"It was only a little bit on fire, you can still eat it."

Eunhyuk stares at the charred birthday cake. He gives Donghae an incredulous look. Sighing, Hyukjae takes a tiny bite

"Mmm, carcinogens. Delicious."

"And because I love you so much, you can have all of it!"

"Lucky me."

-

"I can explain."

Hyukjae stares at his once immaculate floor, now covered with what looks to be a birthday cake.

"Donghae, I think I can guess what happened here."

Donghae glares silently at the cake and sighs. He sits down next to it and picks up a sad looking strawberry.

"I worked so hard on this one too..."

Hyukjae plops down and puts his arm around Donghae.

"It's fine. Let's just clean it up, okay?"

Donghae's eyes tear up as he looks at Hyukjae.

"I spent all year practicing so that this year your birthday cake would actually taste good."

"What? All year??"

"I wanted you to actually enjoy it, since you didn't really like the one last year."

"I, uh, loved last year's cake."

"I looked up what carcinogens are! I don't think a cake should have those."

Hyukjae pinches Donghae's puffed cheek, who whines in protest.

"Okay, fine. You're right, I didn't like last year's cake. But I'm sure I'll like this one better."

"But you can't eat this-"

Hyukjae scoops up a fingerful of cake and cream and eats it before Donghae can stop him.

It's... surprisingly okay. Not the best he's had, but not bad.

"Hyukjae!! Stop it!"

Hyukjae scoops up one more fingerful and beckons Donghae to try it. Donghae pauses for a moment, but leans forward anyway. Donghae the cream off his lips and smiles.

"It's good, right?"

Hyukjae smiles indulgently.

"Yeah, it is. The best ever."

Donghae preens under his praise, and Hyukjae resists the urge to pat his head.

"Now, let's clean up so we can make a new one together."

Donghae's eyes sparkle, happy to show Hyukjae just how much he's improved in baking.

The best birthday present ever, Hyukjae thinks to himself.