Give & Take

Old Laughter

"Me? What did I do?" the innocent male asked as he was finally able to accept the heat poking every inch of his submerged body.

"You make me feel relaxed. It's comfortable being around you," Minhyun said, reminding himself that he had promised to be honest with the other and he was trying. He stretched his arms out and smiled. "You don't expect anything from me as a hero but even though you know of my villainous ways, you are still willing to stay. In a way, I respect you. You're probably braver than anyone I've ever met and kinder than any humans alive."

Baekho's cheeks turned red furiously from both the heat and the compliments he wasn't expecting Minhyun to suddenly say. "Ah. Uh..." He could only cover his cheeks in embarrassment but the prickling heat in his fingers only made his cheeks heat up more. He was speechless and shy, tempted to go underwater to hide himself but knowing that was a bad idea. Minhyun chuckled and stretched his long legs over, giving him a little poke. Baekho flinched and squeaked, sitting up abruptly. "Something just touched me!"

Minhyun laughed again and moved over to him, pulling him back down as he kissed his forehead adoringly. "You're adorable too. That's just my leg."

"What?!" Baekho was getting dizzy from all the compliments and he groaned as Minhyun suddenly kissed his lips. The heat from the bath made him feel like he was melting and he had to hold onto Minhyun to stop himself from feeling like he would combust. The direct skin contact he was having with the other was no small amount either as Minhyun's long legs had found a way to settle on his. He gasped when Minhyun moved away, cheeks all flushed as well. He didn't even know where to look. At the hero's dashing face or his sculpture like body or just anywhere else but him? Baekho wanted to cover his face and sink into the water but Minhyun touched his hands gently and suddenly he forgot how to use them as his body went limp, allowing Minhyun to kiss him again and again until his lips felt puffy and he needed to breathe deeply for air. He didn't know what this was, being a naive child but it made him feel good. Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was Minhyun, he couldn't tell as his cheek was caressed lovingly. It reminded him of when his parents would squish his cheeks and they would giggle about it. He smiled and leaned closer to Minhyun's touch, reminiscing in the moment.

"Thinking about something happy?" Minhyun asked and Baekho opened his eyes. He nodded and Minhyun tapped his nose. "Care to share?"

"Hmm?" He was surprised that the other was even asking. "Uh well, it's just that my parents used to hold my cheeks and squish them. They liked doing that because I was so chubby."

"Mmm... Sounds like a fond memory."

"Yeah... Yeah, I miss them."

Minhyun noticed the hint of loneliness in Baekho's voice and decided not to ask about it, afraid he might open a different wound in the other. "Well, we shouldn't soak for too long or we will start getting dizzy."

"We shouldn't?"

"No. While it is good to do it, it's not advisable to do it for long. You might feel faint."

"Oh. I already feel.... Faint."

"Baekho? Baek-"

His eyelids fluttered open and he realised he was in bed again. A cool sensation laid against his forehead as he reached up and groaned. It was an ice pack. He blinked and soon heard shuffling beside him. He turned his head to find the hero laying down beside him, all dressed up. He looked down and realised he was in soft comfortable clothes as well. He moved the ice pack away and rolled over to face the hero. He smiled and stretched his finger out, poking his cheek. Minhyun squinted but didn't wake up. He giggled and looked down at his hand, slowly taking it in his hand. It felt like such a miracle in his eyes to have found someone who wasn't affected by his powers. He gently gave each of his fingers a little squeeze.