summary — y/n gives jimin a brick as a joke for christmas. but after the party, y/n reveals the real gift—and the feelings she’s been hiding for years. under a mistletoe, two longtime friends finally stop pretending and turn christmas into the start of something more.
pairing — y. jimin x fem!reader
genre — slowburn-ish, friends to lovers, mutual pining
10 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS YES!!!!
&&. masterlist
the living room is looking like a crime scene.
tinsel everywhere. empty soda cans. half-eaten cookies. ningning is actively fighting minjeong over a santa hat. jimin is sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring at a gift like it personally wronged her.
“okay,” she says slowly. “who the fuck gave me a weapon.”
you’re on the couch pretending not to hear, biting the inside of your cheek so hard it hurts.
“it’s from y/n,” aeri reads from the tag, instantly snitching.
jimin looks up at you. deadpan. “why is it heavy.”
you shrug. “open it.”
she shakes it.
thud.
minjeong gasps. “IS THAT A BRICK—”
jimin opens the box.
it’s a literal brick. wrapped nicely. ribbon and all.
then—
“Y/N,” jimin says flatly, holding it up. “what the fuck is this.”
you lose it. full laughter. doubled over. wheezing.
“it’s for your future house,” you say between laughs. “i thought you’d like something useful.”
she stares at you. jaw clenched. eyes narrowed.
“…you’re a bitch.”
“a thoughtful one.”
ningning is crying laughing. aeri is filming. minjeong chants “brick! brick! brick!” like this isn’t the stupidest thing that’s ever happened.
jimin puts the brick down gently.
“i’m keeping this,” she says. “as evidence.”
“of what.”
“of betrayal.”
but she’s smiling. just a little.
and that’s what gets you.
the party keeps going.
music’s loud. laughter’s easy. everyone’s tipsy and warm and happy and you’re pretending your heart isn’t doing stupid shit every time jimin looks at you.
she sits next to you eventually, shoulder brushing yours.
“you planned that, didn’t you,” she mutters.
“planned what.”
“making me look stupid.”
you grin. “you do that on your own.”
she scoffs, nudging you with her knee. “i hate you.”
you look at her. really look.
the soft curve of her smile. the way her eyes crinkle. the way she always leans toward you without realizing.
“…yeah,” you say quietly. “sure.”
she glances at you then, like she heard something else in your voice.
but ningning interrupts by shoving a cookie in her mouth and the moment’s gone.
again.
it’s always like that.
by the time the apartment empties out, it’s late.
jackets are gone. lights are dim. the brick is still on the coffee table like a silent threat.
jimin’s helping clean up when you clear your throat.
“hey,” you say. “wait.”
she turns. “what’s up.”
you reach into your bag.
your hands are shaking. stupidly embarrassing.
“that wasn’t… your real gift,” you say.
her brow furrows. “yeah, i figured.”
you pull out a small box. lighter. softer. real.
she takes it carefully this time.
inside is a silver keychain. simple. engraved.
always home.
she freezes.
“…y/n.”
“i know it’s cheesy,” you rush. “but you’re always giving pieces of yourself to everyone else and i just— i wanted you to have something that stays with you.”
she swallows.
“you already gave me a brick.”
“shut up.”
she laughs, but it cracks a little.
then she looks up at you.
“why are you doing this,” she asks softly.
you don’t dodge it this time.
“because i’ve liked you for a long time,” you say. “and i got tired of pretending i don’t.”
your chest feels like it might cave in.
then—
“…good,” jimin says.
you blink. “good?”
she steps closer. voice quiet. honest.
“because i’ve liked you too. for a long time.”
your heart stops. restarts wrong.
“you’re serious?”
she nods. “sadly.”
you don’t even notice it at first.
minjeong’s dumbass decoration job. a single sprig of mistletoe taped crookedly to the ceiling.
jimin looks up.
then back at you.
“…of course,” she mutters.
you laugh nervously. “we don’t have to—”
she reaches out, fingers brushing your hand.
“i want to.”
the kiss is soft. hesitant. warm.
just her lips against yours, like she’s been waiting.
when she pulls back, she rests her forehead against yours.
“merry christmas,” she whispers.
you smile.
“merry christmas, homeowner.”
later, when you’re both leaving, jimin picks up the brick.
she hands it to you.
“you keep it,” she says.
you blink. “what? no.”
“so when i get my future house,” she adds, smiling, “you’ll remember you’re part of it.”
your chest aches.
“…that was smooth.”
“i know.”
she kisses you again. quick. sweet.
and somewhere between the brick and the mistletoe, you both finally stop pretending.
