ˏˋ°•*⁀ ➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗡
─◌✰್ 𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌𝖼𝗈𝗍𝖼𝗁
𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗰𝗵（𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻）/ˈ𝗯ə𝗱ə𝗿ˌ𝘀𝗸𝗮̈𝗖𝗛/
❝𝖺 𝖿𝗅𝖺𝗏𝗈𝗋 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗈𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖻𝗒 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖻𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾𝗅𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖻𝗎𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖻𝗋𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗌𝗎𝗀𝖺𝗋．❞

The day couldn't have been more perfect. The sun shined bright on the glittering sapphire ocean water, exposing multitudes of fish with scales reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors. Fiery red coral and foamy green anemones danced in whirlpools off the rocky shore, in direct contrast with the crabs and seashells glinting on the buttery sand. A pleasant crowd of people littered the beach, creating a healthy buzz of conversation reverberating through the warm air. Again, the perfect day. Perfect for swimming, for sunbathing, for-

"Chicken! We have to play chicken!" Changbin cried, jumping up and down like the man-child he was.

"I don't think anyone wants you sitting on their shoulders, Changbin," Riley pointed out in the kindest voice she could muster.

"Fine, I'll carry someone myself then!" Changbin sniffed dramatically, undeterred from his mission to play the ridiculous game.

After you, Mya and Riley had been hanging out on the beach, sunbathing, gossiping, and playing beach volleyball for over an hour, the boys had finally come to join you. You'd already taken about ten minutes just trying to figure out what to do. Why was it so easy with just you girls, but when they boys joined, they made everything complicated?

You supposed it wasn't all bad. As much as you resented your brother for forcing his way into your vacation and dragging his insane friends along, you had to admit they were a lot of fun. And from what you could see, your friends definitely didn't mind their company.

And you found that you didn't really mind either.

You purposely ignored that thought, shaking your head to try and get rid of it. After his antics on the plane, Felix had barely spared you a second glance. Why would he do something so bold, so out of character, only to ignore you and decide to room with Hyunjin for the rest of the trip? Maybe all men were stupid after all. Or maybe - and you didn't want to think about this - he wasn't stupid. Maybe he had done all of this on purpose.

After all, you took this trip to celebrate your graduation. To celebrate yourself. Not to moon over your childhood crush, who either seemed to be messing around with you, or was so dumb he didn't realize he was hurting you. Neither were good. You had to put the fantasy of a summer romance out of your head. Time to put that stupid crush behind you, just like you'd been telling yourself since the start of your trip. You were determined to have fun, and Felix's antics weren't going to stop you, starting now. You had to do something to get yourself out of this moony, unrealistic mindset.

"I wouldn't mind playing chicken with you Binnie," you said, shrugging.

Changbin shot you a giddy smile, and your heart warmed. He was always so excited to try new things, even if they were borderline crazy.

"But we'd need to pick partners, and we don't have an even number of people," you reminded before he could get too carried away.

"Maybe we could invite someone to play with us!" Jeongin said hopefully, glancing around the bustling beach. "There's gotta be someone who would wanna join, right?"

"Let's start getting into pairs first, maybe someone will ask to play!" Han said, rubbing his hands together. "You know I'm great at chicken!"

Before anyone could pick a partner, Jeongin immediately snagged Mya's wrist in a half-smooth-half-awkward way, grinning like a dork as Mya's entire face lit up like the embers in a fire.

"I call Mya!" He exclaimed, tightening his grip on her wrist as if someone was going to fight him for her. "I mean, erm, the youngest should team up together! We're the strongest."

Everyone stared at the two, as Jeongin grinned wider and Mya looked like she was trying to melt into the sand.

She nodded anyway, glancing around when she thought no one was looking to make sure they didn't try to steal her partner.

Han, the only one who saw this, gawked at the two of them before turning back towards the group. Seungmin tried not-so-valiantly to conceal a snicker, and failed just as valiantly.

"I pick Riley!" Both Han and Chan announced at the exact same time. They both caught themselves and turned to look at one another, for once at a loss of what to say.

"Someone's in high demand," Changbin all but cackled, making Riley shove him so hard he nearly fell into the sand. Despite trying to act chill, her hands knotted together as she twisted her fingers together.

"Ooh are we gonna see a fight?" You asked, eager for the drama to be put on someone else, even if it had to be your best friend. Sorry Riley. But it didn't actually seem like she minded having two hot guys fight over her.

Chan rolled his eyes. "No, we're not going to fight, Laska. Why don't we just let Riley pick?"

"That's no fun!" Seungmin complained, nudging you with a conspiratorial grin.

Riley glared at Seungmin, her cheeks a dusky rose color. "Do I really have to pick one? What if I don't want to team up with either of you?"

"Then you can be my partner!" Changbin said enthusiastically, thumping himself on the chest.

Riley took one look at Changbin and said, "Okay Mr. Christopher Bahng, you'd better be good at this game."

Chan immediately straightened and nodded, desperately trying to hide his triumphant grin. "We'll kick their asses."

"I pick Han then!" Seungmin said loudly.

You smiled at him. Despite giving often pretending that he didn't like his friends , Seungmin always knew how to make them feel better.

That left Changbin, Hyunjin, Minho, Felix and you.

Before any of you could speak, a voice sounded from behind you.

"What are you guys up to?"

You turned around to see a young woman about the same age as you walking down the beach a few feet away. Her hair was tied up in a messy yet perfect bun, and she donned a flattering lemon yellow bikini with white sandals. Her designer sunglasses were pushed up on the top of her head to expose inquisitive brown eyes.

When you turned back around to face the rest of the group, Changbin was staring at her like he'd seen some kind of ghost. His face was pale, and his mouth hung open a few inches. You wouldn't be surprised if some drool dripped down his chin.

"We were about to play a game of chicken, have you heard of it?" Hyunjin asked conversationally, not batting and eye at the shockingly gorgeous woman, or his friend's reaction. "We're still pairing up, so you could be my-"

"You're my partner!" Changbin interrupted, way too forcefully to be natural. His cheeks immediately changed from white to red. "I mean... uhh, you could team up with me, if you like."

You expected the sexy, perfect woman to either roll her eyes and walk away, or pick the much smoother Hyunjin over the nervous wreck that was Changbin.

Instead, the woman's face transformed into a beam, making her even more stunning than before. Whisker dimples adorned her cheeks, making her look even more genuine.

"I'd love to be your partner! I'm Lanhua, it's nice to meet you," she said, coming to stand next to the blushing muscular man, her cheeks also rosy. Whether it was from the sun or her interaction with Changbin, you couldn't quite tell, but you hoped it was the latter. Changbin deserved someone amazing, someone who would appreciate his quirky yet loud, encouraging ways. Besides, Lanhua seemed really nice (if not a little out of his league), especially if she could put up with him.

Hyunjin shrugged, not thinking twice about the interaction between his friend and Lanhua. He studied you, Minho, and Felix, as if debating his chances of winning with each of you.

"You're my partner."

A hand rested on your arm, warm and certain. You turned to see Minho gazing down at you with his hard brown eyes. It wasn't so much a request, more a statement.

"I- yeah, sure," you replied, caught off guard by Minho's demanding words. You didn't think that Minho liked you that much at all, let alone enough to want to team up with you, even in a silly game. You supposed you'd always known he had a unique way of showing his affection.

"Guess that leaves us then," Hyunjin looked at Felix. Then with a dramatic sigh, "Why didn't anyone want to partner with me?"

But Felix didn't answer Hyunjin. Instead, he was practically boring a hole through Minho's head with those beautiful- no. Very normal walnut colored eyes. If looks could kill, poor Minho would be dead and you'd be out a partner. Which might have been exactly what Felix wanted, you thought as he clenched his fists, those tanned, lean muscles flexing in a most appealing way.

You shook your head at the thought. Of course Felix wouldn't want that. Felix wasn't so petty as to be angry at one of his closest friends just for pairing up with you in a game of chicken. Not to mention you were merely his best friend's sister, who he clearly still thought of as a child.

Besides, you were perfectly happy to be paired up with Minho! You had wanted to become friends with Minho on this trip, hadn't you? This was a sure-fire way to make sure that happened. And Minho had wanted to be your partner. You had to admit, it felt good.

"So, what's our strategy?" You whispered to Minho, who shrugged.

"I dunno, I hadn't really thought of anything," Minho chuckled. "Do we need a strategy?"

"If we want to win, yes!" You insisted. "You might not feel the same way, but my brother is here, and I want to beat him!"

Minho laughed again, shaking his head.

"What?" You demanded, and you could feel your cheeks reddening. Was he laughing at you for being childish, like Hyunjin - and seemingly Felix - would?

"You're just so competitive," Minho said with a grin. "It's kind of cute."

You opened your mouth to say something, but no words came out. Was Minho flirting with you? No shit, of course he was. He'd just called you cute! What were you supposed to say to that?

"I-uhh-I..." You spluttered, trying and failing to form a coherent response.

Minho grabbed your wrist, ignoring your fumbling words. "You'll just get on my shoulders, and kick ass. That a good enough strategy?" He leaned down so close, his face was mere inches from yours. He was so close, his breath fanned your face, the scent of cinnamon and the pancakes you all had for breakfast tickling your nose and making your hands sweat. His eyes bored into you with such intensity, your knees almost gave out.

Why hadn't you noticed before now how attractive Minho was until now? With those heated brown eyes and perfect, slightly chapped lips, you wished your friends and brother weren't standing behind you, so you could-

Wait. So you could what? Kiss him? Is that what you wanted? Did you have a crush on Minho? He was, as you'd so acutely noticed moments ago, a real specimen of a man, as cringey as that sounded. But did you really like him? What about Felix? Because no matter how hard you wished you could push those feelings away, they couldn't. No matter how annoying and even hurtful Felix acted towards you, you still liked him. You just couldn't help it.

But you knew it was not good to dwell on those feelings, especially when they were not reciprocated. So maybe Minho's advances on you was the world reaffirming these thoughts. It really was time to move on.

Slipping out from beneath Minho's uncomfortably hot gaze, you announced, "Okay, we're ready to kick some ass and make you all wish you'd never decided to play this game!"

First was Han and Seungmin against Mya and Jeongin. Mya and Han climbed onto their partner's shoulders as everyone waded into the perfectly warm, peaceful water.

"Do I really have to push Han off Seungmin's shoulders??" Mya squeaked incredulously. "This feels unfair! I'm like, a foot shorter than them!"

"Hey, I'm a great support!" Jeongin reminded her with an encouraging smile. "Just push him as hard as you can! I'll keep you steady."

Mya shot a shaky smile down on the fox-faced man before turning to face Han and Seungmin. "I won't make any promises, but I trust you. I think."

The two atop their partner's shoulders lightly pushed each other for a few seconds, feeling out their balance and testing the waters (no pun intended). Then, with the help of a cheering crowd (aka Changbin and a screeching Hyunjin), Mya finally succeeded in luring Han close enough that she could tip Han off a cackling Seungmin's shoulders.

"You did it!!" Riley cheered over the sounds of Changbin laughing and pointing at his friends.

"We knew you'd win!!" You hugged Mya as she climbed off Jeongin's shoulders.

Jeongin wrapped Mya up in a huge bear hug, his smile bright.

"See, I told you you could trust me!" He said with a hearty wink, sending your poor friend into uncontrollable heart palpitations.

"I never said I couldn't!" Mya insisted over and over as she desperately tried not to stare as Jeongin's abs, which were on prominent display.

"Don't they look so hot?" Riley hissed to both of you as you got a moment away from the others while they started getting ready for the next fight. "Like do you see Chris's arms? And those abs, they're like chocolate bars!"

"I'm trying not to stare at Jeongin, but he definitely knows. I think he even caught me a couple times," Mya giggled as quietly as she could. "Am I drooling? I think I'm drooling. I'm not supposed to be like this! I'm a woman of morals!"

You laughed. "All morals go out the window when a man as hot as that is in your midst," you joked. "And are you calling Chan Chris now?"

"I do, I think it fits him." Riley shrugged. Then she said, "what about Felix, I didn't know he had abs!"

Her voice cut through the buzzing in your head as both your friends gazed at you.

"I'm surprised you didn't ask to be his partner," Mya added, nudging you.

"I'm not going to pursue Felix," you told your friends under your breath, averting your eyes from the blond man laughing with his friends a just feet away.

"What?? Why?? And don't tell me it's because you're not into him, we're tired of that lie," Riley pinned you with a quizzical look.

You sighed. It wasn't worth lying to your friends, they'd just see right through your bullshit. "I just don't think he likes me. He keeps acting like I'm the same little girl he grew up with, and I'm over it. I just want someone who wants me back, ya know? Chan and Jeongin are clearly head over heels for you guys. I want the same thing!"

Mya and Riley flushed at your words.

"We just met them, who knows what they're thinking," Mya muttered, crossing her arms over her white bikini-clad chest.

"Yeahh, and who knows if we even like them, right?" Riley laughed, twining her hands together over and over.

You rolled your eyes. "So I'm not allowed to lie to you, but you can? Not fair! I see the way you're both gawking at them, and your conversations are great too. Don't try to trick me! I'm not completely stupid."

"Riley, Channie, you're up next!" Han called. "You too, Felix and Hyunjin!"

You watched this fight with particular interest. You knew Felix wasn't usually the strongest in the room, especially when compared to the likeness of the Christopher Bang and Seo Changbin. But Riley was right. He definitely had abs. When did that happen? Maybe, despite the fact that you'd been bitter at Felix for only seeing you as a child, you'd forgotten that Felix had grown up too. I missed so much.

You admittedly couldn't keep your eyes off of his lean, muscular chest and defined arms as he sat atop Hyunjin's shoulders, fighting your friend. Usually, you'd be laughing your ass off at the sight of your brother screaming at the top of his lungs while he nearly drowned in the ocean, but you were too distracted by another man to fully care.

Finally, with much effort, Felix managed to push Riley off Chris's shoulders. Like the real knight in shining armor he was, Chris gallantly saved Riley from drowning by holding her in those ridiculously brawny arms until she was able to set her feet back in the soft sand underwater. Riley simply stared at the handsome Aussie the entire time, unable to say a word. You had to admit, they were pretty cute, no matter how much Riley tried to play hard to get.

Next was you and Minho against Lanhua and Changbin. You were sort of scared of Changbin and his infinite biceps. Those arms were a force to be reckoned with. And by the looks of Lanhua and her abs, she must work out everyday.

"If you drop me, I will drown you," you warned Minho before climbing onto his shoulders.

"Don't worry, I know," Minho laughed as he held your legs securely.  You could feel the roughness of his palms against your skin. Dancing as a job must be hard on his body. "I wouldn't want to hurt you."

Just as you started to overanalyze whatever Minho just said and why the hell he said it, Changbin started yelling to the two of you, complaining that he was starting to get cold, and might need a blanket before this fight even started if you didn't hurry up.

Minho waded over to Lanhua and Changbin, who already seemed to be hitting it off.

You grinned over at Lanhua, who was nibbling her bottom lip, her eyebrow creased. Even nervous, the woman still looked perfect. How was that possible?

"I'm sorry I have to beat you like this, since we just met and all, but it's my responsibility," you said, winking.

Lanhua let out a loud laugh. "I'm just glad to be here and hang out with you guys," she assured you.

You raised your eyebrows. Something about the five foot seven beauty made entirely of muscle told you that she might not be someone to challenge, but you didn't have much of a choice. Maybe she was built more for grace than roughness. Or so you tried to tell yourself.

But as you started to shove at the opposing woman, you decided it probably wasn't true. She was definitely a lot stronger than you.

"What happened to the 'I'm just glad to be here' sentiment?" You complained, twisting your arm out of her grip for the third time.

Lanhua laughed, tying her hair back up in that messy bun as if she had all the time in the world. "I never said I wouldn't try to win! I'm a little competitive myself," the twinkle in her eyes told you that you definitely wanted to be friends with her.

"C'mon Laska, you got this!" Minho squeezed your ankle in encouragement, and you nodded, running a hand through his hair in response. It was quite soft, especially for being out in the ultra-salty ocean water all day. You cast the thought aside, extracting your hands from his hair and setting them safely - both physically and emotionally - on his shoulders instead.

"Okay Minho, run at them for me," you ordered.

And as Minho ran as fast as he could at the opposing pair, with as much strength that you could muster, you shoved Lanhua with both hands.

Lanhua let out a gasp of surprise. Not having braced for impact, she toppled right into Changbin's awaiting arms.

Even though they lost, Changbin didn't seem to mind one bit. He was grinning like a fool as he set a grimacing Lanhua - drenched head to toe - back onto the ground. But despite her solemn look, you had a feeling she didn't mind falling into his arms either.

Your friends whooped and cheered as Minho set you gently back into the water. You laughed and hugged Minho tightly.

"I can't believe we actually beat them!" You cried, wrapping your arms around his neck in triumph. "I thought we didn't stand a chance against them!"

"Me neither!" Minho exclaimed, his arms sliding around your waist as he hugged you back, his body smelling of saltwater and a hint of his signature spicy cologne.

"Wait, you didn't think we could do it? You didn't believe in me??" You gasped, feigning offense.

Minho shrugged unapologetically. "Well, did ya see who we were up against? We're no match for Changbin and Lanhua. But I guess we're luckier than I thought!"

You couldn't help but let out a giggle. "You're right, we are lucky! Maybe lucky enough to win this whole competition?"

Minho raised his eyebrows, a smirk pulling at the edge of his lips. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

As it turned out, you two were not quite lucky enough to win the whole thing. Somehow, Mya and Jeongin managed to not only beat you both, but also beat Hyunjin and Felix. It was almost a fluke, or so Hyunjin said as he mourned his loss. How did the youngest group beat everyone else??

But as Mya and Jeongin practically leaped into each other's arms for joy (and perhaps other reasons), you couldn't bring yourself to feel disappointed. You'd had an amazing time, and it wasn't lost on you that Minho had been the reason.

You wandered over to the faux red-haired man who stood by himself, checking his phone on the shore. He'd taken a break from the water, complaining about his "unbearably pruney fingers".

"Hey," you said, grabbing your yellow Pompompurin towel, drying your body with it, and tying it around your waist.

Minho looked up from his phone, and for a split second you thought you saw a twinge of pleasure flood across his face, before he erased it with a nod. "Hey yourself."

You stepped closer to him and smiled. "Thanks for today."

He raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

You shrugged. "I dunno, for all of it. You're fun to hang out with."

"As if you didn't know that before?"

You rolled your eyes. "Coming from the guy who's never said a nice thing to me in my life, yeah, I guess it was a bit of a surprise."

"I wouldn't say never," Minho frowned. At your skeptical expression, he sighed, cheeks turning pink. "Was I really that mean?"

"Not mean, just... cold. I didn't think you liked me that much."

Minho stared at you, expression unreadable. You started to second guess your decision to come up to him, to admit your new opinion of him.

But Minho just said, "I've always liked you."

Then he went back to his phone.

You stared at him for a few dumbfounded moments, debating if you should try and decipher this riddle of a man right now, or wait to discuss with your friends. Later. You told yourself.

But as you walked back into the water to meet up with your friends, you couldn't help realizing, you weren't confused. Minho hadn't given you a riddle to uncover. In fact, he couldn't have been more obvious about his feelings. He'd left them out in the open, so you didn't have to wonder. Nothing was unknown, complicated, or confusing.

And maybe that was kind of nice.

laska's note —
what do y'all think of this love triangle?? i know not everyone is a big fan of them, but they're my favorite!! i hope you enjoy how i write it. i promise there will be more alasklix/felaska (idk ship names are weird) in the next chapter!! let me know what you think! love y'all <3

question of the day —
who do you think you'd realistically be the best romantic (or platonic if you're not into romance) match with out of skz and why?

my answer (i have decided to start doing this now lol) —
felix or changbin i believe. they're both dorky and louder, but they're not too judgy (like i am oops). i love a soft boy, and my bf is a skinny gamer so felix would fit my type haha. changbin is very funny but he's supportive which i love.

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟭𝟭 - 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻
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