Stuck In Place || Jaeyong

11 - Touch

Taeyong caught the hint and moved to the back door and saw Jaehyun on the other end who stared at him through the glass. His breathing hitched as he laid eyes on the other boy.

He gazed at Ten who winked at him which he then scrunched his eyebrows in displeasure.

Ten, you little...

He had mentally prepared himself for this but yet still, he felt nervous. They'd sat next to each other before, what was so different about this time? He decided to brush it off and treat it like nothing.

Taeyong got into the vehicle and greeted the other boys before he fastened his seatbelt.

----

They drove for a while and the ride was mostly filled with Ten's chatter and his occasional karaoke. He lightened the mood for them all. By now he'd worn himself out and listened to his music through his airpods while he stared outside of the window.

Every now and then Taeyongs breathing would shallow as his shoulder brushed against Jaehyuns, whenever Johnny would inadvertently drive over a rough patch in the road. He blamed his new awareness of his feelings for making him this way. He wished things would be as they were, when he was more comfortable around the younger boy.

He started to feel his eyes getting heavier as the road became bumpier. His eyes flickered until all he saw was black.

Jaehyun looked over to Taeyong to see his head hung forward and bobbing with the bumps of the road.

Cute, he must've been too excited.

Jaehyun gently positioned Taeyong with his head leaning on the window instead of freely swaying. Thankfully Taeyong wasn't a light sleeper which made Jaehyun relieved when he didn't wake up in the process. However his actions did not go unnoticed as Ten watched the reflection in the window and smiled to himself.

The younger boy watched for a while to make sure the other wouldn't hurt his head and then resumed his original position and made himself busy.

As they drove onto the camping grounds Ten began to unbuckle his seatbelt. Johnny parked the jeep and he and Ten got out first to retrieve the luggage from the trunk.

Jaehyun tapped Taeyongs shoulder to wake him up. "Hey Tae, we're here" he whispered softly.

A startled and sleepy eyed Taeyong stared at him with a blank expression.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you" jaehyun said apologetically.

"Its okay" the older stretched and gazed into space for a few seconds before making sloth like movements to exit the jeep. The younger boy followed behind.

Once everyone was out of their vehicles Johnny gathered them in a circle to make an announcement.

"Okay guys, now for the pairing" johnny began.

The boys and girls fixed their attention to him.

"Ten and I will pair up as club leaders and we will assign a number to each of you..." he paused and looked over at Ten.

"Whoever has the same number as you is your partner and also who you will share your tent with" Ten continued his statement.

Everyone was handed a paper with a number on it and were informed of the curfew and time dinner would be served.

Taeyong opened his paper and saw the number written.

Five, it read.

Jaehyun walked towards the older "what number do you have?" He asked. Taeyong turned around to face him.

"Uh.. five, how about you?" He questioned staring at the taller.

"Oh sweet, we're partners" jaehyun held his paper up showing the number five written on it.

"Oh? what a coincidence." taeyong looked at him shocked.

"More like fate" the taller boy then chuckled and taeyong smiled shyly.

Fate...?

The two boys went to their already set up tent with their luggage and took out their equipment.

"If you're ready to go we can get going while there's still a lot of natural lighting" the taller boy suggested.

"Okay, let's go?" Taeyong stood up and strung his camera and bag around his neck and shoulder.

They set out to the nearby forest. Taeyong had his camera in hand and snapped away at the trees and various plants he came across.

As they ventured deeper into the forest they spotted a few birds and a leopard cat and captured each creature that crossed their paths.

The shorter boy followed behind the other who cleared the way for them to walk "be careful" the taller boy said while he pushed the branches out of the way.

Taeyong mumbled back but while he was busy gazing through his lens he stepped on an uneven surface which suddenly caused his ankle to twist.

"Oooww" he quickly knelt down and held his ankle which throbbed in pain.

Jaehyun immediately ran towards taeyong and kneeled in front of him.

"Whats wrong??" He was exasperated and patted the others shoulder comfortingly.

"I-I think I twisted my ankle"

"Can you stand on it?"

"I think so..." taeyong stood but as he took a step forward he dropped back down and winced in pain.

"Well at least we know it isn't broken, get on my back I'll carry you back to the camp" Jaehyun reasoned while he stooped down on one knee in front of the older boy.

"No it's okay, I can make it back" he insisted.

"Tae, get on my back. You can barely take a step" jaehyun said sternly.

The older boy pouted his lips and was unable to protest further. He got on the younger boys back who then secured him by placing his hands beneath his thighs. Jaehyun then stood up and walked in the direction back to the camp.

Taeyong felt a wave of embarrassment which swept over him as he felt his chest pressed against the younger boys back. He hoped that he wouldn't feel how fast his heart was beating.

The boys returned back to the camp and settled in their tent. Jaehyun applied ointments to Taeyongs ankle and wrapped it for him. They awaited the return of the other club members and when it would be dinner time. After they ate their meals they got ready for bed.

Taeyong laid on his blanket and yawned uncontrollably. The activities of the day weighed his eyelids down. The last thing he remembered before everything went dark was an angered Jaehyun storming out of the tent on the phone.

The next morning Taeyong awoke,  his body ached and he felt extremely warm. He braced himself to sit up. When he opened his eyes he realized the position he was in. He was on Jaehyuns chest.

WHAT THE..?!

Taeyong abruptly sat upright and covered his mouth to not make a sound. The younger boy was still fast asleep and didn't budge. His face remained peaceful.

How can he look more handsome when he sleeps. That's so unfair.

He noticed the length of Jaehyuns hair. It had grown quite long in the front nearly covering his eyes. Taeyong subconsciously moved his bangs out of the way. His slender fingers traced alongside Jaehyuns cheek in the process and caused the other to stir from the touch.

Taeyong immediately withdrew his hand and observed the younger boy whose eyes remained closed but then turned to lay on his side with his back towards him.

Taeyong let out a huge exhale out of relief. Jaehyun who could not be seen raised his mouth upward in a slight grin.

He wasn't asleep.