, and his hair is sprawled on the snow like a halo above his head. Jungkook thinks he looks like an angel fallen from heaven right into his arms.
Jungkook's eyes dart down to Jimins lips, they’re so pink and plump and so luscious that all Jungkook wants to do is bite down on them.
Jimin clears his throat, breaking Jungkook out of his trance, and Jungkook feels a flush creep up his neck at being caught gawking at the other man's lips. He clambers to his feet and offers Jimin a hand. When Jimin takes his hand, he notices how Jimin’s hands still feel so soft and smooth like they always had been.
Jimin's hands had always been pampered with all different kinds of lotions. Jungkook loved holding Jimin’s hands, they fit so snugly against his own, like pieces of a puzzle fitting in place. They were so small in comparison to Jungkook's hands, and Jimin used to say he loved the way Jungkook’s hand engulfed his own, and how it made him feel safe. Jungkook used to kiss the mole on Jimin’s pinky finger every time before they departed, just to hear Jimin’s giggles.
Jungkooks heart clenches at the memories and he stares at the man in front of him, dusting off snow from his clothes.
There are a million things he wants to say to him, like how much he misses what they had, how much he still wants to join their hands and interlock their fingers together, how much he still loves him. But he can never find the voice to speak them out into the open.
_
Jimin knocks on Seokjin and Namjoon’s apartment door, carrying a bottle of champagne in his arms. He hears footsteps across the landing, approaching the door.
Seokjin throws open the door, loudly exclaiming “Ah! Jimin-ah is here!” He pulls Jimin into a hug, and Jimin laughs into his shoulder.
Seokjin leads them into his large living room with an arm thrown over Jimin's shoulder. Yoongi and Hoseok had already arrived, and they’re lounging on the sofa, each nursing a wine glass filled with what Jimin presumes is red wine, and they greet Jimin once he enters the room.
Their apartment is filled from floor to ceiling with Christmas decorations. There are fairy lights hung around the room, and soft Christmas songs playing from a CD player. The room smells like cinnamon and spiced apple, with a hint of pine. Their fireplace is lit, and the wood crackles as little sparks fly from the flames.
Jimin takes a seat on the sofa across Hoseok and Yoongi, while Seokjin pours him a drink and asks him how his week has been.
Seokjin’s cat, Buttercup, trots over to Jimin and brushes her head up against Jimin's leg. Jimin reaches out to pick her up and raises her in the air, cooing at her, and the cat claws at the air, fighting to be let down.
“I haven't seen you in so long,” Jimin murmurs into her soft fur, nuzzling his face into her neck.
Something clatters onto the kitchen floor, and Seokjin sighs from where he’s sitting next to Jimin.
“I can't leave him alone for five minutes,” Seokjin grumbles, leaving for the kitchen.
Jimin gently rocks Buttercup in his arms, staring up at the tall Christmas tree in the corner of the room. It must be at least half a meter taller than him, and it's spilling with decorations.
Shiny silver baubles droop from the branches of the tree, and its cloaked in white tinsel that weaves around it like mist through a dark forest. The crimson fairy lights pulse in time like a beating heart. There are several wrapped gifts placed neatly under the tree, in various sizes.
Jimin stands up and makes his way over to the large glass windows overlooking the inner city of Seoul. The roads are submerged with snow, the rooftops of buildings enveloped by the thick ice.
The trees lining the park by Han river have shed all their leaves, leaving the naked branches brittle and frosted. Their gnarly fingers reach out into the winter air to catch the softly falling snowflakes. Only a few people skitter by, rushing to reach the warmth of their homes before another snowstorm hits.
Jimin sees the wide expanse of Han river, which has become an ice rink as the water had frozen over into blocks of ice. The bridge is lit up, shining brightly like a necklace of pearls against the dark water. The buildings beside it stand proudly against the night sky, gleaming like stars.
The doorbell rings, and Jimin's head whips up, startled.
Namjoon appears from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dishcloth and making his way over to the entrance.
Once the door opens, Jimin hears Taehyung’s loud voice booming over to the room in greeting. A moment passes and he hears the shuffling of feet, and Jungkook’s voice talking to Namjoon. Jimin’s muscles tense instinctively, and Buttercup mewls in his arms, jumping off and running into the kitchen.
Taehyung bounces into the room and hugs all of them, making his way into the kitchen to see Seokjin. Jungkook appears behind Namjoon, hugging Hoseok and Yoongi once he enters.
He awkwardly stops in front of Jimin, holding out a hand, while Jimin extends his arms out for a hug. Jimin flushes in embarrassment and offers his hand instead, while Jungkook reaches out his arms, and pulls Jimin in, wrapping his arms around the other boy’s back.
Jimin forces out a strained laugh and pats his shoulder. He sees Hoseok and Yoongi watching them with amusement and wishes the floor would open up and swallow him whole.
Jungkook gravitates over to Jimin with a drink in his hand, and they quickly fall into easy conversation, laughing to themselves and sharing jokes only they understand. Jungkook is sitting close to Jimin that their legs are touching, but Jimin finds that he doesn't mind it one bit.
Taehyung suddenly shouts, and they all look at him only to see him pointing at Namjoon and Seokjin, who were standing together murmuring closely, now looking confused.
“Look,” he says, pointing up at the doorway which holds a sprig of mistletoe hanging from it, that Jimin failed to notice before. It hangs proudly, and the white berries look mischievous in the light.
“You’re under the mistletoe, so you have to kiss” he declares smugly.
Seokjin rolls his eyes while Namjoon blushes, and Seokjin pulls Namjoon by his sweater and places a soft kiss on Namjoon's lips, which has him reeling when they pull back to everyone cheering and clapping. Jimin makes a mental note to stay away from the mistletoe as much as possible.
A while later, Namjoon places a large tray of freshly baked gingerbread men onto their dining table.
“We’re decorating gingerbread men,” he proudly declares, smiling widely.
Taehyung whoops loudly and sneaks up behind Seokjin, attempting to steal one, but Seokjin slaps his hand away before he even touches the tray.
There’s a variety of decorating supplies on the table in front of them, pink and white marshmallows, icing with all shades of colours, little pink hearts, stars shimmering with gold glitter and shiny edible pearls that look too precious to eat.
They all huddle around, poking their heads above each other's shoulders in curiosity.
Next to Jimin, Jungkook’s stomach grumbles lightly, and his eyes widen in embarrassment as he clasps his hands over his stomach, setting off Jimin in a fit of giggles.
Jungkook snatches up a mini packet of marshmallows and immediately starts munching away, and they all start decorating their own gingerbread men.
Jimin gives his one a warm scarf and pearly white eyes, and Jungkook is less successful with his own, their smiles lopsided and their beady eyes two different sizes, which again, sets Jimin off laughing when he notices.
Taehyung jokingly throws a sweet at Seokjin but causes a fight to break out from the two sides of the table. Jimin gets icing sugar in his hair from Jungkook, and Jimin wipes a handful of melted chocolate right across Jungkook's cheek, laughing deliriously.
In the end, they manage to have the gingerbread house up and standing, decorated with too much icing and too many colourful sweets.
They're wiping down the table and dancing along to the music while drinking a newly opened bottle of wine when Jungkook taps Jimin's shoulder.
“Jimin-ssi you have chocolate on your face,” he says, pointing to his own cheek.
Jimin wipes at his face and checks his hand, but nothing comes away. He looks up at Jungkook, who’s pointing to the corner of his mouth. Jimin wipes again but comes away with nothing.
Jungkook reaches out a hand towards Jimin's face, but stops himself. Jimin nods, giving him permission. He cups Jimin’s chin with his hand, carefully wiping at the corner of Jimin’s lips with his thumb. His hands are slightly cold against Jimin’s skin, causing the hairs at the nape of his neck stand up.
Jungkook brings his hand away, and licks off the chocolate on his thumb, all the while maintaining steady eye contact with Jimin. His eyes are dark and swirling with something in them that Jimin can't decipher, and suddenly Jimin’s knees feel weak.
Jimin thanks him with a wavering voice and turns back to wiping down the table, swallowing tightly, his heart threatening to beat out of his chest.
_
Once the alcohol has loosened their muscles, they all find themselves in the middle of the living room, singing offkey and dancing wildly to the Christmas songs that are booming through the speakers. Taehyung is dragging Jimin’s arms back and forth in rhythm to the music, and Jimin just lets him, laughing and swaying his hips along to the music.
Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas” comes on, which has Hoseok jumping up and down with glee and Taehyung grabbing a spoon, preparing to belt out the lyrics as loud as possible.
In the midst of it all, Yoongi has tripped over laughing and Jungkook has somehow managed to grab Jimins hands in his own and is swinging them around while he serenades Jimin with a perfect voice. He pulls back and raises his arm, motioning for Jimin to twist under it, and Jimin does, falling back into Jungkook's broad chest with a yelp. Jungkook wraps his arms around Jimin from behind, swaying their bodies from side to side. He lowers his head and sings the lyrics in Jimin’s ear. His breath fans onto Jimin’s neck and their close proximity has Jimin’s cheeks flushing like red apples.
Jimin closes his eyes, his head falling back onto Jungkook’s shoulder, and he leans his body onto Jungkook’s steady weight, going slack against the arms that are wrapped around him. He listens to his friend’s cheers, and feels the safe arms around him and he smiles. This is where he’s meant to be, with his favourite people.
The song ends, and they all collapse to the floor huffing, exhausted. Jimin has his head on Jungkook's stomach, and he wonders when they became physically close again, if they couldn’t even stand to be in the same room as one another before.
Jimin cranes his neck upwards and smiles at Jungkook, and Jungkook flashes his bunny teeth in return.
Another song starts, and Hoseok and Taehyung immediately jump to their feet, screaming the lyrics at one another from across the room.
Jimin’s throat feels like sandpaper, and he rises to his feet to get a drink. He weaves his way through them dancing and into the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with cold water. He gulps it down with urgency and feels his mouth ease.
Just as he’s leaving the kitchen, he bumps into a hard chest, looking up to see Jungkook. Just as he opens his mouth to apologise, Hoseok shrieks, pointing at something above their head. Jimin looks up in confusion but feels dread wash over him as he looks up to see the sprig of mistletoe above their head.
Everyone else in the room loudly gasps, mouths falling agape, watching them intently.
“You have to kiss!” shouts Taehyung over the music.
“No!” Jimin shouts back.
“I had to do it, so it’s only fair you do too!” Seokjin interjects, smirking.
Jimin huffs exasperatedly and looks at Jungkook, standing in front of him, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. He knows they won't let him off the hook.
“Fine,” Jimin rolls his eyes, and reaches a hand to cup the side of Jungkook’s face, placing a light kiss on his cheek.
“No! A real kiss! Not that fake shit!” Taehyung interrupts again.
“No!” Jimin exclaims.
“Yes!” Taehyung shouts back.
Suddenly there's an arm around his waist, pulling him closer and there's a hand on his neck, twisting him around to look up at Jungkook.
“It’s okay,” he whispers softly, “just tell me if you don’t want to,” he says.
Jimin remains quiet and watches as Jungkook hesitantly leans down, his face growing impossibly closer until there’s a hair's breadth of space between them. Jimin smells the tang of alcohol on Jungkook’s breath and the mingled spice of peppermint.
Jimin closes his eyes and closes the space between them, gently pressing his lips to Jungkook’s. They're as soft as ever and Jimin melts against them, his pulse stuttering. The blood rushes to his head, making him lightheaded for a second.
They stay like that for a moment, pressed against each other as chaos breaks out behind them. Their friends cheer and whoop loudly. Hoseok jumps onto Taehyung’s back, running around the room with his fist raised in the air screaming, “Merry Christmas!”
They pull away, resting their foreheads against the others, smiling so wide their cheeks hurt. Jimin’s arms are looped around Jungkook’s neck, pulling him down and Jungkook’s arms are wrapped around Jimin’s waist, holding him safe and secure. His lips tingle from where he’s been kissed and he feels happiness bubbling over in his stomach.
“I missed you,” says Jimin quietly.
Jungkook breaks out into a sad smile.
“I missed you too baby,” he says softly, pulling Jimin back into him.