Chapter Text
“Are we there yet?”
A desperately bored voice asks from the very middle seat of the three-row family van.
Han had been rather excited for the vacation that the three oldest ones had planned. The younger members had been kept in the dark so they didn’t have a clue about where they would go, or how long the drive would even be.
“Soon. We will be there soon.”
Answers Changbin from the driver’s seat for the one millionth time. His voice was calm, although at this point he finds the constant asking both amusing and fairly exhausting.
“You said that when we started driving. It’s been over three hours!”
Whines Han tiredly.
He rests his head against Lee Know’s shoulder in defeat and looks at what he’s doing on his phone. He notices that there’s a google maps location open in it. Han tries to get a glimpse of it, but Lee Know swiftly puts his phone away. He pats Han’s hand in a comforting way and speaks.
“Really, we will be there soon.”
Han’s still not completely satisfied, but at least he knows that Minho wouldn’t blatantly lie to his face.
“Fine, fine, if you say so.”
Mumbles Han against the older one’s shoulder.
After a bit of Han’s sulking, Felix, trying to cheer up his friend, makes a suggestion.
“Why don’t you play music to pass the time? From the playlist you’ve been wanting us to listen to.”
Seungmin groans in quiet agony at the idea. It’s well known that Han’s playlists contain rather… interesting songs that are not to everyone's taste.
Soon the beep of a Bluetooth connecting can be heard and as expected a very odd song starts playing. (“Vegetable soup” -Igorr)
The trip continues with lively music and playful banter amongst the men. The tiredness seems to fade, replaced with excitement related to the start of their month-long vacation.
“Alright, Binnie, turn right on the next opportunity.”
Tells Bangchan, who had been assigned the responsibility of reading the map. He didn’t have anything against it, because falling asleep doesn’t come the easiest to him, not to even mention falling asleep in a car. He finds reading the map to be a nice way to keep his mind active and pass some time.
Soon the van steadily turns onto a small, but beautiful forest road. They can hear the quiet clicking of gravel bouncing against the frame of the car. The air feels fresh, way fresher than in the city.
Hyunjin breaks the comfortable silence.
“So, is this vacation fully planned out and filled with activities, or can we just chill and do whatever? The setting sun casts a nice light on the pines. I’d like to paint them if we have the time.”
He really hopes it’s the latter, because their schedules are usually filled to the brim, so having some free time would be greatly appreciated.
“We’ve nothing planned but a grill night. It’s our vacation, we should be able to relax.”
Answers Chan.
“Alright, that’s good. I really just want to have some time for myself.”
The van finally stops in a small parking lot in the forest. It’s framed with wooden fences and has no cars parked there. The road continues, but there’s a sign that says “Parking only for locals”
“We’re here”
Announces Changbin.
“Take your bags. We're walking to the place.”
Everyone from the two first rows starts getting out of the van. They stretch after the long drive, enjoying getting some movement after being crammed next to each other like sardines in a can. Chan folds the middle seat so people from the back seat can get out.
“Woohoo, freedom.” says I.N jokingly as he is let out of the car.
Hyunjin, as the tallest, takes initiative in the task of handing everybody their bags from on top of the car.
“Seungmin! Your bag!”
He calls out, pulling down the smallest bag. It’s a black backpack with baseball supplies strapped to it.
“I got it. . You want me to help?”
He asks and puts the backpack on his back.
Without waiting for an answer he starts to also pull down bags from on top of the car. Despite his playful demeanor he tries to help his peers whenever possible. Together they get through the task rather quickly.
“Lee Know, damn, how much stuff did you pack? This bag is huge!”
States Seungmin, half joking, half astonished.
“I packed for accidents, since…ahem, some of you tend to run, searching for trouble. There has to be at least one responsible person here.”
That answer’s Seungmin’s question well enough that he rolls his eyes, but doesn’t argue or try to deny the accusation. He’s quietly grateful for Minho’s caring nature.
Once everyone is equipped they start walking along the forest road. Felix picks up some pine cones and throws them against trees, I.N follows suit and soon there’s a small battle between them. Chan gets caught in the crossfire and can’t help but join the playful fight. The younger ones dive in and out of the woods. They notice a hole in a hill. Felix and I.N make an agreement to come and investigate it on the following day.
Soon the bunch arrives at a small, whimsical looking village, with around fifteen houses in total. There’s a tiny store, a traveller’s booth and around ten houses for people that are surrounded by nice looking but quite wild gardens. Chan stops participating in the fight and straightens up.
“I’ll go get our keys.”
He states and walks to the traveller’s booth. He disappears for a bit, but arrives with two keys in hand. He gestures for everyone to follow him. The oldest one leads the bunch to two nice-looking, spacious wooden houses.
“I booked us these two houses. Each one houses four people in rooms of two. Time to pick your roommates for the vacation. I’m fine with anyone’s company”
He says with a gentle smile on his face.
“Me and Minho will continue rooming together”
States Han in a no argument voice. Lee Know nods his head in quiet agreement.
“I can share a room with Hyunjin”
Suggests Felix, while sending glances towards the other man.
“Since you so kindly stole my roommate, I’ll steal yours”
says Changbin, and plops a hand around Seungmin’s shoulder. Seungmin doesn’t protest, not at all opposed to how things are turning out.
“That leaves Innie and Channie, which I imagine isn’t a problem for you, since you share a room anyway.”
Adds Changbin.
“I don’t mind. I wanted to suggest it myself.”
Says I.N with his usual, wide smile.
Chan’s face lights up at the youngest one’s words. It looks as if he’s about to have cute aggression and lovingly tackles I.N
The duos settle into their rooms, some falling into deep slumber after the exhausting day and others taking their time to get familiar with the houses. In any case, the vacation is proving to be to everyone’s liking. Their minds are buzzing with ideas surrounding the following day.