Jeon Jungkook has long stopped believing in Santa Claus and his thousands of little helpers, his elves, that aid him in making presents for children all around the world. To be honest, he's sick of it. He's sick of the over-saturation of Christmas, with the never ending stream of Christmas music in stores the moment it turns December first, the Christmas merchandise appearing on the shelves of stores immediately following Halloween, the Christmas movies playing on nearly every channel up to a month preceding the actual holiday.

Christmas is supposed to be for celebrating the birth of Jesus, (not that Jungkook was particularly religious in the first place) not for sales upon sales and ugly sweater parties and kisses under the mistletoe. However, Jungkook doesn't mind getting presents, and he admits that it is nice to get to see his parents and relatives- all except for his cousin Bogum, though, he's an annoying little shit that never fails to make him look like a brat- yet the overexposure of Christmas nearly drives him to insanity.

Jungkook is strolling through the mall just a few days before Christmas Eve (the amount of people there surprises him, as he'd been expecting most people to be visiting family or on vacation) with a freshly purchased bag of clothes in his hand when he spots a long, winding line leading up to a man masquerading as Santa Claus (or Father Noel, or Saint Nicolas, or whatever you want to call him), parents and their children eagerly waiting their turn to get a picture with him. Jungkook sighs and shakes his head, slipping through two families to get to the other side of the line and heading towards a small cafe. After purchasing a hot beverage for himself, he notices a petite, orange-haired man in a black turtleneck with an expression of irritation on his soft features as he watches "Santa Claus" merrily greet the children.

"It gets worse with every passing year," Jungkook laughs, offering an exasperated smile at the man in front of him, who's leaning against the wall as he sips on a peppermint latte.

The man nods in agreement, and takes a sip of his drink before blurting out, "I pity the man dressed as- as Santa." He says the name with a hint of trepidation in his voice, quickly glancing around before continuing. "He has to deal with all these children."

Jungkook nods, eyeing the young man as he brushes a lock of his carrot-colored hair out of his eyes. "At least they practically worship him," Jungkook says. "Imagine the hell the poor man would have to go through if they didn't like him."

The man laughs. "Kids are vicious."

"Kids are vicious," Jungkook agrees. He pauses a fraction of a second before politely inquiring, "What's your name?"

"Ah." The man pauses, blinking a few times. "Park Jimin."

Jungkook smiles. "Nice to meet you, I'm Jeon Jungkook."

Jimin offers him an unsure smile before raising his cup to his lips again and subtly turning away. Jungkook is a little miffed at the refusal, but tries to shrug it off, assuring himself that it's the guy's loss for refusing to talk to him. He leaves the cafe, not even sparing the orange-haired man a glance, and meanders though the crowds of people who are going to see Santa, to exit the mall and go back home.

He's a bit dispirited this year because he can't see his parents for Christmas, as they're going all the way to London to see his older brother, Junghyun. Yoongi, Jungkook's roommate, is packing his bags as he walks in.

"You ready to go?"

Yoongi nods, slinging a backpack over his shoulder. "Yeah. Sorry again about leaving you here."

"It's fine," Jungkook sighs, lifting one of Yoongi's bags. "Come on, let's go put these in the trunk."

They load Yoongi's luggage into the small car, and Jungkook drives his friend to the airport. The two are all smiles on the drive to the airport, but a mellow atmosphere settles upon the two as they pull up to their destination.

"Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone," Yoongi smiles, playfully poking Jungkook's shoulder. "And it's only ten days, okay? Don't get too lonely without me."

"Okay," Jungkook responds dully. "I won't mope around the apartment like I'd originally planned, just for you."

Yoongi snorts with amusement. "Come on, Jungkook," he tries to reason, "you have other friends besides me."

"Yeah, like three," Jungkook deadpans. "Hyung, just stay here. You don't need to go on vacation."

"Hoseok's been planning this out for months, Jungkook," Yoongi mutters, furrowing his brows. "I can't just cancel."

"Oh right." Jungkook smiles cheekily. "You can't cancel on your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend."

"Not yet!"