Work Text:
The solitary, heavy beat of a hip-hop track echoed in the vast, otherwise silent practice room. Lost in the rhythm, Kim Daeyoung moved across the polished floor, a silhouette whose long limbs cut sharp, precise angles in the air. He was so deeply focused, sweat glistening on his brow as he ran the choreography one last, punishing time, that he remained completely oblivious to the soft click of the door.
Outside, the rest of the team huddled together in a conspiratorial whisper. Riku carefully, almost reverently, balanced the rich chocolate cake that Ryo and Yushi had meticulously chosen earlier that day. Sion clutched a cone-shaped birthday hat in his slightly trembling hands, a palm pressed to his mouth to stifle the nervous, bubbling laughter he couldn't quite contain.
"His reaction is going to be priceless," Sion whispered, though his eyes, usually crinkling with easy amusement, were wide with a touch of anxiety. What if he was too tired? What if he just wanted to go home and sleep? What if this was too much, too loud? They'd been working so hard, and Daeyoung always pushed himself the furthest. The last thing Sion wanted was to overwhelm him. He worried his lip, his gaze flickering from the closed door to Riku's steady face.
Riku caught his eye and shot him a knowing, reassuring smile. "I told you," he murmured, his voice a calming balm on Sion's frayed nerves. "He'll get those wondering, child-like eyes. He always does. Trust me."
Sion took a deep breath, letting Riku's confidence ground him. He nodded. With a final, collective nod, they crept into the darkened space, moving like shadows around the periphery of the room. Daeyoung, still a fluid silhouette in the center, was lost to the world, cocooned by the music blasting through his headphones. On a silent, three-fingered count from Sakuya, Riku flicked on the lights.
"SURPRISE!"
The shout instantly pierced the thick bubble of music. Daeyoung froze mid-step, his body tensing as he blinked against the sudden, shocking onslaught of light. And just as Riku had predicted, his face transformed. The intense focus melted away in an instant, replaced by wide, stunned eyes that sparkled with disbelief. For a second, he just stared, completely bewildered. Then, pure joy bloomed across his features. A huge, breathtaking grin split his face as he pulled off his headphones, letting them hang around his neck.
A bright, happy laugh of pure relief escaped Sion. Daeyoung’s reaction was too genuine, too precious for words. "Your face!" he laughed, the last of his anxiety dissolving as he walked over to him.
"No way," Daeyoung breathed out, his own deep laughter joining Sion's as the others launched into a boisterous, charmingly off-key rendition of the birthday song. Sion reached up and gently placed the tiny party hat on Daeyoung's head, the colorful cone looking both comical and incredibly endearing on him. As the song finished, the flickering candle flames danced in his wide eyes.
"Make a wish, hyung!" Sakuya prompted eagerly.
Daeyoung closed his eyes and blew, extinguishing all the flames in one strong puff. The room erupted in cheers.
"What did you wish for?" Ryo asked, nudging him playfully.
Daeyoung just smiled, a quiet, knowing look softening his features. He didn't say a word, his gaze sweeping over the scene. He saw the laughing faces of his friends, he saw Yushi already eyeing the cake with laser focus, and he felt Riku clap him warmly on the back. Then, his eyes landed on Sion, whose face was practically glowing with relief and happiness, his love for Daeyoung shining so brightly it was almost tangible. A wave of profound contentment washed over him. What could I possibly wish for? he thought, a lump of pure gratitude forming in his throat. He had a career he'd only dreamed of, friends who had become his true family, and a pretty, kind boyfriend who looked at him like he hung the stars. He already had everything. Everything he could ever ask for was right here in this room.
He just shook his head slightly, his smile widening, and before anyone could press him further, Yushi had already armed himself with a fork and carved out a massive wedge of cake for himself.
While the others descended upon the cake in a flurry of playful chaos, Sion moved back into Daeyoung’s personal space, his laughter softening into a tender, private smile.
"Happy birthday, my love" Sion said, his voice now a quiet melody meant only for him.
Daeyoung’s smile turned intimate as his gaze found and held Sion’s. He wrapped his arms around Sion's waist, pulling him into a hug so tight it felt like coming home—safe, absolute, and smelling faintly of sweat and sheer determination. Sion melted into the embrace, his own arms winding around Daeyoung’s neck to hold him just as close, burying his face for a moment in the crook of his neck. He looked up, a silent, hopeful question in his eyes.
Daeyoung’s answering smile was soft and full of a love that made Sion's heart ache in the best way. He didn't stoop or bend down. Instead, he slid down just a little, bending his knees in a slight squat until he was perfectly, eye-to-eye on Sion's level. And then, he closed the final inch between them.
The kiss was deliberately slow, a languid, intimate exploration that shut out the rest of the world and all the noise within it. It was a silent conversation, full of unspoken affection and a deep, steady warmth that bloomed in Sion's chest, chasing away the last vestiges of his earlier worry. When Daeyoung finally, reluctantly, pulled back, it was only by a fraction. His eyes were still closed as he proceeded to pepper Sion's face with small, reverent kisses—one on the tip of his nose, another on his jaw, and a lingering one on the sensitive, fluttering pulse of his neck.
Sion sighed, a sound of pure contentment, leaning his forehead against Daeyoung’s. "Thank you for being born, Kim Daeyoung," he whispered, his voice thick with an emotion that felt too big for the room. "I love you. I love you today, I'll love you tomorrow, and I will love you from the very beginning to the final edge of the entire universe."
Daeyoung’s eyes fluttered shut as he pressed one last, lingering kiss to Sion’s lips. "I love you more."
"Hey! Get a room!" Yushi's voice shouted from across the room, his words slightly muffled.
They both jumped, turning to see their friends watching them with teasing grins. Yushi, in particular, was leaning against Ryo for support, his mouth completely full of chocolate cake as he gave them a double thumbs-up. Laughter filled the room again, bright and easy, as the perfect, chaotic, and love-filled birthday celebration continued.