____________________________________________

"Jungkook," A warm voice said, alerting Jungkook, who was looking down at his feet which were dangling off his bed he was perched on. He heard footsteps approach him, and fingers tugging his chin up. Jungkook blinked.

"Mommy," Jungkook squeaked, and the woman let out a small chuckle. "I'm not your mother, darling."

Jungkook blinked, looking down again, brain feeling fuzzy. "Has Jungkook eaten?"

"Y-yes." Jungkook let out, and saw the woman smile. "Good. See, you're doing so much better than last week." She whispered, and Jungkook nodded, staring into the wall.

"Mommy-" Jungkook said out, not knowing how tightly he was clutching onto her shirt. "Milk."

The woman sighed, not bothering to correct him, just grabbing the mug from the table beside it and handing it to him. "Hold it properly, okay?" She said, and then slowly left it in Jungkook's hands.

The mug fell from his hands which didn't grip around them, and his arms fell uselessly to his side. The mug shattered on the floor, along with milk that spilt everywhere. The woman sighed, not in annoyance, but in concern, looking up at Jungkook.

Jungkook just blinked, not responding, continuing to stare at the wall ahead and play with the little dress he was in.

"Kookie, you know what they said. You have to start drinking from mugs and eating properly. You're almost 19." She whispered, and Jungkook didn't respond, just shook his head, and then brought his hands to his face, biting down on his thumb.

"No. M' six. Six years old, mommy. M'o-only six." Jungkook said, and then kicked his feet up, earning another sigh from the older woman. "Six." He repeated.

"I'll get you a bottle with milk in it." She said, and Jungkook shook his head again, harsher this time. "No." Jungkook said, and the woman frowned. "No!" Jungkook screamed, voice hoarse and pitched, raising the woman's concern deep in her light eyes.

"Jungkook-"

"N-Namjoonie- ask- ask Namjoonie to bring. Want- want Namjoonie." Jungkook said, and the woman pursed her lips, and then grabbed onto Jungkook's hand.

"Hey, Jungkook- what did we tell you, Kookie? They're gone now. They're gone, baby." She whispered, and Jungkook shook his head, and giggled.

"No- right here! They're right here."

Jungkook whispered, eyes growing big suddenly, emotion avid on his face. "Standing right here, mommy. Namjoonie came into my room and tucked me in last night." Jungkook whispered, and then giggled like it was a secret.

The woman's face faltered, and she gulped, nodding. She leaned forward, patting Jungkook's back. "Okay. Um- well, you have to leave this room sometime, little one."

"N-no. Bad- bad men outside, mommy. Mean men. T-they hurt Kookie." Jungkook squeaked, tears growing in his eyes. "D-don't want hurt, mommy."

"Baby, you're only here for 3 more months, okay?" She said softly, and Jungkook nodded, his tears going away suddenly, just nodding and staring at the wall ahead.

"And- and then Taehyungie will get Kookie." Jungkook whispered, smiling. "Me and Taehyungie. In our big house, mommy. Next to the beach." Jungkook giggled, and didn't see the way the woman hesitated, looked so torn. She lay him down slowly on his bed, tucking him in.

"And- and- and then we'll open our- our cafe, mommy. And get puppies and kids and kittens." Jungkook whispered, and she leaned down, kissing his cheek.

"Go to sleep for now, sweetpea." She whispered, turning the lamp off and turning around.

"When will he come back, mommy?" Jungkook asked in his soft small voice, clutching onto his bedsheets, staring at the wall, not at her.

The woman gulped, and then stilled, trying her best not to let tears rise in her eyes or let him hear the waver in her voice. "Go to sleep." She said, and then closed the door behind her.

____________________________________________

The next morning was heavy. Jungkook felt a little dizzy, and his voice was groggy, and he felt like utter shit. Thank god Chris wasn't there, because Jungkook was walking around in a big dull grey robe and he looked like utter shit.

Jungkook saw the maid there, vacuuming the ground floor, and upon seeing him, she widened her eyes. "Mr. Jungkook- oh lord, sir, are you alright?"

Jungkook frowned. "Yeah? Why wouldn't I be?" Jungkook asked, and the woman practically snorted. "Sir you slept for the whole day yesterday." The woman said, and Jungkook's eyes widened.

Oh god, the stupid side effects of that goddamn medicine. Jungkook groaned, brushing his hair back. "What- what day is it?"

"It's.. Thursday, sir." The woman said, and then smiled a little. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry- what?! It's Christmas? Oh my god, Annie, why're you here?" Jungkook said, flabbergasted. The woman laughed.

"Someone's gotta clean the house when you're so ill, sir." She said, and Jungkook shook his head. "No no, please, go back home and be with your family. I hope all the other workers are at home as well?"

"They are, sir." Annie replied, and Jungkook gave her a timid smile. "Thank you. Merry Christmas. Spend it with your kids." Jungkook said, and Annie gave him a warm and grateful smile.

"Thank you, same to you." She said, and then giddily grabbed her things and headed out.

Jungkook sighed, and then gasped and rushed to his bedroom to grab his phone. He saw many missed calls and messages.

xxx-xx-xx
hello!! its me jimin!! the one you knew from korea! merry christmas from me and yoongi!! xx

Holiday
MERRY CHRISTMAS JUNGKOOKIE!! <3

Taehyung
hey you ok? were a little weird last night in the call.. text me if you need anything

Taehyung
btw are we meeting up tonight?

Taehyung
it's christmas eve after all !! im guessing you're going to london tomorrow or something

Taehyung
i'll see you at my place at 7 ish? im gonna make hot chocolate we can sit and watch old movies!

Taehyung
hey.. sorry to bother you. are you coming?

Taehyung
it's 7:45 im guessing you're not coming. its fine!! it snowing though and my heaters broke down ): so thank god i have two cups of hot chocolate

Taehyung
talked to mark and jackson for a bit. theyre in japan right now!

Taehyung
hey.. its been hours. im guessing you've gone to london to be with chris for the holidays. i hope you have a really lovely time! i hear its nice there! be safe kookie

Taehyung
see you when you're back

Jungkook frowned when he saw no messages or missed calls by Chris. But instead of texting Taehyung back, Jungkook decided to call Chris. The phone dialled for a good few seconds, before getting picked up.

"Chris!" Jungkook said, and fell atop his bed, smiling. "I'm sorry I didn't call you yesterday." Jungkook said, playing with his hair. "But Merry-"

"Hey Jungkook. This is Adam, Chris' brother. He's not here right now." A brash voice came, and Jungkook sat up and frowned.

"Oh.. where is he?" Jungkook asked. "He's working."

"But- but it's Christmas. Can you ask him to call me-"

"Listen, kid- he's working."

Jungkook bit his lip. "I-I know. Sorry. Just please ask him to call me back?" Jungkook said, and the phone cut before any response.

Jungkook sighed, looking down at his feet. But it's Christmas..

Jungkook looked at his phone again and decided to text Taehyung.

Jungkook
oh my gosh tae ): im so sorry

Jungkook
i fell sick and ended up sleeping for the whole day

Jungkook
i would've come im so sorry

Taehyung
oh god are you alright? is it bad? do you need anything?

Jungkook
no no im fine!! but thank you. i feel really bad.

Taehyung
dont worry i rather be alone than you be unwell. btw are you in london?

Jungkook
no.. alone ):

Taehyung
can i come over?

Jungkook
yes!! please!

Taehyung
!!!!! on my wayyy

Jungkook giggled at his message, face lighting up. He totally forgot it was Christmas. He remembers last month (before he even knew about Taehyung) Jungkook had went up to Chris and tugged on his sleeve and suggested they put the three up together (like how they do in movies!). But Chris scoffed and told Jungkook he was busy.

Jungkook ended up decorating the tree himself. He had fun doing it, even if he was alone. Chris said it looked nice.

Jungkook changed out of his ugly sad clothes and put on his silk shorts and a big red Christmas sweater which reached his upper thighs and went way past his fingers. Jungkook rushed to the kitchen and decided to make some hot chocolate for the two of them.

After half an hour, the bell rang, and Jungkook ran towards it like an excited kid.

He opened the door and practically squeaked. "Taehyung!" Jungkook said, seeing the dark haired boy in black sweats and a big green Christmas sweater.

"Jungkook!" Taehyung said, and Jungkook reached forward, hugging him tightly. Taehyung couldn't hug him back, 'cause he was holding things in his hands, so he just let himself be embraced, letting out an oof.

"I got you a gift." Taehyung said when Jungkook pulled back, and instantly, Jungkook frowned. "Oh god- I-I didn't get you a gift!" Jungkook said, and Taehyung laughed.

"Aw Kookie, it's fine. My gift isn't all that special." Taehyung said, and then handed Jungkook a packet. Jungkook ripped the packet open in delight, and then gasped aloud.

"Oh, Tae." Jungkook let out, cheeks turning pink. His gift was more than just all that special. It was a stuffed bunny, identical to the one Taehyung had won for him from the Carnival all those years ago. Along with that, was a little necklace, with a little stone on it.

Jungkook giggled, picking the necklace up. It was a little rusted, so Taehyung sighed. "I- um- god I made it for you years ago. Was- was gonna give it to you... before you went on the train, remember that? But I-I never got a chance to, and you ended up staying, so.."

Jungkook looked at him, smiling really wide. "I love it! What is it?"

Taehyung laughed at his response. "It- well, it's a small stone I picked up from the pathway in the front yard of your house. I know you don't like the memories linked to that house, but- it's home, y'know?" Taehyung said, and Jungkook grinned so wide, eyes sparkling.

"Put it on me." Jungkook said, and Taehyung nodded, and then Jungkook turned around, so Taehyung draped it over his neck and pinned it together in the back, smiling fondly at the boy.

Jungkook turned around, and really, it was a simple necklace. A pretty rose gold necklace with a stone in the middle engraved in the same rose gold. It looked pretty, and it meant so much.

"Wow, this Christmas tree looks real nice." Taehyung said, looking at the huge tree planted in the middle of the living room which Jungkook dragged him into.

"I-I decorated it." Jungkook said shyly, and Taehyung grinned at him. "Really?" Aw, Kook, it's so good! Like, it's so detailed- and I loved the little stars all over. Gorgeous." Taehyung said, and Jungkook blushed. He was literally complimenting his tree decorating skills, but it made Jungkook smile really big.

"Thank you." Jungkook chirped. "You have so many gifts under it, too." Taehyung said, and Jungkook hummed.

"Yeah. Chris got them for me. I-I thought we would open it together, but I guess not. He didn't even call me to wish me Merry Christmas, so whatever." Jungkook mumbled, and Taehyung gave him a look, which Jungkook didn't see.

Jungkook walked closer to the tree and leaned down, grabbing one of the gifts lying under it. "Lemme open one, if you don't mind?" Jungkook said, and Taehyung shook his head. "Of course not."

Taehyung saw as Jungkook opened the pink packaging, and saw a big blue box under it. Jungkook took the lid of the box off, and then gasped. It was a beautiful diamond necklace, with a beautiful silver neckline decorated with small diamonds, and a big diamond dangling off the middle.

Taehyung's eyes widened, and he watched as Jungkook picked the necklace up, eyeing it with his big eyes. "It's really nice." Taehyung commented, and Jungkook looked at it and hummed.

"Yeah. I guess." Jungkook said, and then Taehyung saw Jungkook take off the necklace Taehyung gave him and idly place it on the side. Taehyung tried not to feel the stab in his heart, that came with the regret of being so stupid. Why the hell would he give Jungkook a tiny dumb necklace when Chris can buy him every diamond in the world?

Jungkook put it on himself, and then looked at the big mirror on the side, looking at the way the diamond shone against his pale skin, exuding luxury and royalty, almost.

"It looks beautiful on you." Taehyung said timidly, but then watched as Jungkook almost looked.. careless. "Yeah." Jungkook mumbled.

Jungkook then reached for the diamond necklace and took it off, placing it back in the box and closing it. He then looked around. "Where's your necklace? Wanna put it back on," Jungkook said, and Taehyung tried his hardest not to smile at that.

Jungkook found it and quickly put it on, giggling at Taehyung. "Like this one more. Holds more value to me." Jungkook whispered, and Taehyung hummed, nodding, letting his smile creep out.

"By the way Kookie," Taehyung said, holding up another packet. "I got you a chocolate tart."

Jungkook stood frozen for a few seconds, and then let out a sigh.

Few hours later, and Jungkook and Taehyung were sat on the couch right next to each other, Jungkook's hand clutching Taehyung's sweater as they watched Die Hard. Taehyung's eyes glimmered with every scene, while Jungkook's were hesitant. They had an empty box of what used to have a chocolate tart (Jungkook scarfed that shit down, ignoring how widely Taehyung was grinning at him) and empty cups of hot chocolate lying around.

"What's the time?" Jungkook yawned cutely, and Taehyung smiled at his adorableness. "Almost 5."

Jungkook stretched, and then grabbed his phone. Upon seeing it, he gasped. There were 4 missed calls from Chris, and Jungkook called his phone up in an instant. Taehyung watched as Jungkook got up from the seat, stepping away, but still close.

The phone rang, and before Jungkook could speak-

"I've called you a million times, Jungkook. What, you so fucking busy you couldn't even pick up my calls?!" Chris snapped from the other side, and Jungkook gulped.

"N-no, Chris, I-I got busy-"

"Busy with what? You have no one to be with, I'm guessing you went shopping or sat at home all alone like you always do." Chris said, and Jungkook found himself gulping fearfully, looking down. He didn't realise Taehyung was looking at him in concern.

"I-I'm sorry, Chris. I meant to call you- a-and I did- but your brother picked up, a-and-"

"Whatever. Just shut up. I'm already in a bad mood as is." Chris said, and Jungkook nodded, shutting up. "The company's just making losses here in London. It's like people just don't want to buy shit anymore-"

Jungkook fiddled with his foot. "I-I know.. I didn't mean to put you in a bad mood-"

"Was I done talking?" Chris growled from the other side, and Jungkook let out a pathetic no, looking down. "God, you're so fucking dumb sometimes, Jungkook."

Jungkook found himself frowning a little at that. "I-I just- I wanted to say sorry, I w-wasn't trying to be-"

"Okay, I got it. Speak without fucking stuttering and maybe then I'll understand you," Chris snapped, and Jungkook realised that Chris clearly wasn't in a good mood.

"S-sorry-"

"Stop apologising for every fucking thing-"

"Okay- I-I didn't-"

"It's fucking Christmas, and you've got my mood ruined-"

"I didn't- I-I-"

"-and I'm out here working all fucking day just so you can get your little tiara and you can't even speak two fucking words to me-"

"I'm sorry!" Jungkook let out angrily, suddenly feeling anger take over him. "What do you want me to say?? I say sorry, you get mad, I don't, you get mad- if I speak, you get mad, if I don't speak, you get mad. What the fuck do you want me to do, Chris?" Jungkook snapped, gripping his phone tightly.

He completely forgot about Taehyung, who was sitting on the couch with his eyes widened, sipping his tea while pretending he couldn't hear anything.

"Watch your tone, Jungkook." Chris growled from the other side, but Jungkook scoffed.

"You watch your tone, Chris. If anything, I should be the one who's angry! You keep treating me like shit and expecting me to just-"

"What the fuck has gotten into you?" Chris said angrily, and Jungkook scoffed, not knowing what had gotten into him either.

"What's gotten into me? How about the fact that you left me alone at home for Christmas and didn't even bother to wish me! You spend all fucking week in London with your family-"

"I'm working in London, Jungkook-"

"You're probably fucking some other girl, Chris!" Jungkook yelled, and there was a stunned silence.

Jungkook gulped, suddenly wondering if he should've said that. "Excuse me?"

"I- I just meant- you just leave me all alone here, a-and-"

"Are you out of your fucking mind? I give you everything, and you talk to me like this? The fact that you would even assume I'm that crude to cheat on you, or anyone, is fucking disgusting. I forgot you're just a child who doesn't understand common fucking sense. When I get back, Jungkook, you'll-"

"That'll happen when you get back. Merry fucking Christmas." Jungkook snapped, and then cut the call.

There was a small silence, and then Jungkook instantly burst out crying. Taehyung ran up to him, grabbing him tightly. "Woah, Koo- don't cry!"

"I-I-I shouldn't have- I shouldn't have s-said anything, Tae- h-h-he was just- i-in a bad mood-" Jungkook stuttered, and Taehyung shook his head, wiping Jungkook's tears.

"No no. You had a right to be mad. I don't get how he could just leave you like this during Christmas." Taehyung said softly, and Jungkook sniffled.

"When- w-when he gets back, Tae- h-he'll-" Jungkook started, and Taehyung realised he was practically shaking in fear with tears running down his face.

"Kook, what- what will he do?" Taehyung said softly, and then his voice became a little lower. "Does he hurt you, Jungkook?"

There was a small pause, and Jungkook saw Taehyung's eyes darken, grip on Jungkook tightening. "Has he ever hurt you, Jungkook?" Taehyung growled, voice so deep it sent shivers down Jungkook's spine.

Jungkook shook his head. "No- Tae- he's never hurt me like that. Of course not! He would never hit me, Tae, please!" Jungkook snapped, and Taehyung still had the anger in his eyes.

"Because if he ever, ever so close as fucking lay a finger on you, Jungkook- you know what I'll do," Taehyung uttered, and Jungkook suddenly felt this flare in his stomach from being held like this.

"Shoot him in the stomach." Jungkook whispered, and then Taehyung almost smirked a little.

"Done it before, dollie." Taehyung whispered back, and Jungkook gulped.

"But no- he would never do that, Tae. You don't need to worry." Jungkook whispered, and then pulled away from Taehyung's grasp. Taehyung hummed, seemingly calming down.

"Good." Taehyung said, and Jungkook then sighed, both looking at each other. "Hey listen- do you wanna go out?"

Jungkook frowned. "Where?"

"Out."

"On Christmas?"

"Yeah."

"It's freezing."

"I'll keep you warm."

"What will we do?"

"You'll see." Taehyung whispered, and Jungkook found his cheeks turn a little pink, so he grinned a little. "Okay. Let's go."

"On my bike." Taehyung said, and Jungkook grinned a little. "Me on your lap?"

"Nah, that'd be weird. You're engaged now, dollie." Taehyung said, and Jungkook felt this falter. This falter in his own mind.

Right. He's engaged. That felt like a heavy drag to his mind. "Right."

Small pause, and then a quick smile being exchanged. Coats being tucked on, phones and wallets and everything left behind. Just the two of them rushing out in the evening, alone, together. It seemed too fitting.

____________________________________________

god i hate chris
anyways i hope yall are excited for jungkooks past
hmm.. any theories?