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Taehyung’s phone started ringing as he was fishing his apartment keys out of his pocket while simultaneously trying not to drop the grocery bags in his arm. “Hang on, hang on,” he muttered as he finally worked the door open and rushed to set the bags on the counter. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he saw “Steamed Dumpling” flashing across the screen and couldn't help the smile that broke out as he answered. “Hyung, guess what?”
“What?” came Yoongi’s voice.
“We’re supposed to get a snow storm just after you arrive tomorrow night which means the first order of business on our schedule will be building a snowman. Now, I know you don’t like being cold, but it'll be the first snow and building a snowman is a white Christmas requirement when the opportunity arises, but not to worry, I just stocked up on lots of hot chocolate to warm you back up afterwards.” Silence filled the line as Taehyung continued to empty his grocery bags.
“Tae-ya,” came Yoongi’s voice again, and Taehyung hummed absentmindedly in response. “My flight got cancelled.”
Taehyung froze. “What? Why?”
“Something was wrong with the plane, some mechanical issue.”
“But we have plans for the week leading up to Christmas.”
“I know, and I’ll be home as soon as I can,” Yoongi quickly reassured. “I’m standing in the customer service line right now to get rebooked.”
“Ok,” Taehyung replied, trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice. It wasn’t Yoongi’s fault after all, and Taehyung is glad that he didn’t get on a faulty plane. Still…
“I’m sorry, but I’ll keep you updated, ok?”
“Sounds good,” he heard himself reply. After Yoongi hung up, he found himself staring aimlessly at the package of snowman marshmallows for a long time.
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Throughout the night and the next morning Yoongi kept Taehyung updated.
[23:13] Steamed Dumpling: Got my flight rebooked. It’ll take off in 6 hours around 3pm here. I’ll have layovers in Chicago and Taipei but I’ll be home within 24 hours of my first take off.
[23:46] Steamed Dumpling: I did the math and I’ll still be making it in time for our Nutcracker plans. (:
[4:07] Steamed Dumpling: Flight’s delayed 2 hours. Apparently the flight crew got held up.
[4:39] Steamed Dumpling: Still the same delay, but I talked with the boarding agents and they thought I should still be able to make my connection. (:
[7:06] Steamed Dumpling: Flight’s finally about to take off! I’ll text again when I land in 3 hours.
[11:00] Steamed Dumpling: Safely landed. I’ve got just over an hour to make my connection. Hope you’re having a good day. <3
Taehyung felt bad, but he couldn’t find it in himself to respond. He knew if he did, it would just be with an “ok,” and he worried that it would only make Yoongi feel worse than he was obviously already feeling. Logically, he knew it wasn’t Yoongi’s fault, and he didn’t blame him, but he still couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Christmas was his favorite time of year, and they always spent the month of December together doing all the cliche Christmas things.
However, this year Yoongi got called to New York for a big producing project. He’d been away for over a month now, and Taehyung had been so looking forward to finally seeing him again, especially in time to keep their Christmas plans…Logically, he knew that they’d still have time to do things. Like Yoongi said, he’d be home in time for their Nutcracker plans. Taehyung could still do things with his other friends too, but he couldn’t find it within himself to get in the Christmas spirit without Yoongi.
His phone buzzed to life, Steamed Dumpling flashing across the screen. Taehyung felt dread build in his stomach but answered anyway. “Hey.”
“Hi. How’s it going?”
Taehyung shrugged even if Yoongi couldn’t see it. “It’s ok. It’s been a slow morning.”
“I bet you’re still in your pjs,” Yoongi teased.
Taehyung looked down at his candy cane pajamas, before answering defensively, “No.”
Yoongi huffed a laugh. “The candy cane ones?”
“Of course the candy cane ones, hyung. It’s December.”
“Of course, of course.”
Silence spread awkwardly between them before Taehyung broke it. “Hyung, why are you calling? Didn’t you have a tight connection?” He felt he already knew the answer, but needed it to be confirmed.
“Did you know that O-Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world and the most connected in the U.S.?” Taehyung could tell that Yoongi was nervously trying to stall the topic and waited for an answer to his original question. “I missed my connection,” Yoongi finally confessed, and Taehyung closed his eyes for a moment. The silence stretched again. “I’m really sorry, baby. I’m trying my best.”
“I know,” Taehyung’s voice cracked as he fought back tears. “I know. I was just so excited for Christmas, especially Christmas with you, and I can’t do it without you. It doesn’t feel right. I just want you here.” The tears had started flowing midway through and there was no stopping them now.
“I know. I’m sorry,” Yoongi said with obvious distress in his voice.
“I don’t want to make you feel bad. I’m sorry. I can’t help how I feel.”
“Baby, don’t apologize. It’s ok. I know it sucks. I want to be there too.” For a while they just sat on the phone in silence as Taehyung tried to reel in his tears. “Have you put up any of the decorations yet?”
“No,” Taehyung sniffed as he dabbed at his eyes with a tissue. “It doesn’t feel like Christmas this year.”
“Maybe it doesn’t feel like it because you haven’t done anything. Why don’t you invite Jimin over to decorate or something?”
“I wanted to wait for you,” Taehyung pouted.
“I know, but I don’t want you to miss it because of me. I know-” he hurried to continue. “I know you want me to be there and I’ll still do everything I can to get there, but for now, do some fun Christmas things with your friends, hmm? I’m sure it’ll cheer you up, and I’ll enjoy it when I get back.”
“I’ll try.” Taehyung sniffed finally.
“Good. I’m glad,” Yoongi responded, and Taehyung could hear the relief in his voice and smile on his face. “I have to go now. I gotta get my flight rebooked again. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After the phone call, Taehyung decided it was time to get ready for the day. He knew he’d feel better if he did that. Once he was ready, he stood in the kitchen scrolling on Instagram to find something to do. A cute Christmas cafe had popped up for the season, and he hadn’t gone yet. He swiped to his group chat with Jimin and Jungkook and sent the offering for a late lunch along with the link.
Within an hour he had confirmation and was headed out the door. The air outside was crisp and refreshing even as Taehyung burrowed further into his coat and Yoongi’s scarf. A short subway ride later, he emerged and found both his friends standing out front. They were talking and abruptly stopped as he appeared, turning to wave enthusiastically. Taehyung smiled and waved lazily back.
After a brief hug, they entered the cafe and found a seat. White Christmas lights hung from the ceiling and the green garlands complimented the red booths. Decorated trees stood in various corners and soft Christmas music played from the speakers above. Taehyung perused the specialty menu. Reindeer pancakes, snowman veggie dip, chocolate candy cane croissants, and more stared back up at him.
“What can I get started for you dears?” The waitress asked as she appeared.
“We’ll each start with a hot chocolate and split the santa strawberries,” Jungkook ordered.
“Would you like cream with the hot chocolates?”
“Yes, please.”
When the waitress left, Taehyung gave Jungkook a quizzical look. “I came here with Hobi-hyung last week,” he explained sheepishly, and Taehyung tried to not let the jealousy show on his face. Judging by the looks on his friends’ faces, he wasn’t completely successful.
“How have you been, Taehyungie?” Jimin asked, sympathetically.
Taehyung shrugged his shoulders noncommittally. “I’ve been ok. I was hoping Yoongi-hyung would be home tonight, but he’s running into a bit of trouble with his flights. He still thinks he should be home in time for tomorrow evening’s Nutcracker play, but I’ve been saving some of my favorite Christmas activities for his return, so I’m a bit disappointed…but it can’t be helped. It happens. It just doesn’t feel like a very good Christmas this year. I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have saved so many things, but doing them without him didn’t feel right either so…” Taehyung shrugged again.
The waitress stopped by to deliver their drinks and appetizer, and Jimin paused until they had ordered their main dishes and she had left again. “I think everything you said makes sense. It doesn't seem like there’s a perfect win for any of the options. Still, isn’t there a partial win in some of them?” Taehyung watched Jungkook load his small plate with Santa strawberries while Jimin explained.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you can do some of your planned Christmas activities without Yoongi-hyung and still enjoy the Christmas season…or you could also wait and enjoy them with him, but accept that it’ll involve waiting. Maybe you can celebrate Christmas a little late?”
“I just don’t like the sound of either of those options though,” Taehyung whined softly.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Hyung,” Jungkook interjected, cheeks full of Santa strawberries. “What if Yoongi-hyung doesn’t make it home in time for Christmas?”
Jimin elbowed him sharply in the side hard enough that Jungkook started coughing around his full mouth. “I think what he’s trying to say is that, if that happens, you’re welcome to join one of us. You don’t have to be alone.”
“Yeah,” Jungkook had finally recovered. “You’re more than welcome to come hang out with Hobi-hyung and me.”
“And you know that my family loves you. You’ve joined us for Christmas before,” Jimin added as he smacked Jungkook’s hand looking to snag more Santa strawberries. “Leave some for us, brat.”
“It’s not my fault you’re both being slow,” Jungkook defended as Jimin placed some of the Santa strawberries on Taehyung’s plate and his own, intentionally leaving the last two for Jungkook.
Taehyung popped one in his mouth, savoring the sweet strawberry and whipped cream before he responded. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. I’m sure it won’t come to that, but I promise to let you know if it does. Do you guys have any plans for the rest of the Christmas season?” He changed topics.
“My family and I are going sledding this weekend,” Jimin supplied. “Then Jihyun and I are going eggnog taste testing.”
“Hobi-hyung and I have entered a gingerbread house contest.” Jungkook practically vibrated with excitement.
“Those exist?” Jimin asked.
“Of course,” Taehyung and Jungkook replied simultaneously. Feeling called out, Jimin raised his hands in surrender before putting his last Santa strawberry in his mouth.
Jungkook flipped his phone to show a charming gingerbread house complete with bright colored frosting and gingerbread men standing in the yard. “This is Hobi-hyung’s submission, and this,” he flipped through the photos on his phone before turning it around again. “Is mine.” Taehyung let out a snort at the sight of the three-story gingerbread house with realistic icing motifs and icicles hanging from the roof. Jungkook clutched the phone to his chest as he whined with a pout, “What? Why are you laughing?”
“It’s good!” Taehyung reassured him with a genuine smile. “It’s just so extra and so…you.”
“This is nearly professional,” Jimin added when Jungkook showed him the photo.
Jungkook beamed. “I’m happy with it. Anyways, the results are being announced the day after tomorrow and the grand prize winner gets an all-expenses-paid weekend trip for two to Onyang hot springs.”
Jimin whistled lowly. “Taehyungie, I think we need to train our gingerbread house making skills and enter next year.”
“I’m not sure we’ll give Jungkook any competition, but I agree.”
Their waitress arrived with their food shortly thereafter, and Taehyung realized that the loneliness and disappointment of Yoongi’s travel troubles had receded to the back of his mind. He was enjoying the conversation and time with his friends as well as enjoying the Christmas atmosphere of the cafe, and his reindeer pancakes were delicious. With his spirits lifted, Taehyung thought that maybe Yoongi had been right after all.
🎄🎄🎄🎄
[23:36] Steamed Dumpling: I met some guy named Namjoon who was on my cancelled flight back to Seoul. (Apparently, he was here for an art exhibit.) He offered to give me a ride to Milwaukee since the next available flight out of Chicago isn’t until 4 days from now and the next flight out of Milwaukee is in 6 hours. It’ll take us about 2 hours to get to Milwaukee, then I’ll fly to Minneapolis, and from there, straight to Seoul. (:
[23:36] Steamed Dumpling: Apparently I forgot to hit send earlier. I’ve made it safe and sound to Minneapolis despite all the turbulence. Now I’m eating breakfast with Namjoon. They have these big windows that look out over the tarmac so you can see flights taking off, but right now, it’s snowing so hard. It’s really pretty. I think you would like it. Maybe we should come back to visit during the winter someday.
[00:48] Steamed Dumpling: T- 2 hours until my direct flight to Seoul takes off. If my calculations are correct, you’ll be seeing me in time for a late dinner. (:
[03:12] Steamed Dumpling: The weather has turned into a big snow storm. All the flights are grounded for the foreseeable future. I’m sorry Tae-yah.
Taehyung stared at those texts for a long while after waking up. He knew now that Yoongi would not be home in time for the Nutcracker show and now he was worried he would maybe even miss the entirety of Christmas too. With those thoughts, Taehyung couldn’t find the strength to get up. Hours went by as he mindlessly scrolled on his phone until just after one o’clock someone started knocking on the front door. At first, Taehyung ignored it with nothing more than a dirty look thrown in that direction, however, when the knocking didn’t stop, he decided he’d have to go answer. As he swung his covers aside, he decided that whoever was at the door would just have to deal with his candy cane pajamas because as soon as he’d taken care of this he was going right back to bed.
He staggered a bit on the way to the door, feeling slightly lightheaded, but by the fourth set of knocking he pulled open the door. He stopped his snappy response short as he took in Jungkook and Hoseok standing at the door.
“Hyung!” Jungkook greeted brightly, not seeming to notice his state of undress at all. “How are you? Can we come in?”
“Uh, Jungkook, I’m not really in the mood to hang out today,” Taehyung hedged.
“Have you eaten at all today, Taehyungie?”
Taehyung shifted his focus on Hoseok. “Er, no. I haven’t really felt up to it to be honest.” He tried to ignore Jungkook’s eyes growing in concern.
“Why don’t I make you something?” Hoseok offered. “I’ll make something easy so that you don’t have to. That way you can at least get some food in your tummy. Super low stakes.”
Taehyung hesitated, but ultimately let them in. His stomach was starting to feel sick the longer he stood, so he figured he should probably eat something and it would make his friends feel better. Jungkook pulled him to the couch as Hoseok took to the kitchen.
“Hyung, you haven’t decorated your tree yet?” Jungkook asked in a bewildered voice.
Taehyung winced as he stared at the barren tree. He’d gotten one in preparation for Yoongi’s return, but hadn’t wanted to decorate it by himself. “No, I was…just not in the mood.”
“Where’s the village scene you put up every year?”
“I haven’t gotten around to it yet.” That was usually a solo activity, but Taehyung just hadn't felt in the Christmas spirit this year.
“Hyung, this isn’t like you. There’s no decorations anywhere.”
Taehyung swallowed. “I know.”
“Is this about Yoongi-hyung not being back yet?”
Ridiculously, Taehyung felt emotion well in his chest and stubbornly bit down on his lip to try to reel in. He didn’t know why he was acting this way. Yes, Christmas was important to him. Yes, having Yoongi here, especially during Christmas, was important but to put everything on hold? Why couldn’t he just do it? Then again Christmas wasn’t something that one should be forcing oneself to do. “I don’t know why I’m being like this,” he finally replied, his voice wavering against his will. Jungkook’s face softened and he pulled Taehyung into a hug. They just sat like that together in quiet for a bit.
“I come bearing goodies,” Hoseok sang as he rounded the corner, and Taehyung drew back with a sniff. His hunger made itself known again as Hoseok set a plate of gimbap on the table. They spent some time just eating and chatting and Taehyung once again found himself thankful for the presence of his friends.
Once the plate was cleared, Jungkook asked if he was still feeling hungry and offered to make him some pasta. Taehyung smiled thankfully but declined.
“Taehyung-ah, I hope I’m not overstepping but why don’t we help you decorate your tree,” Hoseok offered. “I know you haven’t been in the Christmas mood without Yoongi-hyung, but from what Jungkookie shared, you all had fun at the Christmas cafe yesterday, and I know that Yoongi-hyung wouldn’t want you to be miserable. He knows how important Christmas is to you and wouldn't want to be the one to take that away from you.”
Taehyung knew that Hoseok was right. Hoseok was Yoongi’s best friend before Taehyung was ever in the picture, so if anyone would know, it would be him. He still fondly remembers Jungkook trying to rope him into a double date with his boyfriend’s friend. It had all started from there, and five years later, they had moved in together and everything. He can’t imagine his life or day-to-day routine without Yoongi by his side now. It was crazy where life could take you in what felt like such a short amount of time.
As he glanced at the tree, he knew he would feel disappointed if he never got around to decorating it this year. Christmas was only three days away, and Christmas Eve only two days away. At least with Hoseok and Jungkook he wouldn’t have to do it alone, and maybe that would make the task enjoyable again. Instead of feeling Yoongi’s absence while he decorated, he could enjoy his friends’ company.
“Ok,” he agreed, uncurling from his position to stand up. “Let me get dressed first though.” Taehyung left Hoseok and Jungkook in the living room to go get ready, selecting some comfy baggy pants and a blue cable stitched sweater. When he returned, Jungkook was playing Christmas music from his phone and humming along. “Is that my playlist?” he asked.
“Yeah! Last time you rejected my Christmas playlist, remember?” It didn’t ‘fit the Christmas spirit,’” Jungkook teased using air quotes.
“Taehyungie’s Christmas playlist is superiorly curated,” Hoseok added. “Now that we have the vibes, let’s get started!”
First they started with the lights, a colorful string of incandescent lights to invoke childhood Christmases sleeping under the tree. Once that was complete, Taehyung pulled over the tub of ornaments. It wasn’t quite yet a full tub because Taehyung and Yoongi were working on curating their own special collection, saying no to basic ornament sets in exchange for unique pieces that held meaning. Ornaments with the date for each of the years they’d been together, a reindeer ornament from when they had visited Scandinavia together, a cat in a Christmas hat that had reminded Taehyung of Yoongi, a star from their trip to New Zealand, each of them reminded them of warm memories they had together.
“Hyung, what’s this one for?” Jungkook asked as he held up a glass ornament made of oceanic blue swirls.
“That’s from our trip to Hawaii. I was giving hyung a piggy back ride when we came across this traditional glass blowing shop, and you know how he is about local artisan work.”
“I don’t think he’s the only one,” Hoseok whispered to Jungkook loud enough to not be a secret at all.
“It was expensive, but well worth it,” Taehyung finished fondly as he hung it on the tree. They continued hanging the remaining ornaments on the tree, and soon they had worked their way to the bottom of the box where the tree topper sat. Taehyung took the gold star reverently from Hoseok. He remembered the Christmas market he and Yoongi had gone to when they realized they would need more decorations for their first Christmas living together. They had spent almost an hour browsing their options and then an additional fifteen minutes arguing over which of their favorites to choose. It had been an important decision after all.
“They’re singing ‘Deck The Halls,’ but it’s not like Christmas at all. I remember when you were here and all the fun we had last year.” The lyrics of the current song on his playlist filtered through his ears, suddenly reminding Taehyung of his melancholy from before.
“God dammit, Michael Buble,” he muttered as his eyes threatened to mist over. “I think I'll save the topper for Yoongi,” he said more loudly to Hoseok and Jungkook, setting the star aside. “He should get to do something to contribute to the tree.”
“Of course,” Hoseok answered easily.
“This looks great guys,” Taehyung commented as he looked up at their finished work. “It really brightens up the place and I’m happy we did it. Thanks for the help.”
“No problem,” Hoseok answered again.
“Hyung!” Jungkook interjected excitedly. “Can I help you with your Christmas village?”
“Jungkook...” Hoseok warned gently.
“No, that actually might be nice,” Taehyung countered. “What did you have in mind?”
Jungkook grabbed the sketchpad he was always carrying around. “Let’s map it out together.”
“I guess I’ll clean up and then go make us some snacks,” Hoseok offered amusedly as they sat on the couch and Taehyung started listing out all the buildings he had in his collection.
🎄🎄🎄
[1:02] Steamed Dumpling: Your village looks great, baby! I’m glad you were able to have some Christmas fun with Jungkook and Hoseok. Flights are still all cancelled here. I’m really hoping that the snow stops and they restart them soon, but these things can be so unpredictable. You’re still going to go to the Nutcracker tonight, right?
When Taehyung saw Yoongi’s message the following morning, he wasn’t sure how to respond. To be honest, it hadn’t occurred to him to go to the Nutcracker still. Part of it was because he had been hoping Yoongi would be returning in time for it and just genuinely hadn’t had the time to think about it once it was definite that he would not be. The other part was that maybe it felt different. The Nutcracker was their thing, or rather, maybe Taehyung’s thing that Yoongi enjoyed because Taehyung enjoyed it but that was splitting hairs. Either way he knew he didn’t want to go by himself, and there wasn’t really anyone to go with. There was only one extra ticket, and Taehyung wasn’t going to split Jungkook from Hoseok so close to the holidays. Jimin was off sledding with his family, so he was unavailable too. Maybe he should just give both tickets to Jungkook and Hoseok…
Feeling undecided, Taehyung did what he always did when he couldn’t make a decision, he put it off to be decided later. Instead, he got up to get ready for the day and grab some breakfast. He set the timer on the oven to pre-heat and cracked open the can of cinnamon rolls. Just another reason why he needed Yoongi to hurry up and come home, he’d planned out his survival meals for the length of time Yoongi was supposed to be gone and no more. How was he supposed to fend for himself? If Yoongi was gone, he converted to his early college days of eating out of boxes and cans. It wasn’t like he had had to cook once he got together with Yoongi, so any judgers could sue him.
Once the rolls were in the oven, he had just enough time to get dressed. He slid across the kitchen floor just as the timer started beeping, and pulled them from the oven to slather them in the icing. Finally, he curled up on the couch with his delicious rolls. Yoongi would probably be scolding him for having dessert for breakfast, but he wasn’t here to stop him. At that thought though, he set the plate down to snap a quick picture to send with a “breakfast of champions” caption. Surprisingly, Yoongi responded pretty immediately with his eye rolling emoji, then followed it up with a phone call.
“Hello,” Taehyung answered around his mouthful of cinnamon roll.
“Dessert for breakfast? Really?” came Yoongi’s playfully stern voice.
Taehyung swallowed, before whining. “It’s your fault for leaving me to my devices for so long.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he froze, worried that he had put unnecessary blame on him for something out of his control, something that he was also probably upset about himself.
Yoongi snorted instead. “I guess you’re right. Things must have been hard without me, so I should just be thankful you’ve managed to scavenge that.”
“Yes,” Taehyung eagerly replied, happy to not be in trouble.
“Just don’t make yourself sick with too many. Can you at least try to eat something a little more savory for lunch?”
“Hoseok-hyung ended up making some soup yesterday, and there were leftovers, so I can have that.”
“Ok, good. I need to know that my Taehyungie is taken care of.”
“Hyung,” Taehyung called seriously. “Has the distance turned you into a sap?”
“Hey, brat! Aren’t you the one that’s always wheedling me to say sappy shit?” Yoongi countered indignantly.
Taehyung laughed softly. “I guess you have a fair point there.”
There was quiet for a few moments, before Yoongi changed topics. “What are your plans for the day?”
Taehyung hummed as he stared at the Christmas village over his cinnamon rolls. “I hadn’t really thought about it yet. Maybe I’ll do some more Christmas shopping…I can never buy too many gifts for you,” he teased.
“You’d bankrupt us with gifts for me if you had your way.” He could hear the smile in Yoongi’s voice and it brought a smile to his own face. “What about the Nutcracker?”
The smile faded. “I don’t know yet.”
“You get a nutcracker from their gift shop every year though. You can’t let that tradition skip a year.”
“Yeah, but every year we pick it out together, and I don’t want to go by myself.”
Silence stretched, and for a moment Taehyung feared he’d been too harsh. “I understand,” Yoongi finally answered, voice subdued.
“Hyung-”
“I gotta go. They’re making an announcement.”
The line went dead before Taehyung had the chance to say anything else. He tossed his phone on the table in front of him and flopped sideways onto the couch with a sigh. All his energy to do anything today had been sapped, and he ended up spending quite a long time in that position, so long that he lost track of time and maybe took a nap at some point.
Knocking at the door stirred him from his zoning state and reluctantly he climbed to his feet. “Coming,” he called. Opening the door, he stopped short in surprise.
“Hi,” Jimin offered with a smile.
Taehyung wiped his eyes. “Jimin? What are you doing here?”
“I heard you still had another ticket for the Nutcracker tonight.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be with your family in the mountains?”
“Yeah, but I can take a day trip away if I want to. They’re not holding me prisoner. Besides, I can’t abandon my friend in these trying times.” Taehyung’s lip wabbled suddenly and Jimin was immediately there, pulling his head down to kiss his forehead. “Aw, why are you crying?” he cooed.
“This Christmas has just been so hard, and Yoongi-hyung and I got in a fight this morning, and-”
“Whoa, what do you mean Yoongi-hyung and you got in a fight?” Jimin’s brow creased in worry.
“We were talking, and he really wanted me to go to the Nutcracker, but I wasn’t sure I could go by myself even though I really wanted to see it, and I implied it was his fault, and he hung up on me.” The tears were coming faster as Taehyung worked himself up.
“When did this happen, Taehyung? How long ago?”
“This morning.”
“Aw, Taehyungie, I don’t think hyung was angry.”
“Yes, he was. He hung up on me.”
“No, baby, I think he hung up, so he could call me.”
Taehyung sniffed harshly. “What?”
Jimin pulled up his call log. “He called me to see if I would be able to go to the Nutcracker with you.”
Taehyung stared at his phone as he put everything together. “That stupid sap,” he wailed as he broke down into tears again for an entirely different reason. Jimin huffed a laugh and cooed as he pulled Taehyung down into another hug. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Jimin pulled away to usher them inside.
“Now, you need to get ready, and I need something to borrow since I didn’t pack the appropriate clothes to come straight here,” Jimin said once Taehyung had calmed.
Searching through the closet, Taehyung pulled a pair of Yoongi’s slacks and a red and white mohair sweater for Jimin. Then dressed himself in a green sweater with green christmas trees formed in the stitching. Before leaving they reheated and finished off Taehyung’s cinnamon rolls from the morning.
Together they took the subway and arrived just after the doors opened. They found their seats and speculated about what the costuming might be like this year. Before long, the lights were dimming and the show began. Clara received her nutcracker and soon thereafter the mice and gingerbread were at war before Clara and the nutcracker ultimately defeated the Mouse King. Then the snowflakes appeared for their waltz and Taehyung was once again mesmerized by their beautiful movements.
Intermission started and Taehyung and Jimin used that time to take photos of their experience. Taehyung was ninety-percent sure that it was the middle of the night where Yoongi was, but he still sent a photo of Jimin and himself with the poster in the lobby along with a simple ‘thank you’ before returning to their seats.
The second act started with Clara and the nutcracker traveling to the Land of Sweets. The sweets from around the world performed their dance as well as the flowers before the Sugar Plum Fairy took center stage for her variations and pas de deux. The precision and stamina required for this piece never ceased to amaze Taehyung. At last, Clara and the nutcracker returned home and the play came to a close.
Taehyung was in high spirits as they left the theater and agreed easily when Jimin suggested they stop by the gift shop. He checked out each of the sections but was slowly drawn to the nutcracker and character section. He stared at the nutcrackers in various uniforms and colors. Suddenly, his phone started ringing and he quickly dug it out of his pocket to see ‘Steamed Dumpling’ on the screen.
“Hyung, are you ok? Isn’t it really early there?”
“Show me our options.”
“What?”
“Turn on video chat so I can see our nutcracker options.”
Bewildered, Taehyung could only do as he was told, and soon a sleep-rumpled Yoongi appeared on his screen. The left side of his face still had indents from whatever he’d been sleeping on and dark circles rung under his eyes. “Hyung, you look exhausted.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” Yoongi replied with an amused smile. “It’s not yet 7am here, and the constant flight changes haven’t been good on my sleep schedule, that's for sure. But we have important business to attend to, so as much as it’s good to see your handsome face, flip the camera.” Taehyung couldn’t stop the blush from heating his face as he did as instructed.
Yoongi hummed thoughtfully while he considered their options. “Are any of them speaking to you?”
“I think the mustache on this one is really charming, and I like the one with the tall, black fur hat and black and gold striped shirt,” Taehyung said as he pointed out his contenders.
“What about the one with the lollypop staff? We don’t have one like that yet, do we?”
“We don’t. Is this the one you’re talking about?” Yoongi hummed in confirmation. “I like his brighter green color too…”
“The black hat on the one you mentioned looks really soft though. I kinda want you to get it just so I can touch it.”
Taehyung couldn’t hold back his laugh. “Hyung, I don’t know if that’ll make me want to get it for you or not. What if you knock him down one day?”
“I’ll be gentle,” Yoongi pouted.
“I know,” Taehyung reassured. “How about this? Let’s get the lollypop one because we haven’t seen one like that before and I like his brightness. Then next year, we can consider one with a tall fur hat. They may not be the same colors, but I’m sure we’ve seen others with this hat and that way you can test it and see if you like the feel of the hat before we buy it.”
“Sounds like an excellent plan.”
“Perfect,” Taehyung answered as he reached for the nutcracker. “I’ll go pay for this one then, and he’ll be sitting on the shelf with the others when you get home.” Taehyung paused for a moment, just watching Yoongi. “I love you, hyung.”
Yoongi’s cheeks pinkened as his eyes flitted away to something off screen. “Love you too,” he murmured back softly.
Taehyung broke out into a smile as fondness burst in his chest. “Get some more rest. I’ll see you soon. Travel safe.”
🎄🎄
The following morning Taehyung awoke to Jimin trying to wiggle out of his arms. “Where are you going?” He murmured sleepily.
“I have to go to the bathroom. Now, release me.”
With an unhappy sound, Taehyung did as he was told, and Jimin stuffed a pillow in the spot that he vacated, allowing Taehyung to continue to drift in sleep until the smell of breakfast awoke him again. He decided it was time to get up and investigate the tasty smells. Jimin was in the kitchen making egg sandwiches, but he paused to greet him brightly, “Good morning!”
“Morning,” Taehyung answered, still half asleep.
“You’re so cute with your hair all like that.” Taehyung reached up to feel the fly-aways sticking up in odd angles. “Come eat,” Jimin added as he put a plate for each of them on the table.
Taehyung sat down at the table and thanked him. He moaned at the first delicious bite, and Jimin smirked in satisfaction. “I was wondering if you wanted to watch some Christmas movies today.” Taehyung paused mid-bite, and Jimin rushed to add, “unless you already have plans.”
“No, you’re always welcome here,” Taehyung reassured him. “It’s just…you didn’t drive back last night because we didn’t want you driving the mountain roads in the dark, but don’t you want to get back to your family?”
Jimin shrugged. “Sure, but I have some time for a movie or two before I leave.”
“Really?” Taehyung perked up. “We could watch Home Alone or The Santa Clause. Oh! Or Rudolph the 1998 Red Nosed Reindeer with Whoopi Goldberg!”
“Let’s start with Rudolph, so we can sing along. But finish breakfast first,” Jimin warned.
“Sounds perfect,” Taehyung nodded in satisfaction. Thirty minutes later they were cuddled up on the couch with blankets and hot chocolate as the sprites sang the first notes of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Jimin stayed for the first movie as well as a second before taking his leave. Taehyung, ever thankful for his best friend, gave him a big hug farewell. “Make sure you text me when you’re reunited with your family!”
“Of course,” Jimin reassured as he waved goodbye.
The high spirits stayed with Taehyung for the rest of the day as he cleaned up and did some chores around the apartment. Perhaps it was finally beginning to feel like Christmas after all.
🎄
When Taehyung cracked his eyes open the next morning, he immediately grabbed his phone to check the time. The lock screen was filled with Merry Christmas wishes from his friends and family, and Taehyung jerked upright in realization. Today was Christmas. Quickly, he swiped to his chat with Yoongi and checked for notifications. Nothing. That was strange…He’d been waking up to texts from him the last few days…Although now that he thought about it, he didn’t have any yesterday when Jimin stayed the night….Still, it was unlike him to go so long without anything.
A bit put out, he sent a quick ‘Merry Christmas’ text with some emojis and waited for a response. Nothing. Not even a read receipt. Maybe his phone had died? He was in an airport after all.
Instead he tried to call him real quick. Maybe he just hadn’t heard the notification go off. With each ring, Taehyung’s spirits dropped until it finally went to voicemail. “Hey, hyung!” he hoped his voice was sounding chipper. “Just calling to wish you a merry Christmas and to see how you’re doing…if there’s any updates. I miss you. Give me a call back when you get the chance. Love you.”
It was Christmas morning and now, Taehyung didn’t feel like getting up. There was nothing Christmas-y in their bedroom, so if he stayed here and went back to sleep, maybe Christmas could just be another day.
However, fate had been a bitch to Taehyung this whole motherfucking season, and she was at it yet again because someone was insistently knocking on his door two hours later. Who the hell visits someone unannounced on Christmas day?! Taehyung angrily thought to himself as he whipped the covers off and stomped to the front door. He didn’t care if anyone heard him, in fact, he hoped whoever was on the other side of the door got the hint that they weren’t wanted.
“What?” he demanded as he threw open the door.
Jungkook greeted him on the other side, mouth slightly agape. “Sorry, hyung. Is- is everything ok?”
Seeing Jungkook softened the anger, but didn’t put it out completely. “Yeah, Kook. What do you need?”
“I just wanted to see if you wanted to go to the Christmas market one last time with me,” Jungkook’s voice was hesitant, and Taehyung tried to reel in his remaining anger.
“I’m really not in the mood, Kook. I’m sorry.” It wasn’t fair that everyone got to be with the people they wanted during Christmas and Taehyung didn’t. It wasn’t fair, and he was tired of trying to get past it, so sue him if he wanted to spend the rest of the day in bed trying to forget that there was anything special about today.
“But-” Jungkook interjected as Taehyung started to close the door. “I don’t have anyone to go with.”
“Where’s Hoseok-hyung?”
Jungkook hesitated. “He had to…do something.” Taehyung was unimpressed. “Please, hyung. I came all this way, and I don’t have anyone to go with. Everyone else is busy.”
Oh god. The boba eyes and pouty lips were coming out, and Taehyung knew there was only one person who could rival his pouty face and he was standing right in front of him. He closed his eyes in defeat. “Fine,” he said tersely. “Only for an hour or so, I don’t want to be out all day.”
“Ok!” Jungkook quickly agreed.
“Come on inside while I get ready.” Taehyung left Jungkook in the living room and returned to the bedroom with a sigh. He was already regretting this decision. Half-heartedly he selected some chino pants and a burgundy sweater, and finished getting ready. As he returned to the living room, Jungkook quickly shoved his phone in his pocket and stood. Taehyung grabbed his jacket and Yoongi’s scarf before they were out the door.
The day was chilly, but refreshing and the Christmas market was only a short walk away. Normally, Taehyung visited multiple times a season and leapt at any opportunities to go again. However, this year it was his first time and he couldn’t quite put his finger on how he felt as he walked between the stalls with Jungkook. They stopped at a stationary cart and perused packages of Christmas cards. Taehyung chose a set with snowy scenery for next year's greetings just because he knew he needed them. He fingered the leather journals and contemplated getting one for Yoongi.
Just then Jungkook gasped beside him, grabbing his arm and shaking it. “Hyung, it’s the first snow!” Taehyung looked up and sure enough small, white flakes were floating from the sky. Taehyung’s mouth twisted in displeasure. Normally, he loved the snow, but ever since that first snow didn’t actually come to fruition the night that Yoongi called about his first cancelled flight, Taehyung had held out hope that the universe was saving it for them, that they could have that one thing this year.
Jungkook’s smile faded and he visibly wilted when Taehyung didn’t have the expected reaction, but Taehyung couldn’t bring himself to care. He turned back to the journals, trying to find one he thought Yoongi might like, except “Hyung,” Jungkook was tugging insistently on his arm again.
“What?” When Taehyung turned to address him, Jungkook had an excited grin on his face as he pointed over Taehyung’s shoulder.
Taehyung turned and froze in shock. His eyes had to be deceiving him. His brain was hallucinating or something because there Yoongi was walking towards them through the snow. Taehyung felt a gentle nudge at his back from Jungkook and that was all he needed to take off, uncaring of the slippery street below his feet. Yoongi’s eyes widened in alarm and he too picked up his pace. Finally, after over a month, Taehyung was able to touch Yoongi. He wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug already losing control of his tears. “Hyung.”
“Shhh, it’s ok, Taehyungie. I'm here. I’m finally here,” Yoongi murmured in his ear.
“I missed you,” Taehyung sobbed into his shoulder.
“I missed you too. So much.”
Taehyung didn’t care if others were watching. He just held Yoongi as the minutes drifted by and Yoongi didn’t pull away until Taehyung was ready. “How are you here? I thought you were still stuck?”
“It’s a funny story actually. I was able to get on a super last minute flight. I was talking with the gate staff, and some guy named Jin overheard my predicament. Apparently he’s like a Michelin star chef and gave up his first class seat for me.”
“Really?!” It was only then that Taehyung realized that Jungkook had joined them, and Hoseok had appeared at some point. They stood nearby arm in arm.
“Yeah. He went on and on about how our situation was the ‘epitome of Christmas love stories’ and how he had to make this Christmas reunion possible, so…here I am.” Yoongi shrugged but his gummy smile was blinding as he gazed up at Taehyung.
“Ahem! With a little bit more help I might add,” said Hoseok pointedly but playfully.
“Yeah, Hoseok gave me a ride here from the airport and coordinated Jungkook bringing you here too.”
“After I was so mean,” Taehyung said in despair as his tears started up again, touched at the efforts his friends went through.
“It’s ok, hyung. I understood. I’m just relieved I could convince you in the end.”
Looking back at Yoongi didn’t help matters, and Taehyung found himself burying himself in Yoongi’s arms yet again. “Aigoo,” Yoongi teased. “I guess you deserve it.”
“I do,” Taehyung confirmed in a petulant voice.
Yoongi gave him another minute before pointedly patting his back. “I have something for you,” he said, and Taehyung curiously pulled away. Yoongi brought a small box out of his coat pocket and handed it over. He opened it quickly and felt his heart swell with affection. Inside was an ornament, a little plane pulling a banner that said, ‘I love you around the world and back.’
This time Taehyung surged forward and kissed Yoongi. God, he loved this man. He didn’t know what he’d do without this man, and he’d spend every day of the rest of his life thankful that the universe had helped him find his soulmate.
When he pulled away, Yoongi’s face was aflame with blush, but perhaps it would pass as a side effect of the chill to outsiders. Taehyung couldn’t help smiling at the image. “So, uh, what were you doing just before I showed up?” Yoongi asked as his eyes looked everywhere other than Taehyung.
“I was looking at journals for you actually.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Wait, oh my god!”
“What?” Jungkook asked in alarm, worried that they’d messed something up or forgotten something important.
“I totally ran off without paying for these,” Taehyung confessed as he held up the Christmas cards he’d picked out.
Yoongi huffed in amusement as Hoseok nearly fell over laughing. “Let’s return to pay for them then,” Yoongi offered as he took Taehyung’s hand in his before sticking both in his coat pocket.
Taehyung didn’t think his heart could fill with anymore affection at this moment, a repeatedly flashing sign of fond, fond, fond and love, love, love. “And pick out a notebook for you,” he added.
“And pick out a notebook for me.”
“And then we can warm up with hot chocolate.”
“Of course.”
“And stop for tasty treats to take home.”
“And ration over the next few days instead of eating all at once.”
“And then we can go home and watch your favorite Christmas movie. Oh! And I saved the star for you to put on the Christmas tree.” Yoongi extracted their hands to place a lingering kiss on the back of Taehyung’s hand before placing them back inside the warmth of his pock, and Taehyung couldn’t help but think that maybe this Christmas would turn out to be good afterall.