To Be Loved... (BOOK 1)

Butterflies

Art by @artskny
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I knocked on the door with the gift-wrapped canvas in my other hand along with a bag for Minho. He said he got me something small so I did the same. I found it funny how he went from pinning me against gym lockers to buying me a Christmas present.

"Hi, sweetheart, come in." Mrs. Lee greeted. "Merry Christmas." She kissed my cheek and left for the living room. I don't see Felix's parents often, but they've always been very kind to me. "The boys are in Yongbok's room."

"Okay." I nodded. "Merry Christmas."

I bursted into Felix's room with my arm full of gifts raised in the air.

"The man of the hour!" Minho cheered.

"Ignore him, mom and dad let him have wine." Felix scoffed and rushed towards me.

"Merry Christmas, little one." I smiled and set the gifts down. He stood high on his toes to give me a small kiss.

"Gross." Minho slurred. "Open my present, Elmo." I laughed at his intoxicated state, then picked up the small gift bag off the ground and swapped with what was in his hands. He gasped dramatically, "#1 cat dad? Hyunjin, you shouldn't have!" Yes, I got him a basic mug that said '#1 cat dad' because I thought it would be funny. "I got you a candle." He smiled before I could even open it.

"Holy shit, go take a nap or something." Felix shook his head.

"Can't," Minho said innocently, "Sungie will be here any minute."

"How's that going?" I asked, smelling the sweet scented candle he had picked out for me.

He started to laugh as his ears turned bright red. "Everything I wanted." He sighed, stuck in a daydream. "He's more fun than Seonghwa, if you know what I mean."

I raised my eyebrow, wildly confused. "I mean Ji was always the 'in your face' type, I always thought he was more fun."

Minho laughed again and waved his hands. "No, I mean he's more 'fun'." He smirked and raised his eyebrows maniacally. Felix gasped and covered his mouth.

"Since when?" Felix asked in utter shock.

"When we got back together."

"You're back together?" Felix and I shouted simultaneously.

"When did that happen?" I couldn't believe this. "How did you not tell me when we go on our walks? Our gossip sessions. Jisung is literally on the track at the same time, why didn't he join us?"

"The day you and Yeosang made me realize he was playing hard to get, I dragged him here and it all happened so fast." Minho pretended to faint, resting the back of his hand on his forehead dramatically.

"You work fast, I'll give you that. Did you tell Seonghwa?

"I've only told him and Mingi."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Felix pouted. "I told you about me and Hyunjin."

"You did?" I laughed.

"Same day actually. Just didn't wanna steal your thunder." Minho squealed.

"It's worse than I thought." Jisung came into Felix's room, staring right at his disheveled boyfriend.

"Sungie, honey." Minho held his arms out with closed eyes. "Come here."

Jisung started to point and laugh at Minho's face once he realized it was stained dark red from all the wine he drank.

"You're so dumb."

"No, you're so dumb." Minho whined, still holding his arms out.

"Why don't we go to your room?" Jisung tried to pick Minho up, but ultimately failed. "Come on, Min." Minho pulled Jisung on top of him, smiling at his victory.

"Alright, whatever." Felix chose to ignore them and led me to Minho's room instead, making sure to take both our gifts so we could have our intimate exchange. "How long do you think you can handle being in here until you get an allergic reaction?" He asked, knowing of my cat allergy.

"Let's go with twenty minutes tops."

"Ten minutes, understood." He nodded, handing me my present. His expression was filled with pure excitement and anticipation. I was surprised to see a vinyl of an album I didn't recognize. "I found this website that does custom records. All the songs on it remind me of you." He was swaying back and forth, trying to contain his smile. "Oh! I almost forgot!" He left the room before I could even thank him, so I took the time to read the track listing. Some songs I had never heard of, some songs I already knew and loved. "Here." He beamed. "I knew you didn't have a record player so I got you one." My heart was bursting at the seams. His smile was contagious, I couldn't help but do the same.

"Thank you so much, angel." I kissed him dearly. "This is the best present I've ever gotten."

"Really?"

"Nothing compares." And it's true. It was truly the greatest gift I had ever received. But I did feel slightly intimidated knowing his gift was a million times better than mine. "If you don't like it, I'll make another one, it's totally okay." I nodded, handing him the wrapped painting.

"Is it what I think it is?" He gasped, carefully ripping off the paper. He held it straight in front of him. "Hyunjin, oh my god." He whispered, staring at it in awe.

"I know you said butterflies and I only put one, but if you want more, I can fix it."

"No," he shook his head, "it's perfect." He was in complete awe. "You got my freckles and everything." He smiled.

"Of course I did. They're my favorite thing about you." He set it down gently and tightly wrapped his arms around me. I was practically trapped so I couldn't hug back. Luckily I was able to look down and kiss the top of his head.

"I love it, Jinnie. Thank you."

Next thing you know, I sneezed which made Felix jump. Then the door slammed open to reveal a drunk Minho and a caretaking Jisung.

"Room swap! My turn!" Minho shouted. Jisung laughed at his boyfriend's ridiculousness and led him to the bed. "Merry Christmas, you fucks." He said as we both left.

"Merry Christmas, Lee Know." I smiled, closing their door.

What a night.