Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 30 : God's blessing?

Jihoon stands between the big stones of the Gates of Heaven. He's grinning wide from ear to ear when he finally gets to have a shot of himself at one of the most popular spots to take a picture. One after one pose he did as the man keeps pressing the shutter button on his phone. Both hands rise to the sky, heart poses — small, medium, and big. He gives all of him with a wide smile on his face.

"Hyunsuk hyung, come here!" he said, waving his hand as he called for him. Hyunsuk glances at his surround before looking at him, the crowd started to fill the place. "Hyung, quick!!" Jihoon shouted and gestured for him to come. The older man was reluctant to go because the queue to take the photo become longer. "Mas, that mas call for you. You better go now," The man said. Hyunsuk glances at him quickly. He was taken aback by what that man said as if he can read through him.

Hyunsuk then nodded and slowly walk next to Jihoon.

Jihoon's heartbeat started to pound faster seeing the other getting closer to him. It feels like he was standing on the wedding altar waiting for his groom walking down the aisle. From his perspective, it felt real. It's just them, the only people there, no one else but them. 

His eyes locked on Hyunsuk's. He gulps his saliva and took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He tried hard not to think about how nervous he is right now. They stand there in silence for five seconds or more until Jihoon speaks first. "You're finally here, hyung," Jihoon said, giving a  genuine smile.

"Yeah," said Hyunsuk. Now that he already standing next to Jihoon's side, he turns his body to face the man and looks at the camera lens. Noticing Jihoon still staring at him, he nudges Jihoon's left arm with his elbow which made Jihoon snap out of his reverie.

"Ahh... Sorry,"  Jihoon mumbles and turns his head away, looking in the same direction as Hyunsuk. They just stand there in silence. No exaggerated poses like before from Jihoon. They both just stand still like a rock, looking straight ahead.

"Mas, can you do peace? Or smiling? You look so serious in the picture," said the man, as if he trying to break a tense atmosphere between those two adult men.

Jihoon scratched his head, looking at Hyunsuk who just still standing with his left hand on his right arm. He looks so awkward. "Uhm hyung, should we do V pose? It's gonna be our last shoot," said Jihoon, gesturing his fingers in the 'peace' sign. Hyunsuk just moves his head slightly hearing Jihoon. He then nodded in response.

Hyunsuk then leaned his body closer to Jihoon. Their shoulders touched, he raises both of his hands and makes a 'peace' sign. His lips formed into a small, small smile while the others were still confused.

"What are you waiting for?" asked Hyunsuk, with a smile on his face.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Jihoon's eyes opened wide. Hyunsuk surely is know how to play with Jihoon's heart. Like a robot, Jihoon just goes along with Hyunsuk, makes a 'peace' sign, and smiles at the camera. He doesn't even know how did he get his phone from the man. He completely forget what happened after they finished taking pictures. He just remembers Hyunsuk's smiling face. He can't believe he get to see that smile again that soon.

"Hyung..." he called out to Hyunsuk.

"What? Let's get out of here quickly. I am hungry," said the elder, tugging Jihoon's pinky finger as he drags him to the exit of the place. Jihoon keeps smiling and follows the other without saying anything. As they're walking, he just focuses on Hyunsuk's bouncing hair before him. The black hair strands bounce back and forth every time Hyunsuk walked. It looked cute, making Jihoon want to reach out and touch it. He can feel his heart beating faster, thinking about how soft the hair feels under his palm. He shook his head mentally, telling himself that he shouldn't let his imagination run wild.

They finally reached outside of the temple complex before Jihoon could even notice. Hyunsuk then released Jihoon's pinky. He takes a deep breath, to be honest, that was the first time he moves that much after years.

"Here," Jihoon hands Hyunsuk a bottle of mineral water after he loses the cap. Hyunsuk looks at the taller before taking the bottle. Jihoon smiled.

"Thanks," Hyunsuk said, drinking the drink slowly.

The sweat started to trickle down Jihoon's temple. He then looked up to the sky, noticing that the sky was already bright blue with little clouds here and there.  He thought about how beautiful the view is from where he was standing now. Although the sun already fully rises, it doesn't feel hot at all. The breezy wind blows gently.

It's calming, and refreshing.

Suddenly, a man in his late 20s approached them with a smile, asking for them to return the sarong they borrowed earlier politely. Hyunsuk didn't hesitate to give it back to the man, and then Jihoon does the same too.

The clock on Jihoon's watch shows 9:14 am. Both he and Hyunsuk were already in a cab on their way back to the resort to have their meal. They haven't talked since they got inside the car. Both of them are lost in their thoughts.

Jihoon put his hand on his mouth, trying his best not to look like a creep as he try to suppress his smile. He feels so happy that he feels like he's flying. He's sure that he won't be able to sleep tonight. This is probably the best day he ever had and it still has so far to go.

He couldn't stop his mind from playing with the image of Hyunsuk's cute smile on the front of his head. Ever since they arrived in Bali, just all good things have ever happened to both of them. Although he falls into the pool right after arriving at the resort's room, at least he gets to see Hyunsuk smiling for the first time. He even get to see that pretty face earlier in the sacred land of Bali. He thought maybe the Gods of Bali give him blessings.

Or maybe Hyunsuk did consider accepting his feeling. He bites his lower lips trying not to let out any chuckle. He then glances at the rear mirror as he sits next to the driver to look at Hyunsuk. The latter is facing the window, looking outside. He seems so content. As usual, Jihoon wonders what's in his mind but he pushes the thought away.

In his mind, Jihoon was already motivated to confess to Hyunsuk again, later under the beautiful sunset, hoping the latter could return his feeling.

Then, will I leave for Korea alone during our first day to become a lover? He thought in his head, accidentally snickering, and received a weird glance from the driver. He can't believe he already thinking about it even before it happens. He then cleared his throat, acting normal as he should while he still can't contain his happiness from his thought.