Work Text:
- ♥ -
Jungkook can't help but chance a glance at the corner of his eye, carefully hidden behind a pillar while pretending to read his reference for One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi (not that he really needs to study that hard, his natural affinity with nature as a Hufflepuff seems to help him at the best of times). But there's a reason why he's adamant at being kept hidden-
Just a few feet away, Kim Taehyung, his crush best friend is standing nearby with an owl perched on his arm. The elder is dressed in his black robes, green cardigan vest and white shirt; his Slytherin scarf wrapped around his neck loosely as he hands the owl a letter before allowing it to fly away.
Jungkook's curiosity is piqued but he's too shy to ask what it was all about. Instead, he's stuck hiding and pretending that he hadn't followed the elder upon seeing him leave the Slytherin dorms and out onto the open courtyard that afternoon.
He watches as Taehyung looks on, almost with a melancholic gaze, as the owl flies farther and farther away, a puff of air leaves his mouth and Jungkook isn't too sure if it was sadness that had crossed the elder's features or something else entirely-
His blatant staring leads to his carelessness- his hands go slack and his thick One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi book lands on the marble floor with a loud thud. Taehyung turns around at the sound just as Jungkook gasps and turns to look at his fallen reference material.
"Jungkookie?"
The said male is red all over, almost rivaling the Gryffindor flag as he jumps to his feet before scrambling down to get his book. When he's standing up, Taehyung is walking over to where he was and is now standing just right across him, a low bricked hedge between them. Jungkook tucks the book closer to his chest, half of his face hidden behind his Hufflepuff scarf.
"What are you doing here?" Taehyung asks, warm smile gracing his handsome features and Jungkook's heart thunders in his chest.
"I-I was just-" Jungkook clears his throat and looks down at his book. "I was reading and- I-I just saw you, that's all. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."
The elder chuckles before scratching the back of his neck, "Well, it's not as if I was doing anything special, anyway." He tilts his head and smiles wider, "What are you reading? Wait- let me guess, is it One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, again?"
The darkened cheeks give it away.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Taehyung wiggles his eyebrows, stepping closer to place his arm on the ledge between them to rest his head over, grinning at the younger male. "How many times have you read it already? Three? Four?"
"Five, actually," Jungkook mutters shyly and gasps aloud when he realizes his confession. He whines, blushing, "Hyung!"
Taehyung's laughter is infectious and Jungkook joins him a few seconds later. The elder moves then, walking over to the stone steps leading to the hall where Jungkook is.
"You shouldn't be reading out here, Jungkookie. Winter's at its peak you know? It's cold and you're going to be sick." Taehyung reaches over to ruffle his hair before brushing the back of his hand over Jungkook's cool yet reddened cheek.
The Hufflepuff steps back shyly, pulling away from the contact. "Er- w-well, I just didn't want to spend my time indoors. Now that it's this cold, going outside to see Hagrid and have a bit of fun is a bit more difficult."
Taehyung smiles fondly, "You aren't going to be spending winter, Christmas even, in Hogwarts, are you?"
Jungkook perks up, "Oh, I am actually. I- My parents had sent me a letter to tell me they'd be in another city for Christmas a week ago so I told them I'll be fine spending Christmas here instead."
Taehyung blinks, "Oh, I see."
"What about you, hyung?" Jungkook asks, "Are you going back home this winter break? Your grandmother will be expecting you, yes?"
Taehyung pauses before he gazes down, an almost sad smile crossing his features. Jungkook blinks, surprised.
"Hyung?"
"I'll be spending Christmas here too, Jungkookie." Taehyung offers the younger male a weak smile. "Going home is- It's a bit difficult at the moment."
Jungkook worriedly stares at the elder, wonders if he should ask what had happened back home, but is it even okay for him to ask that of the elder? Would it be too nosy of him? What if Taehyung didn't want to talk about it?
"O-Oh," Came out Jungkook's cracked voice. He didn't know what to say. He feels so inadequate it almost makes him want to cry. He looks down before he shakes his head and takes a step closer to the elder, "I-It's okay, we'll spend Christmas together then-"
Taehyung's eyes are wide as he stares at the younger male owlishly.
Jungkook pales. Oh gods, what if he had made plans with his own classmates already? Why- Why would he even want to spend Christmas with a junior anyway? Stupid, Jungkook! Use your head once in a while!
"U-Unless, you had already made plans- But it's okay! It's fine!" Jungkook is red from the embarrassment as he takes quick steps back, retreating. "Don't worry about it, hyung. I-I'll see you around!"
Before the elder can reply back, Jungkook is running away, ears red and face hidden by his scarf and his Herbology book.
- ♥ -
To save himself from the embarrassment from yesterday, Jungkook had made it his goal to avoid the elder as much as possible- give or take a total of three days for the whole thing to be but a fleeting memory to either of them. Jungkook feels absolutely apalled that he had gone ahead and asked Taehyung to spend Christmas with him! As if the elder would be willing to spend the season holidays with someone like him-
Jungkook drowns himself in his classes, extracurricular activities and isolates himself in the library. Anywhere to avoid the elder. Needless to say, it goes wholly noticed by the elder Slytherin who seems adamant at catching the Hufflepuff wherever he is. But the moment Jungkook spots even an inkling of the snake and green striped scarf, he's off like a badger in the wild, running away from an apex predator.
It isn't until Jungkook is back in the Hufflepuff dorms later that evening when he's ambushed by his fellow year level wizards.
"Jeon!" One of them gasps, frantic and almost on the verge of panic, quickly grabbing him by the lapels of his black robes. "Why didn't you tell us?!"
Jungkook blinks as if he'd just been splashed with cold water, "What?"
"You sly fox! You should've said something!" Another Hufflepuff nudges him on the side, a smirk on her face.
Jungkook shakes his head, perplexed. "W-What are you talking about?"
"Taehyung!" She gasps, slapping his shoulder almost out of pride as if she couldn't believe the ace Slytherin had gone around almost all of the castle looking for him- and maybe that was the case because why else would he go so far for one Jeon Jungkook? "He came by and was asking around about where you were at. You should've told us you were close with the Kim Taehyung."
It takes about five whole seconds of the words to process in Jungkook's mind. Taehyung. Hufflepuff dorm. Asking where he was.
What?
The rose blooming on his cheeks is not missed and the two Hufflepuffs in front of him squeal like lovelorn banshees.
"What was he going to ask you?"
"How come you two are so close?"
"Are you two friends?"
"Are you two spending the holidays together?"
"S-Stop it!" Jungkook retreats, ducking his head down and out of the Hufflepuff dorm's enchanted burrow entrance and sprinting past the hallways just to escape his year level wizards' interrogation.
He never expected Taehyung to come out and look for him. After all, he had been trying desperately to avoid him! But a part of him, the little teeny tiny part, is wondering what for- He stops in his tracks and bites his lips. Is it because of what he had said yesterday? About wanting to spend Christmas together? Was that what this was about?
Jungkook blushes as he pulls the hood of his black cloak up, not wanting to attract anybody's attention just so they can see how red he is.
It can't be. There's no way Taehyung's thought about what he had said before- maybe it's about something else. Maybe it was about Herbology or maybe he needed something from Professor Sprout, the Hufflepuff Head of House.
Yes, let's not get our hopes up, Jeon Jungkook. He thinks, his cheeks returning to their natural color as he walks down the hallway only to stop midstep when a hand reaches out to pat him on the shoulder.
Turning around, he squeaks out a gasp when Taehyung is just right there.
"Hey, Jungkookie." Taehyung smiles, all warm and comforting, like marshmallows in a hot mug of cocoa. Jungkook wills his mind to concentrate.
"H-Hyung-" He says, clears his throat after, "I heard you were looking for me. Is there anything you need?"
Taehyung nods before he lowers his gaze and almost looks bashful. Shy. The Kim Taehyung is shy? He can get shy?
"I was just- well, thinking about what you said before." Taehyung starts softly and Jungkook's eyes widen by a fraction.
Don't get your hopes up.
"About spending Christmas together."
It's too good to be true.
"Does the offer still stand, Jungkookie?" He asks, tilting his head a little, black curls falling over his warm gaze, a small smile gracing his thin lips.
Jungkook feels his heart beat like a magnitude seven earthquake. He clears his throat again and pulls the hood of his cloak down, ruffling his hair for lack of anything better to do with his hands.
"O-Of course." He says, just as softly, just as shyly. "Of course, hyung. Y-You didn't have to- You didn't have to ask."
Taehyung looks at him as if he's waiting for the rest of the words that had gone stuck in his throat.
He gulps.
"I-I'm always open for you, hyung." Jungkook blurts out quickly before ducking his head, embarrassed.
The chuckle escaping Taehyung's mouth is enough to make the younger male melt right then and there. There's always something so gentle and kind with the way the elder Slytherin is around him. Jungkook chances a peek, and sees Taehyung rubbing the back of his nape shyly, as if he was just as embarrassed as Jungkook is at the moment.
"You're very kind, Jungkookie." Taehyung says, reaching forward to flick the underside of his chin gently, "I'm very lucky to have you."
"M-Me too!" Jungkook squeaks, almost bobbing in place, earning him another laugh from the elder.
The solemn look in his eyes aren't as prominent as earlier- replaced by a sparkling warmth as the elder stares back into Jungkook's own.
"So," Taehyung says, "I'll see you around?"
"Y-Yeah!" Jungkook nods so fast, it's as if he was high on sugar- and maybe he was- because being with Taehyung is so sweet and saccharine, it's enough to make him want to stay by his side even more- even just a tad bit longer.
The elder reaches forward and fixes the Hufflepuff scarf wrapped around his neck. "See you then, Jungkookie." He says, leaning close to whisper by his ear, "Sweet dreams, my little Hufflepuff."
And he takes a step back to turn towards the other direction, back to the Slytherin dorms, leaving Jungkook standing frozen in place, cheeks flushed and heart thundering in his chest.
His scarf feels just as hot as the growing love burning inside of him.
- ♥ -
Jungkook has a mission and that mission is to make sure Taehyung has the best Christmas ever.
He won't settle for anything less because Kim Taehyung doesn't deserve anything less other than perfection.
Because the Slytherin himself is perfection personified.
Jungkook has a whole list plotted out- he's immensely proud of what he's managed to brainstorm in a span of three sleepless nights, squeezing it in between his studies and extracurricular activities. He grins at the list he's made, pride blooming in his chest.
He can't get this wrong.
Which is why he's up before his owl crows its own good morning, throwing the blankets off his body in nervous excitement. He stands up and walks over to where his cloak and scarf was, wearing it quickly before leaving the dorms. He rushes out, an excited flush on his cheeks as he runs down the steps to head to the Great Hall.
A hearty breakfast is first on the agenda and he wants to make sure that the elder has one that's just absolute food for the soul. He's had a small menu planned out and even asked the kitchen to help prepare it, practically begged the elves to dish them out for the day- delicious cinnamon rolls baked to perfection, German apple pancakes drizzled with golden honey, creamy scrambled eggs with cheese, smoked ham and biscuits together with bacon cheddar broiled grits. When he gets to the Great Hall, there are a few students around with most of the student body had already left the castle for the holidays a few days before. Jungkook rushes to the kitchen and grabs the cart with the dishes in place, pushing it out to lay it on the wooden table, one side for Taehyung, the other for himself.
He's just about to place the goblets down when he hears Taehyung's voice from behind him.
"Jungkookie?"
Jungkook's heart sings and he turns around, grinning. "Good morning, hyung." He says, biting his lip to control himself- it's the first day of his mission- he can't mess up. "Did you have a good sleep?"
Taehyung blinks, eyes scanning down to the prepared mini-feast on the table before settling back on the younger male. There's almost something soft and fond that crosses over his features, something almost lovesick, but perhaps Jungkook's too excited to really see what it was and he doesn't want to assume anything-
"Did you get all of this ready for me, Jungkookie?"
"Y-Yeah," Jungkook clears his throat. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all. I wanted you to have a hearty one, I'm sure it's not the same back home but-"
"It's perfect." Taehyung says, taking a few steps closer, it isn't much but it knocks Jungkook off center. "Really, it is. You didn't have to, Jungkookie but- thank you, still."
Jungkook blinks back at the elder, takes in the small blush high on his cheeks and the gentle smile. He smiles back, bunny teeth and all, nose scrunching happily.
"You're welcome, hyung." He says before taking Taehyung's arm and tugging at him to take a seat. "Come on, let's eat!"
Taehyung feels warm all over, a tingling sensation right at his fingertips as he's seated across the young Hufflepuff. His eyes have barely left the other male, observing the way Jungkook stuffs his mouth with the pancakes, sweet honey staining his lips- Taehyung quickly looks aside, rushes to place a piece of ham in his mouth to play it off.
But he can't help it- his eyes find themselves trailing back to the Hufflepuff- this sweet and pure Hufflepuff who had prepared all of this for him so early in the morning. All for him.
Taehyung bites back a smile as he chews on his grits.
Jeon Jungkook is too cute for his own good.
He's always thought that- always thought that the boy two years younger than him was an adorable junior but nothing more, really. He's always attributed his fondness of the younger male as something that comes along with being older than him, a hyung he can look up to- but-
Jungkook's eyes blink up to stare back at his own and Taehyung feels a little choked up.
"Is it good, hyung?" He asks. "D-Does the food suit your taste?"
He didn't have to.
Taehyung offers the younger male a shy smile.
He didn't have to do all of this for him.
Just because he found out Taehyung was to spend his holidays here, away from family-
Jungkook went and planned a beautiful spread for him and probably thought of so much more- He can tell- can see the way there's a spark of excitement in the younger male's eyes- like a kid who couldn't wait to open the gifts under the Christmas tree.
Taehyung is so fond.
"Yes," He croaks, lowering his gaze, feeling shy all over. "Yeah, Jungkookie. It's delicious."
Jungkook giggles and does a successful fist pump by himself.
Oh, he's so cute.
Has he always been this cute?
Taehyung smiles, leaning a little too forward, more forward than usual and watches the way Jungkook picks at his scrambled eggs, watches the way Jungkook's cheeks puff when he eats, the way he starts to talk at the same time he's chewing that Taehyung has to remind him to calm down so he wouldn't choke on his food-
Taehyung just can't help but watch.
- ♥ -
The next day, Jungkook is waiting outside the Slytherin dorms, head ducked shyly as a few Slytherins who had stayed behind go in and out of the chambers, perplexed as to why a single Hufflepuff boy is waiting there. Jungkook swallows his embarrassment down because this isn't about him- No! It's about Taehyung!
"Jungkookie?"
Jungkook perks up as he hears his name, bunny teeth out as he grins back at the elder. He's dressed in his warm winter long coat, green and white striped scarf wrapped around his neck just as Jungkook had told him to do so the night before.
"Good morning, hyung!" Jungkook exclaims and steps in front of the elder, "Are you all set?"
Taehyung can't help the small smile that crosses his face, seeing his junior so happy and so eager to make his day just a tad bit better. He really didn't have to though- He didn't have to go all this way and do all of this for him. Taehyung just wanted to spend time with the Hufflepuff, because it seems to take his mind off of the things back home- of the little note his mother sent him that made his heart burn painfully inside and out-
"Hyung?"
Taehyung snaps out of his reverie, blinking owlishly at the younger male who worriedly fumbles with his hands for lack of anything better to do with them- Jungkook didn't want to inappropriately touch the elder, after all.
"I'm sorry. You were saying?" Taehyung shakes his head and offers the younger male a smile, albeit weakly. Jungkook was not impressed.
"Is everything- Is everything okay?" Jungkook asks, his bright doe eyes staring straight into Taehyung's very soul and he was this close to telling him- oh, he was- but he stopped himself at the last minute, not wanting to burden the younger male.
It wasn't Jungkook's problem. It was never Jungkook's problem to begin with.
Taehyung reaches over and gently bops his nose with a finger, making the younger male gasp. "It's nothing. Don't you worry about it, Jungkookie." He tilts his head and grins, "So, what do you have planned for us today? You asked me to wear my winter clothes, does that mean we're going out?"
As if a spell had just been broken, Jungkook blinks and seems to have completely forgotten what he was supposed to be asking. Instead, he hops in his place and grabs the elder's wrist, shyly tugging him excitedly towards the exit. "As a matter of fact, I do have something planned for us outside! I hope you're going to love it!"
Taehyung finds himself loving everything a little bit more than he'd expected.
He finds himself dragged all the way outside, where the once grassy plains outside the castle that had been covered in lush greenery were now covered in a thick layer of pure white snow. Jungkook breaks free and jogs ahead before he turns around and waves Taehyung over. The elder walks a little more faster, squints his eyes to actually believe what he was seeing before he barks out a laugh.
"Is that a tree, Jungkookie?"
Jungkook blushes, whether it be from the cold or from the embarrassment, Taehyung will never know but he secretly hopes it was the latter. He smiles fondly as the younger male walks around the small pine tree which had been planted in a low leveled wooden box filled with soil. Compared to the rest of the surrounding forestland, this one was a little smaller, seemed to be easier to get around and over it. Jungkook ducks behind the tree and tugs a small cart of decorations and fairy lights- leftovers from the castle, it seems.
"I asked the house elves in the Great Hall if they were still going to use some of these and they said that they didn't need it anymore, so I borrowed them. We weren't able to help decorate the Christmas tree and the halls this year and we're in different houses too, but I was hoping- well, if it's okay with you, hyung, I'd totally understand if you don't want to-"
"Jungkookie," Taehyung sighs with a soft smile, making the younger male pause for a breath before rubbing the back of his neck shyly.
"M-Maybe we could decorate this tree together? It'll be our own little tree. Just for us." He blushes, "If you want to."
And oh, how soft his heart has gotten for this boy. Taehyung ducks his head, his cheeks feeling warm and his fingers tingling excitedly, a rush of both fondness and desire suddenly overtaking him. It's not anything special, really, Jungkook just wants to make his Christmas better ever since he found him out in the courtyard-
But it means so much to him. Right at this very moment. Every little thing that Jungkook is doing is making him feel ten times more.
"Hyu-" Jungkook doesn't get to finish, not when the elder takes the few small steps between them and wraps his arms around the Hufflepuff's shoulders, burying his face in his yellow and black scarf- it smells of pine cone and cinnamon- so very him that it makes Taehyung turn red even more. "Taehyungie?"
"God, Jungkookie-" Taehyung croaks and he laughs, almost embarrassed at what he was doing- what he was thinking of doing. "Of course, of course I'd do it. I'd do anything with you."
Jungkook watches as he pulls away and blushes when he sees the way Taehyung looks at him. The elder isn't really too sure what he must look like but it must be something big if the way Jungkook ducks his head shyly with a giggle is anything to go by.
The two take their time decorating the tree, trailing the fairy lights around the branches and hanging little crystal snowglobes with magically imbued dancing snowmen or elves inside. They add little Christmas berries and sparkling silver snowflakes to a few branches and even used their wands to magically shape the letters of their names at the top of the tree in place of a star.
It was their own Christmas tree.
Just for them.
Just for Taehyung and Jungkook.
- ♥ -
There was a heavy snowfall the following day, the ground was a few inches thicker than before with snow piling up all around the castle like tiny hills. Jungkook was wondering if it was all right for him to bring Taehyung out that day- the snow was still falling and it was a little chillier than before- he sighs, a little disappointed, because he had planned to bring Taehyung to Hogsmeade that day. The roads however were blocked because of the snow and that meant getting there would be a little troublesome. His plans for the day were ruined and he had been too optimistic to have thought of an alternative.
How silly of him!
He's about to turn around to head to the Slytheirn dorms, thinking of a way to apologize for the day when he sees Taehyung walk towards him, a boxy grin on his face and eyes dazzling with excitement.
Jungkook feels like crap.
"Good morning, Jungkookie-" The elder stops, sees the little frown on the Hufflepuff's face and closes the distance quickly, hands instinctively reaching out to take the younger male's hands in his own. He realizes belatedly what he had done but it's a little too late to back down now, "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Hyung-" Jungkook's eyes are downcast and the sheer disappointment rolls off of him in waves, "Hyung, I'm sorry. I was going to bring you to Hogsmeade today but the snow blocked the roads- It's going to be hard to get there- I-I'm really sorry."
Taehyung doesn't understand why the younger male has to apologize for something like that but he still smiles all the same at the kindhearted and heartfelt sentiments his junior has in his too big of a heart.
"It's okay, Jungkookie. It's not your fault."
"It is! I should have planned something else-" Jungkook grumbles frustrated at his mistake. Taehyung squeezes his hands to distract him.
"Then, let's do something else." He says and when the younger male blinks up at him, he sees a spark of hope cross through the boy's eyes. He glances to the large arching windows and sees the pure white scenery- "How about we play with the snow instead? What do you think? We can make snowmen-"
"Snowmen?" Jungkook perks up, eyes turning to face the window as well and a few beats later, turns back to the elder, "Yes! Snowmen! Hyung, you're a genius!"
Taehyung all but laughs as he's dragged by the Hufflepuff towards the open courtyard, almost topples over in joy when he's pulled together with him when he had almost tripped over a pile of snow.
"Careful, Jungkookie." Taehyung reminds him softly, cheeks hurting from all the smiling he'd been doing these past few days. He knows his cheeks are warm, even more so when Jungkook turns around and grins back at him, bending down to gather the snow in his hands.
"Bet I can make a better snowman than you," Jungkook challenges and laughs when he sees the fallen expression on the older male.
"Oh, is that how it is?" Taehyung smirks, "And to think I was the one comforting you and giving you the idea-"
"I-I wasn't sad!" Jungkook squeaks, fisting snow and pulling his hand back to throw at the elder, "Take it back!" He says with a youthful grin as the snow hits at the elder's shoulder.
"Yah!" Taehyung barks with a grin, bending down to gather his own snowball, "Come back here!"
"Snowball fight!" yells the Hufflepuff, and in that instant Taehyung knows he has a whole stack ready to pelt him with. In seconds of the warning the air is thick with snowballs so compacted that several feel solid and icy. The ones from the fresh fallen flakes burst open on impact, showering crystalline fragments that glint in the wintry light. Seconds later Taehyung has snow over his hair, but the grin on his face refuses to melt away along with it as he frantically bends down to make a stockpile to retaliate with. From the lull in the action he knows Jungkook is doing the same to replenish what he already used. "You're gonna loose, hyung!" he taunts froma few feet away.
"Yeah, Jungkookie? Wanna bet?" comes the still out of breath voice of the elder. "You're going down!"
Jungkook giggles while running away as the elder throws his own assault of snowballs, hitting him on the back. He yelps, quickly replaced by peals of playful laughter. He rolls onto his fours, quickly gatheirng his snowball to retaliate but as soon as he turns around, he's met with another flash of white that knocks him back down. The elder's warm laugh echoing in his ear as he feels him approach. There's the heavy crunching of shoes onto snow and Jungkook heaves a breath from laughing too hard as he lays down on the ground, a sea of white enveloping him, little dots of snow on his face but not enough to cover the beaming smile he has on that's easily reflected by the elder.
Taehyung settles beside him, laying down with his arms spread open like a starfish. Jungkook turns his head and gazes at the elder's blissful expression, heart feeling lighter at making him happy for the day. His plan for a successful Christmas holiday had been close to falling apart had it not been for Taehyung's optimism. Jungkook begins to move his legs and arms against the snow, making a snow angel in the silence.
Taehyung steals a glance and smiles, doing the same.
"Thank you, hyung." Jungkook shyly whispers as snowflakes continue to fall, some landing around them, others finding solace onto Jungkook's flushed cheeks and reddned tip nose. He thought the elder didn't hear him, missing the way Taehyung turns his head to the side once more to face him.
I should be thanking you. The elder thinks, a small smile on his face.
- ♥ -
The following day, Taehyung decides to stop by the Hufflepuff dorms instead, intending to surprise the younger male rather than the other way around. The past few days had been nothing but absolute joy and he's been wanting to show his own gratitude to the younger male in some form or the other.
When he sees the door to the Hufflepuff dorm open, he takes a leap of faith and hurries down the hall from where he had been waiting, smile readily plastered on his face the moment he sees Jungkook turning to close the door behind him- "Jungkookie!"
The younger male flinches and turns around, doe eyes widening at the sight of the elder. "Hyung? What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd surprise you today." Taehyung smiles, "It's always been you taking the time to prepare everything and picking me up from the dorms or from the Great Hall, so today I thought it'd be fun to switch things up a bit."
Jungkook blushes, "O-Oh, but you didn't have to- Th-This is for you, after all."
Taehyung's heart skips a beat but he clears his throat and offers his hand.
"I have something special in mind, would you like to come with me?"
Jungkook stares at the elder's outstretched hand and then back at him before two little bunny teeth peek out of his little smile and he gives the elder a slow nod.
"Always, hyung." He says, taking the elder's hand. It's warm and a little rough but Taehyung finds it perfect nonetheless.
Has Jungkook's hand always been this warm? Has it always been this wonderful to hold?
He shakes off the thought for now as he gently pulls Jungkook along with him to the castle's fifth floor where the special bathroom restricted for prefects was kept for use. All of the house prefects had gone back home for the holidays leaving it empty except for one rather curious ghost-
"Hyung, this is a restricted area, isn't it?" Jungkook asks quietly, careful not to attract any attention like the sharp ears of Mrs. Norris. Jungkook feels a tug as he's pulled towards the door. He's never been in the prefects' bathroom before, for obvious reasons, but it doesn't mean that he isn't curious about it. The moment the doors open, his mouth parts in surprise and awe at the sheer size of the area. In one side of the room, there are the stalls with toilets inside and on the opposite side, is a large swimming pool-like tub with bath taps surrounding it. The pool is sunk into the ground but not deep enough for those who weren't so confident in swimming in deeper waters. The bath taps all run different colored bath water, soap bubbles, foam and on one side of the room are different towels and bathrobes of the finest cloth.
"H-How did you even-" Jungkook pauses as he hears a little giggle echoing throughout the bathroom walls and immediately sticks close to the elder once he sees the ghostly apparition of a young witch in Hogwarts uniform.
"Moaning Myrtle." Taehyung introduces with a sly smile, "She let me in."
"Always a pleasure to let in handsome young wizards like yourselves." She croons, her round glasses shining as she tilts her head here and there to appear cute and demure. Her eyes however are barely leaving Jungkook's figure.
Jungkook gives a nervous laugh and a shaky hello.
Sensing the younger male's discomfort, Taehyung brings a hand up and shoos the ghost away, "Have you ogled enough? You're making him uncomfortable."
Myrtle huffs and sticks her tongue out, "You should be grateful, you little snake!"
"I did you a favor though, yes?"
"Hmph!" She throws her head aside before she swoops down and goes right into Jungkook's space, "I've always wanted to say hello to you, Jeon. You seem to be like me, always wanting to be alone- moping-"
"He's nowhere like you, Moaning Myrtle." Taehyung grunts and flinches when the witch sticks a ghostly hand through him in an attempt to punch him. She leaves them alone thereafter, but not after sending a little girly giggle back at Jungkook's way.
"What was- What was all that about?" Jungkook asks as Taehyung pulls him towards the edge of the pool. He's only just realizing once more that they were still holding hands.
"Well, I had heard her moaning about wanting to say hello to you a few times back- seems you've caught the eye of a little friendly Casper, hm?"
Jungkook blushes but gently nudges the elder for the teasing remark, making him laugh. "Shut up, hyung. So what made you bring me here? What are we even doing here?"
"Well, we're in a bathroom, what do you think we should be doing?" Taehyung turns with a grin and Jungkook shortcircuits for a minute.
He immediately pulls his hand away and tucks it close to his chest. "Are we- Are we taking a bath? T-Together? Hyung!"
Taehyung laughs, expecting the reaction, "Silly, I was just thinking of soaking our feet in the warm water and hanging out a bit- I've heard the prefects' bathroom has some lovely moving glass paintings-"
Just as he finishes his words, the glass artwork just in front of them shines with some magical light and a siren peeks out from a colored piece of glass that appears to resemble water before gracefully lounging at a slanted rock, her hands combing through her hair nonchalantly.
Jungkook lets out a soft sound of amazement.
"Come on, let's get comfortable." Taehyung says, leading him to the edge where he takes off his shoes and socks and pulls up his pants, waiting for Jungkook to do the same. The moment their feet touch the water, the bath taps turn on and several different scents waft all around them, some mint and lavender and others a little more unusual like pumpkin spice macaron and gingerbread.
Jungkook laughs at the clouds of bubbles and foam, kicking his feet and making them fly up into the air. Taehyung does the same until there's now bubbles of foam floating all around them like little snowflakes.
"You didn't have to do this, hyung-" Jungkook says after a moment of silence but Taehyung shakes his head and, whether it be because of the atmosphere, the sound of running water or the sweet scents wafting around them, reaches over slowly- shy fingers faintly tracing Jungkook's own before gradually, they intertwine with each other- as if it was meant to be.
Jungkook stares at their hands the same time Taehyung does as well. There's a moment. A breath.
Taehyung's hand moves first, intially loose- before it holds Jungkook's own a little bit tighter- tight enough to pour out what he was trying to say- what he wants him to know.
Jungkook returns the squeeze.
Their hands are warm in the cool air. They don't speak. There really is no need for words at this moment.
When Taehyung moves to glance back at the younger male, it's to meet Jungkook's warm and grateful stare in return. Taehyung's cheeks flush, feels warm on their own and he ducks with a quiet chuckle when Jungkook giggles at his reaction.
They don't let each other go.
- ♥ -
Since that moment in the prefects' bathroom, there's been a sort of excitement sizzling between them, a buzz, a sweet tension that's just about ready to break. Taehyung puts the thought at the back of his head as he finds himself following Jungkook one day to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. They both know they shouldn't be here- but ever since that secret little rendezvous at the prefects' bathroom, it's as if something mischievous and daring had sparked between the two, making them willing to risk it all.
Jungkook chuckles as he points up to a little bird's nest tucked snugly in a tree's bark, safe from the winter fall. Taehyung follows the signal and grins at the sight of two little hatchlings, peering down back at them.
"They must be hungry," Jungkook comments idly, eyes looking around the vicinity for any sign of their mother. "Their mother must be out looking for food."
"Will she be able to find any? It's winter, there's not that many fruits or berries now since in this kind of weather." Taehyung muses, sensing the concern radiating off the younger male. It somehow makes him- cute.
Cute?
Jeon Jungkook was... cute?
Not was, silly. Is. His mind supplies as he smiles fondly at the younger male. He reaches over to hold his hand- an action that seems more natural for them now than it was before. Jungkook turns around and blinks at the elder.
"There're some berries in the Great Hall, maybe we can bring some over to them?" He suggests and basks in the small smile back at him.
"You're always saving me, huh, Taehyungie?" Jungkook laughs. "I thought I was supposed to be making your days better!"
"You are." Taehyung adds easily, surprising himself with how easy it is to just- tell him everything. "You've been making everyday even better- the best even, Jungkookie."
The younger male pauses and gulps, hiding his red cheeks behind his scarf. "O-Oh."
Moments later, they return back to the tree with small berries in their hands, looking up to see the mother bird back in her nest. They turn to give each other silly smiles before leaving the berries by the tree.
"It's like our own little Christmas gift-giving." Jungkook whispers, careful not to scare the birds at the nest.
Taehyung nods and feels his chest warm all over when Jungkook reaches over to hold his hand in his own, fingers easily threading with one another's in a comforting hold.
Their own. Everything was theirs.
And somehow, that only makes Taehyung wish this Christmas would last a little bit longer.
- ♥ -
The following night, the two find themselves in the Hufflepuff dormitories- it was just the two of them, snuggled together right in front of the fireplace with balls of different colored yarns around them, both trying to knit sweaters for the other because "ugly knitted sweaters are a must for Christmas!" Jungkook had said.
Taehyung fondly agrees.
He's paused midway to turn to the younger male beside him, amused at the way Jungkook's tongue was poking out of his pink lips in concentration while sewing a thread here and there. Taehyung softly chuckles before moving to stand up.
"Hyung?" Jungkook perks up, "What's up?"
"I was thinking of making some hot chocolate." He says, "Is it all right for me to use the pantry?"
Jungkook seems to shine under the idea of hot chocolate, nodding as he points to the direction of their little yellow pantry area. Taehyung walks past him, bending down to ruffle his black hair affectionately before crossing over to the pantry area. He sees some mugs and spoons and sees the cans of cocoa powder. He whisks the cocoa, some sugar and a pinch of salt together with some milk in the mugs. He adds some extra milk, heating it over medium heat and whisking it away before adding it to the drinks.
Now, it would be better if there some marsh-
"Marshmallows are in the right cupboard, hyung!" Jungkook chirps as if he had read Taehyung's mind. The elder turns, smiling when he sees the younger male still in deep concentration with his sweater, not once looking back at him. He shakes his head fondly before tracing his hand up to the right cupboard to retrieve the box of marshmallows. He drops five to six in their mugs before bringing it over to where the Hufflepuff was sitting.
Jungkook hums, "Smells good, hyung." He says, putting aside his sweater to take the mug in his hand. He blows a bit before taking a slow sip. "Delicious!"
Taehyung gives him a boxy grin before doing the same.
There's a peaceful silence that crosses between them for some time.
Then, Jungkook scoots a little bit closer, arm brushing against Taehyung's. It doesn't shock him, in fact, he was even hoping for it- for contact. For Jungkook's touch. He moves the mug to his other hand to reach down between them, easily slipping his hand in Jungkook's own.
Touching each other had never felt so natural- so... complete.
"Hyung," Jungkook whispers and Taehyung hums a reply. "Are you- Are you feeling any better?"
Taehyung turns his head, blinking. "What do you mean, Jungkook?"
The younger male bites his bottom lip before gulping, "You don't have to force yourself, you know? I can tell it's been bothering you- your family back home. Something- Something's worrying you, right?"
Taehyung's breath hitches, surpised at how Jungkook caught on or maybe he was just silly enough to underestimate the younger male. He places the mug on the table nearby and ruffles his own hair, sighing. "It's not- I'm not pretending to enjoy myself, Jungkookie. These past few days, I truly was happy, I still am- you've made each and every day so blissful and enjoyable. But, I guess it isn't fair that I hadn't told you what happened back home, hm?"
"Oh no, if you don't want to tell me-"
"But- I do." Taehyung says, turning to face Jungkook. "I want to tell you. Everything."
His heart buzzes at the word everything.
"Only if you want to, hyung." Jungkook says, placing the mug on the table as well. He covers both their hands with his other, keeping Taehyung's hand warm. "Remember that."
Taehyung offers the younger male a warm smile, "Thank you, Jungkookie."
He pauses. Takes a moment. Then tells him. Tells him how his parents had written him a letter a few weeks ago, breaking the news that his grandmother- his sweet and loving grandmother- had fallen ill back home and had needed to be put in the hospital. Knowing how close they were with each other, his parents hadn't wanted him to go back home and not enjoy the Christmas holidays- even his grandmother had voiced that she had wanted Taehyung to enjoy the break and not be busy fretting to take care of her. Taehyung cried onto the letter he had sent that day, how he thought that they were all being ridiculous, how nothing else mattered to him more than his family- how he was so scared that he might miss what could possibly the last Christmas he could've spent with his grandmother-
Taehyung hadn't realized it, but the tears had began falling down his cheeks, eyes glossy and blurry from crying. He ducks his head, ashamed.
Instead of saying anything, he feels Jungkook reach over, tucking his face onto his shoulder, callous fingers brushing through his soft locks. The scent of something so distinctly Hufflepuff- pine cones, baked goods of gingerbread, croissants and hot cocoa- brush past his nose and it literally breaks him.
Taehyung cries onto his shoulder, arms wrapping around the younger male, sweaters and ball of yarn forgotten- he sobs, confessing how he feels utterly useless, feels inadequate at not being able to do anything for his family, feels guilty for enjoying the break without them-
Jungkook holds him a little tighter and whispers, "It's okay- hyung, it's okay." He pauses, "Sometimes, it's okay if the only thing you did today or any other day was to breathe. You don't have to bear the world on your shoulders, hyung."
Taehyung's breath shakes.
"Do you- Do you remember the tree we went to yesterday? Where the nest was?" Jungkook asks and Taehyung hums out a response, voice trembling as his sorrow racks through his entire body. "It didn't have anything anymore- no leaves, no fruits to bear and give to the birds living inside of it and yet it's still standing tall- and it will still stand tall for a long, long time."
Jungkook pulls back and cups the elder's cheeks in his warm hands, offering the elder a small smile. "That's like you, hyung. You may feel like you're losing everything but that doesn't mean you're losing. No- you're here and you're standing tall like the tree outside. Winter will pass, hyung. It always does."
Taehyung parts his lips and- and no words leave his mouth.
Instead, he slowly reaches and grasps at Jungkook's hands cradling his face. He grips at the anchor- his anchor and nods slowly. He pulls Jungkook's hands away from his face and brings them to his lips, kissing the little callouses carefully, whispering his gratitude.
Winter will pass.
And yet, Taehyung wants this moment to last for all eternity.
- ♥ -
Christmas holidays were nearing the end and Taehyung feels a little disappointed. After this day, the rest of the student body will start to return, the castle halls will be filled with bustling and excited witches and wizards, the prefects will return and the bathroom will be off-limits once more, security at the border between the castle and the Forest will be tight once again-
Their adventures together will be less and it feels a little- disappointing.
Taehyung sighs as he solemnly walks back towards their own little Christmas tree which was still standing tall, surrounded by snow. The fairly lights are still wrapped around it snugly and some snow had piled up at the top of the letters at the very tip. He waves his wand towards it, ridding the snow off of them. He smiles fondly at the memory behind it before he stares back down at his feet. It's as if he was waiting for something that isn't going to happen.
Something- Something between him and Jungkook.
He shakes his head and pulls his Slytherin scarf closer to his face, hiding the blush on his cheeks. After everything that had happened between them, it doesn't come as a surprise that Taehyung's entire body thrums at the thought of the younger Hufflepuff. It's as if the boy himself was what he needed and that his frail grandmother had led him into his arms- to catch him, to take care of him, to-
To love him.
"Would he?" Taehyung whispers to himself. "Would he love me, though?" He laughs skeptically, shaking his head.
It'd be too good to be true.
But it's Christmas.
And in front of this little tree of theirs- would his wish, his little wish, come true?
The thought almost makes his body tremble. It's not as if he'd been ignorant of his own actions- how he'd sneak glimpses of the younger male around the castle or when they hung out, hoping and praying that he wouldn't catch him staring or notice it in any way. How he'll wait for the younger male to start a conversation now because he didn't want to make a mistake and say things he didn't really need to know. How it's so much easier to be with him than it is with any other person-
When had he started to wish for every morning to be walking beside the younger male down the castle halls and out onto the winter landscape?
When had he started to wish for every evening to end watching Jungkook close his own eyes to sleep for a sweet night?
When had he started to wish for him to color his days a bright blue over the dull grey?
When had he began wishing for Jungkook?
Taehyung's hands tingle on their own and it wasn't because of the cold as he stood in front of their little Christmas tree- No. It was because of want. He wants. He wants more.
"Hyung?"
Taehyung turns around and sees Jungkook walking towards him, button nose red from the cold and neck snugly tucked in his Hufflepuff scarf. He's wearing what Taehyung had made for him- the ugly knitted sweater of mustard yellow- but on him, it seems to fit just right. Everything just fell into place with Jungkook.
"Hey," Taehyung croaks out shyly. He feels warm all over as he senses Jungkook stand beside him. The younger male is looking at the tree by his side for a moment before turning to face the elder.
"What are you doing here, all by yourself?"
Taehyung doesn't say anything for a moment. Instead, he stares at his feet, his blood pumping in his ears the same time his heart is beating fast in his chest.
Jungkook slowly reaches for his hand and he lets him- he lets him take it. He'll let Jungkook take his hand any day. Because Jungkook was there- was there when he needed someone the most, was there even when he didn't need him there.
He was always there.
And now, Taehyung wants to be there for him too.
Taehyung grips his hand tight and turns to face him.
"I was just- thinking." He says softly. "These past few days had been incredible. You've made every winter morning and night so much more meaningful, Jungkookie. Thank you."
Jungkook flushes under the praise and smiles shyly behind his scarf.
"I- I can't tell you how much I-" Taehyung sighs, "How much this all means to me."
"You don't have to tell me, hyung." Jungkook nods his head in understanding. "I know."
But Taehyung wants him to know more.
That he's feeling more than just gratitude now.
That he feels more and more and more-
There's a sound of tinkling bells above them, followed by tiny sparkles of magic and fairy dust. They both look up to see a mistletoe floating up between them-
A mistletoe?
Jungkook gasps, eyes widening at the appearance of the little ornament. "Wh-What? Where did that come from?"
It takes a moment for Taehyung to process what this all meant- that it wasn't some kind of cheap parlor trick that had caused it to appear out of nowhere; that it was magic itself that manifested what he had been thinking of, what he had been feeling this whole time-
He grins and breaks out a soft laugh.
Of course.
Because love is magic itself.
You are mine. He thinks, secretly and shyly wishing to himself and to the little blooming mistletoe- his unhidden love first coming into fruition- You are mine now and forever.
Jungkook blinks back at the elder, perplexed with his doe eyes wide as he shyly returns the elder's smile. He feels the gentle squeeze in his hand and breathes sharply when the elder takes a step closer.
There's a soft brush of lips on his forehead- it's quick and sweet but it bore everything that meant everything for Taehyung.
Jungkook feels his entire body burn, as if all the snow had melted around them and allo of the daisies, tulips and sunflowers were ready to burst forth into the world.
Taehyung pulls back, forehead gently pressing against Jungkook's own.
"Happy Christmas, Jungkookie." Taehyung says after a beat, warm breath ghosting over Jungkook's face.
The younger male blinks and breaks out a little giggle.
The mistletoe tinkles above them, the start of a new season and perhaps the start of something special-
"Happy Christmas, hyung."