Chapter Text
It was finally the long weekend—their long-awaited camping trip.
Chaeyoung, as usual, was carrying everything. Backpacks, gear, food—she had it all strapped to herself like a small mobile base camp. Two hours into the hike, the complaining started.
“Kwaeng… I feel gross,” Nagyung whined, arms crossed and pulled tightly against her chest, her little frame shivering from the cold drizzle. Hangry, wet, and cold, she sounded like a nightmare on paper—but Chaeyoung couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. She was just happy to be here, trekking through mud and rain, with her unofficial—but pretty much official—girlfriend.
“Almost there, kko-ya…” Chaeyoung trailed off, trying to sound encouraging while mentally cursing the weight of the gear.
“Like… how much more time??” Nagyung groaned, her pout exaggerated, making Chaeyoung want to pinch her cheeks.
“Secrettt…” Chaeyoung teased, quickening her pace just slightly.
“Ughhh, I hate you! Why couldn’t we go to, like… a Marriott or something,” Nagyung whined again, like she wasn't the one who suggested the trip in the first place, stamping her damp foot into the mud.
Chaeyoung stopped, spun around, and covered Nagyung’s mouth with her hands. Nagyung’s lips, smooshed comically against Chaeyoung’s palms, looked ridiculous—but adorable. Chaeyoung had to stifle a laugh.
“Shhhhhh… almost there, okay?” she whispered, flashing a quick smile.
Nagyung glared at her, still simmering from the hike, but it was hard to stay mad for long.
After another thirty minutes of trudging through mud and slippery rocks, they finally reached the falls. The place was empty—thankfully, the wolves seemed to have skipped this part of the woods.
“Ahhh, finally,” Nagyung breathed, kicking off her soaked shoes.
“Babe, why are you stopping? We’re not at the fire tower yet,” Chaeyoung said, the word slipping out naturally, soft and tentative. Nagyung froze mid-motion, her cheeks flushing pink. That was the first time Chaeyoung had ever used a pet name like that with her.
“I know, but let me take a little dip… 'cause I feel gross,” Nagyung whined, the word dragging out as she peeled off her damp shirt and shorts, leaving her in just her bra and underwear. With a playful grin, she leapt into the pool beneath the falls.
Nagyung stuck her tongue out at Chaeyoung.
“Try and catch me~” she taunted, diving underwater before Chaeyoung could react.
Chaeyoung swore she could feel her ears ringing, a mixture of shock and something she didn’t want to name, as she watched Nagyung strip down in front of her. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest. Without thinking, she dropped the backpack, quickly stripped down herself, and jumped into the pool after the smaller girl.
Underwater, she found Nagyung and wrapped her arms around the smaller girl, making Nagyung squeal, her voice muffled by the water.
“Go away!” Nagyung splashed fiercely, sending water straight into Chaeyoung’s face.
Chaeyoung wiped the water off her face, glaring at her playfully, and splashed her back.
Back and forth, they splashed, dodged, and laughed until exhaustion finally crept in. Nagyung eventually gave up, floating back toward Chaeyoung.
“Stop splashing me already…” Nagyung panted, eyes narrowing in mock frustration. “I surrender.”
She swam closer, wrapped her arms around Chaeyoung’s shoulders, and pressed a quick, breathless peck to her lips, both of them soaked and laughing, the tension of the hike and the teasing melting away in the cool water.
“I love you, Chaeng,” Nagyung murmured, nestling her wet head into the older girl’s neck.
Chaeyoung swore she died and went straight to heaven.
“I love you too, kko-ya,” she whispered back, tightening her arms around her.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in a comfortable embrace, the only sound the relentless roar of the waterfall behind them. Silence wasn’t awkward—it was home.
After a few moments, Chaeyoung pulled back just enough to glance at Nagyung. “Let’s get going?”
Nagyung just nodded, still flushed from the cold water and their closeness.
“I’m excited to cook our—hey—” Nagyung’s words were cut off as Chaeyoung scooped her up, bridal style, just like old times. Only this time, she let herself lean in, pressing her lips to Nagyung’s with a hunger she’d been holding back.
Nagyung froze for a second, then a soft gasp escaped her as Chaeyoung’s hands settled at the small of her waist. The world shrank until it was just them—the waterfall’s distant roar and the warmth of their shared body heat.
“Are you just trying to shut me up?” Nagyung asked, voice a mixture of amusement and mock indignation.
Chaeyoung rolled her eyes, smirking against her lips. “Maybe,” she teased, though her hands tightened slightly, unwilling to let go.