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"Grab on," Kim Hajin says. For a moment, Suho thinks he's being handed something, but there's nothing there. Hajin's empty, open palm remains outstretched towards him.
Suho blinks. "What's with the hand?"
"It's dark inside," Hajin says, which doesn't explain anything. But he continues on to say that using a flashlight would draw undue attention from monsters. Since Hajin can see better than Suho, they should hold hands and Hajin will lead them through the cave. Suho sees his point, and takes the offered hand.
Hajin goes first, shimmying his way through the skinny crack in the mountainside. Suho follows close behind.
It's an awkward squeeze, but they both make it inside the dungeon without incident. Suho doesn't have much experience with dungeons, but—"The inside is a lot wider on the inside." Is that normal for caves? Maybe it is. Or maybe it's just normal for dungeons. Either way, he's glad for it. Exploring a cave the same width as the entrance would have been pretty uncomfortable—not to mention, difficult to defend themselves in. This way, they'll be able to see any potential threats coming.
Or at least, Hajin will.
It's dark, for sure. Even though they're still close to the entrance, Suho's eyes are having a hard time adjusting. It'll only get darker from here, and suddenly Suho is grateful for Hajin's foresight.
It's also cold. Suho says so to Hajin, and Hajin absent-mindedly agrees. Hopefully that means he isn't as cold as Suho is. Suho can't really see him right now, but he remembers Hajin's outer layer having short sleeves.
During their hike up here, Suho had gotten warm enough that he'd considered removing his jacket, briefly thinking he should have dressed more like Hajin. Now, though, he's glad for the jacket. The deeper they go, the colder it gets.
Hajin's hand in his is soft and a little cold, but warming up the longer they're attached—the one part of Suho that stays warm. Hajin is exerting just enough pressure that they stay linked, and Suho has dutifully attempted to match it. Similarly, since Hajin isn't acting like it's weird for them to hold hands, Suho is doing the same. Maybe it really isn't weird? But Suho can't imagine any of his other friends doing it.
The lack of calluses on Hajin's palm was initially jarring. Suho's own hands are covered in them, and he hadn't considered that other people's wouldn't be. Once he thinks about it, though, it makes sense. A gun wouldn't cause a callus in the same way a sword or polearm would.
It hasn't been that long since Hajin gave up using a sword, but apparently it's been long enough to alter the surface of his skin. Somehow, the thought is disconcerting. How long would Suho's take to fade, in a similar situation? Would they ever, or is it too late for something like that? Not that he can fathom ever putting down his sword. Not anymore.
As they walk, Suho tries to recall the last time he held someone's hand. Years ago, at least. Probably not since he was a child, and he stops thinking about it before he can start dwelling too much on the past.
Lost in his own thoughts, Suho's foot catches on an uneven patch of ground and he stumbles forward. There's a sudden, unexpected touch to his shoulder—Hajin's free hand, steadying him.
Even without the assistance, Suho rectifies his weight easily enough and regains his balance without too much issue. But Suho does appreciate the gesture, as much as he's mildly embarrassed to have warranted it.
"You alright?" Hajin asks.
Suho opens his mouth to say that he is. Before he can, he realizes that the shock from tripping had caused him to unconsciously squeeze Hajin's hand. Hard. He's still doing it now, inadvertently crushing the bones in Hajin's hand.
Guilt prickles at the back of his neck, and Suho hurries to loosen his grip. He probably didn't hurt Hajin—the guy's tougher than he looks—but he hadn't meant to do it. Should he apologize?
There's a brief, echoing squeeze to his hand that must be intentional. For a moment, Suho wonders if he's being made fun of. Then he realizes it's meant to be reassuring.
So, he doesn't apologize, but he does smile sheepishly. All he can see of Suho is a dark outline, but Suho can probably see him just fine. "I'm fine, thanks. Let's keep going."
Hajin continues forward, tugging Suho along, but at a slower pace than before. Suho wants to tell him he doesn't have to, that Suho can keep up... but he did just trip, so maybe he should keep his mouth shut.
They've only progressed another thirty meters or so before Hajin says, "Hold on," and comes to an abrupt stop. Suho obediently stops too, and waits as Hajin seems to listen to—or see?—something beyond Suho's perception. A monster, maybe? Or just a fork in their path, and Hajin is deciding which branch to take. But then Hajin says, "Wait here," in a low, urgent voice, and drops Suho's hand.
Suho's hand is left feeling oddly cold from the absence, then slowly a more normal cold from the chilly temperature of the cave. He stays where he is and listens to the muted sound of Hajin's footsteps getting further away. He can still generally tell where Hajin is; he doesn't go too far before stopping again.
Suho waits for quite a while before asking, "Is something wrong?" but he's immediately shushed. Okay, then.
Suho considers himself to be a rather patient person. Except, when Hajin doesn't move and doesn't explain himself and asks a weird question about today's date, Suho can't help it. If there's something wrong, he should know about it so he can figure out what to do to fix it. Hajin isn't the type to ask for help, but neither is Suho. And they came here together, didn't they? They have to rely on each other.
He does remember to whisper this time though, when he once again asks, "What is it? Did something happen?"
It takes several more long moments, but eventually Hajin tells him they're not the only ones in this dungeon.
"Let's end this quickly," Hajin says in a grim tone, but the way he's no longer whispering must mean whoever he heard has moved further away.
The touch of Hajin's hand sliding back into his own comes almost as a surprise, if a welcome one. Suho once more wraps his fingers around Hajin's palm and this time, Suho is the one to squeeze reassuringly. If Hajin thinks they can locate and beat the boss before anyone finds them, then Suho's sure they can.
Just like Suho hadn't said anything when Hajin had squeezed his hand, Hajin doesn't say anything now.
Hajin starts leading them forward again. Suho follows.