"Sungyeol found he was barely able to hold back a groan with the way Myungsoo was looking at him; the other's eyes were so dark and filled with something that he couldn't exactly place but had made his heart pound and his stomach flip from a sudden bout of nerves, it was impossible to look away. Myungsoo's eyes were so mesmerizing that Sungyeol couldn't help but want to get lost in the other's gaze as sincerity and warmth, with an undercurrent of lust, was quick to surge through him like a flash of lightning. The other was burning holes into him, but instead of feeling nervous or afraid, Sungyeol was getting hot and bothered at what Myungsoo had wanted.

Myungsoo had wanted him - only him, and that thought? It felt like it could break him into pieces if he wasn't careful with the boy in front of him. Because if he broke Myungsoo's trust, then he was only going to break himself. 

Gulping at the thought, but never one to be a coward if he could help it, he could only move forward until he had backed Myungsoo into a wall. Hearing a soft thud when Myungsoo had met brick, reminding him that the two of them were at school. He in his tennis uniform, sweaty from finishing a game an hour prior, still high from his victory, while Myungsoo was looking delectable in black, Sungyeol had found himself getting hotter. The sudden thought of someone cathing them, even if it was impossible since no one was going to look for them, especially him, was something that made his mouth go dry. 

Myungsoo wanted to kiss and he wanted to kiss him now, but Sungyeol? 

He just wanted to give Myungsoo he could, but deep inside, he knew that wasn't the right answer just yet. But with how odd the situation was, with how willing Myungsoo seemed to be, the other making him feel things that he had never felt before, it was intoxicating and Sungyeol couldn't help but want to take Myungsoo. 

He wanted to have and he didn't care if they were at school, he just wanted Myungsoo. 

Getting closer until his lips were hovering over Myungsoo's, his hand carding it's way through the other's hair, he couldn't help but whisper, "You'd let me kiss you right? You'd let me do anything as long as I took care of you, correct?"

While Myungsoo, eyes still wide and dark and filled with need, had shakily nodded.

Sungyeol could only close the ga-

"Sungyeol get your out of bed! I can't believe you've slept in on today of all days, you're going to give us bad luck!" 

Eyes shooting open at his brother's voice, at how unapologetic it was, Sungyeol could only growl into one of his pillows before feeling the need to get back at the other. Taking one of his unused pillows and throwing it at the other boy, he could only grin when it had hit the other squarely in the face, shutting him up. It wasn't long before he was sleepily replying, "Should have let me sleep, you ruined a good-"

"If you're going to say dream, please save it because I can already tell."

Quickly looking down, only to see morning wood, Sungyeol couldn't help but turn red. While his brother had went from being deadpan sarcastic to giving a snicker at his brother's expense. 

"Ugh, s-shut up..." Sungyeol found himself groaning at the sound of his brother's laughter, especially since Sungyeol had thought  he had outgrown those types of dreams...

Shooing the other way, ignoring his brother's stupid comments of 'Myungsoo getting you all hot and bothered, and after how many kisses?' Sungyeol could only shakily get out of bed and head towards the shower. Because thinking back to the dream, to how Myungsoo had been... Myungsoo wasn't ready for anything like that - they had only shared a few kisses after all... Kisses that had obviously affected Sungyeol a lot more than he had thought if he was having wet dreams a couple of days after kissing the other boy. He could only turn the shower on cold as he had cursed at the time: he had twenty minutes to pick up Myungsoo. 

What a wonderful way to start his day.  

xxx

Silently staring at his sweater with a frown, white button down underneath it, Myungsoo couldn't help but wonder if what he was wearing was okay. Especially since he had forgone buying new clothes for the occasion as Sungyeol had told him to wear whatever had made him comfortable and that he hadn't needed to buy new clothes or fancy ones for the occasion as everyone was going to be wearing casual clothes anyway, so it was more than okay for him to wear a sweater and jeans. But looking at the white polar bears and Christmas trees that had made up the design of his sweater - the nicest one that he had and something that he had usually found cute on a good day, he couldn't help but wonder if the theme of the sweater was a little much.

It wasn't Christmas yet, and while, Myungsoo had loved the holiday, despite his father not being that good about it - the older man was quite the scrooge about giving gifts, it was also one of the only holidays, besides his birthday, where his father was mellow and a little less demanding than he usually was. It was one of the only days that his father wouldn't expect him to make dinner as the two would share fried chicken and sides from a nearby convenience store as they would watch American Christmas movies on their small TV. Myungsoo personally liked the Home Alone series and Love Actually, while his father didn't necessarily care for any of them, but he'd let Myungsoo watch them and that was kind of special in itself. Because any other day, the man would have expected Myungsoo to clean, cook, and stay on top of his homework or ahead of what he was being given, so having something small like that was a luxury that Myungsoo cherished.

It reminded him that his father wasn't just there to punish him, push him, or blame him for his mother's death - all things that he needed or deserved - his father still had some love for him. Because as much as the man was hard on him, scared him, and hurt him, he couldn't help but latch onto the small things every once in a while... His father wasn't a terrible father, even if he could be unbearably cruel, he was just hurting and Myungsoo's presence had hurt him more than most - God, it should have been him instead of his mother...

Left arm twinging in pain, Myungsoo could now only stare in the mirror a little forlornly as he thought back to how wonderful his mother was, how happy his father had been, how perfect their family had been before he had ruined things... Tears stinging his eyes, Myungsoo couldn't help but wipe away his tears while his right arm had quickly found it's way to his left, only to give it a painful squeeze, bruising himself in the process. Letting the pain ground him and keep himself from getting lost in past memories, Myungsoo couldn't help but let out a shaky sigh a second later.  

Forcing himself to bury those thoughts away for the time being, especially since it wasn't the time to be depressed over something like that when he had needed to make a good impression for Sungyeol's parents - He couldn't speak, so he was already starting off at a disadvantage, he found himself lingering on his sweater once again. Because as much as there were things he couldn't change, there were things that he could do to give Sungyeol's a better impression of him. Like the green tea cake that he had made the other day for all of them to eat after dinner (he had made his father a small one to eat after his dinner as well) or making sure what he wore wouldn't be offensive or make them think that he was a freak... He already knew that he was, but he didn't want Sungyeol's parents to think ill of him for not being good enough for their son. Despite the fact that soulmates existed for a reason. 

Giving another silent sigh, Myungsoo couldn't help but wonder if he should contact Sungjong or Tao about this sort of thing, only to figure that it couldn't hurt if he did so. Just hopefully he wasn't interrupting them or burdening them with stupid questions.

Grabbing his phone, unable to stop himself from smiling at the picture of him and Sungyeol, he quickly unlucked it and proceeded to do his best to find the camera. Taking over a minute to find the picture of a camera, Myungsoo still getting used to the phone that Sungyeol had given him - It looked simple, but was a little bit too fancy for Myungsoo who had never had a phone before. Another minute passing as he had eventually figured out how to use the camera - It was surprisingly easy, but Myungsoo couldn't help but prefer using the old 80's camera that he had gotten from a yard sale a couple of years back - Myungsoo took a picture of himself and sent it to Sungjong and Tao, asking them what they thought. 

There had to be some rules about wearing Christmas related gear too early - like November too early? But knowing that he couldn't risk wearing the exact same clothes that he had worn on his date from the other day or his school uniform, this was all he really had. Because as much as this sweater was festive, it wasn't as festive as the others he had and it didn't have holes either. The colors were bright and unfaded and it was really soft as well, but if he had too, he could possibly grab a sweater from his dad. It would be more than a little big since his father was broader and more muscular than him, especially since Myungsoo was a bit underweight, it would be better than nothing... 

Maybe he should have bought a new set of clothes, even if would have set him back a couple of months, because to Myungsoo, making a good impression trumped getting to eat - sure, he'd go hungry at school, but he wasn't truly starving. Even though, as a teenager and a male at that, eating less than a couple hundred calories was much to little. 

However, before he could think much more on the matter, his phone began to vibrate, signaling that Tao and Sungjong had texted him back. 

Opening his phone to read their messages, he couldn't help but be a little surprised by their words:

You look adorable. Who cares if it's Christmas related, you look good enough to eat. ;) Seriously, you're rocking it and that's all the matters.

Blushing at Tao's over-the-top comment, but feeling relief go through him as soon as he read the other's words, Myungsoo quickly went on to read Sungjong's:

Wear it. Sungyeol's parents will think you're cute... Sungyeol, even more so. He also loves Christmas as well, so don't worry too much, okay?

Now feeling a little bit better about his sweater, Myungsoo quickly typed them a quick Thank you before he was putting his phone in his pocket. Grabbing his notebook and wallet so that he could head downstairs; Myungsoo was once again grateful at the fact that his father was stuck at work and would not be coming home until later that night. Feeling a little relieved at that, especially since he wouldn't have to spend hours trying to convince his father of letting him do something as small as going to his soulmate's house for dinner - a soulmate that Myungsoo still hadn't told his father about, at least he wouldn't have to lie about what he was doing either. Because as much as he should have told his father about Sungyeol, he was too scared to and he feared how his father would take it... He'd knew that he'd probably get a beating for sure, but he didn't know how the man would truly take it.

Would his father be forced to remember his mother, digging up memories that he tried to bury for the sake of his sanity? Would his father go off the deep end and do something to himself? Or maybe to him? 

Myungsoo didn't know and while he loved his father, his father was a volatile man and there was only so much he could take. Myungsoo didn't care if he would get physically hurt, because he was used to that, despite how much it hurt him emotionally as well. But he didn't know if he could take a barrage of emotional abuse that would completely ruin him.

His father had already thought that he didn't deserve a soulmate and that he was too wretched to have one - the former being more than true, while the latter was partly true because Myungsoo was definitely wretched, but he had a soulmate - a soulmate that he loved more than anything. And Myungsoo didn't want to give Sungyeol up if he didn't have to. He may not be good enough for the older boy, but he was constantly doing his best to make sure that he wasn't a burden - at least no more than he already was.

But what had worried him even more than that was his father forbidding him from seeing Sungyeol or worse, hurting the other... Myungsoo would take a million beatings before he would ever let something like that happen. Because unlike Myungsoo who had occasionally needed to be punished, Sungyeol was precious and was someone that should never be hurt by anyone, his father included...

Eventually looking at the clock to see what time it was, only to see that it was 17:36, Myungsoo couldn't help but frown at the fact that he had less than ten minutes to prepare himself... Ten minutes to make himself seem worthy in Sungyeol's parents' eyes... Ten minutes to make sure that he didn't up in some stupid way...

Man, he'd never been so nervous in his life.

And hopefully, the Lee family would like green tea cake as well, because he had put a lot of effort into making it.

xxx

Frowning at how nervous Myungsoo was, the other a bit paler than usual and his fingers completely white from how tightly he was holding onto the dessert that was in his hands (a dessert that Sungyeol couldn't wait to try), Sungyeol couldn't help but want to erase the other's fears. Especially since he was pretty sure his parents would adore Myungsoo, while Daeyeol would have no problem liking the guy and if Yein was as cool as Daeyeol said, then she'd definitely be okay with Myungsoo as well. So feeling the need to get rid of the tension that was apparent in Myungsoo's shoulders, Sungyeol was quick to turn to Myungsoo with a warm look on his face, "Soo-ah, no need to worry or be nervous, my parents will love you... Seriously, you've already gone above and beyond with the cake that you've made and if it tastes anything like your scones, my parents will probably be chucking me and my brother out of the house to take you in instead."

Eyes widening in shock at what Sungyeol had said, too nervous to realize that Sungyeol had been joking, Myungsoo couldn't help but shake his head as he had silently tried to tell Sungyeol that something like that was impossible. Becuase a cake obviously couldn't be worth more than Sungyeol, his brother, or both put together. He may not have met the middle schooler just yet, but with the way Sungyeol talked about him, despite some of it being nagging, Myungsoo knew the other was special. The inflection in Sungyeol's voice and the little smile he got whenever he reminisced something, telling him a story about the trouble the two would occasionally get in, Myungsoo knew Daeyeol had to be someone good.

So it made little sense for Sungyeol to say something like that, but before he could do much else, Sungyeol was quick to give him a soft look at what he was doing. Picking up on what he was concluding right away, "Myungsoo-ah, I was just joking, alright? My parents would never kick me or my brother out for something like that and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't even kick me out for something much worse either. I was just trying to lighten the mood a bit, you know? I know this is nerve wracking for you and I just want you to relax since you don't have to worry about my parents or my brother. And even if they don't like you - which is impossible because they already know how much I like you and what type of person you are - I'll still stay by your side. We're soulmates, aren't we?" 

Subconsciously feeling the need to tell Sungyeol that he was wrong, that he was actually trash, Myungsoo refrained from doing so when Sungyeol had said that he'd choose him over his parents. It was touching and Myungsoo couldn't help but flush a little at that, especially since Sungyeol was so serious about them, but he didn't really want that for Sungyeol either. He didn't want Sungyeol to have to choose between him or his parents, he shouldn't have too!

Hearing Sungyeol give a small sigh, almost as if the other didn't know what to do with him, it wasn't long before Sungyeol was placing his hand on his shoulder and saying, "Let's take this one step at a time, and you'll see, alright?" While his mind was slowly becoming a mess of thoughts towards the behavior Myungsoo was displaying, because as much as he understood the apprehension Myungsoo had towards meeting his parents, it also worried him. He had never been with someone that was so self-conscious and while he was more than fine working through that, he couldn't help but wonder what had caused Myungsoo to be this way. But knowing he didn't have the time to address it or even ask about what was going on in Myungsoo's head, Sungyeol could only continue, "My brother will most likely see us first since he has the tendency to run to the door whenever someone comes over and if my parents are talking to Yein, you probably won't see them until we get to the dining room. So baby steps." 

Nodding, as well as giving Sungyeol a shaky smile, showing him that he wasn't going to mess this up due to his nerves, Myungsoo waited for Sungyeol to open the door and finally lead them inside. While on the other side of the door, Daeyeol and his girlfriend and soulmate, Yein, were quietly talking about what was going to happen that night. Yein was slightly nervous since this was her first time meeting Daeyeol's parents, but unlike Myungsoo who was probably worried for more than a couple of people, Yein was a lot more confident about such things. 

Hearing the door open, only to see what Yein assumed was Sungyeol due to how similar he looked to his brother - the height, the grin, the warm look in his eyes that had reminded her of Daeyeol - and Sungyeol's boyfriend, Myungsoo, who was holding onto a small box with a bow, Yein could only give the two a smile. While Daeyeol on the other hand found himself unable to keep himself from giving Myungsoo a quick scan, taking everything that he had needed to know in.

Giving a small smile at the box, wondering if it was some baked good since Sungyeol couldn't stop talking about how talented his boyfriend was at baking, Daeyeol was more than a bit surprised to see how different Myungsoo was to some of Sungyeol's previous boyfriends. Compared to Ren and Kevin who had been quite feminine and had this dramatic flair to them, almost similar to how Sungjong was at times, Myungsoo was more boyish looking and had something about him that made Daeyeol like him right away. Sure, the nervousness had threw him off a bit since you could probably cut that tension with a knife, but Myungsoo was a do-gooder and for a troublemaker like Sungyeol, that was a pleasant change. Never mind the fact that Myungsoo had to be one of the most handsome guys that he had ever seen, even if he had looked like he had needed a good couple of kilograms on him, Daeyeol couldn't help but think his brother had done good.

It didn't matter if Myungsoo couldn't speak, because with how much his brother had talked about the other and was willing to do everything that he could to make things work, that was more than enough to tell him that Myungsoo was a good match for his brother. Gone was the person that hadn't really cared about soulmates and things like love, being a bit insensitive about such things since Sungyeol had always been a little bit unorthodox towards the whole soulmate thing, and in it's place was someone that had wanted to make things work and was serious about doing so. Because as much as Sungyeol had dated a couple of people in the past, Sungyeol had never been that serious with them and as much as they had connected, Sungyeol hadn't wanted to be that serious with them either. But with Myungsoo, things were obviously different and Daeyeol only had Myungsoo to thank. 

And if he was thinking this, then his parents would have no problem falling in love with the boy and seeing him as family. So giving Myungsoo a warm smile, Daeyeol quickly found himself greeting, "I'm Daeyeol and this is my girlfriend Yein, it's a pleasure to meet you, especially since Sungyeol's constantly talking about you."

Cheeks turning pink at Daeyeol's words, Myungsoo couldn't help but give Sungyeol a questioning look to see if what his brother had said to be true. While Sungyeol could only give a sheepish look, chuckling, "I wasn't that bad, " before he was giving the other a glare, "Nowhere near as terrible as you were bro. It was Yein this and Yein that, I seriously thought that you were going to talk my ear off at times." 

"She's my girlfriend and soulmate, it would have been odd to not speak about her." 

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say," Sungyeol brushed off, not really caring for his brother's excuse as he had just been teasing, he eventually turned his attention to his brother's girlfriend, to say, "Hi, I'm Sungyeol and whatever Daeyeol has said about me, none of it is true." 

Giving Sungyeol a grin, something that was borderline saucy with the way that her eyes had twinkled, Yein had found herself quipping, "Of course," before adding, "It'd be a bit off if they were, especially since you're the one that knows yourself best."  

"Good to see that we're on the same page here, already off to a wonderful start it seems. But before I forget since we're being super official right now," Sungyeol grinned, before turning to Myungsoo to give him a look that had said that he would be fine, Sungyeol went to grab the box from him, as he had said, "This is Myungsoo, he's nowhere near the trouble maker that I am, and you'll probably be seeing him, as well as me after this a lot more since I'm sure our mother will insist on future family dinners and whatnot. So we'll have to do our best to get along, even if we dislike each other, but I'm sure that won't happen since I like you already and Myungsoo's way more accepting of people than me. He's an absolute sweetheart and it makes me wonder how I got so lucky to have a soulmate this nice... And Soo-ah, I'm kidding, we're both lucky."

Hiding a giggle behind her hand, especially since it wasn't every day that she saw someone this cute - the other shocked by Sungyeol's words, so much so that the other didn't really know what to do with himself - she cleared to properly introducer herself, "Nice to meet you Myungsoo-ssi, I'm Yein." 

Not knowing what to do with his hands since he had given Sungyeol the cake, he could only shakily grab his notebook from his pocket to write, bottom lip between his teeth:

Nice to meet the both of you. Yein-ssi, you look very nice in your dress, and Daeyeol-ssi, Sungyeol tells me a lot of good things about you. But thank you for wanting to meet me, it's really nice.

Taking note of how nervous the other was, so much more nervous than anyone here, the two could only give him another smile, trying to ease his nerves. Even if it was a little odd to see someone so careful with themselves that it was a little painful to watch, but with how serious Sungyeol was about him, they couldn't help but believe that Sungyeol would be able to get through to him and have him relax a bit more. Because as much as Myungsoo was sweet, it would be nice for him to break out of his shell and if there was anyone that could do that, it would be Sungyeol. 

"It's not a problem, and thank you. I've been wanting to meet you for a while as well, especially since I wasn't lying about how much Sungyeol likes to talk about you. It's almost like I know you already, so no need to be so shy. And you can drop the -ssi too since I'm sure my parents will be telling you that as well and like Sungyeol said, we'll probably get so close within the next couple of months, we'll be family."

While Yein could only give her appreciation as well, "Thanks for the compliment and you look very nice too, the sweater is super adorable and looks really soft. If you don't mind me asking, but where did you get it?"

Seeing Myungsoo give a surprised look, cheeks turning even redder, it wasn't long before the other was showing them his notebook again.

I will do my best, Daeyeol. Thank you. And Yein, I... I got it at one of the thrift stores near my house. I really like Christmas sweaters, and thank you.  

However, before anyone else could reply, a clear voice could be heard coming from the kitchen, "Kids, dinner is ready."

xxx 

It was twenty minutes into dinner and Sungyeol had to say that things were going pretty well so far. Myungsoo was still a little nervous, but compared to half an hour ago, his anxiety had settled a bit and his nerves would only flare up at the occasional question. The worst was when his mother had asked him about his family - his mother, really, when Myungsoo had told them about the cake he had made for them (all surprised that Myungsoo had done that since it wasn't expected of him to do so and it had pretty much put him in his father's good books since his dad had one of the biggest sweet tooths he knew and the easiest way to win him over was giving him sweets), she had asked him a relatively harmless question about his mother possibly being the one to teach him baking. Sungyeol kind of had a rough idea about Myungsoo's family situation, but since he hadn't asked due to wanting to ease Myungsoo into telling him that sort of stuff, he couldn't help but feel a little sad at Myungsoo's words. Because after seeing Myungsoo's She passed away a couple of years ago, it put a couple of things into perspective for him and he couldn't help but want to protect the other more because of it. 

However, his mother who hadn't known, had felt terrible bringing it up since as much as Myungsoo had wanted to make a good impression towards his parents, she also wanted to give him one as well. But luckily, Myungsoo, had been able to brush it aside and give her a small, shaky smile, while Yein, who was surprisingly good at reading the mood was able to change the subject. Something that Sungyeol was more than thankful for and was glad that she had been there to diffuse the situation, because as much as Sungyeol could have done something, he knew things would have been much worse if he had. Because five minutes later, the girl having lightened the mood with a couple of jokes after giving Myungsoo a knowing, but understanding smile that didn't scream pity, but told him that things were okay and that he was fine, everyone was able to move on as the atmosphere changed into something lighter again. 

Having Yein there was probably the best thing for Myungsoo, despite Sungyeol having thought this whole situation to be a little premature. But looking at things now, Myungsoo giving smiles here and there and answering questions, hands becoming less shaky as the night wore on, it was definitely a huge step for him, but it was made easier by the presence of another. With the attention being equally divided between the two, it was safe to say that having that much less attention on his soulmate was a lot better for his soulmates nerves. And Sungyeol didn't want to imagine how much nervous Myungsoo could get or if he had held onto his anxiety throughout dinner. 

His parents would obviously understand and still like the other, but they would obviously be a little bummed that Myungsoo wouldn't be able to relax in their presence. They didn't want Myungsoo to be scared, wary, or even nervous about them, so it was good that Yein was here to help with that. And Sungyeol had wanted Myungsoo to be comfortable with his parents as well, because knowing them, this wouldn't be the last dinner they would have and he wouldn't want Myungsoo to constantly be as nervous as he was before dinner every time. 

So letting his parents continue to ask questions as they ate, Sungyeol learning a couple of new things about Myungsoo in the process as well, like the authors that Myungsoo liked or how he wanted to get into photography a lot more, Sungyeol couldn't help but take a deep breath in relief as things had continued to go well. But as dinner had come to a close and his mother having finally brought out Myungsoo's cake with a couple of plates, Sungyeol couldn't help but let out a soft gasp when he had noticed Myungsoo's arm. Left sleeve having fallen down to a show an inch or two of skin that Myungsoo had usually kept covered up, not one to let people see too much himself, Sungyeol was finally able to realize why Myungsoo had been scared to show him his arm before. Because without that part of his arm covered, Sungyeol could see the beginning of a gnarly burn scar that had probably encompassed a good chunk of his arm.  

Forcing himself to relax and make himself seem like he hadn't noticed such a thing, especially since he had been the only one that had noticed and he didn't need Myungsoo to know that he had noticed, Sungyeol could only put a small, yet shaky smile on his face. Taking the piece of cake that Myungsoo was giving him, Myungsoo biting his lip again, obviously hoping that Sungyeol would like the cake that he had made, Sungyeol quickly took a bite before he could even set his plate down. 

Moist, sweet, flavorful, and probably one of the best cakes that Sungyeol had probably ever got to taste in his life, he quickly found himself unable to keep himself from putting as much cake into his mouth. Giving a thumbs up while doing so, physically showing Myungsoo how good his cake was, but needing something to get rid of that image that was in his mind. Just barely succeeding when he had almost choked on a piece of cake when he had felt it go down the wrong pipe, eyes watering from the slight pain, he was finally able to gasp after downing a glass of milk, "This is really good, Soo-ah. Best cake I've ever had." 

Seeing Myungsoo give him a bright smile, the brightest smile of the night, despite having been a little worried about him choking a second prior, Sungyeol could only grin, before going on to eat the rest of his piece. His father already on his second slice and his brother not far behind, an obvious sign that everyone was enjoying the cake, Sungyeol was able to smile even brighter, glad that Myungsoo was able to smile that brightly after about an hour or so of being at his house. He could only do his best to keep his thoughts clean of what he had just seen for the rest of the night, even if it had begged to do otherwise.

Eventually he would have to bring it up, but now?

He'd let Myungsoo keep it a secret a little bit longer.