The paper ruffling sound of the leaves on the trees echoed between tree trunks as a large informative sign decorated the area. “Welcome to Sungha woods.” Taemin read, “This is a trail. It’s about 15 kilometers long so once we get about half way we can hand lunch and then we can walk the rest and come back.”
“You know what’s nice? Sitting down on a couch with some chips and watching TV.” Minho commented on Taemin’s calculations. “You’re so lazy, Hyung!”
“Says the kid who needs me to carry him like a princess to places.”
“That’s unreasonable!” Taemin said and he started walking towards the thickening mural of trees. Although they were there in a pair, no one spoke. The sounds of birds filled the silent void, colours filling the visuals. Drops of sunlight bathed their faces as streaks slithered between tree trunks. Branch upon branch stacked and tangled. An occasional fallen tree dotted the landscape. Each time the wind s around, a green turned orange turned brown collection of expired leaves rained from above. Unidentified ruffles could be heard from the immediate and extended areas as different pitches of tweets could be heard from various species of birds, forming and orchestra. Small wooden rectangular slabs could be found whenever elevation steeply increased and became unbearably uneven. In a lucky position, triangular flocks of birds could be seen flying south through the dense treetops. Hums of water could be occasionally picked out from the rest of the tones.

                After about an hour, when passing condensed bushes of flowers, Minho crouched. His hands began a repetitive motion, plucking flower upon flower. Taemin took the time to check his watch, reading 1p.m. While letting Minho continue his act, he set down his back. He untied the strings on his flap backpack and pulled it open, revealing sorted supplies. At the top of the stack was a blanket which Taemin pulled out first. He walked towards a tree trunk. It had fallen awkwardly as if pushed down and kicked around amidst a giant’s furious rage. He draped the blanket over it, bringing the bag over closer with his foot. He pulled out a few plastic containers which were filled with several different foods. He neatly placed them in an accessible pattern, reaching for four chopsticks. He unwrapped the tinfoil from around the useful parts, crumpling it up and tossing them into his bag. He set them down on a few folded napkins and turned his head. “Min-“ Taemin said as he turned around to a very close Minho. “Tilt your head a bit.” Minho ordered. Taemin did as told and felt something push down on his hair and felt a tightening around his forehead, continuing around the rest of his head. After Minho leaned away, Taemin raised his hand to feel around and try to distinguish what the new accessory. “What is this?” Taemin asked. “A crown for a princess.” He smiled, happy with his comparison. “You’re so cheesy, Hyung. Now sit your down and eat. I prepared us food.” Minho found his way onto the log and examined all of the containers. Minho grabbed at a pair of chopsticks, poking the tips into a container of cubed pork. He bit his tongue as he received a smack on the upper side of his hand. “We have to pray first!” Minho whined as he set the utensils down and brought his hands together. Taemin’s hands clapped as he mimicked the motion. They both silently performed the sign of the cross and bowed their heads. “Dear God, thank you for the food and for offering us this opportunity to be one with nature and spend time together. Thank you for sending me Minho to take care of me in your physical stead and I hope we can be together forever. Amen.” Taemin finished. He yawned and as his muscles tightened, his ears numbing out all noise except for a slight beeping noise. He wiped his watery eyes and opened them to Minho eating some food happily. “Ah this is delicious. Did you make this?” Taemin shook his head, picking up some salad. “I brought some containers from home and when we were at the market I bought some things. There was a lunch stall. Bought some stuff and separated it into containers. I don’t mean to brag though, but I can make really good kimchi.” He looked off as if trying not to look like he was bragging, quite bashful. “I’ll take your word for now; you’ll have to prove it sometime though.” He chewed on the meat, the soft, still warm meat filling his stomach. Taemin giggled at the statement, eating. “Minho, look at that.” Taemin pointed at a few feet away. A small rabbit came into view as it scampered through piles of leaves in what looked like a search for food. Taemin picked up a carrot from one of the smaller containers and tossed it a meter away from the animal. It instinctively bounced away quickly, turning its head to see if the object was of any threat. It slowly crept back, sniffing the carrot before taking it into its small hands. As it shoved the baby carrot into its mouth, Taemin threw another one, a little closer this time. He repeated this until the rabbit was only a foot or so away. In slow movements, he offered another carrot. They both held their breaths, trying to reduce everything they possibly could to a minimum. After a hesitant period, the rabbit bounced forward and swiped the carrot. Taemin released a thin and shaky breath, trying not to break the trust he had built up. He planned to take another carrot only to see Minho already being a step ahead of him. In a flash, the bunny was nestled in his lap, devouring the once whole carrot. Taemin stared in awe at the sight as Minho the bunny. He smiled cheerfully, his gaze glued to the two. Taemin moved all cases except for the one with carrots which was now nearly empty. He took a seat right up against Minho and the two babied the bunny. “It’s so cute!” Taemin chirped. Taemin and Minho nurtured the animal between ‘ooh’s’ and ‘ah’s. Taemin picked it up and lifted it to the level of his face, scrunching up his nose and pouting. “We kind of look alike, ne?” Minho pursed his lips and scratched his chin. “Ne, but I think the rabbit’s cuter.” Taemin’s mouth gaped open as he set the animal down in Minho’s lap and turned, starting to walk in the opposite direction with his hands in the air. “Well fine then, continue your walk with your new girlfriend then!” Taemin articulated his steps wide. He galloped towards a tree and faced it, his arms now crossed. Minho gently put the animal on the ground, putting the container down with the last few carrots as an offering. He marched after Taemin, flipping his body toward him and hugging him. “Taemin I was kidding~” He picked him up, Taemin’s legs around his waist after the realization of the risk of falling. “Hyung, am I cute?”
“Yes, very.” Minho spoke.
“Then say it!”
“You are very cute.”
“Very, very cute?”
“The cutest boy I know.”
“Cuter than the rabbit?”
Minho let took an over exaggerated breath. “Well….”
Taemin’s foot kicked the back of Minho’s leg, about knee height, causing him to fall forward, pushing some of Taemin’s weight back onto the tree. “Alright, alright, cuter than the rabbit!” Taemin giggled loudly as he lowered himself from Minho’s hold. “Let’s keep it that way~”

                They packed up their lunch and finished the rest of the hour walk to the end of the trail and the two hour walk back. In cold autumn turning winter night like this, the sun set sooner.

                Taemin looked out the window of their hotel room from the couch where he was sitting with Minho, watching some old soap opera. Their shoes and packed bags were still there where they left them after coming back an hour back. “Minho, I’m going to change, okay?” Minho turned his head. “Why?” His gaze was back on the tiny square screen. “For the festival!” Taemin reminded him. “Oh right. We’re going to that?” Taemin got off the couch, letting Minho sink further into the now empty spot. “Of course! We’re leaving tomorrow so we have to enjoy today until the very end.” He jumped onto the bed, pulling articles of clothing out. After a moment of looking through his suitcase, he settled for a loose, thick sweater, skinny jeans, a long sleeved shirt, and uggs. “Minho, are you going to change?” He started to walk towards the bathroom door. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll change in a second. Go in.” He entered the bathroom, one outfit fell to the ground as another clothed his body. He left the bathroom to see Minho pulling on a warmer shirt. He walked over and grabbed a hat with, what he classified as, a cute puffy ball. He pulled it on and sat on the corner of the bed, waiting for his friend to finish getting ready. Minho swung a black trench coat over his shoulder. He tugged on a black infinity scarf over his dark grey sweater. He pointed to the door and they both followed it. They walked through the empty streets, they were walking in the near dark now. The dark sky seemed to turn a latte colour and chatter filled the space around them. Taemin smiled at the sight. Little children ran in traditional robes, many others around them also happy. The sky was as aphotic as the bottom of the ocean, thousands of contrasting diamonds illuminating it. Rows of paper lanterns hung loosely from strings, embellishing the event, their light dying off into the distant fields. Taemin took Minho’s hand as they walked forward, trying not to get separated by the crowd. Suddenly Taemin’s eyes widened as he spotted something. “Minho!” He tugged on Minho’s sleeve. “Look over there! Do you see that?” Minho used his height as an advantage. “The cotton candy?” He questioned, “No, THE cotton candy! Can we get some? Oh please Minho. We can share!” Taemin bargained. “It’s fine, we can go get it.” Taemin linked arms with Minho quickly. “Thank you, Hyung! You’re the best!”
“Then I must be better.” Someone spoke up. They turned around to see Kai there, waving a stick with cotton candy traditionally wrapped around it. Taemin’s eyes sparkled in the dark, his hands reaching for the candy, just barely managing to hold himself back. “Here, take it.” He laughed, wiggling the stick in front of Taemin’s face. Taemin finally reached for it, but missed as Kai pulled it away. “Say ‘Ah’~” Kai teased. “Kai, you’re so embarrassing!” Taemin blushed at the thought. “Come on Hyung! You can do it.” He wiggled it again in front of him, the food so close his mouth watered. He gave in and leant in, taking a bite into cotton. His eyes rolling back from the satisfaction. “Geez Hyung, was a teasing face.” Kai laughed. Taemin’s face turned red and he hid in Minho’s side. “Shouldn’t you be with your parents?” Minho finally spoke up. “They’re running something here. I’m allowed to go around. I don’t need to help tonight. Anyways, there’s going to be fireworks tonight.” He looked down at his watch. “In about an hour and a half. At eight. So how about we look around?” He finally handed the cotton candy to Taemin and they headed around. There was a section for music where an ensemble of people were playing happy tunes and children danced around to them. Nearby were the food stands. All sorts of traditional food were sold. The first stand they passed by offered Mandoo, the second one offered Kimchichigae, and the third Bibimbap. That was just the beginning. The rural atmosphere completely changed everything as well. The city couldn’t even compare to these types of festivals. They were now standing in front of a table set up with ten by ten rows of bottles. Another smaller table was set up in front of the first one with small hoops. There were 6 poles with hooks spread from them, a stuffed animal hung on each one. “Wow” Taemin gawked, “Look at that giant Pikachu!” The man noticed Taemin’s interest and walked away from a boy and his family over to them. “Would you like to play? Three dollars for three hoops or eight dollars for ten.” Taemin shook his hands, “No, no, no, I’m horrible at these types of games!” Kai stepped in between him and the man with a few coins in his hand. “I’ll play.” The man accepted the money and laid down three rings beside Kai. “If you get it on your first try, you get one of the larger stuffed animals, if you get it on your second or third, you get the smaller one. If you get it on the red bottle in the middle, you get an extra-large prize.” Kai raised his arm while looking at Taemin. “Fighting!” Taemin copied the motion. “Fighting!” He smiled. Kai casually tossed the ring, his eyes widening. “I.. I missed..” Taemin patted Kai’s shoulder quickly “it’s okay, you’ll get the next one for sure!” Kai took a deep breath and tossed another ring. Missed. He sighed, frustrated. He kissed the last ring good luck and threw it. “This.. this is impossible!” Taemin pet his head “Well, you gave it your best shot.”
“No, that’s not good enough! Another game please!”
 

“Third time’s a charm!”
 

“Just one more game!”
 

“I can do it this time!”
 

“This one for sure!”
 

“Jus.. Just one more..”
 

After 10 minutes, Taemin interfered “Kai, you gave it your best shot.. really. Please stop wasting your money! Ahjummah and ahjusshi will get angry.”  Kai whined, “But I really wanted to get you that Pikachu..” Suddenly, Minho’s voice was made noticeable. “Can I have one game?” He handed over a bill. “Sure.” The man replied, following the same three ring procedure as he handed Minho his share. Minho carelessly threw the ring. He fixed up his wrinkling sweater and as he looked back up, he noticed the ring twirling around the rim of the red bottle in the very middle. “Oh, lucky me.” He said in a monotone voice. “Wow, sir, you have great hand-eye coordination! Now which prize can I get you?” Minho pointed up to the very top of one of the poles. “Can I get that one Pikachu?” The man nodded and climbed a ladder to reach it, bringing it down and handing it over to Minho. Taemin and Kai were both still standing there in shock and Minho shook the man off. “It’s for him.” He corrected, pointing to Taemin. The man smiled, handing it over. “Oh.. oh my God..” Taemin accepted it. It took him a while for his surprised state to conjure up any words. “Minho I love you so much! You’re the best Hyung in the world!” Taemin’s arms latched around Minho’s neck as he jumped onto him, mid-hug. “I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you!”
“You’re such a kid.” Minho laughed, ruffling Taemin’s hair as they hugged. It didn’t matter how immature he was being, he really appreciated what Minho did for him and although the plushie was worth about 25 dollars, it meant the world to him. He snuggled against Minho happily. “Uh.. hey, we should probably check out a few more stands before we, uh, get some food and get ready for the fireworks..” Kai said, scratching the back of his head. “You’re right, sorry Kai, I just got excited.” Taemin smiled widely, grabbing Kai’s hand and holding it. They stopped at a shooting game. The goal of the game was to shoot the bull’s eye on a target with a water gun. As the water hit the center, a cylindrical container filled up. The first player to fill up their container wins. There were seven others playing and three spots open. Kai was the first to challenge the others to a game, seizing the opportunity to regain his pride. They lined up, each sitting on a stool and picking up a water gun, a thin hose connecting it to somewhere under the tabletop. “Are we all ready?” cheered a young man. The small group of players threw a roar back. “Alright! Let’s get started!” Everyone raised the guns simultaneously as the man began his countdown. “Three, two,” They all aimed. “ONE!” Water launched out of the mechanical opening at the barrel of the gun. The man dodged the liquid last second as the messy streaks flew through the air. Minho’s container started to fill slowly, Taemin’s on the other hand was struggling with just a few drops skimming down the side. They were both frustrated at how slow the pace was, that frustration growing when they saw Kai, his container nearly half full in a few seconds. Everyone was focusing intensely only until a bell sounded. Flashing lights lit up around one of the targets, the winner being marked. “Oh man, I wonder who the super manly, skilled, and talented man of manliness who won this was. Oh? It was me? Wow, I must be amazing.” Kai applauded himself. Taemin glared at him, his trigger happy hands ordering the gun, spraying Kai’s face with water. “So damn amazing.” His eyes sent poisonous darts in his direction, only to receive equally poisonous darts back from the younger boy. “Why you little-“ Taemin gasped, basically throwing his own body off the stool and running, only managing to get a few feet before arms picked him up. Kai tossed him over his shoulder and kept running. Taemin stretched his arms to their full extent, groping at the air. “Oh God no! Minho! Save me! P-please!” Taemin half begged, half laughed. Minho sighed, laying another bill down on the table as he followed the batty teens.

                Taemin was clinging onto his kidnapper, gasping for air after screaming his lungs out. The struggle finally ceased once they were on top of a small hill, overlooking the festival. Minho endeavoured the climb, breathless once he reached the top. “You guys,” his lungs sagged, “you guys are too much..” His diaphragm felt as if it was on the verge of exploding. The two were lying face down on the grass, heaving. “Hyung..” Taemin managed to choke out, “Hyung I’m thirsty.. I’m super thirsty.”
“And?” Minho said, trying to avoid what he knew was coming. “Can you get me something to drink?” Minho shook his arms in front of him. “Oh no, no, no! I am not going anywhe-“
“Oh please Hyung! I’ll owe you! I’ll be your slave for a whole day!” Minho stopped, eyeing Taemin. “Make it a week.” Taemin sat up, “What?! A week for a bottle of water?!” Minho smirked. “Hey, I don’t need a slave, but you need water.” Taemin’s head dropped as he hugged his knees. “Half a week?”
“5 Days.”
“Fine Hyung. You win.” Taemin whined. “Are you sure you want to go? The lines are long now because the fireworks are going to start in a few minutes and everyone’s going to want to buy stuff.” Kai stated. “Oh, I’m sorry Hyung, I didn’t think of that!” Taemin admitted as he turned toward Minho. “It’s fine, I’ll go. It can’t take too long anyways. Plus, having a servant is always useful.” He smiled, turning around and jogging downwards back to the crowds. They both sat there trying to catch their breathes, breathing being the only sound they produced. “You know, this is actually the best spot to watch the fireworks. It’s underrated and people don’t come here. Which is good because we get it to ourselves right?” Kai sighed. He shimmied over closer towards Taemin, looking at him. He lifted Taemin’s hand and held it in front of their faces. “Remember when we were playing by the river and you fell in? You had a long scratch along the middle of your hand and I ran for an ambulance? Umma laughed and said all you needed was some disinfectant and a bandage.”  Taemin laughed. “I told you I was fine, but you still ran. You cried more than I did.” Kai laughed in agreement. “Hyung, sometimes when I think of how you’re older and you’re living in the city while I waste away here in the country, I feel like I’m being left behind.” Kai’s fingers slipped into the cracks between Taemin’s, lowering their hands to his lap. “Kai, what are you talking about? You’re like my childhood friend. You ARE my childhood!” Kai sat up straight, looking directly into Taemin’s eyes. “Am I really?” Taemin nodded, “Of course!” Kai looked up into the sky for a few seconds before back to Taemin. “What are you and Minho?” He asked. “Me and him? We’re friends.” For some reason, this sounded like deja vu to Taemin. “Just friends?” he asked. “Yeah. We’re really close, but we’re just friends.” Taemin confirmed. “Well,” He started, “Maybe we... Maybe we could be more than friends?” Kai asked. “What? Do you mean like best friends?” Taemin asked. “No Taemin, more than that. Like, be an item. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Huh, I guess that would be different in our case. But you understand now, right Hyung? I… I want to hold your hand, and hug you, be with you, call you mine.” Taemin’s breath froze on his lips as his eyes widened. “What… what are you talking about, Kai?” Every muscle in his body stiffened as he tried to accept the information that was given to him. “Taemin, I love you. So, I want to know if you love me back, if you can try to love me back.”
“Kai, I… I’ve only ever seen you as a friend, you know, a little brother.” Kai heart felt like it was slit, all his emotions pouring out. “I’ve always treated you special Taemin. Have you not noticed? You think I was so disappointed earlier when I couldn’t get you that toy because it hurt my manly pride or something? No, of course not. It’s because I couldn’t make you happy. It’s because that other guy,” He threw his arm in the direction Minho walked off in, “It’s because he made you happier than I could! It’s because at that moment, he was number one, and I was just there!” Taemin shook his head. “No, Kai, I think you’re just confused! You just haven’t seen me in a long time and you just missed me, that’s all!” His heart beat rose and so did the tension. The air suddenly felt thicker and harder to breathe, as if he was breathing through and exhaust pipe. “I think you’re just stubborn. Maybe you’ve seen me as a little brother, but I can be mature too, you know? I can make you happy too. Do I have to do something that’ll make you stop seeing me as a little brother? Because that’s the last thing I want to be, Hyung. Taemin.” He corrected himself. Taemin watched as Kai’s serious face stared him down, a hand finding its way to his cheek. His palms were beginning to sweat now and he could see Kai’s lips getting larger as he leaned in. A fresh imprint was left on Taemin’s cheek as his eyes shut tight. He peeked through the rift between his eyelids and saw Kai’s face close to his, noses brushing against each other. His hands were on Kai’s chest, as if for protection. “Kai, please don’t do this.” His request squirmed out as an inaudible whisper. “No, no, no, no, no, no.” Taemin kept repeating, leaning away in vain only for Kai to close the distance once again with his body. “No, Kai, stop, please!” What seemed before like a great day, an great time was now changing. Taemin wasn’t ready for something like this and didn’t prepare. He tried swallowing the forming lumps in his throat. Kai pressed his forehead to Taemin’s gently; their hairs becoming and unidentifiable mesh of brown. “Hyung, it really hurts when you say that.” The way his face was being tilted, he could tell Kai’s face was close. It was only a matter of seconds before they would kiss and that would be the end of it. But Taemin didn’t want that. There had to be something he could do to stop it. He couldn’t throw away his first kiss like this. His mind blank. He pushed himself back onto the grass, shaking his head violently from side to side. He didn’t want this to happen. Stop. It needed to stop. But he tried. He tried to reason but it didn’t work. There’s only one thing he could think of. Something he abused. Something that never had a 100% guarantee. But it was the only thing that flew into his head. He gripped onto his chest tightly and he screamed.

“Minho!”

Taemin finally opened his eyes when a small drop hit his face. All he saw was Kai; all he saw was a streak of tears lining his cheek. The drop was followed by a sob, and the sob was followed by a hiccup. The boy collapsed against Taemin and released another group of sobs. “Why Taemin? Why is it that you call his name and not mine? We’re friends! I love you! Why are you scared of me? What did I do? It’s just not fair! I’ve been here in the country while you’ve been in the city. You were so far away and he had an upper hand. If I was the one there, and he was the one here, would you be calling my name instead? Would it be him that you’re rejecting? I’ve waited so long for you to come back. You left a little kid, but you left a little kid in love. And now you’ve come back, but you’ve brought another guy. You know how much it hurt? Seeing you? It would hurt not seeing you too though, so do I really have another option?”
“I’m sorry, Kai. I-“
“No, you don’t get to be sorry! You’re not the one who’s being rejected. You’re not the one that’s drowning from sadness on the inside. You don’t understand it. This feeling.”
Taemin just lay there, staring up at the sky. A long high pitch filled the air before an echoing boom as the first firework went off. The several Oh’s and Ah’s trailed behind. The display had started. He had a boy crying on his chest and knowing he was the one who caused that made his eyes blur. “I wish I could punch you. I wish I could ruin that stupid cute face of yours and just leave you… I wish I could hate you. But I can’t. I can’t put myself up to it and now I’m in this situation. Heartbroken.” He sat up, wiping his tears. He inhaled deeply, standing up. Taemin forced his body up as well. “Hyung, can I have just one last kiss on the cheek? You know what… Forget it.” He turned, stopping in his tracks as he saw the silhouette of a tall slim figure against the fireworks. Kai exhaled and started walking toward it, mumbling as he passed. “It was nice meeting you, Minho hyung.” Taemin slowly followed in the invisible path Kai made as he walked, stopping in front of him. “I’m sorry, Minho. Let’s just call it a night.”
“Alright. Do you still want the drink?”
“Nah, it’s fine.”

A loud firework boomed, flooding the air with noise.

A/N: I'm so so so sorry that it took so long to update but I really wanted to get this whole bit out in one go but it was too long for one chapter so I kinda just decided to write two chapters and upload them simotaniously. Forgive me! OTL