CLOUD NINE.
elated and euphoric

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

        "DID ANYONE PACK SOME DORITOS?"

Donghyuck's voice echoed within the confines of the car, his head on Mark's shoulder, the radio playing a classic 90's tune like every lazy Saturday siesta.

Eventually, a bag of chips was tossed haphazardly into the backseat, landing right on Donghyuck's lap as per his request.

"I've got back-up, just in case our appetites get the most of us," said Jeno, looking out the window and watching this unfamiliar town unfold before him.

"Thanks," Donghyuck mumbled, overpowered by the loud crunch of chips.

"Are we almost there, Mrs. Park?" Renjun asked, eyes a little sleepy and lethargic. A yawn slipped from his lips as he snuggled Jaemin's shoulder, "I'm getting a little drowsy already.'

"Don't worry," she looked at the almost-dozing boy through the rearview mirror with a soft smile. "We're almost there, and that's a promise."

Jaemin was definitely asleep now, letting out soft snores.

"God," Mark suddenly chimed in, a crunch following. "I'm stoked."

"So am I," Jeno injected, his lips curved into a small smile, "I really can't wait."

They thanked the heavens that traffic wasn't a bumper-to-bumper situation and that it was a relatively quick journey compared to the norm. But funnily enough, the boys felt like it had been a century since they've started traveling, with all the stops and turns here and there.

Before they could presume that they've been running a mile forever, the loud shriek of the hand brake resonated, hindering further thoughts.

"We're here!"

        The boys snapped awake, abruptly, groaning in frustration, but after processing their environment, the annoyance was filled in with excitement.

"Oh shit," Jeno mumbled under his breath, eyes widened in shock. "Oh- Nana look! That waterslide's huge!"

His eyes glimmer at the sight and so does Jaemin's, still mesmerized as they hop out the van, Mrs. Oh's car just about to make their way there.

        Their skin was scorched by the touch of the sun, the blazing sensation in their nerves that felt so foreign within a span of months. The bright rays were blinding, casting light upon their eyelids and lashes batting profusely. Sweat trickles down their foreheads, but the textbook definition of summer pet peeves was more anticipating and delightful than disheartening.

        The heat, the all-too-familiar sultry, sweltering temperatures, was almost nostalgic in conjunction with lazy ice cream days. A remnant of their childhood, to say the least.

        As everyone got out the cars, they walk through the huge archway, the strong scent of chlorine fill their nostrils—that distinct, almost addicting smell that always reminds you of pool, floaties, pool, slides. Pool.

        "Ten adults, please," Mrs. Park said, handing in folds of cash to the woman behind the desk. Eventually waterproof paper bands were tied around their wrists and stamps were pressed on the back of their palms, and the guard at the entrance ushered them in.

"Woah..." was all Renjun managed to mutter, eyes scanning every bit of the resort slash waterpark.

The entrance wasn't the grandest, but it gave off a homy feel. The tall bamboo arch cascaded on top of their heads, flowerbeds of tulips and baby's breath and carnation at each corner of the paved path.

From here the colossal, colorful waterslides were slowly unfolding before them, towering above all the other structures in there.

"Look, Ji!" Chenle excitedly pointed up to the tallest slide in the whole resort, a whopping fifty-feet in height. "It's so tall! I wanna try that out!"

Jisung looked to where the boy was pointing, and his heart almost stopped pulsating.

"T-That?" he muttered under his breath, teeth clenched in utter fright. "There's no way you're gonna drag me into that shit."

        Chenle poked his sides and laughed mockingly, "Not on my watch."

        They turned on a corner and were faced by a stretch of cottages, constructed with bamboo and nipa, like small indigenous huts or those resorts sitting atop a blue marine ocean.

        But it wasn't any ordinary cottage— it had a built-in bathroom inside it, whilst maintaining its earthy, natural ambiance. There were two bedrooms just because they were only staying there to prepare and get ready. And to top it off, it had a huge flatscreen TV and comfy sofas right in the living room, tying everything together.

        "When did you have time to get this ready with Mrs. Park, mom?!" Miri shrieked, because of how shocked yet stoked she was about this trip. She immediately dropped her bags and threw herself onto the pillows of the couch.

        She couldn't contain her squeals, and so couldn't the others, all stuck in a state of euphoria.

╚═ °• ♔ •° ═╗

"Okay," Mrs. Park started, pacing around as they gathered outside the cottage. "We're going to split up, so keep in mind we're establishing a buddy system here."

The nodded along, Mrs. Oh looking at each of them carefully. "Each of you has a waterproof bag so make sure your phones are with you all the time, regardless. Understood?"

After a synchronized yes, they were all dismissed by the two women and ran off into the distance, Jaemin and Renjun and Jeno racing away, Jisung and Chenle clinging to each other, Miri and Winwin hand-in-hand, and Mark and Donghyuck in each others' arms.

"Are you excited?" Mark turned to Donghyuck with a soft grin, fingers enlaced in the latter's brown locks.

"More than ever," he said, returning a fond smile. "You know, I miss these kinds of stuff."

"Hm?"

Donghyuck took a deep breath. "Things were often fun, but fun things gave off a happier feeling."

The younger turned to Mark with doe eyes, "You get me?"

Mark was clueless, and a giggle escaped his lips once he shook his head slowly. "Not really."

Donghyuck looked shyly at his feet, cheeks a little pink and a smile on his lips, whilst Mark slowly leaned in to peck his soft hair.

The latter looked up at Mark with a smile, a smile brighter than the sun, the stars, and the moon combined. More beautiful than Aphrodite, or the glimmering rain at dawn.

"God," Mark whispered, unable to contain his smile. "I love you. So much."

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

❀ | a/n !
— so ... next chapter's gonna be the spicy stuff. so sorry if this filler chapter was kinda boring as well
— bUT next chapter's gonna be really good, and that's a promise
— HYUCKHAN !