It was Christmas Day once again, and the world outside was as beautiful as it had been all those years ago when Jungkook and Taehyung had first confessed their feelings under the mistletoe. The streets were covered in a fresh layer of snow, the lights from houses sparkling against the winter night sky, and the air was filled with the scent of pine and cinnamon. But this year, the Christmas magic felt different. It felt like home.

Inside their shared apartment, yes Taehyung moved into Jungkook's apartment next door after three years of dating, the warmth of the holiday season filled the room. The soft glow of twinkling lights and the soft hum of Christmas music created an atmosphere of peace and contentment. Taehyung and Jungkook had spent the day together, cooking a small meal, exchanging gifts, and enjoying each other’s company in a way that felt just as perfect as their first Christmas together.

Now, as the evening sun dipped below the horizon, they found themselves sitting together on the couch, a blanket draped over their laps. The fireplace crackled softly in the background, adding to the intimate, cozy feeling of the room. A warm cup of hot cocoa sat on the coffee table in front of them, and Taehyung couldn’t help but smile as he glanced over at Jungkook, who was still as handsome as ever, his strong, confident features softened by the light of the fire.

“Five years, huh?” Taehyung murmured, breaking the comfortable silence. He rested his head on Jungkook’s shoulder, his voice filled with emotion. “Five years since we first started this... since you knocked on my door with those roses Kookie.”

Jungkook chuckled softly, his arm instinctively wrapping around Taehyung’s shoulders, pulling him closer. “Seems like just yesterday,” he said, his voice tinged with affection. “Time flies when you’re happy indeed, Love.”

Taehyung smiled, his heart swelling with love for the man beside him. “I can’t believe it’s already been five years. It feels like everything happened so fast, but at the same time, it feels like I’ve known you forever.”

Jungkook kissed the top of Taehyung’s head, a gesture that had become second nature to him. “I know what you mean. It’s crazy to think about how far we’ve come, from the shy, nervous boy leaving gifts at my doorstep to... this,” he said, gesturing to their home, their life together.

Taehyung chuckled softly. “I still remember how awkward I was when I first started leaving you gifts. I was so terrified you’d figure out it was me.”

“I always knew,” Jungkook admitted, his voice playful but full of warmth. “I  had a thought it was you from the very beginning. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

Taehyung blinked up at him, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You knew?”

“Of course,” Jungkook said, brushing a lock of hair from Taehyung’s forehead. “You were the only one who would do something like that, I mean I know other neighbours in our floor and only one I didn't know was the one neighbour that moved into the apartment next to me just some months ago. I didn’t want to scare you off by saying it too soon. But I wish I did it early. ”

Taehyung smiled softly, his heart fluttering in his chest. “I’m glad you waited.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, they both simply looked at each other, the depth of their love for one another shining in their gazes. There was no need for words, everything they had been through, all the struggles, all the small moments of tenderness, was there, unspoken but understood.

Jungkook broke the silence again, his voice soft but filled with sincerity. “I’m glad you’re in my life, baby. I don’t think I’d be the same without you. You’ve made me better, more patient, more... loving. I love you more than anyone or anything in the world, my little secret Santa.”

Taehyung’s heart skipped a beat. “I love you, too, Kookie. More than you’ll ever know.”

They sat there in the quiet for a while longer, simply enjoying each other’s presence. After a few minutes, Jungkook stood up, extending his hand toward Taehyung with a grin. “Come on, let’s make this Christmas unforgettable.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

Jungkook winked. “You’ll see.”

They headed toward the Christmas tree, where a small stack of neatly wrapped boxes sat. There was a mistletoe hanging above their head. Jungkook reached for one of them and handed it to Taehyung. “For you,” he said softly, his smile as warm as ever.

Taehyung’s eyes widened as he carefully unwrapped the gift. Inside, he found a small, delicate silver necklace, the pendant in the shape of a key. His heart fluttered as he picked it up, examining it closely. “It’s beautiful,” he whispered, looking up at Jungkook. “What’s the key for?”

Jungkook smiled, his eyes glinting with a touch of mischief. “The key to my heart,” he said with a wink. “It’s yours, forever.”

Tears welled up in Taehyung’s eyes as he held the necklace to his chest. “I love it,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I love you.”

Jungkook chuckled softly, pulling Taehyung into his arms. “I love you more, baby.”

After a long moment, Jungkook pulled back, his hand slipping into his coat pocket to retrieve another small box. “And this is for you, too,” he said, handing it to Taehyung.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. He unwrapped the box to find a simple silver band. It was elegant, unadorned, but it gleamed under the Christmas lights. He looked up at Jungkook, confusion flickering in his eyes.

“This is...” Taehyung began, his voice shaking slightly. “A ring?”

Jungkook nodded, his expression soft. “Kim Taehyung, I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. We’ve been through so much together, and I can’t imagine my life without you. I want us to keep making memories, to keep building a future together. So... I want to ask you something.”

Taehyung’s heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the moment not lost on him.

“Will you marry me?” Jungkook asked, his voice filled with vulnerability and hope.

Taehyung’s breath caught in his throat. The world seemed to slow down, his mind racing as his heart swelled with emotion. This was it. This was the moment he’d been dreaming of for so long.

“Yes,” Taehyung whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Jungkook’s face lit up with a radiant smile, and he slipped the ring onto Taehyung’s finger. They kissed then, their lips meeting in a gentle but passionate kiss that spoke of everything they had shared and everything that was yet to come.

As they pulled back, their eyes met, and Taehyung couldn’t help but think of how far they had come. Five years ago, he had never imagined a love like this. But now, with Jungkook by his side, he knew that he had found the person he was meant to spend the rest of his life with.

And as the snow continued to fall gently outside, the lights twinkling around them, Taehyung whispered into Jungkook’s ear, “Merry Christmas, Kookie. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Jungkook smiled, his heart full. “Merry Christmas, my Love. This is just the beginning.”