Sungyeol was frozen in place as Myungsoo approached him and held the cake in front of him so he could blow his candles but the only thing he was able to do was to try to place his finger on his eyes to try to contain his traitorous tears.

“You can blow your candles now hyung.” Myungsoo suggested with that stupid dimpled smile, gentle tone and that fond look on his face.

“Is he crying?” Hoya whispered to Dongwoo though

“I think he is.” Dongwoo replied with a big fond smile on his face.

“So... he liked or not?” Moonsoo asked confused.

“He is crying because he does have a heart, you know?” Sungjong hissed as Sunggyu ran to his elder brother.

“Hyung, don't cry, I love you!” Sunggyu said as he hugged Sungyeol long legs and Sungyeol gently pressed Sunggyu against his body with one of his hands.

“I LOVE YOU TOO!” Chanyeol screamed and catcalled only for his girlfriend's elbow his tummy, or what whatever she could reach, only for Hoya to look at this tall guy very judging.

“Come on, hyung, blow your candles so you can receive your gifts.” Myungsoo encouraged again and all Sungyeol could think about was 'gifts? which gifts?' but still took the cake into his hands and blew the candles after a try or two.

“Yaaaaaay!” People cheered and then Myungsoo pushed him softly so he could get closer to the large table the rest was occupying while Sunggyu ran all back to it.

“I-I can't believe this is happening.” He said then tried to look at Myungsoo with squinting suspicious eyes but he couldn't hide that he was really happy he was seeing his lover in front of him. “Weren't you on an MT?” He asked once he placed the cake on the table.

“Which MT?” Myungsoo asked back and winked playfully at him.

“I hate you.” He said but the smile on his face said exactly the opposite and Myungsoo only chuckled. 

“I know.” He replied amusedly.

Sungyeol turned to eye the others and playfully pretended to glare at everyone as Sungjong tried to put a party hat on his head. “I hate you all, you ganged up on me, I was definitely not prepared for this.” He said as he dried his eyes.

“Hyung, you're so mean!” Chanyeol complained.

“A thank you would be nice to hear.” Hoya rolled his eyes but was pinched on his sides by his mother. “Ouch, mom!”

“Whatever hyung, we all know that you're lying, so just greet everyone so you can sit and open your gifts.” Sungjong said as he moved back next to his boyfriend. “It was about time you had a proper party anyway.”

“Right?” Hoya's dad agreed as he came to greet. “Look at you, 24 years old and such a fine young man, your father would be so proud of you.”

“Your mother too Sungyeol. Ah, I wish unnie was here to see you doing so well and to share this joy with me.” Sonmi said with a knowing look only to shut up when her husband slightly elbowed her and pointed to the kids with his chin.

“Sorry about that.” He grumbled.

“Awn I missed you so much once you left my house.” Hoya's mom moved to engulf him in a big hug. “How come you don't drop by, not even at my office, anymore? Hm?” She complained.

“Sorry Auntie, you know things have been hectic for me.” He hugged her back. “I promise I will drop by with Sunggyu next month, I think he needs to see you soon.” He said once he let go then turned to talk to everyone. “Let's get over with introductions ok first ok?”

“This is my aunt Choi Jina, and this is Lee Hajin, my dad twin – and that explains the looks - they are Sunggyu pediatrician and dentist respectively.” Sungyeol pointed to the two, being sure to get a bag his auntie passed to him in the meantime. “This is Chanyeol and Dara noona, my friends from college.” He pointed to the couple that was beside his uncle and auntie.

“Hi, guys.” Chanyeol waved and bowed and so did his girlfriend. “We tried to invite Hyekyo and Jongki ssaems, they couldn't come but sent a gift.” He said passing a bag to Sungyeol as well.

“Here it is ours.” Dara added.

“Oh thank you for the gifts. Now, this is Lee Howon, my cousin webtoon artist, and his boyfriend Jang Dongwoo, my brother teacher.” He pointed and for a second Dongwoo went pale and Hoya froze.

“Kyaaaaaaah.” Woohyun squealed happily.

“I told you.” Sunggyu smiled too.

“You two match hyungs.” The youngest of them said giggling and making two thumbs up only for Hoya's ears turn red.

“Thank you Woohyun, but you guys shouldn't talk about that in school ok? It will be our little secret.” Dongwoo said in a mix of relief that the boys took the news well, but at the same time worried about his job.

“Kiss! Kiss!Kiss!Kiss!” Woohyun chanted while Sunggyu smiled deviously.

“Woohyun!” Most the Kim family reprehended the boy only for him to pout.

“I never get to see a kiss.” The boy complained much for Hoya's parents become a little confused.

“He loves romances.” Bumsoo quickly explained. “And he squeals a lot whenever he sees a kiss it doesn't matter who's kissing.” As they explained, Dara tried to get Dongwoo attention.

“Dongwoo shi do you remember me?” Dara asked pointing to herself. “Wow, you changed nothing oppa, still with the colored hair.”

“Oh my god, Sandara, it's you, this is why I thought you were familiar earlier.” Dongwoo replied happily. “You didn't change a thing either, still pretty as ever.”

“Thank you.” She then eyed Hoya up and down. “ Snatched a good one right?”

“Do you know each other?” Myungsoo asked looking from one to the other.

“Yeah, from high school, right?” Dongwoo continued the conversation with his long lost friend.

“What a small world.” Sungyeol mumbled as he watched the old friends reconnect while Chanyeol eyed Hoya with twinkling eyes.

“You're looking at me weirdly, why is that?” Hoya asked with suspicious eyes.

“Are you the webtoon artist Hoya?” The tall guy asked.

“Uh... yes...”

Chanyeol immediately turned to complain to Sungyeol. “So the great Hoya is your cousin and you never told me? HYUUUUUNG, YOU'RE SO MEAN!!!!~~” He then immediately conjured a pen from god knows where and passed to Hoya together with his phone. “Please sign my phone case.” Hoya forced a smile and got them but the tall boy continued rambling as he signed. “I love your comics, I read every week and I noticed a change in the aesthetics lately, and I must say it has improved by a lot, everyone is loving it and..”

“Yeah... I have a new assistant.” He briefly looked a Myungsoo but the said guy put his finger to his lips in a sign for his boss not to spill things, if this leaked his scholarship was over for sure. “This new guy is very good, he is giving his best.” He smiled once he gave Chanyeol his phone and pen back, and the tall guy inspected the phone case close, totally wowed, which made Hoya mumble under his breath. “This kid is totally weird in the head.”

“Guys, focus here so I can finish introducing everyone.” Sungyeol snapped his fingers to get attention all over again. “These are Sungjong and Sunggyu, my brothers.”

Dara turned to them. “Wow, you never told us how good looking they are. Sungjong-shi looks a lot like you Yeol, and look how cute Sunggyu is.” She moved to squeeze Sunggyu cheeks but the boy simply tried to bit her fingers and she pulled her hands off then looked a little scared to Sungjong.

“He bites.” He belatedly warned. “I bite too.” Woohyun laughed a lot with that.

“YAH! What are you two doing?” Sungyeol immediately moved to pull Sungjong ear. “Watch it Sungjong, you still have a week to go before you get rid of me.” He then turned to Sunggyu to glare. “Kim Sunggyu!” He hissed and the boy ran to hide behind Myungsoo but the said guy just pushed him to the front again.

“Sorry, noona-nim.” The boy promptly apologized to escape his brother wrath and smiled making moon eyes, because he knew he was cute like that and the next second Dara was already fawning over him again.

Sungyeol sighed but continued introducing the rest. “This is Park Sonmi and Kim Bumsoo, my mother friends. They are also parents of Sungjong boyfriend, Moonsoo,...” The boy waved when he heard his name and bowed too. “ and Myungsoo, my... childhood friend.”

“I'm sure we already know each other.” Myungsoo smiled only for Chanyeol to gasp, Sungyeol had never told him Myungsoo was a childhood friend. At the same time, it didn't explain a thing because they spent four years studying at the same building and not even meeting, and he was sure they almost fought once too before Sungyeol started crazily crushing on this dude but before he could say anything Sungyeol proceeded to talk.

“Lastly but not, by any means, least, this is Woohyun, Sunggyu friend.” Sungyeol said and the boy felt shy once he saw every adult pair of eyes was on him with Hoya father trying to whisper something to Myungsoo and then the said guy replying something with a smile on his face while pointing to something on his mouth.

“Daddy?!” He called a bit unsure and Myungsoo's head snapped immediately to see that his son was under some scrutiny from his boyfriend friends, so he just thought he might get over this already.

“Come here dear, come greet uncle Hajin, he wants to see your smile.” He called and Woohyun moved from his spot and went towards Myungsoo while slightly glaring at Chanyeol before he half hugged his father and smiled to the dentist.

“agyidegevdvudlsj! Duuude, the guy really has a son? Hyung!” Chanyeol gasped.

“Be careful.” Dara said worriedly.

“So what? What's the real problem in having a kid? I didn't produce one but I have one liking or not. So what if he has a kid?” Sungyeol hissed. “Besides, you don't know a thing about him.” Sungyeol gave his friends a reproving glare then proceeded to actually sit at the table to look at the gifts he received up till now as the rest of people sat to start ordering or gathered around the kids and while Chanyeol and Dara were a bit astonished by so much information, Myungsoo was actually glad Sungyeol said that.

“Gyu, is this your friend?” Hoya's mom asked as soon as she saw Woohyun smiling at her husband.

“Yes auntie, Woohyunnie is my best friend.” Sunggyu nodded proudly before he was called by Dongwoo and Hoya.

“Hi Woohyunnie, what's your age?” Jina asked kindly.

“Seven.” He replied the older lady.

“Aigo, my boy! Isn't he the cutest?” His grandfather poked his belly to loosen the boy up a bit and continued to tickle him away as Hoya mom approached Myungsoo taking a look at him.

“Sorry to ask this but...” Myungsoo sighed internally, here it came the question everybody asked, he just hoped he could get this over soon. “ is Woohyun really seven?”

“Huh?” Myungsoo was definitely not expecting that kind of question. “Yes?”

“It's just... he is so small for his age.” She said hesitating and Myungsoo was so taken aback he didn't remember to blurt the usual lie that Woohyun took after his mother. “Howonie told us you moved to Seoul recently so if you don't have a pediatrician for Woohyun here yet...” She took a business card from her purse. “here, give me a call, we can check that, ok?”

“As expected auntie knows my tastes the best!” They heard Sungyeol say happily as he inspected the cover of the book he just got.

“I'm very thankful but...” Myungsoo was about to tell her he didn't have that much money right now but she just shook her head and winked at him.

“Maybe when Sunggyu comes next month?” She suggested and then moved beside Sungyeol to give him a kind smile. “I knew you would like it, isn't the cover beautiful too?”

“Thank you, auntie.” He got up again only to hug her much for her surprise.

“Come on mom, deep inside Sungyeol is a fluffy, don't act like you don't know it.” Hoya teased.

“YAH!” Sungyeol promptly complained once he let go of his auntie. “Says you that melts with a laugh.” Sungyeol retorted and most people present laughed, already used to their bickering.

“Boys, don't bicker!” Hajin pleaded as Myungsoo placed Sungyeol aunt business card inside his wallet.

“Do you want me to talk about dimples here?” Hoya back, ignoring his father with a superior devilish smile that made Sungyeol cheeks flush but he didn't retort. “That's what I thought, just open my gift.” He ordered as he pushed a bag towards Sungyeol then turned to Dongwoo with a happy smile on his face. “I won an argument hyung, I feel so smart right now.”

“Kekeke, you're not actually dumb Hoya.” Dongwoo said patting his boyfriend back. “You're just not Sungyeol level, but that's ok.”

“You played dirty hyung.” Sungjong pointed out. “It's not like he can openly use his arsenal here, your win is invalid.”

“Well, thank you, my fair judge.” Sungyeol said with a thankful tone as Hoya whined and he prepared to open his gift but as soon he was about to open Hoya's he was interrupted by Sunggyu.

“Nooooo!” Sungyeol looked at the maknae with a puzzled look. “Ours first!” He demanded. “Woohyunnie!” He called and when the grandfather heard his grandson being called he let the kid go. Both boys ran to Moonsoo and got a bag with him then brought to Sungyeol together. “Open it, open it!” They cheered excitedly.

“Okay.” Sungyeol said and placed Hoya's gift to the side to actually get the kids gift, but once he placed his hand inside the bag he first felt a bunch of papers so he pulled out to inspect it.

The first one was obviously from Woohyun, he drew Sungyeol playing piano and he recognized he was quite handsome in that drawing, considering the abilities from a seven-year-old. There was a text beside it that read: “Hyung, thank you for teaching me, thank you for feeding me, thank you for becoming our friend too. Please be our friend forever, I like you a lot. S2 Woohyunnie S2.”

“Of course I'll be your friend forever Woohyun. I hope one day you don't take back your words.” He gave the first boy a hug only for his auntie and uncle whisper among themselves, Sungyeol wasn't much from hugging so this was extremely new to them.

“The kingka kid is hugging hyung, this is so weird.” Chanyeol whispered to his girlfriend.

“Yeah, he used to complain about kids every now and then too.” Dara whispered back.

Sungyeol then let go of the boy and opened the second paper with Sunggyu piece of art while the said boy shifted nervously in place when his brother read it out loud. “Hyung, thank you for spending time with me, you teach me new stuff every day and I love it when you hug me too. Sorry that I don't eat the vegetables often but your food is very tasty, like moms. I love you, you're the best hyung in the world. Gyu <3<3<3”

“Man, what a change.” Hoya said sarcastically just to get back at Sungjong that didn't seem to like Sunggyu new preference.

“A good one.” Dongwoo agreed.

Sungyeol closed both papers and put on the table then turned to the young boy and ran a hand through his hair. “Thank you for being more patient with me lately, you might not believe but every day I learn things with you too. I'm very proud of you and I am happy that we are growing close, you're also the best brother in the world and Sungjong will eternally die out of jealousy because now our bond is strong like that. Now come here.” He said and enveloped Sunggyu in a hug that the boy indulged in it.

“Why are you two picking on me? Aish.” The middle brother complained making half the table laugh in amusement.

Sungyeol smiled pleased and then let go of Sunggyu to look into his eyes before adding. “Thank you for saying my food is tasty but you'll eat your vegetables even if it's the last thing I'll do. You won't get away with pretty words, I see through you.”

“Now that's more like you.” Sungjong butted in still annoyed as Sunggyu pouted.

“Let's see your gift now.” He announced and pulled a gray button up from the bag. “ What a cool shirt, thank you, thank you boys, I really, really like it..” He smiled kindly at the boys that had pleased smiles on their faces. “Have you two already ordered something?”

“Can we have cake?” Sunggyu smiled sheepishly.

“No, real food first Sunggyu, real food first.” Sungyeol tone was definitive and the boys were about to pout when the two older couples called the kids to feed them and Sungyeol turned to Sungjong. “Thanks for the shirt Jong, it was nice of you to let them give it to me, but it must have been expensive right? You didn't need to spend your allowance on me.”

“I would say you're welcomed but I didn't share the gift with them. Moonsoo hyung and I bought something else together because dating is kinda expensive.” The middle brother said matter of factually.

“I hope you'll like it hyung, it was a special edition.” Moonsoo chirped as he passed Sungyeol another book only for Sungyeol to gasp.

“OH.MY.GOD, that's dad's favorite book! I've read so many times that my copy is about to fall apart. Look at this cover! So pretty! ” Sungyeol passed his hand over the cover awed but then he looked at his brother. “Thank you! But if it wasn't you that bought the kids gift....” He then looked at his cousin.

“My gift is in front of you dude, you didn't even open yet!” Hoya complained.

“Then who....” Sungyeol halted his words because it was clear the only one left was Myungsoo, he didn't think that Myungsoo's parents would buy anything, he didn't even know why they were there though he wouldn't complain if they decided to appear. He finally put his hand inside the bag and pulled a piece of clothing from inside. “Jeans?”

“Yeah, I hate those trousers you use, it makes you look thirty years older which basically means that you look exactly like my dad and that's weird.” Hoya explained. “You have to dress up a bit more nowadays dude.” Hoya added and Sungyeol made a show of raising the piece of jeans up to inspect just to be sure to hide his reddening cheeks.

“Yeah, your trousers are kind of ugly.” Chanyeol agreed only to receive a glare from the birthday boy.

“Ouch Howonie.” His father faked a complaint.

“Sorry dad, I didn't mean to offend you, you're a good-looking guy and Sungyeol is too, I just think he should dress his age. I love you ok? Thank you for choosing me.”

A silence fell on the table for a few seconds, most people looked confused and the kids didn't seem to be understanding what the adults were talking about, but then Hajin waved his hand in dismissal with a shy smile on his face and Dongwoo patted his boyfriend back before Hoya's parents started to openly talk to Myungsoo's parents about Hoya adoption.

“Thank you anyway hyung, now let's see what do I have here.” Sungyeol said as he opened the gift from his teachers, which was not much difficult to guess it was a beverage. “Wine, seriously? This is a good wine though, I'm not sure if I drink it all or if I use in some recipe.”

“On food!” Sunggyu gave his two cents from the other side of the table.

“If I put on some recipe you can't eat it, mister, you're only eight.” Sungyeol countered as he started opening the gift from his friends, a small rectangular box.

“We noticed your wallet was getting old so...” Dara said sheepishly. “I don't know you that well so I asked Chany what might you need, I'm sorry if it isn't that exciting...”

“I wanted to give you another copy from that book we are needing but your friend here invited us in such short notice I didn't have the time to find it and if I bought on the internet it wouldn't arrive on time.” Chanyeol added and pointed to Myungsoo which made the said man furrow his brows and Woohyun glare hard from the other side of the table, though he stopped once his grandma gave a very intimidating gaze similar to her son.

Sungyeol looked from Woohyun to Chanyeol a couple of times, it didn't seem like the young boy had liked his friend and he didn't quite understand why. Actually, he knew Chanyeol had some reservations towards Myungsoo because he and Dara thought Myungsoo took advantage of him but the two of them never openly did anything to the other so he wasn't sure there was something in the air to Woohyun pick it up.

He then looked at Myungsoo from the corner of his eyes and the younger just shrugged so Sungyeol relaxed a bit. “Right... ok... Thank you for the wallet, I'm surely needing it.” He smiled and took his old wallet from his pocket to transfer everything to the new one. “I loved everything, you all didn't need to bring me gifts. It will probably sound cliche but, to me, your presence was already a lot, this is my first birthday party that people that aren't family came to celebrate my birthday.”

“Well, maybe if you invited us more we would come more.” Dongwoo suggested. “I'm quite happy I'm allowed to come to your birthday with Hoya this year so...” The teacher said and pulled a small bag from underneath the table. “I brought my own gift for you because I like you a lot independently of my connection with Hoya or Sunggyu. Here.” He pushed the paper bag onto Sungyeol hands.

Sungyeol pulled a leather covered book and a pretty pen, he opened the book and it noticed every page was blank. “Ok, I confess I'm a little confused with this one.”

“Me too.” Myungsoo chirped as he peeked at the pen, it looked expensive.

“I'm a teacher, right? And although you aim to higher education, you want to be a teacher too right? So there are two explanations for this. The first one is... did you watch A Brilliant Mind?” Dongwoo asked and Sungyeol had tears being produced again. “The professors gift each other with pens when they wanted to show respect, so the pen...” Dongwoo smiled kindly only to hear the parents awn at him.

“This cutie will never look thirty to me.” Jina said, enamored with Dongwoo. “He takes such a good care of everyone.”

“A true angel. Woohyun likes him a lot.” Sonmi agreed.

“Hyung...” Sungyeol lips quivered a bit and now Myungsoo wasn't sure if his gift would cause such a positive reaction from his boyfriend. Yeah he bought the shirt Sungyeol seemed to have liked but the gift he actually brought as he was just something from their childhood, it was nothing expensive, useful or had any relation with any of Sungyeol hobbies.

“The second explanation is that because I teach kids I have to be, you know, inspirational so the pen and the blank notebook are also gifts to inspire you to write your own story.” Ok, Sungyeol was this close to crying, this hyung, really, he didn't know he was so well liked by Dongwoo, after all, they just hung out together every now and then. “This is not some metaphor for you to change your life or anything though.” The elder warned then further explained. “Sometimes you help Hoya when he is stuck and your ideas are really good so I would like you to put those ideas on the paper and try to write your own book.”

“I never thought about that but thank you hyung.” Sungyeol said on the verge of crying.

“Mom, dad, please adopt this hyung.” Moonsoo chirped which made Myungsoo kind of annoyed and the emotional waves from Sungyeol somehow stopped coming.

“Ooooh, please!” Woohyun agreed with his uncle and made puppy eyes to his grandparents. ”Dongwoo hyung, can you be my uncle?” He asked too only for people to chuckle.

“Yah, I am a good hyung to you!” Myungsoo complained then turned to his son. “Even you Namu? Your uncle wants to substitute me!”

Woohyun gasped right then. “What? Then nooo~~! Uncle Moonsoo!” The boy scolded.

“Yeah, Mandu?” His uncle teased from the other side of the table.

“I'm not a Mandu!” The boy complained and his grandfather glared at his maknae then tried to placate his grandson while Myungsoo mother took something out from underneath the table.

“Myungsoo, pass it to Sungyeol please.” She said and Myungsoo immediately put in front of his boyfriend and the said guy took some couple of intakes to calm himself a bit before opened and froze.

“What is this?”

“Hum, you know your mother and I were friends right? Although with the internet and phones communication became easier, your mom and I shared many letters. So, I was cleaning my house the other day and found them so when Moonsoo mentioned today was your birthday I decided to get those where she talked about you... I can't actually give it to you because these are also my memories with one of my best friends but I thought you might be interested in the content so I'll lend you so you can read.”

Sungyeol then closed the box as people observed him closely. He had a serious face but within seconds tears were falling and he looked down to hide his face. Both Sungjong and Sunggyu filled their eyes with tears too but Myungsoo was already half hugging him.

“Ehr, what do we do?” Chanyeol asked himself not knowing how to react, he knew Sungyeol mother had died the last year but his hyung didn't talk much about his life, he usually had to practically torture his hyung so he could open his mouth.

“You made the boy cry Sonmi.” Bumsoo scolded his wife.

“Awn Yeol. Don't cry.” Jina said gently leaning over a bit to be able to hold his hand.

“I'm sorry Sungyeol, I didn't mean to make you cry if you didn't like it...” Sonmi was in the middle of her apologies when Sungyeol looked up at her.

“No, I want to read them, I'm gonna read them. I'll return to you as soon as I finish but I kind of have to read this. I-I need to understand her choices better.” Sungyeol said as he tried to wipe his tears for the second time that night and Myungsoo rubbed comforting circles on his back, a thing that the Chandara couple felt was kinda odd to see, but then if they considered Myungsoo was his childhood friend... no, there was something that wasn't adding up to that equation.

“Hum..” Sungjong made some noise and people looked at him. “My birthday is in a week, so... hum... Omoni... can you give me the letters where she talks about me?” He asked.

“I want it too, grandma please.” Sunggyu added.

“Sure.”Sonmi readily agreed.

“Then can I have something from my mom?” Woohyun asked only for Myungsoo to practically freeze by Sungyeol side and his parents panic, thankfully it was Moonsoo that saved them.

“I think I'll find the DVD soon Namu, there's not much to search anymore.” Moonsoo offered and Sonmi forced a smile to her grandson.

“Sorry Namu, grandma has so much stuff at home that your mom stuff must be hidden somewhere, I'll do my best to find a few more things for you.” She winked at him and only then the kid cheered.

“It's like Christmas will come early.” He commented with Sunggyu and the other boy agreed too before they went back to eat.

Myungsoo sighed relieved and Sungyeol looked at him with worry despite having his face weirdly dried. “Are you ok?”

The young dad forced a smile because he knew a few eyes were on them. “Yeah, I'm good, did you finish opening your gifts?”

“Yeah, I think, thanks for the shirt, that must have been expensive but you didn't need to spend your money on me, I know your situation is kinda difficult...” He appreciated that Myungsoo actually bought him something but that also meant he spent the money he had so the saving plan Sungyeol made for him was blown already.

“Oh, no, I had to. Don't worry, I made some calculations and it was ok, don't forget Hoya hyung is helping me now.” He winked at Sungyeol and the said guy couldn't help but hold a smile somehow relieved.

“Then thank you, I really liked the , it's totally my style.” He thanked then turned to get the menu, half people had long ordered and some dishes already came, he looked at Chandara in front of him. “Have you guys already ordered? There is a dish here that's really good.”

“Hyung.” Myungsoo asked for his boyfriend attention again. “Hyung, I brought something else for you, won't you open my gift?” Sungyeol blinked at him in surprise. “It's not something big or anything... but I remembered you kinda wanted this so...” He pulled a bag from the ground in between his legs and gave to a rather puzzled Sungyeol.

The birthday guy then opened the bag carefully only to see something black, or at least deep blue, there. He thought if it was gonna be another shirt and he would probably hit his boyfriend and have a conversation about money with him but when he pulled the thing out a plush toy came out.

“What's that?” Chanyeol asked only to laugh right after.

“Obviously a stuffed toy, Channie.” Dara rolled her eyes.

“Where have I seen this before?” Hoya wondered.

“Isn't an old anime character?” Moonsoo offered.

“Hyung didn't you have something similar?” Sungjong asked curiously.

“Yeah... this...” Sungyeol voice cracked a bit once he opened his mouth and he knew right then that he wouldn't be able to explain what this little-stuffed toy made him feel so he just covered his face with one hand and just let everything go.

“Dear...” Sungyeol auntie didn't know what to do, yes Sungyeol had been crying before but this time it was totally different, actually, it was pretty similar to the times he cried when he came out from the hospital.

“Hyung?” The kids inquired worriedly.

“Hey hyung, don't cry, I didn't mean to hurt you or anything, I... I'm sorry, this wasn't supposed to have any deep meaning, I'm sorry for hurting you, I just thought...” Myungsoo tried to apologize, he felt his heart breaking with the idea of Sungyeol crying because this brought bad memories. He couldn't finish his apology though because Sungyeol tried to talk.

“How can I not find meaning when-when it's the second time you-you give me this? And this, for the longest time-time, was the only comfort that I had?” He stuttered as he tried to inquire his boyfriend.

“I don't think I'm understanding anything.” Dara whispered to her boyfriend before he could lean down to whisper to her.

“Daddy, I think Sungyeol hyung needs a hug.” Woohyun encouraged from the other side of the table and the next second Myungsoo was already enveloping his boyfriend in a hug where Sungyeol hid his face on his neck.

“I used to-to hug this whenever I was upset, it was like it had-had protective powers or something. But-but the boys that bullied me destroyed it-it when I was nine.” Sungyeol further explained in a muffled stutter against Myungsoo neck which made the younger to hug him even tighter.

“That's all over hyung, and if you need anything, I'll be here for you.” Myungsoo whispered back into Sungyeol ear and the elder tried to nod but he couldn't help but keep crying.

Hoya's parents became even more worried but Myungsoo parents just looked at each other kind sending telepathic messages that said they were proud as Chanyeol and Dara just raised their brows. As for the shipping squad, they smiled to themselves, sure they were a bit worried but if Sungyeol was in Myungsoo's arms they didn't think he would be crying for long.

As for the kids, they looked at each other and as if they had come with the same idea they nodded to each other then climbed off their chairs to go hug the two adults, thing that made Sungjong join them at some point.

“Don't you want to join on the family hug?” Dongwoo leaned to Hoya to ask but then noticed his boyfriend had his phone in his hand.

“No, who will take pictures?” Hoya said concentrated as he tapped the screen a couple of times. “I'm sitting in front of them for a reason.” He whispered.

“Don't cry hyung.” Sunggyu pleaded from his pace, somehow squeezed between Sungyeol back and Sungjong chest.

“It's ok hyung.” Woohyun also pat Sungyeol hair from behind his dad.

After a couple seconds Sungyeol tried to wriggle his body out of everyone's hold and they were all pulling back when Sungyeol looked into Myungsoo eyes and said rather bluntly. “I love you.” Myungsoo eyes almost popped from their sockets when he heard Sungyeol saying this, and he internally started to dread his son reaction but was interrupted when he heard a chuckle.

“Daddy has the best hugs in the world, doesn't he?” The boy asked with a triumphant smile only for Myungsoo to relax. He knew Sungyeol had been very serious but thankfully Woohyun didn't take it as if it was so, and thankfully Sungyeol understood that.

For a second Sungyeol apologized to Myungsoo with his eyes then looked past him to Woohyun. “Yeah, you must have inherited something because yours are quite good too.” He smiled at Woohyun kindly then. “I love you too.” He then turned to give Sunggyu another hug. “And you.” He then looked at Sungjong. “And you, and everybody here, aside Chanyeol, that is.”

“Hyung, you're so mean! I'm the best dongsaeng ever!” The said guy complained.

“No, that's daddy!” Woohyun readily disagreed as his father passed some napkins to Sungyeol. “Daddy is Sungyeol hyung best friend!”

“Thank you all for coming and the gifts... ” Sungyeol said a bit shyly as he tried to dry his face the best he could, but he was saved from embarrassment once the food arrived at the table. Again, when did they order things?

Dinner went as smooth as it could be. Hoya's parents developed a friendship with Myungsoo's parents because they discovered they met once before (on Sungyeol seventh birthday more precisely) and they were already scheduling an outing on their own in which Sonmi intended to get all the tips about adopted kids so she could pass to her son in case he got more problems with Woohyun.

Dongwoo and Dara moved places and ended up sitting together most the night as they went down the nostalgia way, talking about friends in common and mostly catching up and the only reason why Hoya wasn't slightly jealous was that Dongwoo spent the night caressing his knee.

Moonsoo and Sungjong were, as most of the time, on their own bubble, talking selfies together or with the kids, eating as much as they could, or basically teasing the kids that often exchanged places from beside the young couple to beside Myungsoo's parents.

Although Myungsoo talked a bit with Hoya's mother, he basically ate and stayed quiet as he observed Hoya, Chanyeol, and Sungyeol interactions. Similarly to Woohyun, it didn't seem like Hoya had liked Chanyeol at the beginning, and by the way his eyes twitched every now and then, he knew that Hoya found the tall man annoying simply because he alternated moments of bickering with Sungyeol to up to Hoya because he was the best webtoon artist ever.

Myungsoo tried to join the conversation a couple of times though he felt that Chanyeol wasn't exactly welcoming and he always treated Myungsoo as if he had done something wrong and was just tolerating him. Myungsoo sighed inwardly because he couldn't openly roll his eyes, he already could foresee whatever was going through the tall man head, he probably knew Sungyeol liked him and he thought that Myungsoo was a straight single father that was probably leading his friend on to take advantage of him.

As for Sungyeol, after briefly talking to Dara about tips on the classes they were helping with, he mainly tried to make Chanyeol somehow change his views on his boyfriend but noticed that most of his attempts were futile due to Chanyeol stubbornness, or because he simply wasn't good with people, but then Myungsoo got tired of that situation and elegantly excused himself to take care of the kids.

Sungyeol observed Myungsoo pull his chair near the kids, and talk animatedly with them, with love dripping from his slightly puffed eyes and Chanyeol couldn't believe. The taller Yeol tried to put what he thought it was some sense on the older Yeol head but, in the end, he just was able to witness Sungyeol fawning over the basketball player.

“Ok, he was married, he has a kid, he is popular, he plays sports, but isn't he perfect?” Cue for enamored sigh as he observed Myungsoo playing some kind of a game with the kids. “I want this man.”

“You're a lost cause, do you know that? Hyung~~~ you'll never get him, you'll only get hurt, snap out of it.” Chanyeol pleaded just for Sungyeol to slowly turn his head to look at his friend in the eyes.

“Am I? You don't know a thing Chanyeol.” He chuckled mysteriously only for Sungjong to want to in to blurt everything and with that start some bickering that ended the chances of the tallest know something.

Forty minutes later Myungsoo grabbed a sleepy Woohyun by the hands and brought him to Sungyeol while Sunggyu followed him. “Hyung, Woohyun will be out pretty soon so I think I'll bring him home now, do you want me to take Sunggyu too?”

“No, you don't need to, we can wrap up here and...” Sungyeol was about to end the party when complaints started appearing.

“Already?”

“But it is your day, shouldn't enjoy your day more?”

“What? We didn't even start drinking yet.”

“Hyung, I have a friend that can get us in a really trendy place and...”

“If you want to extend the night Sunggyu can sleep over, he has pajamas and toothbrush at my place already so it's ok.” Myungsoo interrupted everyone else to assure Sungyeol with a smile.

Sungyeol hesitated to give an answer because his feelings were quite torn at the moment. Deep down he wanted this party to be prolonged because this was simply the best of his birthdays ever but he could see that Woohyun would turn off and then Sunggyu would be extremely bored in a party full of adults before passing out too, they had to go home. It was a good thing that Myungsoo wanted to take care of the kids so he could extend the night with the others, and he was thankful for it, but he wanted Myungsoo there extending the night him after spending the entire day away because the younger wanted to surprise him (which he successfully did).

He was in conflict for a few seconds, and by the look of Myungsoo eyes he wanted to stay but parenthood duties claimed him and the young dad tried to give an apologizing yet very resigned smile at him, so Sungyeol was about to get sad when Myungsoo father spoke.

“Myungsoo, don't you want to leave Woohyun with us? You could go out with Sungyeol and have a taste of a life of a guy your age.” The elder suggested.

“I don't want to go to Incheon, I'm sleepy.” The young boy butted in the adult's conversations to complain as he rubbed his eyes cutely then let go of his father hands to give Sungyeol a lazy and sleepy hug. “Bye hyung, happy birthday again.”

“Bye Woo...” Sungyeol halted his words as he noticed Woohyun turned off. “He fell asleep.”

“I don't think it's a good idea to bring him to Incheon, he will sleep uncomfortably an hour on the way there.” Myungsoo explained then sighed tiredly but easily lifted his sleepy kid from Sungyeol. “I think this is my cue.”

“But you should need to spend time with people your age son, I'm sure we can figure something out. If you want we can stay over.” Bumsoo assured.

“But then I'd have to take my couch, there isn't enough space in my apartment.” Myungsoo politely refused his parents wishes.

“What if we take care of them?” Sungjong suggested. “Sunggyu has a truckle bed and hyung bed is a queen size bed, Moonsoo hyung can sleep with me so we all fit there.”

“I...” Myungsoo fixed Woohyun weight on his arms as he hesitated to answer, it was not like he didn't want to stay with Sungyeol, but his friend was not helping him to feel comfortable at all.

“Please.” Sungyeol asked so low that Myungsoo just understood what he meant because he did some lip reading.

“Ok, then.” He ended up agreeing and carefully passed his son to his brother, taking the time to fix the boy's hair and place a kiss on his head before he also hugged and placed a kiss on Sunggyu head. “Bye Gyu, take care of Woohyunnie ok? We'll see each other tomorrow.”

“Hyung, take care of Sungyeol hyung too.” The boy said and Myungsoo chuckled.

“Always.”

It was kind of ironical because as much as everyone agreed that Sungyeol should enjoy his night they also started to go home one after the other. The firsts to leave of course were the children with the teenage couple because they woke up too early to put the plan into practice when Myungsoo actually slept a bit more before going out. They went back to Moonsoo car, taking Sungyeol gifts as well, and left Myungsoo to get a ride with Sungyeol later.

Then fifteen minutes later Chanyeol and Dara were trying to convince everyone to go another place that they were sure Sungyeol would like (of course a place for them to have some drinks), and Sungyeol reluctantly agreed to leave the restaurant. The thing was that Myungsoo parents and Hoya's parents divided 80% of the bill and were excusing themselves in order to let the younger ones enjoy the night and they would only have Sungyeol car for the six of them so Hoya and Dongwoo decided to go with Hoya's parents, since they lived in the same building, to take Hoya's car and then meet on the designated place.

They paid the rest of the bill and said their goodbye before Myungsoo, Sungyeol, Chanyeol, and Dara walked to where Moonsoo had parked Sungyeol car before. Chanyeol wasn't very keen on telling what kind of place they were going but ended up telling the address so Sungyeol could send to Hoya, he kinda wanted to mingle with his webtoon idol too, though Sungyeol was sure Hoya was not very keen on doing that.

Once they sent Hoya a message, Sungyeol promptly threw his car keys to his boyfriend and both of them moved naturally to their places and the other couple couldn't believe what they were seeing, they knew Sungyeol was far gone in love for Myungsoo but when again they did got close enough to be driving each other car? This was kind of weird, they didn't think Sungyeol should be getting this close, the risk of getting hurt would totally be bigger once Myungsoo turned down his feelings.

“Chanyeol-shi, I think you'll have to give me instructions, I'm not from Seoul.” Myungsoo said as soon as they went off.

“Then why are you driving?” The younger and taller Yeol asked.

“Because I don't want to.” Sungyeol was sure to meddle in Myungsoo favor, he wouldn't let his friend treat Myungsoo badly if they didn't want to connect, not that Myungsoo seemed to be worried about that.

After some instructions were given and Sungyeol failed attempt to discover something about the place they were going, the birthday boy turned the radio on so the ride in silence wouldn't be too uncomfortable but thankfully Dara decided to start a conversation.

“I was surprised with your brother Yeol, but aside trying to bite my hand he was quite well behaved all night...” She trailed after a chuckle.

“He was playing noona, but Sunggyu is like another person now, the amount of trouble decreased considerably. If he was still giving me trouble I wouldn't have been able to help to teach this semester and would probably have to postpone finishing things another year.” Sungyeol roughly explained. “He got better after he met Woohyun, Myungsoo son, when they moved in across us.” He added idly.

“Right, Woohyun is his name right?”

“Yeah.” Myungsoo joined the conversation.

“I didn't know you had a son Myungsoo.”

Myungsoo almost snorted but just talked, not bothered at all. “I'm sure you must have heard somewhere, I'm aware there are some rumors circulating about me.”

“Well, people speculate when you spark their interest, right?” She offered amiably. “I thought he was your brother but he...”

“He looks like my wife.” Myungsoo blurted the usual lie. “Unfortunately, she died giving birth.” He explained then added something else. “Life as a single teen parent is kinda hard so I keep it to myself, though that apparently is not enough for rumors to spread.”

“Married, with a kid, wow.” Chanyeol concluded, this time just weirded out of his mind and Myungsoo briefly looked at his boyfriend before looked in the rearview mirror.

“Does that bother you?” Myungsoo asked.

“Not me, why it would?” Chanyeol asked defensively.

“Well, you seem the only one bothered by that.” Sungyeol was the one talking now ad Dara glared at her boyfriend and tried to shut him up with her glares.

“You know what I think hyung.” Chanyeol said idly as he looked out of the window. “Take the next turn left.”

“Care to share?” Myungsoo dared as he took a moment to challenge the taller in the back with his intense eyes.

“And I know you don't know a thing as well.” Sungyeol retorted as he ignored his boyfriend. If he didn't stop things maybe a fight would happen and he didn't think Chanyeol would have a chance but he was sure that could do some damage to Myungsoo image. “Let's just forget this ok? It's not always that we have the time to enjoy a life our age without worrying about the kids, so let's just enjoy that ok? Besides, you two are same age friends, you should treat each other like that.”

“Oh really?” Dara finally rejoined the conversation, hoping to take it to a light subject, one that could dissipate some tension so they could enjoy the night, after all, it was Sungyeol birthday and the guy never ever left home to hang out with them. “Which month you were born?

“March.” Myungsoo stopped and looked at the sides. “Which way?”

“Right. Go ahead until the end of the road then turn left so we can park.” Chanyeol explained and then sighed contently. “I'm your hyung then, I'll be twenty-four in November.”

“Right... why did I have to be a maknae?” Myungsoo mumbled under his breath.

“That's what I always ask myself.” Sungyeol apparently heard what Myungsoo said and replied accordingly as he looked out of the window, Myungsoo reduced the speed, apparently, he was looking for a place to park.

“What? Did you want me to be older?” Myungsoo chuckled.

“No, I meant literally the same thought, I mean, aside home I'm always the maknae.” He said idly before pointing somewhere. “I think you can park there.”

Myungsoo promptly moved to where Sungyeol pointed and started maneuvering the car as Dara spoke again.

“You're not only a maknae, antisocial or not you're our mascot.” She said then laughed. “And I'll have you know that you're very liked between us, the noonas.”

“And I hate that, it's an insult to my intellect." Sungyeol growled then sighed. “At least women like me a bit, I don't think the men in our classes ever did.”

“Jealousy, you know why.” Dara offered mysteriously much for Myungsoo puzzlement.

“I don't like to think about that.” Sungyeol offered then thought about something else. “Noona, I didn't know you knew Dongwoo hyung, I was quite shocked.”

“Dongwoo... he was so funny during high school and it's kinda good to see how he matured but he stays the same kind person.” She laughed. “But the colorful hair is still there.”

“So he was your sunbae?” Myungsoo asked curiously.

“No, Myungsoo shi, Dongwoo was my dongsaeng, I' m 31 .” She replied cooly and now Myungsoo thought there was something strange there, how could she and Sungyeol study in the same class with such ?