It was 2AM and rain was falling, but it’s alright, because he has someone to keep him warm.

Cicadas drone on and the air conditioning’s on full force, huffing through the vents in the walls like a careful whisper. 

Daehyun is four. Youngjae is three. They both live in close, but not quite, neighborhoods in the outskirts of Seoul. The year is 1998, and their lives are about to change- probably for good- and it all starts when Daehyun hits Youngjae over the head with his lunchbox in preschool, and Youngjae starts to cry.

The first time Daehyun sees him, it’s on the first day of twelfth grade. 

A fresh morning rises on New York, and they welcome it like the good old American boys they are.

He’s still struggling to realize that he’s a father now when they bring Yongguk home for the first time.

"Unique"; that’s exactly the word that fits Jang Hyunseung.

The waves glimmered crystal blue and the air smelled of salt and oil. The seagulls cried above their heads, as if bidding them farewell.

Daehyun thinks that this is, by far, the happiest he’s ever been in his entire life.

In which Hoseok may or may not be drugged, Taehyung likes to sit on top of fridges, Yoongi's mom makes the best food and Jungkook just wants to focus on his homework.

Yoongi likes cacti, so Jungkook gets him one.

Time may be cruel to Jungkook, but love is being a to Taehyung.

Because it’s all clearer now; he’s Zhang Yixing and Zhang Yixing means nothing without Kim Junmyeon next to him, nothing at all.

Confetti falls down like rain and everything’s too bright and so incredibly loud for a change.

"What I still don’t get is why they call it the birds and the bees," Jongup remarks lightly, and all hell breaks loose.

Daehyun has learnt from experience that Youngjae can be pretty frightful when truly mad, and he doesn’t want to awaken the beast. 

Jongdae smiles and tries to focus on breathing.

Jongdae clings on to humor, because that’s all that he has left.

Junmyeon’s not really good with words, but he knows his lips finish his stories for him, and he knows that Yixing understands. He always does.

He knows it’s not much and there’s still a lot of work to be done, but at least they’re talking to him now, and he’s willing to accept it.

 “I’m a freak, aren’t I,” Jungkook sobs suddenly, and Namjoon blinks in surprise.

Jongup splutters. “Shouldn’t you be following the instructions, dad?” He asks hesitantly, glancing at his twin. Junhong just looks horrified. "I don’t need them." "You’re not even using the hammer right!" 

Gemes (Japanese) (n.) The anger one feels inside but cannot find a way to express it

Gezelligheid (Dutch) The coziness, warmth and comfort of being at home, or being together with friends or loved ones sharing time in a pleasant and nice atmosphere (n.)

A heart attack, Jongdae thought. A heart attack at such a young age.

Zhang Yixing is made out of light and freedom and birds spreading their wings and flying away; it’s Junmyeon’s job to sit there and admire that about his husband, because he knows that he himself is made out of metal and salty ocean water, and those things are not even close to being as perfect as Zhang Yixing.

He knows he’ll be alright.