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Eunho was barely twelve when Noah found him this one rainy night, trembling and tearing up as he took a shelter under a bike racks, just next to Noah's one. He growled and flashed his fangs when Noah tried to approach him. It took the hurt werewolf almost three days to finally open up to the human; it was when he got so unbearably hungry that he couldn't resist the food Noah brought for him anymore.
That's when they began to live together, and the first few weeks had been quite unpredictable and disastrous. Eunho scratched and bite a lot that Noah had to make a daily mental note to put on long sleeves despite being indoor and in summer. But after a lot of patience and trainings, Eunho was doing much better in self-control.
It's been thirteen years since their first meeting. Eunho has become more tender in his action, more polite in his words,.... and more feelings in his heart.
"Hyung?" He whispers, not to startle the other.
"Hm?" The blondie cracks his eyes open slowly, a very familiar silver head greets him the first thing. He smiles fondly and mutters under his breath. "I fell asleep. Sorry."
Eunho shakes his head slightly, Noah doesn't need to be sorry for accidentally sleeping in the middle of their night movie. He tenses up almost immediately when Noah rests his head on his shoulder. Since he realized the existence of this new foreign feeling towards his master, he can't act normal anymore. He blushes so easily and his heart beats rapidly, just like now.
"You must be tired." He whispers again.
Noah nods meekly. "What are we doing here again?" He asks, just like usual.
And just like usual, Eunho answers him patiently. "We are watching movie together. A romcom one."
"A romcom one." Noah repeats, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes." Eunho smiles, intertwining their hands.
Since the tragic car accident that took place three years ago, Noah has been suffering an anterograde amnesia; his brain can no longer form new memories. He will forget what just happened only recently, can't even remember the names and the people he just met only yesterday.
However, this amnesia doesn't affect all the memories happened before this amnesia started. Luckily, he can still remember Eunho, but not up until when Eunho already confessed to him nor when he said yes to the confession nor when they were already practically dating. He can't remember any of those.
But it doesn't matter, because Eunho is here. As long he's still here by Noah's side, he'll help the blondie to remember, again and again and again. He won't make him forget.
"Tomorrow is my birthday." Eunho blurts out so randomly. The movie credit is playing on the screen now. Noah blinks up to him, lowly gasps.
"Tomorrow?!" What date is today again??
"Yea. What present will you get me, hyung?"
Noah hums, thinking hard. It's so cute that Eunho breaks into snicker, pecking the older on his forehead once.
"I don't know, what do you want from me? I'll get it for you!"
"Really? Promise?"
"Yes!"
"Then... I want a kiss."
"....??? Just kiss?"
Eunho nods. "But you probably won't even remember this promise tomorrow. Can I get my present in advance then?"
"???"
"Give me the kiss now. And another kiss tomorrow."
Noah scoffs, "what's that? It's just an excuse to get more kisses."
Eunho grins, "I'm your boyfriend. I have every right to get all the kisses from you." He shrugs, reasoning. The blondie with tiny ponytail snorts, agreeing tho.
"Okay."
Then, he moves up from his position, encircles his arms around Eunho's neck while settling himself in the younger's lap as they share kisses, warm and passionate ones.
And the next day, Noah forgets everything again.
But this doesn't bother Eunho anymore. What actually bothers him most is the fact that Noah still thinks the person he used to date is still his boyfriend.
"Seungyoun!" Noah grew a wide smile upon seeing the guy in white shirt and baggy black pants.
Only last week, they met that person by accident and Noah recognized him right away, as his boyfriend, which was wrong because they were no longer in relationship. They broke up after Noah woke up from his two months coma. During the two months period, that person never paid a visit. Only Noah's close friends did, and only Eunho who stayed by his side at the hospital. His loyal wolf indeed.
And while Noah was still in coma state, his now-ex boyfriend cheated on him with someone else. Eunho knew, he caught them twice.
"Hyung, let's go." Eunho grabbed Noah's wrist when that blondie was about to give Seungyoun a hug.
"Why?! At least let me greet my boyfr--"
"He's not!"
Sometimes, this tested Eunho's patience.
Seungyoun cleared his throat, this was awkward. Noah seemed clueless and sad, bringing his gaze to the two guys back and forth.
"What do you mean he's not?"
Eunho sighed, he proceeded to pull Noah's hand after giving Seungyoun a strict suggestion to never crossing path with Noah whether on purpose or not anymore after this.
"H- Hey, hey! Where are we going?!"
Eunho and Noah left the place and went somewhere else, away from that third person. Only then, he let go of Noah's hand.
"What do you mean he's not my boyfriend?!"
Eunho took a brief pause, collecting all the rationals and strength in him not to lose his patience. "I'm your boyfriend. I told you, didn't I?"
Noah remained quiet but taken aback at the realisation.
"He's no longer your boyfriend, but me. I'm your boyfriend now, hyung." Eunho half whispered, couldn't help but sounded hurt. "The person standing infront of you right now is your boyfriend." He pleaded quietly.
Noah gulped, heart ached at the sad and hurt expression on Eunho's face. He looked serious. No hint of goofing around nor pulling a prank.
"Y- You ain't lying to me, right?"
"I'm not, hyung." The voice almost cracked that Noah quickly launched forward and hugged the silver headed.
"I- I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I couldn't remember." Now it's Noah who sounded on the verge of crying. When things like this happened, he felt so bad for Eunho. If only he could remember important details like this. If only he could make things less painful for Eunho. If only the memories could remain until tomorrow and the days after.
Eunho hugged back, "It's okay. No matter how many times it takes, I'll remind you again and again, just so you can remember."
He knew that after today, Noah would still think his boyfriend was Seungyoun instead.
"Today is my birthday." Eunho mumbles to himself. He just woke up and it's Friday, a working day. The bed is half empty, Noah is awake already? Then, his ears catch the sound of running water from inside the bathroom. Oh, hyung is taking shower.
Eunho creaks a smile across his sleepy face imagining the judging expression Noah be making if he joins the blondie in the shower. That latter will probably freak out thinking it's out of habit when in fact they've done it multiple times before; showering together.
Sighing, the silver headed gets his lazy arse up and off the bed, heading to the other bathroom attached to the bedroom next door. He needs to get ready for work (as a barista at a local cafe). Wolfie is so popular around the area especially among the customers and locals. The cafe daily sells increases drastically since he started working with them. Receiving multiple pick-up lines and confessions from strangers almost on the daily basis, he turns everyone down. A certain someone is already occupying the special place in his heart anyway.
"Hyung, I'm leaving for work first~" He announces from outside the bathroom. Noah is taking so long inside there. The latter slides the door open halfway, peeking only his shampoo-ed head. Adorable. Eunho chuckles at the silly hyung. "I'm leaving for work." He repeats and Noah nods with a smile.
"Be careful on your way."
"M'kay." Eunho leans down and kisses the other on forehead. Noah blinks, startled. He probably must forget that they're dating again. "What day is today, hyung?" The taller one tests.
Noah glances at the calender hanging against the wall nearby. "Friday?"
"Close. Try again."
"Your working day?"
Eunho pouts, Noah never remembers his birthday and it's been for three consecutive years already. Not gonna lie, he misses those times when Noah used to prepare a surprise and party for him, making him cake and stuff.
"It's my birthday today." Eunho whispers.
Noah gasps rather dramatically. "Your birthday?! What do you want from me? I'll get it for you!"
Eunho laughs at the cuteness, the blondie asked exactly that yesterday. "Can I have a kiss then?"
Without further ado, Noah steps out in his naked glory, hands on Eunho's broad shoulders as he tip toes and presses his lips against the younger's cheek.
"Is this enough?"
Eunho's red face can't even say no. "Yes, as for now." He glances down, eyes travelling the bare body infront of him. Oh, we wants more indeed but this isn't the right time. He'll be so late for work. Clearing his throat, he leaves a peck on top of the blonded head. "I'm leaving now."
Noah nods with a fond smile, "Take care, Whuppie." The nickname he gave Eunho when the wolf was still so young.
Friday moves rather fast compared to Mondays. As expected, and just like the previous years, Eunho receives so many birthday wishes and presents. Even the boss and colleagues throw a small birthday party for him after the working hour. He's drowning in the sea of love, everybody around him likes, loves and adores him. He's so grateful for this but it's still incomplete without one heart he's always been longing for. He's had a lot and enough of birthday wish. His boss, Nam Yejun and his two colleagues, Chae Bamby and Yu Hamin are the first three who wished him. They're being so competitive over who's going to be the first one to do it. Eunho appreciates the spirit and dedication every time.
"Happy birthday, the only handsome barista in our cafe~~" Yejun sings song, receiving protest from Hamin and Bamby.
"What do you mean the only handsome barista?!"
"Are we that ugly???!"
"Yejun ssi, are we not handsome enough??"
"Answer us, Yejun ssi!"
Yejun is panicking and making up excuses. Eunho laughs at the three while enjoying the sliced cake in his plate. He glances at the time shown on his phone screen, it's already 10:15 p.m. 'He hasn't wished my birthday yet. The day is almost over.' His smile slowly drops. No matter how much the birthday wish he receives from everyone else, it still feels incomplete without the one from Noah.
"What's wrong, hyung?" Hamin approaches the silver headed upon noticing the sudden gloomy expression. He glances down at the phone screen Eunho's eyes laid on. As if he can read the situation, he speaks again. "Waiting for his text?" The taller male knows about his relationship with Noah and what had happened to Noah. Eunho shares pretty a lot with Hamin, for someone he trusts the most after Noah. "The doctor said his condition won't be permanent, right? His memory state will be returning back to normal with time. Be patient." Hamin gives a light squeeze on Eunho's shoulder.
"But it's been three years." Eunho mumbles almost inaudibly. "I'm... scared."
Hamin can't even tell Eunho to stay strong and be patient more. The older guy has probably heard it enough by now. Another squeeze on his shoulder instead, "never stop believing. I'm always here for you two, hyung."
Eunho nods, "thank you."
The birthday party goes fun and smooth, but ends pretty soon as Eunho has to take an early leave. Receiving zero text from Noah, not even "when will you be home? It's getting late" is making him uneasy. Is everything okay at home?
His instinct is not wrong. Noah isn't there when he arrived home later.
"Hyung?!" He searches for him in every bedroom. "Are you fcking kidding me?" Noah's phone is lying on top of their bedside table. If the blondie is going out, without his phone? At this hour? "Fck." Eunho rushes out of the apartment again and leaves to look for Noah. It's five minutes into eleven thirty now. Just where the hell is that blonded male?
Eunho's head is spinning with so many thought running inside, heart can't stop beating so fast, he feels like crying. At the thought of losing Noah again, scared him. Only God knew how frightened and traumatic it was for him when Noah got into the car accident and went into comatose for months. He thought his master would never come back to live.
"Hyung!!!" He desperately cries out, searching for the elder everywhere along the streets and alleys. "Hyung, please answer me!" Clenching fist around the front of his shirt, his heart aching so badly. His weak legs give out and he drops down onto his knees, he feels so tired after walking for nearly an hour looking for Noah but still finds him nowhere. "Please... hyung, please answer me... answer me if you hear me.. please... don't leave me." At last, he cries, like a lost child. Like a lost soul searching for its purpose of existence. "Don't leave me... please, hyung..." He sobs, clutching his shirt harder. "Master Noah... I need you." He pleads quietly, silently praying to God not to take this one person away from him.
When he thinks life can't get any more unfair towards him than this, soon enough his ears catch the familiar voice. The voice he's willing to sacrifice his own life for just to listen to it one more time.
"Eunho?"
The silver headed snaps his neck real fast, looking up and the excessive relief he feels in an instant upon seeing the blondie standing just few feet apart. Noah is standing there, watching Eunho in surprise and relief.
"Eunho!!!" Noah nearly chokes back his own tears. "I went out to buy these balloons and cake for you but then I lost my way back home. I forgot again the way to our home, and I forgot to bring my phone, so I kept walking but I kept walking around the same place again and again and it was so scary I thought I wouldn't make it--!" His words abruptly stops as Eunho stand up real fast and walks towards him, pulling him straight for a hug. 'Eunho is trembling.' He notices. "Eunho-"
"Thank God." The silver headed whispers shakily under his shaky breath. Eyes squeeze tightly. "Thank... God."
"Why are you crying?" Noah pulls back to get a better view of the other face. His hands cradle the younger's face after putting down the box of cake and the balloons he bought. "You shouldn't cry on your birthday, silly."
Eunho just quietly stares at the pretty face infront of him, takes in the beautiful sight, so grateful for another chance to see this face. "Don't leave me." He breaks his silence at last.
"I won't leave you, idiot." Noah scoffs lowly, leaning in and kissing Eunho on his teary eyes. "Don't cry. Smile for me."
Eunho shakes his head and pouts. He isn't in the mood to smile right now.
Noah pinches his cheeks and pulls them. "Smile."
"Acckk h-hyung, hyung! It hurts!"
"Smile."
"O-Okay, okay! I'll smile! Let my cheeks go first- ackk!"
Noah chuckles as he releases the cheeks. "Smile for me." He says softly. Eunho's heart skips a beat, in love all over again. He smiles and Noah smiles back.
"Why are you the one demanding so much? It's my birthday, I should be the one with a lot of request." Eunho grunts playfully.
"Oh right. What do you want as your birthday gift? Tell me." Noah grins apologetically, brightly, beautifully.
Oh, Eunho wants nothing more at this point. This is enough. He gently pulls Noah into his arms for another hug. "You." Having Noah in his life is already more than enough, he needs nothing else from him. "I just want you."
Noah's heart skips a beat, blood rushes to his face. "R-Really?"
"Hm."
"But still... just request anything. I want to do something for you too."
"Then... I wanna hear you say I love you to me."
"Ehh?!"
'Okay. He forgot again.'
"Hyung, we are dating. I'm your boyfriend."
"EHHHHHH??! WHEN- REALLY?!"
"Yes. So say the three words to me."
"What three words?"
"I love you."
"EEHHHHHH?! Uh, I-" Noah blushes madly, Eunho finds it cute. "I- too."
"Couldn't hear you."
"I- I love you too." The blondie whines. "Ughh.. Eunho.."
The silver headed can't stop teasing him at this point. He ends up laughing.
"What? Is it a prank?! We ain't dating?"
"No, no. It's real. I'm not kidding about it. I love you too, Noah." Eunho dives in and captures the other lips, catches Noah by surprise. But instead of pushing away and pulling back, Noah holds the younger's face and deepens the kiss. He can't remember how and when this relationship started, but kissing Eunho surprisingly feels like home. It feels so familiar, like a routine, like a habit.
After awhile, they break the kiss almost breathless.
"But hyung, you remember today is my birthday?"
Noah tends to forget what he's being told in the morning though. The blondie nods confidently, he fishes out a crumpled sticky note from his pocket and shows the handwriting on it.
< Today is Eunho's birthday!! >
"I don't want to forget this time."
Eunho smiles, moved by it.
"Happy birthday, Eunho." Noah whispers softly, lovingly.
Eunho swear, he's about to break into another tears again. This is the best birthday wish ever. "Thank you. God... I love you so much. I love you, I love you, I love you." If only repeating this endlessly can make Noah remembers it forever.
Noah chuckles, "I know!"
'No, you won't. Tomorrow, you won't know this again.' Eunho internally says, but he doesn't care. He'll keep saying these three words for Noah, again and again.
"You know what, Eunho. I figured that I could just write a reminder to myself that you love me. But I guess... I want you to keep reminding me that. I wanna listen to it from you every day... if you don't mind."
Oh. Sure. Eunho doesn't even mind to remind Noah every day either, just how in love they are for each other. "Sure. I will say it to you every day. I'll keep reminding you, so hyung..."
He kisses Noah's lips one more time, a light peck this time.
"... don't forget."
He'll always be here for Noah, by his side, patiently waiting for his memory state to heal and return back to normal, so they can remember the future, together.
"Today is my birthday and I love you. Do not forget."
(fin.)
B o n u s :
"ACkkk!!"
"Wh- What is it, hyung?"
"I put the balloons down along the cake just now but I think..."
"The balloons flew up to the sky."
Noah shrieks dramatically, Eunho just laughs at the clumsiness. This Noah is still his same clumsy Noah.
"It's fine, hyung. At least we still have the cake." Eunho helps carrying the cake box while his free hand holds Noah's one, walking back home hand in hand. Noah grins from ear to ear, giggling happily.
"Happy birthday, Whuppie!!"
"Thank you, princess~"