1.1 | louder than bombs

- 20 -

"Look there, it's a swan!" Phoenix bounced on her toes, tilting her head up to look into her boyfriend's loving eyes, her lean arm coiled around his buff one.

"It is indeed a swan, Bul. A beautiful one at that," he leaned down to press a chaste kiss to her plump lips, smiling as he pulled back.

"I like it when you call me that, though I don't know what it means," Phoenix shrugged, giving Dohyun a toothy grin before tugging on his undone scarf, carefully wrapping it around his neck securely while standing on her tippy-toes.

The group decided to stop by a lake, the waterbody being one of the many scenic sights in the City. It was a breath-taking view. Gentle hills sloped down to the lake, a bare strip of sand running between the frosty auburn-coloured grass and crystal-like water.

The majority of the lake itself was like an expanse of ice, the smallest pressure capable of breaking the delicate layer into a million shards. A ballet of swans swam elegantly over the unfrosted surface, creating gentle ripples as they moved their graceful bodies. The snow-capped mountains in the back-drop made it look all the more beautiful.

"Guys!" the couple turned around to look at Troy who was beckoning them to come closer.

"Huddle close," he hurried, tugging on Phoenix's arm when he got close while shouting to Cairo and Jaemoon.

"This lovely lady here," Troy waved his hand with an exaggerated flourish, causing the blonde woman's face to tinge with rosy-hue, "Has generously agreed to let us take a photo with her polaroid. So come on, now. Let's not keep her waiting."

And so they all lined up, Troy dab-smack in the middle with his arms thrown around Cairo's and Phoenix's shoulders, their boyfriends' arms curled around their waists on either side. Cairo leaned back onto his Moon's broad chest, his adorable boxy-smile on display while Phoenix looked up at Dohyun, brushing her lips against his cheek tenderly before smiling wide for the camera.

The blonde smiled, the group's happiness being contagious whilst she clicked their picture, one of their best memories now coming out as a developed film, the small square holding an instance that they would forever cherish.

"Thank you!" Cairo expressed his gratitude to the lady before carefully taking the polaroid, pocketing the picture as he gave her a warm hug. The woman nodded in acknowledgement as the group once again broke apart.

"You go on, I'll be back in a minute," Phoenix smiled at Dohyun before rushing towards the lady.

"Excuse me?" she patted the blonde woman's shoulder, her dark eyes clashing with green ones, "I'm so sorry for troubling you again but do you mind taking another picture for us?"

"Not at all," her chapped lips curved upwards.

"Thanks a lot. I just wanted one with my boyfriend. I don't know when we would get this chance again," she tipped her head towards Dohyun, who seemed to be engaged in a serious discussion with a swan, animatedly moving his hands as he made distinct facial expressions almost as if the bird was the president himself. Phoenix smiled.

"A real catch, that one," the lady responded as she saw the look in Phoenix's eyes.

Oh, to be in love.

"I know."

🏔

"I'm done," Troy announced as he threw his hands up in the air, marching a few steps forward and turning around to look at his friends.

"I can't watch you guys being all lovey-dovey," the grey-head narrowed his eyes at the two couples, "I'm off to the Sauna, you lovesick people do whatever you want."

And with that he walked off, flipping his non-existent long hair over his shoulder and walking towards the end of the street.

"The Sauna is this way, Blue," Cairo called out, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder with a grin that gave way to a belly laugh when he saw his best friend turn around with a huff.

"I knew that," Troy claimed haughtily, "I just wanted to check out the Hot Dog stall."

The street was empty except for the five of them with no other soul in sight.

"Sure you did," Phoenix butted in with a sly smile at the sulky man, "Anyways, if that's the case we all can meet by that tower," she pointed at a marble clock tower that stood tall and proud by the end of the street, "At sunset. That cool?"

The rest nodded.

"Off we go then," she pulled her boyfriend along with her, her small body leading Dohyun to a wide field that was said to be in full bloom of Naupakas.

"So," Cairo looked up at Jaemoon, "What would you like to do Boyfriend Jeon?"

Jaemoon let out an amused chuckle, his onyx irises glowing with warmth towards the short male. "Oh, so are we boyfriends now?"

Cairo nodded, his curls flopping with the movement. "I thought about it. I don't think you can live without me, Moon."

He looked at the ravenette with a cheeky smile, wrapping his arms around Jaemoon's waist as he rested his chin on his broad chest, tipping his head back to look into the eyes that held countless galaxies.

The Captain let his fingers play with the soft curls at Cairo's nape while the other hand curled around his tiny waist. "You thought right."

He bent down, brushing his nose against that of his lover's whose eyes fluttered close at the gentle eskimo kiss.

"I can't live without you, Doe. So promise to be with me till the end of time. Hm?"

What a comical thing promise is.

A mirage that is rarely true, giving a false sense of paradise while remaining blissfully ignorant of the evident presence of dryness that stretched as far as the eye could see.

A spider's web woven with assurance, the snare of hope so delicate and fragile that could easily be reduced to mere silver strings by an unpredicted obstacle.

A string of letters and words uttered in a moment of desperation that could easily be tucked away at the back of one's head lost in the midst of a myriad of thoughts and grey matter.

A promise.

"You are my life, Moon," Cairo whispered. "I promise."

The simple phrase was everything to Jaemoon, the two words transcending his flesh and stabbing him right through his heart. For a boy who lost everything that he held dear, the whisper would forever resonate with his heartbeat, each thump reminding him of his Doe.

Jaemoon smiled and pecked Cairo's lips, moving back as his boyfriend's giggles warmed the winter breeze blowing their way.

🏔

i genuinely, whole-heartedly, with every single nerve and fibre in my body hate my school with a burning passion

short chap, sorry :(

QOTD: favourite song and why?

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love,
athenelar