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sope-and-shine · 1 year

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Maybe We’re A Movie | Part 4

-> Pairing: Jin x Reader

-> fluff // minor angst

-> Word Count: 8.6k

-> Summary: Living in the city far away from home, you tend to miss out on family news. So, when you return home for the holiday’s, all you plan to do is spend time with family and catch up on everything you’ve missed since your last visit. You expected the jabs at living so far away and the poking at your barren love life, but you don’t expect to actually find love. Meeting the town’s newest resident and baker, you find yourself falling for his charm and good looks. Everything about him is just so magical…but there’s something strange going on with him and his shop that you can’t quite place. Is it just your hesitation to let him be a Christmas fling? Or is it something more?

-> Warning(s): Taegi side pairing, yoonji and hobi side pairing, mild language, lots of familial rough housing, teasing, constant poking and prodding about relationship status, typical ‘when are you going to settle down’ trope, talk about yoongi’s shaky coming out and love life, very Hallmark-esque

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Masterlist *

A moment hasn’t gone by that Jin hasn’t thought about the day you left. The fight keeps replaying in his head, and he can’t get that hurt look on your face out of his mind. He just saw you in his workshop surrounded by his machines and looking at his family photos, and he just felt the world stop. He just wanted to be normal for once and not have to worry about his family history, and it all just started crumbling as soon as he saw you.

He’d had no idea that Jimin hadn’t shut the door all the way. He didn’t even know Jimin went upstairs after opening the store. It was a rule for a reason that the shop door stay closed during the day no matter what, and he broke it. Because he broke it, you found the workshop. He should be lucky you didn’t see any of the real magic, but that wouldn’t stop your mind from searching for an answer. You’re one of the smartest people he’s met since he left the Pole, and it was only a matter of time before you pieced it together.

You probably already have.

Either way, he never should have yelled at you - let alone ban you from the store. He knew letting you work with him officially was a bad idea. He never should have let that happen, and he only has himself to blame in the end. He knew he was catching feelings, and he could see that you were warming up to him as well. He wanted that chance to win you over, and he took it at the ultimate cost. He let his heart dictate what he knew would end with more than one truth coming out.

Now it’s Christmas Eve and you’ll be returning to your job soon. His chances to make up with you are running out. He can’t help but think that he’s probably already lost your heart.

A loud crash comes from upstairs in the workshop, Jin almost spilling his mop bucket. Thuds start racing around the room above and down the stairs, the door slamming open before Seokjin can go and investigate himself, “Jin!”

“Namjoon?” He asks, surprised to see the elf back so soon. He was supposed to be doing work for his father all the way to midnight tonight when he’d leave to deliver toys. “What are you doing here?”

“Your Mother-! Your Mother, she’s-!” Namjoon huffs and puffs, trying to catch his breath just so he can finish his sentence.

“My Mom?”Jin questions. Namjoon doesn’t do running as a free time activity, so if he’s this out of breath, then something must really be wrong. He grabs the elf by his shoulders, “Is she okay?”

“She’s fine! She’s jus-“ Namjoon cuts himself off when a large thud, followed by the jingling of bells come from the roof. He looks to his boss with a nervous smile, “-here.”

Jin rushes up the stairs to the workshop, running through the shop to the staircase closet to his office. He throws the door open and races up the stairs with Jimin and Namjoon right behind him, bursting through the roof entrance door to see his mother standing up in the sleigh.

“Mom?” He rushes over to the big red sleigh and holds his hand out, helping his Mother climb down to the flat roof. He notices that it’s only his Mother in the sleigh and not his Dad, “What are you doing here with the sleigh? Where’s Dad?”

She shakes her head, “Your Dad isn’t doing well, Jin. He fell ill yesterday morning with a bug and he’s not going to be better by Christmas Window tonight.”

“What?” Of course, the first time in 20 years that his Dad gets sick, and it happens on Christmas. His Dad is the only person that knows how to do the job, who would do it if not him? “What about the delivery?”

“That’s why I’m here.” She cups Jin’s cheek, “I need to take care of your Father, and someone needs to do the delivery.”

It slowly dawns on him exactly why his Mother is here, “No…” He shakes his head.

“Jin, I know how you feel-!“

“I don’t want the responsibility, Mom!” Jin cries. He’d voiced his opinion time and time again, and it still has yet to change after he moved away from home. Santa is not the life for him.

“I know, and I’m sorry! I don’t know what else to say besides I’m sorry…” She apologizes. Of course, she knew he didn’t want this. But there wasn’t any other choice. And she wouldn’t have come if there was. She gently takes his hands in hers, “But we need your help, Jin. Please. I don’t want to beg, but I will.”

“Don’t-” He says, putting his hand up before she can make any move. Of course, doing this job is the last thing he’s ever wanted to do. But he’s not the kind of person to let his own Mother beg for his help. “Please don’t beg.”

“We’ll figure something out later, okay? But could you do this for just one night?” She asks once more, hoping that her son will do it just this once, “You’re the only one that’s run the deliveries with your father before.”

“By myself? Not a chance.” He says. His Mother nods, understanding that it’s a heavy burden to take on. If she had to, then she’d just figure it out herself and hope she could deliver just as her husband always has.

Jin sighs, “But I’m sure the sleigh is big enough for some extra help.”

Jin watches his Mother’s eyes light up, pride shining through, “As long as we can deliver just as we always do.” She squeezes his hands and brings them up to place a loving kiss to his knuckles, “I’ll make this up to, Seokjin. I promise.”

“No, you don’t need to.” He assures her. He thinks back to when he needed help, and without any asking or prodding, you and Jeongguk came right to his aid, “This is just what people should do.”

“That’s my boy…” She squeezes his hands one more time and lets go. She turns back to the sleigh and pulls out a garment bag, turning around to hand it over to him, “You’ll need this.”

Jin doesn’t need to look inside to know what is it. He’s seen this bag all his life, and he knows exactly what it is. He just accepts it as best he can, looking to his mother and putting on a brave face just for her, “Go be with Dad. He needs you. I’ll see you when we’re done.” He turns to Jimin and nods to the stairway, “Jimin.”

Jimin nods and steps forward, “This way, ma’am.” He says, escorting her to the doorway that will take her back to the Pole.

When Jin was younger, he’d always imagined himself wearing the Santa outfit and bringing joy to millions of people all over the world. He’d wanted to make people happy all his life. Somewhere along the line, the source of that happiness stopped coming from the Santa suit. He knew in his mind, that he would have to take over eventually. He’d hate every minute of it, but he would’ve been older.

He never imagined he’d be wearing it so soon.

“You know, I hear your Dad took 4 elves on his first solo ride.” Namjoon mentions, sensing the nervousness coming from him.

“Really?” Jin asks.

“Yeah, it’s not too late to call two more.” He assures him. He pulls out a thick, wonky satellite phone and starts scrolling, “Do you have anyone in mind?”

“Yeah, but I don’t need to call them.” Namjoon looks at him, head tilted in confusion. But Jin just smiles, “We’ll just pick them up.”

—-

Jeongguk wakes up with a thud, having fallen off the side of his bed once again. He had a nasty habit of sleeping too close to the edge, and he has more bruises from falling in his sleep than he does from rough housing. Just like any other night, he sits on the floor for a moment to get his bearings. He debates whether or not he should climb back into bed or remain on the slightly heated floor of his room.

He groans when his ears begin to ring, very softly. It’s low, but it’s enough that he can hear it. He tries to blow his nose to pop his ears, but when they pop and the ringing doesn’t stop, he gives up. He stands from his mess of blankets and picks them up off the floor, throwing them onto his bed. He stretches, reaching his arms up as high as they’ll go and letting out a yawn.

The ringing continues on, growing louder. But as it gets louder, Jeongguk begins to realizes that it’s not a pitched ring that he hears. It’s more like…the soft jingling of bells.

“I really need to sleep better…” He mutters to himself, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

He plops back down onto his bed face first and closes his eyes, using his feet to bring his comforter closer to him. He’s close to sleep when he hears a soft thud hit the roof of the house. He assumes it’s just falling snow or something similar, but then he hears another. Followed by footsteps.

“Alright, Jeongguk…now you really are hearing things.” He mutters to himself, “Yoongi was right about all of that candy.”

He attempts to close his eyes and fall asleep once more, but then he hears another thud right outside of his window. The moonlight disappears, a shadow taking over where the light was.

This has the boys eyes widening, “Okay, so we’re not dreaming right now…” A few taps ring out on his window, “Definitely not dreaming!”

Believe it or not, Jeongguk had imagined a scenario similar to this after watching Home Alone for the first time. He thought about the traps he would make if he had to stop someone from coming into his home, and he filled a whole notebook with his ideas. Unfortunately, after the trap he’d set in the kitchen, he was banned from ever making a Home Alone trap ever again.

Oh, how he wished he’d saved his trap for tonight.

Instead, he attempts to pretend to sleep. Maybe if he doesn’t move, then whatever is at his window will go away. That’s what everyone in the horror movies does!

So he squeezes his eyes shut tight, hoping with everything he has that the shadow will disappear. He’ll just go to bed, and everything will be fine. He’ll wake up in the morning and this all will have been a dream.

“Jeongguk-“ He stiffens at the call from the voice above him, “Don’t you know I know when you’re sleeping and when you’re awake?”

It takes him a second to place the voice, and then he’s sitting up fast as soon as he realizes who it is that the voice belongs to, “Jin?” He asks. It takes him a second for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, but he makes out Jin’s tall figure. However, it’s the Santa hat and costume that confuse him, “Why are you dressed like Santa?”

“Because it’s my turn to deliver presents tonight.” He answers.

“No way.”

Jin nods, “Yes way, and I need your help.”

“You need my help?” Jeongguk asks in disbelief.

“Absolutely! You and your sister,” He adds, “Do you think you can help me convince her to help?”

Jeongguk thinks on it a second before he crosses his arms over his chest, “How do I know you’re not just being creepy?”

Jin nods in understand, “I see your point. A point very well taken. I probably wouldn’t trust me either.” He pushes up his sleeves with gloved hands and holds them out flat in front of him. A small glittering effect swirls in a circle, a smaller, red hat just like his materializing right in front of Jeongguk’s eyes, “But maybe this would convince you?”

“You’re magic?!” Jeongguk asks a bit too loud. Jin shushes him, and he shrinks back down, “Sorry…”

Jin takes a seat at the edge of Jeongguk’s bed, getting on his level, “I do have magic, and Christmas Magic is about to take effect. But we still need to work fast if we’re going to get it all done and get the 2 of you home.” He holds out the hat he made, offering it to the boy, “So what do you say?”

“You don’t even need to ask! I’ll get my shoes!” Jeongguk says. He throws off his covers - almost hitting Jin in the face - and jumps out of bed. He makes it to his door and stops just before he opens it, “Oh! And (Y/n)! Her window is on the other side of the house!”

Jin nods, already knowing where your room is, “I’ll meet you there.”

Jeongguk rushes out of his room, doing his best to remain as quiet as possible. He slips into your room and rushes to the side of your bed, turning on your lamp and shaking your arm, “(Y/n)!”

“Wha-?!” You sit up fast, eyes looking around your room in confusion. It takes you a second to get your bearings, but it doesn’t explain why Jeongguk is in your room when it’s still dark out, “Jeongguk, what are you doing in my room it’s-…?” You turn to your bedside table and read the numbers on the clock, your eyes widening in surprise, “It’s just after midnight!”

“Jin’s here! He needs our help!” He whisper yells, pulling at your good arm.

You shake your head in confusion, “What are you talking about? Why is he here in the middle of the night?”

“Because he’s actually Santa! Did you know that?” He asks, “He’s delivering presents and he wants us to help! You need to get up.”

The notion didn’t even register with you, but now you’re starting to see where he’s going with this. Although, this only makes you think the baker has an unhealthy obsession that you didn’t mean to uncover and now it’s coming back to haunt you,

You sigh and throw your covers off to the side, “Okay, you need to go back to sleep, you’re being-“ You’re halfway out of your bed when you look up and see Jin standing a few feet away, close to your very closed window, “-ridiculous.”

Your eyes look between him, Jeongguk, and your still closed window, but there isn’t enough time for both Jeongguk and Jin to wait for you, “I’ll let Jin explain. I’m going to grab our shoes and coats!”

Jeongguk leaves, and you’re left sitting in front of Jin in your pajamas. You never even heard him come in the door or through the window. And you’re pretty damn sure he wasn’t there when you first looked around your room.

You reach into your nightstand and pull out the Math textbook you never burned. You get up from your bed and hold it out towards him, almost as if your warning him not to make any sudden movements. He puts his arms up, letting you threaten him with a book while you check your window.

Locked.

That doesn’t make the situation anything close to better, and you turn yourself - and your makeshift weapon - to the man in your room, “What are you doing here?”

“I need your help.” He says calmly.

“And you couldn’t text me?” You ask.

“I don’t have your number, remember? Besides, this had to be done in person-” He’s cut off by a few thuds on the roof, followed by a muffled grunting noise of an animal. He chuckles nervously, “Easier to explain.”

You narrow your eyes and gently set your book down, narrowing your eyes at him in warning before you turn your back to him. You unlock your window, throwing another look over your shoulder to make sure he’s still in the same spot. You carefully open your second story window and stick your head outside, finally hearing the small jingling of bells and sporadic grunts that come from your roof. If it wasn’t for a carrot rolling off and just barely missing you, you’d probably think you were dreaming.

You turn back to Jin, unsure what to believe. On the one hand, this would make much more sense than an unhealthy obsession that he never talks about. Most people talk about their unhealthy obsessions to justify why they’re not unhealthy. But the theatrics are a bit much to just be pulling a prank on you.

Jin seems to realize this as well.

“Here-“ Just as he’d done before with Jeongguk, he holds his hands out, flat in front of him. The glittering sphere reappears again, only this time it’s a hat and a scarf. Your eyes are wide in shock and realization that this is - in fact - very real, “This might convince you.”

Hesitantly, you reach out and take them from him. You feel the soft fabric, and ensure that what you just saw wasn’t a magic trick. But even the best magician’s couldn’t do whatever it was he just did.

You laugh in disbelief, “You could’ve explained the other day when I found your workshop. You being Santa makes way more sense than a really weird obsession with Santa.”

“Well, I’m not Santa. My Dad is.“ He corrects.

Suddenly, his tense relationship with his father over his job makes sense, “I see why he doesn’t like your occupation choices.”

“Yeah…But he’s sick and he needs my help, and-“ He doesn’t want to come off as pitiful, but he can’t help it. He needs help and he hates that. “I really can’t do this alone.”

Despite his behavior from the other day, you know he wouldn’t come and ask you for help if he didn’t need it. That doesn’t mean you’re going to make this any easier on him, though, “Fine. But I expect a full apology when we’re done. And hot chocolate!”

“Done.” He agrees.

“Here-!“ Jeongguk enters your room, carrying both pairs of shoes and coats in a hurry. You try not to waste anytime. You throw on the hat and scarf Jin made before slipping on your coat and shoes. You button up your coat, stopping to make sure Jeongguk is just as bundled as you are before you start the night ahead of you. However, it’s looking from the small roof outside of your window to the roof of your house that stopsyou in your tracks.

“So, how do we get on the roof?” You ask. You stick your head out the window again, but you’re not sure how Christmas Magic actually works.

“Well, as magical as I am, I figured a ladder might help.” He answers, knocking on your window 3 times.

From your roof, you see Namjoon’s familiar head peek over the side of the roof. He has something rolled up in his hands, and he looks slightly offended.

“You figured?!” He repeats? He turns over his shoulder, “Jimin, the ladder was my idea, right?”

Jimin makes his own appearance as well, a knowing, mischievous smile gracing his lips, “I’m pretty sure it was, Namjoon~”

“Will you two stop being cheeky? We still need it!” Jin scolds. You turn to him and he shrugs, slightly amused, “So, maybe I had some help from the peanuts section.”

They two elves drop the ladder and hook it to the sleigh, pulling on it twice before giving the go ahead. Jin has Jeongguk go up first, holding onto him with one hand until he can’t hold on any longer. Then he has you go next, doing the same for you, and climbing up after.

Namjoon puts his hand out in front of you, “Let me give you a hand, (Y/n).”

“Thanks.” You take his hand, and he helps you the rest of the way up. The first thing you notice - besides his ears - are the lines of reindeer standing patiently on your roof. Behind them, is a big, red sleigh, polished and shining in the moonlight.

Jeongguk is petting a reindeer closest to the sleigh, his eyes alight with excitement and wonder, “This is so cool…”

“Yeah, it’s okay.” Jin agrees as if reindeer and sleighs are perfectly normal. Then again, for him, this is completely normal.

“So, what do you need us to do?” You ask.

Jin pats his pockets before he reaches in and pulls out a device you’ve never seen before. It looks like a tablet, but a bit more rustic than what you’re used to seeing. He holds it out to you, “I need you to help me navigate and check the list. I can’t miss anyone.”

Jeongguk bounces over to Jin, excited for his own assignment as well, “And me?” He asks.

“You are going to help Namjoon and Jimin sort presents as they come through the big bag for the stops and get them into a smaller bag for me.” He explains, pointing to the back of his sleigh where a big bag is loosley open, “Think you can do that?”

Jeongguk nods, “Absolutely!”

“Perfect!”

“Alright-“ Jimin comes rushing from the front of the Reindeer lines, holding a gadget of his own in his hands, “-the Christmas Window is going to open up soon. We need to be going so we can get to the first stop before then.”

“Right. Everyone hop in!“ Namjoon and Jimin hop in first, stepping on the flat part of the runner where it connects to the base of the sleigh, and diving into the back of the sleigh.

Jimin pops up from the back and reaches down with both hands, “Jeongguk, you’re back here.”

“Sweet!” He cheers, following in their footsteps and taking Jimin’s outstretched hands, letting him pull him into the back.

Jin takes a step up just as the others had, but he climbs into the front seat instead of hopping into the back. He turns back and offers you his gloved hand, “(Y/n).”

You let him help you up, looking around the front before you take a seat. You pat the cushion below you, but you don’t feel anything hiding in between them, “Does this thing have a seatbelt?”

“I asked the same thing on my first ride.” He chuckles, settling into the seat next to you. He doesn’t move to buckle himself in, only grabs onto the reins in front of him.

“Is that a no?” You ask.

He laughs to himself and lets go of the reins, opening his arms for you to move in closer, “I’d sit as close to me as possible.”

You think about it for a moment, but looking at the open space to climb up and down with no door makes it a pretty easy decision, “Yeah, okay.”

You slide in close to him and he wraps his arm around you, trapping you in with the reins. He turns over his shoulder, “Namjoon. Jimin, you have him, right?”

Namjoon and Jimin tighten their grip on Jeongguk’s coat, “Locked and loaded!” Jimin assures him.

“Alright-“ Jin turns back to his line, tugging gently on the reins to get their attention. You can feel him take a deep breath before he snaps the reins twice, “Hike!” The immediate pull from the front has you hitting the back of the seat. Jin barely registers the motion, but he pulls you in closer.

You lift off of your roof and into the air, quickly gaining altitude by the second. Jeongguk cheers behind you, his voice shouting in your ear, “This is awesome!”

You level out, but the speed doesn’t change. However, the view from the sky is absolutely stunning. Seeing the streets and the lights from above, it’s like being on a plane but more calming. The wind in your hair doesn’t even whip like you’d think it would. It waves lightly in the air, like the magic that makes the sleigh run keeps you from feeling all the negative effects that come with it.

“Like what you see?” Jin asks, laughing at your bewildered expression.

“This is-” You pause. There’s only so many words you can use to describe what you’re experiencing now, and there’s really only one that fits, “-magical.”

“It’s incredible!” Jeongguk pipes up, yelling in your ear again.

“Jimin! What’s the countdown look like?” Jin asks. He takes the reins in one hand, but he keeps his arm around you, grabbing onto your coat while he turns back.

“We’re 40 minutes out from the Christmas Window!” He answers, turning the gadget from before towards Jin so he can see for himself. The screen is lit up with a classic radar, a blue dot glowing near the right side of the screen. Jimin points to it, “If we keep at this speed, we should make it right on time.”

“Good.”

Jeongguk grabs onto the back of the front seat and rests his head on the cushion, “What’s the Christmas Window?” He asks.

“Have you seen that Doctor Strange movie?” Namjoon asks.

Jeongguk nods, “Yeah.”

“Well, those scenes where they go through a portal and enter an alternate reality that can’t affect the real world, is very similar to the Christmas Window.” Jimin explains.

This peaks your interest, and you turn just enough to look back at the two elves, “Really?”

Jimin nods, “Yeah, but time slows here. What would take a normal 24 hours only ends up taking maybe less than half of that!”

“But what about the people that aren’t asleep?” Jeongguk asks.

“Well, that’s why no one’s ever caught Santa.” Namjoon explains, “We set them in the alternate reality and they appear when everyone is finally asleep.”

“Woah! So, you really do know when we’re asleep and when we’re awake…” Jeongguk realizes.

“And when you’re watching from your window,” Jin adds, mentioning the other night when you’d watched him from your window.

Your mouth opens in surprise and you tap his chest with the back of your hand, “Says the person who almost dropped his food because he was so excited that he tripped!”

He shrugs, “What can I say? I had a great night!” He laughs when you tap him again, and you huff in frustration and embarrassment. You’d been caught and you didn’t even know it.

“I’d make yourselves comfortable,” Jin advises, adjusting himself so he can rest his arms on his - and your - leg, “We have a long night ahead of us.”

And he wasn’t kidding. After you passed through the Christmas Window - a glowing show of colors very similar to the northern lights - you got right to work in helping. You assuring Jin stops at every home and checking them off as you go, and Jeongguk helping to ensure the presents make it to the right place. There were quite a few moments where Jin would have more than 1 bag - sometimes more than 5! You’d wondered how he could even fit down a chimney like that, but you were very surprised to learn that he didn’t need a chimney to get where he was going.

“No, my many greats grandfather almost got caught and he tried to hide in the chimney.” Jin explained while prepping to go into an apartment building. He chuckles to himself, “Needless to say, it didn’t actually work for him.”

You can easily see why this job in particular is one he wouldn’t want to do. It’s a huge responsibility, and so much time and effort goes into one night that gets crunched into such a short amount of time. You could see how stressed he was after each stop. And no matter how much you reassured him that everything was good and that everything had been done correctly, it still worried him that it wasn’t enough. The worry and the stress didn’t leave his body until they made it to the very last stop and finished with no presents left.

No presents left meant no mess-ups. No mess-ups meant he actually did it. You could see the pure joy and the utter relief that flooded over him as soon as he could put his bag in the back of the sleigh with the others and sit down for the rest of the night.

“You did great, Jin.” You assure him, placing a gentle hand over his. He looks at your hands and you squeeze his, “I think your parents will be very proud.”

“You really think so?” He asks.

You nod, “I do.”

“I’m sure they will too, but we should probably get going.” Jimin chimes in, shoving his tablet in your faces. He points to the time clocks and notes that there’s only 20 minutes before the Window closes, and merely hours before sunrise back in your hometown, “We should probably get going. Like, now.”

“Right!” Jin agrees. He agrees and grabs the reins, doing one final check of everything and everyone before he tugs at the reins, “We still need to return the sleigh.”

This takes you by surprise. You thought you’d be going home once you were done, “What?”

“No time to talk!” Jin yells, ignoring your confusion with a cheeky smile. He snaps the reins twice, Hike!”

—-

Entering into the North Pole is a lot like when you entered the Window, only you feel 8 times warmer once you pass through the lights.

“Why is it so warm?” Jeongguk asks, pulling at the scarf around his neck.

“It’s the Cap. It keeps all the wind out and the heat locked in.” Namjoon explains.

“And the snow?” You ask.

Jimin laughs, “That’s just some good old Christmas Magic!”

“Elf 1 to Santa 2, do you read me?” A childish voice echoes through the speaker in front of you.

It takes you by surprise, but Jin treats it like it’s nothing. He picks up the microphone attached to it and speaks into it, “I hear you, Yeonjun. Loud and clear.”

“Is that a kid?” You ask when he pulls the device away from his mouth.

“We elves come in various shapes and sizes despite popular belief,” Jimin explains from behind you.

“Still just as intelligent!” Namjoon adds.

Jimin laughs, “Yeah, but not always graceful!”

Another crackle comes over the speaker, “The year’s closing ceremony is going to start as soon as you hit the ground. Fireworks are going to pass in 3, 2-“

He trails off and you turn to Jin in confusion, “Fireworks?”

As soon as you ask, you hear a pop from down below. Seconds later, a sizzle flys by the sleigh and explodes into the sky. It makes you jump, and Jin moves the hand holding you to your head to cover your ear, “Fireworks.”

A few more fireworks rattle off and you can hear the distant sound of cheering echoing below you, “Landing team is ready for you, Santa 2. Keep the line straight.”

“You got it.” Jin puts the microphone back and takes the reins with both hands again, “Whoa! Easy!”

The landing is much better than landing on rooftops, especially as you continue on in one smooth glide. No longer flying, the reindeer continue to pull the sleigh into the crowd of cheering elves. There are noise makers and confetti, and you watch on in amazement as they all shout their cheers and cry in joy of what looks to be another successful Christmas.

Everything looks so big compared to what you were imagining, and the life is even bigger! It’s like any other city you’ve ever been to, but somehow more beautiful than anything you’ve seen before.

“You left here?” You ask, turning to Jin as he waves to the crowd.

He shrugs, “The charm wears off after a while.”

The reindeer take you all the way to the stables, where a team of elves immediately come to take care of the reindeer. Namjoon and Jimin hop off the back of the sleigh, the both of them helping Jeongguk to climb out as well.

Jin stands up and exits the sleigh on his side, hopping down to the dirt floor of the stable. He turns back and offers a hand to you, “Need a hand?” You nod, accepting his offer and climbing down after him. Elves climb into the sleigh as soon as you’re out of it, but Jin isn’t looking to stick around, “Follow me.”

He leads you out of the stables and into a hallway, Jimin, Namjoon, and Jeongguk trailing behind you all the way to a bigger, second story deck. It overlooks a huge work area filled with machines much like the ones in Jin’s workshop. Not many people are walking around, only a few remain down below either dancing or talking with one another.

Jin tugs at your hand, pulling you to the left so you can continue on. He leads you to another hallway, one that winds and turns and morphs into something a bit more homey. It’s pristine, and it’s dressed like someone would a hall in their home. It isn’t until you pass a framed family photo on the wall that you realize this is a hall in a home.

Jin comes to a stop just outside a set of double doors at the end of the hall. He raises his hand to knock, but he doesn’t get the chance before it’s opened for him.

The woman from the photos you’d seen in his workshop comes out with her arms open wide, “Seokjin! You did it! I’m so proud of you.” She immediately throws them over Jin’s shoulders, and he drops your hand to hold onto her

He takes a deep breathe, letting out tension he probably didn’t know he was even holding onto, and closes his eyes, “Thanks, Mom.”

She pulls away from her son and gently pushes him to the side so she can look behind him, her eyes landing on a still very awake Jeongguk, “And who do we have here?”

“This is Min Jeongguk,” Jin introduces.

“Oh! Wait, let me guess. I know this…” She holds out a hand to stop her son from telling her anymore. With her eyes closed, she thinks for a moment. She nods to herself, “Min Jeongguk. Age: 10 and youngest of your siblings. Favorite color: Red. And- ” She nods her head back and forth before coming to an agreement with herself and opening her eyes, “-You want a nerf gun for Christmas.”

“That’s me!” He nods in excitement.

“Yes,” Jin agrees. He turns to you and places a hand on his mother’s shoulder to turn her attention to you, “And this is Min (Y/n).”

You become rigid, standing up tall when you meet his mother’s eyes. You muster up a nervous smile, “Hello.”

She looks you up and down, thinking to herself once again before she nods her head and smiles, “Hello dear.”

“How’s Dad?” Jin asks.

“He’s just inside. Why don’t you go and talk to him?” His mother suggests.

He looks hesitant at first, but you give him an encouraging smile when he looks to you. That seems to do the trick, “Yeah. I’ll be right back.”

He steps inside the room, softly closing the door behind him so he can speak with his father.

“Well, I think we deserve an award for all of our hard work.” Jimin muses, raising his arms high above his head as he stretches. He turns to Jeongguk and elbows him, “You want some cookies, kid?”

“Absolutely, I do!” Jeongguk is quick to walk off with both Jimin and Namjoon, leaving you alone with Jin’s mother.

Mrs. Claus.

Mrs. Kim?

You’re not really sure.

“So, do you go by Mrs. Claus? Or…?” You ask, trying to break the ice.

“Mrs. Kim is just fine with me.” She assures you, “I hear you were quite the help tonight?”

You nod, “Yes, ma’am! I tried my best, at least.”

“Our best really is all we can do,” She says, “A lot of people tend to forget that sometimes.”

“Well, that’s what makes us human.” You add.

“Very true.” She agrees, “Just like misunderstandings make us human as well.”

“You know about all that?” You ask, slightly nervous.

“I check in every now and then,” She shrugs. She looks to the door behind her and chuckles, “Don’t tell Jin, but Jimin loves to gossip.”

“Oh, I’m sure he already knows.” You joke.

“My son isn’t fond of this life. I’m well aware of that and so is my husband. We can keep on by ourselves for a while more, but we don’t know when we’ll have to pass the torch.” She explains, “I’m worried that I’ll end up leaving him a legacy that he can’t appreciate.”

She seems more upset that she’s forcing Jin into a life that she knows he doesn’t want, than she is about him not wanting to continue with the family business. You can tell this is something that’s been hurting her for a while.

“I don’t think it’s appreciating what you do that’s the problem. I think he’s more fearful of what it takes to do this,” You explain, trying not to overstep any boundaries, “I don’t think he would have started his shop if he didn’t enjoy this environment.”

She manages a smile, “That’s what I thought as well.”

“I think, whether or not Jin will admit it, that he likes this job. It just brings him so much anxiety and worry that he can’t bring himself to do it every day, all day, year after year,” You reason. From what you’ve seen, Jin enjoys talking to people and relations to them and making them happy. Being Santa doesn’t give him the option to be personal. Not to mention, it gives him extreme anxiety over being perfect that he doesn’t have at BE. You sigh, “I think he just wants to be able to step away from it all when it’s done, but he knows he won’t be able to do that when the suit finally gets handed to him.”

She nods in understanding, “You understand him.”

“I wouldn’t say that…” You awkwardly chuckle. While Jin may be perfect in the eyes of your family, he’s the troublesome one in his own. You mostly feel like the black sheep of yours, but you still get the problems he’s having. “I think the two of us just have more similarities than we’d care to admit.”

“Even so-“ She places a gentle hand on your arm, “-I’m glad he’s found someone like you that he can turn to.”

You smile, “I’m happy to know him.”

“Just promise that you’ll work it out. Even though he’s stubborn and prideful and you want to hit him around-“ you can only assume that he probably gets that from his father, ”-please talk with him.”

“I will.” You promise.

The door to his parent’s room opens and his mother chuckles, “Speak of the devil.”

He smiles shyly, seemingly in a much better mood than he’d been in before, “Good talk?” You ask.

“Yeah. It was…” He nods. He looksdown the hall and tilts his head in confusion, “Where’d they go?”

You scoff, “The terrible 2 took Jeongguk for cookies.”

“Well, at least it’s on the way.” He sighs. He should’ve known the two would do something like that even on a time crunch.

“You can’t stay?” Mrs. Kim asks, slightly disappointed that she doesn’t get as much time with her son.

“No, I need to get them home before sunrise.” She nods in understanding, but the disappointment is clearly written across her face. Jin takes her hands and squeezes it, “I’ll make time to come back and visit, though.”

“Good.” She pulls him into a hug, squeezing him tight in her embrace before letting him go and dusting off his coat, “I’ll let you get on your way then.” She turns to you and smiles, “It was nice meeting you.”

You nod, “You as well.” She squeezes your shoulder one more time and disappears into her room, leaving you alone with Seokjin.

He nods in the direction you came from, holding his first step until you follow. “I hope she didn’t spill anything too embarrassing.” He jokes.

“Nothing that you wouldn’t put in your personal diary.” You tease.

He laughs, “Oh, good.”

“She was just telling me how proud she is of you, that’s all.” You say, telling mostly the truth. He accepts that and you bump his arm for how his conversation went, “Your Dad?”

“He said something similar,” He shrugs, “He still doesn’t like my decision.”

“You really just need to do what’s best for you.” You reason.

“Right.” He nods.

You continue to walk in silence, the only sound coming from your footsteps. It’s when you near the end of the hall that he stops you, “Listen-“

“Don’t.” You interupt, already knowing what he was going to say.

He seems surprised, especially since an apology was one of your terms, “But your apology-”

“I don’t need it. I already know.” You assure him. You know he’s sorry, and you don’t need an apology when you can see it every time he looks at you, “I’m just ready to go home and get back to bed.”

“Right.” He nods. He throws an arm over your shoulder and sighs, “I guess we better go and find your brother before he eats everything in the kitchens.”

——

As soon as you got back this morning, you made sure to put your coats and shoes back exactly where Jeongguk found them. You managed to make it 3 hours before your Mother normally wakes up on Christmas morning, and you were absolutely going to cherish those 3 hours of sleep you could get. But of course, as soon as it hit 7:30 in the morning, Bora was knocking down everyone’s doors

Getting out of bed was rough for you, but it was even rougher for Jeongguk. Hoseok and Yoongi had to physically slide him down the stairs and into the living room just so he would be there to open presents. Jin wouldn’t have to worry too much about Jeongguk blabbing to anyone at this rate.

You have to admit, opening presents just has a different feel to it after all the work you did last night. Seeing what everyone got and watching them show it off with absolute joy just filled you with happiness. You can definitely see the appeal of being Santa.

Though you definitely weren’t expecting your own present from Santa. You knew everyone had got one, but you completely forgot that even Santa’s helpers get surprises every now and then. Wrapped in a light blue wrapping paper, you opened up a new apron with your name embroidered in beautiful gold lettering. Its sides were decorated with moments that only you knew about, and anyone looking at it wouldn’t immediately be able to tell that it’s all telling a story.

Of course, only one person really knew about everything you did, and you’d be sure to thank him before you leave. For now, you continue to make use of your new gift as you help your Mom make lunch.

“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock~” Your Mom sings, swaying to the music that blares from the living room.

You hum next to her, “Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring~”

“Snowin’ and blowin’ up bushels of fun!” Bora sings as well, sitting at the table with one of her new toys.

Right on the rest, a shot from a nerf gun rings out, followed by Jeongguk, “Now the jingle hop has begun!”

“Did you just shoot me?! You brat!” Yoonji yells from the living room. You can hear Jeongguk’s feet running up the stairs, followed very closely by Yoonji, “Get back here and fight me like a man!”

Your home is as alive as ever.

The doorbell rings, barely being heard over the music, but Yoongi just makes it out, “I got it!” He calls out, your Mother thanking him from the kitchen. He gets up, shoving his phone in his pocket. When he gets to the window to check who it is, he curses, “He can’t be serious…”

He opens the door, revealing a large bouquet of flowers with legs. Behind the petals however, he can just make out the dark hair of a very familiar baker, “Good afternoon.” He greets from behind his wall of petals.

Yoongi scoffs, “I’m assuming you’re here to grovel at her feet?” He asks, eyeing the man behind the bouquet.

“Grovel, beg, plead, cry-“ Jin move the flowers just enough so Yoongi can see his face, “I’ll do anything.”

“Unfortunately-“ Hoseok chimes in, appearing after seeing the bouquet from his spot on the couch, “-in this house we break legs.”

“What?!” Jin asks, stunned by such a severe punishment, “Why both?”

“I wouldn’t fight it. I tried that already.” Taehyung sighs, appearing just behind Hoseok.

Hoseok nods, “He’s right. Them’s the rules.”

“Can’t you just do one?” Jin asks.

Yoongi shakes his head, “Non-negotiable.”

By themselves, all 3 men at the door are harmless. But together? They’re a scary trio staring back at him. And judging by the looks on their faces, they seem very serious about breaking both limbs.

Thankfully, you come to his rescue before any bodily harm can be done to him, “Alright! That’s enough! Don’t scare him off.”

Yoongi shakes his hands and carefully takes two steps back, “Hey, I’m just pulling a big brother.”

“Well, I will thank you after I talk to him.” You assure him, patting him on the shoulder for his “great work” as you pass him. You grab the door handle and nod to all three men, “Thank you very much, boys.”

You pull the door shut, only wearing your house slippers, pajamas, and the new apron you were gifted. You’re not very concerned by your attire, but Jin is, “Don’t you want to get a coat first? You’ll freeze out here.”

You shake your head and wave him off, “I’ll be fine.”

“No. Here-“ He pushes the bouquet he brought into your hands and pulls off his hat and scarf, placing them on you instead, “At least keep the heat trapped somewhere.”

“You know, you’ve given us a lot of clothing. Someone might get the wrong idea,” You tease, a blush rising to his cheeks.

“Hey, I’ve gotta make my move one piece of fabric at a time.” He laughs.

“Why are you here, anyway? I thought we worked this out yesterday?” You ask, thinking that your fight the other day had been settled.

“No, you saw me acting like a kicked puppy and brushed it off, but I don’t want to brush it off.” He says, “I owe you an apology for overreacting, and I want you to actually hear me say that I’m sorry for my actions. I don’t want you to think I won’t own up to my mistakes for you.”

“Well, I’m sorry too,” You apologize, “You never told me I was allowed to go into the workshop. I overstepped, and that was on me.”

“I can’t really blame you for wanting to help me,” He chuckles. He looks you over once and smiles, “I see you got your apron from Santa. Do you like it?”

“I love it!” You tell him, “The detailing on the side is just beautiful.”

Jin smiles, “I was hoping you’d notice that. My Dad helped me with that one when I spoke to him and I sent Jimin early on to place it under your tree before everyone woke up.”

“Well, it’s gorgeous,” You assure him. You look down and squeeze the bottom of it, “I’ll cherish it for a long time.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He reaches behind his back and pulls out a small, wrapped gift, a dusting of glitter falling off of it as he presents it to you, “But I also got this for you. From me and not Santa.”

You adjust the bouquet in your arms and accept his gift. The first thing you notice about it is the mistletoe sticking out from the ribbon, “Is this mistletoe? Like, real mistletoe?” You ask.

“We grow it in the greenhouses back home,” He explains.

You carefully take it off and place it in the chest pocket of your apron. You push the ribbon off to the side and hold it with one of your fingers so you can open the box. Inside it is a silver necklace shaped like a reindeer with its antlers shaped into a heart. It’s small and subtle, and it’s something he didn’t have to do.

“What do you think?” He asks, nervously rocking back and forth on his feet.

“I love it, Jin,” You answer honestly. You place the lid back on the box and let the ribbon hang loosely off the box. You didn’t ask him to come and do this, you didn’t have to. You were fine to just let him slide this time. He knew that, but it wasn’t good enough for him. He’s showing you exactly how much you mean to him, and he’s honestly left you speechless, “I don’t know what to say.”

“I know you only have a few days left in town, but maybe I could take you out on a date before you go home?” He suggests. He thinks of something and it makes him chuckle before he explains further, “As long as that’s okay with your work wife, of course?”

“I don’t think Joy would mind.” You shrug, knowing damn well Joy will want to know every detail when you get back, “I’d love to go on a date with you.”

“Tomorrow? I’ll pick you up at 6?” He asks, wanting to make sure that what works for him works for you.

You nod, “Sounds like a date.”

He nods in agreement, and it’s like neither one of you knows what to do now. Before you’d make jokes, and now you’re acting like lovesick teenagers going to a school dance together.

A cold wind blows and you shiver, waking Jin up from his bout of excitement. He clears his throat and starts to step back off of your porch, “You’re freezing. I should probably go and let you get back to your family time, but-” He stops and smiles up at you again, “I’ll see you tomorrow..”

He turns before you can say anything. You want to say more, you just don’t know what to say. But if you can’t say it, then you can show it, “Hey Jin!”

“Yeah?” He asks, stopping and turning back to you.

You set down the gifts he brought you and step up to the edge of the porch, “I didn’t get you a present.”

“Oh! I don’t need a present-“

“Will this do?” You interrupt, pulling the mistletoe out of your apron and holding it above your head. It’s the only thing you can think of to show him how you feel instead of telling him. It’s honestly the most forward you’ve ever been for anyone. You didn’t think you could be this terrified to do something, even though you know the feelings are mutual.

It takes Jin a second to realize what you’re suggesting, but it doesn’t take him much longer to get his feet moving. With long strides, he rushes back to you. He steps up on the step below you, cupping your face with both of his hands, and pulling you into a long-awaited kiss. You hold onto the front of his shirt, holding onto his shirt to steady yourself so you can deepen the kiss.

A muffled scream comes from the window at the door and you pull away, seeing Bora peeking out the window. Someone swipes her from behind, pulling her away to give you some privacy.

Jin doesn’t mind though, he just chuckles, “I guess your family got their wish.”

“Yeah, so did I,” You respond before wrapping your arms over his shoulders and pulling him into another kiss.

~ FIN ~

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