The planned trip to Jeju Island as part of his Geology studies was what Chanyeol was most looking forward to in his degree. The wide-eyed child, he once was, in his middle school Geography lessons was currently fainting at what Chanyeol saw before him. The great terrain of Jeju Island stretched out in front of him and seemed to keep on growing the further he walked, he was almost in love. 
The day was clear and warm, the trip was planned during a short spring break as both as an educational experience but also as a holiday. It was Jeju Island after all. Chanyeol didn't know where to start, they had three days to themselves to independently explore and assess the feature of the island - most notably, the volcano. They were provided a worksheet with analysis to hand in at the end of the trip but Chanyeol had already completed half of it. He had spent his free time in high school researching Jeju Island as much as he could as his parents were too poor to afford the trip. He already had a wealth of knowledge and he now had the opportunity to bask in it. 

They had arrived at 9 am, giving Chanyeol time to travel to Hallasan Mountain to embark on a hike. He had heard that the hike would take eight hours up and down the mountain but he was prepared for this. Armed with a film camera and rugged up with a waterproof jacket, he began to walk on the trail. The scenery around him was stunning, lush trees and morning dew that sparkled in the sun creating a forest of glitter. He knew his camera could never hope to capture the beauty but he took a photo anyway. It was the memory that mattered. The hike wore out his legs quickly enough, after what seemed like hundreds of stairs and an unchanging scenery, he finally reached the skirt of the mountain that began to overlook the island. He stopped briefly to look over the trees and rocks, and ant-sized people that crawled across the island. He could see the clear blue sea and with his mouth agape, he took a photo.

"Are you trying to catch flies?" A voice said suddenly and Chanyeol started. The voice laughed, "I'm only kidding," It came into view with the face of a young man, who looked no older than twenty-four with soft hair that managed to bounce whilst completely still. Chanyeol was mesmerised for a moment but caught himself and tried to stutter out an explanation. The man laughed, "It's alright. My name's Byun Baekhyun, you are?" 
"Park... Park Chanyeol," Chanyeol said softly and Baekhyun, who was now walking alongside him, gasped slightly. He was wearing an oversized jacket that was obnoxiously yellow. Cute. Chanyeol gulped. "You're how old?" He ended up asking and Baekhyun paused for a moment, clearly tallying up his age. "Twenty-six!" He said, warmly and Chanyeol was surprised - he had assumed that he was much younger, much less the same age as him. 
"I am also twenty-six." Chanyeol laughed awkwardly and Baekhyun appeared to light up completely. He seemed relieved. 
"Oh, thank God. I was dying a little thinking I just insulted a senior." He said sheepishly and Chanyeol laughed heartily.
"Who's to say you didn't?" The colour drained from Baekhyun's face and as he was about to profusely apologise, Chanyeol stopped him and told him he was joking. Baekhyun relaxed and berated Chanyeol for a moment. This is nice. 

After a few hours, they started making their descent down the mountain. The view at the top was spectacular, with all of Jeju lying in front of them coated in a blanket of white clouds, mountains breaking through with their very peaks. Baekhyun had insisted that Chanyeol take a photo of him, a blessing for the camera he said. 
"I feel like I've met you before? Have I?" Baekhyun asked, tentatively. And Chanyeol frowned. There was a lingering familiarity to Baekhyun but it was far too vague for him to put a finger on. "Ah, I must be getting confused," Baekhyun said softly, "I've never seen such big ears like that before."
Chanyeol's face went red and Baekhyun laughed, it was musical. The feelings that started to brew in Chanyeol were masked by his already red expression. Chanyeol never confronted his uality, rather, he ignored it. 1985 in South Korea wasn't exactly the right time for someone like him, all he could hope for was for someone to date him. Anything beyond that was absurd. Yet, as he watched Baekhyun laughed he couldn't help but feel comforted by his feelings - not afraid.

They completed the hike at around 6 pm, the sun was much lower in the sky and they were starving. Baekhyun had mentioned a small restaurant in Jeju city that wasn't busy nor awkwardly empty. The cuisine was lost on Chanyeol, the hike and excitement of the trip (and Baekhyun, but he wasn't willing to admit that) had made him exhausted. He needed food to perk him up as he walked through the city with Baekhyun blabbering by his side about this and that. He tried to listen, he really did. 
"Are you okay, Chanyeol?" Baekhyun asked, and Chanyeol looked at him blearily.
"I am so tired."
"Oh! We don't have to go out, I can take you back to your hotel so you can get your rest! Why didn't you tell me that you were tired earlier? You need to-"
"It's okay, I want to eat with you." Chanyeol said lazily then realised what he had just said. He swallowed his expression and looked at Baekhyun who was red in the face. He didn't want to smile, he shouldn't but the sight of the smaller Baekhyun, blazing red with his orange jacket and wide eyes was all too endearing. A small cracked across his face and Baekhyun tried to blow off his adverse reaction.
"If you say so," He said curtly and Chanyeol burst out laughing. "What? What's so funny?" Baekhyun immediately clamored, hitting Chanyeol lightly on the arm. Chanyeol was laughing with all of his gut, several steps ahead of Baekhyun. He looked back.
"Your face," He choked out and Baekhyun groaned. "It was cute." . Oh dear god, I just said that. Oh my god. Chanyeol stared straight ahead, frozen. He was expecting a fist to the face, he just ruined it for himself. After a moment of silence Baekhyun slid his hand into Chanyeol's. Expecting a broken arm, Chanyeol grimaced but Baekhyun's delicate fingers interlaced with his.

"Thank god this wasn't all for nothing," Baekhyun said softly and Chanyeol perked up in shock. He spun around to look at Baekhyun, and his hand. 
"You...? You're....?"
"I guess you could say so,"
The streets of Jeju City froze in time around them, Chanyeol's heart was pounding in his chest. He had never had this happen in his life, he had never been approached first or treated in such a way that made him feel so, so warm. 
"Then, I'm the happiest guy alive," He said finally and began to walk down to the restaurant with Baekhyun in tow.