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It's the end of December. The weather has gotten chilly with snow falling on the roads, covering everything in a sheet of soft white fluff. With Christmas, Taehyung’s birthday and New Year all approaching one after the other, the group thought it'd be a good idea to stay at one place. Everyone had agreed happily, wanting to spend time together after hectic schedules and working hard for their fans.
They had booked a large cabin for the time being. It was lined with Christmas decorations, with a big tree in the living room, covered in multiple lights and knickknacks.
They have a small studio too, for when or if inspiration hits. As Yoongi said, he didn’t want to miss any chance or idea he gets. So after settling in for two days, everyone's gotten comfortable and was doing their own things at the moment.
Yoongi was going to check out the studio and as he approached the open door, he noticed it a bit too late.
There’s a sprig of mistletoe taped—*taped*, with what looks suspiciously like Jungkook’s handwriting on the note saying *kiss*—right above the studio doorway.
Yoongi freezes when his eyes look up to catch the leaves dangling. “…You’ve got to be kidding me.” He murmurs to himself, sighing out as he hears another set of footsteps from behind.
“Hyung?” Jimin’s voice drifts in from behind him, light and curious. “Why did you stop?”
Yoongi turns around slowly, already resigned. “Don’t come any closer.”
Jimin steps forward immediately at that, making him take a step backwards. His eyes filled with mirth.
The door clicks shut behind them with a soft thud.
There's silence for a few seconds.
Jimin looks up, blinks and then a big grin appears on his plush lips. “Oh,” he says, delight curling into his voice. “*That’s* what you’re upset about?” the grin never leaving his face.
“We can just ignore it.” Yoongi folds his arms, jaw tight, yet there's warmth crawling up his neck.
“Hyung,” Jimin tilts his head, eyes bright, “it’s literally above us.” His voice is light, playful.
“So?” Yoongi shoots back. “It’s a plant.”
“A *romantic* plant.”
“It’s just leaves.”
Jimin laughs, soft and warm, and Yoongi hates how it settles right in his chest. He can feel his cheeks flaming and he can bet his face looks like a red tomato.
“You’re acting nervous.” Jimin teases, stepping just a little closer.
“I am not nervous,” Yoongi snaps—then adds, quieter, softer, “You’re just annoying.”
Jimin hums, clearly unconvinced. “Funny. You didn’t move away though.” There's the mirth in his eyes again, but there's also the kind of softness that Yoongi doesn’t want to acknowledge… yet.
Yoongi opens his mouth to retort, then realizes how close Jimin actually is now. Too close. Close enough that he can smell Jimin’s shampoo. Close enough that Jimin’s sleeve brushes his wrist.
Yoongi swallows. “…You’re doing this on purpose.”
“Maybe.” Jimin’s smile turns softer, more dangerous.
They stand there, neither backing down.
Seconds stretch.
“You know,” Jimin murmurs, voice lower now, “statistically speaking, the more you avoid it, the more likely it is to happen again.”
“Since when do you care about statistics?” Yoongi scoffs.
“Since they work in my favor.”
That gets a reaction. Yoongi’s lips twitch despite himself.
“Tch. You’re unbelievable.”
“And you’re cute when you’re flustered.”
Yoongi finally looks at him then—really looks. The fondness in Jimin’s eyes isn’t teasing anymore. It’s steady. Patient.
“…Say that again,” Yoongi mutters, eyes dropping for just a second.
Jimin notices the movement and leans in just enough that their foreheads almost touch. “I said,” he whispers, “you’re cute.”
“You’re lucky I tolerate you.” Yoongi exhales sharply, defeated, but there’s a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth as he shakes his head.
“Oh, I know. That’s why this is special.” Jimin says, smiling like he’s already won.
They don’t kiss.
Not yet.
Instead, Yoongi reaches up, plucks the mistletoe down, and drops it into Jimin’s hands.
“There,” he says gruffly. “Problem solved.” Eyes not daring to meet the ones intently watching him.
Jimin looks at the leaves in his hand. Then back at Yoongi.
“…Hyung.”
Yoongi’s ears burn. He swallows, as he walks past Jimin to reach the door. “What.”
“You know this doesn’t change anything, right?”
Yoongi pauses at the door, hand on the knob.
“…Good,” he mutters. “I’d hate for you to stop smiling like that.” He says it just loud enough for the other to catch it and leaves before Jimin can respond—but not before he hears the soft, stunned laugh behind him.
——
Yoongi is convinced the universe has a personal vendetta. The first time, it was the studio. Annoying, but he managed it somehow.
The *second time*. It's the kitchen.
He walks in for a warm cup of coffee at an ungodly hour, hoodie pulled low to keep the morning chill away, only to stop short at the door when Jimin freezes across from him walking away from the counter where the coffee machine sat—a mug of his own halfway to his lips.
They both look up simultaneously. A Mistletoe. Again.
“…Why is it *here*?” Yoongi mutters.
Jimin blinks, then squints suspiciously at the ceiling. “Did… did it move?”
“Plants don’t move.” Yoongi deadpanned at the younger's question.
Jungkook’s laugh explodes from somewhere in the living room. “Hyung, that’s what you said last time too.” The youngest of their group sing-songs.
“Jeon Jungkook.” Yoongi glares in the direction of where he supposes Jungkook would be from his frozen place in the kitchen.
“Oh wow. What a coincidence.” Taehyung peeks around the corner, the innocent smile clearly not so innocent, spread across his lips.
Jimin tries—and fails—not to smile. “Hyung, should we-” He starts but is cut off.
“No.” Yoongi turns his glare towards Jimin, although it's not actually very intimidating as Yoongi only looks like a mad kitten, with his lips set in a natural pout and a furrow between his brows, sharp eyes squinted accusingly.
“-at least stand closer so it doesn’t fall on us?” He continues with instead, trying not to coo at how cute his hyung looked.
Yoongi pauses. “…That makes no sense.” He mutters, the pout only getting prominent. Still, he takes one step forward.
Jimin’s ears turn pink. He didn’t think Yoongi would actually do it. Though they only stood there for a few more seconds, then they escaped before anyone can say *kiss*, but Yoongi noticed how Jimin hummed for the rest of the morning.
——
The *third time* is worse.
It's in one of the hallways. And it so happens to be a narrow one. With no escape routes. Fantastic.
Yoongi nearly runs straight into Jimin as he turns the corner, both of them stopping so close their shoulders touch. Above them: another mistletoe, carefully taped to the ceiling, sparkling slightly like someone had added decorations.
“Statistically, this is fascinating.” Namjoon adjusts his glasses at the end of the hall, a book in his hand. Jin stands slightly behind him, grinning like a child who got his sweet treats.
“Hyung,” Yoongi groans. “You’re all doing this, aren't you?” He sighs in displeasure.
Jin gasps dramatically. “Us? I would never meddle.”
“Oh,” Hoseok grins as he comes from behind him. “You’re standing under it again.”
Jimin shifts, a bit nervous now with how he played with the loose thread of his sleeve and the way he bit his plush bottom lip. “Yoongi-hyung…” He started, but then paused, staring at the elder.
Yoongi feels heat crawl up his neck. He refuses to look up. “You don’t have to say it.” He whispers.
“But I *want* to.” Jimin leaned forward on his feet.
That makes his heart stutter.
“You’re enjoying this way too much.” Yoongi mutters.
Jimin leans closer, voice soft. “You’re still here though.”
Yoongi snaps back, “Because this hallway is stupidly narrow.”
“Mhm.”
They don’t kiss… again.
But when they part, Jin stage-whispers, “He didn’t deny it.”
Yoongi almost throws a slipper as he storms off.
——
The *fourth time* is the breaking point.
It's Christmas Eve. The lights are dim. The tree glows softly with gifts nicely wrapped and placed under it. Snow taps against the windows. Everyone’s gathered in the living room, chaos simmering low and warm as they sing carols and laugh to their heart's content with snacks and cans of soju fueling them.
After a few cans and smiling till his cheeks felt numb, Yoongi excused himself and headed to the balcony for fresh air to cool down his warm face.
Jimin noticed him leaving and followed a couple seconds behind. The others noticed but didn't focus on the two, busy goofing around.
The door slides shut behind them.
Yoongi exhales, relieved—until Jimin tilts his head upward.
There it is. Again.
A Mistletoe. Perfectly placed near the door.
Yoongi stares at it in disbelief. “…You’ve got to be joking.” He huffs, crossing his arms as the cool outside air grazes over his warm cheeks.
Jimin doesn’t laugh this time.
Instead, he turns to Yoongi fully, hands tucked into his sleeves, eyes gentle.
“Hyung.” His voice is soft as he starts.
Yoongi’s stomach flips. He avoids looking into those dark brown eyes that keep pulling him in for longer.
“We keep avoiding it,” Jimin says quietly. “But we always come back.”
Yoongi rubs the back of his neck, ears burning bright red. “…You’re really bad at giving up.” He couldn't stop himself with the little quip.
“So are you.” Jimin smiles at that.
Silence falls between them, thick but soft.
Yoongi finally looks at him—really looks—and his voice drops. “If we do this… you can’t tease me.”
Jimin’s grin is fond when he hears that.
“I can try.”
“…Liar.”
Jimin steps closer anyway.
Yoongi’s heart is pounding so loud he’s sure everyone can hear it. He’s painfully aware of his own shyness, the way his hands hesitate, the way his breath catches when Jimin’s fingers brush his sleeve.
“…You’re shaking,” Jimin whispers, eyes scanning every little detail on his face.
“Shut up,” Yoongi mutters, but he doesn’t pull away. He couldn't tell if the warmth he felt was from the alcohol or because Jimin was so close to him.
Jimin leans in slowly, giving Yoongi every chance to stop him. But Yoongi doesn’t. Their lips meet in soft tentative touch. The kiss is soft—brief, hesitant, warm. Like a promise whispered instead of spoken. When they part, Yoongi’s face is entirely red, eyes wide like he can’t believe he did that.
“…Don’t tell anyone.” Yoongi mumbles, feeling embarrassedly shy.
Jimin smiles, radiant. “Worth it.”
The door slides open immediately.
“TOO LATE.” Taehyung bursts through it.
Jungkook is practically vibrating behind him. “HYUNG YOU KISSED.”
Hoseok claps from outside the door. “Finally!”
“The tension has been resolved.” Namjoon nods solemnly.
“A Christmas miracle.” Jin wipes an imaginary tear.
Yoongi groans, hiding his face in his hands. “I hate all of you.”
Jimin slips his fingers between Yoongi’s, squeezing gently. “You love us.”
Yoongi peeks up, still blushing, but there’s a small, real smile peeking there. “…Maybe.”
The mistletoe sways above them.
This time, no one avoids it.
——
(Idk why all the bold or italics part keep going back to normal, anyway I added asterisk for the emphasis lol)