CHAPTER 13 – Of Sauna and Bandages
As they returned to the hostel, Cagalli explained, "A Swedish sauna is a traditional Scandinavian steam bath, renowned for its therapeutic benefits and relaxation properties. Typically, it consists of a small, enclosed room lined with wooden benches and heated rocks. Water is poured over the hot rocks to produce steam, creating a humid environment that induces sweating and promotes detoxification..."
The allure of the Swedish sauna lingered in Athrun's mind. His thoughts drifted, painting vivid scenes of them sharing the steamy confines of the sauna together. In his imagination, he could almost feel the heat radiating from the wooden walls, the steam enveloping them in a cocoon of warmth.
His mind involuntarily wandered to her naked form, the image dancing tantalizingly before his eyes. He envisioned the soft curve of her silhouette, the gentle slope of her shoulders, and the delicate arc of her neck, all illuminated by the warm, golden light of the sauna. The thought of her bare skin, glistening with sweat in the heat of the moment, sent a surge of desire coursing through him.
He shook his head. He should stopped thinking about her this way.
But the fantasies grew more intense however hard he try.
Why did she have to open this topic?
Then, a flicker of self-awareness broke through the haze of desire. He remembered what Cagalli told him, the possibility that other people might be sharing the sauna with them, potentially witnessing their nakedness. The thought sent a jolt of apprehension through him, and he hesitated, unable to reconcile the erotic allure of his imagination with the practical realities of the situation.
The idea of being exposed in such an intimate setting made Athrun pause, his mind racing with uncertainty. Could he truly handle the vulnerability of being naked in front of others. The thought unsettled him.
Desperate to quell the rising tide of temptation, Athrun attempted to discourage Cagalli from going to the sauna altogether. He sought to steer the conversation away from the tantalizing prospect of sharing such an intimate space, knowing deep down that he wasn't ready to confront the complex emotions and desires that swirled within him.
Athrun expresses concern about the potential overcrowding of the sauna, suggesting that it might be too crowded and uncomfortable for them to enjoy properly. He paints a picture of a bustling sauna filled with noisy strangers, arguing that they wouldn't be able to relax and unwind in such a crowded environment.
"Trust me, Cagalli," Athrun quips with a playful smirk, "the sauna's probably more packed than a clown car on a circus tour. We'd have better luck finding peace and quiet at a rock concert. How about we skip the sauna and enjoy some quality time without the sauna paparazzi?"
Cagalli chuckles at Athrun's analogy, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know, Athrun," she replies with a grin, "I've always wanted to join a circus. Maybe this is my chance to practice my clown car acrobatics. But hey, if we're feeling adventurous, we could always roll the dice and see if we get sauna seats or sardine cans. What do you say?"
Her response leaves Athrun wondering if she's genuinely considering the sauna or simply playing along with him.
Athrun, feeling a mix of amusement, attempts to further dissuade Cagalli from considering the sauna.
"Come on, Cagalli," he says with a grin, "we both know that contortionist act is better suited for the big top, not a sauna. And as much as I'd love to see your circus skills in action, I think we're better off avoiding the human jigsaw puzzle scenario. Let's stick to something a bit less... cramped, shall we?"
He offers a lighthearted chuckle, hoping to steer the conversation away from the sauna and towards a more agreeable alternative.
Cagalli's laughter rings out in the room, a melodic sound that fills the air with warmth. She appreciates Athrun's humor, however, as her laughter subsides, a flicker of realization crosses her features.
Her gaze softens as she looks at Athrun, noticing the slight wince that accompanies his every movement, a subtle reminder of the injury she inadvertently caused. The bandages she made was still in place.
Suddenly, a sense of guilt washes over her. It was her idea to playfully tease Athrun, and now she can't shake the feeling that she's somehow responsible for his discomfort. The thought gnaws at her conscience, tugging at her heartstrings with a sense of remorse.
With a determined sigh, Cagalli reaches a decision. She knows that Athrun wouldn't want her to forgo the sauna on his account, but she can't shake the feeling that it's not the right thing to do.
"Actually, you know what, Athrun?" she says, her tone soft yet resolute. "I think I'll pass on the sauna tonight.
As Cagalli expresses her decision to skip the sauna out of consideration for him, Athrun feels a wave of relief wash over him. It's a subtle yet noticeable sensation, lifting the weight of worry that had settled on his shoulders.
A soft smile plays at the corners of Athrun's lips as he meets Cagalli's gaze. There's a warmth in his eyes, a silent gratitude. "Sure?" He hoped that she was not joking this time.
"Hmm."
"Thanks, Cagalli," he says sincerely, his voice tinged with relief. "Besides, there are plenty of other ways we can enjoy our evening together."
As the evening wound down, Athrun and Cagalli retired to their beds after enjoying a quick cup of tea together. The gentle glow of the bedside lamp cast a soft light across the room, illuminating the cozy space they shared.
Athrun moved quietly, mindful not to disturb the sleeping forms of Kira and Lacus, who were nestled together on one of the beds. Cagalli, already feeling the weight of exhaustion from the day's adventures, hushed him softly as he settled in.
In the quiet stillness of the room, Athrun watched as Cagalli, with a tired sigh, kicked off her shoes and shrugged off her coat, shedding the remnants of the day's journey. With a sense of weariness evident in her movements, she crawled under the covers and nestled into the warmth of the bed, her eyes closing in peaceful slumber almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
"Good night, Athrun. I enjoyed the evening... so looking forward to trying the sauna in the future," she gave him a playful smile before finally sleeping. Athrun shyly nodded and watched her drift off to sleep. There was a vulnerability in the way she surrendered to exhaustion.
He arranged her shoes neatly beside her luggage and hung her coat, then proceeded to remove his own boots and hang his coat on the rack. As he took care of these tasks, Athrun couldn't help but reflect on the stirring sensation deep within him.
As Athrun lies in bed, the events of the evening swirl through his mind, each moment etched vividly in his memory. Yet, amidst the flurry of thoughts, one particular detail stands out with striking clarity—the pang of unease he felt at the thought of Cagalli joining him in the sauna.
Closing his eyes, Athrun allows himself to delve deeper into his emotions, probing the root of his reluctance. It wasn't merely concern for here's that she well-being that drove him to dissuade her from going—it was something more, something he struggles to put into words.
With a sharp intake of breath, Athrun comes to a sudden realization—the truth hits him like a bolt of lightning. An undeniable attraction to Cagalli surges within him, stirring something primal and raw. The image of her naked form had ignited a fire within him, a desire that burned with an intensity he couldn't ignore. As he grappled with this revelation, Athrun couldn't help but feel a sense of amazement. The feeling was both new and yet strangely familiar, as if it had been lying dormant within him, waiting to be unleashed.
The realization hits him like a bolt of lightning, leaving him reeling with a mixture of exhilaration and apprehension. He knows that these feelings will only complicate their newfound friendship, adding an unexpected layer of complexity to their dynamic.
Yet, despite the uncertainty that lies ahead, Athrun can't deny the thrill that courses through him at the thought of Cagalli. In that moment, lying in the darkness of the room, he knows that his feelings for her run deeper than he ever dared to imagine. And as he drifts into sleep, he thought that perhaps, just perhaps, their connection could blossom into something more.
The next day, Athrun found himself unexpectedly reluctant to part ways with Cagalli, a feeling that caught him off guard. Despite his astonishment at his own emotions, he knew his journey was planned with Yzak and the rest of their group, leaving him no choice but to bid farewell to Cagalli, Kira, and Lacus.
As the clock neared 10:00, the time for his check-out, Athrun observed the three still soundly sleeping in the room.
"They must be really tired," he mused to himself. I wish I had taken her number last night.
The thought of exchanging numbers had crossed his mind during their tea time conversation, but he had been so engrossed in their discussion that it had slipped his mind entirely, not realizing until now that his stay was only for a single night.
He contemplated leaving his contact information and quickly located a piece of paper. Scribbling a note, he penned:
"Hey, thanks for last night. I wish we could keep in contact."
Signing off with a crab drawing followed by a number, he hoped Cagalli would catch the symbolism.
He left the note on the table, hoping that Cagalli would eventually find it after waking up.
Returning to the hotel, he finally checked in. He headed to his room, which was beside Yzak. He thought of saying hello but decided against it.
He sat on the sofa and opened the television. He keeps on checking his mobile phone for a new message. He searched her online but her profile is private.
Are they still asleep at this hour? His thoughts was interrupted by the bell. Athrun lazily waltz to the door.
Back at the hostel, Kira stirred awake, feeling a suffocating sensation in the room. It was around 11:00. Kira's eyes flickered around the room as he slowly emerged from the grip of sleep. His gaze fell on Athrun's bed, which was already empty. With a furrowed brow, Kira sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
He did say that he was only staying for the night. I wonder where he went.
With a yawn, he shuffled over to the window and pushed it open, letting a breeze of cool night air into the room. As the breeze danced through the room, Cagalli stirred from her slumber, instinctively pulling the blankets tighter around her to ward off the chill.
The gust had also blown up a piece of paper on the table where he had left a note. Caught in the current, the paper fluttered through the air, dancing gracefully before settling to the floor with a soft rustle.
14.04.2024, ShadowcLite