Dive // Jaeyi x Seulgi

Chapter 5

Seulgi let out a small laugh. "I had it under control."

Jaeyi scoffed. "Oh, right. You knew you couldn't swim and still jumped in?"

Seulgi glanced at her, eyes steady. "You weren't talking to me."

Jaeyi let out a slow breath. "So your big plan was... what? Sink to the bottom and hope I'd save you?"

Seulgi shrugged. "It worked, didn't it?"

Jaeyi stared at her, half-exasperated, half-amused, before shaking her head. "You're unbelievable."

Seulgi grinned. "And yet, here you are."

Jaeyi rolled her eyes, but something softened in her expression. After a beat, she tugged at Seulgi's wrist. "Come on. If you're that into water, might as well teach you how to stay afloat."

Seulgi blinked. "Wait—"

Too late. Jaeyi was already tugging her toward the shore, her grip firm but playful. "Come on, I promise I won't let you drown. Much."

Seulgi groaned but didn't resist. And as they stepped closer to the water, she found she didn't really mind at all.

-

The waves lapped gently at the shore, the water stretching vast and open under the afternoon sun. A salty breeze curled around them, cool against their skin. Seulgi hesitated at the edge, toes sinking into the damp sand as the tide rushed forward, brushing over her feet before retreating.

Jaeyi waded in first, the water reaching her knees before she turned back, watching Seulgi with a knowing smirk. "You coming?"

Seulgi hesitated for half a second, her fingers tightening at her sides. "Yeah... just—" She cleared her throat, avoiding Jaeyi's gaze. "Give me a sec."

Still, she took a slow step forward, the water cool against her ankles. Another step, and it lapped at her calves.

Jaeyi extended a hand. "It's not that deep here. You'll be fine."

Seulgi eyed her warily before huffing. "I swear, if you let me sink—"

Jaeyi's laughter was low and teasing. "You trust me that little?"

Seulgi didn't answer right away. The truth was, she did trust Jaeyi—probably more than she should. And maybe that was the problem.

Still, she placed her hand in Jaeyi's, the warmth of her palm stark against the cold water. Jaeyi's fingers curled around hers, steady, certain.

"Relax," Jaeyi murmured, guiding her deeper until the waves kissed their waists. "The trick is to stop fighting it. Let the water carry you."

Seulgi tensed instinctively as another wave rolled in, but Jaeyi squeezed her hand, her voice softer now. "I've got you."

For a moment, all Seulgi could hear was the rhythm of the ocean, the distant hum of cicadas, and the quiet steadiness of Jaeyi's breathing.

"Okay," she exhaled. "What now?"

Jaeyi let go of her hand but stayed close, arms hovering just beneath the surface. "Lean back. Let yourself float."

Seulgi hesitated. "That easy?"

Jaeyi grinned. "That easy."

She demonstrated, tilting her head back, arms spreading as she let herself drift, her body weightless in the water. Her dark hair fanned out around her, the sunlight tracing the curve of her jaw, her throat, the slow rise and fall of her chest.

Seulgi swallowed, suddenly feeling warmer than she should in the cool sea.

Jaeyi cracked one eye open. "You're staring."

Seulgi scoffed, covering her fluster with an exaggerated sigh. "I'm studying. There's a difference."

Jaeyi chuckled, sending ripples across the water as she straightened. "Alright, scholar. Your turn."

Seulgi took a breath and, with more caution than necessary, leaned back into the water. For a moment, panic clawed at her ribs, but then—

Jaeyi's hands were there, steady at her back, keeping her afloat.

"See?" Jaeyi murmured, voice close. "Told you."

Seulgi opened her eyes to find Jaeyi watching her, a small, almost imperceptible smile on her lips. The air between them shifted, charged with something neither of them acknowledged but both of them felt.

Jaeyi's fingers lingered against Seulgi's skin for a second too long before she finally let go, and yet Seulgi didn't sink.

"You're doing it," Jaeyi said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seulgi let out a breathless laugh, her body weightless in the water. "I'm doing it."

Jaeyi smirked, tilting her head. "Told you I wouldn't let you drown."

Seulgi rolled her eyes, but this time, she didn't look away.