How to Be Human [EDITING]

03 | the lion's den

3

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THE SUMMER OF 2006
Ice Cream Mania

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It's midday and the temperature has spiked into the nineties when Minho decides to take Jisung out for ice cream as a "reward".

There's a dull ache in his wrist, and his fingers are all pruny when Minho poses the question; and Jisung must've been high off rice cake air because he agrees with minimal hesitation.

It's not long before realization dawns on him: he isn't ready to spend time with Minho, alone. Not yet.

Jisung tries to drag Felix along with him—but the freckled traitor feigns a stomachache—forcing Jisung into the lion's den unarmored.

"You look uncomfortable," Minho points out as they're walking. He has a plastic, mini-fan pointed to his neck that does nothing to slow his sweating. "We're only going down the street. You'll be back with Lix soon. Drama Queen."

"It's like, a million degrees outside," Jisung complains. "And you've been torturing me all day."

"I wouldn't call it torture," Minho says, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I'm whippin' you into shape. You couldn't wash dishes before me. That's terrible."

Jisung rolls his eyes. "You're being a bit dramatic."

"Pot, kettle." Minho shrugs. There's a hint of teasing on his tongue when he says: "Drama Queen."

Minho's words only ring true as they continue walking down the street. The pavement practically radiates with heat, burning through Jisung's sneakers and sending his feet into a slow boil. In the distance, the air bends and shimmers, creating heatwaves that are unbearable to walk in. Jisung's steps are sluggish—dragged against the sidewalk—and he shoots an envious glance at Minho's mini-fan. He can't hold in an over-the-top groan, which pleases Minho's narrative as he (figuratively) adds jewels to his 'Drama Queen' crown.

Coupled with the throb in his head and the ache in his wrist, and Jisung is left undoubtedly cranky.

"You're really enjoying that, aren't you?" Jisung grumbles, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.

"Hey, survival of the fittest, my friend," Minho replies with a grin. "Only the strong can handle the heat and still keep their cool~."

"More like, only the insane," Jisung mutters under his breath, earning a chuckle from Minho. A part of Jisung wants to lock it tight in a capsule so he can play the sound whenever he wants.

After what feels like an hour (that is really ten minutes), they reach the ice cream parlor—Smiley's—and Jisung is salivating as soon as the bell chime announces their entrance. The air conditioning wheezes with age, so it's not necissarily cool when they step inside. Thankfully, the fans littered around the room turn the temperature pleasantly lukewarm. Jisung doesn't love it, but anything is better than facing the desert that awaits them outside.