Work Text:
Taehyung looks nervous. Jungkook knows he hates when it’s noticeable, so he tries not to bring attention to the fact that his touches aren’t just because, but in hopes they will help ease him.
He doesn’t think it works though when he swats Taehyung’s hands away from his hair and takes over for him. Squeezing his body between Taehyung and the vanity, he gently undoes the bun that Taehyung has been fussing with for the last twenty minutes and pulls it out.
Taehyung doesn’t say anything as Jungkook carefully scoops up his hair and pulls it into another one. Jungkook likes how long it’s gotten, especially when he wears it like this. He just normally doesn’t care if it looks neat, sticking to the messy look that’s kind of his normal style.
“There you go,” Jungkook murmurs as he pulls a thin curl out to hang around Taehyung’s ear. “So sexy, sir.”
This time, when Taehyung rolls his eyes, there’s a small smile on his lips. “What are you up to, lover?”
“Nothing,” Jungkook says like a promise as he pulls himself onto the ledge of the vanity and spreads his legs to fit Taehyung between them. “Let me help you shave.”
Taehyung rubs at the very short stubble over his upper lip as he glances around Jungkook and in the mirror. It can barely be seen, just a dusting of hair that Jungkook notices because he isn’t used to it. Taehyung shaves every morning and hasn’t been. “Do you not think I’d look good with a little facial hair?”
“You always look good. I just wanted to do it for you if you were going to.”
Taehyung plants his hands on either side of Jungkook’s hips and leans in. He brushes a kiss over his mouth, and Jungkook kind of likes the way his stubble feels. “What’s up with all the tending to?”
“Can I not?” Jungkook teases. He chases a kiss when Taehyung pulls back, fisting a hand into the pajama shirt he still wears to hold him in place.
Taehyung grumbles something but Jungkook hushes him with another kiss. “I’m not nervous, Jungkook.”
“I never said you were.”
Taehyung gives him a hard look, and he nearly runs his fingers through his hair but seems to realize that it’s up before he lets his hand fall to the side. “You’re acting like you think I am.”
“Got a ‘taking care of my husband’ kink. What can I say?”
Taehyung laughs quietly, but it turns to a groan as he rubs his hands up Jungkook’s thighs to circle his arms around his waist. He raises an eyebrow, chin tilted, and Jungkook has an urge to kiss him again.
(Okay, to be fair, he has that urge like 99% of the time.)
“Is that so?’
Jungkook hums as he traces a finger over that short stubble. “Yes. especially when he’s nervous.” He holds onto Taehyung as he starts to whine and pull back. “Because he’s having dinner with both of his mothers for the first time. Which is completely understandable.”
When Taehyung pushes his lips together, it looks like a pout, and Jungkook gives in to pepper a kiss to his mouth. He fills with amusement when Taehyung pushes his lips out even further to ask for another one.
“You don’t have to come with me. I know you hate family dinners.”
Jungkook rolls his eyes and cups Taehyung’s jaw. He thinks about what he would look like with stubble here too, what it would feel like against his mouth. “Of course I’m going. Can’t miss that awkward tension.”
Taehyung pinches his hip, making Jungkook nearly tumble from the counter. “Hush. I know you have a tradition with Yoongi and Hoseok. Don’t let me stop you.”
He does. Every Christmas, the three of them spend the day bringing back their pretend three man band to sing Christmas carols from across the globe. They usually burn more cookies than not, and then they go out to whatever club is open.
But this year, Hoseok and Yoongi are spending the holidays with Jimin’s family, and even if they weren’t, Jungkook wouldn’t miss Taehyung’s terribly awkward family dinner for anything.
“If you try to stop me from going, I’ll show up anyway,” Jungkook threatens.
“Okay, okay.” Taehyung laughs as he steps away and starts to fuss with his bun again until he ends up pulling it out. “I want you there, so I wouldn’t try and stop you.”
The awkward potential is definitely very high. Jungkook gets why Taehyung is nervous. He’s nervous himself, though probably for very different reasons. He is afraid of a fight, of something upsetting Taehyung, of Heesun asking questions about their engagement and expressing the judgement that Jungkook’s used to but hates.
The only thing going for him there is he no longer is the most criminal one in the family. Not that he would ever bring that up.
He’s also nervous that whatever Taehyung wants to get out of setting up this dinner that he won’t, and Jungkook will have to fight both of his mother’s. And possibly Seojoon.
While Jungkook doesn’t really want to fight old ladies, he’d much rather take them on than Seojoon.
“It’s the first Christmas without my father there,” Taehyung says, giving Jungkook his back as he strips out of his pajama shirt. “Not that I want him there, nor do I really give a damn about Christmas.”
He doesn’t continue. Jungkook waits patiently for him to, but Taehyung just looks frustrated when he turns around to dump his pajamas in the hamper.
“Baby.” Jungkook hops from the counter to follow him into the hallway. “You don’t have to explain. Not to me.”
Taehyung doesn’t respond at first, as he walks down the hallway until they’ve reached their closet. He disappears inside of it, and Jungkook hesitates to follow him in. Sometimes, Taehyung enjoys the quiet when he has a busy mind. Usually, while cuddling against him, but he prefers the silence.
Jungkook doesn’t want to accidentally make him feel like he has to talk too soon. He will end up doing so, and Jungkook just wants him to know he can whenever he’s ready.
They’ve been married over a year now, and while Jungkook knows they’ll both always continue to learn each other, the thing with his father is one thing Jungkook doesn’t understand as much as he wants to. Even when Taehyung explains it.
That mostly has to do with the fact that Jungkook has zero connection or feelings towards his own father, unlike Taehyung.
“I’m dreading the exchange of memories. From Seojoon’s childhood,,” Taehyung says as soon as Jungkook enters the closet. He’s looking in another mirror as he pulls on the dress shirt he had just gotten as a Christmas gift. “Which annoys me that that will bother me. But they do.”
Jungkook leans against the wall, watching Taehyung’s profile as he dresses himself. He remains quiet because he doesn’t know what to say to that. If Taehyung doesn’t like to talk about his father much, he likes to talk about his feelings towards his birth mother even less.
“But I will hate it even more if they don’t. Or if they make it obvious that I wasn’t there and could have been sharing those memories with them. The last time I had dinner with Heesun, she would start a story and stop with this guilty look on her face. I fucking hated it.”
Jungkook bites on his bottom lip. He has so much hatred built up inside of him for Taehyung’s father that he’s surprised he hasn’t marched down to the prison he’s currently residing in and bribed one of the guards to let him in just to get a good punch in. Even if it’s just one. It would make him feel loads better.
“But whatever.” Taehyung turns his body, showing off the shirt though it’s still paired with shorts that are much too short for the cold weather. “What do you think?”
“I think feeling both of those ways makes sense.”
Taehyung sighs and flings the shorts down his legs. “I meant the shirt.”
“Taehyung. Come here”
Jungkook stops him from grabbing a pair of pants where they hang, because Taehyung seems frustrated enough to break the rod.
“It’s been some time. I should have figured it out by now. I thought I did.” Taehyung gives him a thankful look when Jungkook takes the pants off for him. “That’s why I planned this damn dinner in the first place.”
“You’re just impatient,” Jungkook says lightly. “You like to have things figured out and hate when you don’t. Or can’t.”
Taehyung’s lips twitch up. “Have you been studying to be a psychologist, my love? I had no idea.”
“Shut up.” Jungkook flicks him in the chin gently. “You know I’m right. If you decide halfway through this dinner that you can’t do it, we’ll leave. Come up with a signal so I know.”
Taehyung presses his lips together for a moment, and Jungkook is ready to groan when he sees the spark of humor in his eyes.
And he does when Taehyung puts a fist up near his mouth to mime a blowjob.
“Maybe I should become a psychologist so I can help you learn better coping mechanisms than sex innuendos.”
Taehyung laughs, his face brightening considerably. “How sexy would that be? Dr. Jeon and Attorney Kim.”
Jungkook pinches the skin beneath Taehyung’s chin in retaliation. “We can cancel dinner if you’re not ready for it. I think everyone will understand.”
Taehyung leans into the hand Jungkook cups around his cheek, his expression softening. “No, no. I’ve brought brutal murderers to tears without batting an eyelash. I think I can handle some old ladies and awkward moments. But thank you.”
“Of course. I love you. That offer for a signal to get out is still there. Just something other than the blow job one.”
In truth, Jungkook doesn’t really mind Taehyung’s momentary jokes for comfort because it lightens his face and relaxes the tension in it, he’s just a little impatient too and wishes he could do something so those things weren’t needed. He wishes they could skip over dinner and get to the part where Taehyung lays against him and is ready to talk and let go of whatever is burdening him.
But he gives Taehyung a smile when he cups his crotch and cocks his head suggestively, not pushing it. “You’re insufferable.”
Taehyung sighs and fists a hand into Jungkook’s shirt to pull him close. “Still feel like indulging that domestic kink of yours? Help me dress?”
Maybe Taehyung doesn’t admit he needs it, the tending, and teases Jungkook for giving it without asking, but Jungkook’s sure that Taehyung knows he can always ask for it.
By the time the first knock comes, Taehyung is a perfect image of unbothered. Expression as laxed as his attire. He squeezes the back of Jungkook’s neck like Jungkook one is the tense one, but Jungkook doesn’t miss the breath of relief Taehyung lets out when Butler Park announces that it’s Seojoon and his family that has arrived first.
“There’s my baby,” Taehyung greets, heading straight to the carrier in one of Seojoon’s hands and bypassing both Seojoon and his wife. He bends down, whispering softly as Jungkook greets Seojoon with a firm shake. “Don’t let your Uncle Jungkookie hear that, hm?”
Jungkook rolls his eyes, but his heart grows in fondness as he watches Taehyung tuck Seojoon’s daughter, Sana, to his chest. She looks so small against him, but her cheeks round when she giggles like she understands.
“Jungkook, it’s good to see you.” Seojoon doesn’t try to greet Taehyung, probably knows as well as Jungkook that fighting for his attention when it’s on Sana is a waste of time. “Where shall I put this?”
He holds up a bag filled with containers in his other hand, but he doesn’t wait for a response before he heads off in direction of the kitchen.
“Don’t mind him, he’s a nervous wreck,” Seojoon’s wife, Manami, whispers as soon as he’s far enough away. “Won’t admit it, though. He’s been rubbing that head of his so much, I’m sure he’ll go bald.”
Jungkook watches as Taehyung bobs and twirls Sana across the room, holding one of her hands up as he whispers to her. He too has been taking his hair out to play with it so often, that Jungkook almost suggested he keep it down. It’s a habit of his when he’s stressed, to play with his hair. “Your husband and mine have a lot in common. It’s almost like they’re brothers.”
Manami laughs as she pats Jungkook on the chest. “I brought plenty of wine.”
In a very exaggerated manner, Jungkook throws his head back and grabs Manami’s hand in thanks. “You’re a godsend.”
“Say hi to Uncle Jungkookie,” Taehyung coos as he returns, leaning her towards Jungkook. Jungkook tries to reach for her, to hold her as well, but Taehyung twirls away before he can.
“Let me see her.”
“See.” Taehyung turns again, but he steps back to keep space between them as he waves the hand he holds. “Isn’t she so cute in her little Christmas dress?”
She is. The cutest baby around, and Jungkook will fight anyone who says otherwise. Her hair isn’t that long yet, but they’ve still pulled it into a tiny ponytail at the top of her head. Paired with how round and squishy her cheeks are, she looks a bit like a turnip. A festive one with the red bow they’ve put around her head to match the bow around her waist.
The three of them look much more festive than them. Though that might be his own fault. When Taehyung checked out the green three piece suit he is currently wearing, Jungkook had expressed how much of a fan of it he was.
That of course led to Taehyung insisting he must buy it and that Jungkook wear his own matching red one. They look a bit ridiculous, but Jungkook thinks it’s a bit more ridiculous just how much he likes that they’re matching.
“Don’t hog the baby,” Seojoon laughs as he returns, but he gets the same treatment when he reaches for her too. “Unless you want to change her?”
In a flash, she is back in her father’s arms.
“Easy, Kim. Too easy.” Seojoon twists away from him, mimicking the way Taehyung had cooed at her. “You love your Appa more, right?”
“You two always have to compete over something,” Manami sighs before she claps Taehyung on the chest and kisses his cheek. “How are you, brother in law?”
Taehyung fixes the collar of his shirt, which he’s been playing with while they waited in an attempt to not touch his hair. “Old habits are hard to break, darling.”
Jungkook pads out of the room as they catch up, needing that glass of wine. He tiptoes past the cook to sneak a taste of whatever he’s making, thankful he actually gets away with it because he has to spit it out into his hand. He doesn’t know what it is, but he’s definitely shoveling it onto the plate of whoever makes this night go wrong.
“Everything alright, Mr. Jeon?”
Jungkook trips over his feet and quickly hides the spit out food behind his back. He relaxes when he sees it’s Butler Park and not the chef who always snaps at him when he steals food before it’s ready. “Was just checking if dinner was almost ready.”
There’s a knowing look in Butler Park’s eye as he comes over. When Jungkook first moved in, he was uncomfortable with how often he was around, but he doesn’t find his pestering so bad since he took down someone like a fucking badass for his sake.
“I haven’t seen Mr. Kim this nervous since his bar exam,” he whispers, looking around like Taehyung may appear at any second before he heads to the drink cart and pours Jungkook a glass of something a dark red. “I made this wine quite strong for his sake. Have a taste.”
Amusement fills Jungkook as he brings the glass of wine up to his nose and breathes it in before he takes a sip.
And almost gags because it tastes more like liquor than wine.
Butler Park grins and pats Jungkook’s chest before he pulls out a handkerchief from his own and holds it out between them. “No need to carry that around with you the entire night.”
Embarrassment makes Jungkook’s ear burn as he dumps the chewed food into Butler Park’s handkerchief. “It tastes fine. Please give the chef my compliments.”
Butler Park’s face brightens in amusement. “It’s quite disgusting, but I’m afraid Taehyung’s mother is a huge fan. Now return to your guests. If you need something else, that’s what I am here for.”
Jungkook rolls his eyes. “This makes it very inconvenient if I need to slip out and catch my breath.”
There’s a warm look on Butler Park’s face, but a spark in his eye. “From my experience, you and Mr. Kim always slip out of events, and it’s not to get yourself a drink. You’ll think of something.”
With a sigh, Jungkook forces himself to return back to the living room in hopes he’s missed the awkward arrival of Heesun. She’s nowhere to be found, though he barely gets a glimpse of anyone before Taehyung is in front of him and stealing the glass of wine.
“Thanks, lover.”
He only takes a sip before he offers it back. He seems to try not to react for a moment before he fails, head jerking to the side as he grimaces. “What is that?”
“Butler Park made it?” Jungkook swirls the wine around the glass because he’s sophisticated. “I think.”
Taehyung grips onto his shirt, knees bending as he groans quiet enough that only Jungkook can hear. “ No . My mother and alcohol should not be combined. Especially nothing made by him. The last thing I need tonight is Eomma getting a bit loose lipped and referring to Heesun as Mistress Park again.”
Jungkook jerks at that, eyes bulging a bit. He makes sure Seojoon and Manami aren’t looking their way because he’s pretty sure Seojoon will be pissed if he hears that. “What? She called her that?”
Distress makes Taehyung rub at his eyebrows, but they remain scrunched when he pulls his hand away. “Yes. She’s very supportive of me getting to know my mother and is encouraging it, but I don’t think she realizes she makes comments that contradict that. Or at least, ones that reveal the feelings she won’t tell me about.”
Jungkook bites his tongue. “What’d you say when she said that?”
“Nothing.” Taehyung cranes his head back and forth. “She quickly started talking about something else like she didn’t mean to say it.”
Shit. Jungkook really hopes that doesn’t happen because he suspects that would cause a fight between Taehyung and Seojoon. And it’s not just because he doesn’t want to fight Seojoon, but because he and Taehyung have grown close since they’ve started their firm together.
“Mr. Kim, your mother is here.”
Taehyung goes rigid at the sound of Butler Park’s voice before he brings his fist up to his mouth and gives the signal Jungkook specifically told him not to use.
“Taehyung,” Jungkook grunts, pushing into his shoulder, but he can’t help but laugh.
Taehyung wiggles an eyebrow at him and flicks beneath his chin. “Seeing you smile makes me relax. Alright. Here we go.”
His body relaxes as he fixes the watch on his wrist and looks to Butler Park. Even his voice has changed considerably, and it’s always amazing and a bit intimidating how quickly Taehyung can go from one emotion to another when he wants to. “Which?”
Butler Park hesitates, mouth stuck half open. He doesn’t have to answer though, as Taehyung’s mother appears behind him, stripping off her coat.
“Which,” she repeats with a sigh. “Thought time would make me used to that. Shall you start referring to me as Moonhee?”
Taehyung’s expression doesn’t change as he approaches the woman who raised him and embraces her. “I would not be so informal with you. Moonhee-ssi, have you met Seojoon’s wife, Manami?”
The change of subject is obvious. Jungkook grimaces internally at just how much so. If Taehyung’s comment is meant to be a joke, it doesn’t come off as one.
And Jungkook has a feeling it isn’t.
“A few times. You look lovely. Seojoon.” Jungkook tenses when her eyes turn to him next. “Jungkook, dear, is your mother coming?”
Dear. That’s a new one. He and Taehyung’s mother had some missteps in the beginning, but her warmth is saved for Taehyung and Taehyung only. Even more so since her husband was sentenced. Not that Jungkook minds, he doesn’t care as long as she isn’t just cold towards him like she used to be.
“No, no. She’s spending the holiday with my brother.”
Jungkook grits his teeth. He foresaw it being awkward, but not him starting it. Taehyung touches the bottom of his spine lightly as if he thinks he needs the comfort.
He doesn’t, but he’ll never say no to Taehyung’s hands on him.
“Well.” Moonhee clasps her hands in front of herself. Jungkook hopes she doesn’t say anything, and he’s relieved when she doesn’t. “If you’d excuse me.”
Taehyung watches her step out of the room. Jungkook watches him , though he turns his eyes to Seojoon, who is pretending to be focusing on his daughter.
“Great start.” Taehyung claps his hands loud enough to startle Jungkook.
Jungkook opens his mouth to protest when Taehyung steals his glass again, but he closes it as Taehyung downs the entire thing in one go and wags a brow at him when he hands it back. He turns his head so Jungkook doesn’t see the way his face crumples from the strength of the drink.
He doesn’t say anything either when Taehyung drags his fingers through his hair and yanks his bun out. He just reaches out to run his own through it until it looks a presentable mess.
“Not nervous,” Taehyung whispers as he flicks Jungkook’s chin. “Hyung! Beomgyu left the article he wrote. The one I was telling you about. It’s quite riveting. The emotion of law, he titled it.”
Seojoon barely has time to hand over Sana to his wife by how Taehyung rushes him out of the room with a hand clapping against his shoulder.
“I don’t think we have time -”
“Nonsense. Dinner can be any time. There are no laws about it.”
Jungkook cringes at how forced Taehyung’s laugh sounds. He stands there for a moment before he looks to Manami for help. “ Riveting .”
“They really are alike.” She sighs and plays with the bracelets covering her wrists. “I tried discussing today with Seojoon last night, and I swear he purposely went out of his way to find something in the news and claim he wanted a three hour discussion about it. Three hours, Jungkook.”
Jungkook laughs. He can’t help it. He quickly covers his mouth in apology, though this isn’t the first time the two of them have teamed up to tease their husbands together. The two of them have witnessed many heated debates between Seojoon and Taehyung, which has led to a work talk ban at the table.
Though, and Jungkook’s sure Manami is as unsurprised as himself, that rule has never been followed.
“He goes outside and sits for a little bit. By himself, comes back in and talks.” Manami looks in the direction they left, a soft smile on her face. “He’s nervous that Taehyung’s mother is going to hate him.”
Out of all the things Jungkook could possibly imagine Seojoon to be nervous about, that was not it. “Why?”
Manami wipes Sana’s very short hair back, cooing softly before she hands her over to Jungkook. “He played a part in exposing her husband. Did you not see how dismissive she was in her greeting?”
Jungkook makes a throaty noise in disapproval. “So did Taehyung and myself.”
“Taehyung’s her son.” Manami smiles softly as Sana coos and lays her head against Jungkook’s chest. “And I don’t know how she feels about you, but I have a feeling expressing any discontempt towards you in front of Taehyung wouldn’t go over so well.”
Jungkook leans his cheek against the top of Sana’s head. He didn’t realize until she started to grow that he finds it kind of scary. How it seems like he blinked and she was heavier, longer.
It feels like if he blinks again, she might just be too big for him to hold anymore. When he thinks about it, he hates time, but he also thinks there’s things that need time.
“If it makes Seojoon feel any better, she hated me at first, and now I’m dear . Only took me a little over a year to get there.”
Manami laughs, head shaking as she pats Jungkook on the shoulder. “I’m not sure that’s going to be much help.”
Jungkook grins before he turns his head and rests his lips to Sana’s forehead. “Well, let’s hope everything goes smoothly.”
She sighs, and the look on her face tells him that she is as nervous as the rest of them. “Taehyung and Seojoon are very level headed, calm, but they aren’t when it comes to family. It seems like the smallest of things can trigger quite the response from Seojoon when it comes to his mother.”
For a moment, Jungkook thinks that over as he listens to Sana babble out her baby talk and lets her grab at his face. He definitely would agree, though he doesn’t know enough about Seojoon to say for sure.
Jungkook thinks he has that in common with them as well, though his reactions towards his family are for different reasons. Out of hate, anger.
He may have thought earlier that he doesn’t really understand the emotions Taehyung is going through, but he thinks he gets it now. The back and forth of them all, how they contradict, make things confusing.
Jungkook hadn’t cared when his mother mentioned spending the holiday with Jihyun. Not at first. But then it prodded at his brain until he was pissed off even though he has no intention of spending it with her in the first place, and he’s the one that suggested Jihyun shouldn’t be cut off so easily.
Even if Jungkook is generally pissed off that his brother once again has faced no consequences for his shitty actions.
The back and forth is probably the most frustrating feeling out of all of them. He gets why Taehyung looks it whenever he’s thinking about his own family.
“I don’t know how calm Seojoon is. He throws a tantrum when he loses a case,” Jungkook teases, keeping his voice light because he’s looking at Sana.
Manami laughs and shoves him in the arm. Jungkook’s thankful she doesn’t call him out on dodging the heart to heart. “Only against Taehyung.”
Jungkook’s attempt at lightening the conversation fails as he thinks about Taehyung’s suspicions that his father has influenced judges’ in Taehyung’s favor. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t know if they have that same suspicion. He just coos at Sana and glances at the large clock behind the couch to pray the day hurry up and get over with.
“Mr. Jeon sir, Park Heesun has arrived.”
Jungkook whips around when called, hesitating when he spots Heesun stepping into the living room behind Butler Park. Nerves sprout up inside of him, ones that he really doesn’t understand except for shit, this is it.
This is happening.
“Ms. Park, Happy Christmas.” Jungkook clings Sana to himself like he’s the source of her comfort as he holds a hand out.
He’s only spoken to the woman once before, and it had been incredibly tense and awkward. Taehyung had wanted the dinners between her and him to be just the two of them, promising Jungkook that he can come too one day like it’s something he wanted. He doesn’t, at all, he just wants to be beside Taehyung to be the source of his comfort.
Jungkook really does hate family dinners.
“Happy Christmas, dear. Let me see my baby.”
For a moment, Jungkook is unsure who she means until her eyes fall on the little one against his chest. He hands her over reluctantly, and he finds he doesn’t know what to do with his arms once he does.
He never feels like this. Rarely nervous. He doesn’t know why he is so much right now.
“Heesun-ssi, it is nice to see you. You look lovely.”
Jungkook tenses when Moonhee interrupts from behind him and stops himself from glancing at Manami. There is a friendly enough smile on Moonhee’s face when she approaches, but Jungkook can’t stop thinking about Taehyung’s comment.
Shortly before Taehyung’s father was arrested, his mothers had spoken. From what Taehyung said, it seemed to have gone well. But even he had said one conversation doesn’t always get rid of thirty years of hatred just like that.
Jungkook just hopes they either cut the tension now or that Taehyung doesn’t notice.
The only problem with that is Taehyung notices everything . Especially when he’s looking for it.
“As do you.” Heesun lifts Sana higher in her arms, and Jungkook has the worry that she turns her between them as a protective shield. “I was surprised to hear you agreed to dinner with me and my son.”
Moonhee smiles, and she’s a bit terrifying. Jungkook will admit that. He’s not afraid of her, but he definitely knows Taehyung gets more of his intimidation from her rather than his father. “Well, I will do anything for mine.”
Oh. Jungkook almost presses a hand to his face and groans into it. He grits his teeth instead, annoyed, because even if Taehyung isn’t witnessing this right now, they’re doing it in front of him .
Close enough that Jungkook can see the hurt in Heesun’s eyes before she turns to Sana to school it down.
“We’re going to do something.” Jungkook claps his hands for attention and pauses until all eyes are on him. “An incredibly important something. This dinner. It’s important to Taehyung. It’s going to go smoothly, alright? There’s a tension here, and I need it to go away. Now. We aren’t going to discuss anything family related, alright? If you can’t do that, come up with a reason to leave before dinner starts.”
He’s expecting a comment about being rude, disrespectful. He doesn’t care. Moonhee peers her eyes at him, while Heesun hides her face against Sana’s.
“Jungkook,” Moonhee starts, but Jungkook waves his hands in front of himself.
“An hour. Put it away for an hour. If you meant you’d do anything for Taehyung, you can do this.”
He steps out then, his neck a bit sweaty at the thought that will have the opposite effect and create more unease at dinner.
Jungkook finds Taehyung hidden away in his office with Seojoon, both their heads hung over a paper on the desk between them. Jungkook fluffs his fingers through Taehyung’s hair when he reaches him, gently massaging at his scalp.
He’s here to tell them that the last of the guests have arrived, but he listens quietly as Taehyung discusses something Beomgyu had written. Part of it is for himself because he isn’t in any rush to go back into the room of women he just yelled at.
Fuck. He just left Manami in there after that. He’s going to get an ear full, he’s sure of it.
When Taehyung pauses to let Seojoon respond, he leans back in his chair, into Jungkook’s touch. His head tilting into it as his eyes close like he enjoys the feeling of Jungkook’s nails scratching at his scalp.
“That Beomgyu is something,” Seojoon replies with a short laugh. “Why haven’t we hired him yet?”
Taehyung doesn’t respond at first. He turns to Jungkook and pulls his hand away, just to lay a kiss over his knuckles. He keeps his hand around his and rests them on his shoulder. “Beomgyu is insisting on finishing out his new internship. Trust me, I’ve offered. Something about not wanting to drop his responsibilities.”
Seojoon flips through the papers. “Shame he isn’t here for dinner. I could convince him.”
Taehyung snorts at that. “If I can’t, you can’t.”
Instantly, there’s a challenge in Seojoon’s eyes. Jungkook rolls his own.
“Heesun’s here,” he announces before they can start another argument between themselves. “Time for dinner.”
The glint in Seojoon’s eyes disappear, but he keeps a smile on his face as he rubs a hand over the top of his head.
Taehyung doesn’t move at all.
“Let me greet Eomma.” Seojoon stands and wiggles a finger at Taehyung. “We’ll discuss this later, brother.”
When he leaves, Taehyung still doesn’t stand. Jungkook leans over and brushes his hair back to access his forehead for a kiss. It gets Taehyung’s eyes on him, and Jungkook nudges his chair back to give him room to squeeze between him and the desk.
“What’s this?” Taehyung murmurs as Jungkook slides onto his lap, his hands instantly going to his waist because they’ve done this a thousand times before.
Jungkook doesn’t reply. He leans his elbows on the back of the chair and glides his lips gently over Taehyung’s until they part. It’s a simple kiss, just their mouths molded together before he pulls away.
“I like the stubble,” Jungkook murmurs, brushing a finger over Taehyung’s upper lip. “You should grow a beard.”
Taehyung laughs quietly, his hands running up Jungkook’s back to pull him closer. “You should kiss me one more time before we have to entertain our guests.”
Jungkook doesn’t hesitate. He angles his head to slot their lips together, his stomach sparking in that familiar warmth that only Taehyung can give him when Taehyung cups the back of his head to kiss him deeper.
The exhale Taehyung lets out against his mouth is shaky. Jungkook’s never seen him so visibly nervous before. Not like this. Normally, it can be hard to tell if you don’t know his tells, but now Jungkook thinks even a stranger could notice.
“Seojoon looks nothing like my father.”
Jungkook tries not to show the way he hesitates before he pulls back. Taehyung’s expression is unreadable, but he plays with Jungkook’s hair instead of his own. It does feel good, the pads of his fingers rubbing over his scalp and gently tugging at strands of hair before he massages over the spot to relieve it.
“And lately, I’ve been seeing so much of him in Sana. My father I mean, and I hate it. I hate that she looks like him, and I am a spitting image of him, so I hate that she looks like me.” Taehyung groans, head knocking back. He squeezes his eyes closed, staying like that for a moment as he breathes in before speaking again. “I thought, there’s another face Heesun loves but has to remind her of someone who treated her so badly. Which made me wonder if that’s what she sees when she looks at me.”
For a long time after Daehee’s secrets were revealed, Taehyung struggled with the parts of himself that he found were too similar to his father’s. He hasn’t mentioned it in awhile, though Jungkook knows that doesn’t mean suddenly those thoughts are gone.
He just hates that they aren’t.
“And I didn’t want you to shave my face today because I thought maybe if I stop seeing him when I look in the mirror, it will be easier for me to stop thinking about all the parts of me that are like him. But you’re right. I’m impatient, and waiting for hair to grow is annoying.”
Jungkook feels like he’s being stabbed in the chest. He runs his knuckles across Taehyung’s cheek, across his jaw. He doesn’t know if Taehyung falls silent then because he’s done or if he’s trying to find the words to say more.
“He’s never had facial hair.” Taehyung laughs quietly, but it sounds tired. “Somehow this is playing a part in why I am nervous today. Something about how I’m worried today will confirm my suspicions that he’ll always be an elephant in the room, and my face will be the thing to remind everyone of him.”
Jungkook frowns as he cups Taehyung’s cheeks. “I don’t know how that feels.”
“Not good.” Taehyung sighs. “I am mostly just pissed it’s been months and the fucker is still bothering me. I read that article Beomgyu wrote and a few times thought, ‘I wonder what Appa would think?’ More times than I’d like to admit, actually.”
He groans and buries his face into Jungkook’s palm. It tickles when he exhales harshly against his skin.
“Taehyung, listen.” Jungkook hesitates because he actually has no idea what to say to any of this, and he wants Taehyung to be able to tell him these things. “What did you think when you first saw Sana today?”
Taehyung kisses his hand and holds it to his chest. “That I can’t believe she looks so much bigger when I just saw her two weeks ago.”
“And?”
Taehyung’s eyebrows furrow together. “And that she was wearing the dress you bought for her.” His eyes brighten a moment before he curls an arm around the back of Jungkook’s neck. “And she’s kind of the reason that I want these family dinners to work. So we can have them together, and I don’t have to choose who to see.”
Jungkook warms. He brushes Taehyung’s hair behind his ear, landing his hand at the base of Taehyung’s skull to guide it back enough that he can look over his face. “If you can look at her and not see him, I’m sure your mothers can too.”
The smile on Taehyung’s lips is soft, but it’s there. Jungkook doesn’t know if he’s saying the right things or if it helps any. He knows it won’t automatically make these feelings and thoughts go away, emotions aren’t that easy to control. But he hopes even if Taehyung can remind himself of it once or twice, that it will help.
“So, does this mean when you pick up those extra hours at work you really are going back to school for that psych degree?”
Jungkook tugs Taehyung’s hair playfully, laughing before he climbs from his lap to take his hands. “I will. So I know all the right things to say to put your mind to ease.”
Taehyung follows after him, keeping their hands secured together. “I feel the most at ease when you’re around me, love. There is something you could say -”
“I love you.”
It’s usually what Taehyung asks for, and it falls from Jungkook’s mouth like a habit, but he frowns when Taehyung shakes his head.
“Tell me I’ll look sexy with a beard.”
Jungkook barks out a laugh, pulling away from Taehyung but he barely makes it a few feet away before Taehyung is wrapping around his back and pressing a kiss to the side of his throat.
“I’m kidding. I love you. Let’s do this.”
They waddle towards where the others should be gathering, and Jungkook holds onto the arms around him so Taehyung won’t let him go.
But he regretfully has to when they join the others. He squeezes Taehyung’s forearm hopefully encouragingly and watches quietly as he approaches Heesun to greet her.
When he does, Jungkook takes a look at her face and wishes he had a camera to take a picture so Taehyung would see how warmly his mother looks at him.
“So. Tell me about this new job.”
Jungkook wipes at his mouth as he looks to Heesun. She sits to his right, and Taehyung’s on his left, though his hand has been centered in his lap the entire dinner.
Which is probably a good thing because as if to prevent himself from playing with his hair, Taehyung fidgeted with the buttons on his shirt at the beginning of dinner and nearly had his whole chest exposed before Jungkook realized what he was doing.
Now, he just holds Jungkook like his warmth is enough. Every now and then he runs his fingers over the seams of his pants or traces the shape of his knee, but mostly, his hand is just there.
“My mother is the head of Bae Hotels,” Jungkook explains. “I’m working beneath her. Learning the ropes at the corporate office.”
This is all stuff she should know. Whether from the news or from Taehyung, but Jungkook doesn’t mind speaking because the silent moments feel awkward.
He just hopes she doesn’t do as most people do and ask about his father.
“Taehyung says you’re doing well?”
At the mention of his name, Taehyung squeezes Jungkook’s thigh. He shouldn’t be surprised Taehyung is listening to them too though he’s currently discussing something that is making Manami’s eyes roll with Seojoon.
“I am, thank you. And you?”
Heesun’s smile falters for a moment as she looks to her plate and moves the food around without eating anything. “I’m okay, dear. Thank you two for having me in your home. It’s quite lovely.”
“And obnoxiously big,” Seojoon interjects, his tone teasing, but when he clears his throat, he looks tense. “So is mine. I was talking to Eomma the other day, you know, about her coming to stay with us. Help with the baby. We have too much room at the house.”
Taehyung’s hand goes limp on Jungkook’s thigh as everyone else stills too, their eyes glued to Seojoon. Save for Moonhee, who stares down at her plate like she hates everything on it.
“I haven’t thought much about it,” Heesun jumps in, looking alarmed. She glares at Seojoon, but her features soften when they turn to Taehyung. “If it would have to be okay with you, as well, but I told Seojoon not to bring it up today. He’s a bit hard headed though.”
Taehyung looks her over and takes a bite nonchalantly like he doesn’t just then dig his fingers so hard into Jungkook’s thigh it almost hurts. Jungkook reaches beneath the table and slowly coaxes him to release so he can squeeze onto his hand instead.
“We get that from our father, I believe,” Taehyung says, and Jungkook doesn’t trust the blank expression on his face when he says it. His heart just hurts whenever Taehyung compares himself to Daehee because he hates it so much. “Though Seojoon didn’t seem to inherit the ability to read a room well.”
Seojoon narrows his eyes slightly, dropping his chopsticks beside his plate to point a finger at him. “That was a good lead in, and you know it.”
Taehyung shakes his head disapprovingly before he leans back in his chair and lets his eyes fall over Heesun. “Why would you need my permission? It’s a very big, populated city that I do not own.”
Heesun follows the movement, and Jungkook doesn’t miss the way her fingers scratch through the hair at the back of her head. He wants to point it out, but he stores it away to tell Taehyung later that it’s not just one person he’s inherited things from. “It is less -“
“A conversation for now and more for later,” Moonhee interrupts as she waves her knife in the direction towards Jungkook. “Per Mr. Jeon’s request .”
Jungkook’s neck burns, and not because the tilt in his mother in law’s voice, but because of the way Taehyung slowly turns to him with both surprise and question on his face.
“Would it be a tense one?” Manami asks, hands folding over her plate. She looks defensive, accusing, when she looks at Moonhee. “I don’t see what’s wrong -”
Seojoon cups her shoulder, cutting her off with something he mutters that Jungkook can’t hear, but he sees the way he shakes his head with whatever he’s saying. There is a look of argument on Manami’s face, but she gives in with a tired sigh.
Taehyung shifts in his seat, turning towards Jungkook even more. The arm he throws around the back of Jungkook’s chair seems casual, but his eyes burn into the side of his face. Jungkook knows Taehyung well enough that he won’t let it go until he answers him.
“This is delicious,” Jungkook says anyway, pointing to the meat on his plate that is actually pretty good. He knows Heesun made it, so he turns to her and gets an appreciative smile in response.
“Love.” Taehyung runs his fingers through the hair at the back of Jungkook’s head and fluffs it a few times. “Did you -”
“I may have told everyone that this dinner better go smoothly or else,” Jungkook paraphrases before he glares accusingly at Manami. “Apparently that message didn’t get shared with hyung.”
When he looks at Taehyung again, his expression is soft. As is the way he trails his fingers back down to his nape to run his finger beneath the gold chain hanging there. “Is that so?”
“He was quite firm,” Moonhee comments, looking amused as well. “We will discuss it later. Seojoon, be a dear and pass - whatever the hell that is.”
Taehyung holds Jungkook’s gaze for a moment before he plops his thumb to his bottom lip like a kiss and sits properly in his seat again. “If you wish to discuss it later, Eomma, you may, but I will speak right now. It will be nice to have you closer. I don’t like sleeping away from home.”
Jungkook runs his nails up Taehyung’s back where no one can see, rubbing his fingers over the knobs of his spine and beneath his shoulder blades. He makes sure Taehyung is breathing evenly.
“And both Jungkook and Jimin get whiny when I do.”
Jungkook slaps Taehyung’s shoulder, but there’s a teasing look in Taehyung’s eyes. It does relax him, the jokes. Even momentarily. Eases the tension around them enough that it doesn’t seem like everyone is about to suffocate on it.
“I’m kidding.” Taehyung cups Jungkook’s knee under the table, but he isn’t offended. “I hope to one day be able to fit into your family as a part of it, but I don’t wish for things to change in order to do so. Seojoon is your son, Sana your granddaughter, I have no say in your place around them. And that’s all I have to say. Eomma, please pass the whatever the hell that is here too.”
Seojoon clears his throat, a hand rubbing over his head before he rests his fist on the table. He just stares at his plate for a moment before his eyes flicker between Moonhee and Taehyung. “My mother and I -”
“ Your mother.” Moonhee smiles softly, but it’s condescending. The same way she looked at Heesun earlier when she called Taehyung her son. “That would be one thing that should change, no?”
Seojoon’s ears redden, and his eyes are apologetic when they look to Taehyung next. “You’re right.”
“It’s habit. He’s been referring to me as that for over thirty years,” Heesun jumps in, defensive. She ignores the way Seojoon holds a hand out to stop her. “Moonhee -”
“Well, it isn’t his fault that he has gone so long thinking he’s an only child, is it?” Moonhee offers another one of her patronizing smiles to Heesun. “My son already feels out of place within your family -”
“ Your son. Just as much of a habit -”
“Everyone shut up.”
Everyone’s mouths snap closed at the sound of Taehyung’s harsh tone, at the way he chucks his chopsticks towards the center of the table in frustration.
It startles Jungkook a bit too, the sudden movement, the clacking. Taehyung rests back against his chair, returning the alarmed look on his mother’s face with a hard one of his own.
“Not right now, please.” Taehyung grinds his teeth together and tucks his fists beneath his armpits. “If you wish to argue and bite each other’s heads off, we might as well start a reality show so there’s an actual point to jumping down each other’s throat instead of simply having a discussion. A discussion that should not be had right now.”
Jungkook laughs. He doesn’t mean to. It starts off with a nervous shake, and it grows more genuine when Taehyung whips his head to look him over in confusion. He quickly shakes his head in apology, covering his mouth before he remembers that Taehyung said it eases him to see him smile.
“Hoseok told me if things feel tense, just start laughing.”
Taehyung’s eyes sparkle, the tension in his mouth relaxing. “I’m not sure that was good advice, lover.”
Jungkook shrugs. “I didn’t have a lawyer to consult at the time.”
Taehyung grows even more amused when he rolls his eyes, but he stands rather than address anyone else again. He adjusts the green waistcoat he has on as he moves and rolls up his sleeves like he’s leaving to fight someone in the kitchen.
“Don’t leave,” Moonhee says, reaching for Taehyung, but he dodges it.
“I’m not. I need another pair of chopsticks.”
Worriedly, Jungkook watches Taehyung disappear, but he’s thankful Butler Park doesn’t insist on getting them because he knows that’s not the only reason Taehyung is leaving.
“So.” Jungkook presses his fists to the table. It’s hard not to run after Taehyung to make sure he’s okay. “Cool, hyung. Way to just drop that bomb in the middle of Christmas dinner.”
Seojoon glares at him. “I’ve been trying to bring it up for days, Jungkook. You know how he gets once he’s in work mode.”
Heesun clears her throat as she stands up too. She excuses herself quietly, and they all watch as she leaves in the direction Taehyung had gone.
“Don’t.” Jungkook softens his tone when Moonhee starts to stand. “I mean, you shouldn’t.”
There’s a pained expression on Moonhee’s face, and Jungkook doesn’t know if he’s right or not here, but he relaxes when she sits back down.
That relaxed feeling doesn’t last long though when Moonhee presses a napkin to her mouth and holds it there for longer than necessary.
“I apologize Seojoon. I was out of place. I am incredibly happy that you’ve built a relationship with Taehyung, and I -” Moonhee smiles, and this time it isn’t condescending, just upset. “Well, I’m having a very hard time with this all still. I don’t think I was ready yet to share the holiday. Not the first year without my husband, at least.”
Jungkook scrambles up as Moonhee stands again. He gently cups her elbow when she is near the exit, but she doesn’t stop moving.
“It’ll upset Taehyung if you leave.”
“It’ll upset him if I stay.” Moonhee gives him a smile, but her pressed lips tremble. “I will visit in the morning to talk with him. Tell him I love him, would you?”
Jungkook lets her go because he knows Taehyung’s stubbornness comes from her more than anyone else. He won’t be able to convince her to stay. “Alright. Travel safe.”
She doesn’t move again, not right away. She lifts her hand and seems to hesitate before she plants it to Jungkook’s cheek. She looks as awkward as Jungkook feels. “I see how much you love my boy. Don’t hurt him.”
Jungkook makes a face at how ridiculous the idea of that is, but maybe Moonhee thought the same about her own husband. “I would never, Eomeonim.”
When Jungkook returns to the table, Taehyung and Heesun are both back as well. Everyone is quiet, the room tense, and Taehyung’s hand finds his as soon as he sits down.
“Your mother had to leave. She told me to tell you she loves you,” Jungkook whispers against his ear, adjusting the hand in his lap to fit it between his thighs.
Taehyung doesn’t respond, he just squeezes Jungkook’s hand a little harder.
“Thank you for inviting me, Taehyung-ah. I hope to see you before I return to Daegu.” Heesun grabs Taehyung’s hand and squeezes. “Do not be upset with your mother.”
Jungkook turns his head to give them privacy and grab Heesun’s coat for her, though he strains his ears to listen.
“She lost her husband. She will be afraid to lose you. Though my wish to be in your life is not to take you from her, I understand why she may worry.”
“She has nothing to worry about,” Taehyung replies. “We will schedule something.”
Jungkook steps beside Heesun to help her into her coat, feeling Taehyung’s eyes on him. She excuses herself with shaking hands, and Jungkook steps an inch closer to Taehyung when Seojoon approaches.
“Bye my baby,” Taehyung whispers as Sana now sleeps in Manami’s arms. When he steps back, he hugs an arm around Jungkook’s waist to give him room to kiss her goodbye as well. “Hyung, thank you for coming.”
“Sorry if that was bad timing.” Seojoon rubs at his neck. “Eomma has been burdened by it, and I am just hoping to relieve her some. I thought our mothers had talked it out and were on good terms.”
Taehyung nods. “We’ll talk about it later, hyung. Don’t worry.”
Manami leans in towards him, a small smile on her lips as she whispers something that has Taehyung looking to Jungkook.
He drops his gaze as he listens, smiling softly and nodding.
“Drive safely, and make sure to send me a picture of Sana with her gift.”
Seojoon rolls his eyes and squeezes the back of Taehyung’s neck firmly. “She’s an infant, brother. That teddy bear you bought her is going to be double her size for years.”
“She deserves only the best,” Taehyung says as he pokes Seojoon in the chest. “I’ll send you the files from the Kim case later.”
“It’s Christmas,” Manami tries to scold but there’s a smile on her face. “Jungkook, keep him away from that office tonight or else.”
Jungkook laughs quietly as he nods. He plans on doing that anyway, though he has a feeling Taehyung doesn’t mean tonight. He sometimes hides away in his office when he rather work than deal with things, but Jungkook thinks they’re going to their regular cuddling spot instead.
Taehyung tightens his arms around him as they say their goodbyes, and buries his face against the side of Jungkook’s as soon as they’re gone.
This is the moment Jungkook has been looking forward to all day. Just the two of them, in their home. He turns into Taehyung until their fronts are pressed together and cups a hand over the side of his neck to kiss him.
There’s the taste of wine on Taehyung’s tongue, but it isn’t as strong this way. Jungkook finds he likes it, but he kisses Taehyung until he tastes like nothing but him.
Taehyung hums into it and sighs. “I am ready to get out of this suit.”
He steps away then, instantly going to the buttons on his waistcoat to undo them. He cranks his head from side to side, and though he hasn’t worked in a few days, he looks more tired than when he works a week straight with little to no sleep.
“Perfect. That means I can give you your present.” Jungkook wags his brow but then points a threatening finger at him. “You better not tease me about it.”
A soft smile takes over Taehyung’s lips. “I don’t know what it is but I already want to tease you for it.”
Jungkook is sure he will, but he doesn’t care. He’s never really understood why couples do this but he wants to, and he’s pretty sure Taehyung will like it too.
“Whatever. Come on,” Jungkook says, turning backwards as he starts to undo his own waistcoat and slip his arms from it.
As soon as they get to the bedroom where Jungkook has the presents hidden beneath their bed, Taehyung grins.
“Are you my present?”
Jungkook rolls his eyes, but he knows it comes off that way when he undoes his shirt next. “No. Well, maybe. But you can have me anytime, babe.”
Taehyung looks curious when Jungkook pulls the box from beneath the bed. But as he does, Jungkook feels as if it isn’t as romantic as he thought it would be when he bought it.
He doesn’t get a chance to reconsider it though when Taehyung snatches the present from him and turns his back like he thinks Jungkook is going to try and take it away from him.
“You hate presents,” Jungkook comments, though his heart is warm by the excited expression on Taehyung’s face. He bites his lip, but it does little to hide his smile.
“That’s a lie,” Taehyung claims, though he’s said multiple times over the last few weeks that Jungkook is to not get him anything because he hates gifts. “Did you make this box bigger than the actual gift to throw me off?”
Yes, but he doesn’t admit it. He holds back a laugh when Taehyung puts the box up to his head and shakes it. There’s no way he can know what it is by that, though Jungkook thinks Taehyung would never even guess what was inside even if it made a specific noise.
And he thinks he’s right when Taehyung pulls out the set of matching pajamas with a look of surprise on his face. He doesn’t tease like they both expect, not even when he pulls out the shirt and reads the ‘Mr.’ printed over the Christmas tree in the center.
Jungkook tenses with anticipation as Taehyung immediately strips his shirt and tosses it onto the bed to pull the pajama shirt over himself. He throws Jungkook’s set over as he undoes his pants, nearly stumbling out of them to pull the red and black plaid pants that come with it on.
When they’re both dressed, Jungkook does feel a little ridiculous about how much he likes that they match, and even more when Taehyung pulls them together and kisses him.
“Why would I tease you? You told me from the start you’re a romantic.”
Jungkook’s neck warms under the hands Taehyung places on each side of it. “I got you something else, but it wasn’t ready in time. Just a few days.”
Taehyung sighs. “I told you not to get me anything.”
“And I ignored you.”
Taehyung looks down, touching over the “Mr.” on Jungkook’s chest before he steps back. “That’s fine. I got you something as well.”
Jungkook doesn’t pretend to not want gifts. He’s interested to see what Taehyung would possibly get him, but he groans when Taehyung pulls out a folder of files in his nightstand and reveals the box hidden inside.
It’s small and long. Jungkook knows it’s jewelry before Taehyung opens and shows off what’s inside, but he isn’t expecting the pounding in his heart when he sees Taehyung’s name on it.
It’s a gold chain necklace, studded with diamonds throughout it. It’s a little over the top, but that’s how Taehyung is when it comes to materialistic things.
Jungkook bites at his lip, no longer feeling bad about spending the amount of money he did on buying Taehyung his own car for Christmas.
“What a very you thing to do,” Jungkook teases as he strips the necklace from the box and turns so Taehyung can fasten it around his neck.
“Do you like it?” Taehyung brushes his lips against Jungkook’s ear as he asks it, his fingers secured around the necklace before he locks it in place. “It reminded me of the gold chain you wore on our first date.”
“Looks like I’ve rubbed some of that romance off on you, babe,” Jungkook jokes as he touches down his chest and tries to see Taehyung’s name.
Taehyung grumbles something, but there’s amusement in his eyes when Jungkook glances at him. “Tell me what my other gift is.”
Jungkook throws his head back as he laughs, head shaking immediately. “No way.”
He tries it. The pout. Eyes wide as he tilts his head towards his shoulder as if Taehyung could ever be anything innocent. “Please. I’ve been a good boy this year.”
Jungkook hugs his arms around Taehyung, waddling him out of the room. He makes a noise of disbelief, his throat vibrating with it. “You? I don’t think so, Mr. Kim.”
Taehyung sighs like he’s devastated. “Is it a car?”
Shit. Jungkook bites the inside of his cheek for a second, distracting Taehyung by nuzzling against his face as he maneuvers him out of the bedroom. “No.”
Another distraught sigh. “A helicopter?”
Jungkook yanks his back, glaring at him. “Why the hell would I buy you a helicopter?”
Taehyung slumps completely in his arms, face pressing against Jungkook’s chest. “Tell me.”
With much effort, Jungkook gets Taehyung on the couch and tucks him in the corner of it. Taehyung doesn’t protest, but he rests his head against the back of it as he watches Jungkook pad around to get them drinks from the cart and then back to the movies he had picked out for tonight.
“When my brother and I were still pretty young, you know, before we hated each other, we would watch these and make up what was going on. Acting out parts or just coming up with the storyline because they didn’t have any subtitles.”
He waves one in the air for Taehyung to see, one he had been surprised he could find because it’s been years. It cost him a small fortune for it.
There’s a warm look on Taehyung’s face as he wraps a blanket around himself. “Where the hell did you get a VHS from?”
“The internet,” Jungkook supplies like it’s obvious. “I still have my player from when I was younger.”
Taehyung looks surprised when Jungkook opens the cabinets beneath the television and points to the old machine. “And what story did you and Jihyun come up with that movie?”
Jungkook doesn’t really remember. It had been so long ago that the memories of them are kind of vague, but he remembers enjoying his time making up stories with his brother. It was one of the few times that he actually could stand being around him.
Especially when he was younger and he had that back and forth of hating his brother yet cherishing the moments between them that felt like they were actual siblings. Like Jihyun was an actual good big brother and not one that made his life hell
“I don’t remember,” Jungkook says as he puts the movie in and snatches the remote so he can return to Taehyung’s side.
Taehyung immediately scooches aside so Jungkook can squeeze himself between Taehyung and the side of the couch. As soon as he’s there, Taehyung wiggles up against his side until he is curled around it and adjusts so the blanket is around the both of them instead. He keeps the glass of wine perched on Jungkook’s stomach.
“Sometimes when you’re with Seojoon, I think about how I wish I was close to my brother. But then I don’t want that at all at the same time. Like, at all . So when those thoughts come, I get annoyed with myself.”
Taehyung tilts his chin, eyes focused on him instead of the television.
“I think you’re annoyed with yourself for missing your father,” Jungkook goes on, words tentative. “And annoyed that you’re annoyed.”
Taehyung smiles, but he diverts his eyes for a moment to stare at the glass of wine before he nods. “I think so too.”
“I’m sorry if you’re not ready to talk -”
“No, no.” Taehyung hushes him softly before he takes a slow sip of wine. “It’s okay. You were right earlier, you know? I’m impatient. I’m impatient to get to the point where I can feel at ease around Heesun and Seojoon, where I won’t feel like the long lost kid that’s suddenly found his family. I’m impatient for my mother to get to the point where she knows having a relationship with my birth mother doesn’t threaten anything between us but her being harsh to Heesun could. And I’m impatient for the time where my life feels like my own and not my father’s.”
Jungkook looks away from the television then, focusing on Taehyung’s face. He can practically see the wheels working Taehyung’s mind before he sighs and meets his eyes.
“You know how much I did because I wanted to make him proud. School, work, even our marriage at first. And even before that. When I was younger, I wanted to play baseball because he liked it. I never even played, nor did I enjoy watching it. It’s boring, you know? But I wanted to because I thought he’d be proud of me.”
Jungkook hesitates before he slips his hand through Taehyung’s hair to massage at his scalp again. Taehyung’s eyes flutter closed in response, his body heavying against him.
“Seojoon told me my father used to visit and play with him. Never played with me. It hurt a lot more than I think it should have,” Taehyung whispers as his eyes flicker open. “He deserved more than a father just coming over sometimes to throw a ball around, I shouldn’t be angry. But I was. And I am sometimes when he talks about growing up with Heesun, though my anger isn’t directed towards him. It doesn’t feel right to be envious of him either, but I am.”
When Taehyung downs the rest of the wine, Jungkook grabs the glass and slides it aside. He turns their bodies so they’re facing each other, so he can press Taehyung into the back of the couch and hover over him as he traces his fingers down the length of his jaw.
“I’m impatient to stop feeling that way,” Taehyung goes on, his hands shifting up Jungkook’s back before they dig in. “I think I might have rushed dinner because of that.”
Maybe. Moonhee may feel that way, and Jungkook says so, keeping his tone light. Taehyung nods, seemingly unoffended but he groans quietly in complaint.
“I want it though,” Taehyung whispers. “I have figured that out at least. I want to have a relationship with Heesun. We don’t have to be close, but I want to be able to see her without that elephant in the room.”
Jungkook gives Taehyung a soft smile before he kisses the corner of his mouth. “You will, baby. Time seems scary sometimes, but with time, you’ll have that.”
Taehyung tucks his face into Jungkook’s neck, the tip of his nose brushing over his skin before he plants an innocent kiss to his pulse. “You know how you promised you’ll stick around? Until death do us part?”
Jungkook warms at the memory. At how vulnerable Taehyung had been when he asked him, and the way he smiled when Jungkook promised that he would be by his side forever. “I do.”
Taehyung looks at him again and cups the back of Jungkook’s head with both of his hands. “Time doesn’t seem so scary because I know you’ll keep that promise.”
It seems impossible to be any warmer in this moment, but Jungkook is. His heart expands in his chest, and he’s thankful that time hasn’t changed how Taehyung affects him, makes him feel. That his heart still flutters in these sweet moments between them even though they happen often.
That the love Jungkook has for Taehyung is still overwhelming even though it isn’t new.
“We’ll figure it out,” Jungkook whispers, leaning into Taehyung’s touch. “Alright? You just need to accept those feelings are there and stop being annoyed at yourself for having them.”
Taehyung nods like he’s promising that he will. He moves one hand from Jungkook’s head to his chest to play with the pendant hanging over it. “Thank you for sitting through dinner with me today. By my side.”
“Of course.”
Taehyung’s eyes flick between the pendant and Jungkook’s face, and Jungkook mentally rolls his own when he sees the glint of mischief in them. “And for threatening my mothers.”
Jungkook groans as he tries to pull away, but Taehyung locks his legs around him so he’s trapped. “I didn’t threaten them. I simply told them that this dinner better go well or else.”
“Well, it didn’t so what’s the ‘or else?’”
He’s teasing. Jungkook glares at the smile on Taehyung’s mouth though he’s incredibly happy that it’s there.
“I didn’t think that far ahead. I really wanted this to go well, that you could get whatever you wanted out of it.”
Taehyung’s smile softens, but it stays there. He pushes Jungkook back against the couch as he crawls between his legs to lay against his chest. He turns towards the television as if he may watch it, the silence that follows making Jungkook wonder if he is. If he’s not ready to talk anymore or even make a joke to ease whatever he’s feeling.
“I think I did,” Taehyung says after a moment, hugging his arms around Jungkook. “Or at least, made a step to getting there. Even if it felt more like I tripped over a rock that walked any kind of distance.”
“Well, if you fell forward, technically you are farther ahead.”
Taehyung bursts out a laugh, his body shaking with it as he turns to look up at Jungkook. “I love you, baby.”
Jungkook hums his own amusement as he traces the shell of Taehyung’s ear with the tip of his finger and plays with the studs in the lobe. He thumbs over his jaw, the silence between them comfortable, before he presses it to Taehyung’s mouth in a kiss.
Taehyung does kiss it, his eyes glowing before he snuggles back against his stomach.
“I love you too, Taehyung.”
“Tell me.” From this angle, Jungkook can still see the way Taehyung nibbles on his lips, the way the television reflects in his eyes when he moves the bangs back from Taehyung’s forehead. “What are they doing in this one?”
Jungkook glances at the television. He vaguely recognizes the woman’s face, but he doesn’t remember if the man she talks to is the one she will later fall in love with or not. He just grows amused that they’re both standing next to a car and uses that to his advantage.
“I think they’re married and spending their second Christmas together.” Jungkook pauses, heart thumping in his chest in anticipation. Even if he can’t understand what they’re saying, he knows it’s obvious that they have just met. “And one of them just gifted the other a car.
Taehyung huffs at that. “Clearly, they aren’t married yet -”
He pauses, and Jungkook grows tense waiting for him to put it together. He usually does quite quickly, but right now, Jungkook knows his mind is probably tired from all the fighting it’s done with itself the last few days.
Jungkook can’t keep the smile off of his face though when Taehyung pounces up and glares at him. He just stares, mouth half opened before he surges forward.
He’s a heavy weight on top of him, but Jungkook doesn’t mind. He holds him as close as possible.
“Jeon Jungkook, did you get me a car?”
“I’m tired of the mini heart attack I get every time you drive mine.”
Taehyung groans loudly before he smothers their mouths together. “What kind is it?”
“It seemed like a minivan would be very fitting for you.”
Jungkook anticipates the punch, but it isn’t hard. Just Taehyung’s knuckles tapping into his cheek in a light scolding. “Shut up. I am not a minivan person.”
“I don’t know. I just looked up ‘best cars for old people.’”
Taehyung huffs out a laugh, head shaking in disappointment but he presses another kiss to Jungkook’s lips. “Don’t ruin the moment, jerk.”
Jungkook giggles, face warm. “Happy Christmas, Tae.”
With a shake of his head, Taehyung nuzzles the tip of their noses together. “Happy Christmas, lover. I can't put it into words just how thankful I am for you.”
Jungkook holds Taehyung's hand against his face. "You don't have to put it into words. I already know because I feel the same."