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acopenhagenarmy · 1 year

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THE ACADEMY - CHAPTER 1

Pairing: BTS x reader but mostly hyung-line x reader Side pairings: Jimin x Taehyung, Jimin x Ateez!Wooyoung, reader x Ateez!Seonghwa

Mafia!au - gang!au - assassins!au

Word count: 5k ish

Warnings: Mentions of death, nudity and sex apart from that some strong language. And I think that’s it for now..

Summary: Growing up in one of the biggest and most feared mafias has it’s perks, but what happens when you and you’re friends are suddenly shipped off to the other end of the world? Will you stay together or will the world you live in tear you all apart?

NOTE: THIS IS THE UPDATED VERSION OF MY HEART RUNS TO YOU

-> NEXT CHAPTER

Harder!” he yelled at you as you once again kicked the punching bag he so desperately tried to keep steady. The sweat was trailing down the sides of your face as tears, as you did your best to keep your breathing under control. It was hard, and he knew just how to work your body to the breaking point.

But then again if anyone could it was him, after all you’ve known each other your entire lives. And you’d been kicking his ass ever since the two of you shared your mother’s womb.

The hall where you and your brother spent every early morning was large. A boxing ring was located in the middle surrounded by different machines and equipment, there to make sure everyone was in the best form of their life. Because at some point all of you would need to run from death, or maybe even fight it.

A door opened at the top of a flight of stairs and through it walked your brother’s best friend and right-hand man, Jeon Jungkook. Walked might be the wrong word though, if you looked closely it almost looked like he danced down the stairs.

When he reached the bottom, he spread his long arms and yelled: “Oh, my sweet, sweet Parks! Where have you been all morning?” Both you and Jimin looked confused at each other as your workout came to a halt.

Jimin slowly let go of the bag, as you once again stood up straight, both of you leaving the workout for a few moments as you tried to decipher just what made your friend this excited at 5:30 am.

You loosened your boxing gloves and threw them aside, revealing the tiger stripes that twisted around your left wrist and ended right below your elbow. In the meantime, Jimin had located a water bottle and threw it your way as you stepped forward towards Jungkook.

As you caught the bottle and opened it you smiled at the giant man before you and said: “Why are you yelling like a maniac Kook? And you better have a good reason to disturb our morning workout.”

You took a big gulp of water as Jimin walked towards the two of you. He shook his head at Jungkook, as he once again started to dance in front of you.

“Boy, you are completely insane” Jimin spoke as he looked at the man that now resembled a bunny more than a human. He looked at you afterwards, and all you did was raise a brow at your twin, because to be honest what was he expecting. All Jungkook did was grin and send a sweet smile towards the two of you. One of those that made his nose scrunch.

“Well my dearest friends… I come with a message; bitches we got in!” Out of his back pocket he pulled a black paper where the word academy was etched into it in gold, and above the words was a cold circle.

You dropped the water, not minding it spilling all over the floor, and pulled the paper out of Jungkook’s hands as you flipped it and started to read. Out of the corner of your eye you could see Jimin’s excited face as he started to jump, scream and dance with his friend. You could feel your heart stop and your lungs failing as you read over the golden words.

Dear Mr. Park.

We are pleased to inform you that Y/N Park, Jimin Park, Jungkook Jeon and Hoseok ‘J-hope’ Jung all have been accepted into the academy. Their classes will begin in exactly three days from now at the Puck Building in New York City. Each of your trainees must bring two suitcases of personal belongings and only one weapon, so choose wisely.

See you soon

You were in complete and utter shock. The academy was the dream, only the best trainees and children of the most feared mobsters in the world got to go there. It was an honor and a privilege, it was the place where lifelong alliances were built, and enemies were created.

Both you and the boys had never really doubted that you would get in, after all you were one of the largest mafias in all of Asia. But now the day was finally here, the dream had come true.

You took the letter and gave it back to the two boys before you ran up the stairs to get out of the practice room. You needed to talk to Hoseok, and you needed to talk to your dad.

There was no doubt in your mind that Jungkook had stolen the letter from your father’s office. But then again if you had been the one to spot the black and gold envelope, there was no way in hell you would have waited until nightfall to get the news.

It had been a tradition in your family, that the leader would host a dinner to celebrate the young men and women who had been accepted into the school. But the four of you were the best assassins, spies and most skilled in combat your gang had seen in generations. So, there was no way in hell tradition was gonna hold down the criminals inside you all.

You ran down the hall from the gym as quickly as your feet could carry you until you stumbled through the door to Hoseok’s room. Inside you found him splayed out in bed, in the arms of this week’s bimbo as Jimin called them. But then again who wouldn’t love to lay beside the legendary assassin J-hope?

You didn’t care if he had another woman in bed, you didn’t care that the two of them were most likely naked. All you cared about was sharing the best news of both of your lives with your partner in crime. So you jumped down in bed between the two of them, waking both of them up by the sudden need of air in their lungs.

You heard a yell from the women beside you as she rolled out of the bed and landed with a loud bang on the floor. All Hoseok did was grunt annoyed at you, before he pulled you close to him, inhaling the smell of your hair in the process.

“Why are you waking me up at this hour, you know I work late?” He was known for being a grumpy ass in the morning, and today was no exception. “And why the hell do you come into my bed and disturb my sleep, smelling like this?” He pulls back to look you in the eyes, and his filled with disgust.

“Jesus Hobi, be nice! I was in the middle of practice.”

“Well if you were in the middle of your precious practice, why the fuck didn’t you finish it and let me sleep for two more hours?”

You didn’t even know how to begin, so you just looked at him with the biggest smile, as you bit your bottom lip trying to contain the laughter that threatened to spill out into the room.

It was a rare sight, you acting giddy, you losing your words. But Hoseok knew better than to push you for information, that usually just ended with you beating his ass and him being blue and yellow for the rest of the week. So instead he waited, as he lost himself in your eyes.

On the floor beside the bed you could hear the girl slowly coming to her senses, as she pulled herself up, looking down at the woman who had pushed her out of bed before six in the morning. You knew she wouldn’t be thrilled about it, but the fact that she even got to sleep in Hoseok’s bed was impressive, he usually kicked them out after the deed was done.

“Excuse me, but what the hell do you think you’re doing?” She had a high-pitched voice, instantly annoying you. She tried her best to hide her naked form behind the slight sheer cover she held up to cover her.

“Dana shut up, will you?” He didn't even take the time to look at the woman, you were all he saw as he tried to figure out what news could be important enough to have you acting like this.

You slowly looked up at the woman who towered over the two of you, and all you saw was the pout she elegantly had displayed on her face to try and win just a little sympathy from the man beside you. When that didn’t work, she tried yet another method.

“Baby if you kick her out then maybe we can go again?” you rolled your eyes, a little afraid they might get stuck back there if she kept going. But he did nothing, said nothing, he just looked at you and, in the end, she gave up, gathered her things and left the two of you alone in the room.

After an intense staring contest, one that once again ended the instant the thought of kissing you crossed his mind. He got out of bed to get dressed instead. He sat up in the bed as you rolled over to look up into the ceiling. You could hear the slow and lazy footsteps he took towards the two double doors that lead to his walk-in closet. A yawn escaped him as he stretched his arms above his head, to get the blood flowing in his tired and worn out body.

“So, what news is so important that I couldn’t wait?” You could hear him go through the drawers as he spoke.

Your head was filled with both pride and joy, but the words wouldn’t get out. Instead you giggled like a crazy person.

“What is it? Why are you laughing?” The t-shirt he pulled over his head was muffling the sound of his voice, which meant it was safe for you to face him once again. You sat up and turned towards the double doors as you crossed your legs in the soft bed.

“We got in Hobi…” It was almost a whisper and you continued: “We leave in three days, can you believe it? The day has finally come!” You clapped your hands as you watched him walk towards you.

“You’re kidding? Who got in? All of us?” You nodded your head and intertwined your hands with each other, squeezing with all the strength in your body. Because if this was a dream you needed to wake up now.

He sprinted towards you and tackled you back into bed as he screamed at the top of his lungs. Your arms held him close in a hug as you both laughed. It was emotional to be the one to tell him the news. You knew that he would get scolded by the rest of the boys who lived in his hall later on for waking them with his screams, but he didn’t seem to care. The happiness and pride of this achievement made the screams called for, and as soon as they knew they’d agree.

The two of you had talked about this day since you were four and his father had brought him into the manor for the first time. Hoseok’s father was your dad’s right-hand man, and because of this you grew up together and trained together. You had shared everything together, hell he even lived in your house.

“Oh my god, this is insane! It’s completely insane! But wait… How the hell do you know?” Hoseok had a puzzled expression as he looked into your eyes.

“Well… Jungkook might’ve been snooping around in dad’s office, and there he might’ve found the acceptance letter”

You knew how much he hated to go against your father. Dae-Hyun or Papa Park as you and Jimin sometimes called him, had opened his house to both Hoseok and his family. An act Hoseok saw as a privilege and an honor. And unlike you and Jimin, it was kind of hard to be a teenager and a rebel against the man who was not only your boss, but one of the most powerful mafia leaders in this world.

“One day that boy is gonna end up being killed for all the stunts he pulls” He shook his head at your younger friend, but the smile refused to leave his lips.

“I know… But don’t worry I’m going to find pops as soon as I’m done with you and fill him in on the situation. After all he might want to do the dinner anyways” You shrugged your shoulders a little.

“Look at you being the responsible leader Y/N!” He hit your shoulder playfully as you laughed at his statement.

“Well I might as well start to take my role seriously now. No need to wait, you know?” You bit your bottom lip as you started to twirl the golden ring that was displayed on one of your fingers.

Hoseok stood up from the bed and looked down on you with loving eyes. You were the woman he could never have, the person he’d always protect and follow blindly into any battle.

“So tell me… What do I need to pack?”

After a long discussion with Hobi about just which outfits he should pack, and an even longer one with what sniper rifle he should bring to the States, you were off to see your dad.

You skipped down the corridors of the giant manor, saying hi to everyone you met on your way, until you’d finally reached your fathers office. He had an open-door policy for both you and the boys so instead of knocking you busted through the door.

He was sitting behind the giant mahogany desk, reading the reports from both spies and distributors that had been piling up in the dark hours of the night. He looked powerful in this setting. High ceilings, big windows, expensive suit and of course with an expensive bottle of whiskey nearby.

He looked up from his papers for a brief moment, only to discover you were already walking towards him. He slowly laid down his pen, as he sent you a gentle smile. In front of the desk were two leather chairs who faced him, and as usual you placed yourself in the left one.

“Hello sweet daughter, what can I do for you today?” He spoke like the man in power he was, his voice was deep and intimidating, even when he wasn’t trying to be. But then again it was a given when you were in his position.

You didn’t respond and just moved around nervously in the chair as you fiddled with the golden ring that rested on your pinkie on your left hand. Just like your tattoo it displayed your rank in the family business, as you liked to call it.

“I know what Jungkook did Y/N, there’s no need to beat around the bush” You quickly looked up from the ring, your face displaying the surprise you felt, and your heart started to beat faster as he continued his speech: “I have security and cameras everywhere in this house, you really think anything goes missing without my permission?”

He now had a smirk on his lips, and you could see the spark in his eyes. Your father was a cruel man to those who deserved it, and a stern leader to almost everyone. Except to a chosen few. To you he was kind, playful at times, and almost always with a smile on his face and that incredible kind spark in his eyes. Unless you talked business of course.

You laughed before you answered him.

“I thought you might’ve figured it out by now. I hoped you hadn’t, because it would’ve been nice to be the one to surprise you for once”

He put away his reading glasses and stood up. Slowly walking to the other side of his desk as he sat down on the edge, both hands resting beside him.

“Well… One day you might be able to, but not quite yet Blade…” His smile was as kind as always as he said your nickname. “… But judging from your smile I guess the academy had great news?”

You didn’t know it was possible to feel prouder or happier than you already were, but the feeling that slowly blossomed in your chest was nothing you’d ever felt before. You could feel the tears in your eyes as you smiled at the man you admired most in this world.

“We all got in, all four of us” Your voice cracked a little, but you did not care for a single second. The two of you had talked about this day since you’d held your first katana. And to share the good news with the man that had made you the woman you were today, meant everything to you.

He stood up from his spot and walked towards you, arms stretched open to give you the bear-hug he knew you needed. And you walked right into his arms and let the tears roam free.

“I’m so proud of you Blade, of all of you.” He whispered into your hair before he placed his hands on either side of your face and pulled you away from his chest, wiping your tears away with his thumbs. He placed a kiss on your forehead as you laughed a little. “But I never doubted any of you, I trained you to be the best, not ordinary, so of course they want you all”

You rarely showed people your emotions. It wasn’t that it was a sign of weakness, but being a girl high placed in the mafia, people would use anything to gain the upper hand in this game you called life. It was like every other corporation, typically a patriarchy. A typical tradition because men had this idea that women couldn’t be ruthless, that they couldn’t handle the power, that they couldn’t handle the bloodshed. Luckily for you, your family didn’t share that view, and neither did the rest of the crew under your father.

You cleared your throat as he finally let go of you, looking into your happy eyes as his own filled with pride.

“I’m sorry if we ruined the dinner though”

He laughed at that statement and turned around to once again find his rightful place behind his giant desk. “Now call those boys in here I need to have a chat with you all before it all goes down tonight, because we all know you’ll be too hungover tomorrow to come if I call a meeting then”

You raised an eyebrow, your way of saying: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

“Don’t give me that look Y/N, we’ve been down that road before. That being said, you need to shower first”

You shrugged, he wasn’t wrong.

After an amazing breakfast you went back to your room, quickly ridding yourself of your workout clothes to hop into a steaming hot shower. You stood there for a few minutes and wondered just how your life would look in a few weeks’ time.

Would you be able to create new alliances, or would it end up being impossible because you’re a woman? It was very rare that women were in powerful positions in the mafia, and even rarer that they were the first in line for the throne. And the more you thought about it the more anxious you got. It might not be a problem at home, where your people knew just how you were raised to rule, but you needed to prepare yourself for every reaction in the book.

You turned on the cold water to get the negative thoughts out of your system, your way of clearing your head, at least for the time being. Once again it worked like a charm. After a good cleanse of both hair, body and mind, you left to start your morning routine.

Because this was a special day, you knew you needed a little extra than just the regular black dior outfit. You did your makeup and dressed in an elegant black suit.

The black flared pants hugged your body in all the right places and displayed your curves just how you liked it. The blazer that matched gave you no waist and therefore you styled it with a belt with gold hardware to match the jewelry you wore. Just to give it a little something extra. Your hair was slicked back and your face open for the world to see the beauty of your jawline and cheekbones.

Stilettos were something you loved dearly, and almost always wore when you didn’t workout. You had mastered running in everything from 1-15cm, something all the men found very impressive. The red bottom Louboutins had therefore been a part of your outfits for a few years now.

You looked into the mirror, pleased with the woman who looked back at you. You looked like you were in charge and knew what was going on around you, you looked like you belonged in this world that was mostly dominated by men. You looked lethal and beautiful all in one.

You twisted your ring once as you took a deep breath. Afterwards you rolled up your sleeves to display your tattoo.

Two knocks on your door pulled you out of your daydreaming. Jimin and the boys were here, and as you opened you almost had to take a step back before their jaws hit the floor before you.

The three men, your three so-called besties, looked you up and down, but none of them spoke. Nervous about their reaction you spun the ring around your fingers as you looked at them with a shy smile.

“What’s wrong? Do I have something in my face?” You laughed a little as you smiled wide at the three men who stood before you.

“N-no, no, no, no! Not at all you just… You look hot!” Jungkook said as he gave you a wink and licked his lip like a man starved.

“Duuuude! That’s my sister stop it!” Jimin hit his chest as he whisper yelled at him.

“I know that! But look at her!” He gestured towards you with both hands.

You crossed your arms in front of your chest and shot one hip to the side, as you poked your cheek from the inside using your tongue, the very best indicator for when someone pissed you off.

Hoseok rolled his eyes and kissed your cheek. “You look beautiful and deadly” and afterwards pushed the boys out of the way and down the hall to make room for you.

“Stop drooling and start walking before your future boss kicks your ass in a hallway. Besides we’re already late” He pointed towards the door at the end of it that led to your dad’s office, your arm snaked around his.

Hoseok always loved to have you like this, on his arm. To those who didn’t know you, you could look like a couple, and sometimes he liked to daydream of how things could be, if he was just a man and you were just a woman. Maybe then he could love you boldly, openly, publicly.

As the two younger boys stumbled towards the door, he looked at you. A small but genuine smile on his lips as his eyes sparkled.

Jungkook and Jimin had bolted right through your fathers office doors, not a care in the world or a thought on their minds. Most likely startling him in the process. Both you and Jimin sat down in your chairs as Hoseok rested against the back of yours and Jungkook stood by the windows, looking out into the courtyard.

“I’m glad you all made it on time, this way we won’t be late for dinner” He said as he opened the carafe with gin and poured you a glass over ice. You had never liked whiskey the same way the boys had, and therefore he had made sure that there was something you enjoyed in his office.

You thanked him as you grabbed the glass from his hands, and he continued to pour the remaining men in the room a glass of the golden liquid. And then he began his speech.

“First of all, I wanna say how proud I am of each and every one of you, you deserve this… More than any other. So, cheers to you.” He raised his glass, and you all followed his example as he continued.

“In two days’ time you’ll arrive in New York to attend the academy, and the next year will be both physically and mentally draining. When you step into those grand halls only three rules apply.” You all looked at each other with a smirk, rules never applied to you so why should it now? The response you got from him was there for a stern look, he meant business.

He continued: “and they are so basic even you four should be able to follow them. Rule number one, you are only allowed to bring one weapon. Rule number two, no killing, there will be plenty of time for that in the years to come. You are allowed to fight though, but that’s it! Rule number three, you are not allowed to leave.”

You could see Jungkook’s dramatic eye roll from where you were seated. “So they are just gonna lock us up?”

You sighed.

“You are allowed to leave the complex Jungkook, don’t be stupid” The boys laughed, and you did your best to hold back a chuckle. “You are just not allowed to leave New York unless you are given an assignment outside the city”

All that left his mouth was an almost silent grunt, as he turned around to join you all in the small circle in the middle of the room.

“So what now? Is it time for the party?” Hoseok said with hopeful eyes.

“Not quite yet, first it’s time for the gifts” You all looked confused at each other, no one had ever said anything about getting gifts at this thing.

“Dad, what? I mean thanks I guess, but really you shouldn’t have…” Jimin started the sentence but was quickly interrupted.

“I know I shouldn’t have. But you are my children, all of you” Jungkook moved his weight from one foot to the other as he stared down into the ground, blush silently creeping over his face.

He walked away from all of you, pulling a book from the massive bookcase in the room that opened up to the secret room that was your dads private and secret armory. He disappeared into the darkness and was back a few seconds later with a massive duffle back.

You all moved closer to peek into the bag, trying to see exactly what he was planning to surprise you with. The first thing he pulled out was a sniper rifle, or to be precise a M24. It was midnight black with golden tiger stripes clinging to the barrel. You turned your head as you looked at Hoseok, he loved that gun, and his eyes were sparkling as he slowly extended his hands out towards it.

“This is yours J-hope, you have always made me proud so don’t make me regret that I’ve officially given you your stripes now” Your father winked at him as he handed him the rifle. Hoseok was still in awe as he traced the golden stripes with his fingers. A small thank you escaped his mouth, as he walked away from the table, still looking at the rifle as a love crazed thirteen-year-old.

“Jungkook” The boy beside your father suddenly stood a little taller.

“I know you don’t use guns and that you prefer to fight with your hands. But there’s no way in hell I’m sending you to a school full of killers and liars without a weapon.” He pulled a knife out of the bag, golden handle and once again the stripes were to be found on this one as well. He took the handle and expected it in silence.

“For you son I have two things, and don’t worry, I’ve already talked to the school and because they are a set you are allowed to bring it with you”

Jimin smirked and his eyes narrowed as he looked at your father.

“You didn’t?!”

“Oh, but I did”

He pulled out a ‘Beretta 92FS’ with a matching silencer, again painted black in golden tiger stripes. One weapon but two parts so technically he wouldn’t break any of the rules the academy had set. Clearly there had to be a point with all these matching weapons. Your brother hugged your father tightly, making your heart flutter at the sweet moment they now shared before you would be gone for who knows how long.

“I’m so proud of you my son, I hope you know that” his hand rested on Jimin’s cheek, as he looked deep into his eyes.

“I know pops”

“Good… and last but not least!”

Instead of pulling your weapon from the bag, like he did with the others, he went back into the armory. When he returned, he had a katana with him, but this wasn’t just any katana. It was tradition in the East-Asian mafias that the heir to the throne had one, it was a display of power, just as your ring and tattoo. It showed people you were the one in charge, and that you were the one they needed to fear, to respect.

The holster was black, everything about this sword was as dark as your soul. Except for a small pendant that hung from the end of it. A solid gold tiger. You pulled it from its holster revealing the sharp blade. You swung it around just to get a feel of it, and it was perfectly balanced for your body.

“I have given you all weapons that link you to each other, weapons that show everyone you’ll meet where you belong. I know each and every one of you will make me proud in your own way, and I’m excited to see what this journey will bring for every one of you. Make more allies than enemies, be only cruel to those who deserve your wrath. Most of those you’ll meet are beneath you so don’t waste your time… But for now, go, you deserve this party, you deserve one last night of bad decisions before you go into the world as my representation”

You all nodded, straightening your backs, looking forward as if you were ready to fight the world in this moment. You all left your father behind in the office, and when the door was finally closed behind you a squeal of happiness and laughter erupted in the halls. Making the old man smile behind the once again closed doors.

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jjungkookislife · 2 years

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Besos Navideños

♡ pairing: Ex-boyfriend!Taehyung x f. reader

♡ genre: exes to lovers, best friend's brother, Christmas au, smut [18+], and side pairing Jikook and Sope

♡ summary: A Christmas wedding, a house full of childhood friends, and an ex-boyfriend. What could possibly go wrong? Dread fills you the moment you're back in town for Alea's wedding, and not even your best friend, Hoseok, can cheer you up with his rendition of Christmas carols on the ride home. After a messy breakup, seeing your ex, Taehyung, flares up your fight-or-flight response. Will you two be able to keep it cordial, or will this wedding turn into an absolute disaster?

♡ wc: 25k

♡ warnings: angst with a happy ending, cursing, alcohol use/mention (keg stands included), ex-boyfriend!taehyung, oc has a nickname she hates loves (barbie/barbie doll), pet names (doll, baby, babe, darling, sweetie, honey), references to Barbie Girl by Aqua, mentions of parent death (oc's mom), grief, strained relationship with oc's father (that later improves), jealousy, jimin sits in oc's lap, mentions of anxiety, food/food mention (food used as comfort in one scene), oc (accidentally} punches tae in the face after waking her up, blood mention from punch, oral sex (f. receiving), fingering (f. receiving), marking (scratching, biting, hickeys), unprotected sex, creampie, misunderstandings, implied public-sex

♡ a/n: was not expecting for this fic to be so long but i did split it into sections to make it easier to read. I hope you enjoy it and i'd love to hear from you here ♡

♡ date: December 25, 2022

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18

“Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring ting tingle-ing too!” Hoseok sings at the top of his lungs, both hands on the steering wheel as he keeps his eyes focused on the road ahead of him while a Christmas carol blasts from the stereo.

“God,” you groan as you sit up on your seat, adjusting your seat belt and placing your elbow on the door. Outside, you’re passing familiar neighborhoods from your childhood covered in last night’s snow that’s already melting in the afternoon late autumn sun.

“Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling ‘YOO-HOO’!” Hoseok continues as if he hadn’t heard you, unbothered by your grumpiness.

By the third, belting of giddy-yap, you’re turning down the music. Immediately, Hoseok whips his head in your direction. An icy glare is sent your way.

“Don’t touch the music,” he huffs, turning back to the road as his fingers tap the wheel, humming along to the song. He’d be damned if you killed his Christmas spirit before the holiday even arrived.

“Why am I being tortured? Couldn’t anyone else pick me up from the airport?” you ask as you cross your arms over your chest.

“Ah, ah! No ungratefulness in my car!” Hoseok wags his finger in your direction.

“It’s Alea’s car,” you retort.

Hoseok purposely ignores you. “Besides, I volunteered.”

Pfft.

“Sure,” you roll your eyes. You had to fly out a day after Hoseok because of some last-minute project your incompetent boss had deleted in a drunken stupor at the Christmas party.

“Okay, it’s not volunteering when nobody else wants to come to get you, but here I am! Yoo-hoo!” Hoseok sings as he bops his head and you groan internally.

Of course, nobody wanted to do an airport run so close to the holidays. You couldn’t even be mad, to be honest. You’re grateful Hoseok showed up.

“Fair,” you sigh. “How’s Alea? Seokjin?”

“The lovely couple is running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Fuck, I hate that expression. You’re the last to arrive, actually.” Hoseok informs you as he comes to a stop at a four-way before turning left. The houses on this road are quiet, snow melting on the driveways, old salt staining the sidewalks. Christmas decorations grow more and more extravagant until you spot Alea’s house and then your family home beside it, decorated beautifully.

“Home sweet home,” Hoseok sings as he turns the music off and then the car once he parks in Alea’s driveway behind her parents’ car. He turns to look at you, his finger hitting the button to release his seatbelt.

“You gonna be okay?” Hoseok questions hesitantly. He bites his bottom lip harder than he means to, but his concern is clear as he straightens his face. His obnoxious singing may have been an attempt at a distraction but now you’re faced with not only your childhood home but your childhood love, who happens to be your best friend’s brother, and it would be unrealistic to not expect him home for his sister’s wedding.

“Yeah,” you lie quickly. You curse yourself out, reminding yourself to talk slower to appear more honest, but it’s Hoseok, your best friend and roommate, that knows all your tells. You can’t lie. You can’t even think about lying without him seeing right through you.

Just like clockwork, Hoseok raises a brow, head turned to the side as he takes in your expression and body language. He looks you in the eyes, eyesight only moving to your nose to see your nostrils flaring and he clicks his tongue.

“You’re lying, but you’re trying your best. I can see your nostrils flaring when you lie, but I’ll give you a pass. It’s the holidays and we’re back in town. I’m sure we’re not the only ones dreading it. My family alone is already asking when I’ll be getting married and why we haven’t considered dating already.” he rolls his eyes at the last statement.

“What’s wrong with dating me?” you ask, feigning offense.

Hobi won’t go for it, flipping you off. “Please, you wouldn’t be able to handle me, love.”

“You got that right,” you mutter under your breath.

“You know what?!” Hoseok shouts as he gets out of the car. “Get your own suitcase, then!”

You laugh as you stumble out of the front seat with your purse, giggling as you round the car, not hearing the front door of Alea’s home open.

“I knew you two fuckers were out here!” Yoongi calls as he runs down the front steps and down the driveway toward you.

You’re scooped into a giant bear hug from your friend, squeezed until you’re uttering your lack of breath before he releases you.

“Nice to see you too,” you scoff, but pull Yoongi in for a second hug. You’d missed him.

“Is that my Barbie Doll?” a familiar voice calls from the door and you cringe at the childhood nickname bestowed upon you in elementary school. You thought you’d left it behind, but here was Alea’s mom, Minsu, shouting it for all the neighborhood to hear.

You adored the woman like a second mom, but boy did her voice carry and did she make it her goal to embarrass you and her three children.

“Mrs. Kim!” you greet as you shove Yoongi to the side, meeting her halfway and hugging her tightly. She was a tad bit shorter than you but definitely stronger as she nearly picked you off the ground.

“Mom! You’ll hurt your back again!” Comes a voice you haven’t heard in ages. Your heart stops for a moment, heart fluttering in your chest as you’re released from your embrace.

You stop breathing for a moment, freezing in your spot as the love of your life, aka your ex and first love, stands on the doorstep. He looks as gorgeous as ever, which is insanely unfair if you’re being honest. He’s back in town for the wedding when he’d usually be off in Paris or Milan on the runways. Hell, the last time you’d seen him was on the cover of Vogue.

Taehyung’s curly hair is longer than the last time you’d seen him in person, so much longer, and fuck, it’s held back by a grey headband and it’s almost enough to make you drool. From strolling the runways to standing right in front of you, Kim Taehyung is ethereal even in his white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. You swallow thickly, feeling your face burn as his mother releases you.

Taehyung freezes. Despite knowing of your impending arrival, he wasn’t fully prepared to see you again. He eyes you shamelessly, his pulse racing as he smiles, hands stuffed in the pockets of his sweatpants.

“Hi,” he says with a subtle shrug.

“Hey,” you respond with a small wave before his mom is ushering you up the driveway toward her home, calling for Yoongi and Taehyung to grab your belongings, assuring you that your dad will stop by after work but you’re more than welcome to stay with her family in Alea’s childhood bedroom.

“Oh, I couldn’t!” you protest immediately, but she waves you off.

“Please, do you know how wonderful it is to have all my kids home under the same roof?” Minsu clasps her hands together, smiling widely.

“You might as well,” Hoseok pipes in, taking a seat on a bar stool in the kitchen. “Yoongi and I are already in the guest bedroom in the basement. Seokjin and Joon are in their parents' home. Jungkook is sharing his room with Jimin and Tae’s in his room.”

“Unless you want to stay with your dad,” Mrs. Kim suggests hesitantly, knowing your relationship with your dad was rocky. You two weren’t as close as you’d like to be. After your mother’s passing, your relationship grew strained and your daily phone calls turned monthly and then quarterly until you eventually just sent a text every few months to let him know you were alive.

“I’ll stay here,” you decide, knowing you’ll pop in later tonight to see your father.

Taehyung watches you from the kitchen entryway, exchanging glances with Yoongi, who has had a smile on his face since you arrived. It truly had been ages since the nine of you got together, and the last time you were alone with Taehyung was the night you both got your hearts broken. The thought sours your mood for a second, plastering on a smile as Taehyung’s mom places a bowl of soup in front of you.

“Where is she!” A screech fills the home, and you set your spoon down immediately, rising from your seat and rounding the table just as your best friend, Alea, storms into the kitchen with her arms open to hug you.

“Alea!” you exclaim, welcoming her hug as you wrap your arms around her slim frame. Her long black hair gets in your face and you do your best not to tug it when you squeeze her tighter.

“Will you let her breathe? Damn.” A familiar voice says as they enter the kitchen.

“Fuck off,” Alea groans as she releases you. You take a step back, grinning when you see the youngest of the bunch. Standing in front of you is Jungkook, very different from the last time you’d seen him. He was almost a foot taller, his hair wasn’t in a bowl cut, and he was covered in tattoos.

“Wow!”

“I know, huh?” he grins as he wraps you in a hug, nearly rivaling his sister’s. “I got hot.”

“You’re not the only one,” you giggle as you’re released and pulled into Jimin’s arms.

“I missed you,” he whispers into your hair.

“I missed you too, so much,” you tell him, squeezing him harder before he’s gasping for air dramatically.

“Are you staying with us?” Jungkook asks as he steals your seat. His mom bops him on the head when he lifts your abandoned spoon.

“Mom!”

“Please, you almost ate us out of house and home with your growth spurts. Leave some for Barbie.”

“Barbie?” Jimin sneers. “Is that making a comeback?”

“No! No, it’s not,” you shake your head as the kitchen fills with laughter.

“Come on, Barbs. I’ll get your suitcase to the room,” Hoseok offers, taking your bags as you follow after him with Alea hot on your tail.

“It’s so good to have you back,” Alea grins as she squeezes you tightly.

“You act like I’ll disappear if you let me go,” you joke.

“I almost thought you did,” Alea admits softly. “After you and Tae… I didn’t think things would be the same.”

You sigh heavily. “They haven’t been.”

Alea nods, listening attentively as Hoseok keeps watch. He knows he should shut the door to give you some privacy, but he also knows Yoongi would probably head up to join you at any moment.

“It’s my fault,” you say after a moment. “I was heartbroken, and I pulled away. Kept busy so I wouldn’t have time to think about him and life just kept going. I told myself it wasn’t the end of the world, but seeing him just hurt too much. Don’t get me wrong. I’m proud of him. He’s amazing. I just miss him. I miss us.”

Alea exchanges a look with Hoseok, who shakes his head.

“I found you,” Yoongi says as he enters the bedroom, immediately sensing the mood.

“It’s not like we were hiding, you dork,” Alea laughs, rolling her eyes.

“Dork?! I bring the entertainment and I’m the dork?” Yoongi guffaws. “You’re the dork, you’ve still got your boy band posters up.”

“Hey! No dissing my boybands! They got me through some rough shit,” Alea reminds him. Yoongi chuckles, sitting at the end of her large bed.

“Yeah, put me through some shit, too. I still have a scar on my elbow from that time you made me push everyone out of the way for that GA show, and I tripped and fell on the cement. I didn’t need to get sweat on by the lead singer, either.” Yoongi shudders at the memory.

“I would have paid to get sweat on,” you say dreamily.

“You’re fucking disgusting,” Hoseok shakes his head in disappointment before smirking. “But same.”

“Something’s wrong with y’all,” Yoongi clicks his tongue as Alea moves your suitcase to her closet.

“Anyway, there’s a ton to do! I thought I’d be able to relax days before my wedding, but everything just seems to go wrong.”

“What’s gone wrong?” you ask curiously.

“Seokjin’s suit came in and it was too big, so it’s being altered. Which is why he’s not here yet. My shoes arrived and they’re in eggshell, not ivory, and I keep getting zits,” Alea whines. “But it’s fine. It’s fine. Everything will be fine.”

“Are you saying that to us or to yourself?” you ask with a tiny smile.

“I’m speaking it into existence,” Alea responds, with her hands on her hips. “I need everything to be perfect.”

“Maybe you should tell the band of troublemakers down the hall?” Hoseok suggests. Yoongi nods in agreement.

“Oh, I have. Why do think Tae and Kook are on their best behavior?”

“That’s their best behavior?” Yoongi asks, appalled.

You laugh. “I’ll help to wrangle them in, but I mean, we’re not teens anymore. I’m sure they’re much easier to handle now.”

“They can drink now, and Jimin has a bottomless stomach when it comes to alcohol,” Yoongi informs you.

“Well, shit.”

The rest of the afternoon flies by smoothly until sunset when you excuse yourself at dinner. Minsu hesitates, not wanting to keep you from your father, but knowing your relationship was rocky at best.

“I’ll be fine, mom,” you insist when Minsu lingers at the doorway.

“Come here if you need to. I’ll send Tae or one of the boys to get you,” Minsu assures you, and you hug her tightly. Taehyung nods in agreement, along with Yoongi and Hoseok.

You agree, trudging out the front door toward your childhood home. The porch light is on and your father’s car sits in the driveway. You’re not sure if you should knock or ring the doorbell but thanks to his camera, he’s at the door before you have to decide.

“Hi,” he says as he pulls the door open, allowing you entry into his home. You hug him once you cross the threshold, hoping the evening won’t be too awkward.

“Who stole all the hot water?!” Alea is screeching when you enter the hallway upstairs. You press yourself against the wall as she runs past in her robe with a slipper in her hand. Down the hall you can hear Jungkook giggling, saying something about needing a steam before bed.

“Hey?” Taehyung greets you curiously as you accidentally end up in his doorway trying to avoid Alea and Jungkook as they run past. Alea’s threatening to put Jungkook in a headlock and he’s goading her as the home fills with laughter and Minsu’s shouts about putting them in time-out. Taehyung’s father, Haejin, chuckles as he wraps an arm around his wife’s shoulders, kissing her cheek. “Doesn’t this remind you of old times?”

“Hey,” you clear your throat, wishing the ground would open up and swallow you whole. “What’s up?”

“You’re in my room,” he laughs. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“Uh…” you look down at your feet, cursing yourself for not paying more attention. Though being fair, your evening with your father had been emotionally draining, and you wanted to shower and get in bed. You needed to process the last two hours, and just sleep. You’ve had a long day after all.

“Sorry, I was trying to avoid the Kim Skirmish in the hall,” you shrug. You look around his bedroom, flashes of your past coming to the forefront of your mind. He still has the bedsheets from long ago, bedsheets you slept in, kissed him in, and… your cheeks flush with heat at the memory.

“‘S no big deal,” he clears his throat, suddenly feeling awkward as you linger by the doorway. Back then, you would have taken reign over his king-sized bed, demanding he put your favorite show on the TV, only for you to fall asleep before the opening credits even finished.

Taehyung sits at his desk, the same old desk he used back in high school to study, and the desk that he used to seal his fate when he sent out his portfolio and eventually got hired for all the magazines that took him away from you. You sour at the thought, your gaze moving to his walls instead, most covered in old video game release posters and a few scattered photos of your adolescence, with your friends smiling and hugging each other tightly. Your heart cinches at the thought. You used to be so close and now… now you were wishing you were anywhere else but here.

“I should go,” you turn on your heel.

“No one’s stopping you,” Taehyung whispers. His words cut like a knife, your body immediately shutting down, your hand gripping the wall to hold yourself up.

You look over your shoulder at Taehyung, blinking back the tears that threaten to spill. The burn is almost too much. Your throat tightens and you swallow the knot in it. That was a low blow, and he knew it. Those were the last words the two of you exchanged all those years ago.

For a split second, upon noting the glisten of your unshed tears, Taehyung feels guilty. He bites his bottom lip, almost wanting to apologize, but your face hardens, and your glare sends a shiver down his spine.

“Goodbye, Taehyung.”

“Fuck,” Hoseok says after a minute of complete silence. A record for your best friend.

You had just finished recounting your evening with your father and your brief encounter with Taehyung. You were curled up in his bed; the blanket pulled up to your chest while he sat on the edge.

Yoongi was snoring away in his bed, a few feet away. Thanks to Jungkook taking up all the hot water upstairs, you were left to shower in Yoongi and Hoseok’s bathroom, deciding to fill Hobi in on your evening whilst you were there. The two of you were whispering, not wanting to wake up Yoongi, who had threatened to pour cold water on you in the morning if he was woken from his beauty sleep. Ha. As if he weren’t already drop-dead gorgeous with the face of an angel.

“What am I even doing here, Hobi?” you sigh. “This was a mistake.”

“None of that.” Hoseok waves your negative words away. “Our best friend is getting married. You’re her maid of honor, and you can’t let Taehyung ruin this for the both of you. He’s my friend too, but fuck, you’d think he’d be able to set shit aside for his sister’s wedding? Maybe he hasn’t matured.”

“I want to be here for Alea, but I thought I’d be able to avoid Taehyung altogether. Our conversation just proved there’s still bad blood between us. It sucks though. I wanted to at least be on speaking terms and it’s harder than I thought to just fucking look at him, much less speak to him. I was so heartbroken when he lied about being signed. He waited until the night before he was flying to Paris for a year to tell me. Everyone fucking knew too, and he said nothing. Nothing !”

Hoseok feels his heart sink as tears stream down your cheeks. He rises from his spot and walks over to you, tugging the covers so he can slide in with you. He holds you tight in his arms, rubbing your side. He’s heard all of this before. Hell, he was the one you ran to that night after finding out and the two of you stayed up all night talking and crying it out. It only made sense that he was the one you seek after your encounter. Hoseok has been at your side for years now. The two of you come as a pair to everything. Where there was you, there was Hobi, and vice versa. He was your main support through all this, not only knowing the gang but also has been a part of it.

“Let’s get through the week, okay? You’ve already gotten through today and in less than a week, we can leave all this behind once again. You’ve got this, love. I’ll be at your side every bit you need me, and I’ll make Yoongi come with too,” Hoseok chuckles. A pillow is thrown your way, an agreement of a half-asleep Yoongi in his bed.

“See?” Hoseok laughs. “He’s in agreement. We’ve got this!”

Feeling reassured, you whisper your thanks to both men, snuggling further into Hoseok before he’s wiping your tears. “Get some sleep, Barbs. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”

“Please, not the Barbie nickname,” you groan, turning to yawn.

“Come on, Barbie. Let’s go party.”

“I’ll kill you,” you threatened playfully.

“Ooh-whoa.” Hoseok grins, kissing your cheek before wishing you goodnight.

Sunday December 19

Taehyung is already grumpy when he’s going down the stairs to the basement. He’s on wake-up duty, unfortunately, thanks to his mother. So far, he’s had a pillow thrown at his face, threatened with bodily harm by Jimin, and cursed out by Alea. He was not looking forward to waking up Yoongi and Hoseok.

When his feet reach the icy tile flooring, he curses as he looks at the two beds. One with Yoongi’s mop of black hair sticking out from under the covers, and the other with you sprawled out like a starfish. The sound of the shower running fills his ears and his face sours.

Had you spent the night with Hoseok? Jealousy bubbles inside him as he takes in the scene before him, and there’s no doubt you’re in Hobi’s bed. Were the two of you a thing? He had grilled Alea, Seokjin, and Jimin for days before your arrival to make sure you were still single. So what was this ? Taehyung felt like he was gonna be sick.

“Good morning!” Hoseok chimes as he comes out of the bathroom shirtless, a pair of gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips as he drapes his towel over his shoulders.

“Morning,” Taehyung grumbles. “Mom sent me to wake everyone for breakfast.”

“Oh? I can wake up our little barbie doll if you get Yoongi,” Hoseok offers to help. Taehyung nods, swallowing thickly.

Hoseok approaches the bed, sitting down beside your sleeping body. He places a hand on your shoulder, slowly shaking you. “Baby? Wake up for me, love. It’s morning.”

Taehyung observes the interaction silently, feeling like he’s intruding.

“Come on, sweet girl. It’s time to wake up. Let me see that beautiful face.” Hoseok whispers and you slowly rouse from your sleep, your hands rubbing the sleep from your eyes, a small smile on your lips.

“Waking up to you is always a treat,” you giggle, throwing your arms over your head to stretch.

Hoseok chuckles, kissing your cheek. “Come on, love. Up and at ‘em. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us. Alea’s got an agenda.”

“I hope she’s got me down for a fat nap later. Your bed is so comfortable,” you sigh dreamily, patting the pillow you slept on.

“You can take my bed tonight too, but for now, we’ve got breakfast waiting for us. Come on,” Hoseok lifts the covers off you, taking your hand to help you out of bed and into your slippers. You run a hand through your hair in an attempt to tame it while Hoseok throws on a t-shirt.

“Oh, Tae! I didn’t even see you,” you say in surprise.

Taehyung is stoic. How would you notice him when Hoseok was beside you, shirtless no less?

“Yeah, I figured. Anyway, mom’s waiting, so you should head up,” Taehyung states coldly before turning his attention to Yoongi. He shakes him awake rather gruffly, heading upstairs when Yoongi peers open an eye.

Breakfast is a rather loud affair with Jungkook and Jimin being ready for the day, talking everyone’s ears off while Alea is trying not to fall asleep in her coffee, and Yoongi yawns for the tenth time in thirty seconds.

“We’re taking mom to get her last fitting for her dress. Then we have to pick up a few decor pieces for the hall. Then lunch, then your nap.” Alea rolls her eyes playfully. “Then we’re meeting Namjoon and Seokjin for dinner.”

“I’ll finally get to see them,” you grin, clapping enthusiastically.

“I think we’re the only ones who haven’t seen them,” Hoseok comments from beside you.

“Oh, no,” Minsu frowns. “Should we invite them to lunch as well?”

“Mom, it’s fine. We’ll see them at dinner and Seokjin still has to get Namjoon’s tux fitted,” Alea says before turning to everyone at the table. “Actually, aren’t you all getting your last fittings? I know you sent your measurements but I think you should join Seokjin and Namjoon. Take dad, too.”

“You got it, sis. We’ll meet them there.” Jungkook agrees easily, not wanting Alea to turn into a Bridezilla. So far, they’d been lucky in avoiding her wrath and the fire-spewing from her mouth.

“Best behavior,” Alea reminds him.

“You act like I’m still doing childish things,” Jungkook pouts.

“You had a burping contest last night at dinner,” she deadpans.

“And won !” Jungkook guffaws.

“Anyway,” Taehyung interrupts the brewing of their sibling argument. “We can take my car and Jungkook’s. If there’s anything else you need us to do, sis, just text me.”

Alea tears up. “Leave it to Tae to make everything better.”

Taehyung shrugs. “Just trying to help.”

Alea leaves her seat, pulling Taehyung into a tight hug, her arms around his neck as she squeezes him within an inch of his life. Taehyung gasps for air, laughing when Alea kisses his head and gives him a noogie.

“Alea, no choking your brother at the table,” Haejin scolds as he walks in with the newspaper and a cup of coffee.

“Sorry, daddy!” Alea’s quick to release her younger brother.

“Finish breakfast and we’ll head out,” Minsu instructs, placing a large thermos of coffee in front of Yoongi.

“Ever the angel, mom,” he thanked her, taking a long sip of the hot beverage.

Minsu and Haejin stand beside each other, grinning from ear to ear, both grateful to have their home full once again. All that was missing was Seokjin and Namjoon for their family to be truly complete.

“Finish up, kids. We’ve got a busy day.”

“Wow!”

“Mom, you look gorgeous!”

“If you weren’t married-”

“Hoseok, stop right there!” Alea raises her hand, brow raised. “ That is my mother.”

“And she looks smokin’!” Hoseok grins.

You giggle, agreeing with Hoseok’s sentiment. “You look fabulous!”

Minsu looks at her reflection, spinning in the mirror. Her dress is a beautiful lavender with a square neckline and the tiniest bit of shimmer on the lace sleeves to make it more modest for Minsu (at her request) and it was picked out by Alea for the special occasion.

“Let’s see the bride in her dress!” Hoseok suggests. Alea brightens, “Sure, let me get the attendant! We’ll get you in your dress as well.”

Alea grabs your hand as she takes you with her to find the attendant. You hope her excitement becomes contagious. You’re happy to be here for her special day, doing all these things with her, but Taehyung’s words still linger in the forefront of your mind. It dampers your mood.

“You two look lovely!” Minsu smiles when you and Alea appear from your dressing rooms. Alea has taken the little stage while you stand near her, hands over your mouth.

“Alea, you look gorgeous! Seokjin might drop dead at the altar,” you smile as you take in her wedding dress. It’s a beautiful ivory silk dress with a sweetheart neckline and thin rhinestone straps. Her waist and thighs are hugged immaculately while the slit on one side draws just enough attention to the heels she’s chosen. A thin silver anklet sits on her delicate skin, and when Alea turns, the letter S is spotted. Cheeky little shit. You’re sure Seokjin will enjoy seeing it in the honeymoon suite.

“You look amazing, too!” Alea gushes as she spots you. Hoseok nods in agreement, lifting his phone to snap a quick picture. He sends it to the group chat, after making sure Alea isn’t in the photo and with her permission.

Immediately, compliments come flooding in, your phone dinging repeatedly while Hoseok cackles.

“You both look hot! Do you have a veil, Lea?” Hoseok asks her.

Alea nods. “Let me get it. Mom, can you help me?”

Minsu and Alea head toward the dressing room while you take a moment to admire your reflection. Hoseok stands behind you.

“You look wonderful, babe. Taehyung’s gonna eat his heart out,” He assures you.

You look at Hobi’s reflection in the mirror. “You think so?”

“I know so. Just look.” Hoseok lifts his phone to the mirror and you turn to face him. On the screen, it’s opened to the group chat. You skim through the compliments, Taehyung’s sticking out the most.

Taehyung [12:31 PM] So beautiful

“I’m sure he just means the dress,” you shrug.

Hoseok clicks his tongue. “When are you going to see yourself as we see you, love? You’re beautiful inside and out. You deserve the world, and whoever will give it to you. Whether it’s Taehyung… or someone else.”

You’re left speechless.

“What do you think?” Alea squeals as she reappears with her veil on.

“Wow!” you gasp, taking her in.

“So are you and Seokjin serious?” Hoseok asks with a wiggle of his brows.

“Hobi, you play too much!” Alea cackles as she spins for the three of you, her laughter music to your ears.

Yoongi is unamused as Taehyung steps onto the small stage at the Tuxedo shop. He was a professional model. Of course, he’d look good in a tux.

“You don’t need to pose, Tae. You’re not doing Fashion Week,” Namjoon grumbles, shoving Tae out of the way.

“I have been for the past five years. Thank you very much,” Taehyung smirks as he turns and poses again. Jungkook and Jimin squat down in front of him, snapping pictures left and right, spurring him on.

“Can’t take you three anywhere,” Seokjin sighs as he comes out of the dressing room, doing up his cuffs.

“Please, we bring life to the party,” Jimin snaps. “You’d be bored out of your minds without us.”

“But we’d have silence ,” Yoongi sneers.

“You’re the loudest of them,” Seokjin shakes his head.

“Ooh, incoming photo!” Jungkook announces as he looks at the group chat. He waits for it to load before letting out a low wolf whistle. Jimin looks at his phone from over his shoulder, mimicking his whistle.

“I tell you, if we weren’t already together,” Jimin jokes. Jungkook smiles, nodding in agreement.

“She’s hot,” Jungkook grins.

“What are you on about?” Namjoon asks as he fishes his phone out of his pocket. He, too, whistles upon seeing the image of you in your maid-of-honor dress. “God damn.”

“What are you all going on about?” Taehyung asks, stepping down from the stage, pouting now that the attention is no longer on him.

“Hobi’s pic,” Yoongi answers.

Taehyung takes his phone out of his pants pocket. He opens the chat and is immediately greeted with your photo. You look beautiful. It takes his breath away and Yoongi doesn’t miss the chance to snap a picture of his reaction as proof that something still lingers in his heart for you. Whether or not you believe him.

Everyone turns to Taehyung, and he finally peels his eyes off his phone once he feels the heat of their stares. So much for trying to be inconspicuous.

“What?” Taehyung questions gruffly, his defenses up.

“Are you still in love with her?” Jimin is the only one ballsy enough to ask.

Taehyung scoffs. “Please, when have I not been?”

The room freezes. Nobody was expecting him to actually be honest. Even Namjoon is looking around, gauging everyone’s reaction because there’s no way he easily admitted his true feelings in front of everyone without a second thought.

“Wasn’t expecting that.” Yoongi is the first to speak.

“I think it’s pretty obvious,” Taehyung shrugs. “Besides, I’m not ignorant enough to believe something will come out of it. So why bother lying?”

Jimin, Jungkook, Yoongi, Namjoon, and Seokjin exchange a look. Taehyung ignores them, typing something into the chat before heading back to the dressing room to get changed.

Silence rings loudly.

“I think our suits fit fine,” Namjoon states.

Jimin, Jungkook, and Yoongi nod in agreement. Seokjin looks at his reflection with a nod in agreement as he spins and raises his arms this way and that, making sure his shoulders aren’t constricted. After all, he wants to get out of here just as quickly as everyone else.

Even though Haejin was supposed to join them, he had to pop into the office. Seokjin and Alea would take him in the middle of the week instead. Seokjin is thankful his future father-in-law wasn’t present for this.

“Let’s go to lunch,” Jungkook suggests as he goes into his dressing room. Everyone disperses to get changed back into their own clothes, and almost all of them are surprised to see Taehyung’s text in the chat.

So beautiful.

Dinner with the group leads to drinks in the Kims’ basement.

“I still have to work tomorrow,” Seokjin reminds them as he takes a shot.

“Me too,” Namjoon frowns as he downs his second shot. You giggle, shaking your head.

“It’s so nice to be off. Though, going back after the new year is gonna hit hard,” you frown. Why must going back to work cause you so much unease? You couldn’t wait to be strictly working from home once the new year rang in. You were ready to make your own schedules, work on your own time and, most importantly, work for yourself. You would no longer need to be dealing with your incompetent boss. You were ecstatic.

“Please, I have to go before that,” Hobi pouts, downing a shot.

“Let’s not talk about work,” Jimin groans. “We have better things to do!”

“Like what?” Alea asks cautiously.

“Like playing truth or dare!” Jungkook exclaims, raising his glass in the air.

“Isn’t that too childish?” Yoongi asks the group.

“That means he goes first!” Taehyung smirks.

“I hate you guys!” Yoongi huffs.

“While you come up with a dare, Alea and I are gonna make mixed drinks,” you inform them as you rise from your seat between Hoseok and Jimin. Alea nods, talking about what drinks she’s having at the reception as the two of you go up the stairs to the kitchen.

Once upstairs, Alea makes sure the coast is clear before clearing her throat to get your attention. She doesn’t make eye contact. Instead, she focuses her attention on the glass she’s holding, adding ice to it.

“Have you and Tae had time to talk?” she finally asks, biting her lip nervously.

“No?” you respond. “Should we have?”

“No! I was just curious. You know, after the chat,” Alea shrugs as she pours juice into the glass.

“He was just being nice, Lea.”

“I know,” Alea gives in. “I was just hoping there was something else.”

“I wouldn’t get your hopes up,” you say honestly. “Maybe we can talk this week. Be cordial if nothing else. I know we both said some hurtful things, and to be frank, I miss having him as a friend. We used to be so close.”

“I miss it sometimes. He and I still talk often, but rarely out of our Thot Potatoes group chat. I don’t think I’ve had an actual conversation with just him in a long while. I don’t want to bring up bad memories for either of you. The two of you were perfect.”

“I don’t know about perfect.” you bite your lip. “But we were definitely good together.”

Alea nods in agreement. She finishes up making the drinks, asking you to get her a tray before the two of you divvy up the drinks and carefully take them down the stairs into the basement.

It’s absolute chaos when you reach the last step, eyes wide as you take in the scene before you, with Alea at your side.

Somehow, Jungkook and Jimin had procured a keg and had Seokjin doing a keg stand while Yoongi and Hoseok watched in awe and worry. Taehyung was sipping his glass of whiskey, taking it all in and smiling when he spots the two of you.

“I had nothing to do with this,” he smiles with a raise of his glass.

“I call next,” Namjoon raises his hand, waving it about.

“I don’t know what I expected,” Alea laughs, shaking her head as she sets the drinks to the side on a table. You do the same, grabbing one of them and taking a large gulp in a frail attempt to catch up to all your friends.

“I thought we were playing truth or dare?” Alea asks as she sits beside you, mixed drink in her hand. Taehyung shrugs, handing you both shots.

“Jungkook had this stashed here earlier apparently,” Seokjin says once he’s back on his feet and the rest of your friends are lifting Namjoon off of his.

Laughter fills the basement, the atmosphere quickly changing to a more relaxed one, where the tension isn’t cutting into all of you. You finally feel at ease, taking in the smiles of all your friends, and your heart warms. You missed this, missed them, missed being a family. Growing up definitely had its ups and downs, and moving away, though with Hobi, was still a down. You missed being home. Maybe the two of you could consider moving back? After all, you’d be able to work from anywhere in the world. Why not live near your best friends once again?

“You okay, doll?” Yoongi comes to sit at your side, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He’s flushed, his eyes glimmering in a certain way that leaves you wondering what it is he’s thinking about.

“Totally,” you answer, leaning your head on his shoulder. You’ve reached the point of being snuggly-tipsy, wanting to cuddle and hug all your friends, except Taehyung, of course.

“You’re quiet tonight. Something on your mind?” Yoongi swirls his drink, focused on it to make it easier for you to speak without being under the heat of his questioning stare. Like Hoseok, Yoongi knew all your tells, so it was useless to lie to him.

“I just miss being home. Here with everyone,” you answer truthfully. Yoongi clicks his tongue. “We’ve definitely missed having you and Hobi around. Makes times like these more special, though.”

“Maybe it's time we moved back?” Yoongi nods firmly at your words. He wouldn’t make the final decision for you, but if this is how you were feeling (and Hobi had confided in him as well), then who was he to stop either of you?

“What are you all up to?” Jimin asks with a giggle as he plops down on your lap, his arms wrapped around your neck. He’s on the edge of tipsy and full-on drunk, but his smile and his warm hug make you feel safe and comforted.

“Just chatting,” Yoongi responds, raising his glass to his lips for a quick sip. “Didn’t miss your keg stand, though.”

“Ah, are you two up for one? I’ll grab Kook!” Jimin’s eyes sparkle with mischief as he wriggles in your hold trying to escape. You hold him tighter, “No need.”

“You’re no fun,” Jimin sticks his tongue out at you, and you do the same.

“Who’s up for Twister?” Seokjin asks, hoisting the box over his head, not taking no for an answer as he recruits Namjoon and Taehyung with the setup. Hoseok and Jungkook stand in front of each other, a row of shots between them, and when Alea shouts “go!” they down them as quickly as possible.

The three of you watch the madness unfold, laughter loud and contagious as the room comes alive with the warmth and love that you all hold for each other. This could be a regular thing, you think. You could be home for good.

“Come on, already!” Jungkook shouts, waving his hand to rally you up.

Immediately, Jimin is tugging at your hand, grabbing Yoongi on his way to join the others. Last sips of drinks taken from glasses, giggles, and challenges are thrown about as Seokjin grabs the spinner, ignoring the official rules like always and playing each man (or woman) for themselves.

“Oldest to youngest,” he proclaims.

Groans and whispers of unfairness are shouted out, but Seokjin will hear none of it. Seokjin and Alea are up first, followed by Yoongi, Hoseok, You, Namjoon, Jimin, Taehyung, and finally Jungkook.

Jungkook makes a show of shoving his way in and using his strength to rock a few of you. Grumbles and curses are muttered as he settles, pressing a kiss to Jimin’s lips before Seokjin is reaching for the spinner. He flicks it, holding his breath when it stops and the rounds continue until there are only three of you left.

Jungkook and Taehyung are glaring at each other, limbs trembling as you spin and have to move beneath Taehyung. You huff, refusing to give in despite the rest of your friends finding other ways to occupy themselves, some having retreated to bed with grumbles of waking up for work early in the morning.

“Fuck, move,” you growl when your foot hits Taehyung’s. He huffs in response, moving the slightest bit, but Jungkook is trying to stifle a sneeze and it fails as his body is rocked and he collapses.

“No,” he cries in despair, giggling when he swipes his foot and takes Taehyung with him.

“Brat! That’s cheating!” Taehyung frowns as he gets to his feet and you’re left as the winner.

“Finally,” Yoongi scoffs. “It’s time for bed.”

“Come on,” Jimin grabs a hold of Jungkook, leading him up the stairs, their giggles filling the home as they retreat to Jungkook’s bedroom.

Hoseok is already asleep, snoring softly in his bed while Yoongi left to shower.

Alea and Taehyung linger, cleaning up a bit before you’re all heading up the stairs. You wish Taehyung goodnight before helping Alea to bed. She’s tipsy, and a little giggly as she gets ready for bed.

Once Alea is tucked in, she sits up just for a moment. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad to be here, Lea. Get some sleep, okay?” you wish her goodnight, quietly gathering a change of clothes.

Unable to sleep, you slip out of her bedroom, silently stepping into the hallway. You’re careful where you step, not wanting to make the floorboards creak and hoping your memory serves you right from all those nights you used to sneak into Taehyung’s room.

“Two steps to the right and one to the left,” a voice startles you. You raise your head, locking eyes with Taehyung, standing at the opposite end of the hall, just feet from his bedroom.

“Thanks,” you whisper as you take the steps and end up right in front of him.

“Can’t sleep?” Taehyung leans against the entryway. He was just returning from the kitchen after fetching water bottles for his younger brother, his best friend, and was on his way to Alea’s bedroom to leave one for her and you.

“Too much excitement,” you fib, shrugging. “I’ll get out of your hair.” You go to walk past him, but he stops you with a gentle touch on your arm.

“Wait, a minute?” he pleads softly.

“Tae, I should really go-”

“Just a moment of your time,” Taehyung begs quietly. You sigh, nodding in agreement. He thanks you, moving past you to leave the water in Alea’s room and coming back to the hallway.

“Come with me,” Taehyung leads the way back to his bedroom, and this time you hesitate to enter. He takes notice, urging you in regardless and letting you sit on his bed while he sits on the opposite end. It's been so long since you’ve been here, and you almost wish you could go back in time to when things were easier between you.

The silence is thick between you, and you swallow thickly, your hands tugging at a loose thread on the bed sheets.

Taehyung is the first to speak, pushing past his nerves. “How are you?”

“Really? That’s what you’re choosing to say to me?”

Taehyung sighs. “You were the one who told me to leave! You’re the one who said nobody was stopping me. So I left!”

You cross your arms over your chest, refusing to meet his eyes. You had said that, and you had regretted it ever since. You were young and hopelessly in love with him but you were leaving for college soon and you thought Taehyung would wait for you to come back but he had other plans and it was wrong of you to expect him to sit and wait for you.

“You didn’t tell me until the night before, Tae! I thought I was important to you! That our relationship meant something to you but apparently it wasn’t for me to know. God, I looked so stupid when I found out. I hated you then and I’m not crazy about you now. I can’t wait to go back home.” You huff in annoyance as you get to your feet.

Taehyung exhales deeply. This isn’t how he wanted this conversation to go. Not at all

“Look,” he says stiffly, watching you from his spot on the bed.

“Let’s just get along for the rest of your time here. I don’t want to upset Alea or have her worry about us behaving while she’s already stressed enough. She’s my sister and I want her wedding day to go smoothly. Can we be friends, if not cordial until Christmas?” Taehyung queries, his hand finding the same loose thread you had been toying with. “And then you never have to speak to me or see me again.”

You swallow thickly, the urge to cry building up inside you. Biting your lip to keep it from quivering, you look at Taehyung. He refuses to look at you but eventually the heat of your stare is too much and his eyes meet yours; a slight shine gives away his unshed tears.

“If that’s the way you want it,” you say with a sniffle, and Taehyung breaks. He rises to his feet to approach you, but you take a step back. He pauses as you wipe away a stray tear. “I’ll see myself out. Goodnight.”

Taehyung watches you go, floorboards creaking below your feet in your hurry to leave. He sniffles, groaning as he wipes his eyes. Why does he have to make things worse? How could he live without you in his life forever? How could he love again if it’s not you?

With a heavy heart, Taehyung shuts his bedroom door. Tears still roll down his cheeks when he gets into bed, your scent left on his pillow that he holds tightly, wishing he were hugging you instead.

MONDAY DECEMBER 20

In the morning, you’re woken gently by Hoseok, soft good mornings exchanged as your head throbs from last night’s drinks.

“Ugh, my head,” you groan as you sit up, your hands clutching the sides as Hobi presses a bottle of water to your lips.

“What time did you go to bed?” Hoseok asks as he sets the water bottle down on the nightstand. Yoongi has gotten up earlier than you both, claiming the shower in his hurry to get out the door with Jimin and Jungkook. Alea has taken her parents out for breakfast, then to her dad’s suit fitting and lunch.

Hoseok is going to go out and look for apartments unbeknownst to you. Just to get an idea of what is available should the two of you actually move back home. Your dad is expecting you for dinner tonight and anxiety pools in your belly.

“Breakfast is in the fridge if you’re up for it, but there’s nothing on your agenda for the day if you want to laze around down here or upstairs. Namjoon and Seokjin have work until this afternoon and I think you’ll have the place to yourself if you just want to binge-watch that show you’ve been rattling on about. You know, the one with the weird guy and the glass case.” Hoseok smiles, poking your cheek.

“That actually sounds like a nice way to spend the day. Thanks, Hobi. I’ll see you later?”

“Of course, doll. I’ll be around,” Hoseok plants a kiss on your hand before leaving you, reminding you to text him should you need anything while he’s out. He’s borrowed Alea’s car and will be out around town all day.

Yoongi is quick to leave, rushing through good mornings and reminders to eat as he storms up the stairs, calling for Jimin and Jungkook. You’re unsure of what their plans comprise but when it comes to that trio, the less you know, the better.

It takes a good ten minutes after Yoongi’s departure for you to climb up the stairs and into the kitchen. You grab a small bowl of fruit, picking at it while sitting on the couch with a throw blanket over your legs. Your head isn’t hurting as bad as it was when you woke, but there’s a lingering throb at the sides.

You’re two episodes in when the stairs creak and your head whips around. Taehyung stands on the stairs, one hand on the rail and the other covering the yawn that escapes him. You’re left breathless, taking in his shirtless appearance. Honeyed skin and soft torso, lean muscles that used to drive you insane.

“Oh, hi,” he says upon realizing you’re there. “I didn’t think anyone was home.”

“Just me,” you shrug, turning away from him. You push back the memories of all the kisses you’d left on his skin, tiny bite marks and hickeys left behind when you’d sneak away from your friends to make out in his bedroom.

“Cool,” he muffles another yawn. “Care if I join?”

“It’s your house, Tae. Do what you want,” you remind him. He clicks his tongue. You were going to make this difficult. He bites his tongue, keeping his thoughts to himself as he sits beside you, his phone in his hands as he scrolls away, only half listening to your show.

“I meant what I said last night, you know. I want us to be friends,” he turns to you, flipping his phone in his lap. A nervous tick, apparently.

“Tae,” you start and he nearly melts. That’s the second time you’ve used his nickname. “We haven’t been friends in a long time.”

“All I’m asking for is a few days. For Alea,” he responded. You sigh, you could do this for her, right? How hard could it be to pretend you were friends with Taehyung again? Think of it as a personal challenge.

“Fine, for Alea,” you give in. “But just for the wedding.”

Taehyung nods, sticking his hand out for you to shake. Reluctantly you do so, looking him in the eye and ignoring the sparks that come from his touch. Now that you’re sober, they seem to crackle and pop more intensely, with no excuse of alcohol to deter your judgment.

The day flies by with the two of you on the couch. Taehyung gets sucked into the show, even ordering you two lunch from your favorite place in town. You try not to seem too surprised when he recalls your order without needing to ask.

Hours fly by and you two catch up in between bites of food and sips of drinks. He tells you about his travels, places he loved, and places he wishes never to visit again. You’re even pleasantly surprised to know he’s gotten a small dog, a Pomeranian named Yeontan.

“Why didn’t you bring him?!” You squeal when he shows you pictures of the pup.

“I figured we’d be busy with the wedding. I didn’t want him in the way. He’s left with one of my friends back home,” Taehyung informs you as he shows you a video of Tannie running around on his bed.

“You should bring him next time! He’s so cute!” You gush as you watch another video of the pup barking and rolling around before Taehyung has him give a high-five.

Taehyung smiles. “Sure, I'm sure he’d love you.”

“Who wouldn’t?” You tease with a laugh as you see Tannie running through a tunnel in Taehyung’s living room, hopping over a box and through a hoop, all to get a handful of treats.

Taehyung is quiet as you swipe through more videos in his Tannie album on his phone, your sweet laughter music to his ears. This is the most the two of you have spoken and it warms his heart to have you close and on speaking terms. He often wondered what a reconciliation would look like and never did he imagine it would come with barking from his dog and silly little videos of the pup.

By the time everyone is coming back home, Taehyung and you have finished all the first season and some of the second. The two of you part ways once the commotion of Jungkook, Jimin, and Yoongi’s arrival becomes too loud to hear the TV.

Showered and ready for dinner at your dad’s, you wave at Hoseok before heading out.

Nerves bubble in your stomach, hoping dinner won’t be too awkward between you. You find it tough to be inside your childhood home, your mother’s presence very much missed in the walls, and her laughter that once brightened the home is missing and now, it’s very evident that she’s gone.

Dinner is waiting for you at the table. You thank him and ask him about his day.

You’re hesitant to share your thoughts on moving back to town, but your father is pleased to hear it. He offers you your old bedroom and you thank him, reminding him you and Hobi are a sealed deal.

You almost wish you had siblings growing up. Maybe at least then they’d liven up the place a little more. Helping your dad with the dishes and making small talk isn’t ideal and you comment on his lack of decorations inside the home.

“Your mother always loved decorating inside. I always did the outside and I just can’t bring myself to open up the boxes in the attic,” he explains. You hug him, rub his back, and say nothing else until it’s time for you to head next door.

Though it’s only a few feet from her childhood home, you’re quick to jog back, not wanting to be put in the cold longer than necessary. There're rumors of snow falling for Christmas and you’re not sure if you should look forward to it or not.

Your thoughts run amok in your head as you shut the front door after you, immediately noting the quietness in the home.

You fish for your phone in your coat pocket, noting the missed messages from your friends. Alea and her parents have gone out to dinner with family members flying in for the wedding. Seokjin and Namjoon’s famiily joined them, as well as Jungkook and Jimin.

Yoongi and Hoseok have gone out to dinner, stopping for drinks and dessert at a bar near your old stomping grounds. They won’t be home till late and it’s best if you don’t wait up.

Sighing heavily, you kick your shoes off and hang your coat up on the hook before heading to the kitchen for a glass of water.

“That was some sigh,” Taehyung comments, startling you.

“Fuck,” you place your hand over your chest. “You scared me!”

Taehyung laughs, throwing his head back and shaking his head. His soft curls shake with him and you resist the urge to run your fingers through them like you used to. You miss having his head in your lap, fingers carding through each lock until he was snoring softly and fast asleep. You push the memories away.

“Sorry,” he apologizes with his hands up in surrender. “I thought you’d heard me.”

“No,” you shake your head. “I had a lot on my mind. I didn’t hear you when I walked in.”

Taehyung nods. He notes the frown on your face and the faraway look in your eyes. “How was dinner?”

You look at him, debating if you should spill or go cry in your temporary bedroom. Taehyung would probably hear you from his room.

“Just missing my mom,” you shrug. Taehyung pauses his scooping, leaving his bowl of ice cream on the counter.

“Hey, come here,” he says softly when he sees the first few tears roll down your cheeks. You sniffle, wiping your face and forcing a smile. “I’m fine, Tae. Just the holidays.”

Taehyung takes a step toward you, wrapping you up in his arms, knowing very well you could push him away. You don’t. You accept his hug and wrap your arms around him, your head resting on his shoulder. Your heavy sigh is soon overcome with tears and labored breathing.

“Sorry,” you apologize once you get a hold of your tears. “I just haven’t been home in a while and seeing the house so empty and dark. I guess it hit me, she’s gone and dad’s all alone.”

“I understand,” Taehyung says with his hand rubbing your back. “I’m sure it can’t be easy being away from him, especially now.”

“I know I should come back more, but being home without her there. I just can’t, Tae!” You sob, burying your face in his chest. Taehyung holds you, his fingers running through your hair as he kisses the top of your head.

“Let it out, doll. I’ve got you.” His words are reassuring as you cry in his arms. You don’t know how long it’s been since you’ve cried it out but now you’re feeling somewhat better.

Once you’ve calmed down enough, and you’ve washed your face, Taehyung offers you some melted ice cream.

“Oops,” you say, realizing you’ve ruined his dessert.

“No big deal,” Taehyung shrugs. He opens the freezer to pull out your favorite flavor instead. “Mom went shopping.”

“She’s the best!” You exclaim when Taehyung sets the container on the counter, getting two clean bowls out of the cabinet.

“You scoop and I’ll wash this one,” he tells you. You easily agree, wanting nothing more than to dig into your ice cream, and maybe, just maybe, Mrs. Kim has also gotten some Magic Shell.

“Oh, wait,” Taehyung rushes to the pantry, pulling out a chocolate sauce that hardens when it gets cold.

“Fuck, I love your mom!” You cheer as you put the container of ice cream in the freezer and Taehyung pops open the bottle.

“Hey!” He protests. “I’m the one who snuck this into the shopping cart!”

“You still hide it under the boxes of cereal when she’s ringing up?” You ask, pouring a good amount of chocolate syrup on your ice cream before handing it over to Tae.

“I learned from the best,” he jokes as he pours some over his ice cream, closing the lid on the bottle and placing it back in the pantry.

“I used to sneak so many snacks that way,” you chuckle. “Hell, I still do it when I grocery shop with Hoseok. He’s a real stickler about sweets.”

“Do you enjoy living with him?” Taehyung asks curiously. He carries both your bowls to the living room, making sure you’re comfortable with your throw blanket over your lap before he hands the bowl over to you.

“Thanks.” You swipe a bit of chocolate from your spoon, popping it in your mouth before answering his question. “I enjoy it. He’s my best friend and we get along really well. It’s like having a piece of home with me always.”

Ouch. That hurts, Taehyung thinks.

“Have you two ever thought about dating?” Taehyung pries.

“We do date,” you answer him, not quite sure what he’s getting at.

Taehyung chuckles and shakes his head. “No.”

“Oh!” You gasp. “Like each other?”

“Yes.”

“Oh no! That would never work out,” you answer simply, scooping ice cream into your mouth.

“Why not?” Taehyung asks curiously, moving his ice cream around his bowl and making a mess, much like Jungkook would.

“Aren’t you ever the Nosy-Rosy,” you tease. “Hoseok and I wouldn't work. He’s a total flirt and his feelings are tied up in someone and I’m in lo-”

Taehyung raises a brow.

“It wouldn’t work,” You shrug. You busy yourself with putting your show back on, but see your favorite Christmas movie and turn that on instead.

“So if not Hobi, is anyone else keeping you in that city?” Taehyung knows he shouldn’t pry too much, but he’s got his heart on his sleeve and he’s ready to risk it all for you. He hasn’t been a saint while you two have been apart, but he’s still in love with you, still wants you and everything the two of you promised each other all those nights in between kisses and wild dreams for the future. He’s finally at a place where he can give it to you all if you’d just say the word.

“I’m gonna need a refill if you’re gonna try to get info out of me, babe.” you shove your bowl into his chest and he grins. He ignores your slip of the tongue, though his heart is pounding in his chest, blood rushing in his ears and he wonders if he’s heard you correctly.

“Using me for ice cream,” he clicks his tongue. “Just like old times.”

“Don’t forget the chocolate sauce!” You call after him.

“Yeah, yeah!” he calls back, feigning annoyance as he gets to the kitchen to make you a second bowl.

When he hands it to you, you dig right in, moaning around the spoon. “Fuck, this is so good.”

“You got your ice cream, now spill,” he pouts as he gets under the blanket with you. His cold feet meet your warm ones and you send a glare his way.

“Fine, but you spill after,” you compromise. He nods in agreement as he scoops ice cream from his own bowl.

“No, I’ve dated here and there, but nothing concrete. People are assholes.” you shudder at memories of some men you’ve gone on dates with. From being rude to staff to wolf-whistling other girls in front of you. You were over it.

“How about you?” You turn to look Taehyung in the eye and he shrugs.

“Mostly hookups here and there. I’m not out smashing everyone I see, but I’ve had a few flings,” he says as he eats the last of his ice cream.

“You’ve been flinging?” You tease.

“I’ve been flung,” he answers with a laugh. “Not as much as you may imagine. Maybe five people after you.”

You’re surprised by his honesty but nod as you focus on your ice cream, suddenly becoming more interesting than your conversation. Taehyung takes your bowl and washes them after you’re done, joining you back on the couch and under the blanket when he returns.

The two of you chat throughout the movie, playing another nostalgic favorite until the front door opens and Jungkook’s voice fills the living room.

“Alright! I need all four hands where I can see them! You know the rules!” Jungkook shouts as he walks into the living room, startling you both.

“They’re no fun, all hands are visible,” Jimin pouts as he sits on the arm of the couch.

“You guys are so boring,” Yoongi huffs a laugh as he’s followed by a tipsy Hoseok.

“What are you two doing?”

“Were you doing it?” Jungkook wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

“No!” You shout, appalled.

“Damn,” Jungkook giggles. “Did we interrupt?”

“I doubt Barbie would be getting down with The Santa Clause on screen,” Hoseok chuckles, leaning heavily on Yoongi for support.

“Well, actually,” Jimin starts, a glint of mischief in his pretty brown eyes.

“Not a word, Min!” You shove him off the couch and he clatters onto the floor, cackling for the entire neighborhood to hear.

“Santa?” Taehyung asks with a smirk. “Didn’t think you’d be into that.”

“I’m not!” Your protest falls on deaf ears as Jimin rises to his feet, latching onto his boyfriend to lead him upstairs, where his laughter can still be heard.

“Alright, I’m going to bed,” you announce.

“I’d stay in Alea’s room,” Yoongi warns. “He drank more than he should have and will probably throw up.”

“Ew!”

“Hey!” Hobi shouts, unable to control his volume. “You’ve come home worse.”

“I’ve got you,” Yoongi sighs. “Come on.”

You watch Yoongi take your inebriated friend down the steps, shaking your head before turning back to the TV.

“Whelp! Jimin ruined this.” You giggle as you shut the TV off and yawn.

“Wanna go to bed?” Taehyung asks and you nod.

You head to Alea’s bedroom, grab a change of clothes and take a shower before going back to her room. Taehyung is sitting on her bed when you return, a towel wrapped around your head.

“What’s up?” You ask him as you release your hair from the towel.

“Just wondering if you wanted to finish the second season of that show or maybe watch a movie until my parents get home?” He bites his lip out of nervousness, but you nod. What did you have to lose? After all, you’d already spent the majority of the day with him anyway, and you had agreed to be friends for the next few days.

You quickly dry your hair before heading to his bedroom. He’s got his TV on and ready, your favorite blanket of his on the bed, and some snacks on the nightstand.

You settle into his bed under the blanket, eyes feeling heavy as he puts on a movie and gets in bed beside you. You watch the first few minutes of the movie before you’re both asleep, heads leaning against each other and soft snores escaping your lips.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 21

“You’re sure she was home last night?” Hoseok asks Yoongi for the ninth time since he’s been awake.

“I’m sure,” Yoongi hisses in response. That hiss is the first thing Taehyung hears when he wakes up. He yawns, trying to stretch, but finds out he’s wrapped up in his blanket. He goes to push it off him and then his eyes widen in shock when he sees your face in his chest and your arm draped across his ribs.

Fuck, you’d fallen asleep a short while into the movie.

Taehyung is careful as he untangles himself from the bed. Quietly he goes to his bedroom door, opening it slowly to come face to face with Yoongi and Hoseok.

Both men look at him apologetically. “Shit, we didn’t mean to wake you.”

“What’s going on?”

“Barbs is missing,” Yoongi explains.

Hoseok swats his shoulder. “Don’t call her that. She hates it.”

“She didn’t sleep with us and she’s not in Alea’s room,” Yoongi explains further.

“And she’s not with Jimin and Jungkook or on the couch. I’m about to go next door and see if she’s there instead. Maybe she got nostalgic and wanted to be in her own room,” Hobi sighs as he cards a hand through his hair, a worried frown on his lips.

Taehyung bites his lip. “She’s in here.”

“She’s what?” Hoseok hisses, shoving Taehyung out of the way immediately, bulldozing into the bedroom.

Just like Taehyung had said, you were fast asleep in his bed, wrapped up in his blanket and hugging his pillow in his absence.

“Y’all fucked?” Yoongi asks sniffing the air.

“No!” Taehyung is quick to shut that down. “And quit sniffing! You’re gonna wake her.”

“A semi-truck wouldn’t wake her,” Yoongi scoffs.

“I’ll wake her up,” Hoseok says with a wave of his hand. “You’ve gotta be gentle.”

“I’ll do it. She’s in my bed,” Taehyung states as he stands beside Hoseok.

“Gentle,” Hoseok stresses. “You can’t surprise her.”

“I can wake up my friend without warnings,” Taehyung scoffs. Hoseok rolls his eyes. “You’ve been friends for twenty-four hours, Romeo. Listen to your elders.”

“Let him do it. I wanna watch,” Yoongi sneers as he leans against the door frame.

Taehyung ignores both of his friends. Instead, he leans over you and shakes you, calling your name a few times.

You wake with a start, throwing a mean right hook right onto Taehyung’s chin.

Taehyung gasps and curses, feeling blood spill from his lip where one of your knuckles grazed him.

“Told ya!” Hoseok sings while Yoongi cackles.

“I taught her that.”

“You must be so proud,” Taehyung spits as he lifts his shirt to dab at the blood spilling from the cut on his lip.

“I am actually,” Yoongi beams with pride.

Taehyung rolls his eyes while Hoseok shoves him aside. He gets on the bed and gently shakes you, calling your name. “Come on, beautiful. We’ve gotta get up. There’s a ton to do today, my love.”

Slowly you open your eyes, yawning as Hoseok coos until you’re rubbing your eyes.

“What’s going on?”

“You fell asleep in Tae’s bed and punched him.” Yoongi fills you in with a cackle.

Your eyes lock onto Taehyung’s, an apology already on your lips. “You tried to wake me?”

Taehyung nods.

“Oops! I wake up throwing punches thanks to Yoongi. If I get scared, I throw punches first, ask questions later.” You inform him.

“My little boxer,” Yoongi grins. “We gotta get you in the ring with Kookie. Maybe you can get a few in before he cheats.”

“My money’s on Kook.” Hoseok smiles. “Sorry, doll.”

“Same,” you agree, sighing. “I haven’t been practicing.”

“Anyway, busy day,” Hoseok states again, helping you out of bed and leading you urgently out of Tae’s room.

“We’ll see you later,” Yoongi waves before following you to Alea’s room.

Taehyung has no choice but to watch you leave.

“What was that?” Hoseok is immediately grilling you when you shut the door.

“What was what?” Your confusion is obvious on your face.

“That!” Hoseok exclaims. “You were in bed together!”

“Sleeping,” you furrow your brows. “Nothing happened.”

“You cuddled!” Yoongi shouts, and you clamp your hand over his big mouth.

“We just slept. We were gonna watch a movie and I guess I fell asleep.”

“Oh, the old movie and sleep play, nice,” Yoongi rolls his eyes.

“It was innocent!”

“It was horny!” Hoseok gasps.

“It may have been a little horny,” you squeak. “He smelled so good! Okay, but nothing happened. We slept, and I drooled on his pillow a little and he admitted to having like five hookups after we broke up and I’m still utterly in love with him!”

“Oof!” Yoongi chuckles. “Bring it down, you want him to know?!”

“No! I’m just, ahhh!” You shout.

Hoseok bites back a smile. “So you’ve made progress.”

“I didn’t come here to make progress. I came here for a wedding!”

“We all came here for a wedding, doll.” Yoongi chimes in. “But I think a few of us are getting a little more than we bargained for.”

You find it odd that he’s not looking at you and suddenly Hoseok is red in the face and sweating.

“Anyway, let me get ready and I’ll meet you downstairs. You can fill in Alea, but nobody else!” You point a sharp finger at them and they nod, saluting you as they leave you to get dressed.

You rest your back against the shut door wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into.

“We need outfits for the rehearsal,” Hoseok informs Alea once you’re done with her errands.

“You didn’t get a dress?” She asks, looking at you with a frown.

“No, I’m sorry! My boss was being a total ass once I turned in my notice,” you frown, breathing in and out a few times to calm yourself.

“Okay, I know a place we can get you a dress, and then I’ll see if Taehyung can get Hoseok something,” Alea suggests.

“Why don’t you have him meet us at the mall?” Yoongi suggests and Alea brightens.

“That’s a wonderful idea. Do you mind?” Alea asks you, knowing that despite recent developments the two of you were still trying to get along.

“No problem. I’m sure he’ll be of help,” you assure her. Alea nods in excitement, immediately calling Tae and asking him to meet at the mall as soon as possible.

You sit back in your seat, listening to Hoseok singing Christmas carols once again and you can only pray the afternoon isn’t a complete disaster.

“Alea!” Taehyung calls, waving his arm in the air. He’s donned sunglasses and a beanie and for a moment you remember he’s an international supermodel. Whoops!

“Hey! We’ve got a mission,” Alea says, leading the group to a mall map nearby. “These are the stores we’re hitting and if we find nothing, I know a few boutiques around town that may have something.”

“I can just borrow something from Jimin or Yoongi,” Hoseok offers.

“Not a chance! We need something new for the two of you. We’re all taking photos,” Alea takes off in direction of the first store and the four of you follow.

“This one isn’t fitting right,” you complain as you come out of the dressing room. The sleeve falls over your shoulder and you hold the material to your chest while clasping the back of it. “I hate it.”

“We’ve been to three shops already,” Yoongi whines. “We’re not gonna find anything here.”

“We found Hoseok a suit. We just need a button-down shirt and tie.”

“Just wait for Tae to come back. Maybe he’s got something for you two?” Alea pleads and you give in before going back into the dressing room.

Shortly there’s a knock on the door, and you’re peeking your head out.

Taehyung hands you a dress in a deep purple with silver details on the sweetheart neckline. “Try this one on, doll.”

“Thanks. If this works out, then you’re my savior. I’m tired of trying dresses on,” you pout, taking the dress and shutting the door.

“I do live to make dreams come true,” Taehyung giggles.

“Hm, I doubt that,” Hoseok scoffs. Taehyung flips him off, handing him a dress shirt and shoving him into the dressing room beside you. “Try that on and shut your trap.”

Alea and Yoongi leave the immediate area, searching for backups in case Taehyung’s picks don’t fit well or aren’t what any of you are looking for. Taehyung, however, is confident with his selections. After all, fashion was his business.

“Taehyung! Come in here!” Hoseok calls and in his hurry to help, Taehyung opens the first door he sees, and unfortunately, it’s yours.

“Ahhh!” You scream, startled. Fortunately, you’re dressed so Taehyung doesn’t get a peek. Your heart is pounding in your chest and you place a hand over your heart as you calm down.

“Sorry, I thought this was Hoseok’s,” Taehyung is quick to apologize, his face heating with embarrassment.

“No worries,” you breathe. “I was dressed. What do you think?”

You step out of the dressing room, twirling for Taehyung, and he’s breathless. You’re certainly a sight to behold. The dress hugs your body just right, accentuating every bit of you that draws the eye and you adore it.

“You look marvelous,” Taehyung says honestly, licking his lips as he takes you in. He wishes he could touch your skin, plant kisses on your shoulders, and leave love bites on the curve of your neck. “Beautiful.”

You turn to face Taehyung, his eyes locked on yours. He reaches forward to push a lock of your hair behind your ear, and for a moment you fall into the past. You know what’s coming; you hope for it as his gaze intensifies and his eyes grow hooded. You lean into his touch, breath caught in your throat as he leans forward, his pretty lips just a millimeter from your own.

“Did this ding dong really open your door?” Hoseok huffs as he pushes his door open after having finished buttoning up his shirt

The two of you jump in surprise, putting distance between you as Hoseok comes into view. You try to act normal but your chest is heaving and so is Taehyung’s.

“What’s going on between you?” Hoseok looks at you and then at Taehyung with a raised brow.

“N-nothing,” Taehyung stutters. Fuck, he thinks. Hoseok knows that’s his tell.

“Uh-huh. I’ll let it slide 'cause I wanna go home but you two are acting suspicious. ” Hoseok claims as he turns to look at you, smiling.

“Well, don’t you look absolutely gorgeous! Spin for me, babe! Let’s see those curves,” Hoseok motions for you to spin and Taehyung could kiss him when you turn to show your back. Hey, Taehyung can appreciate the human body and more so when it’s yours.

“We’re getting that dress!” Alea cheers as she approaches with Yoongi in tow. “You look fantastic!”

“Doesn’t she?!” Hoseok is nodding. Uncaring that his shirt has gone unnoticed, he’d rather go home so he’ll purchase it, anyway. It’s not his wedding day after all.

“Turn around,” Alea demands and you do so. Again, Taehyung is thanking his lucky stars as your ass comes into view and he steps away, turning to fan his face.

“Do not get a boner right now,” he grits, inhaling and exhaling a few times before you’re heading back into the dressing room to change into your clothing.

Alea and Hoseok discuss where to get dinner, but her mother calls and asks you all to come home to eat. After Hoseok changes and you pay for your dress, you pile into Alea’s car to go home.

Taehyung sticks around the mall after you’re gone. He looks around one shop, looking at all the jewelry in the cases before spotting a cute snowflake necklace. It would be a perfect gift for Christmas, maybe by then, the two of you could actually call each other friends… Perhaps more.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22

The day has escaped you for the most part. You’ve been in and out of nail salons, meeting with makeup artists, and shopping for shoes and accessories for your dress.

Hoseok tagged along for most of it but around lunch time he got picked up by Yoongi and left. You hadn’t heard a peep from either of them in hours.

Now, you were sitting in Jungkook’s room with Jimin and Taehyung, both of who occupied the bed on either side of you. Namjoon had strolled in, taking a seat on the floor as Jungkook and Taehyung played some game on the TV.

Jimin and you had been giggling beside each other, watching TikToks on your phone while you waited for dinner plans.

“I’ve got to meet Seokjin for dinner,” Namjoon sighs after a while. “More family is flying in and I don’t know if I should be happy they’re all here for Christmas or annoyed that they’re all here for Christmas.”

“It could be worse,” you shrug. “He could have picked a different wedding date, and you’d have to see them twice instead of all at once.”

Namjoon ponders your words for a few seconds. “You know what? You’re right. Thank you, Seokjin.”

You giggle, hugging him goodbye when he’s ready to leave. Jungkook barely blinks as Namjoon departs and Taehyung isn’t much better beside him. You stretch out your foot, bumping Taehyung.

“I’m hungry,” you whine.

“Eat,” he responds, and you huff, kicking his knee.

“But I’m a guest. Aren’t you supposed to feed me? Do you want me telling mom none of you fed me?”

Jungkook stiffens. “Time for dinner!”

You smirk. “Thank you, Kookie, I knew I could count on you. My favorite Kim brother.”

“Hey!” Taehyung protests. “What about me?!”

“What about you?” Jungkook cackles as he throws his controller and throws himself over you and Jimin.

“I’ve always been the favorite Kim!” Taehyung guffaws, jokingly.

“That was before. Now it’s Kookie. He’s gonna feed me,” you giggle.

“I gave you ice cream the other day!”

“But what are you feeding me right now?”

Silence.

“Exactly,” you click your tongue. “Nothing.”

“Come on!” Jimin grunts as he pushes his muscular boyfriend off your lap. “Let’s eat before I have to listen to you two fighting all night.”

“Food! Food! Food!” Jungkook chants as he climbs off the bed with Jimin.

You get up, followed by Taehyung, and head down the stairs. You pile into the living room, debating what to order while Jimin picks out a movie to watch.

Once your food is ordered, you curl up on one end of the couch while Taehyung flops down beside you. Jimin and Jungkook take the recliner and you coo at them.

“We’ve got a busy day tomorrow,” you groan.

“Every day has been a busy day,” Jimin pouts. He turns to Jungkook. “When we get married, let’s elope on the beach somewhere.”

“Deal,” Jungkook sticks his pinkie out for Jimin to make a promise. He does so.

“I don’t blame you. This whole wedding thing is a hassle. I don’t think I could handle the stress,” you say as you pull the blanket over you and Taehyung.

“I thought you wanted a big wedding?” Taehyung asks curiously. He refrains from saying, “at least you did when we were together.”

“I don’t know. It’s just a lot,” you sigh giddily. “Having to plan everything and making sure nothing goes wrong. I don’t think I could handle it.”

“You could get a wedding planner,” Jimin suggests.

“And where am I getting the groom?” You roll your eyes playfully. Taehyung places his hand on your knee beneath the blanket and for a second you freeze, turning to face him.

However, Jungkook is quick to ruin save the moment by saying, “I hear Tinder’s a good place.”

You burst out laughing, shaking your head at the youngest. “What do you know about Tinder?”

“I know men send unsolicited dick pics,” Jungkook gags. “No, thanks.”

“Yeah, unfortunately, that part’s right,” You shudder.

“You have a Tinder?” Jimin smiles from ear to ear.

“I deleted it!”

“You’re no fun,” Jimin huffs, kissing Jungkook’s cheek as the doorbell rings announcing the arrival of your food

“Kook! Come help me with this!” Jimin calls and Jungkook is quick to rise to his feet to help his boyfriend.

You’re left alone with Taehyung, his hand still on your knee and he squeezes it once before releasing it.

“For what it’s worth, I always pictured you as my bride,” he whispers before he’s rising from his seat and heading to the kitchen to help Jimin and Jungkook.

You’re left in silence, mind whirling a million miles a minute, trying to process his words before heat flushes across your cheeks and your heart flutters like the wings of a hummingbird.

Maybe, just maybe, Taehyung still held romantic feelings for you.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 23

“He said what ?” Hoseok and Yoongi ask at the same time. Yoongi could barely contain himself from spitting out his drink.

“That’s what he said! Don’t make me repeat it! I’m already overthinking it,” you whine in annoyance. The first thing you did this morning was climb out of bed without waking Alea and now you were confiding in your best friends. And they were in awe just like you had been. Perhaps you should have told Alea, but she had enough on her plate without you dragging her into this “will they or won’t they” debacle you had going on with her brother.

“He still loves you,” Hoseok blurts.

Yoongi smacks him.

“What? You don’t say something like that and not love the person. She’s not an idiot!” Hoseok defends.

“Do love him?” Yoongi asks you seriously. He wouldn’t meddle but he did want to know.

“I do. I know we’re grown now and we’re different from who we were and I don’t want to confuse these feelings for past ones but we’ve been getting close this week and I think there could be something there. Am I in way over my head? Should I put some distance between us?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Gee, thanks, guys. Glad I came to you for help,” you scoff with a roll of your eyes.

“Look, we just want what’s best for you. We don’t want you getting hurt. Remember, we were both there for you when you broke up and it crushed us to see you both struggling. Hoseok went with you and I stayed to be with Taehyung,” Yoongi admits.

Hoseok nods, his hand lacing with Yoongi’s.

No! Your eyes widen and tears pool in your eyes.

“Please tell me you didn’t!” You gasp, a sob escaping you.

“We thought it would be for the best,” Hoseok states as he pulls you toward them to hug you.

“Oh, Hobi!” You wrap your arms around his neck, sobbing into his shoulder. Yoongi pats your back before you launch yourself at him. “I don’t deserve either of you. How could I not notice? And then you let me sleep in your bed! How could you! I was third wheeling for years!”

“Yeahhhh,” Yoongi laughs. “But it’s what we decided. We love you all and we wanted to keep the group together. Which is why when you announced you could work from anywhere, we were hoping you’d be moving back into town.”

“And with that hope, we started looking for apartments just in case,” Hoseok admits nervously biting his lip.

“I could kiss you!” You scream, throwing your arms around both of them.

Yoongi raises a brow.

“But I won’t!” You quickly state with a laugh. “Who else knows?”

“Just you, Jimin, and Jungkook. Those two caught us making out that night I came home drunk,” Hoseok shrugs. “We were making out on the front step.”

“That’s when I fell asleep in Taehyung’s bed. Did you plan that?”

“Nope,” Yoongi laughs. “You walked your sweet butt into his bed on your own.”

You groan, slapping a hand over your face. “I’ve got it bad for Kim Taehyung.”

“You can say that again!”

The afternoon crawls by slowly. The TV in the living room is taken up by the Kim’s family (both families) and guests with Seokjin and Alea at the center of attention, and Namjoon battling questions of “When is it your turn?”

Hoseok, Yoongi, Jimin, and Jungkook have gone out on a double date with the offer extended to you but you declined, preferring to stay home and perhaps visit your dad. After all, you’d be going back home for a while once the wedding passed.

“Doll?” Taehyung asks as he knocks gently on the door. He waits for you to invite him in before he steps inside his sister’s room.

“What’s up, Tae?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to have a snack. I snuck some food from downstairs and I was gonna watch a movie. I was hoping you’d wanna join,” he bites his lip, his hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans.

“Sure,” you agree. You take your charger out of the outlet and pocket your phone before rising to your feet and following him to his bedroom.

“I can’t stay all night,” you inform him once you climb into his bed. Taehyung nods as he shuts his bedroom door nearly all the way.

“That’s fine. Stay as long as you’d like,” he offers you a cookie and some delicious-looking chocolate cake that makes your mouth water.

“Please tell me this is your mom’s double chocolate cake with the chocolate ganache and hazelnut filling,” you nearly drool looking at it.

Taehyung giggles. “It might be.”

“Shut up! This is the best cake ever!” You exclaim, making grabby hands at him as he hands you a thick slice of cake. You moan after the first bite and the second, wiggling in your spot as you devour the slice and even take half of Tae’s.

“If I knew this would get you home, I’d have asked mom to tempt you with it,” he laughs once he sets the plates down on his nightstand.

“It’s so good! I definitely missed it! I loved when she’d make it on my birthday.”

“Maybe she can make it next year,” Taehyung smiles as he scoots just a little bit closer.

“Hopefully,” you agree with a nod, feeling butterflies swirl in your stomach. “Hopefully.”

A few hours pass before you’re checking the time on your phone and announce your need to depart.

“Dad should be home any minute and I wanted to see him for a bit before things get more hectic around here,” you tell Taehyung as you get out of bed and pocket your phone.

“Can I come with you? It’s been a while since I’ve seen your dad,” he admits sheepishly.

You pause for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, okay. I’m sure he’d love to see Vogue’s newest model with four covers.”

Taehyung blushes. “It was actually six.”

“Six! Wow! You’re a total hottie, aren’t you?” You wink, taking his hand in yours before you can fluster him further.

Taehyung can feel his pulse skyrocketing as you lead him down the stairs, letting his mother know the two of you will be next door with your father should she need either of you. She wishes you good luck and shuts the door after you before returning to her guests.

Once you’re on the front porch, you’re just in time to see your father pulling into his driveway with a tree tied to the roof of his car.

“Dad!” You call out to him as you approach with Taehyung in tow.

Your dad gets out of his car with a grin. “Hey, sweetheart. Oh, and little Tae-Tae! I haven’t seen you in ages! How’s life on the runway?”

“It’s good,” Taehyung grins. “Keeps me busy sometimes.”

“You do a damn good job. I got one of your covers on the coffee table,” your dad chuckles, and Taehyung blushes.

“Dad!” You whine.

“How about you help me get the tree in the house and we can liven the place up a little bit? I’ve been thinking it’s about time I get into the Christmas spirit again,” your dad says as he wraps you up in a hug. You hug him tightly, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill.

“Of course, dad. Anything you need,” you squeeze him one last time before you’re wiping at your eyes and helping him and Taehyung with the tree.

It takes a few minutes to get it set up in the home and you admire the beautiful tree. This house already feels like a home by a simple addition. You’re not entirely sure if you’ll be moving back to town much less back in with your dad but you hope he’ll open himself up to more people and maybe some new friends so he won’t be so lonely anymore. His world began and ended with your mother and though he still has you, you know how lonely it can feel to be alone, even with Hobi at your side.

Taehyung helps your father get the decorations from the attic and slowly the three of you take out the ones so near and dear to your mother. While Taehyung wraps the Christmas lights around the tree, your father plays Christmas carols from his TV and you’re left to bake cookies in the oven.

When those are done, you join your father and Taehyung in the living room.

“This was the first ornament she made us,” your dad says as he holds up the clay ornament with his thumbprint and your mother’s in the shape of a heart, it has the date of their first Christmas engraved in it.

A few more ornaments have special dates on them, one has an ultrasound of you, and another has your tiny little footprint. Your dad shows them to you proudly, recounting the stories that come with each one and the more obscure decorations. An armadillo from a mall in texas, a snake from the desert on their ruined honeymoon, and a hummingbird from the sale at the zoo on your first trip. Your father’s voice fills with joy at the memories, and Taehyung listens just as intently as you do, not knowing these stories at all. He almost feels like he’s intruding but your father never makes him feel that way. No, instead your father tells stories of your childhood, and how your mothers instantly clicked and you were begging to go play next door every single day until Mrs. Kim offered to watch you while your parents worked.

You remember those days. Days spent in their backyard running around with Alea and Taehyung. Laughter bubbled from your chest as Taehyung tried to keep up with you two until Jungkook was old enough to help catch you. You remember the days out in the front lawn, covered in chalk and crying when your drawing got ruined by the afternoon rain, only for Taehyung to comfort you with ice cream and a sticky smile. You remember falling in love in the late summer evening with the wind in your hair and Taehyung in your eyes. His laughter always soothed you and his smile always left your heart skipping a beat when it was directed your way. From spilling juice boxes to spilling secrets, Taehyung was the one you’d confide in when things got rough and Alea wasn’t around. When you felt like your world was crumbling around you and he was the only one who could build it back up.

When your eyes meet Taehyung’s, you’re aware he’s thinking the same. His hand reaches for yours and you gladly allow him to hold it. Your father smiles warmly but says nothing as he fakes a yawn and says he better get in bed.

You hug him goodbye with Taehyung in tow, showing yourself out and standing on the front porch.

“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” you thank him with a kiss to his cheek. Taehyung blushes, assuring you it was nothing as he looks upward with his bashfulness. It is then you follow his gaze and see the mistletoe hanging over your head, your father must have put that up there when you weren’t looking. It was a favorite of your mother’s, always kissing your father when he’d be standing under the threshold.

“Oh, uh…” Taehyung is speechless. Cheeks rosy pink and mouth suddenly dry with nervousness. His awkward chuckle makes you smile as you lean forward and press your lips to his.

Taehyung is in shock! He was not expecting you to make such a bold move and kiss him. He stands frozen for a second before his large hands cup your face, holding you close as he moves his lips in sync with yours. Old memories and feelings rise from the depths of your chest, bright and warm, and thrilling as you kiss on the front porch.

Soft and slow your lips love together, never too rough or too sloppy. Taehyung has always been an amazing kisser, always drawing the softest of moans from your lips, always leaving you wanting more, craving more. Of him, of his touch, of his love…

Taehyung is everything you’d ever want in a man.

Giggling, you somehow make it to his bedroom and past all the guests occupied in the kitchen and living room. Nobody bats an eye as you clamber up the stairs, stealing kisses and hushing each other until you’re stumbling into his bedroom, shutting the door after you and locking it to keep everyone out.

Taehyung smiles before he’s kissing you again pressed to his bedroom door just like old times when the two of you would sneak away from gatherings for a few minutes alone.

He tastes of cherry chapstick and sugar cookies, of warmth and familiarity as you tug on his t-shirt, bunching the red cotton material in your hands, wrinkling it before releasing him. Taehyung chuckles, easily tugging the shirt over his head to discard it on his bedroom floor.

Part of him wonders if you’re both moving too fast but the other part of him knows this has been a long time coming. With a kiss, you’re silencing his doubts, hands running over his honeyed skin as a tingle runs down his spine.

Taehyung holds your hips tightly, almost afraid you’ll disappear as you move to the bed, falling with him on top of you.

Your hands make quick work of his pants, allowing him a moment to kick them off while you do the same, left in nothing but your shirt and underwear.

Taehyung kisses you slowly, savoring every bit of your skin his lips touch, moaning when you arch into him and beg him for more. His name is a constant on your lips, curses spilling and thighs quivering when he settles between them.

Your name escapes him in a soft moan that leaves your head spinning, his warm hands under your shirt, feeling the softness of your skin and for a moment he thinks back to all the promises he made about making you his , about making you a family . His cock throbs at the thought, hungry eyes focused on your hips as he bunches the shirt in his hands and helps you out of it.

Your white bra welcomes him, a cute lacy thing with a clasp in the front that meets his teeth in his overeagerness to see your tits once again. He’s dreamed of this moment for years, dreamed of tasting you once again and as he tears the clasp open and your breasts spill out freely, Taehyung growls from deep in his chest and covers every bit of you in wet kisses.

A manicured hand greets Taehyung’s curly locks. His mouth wrapped around a pert nipple, licking and flicking his tongue as he sucks it into his mouth just to hear you moan his name. Burning with desire, you tug on his hair begging for more as your panties grow wet with arousal. You’re rubbing against him, feeling the outline of his cock pressed to you as he continues to devour your tits in kisses and suckles that make your head spin.

Taehyung is not shy about leaving his mark behind though he’s courteous enough to leave it only in places he will be able to see. After all, the wedding rehearsal is tomorrow and the wedding the day after. Alea would gut him like a fish if she saw your skin when he was done with you.

No, instead he kisses his way down the valley of your breasts, teeth nipping at the skin, hands feeling very inch of softness beneath his palms. His cock throbs and drools pre-cum in his boxers, rutting into the mattress in search of relief but finds none.

However, he’s not deterred in the slightest. He knows once he’s got you bare, he’ll get a taste of that sweet pussy he’s been missing all these years and that alone is enough.

“Taehyung,” you moan as his teeth nip your skin once again. He smirks, licking his lips as he meets your gaze.

“That’s it, baby. Let everyone know who’s making you feel this good.” his saccharine tone makes your thighs press together, too eager and too wet to think of much else as he grips your panties with his teeth and tugs.

“Fuck!” You gasp as he tugs them down your legs, tossing them to the other side of the bed before he’s grabbing your legs and pulling you toward him with your knees over his broad shoulders.

“Play with your tits for me, doll.” He commands as he presses kisses up one thigh and down the other, decorating them beautifully with his lips and tongue. You flush when you see the hunger in his eyes, intent on devouring you. If only you knew how long he’s been waiting for this moment…

Taehyung doesn’t waste much time, his tongue licking a stripe up your folds and a guttural moan escaping him upon getting the first taste. Like a man starved, he goes in for seconds and thirds, adding two of his fingers into the mix while his tongue circles your clit.

“Tae! Fuck, please,” you’re unsure of what you’re begging for but your thighs tremble in his hold as he dives in again, lips wrapped around your clit. His fingers curl inside you while you try to squeeze his head with your lush thighs.

“That’s it, love. Don’t be afraid to let go,” he says, licking his lips as his thumb rubs your clit. He still knows your body like the back of his hand, knows how much pressure and what actions will get you to combust . He’s not surprised when you grip the sheets, your other hand in his mess of curls as you bite your lip to stifle the moans he so greedily earned.

Your cunt clenches around his fingers, milking them as your high hits and Taehyung is quick to muffle your scream with a kiss. His tongue meets yours and you relax beneath him once you’ve orgasmed, kissing him deeply and not ever wanting to come up for air but unfortunately you do.

Taehyung slowly pulls his soaked fingers from your pussy, bringing them to his lips. He makes sure you’re watching when he slips them into his mouth, licking each digit clean before sucking your juices completely off them. With a lewd pop! he releases them, smiling smugly when you’re licking your lips.

Not wanting to waste a moment, you kiss him again, tasting yourself on his tongue as your hand cups his erection over his boxers.

“Take these off, Tae. I wanna feel you,” you whisper in between kisses. Taehyung is quick to take them off, kicking them over the edge of the bed as you spit in your hand before wrapping it around him. You collect pre-cum on your thumb, using it to smear around the head of his cock while you stroke him. His forehead falls on your shoulder, a whimper escaping him as he admits, “I’ve missed this. I’ve thought of you every single night since you left.”

“Tae,” you say his name in response but he shushes you. “Later. I promise. We’ll talk later.”

With a nod you agree, kissing him again as you spread your legs for him once again. He kisses his way to your neck, his hand over yours as he rubs the head of his cock against your folds, collecting your arousal on his dick before rubbing your clit with it. You sigh heavenly, so sweet and blissful before he’s even inside you and it makes him that much harder.

“I love you,” he mouths at the same time your eyes squeeze shut when he sinks in. Your manicured nails dig into his back as the air is knocked out of your lungs. How could you have forgotten how big and thick he was? You moan, biting into his shoulder as the stretch rattles you to the very core but you welcome him in any way.

“Fuck, baby. You’re so fucking tight,” he curses, kissing any bit of you within reach as you take his cock like a champ. You hug him tightly, exhaling when he finally bottoms out and you bury your face in the crook of his neck.

“I forgot how fucking big your stupid dick is,” you admit with a strangled laugh. Taehyung chuckles, apologizing with a kiss.

“You forgot, baby?” Taehyung teases, pulling out a bit, just to slam back into you to take your breath away.

“Shit, Tae. Oh, fuck,” you groan, eyes rolling to the back of your head. “Fuck, baby. I-I don’t know how I could have ever forgotten. Best dick I’ve ever had hands down.”

Taehyung smirks. “That’s right, baby. Mine’s the only dick you need, huh?”

“Yes,” you gasp as he pulls out again and slams back into you. He laughs at your reaction, one hand on the bed beside your head and the other gripping your chin.

“Look at me,” he says your name with such intensity, you swear you almost come. Fuck, he’s ruining you and he hasn’t even gotten started yet.

His thumb traces your lips and you allow him to do so before you’re wrapping your lips around him, licking the flat of his thumb before releasing him. Taehyung growls, eyes dark and filled with lust as he kisses you, hips rolling against yours as he sets a steady pace that has you both trying to muffle your moans.

Taehyung bites down on your breast, taking a hard nipple into his mouth while you drag your nails down the length of his back. Your pussy tightens around him, lost in intense pleasure as your head falls back into the pillows, his name on your lips as your thighs tremble around his hips.

“I’ve missed this, baby. I’ve missed you so much,” he admits in between mind-numbing thrusts that leave you seeing stars behind your eyes.

Your fingers lace with his, moaning softly as you feel your body building to its high from deep inside you. Warmth pools deep in your abdomen, your breathing grows heavy and you’re struggling to contain your moans.

“I missed you too, Tae. So much. You’re the only one I’ve been able to think about. Don’t want anybody else but you,” you admit in the heat of the moment and that seems to set him off.

Taehyung growls, hungrily kissing you as you both rock against each other, moans muffled by the other’s lips until you’re finally cumming around his cock, creaming around it just like he loves so much.

He moans your name into your skin, face buried in your neck as his thrusts falter and his moans grow whinier.

“Come for me, Tae. Fuck me full of your cum, baby. I want to have all of you, please ,” you beg and Taehyung is only happy to oblige. He moans your name, crying it out into your shoulder as pleasure courses through his body and his cock pulses inside you, cumming deep within you and moaning with each spurt that’s released.

“Fuck me,” he sighs as he finishes. Hair matted to his forehead with sweat and a small smile on the corner of his lips. “Fuck.”

You giggle as he rolls off you, panting.

Taehyung is immediately wrapped around you, planting kisses on your cheek, lips, and neck. He doesn’t want to let you go, afraid if he does then it’ll all be a dream.

You place your hand over his, lacing your fingers with his. You smile as you look at him, and your heart flutters in your chest.

“I missed you,” you admit, tracing circles on the back of his hand.

“I missed you too, baby. I meant it when I said you were the only one I ever thought about. I flew home the second Alea said you’d be coming for the wedding.” Taehyung is bashful with his confession but you find him endearing.

“I’m sorry for what I said that night.” You swallow thickly as you sit up, knowing you have to say something or it’ll continue eating you up inside.

“I should have gone with you or something but I was so hurt. Everyone knew except me and I was so mad at you,” you explain with a frown. “I didn’t want to lose you and I did, anyway. I’m sorry, Tae. I didn’t mean it.”

“Hey,” Taehyung is quick to wipe your tears away. “Don’t cry, baby. I should have told you when I found out but I knew you’d be upset. I wanted you to come with me but you had college and I couldn’t have supported us in Paris. Not right off the bat, anyway.”

“We could have figured it out, but I never gave us a fighting chance,” you sigh.

“Maybe or maybe we would have broken up somehow. We can’t be fixated on the what-ifs, baby. I'm here now and so are you. I’ve made a name for myself and I can give you everything you could possibly need. I just want you in my life again. I was miserable without you.”

“I just want you, Tae. Nobody compares to you, nobody even comes close.”

“Stay with me tonight. Just stay and once the wedding is over we can talk it all out, okay?”

“Okay,” you agree, kissing Taehyung on the cheek before snuggling into his side. You know you should get up and go to the bathroom to get cleaned up but you feel so safe and warm in his embrace, you decide to hold off a little longer but before you know it, you’re fast asleep with the love of your life wrapped around you.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 24

Morning comes sooner than you’d like. You try to keep your eyes shut to cling to the last bit of sleep knowing you have a busy day ahead of you but you can’t be arsed to leave the warmth of your bed.

“Baby, wake up,” you groan at the soft voice, your hand shooting out from under the sheet to shut them up. A deep chuckle rumbles under you and you open your eyes with alarm.

“Good morning,” Taehyung whispers and last night’s events come rushing to you. You’re still naked in his bed and the morning sun is just rising over the horizon and peeking through the cracks in his curtains.

“Five more minutes,” you whine.

“No more minutes,” he snorts. “We need to sneak you out of here.”

“Tae, we don’t have to sneak around like teenagers anymore. We’re grownups now, remember?”

Taehyung laughs quietly. “Yeah, but unless you want Alea to lose her mind over us, we need to get you out of here.”

You groan. You hate when he’s right.

“How much time do we have?”

“I’d say about thirty minutes,” Taehyung answers. You nod, turning to him and kissing him, morning breath be damned. Taehyung is taken by surprise but kisses you eagerly, moaning when your hand wraps around his semi-hard cock until it’s hard in your hand.

“Doll,” he murmurs in between kisses. “We need to hurry.”

“Just a quickie, Tae. I promise it’ll be fast. I just want to feel you inside me again. Want to think about you all day,” you moan as you straddle his hips, your wet cunt grinding against his cock. Taehyung curses, nodding as he holds your hips. You line his cock up at your entrance, taking every inch of him with a whine and a cry of his name.

“Fuck, love.” Taehyung rasps, head thrown back into the pillows as your warmth envelops him. “Ride my cock, baby. Please.”

His soft pleas are all you need to ride him, ignoring the burn in your thighs as your nails dig into his chest. You lean down to connect your lips, kissing him passionately as you bounce on his dick. He’s so deep, so fucking deep and it makes your head spin. You do your best to muffle your moans by biting your lip, but it gets harder as he grabs your hips and lifts his to meet yours with each of his thrusts.

Taehyung’s eyes are focused on your bouncing tits, sitting up on an elbow to take one pert nipple into his mouth, teeth tugging gently as you lose yourself to the pleasure. Your nails dig into his chest, dragging down to his abdomen as your pussy tightens around him. So close.

Just like you promised, it doesn’t take much longer until you’re clenching around him, muffling your screams of pleasure in his chest as you come. Taehyung is close behind, biting back moans as he cums inside you once again.

You fall boneless on his chest, panting.

“Fuck, I could go for more but I’m afraid I’d end up split open at the hospital.”

Taehyung cackles, shaking his head as he runs his fingers through your hair. “You’re ridiculous, baby.”

“I’m honest,” you stick your tongue out at him before climbing off. Your muscles ache as you groan with each step you take to collect your clothing.

“I wish you could stay,” Tae pouts from his spot on the bed.

“Me too but we can talk on Sunday. We’ll have plenty of time,” you assure him as you finish getting dressed. You plant a kiss on his lips before you’re opening his bedroom door. You stick your head out into the hallway, only hearing his parents talking downstairs before you head to the bathroom to start the shower. You figure you can run to your room in a robe or towel after. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough and won’t wake Alea while looking for clothes.

“What the fuck is that?!” Hoseok gasps as he walks into Alea’s room without knocking.

“Hoseok!” You screech, shutting the door after him.

“Bitch! You’re covered in hickeys from the tits down!”

“Do you not have a mute setting?! Do you want Taehyung’s parents to find out he’s a cannibal!”

“TAEHYUNG?!?!” Ooh, you could strangle Hobi.

“Will you shut the fuck up?! My god,” you huff, covering his mouth with your hand. Hoseok takes a minute to calm down before he pulls your hand off his face.

“You and Tae fucked? When? How?”

“Yes, last night and this morning. Missionary and cowgirl,” you answered each of his questions and he grimaced.

“Ew! No, I meant how did it happen not how you took his dick. Damn bitch,” Hoseok shakes his head and you giggle.

“We were at my house setting up Christmas decorations and we ended up under the mistletoe and we kissed,” you gush.

“So how did a mistletoe kiss end with you taking Tae’s monster cock?”

“Don't call it that, you dork,” you roll your eyes. “I don’t know. I mean, we got back home, and we kept kissing. He said he missed me and we fucked.”

“So what happens now?”

“We’re gonna get through the wedding and talk on Sunday. We don’t want Alea or anyone getting their hopes up. You just don’t know how to knock,” you huff.

Hoseok holds his hands up in surrender. “I was just coming to tell you to hurry. How was I supposed to know Taehyung was a vampire? Sucking on your body like you’re his last meal and shit,” Hoseok tsks.

“Shut up! It was so good, too. I forgot how good he fucks me.” you sigh dreamily, the ache between your thighs making itself noticeable.

Hobi chuckles. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes now that you’ve gotten some dick? Tone it down though, or someone might suspect.”

“Thanks, Seok. I’ll keep that in mind. Now, can you leave so I can get dressed?”

“Ooh, sure thing. Come on, Barbie. Let’s go party!”

“Ooh-oh! Ohh-oh!”

Music fills the reception hall as you step inside. You’ve gotten a ride with Taehyung, Hoseok, and Yoongi.

Alea and Seokjin are greeting guests at the entrance. You’ve rehearsed your walk for the ceremony with Namjoon. They’ve gone through the whole thing and now you could relax until it was time for your speech.

Snow has started to fall outside, just a light sprinkle that doesn’t quite stick to the ground but Alea is worried about the forecast for tomorrow. As of now, everything is still on but there’s no plan B if the snow grows heavier.

For now, you focus on the present. You and Taehyung haven’t had a moment to yourselves all day, just like you thought. You’ve exchanged glances across the room, secret smiles, and friendly waves but you're yearning to kiss him, to have him press you to the wall and feel your body underneath your thin dress. The dress he picked out for you to wear tonight.

Coincidentally, or not, his tie matches your dress, and it reminds you of your Senior Prom where you danced the night away and shared stolen kisses behind the school’s auditorium.

Tonight, Taehyung looks charming in his suit and tie. His mop of chestnut brown hair was tamed for once in beautiful curls that frame his face beautifully. He really is a model.

Taehyung is all smiles as he greets his family, introducing you and your friends to a few before you excuse yourself to join Namjoon and Yoongi at the bar.

“Well boys, looks like we're getting our two eldest hitched,” you grin. Namjoon chuckles and Yoongi rolls his eyes.

“What? Are you next or something?” Yoongi teases and you scoff.

“Must you?”

“I must,” Yoongi smiles smugly as he raises his glass to his lips. Namjoon does the same to hide his confusion but you know Yoongi can’t help but prod and tease.

“Gonna fight me for the bouquet tomorrow?”

“I might, just so I can whack you over the head with it,” you mutter.

Namjoon smiles. “I’m sensing some hostility here and honestly, I’m off the clock as a therapist so I will see my way out. Stay safe.”

“You scared him off,” You frown.

Yoongi scoffs. “Please, it’s the holiday season and there’s an open bar. Connect the dots, doll.”

“Hm, you right,” you giggle as you chat with Yoongi, not feeling the need to socialize with everyone around. It’s been hard enough to get Alea and Seokjin alone to hang, much less have a quick chat, so you’ve kept yourself busy with Tae and visits with your father.

“You look phenomenal in your dress!” Jimin exclaims when he approaches you with Jungkook on his arm.

“Thanks! Tae picked it out for me, actually.”

“Is that so?” Jungkook raises a brow.

“Yeah?”

“Interesting,” Jimin comments with a sneer.

“Very interesting, indeed,” Jungkook agrees.

“Alright, twiddle-dumb and dumber, I’ve got other things to do,” Yoongi excuses himself and leaves you with them.

“Taehyung doesn’t pick out clothes for just anyone.” Jimin states matter of fact.

“He charged me $50 to pick out a shirt last time,” Jungkook rolls his eyes.

“And you paid him?” You ask incredulously.

Jungkook blushes. “Should I not have?”

"Oh, baby . We gotta talk about your spending habits,” Jimin coos, shaking his head as he walks away with a pouting Jungkook.

Taehyung comes over a second later, surprised when you smack his arm.

“Ow! What was that for?”

“Quit charging your brother for fashion advice!” You hiss.

Taehyung smirks. “Quickest $50 bucks I ever made.”

“Tae!”

“Fine,” he rolls his eyes. “I won’t charge Jungkook anymore for fashion advice.”

“Good.”

“I’ll charge him for brotherly advice,” Taehyung beams and you smack his arm again.

“Ah, the lovebirds getting along swimmingly,” Hoseok cackles as he arrives.

“You told him?” Tae asks in a whisper.

“He saw the hickeys you left on me, you animal,” you hiss.

“Yeah, you’ve got a mouth on you,” Hoseok nods.

“I left those where only I could see,” Taehyung growls.

“Hobi doesn’t know how to knock.”

“I said I was sorry. I thought you were asleep,” Hoseok responds hissing.

“Maybe you should knock from now on,” Taehyung suggests.

“I will if you’re trying to eat her alive,” Hoseok sticks his tongue out and turns on his heel, so much for pleasant dinner conversation.

“We should find our seats soon,” Taehyung says as he orders a drink from the bar. You nod in agreement, waiting for him to get his drink before walking to your table and finding your seat. You’ve forgotten all about your speech but you check to make sure it’s still in your tiny little purse. You sigh in relief when you spot it.

It’s not much longer till everyone makes their speech and yours is next. You’d rather not say anything but you’ve agreed and as Namjoon wraps up, you clap with all the others.

Rising to your feet, you introduce yourself. You admit you’re nervous and the guests laugh with you when you let out a little scream.

“Alright, for real this time! Hello, all! I’m the best friend and maid of honor,” you wave shyly. “I’m also known as Barbie Doll to the Kims because of the extensive collection of Barbies I still own in my parents’ home. Please see my dad if you’d like to purchase any of them,” the guests laugh as your dad waves his hand for everyone to see.

“From diaper days to barbie dolls and playing house, one thing has been consistent throughout our childhood games and that’s the love Alea and Seokjin share. From making him be her groom by force to him willingly becoming her groom through love, it’s been a magical love story and I’m very grateful to be a witness to it.” You smile at the happy couple, tears shining in your eyes just to see tears in theirs as well.

Taehyung is in awe of you. You look so cool and confident as you read from your cue notes, smiling brightly at the guests and locking eyes with him as you go down memory lane.

He’s not surprised a lot of your anecdotes include him in some way or another, and as you wrap up, he knows he’s not the only one who had noticed. Your mutual friends are looking between you, wondering if something is up, but it’s all forgotten when Alea takes the mic to thank everyone.

“Seokjin and I want to say thank you for joining us. Our wedding is tomorrow afternoon and we could not be happier to share our special moment with each one of you. So thank you once again and please, enjoy yourselves this evening.”

Cheers and claps fill the hall as dinner gets served and you’re stuck in your chair until dessert is served.

Music fills the reception hall soon after dinner is done and you’re finally released from your maid-of-honor duties to party. Alea and Seokjin take over the dance floor, egged on by Jungkook, Jimin, and Namjoon, who’ve spent the night drinking away.

Yoongi and Hoseok are nowhere to be seen but you make a note to avoid any supply closets or dark corners they could have hidden themselves away for a moment.

Taehyung appears at your side, a soft smile on his lips as he wraps an arm around your waist.

“Tae!” You gasp, giggling as you set your drink aside. “Someone will see us!”

“Half of them already know,” he smirks, looking over his broad shoulder to make sure the coast is clear before kissing your cheek. Heat spreads across your skin, hiding your smile behind your hand.

“We promised we wouldn’t steal their thunder,” you remind him.

Taehyung crosses his fingers over his heart. “We won’t. I’m just asking for a dance.”

“Just a dance?” You raise a brow as you take his hand.

“And maybe another kiss under the mistletoe,” he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and you playfully roll your eyes.

“Come on, Romeo. Show me what you’ve got,” you tease as you join the couples on the dance floor, staying near the edge away from the happy couple. Taehyung holds you carefully in his arms, dancing and smiling so wide his cute cheeks hurt but he doesn’t care. He never imagined how wonderful it would be to have you in his arms again and to know the two of you were heading toward your own happy ending.

“Taehyung,” you giggle when he spins you, bringing you in closer.

“Yes, my love?” He’s all smiles as you press yourself to his chest, lips a hair’s breadth away. Your body tingles, lips craving the taste of his and it’s like everything melts away into the background. You miss the curious gazes of your friends, bumping into each other with their breath caught in their throats as they wait for a kiss.

“Can I cut in?” You break apart from Taehyung with a nod once you hear your father’s voice.

“I’ll be around, doll,” Taehyung assures you. He waves at your father, before disappearing into the crowd.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, darling,” Your father says as he takes your hand in his, dancing with you. “Lord, it’s been so long since I’ve danced. Good to know it’s like riding a bike.”

“What was your wedding like?” You ask as you sway to the music.

“Small, we didn’t have a lot of friends and family around. Honestly, we planned it in a week,” your dad chuckles as he spins you. His smile grows brighter as he tells you all about it, dancing the whole time until one song turns to three and he’s letting you go.

“I’m heading home,” he states. “It’s getting late and my bed is calling.”

“Text me when you get home safe, dad,” you hug him tight, fighting the tears that threaten to spill. “I love you.”

“I will. I love you too, darling. I’m glad you came home for Christmas. It’s been so nice having you around,” with that said, he released you and headed out.

Alone on the dance floor, you decide to freshen up in the bathroom. You grab your purse from under the table and head out of the reception hall, down a hallway until you see the restrooms.

Pushing the door open, you’re greeted by an empty couch and a few stalls further inside with a few guests lingering about and chatting as you head to a sink. You open your purse, take out a few makeup wipes to dab at your eyes, and then redo your lipstick. You check your teeth, pop a mint and close your purse once all your belongings are safe inside.

With a smile, you head for the exit. Your heels click against the marble flooring, announcing your presence long before you appear.

You reach the reception hall entrance, pausing when you hear a familiar chuckle from the other end of the hall around the corner that leads to the kitchen.

Curiously, you take a step forward as quietly as possible, not wanting your heels to give you away. You press against the wall as a woman’s voice fills the space; her giggle makes you raise a brow as it’s followed by a low, familiar chuckle.

“Well, it was nice seeing you again, but I should go,” Taehyung says. You peek over the corner and see him being pulled into an embrace by the woman dressed in a chef’s hat and coat.

She kisses his cheek, and you gasp. Taehyung immediately turns around, stepping away from the woman as you turn to leave.

Taehyung curses. He hastily waves at the woman before turning on his feet to chase after you.

“Doll, please wait!” He calls after you as you head for the front door.

“No!"

“Doll, you’re gonna fall in those heels!” Taehyung quickened his pace, dress shoes sliding along the floor as he caught up to you. He’s gentle when his large hand wraps around your wrist.

“Baby, please let me explain,” he begs, dark eyes trying to read yours. Tears pool at the corner of your eyes and you sniffle. You don’t want him to see you cry and your sadness turns to anger at his words.

“That’s rich, Taehyung,” you scoff as you shake his hand off and cross your arms over your chest. The snow has picked up outside and you curse yourself for checking in your coat with the attendant nowhere to be found.

How bad would it be to wait for a ride in the snow?

“Baby, she’s nobody, okay? We hooked up once years ago, and I didn’t know she would be here. She caught me in the hall when I was looking for you. I swear, doll. You’re the only one for me,” Taehyung swears, his hands holding both of yours.

You bite your lip, eyeing him carefully. You’d known him long enough to know when he was lying and when he was being sincere and your heart clenched in your chest. “I’m the only one?”

“The only one, baby. I don’t want anyone else but you. I swear it,” he raises his pinkie finger to yours and you raise yours to loop with his.

“Come here,” he pulls you into his arms, squeezing you tightly. He kisses the side of your head, holding you close. “I’m never letting you go again, baby. Never ever.”

You laugh against his shoulder. “I think someone may eventually stumble upon us if we keep standing here.”

Taehyung chuckles. “You know what I meant, you brat.”

You giggle. The sound is music to his ears as he looks at you, wiping the stray tears from your cheeks. He apologizes again, pressing a kiss to the tip of your nose.

Taking a step back and then another, you’re soon pressed to the wall beside the coat check-in, hidden slightly by a velvet maroon curtain. Taehyung puts his large hand on the wall beside your head while the other grips your chin as he tilts your head for you to look at him.

“I can’t wait for Sunday. I can’t wait to figure this out. I want to be with you now and forever, doll. I only want you.”

“I only want you, Tae,” you assure him, licking your lips as he smiles sweetly, leaning forward to capture your lips with his. “Only ever want you.”

Taehyung kisses you again, cupping your face as the kiss deepens and your moans are silenced against his lips.

Unbeknownst to you, Yoongi and Hoseok appear from the coat closet panting, with ruffled hair, shirts untucked, and ties undone as they see the two of you kissing as if it was your last night together.

They sneak away with giggles and shared smiles. Yoongi grins, “I knew they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.”

Hoseok chuckles. “Neither can we. Come on, babe. Let’s get some cake.”

SATURDAY DECEMBER 25

“Honey, it’s okay,” Minsu tries to assure her daughter, who is pacing back and forth in the living room. Everyone is gathered by the TV, watching the weather forecast, and is just as stressed as Alea.

Snow had fallen heavily through the night, causing roads to be closed as well as the location for the ceremony. Despite the snow plows working hard to clear the roads, snow had fallen too quickly for them to keep up. There was hope of it clearing up later in the afternoon, but for now, there was no choice but to stay home.

“What are we going to do?” Alea cried into her hands. You wrap her up in a hug.

“We have the wedding license and I can marry you anywhere,” Hoseok reminds her. She nods as she looks across the room. She rises from her seat and wipes her tears.

“Do you want to marry me today?” Alea asks Seokjin, who grins brightly and wraps her up in a hug.

“I’d marry you any day, anywhere. Nothing can stop me, baby.” Seokjin kisses her lips quickly and Alea grins. They exchange quick ‘love yous’ and take a deep breath, exhaling before turning to everyone.

“Let’s do this!”

Cheers erupt in the living room. Alea and Seokjin are so grateful to their friends and family.

“Namjoon and Taehyung, you two call our families and let them know about the change in location for the ceremony,” Seokjin instructs. Both men nod, taking their cell phones out.

“Jimin and Jungkook, please shovel the backyard enough for an aisle,” Alea says. Jimin and Jungkook nod, scrambling off the loveseat to get their coats on.

“Mom, can you do my hair?” Alea asks before turning to you. “And can you do my makeup?”

You both agree eagerly, taking her upstairs to her bedroom as the three of you chat about what her ideas were.

Seokjin turns to Yoongi and Hoseok, “Can I count on you two to make a large batch of hot chocolate and cookies for guests? I’m hoping the roads will be clear by the time the reception is to take place. I’ll call the wedding planner and get an update. She lives near the hall and she’s not afraid to drive in this. Maybe she can pick up the caterers as well.”

“We’ve got this!” Yoongi assured his eldest friend, pushing him in the basement's direction so he could make those calls. “Don’t worry about anything!”

Once the guests begin to arrive, most by foot, the house is lively with excitement. Haejin has wrestled up a wedding arch from somewhere and your father popped in to help decorate the backyard for the wedding. Christmas decorations littered the yard but fit well with Alea and Seokjin’s Winter Wonderland theme so you were grateful for that. Sure, it wasn’t their ideal location but at the end of the day they’d be husband and wife, and that’s all that mattered.

“I can’t believe it’s still snowing!” Alea huffs as she tried to sit still while you helped Minsu put the veil on her daughter’s head.

“It’ll be okay, honey. Everyone made it here safely, and the snow has slowed significantly. Seokjinie said the reception hall is decorated and ready to go. The caterer arrived with her staff and the cake made it to the venue in one piece. The DJ will be picked up soon and everyone will get there safely.” Minsu informs her daughter and Alea visibly relaxes.

Minsu turns to you and fussed at you to get ready once Alea’s hair and makeup is done. You nod, hurrying to do your hair and makeup while Minsu does the same.

“I can’t believe I’m getting married,” Alea smiles with hearts in her eyes as she pins your hair up, sliding a glittery hairpiece in place.

“Me too,” You grin. “Oh, you’re such a beautiful bride, Lea!”

Alea hugs you from behind. “Thank you for coming. I know things with Tae had been tough but I appreciate you setting it aside for this.”

“Of course, Alea. I'd do anything for you,” you look at her in the mirror's reflection.

Alea smirks. “So you’ll tell me about you kissing my brother last night?”

“What?!”

Alea giggles as she sits beside you. She grabs the blush and a brush to put some on your cheeks.

“Oh, yeah. Yoongi and Hoseok totally blabbed,” she giggles and you join her.

“How did they even see us? They disappeared for most of the night,” you roll your eyes.

“Something about the coat closet missing an attendant,” Alea shrugs. “I think they were just hooking up though. They’re not as secretive as they think.”

“You know about them too?”

“I’ve known for ages. Hoseok looks at Yoongi the same way Taehyung looks at you, babe. The way Jinnie looks at me and Jungkookie at Jiminie. Love is very easy to see,” Alea smiles sweetly as she dusts a bit of blush on the tip of your nose.

“We didn’t want to say anything until after the wedding,” you assure her.

Alea laughs. “You know I don’t care about that. I’m just glad you and Tae are speaking again. I don’t know what the two of you are but I hope it’ll work out for you, sweetie. I love you like a sister, and you’re already part of the family. I just want you to be happy. Truly and irrevocably happy.”

“Alea,” you say her name as your lip trembles and tears threatened to spill.

“Ah, ah!” She clicks her tongue, dabbing at your eyes. “No crying on my wedding day.”

You laugh wetly. “No promises!”

Alea giggles. “Ugh, don’t I know it. I don’t know if I’ll make it past my vows or Seokjin’s without shedding a tear. Hell, I might just cry when my dad gives me away.”

“I’ll hide the makeup wipes in my bra,” you tell her with a smile. She nods, hugging you tight before telling you it’s time to get dressed.

“The guests are waiting outside. It’s time, baby girl,” Haejin says as he peeks his head into his daughter’s bedroom. You rise from your seat and step out, allowing Haejin to have a moment with his daughter. Thankfully, the photographer and videographer had made it to the home, picked up by Jungkook and Jimin just an hour before.

“I’m ready,” Alea breathes with a waver in her voice. Haejin blinks his tears away, hugging his daughter for a moment as you dab at your eyes. You were not going to keep your promise of no tears.

Stepping carefully, you head down the stairs with your bouquet in your hands. You’re wrapped up in your coat over your red maid-of-honor dress. Perhaps choosing one with just one strap and a straight neckline wasn’t the best choice now that you were heading outside.

“Wow! You look beautiful,” Namjoon compliments the moment he sees you. You thank him with a smile as you loop your arms through his.

“Are you ready?” He asks you as Alea and her father join you at the door that leads to the backyard.

“Let’s do this!” Alea exclaims, and the door opens as music fills the backyard courtesy of Jungkook’s Bluetooth speaker.

Slowly, you take your first steps outside with Namjoon at your side, clutching your bouquet as you realize the snow has finally stopped. You sigh in relief, Namjoon’s dimpled smile meeting yours. He turns to look forward as do you and your heart stops.

Taehyung stands proudly beside Seokjin, his eyes focused solely on you as you make your way down the aisle in your dress. You look absolutely radiant even in the chill of the early afternoon weather. Thoughts race across his mind, settling on the one that pictures you walking toward him in the arm of your father while he waits at the altar. His heart flips in his chest, tears rolling down his cheeks slowly. He chuckles as he wipes them away with a sheepish smile. Jungkook hands him a tissue discreetly and Taehyung thanks him. One day , Taehyung promised. One day, it would be you and him at the altar, promising each other forever and a day.

When you reach the altar, you smile at Taehyung through unshed tears, giving him a small nod, almost as if you could read his mind. That little nod sends his heart fluttering, assuring him he’s not the only one fully in this. You want him just as he wants you, a future, a family, a home .

The wedding march begins, and the guests turn to watch Alea enter with her father. Tears are shed by the guests. She looks like an angel as she slowly makes her way down the aisle. You turn to watch Seokjin. His smile is radiant even through his tears as he watches the love of his life walking down the aisle toward him. To him, nothing exists but his beautiful bride. Nothing could have kept him from going through with the wedding and even though he’s sure Alea’s freezing without her coat on, he knows she would think the same thing.

“Hi,” Alea giggles when she reaches Seokjin. Haejin, kisses her cheek, handing her over to Seokjin with a sad smile as he steps away to join his wife.

“Hi,” Seokjin breathes, cheeks pink, and his heart hammering in his chest.

Hoseok smiles, greeting the guests and thanking them for coming to the new location despite the weather. “We’ve got confirmation that the roads have been cleared and the reception shall be held in the reception hall. So carefully drive over after the ceremony and now without further ado, let’s get this show on the road!”

Soft glances and tear-filled smiles are exchanged between you and Taehyung as you watch two of your best friends get married. Tears flow freely at their vows, and no amount of dabbing at your eyes helps as you cry.

Alea hands you her bouquet before joining hands with Seokjin.

“It brings me great joy to pronounce you husband and wife. Seokjin, you May kiss your bride!” Hoseok exclaims proudly.

Alea and Seokjin kiss, cheers, and claps fill the snowy backyard. Everyone forgets about how cold they are or how their noses are frozen and their bodies shivering. The joy that the bride and groom exude is enough for them as the couple breaks apart, with love in their eyes and deep in their hearts.

“With great pleasure, I introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Seokjin Kim!”

Alea takes her bouquet, raising it over her head in a cheer. She giggles as flower petals are thrown at her and her husband. She steps forward with him in tow, hands linked as they lean away from each other and toward their parents to give hugs and kisses before heading back inside.

Jungkook and Jimin scoop Namjoon away with them while Hoseok laces hands with Yoongi until it’s just you and Taehyung at the altar.

Slowly, guests trickle back inside for a snack of hot chocolate and sugar cookies, while their rides are settled and their excitement buzzes with celebrations of the happy couple.

Once the door is shut and you’re left alone in the snow with Taehyung, you clutch your bouquet in your hands as you pull your coat tighter, a shiver going down your spine.

“You look beautiful, doll. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you,” he chuckles as he holds his hand out for you to hold.

“Tae!” You chide. “It was your sister’s wedding!”

“So? I see her all the time,” Taehyung laughs. “No, but in all seriousness, you’re breathtaking.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself. Almost like a model,” you tease.

“Almost?” Taehyung raises a dark brow, his voice low, and it makes your body thrum with excitement and arousal. “Why don’t I take you back to my room and model nude for you?”

You curse, nearly panting and salivating at his words. Your body is flushed with heat and an icy wind does nothing to cool you off. Beneath you, snow crunches beneath your feet and you bite your lip to keep from agreeing. You’ve got to be the one thinking clearly, there are almost 100 guests stuffed in Tae’s childhood home and any of them could hear you writhing in pleasure beneath him.

“Taehyung!” You slap his shoulder playfully instead, shaking your head. “You’re such a tease!”

“I don’t have to be,” he licks his lips and you moan before covering your mouth with your hand after dropping your bouquet in the snow.

A look at the sky promises more snow and another shiver wracks through your body.

“Listen, I know we said we’d talk tomorrow, but the waiting is killing me,” Taehyung sighs heavily. “I’ve said a lot of what I had to these past few days and I know we’re on the same page but I just need it all out in the open at once.”

You nod, allowing him to continue.

“I love you, baby. I never stopped loving you. Leaving you behind and not telling you about Paris will always be my biggest regret.”

“Tae-”

“No, please,” Taehyung interrupts. “Let me finish.”

“Okay.”

“I can’t say sorry enough and I wish I had fought harder for you. I hate that we wasted so much time being apart and angry at each other. I missed you, I missed us. I missed seeing your face every morning and stealing kisses in our homes so we wouldn't be caught,” he smirks.

“We did get caught,” you laugh. “Your mom banned sleepovers in your room.”

“Yeah but that was after we’d already given each other our virginity so, I count it as a win!” Taehyung chuckles and you smack his shoulder.

“Shut up!”

Taehyung smiles, eyes shut tight and hair curled at his forehead. “I love you and I want to be with you now and forever. I never want to lose you again, baby. I know you’ve got your career and your life with Hoseok in the city and I’ve got my career but I know we can make this work. I’ll do anything to make this work.”

“Tae, I feel the same. I can’t lose you again. I said some awful, hateful things to you and I’ll regret them for as long as I live. I love you, I always have and I can’t go much longer without you in my life. I’m moving back here, back home with Hoseok and Yoongi. I don’t know all the details but I’m willing to try again if you are?”

Taehyung grins, pulling you into a tight hug. “Really? You’re moving back?”

“Yes! It might be a bit to figure everything out but I’ll be back home soon. Back to you,” you say into his shoulder as he releases you.

“Nothing would make me happier, doll!”

“And with my new job I can work from anywhere so if I had to go with you on a work trip, I could as long as I have my laptop,” you inform him.

Taehyung’s smile only grows brighter, just like his outlook on your future.

“Baby!” Taehyung kisses you on the lips repeatedly in his excitement.

“Wherever you are is the only place I want to be,” you assure him as you wrap your arms around his neck. His forehead rests against yours, as you hold each other for a moment. Everything was falling perfectly in place.

“Be mine again?” He whispers against your lips.

“Of course, Tae. Nothing would make me happier,” you smile, your cheeks beginning to ache from doing it so much.

When he pulls you closer, your knee bumps into the pocket of his pants and he steps back.

“Oh! I have something for you,” he says excitedly as his hand goes into his pants pocket. You raise a brow at him in curiosity as he digs deep in his pocket before pulling out a small black velvet box.

“Tae?” You panic slightly, taking a step back and he chuckles.

“It’s not an engagement ring, you ding-dong,” he laughs as he sees the fear etched in your face.

“Oh, thank god!”

“Nice to know that’s how you feel,” he jokes with a teasing smile.

“We literally just got back together after being broken up for years,” you stick your tongue out.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t propose at my sister’s wedding. She’d stuff the ring up my nose before I even got down on my knee.”

You cackle, you know he’s right. Alea would have none of it and you’re not sure Seokjin would hold back either.

Taehyung opens the box slowly to build anticipation, but he’s also afraid it will fall out and get lost in the snow. Besides, you could already hear the guests leaving the home to head to the reception hall. You know soon, someone would urge you to get inside and head out but for now it was just you and Taehyung and that’s the way you wanted to keep it.

“Oh, Tae! It’s beautiful!” You gasp when you see the snowflake sitting in the box. It’s got a thin silver necklace and the prettiest little snowflake you’ve ever seen. Taehyung turns the back around and the tiniest little T hides engraved on it.

“T, huh?” You giggle and his cheeks turn pink.

“A coincidence,” he fibs.

“That you paid for?”

“That I paid for, yes,” his blush deepens.

“Help me put it on?” You ask as you turn around for him. Taehyung carefully takes the necklace out of the box, gently putting it around your neck and closing the clasp. He kisses the spot above it on your neck and you turn to face him with love in your eyes.

“I love it,” you state with your fingers holding the snowflake delicately. “I love you .”

Taehyung wraps you up in his arms once again, knowing he should get you inside soon, the both of you are nearly freezing out in the piles of snow.

“I love you too, baby. Now, tomorrow and forever,” he promises as he cups your face with his hands, which are somehow warm despite your time outside.

“I love you now, tomorrow, and forever, Taehyung,” you repeat, locking eyes with his and your heart flutters in your chest as his thumbs caress your cheeks.

Slowly, Taehyung leans in, gently capturing your lips with his own as he kisses you deeply.

Too soon, you’re springing apart with a gasp. A snowflake lands on the apples of your cheeks and another on Taehyung’s nose. You both look up at the sky as snowflakes come down above the two of you.

With bright smiles and frozen cheeks, you look at each other and laugh. “It’s a Christmas miracle.”

“A nuisance for your sister,” you remind him. “We should probably head to the reception before it gets worse.”

Taehyung agrees as he picks your bouquet off the ground and holds it in his hands. He gazed at it, smiling to himself. “One day you’ll have your own bouquet.”

“Tae!” You giggle as you wrap yourself around him, giddy with love and adoration, hopeful for the future ahead of you.

“I promise, love. It’s you and me against the world,” Taehyung chuckles, kissing your head. You meet his gaze, lacing your fingers either him.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Taehyung kisses you again, soft and slow as he cradles your face in his hands. Your lips move in sync, his tongue meeting yours as the kiss deepens and your heart beats rapidly in your chest.

As snow falls around you and you exchange Christmas kisses, your world feels complete.

Taehyung parts from your lips for just a moment. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

“Merry Christmas, Tae.”

thank you for reading! ♡ if you liked it, please let me know! 💌

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