Chapter 45: 44.Gifts

On the other hand downstairs,

The late afternoon sun filtered through the curtains as Taehyung settled Jaybum on his lap, feeding him small spoonfuls of fruit salad.

The little boy giggled, making a mess of his face, but Taehyung didn’t mind. His warm laughter matched the boy’s, filling the room with a comforting hum of joy.

Across from them, Jungkook stretched his arms dramatically, feigning exhaustion. “Tae, my hands are so tired from writing all those notes. I might pass out if I don’t get some food in me.”

Taehyung arched a brow but couldn’t suppress his grin. “You’re such a big baby, Jungkook .”

“Big baby or not, I’m starving,” Jungkook replied, leaning toward him with a playful pout.

Chuckling, Taehyung obliged, feeding Jungkook in between bites for Jaybum.

The room felt light, as they laugh.

But their laughter paused abruptly when they noticed movement on the staircase.

Both turned their heads, and their eyes widened in unison as they saw Namjoon and Jin descending the steps. The sight of the two men holding hands, with soft smiles illuminating their faces, was nothing short of shocking.

“See!” Taehyung exclaimed, nearly spilling the bowl in his lap. “I told you it’d work!”

Jungkook shook his head, still processing the sight. “Oh, sure, because faking tears and scaring Jin Hyung out of his mind was such a noble plan,” he teased, though a grin tugged at his lips.

Jin, overhearing, raised an eyebrow. “Wait—so this was your plan all along?”

Taehyung bit his lip sheepishly. “Sorry, Hyung. I had to do something. You two were driving everyone insane with your unresolved feelings.”

Namjoon chuckled, squeezing Jin’s hand gently. “Whatever you did, Tae, I’ll admit—it worked. And for that, I’m grateful.” He turned his gaze to Jin, a newfound determination sparkling in his eyes.

“We’ve decided to start over. No more secrets, no more lies. This time, we’ll face everything together.”

“Oh, great,” Jungkook groaned dramatically. “Just don’t get too lovey-dovey. I have a kid here!”

Everyone laughed at Jungkook’s teasing, though Jaybum paid no mind, his focus entirely on the cartoons playing on the TV.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and preparations for the party.

Jin busied himself in the kitchen, preparing snacks while Namjoon worked on fixing the leftover lighting with Taehyung.

Jungkook, meanwhile, was tasked with selecting the fireworks, though he spent more time debating with Jaybum over which ones were the most fun.

Jaybum, despite being the youngest, took his self-proclaimed role as “director” seriously. He marched around, giving instructions to everyone, ensuring everything was “perfect.”

As the sun began to set, Jungkook and Jaybum prepared to leave. Namjoon handed them a bag of  leftover snacks.

Before they left, Taehyung knelt down to Jaybum’s level, holding a neatly wrapped plushie. “Bun, this is for you—a New Year’s gift from your TaeTae,” he said softly.

Jaybum’s eyes lit up with excitement as he grabbed the plushie. “It’s for me?”

“Yes, Bun,” Taehyung said, smiling warmly as Jaybum threw his arms around him in a tight hug.

The scene melted everyone’s hearts, even Jungkook, who couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his face.

So this is what Taehyung was knitting for weeks, Jungkook thought.

As Jungkook secured Jaybum in his car seat, he heard Taehyung call out. Turning, he saw Taehyung jogging toward him, a small bag in his hands.

“Wait, Jungkook,” Taehyung said, slightly out of breath.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

Taehyung handed him the bag, his cheeks flushed. “I... made something for you. But don’t open it now. Wait until you get home.”

Jungkook’s expression softened as he took the bag. “Thank you,” he said, his voice gentle.

"i..i have a surprise for you too,but you will get to see it tomorrow" Jungkook whispered.

Taehyung nodded, his smile shy but sincere. “Drive safe, okay?”

Jungkook nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

For a brief moment, they locked eyes, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Taehyung watched as Jungkook climbed into the driver’s seat and drove off, the bag still clutched in his hand.

As the car disappeared down the street, Taehyung turned back to the house with a quiet smile. His heart felt lighter, filled with anticipation for what the New Year would bring.

Timeskip

Jungkook quietly entered his mansion, the day's events still playing in his mind. He carefully tucked Jaybum into bed after a quick shower and change,

the little one already drifting off with his favorite plushie—Taehyung’s thoughtful gift—held close. Jungkook couldn’t help but smile at the sight before heading to his own room.

The hot shower refreshed him, washing away the exhaustion of the day, but something lingered,a warmth that wasn’t just from the water. It was from the hours he spent with Taehyung. Jungkook couldn’t quite name it yet, but it was there, humming quietly in his chest.

Towel slung around his neck, he sat on the edge of his bed, his gaze falling on the small bag Taehyung had given him. Curiosity overtook him as he carefully opened it, revealing a neatly wrapped sweater inside.

The sweater wasn’t perfect—its stitches uneven in places, the knitting far from professional—but it held something that no store-bought garment could ever match: care.

Jungkook ran his fingers over the fabric, imagining Taehyung’s hands meticulously working on it, stitch by stitch.

He brought the sweater closer, inhaling its faint scent—a mix of fresh cotton and something uniquely Taehyung.

His lips curled into a soft smile as he noticed a small embroidered detail near the hem: a wolf and a bat, locked in an eternal duel, with crossed swords between them.

“Typical,” Jungkook muttered with a chuckle, already imagining Taehyung’s smug grin as he stitched the symbols.

Tucked inside the bag was a folded note, and Jungkook unfolded it with care. Taehyung’s handwriting was neat but slightly rushed, as if he had scribbled the words late at night.

**"I hope you like the sweater. I know it’s far from perfect, but consider it my New Year’s Eve gift to you. I’m still learning, but hey! At least you can wear it at home!  But honestly speaking Jungkook, Thank you,  for your kindness. I know we didn’t start off on the best terms, but I feel like we’ve come a long way.

Oh, and about the little detail on the sweater—the wolf and the bat? It’s my not-so-subtle reminder that vampires will always be superior. Sorry, Jungkook, but it’s true. And yes, I hope I’ll always stay your favorite vampire enemy.

Yours eternally annoying,

Taehyung."**

Jungkook laughed softly, shaking his head at the letter. Taehyung never missed a chance to tease him. But as he reread the words, his laughter faded into something softer, deeper. His fingers tightened around the sweater, and he brought it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the fabric.

He laid the sweater in his lap, staring at it as memories of Taehyung flooded his mind. He thought of their bickering, the playful jabs, and the way Taehyung’s eyes lit up whenever he won an argument.

He thought of how those arguments had slowly faded, replaced by quiet conversations and lingering gazes that neither dared to acknowledge.

Jungkook exhaled, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. “You’re more than my favorite vampire enemy, Tae,” he murmured to the empty room.

The sweater felt warm in his hands, as if it carried something Taehyung wasn’t ready to say, and Jungkook wasn’t ready to admit.