The members of Seventeen are bored out of their minds, so they set off to explore a mysterious labyrinth that lies close to their resting place. Once they arrive at their destination, they split into pairs to explore the maze's many corridors and detours more efficiently.
Joshua and Jeonghan find themselves together; at first all seems well, but soon they find themselves completely lost in the middle of the labyrinth. They try to find their way using a map they've brought with them, but find it hard to decipher. The corridors seem to change constantly, taking them in endless circles.
" Left and right. Left and right again. Then- no, wait, actually, I don't understand anything at all." Joshua sighs in annoyance.
" You're right, at first it's left and right and... no, I'm not really sure. " Jeonghan sighs and looks around, but there's no one in sight.
The two young men finally look at each other, suddenly realizing that they are completely alone, far from the other members of the group. A feeling of panic begins to rise in them, but they force themselves to remain calm. They can only rely on each other to find their way out of the labyrinth.
" Maybe we should ask the others for help, or at least try to find them," suggested Jeonghan.
" I don't think we can find them that simply - it's so easy to get lost here, they must be lost in their own corner plus there's no network. We're on our own." Says Joshua.
By mutual agreement, the two boys resume their walk, trying to find their way through the maze. The minutes ticked by endlessly, the stress increasing as time went by, the fear of being trapped there forever growing inside them. Jeonghan finally stops and Joshua stops with him, the younger one can see the older one's eyes shining and Joshua decides to come and take the older one in his arms.
" We'll get through this, Jeonghan, don't worry."
" Hm... Shua this may not be the time or the place, but now that we're alone on our own and possibly lost forever, I need to confess something to you."
" We'll get out of here I promise, but go ahead I'm listening. "
" I'd rather we stay in this position just long enough for me to express myself. Joshua since the beginning of the group I've had my eyes on you and only you, I have feelings for you..."
Joshua slowly pulls Jeonghan away from him, he gently raises Jeonghan's head from its lowered position and Jeonghan plunges his eyes into Joshua's because he has no other choice, both boys' hearts beginning to beat harder in their chests. Joshua had similar feelings for his elder, but he'd never thought they'd be reciprocated.
Silence sets in and Jeonghan is in pain, so much so that he prefers to start walking again through the labyrinth's corridors. Joshua comes to his senses and runs after his elder. His heart beating wildly, he speaks up.
" I have feelings for you too, Jeonghan. I thought you didn't feel the same way. " Jeonghan stops short and turns to Joshua, a beautiful smile playing at the corners of both boys' lips.
" Are you sincere in what you just said Shua-ya ?"
" Do I look like I'm lying ? Seriously Jeonghan I've been waiting years for this moment."
" I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner. I was really afraid I'd be alone with my crush on you." Jeonghan's cheeks tint red, he's embarrassed.
The two boys move towards each other, looking at each other with newfound affection. Despite the tension of the situation, they feel strangely liberated to finally be able to tell each other the truth.
" Maybe... maybe this labyrinth isn't such a bad thing after all." murmured Jeonghan shyly, daring to approach the younger man.
" Maybe it's fate that pushed us here." Joshua places his hands on the older man's flushed cheeks and closes his eyes; Jeonghan closes his eyes too.
Their faces come together and their lips brush shyly against each other, a shiver running through their bodies at this long-desired contact. They kiss softly, lost in the intensity of their emotions. The labyrinth has become the scene of their revelation, but also of the beginning of their budding love.
Finally, they pull away from each other, breathless but filled with a new joy in their hearts. They're still lost in the labyrinth, but now they know they can face anything as long as they're together.
" Maybe we should try to find a way out now. Otherwise we'll be here the rest of our lives." Jeonghan said, a radiant smile lighting up his face.
" Or maybe we should enjoy this solitude a little more." suggested Joshua, accompanying his sentence with a playfull wink.
Jeonghan shakes his head negatively. Cheeks on fire, he covers his face with his hands and squeals like a child when he feels the older man's fingers pinch his hips.
" I'm just messing with you, Hannie-ya. Let's get on with it. We were saying, left and right, left and right and finally we have to go right I think. Look at the sun."
" The sun ? "
" The sun can guide us, my father had taught me to find my way thanks to the wind and the sun. However, just now there was neither, so now that both things are there, trust me and let me guide you."
" I've always trusted you anyway, Shuji-ya. "
Joshua begins to smile, and the two boys resume their exploration of the labyrinth, hand in hand, ready to face the adventure that awaits them, together. Whatever the future holds, they're ready to live it hand in hand, united by an indestructible bond forged in the heart of the mysterious maze.
Finally, after a good three hours, indicated by the setting sun and Joshua's watch. The recent couple have finally managed to free themselves from the labyrinth. The members teased them for taking such a long time to get out, but said nothing when they saw the two boys' hands bound, perhaps they just hadn't noticed, but that was without Seungcheol and Chan.
" Did this fake card help you get into a relationship ? " Seungcheol asks amused by the situation, a playfull smirk on his lips.
" A fake card ? "
" Jeonghan, you didn't really think that going left and right again and again would lead you to the exit."
" How could you be sure we'd ever get out ? "
" Joshua had confirmed that he knew his way around by the sun and the wind, so I banked on that. It took a while, but it worked."
" So you're in a relationship now ? Our plan worked right. " Chan asks.
Joshua rolls his eyes and intertwines his fingers with Jeonghan's. The older man smiles shyly and Seungcheol and Chan start laughing softly, happy that their plan to create their own map with random destinations has worked and, above all, helped pair up their two friends.
