Chapter 67 - The Brief Happiness 3

Wonho hugs himself and Junjie hugs him from behind, followed by another hug from Haneul the moment they step out of the car. 'Finally! Civilization!!!'

'Yaah! Aren't you guys being overdramatic?' The oldest scolds but is quickly silenced by the death glare from his mate. 

'It wasn't that bad…' he mutters almost inaudibly. Wonho brings out his phone high up in the air and cries tears of joy to provoke the alpha further. 'Signal!! Jjirit jjirit!'

'Wono, stop.' He giggles at the demanding voice, not minding the threat because the alpha will never misbehave in front of Haneul, and Haneul is on his side.

This will definitely be the last time they were going to ask Sangcheol for his idea of a good summer trip. The man is lucky this is his graduation trip. Thank god he is sane enough to stay in that stupid hut in the middle of nowhere for only two nights before moving to a normal hotel because Wonho is sure he would go crazy if he has to take another trip to the river for water and sleep on the straw mat with mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies for another night.

Unsurprisingly, the only one who truly enjoyed the trip was the main alpha himself, who kept showing off his survival skills to his disinterested mate. Haneul was clearly pissed with the accommodation choice and chose to ignore the alpha who was desperate for his attention the whole two days. With the two acting like that, the other four had to find other ways besides laughing at Sangcheol to entertain themselves, which is hard considering there was no electricity and phone service.

Wonho sits on the hot sand using a plastic he found lying around. After confirming that all his friends are gone, he finally opens the mail from Minwoo which dated back yesterday. It is a picture of him holding a small white dog.

This is Bobo. He reminds me of you. – Minwoo

Wonho stares at the stupid looking white thing. Just what in the world would make the alpha be reminded of him? It's white fur? Minwoo always emphasize how pale Wonho looks compared to his own tanned skin… 

You calling me a dog? 

No. Both of you like to run away from me ~( >w< )~ – Minwoo

Damn he feels some burn. Is this guy flirting with him or dissing him? And what is with that overly excited smiley? He wants to do smileys? Wonho can do smileys.

t ( OwO t )

Laughing in triumph, Wonho almost threw his phone when Junjie suddenly sneaks up from behind of him to take a peek. His heart is beating violently he feels like punching the stupid face. Luckily the man is more interested in scaring him rather than reading the content of the mail, so his secret is safe.

#####

It was already late when they arrived at the hotel after dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Now, all six of them are in front of the elevator playing rock paper scissors to choose their roommates, which was initially confusing to the four since they thought it is obvious the couple should be roomed together.

Instead, Sangcheol suddenly revealed that they want to enjoy the trip as friends and asked the others not to mind themselves in front of Haneul. Wonho can somehow understand that reasoning because Haneul is only with them as Sangcheol's mate instead of a member of their group of friends, so it makes sense that he would somehow feel left out. However, he doubts suddenly rooming the older omega with any of his friends is the best plan.

And surprise, surprise. Haneul ends up being with Wonho. While the latter doesn't mind it, the pairing would serve no use in strengthening the older's relationship with the rest of the members considering both of them are already quite close from Haneul helping him adapt with his new life as an omega.

As soon as they both got into the room and shower, almost instantly the duo jump on their respective beds and switches the television on to watch some random show. Not long after, there is a call from Chansol, asking if they want to join the others for late night snacking in one of the rooms but Wonho, as well as Haneul, already very comforted by the warmth of their beds, refuses to get up.

After all, the softness of the mattress is such a nice contrast to yesterday's hard floor. Already feeling sleepy in mere twenty minutes, the lights are now off, and both the omegas are ready for bed.

At least, the plan is to doze off. 

Wonho cannot sleep no matter how much he tries staying still. The room is cool enough, quiet enough, the bed is comfortable enough and yet his brain is wide awake. Peeking slightly at the other male who is also lying down, he tries calling his name. 

'What?' Haneul replies, his voice is still clear, implying that he too, is having a hard time sleeping. Taking that as a green light to converse, he starts off with something he had been wondering since they first met two days ago.

'That… why do you have that bandage? Did you renew your bond or something?' Haneul chuckles softly, repeating the word 'renewing bond', and Wonho blushes in the dark, feeling a bit stupid.

Of course he had read the guidebook and there was none of such thing written. But if merely reading a 50-page textbook would suffice, why the need for all the other omegas to go to a special school? Surely there are some other knowledge that Wonho didn't get from the simple book that the others learnt at the facility, at least, he would like to think so. And if so, he wouldn't know that unless someone tells him. 

There is a long pause, but not without some sighs. Wonho can sense the other is uncomfortable and is about to change the subject, 'I asked him to mark me again because I had severe anxiety of him leaving.'

Wonho is confused by the answer. Firstly, how is that related? And secondly, his senior is not going anywhere. Sangcheol will still be in Seoul working in a mobile company and Haneul will still be in their university continuing his Master's degree. They are planning to rent a place together between the campus and Sangcheol's new workplace. Why would Haneul need another affirmation? Their relationship is stronger than ever. 

'Separation anxiety. Apparently I have that.' Haneul's weak voice interrupts his train of thought and Wonho squirms a bit, not enjoying the bitter laugh. 'I'm messed up. I know.'

Wonho lies stiff, not knowing how to respond. He thought Haneul is already well enough since he would only see the therapist once in a while, but he would never have imagined a new diagnosis. The man had been seeing experts for almost a decade! That should result in something, right? If Haneul is still like this, what will happen to him? Will he really be able to get fixed and return to normal?