Hyukjae's excitement is always so infectious. He asked a few worried questions. At first.

"But what about your work, Hae? Are you sure you'll have time? Are you sure it's okay? Oh my god, are you taking me to the doctor?"

"No, baby, I just want to go to the mall with you."

Hyukjae had whooped. Ran off to get dressed. Then he'd come running back. To get Donghae. Because he should get dressed too.

Donghae's holding his hand. Keeps watching Hyukjae. Who has lots of clothes that are his own now. But he will still blink hopefully at one of Donghae's. He's always delighted to share, of course. They end up sharing everything anyway.

Hyukjae's wearing shorts. Purple. So Donghae's wearing shorts. White. Hyukjae's shirt is yellow. Donghae's shirt is gray. But long and large. Hyukjae had giggled.

"If you pull your shorts higher, it looks like you're not wearing any pants..."

"Do you want me to?"

Hyukjae had pondered it. Finger on his chin. Then he'd said, "No."

Hyukjae's almost skipping beside him. His hair bounces with his steps. Smiles tug his cheeks. It makes Donghae smile too.

Donghae feels like a kid. Like he has gotten some money to spend. For the first time. On whatever he likes. It's funny. Because Donghae's been taking care of himself. For years now. Even before he was eighteen.

"Oh my god oh my god, Hae, look!"

Hyukjae's hugged his arm. He points to a store. It's arts and stationary.

"You need supplies? Don't you? Don't you?"

"Okay, we can take a look," Donghae says. Lets Hyukjae drag him.

He finds a few art pens. Wonders about some markers. Decides not to. Hyukjae finds stickers. Hearts. Bunnies. Strawberries. Monkeys. Fish. Tigers.

"These would be so good for our calendar!"

"They're cute, yeah," Donghae says. "What do they stand for?"

Hyukjae frowns. Pouts as he thinks.

"Um... I don't know yet. Can I think about it and tell you later?"

"Sure," Donghae says. Holds the basket for him. Hyukjae tosses them in. Gives his cheek a soft kiss.

"Thanks, Hae."

Donghae takes his hand once more. Feels warmth in his cheeks. His heart. He's so stupidly in love.

They wander around the store some more. Donghae has to shake his head. When Hyukjae gasps softly at books. Hyukjae's lips pout. His eyes dim. Then shine a minute later.

"Calendars! Ooohhh, look at these notebooks, Hae -- oh!"

Donghae doesn't know how. He'd never have noticed it. Barely a corner of it peeks. From all the other calendars in front. But something about it... caught Hyukjae's eye. Somehow. The idiot. Hyukjae's pulled it out. His mouth is open. Eyes are suddenly filled. With a thousand stars. He flips through the months. His cheeks turn pink. 

"Baby, no," Donghae says. Instantly. He doesn't need to even consider it.

"Hae... I want it."

"No," Donghae says.

"B-But it's... it's so I can learn..." Hyukjae tries.

Donghae gently tugs him close. Turns him away. From the people passing through. Hyukjae realizes he's hiding it. What he's holding. From people's view. He gasps softly.

"Oh, because it's inappropriate?" he whispers. "But Hae, I won't put it where everyone will see it, I'll just put it where only I can see it -- I want to learn about all the different positions! Don't you? Look, this is the same one that we have on the bathroom door! Maybe we can do it some day--"

"Shhh," Donghae says. Places his fingers over his soft lips. He looks around. There's no one coming into the aisle now. "Hyukkie, you don't need to learn about them because you have me, and like you said, you already have a thousand pages to look at showing almost all of these--"

"Not this one!" Hyukjae points at the month of June.

"That's definitely in some comic, Hyukkie--"

"Which one? Will you let me put it in the closet--"

"Hyukkie, no," Donghae says. He closes the calendar. Places it back. Hides it well. What were they thinking? Selling this here? He saw kids walking through too!

Hyukjae's lips have puffed up.

"Baby, come on. We have our own poster calendar that you made, remember? You're gonna put your stickers on them!"

Hyukjae's eyes immediate sparkle. "Hae! What if--" He lowers his voice. "What if I make a copy of it?"

Donghae places the basket down. Grabs both his hands. "Hyukjae. No. We're in a store. In public."

There's the pout. The longing look. At where the calendar's hidden. Donghae lets his hands go. Pulls the calendar out again. Turns to the year page. With all the months. Looks around.

"Quick, Hyukkie, take a picture."

Hyukjae squeaks. Fumbles for his phone. He whines quietly. Tries to hurriedly take a picture. A person enters the aisle now. Donghae snaps it shut. Sneaks it to the back again. Takes Hyukjae's hand. The shopping basket.

"C'mon babe, time to pay. You want to pay with your card?"

"Can I pay with your card? I don't have money for this, Hae. I'm poor."

Donghae laughs. "You do have money for a few stickers, sweetheart."

"I do?"

"Unless you spent it," Donghae says. He gets in line. Looks at his pouting lover. "Did you?"

"W-Well, all the bills and coins are in my nappysack... and I was so excited I forgot..."

"Your what, now?"

Hyukjae pokes at his hips. "Sappynack?"

Donghae understands what he means. But Hyukjae's confused expression is adorable.

"I'm sorry?" he asks.

Now Hyukjae cutely pokes at his lower stomach. "The belt bag, Hae. Bum bag. Hip bag. Saggybag?"

Hyukjae makes him laugh so easily. A bit too loudly. Donghae covers his mouth. The line has moved. It's their turn.

"Alright, babe, we'll use my card. Do you want to practice?"

Hyukjae nods eagerly. But he's standing close. He clutches Donghae's shirt on the side. Watches him place their items on the counter. Donghae greets the cashier. A bored-looking teenager. Donghae takes out his wallet. Looks behind. There are only two people in line.

"Here," Donghae says. Quiet. Turns to Hyukjae. Gives him the card. The cashier looks at them. Hyukjae pauses. But the cashier doesn't say anything. Donghae nudges Hyukjae gently. Gets his attention back to the small machine. "You just tap when it's ready..."

"Oh, okay -- now, right?" Hyukjae whispers. His poor hand trembles a little. "It says please insert or tap your card..."

"Yes, just tap it up here."