|| The High Tide || {Sunki}

{ 7 }

--------------------------------

"When you meet the one who changes the way your heart beats, dance with them to that rhythm for as long as the song lasts."

— Kirk Diedrich

--------------------------------

[Age 19]

--------------------------------

      The light early-summer nighttime breeze that passed through the lively carnival grounds sent a shiver through Sunoo's body, prompting Ni-Ki to drape his jacket over his thinner shoulders. He sent a grateful smile over to the older before snuggling his nose into the soft, Ni-Ki-scented fleece. It was November 24th, Sunoo's birthday, and to celebrate the occasion, the two had chosen to go out to the carnival, also one of the things on their bucket list. Ni-Ki refrained from spending time indoors and insisted on going out, paying  no mind to Sunoo's objections for him to rest instead.

      "Oh, look!" Ni-Ki pointed towards a particular basketball game booth, one that the older had always stopped at and spent far too much money on ever time they'd visited the carnival over the many years they'd known each other. Sunoo pushed the older's wheelchair over to the counter and slapped down the necessary cash to play, despite Ni-Ki fussing over the younger spending his own money on him. Sunoo simply shushed him and pushed him closer to the counter before extending out a hand.

      Ni-Ki looked down depressingly into his lap, making Sunoo frown. "What's wrong? You love this game," He asked, confused at why his friend was so down. "I'm not sure that I can, Sun," Ni-Ki stated flatly as his thin hands laid limpy in his lap. He hadn't been able to pursue any athletic activity in months due to his poor health, so the idea of physically exerting himself by tossing basketballs didn't seem wise. Still, Sunoo took his slender hands into his own warm ones and cautiously lifted him to his feet.

      "I'll help you! Come on, stand in front of me," Sunoo chuckled, moving Ni-Ki to his desired destination. Unsure but swayed by the younger's enthusiasm, Ni-Ki stood before the game's lane and palmed the faded orange basketball in his hands. The familiar touch of his best friend and crush found its way onto his hips, setting the older alight and his body into overdrive. Sunoo propped his chin atop Ni-Ki's shoulder and gave his waist a reassuring squeeze as he cheered him on.

      The older swallowed the large lump that had formed in his throat before reeling the ball back and weakly tossing it forward, missing the net by a great amount of space. Just as he was about to give up and confirm that he couldn't do it, Sunoo's hands covered his own and led them to the ball once it had rolled back down the lane. He helped Ni-Ki pick up the ball, supporting him as he threw the ball, this time making the net. Sunoo laughed in excitement, making Ni-Ki crack a smile as well.

      Together, the two scored enough points to pick out a mid-tier prize, not that Ni-Ki cared. His concentration was completely diverted to Sunoo's body pressed against his own, his hands holding his, and the ticklish feeling of the younger's breath against the skin of his neck. All noise around him became irrelevant, drowned out by the hammering of his heart in his ears.

      Would he be able to feel how rapidly his heart beat? Were his hands clammy? What if Sunoo noticed his uneven breaths while he desperately tried to focus on something other than how flustered the position left him?

      Only when Ni-Ki was led to the nearby prize pool was he focused again on reality.  His eyelashes fluttered as his eyes scanned the wall, unsure of what they were allowed to pick since he was having a hard time paying attention to their score. He glanced towards the younger for some sort of guidance, only to find that he was eyeing a small, golden plush tiger. "Is this what you want?" He asked Ni-Ki, gesturing at the stuffed animal.