"Merry Christmas."

Yoongi and Hoseok had been left alone in the living room, waiting patiently for the clock to strike midnight. Jimin had gone to sleep, claiming that he was tired beyond recognition with all of the driving he did, though he did compliment Yoongi for the fantastic food. Whether Jimin just couldn't stand being near them third-wheeling or if he was genuinely tired was beyond Hoseok. Hoseok couldn't bring himself to care much for what Jimin wanted to do.

He was with Yoongi, after all.

Before going to sleep, Jimin had given each of them Santa hats to wear, and Hoseok's mind had gone back to their grocery store endeavor when he had realized that there weren't two but three hats. This must have been why Jimin had bought three hats instead of two, Hoseok had realized, feeling a slight pang of guilt in his chest at the thought of Jimin willingly purchasing something for someone that was dead.

It was hard for Hoseok not to wonder how much pain Jimin had already started suffering because of him and Yoongi.

"If I'd known for sure you'd be coming back, I would have prepared something for you," Hoseok smiled, pecking Yoongi on the lips. The elder giggled at Hoseok, returning the affection with just as much fervor and passion.

"You're silly," Yoongi said softly, smiling at Hoseok. "You know I'll be gone by New Years'. Why would you waste your money like that?"

"The least I could have done was gotten you a jacket or something," Hoseok leaned his forehead against Yoongi's, making sure to thread their hands together. "We're going to be going out. It's cold out."

"Baby, it's cold outside," Yoongi sang softly, leaning to kiss Hoseok once more. "Beautiful, what's your hurry?"

Hoseok could hear the distant fireworks starting to light up the night sky. He hadn't caught sight of the fireworks in years, not since Yoongi had passed away. Fireworks displays had always been sacred for Yoongi and Hoseok— particularly Yoongi, who loved watching the fireworks shine brightly, adding light to an otherwise lonely night.

"Let's go outside."

Without waiting for a yes, Hoseok stood up, pulling a laughing Yoongi out the door, despite neither of them being properly clothed to withstand colder temperatures. It didn't seem to bother Hoseok; he felt far too warm with Yoongi in his arms to consider that he should change properly to avoid a cold. Despite having time, it felt like Hoseok didn't have time, and he wasn't about to spend his time— especially when, in this context, fireworks didn't last long.

"Hoseok, look!" Yoongi gasped, his arms wrapped securely on Hoseok's side. "I haven't seen these in so long. They're so pretty."

"Not as pretty as you."

Hoseok couldn't lie; having Yoongi back was the best feeling in the world. The void he'd felt all these years after he left seemed to have filled at his return, and his excitement at having Yoongi back was so much that he wasn't able to express it in words. All he could do was stare mesmerized as the love of his life, his soulmate, watched in wonder at the fireworks dazzling the night from the comforts of Hoseok's home. Nothing had changed from then and now.

"Have you watched the fireworks after I left?" Yoongi asked, his eyes still fixated on the fireworks.

"I haven't done anything holiday wise since you've been gone," Hoseok responded truthfully. "I could never bring myself to do so. I've only done what Jimin had forced me to participate in."

"Jimin has a good heart," Yoongi commented. "I can tell he cares a lot about you."

Hoseok tensed slightly. "Yeah, you could say that."

"So you've seen the way that he looks at you, right?" Yoongi continued, leaning his head against Hoseok's chest. "It was the first thing I noticed when we had dinner."

"I suppose so."

"Is he the reason why you didn't ask for me sooner?" Yoongi asked, though not out of worry or anger. The only thing in his tone was curiosity, and that curiosity was one that Hoseok found odd.

There was no use lying to Yoongi.

"He was," Hoseok answered, "He didn't want to risk me leaving life to be with you."

Yoongi finally turned to Hoseok, his expression full of amusement. "Now, why on Earth would you jump to the other side with me instead of enjoying your life. here?"

Nothing was said out of malice, but as Yoongi talked, Hoseok couldn't help but feel it to be a slap in the face. His cheeks flushed at the question, and though he already had an answer. It was the same answer he'd given to Jimin all these years, and it had never changed. There was no reason for it to change because Hoseok's mindset had never changed.

"My happiness is tied to you. Without you, there's nothing for me to live for."

Yoongi chuckled, caressing Hoseok's cheek tenderly. "Look around you, Hoseok. There's everything to live for."

"From what I'm seeing, you're the only one around me," Hoseok responded, only causing Yoongi to giggle harder.

"I'll show you, Hoba," Yoongi nodded, smiling brightly. "You may not see it right now, but there are so many things that you could do. Life's too short. Trust me, I'd know."

"Did you have something in mind for today?" Hoseok asked, looking at Yoongi attentively. Yoongi's eyebrows furrowed, a small pout forming his lips before dissolving into resolve.

"Toy drive!" he announced. "There has to be one, right?"

Hoseok raised an eyebrow. "Toy drive? You want to see kids get toys?"

Yoongi nodded enthusiastically. "Maybe we can help too! Then after it's done, we can take a little walk before coming back."

Hoseok kissed the top of Yoongi's forehead, fingers running gingerly through his hair. While it was an odd request considering Yoongi and Hoseok had never partaken in such an excursion, Hoseok couldn't say no to Yoongi. He had never been able to, and he wasn't going to start now— not when he had been given a second chance to spend time with him.

"Sounds like a plan," Hoseok murmured. "If that's the case, we should head to sleep. That way, we can wake up, have some brunch, then head out. How does that sound?"

"Perfect." Yoongi beamed, burying his face once more in Hoseok's chest. "I missed you."

Trust me; no words could describe just how much I missed you being by my side.

❄️

Hoseok had been used to sleeping by himself. It was something that he had gradually gotten used to once Yoongi had passed away, but, as his eyes fluttered open Thursday afternoon, he realized nothing felt more right than having Yoongi back in his arms.

Sure, he had held Jimin in his arms just yesterday, but that was more out of courtesy. This feeling Hoseok was feeling as Yoongi lay fast asleep in between his arms, body cocooned closely towards him, just like years before.

Hoseok gently tucked Yoongi's hair behind his ear, causing the latter to stir slightly, lips parting as he released small puffs of air. Looking at Yoongi this way, Hoseok could almost cry. He was ready to cry because of it, though this time, instead of crying out of sadness, he wanted to cry out of happiness. It was a refreshing feeling. While he still wanted to cry, he wasn't going to cry out of sadness. Rather, happiness that everything in his life— even for a moment, had finally been pieced together.

"You're staring at me, aren't you?"

Yoongi's eyes fluttered open, immediately meeting Hoseok's. A smile lit up Yoongi's face, his hand going up to touch Hoseok's cheek, a habit that had already set on him since the moment he arrived at Hoseok's place. No words were exchanged between them as they stared at each other, basking in each other's presence instead of doing anything too particular.

"Good morning, Yoongi."

"Morning, Hoseok." Yoongi sat up, stretching his arms, before looking back at Hoseok. "Did you sleep well?"

Better than I've ever slept before.

Hoseok nodded. "You just have that effect on me, I guess."

"You guess?" Yoongi quirked an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound so reassuring, babe."

Hoseok sat up alongside Yoongi, immediately wrapping his arms around the older, before kissing his cheek. Yoongi's cheeks flushed at the contact, his gummy smile appearing on his lips at Hoseok's affectionate nature.

"You know I love you," Hoseok murmured, burying his face on Yoongi's neck. "More than anyone else in this world."

To Hoseok, that would never change.

At least, that's what he swore to himself.

"We're heading out today, right?" Yoongi asked. Hoseok nodded. "Toy drive, right?"

"It's what you wanted," Hoseok responded, not making a move to remove himself from his bed.

"We should shower," Yoongi suggested, stopping himself quickly. "Just shower."

Hoseok laughed, peppering kisses alongside Yoongi's neck. "Wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart. I'll get some spare towels for you."

Reluctantly, Hoseok left Yoongi, walking outside his room to get the towel. As soon as he opened the door, he was met with a note on the floor, which he picked up.

I left some food for you and Yoongi. I'll be out all day. Have fun together.

Merry Christmas!

— J

The nature of the note sounded strange to Hoseok, to say the least. The tone was terse and clipped, to the point of politeness, but it struck Hoseok odd. It almost sounded forced. At least the 'Merry Christmas' sounded alright. Hoseok smiled, making a mental note to himself to write Jimin a text, before tucking the note in his pocket, walking to grab what he had set out to look for.

❄️

Time passed by too fast for Hoseok.

One minute, Yoongi and Hoseok had gotten in the shower; the next, they were head to toe in presents, handing them out to kids who eagerly approached them. Hoseok watched as every gift given fueled Yoongi's happiness, to the point where it looked as if Yoongi's lips would break with how much they were smiling. It wasn't a bad thing, but Hoseok realized how much kids meant to Yoongi and how Yoongi would never have that luxury.

Hoseok felt a pang in his heart at the thought.

Truthfully, Hoseok was having just as much fun as Yoongi was. Originally coming to look, Yoongi and Hoseok were quick to notice that they were in need of volunteers. Of course, Yoongi jumped at the opportunity— a bit too eagerly for Hoseok, and for the past few hours handing out presents was all they had been doing. Hoseok didn't mind it in the slightest; it was something he was doing with Yoongi— making it infinitely more special.

The light on children's faces as they received gifts was one that would forever remain on Hoseok's mind. He'd never seen anything like it. It didn't matter what was inside the present, much less if the kids were to like it or not, but knowing that Hoseok was making a difference in a child's life, at least for one day, warmed him.

He would be lying if he said he didn't like the idea of children.

Parenthood hadn't always been something that Hoseok had intended to pursue. Unlike Yoongi, he didn't care for children as much, preferring to adopt animals instead of having children. As a compromise, Yoongi and Hoseok had settled to get a dog first, followed by a cat, before looking into adopting, at the very least, two children. The idea of parenting with Yoongi was something that Hoseok had looked forward to, not the children themselves, which is why when Yoongi passed away, Hoseok refrained from adopting children and animals alike. It would have reminded him too much of the future that had ceased to exist.

When they were finally finished, Hoseok and Yoongi quietly slipped out, not wanting to be thanked for helping out despite only being there to watch. They laced their fingers together as they walked down the concrete pathway leading towards the park where they had accumulated many memories— including their first kiss.

"You came here trying to find me yesterday, didn't you?" Yoongi asked as they approached the familiar surroundings, a fountain in the middle. Hoseok nodded.

"First place I looked," he murmured. "Thought you were by the water fountain because that's where we had our first kiss. It's when I realized that you were going to be the one for me."

"You said I love you first," Yoongi said, stopping in front of the fountain. "You said it here too, months later. I was surprised. I didn't think you actually liked me anymore. I thought we were going to break up."

"I remember the panic on your face when you noticed my serious expression," Hoseok chuckled. "And then you started to ramble about how if there was anything you could do that we could solve it together. Remember how I cut off your bantering?"

Yoongi arched an eyebrow, playing dumb. "How?"

"Like this."

Yoongi's arms instinctively circled around Hoseok's waist as Hoseok closed the gap between them, lips coming together in almost perfect synchrony. Despite their lips being cold from their outside surroundings, they felt nothing but warmth course through them, even more so as the kiss deepened, leaching passion and love with every movement.

"And then I told you I loved you."

Hoseok pulled away, smiling at Yoongi's somewhat dazed, flustered expression. A slow smile crept up on Yoongi's lips, and he nodded, pressing his hands on Hoseok's face.

"With that, you took all my worries away."

Before Hoseok could react, Yoongi gasped in delight, his attention becoming focused on the sky. A smile brighter than the sun illuminated Yoongi's expression as his hands reached out to touch the falling snowflakes, laughter erupting as everything he wore— and himself slowly began being covered with snow.

The breath left Hoseok's body as Yoongi turned towards him.

"Look around, Hoseok," Yoongi flashed a smile, eyes twinkling with happiness. "It's the first snow of the season. Aren't you ecstatic?"

And as Yoongi stared at him with those sparkling eyes and his signature gummy smile, Hoseok burst into tears.

It wasn't the first snow of the season— far from it, but to Yoongi, it was, and it hurt Hoseok way more than he cared to admit. It was the first snow of the season for Yoongi, and it would be the last one that he would ever get to see.

Hoseok couldn't bear the thought.

"Hey, don't cry." Yoongi frowned, embracing Hoseok tightly. "It's going to be okay. You're going to be okay. I promise."

It wasn't going to be okay— they both knew that. There were only six days left for Yoongi to exist in Hoseok's world, and they both knew that Hoseok would have to make a choice by the end of it. Six days wasn't a lot, and December twenty-fifth had passed by in a flash, leaving Hoseok and Yoongi with less time.

"Let's go home, okay?" Yoongi whispered, holding Hoseok reassuringly. "We'll focus on the now. I'm with you right now. We have to make the most of it. After, I'll be here. Always have. Always will."

Hoseok nodded, letting Yoongi walk them back to the car, though his mind only had one recurring thought.

Yeah, but you're not here the way that I have always needed you to be.

a/n: was gonna steal cara's time zone again bc it's christmas but it's already past midnight over there whoops. it's like 3am so here we are.

as hispanic, we celebrate christmas starting from the 24th going to the 25th. and then the 25th is a normal ish day for us which is why i'm still up christmas morning writing hehe.

let me show off my fit cuz i only wore it for like three hours hehe

that was the fit 😼 didn't go all out tbh i just wanted to be comfortable while looking het (also my platforms alright i had to show em off)

fam said nothing about the platforms. they thought they were pretty nice boots (we in the clear you guys 😌)

i hope those that celebrate christmas have a great and blessed one ❤️ 

to those that do not, happy holidays ❤️

this year's christmas haul was very successful. pulled hobis for my bts albums that i got. then the twice albums just *chefs kisses*. tiny tan and bt21 hoodie too. i got more stuff but most importantly, I GOT SOCKS. PLEASE IM SO HAPPY I NOW HAVE SOCKS BC I HAVE NO SOCKS AND NOW I DO PLSPLSPLSPLSPLPSLPSLPSLPSLPLSPLS

in conclusion, we stayed winning hehe