The smell was still foreign to him, but everything else fell into place.

                Rolling over, Taemin found Jongin, using him for the extra bit of warmth now that winter made the room cooler by default.

                “Hyung… get off my arm and turn off that thing.” The younger boy groaned although making no attempt to change the situation.

                It was then that Taemin registered the alarm coming from behind him, set to wake him at six o’clock.

                Grabbing his phone, he slid an icon across the screen, muting the beeps.

                Suddenly, he remembered why he had set it, jumping out of bed. “I have to make Minho an extra special breakfast!” He reminded himself, quietly sneaking out into the hall and downstairs. Seeing as the older boy wasn’t there, he came to the conclusion that he was still sleeping.

                He knew that he had about an hour to make anything, so he tried, and he multitasked, and he finished off dish after dish until the last one popped out of the oven three minutes before seven.

                Setting the table, he took the ketchup bottle and spelled out the words ‘Happy Birthday’ on one of the omelets. Satisfied, he put it back in the fridge, running upstairs to wake up his sleeping boyfriend.

                The door was still closed when he got there, so opening it just a tad, he slipped in.

                “Hyung!” He sang quietly, jumping onto the bed and finding Minho amidst the covers.

                “Minnie?” The elder mumbled, their sleepy eyes locking.

                “Happy birthday, Minho.” Taemin whispered, finding his way into Minho’s arms and hugging him tightly.

                “Thank you, Kitten.”

                “I would have let you sleep in, but you always wake up early anyways so you didn’t leave me with much of a choice.” He explained, earning a chuckle.

                “I’m sorry; I would have stayed in bed if you told me.”

                “Well it’s too late now; I made you something to eat so please come downstairs.”

                “Can I have a kiss first?”

                “Or maybe ten?”

                “Or maybe ten.” Minho repeated moments before Taemin’s lips gently and slowly peppered his face.

                Sitting up, his hand was taken and he was lead down to the dining room where he was met with a full table, different foods scattered left and right.

                “Did you make all this for me?”

                “Well you probably won’t finish it all alone, but it is your birthday breakfast, so dig in.”

                “I won’t hold back.” The elder laughed.

                Ten minutes later, the trio were seated around the table, filling their stomachs after a long, cold night.

“So I invited a few people over for later. As in for your party. You have to celebrate and that’s what you’re going to do. We have the space now so that’s really convenient.” Taemin confessed, listing off everyone who was to come. “I also ordered a cake and everything. I’m going to stop by the store later and get balloons, because what kind of birthday doesn’t have any balloons?”

                “A matured, sophisticated one.” Minho joked.

                “Taemin,” Jongin whined from across the table, cupping Taemin’s hand with his own, “My birthday is coming up in a month…”

                “I know, I already have a present in mind for you.” The blonde replied, leaning down and biting the younger boy’s finger.

                “Really?” He asked, his face lighting up and a smile erupting.

                “Really. Minho, do you like the toast?”

                Minho looked at the slice of break in front of him; a heart cut out in the center and filled with an egg. “It’s cute. Thank you, Kitten.”

                Praise made Taemin happy, and praise from Minho made him overjoyed.

                “You’re welcome.”

                The food was eaten and plates clean and all that was left was to wash them. Although Taemin took the responsibility onto himself and sent Jongin off to get dressed, Minho refused and stayed, splitting the stack to help finish the job faster.

                “You know, I’m really happy. My heart’s been beating quickly this whole time.” Minho admitted, leaning over to kiss the younger boy’s cheek.

                “I’m glad. I was hoping you’d be happy. You were so kind to me on my birthday, unbelievably so, and I was thinking I could try to give that back.”

                “What was your favourite gift?”

                “Honestly?”

                “Of course.”

                “My first time that night. Not because it was and it felt good or anything, but because I felt so close to you then.”

                Minho thought about it and agreed. The way Taemin looked, the way he spoke, everything about him that moment was endearing.

                “Do you think we’d be able to… tonight?”

                “I… I think we could find the time. I mean, when Jongin falls asleep, if we’re quiet, then we could.”

                “Ah, but what if I don’t want to be quiet?”

                “Well then… you have to take full responsibility of anything that happens.”

                They both laughed, teasing each other to the point that Taemin took a handful of water, splashing Minho with it.

                “Oh, that was uncalled for an unnecessary!” Minho growled, lifting Taemin and tossing him over his shoulder. Throwing him onto the couch, he pinned the blonde’s wrists down above his head with one hand, ticking him with the other.

                Taemin began laughing hysterically, his body jerking in all direction as he tried to break free. “This is the price you pay, Kitten.”

                “N-no, please! Oh God, Minho, stop!” The younger boy begged, “I’m going to end up peeing myself!”

                “Well I guess we’ll both be wet then, huh?”

                The clock continued to tick and Taemin continued to laugh until his sides ached and his breaths were getting stuck in his throats. Fighting with all his will, he tugged his hands free, suctioning his hands to Minho’s face and kissing him with the rest of his strength.

                Caught off guard, Minho’s hands paused, giving Taemin enough time to sit up and get himself free.

                “I have to finish the dishes!” He yelled, running back to the sink, scrubbing away.

                Sighing, the elder shook his head, heading for the stairs.

                “Next time I won’t stop until you pee yourself and then you’ll see how funny it is to test me.”

                “I’ll always win, Hyung.” Taemin teased.

                “Come to my bedroom and we can see who always wins, huh?”

                “We’ll see about that later tonight.”

                “I guess we will.”

                Standing in front of the large mirror in his room, Taemin modelled a few outfits, not sure which one to choose for the party. “We’re at home so it should be casual, but it’s a party so it should be fancy to some extent…” He thought out loud, holding a pair of black skinny jeans up.

                It had now gotten darker outside and all the lamps were , windows revealing the light polluted, night sky.

                “Jongin,” He called, turning to the boy playing a game on the computer, “Help me…”

                “Hyung, you look good in everything. Just pick whatever.”

                “Jongin…” The blonde whined.

                “Okay, fine. Let me see what you picked out.” The younger boy agreed, getting up and walking over. He looked over the bed, seeing all the different outfits.

                “Come here.” Jongin called, taking the bottom of Taemin’s shirt and pulling it over the boy’s head.

                The blonde felt his heartbeat speed up, shaking the feeling off.

                “I think you should wear black, maybe black pants and vest and some different coloured shirt underneath.”

                “Like… that one?” Taemin asked, pointing to a maroon tee shirt.

                “That one would be fine.” Jongin confirmed, grabbing it and dressing the elder, his blonde, fluffy hair standing up with static.

                Flattening the fluff with his lips, Jongin kissed the top of Taemin’s head, quickly ing his pants before patting his shoulder. “Finish changing.” He stated, going back to his game.

                Taemin got dressed and made sure the others were too, and not too long after the home was prepared, guests started arriving.

                “Tae-chan!” Ruki squealed, running inside. “I haven’t been to your place in so long! I also need new keys, I only have the ones to your old place and I can’t go there anymore! Wow! This place is so nice! Show me around, okay? I want to see everything! Ah, it smells good, I’m hungry!”

                “Ruki, slow down!” Taemin giggled, stuck in the tightest of hugs.

                His eyes locked with Heechul’s over Ruki’s shoulder, hands extending and offering a shake.

                “Hey.”

                “Hey, long time no see.”

                Another large group of men came in later, everyone heading to Minho and giving him their birthday wishes.

The living room was packed, music playing and loud conversations amusing guests.

                Taemin was on his knees, carefully pouring drinks for the already-drunk company.

                “You’d make a good wife, kiddo…” One of them slurred, pinching the blonde’s chin and lifting it up to meet his glazed stare. “Is this how you are everyday? Just looking pretty and listening to everything Minho asks of you?”

                He laughed awkwardly, pulling back. “I guess that is what I do.”

                “Minnie, is there anymore cake?” Minho asked from the other room.

                “Yes! I’ll go get some right now!”

                “Speak of the devil.” The man commented before Taemin could slip away.

                Going to the kitchen, he took out the rest of the cake, cutting it into slices and delivering them to Minho and whoever else it was that requested it.

                Back and forth he went; making sure everyone was satisfied and happy, although after a few hours, sleepiness shook him.

                Ordering more food for the fourth time, he sighed, leaning against the wall and reciting the order.

                Checking his watch, it was half past one in the morning, and if anyone wanted to be in bed right now, it was him.

                His cheeks were sore from smiling and his eyelids were heavy. Dragging his feet, he went to the bathroom and washed his face with cold water, hoping to gain some consciousness. It was so much quieter there and he wondered if there was a point to going back out. However, finding excuses to argue that it was, he left, marching back into the crowd.

                When walking by the empty dining room, though, he stopped, noticing a single person, head buried in arms.

                “Is everything alright?” He asked, not yet sure of who it was.

                The person glanced over their shoulder, acknowledging that it was Taemin just as Taemin had acknowledged that it was Jongin. “I’m really tired… how do they have all this energy?”

                “Probably the alcohol.” Taemin laughed, ruffling Jongin’s hair, “I know, I know, I’m tired too.”

                “When are they going to go?”

                “I don’t know, hopefully soon. I still have to clean after they leave and that’s horrible. I won’t be in bed until four… Let’s go get some fresh air, okay? Maybe that’ll help.”

                Jongin nodded and they walked down the hall, sneaking by the groups and onto the balcony.

                The moment the door closed, Taemin screamed, running into the younger boy’s arms.

                “I definitely forgot it was snowing!”

                Jongin tiredly laughed, ping his sweater and wrapping the sides around the blonde. “It is really cold, Hyung. Are you sure you don’t want to go back inside?”

                Taemin shook his head, clinging onto Jongin.  “Just a few minutes. I don’t want to go back in there yet.”

                They stood like that for a while, staying outside although the cold would usually be unbearable.

                “I hope Minho is having fun. It’s his birthday after all. I didn’t think they’d be here this long, though. I wanted to give him his gift once everyone left, but I guess that’ll have to wait until tomorrow morning. It won’t really be his birthday then.”

                “It’s okay, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it no matter what. I would.”

                “Would you?”

                “Yeah. I love you.”

                Just like earlier that day, Taemin’s chest seemed to tighten up a bit at the sound of those words.

                “Taemin!” They heard coming from inside, both of them groaning.

                “Jongin, you can sneak up to bed if you like. I’ll try my best to get everyone out as soon as I can.”

                “Are you sure?”

                “I’m sure. You need sleep.”

                “Thank you, hyung.” Jongin whispered, leaving Taemin with a kiss on the temple before going back inside and upstairs.

                “Taemin!” He heard again.

                “Yes, who’s calling me?”

                “Taemin!” Chansung whimpered, “I… get me another beer, okay?”

                He looked completely out of it, slouched on the couch along with others.

                “Okay…” The blonde answered, going into the kitchen where he grabbed a new can, drained it into the sink, and filled it with cola instead, giving it to Chansung.

                “Thanks, babe.”

                “Um, no problem.”

                Spotting his boyfriend walking into the study, he jogged up behind him, grabbing onto his shirt.

                “Minho…”

                “Yes?” The elder asked, turning around, clearly intoxicated.

                “Are you having a good time?”

                “Yeah, I’m having loads of fun but why aren’t you around more?”

                “Sorry, I’ve been busy. Anyways, that’s good to hear, but uh, I think it’s getting a little late. Shouldn’t they go home now?”

                “Kiss me.” The tall boy suddenly commanded.

                “Huh?”

                “Kiss me.”

                Before he could object, Minho’s lips met his in a messy kiss.

                “Minnie, do you want them to go home?” He managed, his hands landing on Taemin’s hips.

                “Well… I’m really happy that you’re having a great time and that they’re all having a great time, but it’s really late and Jongin already went up to bed, and I’m really sleepy and-”

                “Sleepy? But I thought we were going to do it tonight... I was looking forward to it all night you know. I was going to undress you and kiss you and I was going to you o-”

                “Okay, okay, I understand, but I’m going to pass out on the floor in an hour, that’s all I have to say. It’s your birthday, so you can do what you want. Just don’t exhaust yourself.” Taemin smiled, patting the boy’s shoulder.

                Minho nodded and several seconds later, Taemin saw him go back to the guests and kindly tell them that they all had to ‘get out now, I’ve had enough of you’, earning laughs.

                They all set out while Taemin cursed all the work he had to do now.

                While the birthday boy gave his final good byes to all the guests, Taemin put all of the cutlery, dishes, and plates into the washing machine, moving on to throwing out the disposable things.

                “Tae-chan, I’ll stop by tomorrow!” He heard Ruki yell as he was leaving.

                Laughing quietly, the younger boy shook his head, smiling as he cleared the living room.

                Minutes later, Minho came back in, half empty beer in hand.

                “They’re all gone, Kitten.”

                “I could tell. It suddenly got a lot quieter.”

                “Baby… baby, baby, baby, baby, look at me. Look at me, okay?”

                Giggling, Taemin did as instructed, finding himself only inches away from the taller boy’s chest.

                “You’re drunk.”

                “I might be a little bit, yeah. Drink this.” He said, handing Taemin the bottle.

                “What, the rest of your beer? I can’t drink, Minho.”

                “Just today… it’s my birthday…”

                Shrugging, Taemin took the bottle, downing it in one go. Scrunching up his face, he stuck his tongue out. “I don’t like the way it tastes.”

                “I can get you a different one.”

                “Don’t drink too much, hyung.”

                “You don’t have to worry about it; I’m not going to drive or anything.”

                “Maybe not, but I need you to be able to… well you know, preform.”

                Once the term clicked with him, Minho began laughing to himself. “Don’t worry, Kitten. If it’s looking at you, then I can get really hard, really fast…”

                “Don’t say things like that so loudly, it doesn’t fit you…” Taemin stated, although it did a great job at taunting his lower half.

                “I’m sorry; I guess I might end up saying some things you would see as out of character… you’ll forgive me though, right?” He asked, lifting the smaller boy into his arms, his tongue already tracing over the area where his plush lips meet, begging for entrance.

                Taemin’s legs locked around Minho’s waist, his back arching in a complimenting way. “Hyung, I’d forgive you for everything.”

                “Then please forgive me for taking away the rest of your night.”

                Their lips locked as they went up the stairs, already near the elder’s bed when Taemin spoke up.

                “Wait, we need to shower.” He said, a serious expression on his face.

                “Let’s save time and do it together then.” Minho decided, walking towards his bathroom.

                Taemin was surprised when Minho closed the door and carried him into the shower, and he was even more surprised when the elder let the warm water run, soaking them.

                Pulling away from the kiss, Taemin watched Minho’s hair become weighed down by the water, gaining an inch in length. “Hyung, what are you doing!? We’re still fully clothed!”

                The blonde’s clothes absorbed all the water that hit him while Minho seemed to ignore it, focused on the boy’s body.

                Receiving soft kisses, Taemin laughed, giving in and leaning his head back against the tiled wall. “Hyung, my shirt is wet.”

                “Is that a problem, Kitten? Then let me help.” Minho opted, pinning Taemin to the wall with his body while undressing the boy with his two hands.

                Taemin decided to play his part as well, tugging Minho’s heavy, dripping shirt, over his head and letting it drop to the floor along with his. Pants were next but they didn’t seem to stop the boys from getting to where they wanted to be for much longer.

                The younger boy’s feet found the floor but not long before his knees did as well, lowering himself so that his mouth easily matched the level of Minho’s bulge, on it through the briefs, feeling the heat through the cotton.

                His long fingers felt confident enough to slip past the cloth, slowly pulling it down so that he could now take the raw member into his mouth, ing it without hesitation. Due to Minho being drunk, it did take longer to get him up than it usually would. He loved all of Taemin's touching to the moon and back though.

It wasn't until his hair was being pulled minutes later that the younger boy released the erect, from his skillful trap, looking up.

"What is it, Hyung?"

Minho wondered how someone could look so innocent while doing such dirty, lusty things.

"That's enough for now. I want to... But in the bed... "

Nodding, Taemin stood up, being taken to the bed only to be pinned down and made love to until the sun peaked from behind the curtains once again. It was slow, but also powerful, it was sweet, but it was also rough. The younger boy was happy to find out that the alcohol did little to affect Minho’s potential, giving himself to the boy over and over again, their actions becoming a distraction from sleep, if only temporarily.

Heaving, they released for the last time. Although Taemin's hair was still wet, the sheets managed to dry most of it as well as Minho's.

Now once again tired beyond belief, Taemin knew that he would pass out at any given moment. Reaching down underneath the bed, he pulled out a yellow box.

"I got you this... Didn't have the time to give it to you though..."

"What is it?" Minho asked, the velvet ribbon.

"Open it."

So he did. Inside was a scrap book filled with many pockets and a gift card to an electronics store. Beneath that was a plain, pastel picture frame and inside was a picture of the two Minho remembered taking some time ago. There was red writing on the white space that filled the gap between photo and frame, lines such as 'I will always love you' and 'love has no boundaries, I will love you for eternity' covering the gap. Reading these simple thoughts, Minho felt his heart melt, a smile spreading across his face.

"I know the gifts and it's nothing as extravagant as you did for me. I figured you would need somewhere to start keeping your pictures soon though. I mean, a computer is convenient, but having a physical photograph in your hand has a whole different kind of nostalgia to it, doesn't it? In the end, it's the things you can hold close to you that count."

Pulling Taemin into a tight embrace, Minho kissed his forehead, "I love it, Kitten. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Hey, let's take the first picture right now. I can print it later and put it in."

"No... I look really bad right now..."

"Hush, you look fine. Here, let me get my camera." The elder said, leaning over to the mess on his bedside table and pulling out a camera. Angling it above them, he counted down from five.

A hand on the cheek and a kiss on the lips later, the photo was taken.

"You know Minnie, I had a great time today and I hate saying that because you worked yourself to the bone. However, you were an amazing host and the best boyfriend in the world and I don't want to ever see myself without you. I love you so much; I just cannot put it into words. Please tell me you understand."

"I understand, Hyung." Taemin giggled, pecking Minho on the cheek, then jaw, then nose, and finally the corner of his lips. "I should get back to bed though."

"Stay here for tonight. You'll only sleep for a few hours and Jongin won't care, he's been sleeping since before everyone left."

"Well... I guess I can make an exception for today." He stated, happily finding his place in Minho's strong arms.

He loved Minho's arms.

He felt the safest there.

He felt the happiest there.

He felt warm and fuzzy there.

But most importantly, he felt loved there.

"Happy birthday, Hyung. I love you."

"I love you too, Kitten. Good night."