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“Thanks for coming with me, hyung,” Jungkook says as they make their way up the steep incline. The sun is disappearing behind the trees and it’s cold enough that Jungkook can see his breath with each exhale as they hike.
"I'm only here to make sure you don't fall to your death off the side of this mountain," Yoongi gripes. Yet, despite his grumbling he is managing to keep pace with Jungkook.
Jungkook can’t stop smiling. This is the first Daeboreum he’s been home for in years, and he can’t believe his luck that Yoongi agreed to come along. They’ve both been working in Seoul since graduation, but everyone’s schedules lined up perfectly for a drive home. What surprises him more is that Yoongi agreed to ditch both their families for this evening hike.
They aren’t the only ones making the climb. This mountain is the tallest in their area and a lot of younger people make the climb to hopefully be the first to see the rise of the full moon. The first of the lunar new year. Jungkook’s done it before as a kid, but this year he knows exactly what he wants to wish for. Something his heart has been yearning for since he was a teenager.
For Yoongi to return his feelings.
It’s a silly wish, but Jungkook feels like this is his last chance. If this dalmaji can’t make it come true, then it’s a sign he should give his feelings up and move on.
Yoongi has always been a good friend. He’s the reason Jungkook even graduated high school and made it into university, keeping him on task and helping him study. Afterwards he also helped Jungkook get a job in their field. He’s the best friend Jungkook has ever had, but secretly he’s wanted more. For years he’s harbored feelings that Yoongi may like him in return, beyond the feelings of friendship.
“Come on, slow poke,” Jungkook says as he hooks an arm with Yoongi’s. Their puffy jackets rub together as they make it over a crest. “If we’re not at the top, we aren’t going to be the first!”
Yoongi huffs, but picks up his pace. “You can see the moon just fine from the ground. I don’t see why we have to come all the way up here. It’s cold and it’ll be pitch black by the time we climb back down.”
Jungkook laughs, the cold air making him feel awake and alive. “I promise I’ll get you something hot to drink when we get home.”
“Fine.” Despite his protests, Jungkook spots the smile Yoongi is trying to hide behind the scarf he has wrapped around his face to keep the cold away. “What’s so important that you have to be the first this year?”
“If I told you my wish, it won’t come true,” Jungkook says, heart pounding in his chest but not from exertion.
“Fine, keep your secrets.”
They make it to the top, looking over the village below. There are lights from all the houses and even some colorful string lights left up from the new year celebrations. The sun has finally dipped out of view and the twinkling of stars are starting to appear overhead. Over the horizon, the moon hangs full and heavy. Jungkook, arm still linked with Yoongi’s, closes his eyes and makes a wish.
Please, please, let Yoongi-hyung love me this year.
There’s a soft boop on his nose and Jungkook blinks open to find Yoongi smiling at him softly. “You look like you’re thinking awfully hard.”
“Isn’t that how wishes are made?” Jungkook pouts at him and it just makes Yoongi chuckle. His low voice is always the sweetest sound in Jungkook’s opinion.
“I wouldn’t know,” he says. “I hope that it’s worth it and that your wish comes true.”
Jungkook licks his lips, his bravery spiking under the night sky as the promise of a new year and new things fills the air. “Do you want to help make it come true?”
Yoongi blinks, surprised. “How can I do that? You won’t even tell me what it is you’ve dragged me all the way out here for.”
Jungkook smiles, moving his arm from the crook of Yoongi’s to hold his hand. He gives the man’s cold fingers a gentle squeeze. “Will you kiss me, hyung?”
His name comes out like a soft exhale from Yoongi’s lips. “Jungkook?” Yoongi’s eyes seem to be searching his face, but what for? His hyung has gone rigid, even the fingers in Jungkook’s hands grow stiff.
The ensuing silence makes Jungkook’s heart thud against his ribs and he holds his breath, surprised at himself for his own daring question. Instant regret like a shard of ice pierces his heart and he goes to pull his hand away. It was silly to think the moon could give him anything. “It’s nothing,” he tries to deflect.
Yoongi’s fingers tighten around his before he can pull his hand away, not allowing Jungkook to escape. “It’s not nothing,” the older man insists in a gentle voice. “What do you mean that kissing you will help your wish come true? What is it you really want?”
Heat rises to Jungkook’s cheeks despite the wintery cold. “Hyung,” he whines. “It’s silly.”
“Stop underplaying your feelings and be honest with me, Jungkook.” Yoongi grabs his other hand so they are standing face to face. Jungkook feels like he can’t escape his best friend’s scrutiny. “Because you’re getting my hopes up if you’re not being truthful.”
It takes a moment for Jungkook to process what Yoongi is saying. The words don’t seem to make any sense in the order he’s strung them together. What hopes would Yoongi have? Jungkook is the one up here on a mountain wishing on the moon!
“I want to kiss you so that I’ll know,” Jungkook says hesitantly.
Yoongi’s thumb caresses Jungkook’s knuckles. He ducks his head to meet Jungkook’s gaze as he tries to avert it. “What is it you want to know?”
“If I should give up on my feelings for you this year,” Jungkook says, not brave enough to say what he really wants. He dodges the direct question for the consequences of his true desires: if Yoongi can’t love him the same way, he needs to let him go.
“That’s silly,” Yoongi chuckles, his breath turning to steam in the cold winter air. Jungkook flushes hot, ashamed of his feelings. He tries to tug away, but Yoongi’s grip tightens and he continues. “A kiss won’t tell you that.”
“Then what?” Jungkook pouts, daring to glance up at Yoongi.
“My words,” Yoongi says. The apples of his cheeks are flushed a pretty color in the cold. His eyes, so sharp and insightful, crinkle at the corners as he smiles at Jungkook. “You are my best friend, Jeon Jungkook. The one who is closest to my heart in all things. I have always cherished you, but I didn’t want to scare you off so I kept you at arm’s length. I’m sorry if that made you doubt my truest feelings for you. You are my person Jungkook. Always have been, and always will be. Does that clarify anything for you?”
There is a swelling in Jungkook’s chest like a balloon inflating. He doesn’t feel like he can breathe under the intensity of Yoongi’s gaze reinforced by his words. “Really, hyung?”
Yoongi raises one eyebrow. “Has hyung ever lied to you?”
“No,” Jungkook whispers, swallowing down his heart as it tries to beat up from his chest. “I love you, Min Yoongi. I always have, but I thought maybe you saw me like an annoying neighbor. At best a little brother.”
“Maybe I did, once,” Yoongi admits. He squeezes Jungkook’s hand. “But I watched you grow up to the man you are now. You are strong, but gentle. You are bright and happy, but you have hidden depths that you rarely let anyone see. Thank you for sharing your inner self with me.”
“I’m who I am today because of you,” Jungkook gushes. “You helped me figure out the kind of man I wanted to be. And maybe, it was because I wanted to be the kind of man that was worthy of you.”
Yoongi shakes his head. “You were always going to be this person,” Yoongi says firmly. “I saw it in you. Through the years you just grew to fill the shape of the person you were always going to become. And I’ve loved you for it through it all. I wanted to be good enough for you.”
“You are!” Jungkook insists, eyes wide. “I love you, Min Yoongi.”
“I love you, Jeon Jungkook.” Tears well at the corner of Yoongi’s eyes, and only then does Jungkook realize that his eyes have done the same. The emotion too great to hold inside is waiting to break forth like a dam. “Can I still have a kiss?”
“You can have anything you want,” Yoongi says. He cups Jungkook’s face with one hand, the thumb brushing away the tear that is forming there.
Jungkook’s breath catches in his chest as time seems to slow. Yoongi leans forward, eyes locked with Jungkook’s as if searching for something. Permission? Rejection? Jungkook hopes all he can see is the utter love and delight waiting for him there. This is how Jungkook thinks he’s always looked at Yoongi, even when the older man wasn’t looking.
Despite the cold winter evening, Yoongi’s lips are warm as they press softly to Jungkook’s. Warm and soft, everything Jungkook had dreamt they would be. Their first kiss is slow, like two glaciers coming together. Tentative as they test the limits of this new layer of their relationship. The world is silent and all Jungkook can hear is the rush of blood in his ears from the pounding of his heart.
Finally his heart sings.
When Yoongi doesn’t pull away and the world doesn’t end, Jungkook pushes forward. He grabs Yoongi’s puffy jacket and holds him close until they are chest to chest. Layers of sweaters and coats to protect them from the cold, but their mouths are connected sharing the warmth and joy of their confessed love. Yoongi meets his enthusiasm as lips slide together and hot breaths mingle.
As slowly as it started, the kiss peaks and then comes down until they are left gently panting against one another’s lips. Jungkook’s eyes flutter open to find Yoongi, his eyes still closed and face flushed from perhaps more than the cold. “Thank you, hyung,” Jungkook says softly.
Yoongi’s eyes flutter open. There’s a brightness to the brown of his eyes that seems new. “For the kiss?”
“For making my wish come true,” Jungkook clarifies.
Yoongi chuckles and shakes his head, taking a step back and letting his hand drop to Jungkook’s once more. “You’re silly,” he chides Jungkook gently. “We could have had this conversation over hot chocolate at your mom’s place instead of up the mountain in the cold.”
“Maybe,” Jungkook admits, but he can’t stop smiling. “But it wouldn’t have been as romantic.”
“Probably not,” Yoongi admits. “But at least I’d have been able to feel my toes. Can we go back now?”
Jungkook laughs, intertwining their fingers. “Nope. There’s no going back now! You’re stuck with me.”
Yoongi huffs in playful frustration, but there’s still a smile on his lips. “I already knew that, but you know what I mean! I think we both deserve some hot chocolate after this hike.”
“My treat,” Jungkook insists.
Hand in hand, Yoongi and Jungkook make their way back down the mountain side under the glow of the full moon. Jungkook may not have been the first to make a wish, but his certainly came true the fastest that Daeboreum night. Or perhaps it was the inevitable with years of friendship finally culminating in the truest form of love that night.
Either way, Jungkook’s heart was singing as they walked back home to quiet houses and hot chocolate.