Unlock - Chapter Thirty-Eight

[yeonah]

Title: Unlock
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah 
Chapter: 38/?
Fandom: SS501, cameos by KARA
Pairings: KyuSaeng, HyunMin (may be other pairings in the future)
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU, Fluff
Summary: Not everything is as it seems, and for those who are as far from normal as you can get, life is a bleak existence.  The only ones who can truly understand what these individuals go through are those...just like them.
A/N:  YoungSaeng and HyunJoong are played by renichifreak and KyuJong and JungMin are played by me.  Updates will be every Wednesday <3


Things had more or less calmed down by the time JungMin returned. HyungJoon was still down for the count, but HaRa was working on helping him recover, since unlike with HyunJoong, her powers wouldn't have an adverse affect on the youngest.

Seeing him enter the room, YoungSaeng smiled before narrowing his eyes. "What's got you so giddy?" he asked, feeling nosy.

Blinking owlishly at the older boy, JungMin shrugged. “Still supercharged after all that,” he lied, not exactly sure if he should mention that HyunJoong had kissed him in front of Nicole and HaRa. Though he definitely wanted to tell YoungSaeng.

Seeing that HyungJoon had been moved to the free bed, he dropped down on the floor against the wall. “Hyun’s resting, he says sorry.”

“It’s not his fault,” KyuJong smiled, still a little disorientated but otherwise recovered as well. He was attached to YoungSaeng’s side now, worried about a relapse into depression after the sudden use of his power, but YoungSaeng seemed to be all right.

Running his hand through KyuJong's hair lightly, YoungSaeng observed JungMin. Having known each other as well as they did, it wasn't hard to see that there was something that JungMin wasn't telling them. He kept quiet, though, knowing the redhead would tell him when he was ready.

"So, HaRa was more or less able to heal him, so after he gets some rest, HyungJoon should be more or less fine."

JungMin nodded. “Good,” he said, looking at the youngest in their group. Though the redhead reacted badly to the sudden amplification of his powers, it hadn’t hurt physically. HyungJoon looked like he had been in a lot of pain. “Looks like they’re both going to be out of commission for a while then,” he mused, drawing his legs up to his chest and resting his cheek against his knees. “What now?”

"Well I think we're all exhausted from earlier, so maybe we should leave it for another day," YoungSaeng suggested. Besides, he wanted to talk to JungMin and see how he was after what happened.

Nodding again, JungMin looked at HyungJoon. "So rest for now?"

KyuJong stood. "I'll get HyungJoon to his room," he chuckled, leaning down to kiss YoungSaeng lightly before walking over to the other bed. JungMin hopped up and helped him get the unconscious boy on his back, HaRa and Nicole standing to leave as well. "Rest sounds good," HaRa yawned.

Watching everyone leave the room, YoungSaeng turned toward JungMin, ability-darkened eyes curious. "Is there something you haven't told us?"

Once the others were all gone, JungMin grinned a little sheepishly, sitting down on the other bed again. Trust YoungSaeng to question him right away. "Um...” He wasn't sure how to say it, so he just opted for the most direct way possible.

"HyunJoong kissed me," he blurted out, squirming around.

At the statement, YoungSaeng stared at JungMin for a bit before smiling widely and all but tackling him. "JungMin!! That's great! But how? I thought you couldn't..." he babbled, clinging to his friend happily.

Squeaking, JungMin blinked owlishly at the older boy (YoungSaeng had never tackled him before, though there was plenty of the reverse) before giving a silly grin and wrapping his arms around the other, though careful not to touch bare skin. He hadn't been kidding about being supercharged now.

"I can't, but, he locked up my power long enough to do it," JungMin said, unable to sit still as he thought about the kiss. Gloved fingers clung to YoungSaeng's shirt. "He's probably passed out by now, but, he kissed me, and then, and then he was hugging me and took my glove off and I don't know what I'm gonna do now cause now I wanna kiss him again but I can't cause I'll fry him," he rambled, unable to slow down.

YoungSaeng smiled wider as he listened to JungMin ramble on. "He must really like you if he risked his health to shut your power down to kiss you, Minnie yah," he pointed out, cuddling his friend.

"He must, right?" JungMin murmured, snuggling against YoungSaeng and burying his face against his friend's shoulder. "I don't get why, and I don't know what to do." He was so happy he could be bouncing off the walls, but at the same time he was nervous beyond belief. "What happens now? I wasn't expecting...I thought something like this would never happen, Saeng, no one's supposed to like the crazy one."

"Min, look at me, okay? I know exactly how you feel. When KyuJong first told me he liked me, I was stunned since no one's ever treated me as something other than a psycho. You're an amazing guy and HyunJoong saw that. Don't doubt yourself, okay?" YoungSaeng asked, hugging him again. "It'll happen again. Once he's better, we'll work on controlling his ability as well as yours, because I love the fact that you're happy."

Nodding against YoungSaeng's shirt, JungMin smiled widely as he slowly let go of his friend. He was still so confused about the whole thing, but he decided to do what he always did and go with the flow. "I would like it to happen again," he mumbled, picking at the bed's comforter and cheeks turning a light pink.

Remembering something, he looked up at YoungSaeng. "Before all hell broke loose, I thought the light bulb looked dimmer than before," he said, frowning a little. "It was probably wishful thinking, but...” The sudden surge of electricity had really scared him though, and brought up bad, bad memories.

"I was much more focused on Kyu not passing out again, but I think that you're right. It really did seem dimmer in here," YoungSaeng agreed. "While you've practiced before, I think having the support of others like you might be helping." He knew that in his case, just knowing that KyuJong and the others were there to help set him much more at ease.

"Maybe," JungMin murmured, smiling a little. He curled up a little more on the bed, staring at the opposite wall. "What now?" He needed to let out some of the electricity or he was never going to sleep tonight. Maybe he could just discharge it into the ground again.

"Well, when Kyu gets back, I doubt he'll let me out of his sight to make sure I don't freak out and relapse again, but other than that...is there anything I can do to help you get rid of some of that energy?" YoungSaeng asked.

"It isn't the sort of thing I can get help for," JungMin chuckled tiredly. "There's not much in here that could help I think, besides blowing the power out again, and I think I'd definitely break that light bulb now." He tugged one glove off and pouted when he saw the sparks traveling from fingertip to fingertip.

YoungSaeng watched sadly, wishing that there were some way that he could help his friend. "So what're you going to do after this? Will you be able to sleep?" he asked.

"I'll see if I can find some place to safely let the electricity into the ground," JungMin shrugged, rocking back and forth slowly. "If not, I'll figure out something tomorrow," he smiled at his friend. He was used to not being able to sleep by now.

The door to the room opened and KyuJong slipped back in, smiling at them. "Hey."

Smiling as KyuJong returned, YoungSaeng gave JungMin another hug, truly happy for him. It was a long time in coming. "Just be careful, okay? Don't get rid of so much that you can't walk to your room."

"I'll be careful," JungMin smiled at him, returning the hug carefully. Pulling his glove back on, he got to his feet. "See you both tomorrow." He waved to KyuJong as he skipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

KyuJong watched him go before padding over to YoungSaeng, taking his hands. "How is he?"

Smiling brightly, YoungSaeng squeezed the hands holding his. "Oh, he'll be just fine," YoungSaeng stated happily.

Blinking at the happy tone, KyuJong smiled as he squeezed back and pulled YoungSaeng up to his feet. "What makes you say that?" He wrapped his arms around YoungSaeng's waist, looking down at him curiously.

YoungSaeng bit his lip as he practically bounced in happiness. "Don't you dare say anything to them, but..." He paused for a moment before leaning closer and whispering conspiratorially, "HyunJoong kissed JungMin."

KyuJong's eyes widened to the size of saucers at that. "He did?!" He blinked at his boyfriend, before a grin spread across his face. "About time something happened there. How did they manage it though?" He pulled YoungSaeng back towards their bed.

Allowing himself to be led to the bed, YoungSaeng plopped down, bouncing slightly on the mattress. "I guess he used what little energy he had left to lock Min's powers and kissed him," he explained, dropping back onto the bed. "It's about time that something good happened to Min. I could never imagine not being able to be close to you for fear I'd hurt you."

Thinking about it, KyuJong couldn't imagine it either. "Me neither," he said, looking back at YoungSaeng and running his fingers through his boyfriend's hair. "They'll be good for each other. Don't you think? In a way it's a good thing HyunJoong has the gift he does, even if he's been too sick to really make good use of it so far."

"I was thinking that, too," YoungSaeng murmured, leaning into the hand running through his hair. "I just hope he gets better soon. It really sucks that HaRa can't do anything but lessen the fever when he passes out."

"It does. I think we might be getting spoiled when it comes to being healed," KyuJong chuckled. HaRa had been practicing every opportunity she had, which included healing every ache or cold they had. He lay down next to YoungSaeng, playing with his hair. "You feeling okay?"

Smiling and curling into the warmth KyuJong provided, YoungSaeng nodded his head. "I'm fine," he replied with a small smile. "And you? Where did you end up?"

"Uh, I'm not exactly sure," KyuJong chuckled as he wrapped one arm around YoungSaeng. "The sudden boost made my gift go haywire and I think I ended up in several places right after the other before I was dragged back to this time." He had barely had enough time to react, and had been more than a little disorientated when he finally managed to pin himself down in time.

YoungSaeng nodded. "That was all more than a little frightening, but I think even more so for Min, HyunJoong, and Joonie," YoungSaeng replied.

"Yeah," KyuJong murmured. That had been what he'd noticed upon returning...HyunJoong curled up on the floor, JungMin crying in the corner, and HyungJoon screaming before passing out.

"Hopefully now that we know about it, it won't be so frightening in the future...and might actually help us practice." He frowned slightly. "When we got HyungJoon to his room, he'd started having nightmares. HaRa's staying with him to make sure he doesn't get himself too worked up."

YoungSaeng sighed at the new information. "I just hope this didn't set them all back mentally. And I'm still curious about what HyungJoon had said before he passed out."

"I think once they've all had a chance to rest, they'll be fine. Everyone's tired and stressed." KyuJong tilted his head slightly. "I must have been gone...what was he saying?"

"It was something like, 'They're coming...run away...' He seemed so terrified..." YoungSaeng replied, resting his head on KyuJong's shoulder and closing his eyes.

Thinking about that, KyuJong rocked YoungSaeng back and forth slowly. "Who knows what he was seeing. We can ask him once he's awake. But even on the off chance he was actually seeing something real, it could have been anything, from any period in time." HyungJoon's gift was horribly hit-and-miss, and practice seemed to do little to help it.

YoungSaeng thought about what he said and nodded slightly. "You're right. There's no real reason to worry yet, right?" It was hard, however, to ignore the fear in his eyes as he said it.

"No, I wouldn't say so," KyuJong smiled reassuringly. He wrapped his arms securely around his boyfriend and rolled himself onto his back, YoungSaeng draped over him. "Let's just relax for now, okay?" He kissed YoungSaeng gently. "It was a stressful day."

Laughing lightly as he was pulled on top of his lover, YoungSaeng relaxed into the kiss. "It was that..." he murmured against KyuJong's lips.

Kissing YoungSaeng slowly, KyuJong ran his hand along the younger boy's back. "Anything you want to do the rest of the day?" he whispered once they finally eased up for air, massaging along YoungSaeng's shoulders and back muscles.

"L-letting you rest is a big priority," YoungSaeng murmured, loving the feel of KyuJong's hands massaging him. "That couldn't have been good when you jumped so suddenly..."

"Probably not, but it doesn't hurt as much as it would have before," KyuJong chuckled. He slipped his hands under the back of YoungSaeng's shirt, continuing with the kneading motions. "At least practice is doing something right."

"Thank God for that..." YoungSaeng replied, purring as KyuJong's hands met with his bare skin. "I was surprised that I didn't freak out...the force of that blast was enough to do it, normally..."

"Practice, practice," KyuJong smiled. He kissed the corner of YoungSaeng's mouth and along his jawline, hands running along his spine. "This still qualifies as resting, right?"

"That all depends on how much further you take this," YoungSaeng replied, voice low and eyes dark for a reason not related to his ability.

KyuJong's lips curled upwards. "How far is too far?" He traced one finger down YoungSaeng's back slowly, hand brushing down the back of his jeans.

Breath quickening, YoungSaeng sighed. "There's no such thing as too far with us, Kyu yah..."

"Glad you agree," KyuJong murmured, hand settled against the back of YoungSaeng's thigh, rubbing up and down slowly. "I was more wondering about how far is too far when it comes to teasing you?" He nipped at YoungSaeng's jaw.

"I-I don't know," YoungSaweng murmured, moving his own hands to run over KyuJong's back beneath his shirt. "Depends on the type of teasing, I suppose."

KyuJong made a soft noise against YoungSaeng's skin. "And what type of teasing would you suggest?" He continued the motion with his hand, gradually going further and further with each pass.

"As much fun as a good verbal spar with you would be, I'd much prefer the type that we're far too overdressed for." If there was one thing that YoungSaeng knew, it was that he could never get enough of KyuJong.

"Sounds good to me." KyuJong smiled as he eased his hands back up to remove YoungSaeng's shirt, pushing it up his lover's body and over his head.

Grinning lightly as his shirt was removed, YoungSaeng worked KyuJong's up and off as well, awed by his lover's firm chest as he always was. He then sat up slowly, allowing himself to run fingers lightly over KyuJong's chest, eyes following.

KyuJong's breath hitched in his throat at the teasing caresses, looking up at YoungSaeng through darkened eyes. His hands traveled back down YoungSaeng's own chest to press lightly against his flat stomach, glad to see YoungSaeng wasn't as thin as he was when they'd first met. He was still too thin, but his ribs were less defined, and he was finally gaining some mass. Noting all this, KyuJong smiled as he lowered his hands to the other boy's thighs.

YoungSaeng faltered slightly when KyuJong focused on his stomach, but it was something than tended to happen relatively often since they were still working on his confidence. Sighing happily, he let his body relax, becoming more pliable and accepting of KyuJong's motions.

Noticing how YoungSaeng paused before relaxing, KyuJong smiled a little, rubbing his hands slowly up and down YoungSaeng’s legs around his waist, remaining where he was. He had no problem with taking it slow.

“You know Saeng,” he murmured, looking up at his younger boyfriend. “I’ve been thinking about things, and if you ever wanted to…switch things up a little, I have no problem with it.”

YoungSaeng blinked in confusion. "Switch things...you mean..." he faded out, red lighting his cheeks at the thought. Granted, he had been slightly curious, but now that it was offered to him, his mind blanked.

Chuckling at the blush, KyuJong reached up and brushed his fingers gently against them, caressing one red cheek. “It’s just a thought. So you know I’m all right with it if you ever want to give it a try.” Being in control more often might help boost YoungSaeng’s confidence, and at the same time, KyuJong would really do anything for his boyfriend.

Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, YoungSaeng listened to KyuJong as he spoke, voice calming him down immensely. Weighing the pros and cons, one thing stood out above the rest.

KyuJong was giving him control, something that he had little of throughout his life.

"...I think, maybe..." he murmured, more of a yes than anything else.

KyuJong’s lips quirked upwards at the mumble. “Maybe?” His hand brushed back into YoungSaeng’s hair, running through the soft strands slowly. “Does that mean you’re interested?” His voice was gentle, eyes trusting.

YoungSaeng began nibbling on his lower lip in indecision as he took in his lover's expression and felt soothed by his voice. That, and the trust showing in his eyes were what allowed him to slowly nod, blush somewhat darkening.

Chuckling, KyuJong ran his hands up and down YoungSaeng's sides slowly. "Whenever you're ready. It doesn't have to be now." Propping himself up on one elbow, he tucked his fingers under YoungSaeng's chin and drew him down for a soft kiss, closing his eyes.

Accepting the kiss, YoungSaeng relaxed, eyes closing slowly. "Soon," YoungSaeng murmured, lips lightly brushing over KyuJong's.

“All right,” KyuJong whispered, caressing YoungSaeng’s cheek with his thumb. “Did you want to…stop here for tonight?” He trailed his hand down YoungSaeng’s bare arm.

Tilting his head into the light caress against his cheek, YoungSaeng found himself shaking his head. "Please, Kyu?" he asked.

Smiling, KyuJong slowly sat up properly, running his hand along YoungSaeng’s back. “Okay,” he murmured, kissing YoungSaeng softly. Shifting position, he moved to lay YoungSaeng down against the sheets, still kissing him.

Smiling, YoungSaeng returned the kiss, a soft sound escaping as he was laid down. This time, however, he opened up a bit more, paying more attention to the elder's actions as well as how he reacted to them.

Moaning quietly into the kiss, KyuJong let his hands explore YoungSaeng’s chest and stomach, caressing his soft skin. After a moment he lowered his lips to mouth at the younger boy’s neck and collarbone, running his hands soothingly along YoungSaeng’s sides as he bit down gently.

YoungSaeng wound his arms around KyuJong's shoulders, fingers pressing into the bare skin when KyuJong's lips and teeth began to work on his neck and collarbone.

Traveling further down, KyuJong’s hands moved to YoungSaeng’s waist, playing with the edge to his jeans. He left bite marks along YoungSaeng’s chest as his fingers undid the button to YoungSaeng’s pants. About to pull them down and off, he looked up at YoungSaeng for confirmation that this was okay.

Smiling at the care and concern that KyuJong was showing him, something he truly loved about the older boy, YoungSaeng nodded his head. "It's alright, Kyu yah," he stated, hesitation from earlier all but gone.

KyuJong’s smile widened, and he kissed YoungSaeng’s stomach in reply before easing his lovers pants and boxers off.

*************************************************

From: Park JungMin
Saengie yah~, I know we’re not supposed to let non-acting folk backstage, but you might want to get over here before that boyfriend of yours knocks himself out on a door. And I’m not even joking, he might just do it.

Coughing out a laugh at the text only to flush when a few people looked at him oddly, YoungSaeng bowed deeply before getting up from his seat and listening to JungMin's advice, bowing politely to one of the stage hands who, with a small explanation, pointed him in the right direction.

The rest of the group was in a corner of backstage preparing for their part of the play, which was starting in ten minutes. They had thought the worst panicking would come from HyungJoon, but they were all surprised when the magnae’s flailing and pacing was outdone by that of the usually calm and collected KyuJong.

Waiting for YoungSaeng at the door, JungMin grinned when he finally saw his friend. “Finally.” He reached out and snagged KyuJong by the back of his collar as the older boy was making his twentieth lap around the edge of the room, spinning him around and pushing him at YoungSaeng. “Calm him down, I don’t care what you do, but he needs to be fully clothed when we go up in ten minutes.”

The blush that had started forming at JungMin’s words disappeared as KyuJong paled, reminded there was only ten minutes left.

At JungMin's statement, Nicole and HaRa turned so quickly that HyunJoong wouldn't have doubted that they had whiplash. "Wa-wa-wait a minute..." Nicole began before HyunJoong chuckled and placed a hand over her mouth and dragged her away, taking HaRa's hand in his free one as well.

"Not now, you fangirls..."

Bright red from the fact that it was obvious that they'd slept together, YoungSaeng shook his head and turned back toward KyuJong, who was paling rapidly.

"What's up, Kyu yah?" he asked calmly, running a hand over his lower back gently.

KyuJong hardly seemed to notice the commotion, a little distracted by the current predicament of being about to go up on stage. He looked at YoungSaeng with wide eyes, swallowing thickly.

"I told you I used to have stage fright, right?" he said, wringing his hands tightly as he shuffled around, casting anxious looks at the large red curtain visible through the door. "W-well, I just figured out, I still have it." What if he forgot his lines? Missed a cue? Walked off-stage when he wasn't supposed to? Or walked on-stage when he wasn't supposed to?

Listening to his lover begin to panic, YoungSaeng smiled softly and leaned forward, brushing his lips over KyuJong's before pulling away a moment later. "Kyu yah, you'll be fine." Peeking out of the curtains, he pointed at the seat directly in front of the stage. "I'll be right there, supporting you."

Looking with him, KyuJong swallowed upon seeing the crowd outside. There were just so many people. Looking at the seat, he drew in a shaky breath. "Promise?" It was silly, he knew it, but he was scared. He'd never done anything like this before. It was only thanks to all the practice he managed to ground himself firmly in time so he didn't accidentally jump. His arms found their way around YoungSaeng's waist automatically, looking down at him, skin still pale.

YoungSaeng's smile only managed to grow when KyuJong wrapped his arms around him. "I promise you that I'll never leave that seat. You all have worked so hard and I know that you can do it," he assured as he wound his arms around KyuJong's neck. He was glad that there were very few people around, but he was surprised to realize that he really didn't care if anyone saw them like they were.

YoungSaeng's reassurances helped ease KyuJong's mind a little, a hesitant smile appearing on his lips. "Thank you," he whispered, holding him close. Noting the time inwardly, he bit his lower lip and glanced around quickly before leaning in to kiss YoungSaeng, lingering against his boyfriend's soft mouth before pulling away. "I guess you should probably go back now."

Leaning into the kiss, YoungSaeng nodded. "You'll be fine, KyuJong ah, I know it," he replied before kissing him one last time before leaving to return to his seat.

Smiling after him, KyuJong drew in a shaky breath before smiling as the others appeared. "Feel better now?" JungMin grinned.

"Yeah," he nodded at them, leaning against the wall for a moment. He had a minute to gather himself, then he heard roll call, the others finishing getting into their characters. He did the same, squaring his shoulders. YoungSaeng said he could do it.

The play was a hit. It lasted two hours long, with four half-hour skits by four different groups, but it went by fast. Their group performed flawlessly, and then took over as extras in the other skits like they were supposed to. Before KyuJong knew it, they were bowing, and the curtain was closing in front of them, cheering in his ears.

JungMin whooped and all but tackled HyunJoong, the girls clinging to each other and to HyungJoon. Grinning ear to ear, KyuJong quickly went to get out of his costume, eager to meet YoungSaeng. The others were talking about a party, but he wasn't listening, adrenaline still running through him.

After the play, in which everyone was amazing, YoungSaeng jumped out of his seat and waited at the stage door, practically bouncing in excitement to see his lover. After all the stressing out and flailing, KyuJong had been amazing.

It took a few minutes to make their way out of backstage, cleaning up a little and hanging their costumes properly so the stagehands had less to worry about. Once he had a clear shot at the door, KyuJong took it, and nearly ran into YoungSaeng waiting outside.

“Saeng!” He grinned widely, pulling his boyfriend into a hug. He couldn’t do much else with the large crowd around, but he was just too happy to keep still. “We did it!”

Seeing KyuJong, YoungSaeng brightened even more and hugged him tightly, just shy of leaping into his arms. "You were amazing, KyuJong ah! I was practically bouncing in my seat!" he exclaimed once he'd pulled away, flailing his arms around, careful not to hit KyuJong.

Laughing, KyuJong grinned at the younger boy, eyes crinkling. “Glad you liked it!” The others came out behind him then, and KyuJong looked back at them before taking YoungSaeng’s hand. “Come on, let’s find somewhere less crowded?” He wanted to take YoungSaeng into his arms and kiss him until they were both breathless.

Nodding enthusiastically, he quickly pulled away and hugged each of the others and raved about how amazing they were before going back to KyuJong's side.

The others brightened considerably (quite the feat considering a few of them - JungMin - were already off the walls with excitement) at the attention from YoungSaeng. He was very vibrant and excited, especially considering the crowd they were in the middle of.

“Let’s go let’s go!” JungMin exclaimed, and proceeded to grab HyunJoong’s hand and pull him through the crowd, cutting a path for them. KyuJong laughed, wrapping one arm around YoungSaeng’s waist before following.

"ACK!" HyunJoong cried as he was all but dragged by the crazy redhead. "Min, be nice!" he called as he finally got his balance and was able to keep up with JungMin. While he wasn't a hundred percent yet, he'd made a markable recovery. HaRa, however, was still keeping her eye on him, and he was still barred from practices with the entire group.

That didn't stop him, however, from wanting a private one with the redhead.

“I am being nice!” JungMin chirped, pushing the door to the building open to get free of the crowd and on the path back to the dorm building. “They weren’t moving.” He pouted at HyunJoong, and then grinned as the others arrived. “Where to?”

“We need to celebrate,” HyungJoon smiled widely. “My roommate’s out all night, why don’t we go to my room?”

“How are we celebrating,” KyuJong laughed, keeping YoungSaeng close as they headed back to the dorms. “Any ideas?”

HyunJoong looked around to make sure no one was around who would get them into trouble. "Well, my roommate and I have a stash of soju and a few other things in out room. Any takers?"

Surprisingly, it was YoungSaeng who agreed first.

The girls looked at each other before nodding as well, too happy after the play to really protest.

Wondering if alcohol was even good for them, with their Gifts, KyuJong laughed when YoungSaeng agreed before doing the same.

“I’ll help you get them,” JungMin brightened, bouncing around as they approached the dorms.