First's shout, "Get your hand off him!" echoed through the bus, followed by a cold silence that swallowed even the roar of the engine.
Everyone was confused, trying to figure out why these two classmates, who barely seemed to speak with each other, had such a sudden spark of tension. Meanwhile, a fire had broken out in First's mind.
The moment Earth placed his hand on Bank's shoulder, a memory flashed before First's eyes: the night at Bank's condo.
The moments where his own hands wandered over Bank's skin, feeling that silky softness, played in his mind like a movie.
Seeing Earth's "disgusting" hand reaching for that same skin made First blow up.
Bank, however, was locked onto the raw and burning look in First's eyes. He realized in that exact second what was hidden beneath those harsh glares: Jealousy.
Right there in front of everyone, First was officially jealous of him because of Earth. This realization gave Bank a strange sense of warmth and a small feeling of embarrasment.
Feeling cornered as everyone stared at him, First quickly made up a silly excuse to save the situation.
He pointed at the chocolate bar in Earth's hand and spoke with a fake sense of panic:
"I shouted because... Earth, don't you see the melted chocolate on your hand?" First said, frowning as if it were a major disaster.
"It was going to get on Bank's white t-shirt! I know how expensive that shirt is and how hard it is to clean that fabric. I didn't want it to get ruined.
I was just trying to protect his clothes, that's all."
Bank wanted to laugh out loud at this "chocolate stain" excuse. It was so sweet to see First hiding his massive jealousy behind such a simple and funny lie.
From his seat, he reached out and left a small, soothing touch on First's knee, a gesture that said, "I see through your little lie."
The moment Bank's warm fingers touched his knee, the burning images in First's mind cooled down.
As he leaned back, he heard Earth's low whisper from the next seat:
"A chocolate stain, huh? How thoughtful of you, P'First. But I think what you're really afraid of isn't a stain on his shirt; it's someone else touching him."
First didn't answer. He just stared out the window, comforted by the electricity of that tiny touch on his knee. The storm that started at Bank's condo was now blowing silently but deeply inside the bus.
~~~
First was still feeling the heat of Bank's fingers on his knee, but his focus was entirely on Earth.
He acted as a human shield, watching Earth's every move to ensure no more "chocolate stains" occurred.
In the seat right next to them, a completely different silence was happening. Sun and Moon were forced to sit side by side, this proximity felt like two magnets of the same pole being pushed together.
The air between them was heavy, thick with things unsaid and days of distance.
Sun shifted in his seat, the leather creaking under him. He glanced at Moon, who was staring fixedly out the window, his reflection ghost like against the passing trees from the window.
He looked peaceful, but the set of his jaw told Sun that he was anything but relaxed.
"The drive is longer than I expected." Sun said, his voice low, testing the little boy next to him.
Moon didn't turn. He didn't even blink. "It's the same road as always," he replied, his tone as flat and soulless as the horizon.
Sun let out a small, dry breath that wasn't quite a laugh. "I meant the atmosphere. It makes the miles feel longer." He waited for a second, hoping Moon would bite, hoping for a sarcastic answer or even a glare.
Anything was better than this cold shoulder. "Do you want some water? I have an extra bottle in my bag." Sun asked after the unanswered conversation.
Moon finally moved, but only to reach into his own bag and pull out his own bottle. He took a slow, deliberate sip, then placed it back.
"I'm fine." he said, his voice clipped.
"Moon, look—" Sun started, turning his body slightly toward him, searching for an opening.
"We're going to be at this resort for a week as a group. We can't just sit in silence the whole time. It's going to be exhausting for both of us."
Moon turned his head then, but his gaze was hidden behind his dark lashes. He looked at Sun for a heartbeat—a look that was neither angry nor kind. It was simply empty.
"Then lets just don't talk." he said simply.
He pulled his headphones up from around his neck, slid them over his ears, and turned back to the window. The message was loud and clear.
Moon wasn't just ignoring him, he was building a wall, brick by brick, and Sun was left standing on the outside with a heart full of words and nowhere to put them.
Right next to them, First was still glaring at Earth, completely unaware that his cousin was fighting a silent war of his own just inches away.
Sun saw Moon put on his headphones and disconnect from the world, but he wasn't ready to give up.
He placed one hand on the armrest between the seats, leaning toward Moon with slumped shoulders. His voice was too low for others to hear, but it sounded utterly desperate.
"Moon, is this really how we're going to be?" Sun said, his eyes fixed on Moon's profile.
"Don't just cut everything off like this. I'm just trying to build a bridge between us. I want things not to be like this anymore, I want us to begin from somewhere."
When Moon heard Sun's last sentence, he slowly pulled down one side of his headphones.
But he didn't turn his head right away, he stared at the seat in front of him for a few seconds.
Then suddenly, as if something inside him had burst, he turned to Sun. His voice wasn't loud, but it was so sharp that Sun felt his breath catch for a moment.
"You don't want things to be like this?" Moon whispered, every word like a poisoned arrow.
"I don't need to talk or act close with someone who throws it in my face at every turn that he doesn't trust my words or my actions, P'Sun. Since you don't trust me, what kind of bridge are you trying to build?"
The hurt full of anger in Moon's eyes pinned Sun to his seat. Moon continued:
"What you call a 'beginning' is just a new game for you, where you'll look for a lie underneath at every moment. So keep your fake kindness to yourself.
Just because I have to breathe the same air as you doesn't mean I have to talk to you. I won't try to explain myself to someone who doesn't trust me. Don't you ever tell me what you want or don't want again."
Moon slid his headphones back over his ear and turned his body completely toward the window.
Sun sat there, crushed under the weight of the impassable wall his own distrust had created.
~~~
-Moon's POV-
The sharp cold coming from the bus's air conditioning, pierced through my thin t-shirt and into my skin, and I clenched my teeth together. Unluckily, My cardigan was in my luggage and not with me.
I knew my shoulders were trembling, but I wasn't going to turn and say a single word to Sun. I stood by every word I had just said to him, by every brick I had built between us.
I didn't need the kindness of someone who didn't trust me, someone who looked for a catch behind my every move.
While looking at my reflection in the window, I flinched at the sudden, familiar warmth that fell over me. It was Sun's cardigan. I felt his scent on my skin even before it reached my nose.
My anger flared up instantly, it was unbearable that he could disregard me and then try to claim me so easily.
"I don't need it." I said, trying to hide the tremor in my voice as I attempted to throw the cardigan off my shoulders.
But Sun didn't let me. His hands gripped the edges of the cardigan so tightly that I was pinned to my spot.
When I turned my head quickly to yell at him, I didn't find the distance I expected. Sun was right there. He was so close that his breath was hitting my face.
All the words in my throat suddenly knotted up.
The darkness in his eyes, that intensity I couldn't bare, was pulling me in. I knew he didn't trust me, I knew he doubted me, but right now there was only a hunger in his gaze.
I could feel the pressure of his fingers gripping the cardigan on my shoulders, and it felt like that pressure wanted me to get closer rather than run away.
My breath was caught. My gaze involuntarily drifted to his lips, we were so close that a single centimeter of movement could change everything that was happening between us.
The fierce child inside me was telling me to push him away, but when my hands reached for his wrists, all I could do was hold on to them.
Was I pushing him away or pulling him closer? Even I couldn't tell anymore.
"Let go of me." I whispered. But it felt more like a final warning to myself than a command.
Instead of backing away, Sun pulled me even closer. When his forehead was close enough to touch mine, the people around us, the sound of the bus engine, and even that freezing cold no longer mattered.
There was only his warmth and that heavy, silent tension between us, waiting to explode. For the first time, I felt something beyond trust or distrust binding us together, something destructive and unavoidable.
~~~
-Author's POV-
After a long bus journey, it was already noon. They were very close to reaching the resort.
The bus pulled into the final rest stop before arriving at their destination. Everyone was starving; as soon as they realized they had finally reached the second break area, happy cheers began to rise from inside the bus.
As the large, heavy doors of the vehicle opened, everyone stepped down. Noticing he had been away from his friend for a while, Bee immediately grabbed Moon's arm and started walking ahead with him.
"I saw you had to sit with Sun on the bus. How are you, Moon? Honestly, I'm surprised P'First allowed that."
"I guess it's better than sitting with Earth. P'Sun and I didn't even talk anyway."
"Yeah, you mostly just kept staring at each other. We waited for one of you to say something for a long time, but... nothing."
Moon suddenly stopped at this unexpected sentence and turned to face Bee.
"What do you mean, Bee? Be clear."
"I said what I said, Moon. While I was chatting with P'Mint, we caught your little 'cardigan war.' To be honest—please don't get mad at me..."
"What? What are you going to say?"
"After seeing that moment, I realized you two actually look quite good together. I think your constant fighting isn't because of stubbornness, it's because of your chemistry!"
Bee covered his mouth with his hand, looking at Moon shyly, while Moon's eyes widened in shock.
If he had his old energy, he would have snapped back and got angry at Bee, but he knew that no matter what he said, he couldn't change Bee's mind.
"Think whatever you want, Bee. Just know there's no such thing. I wouldn't call someone a friend, let alone keep them as a lover, if they don't believe in me."
As Moon said these words, he noticed Sun and Earth passing right by them. It was clear from Sun's worried eyes and the way he swallowed hard that he had heard those bold, self-deceiving words.
This time, Moon's focus wasn't on Earth, who usually scared him; it was on Sun, who left a thousand questions in his mind.
Sun walked past them quickly without saying a word.
"That was harsh on the guy, you know that, right?"
"What's your problem, Bee? Let him see it as karma for the trouble he caused me before. It's not my problem."
As Bee and Moon walked ahead, Ten and First followed closely behind them, walking slowly like they were their bodyguards.
They entered the restaurant, which was filled with fresh and pleasant scents, and moved to a quiet area.
After a chaotic journey, the group of friends was finally able to sit together and relax.
While they were all waiting for their orders, First was ready to tease his friend with a high-pitched tone.
"I see that someone was able to get a good sleep by leaning on someone's shoulder, Ten! Your face is literally glowing, man!"
"Why are you sticking your nose into my business? The pillow kept slipping from my head, and that guy Wee said I could lean on him. Was I supposed to start a fight in that sleepy state!?"
Bee gave Ten a light and sweet punch on the shoulder. Then, she added her own words:
"Just ignore him, Ten. He's only trying to distract us so we don't make fun of him for shouting over a chocolate stain!"
"Hey, why are you guys teaming up now? Fine, if that's how it is, I'm taking Moon to my side!"
First pulled Moon toward him and gave the others a bold look. Moon was smiling to himself at First's grumpy attitude.
"P'First, I ordered chocolate cake this time. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
Feeling betrayed even by his cousin, First made a dramatic face and looked deeply disappointed after Moon's words.
"You too, Moon… Even you?…"
The group was happy to finally have a seat where they could laugh together after all the nonsense.
Maybe this school trip, which they thought would go terribly, would turn into much funnier memories thanks to their positivity and beautiful smiles.
~~~
Sun entered the restautant with Mint, Wee, and Bank by his side. As his eyes scanned the tables, the most waited thing happened:
The only suitable empty spot was the table right next to Moon and his crew.
Since Earth chose to hang out with friends from the other bus during the break, he wasn't with them this time.
This caught Moon's eyes, making him feel a bit better.
Sun sat down silently, with the weight of Moon's earlier words—"I wouldn't even call someone a friend if they don't believe in me"—still heavy on his shoulders.
The distance was so small that the conversations from both tables started to blend together.
Wee sat down while staring at Ten, and Bank checked out of the corner of his eye to see if First was still looking at him.
Noticing the presence of those at the next table, First straightened his back and whispered to Moon:
"Look at our luck, we're side by side again."
Moon said nothing. He focused his gaze on the chocolate cake in front of him, but knowing that Sun was sitting right behind him, almost back to back, made his heart skip a beat.
Sun's scent was still on his cardigan, creating a sharp contrast with the harsh words Moon had spoken just moments ago.
Sun looked at the menu in front of him, but his mind was on the silent storm at the next table.
Hearing Moon's voice and feeling his presence so closely made the strange sense of guilt inside him grow.
Wee, wanting to break the tension in the air, called out to Ten:
"Ten! My shoulder is still a bit numb, just so you know! I will get something in exchange for this!"
While Ten turned his head in embarrassment, Sun took a deep breath and leaned back slightly.
The edge of his jacket touched Moon's chair. Moon froze at that moment. This tiny contact was like an echo of that dark and silent moment on the bus.
Neither of them spoke, but that "chemistry" between them, as Bee had said, completely filled the gap between the tables.
~~~
After eating the delicious food they ordered, everyone sat at the table feeling completely full.
Moon turned his face toward First. After taking a sip of his water, he whispered encouraging words that showed how much he trusted First:
"I'm going to the restroom. Earth and his friends are sitting at that corner. If he gets up, stop him from coming toward me. I'll be right back anyway."
A sweet smile appeared on First's face as he finally felt Moon's trust in him.
"Don't worry, I've got this. You go and come back."
In this crowded restaurant where the tables were almost on top of each other, it was impossible not to hear one another.
Because of this… Sun, who already had one ear on Moon's table, heard everything he said.
While First was watching Earth and the surroundings with great focus, Sun silently got up and headed toward the restroom.
Moon was trying to pull himself together with the help of the cold water he splashed on his face when…
He saw Sun's reflection in the mirror. Once again, that familiar, heavy atmosphere filled the restroom.
Moon took a paper towel and began drying his hands, watching through the mirror as Sun walked up and stood beside him.
"You don't have to run away from me every freakin time, Moon."
Sun said, his voice sounding calmer and more honest than usual this time.
"I didn't come here to argue with you or corner you."
Moon let out a sarcastic breath as he threw the paper towel in the trash.
"Oh really? Since that's usually your style, it's normal for me to be surprised now, right?"
Sun leaned against the sink, maintaining the distance between them.
"Look, I don't know what I need to say to give you my trust. Maybe no words will ever be enough. But when I put that cardigan on your shoulders on the bus, or as I stand here now, I have only one goal: for you to know that I am by your side now.
You don't have to fear Earth or anyone else, because as long as I'm here, no one can make you feel bad about yourself."
"Even if it is you?"
"Even if it is me."
For the first time, Moon felt a pure protective instinct in Sun's voice rather than that condescending attitude. He slowly turned his gaze toward Sun. Sun continued:
"I won't beg you to believe my words. I just... I just want you to give me a small chance to show you over time that I'm not lying to you.
Even if we aren't friends, let's at least stop being enemies. This journey is hard enough for both of us as it is."
Moon couldn't find anything to say when he saw the tired but sincere expression in Sun's eyes.
He felt another stone fall from the top of that icy wall between them.
"Don't expect me to believe you right away, Sun." Moon said, his voice softer than ever before.
"But... at least I won't run away from you and your snobby attitude anymore."
A slight, almost a faded smile appeared at the corners of Sun's lips.
"Well, that is something too."
As Moon walked toward the door, Sun opened the way for him.
Just as he was leaving, Moon hesitated and without looking back, said "For the cardigan... thanks. I really was cold." and quickly stepped out.
While Sun remained alone in the restroom, he knew that for the first time, the ice between them was beginning to melt.
~~~
As the bus left the rest area, moving over the melting asphalt under the sun, the tense air inside had turned into a drowsy silence.
Plus, everyone was tired and sleepy after the long hours that was drifting on the road silently. Most of the people inside the bus were already napping peacefully.
Stomachs were full, and the noise of the restaurant was left behind.
When Moon settled into his seat, he wasn't holding his shoulders so stiffly anymore, and he wasn't pressing himself against the window to escape Sun.
For the remainder of the journey, it was as if a strange, silent contract had been signed between them.
Sun had pulled out his phone to read something, and Moon had put on his headphones, but the invisible walls weren't as high as before.
Occasionally, Sun would point out a view outside, and Moon would respond with short but soft answers.
As time passed, the monotony of the bus made Moon's eyelids heavy. He rested his head against the window, but with every bump, his temple hit the cold surface.
Before long, he surrendered himself to the arms of a deep dark sleep.
However, this peace did not last long.
Moon's eyebrows knitted together restlessly. His lips began to tremble, and pained whimpers, low enough that only Sun could hear, started to escape his throat.
"No... don't... please..." he whispered in his sleep.
A thin layer of sweat gathered on his forehead; his sleep was no longer a rest but a battle filled with shadows of the past.
The moment Sun noticed the desperate shifting beside him, he dropped his phone.
It pierced his heart to see how much Moon was suffering even in his sleep.
Before doing anything about it, Sun checked to see if First was looking. Thank god, First was sleeping like a little baby after dealing with all of this messy stuff.
Sun also didn't forget to slightly peak at what Earth's doing too, as expected, Earth was also sleeping next to First.
After making sure everything was fine, without hesitation, with a grace that feared causing hurt, he reached out. He slowly pulled Moon's trembling head away from the window and rested it on his own shoulder.
"Shhh... it's over." Sun whispered, his voice reaching Moon's ear like a lullaby.
"I'm here. Nothing will happen. It's okay..."
Sun's hand slid into Moon's sweat dampened hair. He began to stroke his hair with his fingertips, making circular motions as if to soften the tension at his temple.
Moon took a deep breath in his sleep at this familiar and reassuring touch. The dark hands of the nightmare slowly retreated with Sun's warmth.
Moon had calmed down, but his sleep was so deep that he was still unconscious. Unconsciously, he wanted to lean even closer to the source where he found peace.
Like a small child, he gripped Sun's arm tightly and moved his head from the shoulder to rest it on Sun's chest.
Sun caught his breath at that moment. His heart began to pound so hard it was audible to Moon, who was lying right on top of it.
Moon had tucked Sun's shirt fabric between his fingers, burying his face into the curve of Sun's neck.
Sun placed one hand on Moon's back and pulled him even closer, as if he were holding the most precious thing in the world that he wanted to protect from everyone.
All along the way, Sun listened to Moon's steady breathing. His own sleep was long gone, he just continued to stroke Moon's hair and wished for time to stop in those moments.
~~~
-Sun's POV-
This warm feeling on my chest was shifting every stone in my mind. Moon had escaped the claws of his nightmare and literally found the solution in me.
His breaths were steady now, and with each exhale, his warmth shot through my shirt to my skin.
At that moment, I felt more deeply than ever that this vulnerable soul I held in my hands was too clear to hide behind a lie.
My hand was still in his hair, my fingers involuntarily getting lost in that silky touch. The sharp stories Earth told, the "logical" doubts he offered, were all losing their meaning one by one against Moon's innocent grip on my heart right now.
Yes, I had no solid proof. No document showing Earth lied, no confession proving Moon's innocence.
But right now, hearing the heartbeat of this little one sleeping peacefully in my arms, not believing him felt like betraying myself.
My blind trust in Earth had already cracked during that cold silence at the rest stop. Now, I was sure… until I found the truth (and no matter what the truth was) I would no longer stand against Moon.
I would stand right beside him.
I pushed what Earth had said aside, into the dark corners of my mind.
For now, no one needed to know this from my perspective. I wouldn't give fuel to First's protective attitude, Bee's suggestive looks, or Earth's games.
This silent transition of my feelings had to live only inside me. My gaze drifted to his face, now completely settled against my chest.
In place of the fierce, stubborn Moon who challenged me, there was now someone who had withdrawn from the world, resting only by holding onto me.
I guess… The feeling I had avoided admitting to myself had finally reached an undeniable level.
I didn't just want to protect him; I wanted to look after him, take care of him, and tear down those walls with my own hands.
This acceptance created a strange sense of relief inside me. Yes, maybe everything was still very complicated, but at least now I knew what I wanted.
I held Moon a little tighter; for the rest of the way, I just wanted to listen to his heartbeat and enjoy this new realization.
End of Chapter 10