happy birthday to yunho!
with a request by everyungi

Yunho adjusted his backpack straps while entering his highschool. He couldn't help but feel a little exhausted from the weekend. He couldn't believe he spent the last two days working on assignments and assignments back and forth. He would only stop to take a few short breaks, and that was it.

His best friend, Mingi, was twirling a pencil in his hand when he entered the classroom.

"Yunho!" Then he cringed. "Oh, you don't look so good."

"Thanks, bestie," Yunho muttered. He threw his backpack on the ground beside his desk.

"What happened?"

"School happened."

"Oh. I'm sorry." Mingi slumped to mirror Yunho's mood equally. He didn't want his older friend to be moody alone.

"How are you so bright and cheerful today? It's Monday." Yunho shook his head in disgust.

"It's your birthday!" Mingi tried to keep himself down, but it didn't work. A few students turned to congratulate Yunho, to which he replied with quiet thanks.

"I kind of forgot."

"Forgot? Really?" Mingi jutted his lips. "Are you doing anything tonight? With your family?"

"I doubt it. They've been working more often than normal. Everyone probably forgot about my birthday." Yunho pulled out his class materials.

"Well... except me, your best friend," Mingi added with a soft smile.

"Yeah."

The knowledge of knowing it was his birthday fell like another burden to Yunho. It made him feel a little worse, knowing no one would probably throw anything or celebrate in grand. But that's okay. He wasn't expecting much anyway.

As the following classes came around after lunch, Yunho noticed Mingi was a little quieter when they were together.

"Hey," Yunho greeted while coming in. Once more did he toss his backpack on the ground carelessly. His eyes fell on Mingi hunched over his desk, writing or doing something in his notebook. Whatever it was, it's clearly more important than answering; the multiple gel pens and short ruler gave it off.

"Mingi?"

Mingi's head popped up. "Yes?"

"How was lunch? I didn't see you at the cafeteria today."

Mingi nodded. "Sorry I didn't tell you. I told Jongho and Yeosang to bring me something from the burger place down the street."

"Where did you go?"

"To the office."

"Ah..." And that was the end of their conversation. Yunho wished he could ask more. But he didn't want to be pushy. Mingi needed some space.

Then he remembered about the morning. He so dryly replied to the younger, so it probably made him feel bad. Mingi was the only person who remembered his birthday and made it known. How could he answer so poorly and rude?

Ouch. Yunho feels more hurt now.

"I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Mingi looked at his friend.

"N-Nothing."

"Okay. You let me know if something's up or if I need to get my fists ready."

Yunho softly chuckled. He liked the easing atmosphere. "Alright."

Yunho admitted he found a lot of comfort with Mingi. How the boy managed to be so optimistic and bright was beyond him. He was a ray— No. He was the literal sun.

The fact that they were best friends for six years already was hard to believe as well. And Yunho sometimes questioned how Mingi was able to deal with him for so long. Opposites attract, he guessed.

"So, just to be sure, you aren't doing anything the evening?" Mingi asked.

"Do you have to rub it in?"

Mingi grinned. "Maybe... But seriously? Nothing?"

"No. Maybe watch movies or something. Can you come over?"

"Not if you're going to be all mopey and sad on your birthday! But I'll consider it."

Yunho playfully rolled his eyes. "Can't you see me? I'm happy! So happy!"

Mingi laughed. Yunho found it endearing every time he did. It was like the sun shined even brighter than ever possible.

"I just wanted to know. We can party all night. I'll bring the juice boxes."

Yunho facepalmed with a smile.

Finally, after a long day, the last bell rang. Students filed out of their classrooms in a hurry to go home or escape any more time spent at school. Yunho was one of them, saying goodbye to Mingi and starting home. His best friend took the bus or walked into town with other friends.

Even today, Yunho didn't feel up for it.

"Wait! Why are you leaving so quick?" Mingi pouted, running up behind him. He squeezed Yunho's hand to hold him back. "I thought you loved me."

"I—" Yunho blushed.

"Come on."

Mingi pulled his friend towards a nearby bus stop.

"Mingi, I'm sorry, but I don't really feel—"

"It's your birthday, Yunho! You deserve to be celebrated. Everyone does."

Yunho smiled at his best friend. He was thankful to have such a great human being in his life.

"If I could throw a party for everyone in the world, I would. But there's only so much food we can eat."

The pair laughed. Mingi didn't notice he was still holding Yunho's hand until they were leaving the bus. He shook off the warm feeling nervously, afraid to have weirded out his friend.

"So where do we go from here?" Yunho asked, looking around their small hometown.

"Uhh, this way." As he began walking, he felt his hand slipping into Yunho's again. When he turned to the older, the boy was seemingly looking around, adoring the shops and bright signs. Their hands must've unknowingly intertwined.

"The arcade? I don't think I have a lot of money on me," Yunho muttered. "But I can check—"

"Don't worry about it." Mingi stopped him. "Just... Wait here, please. I'll be back."

Yunho raised an eyebrow at how his friend slipped through the establishment's doors. It probably took three to five minutes before he returned, a relieved look plastered on his face.

"Okay. Ready?"

"I'm scared every moment you extend this," Yunho stated. Mingi laughed.

"You'll love it. But close your eyes."

"Oh no."

Yunho reluctantly shut his eyes and stumbled into the building. Although he was afraid to fall, it relieved him when Mingi touched his back and led him in.

"A little more," he said.

Yunho heard someone giggle. Then a smack.

"Okay! Open."

"Happy birthday!"

Yunho's eyes didn't know where to look first. He stood in the arcade's party room where his other six friends jumped in excitement with balloons or paper kazoos in their mouths. Behind them were several decorations and posters coupled with food and a small cake on the table perfect for them.

Then they started to sing, and Yunho felt like crying.

"Aww, Yunho!" Mingi hugged him with a grin. He rubbed the older's back.

"Thank you, Mingi. Thanks, you guys."

"Don't cry!" Wooyoung said. "The party's just starting!"

With that, everyone chose to eat first and play games after. Yunho was honored by being gifted the large seat at the end of the table.

"How did you guys do this? It's so... so sweet, and I haven't had a birthday so big in a while."

"Well, Mingi told us you didn't have much planned," Hongjoong began. "So he gave us the idea, and we paid."

Yunho turned to his best friend and hugged him again. "Thank you."

Mingi laughed. "You're always welcome, Yunho. It's what best friends are for."

"Yeah..." Yunho broke the hug. He looked into Mingi's bright shiny eyes for a bit, then leaned in.

It was a short kiss, the one they had. It wasn't even a second-worth, but it had them both deeply blushing red.

"Is there something going on that we don't know?" Seonghwa teased.

"N-No," Mingi whispered, looking down.

"Not yet."

"Yet?"

"Cute!" San exclaimed. "I knew it would happen like this ever since Mingi told me he dreamed you two—"

"San!"

Yunho felt a little more confidence run through him. He nudged Mingi's arm. "You dreamed...?"

"Nothing." A red-faced Mingi busied himself with serving food.

"Mingi," Yunho called. "Would you like to..."

"Yunho—"

"Ride the go-karts with me?"

"No. Happy birthday," Mingi muttered. But everyone could see the slight curve on his lips — a smile Yunho took as the best birthday gift he could receive.