College seemed to just go by in a snap. In five years time, the people who started to create a long lasting friendship way back in high school were finally able to graduate in their respective fields.

One chose to pursue his passion in arts, the other in photography.

One became an engineer, musician, teacher, and architect.

Though they went their separate ways to achieve their dreams, the bond that connected them strengthened over the years.

During the holidays, Jungkook had received the greatest news that he had longed to hear.

"I'm coming home in two days." Taehyung said from the other line.

"You.. what?"

Jungkook was too stunned to comprehend as his heart started to rumble in his chest.

"I'm going home for Christmas!" Taehyung repeated in enthusiasm.

"What the fuck- Tae!" Jungkook hastily jumped and raced outside the porch where his friends were currently having a drink.

"Taehyung is coming home!" He beamed, like a man winning a lottery.

"Really?!" Chaeyoung's happiness was also mirrored on her face at the good news.

"He's coming home!" Jungkook reiterated, going to his friends to show Taehyung on the screen.

"We heard you the first time." Namjoon said, but Jungkook was just overjoyed and the information still hadn't sink in that well.

"He's finally coming back..."

There's a sudden change in his voice that seemed to crack a little. His eyes watered which made his friends groan.

"No man, don't tell us you're going to cry." Yoongi pointed out, but Jungkook was quick to turn his back.

"I'm not, idiot. I'm just happy." He said as he gazed at Taehyung's face on the screen.

"Thank you, baby." He said which made the other smile.

"Wait for me."

"Always."

————

Jungkook couldn't stop moving to and fro as he waited for Taehyung to step out of the airport.

His plane had already landed minutes ago which only had Jungkook wishing for the time to move fast.

Every tick of time had him looking up to see if Taehyung was there.

So when he finally caught sight of that familiar face regardless of the wide rim glasses and a bonnet that almost hid his face, he quickly went out of the car.

The snow falling from the sky didn't seem so cold as he stared to look at the man a couple of steps away from him.

Jungkook saw him smile and instantly, his surroundings with nothing but white seemed to burst in colors.

"Hey." Taehyung greeted as he took a couple of steps towards him.

"Hey."

They stared at each other for a long time, both with smiles that seemed to tell every word they didn't say.

Jungkook offered his hand which Taehyung took without hesitation.

"Welcome back, baby." Jungkook said before placing a kiss on his lips.

"It's good to be back." Taehyung said, smiling.

"Let me take that from you." Jungkook took his suitcase before helping him load it in the trunk.

"We should probably get going. Our friends are waiting for you." He added as they stepped inside the car.

"Really? They're all present?"

"Yeah. They're all too eager." Jungkook said as he leaned to strap Taehyung's seatbelt.

"Let's get moving." He added, starting the engine.

However, even before he could maneuver the car, Taehyung released himself from the seatbelt. Without a word, he cupped Jungkook's face and enveloped his lips in a passionate kiss.

Their lips molded, danced in the rhythm only the two of them could hear.

It's full of carnality, with intense passion held off for five long years.

It spoke of longing... love.

"I've missed you.." Taehyung whispered as he moved a little to breathe.

Jungkook could see the love in his eyes which he's sure to be mirroring his own.

"You don't have any idea, Taehyung."

He leaned once more, this time for a soft and lingering kiss that tasted of heaven and fulfilled promise.

"I'm glad you're back." Jungkook uttered, running a hand on Taehyung's hair as he basked in his beauty.

"Thank you for waiting, my love." Taehyung responded, claiming Jungkook's lips in another heartwarming kiss.

————

"Welcome home!"

His friends cheered as soon as he opened the door of Jungkook's home.

"Oh my fuck!" Taehyung bursted in laughter and tears when he saw the efforts of his high school friends.

There were balloons scattered everywhere, pictures decorated on the wall, scented candles, and even roses which his friends were holding.

"Is it homecoming or fucking debut?" Taehyung joked, seeing his long time friends fall in line and hand him the roses.

"Turning 18 again." Hoseok said which had the group laughing.

"I wish."

He saw his sister, who went home ahead of him for a week, fall in line with a rose too.

"Well, hello." He said and Jennie gave him a bad finger.

As the welcome and greetings finally settled, they shared a sumptuous meal under the thousand stars in the night sky as soon as the snow stopped. They made a bonfire that kept them warm.

"Who wants barbecue?" Mark asked.

He placed a platter in the middle and everyone started attacking.

"You need to grill more." Jackson said.

"Yes, sir." Mark was quick to follow which earned a laughter from the group.

"Still as obedient as ever." Jimin teased.

"Of course, anything for my man."

Another series of teasing showered until the topic shifted to Taehyung who was busy feeding Jennie's daughter.

"So Tae, have you decided when to get married?" Chaeyoung asked.

The other smiled as he gazed at Jungkook who was helping the others in setting up the fireworks.

"Whenever my love is ready."

They started teasing him because of his answer but he just laughed.

"He's fucking ready from day one!" Hoseok revealed.

"We're all aware." Namjoon retorted.

With all the teasing, Taehyung could only laugh as he went back to help his niece wipe the stain on her lips.

"Eat slowly, sweetie." He said before taking the barbecue stick from her hands.

"Want.. want." She continued to mumble which had Taehyung laughing.

"No more. Mommy will get mad." He said, pointing at Jennie on the other side.

When they left to study abroad, Jennie found his partner there and got pregnant on her first year in college.

It was disappointing for his uncle in the beginning, but after giving birth to a healthy baby girl, his uncle finally accepted what happened.

He still supported her in studying even after that.

Now, having a four-year old niece was beyond happiness for Taehyung.

"No more, okay. Let's wipe your hands." Taehyung took the little girl's hand and noticed how cold she was.

"Sweetie, where are your mittens?" He asked but the child just continued eating.

"Wait here."

He went inside the house to look for his sister's bag when he suddenly remembered something.

With rushed hands, Taehyung rummaged through his things to find the mitten he had from long ago.

The one he had given the pair to Jungkook.

A day before he left for abroad five years ago, while he was packing, Jungkook suddenly brought up the incident of their first meeting.

They became both sentimental when they reminisce and found the mitten in Taehyung's possession, still with him after all those years.

Before he left, they made the same promise. He brought with him the mitten and promised to return to complete the pair.

"Let's see." Taehyung grinned as he went out with the mitten in hand.

He sat back on the bench next to his niece and handed her the mitten.

"Here, I'm giving this to you now." Taehyung said before wiping her hand and warming it with the cloth.

"Now, go to uncle Jungkook and ask for the other one." Taehyung uttered, pointing to Jungkook who's still arranging the fireworks.

The kid seemed to understand as she stood from the chair and walked towards Jungkook.

She poked his back a couple of times before Jungkook noticed.

"Yes, beautiful?" Jungkook asked.

He saw the child wave her gloved hand and just one look, he recognized it.

"Oh.." Jungkook snapped his head to Taehyung's direction and when he saw him smiling, he raced inside the house and in no time, he's back in front of the child as he held the pair in his hand.

"Here, little one."

Jungkook helped her wear the glove in her other hand and when it fitted her perfectly, Jungkook couldn't help but smile.

"Take care of that, okay?" He whispered, placing a soft kiss on the girl's forehead.

They have finally reunited the pair of mittens from when they were children.

And just like them, Jungkook and Taehyung found their rightful pair.

Each other.

————

"I still can't believe you're here." Jungkook whispered, hand wrapped around Taehyung's waist as he sat on his lap while watching the beautiful fireworks bursting in the night sky.

"Believe. I'm not going anywhere." Taehyung said, hands over Jungkook's own.

"What a merry Christmas indeed." Jungkook whispered, snuggling even closer.

"Happy to get your wish?" Taehyung teased.

"More than happy."

He felt Jungkook's small kisses on his temple which made him sigh in satisfaction.

As they silently admired the night sky, Taehyung suddenly remembered something.

"I'm turning older in five days." He pouted, remembering his birthday.

"Let's get married by then."

Taehyung almost snapped his head when he turned to see Jungkook's face and the smile on his lips.

He felt him take something in his pocket that almost made Taehyung run.

"No way..." He was beyond surprised when Jungkook showed him a box where a beautiful pair of gold wedding rings adorned.

"Marry me, Taehyung."

With the sound of the fireworks getting louder, only Jungkook's words were the sound Taehyung heard.

His eyes glittered in tears as he said the word Jungkook had been wanting to hear.

"Yes.. Yes.." Taehyung nodded as tears flooded his eyes.

Jungkook lovingly took his hand and gently slid the ring in his finger.

Both of them were shaking from too much emotions as Taehyung did the same.

"I love you.." Taehyung whispered, kissing Jungkook's lips.

The blond could taste Taehyung's tears as he responded with the same intensity.

"I love you too.." Jungkook responded, cupping Taehyung's tear-stained face.

When their lips met once again, the promise to be happy together for a lifetime was once again sealed.

As the fireworks ended, Taehyung immediately ran to their friends to proudly show his ring.

And just like them, his friends were in tears.

The night was long but full of merriment with everyone in high spirits.

Jungkook, who was busy observing his love, felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Congratulations." Chaeyoung said, handing him a drink.

"Thank you." He responded, sipping the alcohol that felt warm to the throat.

"Be thankful Taehyung is into men. If not, I could've been the one who ended up with him." Chaeyoung retorted, earning a chuckle from Jungkook.

He smirked, staring at Taehyung with loving eyes as he played with Jennie's daughter.

"I don't think so.." He uttered, earning a scoff from Chaeyoung as she saw the smug look on his face.

"After all..." Jungkook trailed off as a playful smile slowly crept on his lips before saying the words which had everyone who heard, roll their eyes.

"He's into me."

————
End.

And that's a wrap!

Thank you so much for all the love for HIM 💜

Cheers to more taekook books in the future! 🥂🎉

Love you 💜