“Okay, so like I said, there is an advantage to the team that won first- their advantage is that they can pick the next game that we play.” Joongchan explained to the two teams. Xiumin smiled as Team Yehet began to cheer again. “Alright, alright. We get it.” Baekhyun grumbled with a scowl on his face. The boy didn’t take defeat very well. Xiumin patted his shoulder as a way of comforting him. Baekhyun turned to look at him, his scowl softening slightly as he nodded. “Anyway, like I was saying, you guys can pick the next game. You have a choice between paintball and football.” Chanwan informed.

Sehun scoffed immediately. “Like we would choose football- Luhan hyung and Minseok hyung played football for their national teams!” Sehun protested. Tao nodded enthusiastically in agreement. “So, is paintball your final choice?” Chanwan asked. “Anyone against it?” Chen asked casually, turning to his team. No one said anything. “Yup.” Chen confirmed, turning back to the managers. Chanwan nodded. “We’ve booked a place for the game. Both teams will go separately in the cars.” He notified. “Don’t we get any food?” Kris asked. The managers shook their head. “After the paintball game.” Joongchan said simply. Kris nodded understandingly.

The place where they would be playing paintball looked normal from the outside. But inside, the entire area was littered with fake trees and grass; it was set up like a typical forest. Joongchan had gone to confirm their reservation while Chanwan explained the rules to them. “Okay, we’ll be doing a simple elimination game. The players who get shot will automatically be out. Victory goes to the team with the last member standing. Nothing is against the rules- just be mindful that you will have to go to dance practice next week so do be aware of where you’re aiming.” Chanwan explained. Everyone nodded. “OK, you guys can keep those team clothes on- just adds some of the protective gear.” Chanwan added, gesturing to a table behind him which had all the equipment laid out already.

Xiumin walked behind Luhan as they went to the table. Xiumin quickly put on the black vest and the helmet. He picked up the gun. It was filled with red paint, their team colour. “Sweet.” He mumbled; this was going to be fun.

Luhan turned around and his eyes widened as he smiled at Xiumin. “Oh god, you look so cute with the helmet!” Luhan gushed stepping forward and pinching his cheeks. Xiumin swatted his hands away. “Luhan, stop.” He protested half-heartedly. Luhan just grinned back. Luhan was cuter, Xiumin thought. The boy could make anything look good when he wore it.

“Okay, is everyone ready?” Joongchan asked after a while. A chorus of voices, both saying yes or no filled the otherwise relatively quiet room. Xiumin stood next to Luhan, fixing the boy’s helmet (Luhan had a smaller than average head). “Thanks baozi.” Luhan said once Xiumin was finished. Xiumin smiled. “No problem.” He replied.

“I’m warning you guys! We’re going to go all out!” Tao yelled, probably trying to sound threatening. Xiumin and Luhan rolled their eyes at each other. EXO-M’s maknae may be physically strong and powerful, but everyone knew he was a total wuss in reali life. “I’m warning you guys!” Baekhyun imitated immediately. Tao sighed. “Stop it!” The boy protested. “Stop it.” Baekhyun retorted. “Stop squabbling or else I’ll shoot you two es now. Repeatedly. Until you bleed.” D.O. ordered, looking angrier than normal. Chanyeol laughed nervously from next to him. “Kyungsoo’s being weird. He’s creeping me out.” The boy said to the other team, only half-joking. “Hey Kyungsoo. Remember, this is just a game.” Suho reminded. D.O. nodded. “Of course, hyung.” He said as he cocked the gun loudly.

Luhan and Xiumin exchanged another look. Luhan made a ‘coo coo’ sign with his fingers before pointing at D.O. Xiumin laughed at that but couldn’t help but feel slightly worried. D.O. could get awfully competitive. “Everyone’s definitely ready now; you’ll have 10 minutes to establish your hiding spots and stuff like that- no one can get killed during that time. We will supervise from the observatory.” Chanwan mentioned. “They have an observatory?” Kai asked. Joongchan nodded. “Surprisingly, yes.”

“Okay, let’s do this.” Chen said loudly and the two teams separated to different sides, sending playful (Baekhyun and Tao) as well as serious (Only D.O.) threats. Xiumin and Luhan fell into step as they led the way through the woods. “Whoa, they set it up really well.” Suho admired the realistic setting. Xiumin voiced his agreement. “Yeah, it totally looks real.”

The next 10 minutes were spent quite uselessly as they wandered deeper into the woodsy area before finding a treehouse. They all climbed on the ladder and went up. Luhan was first to go up, excited. “Whoa, it’s so cool up here!” They heard Luhan’s excited response. Xiumin, overwhelmed by curiosity quickly climbed the ladder, going up. The treehouse had a bunch of board games as well as, in the corner, extra ammunition! “Whoa-score!” Xiumin said excitedly. Luhan, who had been examining the ammunition, looked up with sparkly eyes and they high fived.

As the other members came up, Xiumin walked over to the window showing them the entire forest. “Whoa, look at the view as well-Luhan!” He called over the boy. Luhan looked out of the window and paled slightly. Oh right-his fear of heights. “Um, on second thought, why don’t we go over there?” Xiumin quickly suggested. Luhan nodded, smiling gratefully at Xiumin.

The members were seated in a circle. “So….what should we do now?” Baekhyun asked awkwardly. Xiumin and Luhan sat down. “Let’s play board games.” Lay suggested. Suho and Baekhyun facepalmed. “Hyung, we’re playing paintball.” Baekhyun reminded. Lay nodded. “Yeah, but they’re not even here yet. We might as well play.” Lay pointed out. “Wait, is our strategy to wait for them to come?” Kris asked incredulously. “That doesn’t seem like a good strategy.” Suho added. “Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it. If we stay in the treehouse, the members of the other team will eventually come in this area. We can use the height to our advantage and shoot down at them.” Luhan said cleverly. As his explanation ended, the treehouse was filled with silence.

“What is it?” Luhan asked obliviously. Xiumin stared at the pretty boy. “You.. actually said something smart.” Xiumin commented, his voice shocked. Luhan flushed. “Thanks! Wait, does that mean you think I’m usually- hey!” Luhan protested. Xiumin giggled. “I think you’re right though.” He said. Luhan nodded proudly. “I’m Captain for a reason.” The boy reminded. “Wait, you’re captain? I thought Minseok hyung was.” Lay wondered out loud. Xiumin shrugged. “I don’t really care.” He said.

They spent the next 15 minutes or so playing Monopoly. Suho was the richest, Kris stayed in jail for almost the entire game, Luhan was incredibly lucky with the dice, Baekhyun was stealing money off a clueless Lay and Xiumin was trying to calm everyone down because it was just a freaking board game and Luhan, did you really have to punch Kris? They were on their third game (the deciding round between Luhan and Suho who had both won once each) when loud noises were heard from the window, specifically downstairs.

Everyone immediately grew silent as Suho scuttled over to the window. He quickly peeked over before turning around with a terrified expression on his face. “They’re here.”