On Christmas morning, the Prime Minister joined his wife in the front row of Hope Church, watching his two children onstage.  Nara was dressed in the white dress Yoona had sewn for her.  Off to the side, Kyungsoo sat on the piano bench, helping the accompanist turn the pages.  The Prime Minister made a note to tell his son to emulate his pianist friend’s excellent posture.

Kyungsoo was glad that everything was going well, as they neared the end of the play.  He still had horrible memories of participating in the Nativity Play when he was little.  He had been Traveler Number Three, Who Lost His Pants Halfway to Bethlehem Because Baekhyun .

Unfortunately, Kyungsoo’s relief was premature.  As Taemin and Sulli cooed over the newborn Jesus and Suho began the intro to the next song, Onew accidentally tripped and bumped into Sulli as she held her baby.  Jesus’ plastic head flew off the doll and bounced down the stage, into the audience. Bop bop bopbopbopbop… The head’s descent echoed loudly in the church.

There was a horrified silence. 

No one moved. Finally, the Prime Minister got up from his seat, picked up the head and strode up to the stage amid whispers.

“T-thank you, Mr. Prime Minister!” Taemin stuttered, grabbing his son’s head.  He and Sulli reattached it back onto the plastic torso.  The audience burst into excited murmurs. “Prime Minister?” “Did he just say…?” Kyungsoo nudged Suho, who quickly restarted the song. Kyungsoo cleared his throat and sang loudly:

“Away in a manger…”

The rest of the children joined in, and the play resumed as though nothing had happened.  Kyungsoo and Suho and Siwon breathed sighs of relief.  A few minutes later, in the middle of the Wise Man’s speech, Suho’s shoulders started shaking. Kyungsoo elbowed him. But he couldn’t help snorting quietly too.

“Wow, that was awesome!  You rescued Jesus!”

“Thank you for saving our son, Mr. Prime Minister.”

“I’m gonna vote for you, when I’m old enough!”

The Prime Minister nodded and smiled as he shook twenty little hands, with the same seriousness he reserved for press conferences.  Nara stood proudly by her father, the savior of the day.

“Appa,” said Kyungsoo, pulling a pale-faced Suho toward his father.  “This is my friend, Suho.”

“It’s,” Suho gulped.  “It’s an honor to meet you, Prime Minister.”

Nara and Kyungsoo watched anxiously as the Prime Minister smiled and shook Suho’s hand.  Both were thinking the same thing:

I hope he approves.

Kyungsoo also met Suho’s parents, two equally beautiful-looking people who seemed to share their son’s penchant for sweaters.  Mrs. Kim immediately commented on how adorable Kyungsoo was while Suho agreed, and Mr. Kim gave Kyungsoo an apologetic look.  Kyungsoo was slightly relieved when Suho pulled him away from the crowd, upstairs to the balcony. 

Upstairs it was quieter, the sound of conversation muffled. 

 “How’s your Christmas day so far?” Suho asked.

“Good,”  Kyungsoo replied, observing the festive scene below, all the families laughing and chatting together.  He smiled when he saw his father and Yoona, a well-dressed pair.  He smirked when he saw Baekhyun talking to Taeyeon, looking as though he were about to pee in his pants any second.

Suho followed his gaze.  “The first time I ever saw you, you were sitting over there, in the fourth row.”

Kyungsoo flushed as he recalled his ungraceful exit.  “You remembered?”

“Your face is too cute to forget.” Suho replied as Kyungsoo floundered.  “I wanted to say hi, but you were gone before I could.  A few weeks later, I saw you at the supermarket, and I thought, God must be trying to tell me something.”

“To stalk me around the store?”

“Maybe,” Suho smiled.  “I’m glad he did.”

“…me too.”  Kyungsoo wasn’t sure whether he’d ever regain the same faith Suho held, but if there was a higher being, he thanked it for bringing Suho into his life this winter. Suho beamed at him, and Kyungsoo’s heart suddenly felt uncomfortably full. He was terrified that one more word or smile from Suho would send all his feelings spilling over. And that woulnd't be good.

Thankfully, Kyungsoo’s phone buzzed.

“Sorry, I have to go.  We have to attend a lunch party with my dad…”

“Okay, I just waned to make sure.” Suho put his hands on Kyungsoo’s shoulders. “If you feel sad anytime today, call me,” he ordered.

Kyungsoo smiled and nodded. Somehow, he didn’t think this year's Christmas would be so bad. 

“Actually, call me if you’re happy too.” Suho pinched his cheek. “Wow, did you know your mouth looks like a heart when you smile? It’s cute!”

Kyungsoo frowned. “Never mind, I’m not calling you at all.” He knocked off Suho’s hand and stood up to leave.

“Wait!  No!  Kyungsoo, I’m sorry…!”

Unlike in previous years, the Do residence was full of activity during the holiday break. The days flew by.  They went to Chanyeol Park a few more times, though Kyungsoo never really got the hang of skating. Under the Prime Minister’s meticulous instructions, they made gingerbread miniature historical replicas. The Prime Minister also arranged for Yoona’s father to stay in the mansion with them, for a few days.  Mr. Im looked a lot older than Kyungsoo last remembered from the wedding.  

“Is he still sick?” Nara asked worriedly, after Mr. Im had retired early to go nap for the third time that day.

“Yes,” Yoona replied.  “Actually, he’s been sick for…a while.”

“When will he be better? Next week? Maybe he can go skating with us next week!” Kyungsoo shushed his sister as he noticed the shadow clouding Yoona’s face.

“Nara, Kyungsoo, there’s something I should tell you,” said Yoona.  “My father isn’t going to get better.”

Kyungsoo and Nara fell silent.

“This will probably be his last Christmas. But, I’m glad he was able to spend it with me, and my new family.” Yoona continued gently.  Somehow it seemed like she was comforting them, even though it should probably be the other way around.   “He's always wanted to see me settled down.”

“I…um...” Kyungsoo didn’t know what to say. He at comforting people. He didn’t know whether words would help, anyway. Yoona's words scratched uncomfortably at a part in him that he'd always tried to push away, especially during Christmas. Kyungsoo looked over at the trays that had been cooling on the rack.

“Do you want a cookie?”

“How many are there?” Yoona asked in surprise as she noticed the endless trays.

 “300, but it’s for a bake sale,” Kyungsoo explained.  “Suho is organizing it.”

“Ah, the handsome church boy,” Yoona smiled. Nara nodded. Kyungsoo coughed.

“H-handsome? Yeah, maybe, I didn’t really notice.  U-um I…here! Try this one.” Kyungsoo grabbed a raisin cookie and offered it to Yoona.

Yoona accepted it.  “You know, I’m glad I married your father, even if only because I get to eat all your delicious food.”

Kyungsoo couldn’t help but puff up a little at the praise.  “Well, I’m glad you married my dad,” Kyungsoo mumbled as he wrapped the cookie foil up. “And not just because of your dad’s wish.”

“Oh.” Yoona looked pleasantly surprised.

“I mean, I can’t really call you my mom…”

“You don’t have to,” said Yoona quickly.

“…but I…we all like you.  I’m glad we’re a family now. Um yeah, that’s it.”  Kyungsoo could feel his ears turning red as he fled the kitchen.  Nara giggled.

He missed the mixture of fondness and guilt in Yoona’s eyes as she watched him go.

A week later, Kyungsoo took it all back as he scanned the piece of paper lying on top of their father’s desk.  Technically, their father’s study was off limits, but Nara had wanted to “surprise” him this year by decorating the room with Christmas lights and ornaments.

Contract of Marriage between Do Yool and Im Yoona…

“Contract?” Nara whispered, reading over his shoulder.

Kyungsoo frowned, his eyes skimming the lines.

Clause 1a.  The true nature of the marriage may only be shared between the following 4 people: Prime Minister Do Yool, Secretary Kwon Yuri, Advisor Park Leeteuk, and Im Yoona…

…

Clause 8a. Im Yoona will not make any untoward advances toward Do Yool.

Clause 8b. Do Yool will not make any stupid, egotistical assumptions about Im Yoona.

Clause 9a. Im Yoona will not behave foolishly in public…

Clause 9b. Da Yool will not act like a snob…

Clause 10. Im Yoona will have her own SEPARATE bedroom.

               *Amendment: At least 12 6 3 inches of space must be maintained between Im Yoona and Do Yeol on their shared bed.

…

Clause 21. Im Yoona will halt her reporting activities while in the marriage…

Clause 22. The marriage will be extended only if Mr. Im's prognosis changes.

Clause 23.  The marriage will terminate on April 30.  Neither party will disclose any information to the media that would indicate anything other than an amicable breakup...

Half of Kyunsoo couldn’t really blame Yoona for wanting to fulfill her father’s wish before he died.  The other half of him felt betrayed.  She had called them her family.  What were they, some pretend stand-ins for six months? Children for hire? Well, good thing he’d never trusted her!

“What should we do?”  Nara asked.

“What do you mean?  There’s nothing we can do.”  Kyungsoo gripped the knife a little too hard as he whacked at the carrot. Bang! Bang!  Bang!

“She’s going to leave us!”

“Well, it’s not like she was our mom anyway.  No big deal.”

Nara frowned.  “I know you like to cut vegetables when you’re mad.”

“I’m not mad,” said Kyungsoo calmly, as he very calmly put the carrot sticks into a very calm pile.  “See, Nara, this is why you shouldn’t get attached to people.  They end up leaving you.”

“Oppa, a-are you okay?”  Nara stared at her brother’s scary smile. “Is this a teenager thing?”

“No, it’s an adult thing.”

In the end, neither Nara nor Kyungsoo mentioned the contract, too afraid to break the illusion. Life went on. The new semester started.  The snow grew dirty with tire tracks and footprints. Taeyeon went back to college, Baekhyun moped.  Exxo had a comeback, Yoona took Nara to watch a performance.  Suho still wore sweaters, Kyungsoo still thought it was cute.  The tabloids continued to report on the Prime Minister and his wife’s relationship as they were spotted in public together. The public generally liked them, but Kyungsoo and Nara were not so easily convinced.

They watched the adults smile at each other during breakfast; was it all fake?

“Kyungsoo, what’s this…?” The Prime Minister stared down at his oddly-shaped, blackened pancake.

“It’s a couple’s breakfast,” Kyungsoo explained seriously.  “The two halves of the heart are dead and broken if separated.  Here, this is the blood.”  He poured strawberry syrup over their plates.

“How…nice…” said Yoona uncertainly.

“I hope we can always eat breakfast together, forever,” Nara added as she dug into her (healthy, normal) pancake.  “’Cause there’s no expiration date on marriage!”

“…”

They listened to the adults bicker over giving the kids too much pressure; were they secretly counting down the days until they wouldn’t have to see each other’s faces anymore?

“I-it’s okay appa!  I’ll go study right now.  Don’t fight!” Nara begged.

“Oh, we’re not fighting.  I’m just reminding Yoona of the importance of education…”

“And I’m reminding your father of the importance of fresh air…”

“It’s fine,” Kyungsoo assured them.  “Fresh air isn’t that important.  Our atmosphere is becoming more polluted anyway, poisoning our lungs.”

The Prime Minister and Yoona stared in confusion as the two children trudged upstairs, for once eager to study.

A week before Valentine’s Day, Baekhyun enlisted Kyungsoo’s help and backup vocals to record Exxo’s Howl for Taeyeon and send it to her as a seductive confession.  Nara was also working hard on her Valentine’s present; it was stiff competition between the girls at the church to catch Suho’s attention. 

This year, Valentine’s Day fell on a Sunday.  Ten minutes into service, Suho’s bag was already stuffed with chocolates and flowers and letters from admirers, including Nara’s.  Kyungsoo couldn’t help but mope at the sight, even though for the past few days Suho had felt the need to tell him that “there’s no girl I’m interested in.”  Whatever. Someday, a lucky girl would inevitably capture Suho’s heart and leave Kyungsoo’s a sad, shriveled mess.

“Did you give it to him?” Baekhyun whispered as Kyungsoo burned holes into Suho’s bag with his glare. 

Kyungsoo shook his head. “I’ll do it after service.”

“Good luck.” Baekhyun patted him on the back.  “Don’t worry, what’s the worst that could happen?”

“He’ll reject it and hate me.”

“Suho isn’t capable of that.”

“He’ll avoid me forever.”

“Nah, he wouldn’t. If anything, he’d want to talk out all your feelings like a guidance counselor.”

Kyungsoo cringed. That sounded even worse.

“Suho oppa, will you be my boyfriend?”

Gasps could be heard in the Sunday School classroom as heads turned to glare at the pigtailed girl.  Sulli had just asked the Forbidden Question.  Nara clenched her fists, mentally apologizing to God for the storm of un-Christian thoughts brewing in her mind.

“Um…I…thank you for the offer, Sulli…” Suho turned red. “But, ah…I have…someone special in my life already.”

Gasps of horror.

“Is it Jesus?” Nara asked hopefully.

“Well, him too.”  Suho laughed nervously.  “Uh, so, who wants some cheese and crackers? I have Gouda this time…"

Nara couldn't pay attention for the rest of the day. Pain lanced her young heart, and tears threatened to blur her vision.  She wondered who the lucky girl was that had captured Suho oppa's heart.  She must be extremely beautiful, kind, and perfect. And baptized.

Later that night, Kyungsoo stared down at his unsent homemade chocolate candies, feeling like the biggest loser in the world.  He gripped his phone in frustration as he mumbled,

“I couldn’t do it.  I’m a coward.”

“You’re not. Actually—”

“I am!” Kyungsoo gave an angry growl.  “I’m always scared of everything, and I hate it!  I’m too scared to tell my father I want to sing, and I’m going to be stuck in some job I hate. I ditched you during that SM audition…”

“It’s fine—“

 “No it’s not! Because I'm a coward! I only have like, three friends, counting you.  I hate meeting new people.  I was too scared to get to know Yoona better, and she’s going to leave us anyway. I’m supposed to be strong like my dad but it’s too hard, and I still miss my mom.”

“Kyungsoo, that’s—”

“I’m too scared to tell Suho I like him and he’s going to marry a perfect girl and forget all about me. I’m going to die all alone.”

 “Kyung, I think you’re overr—“

“I’m always scared! I’m not fearless, like you--”

“Kyungsoo!” Baekhyun interrupted. “I never sent that song to Taeyeon.”

“And I…What!” Kyungsoo sat up.  “What the hel…what the heck, Baek?!  You made us record it fifty times!”

“I know, I know!  I just couldn’t, okay?  It’s not like I even have a chance with her.”

Kyungsoo sighed and flopped down onto his bed.  “I guess we’re just both cowards, then.”

“Yep.” Baekhyun agreed.  “You know, I’m kinda glad you didn’t give those candies to Suho, otherwise I’d feel so lame right now.”

“Thanks… Me too.”

“But, uh, Kyungsoo?”

“What?”

“I, um…”  Baekhyun cleared his throat.  He and Kyungsoo had never been the heart-to-heart type.  “I don’t think all those other things make you a coward.”

Kyungsoo swallowed.

“Also…I…kindatoldSuhoaboutyourcrushalready!”

“…you what?!”

“I’m sorry! I was just so nervous about Taeyeon, and he offered to give me advice…! And you know how he has that perfect priest smile that makes you want to confess everything…it all just came out…”

“I’m going to kill y—“

“I knew you’d understand, thanks Kyung! Bye!”

From Church Angel Hyung: Happy Valentine’s Day, Kyungsoo! ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ❤ ❤ ❤ 

From Church Angel Hyung: Are you there?

---

“Children,” said the Prime Minister.  “I have something to tell you.”

Kyungsoo and Nara exchanged glances.  Their father had his Extremely Serioustone on, the same one he’d pulled out when he’d told them he was getting remarried.

“It’s about, ah, your stepmother.” The Prime Minister fidgeted with his fork.  “I haven’t been entirely honest with you—”

“Appa, I’ve decided I want to be an astronaut!” Nara interrupted.

“You…what? Ah, alright, let’s discuss that later.  But first, I need to tell you—“

“And I want to be a singer!” Kyungsoo blurted.

“Kyungsoo, you—  I…well, we can discuss that too.  But about me and Yoona—“

“I want a horse!”

“Nara, what on earth for?  Anyway, Yoona—“

“I got second in my class.”

“I won’t watch TV anymore!”

“But I’ll be the top of my class next time!”

“We did all our kendo exercises today!”

“Children!”   Nara and Kyungsoo fell silent; their father rarely raised his voice.  “Sorry, sorry. That all sounds great, but let me tell you this first.  It’s very important.  As you know, I asked Yoona to marry me a few months ago.  But the truth is…”

“NO!” Nara screamed, and she burst into tears.  Kyungsoo glared at his father. Mr. Do looked taken aback.

“Children, what’s gotten into you…?

Nara wailed and slid down so that she was hiding under the table.  Kyungsoo sighed.

“We know,” he told his father. “The whole marriage was fake.”

The Prime Minister frowned.  “Who told you?”

“We saw the contract.”

“The…oh, that.” The Prime Minister looked slightly embarrassed.  “Ah, well, we had a little too much champagne when we wrote that.  A word of advice, don’t drink before drafting official documents.”

“Huh?” Nara asked from under the table.

 “…Anyway, yes, the marriage was based on a mutually beneficial arrangement.”  The Prime Minister picked his fork back up and sighed.  “I was being blackmailed by a third party with photos of us in a…compromising situation.  And Yoona wanted her father to see her down the aisle before he grew too ill. Marriage was the natural solution.”

 “But why didn’t you tell us?” Kyungsoo asked. 

 “The less people that knew, the better. And I thought it would be easier, this way.”

“Easier?!”  Nara yelled from below the table. “Easier to give us a new mom, and then take her away from us?!  How is that easier?!”

 “I…didn’t know you’d get so attached.”

“Well, she cares more about us than you do, so what did you expect?” Kyungsoo shot back before he could help it. He knew it wasn’t true, even if his father was emotionally stunted. Mr. Do flinched and Kyungsoo tried not to feel guilty.

“Kyungsoo…and Nara. Nara?”  Nara made a noise from under the table.  “I’m sorry, I know I haven’t been the best parent.  I haven't present enough in your lives.”

“Well, you’re the Prime Minister.”

“It’s not just that.  After I lost your mother, I was afraid to open my heart again.  I thought only one person could ever fill it, and I didn’t know what to do when she left so suddenly.”

It sounded all too familiar to Kyungsoo.

“I ran for Prime Minister even though I knew my children needed me more. People may call me a progressive and honest leader, when really I’ve never been as open when it comes to family.  But I promise, I’m trying to do better.  I love you both… and Yoona, too.”

 “Me too!  So make her stay!  Pay her money, or something!”  Nara begged.  Kyungsoo nodded in agreement, not trusting himself to speak.

“Well, I was thinking of something else.”  The Prime Minister said cautiously. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.  An actual marriage. Is that all right with you both?” 

Nara froze.  Kyungsoo froze.  Mr. Huang and Mr. Wu, who had been eavesdropping by the doorway, froze.

Yoona was frozen as she stared at the sparkling ring in front of her.

“I promise I didn’t get it off eBay this time.”

“I don’t understand…” Yoona laughed nervously. “Do you want the old ring back, or something?”

“You can keep it. Or throw it away.  Yoona, I know I first proposed for political reasons, but I want more than a contract marriage now.  I’d like to make us a real family.  You, your father, me, and my children.”

Yoona’s eyes widened.

“I’m asking you if you’ll marry me, for real. No contracts, no end date.”

“I…” Yoona looked floored.

“You don’t have to give me an answer right now, but I wanted to be honest about my feelings.”

“Say yes,” Nara called. 

Yoona and the Prime Minister looked up in surprise, at the two children who had been hidden (not anymore) behind the couch.

Kyungsoo peeked through the railings of the balcony, at the empty pews below. He and Suho were supposed to meet for rehearsal today, but Kyungsoo had arrived half an hour earlier to plant the white box in the center of the aisle. It took all of his willpower not to dash back downstairs and stuff the box back in his bag.

Be like Dad.  Kyungsoo took a deep breath and forced himself not to flee in terror.

Kyungsoo gulped when Suho walked in exactly on the hour, stepping through the shapes on the floor cast by the morning light. Suho noticed the white box lying in the aisle almost immediately; it was kind of hard not to.

“Did someone leave this…?” Suho bent to retrieve the box, pausing as he saw that it was addressed to him: Suho Kim Michael.

“Oh! For me?”   Kyungsoo felt his breath leave him as he watched Suho lift the lid.  Inside was a cake.

On the cake was a message, written entirely in chocolate script.

“Dear Suho…” Suho began slowly, as he tilted the cake to read better. His voice rang loudly in the church.

“Don’t read it out loud!” Kyungsoo yelled in horror.  Suho whirled around to grin in his direction, and Kyungsoo winced.  So much for hiding.

Dear Suho hyung, I think you are perfect and I love you, even though I know my love is as fruitless as this cake (but it’s good, I promise)You were like my Miracle in December. If you hate me, please wait five minutes before coming upstairs, so I have time to run away first. Thank you.  Do Kyungsoo

When Suho arrived at the balcony a few seconds later, out of breath from running, Kyungsoo was already edging toward the other staircase, ready to bolt.  Suho immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him over to sit down by the piano.

“You’re ridiculous,” Suho laughed. “Did you make this?”

“Maybe…” 

“What happened to Valentine’s Day?”

“Huh?”

“Baek told me.” 

“…I’m going to kill him.”

“Oh.” Suho looked mildly concerned, then brightened as he looked back down at the cake in his arms. “This looks delicious. So, just to make sure, you love m—”

“Yes, okay, I’m pretty sure you can read!” Kyungsoo yelled.

“Hm.” Suho turned to admire the cake.  “But if I eat this, I’ll never be able to read it again.”

“That’s kind of the point,” Kyungsoo muttered.

“You…you’re so cute.”  Suho dissolved into laughter. Kyungsoo wanted to die; he settled for glaring.  “I’m never going to eat it.”

“It’ll get moldy.”

“I’ll keep it in the freezer.”

“It’ll get ugly.”

Suho took out his phone so that he could snap pictures at every angle imaginable.  “Kyungsoo, can you hold it up like this for me?  I want to get a picture from here—“

“Hyung!” Suho was still grinning, and Kyungsoo gaped. “Are you laughing at me?  Fine!  I-it’s not like I spent a whole weekend making it or anything…or this is the most embarrassing moment of my life…”

“Aw, sorry, sorry.”  Suho hugged him, and Kyungsoo was reduced to wide-eyed silence.  “I really want to kiss you right now, but we’re in church.”

Instantly, Kyungsoo pushed Suho away.  “Let’s start practicing then.”

Kyungsoo had never sang so quickly in his entire life. They ended rehearsals significantly earlier than usual.  Before they left the church, Kyungsoo sent a silent prayer to God.

Thank you.

He thought he could feel God smiling down at him in response…or maybe it was just the happy butterflies threatening to overtake his stomach.

A movie.  At Kyungsoo’s house, in front of the Dos' wall-sized flatscreen TV and state-of-the-art home theater system.  With carrot sticks and cheese and crackers served on crystal plates as snacks. That was a normal post-confession, first-date activity, right?

Then why did Kyungsoo feel so hot and flushed, and why did the air in the room feel so thick?  

Why did every nerve on his arm feel hyper-alert, especially when Suho moved and his fingers brushed against Kyungsoo’s wrist?  

What was the movie even about, again?

“That was nice,” said Suho appreciatively, as the credits rolled. “I liked the cinematography.”

Kyungsoo nodded and swallowed, glancing sideways.   Suho was already looking at him.

Kyungsoo choked and whipped his head back to face the TV.

“Are you alright? You look a little red.” Suho leaned closer in concern, patting Kyungsoo’s hair. Kyungsoo turned and nodded, staring into Suho's bright eyes.  Suho smiled, before moving his hand to touch Kyungsoo’s cheek and leaning in.

“Actually, I wasn’t paying that much attention to the movie,” he confessed into Kyungsoo’s ear.

Kyungsoo squeezed his eyes shut and held his breath.  He could feel his heart pounding.  He could hear Suho shifting beside him on the sofa, the squeaky noise loud despite the music of the closing credits. He could feel Suho’s soft breath tickling his face. He could--

“Kyungsoo.”  Kyungsoo could hear Suho’s smile.  “Relax.”

Kyungsoo opened one eye to glare at an amused Suho.  He’d been on edge for the past hour and a half, and Suho was laughing at him? “I am! Just do it!”

“Yes sir, Mr. Prime Minister’s son,” said Suho.  Kyungsoo wanted to hit him, except Suho leaned in and finally touched his lips to his.

It was light at first.  But when Kyungsoo showed no resistance whatsoever, Suho’s mouth moved to cover Kyungsoo’s even more.  His arms circled Kyungsoo’s shoulders to pull him closer.  Kyungsoo whimpered and his mouth parted involuntarily.

He was gasping by the time Suho withdrew for air. Suho’s fair cheeks and lips were flushed with their kiss.  Kyungsoo clutched on to Suho’s sweater, feeling a little lightheaded but elated.  He beamed, and Suho smiled fondly back at him.

At that moment, Nara opened the door.

"OPPA I HATE YOU!"

"Nara!  Wait!  I'm sorry!  It just...we were just…I’ll make your favorites for dinner tonight!"

“I’m in mourning,” Nara announced over dinner.  She was wearing Kyungsoo’s black hoodie, which went all the way down to her knees, Kyungsoo’s black snapback, and black tights.  “I have experienced extreme heartbreak and betrayal by my own flesh and blood.  Please, let me eat my meal in tearful silence.”

As Nara bent solemnly over her hamburger and put her hands together in prayer, the Prime Minister and Yoona gave Kyungsoo a questioning look. 

Kyungsoo avoided their eyes. 

Half an hour late, his phone buzzed.  Suho had just sent him a message filled with winky emoticons that made Kyungsoo simultaneously redden and roll his eyes. He smiled and looked up.  “Dad, can I go over to Suho's house later?” 

“Oh, the nice boy from church?” Kyungsoo nodded.  Nara gave a very loud snort. “Wasn’t he here earlier today?”

“Yeah, but we never got to finish…” Kyungsoo gulped as his sister glowered at him; suddenly he could understand why many people found his glare intimidating. “…um, our project.”

“He and Suho practice music together,” Yoona explained.

“Music?” The Prime Minister frowned.  Yoona quickly put a hand on his arm.

“They study together too.”

“I see. That’s fine, then.  Be back by ten…”

“TRAITOR!” Nara yelled after Kyungsoo as he escaped out the door with guilty speed.

Later that night, Nara updated her will. 

This story has been in my head for so long... I finally got it all out before the end of the year '=)   Happy almost 2015, Thank you for reading! ❤

 Show Champion performance 12/18/13