“Zelo. Zelo, wake up.”

Zelo felt a hand shaking his arm. He groaned as he shifted his body on the mattress. He rubbed his eyes before slowly opening them to see the person who was responsible for waking him up from his nice sleep.

Jongup was sitting next to Zelo on the exact spot they slept last night. “Wake up.”

Zelo yawned. Then he realized that everyone in the room was there, staring down at him. Youngjae was sitting on the bed while Yongguk and Himchan were on the sofa across him. Their eyes were fixed on him, looking quizzically and curiously.

He frowned, trying to get his mind straight after just waking up. A moment later, he finally noticed that Daehyun wasn’t in his sight. So he turned to his side and saw the said boy was still sleeping soundly using his arm as the pillow whereas Daehyun’s back was pressed against half of his torso.

Zelo unintentionally turned to Yongguk. The guy had the most unsatisfied expression on his face. Zelo smirked at him before slowly pulling out his arm which was beneath Daehyun’s neck to sit up on the mattress.

He stretched his limbs and looked at Jongup. “What is it?”

“Your parents called Mr. Song,” Jongup retorted. “They want you home.”

Zelo grumbled, scratching his head in annoyance. He looked over his pillow for his phone and straightaway made a call for his mother. Himchan was getting bored so he the TV but not so loud to let Zelo talk to his parent. Jongup and Youngjae had diverted their attention to the TV but Yongguk was still interested in staring at both Zelo and Daehyun.

Zelo talked as quietly as he could because Daehyun was still sleeping. It’s not like he could talk that much with his mother. The only things coming out from his mouth were a hum, a yes, a no and an okay. But when she said that she was already waiting in the lobby, Zelo could only let out a sigh.

Daehyun began to stir in his sleep from the faint noises in the room. He shuffled under the cover as his eyelids fluttered open. Still in his sleepy state, Daehyun’s brows furrowed while he looked around confusedly.

Zelo on the other hand had gone to brush his teeth and washed his face. Then, he went back to start packing his things. Daehyun was finally aware of Zelo’s existence but he was even more confused to see the younger was busy moving here and there. He sat up to get rid the last bits of his sleepiness.

“Why were you down there and not up here?” Youngjae suddenly asked.

Daehyun looked up at his friend on the bed. Then he turned to Yongguk sitting on the sofa in front of him. The older boy was also staring intently at him as he waited for his answer. But he couldn’t think of anything to say to them. “I…”

“Daehyun hyung said he’s uncomfortable sleeping next to Yongguk hyung,” Zelo chimed in while putting on a shirt.

Yongguk scoffed. “What nonsense. We often slept together since we’re kids.”

“So maybe Daehyun’s not a KID anymore,” Zelo said in return.

Daehyun huffed. He took his glasses from the nightstand and put it on. Now he could clearly see Yongguk’s face to glare at him. “The thing is I preferred to sleep down here than on the bed. That’s it. Satisfied?”

Zelo once again sent a sly smile to Yongguk. The older guy glowered back at him. Youngjae awkwardly turned his attention back to the TV. Himchan and Jongup looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders.

“Why are you getting dressed?” Daehyun directed his question towards Zelo.

“I’m going home,” Zelo replied briefly. He finished gathering all his things into his backpack and zipped it up.

Daehyun frowned. “But we’re only halfway on the trip.”

Zelo put a cap on his head to cover his messy hair before getting his bag strap on his shoulder. “I can’t do anything when my mom’s already here to pick me up.”

Daehyun was the only one to be surprised to hear that since the others had already known about it. He could only watch Zelo putting on his shoes at the door without saying anything.

“So bye guys. See you after the break,” Zelo said to all of them. But his gaze was fixed longer on Daehyun. After giving one last smile at the older boy, he opened the door and left.

(｡◕‿◕｡)

Daehyun’s mood completely changed with Zelo’s absence. Everything was not the same without the younger boy. He had followed the others to visit the national park. He was walking together with his closest friends but he felt like he was struggling to fit in.

Himchan and Jongup looked so happy together while Youngjae and Yongguk were trying so hard to talk to him so he wouldn’t feel left out. But Daehyun had a thought that he’s being the third wheel to them. He was in the middle of those two and they were pestering him with the comments on the beautiful scenery and the cold weather, pointing at here and there for him to have a look as they were climbing the famous Seorak Mountain.

Daehyun was getting tired of it. He abruptly stopped walking, causing Yongguk and Youngjae to turn around quizzically at him whereas Himchan and Jongup kept on walking, unaware of anything that happened behind them.

“I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll go back to the hotel,” Daehyun muttered before turning back on the route. Yongguk and Youngjae threw a concern look at each other.

Daehyun told Mr. Park about it on his way down. The teacher said he would send him back but Daehyun insisted to go on his own. Mr. Park agreed but Daehyun had to call him once he arrived there. Daehyun thanked him. He walked until he reached the main road and took a cab to go to the hotel.

As soon as he got into the room, Daehyun flopped down on the bed. He laid his body on the spot where he was supposed to sleep last night. He couldn’t help but to recall about what happened between him and Zelo. He wasn’t sure why he was feeling so down like this. Zelo was just leaving early because he needed to go home. It’s not like they wouldn’t meet again after the break. They were roommates after all.

Nonetheless, he couldn’t bring himself to enjoy the trip without the younger boy’s presence. He felt so lonely here. He felt so unwanted. He could hang out with Yongguk and the rest just fine before but now there’s no fun at all. He felt like a faked person in front of them.

Daehyun sighed, rolling his body to the edge of the bed just like what he did before. But this time, Zelo wasn’t down there. He stared the empty spot on the mattress, imagining how Zelo would smile at him once they made eye contact.

Daehyun pouted when he knew that would never happen. Maybe he really was missing Zelo.

Few hours later, knocks were heard on the door. Daehyun who didn’t move from the same place for that amount of time had to get up to open it. It was Yongguk and Youngjae.

“You’re back already?” Daehyun asked while stepping aside to let them in.

“Yeah. Our teachers give us a free time to rest before we continue this evening,” Youngjae retorted. “Are you feeling better now?”

“Not really,” Daehyun went back to the bed and had a seat on it.

“So are you going to join us or not after this?” Youngjae asked again as he made his way to the bathroom while Yongguk was resting on the sofa.

“I’m not sure about it yet, Daehyun shrugged.

“That’s okay. You should get enough rest for now,” Youngjae said before going into the bathroom.

The suite fell silent. Daehyun glanced at Yongguk and the older boy was busy sliding his thumb on the phone screen. He huffed, his body dropped onto the bed once again. He stared at the white ceiling and his mind was starting to think about Zelo again when Yongguk’s face suddenly popped out in his view.

“Are you really not okay?” Yongguk asked worriedly.

Daehyun scrambled to sit back up. “I’m fine,” He answered without looking at the other. “I’m going out for a walk,” He hastily got off the bed to go out of there.

Yongguk was quick to get on his feet and grabbed Daehyun’s arm, stopping the younger midway. He turned the smaller body around so that they’re facing each other.

“You’re avoiding me again, right?” He waited for a response but nothing came out form Daehyun’s mouth. The latter just kept his mouth shut, staring at him blankly.

 “I don’t get it!” Yongguk threw his hands in the air. “Like seriously, what have I ever done to you? You’ve changed Daehyun. You weren’t always like this before. We used to hang out together and had so much fun.”

Daehyun’s eyes were now b with tears. He averted his gaze from Yongguk to the floor. The older boy tilted his head up and let out a heavy breath when he saw Daehyun was about to cry.

“What if I say…” Daehyun whispered and Yongguk looked at him to listen carefully. “…I like you…?”

Daehyun lifted his gaze as the tears rolled down his cheeks. Yongguk was dumbfounded. He was too shocked to say anything.

“You won’t know what to do, right?” Daehyun spoke up when the other kept silent. “I know you and Youngjae love each other so I make way for both of you. And do you know how much it hurts to watch the person you like are in love with someone else? Moreover with your own best friend??” He  began cried louder.

Yongguk began to feel guilty and restless on the other side. “D-Daehyun… I told you, I’ve got nothing to do with Youngjae,” He argued. “We’re just friends! You introduced us, remember? We’re just getting a tad closer with each other now,” He desperately tried to convince the younger boy.

Daehyun shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Guys…? What’s going on?” Youngjae suddenly reappeared from the bathroom, looking worriedly at his crying friend.

Daehyun hung his head low to shield his face from Youngjae. “Just forget it…” He muttered before quickly running out of the room.

(｡◕‿◕｡)

The sun was setting down. The number of people at the beach had reduced but some of them were still there to watch the sunset. Daehyun was among them who could be found at the furthermost end, away from the others. He slowly walked along the shore, letting the sea water to wash over his feet and ankles.

Yongguk’s words were like a dagger shot right through his heart. How could Yongguk say he had changed? Who’s the one that really changed? It’s true they used to hang out together and had so much fun. But that was before he knew about Youngjae’s feelings to Yongguk. And both of his best friends had actually kissed each other.

Daehyun was sad. He felt betrayed and unimportant. He was angry, not because Yongguk didn’t tell him about his relationship with Youngjae, but the fact that Yongguk was lying and blaming him for ruining their friendship when the older boy himself didn’t realize that he was also the one at fault.

Unknowingly, tears began to flow out from Daehyun’s eyes. His heart that had been devoted for Yongguk for years started to doubt. His mind started to question why did he fell in love with such a jerk in the first place?

Yongguk was kind when he was a kid and he still was. Yongguk was charming, gentle, easygoing, reliable, he got all of them when he was a kid. But one thing Yongguk had grown to have now, was selfishness. Maybe he was the one who changed.

Daehyun stopped walking and went to perch on a dead log. The tears were still coursing down his cheeks but he didn’t bother to wipe them off. His gaze was fixed at the sunset as his mind unwittingly drifted to Zelo. If Zelo was here, he would be comforting him with his lame jokes.

Daehyun’s lips unconsciously curled into a thin smile. He had no idea that he could lighten up his mood by just remembering the fun times they spent together. He was really missing the boy indeed.

(｡◕‿◕｡)

After the sun finally set, Daehyun too had calmed down. He decided to return to the hotel and perhaps he could join the others tonight. Tomorrow would be the last day for the trip so he should enjoy it to the fullest, even without Zelo by his side.

Daehyun contemplated whether he should knock the door or not. Then he thought since he had the key, he shouldn’t trouble anyone to open the door for him. So he inserted the card to unlock the door.

As soon as he pushed the door open, the sight that greeted him was uncalled for. His body froze in extreme shock as his eyes bulged at the two figures enveloping each other on the bed.

Yongguk and Youngaje stopped whatever they’re doing at the sound of the door being opened. Their expressions mirrored Daehyun who was still standing by the door. Yongguk quickly scrambled up

from hovering over Youngjae. He grabbed a layer of sheet to cover his body and left the other for Youngjae to do the same.

“Daehyun…” Yongguk tried to get something out of his mouth but not a single word could be formed.

Daehyun just stared at the older boy in disgust and disbelief. When Yongguk got nothing to say, he turned to the other person in the room. Instead of connecting his gaze with Daehyun’s, Youngjae just kept his head down, clutching tightly to the sheet that was wrapped around his body.

“I… I can explain…” Yongguk managed to stutter out his voice.

Daehyun shook his head, the tears began to fill his eyes again. He ran towards his backpack and took all of his things before putting them into it. He did it in a speed of light, ignoring Yongguk’s pleads to hear him out. He swatted away Yongguk’s hands when the boy tried to stop him.

Daehyun took out the card key to the hotel room from his pocket before throwing it to Yongguk’s face. “I’m out of here,” He muttered and ran out of the room.

He was busy wiping the tears on his face with his sleeves as he made his way down and out of the hotel. But still the tears didn’t seem to stop, so did the pain in his heart. He was too mad to care about it right now so he just grabbed a cab to go to the train station.

Daehyun called the teachers on his way there to tell them that he had to go home because of urgent family matter. If Zelo could do it, why not him? But only after a long time of explaining everything to them using his hoarse crying voice that the teachers finally let him go.

He bought a ticket to Busan once he arrived at the train station because Yongguk, Youngjae, everything. He just wanted to get home and forget about everything that happened here.

(｡◕‿◕｡)ﾉ

omg

there's not much Zelo in this chap but he'll fill the next chap

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