Scary Camping Trip

@Camper ☀ Zhan With all the colorful attractions in the mall, it was for Yibo to keep from getting distracted. He was prancing aside Zhan at this point, still gripping the older's hand tightly so they wouldn't get separated for any reason. The next window had some pretty men's tuxedos and Yibo began to daydream about how he'd look walking down the aisle, and how Zhan would look standing at the end of the aisle waiting for him-

"Oh right," Yibo said, grinning when they were finally standing outside the jewelry store, "Gege, can I get you one to match me?" he asked as they entered, "It'd be nice if we could customize rings. I want to get you one with our initials on it..." Yibo continued to ramble as they glanced over the options in the display case. The young woman behind the case smiled at them, greeting them and offering to help when they needed it. Yibo sighed dreamily at his fiancee's handsome profile, able to garner all his concentration when it came to Zhan, who seemed too preoccupied with the jewelry to notice Yibo's gawking "Gege...as much as I know I'll love the ring that you choose for me, I know even more clearly that you're the only one for me." Yibo finally mumbled out shyly, pressing a kiss on his handsome, protective, /brave/ lover's cheek.

@Camper ☀ Yibo Yibo had recovered from the whole ordeal rather quickly. Neither of them brought it up again, which helped. As promised, though, Zhan did bring Yibo back to the jewelry store to pick out his new ring. It was going to put another small dent in his wallet, but Zhan said nothing of it to Yibo, not wanting the younger to feel worse. Maybe he'll tell him in another ten years when this was all truly behind them. He peeled Yibo's finger off the window of someone's store, but his chuckle was amused when he said, "Wang Yibo, don't get your finger smudges on someone's store." He swung Yibo's hand that he was holding up to his lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. "Stay focused. We're here for your ring, remember?"

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@Camper ☀ Zhan Now that a new day had started and both Yibo and Zhan were feeling much better, Yibo was ready to go back to the city and have a relaxing day with Zhan there. "Yes please Gege!" he chirped, right against Zhan's ear (maybe a little too close for the small distance between them). Jian Guo was waiting for them in the car, and Yibo held up a cup of milk that he bought for her from the gas station next to McDonald's, "Thanks for waiting baby, this is all yours!" Of course, what would Yibo and Zhan have done without their most loyal kitty protecting them?

The next day came and Yibo seemed to have mostly shaken off the terror of their camping trip. He sighed softly as he and Zhan walked hand in hand at the mall, swinging their arms in pace to their stroll. "Gege, look!" Yibo suddenly piped up, pressing his finger to the window gallery of a clothing store they were passing, "A horse! On that t-shirt!"

@Camper ☀ Yibo Zhan was confused for a moment before he realized what Yibo was talking about, and laughed. "That's right," he murmured, swiping his thumb at the corner of Yibo's mouth affectionately. "And I'm glad I decided to come on a day you worked." Zhan didn't let Yibo talk again until they finished eating, knowing that as exhausting it was for him, it must have been much worse for Yibo. When they had cleaned up and were heading back to the car, Zhan said, "How about we get some rest today and go shop for a ring together tomorrow?"

@Camper ☀ Zhan Comforted by Zhan's reassuring words, Yibo took a big bite of his steamy fried potatoes, sighing in relief as the reliable soul food rejuvenated his weary body. It was a hearty meal, with Yibo leaning over to steal a bite of Zhan's sausage breakfast wrap before offering a bite of his bacon one cheerily. He was quick to find the tempo of their romantic escapade, the rising sun always chasing away his fears and giving him the energy to start anew. Even though last night was scary, remembering how Zhan protected him and held him and comforted him made Yibo understand just why he was the luckiest guy in the whole entire world. "You know Gege..." Yibo said after swallowing the last mouthful of his big breakfast wrap, "I really love you. You've always been the same old same old Gege." Yibo winked as he added, "Original milk tea with pearl, 75% sugar and less ice, right?" he added when the older didn't seem to get what Yibo was getting at, "I'm so glad I happened to be on shift the day you first came..."

@Camper ☀ Yibo "I want to marry you, I'm not angry at you," Zhan repeated faithfully. "I swear, if I'm lying, thunder will strike me dead on the spot." And when nothing happened, he smiled, albeit shaky, and pushed Yibo's hand up so his food met his lips. He took a bite out of his own, ignoring the way he burned the roof of his mouth. It just felt /so/ good to eat something after a tiring ordeal. "Forget about it, okay? Gege said it's not your fault already. What's the point in dwelling on it?"

@Camper ☀ Zhan Yibo dared not make assumptions. "Gege...you still want to marry me?" he asked, his glistening eyes renewed with a sense of hopefulness, like a child who just got a new ice cream cone after the first one dropped onto the ground. He held the bag of food tightly, following Zhan to an empty table in the back of the restaurant. "Gege, you're really not mad at me...?" he asked for the nth time, still needing that confirmation. Zhan was so good to him, so Yibo had to be good in return too! Instead of waiting for the older to lay out their food and hand Yibo's to him unwrapped tidily, Yibo took the initiative to do it this time, placing piping fresh hash brown in Zhan's hands before he settled against the older with his own, his body pressing close enough to squeeze against Zhan's.

@Camper ☀ Yibo "It's not your fault," Zhan said, ready to counter each of Yibo's arguments with his own. They both knew it was something much more sinister. Zhan pushed it out of his mind. Wasn't there a general rule about not thinking about these kinds of things so they wouldn't manifest? Holding Yibo's hand tight so he couldn't bolt, Zhan took their food, handing it off to Yibo so he could hold his coffee. "I'll buy you another one, okay? One exactly the same- no, one even better."

@Camper ☀ Zhan Zhan was also extra lenient with Yibo, and the younger knew he shouldn't take it for granted. After all, Zhan did spend 3 months planning for this trip and Yibo knew that the ring was costly even if Zhan wouldn't ever tell him how much he spent. He sighed, shaking his head again, "It's my fault.." he admitted dejectedly, "I'm so sorry... it was so pretty." Yibo didn't even notice that their food had already been prepared, and his distraction made Zhan miss the call for their order ticket too. When he realized the lady was waiting for them at the counter, he detached himself from the older, ashamed, and muttered, "Food's ready..."

@Camper ☀ Yibo Zhan finished paying for their food and took Yibo to the side to wait. It was then that Yibo surprised him with his quiet crying. Zhan at the younger incredulously, unable to believe what he was hearing. "What are you talking about?" He asked quietly, bringing an arm up to wrap around Yibo's waist. "I know you didn't mean to lose it, and I don't blame you, baby. Why would you think I would? I know you didn't lose it." Zhan realized his implications a split second later, his eyes widening slightly, and he hastily added, "On purpose."

@Camper ☀ Zhan Normally, Yibo would jump when Zhan bought McDonalds for him, but right now all he could do was tag along almosy bonelessly. His feet dragged as he started to rewind all the terrible things that happened last night. The worst of it, he slowly realized after doing a full re-run of the events, was that his finger was blatantly bare as compared to when he first went to bed. He stared down at his ringless finger, balling it to a fist again as he waved off the offer for coffee and clung to Zhan's chest, his eyes tearing up in sorrow, "Gege...I'm so sorry. Are you mad at me for being so clumsy? I really didn't mean to lose it...but I understand if Gege is upset and you don't want to marry me anymore and I'll have to prove myself again but please don't break up with me Gege I promise I won't do it again-"

@Camper ☀ Yibo Leaving the windows cracked open a little for Jian Guo, Zhan took Yibo inside the rest stop. It was bright and full of people. Zhan was pretty sure they were people, because he walked into a little girl who gave him a dirty stare before wandering off. Zhan was supposed to be on a diet of sorts, but he took Yibo right to a McDonald's kiosk and started heaping up on hash browns and breakfast wraps. "You want coffee or you want to sleep in the car?" Zhan asked as he ordered an extra large cup for himself for the long drive back. It felt odd, after everything that happened, yet the two of them were acting as if it was a normal drive home.

@Camper ☀ Zhan The drive back was the longest waking period that Yibo had ever gone without uttering another word. He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to ask about what that scary experience had just been, nor did he want to ask Zhan if he could see the thing still chasing them. His face was a pale white color, completely frosted over with the suffocating feeling of playing with potential death earlier.

When the distant lights began to light up their paths, Yibo was able to unfurl slightly. Yibo swallowed hard when they finally took a break at a rest area. He held tightly onto Zhan's hand, squeaking out, "Sure." after he was sure figures outside their car scampering about were actually people.

@Camper ☀ Yibo With an uneasiness still burdening him, Zhan tossed the inhaler back into the compartment and eased the car onto the lonely country road again. He dared not look in the rearview mirror in fear of seeing what was pursuing them. Keeping Yibo's hand on his, Zhan kept his foot on the accelerator until dawn broke, yellow light breaking up the night sky. Only then did he feel relaxed, like they were definitely out of danger, but exhausted, too. He stopped them at the next rest stop, where many families and truck drivers were beginning their day, bustling about to use the bathroom and buy some breakfast. Zhan released a breath the the car was parked. His entire body was thrumming still, adrenaline slowly beginning to disperse. "Want to go get something to eat?" he finally asked when he found his voice to speak.

@Camper ☀ Zhan Zhan was like Yibo's own personal nurse. The younger's mind was so hazy that he didn't even think to go searching for his inhaler. He coughed and sputtered until Zhan put the inhaler to his lips and instructed him to breath. Yibo took a big breath as instructed, large eyes darting upwards to find his lover's for comfort. He needed to know: were they safe? Were they far away enough? Yibo pulled back and leaned against the seat again when his breathing started to stabilize, and he gave Zhan's hand a squeeze, "Th-ank you...Gege."

@Camper ☀ Yibo Though it was hard because Yibo was visibly in pain, Zhan didn't stop until the first streetlamp they reached. In the safety of their car on the side of the stretched, empty road, Zhan dug in the centre compartment for Yibo's spare inhalers, his hands fumbling the the cap. "Breathe out," he told Yibo as he set it up, willing himself to remain calm for the both of them. He held the mouthpiece up to Yibo's mouth, his free hand taking Yibo's and holding it tight. "Breathe in. It's okay, baby, you're okay."

@Camper ☀ Zhan In his terrified stupor, it was amazing that Yibo managed to make sense of Zhan's orders. He collided with the car door, fumbling to find the handle in fhe darkness. Once he got inside, Yibo snapped his seatbelt in place and clutched his chest, which was spasming in pain. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, dripping down as the car's engine roared to life and Zhan finally got them out of the wretched place. Yibo gasped for air rather pathetically, whimpering as he pressed his back against the seat. His chest tightened and he felt something like a painful splice against his heart. Breathing through his nose wasn't enough, he had to use his mouth to take bigger breaths. After all that, it was no surprise he was finally suffering an asthma attack.

@Camper ☀ Yibo Zhan heard it at the exact same time Yibo did. He bent to scoop Jian Guo in one hand, struggling to straighten again from the weight of their equipment on his back. Undeniably, there was something crashing through the trees towards them. As they raced towards the end of the trail, hand in hand, Zhan couldn't help but wish it was a bear instead. They ran so fast Zhan slammed into the side of their car to stop his momentum, fumbling for the car keys in Yibo's bag. Jian Guo was tossed in the backseat first. Zhan slipped Yibo's back off his shoulder, his voice strained when he commanded, "Get in the car, Yibo!" Their things were put in the trunk (a bit too carefully, considering there might be something emerging from the forest path any moment) before Zhan sat himself in the driver's seat and locked the doors.

@Camper ☀ Zhan Zhan seemed to get what Yibo was talking about, so at least that convinced Yibo he wasn't going insane. That was hardly comforting though, and his heart raced as they hurried the last few yards to the car. Yibo was almost jogging at this point, something which was not good for his weaker lungs. Zhan's question could only be responded to with a few nods of his head, and Yibo hurried along to show his fiancee he would be fine. The footsteps seemed to be sprinting behind them now, and Yibo let out a terrified whimper, gripping Zhan's hand harder as their car came into sight, "Gege, let's go, let's go!" he panted with great effort. He dared not look behind him, but Yibo's entire spine seemed to go into shock when out of the corner of his eye, he saw the same glowing yellow eyes trying to catch up to him.

@Camper ☀ Yibo Zhan tried to ignore the sinking feeling that they were being watched as they trekked trough the forest. It's just owls, he tried to tell himself. Or birds, or any kind of nocturnal animal. He kept his gaze straight ahead on the path, only allowing himself to look at Yibo at his side once in a while. The entire time, Zhan felt each nerve beneath his skin on high alert, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger, strangeness. They were a mere hundred yards away from the parking lot when Yibo stopped them, and Zhan stilled to listen. He heard it. The unmistakable sound of footsteps over dried autumn leaves. Zhan felt his blood run cold, and he gripped Yibo's hand so tight he felt his own going numb. "Come on," Zhan said through gritted teeth, forcing them to walk again, though much quicker now. "We're almost there. Are you okay?" Yibo had been breathing much heavier in the last ten minutes. "We're almost there."

@Camper ☀ Zhan Luckily Yibo did not have to wait much longer before they could take off since Zhan was so adept at packing. He slipped his bag over his shoulder and held onto Jian Guo's leash, then grabbing onto Zhan's hand with his clammy palm. Zhan was so understanding, Yibo thought dejectedly to himself as they began their hour long walk down the mountain. The older was not only not angry about Yibo losing his ring after a few hours of it being put on his finger, but even on the way down, Zhan showed more concern than himself. "Mhm...okay Gege" Yibo squeaked as he closed his mouth and inhaled through his nose, taking long strides and trying to maintain his dwindling stamina for as long as he could.

A while into their trek downwards, the sound of crunching leaves reminiscent of what Yibo heard outside the tent caught his attention again. He didn't slow to tell Zhan what he heard, nor did he have the courage to turn around and see what it was. Gripping harder onto Jian Guo's leash, Yibo picked up his pace, matching Zhan's strides with great effort. He chalked the sounds up to his nerves once more, trying to close his ears and eyes off by staring fixedly at the ground in front of him and singing a song to himself in his head.

But the crunching noises did not stop. By now, Yibo was sure it was not his imagination anymore. He was tired, his throat dry and his legs aching from the adrenaline rush. His chest began to tighten once more and Yibo prayed he wouldn't have an asthma attack in the middle of the woods. He dared not ask Zhan to slow down this entire time, but when he heard the crunching sounds get closer and louder, he abruptly stopped in his tracks, stalling both Zhan and Jian Guo too. "Gege...hear that?" he wheezed weakly, starting to shake again and squeezing his eyes shut tightly.

@Camper ☀ Yibo The lost ring was only on Zhan's mind for a second. "Something staring?" he asked, gripping Yibo by his upper arms to steady him. "What do you mean?" Zhan didn't want to admit it aloud, but he had a sinking feeling that he might have an idea of what was going on. The cold despair he felt, as if he'd never be happy or see light again... "It's not your fault, baby," he whispered, glancing discreetly back into the spot where Yibo came from. "It's just a ring. Let's just leave, alright?" Letting go of Yibo, Zhan hefted up his backpack onto his shoulders and clipped Jian Gun back on her lead. He took Yibo's hand in one, and handed him his small pack and Jian Guo's leash in the other. As they prepared to head back down the mountain, Zhan pulled Yibo close to his side, tightening their entwined fingers. "Stick close, baby, it's dark, I don't want you to trip."

@Camper ☀ Zhan Yibo felt awful through and through. "Gege I'm sorry I lost the ring and I went back to look for it but then I couldn't find it and then I saw something staring at me from the same spot Jian Guo was howling at earlier-" Yibo rambled in one breath all while burying his face into Zhan's chest so that the thing he saw earlier wouldn't be able to hear him. He felt a panic attack ready to strike any minute, his chest tightening up painfully. "I'm sorry Gege!" he choked out, "I didn't mean to lose the ring...you must think I'm so awful and I'm just so sorry I ruined everything!" he blubbered while continuing to tremble.

@Camper ☀ Yibo Zhan had just finished jamming the last of the tent's stakes back into its bag when he heard Yibo's scream piercing the hair. His heart stuttered to a near stop as he froze, trying to pinpoint where the noise came from. Yibo was hurt. Yibo hurt and he was too far to save him. "Yibo?" he yelled out, taking tentative steps towards the grove. "Yibo?" The younger suddenly came tearing out between the trees, Jian Guo hot on his heels. Zhan opened his arms in time for Yibo to slam into him, and as he felt the other's weight on him, it was then Zhan realized something was more wrong than he initially thought. "What's the matter?" he asked urgently. "Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?"

@Camper ☀ Zhan Unfortunately for Yibo, his search led him all the way to the spot that Jian Guo had been hissing at earlier. Yibo thumped at his chest with his fist, trying to maintain his composure so he could look without spending too much time outside. His eyes shook nervously as he scanned the ground, always keeping the light low enough so nothing would be highlighted at eye level. Having no luck in that area, Yibo straightened to move on. Suddenly, a sudden drop in the temperature around him brought about his goosebumps again. Yibo's entire body felt numb from the uneasiness welling up in his body. Just as he took a step back, his phone tilted upwards just a bit too much, and Yibo felt his blood completely freeze over. His breath got caught in his throat and his legs turned to jelly on the spot. Yibo could have sworn that right in the very spot he had been searching, he saw a pair of eyes staring back at him. Not just eyes, but demon-like eyes, tinted yellow and dotted with blood. As if that wasn't bad enough, Jian Guo starting hissing once more and Yibo lost it in him to scream, simply scrambling his way back to Zhan. He already forgot what he had come out to look for in the firat place, and the moment Zhan's figure came into view, Yibo all but collapsed against him.

@Camper ☀ Yibo "Where are you going? Doing you want me to come?" Zhan asked, but Yibo was out the tent before Zhan finished his question. But Yibo was a grown man, so Zhan turned his attention back to packing as quick as he could, wiping carelessly at the pot and utensils they used before cramming them back into his hiking backpack. With everything inside the tent packed, Zhan worked by the dim light of their lamp to take their tent down. A chilly wind blew, and Zhan shivered to the point his teeth chattered and his fingers trembled as he folded their tent. Just as he was zipping it back into its bag, Zhan's blood ran cold in his veins. It must've only been for a second, but Zhan felt like he was gripped around the neck for so long, cutting off his airways. He panicked as he struggled to breathe. Was this an anxiety attack? It would make sense, except Zhan didn't have anxiety. When he could breathe again, he in a breath so hard he began to choke, his hand grasping at their packed bag for balance.

@Camper ☀ Zhan Yibo hurried onto his feet when Zhan agreed to go home. He sniffled and wiped his face with relief, getting up to change his clothes and throw on his jacket to combat the chilling breeze outside. He helped to roll their sleeping bags and stuffed them inside the duffel bag. In the midst of his frenzied gathering, Yibo felt that something was amiss. His blood pressure spiked a second time when he looked down at his left hand, seeing that the ring around his finger was /missing/. Yibo stopped in his tracks, crouching onto the tent floor and looking around to see if he had dropped it anywhere. He didn't see it anywhere...could he have dropped it outside when he followed Zhan out earlier? Yibo turned to sneak a peak at Zhan, who was packing earnestly. How irresponsible would he look to Zhan if he admitted to losing his ring? Zhan would probably have regrets about proposing to someone like him. Before the night could get worse with Zhan regretting his proposal, Yibo quickly mumbled, "Gege, I'll be right back." Yibo muttered and then stepped outside, his phone's flashlight held in front of him as he scanned the ground for his ring. Jian Guo, seeming to know what Yibo was doing, followed him diligently, meowing gently as if it were a call for her mom to be careful.

@Camper ☀ Yibo Zhan had never seen Yibo so /distressed/. And if Yibo was spooked by that story, who was Zhan to say no? He relented almost immediately, desperate to wipe tears from beneath Yibo's eyes. "Yes, of course. Let's go. Don't cry, baby, we can go home, okay?" To the cat, Zhan called out, "Jian Guo, come back in," before he started to pack their things. His hands shook, and he wasn't sure why, but he tried to pack methodically. The heaviest things at the bottom. He began to roll up their sleeping bag. "Get changed, Yibo, and pack your things. I'll take down the tent, and we'll go, okay? Don't be scared."

@Camper ☀ Zhan Yibo was the furthest thing from being mad at Zhan. He was terrified, anxiety-ridden, and on the verge of tears again, but he was not angry at the only person who could protect him. He shook his head and whimpered, clutching Zhan's hands and bringing them to his chest so the older could feel how fast his heart was beating, "Gege, can we go home? I- I don't want to stay here anymore!" he pleaded, his pupils glistening from the tears. As awful as Yibo felt for ruining such a meticulously planned trip, he wanted to keep his sanity even more. "Please...Gege." he asked once more, body frigid with distraught.