Poison || Hyunho

3 | Gimpo

It had been about over a week, maybe ten days, since Hyunjin and Minho had been in Gimpo and they hadn't really spoken to each other much. They just got on with what they needed to do and went back to sleep at the hotel.

It was finally time for them to go back so they began to pack their things. As they were packing, Minho couldn't help but notice how tired Hyunjin looked. He hadn't been able to rest much, awake or asleep, since he had been so on edge about setting off Minho. But, of course, Minho didn't know that. For a pretty intelligent man, he was quite oblivious in that area.

That wasn't to say that he didn't feel somewhat bad for the younger so once they had packed and put their things in the car, Hyunjin was surprised to see Minho getting into the driver's seat, next to Hyunjin.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know you were going to drive," Hyunjin was hurriedly trying to take off his belt so he could move to the back, but was stopped by Minho placing his hand on his.

"It's okay, you can stay," he said.

Hyunjin glanced down at Minho's hand, then at his face which was facing forward. He really did hate making eye contact.

Hyunjin nodded his head and buckled himself back in, nudging Minho's hand off his because he was starting to feel embarrassed.

"Where are we going?" Hyunjin asked when he didn't recognise the route Minho was taking.

"It's been a while since I've last seen my hometown, I don't know when I'm going to come visit again," Minho answered, "I want to make the most of it whilst I'm here."

The first stop was a museum - Minho knew Hyunjin was interested in arts, so it was his attempt to make him feel a little bit better along with a visit to the Art Village and sculpture park (which took a lot of energy so they made a 'quick' stop at Hyundai Premium Outlets to grab some lunch and do some shopping).

They visited a few other places including an aquarium where Hyunjin was so in awe by all the different sea creatures that he was completely unaware of Minho staring at him the whole time.

As it was nearing the end of the day, they went for a walk and got some street food like corn dogs, spiral potatoes, fish cakes and bungeoppang as a little sweet treat.

Hyunjin couldn't help but glance at Minho every now and then, wondering what had gotten into him as the sun set and they walked down Gimpo Laveniche March Avenue.

When the sun had completely set, Minho stopped and leaned against the railing, looking down at the river. His face was glowing blue from the LED lights in the river.

"Did you have a good time?" Hyunjin asked.

Minho hummed in response. "I'm glad I got to visit my hometown with you.." he mumbled.

"What was that?" Hyunjin asked, "I couldn't hear you."

"I asked if you enjoyed your time?" Minho asked, turning to look at Hyunjin, "You've been a bit out of it lately, thought it might help bring you back to earth."

Hm? This was for Hyunjin? Did Minho just use visiting his hometown as an excuse to cheer up Hyunjin?

Minho realised he sounded like he cared a little too much so he cleared his throat, embarrassed and turned his back to Hyunjin as he said, "It's getting late, let's get dinner before we leave. You're paying."

Hyunjin couldn't help but chuckle at Minho's reaction and Minho couldn't help but slightly smile at the sound of his quiet chuckle.

They went to a small, quiet noodle place just out of Gimpo. Somewhere Minho used to come often as a child on his bike with his friends. He was friends with the owners so they were ecstatic to see him again after so many years.

"Ah, uncle, auntie, this is too much," Minho chuckled and Hyunjin stared in awe at all the food the elderly couple had prepared for them.

"Don't be silly," they pat Minho's back and laughed, "You've become so skinny and pale since we last saw you, you need to be eating well. Even if you're under a lot of stress."

Hyunjin glanced at Minho. They weren't wrong, he did look pale and frail, he had dark eye bags under his eyes that Hyunjin hadn't noticed before. Had he really been neglecting himself to the point of exhaustion? Hyunjin didn't think that Minho was the type to less tress affect him like that.

Hyunjin just assumed everything was okay after the meeting, he didn't think they'd leave Gimpo until the situation was sorted. Perhaps he was too naive in thinking that.

"Eat well," the couple smiled at Hwang and Lee.

"We will, thank you for the food," the two bowed at the couple as they went back to the kitchen.

As they were eating Minho sensed that someone was watching him so, as he was still looking down at his noodles, he asked Hyunjin, "Is there something you want to say?"

Hyunjin choked on his noodles, being taken off guard. He quickly drank his water and shook his head. "Sorry," he apologised, "I was just thinking."

"I told you to stop apologising so much," Minho looked up at Hyunjin, "What were you thinking about?"

"Ah-" Hyunjin turned pink in the face but was saved by his phone ringing, "Please excuse me."

He quickly ran off to answer his phone with Minho staring at him.

"Hey, baby, I'm on my way home right now.."

Minho grunted and looked back down as he continued to eat his noodles.