Yoochun sighed as he followed Jaejoong home, kicking up dust in his wake. Jae stole a look behind him only to see a dejected Yoochun following him with his head bowed low. Sighing deeply, Jae slowed down so he and Yoochun could walk in step.

“Looks like you got the world on your shoulders Chunnie.” Jaejoong’s said trying to keep his voice light. The kid already had big troubles enough of his own.

“Eom… Hyung,” Yoochun began immediately correcting himself. “Is… Is it true that you and… I mean… I just wanted to ask if…” Yoochun’s voice faltered.

Jae took a deep breath and said, “You want to ask if me and your Yunho hyung are gay right?” He said softly.

Yoochun stopped walking completely and stood still as hot tears flowed down his cheeks.

“Chunnie?” Jae asked him kneeling in front of the boy.

“My… My classmate said that his dad is a lawyer. He said that his dad said that gay couples shouldn’t be allowed to take care of k-kids.” Yoochun said as he began to hiccup.

Sighing deeply, Jae gathered Yoochun in a tight embrace. “I know it’s hard to understand right now Chunnie but the world can sometimes be a mean place to those who are different.”

“A-Are you and Yunho hyung different then?” Yoochun asked murmuring softly against Jaejoong’s ear.

Pulling back so he can look at Yoochun in the face, Jae said, “All I know is me and your Yunho hyung love you and Junsu and Changmin very much. We know that other people might not understand that and because of that we pity them.” Jae said as he wiped Yoochun’s tears away with his thumbs.

Jae continued, “But let’s not worry about that right now okay Chun? I know it’s been rough on you Chunnie but we’re not going to solve anything tonight. Besides, we don’t want to keep Junsu waiting right?” Jaejoong said trying to distract Yoochun.

Yoochun nodded as he tried to absorb the meaning of Jaejoong’s words. Forgetting that it was his birthday, Yoochun’s thoughts centered on that afternoon’s events as he and Jae walked all the way home in silence. Therefore, it was to his great surprise when all of a sudden he heard a loud, “Happy Birthday Chunnie!!!” when he and Jaejoong entered the apartment.

Looking up, he saw Junsu hopping up and down before running towards him and grabbing his arms spinning him round and round saying, “Were you surprised Chunnie? Were you surprised?” Junsu kept asking him.

Laughing at the younger boy, Yoochun grabbed him by the shoulders so they could stop spinning long enough to take in the Happy Birthday banner which started to hang crookedly on the wall, to Junsu, Yunho and Changmin’s pointy birthday hats, to a cake sitting proudly as the centerpiece on the dining table to what looked like a simple yet sumptuous birthday dinner.

Grabbing a birthday hat and putting it on Yoochun, Jae smiled at the boy whose eyes began to sparkle. “Is this all because of me?” He asked his eyes full of wonder.

“Hey, it’s your birthday right?” Jaejoong said cupping the young boy’s cheek with his palm.

Overwhelmed by the feeling of being so loved, Yoochun’s eyes filled with tears before he wrapped his arms around Jaejoong’s waist and buried his face in Jae’s tummy. “Thanks hyung.” He mumbled as Jae laughed and patted the younger boy on the back his troubles seemingly temporarily forgotten.

Yunho could only smile as he watched his dongsaeng* with Jaejoong. Yoochun’s been through so much in the past year like they all had but seeing how he’s just opened up so much especially to Jae made Yunho’s heart feel warm. Feeling a bit teary-eyed himself, he walked over and tapped on Yoochun back and said, “Hey kid.”

Yoochun looked up at Yunho with a beam on his face his eyes red from his happy crying if there was ever such a thing. “Hyung,” Yoochun began.

Yunho kneeled in front of his brother and folded him in a bear hug. “I know you’ve been missing eomma and appa Chun and I know that Jaejoong hyung and I can never replace them. But, know that we love you very much. Happy birthday kid.” He said to his brother who suddenly hugged him and buried his face on his hyung’s shoulder as a fresh batch of tears spilled on his cheeks as he tried to hold back his sobs.

“Hey, what’s this?” Yunho asked as he looked at Jaejoong in surprise. Even Junsu stopped playing with Changmin and walked over to Jaejoong and held on to his hand as he looked at Yoochun with concern.

Yoochun tightened his hug on his brother and mumbled, “My classmate is wrong hyung.” He said with conviction.

Yunho surprised at what his brother said asked, “About what Chun?” As he leaned into his brother’s hug squeezing him a bit tighter and then looked at Jae with a puzzled expression on his face.

Jae looked him then mouthed, “Later,” as he patted Yoochun on the back and said, “Come on Chunnie, why don’t we have dinner first so you can open your presents eh?” He said as he told Junsu to get the gifts which got the little one distracted and immediately took off to get the presents.

Gathering around the dining table, Yunho led the prayer thanking God for the blessing of having Yoochun celebrate his birthday after which Jae dimmed the lights and Yunho lit the birthday candle on his cake.

After singing Yoochun the birthday song, Junsu clapped really hard and said, “Make a wish Chunnie!” He said.

Yoochun smiled as he looked around the table taking in everyone’s smiles. Clasping his hands together against his chest and closing his eyes really tight, he took a deep breath and blew on his candle causing the others to erupt in loud cheer. Dinner was loud and fun with lots of laughter. Yoochun’s face held the happiness that’s been missing since his parents died.

With dinner done and the boys taking a bath, Jae began working on the dirty dishes as Yunho brought in the remains from the dining table. Changmin was sitting uncharacteriscally quiet on his highchair on his teether. Swooping down to kiss the little boy on the head, Changmin ignored as he began to tug at the teether.

“Hey, take it easy Min.” Yunho told the young one.

“Here,” Jae said reaching over to take the plates from Yunho.

“Thanks.” Yunho said giving the plates to Jae. “Is Changmin alright?” He asked.

Jae looked at the maknae* and said, “Seems like more teeth are coming in.” He observed.

Yunho nodded as he stood beside Jaejoong began to help with the dishes. They worked in comfortable silence washing the dishes together as they’ve done hundreds of times over the past year or so.

“By the way, thanks for dinner Jae.” Yunho said suddenly as he reached for another glass that Jae finished washing.

Jae looked at Yunho and said, “I’m glad Yoochun had fun.”

“I know he did.” Yunho replied. “I haven’t seen him smile like that since… since before…” Yunho’s voice trailed off.

Jae didn’t say anything but nodded his head. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me he was playing the piano.” He said instead referring to the piano books that Yunho gifted. Yoochun’s smile threatened to split his face in two when he opened Yunho’s gift.

“He used to play at home when he was smaller. He’s always loved playing but lost interest when eomma and appa died. I guess, he found something or should I say someone to play for again.” Yunho said smiling at Jae.

Jae smiled, “Well, whoever that is, I feel envious towards them.”

Yunho didn’t say anything for a while but instead continued to dry the dishes that Jae would pass on to him. Once in a while, their fingers would brush against each other as Jae would pass the dishes for Yunho to dry. And each and every time it happened, Jae couldn’t help but notice how he’d feel a tingle down his lower back.

Trying to ignore what he was feeling, Jae tried to finish washing the bowls faster when all of a sudden Yunho turned to Jae and said softly, “I’d play for you if I knew how.”

Jaejoong was stunned at Yunho’s pronouncement that the bowl he was holding out for Yunho slipped from his grasp sending it crashing to the floor. With a sigh of frustration, Jae immediately knelt on the floor and began gathering the shards of glass just as Yunho said, “Be careful, Jae.”

Unfortunately, Jae heeded too late for as he pulled back his hand to get a particularly large piece, he wounded his finger on a shard. Wincing in pain, Jae immediately pressed on the injured finger only to gasp in surprise when all of a sudden Yunho knelt beside him, grabbed his hand and bit lightly on the wound out the blood.

“Y-Yunho,” Jaejoong said trying to pull back his hand which Yunho kept on a vice-like grip.

Standing up and pulling Jaejoong with him, Yunho ran Jae’s finger under the faucet letting the water wash away the blood. Warning Jae to be careful stepping over the broken glass Yunho led him to the dining table then opened the cabinet where they kept the first aid kit. Jaejoong began to protest that he was fine when Yunho shushed him and proceeded to clean the wound and wrap it with a band-aid just as Yoochun and Junsu left the bathroom all spiffy clean and ready for bed.

“Ooh, hyungie is hurt.” Junsu said running to Jaejoong kneeling in front of his hyung gently holding the injured finger concerned.

Jae smiled at the boy grateful for his presence. Ruffling the boy’s hair he said, “Want to kiss it and make it better?” He asked smiling at his little brother.

Junsu looked at Jaejoong, concern written all over his little face and nodded his head with all his might. “Junsu will make it better hyungie.” Junsu said to his older brother, gently taking Jae’s finger and kissing it then saying, “There, there, all better.”

“Thanks Junsie.” Jae said kissing the boy on the cheek.

“Won’t Yunho hyung do it too?” Junsu asked looking at Jaejoong inquiringly.

Yunho stood and gave Yoochun the first aid kit to return to the closet. “Won’t Yunho hyung do what Junsie?” Asking the little boy using his favourite nickname affectionately.

“Won’t you kiss Jaejoong hyungie’s oo away?” He asked looking at the older man with those puppy dog eyes.

“Ah, he doesn’t have to love.” Jae said smiling at the little boy and giving him a hug. “Yours made it all better already.” He said as he stood up from the floor avoiding Yunho’s stare. Turning his attention towards Yoochun, Jae hurried him and Junsu off to bed so Yunho could get distracted with the boys’ pleas for a bedtime story.

Rushing towards the bathroom in the guise of getting ready for work, Jaejoong splashed water on his face careful to use his uninjured hand and stared himself at the mirror as water dripped from his chin trying to wipe away the image of Yunho on his finger. Jaejoong’s face flushed at the memory closing his eyes at the feel of Yunho’s lips against his skin.

Shaking his head free from such thoughts, Jae began to get ready for work dreading having to leave the safety of the confines of the bathroom from having to face Yunho before leaving for work. Psyching himself to ignore his feelings, Jae got out of the bathroom to go get his bag hoping that he wouldn’t have to come across Yunho.

When Jae opened the door, he took a peek only to find the kids sleeping soundly on the futon. Jae walked towards the kitchen to see if Yunho was there. When he didn’t find him Jae decided that it was probably for the best even though he felt oddly slightly disappointed he didn’t get to see the taller man before he left.

Sitting beside the younger boys Jaejoong couldn’t help but smile as he gave them their kiss goodnight making sure to tuck Junsu in more tightly as he had a habit of kicking off the covers.

Jae moved over to Changmin who seemed to be having a fitful sleep, eyebrows furrowed seemingly in pain. Jae brushed the hair out of the little boy’s forehead noting that he seemed a bit warm. Standing up to get a thermometer, Jae took Min’s temperature and saw that while Min was a bit warm, there was no real cause for concern. Jae began to rub at the little boy’s belly humming a soft lullabye as Changmin began to settle down on his thumb and falling into a deeper slumber. Making sure that Changmin had a pillow tucked firmly beside him, Jae stood up wishing he didn’t have to go to work that night.

Moving over to Yoochun, Jae brushed the hair off his forehead and swooped down to give him a kiss whispering, “Happy Birthday Chunnie, I hope you get what you wished for.” He said as the younger boy curled up against Junsu.

When he stood up, he noticed Yunho watching him from the doorway. “Oh Yunho, I didn’t see you.” Jae said suddenly feeling a bit awkward.

“I took the garbage out.” Yunho said tilting his head towards the can he set down on the floor.

“Oh, okay. Uh, Changmin seemed a bit warm so check up on him in an hour okay? His temperature isn’t that high but just check up on him. I don’t think it’s anything but you can never be too sure.” Jae said babbling.

Yunho nodded and continued to look at him tilting his head and leaning it against the doorway.

Jae swallowed at Yunho’s gaze and said, “Alright then, I have to leave for work.” Then he walked towards the door. Yunho stepped aside to give him space only to stop Jae’s hand as it reached for the doorknob.

“Y-Yunho, I…” Jae began.

“Don’t work too hard.” Yunho said holding Jae’s injured hand checking on the band aid.

“I-I won’t.” Jaejoong said trying to keep his voice level.

Yunho nodded then said, “Good.” Then pulled on Jaejoong’s hand to drop a kiss on his finger very much like how Junsu did earlier except that Jae felt a different reaction to Yunho’s kiss.

“I don’t know how to thank you Joongie.” Yunho said softly.

Jae couldn’t say anything as Yunho began to draw circles on his palm sending tingles all over his spine. “I was happy to do it for Yoochun, Yunho. A simple thank you is enough.” Jae said fighting the urge to close his eyes at the sensation of Yunho’s actions a part of him starting to surrender.

Yunho looked up to see Jaejoong’s eyes and saw something he’s never seen before. “Okay then, let me thank you properly.” Yunho whispered pulling on Jaejoong’s hand and dropping a kiss on his palm. “Thank you for making Yoochun happy.” He said then kissing his inner wrist he added, “Thank you for loving my brothers.” Then looking deeply into Jaejoong’s eyes he said, “Thank you for everything.” Before pulling Jaejoong onto his chest and planting a soft kiss on his lips.

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

Oooh, goodness... how was that? I hope you guys liked this chap... this was probably the hardest to write. I do love that moment in the kitchen though... they seemed so... domesticated... hahaha! Anyway, comments please!!!!

By the way, I'll be gone for a couple of weeks as I'll be too busy with work and what not so please hold on. The next chaps are going to be tougher to write emotionally so this is us giving each other space and time to prepare for what's coming... dun dun duuuuunnnn... *giggle* Seriously though, I'm sorry I haven't updated as much nor will be able to update more but I promise to do my best. Hope to see you guys soon!!! *waves*