Baby Fangs - Chapter 14 - eris_248 - 방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys (2025)

Chapter Text

December passed in a blur of cold nights spent cuddling on the couch watching holiday movies and the warmth of shared laughter mingling with the crackling of the fireplace in the brewery. Days slipped by with shivers—some from the biting chill, others from the thrills on the training ground. Afternoons melted into quiet hours between book stacks, throw blankets softening the hard floor and words spoken in a deep voice filling the stillness. And then there were the walks through the frost-kissed forest, where exhales turned to fog and every step felt like a whispered secret shared with the earth.

It was a month of routines and sweet moments, tentative and delicate in nature, passing faster than Jungkook realized.

Jungkook had now fully settled in at the Kim Mansion, it didn’t even feel as though he’d been here for less than three months.

His hyungs were the reason why.

There was a deep ease that seeped into his being when he was around them.

Ever since he’d made the conscious decision to open up more and to put his frustrating feelings on the back burner, he’d gotten even closer to each and every one of them.

With Seokjin hyung being added to the weekly routine, he felt more sure of his place with them…. At least on most days.

He still spiralled a lot but it was getting less frequent than before, he also pulled himself together quicker. He was able to sometimes recognize what conclusions he’d drawn due to his own self-doubts and had nothing to do with the other vampires’ actions.

It was small but it was progress.

He tried to give himself grace, that’s what Namjoon had been teaching him. He tried to even reach out and voice his thoughts to Taehyung and Jimin a couple of times, after they’d insisted, saying that they ran a cafe that was aimed at giving free therapy and lightening the burden of human strangers, they’d be damned if they couldn’t do the same for their own baby vampire.

If he felt particularly down on a day, all he had to do was go sit by Hoseok and his mood would be a hundred times better in just five minutes. His hyung seemed to know when Jungkook needed his cheery side. And on the nights when he needed the sadistic Dom Hoseok without even realising it himself, that’s what he got.

Seokjin had gotten less careful, had closed some of the distance between them after their talk, and Jungkook was grateful because he absolutely loved being around his eldest hyung. It felt like everything would be right in the world and all his worries about his dreams, his relationship with the hyungs, the question of his affinity magic… they all fell away with a simple, “ Come here, little one.” from Seokjin.

They all had tried to make him see more worth in himself but the one who’d been the most successful was undoubtedly Yoongi. The witch liked to show his care more through actions rather than words, he was silent in his affections. And instead of telling Jungkook he was worthy, he tried to give Jungkook something to feel proud of, something that would make him feel more confident in himself.

And indeed, as Jungkook got better around the Greenhouse with every passing week, he felt more assured that he wasn’t completely useless. Yoongi even let him help out on an order after a particularly rough day when Jungkook had accidentally knocked over a pot.

The fledgling had almost gotten a panic attack as he stared at the broken pieces and the spilled mud.

It had triggered him, taking him back in time and trapping him inside horrible memories.

He fell to his knees and started begging, “I-I’m sorry, pl-please forgive me. I didn’t mean to- I swear it was a mistake- please do-don’t hit me, ma’am ! I’m-m-”

He was cut off when Yoongi hugged him to his chest, kneeling in front of him and just holding him as he sobbed.

“It’s okay, kid. Nobody’s mad at you, nobody's going to hurt you… Never again.”

Jungkook mumbled and muttered, continuing to beg for forgiveness, his body shaking even as his mind walked back from the ledge. The familiar, soothing scent of his hyung helped settle him.

Yoongi let him calm down, gently scratching his hair and whispering sweet words filled with care, reassuring him.

The muddy broken pot was easily forgotten as Yoongi took him to the futon in his workspace and pulled him into his lap, holding him as they rested on the small bed.

After a while, Jungkook came back to his senses and embarrassment filled him. Shame taking up space in the pits of his belly.

Yoongi hyung was surely annoyed at him.

Jungkook had heard enough of Yoongi’s calming words to know the elder wasn’t mad at him for breaking the pot, but surely he’d be irritated that Jungkook had fallen apart like some delicate child. He’d rubbed his snotty nose and tears against the front of Yoongi’s shirt.

Jungkook jerked to begin disentangling himself from the elder, the start of an apology on his tongue when he froze up.

A realisation came into his head.

Think about it, Jungkook. Would someone like Yoongi hyung really get mad at you for breaking down? When he’s spoken passionately about mental health, has often encouraged you to be open and honest, has always offered his support unconditionally?

Yoongi hyung isn’t like the Madams at the adoption centre. He isn’t the same as all the foster parents you’ve had. You’re acting as if he would do what they did.

He deserves better.

And so, hesitantly, with a lot of courage, Jungkook decided to give his hyung a chance. A chance to prove the terrible voice in his head wrong. The voice that whispered that he was a burden, that Yoongi hyung would push for answers and then be disgusted with him upon knowing his past.

He decided to open up instead of shutting down.

Taking a deep breath, Jungkook willed his voice to be solid.

“W-We used to have Madams in our adoption centre-”

Yoongi tensed up, “You don’t have to tell me anything, Jungkook-ah. You don’t owe me an explanation, please don’t feel pressured. I’m very sorry you got triggered and went through this, but I’ll gladly take care of you through a hundred breakdowns without you telling me why they happened.”

Jungkook smiled tentatively, he was making the right decision.

With greater certainty he shook his head, “I want to tell you, hyung.”

Yoongi nodded in acquiesce. It wasn’t like he hadn’t put two and two together and figured out why the younger had such a violent reaction to breaking something.

It was a trauma response.

Yoongi’s heart had hurt even as he’d calmed his baby down. He knew what the emotional scars of child abuse looked like.

Jungkook continued, “They were our attendants, responsible for looking after us. They were supposed to be good to us… b-but they weren’t. They were awful . They would get mad at the kids over everything, re-remind us of how unwanted we were all the time. An-and if you broke something, you were done for. If you were lucky you’d get away with just a slap. B-but-”

Jungkook took a shaky inhale, “-I’ve never really been lucky. I don’t know… why- what I did for them to dislike me so much, but whenever I messed up I always got the bad punishments, I was never once let off the hook. I got very goo-od at not messing up, I swear. I was trying my best. How-ever, there were times I broke a vase or a glass, or didn’t complete my chores well enough. An-and they would-.... They would-”

Jungkook broke off to take deep breaths, trying to not let his tears fall even as his body shook with phantom fear.

Yoongi held him close.

“-Hit me. They used t-to hurt me until I learned my lesson. And-and that was okay, I had gotten used to it. They didn’t hit hard enough for permanent damage, just bruises and cuts I could easily hide when prospective adopters visited, or anyone from upper management came for routine checks. B-but what I trul-ly hated was the closet …”

Jungkook glanced at Yoongi, worried if he was wasting his time or talking too much, but he just found understanding eyes filled with pain. Yoongi prompted him to continue by humming.

“I hated the closet, it was a small cupboard in th-the attic. And when children were being too naughty, or didn’t listen, or broke a rule. This was the worst punishment they got. Being locked in that space without food or water for a day.”

Yoongi blanched slightly, unable to school his features, “ A day!”

Jungkook nodded as if he was telling him the simplest thing ever, “Longer if they thought we deserved more.”

Yoongi’s grip on him tightened and without preamble he brought Jungkook close and hugged him tight, pressing kisses to his head.

“It’s okay, hyung. I’m over it now. O-or mostly, I can’t help reacting like that when I mess up. Especially when I break something. M-my foster pa-rents would also get mad if I made a mistake, so I guess… it’s just an ingrained response now. It’s done me some good because I’ve become a very careful person, I rarely break things now.”

Yoongi shook his head, “Jungkook breaking something is not a terrible sin. Making a mistake isn’t a crime that deserves to be punished in such manners. Please let me help you unlearn all that... Making mistakes, messing up, breaking a few things, it’s completely normal. It’s not a big deal and the ones who used it as an excuse to hurt you; t-to traumatise you, were the monsters. They were the ones deserving terrible punishment. Not you, never you. You were a child, for god’s sake. Those Madams were supposed to care for you, to let you be a child, and instead they abused you like that, it- I can’t tell you how much it breaks my heart… and how much rage it fills me with.”

Jungkook’s lips trembled, “Maybe it was because they were understaffed and overworked, we all knew the centre didn’t get enough funding. They were just frustrated.”

Yoongi wanted to scream at the boy, but he controlled his tone, “You don’t have to defend and justify the terrible behavior of the adults that were supposed to be your caretakers, Kook-ah. What they did makes them disgusting human beings.”

The tears were threatening to spill again, “B-but I should’ve just beh-haved better or not messed up-”

Yoongi was infuriated at the words that had come out of the younger’s mouth, he shouldn’t have to defend his abusers, he shouldn’t blame himself for his abuse. Hell, even extending grace to them, giving excuses.

But that was just who Jungkook was.

Impossibly kind and painfully understanding.

Taught by the world that it was the only way to be.

Yoongi was mad on his behalf. Yoongi was so mad, at these so-called caretakers, at the assholes who hurt his boy, at the world .

Yoongi resolutely shook his head, “Listen to me, Kook. It wasn’t your fault, okay. You weren’t to blame for all the shit you had to go through. They were horrible people, and horrible people do horrible things, it doesn’t matter what their victim did, he is not at fault.”

And the floodgates opened, Jungkook sobbed again and Yoongi threw his anger to the back of his mind to care for the distressed fledgling.

And so, Jungkook cried.

He cried for the words he’d never heard before, he cried for his six year old self who would crawl out of the closet dehydrated and terrified, he cried for his twelve year old self that got hit by a belt by a foster father for breaking a fancy glass plate, he cried for all the children around him that had suffered similar fates.

He cried for his current self, that was still so influenced by things that happened a decade ago, ruled by fear; who had trouble bonding with the first people that finally cared about him, because of a lifetime of criticism, punishments, comments and doubts that his head was filled with.

And Yoongi held him through all of that.

Spoke to him softly, reiterated his points, repeated the same words again and again.

It wasn’t your fault.

It took Jungkook an hour to finally feel mentally well.

Yoongi asked if he could share what Jungkook had told him with the rest of his coven.

Jungkook fidgeted, “You don’t need to burden them with it, hyung.”

Yoongi’s voice was serious, “There’s no such thing when it comes to family, Jungkook-ah. And we are your family.”

Jungkook almost started crying a third time.

Yoongi continued, “And it’s important for them to know, you engage in play with all of us, and we need to know if something might trigger you. I know you and Hoseokie like doing more, uhmm, intensive stuff-” Jungkook blushed, “-and while I know you enjoy it, he especially needs to know you have such a history of abuse.”

Then Jungkook felt anxious, and concerned, “No, but I- It’s not the same thing, hyung. We don’t have to stop. I-I really like it. I like it when Hoseok hyung hurts me, there’s no bad feelings, nothing bad. I don’t even think about all-all this, all my... past, whenever I’m in a scene with you. I feel so safe, and so cared for, please, I do-don’t want to stop because of this. I-I-... you’re probably judging me for wanting this but- ”

Yoongi shook his head and reassured him, “I never said you have to stop, Kook-ah. Many victims of abuse use this as a coping mechanism, as an outlet and a way to feel better and to take back control. Trust me, Jungkook-ah, a consensual play scene is oceans apart from being abused. The most important aspect being that it’s your choice which is leading to a scene, you are enjoying it, you are consenting to it and it’s not done with an intent to harm, but rather an intent to please. And it will stop whenever you say the word. That’s why it can be a pleasurable experience. You’re engaging in it with someone you feel safe around, that makes it safe for your mind as well.”

Jungkook relaxed, he saw understanding, acceptance and care in Yoongi’s eyes.

No judgement.

“I just want to make sure we take all the precautions, and make it as safe as we can for you. And it goes both ways, kid. Your scene partners need to be aware, because if they accidentally trigger you, that will have an emotional impact on them, too. Imagine how guilty Namjoonie would feel if he ever accidentally triggered you?”

Jungkook nodded somberly, that made sense.

“Are you sure they won’t mind?” Jungkook asked, his voice colored with doubt and Yoongi pressed a long kiss to his forehead.

“My sweet little vampire, we care about you, we want to be there for you, the last thing we’d do when we hear about how you’ve been hurt in the past is mind. Trust me. A more realistic question would be—am I sure Seokjin hyung won’t go on a rampage, find out all the Madams who served at the centre while you were there, compel them and find out if they ever hurt you, and then hurt them in the same manner. And no, I am absolutely not sure that he won’t do that.”

Jungkook gasped but then giggled.

He wasn’t a violent person, nope . He wouldn't hurt a fly. He had never given a thought to hurting his abusers back. And he wouldn’t condone Seokjin doing so now.

But the words did set off butterflies in his stomach, a warm feeling embracing him.

Jungkook didn’t like violence, but he liked that he had someone who would resort to it for him.

He might be fucked up in the head to think that, but after the life he’d led, all he felt was gratitude and happiness at the mention of someone finally giving a shit about the hurt he’d faced.

Someone finally caring.

Defending him or taking revenge in his stead, whatever it was, it meant he finally had people to call his own.

Yoongi’s words settled in his heart

We are your Family .

A beat passed.

“Wait, wh-what do you mean compel them?” Jungkook’s brain processed Yoongi’s words enough to ask.

Curiosity, as always, burning in his eyes.

Yoongi chuckled, “It’s a talent all vampires have, you will too once you complete the newborn stage—Compelling humans. We can look into their eyes and use a sort of hypnosis to- well, to control them. We can get information out of them, make them do anything we want or erase their memories.”

Jungkook shrieked, “We can do that?”

Yoongi flicked his chin fondly, “ You can’t. Didn’t you hear me? Only full vampires can, and you are a baby who hasn’t yet turned one.”

Jungkook pouted and then wondered, “But why? What use do vampires have of this?”

Yoongi explained, “To feed. Consensual drinking wasn’t the norm for a good few centuries and by the design of nature, this is how we could feed without hurting the victim and without risking our safety.”

Jungkook nodded, “So, you’d just meet some human in a dark alley at night, compel them to keep quiet as you drank their blood then made them forget it ever happened?”

Yoongi grinned.

“Exactly. Ah, our baby’s so smart. A bigger genius than Joon even.”

Jungkook turned red, but sported a pleased smile.

Then an errant thought entered his head, it had him heating up instantly.

He bit his lip, “C-can you do it to fellow vampires too? Put th-their mind under your control.. Make them do whatever you want?”

Yoongi’s gaze darkened as he smelled just how much interest Jungkook had in that.

He brought his hand up to loosely hold Jungkook’s neck, “You mean instead of holding you in place with my hand, I’d just compel you and make you stay still? Something I know you find very difficult to pull off. Joon’s always reprimanding you for it when he plays with you, no?”

Yoongi’s hand tightened.

Jungkook’s tongue felt heavy in his throat, eyes drooping.

“Y-yeah. He cou-could just compel me to do that a-and then I-I-”

He was unable to bring himself to say it, embarrassed and worked up, even as Yoongi’s eyes implored him to finish his sentence. Jungkook let out a frustrated whine as the elder laughed at his state.

Yoongi pulled his face closer with his grip, Jungkook had to struggle a bit to breathe which only made his tummy feel warmer.

He fidgeted and tried to fix his position to find balance, slightly pressing his ass down on Yoongi’s lap.

“You’d have no choice but to do it, to be still.”

Jungkook licked his lips and nodded, eyes filled with desire.

Yoongi’s hands tightened to the point of choking him and Jungkook’s mind buzzed, “To be our doll that we used as we pleased.”

The words had Jungkook closing his eyes and ducking down to the crook of the elder Witch’s neck. The movement also made his dick press up against the side of Yoongi’s thigh. Although there were layers separating their skins, Jungkook moaned at the contact, at the warmth, at the pressure.

He unconsciously rutted against Yoongi’s thigh once.

Immediately, Yoongi shifted his hand, from gripping his throat to gripping his nape to scruff him. And Jungkook went boneless, his movements coming to a halt.

Yoongi had to take a couple of deep breaths to control himself, to hold back and stop the situation from going where it was headed. He could feel the younger’s hard-on against his leg and knew that Jungkook was in too deep to realise what he was doing. It took everything in Yoongi to not just tell the fledgling to rut against his thigh and chase his pleasure. To continue hearing the boy's moans and gasps, his blissed out expression.

But Jungkook would be embarrassed, Yoongi knew him well. They hadn’t even talked about their romantic and sexual attraction to each other, the right way to go about it wasn’t to ask Jungkook to hump his leg.

No matter how much he wanted it.

Patience.

He tried to reel back his own arousal, his want, by promising himself that he’d recreate this exact scene with Jungkook some day in the future. They had eternity together and it was just a matter of time till Jungkook joined as their Mate and bonded to them. Yoongi could make him hump his thigh however much he wanted then.

He slowly let go of Jungkook’s nape, murmuring softly, bringing him down from wherever his mind had begun to float to. Taking care to straighten him up so the younger’s still-hard dick wasn’t pressing against him and placed a few kisses on his face.

“Hey, Kook. Are you feeling more calm? You got quite swept up in the moment, huh?”

Jungkook’s cheeks were flaming and his mind was rushing.

As his vision had cleared, he’d realised what he’d almost done.

God, he had been about to rut against Yoongi hyung’s thigh like some kind of bitch in heat.

That thought didn’t help his predicament as it only sent a shot of arousal to his dick.

Focus, Jungkook.

Get it together. He’s your friend, your hyung. Stop thinking like that.

Yoongi gave him an easy out that made his anxiety lessen, “I should’ve known you’d start slipping if we talked like this. I mean, I knew you’d be into that concept, you’re always loving it when you’re restrained but gosh , I hadn’t thought the response would be so instant and intense.”

He ruffled his hair and Jungkook leaned into it, closing his eyes and sighing happily.

Clearly, if Yoongi hyung was behaving the same as before, he must not have noticed Jungkook’s erection before.

“You just love the idea of being a good boy, don’t you? That’s okay. We love that about you, we love when you’re being obedient in a scene just as much as you enjoy obeying. But, sadly, no , vampires can’t compel other vampires. We can’t even compel other Supernaturals. Even those humans who have higher magical levels than normal are hard to compel.”

Jungkook’s boner was going away and his previous curiosity was taking back over the other things that had clouded his mind.

“Really?”

Yoongi hummed and gave a small smile, “Two of my close friends actually got together because of this phenomenon. She was barely a century old when she tried to compel and drink from a human man and make him forget. Tried being the keyword. Turned out his magical core was stronger and he wasn’t compelled at all.”

Jungkook gasped, “But then?”

Yoongi snickered, “He was an idiot, he said she had seemed like a Goddess to him, he was so infatuated with her he didn’t care if she sucked his blood. But he wasn’t about to let her go. He remembered her, even when she didn’t. He was just one of the sea of faces of the humans she fed on, nothing worth remembering. It wasn’t until the fifth time she’d fed on him within three months that she realized something was off.”

Jungkook laughed out loud and Yoongi gazed at him with fond lazy eyes.

“The man had been purposefully wandering around alone at night in shady alleys so she’d hunt him again. Just so he could get a few minutes in her presence.”

“That’s crazy!” Jungkook exclaimed.

Yoongi scoffed, “That’s exactly what she thought. ‘ Hey, this human is so stupid, always in dangerous places alone during dangerous hours. He’s clearly bad at keeping himself safe, I guess I should keep an eye on him, you know, just ‘cause he’s given me sustenance a few times, it will be like a form of payment. Just a bit of harmless protecting, if I’m staring at his handsome face all the time its just because I’m keeping watch on him.’ ”

Jungkook was giggling, fully engaged in the story.

“Then? Did she realise he knew her? Did he get to know she was stalking- oh sorry, protecting him.”

Yoongi caressed his cheek and nodded, “They fell in love and eventually got together.”

Jungkook squealed and clutched his heart.

“It’s so cute, it sounds like a movie. I want to know exactly what happened.”

Yoongi shrugged, “When you meet them you can hear the story directly from the source. Although, the two versions have many differences and they both swear it was the other person that confessed first. But, yeah. They’ve been happily mated for centuries and have been my friends for just as long.”

Jungkook smiled but then tilted his head, “What’s mating ?”

And Min Yoongi, Ancient Witch and a seven centuries old Vampire felt nervous.

For the first time in a long time.

“It’s like marriage… but permanent.” Yoongi started.

It was imperative that he get this right, this was Jungkook’s introduction to the concept, and Yoongi wanted him to understand it correctly, and not form any misconceptions. After all, they’d be revealing their own Mating bonds soon enough.

“So, there’s no divorce?” Jungkook questioned.

Yoongi approached the concern with as much delicacy as he could muster.

“In a way, no. While it’s possible to break a Mating bond in extreme situations, it's quite rare and very painful. Not to mention, you risk death due to the emotional agony.”

Jungkook gasped, “ Death?”

Yoongi nodded, “To understand this you need to first understand what Mates are and what such a bonding means.”

Jungkook nodded along, eager to learn.

“Every Supernatural creature, with significant magical levels, will have people whose own magic meshes perfectly with them. Their energy will be in harmony, like a match made in heaven. Those people are potential Mates. If they choose to, they can form a Mate bond that ties their magic together, only possible since their magic is complementary. If attempted with someone who isn’t a potential Mate, it implodes because of the discordant magic.”

Jungkook made a confused noise and Yoongi tried to simplify it, “Think of our magic as a substance with a unique chemical makeup, a potential Mate’s core has chemicals that are complementary, and mix together well. But, anyone else? Their chemicals would react violently with ours and cause something akin to a cauldron explosion in my brewery.”

Jungkook nodded, “So, while you can be in a relationship with anyone, you can only form a Mate bond with a potential Mate because you need to have compatible energies. Right?”

Yoongi smiled, “Yes.”

“B-but how do you know if they’re your potential Mate?” Jungkook was confused.

“Their cores are drawn to each other like magnets and they will find the other, if possible. And since supernaturals can sense magical energy, they are able to tell if a person’s magical core is well-suited to them. Wheth-”

Jungkook interrupted, “W-We can? How come I can’t sense that?”

Yoongi looked away, eyes hesitant, “In a way you can, although once you complete your transformation and your core settles down and the full extent of your magic sets in, you will get better at it. Anyway, as I was saying, whether they click and decide to pursue a relationship or even form a Mating bond is up to them. It is very much possible that they feel more suited to being best friends, or staying as complete strangers. After all, you don’t have to be in a mating bond to love someone. You could be perfectly happy in a relationship with someone and not want to let go of that for a Mate. Just because your magic is suitable doesn’t mean you have to be Mates.”

When Yoongi paused to let that sink in, Jungkook asked, “But then, if you can love people normally, and won’t insta- love potential Mates why have that as a phenomenon at all?”

Yoongi nodded, “It lies in what these potential Mates are called by a lot of the supernatural community.”

“And what’s that?”

Yoongi bit his lip, “Fated Mates.”

Jungkook furrowed his brow, “As if they're fated to be Mates? Th-hat goes against what you said, that you don’t have to be with those who your magic suits.”

Yoongi snickered, “And that’s exactly why I hate the term. Nobody in the coven uses it, we use the term potential Mates because that’s what it is. If you take that step, if your relationship works in that manner then you can choose to be Mates. But, there is one undeniable truth which lends significance to the term Fated Mates as well. And it is in the infallibility of a Mate bond.”

Jungkook made a questioning sound and Yoongi continued.

“As I said, Mates are perfectly compatible, in their magic, energy, and that extends to their being itself. So, if they do pursue a romantic relationship and form a mating bond they will never be torn apart.”

“So, they'll never break up?” Jungkook simplified.

Yoongi nodded, “Of course, as I said, there are rare exceptions. But for the most, you mate for life. A mating bond ties your magic together, it is the closest you can possibly be to another being. Bonded people are also more powerful as a unit, since there’s a few perks that come with it, like being able to sense each other’s emotions if they fluctuate or go to the extremes. In life or death situations, some can also tap into their Mate’s magical core and get an extra boost of energy. Some people can even sense their Mate’s location, or their energy levels and so on. Every Mate bond is different, unique and beautiful. The one thing common to all, however, is that if someone’s Mate dies, they are very likely to die as well.”

Yoongi shivered, “I-It’s described as a gut-wrenching and soul-wrecking pain, as if a piece of your heart has been ripped out from your chest… which is somewhat accurate. Once you bond, a part of your Mate’s magic will nestle itself in your core and vice-versa. So if they die, it leaves an empty space in your core and a part of you literally dies with them.”

“I-isn’t that like a Sire bond? I mean, I’ve felt connected to your magic, when we bonded you guys told me your magic was settling inside me and bonding with mine? S-so, does that mean if I die, yo-you’ll feel hurt?” Jungkook was worrying his bottom lip and Yoongi hugged him tighter.

“Nothing’s going to happen to you, Jungkook-ah. We won’t let it.”

Jungkook protested, “Bu-ut, if the hyungs feel pain because of m-me, I’d never be able to forgive myself. I’m- I don’t have powers, I’m n-not strong, kill-ing me is easy-”

Yoongi held a finger against his lip to shut him up.

“Before you go down that hole, let me clarify that while Sire bonding also involves such an exchange of magical energy, it’s much lesser as compared to a Mate bond, or even a Coven bond. So, in case a Sired fledgling dies, the Sire and Sire Coven don’t feel a level of hurt that can be life-threatening, although it is a crushing feeling. And it goes both ways, when I lost my Sire, Ashley, I was inconsolable for years, especially because of how close we were. It wasn’t until I found Hoseok that I came back to myself. He helped me emerge from my depression.”

Jungkook frowned and reached out to tentatively swipe Yoongi’s cheek, “I’m glad you did, hyung. I d-don’t like the idea of you in pain.”

Yoongi reached up to grab Jungkook’s hand to keep it in place, enjoying the warm touch on his skin, “I’m glad I did too. For so many reasons… You’re sweet to worry about me, Kook-ah. But, don’t you see? It goes both ways? I worry about you too, the thought of you d-dying…” Yoongi’s whole body trembled under Jungkook, “I-I don’t even want to imagine a world where you cease to exist, Jungkook-ah. So, please don’t worry yourself over the Sire bond, if anything were to happen to you, the entire coven would be devastated, not because our magic is connected but because our hearts are. We care so much about you, sweet bunny. And we are beyond honored and happy that we get to be your Sire Coven, so never question that, okay?”

Jungkook was red, and smiled shyly, “Okay, hyung.”

His heart was humming after hearing so many soft words of admission from Yoongi. Soaring in seventh heaven, upon being told how much he mattered to them.

“T-Tell me more about Fated Mates.” Jungkook cleared his throat and changed the subject, afraid that his feelings would start becoming too apparent to Yoongi.

After the first few weeks, Jungkook had gotten increasingly good at hiding his emotions from the elders. It was also because he had gotten a handle on how intensely he felt emotions due to his vampiric nature. He was able to keep them in check, and was usually good enough at regulating. So, the elders had only been able to pick up on emotions in case Jungkook freaked out about something. Otherwise his emotions would be more obscure and jumbled together for them to directly pick out exactly what he was feeling.

In the past few weeks, particularly, Jungkook had gotten good at suppressing his deep feelings for his hyungs. He did not want to offend them, or risk what he had, in case they found out just how much he felt for them… how much more than just friendly affection.

Yoongi compiled with his request easily, “Well, fated Mates are given different levels of importances in different species. Werewolves worship fated Mates, especially because they are rare, and all of them form a mating bond without fail. Witches are more ambivalent about it, their culture works quite differently and Witches are known to be free-spirited. In Siren culture, based on what Jiminie has told us, all the royal heirs go on searches when they come of age to look for their fated mates, if an heir finds and bonds, they are given the throne regardless of their age or prowess. Having a strong support in the form of a Mate, who will never betray you is seen as a unique advantage. Humans on average, don’t have enough magic for such a thing. But some with elevated magical levels can in rare cases be fated Mates of a Supernatural, or even of another human. Perhaps, that’s where the concept of Soulmates originated in human cultures. I know nymphs don’t have the concept of romantic and platonic love, it’s all just love for them, so they don’t care as much about Mates.. Or power.”

“What about vampires?” Jungkook asked impatiently.

Yoongi chuckled, “Vampires are unique in the fact that finding your fated Mates isn’t as rare an occurrence. We don’t give it as much importance, because of that.”
Jungkook was puzzled, “But why would it be less rare?”

“Because we have lives that span over centuries, many more people are born, turned. Many potential Mates can be encountered.”

“M-many? There’s more than one potential mate?” Jungkook exclaimed.

Yoongi needed to be very clear about this, “Of course, Kook! The perpetuation of Mates being a monogamous pair came about mostly due to the short lifespans of mortal creatures. Earlier, when there were three or more Mates in a bond, people would be wary of them. But the creation of vampires helped that as well, as soon as they saw that simply by virtue of being around for a longer time, vampires just found more compatible people, it wasn’t a big deal if Mate bonds exceeded two people.”

Jungkook bit his lip, “So, i-it’s okay to love more than one person at the same time?”

He anxiously observed Yoongi’s reaction, who nodded along easily.

“Absolutely! Polyamory has been around for centuries, much longer than the institution of monogamous marriage created by humans. It’s perfectly normal. And vampire culture does not have the same bigoted prejudices as humans, like hating someone for loving people of the same gender or not loving anyone at all. Sexuality is a spectrum. And Namjoon says that lately human societies are beginning to make the full circle and come back to realising monogamy and heterosexuality aren’t the only or ‘correct’ ways of life, so I hope things can improve for non-cishet humans as well.”

A huge weight lifted off Jungkook’s chest.

He felt elated, his feelings for all his hyungs would at least not be seen as wrong in the ways an average human would.

But then he chided himself.

Why are you acting like you even stand a chance? Even if they think liking multiple men is okay, they’re not going to be okay if they are those men. They aren’t going to reciprocate. They’ll still be grossed out by you.

He sighed.

There was no point in dwelling on these useless thoughts, sooner or later, his infatuation with these beautiful men would dwindle out.

He would have a chosen family forever though, and he was very ecstatic about that even as he had his doubts and worries.

Jungkook came back to the topic at hand, “So, vampires don’t form Mating bonds?”

Yoongi shook his head, “They do. Most of them, especially if they are old.”

“But I thought you said..”

Yoongi smiled, “They just take their sweet time. Since they know it isn’t a situation of ‘ this is the only potential Mate I’m going to encounter because my life is so short’ and after all, they have eternity to consider spending together… vampires can often go through meeting multiple potential Mates before a relationship works out and they Mate. Vampires can spend decades in happy relationships with people who aren’t their potential Mates. I've seen some small bonded covens where two are Mates, the rest are non-Mate partners, but they love each other all the same. Everybody’s different, and if something works for someone, if everyone involved is happy, then that’s it.”

Jungkook nodded, he definitely agreed to that.

He wanted to ask if any of his hyungs had found a potential Mate but then he held his tongue. Most of them were very old, even Taehyung had lived four human lifetimes, of course, they must’ve. Considering that none of their Mates were here, he ascertained that the hyungs must not have clicked and bonded with any of them.

The monster of Jealousy that was always lurking in Jungkook’s gut, with spiny limbs that scraped against his insides, hummed in a pleased manner. A sick satisfaction coiling in his veins at the thought that his beloved hyungs didn’t have some Mate outside the coven who would steal them from him.

They’re mine.
He shook off that train of thought, slightly concerned by how intense the possessiveness that he felt over them was. Even when he had no right to it.

“Unfortunately, you have all kinds of people everywhere. Even among Vampires we have many purists who believe in the same kinds of notions that Werewolves do, but amped up to the max. If you have eternity, you most definitely will find a fated Mate and so you should only be in long term relationships with them. However, poly relationships are still very common even amongst vampire Mates. I s’pose when you have all the time in the world, communication and keeping everything working can be done quite easily.”

Jungkook nodded.

“Honestly, I think half of the monogamous vampire Mate bonds are only monogamous because they are young and haven’t found the right fitting potential Mates yet. And since the vampire population is skewed towards more young vampires than old ones, you have lesser big poly bonds than you otherwise would if all vampires were the same old age.”

Yoonngi cut himself off, “Okay, I’m going to stop rambling. You seem fully recovered to me and we have work to do. Come along.”

Yoongi patted the side of his bottom twice to signal that he should get up and Jungkook complied with a blush.

He was such a loser, turning red just because his crush placed his hand close to his ass.

Once in the brewery, Yoongi resumed work on a talisman he was making. When Jungkook asked about it, Yoongi simply answered, “The person’s having trouble sleeping, nightmares. This will keep the bad dreams away.”

“That sounds cool, can I do something on it, too? I have never seen you making talismans.”

Yoongi nodded, “I usually don’t but someone close to me asked me to make it, so I took out time to fulfill their request. And no, you’re a trainee—an apprentice —you don’t get to do this stuff even before your fangs have fully come in.”

Jungkook pouted and looked down dejectedly.

Yoongi watched him and then sighed, giving up.

“Fine, you can do one thing. Since you had a bad night, consider this a pick-me-up. But it’s a one-off, okay? My prior rule still stands.”

Jungkook had begun grinning excitedly after the first word.

Yoongi explained the process to him, how the paper had to be cut just right, the kind of ingredients that had to be sprinkled or rubbed onto it, their energy pushed onto the paper, then the kind of fabric the pouch had to be of, the things that were put into it along with the paper, other parts of the process such as lighting a candle and diverting parts of its energy just so.

Jungkook paid full attention, and Yoongi showed him a depiction of the rune that had to be drawn, from a thick book that was open on his worktop.

Jungkook was beyond thrilled, he was ready to do something .

To finally try his hand at real magic.

“That one, you can draw that line of the rune on this paper. Here.” Yoongi passed him the properly prepared paper and pointed at a short line on the edge of the rune.

Jungkook deadpanned, “Really? After telling me all those details, you’re only going to let me draw a line, hyung? Not even the full rune.”

Yoongi rolled his eyes, “This brat. You’re lucky you’re even getting to hold a rune brush. And no, if I let you draw the whole thing it's going to be useless. You have to imbibe your energy and activate the rune while drawing it. This rune and the required magic is particularly tricky, it takes a Witch years before they can do it. And I’d never compromise the quality and efficacy of my work, kid.”

Jungkook bit his lip, this was still work, serious work. He couldn’t go around complaining.

“Yeah, sorry. You’re right.”

Yoongi patted his shoulder, “Don’t look so down. Do you know how old the brush you’ll be holding is? Sixty years. It has written countless runes and my magic’s residue is held in it. This is the first time you will do anything close to magical. It’s a big moment. Baby steps, alright.”

Jungkook nodded with more surety and courage. Even if it was just a line, he’d draw the most perfect, straightest line ever. He’d make sure the person never got plagued by bad dreams again.

He took the brush out of the ink pot, and carefully placed it on the paper, the red staining the off-white right away.

He scrunched his face and concentrated on making the line. He carefully removed the brush once the stroke was done, ensuring no drops splattered.

He looked towards Yoongi for approval and the man was staring at him with a very weird look. A mixture of bewilderment, confusion, awe, worry and intrigue.

“Umm… did I do okay?” He nervously asked.

Of course, he must’ve messed it up. Now Yoongi would have to redo the process and make another paper.

“N-no. No you did fine, matter of fact, why don’t you draw the rest of the rune. Have a good look and copy it. Do it the same way as you did with the line.” Yoongi’s voice was dubiously even and calm.

His gaze spoke an opposing tale.

Jungkook’s eyes widened, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

He quickly got to work.

Just as before, he concentrated on the task, had the goal in his mind, paid attention to detail, and was intentional while making each stroke. Careful not to smudge any ink or make any splatters. Halfway through he noticed the brush had started feeling warm. Not a big difference, but just a slight uptick. But his focus was on the task at hand, it was only when he made the last stroke and took the brush off the paper that he realised he could feel a hum of energy from the brush and from the paper. Spooked and also worried that he’d messed something up he quickly placed the brush back in the ink pot.

He timidly glanced at Yoongi whose face was now akin to a passive stone. Giving away no emotion.

“Good job. I’ll get on with the rest, why don’t you head upstairs for your meal? You must be thirsty, it was an emotionally draining night for you.”

Like clockwork, the reminder of his thirst made it take over the rest of his thoughts. He nodded and thanked him for letting him do something for the first time before rushing upstairs. Calling out for Namjoon hyung as soon as he crossed the portal door and entered the mansion.

When he drank a bit more blood than usual, Namjoon didn’t scold him.

None of his hyungs would ever begrudge him his sustenance.

“Watch out for the dresser-”

“Hey! Don’t push me into the wall-”

“Do you think Seokjin hyung will lose his shit over this?”

“I bet you ten thousand Wons he will.”

It was two nights before Christmas when the temperature dropped noticeably and the air became even more crisp.

Taehyung and Jimin casually carried a Korean Fir tree through the main door of the house. They couldn’t use the side door in the kitchen due to the sheer size of the tree.

It was huge .

Jungkook watched with a confused and concerned expression as they started bickering about where to place it.

Namjoon, who had just come down the stairs, looked at them with an exasperated face.

It was difficult to catch him off guard when it came to things like this.

“You guys tracked mud and melted frost all over the entryway, not to mention the needles of this tree that will show up in mysterious corners for months. You know how mad Seokjin hyung gets when the house is dirty.”

Jimin rolled his eyes, “How do you know there’s any dirt, you didn’t even check. What if your vision didn’t come true and we managed to clean our shoes before bringing this in.”

Namjoon cocked an eyebrow, “When have I ever had to check? My visions about the mischief you two will get up to are never wrong, because you just love making mischief so much there’s no further thought given once you come up with a plan.”

Jungkook giggled to himself but quietly, so as to not draw attention. He wanted to observe the scene play out naturally.

“We’ll make sure to clean it up but this is important. Like super important, hyung.” Taehyung stepped in to placate before Jimin could mouth off.

The elder of the trouble-twins nodded along, “Jungkook was just turned, he’s still very human-like, he’d probably like celebrating a human festival. Maybe give him a piece of normal that he’s been lacking.”

Taehyung made puppy eyes when Namjoon gave them an unimpressed look, “Please, Namjoonie hyung, doesn’t our lovable baby deserve a Christmas tree?”

Jungkook couldn’t control his reaction then.

He squealed in surprise, “That’s a Christmas Tree? W-we’re going to have our own Christmas tree!”

There was a large, excited grin on his face as he rushed off the corner rug he was sitting on with a history book, to where they were standing.

Of course , they weren’t surprised by his presence there. It was impossible for them to not be aware of wherever he was, the whereabouts of their fledgling always running in the back of their heads.

And the telltale sound of a slow heartbeat gave him away each time.

Seeing Jungkook’s reaction, Namjoon immediately melted.

“Yes, definitely, Kook-ah! Do you like putting up a Christmas tree? You probably miss Christmas festivities from your human life. It was very attentive and insightful of your youngest hyungs to think of this detail, no?”

He prodded Jungkook in a certain direction, knowing his littlest Mates would love to hear the praise from Jungkook.

Jungkook nodded, “Hyungs are so sweet, and so thoughtful, I appreciate it a lot.”

He gave the two a big grateful smile with a star-filled gaze. Jimin and Taehyung both stood up straighter, slightly sticking out their chests and attempting to flex their biceps while holding onto the tree, without realising they were covered by layers of clothing in the dead of winter.

“Yup! We even cut and carried the biggest Fir tree we could find, manually . No magic.” Taehyung attempted and failed to say it in the casual, suave manner he was aiming for, his words rather coming out as an eager puppy waiting to get a treat.

Jimin was more smooth with it, but his face and eyes were filled with the same anxious eagerness for approval.

“You’re worth the extra effort, sweetheart... I mean, Yoongi hyung could’ve grown one in here from an acorn or something, but this way it’s more real.”

When Jungkook just stared, mentally processing that Yoongi could make a full-grown tree from a seed in what seemed to be a very short span of time, Jimin got nervous.

“It’s the way humans do it, right?” His voice turned questioning.

What if they did it wrong?

Jungkook shrugged, “I don’t really know, I’ve never seen a Christmas tree except outside of shopping centres or those visible from the street... But they were probably plastic.”

Namjoon furrowed his brows, recalibrating, “Baby, do you not celebrate Christmas? Humans have varying beliefs, if you’re Confuscian or of a different faith and celebrating a Christian festival goes against it we can take this away right now. We don’t want to offend you.”

Jungkook rushed to answer, “N-no, it’s not like that- I mean yes, I have never celebrated before,” Jimin and Taehyung’s shoulder drooped and Jungkook quickly added, “-B-but, that’s because I didn’t get the chance to. Or well, the adoption centre was run by a Catholic fund so they did celebrate Christmas in the way of donated clothes as gifts for the children- although, I only got three of those gifts in my decade there since there weren’t ever enough to go around, so you could technically say I have celebrated thrice. But no tree, ‘cause the Madams said it was a hassle-”

Jungkook knew he was rambling but the words were just tumbling out, the need to share, the desire to spill his life experiences pushing him forward.

This desire had grown over his time here and had gotten especially big after his almost-panic attack in the Greenhouse. Nowadays, Jungkook would run his mouth if the topic ever came about his life as a human. And since, the hyungs were always interested, and had reactions that ranged from sad and concerned to murderous rage, the voice in Jungkook’s head wasn’t strong enough to tear him down and convince him that he shouldn’t share. That they don’t care.

“-and uhmm, the foster homes weren’t really the pinnacle of familial joy so we didn’t even acknowledge Christmas there. And I don’t have any faith or religion, actually. Madams made us learn to pray but it washed out over the years. The Catholic influence didn’t really stick in the first place since the people preaching Christian values didn’t really practice them. But umm, yeah, I suppose you could say I haven’t celebrated but I’m definitely not opposed to it, I’m actually- well, this is a dream come true, to be honest.”

Jimin and Taehyung shared a look and put the tree down, the elder coming closer to Jungkook and holding his hand gently.

“You’ve never gotten to enjoy Christmas? You’ve never even gotten a Christamas gift.”

Jungkook looked down, “I-I’ve always wanted to, just like the movies I saw, or what I overheard in class about the fancy things some of my classmates got. I want- I wanted to wake up to gifts under my own Christmas tree and open them with my own family. With my M-Mom and Dad… But I guess it just wasn’t in my fate.”

Taehyung grabbed his other hands and squeezed, “Nu-uh, it totally is. Isn’t it, Namjoon hyung? Tell me you see Kookie opening presents under the Christmas tree with his family.”

Namjoon grinned adoringly, “I definitely do.”

Jungkook gave them a puzzled look, “But I-I’m an orphan, I don’t have a family.”

Jimin sighed, “There you go, saying untrue things again. You do have a family, they live together with you in a little house in the woods.”

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Jungkook’s cheek.

The youngest sputtered and turned red.

Taehyung followed suit and placed a kiss on his other cheek, “We’ll keep repeating it till you believe it. We are your family, Kookie. A family made of a sweet Maknae and his six loving hyungs.”

Namjoon joined in and the other two made space for him to grab Jungkook’s head delicately and bring it forward to place a devoted kiss on his forehead.

“The sweetest baby ever.”

Jungkook felt overcome with emotions, his eyes filling up. He pressed forward and dug his face into Namjoon’s chest, and was wrapped inside three pairs of arms soon enough. A complicated group hug with each hyung touching some parts of him while telling him how they were going to give him the best first Christmas.

Word travelled like lightning—that their youngest had never gotten to celebrate Christmas as a human, despite wanting to. Soon enough, his hyungs were ushering him to his bedroom, crowding in and watching as Yoongi fed him blood and gave him a potion.

“I’m a little upset we didn’t know earlier, we could’ve stretched out the festivities for longer.” Yoongi remarked with a frown.

Jungkook placated him, “That’s okay, hyung. I -I don’t know how to celebrate anyway, I’ll be happy with just our own Christmas tree and a gift… and umm, maybe a nice dinner together with everyone?”

Seokjin was sitting on the corner armchair, his already focused face becoming more determined, it was clear that he was planning everything out in his head.

Taehyung was playing with his hair, and spoke up, “We’re going to get everything together while you sleep. We’re planning on doing Christmas the human way so your sleep schedule will be very different for the next two days. That’s where magic steps in, Yoongi hyung’s energy potions are very effective, so you’ll be able to stay up for longer than your usual five hours and not tire out too quickly. That way we’ll get enough time to give you some memories you can cherish.”

Jungkook smiled easily, he was soon given goodnight forehead kisses by six vampires and fell asleep at midnight with a warm fluttering in his chest coupled with excitement for the coming day.

Jungkook woke up to light outside his window, for the first time in… three months.

He gasped and peeled off the covers to look outside, spending five minutes just staring at the winter scenery outside. A thin layer of frost covered the ground, the sky was grey and cloudy, fog rolled around and the forest painted a haunting picture of barren branches sprinkled with a sparse cover of dark leaves.

Soon enough Seokjin hyung came in and fed him blood, telling him to rush and get ready soon.

“It’s the day before Christmas, there’s lots of things waiting to get done. Chop chop.”

He flicked a hand and the door to the bathroom swung open.

Jungkook giggled and complied.

When Jungkook turned the corner of the hallway and started walking down the staircase he was struck speechless. The banister had been decorated with festive embellishments. As he walked down and the living room came into view he stopped mid-step to take everything in.

It was as if the inside of a gift shop during Christmas time had been superimposed over the space. There were decorations everywhere, garlands, tinsels and… were those leaves fake or real?

A brand new rug had been placed in front of the couch, it was red, white and green with a typical wintertime pattern and snowmen, reindeers and ice crystals on it. There were matching throw pillows on the couch and the seating around the room. Even the kitchen had been done up and he could smell something good in the air.

Something was baking.

Something sweet that already made Jungkook’s mouth water.

Seokjin and Yoongi were there, the latter chopping some greens while Seokjin stirred a pot.

Namjoon and Taehyung were sitting on the loveseat under the window, with one of Taehhyung’s thighs on top of the elders and they were speaking in hushed tones, heads tilted together and soft smiles on their faces as they cradled mugs with steam rising off the tops.

Jungkook noticed that the tree from yesterday had been placed in the far corner near the T.V. and the couch, the same spot Jungkook had been ‘hiding’ in the previous day. The usual fluffy rug and beanbag moved away to a different location.

However, the tree was bare.

Completely devoid of the decor that had taken over the rest of the space. Jungkook wondered why it was empty, shouldn’t a Christmas tree look more… festive?

That’s when he heard Jimin’s voice from behind him.

“Make way, Jungkookie.”

He turned around and stepped to the side to leave space for Jimin followed by Hoseok. Both men were carrying multiple cardboard boxes stacked on top of each other.

He watched with intrigue as the boxes were set down in front of the tree and the two men went to the kitchen and were handed mugs by Seokjin, who also placed a quick peck on their cheeks.

He headed to the boxes to inspect what they contained, curious as always.

“Bunny, come here.” Seokjin called him and Jungkook squealed internally at the nickname before reaching the kitchen himself.

“Here’s your cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, no marshmallows because Namjoon had a vision of you not liking them when I put them in your cup as well.”

Jungkook grinned and accepted the drink with a mumbled ‘thanks’ and got one of the same pecks his other hyungs had gotten.

This had been another subtle change, something Jungkook hadn’t even noticed for a long time. His hyungs would often show affection to each other —cheek and forehead kisses, holding hands, hugging—quite the same way they did to him. It had seemed so normal to him, so obvious was the care they had for one another that he hadn’t clocked the displays for a long time. He had also realised that the hyungs had increasingly become more open about showing affection in front of him. It was only when he compared it to his very first week that he realised there were no casual pecks shared between the vampires at the beginning. Over time, they’d slowly engaged in more physical displays, the changes were so subtle that he hadn’t ever paid heed to it or thought anything was out of the ordinary.

But he was definitely happy about it. He was glad to see his hyungs feeling comfortable around him. He’d deduced that obviously they had been more guarded and cautious when he first came to them, not just with him but, turns out, with each other as well.

It was a positive signal of growth and made Jungkook giddy, that now they could just be themselves around him and not have to hold back.

They probably felt conscious around a stranger at first… but now, Jungkook was no stranger. He was their admittedly beloved fledgling, beginning to be a part of what they had.

And what they had in this home was beautiful.

They were forever-friends who lived together, held hands and expressed affection verbally and physically.

Nothing wrong about that.

He was pulled along by Hoseok and brought to the couch where the elder sat down before dragging Jungkook down until he was sitting right beside him. Jimin took up the other side and a throw blanket hovered in the air, placing itself on their laps as Jungkook got comfortable and cuddled up to Hoseok, resting his head on the elder’s chest.

Seokjin was smiling as he sat down on the other couch, waving his hand to the other blanket which flew across to him. Namjoon came and sat down beside him and placed a quick peck to the side of his head and mumbled a thanks as Seokjin draped the fuzzy fabric over the other and let him cozy up. Taehyung greeted Jungkook and pinched his cheek before yelling and diving in between Seokjin and Namjoon, who groaned but twisted and turned to give the younger vampire, nonexistent space between them to cuddle up.

Yoongi had opted to sprawl on a beanbag by himself, but had not so subtly shifted close enough to press his head up against Jimin’s thighs, wasting no time in getting head scratches from the blonde.

Hoseok pressed the remote and turned on the T.V.

“Activity number one, watching an iconic Christmas movie to get into the holiday mood.” He announced.

“I love this movie, Kookie! I can’t wait for you to see it.” Taehyung whispered excitedly from his spot and Jungkook gave him an equally thrilled whisper, “I’m excited to watch it then! Your taste is perfect, Taehyungie hyung.”

Jimin poked, “I think we all love this movie, Tae.”

Hoseok chuckled and the chest under him vibrated delightfully, “Along with millions of humans. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d already seen it.”

The movie was Home Alone .

Jungkook hadn’t seen it and he realised it was the biggest mistake of his human life because the movie was amazing .

Delightfully amusing, filled with funny plot lines and dialogues he was sure to be repeating for the rest of the day, he could tell why it was a must-watch.

They sipped on their decadent hot chocolate and Taehyung pulled out all of Jungkook’s favorite movie time snacks near the middle of the movie.

It was a jolly good time.

And it definitely got him in the mood for Christmas.

That was good because as soon as the credits began to roll, Taehyung jumped up from his spot and declared that it was Christmas-tree-decorating-time.

Jungkook’s curiosity was finally answered as they told him they had purposefully left the tree bare, wanting to have the experience of it with Jungkook.

“Doing the whole living room would’ve been too much work for you, instead we tried to make it a Holidays wonderland in here, you could step into and be immediately transported into the festive spirits once you woke up. Did it work?” Jimin asked.

Jungkook nodded with a huge toothy grin, “A hundred percent. As soon as I walked down the stairs, I was in awe, you guys really did a great job… did y-you truly do this all yourself?”

He still couldn’t believe the overnight transformation of the living space that they’d been able to accomplish, all while Jungkook slept heavily, with no dreams of his own or the usual dream-jacking escapades or even the recurring nightmare to disturb his sleep. Yoongi’s potion had been strong and Jungkook had never slept so soundly and felt so well rested ever before. Even now, he didn’t feel the usual dregs of sleep begging him to take a nap as he would every night.

“With the help of a bit of Seokjin hyung’s magic to teleport to the best shops and to place things where we wanted to. Some research Namjoon hyung quickly did, to refresh his knowledge of how humans celebrate Christmas, we were able to pull it off. We have those two to thank the most, we’d have been clueless and overwhelmed with work otherwise.”

Seokjin chided him, “Don’t sell yourself short like that, Yoongi-chi. You spent more time cooking than even me.”

“Only because you were busy baking.” Yoongi retorted.

“But, Namjoonie and I would have burned the house down arguing if it wasn’t for your mediation and level-headedness.” Seokjin said.

Yoongi rolled his eyes, “That’s true, but I wouldn’t have been able to even say shit if Hoseok didn’t tell you to shut up.”

Jungkook gazed at the man who sat confidently, something about Hoseok taking on an authoritative role and ordering them, especially Seokjin who was the eldest made his tummy turn deliciously.

“Agreed but even if I got them to quiet down, we couldn’t make you two see eye-to-eye without asking Jimin to use his affinity magic and force you to listen.”

All three of them nodded and Jimin smirked seductively, “Believe me when I say, I almost didn’t want to turn it off, you two were being so nice and obedient… Anyway, the decorations would not even be put up if it wasn’t for Taehyung’s directions and eye for detail. None of you really knew what would look good where.”

Taehyung gloated with pride, “It’s the artist in me.”

Jimin continued with a teasing tone, “Seriously, Seokjin hyung, why were you even pushing to paint all the walls red at five A.M., not only would that be tiresome it would look ugly as hell.”

Seokjin made an indignant sound, “Excuse me, if I just wanted to go all out for our bun.”

Namjoon gestured aggressively, “And I told you if you wanted that, we should make a miniature model of the birth of Jesus.”

Jungkook’s eyes widened and Seokjin gave Namjoon an exasperated look, “That’s no fun and he said he’s not a Catholic, we don’t need to preach to or brainwash him if he’s managed to avoid that during his human life.”

Namjoon pushed his glasses up his nose, “It’s not brainwashing if you think of it as a fictional story… which it is. I just think he’d have found it interesting since he loves history as much as I do, even if it is fictional history it has existed in the collective consciousness for centuries.”

“And I want to have the use of my fingers for the rest of the day, but making your model—which you would’ve gotten us to make with excruciating accuracy—would’ve killed my hands.” Seokjin fired back.

The two started going back and forth, but Jungkook wasn’t worried, he could see from their relaxed posture and the amused smiles on the other hyungs’ faces, that this wasn’t serious.

At least not anymore.

Jungkook smiled along, Seokjin had a habit of bickering, and his usual dignified, composed manner would go out the window. Jungkook found it endearing and endlessly funny, because an impassioned Seokjin had the best comebacks and insults.

Yoongi broke up their spat and Hoseok took control of the conversation, “Anyway, what we were meaning to establish was that everyone had a role, everyone contributed to making this happen, to giving you a good Christmas, Jungkook-ah.”

Jungkook cuddled up closer to him, “I know, hyung. I can see the effort that went in, and I’m so greatful, I really am.”

Taehyung jumped up, “You can be greatful later, right now we need to start decorating, I can’t stand looking at this bare tree for any longer.”

And so, the second mystery of the contents held in the boxes carried in by Jimin and Hoseok earlier was solved as well.

There was a variety of tree decorations inside, different boxes holding different ornaments. From glass globes and snowflake shaped pieces to a few cute dolls and fake gift wrapped boxes.

Jungkook’s eyes were filled with pure joy and childlike wonder and he unboxed the shiny, colorful objects.

The elder vampires loved the sight.

Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook got to work placing them on the tree. A very short discussion before they had started, about how to place the items, to space things out and make it a balanced distribution was followed by Taehyung warning that he would not tolerate an ugly Christmas tree and would make them redo it, if needed. Jungkook had giggled even as Jimin pinched Taehyung’s side in retaliation.

Namjoon had been strictly banished from a five feet radius of any ornament when he’d consecutively broken three of them.

He was now sitting on the couch, in charge of playing the music, and Christmas hits over the years were playing in the space, heavy on the old and the Jazz.

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬

[It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas–Michael Bublé]

Hoseok and Yoongi were seated on the other couch, with Hoseok laying his head on Yoongi’s lap and giving his inputs and suggestions whenever the younger ones walked over to show two ornaments to pick from. Yoongi and him were having a casual conversation while Hoseok massaged the other’s hands, showering him with praise for working so hard in the kitchen to prep their Christmas Eve dinner.

Seokjin was going back and forth from the kitchen to the tree, finishing up his baking while keeping an eye on his younger ones.

Jungkook had one of the painted globe ornaments in hand and reached up on his toes to place it on the upper branches, but he was unable to. He dragged one of the dining table chairs closer and stood up on it to reach for the desired branch, but he had miscalculated. The chair was too far.

As he tipped too far forward and lost his balance, a panicked gasp left his mouth and then he was airborne.

Quite literally.

He was floating in the air, held in place with his feet two feet off the ground. He shrieked and Seokjin’s chuckles could be heard.

He moved through the air, closer to the branch he had been wanting to reach.

“Go ahead, do your job, little one. You’re not falling under my watch.” The elder said and Jungkook giggled loudly, overjoyed at the sensation of basically flying. He placed the ornament as desired, with red dusting his cheeks as Taehyung and Jimin snickered, teasing Jungkook.

After that, Seokjin had his fun lifting the three of them high and helping them place the ornaments over the tall tree.

Could he have simply lifted the ornaments themselves through the air and attached them where the younger vampires told him to? Yes.

But it was more fun this way, and Jungkook’s delighted giggles, coupled with Taehyung and Jimin’s amused grins were worth the effort.

Finally there was only the tree topper, a huge star that lit up a beautiful golden-yellow left.

“Seokjin hyung, since you’re the eldest and the leader of this coven, I think you should get the honor of placing the tree-topper.” Taehyung offered, his tone dead serious as if he was offering his firstborn child.

Jungkook giggled and Jimin smacked the back of Taehyung’s head.

Seokjin, however, indulged him.

“I’m very grateful for the honor, Tae-ah. Thank you so much, hyung will do a good job.”

And then, Jungkook cut his giggles off because Seokjin raising himself off the ground was not funny.

When the youngest three had been floating in the air, without control and out of sorts, looking like goofballs, it had been a funny sight.

But, Seokjin was perfectly in control, even the way he had one leg slightly folded, while the other was stretched down, his hands palm down on both his sides like some kind of a Superhero.

Like Scarlet Witch , Jungkook’s brain helpfully supplied.

No, he was definitely not a funny sight.

He was hot.

Point blank period.

Especially when he motioned with one finger in a come-hither manner and Jungkook felt himself being lifted into the air and soon enough, Seokjin was holding him in a bridal carry, three feet off the ground.

“Jungkook-ah, as our youngest member and the reason why we have a tree at all, I want you to share this honor with me. Will you place this star on the tree-top and complete our Christmas tree with me?”

Jungkook mutely nodded.

The star was hovering in the air beside him and Jungkook grabbed it as Seokjin raised them even higher. Despite the height, Jungkook wasn’t scared. He utterly trusted Seokjin.

Extending his head, he placed the star in its rightful spot, feeling the star press down by itself—by Seokjin’s magic—and fit itself solidly.

They came back onto the ground, but Seokjin didn’t let him down, instead he carried him over to the couch and deposited him in Hoseok’s lap who had straightened up from his lying position.

“Take a bit of rest, bun. You must be hungry by now, go ahead and drink from Hoseok.”

Jungkook licked his lips and nodded.

Hoseok easily gave him his wrist and stroked his back while Jungkook filled his belly. Yoongi was softly carding through his hair, Jungkook finished and sat back with a sated smile. Still sitting fully in Hoseok’s lap, with his own legs dangling on one side.

“So, are you enjoying Christmas Eve Day till now?” Yoongi asked and Jungkook nodded right away.

“I love it. I can’t believe hyungs wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t here. I-I don’t get it, you have the money, the good company, why wouldn’t you want to celebrate every year?”

Yoongi chuckled, “Because it wasn’t a thing in Korea when we were born. It’s not a festival we have ever celebrated in our human lives, as such, we have no prior attachment to it. It doesn’t make sense to us now as vampires, because we obviously don’t believe in Christianity and in Jesus Christ being the son of God. Supernaturals don’t even have the concept of gods the way humans do and even amateur Warlocks can turn water into wine. We worship only nature and the universal order.”

Hoseok chuckled under him, “Although, we have no issues picking up celebrations that we can get behind, such as New year’s eve. We love partying at midnight in this household. Even if it doesn’t make much of a difference to us; years pass like months for our immortal existence, it's a good chance to spend time together and reflect on how it’s been. Many years we meet up with friends and party collectively. We’ve actually spent many new year’s eves amongst humans. I remember waiting in New York’s Times Square for the countdown, that was a good one.”

Yoongi grinned, “Yeah, I liked the fireworks.”

Hoseok teased, “A bit too much, Jimin had to drag you by the collar to be in the group hug.”

Jungkook laughed as Yoongi got flustered and defended himself, mentioning how spectacular the sky show was, how enrapturing the ambience of the crowd had been.

Jungkook prodded them to share more, “Aside from the religious aspect, Christmas has many other fun traditions, like the things we’re doing now. Have you truly never done them?”

“No, no. We’d be too bored if we never tried anything new. Imagine living for centuries and sticking to your old ways. Now that’s a recipe for a Vampire nobody wants to be around.” Yoongi’s tone made it clear that he had such a vampire in mind.

Hoseok laughed, “Hyung, when will you let go of your one-sided beef with Jasper.”

Yoongi was miffed, “It's not one sided, Hoseok. That man doesn’t have any comforts of modern technology in his cottage, including a running bathroom, in the twenty-first century! I still have nightmares from trying to use the outdoor toilet pit he had built, I can even smell the stench…blerchh.”

Jungkook was disgusted on Yoongi’s behalf.

“I called Seokjin hyung to teleport me out of there the moment I saw that. There’s no potion ingredient covetous enough for me to put myself through that.”

Hoseok guffawed and eventually spoke, “So, as I was saying, we often try out new things. From technology to festivals to foods. We have celebrated Christmas, as humans do, minus the religious aspect. In fact, some of the best hot chocolate I’ve had has been at Christmas markets in the West.”

Jungkook furrowed his brows, “But… you don’t celebrate every year?”

Hoseok shook his head, “No. If we’re around humans during that time we partake in it, and I think we’ve put up a Christmas tree a bunch of times but it didn’t stick… However, if you end up liking this a lot, we can make this a tradition for the years to come.”

Jungkook’s grin widened, with eager eyes he asked, “R-really? We can have our own Christmas tree.. every year?”

Yoongi answered his question, “Of course, we can, kid. We’d do anything that made you happy, gave you joy.”

Hoseok booped his nose, “And personally, I think we should celebrate Christmas at least for twenty years to make up for all the years you didn’t get to do so when you were human.”

Jungkook could not believe how lucky he’d gotten.

“Tell me about the Christmas markets you have been to, hyung? What were they like?”

And so, Hoseok and Yoongi launched into an entertaining process of ‘Remember when’ and recounted stories from Christmases over the centuries. Namjoon came back from his office, he’d had to take an important call, and joined in, adding a layer of historical analysis to the conversation, tying in traditions he’d seen to the economics and politics of a time.

"You know, Christmas as humans celebrate it today isn’t purely Christian. A lot of its traditions were actually adapted—or, let’s be honest, borrowed—from older Pagan celebrations.” Namjoon explained and Jungkook knew enough about Paganism thanks to all his history lessons with the elder to keep up.

The younger asked, "What about this tree? Was that Pagan too?”

Yoongi drawled, “Or did someone just get bored and decide to bring a tree indoors?"

Hoseok laughed and Jungkook giggled at the deadpan delivery.

Namjoon smiled, "Evergreen trees, like the Fir, were considered sacred in many Pagan traditions. They symbolized resilience because, as you can see, they stayed green even in the dead of winter. Pagans used to decorate them with fruit, nuts, and candles during Solstice celebrations to honor nature and invite blessings for the new year. Christians later adopted the tree and gave it religious meaning, tying it to the story of the Garden of Eden and eternal life."

Jungkook nodded along, this was nothing new, he had read and heard bits and pieces about just how much Christianity had borrowed from other religions, how it had even tried to demonise older religions—like making a symbol of a Greek god into a symbol for the Devil, "What about the star on top? Isn’t that a Christian symbol?"

Namjoon hummed with proud eyes, "Yes, correctly identified, it’s the Star of Bethlehem. But the idea of placing something meaningful or sacred at the top of the tree? That probably echoes Pagan practices of honoring the heavens or sun gods."

Hoseok joked, "So, what you’re saying is… our tree is half Jesus and half... Odin?"

Namjoon burst out laughing, along with Yoongi, "In a way, yeah. Even gift-giving was a Pagan tradition. During Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival held in December to honor Saturn, people exchanged gifts and feasted. The idea of festive gatherings and giving presents was already deeply rooted in those celebrations before it became part of Christmas."

Jungkook tilted his head thoughtfully, "So... none of what we’re doing is original? Like original to Christmas?”

Namjoon agreed, "It isn’t, but that’s what makes it so beautiful. It’s a blend of traditions from different cultures and histories, all evolving into something that brings people together. The symbolism of light, family, and hope—those things are universal."

Jungkook smiled, his hyung was always so adorable when he spoke passionately, his brain was beautiful.

The fledgling added, “So, even though none of us are Catholics or believe in the Bible, we can still partake in it as a cultural celebration.”

"Exactly. And that’s the magic of it.”

They talked for longer, until Jimin called him over to the kitchen.

Jungkook was surprised to see the kitchen island countertop filled with supplies for…. Making a gingerbread house?

On the counter, a pile of gingerbread walls and roofs waited patiently to be assembled, while bowls containing colorful candy and icing tubes were scattered around, ready to be picked up.

After an initial two minutes of Jungkook squealing excitedly and Seokjin explaining how they had to go about making the house, the nerves set in. Jungkook had been told by an overenthusiastic Taehyung about how he had been planning to buy one of those readymade kits for this, but Seokjin had insisted on baking the walls and pieces from scratch. They also had Gingerbread man cookies waiting to be frosted after they did the house.

Jungkook couldn’t believe his Sire had put in so much effort to organise this activity, he had to do a good job.

He was worried about the house not looking good enough, or that he’d messed up and break a wall. He didn’t want to ruin Seokjin’s hard work.

And so he was on high-alert.

His nerves coupled with the close proximity to Seokjin as they worked together, their hands brushing often when they passed ingredients and tools back and forth meant that his face was perpetually red.

At one point, Seokjin was at his back and leaned forward, pressing Jungkook against the counter, to grab a spoon. Jungkook exhaled shakily as he felt the lines of Seokjin’s body against his. He felt a strange urge to push his ass back against the elder and seek pressure.

“Jungkook-ah,” Seokjin said, his voice low and commanding as he moved to the side and rolled up the sleeves of his sweater again. His gaze was steady, but the corner of his mouth twitched with a hint of amusement and mischief. “Focus. If we don’t get these walls up soon, they’re going to eat all the candy.”

Jungkook scoffed at the lame joke but shyly looked down as he fumbled with the piping bag, squeezing out a shaky line of icing. He glanced nervously at Seokjin, then down at his work, determined not to mess it up again.

“You’re doing well, sweetheart,” Jimin was at his side, reaching over to guide Jungkook’s hands with his own. “Steady pressure, like this .”

Jungkook could feel the telltale strings of desire pooling in his gut as Jimin’s smaller hand wrapped around his own and pressed down, making him squeeze the cylindrical object. Jungkook’s imagination was devious enough to supply thoughts of the piping bag being his dick.

Fuck.

“See? Just like that… Perfect, honey.” Jimin whispered right in his ear and Jungkook shivered. Jimin chuckled as the younger nodded jerkily, his cheeks now fully flushed and his boner waking up quickly.

“Hmm,” Seokjin had been watching this play out with a dark look in his eyes and he hummed approvingly, brushing back hair from Jungkook’s forehead. “You’re doing great, Jungkook-ah.”

Taehyung engulfed him from behind and looked over his shoulder to see the work, “And don’t be so stressed, Kookie. This is supposed to be fun, not a contest.”

Jungkook’s senses were in overdrive, surrounded on each side by a hyung and his tantalising scent, the feel of their bodies against his.

Fuck.

Thankfully, they all moved away and gave him space.

Jungkook nodded to himself and got to work, focusing on the job at hand.

Without handsome men touching him, or breathing on him, Jungkook was able to do an actually good job.

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬

[Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree–Brenda Lee]

“I’m not even surprised that you’re doing this for the first time, yet somehow your piping skills are akin to a professional. Our golden Maknae is good at everything, aren’t you, bunny?” Seokjin smiled down at him.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the counter, Taehyung and Jimin were wreaking havoc.

“Jimin, catch!” Taehyung yelled, lobbing a gumdrop across the room.

“Got it!” Jimin showcased insane core strength by bending backwards without losing balance, catching the candy mid-air with his mouth.

Taehyung proclaimed in a game-show host voice,“Ten points for Jimin!”

Jimin grinned wolfishly, “And what do I win?”

“Another gumdrop,” Taehyung teased, tossing a handful of them into the air like confetti.

Seokjin turned his head slowly, eyes narrowing, “And what do you two think you’re doing?”

Taehyung replied with a shrug, picking up a roof piece and balancing it on his head like a hat. “We’re making memories.”

“Memories, sure, that’s what the holidays are all about,” Seokjin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “But if you spill one more drop of icing on the floor, you’ll be making memories scrubbing this kitchen from top to bottom.”

Jimin snickered, but the warning look Seokjin shot at him made him raise up his palms in a gesture of defeat, a candy cane in his mouth.

Jungkook giggled and Seokjin couldn’t find it in himself to stay mad when the two clowns were amusing his youngest so much.

“Hyungs, behave, Seokjin hyung set this up for us, w-we need to do a good job.” Jungkook said softly with a smile, though his tone lacked authority.

His eyes peeked up at Seokjin on their own accord, as if seeking approval for trying to keep the peace.

Seokjin gave him an indulgent smile, “Nice try, bun, but they’re beyond saving. These two are heathens .”

Taehyung took this as his cue to grab a handful from the bowl of sprinkles and toss them into the air.

“Snowstorm!” he yelled, spinning dramatically.

“Taehyung, I swear-” Seokjin started, but before he could finish, Jimin joined in, flinging powdered sugar into the air.

“Blizzard!” Jimin laughed.

The next moment he slipped on the now sugar-dusted floor, with a shocked expression he grabbed Taehyung for support, but that only resulted in both of them tumbling to the ground in a heap of laughter.

Jungkook was laughing at the scene but then yelped as a sprinkle-covered Taehyung tried to pull him into the chaos. “N-no, no, no! Seokjin Hyung!”

Seokjin sighed deeply, rolling his eyes but there was a fond smile on his face, “Alright, children. Playtime’s over.”

He reached down, and effortlessly pulled Taehyung and Jimin to their feet, as if they weighed nothing.

“ Now , it’s time to clean this up.”

“But hyung-” Taehyung started, only to be silenced by Seokjin’s raised eyebrow.

The two quietly got to the task and cleaned up the floor, but Taehyung sidled up to Jungkook with a mischievous grin, nudging his shoulder. “Don’t worry, next year, I’ll make it even messier.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes and laughed, but he couldn’t help the warmth blooming in his chest.

They wanted to do this again, with him .

He was going to have this piece of comfort and joy even next year.

The youngest hyungs left to put the waste in the trash bin.

“Thankyou for being so mindful of my efforts and putting in so much labour into this, Jungkook-ah. But, I wouldn’t be upset if you had also messed around like those two, I just want you to have fun, however that is.” Seokjin’s words were laced with honesty.

Jungkook smiled shyly, nodding as he carefully placed a piece of candy onto the gingerbread roof. “I-I just want the house to look good, for you to like it, hyung. That would make me happy.”

Seokjin’s expression melted, and he ruffled Jungkook’s hair. “It’s already perfect because you’re working on it, little one... But, maybe let’s finish this without the tornado twins breaking it.”

The two shared a hearty laugh.

As they leaned in to complete the house, Seokjin spoke up.

“Whatever you’re plotting, it ends now, we’re almost done with the house and I won’t have you corrupting my sweet baby when he’s been so good throughout this.” Seokjin said without looking back where Jungkook turned to find Jimin and TAehyung huddled together with cough-red-handed looks on their faces.

“How does he know ?” Taehyung hissed to Jimin, who just shrugged.

“Because I’m your hyung,” Seokjin replied smoothly, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.

Jungkook chuckled softly.

Despite the chaos that had been rendered, the warmth of the afternoon settled around him like the glow of the fairy lights.

This was the kind of mess he didn’t mind being part of.

Jungkook was ordered by Seokjin to take a nice hot bath and get dressed for supper once they were done frosting the gingerbread man cookies.

He found Yoongi leaning against his doorway and smiled upon seeing his hyung.

“I’ve drawn you a bath, added some potions and imbued my magic in it. You’ll be re-energized… You’re not feeling too tired, are you?”

Jungkook shook his head, heart touched by the care Yoongi was displaying.

“Good. Last night’s potion is supposed to stay in effect till tomorrow night so, hopefully, you won’t have any issues. But in case you feel exhausted, or unwell, come to me right away, okay?”

After promising to inform Yoongi if his health declined, Jungkook headed in for his bath. He was greeted by relaxing scents of vanilla and lavender, with an earthy, herbal undertone. He was quick to discard his clothes and get in the water, which was the perfect temperature.

He took some time to himself, after all the excitement of the day, he wanted to reflect in solitude as he soaked.

His mind kept returning to how grateful he felt. The way his hyungs had dropped everything as soon as they got to know Jungkook hadn’t ever celebrated but wanted to. They took the entire day off work, work which Jungkook knew was important. Labored all night to somehow set everything up, then spent the day with him, giving him memories he could cherish.

If you told Jungkook last Christmas, or even six months ago, that he’d be celebrating Christmas in a warm safe home, with his belly and heart full, surrounded by lovely people who cared about him enough to give him the joy of Christmas… he would’ve told you to take your medicines.

But here he was, about to get ready for what he knew would be a sumptuous Christmas feast.

Huh . Who would’ve known.

When he came out, he found clothes laid out for him on the bed with a note from Hoseok telling him he picked outfits for everyone so they could coordinate. He got dressed in a cozy and cute Christmas sweater and pants.

He went down and found all the hyungs dressed in similar, but not entirely the same, sweaters and pants, looking cuddle-worthy.

“Aww, you look so cute, Kook-ah. Soft and round, I want to eat you up.” Hoseok was at his side and Jungkook gave a shy smile.

“Thanks for the sweater, I-I really like it, ‘ts so comfy, hyung.”

Hoseok took a big inhale and wrapped him in a bear hug, “You’re way too cute, baby.”

As Jungkook giggled he heard the sound of a camera shutter click.

Taehyung grinned as he captured the sweet moment between them, immortalizing it in the form of a photograph.

“Come along, we need to click a group picture.” Namjoon announced and everyone gathered, as Taehyung put the camera on the dining table, fixing the angle and setting the timer to keep clicking photos with ten second intervals .

Jungkook was initially hesitant. He wasn’t a part of the coven, he should just stand off to the side and not ruin their photo. But that was thrown out the window when Jimin dragged him to the middle.

“It’s a family photo, and you’re the most loved and doted on member of our family, the youngest and newest addition. You’re going to stand right here in the centre.”

And so, they posed, Jungkook with Jimin and Taehyung on each side, followed by Hoseok and Yoongi. Namjoon and Seokjin took up the ends of each side. After a few ‘serious’ clicks with posed smiles, Seokjin cracked the first joke, “Smile big! Let’s sleigh this photo.”

Jimin groaned audibly. “Not the puns.”

Ignoring the protest, Seokjin straightened his sweater and raised a brow. “I’m serious. This picture has to be perfect. I’ve got some serious elf -esteem riding on this.”

Jungkook giggled loudly and Taehyung doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach, “Stop ! Hyung, you’re gonna make me ruin the photo!”

Seokjin cut him off with a dramatic wave of his hand. “I’m just trying to spruce things up.” He paused, letting the groans build before delivering the punchline. “Get it? Spruce? Like the tree?”

Jungkook and Taehyung were the only ones outrightly laughing while the rest pretended to be annoyed, even as they smiled fondly. The camera continued flashing throughout this, capturing perfect candid snapshots of their chaos.

Namjoon shook his head as the group tried to regain composure, “I swear! Every family photo with him ends like this.”

Seokjin nodded, “And, so you have me to thank for the amazing candid shots we love looking back at.”

And indeed, at least with the only photo Taehyung had shown them, Jungkook could see the appeal. It had been clicked right after a joke and Jungkook’s heart warmed at the rawness and authenticity he could see on the screen.

They weren’t posing, natural and relaxed, there was no pretenses—Jimin mid-eye-roll, Taehyung leaning into an exasperated Namjoon as he laughed uncontrollably, Jungkook giggling with heart-eyes, Hoseok making a pained face with a toothy grin, Yoongi with a small smile and Seokjin smirking smugly .

Everyone was shooed away to take photos around the Christmas tree while Seokjin and Yoongi set up the dinner.

After getting some shots, Taehyung offered, “You want to click some, Kookie?”

Jungkook had been curious about the camera, he had never used one before. But, boy was he obsessed as soon as Taehyung taught him the basics of how to click pictures with it. The rest of the night, Taehyung would periodically hand the camera over to him to click as many shots he wanted. Of course, the subject was mostly his hyungs, and if anyone saw the photos they’d be able to see the amount of fondness and affection the photographer held for the people in the frames.

The Christmas feast was well-deserving of its name, as soon as Jungkook saw the dining table he was beyond impressed. At the center was a perfectly roasted turkey, its skin glistening with golden-brown perfection, surrounded by rosemary and slices of bright orange. Bowls of mashed potatoes were placed beside it, butter melting on top.

To one side, there was a dish of baked mac and cheese, which made Jungkook’s mouth water at the promise of a crunchy crust with a gooey centre. A deep red cranberry sauce sparkled in a glass bowl and plates of roasted vegetables—carrots, parsnips, and brussels sprouts—glistened with olive oil.

And then there were the breads—dinner rolls arranged in a basket, and a long loaf of crusty sourdough. Jungkook knew they must all be freshly baked, Seokjin would never serve him something store bought during a special dinner.

Desserts lined the kitchen island countertop like a heavenly parade. There was a yule log dusted with powdered sugar, a plate of the gingerbread man cookies they’d made, their gingerbread house standing proud and looking pretty decent. A plum pudding with a sprig of holly perched on top completed the spread.

Jungkook blinked, taking it all in.

Namjoon exclaimed, “Hyung, this is... this is like a painting. It’s like an old oil on canvas masterpiece.”

Hoseok joked, only partially unserious, “How do you even eat something that looks this good?”

Jungkook nodded in agreement.

Seokjin, who stood proudly at the head of the table, crossed his arms with a satisfied smile and threw Yoongi a victorious grin, who answered the question, “With gratitude and appreciation.”

Jungkook smiled, sliding into his seat as his stomach growled.

Seokjin held out his palms and everyone complied and held hands over the table.

“Tonight, we gather in gratitude—not just for this meal before us, but for the threads of fate that brought us together. We thank Nature and the power of the universe for the magic that flows through us—we honor its gift, not as a tool, but as a bond. It’s what makes us stronger, wiser, and unites us in inexplicable ways. May we never take our blessings for granted—the love at this table, the laughter we share, and the strength that carries us through every trial. Let us eat with full hearts, open minds, and a promise to cherish each other, always.”

With that short and heartfelt prayer done, everyone dug in.

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬

[You’re nobody ‘til somebody loves you(Remastered/1997)–Dean Martin]

The meal passed in a similar wholesome fashion as the rest of the day, with the earlier conversation of ‘fun things you’ve done or seen on the past Christmases’ being continued, this time with the addition of Seokjin, Taehyung and Jimin’s experiences. Even Jungkook chipped in; he had only a few good memories but he wanted to share them nonetheless.

It was the perfect night, the best Christmas Eve Jungkook had ever spent.

It wasn’t just the food—it was the warmth, the laughter, and the feeling of home that made the meal perfect.

As he sat on the dining table, surrounded by laughter and high spirits, he realized that somewhere along the way, as he learned to let himself be cared for, as he witnessed the love poured into him by those sitting beside him, he became somebody.

From an unnoticeable and inconsequential human, he became an equally inconsequential vampire, but his life had started holding value when he found people who cherished him, who insisted that he did have worth.

He couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his immortal life with them.

After dinner they all cuddled up on the couches with glasses of eggnog—spiked with a splash of rum. This time, Jimin picked the movie. It was a cheesy hallmark Christmas romance, where the big city, corporate woman returns to her small hometown for Christmas but rekindles a relationship with her high-school sweetheart and ends up staying back with her true love.

It was predictable and over the top, and they made countless jokes throughout the movie, but it made for a good time.

And when Jungkook was fed and tucked into bed later by Namjoon, he fell asleep with a blissful smile.

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬

[White Christmas–V, Bing Crosby]

He opened his eyes to an excited squeal.

“Kookie, wake up! It’s snowing!”

Jungkook roused to a cheery Taehyung standing in front of his window.

Seokjin was entering through the door and gave him an apologetic smile, “I tried to keep him out but he was too excited, said he couldn’t miss your reaction to the first snow of the year.”

Jungkook’s mind had cleared enough to process what was being said.

“It’s snowing!” He asked while throwing back the covers and running to the window, taking the spot beside Taehyung.

For the second time, he had gotten up while the day was bright.

And his jaw dropped with a gasp as he saw the scene outside. The world was covered with glistening white—from the ground to the treetops.

And snow was falling right before his eyes in a flurry of white.

He was floored.

He had never before thought of snow as beautiful. Hard to do that when snowfall means you’re going to freeze extra hard in your threadbare clothes and your already torn shoes are going to get wet and drench your socks and toes as well. The snowfall in the city isn’t a pretty sight anyway, it turns into dirty mush very soon.

But here, surrounded by nature, and cocooned in the warmth of the house wearing expensive clothes that never let him feel the chill, not to mention the novel vampiric nature—his body temperature was lower than a human’s, although not as low as his fully vampire hyungs, but that meant he was less sensitive to the cold—he could finally appreciate snow.

He could see the beauty in it.

And he couldn’t wait to explore this newfound joy.

“Merry Christmas, Kookie.” Taehyung wished softly as he wrapped him in a hug from behind.

Jungkook twisted his head and smiled up at him, “Merry Christmas, Taehyungie hyung.”

“See, even the universe is giving you a gift, a White Christmas.” He whispered and Jungkook turned his gaze back to the scenery.

After feeding from Seokjin and getting cheek kisses as he was wished ‘Merry Christmas ’, Jungkook insisted on going out into the snow but Seokjin told him he had to open his presents first, before he could go frolic around in the cold.

The moment he was reminded that he would be getting gifts, Jungkook’s excitement for them took over his desire to see the snow and they went down with the promise of playing outside afterwards.

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬

[it’s the most wonderful time of the year–Andy Williams]

The soft glow of fairy lights illuminated the living room, casting a warm ambiance over the cheeriness of the Christmas morning. The air was crisp and colder than the previous day thanks to the snow, mingling with the excited chatter of the group as they gathered around their Christmas tree. Jungkook sat cross-legged in front of the mound of presents, his wide eyes darting between the colorful wrapping paper and the expectant faces of his hyungs.

“You’re saying that all of these are for me?” Jungkook’s tone was disbelieving.

“We all wanted to give you individual gifts, to spoil you. Honestly, if we hadn’t had such a short notice, the pile would’ve been bigger, but you’ll have to make do with just this much for now. Next year…” Namjoon trailed off with a dimpled smile.

Seokjin leaned against the arm of the couch, a gentle smile tugging at his lips.

“Go on, little one. Why don’t you start with that one, it’s from me.” He coaxed, pointing to a box wrapped in crisp red paper with a golden bow.

Jungkook tore into the package, his breath hitching when he uncovered the sleek black-and-red box of a Nintendo Switch.

“Hyung!” he exclaimed, looking up at Seokjin with sparkling eyes.

Seokjin knelt beside him, softly carding through his hair. “You were quite a formidable opponent during our gaming session, I thought I could get you your very own handheld video game console since you seemed to enjoy gaming a lot.”

His eyes had an edge of nervous vulnerability, and Jungkook immediately launched himself at Seokjin, wrapping his arms around the elder.

“I love it, hyung! I’ll play it all the time now.”

Seokjin closed his eyes as he basked in the joy he could feel from Jungkook through the bond.

When they pulled apart, Yoongi slid a smaller package towards him, “Umm here, this one’s mine, I had Seokjin help out a little though.”

Jungkook opened it carefully, revealing a pair of purple gardening gloves that seemed to shimmer faintly under the lights.

“They’re enchanted,” Yoongi said while rubbing the back of his neck, looking away.

“Won’t wear out easily and no blades can cut through them…” He cleared his throat, “Mhm, you’ve been a great apprentice and I hope you can get good use out of them this year.”

Jungkook smiled softly, knowing Yoongi struggled to express his affection verbally, and the gift was thoughtful as well as practical, it had Yoongi written all over it. The adorable way in which Yoongi wouldn’t maintain eye contact and tried to fake nonchalance even as his fingers twiddled nervously made Jungkook coo internally.

Yoongi hyung was so cute.

He didn’t let himself chicken out before leaning forward to press a fleeting peck against Yoongi’s cheek, “Th-thanks, hyung. I love them.”

Both the men had red cheeks which turned redder as the rest laughed at their embarrassment.

Namjoon handed him the next gift, a heavy rectangular package wrapped meticulously, though with a bit too much tape.

“Since, you love Werewolves so much.”

Jungkook unwrapped it to reveal an ancient-looking book titled ‘The History of Werewolves and Their Societies’ .

Jungkook’s eyes lit up immediately.

“I- uhh, I thought we could go through it together, you can read it and ask me any questions you have along the way. And then, it's yours to keep.”

Jungkook knew this book belonged to Namjoon’s library and the significance of the fact that the elder was giving it away permanently, something he never did as he hated parting from his babies, was not lost on him. This was a precious gift.

“I-I promise I’ll take good care of it, hyung. I can’t wait to read it!” Jungkook said with a grateful smile, flipping through the yellowed pages.

Hoseok was next, handing over a sleek black case with some flourish, “Merry Christmas, Jungkookie.”

Inside was a beautifully crafted switchblade with an intricate design on the wooden handle.

“Since yours was a bit too dodgy for my peace of mind, I mean, who puts a silver blade inside plastic?”

Hoseok took it from his hand, “Watch this.”

Hoseok pressed a small button on the handle and the blade flipped open, “This is the regular blade.”

He pressed two more buttons, and the blade retracted, and then another one flipped open. His tone dropped to something darker, a sharp edge cutting through, “And this is Silver . I want you to be careful with it but, this way you’ll have something to defend yourself even if your attacker is a vampire. We’d all feel a smidgen more relaxed if you had a silver blade.”

Jungkook carefully took the knife from him and thanked him. It showed how attentive Hoseok was, he had remembered the very first night, Jungkook’s old switchblade and given him something to replace it, but of better quality and safer to use.

“I hope you never have the need for it. I truly do.” Hoseok finished.

Jungkook thanked him with a hug.

Finally, Jimin and Taehyung practically shoved their combined gift into Jungkook’s lap, their excitement barely contained.

“Open it, open it!” Taehyung urged, vibrating in place.

Jungkook peeled back the wrapping to reveal a pristine, limited-edition Iron Man figurine. Beneath it lay a Marvel comic.

“It’s one of the first ones ever published.” Taehyung exclaimed and Jungkook’s jaw dropped.

“No way!” Jungkook whispered, his voice thick with disbelief.

“We had some help from Namjoon-hyung for that part,” Jimin admitted with a sly grin, leaning casually against Taehyung, “But the figurine? That’s all us. Unlike all these dumbos , we had actually planned your Christmas gift a week in advance.”

Yoongi bit back, “You had planned it as a normal gift, not a Christmas gift. You’re just lucky you came across something you knew he’d like while browsing the internet.”

Taehyung stuck out his tongue at Yoongi, “Don’t get salty just ‘cause we’re better than you.”

Jimin and him gave each other a loud high-five at that.

Jungkook stared at the gifts around him, overwhelmed by the thought and care that had gone into each one. “You guys didn’t have to… I didn’t even- I-I didn’t get you anything, ugh, I feel horrible now, I’m s-uch a bad-”

“Let me stop you right there, bunny.” Seokjin cut him off, “You didn’t have the time nor the opportunity to get us gifts, you didn’t need to either. This Christmas was about you. Notice how we didn’t get any gifts for each other?”

Jungkook nodded hesitantly and he continued.

“That’s because we get gifts all the time. But you… our sweet fledgling, you have never gotten a gift. This was just us trying to make up for it.”

Hoseok chimed in, “And we absolutely loved it, hell, whenever I’m in the city and I see something nice, I want to buy it for you. To spoil you like you deserve. This just gave me an excuse to indulge. Trust me, giving you gifts makes us happier than you receiving them.”

Jungkook took that in.

“A-are you sure you guys aren’t mad that I didn’t get you anything and I made you go through the hassle of celebrating an-and preparing a gift.”

A chorus of loud and passionate ‘No's made Jungkook shut up and take them at face value.

And when he let himself bask in the glow of their care for him, the efforts they’d put to make him happy, he felt loved.

For the first time in his life, he truly believed he had worth.

Taehyung gave him an excited grin, “Ready to go see the snow?”