"Shh! Shh!" 

"Ouch! Move over. Find your own place."

The room was filled with the sounds of clambering boys as everyone tried to find a good hiding spot. Unfortunately, 14 tall boys and one living room to hide in was almost impossible, so many members were squished up in one place. Yesung and Ryeowook hid behind the big chair with the birthday cake, waiting in the dark for Leeteuk to arrive.

 

Leeteuk sighed sadly. It was his 30th birthday and everyone had said they had schedules. There was so much going on, and not much time to catch up with everyone. Slowly walking back to the dorm, he thought about the lonely night ahead. But as he opened the door, he was met with screaming and shouting and handfuls of confetti. 

"Happy birthday Teukie-hyung!!" the members shouted as they jumped out from their hiding places. Hae screamed in pain as Hyuk stood on his foot, but his scream was lost in the birthday cheers.

 

Leeteuk's face lit up to see the boys all gathered together to wish him a happy birthday. It was so rare for them to be all together, and Ryeowook read the question on his face. "Manager hyung cancelled our schedules for tonight so that we could celebrate! Do you want some cake?"

"Cake!!" shouted Hae excitedly as he bounced around. The room was slowly filling up with music and laughing as all the members celebrated the birthday boy and a whole night together. Leeteuk looked around the room, searching worriedly for the one boy who hadn't come over to hug him. Sungmin. 

 

He found Sungmin deep in serious conversation with Yesung, the older boy was patting his shoulder and talking quietly. As Leeteuk came closer, he saw Yesung hug Min tightly, and felt a tinge of jealousy at the act. "Min!" he called happily, his voice warm and happy as he called his friend's name. The boy turned around, blushing, his cheeks pink as he looked at the leader. "Happy birthday hyung" the boy whispered as he hugged him gently and swayed to the rhythm of the song. Leeteuk was worried about the boy's quiet demeanor, normally the younger boy hugged him and talked to him about everything, but his tone was serious and quiet tonight. He let Min go as Ryeowook called for the bunny to help with slicing the cake, and to help stop Hyuk from eating yet another piece of cake. 

 

Walking over to Yesung, he hugged the boy, and walked him over to a table. "Yesung, what was Min talking about? Is everything okay with him?" His tone was concerned and gentle, and the panic about his friend clear in his voice. 

"You'll have to speak to him. He wouldn't want me to say anything. Don't worry though, he's not ill."

Leeteuk felt a little relief at the boy's words, but if Min wasn't ill or hurt then why was he acting this way? 

He relaxed as he saw Sungmin playing happily with Kyuhyun and Donghae, the party games were in full swing. Leeteuk joined in with the games, winning two and losing hopelessly at the rest. Laughing loudly, he forgot his worries. 

 

When the time came for presents, the boys held their gifts and stood in a queue. Teuk noted, with a sad feeling, that Sungmin had put himself last. Watching carefully, he noticed how the members were hugging Min and smiling at him more than normal. Kyuhyun, who was second last in the queue, kept turning around to touch Min's arm and nod reassuringly at him. Leeteuk felt the anxiety rise in him again, what could be wrong?

 

He smiled gratefully as he unwrapped each present and hugged each member tightly after thanking them. Sitting surrounded by presents, he looked up at Sungmin, the last member. All of Super Junior was sitting around the leader, and they were all smiling at Sungmin. "Go on" whispered Wook encouragingly, with a gentle smile at the bunny. 

Sungmin reached down to the leader's seat with trembling hands and handed him the small box. "Happy birthday Hyung" he said in a voice that quivered and broke towards the end. Leeteuk noted the way that the boy was shaking, and it made his heart hurt. 

 

He carefully unwrapped the small present, and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful ring, with a tiny crystal duck etched into the silver. And a small note. 

Before Leeteuk opened the note, he put the ring on and marvelled at the beauty of it. "It's perfect Min, thank you." He reached for the little note and unrolled it. 

 

'Dear Teukie hyung,

                                     Whilst writing this, I can hardly believe that I am going to give this to you. How can I give you something so small, when you've given me a whole new reason to live? Teukie hyung, you mean the world to me and I'm so grateful that we have met. At first, I loved you as a friend, but now it's something more. I really love you hyung. Please will you be my boyfriend?

Min xx'

 

The note was small and sweet, with Min's tiny writing nearly filling the small slip of paper. Leeteuk put it carefully back inside the box, and smiled at Sungmin. 

"Of course I will Min, I love you too." 

The members cheered and Sungmin blushed, the cheeks warm as Leeteuk held his face in his hands and kissed him. 

 

Late that night, whilst Sungmin lay sleeping next to him, he took the note out of the box and reread it. Everytime he finished the note, he would kiss Sungmin's head, and he repeated the perfect words to himself until he knew the letter by heart.