who even eats breakfast, anyway
“Miyeon,” Jeongyeon greets her back politely even when she used Sana’s nickname for her. She squeezed Mina’s hands to assure her that she knows who this girl is.
Miyeon looked at their intertwined hands, then at Mina from head to toe, “Flavor of the week?”
Mina tugged at Jeongyeon’s hand, probably to convince her to just let this one pass, but she didn’t let go, “No, she’s my girlfriend,” Jeongyeon said with a straight face; she will not let Miyeon walk all over them just because she and Sana are over.
Miyeon scoffed, she smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes, “So she’s the reason why you won’t get back together with Sana,”
Jeongyeon doesn’t frown nor clench her jaw, but she’s radiating irritation towards Miyeon and her prying, “Whatever reason I may have for not getting back with your friend, doesn’t have to concern you, Miyeon.”
Mina senses that this will not end well if she doesn’t pull Jeongyeon away. “Jeong,” she calls for her softly, placing her free hand to the side of Jeongyeon’s neck, tapping her fingers lightly on her jaw so she could get her attention back.
Jeongyeon is starting to get in a bad mood, but when she looked at Mina’s pleading eyes, she softened. She sighs and nods, understanding what Mina wants her to do. She pressed her lips lightly to her palm and held her calming gaze, silently thanking her. Mina only smiled softly, which Jeongyeon mirrored.
Miyeon, whose existence would’ve been forgotten if she didn’t got their attention back, chuckled. She shook her head lightly, her smile reached her eyes this time, “I can now see why,”
She held out a hand for Mina to shake, “I’m Miyeon,”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Mina,” Mina shook it with a smile, she won’t let their day get spoiled just because of anyone.
“Well, Jeongie, your new girl is nice. Didn’t know you have taste,” Miyeon tries to lighten up the atmosphere to which Jeongyeon just rolled her eyes on, “You never change.”
“Not in this lifetime,” she chuckled, “Anyway, I’ll leave you two lovebirds. Gotta find Yeonjung,” she waves as she walked backwards. “Nice seeing you, Jeongie, and nice meeting you, Mina!”
They watched the girl disappear through the vapor that surrounded the spring before looking at each other, “Who was that?”
Jeongyeon wanted to joke and answer ‘Miyeon’ but she thinks Mina is serious this time, “A friend of Sana’s. Met her when Sana introduced me to her other circle.” she explains while they walk.
“Yeonjung?” Mina remembers the name Miyeon had mentioned. “Same circle,” Jeongyeon replies plainly.
Mina nods in understanding, but stopped their stride when she saw what Jeongyeon was talking about. Another waterfall!
Jeongyeon grinned widely when she saw Mina’s excitement, “Here’s your ‘more’,”
They took in all of their surroundings; there’s an even bigger waterfall in a lagoon style pool. Faux rocks and flowers adorned the scene, the whole place looked like the Garden of Eden.
Mina pulled them to the side of the pool to get a closer look. She realized that she still has her fingers laced with Jeongyeon’s and immediately made an attempt to tug her hand back, “Sorry,”
Jeongyeon didn’t let her pull away, instead, she held on to it before tossing her bag to the side. She then enveloped Mina around her arms with a wide grin, “No, I’m sorry,”
“What-“ Mina was confused for a second before realizing what the other’s intention is.
“Jeongyeon!”
Jeongyeon let herself fall into the water with Mina on her arms, eyes squeezed shut, mouth grinning from ear to ear.
Mina knew she couldn’t do anything to prevent them from getting into the water this way, so she just closed her eyes and braced herself for the fall.
They could only thank the entities for not letting them fall on the shallow end but on to a deeper part, or else they’d banged up their heads on the floor with the depth both of their bodies were plunged into. Mina held Jeongyeon’s arm before they went underwater, but as soon as they were submerged, Jeongyeon’s grip on her was nonexistent.
When Mina resurfaced, she had her eyes looking for Jeongyeon, ready to beat her shoulders to death. She looked around, even in the water, but there’s no sight of anything purple.
A pair of hands clasped Mina’s waist from behind, “Boo!” as she turn to face Jeongyeon with a startle, “Will you quit it?!”
Jeongyeon kept her close, laughing her heart out at Mina’s irritated expression, “Nope,”
Mina only groaned in frustration as she smacks Jeongyeon on her arms, “Look what you’ve done to your shorts,”
Jeongyeon looked down and realized they’re still wearing denim but she shrugged it off, “They’ll be fine,”
Mina only rolled her eyes and was about to swim away when she heard her whine, “Aish,”
She looked up to her and saw Jeongyeon’s face contort to annoyance, “What?”
Jeongyeon dramatically sighs, reached out for Mina’s wrists and wrapped it around her neck while her hands rested on the other’s hips, “Miyeon and Yeonjung, two o’clock,”
Mina nodded and peeped to her side with her eyes to confirm. Jeongyeon whispers to her ear, “Didn’t know we have to perform even on my birthday,”
The Japanese glanced back, almost certain that Jeongyeon already has a pout on her lips. She wasn’t wrong. What a baby.
Mina can see on her peripheral that Sana’s ’friends’ are both looking at them, so she leans up and kissed her pout, “I’m sorry, birthday girl,” and ran her hand on the side of Jeongyeon’s hair, resting on the nape of her neck.
“It’s okay, at least I can kiss you a few times more,” she teases Mina as she guides them to the other side of the pool, but still visible to Miyeon’s line of sight. Jeongyeon held Mina close, never letting go of her as she casually walk backwards on the pool floor, both smiling stupidly at each other.
When they stopped at a particular depth, Jeongyeon heard her murmur an answer to her joke, “Maybe,” she looked into her eyes, trying to assess what’s going on behind those orbs, but Mina just smiled, giving nothing away.
Maybe? Whoa.
“Really?” she scrunched her nose, unbelieving at the likelihood Mina would actually let her.
Mina just giggled, pressing her lips against the other’s cheeks, as if giving her the answer. Yes.
Jeongyeon lets out a low chuckle and puts it to test immediately. She leaned down to kiss Mina, expecting that she’ll turn her head, but to her delight, Mina didn’t. Instead, she leaned up to meet Jeongyeon halfway, hand curling around her nape.
Jeongyeon wasn’t sure if that was a peck, it lasted for a few seconds more than their usual. But she’s not complaining, never.
Mina darted her eyes to where Miyeon and Yeonjung were, to check whether they’ve seen their little act, but they’re nowhere to be found now. “It looks like they already left,”
Jeongyeon looked around but she couldn’t find them, either. “Seems like it,”
The two finally let go of each other and swam alone to each side of the pool, enjoying some of their ‘me time’ for a few sound moments since they can finally let up with acting all lovey-dovey. The peace was good until it lasted, at least, until Jeongyeon swam underneath Mina as the latter floats without movement on the water’s surface, “Still alive?”
Mina’s body jerked a little with the sudden intrusion of Jeongyeon on her moment of tranquility. She didn’t open her eyes and just spoke, “Yes, now go away,”
“Nope, it’s Jeongyeon time,”
She felt a kiss against her cheek before Jeongyeon pulled her hand, but Mina didn’t even try to move, she just let Jeongyeon move her as she concentrates on breathing and floating.
She then felt no movement around her for a few minutes. She thought Jeongyeon has finally left her to her peace, but boy was she mistaken, “Mina!” Jeongyeon suddenly exclaimed, her voice ringing out from a distance, breaking her focus on keeping herself afloat and started to sink down, her feet not able to make out where the floor is. Jeongyeon has taken her to the middle, the deepest part.
She swam her way with a scowl to a laughing Jeongyeon on the shallow side, “Stop startling me!” she whined as she landed multiple hits on the Korean’s arms. Jeongyeon only laughed as she ignores the smacks and pulled Mina’s body flush against her, enclosing her limbs on the other woman’s. Mina pushes her away but Jeongyeon knew better than to let Mina go, and indeed, better she knew, cause after a few moments of fighting, Mina melted under the embrace and just let Jeongyeon rest her chin on her crown. Mina didn’t resist gravity, either, and let her head fall and lay idly on Jeongyeon’s chest. She savored the warmth that surrounded her, from the hot spring itself and from the person who’s probably made the top of her head her pillow. Mina smiled at the thought of Jeongyeon just relaxing and possibly sleeping while they let the water engulf their bodies.
The sound of the waterfall nearby invites Mina to unconsciousness; just as she was about to drift to sleep, Jeongyeon called for her. She didn’t answer right away, thinking that she wouldn’t bother her again if it isn’t that important, but she did. Jeongyeon leaned her head back to look at Mina, “Minarin,”
Mina smiled at the nickname even before opening her eyes to meet Jeongyeon’s gaze, “Hmm?”
Jeongyeon automatically had a soft smile across her face, “Wanna see something cool?”
Mina brought a hand up and pinched Jeongyeon’s double chin, grinning at her playfully, “Is it this?”
“No!” Jeongyeon leaned back more to get her skin free from Mina’s touch, but the Japanese only followed wherever her face went. ”Aish, stop pinching it!” She whined and scrunched her face, a sign that she’s admitting defeat while Mina giggled at how cute Jeongyeon is when she’s on the receiving end of teasing.
“You know you could’ve let go of the hug to stop me,” Mina points out the most obvious solution to Jeongyeon’s dilemma.
“I know,” Jeongyeon nuzzled onto her hair, pressing her lips against it before mumbling, “but I don’t want to,”
Mina nudged her faintly, light dancing on her eyes, hiding a smile, “Sappy Yoo,”
“Only with you, Myoui.”
Jeongyeon only smiled her lopsided one, letting Mina go before shifting and pointed at her back, “Now hop on, I’m going to show you something,”
Mina clung her arms around Jeongyeon’s neck and her legs on her torso as she move them along the pool, tiptoeing towards the waterfall.
They both closed their eyes as they go through it and when they opened them, Mina knew that this grotto is one of the secrets of this hot spring. The small cave was dimly lit, almost cozy, “How’d you know about this?”
Jeongyeon helped her sit on the ledge, water still covered her body from the chest down. The Korean settled between her legs, placing both her hands on Mina’s waist. Jeongyeon shook her head lightly as she gaze up, mashing her lips together as an answer, “Mm-mm.”
Mina raised a brow. You’re not going to tell me? Let’s see.
She grabbed Jeongyeon’s face and took her lips, tongue slipping in to part her mouth, not even waiting for her to give the permission she had always asked. Jeongyeon was taken by surprise by Mina’s sudden act for what seems like the nth time of the day, but she’s not one to back down at these types of surprises; especially when it’s as pleasant as a make out session with Myoui Mina.
Jeongyeon grinned when their lips detached, “Maybe I should keep secrets more,”
“Still not going to tell me?” Mina asked, her voice low, almost sensual, “Your mouth and tongue seem to work fine now...”
“Do they?” Jeongyeon’s eyes swam with utter mischief as she lay hold of Mina’s chin, watching how the other’s lips part with anticipation, “I don’t think they do,”
Jeongyeon slowly leans up, closing the little gap that keeps them from devouring each other, “I think we should check again,”
She wasted no more time and took the lead, running her tongue on the roof of Mina’s mouth to explore every angle, wanting to memorize every detail on her lips, every facet, every aspect.
Maybe today is an exception for the effectivity of their contract, maybe birthdays are the days when they don’t have to follow a bunch of rules and terms that they themselves aren’t sure if they still carry out nor even remember.
Jeongyeon let go of her lips reluctantly, cursing inwardly on how her lungs need air to continue being alive when she’s got Mina’s kisses to keep her heart beating and her blood pumping, “You literally take my breath away, did you know that?”
“I intend to,” Mina replies with a small smirk on her face. She brought a finger up to trace Jeongyeon’s lips, “Don’t get used to it, though. I'm only allowing you kisses like this because it’s your birthday,”
“Oh?” Jeongyeon raises a brow as she chases after Mina’s touch, gaze never leaving each other’s.
“Think of it as your birthday pass,”
Jeongyeon smirked as she pressed a lingering kiss, “I hope you know what I'll be doing with that pass,” she mumbles a threat against her lips before taking it again.
It was supposed to be a peck, but since Mina is giving her a free pass, why would I limit myself to that? Jeongyeon deepened it, her hands running along Mina’s sides, from her hips down to her legs. Mina wasn’t doing any better as she succumbs to the feeling; one hand entangled on purple strands, the other clutched Jeongyeon's jaw, holding her in place. Jeongyeon is acting on pure instinct now as she slid her hands up to Mina’s inner thighs, brushing her thumbs as she goes. Mina moans softly into the kiss at the sensation, head threatening to spin, to lose every sense within her, to give everything she’s got to this woman; but she quickly pulled back when she realized what sound she just let out, what scene she’s allowing to happen between them.
Jeongyeon’s grin never left her lips, even when she was panting for air, “I have another surprise for you,”
Though reeling, Mina still managed to sound out a chuckle, “Is it my birthday or yours?”
“Mine,” she mutters as she pulls Mina out of the faux cave, “but I like spoiling you.”
-
“Hey, Sana,” Miyeon greets the woman on the other line. “Hi, Miyeon-ah! How are you, I miss you!” which was answered with much more enthusiasm.
Hate to be the bringer of bad news but I have to let her know.
“I miss you, too, but you wouldn’t believe who we saw at the resort today.” she begins to share the start of her gossip.
Sana’s curiosity was piqued, she has an idea on who it might be, “Who?” Please not her.
“Jeong and her GF,”
Miyeon waited for the other line to react, but all she got was silence, so she continued, “Don’t know why Jeong’s here when it’s offseason though, the management clearly don’t need her.”
“It’s her birthday today,” Sana says quietly.
Miyeon merely hummed, “Explains why Yeonjung and I heard moans when we got past the grotto,” before chuckling, “Seems like Jeongyeon is busy unwrapping her gifts on that little cave,”
Sana felt her teeth grit at the thought, her grasp on her phone, tighter, “Shut up,”
Miyeon shifts on her seat, concern and confusion mixing up on her insides, “Why don’t you just let her go? We watched them to confirm what you’ve said and I can tell you now that you’re very wrong. She looks like she’s head over heels.”
Sana took a few deep breaths, calming herself. Which side are you even on?! “Mi, they’re faking it. I know Jeongyeon.”
Miyeon shook her head in disappointment, she doesn’t know what’s going on inside Sana’s head anymore, “I don’t know what to tell you, Sana, but good luck. That Mina girl has Jeongyeon wrapped around her finger. If you saw them like we did, you’d agree with me.”
“Thanks for telling me. I hope Seungyeon-unnie gave you the discount I asked of her for your stay,” Sana deflects and hopes that Miyeon would just let their previous topic go.
Miyeon took the bait and got excited again, “Oh, yeah, Old Yoo did. Thank you, Sattang! You are an angel,”
Sana only let out a small chuckle, she does not want to be impolite, even if her mind is already out the window, racing with memories, “Bye,”
The smile that she had on immediately dropped as soon as the call ended. She allowed her brain to take her back to a specific memory a few months ago.
/ /
“But you don’t love her, right?” Sana asked with hopeful eyes. What if she says yes?
It’s as if Jeongyeon broke out of a spell, her eyes darted away as she got out of Sana’s hold, “No...”
“So you still love me?” Say yes, Jeongyeon, I need to know. She tried to get a hold of Jeongyeon’s face again but she keeps on dodging away.
But when Jeongyeon had enough, she looked her straight in the eye, making her pause everything to look into those deep brown orbs that she loved seeing everyday. She can see the struggle, the pain, the longing. If you don’t love her, why are you with her? “Why are you doing this, Sana?”
“Because I know you’re faking all this.” I know you, and you can’t fool me.
Jeongyeon only shook her head, “You think I’m using Mina?” she scoffed as she paced, hands on her waist, “Why would I do that?”
“So you can get me back,” That’s your plan all along, right?
The Korean set a straight face, a look Sana has never been able to get past, not even once, “You’re being crazy,”
“I know your heart is still mine, Jeongyeon. It’ll never be Mina’s,” Jeongyeon didn’t say anything and just walked away, leaving her alone. Again.
/ /
Jeongyeon said she doesn’t love her. She said she doesn’t. She’s just playing with Mina. I shouldn’t be too worried. Her heart twists at what Miyeon has told her. She couldn’t help but picture out what elicited those sounds from that cave. She couldn’t shrug off how Miyeon easily told her to just let Jeongyeon go. How her best friend basically told her that the one person she’s ever adored is looking like she’s head over heels for someone that is not her. But she said she doesn’t love her. Jeongyeon would never lie to me.
She brought her phone back on her ears, calling someone who could help her with her frustrations, and maybe blow off some steam, “Dahyunie, come home early tonight. You’ll love what I’m serving for dinner,”
-
Jeongyeon didn’t think Mina has the capability of squealing for what seemed like 140 decibels, but now she knows exactly how loud this woman can be when she’s ecstatic.
Mina basically jumped Jeongyeon as she clung to her neck, also for what seemed like the nth time of the day, but then again, will Jeongyeon ever complain? Never.
Jeongyeon chuckled as she hugs a giddy Mina back, “I knew you love the beach,”
Mina leans back to meet her gaze, arms still wrapped on her neck, “Thank you, Jeongyeonie!” Her eyes shimmered with thrill, and Jeongyeon couldn’t help but feel more excited for her real surprise, “But...” Jeongyeon trails. Mina furrowed her brows and mashed her lips. She knew there’s something in this mischievous smile of hers and waited for her to continue, “The beach is just a part of my surprise for you,”
Mina was puzzled now, what could be more beautiful than this white and blue combination?
Jeongyeon signs for a hotel staff nearby; he only nodded at her before retreating somewhere in the back of a tent. He then handed two wet suits to Jeongyeon before resuming to his post.
The Korean had a huge smile on her face, the same shit-eating grin that never fails to do its magic: infect Mina with a huge smile of her own.
Jeongyeon hands one to her, “What...?” Mina was amused but she was confused as well as she inspect the suit. Is she asking me to change my swimsuit? She looked up to Jeongyeon to get an answer, only to be faced by the back of her head and get pulled by the hand.
What Mina saw next was enough to make her lips curl downwards and make her heart cry. Rows of surfboards stood on display and a bunch of other people practice their balance on the board on the sand before finally hitting the waves.
Jeongyeon watched at Mina’s expressions closely, and she knew, just from her glossy eyes and from the soft noises of appreciation, that she did good. “You’ve always talked about how you wanted to try surfing... so,” she tried to tell her in a nonchalant way, but Jeongyeon couldn’t hide the happiness that swarms her heart with the sight of Mina being so speechless.
Mina’s lower lip jutted, feeling shy at how Jeongyeon remembered all her blabbering. She wouldn’t deny that her heart fluttered, she never thought Jeongyeon listens to whatever she’s telling her when they’re together.
She wrapped her arms around Jeongyeon’s torso and hid her face on the crook of her neck, “I don’t know what to say, Yeonie...”
Jeongyeon chuckles at Mina’s sudden shyness, she thinks this is the most adorable Mina she has ever seen. She returns the hug, enveloping Mina’s waist, and kissed the top of her hair, “Just say you liked it and you’re golden,”
Mina looked up, resting her chin just below Jeongyeon’s collarbone. Her eyes sparkled, she doesn’t have much to say; all she knows is her heart is swelling so much right now. All because of this Jeong-ass, “I love it,”
Jeongyeon had a proud smile on her face. She wanted to kiss those eyes, so she did. She dipped her head to press her lips on each one, making Mina smile once more, “Good, because ditto,”
-
Turns out, riding waves (at least trying to), paddling and swimming and basically being under the sun makes you forget about the time. None of them kept track of it, to the point that they didn’t notice that they’re already two hours late for lunch time. If it weren’t for the reminder tone on Jeongyeon’s Apple Watch, she wouldn’t look at it and they would end up forgetting about eating and just let their skins get all pruney and wrinkly.
Turns out, watching Mina (at least subtly), paddling and swimming, and basically being under the sun with her makes you forget about the time.
Neither of them felt the cold wind when they were drowning with saltwater, only did when their feet were kissing the sand. Good thing about resorts, you can dine outside, all wet and sun kissed, wearing whatever you like, and no one will bat an eye; even if both of you are wearing unzipped wet suits until the waist.
“Here,” Jeongyeon hands a shivering Mina a towel, which the other gratefully draped around her body as they sat on the dining chair, “I ordered a soup for you,” Jeongyeon looked to her, assessing her face for any other sign of discomfort, “Then maybe we can go back up to our room to rest for a bit,”
Mina nodded in agreement. Although the sun is shining hotly over their heads, the air that crept her skin is cool. She feels a tremble inside her, spurring her to clutch the towel closer. But I wouldn’t trade this for the world.
“Your teeth are literally chattering from the cold and you’re still smiling?” Jeongyeon asks, lightly shaking her head, amused at Mina being able to smile still despite the state she’s in.
“I’m just happy,” Mina admitted, not bothering to hide it to the woman in front of her.
This made Jeongyeon grin her biggest, “I’m glad.” feeling her heart rejoice a little that Mina loved the experience, that she was able to do the one thing she’s always gushing about; with her, nonetheless.
Their food arrived and they dug in, talking animatedly in between spoonfuls when they aren’t teasing each other about who had the most falls while they’re surfing, or boasting who had ridden the biggest wave.
As they relax after the, as per Jeongyeon, ‘tummy warming’ meal they had, Mina was secretly waiting for the bill. She’s got a mission on her mind to swipe it before Jeongyeon, so she could somehow pay her back for this vacation; but it never came. She stood and excused herself, “Restroom,” Jeongyeon only nodded and just went back to scrolling through her phone.
Mina didn’t go to the restroom but straight to the cashier, “Hello,” to which was answered by a congenial smile by the staff, “Hello, Miss Myoui, how can I help you?”
Miss Myoui? How...?
Mina had furrowed her brows, the hotel service is so good that they know every guests’ name? “Hi, can I have our bill? We're over there,” she points outside, to where Jeongyeon is.
The staff just smiled again, “It’s already settled, Miss.”
Mina thanked her before going back out with a little confusion on her face. When did Jeongyeon pay for that?
“Let’s go?” Jeongyeon is already on her feet, beaming, before frowning as she spots Mina’s expression, “What’s wrong?”
Mina sticks out her lower lip slightly, feeling one-upped, “When did you settle the bill?”
Jeongyeon's grin reappeared, “Mm-mm, not going to tell you,” she can sense that Mina’s close to being fed up with all the secrets she’s not telling her, so she steals yet another kiss to maybe divert her attention to other things, preferably her mouth. The once knitted brows only got closer to each other, the once slightly jutted lips, only pouted further. “You’re abusing your birthday pass too much.”
It worked.
The Korean placed her hand on the small of Mina’s back as she led them out of the groups of dining tables and chairs, “You gave me a pass and you expect me to not use it?” she snaked her hand to Mina’s waist before meeting her annoyed gaze, “Nope, I'm getting as much as I want from you,”
Jeongyeon leaned down and planted a lingering peck. Mina grumbled into the kiss, protesting, “But you’re getting a lot, it’s like you’re taking a year’s worth,”
A smirk spread on the purple haired’s face, “It’s Jeongyeon Day, no complaining.”
-
A shower and an after-sun care session later, Jeongyeon is laying on the bed, playing on Mina’s Switch while Mina was fixing up her clothes. Without taking her eyes off of the screen, Jeongyeon distractedly mutters, “You’re coming to my game on Wednesday, right?”
Mina stopped what she was doing and gave half of her attention to Jeongyeon, her mind trying to insert someone’s name onto their conversation. “With Yonsei? Yeah,”
Jeongyeon groans loudly at her game before sitting up, “What about on Friday?”
Mina thought of her schedule and knew that she couldn’t go, “I don’t think I can, I got a presentation on that day,”
Jeongyeon hummed, “Check the schedule on my phone and add your name to the dates you can come,” and tosses the phone beside her before playing again.
Mina took it to her hand, “Password?”
“2497”
She typed it in mindlessly, but as soon as she saw the home screen, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Jeongyeon can see on her peripheral that Mina is shaking her head and probably pursing her lips. What’s her problem?
Putting the Switch down, Jeongyeon groaned from frustration. She eyed Mina lazily, already anticipating another complaint or an insult, “What now?”
Mina wore her ‘judgy’ look and shrugged, and Jeongyeon could see something behind her eyes, “You literally have your judgy face on. Come on, spill it out.”
The Japanese scoffed, a scowl forming, “You’re a baka, do you know that?”
And she’s back to calling me names. “Do you search language translations of ‘stupid’ every night?” Jeongyeon spat. Seriously, what did I do now?
Mina smiled her fake one, reserved for dealing with annoying strangers and acquaintances, and Jeongyeon knows she’s pissed at something, “Yes, I’ll call you dumb in German tomorrow.”
Jeongyeon lets out a loud groan, she doesn’t understand why Mina is being bitchy again. Is there something on my phone?
“I just think it’s dumb that she’s still your wallpaper.”
Oh.
Jeongyeon didn’t thought of that as something Mina would pick a fight with her. “It’s not like I show my phone to everyone like, ‘Hey, look at my phone! Look at my screen! She’s beautiful, right?!’” she tries to deflect, because honestly, she doesn’t know why Sana’s picture is still her home screen wallpaper. Just got used to it, I guess.
“Babo,” Mina’s tone suddenly went softer, “that’s not what I meant.” and Jeongyeon’s growing frustration went away with just the mere change on her voice. Only Mina can call her stupid and make it sound like a term of endearment.
Jeongyeon laid out her hand, “Fine, I’ll change it back to default,”
Just then, Mina leaped up from the bed, and no one got startled more than Jeongyeon, “Mina!”
She ran after a giggling Mina around the room until she stopped by the window and held Jeongyeon’s phone up. She posed for a few selfies and tinkered the phone for a few seconds before giving it back to Jeongyeon.
When Jeongyeon looked at it, both the lock and home screen has been changed to Mina’s selfie. The smile that Jeongyeon had on her face could’ve blinded anyone with how bright and huge it was. Mina is just too beautiful.
She pocketed her phone and squished both of Mina’s cheeks, earning a whine, “Isn’t it enough that I see your beautiful face everyday, that even when I use my phone, I can’t not see you?”
Mina only answered her with a giggle. She lets go of her cheeks and asked for Mina’s phone, “Now give me your phone so I’ll be the first person you’ll see when you smash the alarm off.”
“How about...” Mina stifles a smile as she ducks out of the corner, “no?”
“Mina!” Jeongyeon turned quickly to chase after her, “Give me! Let me set my charming face on that screen!”
After a fit of giggles and running around, she finally caught her. They both sat on the edge of the bed as Jeongyeon unlocked Mina’s phone. Aww.
She is Mina’s lock screen wallpaper.
“I took that when you were busy,” it’s a picture of her building legos on her bed; all bare faced and focused. “I thought you were cute there.” She thought I was cute there?! Jeongyeon looked up, a smirk growing on her lips.
Mina knew that compliment wouldn’t go unnoticed, so she follows up, “And at least I have enough smarts to set it as my lock screen instead of a picture of my ex, unlike some people I know.”
“Hey!” Jeongyeon exclaims jokingly, feigning offence, which only made them laugh.
Jeongyeon wanted to give Mina more than just a stolen photo of her. We didn’t take many selfies anyway.
She didn’t bother asking for the password and just slid to the right for the camera. Jeongyeon held the phone up as she put an arm around the back of Mina’s neck and pulled her till there’s no space in between their cheeks.
The mood only got them all giggly and happy as Jeongyeon occasionally presses her nose on Mina’s ear, making the other one recoil from being tickled; of course, Jeongyeon wouldn’t let her go. She’s not going to, not when she’s got her trapped on her arms.
Or maybe what got them giddy was when Mina decided to press a kiss on her cheeks, whether it’s for the picture or not, Jeongyeon would never mind.
Both of them chortle so goofily at a reason they don’t know, and Jeongyeon kept on clicking the shutter, kept on pressing her cheeks against Mina’s; their faces all scrunched up, their lips thin and wide with tight smiles, a little of their teeth showing from all the laughter they’re both holding back.
In the end, Jeongyeon picked the one where they looked a bit more decent than the others and set it as Mina’s wallpaper.
“You took 589 photos of us laughing, Yoo Jeongyeon?!” Mina bursted out when she went to her gallery.
Jeongyeon only kissed her cheek, “People would kill for just 1 photo with me and you’re complaining?” her crooked smile back on it’s place, “Consider yourself lucky,”
Indeed, they’re back, because Mina is back to hitting Jeongyeon again, “Consider yourself lucky that I’m not killing you for taking a gazillion photos,”
“Psh, you know you like it,”
“I. Do. Not. Like.” Mina enunciates every word with a grit of her teeth, “Having your face on my camera roll!”
But Jeongyeon merely raises a brow, she has a great comeback for her this time, “But you like it enough to set it as your wallpaper,”
All traces of expression left Mina’s face and just whispered, “Get out,”
Wide-eyed, Jeongyeon immediately envelops Mina into a hug, chuckling at how easy it is to rile Mina up today, “I’m kidding!” she lets her go and saw her unamused face. She brought out her phone, wiggling it before them, “I got Harry Potter,”
Still mirthless, Jeongyeon let her go and connected her phone to the TV. She chose Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone before going back to lay on the bed. Mina just watched her as she made herself comfortable, nonchalant at best. Jeongyeon tapped beside her, an invitation for Mina to come lay next to her. The latter made a soft grumbling noise before climbing up next to Jeongyeon, making sure there’s space between them.
Jeongyeon chuckled before pulling Mina close to her, letting her use her shoulder as a pillow as she drapes an arm lazily over the curve on her waist. She half anticipated for Mina to put up a fight, but today, she didn’t. That’s a first.
An hour into the movie, Jeongyeon can feel that Mina’s breathing has changed. She peered down to check, and confirmed her suspicions. Her eyelids are fluttering, she’s fighting off sleep.
She brought her hand up from her waist and played with her hair, occasionally scratching her scalp with her fingers. Jeongyeon knew that this is one of Mina’s weaknesses, and it’s never failed to make her fall asleep faster.
She smiles to herself as Mina’s breathing slowed and relaxed more. The rise and fall of her chest steady, its rhythm calmer.
Jeongyeon forgets all about her phone and the TV, all she watches now is how peaceful Mina is when sleeping. You couldn’t be this calm whenever you’re awake now, can you?
Her fingers ran through her hair for a few more times before she herself succumb to sleep, before she close her heavy lids to see nothing; but instead she saw Mina walking down the shoreline, turning around to face her before she runs off to somewhere. Her laugh still ringing through her ears, her smile that you can see from even a mile away.
Even in my dreams, I can’t not see you.
-
Mina hesitantly opened her eyes when she felt the bed dip, “Mina,” a soft voice called for her name.
“Hmm?” She closed her eyes again, relaxing when she knew it was Jeongyeon. Lavender.
“We need to get ready in a bit. Dinner’s at 7,” she reminds her. Jeongyeon kissed her cheek repeatedly when she tried to drift off to sleep again, trying to wake her by annoying her, as if this is annoying. Mina giggled, putting a hand on Jeongyeon’s face to stop her, “Okay, okay, I’m up.”
Jeongyeon let her get ready before going to her bag, searching for her jackets. She has a feeling Mina wouldn’t wear a sweater just so she can take cute pictures later.
“Ready,” Mina announces when she got out of the bathroom. Jeongyeon looked up, and saw that she’s wearing a red printed floor-length beach maxi dress. It’s back open with just a few straps cross-tied. Called it.
Jeongyeon wore a sweater and a jacket, just in case. She knew the weather tonight might be humid, but there’s a chance it would get cold again. She looked on her watch, 6:24PM, we still got time.
“Leggo,”
-
”We just missed the sunset,” Mina pouts at Jeongyeon as they walk barefoot down the shore, to which the latter only smiled at, “If someone just woke up the same time I was waking her up, maybe she wouldn’t have missed it,”
“You woke me at 6, I moved pretty fast for us to get out of the room on 6:20,” Mina fired back, still with a slight jut of her lips.
Jeongyeon just chuckled and twirled the slippers on her hand with her fingers; not answering for a moment, gauging if what she had in mind would hint something she may or may not want to get across, “We can always go back,”
She stopped walking when Mina didn’t respond. Jeongyeon took a quick peek and maybe panicked a bit, causing her to blurt out things without filter, “If you want, of course, I wouldn’t- I wouldn’t force you to come back with me here just to watch the sun set or walk or whatever, I’m never going to fo-”
Mina only laced her fingers with Jeongyeon’s before pulling her again to walk, peering up to meet her probably anxious stare, “Can’t wait,”
With that thought off of Jeongyeon’s chest, she felt easier now. She swayed their hands lightly as they walk, and she thought, it was fun to walk with Mina. With her, she felt like she didn’t have to make up conversations to feel comfortable or keep their atmosphere exciting. With her, silence and loudness doesn’t matter, because Mina can handle both of these Jeongyeon’s.
Under the bright stars and mellow moonlight, Mina once again quivered, but she wouldn’t let Jeongyeon know that she’s feeling a bit cold now, she’d tease her for forgetting. I knew I should’ve brought a jacket with me.
Jeongyeon felt the cool wind hit her face and knew Mina would no doubt feel cold now. She lets go of her hand and shrugged off her jacket, “No, what are you doing?” Mina begins to ask.
Jeongyeon just kept silent and just held out the jacket, urging Mina to wear it, “I’m okay,”
Why are you always so stubborn?
“Please?” Jeongyeon pleaded. She discovered today that Mina and low temperatures don’t really mix up well. Gotta take note of that.
Mina did as she was told, although grumbling; but all that vanished when Jeongyeon’s warmth and scent engulfed her.
Jeongyeon had a questioning smile spread on her lips at how Mina is hugging herself, accompanied with a few soft noises. At least she appreciated it.
They walked slowly, drinking in the moon’s serene light, listening to the waves that crashed on rocks and on their feet.
Jeongyeon looked on to the bright city lights from afar before muttering something, probably thinking out loud, “Maybe this could be our first date.”
Our first what?!
Mina thought it was ridiculous, but the funny tingly stuff she felt on her stomach said otherwise. She hides her smile by looking down, she hoped her eyes could lie for her, to not give her away, especially when Jeongyeon looks through them.
She steeled herself, trying to contain the little jumps on her heart, “Do you want it to be?” but judging by the way it came out of her lips, she failed. She knew Jeongyeon saw through it, she did, based on how happy her eyes are.
Jeongyeon smiles, her eyes shone with something Mina couldn’t decipher, “Maybe,”
Mina just chuckled at how Jeongyeon responded, “You’re turning into me,”
“Is that a bad thing?” she regards her with a crooked smile.
“Maybe,” You’re not going to outdo me while using my lines, Yoo.
Jeongyeon had put on a face, the one that looks like she’s thinking and mulling over something deep, when it’s just her choosing between cold brew and iced espresso, “Imagine if there are two Mina’s, the relationship is just...” she shook her head before grimacing.
Mina feigned offence, putting a hand on her chest, “Are you saying I’m difficult?”
“I’m saying that a Mina needs a Jeongyeon for the relationship to work,” Jeongyeon said pointedly, as if stating the obvious.
Mina merely raised a brow, opting to play into Jeongyeon’s game, “Good thing I’m not a Mina then,”
“Oh?” Jeongyeon mirrored her expression, amused that Mina is actually on board with her joke, “Then who are you?”
“Sharon,” Mina looked at her, a small smirk donned her face.
Jeongyeon continued to eye her, her mind already working on something, “Your english name?”
Mina hummed as a confirmation. She thinks their conversation about it would end, but Jeongyeon looked like she still has something to say. I forgot who I was dealing with: ever curious, ever talkative Yoo.
“Well, what’s your name in Russian?”
“Sharon,” Mina felt as if Jeongyeon would crack a joke any time soon, and didn’t even bother to hide her grin anymore.
“Not Sharonsky?” Oh my God, I knew it. “No!” Mina laughs as she smacks Jeongyeon on her arms, “Russian names does not work like that!”
“Well,” Jeongyeon joins her on her fit of laughter, “Mina, Sharon, or Sharonsky, or whatever name you change to, you still need a Jeongyeon in your life.”
“Just a Jeongyeon? I’ll find anyone whose name is Jeongyeon, then.” Mina giggles at the thought of having to find another Jeongyeon, because what are the odds of finding a Jeongyeon who’s as goofy and crazy as the one she already has now?
“Not just a Jeongyeon, you have to get the best Jeongyeon, and that’s Yoo Jeongyeon.” Of course, she is the punch line.
Mina cackled, “A Yoo Jeongyeon, specifically?” What life would I even have if I didn’t have this specific Jeongyeon?
“Yup, specifically, me.”
Jeongyeon’s humor may be dry for others, but for Mina, it sure as hell funny. Her eyes had always formed crescents whenever she’s with her, and she’ll admit that sometimes, she’s having way too much fun with Jeongyeon that she doesn’t even filter much of what she’s saying.
And this is one of those times.
“Yoo Jeongyeon, are you in love with me?” Mina laughs as she gives Jeongyeon a little push, a gesture that she’s always done whenever she’s with her.
Suddenly, Jeongyeon stopped walking, effectively making Mina stop on her tracks, too, to give her her full attention. Jeongyeon’s eyes swim in a sea of dancing lights, a wry smile playing on her lips as she echoes Mina’s favorite answer, “Maybe,”
That was a joke, right? Because I always answer her with maybe?
Mina tries to read through those deep brown orbs, searching for anything that might give her a hint about what is on Jeongyeon’s mind, but she couldn’t. Why did I even ask that in the first place?!
Jeongyeon is her usual self. It’s Jeongyeon being Jeongyeon. The only difference now is she couldn’t make out whether she’s really kidding or she’s implying something.
“Come on, let’s go to dinner,” Jeongyeon takes her hand into hers once more, filling the spaces between their fingers; eyes burning brightly with puzzles Mina couldn’t decrypt.
Why am I even putting so much effort into thinking about this? She’s probably just messing around.
What started as a harmless joke turned into a very concerning thought for Mina. She tried to get it off her mind, trying to focus on the sound of the waves instead or what will they eat for dinner. But no matter how much she wants to, Jeongyeon’s voice keeps on playing like a broken record, intent to drive her crazy.
Maybe.
She realized one thing on their walk. Maybe is a dangerous word; especially when it comes from someone you have no business talking about whether they’re in love with you or not.
Because then, you will start to question yourself. Out of curiosity or not, your mind will ask you back.
Are you?
-
Dinner was fun, if it wasn’t so distracting. Mina couldn’t take her mind off of that conversation earlier, but thankfully, Jeongyeon, despite being the reason of it all, still saved the day. Mina is as good as new before they came out of that dinner hall. All it took were Jeongyeon’s quirks and goofiness with a side of random jokes.
Bedtime is almost upon them and Jeongyeon took note of what Mina said earlier. She’s going to sleep on the bed tonight.
After she did her nightly rituals, she threw herself on the bed, “Finally, yes!” sprawling her limbs on the huge soft space, “I can sleep on a bed tonight!”
Mina came out of the bathroom and went to her side of the bed, picking up pillows, a spare blanket already looped around her arm, “What are you doing?”
Mina frowns at her, isn’t it obvious? “Preparing to sleep?”
“Okay, so where are you taking those?” Jeongyeon is genuinely confused.
Mina is starting to get annoyed with all the questions that already have an obvious answer, “To the couch, dummy.”
“Why would you take them to the couch?!” the Korean exclaims, already having a hint of what Mina wants to do.
“Cause I want to sleep now?!” Mina fires back, pointing out what’s supposed to be evident.
“The bed can literally fit three me and you’s,” Jeongyeon tones her voice down, trying to persuade Mina.
“I’m not sleeping on a bed with you.” Mina shook her head, hugging the pillows to her chest.
Jeongyeon scoffed, disbelief on her face, “We literally napped together earlier and you didn’t had a problem?!”
She has a point, but still, “Because it was a nap, and it didn’t involve sleeping till morning!”
“What’s the difference?! You still slept with me!” Jeongyeon blabbers, not even filtering her words.
Mina’s face instantly went bright red at the comment. Jeongyeon would’ve laugh her heart out with how ridiculously red Mina is right now, but she realized how she had put her sentences.
She didn’t know why her face was hot and why she suddenly couldn’t look at Mina, “I– I didn’t mean like s-sleep, ugh,” she groans in frustration and gets up harshly to pick her pillows. She cleared her throat and tried to look at things that are nearby Mina, to somehow resemble meeting her hesitant gaze, “I’m going to take the couch, sleep on the bed. Goodnight,”
Jeongyeon turns to head for the sofa but Mina called for her, “Jeong, wait,”
Jeongyeon jerked when Mina touched her wrist. She gulps an invisible lump, she does not want Mina to get near her for now, especially not after her ‘slept with me’ slip up. Mina was right all this time, she is a babo.
Mina awkwardly lets go of her hold on her wrist, feeling Jeongyeon’s discomfort, “It’s okay, let’s just sleep on the bed.” she knows it won’t be easy, considering the fact that Jeongyeon already looks flustered than she is, but she won’t let her sleep on the couch, not tonight, “You’re right, it’s enough for us to still have spare space,”
“Are you sure?” the Korean reluctantly meets her gaze.
Mina reassured her with a smile, “I’m sure,”
Jeongyeon turned off the fluorescents but left the bedside lamp on. She knew Mina liked a bit of yellow light when she sleeps.
They both took their sides and put an awkward distance between them. Two persons can fit with the gap they have, a striking opposite of their proximity on today’s earlier nap.
You’d expect for them to just brush off that slip up, with all the ‘sex’ jokes their friends have been throwing their way; but tonight, it seems like they both couldn’t. Neither knows what has changed, why they didn’t just laughed it off like they usually do, why they didn’t just moved on from this joke to another. It took them a few toss and turns, a number of stolen glances and one final ‘goodnight’ to finally let themselves drift to sleep.
That night, they dreamt of waves, warm hugs and city lights.
-
Mina woke up feeling refreshed, events that transpired before she went unconscious, all long gone. She doesn’t think she’s slept that long in a few weeks now. She cracked an eye open, only to shut them within a nanosecond. Light has flooded the room; the sun is already up, shining softly. She knows it will not hesitate to blind her for a few nonplus moments, should she open her lids widely. Mornings have never smelled this good either, her favorite scent already engulfing her this early.
With a small smile, Mina tried to stretch, eyes closed to savor the pleasure of getting her limbs straightened out, but now that she has regained most of her senses, she noticed that there’s a weight on her arm and on her side. Something’s preventing her from moving her legs either. What...?
As soon as she opened both her eyes, purple hairs invaded her sight. Her nose already diving on Jeongyeon’s head, and so she thought, why not seize the moment more? She nuzzled into her hair and inhaled her favorite smell. Could this be the reason why I always sleep better when I’m with her?
She now also knows why she’s been laying on her side. Jeongyeon is practically a koala with how much hugging she’s doing. Her arm is draped loosely on her waist, her legs entangled with hers. Mina could only smile at the thought of Jeongyeon being this clingy, whether she’s awake or asleep, because apparently, it doesn’t change. Bonus: Jeongyeon never liked it when it’s somebody else. She’d literally run for the hills before any of her friends can kiss her cheeks or give her a hug, even on her birthdays. Maybe she wasn’t kidding when she said it’s only for Myoui.
Mina was feeling a bit mischievous and reached for her phone on the bedside table. Swiping right to open her camera, she brought up her phone to take a selfie with the still sleeping and slightly drooly, little spoon Jeongyeon. She giggles at how cute this woman on her arms look right now; her upper body shook as she controlled her soft laughter, stifling it so as to not wake Jeongyeon up.
When she felt Jeongyeon stir, Mina hurriedly put her phone back and closed her eyes. She pretended to still be sleeping; she hopes she can contain her smile and not let Jeongyeon notice what she’s been up to.
Her heart was calm when she woke up, it jumped a little when she saw Jeongyeon sleeping so soundly, cheeks puffed against her arm. But now it’s racing, beating erratically; either from the excitement from taking evidence of her being a cute little spoon, or from Jeongyeon hauling her closer, basically burying her face in her chest now. Mina couldn’t move, frozen to her spot. She doesn’t know what to do.
Should I let her? Should I just push her?
She got distracted further when Jeongyeon hummed in her sleep and nuzzled against her for a few heart stopping seconds. She wanted to scold her heart for not doing it’s job right. One minute it’s racing, the next it’s beating ever so slowly. Just give me one feeling, damn it.
Now she regrets waking up earlier than her. The torture, as Mina have called it on her mind, has ended when she felt Jeongyeon tilt her head and groaned lowly.
Is she awake now?
Mina peeked through the tiny opening her eyes allowed her to look at what Jeongyeon was doing. She’s awake but really really disoriented. She wanted to chuckle when Jeongyeon seemed to not even know where she is. Her eyes are barely open, her face scrunched when it was hit by the sunlight coming from their window. She yawned while scrubbing the sleep off of her eyes, still unaware that she’s made Mina’s arm her pillow for God knows how long.
Mina just regards her, still with that little smile she wore. She flexed her arm for a bit, trying to gauge if blood still circulated in that area or whether she’d have to go on with life with only one working arm. She tugged a little and paired it with a soft moan; she hopes it passed as a sleeping noise. She knew Jeongyeon got startled as the weight on her arm was lifted. Mina didn’t dare to even take a peek. She might not be able to hold the laughter if she sees Jeongyeon with her bed hair and startled expression.
Jeongyeon on the other hand was frightened. She totally forgot that she was sleeping beside Mina, which also meant she forgot about boundaries and such. She prayed Mina didn’t woke in the middle of the night and saw her invading her side of the bed; but given the position she woke up to, she definitely had invaded more than that.
She pried her limbs off of Mina gently, slowly. She’s too entangled with her and she’s afraid what will happen to her if she was to wake up and finds her in this position. She mashed her lips together, trying to muffle any sound she might emit, as she pulls her arms and legs out of Mina’s. God, please don’t wake her up yet. She will kill me. Just a few disentanglements away from being successful, Mina draped her arm around her waist.
Jeongyeon whimpered. Shit, shit, shit, shit, what am I gonna do?!
Mina wanted to laugh, Jeongyeon probably thinks she’s in a big trouble. She wants to tease her more, enjoy her misery more. It’s not your birthday anymore, anyway. She can go back to teasing Jeongyeon again without that birthday pass in mind, but she took pity when she heard her whimper more. Poor baby.
In her mind’s eye, Mina can imagine Jeongyeon doing her puppy eyes with her brows furrowed together, along with the pout that she always does when she’s in any slight inconvenience. She pulled her arm back and kept it close to her chest so Jeongyeon can move freely now to her side.
Jeongyeon let out a deep sigh. Crisis averted.
The light that passes through the windows momentarily blinded her as she looked over at the clock at Mina’s bedside, only, her eyes focused not on the time it displayed, but at the beauty right in front of her.
All the rays from the sun behind Mina did nothing but accentuate everything beautiful about her. Jeongyeon couldn’t stop herself from reaching out to put the stray locks of raven hair back behind Mina’s ear. She stared in awe, doubting if she’s really awake or still dreaming.
How could someone look this divine?
Jeongyeon looked closer, wanting to memorize everything about Mina.
If she were to trace all the moles on her beautiful face, will she take notice?
If her fingers were to brush over the freckles that flecked her ruddy cheeks, will she chase after it?
If she were to steal a fleeting touch over her enticing lips, will she woke and come to consciousness?
Jeongyeon’s head swam, dazed at how her mind can only think of nothing and everything. Nothing and Mina.
She wanted to get lost looking deep into her orbs, just this once, but maybe them being hidden right now is for the best. She wouldn’t want to get caught, all enthralled and mesmerized. She wants to keep this scene to herself.
Mornings and Mina are both dangerous for her, Jeongyeon deduced. Being this close, even more. The faint scent of jasmine that’s always present whenever Mina is around only made it worse, because now, Jeongyeon wants to know where it’s the strongest. Is it on her hair? Is it on her neck? Is it on her lips?
Jeongyeon was left with no choice but to gulp and prevent herself from being lured further. She’s trying so hard to fight off the enchantment, the magnet that seemed to pull her nearer the more she restrains.
Would it be so bad if...?
Maybe her senses has left her, gone even, because there’s no way she will close the space between them, little by little, if they’re still there. There’s no way she’ll kiss the mole on her nose, there’s no way she’ll even think of kissing her slightly parted lips even when there’s no one to show for.
But she did.
Jeongyeon closed the space between them, little by little. She kissed the mole on her nose, she kissed her slightly parted lips, even when there’s no one to show for.
It didn’t occur to her what consequence she would face if Mina was to catch her, and maybe it didn’t matter, because as soon as she pulled back, a pair of twinkling brown eyes held her gaze. Mina’s lips wore her shy smile, and Jeongyeon couldn’t think of anything as beautiful.
“It’s bad to steal, you know,”
If Mina was to kill her for what she’s done, she wouldn’t mind, but there’s no trace of anything ill on her face. No indication of threat, nor annoyance, nor hatred. She’s just being Mina; soft and warm-hearted.
Maybe it’s the best post-birthday morning Jeongyeon has ever had, maybe it isn’t. Maybe this shy smile is her new favorite, maybe it’s not.
There are a lot of maybe’s they still have to figure out, but maybe they have all morning to find those answers out in each other’s lips. Maybe it held a yes, maybe it held a no. Maybe it didn’t help at all. But who cares? Certainly not Jeongyeon nor Mina.