ℙ𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕪 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕, Beomjun

016

Bright and early the next morning, the boys wake up to pack their essentials in the back of Taehyun's pickup truck. His truck was the most suitable, so they'd agreed to take it rather than someone else's car. When it's almost packed full of tents, sleeping bags, games, a portable stove, and more, Yeonjun throws in some sparklers and roasting sticks for good measure.

The theme for this trip is orange, one of the last colors Yeonjun will be teaching Beomgyu. He wanted to spend this trip with their group of friends—to have them help show the essence of orange too. They haven't had a day out with all of them in a while; someone is always working or busy, so it'll be good to catch up.

Yeonjun's excited, engaging in animated conversation with Soobin about some of the activities they should do as they head up to the dorm to tell the younger ones they've finished with the last of their stuff.

The five of them had alternated between packing duffel bags and bringing them to Taehyun's truck until they realized it worked best when someone kept an eye on Beomgyu and Hueningkai. The pair can't concentrate for the life of them when together, busy joking and laughing about silly things no one else understands.

Luckily, Taehyun had offered himself up for the role of the unwilling commander, keeping their shenanigans to a minimum.

"I wish the elevator wasn't broken," Soobin groans, interrupting their previous conversation to complain, the sounds of his steps weighted heavy with lethargy.

Yeonjun rolls his eyes with an amused puff. "C'mon, Grandpa, there's only two flights left," he says, throwing an arm over Soobin's shoulder and jostling him encouragingly.

He doesn't know why no one considers Soobin the grandpa of their group. Sure, Yeonjun's the eldest, but Soobin's the eldest at heart. And he certainly acts like it, hunching over in defeat when he realizes he'll have to clamber up the last few flights of stairs if he likes it or not. Yeonjun wouldn't be surprised if Soobin lay on the floor and expected him to drag him by the arm.

Soobin frowns and stares at Yeonjun sidelong before he stops and sweeps his eyes over Yeonjun's sharp features. "Have you thought more about what we discussed yesterday?"

Now Yeonjun's the one frowning, wishing this topic would be avoided. "We only talked about it last night; I haven't had that long to think..." He pouts, brows furrowed. "And I want to avoid fixating on it for today. Otherwise, I'll be a stick in the mud the entire trip."

Soobin shrugs. "I get that... but you know you can always talk to me, right?"

Yeonjun meets Soobin's sincere eyes, warmer than they were during their conversation yesterday, and sighs. "Yeah, I know." He puffs out in thought. "Can you just... stop me from doing anything dumb? Like being too obvious."

Soobin laughs and clasps Yeonjun on the back. He's a little heavy-handed and winds Yeonjun, who tries to play it off, rolling his shoulder when Soobin momentarily glances away. "Of course, I wouldn't let you two make a fool of yourselves over this."

"So, other ways of doing it are okay?" Yeonjun raises a brow, amusement in the lines of his scrutinizing gaze.

Soobin gives a cheeky grin. It's answer enough without the need for words, which is useful because he doesn't provide a verbal one. He heaves up the last few steps, his long legs skipping two at a time, and shoves the stairwell door open.

Yeonjun follows after him, a lot more relaxed knowing Soobin will be there to help him out.

Even if his confidence dies at the sight of Soobin patting his pockets, his body a percussion instrument, pitter-pattering hands a sheepish beat of forgetfulness. Yeonjun's shoulders slump and he exhales heavily. "Forgot your keys?"