Overpriced Shower Gel ~ Jung Jaehyun
Word count: no idea ╮(. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)╭
Life is tough. Some days, even a warm shower sounds like too much effort. The weight of the world on your shoulders can't possibly be washed away by any amount of hot water. The steam can't make sense of anxious thoughts or worries, nor can the scent of overpriced shower gel replenish the strength to make it through another day.
"But you'll sleep so much better."
And with that, Jaehyun pushed me into the bathroom.
Even though the shower didn't fix anything, admittedly, it was worth it. The world's weight wasn't lifted, but the muscles bearing the brunt felt considerably less stiff.
Leaving the bathroom in pajamas, hair still dripping wet, I flopped face down onto the bed with mind, soul and eyes pleading desperately for some rest.
"Yah hey you're not finished yet!" Jaehyun poked my back. I merely groaned in response. He pulled on my hand. "Sleeping with wet hair isn't good for you darling." Groaning again, I lay near paralyzed by exhaustion.
"This is for your own good, okay?" Before I could process what he meant, he started tickling all my weak spots. Let this be known, it's entirely possible to weaponise the Tickle - as a form of pure torture it is able to make the most miserable person jump and run and scream in protest under the false pretense of enjoyment.
"Jae! No! Stop! Please!!" I barely managed to plead through the laughter. Rolling over onto my back, away from where he stood at the side of the bed, I realised it was a mistake as soon as I did so. Jaehyun climbed on top, straddling my waist, pinning me down beneath him. Immobilised, I lay helpless as he continued his torture, tickling everywhere he could.
"I'm not stopping until you agree to at least dry your hair."
"Fine! Fine! Please, I'll get up! Please!" He knew exactly which places to target, such that tears streamed down my face as I laughed like I hadn't laughed in days.
He stopped and grinned, pleased with his accomplishment. He took my face between his hands, slightly squishing my cheeks and smiling to himself before climbing off and grabbing the hairdryer from the dresser, as I took a moment to recover from the tears and breathlessness.
"I'll do it. You just sit and try not to fall asleep again", he teased as he plugged the dryer into the wall next to the bed. Scrambling together the energy, I scooted over to the edge, sitting cross legged on the covers with my back to him.
Jae started combing through the tangled mess of hair. He ran his fingers through the strands as the warm air tickled my back. The droning rhythmic hum of the hairdryer, his soft petting, and the admittedly comforting smell of overpriced shower gel came together to create a bubble of warmth and comfort.
The world fell away into the back of my mind. Closing my eyes, I lost track of time until the dryer was unplugged and he proudly announced my hair was done. Smiling sleepily, sad the moment had to end, I turned around and stretched up to thank him with a kiss on his cheek. He smiled back, with those dimples that pleaded to be poked and adored.
Sure, life is tough. And a warm shower doesn't fix anything. But it does give us a moment for ourselves. A moment to forget the world, forget the thoughts and worries. A chance to appreciate overpriced shower gel. And above all, as Jae rightfully said, it definitely makes us sleep so much better...
This was a very impromptu 3am spur-of-the-moment short thingy that has not been proofread so I hope you were able to bare with me! (。・//ε//・。)
If I made a few errors with grammar or spelling, feel free to correct me~ Also, if you need credit for the photos used please let me know :)
I wish you a lovely lovely lovely day!