~HOSEOK'S POV~

Just as he had promised, Hoseok showed up to your house along with Kai at four A.M. sharp. It was still dark outside, but he could see you and Mia sitting on the front steps due to the porch light. You both had your heads resting in your hands, looking half asleep, your bags sitting on the steps. The image of you looking so cute and sleepy made him smile, and he opened the car door in the backseat, motioning for you two to come climb in.

"Let's go get their bags for them," Kai said, turning the car off.

Hoseok met you on the sidewalk, gushing at your sleepy eyes. "Good morning, cutie."

"You're such a flirt," you yawned as Hoseok took the bag you had slung over your shoulder.

"I know," he said with a smirk, carrying the luggage alongside Kai who was carrying Mia's stuff so it could be stowed in the trunk of the car.

"It's too early," Mia complained, "I didn't even have time for my coffee." She sat in the front seat beside Kai, and you climbed into the back with Hoseok just as you had all done when going to Safeway before.

"I brought you a coffee," Kai said, holding a travel mug out to Mia.

"You're a lifesaver," Hoseok could see her grin before the lights in the car faded out. He was glad to see Kai so clearly infatuated with a girl as nice as Mia. He deserved to be happy after everything he'd been through in his life.

"I brought you some Froot Loops and a coffee, too," Hoseok said to you, pointing to the cup holder and the seatback pocket where he had put your breakfast.

"Thank you," you smiled sleepily.

"I figured you might need some caffeine."

"You figured right."

Kai started the car since everyone was situated, beginning off down the road to go to Lea's house so they could follow Kai's car to Princeville.

It was completely dark outside apart from the moon, and Hoseok could tell how drowsy you were, especially now that the car was moving.

"Why don't you go back to sleep?" he offered, wanting you to be comfortable and to feel well-rested before the day's crazy adventure truly began.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to be bored during this car ride. It's super long, right?" you said, but another yawn gave you away.

"Here," he quickly unbuckled and slid over to the middle seat before buckling back up so you could rest your head on his shoulder. "Rest, Y/N. I'll wake you up a little while before we get there so you can eat."

You didn't say anything, and he couldn't see your face, so for a moment, he was unsure if you were going to accept the offer or not.

But then, you were resting against him, one of your hands reaching to hold his.

☼☼☼

~YOUR POV~

Your first thought upon waking up and realizing that you were still resting on Hoseok's shoulder was you hoping that you hadn't drooled all over him. Drooling is not attractive nor fun for Hoseok's gray cotton t-shirt, and you found yourself scared to pull away from him in the event that a string of drool would be stretching from the corner of your mouth to his shoulder. It was such a hilarious yet concerning thought.

"You awake?" he asked, and you peeked one eye open. The sun was completely up now, and it was around 7 A.M.

You took a deep breath before sitting up, sighing with relief as you were not greeted by a pool of drool.

"You may want to eat something. We'll be there in about twenty minutes," Hoseok said, handing you the little single serving box of Froot Loops.

"Thanks," you took the box from him, opening it and beginning to eat the colorful cereal that reminded you greatly of your childhood.

Mia and Kai were having a quiet conversation about school from what you overheard, and you wondered if they had been talking the whole time you were sleeping. You were so tired you had easily fallen asleep within minutes of leaning on Hoseok. If you were honest, you hadn't slept well the night before due to both general excitement and nervousness about today.

You looked out the window, surprised at how different this side of the island looked compared to Poipu. The greenery was even different; still just as pretty, but different. You felt a rush of gratefulness that you were getting to experience this adventure being as young as you were. And when you looked over at Hoseok, you felt even more grateful.

The rest of the car ride was relatively quiet, but those last twenty minutes went by fast. Before you knew it, Kai was pulling into a parking lot that was still relatively empty due to it being so early in the morning.

"Let's go!" Kai actually sounded excited, and you watched as he flashed Mia a toothy smile. You would never get used to Kai being so giddy. It was cute.

You all climbed out of the car to be greeted by Felix, Lea, and Kaylen who had parked in the spot directly beside you. Kai popped the trunk of the car to start unloading the backpacks. You tried to pack yours as light as possible while still bringing everything that was on Lea's list.

"Here you go," Kai handed both you and Mia your bags before grabbing his and Hoseok's. Felix, Lea, and Kaylen already had theirs and were ready to go.

"Let's get going!" Felix exclaimed, bouncing around.

"Babe, you need to chill. You're gonna burn all of your energy way too fast," Lea scolded him slightly.

"Don't tell me what to do," he stuck his tongue out at her.

"Get ready for three consecutive days of listening to that," Hoseok whispered in your ear, grabbing your hand. "Let's go, you guys. Before Felix and Lea start making out or something," he laughed.

You all made your way toward the trail's entrance, stopping to take a picture in front of the Kalalau Trail sign with Felix's Go-Pro. You hadn't even seen the picture yet, but you already knew it would be something that you would cherish long after you had left Hawaii.

☼☼☼

The first part of the hike was entirely uphill, but Felix encouraged everyone by saying, "This isn't so bad! The whole thing isn't like this!" You weren't sure if you entirely believed him, but you had to admit that the view was worth the burning sensation in your calves. You were literally hiking along the edge of the mountains lining the Na Pali Coast. The water was to your right, and it looked incredible; sparkling and 50 shades of blue.

The trail was only about 2 feet wide, with jungle lining your left side, so you all had to walk in a single-file line. Felix was at the front leading the group since he was more familiar with the hike than the rest of you. Kai picked up the rear of the line, probably to keep a watchful eye not only Kaylen now, but Mia as well.

It only took about an hour to get through the uphill part before the trail dramatically changed and went downhill. The beach was the first rest stop, and there were a few people scattered around also appearing to be taking a break.

"This is a dangerous beach, so no one go in the water. I would use this break time to eat a snack. But, we shouldn't stop for too long. If we want to make it to our camp spot before night, we're going to have be quick," Felix said, taking off his pack and setting it on the ground so he could sit on a big rock. You all followed suit, dropping your backpacks on the ground.

You stretched, your shoulders feeling a bit achy from all the weight they had been carrying.

"Here," Hoseok passed you a protein bar, and you took it graciously. You had burned off the calories from the Froot Loops a long time ago.

"So, what makes this beach so dangerous?" you asked, sitting down beside him.

"Most of the beaches on this hike are really dangerous. The currents are really strong, and it's easy to get swept away, even if you're a really strong swimmer. A lot of people have drowned here because they thought they could handle the current when they really couldn't," he explained between bites of the protein bar.

"That's kind of scary," you watched as the waves crashed on the beach, and as the current sucked all the water back out to sea. The process was repetitive.

"Yeah. I spend a lot of time in the ocean but I don't mess with beaches like these. The good news is, the beach at the very end of the hike is okay for us to go in as long as we stay in the shallow part of the water. I did some research before we left," he said, already done eating. He crumpled up the wrapper and stuffed it into his bag.

"That's good because it's so hot out here today," you said, pointing to the sweat that was beading on your forehead.

"It'll probably start raining soon. You know how Kauai's weather is."

"Is it safe for us to walk the trail when it's raining?"

"Yeah, it'll be fine. The next two miles or so are in the inner part of the jungle, so it's not like you can slip and fall off the side of the cliff like before," he chuckled, standing up and putting his backpack on. "You about ready to continue on?"

"Let's do it," he reached for your hand and helped pull you up.

Everyone grouped back up, and you all headed off for the trail again. Hoseok was right; the scenery for this next part of the hike was strikingly different; you were surrounded by Hawaiian jungle, and you could no longer see the ocean. There was a giant patch of bamboo with many people's initials carved into it right at the beginning of the trail.

"Let's carve our names in like everyone else!" Lea exclaimed, "Felix, give me your pocket knife."

She carved her initials with a heart, and then Felix's initials beneath it.

"That is so cheesy," Kaylen faked a gag.

"I think it's cute," Mia gushed.

"As do I," Hoseok took the pocket from Lea and proceeded to carve his name and yours into the bamboo stalk, a heart in the middle.

"I can't deal with you guys today," Kaylen laughed.

"What can I say? We're all in love," Felix grinned, pulling Lea into his side.

You glanced at Hoseok as he finished carving your names into the bamboo. "Love," you thought. Is that what was between you and Hoseok at this point?

I think it might be.

/////

a/n: hey all! so i've actually done this hike that i'm writing about twice, and i thought i would attach a few pictures so you guys can get a better look at what it's like.