As Kaoru trails a short distance behind Haneul, Daewon, and Kai, he keeps a careful distance, observing them discreetly. His protective instincts are on high alert, especially considering that he doesn't know these two well-dressed strangers.
Ahead, Haneul and Daewon continue to exchange glares, their tension palpable even from a distance.
Suddenly, Haneul breaks the silence with a strained grin.
"Hey, look at that, Kai! It's a ferris wheel! Don't you want to go on?" Haneul suggests, his tone falsely cheerful.
"Why would he want to go on that thing with you?" Daewon's response is sharp and laced with disdain.
Caught in the middle, Kai shifts uncomfortably, unsure how to respond to the tension between the two alphas.
"I-"
But Haneul presses on, his determination apparent despite the strain in his smile. "Great, let's go."
They reach the ferris wheel, where Haneul and Daewon are both vying for a spot beside Kai, inadvertently sandwiching Kai in the middle as they settle down.
As they ascend, Kai's discomfort intensifies, not from the height but from the suffocating atmosphere that envelops them. The tension between Haneul and Daewon seems to tighten with each passing moment, casting a shadow over what should have been a carefree ride.
Kai tries to ease the mood with a forced smile, but it does little to dissipate the silent power struggle unfolding beside him.
Above, the ferris wheel carries them higher, offering a panoramic view of the city lights that shimmer in the evening haze. Yet for Kai, the beauty of the scene is overshadowed by the conflicting emotions swirling around him.
As the ferris wheel ascends to its highest point, the mechanical whirring that had accompanied their journey suddenly stutters and halts with a grinding clunk. Kai feels a surge of frustration as the carriage shudders to a stop, leaving them suspended in mid-air. The abrupt cessation of movement triggers a visceral reaction in him, his breath catching in a mixture of annoyance and unease.
"Damn it!" Kai mutters under his breath, his fingers tightening around the cold metal of the safety bar.
He glances down, taking in the sweeping view of the city lights below, normally a sight that would captivate him.
Now, it only serves as a stark reminder of their precarious situation.
His eyes flicker between Haneul and Daewon, who sit on either side of him like silent sentinels in the confined space. The lingering tension between the alphas now amplified by the stalled ferris wheel sends a wave of discomfort through Kai, turning his initial unease into a simmering frustration.
As Haneul and Daewon exchange icy glares over him, Kai sinks lower into his seat, desperate for the tension to break.
Kai's impatience mounts with each passing moment, the confined space and the stagnant air pressing down on him like a heavy weight. He tries to suppress the rising anger bubbling within him, but the sensation of being trapped in the suspended carriage with two wild animals fuels his irritation.
Please, god, help me. He silently begs.
Meanwhile, on the ground below, Kaoru's concern deepens as he cranes his neck to peer upwards, a knot of worry tightening his stomach. He watches Kai, unwittingly caught in the suspended drama unfolding high above them.
Beside him, Jae-Hwa follows his gaze.
"I see Kai, he's up at the top!" Jae-Hwa exclaims, waving enthusiastically. "Hi, Kai!"
Instead of relief, Kaoru feels a surge of panic. His protective instincts surge to the forefront, amplifying his unease.
"He's stuck." Kaoru mutters anxiously, his eyes fixed on the motionless ferris wheel.
Sensing Kaoru's escalating worry, Jae-Hwa acts swiftly.
"Wait here." He says before disappearing into the crowd.
Moments later, Jae-Hwa returns with two hot teas in hand, offering one to Kaoru with a gentle smile.
"Here, take this." He softly suggests. "Let's go sit on that bench. It'll be more comfortable while we wait for the ferris wheel to start working again."
Kaoru accepts the tea gratefully, the warmth spreading through him both from the beverage and from Jae-Hwa's calming presence. He takes a sip, the familiar taste of soothing tea helping to settle his nerves.
Together, they find a bench overlooking the amusement park, a sanctuary amidst the crowd. As they settle down, Kaoru feels a measure of relief in Jae-Hwa's composed demeanour amidst the chaos.
From their vantage point, they watch the spectacle unfolding above. The contrast between Jae-Hwa's comforting air and the tense tableau in the ferris wheel cabin is stark. Kai remains ensnared between the conflicting energies of Haneul and Daewon.
As the tension between Haneul and Daewon finally reaches its boiling point, their argument escalates into a full-blown confrontation.
"Why do you always insist on sticking your head where it doesn't belong?" Daewon's voice slices through the air, edged with frustration.
Haneul, undeterred, smirks in response. "Well, Daewon, someone's got to bring a bit of life to this party. Consider it my generous contribution to the excitement fund."
Daewon's scowl deepens. "This isn't a game, Haneul. We both know you've done this exact sort of shit before, but I've had it."
A flicker of hurt crosses Haneul's eyes, his facade momentarily faltering. "You're so serious, Daewon. Lighten up. Maybe people would stick around."
The jab hits its mark, Daewon flinches, his expression turning steely. "I don't need your advice on socialising. I need you to stop meddling where you aren't wanted."
Haneul's hurt is palpable as he retorts, frustration lacing his voice. "Why do you even care now, then? You never seemed to before."
Daewon's tone softens, vulnerability seeping through his defences. "Because I didn't care about them. I cared about you! I didn't care what you did, as long as we stayed friends. But for the first time, I've found someone I actually care about as much as I care about you! But I guess this is just a game to you, huh? Just like everything else-."
Haneul's mask cracks, revealing the raw emotion beneath.
"That's not true! You know I had it rough with my parents always arguing and Haneun being the shitty brother he is. You were the only constant in my life, and I was scared that you'd be taken away from me, so I intervened before that happened. I-" Haneul sighs, his bravado fading. "I'm sorry, okay?"
Daewon's expression softens in response to Haneul's apology. Haneul's smile returns, a mixture of relief and affection evident on his face.
"You really care about me that much, huh?" Haneul teases lightly, a touch of vulnerability beneath his playful tone.
Daewon's voice is gentle, his voice carrying sincerity as he replies, "I do."
The tension that once hung heavy begins to dissipate, leaving behind a sense of understanding and a renewed bond between them.
Between them Kai is practically melting into the ferris wheel seat, overwhelmed by the suffocating proximity to Haneul and Daewon, desperately wishing for an escape from the awkwardness that clings to him like humid summer air.
As if answering his unspoken plea, the ferris wheel suddenly lurches back into motion. The mechanical whir fills the air as the giant wheel begins its slow descent, and relief floods through Kai like a cool breeze on a sweltering day.
"Well, isn't that convenient?" Haneul chuckles, his voice light with amusement as they begin their descent.
Daewon nods in agreement, the tension from their argument dissipating as they share a moment of lightheartedness.
"It's like it was waiting for us."
With each rotation bringing them closer to the ground, Kai breathes a silent sigh of relief. The discomfort of being sandwiched between Haneul and Daewon fades, replaced by a growing anticipation of stepping off the ride and onto stable ground.
On the nearby bench, Kaoru had succumbed to the fatigue and stress weighing on him like a blanket, his head finding a resting place on Jae-Hwa's shoulder. The unexpected intimacy leaves Jae-Hwa flustered yet touched, unsure of how to respond but unwilling to disturb Kaoru's much-needed rest.
Finally, the ferris wheel completes its descent, depositing Haneul, Daewon, and Kai back onto solid ground.
With the tension between them resolved, Haneul and Daewon share a smile, the weight of their argument lifted off their shoulders.
Kai, eager to put some distance between himself and the uncomfortable situation, starts to briskly walk away.
"Okayniceseeingyoubye–"
Before he can make a clean getaway, Haneul and Daewon intercept him, their expressions mischievous.
"Oh no, Kai." Haneul says with a gleam in his icy blue eyes. "We're not done with you just yet."