TRACK 17 #3
He jumps down off the counter, pulling me into a hug and kissing me to the point where I want to beg him to stay and shower with me. But, he doesn't give me the chance to as he kisses my chin, nose, and then forehead before saying, "Happy Birthday, our Liz."
Before he leaves, I have to know something. “Why did it matter so much that I brought Nova home?”
It’s a question that’s been bothering me since last night when I saw his expression through my tears of him hugging his little black cat.
He gives me a soft smile. “Because I know what it feels like to be the one that nobody chooses.”
When he steps out, I have to stop for a second and breathe my way through the anxiety trying to fight its way into my chest. I'm glad no one is in here to witness when I pick up the black kitty and hug it to my chest as tightly as I wish I still could hug In Se right now.
I can't call him back in here, because I won't want him to leave again.
Setting it back down, I semi-rush through a routine of a shower, using all the new stuff he got for me.
The clothes someone was thoughtful enough to leave for me are my comfy jeans and soft grey shirt.
It feels wrong leaving my little guys behind, so I backtrack into Yoon Ji's room and grab Pixel before getting the kitty out of the bathroom and leaving In Se’s room.
I follow the sound of voices and food into the kitchen.
In Se and Yeon are standing near the stove, cooking and talking softly as the others bustle around setting the table.
Dav En spots me first since he's filling cups of juice from the fridge.
"Happy birthday, Lizzy!" he says, pulling me in for a hug.
He drops a kiss against my cheek as I thank him before he spins me on my heel and pushes me to a waiting Kyung.
His arms are already open and waiting on me. "Good morning, sunshine."
"Good morning," I tell him, smiling up at him ready for the kiss he drops on my lips.
"Happy birthday," he whispers against them.
"Thank you," I say, not able to keep the grin off my face even if I tried.
"We're making you an American breakfast," Dav En announces, passing some of the glasses of juice off to Kyung for them to take to the table.
"Is that what that good smell is?" I ask, walking over to Yeon and glancing over his shoulder.
He turns his head, pressing a kiss against my temple.
Flipping the pancake in the pan, he turns and gives me a full body hug and another kiss against my cheek before walking us both over to where In Se had been standing a few moments ago.
In his place is a sparkling yellow bunny on the counter with a small box between his feet.
I set the other two on the counter next to him.
Yeon picks up the box and hands it to me. "Happy birthday."
I open it and can't control the tiny intake of air in surprise.
Inside lies the prettiest bracelet with tiny yellow flowers and tinier diamonds inlaid into them.
"Yeon..." I start, looking up at him and remembering what In Se said.
Instead of finishing with, “This is really too much,” like I want to, I tell him, "It's beautiful. Thank you."
"Mmm," he says, waiting until I reach up on my toes for a kiss before pressing his lips against mine.
Taking it out of the box, I hand it to him to put it on me. I play with it on my wrist, lifting my chin for another kiss. He complies easily before In Se calls him back to the pancakes he's trying not to burn.
"What can I do to help?" I ask as In Se, relieved from pancake duty, trades places with Yeon.
"Nothing," he says, swatting at my butt and pushing me out toward the table. "Go sit your pretty self down. We'll be done in a few minutes."
Jae-un meets me around the edge of the counter, grabbing me up in a solid hug, murmuring a happy birthday in my ear.
When I laugh because it tickles, he spins us around a few times before setting me back down on my feet.
I'm slightly dizzy when Seong Su takes my hand, and it takes a second to focus on his face.
He laughs, pressing a kiss to my cheek and pulling me in for a hug.
Not going to lie, this could be my present from him, and I wouldn't complain.
Out of all eight of them, Seong Su is the least affectionate.
Even towards his members. So, the fact that I got a kiss and a hug? I'll take it.
Minsul stands over by my chair and pulls it out for me, giving me a quick kiss on the opposite cheek and telling me happy birthday.
A few minutes later, they've got breakfast finished and laid out on the table.
There are pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, and toast. I haven't had chocolate chip pancakes in years.
I make it all the way to putting the first bite into my mouth and chewing a few times before the first tear rolls down my cheek.
I try to hide it with a quick swipe, but it doesn't go unnoticed.
Kyung rubs his hand across my back. I smile over at him, letting him know that I'm okay.