[for exollent] The Journey Home From The Unknown I/III

Jan 24, 2015 18:45

Title: The Journey Home From The Unknown
For: exollent
Rating: NC-17
Warning(s): explicit sexual content
Length: 30,284
Summary: Sehun has two months to kill before he starts his first full time job, and Tao has a fancy new car. The summer road trip across South Korea seems like a logical course of action.
Author's Note: Dear exollent, I really, really, really wanted this to be good for you, and I hope you will find at least parts of it enjoyable. For better idea of the course of the road trip: Sehun and Tao left Seoul and traced the east South Korean coast all the way down to Wando, with occasional trips to the inland. They took a ferry from Wando to Jeju and came back the same way, only to trace the west coast on the way back to Seoul.



Tao takes a deep breath and gets out of the car. It's not the first time he's here, but he's kind of hoping it's the last one. The gate in front of him and the wire fence winding into the distance make him anxious. Tao leans against the driver's door and watches the gate, thinking of how Sehun will look like when he finally gets out for good, how changed he will be on the outside and on the inside. Two years―Tao hadn't realized just how long that could be. He wonders now if he can ever fathom how much have changed.

It's not like he hasn't seen Sehun at all during the time Sehun spent doing his mandatory military service. Sehun has had couple of vacations, and Tao has come to see him. But the vacations were always short and dedicated to family and meeting all of his friends, and Tao's not a Korean citizen so he always needed someone to come with him if he came to visit. Besides, his tendencies to touch Sehun, to run his hand over his shorn off hair and check for any damages, didn't go too well with the atmosphere behind this particular wire fence. Tao can count the times he's been alone with Sehun, has really talked to Sehun, in the past two years on the fingers of one of his hands.

"Have you gone deaf from old age since I last saw you? Blind too?" Tao hears a familiar voice say, and he realizes he's missed the moment Sehun came out of the heavy doors. He doesn't mind. Instead, he focuses on Sehun, standing in front of him, lips turned down at the corners, one very bushy eyebrow raised mockingly.

"I couldn't see you in those awful clothes. You've practically blended in with the surroundings," he says, smiling, and tries to pull Sehun into a hug. Sehun halts though, and it only becomes this odd shoulder bump, but his eyes are smiling now, even as he looks between his military camouflage pants and dark green t-shirt and Tao's black ripped jeans and white shirt.

"I didn't want to waste time changing. I was so ready to get out of there," he says, chuckling a little darkly. Tao watches Sehun's tongue peek out nervously as he studies Tao a little more and then his eyes shift to the car behind him. "What's up with the fancy car? Who are you trying to impress?" he asks in the end, and Tao pushes himself off the side of it and walks to open the trunk. Sehun follows, throwing his huge duffel bag into it.

"It was a present. My mother felt it was ridiculous I walked everywhere the last time she came to visit," he says. "Do you want to drive?" he asks. Sehun lights up like a Christmas tree. Sehun's face is more rectangular, more mature now, his jaw even sharper, his skin tanned from all the time he's spent outside, and his hair is super short and the most black Tao's ever seen it. His arms are as thick as Tao's in his plain t-shirt, his shoulders are broad and strong, and his hips, as narrow as ever, make them look even wider when Sehun straightens up. But the wide grin and the light in Sehun's eyes, those are the same as two years ago, and Tao has missed his best friend, but now Sehun's back and there's an adventure looming over their heads.

"It's really yours? You'd let me?" Sehun asks, already grabbing for keys.

"As if," Tao mocks and steps back. Sehun launches at him, and damn, he's fast, and his grip on Tao's waist as he jumps after the keys in Tao's outstretched hand is so strong it hurts. Tao is so surprised he actually drops the keys and Sehun yells in victory. Tao blinks.

"Let's get out of here," Sehun chirps happily. Tao tells himself he meant to let him drive anyway.

"You brat," he mutters.

"You spoiled rich kid," Sehun retaliates. He gets inside, and when Tao joins him on the passenger seat, Sehun is looking around like a little kid on his first fair ride. "I can't believe your mother bought you a Maserati. Just like that." he says. "Sometimes I forget you're actually filthy rich."

Tao laughs. "And here I thought that's the reason you're friends with me. It's good to know I might have other good qualities than my parents' wealth in your eyes."

Sehun turns the key in the ignition and smirks. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm only friends with you because you desperately wanted a dongsaeng and I could get any amount of free food from you any time."

Tao watches as Sehun shifts into a gear, muscles in his forearm shifting.

"You are the worst dongseang I could ever have," he says, in a mournful voice. "I don't know why I missed you."

Sehun looks at him quickly, shifting the gear again and humming appreciatively. "I didn't miss you at all," he says, "but this is definitely better than being picked up in my mother's family van."

Tao shakes his head, watching the smirk playing on Sehun's lips. He wonders if it really can be that easy, falling into old patterns with Sehun. He laughs, remembering how much coaxing, smiling and dish washing it took to persuade Sehun's mom to let him pick Sehun up. It was definitely worth it, seeing Sehun's relieved expression when the wire fence disappeared and watching his mood get better and better as they moved towards the city.

"So how's life?" Sehun asks, an hour later. "When I first saw the car, I thought you finally got that promotion and became the hot shot director or producer and forgot to tell me." He cocks an eyebrow at Tao, and Tao wonders if Sehun will get them plucked again, as he used to in college, or if he'll keep it like this, slightly wild and very manly. If this is something that's changed.

"Ah, you know, my boss is still learning to recognize the true talent," he says, as lightly as he can, in reply to Sehun's question. It's quiet after that, only the latest hit song blasting. Tao wonders if that is because he's not telling the whole truth or because they haven't really done this in two years―talking about things that matter.

"Well at least you have a job," Sehun says in the end, changing lanes and slowing down as they near the exit to the part of the city where his parents live. "After that shift of my start date, I keep wondering if there's any waiting for me."

Tao wants to reach out and pat Sehun on the knee, but he remembers that wasn't something Sehun wanted when he had visited. He remembers that half-hug that just happened in front of the base too, so he keeps his hands to himself.

"You talked to Joonmyun-hyung though, right?" he asks instead.

"Uhm," Sehun hummed. "He said it's just an HR mess up."

"Then it's going to be fine," Tao says. "In the meantime, I have awesome plans for us." Tao planned on waiting for after Sehun gets to greet his parents, but Sehun's nose is scrunched up and his lips are pressed into a thin line.

Sehun glances at him quickly. "I am afraid to ask," he says, but Tao hears a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Well, I don't have to tell you," he teases. "Ouch," he shrieks in the next moment, because Sehun's just slapped his thigh, palm open and fingers stinging through the denim.

"If you leave me hanging now, I'll pull off the road and show you what combat techniques they've been teaching me for two years," he says. His face relaxes though, and Tao smirks then pretends to zip his mouth shut.

"Since you are a scary cat, no adventures for you," he says. He's pretty sure Sehun would be on his back, his head in Sehun's chokehold, if he wasn't driving. Instead Sehun hits him again, and Tao only laughs louder, because this whining and pouting Sehun, loud and obnoxious until he gets what he wants, even if he's not twenty anymore, this is something Tao's familiar with, something he's so glad to have back.

Tao manages to stall the announcement until they park in front of Sehun's house. He doesn't plan to walk inside this time because he knows Sehun's mom is waiting for her son and he doesn't want to interrupt the big reunion. He still feels a little guilty about the fact he'll snatch Sehun away so soon, even if she sounded as excited as he felt when he discussed his plan with her. Sehun's mom has always only been too kind to him. Now, Sehun turns to him on his driver's seat and pretends to wrap his fingers around Tao's neck. The tips of them brush against Tao's skin and he feels goosebumps rising in their wake.

"Tell me," Sehun is saying, baring his teeth to look even more menacing.

"Okay, okay." Tao half-heartedly swats Sehun's hands away.

"I figured, since you've found yourself with all this extra free time, and I have this nice new car that needs to be taken out of the city at last, we should do a road trip. A round trip around South Korea, five weeks or so, depending on how annoying you will be. I don't have too big plans, but I've been living in this country for years now, and I've never even been on the other end of it, so we're doing that now." Tao sees Sehun's eyebrows rising, and he quickly adds, "It's all cleared with your parents. Your mom made me pay in heavy labor in your absence, and we're leaving five days from now, the moment I get off work on Friday. You have until then to pack and show off your face and that ugly haircut around. I know at least Jongin is dying to tell you all about his latest manga obsession."

Sehun looks at him, eyes and mouth wide. "You want to spend five weeks driving around Korea. But Korea is tiny."

"Not that tiny," Tao counters, wondering what reaction he has actually expected.

"Says a man from China." Sehun quips, then adds. "With me? In your new car? Just like that? For five weeks?"

Tao nods. "Yes, with you. I'm going to be testing your knowledge of your country. And yes, for five weeks. At least. I fully plan to spend several days with my ass parked on some beach."

Sehun is still too quiet and not too happy.

"I mean, we don't have to," Tao backtracks. "I just thought, you know, sand, water, long drives, some grassy hills, lots of open space and no obstacle courses. You could live a little before you coop yourself up with all those numbers or whatever on your new job. I saw those tiny cubicles on Joonmyun's floor." He bites his lip, watching Sehun.

"I want to," Sehun blurts out quickly. "I just." He swallows whatever he wanted to say. "This actually sounds amazing," he says instead. He doesn't look too sure about it though.

Still, Tao heaves a sigh of relief. "Then get out of my car and go spend time with your family. We'll have time to catch up later," he says, pushing still a bit dumbfounded Sehun out of the car. Sehun goes, without a complaint, and they meet by the trunk again, Tao watching uselessly as Sehun throws the duffel across his shoulder and walks towards his house. He drives away when he sees the door opening and realizes how much could have gone wrong then and there and how little he thought about Sehun not actually being as excited at the prospect of spending a month on the road with just him. Tao himself didn't think there could be a better way to spend the summer.

On Friday, Tao's buzzing with the anticipation as he walks out of the TV station, with a potted fern in one hand and his phone in the other. He switches the camera on as he steps out of the elevator and films the old friendly man at the reception desk waving at him as he walks out. He spins, taking in the tall building and then stopping the recording, already thinking of the soundtrack for the last blurred out frames.

When Sehun walks out of his house an hour and half later, Tao's waiting just out the door. He lowers his small portable camera to give Sehun's mom a hug and she pats his cheek softly.

"You boys be careful," she says, and Sehun pouts at her.

"Mom, we're grown man. I have combat training. We'll be fine," he says.

"Because you're so menacing," Tao laughs, and Sehun gives him an unimpressed look too.

"Are we going or are you going to spend the next ten minutes filming my front door looking for the perfect angle?" he asks, and Tao takes it as a good sign that Sehun seems to now be looking forward to this.

"No, I've done that while I was waiting for you to finally get down here." Tao waves his hand, pointing the camera at Sehun just in time to catch the downturn of his lips, then shuts it off. "Let's go."

It's the same duffel that makes it to the trunk of Tao's car, barely fitting in with everything Tao has packed, and Sehun arches an eyebrow. He doesn't comment about the fern on the back seat though. Tao didn't really think that one through.

"I thought you said to pack lightly."

"Yes," Tao nods. "That was so I could fit all the stuff I'm taking in there," he says, face serious, and Sehun bursts out laughing. Tao is suddenly sorry he's shut the camera off already.

0. go on a road trip

The moment Tao starts the car, Sehun starts fiddling with the radio. He's kind of fidgety, but Tao tries to pay attention to the road rather than him, letting Sehun be. The anxiety slowly returns, and it's not a comfortable silence that stretches between them. He squeezes the steering wheel and barely notices when the sound of the radio settles into some trot station. That makes him chuckle a little. Sehun would. But then Sehun is laughing, and Tao glances at him quickly.

"You actually bought a South Korea travel guide," he says, clutching the book Tao has almost forgotten at home that morning and had to run up to his apartment to take. And it's full of bookmarks; you can't be serious," Sehun's expression has turned into one of wonder when Tao looks again, as they take an exit to the highway. "You said you didn't plan too much."

"I didn't," Tao says, a little defensive at Sehun's mocking tone. So what if he spent the past month sifting through things he wanted to do. "They're all just suggestions," he says.

Sehun goes quiet, looking through the bookmarks, and sighs only another ten minutes later.

"I'm ..." he starts to say, then pushes his lips together.

Tao bites his lips and dares to pinch Sehun's thigh. "Spill," he orders. Sehun yelps, glares a little, and slaps Tao's thigh in return.

"I'm glad we're doing this," he says in the end. "It was ... a little overwhelming. Coming back, I mean. I woke up too soon every morning, but mom was already up and fuzzing. And meeting everyone, listening to what they're busy with, how much life has just changed, not even in the past two years, but just since my last vacation, since the last e-mail. I don't know, just ..." Sehun trails off again.

Tao hums. "Nothing much has changed with me," he says. He tries not to sound bitter about it. If Sehun notices, he doesn't say anything.

"Clearly, you still love me enough to take me on an awesome road trip," Sehun chirps, tossing the guide book to the back, and barely missing the fern. "But then it wouldn't really be half that awesome without me," he adds, and grins.

Tao's shoulders sag. "Whatever you say, Sehunnie."

"So where are we headed?" Sehun suddenly asks, looking around them on the road. The sun has set already, but the sky is still painted faint pink with it.

"I don't know," Tao lies. "Maybe to get some chicken for dinner."

Sehun notices a sign for Chuncheon then and grins, sinking deeper into the passenger seat.

"Chicken sounds great."

"There is something as too much chicken after all," Sehun slurs, hours later, as they stumble down the street, both of them more than a little drunk and too full.

"It is, when you eat through your weight of it," Tao nods, his hands gripping Sehun's hip. He needs to keep the other up, and Sehun didn't mind, this time, when Tao wrapped an arm around his waist.

"I have to text Jongin this," Sehun says, tripping and almost bringing them both down. Tao sits them both on a road curb and watches as Sehun types what is probably an incomprehensible KakaoTalk message to Jongin. When done, Sehun sighs contently, resting his head on Tao's shoulder. It's too warm, even at night, and their car isn't too far away, so Tao lets him be, tipping his head up. There's too many lights around them to see stars now, but it feels nice anyway. He giggles when he hears Sehun snore a little, but he nudges him, crouches in front of him, and it's like college times, Sehun's arms automatically coming up to wrap around his neck, chest pressing into Tao's back.

"What's your secret?" Sehun asks, as Tao manages to get up and grab Sehun's knees to haul him higher on his back. "I know for a fact I'm a stronger drinker than you are, but you always end up being the sober one. You've always given me piggy back rides back in college too."

"That's because I might be a light weight, but you are the lighter one of us. We'd never get back to the dorms if we relied on your drinking skills only."

"Cheater," Sehun sighs against his ear. Tao just laughs, feeling pleasantly warm and deciding to stroll around the area a little longer before they collapse at the back seats of his car for a while.

Tao sips on his cup of coffee, not really reading his book anymore. He's watching Sehun instead, stirring at the back of the car across the street from him. He was about to get worried because the sun is high up already and even if he left the car windows all open, it must be getting pretty stuffy in there. He doesn't really want to fry Sehun less than a day out of Seoul. Sehun stumbles out a minute later, eyebrows furrowed as he snatches the post it from between his eyes. He looks up from it and right at Tao, and Tao grins and waves. Sehun stretches his arms, unfazed, the crumpled t-shirt from yesterday rising with the motion, and it's Tao who arches an eyebrow. He gets up, paying for his coffee and getting another cup of cold americano for Sehun while Sehun waits, leaning against the side doors.

"My back is broken," he announces.

"Wimp," Tao replies, handing him the coffee.

"I need to wash up," Sehun adds, and Tao notices Sehun's sizing him up.

"I just rubbed my eyes and put a gum in my mouth," he informs Sehun after a moment.

"That's so gross."

"Let's find some gas station. We can wash our teeth in the bathroom there, and get some breakfast."

"What did I get myself into?" Sehun asks.

Tao just shrugs and gets into a car. "The old lady who owns the coffee shop almost called police on us for sleeping in the car. Next time we need to stay out of the residential area."

Sehun pokes at his cheek in the mirror on the back of the sun shield and hums. Tao only shakes his head.

"By the way, since when do you read actual books?" Sehun asks, when Tao pulls off the curb.

"Jongin thinks I need to broaden my horizons," Tao mumbles. Sehun takes his phone out and tells Tao to wave into the camera, then spins around, aiming at something at the back seat.

"I think we killed the fern."

20. read a book

By the river, they plant the fern. Sehun laughs like an idiot the entire time he digs into the dirt with his hands and complains about Tao not helping. Tao films the entire process on his camera, and only later realizes there's more of Sehun's face than fern planting in that footage. By then, the water skiing instructor is free, and Tao is the one being filmed by Sehun who's lounging at the back of the boat, watching as Tao fails to stay up on the skis and above water for more than a minute at the time. He's tried wake boarding before, but apparently two separate skis above water is just not his thing. Nor is it Sehun's they find out as they switch, but it does take him one less try to get up and ride for three minutes straight, and he brags about that as they lie out on the deck, only in their shorts.

"So," Sehun starts, after a moment of silence. "Did Jongin recommend you a book about how to set up a successful business?"

Tao looks to the side at him, and Sehun's face is blank, but Tao sees him swallowing carefully.

"Nah, that was the first thing I found on Joonmyun's book shelf," he answers. Sehun turns his head to look straight at him.

"Well, I guess better than one of his meditation books," he says at last, and Tao grins at him, feeling the relief washing over him because Sehun doesn't push it. In gratitude, he nudges Sehun's side. Last night seem to have broken some of the barriers because Tao's not afraid anymore to reach over even if Sehun isn't drunk, and he knows Sehun won't flinch. They spend another hour with their legs dangling off the deck before they move again.

7. go water skiing

"I can't believe it took us like two days to get to the sea," Sehun comments, when they stop at one of the rest stops, hours later. Sun has already set, and soon it will be completely dark, but they can see the ocean.

There's no one but them here, and Tao's left the radio in his car on. There's some old Korean song playing, and Sehun's tapping his foot to it.

"Did your music taste change too? Tao blurts out, and Sehun looks at him, surprised.

"Too?"

A boat light on the water wavers in front of them.

"What else changed?" Sehun asks, and Tao sighs, moving to stand in front of him and blocking Sehun's view of the water.

"This," he says, poking Sehun's arms. "And this," he continues, lightly running a finger over Sehun's jaw. Sehun jerks a little, and Tao can't control it, he knows he's not looking at Sehun too happily right now. "That too, that reaction," he says, then quickly adds, "And your eyebrows are a mess." He laughs, hoping to dissolve the weird atmosphere, but it's still there, even when Sehun rests his palms on Tao's shoulders. In the past, Tao wouldn't spare one thought to a gesture like that, to the quick squeeze of Sehun's fingers, but now ...

"For the record, I've always liked all kinds of music. And I just thought it'd be fun to have some soundtrack to this road trip of ours." He quiets for a moment before he continues, and Tao lets him collect his thoughts, remembering how Sehun used to need a minute sometimes to push and pull around his brain before he was sure about what he'd say next. "And I've grown, just like my eyebrows, so my habits changed a little, but like. Didn't you change too? Nothing has ever stopped you from being a touchy emotional mess."

"Hey," Tao protest. "I'm never a mess," he adds, but he thinks he gets it. He barrels into Sehun and gives him the proper welcome hug that is about a week overdue. He probably squeezes too tight because Sehun starts tickling him and Tao ends up shrieking and running for cover, eventually locking Sehun out of the car until the other begs to be let in. Tao makes him promise on camera, for evidence in court of justice, before letting him in.

When they pull out of the rest stop, Sehun scrolls through his music player until he finds another play list.

"You know I didn't really mind that old one. I actually think it's cute you went and downloaded summer playlist for the road," he says.

"Shut up. It's not cute. It's thoughtful," Sehun says, and then turns the volume way too up. It's a rockish song now, in English, and all Tao gets from it is ride and best friend, but he pulls down all the window and lets Sehun pretend he's some punk as he bobs his head and wades through the air out the window with fingers of his right hand.

5. find the song of the summer

They only find a guest house to stay in the next day, and book three nights because Tao has meant it about planning on spending a few days just lazing on the beach. He hasn't had a proper vacation since he started working full time, and Sehun doesn't even make that much fun of him when he just flops into the sand after they check-in late in the afternoon and stays there until dinner time. The guest house is small and so is their room, and it's Sehun who makes the decision to push their two small single beds together. When he lies down, freshly showered and eyes already drooping, his feet stick out, the bed too short.

"This reminds me of Chanyeol-hyung," he sighs. "I really need to call him."

Tao sits down on the edge, going through the videos from the day and posting one of Sehun, stuck with his feet up to the ankles in wet sand in shallow water, limbs flailing, on his meipai.

"We should send him a postcard, as a bit of a late thanks and a proof of his good deeds," he says, distractedly.

Sehun laughs into his pillow. "What good deeds?" he asks, trying to sound skeptical.

"Well, if we both didn't try to hit on him when he was a TA for that freshmen math course, you might have never realized how cool I am, and we could have stayed only distant acquaintances."

"I also wouldn't have to spend money on Minseok-hyung's lunches for a month in order to prevent that video of us making out to get Chanyeol's attention from being posted on my year's facebook page."

At the time, it sounded like a good idea, since Chanyeol absolutely failed to notice how hot they were and that they were hitting on him, and one too many times, Sehun and Tao ended up drinking together and watching Chanyeol sorrowfully from the distance. Tao thinks even back then Chanyeol might have only looked at Jongin, sleepy eyed an awkward and alluring. Only their plan kind of backfired, because for months after that Chanyeol thought they were dating. By the time they persuaded him they weren't in fact cute high school sweethearts―damn it they didn't even go to the same high school or knew each other then―they've all ended up being friends, and neither Sehun nor Tao were interested in Chanyeol anymore.

"Look at it this way. At least we found soon enough that Minseok-hyung isn't just an innocent face."

Sehun laughs again, quieter now, a little lost in his thoughts, and by the time Tao drops his phone to properly look at him, Sehun's asleep.

Tao wakes Sehun up to see sunrise every day because this guest house is right on a tiny beach, and it takes just minutes to stumble out of the bed and onto the terrace down the stairs. By the third day, Sehun doesn't even complain about it, instead walks down to the edge of the water and watches from there. Tao films the sunrise, and Sehun tells him he's stupid because it's like he's missing it. And Tao does miss it, kind of, after that, because Sehun's profile in the early morning light, soft and swelling, is beautiful.

During the days, they eat too much ice cream that the guest house owners make and Tao starts building a sand castle. Sehun joins in, when it somehow survives the first night. They compete in who builds a better fortification on his side, elbowing each other as they dig out a water moat around it together. By the last day, it's an impressive fortress, and Sehun pronounces it indestructible.

An hour later, a family of four arrives to check into the guest house, and Sehun and Tao watch an attack of three year old twins that ends up in total collapse of all protections, the inner walls crumbling under the childish excitement.

"You totally jinxed it," Tao says, dryly. He managed to catch the end of the Seizure of Sand Castle on his camera. Sehun looks almost dejected, but then one of the twin boys turns towards them, covered in sand and laughing loudly, and Sehun's face lights up.

"That looked like fun. Next time, you build it and I'll destroy it."

15. watch a sunrise on a beach III

1. build a sand castle

Before they leave, Tao grabs a notebook and the empty bottle from the soju they shared last night before sleep. Sehun watches him as he scribbles something on the paper and starts rolling it up.

"Oh, me too," he says, realizing what Tao's doing, and he pulls the notebook from him. Tao really likes it when Sehun just goes along with things, not mocking or questioning Tao wanting to send out messages in bottles out to the sea. He films as Sehun wades into the deep water and throws the bottle as far as he can, curious about what Sehun's written. He'd been so secretive about it, but for all Tao knows, he might have just scribbled a date down and he's teasing. Sehun turns and gives him thumbs up, and Tao returns it, turning the camera off and only then realizing it was technically Sehun, not him, who sent the messages in the end.

It's Sehun who's stuffing their bags into the car trunk. It takes him a long time, and he keeps huffing at the mess in it. When he comes to sit on the passenger seat, his face is red and his forehead sweaty.

"You have too much junk back there," he complains.

"Only the things we might need."

"And for what exactly will we need a hammock?" Sehun asks, incredulously. "Because you totally have a hammock net back there."

Tao shrugs his shoulders. "You never know when you'll feel like sleeping in one," he says. Sehun drops it, and once again Tao is grateful for how easy it is for Sehun to go with Tao's moods and ideas.

11. send a message in a bottle

"You can't chicken out now," Sehun says, clutching to Tao's hips.

"I'm not going to. I just ... need a moment?" Tao whispers, pulling on the harness around Sehun's middle. "Is this really safe?" he asks, turning to the instructor who is watching them, amused, already holding onto the long cord.

"It was you who were all, 'Look there's a bungee jumping center close by, let's go, never mind lunch, forget buying some food, we're going right away,' and now you're stressing me out. It's safe, they say it's safe. You told me it was safe, Tao, so don't you dare back out on me now, when I'm all strapped up and reconciled with the fact that we can break our skulls if we bump them together."

The instructor clears his throat, and Tao grips both of Sehun's hands in his own.

"Okay, okay, I get it."

"Like, one minute you're running from one convenience store to another looking for root beer, and then we're on top of a bungee jumping tower, so take responsibility, damn it," Sehun finishes his rant, and only then realizes their hands are clasped and the instructor is laughing at them a bit. He looks down to where Tao's fingers are twined around his and Tao slips one of his hands free, wraps it around Sehun's waist.

"I know. I really wanted to try. Thank you for doing this with me."

"What do you need the root beer for?" Sehun asks.

And Tao is laughing, and all his apprehension is gone. "I'm having weird cravings lately," he says seriously, and Sehun huffs. The nervousness seeps out of his shoulders as well, and he taps his thumb over Tao's.

"You're stupid."

"You ready now?" The instructor asks, and they turn to him. "Don't forget what I told you. You both need to jump. I'll toss the cord after you."

"Don't forget to film it," Tao reminds him, and Sehun rolls his eyes.

"Or you can toss the camera after us too, for a better angle," he says, and Tao wants to swat Sehun over his head, but his hands are full of Sehun, and he'd rather not let go, and definitely not right now.

"Okay then, on count of three?" the instructor tries again, and they nod in unison, moving closer to the edge.

"Don't look," Sehun says.

"Okay." They're looking right at each other as the number three is shouted and they manage to jump, completely in sync. Tao screams more, and soon Sehun is more laughing, loud and obnoxious, as they fly through the air. Tao's lightheaded, the trees and the water underneath them swimming on the edges of his vision, nose full of Sehun's hair. They jerk at the bottom, but manage to not split any heads. Tao's heart is beating too fast, and Sehun's saying something, but Tao isn't sure what. Sehun ducks his head under Tao's chin on the next drop, and Tao only clutches to his back, bringing him closer and letting all too many sensations soar through him just like he's soaring through air right now.

Sehun's still laughing when they lower them down, people helping to untangle them.

"Thank you," he says, as they stumble apart. Tao's legs are shaking, and he collapses on the bench. He has a lapful of Sehun the next moment, Sehun patting down his hair and repeating his thank yous and how awesome it was. Tao only holds on, as tight as he did high up in the air.

30. go bungee jumping

"Don't pretend you aren't amused," Tao says, as Sehun gives him an openly judging look.

"Out of all the things you have bookmarked in that travel guide, this penis park is the one you really couldn't miss out on."

"Say cheese," Tao says instead of a reply, and takes a picture of angry Sehun and the first of many huge penises in the background.

Three hours later, Tao has taken at least thirty pictures, which are collecting crude comments on his Instagram, and several videos, which lead to Sehun confiscating his phone and camera. They're enjoying walking around and the scenery below them now, more than the never ending statues of big penises, men with big penises, and big penises pretending to be something else, but still.

"I'll help you look for a root beer, if we leave now," Sehun says, and Tao laughs.

"Is the competition in this place making you uncomfortable?" he asks, and Sehun punches him.

"For that, I'm keeping your phone until tomorrow night," he says. Well, Tao figures out, Sehun is doing him a favor.

3. make root beer floats

35. go a day without the internet

Tao shakes his head when he gets out of the third guest house that evening. It's late now, completely dark. With the summer in full swing and weekend approaching, it's been hard finding places to sleep last minute. Tao has a tent in the back that he hasn't pulled out yet because it's been easier to sleep in the car than looking for camping sites.

"I've been kind of hoping for a shower and a bed tonight," Sehun says, wrinkling his nose as he smells his skin, salty from the morning swim they went for.

"Actually, I have a plan," Tao wiggles his eyebrows.

"The lady at the reception mentioned there's a big bonfire on the beach in the town. I want to go, so we could do that and then stay in a bath house. I bet we can find one that is open nonstop."

Sehun appears tired for a moment, but then he looks at Tao, bites his lips and straightens his shoulder.

"Can we get marshmallows?" he asks. "They should be easier to find than root beer."

Sehun burns his tongue on a too-hot marshmallow or five. He keeps hissing and sticking his tongue out of his mouth "to cool it down." Tao tries valiantly not to laugh at him. He only really stops when he catches himself thinking about how it would feel to trap Sehun's tongue between his lips, to try to soothe it with his own. Sehun gives him a strange look when he goes quiet, and Tao pulls out his phone and makes them take a selca. He's filmed the lively bonfire festivities already. Now the atmosphere shifts into a more serene one, as the crowd thins out and someone starts playing guitar. People start to sing, and Sehun moves to sit closer to Tao in the sand, head on his shoulder again.

Later in the bath house, Sehun is half asleep as they strip down and get into the showers. Tao washes his hair and then Sehun's too, and Sehun hums contently, lets himself be led around like a lost puppy. Tao finds them a quiet corner and lets Sehun sprawl on the floor. He goes and gets them shaved ice.

"For your tongue," he says, when he comes back. Sehun barely manages to open his eyes. "Sorry, Hun-ah. Didn't want to wake you," Tao murmurs.

Sehun shakes his head, sitting up cross legged. "Thanks, hyung," he murmurs.

Tao drops next to him, and rubs his thigh. "Now I'm your hyung, huh?" he teases.

"You're taking care of me. Just roll with it," Sehun mumbles, tongue heavy with sleep and frozen from the ice. Tao massages his neck, watching him eat. He collects the empty paper cups when Sehun is done and leaves again to throw them away. When he returns, Sehun's lying down, breathing evenly, but he turns to his side and throws his thigh over Tao's legs the moment Tao drops to the floor. Tao drags the leg higher so Sehun can get comfortable. He rubs circles around the cap of Sehun's knee until he falls asleep. It takes longer with his hand busy with the feel of Sehun's warm skin under his fingertips.

13. attend/make a bonfire and roast marshmallows

Sehun has been eying him suspiciously all day long, but didn't protest when Tao rented a tandem bike. They spend the day on it, bickering about who sits in front and who sits at the back. When Tao goes to return it, he leaves Sehun with the car keys. He makes a quick stop for some snacks on his way back. His stomach drops a little when he comes back and sees Sehun sitting in the driver's seat, legs out of the open door, sun shield of the driver's seat dropped down, a sheet of paper in Sehun's hands.

"You have a bucket list?" he asks, when Tao approaches. "That's why you're so frantic about the root beer? That's why you have the hammock!" The last part isn't even a question anymore as Sehun skims through the list. He snorts, running a finger across something, then looks up at Tao.

"It's not a bucket list," is what Tao decides to say. "I mean. I'm not planning to die anytime soon, so it's not a bucket list."

"Okay?" Sehun says. "Then you have an extensive list of things you want to do in the next five weeks that include things such as make floaties from root beer, start a fire without matches and," Sehun skims down further, "fall in love?"

Tao didn't really have a reason to hide the list from Sehun in the first place. He just put together like four different ones, deleted stuff like shout something silly from the top of Eiffel tower and kept it. So that's what he tells Sehun now.

"I just wanted some fun ideas I wouldn't want to miss doing this summer. The love one was probably on every list I used, and I guess I missed one when editing it?"

Sehun is already pulling a pen out.

"I think it's time to give up on the root beer thing," he says. Tao sees him scratching at something. So instead, make it 'eat as many types of shaved ice as possible.' I bet we can find some really messed up ones."

Tao just nods, forcing himself to breath through his panic attack. He doesn't really know why he's even having one.

"But if you leave me to die in some small village when you find the love of your life, Tao, I swear I'll come back to Seoul to haunt you." Sehun raises an eyebrow at Tao, tugging the list back into the small pouch on the back of the sun shield. "Now, let's find some waterfall to jump from."

40. ride a tandem bicycle

"You're a menace," Tao says, struggling to untangle the hammock net pooling at his feet. "You hijack my car, drive us into some mountain range, almost kill me on a raft because that cascade looked fun, you make me climb not one, but two trees because you feel the first one didn't do the task justice, and now there are bugs everywhere and you're not even helping."

"I sound so cool. Aren't you glad we're friends?" Sehun says smugly, leaning against a tree. "Plus, I did help. I found us a camping site and a perfect place for a hammock. All you need to do is put it up."

"There are bugs everywhere," Tao notes, kicking the net that would not untangle. Sehun laughs and digs through Tao's big backpack.

"Here, take your weapon," he says, handing Tao the electric bug frying racket as he called it earlier when Tao brandished it for the first time, almost choking on his laughter when he saw Tao wield it like a sword.

Tao does take it though, slashing it through the air. Sehun chuckles but snatches the hammock and has it untangled within a minute.

"How," Tao murmurs, and Sehun just shrugs. Tao grabs his camera.

"You are unbelievable," Sehun comments on that, pretending to be put off, and Tao zooms in on his mouth as it turns down again, just to get back at him.

Sehun ties one end of the net and then picks up a dried up piece of wood, throwing it at Tao. "Drop the camera and help me," he says, and Tao does pocket it and helps Sehun stretch the hammock between two trees and tie it up in secure knots.

"Looks awesome," Tao comments, slinging an arm over Sehun's shoulders. "Good job."

Sehun snorts. "Someone has to do it. You'd be totally useless without me."

Tao curls his fingers around Sehun's shoulder, squeezing and pulling him closer. He swallows whatever truth that's bubbling in his throat. "You just keep telling yourself that."

22. go river rafting

47. climb a tree II

Their travel pillows and light blankets find it into the hammock after dinner, and Tao's not even surprised that Sehun climbs in after him. They set up a tent too, but Tao's more than content like this. He tries to get them both comfortable, rocking the hammock in the process and making Sehun giggle. Their legs are tangled in the net, and Sehun's using Tao more than his pillow to rest his head on.

It's nice to have Sehun this close again. It was when they were like this, lounging on one narrow bed in Tao's dorm room, watching some action movies, that Tao used to tell all his secrets to Sehun, talk to him about all his worries and share all the fun stuff. Sehun would giggle and laugh just like this or rub at Tao's hip and made him relax and then share just as much with him as well. So many things are on the tip of Tao's tongue now. What comes out though is,

"Is that rain?"

Sehun stills, and they listen for just a moment. The whispering hum of leaves above them turns to loud rustle, and soon enough a raindrop hits Tao's nose. Another one drops to his cheek right after, and the sound of the rustling around them gets stronger.

"Ah," Sehun says, sounding bumped. "That kind of spoils my efforts." He doesn't move off Tao though, and the hammock is still swinging lightly.

"Well, next time, I'll build the hammock," Tao says to pacify him.

"Oh," Sehun cranes his neck to look at Tao. "I didn't mean that. I kind of like your list. So since you took me on an awesome road trip, I'll make sure to clear that list of yours. Well, this is a minor set back."

"I'm sorry?" Tao says, amused. "So are we moving inside the tent?"

"Nah," Sehun still isn't moving much. "I'm kind of comfortable, and it was a stuffy day. Getting rained on doesn't sound so bad right now."

Tao's hair is starting to stick to his forehead, and for a moment he's envious of how Sehun doesn't have that problem. Then he notices a drop of water sliding down Sehun's cheek and how Sehun's so close he can see the scar on it perfectly. Tao blinks and finds himself being kissed, Sehun's eyes closed, noses bumping, his soft lips brushing Tao's broken ones. It's only a peck at first, and Sehun makes this thoughtful noise in the back of his throat as he pulls back. All this while, Tao stays frozen in place. Sehun pushes himself up a little, making the hammock swing more violently, and leans down again.

Tao reaches for Sehun's arm, and Sehun nips on his lower lip. Tao manages to finally, finally close his eyes, and he's only now gasping from shock. Sehun nudges him, nose purposefully bumping against Tao's, and then Tao feels his tongue running across the underside of his lip. Sehun's hand comes up to cup Tao's cheek, and Tao pushes his tongue into Sehun's mouth. His heart is thudding too fast, and the rain and their breathing are too loud in his ears, but he just kisses Sehun, over and over again, until Sehun laughs into the kiss, pulling away and kissing the corner of Tao's lip for the last time.

"Well, I guess it didn't rain on my parade that much after all," he says, and grins. "Now that you've got your kiss in the rain, let's sleep in the tent. Might as well, since we managed to make it stay up."

Tao's knees are weak, and it takes him a while to realize that Sehun kissed him because it was on the list. He shakily gets out of the hammock and trudges behind Sehun, who is already chattering about how the tents they used in the army weren't really waterproof, at least not if you were just serving your mandatory time, so their small tent feels like luxury mansion to him compared.

24. sleep in a hammock

8. kiss in the rain

Sehun googles how to make a suntan tattoo happen when Tao drives them from the inland back to the coastline. There are places he doesn't actually want to skip, despite still being adamant about not having anything planned. Tao draws a crown just above the waistband of Sehun's shorts. Sehun's biting his lip and trying not to squirm the entire time Tao comes back with more and more of sunscreen, nail scratching the skin on purpose. He watches Sehun's face, eyes squinting against the sun, lips slick and bitten, and he really wishes he had his camera on him. Sehun doesn't let him see what he's drawn on Tao's lower belly in turn, pulling Tao's waistband a little lower to complete his secret work of art. For hours, they do absolutely nothing but reapply the sun screen on each other, eat snacks from Sehun's bag and drink too warm soda.

"This is hard work," Sehun says as the sun sets somewhere behind them.

"I think I'm dehydrated," Tao answers.

"Oh god, I'm so glad no one sees the abyss of laziness we have fallen into."

"I object. This is how a vacation should look like," Tao says. "You remember it when you sit at your desk through the next summer."

"You sound so bitter about my future," Sehun notes. "You know I actually like working in audit, right? I remember flailing to you about my summer internship there."

"I guess I'm just not so excited about," Tao stops, thinking what it is he's not so excited about. "About you becoming a responsible working adult with no time for road trips?" he says at last because he can't come up with any better way to put it.

"It's not like we can't take short ones over weekends," Sehun points out.

"I," Tao tries again. "I missed you a lot. When you were in the army. And―"

Sehun sits up, grabbing a discarded shirt and wiping Tao's lower stomach. "Well, that's over now," he says resolutely.

Tao thinks about how he barely even sees Joonmyun. How Joonmyun's getting married at the end of the summer, and Minseok's wife is pregnant, and how far away it sometimes feels, the distance between two office buildings in the business district of Seoul.

"And look, now you even have my name on you to remind you who's your best friend. Maybe I should have put my number on you too, so you know who to call when your boss is being stupid."

Tao makes a face and Sehun mimics him. That's when Tao catches on to what Sehun's said. When he looks down his body, he sees Sehun's name in sloppy finger thick lines on his stomach.

He opens his mouth to say something, but Sehun just leans down and kisses Tao. It catches Tao off guard just like the first time, but he recovers quicker. Sehun sighs into his mouth when Tao kisses back and collapses on top of him. It's ... It's like he's relieved, but Tao's too busy trying to deal with Sehun, with his thigh wedged between Tao's, kissing down his jaw, to analyze that.

"Sehunnie," he says, looking around frantically, but the beach has emptied out, and it's almost dark now.

"You like the tattoo," Sehun murmurs into his neck, smug. So Tao pulls him up into another kiss, hands moving to grip at Sehun's ass. They can't do much more here, but Sehun's mewling into the kiss and grinding into him a little, and there's entirely too much bare skin between them. When Sehun pulls away for good, minutes later, Tao's breathing is too erratic and he has no clue what he's doing anymore.

Sehun sprawls on his back again, scooting closer so that their hips bump into each other. He takes a picture with Tao's phone, of the two of them and their tattoos, Tao thinks.

"I'm a man on a mission," he says, pumping his fist.

"That picture will suck; all the wrong angles," Tao says weakly.

"That's a matter of opinion," Sehun replies, then wiggles. "I have sand everywhere."

28. get a suntan tattoo

21. make out on the beach

Sehun is skipping next to him like a little kid, pushing Tao to walk faster.

"I haven't seen a movie in a movie theatre for two years. I can't believe it's been that long," he says, turning around to face Tao and walking backwards.

"I can't believe I let that happen," Tao says seriously.

"You sound like you're personally responsible for my cultural activities."

Tao shrugs. He's always dragged Sehun to all the weird plays and movies he's been interested in. "True. I better not be held responsible for making you watch too-old Disney movies."

"Disney movies never get too old," Sehun says, "You told me so."

Tao nods at that and pulls out his camera. "I haven't watched a movie outside in a long time," he says. Sehun waves into the camera before Tao pans away from him and to the building. He's plenty excited himself, but Sehun's enthusiasm is contagious and he's almost jitery with it, and his hand shakes a little.

"Stop it already," Sehun appears too close to his camera, then drags his hand down. He pulls at Tao's elbow until Tao puts it away, then grabs his hand properly and keeps pulling. They practically run to the entrance. Sehun still doesn't let go of Tao's hand, not until he has to pull out his wallet to pay for their popcorn and soda.

"My treat today," he says, and dumps the popcorn on Tao. Tao nods dumbly and tries to focus on getting them to their seats instead of on Sehun's relaxed happy expression as he pulls on Tao's elbow yet again.

26. see a movie outdoors

When the movie is over, Sehun is buzzing with too much energy to go back to their hotel, and Busan's too alluring, with the louds lights and people milling about. They haven't really gotten drunk since the first night on the road, but they're planning to stay in the city tomorrow morning, so they end up drinking one too many beers. Or Sehun does because after the third one, Tao starts ordering the nonalcoholic version behind Sehun's back, as he always does. Sehun never notices, and it makes Tao chuckle when once again he complains about Tao being much more sober than he should be as they're kicked out of the closing bar.

Sehun's arm is warm around Tao's shoulder when they stumble down the street.

"You always take care of me," Sehun says, and leans into Tao happily. "It's not fair. You let me do that too. To be better."

Tao smiles, thinking of all the time he found Sehun to be too good to him.

"I'm serious," Sehun grumbles. "Stop smiling mysteriously." He pokes Tao in the ribs with his free hand, and Tao grabs his wrist to stop him, spinning them to face each other. Sehun licks his lips, and Tao thinks he's going to kiss him now, and that this time he might be ready, when Sehun suddenly yells out something incomprehensible and starts dragging Tao across the road he's been facing. He almost trips, and Tao steadies him with a hand on the small of his back.

"Swings," Sehun says then, and he pushes Tao towards them. "Yes!"

Tao finds himself seated on a seat too small for him, holding onto the ropes as Sehun pushes onto his back.

"So what's the thrill like?" he asks, pressing heavily into Tao's back. The swing slopes creak dangerously.

"Other than the fear of the swing collapsing?" Tao asks.

Sehun pushes even stronger. "Are you implying your summer list includes stupid, pointless things?" he asks, trying to sound serious, but still slurring his words a little.

Tao only now realizes that this is one of the things on it. "Did you learn that thing by heart?" he asks, digging his heels into the dirt and spinning the swing ropes so that he faces Sehun. He uses his feet to control how close he comes to Sehun, who immediately takes hold of the ropes on either side of Tao's head and leans forward, hanging his weight off the swing as well.

"Maybe," he says. He's smirking a little, and Tao really wants to kiss him, but kissing on the swing isn't on the list, and they don't really ever talk about Sehun reaching over and kissing him, even if they've made out on the beach every night since the first time, leaving Tao confused and frustrated, but also too drawn in and not wanting to protest.

"I think this particular task needs to be spiced up a little to make it count though," Sehun says. It's not the first time Tao's wondered if he can read Tao's mind. Maybe it's just his face that always gives Tao away.

Sehun's kiss is chaste and tastes like beer. It's still a rush and a surge of feelings that Tao's not prepared for. Sehun keeps their foreheads pressed together for a while after.

"I'm tired," he mumbles in the end.

"I'll piggy back you to the hotel," Tao replies. Sehun's already spinning the swing back in place so he can climb up.

42. swing on a kids swing + kiss on it

"You boys are sure you want to ride a boat right now?" The sinewy fisherman they find in the port asks them.

Sehun's pretty green in the face, and Tao still doesn't believe that he's actually gotten up before sunrise and dragged Tao down here after the amount of beer he drunk last night.

"It's the training," Sehun only muttered, cradling his water bottle in his lap as Tao got dressed.

"We'll be fine, sir," Tao says and flashes the man a smile. "If it's not too much trouble, we'd really like to go with you." He picks up the buckets from the deck, lifting them for the man to take onto his deck. "Let us help."

The man smiles back at him, and Tao knows he's just charmed his pants off. Sehun knows it too, and he huffs in amusement.

"You're too good at this," he whispers when the fisherman isn't looking.

"Well, one of us has to have some people skills," Tao retorts, handing the fishing cords over to their new friend, Young-chul.

To his credit, Sehun doesn't throw up, not even when the boat rocks dangerously as they slide out of the closed off bay and into the more open waters. He grips the side of the boat and lets Tao do all the fishing and exciting shouting. He's the one that takes videos this time, filming Tao pulling out the biggest fish of the day, and Young-chul gutting one of the smaller ones that he claims is the tastiest, quickly slicing the meat and offering it with soy sauce. When they get back, Sehun smells like the ocean, but so does Tao, and there's much more color in Sehun's cheeks.

It's still soon, and they hang around, helping Young-chul sell his catch to the locals coming to the port for fresh fish. Sehun is an instant hit with the old ladies and they coo over him. Tao tries flirting with them to catch up in the fish sale competition Young-chul somehow instigated, but he loses. Sehun sticks his tongue out, and Tao can't bring himself to be mad at all.

"You stink," he tells Sehun. Sehun leans over, sniffing behind Tao's ear and making a face.

"Can't be worse than you though," he says, absolutely ignorant to the goosebumps he leaves behind on Tao's neck.

27. catch a fish

They shower before checking out of their hotel, and Tao's ready to head out, maybe find another beach to spend the rest of the day napping on when Sehun pulls him in the opposite direction of their car.

"I want to do one more thing while we're here," he says and before Tao can ask for more, they're entering a hair saloon.

"I want to get my hair dyed," Sehun says to the girl at the desk. "Is anyone free now?"

There is. An hour later, Sehun's hair is white blond and his undersides are shaven off completely. He looks much younger like this, and Tao runs his fingers over the hair. It's grown, even if just a little, but with the sides shaved off to practically nothing, it's more visible now.

"Whoa," he gets to say, before Sehun's pushing him into the chair as well.

"Hey," Tao protests, and the young girl who's done Sehun's hair grins conspiratorially at Sehun through the mirror. "Traitor," Tao grumbles.

Tao's hair is soon dark blue, and Sehun laughs loudly as he adds dye your hair some crazy color onto the list. When he's done, he runs both of his hands through Tao's hair, messing the styling of it, and takes a bunch of pictures of Tao alone and then poses with him.

"I'm sending this to all our friends," he proclaims happily.

"Don't you dare!" Tao tries to snatch Sehun's phone away, but Sehun runs. Tao has to chase him, and Sehun only stops when they're back by the car.

"Stop pouting. It's perfect," he says sincerely, when Tao finally catches up to him. He looks down, tongue peeking out in concentration as he types, and Tao knows the picture's going up on his Instagram and it's being sent to every single of their friends, but he's frozen, just watching, heart pounding. Sehun looks up from his phone, a little confused by the sudden silence.

"What's up?" he asks, tilting his head a little.

Tao's in love. Tao's been in love for a long time, probably, but this moment, so unsubstantial, Sehun quirking his eyebrow and still smirking a little in accomplishment is the one that makes Tao realize, his heart dropping to his stomach and his throat going dry.

"Nothing," he croaks. "Do you want to drive?"

Sehun swipes the keys up, and Tao walks towards the passenger seat. When Sehun starts the car, one of his playlists starts out right away. It's some love song, and Tao clutches the door handle, taking careful breaths and letting the city blur behind the car window.

+ dye your hair some crazy color

50. fall in love

Part II

rating: nc-17

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