The two of you sat in the middle of the living room, anxiously waiting for the seconds to pass by. Regardless of the plush couch behind you, you and Kris always preferred sitting on the floor on the rug with your legs crossed, facing each other. As of right now, the time read 11:52 PM, the date November 5th. It's still your birthday, and even though your day was filled with surprises and smiles and yours and Kris' friends, this was always your favorite part of your birthday - sitting with Kris in the living room waiting for midnight to celebrate your birthdays together because Kris' birthday is the day after yours.

You fiddle with the box in your hands. Inside lay the gift you carefully picked out for Kris - an oldschool Viewmaster you found at a thrift shop. Well, okay, you didn't actually pick it out so carefully. A few weeks ago after classes, Baekhyun and Kyungsoo dragged you along to the thrift shop with them because they wanted to try and find some crazy sunglasses to start their own talk show Youtube channel thing. You figured helping them be idiots would be a lot more fun than engineering homework, so you happily followed along. As you were browsing around, you noticed the old toy and smiled to yourself as a wave of nostalgia washed over you. You put the viewer to your eyes, just like you did years ago, and clicked the switch familiarly, watching the pretty pictures flash by. The reel contained faded, but marvelous images of the galaxy and planets. You may have chuckled to yourself a little when you realized that this gift would be perfect for Kris' birthday coming up, so without hesitation, you bought it, stuffing it in your bag to ensure Kris wouldn't see it when you returned home with the boys. When you got back, you quickly dashed to your room before Kris could see you. Placing the Viewmaster in a box you had laying around, you scrawled a note to include on the inside. "This is freaking awesome," it read. (You hoped he would catch your reference to the time he sang Thrift Shop with Amber. You never let him live it down.) Once you packed everything neatly, you wrapped the box in sparkly, silver paper and put a cute red bow on top, then hid it in your closet until the time came to exchange gifts.

Thinking about the gift made you wonder what gift Kris got for you. Your eyes dart to the box held in his large hands, trying to gauge what it could be. The box was a little bigger than yours, wrapped in green and orange plaid wrapping paper. At the corners, the paper was a little crumpled, and you could tell Kris wrapped it himself - rather clumsily at that.

"So," Kris began, breaking the silence.

"Hm?" you replied, looking up at him.

"Tell me about your birthday today," Kris said, setting the box in his lap and leaning back, supporting himself with his hands behind him. "I only got to see you at dinner."

"Hmmm, let's see..." you gathered your thoughts together, trying to recollect all of the day's events. "I woke up to a loud Baekhyun oppa and Chanyeol oppa." Your smile grew wide as you remembered those two jumping on your bed before you had the chance to wake up. Even though you'll never let them know it, they're definitely your favorite oppas because you always have fun with them while they make you laugh endlessly. But aside from that, you know that they would protect you in a heartbeat, which makes you feel safe and loved around them. 

"They were practically screaming 'Happy birthday!' in my face, and then they pulled me out of bed before I was even sure I was awake," you chuckled, continuing. "Then I got ready for school and walked to campus with them since everyone had already left for school by then. After class, Suho oppa and Tao-sshi met me and wished me happy birthday, but had to run to their business class right after. Luhan oppa, Yixing oppa, and Minseok oppa found me at lunch and ate with me. Actually, Luhan oppa skipped his class to stay with me~" you felt a little blush form around your cheeks. Maybe Kris didn't notice. "Anyway, that's pretty much all that happened during the day. I came home with Luhan oppa and Yixing oppa, and they were giggling the whole time just waiting for my reaction at the surprise party you all planned for me."

Kris smiled and giggled. "It was all my idea," as he said it, he looked off to the distance, trying to seem all cool.

"Oh really?" you questioned, almost in disbelief.

"Yep,"

"You planned it all by yourself?"

"Well... I had Chen and Chanyeol help me out," he admitted.

"Mhmm."

"How did you like Kyungsoo's dinner?"

"It was soooo good!" you cooed, extremely happy that he cooked your favorite dish - japchae. Kyungsoo knows you're a er for noodles. "Also, Sehun and Kai are idiots," you added.

Kris laughed again, this time more heartily. "Trust me. I know." The two of you laughed together as you recalled the two of them (attempting) to perform a traditional Korean tea ceremony for your birthday. They miserably failed, messing up all the moves, and at one point, Sehun even spilled some hot water on Kai, making him yelp and freak out. It was actually quite hilarious.

"Oh, it's almost midnight!" Kris exclaimed, checking his watch. You clapped your hands together in excitement. "Shall we light the candles?" Kris asked.

You nodded happily, turning around to grab the matches. Kris took the cake from the coffee table and placed it between the two of you. Every year, you take turns picking what type of cake you should get, and this year it was your turn. You always pick the same kind - strawberry with white icing. Handing a match to Kris, you each light the candles on the cake. There were only two, one for you and one for him, since putting 45 candles on it would be really impractical. 

"11:59."

"Make a wish."

Closing your eyes, you thought of what you wished for most and kept it tucked away in your chest for safe keeping. Kris did the same, peeking through one eye to steal a glance at you. The grandfather clock in the hall rang midnight, shouting through the quiet house as everyone else was already asleep after a long and eventful day. At the of midnight, both you and Kris opened your eyes and blew out the candles, smiling. 

"Cake and presents time!" you chanted, throwing your arms in the air.

"Aish, are you sure you're 21?" Kris teased.

"Oppa! Open mine first!" Ignoring Kris' comment, you tossed your gift at him, anticipating his reaction.

"Ah, what is it?" he asked, shaking the box to his ear.

"Just open it!" 

"Okay, okay." Kris removed the bow from the top of the box and stuck it on his head as he worked at the rest of the gift. Tearing away the wrapping paper, and exposing the cardboard, he slid his thumb into the crevice where the flap of the opening rested, holding the box cover down and popped it open. Inside he found the Viewmaster and your short note. "Ha ha," he laughed flatly, reading your note. You beamed at him.

"Look in it!" you urged excitedly. He obliged, holding the Viewmaster up to the light and sifting through the images.

"Whoa! This is awesome!"

"I know," you smirked.

"It's so my style. Thanks."

"You're so lame," you joked. "Okay, my turn!"

Putting the Viewmaster down, Kris leaned over the cake, handing you his gift.

"Yay." Ripping open the paper and opening the box, you revealed a cute plushie inside. Upon taking it out, you realized just how adorable it is. "Awwwww," you squeaked. Examining further, you asked, "Is it - ?" but before you could finish, Kris cut you off.

"A deer," Kris said, nonchalantly.

"I love it and it's cute, but why a deer?" You cocked your head to the side in curiosity. 

"You like Luhan right?" he inquired, already knowing the answer.

"Wh-what?" you stammered, not expecting that question at all. You felt your cheeks heat up fast, the red flushing them like an anime character's.

"Don't play dumb, I know you do."

It's true. Kris is like your older brother, and there's no doubt that he knows you best.

"Well," he continued. "My gift is like an inspiration and encouragement, so don't screw it up!"

"Uhh..." you didn't really know how to respond. 

"Don't worry," Kris comforted. He couldn't tell if you were embarrassed or scared (actually, neither could you.) He stood up and walked over to you, plopping down right next to you and putting his arm around you. "I see the way he looks at you, and he talks about you all the time."

"Really???" you asked, shocked.

"Yep,"

You couldn't help but grin like an idiot upon hearing such news.

"Tell you what," Kris started, a hint of mischief gleaming in his eyes. "Let's make a bet. If Luhan asks you out by Christmas - which I'm almost positive he will - you have to run into the ocean during our beach trip."

"What?! It's gonna be freezing!!" you exclaimed, not happy with your potential punishment.

"But -" Kris interjected. "If YOU ask HIM before Christmas, I'll run into the freezing ocean."

You couldn't help but shake your head at his confidence, but you also couldn't help but smile at his faith in you. Even though Kris was really stupid most of the time, you're really happy that you get to see this side of him.

"So? What do you say, meimei? Do we have a deal?" Kris pushed.

"You're on."