"I can do it myself," he offers automatically.
But he's already turning around.
Presenting his back.
She squirts sunscreen into her palm.
Starts applying it to his shoulders.
The black trunks make his skin look even paler.
More delicate.
But underneath is all muscle and strength.
Her fingers trail across his shoulder blade.
That same slight hesitation as before.
Barely noticeable.
But they both feel it.
"All set," she says, voice carefully neutral.
"Thanks, pretty noona."
The nickname makes her stomach flip every time.
She busies herself packing up the sunscreen.
Trying not to think about how those black trunks fit him.
How they made every movement look deliberate.
Controlled.
Dangerous in a way she couldn't quite articulate.
'Professional,' she reminds herself for the hundredth time.
But it's getting harder by the minute.
★☆★☆★☆
After the break, they transition to swimming.
The members run into the ocean with the same enthusiasm as last time.
