Slopes

n i n e t e e n

<^>

Donghyuck coos at the month old baby, making weird faces and giving it his thumb to hold onto. The baby, who had big doe eyes just like his mother, just made gurgling noises in return, for he was still too young to laugh or smile. "Awww you're so cute Dewy~" He continues to fawn over the infant, making both Jaemin and Hayoon smile.

"See, he'd be a great godfather!" Jaemin proposes, gesturing to his friend with a wide smile.

Hayoon rolls her eyes. "He's not gonna be the godfather Jaem."

"Cousin?"

"What?" Hayoon gives her twin a confused look.

"Well, he has to be something."

"Yeah, how about an uncle."

Jaemin pauses and nods his head. "Uncle Hyuck...."

"Why are you calling me an uncle?!" Donghyuck shouts from across the room in confusion. Jaemin begins to stutter and Hayoon laughs from where she sat on the couch.

"You're Duho's uncle."

"Isn't Jeno his uncle?"

Jaemin sighs. "Hyuck, people have more than one uncle. And for the record, you're still the first uncle." He crosses his arms.

Hayoon and Donghyuck both gasp in fake surprise.

"Donghyuck, can you believe it?"

"He put his best friend over his husband!"

"We aren't married!"

"Yet." Hayoon and Donghyuck say at the same time, laughing at the youngest boy's face.

<^>

"Donghyuck can we...Can we talk please." Doyoung gives the boy a concerned look.

"Why? There's nothing to talk about." He responds, not looking up from where he was waiting for one of the lifts.

Doyoung sighs. "I'm an asshole."

Donghyuck looks back at the older boy and hops on the lift, gesturing for Doyoung to join him. He waits till they're up in the air to start talking. "It's not even what you said hyung...it's the fact that you're the one who said it after I told you everything. You weren't wrong, Jaemin really is the only one I have. You made that clear enough. And I know I'm petty and annoying at times, and I know I get on your nerves but...at least I don't go past the surface. I never make it personal."

Doyoung frowns at his lap. He was supposed to be Donghyuck's mentor. The one he should look up to, not run away from. "I'm sorry."

"I know hyung."

"I didn't mean it, I was just..."

"Angry. I know hyung. I don't blame you, I'm a little shit after all."

"Donghyuck, you aren't-"