When Broken Paths Cross

14.

"W-we shouldn't take the straight path! (coz u're gays. sorry i really had to lol.) It must be a trap. You know what happens in the movies, right?"

"But you know we can get lost in a maze, don't you think so too?" Baekhyun sighed and faced Chanyeol. "Fine, just close your eyes. Don't worry, it will end soon." Baekhyun grabbed Chanyeol and pulled him to the straight path. Thankfully, what Chanyeol thought was not true. This was the right way but they wanted to trick the people to pick the maze so reversed reversed psychology was used.

"Chanyeol, we are almost at the end." 

Chanyeol peeked out from Baekhyun's shoulders and let out a relieved sigh when he saw that they are almost near the exit 

"Thank goodness it has now----"

*THUUUUUD!!!*

"----WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!" 

Chanyeol jumped and started flailing over his arms. He then took a step back and made a misstep, causing him to fall down. He then covered his face with his hand, still hasn't moved on from the shock. Baekhyun on the other hand doesn't know if he should laugh or not. Chanyeol looked like he was so done with this whole horror house experience.

Baekhyun held out his hand. "There, there. Let's go now." 

Chanyeol's hands were shaking when it met with Baekhyun's. He then stood up and they finally went out of the horror house. "How come you're not scared even one bit?"

"Because people are much scarier than a house made to scare people." 

Their next stop was the bid garden. There were descriptions and meanings of flowers and plants everywhere and there were also butterflies and bees flying around.

"Don't you think flowers and plants are beautiful?" Baekhyun suddenly spoke.

Chanyeol was caught off guard but then asked. "Why do you say so?"

"Because they are known for their appearances, just like us. The most beautiful flower is the most noticeable and preferable. But, if you learn it deeper than it's outer appearance, it holds messages. It symbolizes something that's either touching or a slap from reality." 

"Oh... it's nice. I'm not really into flowers or plants but I do agree it's beautiful."

"If I may compare you to a plant or flower, I guess you will be a lotus." Baekhyun smiled at him and looked away. "As I read here, it symbolizes purity. That's you, Chanyeol."

"Why do you keep saying I'm pure? I mean, that's a little hyperbolic, don't you think?" Chanyeol said, feeling shy with Baekhyun's compliment. "Anyways, how about you?"

"Me?" His eyes suddenly became sad and his lips were pressed into thin line. "A fungus, I think ."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well.. just because. Let's go? I'm kinda feeling hungry."

Chanyeol still wanted to ask some questions but Baekhyun had already walked away. While walking, something caught Chanyeol's eyes. It was the description of a fungus. His heart sank as he read what it says.

"Fungus: Resilience, loneliness, solitude, disgust."

"The theater is starting soon." Chanyeol handed a pamphlet to Baekhyun. It's a musical theater wherein it tells a tragic fate of a group of friends that suffered through the hands of the corrupt government. 

"I'm excited to see this through." Baekhyun said, anticipation is evident in his voice. 

The play has started and Baekhyun was really into it. Chanyeol could hear compliments coming out from Baekhyun's mouth one after another. He could see Baekhyun's eyes, they were shining. His expression was too pure yet also heart-wrenching at the same time. Just how much did Baekhyun suffer for him to be like this? Throughout their friendly date, he saw a side of Baekhyun that is similar to a child. A child who was deprived of a happy childhood. 

The play ended and Baekhyun gave a standing ovation. Chanyeol chuckled as he watch Baekhyun being forced to take a picture with the crew and staff. He was also invited so Chanyeol joined them too. Both of them were in the middle and Baekhyun was awkwardly posing for the photo. The photographer took a shot three times and they waited for it to develop. Chanyeol and Baekhyun both got a copy with an autograph from the casts of the play. 

There was a particular shot wherein it caught Chanyeol smiling and looking fondly at Baekhyun. It was noting weird but Baekhyun thought it might be his favorite out of the three shots.

As they went to the parking lot, it marked the end of their date at the park. They were both tired but felt contented. 

"Let's eat dinner first before taking you home."

"Mmh." 

Baekhyun didn't had the energy to decline so he just let Chanyeol drive them to a near restaurant. Once again, casual talks were made. The often long pauses between their conversations didn't felt awkward at all. It was... refreshing.

Chanyeol stopped the car and they both removed their seatbelts. Just when they were about to go into the restaurant, Chanyeol suddenly froze. His hands began to shake aggressively and shock was evident in his face. 

"Nancy...."

It was Nancy---Chanyeol's wife. And she wasn't alone.

She was with her lover, acting lovey-dovey as if they own the place.

__

Those bumper car scene and horror house scene was based on my own experience when I rode and went there for the first time. 

Anyways, if you have twitter accounts, let's be moots! Here is my username: @ichee_liebedich I just discovered that I have an account (and I have already forgotten what my password was) so I want to interact with people that has the same interests as me. It's mostly about skk and chuuya but oh well. 

Thank you for reading!