[Fic] Take My Hand - 1/1
Title: Take My Hand
Author: Coley Merrin
Pairing: Zhou Mi/Kyuhyun
Rating: R-NC-17
Genre: Smut, fluff
Warnings: sexual situations, unbeta'd
Summary: Partially post- For Always. A glimpse at Kyuhyun's birthday, and then Zhou Mi's birthday after they met.
A/N: Kyuhyun's happens mid-series, but Zhou Mi's is set after. I still don't know the exact timing of everything, so we're going to go with a wink and a prayer. ^^
***
The first time they had sex in the workroom was on Zhou Mi’s birthday. Making out on any give day wasn’t unusual, especially after hours when they were alone. It wasn’t like they had superhuman restraint, it was just that the comforts of their apartment and bed were much more appropriate to the fulfillment of those desires. He’d driven home half hard more than once. And it wasn’t like he could just keep condoms and lube on the shelf in his business. He was fairly sure that Ryeowook would be more amused than anything, but that wasn’t the point.
The workroom had seen its fair share of birthday celebrations. The first after Zhou Mi arrived had been Kyuhyun’s. It had been before Kyuhyun had really admitted the depth of his regard for Zhou Mi. Or regard would’ve been how he’d thought of it then. Regard, hell. He’d been falling full-blown in love. The cavorting animals, Zhou Mi in his bed, his business, his life.
The hugs. The smiles. The things that touched him without touch.
Still Kyuhyun had been slightly mortified when he found out that Zhou Mi knew when his birthday was. The more the merrier was Hankyung and Ryeowook’s motto. And the reciprocated crush was known, if still denied. He wasn’t sure if he was happy or disappointed when Zhou Mi declined Hankyung’s invitation to stay after for some cake and food brought from Han Mama’s restaurant.
“He’s just being a scaredy cat and thinking too much of your “feelings.” I just think that he’s making a bad decision.” Hankyung shook his head. “Busy. Right.”
“So, wait. You’re criticizing him because he’s being considerate to me? What bizarro world is this?” Kyuhyun asked.
“The kind where he needs to man-up and pursue.”
“This isn’t some TV drama. You can’t write the ending.”
***
There wasn’t anything different about Zhou Mi’s greeting the day of Kyuhyun’s birthday. A smile and good morning, and disappearing to poke at the books. His back relaxed. It was Zhou Mi. He’d had no idea if the man was going to graduate to a real live zoo or not. The thought of Zhou Mi followed in by goats and llamas and zebras had its humor.
Zhou Mi leaving had been almost as inconspicuous.
“Goodnight, Kui Xian. I- Goodnight!” Zhou Mi said, smiling and exiting no more or less fast than usual. He thought nothing of it, only to think that perhaps Zhou Mi’s birthday gift to him had been not asking him out. And then he wondered if a good birthday gift to himself would’ve been actually accepting and cursed himself.
Ryeowook’s significant look when he left to rendezvous with Hankyung for party prep had him frowning. Maybe Hankyung had lied and Zhou Mi was going to jump out of his birthday cake.
But he realized what Ryeowook had been reacting to after he locked up the front, and went back into the workroom. A small blue box sat at the end of the table where Zhou Mi usually sat. He blinked when his mind supplied the image of Zhou Mi sitting there, holding the box and smiling at him. Stupid man.
He approached it as if it were a bomb. It looked like a bakery box but he wasn’t sure he trusted that. It had his name written on top with red marker. The fact that he was going to be interrupted soon escaped him entirely as he sat and examined the top flap. He drew breath, held it, as he worked it free, and the first thing he saw was the cupcake. Red frosting, with a book drawn on top. He laughed - almost giggled - despite himself. He lifted it out carefully, revealing a folded piece of paper and wrapped parcel in puppy-decorated wrapping paper. That got a snort. He opened that first, peeling back the tape, desperately curious.
It was a wallet. Dark leather and nice. Way nicer than the one he had that was falling apart. He tested the snaps, examining the card slots, and caught sight of paper in the money fold.
“I saw this and thought of you. If it isn’t to your style, let me know. I have the receipt and it can be exchanged~ ^^”
Together, mostly likely. Another snort and he set it aside to look at the other paper.
“Happy birthday, Kui Xian! I wanted to do something for you but didn’t know what you’d want! Books are impossible when you’re surrounded by them! :( I hope you like this~ I’ll be singing happy birthday to you in spirit! I hope the next year is happy and healthy for you~
~~ Zhou Mi
There were Chinese characters written under it. Of course Zhou Mi would include Chinese for a couple of reasons. His own language, that of Hankyung, and the books. If Kyuhyun couldn't translate it - and he figured part of it was “happy birthday” - it was kind of a double edged sword, since he'd have to ask Hankyung to translate it, or ask Zhou Mi to himself.. Not that he believed that Zhou Mi would do it incorrectly, but Hankyung was also a different danger. It wasn’t as though he could or would keep the gift from Hankyung, but if Zhou Mi had written something incredibly sappy, he wasn't sure he wanted Hankyung to know. Hopefully not another date request. At the bottom was a scribble he assumed was Zhou Mi's name. It was kind of endearingly loopy, which was a good metaphor for the man. He ran his thumb over the soft leather of the wallet and lost himself in thought.
Luckily he had enough time to put everything away before the others showed up.
"Did Zhou Mi get you something for your birthday?" Hankyung teased.
Kyuhyun raised his eyebrow at Ryeowook, who shook his head. He hadn't been ratted out at least. But Kyuhyun sighed.
"Yeah. He left it for me when he went home.”
Hankyung's face was both smug and happy which was odd to say the least. Ryeowook was just grinning.
"And?" Hankyung demanded. Don't tell me you didn't open it."
"Of course I did,” he groused, wondering how there could be distraction short of the building exploding. "A wallet. And a cupcake," he said finally.
"A wallet! Let's see it!"
"How do you know I kept it down here with me?"
Hankyung leveled a stare at him. “Because I know you. You had everything carefully arranged in it and in your pocket before you came back down."
He was predictable That wasn't good. But it was the truth. He dragged the wallet out, and got immediate oohs and ahhs from Ryeowook and Hankyung.
"That's a really nice brand," Ryeowook said, fondling it. “It really suits you."
"Of course. Zhou Mi knows Kyuhyun well. Damn, now I'll have to take back the wallet I bought."
Kyuhyun sputtered as Hankyung laughed and said he was joking.
But Siwon and Yunjee had arrived, and the celebration had been underway.
***
Kyuhyun had the wallet in his hands when he went back for his break the next day, and Zhou Mi looked a little wary, as though he expected Kyuhyun to chuck it at his head. It was a worse man than than himself that would take Zhou Mi's gesture and spit on it by trying to give it back. The price might've had him wincing a bit (because of course he'd looked it up) but he knew Zhou Mi well enough that he wouldn't have given it if he couldn't afford it.
"Fits nicely in my pocket, "Kyuhyun said, hefting it, and slipping it into his back pocket. "Thanks. I really needed a new one."
Zhou Mi's eyes twinkled as Kyuhyun sat down. After an initial moment of shock, of course. There was something to be said for being unpredictable.
"You're welcome. How was the party?"
"Fun. Good. Always nice to eat Han Mama's cooking and relax."
"I heard they got you a big cake."
"Huge. It was really good. You'd have liked it if you'd been able to go."
As Zhou Mi understood Kyuhyun’s meaning, there was a chirrup of a laugh that had his own mouth twitching. But Kyuhyun couldn’t look directly at him.
"Did you not go because you thought I wouldn't want you there?"
Zhou Mi's eyes lowered. "I- I did actually have plans. But I didn't try very hard to break them, not knowing if...not knowing.”
His mouth opened right then for a moment to suggest that they go out and celebrate, just the two of them. But then his sanity came back.
"If anyone who knows me invites you, assume you're welcome. Next time, accept if you're free. But since you didn't go, your gift made up for it."
Zhou Mi laughed, and nodded to accept Kyuhyun’s offer. "Could you read what I put on the note? Not the Korean part."
"No. I didn't ask Hankyung. I guess the best person to translate you is you."
“I’ll tell you after your break,” Zhou Mi said, smiling. Which was evil, considering. But Kyuhyun brooded into his tea for a few minutes and then enjoyed Zhou Mi's voice. That was what he was back there for. The occasional reading aloud, the clarity in Zhou Mi's tones. Sometimes he imagined what Zhou Mi spoke of, whether voice relayed anger or passion, or even dripping sadness. Zhou Mi had all of those. Even if they were over the top.
The way Zhou Mi would glance up occasionally to see if Kyuhyun was still paying attention and the way Kyuhyun avoided his gaze when it happened to catch him when he was not just listening but watching Zhou Mi's mouth. It was more fascinating than the leaves in the bottom of his cup. He needed a new strainer. That mouth. Eyes, and cheekbones and jawline. It was a distraction he could spend days on.
“I need to get back," Kyuhyun said as Zhou Mi paused to find a new section.
"Ah, all right," Zhou Mi said. "I lose track of time."
Because of the reading or because of who he was reading to? A question he couldn't ask.
"So, you're going to tell me?" Kyuhyun asked, standing up.
It wasn't exactly so he could make a quick escape but he couldn't say it was unrelated.
"Yes. It wasn't much. Just happy birthday, and wishes for you to be healthy and happy. But also..." Zhou Mi trailed off and took a breath. “The bottom says ‘Thank you for letting me stay.’”
Kyuhyun's face heated, hot and fast. Worse than when they'd been discussing Zhou Mi not going to the birthday party and anything related.
"Okay," Kyuhyun said, his brain on fire. "Okay. Thanks. I'll- We'll talk later."
Zhou Mi nodded and smiled
Thank you for letting me stay.
Kyuhyun wasn't sure what his life would resemble otherwise, as he walked back out. Zhou Mi didn't owe him thanks. But that didn't mean he wasn’t thankful, too.
And it was only days later that Hankyung's relationship with Siwon had temporarily blown up, and he’d had Zhou Mi's gift in his pocket, arms around him, body in his bed. Smile calming him, help centering him. Then there were those glasses. And there had been no going back.
The Zhou Mi who loved him was so close. And he'd never left.
And on Zhou Mi’s birthday, Kyuhyun was giving something back.
***
It was not as though Ryeowook was privy to everything that went on in the store. However, he was the only other one with a set of keys to get in, and in terms of Kyuhyun’s surprise birthday gift, that was very bad. Not a workaholic, Ryeowook still went back down to the store occasionally from the above apartment that he rented from Kyuhyun. He wanted no intrusions. And it wasn’t as though he had to warn Ryeowook off that there was going to be nudity and X-rated events happening.
A simple, “I’m putting something special together for Zhou Mi’s birthday and just wanted to let you know, since it’s just for us,” worked just fine. They were all having dinner together the day after for the same occasion, so he knew Ryeowook wouldn’t feel like he was being left out. And the fewer interruptions, the better.
It wasn’t like he was ever going to have to remind Ryeowook about the kiss he’d thwarted the day after Kyuhyun’s first date with Zhou Mi. Not that he minded, much. Having that memory of the kiss in Zhou Mi’s bed was equally as nice.
Kyuhyun had Zhou Mi come in the front, for logistical reasons, and sentimental ones. Zhou Mi had come in that door when they’d met, and for pretty much every other occasion after that. Zhou Mi locked the door behind him, since the closed sign was up already.
“Good evening,” Kyuhyun said, voice teasing as he held out his hand as Zhou Mi approached. “Welcome to the den of horrors.”
Zhou Mi laughed, threading his fingers with Kyuhyun’s and following him into the back room.
“Planning to let me get older, and then kill me off? That’s cruel, Kui Xian.”
“You know me.”
The back room door closed behind them as well, cutting off all lines of sight to the wide glass windows. With all the windows covered, and doors closed in the back, they had nothing but privacy. Not that he hadn’t said happy birthday that morning - with his mouth in at least three different ways.
But that didn’t keep him from sidling in close and whispering, “Hi. Happy birthday.”
Curling his fingers into the light sweater that Zhou Mi wore, the hand that curled behind his neck as they kissed. It was enough to make him forget his plan, Zhou Mi effectively kissing his brain cells down into a few flopping happy thoughts. And all with a kiss nearly as soft as Zhou Mi’s hair was. Zhou Mi’s way of thanking him usually won out, where he became hungry, needy for more touch, more comfort. Whether it was in their bed, on their couch, or standing in the back room of the store, Zhou Mi enveloped him. His anxiety over his plan going well had puddled elsewhere before Zhou Mi drew away.
“It’s happy now,” Zhou Mi said, bumping their mouths together with a wide grin and a loud smacking sound.
“Good,” he said. And blinked, trying to find his brain again. He wasn’t close enough to Zhou Mi’s neck to smell, but he suspected there was more going on to daze him than just a kiss. A certain devious smell. “Er. Right. Did your students do anything for you?”
“They gave me a card with boxing gloves on it! I have it in my car. A couple of students were in the class I taught when your father came? So I think they’re spreading rumors about their “badass teacher” who came to class with a black eye. Everyone wrote their theory on how I got it in the card.”
“Like thinking you were a victim of mugging?” Kyuhyun queried. And laughed inside because Zhou Mi had almost struck a pose while saying “badass teacher” as though the thought was deeply satisfying to him.
“That was in there. Along with suggesting I was some kind of vigilante, or maybe that I’d fallen into a door.”
“Ahh, vigilante. The masked Bat Mi. That’s a nice image on your birthday.”
“It is. So are we…eating?” Zhou Mi asked, looking around behind Kyuhyun. “I was scared because I thought you might’ve organized a surprise party, even though I thought we were eating together tomorrow.”
Kyuhyun laughed, and gripping Zhou Mi’s hand, led him further back. To the table end, the one closest to the plush chair where Kyuhyun took his breaks. Where Zhou Mi had sat for long weeks, smiling up at him every time he had come back.
“No food,” Kyuhyun said, and double checked that the bag was still on the chair. “No surprise party. No one here but you and me.”
They’d joked, of course, about having sex in the back room. Usually when they were doing it some other location, like the couch, or squirming together in front of the bookshelves in their apartment. No more thinking. No more waiting.
Kyuhyun boosted himself onto the table, letting go of Zhou Mi, and swinging his leg over the chair at the end.
“Your gift,” Kyuhyun said, pointing down between his legs. At the chair, but who was counting.
And Zhou Mi, who could take a while to figure out surprises, had that questioning look on his face. As if he was wondering if what he thought was true. But when Zhou Mi’s hand lifted from the bag filled with condoms, he was pretty sure there wasn’t any confusion.
And he was right, Zhou Mi’s eyes were intent on his. Not playful, not soft.
“Kui Xian? Really?”
Kyuhyun rested his hands on his thighs, and let Zhou Mi’s eyes go wherever they wanted.
“I think the chair is where you should be,” Kyuhyun suggested. Very hard for Zhou Mi to get close with a chair in the way.
But the bag, with its condoms and lube was on the table beside him, and Zhou Mi kicking the chair away within moments. Not soft and gentle, needy.
“For my birthday,” Zhou Mi mumbled into his mouth, and Kyuhyun hummed in agreement. And then Zhou Mi’s bottom lip was his. His to bite and worry as his hands mussed Zhou Mi’s hair. Zhou Mi’s hips squeezed between his legs, and oh-
He inhaled against Zhou Mi’s neck as Zhou Mi reeled him in, and moaned. Zhou Mi’s hands squeezing his thighs, his hips. The scent of citrus, and Zhou Mi moaning his name. And he lost the ability to think at all as Zhou Mi’s hand massaged the front of his pants, slipping them open. The want was no revelation. That they went from teasing to desperate so fast wasn’t either.
“Did you imagine doing this?” Kyuhyun asked, running his fingers up Zhou Mi’s arm. “Having me all at your mercy on the table. Or did you- Maybe imagine doing dirty things to me while I was sitting in my chair?”
“Some of those were hard to escape,” Zhou Mi chided, urging Kyuhyun to help him with his pants. “There were days you’d sit there with one leg waggling almost like an invitation. So unconscious of what you were doing to me. I wanted you to talk to me. Accept me.”
“I might’ve had a few thoughts like that.” But he was teasing, and Zhou Mi knew it, squeezing his face with one hand and considering him. They both knew just how many thoughts there had been, how many buried dreams, and hidden desires. From the “sexy dreams” right on down to the sexy cologne. Not that Zhou Mi needed any extra scent to turn Kyuhyun on. It had been a lot of other things, like Zhou Mi said, as well.
The way Zhou Mi listened, his hugs, loud laughter. All of those he would enumerate with the sappy card (inside of the joking one) - and later.
Right then he wanted Zhou Mi. Zhou Mi, hungry, meeting his mouth and tipping his head to get the best angle, the most contact. Zhou Mi, who destroyed his- everything. Making him forget the cool of the table as they worked cloth down his legs, how to move his fingertips, and almost how to breathe.
“How did you want this?” Zhou Mi gasped, his belt buckle jangling as it met the floor.
“Up to you, birthday boy,” he said, pulling Zhou Mi’s face down to his again.
He was pretty sure Zhou Mi mumbled “I love you” somewhere in there, but his mouth intercepted it.
And then he was spread back on the table like the books had been. No need to be jealous of Zhou Mi’s roaming fingers on pages, and spine, because he had them all to himself. Hands that grasped his hips and pulled them nearly off the table edge. At Zhou Mi’s mercy. Though, when hadn’t he been since the first letter Zhou Mi had sent. Only then, it was slick fingers, and the hunger in Zhou Mi’s eyes that had his face heating. There weren’t secrets between them, but he hadn’t lost his self-consciousness. Even though that hunger thrilled him like nothing else. Zhou Mi’s want, his insistence on getting it.
He watched Zhou Mi lick his lips, already dark from their kisses, and almost missed the fact that Zhou Mi was carefully rolling on a condom.
“You’re ready?” Zhou Mi asked.
Kyuhyun lifted his knees from where he had let them sag so that Zhou Mi could hook his arms under them, and smirked in answer. More than ready.
It wasn’t entirely the place, or the fact that they’d fantasized it happening over months of knowing each other. But it was about Zhou Mi’s hands, long fingers spread over his skin, and the sweat gleaming on Zhou Mi’s throat. The soft little moans, and the way Zhou Mi’s eyes closed at sensations, and the panting smiles as their eyes caught and held. That was what was sexy. No other man stroking into him would have moved him in the same way. The situation - the sensations - kept him half hard, and he saw Zhou Mi hunger for that as well. Staring at where their bodies met, at the proof that Kyuhyun wanted it. In another situation, he might’ve prodded that Zhou Mi should help him out, preferably with his mouth. But it wasn’t any other day. And the only thing he knew that Zhou Mi liked more than undoing Kyuhyun with his tongue, was watching Kyuhyun touch himself.
He knew what he liked, moving his hand sometimes in tune, sometimes in counterpoint, to Zhou Mi’s hips. Feeling the strain in tendons and muscles from where Zhou Mi supported him, but pushing that aside in favor of the pleasure of it all. It had never been meant to last long. But - Zhou Mi’s hips took a hard rock - that they would remember it.
“I’ll think of this every time I come back here,” Kyuhyun half moaned. “Half hard while I clean up, seeing you like this.”
Zhou Mi made a noise that sounded suspiciously like, “Yes. Oh. Kui Xian. Okay.”
Close. He could see it all over Zhou Mi’s face. Everything he was holding back, fell. Hand quick, breath gasping. Eyes unfocused on Zhou Mi’s face as he raced to give Zhou Mi the pleasure of seeing Kyuhyun come for him. Bucking up and into Zhou Mi’s thrusts and just-
Giving in. Zhou Mi’s moans as he watched, and then Zhou Mi’s moans he came. Bodies joined, and Zhou Mi’s arms trembling as Kyuhyun fought to breathe normally again.
He wasn’t sure which hurt more, his legs or Zhou Mi’s arms as they tried rearranging.
“Help,” he demanded, and it was only with Zhou Mi’s help that he sat up - or else he’d have been flopped like a seal and at Zhou Mi’s mercy. He liked being at Zhou Mi’s mercy the way they’d managed, arms on Zhou Mi’s shoulders, and Zhou Mi’s around him. Listening to Zhou Mi’s swallows and breathing against Zhou Mi’s face. At least, until Zhou Mi began to laugh. At first softly, and then rocking into Kyuhyun with guffaws.
“What’s so funny?” Kyuhyun asked, a little miffed. Not that sex never came with laughter, of amusement or self-mockery or just plain happiness, but he’d thought it had gone well.
But Zhou Mi massaged his sides, smiling at him with their faces close, and his pout softened.
“Do you know how many things you’ve given me at this table? You let me work here, even after I was done. You gave me tea and coffee, food, companionship. You slept beside me here, trusted me. You told me that you loved me here. Kyuhyun. You gave me that stupid crab here.”
The laugh burst out, and Zhou Mi giggled with him, as he finally got what Zhou Mi had been laughing about.
“Happy birthday, then,” he said, patting the back of Zhou Mi’s head. “One more thing to add to the list.”
“I’ll have a hard time working back here now, too,” Zhou Mi said, and when he saw that Kyuhyun was about to twist his words into a double entendre, squeezed Kyuhyun tight. “Kui Xian.”
It made it easy for him to angle his head to meet Zhou Mi’s kiss, mind void of almost everything but Zhou Mi’s mouth, and Zhou Mi’s stroking hands. Zhou Mi. Zhou Mi who pulled back, a little sheepish, his eyes alight.
“This was the best birthday. You said you had another present for me at home?” Zhou Mi prodded.
After they cleaned up a bit, but yeah. Kyuhyun smiled, before leaning close for another kiss. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
***
Author: Coley Merrin
Pairing: Zhou Mi/Kyuhyun
Rating: R-NC-17
Genre: Smut, fluff
Warnings: sexual situations, unbeta'd
Summary: Partially post- For Always. A glimpse at Kyuhyun's birthday, and then Zhou Mi's birthday after they met.
A/N: Kyuhyun's happens mid-series, but Zhou Mi's is set after. I still don't know the exact timing of everything, so we're going to go with a wink and a prayer. ^^
***
The first time they had sex in the workroom was on Zhou Mi’s birthday. Making out on any give day wasn’t unusual, especially after hours when they were alone. It wasn’t like they had superhuman restraint, it was just that the comforts of their apartment and bed were much more appropriate to the fulfillment of those desires. He’d driven home half hard more than once. And it wasn’t like he could just keep condoms and lube on the shelf in his business. He was fairly sure that Ryeowook would be more amused than anything, but that wasn’t the point.
The workroom had seen its fair share of birthday celebrations. The first after Zhou Mi arrived had been Kyuhyun’s. It had been before Kyuhyun had really admitted the depth of his regard for Zhou Mi. Or regard would’ve been how he’d thought of it then. Regard, hell. He’d been falling full-blown in love. The cavorting animals, Zhou Mi in his bed, his business, his life.
The hugs. The smiles. The things that touched him without touch.
Still Kyuhyun had been slightly mortified when he found out that Zhou Mi knew when his birthday was. The more the merrier was Hankyung and Ryeowook’s motto. And the reciprocated crush was known, if still denied. He wasn’t sure if he was happy or disappointed when Zhou Mi declined Hankyung’s invitation to stay after for some cake and food brought from Han Mama’s restaurant.
“He’s just being a scaredy cat and thinking too much of your “feelings.” I just think that he’s making a bad decision.” Hankyung shook his head. “Busy. Right.”
“So, wait. You’re criticizing him because he’s being considerate to me? What bizarro world is this?” Kyuhyun asked.
“The kind where he needs to man-up and pursue.”
“This isn’t some TV drama. You can’t write the ending.”
***
There wasn’t anything different about Zhou Mi’s greeting the day of Kyuhyun’s birthday. A smile and good morning, and disappearing to poke at the books. His back relaxed. It was Zhou Mi. He’d had no idea if the man was going to graduate to a real live zoo or not. The thought of Zhou Mi followed in by goats and llamas and zebras had its humor.
Zhou Mi leaving had been almost as inconspicuous.
“Goodnight, Kui Xian. I- Goodnight!” Zhou Mi said, smiling and exiting no more or less fast than usual. He thought nothing of it, only to think that perhaps Zhou Mi’s birthday gift to him had been not asking him out. And then he wondered if a good birthday gift to himself would’ve been actually accepting and cursed himself.
Ryeowook’s significant look when he left to rendezvous with Hankyung for party prep had him frowning. Maybe Hankyung had lied and Zhou Mi was going to jump out of his birthday cake.
But he realized what Ryeowook had been reacting to after he locked up the front, and went back into the workroom. A small blue box sat at the end of the table where Zhou Mi usually sat. He blinked when his mind supplied the image of Zhou Mi sitting there, holding the box and smiling at him. Stupid man.
He approached it as if it were a bomb. It looked like a bakery box but he wasn’t sure he trusted that. It had his name written on top with red marker. The fact that he was going to be interrupted soon escaped him entirely as he sat and examined the top flap. He drew breath, held it, as he worked it free, and the first thing he saw was the cupcake. Red frosting, with a book drawn on top. He laughed - almost giggled - despite himself. He lifted it out carefully, revealing a folded piece of paper and wrapped parcel in puppy-decorated wrapping paper. That got a snort. He opened that first, peeling back the tape, desperately curious.
It was a wallet. Dark leather and nice. Way nicer than the one he had that was falling apart. He tested the snaps, examining the card slots, and caught sight of paper in the money fold.
“I saw this and thought of you. If it isn’t to your style, let me know. I have the receipt and it can be exchanged~ ^^”
Together, mostly likely. Another snort and he set it aside to look at the other paper.
“Happy birthday, Kui Xian! I wanted to do something for you but didn’t know what you’d want! Books are impossible when you’re surrounded by them! :( I hope you like this~ I’ll be singing happy birthday to you in spirit! I hope the next year is happy and healthy for you~
~~ Zhou Mi
There were Chinese characters written under it. Of course Zhou Mi would include Chinese for a couple of reasons. His own language, that of Hankyung, and the books. If Kyuhyun couldn't translate it - and he figured part of it was “happy birthday” - it was kind of a double edged sword, since he'd have to ask Hankyung to translate it, or ask Zhou Mi to himself.. Not that he believed that Zhou Mi would do it incorrectly, but Hankyung was also a different danger. It wasn’t as though he could or would keep the gift from Hankyung, but if Zhou Mi had written something incredibly sappy, he wasn't sure he wanted Hankyung to know. Hopefully not another date request. At the bottom was a scribble he assumed was Zhou Mi's name. It was kind of endearingly loopy, which was a good metaphor for the man. He ran his thumb over the soft leather of the wallet and lost himself in thought.
Luckily he had enough time to put everything away before the others showed up.
"Did Zhou Mi get you something for your birthday?" Hankyung teased.
Kyuhyun raised his eyebrow at Ryeowook, who shook his head. He hadn't been ratted out at least. But Kyuhyun sighed.
"Yeah. He left it for me when he went home.”
Hankyung's face was both smug and happy which was odd to say the least. Ryeowook was just grinning.
"And?" Hankyung demanded. Don't tell me you didn't open it."
"Of course I did,” he groused, wondering how there could be distraction short of the building exploding. "A wallet. And a cupcake," he said finally.
"A wallet! Let's see it!"
"How do you know I kept it down here with me?"
Hankyung leveled a stare at him. “Because I know you. You had everything carefully arranged in it and in your pocket before you came back down."
He was predictable That wasn't good. But it was the truth. He dragged the wallet out, and got immediate oohs and ahhs from Ryeowook and Hankyung.
"That's a really nice brand," Ryeowook said, fondling it. “It really suits you."
"Of course. Zhou Mi knows Kyuhyun well. Damn, now I'll have to take back the wallet I bought."
Kyuhyun sputtered as Hankyung laughed and said he was joking.
But Siwon and Yunjee had arrived, and the celebration had been underway.
***
Kyuhyun had the wallet in his hands when he went back for his break the next day, and Zhou Mi looked a little wary, as though he expected Kyuhyun to chuck it at his head. It was a worse man than than himself that would take Zhou Mi's gesture and spit on it by trying to give it back. The price might've had him wincing a bit (because of course he'd looked it up) but he knew Zhou Mi well enough that he wouldn't have given it if he couldn't afford it.
"Fits nicely in my pocket, "Kyuhyun said, hefting it, and slipping it into his back pocket. "Thanks. I really needed a new one."
Zhou Mi's eyes twinkled as Kyuhyun sat down. After an initial moment of shock, of course. There was something to be said for being unpredictable.
"You're welcome. How was the party?"
"Fun. Good. Always nice to eat Han Mama's cooking and relax."
"I heard they got you a big cake."
"Huge. It was really good. You'd have liked it if you'd been able to go."
As Zhou Mi understood Kyuhyun’s meaning, there was a chirrup of a laugh that had his own mouth twitching. But Kyuhyun couldn’t look directly at him.
"Did you not go because you thought I wouldn't want you there?"
Zhou Mi's eyes lowered. "I- I did actually have plans. But I didn't try very hard to break them, not knowing if...not knowing.”
His mouth opened right then for a moment to suggest that they go out and celebrate, just the two of them. But then his sanity came back.
"If anyone who knows me invites you, assume you're welcome. Next time, accept if you're free. But since you didn't go, your gift made up for it."
Zhou Mi laughed, and nodded to accept Kyuhyun’s offer. "Could you read what I put on the note? Not the Korean part."
"No. I didn't ask Hankyung. I guess the best person to translate you is you."
“I’ll tell you after your break,” Zhou Mi said, smiling. Which was evil, considering. But Kyuhyun brooded into his tea for a few minutes and then enjoyed Zhou Mi's voice. That was what he was back there for. The occasional reading aloud, the clarity in Zhou Mi's tones. Sometimes he imagined what Zhou Mi spoke of, whether voice relayed anger or passion, or even dripping sadness. Zhou Mi had all of those. Even if they were over the top.
The way Zhou Mi would glance up occasionally to see if Kyuhyun was still paying attention and the way Kyuhyun avoided his gaze when it happened to catch him when he was not just listening but watching Zhou Mi's mouth. It was more fascinating than the leaves in the bottom of his cup. He needed a new strainer. That mouth. Eyes, and cheekbones and jawline. It was a distraction he could spend days on.
“I need to get back," Kyuhyun said as Zhou Mi paused to find a new section.
"Ah, all right," Zhou Mi said. "I lose track of time."
Because of the reading or because of who he was reading to? A question he couldn't ask.
"So, you're going to tell me?" Kyuhyun asked, standing up.
It wasn't exactly so he could make a quick escape but he couldn't say it was unrelated.
"Yes. It wasn't much. Just happy birthday, and wishes for you to be healthy and happy. But also..." Zhou Mi trailed off and took a breath. “The bottom says ‘Thank you for letting me stay.’”
Kyuhyun's face heated, hot and fast. Worse than when they'd been discussing Zhou Mi not going to the birthday party and anything related.
"Okay," Kyuhyun said, his brain on fire. "Okay. Thanks. I'll- We'll talk later."
Zhou Mi nodded and smiled
Thank you for letting me stay.
Kyuhyun wasn't sure what his life would resemble otherwise, as he walked back out. Zhou Mi didn't owe him thanks. But that didn't mean he wasn’t thankful, too.
And it was only days later that Hankyung's relationship with Siwon had temporarily blown up, and he’d had Zhou Mi's gift in his pocket, arms around him, body in his bed. Smile calming him, help centering him. Then there were those glasses. And there had been no going back.
The Zhou Mi who loved him was so close. And he'd never left.
And on Zhou Mi’s birthday, Kyuhyun was giving something back.
***
It was not as though Ryeowook was privy to everything that went on in the store. However, he was the only other one with a set of keys to get in, and in terms of Kyuhyun’s surprise birthday gift, that was very bad. Not a workaholic, Ryeowook still went back down to the store occasionally from the above apartment that he rented from Kyuhyun. He wanted no intrusions. And it wasn’t as though he had to warn Ryeowook off that there was going to be nudity and X-rated events happening.
A simple, “I’m putting something special together for Zhou Mi’s birthday and just wanted to let you know, since it’s just for us,” worked just fine. They were all having dinner together the day after for the same occasion, so he knew Ryeowook wouldn’t feel like he was being left out. And the fewer interruptions, the better.
It wasn’t like he was ever going to have to remind Ryeowook about the kiss he’d thwarted the day after Kyuhyun’s first date with Zhou Mi. Not that he minded, much. Having that memory of the kiss in Zhou Mi’s bed was equally as nice.
Kyuhyun had Zhou Mi come in the front, for logistical reasons, and sentimental ones. Zhou Mi had come in that door when they’d met, and for pretty much every other occasion after that. Zhou Mi locked the door behind him, since the closed sign was up already.
“Good evening,” Kyuhyun said, voice teasing as he held out his hand as Zhou Mi approached. “Welcome to the den of horrors.”
Zhou Mi laughed, threading his fingers with Kyuhyun’s and following him into the back room.
“Planning to let me get older, and then kill me off? That’s cruel, Kui Xian.”
“You know me.”
The back room door closed behind them as well, cutting off all lines of sight to the wide glass windows. With all the windows covered, and doors closed in the back, they had nothing but privacy. Not that he hadn’t said happy birthday that morning - with his mouth in at least three different ways.
But that didn’t keep him from sidling in close and whispering, “Hi. Happy birthday.”
Curling his fingers into the light sweater that Zhou Mi wore, the hand that curled behind his neck as they kissed. It was enough to make him forget his plan, Zhou Mi effectively kissing his brain cells down into a few flopping happy thoughts. And all with a kiss nearly as soft as Zhou Mi’s hair was. Zhou Mi’s way of thanking him usually won out, where he became hungry, needy for more touch, more comfort. Whether it was in their bed, on their couch, or standing in the back room of the store, Zhou Mi enveloped him. His anxiety over his plan going well had puddled elsewhere before Zhou Mi drew away.
“It’s happy now,” Zhou Mi said, bumping their mouths together with a wide grin and a loud smacking sound.
“Good,” he said. And blinked, trying to find his brain again. He wasn’t close enough to Zhou Mi’s neck to smell, but he suspected there was more going on to daze him than just a kiss. A certain devious smell. “Er. Right. Did your students do anything for you?”
“They gave me a card with boxing gloves on it! I have it in my car. A couple of students were in the class I taught when your father came? So I think they’re spreading rumors about their “badass teacher” who came to class with a black eye. Everyone wrote their theory on how I got it in the card.”
“Like thinking you were a victim of mugging?” Kyuhyun queried. And laughed inside because Zhou Mi had almost struck a pose while saying “badass teacher” as though the thought was deeply satisfying to him.
“That was in there. Along with suggesting I was some kind of vigilante, or maybe that I’d fallen into a door.”
“Ahh, vigilante. The masked Bat Mi. That’s a nice image on your birthday.”
“It is. So are we…eating?” Zhou Mi asked, looking around behind Kyuhyun. “I was scared because I thought you might’ve organized a surprise party, even though I thought we were eating together tomorrow.”
Kyuhyun laughed, and gripping Zhou Mi’s hand, led him further back. To the table end, the one closest to the plush chair where Kyuhyun took his breaks. Where Zhou Mi had sat for long weeks, smiling up at him every time he had come back.
“No food,” Kyuhyun said, and double checked that the bag was still on the chair. “No surprise party. No one here but you and me.”
They’d joked, of course, about having sex in the back room. Usually when they were doing it some other location, like the couch, or squirming together in front of the bookshelves in their apartment. No more thinking. No more waiting.
Kyuhyun boosted himself onto the table, letting go of Zhou Mi, and swinging his leg over the chair at the end.
“Your gift,” Kyuhyun said, pointing down between his legs. At the chair, but who was counting.
And Zhou Mi, who could take a while to figure out surprises, had that questioning look on his face. As if he was wondering if what he thought was true. But when Zhou Mi’s hand lifted from the bag filled with condoms, he was pretty sure there wasn’t any confusion.
And he was right, Zhou Mi’s eyes were intent on his. Not playful, not soft.
“Kui Xian? Really?”
Kyuhyun rested his hands on his thighs, and let Zhou Mi’s eyes go wherever they wanted.
“I think the chair is where you should be,” Kyuhyun suggested. Very hard for Zhou Mi to get close with a chair in the way.
But the bag, with its condoms and lube was on the table beside him, and Zhou Mi kicking the chair away within moments. Not soft and gentle, needy.
“For my birthday,” Zhou Mi mumbled into his mouth, and Kyuhyun hummed in agreement. And then Zhou Mi’s bottom lip was his. His to bite and worry as his hands mussed Zhou Mi’s hair. Zhou Mi’s hips squeezed between his legs, and oh-
He inhaled against Zhou Mi’s neck as Zhou Mi reeled him in, and moaned. Zhou Mi’s hands squeezing his thighs, his hips. The scent of citrus, and Zhou Mi moaning his name. And he lost the ability to think at all as Zhou Mi’s hand massaged the front of his pants, slipping them open. The want was no revelation. That they went from teasing to desperate so fast wasn’t either.
“Did you imagine doing this?” Kyuhyun asked, running his fingers up Zhou Mi’s arm. “Having me all at your mercy on the table. Or did you- Maybe imagine doing dirty things to me while I was sitting in my chair?”
“Some of those were hard to escape,” Zhou Mi chided, urging Kyuhyun to help him with his pants. “There were days you’d sit there with one leg waggling almost like an invitation. So unconscious of what you were doing to me. I wanted you to talk to me. Accept me.”
“I might’ve had a few thoughts like that.” But he was teasing, and Zhou Mi knew it, squeezing his face with one hand and considering him. They both knew just how many thoughts there had been, how many buried dreams, and hidden desires. From the “sexy dreams” right on down to the sexy cologne. Not that Zhou Mi needed any extra scent to turn Kyuhyun on. It had been a lot of other things, like Zhou Mi said, as well.
The way Zhou Mi listened, his hugs, loud laughter. All of those he would enumerate with the sappy card (inside of the joking one) - and later.
Right then he wanted Zhou Mi. Zhou Mi, hungry, meeting his mouth and tipping his head to get the best angle, the most contact. Zhou Mi, who destroyed his- everything. Making him forget the cool of the table as they worked cloth down his legs, how to move his fingertips, and almost how to breathe.
“How did you want this?” Zhou Mi gasped, his belt buckle jangling as it met the floor.
“Up to you, birthday boy,” he said, pulling Zhou Mi’s face down to his again.
He was pretty sure Zhou Mi mumbled “I love you” somewhere in there, but his mouth intercepted it.
And then he was spread back on the table like the books had been. No need to be jealous of Zhou Mi’s roaming fingers on pages, and spine, because he had them all to himself. Hands that grasped his hips and pulled them nearly off the table edge. At Zhou Mi’s mercy. Though, when hadn’t he been since the first letter Zhou Mi had sent. Only then, it was slick fingers, and the hunger in Zhou Mi’s eyes that had his face heating. There weren’t secrets between them, but he hadn’t lost his self-consciousness. Even though that hunger thrilled him like nothing else. Zhou Mi’s want, his insistence on getting it.
He watched Zhou Mi lick his lips, already dark from their kisses, and almost missed the fact that Zhou Mi was carefully rolling on a condom.
“You’re ready?” Zhou Mi asked.
Kyuhyun lifted his knees from where he had let them sag so that Zhou Mi could hook his arms under them, and smirked in answer. More than ready.
It wasn’t entirely the place, or the fact that they’d fantasized it happening over months of knowing each other. But it was about Zhou Mi’s hands, long fingers spread over his skin, and the sweat gleaming on Zhou Mi’s throat. The soft little moans, and the way Zhou Mi’s eyes closed at sensations, and the panting smiles as their eyes caught and held. That was what was sexy. No other man stroking into him would have moved him in the same way. The situation - the sensations - kept him half hard, and he saw Zhou Mi hunger for that as well. Staring at where their bodies met, at the proof that Kyuhyun wanted it. In another situation, he might’ve prodded that Zhou Mi should help him out, preferably with his mouth. But it wasn’t any other day. And the only thing he knew that Zhou Mi liked more than undoing Kyuhyun with his tongue, was watching Kyuhyun touch himself.
He knew what he liked, moving his hand sometimes in tune, sometimes in counterpoint, to Zhou Mi’s hips. Feeling the strain in tendons and muscles from where Zhou Mi supported him, but pushing that aside in favor of the pleasure of it all. It had never been meant to last long. But - Zhou Mi’s hips took a hard rock - that they would remember it.
“I’ll think of this every time I come back here,” Kyuhyun half moaned. “Half hard while I clean up, seeing you like this.”
Zhou Mi made a noise that sounded suspiciously like, “Yes. Oh. Kui Xian. Okay.”
Close. He could see it all over Zhou Mi’s face. Everything he was holding back, fell. Hand quick, breath gasping. Eyes unfocused on Zhou Mi’s face as he raced to give Zhou Mi the pleasure of seeing Kyuhyun come for him. Bucking up and into Zhou Mi’s thrusts and just-
Giving in. Zhou Mi’s moans as he watched, and then Zhou Mi’s moans he came. Bodies joined, and Zhou Mi’s arms trembling as Kyuhyun fought to breathe normally again.
He wasn’t sure which hurt more, his legs or Zhou Mi’s arms as they tried rearranging.
“Help,” he demanded, and it was only with Zhou Mi’s help that he sat up - or else he’d have been flopped like a seal and at Zhou Mi’s mercy. He liked being at Zhou Mi’s mercy the way they’d managed, arms on Zhou Mi’s shoulders, and Zhou Mi’s around him. Listening to Zhou Mi’s swallows and breathing against Zhou Mi’s face. At least, until Zhou Mi began to laugh. At first softly, and then rocking into Kyuhyun with guffaws.
“What’s so funny?” Kyuhyun asked, a little miffed. Not that sex never came with laughter, of amusement or self-mockery or just plain happiness, but he’d thought it had gone well.
But Zhou Mi massaged his sides, smiling at him with their faces close, and his pout softened.
“Do you know how many things you’ve given me at this table? You let me work here, even after I was done. You gave me tea and coffee, food, companionship. You slept beside me here, trusted me. You told me that you loved me here. Kyuhyun. You gave me that stupid crab here.”
The laugh burst out, and Zhou Mi giggled with him, as he finally got what Zhou Mi had been laughing about.
“Happy birthday, then,” he said, patting the back of Zhou Mi’s head. “One more thing to add to the list.”
“I’ll have a hard time working back here now, too,” Zhou Mi said, and when he saw that Kyuhyun was about to twist his words into a double entendre, squeezed Kyuhyun tight. “Kui Xian.”
It made it easy for him to angle his head to meet Zhou Mi’s kiss, mind void of almost everything but Zhou Mi’s mouth, and Zhou Mi’s stroking hands. Zhou Mi. Zhou Mi who pulled back, a little sheepish, his eyes alight.
“This was the best birthday. You said you had another present for me at home?” Zhou Mi prodded.
After they cleaned up a bit, but yeah. Kyuhyun smiled, before leaning close for another kiss. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
***