Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 32 : A race

Hyunsuk's body is swaying as the waves dribble gently against his legs. He closes his eyes, letting the cool salt and fresh breeze wash over him. He holds tight to his surfboard, watching the ocean foam beneath his feet. The sun is warm upon his skin, its rays beating down on him. A light breeze blows around him, rustling Hyunsuk's hair. The sounds of the laughter and chatter of the crowd, which filled the air around him overlapped with the sounds of the waves crashing into the shoreline.

"Hyung, please like look at me," Hyunsuk then turns his head, looking at Jihoon who is standing on his surfboard, both of his arms outstretched as he tries to balance himself while surfing across the sea. His eyes are sparkling and smile wide.

Jihoon's laughter rang clear and loud as he jumped from one wave to another while riding on the board until it finally reach the shoreline where he landed neatly. Soon after, he put the board on the ocean, and paddle over towards Hyunsuk.

Hyunsuk turns his head to look at Jihoon who is paddling on his board in his direction. He lets himself float along, the wind brushing against his cheeks.

"Hyung, let's surf together," Jihoon said as he paddled closer to Hyunsuk. Hyunsuk just looks at Jihoon who is now already sitting on his board, next to him. With a big grin, Jihoon started paddling towards the surfboard.

"Hyung, quick follow me!" said Jihoon loudly, his voice full of enthusiasm. Hyunsuk just looked at Jihoon's naked back, getting farther and farther away from him. Hyunsuk could see the water splashing all over Jihoon. Then, he started paddling,  following Jihoon closely behind.

The sound of the waves was filling up his ears as he start paddling faster and faster,  the waves keep getting bigger and larger until eventually splash his face. He coughs a little bit when the water gets into his nostril. "Hyung, you're fine?" Jihoon says in concern.

"Yeah. I'm fine, " Hyunsuk replied, as he continue paddling harder, the wind blowing his hair away. He looks up, seeing the white clouds above them. It felt so calm and serene, that he can't help but want more of this beautiful view.

Jihoon then stop paddling, he started to stand on his board, ready to ride the waves again. Jihoon stood steadily on his board, bending both of his knees to stabilize himself on the board. He stretches his arm, and confidently rides the waves. "Hyung, your turn!" Jihoon said, as he finally reached the shoreline.

With an unsure face, Hyunsuk looked at Jihoon's broad smile. He then gulps down, takes a deep breath, and tries to calm his anxious heartbeats. He then lay on his stomach again, preparing himself to ride the incoming waves. His eyes focus on the movement of the waves, waiting for the right moment to ride them.

As he noticed the first wave coming near him, he slowly stood up on his board,  making his way through the waves. His heart thumps loudly inside his chest, as he feels adrenaline rushing to his veins. Hyunsuk quickly turn his left shoulder forward to propel himself through the waves. He could feel the wind brush against him, and his hair dancing wildly in the air. As he stands on his board riding through the waves, his arms move freely. Feeling like he was flying on the sea, his heart beat so fast. He could feel it running through his whole body.

It doesn't last long when he suddenly can't control his balance. In a blink of an eye, Hyunsuk felt the cold water engulfing his whole being. His body sank into the ocean for a few seconds before he resurfaces.

His hair stuck wetly on his face as he cough a little, and his throat hurts after swallowing hard. He holds onto his surfboard tightly, using his other hand as his other hand brushes his damp hair out of his face.

"Hyung!" Jihoon's loud voice called out to him. There's worry painted across his face, worry for Hyunsuk. "Are you okay?!" His voice gets louder and more worried as he gets closer to Hyunsuk. Hyunsuk just looks at his concerned face.

Jihoon's face is full of worries, his brows furrowed together in concern, and his lips forming a thin line. Hyunsuk felt a sudden rush of warmth flowing throughout his veins. His heart began pumping fast as if it was trying to escape from his chest. Is this nervousness that he felt?  Or is this something else?

Then, a small smile appears on his face. Jihoon looks at him, surprise displayed on his face. Suddenly, Hyunsuk let out a small chuckle that he has been holding. Jihoon who notices it all, feel like he was starstruck. Every system inside his body feels like stops working at once as if the world is slowing down. All he can see is the man in front of him, and nothing else, except the soft and delicate features of Hyunsuk's face. He hopes he now has his camera with him, to capture this sight forever. He wants to commemorate every detail of this moment; every emotion he saw on Hyunsuk's face.

His heart pounds faster and faster.  His gaze glued to Hyunsuk's face. It's not until Hyunsuk speaks that brought Jihoon back to reality.

"Jihoon, you got a very funny face you know," Hyunsuk giggles lightly. Jihoon feels like a sharp cupid arrow stabbing throughout his chest, causing his insides to churn uncomfortably. His heart skipped a couple of beats and he wanted to scream. He wants to scream out loud to let the world know that the person he loves laughing right before his eyes. He wants to be the person who makes Hyunsuk laugh that much. He let out a relieved sigh, knowing there was nothing wrong with Hyunsuk.

"Hyung!" Jihoon called out to Hyunsuk.

"Yes?" Hyunsuk answered, still chuckling. Jihoon tries his best to keep himself composed, not to let himself get carried away with Hyunsuk's smile, or else he might down badly, which he already is.

He then clears his throat, trying to wash the butterflies away, from his tummy. He took a deep breath, "Let's race. Who reaches the shoreline first, will win," he suggested. Hyunsuk seems to ponder whether he should agree. Jihoon waited patiently, smiling widely, looking at the man in front of him.

After several seconds passed, Hyunsuk finally nod at Jihoon. "Alright, but what will the winner get?" He asked, giving so much interest in Jihoon's suggestions. Jihoon was taken aback by his words. He never imagined would say something like this. He then smiled. "Losers have to follow whatever the winner said," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Deal," Hyunsuk said.

With that, their race begins. They paddled fast in the ocean waters, chasing each other with their surfboards. The sky was blue and cloudless, the sun shining brightly as warm sunshine. A slight breeze passed by, creating ripples on the sea surface.

Their surfboards made a 'splash' sound every time they hit the surface. Their smiles grow wider each time they surf. At this moment, everything feels different, like a new adventure unfolding itself.

"Ahhh Hyung you're catching up on me," said Jihoon as he kept on paddling faster while maintaining a good distance between himself and Hyunsuk, who was still keeping pace with him.

"Well, you did just say the loser has to follow whatever the winner said," Hyunsuk replied. Jihoon just smiled upon hearing Hyunsuk, his eyes focused on the ocean below him, the feeling of happiness bubbling inside him. His heart still beating faster, but now with excitement.

They were now close enough to see the shoreline, and both of them started to increase their pace. And with one final push, Jihoon's surfboard finally land on the beach. He pants heavily, followed by Hyunsuk not long after. Both of them are soaked, dripping wet, with sand sticking all over them and hair sticking on the sides of their face. The two of them lay on their boards, gasping for breath. They look at each other, laughing softly.