“Are you sure about this? I’m worried if something happens.” Siwon’s voice was laced with worry as he drew a brown coat closer around Joonmyun’s tiny frame.

Five years old Joonmyun quickly nodded his head and beamed at his older brother. “Appa and Umma said Yifan can bring me there. Hyung, I really want the teddy bear.”

Siwon sighed in defeat and he looked into his little brother’s eyes. “But I’m still worried about you my honey bunny.”

Joonmyun scrunched up his nose in distaste. “I’m not a bunny!”

“You don’t have to worry about anything, hyung. I’m already six years old. I’ll take good care of Joonmyun.” Yifan piped up and gave Siwon a confident look. “Joonmyun is definitely safe with me.”

Siwon smiled a bit and took Yifan’s left hand, linking it with Joonmyun’s smaller one. “Promise me you wouldn’t let go of his hand. I don’t want you to lose my bunny even for one second. Is that understood?”

Yifan’s eyes grew twice larger and he couldn’t help but feel proud that Siwon had trusted him to look after his precious little brother. The feeling was indescribable, more amazing compared to when his mother had finally allowed him to pour his own milk into the glass. “I promise, hyung. I would never let his hand go.”

“Another thing, promise me that you wouldn’t let Joonmyun buy ice cream.” Siwon warned Yifan in a serious tone, his eyes averted away from Yifan to Joonmyun. “You just recovered from your flu, so no ice cream for you, bunny.”

“Who said I want to eat ice cream?!” Joonmyun huffed, cheeks glowing slightly pink. “And stop calling me bunny!”

Yifan glanced sideways to look at Joonmyun and the latter had already pouted his lips in annoyance at his older brother. Yifan knew how much Joonmyun liked to eat ice cream during winter. And he also knew that Joonmyun would get sick after that. As much as Yifan wanted to make Joonmyun happy, he would never want to see Joonmyun sick in his bed. And it was worst because Joonmyun couldn’t go out and play with him when he got sick.

So, in conclusion, Joonmyun should never eat ice cream. Ice cream was definitely his mortal enemy, Yifan thought.

Yifan made a mental note to not let his guard down and agree to the younger’s pleas later on.

Yifan looked up at Siwon with his eyes wide open and nodded. “I promise, hyung.”

“Good boy.” Siwon patted Yifan’s hair softly and then proceeded to kiss Joonmyun’s forehead. “Now off you go. Please be careful.”

~~

They had been walking for little less than ten minutes when Joonmyun stopped abruptly and stared at Yifan with his famous puppy eyes.

“Yifannie…”

“Yes.”

“Can you buy me ice cream?”

Yifan stiffened. Oh no.

“No.” Yifan replied, not looking into Joonmyun’s eyes.

“But, Yifan, I want ice cream.” Joonmyun whined and swung their entwined hands back and forth.

“The answer is no.”

“Why? I will keep it a secret from Siwon hyung.”

“That’s not the problem.”

Joonmyun’s fingers started to curl into the fabric of Yifan’s sleeve. “Then why won’t you buy me?”

Yifan fidgeted uncomfortably.

“Don’t you love me, Yifan?” Joonmyun stared at Yifan with adorable expression on his face that Yifan felt his heart was going to melt right at the moment.

Yifan tightened his grip on the smooth skin of Joonmyun’s hand. Joonmyun was still staring at him with hopeful expression and Yifan knew the smaller boy will cry in no time if he didn’t comply with the request.

Seeing Joonmyun crying was thousand times worse than seeing him sick in the bed.

Yifan tore his gaze away from Joonmyun when he saw the latter’s lips started to tremble. He looked around, eyes scanning the surrounding area helplessly. Oh, how he wished Siwon hyung was here.

Think Yifan, think!

“Joonmyun, look! It’s red velvet cake!”

Joonmyun stopped sniffling almost immediately. “Where?!”

Joonmyun’s eyes grew bigger and he squealed as he followed Yifan’s line of sight. His craving for ice cream had completely disappeared when he saw a very delicious red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting on the display.

Joonmyun’s eyes brightened. “Yifannie, can I eat red velvet cake?”

Yifan wanted to sob in relief. “Of course you can.”

Joonmyun bounced up and down in glee and Yifan hissed when Joonmyun loosened his grip on his hand. “Joonmyun, don’t do that. Hold my hand tightly.”

Joonmyun obedi