Hakyeon learned early on that Taekwoon preferred to entertain himself instead of participating in group activities, but that was to be expected.

On the second day he asked Hakyeon if he could stay in his room. It was evident that he wasn’t a typical antisocial teenager who’d rather spend his time on his phone all day – there wasn’t even wifi in the rooms. It was pretty clear to Hakyeon that Taekwoon was just nervous about the possible communication group activities would include.

But Hakyeon couldn’t let him sit in his room all day for three weeks, not when there were so many things outside for him to do. He sat down on Taekwoon’s bed and told him,

“Let’s compromise. If you were forced here you should try to make the best of it, which you won’t do in your room.”

Taekwoon pouted. ‘I have books.’ He paused, frowning. ‘How do you know I was forced here?’

“You just don’t seem like the type to go to a camp on your own wish.” Hakyeon moved on from that topic because Taekwoon didn’t seem to want it to continue. “So how about this; you come along wherever we’re going, but you can bring your books and whatever else. I won’t make you participate if you don’t want to, but I’d like you to stay nearby at all times, okay?”

Taekwoon looked to the side as he thought, but ultimately gave a nod of agreement.

 

This is how the days went. Hakyeon was personally having a lot of fun. He’d made friends with each of his campers, he did his duty diligently and he was proud to see that none of the campers saw him as a nagging figure of authority.

Taekwoon was, of course, a different story completely, but he seemed to be having fun as well, in his own way. By the fourth day he was participating in the activities which allowed him to act individually. That’s how they’d learned, for example, that he was a very good dancer.

Hakyeon was always there to push him the right way while not pushing too far.

Hakyeon had also learned that Taekwoon rarely ever displayed discomfort or disagreement, which was something Hakyeon urged him to do.

“If something bothers you, you should say it. The right people, your friends will understand and make an effort to change what they were doing to make you feel better. And that goes both ways. You can’t only change for others,” he’d said once.

Taekwoon had just nodded.

They talked a lot that evening and they’d gone to bed late. They’d sat on the pavilion outside the dining hall, looked at the stars and just, talked. At times Hakyeon would forget that he had to look at Taekwoon to see his response, and the younger would tug on his sleeve to get his attention. They chuckled when it happened.

The next day the morning was spent on the beach. Some played volleyball and soccer, others swam, some lay in the sun and some lay in the shade. Taekwoon had completely retreated under a rock, balancing his sketchbook on his knees. He didn’t seem to be even considering going swimming or anything like that. And while this followed his and Hakyeon’s agreement of him not being obliged to participate, Hakyeon also didn’t want him to be alone. He let it be sometimes, but not all the time.

So, he got out of the sea and jogged over to Taekwoon.

“Hey!”

The greeting startled him. He looked up and immediately pressed his sketchbook to his chest. It was an instinctive action, Hakyeon had never tried to look at it against Taekwoon’s will.

“It’s just me. Let’s go swimming.”

Taekwoon shook his head.

“Why not?”

‘It’s such a bother later drying yourself off.’

Hakyeon couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Come on, it’s so hot you’ll be dry in a matter of seconds! The water’s really nice. Please?” He knew that Taekwoon wasn’t the one for pressure and he knew when to give up convincing him to do something.

But Taekwoon didn’t refuse again. He sighed – him sighing or laughing was the most anyone got out of his voice, when his vocal chords made the tiny effort to complete the action – and he looked around as if there was someone who’d be listening to them. It seemed that Taekwoon himself had forgotten that no one can really eavesdrop on someone who doesn’t talk and Hakyeon was the only one who knew sing language.

‘I don’t like taking my shirt off.’ He threw a glance where the other guys were playing volleyball. His gaze lingered on Wonshik. ‘I don’t look like them.’

“I don’t either,” Hakyeon said.

Taekwoon scrunched up his nose. ‘You’re a ballet dancer.’

“Yes and I still don’t look like them. So?”

Taekwoon pressed his lips together and rested his chin on his knees, curling up more.

Hakyeon nodded. “Alright, I understand. But, I think I have a solution. Just swim with your shirt on and if anyone asks you anything, which I doubt they will, tell them you’re protecting yourself from the sun because you’re pale.”

Taekwoon’s lips parted in a silent gasp. ‘I’m not that pale!’

“You’re pretty pale,” Hakyeon said through laughter.

Taekwoon crossed his arms.

“Speaking of which, did you put sunscreen on?”

Taekwoon was still sulking, but he nodded defeatedly.

“Great! Well, then?” Hakyeon offered him his hand.

Taekwoon put his sketchbook away and took Hakyeon’s hand, pulling himself up.

As Hakyeon had predicted, no one really questioned Taekwoon’s decision to keep his shirt on in the sea. In fact, Taekwoon was surprised when he received cheers from the small group consisting of Sanghyuk, Hongbin, Jaehwan, Lisa and Chaeyoung that was currently swimming.

They seemed happy to see him.

Taekwoon wasn’t sure how to react. No one had ever been so happy to see him for any reason.

In that group he felt quite relaxed even though he wasn’t clinging to Hakyeon the entire time, which was odd. So far in order to feel safe Taekwoon absolutely needed Hakyeon’s close proximity, but now it wasn’t so.

As Taekwoon’s white shirt got wet, it also became somewhat transparent. It stuck to him, which was exactly what he’d been trying to avoid but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Is that a tattoo!?” Lisa exclaimed at some point.

Through his wet shirt on his shoulder a little further from his collarbone, a black star intertwined with another star could be seen through the fabric.

Taekwoon nodded.

Lisa had now gotten close to have a look at it. “Cool! I didn’t think you were the type for tattoos,” she admitted.

He just shrugged. Soon the others also approached to look at it and they marvelled. Taekwoon didn’t know what to do with all those compliments, with all the attention. He just smiled shyly.

Ultimately, Taekwoon was thankful for Hakyeon pushing him the way he did.

 

A week and a half in, campers were starting to get bored of their regular activities and chores. That was when the romance kicked in.

All around rumours were spreading about who liked whom, who was seen together, doing this and that.

You know that flower crown Jisoo made yesterday? Someone saw her giving it to Chaeyoung today.

Jonghyun called Minki the prettiest boy in the world, I know, I heard it.

Minhyuk lost a bet and had to kiss Jiho, but did he really lose anything?

Did you see how Lisa was showing off last night at the dance party? She was definitely trying to impress Jennie.

Wonshik kissed Jaehwan through the volleyball net. No, he didn’t slap him afterwards.

Sanghyuk and Hongbin were really tired this morning. What? No! They snuck out and went stargazing. You ert.

With all of these stories spreading through the camp, Hakyeon had more or less expected to be approached.

The question of, “What do you think about Taekwoon?” didn’t surprise him at all.

He played it off as a joke, giving no real answer. “I’m a leader, it would be inappropriate!”

But he couldn’t help but wonder if anyone had approached Taekwoon and asked the same question. And if so, what was his answer, if he answered at all?

Hakyeon was, however, doing his best to suppress any feelings he may or may not have had for Taekwoon. His favouritism for the younger was starting to get noticed and even though no one seemed to mind, he didn’t want anyone to get the wrong picture. He didn’t want it to look like Taekwoon was his charity case.

But no matter his efforts, Taekwoon and him grew apart. Taekwoon had started avoiding him, even getting more involved in various activities in order not to confront Hakyeon. Seeing him interacting with others and having fun, of course, made Hakyeon immensely happy, still he couldn’t quite ignore the growing void in his heart.

At the second week’s end, it was their group’s turn on doing-the-dishes-duty. Hakyeon was spared of it, as all leaders were, and he was quite happy to take advantage of the position. He made sure to annoy everyone while he sat back with his legs crossed and sipping on an iced coffee.

However as he was closing up after he’d chased the kids off to bed, Hakyeon found that the kitchen wasn’t empty as it should have been. Taekwoon was there, sitting on the counter and looking like a deer in the headlights when Hakyeon walked in.

“Woonie... Why aren’t you with the others?”

‘Wonshik told me to stay behind, he said him and Jaehwan had something to show me.’

“Wonshik and Jaehwan left with the others,” Hakyeon said.

They stared at each other as realization hit them both. Hakyeon immediately went for the door, but he was too late. There was a tiny click from the outside.

“HEY!” He banged on the door. “Let us out!”

“Not until Taekwoon-hyung tells you that thing he wanted to tell you~” Jaehwan’s voice came from behind the door.

“You’re stupid you’re just revealing exactly who’s involved in this! You are so dead tomorrow!” Hakyeon yelled and once again slammed his fist on the closed door.

Silence. They seemed to have realized what they’d gotten themselves into. But there were no apologies nor was there a click of the door unlocking. Hakyeon groaned.

He turned around and smiled. “It’s gonna be okay, we just have to—“ He went quiet as he laid his eyes on Taekwoon. His eyes were wide and he was paler than usual. Hand gripping the edge of the counter, he seemed to be shaking.

“Taekwoonah...” Hakyeon muttered and walked over, though still made sure to keep his distance just in case. “You don’t have to tell me anything. We can just chill out here if you want, the door will be unlocked in the morning one way or another.”

It was a shock for Hakyeon to see that for once his gentle tone and soft words weren’t working. Taekwoon didn’t relax, he didn’t smile or nod, he only seemed to get worse as his breathing grew quicker and shallower.

“Woonie, breathe,” Hakyeon said quietly. “I promise it’ll be okay. They meant nothing bad, they were just joking, they didn’t know you’d be upset. I’ll kick their butts tomorrow for you, I promise.” He paused. “Taekwoon?”

He finally looked up and started blinking, his lashes sparkling with tears. ‘It’s my fault.’ His hands were shaking.

“It’s not. It’s just a stupid joke. They think they’re helping but they’re not. Taekwoon, breathe.”

At last Taekwoon made an attempt to take Hakyeon’s advice, but he stayed still, pale and shaking. He leaned against the counter and started chewing on his lip. He was thinking, perhaps contemplating whether to really say whatever it was Jaehwan and Wonshik wanted him to say.

Now, the guess for it was obvious but Hakyeon still didn’t dare assume. He perhaps even hoped for it to be a confession, but he kept pushing the thought away with all might. How self indulgent of him to think that Taekwoon would... He couldn’t even say it, not even think it.

He waited. He let Taekwoon take his time with the decision.

“We can sit down,” he offered because his patience was betraying him. In another situation it wouldn’t, but this one was testing his nerves. He couldn’t handle the silence.

Taekwoon shook his head and took out his phone. He was sniffling as he typed hastily. When he was done he slid the phone across the counter, backed up into a corner and turned away from Hakyeon.

Hakyeon didn’t read out loud.

‘It’s really stupid, I know, and I never wanted to make such a fuss about it. No I actually wanted to keep it a secret, I knew bringing it out in the open would only cause problems. I shouldn’t have told them anything... Even when I don’t speak I manage to mess up. I’m sorry hyung I should have kept it to myself. I have feelings for you and I am so confused because I know this is all temporary. But they are very strong at least for now and I’m just confused. I’m sorry I got us into this.’

By the time Hakyeon was done reading soft sobs could be heard from the corner where Taekwoon was hiding. He felt like this was one piece of Taekwoon’s puzzle, one which solving would give the answer to the question that’s been on everyone’s mind ever since they met him – why doesn’t Taekwoon talk. Hakyeon saw it in everything said, how much he stressed the idea of his words bringing nothing but trouble. He was afraid.

But Hakyeon also realized that it wasn’t what this all was about, so he left that discussion for another day.

He didn’t have the time to rejoice or celebrate because comforting Taekwoon was his priority. He wanted more than anything to embrace him and not let go until it’s time to go home, but that wasn’t what Taekwoon needed right now.

Hakyeon was ready to hold a speech, he was ready to spill words of reassurance and return Taekwoon’s affection, but then he remembered the eavesdroppers outside who were responsible for the entire situation. So he figured he’d do it another way.

He went over to Taekwoon and tugged on his sleeve. The younger just shook his head and shrunk even more.

“Look at me,” Hakyeon whispered. He started when Taekwoon finally turned around,

‘You’re right, too much trouble has been made over such a simple thing. I know this is important for you, but you should find comfort in the fact that all of this is so silly.’ Hakyeon smiled at this. ‘Another thing that should bring comfort is the fact that I like you too.’

Taekwoon’s chin trembled, but his expression slowly turned into that of shock. ‘You do not.’

‘I do. Why would I say that if it wasn’t true?’

Taekwoon’s expression changed again, this time his eyes became cold and his gaze dropped. ‘Out of pity.’

Hakyeon frowned. Taekwoon wasn’t looking at him any longer and in order for the conversation to continue he had to. So Hakyeon reached out and lifted his chin. ‘Would I do something like that?’

Taekwoon stared at him with a light red colour spreading across his cheeks. He shook his head.

‘Have I ever been dishonest with you?’

Taekwoon shook his head again.

‘I don’t think I’ve given you any reasons not to believe me when I say that your feelings aren’t one-sided.’ And Hakyeon was smiling again, genuinely, but also hoping that it would help reassure Taekwoon.

He just stood there, biting his lip and blinking back tears.

Hakyeon opened his arms to ask permission for a hug. Taekwoon just let himself fall forward and clung onto Hakyeon like his life depended on it. Hakyeon took a risk and ran his fingers through Taekwoon’s hair once and when the younger showed no signs of protest, he kept going. Taekwoon wasn’t crying, but he was shaking pretty badly. Hakyeon held him for as long as it took him to calm down. He let Taekwoon be the one to pull away and end the hug.

“You’ll be okay?” Hakyeon asked, keeping his hands on Taekwoon’s shoulders.

The younger nodded. His arms were still loosely wrapped around Hakyeon’s waist.

“Should we make them let us out?”

Taekwoon cracked a smile and nodded again.

Hand in hand they went to the door.

“Hey es! It’s done! You can let us out now!”

Silence from the other end. Hakyeon sighed.

“Guys, you keep forgetting... We both know sign language, you wouldn’t have heard anything anyway!!”

“Then how do we know it’s done?”

Hakyeon raised his eyebrows and kicked the door so hard the wall shook.

“Fine, geez!”

When the door opened, it was revealed that Wonshik and Jaehwan weren’t the only ones in on the plot. Lisa and Jennie were also present, as well as Taeil and Sanghyuk. They saw Taekwoon and Hakyeon holding hands and started smiling – it was explanation enough.

Hakyeon spared them all a glance and said, “You have ten seconds to run.”