#bae joohyun fluff | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jenniejjun · 11 months

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Aaa tua escrita é perfeita, não consigo sair do teu perfil!!🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Gostaria de saber se você poderia escrever algo com a Irene?

YOU PAINTED ME GOLDEN — pt 1.

PAR: bae joo-hyun (irene) x leitora!fem

GÊNERO: smut, fluff e um tiquinho de angst

avisos: inspirado levemente em “o príncipe cruel” de holly black, casamento arranjado, irene e leitora são princesas, elas se odeiam, irene é feérica, leitora é humana, tem uma referência pequenininha a "queen charlotte" da netflix, menções à sangue e um toquinho de leve no que é a construção patriarcal que se chama virgindade e tudo que isso envolvia na época mas eu nem me aprofundo muito (é mais um adendo caso você ache essas coisas meio bleh mas é uma fantasia então eu adaptei bastante coisa do nosso mundo nessa fic), masturbação feminina (irene recebe), voyerismo, uma orgia básica (leitora não participa), oral!fem (irene recebe). vai ter continuação, se vocês gostarem ❤️

ME PERDOA PELA DEMORA SÉRIO! primeiro, queria agradecê-los pelos 100k 😭😭 vocês são uns amores e eu adoro escrever pra vocês. em segundo lugar, obrigada pelos elogios!! queria pedir desculpas pela demora catastrófica que esse pedido levou pra ficar pronto mas estava sem ideias e precisei pensar em algo um pouco novo pra desenvolver o pedido. não sei se ficou exatamente como você queria ou se você conhece a obra no qual essa história foi inspirada mas eu espero que você tenha gostado! curtam o pornô de fada 💀

Você era a princesa mais cobiçada do reino humano. Tão bela que parecia ter sido esculpida pelos próprios Deuses, cada detalhe. Desde o fio mais fino de cabelo até as perfeitas imperfeições que a tornavam tão real e individual. Desde pequena, tinha conhecimento de que seu grande dever seria casar-se bem, considerando que seu pai já possuía filhos homens para ascenderem ao trono. Sua tarefa era manter o status social da família. A graciosidade que carregava sempre ajudou nas milhares de propostas nas quais recebia.

Entretanto, sabendo que o pai nunca admitiria isso, uma das razões que explicavam a existência de tantas negativas em suas proposições matrimoniais era a falta de dinheiro que seu reino enfrentava. E nenhum dos reinos humanos ao seu redor parecia muito melhor do que o de vocês. Logo, requeria a combinação perfeita em seu casamento. Decente e rico.

A única esperança restante da parentela, seu irmão já casado não podia fazer muito pelas condição financeira de vocês. Você já não guardava rancor, mesmo que achasse engraçada a situação em que um futuro rei fosse tão impotente para com o próprio reino, até escolherem sua salvação por você.

"Vamos, irmãzinha, desfaça essa cara. Você sabe que papai vai ficar bravo se você receber a princesa Joo-Hyun assim", Taryn se senta ao seu lado, a camisa amassada é um indício claro que passou a noite fora. O pai de vocês ficará mais bravo com isso do que com qualquer careta que possa direcionar à princesa. "Entendo que a odeie, mas se lembre que estamos fazendo algo grande aqui. O Grande Experimento é como papai está chamando. Feéricos e humanos pela primeira vez em séculos."

"Não, você não entende porque não está casando com ela. Todos ouvimos os rumores de como eles são, creio que haja um motivo insanamente plausível pelo qual não nos misturamos há séculos", você rebate, irritada demais para distinguir que estava agindo feito criança. "Meu casamento deveria servir de segurança financeira para nossa família e não ser um experimento onde posso acabar morta."

O que poderia acontecer se alguma coisa desse errada? Seu irmão não lhe poupou esforços em responder mesmo que tivesse certeza de que nenhuma dúvida tivesse sido esboçada verbalmente.

"O pior que pode acontecer é ela acabar te matando", revelou ele zombeteiro.

Revirando os olhos, você respondeu: "Isso não parece muito desagradável pra você."

"Não diga coisas de tamanho descortês, querida", uma terceira voz se fez presente fazendo com que você e seu irmão virem suas cabeças em direção a ela.

Thomas é seu pai e o único que consegue separar as alfinetadas entre você e Taryn por tempo suficiente até que ele se canse, é uma dádiva. Você sempre diz isso. O irmão ao seu lado faz uma careta pelo que você vê no canto do olho e seu pai logo o repreende. Em ocasiões assim você quase, e enfatizando o quase, fica com pena de seu sangue. Preso em um casamento sem amor e sempre procurando satisfação na calada da noite.

Contudo, seu pai estava assinando-a para um destino não muito dessemelhante. Não ocorriam-lhe motivos para ser diferente de Taryn agora.

"Você está fedendo a uísque, trate de se trocar antes que a família Bae chegue e resolva desmanchar o casamento de sua irmã por conta de seus comportamentos vis", o patriarca ataca com um semblante sério e você não consegue disfarçar a carranca. "Já conversamos sobre isso, tesouro, está feito."

É claro que estava. Você nunca tinha chance nenhuma de dizer nada nos últimos tempos, seu pai parecia empenhado em amenizar a repulsão entre humanos e feéricos e, com isso, destruir sua possível felicidade. Como uma jovem teimosa, você bateu o pé ignorando o farfalhar das saias de seu vestido.

"Acho que são nulas as chances de tentar convencê-lo do contrário, papai", você responde amargurada.

"Você sabe que não me traz ventura alguma mandá-la para aquela Corte, mas...", e honestamente precisaria de algum acréscimo após tal revelação? Não tinha dúvidas de que era amada, seu pai nunca havia sido uma má figura para si enquanto crescia. Mas não deveria existir um 'mas' ali.

Não importava o quão complicada fosse a situação.

"Mas sua alternativa de paz é enviar sua única filha para lá em troca de não morrermos de fome", resmungando você se virou para frente. De repente rezando para conhecer sua noiva logo e acabar de uma vez com tudo aquilo. "Foi para o que eu nasci, de qualquer jeito."

Sua cunhada, que raramente aparece, estava certa, afinal, você pensa. Poucas pessoas em sua pele deviam casar por amor, tinha de se acostumar com sua realidade logo. O que deveria ser um conto de fadas se tornou o tipo de história que suas amas lhe contavam antes de dormir afim de torná-la mais obediente. Existiu um período de tempo em que criaturas mágicas e humanos conviviam em harmonia, você deve achar, mas há muito teria deixado de ser como tal. O reino feérico e o reino humano eram dois mundos separados por um portal pequeno, no qual eram proibidos de atravessarem a não ser que desejassem a morte eminente.

Lá, conheciam apenas a escuridão da noite e eram tão infames quanto eram devassos.

Nenhuma alma viva sabia dizer exatamente quando o desprezo entre mundos teria dado início a uma era insaciável de guerras, mas rumores corriam que um deles teria exterminado uma vila mundana há milênios atrás. Desde então, era inconcesso o contato entre seres mundanos e seres mágicos. Seu trabalho era extinguir tal inimizade. Por isso, trajava vestes diferentes das costumeiras. Escutou histórias sobre o estilo de vida dos feéricos e como encaravam o código de vestimenta mundano.

Era impróprio mostrar mais que centímetros de sua canela, quem dirá ter tanta pele exposta como tinha ali. O vestido de mangas compridas era de uma tonalidade tão escura de azul que poderia ser confundida com a noite, um low cut que mostrava bem o formato de seus seios formados e a fenda lateral expunha sua perna causando-lhe arrepios de frio. Os cabelos caíam como ondas por suas costas com uma tira dourada e enfeitada de cobras, o dourado ornava perfeitamente com a vermelhidão aplicada nos lábios.

Uma maneira de agradá-los por irem até ali, coisa nada costumeira da Corte.

O som das portas se abrindo te fez despertar. A família real feérica era incrivelmente longa, você se deu conta, quando viu pelo menos quatro cabeças femininas adentrarem o cômodo após os mais velhos e atrás delas, três homens idênticos. Provavelmente trigêmeos. Eram apresentados em retrospecto, mas você mal podia ouvir alguma coisa. Sucedia-se de recordar dos contos sobre a beleza feérica, as orelhas pontudas e os traços mágicos que pareciam desenhos de tão surreais. Sem embargo, jamais urdiu tamanha beleza em seus sonhos mais selvagens.

Uma princesa em particular chamava sua atenção, como o canto de uma das sereis das histórias de suas amas. A pele tão pálida que podia assemelhar-se à luz do luar em um dia de lua cheia, os olhos castanhos, não tão escuros mas não tão claros tinham o desenho perfeito para suas pálpebras. Cada fio de sua sobrancelha cabalmente alinhado. Todos esses detalhes que pareciam se fechar com a boca que formavam uma carranca, aos seus olhos, intencional.

Contudo, sua maquiagem não remetia aos anjos para os quais rezavam todas as noites. O que seus olhos tinham de suaves, o delineado preto fazia com que se tornassem felinos e sua pele brilhava em cantos que jamais ponderou serem possíveis. Um brilho quase dourado, os lábios pintados de uma cor tão nude que remetiam ao marrom. Os acessórios em suas orelhas, braços e pescoço todos eram ouro puro.

O vestido preto continha uma fenda desde o vale de seus seios até o umbigo, com detalhes dourados cercando a abertura. Ombreiras auríficas portavam uma enorme capa preta, se conectando diretamente ao seu colar de serpente. Quase que por instinto, você tocou os cabelos indiretamente. Então, aquela seria sua noiva. Bae Joo-Hyun.

"E essa deve ser a adorável jovenzinha que estávamos falando durante todas essas luas! Oh, querida, é um prazer conhecê-la!", o que você assumiu ser a matriarca da família silvou em sua direção. Os olhos pareciam com olhos de cobra e você se assustou um pouco, não perdendo a forma como a mulher agarrou seus braços em um abraço apertado ladeado.

Você olhou desnorteada para seu pai, que sorria encorajando-a, e por isso, respirou fundo. Necessitava de aproveitar o máximo que pudesse, teriam um jantar onde conversariam sobre melhores formas de juntar os dois povos e então, não veria as paredes deste castelo por um bom tempo. Estaria presa lá, sabe-se quanto tempo permaneceria viva na Corte Feérica, tão diferente da sua.

Era sua última chance de estar em casa.

Descobriu posteriormente, os nomes de suas futuras irmãs e irmãos. Ainda que a explicação viesse de uma forma um tanto confusa. O rei de Attadolon teria se casado cinco vezes, uma para cada herdeiro sentado em sua mesa. A última esposa era a mulher com cara de cobra e um silvar estranho em sua língua. Seu irmão parecia estranhamente atraído por ela ao seu lado. A cada cinco minutos, se lembrava de chutar distraidamente sua perna para que ele não causasse outra guerra entre raças.

Kim Yerim é a mais nova e, portanto, a mais entusiasmada de todos. A princesa sempre pareceu absurdamente interessada em quaisquer assunto mundano puxado por seu pai e, por isso, não admitiria mas teria ganhado seu coração. Um pouquinho. Com ela, talvez, não fosse tão difícil fingir sorrisos gentis e educados. Park Soo-Young era mais reservada e parecia conter Yerim continuadamente quando via que a irmã assustada algum de vocês com sua exultação. Existiam os trigêmeos, que não falavam muito, mas você teria descoberto seus nomes. Lee Taeyong, Lee Hong-gi e Lee Hyuk-jae. Kang Seulgi era a que encarava toda a situação com deboche e provocava um comentário ofensivo de vez em quando, era bastante bonita. Você era incapaz de notar, todos eles eram. Mas a beleza de Seulgi era semelhante a da irmã ao seu lado, algo quase mítico.

Referindo-se a ela, Joo-Hyun te encarava a todo o momento. Tinha a certeza de que previamente a se sentarem à mesa, os olhos castanhos dela já seguiam cada passo que ameaçava dar. Mas ao contrário de Kang, a princesa Bae não carregava um sorriso escarnioso em sua face. Permanecera com a mesma expressão impassiva de antes, a postura reta intocável lhe atraía ainda mais pela forma como seus seios quase pulavam pelo decote. Você sentiu seu rosto corando quando ela desceu o olhar lentamente de você para o próprio busto, notando seu particular interesse.

Foi a primeira vez que viu um brilho malicioso no olhar da feérica. Também tinha a certeza que teria sido a primeira vez em que ela veria seu rosto vermelho de vergonha, o que a fez notar que ela não era a única lhe olhando.

Falavam contigo.

"Sim?", quis saber desconectando-se de qualquer possibilidade de que tivessem visto qualquer interação entre você e a futura mulher que chamaria de esposa. As mãos em seu colo se apertavam tanto que os nós de seus dedos estavam brancos.

A rainha sorriu gentil. "Perguntei se está contente, querida? Afinal, logo partiremos para Attadolon!"

"Ela provavelmente nos odeia, mamãe, duvido que esteja animada para pisar os pés em uma terra no qual ouviu atrocidades sobre a vida inteira", Seulgi respondeu por você. A pequena sementinha do caos, você decidiu apelidá-la em sua mente.

Respirou fundo, vendo seu pai tomar partido.

"Não, jamais! Minha filha está apenas sem palavras, sempre foi uma criança quieta e tímida como lhe informei sobre nas cartas. Especialmente após a morte da mãe, pobrezinha. Se fechou tanto", continuou ele fingindo pesar. Desacreditada, você o encarou.

Ele mal tinha o hábito em mencionar a falecida esposa que lhe chocava a maneira natural como teria-na usado para uma desculpa tão banal, fazia sua respiração tropeçar e falhar visivelmente. A cena pareceu interessante para Joo-Hyun que se inclinou minimamente, os olhos presos em você. Queria gritar para que ela se virasse.

"Meu pai está certo, é apenas tudo muito novo para mim. Contudo, tenho certeza de que vou amar a Corte Feérica assim que a vê-la. Pelas histórias, parece encantadora", você retrucou encarando Kang Seulgi diretamente.

Ela riu alto. "Isso, eu vou gostar de ver."

Yerim, no entanto, pareceu pressentir a confusão se formando e interrompeu com sua voz suave e sobressaída perante ao mínimo murmúrio que se formava entre os trigêmeos.

"Talvez seja sábio que começasse a arrumar suas coisas, deixar tudo organizado para quando formos", ela proferiu gentil. E você, aproveitando a oportunidade de sair dali, assentiu.

Agradecendo e se retirando brevemente da sala de jantar, onde o clima era tão pesado que podia ser cortado com uma faca.

O caminho para seus aposentos não deveria demorar tanto quanto demorou, mas ali estava você abrindo a porta de tais e encarando as bagagens empilhadas. Não havia mais nada a ser feito, a não ser esperar a hora, mas gostava de fingir que precisava de alguma coisa daquele quarto para tornar aquele lugar mais parecido com sua casa. Portanto, permaneceu ali dedilhando seu espelho. O silêncio é bem recebido ao mesmo tempo que não é. Por um lado, você consegue respirar fundo agora, suas mãos secando rápido em comparação ao ar gélido. Pelo outro, você sabe exatamente quando passos contidos e elegantes são dados em direção a onde você estava.

Seu pai ou irmão.

Bae Joo-Hyun não podia ser vista com você, pelo menos não sem uma acompanhante. E os passos eram únicos. Contudo, sua futura esposa não assemelhava-se a alguém que se importava com regras, aparecendo de forma sobejante ao batente da porta. Despojava seus braços cruzados e as unhas pretas e gigantes eram visíveis agora.

"Não julgo necessário tantas malas assim", foram as primeiras palavras que proferiu em sua direção. A voz dela não era nada do que esperava, grossa ou sedutora como a de Seulgi. Sempre à espreita para atingi-la. Não obstante, era semelhante. Joo-Hyun continha um vocábulo suave e silencioso. Como se sussurrasse. Ser humilhada por alguém assim deveria ser bem pior. "Temos roupas para você em Attadolon."

A julgar por sua expressão nada surpresa, massageou o vão entre suas sobrancelhas disfarçadamente afim de dissipar o franze entre elas.

"Agradeço a gentileza, princesa, mas gosto das minhas roupas. Estarei as levando comigo", teimou. Joo-Hyun, todavia, suspirou expirou pesadamente. Mas se estava irritada, sua face não demonstrava.

"Não serão necessárias. Serão descartadas assim que chegarmos a Corte", ela insistiu tomando dois passos em sua direção. Os ornamentos dourados em sua orelha brilhavam, dando destaque perfeito a forma pontiaguda da mesma. Parecia uma figura direto de um livro infantil, sua expressão não afetada, no entanto, nada se assemelhava.

Seu choque, aparentemente, não surtia efeito ali.

"Como é?", questionou.

"Você se casará comigo, a herdeira do trono. Será a futura rainha consorte de Attadolon e deverá se vestir como tal", explicou a princesa. Deixando com que digerisse suas palavras, Joo-Hyun se aproximou de você levantando a mão fina e assustadora com suas unhas, que mais pareciam garras de perto, e enrolou alguns fios de seu cabelo no próprio dedo. "É metade feérica agora que entrou para a família real. Aconselho que se acostume com isso."

O sendeiro pedregulhoso foi um obstáculo e tanto em sua viagem, mas vez por outra a voz de Yerim tagarelando durante todo o percurso foi uma boa distração. A carruagem que a levou não equiparava tamanha grandiosidade, porém, era de se esperar que a partir dali a magia fosse um detalhe obstinado de sua vida. Com certeza, maior por dentro, o condutor branco e dourado levava toda a família de Joo-Hyun e você.

As lágrimas da despedida ainda estavam secas em sua bochecha quando se virou lentamente e viu seu pai acenando ao longe, seu irmão continha uma careta que você já sabia reconhecer como choro e sorriu afetada com isso. Apenas carregava consigo uma pequena sacolinha com seu espelho favorito e colar de pérolas que pertenceu à sua mãe. Joo-Hyun estava certa, as malas foram dispensadas quando tomaram consciência de que suas necessidades ali eram roupas.

Deixava ali sua parte humana para trás.

“Você vai amar Attadolon, estão todos muito ansiosos para conhece-la”, tentou Yerim. Você esforçou um sorriso trêmulo, que claramente atingiu a boa fé da menina que pareceu receosa em ter te magoado. Soo-Young interferiu repousando sua mão sob a da irmã, com um sorriso contido indicando apoio.

“A fiança de que será uma incrível consorte para nossa irmã, princesa, é tamanha. Perdoe-me a falta de jeito de Yerim, estamos apenas tentando-lhe fazer sentir-se em casa”, a Park concluiu. Era a primeira vez que ouviu sua voz. Um pouquinho nasalada, mas te lembrava as breves melodias tocadas no piano por seu pai.

“Obriga…”, mas você foi interrompida antes que pudesse agradecer propriamente as duas. Pareciam tão gentis, mas Seulgi grunhiu deslizando brevemente em seu assento ao lado de Joo-Hyun.

“Essa distribuição concórdia entre vocês está me deixando nauseada. Hospitalidade não vai transfigurar o que somos para ela”, balbuciou entediada.

Um estalo foi ouvido e você viu a rainha sibilar algo em voz baixa para a menina antes de se virar para você, os olhos mais claros do que nunca. Eram como os de uma víbora pronta para o ataque, mas não carregavam maldade. Apenas irritação. Esperava que não fosse direcionado a si.

“Absolva-nos do julgamento por desmedida malcriação de minha filha, princesa”, ela silvou em questionamento. Você apenas assentiu tímida. Não existia uma escolha onde não os perdoava, seria parte daquilo agora. Facilitaria sua vida se não os fizessem odiá-la.

O rei de Attadolon suspirou vagamente colocando a mão no rosto e, rapidamente, você pôde ver marcas de queimadura em sua mão. Franzindo o cenho, divagou consigo mesma antes que sentisse um olhar em sua direção. Joo-Hyun tinha as mãos conjuntas em seu colo e lhe observava firmemente. A expressão vazia permanecia, mas por trás de tudo, via faíscas de raiva pegando fogo por suas irises escuras. Os lábios carnudos naquele tom caído de sempre apenas ajudando na carranca natural.

Quiçá, não seria somente os pedregulhos que dificultariam sua chegada.

Mas o castelo não era muito longe assim que atravessaram o portal, era visível há quilômetros de distância. A neblina o tornava mais macabro do que parecia assim como toda sua terra, mas ele tinha uma tonalidade mais preta quase que puxada ao verde e as torres eram infinitamente mais pontiagudas. Ao sair da carruagem com a ajuda do cocheiro, sentiu o cheiro pressentido de barro molhado mistura com lavanda. Era bom e ruim ao mesmo tempo.

O interior do castelo era mais amistoso, decorado em tons de dourado e vermelho, continha uma escadaria enorme que davam para os quartos e milhares de serviçais andavam para lá e para cá. Os trigêmeos já se dispersavam quando foram chamados pelo rei.

“Nem pensem em fugir dessa vez, quero todos os três prontos em duas horas”, foi a rainha quem se pronunciou. Um deles, o mais polido de todos, assentiu reverenciando a mulher. Um sorrisinho debochado adornando a face. “Taeyong..”

“Como queira, minha rainha”, zombou ele se afastando com os irmãos. Ao passar por você, assentiu brevemente com a cabeça. Você viu triplicado mas sabia que seria um hábito quando estivesse perto deles agora. “Princesa.”

“Ah, e você querida! Suas damas de companhia já estão à espera para prepará-la, peço que suba o mais rápido possível. Estão esperando”, ela pediu afobado. As mãos finas te empurrando escada acima.

Confusa, você olhou de um lado para o outro. Esperando? Tinha a noção de que a noite naquele lugar era infinita mas aquelas pessoas certamente deviam ter momentos de descanso, não? Ou saberiam esperar que sua futura rainha estivesse exausta da viagem? Teria de encará-los hoje?

“Me esperando? Pensei que fôssemos recebê-los amanhã”, murmurou. A monarca sibilou uma risada que mais parecia uma cobra aprontando o ataque.

“O tempo se move diferente aqui, preferimos nos referir somente em horas e minutos. Dias não são úteis para nós, olhe em volta, querida. Vivemos na noite eterna!”, ela cantarolou. “Agora, ande! Ande!”

“Vamos leva-lá, mamãe! Não acho que a princesa saiba chegar aos próprios aposentos sozinha num castelo desconhecido”, Yerim exclamou arrastando Soo-Young junto.

A mulher não pareceu discordar, deixando que fosse levada pelas duas outras filhas. De relance, você viu o momento em que Kang Seulgi enlaçou os braços com os de Joo-Hyun murmurando algo com um sorrisinho ladino. Ela retribui levemente, quando achou que ninguém estava olhando. Por alguma razão, você se sentiu ofendida. Era mais reação do que jamais poderia esperar dela. E não direcionada a você.

Contudo, era sua irmã ali. E você era uma humana estranha.

“Ficará a mais bela dama de todas, tenho certeza”, pulou Yerim.

“Vai assustá-la, Yeri. Se acalme um pouco”, pediu Soo-Young com gentileza.

Vocês subiam as escadas lentamente, os saltos mortalmente altos faziam suas pernas tremerem e se não fosse a segurança dos braços de ambas em cada lado de seu corpo, teria a impressão que rolaria aqueles degraus de forma patética. Soo-Young te lançou um olhar caloroso e gentil.

“Já fomos apresentadas mas pode nos chamar de Yeri e Joy, assim soa menos informal agora que seremos irmãs”, ela riu fraquinho. “Vossa Alteza, a rainha, pediu para que sua damas separassem três vestidos para que assim tivesse opções de escolha.”

“Eu não entendo, precisamos mesmo recebê-los hoje? Não me levem a mal, mas estou tão cansada”, você mentiu. Esperava que elas não conseguissem ver a fachada de insegurança por trás de sua primeira mentira, mas não imaginava como ver um povo pelo qual passou anos temendo e tendo de recebê-los de braços abertos como sua futura rainha pudesse acalentar seu coração inundado.

Joy e Yeri compartilharam um olhar antes de rirem juntas. Você franziu o cenho em balbúrdia.

“Perdão, mas o que é engraçado?”

“Você realmente acha que irá somente receber o povo?”, Yeri perguntou. Embasbacada com sua inocência, ela riu mais. “Eles esperam o casamento, princesa. Por isso, precisa se arrumar logo!”

Inesperadamente, você demonstra seu choque por meio de um engasgo em sua respiração. O coração acelerado mostra a forma repentina de como recebeu a notícia. Se casaria aquela noite. Certamente, havia algo de errado com aquelas pessoas. Reinos esperavam semanas para grandes casórios, a família completa se mostrava presente. Uma celebração de votos, uma comemoração da união entre duas almas. Mas ali não.

Joo-Hyun não brincara quando lhe aconselhou para que acostumasse com tal. Humana já não era mais, no momento em que teria deixado sua família nos grandes portões de seu reino.

Serviria de uma espécie de atração humana para aquele público feérico, a noiva da futura rainha de Attadolon. Teria de ser graciosa e aceitá-la sem ao menos conhecer sua cultura, seus costumes. Uma boneca para que investigassem se seria apta ao governo sem ao menos uma preparação ou teste antes. E não poderia reclamar. Resmungos seriam inúteis ali. Não a escutariam.

Sua vontade não seria feita. Você se casaria aquela noite.

A mão de Joy em sua cintura lhe trouxe de volta e você percebeu que haviam parado, nem mesmo a metade da escadaria havia sido percorrida mas a expressão de preocupação em seus traços asiáticos indicava de que sua fisionomia apaziguava o afligimento que tomava conta das irmãs ali. Dispensando toques, apresentando-se com uma sensação horrível de abandonamento quando viu o semblante triste de Yerim preencher seu campo de visão, você endireitou a coluna como seu pai havia te ensinado e sorriu.

"Está tudo bem, princesa?", ela ainda assim quis saber.

"Está sim, peço que continuemos, por gentileza. Eu odiaria deixar seus súditos esperando", firmou segurando as saias do vestido.

Desassociou-se do mundo pelo que pareceram-se horas, mas sabia captar vez ou outra o quarto ao seu redor. Uma cabeceira, uma cama grande o suficiente para caber você ali e um armário de madeira com pequenas fadas encravadas no desenho ali. Memoriou vagamente a sensação de cerdas sob seu rosto e uma consistência pesada que podia conhecer como o pó de arroz que usavam em seu reino. Entretanto, aquele tinha um cheirinho engraçado.

Quando foi posta sob a grande plateia, era como um pedaço de carne que eram apresentados no vilarejo. Aqueles novinhos que ainda não continham moscas onde eram passados. O lugar que deveria ser de seu pai era tomado por Lee Taeyong que acompanhava lentamente seu ritmo, o braço enlaçado ao seu.

"Talvez fosse de bom tom se lembrar de sorrir, princesa, todos estão olhando", ele sussurrou em seu ouvido com um sorriso dócil o suficiente para enganar as moças mais inocentes de uma aldeia qualquer. Taeyong era o que mais se destacava entre os trigêmeos, com sua áurea naturalmente bela e a pele que parecia vir com um brilho consueto em si. A cicatriz debaixo de um dos olhos deixava a aparência angelical com o toque perfeito de imperfeição. "É o dia do seu casamento, afinal. Não deveria estar infeliz."

Você teria lhe lançado um olhar se não estivessem em frente a milhares de criaturas mágicas, mas ao invés disso, apertou seu braço e forçou as pernas a se moverem com mais lentidão. O sorriso brotando lentamente nos lábios brilhosos. Sua pele tinha uma sensação térmica quente terrível, que podia se dar graças ao clima úmido da terra, mas que fazia com que o brilho adicionado em você fosse ordinário.

O tecido tão bege bem a sua pele com os detalhes dourados. As mangas abafavam a sensação calorenta dentro de si.

Olhando para o altar, ali estava Joo-Hyun. Como um cisne negro perante à luz. Os lábios agora trajavam um batom vermelho enquanto os seus carregavam um brilho básico, invertendo-as nas posições. Te voltando como a pueril donzela enquanto ela era a rainha que te dominaria a partir dali.

Pateticamente, assumiria para si mesma que não tomou muito de si para dizer aceito no altar.

Os feéricos certamente tinham um jeito de festejar. Você ainda se recordava da cerimônia suas damas de companhia a despiam das roupas pelos corredores mesmo, era algum tipo de tradição, você as escutou dizer. Havia se sentado junto da família real e observado enquanto as criaturas ao seu redor dançavam e aproveitavam da noite eterna, a sensualidade em seu chacoalhar de quadris. Era uma dança muito bonita, você pensou consigo mesma.

Pétalas vermelhas caíam de um céu encantado e rodeavam o salão, desenhos que pareciam tão astrais quanto a biblioteca de seu pai guiavam cada fada, gnomo e feérico presente ali. Cada integrante daquela linda peça parecia tão empenhado e apaixonado, quase surtia o efeito de fazê-la levantar e se juntar a eles.

"Se chama O Encanto do Amor. É uma dança na qual usamos para homenagear casamentos em nossa cultura", Joy explicou risonha. Ou talvez, bêbada, devesse admitir. Sua taça de vinho já estava vazia. "Receio que possa parecer um pouco provocativa aos olhos humanos."

Ao longe, viu quando uma das mulheres dançando se encaminhou até a grande mesa depositando uma coroa de pétalas na frente de Bae Joo-Hyun. Livrando-se do espartilho, você se perguntou o que aquilo significava. Porventura, um presente a sua futura rainha a parabenizando pela união entre dois mundos. Mas dificilmente seria vista como um prêmio por qualquer uma daquelas criaturas.

Um sentimento estranho se apossou do colo de seu ventre e você tentou o espantar para a fora, com ele a raiva que borbulhava dentro de si. A princesa de Attadolon não a conhecia, o casamento era um arranjo político e já havia sido feito. Não teriam mais problemas em provar aos dois povos que humanos e feéricos poderiam se misturar a não ser pela consumação.

Você imaginava como aquilo tomaria rumo. Tinha consciência de que em casamentos mundanos, as damas de companhia checavam os lençóis no dia seguinte em busca de sangue. Suas damas lhe explicaram tudo sobre a reprodução feminina e o que deveria esperar de sua noite de núpcias. Quando se tratava de um homem. Não ocorria de incômodo algum o fato de se casar com uma mulher, já havia conhecido alguns reinos que o faziam.

Outros achavam extremamente inadequado, mas você não se implicava à tais discussões. Apesar disso, não era o tipo de conversa que suas damas tinham contigo. Mal sabia como beijar uma mulher direito, a vergonha quase te afogou quando sentiu os lábios joviais e ardentes de Joo-Hyun tomando os seus com agressividade durante a cerimônia.

Encarou o rastro de roupas atrás de si encabulada antes de entrar direto nos aposentos que dividiria com a princesa pela noite, a encontrando ali. Você trajava uma camisola transparente que ia até os seus pés, pelo reflexo do espelho ao lado da cama na penteadeira, era capaz de ver o desenho esculpido de suas auréolas pelo tecido branco e fino.

"Princesa", você saudou fazendo uma breve reverência. Ela vestia trajes semelhantes aos seus, porém os dela eram infinitamente mais justos. Deixavam pouco para sua imaginação fértil que podia ver os seios de Joo-Hyun quase pulando para fora do decote.

Ela reconheceu sua presença com um murmúrio, retirando o batom vermelho dos lábios. Você franziu os lábios em uma linha reta em irritação.

"Como prefere que seja feito, Vossa Graça? Posso me deitar, se quiser...", você empeçou.

"Não preciso que faça nada, não vamos fazer nada", Joo-Hyun retrucou brusca. Ao se levantar, viu a mulher pentear os cabelos e se livrar das joias. De repente, fazendo com que se perguntasse o motivo de estar ali. "Poderá esperar um pouco nestas câmaras e então, retornar aos seus aposentos. Não nos veremos de novo hoje."

Você odiava se sentir de fora ou interpretar algo de forma errada, mas Joo-Hyun não se preocupava em lhe dar explicações o suficiente para que não tomasse conclusões precipitadas. Ainda assim, você tentou:

“Implementei entes que lograssem-lhe importuno?”, você quis saber. Curiosa se havia algo que teria feito pra ofender a princesa. Nada obstante, era o fato de que Joo-Hyun não carecia de motivos pra despreza-la tal qual como o contrário. Não havia esboçado uma fagulha em reação quando se tratava de si, o mais próximo que tivesse visto de um sorriso na face da menina teria sido direcionado à Kang Seulgi.

Poderia simplesmente não querer vê-la aquela noite e isso seria motivo suficiente para dispensá-la para seus aposentos. Todavia, Joo-Hyun não se importou em te avultar da razão pela qual estaria se distanciando aquela noite. Também teria escutado histórias de casamentos infelizes, homens que retornavam às suas casas tarde da noite após passarem suas madrugadas em prostíbulos.

O casamento para pares como este eram a segurança de uma vida de luxo, pois a junção das posses significava muito naquele tempo, no entanto, um pressentir infeliz pelo restante de suas vidas eram o que lhes restavam depois de tais acordos. Vareite em pensar que isto seria sua realidade.

“Não. Importuno algum, estarei me juntando aos meus em uma breve comemoração e não deve me esperar aqui quando retornar”, ela informou. Sem muitos detalhes, sem expressão. Neutra como vinha sendo desde que a conheceu. “Peço que se retire para os seus aposentos, milady.”

Joo-Hyun não aparentou paciência em esperar uma concordância, apenas te deixou ali durante sua saída. Estranhamente, não se retirou pela porta frontal mas sim por uma breve passagem que se encontrava perto de uma estante de livros. O vestígio de seus fios morenos foram a única coisa que viu durante o tempo em que deixou-se impregnar com o cheiro dourado que ela emanava.

Tinha experimentado um gostinho festeiro dos feéricos em seu baile de casamento, as danças e todo o ar depravado. Neste ínterim, não era compreensível a presença de Joo-Hyun ser requerida e a sua não. Existia um plural em noivas e ao mesmo tempo em que entendi a importância da princesa para Attadolon, teria de ser inclusa agora que eram casadas.

Afinal, eram casadas. Que tipo de baile seria mais vultoso do que a consumação de seu matrimônio? Certamente, coexistiam leis naquele mundo que as forçassem a provar a legitimidade de sua união para as forças maiores do reino.

Imagens voaram por sua mente como flashes quando se recordou da bela dama que depositou uma coroa de flores na frente de sua esposa, um sorriso ladino adornando a boca. Forçando bem agora, podia se lembrar da risada cínica de Seulgi ao lado da irmã. A boca fina estampando um sorriso vermelho.

Agarrando um robe sedoso ali, você se cobriu não querendo distribuir a vista de seus seios para o restante do castelo e saiu porta a fora ignorando a expressão confusa dos guardas que protegiam o cômodo. Passando por suas damas de companhia à sua espera, procurando a única pessoa que poderia lhe dar respostas naquele momento. Não saberia muito bem dizer onde atinaria-na, porventura, se questionasse Joy ou Yerim.

Mas não precisou.

Kang Seulgi fechava a porta de seu quarto sorrateiramente com uma taça de licor na mão quando você se aproximou, mal dizendo alguma coisa antes que ela reconhecesse sua presença.

“Que as Fadas contemplem a noivinha indigente! O que devo o prazer da sua companhia?”, a mulher sibilou se escorando nas portas de madeira. Pode reparar que ela trajava roupas de dormir como as de Joo-Hyun.

Uma camisola de seda preta, a dela, no entanto, assimilava um grande vestido gótico. Os cabelos lisos ao lado da face, sem muito volume, acarretando na expressão esquelética e maldosa da mulher. As unhas grandes pintadas de um vermelho que se juntava ao preto no final. Uma verdadeira deusa demoníaca.

Ela levou o copo aos lábios com um sorrisinho macabro de quem sabia demais.

“O que está acontecendo?”, você pediu cruzando os braços. Não se importando se pareceria rude ou não.

“Terá que ser mais específica, princesa. Como pode ver, eu não tenho uma bola de cristal. Só orelhas pontiagudas”, Seulgi devolveu.

“Onde está Joo-Hyun? Deveríamos perfazer nossos deveres e ela me deixou sem explicações claras. Apenas me informou tinha planos para essa noite”, proferiu agressiva. Kang riu melodiosamente, como um canto de sereia te arrastando para as profundezas.

“Não pensou que minha irmã fosse realmente dormir com você, pensou? Está mergulhada demais em suas histórias mundanas, princesa. As coisas não são assim aqui em Attadolon.”

É, você já estava consciente disso. Ofendida, dispensou mais insultos se negando a ruborizar com a maneira lasciva que Seulgi te encarava. Imaginou se todas as fadas continham esse olhar caído e sedutor como o dela, ou se Joo-Hyun se incomodaria em ver a irmã dela olhando para você dessa forma. Mas, aparentemente, a resposta era um claro ‘não’.

“Volte para seus aposentos, as noites aqui são longas”, aconselhou ela te deixando no meio do corredor.

Você encarou os saltos de Seulgi desaparecendo pelas escadarias e se questionou se deveria segui-la, quiçá, estivesse se encaminhando ao mesmo local de sua noiva. Tinha de saber. Habituou-se ao que achava uma maneira sorrateira de se mover pelo castelo, seguindo a feérica. Os pés descalços entravam em contato com o tecido felpudo dos tapetes que enfeitavam todo o chão do castelo e volta e meia, você se escondia entre um pilar e outro até estarem fora do grande palácio.

O clima era mais frio agora, mas ainda assim possuía quentura em si. As folhas e terra sujando as solas de seus pés conforme você se movia pra dentro da flertes atrás de Seulgi, percebeu enquanto andava que a cada passo, uma peça de roupa era descartada. Os sapatos já estavam esquecidos e logo teria sido o robe. Olhando ao redor, viu centenas de outras roupas caídas por ali.

Uma grande iluminação vinha do centro de tudo, onde, quando chegaram, viu os desenhos nus dos feéricos que teriam parabenizado-na horas atrás. Homens e mulheres se misturando em pequenos grupos entrelaçados que se abraçavam e se amavam a luz do luar. Certamente, sentiu as bochechas queimaram com a visão. Isso era mais do que já teria visto em sua vida frágil e humana.

Pessoas como ela não se reuniam assim. Intimidades eram guardadas para o quarto. Entre quatro paredes, sequer eram proferidas em voz alta no mundo feminino.

Todavia, estavam ali. Prelados com as peles brilhosas reluzindo em frente à grande lareira, viu corpos conhecidos ali. O mais recente era Seulgi se misturando com outra mulher de cabelos loiros, seu corpo nu cobriu o da companheira e você arregalou os olhos ao ver ela se ajoelhando em frente a mulher. Uma trilha de beijos dourados sendo marcados em sua pele enquanto sua boca se enterrava naquela parte tão íntima.

O som devasso te tirou de sua observação. Lee Taeyong estava ali, não mantinha em grupo algum mas dispensava suas roupas como todos ali. Uma taça de ouro em mãos e os lábios manchados da mesma cor. Parecia Apólo, o Deus do Sol.

E mais no canto, seus olhos focalizaram a visão que procurava. Joo-Hyun estava sentada em um tronco de árvore, despida como no dia em que veio ao mundo. Os cabelos com pequenas ondas desciam pelas laterais de seu corpo e as pernas estavam arreganhadas enquanto duas mulheres se ajoelhavam a sua frente, tomando tempos em devastá-la. Os mamilos enrijecidos eram rosinhas e torcidos por ela, era o semblante mais animado que já teria visto dela.

Os olhinhos curtos revirados em prazer e a boca mordida, sons baixinhos ecoavam de sua garganta e você via de relance a vermelhidão de sua intimidade pulsando quando uma de suas companheiras se afastando o suficiente para apreciar a visão de sua esposa. Um dedo esguio esfregava aquela parte esponjosa e grudentinha, um líquido branquinho se afastava dela e grudava nos dedos da mulher.

Uma sensação quente se apossou de seu ventre e você precisou fechar mais as pernas. Sentia sua intimidade pulsar junto com a dela, as bochechas deviam estar tão vermelhas que pareceria que correu uma maratona. Até mesmo se sentia meio ofegante. Os bicos de seu peito estavam tão tesos que doíam com o peso. Você arfou.

“Prefere se juntar a nós também, princesa?”, uma delas perguntou se virando para você. Seu rosto era delicadamente traçado com linhas verdes assim como sua pele. Os cabelos eram ruivos e ela cheirava as ervas de hortelã que cultivavam perto de seu castelo.

Olhares se viraram para você, Seulgi riu esganada em meio a um gemido antes de se desligar da cena e você desviou o olhar. Sabia que a mulher não devia ligar para privacidade se se encontrava ali, contudo, não pôde evitar de dar isso a ela. Mesmo que inconscientemente. De longe, podia ver Taeyong se apoiando nos próprios joelhos para observar a cena. Atrás dele, os gêmeos Hong-gi e Hyuk-jae apareciam de supetão.

“Eu… Sinto muito pela interrupção, mas..”, a vergonha te impedia de falar mas nada mais foi necessário. A fúria que Joo-Hyun demonstrou ao fechar as pernas e se levantar foi reação suficiente para o restante de sua vida mortal, se era isso que esperava.

“Não fique acanhada, princesa, junte-se a nós”, chamou a mulher verde novamente. A princesa de Attadolon, no entanto, murmurou alguma coisa em uma língua irreconhecível que fez com que essa se calasse e se desculpasse.

“Ela não fará nenhuma dessas coisas”, proferiu ríspida. “Venha comigo, agora.”

Joo-Hyun agarrou seu pulso te arrastando dali. Os cabelos iam de um lado para o outro e a carne macia chacoalhava um pouco com a força de sua pisada, você perdeu na voltinha suave que a bunda dela nua dela dava. Vez ou outra, tinha um vislumbre dos seios. Passaram alguns minutos caminhando até que se visse completamente desligada da cena que acontecia há alguns metros dali.

Foi então que se deu conta da situação em que se encontrava. Uma frágil mortal perdida em uma floresta desconhecida, numa terra desconhecida, com uma feérica furiosa. Você, silenciosamente, rezou por duas coisas ali.

Que chegasse viva ao castelo e que, por alguma razão, o ódio de Joo-Hyun se dissipasse. Você não sabia se seria atendida.

#₊‧ ˖ ࣪ ་ 🐇 works by vivi #irene smut #rv irene #irene fluff #irene red velvet #red velvet smut #red velvet #red velvet fluff #bae joohyun

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fayeforrosie · 2 years

Text

I Will Love You

Irene x Reader

Irene knows your struggling. She knows that your mental health is challenging you. So, she decided shes going to try and help you the best she can, only to find out that she's fallen deeply in love with you.

The first moment you saw Irene you hadn’t really thought much of her. Sure, she was pretty, and smart, and was kind enough to help tutor you in math, the subject in which you struggled the most in. However, with all the astonishing things that came with this beautiful woman, your heart just couldn’t feel anything for her... or anyone. It wasn’t like you didn’t like her, not at all, however with everything that you were going through, it was just too hard to actually find room in your heart to love someone.

Irene knew that you were struggling in your classes before you even knew who she was. Furthermore leading her to the decision of going up to you and finally saying something about helping you with some of your classes. You told her you would think about it, as there is many things on your plate and you don’t believe that you would even have the time to meet up with her, nonetheless, by the end of the day you hunted her down around the campus to tell her that you would do it, but only every other day for an hour.

On the days that you met, Irene was very soft with you and you found comfort in just talking to her. She was of great help and even assisted in boosting your math grade up from a D to a B-, which was “a great start” as Irene would say.

On the days where you wouldn’t meet up, Irene spent almost her entire day planning a sort of “lesson” for you and would even go to the extent of making various worksheets on her computer and printing them out for you to do with her. Sometimes she would make them a little longer just so she could be with you, and sometimes she would purposefully give harder questions so you would ask her about it and she would be able to talk to you a little more.

You didn’t speak much to Irene. You weren’t the one to speak at all really, rather your body language would give a hint at your mood for the day. Irene knew this, and didn’t push you much to speak, however she did push you academically, knowing that you needed it.

It didn’t take Irene long to notice that you were seriously struggling with a sort of mental disorder, however she didn't ask you about it and just kept the knowledge to herself. It hurt her to know that you where struggling so much, especially when evidently knowing that she was in complete love with you.

Everything about you she was in love with. The way your face would scrunch when you where struggling with one of the problems that she had given you. The way you would struggle to keep yourself awake during some of the sessions and she would have to encourage you by giving you all the reasons why the lesson mattered. She loved how shy you would get when you listened to the abundance of compliments that she would toss your way, knowing that you didn’t receive many in your life.

After about two months of Irene tutoring you, you ultimately came to the conclusion that you had grown feelings for her as well. You weren’t comfortable with saying you were in love with her yet like Irene knew she was, however you knew that she was the only special person in your life that could recieve these sort of feelings from you. Nevertheless, you only kept these feelings to yourself, and although you started acting a bit more comfortably around Irene, you never shared how you felt about her, nor have you thanked her for everything she’s done with you. She knew you were thankful, she could tell, however she still contemplated over the thought of if you even loved her as a friend.

No matter how many negative signs you gave about your feelings, Irene still continuously put all her time and effort into making you feel better. She would often stay up until early morning, simply researching facts about how to encourage someone to talk about their feelings more, or how to help someone who is struggling with a mental disorder. She learned many facts about depression that she didn’t know, and took those deeply into consideration.

It seemed, as the tutoring sessions went on, that Irenes entire life now just revolved around you, and she was completely fine with it.

Irene had dreams of waking up by your side and making you breakfast before you woke up, subsequently bringing it to you in bed, where she would lay a sweet kiss on you cheek, and then lips, and you would wake up with a smile to the pancakes she had made you. When in bed, Irene would pretend that you were next to her, sleeping peacefully in her arms, knowing that everything was going to be ok.

That’s all she wanted.

One day, when meeting with Irene for a study session, you noticed that she was not in the usual spot where you two would meet up at for the past five months. Curious, you looked around the library and found her reaching for a book from one of the shelves. Irene felt your presence, and turned to see you looking up at her with a face written of confusion. You didn’t say anything, but only stood there and watched as she finally got hold of the book that she was reaching for.

“Oh y/n, I was waiting for you to come”, she moved a bit closer to you, the book in hand. “This book will help for your history test coming up, if you want we can sit down here and I can read it to you”, Irene said with an anticipating smile. You only nodded and sat beside her on the carpet, watching as she flipped to the first page of the book.

Irene noticed how close the two of you were, picking up on the increase of her heartbeat while she tried her best to keep her composure.

Irene began to read the first page of the book she had at hand, reading a bit slower than she normally would because she knew that you had a hard time picking up on different information quickly. Irene was always considerate like that. She learned so many things about you over the past months, that she was able to adjust how she acted towards you to make you feel more comfortable.

After the first chapter, Irene book-marked the page you were on and closed the book softly. You watched as she brought her attention to you, looking up into your eyes and holding a compassionate glare over you. You knew she was waiting for you to say something... maybe your opinion on the book, or what you were confused on. Not knowing what to say, you slowly raised your head. Now looking at her, you noticed things you hadn’t noticed before, such as her beautiful, soft pink lips, sealed together as she waited for you to speak. You noticed the slight blush dancing across her doughy cheeks, heating up by the second with each moment the passed by.

For the first time in you life, you felt a feeling that you would have never thought you’d feel before... love. Everything that she did for you came back to you in a montage. All the nights she’d spend passed library hours just to help you understand a question on you assignment. All the times she would make you little study guides with little notes of encouragement next to each question. All of the consideration she would have for your mental illness, and how she would attend to your feelings and the effects of your health.

Irene was there for you when you didn’t even know you needed someone, and now looking at her, you can’t help but feel so much for the girl in front of you.

You couldn't admit that you were in love yet, however, you most certainly knew that there was room in your heart for her. You knew, just by looking into her eyes, that once you recover from your mental instability, she was going to be the one you loved. You knew that one day she will be the one that you will hold onto at night, knowing that everything would be ok.

From Irene’s perspective, she couldn’t tell at all of what you were feeling, but she knew that something was going on in your mind. She’s never seen this look on your face in her entire time with you, and she was scared to assume that it was something bad, or something that you couldn’t talk to her about.

However, with all the mixed up feelings that were jumbled in her head, she was pulled away from your thoughts as she watched your face lean in closer to hers. Irene became nervous, thinking of what you were intending to do, and the endless possibilities that could happen at this exact moment.

Subsequently, without a second thought, your lips pressed against hers mournfully for the most long-awaited kiss that Irene had dreamt of since the day she fell in love. Irene was in shock, however she felt an abundance of feelings all at once, and decided to just let them go at the moment. She closed her eyes, leaned in to you, and poured out all of the emotions that she was feeling into this life-changing kiss.

Irene brought her hand up to your cheek, cupping it softly as she leaned in closer to you and kissed you desperately, wanting nothing more than for this moment to last forever.

You brought your hand to her arm, holding it tightly so you wouldn’t fall back from the intensity of Irene’s kiss. You attempted to give the same intensity, and as a result, you brought your hand up from her arm and onto her shoulder to pull her impossibly closer and deepen the already fathomless kiss.

After what seemed to be an eternity, however still to short for the both of your likings, you pulled away and opened your eyes, only to be met with a pair that spoke all of the things that you couldn’t bring yourself to say. Irene stared into your eyes with a look of desperate love. She couldn’t help but allow a tear to trickle down her red cheeks as she realized that her feelings were hopefully reciprocated. Irene thought of all the restless nights she’d spend just thinking of you and how desperate she was to just have you laying by her side, even for a moment. She had never thought that these hopeless thoughts were ever going to become a reality, however, in the moment, a flash of hope for the both of you leapt through the faltered air, and this spark of hope was the cause of Irene’s breakdown.

Irene pulled you in, squeezing you as tight as she possibly could and used your shoulder as something to cry on. She dug her head deep into your neck, letting the endless emotions she had been feeling, all out at once. You held her close, scratching her back and whispering sweet nothings into her ear for a few minutes until she finally calmed down just a bit.

You felt a bit out of place when she finally looked back up into your eyes with her tear stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes. You were never the person that someone would go to with their problems, as you never really knew how to deal with them yourself. Whenever someone would ask you for even just the slightest advice with something, your mind went blank and you would ultimately shake your head towards them and leave them standing wordlessly ahead of you.

That’s why, holding Irene close to you as she stared into your eyes like there was no tomorrow, was something so unusual that you felt like passing away and never coming back to this moment again. Although you finally found the anguished feeling that you had long been looking for all this time, you still didn’t know what to do with them, so instead, you just stared back into her eyes and awaited what she was going to say.

“Y/n”, she finally broke the silence, her voice sounding as though there was nothing left to it, broken from all of the crying she had done just seconds ago on your shoulder. You nodded your head and waited for her next words.

“I...”, she paused and shook her head, debating on whether this was a good time to tell you that she was absolutely, deeply in love with you. “I... I’m sorry”, she resulted to saying.

Your eyebrows furrowed before you responded. “What do you mean?”

“I... I don’t know how to say this but I assume this is the right time to finally tell you...", Irene took a deep breath and prepared herself. “I’m in love with you Y/n. I am so, so in love with you. I have been since the day I met you, and every night I beat myself up knowing that I’ll never be strong enough to tell you, and things between you and me will never get past being friends. There has never been a day that has gone by where I don’t imagine a life with you and me in the future, together. I’ve wanted this for so long and now that it’s finally happening I really don’t know what to do. That’s why I cried. It’s cause I’ve just dreamt this moment for so long and it finally came, and I’m just so happy that I don’t know what to do or say. But now I do Y/n. Now I can tell you that I love you, and even if you don’t feel that strongly as I do for you, I will never, ever stop loving you. You are the best thing that’s happened to me Y/n. I really mean it when I say it. I love you, truly."

It took you a couple seconds to fully register Irene’s words. You have never known someone who has ever had feelings for you, never mind being in love.... and in addition to that, they are confronting their feelings to you in person. You felt captivated. Your emotions seemed to have emotions themselves. It was like those little characters in your head that controlled how you felt had decided to flee. You didn’t know what to say, because as you said, this has never, ever happened before. You weren’t even exactly sure how you felt about her. You had only just realized yourself that you had such deep feelings for her. Now, knowing that she was in love with you, you contemplated your own thoughts. Is there a chance that you really do love her as well? Are you only thinking this because she’s the only person who has ever given you this sort of attention, so now you feel obligated to feel the same? Maybe you don’t even like her. Maybe you only felt like this because she is the only person you have ever been close to.

Pushing these thoughts aside to be worried about later, you finally gained the courage to just let your heart do the talking. You knew you liked her. You knew you wanted to be with her. All of the overthinking was just in your head, and you needed to let her know your true feelings.

“I-Irene...”, you stuttered as you tried to gain confidence. This was your first time ever doing this, and hopefully your last. “I um... I have feelings for you as well. I don’t know exactly how I feel yet, but I just know that whenever I’m around you... I just want to stay there with you, forever. When you help me, and talk to me like I'm just a normal person, it really makes me feel loved. I’ve never had these feelings before, but I just know that they mean something good... something amazing. I hope, as we get more comfortable together, that I ultimately realize this fluttering feeling that I have inside is love. But... for now, all I can say is that I have feelings for you... and I hope you can understand and accept that. Everything is new to me. I didn’t even know I was capable of having these feelings, but here I am. Thank you Irene.”

You looked into her eyes, both you and her had the utmost tears flowing down your blushed cheeks. The two of you hadn’t even notice that you both were crying, but you just let it happen. You let your feelings overcome you and expose something wonderful, and you were proud of yourself.

“Y-Y/n...”, Irene smiled, her glass eyes squinting in happiness. She looked at your like a proud mother watching her daughter finally pass high school, except you knew that this was her way of showing love. You noticed that she would give this type of look to you often, and now, you realized what it meant. It meant she was in love. All this time when she would look into your beautiful eyes, she fell in love deeper, and you had just come to this realization.

Irene wanted to say something, but she really couldn’t. Everything was just too perfect... so instead, she took your hand and led you to stand. Once upright, she wrapped her arms around you and pulled you in to a tight, caring hug.

You wrapped your arms around her waist and buried your head into her warm neck, smiling to yourself. As you held tight onto her body, letting all your troubles go and your tears flow freely from your closed eyes, you realized that you were home. Irene, the girl that you knew was there for you since you needed it, was the only person who could really, truly make you happy.

"I will love you Irene... eventually... when I know I am capable of doing so."

Hi everyone!! This is my first fanfic on tumblr!! I hope you enjoyed!! I plan to write many more for many other idols!! Irene is one of my ult biases and I had this imagine stuck in my head for so long so I just had to share it with others haha. I have been struggling mentally for some time and felt that this was a good way to portray how I feel and how others may feel as well. If anyone out there who is reading this is struggling as well, please feel free to message me! :) If you have any recommendations or questions feel free to message me as well!! It's always open!! I really only write for girl groups so if you recommend a male idols I might not write it:(( But anyway... I hope everyone enjoyed, please follow for more as I will be posting often and will write all recommendations!!

#irene bae #rv irene #bae joohyun #red velvet #irene imagines #irene scenarios #irene x reader #red velvet imagines #irene #kpop #fluff #romance #confession #falling in love #college au #tutoring #mental health

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multiphandomunnies · 1 month

Text

Irene

better

not enough?

freezing

accidental

thank you

can’t wait (slightly *M*)

foreign arrangements

foreign arrangements part two

harry potter au

soulmate au

come with me…

lavender

what’s mine is yours

(*T*) online shopping

please don’t tease (*M*)

i want you here

(*T*) tic attacks

lovely

join me?

anything else?

highlighters

distance is fine

why do you need to know?

kissing irene

single mom au

this isn’t over

fluffy cloud

questions

heartbreak for your happiness

don’t lie to me

cold and stoic

something screamed

ms. popular

girlfriend irene

#red velvet #kpop #kpop imagines #kpop scenarios #kpop fluff #kpop angst #kpop reacts #kpop reactions #bae joohyun #irene red velvet #red velvet imagines #red velvet fluff #red velvet scenarios #red velvet angst #irene fluff #irene angst #irene imagines #bae joohyun imagines

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seulgiwifeee · 2 months

Note

Your stories are adorable. Can you please write irene taking care of sick reader after reader didnt listen to her and decided to play in the snow without a proper coat.

♡ Member: Irene x Femreader

♡ Theme: Fluff

♡ Warning: Idk,, she calls you stupid but it's just out of love lololol o̴̶̷̤ ̫ o̴̶̷̤ , she’s very teasing

Word count: 1.9k

তততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

"Joohyun! Joohyun!"

In the kitchen where Irene once was peacefully cooking breakfast, she was startled from the sudden bang of the front door slamming into the wall, followed behind with the roar of your mini outburst. The jumpy girl quickly turned with a gasp to face where she'd heard your cheery voice belt from, staring at you with wide eyes as she held onto her thumping heart. You could've at least given the poor girl a heads ups before bursting in like that.

"Sorry sorry, but look what I made for you!" you exclaimed with a joyful smile, quickly bouncing up and down like a hyper child while you proudly showed off the snow duck you had spent minutes upon minutes molding to perfection.

Irene gleamed as she eyed your creation, but her smile faded as quickly as it came once she put her focus back up, noticing how you were wearing nothing but a measly, thin zip-up jacket, nothing to cover your head or ears whatsoever and didn't even bother to change out from your pajama pants.

"Y/N-AH!" Irene whined angrily, marching towards you. A shiver jolted throughout her small body from a chilly winter breeze swirling past the opened door and with a clenched fist to her side, her other grabbed onto your jacket. "Are you crazy? What's this?! Where's your coat? How did you expect this little thing to cover you up?!"

Oh.

You stood frozen for a second, staring at Irene a bit stunned. All you were trying to do was show your girlfriend the cute little snow duck you made for her.. you weren't expecting to get fussed at in return.

"Oh don't worry, Hyun! I wasn't outside for probably any more than ten minutes. I doubt a coat was really necessary," you assured in a sweet tone trying to calm her down but all she did was shoot you one of those looks that quickly silenced you from saying any further words and ran her hand up to your rosy cheek, shuddering once she felt how freezing it was.

"You're literally freezing, Y/N. I don't care how long you stayed out there, you can still get sick!" Irene stressed, taking the snow duck from you and carefully placing it back outside beside the bushes, immediately closing the door once she stepped back inside.

"Baby, don't worry!" you whined, crossing your arms. "I promise you, I'm fi-f-f-"

You couldn't even finish your sentence before a dramatic, very poorly-timed sneeze slipped out, cutting you off. Man, why does universe always have to mess up every chance you get when trying to prove Irene wrong at something.

Irene placed her hands on her hips, her lips pursed and tilted her head at you. "Yeah, that's what I thought." Irene grabbed onto your wrist and led you down the hallway to your room. "See, I told you you should've worn the coat, but no, just don't listen to me I guess."

You lowered your head in embarrassment, mumbling a low but sarcastic 'My bad' as you scratched your neck.

"Come on, baby. I promise I'm not sick! That was just one stupid sneeze, it doesn't prove anything!" you insisted while Irene hurriedly started pulling off your outdoor clothes.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah!" you sniffed, rubbing the back of your hand over your congested nose. "That was just a little in-the-moment sneeze. I bet you I won't be sneezing anymore by the next hour or two!"

Irene quirked a challenging brow, cocking her head and crossed her arms, staring at you with an almost amused look. "Oh really?"

"Yeah!"

"Ohh really?"

"Yeah really!" You mentally slapped yourself as another mistimed sneeze snuck out.

Her firm look never faltered, but she unfolded her arms and shrugged. "Alright then, Y/N. Whatever you say."

She patted your shoulder and walked off back into the kitchen to continue her cooking.

You placed your hands on your hips as you watched her walk off, a determined look now displayed confidently on your features.

You know what?.. Yeah! You weren't sick and you were going to prove Irene wrong!

তততততততততততততততততততততততততততততত

{Next day}

"ACHOO!"

Or.. maybe you weren't.

Irene sighed as she pulled another tissue out for you. "I know you regret not wearing that coat now, huh?"

You purposefully avoided eye contact with Irene and fanned her off, taking the tissue and gave a nasty little blow into it. "Oh whatever."

Irene's smirk was hidden behind her face mask as she turned on the mini heater and faced it towards you. "I bet you wish that you would've just listened to me.."

Uninterested in her teasing, you just shook your head and mumbled an 'ahuh.'

"You know.. because I was right."

"Okay okay I get it already! Sheesh!" you weakly shoved Irene's shoulder as she held her stomach cackling at you. “You were right and I was being stupid! There, I said it!"

You knew all Irene wanted to hear was that she was right right right and that you were always wrong wrong wrong whenever you'd never take her advice. And you honestly couldn't even get mad because.. well.. it's true, no matter how many times you've tried to prove her wrong.

You're just a little klutz, you can't help it! But that's one of the things Irene loves most about you since it ignites a little more of a chaotic spark in your relationship.

Irene ran her hand down your face and cupped your puffy cheek, pinching it teasingly as she slightly leaned down. "I know."

You scrunched your nose at her smugness, seeing her wide smile shine through her mask as she trailed down your side, placing a tiny hand on your waist. "You're my stupid little Y/N."

Irene sat up from the bed and placed the tissue box on the nightstand before she left the room.

She arrived back not too long after with a steaming bowl of soup and sat back on the edge of the bed next to you. She scooped up a spoonful of the steamy soup and motioned it towards your mouth. "Say ahh."

You squinted at Irene, raising a declining hand to block your face as you slowly shook your head before clearing your throat to speak at her with your painfully hoarse voice. "You don't have to do all of this. I can still pick up a spoon you know!" you argued with a pout.

"Don't be so stubborn, darling. Just relax and let me take care of you." Irene gently fanned over the spoon to cool off the heat. "Now, open wide for the airplane!" She motioned the spoon in zigzags, making little buzzing noises with her lips as it inched closer to your mouth.

You quickly turned your head, covering your cheeks as they flushed deeply in embarrassment from this childish treatment. "Joohyunn!"

Her own face burned a crimson red as she giggled at you some more. "Okay okay, I'll stop teasing you! But still, open wide, or else I'll change my mind and continue to baby you."

You turned your head back to her reluctantly and slightly parted your lips. Irene slipped the spoon into your mouth letting the hot liquid flow down your throat.

"How is it?" Irene asked as the spoon continued to sit in your mouth. You nodded your head with a smile.

Anything Irene cooks is automatically a ten to you.

An even brighter smile was shown behind her mask with her risen cheekbones and the wrinkles formed in the corners of her eyes. "Good. I had to make it perfect just for you!"

You continued to let her feed you until you had gotten full and decided to take a quick nap.

—

"Nope! Nope. You're insane if you think I'm taking that." You swayed your head away each time she dared to shove the tiny shot of that disgusting red goop anywhere near your lips.

"Y/N!" Irene groaned as you continued to squirm around, purposefully being difficult with her. "Unless you want to stay sick longer you need to take this medicine."

"Well, maybe I do want to stay sick!" you humphed as you hid your head beneath the pillow.

Irene narrowed her eyes. "Come on! If you just drink it really fast it'll be over before you realize it!" Irene encouraged but you still shook your head relentlessly. "Absolutely not!"

Irene threw her head back as she sighed. "Y/N.."

You groaned as you slowly turned your face back over to Irene. "Finee." You parted your lips just barely enough for air to flow in and out.

Irene quickly, yet still not fast enough, poured that horrid cherry syrup into your mouth. You instantly made wincing faces and gagged dramatically as you speedily shook your head. It seriously took everything in you to not spit that bitter mess back into her face.

Irene placed the cup down and grabbed a tissue to wipe the little droplets of medicine that accidentally spilled around your mouth. "See? Wasn't too bad, right?"

All you could do was whine in response as you continued to shake your head in disagreement.

—

Irene entered the dimly lit room to check up on you while she held a cup of honey tea in one hand.

She quietly chuckled to herself once she spotted how you laid in the bed; your vision going on and off as you were on the brink of sleep with your phone gradually slipping more out of your hand as you halfmindedly scrolled on it and your nose just completely stuffed with crumpled tissues.

She walked over to you and took away your phone before you could end up dropping it on your face.

"Hey!.. I was using that!" you weakly called out, struggling to even keep your eyes open as you followed the movements of Irene placing your phone on the nightstand.

"Sure.." Irene placed the tea down and climbed into the bed, laying right beside you.

She leaned up and pulled out all the tissues from your nose, wincing when she saw your gross mucus string out your nose and quickly threw them into the tiny trash can beside your bed that was already brimming with other used tissues from that day.

She wiped away any other residue around your nose and once cleaned up she grabbed the humidifier from the stand and held it under your nose. "I brought you some tea so whenever you want to drink it it’ll be on the stand."

You hummed in response but did no more than continue to lay put in the same spot.

Irene continued to let the humidifier run until she noticed you how you’d gone motionless, assuming you had finally fallen asleep.

She removed it from under you and placed it back on the stand. She lowered the brightness on the lamp and laid back down, wrapping her arms around your waist and leaning in close. "Y/N?"

There's no reply from you as she whispered your name a second time just to confirm that you were asleep.

She gently grazed a hand along your face and stared down at you, gazing at you with heart eyes as she admired her one and only lover. "Oh my stupid little Y/N.." she leaned in and placed a kiss on your cheek through her mask. "I love you."

Though your body language showed her otherwise, it didn’t take away from the fact that you were still awake, conscious just enough to comprehend her teasing words and feel her warming touches. You couldn't help yourself as a tiny smile lifted the corners of your lips.

You moved your leg to intertwine with hers, catching her off guard, but she eased into your touch and twisted your legs tighter. You turned your head to her, leaning in close and lifted your heavy eyes to look at her so you could speak one last time before going back to your nightly rest.

"I love you too, Joohyun."

You know, you can never go wrong ending a fluff with a good ole "I love you" also, ALWAYS listen to the Bae Joohyun's advice >:( !!

— Seulgiwifee ໒꒰ྀི♡˵ᴗ͈ . ᴗ͈ ꒱ྀི১

#red velvet #irene red velvet #kpop imagines #red velvet imagines #kpop #wlw #fem reader #irene #bae joohyun #bae joohyun x reader #irene imagines #irene x reader #kpop fanfic #kpop gg #fluff #request

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sodamvelvets · 2 years

Text

“it’s not you i want- part two”

bae joohyun x fem reader, park sooyoung x fem reader (platonic)

highschool!au (everyone is 18) + fake dating

warnings: swears, a nonconsensual kiss, violence

summary: your feelings become muddled as your best friend’s plan begins to come to fruition, just not in the way either of you expected.

word count: 11,504

part one | part two

a/n: apologies for taking longer than i intended to with this part, i ended up rewriting a lot of it, but i think it was for the better. thank you everyone for your kind reception to the first part, and for waiting so patiently. additionally, i’m sorry about the length the original 7k word count i projected was heavily off, whoops. regardless, please enjoy ;)

Frustration fills you as you sulk to class, Sooyoung by your side and matching your every stride, and for once, she’s not the cause of your bad mood. Theoretically, you should be fairly pleased right now, there are only a few days left until your project is over, and better yet the end of your relationship with Sooyoung, but even those manners can’t manage to cheer you up, your thoughts too focused on tomorrow’s volleyball game, the first of a tournament that could eventually take you to regionals if you win all your matches. However, this doesn’t seem likely to you based on your teammates’ frequent blunders and overall incompetence during practice lately. Unlike you though, Sooyoung seems optimistic, reminding you often that the number of practices has doubled over the last week, leaving the team stretched thin and exhausted, which is why much to your displeasure, she’s canceled practice today.

“Seriously, Y/N?” Sooyoung calls to you as you purposely quicken your pace, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips as she jogs to keep up with you. “You know it was the right call.”

Still, you ignore her, not even acknowledging her presence until you’ve reached your classroom and headed to your seat, carelessly dropping your bag on the floor, but still remaining standing as you turn to face your best friend with crossed arms. “We’ll see if that stays true tomorrow.”

Sooyoung grins, and you can’t tell if it’s because you’re finally talking to her again or she’s just that sure of herself. “It will,” She assures. “Hey, have you asked her to the game yet?”

You fight back the urge to groan. Sooyoung has only become more determined over the past week and a half, especially after your study session with Joohyun, which after much pestering from her end, you had recounted to her in its entirety, well mostly. Your skin still warms at the memory of Joohyun’s lips on your cheek and while it might be important for your best friend to know, you thought it best to keep it to yourself for now as you remained unsure of Joohyun’s intentions. Plus, the fresh memory of last weekend and the transformation of Sooyoung’s dejected grimace to a hopeful smile when you had tentatively brought up the reason for her break up was still ingrained in your mind, the moment repeating itself tortuously every time you considered telling her.

“But ‘I think so’ means there’s some part of her that’s unsure about whoever she likes,” A soured expression crossed Sooyoung’s face before she continued optimistically. “That means I still have a chance.”

“That’s one way to look at it, “ You shrugged, ignoring your internal guilt for your doubtfulness as you concerned yourself with watching Sooyoung’s two younger sisters, Jiyeong and Minji, both of who were spitting images of your best friend and just as devious, while they played with the family dog at the nearby park, their elated squeals cutting through the humid spring air as they chased poor Haetnim in circles.

You had always enjoyed babysitting Sooyoung’s siblings with her, having a well-known soft spot for the two that often resulted in them convincing you to buy treats for them, and the pair of Melona wrappers in your hand made no exception to that, much to Sooyoung’s scolding.

“You’re such a downer Y/N,” Sooyoung groaned, poking your side, but the upwards curl of her lip told you she didn’t mean it.

“I try,” You deadpanned, prodding her back. Your eyes widened. “Shit! Minji!” You shouted after the younger girl as she lobbed something (that you could only hope was mud) at an unsuspecting Jiyeong, resulting in a loud cry as you ran after a giggling Minji trying to catch her before she could get into more trouble, while Sooyoung followed behind you, laughing the whole time.

“Y/N?” Sooyoung snaps her fingers at you, and you blink at the recollection, bathing in it. It felt nice, the mundaneness of it all, like everything was normal again. You promise yourself to savor the feeling. “Did you hear me? I asked if you-”

“No,” You reply shortly, cutting her off, your gaze flickering to the doorway to see if Joohyun is coming. “Not yet.” You can practically feel your best friend roll her eyes as she lets out an irritated sigh.

Bae Joohyun. Aside from Sooyoung and your volleyball team, she’s become your other problem lately. You’ve gotten to know the older girl quite well over the past two weeks, even better than how you previously knew her after your library study, and you’re not completely sure how but she’s managed to get you to open up too, something she seems fairly proud of, especially so when you told her you hadn’t made a friend since Seulgi. Truthfully, you’re surprised at how different Joohyun is from how you perceived her, she’s nowhere near as mature and reserved as you once believed, but rather bold and playful given the chance. She’s told you more about herself than you ever knew there was, and you’ve vowed to remember every part, from her favorite color being purple, to her hatred of coffee and chicken.

You feel almost guilty for not knowing this side of her already, despite orbiting in the same circles for a brief period, you never made an effort to get to know her, much to Sooyoung’s disappointment. You didn’t talk with her much you realize, not because you didn’t like her, but simply because you weren’t interested, you had a feeling she would be just another passing figure in Sooyoung’s life, so why bother with the formalities and fake conversations if they wouldn’t matter in three months. You never ignored her completely though, in fact occasionally during the times when Sooyoung would invite you along on a date with her and Joohyun in an attempt to get you to talk with the brunette you’d carry out short conversations, most of which were meaningless and all of them painfully uncomfortable. Looking back on it now, you regret not being more amiable.

But none of those moments were relaxed like the moments you have now. It’s nice having someone besides Sooyoung to share your life with. Yet it’s somehow also stressful, what was once a rarity now seems to be a commonality, the weird, inexplicable feeling you get around her during your average conversations to your most intimate moments. You’re not sure what it means, after all, you’ve only been truly in love once and your baseline idea of love doesn’t quite feel the same. This time it’s different, instead of a simple sense of euphoria, there’s now a constant buzzing deep in your chest too, and warmth in your heart. You don’t know what to call it currently, but you know you can’t tell Sooyoung about it, so you’re left alone to ruminate in your own thoughts, and the only thing you’ve become certain of is that it’s impossible not to get lost in everything about Joohyun. At least, you finally understand, just a bit, why everyone around you is so in love with her, and why Sooyoung is trying so hard to get her attention back.

“Why haven’t you invited her yet?” Sooyoung questions, reminding you of her original inquiry.

“I forgot,” You say honestly. “I’ll do it today.”

Sooyoung nods, accepting your answer, and the two of you begin talking about random things until Sooyoung obnoxiously clears her throat, motioning behind you. Rolling your eyes, you lightly punch her in the shoulder, before turning around to see Joohyun. She’s dressed more casually than usual today, wearing a loosely fitting sweatshirt and high-waisted jeans with her hair down in mused waves, a large contrast to her typical button-up blouse or knitted sweater. You can’t help the smile that briefly appears on your face as she approaches the two of you, her expression unexpectedly blank.

“Hi,” Joohyun looks between you and Sooyoung, who’s moved her hand to wrap around your waist. Joohyun’s jaw visibly clenches. “Sorry for interrupting,” she says, her voice taut.

You frown, tilting your head. Recently, you’ve started to notice the small things about Joohyun, like how she smells nearly everything she touches or constantly tucks her hair back while talking, and it certainly hasn’t escaped your attention that recently she’s become tense around Sooyoung, acting almost if she was upset by something your best friend was doing, or maybe it was you. The thought makes you deflate slightly.

Beside you, Sooyoung smirks, seeming to observe Joohyun’s reaction as well. “It’s fine, we were just finishing up.” Unexpectedly, your best friend’s lips are suddenly pressed against yours, and you’re barely able to register it before she pulls away, wearing a sickening grin on her lips. Your eyes immediately go to Joohyun, who’s staring at the two of you in disbelief and something else you can’t quite decipher. You find yourself numb to the anger you should be feeling, more consumed with worry as Joohyun’s gaze meets yours, and you swear you see a glimmer of hurt in her brown eyes before it’s gone, replaced by neutrality.

“No problem,” She says, her tone pleasant. “Let me know when you’re done,” She calls, walking away to go meet Jisoo.

“What the hell Sooyoung!” You exclaim, the shock wearing off as you pull out of her grasp, struggling to keep your temper from flaring now that Joohyun is gone. “Why would you do that?”

But Sooyoung doesn’t hear you, she’s far too caught up in celebrating Joohyun’s reaction to care about your annoyance. “She’s totally jealous.”

“Sooyoung, do you hear me?” You hiss, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at you, but you let go as soon as you notice your classmates’ eyes on you. “Why would you do that?” You repeat, evening out your voice.

The pleased grin Sooyoung wears fades at your words as her lips turn upward in an uncharacteristic sneer. “Why would I do that?” Sooyoung echoes, more mockingly than seriously. “You know exactly why, and I don’t see why you would suddenly care about it now. What, do you like Joohyun too?”

You're sure she didn’t mean the last part, but you still turn away unable to look your best friend in the eye. “No,” You reply firmly. You can’t like Joohyun. You can’t betray Sooyoung like that.

“Then what’s the problem?”

You glance at Sooyoung, shaking your head and breathing out deeply. It occurs to you how badly you’d like to slap Sooyoung and truthfully it takes everything in you not to, as you force yourself to ignore the nagging voice in your head telling you to strike back for once, but as usual, you manage to control yourself, focusing on the calming thought that in three days this arrangement will be over. There’s no point in arguing with Sooyoung when you’re so close to the end. You can acknowledge the problem you have was not with this kiss itself, but the effect of it. Still, you push down that thought, silently choosing to keep your word and continue with Sooyoung’s games, hoping that after you can fully resolve the seemingly ever-growing pile of issues with her.

“You should leave,” You mutter finally, biting your tongue to prevent the temptation of saying anything more.

“Why?” Sooyoung asks incredulously, practically bristling.

“You just should,” You say, your gaze shifting to the back of Joohyun’s head as Jisoo mutters something to her. “Please,” You add flatly.

Sooyoung stares at you, and you can tell she’s trying to figure something out, perhaps why you’ve chosen to be so cordial, but eventually, she gives up and leaves. You let out a huff of air as Sooyoung disappears into the hallway, sighing as you make your way towards Joohyun, and nodding gratefully to Jisoo as she quickly excuses herself upon your arrival.

“Hey,” You greet, sitting down next to Joohyun. She doesn’t look at you, and admittedly you’re hurt by this, but you choose to ignore it as you continue. “I'm sorry about my, uh, girlfriend.”

“It’s fine,” Joohyun insists. “I don’t care, remember?”

“Right,” You say, ignoring the feeling that she said that more to console herself than you. “Well even if that’s how you feel, I’m still really sorry, and if there’s anything I can do to make it up to you let me know.”

“How about a date?”

You choke. “Sorry?”

“I’m joking,” Joohyun says with a laugh, poking your stomach. “Free tickets to your game would suffice.”

You dip your head to hide your flustered state, before sinking a little further into your seat, cursing the universe and its way of making unwanted conveniences materialize. “I can get you two,” You say finally. “But don’t let anyone find out or my coach will kill me,” You add lightly, a soft smile crossing your lips.

Joohyun grins. “Well, we can't have that can we?”

“No, we can’t.”

Joohyun’s mood seems to improve greatly after that, especially when your teacher announces they’re leaving early and you can have the rest of the period as a free block. Soon enough you find yourself accompanying Joohyun to lunch, your fingers thrumming gently against the metal of the cafeteria bar and tapping out an uneven beat while you watch Joohyun distractedly reach for a pre-prepared meal as she chatters in your ear about relatively meaningless things.

Unwilling to interrupt her, you gingerly take hold of her slim wrist, feeling her almost unnervingly soft skin briefly tense at your touch before she relaxes, glancing at you with an inquisitive look that makes your breath catch in your throat and your hand quickly jump to the back of your neck. “That one's chicken,” You mumble abashedly, looking anywhere but the brunette. “It’ll make you sick.”

Joohyun tilts her head, eyes squinting subtly as the corner of her mouth curves upwards before she wordlessly grabs a different packaged lunch. “Not chicken,” She declares proudly, holding it out for you to inspect.

“Not chicken,” You agree, an adoring smile subconsciously appearing on your lips before you turn away, browsing for your own lunch until eventually settling on an unpopular soup and rolling your eyes when Joohyun begins to playfully berate you for your choice, only stopping when you lightly hit the crown of her head, prompting a melodramatic yelp but nothing else.

“Aren’t you going to go be with Sooyoung?” Joohyun asks as you hover behind her, absentmindedly picking at the plastic wrapping on your spoon while she finishes swiping her meal card.

You puff your cheeks, paying for your food and peering over at your usual spot where your best friend waits with the rest of your teammates, the empty seat next to her clearly meant for you, despite your earlier spat. Common sense tells you it would be best to sit with her, to resolve any tensions and keep up your charade, but the way your heart cracks when you notice the glimmer of hope in Joohyun’s eyes at your hesitation leads you in another, less rational direction.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine without me for one day,” You say, and the beaming grin Joohyun gives you is immediately worth it as you allow the older girl to take you by the arm, and lead you to the school’s senior longue, where a handful of other people appear to be waiting for her and a few others, the only one currently there that you recognize is Jisoo, who seems surprised yet also pleased to see you.

“Y/N,” She greets with a nod, a smirk plastered on her lips, her amused gaze meeting Joohyun’s and causing you to glance between the two as Joohyun only shakes her head, drawing out an unexpected chuckle from Jisoo before she delves back into a conversation with the girl on her left, leaving you confused and looking to Joohyun for clarification.

“Don’t worry about it,” She says, pulling you down to the ground where you take a seat, back against the wall, a millimeter of space between you and Joohyun.

Admittedly you feel out of place as you eat your lunch, unable to remember the names of any of Joohyun’s friends, save for Roseanne, the blonde who showed up later, but you only knew her from hanging around Joohyun so much, recognizing her to be Jisoo’s girlfriend that you’d met twice before at a group study and you’d gotten on well enough with her. Still, you opt to only listen as the brunette talks with her friends, watching her reactions with interest and every once in a while you’ll politely chime in when Joohyun pushes you to, but for the most part, you’re content to just silently follow along and observe. Eventually, Jisoo and Joohyun’s friends disperse, heading back to their classes, leaving the three of you behind, having no interest in returning to your classroom to carry out the rest of your free block.

“I like having you as my partner,” Joohyun says softly after a few moments of silence, and you can’t help but notice Jisoo watching you two in the least subtle way possible.

“I do too.”

“You’re not going to ditch me when this is over, right?” Joohyun asks, gaze meeting yours, and although her voice is laced with a joking tone you can tell it’s all but that. “We’ll still talk?”

“Of course,” You say. “I’ll never leave you.”

Joohyun nods in contentment, leaning into your side, her head moving to rest on your shoulder as her hair tickles your cheek and for once, you register, your body doesn’t go rigid at someone else’s touch. However, that doesn’t mean you’re not surprised when her arm hooks around yours, clutching it as her eyes flutter shut, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

“Tired?” You murmur softly in question, looking down at the smaller girl as she turns to hide her face in your neck.

You can feel Joohyun’s lips curve into a smile. “A little.”

You swallow, ignoring the sudden chill you feel. “We have a bit left, you can take a nap if you want?”

“Will you wake me up?” She mumbles.

“I will,” You say, offering her your pinky which she takes with a laugh. “I promise.”

You begin to feel wary as you notice Joohyun’s chest rising and falling slower while she sinks into a deep sleep, and you’re suddenly hyper-aware of the girl sitting across from you. You’ve always felt off around Kim Jisoo, not because you didn’t get along with her, but because you always had an odd sense that she knew more than she let on. Like you, she’s clever and perceptive and her smirks and glances begin to replay in your mind as you watch her type something into her phone. You can’t help but feel leery, an inkling of paranoia filling you as you wonder if perhaps she has figured Sooyoung and you out or at least come close. If anyone were to figure you out, it would be Jisoo, and the realization doesn’t exactly console you.

“You two would make a good couple,” Jisoo hums suddenly, making you jump. Her stare is fixed between you and Joohyun, her trademark analytical look back on her face and you’re sure she’s judging you, but for what you’re not sure. “I approve.”

Your eyes widen. “I don’t like her in that way,” You say adamantly, ignoring Jisoo’s arched brow. “And I have a girlfriend,” You hastily add on, cringing at how your last sentence came out as more of an unconvincing afterthought than anything.

“Right,” Jisoo chuckles, and you swear there’s a hint of knowingness in her voice as she continues. “But if you didn’t.”

You open your mouth to respond but you falter, realizing you have nothing to say and Jisoo seems to take that as an unspoken answer, going back to what she was doing as if nothing had happened, as if what she’d said wasn’t threatening to unravel the very thin veil you’d crafted between yourself and a forbidden thought you had long ago, pushed away into the deepest dredges of your mind.

But if you didn’t. The words ring in your head. If you weren’t fake dating Sooyoung, and if up until recently you weren’t so sure Seulgi was the only one for you, if you had just gotten to know Joohyun without your best friend’s hovering and constant check-ins, then what? What would your life be like? You look to your side, at Joohyun, whose gentle breaths brush against your neck. You reach to push a strand of her hair aside and when you look up, Jisoo is once again watching you.

“I-” You begin, but Jisoo interrupts you.

“I know,” She says.

You’re unable to hide your shock in time and Jisoo notices it donning an enigmatic smile, for a moment you contemplate playing dumb, but you know there’s no point. “How?” You ask finally.

Jisoo tilts her head, looking at you like the answer is the most obvious thing in the world. “Because,” She gestures between you and Joohyun, “You never look at Sooyoung the way you look at her.”

An hour later, you’re walking down the halls towards the exit, your bag hitched on your shoulder as your own thoughts consume you. Joohyun didn’t wake up until you tenderly shook her awake just minutes before the end of the day, and the tired grin she gave you was enough to make your heartbeat quicken. You’d half expected Jisoo to blurt out your secret then and there, but true to her word she said nothing, and you hoped she’d keep her promise as she drove home with Joohyun. In a way, it’s freeing knowing that someone else knew of your charade, but at the same time, you feel guilty, the weeks of deceit catching up to you in one single stride as you think of Joohyun. You don’t like lying, even if it’s for the sake of your best friend. You resolve to tell Joohyun everything once everything is over, and the weight on your consciousness feels subtly lighter.

“Hey! Y/N!” A voice, which you’re easily able to recognize as Sooyoung’s, calls from behind you, followed by heavy footfalls and eventually a hand on your shoulder. “Why didn’t you stop?” She huffs, not exactly out of breath, but clearly a little affected by the exertion.

You raise a brow, unamused. “Do you really want me to answer that Sooyoung?”

“No, ” Sooyoung sighs, going silent and allowing a growingly palpable tension to settle in between the two of you. “I’m sorry,” Sooyoung says a few beats later. “About earlier.”

You glance at Sooyoung for a moment, before looking away, not responding as you continue to walk, twirling the keys to your car on your finger in thought. Truthfully, you’re no longer upset with her, at least not as much as you were previously, but you’re still hurt. You’ve come to the conclusion that over the past month, Sooyoung has changed into someone you no longer know, her obsession with Joohyun taking up her life and leaking into yours as she drags you along in this stupid plan, and you can’t help but wish you hadn’t let yourself get into this. And maybe you’re naive to think this, you realize as you notice Sooyoung beginning to leave, but you can’t help but hope that in two more days it will all go back to normal.

“Hey, Sooyoung?” You call, causing her to turn around. “I’m sorry too.”

Sooyoung smiles softly. “Thank you.”

///

Your fingers run over the hem of your volleyball uniform, anxiously fidgeting with your shirt before you take a deep inhale, beginning to stretch out your legs and arms. You notice that more people than usual line the stands today as you glance over to the crowd and despite your growing unease, your gaze instinctively skims through it, searching for the comfort of a certain brunette, but much to your disappointment, you’re unable to spot her.

“Feeling alright?” Sooyoung asks, her words startling you out of your distracted state as she places a consoling hand on your shoulder making you tense and she quickly lets go of you with an apologetic look.

You reach for your neck. “Yeah,” You say unconvincingly, and your best friend arches a doubtful brow. “You?”

Sooyoung shrugs, her eyes falling towards your teammates, an unimpressed hum escaping her as you witness Seungwan overshoot her serve. “Could be better,” Sooyoung remarks, crossing her arms.

You shake your head. “I’m sure we’ll do fine.”

“Hey,” Sooyoung peers at you, her lip quirked upwards. “Since when are you the optimistic one?” She teases, nudging your side.

“You’re insufferable,” You groan, rolling your eyes and letting out a huff while you try your best to appear unaffected by her provocations, but after years together it’s hard to hold back your amusement around Sooyoung and the smallest of laughs manages to worm its way out of you.

“See? You don’t really think that,” She declares, attempting to hug you but you push her away and she feigns insult, grasping her arm theatrically.

“I definitely do,” You assure her flatly.

“Sure,” Sooyoung concedes, although her tone is still playful. “By the way,” She starts casually after a few beats of silence. “Have you seen Joohyun?”

“No,” You resist the urge to frown, the reminder of Joohyun breaking you away from the normalcy of the moment, and tearing you back into the reality of your stress-filled charade. It’s bittersweet, how you find your heart aching for a time one month ago when your relationship with Sooyoung wasn’t so strained and centered around someone else. But at the same time, you also find yourself realizing that you could never let go of your precious memories with Joohyun, a twinge of yearning making itself known at the mere thought of losing her. You grimace, it reminds you of how you felt when Seulgi told you she was leaving.

“But I thought you invited her?” Sooyoung asks, shoulders slouching.

“I did,” You reply, looking over to the crowd again and you’re almost embarrassed by how hopeful you are that you’ll find the girl that is quickly becoming your favorite person, or, you peek at Sooyoung, second favorite.

“She’s over there,” Sooyoung murmurs, elbowing you and jutting her chin towards your left.

You follow her directions with a raised brow, spotting Joohyun alongside Jisoo. She laughs at something, the amusement reaching her eyes while she joyously claps her hands, and even from afar her presence relaxes you. As if sensing your stare, Joohyun’s dusky eyes suddenly meet yours, her smile widening as she waves softly at you, eagerly pointing at her shirt which you see has your school logo on it and sending you a thumbs up. You sheepishly return the gesture, before her attention returns to Jisoo, who is pointing at Sooyoung and whispering something into Joohyun’s ear, the brunette reacting to whatever was said shyly and ducking her head. Inexplicably, a burning flash of nausea sweeps through you, leaving you momentarily shaken, before you recenter yourself.

You turn to Sooyoung, expecting her to celebrate Joohyun’s acknowledgement and you’re confused to be met with an inquiring expression, her gaze flickering between the two of you, but she seems to shrug it off, an easy-going grin returning to her lips, and you find your unknowingly tense shoulders loosening.

“Did you see that?” Sooyoung asks, an ecstatic tone to her voice that reminds you of the energized way her younger sisters speak to you.

“Yeah,” You blink. “I did.”

But you don’t get to say anything else as your coach calls you and Sooyoung over, the two of you sharing a glance before jogging off to meet them and the rest of your team, your anxiety returning as you remember with a grimace what’s at stake.

The game goes well enough, with your team winning by a sliver of a point difference, something you’re not too pleased by but accept nonetheless, after all a victory is a victory, and you’d be lying if you said you played your best, your eyes frequently wandering towards Joohyun in between sets, effectively distracting you a few times and garnering you a few blunders as well as ugly stares. But the worst part of it all you realize with a grimace as Sooyoung trots up to you after the match wearing a wide grin, is that you have to admit that she was right, or at least acknowledge it. For once it seems, Sooyoung made the right decision by canceling practice yesterday.

“I told you,” She teases, jostling you playfully once the two of you have started cleaning up the remnants of your match, your teammates having been dismissed earlier with the rest of the crowd as you and Sooyoung took responsibility for what was left. You’re slightly disappointed to notice that Joohyun hadn’t stayed behind, but you brush it off, telling yourself you shouldn’t care, but even the voice in your head doesn’t seem too confident.

“Whatever,” You roll your eyes, not wanting to give Sooyoung the satisfaction of admittance to defeat, but that seems to spur her on even more, her mockery only increasing while you ignore her unamusedly, until finally you take your water bottle and squirt her in the face with it, which manages to shut her up as she sulks soaked through the rest of your duties, while you on the other hand, suddenly feel quite cheerful, even beginning to hum softly under your breath.

“Are you sure?” Sooyoung asks you five minutes later, her hesitance clear after you’d told her she could leave without you.

“Yeah, it’s fine Sooyoung, you go ahead.” You urge, lifting your jersey pointedly with a crinkle of your nose. “I don’t think I can wait until I get home to take this off, I’ll be seconds behind you.”

Your best friend seems to contemplate this before letting out a defeated sigh. “Alright,” She says, hoisting her bag over her shoulder. “Just let me know when you get home.”

“Will do,” You promise, watching her as she leaves, before you split off towards the corridor to the locker rooms, stopping to turn off the massive rows of lights illuminating the gymnasium first and securing the doors behind you.

You twirl the keys on your finger as you walk, your steps echoing through the empty halls and your thoughts begin to drift off, more specifically to Joohyun and the sickening feeling you’d gotten when she had smiled at Sooyoung, even just remembering it makes you feel unwell. You grit your teeth, looking up to the ceiling and taking a deep breath.

A long time ago you’d felt that same feeling when Seulgi had convinced you to go out with her to a concert, her begging words impossible to say no to and while you’d enjoyed it, the night was forever tainted in your memory by the exact same rumbling discomfort in your chest you’d felt earlier, because coincidentally, Seulgi’s ex, Lisa Manoban was there too, and watching them reunite left you queasy as they reminisced and discussed commonalities you and Seulgi didn’t have, like her passion for dance. You’re not a jealous person, that had always been Sooyoung’s role (and her ongoing scheme proved it), but for the first time in your life, you felt truly jealous, even if only for an unreasonable second as you’d later find that you got on quite well with Lisa who you recalled had semi-jokingly told you to her call if you and Seulgi broke up.

But that situation was different from today. You were dating Seulgi, and for a moment your insecurities got the best of you, but with Joohyun? You were just friends, not to mention that you two had only begun regularly talking two weeks ago even if it felt like a lifetime with the amount of things she had coaxed out of you so easily, things that had taken your own best friend over a decade. Joohyun was special to you, in a way you’ve never experienced before, but so was Sooyoung, so why were you so annoyingly jealous of her, when in reality you should be happy for her, pleased that at least this stupid plan was coming to some form of fruition. But Jisoo’s comments from yesterday echo in your head once more, and you curse the girl.

For the first time, you allow yourself the tantalizing admittance that maybe you like Bae Joohyun before you rapidly lock the thought away in a box and shove it under a metaphorical rug in your mind, cringing at yourself and feeling guilty for even formulating such a taboo notion, thinking of your loyalty to Sooyoung and hastening your stride, focusing on doing what you had to do and going home, where hopefully you can forget everything, but those musings quickly fade as you notice someone lingering outside the changing area, your eyes narrowing and body tensing but when the person turns to you, you relax as you’re met with the very girl who has your brain tying itself in knots.

“Joohyun?” You call, managing to compose yourself before you speak, confusion lacing your tone as you approach her. “How long have you been here?”

“A bit,” She shrugs looking at you with a smile that makes your chest seize up, your earlier revelation returning to you and you swat it away, reminding yourself of Sooyoung, which seems to ground you.

“And what if I hadn’t shown up?” You can’t help but tease.

Joohyun crosses her arms, tilting her head. “I would’ve found you eventually,” She answers confidently.

You bite your lip, secretly quite charmed by her as you attempt to mask how flustered you feel. “Right then,” You mutter under your breath, suddenly taken by the sight of your shoes, and Joohyun appears to be entertained by your behavior.

“I wanted to talk to you,” She clarifies, sparing you from yourself and you think you catch a hint of nervousness in her voice. “If that’s okay?”

You swallow, forcing yourself not to read too much into Joohyun’s request and centering yourself. “Is there something I should be worried about?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Okay,” You concede, “Do you mind if I change first?”

Joohyun suddenly coughs. “Not at all,” She mumbles.

You're surprised when she follows you into the locker rooms, having expected her to wait outside, but admittedly you don’t mind the company, once again drawing comfort from her. However your jaw locks when you’re greeted with another unexpected shock, but unlike Joohyun, it’s wholly unwelcomed as your narrowed gaze falls upon your least favorite teammate who stares back at you with a grin.

“Jennie,” You greet tersely. “What are you doing here?”

“Sorry Kwon,” Jennie replies, knowing the use of your last name irks you. “I just came back to get something I left behind,” The younger girl looks between you and Joohyun with a smirk that makes you feel uneasy, and you sense Joohyun shift uncomfortably beside you. “Well, I’ll leave you two to it!” Jennie declares cheerily with a wave before walking off and you find yourself holding your breath until you hear the door slam shut.

Silence settles between you and Joohyun, neither of you wanting to address what just happened, and you too tired and figuring she wouldn’t care, begin to change right there. Joohyun seems to watch you intently as you pull your uniform shirt over your head before she registers you’re observing her reaction curiously. She rapidly turns her gaze away with a choked apology. You think she’s blushing but you ignore the thought, continuing with your routine until you’re done and tapping her shoulder to let her know she can look again, but when she turns she just stares at you.

“You’re very pretty, you know?” The brunette breathes out suddenly with a hum and for a moment she appears to be dazed by her own words as if she hadn’t meant to say them aloud, but she seems to shrug it off and it’s clear her usual self-assuredness has returned as she reaches to cup your cheek. Her touch makes your skin prickle and your thoughts short circuit.

“Surely that’s not what you wanted to tell me,” You manage to respond eventually, albeit unsteadily.

“What if it was?” Joohyun challenges before she shakes her head, dropping her hand. “Sorry,” She sighs, glancing beyond you. “You’re right. I wanted to ask you something.” Joohyun pauses for a long second, “Just promise me you won’t lie.”

“I promise,” You say, but there’s a seriousness in her tone that makes you shift your weight, highly aware of a building sense of anxiety in your stomach, and you’re certain that whatever her question is is going to change things between you two, and you can only pray it won’t end negatively, your heart not able to even take the thought of losing Joohyun as you begin to brace yourself

Joohyun chews her lip, a fleeting look of hesitation crossing her face and she takes a deep breath, her expression evening out as her eyes bore into yours. “Why are you pretending to date Sooyoung?”

For a moment you’re stunned, your thoughts halting in place as you’re unable to process anything, and everything seems to spin rapidly around you. You feel ill, struggling to hold yourself up while a sickening wave of nausea surges through you, everything incoherent as you force yourself to speak. “What? That’s-” You choke on your words as even more panic rises in your chest. “That’s not-” You squeeze your eyes shut, your head pounding.

“Y/N,” You can feel Joohyun grip your shoulder, steadying you. “You promised not to lie,” She reminds gently, her voice sounding far away yet you can still recognize an underlying hurt in it that makes you crack.

“I’m sorry,” You manage to murmur, opening your eyes but refusing to meet her gaze and your mind begins to straighten out as you calm yourself, shame still searing through you. “I’m so sorry,” You repeat, hoping Joohyun knows you’re apologizing for everything, every lie and every millisecond of deceit. “I just wanted to help Sooyoung.”

There’s a long beat of silence, and you force yourself to glance at Joohyun, who remains frozen, until suddenly her arms are wrapped around you pulling you into a hug, her fingers running through your hair while you continue to utter a stream of apologies and you’re certain it’s not real, that you’re imagining it in place of how she really reacted, until you hear her whisper against you, “It’s okay, I forgive you.”

An overwhelming sense of ease washes over you as you squeeze her back, and for the first time in weeks, you feel relieved, overjoyed to no longer have to lie, the guilt washing off of you. “How did you know?” You ask minutes later, and Joohyun shocks you by laughing, the air around you instantly lightening.

“I didn’t,” She answers honestly, pulling back from you, her hands still resting on your shoulders. “I just had a feeling something was off and Jisoo told me to act on it,” Joohyun grimaces. “I promise I wasn’t expecting it to work out how it did.”

“Shit,” You groan, thinking back on the past couple of weeks, and realizing while you and Sooyoung’s act might have been believable for those who didn’t truly know you, it was painfully suspicious to those who did, and as short as the period was that Sooyoung and Joohyun had dated, they still shared some level of intimacy that would’ve allowed Joohyun to notice the oddities in Sooyoung’s behavior, which even you realize, was much different from how she usually acted in relationships. It was foolish to ever think you had a chance with someone as perceptive as Joohyun or even Jisoo mingling with you, and it occurs to you, in an almost satirical way, that Jisoo, although pushing Joohyun in the right direction, had kept her promise and not told Joohyun.

“Can I ask you one more thing?” Joohyun questions.

“Sure,” You say, registering that it doesn’t matter anymore now that Joohyun knows, you can tell her anything and in a way, it’s freeing.

“Why did Sooyoung want to do it?”

There’s a beat of silence while you wrack your brain for an elegant answer before you give up, realizing there is none. “She wanted to make you jealous,” You respond simply, and in hindsight, you cringe at your best friend’s poorly formed plan. “She thought you’d get back together with her if you saw us dating.”

The older girl hums thoughtfully. “Well, at least one part of it worked.”

You snort at her, thinking she’s making a joke, the thought of Sooyoung’s scheme working is quite amusing to you, but when you look at her, expecting her to let out a chuckle, you realize she’s being genuine. “You’re serious? Then why aren’t you with her?”

“I wasn’t jealous of you,” Joohyun laughs, staring at you incredulously. “I was jealous of Sooyoung.”

“Oh,” You say dumbly, your mind making the connection, and suddenly Joohyun’s past behaviors make more sense to you, the kiss on the cheek, her discomfort around Sooyoung, the joke about the date, and it makes you go numb, overwhelmed by it all, yet you also buzz with elation. Your own buried feelings break through the chains you had long since latched them in, breaching the surface and you know you can no longer hide them anymore, maybe if they were for anyone else, but when it comes to Bae Joohyun, you know it’s impossible. For once, you’re certain of something, and that’s that you like Joohyun, a lot.

“Y/N, I like you. I know I said I didn’t care, but I do care, a lot,” Joohyun says, reaching to hold your chin, a vulnerability in her dusky eyes that you’ve never seen before and she shakes her head, smiling awkwardly. “You don’t have to like me back though, I just wanted to tell you because-”

“Joohyun,” You cut her off tenderly, the pain in her voice is too much for you to let her continue. “I like you too.”

Joohyun appears shocked at first, her expression wide-eyed before it transforms into a delicate grin, her fingers shifting to gingerly stroke the messy hairs hanging in your face to the side, and she leans closer to you as your mouths nearly brush against each other, her hand moving to gently trace the shell of your ear. “Can I kiss you?”

Your breath catches in your throat, blood pounding in your ears as you manage a nod, and she leans in, pressing her lips to yours. They’re plush and soft, drawing you in deeper as both you and her pour thousands of unspoken words into your kiss, your heart thundering, while you allow yourself to get lost in her alluring scent and overwhelming touch. Everything within you seems electrified as you move against each other, Joohyun’s arms wrapping lovingly around your neck, the weeks of your denial and her building jealousy finally forcing its way out of the two of you and molding itself into something new, beyond the simplicity of love and passion. Nothing else existed, nothing else even mattered, except for Bae Joohyun, and she knew, drawing you in further and further, to get more and more lost in her sweet taste and soft skin as her fingers teasingly sweep up and down your abdomen, leaving trails of burning fire in their wake. A gasp escapes you, but Joohyun smothers it, pressing closer to you with a spur of intensity that sends you reeling, the only coherent thought on your mind being of her.

“You’re the one I left her for,” Joohyun says breathily as she finally pulls away from you, resting her forehead against yours, her brown eyes sparkling with adoration.

“What?”

“I couldn’t be with her knowing I liked someone else,” She murmurs, caressing your cheek. “You’re the reason why I broke up with Sooyoung.”

“Sooyoung,” You echo, the once far away thought of your best friend coming rearing back as a feeling of panic rises in your chest causing your legs to collapse, your body unexpectedly slipping from Joohyun’s comforting grasp as you sink to the ground, head in your hands. “She’s going to kill me Joohyun,” you whisper. “She’s going to hate me.”

“She won’t hate you Y/N,” Joohyun says, sitting next to you and moving your head to press against her breastbone as she begins to draw soothing patterns on your back, whispering honeyed words into your ear and patiently guiding your sporadic breathing back to normal.

“How am I going to tell her?” You ask.

Joohyun looks down at you, her expression not exactly hopeful. “I don’t know, but she’s your best friend, she’ll understand,” Joohyun assures. “It will work out.”

You nod slowly, choosing to believe her words as you lean further into her, trying to forget your problems and focusing on Joohyun’s assurances, which you repeat to yourself even a half-hour later, as you arrive home and pull your phone out to text Sooyoung with a pang of guilt, leaving her message on read when she questions what took you so long.

“She’ll understand,” You mumble to yourself half-heartedly, already beginning to think of how you could ever explain this to your best friend.

///

Your parents aren’t home, having gone out to a corporate party that would last well into the night when Sooyoung shows up at your doorstep. Her hair is slick with rain, matted down and stringy as small drops of water drip off her, and when you blink you’re reminded of a night that was so long ago, yet somehow feels so fresh despite the immeasurable changes that have occurred since now and then. When Sooyoung was standing on your porch soaked and shaking and you pulled the newly heartbroken girl into your arms, murmuring consoling words into her ear as you held her tighter than you’d ever held her before. But this time isn’t like that you register, observing the blankness in Sooyoung’s brown eyes and you resist the urge to step back when you catch the angered twitch of her lip.

Possibilities for her fury begin to run through your head, recalling the way she had looked at you with gentle worry just two hours ago, a clear cut contrast to the venomous way her gaze bores into yours now, but you realize there’s no point in sifting through possibilities. There’s no point in pretending to be ignorant or remaining in denial. You know why she’s here. Possibilities didn’t matter anymore, not when you had a definite involving the now shared center point of both your lives, Bae Joohyun, and you knew that this was the last straw. You and Sooyoung were two moons fighting for one orbit, and the only ending was disaster and collision, a deadly finale of an explosion you saw coming from kilometers away barrelling towards you. No Joohyun, you thought, her comforting words returning to you, things would not be okay. And suddenly only two questions remained within you, how had Sooyoung found out, and how would you tell her?

You clear your throat. “Hey.”

But Sooyoung doesn’t bother to greet you back, instead, slipping past you as a growing dread begins to fill your stomach, and leaving you to silently close the door behind her and follow her into your kitchen, watching cautiously as she reaches into one of your cupboards for an empty glass, her familiarity with your home becoming less comforting and more haunting.

“Did you know that Bae Joohyun kissed someone?” Sooyoung asks suddenly, her tone chillingly casual as she turns on your faucet.

Your breath catches for a moment taken aback by her bluntness, before you manage to make it even out, still keeping an arm’s length distance from the older girl as you lean against one of the counters, forcing yourself to meet her gaze and not allowing yourself to be intimidated. Your jaw sets as you look into her rage-filled glare. “Really?” You ask, choosing to play dumb and buy yourself more time, foolishly hoping you can figure out a way to deescalate your impending doom, but the choice only makes the bubbling guilt within you rise as you realize your deceit, and you can feel bile rising in your throat.

“Really?” Sooyoung mocks, arching a brow. “I just figured you would know,” She looks to you for an answer, sipping her water, and placing it down painfully slow but you remain silent, feeling more sickly by the second. “Since there’s this picture,” She continues. “And the person in it looks an awful lot like you.”

Dazed by her revelation, you blink as your mind splits itself into multiple directions, before it hones in on a single passing moment finding your answer. Jennie Kim. She must’ve snuck back and caught you and Joohyun. You swallow, and for the first time, your resolve flickers, eyes widening briefly before you regain control of your appearance, but not fast enough to escape Sooyoung’s notice as she abruptly grabs your wrist, forcing you closer to her. “Was it you?”

You grit your teeth as Sooyoung’s nails dig into your skin, looking her dead on and you know you can’t lie to her, even if you did she’d see through it. “It was,” You admit, forcing your voice to reamain steady while your lie collapses around you, filling you with shame. “It was me.”

“I fucking knew it!” She exclaims with a harshness that you’ve never heard before. Sooyoung releases her grip on you, her hands jumping to hold her head as she starts to pace the room, seething and throwing volleys of insults your way while you observe, taking it quietly until she turns on you, her expression dark as she laughs. “You’re the one she left me for.”

“You just figured that out?” You bite back, unable to hold your tongue any longer, your meekness cracking, choosing for once, to not let Sooyoung push you around so easily.

“You don’t deserve her,” Sooyoung states. “And when she realizes that, she’ll leave you too, just like Seulgi.”

The words are like a slap to the face, your insecurities on full display and flooding you with humiliation that rapidly transforms itself into a fit of raw, unfiltered anger you’ve never felt before. “And you think you deserve her?” You challenge, tilting your head. “After all you’ve done is treat her like an object, acting like she was just another trophy to add to your collection and not a real person! At least I have the decency to see her as a human being and not as you called her, ‘a future celebrity’ for you to show off!”

Sooyoung bristles, scoffing cruelly. “You are such a fucking liar Y/N. I never did any of that.”

“Never did that?” You echo incredulously. “Then what do you call trying to manipulate her into loving you again with a fake girlfriend? Is that not treating her like an object?”

“Oh quit acting so high and mighty,” Sooyoung sneers, pressing a finger into your chest “You agreed to help me!”

“Because you’re my best friend!” You shout, pushing her away from you, glowering and suddenly every tightly wound string within you finally snaps, breaking apart like a ball of rubber bands as weeks worth of resentment rushes from you, oozing through your blood and turning it cold. “All I ever wanted was for you to be happy Sooyoung,” You breathe, exasperated. “And I thought this would help, but it only made everything worse. I know I agreed, but the difference between you and me is that I regret it every day and I swear I will spend my life trying to make it up to her if I have to. But you?” The rage in your voice only seems to grow. “You’re a selfish brat that doesn't give a single shit as long as you get what you want!”

Hurt seems to flicker in Sooyoung’s eyes as you finish speaking, but only for a split second as they abruptly quickly turn dark, dangerous almost, and you’re stumbling backward as she shoves you hard, seizing you by your shoulder as you make impact with the countertop behind you and punching you square in the jaw, your head whipping to the side with a groan. Sooyoung seems to recognize the gravity of what she’s done as she releases you, her expression bewildered as she backs away leaving you to prop yourself up. The metallic taste of blood begins to fill your mouth and you wipe your lips staring at Sooyoung with a similar look of shock, and suddenly she no longer looks like the Sooyoung you know. You tenderly reach to rub your aching jaw, the hit not having been hard enough to cause serious damage, you note thankfully, but the pain is still agonizing.

And it occurs to you that you were wrong. Things between you and Sooyoung will never be the same, or at least not in the way you wanted, even if you were to forgive her right now. You always thought she needed you, and she did, but in a way that was different from how you needed her. Maybe it was your fault, for choosing to remain blind to the growing fracture of your relationship, you were no longer the two young girls who begged their mothers for extra sweets, but rather two strangers divided, and perhaps it was meant to be like this. Perhaps you never followed the same paths you thought you did. There comes a point when something is too broken to be fixed, too poisoned to be cured, and is that not where you are now? The shattered pieces of your relationship are too small, fine, and fragmented to possibly find them all, nonetheless glue them back together. No, it could never be the same.

“I’m so sorry,” Sooyoung finally utters, her voice cracking.

But you ignore her because for some inexplicable reason you don’t care anymore, you’re numb to the pain in her tone. All you can think of is yesterday. Yesterday when you promised Joohyun you’d always be there, and you know that no matter how much you may want it, you can’t have both Joohyun and Sooyoung. You have to choose. And as you look at your best friend for the first time without clouded vision, you can finally see that you don’t know her anymore, and you haven’t for months, maybe years.

You look at Sooyoung with a grimace. “Get out.”

///

Joohyun’s delicate arms wrap around your waist, her body leaning against your side with her head resting in the notch of your collarbone as you watch the final ribbons of daylight begin to retreat over the pink and orange dappled horizon, your appearance content. The two of you blissfully stand amongst the slowly dispersing crowd on the plush fields behind your former school, a palpable jubilance dancing through the air while your classmates linger around you, some of them beginning to split off towards their own celebrations while others stay to talk. Not too far away from you, your own family sits alongside Joohyun’s chatting cheerfully, and you smile at the sight.

“They’re probably talking about when we’ll get married,” Joohyun jokes, her gaze clearly having followed yours as you wave to them.

You glance at her amusedly. “You think?”

“Definitely,” She sighs. “I can already hear them asking me tonight,” Joohyun pauses, clearing her throat in preparation to imitate her mother. “Joohyun,” She mocks, and you struggle to hold in a laugh at her awful impression. “Now that you’ve graduated don’t you think it’s time to settle down?”

“But mom,” You play along. “I’m only eighteen!”

Joohyun pinches you, making you yelp. “I don’t sound like that,” She chides, her expression serious as she tries to be intimidating, but the affection glimmering in her eyes only causes you to grin dopily.

It’s almost strange how blissful you feel around Joohyun, the feeling only having exponentialized over the past four months you’ve been dating. Bae Joohyun, you’ve concluded, is what makes you complete, and you’re determined not to let her go. But amongst the pleasurable moments, there also laid the darker ones, where with a panging ache, you remember your former best friend.

You haven’t talked to Sooyoung since that night, and there’s been no need for you either, not after you quit the volleyball team. You felt guilty, leaving them during your final tournament of the year, but you couldn’t face her, not after everything that happened, and especially not when word spread that you/d “cheated” on Sooyoung with her ex. You humiliated her, and you knew that if she didn’t hate you before, she surely did now. But truthfully, even without your best friend at your side, you’re happier than you’ve ever been. There are some emotions you can’t describe, and the way you feel about Joohyun is just that.

Joohyun is everything to you and you haven’t told her yet, but you think you love her. And although you’re sure she knows it already, you still want to tell her so desperately, but the words are caged within you, because when you try to say it a haunting insecurity begins to swallow you, overwhelming you with a lingering fear that she’ll leave, just like Seulgi, that this is all an intricate yet delicate illusion that will crumble with a single misstep. But Joohyun always assures you it’s not, and when she cups your cheek and gazes at you with the same adoration you look at her with, it’s hard not to believe her, and suddenly you find the words are caught in your throat for a different reason.

You remember calling her after Sooyoung had left, and the unbridled fury in her eyes as she saw the bruise forming on your jawline, swearing to you that she’d go kill Sooyoung there and then and you knew she would. But you begged her to leave the girl alone, to just let it go, and with reluctance she did, holding you close until your parents returned home with a barrage of distressed questions, none of which you answered. Despite what Sooyoung had done to you, you still wanted to protect her as much as you yourself didn’t understand it.

Many times you’ve realized, while lying wide awake late at night, staring mindlessly into the emptiness above, that as much as you despised Sooyoung, in a way you loved her too, and like anyone you love, a piece of her would stay with you forever. For a long time, your life was closely intertwined with Park Sooyoung’s and you knew that you’d forever treasure that, yet you also acknowledged the bitter ending, where the connection between you two began to waver and decay even as you forced yourself to remain ignorant to the fact, hoping that if you just pretended it was okay, it would turn out that way.

For many months you’d hated her for everything, clinging in a macabre way to the stabbing thoughts of how she had used you or the pain she’d inflicted on you until one day you suddenly didn’t care anymore. You just felt tired, your resentment had drained you, and your exhaustion began to affect the lives of the people you loved, including Joohyun, as you went about things half-heartedly, your bitterness clear even if you never acted on it, and that was when you recognized it wasn’t worth it. So you just let go of it, and in your own way, you forgave Sooyoung too, remembering your own wrongs, as you came to the conclusion that the blame couldn’t be placed on one of you but both. Both of you had harmed each other in your shared desperation to reach your own goals, so you simply chose to focus on the happier memories you had with Sooyoung, which admittedly made your chest pang dully, but the poisoned space she had left your heart with was finally starting to mend itself slowly with your own acceptance and Joohyun’s nurturing touch.

“Y/N?” Joohyun calls to you tenderly, gently grasping your chin and turning your face to look at her own, subtle concern flickering across her features. “Are you okay?”

You nod, smiling softly. “Of course.”

“You sure?”Joohyun questions, arching a brow, her gaze searching yours.

“Yeah,” You hum, carefully untangling yourself from her grasp to face her, moving to press your lips against hers in a brief kiss as you reach for her hand, remembering a moment, months ago when you had promised you wouldn’t leave her and just like then, you hold out your pinky. “I promise.”

Joohyun shakes her head, the corner of her mouth curling upwards as she wraps her finger around yours before placing her arms around your midriff and pulling you into her. “You’re starting to rack up a lot of promises to keep Y/N,” She says with a teasing lilt.

“Really?” You ask breathily, still very much so affected by Joohyun’s closeness. “In that case, I also promise to never break a promise.”

The older girl rolls her eyes at your words, pretending to be unimpressed by your sentimental behavior, but you can feel her hold on you subtly tighten, telling you how she truly feels as you contentedly lean into her, your head resting atop hers, each of you bathing in the other’s presence, however, the sound of someone clearing their throat behind you rapidly startles you out of your bliss, effectively cutting through your delicate moment with Joohyun as she looks over your shoulder, her jaw tensing.

“Joohyun?” You murmur, confusion lacing your voice as you remove yourself from her, turning to see what’s upset her and suddenly your posture stiffens, your gaze leveling with the familiar face of your former best friend, her stance mirroring yours despite her having sought you out. Joohyun protectively steps to stand beside you, her hand moving to the small of your back and her eyes saturate with resentment as she glances between you and Sooyoung.

“Y/N,” Sooyoung greets curtly, glancing over at Joohyun, and you’re quick to catch the flicker of sourness in her expression, your nearly two-decade friendship not forgotten as you easily read her, and you’re sure it’s mutual. “Joohyun,” She adds hollowly.

“Sooyoung,” You address her cautiously, your voice surprising you with its steadiness, a stark contrast to how you feel internally because no matter how much you’ve missed her, you’re still clouded with a wariness of her, remembering the taste of blood on your tongue.

“I wanted to say congratulations,” Sooyoung speaks calmly, but her fingers anxiously running through her hair betray her neutral appearance. “To both of you.”

You’re taken aback by her admittance, your mind already analyzing the possibilities of her intentions while you observe Sooyoung’s features, which seem to be emotionless, with an arched brow. But she gives nothing away, clearly having recognized her earlier mistake.

“Thank you,” Joohyun replies politely, surprising both you and Sooyoung as you peer at your girlfriend with widened eyes, noticing, however, that as she finishes speaking her lips are pressed together.

You nod, shaking yourself out of your stupor as you lamely add, “Congratulations to you too Sooyoung.”

Sooyoung stares at you for a long second, as if she’s committing this moment to memory, before she excuses herself, walking away from the two of you. Your chest aches, because when you blink you see a million memories, reminding you of what feels like a far off dream, and for just for a second you remember a time that seems so long ago it can’t possibly be real, when Sooyoung and you weren’t so far apart. And you’re so desperate because you can feel her slipping, and you know today is your last chance to grab hold of her once again before she floats away forever. But you can’t seem to yell out to her, your heart cracking one last time over Park Sooyoung, the girl you once considered your closest friend turned stranger, as you finally realize the inevitable, your rose-tinted fantasies crumbling into ashes.

Your chapter with Sooyoung is over, and there’s nothing you can do to extend it, there’s nothing you can do to fix it, no matter how many times you’ve relentlessly combed over hundreds of solutions, playing them out in your head despite secretly knowing the answer. You don’t mourn the loss of the perfect world you wanted with Sooyoung and Joohyun, but instead, you embrace your new reality, accepting that you were fortunate enough to have grown up with Sooyoung, and the only thing you can hope for is that she’ll eventually be okay, just like you will be, as you allow her to walk away, one final time.

“Sooyoung,” You call, and when she looks back at you, a thousand unspoken words travel between you two, and for the second time in your life, you see her cry, tears pricking in your own eyes. “Good luck.”

Sooyoung bows her head at you with a soft grin, and for a moment, it’s only you and her, soaking in bittersweetness together, the past versions of yourselves swirling around you and you can practically hear your shared childish laughter in your ears before it fades, you and Sooyoung standing at the start of two divided paths, your grasps on each other slipping.

“You too,” She answers and the connection is severed as she glances between you and Joohyun one last time before continuing on, and with one final pang of your heart, you watch her fading form disappear into the crowd.

You turn to your girlfriend, your mouth upturned in a melancholic smile that you’re sure better resembles a grimace, and Joohyun reaches to you, her thumb gingerly brushing away the remaining teardrops on your cheek. “I’m proud of you,” She whispers, pulling you into a hug that slices through your resilient facade, and the sobs you’ve been holding in for weeks suddenly escape you, your body quivering in Joohyun’s firm grasp.

But each pained whimper that leaves your lips carries a portion of the immense weight you’ve been sustaining on your shoulders and lightens the pressure on your tired soul. It’s almost therapeutic, as all your compartmentalized emotions flow from you freely, dispersing into the air and by the time you let out your last cry, you feel anew.

“I’m sorry,” You laugh, embarrassed, into Joohyun’s shoulder, shifting to look her in the eye, and wiping the wetness from your face. “I didn’t mean to cry.”

Joohyun shakes her head, her arms remaining around your waist. “Don’t apologize for that Y/N,” She rests her forehead against yours as she chuckles softly and this time she reaches for your pinky. “I have one more promise for you.”

“Yeah?”

“Promise me you’ll never apologize for crying.”

You stare at Joohyun for a moment, savoring the presence of the person you love, and not for the first time, it occurs to you, that while Joohyun might be the most beautiful human you’ve ever seen, what makes her so enthralling to you isn’t her looks but her caring and delicate deposition, and while you adore her confidence, you know that hidden under it lies a gentle girl with a timid touch who wants to be cared for as much as she cares for you.

“Of course,” You say, and she doesn’t know it, but when you speak, you’re silently making her another promise, to always treasure her, and make sure she feels your adoration, a new determination to never let her go filling you, and suddenly the words you’ve wanted to say for so long are finally ready. “I love you,” You breathe out.

Joohyun beams, tightening her grip on you, and you yelp as she takes you by surprise, the older girl is shockingly strong as she lifts you into the air, twirling you for a brief second before placing you down, your body overwhelmed with affection. “I love you too” Joohyun murmurs, her expression pure bliss as she begins to repeatedly place feather-light kisses on random parts of your face, making you giggle.

She stops when she feels you reach to caress her cheek, and you watch her intently, her eyes practically glimmering while she leans into your hand with a soft sigh, and you can’t resist the urge to surge forward and press your lips against her, capturing them in such an intimate kiss that it makes you swoon, pouring all your love for her into it until you’re sure it’s tangible and you’re completely lost in everything that is her.

When you pull apart, Joohyun’s smile is wide, though you’re sure yours is wider, and you’re suddenly certain that loving Bae Joohyun is the easiest promise you’ve ever made.

#girl group scenarios #girl group imagines #red velvet x reader #irene x reader #red velvet scenario #red velvet imagines #red velvet #irene #irene imagines #irene scenarios #red velvet fluff #bae joohyun #bae joohyun x reader

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nuoyipeach · 24 days

Text

Second Firsts

Bae Joohyun X Johnny Suh

part 2 of Take A Chance warnings: mature

Standing out in the balcony of their hotel room, Joohyun took in a deep breath of the cold air, smiling as she felt herself relax. For their six months of dating, the couple had decided to take a trip away from the city, and ended up at a ski resort in northern Japan.

Johnny had wanted to try skiing, and Joohyun just wanted to get far away from back home, so this felt like the perfect trip. Ever since her family found out she was dating again, her parents seemed a little wary of her actions, especially when finding out Johnny was a year younger than her. That alone stressed her out, and she was just glad to get far away from all of it.

It was their third day of the five day trip, and as she continued gazing at the snowy landscape and sunset, her smile grew more when a warm body encased her from behind. She let her body relax into his hold, giggling when feeling his lips peck all over her neck and shoulder.

"Makes me happy to see you finally relax." Johnny's voice came out soft and deep, tracing her skin with his nose up to her ear. "I love you."

Joohyun turned to towards him, smiling as their lips hovered close. "I love you too." she gave a quick gentle kiss on his lips. "Thank you for this trip, it's been so peaceful honestly."

"Anything for my lady." Johnny smiled. She sighed happily and leaned back against his body, eyes returning to the view. "There is something else I had for you..." his sudden words caught her attention, but before she could turn to him or say a thing, something appeared before her eyes.

"I want to keep making you happy every single day of my life. I want to be the one behind your smiles and laughs, and maybe some happy tears too. And I want to be the one to hold you when something makes you sad, before I punch it for making you sad. I want to be there to share all the little moments with you, like how you sing when doing your makeup, or talk to me while I'm working, except in person instead of calling, or how you play music so loud in the shower i get the songs stuck in my head too." he let out a chuckle.

Her eyes stayed glued to the ring between his fingers in front of her, though her ears didn't miss a single word he said. Her breathing turned rapid, a lump in her throat preventing any sound coming out of her, her eyes welling with tears.

The hand around her waist tightened. "Marry me, be my wife." he laid a kiss in her neck. "I promise to love you like I already do every second, and probably even more."

Before she could even respond, Johnny gently took her left hand in his own and slipped the band onto her ring finger. Joohyun didn't move the slightest bit as she continued staring at the ring, finally able to let out a sob as the lump in her throat disappeared.

"Shh, it's OK love." Johnny's hands tightened around her again as he hugged her, one hand holding her left one while he kissed her forehead. "Share your sorrows with me."

"Johnny I...." her face was hidden in his neck, and he slowly turned her around allowing her to hug him back while she cried into his chest. "Why..."

"Because I love you."

"Why me..."

He chuckled softly this time. "Because it's you."

She lifted her face off his chest to peek up at him, shaking her head at his answers while a few tears still dripped down her cheeks. He knew what she meant, and as much as he wanted to avoid it for her sake more than his own, he cupped her face and wiped her cheeks as he turned serious.

"I know I won't be your first as you may be mine. But that's no reason to avoid starting a happy life together. I know you feel bad at every step of the way, but don't. Remember, everything that happened ultimately lead you to me. I'd regret it more if I didn't pursue you now than to not have been your first."

She couldn't look away from the ring, even as her now fiancé slept behind her with his arm holding him tight to himself, she stared at the shiny diamond on silver band decorating her hand. A small smile plastered itself onto her face as she started thinking about her future with Johnny, from wedding to honeymoon, to even babies and their retirement.

Slowly, she turned in his hold to look at him. Johnny shifted as she moved, only to hold her the same way once she stopped. This time she faced him, smiling even more at his slight pout that would form on his lips whenever he slept. Unconsciously her hand moved up to his face, her index finger tracing around from his forehead, cheek, to his nose and finally lips. She gently tapped his pout with the tip of her finger, chuckling when his eyebrows furrowed, his hand around her gripping her tighter.

Her hand cupped his cheek, thumb rubbing against his light stubble. "I can't wait for my life with you." she spoke softly, leaving a soft peck on his lips. "I love you so much, Johnny Suh."

>>>

"Chill, it's gonna be fine." Johnny held his fiancé's hand and squeezed it reassuringly, his other hand unbuckled his seat belt then hers. They were at Joohyun's parents house, three days after coming back from their trip, to announce their engagement.

Obviously they knew about their daughter's lover, but Joohyun could always tell the slight disturbance in their faces or tone when bringing up Johnny. Now that they're engaged, she feared how would they react. Not only was she getting engaged within just two years after her divorce, he was also younger than her, and she knew those would cause gossip from people.

With one final sigh, she nodded, smiling as he leaned over for a quick kiss before they both went to the house. She rung the bell, their hands holding throughout the whole time, even when her father opened the door and they greeted him. He gave a simple greet back before letting them in, and they all sat together in the living room.

Her mother set a tray of water on the table, taken aback when Joohyun suddenly grabbed a glass and chugged down the water. Johhny sighed, albeit with a slight laugh. She cleared her throat once she finished, and finally decided to speak up.

Looking directly at her parent, she showed her left hand. "We're engaged, Johnny and I." she smiled nervously, warry of their reactions. Just as she suspected, they were bewildered more than excited about anything. "We're thinking of marrying soon."

"Are you serious?" her mother immediately spoke up, sitting up straight.

This time Joohyun looked confused. "Yes mum? He proposed to me during our trip, and I said yes."

"Isn't it too soon?" her mother spoke again. "You haven't been together as long as you were with-"

"We've known each other long enough." Joohyun quickly cut her mother off, slight anger showing on her face at the near mention of her ex. "We're both adult enough, and we've spoken about everything beforehand regarding our future.'

"Don't you think you're making a rash decision Joohyun?" her father spoke up instead. "What if this was just a rebound?"

"It's not!" Johnny shifted as his fiance suddenly stood up speaking louder than before. "Why can't you just be happy for me moving on with my life?"

"Joohyun we want you to be happy." the elder man spoke again. "You shut off completely after the divorce, wouldn't even come home for any party with the rest of the family. If that's how it went after a five year relationship, what will you do if-"

"If what?" Johnny's sudden deep and serious voice cut off her father, catching all their attention as he sat up straight and glared at him. "Are you suggesting the same thing will happen again? Because I will have you know I don't plan on hurting Joohyun, let alone leave her like that."

"We just want you to think this through properly." her father continued speaking to her, avoiding Johnny's gaze completely. "You're jumping full on into the first relationship you find right after a divorce, with someone younger than you, and after only six months of actually dating? Shouldn't you look around more? Maybe see if there's anything you prefer more than-"

"Oh for God's sake stop talking!" Joohyun yelled again, this time sitting back down with her face in her hands. Frustrated, she drove her hands through her hair back, sighing loudly, eyes scanning around the house before looking back at her parents.

"I'm not twenty anymore to have the time to, in your words, look around more. I want to have a family, I don't want to go on meaningless dates when, without Johnny, I probably wouldn't have moved on as fast as I did. You think I'm making this decision based on six months of dating? No. I want to marry him because at the time I almost gave up love, or finding someone, or starting a family, he took his time breaking me out of that. He waited weeks for me to be able to consider dating anyone, and honestly if it wasn't him, I wouldn't have with anyone else. After everything I've been through, if Johnny hadn't come back into my life that one night, I would never have brought anyone home to introduce to you guys. And that is something I can guarantee."

Before her parents could break out of their awkward silence, she grabbed Johnny's hand and stood up, dragging him along as she left the house and back to his car. He had unlocked it during the storming out, so she was quick to get inside and shut the door. He watched her sit inside in silence, her chest panting heavily, sighing as he entered himself and started the car.

Before he drove though, he looked at her, noticing her cheeks quivering slightly, a sign he learned meant she would cry any minute. Johnny figured it would be best to leave the place first, and drove on for a while before turning into the parking lot of a mall, stopping the car further away from where most people were.

Joohyun hadn't moved once, until he held her cheeks and turned her face to him. Their eyes met, and she could tell what his were saying, and like a button had been pushed she let out the emotions she had been holding in, jumping into his arms as he pulled her closer to him.

"Let it out." he always told her to never hold in anything, especially not with him. Gently, he carried her over the console and onto his lap, her face hidden away in his neck as she cried. "They'll come around. Don't feel down because of what they say Joohyun. You've done so well until now, there's no reason other's doubts should break you."

Johnny held her tight as he pressed his lips on her head, one hand on her hip and the other in her hair. They sat like that for a few minutes, even though her crying had stopped much quicker than she thought herself, she just needed some comfort. Her hand gripped his shirt at his chest as she let out a sigh, feeling calmed feeling his fingers brush through her hair.

"Johnny..." she murmured.

"Yes love?"

She moved her head to look up at him, and he did the same looking down a bit to meet her eyes. "I don't care how many people come to our wedding. I don't care how many people don't think we're a match. I don't care if we have to marry alone. All I care is that it's you I'm marrying." Her hand moved off his chest and up to cup his cheek.

Johnny smiled down at her, his hands tightening around her more as he dipped his head to leave a soft kiss on her lips.

"If it was that bad, I'd elope with you Joohyun, because as long as we're both in for it, nothing's gonna stop me being your husband."

Unlike her parents, Joohyun's friends were immediately happy for her. Many high pitched screams from the girls who threw themselves at her resonating through her apartment, while the guys got up jumping in joy cheering loudly. The only thing that stopped their outburst was when the infant in Taeyong's hands started crying at the sudden reactions, and they quickly stopped trying to calm her first, laughing throughout.

Joohyun was glad they were all in for it. There were some concerns and doubts from them in the beginning, but after meeting and spending more time with Johnny, they knew he was the one. Taeil even noted on how the younger man would look at her, confident when saying "if that's not a lovestruck man I don't know what is", and sure enough he was right.

While her friends continued celebrating after calming the infant, Johnny sat staring at Joohyun with a proud smile on his face as she hugged everyone. He wasn't about to say it out just yet, but seeing her happy and smiling turned something in him. He meant every word when he said he wants to be there to make her happy, because in turn it made him even happier.

As they reached her apartment later that night, Johnny followed her inside like their new normal, and crashed onto her couch. Joohyun shook her head at him as she put her things away before joining, settling herself against his chest while her hand traced over his shirt. A smile crept onto his lips while his hand came around her, holding her body tight to himself as she let out a relaxed sigh.

"Johnny."

"Yes my love?"

"What made you decide to propose?"

Her sudden question caught him off guard, but he had an answer ready since the day he decided.

"Our fourth month, we were walking around the forest park. At that point I knew I wanted to be with you forever, but that day specifically, I was staring at you while you smiled at this baby further away. Your smile, it was genuine and full of love and adoration... And it was a smile that got me going, that made me want to protect you from the world, to make you happy every single day so that I can feel happy too."

His hand sneaked in under her shirt, rubbing her lower back bare. "I knew you were still healing, but I was so excited that I ended up buying the ring right after that. I didn't have a set plan when or how I was gonna propose, so I kept it with me every second of the continuing days. That evening on the balcony, I was watching you when you stood there, and I couldn't think of any reason you'd say no or I'd retract, so on impulse... I proposed."

He looked down at her, relieved seeing her giggling softly at his answer. "You're really one of a kind." she cupped his cheek and kissed him, failing to stop when his free hand held the back of head from moving out as Johnny started deepening their kiss. On instinct Joohyun straddled him without once breaking their kiss, feeling his hand squeeze her hips while the other tangled fingers through her hair.

With her arms around his neck, she slowly moved her hips, causing him to moan into her mouth. "You'll be the death... of me." he pulled away to speak before attaching his lips to her neck, kissing, biting and sucking on her skin as Joohyun continued grinding her hips against him. She giggled when feeling his teeth sink into her skin, pulling him off to meet his hazy eyes.

With her eyes she hinted him to go to her bedroom, and he immediately complied as he got up carrying her and headed in the direction. Instead of dropping her on her bed though, Johnny sat down as they started to kiss again, her hands tugging his shirt as they travelled inside and up his body.

His lips moved down her jaw, neck and finally in the crook of her neck as she craned her head back giving him space to sink his teeth in, causing her to wince. Gently she pushed him, and pulled his shirt off over his head before pushing him down against the mattress. Johnny could only smile at her, causing her to smile back as she traced her hands down his body until his belt and started to undo the buckle.

"I almost thought you were waiting until our honeymoon night." he let out a breathy laugh, his eyes landing on her body as she undid her blouse and threw it aside. Hearing his words, her face suddenly changed, and she balanced herself above him with her hands on either side of his head, staring into him with soft eyes.

"I'm sorry..." she lowered and laid a kiss on his lips. "I wasn't waiting for anything." she kissed his cheek next. "I never knew when the perfect time would be." she kissed his jaw. "I just suddenly had the need for you." she rested her forehead against his, sighing when feeling his hands grab and massage her hips.

"I love you Joohyun." Johnny spoke up, pulling her down so their chests pressed together as his arms hugged her tight. "I would wait how ever long it took you. I know I'm not your first, but I'm happier than ever knowing I'll be your forever."

>>>

The night before her wedding, Joohyun couldn't sleep. She shifted around in her soon to be husband's arms, trying her best to not wake him up though unable to rest. A fear instilled in her now, if this is how she feels night before, how would she behave during the ceremony?

"Baby..." she heard Johnny's groggy voice mumble. "It's alright. You'll be fine." his arms pulled her closer and over so her head rested against his chest, one hand hugging her while the other threaded through her scalp.

"I can't sleep..." she whispered, her hand tracing circles on his arm.

"It's OK." he laid a sleepy kiss on her head. "Just relax, don't think too much about anything right now. Focus on something here."

And she did. With her ear pressed against his chest, Joohyun ended up listening to the sound of his heart, the way it sped up slightly when she hugged him, and how it soon slowed down when he fell back asleep. It calmed her, and reassured her that their connection was stronger than ever.

Joohyun wasn't surprised when her side of the hall had half the people from her first wedding. She didn't invite as many people anyways, yet some of the ones she did didn't show up, and even though she knew why she was glad to see her friends cheer throughout the ceremony.

Her parents had caved in and accepted their marriage, though they remained a little silent throughout everything. She didn't care, it was better than wrong words spilling out here and there. As she stood in front of Johnny, the only thing she cared about was the vows she had written for him, the new life she was about to start with him, and the man himself.

The way smiled at her throughout the officiant speaking, the way he winked at her trying to get her flustered, the way he stared at her with so much love and attention as she spoke her vows, and the way he spoke himself saying his own for her.

Everything about him was perfect.

The guest minimised more as the wedding party moved to the hotel bar, but it was just as the couple had planned as they partied away with their friends and close families. Johnny as always sat aside at the private, watching with a smile at his now wife dance with her friends. His cousins urged him in as they danced too, but he rejected saying he'd rather rest.

"Wow, how did someone energetic like her end up with a bore like you?" one of his cousin's joked, to which he laughed shrugging.

"I guess she couldn't resist my charm." his eyes fell on his wife, suddenly noticing her still expression as her eyes remained on the other side of the hotel hall, where the open bar was. Worried he quickly got up and walked over, hand around her waist getting her attentio. "What's wrong love?"

Joohyun bit her lower lip, unable to think up an answer. Her hands simply went up to his suit and played with the edges, before she snaked her hands under it and around his torso, pulling herself into his chest. Johnny didn't resist and allowed her to relax in his arms, laying a soft kiss on top of her head.

"He's at the bar... and he saw me."

Johnny's eyes peeked slightly, and if his memory served him right from the photo Yuta had shown him, he could see his wife's ex-husband sitting at the open bar, eyes glued on the couple. How this man ended up at the same location as their wedding was beyond him, but he knew the last thing anyone present needed was for things to go south.

He looked around their wedding party, thankful her parents hadn't seen him as they conversed with some of the elderly from his side, and her friends were busy enjoying themselves to notice someone sitting that far. Johnny knew that, despite hesitant about their relationship, they shared the same burning hatred for the man and would not hold back if they saw him around her.

"Dance with me, my wife." he whispered into Joohyun's ear, causing her to look up at him as he smiled at her. She felt all her worries wash away as she smiled back with a nod, and they started swaying with each other, eyes never breaking contact as they dripped with love.

"I love you Johnny." she suddenly said aloud. "I know I say this a lot, but thank you for everything, for loving me the way you do."

He smiled, lowering himself for a kiss, during which he didn't miss the opportunity to steal a glance at Donghae, smirking to himself.

Who cares he wasn't her first love or marriage, in the end he won the amazing woman as his wife, and he intended on keeping her forever.

>>>

so I just felt like writing on smthg to the request heh, hope you enjoyed it!

#nct #nct 127 #red velvet #kpop fanfic #nctvelvet #fluff #johnny suh #johnny seo #seo youngho #irene bae #red velvet fic #nct fic #nct johnny #red velvet irene #bae joohyun #marriage au

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sasakihimari · 1 year

Text

←Part One, Strangers 2 Lovers

Lovers 2 Strangers

Warning: mature language; mentions of domestic violence; weapon usage

Genre: angst, fluff

Characters: kang seulgi; sasaki himari (original character portrayed by hirai momo)

Summary: What happens when two lovers bump into each other years later? Will their love resurface? Or will they be strangers to each other?

Author's note: Sasaki Himari is a character my sister and best friend created for different motives, however I have decided to use her with the intention to portray the reader being involved in the story for my fanfics simply because I adore the character and want to give her some exposure. You may replace her name with yours if it is of your preference, I just have a hard time continuously writing [Y/N] for an entire fanfic and figured this would be a easier way to do a Character x Reader fanfic.

Caution: Please keep in mind that I do not mean any hate towards any idol that might be mentioned in this fanfic and every idol's personality will be adapted and changed accordingly to fit the storyline. I love all the girls mentioned and would never speak ill of anyone.

Word Count: 9364

Now without further adue, let's get started...

❝Hana!❞ she cried out rushing behind the little infant, who ran around the house on tiny wobbly legs. ❝Be careful!❞ she'd cry out every time her heart dropped to her stomach as she watched the infant lose balance.

Sighing, Sasaki plopped down on the couch, absolutely exhausted, as the infant rested upstairs finally out for her afternoon nap. When Min and Kim had mentioned several times how having a child was no joke, she didn't fully take them seriously. And it wasn't that she regretted having Hana, but she certainly regretted not having their words taken into consideration to prepare herself.

Cherry 🍒 chat opened

Kyong, Ji-eun, Su-jin, Ae-ra and Mari

Ae-ra: [attachment photo]

Su-jin: Congrats on the pregnancy!

Ji-eun: Oh my, congrats!

Mari: Congratulations! And good luck.

Ji-eun: Oh! This reminds me! How's life going, unnie?

Mari: ... -_-

Kyong: Congrats!

Cherry 🍒 chat closed

Tossing her phone aside, Min let out a happy sigh as her head rested against her husband's chest. Their little ones both in school. Miyoung had just started first grade and DaeSeong was now in forth grade.

❝Jagi?❞ her voice soft, sleepy even as she tilted her head just enough to look at him and he looked down to let her continue, ❝I've been thinking... We have an extra guest room that's never been used.. what if I invite Mari to spend a few days here? Me and the girls haven't seen her since we left Seul. All of us can easily meet up since we don't live too far away but her.❞

❝Of course, honey. Just let me know when she's coming over. I know you miss her with her being all the way over in Japan.❞ he said offering her a tender smile before pressing a gentle kiss upon her head. Of course that she quickly stretched over to grab the phone she previously tossed. She dialed Himari's number and waited. Ringing once, twice...

❝GAH! No, no, no!❞ she rushed to answer the phone before the loud noise woke her infant from the nap, ❝I would have murdered you if Hana had woken up.❞ It was the first thing she said the second she had brought the phone up to her ear.

❝Geez, is that how you great your bestie?❞ she heard from the other line, followed by her best friend's laughter.

❝Is everything alright?❞ Sasaki asked now calmer, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she checked the little screen on the baby monitor and Hana seemed unbothered.

❝Yes, yes! Everything's fine. Anyways, I'll go straight to the point. I've been thinking and I've talked to Changbin about it and he's on board with it so, what are your plans for the next few months?❞ Ji-eun spoke, a little too fast, which tented to happen when she was excited, earning herself a giggle from Himari.

❝Um.. I'm on family leave for indefinite time? Why?❞ a brow wrinkled as she awaited an answer. To say that she was confused would most definitely be an understatement, the tall female was beyond lost.

❝Why don't you and Hana come stay over for a few weeks? We can go out for lunch for the rest of the girls! And you can explore South Korea with Hana this time!❞ she squealed, nearly deafening the poor brunette on the other side of the call.

Himari paused. Going back to Korea could lead to a whole black hole of possibilities. Would she be okay if she accidentally ran into Seulgi? Would she breakdown? What if Seulgi had completely changed? But she missed them, all the cherry girls and the Red Velvet girls. But she'd never dare to meet with any of Red Velvet members.

❝Hello? Mari? You there? Hello?❞

❝Shit, um sorry... Um, sure. I would love to.❞ She said and Min let out a deafening squeak.

❝I'll see you tomorrow!❞ she exclaimed making Sasaki's eyes to open as wide as ever. Tomorrow!? How was she supposed to pack for her and Hana plus get tickets in such short notice!? To say that she panicked was.. being nice. The girl tossed the phone on the couch leaving Ji-eun talking to herself as she rushed to her computer to buy tickets.

Once purchased, Himari rushed into her room as quietly yet quickly as she could pulling out her suitcase from the walk-in closet and throwing it open on the bed before she started going through her clothes. Packing quite a few outfits for the following weeks she'd be away but before she could finish, the loud, deafening cries of the lungful infant were made heard down the hall and she threw whatever she was holding to the bed for further analysis as she went into Hana's yellow themed nursery.

❝Shhh, it's okay, mama's here.❞ she'd sooth as she scooped the child into her arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead as she walked to the armchair in the corner, sitting down and allowing the infant to latch herself to her breast. The phonecall never once crossed her mind again and if Ji-eun was awaiting her return, she could sit there all day. ❝Mama's taking you to see a new place, isn't that exciting?❞ she spoke ever so softly, a warm smile on her lips as her eyes met Hana's tiny orbs that lovingly stared up at her as she ate, all you could hear from her were little content coos muffled by the chest of her mother. Her little fingers wrapped around Sasaki's index finger.

Burping her as Hana finally released her food source, Sasaki sat her in the rather big playground on an opposite corner of the room for Hana to play while she reached for a second suitcase to pack Hana's clothes, diapers, wipes, hygiene products such as baby oil, shampoo and body wash to a baby toothbrush and toothpaste to brush the very few teeth she had, a few teething toys and little blankets. Of course she then prepared her daughter's bag with diapers, wipes and creams for her to bring with her into the plane as well as a backpack with her wallet, iPad and her Huawei phone.

Of course she had bought tickets for tomorrow at 5am, out of pure luck they were the only ones available. So now it was past midnight and she couldn't seem to put Hana to sleep so she could get some rest. But she had to be up as early as three in the morning to be at the airport by four.

Finally having set Hana in her crib out cold, she flopped onto the queen sized bed of her bedroom, falling asleep as fast as a snap of a finger. She was exhausted so it wasn't hard.

With the tiny asleep infant attached to her chest by the baby carrier, Himari had checked in and the suitcases had been taken from her with her respective identification on the handles and was now in line to board the plane. In a way, it came in handy it took her so long to put Hana down because now the little girl slept peacefully as her head rested on Sasaki's chest but on the downside, she was exhausted, an hour and a half of sleep barely did her any difference than having pulled an all nighter.

Upon landing, she went to collect her suitcases, a crying infant attached to her. The flight was two and a half hours long and Hana had awoken on the last half hour left. She had fed her as well as changed her, but Hana was in discomfort due to the new teeth pushing through the gums.

❝Shhh, it's okay, mama knows, sweet girl.❞ She'd say in an attempt to sooth her as she looked for the girls. When her eyes saw them, a bright smile plastered across her face, ❝You're gonna meet some of mommy's bestest friends today.❞

❝Mari!❞Ae-ra and Ji-eun exclaimed running towards her and she couldn't help but to chuckle at the excitement written all over the two girls' faces. The recently completed one years old infant seemed to hush, her tine hands grasping her mother's shirt in her fists.

❝Hi! I've missed you, guys!❞ Sasaki said with a smile as Kyong and Su-jin approached them. Of course that followed by them came a stranger she'd ever only seen from pictures. Changbin, Ji-eun's husband and two little angels holding each of his hands, ❝Is that your husband?❞ she playfully asked, ❝Pleasure to finally meet you, I've heard plenty about you.❞ she said now turned to him, setting down one of her suitcases to hold out her hand.

He chuckled, taking her hand, ❝Same goes around, my wife blabs alot about how you're the only one who doesn't live in Korea and she hasn't seen in years. It is nice to finally meet you.❞

As Ally took the children's hands, he insisted on helping Mari with the suitcases since she already carried an infant, a backpack and her daughter's bag, ❝It's not needed, seriou-❞ before she could even finish, he had already taken them and walked away making Min and the kids chuckle before she gestured with her head for you to follow them.

Ally strapped the kids to their respective carseats and hopped into the passenger's seat of the seven seat car next to the driver's seat. Sasaki strapped Hana to the little baby carseat they had installed for her. It was Miyoung's old carseat.

❝You really thought of everything, huh?❞ Sasaki chuckled, hopping into the seat next to her daughter's carseat.

❝Of course, it was my idea.❞ she laughed, looking back over her shoulder and once everyone was buckled up, her husband took off. Kyong, Su-jin and Ae-ra had already hopped into their cars and driven off to meet with them at Ally's house.

Pulling into their driveway, Mari found herself dumbfounded. And she thought her house was large.

❝We got one of our kids' old crib in your room so Hana can have her sleep, as well as the baby monitor. Don't ask, okay? We had been trying to gain the courage to give it to people but we just couldn't part with our kids'things.❞ she said as Himari hopped off the car and picked Hana into her arms. She grabbed her backpack and Hana's bag before going to get her suitcases only for Changbin to have taken them already.

❝Seriously, you need to tell your husband to chill. I'm not fragile.❞ Himari stated, half joking half honest, she didn't want to be a bother to anyone. He was already nice enough to have agreed to Ji-eun inviting Mari over for a couple weeks.

❝He's always like that. So get ready. He barely lets me do anything around the house as if I don't kick asses for a living.❞ she said with a chuckle, she had grown used to it and honestly it didn't mind her as much as it used to.

They all sat at the dining table. And by all I mean the Cherry girls along with their families while Hana sat in the highchair next to her mother's seat.

❝I'm so glad to see you less gloomy. Deciding to have a kid of your own to raise by yourself did you some good.❞ Su-jin teased, stuffing her mouth with the last bit of food in her plate.

❝Yeah, I agree. Don't you think it is time you find someone tho?❞ Kyong made the mistake of speaking without thinking and Sasaki's smile vanished without a trace and she looked down at her plate, picking at the food.

❝Solar!❞ Min scolded, she knew better than to mention a touchy subject like live.

❝What!? She can't possibly be hang on Seulgi unnie still! It's been almost four years...❞ she didn't see what she had said wrong. But that earned her a 'just shut up' look from both Ji-eun and her husband. ❝Quit looking at me like that! I'm speaking fac-❞

❝Ssss-sss-Seulgi.❞ Himari's head jolted up with widened eyes as she blankly stared at her daughter as everyone fell silent. All the girls had widened eyes and shock written all over their faces.

❝Mama.. mshbf.. Seulgi!❞ the infant sloppily clapped her hands with little giggles and babbles. No one dared to open their mouth. ❝Seulgi! Mama!❞ she babbled again.

❝I- O-out of every word... H-Her name had to be your second word?❞ Himari stuttered out. She was proud her daughter had managed to speak another word but her heart ached at the sound of her name. Pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead, she excused herself ❝Su-jin, could you keep an eye on her for a minute? ...Thank you, please excuse me.❞ she exited the dining room to take a deep breath. 'God damn you, Kyong... Why did you have to bring her up..?❞

Washing her face on the bathroom sink, Sasaki let out another frustrated yet hurt sigh. Her face was clean, however she couldn't hide the red, puffy eyes of hers from the tears she silently let go of. That's when someone knocked on the door.

❝Aunt Mari..?❞ the voice was soft, too soft to belong to an adult which made her frown and slowly open the door. The six year old ran to her, wrapping her arms around both legs of the adult.

❝Miyoung?❞ it came out as a question, confused with the situation.

❝No sad.❞ the little girl said looking up at her and Mari couldn't help but to let out a chuckle. Such a precious kid.

❝Alright, alright. No sad.❞ she chuckled taking Miyoung's hand as the two returned to the dining room. ❝Where's Hana?❞

❝Su-jin took her to change her diaper.❞ Ae-ra- answered with a soft smile and Sasaki nodded. Ji-eun and Changbin started gathering the plates and glasses and taking them to the kitchen loading them into the dishwasher. Sasaki nodded and went to find both her friend and her daughter.

❝There you are. I told you mommy would be quick, see?❞ the girl said in a baby voice, it was weird to see Su-jin act like that but Sasaki shook it off, letting out a soft chuckle as Su-jin handed Hana to her.

Time seemed to fly by as the five of them, along with their families talked and played games in the Mom's living room and now, they were bidding their goodbyes at one another. Before they knew it the sun had set, the kids were all asleep in their respective rooms and so was Ji-eun's husband out cold in their bed as the two girls laughed and talked outside, sitting on the porch' steps.

❝We should probably get some sleep.❞ Sasaki said with a chuckle as she looked at the watch embracing her wrist. They'd been sitting there for an hour now and it was getting late.

❝Oh shit. Right.❞ the two then went inside and wished each other a goodnight before they went their separate ways.

RIIIING RIIIING RIIIING

Groaning, Sasaki turned the alarm off before Hana woke up to it but it was too late as the infant started crying. Slipping her feet into the slippers by the bed and picking her daughter into her arms, ❝Shhh. It's alright, mommy's right here.❞ she rocked her gently in her arms as her cries softened until she started cooking up at her mother, ❝Only you to make mama happy this early in the morning.❞ Sasaki chuckled, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead before feeding her. Once fed, burped and changed, Himari sat her in the crib with a teething toy to go get ready for the day.

❝Good morning.❞ she greeted Changbin with a smile, Hana attached to her hip, ❝Is Ji-eun still asleep?❞ she asked him, who nodded his head making her shake her head. Still the same sleepyhead. ❝I'm gonna take Hana for a walk to let her see around. Maybe go to a park. Just in case she wakes up and asks.❞

He nodded, ❝Alright, I'll let her know. Do you want a stroller for Hana? I'm sure my wife still has Miyoung's somewhere in the basement.❞

❝Really? That would actually be great, she's quite heavy after a while. Gamsahapnida.❞ Sasaki chuckled.

❝Hold on then, I will be right back.❞ and with that said, he left only to return a few minutes later with a dark grey stroller, ❝Here you go, I knew she hadn't thrown it away.❞ he said as he mounted the stroller for her.

❝Oh- You didn't have to, thank you.❞ Sasaki said with a smile, setting Hana down on the stroller and securely strapping her. ❝Have you ever thought about why she might be keeping this stuff?❞

❝No? Because she's emotionally attached?❞ his brow wrinkled at the question.

❝Perhaps she wants another child?❞ she teased him and his eyes went wide.

❝Why? As she said anything? Has she told you that?❞ he panicked making her start laughing.

❝Relax, I'm just joking. She never mentioned anything... Or did she?❞ and the relieved sigh he was about to release turned into widening eyes yet again, ❝Anyways, bye! Thank you for the stroller and all the help!❞ and with that said she walked outside, leaving him to wonder what she could possibly mean with that.

Pushing the stroller around, Sasaki stopped by a park she was walking by. Since there didn't seem to be too many children, she walked over to a bench and unstrapped Hana from the car letting her wobbly run off to play around, ❝Be careful!❞ she cried out with her heart in her hands, the only kids there were on the other side of the park since they were much older than her infant. Sitting at the bench, she watched a couple of twins wobbly approach Hana who came running back to her mother, ❝It's okay, Hana. They want to play with you.❞ they seemed to be around her age.

That's when someone sat besides Sasaki, looking through what looked like a baby bag and Himari's eyes went wide and she quickly turned to watch Hana giggling and playing around with the twins.

❝Mari!?❞ the oh so familiar voice called out in shock. It had been too long since that day. Too much had happened, ❝I-Is that really you..?❞ her voice broke as Himari couldn't help herself but to look into those brown eyes. She hadn't changed a thing.

❝Seulgi...❞

❝W-When did you get back..? W-Why didn't you tell me..?❞ she asked, her voice low as she bit back the tears that flooded her vision.

❝Yesterday... Y-You broke up with me remember..?❞

Two years ago

Her phone dinged, indicating a text had been received and a smile quickly formed across the brunette's lips only to be replaced by a hurt expression as tears swarmed her eyes.

[From Bear🐻] I can't do this anymore... I'm sorry...

[From Bear🐻] I love you.

[From Bear🐻] But I can't live like this...

Too hurt, Sasaki threw her phone across the room with a scream. It hurt too much. For the next few weeks, she wouldn't even bother to eat. She just laid there, sulking into her bed.

And it took her a long time to pull herself together and go back to work, and it took her boss a lot more work to help her get through the heartbreak.

❝I- Mari... You know neither of us could keep living like that...❞

❝Do you know how long it took me to get back from that..? It took me months. I didn't want to do anything. I kept thinking "what if she hates me now?" "Did she really mean those three words?" "When did it go wrong? When did I do something wrong?" "It's my fault" "You deserve it". But I never got to know... Because all you said was you loved me and yet you left me.❞ her voice was low, hoarse from crying. ❝But I'm the stupid one here... because even after two years I look at you the same way I did when we were together. Because no matter how long it has been. You're still the one holding my heart.❞

Seulgi found herself speechless, unaware of what to say. She had never gotten over her herself, but she had to keep pushing through regardless.

Sasaki wiped her tears as Hana ran up to her holding the twins hands, all of them giggling.

❝Mama! Mama! Fwiends!❞ she babbled out. Seulgi's eyes went wide.

❝She- She looks just like you... I-❞ Seulgi stuttered out wiping her own tears.

❝Mama! Hana fwiend!❞ the little girl said with the brightest of smiles.

You have your mother's smile... Sasaki thought to herself.

❝We should get goi-❞

❝NO! Fwiends!❞ Hana yelled, throwing a tantrum before running off and the twins following her. Both Seulgi and Mari stood there with widened eyes.

❝I-❞ Hana had never thrown a tantrum before. She was always well behaved and always so shy and quiet. It had Sasaki beyond shock.

❝Mari...❞ Seulgi's voice called softly as Himari sat back down with the shock, ❝Who is he..?❞

❝None of your business. But fyi, like I told you. You're the one who holds my heart. I had Hana by myself.❞ she said, looking at her right in the eyes before looking away and down at her lap, ❝But had kids of your own, I hope you're happy.. I really do.❞

❝I'm not-❞

She started, but Mari was already walking over to scoop Hana up who began to kick and throw tantrums in her mother's arms.

❝Hana! Stop! I'm gonna drop you!❞ she cried out carrying her to the stroller.

❝No! Mama! Seulgi! Fwiends!❞ she cried kicking and hitting her mother and her eyes went wide.

❝Did she just-❞ Seulgi started, not knowing what to think of it.

❝It is not what you think.. Solar mentioned you yesterday at lunch and she started saying your name... Not that you would care anyways.❞ she coldly said, her voice sounded so hurt as she strapped her daughter in the stroller who threw a tantrum.

❝Seulgi! Fwiends!❞ the infant cried pointing at Seulgi herself who had the twins next to her now.

❝H-How-❞ Sasaki stuttered out frozen in place. This couldn't be happening. Seulgi seemed just as shocked sitting there blinking at the infant who freed herself and attached herself to the unknown woman. Unknown to her, that is.

❝Hana, Ally's waiting for us.❞ she tried but the kid didn't seem to budge from Seulgi's leg.

❝Sweetie.. you have to go with your mama...❞ Seulgi tried but the infant took hold of one of Seulgi's fingers trying to pull her up to go with them.

Why did you have to be such a cute bear..? Himari sighed watching as Hana attempted to drag her and Seulgi seemed to compell to her wishes.

❝You- You still think I'm cute..?❞ Seulgi had frozen in her tracks and her words made Sasaki freeze too. Had she thought out loud? Had those words truly left her mouth? How could she be so stupid? ❝I think we should talk... Straighten things out between us...❞

Yeah, straighten isn't the best choice of words... We both know there's nothing straight about neither of us... Himari's eyes widened watching as a pink shade coated Seulgi's cheeks. Cute...

She would go back to her in a heartbeat... And everything would be different. She'd stay. As long as she got to keep her, she'd stay. She'd find another job. But she isn't a homewrecker, she couldn't. She wouldn't even dare to try to get her back. She has a family now, and she? She wasn't part of it. And she will never be.

❝There's nothing I have to say to you. Just- Be happy for me, will you?❞ she collected Hana, setting her on her hip and this time she didn't try to get away, she blinked up at her mother with teary eyes.

❝S-Seulgi bad? Fwiends bad?❞ the little kid babbled trying to understand why her mother seemed to want to walk away from them.

❝No, honey. Your friends aren't bad... They have a wonderful mama. Ally is waiting for us, that's all. The infant nodded then pointing at the stroller Mari pushed with her free hand. She sighed and sat her down, securing her daughter with the straps of the stroller.

I'm sorry Seulgi-ah... I love you... But I can't have you.

With tearstained cheeks, the two girls got back to Min's place and Ji-eun came rushing to the front door with a smile that instantly disappeared watch both the infant and her mother's tearstained cheeks.

❝Wha-What happened!?❞ she exclaimed out of concern. What could have possibly made her cry- No way... She couldn't have.. no, that's impossible. What are the chances..? Ji-eun thought to herself before rushing them into the living room where Changbin sat. ❝Jagi, could you please watch over Hana for a few?❞ once he agreed, she took Sasaki's wrist and dragged her towards her room upstairs making her stumbled all the way there.

❝Yah! Are you out of your mind!?❞ she grumbled freeing herself from Min's hold, rubbing her wrist, ❝Aish...❞

❝You saw her, didn't you?❞ she went straight to the point. Catching her off guard with that question, Sasaki lost balance, stumbling back as she fell into Ji-eun's bed. ❝Oh my God! You did! What happened!? Are those happy or sad tears!?❞

❝... Do I look happy to you? Tsk. What kind of question is that? It's been too long.❞

❝So? You love her, don't you?❞ Ji-eun asked with a tilted head, unsure of what seemed to be the problem.

❝So? It doesn't change anything. She broke up with me. To start a family. With someone else.❞ her hands clutched into fists as she clenched her jaw. As much as she wanted to be happy for her, her heart still ached. She was jealous. She wanted to marry her back then.

Three years ago, South Korea

❝Promise?❞

❝Promise.❞

Her fingers brushed through the beautiful brunette locks of her girlfriend's. She hadn't felt this at peace since her childhood when money wouldn't even cross her mind.

"I will marry you someday." Mari thought to herself as she looked down, gazing into her girlfriend's brown orbs. Everything about her was just so perfect.

❝Jagi? What are you thinking about?❞ she asked poking her nose as she stared up at her, her head on Sasaki's legs.

❝Hm? Oh, nothing. Just of how beautiful my girl is.❞ she said with a tender smile and Seulgi's cheeks were coated by a bright shade of pink.

She couldn't think of Seulgi laying with someone else without it making her want to punch them. But she would never do that to her. Seulgi didn't deserve that, no matter how much it had broken her.

Meanwhile at Kang's household, Seulgi had gotten home with the twins, tearstained cheeks on the three of them. The second her husband appeared, she quickly tried to wipe their tears as well as their own. But it was too late and he had seen them already, clutching his hands into balls.

❝Su-ryeon, Seok-hun.. go play.❞ his voice hoarse with anger as he pointed at the door of their playroom and the two infants nodded before wobbly running into the room. With the baby monitor on, he closed the door and stormed towards Seulgi who immediately flinched, closing her eyes ready for the impact.

He took a tight grip around her wrist before dragging her upstairs to their shared bedroom, ❝O-Ow! Y-You're hurting me!❞ and he smirked at that.

❝WHAT. DID. YOU. DO. TO. THEM!?❞ he yelled at her, slapping her between every word and tears quickly swarmed her eyes yet again.

❝I-I didn't d-do anything! I-I swear! I-I took them t-to the park and they met a li-little girl but the other mother had to lea-eave.❞ she cried out, trying to explain herself only to get a punch to her stomach. She fell onto the floor coughing up blood as she held onto her stomach.

❝Shut up! I should have taken them from you! You. Are. An. Awful. Mother.❞ he spit it out at her, kicking her yet again, he knew what those words did to her and it made him smirk.

She was silent, a few whimpers accidentally escaping her as he kicked her again before yanking her up from the floor, ❝Do what you do best and stay. in. your. place.❞ he retorted, throwing her to the wall and a loud whimper escaped her lips before she passed out, falling unconscious to the floor.

He smirked , picking her up and laying her on the bed before going back downstairs and into the playroom.

❝Appa!❞ the little boy and girl stood up excitedly, oh he was so good at hiding his wrongdoings. ❝Mama?❞ Su-ryeon asked looking up at him with a tilted head.

❝Don't worry, mama needed to get some rest, okay? Shhh.❞ he softly spoke, ❝What happened today? Why were you crying?❞

❝Fwiend had to weave...❞ they pouted looking down at the colourful floor.

❝Oh.. did mama tell you to say that?❞ he asked with his jaw clenched and both the little boy and girl shook their head no.

❝No, mama sad too.❞ Seok-hun tried explaining and the father nodded.

❝You don't know that... She could have decided to be a mother the same way you did.❞ Ji-eun suggested.

❝I saw the wedding ring on her finger, Ji-eun. I'm not stupid. Do you see anything like that in my hands?❞ she rose both her hands to show her before sighing and flopping down on the bed facing the ceiling making Ji-eun sit next to her with a sigh.

❝If that's the case... You need to let her go, Mari...❞

❝Do you think I haven't tried!? But everything reminds me of her. Here, in Japan, every minimal think remains me of her. It doesn't matter where I look, she's everywhere in my mind.❞ Sasaki sighed, wiping the new tears that had rolled down the sides of her face. ❝Can you watch over Hana for a while? I need to get some air...❞ she stood up and Ji-eun nodded.

She walked downstairs with Ji-eun, Changbin had Hana sitting on his lap as he played with her to keep her entertained, ❝I think he's more than happy to.❞ Ji-eun chuckled softly trying to cheer the older female who simply nodded, making her way out of the house with her phone. She put her earbuds and opened Spotify, playing Fine by Taeyeon as she started walking around without any destiny when she bumped into someone.

❝M-Mari..?❞ a weak, yet familiar voice called her name.

❝Y-You aga- What happened to your face!?❞ she cried out as her hand reached for Seulgi's bruised face ever so gently.

❝N-Nothing. I-I just mistepped and fell of the stairs at home.❞ the way her eyes adverted immediately to the floor, made Sasaki's blood boil.

❝Stop lying to me. Who did this to you!?❞

❞...My husband...❞ she mumbled under her breath and Sasaki froze in place.

❝You left me for someone like this!?❞ Mari took Seulgi's hand carefully before dragging her to Ji-eun's house.

❝You don't understand... It wasn't like that... H-He was threatening to find you and hurt you if I didn't!❞ she cried out following behind her.

❝W-What..? Why didn't you tell me!? I-I would've come right away... I would've kick his ass!❞

❝That's exactly why I didn't tell you... To keep you safe.❞ she let a few tears escape her eyes, sighing as they entered the house so abruptly it startled everyone but Hana who slept upstairs.

Sasaki didn't say a word to Ji-eun as she dragged Seulgi to the nearest bathroom, ❝God damnit, Ally! Where do you keep your first aid kit?❞ she muttered under her breath looking for one until she finally got her hands on one and quickly opened it.

❝Stay still.❞ the brunette said, pouring some chlorhexidine into a cotton swab before gently cleaning the open cut on her lip and Seulgi whimpered in pain.

❝What the hell just happened?❞ Min asked blinking in confusion as she stared out the living room door after watching Sasaki drag a bruised Seulgi inside.

❝I don't know! She left basically on the verge of tears and next thing I know she's walking inside looking pissed.❞ He shrugged, Hana sitting in his lap as the three of them looked at the door confused, Hana with her head tilted trying to understand why both adults stared that way.

❝How could you let him do this to you?❞ she asked, her fist clutching at the thought of him harming Seulgi, who flinched whimpering. Making Sasaki to step back in shock, she couldn't have thought she'd hit her right? ❝I-❞

❝Mari, I-❞ she couldn't finish her sentence as Sasaki walked out of the bathroom. Seulgi slowly walked out of the bathroom, only to find Himari standing there with tears in her eyes. ❝It's not like that, I swear... I would never once think you'd hurt me...❞ her arms wrapped tightly, ❝It's just- It's something my body does automatically... I guess it's somehow a defence mechanism... I-I'm sorry. I-I'm brok-mmmpf!❞

Sasaki couldn't take this any longer so she smashed her lips against hers, shutting her up. ❝Come to Japan with me.❞

❝What about the tw-❞

❝Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it. I'll bring them back to you, safe and sound. I promise. I won't let him take them. But you can't go back to that place. He'll kill you if he finds out.❞ Sasaki stated and Seulgi nodded with tearful eyes, ❝Where do you live?❞ With worried eyes, Seulgi hesitantly gave her the address. With a kiss pressed to Seulgi's forehead, Sasaki walked into the living room and dragged Ji-eun out of there before she spoke, ❝Where's your gun?❞ she asked making Ally's eyes widening in shock, worry and surprise.

❝W-Why? What happened!?❞

❝There's someone I need to get, but I need protection just in case something goes wrong.❞

❝What are you gonna do?❞ Min asked worriedly, afraid of what she might do.

❝I'm gonna get Su-ryeon and Seok-hun from their abusive father.❞ she spoke with such certainty. She had set her mind to it, there was no stopping her now.

❝Let me help you.❞ Ji-eun spoke but Sasaki quickly shook her head no.

❝No matter how things go, I will not be dragging any of you into this.❞ she stated and Ji-eun nodded leading her her safer, picking the gun out.

❝Thank you. If something goes wrong, don't let him hurt them.❞ she said putting the gun behind her back, stuck between her back and the waistband of the pants before pulling her shirt down to cover the rest of it. And with that said and done, Himari took off, driving off to the address Seulgi had given her.

She stopped by the front door with a smile, knocking on the door when a man opened the door, ❝Who are you? And why are you at my doorstep?❞ he asked with a wrinkled brow.

❝Oh my, how rude of me. I'm Seo-jin. I believe your wife must have forgotten to tell you, she called me to take the kids. She's planning quite a beautiful surprise for you.❞ with that said, she tried to act as kind as she could with a bright smile on her lips.

❝Oh, is that so? She isn't one to pull surprises.❞

Her eyes opened wide, ❝Omo, have I gotten the wrong house? Is this not Ms. Kang Seulgi's home? My deepest apologies.❞ she had no other choice at this point.

❝No, no. You got the right house. I will go collect them.❞ he retorted, walking off to bring the twins, ❝Su-reon, Seok-hun please behave at her care.❞ he said now kneeled in front of his undeserved children. They deserved a much better father.

❝We'll have lots of fun. Enjoy your alone time with your wife, sir.❞ she smiled taking each of the twin's little hands into hers before the man closed the door and she picked the two infants up, setting each on her hips before walking home. Once they were a decent distance from the house, she spoke to the two little kids, ❝Who is excited to go play with your friend?❞ and with that said the twins clapped excitedly their tiny little hands.

Finally at Ji-eun's house, she invited herself in with the spare key they lended her. ❝Why don't you call mommy?❞ the twins seemed confused, tilting their head as they looked at her.

❝Mama?❞ Su-ryeon asked confused and Seulgi showed up the second she heard her daughter's voice. She ran up to them, hugging the three of them.

❝Thank you... For bringing them back to me.❞ Seulgi whispered.

❝Hey, I'll do anything for you. Besides, I'm a mother too. I know how it's like.❞ Sasaki said with a tender smile as Seulgi took the twins into her arms.

❝Fwiends!❞ Hana cried out toddling into the hall making the two adults laugh and Seulgi set her children down.

❝Why don't you go play in the living room with Su-ryeon and Seok-hun, honey?❞ she softly suggested and the little infant took the twins hands and wobbly dragged them to the living room.

❝Do you think they'll be okay..?❞ Kang nervously asked, Sasaki reached for her hands, taking both into her own.

❝They already get along well, I'm sure they'll be okay.❞ she spoke with a reassuring smile as her thumbs rubbed gentle circles on the back of Seulgi's hands. ❝We'll leave the day after tomorrow. There's still 4 other girls I'd like to see before we leave.❞

❝Oh?❞ she asked confused, looking up.

❝The rest of Red Velvet, pabo.❝ she giggled with a soft shake of her head.

❝Oh, I should say goodbye as well... I haven't seen them in too long and now I'm leaving. They deserve an explanation.❞ Seulgi looked down with a saddened look.

❝You haven't seen them- That son of a bitch! I'm gonna kill him!❞ Sasaki hissed, ❝He didn't even let you keep your friends!? Who did he think he was?❞

Seulgi looked down and Mari sighed out of frustration, ❝Let's forget about him. I'm happy now.❞ with that said, Sasaki nodded wrapping her arm around Seulgi's waist before leading her into the living room where they sat down on the couch, next to Ji-eun and her husband while the three infants played on the little playground.

The two couples decided to watch a horror movie, each of their cuddling their respective partner. Oh how she had missed holding Seulgi in her arms. Eventually everyone headed to bed, Seulgi laid in bed watching as Mari put Hana to sleep, the twins already asleep in the bed with their mother.

❝Hey...❞ a pair of arms wrapped around Mari from behind, only then had she realized Seulgi had gotten off the bed, ❝Do you want me to try?❞ she whisper-asked.

❝You don't have to. It's o-❞ before she could finish, Seulgi took Hana who giggled and cooed up at her before yawning.

❝Fighing off sleep, huh? You tiny little girl, you need to sleep so you can grow big.❞ she softly spoke, rocking her in her arms. Mari watched in awe as she sat on the edge of the bed. Hana's Coors sushed as she snuggle her tiny body closer to Seulgi's before sucking on her little thumb as she drifted off to sleep.

❝How did you..?❞ Sasaki asked, mouth agape in shock.

❝Hm, secret.❞ she giggled, setting Hana down in the crib and climbing into bed, ❝Goodnight.❞ she smiled, pulling the covers over them and trying to fall asleep.

❝Goodnight.❞ Sasaki fell asleep almost immediately after.

Morning came and Sasaki woke up with the sun shining through the window, groaning she rose to her feet and placed her pillow in her place so the two s wouldn't roll over before walking downstairs and into the kitchen only to find Changbin there.

❝Morning.❞ Sasaki spoke from the doorway, ❝I'm guessing Ji-eun's still asleep?❞ she asked in an affirmation tone.

❝Good morning.❞ he greeted before chuckling, ❝You guessed it right. But the kids are in the living room watching TV.❞

❝Early birds, I see. Hana should be up soon too.❞ she chuckled, walking up to him, ❝Is there anything I can do to help?❞ she asked looking at the different ingredients and utensils displayed on the counter as he made something she couldn't quite figure out what for breakfast.

❝It's all good, don't worry.❞ he offered a smile and she nodded only for a sleepy Seulgi to join them in the kitchen with Su-ryeon and Hana on each side of her hips.

❝Morning, sunshine.❞ Himari softly spoke with a smile as she walked up to her, ❝Where's Seok-hun?❞

❝In the crib. He was still asleep unlike these two.❞ she said with a groggy chuckle escaping her lips.

❝Do you want me to take them so you can get some more sleep?❞ the taller female offered but the older seemed to deny, ❝Alright. We should probably go take care of inviting the girls for a lunch out.❞

❝I can't call them...❞ Seulgi sighed with saddened eyes making Sasaki frown in confusion but decided not to make questions.

❝Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it. Where should we go out for lunch tho?❞ she asked offering her a tender smile caressing her cheek.

❝We could go to that new restaurant that just opened about a week ago?❞ Kang suggested and she nodded, reaching for her phone, ❝I'll call them and let them know as soon as I feed Hana.❞ she said taking Hana who had began to fuss.

Sasaki walked to the bathroom with Hana, who instantly latched herself to her mother's chest. She was starving since for once she had slept through the entire night.

❝Omo, someone was starving.❞ she chuckled, surprised.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

❝Yes?❞

❝Mari, I've already invited the girls. Take care of inviting Red Velvet.❞ Ji-eun informed from the other side of the door.

❝Alright! Thank you! I will do so.❞ the older female spoke covering herself as Hana let go and burped her before walking out of the bathroom and towards the living room, setting her daughter in the little playmatt.

Reaching for her phone, she looked through her contacts calling the first Red Velvet member she found.

❝Mari?❞ a soft voice asked in a confused tone on the other side of the line.

❝Joo-hyun, hi! It's so nice to talk to you again, it's been a while!❞ Sasaki spoke, happy to hear her voice after a while. It had been nearly a year since the last time she had gotten the chance to call her, ❝I'm in Korea for a few more hours, I was wondering if you and the rest of the Red Velvet girls would like to meet us for lunch today?❞

❝I must say, it's nice to hear about you- Wait, for real? I would love to! But I don't live with the girls anymore.❞

❝Oh, I figured. But don't worry about that, I'll give them a call myself.❞

❝But wait, who's us?❞

❝Oh you know, us the Cherry girls.❞

❝Alright, alright! I can't wait to see you guys. Anyways, I'll let you get to do you, text me the address.❞

❝Will do! See you later!❞ with that said, she ended the call before looking for the next to show up in her contacts.

❝Soo-young! Hi! It's been a while.❞ Sasaki greeted the second the other tall female answered.

❝Mari? Is it really you?❞

❝Nah, it's Jesus.❞ she teased, chuckling softly.

❝How have you been? It has indeed been a while!❞

❝Mhm, which is why I'm calling. I'm in Korea for a couple more hours and I was wondering if you and the rest of the Red Velvet girls would like to join us for lunch?❞

❝Wait, you're in Korea!? Of course! Just send me the address and I'll meet you there.❞

❝Alright! I'll see you later then!❞ and another call came to an end and it wasn't even a minute later before Sasaki was on the phone with Wendy, who quickly agreed and then it was Yeri.

Time flew by quickly and now everyone sat at the restaurant table, the husbands had stayed home with the kids for the girls' date and the only one whose partner came along was Sasaki's since she was a member of Red Velvet too.

Halfway through, Seulgi excused herself to use the bathroom and had yet not returned and it started worrying everyone.

❝Hey, I'm gonna go check on Seulgi. I'll be right back.❞ Sasaki said and Irene got up too, going with her.

❝Seulgi-ah!❞ Irene called as soon as they walked in but there seemed to be no response, ❝Yah! Seulgi-ah! This isn't funny!❞

❝Seulbear, baby?❞ She looked everywhere but she seemed to be nowhere.

❝Wait, you two are together? I thought she got married and that's why she left us without saying a word!❞ Bae frowned in confusion, looking around.

❝Long story... But it's hers to tell you...❞ Himari sighed frustrated just as they came out of the bathroom empty handed. There seemed to be no signs of Seulgi and that's when Sasaki's eyes caught something just outside the restaurant. A mad dragging a girl into a black van. She sprinted, running as fast as she could but she was too late, ❝Fuck, fuck, FUCK!❞

She rushed back inside, picking her phone and calling 112. There was no way she'd let him hurt her again.

❝Hello? Yes. There's been a kidnapping of a 29 years old woman! Her name is Kang Seulgi! Her husband's going to kill her if we don't find her soon!❞ she cried out into the phone, her whole body trembling. Both of fear and anger. Everyone stood up, eyes widened, while Himari spoke on the phone with the police. ❝I saw the van's licence plate, it's...❞

Once the call had ended, Sasaki grabbed her things. ❝You girls should go home. It's safer.❞ she said to the Red Velvet girls who nodded softly.

❝Please find her...❞ Irene said as she collected her things.

❝Ally, please go home and make sure Su-ryeon and Seok-hun are safe and sound. Don't let him take them. I have to go to the police station.❞ she asked and she nodded softly.

❝I'll go with you.❞ both Solar and Su-jin said, gathering their things.

❝I'll go try to track the car that took her.❞ Ae-ra spoke as well, gathering her things.

Everyone parted ways, Red Velvet went home and so did Ji-eun while Ae-ra went to the company she works for to ask for help tracking the car and the three remaining girls drove to the police station to make their statements, of course, Sasaki had to tell them the truth about what happened to Seulgi during these last few years before they got there.

❝Jagi? Where are the twins?❞ Ally asked the second she burst into the house.

❝In here, honey.❞ he answered rather confused and Ally ran into the living room the second she locked the door and windows.

❝Good. I have to keep them safe while Mari is at the police station. Seulgi was taken.❞ she explained softly sitting next to the playmat the three infants played. ❝Where are Miyoung and DaeSeong?❞

❝They're in their rooms.❞ he answered and she nodded softly.

Ae-ra was already inside the building, talking to her boss about the situation at hand. Of course that, as soon as it was explained she was given authorisation to use whatever device and available team needed to locate them. And once she had their location, she texted it to Sasaki.

❝Ae–ra found her. I have to go.❞ Sasaki said to the two girls with her but both of them got up.

❝You’re not going alone. Are you out of your mind? Do you not remember what happened three years ago?❞ Su-jin stated, not giving her a choice and Kyong nodded in agreement.

❝I— Fine... I need to drop by Ji-eun's to get a weapon.❞ she sighed in defeat before stating.

❝We’re going to stop at my place, I have an idea.❞ Kyong said as everyone hopped into the car and took off towards her place. Once there, she led them to the weaponry room previously locked, letting them pick their weapon while she stuffed hers into the waistband of her cargo pants.

As the three were ready, they got into the car and Sasaki was the one driving this time. Speeding off to the address Ae-ra had sent her. Parking far enough not to be noticed, they hopped off the car and sneaked their way into the abandoned warehouse. They looked around, staying close to each other.

❝Looking for something?❞ a male voice spoke from behind them and the three turned around in an instant.

❝Seulgi!❞ Himari cried out, the older female was tied, with a cloth over her mouth as he held her with a knife pressed to her neck.

❝One more move and she's dead.❞ he retorted with a sickening smirk on his lips. Those words were enough to make Sasaki drop her gun and raise her arms, there was no way she'd risk it.

❝If you wanna hurt anyone.. just hurt me. But let her go...❞ she said looking at him, trying to come up with a plan and that's when something happened that shocked all of them, Ae-ra had sneaked behind him and hit him with the handle of her gun hard enough to knock him out and in a second Sasaki had ran to Seulgi, untying her and removing the cloth that covered her mouth, ❝I’m so sorry.❞ Himari said, pulling her into a tight, protective embrace, ❝I was so scared...❞ a relieved sigh escaped along with the soft tears.

❝Are you crazy?❞ Seulgi finally spoke making Sasaki's eyes widen, ❝You could have gotten yourself killed, pabo!❞ and before Sasaki could answer, she was yanked into another embrace as the sirens made themselves heard from afar, signaling that the cops were on the scene.

❝I’ll need you girls to make a statement at the station as soon as possible. And miss, you should go to the hospital.❞ a cop said while another cuffed the unconscious man that began to wake up.

❝Yah! Get off of me!❞ he struggled, trying to free himself.

❝You are under arrest for abduction and domestic violence. Everything you say will be used in court.❞ the cop spoke reading him his rights as he pulled him to his feet.

❝What nonsense is this? This girls set me up.❞ he tried but the officer remained silent, dragging him outside and into the backseat of the car.

❝Thank you for your quick work locating the victim’s whereabouts. It is thanks to you that she's safe and sound.❞ the officer said with a bow and all the girls bowed as well.

❝Come on, I'm gonna take you to the hospital.❞ Sasaki said, wrapping her arm around Seulgi's waist who nodded and walked outside with Ae-ra, Su-jin and Kyong in front of the two. This time Kyong Soon and Su-jin went into Ae-ra’s car, leaving Himari and Seulgi the car they had previously used. Sasaki hopped into the driver's seat after helping Kang into the passenger's seat and taking off to, not the nearest, but best hospital she knew in South Korea.

❝That was a close call.❞ Kyong Soon sighed relieved as she rested back onto the backseat.

❝Don’t tell me. For a moment, I thought we were about to lose both Seulgi and Mari.❞ Su-jin spoke after before turning to Ae-ra, who was focused on the road as she drove, ❝Thank you for coming. If it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be on their way to the hospital by themselves.❞

❝Are you still sure we shouldn't have gone with them? One of us at least?❞ the maknae asked, she seemed rather worried.

❝I’m sure. They need some time for themsel—❞ Su-jin was interrupted by the phone ringing. It was Ae-ra’s, who pressed the answer button on her car's little screen and surely soon enough Ji-eun's voice was made heard in the car.

❝Ally.. Ally!❞ Su-jin tried but it seemed useless as the female on the other end of the line spoke a little too fast.

❝YAH! ALLY!❞ Kim exclaimed out, shutting Ji-eun up. ❝Breathe woman! They're safe and sound. Mari's taking Seul to the hospital just for safety. He has been arrested.❞ she sighed as Ji-eun now spoke normally.

❝Oh– That's good!❞ she said and you could hear the relieved sigh that escaped her in the car, ❝I’ll call Mar—❞

❝NO!❞ the three girls cried out, startling the poor female and making her drop the phone.

❝Geez. Alright, alright. Why not?❞ she groaned with a roll of her eyes the others luckily couldn't see.

❝Because we didn't go with them so they could have some privacy, don't you dare ruin our plan.❞ Su-jin retorted.

Meanwhile with Sasaki and Kang, the two seemed silent until Seulgi spoke.

❝Thank you...❞ it was as low as a murmured secret someone didn't want you to hear, but she meant it.

❝For what?❞ Sasaki wrinkled a brow in confusion as her eyes took a quick glance at the girl sitting next to her before focusing back on the road.

❝Risking your life for me.❞ Seulgi said, staring out the window.

❝Yah! You know I'd do it again in an heartbeat.❞ she stated, shrugging at the end. She didn't see why she was being thanked.

❝I don't want you to...❞ Kang mumbled, and Himari simply went silent. ❝I would never forgive myself if I had been the reason you got hurt...❞ she completed after a while.

❝I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I did nothing to save you.❞ the taller female spoke, her hand reaching over to hold Seulgi's who stayed silent, staring out the window until Mari parked, hopping off and helping Seulgi out.

At the hospital, Seulgi went through different kinds of exams and tests just to make sure she was alright, once it was made sure she wasn't in any danger she was released and soon Sasaki was driving the two back to Ji-eun's place.

❝I wanna go back to Red Velvet...❞ Seulgi suddenly blurted out.

❝W–What do you mean?❞ Sasaki asked confused, looking at the road.

❝I miss performing...❞ she admitted, looking down at her lap.

❝I can't stop you from doing what you love...❞ she said softly pulling into the driveway, ❝If that's what you want then we'll manage. I'll quit my job in Japan and look for one here. But I'm not leaving you again.❞

❝I’ll go with you. To Japan. For a while until you quit. I'll help you with whatever you need until we come back.❞ she said with a smile, looking up at Himari who nodded offering a smile of her own.

It had been five years since they had gotten back together, a lot had happened but the two remained together. In fact, they had a beautiful wedding three years ago and lived in a rather big house in South Korea with their kids. Hana, Su-ryeon and Seok-hun were now six years old, attending the best primary school in Korea. Seulgi had returned to Red Velvet surprising all the ReVeLuvs and Himari, well Himari became a dance teacher at SM Entertainment, reaching young trainees.

And as far as it goes, they've had a happy life together.

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