IPSTDS Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Thinking back, Nahyuk realized he had rarely ever received a proper birthday cake.

There had been no one to prepare one for him, and he never bothered to do it himself. He thought there was no reason to celebrate a birthday when no one would celebrate it with him.

But for Daon’s birthday, he wanted everything to be perfect. Nahyuk chose the most expensive, most delicious-looking cake he could find.

Then suddenly, he remembered Lee Kangil’s clumsy attempt at making a cake out of Choco Pies.

Next time, he would make sure to buy him a real cake.

It didn’t matter if others never celebrated his own birthday.

What mattered to Nahyuk was giving back to the people who treated him kindly and took care of him. He wanted to look after them with all he had.

Because thanks to them, life had become enjoyable lately. Thanks to them, he was able to live better as Yoon Noah. A gesture like this was nothing in return.

Carrying the cake, Nahyuk walked into Kim Daon’s apartment complex with surprising familiarity. The memory of that rainy day when he had waited for a taxi with Daon naturally resurfaced. Daon, damp from the rain, had looked sensual.

Daon had said everything about him was exposed, but the same was true for Daon.

His solid body, outlined through the wet clothes clinging to him, had been revealed in full. Nahyuk had stolen glances at that body.

Recalling that day now made him feel strangely hot. Or perhaps it really was warmer than the day before.

The breath he exhaled was filled only with heat.

Without stopping, Nahyuk soon reached Daon’s door and paused to catch his breath.

What should he say first when he saw his face?

Happy birthday? How have you been? It hasn’t been that long, but it feels like ages?

In a way, this was a surprise visit. All he could do was hope Daon would be pleased.

He pressed the doorbell. The door opened quickly, showing he had been expected.

Nahyuk thought it would surely be Garam or Heechan, who had schemed with him.

But the one standing before him was Kim Daon.

“…Oh? Daon?”

With a stiff expression unlike his usual self, Daon spoke one word.

“Hyung.”

Seeing that hardened expression, countless thoughts crossed Nahyuk’s mind.

Had something bad happened? Or did he dislike this sudden visit?

Was their closeness only his own misunderstanding?

Unconsciously, Nahyuk took a step back. He was afraid Daon might tell him not to intrude on family time.

Daon had the warm family that Nahyuk had always longed for. He had confirmed the depth of their bond through his chance meetings with Garam and Heechan.

Perhaps someone like him, who grew up in a broken home, was intruding on something sacred without realizing it.

But at that moment, Daon reached out and gently caught his wrist. His hand was soft, despite his serious expression.

“Where do you think you’re running off to?”

“Did I… come at the wrong time? I came to celebrate your birthday… If I’m interrupting family time, I’m really sorry. I’ll just leave the gift and go.”

Daon let out a sigh.

“Hyung, what are you even talking about?”

“…So I’m not?”

“Of course not. From now on, no more bad thoughts.”

Relief washed over him. Daon wasn’t upset by his visit.

Nahyuk exhaled deeply, tension leaving his shoulders.

“And hyung, you might have come here on your own, but going back won’t be so easy.”

“…Huh?”

“Nothing. Anyway, the kids are inside. Come say hi.”

Following Daon’s gentle tug, Nahyuk stepped into the apartment.

In the kitchen, Garam and Heechan were there.

On the table were plates and a cake they seemed to have bought, preparations for a birthday party in progress.

“Noah hyung! I missed you! I’ve been wearing the soccer cleats you gave me all the time!”

Heechan greeted him warmly, as if they hadn’t only met once before. Garam, on the other hand, gave a small, polite nod.

“Garam, Heechan, I’m glad to see you again too.”

Because he hadn’t spoken casually with Garam before, the greeting came out a little awkward. Garam smiled, looking so much like Daon, and said,

“Can I call you hyung too? You can speak comfortably with me.”

“…Sure. Thanks, Garam.”

As soon as the greetings ended, Daon led Nahyuk to sit beside him, as though he had been waiting for it. Then he turned to his younger brothers with a firm voice.

“Why are you letting our guest stand around?”

His tone was surprisingly stern. It was enough to make Nahyuk feel a little out of place.

But that tension disappeared at once when Daon looked at him with warm eyes. His voice softened into a sociable, almost playful tone, as if he had never been stern at all.

“Hyung, aren’t you getting a little too close with my brothers? It’s making me jealous.”

For some reason, his pouty words looked endearing.

“I’m still closest to you.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

The heat in Daon’s gaze was overwhelming. That burning stare made Nahyuk’s heart pound wildly.

Even though nothing special had happened, he couldn’t understand why he was trembling like this. His face felt hot, so he quickly changed the subject.

“Uh… will you accept my gift? I brought a cake too.”

“You didn’t have to buy anything… but since you did, I’ll accept it gratefully. Thanks, hyung. Can I open it now?”

“Yeah.”

Placing the cake on the table, Daon immediately unwrapped the gift.

“Shoes.”

“Yeah, want to try them on? I got your size from your brothers, but just in case.”

Without hesitation, Daon slipped on the shoes right there.

They fit perfectly. Even though he was dressed casually, the shoes didn’t look out of place on him.

They say the finishing touch of fashion is the face, and with Daon, it seemed true—he would probably look stylish even in rags.

“I love them. Thank you, hyung.”

“You don’t have to keep saying thank you.”

“But I really am thankful. I also realized you’ve got great taste.”

“Hearing you say that makes me even more grateful.”

“Hyung, I’ll be looking forward to next year’s birthday too.”

So, you want to keep being close to me? Nahyuk nodded firmly. What did it matter if it was just next year, or the year after… maybe he could celebrate Daon’s birthday every year until the day he died.

“Alright, alright, let’s blow out the candles together!”

Heechan shouted loudly as he lit the candles on the cake already sitting on the table. Daon said nothing but naturally lit the candles on the cake Nahyuk had brought as well.

“I must be rich in cakes now.”

Lighting the candles on his cake too, just so he wouldn’t feel hurt—how could anyone not fall for someone as thoughtful as Kim Daon?

Soon, the birthday song filled the room.

As expected, Heechan shouted the loudest, his voice echoing above the rest. Nahyuk, not much of a singer, clapped along enthusiastically, trying to sing as best he could.

The song was a mess, several candles went out from Heechan’s rough breaths, and when Daon blew his candles out, Heechan smeared cake on his face. It was pure chaos, but somehow, it felt joyful.

It was a family-like warmth he had never felt from his real family. For a brief moment, it felt like he truly belonged to one.

Nahyuk imagined what it would be like if he were the eldest brother among them.

He would calm the lively Heechan, cheer on the reliable Garam, and Daon…

Strangely, when it came to Daon, a different, more dangerous image flickered in his mind.

On a day of pouring rain, Daon would come home drenched, without an umbrella. He would sweep his wet hair back and look at him with eyes so heated they seemed ready to consume him.

Unable to properly look at Daon’s soaked clothes clinging to his body, Nahyuk would avert his gaze, only to hear his sweet voice whisper by his ear.

“Hyung, it’s so obvious you’ve got butterflies for me.”

At that thought, Nahyuk’s shoulders twitched.

Hadn’t he wished to become family with him? So why was he imagining things like this? That wasn’t family—it was closer to lovers.

Just then, Daon, seated beside him, leaned closer. He peered at Nahyuk’s slightly bowed head and asked,

“Hyung, are you feeling unwell? You suddenly lowered your head, it worries me.”

“…”

“Now that I look, your face is a little red.”

Nahyuk rubbed at his cheeks with both hands and shook his head.

“N-no. I’m not sick.”

How could he admit that while celebrating his birthday, he had been having indecent thoughts about him? Nahyuk pressed his lips together tightly.

“Then hyung, how’s your condition today?”

“Me? I’m good. Being with you guys makes me feel even better.”

It wasn’t a lie. Though he had been going out often and even fainting at times, eating and sleeping well, along with taking his new medication properly, had kept him in good condition for longer stretches.

“That’s good to hear.”

Daon’s quiet words overlapped with the sound of Heechan and Garam bickering again. It seemed Heechan had now smeared cake on Garam’s cheek.

But the noise barely registered. Despite being in the same space, all Nahyuk could see was Daon’s face staring at him from such a close distance.

With that lazy yet composed expression, Daon said,

“Spend the whole day with me today.”