Shu's heart was pounding against his ribs as if afraid things would go wrong. The gift was hidden inside his jacket—a black t-shirt with a simple, blue, somewhat tacky print, but… it had "#1 Alpha" written in the center. It wasn't just a silly joke; it was sincere. And it was all he could afford with the coins he'd been saving for weeks, skipping snacks at the canteen and agreeing to share lunch with Kio, even without the other knowing why.

He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. The door opened before he could ring a second time.

"Shuuuuuuuu!" Kio almost sang, drawing out his boyfriend's name with a smile so wide it looked like he'd won the lottery.

Before Shu could say anything, he was pulled inside into a warm embrace, the light blue scarf Kio was wearing almost suffocating his neck.

"It's cold out there. You should have told me you were coming! I would've picked you up!" Kio said, wrapping him in a blanket that was already strategically draped over the couch

"—You sent me 'come quick'." Shu replied, not knowing where to put his hands as he was practically embalmed in blanket, cake perfume, and the warmth of a smitten alpha.

"And you came! What a great boyfriend you are." Kio said, laughing and giving Shu a light kiss on the forehead, making Shu flinch at the blatant display of affection.

Shu cleared his throat and looked away.

"I brought something." he mumbled, carefully taking the small package out of his jacket and holding it out to Kio, but unable to look directly into his eyes. "It's… stupid, but… I thought it was very you. I mean, not your face… but…"

Kio took the wrapped gift, and when he read what was written on the t-shirt, his eyes lit up.

"#1 Alpha." he repeated, holding the fabric delicately. "Shu… this is the most wonderful and stupid and perfect thing I've ever received in my life."

"Idiot." Shu mumbled, his ears red. "If you laugh, I'm leaving."

"Laugh? I'm almost crying." Kio hugged the t-shirt to his chest and quickly took off his jacket. "I'm going to wear it now. NOW."

As he ran to the bedroom, Shu grumbled:

"I didn't even wash it yet… it's straight from the store."

"EVEN BETTER! It smells like you!" Kio yelled from the room.

A few seconds later, he returned wearing the t-shirt, which was a little snug on his broad chest—and to make matters worse, he was all smiles and looking smitten.

"So, what are you going to give me now that you've seen me like this, in my new t-shirt?"

"A kick."

"Hmm… how about a hug instead?"

And before Shu could escape, Kio pulled him back onto the sofa, snuggling them both under the blanket, the t-shirt still with its tag rubbing against his arm.

The day passed slowly there, with the smell of cake, gentle strokes through his hair, and Shu pretending he wasn't smiling while Kio said, almost singing:

"My boyfriend gave me the most beautiful t-shirt in the universe."