"No, Jimin, I'll be fine! I have my bike helmet ready to go, and I even matched my outfit to the helmet."

Jimin sighed over the phone. "Taehyung, it still sounds kind of dangerous to ride your bicycle to a place where most everyone either walks or drives a car."

"If I promise to bring my flashlight, will you shut up and let me enjoy the idea of seeing Christmas lights?"

He paused before finally agreeing. We spoke for a few more minutes about the rest of his Christmas break plans until he was called off to dinner.

"Be safe, TaeTae! I'll see you in two weeks!"

He hung up the phone, leaving me alone in the college dorm.

Most everyone else went home for the break, but I chose to stay at the dorm. It's not like my family called to check in on my first semester of college anyways, so why would I travel several hours to go see them for the holidays? Besides, I've been quite enjoying the local cafes being much more deserted than normal, along with having an empty school library where I could read for hours on end undisturbed.

I fixed my sweater one last time before grabbing my helmet and exiting my dorm.

Having checked the weather, I had opted to wear a scarf as well. A coat, I thought, would be too heavy and would cause the friction of the air on my bike to feel weird. I decided to brave the cold.

Though, I regretted my decision when I exited the main doors of the building, walking over to where the bikes are stored. Mine was the only bike on the rack, the loneliness dripping off its chrome wheels.

With a chilled sigh, I pulled my mittens out of my pocket and slid them on, quickly followed by my helmet. I buckled it under my chin, ensuring it was secured tightly.

As I went to put in my bike lock code, I saw someone walk by, heading to the door of the dorm.

"Oh, I thought I was the only person left in the dorm!" I acknowledged, not meaning for the male to hear me and stop.

He took in my look, which was probably ridiculous considering the scarf and mittens over a thin sweater with a bicycle helmet to top off the appearance.

"I thought I was alone too." He quirked up an eyebrow. "You're in dorm 318, right?"

I nodded, trying to not let him see that I found that a tad creepy.

I must've failed at hiding my reaction because his hand left the handle of the door.

"Sorry! That sounds entirely stalkerish. I'm in dorm 320! I just thought you looked familiar."

"Oh, so you're across the hall?!" I recognized him too.

He nodded, extending a hand. "Jeon Jungkook. Nice to officially meet you!"

I shook his hand. "Kim Taehyung."

He let out a shiver, burying his hands back in his pockets. Beneath his beanie, a few strands of black hair poked out.

"It's freezing out here. Where are you going in this cold?" He asked nonchalantly.

I shrugged. "I've never gotten to see Christmas lights, and I really want to. I was going to ride my bike though some neighborhoods and see what it's like."

His eyebrows furrowed. "That's... awfully dangerous. So many cars and people walking, I'm worried about you being on your bike."

I smiled at his concern, merely showing him my flashlight. "My best friend insisted I brought this along!"

Jungkook chuckled, and I couldn't help but enjoy how his eyes sparkled, despite the minimal lighting.

After a few seconds of silence, Jungkook sighed. "Come on." He motioned his head to the side before starting to walk off.

"Excuse me?"

He turned to face me. "Let's go look at Christmas lights. My car is right here."

The words stranger danger repeated like a mantra in my head, having been instilled in every child growing up.

Only, I didn't care at that point. The craving for warmth, and companionship, took over.

He held the car door open for me until I was securely in my seat. He closed the door gently and ran to the driver's side. He pulled out his phone, humming a tune while scrolling. A moment later and Christmas music played through the radio softly.

"I'm going to take you to my favorite place to see Christmas lights!" He admitted, buckling himself in.

Suddenly, being in this stranger's car, I felt nervous. This felt... like a date?

I cleared my throat, seeing Jungkook staring at me.

"Um, hi?"

He laughed. "You're not buckled, Taehyung."

"Oh." My cheeks burned red as I fastened my seatbelt. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, seeing a text from Jimin.

From Chiminy: Please let me know when you get back home so I know to not send the cops to find you!

I smiled at his text, going to respond.

To Chiminy: I actually, uh, have a ride? Do you know Jeon Jungkook?

Jungkook let out a long breath, turning the heat on in the vehicle. "Alright, are you ready to see some amazing Christmas lights?"

I nodded, unable to contain the smile on my face from my excitement.

He drove for a few miles, humming along to the Christmas music playing on the radio.

"Do you like marshmallows in your hot chocolate or whipped cream?" He asked suddenly, making me quirk up an eyebrow.

I thought for a second before answering. "Honestly I love both. Oh! And with chocolate sauce on top!"

Jungkook chuckled and nodded, turning into the parking lot of a Starbucks.

Moments later, he passed me a cup. "Your dream hot chocolate!" He took a sip of his before smiling. "You chose some yummy hot cocoa."

I felt myself blush again as I went to take a sip, agreeing that it was tasty.

My phone buzzed, my eyes reading a new text from Jimin.

From Chiminy: No fucking way you're going to see Christmas lights with Jeon Jungkook!!! He's incredibly hot.

I responded immediately.

To Chiminy: He just bought me hot chocolate!

At his words, I couldn't help but peer at Jungkook from my seat, trying to hide the fact that I was taking him in.

He had a sharp jawline, with multiple piercings lining his ears. His eyes were focused, but full of light, a slight touch of eyeliner on the top lid.

His lip curved upward before his eyes met mine for a second, until he had to look back at the road. "Like what you see, Tae?"

My breath hitched, but whether from his words or the nickname, I couldn't be sure. At this point, I was sure my face was beet red.

Prior to responding, I saw lights in the distance, causing me to sit up straighter in my seat.

"Holy shit!" I gasped, seeing that every house was decked out with Christmas lights. The first house as we officially entered the neighborhood had six Santa Clause animatronics dancing to Pitbull.

As we continued down the street, I couldn't stop smiling. The lights all told stories. Stories of Christmas and love and magic; all the things that had kept me going as a child.

"One of my favorite houses is coming up," Jungkook announced, nodding ahead as I continued watching with the excitement of a toddler seeing anything for the first time.

Ensuring there were no cars right behind us, Jungkook stopped the car by his favorite house, allowing me the chance to see it in all its glory.

Each window had a lighted snowflake in it, and they flashed in-sync of the song, "Let It Snow." Icicle lights dropped from the gutters, and tiny twinkly lights covered the yard to make it look like snow was falling. As I examined the yard, I felt Jungkook's hand on my chin, raising my head up to the canopy of trees above us.

I gasped, loving the sight. Santa and his sleigh, all lit up, were lifted into the trees, the Santa's hand waving while a faint "ho ho ho!" Could be heard over the quiet music of Jungkook's car.

As we drove through the rest of the neighborhood, my cheeks began to hurt from smiling so much, and my body and mind relinquished the nerves of being in the same car with Jeon Jungkook, my hot neighbor from across the hall.

It was over too soon. The car was parked in front of the dorms, and the door walking into the building was held open for me.

Minimal words were spoken, but the awkwardness was nonexistant. Only when the numbers 318 appeared in front of us did the awkwardness return.

"Well," I began, unsure of what to say. "That was an amazing experience, Jungkook. Thank you for taking me to see the lights, and thank you for the hot chocolate, and the drive, and the company, and, well... everything."

My shoes became the most interesting things to look at, as I could no longer meet his eyes.

Jungkook cleared his throat. Through my downward angle, I could see him fidgeting with his hands. "Taehyung?"

I hummed, forcing myself to look back at him.

"Did this... feel like a date to you?"

I instantly nodded, agreeing that it did feel like a date.

He gave a small smile. "I didn't mean to run into you tonight, if I'm being honest, but I'm glad that I did! I actually..." he paused and took in a deep breath. "I was going to ask you out after school came back into session. I've seen you around and thought you were the most beautiful person I've ever laid eyes on."

My cheeks burned red, for the hundredth time this evening.

"W-Would... maybe, uh... could we go on a more planned date again sometime?" He asked, chewing on his bottom lip.

"Would it count as our first or second date?" I questioned, feeling a small sense of confidence arising.

He chuckled. "What would you like for it to be?"

I smirked, pressing my back against the door. "Well, if this does not count as a date, then a kiss would not be the most appropriate thing; however, if this was our first date, then a kiss might be seen as 'adorable' or 'romantic'."

Jungkook nodded, taking a step closer to me. "Then, our first date this was." He whispered before pressing his lips on mine.

It wasn't a long kiss, only a few seconds, but it was enough for me to know that I definitely wanted to see Jeon Jungkook again.

••••••

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Thanks for reading my very last minute Christmas oneshot hahaha