Chanyeol Exo - hypersensitivity

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1200 words.

The sun was shining brightly as the EXO members spilled out of the van, their laughter and chatter mixing with the sound of crashing waves. Chanyeol stood to the side, adjusting his cap and tugging at his long sleeves. Even with the cap shading his face, the sun seemed to press down on him like a relentless weight.

"Alright, let's set up here!" Suho called out, gesturing to a shaded spot near the water. The others sprang into action, laying down blankets, unloading coolers, and setting up umbrellas.

Chanyeol helped where he could, but the sunlight bouncing off the water was harsh, and the sand clung to his legs, gritty and irritating. After a while, he excused himself quietly and moved closer to a tree line just beyond their spot. The shade was a welcome relief, and he leaned against a trunk, taking slow, deep breaths.

"Chanyeol! What are you doing?" Baekhyun's voice cut through his moment of quiet.
Chanyeol forced a smile and waved. "Just checking out the view!" he called back, jogging toward the group.

"The water's perfect," Sehun said, pulling off his shirt. "Come on."

Chanyeol hesitated for a moment before following. As soon as the cool water hit his skin, he felt some of his discomfort melt away. The waves were gentle, and the laughter of his members was infectious. For a while, it was easy to forget the harsh sun and the rough sand. They splashed and played like children, building sandcastles and attempting to surf on small boards they had rented.

By evening, the group was tired but happy as they made their way to the nearby campsite. The setting sun painted the sky in orange and pink, and the sea breeze carried a welcome coolness.

The campsite, however, was less welcoming. The small tents they had rented were cramped, and the beds inside were far from comfortable. Chanyeol glanced at his sleeping arrangement, a thin mattress on uneven ground with a scratchy blanket folded at the end. He bit back a sigh.

"This is going to be great," Kai said, flopping onto his mattress with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Chanyeol forced a chuckle and sat down carefully. Every crease and lump in the mattress seemed to dig into him, and the blanket felt like sandpaper against his arms. But he stayed quiet, reminding himself that everyone was dealing with the same discomfort.

That night, as the others drifted off to sleep, Chanyeol lay awake, staring at the ceiling of the tent. Every little sound, the rustling of the tent fabric, the hum of insects outside, the quiet snores from Baekhyun seemed magnified. He turned onto his side, then his back, then his stomach, trying to find a position that didn't make his skin crawl. Sleep, when it came, was shallow and fleeting.

The next morning, they packed up and drove to a nearby water park. Chanyeol rubbed his eyes, hiding his exhaustion behind his sunglasses.

The water park was bustling with activity, kids screaming with joy and splashing through fountains while families queued up for rides. For the first hour, Chanyeol managed well enough. The water provided some relief, and being constantly in motion kept his mind off the growing irritation of his clothes against his skin.

"Let's hit the big slide!" Baekhyun yelled, pointing to a towering structure with multiple colorful slides twisting down.

Chanyeol followed, his grin strained but convincing enough. The thrill of speeding down the slides distracted him, and he even managed a laugh when Kyungsoo nearly toppled over getting out of the pool at the bottom.

But as the day went on, the small irritations began to pile up. His swim shorts dug into his skin, and the chlorine from the water made his already sensitive skin itch. He tugged at his shirt when they stopped for lunch, the rough fabric clinging uncomfortably.

"You good?" Xiumin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Chanyeol replied quickly, flashing a smile. "Just tired."

That night, back at the campsite, he quietly pulled out his jumper, a soft, well-worn hoodie that always brought him comfort. He wrapped it around himself, feeling a small measure of relief as he ran his fingers over the familiar fabric. Once again, the members didn't notice the way he lingered outside the tent longer than usual, trying to collect himself before lying down on the unforgiving mattress.

By the third day, Chanyeol was on the verge of collapse. His sleep had been almost nonexistent, and his nerves felt like they were stretched to their breaking point. Every sound seemed louder, every touch sharper. That morning, he carefully chose his softest clothes, pulling on his most comfortable hoodie.

The hour-long drive to the amusement park was torture. The leather seats seemed to burn against his legs, the hum of the engine reverberating in his skull like a drum. He pressed his head against the window, closing his eyes and trying to block it out, but it was no use.

At the park, he tried to push through. The first few rides were manageable, though the screams from the crowds and the flashing lights were grating on his already frayed senses.

By the third ride, it became too much. The seatbelt felt like it was choking him, and the screams from the ride were deafening. When they got off, Chanyeol mumbled an excuse and slipped away, heading to the nearest restroom.

Once inside, he found a corner and sank to the floor, curling into himself. He covered his ears with his hands, shutting his eyes tightly as the noise and lights continued to echo in his mind. His breaths came in shallow gasps, and he pressed his forehead to his knees, trying to ground himself.

"Chanyeol?" Xiumin's voice was soft, careful.

Chanyeol flinched but didn't look up. He heard Xiumin approach slowly, his footsteps deliberate and measured.

"Hey, it's just me", Xiumin said, crouching beside him. He gently placed a pair of noise-canceling headphones over Chanyeol's ears, the sudden silence like a balm to his frayed nerves.

Then, Xiumin handed him a soft piece of fabric, something smooth and calming. Chanyeol grabbed it instinctively, running his fingers over it as his breathing began to slow.

"Take your time", Xiumin said, sitting beside him and shielding him from the harsh lights.

The others noticed Chanyeol's absence but didn't overwhelm him. After a quiet discussion, they decided to cut the day short, understanding that their friend's well-being was more important than a few more rides.

Back at the campsite, the members worked together to create a comfortable space for Chanyeol. They piled all the blankets and pillows they could find into a nest-like structure, ensuring everything was soft and warm.

When Chanyeol lay down, the tension in his body melted away. Within minutes, he was asleep, his breathing deep and even.

While he rested, the others prepared his favorite foods, careful to get everything just right. When he woke later, the air was filled with the comforting smell of home-cooked dishes.

"Feeling better?" Suho asked gently, sitting beside him.

Chanyeol nodded, his lips curving into a small, genuine smile. His heart swelled with gratitude as he looked at his members, their faces filled with quiet care.

Thanks for reading. If you have a story in mind don't hesitate. I take requests.

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