[Summary]

Seokjin takes his kid to see Santa Claus, not expecting to score a date with Santa, but the world works in mysterious ways and he's not one to complain about that.

Words: 2,689

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Seokjin takes his child, Jungkook, by his tiny hand and leads him through the mall.

It's Christmas time and even though Seokjin is a single dad and doesn't have the greatest amount of money in his bank account, he takes his kid to the mall every year and lets him pick out his favorite toy because he's been the bestest boy and deserves it!

Seokjin has seen children that scream and pout and cry, ones who bite and scratch harshly– children are horrific, but his little Jungkookie only ever pouts when he wants food, only ever bites Seokjin soft and playfully, and only cries when Toy Story 3 plays on the television or when his favorite toy breaks and Seokjin has to buy him the same one and come up with an excuse or say the toy went to the hospital.

Jungkook is Seokjin's little joy.

The son and father together are easily best friends. Seokjin had to find someone to lean on when he was left as a single parent, and it came to a surprise to him that his very own son would be his shoulder to lean on.

Jungkook is mature for his age, but giggles and plays around just like any other seven year old would. The older he gets, the more Jungkook learns and learns. Seokjin's sad to see him growing so fast.

So, he takes Jungkook to the mall every year and buys him any one toy that he falls in love with because that's his precious little kid and he deserves the world.

The mall also offers Santa, too.

Every year, there's a new Santa that parents line up in front of so that their kids can meet the man who wears a fake white beard and a bright red Halloween-looking Santa costume.

Seokjin knows that his kid is shy, but Jungkook loves taking photos and he always shyly asks Santa to get one thing for himself and one thing for Seokjin as well.

Last year, he asked for a beard just like Santa's. He never really tells Seokjin anything realistic to get him, either. He sort of wings it when it comes to buying presents. Last year, Santa laughed and patted Jungkook on the back before asking him if he wanted anything else, to which Jungkook answered, "Get appa a new computer. He wants one."

This year as they stand in line, Seokjin bends down and tries to tell Jungkook, "Be thinking of something you want to ask Santa for this year, Kookie."

Jungkook stares off into the mall, watching as people walk by and standing close to Seokjin. He probably doesn't think about what to ask Santa, finding the people walking nearby more interesting– or scary.

Ho, ho, ho!

The booming voice of Santa can be heard from the very back of the semi-long line. Seokjin raises his eyebrow and curiously peeks over the line, but all he can see is Christmas decorations and kids messing about.

After what seems like forever, the line slowly starts to move.

It's nearing late-evening now and most people who are at the mall are either finding an exit or are in line for Santa. Seokjin and Jungkook are last in line, but that's because they were more focused on getting Jungkook's toy first; Jungkook chose an Iron Man action figure that he's been holding onto ever since he got it.

When they're finally up at the front of the line, the mall is almost empty and that makes Jungkook quieter than before.

Merry Christmas, kids!

Seokjin can finally peek around to see all the Santa action going on in front of them.

This Santa is standing tall on the steps that lead up to his seat. Most Santas would be sitting and waiting for kids to approach them, but this guy has a bright smile nearly hidden by his fake white beard and his eyes are welcoming, bright and sunny despite how wintery and chilly it is outside.

Seokjin watches in awe as this Santa acts theatrically and takes big steps, welcoming the next kid and laughing out as a little girl and little boy nearly tackle him into his own seat to sit on his lap and start asking for all sorts of things this Christmas.

"Woah, woah, kids!" He looks at them with the cheerfulest scolding face that Seokjin could ever imagine. "You have to save toys for other kids too, you know! If you ask Santa for everything, how will Santa and the elves give gifts to other children?"

He looks knowingly up at the parents of the two sitting in his lap, saving them from the pressure of buying everything their kids want.

"I'll tell you what," Santa says. "If you're good all year long, next year, I may put in a special note to give you a few extra toys. Shh, shh, don't tell the other kids!"

Jungkook holds onto Seokjin's shirt, tugging at it, and he looks up at Seokjin. "Do you think Santa is giving out extra gifts because we've been in the mall for so long?" he asks, and Seokjin hides his laughter through a cough. "What if he feels bad for us, appa?"

Seokjin clears his throat and shakes his head.

"I'm sure he'll give all the kids extra toys if they're good, Kookie. So make sure you don't go stealing appa's food from his plate anymore and you'll get more gifts."

Jungkook lets out a small gasp and looks away as if he's been caught and needs to reevaluate his sneaky tendencies.

Finally, they're the only people in line and Santa looks up at Seokjin with wide, twinkling eyes as if he's forgotten what he gets paid to do. The man behind the white beard blinks away whatever thoughts he's having and he looks down at Jungkook, who shyly stands with Seokjin's hand in his.

"Well, hello there." Santa smiles as he holds his hand out to Jungkook. "Come on up here, little guy. Why don't you tell Santa what you want for Christmas this year?"

Jungkook drags Seokjin along with him towards the man and Seokjin chuckles as he's brought closer to Santa, able to see more clearly just how shiny his eyes are with all the Christmas lights glowing in them.

Seokjin stands right by the big chair that Santa sits down in and he picks Jungkook up to set him down on the man's lap.

"Go on, Kookie."

"Kookie?" Santa beams. "Does Kookie want a cookie for Christmas?" He playfully pokes at Jungkook's arm, teasing the little boy who giggles and nods his head. He easily makes Jungkook feel less shy.

"A cookie," Jungkook repeats. "And appa needs someone to kiss under our mistletoe."

Seokjin nearly chokes on his own saliva as Santa looks up at him curiously. "I- Jungkookie, that was meant to be private talk in the kitchen of our own home! How could you?"

Jungkook giggles cutely and holds safely onto his Iron Man figurine as if it would be taken away for being mischievous. Seokjin's ears burn red and he averts his eyes from Santa, who smiles up at him.

"Is that so?" He nudges Jungkook. "I think I could definitely work something out for your appa, Kookie. What type of person would appa like to kiss under the mistletoe? Someone who likes some Christmassy hot chocolate? Someone with long, pretty hair? How about Santa asks one of his elves to kiss him under the mistletoe?"

Jungkook laughs with Santa, but Seokjin blushes like crazy as he feels teased– this Santa is teasing him!

"I like hot chocolate," Seokjin murmurs with a pout in his lips.

Santa hums as he looks up at him. "Maybe you could tell me some more details later– th-through letters, of course." He looks back at Jungkook. "You should help your appa write a list so Santa can grant him his wish."

"But appa needs someone under the mistletoe this Christmas," Jungkook tells him. "Can you do that, Santa?"

Santa nods as his eyes meet Seokjin's again.

"If your appa writes it down right here–" he reaches to the little table on his left and then lifts a piece of paper and a red marker in Seokjin's direction– "then appa can have whatever he wants."

Seokjin looks down at the paper as he takes it and the marker. The paper is a cheesy wish list printed out for kids to write down what they want. The red marker is silly, but in the best way possible. He meets eyes with Santa and notices the man looking at him expectantly, clearly into him.

He writes his name and number down on the paper, then folds it what feels like a million times before handing it to Santa.

"Then it's settled." Santa pats Jungkook's head with his white glove and gives him a big, hearty smile. "You'll get your cookie and your appa will get his kiss under the mistletoe– if you're both good boys, that is."

"Appa says I'm good all the time!"

Both Seokjin and Santa smile.

"Then consider your wish granted, little Kookie."

That night, Seokjin gets a text that has a little Santa emoji and also reminds Seokjin who he is. Then he tells him that his real name is Jung Hoseok and that he'd definitely take him out for hot chocolate and kiss him under a thousand mistletoes.

Seokjin blushes like crazy as he flips over in his bed, but he ends up texting Santa– Hoseok back immediately. They end up talking for hours that night and before he knows it, he has a date on Saturday.

But Saturday comes quickly and he fixes his black locks to sit perfectly, he puts on a touch of makeup and chapstick, makes sure his skin is nice and smooth and pretty, and he wears a warm sweater that's cute enough for a hot chocolate date. Casual date.

When he gets to the cafe they'd agreed to meet at, he can hardly recognize Hoseok out of his Santa costume, but he quickly finds himself sitting across from Hoseok and greeting him better than he had at the mall.

"You really asked for my number in front of my kid."

A big smile forms on Hoseok's face and it's in the shape of a heart. Seokjin already finds something that stands out and he likes it a lot.

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity," Hoseok says with a little giggle. "Speaking of, where is he? Jungkook?"

"His uncle is watching him, don't worry."

Hoseok nods. "Well. Should we order our hot chocolate now? My treat," he says as they stand up to go towards the counter and order, "because I'm the one who asked you on this date."

Seokjin tries to argue that they can totally just pay for themselves and Hoseok agrees, but he still doesn't let Seokjin pay for his cup. They end up with warm hot chocolate by the cafe's cozy little fireplace and they talk, show each other photos of things they mention during their conversation, and they tangle their feet under the table, teasing without mentioning it at all.

At some point, Hoseok noticeably peeks under the table and Seokjin blushes as he raises his head back up and leans forward to take Seokjin's hand in his. He plays mindlessly with Seokjin's fingers and rests his head on his free hand as they talk more.

Before they know it, the sun is getting close to setting and they plan to go and have dinner together as well, so they leave the cafe.

The restaurant they choose is merely a walk down the street, so they slip their hands into each other's and sway them a little as they kick at loose snow and talk about the shops they see on the way there.

When they finally get to the restaurant, they order meat and stew to make up for the lack of warm hot chocolate they now have.

"You know," Hoseok lets out as he sets his drink down beside his plate. "I haven't been on a date in a while. And I've never been on a date with a single father, but I can just tell how much you love your kid. It's cute."

Seokjin gives him a small smile, but he's blushing like crazy.

"I haven't dated in years," he truthfully says as well. "I'm content with being single. I was only half joking when I told Jungkook that I wish I could have someone to kiss under the mistletoe. Jungkook made me put it up, though, and honestly? I could totally see myself giving up the single life if it's with someone like you. With you."

Hoseok tries to hide the gleam in his eyes and even the smile on his face, but he just looks cute as he tries to lower his head and do so.

"Do you think Jungkook would ever like me or accept me like that? As someone in your life?"

Seokjin nods. "I like you and I accept you."

"What, are you the same person or something, then?"

"I mean, I'd say something like that. He was created with my sperm–"

"Yah! Don't say that!" Hoseok quickly speaks over the last of his sentence and Seokjin laughs to himself, amused as Hoseok tries to keep the near-empty restaurant family friendly.

"Okay, okay. Do you wanna get out of here now?"

"Already?" Hoseok asks with a puppy-like look in his eyes.

Seokjin nods. "We can go on more dates, don't worry," he chuckles as he stands up and Hoseok follows. "But right now, I wanna take you somewhere. It's just right up the street. I saw it on the way here."

Hoseok looks puzzled and doesn't have a clue what Seokjin is talking about. They pay for their food and leave with Seokjin leading the way.

As they come up to a small park that's nearly covered in snow from the current falling of it, Seokjin drags Hoseok by his hand and leads him to a little lamppost that's definitely there for Christmas decoration– it even has lights wrapped up and around it.

"Why are we stopping here?" Seokjin points up above them and Hoseok's eyes widen once he notices the mistletoe hanging above them. "Wow, did you seriously notice that on the way to the restaurant?" he asks, which earns a nod in response.

"I was keeping an eye out."

The rosy skin on Hoseok's cheeks stands out more as he smiles and his cheeks become pinchable. Seokjin thinks it would be cute to kiss his cheek right now, but Hoseok beats his thought and cups Seokjin's jaw before leaning in and kissing the snow that falls between their lips just seconds before their lips are attached and they're giving each other the warmest, sweetest kiss that they've been deprived of for too long.

Seokjin can't even remember the last time he kissed someone, but he knows that none of his past kisses are as sweet and cute as this one.

He wonders what he did to deserve such a kiss and nearly forgets that Hoseok was the Santa who promised to grant this wish in the first place.

When Hoseok pulls away to smile up at him, Seokjin feels too warm despite standing out in the snow.

"Merry Christmas, Kim Seokjin."

Seokjin chuckles. "Kiss me again, Santa Claus."

Hoseok grimaces, but it's Seokjin who pulls him into a kiss this time, not letting the moment pass. After all, it was Hoseok who promised mistletoe kisses in the first place. So, Seokjin takes as many as he can get and hopefully he'll have more in the future Christmases; that's what he'll wish for every year.

And if his little youngster Jungkook starts to truly believe in Santa Claus because appa, your wish came true! then Seokjin wouldn't dare tell his kid that it's Santa Claus he's been kissing under the mistletoe.

He just smiles away and kisses his blushing boyfriend again, which makes Jungkook cover his eyes and giggle happily.

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Merry Christmas 🥹
🎁

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