Yoongi successfully managed to distract himself with preparations for dinner. Even if Jimin didn't decide to stop by, that didn't mean Yoongi had to spend the day moping about it. Jeongguk would still be here. And Jeongguk undoubtedly was expecting their meal to be fully prepared and laid out on the table by the time he got back from his parents'. And who was Yoongi to let down his best friend on Christmas day?

Of course, he couldn't completely get it off his mind. The thoughts slipped through from the back of his subconscious to the front here and there.

He wasn't about to deny it. He wanted Jimin to show up. But Yoongi had a disappointing gut feeling the dancer wasn't too interested. Or even if he were interested, Jimin would choose staying at home with Taehyung rather than accepting the friendly invitation.

Honestly that boy confused Yoongi. In so many ways - was Yoongi complaining? Not really. If anything it only made Jimin even more interesting.

It would certainly take some time to figure him out. Having dinner would be a nice start, though, and Yoongi found himself looking forward to it without yet knowing what Jimin's decision was.

It was nearing 6 p.m. now. Yoongi sat at his kitchen table, listening to the boiling water hiss underneath the glass lid he had used to cover the chicken as it cooked. After it boiled for some time he would transfer it over to a pan and fry it before adding lemon and seasonings - but no garlic, of course, for Jeongguk's sake.

Yoongi was in the middle of tapping his fingernails on the table when he heard his phone ring - Jeongguk again. "Hey, you just about back yet?"

"Yeah, just checking up on you," the younger said cheerily. "How's dinner?"

"Delicious. I just finished eating."

"Yoongi!!"

"Lemon chicken, bean sprouts, everything. Mmm-mmm. Chef's kiss."

"Very funny." Jeongguk sighed as his friend chuckled. "Are you making a dessert, too?"

"I've never really made desserts before. I mean, I could try."

"Oh, no, I was just gonna say, my mom gave me something to bring back with me."

"Oh, did she?"

"Yup, a whole cherry pie. She told me to share it with you."

Yoongi permitted himself a small smile. "She's too nice to me and I haven't even met her."

"Oh, I've talked about you plenty."

"Somehow I'm not certain that's a good thing."

"It's great. All good things," Jeongguk assured him. "I'm gonna hang up now, 'k? Keep cooking, Chef Yoongles."

"Mm. See ya soon."

Yoongi exhaled as he set down his phone, rising from his seat to check on the chicken. There were still a few minutes left on the timer, so he waited, then cautiously removed the meat from the pot and placed it in a frying pan where he cooked it along with the juices and spices he had already measured and separated. The side dishes had finished cooking not long ago as well and were now simmering on the stove just to stay warm until Jeongguk arrived.

Which was sooner than Yoongi anticipated.

"Honeyyyyy, I'm hoooooome!!"

The door slammed shut. Without even saying a proper hello, Yoongi's obnoxious friend dashed over to him and captured the blond in a bone-crushing hug, ignoring the fact that Yoongi had a hot pronged cooking utensil in his hands, which was in turn dropped on the kitchen floor.

"I'll bet you missed me alllll day, didn't you, hyung?"

"Jeongguk, you barbarian," Yoongi mumbled into the taller boy's shoulder, "take off your shoes or you're out of here."

"Oh, shoes."

Jeongguk peeled away from the hug and rushed back over to the front door to kick off his boots and sloppily line them up next to Yoongi's (which he actually knocked over in the process). The older needed to take a moment to remind himself not to lose his temper today.

"So is everything ready now?" Jeongguk asked eagerly. He had already materialized next to Yoongi again to peer at the chicken sizzling in the frying pan. His mouth watered.

"Almost," Yoongi replied, pushing the boy a step away from the stove. "Don't breathe on my neck, kid, why don't you make yourself useful and get out some clean bowls for the side dishes?"

"I can't, I don't know where you keep them."

"Nice try. Overhead cabinet to your right."

"How many?"

"Four medium sized ones. And a plate for the pie you brought." Yoongi glanced over his shoulder just then. "Where is it by the way?"

A realization dawned on the younger in that moment. "I left it at home."

Yoongi's face went blank. "Your apartment?"

"No..."

"...you left the pie at your parents' house."

A nod of shame.

"Guk, you never cease to amaze me."

"Look, it's fine!" The boy exclaimed, eyebrows shooting up as he smiled wide in a way the other assumed was meant to be reassuring. "We can just bake cookies! Here, I'll help-"

"We need to eat first, Guk, just get the bowls."

A great sigh of defeat left Jeongguk's mouth as he carried out the small task his friend had given him. And soon enough, thanks to his small bit of help, the table was set and the two friends could sit down in front of all the food Yoongi had prepared.

"I just noticed," the younger spoke up just as Yoongi had begun to help himself to the seasoned bean sprouts. "You made a lot."

"I usually do," Yoongi countered.

"No, I mean, like more than normal? Did Hoseok change his mind and say he was coming later?"

"No. Guess I got carried away and didn't realize how much I was making."

"Well, I'm not complaining," Jeongguk giggled as he shoveled rice into his mouth. "Mm, d'you sheason t' rishe, too?"

"Don't talk with your mouth full, you're disgusting..."

At this point Yoongi was sure his offer had been turned down - sadly so, because he would have loved Jimin and Taehyung to join them, but he also wouldn't want them coming over if they didn't really want to. So Yoongi accepted their decision and tried to simply enjoy Jeongguk's company, which was never a difficult thing to do. And despite the initial disappointment of Jimin not showing up, Yoongi was able to forget about it and by the end of the night he was in stitches over Jeongguk spilling hot chocolate all over his jeans - he didn't burn himself, though, so Yoongi didn't feel bad for laughing.

Alas, hours well spent slipped by like seconds, and Jeongguk finally insisted he should head back to his own apartment - that is, until he decided, immediately after announcing he was leaving, that he would crash at Yoongi's place instead. Did he ask for Yoongi's permission? No. Did Yoongi care? Not really, but he always acted like he did.

"Can I borrow some clothes? I wanna get a shower."

"Jeez, Guk, why don't I just wash the ones you're wearing for you, too?"

"Would you??"

Yoongi held up a fist and put on a threatening expression, but it only made Jeongguk laugh as the boy skipped off towards his friend's room to pick out some clothes for himself.

"I'm gonna take a long shower so I hope you don't have to use the bathroom!"

"Go ahead," Yoongi sighed, shaking his head. "Oh, how do I put up with you sometimes...?"

Having not much else to do at the moment, Yoongi busied himself with cleaning up the mess that cookie-making had left behind - crumbs on the countertops, greasy pan that needed washing, and the such like.

He was in the middle of digging out a plastic container to store the leftover cookies when he heard a knock at the door. Yoongi jumped to his feet and to conclusions.

No, it's probably just Hoseok. Maybe he got back earlier than he planned. He wanted to surprise me, that's all.

Yoongi made his way quickly over to the door, smoothing out his crinkled shirt before twisting the knob.

"Jimin?"

It was him, alright. Standing in front of Yoongi and wearing the maroon coat the blond had bought for him that morning. For a moment Yoongi doubted his own eyes.

"You're, uh-"

"Are you gonna invite me inside or make me stand out in the freezing cold?"

"You're in a hallway."

"A cold hallway," Jimin said sarcastically and shivered, then proceeded to invite himself into the apartment, anyway. Yoongi closed the door behind him.

"So...Taehyung didn't want to go?"

"He's not feeling the best," Jimin said, slipping out of his coat and hanging it above Yoongi's and Jeongguk's shoes. He slipped off his own shoes as well. "I mainly came here to thank you for him. He almost cried when I showed him the gift basket, you know. Wouldn't stop talking about it for a while."

"Ah, well, that's a relief." The blond chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess he liked it, then? I don't know him well so I figured hot chocolate and snacks was a safe option."

"Mm. He's a big fan."

"What about you?"

Jimin pursed his lips, shrugging as a deep breath left his nostrils. "Hot chocolate's okay, I guess. Not that I have it often."

"I meant the coat." Yoongi pointed to it and Jimin's attention was redirected. "You were wearing it, so I'm assuming it fits okay? You look my size so I just bought what I would have for myself."

"Mm."

He wasn't quite sure how to interpret that response. Assuming it was positive, Yoongi offered a shy smile before rooting through his brain for something to say other than um, uhh, or I'm really glad you stopped by.

"I know you probably didn't come here for dinner, but we do have leftovers," he informed Jimin. "I can heat some up on the stove for you, if you want. Or you can even take them home for you and Taehyung."

"Mm."

Again, that vague response. Yoongi wondered for a moment if he had somehow managed to embarrass himself already without realizing. With some timidity he scanned Jimin's face. The dancer's eyes, at first, trailed lazily around the living room and kitchen but soon they found their way up to Yoongi's own. Unsure what to do, the blond buried his hands in his pockets, hoping Jimin would follow up his little hum with words Yoongi could actually comprehend.

"Tell me something, Yoongi."

"Okay." He blurted the word out of nervousness. Jimin's stare had him locked in place.

"I can't help but find your kindness suspicious," the dancer said in a low tone, causing the other to furrow his brow in puzzlement.

"Suspicious?"

"Yeah." Jimin tilted his chin back. "You treat me to lunch, not once, but on two different occasions, you buy me a winter coat for no apparent reason, and you invite me over for dinner? Sounds suspicious to me."

"N-no, I'm no one suspicious, I just-"

"Then you like me, don't you?"

What.

"That's it, isn't it?" Jimin smiled a knowing, teasing smile, narrowing his eyes as his stare seemed to intensify. "There's no other explanation. You've got the hots for me, don't you, Yoongi?"

The accusation alone took Yoongi aback, to say the least. And the realization that Jimin had taken a step towards him only registered once another had been taken. His voice became lodged in his throat. "N—I, uh, n-no, I think you're misunderstanding-"

"Mm. Your cherry cheeks are laughing at you."

"They're not laughing."

But Jimin was. Softly, almost under his breath but Yoongi could hear it. More so, he could hear the own rapid, frantic beating of his own heart as Jimin took another step and Yoongi's back hit the door.

"Tell me another thing."

He was close. Really close. And Yoongi, physically, could definitely have pushed the other boy aside to escape the situation but he just could. Not. Do it.

"Do you have someone, Yoongi?" Jimin's words came out smooth as silk. Yoongi's, on the other hand, did not.

"M-...meaning?"

"You know...boyfriend, girlfriend...someone who would be upset if I..."

The dancer's hand suddenly positioned itself under Yoongi's chin, index finger tilting it back.

"...kissed you?"

By now Yoongi's brain had been reduced to mush. The rest of him was ready to, too, accepting there was no way out of this and Jimin truly had him wrapped around his fingertips.

"Well?"

You're being spoken to, you idiot. "I...wh—no, you're funny." He forced a laugh now. "You're messing with me."

"Why would you assume I'm joking?" Jimin pouted, and he traced his finger along Yoongi's jawline before meeting at the tip of the boy's chin again. "This is what you wanted, wasn't it? Doing those things for Tae and me..."

"N-no, I just wanted to do something nice," Yoongi insisted. "Can't I just do something nice?"

"You can. But would you be opposed?"

Inches away. Jimin's lips were inches away from Yoongi's face, Jimin's plump, beautiful lips that looked smoother than the words that fell from them.

Yoongi's mind shut off, eyes giving up and shutting as well.

Jimin's lips grazed the corner of the other's own.

Just grazed. Then pulled away.

"I appreciate your offer," Jimin said to the dazed Yoongi, "but I don't want to feel like I owe you more than I already do. It'd be irresponsible of me to start relying on someone else."

Without another word, the dancer slipped into his coat and shoes and coaxed Yoongi to step - well, stumble - away from the door so he could open it.

"I'll see you again if I see you, I suppose."

The door closed.

Not a second later, Yoongi's knees buckled and he collapsed on the floor just to hold his head in his hands.

The warmth those lips had left behind was a little too pleasant, but more so dizzying.

Another door in the near distance opened and closed.

"Yoongi, I hope it's okay, I finished the shampoo bottle you had in there. In my defense, there wasn't a lot left. I can buy you a new one—hyung?? Are you okay??"

I absolutely am not...

—-

end of chapter nine.

i apologize if any of this is cringey lol sometimes it just be like that 😔