Snowed In

Arrival

"Wow, this is what I'm talking about," Seunghan said, bursting through the front doors of the cabin their company had rented out for a weekend getaway, awestruck.

"This is comfy," Sohee said behind him, pushing quickly to get away from the deathly cold air that blanketed the forested mountains they'd just driven through.

Seunghan shuffled off his boots and parka and then spun in tight circle, socked feet sliding easily on the hardwood. He breathed out. Five hours by vehicle, and he was wiped, sore, but now, felt free and at ease.

"Just wait till the guys see it. Sungchan's gonna freak," Seunghan said.

"Agreed, should we pick rooms before they get here?"

Seunghan met Sohee's eyes with a smirk. "Let's."

The cabin was large with high-ceilings that opened to a massive living space centered by an antler chandelier and a wood burning, stone-encompassed fireplace. A spiral staircase led the boys upstairs as they ran to the row of available bedrooms. Seunghan chose the one with the ensuite bathroom, Sohee, a bedroom further down the hall. Something clawed temporarily at his chest, asking why Sohee didn't want to room with him. But he brushed it off. They had a pick of four different rooms, that would be silly anyways if Sohee didn't pick his own.

Seunghan took his time unpacking his weekend sack, taking in his bedroom for the next couple of days. It was cozy. A queen-sized bed sat pushed against a large window onlooking the forested mountains, made of a carved wood and covered in quilted plaid bedding. It felt luxurious, yet homey. It reminded him of getaways he used to take with his family on weekends to the mountains, before trainee days. His dad loved to get him into nature.

He carefully organized his clothes into he wooden armoire, folding his cozy knits and joggers and hanging his long sleeves, before entering the large his-and-hers ensuite, complete with a clawfoot soaker. He washed the road-trip grime away from his face and studied himself in the mirror a moment, slick black hair straight against his face. He adjusted a spiked black earrings. Smiled. Pressed a lip carefully to his thumb, stomach looping as his mind quietly asked again why Sohee didn't want to share a room with him.

But before he could ponder further, he spotted Sohee in the mirror behind him and jumped, letting out a cry like a cat.

"Sorry!" Sohee said, throwing his hands up. "Was wondering what was taking so long. We should check out the cabin."

"Ah," Seunghan held a hand to his chest. "You scared me."

"From checking yourself out?" Sohee smiled.

"No...I was washing up."

"Come on," Sohee whined, dragging him out of he bathroom.

Sohee had changed into a hoodie and pulled his beanie off at some point, his brown fluffy hair stuck up at odd angles against his small face. Seunghan placed a careful hand around his shoulders as they went downstairs, fingers itching to play with his hair.

"You know how to start a fire?" Sohee asked.

"Wha—who do you think I am?"

Seunghan vaguely remembered his father doing it when they went on camping trips and wishing he'd done more than just laze back on the sofa watching. He scratched his head.

"We can learn together, mkay?" Sohee said.

Seunghan smiled. He was so good. Always so good. Seunghan watched him trance across the living room, straight to the fireplace, already peering inside like a curious puppy. He was so damn glad they'd decided to go in the first car together. At least, that left him and Sohee some alone time. The members always made fun of Seunghan for it, but he couldn't help himself. Something drew him to Sohee. Energy maybe? Something else? He just wanted to be in his presence.

"We really need to get this place heated up though, it feels like a storms coming," Sohee said. "We'll get it nice and warm for the boys."

"Okay, baby."

It slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it. He winced, instantly hating himself. Sohee smiled at him and then dove back to the fireplace. Seunghan breathed deeply out. Maybe he didn't catch his slip. He needed to watch his words.

The two spent the next bit bent over the fireplace, sorting logs and kindling, finally, laying an assortment in the tray, and starting a match over a clump of newspaper, finally, erupting into a strong, hearty fire. Seunghan sat back, proud. Sohee prepared tea as Seunghan wandered the cabin, nervously peering out at the now blackened sky, snow falling gently from he trees. He came back to Sohee curled up on the sofa under a plaid blanket, two hot mugs of tea on the coffee table and Seunghan's heart skipped. He felt ill. Some kind of anxiety coating his belly. Like he wanted run and hide in his room and not be alone in this big place with someone as gorgeous as Sohee.

"Come sit," Sohee said.

Seunghan's stomach lurched as he awkwardly stood leant against the kitchen counter. It was so quiet, aside from the crackling of the fire. Seunghan's stomach gurgled. He was nervous. Why was he nervous! This was so stupid.

He casually walked over, sitting down carefully.

"Wow, isn't this every scene in those hallmark movies?" said Seunghan, the joke barely slipping his tongue as he gulped back fear.

Sohee looked at him with those big, wide almond eyes, lips slightly parted, hair a mess. Fuck. Seunghan looked straight foreward, laughing, kicking back his fear and putting an arm behind his head. This was just Sohee. He shouldn't be uncomfortable.

"Look at that sick fire I made," he said.

"Okay, we made," Sohee said, hitting him.

Seunghan giggled, facing Sohee, studying the curve of his nose and jaw and he watched the fire.

"So..." Sohee looked at his watch. "What the hell is taking the members so long?"

Oh. The members.

"Oh shit."

"It's like eight pm."

"They should have been here by six."

Sohee scratched his chin. "I'll call Sungchan."

Sohee held his cell up, realizing there wasn't an ounce of service. Seunghan tried his cell. Nothing.

"We didn't think this through," Seunghan said.

"I didn't realize there was like no service," Sohee said, looking around. "And no land line."

"Maybe they are caught up in the snow."

It was true. Snow fell heavier outside now, thick puff balls floating past the windows. Now, a new anxiety crept in to Seunghan's body. What was holding up the members? How long would they be alone?