Mission: Taekook

Snowman

The darkness still present in the room when he opens his eyes reminds Tae of why he isn't Winter's biggest fan. He's thankful that Jia's bed is comfortable but he's sure that over the next fortnight, his body will let him know how much it misses the space and comfort of his own bed.

He slips into an oversized hoodie, he likes the solace he gets from wearing something that could fit another person in at the same time. Tae glances at the fabric sliders by the door but opts for bare feet so he can creep quietly downstairs without waking Jungkook if he is still asleep. At this time of the morning, he craves a hot cup of peppermint tea, something to pep up his taste buds and warm him on the inside. He softly trudges down the wooden stairs, taking one at a time and listening out for a sign that would indicate whether his festive guest is awake or still sleeping. Visibility is hazy as he reaches the bottom step and he stands still for a minute to allow his eyes to adjust. He can see the figure under the duvet on the sofa and hear slight groans barely audible as they hide amidst the breaths expelled from the sleeping man. He's stealthy in his movements as he moves across the room towards the curtain covered archway but he pauses as Jungkook grunts and turns over in his sleep. Tae holds his breath and halts, left foot out in front, arms by his side as he turns and takes a look at the sofa on his left. It's been a while since he's had a semi naked man in his house and it most definitely hadn't escaped his attention how attractive Jungkook is. He casts his eyes over the bare torso that is visible above the white duvet. Jungkook is laying on his back now, one arm raised above his head and Tae's eyes drink in the bulging bicep and the ridges of his pectorals. He's always liked a man who took care of his body and if that body happened to be toned then that was a bonus. It was, however, unexpected to have such a specimen sprawled out on his sofa and staying in his house.

He manages to make it into the kitchen without disturbing Jungkook and opts for boiling water on the hob instead of using the kettle to decrease noise. The snow is thick outside which causes a shiver as Tae opens the blind to peer out and let some early morning light in. The garden is illuminated by the whiteness of the snow itself and he thinks it could be a good day for a snowman building competition. It's been years since he's shared a Christmas with anyone other than Jia, the last relationship he was in didn't really end so well. Tae thought he'd done everything right when he started dating a guy who was a trainer in the gym at the university attached to the High School where he taught. He waited a few months before introducing Sungho to Jia and they'd taken things slowly. There weren't any overnight stays until Jia was happy having him around and Tae had prepared her for when Sungho finally did stay the night. Things had gone well for two years and they'd made plans to move in together but that all ended when Tae caught him, pants down, giving some guy the pounding of his life on the weights bench in the lifting room at the gym. The teacher wanted to surprise him with lunch but hadn't expected the surprise he got when he found the doors were locked and he peered in through the window. Tae hadn't wanted to throw away two years so gave Sungho the chance to come clean when he asked him where he'd been at lunch because when he'd arrived at the gym the doors were locked, omitting the fact that he'd seen him through the glass. The trainer looked him directly in the eyes and told him that he'd been roaming the school looking for him too, so they must've crossed paths. That was three years ago and he'd steered clear of dating since then. The situation with Sungho hadn't just broken his heart, it had broken Jia's and the pain was magnified for him when his daughter was upset because she thought they were going to be a family. He made a promise to himself that he would stick to the odd date here and there but he would keep his daughter and home life separate from his love life until the time was right.

"Morning." Tae says cheerily when the curtain is pulled to one side and a half naked Jungkook appears.

"Sorry... I didn't know anyone was awake." Jungkook says as he considers returning to the sofa to grab a shirt. He usually slept in his underwear, he was always too warm once he was under a duvet and Yeona's Mother always used to cling to him because she said he was like a human radiator.