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“Heechul-ah, let’s go fishing!” Leeteuk suddenly suggested while they were cuddling in front of the tv.
Heechul looked away from the movie they were watching and looked at his partner with a confused look. “Suddenly?”
Leeteuk smiled wide and moved closer to Heechul’s side, showing him a picture of a nice lake. “I have wanted to try an outdoor activity ever since Kyuhyun and his colleague went on a camping trip. It’ll be fun.”
Heechul scrolled through the website Leeteuk showed and glanced at him. Leeteuk had a really pleading look on his face which made it hard for the younger to decline. “But we don’t even have the equipment, Teuk. Scratch that, do you even know how to fish?”
“We can borrow one from our friends and learn to fish when we get there. Now, Sunday sounds good right?” Leeteuk didn’t wait for Heechul’s approval and instantly arranged their schedule for Sunday.
Heechul sighed and shook his head. He wasn't really interested in the fishing activity but if it could make Leeteuk happy, he would go without a doubt. He just wished it was somewhere cool and indoors because summer was too hot this year.
+++
Leeteuk finished loading up the fishing gear they borrowed from their neighbour onto the car trunk and waited for Heechul to come down from their apartment in the driver seat. He checked the rear mirror and petrol to see if it was enough for their trip and smiled to himself when it was.
Heechul took his place at the shotgun and fetched out his sunglasses. The younger turned towards his partner and smiled. “So are you ready for the trip, Teukkie? I hope you’ve prepared all the things we need.”
Leeteuk smiled back and pecked his partner. “Of course I did. I can’t wait to show you the excitement of fishing, Chul.”
Heechul rolled his eyes but still maintained his smile. Leeteuk took one last look at Heechul and drove towards their destination.
It took them a while to reach the fishing spot but they arrived nevertheless. Both of them got out of the car and were greeted by the warmth of the sun. It was evening so the sun wasn’t shining too brightly. Heechul took a picture of the lake, loving how beautiful the view was while Leeteuk went to take out all the fishing equipment. Heechul looked around the area and breathed in the fresh air of the lake. He noticed that there was another guy fishing by the dock. He thought that there would be more people fishing but he guessed not.
Leeteuk had called Heechul to help him load out which Heechul complied. They put all of their items beside the other fisher and smiled at him. Leeteuk greeted the other and helped Heechul set up the equipment.
“So how do we start?” Heechul asked, looking at the fishing rod they borrowed curiously.
Leeteuk touched every part of the rod and tried spinning the reel which worked smoothly. The older smiled and looked up at Heechul. “I’m not too sure about this but I think I’m able to catch one.”
Heechul snorted. He couldn’t believe Leeteuk was this confident in fishing when the older had never held a rod in his life before. He couldn’t help but worry for the older but he trusted Leeteuk would do a good job at it.
Leeteuk put the bait on the hook then cast it into the water. He adjusted the reel and happily waited for any reaction. It became quiet for a while, with only the sound of Leeteuk’s reel and the other guy’s being heard.
Heechul yawned and sat on the chair Leeteuk had opened. It’s going to take a long time for them to catch anything so Heechul played with his phone, messaged Soogeun if he had any fishing tips.
Heechul was laughing at something his hyung said when Leeteuk began shouting and calling his name. Heechul raised an eyebrow at him and was surprised to see that Leeteuk had caught a bite.
“Heechullie, help me with this! The fish is too strong!” Leeteuk shouted while firmly holding the fishing rod.
Heechul stared at his partner nervously, “Aren’t you the stronger one? Why bother me?”
“Because this trip is for the both of us and I want to catch our first fish together.” Leeteuk was starting to panic and shouted Heechul’s name again.
It was both romantic and horrifying since Heechul really didn’t want to get wet but Leeteuk was starting to yell and the guy beside them was starting to look annoyed. Heechul sighed and went to Leeteuk’s aid. Heechul gripped the rod and was surprised by how strong the fish was. Leeteuk quickly spinned the reel and together with Heechul’s strength pulled the rod upwards. Both of them were struggling hard and finally got the line out of the water but Leeteuk noticed that the fish successfully fled.
Leeteuk held the line in his hand and showed it to Heechul, who groaned and went back to sit at his place. “You did good, Heechul-ah.”
“Can you guys keep it down? You’re going to scare away the fishes.”
Leeteuk turned towards the voice. The other guy who was fishing stared at him with an annoyed look and raised his eyebrows. Leeteuk glanced at Heechul who gestured him to settle the problem himself.
“I’m really sorry, I’m still new to this activity.” Leeteuk apologized.
The guy sighed and shook his head.
Leeteuk thought of something and poked the guy’s shoulder, gaining his attention. “If you don’t mind. Could you properly guide me on knowing how to fish?”
The guy’s eyes grew wide but he shrugged. “Sure, why not. I still have a lot of time before my friend picks me up.”
Leeteuk was shaking with excitement and thanked the man. Leeteuk looked back at Heechul and gave him a thumbs up. Heechul chuckled to himself and continued to play games on his phone.
“By the way, I’m Leeteuk.”
“I’m Wooyoung. Nice to meet you, Leeteuk.”
+++
Wooyoung had taught Leeteuk the basics of casting and all that fishing stuff so now the older knew what he’s supposed to do. Heechul had come to listen to Wooyoung’s lesson after he had enough of gaming and told Leeteuk of his mistakes and a few things that Soogeun told him before.
Now that Leeteuk finally understood it, Wooyoung told him to try to cast it. Leeteuk casted his rod and let Wooyoung guide him to where the fishes are most likely to bite. He adjusted the line and glanced at the younger to see if everything he did was correct. Wooyoung smiled at him and nodded, grabbing his rod then fished beside him.
Heechul grinned. Leeteuk looked so happy while fishing that it made his heart bloom. Maybe fishing wasn’t that bad after all.
Leeteuk and Wooyoung chatted for a while, checking if he was making any mistakes when the older man’s line got a bite. Leeteuk was scared at first, thinking about his previous mistakes but Wooyoung reassured him and told him to calm down. Leeteuk swallowed his nervousness and pulled his rod and at the same time reeling. Heechul chanted words of encouragement to Leeteuk. At the same time, Wooyoung also got a bite.
“Hyung, just remember to pull and lower the rod while reeling.” Wooyoung said before he got serious and attended to his rod.
Leeteuk took a deep breath and with Heechul’s words of encouragement, put all his strength and knowledge to the test. He was struggling for a bit but soon he found a rhythm and pulled the fish towards him. He quickly told Heechul to grab a net as he felt the fish had gotten closer. Leeteuk directed the fish towards Heechul’s direction and the younger successfully caught it. Heechul got a little wet from the splash of the fish but Leeteuk had suddenly hugged him which made him forget all about it.
They caught a common carp but they were too happy to notice since they finally caught a fish in the 3 hour span of them in the lake. They unexpectedly shared a few kisses and were so immersed in their own world that they didn’t notice Wooyoung standing beside them with an awkward look, holding a giant carp on his left hand and his rod on the other.
Wooyoung cleared his throat and that took the couple to notice him.
“Oh, sorry Wooyoung-ah.” Leeteuk laughed.
“No no. It’s fine hyung. I was like that too when I went fishing with my lover.” Wooyoung smiled and put down his carp and rod.
Heechul noticed a difference in size between their and Wooyoung’s fish and nudged Leeteuk’s elbow. “Teuk, Wooyoung’s fish is bigger than us. You need to fish for a bigger one.”
Leeteuk’s eyes grew wide. “No way, Chul. My arms are sore and that fish was quite a fight.”
Wooyoung was amused and laughed as he fixed his bucket hat. “Fish all you want, hyung. I still got the best one in the lake.”
Heechul glared at the other and took Leeteuk’s rod and put bait in the hook. He stood on the edge of the dock and dramatically turned his head to the side.
“I’ll show you, kid. I’m able to catch a bigger fish than yours.”
He didn’t.
He couldn’t even catch one fish.
Heechul sighed in defeat as his 3rd round failed. Wooyoung howled with laughter while Leeteuk shook his head, too used to Heechul’s enthusiasm. The older patted Heechul’s head and told him they could try another day since it was getting dark. They had already released the fish they caught back into the lake and all they were waiting for was for Heechul to give up. Wooyoung helped pack the couple’s things back into their car while Leeteuk brought Heechul into the car.
“So, I guess this is goodbye?” Leeteuk smiled at Wooyoung.
“I guess so. It was fun spending my fishing trip with you, hyung.” Wooyoung replied, bowing his head.
“Me too, Wooyoung-ah. But if you don’t mind, how about we go fishing together the next time you want to fish?” Leeteuk suggested and held up his phone.
Wooyoung smiled and nodded his head. “I don’t mind. It was getting lonely anyways.”
They exchanged numbers and Leeteuk patted Wooyoung’s shoulder one last time. Heechul had shouted from Leeteuk’s car that he will wait for a rematch with Wooyoung the next time they go fishing, making Leeteuk and Wooyoung burst out laughing.
Leeteuk got in the driver seat and smiled at Heechul. The younger was a little grumpy but nothing but a kiss could cheer him up. The older saw Wooyoung entered a car and hugged the driver who had dimples on his face and looked happy to see him. Heechul slapped Leeteuk’s thigh, telling him to start driving back.
The older laughed and drove back to their home with a new skill and a new friend in their contact.