12 Days Of Bangtan | 2016

day three ~ namkook

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree...

POV: Namjoon
"Boss, will I still have to come in to work on Christmas Day?" one of my employees, Hoseok asked while we were closing down the store. "Or do we only have to come in tomorrow?"

I owned a glamorous children's toy store, the type that every young kid would dream of going to, and to buy everything that was there, everything they desired.

Of course, most parents just don't have the money to constantly buy toys for their children, so we don't get as many customers as we would really hope to have.

Around December, however, the mood and atmosphere changes and people start to play the role of Santa to go and buy gifts for their beautiful loved ones.

That includes their children.

Parents often come to Rapmon's Toybox in search of finding the 'perfect' gift around this time, just like the one that their children had been nagging them about for weeks now.

"Are we doing the same thing again this year, boss?" My other employee, Taehyung, queried. "I suppose that if we're doing that again, I wouldn't mind coming in. I just love seeing the bright smiles on their cute, little faces!" he squealed, clapping his hands in excitement.

For the past couple of years, we've opened the store during Christmas Day for any children who are orphaned, or for those who are perhaps living an unhappy, frightening life.

We wrap some presents with special handmade cards for everybody who turns up, and we give a present to each person who needs one. We call it 'Santa In Disguise' in our store, or SID for short.

"Of course, I'm doing it again this year, it's my favourite event! What do you expect?" I said. "Will you two be able to join me on that wonderful festive day?"

As always, they agreed.

By the time Christmas Day had come, we had already wrapped about a hundred presents, with shiny wrapping paper and fabulous ribbons.

"Come on, only a few more left! Then, we can get on to writing the Christmas cards!" I enthused, trying to motivate them as we worked our way through the bunch.

When we finally finished, we opened up our store, and as always, there were some familiar faces, people who we saw previously.

Except there was a new face.

In that crowd of old faces, there was a person who was new. They stood out against everybody else, like they were a bright neon sign wanting to catch my attention.

We let all of the children in, but I stopped when I got to this new and mysterious boy. He seemed much older than most of the children in the crowd, but he was definitely still a minor.

His raven haired fringe wrapped around his forehead like a coconut, and his chocolatey brown eyes blinked rapidly. He was pale and scrawny, and I could tell he wasn't in a good place because his clothes looked ripped and old.

"What's your name?" I asked quietly. "I don't think I've met you before, have I?"

He shook his head. "I-I'm Jeon Jungkook. Nice t-to meet you."

"Welcome to Rapmon's Toybox! I hope you'll enjoy this Christmas with us!" I exclaimed, making his frown turn into a sort-of smile.

I let him inside, and we started talking, as most of the children usually do. He told me about his life, his family, his school and his situation. He opened up to me about everything that was going on in his life, and I felt connected to him because I could understand his every word.

We were meant to be.

Obviously, I was aware of the fact that he was still a minor, and I wasn't, so I couldn't have done anything risky. Just because I thought we were 'meant to be', didn't mean that I didn't mean that in a friendly, cute way.

"S-sir?" he stuttered.

"Call me Rapmon," I ordered with a chuckle. "You need something? I'm just going to get you your present, so just sit there and help yourself, okay?"

I went inside the storage room and scribbled a note onto the card that I had already prepared the night before.

Dear Jungkook,
I'm so sad to hear about what happened to you, and why your parents did what they did. I couldn't believe your parents left you like that. I do hope that one day, they regret letting go of somebody beautiful like you, because you're worth much more than that.

However, I hope that this Christmas, everything would change for the better- after all, I'm here for you whenever you need me. You are surrounded by people who love and care for you, so don't take advantage of it.

When you turn eighteen, give me a call and we can maybe go out for a nice friendly drink together. Who knows, maybe it'll turn into something more?

The present attached to this letter is a special one, just for you because I only have one. I swore to myself that I'd give out this present to somebody who I know for certain that I will meet again, so consider yourself very special. Make sure you wear your gift the next time you come to see me, and I'll replace it with something even better.

As for now, I'm here for you. In any way possible, I will be here if you need me.

Have a very merry Christmas,
Rapmon Xx

When he left at the end of the day, I had a warm feeling in my heart, knowing that I was the reason for somebody's beautiful smile. He left my store with a bright, gleaming smile on his face, and a small gift in his hand.

But, what was his gift?

That's up to you to think about.