Thion 3XQ: Journey [ON HOLD]

“So is this the relic?” Nayeon said while inspecting the box. After the girls had found the box they shoveled the mounds of dirt back into the hole. Momo’s arms felt like they were going to fall off; she was so tired, that Sana then took over. They then transported back to the base where Tzuyu went to wash off the shovels and put them back. It was late in the night when all three girls walked back into the tent all dirty and muddy. Nayeon had woken up and asked them what happened. The other girls woke up from the sound of Nayeon’s voice. They told them about the grave and how they had to dig it up.

“We believe so” Momo said.

“That seemed way too easy” Jeongyeon said as she stared at the box. So Tzuyu wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Sana felt that way as well but she didn't want to think too much about it.

“Let’s not dwell on that, we maybe found one of the relics so that's good enough for now. We need to show the Captain as well as the Queen. I think once we get all four together then we’ll know” Tzuyu said. They all agreed to show the Captain first thing tomorrow morning. Right now, they were dirty and exhausted. As usual, Tzuyu invited Sana to her apartment to have a nice warm shower as well as to sleep.

“Aren’t you going to invite me over for a warm bath too?” Momo batted her eyelids in a teasing manner.

Tzuyu rolled her eyes and lightly shoved her way, “No” she held Sana’s hand as the older girl bid them all a goodnight. It had been a while since Sana actually spent a night and slept in the tent with the other girls. In the little time they were together, she’d gotten so used to waking up in Tzuyu’s bed. The only downside is that sometimes she’d wake up to an empty bed because Tzuyu would sometimes go for an early run in the mornings, being a SGT meant she had to be fit.

“Are you hungry?” Tzuyu asked the minute after they entered the apartment. Sana shook her head, she was more tired than anything else and she could see how exhausted Tzuyu was.

“Go take a shower first, I know you’re tired” Sana took off her muddy shoes and left it by the door. Tzuyu nodded, she wanted to ask Sana to take a shower together but decided against it, she was much too tired. After Tzuyu was done, Sana went in next, not taking too long as she’d usually do since she was also tired. She walked out of the room wearing Tzuyu’s sweats. She’s been wearing a lot of Tzuyu’s clothes lately unlike the other girls who had been using Tzuyu’s card to buy themselves clothes and other things.

Tzuyu was never rich growing up, despite being basically taken in my Chaeyoung’s family she allows worked for herself. Being here at the base had its perks, not to mention she did get a really big pay for her first official mission. She didn't feel like she deserved it so she didn’t mind Elkie using her card to buy whatever.

Sana walked into Tzuyu’s room and found the younger girl sleeping already, she was wrapped up in her burrito blanket, Sana found it cute. Tzuyu tried to stay up until Sana was finished but she succumbed to her sleepiness. It was only when Sana climbed into bed with her that Tzuyu shuffled closer to the older girl and wrapped her arm around her waist and nuzzled into her neck.

“Tzuyu”

“Mmm?” Tzuyu was still half asleep.

“Do you really think that’s the relic?”

Tzuyu slightly looked up to see Sana staring at the ceiling. “I don’t know.. I’d like to think it is..”

“It’s true as Jeonyeon said, didn’t you also feel like it may have been too easy to find?”

Tzuyu slightly sat up, using her elbow to  support her weight as she looked down at Sana who was now staring at her. “I know, but we have more important things to worry about right now. So don’t think about it too much, okay?” She gave her a small kiss on her jaw as she nuzzled back into the older girl. “For now, let’s just sleep” she mumbled. After that Tzuyu drifted off to sleep and Sana followed soonly after.

-

They’d gone to Jihyo and caught up with her on everything that happened, they left out the part about digging up the grave because that somehow felt illegal. They showed her the relic and she had inspected similarly to how Nayeon did, yet she didn't say much. She asked them if they knew what it did but Tzuyu had told her not yet. She gave them an unreadable expression but encouraged them to go and take it up to the queen. This time she’d accompany them. So now back again at the palace for a third time in a short while stood Tzuyu, Sana and Nayeon (who managed to convince them to tag along). Waiting in that same room for the queen to walk in, Tzuyu had her hands in the pockets of her jacket. One hand was holding on to the relic, trying to remain hopeful. After a short while of waiting the royals finally walked in. The whole family sat once again on their thrones as the girls bowed to them.

Siyeon waved her hand. “Tzuyu, it’s nice seeing you again. After Dami had told me that Captain Park as well as Tzuyu wanted to speak to me, I knew I had to accept”. Hendery nodded.

“Thank you, your grace” Tzuyu bowed.

“Well go on then”

“Right well we’re here to talk to you about something we recently discovered..”

“Oh my, and here I was thinking that you were here to take my Mia’s hand in marriage” Siyeon smirked.

“Uhh-” Tzuyu was speechless. This is so awkward.

“Mom-” Mia was blushing profusely.

Siyeon laughed “I’m just joking. Go ahead and tell me what it is that you wanted to talk about?”

Tzuyu cleared her throat. “Well-” She had already planned out everything that she was going to say before, but the queen’s comment made her lose her train of thought. “Uh..uh-”

Sana sighed and went to pull out the relic from Tzuyu’s jacket, but as she was taking it out, the guards pulled out their guns and aimed it at her. Seeing this, she was frozen, eyes wide open, she didn't know if she should pull out her hand or not, Tzuyu wrapped her arm around her for protection.

“What are you doing?” Hendery asked, warily.

“Uhh-” Now Sana was the speechless one.

Tzuyu raised her hand and cautiously said “W-we just want to show you something..”

Siyeon gave them a nod and raised her hand to have her guards put the guns away. Tzuyu grabbed Sana’s hand from her pocket and slowly, they both pulled the relic out. Jisun and Mia’s eyes widened at the box.

“What is that you have in your hand?” Hendery asked.

“We believe it’s a relic..”

“And what does it do?” Siyeon asked, her gaze fixated on the box.

“We’re not sure but we brought this here to tell you that something-something big is going to happen really soon. Klanta’s planning something big-“

”This again? I thought I had told you before” Siyeon interrupted.

“No-we have proof this time. We have a journal that says-“

“As you know I’m very busy. I don’t have time for such nonsense”

“Just look at the journal, please” Sana begged as she opened a specific page from the journal.

“Oh I know what’s in the book” Siyeon states calmly. They all widened their eyes in shock. Even Mia and Jisun were surprised at their mother’s studded confession.

“What?”

“Mother- how could you not say anything?” Jisun said. To think that all this time her mother knew about it but did nothing about it, she felt betrayed.

Siyeon scoffed. “Am I supposed to believe some random book? It could be a fable for all I know. I don’t care. What matters to me is keeping my people safe” 

“But what if it’s real and something does happen?” Mia asked. Siyeon was surprised to find that both daughters were seemingly defensive. “That’s why we created the forcefield. This forcefield was created many years ago and if he tries to come near us, well he won’t be able to”

“How do you know that will work? It might hold him off for a bit but if he really wants to enter he will. If we could just find the other relics then maybe-”

“No.” Siyeon said sternly.

“Please, your grace, I know you mean well but if we could just find the other relics then maybe we can stop something distrasous from happening. If we follow the jornal then maybe-”

“That’s enough.”

“Please, if you can just hear me out. If we could send a team out to-”

“I have made my decision, Tzuyu. I will not endanger the lives of my people” Siyeon stood up.

“But-“

“Not another word or I will have my guards arrest you. I’m serious, I do like you Tzuyu, but if you disobey my order I won’t hesitate to throw you in prison” Siyeon said. Tzuyu’s jaw clenched. The queen was being so stubborn it was irritating. How could she not realize that so many lives could be lost? Who even knows what would happen.. this could possibly mean the end of the world.

“But Mom-“ Mia tried to defend Tzuyu, she knew her mother was being serious and would not hesitate to indeed lock her up.

“That’s enough, Mia. This discussion does not concern you now go to your room”

“Mom-“

“Guards can you please escort my daughter back to her room”  The guards all gathered around the princess to take her back to her room. “No” Mia commanded. “I’m not going anywhere”

Siyeon turned to look at her and coldly said “I will not repeat myself, Mia”. Her mother’s cold gaze made the little confidence she had mustered up to crumble. She quietly nodded and avoided looking at Tzuyu’s disappointed face as she left with the guards.

Siyeon turned to look at Tzuyu back again. “Now, I suggest you leave before you make matters worse”

Tzuyu looked around and she could see the Captain’s concerned look and her eyes telling her that it was time to go. Her head was spinning, she closed her eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath out. “Yes, your majesty” She then bowed. Sana and Nayeon looked at her in confusion before bowing as well. Sana wasn’t satisfied with this meeting and she’d wanted to give the queen a piece of her mind but she knew Tzuyu would stop her.

“She’s so stubborn it’s infuriating” Nayeon grumbled as they were heading towards the car. They had left the palace in silence with all eyes on them. Tzuyu sighed when she sat down, she’s stumped. They had to come up with something soon.

-

After Jihyo had given them, particularly Tzuyu, a mini lecture about their behavior in the palace, the ride back was filled with silence. Tzuyu was mainly ignoring Jihyo and thinking about the other relics, meanwhile Sana was so close to arguing with Jihyo, while Nayeon was trying to also block the Captain’s voice out.

Upon arriving at the base, Tzuyu told the two girls she was going back to her apartment to get some rest and clear her mind, both girls knew that the younger girl was pissed off and upset and needed some space. Sana wasn’t hurt by it either, it would be the first night since she’d sleep in the tent with the other girls. Tzuyu lay restless in her bed that night. She had to do something with or without the queen.

Early, the next morning, she went straight to the Captain’s office. She knocked on the door and heard no response. She was already upset, and now impatient, she opened the door. “Captain look, I know what the queen said and I-”

“Not now Tzuyu, we’ll discuss this later” Jihyo said as she flayed her arm for her to leave. However Tzuyu took a stance. ”No we need to discuss this now”

“First of all, I really don’t appreciate you barging into my office like this” Jihyo gave her a stern look. “And second, it can wait. I have a very important meeting right now. The general of the Novis Base will be here soon so I suggest you go home and look your best. You will be meeting her soon”

“What? Why me?” Tzuyu said with furrowed brows.

“They’re here to pay their respects...and then there’s a dinner after, now go change”

“Why was I never informed of this?”

“I’m informing you now so go. We’ll talk about that other thing later” Jihyo said as she shoved her out of her office. “Wait-” Tzuyu didn’t get a chance to speak before Jihyo shut the door. She groaned, and leaned her head on the door, counting back to ten to try and calm herself down. Not this again.

She thought about asking Sana and the other girls to accompany her. She hated it. Whenever someone had brought it up, she hated being reminded of it, so meeting the Captain of the Novice Base was something she didn't want to do, much less alone. It’s going to be a long day..

Tzuyu went towards the base and surprisingly only Sana was in there. “Where are the others?”

“Gone for some coffee..” Sana said as she walked over to the taller girl.

“Oh”

“What's wrong?” She wrapped her arms around Tzuyu’s waist, pulling her closer. “Are you still upset about what happened yesterday?” She asked as she looked up at the taller girl who was looking down at her. Tzuyu sighed, “I mean yes, but the captain wants me to meet with this other captain, you know.. pay respect..” Tzuyu’s voice got quieter and Sana caught on to what she was referring to. “Do you want me to come with?” Sana asked.

“It’s okay” Tzuyu cupped her cheeks and squished them. “There is this dinner after though, and I was wondering if you’d like to come”

“A dinner?”

“Well more like a small banquet but yeah. Would you like to come? I’m also inviting the others”

“Sure.. but I don’t really have anything fancy to wear” Sana let go of the younger girl.

“Oh don’t worry, you can wear whatever you’d like. But if you’re still worried about it you can just use my card and buy yourself whatever”

“But-”

“No buts” Tzuyu looked at the time on her watch. “I need to go, but I’ll see you later,okay?” Tzuyu gave her arm a squeeze before leaving.

Sana watched her leave before pulling out her phone and texting Momo: Let’s go shopping.

-

Tzuyu hated wearing the stupid tie they’d have them wear for special events. She definitely preferred wearing her jacket and boots, they’d use to go on missions. Not only was she grumpy about her outfit but she also wasn’t in the mood to meet anybody and have them pity her much more than she already did to herself. She grumbled trying to fix her collar while Jennie, who was next to her, told her to calm down. Suddenly a car pulled and Tzuyu could see the Captain of the Novice Base along with two others walking closely behind. They all saluted each other until Tzuyu saw a really familiar face. She had met Captain Kim before but she was closer with her niece, Rosé. When both girls saw each other they smiled.

“Long time no see, Park” Jisoo said.

“Same to you, Kim” Jihyo replied as they shook hands. Jisoo turned to look at Tzuyu, “Chou, I’ve seen you gotten taller”

“Yes ma’am”

Jisoo’s smile slowly faded as she turned to Jihyo. Here it comes.. Jisoo began saying how sorry she was and Jihyo recounted the exact tale of what Tzuyu had told them. Tzuyu had notified her before that she didn't want to be the one to tell the story again. She tried to block them both out, and think of something else… something happier, something that made her happy. Sana.. Sana flashed through her mind and she found herself unconsciously smiling. “What are you smiling about?” Rosé whispered.

“Oh? Nothing.. I was just thinking of something..” Tzuyu said. Rosé eyed her but shrugged. After the whole mini memorial which took way too long, Jihyo finally suggested that they go towards the building where they’d have dinner. There, Tzuyu and Rosé finally got to hug and talk to each more freely. They were happy to see each other in a while. Sana had also texted Tzuyu that the girls were on their way over right now.

Sana had informed the others that they were all invited for dinner and they took the opportunity to buy whatever they needed, Sana had to make sure they didn’t max out the card. As they arrived, Elkie and Momo made their way to the snack table while Nayeon and Jeongyeon went to get some drinks. Sana scanned through the small crowd to see if she could find Tzuyu. She walked over to where Elkie had been munching on some fruit. 

“Oh, she’s gotten taller” Elkie said as she put a grape in her mouth, noticing Tzuyu talking to Rosé. 

“Who’s that?” Sana asked curiously, now noticing the two girls who were laughing together.

“That girl? That’s one of Tzuyu’s exes”

“Huh? I thought you were the only ex”

 “Well Tzuyu did have a thing with her over one summer”

“What?” Sana frowned.

Elkie chuckled. “Your girl’s a little player, I know”

Sana wondered how many more of Tzuyu’s so called exes or flings she’d have to meet because so far it seemed lots of people had the hots for Tzuyu. Elkie laughed seeing Sana’s reaction. “Don’t worry, she’s very loyal though” she said as she patted the latter’s back. It’s not like Sana didn’t trust her or anything like that, it was just a little annoying. The Tzuyu she knew back in high school always had many admirers but Tzuyu never entertained any of them, she was mostly focused on doing well in school.

“You should go over there” Elkie suggested.

“Huh? Why?”

Elkie rolled her eyes and gave Sana a little push. “Just go over there” and with that, Sana began walking towards the two girls.

“How long are you guys going to be here for?” Tzuyu asked while sipping on her champagne.

“About a few days” Rosé said while looking at Sana who was now approaching them.

“Hey” Sana came up beside her with a smile and held her arm.

“Oh hey” Tzuyu replied with a small smile. She looked at Sana up and down “You look really nice” she gently put her hand around the latter’s waist, while Sana gave her a small thank you.

Rosé could see the way both girls were looking at each other, she cleared her throat and smiled. “So Tzuyu aren’t you going to introduce us?” Her eyes shifted between both girls. Tzuyu could see Sana nodding as if she wanted to also be introduced.

“Oh right. Rosie, this is my..” wait..what are we? What is sana to me? We never discussed this...What the fuck do I say? Are we girlfriends? What if she doesn’t think we’re girlfriends.. that’ll be embarrassing.Are we friends with benefits? No we’re more than that, I think. oh my god I don’t know what to say. “Friend” she managed to say. She could see Sana was a little hurt by her words. Fuck maybe I shouldn’t have said that. She felt Sana forcefully remove her hand from her waist and stiffened, but still kept her smile.

Rosé could feel the tension between the two, it was awkward. Rosé knew Tzuyu could be a little dense sometimes but she didn't think she was that dense, even a mere stranger could see that those two were clearly more than just friends.

Tzuyu gulped and awkwardly said, “A-And this is Rosé, she’s Captain Jisoo’s niece”

“And one of the Commanders at the Novice Base” She smiled while she held her hand out. Sana shook it, also returning a smile.

“Wait really? You got promoted?” Tzuyu asked. The last time she saw Rosé, she was just an SGT Leader.

“Sure did, you remember last summer when there was this sort of big thing, mission 127? I had led it and finally got promoted”

“Oh yeah I heard about that, wow that was you?”

Rosé proudly nodded.

“That’s amazing” Sana said. She was mad at Tzuyu but she had no reason to be upset with Rosé.

“Thank you, Sana” she sweetly smiled. “They should also promote you as well since you managed to bring back all those people back home right?” She looked at Tzuyu.

“Yeah...” She took another sip of her drink. The atmosphere then became awkward; Tzuyu seemed lost in thought before Rosé asked “So, Sana, are you new here?”

“No actually, me and a few of my friends were a part of the people that Tzuyu brought home”

“Oh really?” Rosé wondered if Sana had stayed here for Tzuyu but before she could ask Sana said “We’re here in the meantime waiting for our professor to get better”

She then briefly explained to her what happened. “Oh I’m sorry” Rosé rubbed her arm to show support while Sana just nodded and softly smiled.

“Do you want anything to eat or drink?” Tzuyu asked her.

“No, actually I think I’m going to go” Sana replied coldly.

“Are you feeling okay?” Tzuyu went to touch her forehead but Sana moved her head. “I’m just tired” she turned to Rosé, “It was really nice meeting you” she smiled.

“Likewise, Sana” Rosé grinned. Sana began walking away before Tzuyu insisted on walking her back but Sana told her it was fine.

“Text me when you’re back”

Sana stared at Tzuyu blankly before walking away. Rosé chuckled and sipped her drink. “You’re still so clueless”

“What?”

“She’s mad”

“Who? Sana? You think so?” Tzuyu had thought so too but maybe she was just misinterpreting Sana’s feelings.

“Of course, silly. You should go after her” 

“R-Right. Hold my drink” Tzuyu said as she ran after the orange haired girl.

Sana was almost at the tent before she realized that she had left her phone at Tzuyu’s apartment. They had all gathered there to use some of Tzuyu’s makeup and she had left it on the girl’s bed after she had texted her.  Tzuyu saw her fom afar and yelled out to her as she saw Sana walking towards the dorms. Tzuyu ran and caught up with her right before she entered her apartment.

“Sana wait, wait” She grabbed her arm but Sana coldly told her “I don’t want to talk to you”

“Sana please, can we talk about this?”

“What am I to you? Am I just another fling to you?”

Tzuyu furrowed her brows. “What? No, no. You’re my friend” Fuck. I really need to learn to word things better.

 “Oh so you see me as just a friend? So all those kisses, all those dates, all those cuddles, all the sex, you have with your friends too?” She spat.

“No! of course not I just-“

“It’s funny because here I was thinking we were actually more than just friends” Sana laughed bitterly. “How stupid of me”

“We are more than just friends” Of course they were and Tzuyu knew that. Sana meant more to her than she even knew herself. Sana had already taken up a huge space in Tzuyu’s heart.

“Well clearly we aren’t to you” 

“I’m sorry I panicked, we never discussed our relationship. I mean you never asked me to be your girlfriend”

Sana looked at her incredulously, “I’m sorry did I need to ask? I just assumed we were.. didn’t you?

“I-I don’t know. I didn’t want to put a label on it in case you didn’t feel the same way..”

“How could you not think I feel the same way? I’ve told you I liked you before”

“I know but still” Tzuyu’s voice became soft. “What if you didn't want to be girlfriends, you know?” she pouted.

Sana sighed loudly, she couldn't believe she liked this idiot. “What are we 15? This is ridiculous” Her anger slowly began to dissipate the longer she looked at the younger girl. Tzuyu could be so dense sometimes but she also looked really cute pouting with her big doe eyes. She ran her hands through her hair. She could slowly feel Tzuyu approaching her. When Tzuyu thought it was safe enough she wrapped her arm around her waist.

“Please don’t get upset with me.. I know I’m dumb” She said in the sweetest voice.

“Yes you are” Sana tried so hard not to falter.

Tzuyu pouted even more and gave her those puppy dog eyes she knew Sana could not resist. Sana rolled her eyes and looked away.

“I like you, a lot. Okay? You and only you. No one else. Okay?” Tzuyu gave her little kisses on her cheek.

“Yeah, yeah..” Sana secretly loved it.

“So can I be your girlfriend then?” Her eyes softened and Tzuyu could see that Sana wanted to smile but the latter was still trying to seem upset. Unknowingly, both their hearts were beating crazily.

“Fine” Sana said. She was happy but didn't want to admit it. Tzuyu seemed to be beaming with joy, like a little kid. “Who knew the Minatozaki Sana would be my girlfriend?” Tzuyu giggled.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I’m still mad at you”

“Aw c’mon..” Tzuyu engulfed her into a hug and plastered kisses all over her face.

”Stay with me tonight” Tzuyu said in between kisses. Sana finally smiled and nodded as she wrapped her arms around her neck.