What's left of you | Minsung ✔️

9. The Hike

*4757 words 

9.

The colors were no longer glaring, but soft and comforting. Muted. The early morning breeze carried freshness. Birds were chirping cheerfully. Everything felt easier. Everything felt lighter. Better. Like that one glass of cold water at 3am. Like waking up before the alarm. Like stretching one's limbs and making them crack just right. Breathing has never come more natural.

The sun was just below the horizon, at the crack of dawn, about to rise and bid a new day welcome.

Thick stone walls, artistically enhanced with graffiti, surrounding a small wooden bench that was facing the open side of the waiting hut. The first rays of sunlight stretched over the sky like floodlights announcing the new day. A spectacle of orange, yellow, and pale blue. Jisung would have loved that view, but he had his eyes closed because he was resting his head on Minho's shoulder. He had quite the night; after switching between playing games on the console and making out with Minho that turned into something more physical, Jisung was exhausted. Poor boy barely had any strength left. Not that he had a lot in the first place.

Minho on the other hand was able to deal with the tiredness much better, always has. In his mind, he could still feel Jisung's wet kisses traveling down his chest. He suppressed a shiver. When the sun rays pierced through pink clouds, and the light hit Jisung's sleeping face just right, Minho took out his phone and quickly snapped a picture. So damn cute, I can't.

The speakers on the platform came alive with a crack. A distorted voice announced the arrival of a train.

"About damn time!" Changbin growled and walked out of the waiting hut.

Hyunjin remained seated. He gave Minho a tired look. "How can someone be so loud at five in the morning?"

"I should consider myself lucky with this one," he nodded down towards Jisung on his shoulder, "he's hotheaded, but surprisingly pleasant." He chuckled to himself, knowing very well what they did last night.

"Lucky you, mine's a pest."

When the acoustic train signal resounded, Minho gently shook Jisung awake. Jisung rubbed his tired eyes, allowing Minho to link arms with him as they walked out on the platform, waiting for the train to open its doors. If Minho hadn't looked into the red folder, they absolutely would have forgotten about the weekend's activity: Hiking. Staying overnight at an inn. More hiking. For credits. For freedom.

Everyone found a seat in the compartment. Luckily, Changbin got on first and secured a four-seater for himself, Hyunjin, Minho, and Jisung. The supervisor (Pyong Su-something) yelled over them to get a seat and behave properly, which was totally unnecessary, they were all tired as fuck, no one even said peep. But Jisung flinched at the noise, and Minho noticed, and shot the woman an angry glare.

After the supervisor called roll, a pleasant silence filled the compartment. Jisung fell back asleep on Minho's shoulder. Minho found Jisung's hand, leaned into his side, and closed his eyes.

Hyunjin noticed their affectionate closeness. Something he took note of since the campfire. The way they were staring at each other was quite obvious. Now Hyunjin knew. He glanced at Changbin sitting beside him; his arms were crossed over his broad chest, ear buds in, eyes closed. Sighing, Hyunjin fished out his phone and played a game the whole ride, trying to distract himself from thoughts that would only make him sad.

After an endless half an hour they arrived at their stop. It looked like an industrial district; high chimneys puffed out billowing clouds of smoke, truck after truck roared down the busy street, a smell of burnt grease hung in the air. The supervisor walked ahead of the group of ten young people, she seemed to be in a hurry.