Luhan was the kind of person who exercised excellent control of his emotions, but at the moment, he could not really contain his awe once his eyes fell upon the busy market place.

The place was hustles and bustles, with people running to and fro the stalls. Variety of products littered in the marketplace, ranging from domestic products, figurines, sculptures, natural soaps, fragrant candles, to different personal items, cheap clothing, embroidery, and any other things not commonly found in the mall.

The place was basically a good place to find a souvenir, and the elder was more than thankful that he brought a lot of cash with him.

Moments later, Sehun found himself being dragged by Luhan, the latter letting out airy, childish whines when the former was lagging behind.

"Woah, Lu. It seems that you really enjoyed shopping." Sehun stared at the paper bags in their hands, which were more than their capacities to handle.

"I know what you are thinking," Luhan grunted, the paper bags on his hand knocking with the ones Sehun was holding. "You think I am someone who wastes money on stuff. Well excuse me, it is my first time to shop in ages, and I wasn't the one insisting you to pay for some of them, or saying 'please, Sehunnie, carry this for me.'"

The younger raised his eyebrow at the nickname whilst smiling, and Luhan answered, "It was just an example! I will never call you that cheesy name."

Sehun chuckled at the childish retort and replied, "I was just surprised. You were like, 'Sehun, that is so pretty. Let us buy that,' 'that one is fragrant. I want to buy that,' 'Hun, you need this in your dull home. No, I told you that you need it. I will pay for this,' 'Thehun, this is so cute. What color should I buy?' You literally spent your money on every stall we passed by."

"You make me sound like I am someone who buys without thinking," Luhan mumbled under his breath, and an adorable pout graced his lips. "At least I am not like someone who buys a lot of tea bags and menthol rubs like an old man."

"Hey, that is harsh," the taller male chided, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I just want to try different flavors and their effects. Each tea variant has different effects, and as for the rubs, they are not all eucalyptus. I even have a turmeric one. They are for my muscle aches from endless office work."

Luhan almost offered to help Sehun apply those vapor rubs but he bit his tongue, knowing how inappropriate and intimate that would look like.

"That is probably why my office often smells like of an old man," Luhan teased, and Sehun merely stuck his tongue.

Luhan said, "I am quite pleased that stuff here are inexpensive. Why did I never find this place? God, I bought a lot of cheap stuff in an even cheaper price because of my handsome face."

"Well, excuse me, I was the one who made most of the haggling because you were too ashamed to do so, pretty face," Sehun shot back. "But you know what, I was pleasantly surprised. You even bought clothes in here. I never thought you will buy cheap clothes. You're always into those high-ended suits and long sleeves, so I was startled."

"Hey, I used to shop a lot at the apM stores in Dongdaemun when I was in middle school. It took me months to save money just to be able to buy the premium branded products in the other malls. Uh... as far as I could remember, that was when Mama and Baba won't give me enough money because I spend them on caffeinated drinks that I wasn't allowed to have before."

Luhan heard a slight murmuring of 'and you will tell me that you are not a money spender' followed with a chuckle, but he let it be.

"Started taking caffeine at such a young age? That is probably why your bones are weak," Sehun remarked, to which Luhan answered, "Probably. But I drink caffeine with milk and I was active in sports."

"Whatever you say," the younger said. "By the way, you honestly need my help in improving your fashion sense." He went on with talking when the birthday boy shot him a curious look. "I saw you buy mismatching outfits, and I think I would assist you in making combinations."

"No matter what I wear, I'll always be handsome." Luhan planned to twirl his body to emphasize his point, but the heaviness of the bags he was carrying and the jostling of the crowd around made him abort his plan.

"But it helps to have an extraordinaire ensemble, too, besides formal outfits. Next time, let's try dressing you up and see what styles suits your frame and face."

They passed a food stall, where the vendor was selling street foods that had Sehun's mouth watering in anticipation.

"Can I buy first?" Sehun asked, to which Luhan nodded. They brought down their paper bags on front of the stall, and the vendor greeted them. "Hi, young men. What do you want to have?"

"Tteokbokki," Sehun grinned, fishing out for his wallet. He was quick to get a toothpick and plunge it in one piece, and took it to his mouth. "Heaven."

He felt a slight tugging on his jacket's sleeve, and he looked down to see Luhan looking at him with curious eyes. "Is it really that good?"

"Uh huh. Want some? Do you even eat these kind of food?"

"I don't, but I want one," Luhan said in a whiny tone, which had Sehun's free hand pinching on his cheeks. "Okay, cute little fellah. Eat everything you want. I will pay."

They found themselves indulging in every single kind sold in the stall, and Luhan was especially fond of the tteokbokki which he found out were spicy rice cakes.

The knowing friend Sehun is, he told Luhan to stay away from the fried squid and fish cakes, as the elder is allergic with seafoods.

They feasted on the delicious sweet potatoes and fried vegetables, and Luhan liked the mandu (dumplings) a lot.

Luhan seemed to let himself loose, as he greedily accepted every bit from Sehun's toothpick, who was more than happy to feed the other.

Perhaps they look weird, being two young adults, both males, feeding each other like a couple. Luhan looked like a child especially when he puffs his cheeks whilst chewing the piece Sehun took care in blowing to cool it.

"Hun, try this," he said as he held his own bungeoppang before the taller man's lips, "this makes me remember a bit about moon cakes."

"Tastes good," Sehun commented after taking a bite, "try this tornado potatoes. They're awesome."

"Say 'ahhh~'" Sehun teased, holding his stick on front of the elder. Luhan rolled his eyes at the remark before opening his mouth to have a taste. "Better than French Fries."

Actually, Sehun's plan was to take Luhan to a nearby restaurant for lunch, but it seems that they enjoyed the street food a little too much than they intended, as they consumed almost all the food in the stall, which pleased the vendor a lot.

"Why are there no stall like that near the company?" Luhan sighed, holding his stomach with his free hand, "I prefer taking those for lunch instead of redundant fast food."

"I glad you like it," Sehun smiled, "I thought you won't, knowing that they are street foods."

"The first time I ate street foods was back in primary, when a friend offered one to me. Turns out, they were squid rings, and God. If you only know how much I stayed bedridden for days. Since then, Mama and Baba won't let me go near those stalls."

"Seems like you missed out your youth so much," the younger commented, "but it isn't too late yet."

"Where will we go?" Luhan asked. "Could we stroll around just to lower the food in my stomach? I'm so full. I think I gained a few pounds in just an hour."

"That's good then. You're too lightweight, probably because you're always stressed out."

"Nah, I have always been like this."

"Doesn't change the fact that you're always stressed."

"I'm not," Luhan puffed his cheeks like a blower fish, followed by deflation as he talked. "I learned to loosen up a bit."

"I hope that would go on," Sehun smiled brightly, his pearly whites dazzling Luhan all over again.

"L-Let's go, idiot," Luhan said, dragging Sehun along with him.

As soon as they came face to face with the amusement park's entrance, Luhan protested, "I am so not going in that childish place."

"It isn't just for youngsters," Sehun chuckled, "you'll enjoy. We will go to extreme rides, horror houses, and do bungee--"

"B-Bungee? Are you planning to murder me on my birthday!?"

"I am with you," Sehun smiled as he grabbed the bags from Luhan's hands and threw them in the locker they paid.

"So this is why you won't enter this place." Sehun was basically laughing his out the whole time the roller coaster was escalating to its peak, "I forgot that you're scared of heights."

"I-I am not!" Luhan exclaimed, clinging on the bar that locked him on his seat, "I am not scared of anything!"

"Your face says otherwise. You're pale as a paper." Sehun's laugh was taunting Luhan, and the latter was on the edge of his patience.

", Sehun, once we get off this ride, I'll show you who you are mocking--AHHHHHHH!!!" The roller coaster made a frantic plunge down the long, steep rails, running in the devil's pace.

"DAMN AHHHH, AHHHHH, GOD, I'M DYING!" Were the only syllables that left Luhan's lips. He found himself reaching over to cling on Sehun's arm, who groaned at the death grip around him.

"OH MY GOD!!!"

"Luhan, calm the down--"

"WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE LOOP! OH MY--- YOU OH SEHUN!!!" The ride passed about three loops, literally turning Luhan's life upside down. Sehun was yelling, a third from the thrill of the ride, a third from the pain of Luhan's grip and a third from the joy of his beloved depending on him.

With Luhan shaking like a mad man whilst going down the ride, Sehun pulled him towards a ship-like ride, which the latter thought was merely a pirate ship swinging back and forth.

Little did he know, that it is a Looping Starship that spins 360 degrees, and he ended up shrieking on Sehun's ear while he clung on the younger's frame tightly. The ride was followed by boarding the drop tower, where Luhan's death scream overpowered the sound of the plunging and rising ride.

"Are you okay?" Sehun asked, his hand touching Luhan's forehead and neck to check his temperature.

"DO I LOOK OKAY?" Luhan interjected whilst holding on Sehun's arms for support, "how the hell were you guys able to enjoy such... such suicidal rides?"

"You have to overcome your fear of heights," Sehun spoke as if he was speaking with a kid, "face your fears."

"You cannot even face a bug without freaking out--"

"That is a completely different matter." The elder stuck his tongue out at the lame excuse and Sehun pinched his nose. "Fine, beautiful. Let's just go hunting for bubble tea."

They walked around the theme park, with Sehun drinking his favorite chocolate bubble tea and Luhan satisfying his craving for the taro flavored ones after days of not being able to indulge one. Sehun's arm is draped on Luhan's narrow shoulders, pulling him away from any suspicious eye looking at Luhan in a different way. The elder didn't dare complain; instead, he opted to throw death glares at the people staring at them weirdly, and the ones that were secretly undressing Sehun in their minds.

Once they emptied the last drop of their treat, they rode the river rapids, because of Luhan's request. "I'd better be wet all day than to take those deadly rides again."

Much to Luhan's chagrin, Sehun was completely dry, while half of Luhan's ensemble was drenched. The younger kept on laughing as he took the elder by the hand, buying him the Donald Duck shirt Luhan was secretly ogling at and some jeans that both of them didn't know why it was even that expensive.

"Too bad there isn't a Donald Duck plushie in here," Sehun sighed as he was drying Luhan's damp hair with a small towel.

"It's okay," Luhan was all smiles when he stared up at Sehun, "this shirt feels so cozy and soft. Thank you so much."

"It's nothing, birthday boy," Sehun chuckled as he threw Luhan's used clothes in his bag. "Now, you have a matching shirt for your Donald Duck boxers."

"Moron," Luhan punched his chest with a stiffled laugh.

Time flew fast, which was spent in taking kiddie rides, playing some prize games, pointing at some figurines and plushies while murmuring 'that looks like you,' and taking the moments in pixels.

Perhaps, the only moment that Sehun failed to take a picture of was when Luhan was crying and shrieking like a woman in the haunted house, clinging on Sehun as if his survival depended on the younger.

"Next time, let us go to a tower with skywalking activities," Sehun proposed as they walked away from the canopy where they had a hearty dinner meal of some Chinese cuisine. "And probably, we should bungee jump. Too bad it wasn't available today."

"I had enough trauma for today so I am more than thankful that the bungee jumping didn't take place today." Luhan clutched his chest at the mind-wracking imagination of being thrown up and down in the air, "I prefer riding on the lame tea cups and bumper cars."

"Yah, you almost made that kid cry in the bumper cars," Sehun remarked, "you were attacking the poor thing sadistically."

"Why, it isn't just her," Luhan mumbled back, "I slayed everyone with my driving skills." He made a gesture of driving and letting out soft grunts for the machine sound effects, that had Sehun laughing his out. "Kid."

"Tss," Luhan hissed, and his eyes landed on the big ferris wheel illuminated with bright lights. "Let's head in there before going home."

"If you want to say anything, spill it." Luhan crossed his arms on his chest as he got enough of the other's sneaky glances. Since the ferris wheel started moving, the younger male kept on giving Luhan hopeful glances and Luhan had enough. "It wasn't as if I am a different person, Sehun."

"I want to sing you a birthday song," Sehun blurted out. His face was damn red under the low lighting, and Luhan can't help but laugh. "You're stressed out over that childish ?"

"Hey! I practiced the whole song during breaks," Sehun huffed as he lightly kicked Luhan's foot, "stop being rude."

"Practicing a song you grew up with?" Luhan was about to voice out more taunting words until he was taken aback by Sehun's sudden singing.

"祝 你 生日 快乐, 祝 你 生日 快乐
Zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè.
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.

祝你幸福, 祝你健康, 祝你前途光明
Zhù nǐ xìng fú, zhù nǐ jiàn kāng. Zhù nǐ qián tú guāng míng.
Wish you happiness, wish you health. Wish your future is bright.

祝 你 生日 快乐, 祝 你 生日 快乐
Zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè, zhù nǐ shēng rì kuài lè.
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.

祝你幸福, 祝你健康, 有个温暖家庭
Zhù nǐ xìng fú, zhù nǐ jiàn kāng, yǒu gè wēn nuǎn jiā tíng.
Wish you happiness, wish you health, and have a cozy family."

Of course, it isn't the best happy birthday song that Luhan had ever heard in twenty-nine years, as Sehun had obvious difficulty pronouncing the Mandarin words and his voice is naturally unique. But well, he couldn't help but let a blush creep on his neck and face, and a sweet smile to paint across his lips.

God. The things Oh Sehun does to Luhan.

"Th-That's... so thoughtful of you," Luhan spoke after a moment of silence, "you didn't have to work yourself up--"

"There's another one. This is the real deal." Luhan watched as Sehun rummaged something in his bag, and he lifted up a plastic sealed... case?

"Sorry, I wasn't able to gift wrap it because it came really late yesterday," Sehun mumbled under his breath, "I was so annoyed. I ordered it since two months ago but that stupid sloth barely remembered my orde--"

"Shut it." Luhan grabbed the zip lock from the other and opened it. This was immediately followed by a gasp. "Oh my, Sehun, it's so..."

"I cannot think of anything else," Sehun said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head. "I mean, you have everything you need and you can buy anything you wish. I know this may be cheap, but well this was all I could think of."

Luhan's eyes glowed as he stared at the cellphone case. It was black in color, covered with glittery whirls resembling the Milky Way. In the middle, there lay an embosse logo of L, H and 7, which are Luhan's initials and jersey number back in high school, respectively. The Chinese characters of his name are at the right bottom corner of the case.

"I noticed that your cellphone case was chipped off on the sides and the corners had already cracks, so yeah..." Sehun broke the silence when Luhan kept on staring at the case for a whole minute. "I just thought of having your name imprinted on it, so um... I hope that you like it, do you?"

"Like it? You're really asking me if I like it?" Luhan pulled the other's hand, giving it an assuring squeeze as he beamed at the other. "I love it. So much. So, so much. You even made a logo of my name and fave number. That's... so sweet and thoughtful of you. Thank you so, so much, Sehun."

Sehun chuckled once Luhan started fishing out for his phone to remove his ugly, dull phone case frantically and replaced it with the ones Sehun gave him.

"Happy birthday, Luhan. I hope that I made you happy today."

"Not that I am complaining, but you're so child-like today. I wish you'll always be as lively as today." Sehun drove along the high way, lazily turning the steering wheel while facing the quite heavy traffic jam that night. He looked at the passenger seat, only to find Luhan tilting his phone just to stare at the glittery phone case with pure ecstasy. Sehun smiled, and focused back on the crowded road.

"I do not know, too." Luhan answered after a few seconds, "maybe because it is the last year of my 20s? It has been long since I left the house to go to somewhere other than work. I just want to forget my busy lifestyle even just for a day and to breathe some fresh air." Sehun didn't answer yet, sensing that Luhan has more to say. "So, thank you, Sehun. You do not know how much I needed this."

The words were indeed true for Luhan. The wound from the big blow of his archenemy getting the position he always wanted is still fresh, and for someone as confident as Luhan, it surprised him how much he started seeing himself in a turmoil of low self-worth.

But, at this day, at this very moment, he is staring at the man who made him see what life really was about and that his job should not be the only thing that should define him. Perhaps, the proud façade he had althroughout the years was for pretense, and that the reason behind him fighting for his profession so badly is because he wanted to make himself believe that he is special and important.

Sehun made him realize that he doesn't need to be always uptight and serious to be an adult. Sometimes, it is just about understanding the meaning of one's existence on Earth, and to use it for another's happiness.

"You know what," Sehun started, after the car started running again once the street light turned green, "I received a greater gift today."

"What is it?"

"Seeing you smile because of my efforts. Seeing your loved ones smile is more than the value of rubies, Luhan."

Luhan watched as Sehun stepped on the breaks once they reached the former's house. The car came into a halt, and Sehun started unstrapping himself from the seatbelt. He made a move to do the same to Luhan, who only had one thing circling his mind.

It's now or never, Lu Han.

"W-Wait, Hun." Sehun stopped his movements, staring at the brunette gripping his sleeve.

"It's kind of late, isn't it?" Luhan's voice was trembling, and his eyes averted to the side. "T-There is still space in the garage for your car..."

"L-Luhan..."

"I-I haven't cleaned the guest room yet, but my bed is quite spacious, and I th