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"Mom, I'm home!" Gotak greets as he closes the door behind him. It's a nice Sunday evening where his mother usually takes a break from her hectic life trying to raise a son as a single mother. On one hand of his hangs a paper bag filled with presents he bought for his friends. Unique, huh? Tomorrow would be his birthday, but here he is buying his friends gifts instead.
If you were to ask why, it was simply on impulse. He was bored to death with nothing to do. Baku is busy helping around his dad's restaurant. It hasn't been long, but it does seem like theyㅡBaku and his dadㅡare trying to mend the wounds between them, and Gotak can't be happier to know that, as long as things go well. If it doesn't he would always be there for Baku anyway to make sure things won't turn worse.
Sieun said he would be helping Suho's grandma take care of him for the day along with that girl Youngyi, if Gotak remembers her name correctly. Gotak still can remember how divine it felt finally seeing Sieun with his smile for the first time. Maybe Suho was really the remedy he needed, for him to finally settle with the guilt that kept consuming him inside out.
Juntae as well. There is this comic convention thingie that Gotak doesn't really understand that he wants to visit. He offered a company, of course, but Juntae insisted he wants to attempt going by himself, trying not to be too dependent of his friends. Gotak of course couldn't refute that since it was for his own good anyway.
Truthfully speaking, especially about Baku, Gotak has his suspicions. That rascal always managed to come up with surprises every year for his birthday with different schemes, be it pretending to be busy, nonchalant, outright saying he was going to have a surpriseㅡlike every scenario ever. And it's not really hard for him to tell after knowing him for so long that this one time is no exception. Though, he wishes otherwise since he also hopes for the better relationship between the two injured hearts.
After properly greeting his mother who was busy in the kitchen, he excuses himself into his room to unpack the gifts he bought along with teal wrapping paper with cartoonish white cat prints on it. He's gotta be honest, he is bad with such crafts, but it's the heart that counts right?
Without taking off his blue hoodie, he sits down on the floor, pulling out stuffs that he picked specifically for Sieun: colored pens, bunch of 'post-it's, and a few highlighters. Sieun loves to study and taking notesㅡwell, to be frank, Gotak really doesn't have that much idea of studying properly, but for sure, Sieun is the most studious among them four. He takes the stuffs and tapes them together before winging it with whatever wrapper shape he can end up with. Shabby, he even chuckles at himself at how bad he is at it.
Next he pulls out Juntae's: a pair of hand warmers and a beanie. Juntae gets cold easily he wears layers. Although it's no longer colder seasons, he can still suffer from the air conditioning and it's not a good thing to imagine him shivering from cold. Again, he tries his best to wrap the asymmetrical presents, resulting in puny-looking wrap. He cares not as he shoves it aside.
And then he pulls out a quite fancy little box, in which a silver necklace is stored. Of course it's not real silver, he would never have the opulence to buy it on his own, but he is pretty sure it would pass as a gift for his mother. This one should be easier since the shape is quite predictable. With nimble fingers and scissors, he did it. Still badly that he can't believe himself how incapable he is when it comes to stuffs like this. At least... it still looks like a box.
He drags the bag closer to see the remaining stuffs. A huge water bottle, a red exercise band, and a plastic wrap within two titanium necklaces are enclosed within. He took the bottle and the band first, a gift for Baku who really loves his exercise. Water for his hydration, and the band that he is very sure Baku would find fun exercising withㅡhe would start inventing random movements, bedazzling numbers of them, possibly. Shrugging, he just puts the band inside the bottle and wrap it. Hey, it's getting more decent as he goes by!
"Hyuntak?" a soft call from his mom sips through the miniscule gaps on his doorway along with a few knocks as he slides his adequately-wrapped 'reverse' birthday presents underneath his bed, and the titanium necklaces in his pocket. "Dinner's ready, wanna eat now?"
He answers casually before going out of his room, still in his blue hoodie, cargo shorts, and black socks.
Gotak sighs under his blanket, only his face illuminated by the light from his phone set on lowest brightness in his dark room. On the screen was his group chat of Baku, Juntae, and Sieun being totally mute. He doesn't know what he is hoping for. He thinks it's ridiculous to wish for a surprise birthday party out of nowhereㅡor at the very least just some greetings, especially now that he has made more heartfelt and genuine friends. But the last chat was from Friday, two days ago, about hanging out after school.
Personal text messages with each of them aren't faring much better either. It seems like all of them were really busy that even some of his texts remain unread, very unlike them. Especially Baku. He doesn't want to set his expectations high as well by dreaming about a surprise, but you know, a little part of his heart screams for that.
He turns his phone off.
12.02.
He waited past midnight. Maybe any of them would ring his phone with a very timely birthday wish. Being hopeful, aren't we?
So he closes his eyes. Tomorrowㅡtoday is Monday after all, he gotta wake up early for yet another day of school.
Knock! Knock!
Just as silence is about to engulf him, taking him to the dreamland of his own, his eyes snap back open upon the meek taps on his door, followed by just as gentle voice, "Hyuntak? Are you asleep? I need some help with... this thing on my phone."
He sighs, scrambling the blanket as he makes his way out of the bed lazily. Without any word he approaches the door slowly and unlocks.
"Happy birthday, Hyuntak ♬~"
What greets him is indeed a surprise, the first line of a very familiar birthday chant, sung by three of his friends: Juntae holding the cake standing in the center, Baku singing the loudest with the widest, almost annoying, grin, and Sieun on the left with his subtle yet delightful newfound smile. In the back is his mother, beaming with a joyful face, eyes curved into a crescent shape, barely lit by the dim living room lighting and the small candle sitting on top of the cake.
"Happy birthday, Hyuntak ♬~"
"Happy birthday, Gogo!" the three of them says in unison, using a nickname only three of them are allowed to use.
"I can't believe it! Y'all said you wereㅡ"
"Make a wish, Gotak!" Baku says, cutting him off completely, almost shoutingㅡhell, this loud kid.
With slightly watery eyes, and little annoyance, Gotak snickers at how booming his voice is in this calm night atmosphere, before closing his eyes, making a wish.
His wish? No, I'll keep it a secret so it comes true!
"What's your wish?" Baku asks, still with the most loathsome yet endearing teethy grin.
"What? I won't tell or elseㅡ"
Before he could realize, his huge friend sneaks a finger on his face, smearing icing from the cake that he snatched while he was busy making a wish. Juntae and Sieun, of course, didn't stop him and just watch with a giggle.
"Youㅡ!"
Instead of getting the opportunity of retaliation, he got two more frosted-finger attacks from Juntae and Sieun respectively on his left and right cheek, Sieun adding one more row to Baku's slash. Gotak turns into a look of a flabbergast, not expecting that the remaining two would join. Upon the sight of Juntae's small, awkward smile and Sieun's little titter, he softens, eyes getting wet once again.
Juntae then begins to explain how everything was planned, from how they had a group chat with his mom telling the three of them to rush while he was out shopping, to almost dying of boredom waiting for midnight in his mom's room. That explains why his mother was very busy in the kitchen earlier: she was cooking for more than two mouths.
"We also got a present for you!" Baku, again, shouts, pulling a box out of nowhere.
He stills, taking a moment to relieve, before exhaling in joy. This, undoubtedly, was something he hoped would happen. And after all, he can really rely on his friends to always be by his side, helping him chase for the happiness he seeks in this world. He then asks for everyone to gather and wait at the dining table as he gets back inside to grab his presents for everyone here, now, neat in a huge paper bag.
As he goes back, a chair on one side of the table is prepared like a royal throne, Baku standing at the back while Juntae and Sieun on its sides. His mother sits on a chair ninety degrees next to it around the circular table. In front of it is the chocolate cake, along with the box of present Baku was proudly holding up. He proceeds to sit down after Baku would annoy him as far to address him by 'Your Majesty', as if in one specific past life they were a prince and his bodyguard from neighboring country that ended tragically... but anyways, he pulls the box closer and opens it.
Inside, is a brand new hoodie, in a shade of blue different from his usual one: tufts. He likes blue, there's no denying, and this one looks soft it already feels comfortable to wear. He spreads out the fabric in front of him to finally marvel a picture of a specific otther Pokémon, Dewott. Juntae and Baku then proceeds to excitedly explain how he and the Pokémon look almost identical, with Juntae showing a side-by-side picture of them both. The birthday boy laughs earnestly, finding it ridiculous that he actually could see how they strike almost an uncanny resemblance.
He tries putting it on, forgetting the frosting marks on his face that got dragged along by the hemㅡoof! The whole squad cheers at how it fits him perfectly before Gotak's mother offers to take a picture of themㅡBaku offered back to take pictures of the two of them.
"Actually," Gotak says, putting the paper bag he carried from his room on the table. "I also got something for you all."
That manages to elicit mix of confusion and elation from the others as it isn't really common for someone to give out presents on their birthday instead of receiving some. One thing he forgot to do is to label which wrapper is for whom... so he tries his best to remember the shape, the texture, and the nature of the stuffs.
"This one... is for you, Juntae!" he says, feeling the first gift, soft and malleable. "Just open it!" he encourages as Juntae timidly tears the wrappers, revealing a pair of gloves and a beanie. He immediately understands why and he can't help but to express his gratitude almost teary.
Gotak continues giving out his prepared presents, now something tubular stacked with each other, along with a thick, square thing. He gave it to Sieun, who immediately tears the wrapper just like Juntae was instructed to. The quiet boy chuckles a little. "Fine, I will take even more colorful notes for you to copy," he says. "Thank you, Hyuntak."
"My turn! My turn!" Baku jumps giddily on his spot behind Gotak, leaning over to peek Gotak rummaging his bag.
"Geez, calm down, you big toddler!" Gotak retorts before giving him his assigned gift. Just like what Gotak just addressed himㅡtoddler, Baku received the humungous, tubular gift and his first instinct was to shake it up and down, listening to the faint rattles from the stretchy rubber. It took him a little more than a few seconds to register what the gift isㅡand to take it out of the water bottle.
He laughs and remarks while jokingly flexes his biceps, "You want me even more muscular than now, huh?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Gotak scoffs before taking out the last gift. "Mom, this one is for you." The woman, who has been busy smiling and laughing along with the kids, draws a rather surprised expression, a pleasant one. "I know this is not the one you had an eye for that day... but I hope this can act as one until I can get you the real one."
She exudes confusion, trying to recall what event her son might be referring to. Images of the day Gotak mentioned become clearer as she sees the box encasing a silver-like necklace with a crescent-shaped pendant. A tear escapes the forbearing woman's eyes as she goes to hug her son in front of his friends. Normally, as any other teenager would, Gotak would be embarrassed, but emotions take over him especially today that he just hugs back in the same manner.
"You know, this might actually worth and mean more than the real one, dear," she utters, caressing his hair. "Thank you, for this, for growing up to be an amazing son I am always grateful for," she continues, striking Gotak's tear button he sheds some upon the words. "Every time life feels hard, it once again feels worth-living when I think about you," she pulls him closer, enclosing him in her warmth while muttering another thank you.
Gotak sobs, indefinitely touched.
But behind him, Baku cries uglily, louder. And this isn't even about him. It's up to the point Juntae and Sieun have to suppress their own emotional moment just to hold him together. Funny, because Baku would always suppress his emotions in front of anyone other than Gotak. But now it seems he has found snugness in both Juntae and Sieun too for him to express himself more freely.
"My, look at the time!ㅡand at someone already bawling!" she giggles at the sight before ushering the teenagers to wash up and get some rest for school tomorrowㅡwell, now, suggesting them to save the cake for later. Juntae mutters a quiet 'Yeah, we are staying over!' with a sheepish grin while Baku is still sniffing.
"Baku!" Gotak whispers, carefully not to stir the other two in their sleeps on the floor as he stealthily made his way down from his bed. "Wake up, giant baby!"
"Haaㅡ"
Soon as the said boy lets out a quite loud yawn, Gotak nimbly covers his mouth and shushes him silent. Baku is utterly befuddled with his eyes almost flatlining unable to open. Well, for one, Gotak knows he is a very heavy sleeper when he is not in danger, and Gotak's house has been Baku's safe space since forever.
"Be quiet and follow me outside."
The trip full of tiptoes to the door was horrendous and tedious, especially with Baku barely awake with his whole soul not yet intact. Gotak would winch at the most inaudible sound that'd wake up Juntae and Sieun, but the real nightmare was the door creaking. He swears it never creaks, why now?!
As the living room light finally illuminates Baku's sights, he decides to rub his eyes more, waking himself up. With a little yawn, he asks, "What is it, Gogo?"
Gotak would be lying if he were to say that Baku doesn't look deadly adorable in this state: almost too calm, hair already a little messy despite after just a few minutes of sleeping, hands mindlessly scratching for imaginary itchy spots on his torso.
"Turn around," he orders to which Baku obediently complies. He reaches out around Baku's wide shoulders to circle the necklace he bought for both of them, dangling on his chest was an initial 'H'.
Baku looks down, a little too awake now after noticing something... flushing. His heart thumps as he feels Gotak's arms reaching on his chest, for the letter 'H', while his head peeking over his shoulder. "W-What is this?" he asks, bewildered.
Gotak laughs lightly. "Your extra present," he says, smiling proudly as the letter sits neatly on Baku's chest. "Our extra present. Put on mine too!"
Baku receives the necklace and Gotak turns around voluntarily. Gotak wasn't really paying attention earlier because he was the one doing it, but now having Baku's huge arms around his neck and shoulders even for just seconds actually feel mortifying. God, his heart is close to exploding! Maybe because moments like this are rare since they keep it secret from everyone that they are dating it manages to flush both of them every time.
"Done!" Baku exclaims as Gotak sighs in relief, finally.
'H' for Hyuntak. And 'H' for Humin.
"I hope you don't mind cheesy," Gotak sheepishly says, feeling a little embarrassed, with an awkward chuckle.
"What do you mean? I love cheesy!"
Thankfully for him though, Baku always manages to get him out of the most embarrassingㅡand life threatening too, situations. As memories of them way back unfolds in his head, Gotak steps closer and envelopes his boyfriend in a hug. "Thank you, for always being here for me despite everything," he says as Baku returns the hug.
Gosh, it's crazy how many stuffs happened just in a span of a year. And to think that Baku stayed through every thick and thin makes him a little extra melancholic. "It's funny to know that I have spent my life knowing you longer than I don't. But I'm beyond grateful that's the case."
He pauses, taking in a few seconds to feel Baku's embrace. "I... love you."
Three words and Baku is sent to cloud nine. Gotak rarely says that, he is shy like that, but Baku loves that side of him very much. Hearing him say so feels sacred. "I love you too, Go Hyuntak. Although, I'd say I am more in debt for your being by side almost all my life."
After a brief silence, Gotak pushes away from the hug, "Let's go back before the others notice."
Before Gotak gets the chance to skip past him, Baku sneaks his hand and tucks his boyfriend's chin. In a quick manner, he leans in, eyes closed, planting his lips on Gotak's, whose eyes widen beyond recognition as Baku's beautiful face comes to a close up, and something warm landed on his lips.
He freezes, even after Baku pulls away.
"My extra present for you, Gogo."
Baku laughs before tending to Gotak's plea of returning to their room, leaving Gotak petrified.
...
...
...
"Sieun, do you think they are kissing?"
"What...?"
"Or worse?!"
"Juntae, go to sleep."
Please let us four: Go Hyuntak, Park Humin, Seo Juntae, and Yeon Sieun, be happy and by each other's side no matter whatever circumstances until the end of time.