⌢🏍️ : 𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭: 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩/𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 . . .
🛵 ꒱ .⁺. × 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱

ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.ㆍ.

The Tokyo skyline was building up a golden hue as the sun dawned. Leaning against his motorcycle, Hwoarang felt both refreshed by the cool morning air and by watching Jin walking down the street; he had been waiting for him.

For weeks they had been planning this road trip. It was going to be their way of breaking away from the daily grind of training sessions and tournaments.

Hwoarang had come up with it, out of the blue, exciting, an opportunity to see the world beyond the four walls of the dojo. Surprisingly, Jin had accepted immediately, perhaps needing a break as much as Hwoarang did. They badly needed it to refresh themselves mentally and know who they were.

Jin drove up in his dark, smooth sedan and stepped out alongside Hwoarang, looking languidly calm as usual. His bike was set aside by a grin spreading across his face. "Finally, Kazama! I had thought you'd turned into a coward or something," said Hwoarang.

Jin smiled and fixed his shades, "This month you've attended every training late".

Hwoarang laughed; the sound reverberated along the quiet street. "Touché. Ready to hit the road?"

Jin agreed and the two fastened Hwoarang's bike to the back of Jin's car-hitched trailer. This was an interesting scene- Jin's well-cared-for car with Hwoarang's treasured motorcycle at the back, their differing personalities supported each other.

They packed themselves inside the car and started, driving out of the city gradually changing over from the busy streets to the open highways and extensive fields. In time, the strangling urban tension started to loosen.

Several hours away, nestled in the mountains, their destination was a far-flung hiking trail. Hwoarang's knowledge of it came from a fellow combatant who swore the views were incredible and the process, therapeutic.

As they drove on, Hwoarang sensed his excitement growing due to the steady alteration of the environment. This was not just any journey but a chance to create fresh impressions; also, to strengthen their weakened connection caused by rivalry and war.

Their destination was a distant hiking trail, deep in the mountains hours away. A martial artist who had once fought against him swore that it offered the best views and was very comforting.

Hwoarang felt himself becoming more and more excited as they traveled further because the environment was changing steadily. This was not just a trip but also an opportunity for them to start over; it was an attempt at healing their relationship which had been ruined by war and enmity.

Hours passed with the rhythmic hum of the car and intermittent conversation. They talked about everything and nothing—childhood memories, favorite foods, and even their dreams outside of fighting. It was a side of Jin that Hwoarang rarely saw, one that was more relaxed, almost vulnerable.

After a while, they fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only existed between people who truly understood each other. Hwoarang watched the landscape change from rolling hills to rugged mountains, the road winding ever higher.

Finally, they reached the trailhead. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the lush greenery. They stepped out, stretched their legs, and breathed in the fresh mountain air. Hwoarang felt a thrill of excitement. This was exactly what they needed.

They packed their backpacks with hiking essentials and began their trek. The trail wound through dense forests, over streams, and up steep inclines. It was challenging but refreshing, a welcome change from their usual routine.

As they walked, they fell into a comfortable rhythm, their footsteps blending with the sounds of nature. Birds chirped, leaves rustled, and occasionally, distant animal calls echoed through the trees. It was peaceful, a stark contrast to the constant noise of the city.

After a couple of hours, they reached a particularly steep section of the trail. Hwoarang paused, looking up at the rocky incline. "Think you can handle this, Kazama?"

Jin gave him a sidelong glance, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Worried I'll outpace you?"

Hwoarang chuckled, shaking his head. "Not a chance."

They began to climb, using their hands and feet to navigate the rocky terrain. It was tough, but they pushed each other, the competition spurring them on.

Near the top, Hwoarang slipped, and for a moment, he thought he might fall. But Jin was there, grabbing his arm and pulling him to safety.

"Careful," Jin said, his tone more concerned than chastising.

Hwoarang nodded, catching his breath. "Thanks. Guess I owe you one."

They continued the climb and soon reached the summit. The view that greeted them was worth every bit of effort. The landscape stretched out before them, a tapestry of greens and blues, with distant mountains fading into the horizon. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, and the sun bathed everything in a warm, golden light.

Hwoarang sat down on a flat rock, taking it all in. "Damn, this is incredible."

Jin joined him, his expression softened by the beauty of the scene. "It is."

They sat in silence for a while, simply enjoying the moment. After some time, Hwoarang turned to Jin. "You know, I've been thinking a lot lately. About what we're doing. All the fighting, the tournaments... Sometimes it feels like we're just going through the motions."

Jin nodded, his gaze distant. "I know what you mean. But moments like this... they remind me why it's worth it."

Hwoarang smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the sun. "Yeah. I'm glad we did this."

Jin met his eyes, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "Me too."

As the sun began to set, they made their way back down the trail, savoring the last moments of their adventure. The drive back to Tokyo was quieter, both of them lost in their thoughts.

But it was a comfortable silence, filled with the unspoken understanding that they had shared something special.

When they finally reached the city, it was late, the streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. Jin pulled up in front of Hwoarang's apartment, and they sat for a moment, neither wanting the day to end.

Hwoarang turned to Jin, a serious look in his eyes. "This doesn't have to be a one-time thing, you know. We could do this more often. Take breaks, go on trips... just be normal for a while."

Jin considered this, then nodded. "I'd like that."

Hwoarang smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Good. Then it's a plan."

They said their goodbyes, and Hwoarang watched as Jin drove away, feeling a sense of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time.

This trip had been more than just a break; it had been a turning point, a chance to see a different side of themselves and each other.

As he headed inside, Hwoarang knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. Because in the end, it wasn't just about the fights or the victories. It was about the journey, the moments of connection, and the promise of many more adventures to come.