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

[junjour]

It's too late to take a ferry to Oedo when Sehun and Tao arrive, so instead they find a guest house for the night, have a quick dinner in a restaurant nearby and walk to the pebble beach that's conveniently close. Sehun makes them walk barefooted over the stones, claiming it's good for their feet, and they try to make the flattest pebbles skip on the water surface as many times as possible in the fading light. Sehun pushes Tao into the water when he wins three times in the row and then laughs while Tao trudges out and tries to squeeze as much water out of his pants as possible.

It's a warm night, but the fabric sticks to his thighs uncomfortably, and he scrunches his nose and curses at Sehun. "You're such a sore loser," he adds.

"Oh, shut up and sit down," Sehun says, plopping down, a safe distance away from the water.

Tao obeys, and Sehun shares a bag of dried seaweed with him.

"Don't you think some snack can fix this," Tao says, stuffing a handful into his mouth. Sehun watches him chew, and Tao's stomach lurches. It's almost completely dark now, but he can still feel how much Sehun's eyes bore into him. Tao licks the salt off his lips, and in the next moment, Sehun's on him, his mouth rough and one hand squeezing Tao's thigh. He's kissing more urgently now, a hand on Tao's cheek pressing insistently until Tao's the one leaning over Sehun. Sehun's tongue is hot in Tao's mouth, and insistent. His hand slides down Tao's neck and under his shirt as he leans back, letting Tao nip down his neck and over his shoulder. Sehun's fingers on Tao's stomach are cold from gripping his wet clothes before, and Tao shivers when Sehun trails the letters of his name on Tao's skin. His hand doesn't stop, fingers dipping bellow the waistband, and Tao has to muffle a moan into Sehun's collarbone. Sehun's never been this daring before.

"Hun, what are you doing?" Tao asks, and he hates how his voice sounds so weak. He kisses his way back up into Sehun's mouth, but pulls away a little, wanting the answer.

Sehun only squeezes his cock through his wet boxers then quickly gets up.

"I have a spare pair of shorts in my bag," he says. "You should get out of these wet clothes."

Tao's a little dumbfounded, but he realizes Sehun's pulling him towards the public shower and the changing stall they passed on the way here. They trip over the pebbles on the way, but Tao doesn't get a chance to get his bearings back before Sehun's pushing him into the changing stall. He grabs Tao's shorts and pulls them down his legs, along with his underwear.

"I don't need help," Tao says, dumbly, and Sehun drops to his knees.

"You sure about that?" he asks. His breath is warm against Tao's cock, and Tao stumbles, his back hitting the wall of the stall.

"Sehun, what the fuck," he says, trying to grab onto Sehun's hair and pull him up, but Sehun's hair is too short, and Sehun doesn't budge, his hand coming up to stroke Tao's half hard cock.

"Just enjoy it," Sehun says and leans forward, mouthing down Tao's happy trail, his hand on Tao's cock never stilling.

"We can't do this," Tao chokes out. "Not here," he adds as an afterthought.

"Shhh," Sehun hisses, and sucks one of Tao's balls into his mouth. Tao bites his lip so hard he draws blood. Sehun hums and moves to lick up the underside of his cock. Tao's completely hard now, warmth and tension building in his underbelly, and he has to stuff his fist into his mouth. He can't be loud, even if the beach is more or less empty.

Sehun looks up at him, and it's too dark to see him clearly, but it's too much for Tao anyway. He thinks he sees Sehun grin, and then he takes Tao's cock into his mouth, slowly sliding his lips down, one hand gripping what he can't take in.

"Fuck," Tao mumbles, muffling another groan with his fist and griping Sehun's shoulder with his other hand. Sehun hollows his cheeks, and Tao throws his head back. He's barely breathing, and even if he's trying not to, he knows he's being loud. Sehun pulls off him with a pop, but immediately goes down again, deeper this time. He moves faster with every pull and press forward, and Tao hears and feels him moaning around his cock. Tao's stomach feels too tight, muscles in his legs twitching involuntarily, and Sehun keeps going, even when Tao tries to push him off because he's so, so close.

"Sehunnie," he tries to warn him. Sehun moans loudly in reply, and it's the last push Tao needs, coming in Sehun's mouth, the pleasure spiking in his veins and his own heart beating too loud in his own ears.

Sehun's lips drag down his cock one last time, and he stays there, tongue pressed against the underside of it as Tao's hips jerks. Sehun's hand moves from his cock to dig nails into Tao's ass.

Tao looks down at him and realizes Sehun's other hand is down his own shorts and Sehun's trembling. His breath hitches again when he realizes Sehun's come too, gotten off even before Tao did, and he finally pushes Sehun off, sliding down the wall.

Sehun immediately latches onto him, giving him a dirty kiss, deep and tasting of seaweed and Tao. Tao grips Sehun's hips and pulls him back. He's still trying to even out his breathing, but the reality of what they've done is catching up to him, and even if that's not the most important part here, Tao says, "We could have gotten caught."

Sehun smirks a little. "Well, that was the whole point. I'm pretty sure public sex counts as breaking law," he says. "One more thing down on your list."

Tao's stomach feels heavy in an instant. He's claimed his list is not a bucket list, but with Sehun bringing it up after this, yet again, it feels like there's a bucket of ice cold water dangling above Tao's head, getting fuller and swinging more precariously with each of Sehun's touches. Tao dreads the moment it tips over, already knowing how much the cold shock of it will hurt. Sehun kisses his shoulder then and gets up.

"We should leave though. I didn't plan on actually getting us arrested. "

As Sehun stands up, wiping his hands into Tao's discarded damp shorts and pulling new ones out of his backpack, Tao wills the bucket to last a little longer, hopes there's still place in it before it tips, so that it all lasts a little longer.

33. break a law

21. make out on the beach IIII IIII

Odeo is beautiful, in that slightly cheesy, over the top, extravagant way. Sehun, in the shade of the trees in the park, curiously touching flowers and teasing Tao about his obsession with the drama filming locations, is beautiful too, in that absolutely breathtaking way that love makes you see things. Radiant and untouchable. Only Sehun touches, all the time, walking too close to Tao so that their arms are pressed together, tangling their fingers when he finds something new thrilling or when a yet another view opens up, pushing into Tao's lower back when he wants him to look at something. He's delightful and ready to please, posing for Tao's short videos, waving at the camera or just goofing off in front of it like it isn't there, like it's Tao only whose attention he wants to hold unconditionally. By the time they have to leave, Tao's a little lightheaded with it, and he knows he's too quiet as they stand on the deck of the ferry, watching the island disappear. Sehun only reaches over for Tao's hand, rubs his thumb over his wrist before slipping his forearm underneath Tao's, palm sliding against his and playing with his fingers.

Tao thinks about it again, about asking Sehun what's happening to them. How they managed to slip from best friends reconnecting to this. It's comfortable, Sehun always in his personal space, even more so than before, Sehun kissing him, Sehun pressing his back to Tao's in bed so they fall asleep breathing in sync. And it's not that Tao doesn't question it, only he doesn't know what answers he wants to hear. In his mind, he sees the bucket swaying more dangerously. So he just lets things happen, lets Sehun decide on what happens when, and lets him always reach over first, not wanting to assume. He presses his palm more against Sehun's now, and the corner of Sehun's lips quirks up a bit. It's okay, Tao thinks he's saying. Tao closes his eyes and lets the wind ruffle his hair, hit his face so hard his skin gets dry and scratchy, and lets it carry his worries a little further for the time being.

When the boat gets back to Geojedo, Sehun is already pulling him towards their car.

"Tonight is going to be so awesome," he says, and Tao doesn't doubt it.

That doesn't mean his idea of the awesome night isn't absolutely off. He doesn't expect a town fair full of bike riders and loud music and street stands and old traveler carnival rides. He certainly doesn't expect eating so much hot dogs, which he's helped barbecue, that his jaw is aching and his stomach feels as heavy as lead. He feels so full that his eyes are about to pop out, but Sehun's shouting that he's "behind, come on you better win this! That's it! Keep it going!"

Tao feels nausea coming.

"Actually, just keep it down!" Sehun shouts then, his eyes a little wide, probably finally realizing Tao's state.

Tao bursts out laughing despite it all, pieces of bread flying everywhere.

"You're so gross. But now get one more down, you can do it!" Sehun shouts. He's standing in the first row, stomping his feet, and his voice is getting rough from cheering and the nonsense he's shouting. Tao really doesn't think he can eat any more, but he picks up one more hot dog and the gong sounds off just as he swallows the last part of it. Then Sehun's jumping over the barrier and barreling onto the stage. The organizer is raising Tao's hand up and Sehun's pulling him out of his seat and jumping around him like a little kid.

"I can't believe you actually ate all that, but you fucking won!"

Tao doesn't want to see a hot dog for the rest of his life.

6. have a barbecue

49. win a food eating contest

"What did we win anyway?" Tao asks, later, after Sehun's rubbed his back for about half an hour as Tao tried to breathe through the nausea on one of the benches far away from the food stalls. Sehun looked almost remorseful about signing Tao up, but his eyes were smiling, and Tao knew he wasn't really regretting it. They've ventured back onto the fair after a while, and Tao's been making Sehun eat one weird flavor of shaved ice from each stand selling it, in revenge.

"You, my friend, won something really awesome. And we're almost there," Sehun says, his tongue tripping over the words from how frozen it is. It makes Tao laugh, but it also makes him want to suck on Sehun's tongue to warm it up again. Sehun licks the corner of his lips then, and Tao makes a tiny noise under his breath, forgetting himself and getting caught watching. Sehun smirks, grabbing Tao's hand and pulling him to the side, behind one of the less interesting stalls selling dried squids, and kisses him. Tao pulls him closer, fingers closing around the back of Sehun's neck. He gets to suck on his tongue just like he wants to until Sehun's groaning, his hands pulling at Tao's shirt so it stretches uncomfortably around his neck. Tao pulls back, and it's Sehun who seems a bit more dazed for once, only licking his lips and watching Tao's own.

"I'm almost tempted to get more ice," he says after a moment. "Almost." He scrunches his nose and rubs at his stomach.

"I'll let you off the hook if you finally tell me what I've won."

+ eat as many types of shaved ice as possible color

A ride on a big motorbike, sitting in front of a biker that smells like leather and gas and helps him navigate the side streets, is not what Tao has expected. He's shouting happily at practically every corner and little acceleration, and the biker is making fun of him, but doesn't hush him. When Tao looks to the right, it's Sehun, on another bike, who's yelling for him to shut up.

The biker with Sehun has one hand splayed across Sehun's stomach, and it's there just to keep him safe because Sehun's awfully restless person on most occasions, and Tao knows he constantly has to wiggle and move, even more so when excited. Still, Tao looks away, focusing on trying to steer 'his' bike on his own. He doesn't want to think about how when they found the bikers, Sehun flirted his way into getting a ride too. He claimed his cheering had a big part in Tao's victory, so it wasn't fair only Tao got the prize. At least three bikers practically fell over their own feet, offering to give him a ride. Sehun gave Tao a playful wink and pouted at the bikers, picking up the bike he liked the most, the biggest one with bright red fuel tank and polished handle bars. Sehun was as smug as a cat that got the cream when the biker pulled out the keys and motioned for him to sit down, with no complaint.

Now they're coming back, and Tao's asking all the questions. The biker shows him everything he asks about, and when Tao gets off the bike, he gives him a light smirk and a nudges his shoulder.

"Go have some more fun with your pretty boyfriend now," he says and nods towards where Sehun's still sitting on the bike.

Tao splutters, but this guy seems pretty laid back so he only takes one quick selca with him, bows his head in gratitude once more, and goes to peel Sehun off the other bike.

36. ride a motorbike

It's getting really late, but Sehun insists they ride the big old Ferris wheel that creaks more than Tao really likes.

"I know it's on the list, but I'm sure we can find another one," he says.

"You know, not everything I do I only do because of your summer list. I do these things because I genuinely want to," Sehun says, off-handedly.

Something washes over Tao, something like hope and dread mixed together, and his heart is in his throat yet again. "Yeah?" he asks, catching up to Sehun, and hooking a finger into the pocket of Sehun's jeans.

"Yeah," Sehun nods. "So let's go."

"I've come to the conclusion that making out on Ferris wheel when you have a suitable subject to do it with is not at all about romance but about killing the time it takes to get to the top," Sehun says, as their cabin sways a little and jerks up another notch, the joints squeaking.

"I'm not sure if you're saying that I am or that I'm not a suitable subject," Tao dares to say. It's conveniently too dark in here. His cheeks are burning with a sudden blush. He's holding his breath.

"What do you think?" Sehun asks. His ankle hooks behind Tao's, their knees banging together when Sehun moves forward.

"I wonder if you're already bored enough," Tao says instead of, I'd kiss you on spinning teacups too.

"You're so stupid," Sehun announces, and reaches for Tao's shirt, kissing him, his lips warm and insistent.

Sehun claims he really didn't know about the fireworks they hear as they descend. They pull apart to watch the colors bursting in the skies then fading, the view disappearing as they get lower. Just before it's their turn, Sehun kisses the corner of Tao's lips once again.

"You know, if we'd be playing bingo, I'd call today a black out," he says.

Tao swipes a thumb under Sehun's eye and doesn't even try to stop the fluttering in his stomach.

"I agree."

41. see fireworks

4. ride Ferris wheel

A part of the reason why they're not on Jeju yet is because Tao
knows that after that, the road will only take them back up towards Seoul. So he doesn't protest when Sehun makes him go on a "treasure hunt," giving him clues and sending him to different corners of the beach and to the local stores while he sits on the rock by the water and laughs at him. Tao doesn't find a treasure even if he realizes Sehun must have snuck out of the guest house to go talk to the shops' staff, to get them to cooperate and hand Tao different things or clues when he comes in. He lamely thinks Sehun doing that for him is worth treasuring.

He voices his discontent loudly anyway, just for the decorum.

"Well, you already have me, so I don't know why you're complaining," Sehun says, smirking then jumping down from the rock and sneaking a quick kiss to Tao's cheek even if there are people all around them.

Tao does, however, end up with flippers and goggles after an hour and a half of "hunting," and they go scuba diving together. The pictures of them in full gear and the video of Sehun waddling out of water in his flippers and with goggles still on are priceless.

39. find a treasure (it totally counted, okay! you totally found a starfish)

31. go scuba diving

But now, there's only one more night left before they board the morning ferry. And of course, they can't find a place to stay the night, yet again. Unless they want to sleep in the car, parked somewhere outside the city. They've done it before, especially in the inland, but Tao's not too keen on it.

"Actually, I bet there's an available room in this one," Sehun says then, as they slowly pass by a hotel, neon lights blaring, most of the windows dark.

"That's a love hotel," Tao deadpans.

"So? It's also like a beach front resort," Sehun points out, and it's true, in a way. The hotel's just across the road from the rocky shore. "I bet the views are amazing."

"I'm sure that's why people spend a night in it," Tao says, but he's slowed down the car even more.

"I'm not sure why you don't think this is a great idea, but we could make it a thing, if it'd help," Sehun replies, turning down the radio and already looking out of the window for a place where they could turn around to head back.

"A thing?" Tao questions.

"Yes. Add 'sleep in a love hotel' to your list. We could pick some weird room for entertainment purposes." Tao snorts a little, part in disgust, part amused by Sehun advocating this. "I mean unless you lead some wild secret life in college that you didn't tell me about, you don't really have a record of visiting love hotels too much. It could be an adventure."

Tao's still not sure how he feels about sleeping in a room that most people rent just to have sex in.

"Plus it will be cheap," Sehun adds.

"I can't believe I'm kind of sold on this. Have you missed your calling in love hotel marketing?"

Sehun shrugs. "If they let me, I'll be much better at checking how much they paid for marketing and how effective it was."

"You are a scary man," Tao laughs, and turns left so they can head back to the love hotel.

Obviously there's a room available. At least they don't go through with Sehun's plan of renting a themed room, though not for lack of Sehun trying.

"I'm not sure I could sleep with some chains hanging over my head," Tao says exasperatedly, and Sehun relents.

"Fine, fine, you prude," he says, and lets Tao ask for some clean room with a sea view. The guy at the reception looks at him weirdly at that. Tao thinks it's ironic that that's the first thing he's fazed by since they came in.

Sehun takes a shower first while Tao tries not to look too closely at the sheets or anything else. The room's pretty simple though, and it calms him a little that there's no crude art on the walls, that the light is soft, and the sheets are plain white and not really scratchy or old. He's still on the edge, an inexplicable thrum of anxiety running through him. He quickly switches with Sehun in the doorway of the bathroom, hoping the shower will help. He does feel sticky with sweat and humidity. Plus their choice of beach for the day didn't have a fresh water shower, so they just dried in the sun and put some of the less-clean clothes on before they drove away. He spends a long time under the warmish spray of the water before he emerges.

When Tao opens the door to the bedroom, Sehun's sprawled on the bed, legs and arms spread wide, and he's bobbing his head a little to the music coming out of his phone. It's some dance track, and Sehun's left leg twitches like he's about to burst into a sudden dance move. He's making funny faces to the changing beat, attempting to beat box at one point, and Tao's grabbing his phone and starting to film before he's caught. It doesn't last long because he can't stop himself from laughing, and Sehun opens his eyes, looking up at the camera. He just narrows his eyes a little but then keeps making silly faces that turn Tao's snorts of laughter into peals of it that shakes his body to the core. Sehun's still-bushy eyebrows can do amazing things. Tao steps back a little to take all of Sehun in, noticing yet again how good he looks when loose limbed and relaxed, skin tanned and smooth, thick neck and strong shoulders more prominent in one of his white tank tops that rides up on his stomach from constant moving. His sun tattoo is almost gone already, but Tao's eyes are drawn to the play of shadows across it, to Sehun's hipbone. Sehun's always this ball of energy about to burst, and Tao can't look away.

"Put that down already," Sehun says eventually, playfully launching at Tao and snatching his phone. He sets an alarm on it so they don't miss the ferry and places it next to his own on the night stand. Another song ends, and there's no new one after that. Sehun moves just a little to make space for Tao on the bed. It's not too wide, but at least their ankles aren't sticking out of it. The lights go out, and Tao feels Sehun moving around on his side. He thinks he can't find a comfortable position, so he reaches out to pull at him. Sehun rolls and ends up with his back pressed to Tao's chest. Tao hears something clicking, and Sehun keeps fidgeting, so Tao dares to slip a leg between Sehun's, hoping to ground him like that.

"What's up?" he asks, running a hand down Sehun's side. It's a lot that he's daring to do, but Sehun always wants them close at night lately, so it's not completely new either.

There's one more click, and then something hits Tao's head.

"What on earth?" he asks, searching in the dark for the object and finding a small tube. "What's this?"

"So, I was thinking," Sehun says then, takes a deep breath that Tao feels his own chest rising with. "That we should honor the place and occasion, and you should fuck me tonight."

Tao drops the tube like it's burning. "I mean, I even found the lube. The night stand is super well stocked." Sehun tries to be so nonchalant about this, but Tao knows, without having to see his face, that it's just a front he's putting on.

This is what the tension in Tao's body was all about. This whole place just screamed danger from the moment he saw the pink neon lights. He needs a minute or ten to gather his wits before he choses the right thing to do. He drops his head forwards, forehead pressed between Sehun's shoulder blades. Sehun's breathing a little faster now, but he's quiet. Tao can only think of how it feels having Sehun in his arms like this, Sehun's skin warm under his sleep shirt, Tao's leg wedged between Sehun's. It's ... temptation and want. He hears rustling.

"Come on," Sehun says. "Don't make me take it back." Sehun's breath hitches on his last word, and Tao realizes Sehun's touching himself. He slides a hand over Sehun's arm, fingers sliding across his elbow. Sehun's hand is in his own shorts, and Tao doesn't stop until he's covering it with his own. Sehun doesn't tense, doesn't flinch even a little, just pushes back against Tao's chest and mutters a low "yes." Tao swipes a thumb over the head of Sehun's cock, and Sehun gets frantic fast, wriggling and kicking Tao with the heels of his feet.

"Help me get these off," he says, pulling on his shorts, but he manages on his own. He swats at Tao's hand that's still gripping Sehun's cock. "Lube, just get on with the lube," he says.

"Sehun," Tao says slowly, finally finding his voice, and Sehun pushes his bare ass against Tao again. It's so blatant and hot, and Tao's head is spinning because Sehun's making all these little noises. Tao kisses his shoulder, tries to slow this down a little.

"Sehunnie," he tries again, and Sehun lets out a shaky laugh.

"Please," he says, a little unsure. "Can we just, please," he tries again, reaching back for a moment to grab Tao's hand and move it so it rests on the curve of his ass. Sehun pulls his leg a little higher towards his stomach and glances back quickly. "Want you," he says.

Tao wants Sehun too, so much. He tries to kiss him, only catching the side of his mouth as Sehun turns back to the front with a sigh. Tao runs his hand over Sehun's ass and squeezes, kissing Sehun's shoulder, mouthing at the skin not covered by his shirt. He finds the lube with his other hand and props himself up a little.

"Are you comfortable?" he asks, and it's dark, but Tao sees Sehun nod. He has his hand around his own cock again, face half pressed into the pillow, and Tao kisses the nape of his neck, leaves his mouth there as he presses a slick finger between Sehun's ass cheeks. Sehun groans, and Tao pushes more, first finger slipping in just a little.

"Don't drag it out," Sehun murmurs, when Tao only pulls back out and massages the tight circle of muscles. Tao takes his time anyway. Sehun's breathing is getting more ragged, and by the time Tao has two fingers curled inside him, he's loud and his body is tense. He keeps pushing back against Tao, forever so impatient, while Tao doesn't want to hurt him, doesn't want to rush because that means getting close to the end of this. He keeps biting and licking over Sehun's ribs, Sehun's shirt rolled up his back.

"Sehunnie," Tao murmurs, scissoring his fingers before pushing them deeper.

Sehun gasps loudly then goes still. Tao feels him clench around his fingers, and he realizes Sehun's come.

"Fuck, fuck," Sehun's muttering, and Tao pulls his fingers away, holds Sehun steady by his hip while Sehun trembles as he rides the orgasm out. "Fuck, don't stop," he gasps again.

Tao grips Sehun's shoulder and pulls until Sehun's lying on his back, Tao hovering over him.

"Lights," Sehun says, and he throws a hand out, fumbling around the nightstand and eventually managing to turn a small lamp on. Now that Tao sees him, his breath catches yet again. Sehun's eyes are wide, cheeks flushed, parted lips slick and so pink. His shirt sticks to his heaving chest, and when Tao looks down, Sehun wipes his hand on it and lifts up a little to pull it off.

"You're so," Tao tries to say, and Sehun only reaches for him, pulling him into a messy kiss.

"You're too slow," Sehun whispers against Tao's ear, and pulls Tao's t-shirt over his head. Tao drops a kiss to Sehun's chest and then another and another, sucking a bruise over his collarbone. He hears another click, and Sehun's slicking Tao's fingers with more lube. "Now come on, one more," he says.

"Fuck," Tao mutters. His cock aches in his boxers, and he can't help but rub a little against Sehun's thigh.

"Yeah," Sehun agrees, and pulls his legs up.

Three fingers are almost easy now that Sehun's loose and relaxed. They keep kissing, nipping at each other's lips, and Sehun manages to push Tao's boxers down his ass, to his mid-thighs while Tao twists his wrist and presses his fingers deeper, faster. The next time he crooks them, Sehun moans into his mouth, his thighs squeezing on each side of Tao.

"Right there," he whispers. Tao pushes against the same place, and Sehun's sounds turn louder.

"Do it," he says, "Do it now." He's searching for the lube again and covering Tao's cock in it, and Tao watches, notices how Sehun's cock is hard, long and slightly curved against his stomach. He pulls out his fingers, swipes them over the head of it, and watches Sehun's stomach muscles contract.

"You're so amazing," he says at last. "So great," he whispers, and he's sayig too little, but Sehun's pupils widen and his hands loop around Tao's neck. He looks straight into Tao's eyes, seems almost awed, almost as stunned as Tao about what is about to happen, and Tao holds his cock and pushes into Sehun, slowly.

"Finally," Sehun wheezes, like he's wanted this for weeks, months or years, and Tao's trembling to the core above him. Sehun feels so hot around him, muscles fluttering in anticipation. His fingers pull at the short hair on the back of Tao's neck, and Tao rolls his hips just lightly. Sehun's head falls back into the mattress, eyes closing, mouth opened in a whine, and Tao pulls back. His hips snap in before he can make himself stop, and Sehun's nails scratch against his neck.

"Hun-ah, are you," Tao's barely breathing. "You okay?"

Sehun groans in reply, head nodding yes and his hand sliding down to grab at Tao's ass. "Faster, more," he says, and Tao ups his pace, pushes in with more strength, smashing his face into the crook of Sehun's neck, moaning and biting and kissing there. Sehun's trying to move with him, his ankles hooked behind Tao's thighs, but Tao's too frantic now for Sehun to follow. Sehun's so good, feels so perfect, and Tao's stretched too thin already, his thrusts shallow and faster. Sehun starts saying his name, over and over again, choking on it, and it's almost too late when Tao realizes he wants something. He slips his hand between them, pressing Sehun's cock more into his stomach. He's almost gone himself, but he manages to pull out, despite Sehun whining at him. He holds himself on his knees, one hand around both of them, moving fast. It takes two more strokes before he comes. He slumps back a little, still pulling on Sehun's cock and pressing fingers of his other hand into Sehun, scrambling to push into the right place. Sehun's sobbing, writhing in the sheets, cock twitching and ass clenching on Tao's fingers.

"Come, Hun," Tao breathes, watching in fascination, and Sehun does, shuddering, body wrecked by a hoarse moan. His limbs go limp eventually, shoulders pressed deep into the bed.

Tao sits back on his heals, pulling his hands away from Sehun at last. He's so tired, and they're both a mess, but sated, blissed out mess. Sehun wriggles in the sheets, fingers pulling at them.

"Thank you," he mumbles, without looking at Tao, and Tao leans down, kissing up his jaw. Sehun smiles a little, pressing a hand to Tao's cheek so he can pull Tao's lower lip between his own, and Tao feels himself calming down. This kiss is already familiar, soothing them both.

"Too tired to move," Sehun says. Tao noses at his neck, hums in agreement, but forces himself out of bed. He grabs a towel from the bathroom and cleans first Sehun then himself the best he can. When he comes back, Sehun looks asleep, breath slow and even. Tao slides under the covers, and Sehun stirs then scoots back. Tao falls asleep with his hand around Sehun's waist, his chest pressed to Sehun's back yet again. He's too exhausted to let his mind wander.

+ sleep in a love hotel

When Sehun's phone rings, he's asleep, curled up half in Tao's lap, half in his seat on the main deck, and Tao's just wondering if Sehun plans on sleeping through the entire ferry ride, just like he's slept through the short journey to the docks and through the boarding. Sehun jerks away, a deer caught in the headlights, then searches through his pockets for his phone.

"Joonmyun-hyung," he mutters, and he gets up. Suddenly his shoulders are tense, back straight as a ruler. He picks up and walks a little away from Tao. When he eventually hangs up, he doesn't come back, instead stepping outside, moving to lean against the railing. Tao follows, only stopping to buy them juice from a vending machine.

"Something's wrong?" he asks, handing Sehun the drink then placing a hand on his lower stomach tentatively.

"No," Sehun shakes his head, but his lips are turned down at the corners and his brows are furrowed. "I guess ... every time hyung calls, I half expect him to tell me they canceled my contract." Tao moves his hand to massage at the nape of Sehun's neck, and slowly, the tension lessens.

"Sehun, you not only flailed about your summer internships in that firm to me until my ears almost fell off, you also showed me your internship evaluations, and they fucking loved you there. They're not getting rid of you," Tao says, watching the waves breaking against the side of the ferry.

"Yes, but normally, people don't start only two years after finishing their studies. I might have forgotten everything they taught me. They might think I've forgotten everything they taught me."

"You did what you had to do," Tao cuts him off. He knows it wasn't easy on Sehun to decide to only do his service after finishing school. But when most of their friends enrolled, Sehun's brother was still doing his service, and his mom just had a joint replacement surgery and wasn't recovering all that well. Sehun didn't want to leave her alone. Tao also knows that's when they really stuck together, became even closer, looking to each other for support. He snaps back from the memories. "You'll be back in the swing of things in no time," he says firmly, and Sehun frowns a little, like he doesn't believe him.

"Maybe." He pulls Tao's arm away from his neck to play with the fingers on his hand.

"So what did Joonmyun-hyung say?" Tao asks eventually.

"My orientation starts in three weeks."

It's quiet again after that. Sehun slides their palms together and squeezes Tao's hand. "We have to be back in Seoul in less than three weeks."

Tao smiles ruefully. "Well, there always was an end date to this ultimate road trip. Look at it this way. That means we still have more than two weeks for Jeju and west coast. Just enjoy it."

"Yes, but," Sehun starts, and Tao shushes him.

"Don't start the countdown. Not yet." He turns Sehun so they're facing each other. "And listen well. You're good at what you've chosen to do. They promised to wait for you, and they haven't gone back on that promise for two years. They won't do it now. You also have an awesome mentor waiting for you there, so he'll make sure to teach you well. You'll do great. I know you'll do great."

Sehun nods. Tao tries to give him an encouraging smile. "Okay," Sehun says at last, and his smile is still a little forced, but it's there. "But I'm warning you Huang Zitao, if you take me to another genitalia themed park, I'm stealing your car and leaving you on top of some very tall mountain. Don't think I don't know there are several of them in Jeju."

Tao blinks. "I wouldn't dream of it," he says.

"Good," Sehun smiles wider. "If you want to see a cock, you just need to ask me, okay?" Sehun really isn't beating around the bush. Tao swallows, a picture of Sehun on his back, his pretty cock hard and twitching a little as Tao fingered him, vivid in his mind.

"About that," he tries to say.

Sehun raises an eyebrow. "Just enjoy it," he throws back at Tao, smirking a little.

Tao shakes his head and drops it.

"Now, let's go. I can't believe it's going to be this easy, but I noticed the bar on the other side of the deck and people have been carrying pineapples with straws away from it, so I need you to treat me to a drink."

12. drink something out of a pineapple

"This should teach you that my list isn't really meant to be a quick race to the finish," Tao says as Sehun manages to scramble out of the hammock, hissing the entire time. He wobbles towards their tent, cursing under his breath, and Tao would laugh, but his thighs are hurting too as he basically falls out of their net.

Sehun giggles. "You just looked like some gawky kitten," he says. He watches Tao get up from the ground then scratches his stomach, looking around their camping station and wrinkling his nose. "Besides, you're just upset I made you ride a pony instead of a horse, but I still insist it counts. Plus," he runs his hands on the inside of his thighs, bringing his shorts up a little, "I don't think I'm willingly riding another horse in the next few months."

Tao's eyes are still fixed on Sehun's thighs. Sehun has been spending practically their entire trip in variations of loose, sometimes way too short pants, and his tan tampers off gradually into the paler, smoother skin. It's just a little fascinating.

"You know, I was totally expecting some stupid joke there, but I see you're too busy for that," Sehun says, and Tao lifts his eyes guiltily.

"The trails we walked on were beautiful?" he says, a little ashamed for being caught staring.

But Sehun's only looking at him with amusement and maybe a bit of fondness. "I think I should add 'clean up before going to sleep' to that list too. It's kind of a mess here."

"I'll clean up," Tao says, pushing Sehun to sit down. He doesn't stay still for long though, and soon he's busy helping to pack their things. They take turns going to wash up into the camp's communal area, and when Tao comes back, their station is all packed up, backpacks leaning against a tree. Sehun has an open pocketknife in his hand.

"I think the fact that you managed to get the fire going last night and then performed some complicated victory dance around it makes this tree perfect for a little marking," he says as he makes the first cut. Tao finishes writing yesterday's date in slick cuts into the bark, making sure they aren't too deep. When he's done, he's spun against the tree and kissed.

"Next time, don't take so long to brush your teeth," Sehun says when he pulls away. "Let's get breakfast."

10. go horseback riding (mountain ponies qualify too)

24. sleep in a hammock

32. start a fire without matches or a lighter

29. dance barefoot in the forest

45. carve something into a tree

"I'm not racing you up Mount Halla," Tao says dryly. They've been walking for some time now, and Sehun seems to want to be on top as soon as possible. "Be patient, Hun-ah," he adds, hooking his index finger with Sehun's briefly. Sehun takes the camera from him and starts filming down, then up, the stairs they're taking. Tao has to pull at his shirt to stop him from walking into a couple of old ladies also making their way up. Tao wonders how long it'll take them. They probably have much more patience than Sehun though. One of the ladies smiles at him in thanks.

"That's a wonderful hair color," she says, and Sehun snorts.

"It was blue once," Tao says demurely. He can't believe he's mourning that deep blue, but for some reason his hair turned greenish instead of lighter blue, very quickly, and it spoils his selca game. He blends too much with the green around them.

"Oh, but green is good too," the other old lady adds, and pats his hand in assurance.

Sehun can't stop laughing.

"Isn't my friend mean?" Tao asks their new companions. They slowed enough to walk behind these ladies, and he notices how carefully they step up every step.

"But he has a beautiful smile, so I'm sure you forgive him," one of them says.

"Ah," Tao pouts. "He's definitely a charmer. He almost tripped over you, and you're already excusing him."

The women both laugh at that, and the same lady as before pats his hand again. "Don't worry, you're very handsome too," she says.

All of them walk like that for a while, Tao a little curious about them now. Introductions are made, and it makes him smile as they insist on being called by their first names. Soon-ja halmoni and Soon-hee halmoni are apparently new friends. They met at a book club for seniors and decided to take a trip to spend their savings together. They call themselves wild and free, and Tao wonders what kind of books they've been reading in that club. Twenty minutes later Soon-hee is holding onto Tao's hand, using it as leverage while Sehun walks behind Soon-ja carefully. Tao chuckles at how he seems to think she'll fall backwards any minute now, and he has his hands out and spread wide, as if ready to catch her.

"You should have asked your grandson to accompany you on a hike like this. I bet he could have carried you up," Sehun muses, when Soon-ja proudly talks about her grandson and how she may just live to have grand-grand children. "Tao here, for example, gives excellent piggy back rides."

Soon-hee wavers a little then, and suddenly Sehun's eyes are shining.

"Actually, he could totally do that now too", he says.

"Hey, why are you volunteering me again?" Tao swats at Sehun.

"Because I'm the best authority on your capabilities in this area." Sehun shrugs. "And I remember a certain point on a certain list."

Soon-hee's fingers hold onto Tao's forearm much tighter by now. Tao looks up, and they aren't that far from the top.

"I bet you've carried heavier stuff on your back in the army," he says off-handedly. "Let's do it together."

Sehun looks like he might protest, but then he's moving his backpack onto his front.

"Hop on, halmoni," he says to Soon-ja.

They both try to protest, but Sehun's so good at coaxing them to do it, showing off Tao's and his arm muscles to prove they can do it. Five minutes later, they're walking up the mountain with a tiny old lady each on their backs.

Soon-ja joins in when Soon-he starts to sing an old song, and Sehun cheers, a little winded, instantly proclaiming himself a fan of the Soon-duo. With a few breaks to catch their breaths, they make it to the top. Tao's noticed people taking pictures of them, and he asks someone at the top to take a few with his phone too, before they let the ladies down. They share their snacks with Sehun and Tao and pat their hair like they're kids. Sehun's so proud of himself, and Tao just basks in all that affection.

They part on the top, Sehun and Tao ready to descent much quicker.

"We actually didn't think we'd make it to the top," Soon-hee tells Tao, squeezing his hand for the last time. "But we'll manage on the way down. You make sure to watch out for your cute friend." She's smiling almost conspiratorially, and Tao tells himself he's reading too much into all of this. People can't keep implying Sehun and him are boyfriends, definitely not cute old ladies in their seventies. He just nods, bows once again, and joins Sehun for one last glance over the small pond in the crater and the island spread beneath them.

19. climb a mountain

37. give a stranger a piggy back ride

"Tao, this is Yixing, and he's awesome." There's a man sitting next to Sehun at their table in the restaurant they've been eating at when Tao returns from the bathroom. "He's a Jeju scientist," Sehun explains.

"That makes no sense," Tao say, eying Yixing carefully. He already has a hand on Sehun's thigh, and he looks a little drunk. So does Sehun, cheeks flushed from alcohol and eyes a little hazed.

"I'm a botanist. I've been working on Jeju for a few years now," Yixing says in soft Chinese.

"Hyung, no. Talk in your cute Korean, not in Chinese." Sehun pouts at him, and Yixing rubs his knee to appease him.

"You're a cutie," he coos. Sehun seems so taken in with the way Yixing's mouth moves, and Tao's stomach churns, his fists clenching so that his hands don't shake.

"Your boyfriend is a very affectionate drunk, isn't he?" Yixing says to Tao then, again in Chinese, "very, very cute." Tao feels himself deflate like a balloon. He decides not to protest the assumption this time. Yixing is smiling at him knowingly. 'I mean no harm,' his droopy eyes seem to be saying. "I am too," he adds.

"I'm not cute," Sehun mumbles, finally pulling Tao to sit on the other side of him. "Don't think I didn't understand that. Tao used to call me cute all the time when we first met."

"Used to?" Yixing cocks his head.

"I made him stop," Sehun says firmly.

"Aren't you regretting it?" Yixing asks, seriously.

"Hmmm," Sehun hums. He sounds sleepy and not really there anymore. "Did you put the instruction down into my phone?" Without context Tao is lost.

Yixing nods, finally pulling his hand away from Sehun's knee and taking a sip from his beer, eyes twinkling as he looks at Tao from over his glass.

They don't stay for much longer after that, but Yixing helps Tao drag a drunk Sehun to their guest house, so Tao definitely deems him to be good people. They exchange numbers, and Yixing leaves them, singing an old Chinese folk song under his breath and walking from one side of the narrow road to the other.

"It's perfect," Tao say, absolutely stunned as he stands on the edge of a waterfall. It's not a big one, but the falling water is still loud and just a little intimidating. There's no one around. They walked off the official path some time ago, Sehun hesitating a little, but eventually nodding to himself and pulling Tao behind him.

"I've got this," he's said.

He definitely did have this, because he's pumped his fist and smiled smugly when they arrived.

"Did you know it was here?" Tao asks, incredulous. He's already pulling his camera out off his rucksack.

"Of course. Yixing said we can stay the night too," he adds, already stripping off his t-shirt. Tao is momentarily distracted by his tummy, but then he shakes his head.

"Wait, what? Yixing?"

Sehun only nods. "I only had to buy him one beer too. He's now the coolest Chinese person I know," Sehun says, very seriously.

"Hey!" Tao grabs Sehun by the hips. "Do you want to be thrown down into the water? Take that back!"

Sehun only throws his head back in laughter. "Well, it's not like I wasn't planning to jump," he says. "But I was kind of hoping we could do it together."

Tao blinks.

"And you're right. I guess Lu Han-hyung is still the coolest Chinese person I know. Mostly because I can crash at his place in Beijing any time. Or, so he says."

"I'm really going to toss you," Tao says, threateningly. "Explain, now."

"Okay, okay," Sehun relents, turning in Tao's hold easily and pushing Tao's t-shirt up too, trying to take it off. "Yixing works nearby. He knows this place really well, does research here sometimes. He was talking about it in the restaurant, and well, I was looking for a waterfall that's not swamped with tourists, so I bought him that beer and flirted all his secrets out of him."

"He wasn't flirting with you," Tao says distractedly.

Sehun only snorts. "You always focus on the important things. But whatever. He said it's safe to jump in if we jump a little forward. No dangerous stones, and the water is deep enough. So let's go," Sehun's pulling at Tao's hand.

"No, wait, wait. Let me check."

"You want to jump first?" Sehun sounds absolutely dejected.

"No, you idiot. I'm going to walk around and see for myself. No offense, but Yixing was just as drunk as you last night, and I don't want you breaking your leg or cracking your head because of this."

Sehun gives him this strange look, a bit amazed, but lets go off his hand. "I want to tell you to live a little but, ... fine, go."

Tao strides down the side of the waterfall, finding a place to drop his rucksack that he brought with him and wading into the water. It's cold, and he shudders a bit. Sehun laughs at him from above, and his laughter resonates around the place, carries even over the sound of water. Tao moves further away from the shore, and soon he can't reach the bottom. The water's clear, and he can see everything under it, all the way to the edge of the cliff. Yixing was right, but Tao's still glad he checked. When he gets out, he looks around. Sehun's impatient, already practicing the takeoff, and he looks super silly doing it. He makes a face when Tao pulls his camera out, walking around until he finds a flatter rock, throwing his rucksack on it and positioning the camera on top. He hits the record button and hurries up to join Sehun. He's breathing hard when he arrives, and Sehun's in that state of absolute excitement again, radiating with energy and joy.

"Took you long enough," he says, lacing their fingers together. "Ready?"

They jump together, and Sehun doesn't let go of Tao's hand until their feet hit the water, screaming on top of his lungs.

When they emerge, Sehun's spluttering about doing it again, already swimming to the shore. Tao lets him go first, still a little winded. He floats on the water for a while, watching Sehun, wet and slightly shivering, make his way back up. He swims to the shore just in time to take hold of his camera and record Sehun jumping again, making sure it's all there, perfect.

They jump down one more time, together, and by then Sehun's lips are a little blue, but he starts swimming towards where the water falls down heavily.

"Hey, come back? Tao shouts after him.

"You come here!" Sehun orders. He knows Tao will follow.

Sehun finds a flat rock to stand on, near the edge of the waterfall, and Tao barely registers how he suddenly disappears behind the curtain of water. There's exciting shouting, and Tao quickly swims to where Sehun was standing just now.

"This is so cool," he breathes out, when he finds himself being pulled behind the water. He wants to ask if this is also something Yixing told Sehun, but Sehun pulls at his shorts and kisses him, his energy and excitement making the kiss harsh and rushed.

"Sehunnie," Tao murmurs, but Sehun only pulls him closer, both of them squeezed into the narrow space behind the water that pounds overwhelmingly loud in Tao's ears.

They kiss for a while, Tao wrapping his hands around Sehun's waist, one hand resting low on the small of his back, and Sehun's own hands in Tao's hair, playing with his earrings. Tao gets to suck a bruise behind Sehun's ear, to kiss down his jaw and bite over his collarbones, holding onto him until they're both shivering, water spraying them from one side, cold stone cooling them from the other. Tao's head is spinning at the way their chests are pressed together, and he can feel every one of Sehun's noises rumbling out of him. Sehun's lips are constantly cold though, and eventually Tao pushes at his shoulder a little to make him stop.

"We need to get out of here."

Sehun sighs, dipping in for one last kiss. "Fine. Kissing under the waterfall accomplished," he mutters, and Tao freezes.

The water all around them suddenly reminds me of the bucket he's almost forgotten, the one dangling over his head.

Sehun seems to notice the change in his mood, even as Tao tries to force his face to stay blank. He runs his cold fingers down Tao's sides.

"We should do it again later, though," Sehun says. "I kind of really like it."

17. swim in a waterfall

+ kiss under a waterfall

"The green is really impressive," Sehun says later, as they sprawl on one of the flat rocks by the water. Sehun's lying on his side, their legs tangled, and he's running his hands through Tao's hair. Tao's trying really hard not think about how soon, he will have to dye it back to black, how there's a deadline on his awful hairstyle too. He tries not to wonder whether Sehun will still comb his fingers through his hair, massaging the back of his neck, when his hair is back to the boring color.

"Shut up," he murmurs instead, when Sehun keeps chuckling.

"Make me," Sehun challenges.

Tao reaches over and kisses him. He doesn't realize how he's been so forceful about it until Sehun drops on top of him. He stops, but Sehun bites his lip, groaning unhappily at the sudden break, and Tao can't ever say no to him. Sehun wants this. At least for now, Sehun wants to be kissing Tao, so Tao pushes his tongue back into his mouth and settles on relearning Sehun's taste and the noises he makes.

"I can't believe Yixing gave all this away for one beer," Tao marvels as they climb a hill behind where they set up their tent by the waterfall.

"He didn't. He gave it away for my pretty face and amazing ass," Sehun retorts.

This time, Tao only laughs at him. It's not completely dark yet, but soon it will be, and other then their flashlights, there's no superficial light anywhere near them.

"I can't guarantee a falling star though," Sehun says, almost apologetically, as he sets down their blanket. "I checked, and there's no forecast of any meteor showers for the next month or so."

Tao plops down on the blanket, shaking his head. Sehun, even normally, is amazing. Sehun, trying so hard, practically making miracles happen, pushes at all of Tao's buttons. Tao's in constant danger of bursting from inside out, falling deeper and deeper in love with Sehun. It makes him want to hold him close all the time, makes him want to always feel him near by, so he can reach over and make sure Sehun's there.

"Seriously, this is already amazing," he says, pulling Sehun down to sit between his spread legs, Sehun's back against his chest. Sehun drops his head onto Tao's shoulder, looking up. "You're so good to me, Hun-ah."

"It's nothing," Sehun mutters. Their breathing is in sync as they watch the first of stars appear.

"Are you ..." Sehun trails of. "Are you happy? Because I am ... so happy. I'm so glad we're doing this trip, and I want to make sure you're too, that it's as good for you as it's for me."

Tao nuzzles his nose against Sehun's hair then moves a little so he can reach his face. The kiss lands on the corner of Sehun's eye.

"I'm always happy when I'm with you," Tao says.

Sehun's hand squeezes Tao's thigh.

When they notice a star falling after it gets completely dark, Tao wishes for Sehun to never leave his arms.

14. go stargazing

38. wish on a falling star

"What's up with you?" Tao asks, as they make their way back to their tent and Sehun is jittery. They're holding hands, and Sehun's palm is slightly damp with sweat. Tao sees him craning his neck constantly in the beam of his flashlight.

"Shhhhhh," Sehun says. "Just one more thing. I want you to see one more thing." He stops abruptly then, and Tao barrels into his back. "Look," Sehun whispers. "They're here. I was afraid they'd be gone already."

The forest to the side where Sehun's looking glitters with hundreds of tiny lights.

"Fireflies," Tao gasps, in awe.

"Yeah, Yixing said that they only come out until like mid-July, so he wasn't sure if we'd see any."

Tao wraps his hands around Sehun's middle and drops a kiss at the nape of his neck. He's never seen fireflies before, even though he has so many memories of his mother telling stories about them before he went to bed;he's told them to Sehun before, knows that Sehun remembers them. Now, he's standing here with Sehun. His heart is pounding in his ears, and he needs to hold onto Sehun so he knows it's real.

"I'm not dreaming?" he asks anyway, kissing Sehun's neck again, registering the goosebumps rising on his skin.

"No," Sehun says softly, covering Tao's hands on his waist with his ownô and they stand in silence, watching, for a while.

"I didn't bring anything to catch them," Sehun says suddenly, his nails digging into Tao's skin in distress. Tao squeezes his waist tighter.

"It doesn't matter," he says, mouthing on Sehun's neck again. "I've caught them all. They're all in my heart, Sehunnie." He breathes in, nose in Sehun's hair. "It's all there," he says, not being able to say more. Sehun, and the fireflies, and this moment, this night―all of it is etched into Tao's soul, and he thinks he won't ever feel more in love, more shaken and more hopeful than he feels now.

"You're so cheesy," Sehun say, but he doesn't sound as blasé as he probably wanted to.

"Thank you," Tao whispers, holding Sehun close and watching the forest shimmer with light.

2. catch fireflies

"So, do you think we lived Jeju enough?" Tao asks as they wait to board the ferry.

"Hmmmm," Sehun hums, "Let me think. We ate our weight in grilled black pig meat, you almost persuaded an old haenyeo diver to quit her only source of living because you were so worried for her being in danger then bought the rest of the abalone she was selling. You've made me get into a sea stark naked, though I'm still not a believer of your policy of 'the less clothes the better, no clothes the best,' mostly because my ass got scratched when we made out in the shallow water afterwards, and that's not cool. We've seen like every famous touristic place on this island, and you overcame your fears of haunted places and ghosts by walking through one harmless abandoned house while screaming like someone was cutting you to pieces. I think we did pretty well."

"You were sneaking behind me, it was dark, and the wind was practically howling in that place, you jerk," Tao says, and Sehun snickers.

"Whatever lets you sleep at night," he says.

Tao huffs, and they move in line. Only one more car, and it's their turn to board.

"You know," Sehun says, more quietly, fiddling with the radio. "Yesterday might have been our last sunrise on the beach."

Tao bites his lip, and Sehun's hand makes his way to his thigh. Tao squeezes it tightly.

"Sunsets are amazing, too," he says, but he knows that no matter what, the countdown has really started. His heart constricts, and he can't stop his mind from running away with him, thoughts of all the things he wants to keep ignoring, of all the unknown waiting for him back in Seoul, damping the mood.

15. watch a sunrise on a beach IIII IIII

21. make out on the beach IIII IIII II

34. find a haunted house and walk through it

9. go skinny dipping

Part III