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"This can't really be happening…" Jimin mumbled to himself sadly. Every year he always went out with his friends as part of the community's Christmas Eve Caroling event. It was something he looked forward to all throughout the year. He loved the feeling of joy he got from seeing all the smiling and happy faces of the ones being sung to but mostly, he just loved to sing and Christmas was one of his favorite holidays. Unfortunately with how he was feeling now, he knew there was no way he would be able to participate.
As if his rasped and broken voice wasn't enough of an indicator, the thermometer now beeping in his hand, read 102.3. His whole body was achy too, chills coursing through him all over and he didn't even feel like moving, let alone leave the house to go out. This was the worst day ever. It was Christmas eve and he was going to be stuck at home, sick, and all alone during the most wonderful time of year.
Jimin finally forced himself out of the bathroom then back to his bed. He grabbed his plush comforter and wrapped it around his shivering body. It was 72 degrees inside but he was so cold. With a small sigh he reached for his phone and swiped across the screen. He had to let the director of the event know that he wouldn't be attending. After that was taken care of, he messaged his best friend, Taehyung.
[Taetae, I can't go today. I'm sick… 🤒 I'm sorry I won't be there with you. I hope you're not mad.] He sent the text and got a response almost instantly.
[Mochi no… why would I be mad at that? What's wrong though? What kind of sickness is it? Did you eat something bad? Is it your tummy?]
[I'm pretty sure it's the flu.. I woke up and my voice was gone. My muscles hurt when I move, My temp is 102 and I have cold chills all over. This really sucks Taetae, today is the worst :( ]
[I'm so sorry.. I wish there was something I could do to help..]
[Just go out with everyone and have fun. Have fun for me too, okay? I'll be there in spirit right next to you.]
[Mochi… I'll try, since you asked. You need to get plenty of rest though and stay hydrated. Do you have any medicine you can take?]
[Mhm, I have a little bit here. I'll be fine. I don't feel like moving so you don't have to worry about me not getting any rest. I'm not leaving my bed.]
[You better. I still wish I could help though.]
[It's okay, Taetae. Really. I promise. I'm gonna try to get some more rest now actually. I'll message you later. Remember, have fun for me too or I'll be mad. Ttyl Taetae]
Taehyung left the message like that. He didn't bother responding because he knew if he did, Jimin would keep replying and sleep wouldn't happen. Just like Jimin, Taehyung had been looking forward to the Christmas Eve Caroling event too. It was a tradition for the two friends, it had been since they were in grade school together and up until now, they had never missed a year.
That was it. Taehyyng shook his head with a frown. If Jimin wasn't going to be there, then neither would he. It might have been a long-time tradition for them but it wouldn't be the same without Jimin. He wasn't sure what excuse he would come up with for not going but he would think of something. Taehyung knew the director would be understanding though. People didn't show up lots of times but he never held it against them. It wasn't mandatory or anything so missing it wasn't that big of a deal in that aspect. It was more about the tradition of friends for Taehyung and Jimin. This year it would be broken, for the first time ever but Taehyung knew how he could make things a little better, or so he hoped.
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Jimin tried his best to sleep but so far the past four hours had been spent tossing and turning with only small intervals of sleep in between. He probably got no more than about 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Reluctantly he reached over to grab his phone from his bedside table. His first thought was to message his friend but he decided against it, figuring that he'd only be scolded for not resting.
Jimin groaned as he pulled the blanket from over him, a rush of cold air hitting his body and making him shiver. The thermostat was still at a comfortable 72° but it felt so cold compared to the heated cocoon he'd been bundled up in. Jimin had to force himself up though. He promised Taehyung that he'd take medicine but sleep...or attempted sleep, and achiness had overcome him. His body felt heavy but he pushed himself onward to the bathroom then began rummaging through his medicine cabinet only to find that he had an almost empty bottle of Ibuprofen. "For pain and cold symptoms….it's the best I've got I guess" He said to himself, reading the label then popped two pills into his mouth.
Suddenly a loud noise sounded causing the man to jump. The bottle fell out of his hand onto the floor and the remaining 4 pills scattered but that was the least of his worries. That sound came from the kitchen, he was sure of it. Panic coursed through him quickly. He had no idea what it was but he was freaked out. Slowly he crept down the hallway and peeked around the corner into the kitchen. Relief instantly flooded over his body when he saw the familiar figure of his friend. But, what the hell was he doing? They both had keys to each other's apartments, that wasn't the issue. Jimin thought Taehyung would be out with the group caroling.
Normally Jimin would make a huge fuss about the other male coming over without warning, Jimin didn't want his ugly unclean face to be seen. He knew was beautiful, in every sense of the word but low self-esteem was a bitch. He wasn't in the mood to fuss though, he literally didn't have the energy right now.
With his body now relaxed back to how it had been before the living daylights were scared out of him, Jimin slowly walked into the kitchen. "Tae...what are you doing here?" Oh god, he forgot just how bad his voice was and as soon as he spoke, he instantly regretted it. It was broken and cracked...he was sure it sounded like he'd been gargling glass for the past three weeks.
Taehyung looked up from the floor. He was knelt down, picking up a few pots that had fallen out of the cabinet.
"That explains the loud noise." Jimin said quietly to himself. He looked past his friend to the stove where steam was rising quickly and he could have swore he detected a hint of something savory cooking but with his sinuses all messed up, it was hard to tell. The steam rising from the pot on the stove told him he was probably right. "What are you doing, Taetae…" he asked again.
"Aren't you supposed to be resting, Mochi?" Tae fired back
"Well I WAS before someone broke into my apartment and made enough noise to wake the dead."
Taehyung rolled his eyes but rubbed the back of his head "Sorry...I opened the cabinet and they attacked me. I didn't mean to wake you. You looked so peaceful when I looked in on you after I got here"
"What have I told you about watching me sleep--!" Jimin half snapped out his words but ended them as he started coughing.
Tae moved over to his friend's side and patted his back then went over to get him some water. "See, you need to rest and stop being stubborn," he said, earning a scowling pout from Jimin. Taehyung sighed and after Jimin finished his water, he picked him right up into his arms.
"What the-- put me down--" Jimin demanded but it did no good.
Tae carried him out of the kitchen and to the living room where he sat the smaller male down onto the couch. "Stay. I'll be right back. I need to finish in there before it burns." He didn't give Jimin the chance to oppose. Taehyung disappeared into the kitchen but swiftly returned a few minutes later with a tray in his hands. He sat it down on the coffee table and flashed Jimin a warm smile. "Here, I know you've been in bed all day so you need to try and eat something. I made you some homemade chicken noodle soup and some hot Cocoa, I know it's your favorite. I even added those little Mini marshmallows that you like."
Jimin didn't know what to say, all he could do was stare...then a small smile crossed his lips. "You didn't have to do this Taetae but thank you. I'm sure it'll be great," he said. Internally the gesture made him completely forgive Taehyung for showing up unannounced and for carrying him through the apartment like a sack of potatoes.
" I know I didn't have to do it but I wanted to. There is something else too but I'll get to that in a minute." Tae left the living room once more and came back with Jimin's plush blanket before he wrapped it around him snuggly and sat next to him.
"You spoil me too much…" Jimin murmured as he sipped a bit of the soup from the spoon then went for the cocoa.
"Am I not supposed to take care of my best friend?" Tae shot back at him, watching as Jimin's face flushed a bit. "I thought maybe we could do our own caroling since we're not with the group tonight."
"You could've been with them. I told you to go have fun for me and besides, I'm not doing any singing right now, I can barely talk in case you didn't notice."
"Mochi. It wouldn't have been right to go. Not without you. I know how much singing each year means to you and I know you would have felt so alone here by yourself, knowing that everyone else was out having fun. I didn't want you to be alone. So just stop being stubborn and let me take care of you."
Once again Taehyung had left Jimin speechless. His best friend really did know him. Even if he didn't say how he felt about not being able to go, Tae just knew. Jimin felt so warm inside and it wasn't because of the soup, the cocoa or even his fever. He sank down a bit into the blanket, pulling it more around him while trying to nonchalantly hide himself. After a few seconds he reached out of his makeshift cocoon to grab his hot cocoa then brought it to his lips and sipped it, a small melted piece of marshmallow ended up on his lip but before he could lick it, Taehyung swiped his thumb over Jimin's lip and wiped it away.
Tae said nothing even though Jimin was huffy and scowling again. He was practically immune to it by now with how long they'd known each other. He simply chuckled under his breath. "You should eat more of your soup too before it gets cold." He picked up a spoonful and moved it over for Jimin to take a bite.
Jimin grumbled and half rolled his eyes, sighing deeply. "I can get it, you know? I'm not helpless and I'm not THAT sick. I can feed myself." He muttered defensively
"I know. I was only helping" said Tae with a sigh of his own. God, Jimin was beyond stubborn, even when he was this sick. He took out his phone and scrolled through for a bit before deciding on a song to put on. The silence between them that kept happening was a bit awkward but….Tae figured the music would help.
As the music started, Jimin peeked out of his cocoon again and his features grew soft. His eyes felt a bit watery as emotions began to course through him. 'Have yourself a merry little christmas' was playing and Jimin wanted to sob, for multiple reasons. It was the first song the two of them ever learned and sang together as kids and it was the first song on the setlist of carols that the group would be singing together that day.
Jimin closed his eyes and started to hum along but his voice wouldn't let him so he stopped and just leaned against his friend. He felt frustrated but even that started to fade away when he heard Taehyung begin to sing. His soft velvety voice filled the room and surrounded Jimin like another blanket had been placed around him. He absolutely LOVED Tae's voice and right now, even though he was missing out on a tradition that spanned over a decade for them, in this very moment, Jimin felt like he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Tae's voice was so soft….so very soft and Jimin melted in further. He even nestled against Taehyung's side when he felt the other man's arm slide around him. This was too perfect of a moment and secretly, Jimin didn't want it to end.
By the time Tae got to the third and fourth songs, Jimin had realized his friend was literally going through the setlist that the group would be using. He didn't want to say anything, he didn't want to interrupt and risk Tae stopping. Jimin closed his eyes for a moment, feeling as content as can be. If it weren't for missing out on that beautiful voice, he would have let himself fall asleep just like that. 5 songs, 6...7...8….Taehyung just kept going but then one started that Jimin knew wasn't part of their list. He did recognize it though. His eyes opened and he looked up at Tae to see the man staring down at him.
Taehyung smiled a bit shyly as the words "All I want for Christmas is You" came from his lips as if there was real meaning behind them. Their eyes were locked as he trailed off from singing but the music kept going. Seconds...maybe even minutes went by with nothing but music playing and silent air between the two.
Jimin didn't want to move but he was definitely in his feelings. He had to get his thoughts out. The music, the songs, the lyrics, spirit of the season...but mostly right now, Taehyung singing to him had him feeling magical and bubbly despite being sick. Jimin forced himself to sit up straight, breaking eye contact. "Taetae…" a small half chuckle sounded as he smiled and looked down at his hands. "You're the best, you know that, right?" He started off then glanced over at him. "You didn't have to give up your night for me like this but…." Jimin smiled a little more. "I'm happy you did. I feel like crap on the outside but inside I feel...I feel…"
Taehyung took those small paused moments between Jimin's words to lean in closer, an intent but curious look in his eyes. Maybe he would regret following through with what he was feeling in that moment but he couldn't help how right it felt. No where in his mind did he plan on a moment like this presenting itself. He just wanted to come over and do everything he could to make Jimin feel better and honestly, when he had been looking at Jimin while singing those last words, he didn't expect the rush of emotions that came from them. Before now they had only been words. Nothing more than lyrics to a song but when he sang them, he really felt them as if something inside had been awoken. He didn't show it outwardly but his heart was racing and now with him being only inches away from Jimin's face, he almost felt like he couldn't breathe.
Jimin was still trying to get his words out when Taehyung moved his hand to cup his cheek as his other arm slid around Jimin's waist then Tae leaned in as close as he could and pressed his lips to Jimin's. He didn't care that the man was sick and if he caught whatever he had, it'd be worth it. To Taehyung's surprise, Jimin didn't budge. The kiss was so soft and gentle but most importantly, it was returned. All of Taehyung's uncertainties about following through were gone now.
Just like Tae, Jimin's heart was doing sprints in his chest. He had already been emotional but this was the icing on the cake. As soon as their lips met, Jimin felt such a rush of euphoria run through him and any words he'd been trying to say were long gone. Nothing existed at that moment but him and his best friend and he could tell that Taehyung felt the exact same way.
What had this night become? It wasn't anything either of them had expected. There was no sexual tension between them at all. The kiss was gentle and pure emotional satisfaction, a sense of connectivity that clearly they both felt. Neither of them wanted it to end but as all good things do, so did the kiss.
"Mochi," Taehyung spoke this time, his voice deep but quiet and soft. "I'd give up anything for you. You realize that, right? As long as you're happy, I'd give the world to you. You're my best friend..." Taehyung was pouring everything out into the open but he felt like his thoughts were jumbled and he couldn't get his words out right.
This time it was Jimin who raised his hand to Tae's cheek. He turned so that he could face him properly, locking eyes with him once more. "I don't deserve you. You're too good to me, really." He couldn't stop smiling and tried to keep himself from getting bashful, that kiss was still so fresh in his mind, he could still feel the sensation of Taehyung's lips against his own. "I know you love going out and singing just as much as I do so for you to come here like this…You don't have to give me the world Taetae. Everything you've done for me. The soup, the hot cocoa, giving up a tradition we've had since both of us can remember…"
"I don't think you realize, Mochi." Taehyung interrupted. "Yes, I do love that but it's not the same without you. It never will be. Going around singing is amazing and fun but it's not my tradition." Taehyung paused for a second before breathing out slowly. He captured Jimin's lips once more, enough to make his true feelings even more known, then pulled back, gently breaking the kiss. He rested his forehead to Jimin's and smiled warmly. "My tradition is you."