TITLE: 

I never had much at all but I still got everything to lose (cause I don't want anything but you)

by gyuzzn on ao3

"Mom asked if you're coming over this year."

Taehyun lifted his head from where it lay on Kai's pillow and looked up to where Kai was sitting at his desk. His back was still facing him, eyes never leaving his computer screen from whatever FPS game he was playing with Beomgyu. If he focused, he'd be able to hear Beomgyu shouting through Kai's headphones.

"I'm invited?" Taehyun raises a brow when Kai glances back at him.

"Of course you are, always. Even Hiyyih already asked me if she should buy you a present."

Taehyun smiles softly, letting his head plop back onto the pillow, "That's sweet of her. Is it okay if I do? You know my family is still on that trip, and I was planning on staying home."

There's a scream from across the hall, and Kai noticeably winces immediately after, pulling his headphones away from his ear. Taehyun hadn't even noticed he'd moved the other one away behind his ear so he could hear Taehyun. How long had he had it that way? Kai sighs quietly, his keyboard clicking loudly under his fingers.

"Hyung, I told you not to shout directly into the mic," He speaks softly, not seeming the least bit annoyed even though Taehyun knows he'll get there soon. "You know you're always welcome Hyunie, and I would hate it if you stayed here alone for the holidays. Mom would too."

Taehyun can make out a laugh from the headphones, and who knows what Beomgyu says that makes Kai groan.

"Shut up hyung," The tips of his ears are burning as he groans, and Taehyun finds it adorable.

"I'll come," Taehyun laughs, pulling out his phone when it vibrates with a text from Beomgyu.

beomgyu hyung ❤
take the opportunity to suck his face finally ㅋㅋㅋ
ask his parents for their blessing too ㅋㅋ

me
shut up. and stop yelling you'll ruin his hearing

beomgyu hyung ❤
is it my fault that these losers don't know how to play the game???
u don't get the struggles of being a pro amongst noobs ㅠㅠ

Taehyun rolls his eyes and puts his phone back down.

"I'll start picking out gifts. What have the girls and your parents mentioned they've been wanting?" Taehyun rearranges himself to sit up and get a better view of Kai. He's in that hoodie he stole from him, one that Taehyun specifically bought oversized so Kai could steal it. It looked good on him, just as he'd thought when he first saw it. His lips quirked upward when Kai hissed, clicking his mouse furiously.

"Hyung backup. There are three on me right now. No - shut up, I need to reload that's why. 1v1 me after this match - then we'll see who's the pro." Taehyun always finds him cute when he plays his games with Beomgyu. They always tease and annoy each other when they play, but Taehyun loves how Kai is confident in his skills and torments Beomgyu with them. Not that Beomgyu isn't good - no, he can tell from the way Kai praises his hyung now and then that he is, but Kai never flaunts his skills like Beomgyu does. Sure, he teases and makes snarky remarks, but he lets his actions prove him best. Taehyun finds that cute.

"I can send you what they've mentioned after I'm done gaming. Noona's gonna be happy you're coming. She's been asking to see you." Kai's voice brings him back. "Do you want anything specific to either eat or snack on? I'll let them know. Oh, and is it cool to send them your Christmas wishlist, too? They'll be asking."

"Mm, okay. Let it be a surprise I'm coming to Lea noona then. And I'm not picky, so I'll be okay with anything. You don't have to, though I'm fine. Them letting me come is enough of a gift." He says softly, playing with the bracelet he'd recently gotten from Kai. He'd made them matching friendship bracelets with each other's names and cute beads.

"They won't be happy to hear that, but I'll pass it along~" Kai snorts, then cheers. "Great work, hyungie. I'm getting off now. Ask Soobinie if he'll join you instead."

Kai doesn't even let Beomgyu answer before he removes his headphones and closes out the game. When the monitor goes off, the only light in the room comes from a cute duck lamp Kai had won at a fair. He loved it a lot and always used it. Sometimes, he'd bring it with him when he slept over at Taehyun's place.

Kai stands and stretches, groaning when he cracks a joint. He yawns as he plops onto the bed right next to Taehyun. Taehyun drags his hand over to the top of Kai's dark hair. It's so soft and silky as he runs his fingers through it, Kai humming at the action. He turns his head to look up at Taehyun.

"I'm happy you're coming home with me."

In Taehyun's messed up mind, those words have double meanings. One of those is that Kai really wants him with him when he's with his family as something more than a friend. But, he shouldn't let himself think delusions. He knows Kai means it platonically. Taehyun is only his best friend who sometimes comes home with him on special occasions - even regularly. He's just his best friend.

"Me too."

—

"Why are you so in denial? He wants you badly. Just 'cause he isn't outright with it doesn't mean he doesn't feel it."

Taehyun holds in the urge to roll his eyes. As much as he adores his hyung, he refuses to egg on his delusions. Lord knows Choi Yeonjun does not need that type of encouragement.

"Hyung, I'm not delusional like you. Do not give me false hopes." Taehyun sighs and moves away from him, holding out a different coat from the rack. "How's this one?"

He was gift shopping for the Huenings and had asked for Yeonjun's expert fashionista help. Kai mentioned his younger sister had brought up that she'd wanted a new coat that he was looking for. He'd already found gifts for everyone else.

Yeonjun looks over at it in awe, "That is very Hiyyih. That one is perfect. Wow, it's so pretty. What if I got one, too?"

Taehyun cracks a smile, "Get it in a different color. Find it, and I'll buy it as your Christmas gift."

Yeonjun's eyes light up, "My cute dongsaeng~ treating me so well. Let me see then." He starts digging through the rack, "Don't think I'm going to forget about you calling me delusional. I'm not trying to give you false hopes either, Taehyun-ah. I genuinely think you should use this opportunity to confess your feelings. You're not one to hide them, but I get it. He's your bestest friend, and you don't want to risk that dynamic and relationship because of your feelings. That's how I feel about Beomgyu. I don't want to ruin what we have, but I'm working on taking that risk. And I think you should, too."

Taehyun's eyes widened, "You're going to confess?"

Yeonjun's cheeks get redder as he avoids meeting his gaze, "Yeah. He's spending Christmas with me. He won't be able to head down to Daegu, so I told my family I would stay here with him. They told me to finally make him part of the family instead of being mad, so I'm going to."

Taehyun grins, "Hyung, I'm proud of you. Watching you two dance around each other has been rough. I'll be happy to see you loving each other openly once and for all."

Yeonjun rolls his eyes, shoving him away and then pulling out the same coat but in white. He quickly tries it on, and Taehyun gives him a thumbs up when he looks up to him for his opinion. Yeonjun grins.

"I'll feel the same once you and Hueningie stop making us all feel single. I know you're 'just best friends,' but damn, you guys make us feel out of place around you two."

He furrows his brows at that. "What do you mean?"

Yeonjun raises a brow at him before removing the coat, "Every time you're together, it's like nothing and nobody else matters. All you see is each other. You both just have a special bond that you don't have with anyone else. And we all see the way you both look at each other. There's a whole galaxy in your eyes when you look at him or when he looks at you. Like a galaxy of endless hearts. We're all best friends, but you guys are something else. I know better than anyone that you don't want to lose that, but you won't know until you try. Where's the Kang Taehyun who would confess as soon as he realized his feelings? Stop pinning and give yourself a chance. Give him a chance to tell you how he truly feels instead of you assuming for him."

Taehyun stays quiet as they head to the register, thanking the employee when they hand them their bags.

He knows what Yeonjun means, but this is different. No other friend or past crush compared to Kai. Nobody came to the level that he held his best friend. Why would he risk that? Why would he potentially ruin something very special to him? Especially when he'll be at Kai's family home? He couldn't do that.

"You're overthinking."

Taehyun turns to Yeonjun who only stares ahead while sipping his americano.

"I'm not used to overthinking," Taehyun sighs with a hum. "It's different from past crushes, hyung. Kai is different. He's so much more. I would rather have him as my best friend than not have him at all."

"Yeah, I understand how you feel. Have you never once considered that just maybe he feels the same? Nothing has made you wonder if what he's done or said meant something more?"

Taehyun is instantly transported to a month ago when Kai fell sick. Beomgyu was holed up in a study room on campus and wasn't there to take care of him, but Kai didn't want him anyway. He'd called Taehyun. Taehyun was at the gym when he got Kai's call, in the middle of his reps when he heard his distinct ringtone.

"I'm in the gym," Taehyun answered, taking a sip of his water. He doesn't hear anything on the other end for a moment, and it almost immediately worries him. "Kai? Are you okay?"

"Hyung..."

He didn't need to hear anything else before he'd already packed up his things and began ordering a porridge from a restaurant near Kai's and Beomgyu's place. It didn't take long to arrive, the porridge now sitting in its container on the dining table, and he was finding his way to Kai's room. It had been so quiet, not the usual when there was at least one of its tenants home. He opened the door slowly, careful to not make too much noise. Kai was in a bundle on his bed, head barely poking out from under his comforter.

"Kai, I'm here."

At record speed, Kai had jumped up from the bed and wrapped himself around Taehyun. Any other time, Taehyun would tease him for being so big but wanting the comfort of his smaller friend. Of draping his body over him like this, but Taehyun knew it wasn't the time for that. Especially when Kai doesn't actually like showing such a vulnerable side of himself.

"Hyunnie..." Kai mutters and Taehyun leads them to the bed, laying them both down.

Kai only sighs shakily, his arms tightening around Taehyun when they're settled in. His face is digging into Taehyun's neck, breathing tickling him, but he doesn't mind. He takes a moment to press the back of his hand onto Kai's forehead to feel his temperature. He was so warm.

"Are you ready to eat and hydrate or not yet?" Taehyun had asked softly, running his fingers through Kai's hair. He was a little sweaty, but Taehyun didn't mind. He doesn't mind anything when it comes to Kai.

He feels Kai shake his head, letting him know he wants to stay like this; in each other's hold on his bed. Taehyun just nods and continues playing with his hair, his other hand rubbing his back. That's when he felt it. It wasn't too obvious, but there was no mistaking it. Kai's lips were pressed against his clavicle. It could've just been his face pressing against him, but Taehyun knows how to differentiate between that and a kiss. A kiss that makes a quiet smack before Kai nestles further into his neck if possible.

"Love you," he muttered. But Taehyun was too frozen in shock to reply.

They were touchy, but not like that.

"I got you, didn't I?" Yeonjun's laugh snaps him back to reality.

"No," Taehyun lies easily, "You didn't. And he hasn't."

"Yeah, okay. I'll let it slide. Anyway, what did you get him for Christmas? I bought him that game he's been eyeing lately. Was a bitch to get since, turns out, everyone wants it. I almost fought a kid over it - it was traumatizing." Yeonjun shudders at the memory and Taehyung laughs.

"I got him an electronic drum set."

"What the fuck? Isn't that, like, crazy expensive? Dude, you're so far gone..." Yeonjun's eyes widen in his direction and Taehyun only rolls his eyes.

"What did you get Beomgyu hyung, then?" Taehyun raises a brow and Yeonjun immediately avoids his gaze. "Exactly. The call was coming from inside the house."

"Shut up, at least I'm spending crazily on my future boyfriend."

"Oh, so now you're not in denial? Last week you assumed he was in love with Soobin hyung," Taehyun laughs, turning to look to his left when they pass a jewelry store. Something almost instantly catches his attention on display at the store's window. Whatever Yeonjun says in retaliation goes in one ear and out the other as Taehyun stops and instead goes towards the shop.

"And you call me a lovesick fool."

-

"I'm excited! I'm happy you're coming with me!" This is the first thing Kai says when he gets in his car, already throwing his backpack into the backseat.

The day finally came for them to go to Kai's family home. Finals were done and their break was finally here. Taehyun insisted he drives them since he was a guest, and even though Kai protested so much, he gave in. He opted to be in charge of the aux and passenger princess.

"I have a bag of snacks in the back if you get hungry," Taehyun gives him a smile when Kai squeals.

"Thank god because I was about to ask if we could stop by the convenience store to get some. Such a you thing to plan ahead."

"Well, I know you better than anyone else, so of course I planned."

Taehyun is glad he can't see Kai's expression when he looks at him, continuing to stare ahead at the road.

"Right. I'm glad it's you, Taehyun."

What was that supposed to mean? He ends up spending the entire two-hour drive repeating those words over and over in his head.

"Taehyun-ah you came!" Lea's excited voice is what greets them when Kai opens the door of his home. They didn't even say hi to anyone yet before Lea bounced over straight into Taehyun's arms. "Why didn't you guys tell me?!"

"Surprise!" Taehyun laughs as he returns the hug. "I asked him not to let you know since you've been asking for me specifically."

Lea pulls away and hits his arm playfully, "Aish you two! Even our parents and Hiyyih kept it a secret. No wonder Kai didn't beg me to pick him up."

"Taehyun oppa!"

Taehyun turns to the voice but is quickly engulfed in another hug that has him stumbling back. Hiyyih's hair almost gets into his mouth and it makes him sputter and move the strands away. He smiles endearingly anyway and holds her just as tight, even jumping with her when she does so excitedly.

"Hi Hiyyih, Merry Christmas," He says softly to her as they pull away. She's smiling brightly at him and his smile widens to match hers. "It's good to see you again."

"Um, yeah, hi guys! I'm here too!" Kai whines from the side and they all turn to find him pouting.

"Oh shut it, we see you more than Taehyun! Let us give him love you brat," Lea rolls her eyes but goes to hug her brother. She must've whispered something to him because he started pulling away from her with a whine.

"Shut up noona."

Hiyyih deems it her turn to hug her older brother and Taehyun smiles at the sight. She's excitedly swaying them back and forth, her arms around his neck making Kai wince but laugh nonetheless. Taehyun must've been staring too intently because Lea elbows him and raises her brows with a smug grin on her lips. He shakes his head in amusement and begins to remove his shoes instead. He doesn't want to ponder over the possibilities of what she meant by that.

"Oh Taehyun-ah!"

Taehyun looks up to see Kai's mom making her way towards him, his dad not far behind with matching smiles. He quickly stands and lets her pull him into a hug that he melts into. She always hugged him with warmth and love. He feels Kai's dad's arms around him, too, and it makes the hug twice as lovely.

"We're happy you came," Kai's dad pats his back when they pull away.

"Thank you for having me. My mom wanted me to pass along a message, too. She thanks you for letting me have a home for the holidays while they're away."

Kai's mom coos at him, squishing his cheeks in adoration, "We're always happy to have you. You'll always be welcomed - this is your second home, okay?"

"Wow, all of you just ignore me for Taehyunie, huh?"

Taehyun snorts at yet another complaint from Kai.

"Oh hush you. You know the Huenings are all in love with Taehyun-ah," Kai's mom laughs and hugs her son. "Welcome home my boy."

The implication of her words does not go unnoticed by Taehyun. The Huenings being in love with him involves Kai. Surely not in the way he overthinks. Of course not.

"Alright boys, get settled into Kai's room and come down for dinner, okay? I made your favorite." Mrs. Jung directs the last part at Taehyun and he thanks her with another hug.

"They would trade me for you if they could, I swear," Kai huffs out as he plops onto his bed. His backpack lays forgotten by the foot of the bed as he does so, watching Taehyun set his duffle bag someplace out of the way.

Taehyun laughs and goes to sit on the bed beside him, looking down at him fondly. Kai looks up at him, eyes unwavering as he says,

"My mom is right about the Huenings being in love with you, by the way."

What.

Taehyun swallows thickly under Kai's heavy gaze. The younger eventually sits up but he continues to stare into his eyes, not saying a word as if waiting for Taehyun to respond. He clears his throat.

"Oh, are you confessing your love for me?" He teases, though hesitant. As if he was testing the waters.

Kai doesn't burst out laughing like he thinks he would; doesn't even put on that playful smirk he usually gets when he's about to tease back or play off some joke. He does none of that, but instead leans closer into Taehyun's space, moving a strand of hair away from Taehyun's eyes. His hand doesn't move away as he continues to watch Taehyun carefully, and Taehyun almost feels like prey under a predator's gaze. As if any move he made would give him away. It doesn't help that he can feel Kai's breathing fanning his lips.

Finally, Kai smiles and pulls his hand back to his side, standing up and heading for the door. When his hand is on the knob, he turns back to Taehyun.

"No, I wouldn't confess to you like that," And then he opens the door, walking right out as if he hadn't just changed Taehyun's life with those set of words.

Dinner goes by without any string of words that make Taehyun's brain short-circuit. However, some moments did make him curious. When he finally entered the dining room after being left on Kai's bed malfunctioning, Lea and Hiyyih were quick to pull him into the seat between them. Taehyun thought nothing of it until he saw the way they snickered and gave Kai some weird look once he'd come in and stopped in his tracks to see where Taehyun was sitting. He stared at them blankly before rolling his eyes and sitting across from Taehyun, in between his parents.

The entire dinner, the Huening sisters kept giving Kai smug looks each time he stared a little too long. At one point, Kai was going to place a serving onto his plate when Hiyyih intercepted and did it herself, leaving Kai to glare at her and awkwardly put the serving back. Taehyun has no idea what any of that was about.

To make matters more confusing, Kai had stretched out his long legs to cross them over Taehyun's - startling him in the process. When he looked at him with a questioning eyebrow raised, Kai only smiled as if he was innocent and carried on his retelling of when Beomgyu had gotten stuck in one of the bathrooms on campus. Taehyun couldn't focus afterward, lost in the feeling of Kai's legs around his under the table, everyone else unknowing.

After dinner, Taehyun quickly went to help wash dishes with Hiyyih while Kai and Lea cleaned up in the dining room - parents rushed away to let them handle it. While Taehyun washed and Hiyyih dried, she broke the silence.

"Taehyun oppa, can I ask you something?"

Taehyun only hums, looking up at her.

"Do you like my brother?"

Taehyun freezes immediately. His hands that were holding the serving spoons slip midair and fall back into the sink, startling them both. He snaps his attention back to the utensils, quickly rinses them, and passes them to her.

"Sorry. What did you ask?"

She only smiles like she's holding back a laugh and turns to dry off the spoons, "I asked if you like my brother. Romantically, of course."

"That is an odd question to ask, Hiyyih. And out of nowhere," Taehyun swallowed and went back to washing the next dish. "Is there a particular reason why you're asking?"

Hiyyih hums as if she's taking a moment to ponder over the question. "Well, other than the fact that all of us were convinced you two were dating - I can't think of a reason why I wouldn't ask."

He hands her the final plate and it takes everything in him to not physically react to her words. Oh god, the Huenings thought they were dating. Was he that obvious? Maybe Yeonjun was right.

"You guys... what? That's... kind of a crazy assumption, I don't know how you guys got to that."

Hiyyih stares at him for a moment before opening a cabinet to put up the plate. When she closes it, she leans her back against the counter and crosses her arms over her chest, looking up at him with her lips pursed.

"Oppa, I'll be real with you. I've known you liked my brother since the first time I met you. You look at him with so much endearment it's almost suffocating to be in the same room as you two. And my oppa adores you so much. It's an adoration that's different from the other oppas. I've seen him with crushes before, but he looks at you as if you were the definition of love. I don't mean to expose oppa, but I can't imagine it's fun to hide your feelings when everyone in the room can tell you're in love minus you two."

Taehyun is left stunned by her words. What she was saying was scarily similar to what Yeonjun had told him, but this was different. This was different because it was Hiyyih. Hiyyih, who is Kai's sister. Hiyyih, who talks to her brother as much as she can and is probably one of the few people who knows everything about Kai who isn't Taehyun himself. Her words somehow hit him stronger than when Yeonjun spoke to him.

"I..." Taehyun was rendered speechless.

God, is that why Lea and Hiyyih have been so different this time around? Or have they always been like this and he's only just noticing now? They've been giving him and Kai looks since they got here - not to mention the whole fiasco at dinner. Were they doing it all on purpose to drive him crazy and start opening his eyes a little more? But, if the sisters were like this, what about the parents? Taehyun almost wants to curl up into a ball. Hiyyih had said all of us. That must mean Kai's parents were suspecting it, too.

"Oppa."

Her voice sounds muffled and distant but Taehyun blinks quickly. She wasn't looking at him, but instead at the entryway. He turns his head so slowly- it is as if he is in slow motion, and he meets eyes with Kai. Shit.

He's starting back and forth between the two, his face not giving anything away. Then, he walks up to Taehyun, grabs his wrist, and begins pulling him out of the kitchen. Taehyun doesn't say anything as he lets himself be led towards Kai's room.

"Taehyun and I are going to bed now, goodnight!" Kai quickly tells the rest of the family and keeps pulling him even as Taehyun is attempting to say goodnight to his family.

Once they're in Kai's room, Kai shuts the door and finally lets go of his hand. He's staring again. It feels like he's been doing a lot of that lately - way too much and it was driving him crazy.

"Is everything okay –"

"What did Hiyyih say?" Kai interrupted.

Taehyun bites his lip. This isn't like him- he isn't one to run away. Yeonjun was right about that, but he wanted to pretend nothing was happening and go to sleep hoping he'd wake up and it was all a dream. Since when was he a runner?

"Nothing," Taehyun says, but it comes out so quietly it is almost a whisper.

Kai frowns and something flashes across his face. Taehyun isn't able to pinpoint it because it's gone as soon as it appears.

"Okay."

And that was that. Kai excused himself to wash up in his bathroom and left Taehyun alone, now sitting on his bed. He buries his face in his hands and groans.

He's gotten so many hints of Kai possibly being in love with him, but he can't believe it. He must be turning delusional. He can't believe he's becoming Yeonjun.

His phone rings. Speak of the devil.

"Oh my fucking god Taehyunie, I just had the best sex of my life."

Yeah, he definitely cannot become like Yeonjun.

The next day was a stark contrast to the day before.

Lea had gone out with a friend and so Taehyun was left with only Hiyyih and Kai to hang out with. Then, however, an old friend of Kai's reached out and he apologetically asked if it was okay for him to go out with his friend. Taehyun said it was okay, of course, and watched him leave with a frown, his feelings contradicting himself.

Hiyyih thankfully didn't bring up anything from the day before and instead helped him wrap Kai's gift that Taehyun had delivered here. Hiyyih begged to know what it was and well, who could ever resist the youngest Huening? Definitely not Taehyun. She had been so excited when he told her and began wishing it was already tomorrow so she could watch her brother open it.

Taehyun has always loved the relationship between the siblings. They were all so close and got along so well. They did have typical sibling arguments, but they all loved each other so much and Taehyun loved watching them. He won't lie, he finds it most amusing when the girls gang up on Kai - but he won't tell him that.

Speaking of Kai, he'd returned after only three hours, claiming he missed Taehyun so much that he had to return. Taehyun couldn't even deny his heart fluttered, and if Hiyyih's teasing smile meant anything, he knew the heat of his cheeks was prominent and obvious enough for her to notice.

Kai was so curious and excited when he saw the bigger addition to the gifts under the tree, his eyes wide as he looked at Taehyun when he realized it was for him.

Taehyun makes no mention to any Huening family member of the other gift that was buried deep in his suitcase. He didn't even know if he would be brave enough to give it to Kai in the end, especially since it would require a love confession. But still, even as they were all cuddled up on the couch watching Christmas movies later, it plagued his mind. It especially made itself known when Kai leaned his head on his shoulder and intertwined their hands together under the blanket they shared. Their joint hands laid over Kai's lap and as if that wasn't enough, his other hand sat on Taehyun's thigh, thumb rubbing circles on it. Taehyun would not make it out alive, especially not if the permanent red that spread over his cheeks to the tips of his ears had anything to say about it.

It was finally Christmas.

The Huenings spent the whole day running around doing last-minute cleaning and cooking up a large, tasty dinner. Taehyun was quick to assist Kai's mom with cooking, dismissing her when she told him she would be fine on her own. I love cooking, he'd told her. She only looked at him fondly, patting his shoulder in gratitude. Then, she seemed to want to join everyone else in ruining his life and making his overthinking level up with what she said next.

"I'll be happy when you're finally my son-in-law."

That made him stop what he was doing as she dismissed herself to bring kimchi from the kimchi fridge they had in the garage. He didn't miss the tiny smile on her lips as she left. She didn't say she would be happy if he was her son-in-law, she said will be happy when he's her son-in-law. As in, she's just waiting for it to be official with certainty. The Huenings were driving him crazy. All of them have been making remarks implying things about him and Kai ever since they arrived. Even his dad! He'd passed by him in the morning to head into the kitchen just as he was coming out. He was holding a mug of coffee when he suddenly paused at the sight of him - as if he'd remembered something.

"Oh, we'll need to get you your very own mug and plate since you'll be part of the family."

Then he walked away like nothing. Like he didn't make Taehyun stand there in shock at the implication of his words. He already knew the Huenings had personalized mugs and plates - it was their thing. Taehyun had always found it so cute, especially because Kai kept that habit even back home. He'd gotten Taehyun a squirrel mug for him to keep at his place. Then, he got them for the other guys of what he called their assigned animal. They were all in Kai's side of the cabinets, only taken out when they all hung out there.

It was very obviously something special and important to the Huenings. A family thing. And to include Taehyun? When no one else besides them does it? Taehyun got a headache from just thinking about it

And now Kai's mom is calling him his future son-in-law? This family was going to kill him.

By the time they were opening gifts, Taehyun had done his best to forget everything and focus on presents. They all surprised him by getting him gifts he wasn't expecting to receive. A pair of shoes from both of Kai's parents; a hoodie Taehyun remembers bringing up to Kai from Lea; and boxing gloves from Hiyyih. He was so happy as he received them, giving them each tight hugs and thanking them profusely. They all did the same when they opened their gifts from him - Hiyyih making a big deal about the coat because as it turned out, it was the very one she wanted. Taehyun must've been struck with immense good luck for that one.

Kai had excitedly passed him his gift and it turned out to be an official jersey of Jude Bellingham, a soccer player he recently mentioned he loved. He was so surprised, eyes wide, before hugging Kai. The other Huenings had cooed at the act and it made him pull away, shy at their attention, and also a little conscious of his actions around them. He can't trust them anymore after all they've been saying, who knows what they'll say in front of Kai.

They saved Kai's present from Taehyun for last since it was the biggest. Kai had guessed that it was a gag gift that would lead to him opening multiple boxes before he'd get to the real one. You could only imagine his reaction when he opened it and read the label and description of what was inside. He'd sat there reading it over and over in shock before tackling Taehyun making them both hit the ground in a loud thud - thank god they were sitting because it would've been worse had they been standing. Taehyun still laughs, embracing his best friend and love of his life as he buries his face into his chest, not wanting to let go.

Hiyyih and Lea had been filming his reaction and were teasing Kai from behind their phones, giggling at them. When Kai finally lets go he grabs a hold of his hand to squeeze it before turning back to the gift.

"I can't wait to keep Beomgyu hyung awake at night once we're back. It's perfect. Thank you, Taehyunie." Kai turns back to him with a grin. "Oh, I need to talk to you about something."

Taehyun gives him a questioning look while the rest move around to start picking up wrapping paper. He moves to help them but Kai grabs his arm, stopping him.

"Just come with me," Kai pulls him up and leads him to their back porch.

"What's up?" Taehyun attempts to act as calm as he can because he definitely isn't losing his mind over why Kai needs to talk. Definitely not.

"Well, it's not that something is wrong... I just wanted to tell you something." Kai purses his lips nervously, "I have feelings for you."

Taehyun seems to continuously be sent into turmoil around the Huenings. Every single one of them has said something that made him question reality and wonder if he was dreaming. Kai, just like his family, is at the core of it all.

"What?" That is all Taehyun can say because what else is he supposed to say? That he likes him back? No, obviously not.

"I like you, Taehyun. I like you so much. I like you so much that going another day without telling you might actually kill me. You are the only one who I could ever allow to see me be vulnerable or know my deepest feelings. You're the only one who knows the true me and every thought I have. Taehyun, it will always be you for me. No one has ever made me feel the way you do, and you know how I am about romantic relationships. I won't get into one unless my feelings are that strong- and Taehyun, my feelings for you are so strong I could explode."

Taehyun steps back, looking away from Kai for a moment as he covers his mouth with a hand in disbelief. He looks back to Kai who watched him quietly, but Taehyun can tell he's worried. God, Taehyun can always tell what Kai is thinking or feeling, even when their friends complain about never being able to tell with Kai. Now he realizes that it was all because Kai only wants him to know. Only wants Taehyun to be able to read him and see him.

"Are you serious?" Taehyun asks quietly, mind still processing it all. Still processing that Huening Kai feels the same and is telling him so.

Kai reaches for his hand and laces their fingers together. "You know I wouldn't play around like that. Remember? I told you I would confess better than what I said in my room the other day. You're the one that can read my mind, so tell me, Taehyunie, am I joking?"

Taehyun pulls his hand back and pulls out the velvet bag that weighed ten times heavier in the back pocket of his jeans. He presents it to Kai, who tilts his head in confusion as he stares at it. Taehyun clears his throat as he pulls out what's inside - a bracelet.

"It's not exactly the real Cartier one... it's a more affordable version from the jeweler I got it from, but it has the same intention. A love bracelet. One that I bought impulsively and had to deal with Yeonjun hyung making fun of me for days over. I... wasn't going to give it to you, but I think I subconsciously knew I needed to tell you. Huening Kai, I love you. I bought this as a symbol of the love I have for you. I bought it to give me the courage to tell you my true feelings. I think the reason it wound up in my pocket tonight, is because your family has been driving me crazy with implications that you love me, too. So, I'm telling you now... I feel the same way. You make me feel so different and it's overwhelming. I only ever want to be around you and to hold you. I only want you in this life and the next. I know we call each other soulmates, but I genuinely believe you are my soulmate. I believe we will be bound to love each other in every life no matter what form we take on. So yeah, I love you."

Kai silently takes the bracelet and slips it onto his wrist, watching it glimmer under the moonlight. Taehyun watches him, a smile on his lips as all worries and nerves are slowly dissipating. He's finally freeing himself of the shackles of feeling like he was on the brink of ruining his best relationship.

"Taehyunie, I never meant it jokingly when I called us soulmates. I feel like we were put in this world just to love each other, no? I don't even need Cartier, don't spend too much on me. Just love me, hm? It's so pretty though, thank you. I'll get you a matching one okay? And... sorry about my family. They knew I was planning to confess and even though I begged them not to be weird... they kind of were, weren't they?" Kai huffs in frustration.

Taehyun chuckles but it sounds choked up and the next thing he knows, Kai has pulled him into a tight embrace. They remain like that for a few minutes until Taehyun pulls away, letting Kai's hands cup his face and maneuver him to look up into his eyes. His round and shiny eyes.

Wow, Taehyun thinks as he looks at him in awe, he really does look in love.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to get emotional," Taehyun sighs, "I just- I didn't want to ruin anything between us. Even when I got more than enough hints that you felt the same, I didn't want to risk it. What if I was just hearing and seeing things in the way I wanted to? I was worried I was becoming delusional like Yeonjun hyung–" Kai giggles, "But I guess none of us were delusional. Especially since Yeonjun was never wrong about Beomgyu liking him back and was just as obsessed - even if at the time he was being a bit delusional."

"It's okay Hyun, I want you to be more emotional with me. I know I'm also not always the best at showing how I truly feel sometimes - no matter how well you read me - but I thought I was being obvious to you. I was thinking, 'Oh, if Taehyunie notices how much I let my guard down around him compared to others, he'll notice and tell me he loves me, too,' but obviously, that didn't work out as well as I hoped." Kai smiles down at him, "Did you like me so much it scared you?"

"Yeah," Taehyun admits, "So much that I thought I would die if I ended up losing you over silly feelings."

"Your feelings aren't silly, but I'm glad you feel the same. I was also worried that I'd make things awkward between us. Beomgyu hyung almost confessed to you in my place so many times because he was sick and tired of me constantly whining about you. But he also comforted me and tried to make me see that what we have is something really special. Something that could rival how special the universe is. That's kinda why I lied."

Taehyun frowns, "Lied? About what?"

Kai pulls his hands away and scratches his chin sheepishly, "Well, I asked your family to plan for this trip they're on and make excuses so you wouldn't go with them. Then, I asked you to come here with me when really, my family wasn't exactly asking you to come... I just wanted to set a plan in motion to confess once and for all."

Taehyun is speechless.

"You did... all of that... just to get me here so you can confess?"

Kai nods, "I'm sorry, I hope you aren't upset."

Taehyun shakes his head in disbelief, "Hyuka, I'm not upset, I'm actually—"

Taehyun cuts himself off to move his hands up to Kai's hair and pull him close until their lips are pressed against each other. They don't move, just stay pressed together until Taehyun pulls back and instead presses their heads together.

"I love you," he confesses again, "I love you so much."

Kai doesn't respond and instead pulls him in for another kiss, one hand on his waist and the other tilting his head up to meet him. When Kai pulls away he only smiles cheekily.

"I love you so much, too."

They're so busy staring into each other's eyes that they don't hear the door open or realize they're now being watched until they're startled by a confetti popper exploding seemingly out of nowhere. They turn with equally shocked expressions to see Hiyyih and Lea, matching grins on their faces as they each hold used poppers.

"Congratulations! Please let me be the maid of honor at the wedding!" Hiyyih shouts and pulls Lea back inside, shutting the door loudly. They can hear the two yelling about them to their parents.

The two turn to face each other again, blinking in confusion before bursting into fits of laughter. They continue giggling, holding each other and swaying their bodies side to side. It looked as if they were slow dancing without any music once their laughter ceased.

"So is my family booked for New Year's, too? Or can we go see them to tell them the news personally?" Taehyun teases and he can feel when Kai huffs out a chuckle.

"Yeah, I told them I only wanted you for Christmas."

"Good. Let's not tell the guys until we go back as payback for telling us about their new sex life unprompted."

"Soobin hyung is gonna be so pissed he's getting punished for no reason."