SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS I

Junhui | Bitten by a Snake

Junhui woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing on the nightstand. He squinted at the screen-7:00 AM. Minghao had texted the group chat:

Minghao: Ready for the hike?

Seungkwan immediately replied with a series of thumbs-up emojis. Junhui smiled as he sat up, stretching out his arms. It had been a while since the three of them had a day off together, and today's plan was a simple one: a hike up to the nearby mountains.

By 8:00 AM, Junhui, Minghao, and Seungkwan met at the base of the trail, each wearing hiking gear and carrying backpacks filled with snacks and water. The autumn air was cool but refreshing, and the trees were bursting with shades of orange and red, a perfect backdrop for their much-needed escape from the city.

"Did you guys pack enough snacks?" Seungkwan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Junhui chuckled. "You're the one who brought two bags of chips. Who's going to finish that?"
Minghao grinned. "You'll be thankful when we reach the peak. Trust me."

They started up the trail, the gentle slope giving way to steeper inclines as they went. Junhui, ever the adventurer, took the lead, his long legs making quick work of the path. Seungkwan, however, was already starting to fall behind, panting dramatically.

"I didn't sign up for this kind of torture!" Seungkwan groaned, hands on his knees.

Junhui slowed down, laughing as he turned back to his friend. "We're barely halfway up, Seungkwan. You'll be fine."
Minghao, who had been calmly walking beside Seungkwan, gave him a pat on the back. "Just think about the view at the top."

With some encouragement, Seungkwan powered through, and soon, they reached a clearing with a stunning view of the valley below. They paused for a water break, taking in the sight. The horizon stretched endlessly, and the golden sun was just beginning to climb into the sky, casting a warm glow on everything around them.

"This is beautiful," Junhui said softly, gazing out at the expanse before them. He felt a sense of peace wash over him.

Minghao nodded, his eyes reflecting the serenity of the moment. "This is exactly what we needed."
Seungkwan, now much more energized after a short rest, snapped a quick selfie with the view behind him. "Proof I survived this," he joked.

After a while, they resumed their hike, the path becoming narrower and more rugged as they neared the summit. The camaraderie between them made the journey enjoyable-Junhui playfully teasing Seungkwan, who kept cracking jokes to lighten the mood, while Minghao was the calm, steady presence who kept them all moving forward.

As they reached the top, they were greeted by a breathtaking panorama of mountains rolling in every direction, the clouds casting shadows on the ridges below. The air was crisp and cool, but the feeling of accomplishment warmed them.

Seungkwan collapsed dramatically onto a nearby rock. "We made it. Someone carry me back down."
Junhui and Minghao burst out laughing, and Junhui sat down beside him, pulling out one of the bags of chips from Seungkwan's backpack. "Here, for your troubles."
Minghao, meanwhile, took a deep breath, looking out over the mountains. "This was worth every step."

The three of them sat there for a while, sharing snacks and quiet conversation, feeling the weight of their busy lives lift off their shoulders. The world seemed to slow down, and for a moment, it was just them, the sky, and the mountains.

As they started their descent, Seungkwan sighed contentedly. "We should do this more often."
Junhui nodded, smiling to himself. "Yeah, we should."

It wasn't just the hike-it was the company, the shared moments of laughter, and the quiet peace that came with being in nature with friends. Junhui knew that even though their schedules were often packed and chaotic, days like this would keep them grounded.