Taehyung stood there for a moment, the note in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly as he read and reread the words. His heart raced in his chest, and he couldn't help but smile shyly to himself. Jungkook had noticed. Jungkook had actually missed the gifts that Taehyung had put so much of himself into. It was a revelation that left him both overwhelmed and exhilarated.

With the note still in his hand, Taehyung stepped back into his apartment, his mind whirling. He had never expected this kind of reaction from Jungkook, certainly not a note left on his doorstep. The mystery of the gifts had always felt like a secret he kept close, something he didn't want to burden anyone with, but now it felt like that secret was slowly becoming something more. Jungkook wanted to know why Taehyung had been absent for so long.

He sat on the couch, still holding the note. A thousand thoughts ran through his head, but one stood out more than the rest. 'Do I tell him?' Taehyung had always been cautious, preferring to keep things quiet, safe. But this felt different. The way Jungkook had taken the time to ask, he hadn't just left a comment about the gifts. He had asked about him. About why. That was significant. It meant something.

But what should he say?

Taehyung's fingers ran through his hair in frustration. He had never been good with words, especially when it came to something so personal. His shyness, the anxiety that always hung over him, how could he explain all of that in a simple note?

He leaned back against the cushions, thinking for a while. Eventually, he stood up and made his way to the kitchen, as if the act of moving around would clear his thoughts. He glanced over at the shelf where his baking supplies sat. He hadn't planned to bake again so soon, but somehow, the thought of making another gift for Jungkook seemed right. Maybe it would help him figure out what to say. Maybe it would help him find the courage to be more open.

He settled on making something simple, another batch of cupcakes, this time with a touch of his favorite ingredients: honey and cinnamon. As he measured out the ingredients, his mind kept returning to the note. 'Can you tell me why you've been absent for so long?' The words echoed in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized how much he had been hiding. Jungkook deserved the truth, didn't he? He deserved to know why the gifts had stopped and who was sending him gifts.

As Taehyung mixed the batter, he found himself wrestling with his thoughts. What if Jungkook didn't understand? What if he thought Taehyung was weak or silly for not just saying something? But then, the thought of leaving Jungkook in the dark felt even worse. 'I have to try', he thought.

______________________________________

Meanwhile, Jungkook had been restless since leaving the note. He had gone about his day, but his mind kept drifting back to the envelope, back to the question he had left for Taehyung. He couldn't deny it, he was curious, eager to know more about the person who had been so unexpectedly affectionate to him. That mystery person, through a series of thoughtful gestures, softened the edges of his cold and stoic heart.

The truth was, Jungkook had grown to look forward to the little gifts. They had become something he could rely on, a part of his routine, even though he didn't know the person behind them. Now, with the gifts back in his life, he felt like he had to know more about them.

As he sat in his office, staring at the architectural plans in front of him, his mind kept wandering. His thoughts drifted back to the note. The way Jungkook had responded to their absence... Jungkook had never been one for sentimentality, but there was something about the way that person had been so gentle, so thoughtful, that made Jungkook want to know them more. He felt a growing curiosity, and even though he didn't fully understand why, it was becoming hard to ignore.

That evening, after finishing up a particularly long day at work, Jungkook returned home. As soon as he walked through the door, he noticed something on the floor in front of his doorstep. His heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, he crouched down to pick it up. Another box. Another gift from mysterious santa.

He smiled softly to himself. A part of him had been hoping for this.

With the box in his hands, Jungkook entered his apartment, carefully setting the gift on the counter. He opened it slowly, revealing a batch of cupcakes, each one decorated meticulously, with swirls of icing and little sprinkles that made them look almost too beautiful to eat. He felt his chest tighten with appreciation. It wasn't just the gift, it was the thought behind it. He/she had been so kind, so consistent in their generosity. It had never been just about the treats, it had always been about the person behind them.

This time, however, something was different. The box also contained a small, folded note, written in neat, careful handwriting. Jungkook's fingers trembled as he opened it, and his heart skipped when he saw the words.

I'm sorry for the absence. I wasn't feeling well, but I'm better now. Thank you for the kind note. It really meant a lot to me. I hope you enjoy these cupcakes as much as the others.
- KT -

Jungkook blinked at the words, his heart warming in his chest. There was a softness in the words, a sincerity that tugged at something deep inside him. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected a response, not like this.

He stared at the note for a while, letting the words sink in. He had been worried, uncertain, but now, reading the note, he felt a sense of clarity. The person wasn't just some anonymous gift-giver. They were a person with feelings, someone who cared enough to apologize, to share a bit of himself with Jungkook.

A strange, unexpected warmth spread through Jungkook's chest, and for the first time in a long while, he felt something other than the cool detachment he'd gotten used to.

______________________________________

The next day, Jungkook couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to learn more about anonymous Santa. The mystery had become something he wanted to unravel. After all, he had already felt this connection, this pull toward the cute, kind-hearted person. The question was, what did he do with this newfound curiosity?

He stood in front of his door again, the thought of leaving another note tugging at him. He didn't know exactly what to say, but the words that came to him were simple.

He folded the note carefully and left it on his own doorstep again, while leaving for work, hoping the words would convey just how much he appreciated the gesture. This time, it wasn't just about the gifts, it was about the person behind them. Jungkook's heart was softening, and it was something he couldn't ignore.

______________________________________

Back in Taehyung's apartment, he was once again standing at Jungkook's door, the note in his hand. He had just returned from his morning walk with his dog, and now, the note from Jungkook had caught him by surprise. His heart fluttered in his chest as he read the words over and over.

I'm glad you're feeling better. Thank you for the cupcakes. They were delicious. If you ever feel like talking, I'd like to hear more about you.

Taehyung's breath hitched. Jungkook had asked to know more about him. The thought made him feel both nervous and elated at the same time. He had never expected this kind of invitation, and yet, here it was, sitting on his doorstep.

For the first time, Taehyung felt a sense of hope stirring within him. Something was changing. The distance that had separated him and Jungkook was shrinking, and it felt like the start of something new.