Out of Breath // pjm.

Epilogue

[2 months later, December]

I stand tapping my foot impatiently when the door swings open and I meet eyes with my man, Park Jimin.

I smile and peep behind him spotting two Kims- Taehyung and Seokjin- right behind him.

"Does it always take three people to answer the door here?" I ask, amused at their curious, childlike faces, and take a step forward.

"Taehyung ran to open it to mess with Jimin. And I just came to look," Jin says and shrugs. I frown, perplexed.

Jin points at something above my head and I tilt my head up to look.

"mistletoe," I mutter and smile as I look back down at Jimin, "you don't have to do these things to trap me, you know."

"I know," he whispers as I step closer to him, "but it's fun, isn't it?"

I see a flash of his risqué smile as he leans in to claim his Christmas present.

Jimin's lips settle on mine in a smooth, slick manner. He kisses me deeply, but not vulgarly, mouth gliding against mine in strong but delicate strokes. We pull away a moment later at Taehyung's evident disgust, as he gags dramatically right behind Jimin. Jimin rolls his eyes as he tucks me into his side and leads me into the house.

I greet each one of the boys individually, hugging them and wishing them well for Christmas, as Jimin stays hot on my trail all over the house. I look around for Yoongi and Jimin answers my question before I even ask it.

"He's not here yet. He's at the studio. We eat as soon as he arrives," he states and pulls me back to his side.

"You're so touchy," I announce and pinch his nose and he pretends to be hurt.

"Are you complaining?"

"Not one bit," I respond and snuggle into him.

"Okay, upstairs," he commands and starts leading me toward the staircase, "I have to give you your Christmas present."

I walk around his room, turning on the stereo as I wait for him in the area he assigned to me. I chuckle when 'Autumn Leaves' is the first song to start playing.

Humble.

Jimin saunters over to me with a little blue box in his hand with a white ribbon tied around it and holds out the box to me.

I glance at him suspiciously as I take the it from him.

I untie the ribbon and flip the box open to find a pretty, little ring sitting right in the middle of it. It's small, dainty and gorgeous. I gasp and look up at him.

"Jimin, I'm 21 and you're 23. You can't ask me to marry you," is the first thing that slips out of my mouth.

Jimin purses his lips, holding a hearty laugh in.

"I'm not," he says and lets out a chuckle, "but that doesn't mean I won't, in the future. It's a promise ring, so better start warming up to the idea."

I look back down at it and bite my lip.

"Merry Christmas, doll," he flashes me a beautiful smile, "I love you."

My heart skips at his words. It has been months, but it still sounds like it did the very first time.

"God... it's fucking beautiful, Jiminie. Thank you, I love you," I say and step forward to thank him properly when I spot something around the ring.

I pull out the familiar black lace material and gasp again.

"Is this...?"

"Yup. The choker you wore on the first night I kissed you. It came undone in my hand and I kept it, to return it to you," he says and closes the distance between us, "but it reminded me of all the feelings I felt in that moment I first put my hands on you. And I had to keep it."

He slides his arms around my waist and pulls me close just as 'Crystal Snow' begins playing in the room.

"Well," I begin and met his eyes, "my thief boyfriend. Put them on me."

Jimin spins me around and clasps the choker around my neck before placing a delicate kiss underneath my ear. He then spins me back around to face him and slides the ring onto the fourth finger of my right hand. I clasp my hand into his and he pulls me deftly into him, our bodies in full contact, as he slides his arm around my waist and begins swaying.

I giggle and wrap my hands around his neck as we move daintily in the middle of his bedroom.

We stay like that, frozen in time, moving in tandem and reveling in one another's warmth. Jungkook's smooth voice sings in the background.

Can I touch your heart?

"Can I? Can I touch your heart?" Jimin asks and I scoff.

"Now you ask? After prying my chest open and ripping it out?"

We stand around the dinner table, impatient to eat but also impatient for Yoongi to arrive.

Jimin tucks me back into his side and plays with the new ring on my fingers with his cute little fingers.

The bell rings and we all sigh in relief. Hungriest of them all, Taehyung skips to answer the door and that's when we all realize it.

He swings the door open and Namjoon motions for us all to begin chanting.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

In the excitement to kiss me... Jimin forgot to take the mistletoe down.

Both men in the doorway glance up. Taehyung's face contorts into shock and Yoongi just groans.

"KISS! KISS! KISS!" the chanting grows louder.

The older man rolls his eyes as he steps into the door frame, taking everyone by surprise when he swiftly leans in and plants a peck smack on the younger one's mouth. Jimin stiffens in shock next to me as the sound of loud gasps echoes from Jungkook behind us and Hoseok, Namjoon and Jin scream in unison. Taehyung clasps his mouth and stays put as a nonchalant Yoongi strides into the loud room, Hoseok emitting 70% of the noise in it.

I burst out laughing as I approach Yoongi and yell, "merry Christmas, oppa," in between giggles.

"Tradition is tradition," he states, shrugging as he approaches the dinner table and the rest of us guffaw, Taehyung shyly joining us.

Everyone gathers around the table, still recovering, as Jin announces, "okay, gang's all here. Cake time."

I smile at his statement and Jimin wraps his arm around my shoulders and holds me close.

Jin cuts the cake as the oldest and everyone wishes each other, hugging and celebrating another big year for Bangtan.

"Make a wish," Namjoon announces with a broad smile, "and make it a good one."

Jimin leans in.

"No need," he whispers before planting a feathery kiss on my earlobe, "I got everything I need right here."

I smile and close my eyes, immersing my heart and soul in his being and send up a small message.

Thank you.