Work Text:
Christmas sucks
It’s Jimin’s constant thought through the whole holiday season. But especially today, as it is Christmas Eve and it's lightly snowing outside. The streets are quiet and well illuminated with the Christmas decorations all over the city.
Jimin is holding a glass of wine close to his chest as he observes outside his window how everything has this festive aura and seems like a fucking teenage dream.
He hates it.
Especially when he looks at the table, to the card his parents sent him, with "Jimim" written on it, showing that they didn't even bother writing and sending it themselves (or that they didn't know how to spell his name correctly, which, to be honest, wasn't totally impossible). At least they also sent a pack of underwear as a gift, and even though it was too large for him and had horrible prints, it would still be useful for when he felt lonely and miserable. Which is why he was wearing one right now.
I mean, don’t get him wrong. He didn’t hate hate Christmas, he liked the concept of it, he liked the snow, the good food people would sell and the good wine he could enjoy every time, and he loved reindeers. But it has been years now that he has to spend the date all by himself, as his family was too busy to gather at a, well, family holiday, and he felt too much of a pry to sneak into his friend’s Christmas dinner.
So, he was left with two options: get a holidate (those types of dates you would get just so you don’t spend festive seasons alone) which was absolutely depressing, or stay home watching trashy festive themed romcoms and marketing channels, because shopping always lifted his humour. And, looking at it with a panoramic view, both of his options were absurdly hopeless, but only one of them didn’t hurt his ego, so he was fine with going by that.
“Kwang, where are you? come here” He calls and seconds later a white dog is coming towards him with a waggy tail and toilet paper wrapped around his head.
“ah! aish, Kwang!” He complains to the dog that seems not to bother at all, jumping around like Jimin was trying to play with him instead of freeing him from the torn paper. “stop it, i’m not playing with you!” He says with a laugh while placing his glass over the table to use both of his hands, crouched in front of Kwang. The dog keeps spinning excitedly and Jimin can’t contain his giggles. “you gotta stay away from the bathroom, mister”. Kwang kind of barks at him, but it sounds more like the dog is complaining. “yes, i’m serious. don’t look at me like that”. Jimin huffs his head and stands up, taking back his glass and heading to the sofa, with Kwang right behind him.
That’s his Christmas routine: gather in his comfortable couch with Kwang, a glass of wine - in most cases - in hand, a few bitter chocolate bars and a fluffy blanket. It couldn’t be better, really; he felt warm and cozy and comfortable.
His whole house is a warm cozy comfortable bubble, it’s small and practical, it doesn’t have excessive bedrooms or walls, and it’s all really easy to clean up. The wood shelves on the wall filled with books and decoration pieces he bought to fulfil a special task each. It’s very organized and very much him, as Namjoon and Taehyung would say every time they went for a visit.
The only problem with his perfectly-made-for-him space was that there was a tiny part of him that actually wanted to celebrate Christmas as any other person, gathered around a table, with people dear to him all laughing and telling really bad jokes while the kids are running around, excited about the gifts Santa Claus is bringing to them.
He is quick to sush the thought down though, because he feels like he might cry, so instead of diving into it he picks up the remote control and sets to a random sales channel.
“look Kwang. it’s that damn cookware again” Jimin says to Kwang, who is chewing on one of his rubber toys. “it’s so cute… and it matches my mixer and blender…” He immediately takes his index finger to his mouth, biting on it. “okay, screw it” Jimin announces as he reaches his cellphone over the coffee table in front of him.
The TV screen has too much information on it: a lot of “CHRISTMAS SALE”, “LAST PIECE AVAILABLE” and “SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER” written all over, but the telephone number is really big and shiny, flashing like crazy at the bottom. Jimin looks at it very attentively and keeps repeating the numbers as he dials them on his phone, taking the device to the height of his ear.
He waits there, listening to the beeps until the call falls and no one answers.
“if they are the ones selling it, why do they play so hard on answering the calls? really” He exhales and dials again, because he wouldn’t give up on his red pans set so easily.
There are a few more tentatives until someone finally picks up and Jimin was so bored just repeatedly calling again and again that, when the voice on the other side greets him, he startles, frightened.
“Ho-Ho-Holiday season is right at your door and this is Jeon Jungkook speaking to you, one of Santa Claus elves ready to give you your Christmas present. Who am I speaking to?” The voice is really excited and Jimin lets out an exasperated laugh, resting his free hand on his chest, trying to call himself down.
“well, hello. wasn’t that an entrance? i’m Jimin!” He answers with the same enthusiasm of the telemarketing attendant.
“hello, Jimin. i’m Jeon Jungkook… but i’ve already said that” The clerk speaks again with a tone that sounds rehearsed, and Jimin giggles because of his disorientation. “ok, huh… i’m here to help you with your order, whatever it may be”. Jungkook seems to be a bit lost but also very dedicated, so Jimin feels the need to calm him down.
“you’re new, aren’t you? i bought basically everything i have through this channel and it’s the first time i hear from you.” Jimin sits steadily on the couch, caressing the place between Kwang’s ears. “it’s fine, really. you’re doing great”.
“i… yes, yes, i’m new here. thank you… for this” He sounds a bit shy now and Jimin almost regrets saying anything, feeling he might have made Jungkook feel sheepish.
“so, my intention is to buy that goddamn red cookware you’ve been announcing for months. i think i’m kind of in love with it by now” He says then, acting funny to lift the mood.
“ok then, i might arrange this encounter” Jungkook follows Jimin’s lead and he swears he can hear a remnant smile in his voice. “but i’ll need you to give me some information first”
“i’ll give you the best information ever. just look for the name “Park Jimin” on the records and you’ll be able to know basically my most important data”
Jungkook giggles lightly and Jimin feels proud for being able to make the boy tense down a bit.
“ok, hang on…” Jimin can hear the sound of the keyboard while he types something - probably his name, as he just told him to - and the typical sales line silence fills the call. Jimin is curling a lock of hair on his finger while waiting, and Kwang is now falling asleep right beside him under their shared blanket. "yes, hah, you were right! i mean…” Jungkook clears his throat as his voice sounded way more spontaneous and high pitched than formal and professional. Jimin finds it very endearing. “sorry, yes, i have your data. i just need to confirm it, ok?”
“alright, go on”
“Park Jimin, Itaewon, Hoenamu-ro 12-gil, Kangnam building, 137 apartment, block B…?” Jungkook says, giving a question tone only by the end of the sentence.
“correct”
“last four numbers of your credit card… five-nine-nine-four?”
“correct again”
“ok. you sound reliable enough so i believe it’s really you in this registration, then everything is confirmed. your gift will be packed and ready to be shipped within seven days. and you’ll get a message with your tracking code” Jungkook says with the best amount of confidence he can assemble, and Jimin can’t help but smile at his determination.
“i hope this doesn’t sound rude but i’m so glad you’re new and are not trying to make me buy twenty other things together with this. because i often buy them” Jimin nibbles at his thumb nail now, trying to kill the stubborn smile that doesn't seem to want to leave his lips.
“no no it’s not rude at all. in fact i wanna thank you… for being nice… people usually aren’t”
Jimin can hear Jungkook sighing on the other side of the line and feels sad to understand what he is talking about. Being a salesman in a cosmetics store, he knows how hard dealing with people can be, and how it makes you want to give up and go home so many times a day.
“you don’t need to thank me, i’m just being human. but hey, anyway, if you don’t mind answering… why are you working on Christmas Eve?” Jimin asks promptly, out of pure curiosity. He has always struggled to bite his tongue, and Jungkook is giving him enough opening for Jimin to put his head inside the door and look around the room.
“well i… couldn’t go home this year so i decided to volunteer as the Christmas worker of the year. someone always has to do it, why not take the opportunity?” Jungkook sounds unbothered, but Jimin feels really sad. Worse than staying home alone at Christmas is working on Christmas. By free will.
“i’m sorry about this. i hope you sell a lot of red pans to compensate” By now Jimin’s wine is long forgotten, and he is really invested in the conversation with the tele attendant.
“you would be surprised to know you’re the first and only person to call us today”
“what? no. no way. what? how? it’s Christmas!” Jimin answers exasperated, shocked by the fact that people are actually living sociable lives instead of spending money on things they definitely don’t need.
“exactly! i had the same reaction! but i think people are just… celebrating. on the contrary to us.” Jungkook clicks his tongue loud enough for Jimin to hear. “but what about you? why are you calling a sales channel on Christmas Eve?”
Jimin thinks about the question for a while and considers lying, because his reason is way more personal than Jungkook’s. And frankly, he doesn’t even know if Jungkook told him the truth either.
But at the last minute - even though he doesn’t know why - he chooses to be sincere.
“well… my family isn’t one to care that much. about christmas, i mean. so we don’t spend it together and i just stay home with my kid”
“oh, you have a child? you sound so young” Jungkook asks innocently and Jimin feels embarrassed, but laughs it off.
“oh no no no, not a human kid, a dog kid. i have a dog. his name is Kwang” The pet wakes up mildly by the mention of his name, raising his ears a bit.
“ah! right, ok, fair” Jungkook has a loose tone now, sounding more relaxed. “hey, if you’re doing that thing of staying on the call for an amount of time so i get sort of a commission, it's ok. since you bought something, i already have my payment set” He says, nonchalant, and Jimin gasps.
“oh! no! i wasn’t doing that! actually i don’t know if i should feel good or bad about that now…” Jimin shakes his free hand frantically trying to release his anxiousness. “i was actually… enjoying talking to you”. When he finishes the sentence he automatically covers his mouth in disbelief, because Jungkook is… well… a marketer, and Jimin is his customer. It wasn’t supposed to sound weird but now it does.
“huh… i was… enjoying it too” Jimin is taken by surprise with Jungkook’s response, so he brings his feet up on the couch to press his knees on his chest, making himself small. “can i offer something?”
“depends. is it legal?”
“to be honest, i don’t know. but i don’t think it’s illegal either”
Jimin ponders, but he already has a smile on his face.
“right. go on”
“i have your number, since you were the one to call here. i’ll return the call from my own phone. then we can kill our lonesome Christmas time together. what do you say?”
Jimin bites his bottom lip to keep his smile from going even bigger than what it already is. This is completely cheesy, truly. How on earth would a Christmas Eve shopping end up on Jimin getting the salesman’s private phone number? Hell, he had even forgotten he bought anything at all. It’s stupidly easy to take money from him and it was starting to worry his senses.
But then again, how could he refuse this? Jungkook has been sweet since the start, and even if he is a burglar or a mafia king, it’s Christmas! Jimin is alone with his dog and his blankets and he is trying to take it easy on himself, because that call has made him smile more than any trashy movie he watched during the whole day.
So he tells the mini angel Jimin on his shoulder to shut up and decides a phone call won’t hurt anybody.
“i consent”
“ah! great! just wait in there then” It’s the last thing Jungkook says before hanging up, and Jimin is left with the silence of his room, the TV set in a volume so low all he can hear are murmurs.
Left there alone after that scene just made him feel kind of miserable, so he keeps his phone tight in his hand, waiting for Jungkook to return the call as he said he would. But when two whole minutes passes, Jimin starts to wonder if Jungkook was just kidding, and that was a way he found to get rid of him. The thought starts to grow bigger in his mind, dark and hungry, and Jimin feels pathetic.
Those types of things don’t happen in real life, and even if they did, they wouldn’t happen to him, so he should have known.
What’s left for him to do then is to switch from the sales channel to a movie channel where one of the “Home Alone”s were playing. So ironic.
He is ready to get up to go to the bathroom when his phone lights up and rings, waking Kwang up. Jimin takes the phone so quickly it falls on the floor, and he moves desperately to retrieve it.
“what do you think, Kwang? should i take it? should i take it? should i take it? i’ll take it” He says everything really really fast while Kwang is looking at him with his head bent. “hello?” He asks hopefully, trying to sound less fierce than what he actually is.
“Jimin?” It’s definitely Jungkook’s voice Jimin hears, so he lets out a sigh of relief that sounds louder than he planned.
“i thought you had dismissed me”
“oh no! no! i’m sorry. i took the time to go to the bathroom. i only leave after midnight so i try to do the biggest amount of work i can” Jungkook tells him personal and trivial things with so much ease that Jimin can’t help but feel captivated by him.
“and so you forget to do basic stuff like going to the bathroom?” Jimin is now lying on his back, with his phone over his chest and the speaker on. Kwang is snoring quietly at his feet.
“... pretty much, yeah”
“ok so, drink water. now. and eat something”
Jungkook chuckles shyly at his mandatory tone, and Jimin quite likes how it sounds.
“ok, hyung. on my way”
“oh don’t even try to mock me, i do think i’m your hyung. how old are you?”
“i’m twenty three”
“told you. i’m twenty five. i’m in my position to scold you”
“alrught, fone” Jungkook says with his voice muffled, and Jimin can tell he is chewing something. He laughs at how childish Jungkook sounded, even though it probably wasn’t intended. “hey, wanna play a game?” He says after swallowing whatever he was eating.
“oh i love games. what is it?”
“i play a song and you guess which one it is”
"play as in spotify playlists?"
"no, play as in i actually play the song. i don't know how to explain this to you but there's a piano here" Jimin can hear scratching noises coming from Jungkook, like he is moving something from its place.
"a piano piano?"
"yes. not a keyboard. a whole motherfucking piano"
"a whole motherfucking piano” Jimin laughs in incredulity because he couldn’t believe the situation could get any more astonishing. “great. i love it! let's go!"
“ok. are you ready? i’ve been practicing this one for weeks”
“WAIT! wait. could you describe your surroundings a bit? just so i can picture this in my head”
“right. hummmmmm, okay, the office room is kind of, like, a perfect square. and large”
“ok, keep going” Jimin encourages.
“there are eight tables with chairs disposed through it, and mine is right beside the window, which, by the way, goes from the ceiling to the ground. i can see the whole city from here” His voice sounds dreamy while he says it, like he is enjoying the view right now.
“which floor are you on?”
“twenty-seventh”
“oh boy”
“yes, oh boy. but i try not to look directly down most of the time. the Christmas lights are very flashy”
“ok, and where is this majestic piano of yours?”
“right by my side, where it was supposed to be another table, but there isn’t”
“because there’s a motherfucking piano there” Jimin repeats and giggles again, just because he finds it unbelievably funny. Kwang is sleeping peacefully now and everything around him started to feel less melancholic, as Jungkook’s company is helping him feel less lonely. The boy is truly a Christmas miracle, if Jimin is one to be melodramatic.
And, to be honest, he really is.
“exactly. but let’s stop referring to him so informally. this thing is here for at least forty years now, he is a hyung for both of us”
“does he have a name?” Jimin asks like that was the most common, natural thing to question in the world.
“Mozart” Jungkook says straightforwardly and Jimin can’t contain his laugh because of course . Of course the piano is named after a classical musician.
“alright, go on with your song then”
“this is a classic, be ready” And a melody starts right after Jungkook alerts, really sweet and clear at the start. Jimin has now already realized that Junkook likes to do things like he is always in a hurry, or with too much adrenaline running through his body. He then closes his eyes to enjoy the piano tune but it’s only until Jungkook reaches the chorus, because then he bursts out in a ridiculously loud laugh, that is followed by the boy on the other side of the phone.
“no! no way! you’re not playing super bass on a piano”
“oh you can bet i am” He keeps playing then, and Jimin keeps giggling quietly by the reason of it sounding surprisingly good. He doesn’t interrupt Jungkook in any way, and by the chorus after the bridge he can hear the pianist humming the lyrics with a funny voice.
When he reaches the end, Jimin gives a round of applause and can almost picture in his head Jungkook standing up and doing exaggerated bows.
“ok, you guessed it right so that’s a point to you. now, this one, if you know which one it is i demand you to start singing at the exact moment you realize”
“and if i don’t?”
“i’ll revoke your score”
“that’s cheating!”
“my game, my rules”
Jimin rolls his eyes at that and looks to a place in front of him, forgetting that Jungkook wasn’t actually there in person. And he doesn’t know why, or how to explain, but realising that makes him feel sorrowful.
“ok, fine. i accept the rules”
“awesome, so, let’s go. one, two, three, four” Another melody starts right after his words, and this one is way calmer and slower, but just with the inicial notes Jimin can’t tell which song it is, so he remains silent.
But then, literally after just ten seconds, Jimin lets out a loud gasp and covers his face with his hands, almost dropping the phone resting on his chest.
“oh no… ok. i know” He clears his throat theatrically. “you better watch out… you better not cry, you better not pout, i’m telling you why...”
“santa claus is coming to town” Jungkook joins him and he is quick to stand up and look for his earphones, stored somewhere on the shelf below the TV. With the phones plugged in, he can hear the call more clearly.
“i can’t believe this… this is literally my favorite christmas song”
“you’re very welcome”
“aish... “ Jimin feels his face heating up for no apparent reason, but it feels nice. “so, i win again”
“yes. you’re very good at this game, i don’t stand a chance” Jungkook says with a sarcastic tone.
“it’s not like you’re playing the hardest songs to guess in the world”
“oh, so that’s the problem? ok then. next song” Jimin doesn’t have any time to protest because the piano starts again, and just as the others, the melody is very pleasing.
But this one feels different, and even after probably half the song has been played, Jimin can’t guess which one it is. He thinks about interrupting and telling Jungkook he is cheating again, inventing a new song just so he can’t guess this time, but instead he stays silent and enjoys the music. It’s beautiful and delicate, it reminds him of cotton candy, snow, and light pink. Again he can hear Jungkook humming gently, just like he did for Super Bass, but this time he isn’t saying any intelligible words, it’s just a sweet humm.
When he stops playing there’s a moment of silence that perpetuates through some seconds till Jimin is able to form any clear sentence in his mind.
“i… i really liked this one. but i’m afraid i never heard it”
“yes. it’s an… original… piece. you’re the first one to listen to it. other than me”
“it’s really beautiful, Jungkook. i really liked it”. Jimin is being as sincere as he can, hoping Jungkook can feel it through his voice, as it’s all he has. So when he hears Jungkook make a noise that resembles a repressed grunt, he hopes it worked.
“thank you… i-”. Jungkook starts to say something but cuts himself midword, letting out an exasperated sigh.
“you?...”
“i… want to suggest something really crazy. and you can say no if you feel uncomfortable”
“ok? what is it?” Jimin answers unbothered because, really, the whole night was already mind blowing. Nothing could be so surprising that he would say ‘no’ to it.
“are you familiar with the special Christmas decorated places of Seoul?”
“like the Lotte World with the snow castle?”
“precisely. have you ever been there?”
“i went once, the year i arrived in Seoul. but then never again”. Jimin is biting his lips nervously because he has a feeling he knows where Jungkook is going.
“would you be up for an adventure?”
“oh, god. yes, i think. i mean, what are you implying?”
“i’m implying i’ll give you three destinations that might light up your Christmas a bit” Jimin laughs mildly at his choice of words and feels his heart race, because as crazy as it is, the idea really excited him to his bones. “do you have a car?”
“perhaps i have”
“and can you drive it?”
“perhaps i can”
“great! perhaps you’re willing to accept the adventure then?”
“... perhaps”
“you’re so lovely” Jungkook says as it is nothing, as he’s saying the sky is blue, and Jimin’s cheeks get so warm that he thinks they’re going to set themselves on fire. Jungkook seems to just say and do things as he feels them, with no filter, and that is absolutely adorable to Jimin. “ok so, the first place i believe you’ll want to see is called Myeongdong”
“the shopping street?”
“yes, that one. the whole place is worth seeing but i think you’ll love it where the Lotte and Shinsegae Departments are”
“oooook. i can’t believe i’m following trip advice from my shopping attendant, but i’ll go with it” Jimin states, getting up from the couch and stretching his body, waking Kwang up. “just give me a minute to get properly dressed. i’ll leave you with Kwang. he’s not much of a chatter though”
“it’s fine, i can just keep him company”. Jimin then leaves his phone right beside Kwang’s head, still with a persistent smile on his face.
He tries to be quick while getting changed, putting some warm clothes on as it is still snowing. He goes for a black sweatpants and black boots, together with a red-green-cream colored coat, a brown beanie and grey scarf. In any other person these colors would totally not match at all, but Jimin is able to make anything look good on him, and Taehyung makes sure to let him know that every single time.
He also makes sure there’s no gas leak in the kitchen, and that all windows are properly sealed. When he returns to the living room he finds Kwang staring with confusion at his phone.
“what were you talking about? Kwang has a funny face”
“i was trying to communicate but i don’t think he got the message”
Jimin giggles before getting a hint of what Jungkook meant, and when he finally does he groans in disbelief.
“Jungkook. were you barking at Kwang?”
“hummm. maybe? i like to think someday one of them will understand me”
“ah so it’s a habit”
“it’s a challenge. one day i’ll succeed, i know it” Jimin closes his eyes and holds his nose bridge, laughing to himself.
“i believe you. hey, do you think it’s safe to take him, by the way? i hate leaving him alone” Kwang is now sitting on the couch, his tail wagging softly as Jimin caresses his ears.
“i think so? there mustn't be many people on the streets right now”
“ok. i’ll take you through the ride of getting him in the car. don’t laugh, he’s shy”
As soon as Jimin finishes his sentence Jungkook muffles a little laugh, and everything feels very cozy.
He starts to pack up everything he's gonna take with him: his wallet, his keys, a bag in case Kwang decides it's bathroom time, a retractable pot for his water and his leash.
His security cage is always in the car, just like baby chairs, so he doesn't need to get it too. Jimin is quick to take the elevator and arrive in the garage, where his humble car stands a bit out amongst the others.
Jungkook is playing his piano version of Super Bass again in his ears, and Jimin finds himself humming the lyrics to the song.
It's only then, with the piano tune playing as a background music and Kwang being his normal amount of happy, that Jimin stops to think about what his Christmas has become.
His only goal was to buy a ridiculous set of red pans and then spend the rest of the night watching random stuff on TV. That's been like that for the past five years and he was used to it by now. But at the moment he was getting ready to drive around the town to see Christmas decorations and events, advised by the same person who led him through his shopping.
Jimin pinches his own arm secretly, to make sure he is not having a fever dream. Not even his favorite Christmas movies went that hard on cliche stuff that doesn't happen. Not even that story he loves so much about two single parents having to organize their kid's school Christmas party and falling in love in the process.
But anyway, he is as excited about all this as Kwang. Because it's the most fun he had in Christmas since he moved to Seoul and if it ends with him being kidnapped and getting robbed, it still will be an experience, so he is up to it.
As Kwang starts to bark incessantly and Jimin tries to shush him down, Jungkook lets out quiet shy laughs, and Jimin follows him because he feels good. Truly. He feels happy and the Christmas spirit is starting to lurk him.
When everything is set and done, he heads out of the garage heading to his destination. It's not far and, as the traffic is light, he won't take long to arrive. He takes his time on the ride, because he loves it. Sadly he can't open the windows because of the snow, but the roads are clear enough to ride easily, and Kwang is well-mannered enough to remain quiet in his cage through the whole trip.
The city is really beautiful, as Jimin expected. The lights are on and everything feels magical, like a Disney movie. The streets are well illuminated and there's few people walking around. Jimin is so immersed in his experience that when Jungkook speaks through his earphone again, he gets startled.
"what do you think happens to swimming pools this time of the year?" It's his question. Jimin thinks about it for a while.
"i don't know. do they freeze like the lakes?"
"exactly! do they? i never- wait. you're driving! don't answer me". Jungkook rails and goes back to being silent.
The rest of the ride is filled with Jungkook's little noises through the phone, but he stays true to his word and doesn't say a thing. When Jimin arrives at his destination he understands why Jungkook sent him there.
It's unbelievable.
The whole district of stores is prettily decorated with lights of different colors that somehow fit all together. But there's one point where there's sort of a tunnel of lights, and it's exactly where Jungkook told him to go.
"Jungkook… i'm… i'm here" He announces once he turns the car off after parking at a safe spot.
"do you see it?"
"the tunnel? yes i see it. i… it's just… so beautiful"
"isn't it? take a walk through it. trust me"
"sure. how could i not trust you by now? you have my address in your hands"
"you have Kwang to protect you, i wouldn't dare to do anything"
"oh, you really don't know him. once i did that thing where you pretend to faint to see how your dog would react. he just lied there and slept" Jimin takes Kwang out of his security cage and locks his leash, guiding him out of the car. The cold breeze hits them and Jimin puts Kwang's little hodie up over his head.
"he was just following you!"
"he is a lazy bastard! he is wearing a hoodie by the way. on the contrary to any other dog in the world, he loves clothes"
"he is just as lovely as you". Jungkook does it again and this time Jimin fails to hide his perplexity.
"stop that!"
"what?"
"saying i'm lovely so nonchalantly like you would say good morning to a friend!"
Jungkook then laughs a little loud than the other times and inhales deeply.
"sorry… i just like to express things when they are good. does it make you uncomfortable?"
"no… it just… it makes me blush"
"do you feel good?"
"yes! damn it" Jimin confesses, pulling his scarf up to his nose.
"then i'll continue. but i'm sorry anyway!"
"don't apologise. damn you…" Jimin starts walking towards the tunnel, finally. There's a group of three people under the lights taking pictures, a few couples walking around linked by their arms and other people just living their lives. Kwang keeps a steady pace by his side, looking around, curious about everything. “ok i’m… going through it”
“tell me how it feels like”
“it’s so beautiful… i feel like i could make all my dreams come true. like life isn’t that hard. it’s like…”
“euphoria?”
“yes! oh my god… can i run? will it be weird?"
“why do you care? just do you!”
“oh god, oh my god… ok” Jimin doesn’t think too much into it and just starts jogging lightly, and Kwang is quick to understand his actions. By the middle of the tunnel he starts to really run, laughing hysterically, like that’s the best thing in the world. Like euphoria.
When he reaches the end of it he takes his hand that is free from holding Kwang’s leash to his forehead, in incredulity with what he just did.
“ah! holy shit…” He says, trying to normalize his breath. “i just ran in public. completely out of the blue. and Kwang is looking at me like i’m a giant version of his favorite toy”
“i felt like i was running with you” It’s Jungkook’s response, and for a brief moment Jimin considers inviting him to hang out, to pick him up wherever he is, so they can share that moment together in person. But the thought fills Jimin’s heart with fear, and he doesn’t know why, so he decides not to say anything.
“this was… so amazing. thank you, Jungkook. thank you so much” That’s what he chooses to say instead.
“we’re not done yet! your next destination is Yeongdeungpo Times Square. there's a big Christmas tree with some cozy chairs spread in front of it"
Jimin wished he had a better discernment, but he doesn't even contest Jungkook, he just straightforwardly walks back to his car, secure Kwang in his little box and heads to the goddamn Yeongdeungpo Times Square. Jungkook is now playing a song from a movie Jimin can't remember the name, but feels very much like Christmas.
"alright, i'm here" He announces once he arrives at the place, like an authorization for Jungkook to speak again without taking his attention out of the traffic.
"do you see the tree?"
"oh yes, i do. it's not very tiny"
"everything in this city is just go big or go home"
"ooooohhh, there are the chairs! and fireplaces! it's so cute!"
"i know! i loved going there and just look around a bit. it's a very beautiful place. try it"
Jimin promptly accepts the recommendation, and walks towards one of the empty chairs in front of the gigantic Christmas tree.
Kwang starts to seem a bit tired so Jimin gets his retractable pot and pours some water into it, from the water bottle he bought from home. Having a dog is just like having a baby, just a funnier one.
The place is really beautiful, like Jungkook said, and Jimin is so used to his electronic presence now that he doesn't startle anymore when he speaks out of a sudden.
"describe this one with one word"
"peaceful" It's what Jimin replies, looking around at the small snowflakes falling through the sky.
"just so you know, i have a santa hat right now"
"right. that helps with the picture of you i have in my head"
"and how do i look?"
"very festive" Jungkook laughs shyly and emits a sound that resembles Santa Claus "ho ho ho"s, but way low-pitched. Just like he did when he first greeted Jimin through the phone."don't ever do that again"
"i'll absolutely do it again". He says. And then does it again.
Jimin takes his time with the view of the place, the snow making it look even more dreamy. And suddenly he is ten years old again, running through his parents backyard with his childhood dog while his mom made cookies in the kitchen and his dad helped her. Jimin's brother coming back from the bathroom and tossing a chunk of melted snow at him, and everything seemed so… perfect.
Without realizing, present lonely Jimin has started to cry, sniffing quietly.
"Jimin-ssi? are you ok?" Jungkook asks politely, sounding worried.
"ah, yes. yes, i'm fine. i was just… remembering my family. when i was a kid and Christmas was still… a thing"
"why did you stop celebrating it?" Jungkook questions and immediately adds. "i mean. sorry. that's none of my business"
"no no, it's ok. don't apologise" The tears in his eyes feel way too cold giving the external temperature, and he dries them with the back of his gloves. "to be honest i don't… know. i think we just grew apart. got busy with our personal lives and… yeah"
"i'm sorry Jimin-ssi" It's what Jungkook manages to say. And for Jimin it's more than enough.
But all this crazy night has awoken something inside of him, like a little Christmas light that's shining very quietly, but enough to warm him inside, to make him cry again, to make him feel again.
And it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep him going.
"Jungkook?"
"yes, hyung?" Jimin smiles at the dearly, informal way he responds.
"i think i need to call my mom"
❄❄❄
The snow now has stopped falling, and forms a thin carpet on the ground. Jimin is walking through the Yeongdeungpo Times Square at a slow pace, with Kwang by his side and Jungkook still by his ear, the call being steady the whole time due to the great connection of where both of them were.
After Jimin's epiphany of Christmas, he made a quick phone call with his mother, who, unexpectedly, was also thinking about calling him. He is true to his heart and confesses everything he's been keeping inside for so long. How he misses their gatherings and how he wished they could all get together to celebrate the holidays. Mijeong shared she's been thinking about the same thing the last few days, and was planning how to get in touch with Jimin and his brother, but didn't know how, or was too scared to do so.
Park Pilwoo, Jimin's dad, was not married to his mom anymore. Yet, they remained good friends still, and she said they've talked about this too the year before, but neither of them knew how to reconnect with their kids who they seemed to have lost all kinds of intimacy they've ever had.
Anyway, as messy as it was, the call ended with Jimin's mom buying a ticket to the first train to Seoul the next day, and Jimin knew that even though the first step to reach out was hard, everything was gonna be okay. He made a mental note to buy some ingredients to make a special meal the next day, and to also buy a sweater from that store his mother likes.
Hearts can heal, you just need to let the pain remind you.
"favorite color?" Jungkook had suggested a game of random questions when Jimin called him back, and they were getting to know each other better.
"red"
"blue"
"appropriate. you remind me of the sky"
"no. no. what is this?"
"what? you can call me lovely and i can't compare you to the sky?"
"favorite movie?" Jungkook changes the subject, as subtle as an elephant trying to dance classical ballet.
"this is one of the things i can't choose a favorite. movies, songs, food. i can't"
"well, i can't really judge you. i struggle with these myself". Jungkook confesses, and then Jimin hears him gasp. "Jimin hyung, it's twenty minutes to midnight now. are you ready for your third and final destination?"
"oh, i so am. where is it?"
"Lotte World Tower. you know where it is"
"yes, i do. i'm on my way"
And then Jungkook went silent to let Jimin drive safely. Kwang hasn't lost a bit of his adrenaline yet, in fact, he looked even more excited than before. And when they arrive at the Lotte Tower, Jimin is glad he can share his excitement with him.
"holy shit, Jungkook"
"oh yes, i know"
Lotte Tower was already a beautiful work of architecture on its own, but decorated with Christmas lights and shiny balls over the trees around, it got even more astonishing.
"this is amazing. tonight was amazing. thank you so much. so much, truly". Jimin sincerely thanks him, because he means it.
"don't thank me. you've made my night a lot more enjoyable too"
"all i did was talk and follow your coordinations. do you have some sort of kink?"
"oh god. i'll pretend you didn't ask that. instead, describe me how you're dressed, so i can picture you in there and enjoy this moment too"
"and i'll ignore how weird this request was. humm, i'm wearing a colorful coat, red, green and something like a cream color. black sweatpants and a brown beanie"
"is Kwang's fur white?"
"yes. wait, how-"
"turn around"
"what?"
"do it. before i chicken out"
Jimin then doesn't think twice to swirl on his heels and there is Jungkook. Five feet from him, holding his phone to his ear and offering Jimin the kindest smile he has even seen.
"Jungkook"
"Jimin"
Jimin removes his earplugs and smiles back widely, trying to get a hold of what Jungkook looks like.
His hair is long enough to reach his cheeks, and he is wearing cozy light-colored clothes, a red scarf and brown-ish gloves.
But what really calls his attention entirely is his eyes. Big, dark, and just as sweet as he sounds.
Jungkook's eyes reminds Jimin of the deep, blue sky, and he is so fucking ready to dive in.
À suivre (to be continued)