Red Ribbons

It was tradition to give their neighbors presents for Christmas, but this year, they wanted to go the extra mile.

"Taehyung! How about this?" Jimin says, pointing to a garden gnome riding on a reindeer. Taehyung scrunches his nose at the excessive sparkles drowning the gnome and reindeer.

"You think they would like that?"

Jimin nods as he picks up a box of the present. "I saw them throw away a broken one the other day." He places it in their quickly filling cart next to the boxes of chocolate, on top of the box for a blow-up snowman, and under the plastic candy canes.

"Alright, if you're sure they'll like it," Taehyung says, shrugging.

"Oh, I'm 100% positive," Jimin says, shooting him a wide, sparkling smile.

"Hold on." Taehyung stops them in the middle of the aisle as something occurs to him. "Aren't the Lee's on the end of the street vegan?"

"Were they the ones that gave us those vegan cookies?" Jimin looks at the chocolates in their cart.

"I think so," Taehyung says, picking up one of the Hershey boxes.

"Then we can get something else for them, but keep the chocolate; you like sweet things."

Taehyung smiles and drops the box in the cart. He pulls the hem of Jimin's sweater to bring Jimin closer. "I love sweet things."

A smile graces Jimin's features. "Am I sweet?" he asks softly.

Taehyung moves a strand of purple-tinted hair out of his lover's eye. Jimin sees a twinkle in his eyes as he responds. "Almost as sweet as these chocolates."

Jimin's laugh sounds like jingle bells. He places his hands around Taehyung's neck, while the other lays his own arms loosely around his waist. "Well, what should I do to be sweeter?"

Without missing a beat, Taehyung says, "Go on a date with me tonight. There's somewhere I want to go."

"But we have to wrap all these presents," Jimin whines.

"We'll go afterwards. Not for too long, but it'll be fun. I promise." Taehyung has been looking forward to this ever since he found out about it a few weeks ago.

"Promise?" Jimin holds out his pinky.

"Promise." Taehyung locks it with his own and gives Jimin a small peck on the lips.

Jimin takes a look at their cart, almost filled to the brim. "What should we get the Lee's?"

Taehyung turns to scan the store. He spots an aisle with tree ornaments and gestures towards it. "Ornaments?"

With a big smile, Jimin says, "Perfect."

~•~

It takes longer than usual to wrap all the presents. Then again, they usually only buy presents for their closest neighbors, not the entire block. But this time around, the couple was feeling extra thankful for those around them and wanted to give back. Two bundles of wrapping paper, three rolls of tape, and four packets of red ribbons later, a pile of presents sits by the door to their apartment, all with perfect red bows on top. Once they finish, they get ready to head to Taehyung's "super-secret, extra special, ultra-magical Christmas location", as he had put it.

Taehyung wraps a woolen scarf on top of his brown coat. He's bundled up and ready to go, nearly jumping with the excitement bubbling up inside him.

"What do you think?" Taehyung turns at the sound of Jimin's voice.

It feels like someone sucked the air out of his lungs.

Jimin isn't wearing anything particularly special, just a red, plaid coat with some black gloves and black jeans. Maybe it's the slight blush from the cold dusting his pale skin, or the bits of sparkles in his light purple hair—Taehyung's favorite color, or maybe it's because tonight is Christmas Eve and all their friends were busy this year so they only have each other this time, but Jimin looks absolutely ethereal tonight.

"Taehyung?" the angel says with an amused smile.

Snapping out of his stupor, he runs up to Jimin, takes his face into his hands, and pulls him in for a kiss; he swears he feels sparks.

They stay like that for a moment, simply enjoying each other's love. Eventually, Taehyung pulls away, rubbing Jimin's cheekbone with his thumb. "You are extremely sweet."

Jimin giggles at the words and places a kiss on Taehyung's nose.

Taehyung makes sure to take the long way to his destination to avoid the signs advertising the event. Jimin has asked where they are going in 30 different ways by the time they arrive, and every time Taehyung answered with a version of "someplace magical". Fifteen minutes later, he parks the car in a crowded lot. Before Jimin can step out of the car, Taehyung pulls in close to kiss him on the cheek.

"Don't get out," he says quickly before getting out himself. Jimin sits quietly, confused until he sees Taehyung run around the car to open his door for him.

The gentleman bows, saying, "Your majesty."

Playing along, Jimin gets out slowly, adjusting his coat haughtily. "Drive faster next time," he says tiredly.

It's Taehyung's turn to giggle at his lover's antics. As soon as he closes the car door, Jimin gasps at the sight behind Taehyung. Not bothering to look back, he grabs Jimin's hand and pulls him into the growing crowd. Suddenly, everyone starts counting down.

10...

9...

"What's going on?" Jimin yells over the crowd.

8...

7...

Taehyung only pulls the two of them closer to the center of the park silently, buzzing with anticipation.

6...

5...

Finally, Taehyung stops and smiles a boxy smile at Jimin.

4...

3...

He kisses Jimin and his adorably scrunched up face, then stands behind him and directs his head up at the massive tree in front of them.

2...

1...

With a chime, the Christmas tree lights up as the crowd cheers. The golden and silver ornaments sparkle while the red ribbons scattered throughout the tree glow with the lights. Jimin gasps and takes in the sight as Taehyung wraps his arms around the smaller's waist. They fall against each other, Jimin's back against Taehyung's chest. Taehyung sighs and places a delicate kiss on Jimin's shoulder.

"I know it's not as big as Rockefeller's, but-"

"It's beautiful," Jimin interrupts. He turns to face Taehyung. He cups his face with his hands. "I love this so, so much."

Taehyung can't help but break into a big smile. "I love you," he says softly.

"I love you, too," Jimin replies before pulling him down for another kiss, the Christmas tree and crowd long forgotten.