(AU; brief texting
So unedited. Like really unedited.)
Unknown:
Christmas Eve Dinner at my house on Saturday. Please be there by 1:00 to help me cook and set the table you munchkins! And don't forget to bring your presents!
T:
Uhm, who's this?
Unknown:
Your grandma, silly!
T:
Yeah... I think you've got the wrong number ma'am 😂
T:
But I'll still take a plate...?
Unknown:
Of course! Us grandma's are always here to feed the kids.
T:
Really...? You'd let a stranger join you and your family on Christmas?
Unknown:
Well of course I would! No one should be alone on the holidays.
T:
That's very sweet of you to think, ma'am
Unknown:
I'll put an extra plate out for you, don't worry. :)
-
So from then, up until now, Grandma had sent Taehyung her address after confirming he wasn't a creep. It was a two hour train ride, but Taehyung didn't mind the scenery. Tucked safely under his arm was a present and a bottle of wine stuffed in two separate bags. He felt bad for showing up empty handed, especially after Grandma was so nice to invite him over on a whim, so he splurged a little yesterday and bought something he thought anyone would enjoy. Despite the circumstances, Taehyung was excited. He wouldn't be spending Christmas alone again. This year held hope and promise.
-
The air was crisp and chilly, dusting Taehyung's cheeks and nose a cherry red. His loose gray curls poked out from beneath his knit hat that unintentionally matched his thick sweater. He looked like he was straight out of an anime, being one of those rich guys with sharp features and a long, khaki colored woll coat that reached his calves. The only thing missing was the secret tattoo and the hostile personality.
He texted Grandma after unboarding the train. He was running a bit late, but not late enough to miss dinner.
When he made it to Grandma's house he took one last deep breath and knocked on the front door, a classic wresth hanging at eye level. Murmurs muddled together beyond the threshold, the sound of greetings and laughter. When the door swung open, Taehyung couldn't help but smile. Grandma was a little short, but she was adorable, and Taehyung chuckled as she gasped.
"Oh my! Taehyung! What a fine young man you are!" She said, face full of a glee that made her look younger.
"Thank you for inviting me."
"Oh hush, you thanks was already given! Come in, come in!"
Taehyung stepped into Grandma's house, the soft click of the door ringing behind him. It smelled like Christmas. Like ham and sweets, like a lovely home.
"You're so tall!" Grandma gushed, pinching Taehyung's cheeks as she complimented just about every feature on Taehyung's face. "My my my, you'd be perfect for my Minnie."
"G-Grandma!" Taehyung sputtered, blaming his now rising flush on the temperature change from the cold winter world outside to the fireplace warmth inside.
"Oh come on, hets don't dress as fine as you! Or know how to apply eyeshadow!"
Taehyung just laughed, his rectangle smile making an appearance after what felt like- and was probably realistically so- years.
"Come along my boy! I've got to introduce you the the family!"
Taehyung was a little shy at first, but everyone welcomed him with open arms, literally. It seemed the kindness ran through the family.
Most people there were around the age of Taehyung's parents, who had passed years ago. Grandma, and along with a few other elders, made up about one-third of the group, and the rest, thankfully, were around Taehyung's age. Taehyung spent most of his time getting to know them after placing his present under the tree and the bottle of wine on the counter, surrounded by appetizers of all sorts.
One particular male was someone Taehyung saw himself getting to know more. He was tall, dimpled, and a little awkward. He was the cousin of Grandma's grandson, who Taehyung hadn't met yet, but according to this man, Namjoon, Taehyung would get along with him perfectly.
"Alright, dinner's ready!" Gta dna shouted over the commotion. Everyone gathered around the table, Taehyung sitting near the end, next to Namjoon. While waiting for the table to finish getting set, Taehyung asked Namjoon to point out the grandson that Namjoon was speaking of prior to now. His eyes scanned the table until they landed on a boy down by Grandma's chair. His hair was a vibrant red, complimenting the tint of his soft cheeks and plush lips splendidly. Taehyung was blown away by his innocent beauty.
He was really pretty.
"That's Jimin, my cousin." Namjoon said. Taehyung, begrudgingly, snapped his eyes away from Jimin before he was caught staring.
Before dinner, Grandma made everyone hold hands, which was rather strange at first but Namjoon's hands were warm and comforting and the person to Taehyung's left gave him a reassuring squeeze.
"I'd like to take this moment to thank everyone for giving our guest a warm welcome." Grandma said. Tender gazes landed on Taehyung and he nodded, grinning like an idiot. He made eye contact with Jimin, and although brief, there was a hidden promise. To meet properly later.
Soon, everyone was digging into different casseroles and whatnot, later thing joyfully. Taehyung exchanged many good stories, including the time he traveled to the states. Namjoon, as well as just about everyone else at the table, was impressed and in awe. Taehyung was a great storyteller, brining them along on the experience with just his words.
After dinner, Taehyung helped clear the table while others brought out dessert. An assortment of homemade pie.
All was great. Taehyung hadn't been this happy in years. He felt warm and fuzzy inside. His chest buzzed pleasantly, this feeling of a humble home something he hadn't grasped in his cold, lonely apartment for a long time.
He took the honor of popping the cork, pouring everyone who hadn't already left a glass of wine, handing it to Grandma who passed them down the table one by one. His hands were graceful, easily filling each cup with equal proportions until the bottle was nearly empty. He had great skill with pouring wine. His parents made him learn how to when they were still alive. It was respectful to pour wine without fumbling or making a mess.
Together, they all clinked their glasses in celebration of the happy holidays. As the night drew close, more and more started leaving. Presents were still nestled under the Christmas tree, waiting to be torn into by morning. Some we're staying the night, including Namjoon.
Taehyung was about to slip on his coat when Jimin finally walked up to him.
"Hey." He said. He sounded like an angel, smile delicate and pretty.
"Hey." Taehyung said.
"It's a little sad we didn't get to introduce ourselves before you had to leave." He said, frowning slightly. Taehyung felt his lips turn down too.
"Yeah, but maybe I'll see you on New Years." Taehyung joked, attempting to lighten up the atmosphere.
"I'm pretty sure grandma is already expecting you to show up." Jimin laughed. God, he was just so beautiful. "But, maybe you don't have to wait until then?"
"What do you mean...?"
"Namjoon was planing to share a room with me tonight, but he switched last minute. I don't mind sharing, if you're up for it."
Taehyung didn't have to think before answering.
"Of course."
So he hung up his coat and followed Jimin into the living room. The last remaining 'kids' spent their time talking with Grandma by the fire. She checked in on all of them, making sure they were doing well in school or at work. Taehyung discovered that Jimin was going to veterinarian school and Namjoon worked at as a teacher who taught a botany club on the side.
Taehyung explained the company he worked for and what they did that led them to traveling so often. The discussions transitioned so easily. The entire night flowed well, not a single moment where Taehyung felt too nervous e or uneasy.
"Alright kids, Grandma is getting too old to stay up any later ." She said. They laughed quietly, exchanging hugs and kisses in the cheek. "Don't stay up for too long!"
"We won't." Jimin said. Taehyung was gazing as Jimin's profile, infatuation clear in his dark eyes, when Jimin smiled mischievously and broke out another bottle of wine.
By the time Taehyung actually retired to bed, he was a little tipsy, but not enough that would give be him a head she in the morning. Jimin led him through the hallway upstairs, drunkenly pointing out pictures of him and others on the wall, explaining the stories behind the photos in slurs. He wasn't browning in wine, but he was giggly and clumsy, which was drunk enough for the night.
Jimin fumbled with the door at the end of the hall. Taehyung laughed lowly, opening it instead. Jimin tumbled in, giggling at himself.
There was nothing awkward about crawling into bed with Jimin. They had plenty of space between them, and instead of laying in the silence, the talked about themselves on a more personal level compared to stories shared before now. Jimin had asked Taehyung why he wasn't with his family, and Taehyung explained that he didn't really have one.
"Well now you do." He said.
Taehyung fell asleep in the silky sheets, warmth radiating from Jimin. He dreamed of who knows what, so deep in slumber that Jimin had to actually jostle him when morning rolled around.
"Taehyung." He said again. "Wake up. It's Christmas."
God, Taehyung hadn't heard those two words together in so long.
Jimin was already dressed, hair combed, teeth brushed. He left Taehyung to get dressed, putting on his clothes from yesterday. It wasn't hard to find him some pajamas last night.
Downstairs, Grandma was already up, passing cups of coffee to the kids while some waited for others to wake.
"How did you sleep, Taehyung?" Grandma asked.
"Great." Taehyung said.
"He's nothing like Namjoon. I actually got room to move around." Jimin said. If Namjoon was there, he'd defend himself, but he was still sound asleep upstairs.
"Oh, you two roomed together?" Grandma asked, a hint of excitement shining in her tone. Taehyung hesitantly nodded. "Oh! Next is the grandbabies, right?!"
"Oh my god-"
"Grandma, you can't just say that!" Jimin squeaked. Taehyung was choking of his coffee, face beet red.
"An old lady could dream." She sighed. Taehyung and Jimin avoided eyes after that, but soon that feeling of shyness subsided as everyone sat on the floor in front of the tree. Taehyung sat on the couch by Grandma seeing as he didn't have any presents, but he didn't mind. He liked watching everyone open their gifts and laugh or smile.
One was left under the tree. The one Taehyung had brought.
"Who's this for?" Namjoon asked as he grabbed the present. Taehyung shrugged.
"Everyone...?"
"Boy, tell me what it is." Grandma said. Taehyung chuckled, whispering the item into Grandma's ear.
"Open it, Minnie!" She said. Jimin's eyes widened, and then Taehyung made the connection. Jimin was Minnie. Minnie was Jimin. Oh boy.
Taehyung felt a little anxious as Jimin pulled out thin wrapping paper, sheet by sheet. Then he reached into the bag and pulled out... Monopoly?
"When I was younger, my parents used to play this with my every Christmas." Taehyung began. "I was thinking, this year, we could all okay together instead...? Usually we'd drink eggnog, share cookies, out on a movie, and sit in the living room on the floor and just... yeah."
"Joonie, go get the eggnog." Grandma said. Taehyung smiled sheepishly. "Minnie, pull the coffee table out of the way. Grandma's about to break her back today."
(This is cute, I think, idk. Maybe we'll see Taehyung and Jimin on new years? Maybe at a club with the cousins? Maybe share that new years kiss?)