Swept Away [Chapter 3]
“I have to pee.” Changmin was a little surprised at the voice, looking over and regretting it as the lithe singer stretched out his body in the passenger seat in a deviously sexy way; one knee bent, arms over his head, hips rising with the bottom of his shirt riding up across his belly showing a fabulous stretch of skin.
No, Changmin shook his head as he erased the image from his head; he was hardly attractive.
“About time you woke up.”
“Where are we?”
“Just passed into Arizona about 5 minutes ago.”
“It’s already dark outside…” Kyuhyun observed aloofly, bending up to lookout the window with his legs somehow still out on the dashboard.
“Brilliant observation.” Changmin said sarcastically as he watched Kyuhyun play with the GPS out of the corner of his eye, more than likely finding a place to stop for the night.
“So we can stop for the night and I can go pee, excellent. Make sure we find a liquor store.” Kyuhyun bossed as he laid back down.
“What are you talking about?”
“I didn’t sleep in the car all day so I could sleep more when I got to a hotel. I plan on staying up all night with my friends Jack and Jose.”
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” Changmin sighed. “I’m tired.”
“Which is why you can have your own room. I pay for mine, you pay for yours. I wasn't aware you wanted to share a room with me. Is there something you'd like to confess?”
“So you’ll give me my wallet back?” Changmin shot back, ignoring the implication Kyuhyun was making.
“Not a chance.” Kyuhyun smirked.
“How can I trust you not to run off with it? And by the way, you didn’t tell me before you passed out why you speak such fluent Korean for being American-raised.” Changmin shot back.
“Here.” Kyuhyun reached over and set an iPhone on Changmin’s lap that he had retrieved from his jeans pocket, ignoring the questions yet again. “Collateral. I shouldn’t have it if I’m getting drunk anyway.”
“You’re rich enough to have a second phone.”
“You’re smart enough to realize how stupid that sounds. You can keep the car keys too.”
Changmin pursed his lips before muttering in defeat and trying to ignore the singer lounged around like a cat in the seat next to him.
“I’m surprised you haven’t asked about the Korean sooner.” Kyuhyun offered.
“I was a little busy being aggravated at the situation. And I am not used to traveling; I keep forgetting that I’m not in Korea.”
“Have you seen this country? And you still forget?” Kyuhyun asked skeptically.
“I don’t need to explain myself to you.” Changmin huffed. It was, of course, embarrassing that he hadn’t realized they were talking in Korean until halfway through the car ride. Though, it explained why he understood everything so clearly.
The GPS echoed in Korean to exit in a half mile and Changmin tried to ignore the overwhelming feeling that Kyuhyun was staring at him. The Korean-American reached for the radio next and began shuffling through channels until he found an easy-listening Indie station, soothing words and smooth guitar echoing off the tan leather seats.
“I changed my mind. We’ll stop for bathroom and gas, but I’ll drive through the night and you can sleep.” Kyuhyun stated suddenly.
“What? Why?”
“We want to get there sooner, don’t we?” Kyuhyun said in an almost mocking tone of voice, his voice hinting at a pout that made Changmin raise an eyebrow.
“Fine by me.” He said simply.
The GPS was the only noise in the car outside of their steady breathing and the almost eerie sounding radio. Changmin was grateful that there was some sort of sound in the car, freeing him of the need to talk any further.
The tiny gas station near the exit looked nearly abandoned, a family minivan at the gas pump with the father getting gas, a woman carrying food kissing him on the cheek before returning to the safe confines of the car. Changmin noted how Kyuhyun looked at them; a curious, cynical look that Changmin deemed perfectly sour to match the previously evident remnants of the other’s personality.
The night chill ticket his bare arms as he got out of the covered convertible and headed for the pump. He paused and looked at it curiously, unsure of what to do first with all of the instructions in English, worn down so even native speakers would probably have difficulties with it.
“Why don’t you go ahead in and hit the bathroom and get whatever food you want. I’ll do this.” Kyuhyun chuckled as he came up behind Changmin.
Changmin bristled at the warm hand suddenly pressed against his lower back and he nearly jumped out of reach, holding his hand out to Kyuhyun before he got too far.
“I need my wallet.”
Kyuhyun didn’t look away from sliding his card into the slot on the pump, reaching into his pocket and holding out what looked like a $20 bill.
“Your food’s on me.”
“How generous.” Changmin muttered as he took the money.
“I prefer to be a gentleman.” Kyuhyun shot back, shooting Changmin a wolfish grin before opening the gas cap on the BMW and inserting the gas nozzle into the hole revealed.
Changmin rolled his eyes and walked for the small glass enclosure, momentarily wondering if it was safe for him to even go in on his own. He paused by the door, biting his lip and looking back at the car. Kyuhyun was already looking at him with a confused expression, but gave him a smile and nodded assuredly.
“I don’t need your help.” Changmin hissed to himself, turning swiftly with a new air of pride and entering the store.
The grizzly looking darker-skinned man behind the counter nodded at him lethargically as he leant against the counter. Changmin nodded briefly back before glancing around for the restroom.
“Um, restroom?” Changmin asked after a moment. The man stuck his thumb towards the corner.
“I’ll let you use it. We don’t usually let customers use it.” He said gruffly. Changmin smiled as if he understood and followed where the man was pointing. He held his breath, imagining he would regret the decision to use an American public restroom, and opened the creaky, paint-chipped door. He groped around on the wall for the light switch and walked in, the door shutting behind him with a bang before he could stop it. He winced at the noise and glanced around at his surroundings. Sketchy and dirty toilet; check. At least there were paper towels. And a sink that looked like it worked.
Changmin closed his eyes as he emptied his bladder and hit the flush with his wrist to avoid whatever germs were there. He washed his hands just as quickly; he had hand sanitized in his bag. As he went to open the door, however, the lights shut off.
“Shit.” He cursed; glad his hand had found the knob before they cut off. As the darkness fully settled around him, he couldn’t help the prickling fear of the situation. Dark room. Middle of nowhere. Frightening toilet looming behind him.
“No, stop that. You’re a grown man.” Changmin scolded himself. “You have Kyuhyun!” He assured himself, fishing for his cell phone, only to pull out an unfamiliar looking iPhone. “Shit, again.” Changmin sighed. So he couldn’t call Kyuhyun.
His ears perked as he heard the low bell of the front door and heard a lower voice muffled through the door followed by the gruffer man’s sharply escalated voice that sounded almost defensive. Kyuhyun wasn’t stupid. He would find him. After a moment of talking, he heard shifting around and the sound of the register.
“Kyuhyun…” He begged into the chipped paint as if the other could magically hear him and find him; and part of him wished that he would.
Changmin heard the door open, and then close, and then open again, footsteps echoing into the store again. Another exchange of words followed, Kyuhyun’s voice raised and sharpened and the attendant’s voice gruff and aloof. The man yelled something at Kyuhyun as the other began to move around. Changmin sighed in relief as he heard the footsteps coming towards him and felt an abnormally large amount of butterflies going off in his stomach as Kyuhyun-he assumed- got closer. The door wiggled as a form broke the light coming in through the bottom of the door and Changmin stepped back just a bit in case it wasn’t Kyuhyun.
The door popped open and the lights flicked on, Kyuhyun’s face a mixture of worry and anger.
Changmin didn’t think twice before closing the distance between them and pushing Kyuhyun back away from the tiny restroom, his arms tight around Kyuhyun’s warm frame and his cheek against Kyuhyun’s.
“Don’t go in. Can we leave?” Changmin whispered, heading for the door and tugging Kyuhyun after him. Kyuhyun nodded dumbly and followed, letting Changmin keep an arm wrapped around him. Changmin held his breath until they were out of the store, not making eye contact with the clerk. Kyuhyun had a hand on the arm that Changmin had wrapped around him, gripping it tightly and turning Changmin towards him with his other hand as they approached the car.
“Are you alright?” Kyuhyun pressed. Changmin could only nod, looking at the car and not looking at the other’s face.
Changmin wasn’t even sure if he knew the answer to the question.
“Look at me.” The demand was solid, Changmin momentarily struggling in Kyuhyun’s grasp before he was suddenly forced to look at the singer, Kyuhyun’s firm grip suddenly at his chin drawing him closer.
“Are you okay? Did you just get locked in?”
Kyuhyun’s sunglasses were gone, and even though Changmin knew that they had been off in the airport when he had first seen Kyuhyun, really looking at the other’s eyes took him off-guard. They were narrowed just a bit, eyebrows furrowing as he looked at Changmin. His eyes were the most delicate shade of brown, almost black, but still golden. His lips looked incredibly full, parted just slightly, trying to breathe normally and gather himself from the ordeal. The charismatic, sinful composure was gone, replaced with a tribal sort of vigilance. In all, it was mesmerizing. And frightening.
“I’m f-fine, let go of me.” Changmin protested weakly. “I just got a little spooked is all.”
“He told me they didn’t have a bathroom. I’m glad I’m not as stupid as he thought I was. We’re leaving.” Kyuhyun said, reaching into the front pocket of Changmin’s jeans without permission and pulling out the key ring that the BMW keys hung from.
Kyuhyun turned and left without another word, shoulders stiff and unwavering. Changmin’s legs moved on their own, realizing they needed to, towards the car. Kyuhyun’s door slammed shut as Changmin opened his and crawled behind the passenger seat the to afterthought of a backseat where he could lay out. He took off his jacket as Kyuhyun started the engine, wrapping it around his shoulders and curling up in the seat.
“Sorry if I overreacted. It freaked me out a bit.” Kyuhyun said quietly as they pulled out of the parking lot. Changmin couldn’t help but smile despite it all. “You had the keys and my cell phone.” Changmin’s smile faded into a not at all amused scowl and he turned in the seat so he was facing away from the arrogant, clueless man driving.
“Stop pouting. Of course I was worried about your safety too.” Kyuhyun chuckled. “Go to sleep, I’ll wake you up when it’s morning.”