Slopes

f o u r t e e n

<^>

Doyoung wraps his arms around Donghyuk hurriedly, fake crying. "Where have you been~ I've had no one to yell at for the past day. It was horrible."

Donghyuk rolls his eyes and detaches himself from his hyung. "And here I thought you actually cared about my wellbeing." He too begins to fake cry. "I see I am now no more than a punching bag."

"Oh shush, with all the trouble you cause, you sometimes deserve it." Doyoung nods to himself as if to confirm what he said as the truth.

"Gee thanks." Donghyuk pulls his goggles down over his eyes and clips himself into his board. "Aren't you a great hyung."

Doyoung scoffs at the sarcasm. "Excuse me Lee Donghyuk, I am a great hyung."

"Mm, sure."

"Aish, this kid." Doyoung sighs as he helps Donghyuk get a starting push to race down the hill. The young boy crouches down, gaining momentum and the pow spraying behind him blocks the rest of the team's view of his receding figure. His board kept kicking up snow, almost angry as it flew through the air.

Doyoung turns to Ten, raising an eyebrow in question. Ten shrugs and turns to Johnny who just joined them, but he shrugs also.

"Hey! Taeyong!" Johnny cups his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice. The team manager turns from where he was talking with Jungwoo and makes his way to the other 3 men.

"Yes?"

"Did something happen with Hyuk the other day?"

Taeyong furrows his brows and looks down to the bottom of the hill where he could see a tiny dot speeding around. "Not that I know of, why?"

Doyoung shrugs. "Don't know, just seems kinda off. I mean, he's talking fine and all...But his riding..." He too looks out to the hill, where Donghyuk has now stopped and is kicking the snow around at the bottom of the hill as he waits for the lift. "Something seems wrong."

Taeyong nods slowly. "Maybe so, but–"

"Where is he!?" A young boy with bubblegum pink hair comes running from the inside of the resort. His face was covered in concern and distress. He stops to catch his breath before standing up straight again. "Where's Donghyuk?"

A loud sigh stopped the 4 adults from staring at the teen. And it stopped the teen from interrogating the 4 adults. "I'm right here Jaemin." Donghyuk hops off the lift and stares blankly at his friend who was almost crying.

Jaemin runs and engulfs the older in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry I didn't visit yesterday. Hayoon was at the hospital and I agreed to go with her. I completely forgot it was the 18th, I'm so sorry Hyukie." Jaemin pulls away, a pout very evident on his face.

Donghyuk smiles softly and ruffles the boy's hair. "Jaemin it's fine. I spent the day in bed, ok? Sure, I wish you were there but Hayoon is your sister and she needs help right now. No need to cry."

Jaemin nods. "I know. I just always spend the 18th with you and I feel really bad that I couldn't this year." He steps away and follows Donghyuk into the resort.

"I'll be right back hyung. Promise." He waves to Doyoung and turns around the corner, Jaemin right beside him.

"Right..." Doyoung turns to the other 3. "So who the fuck was that?"

They all just shrug in response.

<^>

Mark sighs and takes another sip from his coffee. "It's moments like these where I wish I was already graduated from college."

Donghyuk raises a brow and looks at the Canadian. "What the fuck does snowboarding have to do with college?"

Mark sighs again. "Well, think of it this way. I take night classes, it's almost 2 am, and I still have to finish practice here and then go back to my apartment and take classes. And then I have to do all my work before practice at 8."

Donghyuk nods and takes a sip of his own coffee. "Guess that checks out. Can't say mine is any easier though." He rubs his eyes tiredly.

Mark shrugs. "That, plus you're still 18."

"And you're still 19 so shush Canada."

Mark rolls his eyes, a playful frown dancing on his lips. "Right, whatever you say, kid." He leaves the crash room, grabbing his board as he makes his way out to the hill.

"Oh fuck you!"

"Not my job, sorry."

Donghyuk groans and follows after Mark, grumbling curses under his breath.

<^>