Chapter 42

                                    

                                          


                          
Once the birthday boy was ready, he stepped out of his room only to be greeted by all his friends, giving him loving smiles and wishing him again.
                          
Taehyung looked extra handsome today. He wore gray trousers and a loose baby-blue shirt. The top few buttons were open, giving a glimpse of his tanned skin and defined collarbone. He had recently dyed his hair to a dark shade of brown, which accentuated his facial features in the most striking manner.
                          
"Taeee! Let's go! We're getting late!" Hoseok didn't give Taehyung a second to process his words before grabbing his wrist and dragging him towards the door, the rest following them.
                          
"But where are we going?!" Taehyung asked, voice filled with anticipation. 
                          
"It's a surprise" Jimin replied, helping Taehyung put on a coat and a muffler. It was freezing cold outside.
                          
"Hey! Hold on! This isn't my coat!" the boy tried pointing out, "It is yours from today!" Jin laughed.
                          
"That's Namjoon hyung and Jin hyung's gift" Jimin explained, "Thank you so much!" Taehyung smiled as he was pushed out of the door by Jimin.
                          
The coat was beautiful, dark blue with black buttons, and it fit the boy perfectly. It surprisingly worked out well with his birthday outfit.
                          
All of them shuddered once they stepped out, the air was icy cold and their warm breath turned into mist after escaping their nostrils. They briskly walked up to the bus stand and thankfully the bus arrived soon. 
                          


                          
It was an hour long journey, the roads were mostly empty and the weather was gloomy. 
                          
Taehyung was getting restless, and Junkook's constant smirking wasn't helping him at all. 
                          


                          
As soon as they arrived, Taehyung ran out to see where they were, nearly slipping on the icy ground. But to his disappointment, he was straightaway engulfed in a dense fog. Nothing beyond a few feet was visible. On the way, he had noticed the bus was going somewhere uphill but Jungkook wouldn't let him look for any signboards, he soon complied to the younger's request and decided not to spoil the surprise. 
                          
Jimin let out a soft whine, feeling the heavy fog close in on him. 
                          
Only Hoseok and Jungkook knew where they were, the rest were as clueless as Taehyung. 
                          
"Yah Jungkook! What is this place?" Jin asked, not able to find any signboards around him.
                          
"Okay all of you need to follow me, stay close or you'll get lost" Jungkook announced, walking ahead and flashing an excited grin. The group stepped closer and started to follow the youngest. All of them were tightly wrapped up in special winter gear. Thankfully, Hoseok had informed them all to come extra prepared.
                          
The ground was covered by a thin sheet of ice. Just a few other people could be spotted here and there.
                          
Jimin kept losing his balance and almost fell twice. He was not wearing the shoes with the special grip that the rest were wearing. Eventually, Hoseok and Yoongi held him by his hands and helped him walk steadily. 
                          
The fog had dampened their topmost layer of clothing and they could feel a moist layer on any exposed skin.
                          
Jungkook came to a halt. He had stopped in front of what looked like a metal railing. He checked the time, it was almost noon. In just a few minutes the sunlight would become stronger according to weather reports, cutting off the fog, revealing whatever Jungkook wanted them all, especially Taehyung to see.