Jeonghan was being so attentive towards him these days. He was always worried if he didn't eat a meal and would force him to eat whether he wanted to or not. At first, it irked him but then later,he started getting used to it even when he caught the blonde staring at him.

Three weeks after the weird hug he received from Jeonghan, he got a shocking announcement. His company was hosting a three day camping trip for the workers and they were required to bring their partners. Seungcheol nearly choked when he heard the news from Mingyu that morning.

"What the hell?"

Mingyu grinned. "Looks like we have no choice"

Seungcheol shook his head.

"I can't believe this? Who do I bring?"

Mingyu rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you're asking me that kind of question"

Seungcheol eyed him as he continued. "You have a very beautiful guy at home and you are saying this?"

Seungcheol sighed in frustration

"Jeonghan is only my children's nanny. He and I have absolutely nothing to do with each other and we never will"

Mingyu crossed his arms. "If what you are saying is true, then what are you afraid of?"

Seungcheol shrugged. "I'm not afraid of anything " He paused "in fact, I'm not going. I don't need to go to the stupid camp anyway "

Mingyu nodded. "Then, say good bye to your promotion. You think the company will look at you with kindness after you disappoint them. All you need to do is impress them and I'm sure your promotion will be quicker"

Seungcheol sighed. "I don't know, I'll think about it"

He really did think about it. He always suddenly found himself looking at the blonde. He was beautiful no doubt and everyone was sure to be impressed when he takes him with him to the camp. Now, he wondered how he was going to tell him.

That weekend, Jeonghan came to stay over as usual. Seungcheol was at home in his room listening to soft music when he heard shouting downstairs. He rushed down stairs only to see Jeonghan playing with the kids. They were jumping around, having fun. Seungcheol felt a little left out just watching them but also quite full noticing how much his children seemed to like Jeonghan.

"Hyung, are we going to the amusement park? you said we were going to go but we haven't" Seokmin said.

Jeonghan cocked his head to one side.

"I don't think your dad would like it"

Seokmin saw his father and smiled. "Appa..."

Seungcheol sighed and walked up to them noticing how Jeonghan blushed as soon as he approached. He cleared his throat nervously. "I know that you're thinking of going to the amusement park. You know that I..."

"The children want to go. Can't we let them?" Jeonghan suddenly interrupted and Seungcheol frowned.

"I don't..."

"let's play rock and scissors. If I win, you'll come to the park with us but if you win, we won't go"

The children urged him. "Please Appa"

They pleaded, the boys pulling his clothes while Jeonghan stood in front of him, blinking at him so prettily with his eyes, he felt his heart pounding at the sight.

"Alright fine" Seungcheol yelled taking a huge breath to calm himself. Jeonghan and the children clapped excitedly and Seungcheol rolled his eyes.

"Okay! Let's go!" Jeonghan said and they faced each other, both of them now serious. They began and after five rounds, Jeonghan won. The kids cheered while Seungcheol hung his head.

"You've lost!" Jeonghan yelled.

Seungcheol found himself smiling "Indeed I have..."

Jeonghan froze on seeing his smile. "Did you just smile?"

"No I didn't" Seungcheol said and frowned, quickly turning away. Jeonghan laughed as he kept going. The following day, the family prepared for their outing. Jeonghan made some snacks while Seungcheol looked completely down.

Jeonghan watched Seungcheol closely throughout the drive to the amusement park. He wished he could tell him who he was. He didn't blame him for not recognizing him. He himself hadn't recognized him until he saw the picture in the basement.

The children were clearly happy judging by their voices and when they finally arrived, the first thing they did was to buy ice cream, then they went for different rides. All the while, Seungcheol had a sunken expression on his face.

When they had ridden for nearly two hours, it was time to eat. They found a lovely quiet place where they spread their blanket on the ground and began to eat the snacks Jeonghan had prepared.

"Thank you Jeonghan hyung" Minghao whispered and Jeonghan really appreciated it especially since he's the one who hardly talked. While the children ate, Jeonghan signalled to Seungcheol to follow him. He looked confused at first but when he saw Jeonghan get up and leave, he followed. They stooped a few meters away from the kids just enough to not be overheard.

"Why do you look so sad coming here?"

Silence.

"The children are happy. Why does this sadden you so much"

Still silence.

Jeonghan sighed. "Alright, I won't force you to talk"

He started to leave but Seungcheol's voice stopped him.

"This was his favourite place"

Jeonghan turned and saw the pain shining in seungcheol's eyes.

"He loved to come here every weekend. The two of us always enjoyed coming here even without the kids" he stopped, his voice breaking. "We were coming back from the amusement park when we had the accident and Jihoon....jihoon...

He burst out in tears. The tears he had been trying to hold back came flowing in torrents. Jeonghan hugged him tight, allowing his tears to wet his shirt

"It's alright, cry it all out. If you keep holding it in, it will only get worse"

They stayed like that until he finished crying, each of them pressed closely to each other

"Do you feel better?" Jeonghan asked and Seungcheol nodded unable to look him in the eye due to embarrassment. Jeonghan just chuckled.

"There is nothing I can say to wash away the pain...." He shook his head. "Infact, don't wash it away. Keep it all inside. It will only make you stronger and make it easier for you when you face more difficulties in your life"

Seungcheol looked at him in awe. Jeonghan smiled. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here"

His heart was beating faster again and for a second, Seungcheol realised he wanted to kiss him. Jeonghan began to leave and Seungcheol did something he never thought he would do.

" Would you like to go to camp with me?" He blurted out and Jeonghan turned and looked at him surprised.

"What?"

Seungcheol found his palms sweating.

"Em....there's this camp thing we're having in the company and all staff must attend with their partners..." He scratched his head. "I was thinking you could pretend to be my partner"

"When is it?"

"Next week!"

"How long?"

"Three days"

Jeonghan gave him such a sweet smile that sent his heart racing again faster than was possibly normal.

"I'll love to come with you"

He said and with that, turned back and hurried to the kids.

Seungcheol told himself to calm down but his body wouldn't listen. Jeonghan was definitely different. He wasn't trying to stop him or change him, he was embracing Seungcheol for who he really was. He was embracing his pain. But Seungcheol couldn't deny his body was physically responding to Jeonghan and it terrified him. The camping trip was three days. What could possibly happen in three days

Jeonghan seemed pretty excited about their upcoming camping trip. He kept asking Seungcheol about what to bring through out the week and Seungcheol nodded that everything he chose was fine.

The day finally came and Jeonghan took a leave from his work at the restaurant to come to the Chois house. It was Friday and he told Seungcheol to drop the kids at So hye's house. Seungcheol was reluctant at first to allow the kids to stay with So hye.

"I'm not really comfortable leaving the kids with her... " He scratched her head. "I don't really know her you know"

Jeonghan rolled his eyes. "How long have you been neighbors"

"Well... I think eight years"

Jeonghan scoffed "Eight years and you haven't taken the time to know her"

Seungcheol seemed uncomfortable "You only use her so she can take care of your kids but I'm sure you've never even invited her for a meal"

Seungcheol looked really embarrassed. "Alright then...."

"When we return, we are going to invite her over for dinner"

Seungcheol widened his eyes "What?"

"Yes! Unless you don't want a partner at the camp" Jeonghan said with a light frown.

"Okay fine" Seungcheol said in finality.

When it was time, Seungcheol and Jeonghan bundled the kids to So hye's house.

"Can you keep them for three days?" Jeonghan said.

"Oh, you're going for that camping thing" So hye said with a playful gleam in her eyes.

"You told her?" Seungcheol whispered.

Jeonghan hid a smile. "Of course I did. We're friends. Come on, let's go!" He urged quickly. Chan began to cry as they were leaving and Jeonghan smiled. He picked him up and cradled him whispering softly into his ears before he stopped crying and set him down. Seungcheol quietly watched.

They began to leave and the kids waved at them.

"Aunt So hye will take good care of you" Jeonghan whispered.

They nodded gravely. Seungcheol felt something steering in his heart and that old fear grew again. Jeonghan would smile and his heart would beat faster. Shockingly enough, It all felt so right with him The kids continued to wave even as they entered the car and drove off.

Seungcheol noticed the silence in the car. He turned to Jeonghan and saw him with an absent look in his eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine...I think I've gotten so attached to your kids. Leaving them even for a little bit is taking a toll on me" Jeonghan replied. But then smiled at Seungcheol. "They'll be fine won't they"

Seungcheol didn't know what to say. He could only nod in response.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the camp. It was located close to the mountain. It seemed there was a party going on because there were several canopies and a large number of people eating, drinking and generally just talking. Seungcheol and Jeonghan got down and they began to walk towards the party. They suddenly spotted Mingyu at one corner laughing loudly. He also spotted them and welcomed them with a big smile on his face.

"Wow, you finally made it" Mingyu whispered. He hugged Seungcheol and shook Jeonghan's hand.

"Let me introduce you to my boyfriend" He said and pulled someone who had been talking to a group of people towards him. Jeonghan gasped when he saw Wonwoo

"Yah, what are you doing here?" He said.

Wonwoo didn't seem all that surprised to see him. He smiled warmly.

"I'm here to accompany my boyfriend. What's the problem?" Wonwoo answered holding onto Mingyu's arm. The huge man was smiling from ear to ear. Seungcheol recognized Wonwoo alright. He worked at Jerry's spot. He knew him well from one year ago when he had tried to seduce him but Seungcheol hadn't fallen for it. Six months later, he and Mingyu had eaten there and the two of them began flirting with each other. Seungcheol didn't read any meaning to it because Mingyu flirted with everyone both men and women. Two months later, he had announced that he was now in a serious relationship. Seungcheol never could imagine that Mingyu could fall for an emo guy with sleepy eyes but here he was looking head over heels in love with the guy. But Seungcheol couldn't help but feel something was off. Hbse was detecting a conspiracy here.

"You didn't tell me you were dating this guy"

Mingyu frowned. "Do you remember how many times I begged you to see my boyfriend and yet you always gave me one excuse or the other. You weren't interested. You even banned me from coming to your house"

Seungcheol shook his head. "I'm sorry bro"

"We will begin the camping trip very soon but for now, let everyone come and receive their tents!"A loud voice boomed over the speaker. All the couples began making way to a huge tent. Seungcheol looked at the blonde beside him. There was no emotion on his face as he just walked with him. Seungcheol didn't know what he was thinking but he just kept quiet.
The staffs all stayed in a line as they received their tents from the vice president of the company. All eyes were on Seungcheol and Jeonghan that even when they reached the vice president, she smiled.

"Mr Choi, I didn't know you have remarried." She said.

Seungcheol laughed nervously. "Well, I didn't remarry, he's just my..... "

He seemed hesitant so Jeonghan jumped in. "Boyfriend...I'm his boyfriend" Jeonghan answered and felt Seungcheol's eyes piercing the side of his face.

The vice president laughed. "That's good. I never knew that you would fall in love again. I'm happy for you. You two look good together"

Jeonghan smiled but Seungcheol remained silent. As soon as they got their tent, they left to put it up. Mingyu and Wonwoo put theirs up before they did while they had a long and hard time. It took them almost one hour before they set it up gasping for breath. It wasn't easy for them but they finally did. Once they settled down, they heard high giggling from Mingyu and Wonwoo's tent. It felt awkward just sitting there so Seungcheol got up.

"I think I saw a soda joint. Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, thank you!" Jeonghan whispered. Seungcheol left quickly. The joint wasn't that far from their tent. Jeonghan watched Seungcheol as he left to buy the drinks. Suddenly, he received a phone call from Mrs Choi.

"How are you Jeonghan?"

"Fine...."

"How are things progressing?"

" It's going quite well. We went for that camping trip today"

Mrs Choi laughed. "That's good so how is he?"

"He's fine" Jeonghan whispered and saw Seungcheol walking slowly towards him. For some strange reason, his heart started beating faster.

"So tell me, how do you feel about Seungcheol now"

Jeonghan paused and looked up to see Seungcheol speaking to a tall handsome looking man with the drinks in his hands.

"Jeonghan, Jeonghan" Mrs Choi continued.

Jeonghan saw the man raise a hand and touch Seungcheol's front hair. Jeonghan felt a light pang in his chest when he saw that.

"I think... I think...."

He saw Seungcheol hold the man's hand and shake it off then he pointed to him saying something loudly. The man frowned, shook his head and walked away. Seungcheol started walking towards him again.

"I think I'm falling for him" Jeonghan said and there was a strange silence...

Thank you so much for reading