THE SUN AND HIS STARS ✓

A VERY VHOPE CHRISTMAS. (extra)

They set up the tree a week early.

Taehyung was adamant about it, talking about how they had to get in the Christmas spirit by getting a tree.

And, of course, Hoseok could never say no to Taehyung.

So here they were, struggling to set up a tree in front of the main entrance. Hoseok pulled two branches out of the box and stared at them.

"Where do these go?"

Hyunseok chuckled and fixed his butler suit. "If I may, Master Hoseok..." He took the branches from Hoseok's hands and attached it to the tree, which was halfway done and came up to Hoseok's chest. Taehyung grinned at Hoseok.

"You're pretty bad at this, hyung."

"Hush. I'll do better when it comes to decorations."

After 30 more minutes of struggling, the tree was complete. Taehyung and Hoseok backed up to take a good look at it.

"Looks nice," said Hoseok.

"It'll look better once we're done," Taehyung said determinedly. He gestured to the boxes by their feet. "You take one half, I take the other?"

Hoseok nodded, grabbing a box and pulling it to the other side of the tree.

"Let's have a contest," said Hoseok, pulling an ornament and some lights out. "And we'll have Hyunseok judge."

"Winner gets what?"

"The right to put the star on the top."

-

"Well..." Hyunseok said. He rounded the tree, sometimes leaning close and looking at an ornament. Taehyung had his fingers crossed. And Hoseok, quite honestly, hoped that Taehyung won instead of him.

"Master Hoseok has done well for his first Christmas," Hyunseok said, judging Hoseok's side.

"What?" Taehyung said, his voice unbelieving. "Hyung, this is your first Christmas?"

Hoseok nodded. In explanation, he said, "My parents didn't celebrate Christmas."

Taehyung suddenly looked sad. "That's not fair. You've missed out on so many Christmases!"

Hoseok was surprised that Taehyung was upset about this. "Tae, it's alright, I'm spending my first Christmas with you. I think that makes up for it."

"The winner," said Hyunseok, who hadn't heard their conversation, "is Master Taehyung!"

Taehyung jumped and clapped. His face had so much pure and childish joy that Hoseok couldn't even pretend he was upset at his loss.

"Yes! I can put the star on!"

Hoseok smiled, digging around in the boxes and pulling out a gold star with 7 points. He handed it to Taehyung, who frowned. "You sure you don't wanna do it, hyung?"

Hoseok shook his head. "You won fair and square, Tae."

As Taehyung dragged a step stool to the side of the tree, Hyunseok leaned into Hoseok's ear and whispered, "It was really a tie."

Hoseok grinned, watching Taehyung furrow his brow in concentration as he put the star on top.

"I know."

-

"So," said Jungkook. "You put your tree up a week before Christmas but put your lights up on Christmas Eve?"

"Hey," Hoseok defended. "We put the lights on inside a week before, too."

Hoseok kept his eye on Taehyung, who was standing on the top step of a ladder, hanging lights on their roof. Namjoon and Seokjin held the ladder steady, while Yoongi and Jimin handed Taehyung lights. As Taehyung wobbled a bit, Hoseok called, "Be careful!"