HIKE

09 | shampoo of gods

"We're back!" Donghyuck yelled from halfway across the field as he and the others returned to the tents, where Renjun and Lucas were still sitting around cooking the ramen.

"What took you guys so long?" Lucas asked, getting to his feet and dusting himself off.

"We all used Jeno's shampoo," Jaemin tried to explain.

"And it is the best fucking thing," Wonghyuck ranted. "I'm serious! It smells so good and my hair is so fucking soft - feel it, Renjun!"

Renjun reluctantly reached out to touch Donghyuck's peachy orange hair. To his surprise, Donghyuck wasn't even exaggerating. Jeno's shampoo really was a gift from the gods. Renjun wondered if that's what Jeno's hair usually smelled like.

"Anyway," Jaemin continued. He shot a look at Donghyuck for interrupting his explanation. "Then we all had to take turns drying our hair under the hand dryer."

"And this old camper man was pissed off because he wanted to use it, which made us take longer, I guess," Jeno added.

"That guy was so fucking impatient," Donghyuck huffed. "You gonna eat with us, lucas? Not that I like you or anything, but my mom told me to be polite."

Lucas laughed at that but shook his head. "Sanha's trying to make Chinese food for our group - duty calls. Enjoy, though!"

As Lucas walked back to his own group, Renjun fished through their bags for the chopsticks they had brought with them. "Well..." he said, "let's eat, shall we?"

"Don't have to ask me twice," Donghyuck answered eagerly, being the first to sit down.

"Twice, what is love," Jeno muttered under his breath, and no one was sure whether to laugh or not because he sounded so gruff and serious.

"Thanks for cooking for us, Ren," Jaemin put in, offering Renjun a grateful smile.

"It's okay," Renjun replied softly.

He passed the chopsticks around to each of them so they could eat. Handing the last pair to Jeno, he felt their hands brush and Renjun shivered, snatching his hands away as fast as he could. He felt Jeno's eyes linger on him for a second but he shook it off, and they all got stuck into the food.

"Donghyuck!"

Two girls approached them, calling Donghyuck's name whilst he had his mouth full of food.

"Mhphm?" Donghyuck responded, raising his eyebrows. He quickly swallowed and started to smirk. "See guys, I told you I'm popular with the ladies."

"You have literally never said that," said Renjun flatly.

"So, ladies, what can I do for you?" Donghyuck asked, offering the girls his most charming smile.

"Um... actually, we just came over to ask if you've heard from Xiyeon," the first girl admitted.

"Since you are her boyfriend," the second added.

Donghyuck instantly frowned. "Alright, Heejin One and Heejin Two," he said, "if you must know, I have no fucking idea where my girlfriend and her group are, which honestly scares the shit out of me."

"Hyuck, that was rude," Jaemin hissed at him.

"Also, my name is Hyunjin," the second girl pointed out, completely unimpressed.

"Can you girls at least admit I'm hot, though?" donghyuck tried.

"No," they chorused, and Heejin and Hyunjin turned and walked back to their tents.