it's just kissing | m.j ✓

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

"Hey Namjoon, time for Secret Santa!"

"What's the point. There's 7 Park Jimins in there."

"....You don't know that."

"........"

"Alright! You know the rules then! Bye!"

-

As tradition dictates, everyone is gathered around the bar after work hours on Christmas eve for a small party of their own, and to also give their Secret Santa gifts. The drinks are out, Jimin helps the other bartenders fix up some of his original Christmas cocktails to get them in the festive mood, and soft holiday tunes play in the background. It's a stark contrast from the usual loud vibe of the bar, and Jimin revels in it, feeling warm and fuzzy from the inside.

"How come no one goes back home or anything for the holidays?" Jimin quietly asks Taehyung, who seems to be rather tipsy judging from how he's swaying slowly to the music.

"This is home to us," Taehyung answers with a grin, waving a hand around the bar and sloshing his cocktail over his one hand. "We don't really have blood-family to return to for...whatever reasons. But here. This family right here. We have this."

"...Oh..."

"My family is insanely Christian. My father is a pastor, so I was going to church every Sunday ever since I was a baby," Taehyung begins to tell his story with a faraway gaze in his eyes. "Didn't go too well when my mom found me making out with another dude, and I didn't want to lie to her. It sort of ruined the whole family dynamic and I chose to leave. They didn't stop me."

"...I'm sorry," Jimin says quietly, much of the festive mood replaced by something much heavier and heartbreaking. He's always been vaguely aware of some kind of past from everyone, but he had never expected Taehyung of all people to have such a painful history. Taehyung was a ball of energy who had too much love to give.

"Nah, no need to be. They never really understood me. Always thought I was super slow for some reason. Thought forcing me to pray for hours on would make the problem go away. I like it better here," Taehyung continues, raising his glass with a dopey grin, and Jimin smiles back because he can see that the other man is truly happy.

"Yeah, I like it here too," Jimin admits quietly, reciprocating the expression with sincerity.

"What you guys talking about?" Jungkook asks, joining their conversation.

"Was just telling him about my family," Taehyung answers casually, and the bouncer lets out a knowing "ah."

"Yeah, your family sucks," Jungkook mutters with a shrug, sitting next to Jimin. "Mine sucked too. That's why I ran away. Yoongi let me stay at his place for like two months before I could get a place of my own. Boss man pays us extra well to make sure we're taken care of....and we all appreciate that about him."

Jimin is taken aback by the utter casual tone in which Jungkook relays his own painful story.

"Anyway, enough of this sad sob story time," Jungkook says, clapping Jimin on the back. "How's it going with...that guy."