The night before Christmas, the air was crisp and cold, with the streets of the neighborhood sparkling under a blanket of fresh snow. Christmas lights twinkled softly from windows, and the faint scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air, creating an atmosphere that felt both magical and intimate. Inside Taehyung's apartment, the warm glow of his string lights cast a gentle light on the room.

Taehyung was standing by his window, watching the world outside. His heart was still fluttering from the letter he had written earlier, the words that he had finally put down on paper after weeks of holding them in. The memory of leaving that note, along with the small Christmas gifts, was still fresh in his mind. He had no idea what to expect from Jungkook in return, but he had to be honest. He couldn't keep hiding behind his quiet, anonymous gestures any longer.

As he absentmindedly stirred a cup of tea, Taehyung's thoughts drifted to Jungkook. What would the older man think of his letter? Would he be shocked? Or perhaps, just maybe, he would understand? Taehyung was almost certain Jungkook didn't know who he was yet, but the thought of him reading the letter, the vulnerability in it, made Taehyung nervous. Still, he had taken the chance, and he could only hope it would be the right step.

Just as he was about to sit down on the couch with his tea, there was a soft knock on his door.

Taehyung's heart skipped a beat. Who could it be at this hour?

Carefully placing his mug down, he walked to the door. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He could feel the faintest tremor in his fingers. What if it was someone else? Maybe it was just a neighbor needing something. But deep down, he already had a feeling he knew who it was.

With a soft exhale, he opened the door.

Standing there, in front of him, was none other than Jeon Jungkook, holding a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a small box of chocolates in the other. His dark eyes were locked onto Taehyung's, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

Taehyung blinked, his heart racing in his chest. His first instinct was to look away, to hide the sudden rush of emotion flooding him, but he couldn't. Jungkook looked different tonight, less intimidating, somehow, and more... approachable. There was a softness in his gaze, a warmth that made Taehyung's breath catch in his throat.

Jungkook cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Merry Christmas," he said, his voice low but steady. His lips curled into a tentative smile, one that held an unfamiliar vulnerability. "I... I wanted to talk to you."

Taehyung's mind raced. "M-Merry Christmas, M-my n-name is T-Taehyung," he stammered, glancing at the roses and the chocolates. "Is... is that for me?"

Jungkook nodded, the smile widening slightly. "Yeah. I've been thinking a lot, actually. And I... I wanted to say thank you for everything you've done these past few weeks. The gifts, the notes... I know you've been leaving them for me." He hesitated, his fingers tightening around the bouquet. "I didn't realize at first how much it meant to me. How much you... meant to me."

Taehyung stood frozen, trying to process the words that had just come out of Jungkook's mouth. He stared at the roses, then at the chocolates, his mind trying to connect the dots. Had Jungkook really figured it out? Had he somehow understood that Taehyung was the one behind all the gifts?

Jungkook took a step forward, the nervousness clear in the way his eyes darted down to the floor before meeting Taehyung's gaze again. "I don't know when it happened, but I realized I like you, Taehyung. I've been trying to sort out my feelings, but I couldn't ignore it anymore. And, well... I thought I'd ask you if you'd like to go out with me. For real this time. No more gifts, no more notes, just us."

Taehyung's heart pounded in his chest as his thoughts spun in every direction. He wanted to say something, but the words felt stuck in his throat. Jungkook liked him? He liked him?

A mix of surprise and disbelief bubbled up within him. His shy, timid heart hadn't been ready for this moment. And yet, standing in front of him, with the roses and chocolates in hand, was the man he had quietly admired for so long, the man who had unknowingly captured his heart without even trying.

"Jungkook h-hyung..." Taehyung breathed, his voice barely a whisper. "You... you like me?"

Jungkook's smile softened, the tension in his shoulders melting. "I do. I know it sounds crazy, but I do. I've been wanting to tell you this for a while now. I just... wasn't sure to tell it through a letter because I didn't know who was leaving gifts on my doorstep. I wanted to say it in person," He glanced at the roses in his hand and then back at Taehyung, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. "I like you Taehyung."

Taehyung stood there for a few more seconds, staring at the bouquet of roses in Jungkook's hands, feeling the weight of the moment. The quiet, shy boy who had left small gifts at Jungkook's door had never expected this. He had never imagined that the cold, intimidating architect would stand there, asking him out.

The weight of the moment finally lifted when Taehyung smiled, his eyes softening with warmth. "I... I like you too, Jungkook hyung," he said, his voice a little shakier than he intended. "I really am."

Jungkook's face lit up in an instant, his whole demeanor changing as a bright smile spread across his face. He held out the roses and chocolates toward Taehyung. "Merry Christmas, Taehyung," he repeated, his voice now filled with an obvious sense of relief. "I'm glad."

Taehyung hesitated for a moment before gently taking the flowers and chocolates from Jungkook's hands. "Merry Christmas hyung," he replied softly. "I think this will be the best Christmas I've ever had."

Jungkook stepped back a little, glancing at the apartment door, then back at Taehyung. "I don't want to rush you, but... if you're not busy, maybe we could have dinner together tomorrow? Just the two of us."

Taehyung smiled again, his heart fluttering. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."

Jungkook gave him a nod, his expression finally relaxing. "Then it's a date."

As Taehyung closed the door, still holding the bouquet in his hands, a sense of warmth washed over him. This Christmas, he had taken the chance to open up, to let his feelings show, and it seemed like, for once, everything had fallen into place.

Tomorrow, he and Jungkook would begin something new.