ℙ𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕, Beomjun

013

"I don't think I've done this much exercise in my entire life." Beomgyu heaves as he trails behind Yeonjun with heavy steps. His breath struggles to find its way to his lungs, ripped away with every laborious step. He wipes sweat from his brow and squints at Yeonjun up ahead.

The heat doesn't help, spotlighting him through the gaps of the green trees and heating his body up like a furnace. Sweat trickles down his forehead and an unattractive patch stains his pits. He pauses a few steps behind Yeonjun and doubles over, hoping the new position will help the air enter. Yeonjun pauses and glances back at him, a small hint of concern mixed with confusion on his face.

A part of Beomgyu regrets suggesting a hike for the green theme, but he'd promised to put aside his hatred towards exercising for Yeonjun's sake.

"We've been walking for fifteen minutes. Mr. Pyo would make you do an hour of cardio whenever you were late," Yeonjun comments, raising an unimpressed brow at his best friend, who's resting an elbow on his thigh and breathing like a man starved.

"He used to go easy on me because I lied and said I had asthma," Beomgyu says breathlessly. Then he straightens up, struck by an idea. "Yeonjun... I have asthma."

Yeonjun grunts, the rumble of amusement sounding through his nose. "No, you don't." He turns back around and begins to walk off. "Come on!" he yells to the boy behind him, not waiting for the younger to catch up.

Beomgyu whines before he jogs up to Yeonjun, slowing as he reaches his side.

"Do you remember when we would visit the woods when we were younger and collect frogs?" Beomgyu asks as he looks around the endless amounts of green he sees as grey.

Moss scales up trees and almost swallows them whole. Flowers bloom amongst the tall green grass, varying in shapes, sizes and shades. Far and near, birds chirp and echo each other's call from different trees, chattering joyfully and fluttering their wings in excitement.

Beomgyu imagines painting the scenery, every stroke and dot of his paintbrush used to capture the striking beauty of nature-as much as he hates hiking, the sighs are unmatched.

"You mean when you would collect them and then chase me because you knew I was scared of frogs?"

Beomgyu snorts, confirming Yeonjun's version of events. "You liked the newt I found." He smiles as he searches around the blanket of fallen sticks and granulated dirt for an amphibian friend, cautious of where he puts his foot down.

Yeonjun faces Beomgyu and squints his eyes with scrutiny. "You shoved it towards my face and I screamed."

Beomgyu makes the same noise as before, a smirk tugging on the corner of his lips. "Fine. I liked it because seeing you so scared was hilarious."

Yeonjun shudders at the memory from their childhood, the distress it had caused him... "I was ready to find a new best friend that day," Yeonjun mumbles through a pout. He turns his face in the direction they walk in, brushing away a low-hanging branch.

Beomgyu bumps against Yeonjun's side softly, a coy smile on his face. Yeonjun smiles back at him and rolls his eyes. "You wouldn't be able to replace me. No one is as perfect for Yeonjunnie Hyung as I am," Beomgyu sing-songs, looking around all whimsical and free as a light breeze ruffles his hair.

"That's up for debate," Yeonjun remarks, earning a glare from Beomgyu. The younger knows it's not, but Yeonjun will mess with him as much as Beomgyu does in return.