Puppy Love • Seungchan/Chanmin

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With each step towards the mixed gendered baths, Seungmin's heart eases. Chan's fingers had laced within his own, bringing him a much needed feeling of calm.

As they finally arrive and push the doors open, that calm feeling only grows.

This space was miles more peaceful. Lanterns swayed with the gentle breeze, alighting the milky water in an afternoon glow. Large rocks and ferns framed the water's edge, providing private nooks and places to sit. Steam comfortably floated up into the air, offering another layer of privacy. There was some idle chatter, but nothing more than polite whispers.

"This is so much better," Chan sighs happily.

Seungmin breathes in the dewy air. "Agreed"

They step around to a bamboo screen, placing their robes and slippers onto the provided shelf. The bamboo screen offered privacy and modesty to freely enter the water, unlike the male baths which had an open rocky staircase that descended from the door into the water.

Seungmin sneaks a peak at Chan, now that his robe is gone, his hand reaching out to trace his muscles, but an older female rounds the corner, and he quickly drops his hand away, pretending like it never happened.

Chan is first to step into the water, hissing at the temperature, but quickly he takes another step and another until the milky water is at his waist and there's room for Seungmin to follow.

Seungmin dips a toe in at first, eliciting the same hiss Chan had, but just like Chan, slowly he began to submerge himself, the heat providing a comfortable cocoon. Once the water was at their chests, Chan's hand finds him under the water.

Seungmin startles, but quickly relaxes again. No one could see their hands lacing together, the milkiness and the steam kept them hidden.

Seungmin follows Chan's lead, as the older pulls him forth. As the title suggests, this was indeed a mixed gendered space; as they made their way deeper into the spring they passed a group of four older women, a young man with his father, a group of girls and a couple, amongst other guests half-lidded in relaxation. The experience wasn't uncomfortable, everyone was simply relaxing, no matter the age or gender.

"This is nice" Seungmin says in content as they find a place to sit under a fern besides a babbling waterfall. Their hands were still together under the water, comforting and reassuring.

Chan gives his hand a squeeze. "It is, isn't it? Much more what I had in mind"

Seungmin closes his eyes, leaning back on a rock. He hadn't realised just how much he needed this- the soothing lull of the water against his skin, the comforting embrace of his and Chan's intertwined hands beneath the water- it was peaceful and relaxing. The past two gruelling weeks of exams and tests simply floated away with the gentle sway of the water.

They settled back for a while before milky ripples lapped at their skin and muffled giggles came their way. Seungmin's eyes fly open just as two of the younger girls they'd seen earlier come their way.

Seungmin glances briefly at Chan before pulling his hand away, his fingers slipping out of Chan's with an uncomfortable ease. Chan's eyes fly open, his confusion evident until his own eyes fall on the girls stopping in front of them, causing his body to visibly stiffen.

"Hey there, I'm Jihyo, this is my friend Mina. Enjoying the view? You've picked quite a nice spot," Jihyo smiles.

Jihyo nudges Mina in the side.