The weather was a tranquil, calm breeze; the sun in its process of rising up, the trees still standing green and mighty, people preparing themselves to either go to work or school: a perfectly serene picture for a perfectly serene morning. It’s too early for this district of Seoul to be busy yet; no cars were flooding the streets, and not many people were crossing the road. The subway was yet to be full when the clock strikes at seven, and it hadn’t even touched six. Such a peaceful morning for such an important day… a very important day indeed.

A very important day specifically for these two people: one already up and god knows what’s going on in his mind at the moment (he’s planning something evil as usual…), and the other sleeping still like a log. They weren’t supposed to sleep together—heck no, their rooms were separated by different floors and it takes an elevator to go to the other. But they slept together last night and it has been a really long time since they did, and of course their friends in the same floor didn’t have a problem with that. Frankly, nothing ual happened. They just slept in the same bed and cuddled and held each other close and whispered I love yous to the other’s ear and overall, they just hugged the night away. They told their own stories about what happened the past few days because they had a lot to catch up on, because really, when was the last time they were in close proximity like this? Their bonding time was eaten up by their busy schedules and there’s no way for them to be together.

And now, they’re making up for all of it. 

Ryeowook woke up to a tickling sensation on the side of his nostrils, his eyebrows furrowed and forehead creased as he tried to scrunch his nose but it still wouldn’t go away. Feeling desperate, he tried to swat it with his hand, his palm quickly going in contact with his face. He thought it was gone but then he felt a cold feeling on the tip of his nose…

His eyelids fluttered open, his eyes immediately scanning his hand and saw that there was (probably) whipped cream on it, lots of it, and he realized that there was some on his nose too, because apparently he touched it earlier, all because it felt ticklish… His eyes landed beside him, on a certain someone who was almost dying of muffled laughter, and Ryeowook can only drop his jaw, although his mouth couldn’t help but form a smile either at the sight.

“Kyuhyun!” Ryeowook yelled at him, pushing the other off the bed with his whipped cream covered hands, also staining the other’s shirt in the process. Kyuhyun fell on the floor, apparently still laughing. “How dare you?”

“I'd really dare,” Kyuhyun replied between short huffs of air, his hand grasping on his stomach to ease the pain from laughing too much. “You should’ve seen your face, it was so cute—”

“Was that cute enough for you?” Ryeowook feigned anger, his lips forming a small pout. He was already sitting up straight on the bed, while looking at the wasted Kyuhyun on the floor. “And I was having a nice dream too!”

Kyuhyun smiled. “Was I included?”

The other went silent for a while as he thought of a good comeback, but his face obviously was turning red the moment when he recalled what had happened in his dream. “Well, yes,” Ryeowook admitted, the plan of acting angry forgotten and his face began to heat up at the remembrance. “We were having a date on the beach and chasing each other on the water, and then you caught up with me and pulled me down and then we were both wet…”

“We were both wet.” Kyuhyun flashed a naughty, toothy grin. “That’s cute.”

“Be quiet.” Ryeowook said, bending over to gently slap Kyuhyun’s face, quickly smearing it with whipped cream. “You’re so mean.”

“But you still love me.”

“And you love me more.”

“No, you love me more.” Kyuhyun laughed lightly, getting a chunk of whipped cream from his cheek by his index finger and it. “And I love you the most.”

“That didn’t make any sense. Are you agreeing with me or are you not?”

“Lots of things don’t make sense. So is my love for you, I really don’t understand…is it because you’re so beautiful in the morning that I’m craving to see it every time I wake up?”

“I’m not beautiful, I’m handsome.” Ryeowook argued while reaching down to pull Kyuhyun up by the shirt so that he can join him back to the bed. “Sweet talking won’t do you any good, you’re still not forgiven. Look, you stained my bed sheets!”

“You already forgave me a while ago, dear Ryeowook. That, I know very well.” Kyuhyun smirked at him, as he slowly rolled himself to Ryeowook’s bed and cramping the other between him and the wall. “We can stain your bed sheets with something else if you don’t like the whipped cream…what do you think?”

“No, thank you,” the other replied hastily, pulling Kyuhyun closer either way by wrapping his arms around Kyuhyun's waist. “I’d rather stay like this for the rest of the morning.”

“So clingy.”

“Everyone knows your clingier, Kyuhyun.”

“And you like every single bit of that, I suppose?”

“Yeah…”

Kyuhyun smiled at this, his body adjusting and moving itself closer to Ryeowook. Their faces were inches apart, and Kyuhyun raised a hand to move a few strands of Ryeowook’s hair away from his face and wipe off the whipped cream that was left on his nose. He whispered softly, “Happy anniversary, my love…” and slowly leaned down to kiss Ryeowook’s temple.

Ryeowook let out a big smile, his arms tightening around Kyuhyun while he rested his head on his chest. “Happy anniversary… I love you.”

“I love you too,” the other said and pressed his lips on Ryeowook’s hair. “Always do, always will. Remember that.”

Ryeowook hummed happily, as he pulled away from Kyuhyun’s chest and looked at him in the eyes, suddenly looking excited. “I got something for you!”

“Hmm, what is it?”

“Remember that time when you said you wanted a new wristwatch?” Ryeowook grinned, his finger prodding on Kyuhyun’s cheek while he got a tissue roll on the bedside table to wipe his hands. “It’s under the bed.”

Kyuhyun jutted out his lower lip. “Baby, you didn’t have to…”

“I had to,” he simply said. “Go on, open it!”

Kyuhyun had a shy smile while Ryeowook quickly gave him a peck on the lips. He moved a bit to reach under the bed so that he can search for a wrapped gift box. “You really didn’t have to, I’d still love you the same even if you didn’t get me this…”

“Oh please, I know you wanted me to get you one anyway, you of all people.” Ryeowook laughed at him, playfully pinching Kyuhyun’s nose. “Don’t deny it.”

Kyuhyun can only grin at this, his hand finally touching a box wrapped in glossy paper and he lifted it up. The wrapper had a mushily designed text saying “I love you” all over and Kyuhyun can't help but mutter a so cute when he carefully undid the wrapping. It was a Rolex watch, something that Kyuhyun was gawking at when tennis player Roger Federer suddenly appeared on the TV screen and advertised one of the most expensive watches out there. Kyuhyun was all smiles when he finally saw it, his arms raised up in the air as he tried it on, both for him and Ryeowook to see. 

“Like it?”

“Love it,” Kyuhyun answered, stealing a quick kiss on Ryeowook’s cheek. “Thank you. I’ll use this every day from now on.”

“You’re always welcome.” Ryeowook winked at him while moving closer to lean on Kyuhyun’s shoulder. “I’m sure you didn’t get me anything?”

“Is that how you think of me?” Kyuhyun asked back, his lips forming a small pout.

“Well, considering the past few years when you didn’t get me a gift…” Ryeowook playfully gave a peck on Kyuhyun’s lips. “Remember, I even busted you out on Sukira.”

“Yeah, now everyone knows I’m the bad guy.”

“But that’s why people love you,” he answered in a heartbeat. “That’s one of the reasons why I love you too, so it’s fine.”

“You love me because I’m a bad guy?”

“I love you because even if you don’t give me gifts every year, you still manage to make me fall in love with you every single day, and I think that’s more worth it. Don’t you think?”

Kyuhyun grinned like an idiot after hearing this, while he got onto his knees and hovered on top of Ryeowook’s body, his hands supporting him on either side of Ryeowook’s head. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?”

“All the time.”

“But have I told you that I have something for you this year?”

“Really?” Ryeowook’s eyes gleamed.

Kyuhyun was smiling when he bent down and pressed a quick kiss on Ryeowook’s lips. “There you go.”

The other stared at him, quite not getting the point of what just happened. “That’s all?”

“Yep.” Kyuhyun grinned at him. “Okay, fine, if you don’t want it then give it back.”

“How am I supposed to give it ba—oh.” A smile crept up to Ryeowook’s lips when realization hit him. He smacked Kyuhyun on the side of his head lightly. “You’re so cheeky!”

“Cheeky and smart,” Kyuhyun laughed. “And handsome, if I might add.”

Ryeowook playfully rolled his eyes. “If I give it back to you, I’d want it back again.”

“No problem with me, surprisingly,” the other replied, smiling. “Give it back now.”

“We might spend forever returning this kiss to each other.”

“Do you mind doing it for the rest of your life with me?”

“Is this a marriage proposal?”

“Maybe,” Kyuhyun leaned down to plant a kiss on Ryeowook’s nose. “I want it back.”

“You were the one who gave it to me, why should I return it to you?”

“No reason.” He groaned, getting a bit impatient. “Just get on with it, Cho Ryeo—mph, ”

“Cho Ryeo-what?” Ryeowook asked with a wide grin, just after reaching up and kissing Kyuhyun fully on the lips. “You planned this, didn’t you?”

“Your boyfriend is clever and wants to kiss you for the rest of his life, so why not?” Kyuhyun returned the kiss again. “Hmm, Cho Ryeowook?”

“Why do I have to be the one to get your surname?” Ryeowook wrinkled his nose. “My father won’t be pleased with this.”

“Let's just say that I kind of convinced him already,” Kyuhyun said, with his hand pulling on Ryeowook’s cheeks. “Besides, your name sounds wonderful with my surname, and you obviously like it. Don’t deny.”

Ryeowook pouted his lips and tried to pry away Kyuhyun’s hand. “You know me too much, Kim Kyuhyun.”

“That awfully sounds like the name Heechul called me when I first joined.”

“Kim Kyuhyun,” Ryeowook repeated, purposely wanting to annoy the latter. He wrapped his arms around Kyuhyun’s neck and pulled him down to lay beside him. Kyuhyun didn’t say anything, just content with huddling closer to Ryeowook and knowing that he's there, and once again he was reminded of all the years that they spent together. And more than anything, he’s ready to spend another seven years with the boy beside him.

Silence was in the air but there was no sign of discomfort between the two. They lay quietly, feeling each other’s breath on each other’s skin, and there was no problem with that. In fact both of them liked it, the stillness of everything and the peacefulness of the morning—it’s like they don’t any worries in the world and their lives only revolve around each other. It has always been like that anyway, supposed to be, but their work nowadays has been hindering them to be together all the time, let alone sleep inside the same room on the same bed and do nothing. That itself was already nirvana for both Kyuhyun and Ryeowook, and they wouldn't want anything else but that.

“I can’t think of a pick-up line…,” Ryeowook suddenly spoke up. Kyuhyun look at him in amusement.

“Because I’m all you ever think about?” He asked, a smug look on his face and Ryeowook wanted nothing else but to tear it off.

“I hate you!” Ryeowook jokingly exclaimed, and once again pushed Kyuhyun off the bed and onto the floor. Kyuhyun was snickering nonstop—luckily the floor was carpeted and it didn’t hurt much to fall on it, and besides, he was used to it anyway.

“The more you hate the more you love,” Kyuhyun managed to say between laughter, while trying to get on his knees and lean on the bed. 

“So true,” Ryeowook chose not to deny. “And that pick-up line was the truest pick-up line for me and you ruined my delivery!”

“At least I know your true feelings now,” Kyuhyun teased. “So that’s why I’m tired all the time, because I’ve always been running in your mind?”

“Actually, yes.” Ryeowook reached up to ruffle Kyuhyun’s hair. “I’m the reason why you’re so tired every day. I’m sorry, Kyuhyun.”

“I would love being tired for the rest of my life if that’s the reason.” Kyuhyun said and caught Ryeowook’s hand in his. He pressed his lips on the side of it, making the contact linger for a while. “I wish life can be like this every day…”

“Oh, don’t start; you know we can’t have—”

“We’re free to dream, there’s no payment for that.” Kyuhyun squeezed his hand and bumped their foreheads gently to each other. “Don’t you also wish for it from time to time?” 

Ryeowook had a sad smile, a sigh escaping his lips as he nodded slightly. “You’re right. Actually, I think about it more than I should…”

“Hmm?”

“Could we have met if, for example, we didn’t join Super Junior? I don’t know what my life would be without you…heck, if you didn’t join in the first place I would still be me, and no you, and that sounds horrible and I wouldn’t know what would happen to me…if there’s no you, Kyuhyun, you—you make everything really worthwhile for me and I just… I just love you, thank god for bringing you here, th-thank you for—”

Kyuhyun hushed him up with a kiss—he heard enough, and Ryeowook looked like he was about to burst into tears anytime soon so he had to stop it. This was supposed to be a happy morning, it was their anniversary for god's sake. Today was supposed to be special. There should be no room for tears.

“If I wasn’t able to join, I’m sure I would be the biggest fanboy of Super Junior, and most especially be the biggest fanboy of a certain Kim Ryeowook, lead vocals of said group and the cutest among them. And I would certainly be jealous of the other members—actually all of them who try to get near him, and I wouldn't want anything else but for him to notice me. I would be his diehard fan,” Kyuhyun told him with a smile, while planting kisses all over Ryeowook’s face. “But things happen for a reason, and for some damned reason I ended up in Super Junior and I gave up my dreams of becoming a lawyer and I met him, fell in love with him, and so did he, and exactly seven years ago he said yes to me, wait no, it happened at night, right? So a few hours from now, anyway—that was the happiest moment of my life, and I wouldn't exchange that for anything."

Ryeowook’s eyes were watery as he tried to pull Kyuhyun upwards to the bed again so he can hug the other fully, wanting Kyuhyun’s warmth and presence and everything about him. He pressed his face on Kyuhyun’s chest when he was already settled down and murmured softly against it, “Not even the very latest version of Starcraft?”

“Not even that,” Kyuhyun let out a chuckle. “Now you know what to get me for Christmas.”

“Oh, be quiet.” Ryeowook chuckled as well while he pulled Kyuhyun even closer to him if that was still possible. “You silly, silly man… Why me of all people? I don’t think I deserve such a great person like you—”

“We deserve each other, don’t say that.” Kyuhyun said hurriedly, pressing a kiss on Ryeowook’s forehead. “We went through a lot, didn’t we? We worked hard to ask for the members’ permission if we can date, all the manager hyungs' permission too, and we got them to agree. Some SM staffs know about us too, and Changmin and the others know, and god, our parents already know it as well—there wasn’t a problem. All because we worked hard for that and they accepted us with open arms, and isn’t that a blessing in itself?”

“I bet you’d still date me even if they wouldn’t agree.”

“That’s right. I would even marry you if you’re going to be okay with it.” Kyuhyun winked at him. “Well, who cares about popularity and other people when I have you?”

“I would.” Ryeowook sighed. “Kyuhyun, I don’t want to be someone who takes everything away from you just for you to be with me. That’s just cruel for me to do.”

“Oh yeah?” the other said. “But you’re my everything, why would you take yourself away from me?”

“Oh.” Ryeowook’s cheeks heated up as he pushed Kyuhyun’s head to the side lightly. “You’re so good with words!”

“Is that another reason why you love me?”

“No, it’s just an additional asset.” Ryeowook stuck his tongue out at him. “That’s why people think you’re so evil but in reality you’re so nice.”

“I’m not nice.”

“Oh believe me, you are.”

“Am I?”

Ryeowook nodded.

“Am I?” Kyuhyun repeated, louder this time, and he began to reach out and tickle Ryeowook on the waist. Ryeowook squealed, his eyes widened while he used his hands to block out Kyuhyun’s. Apparently, that wasn’t working since Kyuhyun was much stronger than him, and the latter knew all of his weak points so he never stopped. Ryeowook’s face was red as he tried to contain his laughter while trying to stop Kyuhyun at the same time, but nothing was working and Kyuhyun still insisted on tickling.

“K-Kyuhyun!” Ryeowook screamed, his body trying to wiggle away but to no avail. Not having any other options, he pushed Kyuhyun off the bed for the third time this morning; the only difference was that Kyuhyun pulled him too so that both of them would fall on the floor. Kyuhyun was quick to recover, his body hovering on top of Ryeowook’s this time, pinning the smaller male to the carpeted ground.

“Am I evil enough?” Kyuhyun smirked. “I think you’re underestimating me, mister. Didn’t you say on live television seven years ago that one of my bad points is that people can’t underestimate me?”

Ryeowook was sweating now, his face still red as a tomato when he frowned at the person on top of him. He chose not to answer the question, seemingly having nothing to answer anyway since it was true, but asked back instead, “Did that Hello Chat episode happen seven years ago?”

“Yeah.”

“And you told them that I’m the person that you want to be like.”

“True.”

“And you told me that you love me.”

“You told me that you love me too.”

“And it was a live recording?”

“Yes.”

“We were actually flirting on television?”

“Not exactly.” Kyuhyun chuckled. “Weren’t you on a phone patch?”

“Yes, I only planned on watching you, but I couldn’t help but call.”

“So it wasn’t technically flirting.”

“Well, we weren’t exactly a known pairing before…”

“I think everything changed because of the Mini Drama. Did you remember the card game?”

“Yes!” Ryeowook was laughing now. “That was awkward, wasn’t it?”

“We weren’t used to kissing then.” Kyuhyun laughed as well. “Look at the difference between that one and the kissing game during the anniversary fan party.”

“Don’t remind me! You were kissing Hyukjae hyung like that too and your hands were all over him!”

“I touched you too!”

“But you touched him too!” Ryeowook fumed. “I swear I prefer the younger Kyuhyun who doesn’t know how to do fan service at all!”

Kyuhyun bit his lip, quickly thinking of a way to redeem himself. “Th-That was my fault, yes, I’m sorry, but are you really getting jealous over Eunhyuk? It was strategized that way so we can be next to each other, rather than Sungmin or Jongwoon beside me—no, I can't endure that, just no. And Hyukjae supports us more than anyone so he’s supposed to be okay. I thought we talked about this before?”

“Then tell me, am I in the wrong place to be jealous?”

“No…” Kyuhyun said slowly.

“Then am I more or less making sense?”

“Yes...”

“Good.” Ryeowook patted Kyuhyun’s cheek. “At least you know where I’m coming from.”

“Yeah, actually I do. I get jealous too. Why do you always hang out with those EXO kids nowadays and less time with me? Last Tuesday someone actually bashed you on Sukira after you sang a duet with that Kyungsoo! I knew I was right not to like him.”

“Well, Kyungsoo’s voice is better than mine anyways, so they have a point. Don’t get Kyungsoo into this, it’s not his—”

“What?” Kyuhyun looked at him in disbelief. “Ryeowook, your voice is amazing. It has something striking compared to the rest and that’s what makes it more angelic, more you. I don’t want you to accept criticisms and degrade yourself into something that you’re not. If possible, I’ll make that fan eat her words because she’s lying. She obviously hadn’t heard your voice enough.”

“Kyuhyun…” Ryeowook took a deep breath. “Thank you. I know. I always get confident because of you.”

Kyuhyun didn’t say anything but pressed his lips on the other’s forehead. “Sorry for bringing that up. We’re supposed to be happy today. It’s our anniversary.”

“Seventh year anniversary…” Ryeowook mumbled, a smile ghosting on his lips. “It’s been a long time.”

“It’s strange that no one from the outside even suspects that we’re together…”

“You hide it so well. You don’t even talk to me that much.”

“I mastered the art of being subtle.” Kyuhyun winked at him. “Unless the fans are being very observant…”

“Fans are always observant.”

“Well, what if I really want them to see how much I love you, anyway?”

Ryeowook sighed. “You’re such an idiot.”

“An idiot that you love, yes?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” Kyuhyun kissed him on the lips. “Remember how I first confessed my love for you?”

“You were drunk.” Ryeowook smiled. “I thought it wasn't true the next morning.”

“I was half-drunk; you know I can control myself well.” Kyuhyun reminded him. “I wouldn’t have the courage to say it when I’m fully sober.”

“Well, things worked out because I returned your feelings. I was even surprised…I thought you were, you know, straight.”

“I’m straight.”

“Sure you are.”

“You’re my gay-exception.”

Ryeowook laughed. “What the heck is that?”

Kyuhyun shrugged. “Just kidding. I lied. I’m not straight.”

“I told you.”

“I’m neither biual nor homoual too.”

Ryeowook let out a chuckle and prodded on Kyuhyun’s forehead with his finger. “What are you, then?”

“Ryeowook-ual.” Kyuhyun grinned. “To be very honest, I can’t imagine myself spending the rest of my life with another person but you.”

Ryeowook groaned, while he buried his face on Kyuhyun’s chest. “You sweet talker, you…”

“Only for you,” Kyuhyun said, his lips brushing against Ryeowook’s hair. “Remember when we were still friends?”

“Mhm,” Ryeowook nodded. “Weren’t we closer friends than the others? Before you came, I didn’t have a best friend… although I don’t know if Jongwoon hyung could be considered as one at that time, he had lots of friends other than me. But when you came, I don’t know… we clicked.”

“I liked your voice,” Kyuhyun confessed. “I kept thinking that it was different from the others, and I can’t help but be drawn to you. I even felt like I wasn’t worthy to be your friend, but you assured me that everything’s fine. I couldn’t have survived without you.”

“You were helpless; of course I had to help.”

“But you didn’t have to. And you did.”

“I’m a very nice person, as you can see. I just didn’t think it would take this far.”

“What would take this far?”

“Our relationship,” he said. “We were just friends, Kyuhyun… I’m not sure when but there was a time when I realized that I never looked at you that way. I’d get jealous when everyone is paying attention to you, and at first I thought it’s just because you’re stealing my position in the group, but I knew I got a hang of it already, so it must be something else.”

“Hmm?” Kyuhyun’s grin was from ear to ear. “Tell me more.”

The other just frowned. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“I’m enjoying this very much, actually. Go on.”

“Well… there’s nothing more to tell, other than the fact that I fell in love with you pretty hard, but I knew that I had no chance so I started to give up. Not until you told me that you love me too.”

Kyuhyun was silent for a while. “Well, I thought I was the one suffering from unrequited love.”

“We probably felt the same way. Isn’t it amazing how the person you love, loves you back? And you love each other so much that you can be together for over seven years and counting…”

“And the fact that we were just friends at first.”

“That too.”

“Well, everything about love is magical.” Kyuhyun kissed him again on the lips. “You’re my definition of love, so you’re magical as well. So don’t you dare disappear from my life.”

“I’ll only disappear when you tell me to.”

“And that will never happen.”

“Then there you have it,” Ryeowook smiled. “A happily ever after with me. Are you happy?”

“Being happy is an understatement for that.”

“Good to know. Me too.”

“That’s good.”

“And Kyuhyun…”

“Yes?”

“You’re forgetting something.”

“What?”

“We’re still on the floor.”

“Oh?” Kyuhyun burst out laughing, while he tightened his hug on Ryeowook more. “Who cares?”

“The floor is dirty!”

“No, your floor isn’t dirty, you clean it every day.”

“No, I don't—” 

“Guys?”

Both men stopped from pulling and pushing away each other and turned to the door that just opened. It was Donghae, a phone in his hand and his face had confusion written all over it.

“Uh…Why are you two on the floor?”

“Kyuhyun was being stubborn.” Ryeowook answered, earning a smack on the from Kyuhyun but the former didn’t heed any attention to it. “Good morning, Donghae hyung!”

“Good morning. Is it your anniversary today?”

Kyuhyun and Ryeowook looked at each other before turning their heads to look back at Donghae. “Yes...?”

“Ah, so that’s why Hyukjae and Sungmin were planning a surprise!” Donghae’s face brightened at the new knowledge and immediately went to his phone and typed quickly. “I never knew!”

Kyuhyun let out a pained noise, as he rolled away from Ryeowook and onto the other side of the room, feeling betrayed by fate. Ryeowook just face-palmed himself and looked at Donghae in half-amusement and half-frustration. “A surprise, Donghae hyung?”

“Yeah, they were planning a surprise for you two…” Donghae suddenly trailed off, and he looked up from his phone when he finally realized what he has done. His jaw dropped. “Oops.”

---

n o just no