Bath (memories)
It (does)n’t happen - intermediate -
Jinki covered his mouth to hide the sudden laughter at his eleven-year-old friend slipping on the bathhouse floor and falling to his bare bottom. Minseok rolled his eyes, already sat down on a stool at his own faucet at the titled wall.
“Minho-yah,” the oldest called while turning on his water, “I’ve told you before not to run in here.”
Minho stood with a groan, rubbing his sore backside. Jinki figured there would be a mark later in the day from the fall. He felt bad, but Minho should know better, honestly.
“Hyuuung,” Minho whined as he sat on the stool beside Minseok’s, “I wasn’t running.”
“Fast walking?” Jinki offered, taking a seat on the stool other side of Minho.
“Yes.” Minho nodded at Jinki, causing the older to grin again. “We were racing and I had to win. Duh.”
Jinki just sort of stared because he was unaware they had been racing at all. Jinki was still not quite used to the sudden competitions he would be in with the younger without his knowledge, which he always seemed to lose at too, strange enough. Minseok was getting his hair and body wet by this point, not really bothering to listen. Jinki followed, as did Minho.
Before long, Minseok was pouring shampoo over Minho’s head and lathering up short hair. Jinki left to rinse clean after a quick scrub and by the time he returned, Minho was soapy and running around the empty area of the bathhouse again, older brother shouting at him to stop. Minho stopped, but only because he slipped and fell again.
“Minho-yah..” Jinki tried to hold back his laughter. He was soon bent beside Minho, helping the younger up. He gentle pushed on Minho in a shooing motion to go rinse all the slippery soap away. Minho slipped again on his way, but luckily caught himself before falling.
“His is gonna be awfully bruised..” Minseok grinned, hands foaming up his own hair with shampoo.
Jinki sat back on his stool, laughing shamelessly at the teasing.
Minho reappeared earlier than expected, still not fully rinsed only because he moved white, foamy soap around his body to appear as.. well who really knew. Minho roared with clawy foam fingers and Jinki blinked, very confused. Minseok was soon slapping at Minho’s legs, telling him to stop playing around and get rinsed so they can go to the bathes then finally get some food.
Minseok stood and followed after Minho to rinse himself and probably make sure Minho actually did this time too.
Jinki smiled, listening to the two argue about no splashing in the tubs like at home. He gathered his things and waited patiently for the other two. This was fun, really. It was much more fun than coming to a bathhouse alone. He wanted to come with Minho all the time now. His youthful silliness was something Jinki was growing more attached to, maybe curious on his part as an only child could be. He was bound to outgrow it though – both of them. Jinki was fourteen after all, and girls were growing far more interesting while childish things seemed less appealing. He suddenly blushed and hid his face at the thought.
Jinki was pulled back to reality when water was being sprayed at him suddenly. He turned with a choke, finding soaking wet Minho holding his hands out just right to angle a water spray right for Jinki. Minho laughed, Jinki scowled.
Jinki just might outgrow the younger’s childishness quicker than he previously thought…
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