Fate of the Moon

"Is everything ok?"

Jungeun watched Yerim from the kitchen, her eyes trained solely on the girl sitting on the couch with her head down and her expression relaying, what seemed like, her inner turmoil. She didn't want to push Yerim into saying something she isn't prepared to say but she's been waiting for an hour; an hour full of silence and the buzz of their barely working air conditioner. 

She looked down at her glass of water, the light tint of pink on the rim was smudged and it started to stain every side; proof Jungeun had drunken at least several glasses in the course of that one hour. Jungeun took in a deep breath, "Haseul was asleep when I left her house, but she knows you ask about her, so don't worry about Haseul freaking out." She said, hoping to fill the air.

Yerim nodded but not even a single hum of acknowledgement left her lips. Jungeun took that as cue for her to continue speaking, hoping that she'll be able to make Yerim talk comfortably, "She cooked some chicken but the other members finished before I did, if you want I can order for us later?" Jungeun, assuming that Yerim wouldn't answer, replied to her own question, "I'll order some. We both deserve actual food since ice cream isn't super healthy. I mean we can cook but I don't want to risk burning anything. Oh this one time-"

Jungeun was about to spill about her experience with Chaewon almost burning Haseul's kitchen when Yerim had interrupted her. 

"Did you find anything on MOON?" Yerim didn't look at Jungeun but there was a certain edge to her voice that made the atmosphere drop.

Jungeun blinked, her shoulders sinking, "You know about them..?"

"Of course I do." Yerim turned away, her face hidden from the older girl, "They're the same people who killed Jinsoul right?" 

"I know but we haven't talke-"

Yerim stood up from the couch, her eyes snapping towards Jungeun instantaneously, a stern expression plastered on her face, "Why didn't you tell me that they came back? We're you just going to hide that from me?"

Jungeun winced at Yerim's tone, her hands anchored itself against the counter as she felt this odd wave of heat burn towards her. She decided against investigating where it's coming from considering it seems the answer was standing right in front of her. "I didn't tell you because we don't have any solid evidence as of the moment. We aren't sure if they're really back or not, we don't want to jump to conclusions."

Yerim's hands balled into fists but she hid it behind her back as soon as Jungeun caught a glimpse of it. "It's all over the news, unnie. Did you really think I wouldn't be able to find out sooner?" The honorific that joined the sentence sent a wave of relief through the older girl considering it seems like Yerim was still hanging on to her logical mind on things. 

"I know." Jungeun sighed, looking away from Yerim's accusatory gaze, "I'm sorry. I didn't think it was right for you to see these things when you wanted to spend your time alone, especially for tomorrow. I just wanted you to relax for the time being." 

"The same people are out there unnie. I can't- I can't just let them live like they didn't take someone away from me." Yerim's eyes softened, and her hands slowly drew back to her side, "You can't keep that away from me." She mumbled.

Jungeun walked around the counter, grabbing a hold of Yerim's shoulders as soon as she was close enough. Her touch was gentle; Yerim could barely feel it but she knew it was there, "I know, I'm sorry. I just didn't want to add to that pain, I didn't know this could have hurt you even more." Jungeun pulled Yerim into a bashful hug but she hoped that Yerim would understand. 

Yerim only let her arms lazily drape around her but Jungeun couldn't help but feel that the tiniest bit of weight was lifted off of her shoulders. This was the closest she's ever gotten from being able to see Yerim's vulnerability when it came to anything remotely about Jinsoul. It was something new, something that Jungeun can finally consider as Yerim slowly opening her gates. It was the first step of many - is what Jungeun wants to believe. 

Minutes passed and Jungeun had her arms feeling rather numb as she continued to hold Yerim close to her. The younger girl didn't speak but she dug her face into the crook of Jungeun's neck, basking in the silence. It was slightly taunting; however, Jungeun found this to be more comforting than seeing Yerim stand in front of her as if challenging her. 

The heat that radiated off of Yerim wasn't strong but it was obvious enough for it to prickle Jungeun's skin. That's never happened before. Yerim was always able to control her quirk - albeit minimal amounts - and harness it in the palm of her hand well. 

Jungeun shakes her head from those thoughts, willing herself to ignore it. 

"Want me to ask Kahei to bring you cookies?" Jungeun pulled away, ruffling Yerim's brown hair as she did so. 

Yerim looked at her quizzically, her eyes were glossy but no tears rested on her cheeks, "Didn't you have a fight with her a while ago?"

Jungeun visibly sunk, her head hanging low, "You heard that?"

"You two were kind of screaming at the top of your lungs, how could I not?" Yerim raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms, "I didn't hear most of it so don't worry I guess." She narrowed her eyes at the older girl soon letting out a sigh, "And I'm ok, Kahei should take time to herself too." Yerim's lips twitched into a quick smile before fading.

Jungeun let their conversation dissolve along with the buzz of their air conditioner. She watched as Yerim mutter an apology for being too stern just a few minutes ago but Jungeun has a feeling that there's more to what she really wanted to say. Yerim never really did say much about the matter until now. 

However, Jungeun does notice how Yerim seems to actually want to say more. She's fidgeting in her spot, looking down as if reciting whatever it is she wants to say to her and Jungeun can't help but feel like she has to be the one to push Yerim. Jungeun always lets the younger girl have her time but her curiosity and concern are reaching it's peak height with Yerim's lips parting every two seconds to say something only to close just a few seconds after.

"Whatever it is you want to say."Jungeun cleared her throat softly, getting Yerim's attention, "You don't have to force yourself to say it right now, ok? I can wait-" Chuckling, Jungeun says, "But I hope you don't make me wait too long."

Yerim doesn't smile at the subtle sarcasm but she nods, steadily. Jungeun nods, though awkwardly, and jumps onto their couch, taking hold of the remote control as quick as she can. 

The television had it's background music, along with the characters on the show sing a non-melodic song in their apartment complex. Their silence was no longer something they both focused on as the television took care of that pause. Jungeun can barely focus on the screen since Yerim was still standing in her spot with a pensive expression on her face. 

In all honesty, Jungeun's day has been turning for the worst every second. First it was Hyejoo that she made spike up with anger and now it's Yerim, who she has no idea how to comfort or even talk to when tomorrow was the day Yerim usually goes quiet. But she tries to empathize, Jungeun tries to let her mind flow freely with the wind rather than taking every step back to reanalyze what she should have done different.

Jungeun bit back a groan, wanting so bad to let everything fall into place, slowly. She hoped that maybe those monsters could just scurry back to where they belong and let them live in peace - let them grieve and accept their losses. 

"Yerim, I'm just going to take a na-"

"...ona."

Jungeun turned her head to Yerim, her eyebrows furrowing as she didn't catch what Yerim said. "What was tha-?"

"I want to join LOONA."