Work Text:
October 25th
I woke up before my alarm.
For a second...
I didn't know why.
The room was still dim, pale morning light only just beginning to slip through the gap in the curtains.
Beside me...
Minho was still asleep.
Completely asleep.
One arm stretched across my waist, his face half-buried in the pillow.
I smiled.
His hair looked absolutely ridiculous.
One piece stuck straight up.
Another had somehow curled in the opposite direction.
"...You look terrible."
He mumbled something completely unintelligible into the pillow.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.
"...Good."
"You deserve it."
Another sleepy mumble.
Then...
Silence again.
I carefully reached for my phone.
7:02 a.m.
Right.
Today's the day.
A strange mixture of excitement and nerves settled somewhere in my stomach.
Not because it was his birthday.
Because...
For once...
I got to surprise him.
Very, very carefully, I lifted his arm just enough to slide out from underneath it.
He shifted immediately.
"...Sung..."
I froze.
His eyes stayed closed.
"...Mhm?"
"You warm..."
"...Come back..."
I smiled so hard it almost hurt.
"...I will."
Another sleepy hum escaped him before he buried his face even deeper into the pillow.
Apparently satisfied with that answer.
I quietly pulled one of his hoodies over my T-shirt before slipping out of the bedroom.
The hallway was completely silent.
Good.
That meant nobody else had accidentally woken him up yet.
I had barely made it halfway downstairs when I noticed someone already sitting at the kitchen island.
Chris.
A mug of coffee sat beside his laptop.
He looked up the second he heard my footsteps.
"...Morning."
"Morning."
He glanced toward the staircase behind me.
"...Still asleep?"
I nodded.
"Mhm."
Chris smiled into his coffee.
"...Good."
I walked over, lowering my voice automatically.
"...You're awake early."
"So are you."
"...Fair."
He closed his laptop with a quiet click.
"Nervous?"
I laughed under my breath.
"...A little."
"You'll be fine."
"I've never planned a birthday before."
"You won't be planning it alone."
He stood, stretching once before grabbing another mug from the cupboard.
"The others should be here any minute."
Almost as if he'd summoned them...
The front door opened.
Very quietly.
Followed immediately by an exaggerated whisper.
"...WHY ARE WE WHISPERING?"
Chris closed his eyes.
"...Felix."
"What?"
"He's asleep."
Felix gasped dramatically.
"...Right."
He lowered his voice by exactly five percent.
"...Sorry."
Behind him, Hyunjin gently nudged his shoulder.
"You tried."
"I really did."
Changbin squeezed through the doorway carrying what looked like far too many shopping bags.
"...Whose idea was it to buy wrapping paper at seven in the morning?"
"You volunteered," Chris replied.
"I know."
"I regret volunteering."
Jeongin stepped inside next, holding the door open for Élise.
She smiled when she saw me.
"...Happy Minho Day."
I laughed quietly.
"...I like that."
"I thought you might."
Chris rubbed his hands together once.
"...Alright."
He looked around the kitchen.
"Roll call."
"Birthday boy?"
"Asleep," I answered.
"Good."
"Present hiding?"
Changbin lifted the bags.
"Done."
"Cake?"
Felix proudly held up a white bakery box.
"Protected with my life."
Chris raised an eyebrow.
"...Did you eat any?"
"...No."
A pause.
"...Not enough to notice."
"I knew it."
Hyunjin sighed.
"I checked."
"He's joking."
"He didn't eat any."
I couldn't stop smiling.
Standing there...
Watching everyone quietly organize themselves before the day had even started...
It reminded me so much of my own birthday.
Except this time...
I wasn't the one being surprised.
I was finally on the other side of it.
And somehow...
I think I was just as excited as Minho was going to be.
Chris clapped his hands together once.
"Alright."
"We've got about..."
He checked the time on his phone.
"...Two and a half hours."
Changbin immediately frowned.
"...That's less than I thought."
"We've been standing here talking."
"...Right."
Chris looked around the kitchen.
"Jobs."
He pointed toward Changbin first.
"You and Felix."
Felix looked proud.
"Dream team."
"No."
Chris shook his head.
"I'm separating you before you eat the frosting."
"...Rude."
"You'll help decorate."
Changbin nodded.
"Done."
Chris turned toward Hyunjin.
"You've got balloons."
Hyunjin blinked.
"...Just balloons?"
"You somehow enjoy making them look nice."
"...That's fair."
He accepted his assignment with surprising seriousness.
Chris looked toward Jeongin and Élise.
"Can you two set everything up in the living room?"
Jeongin nodded.
"No problem."
Élise smiled.
"We'll make sure nothing looks crooked."
Felix immediately pointed at one of the shopping bags.
"...Everything already looks crooked."
"It isn't even open yet."
"I can sense it."
Chris ignored him.
Then...
His eyes landed on me.
"...Jisung."
I straightened a little.
"...Yeah?"
He smiled.
"You've got the easiest job."
"...Really?"
"Keep Minho busy."
I blinked.
"...That's the easy job?"
"Mhm."
"You know him better than anyone."
"I..."
I laughed quietly.
"...That's somehow more pressure."
"You'll survive."
"I hope so."
Chris reached into one of the bags and pulled out several neatly wrapped presents.
"Oh."
"And hide these."
He handed me the pile.
I looked down at them.
There were more than I'd expected.
Each one had a little tag tied neatly to the ribbon.
I couldn't stop smiling.
"...You guys really planned all of this."
"We've been planning it for weeks."
Felix answered proudly.
"I almost exploded like seventeen times."
"Nineteen."
Hyunjin corrected.
"...You counted?"
"I had to."
"I was concerned."
Felix sighed dramatically.
"No one appreciates how difficult keeping secrets is."
"I appreciate that you eventually managed it."
Chris replied.
"...Mostly."
A soft laugh escaped me.
The room quickly dissolved into movement.
Changbin disappeared toward the hallway carrying two bags over one shoulder.
Felix hurried after him with tape, scissors, and what looked like an unreasonable amount of ribbon.
Hyunjin quietly started sorting balloons by color on the dining table.
Jeongin and Élise carried folded tablecloths into the living room.
Within minutes...
The mansion had become wonderfully chaotic.
I picked up the stack of presents and started toward the stairs.
Halfway there...
Chris called after me.
"...Jisung."
I looked back.
"What?"
He smiled.
"One more thing."
"...Yeah?"
"If he catches you..."
He folded his arms.
"...Pretend you're terrible at lying."
I laughed.
"I don't have to pretend."
"Good."
"That'll make it more believable."
Still smiling, I continued upstairs.
The presents weren't actually very heavy.
But somehow...
They felt important.
I quietly pushed open our bedroom door.
Minho was still exactly where I'd left him.
One arm stretched across the empty side of the bed now.
Like he was still looking for me even in his sleep.
A tiny smile found its way onto my face.
"...You're going to make this impossible."
I whispered.
I carefully slid the presents into the back of the wardrobe, hiding them behind a stack of winter blankets.
Perfect.
Just as I closed the wardrobe door...
I heard a sleepy voice behind me.
"...Sung?"
I turned around so quickly I nearly jumped.
Minho blinked up at me from the bed.
Hair somehow even messier than before.
"...Morning."
He yawned.
"...Why're you standing in the wardrobe?"
For exactly one second...
My mind went completely blank.
"...I..."
I looked at the wardrobe.
Then back at him.
"...I was..."
Another pause.
"...Looking for..."
I glanced down at the hoodie I was already wearing.
"...A hoodie."
He looked at me.
Then at the hoodie.
Then back at me.
"...You're already wearing one."
...
"...I know."
Silence.
Minho stared at me for another second.
Then...
A sleepy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"...You're terrible at lying."
I buried my face in my hands.
"...I know."
He laughed quietly.
Not loudly.
Just enough that I could hear it from across the room.
"...Come here."
I looked up.
"...Why?"
"Because you're making that face."
"What face?"
"The one where you're convinced you've already been caught."
"...Maybe I have."
"You haven't."
I blinked.
"...I haven't?"
He shook his head.
"No."
"You've just definitely hidden something."
"...Oh."
He stretched one arm toward me from the bed.
"But..."
He smiled.
"...I'm choosing not to investigate."
"...Really?"
"Mhm."
"Why?"
He looked at me like the answer was obvious.
"Because I trust you."
The words settled quietly somewhere inside my chest.
"...Oh."
He laughed again.
"...You're doing it."
"What?"
"The thinking face."
"I don't have a thinking face."
"You absolutely do."
"...I disagree."
"I know."
"...You're still wrong."
"I probably am."
I walked back over to the bed.
The mattress dipped as I sat beside him.
Without really thinking...
He rested his head against my shoulder.
Still half asleep.
"...Warm."
I smiled.
"...You already said that."
"I know."
"I'm reminding you."
"Thank you."
"Mhm."
For a little while...
Neither of us said anything.
The room was peaceful.
Sunlight had started spilling across the end of the bed now, warming the blankets.
Minho let out another yawn.
"...What time is it?"
I checked my phone.
"...Seven thirty."
"...Too early."
"A little."
He closed his eyes again.
"...Wake me up in..."
He thought about it.
"...Five hours."
I laughed.
"...I don't think Chris would appreciate that."
"...Chris appreciates naps."
"He appreciates schedules."
"...That's unfortunate."
I gently nudged his shoulder.
"You've got plans today."
He cracked one eye open.
"...Do I?"
"Mhm."
"What kind of plans?"
I shrugged as casually as I could.
"I don't know."
He stared at me.
"...You're lying again."
"...Am I?"
"Mhm."
"...I'm getting better though."
He laughed softly.
"No."
"...You're really not."
I sighed dramatically.
"...Can you at least pretend?"
"I can pretend."
He smiled.
"...After today."
"...Traitor."
"I prefer honest."
"You literally just said you'd pretend."
"...Tomorrow."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"...You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
He stayed quiet for another minute.
Then...
Almost absentmindedly...
He reached for my hand.
Our fingers slipped together automatically.
"...Happy birthday."
I whispered.
He looked over.
"...Thank you."
There was something different about hearing him say it.
Not because it was the first time.
Because it was just...
Us.
No decorations.
No presents.
No one else around.
Just me wishing him a happy birthday while we sat on the edge of the bed.
For some reason...
I thought that might end up being one of my favorite moments of the whole day.
A soft knock interrupted the quiet.
Three quick taps.
Then Chris's voice.
"...Birthday boy."
He spoke just loudly enough to be heard through the door.
"...Are you awake?"
Minho looked toward the hallway.
"...Unfortunately."
"I heard that."
Chris replied immediately.
"...You've got thirty minutes."
Minho frowned.
"...Thirty minutes until what?"
A pause.
"...Until you find out."
Footsteps disappeared down the hallway.
Minho slowly looked back at me.
"...He's suspiciously cheerful."
"...Maybe he had good coffee."
He narrowed his eyes.
"...You're definitely involved."
I smiled as innocently as I could.
"...I have no idea what you're talking about."
He studied me for another second.
Then laughed.
"...You're adorable."
"...That's unrelated."
"It is to me."
Before I had the chance to answer...
He leaned over and stole one quick kiss.
Just one.
"...Good morning."
Heat immediately rushed to my face.
"...I already said good morning."
"I know."
"I wanted to say it properly."
I rolled my eyes, even though I couldn't stop smiling.
"...You're lucky it's your birthday."
He grinned.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
I laughed quietly, shaking my head.
"...Come on."
"We should probably get ready."
Minho let out one last dramatic sigh before finally climbing out of bed.
"I was enjoying doing absolutely nothing."
"I noticed."
"I had plans."
"Oh?"
"Mhm."
"What plans?"
He smiled sleepily.
"...Lying there."
"...Very productive."
"I thought so."
I couldn't stop smiling as I disappeared into the bathroom first.
By the time I came back out...
Minho was standing in front of the wardrobe with two hoodies.
Of course he was.
"...Help."
I laughed.
"...Again?"
"I don't know which one."
I walked over, looking between them.
"They're literally different shades of black."
"They're completely different."
"I don't think they are."
"They absolutely are."
I pointed at the one in his left hand.
"That one."
"You answered too quickly."
"I've learned."
"...Fair."
He pulled it over his head before glancing toward me.
"...Do I look alright?"
I smiled.
"...You always look alright."
His ears turned the faintest shade of pink.
"...Good answer."
"I know."
A few minutes later...
We finally headed downstairs together.
The moment we stepped into the hallway...
Something felt...
Off.
Not bad.
Just...
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
The first thing I noticed was Chris.
Standing completely still in the kitchen doorway.
Holding a mug.
Not drinking from it.
Just...
Watching us.
"...Morning."
Minho said.
"...Morning."
Chris answered a little too quickly.
"...Sleep well?"
"Mhm."
"...Good."
Silence.
Minho looked at me.
I immediately looked at the floor.
"...Okay..."
He frowned slightly.
"...That was weird."
"...A little."
We continued into the kitchen.
Changbin was sitting at the table.
Except...
He wasn't eating.
He was staring at his phone.
The second we walked in...
He shoved it into his pocket.
"...Morning."
"...Morning."
"...Nice hoodie."
Minho looked down.
"...Thanks?"
Another silence.
Felix burst through the back door carrying a grocery bag.
The second he saw Minho...
He froze.
"...OH."
Chris cleared his throat loudly.
Felix blinked.
"...Morning!"
"...Morning."
Minho looked between all three of them.
"...Is something going on?"
"No."
Three voices answered at exactly the same time.
He looked at me.
"...That sounded rehearsed."
"...A little."
Chris immediately changed the subject.
"...Coffee?"
"Mhm."
Minho nodded.
"Please."
Chris turned toward the coffee machine.
Except...
Instead of making coffee...
He somehow ended up standing there for several seconds.
Doing absolutely nothing.
"...Chris."
"Hm?"
"...The coffee."
"...Right."
He blinked.
"...Coffee."
He finally pressed the button.
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Really trying not to laugh.
Beside me...
Minho slowly folded his arms.
"...Why does it feel like everyone knows something I don't?"
Changbin immediately looked out the window.
"...Nice weather."
"It isn't."
"It could be."
Felix smiled much too brightly.
"...Did you sleep well?"
"You already asked that."
"...Did I?"
"Mhm."
"...Cool."
He immediately walked into the pantry.
Nobody knew why.
He came back out carrying...
A bag of flour.
He looked at it.
"...This isn't what I wanted."
Chris pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...Felix."
"What?"
"...Go sit down."
"...Okay."
He walked away with the flour anyway.
I could feel my shoulders shaking.
Minho slowly leaned closer to me.
"...Sung."
"Hm?"
"...Why are you trying so hard not to laugh?"
I looked at him.
"...I'm not."
"...You're literally biting your cheek."
"...It's..."
I searched desperately for an excuse.
"...A habit."
He narrowed his eyes.
"...You're hiding something too."
I smiled as innocently as I could.
"...Maybe."
"...Traitor."
"I've heard that before."
He sighed dramatically.
"I liked you better yesterday."
"No, you didn't."
"...You're right."
"I liked you this morning."
Heat immediately rushed into my face.
"...That's unfair."
"I know."
He accepted the mug Chris finally handed him.
"...You're all terrible."
Chris looked genuinely offended.
"I think we've done very well."
Right on cue...
A loud crash echoed from somewhere upstairs.
Everyone froze.
Changbin slowly closed his eyes.
"...Felix."
Felix looked up from the table.
"...That wasn't me."
Another crash.
Then Hyunjin's voice drifted down from upstairs.
"FELIX!"
Felix immediately stood.
"...Okay."
"That one might've been my fault."
He sprinted toward the staircase before anyone could stop him.
Minho watched him disappear.
Then slowly looked around the kitchen.
Finally...
His eyes landed on me.
"I'm giving it another ten minutes."
"Then?"
"...Then I'm investigating."
I smiled.
"...Good luck."
He raised an eyebrow.
"...You're enjoying this."
"...Maybe a little."
"I knew it."
He took another sip of his coffee.
Then looked directly at Chris.
"...Question."
Chris immediately looked nervous.
"...Maybe."
"...That's not how questions work."
"I know."
"...Ask anyway."
Minho leaned casually against the kitchen counter.
"...Why did Felix just run upstairs carrying flour?"
Silence.
Chris blinked once.
"...Baking?"
"...With flour?"
"...Generally."
"...Upstairs?"
Another pause.
"...Experimental baking."
I had to look away.
Immediately.
If I looked at either of them for another second...
I was going to start laughing.
Minho slowly turned toward me.
"...Sung."
"Hm?"
"...You're smiling."
"...Am I?"
"Mhm."
"...Maybe I'm just happy."
"...You're definitely hiding something."
"I've been accused of that."
"You've also been found guilty."
"...Fair."
He smiled despite himself.
"You know..."
He folded his arms.
"...I could just go upstairs."
Every head in the kitchen snapped toward him.
"...No."
Chris answered immediately.
"...Why not?"
"...Because."
"...Because why?"
Chris looked around for help.
Nobody helped.
"...It's..."
He pointed vaguely toward the staircase.
"...Dirty."
Minho looked genuinely confused.
"...Upstairs is dirty?"
"Mhm."
"...The entire upstairs?"
"...Very dirty."
"...How?"
Chris opened his mouth.
Closed it again.
"...Dust."
"...Dust."
"Mhm."
"...Everywhere."
Minho slowly nodded.
"...Interesting."
He looked at me.
"...Do you believe him?"
I smiled as innocently as I could.
"...Not even a little."
Chris sighed dramatically.
"...Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Changbin wandered back into the kitchen carrying a roll of tape.
He froze the second he saw everyone staring at him.
"...Why's everybody looking at me?"
Chris pointed.
"...Tape."
Changbin looked down.
"...Oh."
He immediately hid it behind his back.
"...This?"
"...Yes."
"...It's..."
He thought for a second.
"...Mine."
Minho blinked.
"...Congratulations?"
"...Thanks."
Another silence.
Changbin slowly backed out of the kitchen.
"...I'm gonna..."
He pointed vaguely toward the hallway.
"...Go."
"...Good idea."
Chris muttered.
The second Changbin disappeared around the corner...
A loud whisper echoed from the hallway.
"...Chris!"
"What?"
"...I forgot the scissors!"
Minho looked toward the doorway.
Then very slowly back at me.
"...They're decorating something."
Nobody answered.
"...Right?"
Chris smiled.
"Maybe..."
"For what?"
"Can't tell you."
"You literally know."
"I do."
"And?"
"I'm choosing happiness."
I finally laughed.
I couldn't help it anymore.
The sound escaped before I had a chance to stop it.
Minho immediately looked at me.
He smiled.
"...You're impossible."
"I learned from the best."
He narrowed his eyes playfully.
"...You keep using that line."
"It keeps working."
He shook his head, laughing under his breath.
"...Okay."
He set his mug down.
"I've decided."
"Oh?"
"I'm going upstairs."
Chris immediately stood.
"...No."
"...Chris."
"No."
"...You're making me more curious."
"I know."
"...Which means it's working."
"It absolutely isn't."
"It kind of is."
He took exactly one step toward the hallway.
Chris matched him.
One step.
Minho stepped to the left.
Chris stepped to the left.
Minho stepped to the right.
Chris stepped to the right.
They both stopped.
I stared at them.
"...Are you two dancing?"
Felix suddenly appeared halfway down the stairs.
"...Chris!"
He froze.
"...Why are you standing like that?"
Chris didn't even look away from Minho.
"...Go back upstairs."
"...Why?"
"...Because you're making this harder."
Felix blinked.
"...Oh."
He slowly disappeared again.
"...Sorry."
Minho watched him leave.
Then looked back at Chris.
"...You know..."
"What?"
"...I think today might be my birthday."
Chris sighed.
"...What gave it away?"
"The balloons I saw reflected in the microwave."
The entire kitchen went silent.
I stared at him.
"...You what?"
He pointed toward the microwave.
"...Right there."
I turned around.
Sure enough...
In the reflection...
A tiny corner of a blue balloon was visible from the living room.
Chris slowly closed his eyes.
"...I'm firing all of you."
Changbin's voice drifted in from the hallway.
"...That's fair."
Felix popped his head back around the corner.
"...Does this mean he knows?"
Chris let out the deepest sigh I'd heard all morning.
He looked at Minho.
Then at the rest of us.
Finally...
He smiled.
"...Alright."
"I think we've tortured him enough."
He looked directly at Minho.
"...Close your eyes."
Minho grinned immediately.
"...Now?"
"...Now."
He glanced at me.
"...Can I trust you?"
I stepped closer.
Without thinking...
I reached for his hand.
"...Yeah."
I smiled.
"...You can trust me."
He looked at me for one quiet second.
Then...
Without another question...
He closed his eyes.
"...Happy?"
Chris looked around the room.
"...Almost."
He pointed toward everyone else.
"Positions."
Immediately...
The mansion exploded into quiet chaos again.
Felix sprinted toward the living room.
"Hyunjin!"
"I'm already here."
"No, like..."
He waved his arms dramatically.
"...Stand prettier."
"...Stand prettier?"
"You know what I mean."
"I really don't."
Changbin hurried past carrying the last roll of streamers.
Chris quietly fixed one of the balloons that had started drifting toward the hallway.
Jeongin disappeared for a second before returning with the birthday cake.
Élise carefully lit the candles one by one.
I watched all of it happen while Minho stood patiently beside me.
Eyes still closed.
His hand still resting in mine.
"...Are you peeking?"
Felix called dramatically.
"No."
"...Promise?"
"I promise."
"...He's smiling."
Hyunjin pointed out.
"I can hear all of you."
Minho replied.
"...You're really bad at whispering."
Felix looked genuinely offended.
"I've been whispering all morning."
"You've been whispering loudly."
"...That's still whispering."
Chris clapped once.
"...Alright."
"Ready."
The room suddenly became still.
Chris looked at me.
Then nodded.
"...Go ahead."
I took a slow breath.
Then gently squeezed Minho's hand.
"...Come on."
He followed without hesitation.
One careful step.
Then another.
"...Am I going to trip?"
"No."
"...Positive?"
"Mhm."
"...You're smiling."
"How do you know?"
"I can feel it."
"And that usually means trouble."
"...Not this time."
I couldn't stop smiling.
We walked slowly into the living room.
The closer we got...
The harder it became to keep the grin off my face.
I stopped.
"...Okay."
He tilted his head slightly.
"...Am I there?"
"Mhm."
"...Can I look?"
I glanced around the room one last time.
Chris gave me a tiny nod.
Felix looked like he was physically vibrating.
Changbin had somehow already started smiling before anything had even happened.
Hyunjin quietly folded his arms.
Jeongin slipped an arm around Élise's shoulders.
Everyone was watching.
Waiting.
I looked back at Minho.
"...Yeah."
"You can look."
He opened his eyes.
For a second...
Nothing happened.
He just...
Looked.
His eyes slowly moved across the room.
The balloons.
The streamers.
The banner stretched across the wall.
The fairy lights.
The presents piled neatly beneath the coffee table.
Then...
The photographs.
His smile slowly disappeared.
Not because he didn't like it.
Because...
He was trying very hard not to cry.
He stepped forward without saying anything.
One photograph.
Then another.
Graduation.
The picnic.
Movie nights.
The aquarium.
His birthday dinner from last year.
Changbin asleep on the couch.
Chris making pancakes.
Felix laughing so hard he couldn't stand up.
A picture of Hyunjin painting by a lake.
One of Jeongin and Élise smiling at each other when they thought nobody was looking.
Another of me...
Curled up asleep against his shoulder during movie night.
"...You guys..."
His voice barely came out.
Nobody interrupted.
Nobody rushed him.
He slowly reached out, touching one of the photographs with the tips of his fingers.
"...When did you even..."
Chris smiled quietly.
"...Over the last few months."
Felix nodded enthusiastically.
"We've all been secretly taking pictures."
"...Mostly Felix."
Hyunjin added.
"...He has like six thousand."
"I like memories."
Felix defended.
Minho laughed once.
Quietly.
Then looked toward the presents.
Then at everyone standing around him.
Finally...
His eyes found me.
I hadn't moved.
I was still standing exactly where I'd let go of his hand.
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then smiled.
"...You knew."
I laughed softly.
"...I did."
"...You liar."
"I learned from the best."
That made him laugh properly.
The kind of laugh that reached his eyes.
He walked back over until he was standing right in front of me.
"...Come here."
I didn't hesitate.
The moment I stepped closer...
He wrapped both arms around me.
Not tightly.
Just...
Warmly.
Comfortably.
"...Thank you."
He whispered it quietly enough that I wasn't sure anyone else heard.
"...Happy birthday."
I whispered back.
For another few seconds...
Neither of us moved.
Then...
Felix loudly sniffled.
Chris didn't even have to look.
"...Don't."
"I'm appreciating."
"With tears?"
"...Maybe."
Changbin immediately pointed toward him.
"I told you he'd cry first."
"I did not cry first."
"You literally just sniffled."
"...Emotionally."
The room dissolved into laughter.
Even Minho laughed against my shoulder.
And somehow...
That sounded like the perfect way to begin his birthday.
Felix dramatically wiped beneath one eye.
"...Okay."
He pointed toward the coffee table.
"Before anyone cries again..."
He carefully picked up the birthday cake.
"...Cake."
Almost immediately, everyone started moving again.
Chris dimmed the lights in the living room.
Hyunjin carried the cake to the middle of the coffee table.
Élise carefully straightened one of the candles that had started leaning sideways.
"...There."
Felix looked at it.
"...Beautiful."
Changbin frowned.
"...It's literally a candle."
"It's an emotional candle."
"I don't think that's a thing."
"It is today."
I laughed quietly.
The cake itself wasn't overly fancy.
A simple round chocolate cake with slightly uneven frosting.
Like it had been made by people who cared more about the moment than perfection.
A thin ring of blue icing circled the edges, a little messy in places where the piping had wavered.
Twenty-three tiny candles were scattered across the top, some leaning slightly, some too close together.
All of them clearly placed with enthusiasm rather than precision.
It looked warm.
Homemade.
Lived-in.
Like us.
"...Who's lighting all of those?"
Chris asked.
"I already did."
Élise smiled.
"I counted twice."
Felix immediately leaned over the cake.
"...Can I eat it now?"
"You'll burn your eyebrows off."
Chris replied.
"...Again."
Felix looked offended.
"That happened one time."
"It happened."
"...They're fine now."
"They're still uneven."
Felix instinctively reached up to touch them.
"...Rude."
I couldn't stop smiling.
Minho stood beside me, still looking a little overwhelmed.
He leaned over just enough that only I could hear him.
"...This is a lot."
I glanced at him.
"...Too much?"
He immediately shook his head.
"No."
He smiled softly.
"...Just..."
"I wasn't expecting any of it."
Something warm settled in my chest.
"...Good."
He looked at me.
"...You helped."
"...Maybe."
"You definitely did."
Before I could answer...
Chris clapped once.
"Alright."
"Everybody."
He looked around the room.
"I know none of us can sing."
Changbin nodded seriously.
"That's true."
"So..."
Chris pointed toward Minho.
"...Let's make this quick."
Felix gasped dramatically.
"That is so rude."
"I'm realistic."
Hyunjin smiled.
"I support realism."
Felix looked personally betrayed.
"...I thought we were friends."
"We are."
"I just also value everyone's hearing."
That earned another round of laughter.
Chris looked around once more.
"...Ready?"
Everyone nodded.
Then...
Eight voices filled the living room.
Completely off-key.
Half of us were too fast.
The other half were too slow.
Felix somehow added unnecessary harmonies.
Changbin forgot the words halfway through.
Hyunjin quietly laughed during the second line.
Chris sighed while singing.
Jeongin looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh.
Élise smiled through the entire song.
I don't think any of us had ever sounded worse.
When we finally reached the end-
"...Happy birthday to you!"
The room fell quiet.
Every pair of eyes landed on Minho.
He looked around at all of us.
Then down at the candles.
He laughed quietly, shaking his head.
"...What?"
Chris asked.
"I was just thinking..."
He smiled.
"...You all sound terrible."
Felix pointed dramatically.
"Don't change the subject."
"...Make a wish."
Minho looked back at the cake.
His smile softened.
For a few seconds...
He didn't move.
I watched him quietly.
Felix muttered.
Minho leaned forward.
Took one slow breath.
Then blew out every candle.
The room immediately erupted into applause.
Felix cheered loud enough to startle all of us.
Changbin threw both hands into the air.
Chris smiled.
Hyunjin laughed.
Jeongin clapped.
Élise smiled so brightly I couldn't help smiling back.
I looked at Minho.
"...What'd you wish for?"
He turned toward me.
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"...If I tell you..."
I laughed before he even finished.
"...It won't come true."
"Mhm."
"...I know."
He nudged my shoulder gently.
"...Maybe one day."
"...Maybe."
For a second...
Neither of us looked away.
Then...
Felix clapped his hands so loudly that all of us jumped.
"...PRESENTS!"
He pointed dramatically toward the mountain of wrapped boxes.
"I have been patient."
Chris raised an eyebrow.
"...You've been talking for the last twenty minutes."
"I've been patiently talking."
"...That's not better."
Felix ignored him completely.
He looked at Minho.
"...Birthday boy."
He grinned.
"...Go sit on the floor."
I laughed as Minho looked down at the pile of presents.
Then back at the rest of us.
"...How many are there?"
Changbin smiled innocently.
"...Enough."
Minho looked at the pile again.
Then back at all of us.
"...I'm suddenly a little scared."
"You should be."
Felix answered immediately.
"I've been waiting for this part all morning."
"I noticed."
Chris stepped forward first, picking up a neatly wrapped box from the coffee table.
"...We'll go one at a time."
He held it out toward Minho.
"This one's from me."
Minho accepted it with both hands.
"...Thanks."
"Don't thank me yet."
"I might've wrapped a brick."
"I don't think you did."
"You don't know that."
A smile tugged at the corner of Minho's mouth.
"...Fair."
He carefully peeled the paper back.
Chris had somehow managed to wrap it perfectly.
Every piece of tape was straight.
Every fold was sharp.
"...Of course."
Changbin muttered.
"He wraps presents like they're legal documents."
"I like neat corners."
Chris replied simply.
A small black box appeared beneath the paper.
Minho opened it.
For a second...
He just looked.
Then he laughed quietly.
"...Chris."
Nestled inside the box rested a silver watch.
Simple.
Elegant.
Nothing flashy.
Exactly the kind of thing Minho would wear every day.
He carefully lifted it out.
Turning it over once in his hands.
"...This is really nice."
Chris rubbed the back of his neck.
"I figured..."
He shrugged.
"...You're always running around taking care of everyone else."
"Thought maybe someone should make sure you knew what time it was."
Changbin immediately pointed at him.
"...He spent twenty minutes practicing that line."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
"I came up with it yesterday."
"...Which means you practiced it yesterday."
The room laughed.
Chris sighed dramatically.
"...The point is..."
He looked back at Minho.
"...Happy birthday."
Minho smiled.
"...Thank you."
Without another word, he stood.
Walked over.
And hugged Chris.
Not a quick hug.
A real one.
Chris looked surprised for exactly half a second before returning it.
"...You're welcome, kid."
When they stepped apart again...
Minho was already fastening the watch around his wrist.
He looked down at it.
Turned it once beneath the light.
"...It fits."
"I measured one of your old watches."
Chris admitted.
Minho blinked.
"...You what?"
"I borrowed it."
"...When?"
"You leave things lying around."
"...I don't."
"You absolutely do."
Felix nodded enthusiastically.
"I've tripped over your shoes like six times."
"I don't believe that."
"I've emotionally tripped."
"...That doesn't count."
"It does to me."
I laughed quietly, watching Minho glance down at the watch again.
He smiled to himself.
Not the kind of smile people put on because they know they're supposed to.
The small one.
The one that only happened when something genuinely meant a lot to him.
He looked back up at Chris.
"...I'm actually going to wear this."
Chris folded his arms.
"...Good."
"Because I kept the receipt."
"...Chris."
"What?"
"I was joking."
"I wasn't."
The room dissolved into laughter again.
Felix immediately reached for another present.
"...Okay."
"My turn to hand things over."
Chris sighed.
"...Here we go."
Felix ignored him completely, placing another brightly wrapped box into Minho's lap.
"This one's from Changbin."
Changbin grinned proudly.
"...Open it."
Minho smiled.
"...Yes, sir."
Changbin folded his arms proudly.
"I like the sound of that."
"You've liked it for years."
Chris muttered.
Minho carefully tore the wrapping paper open.
Inside...
A long rectangular shoe box.
He looked up.
"...Shoes?"
"Running shoes."
Changbin corrected immediately.
"The good ones."
Minho lifted the lid.
A pair of sleek black running shoes rested inside.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Exactly his style.
He stared at them for a second before gently picking one up.
"...Changbin."
"I know yours are getting worn out."
Changbin shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.
"You've had them forever."
"I looked up reviews."
"I asked people."
"I watched, like..."
He looked toward Hyunjin.
"...Nine videos."
"Twelve."
Hyunjin corrected.
"You watched twelve."
"...Right."
"Twelve."
Minho laughed.
"You actually researched shoes for me?"
"I wasn't about to buy bad ones."
"They're supposed to be really good for long runs."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"...I even checked your size."
"...How?"
"You leave your shoes everywhere."
"I do not."
"You absolutely do."
Felix nodded dramatically.
"I've almost died twice."
"It was one shoe."
"Still doesn't change the fact."
The room laughed.
Minho looked back down at the shoes.
He ran his thumb lightly across the side before smiling.
"...Thank you."
Changbin grinned.
"No problem."
"But..."
He pointed toward the box.
"You have to actually use them."
"I will."
"You better."
"I said I will."
"I'll know if you don't."
"...How?"
"I'll feel it."
Chris sighed.
"...Please stop pretending you're psychic."
"I've got instincts."
"You've got delusions."
Minho stood up, shoes still in his hands.
Without saying anything...
He wrapped Changbin in a quick hug.
Changbin froze for half a second.
Then awkwardly patted his back.
"...You're welcome."
When Minho sat back down again...
Felix was already bouncing where he sat.
"My turn."
Chris looked exhausted.
"...You've been waiting to say that."
"I have."
"I've rehearsed it."
"...We know."
Felix carefully placed a flat, square package into Minho's lap.
"This one..."
He smiled.
"...Took forever."
Minho looked down at it curiously.
It wasn't very heavy.
Just...
Surprisingly sturdy.
He slowly peeled away the wrapping paper.
A dark blue scrapbook.
Simple white lettering across the front.
Memories
He looked up.
"...Felix."
"Open it."
I watched Felix's hands fidget together while Minho lifted the cover.
The first page held a single photograph.
The day they'd moved into the mansion together.
Before me, since I came later.
Underneath it, in Felix's handwriting:
The beginning.
Minho smiled.
He turned the page.
Movie nights.
Picnics.
Birthday dinners.
Graduation.
The aquarium.
Jeongin and Élise's first double date.
A picture of Changbin asleep on the couch with three different blankets somehow draped over him.
Chris cooking breakfast.
Hyunjin painting outside.
Me...
Curled up asleep against Minho's shoulder.
Every page had little captions.
Some funny.
Some completely ridiculous.
Chris pretending he isn't everyone's dad.
Changbin claiming cereal counts as meal prep.
Hyunjin saying "don't move" for the 47th time.
Felix definitely didn't burn these brownies.
Minho laughed softly as he turned another page.
Then another.
About halfway through...
The captions became shorter.
The pictures became quieter.
One showed all of us sitting around the fire at the lake.
Another...
The group photo from my birthday.
The last page held only one picture.
All nine of us.
Standing outside the mansion.
Nobody looking at the camera.
Everyone talking to someone else.
Smiling.
Underneath...
Only three words.
Home looks different.
The room had gone completely quiet.
Minho stared at the page for a long time.
Long enough that nobody interrupted him.
Finally...
He closed the scrapbook carefully.
"...You made this?"
Felix nodded.
"...Every page."
"...When?"
"I've been working on it for months."
"I kept stealing photos from everyone's phones."
Chris smiled.
"...He stole mine more than anyone."
"You had the best pictures."
"I had the most organized folders."
"Exactly."
Minho laughed quietly.
Then looked back down at the scrapbook resting in his lap.
"This..."
He shook his head.
"...This is incredible."
Felix's face lit up.
"...You like it?"
"I love it."
Without another word...
He stood.
Walked over.
And hugged Felix so tightly that Felix actually squeaked.
"...Okay."
Felix laughed.
"...I can't breathe."
"You'll survive."
"I probably will."
When they finally stepped apart...
Felix looked suspiciously close to crying.
Chris immediately noticed.
"...You're doing it again."
"I'm appreciating."
"...With tears?"
"...Maybe, a little."
The room dissolved into laughter once more.
Even Minho laughed as he carefully set the scrapbook beside him.
I noticed something then.
He didn't stack it with the other presents.
He placed it separately.
Carefully.
Like he'd already decided it wasn't going back into its box.
Minho carefully rested the scrapbook beside him.
Not on the pile.
Beside it.
Like it already belonged somewhere special.
Felix noticed immediately.
His smile somehow grew even wider.
"...Okay."
He sniffled dramatically one last time.
"...I'm done crying."
Chris raised an eyebrow.
"...For now."
Hyunjin quietly reached for the next present.
Unlike Felix...
He didn't make a big announcement.
He simply held it out.
"...Happy birthday."
Minho accepted it with a smile.
"...Thanks."
The wrapping paper came away neatly.
Inside...
A flat canvas wrapped in protective paper.
Minho looked at Hyunjin.
"...You painted something."
"I did."
He carefully peeled the paper back.
For a second...
Nobody spoke.
It was him.
Not posed.
Not looking at the camera.
Standing on the dock at the lake.
Hands resting in his pockets.
Looking out over the water while the sunset reflected across the surface.
The colors were soft.
Warm.
Almost glowing.
It looked...
Peaceful.
"...Hyun."
Minho barely whispered it.
"I don't even remember you taking a reference picture."
Hyunjin smiled faintly.
"I didn't."
"I remembered it."
Silence settled over the room.
"...It's beautiful."
Minho said quietly.
"...Thank you."
Hyunjin simply nodded.
"I'm glad."
Seungmin was already sliding the next gift across the floor.
"...Mine's less impressive."
"I doubt that."
Minho smiled.
He opened the small box.
Inside rested a dark brown leather notebook.
The cover completely blank.
No design.
No title.
Just smooth leather.
Minho ran his thumb lightly across it.
"...This feels expensive."
"It wasn't."
Seungmin replied.
"But..."
He shrugged.
"I thought you'd eventually fill one."
"With what?"
"I don't know."
He smiled.
"You've got enough thoughts."
"You just never write any of them down."
Minho laughed quietly.
"...Fair."
He stood again, giving Seungmin a quick hug.
"...Thanks."
"No problem."
Jeongin looked over at Élise before reaching for the final gift.
"...This one's from both of us."
Élise smiled.
"We weren't sure which color you'd like."
"So..."
"We guessed."
Minho laughed.
"...That sounds dangerous."
"It usually is."
Jeongin admitted.
Inside the box...
Folded neatly...
Was a cream-colored knit sweater.
Underneath it, a dark navy overshirt.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Exactly the kind of clothes Minho reached for without thinking.
He held the sweater up.
"...This is nice."
Élise smiled.
"I noticed you wear neutral colors a lot."
"So..."
"I hoped it'd fit."
"It will."
He smiled warmly.
"...Thank you."
The two of them stood just long enough for Minho to hug them both before settling back onto the rug.
For a moment...
Nobody said anything.
The pile of presents had disappeared.
Only one gift remained.
A small black box.
Resting quietly in front of me.
I looked down at it.
Then at the folded letter sitting beside it.
My stomach suddenly felt a little tighter.
Not from nerves exactly.
Just...
From wanting him to like it.
I picked them both up carefully.
The room seemed to grow just a little quieter.
Minho looked at me.
His smile softened immediately.
"...These are from you."
I nodded.
"...Yeah."
For the first time all morning...
I felt nervous.
Really nervous.
I held them out toward him.
"...Happy birthday, Min."
For a second...
Neither of us moved.
He looked from me...
To the small black box resting in my hands.
Then back to me again.
"...You're making me nervous."
I laughed quietly.
"...I'm pretty sure I'm more nervous."
"You?"
"Mhm."
"...Why?"
I looked down at the box.
"...Because I really hope you like it."
His expression softened immediately.
"...Sung."
He reached over, gently taking the little box from my hands.
"I already do."
"...You haven't even opened it."
"I know."
He smiled.
"...But it came from you."
I looked away before anyone noticed how warm my face had suddenly become.
"...Open it."
He nodded once.
Carefully...
He lifted the lid.
Inside, resting against the dark velvet...
Was a simple silver ring.
No gemstones.
No elaborate design.
Just polished silver.
Elegant.
Timeless.
For a second...
He simply stared at it.
"...Can I?"
I nodded.
"It's your gift."
He carefully lifted it out.
Turning it over between his fingers.
Then...
His thumb stopped.
"...There's something inside."
He looked up at me.
"You noticed."
"I noticed."
He smiled softly before tilting the ring toward the light.
Tiny letters had been engraved along the inside.
J♡M
The room fell completely silent.
Minho looked at the engraving for what felt like forever.
His thumb slowly traced over the tiny heart.
"...Sung."
His voice barely came out.
"I..."
He laughed quietly.
"...I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to."
He looked back down at the ring again.
"...You had this made?"
I nodded.
"I wanted..."
I hesitated.
"...Something that was just ours."
His eyes met mine.
"It is."
Another quiet settled over the room.
Then...
He looked down at his hand.
"...Which finger?"
Felix immediately raised his hand.
"I vote index finger."
"No one asked."
Seungmin replied.
Changbin leaned forward.
"Ring finger."
Chris looked at him.
"...Let's maybe not confuse people."
"I was thinking fashion."
"Mhm."
"I absolutely was."
Hyunjin smiled.
"I think wherever he wants."
Minho looked back at me.
"...Help?"
I blinked.
"...Me?"
"Mhm."
"I trust your judgment."
Carefully...
I took the ring from his hand.
For a second...
I just looked at it.
The tiny engraving caught the light again.
J♡M.
I smiled to myself.
Then...
Very gently...
I slipped it onto the ring finger of his right hand.
It fit perfectly.
Almost like it'd always belonged there.
I looked up.
"...How's that?"
He lifted his hand.
Turned it once beneath the light.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"...Perfect."
He couldn't stop looking at it.
Neither could I.
"...I don't think I'm ever taking it off."
Something inside my chest softened.
"...Good."
Without another word...
He stood.
Walked over to me.
And wrapped both arms around me.
"...Thank you."
He whispered it quietly enough that I wasn't sure anyone else heard.
I smiled against his shoulder.
"...You're welcome."
When we finally stepped apart...
He looked back down at the ring again.
Almost absentmindedly turning it with his thumb.
Like he still couldn't quite believe it was there.
Felix suddenly made the tiniest squeaking noise.
Chris didn't even have to look.
"...You're crying again."
"Let me appreciate."
The room laughed softly.
Even Minho.
He shook his head before looking back at me.
"...There was something else?"
I nodded.
"...Yeah."
I reached over, picking up the folded envelope I'd kept beside me the whole time.
Unlike the ring...
This one suddenly felt much heavier.
I held it out toward him.
"...This is the other part."
His smile softened the moment he saw my handwriting on the front.
He accepted it carefully.
Almost reverently.
"...Can I read it now?"
I swallowed.
"...Yeah."
The room...
Somehow became even quieter.
Minho accepted the envelope carefully.
His thumb brushed over my handwriting for just a second before he looked back up at me.
He unfolded the letter slowly.
I watched his eyes move to the first line.
For a second...
I almost asked him not to read it.
It suddenly felt...
Embarrassing.
Like I'd accidentally handed him every thought I'd ever been too afraid to say out loud.
Instead...
I took a slow breath.
Dear Min,
I don't really know how to start this.
I've rewritten this letter more times than I want to admit.
Every version sounded too dramatic.
Or not dramatic enough.
Or just...
Wrong.
So I'm going to stop trying to make it perfect.
Because I think you've taught me that things don't have to be perfect to matter.
I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough.
Not really.
People always say "thank you" when someone holds the door open.
Or buys them dinner.
Or remembers their birthday.
None of those words feel big enough for what you've done for me.
You found me when I thought nobody would.
You stayed when I kept expecting you to leave.
You never asked me to become someone different before you decided I was worth loving.
You just...
Loved me anyway.
I don't think you realize how much that changed me.
Sometimes I still catch myself waiting for something to go wrong.
I still apologize too much.
I still say I'm fine when I'm not.
But now...
I also catch myself smiling for no reason.
I laugh without thinking.
I sleep better when you're beside me.
I finally know what home feels like.
It isn't a place anymore.
It's you.
Thank you for every grocery trip.
Every movie night.
Every forehead kiss.
Every time you sat beside me when I couldn't find the words.
Every time you waited until I was ready instead of rushing me.
Thank you for never making me feel like I was too much.
Or too broken.
Or too difficult to love.
Thank you for holding my hand in hospital waiting rooms.
For making me laugh when everything felt impossible.
For reminding me that I don't have to carry everything by myself anymore.
I know life hasn't exactly made things easy for us lately.
If anything...
It feels like every time we finally catch our breath, something else happens.
But if I had to go through every difficult day again...
As long as I knew I'd meet you at the end of it...
I still would.
Because every bad day somehow became easier once you were part of it.
I hope one day I can give you even half of what you've given me.
I hope I spend the rest of my life making you feel as safe, loved, and appreciated as you've made me feel.
I don't know what tomorrow looks like.
I don't think either of us does.
But...
I do know one thing.
If you're there...
I don't think tomorrow feels quite so frightening anymore.
Happy birthday, Min.
Thank you...
For saving my life in more ways than you'll probably ever understand.
I love you.
Always.
Love,
Jisung
When the last words settled into silence...
I couldn't bring myself to look up.
I stared at my hands instead.
They felt safer somehow.
Less terrifying than seeing his reaction.
For a few long seconds...
The only sound in the room was the quiet rustle of paper as Minho folded the letter closed.
Nobody else spoke.
Nobody even moved.
The entire room seemed to understand that this moment belonged to him.
I still couldn't look up.
I wasn't sure I wanted to.
What if it was too much?
What if I'd said the wrong thing?
What if-
The letter rustled softly.
Then...
Footsteps.
Slow.
Unhurried.
They stopped right in front of me.
I finally looked up.
Minho was already looking at me.
His eyes were red.
Not from crying.
Not completely.
But...
He'd definitely been trying very hard not to.
The folded letter was still clutched carefully in one hand.
The ring caught the light as he reached the other toward me.
"...Come here."
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
I didn't think.
I just stood.
The moment I did...
He pulled me into him.
Not quickly.
Not tightly enough to hurt.
Just...
Like he needed to know I was really there.
I buried my face against his shoulder automatically.
For a long moment...
Neither of us spoke.
I could feel his heartbeat.
A little faster than usual.
His hand rested against the back of my head.
Holding me gently.
Safely.
"...You're unbelievable."
His voice sounded rough.
I laughed quietly against his hoodie.
"...That's not the first time you've said that."
"I know."
A tiny laugh escaped him too.
Then...
Very softly...
"...Nobody's ever written me something like that before."
My throat tightened.
"...Really?"
He shook his head.
"...Never."
I felt his arms tighten just a little.
"I don't even think..."
He stopped to laugh quietly at himself.
"...I don't think anyone's ever told me half of those things."
I pulled back just enough to look at him.
"...I should've said them sooner."
His eyebrows lifted immediately.
"No."
"No?"
He smiled.
"You said them exactly when you were ready."
Something about those words made my chest ache.
"...You always know what to say."
"I really don't."
"You do."
"I panic most of the time."
I laughed.
"...You hide it well."
"I've had practice."
For another few seconds...
We simply looked at each other.
The room around us had completely disappeared.
Then...
Very gently...
He lifted the folded letter.
"...I'm keeping this."
I smiled.
"...I was hoping you would."
"I'm putting it somewhere safe."
"...Good."
"I'm also probably reading it another hundred times."
Heat rushed into my face.
"...Min."
"What?"
"...Don't."
"I absolutely will."
"...That's embarrassing."
He smiled.
"I know."
"I don't care."
I rolled my eyes.
"...You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
Then...
Without saying another word...
He leaned forward.
His forehead rested lightly against mine.
A quiet smile spread across his face.
"...Thank you."
He whispered it so softly that I almost missed it.
"...For loving me."
My heart completely melted.
I smiled back.
"...Always."
Silence settled over us again.
Comfortable.
Warm.
Until-
Felix sniffled.
Very loudly.
Neither of us moved.
Another sniffle.
Even louder.
Chris sighed without even looking over.
"...Felix."
"I'm trying."
"...No you're not."
"I really am."
"You've been crying since the scrapbook."
"I've been appreciating since the scrapbook."
"...That's not better."
Felix wiped dramatically beneath both eyes.
"...They're just..."
He looked between me and Minho.
"...You guys are really in love."
The room dissolved into soft laughter.
Even Minho laughed, shaking his head before slipping the folded letter carefully into the inside pocket of his hoodie.
Like it was the most valuable thing he'd ever owned.
And somehow...
I thought maybe it was.
For another few quiet seconds...
Nobody really moved.
I don't think anyone wanted to be the first person to ruin the moment.
Eventually...
Chris cleared his throat.
"...Alright."
Every head turned toward him.
He looked at Minho.
"...I know we've all become emotional disasters."
"But..."
He pointed toward the birthday cake still sitting untouched on the coffee table.
"...If we don't eat that soon..."
He glanced toward Felix.
"...Somebody's going to start stealing frosting."
Felix looked genuinely offended.
"I would never."
Silence.
"...Without permission."
The room burst into laughter.
Even Minho laughed properly this time.
The kind that reached his eyes.
I smiled to myself.
Chris picked up the cake knife.
"...Birthday boy."
He held it out.
"Do the honors."
Minho accepted it with one hand.
The other never strayed very far from the ring.
I noticed him turning it absentmindedly again.
Like he still couldn't quite believe it was there.
"...Can I make one request?"
He asked.
Changbin immediately looked suspicious.
"...Depends."
"I want everyone in the picture."
Felix blinked.
"...What picture?"
Minho looked toward the Polaroid sitting on the coffee table.
"The next one."
He smiled.
"After cake."
Élise immediately nodded.
"I like that idea."
"So do I."
Hyunjin added quietly.
Chris smiled.
"...Done."
Minho looked around the room once.
Then carefully cut the first slice.
Instead of putting it onto his own plate...
He turned toward me.
"...Here."
I blinked.
"...What?"
"The first piece."
"...Shouldn't birthday people get the first piece?"
He shrugged.
"I want you to have it."
Heat crept into my face.
"...Min."
"What?"
"It's your birthday."
"I know."
"I've been reminded all morning."
The room laughed softly.
I looked down at the slice.
Then back at him.
"...Okay."
I accepted it carefully.
"...Thank you."
He smiled.
"...You're welcome."
Changbin immediately reached toward the cake.
Chris lightly slapped his hand away.
"...Wait."
"What?"
"The birthday boy hasn't even served himself yet."
"I was helping."
"You were stealing."
"I was pre-stealing."
"...That's somehow worse."
Felix quietly leaned toward me while everyone else became distracted.
"...He's worn the ring the whole five minutes."
I looked over.
Sure enough...
Minho was absentmindedly running his thumb across the silver band again.
Like he couldn't stop touching it.
I smiled.
"...I noticed."
Felix grinned.
"I don't think he's taking that thing off."
"I don't think so either."
Across the room, Changbin somehow managed to sneak a fingertip into the frosting anyway.
Chris looked over at exactly the wrong moment.
"...Changbin."
"...What?"
"You have frosting on your finger."
He looked down.
"...You can't accuse me."
"There is nothing else with frosting besides the cake."
"...Fair."
The room dissolved into laughter again.
The heavy feeling from a few minutes earlier slowly melted into something lighter.
Warmer.
Comfortable.
I looked around the living room.
Chris pretending to be annoyed while cutting cake.
Changbin arguing that taste-testing counted as quality control.
Felix laughing so hard he had to lean against Hyunjin.
Hyunjin smiling that quiet smile he always got when Felix laughed.
Seungmin watching all of them with that familiar expression that somehow managed to be both unimpressed and fond at the same time.
Jeongin and Élise quietly sharing one plate instead of getting two.
And beside me...
Minho.
Still smiling.
Still wearing the ring.
Still carrying my letter safely inside his hoodie.
For some reason...
Seeing those two things together made my chest feel warm all over again.
The letter.
The ring.
Pieces of me...
That he'd decided to keep.
I don't think I'd ever forget the look on his face when he opened either one.
The rest of the morning disappeared surprisingly quickly.
Somewhere between cake...
Too many pictures...
Changbin insisting everyone play Mario Kart...
And Felix somehow managing to get frosting on the ceiling...
Time quietly slipped away.
By the time I looked at the clock again...
It was already after three.
The mansion looked wonderfully lived in.
Half-deflated balloons drifted lazily against the ceiling.
Wrapping paper still covered one corner of the living room despite Chris having threatened to clean it up three separate times.
The birthday banner still stretched proudly across the fireplace.
Nobody seemed in any hurry to take it down.
I liked that.
It made the whole house feel...
Happy.
I wandered into the kitchen in search of something to drink.
The giant ferret was tucked under one arm.
Mostly because Felix had declared she "needed to see the rest of the house."
"...Still carrying her?"
Minho asked from behind me.
I turned around.
"...She gets lonely."
He laughed.
"...That's exactly what you said in the mall."
"I've remained consistent."
"I'll give you that."
He walked over until he was standing beside me.
I reached into the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
Then...
Without really meaning to...
I looked down at his hand.
The ring caught the afternoon sunlight coming through the kitchen window.
He noticed me looking almost immediately.
"...What?"
I smiled.
"...Nothing."
"Liar."
"...I'm just..."
I reached over, gently taking his hand.
Turning it slightly beneath the light.
"...It looks nice."
His smile softened.
"I've caught myself looking at it all day."
"...Really?"
"Mhm."
"I still can't believe it's actually mine."
I traced my thumb lightly across the silver band.
"...It suits you."
"I think so too."
He paused.
"...I've also accidentally shown it to three different people."
I blinked.
"...Accidentally?"
"I picked up my drink."
He demonstrated.
"...Then I looked at it."
"...Then I smiled."
"...Then Chris called me a sap."
I laughed.
"...Sounds about right."
"He wasn't wrong."
"...No."
"He really wasn't."
For a second...
Neither of us moved.
The kitchen was quiet.
Somewhere upstairs, Felix shouted something about somebody cheating.
Almost immediately...
Changbin shouted back that he had "creative strategy."
Chris disagreed.
Loudly.
I smiled.
"...They're still playing?"
"They've been playing for almost two hours."
"...Who's winning?"
Minho thought about it.
"...The bots."
"...That sounds accurate."
He laughed quietly.
"Come on."
"Everyone's outside now."
"They moved the tournament."
"...Why?"
"I think Chris got tired of Felix accusing the television of favoritism."
"...Reasonable."
We stepped out onto the back deck together.
The late summer air was warm without being uncomfortable.
Someone had dragged folding chairs into the backyard.
Changbin sat cross-legged in the grass holding a controller.
Felix was dramatically insisting the sun was causing screen glare.
Seungmin slowly lowered his controller into his lap.
"...I don't think I have the energy for this conversation."
Jeongin laughed from where he and Élise were sharing one of the picnic blankets.
Chris looked over the top of his coffee mug.
"...Neither does anyone else."
Felix ignored them completely.
"...Jisung."
"Hm?"
"Settle something."
"...Already dangerous."
"Is the sun cheating?"
I stared at him.
Then looked up at the completely innocent sky.
Then back at Felix.
"...I think..."
I pretended to consider it very seriously.
"...Maybe a little."
Felix immediately pointed at me.
"THANK YOU."
Chris sighed dramatically.
"...You've made him worse."
"I know."
I smiled.
"...I regret nothing."
The backyard dissolved into laughter again.
I looked over at Minho.
He was already smiling.
The ring glinted briefly as he reached down to help me sit beside him.
For just a second...
I forgot it was his birthday.
It didn't feel like a special occasion anymore.
It just felt like...
Us.
Outside.
Laughing.
Doing absolutely nothing important.
And somehow...
I thought that might've been Minho's favorite part of the whole day.
The afternoon drifted by the same way the rest of the day had.
Without anyone really noticing.
At some point...
The Mario Kart tournament quietly fell apart.
Mostly because Changbin insisted the controllers had suddenly become "unresponsive."
"They're not broken."
Chris replied.
"...You're just losing."
"I'm strategically losing."
"That's not a thing."
"It is if I say it confidently."
Felix looked over.
"...I don't think confidence changes the scoreboard."
"It should."
"It doesn't."
I laughed quietly.
"...I think Chris won."
"I did."
Chris took another sip of his coffee.
"...By a lot."
Changbin folded his arms dramatically.
"...Rematch."
"Tomorrow."
"Today."
"Tomorrow."
"...You're impossible."
"I'm reasonable."
Eventually the controllers were forgotten altogether.
Someone carried drinks outside.
Someone else dragged another blanket across the grass.
Before long...
Nobody was really doing anything.
Chris and Changbin stood by the barbecue talking quietly about something I couldn't hear.
Every now and then Changbin would gesture wildly with both hands while Chris slowly shook his head.
Felix had somehow convinced Hyunjin to lie down on the picnic blanket with him.
The scrapbook rested open between them as they laughed over one of the pictures.
Seungmin had stolen one of the folding chairs and a book, though I hadn't seen him turn a page in nearly fifteen minutes.
Jeongin and Élise wandered slowly around the garden together, stopping every so often to look at flowers or point out something neither of them had noticed before.
I watched all of it from the back step.
The giant ferret rested comfortably in my lap.
"...You're smiling again."
Minho lowered himself onto the step beside me.
"...Am I?"
"Mhm."
"What about?"
I looked across the backyard.
"I don't know."
I smiled a little wider.
"I think..."
I tucked one of the ferret's floppy paws underneath its chin.
"...I'm just happy."
He followed my gaze.
Chris laughed at something Changbin had said.
Felix nearly rolled off the blanket.
Hyunjin caught him before he could.
Élise picked a tiny flower before carefully tucking it behind Jeongin's ear.
He looked so confused that all three of us laughed.
"...Yeah."
Minho said quietly.
"I think I know what you mean."
For a little while...
We simply watched.
No conversation.
No rushing to fill the silence.
Just...
Watching the people we loved enjoying an ordinary afternoon.
Eventually I felt something gently brush against my shoulder.
I looked over.
Minho had rested his head there without saying anything.
"...Comfortable?"
"Mhm."
"You?"
"I don't think I've ever been more comfortable."
His answer came so quickly that it made me smile.
"...Good."
His fingers found mine where they rested on top of the giant ferret.
He absentmindedly intertwined them.
The silver ring flashed briefly in the sunlight.
I caught myself looking at it again.
"...You're doing it."
He murmured without lifting his head.
"What?"
"You looked."
"I did."
"Mhm."
He smiled to himself.
"I've caught you six times."
"...Only six?"
"I probably missed a few."
I laughed quietly.
"You've looked at it too."
"I know."
"I like seeing it."
He turned his hand over, studying it himself for another second.
"...Me too."
Then...
Very naturally...
He brought our joined hands up just enough to press a gentle kiss against my knuckles.
Not to show off.
Not because anyone was watching.
Just because...
He wanted to.
Heat immediately rushed into my face.
"...Min."
"What?"
"...People."
He glanced across the backyard.
Nobody was paying the slightest bit of attention to us.
Chris was still arguing with Changbin.
Felix had somehow convinced Hyunjin to wear the giant birthday ribbon as a headband.
Jeongin and Élise were laughing over something near the flowerbeds.
Seungmin was pretending to read while very obviously listening to everyone else.
Minho looked back at me.
"...What people?"
I couldn't stop smiling.
"...You're lucky it's still your birthday."
He grinned.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
I rolled my eyes, even though I couldn't stop
We stayed on the back steps for another little while.
Not talking much.
Just...
Watching.
The afternoon sun had started sinking lower now, washing the backyard in warm shades of gold.
Felix suddenly sat upright on the blanket.
"...Wait."
Everyone looked over.
"What?"
Chris asked.
Felix pointed dramatically toward the house.
"...We never took Polaroids."
I blinked.
"...You're right."
Élise immediately smiled.
"Oh!"
"The camera."
She looked at me.
"Go get it."
I laughed as I stood.
"...Bossy."
"I learned from Felix."
"That's a dangerous sentence."
"It really is."
Minho laughed quietly as I disappeared inside.
The Polaroid was still sitting on the coffee table exactly where we'd left it earlier.
I picked it up carefully before heading back outside.
Felix was already bouncing on his heels by the time I returned.
"...Give it."
"No."
"...Please?"
"No."
"...I'm responsible."
The entire backyard went silent.
Chris slowly looked up.
"...Nobody here believes that."
"I can be responsible."
"You lost your wallet yesterday."
"I found it."
"It was in your car."
"...Exactly."
Chris pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...That's not finding it."
I laughed, keeping the camera tucked safely against my chest.
"...I'll take them."
Felix sighed dramatically.
"...Fine."
"I'll supervise."
"You'll comment."
"...That too."
For the next twenty minutes...
The camera never really left my hands.
None of the pictures were planned.
Chris looking up from the grill while Changbin argued with him in the background.
Hyunjin laughing so hard that his head ended up on Felix's shoulder.
Jeongin trying to quietly fix the little flower still tucked behind his ear before Élise noticed.
Seungmin pretending to read while very obviously listening to everyone else's conversation.
Every click of the camera made someone groan.
"...Another one?"
Changbin asked.
"You've taken like fifteen."
"I have not."
Felix counted the Polaroids on the table.
"...Fourteen."
"...Close enough."
I laughed.
"They're memories."
Chris looked over.
"...Then get one of yourself."
I blinked.
"...Me?"
"You've taken everyone else."
He nodded toward Minho.
"...Hand the camera over."
Before I could answer...
The Polaroid disappeared from my hands.
Felix.
"...Mine."
He grinned.
"I've got this."
"...I'm suddenly worried."
"You should be."
He backed away dramatically.
"No moving."
"We're literally standing still."
"Good."
He squinted one eye shut.
"No blinking."
Changbin immediately blinked on purpose.
"...Oops."
"You did that deliberately."
"...Maybe."
"Everyone."
Felix sighed dramatically.
"...Please cooperate."
Nobody listened.
Hyunjin quietly leaned against Felix while he was still trying to line up the picture.
"...Hyun."
"What?"
"I can't see."
"You'll figure it out."
I couldn't stop laughing.
Eventually...
Chris walked over.
Took the camera from Felix.
"...Move."
Felix looked personally offended.
"I was doing fine."
"You've taken six blurry pictures."
"They're artistic."
"They're fingerprints."
The room laughed again.
Chris lifted the camera.
"...Okay."
"This time..."
He looked directly at me.
"...Just look at him."
I turned toward Minho.
He was already looking back at me.
Neither of us even tried to look at the camera.
Click.
The photograph slowly slid out.
Chris looked down at it.
Then smiled to himself.
"...Yeah."
"I think that one's staying."
He carefully handed it back to me before anyone else could grab it.
I watched the picture slowly appear.
Me.
Looking at Minho.
Minho smiling back at me.
Neither of us aware of anything else.
For some reason...
It made me smile more than any of the others.
I slipped it carefully into the back pocket of the camera case.
"...Keeping that one?"
Minho asked quietly.
I nodded.
"...Definitely."
He smiled.
"...Good."
Because...
I was thinking the same thing.
For some reason...
I had a feeling it was going to become one of my favorites.
The rest of the evening slipped by the way birthdays always seemed to.
Too quickly.
The barbecue eventually turned into dinner.
Dinner somehow became dessert.
Dessert turned into everyone sitting around the living room long after the plates had been cleared away.
Nobody seemed particularly interested in ending the day.
The decorations stayed up.
The balloons still floated lazily against the ceiling.
The birthday banner remained stretched proudly across the fireplace.
Chris claimed he was "too tired" to take it down.
Felix immediately accused him of being sentimental.
"...I'm practical."
Chris replied.
"You'll have to put them back up next year anyway."
Felix stared at him for a second.
"...I hadn't even thought that far."
"I know."
"...That's actually smart."
"I usually am."
Changbin pointed dramatically.
"He admitted it."
"I've admitted it before."
"Not with witnesses."
The room dissolved into another round of laughter.
At some point...
The giant ferret had somehow ended up wearing one of the leftover birthday ribbons around her neck.
Nobody admitted to putting it there.
Felix looked suspiciously innocent.
"...It wasn't me."
Jeongin looked over.
"...You literally tied the bow."
"...You can't prove that."
"There are photographs."
"...Delete them."
"I don't think I will."
I smiled quietly from my spot beside Minho on the couch.
His shoulder rested comfortably against mine.
Every now and then...
I'd catch him absentmindedly turning the ring around his finger.
Not enough that anyone else would've noticed.
Just enough that I did.
He caught me looking once.
"...What?"
"You've been doing that all day."
"What?"
"The ring."
He looked down at his hand.
"...Have I?"
"Mhm."
He smiled sheepishly.
"...I guess I have."
"You like it."
"I love it."
His answer came so quickly that I couldn't help smiling.
"...Good."
He reached beneath the blanket draped across our laps and quietly intertwined our fingers.
"I don't think I'm ever taking it off."
"I wasn't planning on asking you to."
He laughed softly.
"...Good."
Outside, the sky slowly shifted from gold...
To orange...
Then deep shades of purple.
One by one...
People started disappearing upstairs.
Changbin yawned loudly enough that Chris told him to stop pretending he wasn't exhausted.
Jeongin walked Élise to the front door, promising to text her the moment he got back inside.
Felix insisted he still had plenty of energy.
He yawned halfway through the sentence.
Hyunjin gently took him by the wrist.
"...Come on."
"I'm not tired."
"You just yawned."
"...Emotionally."
"I don't think that's how yawning works."
"...Probably not."
Seungmin closed his book with a quiet sigh before standing.
"...Happy birthday again."
Minho smiled.
"...Thanks."
Chris gathered the last of the empty mugs from the coffee table before looking toward us.
"...You two don't worry about cleaning."
"We'll get it tomorrow."
Minho frowned.
"We can help."
Chris shook his head.
"...Birthday privilege."
"I didn't know that was a thing."
"It is for the next..."
He glanced at the clock.
"...Forty-seven more minutes."
"I'll take it."
Chris smiled.
"I figured."
Within another few minutes...
The mansion had grown quiet.
Only the soft hum of the dishwasher drifted from the kitchen.
Minho let out a slow breath beside me.
"...I don't want today to end."
I turned toward him.
"...Me neither."
For a second...
Neither of us moved.
Then he looked upstairs.
"...Come on."
"Hm?"
"I think I've still got a little birthday left."
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
"...Lead the way."
He stood first before offering me his hand.
I slipped mine into it without thinking.
Together...
We made our way upstairs.
The hallway was dimly lit now.
Most of the bedroom doors were already closed.
The whole mansion had settled into that peaceful kind of silence that only happened after a really good day.
When we reached our room, Minho quietly pushed the door open.
The giant ferret still sat proudly on the bed.
The blue ribbon was somehow still tied neatly around her neck.
I laughed under my breath.
"...She looks very fancy."
Minho looked over.
"I think she's celebrating too."
I closed the bedroom door behind us.
For the first time all day...
It was just us again.
The room felt strangely quiet after hours of laughter.
I slipped my hoodie off before dropping onto the edge of the bed with a tired sigh.
The giant ferret immediately tipped sideways against my shoulder.
He crossed the room, stopping beside the bed before carefully taking his watch off.
He placed it carefully on the nightstand.
Right beside...
The folded letter.
I watched him smooth out the edges once with his fingertips before setting it neatly beneath the watch.
Like he wanted to make absolutely sure it stayed safe.
"...You've looked at that thing all day."
He glanced over.
"...The letter?"
"Mhm."
"I know."
"...You keep checking that it's still there."
He smiled sheepishly.
"...Have I been that obvious?"
"...A little."
He laughed under his breath.
"I don't know."
He looked back at it again.
"It just..."
He searched for the right words.
"...Doesn't really feel real yet."
I looked down at my hands.
"...The letter?"
"No."
He shook his head.
"...Today."
"The ring."
He absentmindedly turned it around his finger again.
"You."
"All of it."
I smiled softly.
"...Good."
He looked back at me.
"...Good?"
"It means I did okay."
His expression changed almost immediately.
"...Sung."
He walked over until he was standing directly in front of me.
Then...
Very gently...
He rested both hands against either side of my face.
"You did more than okay."
His thumbs brushed lightly across my cheeks.
"I don't think anyone's ever made me feel this loved."
My heart tightened.
"...Really?"
He nodded.
"...Really."
I didn't know what to say.
So instead...
I leaned forward.
Resting my forehead against his.
For a few quiet seconds...
Neither of us moved.
The room was completely still.
The only sound was the faint hum of the fan above us.
Then...
Very softly...
I felt his nose brush mine.
I laughed quietly.
"I've barely had you to myself today."
"I know."
"I've missed you."
I smiled.
"...We've literally been together all day."
"I know."
He smiled back.
"...Still missed you."
I rolled my eyes affectionately.
"...You're clingy."
"I've been called worse."
"...Mostly by me."
"Exactly."
I laughed again.
Without really thinking...
I reached up and rested one hand lightly against the side of his neck.
His eyes met mine.
Neither of us said anything.
We didn't really need to.
The silence felt...
Comfortable.
Warm.
The kind that only existed when two people knew each other well enough that words stopped being necessary.
I found myself looking at him.
Really looking at him.
The messy hair from where everyone had kept hugging him.
The tiny smile he was trying not to show.
The silver ring catching the bedside lamp's light whenever he moved his hand.
"...What?"
He asked quietly.
I smiled.
"...Nothing."
"You've got your thinking face."
"I do not."
"You absolutely do."
"...Maybe."
He laughed softly.
"What're you thinking?"
I hesitated.
Then admitted it anyway.
"...I don't think I've kissed you enough today."
He blinked once.
"...No?"
I shook my head.
"...Not even close."
A slow smile spread across his face.
"...Well."
He stepped just a little closer.
"I think..."
He lowered his voice.
"...We can probably fix that."
His hand slipped gently around my waist.
The space between us disappeared naturally.
Neither rushed.
Neither hesitated.
It simply felt...
Like the most natural thing in the world.
It simply felt...
Like the most natural thing in the world.
He waited.
Just long enough for me to meet him halfway.
Our lips brushed together.
Softly.
Almost shyly.
The kind of kiss that felt less like a beginning...
And more like coming home.
When we pulled back, it was only by a few inches.
Close enough that I could still feel his breath.
He smiled.
"...Still not enough?"
I laughed quietly.
"...Not even a little."
That earned another smile.
This time, when he leaned in again, I was already moving toward him.
The kiss lingered.
Longer than the first.
Neither of us hurried.
There was no urgency.
No need to prove anything.
Just warmth.
His hand rested comfortably against my waist while mine settled lightly against his shoulder.
For a few quiet moments...
The rest of the world disappeared.
When we finally drew back, I found myself smiling against his lips before I even realized I was doing it.
He laughed softly.
"...You keep smiling."
"I know."
"I like it."
"...Good."
He brushed the tip of his nose against mine.
"So do I."
I don't know who kissed who next.
Somewhere between laughing and looking at each other...
The distance simply disappeared again.
The kisses came naturally now.
Sometimes barely more than a gentle brush of our lips.
Sometimes lingering just long enough that I'd forget what I'd been thinking about before.
Every now and then one of us would smile.
The other would laugh.
Then we'd end up kissing again anyway.
"...Happy birthday."
I whispered between our quiet laughs.
He looked at me like I was the one who'd been given something.
"...Best one I've ever had."
I reached up, absentmindedly brushing my thumb along his cheek.
"...Good."
His eyes stayed on mine.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I don't think I've stopped looking at you all day."
I laughed.
"...I noticed."
"I'm serious."
"I know."
"I just..."
He smiled to himself.
"I keep thinking how lucky I am."
Something warm settled quietly in my chest.
I leaned forward again, this time resting a slow kiss against the corner of his mouth before meeting his eyes once more.
"...I was just thinking the same thing."
His hand slipped a little higher along my back, still gentle, drawing me a little closer until there was barely any space left between us.
I tucked my face against his shoulder for a second.
Not because I was hiding.
Just because...
Being close felt nice.
Really nice.
He rested his chin lightly against the top of my head.
"...Comfortable?"
"Mhm."
"You?"
"I don't think I could get any closer."
I smiled against his hoodie.
"...You always say that."
"And then somehow we get closer anyway."
"...That's true."
A quiet laugh escaped both of us.
He tilted my chin up again.
His expression had softened into that familiar look that somehow always made the room feel warmer.
Another kiss.
Slow.
Unhurried.
This one lingered just a little longer than the others.
My fingers slipped into the hair at the back of his neck almost absentmindedly while his thumb traced lazy circles against my side through the fabric of my T-shirt.
Neither of us seemed interested in counting time anymore.
Every now and then we'd pause just enough to look at each other.
Smile.
Brush foreheads.
Steal another quick kiss.
Then another.
Eventually I laughed under my breath.
"...We're terrible at stopping."
He smiled.
"...Were we trying to stop?"
I pretended to think.
"...Not really."
"I didn't think so."
He rested one last gentle kiss against my forehead before wrapping both arms around me.
I settled comfortably against his chest.
For a while...
Neither of us said anything.
The room was quiet again.
The letter rested safely beneath his watch on the nightstand.
The silver ring caught the soft glow of the bedside lamp every time he absentmindedly moved his hand.
The silver ring caught the soft glow of the bedside lamp every time he absentmindedly moved his hand.
I found myself watching it again.
"...You're doing it."
He looked over.
"...Doing what?"
"Looking at it."
He smiled to himself before glancing down at his hand.
"...Can you blame me?"
"...Not really."
"I keep forgetting it's there."
"You've only had it for one day."
"I know."
He turned his hand slightly beneath the light.
The tiny engraving disappeared against his palm.
Then reappeared again.
"...I like that nobody else can see it."
He said it so quietly I almost missed it.
"What?"
"The inside."
He brushed his thumb across the ring.
"...It's ours."
Something warm settled somewhere deep in my chest.
"...Yeah."
"It is."
For a little while...
Neither of us spoke.
The room had grown darker now.
The bedside lamp was the only light still on.
I watched him carefully fold the letter one more time before sliding it back beneath his watch.
Not because he needed to.
Because he wanted to know exactly where it was.
I smiled to myself.
"...You're going to wear that thing out."
He looked up.
"The letter?"
"Mhm."
"You've unfolded it like four times already."
"...Five."
"I was being generous."
He laughed quietly.
"I just..."
He looked back toward it.
"I don't think I've ever owned something that means this much."
I didn't answer.
I wasn't sure I could.
Instead...
I reached over and switched off the bedside lamp.
The room slipped into darkness.
Only a thin strip of moonlight stretched across the blankets now.
I settled back against the pillows.
A second later...
The mattress shifted.
Minho rolled onto his side until he was facing me.
"...Come here."
I smiled.
"...Bossy."
"Mhm."
"You still coming?"
"...Obviously."
I shuffled the last little bit closer until my forehead rested lightly against his shoulder.
He pulled the blanket a little higher around both of us.
Then...
Almost automatically...
His fingers found mine beneath it.
He didn't lace them together this time.
He simply held my hand.
His thumb lazily brushing back and forth across my knuckles.
The room was completely quiet.
Outside...
The faint sound of crickets drifted through the slightly open window.
After a minute or two...
I felt his breathing begin to slow.
"...Min."
"Mhm?"
"...Thank you."
He didn't ask for what.
He already knew.
His fingers squeezed mine once.
Then...
Very quietly...
"So..."
I looked up.
"What?"
"...Do I still get birthday privileges?"
I laughed under my breath.
"...It's almost midnight."
"So that's a yes."
"It depends."
"On?"
"...Whether you stop stealing the blanket."
"I wasn't stealing it."
"You've got, like, eighty percent."
"I earned it."
"...How?"
"It was my birthday."
I rolled my eyes, smiling into the darkness.
"...Fine."
"You can have it until tomorrow."
"Perfect."
A comfortable silence settled over us again.
Neither of us moved.
Neither of us felt like we had to.
Eventually...
I felt his hand relax around mine.
Not because he let go.
Because sleep had finally found him.
Even then...
His fingers never slipped away.
I looked down once more.
The moonlight caught the silver ring resting quietly on his hand.
I smiled to myself.
Some gifts stayed on shelves.
Some ended up tucked safely inside drawers.
Some became photographs.
Some became letters folded beneath watches.
And some...
Stayed with you.
I closed my eyes.
Still holding his hand.
And before sleep finally claimed me...
One quiet thought crossed my mind.
I don't think I'd ever forget today.