ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘
─◌✰್ 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝖼𝗄 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗆

the.official.hwang lol what an idiot
> ramenoodlaska i will punt you into the air hwang hyunjin
    > mymymy @the.official.hwang i'd start running right now

nomnominnie aw what a good best friend
> mymymy it's nothing, she's my sister 🥰
    > changaroo97 @nomnominnie @mymymy the babies are growing up! 🥲

ryerye why does it look like i'm gonna throw a rock at you guys
> ramenoodlaska maybe you were, bully 😒
    > the.official.hwang @ryerye aye do it
        > ryerye @the.official.hwang just bc u said that, no

ryerye replied to your story: love our matching pants 🤪
> ramenoodlaska yuh just be grateful i got them for u tsk

mymymy replied to your story: MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS I'M DRINKING LEMONADE NOT ALCOHOL
> ramenoodlaska girl ur the only one who would want people to know that 💀

sunshine.lix reacted to your story: 😍

the.official.hwang reacted to your story: 😮

matchatess reacted to your story: 🔥

mymymy replied to your story: omg why do i look cute asf?
> ryerye bc u are
> mymymy u always say that

ramenoodlaska replied to your story: why are we so HOT 🤪
> ryerye what can i say, we can't help it 😛

changaroo97 reacted to your story: 🖤

huats.up reacted to your story: 😍

bin.there.done.that reacted to your story: 👏

matchatess not you posting the pic where robs was showing an ugly photo of me wtf
> robin_is_a_penguin girl it wasn't ugly i'm a great photographer
    > matchatess @robin_is_a_penguin i was mid-sneeze so yeah it was

bin.there.done.that u look like a lil explorer 🥰
> huats.up u got yourself a dora the explorer ass bitch lol
    > ryerye @huats.up u kinda ate with that we love dora

cheesecakehannie my woman is gorgeous 12/10
> huats.up you're a walking green flag hannie
    > robin_is_a_penguin @huats.up isn't he? greenest of green 🤭

catdad_lee so this is what you were doing while you ignored my fishing lesson?
> matchatess yes this was a billion times more important wtf
    > mymymy @catdad_lee but doesn't she look gooood minho?? 😏
        > catdad_lee @mymymy why don't you just date her instead?

minniemouse- lookin' like a snack!
> catdad_lee shut up seungmin
    > minniemouse- @catdad_lee hehe just wanted to see how you'd react
        > catdad_lee @minniemouse- i really hate you

dingdonghong my three baddies!
> matchatess queen we missed you while u were out getting cultured!
    > robin_is_a_penguin @dingdonghong did seungmin teach u some things while u were there? 😛
        > huats.up @dingdonghong yeah i bet he's very... worldly 😉

cheesecakehannie replied to your story: you look like a dream 😍
> robin_is_a_penguin yeah? or your worst nightmare
> cheesecakehannie no, never!

matchatess replied to your story: i really am that funny aren't i?
> robin_is_a_penguin aye always 😚

dingdonghong reacted to your story: 🥰

nomnominnie reacted to your story: 😁

bin.there.done.that reacted to your story: 🙏

"Holy shit, the water is so cold!"

Alaska leaped back out of the lake like something bit her, bare toes sinking into the soft grass on the shore. "Don't go in there unless you want to freeze to death!" she warned, jabbing an aggressive finger at the sparkling liquid.

"Okay Sunshine, don't fall in," Felix chuckled, sliding a hand around her waist. "And we can't not get in the water if we're having a river picnic, right?"

Jiao, Bbama, and Berry, on the other hand didn't care about the temperature of the water. They all jumped right in, chasing each other around and barking happily as they went.

"Well, I'm getting in too!" Tessa declared, yanking off her white sandals and wading in after the furry beasts. Glancing back, she demanded, "Oh c'mon, aren't any of you coming with me??"

You sighed, before slipping your shoes off and stepping in after your friend. "Wait for me!" you exclaimed, reaching your hand out to her. "If you let me fall in, I will throw a fit."

Changbin grinned at you. "I'd love to see that."

You glared. "Oh shut up, you would not."

He just winked, and you couldn't help but melt a little, as too he got in the water.

The rest of the group, consisting of The Golden Trio, - apparently the name Alaska, Mya, and Riley called themselves - Robin, Felix, Chan, Jeongin, and Minho, all began wading in too.

Robin and Han were initially going to spend the afternoon together, but Han had become so tired after the drive that he wanted to take a nap. Robin, who wasn't tired at all, asked if she could tag along, and everyone enthusiastically agreed. Renee and Seungmin were attending a one-day museum event a few minutes away from the campsite, and JJ and Hyunjin were staying back to take care of Kkami and Junjie, who didn't like water.

Jeongin and Chan, who were both carrying all the picnic stuff, began setting up the table, chairs, and food near the shallow end of the lake. Changbin came over to help, unfolding the chairs and setting them around the table.

"Okay, fishing lesson is happening over here!" Minho, who'd decided to stay on the edge, called to the group.

You and the rest of the girls were in the middle of the lake, taking pictures. Tessa was taking pictures of you, Robin, Alaska, Riley, and Mya.

"Hey, weren't not ready yet!" Tessa yelled back, ignoring the man's huff of annoyance. "Okay, move closer together for this one!" she directed.

"Ooh, okay!" Mya giggled, scooting closer to you. She was a good five inches shorter, so you nudged her to stand in front.

You wrapped your arms around Robin's shoulders, who stood next to you, while Alaska jumped on Riley's back, throwing up a peace sign with a huge grin on her face.

"Yasss that's so cute!" Tessa squealed, taking a stream of pictures as she dashed around in the water to get different angles, sending up a spray as she went. "Bring the dogs too, they have to be in the picture!"

From behind her, Minho watched with a mixture of amusement and an attempt at disgust. Your eyes drifted over to him with a knowing smirk on your face. That boy wasn't fooling anyone.

"Okay my turn!" Tessa called. "There's no way I can't be in any of these, I need to keep up with my Insta feed."

"Oh same," Robin nodded. "Everything from this trip is gonna be documented."

"I can take them!" Mya offered, reaching into her pocket for her phone.

"No!" Alaska gasped. "You can't take the pictures, we all have to be in them!"

"Chan!" Riley called, glancing over at the boys, who were still setting out snacks and drinks.

The man turned around, eyebrows raised. "What's up, Riles? We're kinda busy over here."

The girl's eyes narrowed and she pointed at herself, then her friends. "Screw that, we need you to take pictures of us! The fruit platter and Calpis can wait!"

"I can take them, if you want," Changbin offered, starting to walk over.

"No!" Chan practically lunged across the water to beat his friend. "I mean, I can do it, you keep setting up."

Alaska and Mya shared a knowing look, before snickering at the boy.

"I wonder why he wants to take pics so bad," Mya laughed behind her hand.

"He's waiting for his turn to be an Instagram Boyfriend," Alaska chimed in, a grin on her face.

"Shh!" Riley slapped her friends' arms repeatedly, her cheeks red. But there was a smile peeking out from between her lips as she stared at the man making his way towards them.

"Okay, everyone get close." Chan motioned his hand. He held Riley's phone as he snapped a bunch of shots.

"Ooh, let me see!" Mya reached a hand out for the device.

"Hey, can't I show them instead?" Chan held the phone just out of the girl's reach. Even though he wasn't very tall, she was even shorter.

All the girls (and dogs) crowded around Chan, Alaska and Mya not-so-subtley shoving their friend to stand extra close to him. He flicked through the photos one by one as they looked on curiously.

"Oooh we look so cute!" Tessa gasped, nodding. "Send them to me immediately."

Riley stole her phone back, and as she was sending the pictures out to everyone, Minho called once more.

"If you guys don't want to learn how to fish, I'll just eat everything I catch instead!"

You all shared an exasperated look.

"Should we just humor him?" Robin asked doubtfully.

"He probably won't shut up unless we do," Tessa groaned. "Besides, I was the one who asked him to show me."

The six girls waded over to the side of the river, climbing out and coming to squat next to Minho, who had six fishing rods all ready for them.

You cautiously took one of them in your hands, staring down at it with suspicion. Junjie circled your feet, trying to snatch the line from you. You'd never had any semblance of interest in fishing, and you didn't want to start now. But if it would make your friends happy, maybe you should try.

"So first, you have to get the bait on the hook," Minho said, pointing to the end of the line. "Or else you're not very likely to catch anything."

You all eyed him curiously.

"And what are we using for bait?" Alaska finally asked after a heavy silence.

Minho reached to his left, pulled out a small round tin, and opened it. "Worms, of course," he said with a grin.

There were mixed reactions from the girls. Mya whisper-screamed right in your ear, causing you to cover it. Riley and Robin slapped a hand over their mouths like they were going to be sick. Alaska gaped at the can like it might eat her. Tessa groaned, shielding her eyes from the disgusting sight. You gulped, trying to keep your heart from exploding through your chest.

Nature was so not your thing.

"We are not about to do that," you decided. "That's fucking gross."

Minho rolled his eyes. "It's really not that bad. You just split the worm," he grabbed one of the worms and yanked it apart so casually, it was like he was cutting vegetables. "Then you stick one piece on the end of your hook, like this." He jammed the still-wriggling body on the curved metal contraption. "Then I'll show you how to cast your line."

"I don't think I can do this," Tessa groaned. "You didn't tell me we'd be killing creatures!"

"Well, you're fishing, that's kind of the point," Minho said mildly. "The worm is just the start."

"Lix???" Alaska yelped from her spot on the ground. She was sat on the grassy shore, not caring that it might dampen her pants.

"Yes, Sunshine?" Felix, who was skipping stones with Changbin, called back.

"Can you uh... put the bait on this hook for me, pleaseee?" She gazed at him with puppy-dog eyes.

Felix glanced at Changbin, as if he hoped his friend would help him out, but everyone knew he would cave to her eventually. On a long sigh, he groaned, "Yeah, sure babe give me a second."

You were about to turn around and force yourself through the dreadful task of killing a live worm, when your eyes caught the hot gaze of Changbin's from across the river. He had stopped, his arm mid-throw, flat stone gripped in his hand.

Before you knew what you were doing, you mouthed, "Help me!"

In an instant, he was practically racing through the water towards you, those strong legs disturbing all the water around him as he came to your rescue - quite literally, or so it felt.

As Felix began tentatively poking at the unlucky worm Alaska had chosen, the other girls began grabbing worms too.

"God, I wish I had just taken a nap with Han instead!" Robin complained, staring at the skinny little creature she'd chosen. "He'd better feel so sorry for me when he wakes up!"

"I think I'm actually gonna cry!" Mya gasped, still refusing to stick her hand in the tin. "This is literally my worst nightmare! Where's my magic savior man to put me out of my misery?"

A certain man with a squinty-eyed smile standing by the picnic table whipped his head around at the words "magic savior man" coming from Mya's mouth. He dashed out of the water and around the bank so quickly, everyone just blinked at him as he came to sit next to the stunned girl.

"What do you need, Mya?" he asked eagerly. "I can help!"

Riley shook her head. "Okay now that's just unfair."

"Why don't you call Channie?" Alaska giggled, pointing at her line, which was now successfully prepared, thanks entirely to Felix and his bravery. "Sometimes, you just need to say 'fuck feminism' and let the man do the dirty work."

"But you're making the choice, ya know?" Tessa agreed. She patted Minho on the back. "Which is exactly what I'm gonna do right now."

The man glared at her. "No the fuck you are not. You asked for this fishing lesson, and you're getting the entire damn experience. Stick. The. Worm. Now!"

Tessa stepped back from him, horrified. "I am not going to 'stick the worm'! You are actually insane."

"Well, you were going to stick the fish later, right?" you inquired.

Tessa's death glare was all you needed to shut up. Apparently, she didn't want facts right now, especially if it meant agreeing with Minho. Note taken.

"I'm done fishing," Tessa huffed. "I'm hungry, I want to eat!"

"Ooh food!" Alaska gasped. "Is it ready?? Can we eat now??"

"But I just split my worm!" Riley protested. "I can't have thrown up in my mouth for nothing!"

"Why didn't you ask Chan???" Alaska cried. "Then no throw up, maybe make out, ya know what I'm saying?"

"Don't talk about my friends like that," Minho groaned, shaking his head.

"Bitch I'm doing one of your friends, talking about one of them is the least of your worries," she rolled her eyes, and Minho mimed vomiting.

"I'm not about to stick my worm." Robin shook her head at the wriggling creature pinched between her fingers. "I cant believe I'm still holding this thing."

Mya held up her finished hook with a giddy smile. "Well, I'm down to try and catch something!" she exclaimed. "With some help," she added, beaming at Jeongin next to her.

"Me too," Alaska agreed. "I want some damn sushi, and if I have to catch it, then so be it."

Minho shook his head. "Okay fine, how about I help Robin and Tessa prepare their lines, and then we can start. How about you, Lanhua? You need help too, or do you got it?"

"I got it," you managed, feeling your stomach roil at the thought.

"Yeah, she's got it."

Changbin's voice sounded behind you, and you turned, shoulders loosening in relief. He'd taken a quick detour to help Chan with the table, but he was here now, and he was ready to help.

Minho raised his eyebrows, but shrugged and turned to the other girls, helping them instead.

"You want me to do it, or you wanna help too?" Changbin grinned as he squatted next to you.

You stared at his muscular legs, intrigued. You'd seen them back in Jeju when he was in his swimsuit, but it'd been months. Was it just you, or did he look even bigger?

You sighed, shoving the rod into his hands. "I would rather eat mud than deal with this thing for one more second."

Changbin's laugh echoed across the lake, and your heart warmed at the sound. "I know Hua, I know." And he marched over to the tin of worms, and got to work.

After an embarrassingly unsuccessful (sans Minho) fishing attempt and a chaotic and delectable picnic, everyone decided to have a rock skipping contest.

"Wait for me!" Alaska cried, her mouth full of watermelon, a can of giinger ale in her hand.

"Bring me the fries first!" Riley called to her friend, waving her arms over her head. "If no one's gonna eat them, I don't want them going to waste!"

Alaska stumbled over to the rest of them, who had gathered where the water was about knee-high on the average person. That meant Alaska and Mya were up to their thighs, while the water barely met the top of your shins.

"Okay everyone, watch carefully!" Chan, who stood closer to the far side of the bank, held up a flat stone. It was agreed that he was the best at skipping rocks, so he was going to teach the girls.

Except Robin, who apparently already knew how, which had surprised you all.

Chan pulled his arm back, before flicking his wrist at the last moment, sending the rock skimming the surface of the water one... two... three... seven times.

"Holy shit that was so good!" Riley gasped, staring at the man like he'd broken a world record. He just grinned broadly at her, a hint of color creeping up his neck.

"Oh there's no way I'm gonna be able to do that," Tessa deadpanned, ogling the water, which was still rippling.

Minho made a show of rolling his eyes. "I can show you, if you're really that dense."

Tessa glowered at him. "I don't need the help of a fishmonger, thanks."

Per usual, the two began quarreling like children.

At the same time, Jeongin was demonstrating again for Mya, while Robin was throwing rocks for the dogs to swim after. Jiao loved the water, despite his thick coat, so you spent a few minutes watching him in amusement as he fetched rocks for your friend.

"You need assistance, M'Lady?" Changbin came wading towards you, a pair of rocks clutched in his rough hands. Your eyes followed them, suddenly wishing you could grab one.

You turned around, having already forgotten what you were doing standing shin-deep in freezing lake water. "Oh, yes I'd love some help, if you're offering!"

He grinned, coming up behind you and bringing an arm to rest against yours, caging you between his body. "Is this okay?" he asked softly.

You nodded a little too enthusiastically, before clearing your throat. "Yes, that's fine Bin."

Even though he was an inch shorter than you, his solid stature made it feel as if he towered above your head, as he fully encased you in his arms. His breath tickled your ear as he leaned close, giving instructions. "You're gonna want to hold the rock like this, and use your arm to throw. Then, you're gonna snap your wrist at the end to get it to skip. Just like this."

Changbin grabbed your hand in his, positioning the rock in the right place, before mirroring his body with yours, and hurling the stone across the lake. It was a little clumsy, but it skipped three times.

"We did it!" you exclaimed, whipping around to face him. But you nearly choked on your own breath, as you found yourself mere inches away from him.

He smirked at you, crafty eyes level with yours as he took in your features with an almost disgusting level of appreciation. Your cheeks burned at his pleasure, but you couldn't look away.

"Like what you see?" you asked breathlessly.

Raising his eyebrows, that full lower lip pulled between his teeth, he grinned. "What do you think, Hua?"

You were about to close that minuscule gap between the two of you in the hopes of finding out what his bottom lip tasted like between your teeth, when you were interrupted by Riley and Chan's triumphant whoops and cheers.

"DID YOU SEE THAT??" Riley crowed. "TEN SKIPS! WE WIN!"

You pulled away from Changbin, trying to shake your head, which had gone fuzzy from your near-kiss - if that was what it was - and focus on your friend. "There was no competition, Riley."

"Well, I just made one, and we beat you all!" she insisted.

Sighing, you turned back around to face Changbin, who still wore the same mischievous smirk on his gorgeous face as he surveyed you.

Se Ri had told you to have a good time. She didn't tell you what kind of good time to have. And you'd most definitely figured it out.

laska's note —
omg, an almost kiss, already?? of course, bin and hua have already been together since they were flirting a bunch back in jeju but... it looks like all those pent-up feelings are back, after all those months apart! 🤭 i apologize for such a long chapter, but it was jus so much fun to write! all our babies going on escapades and getting into trouble is just the best part of these kinds of fics. hua needed a bit of an escpe from the crazy stuff going down in her professional life, so we love to see her having a good time with her friends, and bin. because whew, that tension between them! 😍 comment what you're looking forward to seeing in the coming chapter, because there's so much fun to come!

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟭𝟬 - 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗷𝗼𝗼𝗻
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