“What are you two whispering about?” Jae asked with a smile as he looked at the two younger boys seemingly conspiring about something at the corner of the bedroom the five of them shared. Jaejoong was feeding Changmin his dinner as they waited for Yunho to arrive. He couldn’t help but laugh at how easy it was to feed the little boy who always seemed to be hungry. Unlike other babies at the orphanage, Changmin was easily pleased with food and was never fussy when fed.

“Nothing hyungie!” Junsu said shaking his little head looking at his brother then returned to whispering back and giggling with Yoochun.

“You two better not be planning trouble okay?” Jaejoong said looking pointedly at the older Yoochun.

Yoochun grinned impishly, his boyish face lighting up. Jaejoong couldn’t help but smile for as of late, Yoochun seemed to be happier unlike when he and his brothers first arrived at the orphanage.

Jae will never forget the first time that Yunho and his brothers arrived at the place. Most of the kids were welcoming of newcomers knowing that they just lost their parents. However, for the newcomers who were still overcoming the grief of their parents’ loss, they would mostly keep to themselves slowly adjusting to life of being orphans.

However, for Yoochun, it took him an extra while longer than Yunho or Changmin. Yunho quickly adapted to parental mode for his younger brothers and since Changmin was only a baby, he had the least time adjusting. It was actually Junsu who helped Yoochun open up slowly as the younger boy seemed to always make Yoochun feel better.

According to Yunho, Yoochun was closest to their mother, always following her wherever she went and spending the most time with her especially when she was pregnant with Changmin. Yunho felt at such a loss on how to deal with his younger brother that Junsu felt like a lifeline when the younger boy found Yoochun sulking under their tree one day as he was left to watch Changmin.

Junsu followed Yoochun like a little puppy always trying to make Yoochun laugh with his antics. Unfortunately at that time, it seemed like Changmin appreciated Junsu more. However, slowly but surely, Junsu’s charm broke through the wall that Yoochun built around himself and Yunho couldn’t be more appreciative of what Junsu unknowingly did.

As for Jae, he couldn’t help but be drawn towards the three. Seeing Yunho’s sad eyes that first day they met, Jaejoong knew he just had to help them. When Yoochun finally accepted Junsu’s friendship, Jae asked for the nuns to put him and Junsu in the same room as the three.

At first, Yunho seemed reluctant at the invasion of their privacy especially since he was still in so much grief. However, Jae was careful to be sensitive of Yunho’s moods and feelings so that he would only offer help when he knew that Yunho felt like was already at the end of his rope. And just like Yoochun, Yunho fell for the charms of a Kim.

As the clock struck 6, Jaejoong began to clean up the little table where he was feeding Changmin. Yunho should be home soon and the dinner bell would soon ring. “Have you boys cleaned up already?” Jae asked the two as he wiped Changmin’s face free of baby food.

“Ne, hyung.” Yoochun said as he nudged Junsu with his shoulder which prompted to the younger boy to nod his head vigorously.

Jaejoong looked at the two with amused suspicion but they looked so earnest that he just shook his head and lifted Changmin up out of his baby chair just in time for Yunho to enter the bedroom. Changmin upon seeing his older brother squealed with delight throwing his arms up and pumping his chubby legs up and down begging to be carried by his hyung.

Jae laughed as he held on to the little boy while Yunho dropped the bags he was carrying on the bed then walked over to Jae who passed him Changmin. “Hey kid.” He said dropping a kiss on top of Changmin’s mop. “Miss me?” He asked as Changmin gave him a hug. Chuckling softly to himself, he looked over at Yoochun and Junsu who seemed to be hiding something behind their backs. “Hey guys, what’s up?” He asked.

Junsu looked at Yoochun who nodded in confirmation before screaming out loud at revealing what they were hiding behind their backs, a streamer made out of paper pasted together with the words, “Welkum hom apa!” written on it.

Yunho couldn’t help but laugh at how cute the two younger ones were. Walking over to his to the two, he gave each of them a side hug and earnestly said, “Thank guys.” a wide smile on his face. “I guess a welcome like that deserves a treat don’t you think?” he said tilting his head towards the bags resting on the bed.

With a whoop, Yoochun gave his hyung a hug and ran over to the bags that held the delightful treats that Yunho brought for them.

Junsu on the other hand stayed behind and just looked at Yunho expectantly. Yunho realized that Junsu didn’t move an inch and instead was just beaming at him. “Don’t you want to see the treat I bought for you Su?”

The little boy shook his head and just sat on the floor and smiled, “But you’re already here hyungie,” as if that statement already explained it all.

Yunho fell at a loss and looked at Jae for help. Smiling, Jaejoong walked over to Junsu and picked his little brother off the floor. “Yunho hyungie brought you treats today Su. He wants to give you treats. Now, what do we say when someone gives us something?”

“Uh...” Junsu said, tilting his head to the left and looking up in deep thought. “Oh! I know! I know!” He said brightly. Then looking at Yunho he said, “Thank you hyungie!” He said happily, proud of his little self for remembering what his Jaejoong hyung taught him.

“You’re welcome.” Yunho said ruffling Junsu’s hair before Jaejoong put him down. Running towards Yoochun who was already tearing through the bags, Junsu waited patiently for Yoochun who looked at him and encouraged him to start looking through the baggies of treats that Yunho brought them. Smiling happily, the two boys starting munching on the candy they found.

“Hey, not too much or else you’ll spoil your dinner, okay?” Jaejoong said at the two who looked at him and nodded their faces already sticky with melted candy.

Jaejoong laughed covering his mouth with the back of his hand. Yunho who has been staring at him all this time couldn’t help himself. Holding Jae’s hand, he pulled it down. Jae looked at him in surprise then he looked at him inquiringly.

Yunho couldn’t help but grin. “Hi.” He said.

Jae smiled. “Hey.” He replied.

“I have good news.” Yunho told Jae giving him Changmin as he walked over to the bed and opened his bag swiping a candy in the process.

Jae went to the bed he and Junsu shared and put Changmin on the floor who then proceeded to crawl to his brothers. Yunho sat beside Jaejoong and gave him a piece of paper.

“What’s this?” Jae asked looking at the piece of paper.

“It’s an advance.” Yunho explained.

Jae smiled as realization dawned on him. “You got a job!” He exclaimed.

“Yeah, I did.” Yunho said as Jae grabbed him in a hug.

“Yunho, that’s so wonderful!” Jaejoong exclaimed proudly.

“The pay check’s not that big but I got in as a trainee for a dance company. They’re providing housing and a small allowance as we do our training then when the dance company absorbs us they slowly deduct it off our salaries.” Yunho said with a huge grin on his face. He always dreamed of being a dancer and he got an amazingly huge break when he passed the auditions.

Jaejoong looked at his friend and pasted a smile even as a twinge of pain flashed through him. This was what Yunho’s been working for ever since his parents died which was to be able to provide for his brothers. If this company provided housing to their trainees, Yunho, Yoochun and Changmin could move out of the orphanage once Yunho becomes a legal adult. It would also mean that he and Junsu were no longer needed in their lives.

“That’s great Yunho.” Jae said standing up only to pick up Changmin off the floor again before he could grab a piece of candy and eat it with the plastic wrap still on. Burying his face in Changmin’s hair, Jaejoong tried to steady the flood of emotions that washed through him. He was really excited for Yunho and Yoochun and Changmin but he couldn’t help but feel sad that he and Junsu were no longer needed. This certainly put a cramp on his plans that he’s been thinking of all afternoon.

Yunho looked at Jaejoong then looked over at Yoochun who was unwrapping a piece of candy for Junsu. Smiling at the images in front of him, Yunho called Yoochun over and whispered something in his ear. Yoochun looked at him in surprise then he said to his older brother, “Chongmal* hyung?” His voice barely containing the emotion from what his brother told him.

Yunho nodded in reply and after momentary silence, Yoochun looked up to his older brother and gave him a hug then said, “It’s for the best hyungie.” He said earnestly.

Smiling at his younger brother, Yunho grabbed him in a hug before walking over to Jaejoong who was sitting on the chair playing with Changmin who kept giggling and squeezing his cheeks together saying, “Eomma,” over and over again.

Yunho smiled. “Chunnie, can you come get Changmin for a sec?” He asked his brother.

Yoochun quickly complied and took Changmin from Jaejoong who seemed a little glum. Junsu sensing something was up walked toward his older brother. Noticing his older brother’s face, Junsu came up to him and climbed on his lap and laid his little head on his brother’s chest.

Jae smiled at the comfort his little Junsu brought. The kid was so sensitive to other people’s emotions. “Hey Susu.” Jaejoong said wrapping his arms around the little boy.

Yunho gulped at the scene before him. Feeling his palms sweat unsure of whether his decision was right or not, Yunho reached over the inside of his front pocket and drew out what he bought for Jaejoong at the store and hid it in his hand.

Sitting across Jaejoong and Junsu, Yunho tried to keep his emotions in check as he looked at the two who saved him and his brothers. “Jae there’s something I need to ask you.” He said trying to will away the butterflies in his stomach.

Jae looked up to see a seemingly nervous Yunho. Fearing the worst he nodded his head as Yoochun nudged his older brother to continue.

“These past few months, you and Junsu have been so wonderful to me and my brothers. I... I don’t even know how to thank the two of you.” Yunho said sincerely. “Jae, you saved me from myself. I couldn’t have done any of these without you.” He added as he took Jae’s hand in his.

Jae squeezed Yunho’s hand in response as he felt himself die inside a little at the impending goodbye. Jaejoong was going to miss their little family especially Changmin who started squealing and reaching for Jaejoong.

“Jae, I know that this might not be what you expected but this job...” Yunho trailed off as he felt himself tearing up.

Jae squeezed Yunho’s hand again urging him to continue. Truth was he understood. Of course he would be happy for Yunho and his brothers even though he and Junsu would miss them a lot.

Finally composing himself, Yunho motioned for Yoochun and Changmin to come closer to him. Draping his arm over Yoochun, Yunho said, “Jae, we want you to know how much we appreciate what you and Junsu have done for us this past year.” He began as Yoochun looked at Jae and Junsu solemnly. “I want you to know that you and Junsu mean so much to me and my brothers.” He said.

Jae looked away as a tear suddenly fell from his eye. Damn, he didn’t want to get all emotional about this but the thought of not seeing Changmin or Yoochun or Yunho everyday broke his heart. Junsu looked up at his hyung then buried his face on his brother’s chest.

Jae swiped at the tear and smiled. “Yunho, you don’t have to say that. I just did what you would have done had you been in my shoes. As for Junsu, he’s just a great kid. Am glad, he and Yoochun became friends.” He said simply trying to devoid his voice of emotions.

Yunho nodded his head slowly as he raised his hand revealing the gift that he bought for Jae. It was a piece of metal in the shape of a circle that he held between his thumb and his forefinger. “Jae... I...”

Jaejoong looked at him patiently as he gaze was drawn to the item Yunho was holding. Suddenly, Yunho’s fingers opened and the rest of the item dropped as Yunho held on to the rounded metal.

“A keychain?” Jaejoong said in surprise and a bit of confusion.

“Jae, would you and Junsu do me and my brothers the honor of moving in with us?” Yunho asked.

*****************************************************************

*Chongmal - Really?

BAM! Hahahahaha! How'd you like them apples? Lol! Okay, so this has been my longest chapter so far. It's not my best (at least I don't think) but I loved the uncertainty of it all... what did you guys think? You shall comment after reading this *waving my jedi hand over you* hahahaha! If more than ten comment then YunJae will have a little somethin-somethin in the next chappies... heeheehee... let's see how this bribe works out... hahahaha!