What Lies Beneath ✅

Peal 12

[Dongju]

I quietly lied awake as the others had fallen asleep. I couldn't sleep at all. Numerous attacks have targeted Youngjo and Geonhak. They were minuscule enough for them to handle, but I couldn't help but notice they went after Geonhak more. I couldn't help but wonder if there were more strong creatures like that woman from a long while ago.

I silently left the warm pile then sat on a rock farther away. I looked up at the sky then remembered when I had been attacked. I still kept looking. They really seemed to sparkle bright tonight.

"Ju?" a voice called out.

I turned my head then grimaced slightly. I didn't feel like talking to him. I internally sighed then wondered why I felt disappointed.

"Hey, Keon." I finally said.

"Was Hwan's snoring keeping you up?" asked Keohee as he took a seat beside me.

"I'm just worried about those two. They seem to attract trouble." I replied with a bit of concern. "If only I knew why, maybe I could do something..."

I felt him pat my back gently.

"Don't feel like you have to bear the burden alone. We're all here you know." Keonhee said softly.

I nodded then leaned against him.

"Hey, Keon..." I started then looked down at the ground.

"Listening." he replied.

"Do you...do you think Geonhak and I are...a good fit?" I asked quietly.

His silence bothered me. I felt him hold my shoulders then faced me.

"I don't want you two to fit." Keonhee said with a serious look and tone.

"Keon..." I said.

He tilted my face then pressed his lips to mine. I pulled away as it felt weird. I scooted back a bit while keeping his gaze.

"Like you said yourself, balances don't have to be together. We've got history between us. You and him? Seems more like babysitting." said Keonhee flatly.

It was true that balances didn't have to be together, but my mind was still on the fact that Keonhee kissed me. And I hated it. My mind thought back to when Geonhak kissed me.

"Ju, your face is a bit red. Are you catching a cold?" asked Keonhee as he felt my forehead.

"I'm fine..." I said while moving his hand.

My senses kicked in and I sent a wave in the direction that I felt the presence.

"Woah, almost lost a limb there." he said as he walked over.

"So you're up too, Youngjo?" I asked.

"Yeah. Hwan's too noisy. Don't get how Geon can sleep through all of it." Youngjo said as he plopped down next to Keonhee. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Actually, I was just about to head back." Keonhee said while getting up. "Sweet dreams."

We watched him walk back to the other two.

"Keon likes you huh?" Youngjo said.

I looked at Youngjo who's cheery aura had become serious. I guessed he had seen us kiss.

"I assume so. He did kiss me..." I said as I replayed the scene.

"Do you like him? Do you even swing that way?" asked Youngjo with a bit of concern.

"I don't know to both. I've had an inkling that he might've liked me, but to think it's true...I've never really given my preferences a thought, but I am attracted to women. I really don't want to hurt Keon..." I rambled on while Youngjo listened.

ㅂㅂㅂㅂ

Morning had risen and I found myself sandwiched between Keonhee and Geonhak. "Oh give me a break..."

I wiggled free of their holds then sighed. I had to worry about the important things which were finding the cause of their constant peril and finding Mr. Lee. I didn't have time to worry about feelings and mushy romantic things. I stood up then nudged the both of them with my foot.

"Get up you slackers, especially you." I said before giving Geonhak a harder nudge.

They both rose from their slumber like zombies. I squatted in front of Geonhak then flicked his forehead. He easily fell back. I sighed then watched him.

"Ju." Keonhee said a bit drowsy.

"Go get the others. We're going to Pehsawi." I said while keeping my eyes on Geonhak's wiggly body.

I looked around to confirm we were alone. "I hope he doesn't mind..." I leaned closer then hesitated. Was this okay to do? I stared at his face then eyed his lips. My face heated up at the memory. I quickly rid myself of the thoughts. I just needed to know if I was fine being kissed by Geonhak.

"Kiss me." a voice said.

I looked down then quickly moved back as Geonhak's eyes were open. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as he lied there. What was I to do?

"Why should I? That's only for emergencies and couples. There's no emergency and we're certainly not a couple." I said in a shaky voice.

He didn't respond. I crawled over to him and saw he had gone back to sleep.

"Ugh, get up!" I said while shaking him.

He refused to move. I was tired of fighting him, so I changed his center of gravity to aid me. I quietly sighed as I figured he was dreaming of a beautiful woman of some sort. Thinking about it made my mood worse, so I thought about things that made me happy. They only helped so much.