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Monday flew by quickly with its inherent regularity. Hours spent since the glorious sunrise bid its forenoon greeting, the busy workloads and fast-paced Seoul spared none of its mercy. Yeonjun was hoping he could get some free time, truthfully, as he had planned to spend the day with his family also the rest of the kids. Yet, it seemed like he would need to put aside his personal wishes, for the day of his grandiose celebration was simultaneously the peak of his work activities in this month. No doubt, after the Elle photoshoot, Yeonjun managed to enthrall a number of famous magazines and beauty brands into his allure. Thence, here he was, ambling slowly, thoroughly fatigued after such an exhausting day to his group's flat.
Prior to this, the lad had recalled to apprise his manager that he would need to postpone the birthday V live broadcast. With that hindsight, he was certain he could doze off right away when his back met the surface of the mattress, diving deep down into a slumber he had been waiting for all day. However, in a twinkle of an eye, that vision was shattered by the tumultuous clamour loud enough for Yeonjun to capture from the front of his door. What on earth... is it a thief? No way. His flat was on the fourth floor after all.
Yeonjun took a stride forward heedfully and was immediately relieved when he heard a brimming laughter of Hueningkai. Easy to surmise as always. Then, the verbal brawl... Beomgyu's scream of exasperation and Taehyun's indistinct argument that God knew what it was about. Yeonjun was about to let a tincture of surprise take over him, but he turned nonchalantly to the kitchen when he had an idea what must've been happening in this not-so-blessed flat of five grown-up boys.
The first sight that he captured was Soobin's face and hair, ridiculously smeared by flour, a yellow bowl in his right hand that was one second away from darting in to the head of Beomgyu. He shifted his eyes to the rest of the space and suddenly regretted the decision to scurry back home. What a chaotic mess they had successfully turned the kitchen into.
"Oh, Yeonjun hyung! Wait, wait, I can explain!" Soobin hurried to where Yeonjun stood frozen. The boy showed a sad look when Yeonjun took a few steps back, careful not to get himself smeared by the same baking ingredient.
"Anyone kind enough to explain without getting me dirty?" asked Yeonjun with a steady voice. No, he wasn't seething at all, though the idea of smothering these five kids suddenly captivated his mind.
Nobody dared lift their heads, even Taehyun. Piercing through the silence, Yeonjun approached the core of this mess, the puddle of spilled milk, surrounded the stove. As much as Yeonjun wanted to release his wrath, he knew very well what they were up to and he was certain that none of them intended to cause this mess. Albeit, he still would've liked it better if they didn't try at all.
"I'm sorry, hyung. We were trying to bake you a birthday cake. Soobin hyung- no, all of us insisted with the idea, but it turned out to be harder than what we expected. The next thing we knew, we made this big mess."
It was Hueningkai who finally spoke up. He shot an apologetic smile, the beads of his eyes looked as if they were about to burst into tears. Yeonjun nodded briefly before snatching a clean, dry kitchen towel nearby to clean that specific kitchen counter.
"Hyung, we'll clean up. I'm so sorry for ruining your birthday. We really didn't expect everything to turn so sour, I'm so sorry," Beomgyu closed in to join Yeonjun cleaning the counter. It felt awkward to Yeonjun, to have these guys so silent. Were they scared?
"Yeah, we'll take care of the mess. Hyung, go ahead to wash up. I know how tiring your day must've been," said Taehyun.
If you knew how exhausting it was, why did you- no never mind. Yeonjun would never have the heart to see them look worse than right now.
"It's fine. I usually take care of the kitchen on a daily basis, anyway," Yeonjun muttered, busy going back and forth to the sink to clean the towel and the counter.
A moment later, Yeonjun stood straight and stared at every one of them. Deep down, he must admit that he was angry for a second there. Yeonjun was expecting an immediate, peaceful rest when he arrived home, so this sight was the last thing he would rather have on his not-so-fun birthday.
"We were rushing because we thought you'd air the V live broadcast soon, but then Huening told me that you cancelled it in the last minute," Soobin said shortly after gathering all his courage to speak up. Angry Yeonjun was clearly not the best Yeonjun he, or even anyone, could face.
"Oh, yeah, I did. Today was thoroughly exhausting since I had to rush completing some advertisement projects, also the interviews, more musical work, and another round of photoshoot. I was expecting to get some rest today, thinking I can do the birthday live perhaps tomorrow," Yeonjun explained with a bitter honesty.
Hearing the truth that trudged from the elder, everyone sank in the deep silence for once more. A flood of guilt rushed to fill Yeonjun. He didn't intend the words to slip harshly, but it seemed like he should've paid more meticulous attention to his speech.
"Hey, I said it's okay, didn't I? I was angry for a moment, but that's a certain thing. It's not the first time you guys sent me over the edge and frankly, it's not the worst, either. Don't look down, please, it's truly fine."
Seeing how none of them eased off, Yeonjun proceeded with his soliloquy. "I've told everyone over and over again about how much I wanted to have a sibling when I was young and I'm sure you've heard about that story, too, which unfortunately never occurred to me. I was content with my parents, but having a sibling, or siblings, I thought, would be such a blessing to me. So, having you, all of you, it was simply the best present I could ever ask for. Having Taehyun throughout my senior high school days as the little brother that amazed me with his passion, Soobin whom I couldn't help but like since the first time we met, Beomgyu who was supposed to be a quiet guy but he's not," Yeonjun giggled there. "Also, Kai, my most adorable little brother. We get angry from time to time, we all do, but to me personally, it changes nothing about this life of ours, in this tiny world we have."
The tension began to melt as the ambience gradually shifted took a hue of wamrth with every word Yeonjun spoke. "I was flattered to find out that you even went all the way to try to bake a birthday cake for me, when we'll just casually buy it from the store. Even caused all this mess..." he let out a chortle.
"You guys are really unbelievable. Very annoying, very bothersome, and such a pain in the ass all the time. Yet, I'm really thankful that I got to spend another birthday with you. Kai, don't cry."
Yeonjun pulled the youngest into his hug and patted him on the back.
"It's okay, I'm not angry anymore."
Soobin joined the bear hug, followed by Beomgyu and Taehyun as well. "We're really sorry for always causing you trouble one after another."
Yeonjun lifted the corners of his lips upwards. Somehow, amidst this mess, he felt warmth rushing to the core of his chest. It was true that Yeonjun didn't even get to visit his family on his birthday this year, didn't get to see his fans on V live broadcast as usual, and was terribly worn out at the end of the day. However, this wasn't so bad either, he thought. He had them.
"Make sure to clean up this mess you made, little kids."