Minho was nervous that morning. He hadn’t seen his parents since his wedding, and even then, he didn’t talk to them much. What could they want?

                He was told to dress up nice. He should wear a suit, look presentable, smell nice. They would be going out to dinner at an expensive restaurant.

                Just out of nowhere?

                ‘Hey, haven’t talked to you properly in a year or so and I hate all your life choices, let’s go to dinner’?

                Wasn’t that a little strange? A little out of place?

                He looked to Taemin for comfort, eyes locking onto the boy through the mirror. He was folding laundry across the room, graceful and calm as always.

                “Kitten?”

                “Yes?” He watched the younger boy perk up.

                “I love you.”

                “I love you too, honey.”

                “Hey, why don’t you come here and hug me or something?”

                “Wait, not right now. Let me finish folding first.”

                “No, right now.” Minho pouted.

                “Why right now?”

                The elder spun around, crossing his arms. “Taemin, why won’t you kiss me?” He noted the blonde’s soft shrug, walking over and dropping down beside him. “Is something wrong?”

                “No. Well, yeah, but no. I’m just worried. I’m nervous. Naturally. Okay?”

                “I’m nervous too but kisses make things better so kiss me…”

                Nodding, Taemin cupped Minho’s cheek with his hand, pressing their lips together. “Will you drive safely for me?”

                “Yes, baby.”      

                “Will you eat the lunch I packed for you? I know you’re going for dinner, so it’s nothing heavy.”

                “I’ll eat it all, darling.”

                “Will you… call me to keep me up to date?”

                With each request tugging the corners of his lips higher and higher into a smile, he nodded. “I’ll do anything you ask.” Minho confirmed, lying to boy down on the bed, indulging in his lover before he’d have to leave for the whole day. “What are your plans for today then, Minnie?”

                “Jongin, Ruki, Heechul, and I… we’re probably going to go to the bar or something.”

                “Don’t drink.”

                “I don’t drink.”

                “Don’t let Jongin touch you.”

                “Not a single finger.”

                “Don’t let Heechul talk you into something stupid.”

                “I won’t Minho. I promise.”

                Sighing, they shared another long and intimate kiss before pulling away. “Well I guess I should be going soon then.”

                “You probably should. Shall I walk you to the door?”

                “Yes please.” He nodded, standing up and lifting Taemin with him, holding him like a princess and making his way downstairs.

                “I was going to walk you out but I guess you can just carry me then.” The younger boy laughed.

                “I just need a little de-stressing before I leave.”

                “De-stress all you want.”

                A kiss, wave, and roaring engine later, he was in the car, pulling onto the highway.

                His hands were growing sweaty although the weather was no longer hot and humid. Wiping them on his pants, he sighed. Before he came out as gay, meeting his parents was something he looked forward to. Now he dreaded and couldn’t stop thinking of everything that could go wrong.

                And as if that wasn’t enough, he had a few hours of panicking to go.

                Picking up a coffee, he tried calming himself down.

                “What do you think?” Taemin asked, standing in the doorway of Jongin’s room, modelling his outfit.

                “It’s fine.” The younger boy shrugged, answering in a monotone voice.

                “Jongin… come on…”

                “Who cares?” He asked, slipping into a dark, tight tee shirt. “Aren’t you married or something? Who are you trying to impress?”

                “What? I… no one, I’m just trying to look good for myself…”

                “Well I can’t look at you anyways, remember?”

                Pouting, Taemin walked over to the younger boy and bit his arm.

                “Ow! What are you doing?”

                “You’re being stupid so I’m trying to eat you.” He could see Jongin trying not to laugh. “Do I look good?” He pouted.

                “You look… really good.” The boy’s eyes soon fell to his arm, noting the red teeth marks. “Look at what you did! I’m going to look like I got into a fight! What if they don’t let me in because they think I’m a trouble maker?! I’ll definitely get revenge!” He proclaimed, spinning the blonde around and sinking his teeth into the back of the elder’s neck.

                “Ouch… what are you, a vampire?” Taemin asked, shoulders instinctively raising to hide his neck, to protect the vital body part. It wasn’t until Jongin adjusted his teeth, tongue pressing to the blonde’s neck that Taemin moved away. “What’s next? Biting the skin off?” He joked, clearing his throat.

                “I tried. So Minho went to see his parents?”

                “Yes.”

                “Do you know when he’ll be back?”

                “No. Hopefully soon…”

                Driving up to his parents’ house, he grabbed his phone, picking the only name with a heart beside it and dialing the number.

                “Hello?” Taemin picked up after the first ring.

                “Hey, Kitten.”

                “Hey. How are you? Have you gotten there yet?”

                “Yeah, I’m a block away. A little stressed.”

                “I’d give you a kiss,” Taemin laughed, “But I’m out of reach.”

                “I know, I just wanted to talk to you.”

                “You can do it, baby. I believe in you.”

                “Thanks. I’ll call you at some point during the dinner, alright?”

                “Alright. I love you.”

                “I love you too. Bye.”

                “Bye.”

                Hanging up, he drove into the driveway, parking. Giving himself a few more seconds to relax, he took a deep breath and got out of the car. The journey to the door seemed never ending. He took several steps, walked for hours, but he didn’t seem to get any closer. And then, as if that entire perception was wrong, the door, now only a few feet in front of him, swung open, his mother’s blinding smile greeting him.

                “Minho! I’m so happy to see you again! How have you been?” Wrapping in now foreign arms, he shook his head. “U-um, I’ve been okay… yourself?” Didn’t she hate him for the past year? Didn’t she come to his wedding just to tell him it was a mistake?

                “Great, I’m so happy you’re here!” Turning around, she seemed to scream into the empty room, “Honey, Minho has arrived, we better get going!”

                “Going where?” Minho asked.

                “Go to the car, alright? Take a seat in the back, your father and I will be right there.”

                With car keys dropped into his hand and no explanation, he nervously swallowed, heading to his dad’s sleek, black Cadillac. Clicking it open, he hopped in the back seat. At this point, he was feeling more confused than nervous. Still, as stated, his parents joined him not too long after, seeming in a rush.

                “Um, you never told me where we were going…” He found the voice in himself to speak up.

                “Sure we did, darling. Dinner! It’s very important so be on your best behaviour.”

                “It really is nice to see you again, son.” His father smiled, reaching over to shake his hand. He quickly noticed him using his left hand instead of his right one, leaving Minho to awkwardly do the same. Before he knew it, his father slipped his wedding ring off of his finger and handed it to his mother who dropped it somewhere into her purse.

                “Hey, can I have that back?” Minho quickly raised his voice.

                “After dinner, sweetheart. It’s a little too flashy and distracting.”

                That was ironic coming from someone driving a car that probably cost more than the money he spends on his condo a year.

                He promised Taemin he’d wear the ring.

                “Mom, please give it back.”

                “I promise that you’ll get it back right after dinner.”

                “But-”

                “Type the address into the GPS and check for traffic.” His father interrupted them. As of that moment, his voice was no longer heard.

                Taemin stared at his phone, noticing the lack of phone calls and text messages.

                He was in Heechul’s car, heading over to Ruki’s house, and he was growingly worried.

                Worrying was probably unnecessary.

                “You don’t need to worry.” Heechul commented as if reading his mind, spotting the boy’s anxious expression through the mirror. “Don’t worry, you can drink your worries away at the bar. Or even better, at the pregame at Ruki’s.”

                “I promised Minho I wouldn’t drink.”

                “Oh come on, how can he expect you to go out and not drink? It’s like going out to a restaurant and not ordering food! Just blame it on me, okay? Say that because I’m your hyung and I told you to drink, you had to obey or get punished.”

                “I don’t know…” He shrugged, glancing in Jongin’s direction. Deciding the boy was close enough, he shuffled in his seat a bit before leaning over and resting his head on the younger boy’s shoulder. He appreciated the hand that wrapped around his waist and held him close. “I guess I’ll just text him then.”

                ‘I hope you’re doing okay. I love you.’ Minho read off of his phone seconds before entering the lobby of a very expensive looking restaurant. He was still completely uninformed and ignored.

                “Minho, this is very important for us, okay? This affects both of our careers greatly and we could possible lose our jobs if this doesn’t go well. Speak when spoken to, display your best manners, don’t say anything that could be controversial or misunderstood. Are we on the same page?” His mom spoke in a strict tone that was all too familiar.

                “No! We’re not on the same page! I don’t get what we’re doing at all! Can you please tell me? And give me my ring back!”

                “Put that passion to good use, son.” His father commented.

                Entering, they stated their reservations and were brought to a table for six, all of them sitting on one side. He couldn’t help but to notice the expensive looking table cloth, the giant chandelier which hung in the center of the huge ballroom, the important looking people surrounding them, and the delicate plates set in front of them. He wondered how much it would cost to replace this thin ceramic dish if it were to be broken.

                He was still missing his ring but this was definitely not the time or place to be making a scene.

                Receiving the menus, each dish up in triple digits, he sighed. There was no way he’d let his parents pay for him, but no matter what someone told him about the chef’s cooking, no salad was worth three hundred dollars.

                Glancing over it for the cheapest thing, he looked up when the chairs in front of him began shuffling against the carpeted floors. Sitting down across from them was a woman and man, both his parents’ ages, and a young woman who, in all honesty, could probably be a model.

                “Nice to see you!” They all greeted each other.

                Minho’s mind went blank.

                Taemin felt a little awkward sitting on Ruki’s couch while the other three sat across from him on the floor, getting drunk.

                “Don’t look so worried, Tae-chan!” Ruki chirped, “We’re taking a taxi!”

                “Just don’t vomit, okay?”

                Heechul snorted, crawling over, causing Taemin to raise his legs off the floor and shift away. “Don’t be scared, Minnie…” He smirked. “Drink with us a little!”

                “No!” That’s when Heechul stood up and Taemin knew to run. “Hyung, leave me alone!”

                “I can’t! It’s my responsibility to take care of you and make sure you have fun!” He yelled, following him through the house until Taemin ran into the bedroom, met with a dead end.

                Screeching at the top of his lungs, he sprinted towards the corner, hiding in it as if he’d disappear. “Please!”

                “You’re going to take a few shots, okay cutie?”

                Taemin shook his head quickly, backing up into the wall. Within seconds, Heechul’s chest pressed against his, leaving him trapped and easy to lift for the elder who tossed him over his shoulder and carried him back into the living room.

                “What do you use these for?” He heard Jongin ask Ruki.

                “Well technically, a water gun is for shooting water, but when you fill it with vodka instead, it becomes a lot more fun.” The elder explained among the sounds of glasses hitting counters and liquid pouring.

                Taemin flung himself back, slipping over Heechul’s shoulder, causing him to drop a bit and wrap his legs around Heechul’s waist. “Do I have to drink?” He pouted as cutely as possible, using his looks to his advantage.

                “You’re really cute, Tae. People get cuter when they’re drunk though. Were you always this small?” He asked, finding the boy easy to hold with one arm alone. “Then again, you were always tiny, even when we first met. Do you remember that? We almost hooked up for the night.” He chuckled to himself. Dropping himself down on the couch and securing Taemin on his lap, he watched as the drinks arrived.

                “Hey, you’re not going to shoot that into my mouth, are you?”

                “Duh.” Jongin laughed along with Ruki.

                “What if it gets on my clothes?!”

               “Then I guess you’ll have to take them off.” Ruki nodded, “Don’t worry, me and Heechul do this a lot. If you behave, you won’t spill a single drop!”

                “Guys…” He whined, “You’re impossible. I’ll drink a little, okay? Just go easy on me…”

                Happy with their victory, the three boys nodded, smiles glued to their faces.

                “This is our son. Introduce yourself, darling. Say a little bit too.” Minho’s mother began. Taken by surprise, he kept telling himself not to stutter.

                “My name is Choi Minho, twenty one years old this year. I have a bachelor in the arts and I am currently working on my master’s degree at a University in Seoul.”

                “So you must have skipped a few years haven’t you? Very admirable.” The man commented. “Now why don’t you say a little Yujin?”

                The girl nodded, brushing her long, raven hair over her shoulder. “My name is Kim Yujin. I am twenty years old and in my third year of schooling. I am studying to become a nurse at Seoul University but I am willing to wrap up my studies if I find the right man to be my husband and provide me with a comfortable lifestyle. I would love to have a family before I am thirty and I would love to raise happy, intelligent children.”

                “You’re such a bright girl.” His mother smiled, receiving a soft smile back.

                “When do you plan on getting married, Minho?” The man, who he now assumed he’d call Mr. Kim, asked.

                “I’m already married.” He answered, instinctively raising his hand, displaying his finger.

                He wondered why they all laughed. He also wondered why he got a sharp heel stabbing into his foot, causing him to wince at the pain.

                “He always jokes like that. It’s been an ongoing thing for the past few years. He’s just a little shy when it comes to the topic and replies with humour! You know, he’s just waiting for the right girl to show up in his life, which I can definitely see it being your daughter.”

                “No, really-”

                “Remember what we talked about in the car? About our careers being at stake here?” His dad whispered loud enough for only Minho to hear, bringing his arguments to a halt.

                “He just wants to get married whenever a smart, charming girl like yours shows up to complete his life.” His mother spoke for him. Or, well, lied for him.

                “What do you think, Yujin?” They asked her. The anxiety on his parents’ face became evident.

                “With looks and intelligence like that, how could I say no?” She giggled cutely.

                “Then perhaps we can make another dinner appointment for just the two of you sometime soon. When are you free, Minho?”

                “He’s free every day after three. Since they’re both students in Seoul, they wouldn’t have to drive up here either, so it’s more convenient. How is next Saturday at nine, Yujin? There’s a gorgeous restaurant near the river.” His mom asked her, explaining the name and location of their date without consulting Minho whatsoever. He hadn’t been able to get a single word in since he arrived at his parents’ house. Not only that, the only thing his father had been doing is stealing and giving warning.

                “That’s great. Oppa, may I please have your phone number so that I can contact you the day of our date?”

                Not given a choice, he tried his hardest to replace his glare with one of his charming grins. “Of course.” Being handed a phone with a blank contact card, filling in his information against his will. It would be lying if he said he didn’t consider putting in the wrong number. Even if he did though, his mom would just give her the proper information.

                “I’m looking forward to getting to know you on a much more personal level.” She tilted her head, the corners of her lips turning upwards.

                “Likewise.”

               They had now hit the bars. Any bar with a door, music, and crowd was fine. They were probably in the seventh one. While Ruki and Jongin went off to get more drinks, Taemin enjoyed his dance with Heechul. The elder’s hands rested on his lower back as they moved to the song’s quick beat.

                “If I didn’t know you better, I would think you’re flirting with me, Mr. Lee.”

                “Good thing you know me better then.” Taemin laughed. It was fun having fun. Minho and him haven’t gone clubbing in a long time, definitely not after they got married, and rarely after they got engaged.

                “What’s this?” He asked, finger running across an agitated spot of skin on Taemin’s neck.

                “Jongin’s work.” Taemin laughed.

                “What, is that how bad he is at giving hickeys? It looks like a wolf bit your neck while you were on a camping trip or something.”

                “It wasn’t meant to be a hickey. He literally bit me.”

                Heechul laughed, “What a weirdo.”

                “I bit him first.” Taemin confessed, receiving another laugh.

                Minho left the restaurant, two hundred percent enraged.

                “What was that?!” He asked, slamming the car door.

                “She’d make a great wife and daughter-in-law.” His mother smiled, his father nodding in agreement.

                “Okay, great, are you planning on having another son? Because I’m gay!”

                “Oh, stop it Minho. She’s a great girl. You will go on a date with her, then another, and then another. You will ask her out, and eventually marry her. Remember, our careers are at stake. She’s your responsibility.”

                “No she’s not! I didn’t ask for this responsibility! I’m a married man! I’m married to another man!”

                “Do you really want us to lose our jobs?”

                Frustrated and angered beyond belief, he slammed himself back into the seat, wishing they could get home faster so that he could get into his own car and get the hell away from these psychos. “Give me my ring back.”

                It was dark when he got home. From the sound of it, everyone was sleeping, but a single light in the kitchen proved otherwise. Tiptoeing over, he caught site of Taemin sitting on a stool, chest draped over the counters. Half empty glass of water on one side and a spilt bottle of Advil on the other, he could guess the boy had a hard night. He probably drank even though he said he wouldn’t. Then again, he told Taemin he’d wear the ring and that didn’t happen either.

                Regardless, he was just relieved to be home, back beside the person he loves and belongs to. It was like the sight of Taemin made him unwind entirely to the point that all the pent up frustration and shock exploded, leaving him with tears in his eyes. Undressing himself and Taemin down to their briefs, he carried the blonde over to the sofa where he recline it and laid the boy down. Wiping his wet cheeks on a tissue, he took blankets from a nearby seat and tucked the blonde in. Slipping in beside him, he sighed, his quivering lip slowly calming.

                “I love you…” He whispered, “I love you so much…” His voice cracking, tone wavering. Just then, he felt two arms lace around his neck, holding him tightly.

                “I love you too…” The blonde managed, half conscious. It was so slurred and quiet that Minho barely caught it.

                Glancing at his hand, looking over the ring that would never leave his finger again, he was relieved to feel a similar, cold, metal sensation where the base of Taemin’s ring finger met his skin. This was the one. Taemin was definitely the one.

                Finally where he belongs, Minho surrendered to the night.