“Yuhok, are you sure that frame is supposed to lean like that?” Enlai asked, raising an eyebrow.

He wasn’t sure if the collaboration of geometry and colours had a top or bottom at all, but whatever it was this wasn’t how it was supposed to be put.

“It’s called modern art,” Yuhok retorted, wiping sweat from his brow. “Or maybe it’s just a feature.”

The living room of their new home was a battlefield of bubble wrap and cardboard boxes, with a rogue mantis making occasional forays into the fray, as if trying to restore order. The kitchen, however, was Enlai’s domain. He arranged spices in alphabetical order, while Yuhok sneakily swapped the salt and sugar jars, just for kicks.

“Enlai, where’s the coffee maker?” Yuhok called out, rummaging through a box labelled ‘Kitchen Stuff.’

“Right next to the blender,” Enlai replied, not looking up from his mission to hang a gallery wall.

“Found it! Now, if only I could find the coffee…”

“You would if you had bought it yesterday! Lazy ass!”

“As if you got the taco ingredients yourself?”

“I got my drink fixed all by myself.”

“I would have done it too if you weren’t dead drunk Lai. Ouch. What was that--”

Keeping the banter aside, Yuhok and Enlai’s housewarming party was shaping up to be the event of their life. They had a vision: a night filled with laughter, good food, and even better company.
Though the house setting was still a mess they had an hour to fix it before the day started and their favourite people started swarming in.

Oh, their guest list was small. They wanted to invite their closest friends and family, no colleagues or useless neighbours. Yuhok had made it clear he wasn’t yet ready to deal with that shit.
Enlai was the planner and he had already sent out quirky, hand-drawn invitations that featured a caricature of their new home, complete with a tiny chibi him and Yuhok in the corner throwing confetti.

The menu on the other side was a summative effort. Yuhok had insisted on making a variety of appetizers. “Think global,” he had said, and those were explicitly mini tacos, sushi rolls, and samosas. Enlai, on the other hand, was in charge of the drinks. He had concocted a signature cocktail for the evening, whimsically named The Enlai special, a refreshing blend of citrus and pink Gin.

Yuhok wasn’t sure about the pink Gin, but a happy boyfriend meant a happy life, so he had agreed happily.

Apart from that, their bedroom, library, all the furniture were set and decorated. The chandelier was looking fancy, blinging atop their heads and Yuhok was fixing the last tea-table that had dropped by late. He was a minute or two away from fixing the last screw, confident he would be done sooner.

He glanced over at Enlai, who was completely absorbed in his task. That boy had almost finished putting up the food on the dining table. A mischievous smile crept onto his face. He quietly set down the screwdriver and tiptoed over to where Enlai was standing. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around Enlai’s waist from behind and nuzzled his neck.

“Yuhok, what are you doing?” Enlai asked, trying to suppress a smile as he felt Yuhok’s warm breath on his skin.

“Just taking a little break,” Yuhok murmured, planting a soft kiss on Enlai’s neck. “I’ve been working so hard, don’t you think I deserve a little reward?”

Enlai chuckled, gently prying Yuhok’s hands off his waist. “We do, but not right now. We still have a lot to do before the party.”

Yuhok pouted, leaning in closer. “Come on, just a few minutes. We can take a break together.”

Enlai turned around, placing his hands on Yuhok’s chest to keep some distance between them. “If you keep this up, you’ll be sleeping in the hall tonight,” he warned.

Yuhok sighed dramatically, stepping back with a grin. “Fine, fine. But you owe me something.”

“If you can clean the living room spotless in five minutes, you get a kiss!”

“Tongue?”

“Lee Yuhok!”

“Fine!”

Hopeful to win the rewards, Yuhok grabbed a large trash bag and quickly went around the room, picking up all the discarded bubble wrap and cardboard boxes. He tossed them into the bag with swift, efficient movements. Next, he straightened the cushions on the couch, fluffing them up to look inviting.

He then moved to the tea table, which was cluttered with various tools and assembly instructions. He gathered everything into a neat pile and placed it in a corner, out of sight. Spotting a few stray books on the floor, he scooped them up and arranged them on the shelf Enlai had just finished organising.

With a quick glance around, Yuhok noticed a few dust bunnies lurking under the furniture. He grabbed a handheld vacuum and swiftly ran it over the floor, sucking up the dust and crumbs. The room was already looking much better.

He picked up the blowtorch, eyes looking warily at the sad fireplace. He quickly lit it, a low flame yet crackling.

Finally, he lit a couple of scented candles and placed them on the mantle, adding a warm, welcoming glow to the room. He took a step back, surveyed his work, and nodded in satisfaction. The living room was now clean and ready for their guests.

“Wow. You really did all that in five minutes.” Enlai chuckled, carrying a tray full of samosas into the room.

Yuhok grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Told you! It’s time for my reward now!”

Enlai chuckled, setting the tray down on the coffee table. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around Yuhok’s neck. “A promise is a promise,” he murmured, leaning in.

Their lips met in a tender kiss, soft and sweet, a moment of pure connection. Yuhok’s hands found their way to Enlai’s waist, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened, filled with the warmth and love they shared.

Just then, a chorus of voices from the open front door shattered their intimate moment. “Get a room!” Lila, Sejin, and Yoshi stood there, grinning like Cheshire cats.

Yuhok and Enlai broke apart, both blushing furiously. Enlai shot their friends a mock glare. “You guys have the worst timing.”

Lila laughed, stepping inside. “Hey, we’re just here to make sure you two don’t get too distracted before the party even starts.”

“Touche!”

…

“Mini tacos, sushi rolls, and step-samosas? You guys really went all out!”

“That’s your fourth plate Yoshi. Leave something for others!”

“You had your chance, Lila. It is all mine now!”

Lila was sprawled on the plush, oversized couch, her legs tangled in a cozy throw blanket. She was half-heartedly fighting for her share of the snack bowl while scrolling through the photos she had taken earlier on her phone. “Guys, these pictures are epic. Look at this one of Yoshi trying to juggle the gin bottles,” she laughed, holding up the screen for everyone to see.

Yoshi now already sitting cross-legged on the floor, the two plates full of food in front him, groaned. “I swear, I was just trying to bring some fun! Who knew gin bottles were so slippery?”

Sejin, perched on the arm of the couch, chuckled. “Sure, Yoshi. Next time, maybe stick to juggling oranges.”

Enlai, leaning against the kitchen counter with a glass of drink in hand, smiled at the banter. “I’m just glad nothing broke. Yuhok would have had a heart attack.”

Yuhok, who was busy tidying up the remnants of the party, looked up and grinned. “Hey, I’m just glad everyone had a good time. And that our new place survived its first party.”

It was late, late in the afternoon. Many of the guests had left leaving behind just them.

Lila raised her glass. “To Enlai and Yuhok! May your home always be filled with friends, laughter, and… slightly less dangerous juggling acts.”

Enlai’s phone buzzed with a message, and he glanced at it, smiling. “Mom just texted. She’s excited to come next week. She said she wants to give us some time to settle in first.”

Yoshi raised an eyebrow. “Your mom is the best. I can’t wait to see her again.”

Sejin nodded. “Yeah, she’s always so much fun. Remember the last time she visited? She beat us all at karaoke.”

“She’s got a voice like a rock star.”

The laughter and chatter in Enlai and Yuhok’s living room were suddenly interrupted by the sharp ring of the doorbell.

“Who could be ringing the doorbell at this time?” Lila exclaimed, wiping crumbs from her hands on her jeans. Yoshi, still holding a half-eaten taco, shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe Dahyun?”

“That better be her. I’ll get the door,” Enlai said, setting his glass down and heading towards the door.

As he opened it, a wave of confusion washed over him. Standing there was not Dahyun, but a man he didn’t recognize. As he tore open the door, a tsunami of befuddlement hit him like a ton of bricks. Instead of Dahyun, a stranger greeted him - a tall, rugged man with a smug grin plastered across his face. Enlai’s mind resisted as he tried to place the face, but it was no use.

“Uh, can I help you?” Enlai asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

The three friends in the living room turned their heads in unison. Lila, Yoshi, and Sejin exchanged glances, their eyes widening in recognition.

“Nick?” Yoshi’s voice broke the silence, a blend of surprise and incredulity. His eyes were locked onto the figure standing in the doorway, illuminated by the soft glow of the hallway light.

Enlai’s confusion deepened. “Nick?”

“Yeah, it’s Nick,” Sejin confirmed, his voice tinged with astonishment. “The guy who gave us a lift on our celebration night.”

Before he could utter another word, Yuhok sprang from his seat and dashed to the door, a wide grin lighting up his face. “Nick!” he exclaimed, enveloping the man in a tight, heartfelt hug. “Guys, this is Nick, my brother.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the air thick with surprise and curiosity. Yuhok’s brother?

“Brother?”

“Step-brother, Lai.”

None of them had known Yuhok had a step-brother, except Enlai.

Nick stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. “Trust me I was invited and wanted to surprise you. And I guess I actually did!”

Enlai closed the door behind him, still processing the unexpected turn of events. “Well, you certainly did that,” he said with a nervous laugh.

Lila looked puzzled. “Wait! My neighbour is your step-brother?”

Nick chuckled, the sound warm. “Small world, huh?”