Before You Go • VHOPE [On Hold]

Chapter 16: Christmas

A week or so later, it was finally the Christmas Eve. Unfortunetly for Hoseok, he felt super annoyed because of the sore throat he got recently. He tried to be as silent as possible, while also helping his dad with the dinner. And also, sipping onto the cherry flavoured cough syrup bottle whenever.

"I think your room gets cold at the night, I will have to check the room heater." Hoseok's dad said.

"Room's okay. The reason I'm like this is because of Taehyung's recklessness." Hoseok wanted to say. But at the end of the day, he did go along with him so he was at fault too. So, he just nodded along, trying to talk less.

There was a big oak tree decorated beautifully with imitations and lights, on top of it perched a giant star that made Hoseok remember all the times Christmas was mildly celebrated at home— when his mother was still alive. The living room was all beautifully decorated with fairy-lights, bringing back sweet memories.

The kitchen lingered with different scents that also made it's way to the dining space and living room; the delicious smell of barbequed ribs and roasted chicken, alongwith kimchi and sweet potato noodles. Hoseok's efforts to decorate the Christmas cake were fruitful, and the candied sweet potatoes were something his father was proud of mastering.

The door bell rang that made his dad jump a bit, "Oh," He smiled, "Looks like they're there. I'll go get them."

Hoseok watched with pursed lips as his dad went to the door. His heart feeling a bit out of pace. He hadn't seen Taehyung since that day. And he kind of didn't know how to react or talk, so in that moment, he was awfully anxious.

His father opened the door, and there he saw.. Taehyung's mother. She was smiling, dressed in formals, with a red wine bottle in her hand while she greeted his father. He noticed Taehyung behind his mother though his face was not at all visible.

But then she turned, and there was Taehyung, smiling politely at his father before he welcomed them inside.

Taehyung walked inside first and his eyes fell on Hoseok, he stopped to see him. Hoseok was already looking at him but he started feeling shy the moment Taehyung looked at him.  Tae walked over to him and greeted with his
head titled to side, "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." Hoseok looked at him. He hated to admit but Taehyung looked handsome. He had a cotton shirt on along with a waist-coat and his hair was soft and fluffy. His face charming as always.

Taehyung leaned in a bit and whispered, "You're staring. Do I look that pretty? Ooh, I'm glad."

"You're so full of yourself" Hoseok tried to scowl but ultimately, couldn't really.

Hoseok's father asked all of them to seat themselves at the dining table, while continuously thanking his mother for the gift she brought them.

At the start of the dinner, Taehyung seemed silent while the table was filling with conversations. Hoseok noticed Taehyung amidst that and tapped his knee below the table, giving him a questioning look— to which he received a reassuring soft smile and a nudge of head.

Hoseok was kind of drifting away from the table while he was thinking about Taehyung, but his attention was harshly brought back to the table when his father stated something.

"It's been a while since we've had a Christmas dinner with all these decorations.. since Hoseok's mother passed away from cancer,". Hoseok shot his eyes up at him, while Taehying's focus promptly turned to Hoseok. "Hoseok doesn't really like celebrating Christmas ever since.."

"I'm sorry." His mother said softly. Taehyung felt speechless while his softened eyes looked at Hoseok. He noticed Hoseok digging his thumbnail into his hand that rested on his thigh, and his eyes glaring down at his plate. "We never had a Christmas dinner like this either. So please know we're really grateful for the invite."