12 years ago...

The car pulled up to the apartment entrance, and Daehyun zipped up his jacket and grabbed his duffle bag. "Thank you again for picking me up from the station."

"Not at all," Mr. Park said, turning around with a cheery grin. "We know how tiring it is travelling from a base. Plus finding your way in this weather—" He trailed off, gesturing to the howling snowstorm outside.

Mrs. Park's pearl earrings caught the light as she nodded in agreement. "Plus, the boys would fuss if we didn't get you here as soon as possible," she laughed. Daehyun cracked a smile and glanced out the window.

"We already have dinner for you guys. All you kids have to do is set the table. We'll try to be home soon," Mr. Park added. "We'll keep you updated."

"Sounds good," Daehyun said and braced himself. "Hope you two have a good time," he added before stepping out of the car.

The icy wind swirled around him, and he groaned; the few steps already had the tips of his ears aching. Stepping into the heated lobby, Daehyun thawed out.

Heading up to the right floor and down the hall. The six-hour train from the military base to Seoul had been worth it. Nothing was more enticing than a home-cooked meal, a warm bed, and different company.

Daehyun rang the bell, hearing the quick patter of feet.

"Who is it?" Called out a small voice. Daehyun couldn't help but smile.

"It's Daehyun-hyung."

With an audible gasp and a minute of fumbling noises, the door swung open.

"Hi, Hyung!" Myungsuk cooed, grinning with wide eyes behind his glasses and curly bangs.

"Hello, Myungsuk," Daehyun said as he stepped in and took his shoes off. Myungsuk closed the door and strategically used the shoehorn to close the locks out of his reach— which was all of them. Myungsuk was up to his waist, but that didn't stop the little omega from impressing him.

Myungsuk set the shoehorn down and spun around, promptly holding his arms out.

Dropping his bag, Daehyun scooped him up, chuckling as Myungsuk rubbed his hands over his hair. "It's still spiky," he said, scrunching up his nose.

"My hair grows pretty slow. It's only been four months," Daehyun said, brushing his hand over his head. It was still too short for his liking, but at least he didn't have that horrible buzz cut anymore.

"My hair grew too. See," Myungsuk cooed and pulled down one of his curly strands straight.

Before Daehyun could answer, a shrill shriek burst through the house and Myungsuk's hair sprang back as he slapped his hands over his ears, whining.

Daehyun patted Myungsuk's back as he followed the second and third scream.

Opening the door to the dark living room, he flicked on the lights. "What's going on here?"

Seunghyeon was squeezed into the corner, his head snapping up and staring at him bug-eyed. A few feet from him, hunched over and his face covered by his hair, Taeyong froze.

Slowly looking over his shoulder, Taeyong parted his curtain of hair, revealing his sheepish grin, his braces catching the light. "You're here," he said with a meek cheer. Daehyun raised his eyebrow.

Seunghyeon's shock subsided, and he sprinted towards him, skidding around to hide behind him. "Daehyun-hyung, Hyung's bullying me!" Seunghyeon yelled.

"Am not!" Taeyong swung his hair back and marched over. "You're just a baby," he mocked, sticking his tongue out, Seunghyeon sneering back.

"Then what were you doing?" Daehyun asked as Myungsuk peeked up, huffing.

Taeyong placed his hands on his hips. "I was pretending to be the grudge." He cupped his hands over his mouth and started to low, crackly groan. Along with waist-long hair and gangly limbs, Taeyong could have played Kayako in the movie.

"Stop it!" Seunghyeon yelled and kicked Taeyong.

"Hey!" Taeyong raised his hand, and Seunghyeon gasped and ducked.

"Stop," Myungsuk whined. "Noisy..."

"Okay, stop it. Both of you," Daehyun scolded lightly, blocking Taeyong with his arm.

Seunghyeon sniggered behind Daehyun's leg and stuck his tongue out. Taeyong rolled his eyes. "Come on. We're having fun."

"You're having fun," Daehyun corrected and smirked as Taeyong crossed his arms before he blinked. He clapped his hands together, resetting his mood.

"You must be hungry," Taeyong said, a cheeky grin as he changed the subject. "You can put your stuff in my room. We'll set the table," he added and smacked Seunghyeon's shoulder.

"Ow!" Seunghyeon huffed and glanced up at Daehyun before following Taeyong.

Myungsuk tapped Daehyun's shoulder and wiggled. Nodding, Daehyun set him down, and Myungsuk hopped down, padded off behind them.

Smiling at the three brothers, Daehyun finally felt at ease.

Showered and satisfyingly full, Daehyun leaned back on the couch, with Myungsuk's head on his lap, scrolling through Daehyun's phone. Somehow, the wall of text was interesting enough to absorb his attention completely.

And to the Daehyun's left, Seunghyeon was drawing on his bicep with markers, insisting he needed tattoos. Going as far as holding three markers in his mouth, with the rest in his hand, accidentally streaking his own face as he pondered the next design. He glanced down as Seunghyeon filled in the winding snake.

The door nudged open, and Taeyong padded into the living room with his laptop in hand. His ponytail bounced behind him and scrunched up his face as he dragged his tongue across his braces.

"Okay, I'm ready." Taeyong set his laptop down on the coffee table and connected it to the tv, a presentation appearing on the screen.

'American news you missed because you're on a military base where wifi sucks and only have access to Korean news.'

"Isn't the title a bit too on the nose?" Daehyun asked as Seunghyeon capped his markers and slipped off the couch, awaiting Taeyong's command to control the slides.

Taeyong pursed his lips. "We wanted to be specific. Right, Myungsuk?"

Myungsuk didn't budge. "Myungsuk," Daehyun said and lifted his hand. Myungsuk grunted and grabbed his wrist, settling his palm back over his ear before he continued scrolling. Daehyun and Taeyong chuckled. He was off in his own world, as usual.

Taeyong cleared his throat. Daehyun sat up and nodded for him to start.

"Okay, first things first," Taeyong said, and Seunghyeon changed the slide. "After a crazy year, Britney Spears finally made a comeback and released a new album." Seunghyeon changed the slide. "And these are the top ten songs in America for this year."

Daehyun raised his eyebrow at the list. As Taeyong continued, Daehyun cracked a smile at the fact that these boys thought pop culture news was absolutely vital for him to know. The boys nodded along as Taeyong presented like this was a school project.

"And, that's all we have," Taeyong concluded, and the screen went black. Seunghyeon and Myungsuk clapped, and Daehyun joined along, chuckling. Taeyong grinned and sat at the coffee table across from Seunghyeon and closed his laptop. "Did you like it?"

Daehyun nodded. "It was fascinating," he said sarcastically. "But is that all that happened while I was away?"

Taeyong shrugged. "Well, I did make a slide about stocks—"

"But that was boring," Seunghyeon groaned, tossing his head back and pouting at him. Chuckling, Daehyun nudged his head forward. The one real news he'd like to know didn't make the cut.

"I suppose they are boring," Daehyun said and watched as Myungsuk picked up his phone again and Seunghyeon continued drawing. His eyes flicked up to where Taeyong was still smiling at him. "How are you, Taeyong," he asked, leaning back before he remembered. "How's my grandmother treating you? You've met her a few times already, right?"

Taeyong beamed and nodded as though he was waiting for him to ask. "I've met her three times now. And she's willing to be my mentor."

"I remember mother telling me that," Daehyun said. "But what exactly does that mean."

"Well," Taeyong tilted his head, twisting a strand of his ponytail with his finger. "Just like the stuff she wanted to teach an omega in your family if there was one. And since there are no older omegas in our family," Taeyong continued. "She said this is a perfect arrangement!"

"That's great news."

"It is!" Taeyong giggled. "I can't wait to learn the ins and outs of being a proper omega," he said and reached over to playfully tug at one of Seunghyeon's braids, sniggering as Seunghyeon whined. "She said once I learn, I can teach Seunghyeon and Myungsuk too. Especially how they can be safe."

"I don't need stupid training," Seunghyeon huffed and flexed his chubby arms. "I'll just kick the bullies in the butt!"

"Yeah right," Taeyong chuckled and leaned over, pinching Seunghyeon's round cheeks. "You're still a little mochi. Tooooo cute," he cooed, teasingly.

Seunghyeon whined and swatted his hands away, tightly crossing his arms, his face going red. "I'm not mochi! Myungsuk is mochi!"

"You both are mochi," Taeyong teased. Seunghyeon jutted out his bottom lip and furrowed his eyebrows. "But being mochi isn't pretty."

"What!" Taeyong yelled, slamming his fists into the coffee table and the others jumped. "Who said that?"

Seunghyeon frowned and hugged his knees. "Some kids at school," he mumbled.

Daehyun and Taeyong shared a look. "Which kids?" Taeyong scooted closer. "Do you want me and Daehyun-hyung to go beat them up?"

Daehyun jerked his head up and raised an eyebrow. "I'm not going to beat up a bunch of kids."

"Fine." Taeyong rolled his eyes. "Just intimidate them."

"I'm not some gangster," Daehyun said, but Seunghyeon blinked up at him with wide puppy-eyes. If they didn't have a school break right now, he might have seriously considered with that look.

Daehyun placed his hand on Seunghyeon's head, brushing his bangs back. "Listen to me, Seunghyeon. Don't listen to those kids." Daehyun leaned over, holding Seunghyeon's full attention. "You are beautiful," he said earnestly.

Seunghyeon's eyes widened, and he stared at him. A blush swept his face, and he ducked his head into his knees, grumbling something.

"Awwww." Taeyong grinned and wrapped his arms around Seunghyeon. "Hyung is right. You're so pretty. You have big eyes and a cute nose and super soft cheeks," he teased, and Seunghyeon tried to shove him away as the tips of his ears coloured.

Daehyun chuckled. "Alright, stop teasing him before he goes all red."

Taeyong shook his head and continued to rock Seunghyeon despite his squirming. "Nope. He's just toooo pretty!"

"Stop," Seunghyeon whined and flailed his arms and broke free. He crawled out of Taeyong's grip and ran out of the room.

Laughing, Taeyong chased after him with arms wide. "But I'm not done!"

As their bickering carried on in the hall, Daehyun leaned back, chuckling. Crazy kids.

He looked down at Myungsuk blinking at the door, then at him.

"What time is it, Myungsuk?"

Myungsuk held up his phone. "10:13."

"Already?" Daehyun sat up. "Isn't your bedtime at 10?"

Myungsuk stared at him before realizing his mistake. He flopped his head back down and turned away. "No," he mumbled.

"Come on, Myungsuk. It's late," Daehyun said, reaching for his phone.

Myungsuk yelped and clung to the phone. Daehyun paused. Once he started crying, there was no stopping him.

"How about we read a story," he suggested.

"We read a story?" he whispered, and Daehyun nodded. Myungsuk pondered in silence before he sat up, holding his arms out.

Daehyun chuckled and lifted him up, carrying him out of the room.

"'Rapunzel, Rapunzel,' the prince called out. 'Let down your hair,'" Myungsuk read aloud, holding the colourful picture-book in his tiny hands.

The last time he saw the boys, Rapunzel was still Myungsuk's first choice. He had no idea how kids could read the same thing every night. Myungsuk yawned as he turned the page, rubbing his drooping eyes. At least it could lull him to sleep.

"Do you want to stop here?" Daehyun asked, propping the book up from the back. Myungsuk shook his head before he let out another yawn.

Taeyong giggled quietly from the other side of the bed. He reached over Seunghyeon and took off Myungsuk's glasses. "Daehyun-hyung will finish reading. You lie down."

Pouting, Myungsuk begrudgingly let go of the book and shuffled to lay down. Seunghyeon, who couldn't keep his eyes open anymore, held his arm up. Myungsuk furrowed his brows before nodding, shuffling closer. Seunghyeon wrapped his arm around him, the two curling into each other, with Myungsuk peeking up at him.

Smiling, Daehyun continued, keeping his voice quiet. "The golden braid fell down from the window, and the Prince eagerly climbed up to the tower window."

Myungsuk's eyes fluttered closed as he pouted, continuing the story on his own. "However, instead of Rapunzel—"

Taeyong pressed his hand over Myungsuk's mouth. "Listen to Hyung."

Fondly shaking his head, Daehyun brushed Myungsuk's cheek. "However, instead of Rapunzel, he was met by the grin of the nasty enchantress..."

Daehyun turned to the last page. "—And they lived happily ever after. The end," Daehyun whispered and closed the book. Seunghyeon and Myungsuk breathed softly, nuzzling each other in their sleep like two kittens in a basket.

"I think they're asleep," Taeyong whispered, lifting his head.

Daehyun glanced up and raised his eyebrow. "And you're not?" he teased.

Taeyong rolled his eyes. "I'm not a kid," he muttered and slowly crawled out of bed as Daehyun put the book back on the shelf before they both silently left the room.

The door clicked as Taeyong closed it and sighed.

"Finally," Daehyun said, stretching his arms. "Does it take this long to get them to sleep every day?"

"No. They're just too excited you're here," Taeyong said. Daehyun nodded and covered his mouth as he yawned. After all day, sleep did sound pretty good.

"No," Taeyong whined, tugging his arm. don't be sleepy."

"I'll try to stay up a little longer," he said, covering his mouth as he yawned.

"Great," he whispered and tugged him into the living room, Daehyun rolling his eyes at his joyful hum.

Taeyong soon let go and padded into the kitchen. Daehyun took a seat on the barstool at the window separating the living room and the kitchen, lifting up his sleeve assessing the collection of drawings. The snakes and flowers and shapes came together in a relatively cohesive look. With more practice and real ink, Seunghyeon could do this for a living.

"Eomma just texted me," Taeyong said, shutting the fridge. "Their GPS says it'll be an hour with the snow. That means," he trailed off, whipping around. "We can stay up."

"You say that like it's cool," Daehyun said.

"Well, I'm a teenager now," Taeyong huffed, holding his nose up. "I can stay up late with you now."

Daehyun chuckled. During the summer, he'd spent the night chatting and playing cards with the adults in the village, but that was then. "Staying up late loses its charm. Wait until you're in high school."

Taeyong pouted. "Right..." trailed off and gnawed at his lip, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Daehyun raised his eyebrow.

"What is it?"

Taeyong glanced down, playing with the end of his ponytail. "Hyung," he started, sounding meek. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Um—" Taeyong tilted his head. "So um, your grandmother said that she got me into Beojkkoch Academy for high school next year," he explained. When Daehyun raised his eyebrow, Taeyong continued. "It's an elite private school, like the one you went to."

"Ah, I see," Daehyun said and leaned over, having an idea where this conversation was going. "Are you worried about school or going into high school in general?"

Taeyong shrugged. "Both?" Taeyong drew his shoulders in, whispering. "I'm scared I won't fit in."

Seeing Taeyong, the lively, chatty one, drawn in and small made Daehyun's chest ache. "Now, why would you think that? Last time I checked, you're very popular."

"Well, yeah, but," Taeyong leaned against the counter. "I'm not from a family like yours. What if they make fun of me for not being rich."

Daehyun frowned. He wanted to renounce his fear, but he knew that it was a possibility. As much as Daehyun hated to admit it, but Taeyong was going to stick out, even if it was only because he was a new student. Though being new fades, and Taeyong is now associated with his family, and that should be enough.

"Why don't I drop you off on your first day of school," Daehyun suggested with a slight smirk.

Taeyong jerked his head up, blinking. "Really?"

Daehyun nodded. "I'll try to get that day off. They may not know who I am—"

"Oh, everyone still knows you," Taeyong said before biting his lip. "Your grandmother made sure you're still known here."

"Right," Daehyun exhaled, chuckling. "Well, that makes this plan easier then."

"But, you don't have to, Hyung. I've already gotten so much just from knowing you. I don't want to be a bigger burden."

"Hey," Daehyun said, sternly. "You are not a burden."

"But—"

"If I would seriously go and intimidate some kids from bullying Seunghyeon if I had the chance. I would also drop you to school, so they know which family you're with." Daehyun sat up. "We protect our own."

The corner of Taeyong's lips curled up, and he glanced down. "You say that like I'm a family member."

"In a way, you are," Daehyun pointed out. "Since my grandmother has taken you under her wing."

"That's true," Taeyong hummed and shrugged. "I mean, she did say that she'll depend on me to mentor any omegas great-grandkids she has."

"Exactly." Daehyun smiled. "That's a big deal. I'll depend on you too then to mentor any omega children I have."

"Unless you marry an omega," Taeyong pointed out.

Daehyun gave that a thought and shrugged. "I'll probably marry an alpha if we're being honest."

Taeyong nodded. "Yeah, I can see that."

Combing his fingers through his ponytail, Taeyong took a deep breath, squaring his shoulder. "Thank you, Hyung."

Smiling warmly, Daehyun reached over, brushing back a loose strand of Taeyong's hair from his face. "It's the least I can do."

Smiling, Taeyong pressed his nose into Daehyun's palm and nuzzled him. Daehyun smirked and pinched his cheeks.

Taeyong squeaked and flailed away, sticking his tongue out as Daehyun laughed.

"Oh wait," Taeyong gasped and spun around, grabbing his phone. He checked the screen before shoving it back into his pocket, before swiping his hand over the light switch, the living room and kitchen going dark.

The soft glow of the city blurred by the gently falling snow as the light from the fridge disappeared, and Taeyong shuffled with his back to him, hiding whatever he was holding.

"What are you doing?" Daehyun asked, chuckling at the way Taeyong stretched for the drawer, struggling to pull something out.

"Just wait," Taeyong scolded.

"Okay, okay," Daehyun laughed softly as he Taeyong flicked on a lighter.

A moment later, Taeyong turned around, a small flame on a single candle lighting up Taeyong's smile.

"Happy birthday to you," he sang as he walked around the counter. Daehyun blinked. Was it already the 31st?

"—Happy birthday dear Hyung. Happy birthday to you." Taeyong finished singing and set the cupcake-sized cake in front of him.

"Is this why you were annoyed Seunghyeon and Myungsuk weren't sleeping?" Daehyun teased.

Taeyong huffed. "We'll have another cake tomorrow," he rolled his eyes, but the colour on his cheeks didn't go unnoticed. "Now hurry, make a wish."

Nodding, Daehyun scratched his chin and hummed, making a show of deep contemplation, cracking a smile as Taeyong laughed and smacked his shoulder.

"Come on! Actually think of something."

"Okay, give me a second."

His life has changed so much in a year. This time last year, he was in New York, going into his last semester of college, accepted his conscription for the military and was still recovering from his mom's death.

Six months ago, he had no idea that a quiet getaway to the Korean countryside would lead him to meet these boys. These wild, loud, cute, and crazy kids. Somewhere along the way, with all the chaos these boys caused, Daehyun felt like himself again. They were the siblings he never had, adding brightness to his life unexplainable with words.

A soft smile grew on Daehyun's face. And with a deep breath, he blew out the candle.

"What did you wish for?" Taeyong asked, bouncing in his seat.

Daehyun picked up the two spoons and handed one to Taeyong. "I can't tell you."

"What? Please," he whined, pouting with big doe-eyes like Seunghyeon and Myungsuk.

"No way," Daehyun chuckled and took a bite from the cake. Soft and light and the perfect amount of sweetness. "Did you make this?"

Taeyong grinned. "Yup!"

"It's amazing." Daehyun took another spoonful. "You should do this for a living."

"Sure." Taeyong rolled his eyes and took a bite from his side, a smile still on his lips, admiring his own skills.

"I'm serious. You could be a baker," Daehyun said.

"I'll only do it if you tell me your wish."

Daehyun squinted at him, and Taeyong held his breath, drawing out the silence.

"No."

"Hyung!" Taeyong threw his head back, whining. Daehyun burst out laughing.

Taeyong punched his arm, muffling his giggles. "I'll get it out of you sooner or later."

Daehyun reached over and ruffled his hair, giving Taeyong the last piece of cake. "I can't wait."