×3rd person's pov×

Ni-ki's fingers danced across his phone's screen. He was a whirlwind of activity, calling each of their eight older friends.

Each call was a brief update, a quick rundown of the Sunghoon birthday surprise plan, punctuated by his high-pitched exclamations of excitement and instructions for their specific roles.

His voice, usually calm, was laced with a nervous energy that only intensified with each ring and answer.

Once he'd finished coordinating the surprise operation, Ni-ki slipped his phone into his pocket and emerged from the room, his gaze searching for Sunoo.

He found him settled on a plush, oversized couch, a book in his lap but a faraway look in his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Ni-ki padded silently towards him, a soft smile playing on his lips. He stood behind the couch, his presence immediately felt.

"So, hyung, can you explain the plan again? Just to make sure I've got everything right."

Sunoo, startled but not surprised by Ni-ki's inquiry, closed his book with a soft thud and turned to face him.

He patted the space next to him on the couch, inviting Ni-ki to sit next to him and cuddle.

"Of course, honey. Come here."

Ni-ki, ever the affectionate one, wriggled onto the couch and snuggled into Sunoo's side, his head resting on Sunoo's shoulder.

Sunoo wrapped an arm around him, the warmth of his touch comforting and familiar.

"Okay, so the plan is."

Sunoo started, his voice calming Ni-ki's initial anxiety, while hugging him a little tighter.

"Before midnight, Heeseung hyung will make sure he takes Sunghoon hyung out of the house."

"Like, a 'date'?"

Ni-ki questioned, his eyes wide with curiosity that was often mistaken for cluelessness, and Sunoo chuckled.

"Something like that. Heeseung hyung will make sure Sunghoon hyung is out of the house, somewhere far enough that he won't be able to come back before midnight, and when they leave, Jay will be here. He'll unlock the house and we - you, Jake hyung, Jungwon, and I - we'll all be inside, waiting."

"And then?"

"Then, we'll get to work preparing the house for Sunghoon hyung's birthday surprise. We'll decorate, set the lights, and make everything perfect. And Heeseung hyung will make sure they don't come back home before afternoon."

Sunoo elaborated, his voice soft. Ni-ki nodded, smiling slightly as he finally completely understood the plan.

"But, we will wish him happy birthday at exactly twelve, like every year, right?"

"Yes, my love, we are not trying to make him believe that we forgot him. We want him to believe that we planned nothing."

"Oh. I finally got it. You explained it well, thanks."

Sunoo giggled, a soft, melodic sound that warmed Ni-ki's heart. He leaned in, his lips finding Ni-ki's in a sweet, gentle kiss.

Sunoo's hug felt more comfortable now, their bodies pressed close, a silent language of love and affection passing between them.

When they finally broke free from the kiss, Ni-ki rested his head on Sunoo's shoulder, his arms wrapping around his hyung tightly.

Sunoo, in turn, grabbed his book again and started reading. But Ni-ki was bored. Sunoo wasn't paying attention to him, only the book. With a small pout, he took the book from Sunoo, setting it aside on the coffee table.

"Ay why did you do that-"

Ni-ki then shifted, scooting onto Sunoo's lap, facing him. His hands found their way around Sunoo's torso, holding him close.

He rested his head on Sunoo's chest, listening to the rhythmic thud of his hyung's heart.

He could feel it quicken as he leaned in closer, a smile playing on his lips. He looked up, smirking, and kissed Sunoo again, his heart soaring with the joy of the moment.

Then, he gently handed Sunoo his book back, a silent apology for his interruption.

"Did you really take it away just so you could give it back two minutes later?"

"Do you want it back, or not?"

Sunoo took the book, a small smile gracing his lips as he resumed reading, his voice a calming melody.

Ni-ki remained seated on his lap, his head resting on Sunoo's chest, content to simply be close.

"I love you, Riki."

"Oh? That's sudden. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you."

Ni-ki scoffed, giving Sunoo a quick kiss on the cheek, then resting his head on the elder's chest again.

"I love you too, hyung. I really do."

"Are you okay? I mean, are you comfortable sitting like that?"

"Mhm."

The sound was muffled, a soft rumble against Sunoo's chest, since Ni-ki had buried his face there, effectively silencing any clear articulation of his comfort.

Sunoo, however, didn't seem particularly bothered by the indistinct response. He merely scoffed, a light, amused sound, and continued reading, his right hand holding the book steady while his left gently stroked the back of Ni-ki's head.

Every time Sunoo had to lift his hand to turn a page, a soft whine escaped Ni-ki's lips.

A tiny, adorable complaint that had Sunoo chuckling to himself. He found it endearing, this little puppy-like behavior that Ni-ki seemed to engage in whenever he felt even the slightest bit neglected.

"Hyung."

It was a soft, barely audible sound, a petulant complaint that made Sunoo's heart flutter. Sunoo would simply chuckle softly and continue reading, his hand returning to its comforting position on Ni-ki's head.

Ni-ki, though, was not entirely convinced. He snuggled further into Sunoo, seeking more warmth, more contact.

He shifted slightly, his arms tightening around Sunoo's waist, his cheek feeling the familiar rhythm of Sunoo's heartbeat beneath it.

It was a simple act, a grounding element in their world of chaos and schedules, and it filled Ni-ki with a quiet contentment.

Sunoo, sensing the shift in Ni-ki's demeanor, paused his reading, lowering the book slightly to meet Ni-ki's gaze. He chuckled, a warm, gentle sound that filled the space between them.

"What is it, my little love?"

He asked, his voice laced with affection. Ni-ki simply looked at him, his eyes sparkling with a mischief that made Sunoo's heart skip a beat.

Ni-ki gently lifted his head, just enough to press a quick, soft kiss to Sunoo's lips, before returning his face to the comforting warmth of his hyung's chest.

Sunoo, overwhelmed by the unexpected gesture, instinctively tightened his hold around Ni-ki, his heart overflowing with warmth.

He resumed reading, but this time, Ni-ki's soft, content sighs were the melody he listened to, far more interesting than the words on the page.

He wasn't entirely sure when Ni-ki had grown so attached to him, or perhaps it was always there, a slow-burning affection that had finally blossomed into a full-fledged, adorable dependency. But he wouldn't trade it for anything.

The warmth of Ni-ki pressed against him, the gentle weight of his body a comfortable anchor.

The rhythmic rise and fall of his younger's chest against his own was a soothing counterpoint to the words on the page.

Sunoo found himself completely at peace, lost in the comforting routine of his life with Ni-ki.

It was a moment of simple contentment, a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things in life were the quietest, the most understated, like the gentle rhythm of a heartbeat against a chest, the comforting weight of a small body against another. And the gentle, loving whispers of "mhm" that spoke volumes of affection.