chapter seventeen;
'straight' orienteering
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"Ugh, it's so hot out," Donghyuck whined while fanning his face with his hand. The soft, pastel pink glow radiating off his cheeks as well as the minuscule, almost unnoticeable droplets of sweat beading down his temples made even his overheating partner feel warmer. "Do you think anyone would notice if we ditched and had an ice-cream?"

"I would love that," Mark yawned against the sun's rays beating heavily against his suncream-protected skin, "But the others would definitely rub the loss in our faces like a pile of crap, so that's also a big consideration to take into account."

The tanned adult nodded wearily and trudged onwards through the protected forestry. Everything was dappled in light which was interrupted a great deal by the canopy above their heads. Some random groups were wandering past at regular intervals, but they weren't against the duo so it didn't really matter.

Orienteering was not Mark Lee's concept of fun, and it didn't really seem to be Donghyuck's either. They ended up getting paired together regardless since Renjun insisted on a teammate who cared, and Chenle immediately glued to Jisung since they had 'stuff to chat about'. The only remaining group member was Jaemin, and Mark instantly decided that Shota was a better fit for his insane behaviour than he himself was.

"Where's the first clue?" The younger groaned. "I'm getting burned under this temperature."

"Here," the older produced the map they'd been handed. "Apparently it's nailed to a tree, so that's all very helpful isn't it—"

"Oh, oh! This tree!" Hyuck cheered ecstatically before bounding over to his chosen stem of nature and nudging the small, metal circle hanging from its bark. The silly object looked more like a medal of honour than an orienteering hint...though maybe it was with the given circumstances of being a tree. "I found it~"

"Well done," the ravenette congratulated before placing the map onto his knee and whipping the pen out to scrawl across it; number 142 - 34.

"Where's number thirty-four?" The younger called.

"Back down towards the river and lake section. Also, what letter was attached?"

"R."

"Nice. Now we have M and R."

The male didn't seem as amused as his teammate was though, and he wiped the palms of his hands against his exposed thighs to rid them of excess sweat. "Mhm, very fun. When's the party over?"

Mark merely scoffed and didn't answer, instead heading on in the general direction of their next clue in hopes that his companion wouldn't cause much more trouble. Hyuck skipped to keep up and played with the ends of his shorts absentmindedly while talking. "I've been wanting to chat as well, actually. I've just never had the chance."

"Oh? We've had plenty of time on our own."

"Yeah, well....never mind that, I was a coward. So, now I'm going to set the record straight with you and explain my intentions for this journey. Renjun inspired me a couple of hours ago, and know I'll never get this off my chest if I don't say it now."

What is this? The speech for a Nobel Prize? He's all uncertain. "What's up?"

"Ahem," he cleared his throat dramatically and flicked his golden fringe back to make proper, emotional eye contact with Mark and spark some sort of feeling. "You know how I've been pursuing Japanese boys lately?"

"Yeah. The dumbest thing I've ever heard, but yes."

"Well, there's one guy I've decided is the one I want to move closer to. He's smarter than me, richer than me and definitely too good for me...but I think this month is the one month I'll ever get to step out of my life and be a different, better person. Are you seeing where I'm coming from?"

"Um....yes," the ravenette nodded slowly, glancing up through his sunglasses to the trees surrounding them and automatically assuming he knew what was happening here. "You want someone to talk to and rely on in your journey, huh?"

"Yes! Exactly. Renjun's actually perfect for that though. Way more modern and awesome than you'd give him credit for."

Then why the fuck am I being informed on all this? "I see." He ran his tongue over his lower lip to stop the dryness from setting and stared ahead to avoid unnecessary contact. "Well, I wish you the best of luck."

"What?"

"It's a wonderful thing, I think. Y'know, jumping out of your comfort zone and meeting new people. The Japanese guy you've chosen will definitely be lucky."

"Oh..." Donghyuck grimaced, but couldn't prevent the fond and stupid smile that appeared afterwards as he inwardly cooed over how adorably oblivious the very man he'd been talking about was. "You think so, huh? Mr. Straight."

"Oh definitely. You'll be fine."

Great. He's really dense, the younger sighed dramatically before jogging to get ahead for a bit and blocking the male's path by opening up his body in front of him. "Wait."

"Huh?"

"Look, I hate spelling things out for people, but you aren't buying what I'm trying to sell, here. So, I'm going to say this in the simplest, most normal way possible."

What's he gonna say? Something weird? Something embarrassing? Fuck, am I ready for the pain it'll probably bring? "Let's wait 'til we get to the hotel—"

"I think you're hot."

"...."

"Mark?"

"I'm sorry....what?"

"Just saying, you're not the Japanese man I've envisioned all this time, nor the average guy I assumed wouldn't be able to question me or my opinions...but you're better than I expected in that sense, I suppose."

"You can't be serious," Mark whined. "Go and crush on someone else. Bro, no way."

"Yes way. I shan't surrender until I draw my last breath on the plane for Korea." He placed a hand on his heart, "I'll bring out your inner gay this month."

"God, this is stupid. You realise you're trying to seduce a straight man, right? It won't happen."

"Yeah, well whatever happens on this bus, stays on this bus. Crazy things occur in the sun...and in hotels. Let's just say it wouldn't leave my memories or wander farther than my tongue. Not a soul would hear of it."

I can't believe I've come to this stage in my life. Rejecting pretty boys of all things. "You're a lunatic, Hyuck," Mark teased, reaching out and ruffling the boys's damp hair. "But I like your spirit. Do your worst."

"Oh I will, Mister. You'll miss me when we have to part company." And with that he started to frolic off towards the next clue again, letting the conversation die naturally.

But the end of it already bothered the businessman. He knew he'd miss these guys when they separated already...and what more once they've spent a month together?

"Fuck! Bees!" Someone could be heard screeching in the distance, and Mark wouldn't have even needed to bet money on who it was. The voice was too familiar and the situation too obvious.

"Should we like, disappear before Jaemin finds us?" Donghyuck enquired as politely as possible.

"Please. That sounds like a brilliant idea."

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———- please read ———-

hey everyone! for those of you who haven't heard this yet, i'll be pausing updates for about four or five weeks in order to study for my exams which are in three weeks time. i'll be straight back once the stress and work are over, which won't be too long.

thanks so such for your support so far, i really appreciate it! see you soon~

-lily