They were on their way back home as soon as the sky had softened to a light shade of blue. Busy with their own thoughts, they swam in silence. Yixing had wanted to start a conversation multiple times, but his courage was swallowed up by the turmoil in his head, so he kept quiet.
Their island soon became visible. A figure stood by the water, pacing around and looking out to the sea frequently. The familiar sight of home boosted their energy and they swam faster. Yixing's mom was waiting by the water with a worry-stricken face. As they trudged their way onto the beach, Yixing's mom instantly ran over and pulled them into their arms. Yixing was worried about having to explain everything to his mom, but she seemed very happy to just have him back again, so he hoped he would not get into a lot of trouble.
"Your dads are in the mountains searching for you guys." His mother told them.
Baekhyun offered to find their dads and tell them that he and Yixing got back safely, but Yixing's mom made them go back home and take a bath, she would find them herself. With a very awkward goodbye, they parted ways.
Yixing was confused. Why is it awkward now? He clearly remembered Baekhyun kissing him, and him kissing back. It wasn't awkward then, was it? They had not talked a lot after the kiss, but that was because they were tired, it was also a comfortable silence. So what happened? He slid down into the bath water as he became more frustrated. By the time he got out of the water, he had finally decided that it was entirely that pirate ship's fault. It must have done something to him and Baekhyun.
Yixing fidgeted with the corner of his bed cover. He was so tired and had been trying to sleep for the past hour, but it did not happen. The adventures on the islet had exhausted all his energy, but his mind just kept going back to the events yesterday evening. Normally, if he was that bothered, he would talk to Baekhyun. But that was definitely not happening. He had also considered talking to his parents. But that would be just plain stupid because it would give him a longer grounded time than he already had.
His mother kept on feeding him ginger soup. She said it was to avoid getting a cold. Yixing drank a full bowl of it for the fourth time that day. He had a hard time swallowing it, the taste was disgusting. Nevertheless, he drank everything; he could not piss his mom off even more than he already had.
"Would you stop playing with the telephone?"
Yixing quickly put it back. He debated if he should call Baekhyun or not. He wanted to ask how he was doing and if he had caught a cold, but he was not sure how to start the conversation. Did something change? Or do I act normal? He played with the cord on the telephone. Then he thought, whatever, so he dialed Baekhyun's home number. Baekhyun's dad picked up the phone, he said he would get Baekhyun to take the call. He said that Baekhyun had stayed in his room the past few days and would not come out. Yixing waited. He suddenly wanted to hang up, what should I say? He had almost put back the telephone before Baekhyun's voice appeared.
"Hi, Yixing."
He had not heard that voice for what seemed like a long time, he released a deep breath he did not even notice he was holding. What had happened on the islet was forgotten at that moment and they started talking the way they were before. They filled each other in on the tyranny of their parents; Yixing felt better when he heard that Baekhyun also had been forced to drink horrible ginger soups.
"Why are parents like this?" Baekhyun's voice was a little raspy and rough, he probably was sick; the scratchy feeling in his voice reminded Yixing of a steel wool pad that his mom used to clean dishes.
"I don't know, maybe it's a parent thing."
Baekhyun wanted to tell Yixing's mom that it was his fault for getting them stranded on the islet when Yixing told him that he was grounded.
"I'll say I made you go to the islet with me so she can transfer a part of your grounded time to me or something."
"That's not how it works."
Baekhyun insisted, but Yixing told him his mom was probably right. He said he could have refused to go but he did not, so it was also his fault and the whole thing was probably just an accident.
Baekhyun was quiet.
Yixing regretted the way he had said it.
They would talk on the phone every day for the two weeks Yixing was grounded for. Things were almost back to normal. They did not bring up the islet at all, as if by prior agreement. It was also exactly why things were still a little awkward. Yixing wanted to discuss the islet, if it had meant something or if it had actually been an accident. Every time he was about to bring the subject up, he would choke back on his words and change his mind again.
The night of the last day he had to stay at home, Yixing decided that he would meet Baekhyun in person and settle the whole thing face-to-face. Otherwise, it would be extremely awkward for him to spend time with Baekhyun ever again.
Yixing stared at the clock and waited for the minute hand to turn to 55 so he could leave. They had agreed to meet at the crossway that led to the sea at twelve. Yixing calculated, he would need five minutes to get there, so if he left at 55, he would be right on time. Not early nor late, perfect.
Baekhyun was already there when Yixing had arrived. He was facing the tree and fiddled with a leaf. Yixing suddenly got a little anxious, was the clock right? Were the calculations wrong? Baekhyun turned around at his arrival. Yixing managed a timid smile.
He probably is waiting for me to say something...
The conversation he had planned beforehand was completely forgotten as Baekhyun's eyes met with his.
...Wait, this is not good.
Words started to pour out of Yixing's mouth.
"I was...wondering...
I actually...called you out to be here to...
So you see...
...like two weeks ago...
I have...like a question?"
Baekhyun stared straight at Yixing.
He probably thinks I'm crazy right now.
So what do I have to lose?
"I think I like you," Yixing said.
