The snow fell softly outside the cottage, a blanket of white covering the world beyond the windows. The air inside was warm and inviting, the scent of pine and woodfire filling the room. Nayeon and Momo had been invited by their friends to spend the weekend at this secluded winter retreat, a peaceful escape from the bustle of their busy lives.
The snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, falling without a care, as if time itself had slowed. Nayeon sat by the large window, staring out at the snow-covered landscape, her legs tucked up under her, a soft blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Momo was sprawled across the couch, the warmth of the fire illuminating her face.
The peaceful silence stretched on for a few moments, but Nayeon couldn't help but break it. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she glanced over at Momo, who seemed lost in her own thoughts. Without warning, Nayeon grabbed a pillow from the armchair next to her and tossed it playfully at Momo, hitting her right in the face.
Momo gasped in surprise, her eyes wide as the pillow made contact. She sat up quickly, her cheeks flushed from the sudden interruption. "Hey!" she exclaimed, pulling the pillow away from her face and glaring at Nayeon, though the playful glint in her eyes betrayed any annoyance.
Nayeon just shrugged nonchalantly, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Thought I’d give you a little wake-up call."
Momo raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Is that so? Well, looks like I’m awake now," she said, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm as she tossed the pillow back at Nayeon
Nayeon caught it effortlessly, her grin widening. "You think that’s enough to get me back? You’ll have to do better than that." She threw the pillow at Momo once more, this time with a little more force.
Momo yelped as the pillow hit her, but she was quick to retaliate, tossing it back again, her aim spot-on as it hit Nayeon square in the chest. "You’re the one who started it!"
They both burst out laughing, the sound warm and carefree, filling the cozy cabin. The playful energy between them felt like a gentle wave, moving in rhythm with the crackling of the fire.
Nayeon wiped a tear from her eye, still grinning. "Okay, okay, you win. But next time, I’m taking you down."
Momo grinned widely, her cheeks flushed with the excitement of their playful exchange. "Oh, I’d like to see you try," she teased, her voice light and teasing as she leaned back against the couch.
Nayeon’s eyes sparkled with challenge as she placed her hands behind her head, settling back into her spot by the window. "Don’t get too cocky now. I’m a pro at this," she replied, her tone both confident and playful.
Momo raised an eyebrow, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees. "Is that so? We’ll see who’s the real champion here." She gave Nayeon a look that made it clear she wasn’t backing down.
Nayeon chuckled, shaking her head with a smile that made her eyes twinkle. "Alright, alright. We’ll save the rematch for later, but you’d better be ready when it comes."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, the fire crackling softly in the background, casting a warm glow across the room. The winter outside was a stark contrast to the cozy warmth inside, and the snow continued to fall in gentle, swirling flakes, as if time itself had slowed down in the peaceful atmosphere.
Nayeon shifted, her eyes glancing out the window as the snowflakes drifted past in a delicate dance. After a few moments of silence, she suddenly perked up, a spark of excitement lighting up her face.
"You know," she began, her voice playful but filled with curiosity, "I read somewhere on the internet that we might be able to see the Northern Lights around here tonight."
Momo turned her head slightly, raising an eyebrow at that. "The Northern Lights?" she asked, her tone teasing but intrigued. "Here? In the middle of all this snow?"
Nayeon nodded enthusiastically, her eyes wide with excitement. "Yeah! Apparently, this area has a pretty good chance of catching a glimpse of them. Wouldn’t that be amazing to see?"
Momo hesitated for a moment. "You really want to go out there in the cold to see some lights?" she asked, though her voice was tinged with amusement.
Nayeon met her gaze, her smile widening. "Come on, Momo, think about it. It’ll be magical. We’ll bundle up, take a walk in the snow, and if we’re lucky, we might just see them."
Momo let out a small laugh at Nayeon’s eager expression. She couldn’t deny the idea sounded intriguing, and the thought of stepping outside into the winter wonderland felt almost too tempting to pass up. "Alright, alright," Momo said, playfully rolling her eyes but with a smile tugging at her lips.
Nayeon’s face lit up with excitement, and she practically jumped to her feet, grabbing her coat from the back of the chair. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "I knew you’d be in! Come on, let’s get some fresh air.
With a soft laugh, Momo followed Nayeon to the door, grabbing her own jacket and scarf. As they stepped outside, the cold air hit their faces, sharp and invigorating, and the soft crunch of snow under their boots filled the silence. The night sky above was a deep navy, dotted with stars, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had slowed down even more, just for them.
"Alright," Nayeon said, her voice soft as she looked up at the sky. "We just have to hope we get lucky."
Momo nodded, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck as she glanced up at the stars. She didn’t know if the Northern Lights would appear, but being out here with Nayeon, in the quiet beauty of the winter night, already felt like a kind of magic in itself.
Momo squinted up at the night sky, her breath puffing in soft clouds in the chilly air. She tilted her head to the side, as if trying to make sense of something. After a few moments, she let out a quiet hum of confusion.
"So… do we just stare at the sky and wait? Or do we have to, like… do something to make them show up?" she asked earnestly, her wide eyes turning to Nayeon.
Nayeon blinked, caught off guard by the question, before letting out a laugh that echoed through the stillness of the snowy night. "Momo," she said, fighting to keep her composure, "what do you think we’re supposed to do? Clap our hands and chant to summon the lights?"
Momo frowned slightly, her expression so serious it made Nayeon laugh harder. "I mean, I don’t know! I’ve never seen them before," Momo muttered defensively, crossing her arms. "I thought maybe you’d know, since you’re the one who brought it up!"
Nayeon wiped a tear from her eye, punching Momo in the arm, her giggles finally subsiding. "Oh my gosh, Momo, you’re too much," she said, nudging her with her elbow. "No, we don’t have to do anything. They’re just there if we’re lucky. It’s all about the right timing and conditions."
Momo pouted, rubbing her arm where Nayeon had punched her, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Well, excuse me for asking," she muttered, glancing back up at the sky with a determined squint. "You made it sound like it was guaranteed or something. I thought maybe you had a trick up your sleeve."
Nayeon shook her head, her grin widening. "A trick for the Northern Lights? Sure, Momo, let me just pull a magical flashlight out of my pocket and point it at the sky," she teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Momo ignored the comment, instead spinning in a slow circle, her boots crunching against the snow. "What if we missed them already?" she asked, her tone half-serious, half-concerned. "Like, what if they came and went super fast, and now we’re just standing out here freezing our butts off for nothing?"
Nayeon couldn’t help but laugh again, the sound light and cheerful in the crisp winter air. "I don’t think they’re quite that sneaky, Momo. Besides, it’s not like they’re shy. If they’re going to show up, they’ll make an entrance."
Momo shrugged, her lips curling into a slight pout again. "I’m just saying… If we’re out here freezing for nothing, I’m blaming you."
"Deal," Nayeon said, grinning as she reached out to gently tug on Momo’s scarf, tightening it around her neck. "But for now, just enjoy it. Look at all the stars, the snow… It’s pretty nice out here, isn’t it?"
Momo glanced around, her pout fading as she took in the scene. The snow sparkled faintly under the starlight, and the quiet was soothing in a way she hadn’t expected. She sighed softly, her breath visible in the cold air. "Yeah," she admitted, her voice softer now.
They stood there for a while, the cold biting at their cheeks but not enough to drive them back inside. Nayeon occasionally glanced over at Momo, who seemed genuinely fascinated by the sky, even if she didn’t quite understand what they were waiting for. The quiet between them was comfortable, filled with the sound of their breathing and the faint crunch of their boots in the snow as they shuffled in place.
After a moment, Momo broke the silence. "Wait," she said, her eyes narrowing as she pointed up at the sky. "Is that it? Is that the Northern Lights?"
Nayeon followed her gaze, her eyes landing on a blinking red light moving steadily across the sky. She couldn’t suppress her laughter this time, doubling over as she realized what Momo was pointing at. "Momo, that’s an airplane!" she managed to gasp between laughs.
Momo’s cheeks flushed a deep red. "Well, how was I supposed to know?!"
Nayeon laughed even harder, clutching her stomach as tears of mirth spilled from her eyes. "Oh my gosh, you’re killing me," she said, struggling to catch her breath.
Momo huffed, crossing her arms again, though her pout didn’t last long as Nayeon’s laughter proved contagious. Soon, Momo was giggling too, her embarrassment fading as the warmth of their shared amusement filled the cold night air.
"Alright, alright," Nayeon said, finally straightening up and wiping at her eyes. "Let’s keep looking. And just for the record, if it’s blinking and moving in a straight line, it’s not the Northern Lights, okay?"
"Fine, Miss Expert," Momo replied with a playful roll of her eyes, but her smile lingered as she turned her gaze back to the sky.
Nayeon shook her head, still grinning. "Honestly, Momo, how are you this adorable and this clueless at the same time?"
Momo shot her a sidelong glance, pretending to be offended. "Excuse me, I’m not clueless! I just-" she paused, fumbling for an excuse before giving up and shrugging. "Fine. Maybe a little. But at least I’m not the one who dragged us out here in the freezing cold with zero guarantees!"
"Hey," Nayeon replied, pointing a gloved finger at her. "I told you it wasn’t a sure thing, but I thought it’d be fun! Plus, it’s kind of nice to just… be out here, don’t you think?"
Momo blinked at her, her cheeks still pink from both the cold and her earlier embarrassment. She glanced around again, this time really taking it in, the glittering snow, the way the stars seemed brighter away from the city lights, and the quiet that felt like it belonged to a world entirely separate from their own.
"Yeah," Momo said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "It is nice."
For a moment, the teasing stopped, and they stood in comfortable silence, the world around them vast and still. Nayeon caught herself stealing a glance at Momo, who was staring at the sky with an expression of pure wonder. Despite the chilly air, warmth spread through her chest at the sight.
But then, in true Momo fashion, the moment didn’t last long. "Hey," she said suddenly, breaking the stillness. "If I’m the one to spot them first, do I get a prize?"
Nayeon snorted. "A prize? For looking at the sky? What do you want, a trophy?"
Momo tapped her chin dramatically, pretending to give it serious thought. "A trophy would be nice," she said, her tone teasing. "But no, I think I’d prefer something more practical… like you cooking me breakfast every morning for a week."
Nayeon raised an eyebrow, her expression equal parts amused and skeptical. "Me? Cook? You realize that’s basically a punishment for you, right? I might burn the toast on purpose."
Momo gasped, clutching her chest as if mortally offended. "I can’t believe you’d sabotage my prize like that! You’re a sore loser already, and we haven’t even started."
Nayeon rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the grin tugging at her lips. "Fine. But if I win and spot the Northern Lights first, you’re in charge of fetching me snacks whenever I ask for the rest of the trip. Deal?"
Momo crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes as if weighing her options. "Every snack? No limits?"
"No limits," Nayeon replied, her tone smug.
Momo sighed deeply, as though agreeing was the most selfless act imaginable. "Alright, deal," she said, sticking out her hand.
Nayeon shook it firmly, her grin widening. "You’re going down, Hirai."
Momo smirked, her competitive spirit lighting up her face. "We’ll see about that, Im."
They both turned back to the sky, their breaths visible in the chilly air, but the stakes made the waiting more entertaining. Every time Momo squinted at something faint in the distance, Nayeon would lean over, mock-seriously asking, "Is it blinking"?
Momo, catching on, groaned. "Alright, I get it! Airplanes blink! Stop rubbing it in!"
Nayeon laughed triumphantly. "Just making sure you remember the rules."
"Rules, right," Momo muttered, but her pout quickly faded when she noticed the twinkle in Nayeon’s eyes. Something about the way Nayeon smiled made Momo’s heart skip a beat, though she quickly shook off the thought and focused on her "mission."
For the next several minutes, the two of them stared upward in determined silence. Momo, of course, couldn’t resist breaking it. "Hey, Nayeon?"
"Hm?"
"If I call an airplane the Northern Lights again… do I still get breakfast?"
Nayeon burst out laughing so hard she nearly fell over, leaning on Momo’s shoulder for support. "Absolutely not," she said between gasps. "But nice try, dummy."
Momo grinned, proud of herself regardless. "Just checking."
As the laughter between them faded into the cold night air, the silence settled back in, more companionable now. Nayeon straightened, brushing off invisible snow from her coat with a smug smile.
Momo shuffled a little closer to Nayeon, her hands shoved deep into her coat pockets. "Thanks for dragging me out here. Even if we don’t see anything, I’m glad we came."
Nayeon’s lips curled into a small smile, her usual teasing tone replaced with something warmer. "Well, you can thank me by cooking breakfast tomorrow," she said, earning a playful groan from Momo.
They both turned their attention back to the sky, their breaths visible in the crisp air. Nayeon sneaked a glance at Momo out of the corner of her eye, noticing the way the moonlight caught in her hair and made her eyes shine with curiosity.
"Hey, Momo," Nayeon said suddenly, her voice softer now.
Momo blinked, turning to her. "Yeah?"
"Do you…" Nayeon hesitated, then quickly shook her head. "Never mind."
Momo frowned, tilting her head slightly. "What? What were you gonna say?"
Nayeon hesitated again, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. "It’s nothing. Forget it."
But Momo wasn’t one to let things go that easily. She stepped closer, her breath puffing out in little clouds as she peered up at Nayeon. "Come on, tell me. You can’t just start something and not finish it."
Nayeon bit her lip, her gaze flickering back to the sky as if it might save her. "I was just gonna say…" She paused, then exhaled sharply, her breath visible in the cold. "I was just gonna say that you’re fun to be around. Even when you’re being a dummy."
Momo blinked, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. Her cheeks flushed, though she wasn’t sure if it was from the cold or something else. "Oh," she said, her voice uncharacteristically quiet.
"Don’t let it go to your head," Nayeon added quickly, regaining her usual teasing tone. "You’re still a pain."
Momo grinned, her confidence returning. "I knew you liked me," she said, bumping Nayeon lightly with her shoulder.
Nayeon rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. "Don’t push your luck."
They stood there for a while longer, the silence stretching comfortably between them again. Every now and then, Momo would glance over at Nayeon, her chest feeling strangely warm despite the cold.
Finally, Nayeon broke the silence. "You know what? If we don’t see the Northern Lights soon, I’m blaming you for jinxing it."
Momo gasped dramatically. "Me?! How is this my fault?"
"You’re the one who pointed at an airplane, remember?"
"That was one time!" Momo protested, her voice rising in mock indignation.
Nayeon sighed dramatically as her boots sank into the snow with every step. The crunch beneath her feet echoed faintly in the otherwise quiet forest, the towering trees casting long shadows under the moonlight. "This was supposed to be a short walk," she grumbled, glancing around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Momo trailed slightly behind her, the tips of her ears red from the cold, or perhaps from guilt. "Okay, but in my defense, all these trees look the same," she said, gesturing vaguely to the dense woods around them.
"That’s not a defense; that’s the problem," Nayeon shot back, though her tone held more exasperation than true anger.
They had wandered into the forest, following what they thought was a small clearing that would give them a better view of the sky. But the deeper they went, the more disoriented they became, and now the cozy warmth of the cottage felt impossibly far away.
Momo huffed, her breath visible in the frigid air. "Well, you’re the one who said we should keep going instead of turning back. So, really, this is on you."
Nayeon spun around, narrowing her eyes at Momo. "Oh, so now it’s my fault?
"Yup," Momo said with a grin, clearly enjoying herself despite the situation.
Nayeon groaned, throwing her hands up. "I can’t believe I’m stuck out here with you."
Momo just shrugged. "It could be worse. At least you’re stuck with someone as cute as me."
"Yeah, cute and clueless," Nayeon muttered under her breath, but a small smile tugged at her lips despite herself.
They trudged on in silence for a few more minutes, the snow growing deeper and the cold more biting. Nayeon pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, glancing up at the sky in the faint hope that the Northern Lights might somehow appear and make their detour worth it.
Momo, meanwhile, was focused on trying to spot anything remotely familiar. "Do you think the cottage is… that way?" she asked, pointing in a random direction.
Nayeon stopped in her tracks, turning to give Momo a flat look. "You have no idea, do you?"
"Not really," Momo admitted, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.
"Great. Just great," Nayeon said, sighing as she rubbed her gloved hands together for warmth.
Momo shuffled awkwardly, glancing at Nayeon out of the corner of her eye. "Hey, at least we’re not completely lost," she offered weakly.
"We are completely lost, Momo!" Nayeon snapped, her voice rising slightly.
"But, like… not emotionally lost," Momo said with a grin, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
Nayeon stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the quiet forest. "You’re unbelievable," she said, shaking her head.
"I’ll take that as a compliment," Momo replied, her grin widening.
The mood between them lightened as they continued walking, though the creeping worry of being lost didn’t entirely fade. Nayeon’s legs were starting to ache, and her cheeks felt numb from the cold, but she refused to let it show.
After a while, Nayeon stopped and turned to Momo. "Okay, genius. If you were a cottage, where would you be?"
Momo tapped her chin thoughtfully, spinning in a slow circle as she surveyed their surroundings. "Hmm… somewhere warm and cozy, probably near a nice fire…"
Nayeon sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "That’s not helpful."
"Hey, you asked," Momo said, shrugging.
Just as Nayeon was about to retort, a distant sound broke the stillness, a faint rustling, like the wind moving through the trees. Both of them froze, their eyes darting around nervously.
"Did you hear that?" Nayeon whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Y-Yeah," Momo replied, inching closer to her. "What do you think it was?"
"I don’t know, but if it’s a bear, I’m sacrificing you first," Nayeon said, her attempt at humor not quite masking her unease.
Momo’s eyes widened in mock betrayal. "You’d sacrifice me? After everything we’ve been through?"
"Survival of the fittest," Nayeon said with a smirk, though her hand had subtly grabbed onto Momo’s sleeve for reassurance.
"Well, joke’s on you. Bears like salmon, and I’ve definitely eaten more fish than you," Momo shot back, her voice trembling slightly.
The sound came again, this time closer, and both of them yelped, clutching each other instinctively.
"Okay, new plan," Nayeon said, her voice shaky. "We just keep walking until we find something that isn’t trees."
"Good plan," Momo agreed, nodding fervently.
They set off again, this time sticking closer together, their earlier banter replaced by a nervous determination. Despite the cold, Nayeon found herself oddly comforted by Momo’s presence.
They trudged onward, the snow crunching underfoot and their breaths visible in the frigid air. The dense trees around them loomed like silent sentinels, their shadows stretching long and eerie in the moonlight.
The earlier playful mood had dissipated, replaced by a nervous edge as the forest seemed to grow quieter, save for the occasional creak of branches overhead. Nayeon couldn’t shake the feeling that the forest was watching them, and her fingers tightened slightly around Momo’s sleeve.
"You okay?" Momo asked, her voice soft but edged with apprehension.
"Yeah," Nayeon replied quickly, though her eyes darted nervously to a particularly dark patch of trees. "Just… stick close, okay?"
"I’ve been sticking close! You’re practically dragging me," Momo said with a weak laugh, though she didn’t pull away.
The forest suddenly rustled to their left, a sharp, rustling sound that made both of them freeze in their tracks.
Nayeon’s heart skipped a beat, her grip on Momo tightening. "Did you hear that?"
"Y-Yeah," Momo stammered, her eyes wide. "It sounded… big."
Nayeon’s voice dropped to a shaky whisper. "Momo… if it’s really a bear-"
Before she could finish, two massive, furry figures burst out of the bushes, roaring loudly and flailing their arms.
"AHHH!" Nayeon screamed, her instincts taking over as she shoved Momo in front of her.
"What is happening?!" Momo screeched, her hands flailing wildly as she stumbled backward.
The "bears" roared again, stomping closer, their massive forms towering over the two girls. Momo clung to Nayeon, her legs shaking. "Nayeon, do something!"
"I AM doing something, hiding behind you!" Nayeon shouted, her eyes squeezed shut.
Then, one of the "bears" let out a very un-bear-like laugh, muffled by its headpiece. "Oh my gosh, your faces!"
The other "bear" doubled over, clutching its furry belly. "That was priceless!"
Nayeon’s eyes flew open, and she stared at the figures in disbelief as they pulled off their bear heads, revealing none other than Jeongyeon and Jihyo, who were laughing so hard they could barely stand upright.
"YOU IDIOTS!" Nayeon yelled, her voice cracking as the initial terror gave way to fury. "I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO DIE!"
Momo, still clinging to Nayeon, blinked in confusion before realization dawned. "Wait… Jeongyeon? Jihyo?! What the heck is wrong with you two?!"
Jihyo wiped tears from her eyes, grinning from ear to ear. "We couldn’t resist! You two wandered so far, and we figured… why not?
Jeongyeon shrugged, still smirking. "Consider it payback for all the times you’ve scared us, Nayeon."
Nayeon stomped her foot, her face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "That’s completely different! I didn’t do this!" She gestured wildly at the bear costumes.
"Hey, it worked, didn’t it?" Jeongyeon said, her grin widening. "You two looked like you were about to pass out."
Momo finally let go of Nayeon and crossed her arms, her cheeks puffed out in indignation. "Not cool, guys. I thought I was going to be eaten alive. I was already planning how to fight a bear!"
Jihyo raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh yeah? And how exactly were you planning to fight a bear?"
Momo hesitated, then shrugged. "I don’t know, maybe like… punch it in the nose or something."
Jeongyeon snorted. "Yeah, that would’ve gone great."
Nayeon rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched with a reluctant smile. "You two are the absolute worst."
"But also the best," Jihyo added with a cheeky grin.
"Absolutely not," Nayeon shot back, though her tone was less heated now. "And why are you even out here? Shouldn’t you be back at the cottage, being normal?"
Jeongyeon shrugged, her bear costume making the motion even more comical. "We were bored, and someone," she glanced at Jihyo, "thought it would be fun to come find you and freak you out."
"Mission accomplished," Jihyo said proudly.
Nayeon groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Well, now that you’ve scared us half to death, how about leading us back to the cottage? We’ve been wandering around like idiots for ages."
"Speak for yourself," Momo muttered, though she quickly fell in line behind Jeongyeon and Jihyo as they started walking.
"Come on, you big babies," Jeongyeon teased, slinging an arm around Jihyo as they led the way.
As they walked, Nayeon shot a glare at Momo, who was still mumbling about her bear-fighting strategy. Despite the chaos, though, she couldn’t help but feel a little grateful for their friends’ ridiculous antics. At least now, they weren’t lost anymore, and she had to admit, the night had turned out to be more memorable than she’d ever expected.
By the time Nayeon, Momo, Jeongyeon, and Jihyo made their way back to the cottage, the air had grown colder, and the first faint hints of dawn were beginning to color the sky in shades of pink and purple. They trudged up the snow-covered path, still feeling the aftershocks of their scare in the forest. Nayeon shot Jeongyeon a look, but it was hard to stay mad for long when her friends’ antics were so ridiculous.
The warmth of the cottage greeted them as they stepped inside, and the contrast between the cold, dark forest and the cozy, inviting interior made Nayeon exhale in relief. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, casting a soft, golden glow over the room, and the scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air.
"Well, that was eventful," Nayeon muttered, pulling off her boots and hanging up her scarf.
"You have to admit, it was pretty funny," Jeongyeon said, grinning widely as she dropped onto one of the armchairs. Her bear costume was now half-off, revealing the cozy hoodie underneath.
Nayeon set down her jacket and glanced over at Jihyo. "I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about the bears. You could have warned me.
Jihyo looked up from where she was adjusting the logs on the fire, her expression turning sheepish. "I didn’t think it would be that surprising," she said, her lips twitching as if she was holding back a smile. "I mean, it was supposed to be a harmless prank. But you should have seen your face when Jeongyeon jumped out!"
Momo, who had been quietly sitting on the couch, let out a long sigh. "I thought I was going to die." She rubbed her arms, still a bit shaken from the scare. "You two are so mean."
Jeongyeon burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the moment. "You should have heard how fast your heart was beating, Momo. I swear, I thought it was going to explode."
Jeongyeon’s laughter echoed through the room, causing Momo to bury her face in her hands, embarrassed but unable to suppress a soft chuckle.
Jeongyeon stretched, getting to her feet. "Alright, alright," she said, walking toward the kitchen. "I’m going to make us some hot chocolate. Jihyo, you coming?"
Jihyo, who had been quietly enjoying the scene from her seat by the fire, stood up with a nod. "Sure, let me help," she said, glancing at Nayeon and Momo. "You two stay cozy. We’ll take care of the drinks."
Momo and Nayeon exchanged a quick glance, both grateful for the quiet moment that was about to unfold. As Jeongyeon and Jihyo walked into the kitchen, the sound of cupboard doors opening and the clinking of mugs drifted over from the other room.
Momo let out a soft, amused chuckle, breaking the quiet as she leaned back against the couch, her eyes meeting Nayeon's. "You were seriously going to sacrifice me?" she asked, her voice half-playful, half-serious.
Nayeon blinked in surprise, her eyes wide as she tried to stifle a laugh. "What? No! I-" she paused, realizing how the situation might have looked when they were momentarily lost in the forest. "Okay, maybe I considered it for half a second, but only because you were being so dramatic! I couldn’t help it!"
Momo raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Dramatic? Me? I was only freaking out because you were dragging me through the woods in the middle of nowhere, with no sense of direction, and suddenly- bam!, bears. You could have at least tried to save me."
Nayeon’s lips curved into a smirk as she shifted a little closer to Momo, who was still teasing her but with a noticeable softness in her expression. "Okay, fine, I could’ve made an attempt to save you," she said, her tone mockingly serious. "But in my defense, I wasn’t about to sacrifice myself for you either. So, we’d be in this together. Besides, Jeongyeon and Jihyo had it covered with their expert bear costumes."
Momo’s eyes glinted with mischief as she leaned in closer, her playful grin widening. "You’re really trying to make yourself look good, aren’t you?" she teased, her tone light and almost daring.
Before Nayeon could respond, Momo suddenly lunged forward, her hands quickly finding Nayeon’s sides, and she began to tickle her mercilessly. Nayeon burst into laughter, flailing as she tried to push Momo away, but it was no use. The tickles had her pinned down, and before she knew it, Momo had managed to land on top of her, their faces just inches apart.
Nayeon’s heart skipped a beat, caught in the unexpected closeness. She could feel Momo's breath against her skin, her wide, playful grin hovering just above her.
"Momo, wait-!" Nayeon gasped between fits of laughter, her hands still trying to shove Momo away. But even as she protested, she couldn’t stop laughing, her voice high and breathless. "You... you’re gonna pay for this!"
Momo’s face softened, the playful gleam still in her eyes as she hovered above Nayeon, their noses nearly touching. She kept Nayeon pinned down with one hand, her other still gently tickling her side.
"Pay for what?" Momo teased, her voice low and warm, just the tiniest hint of a flirtatious undertone. "I’m just having a little fun."
Nayeon blinked, her laughter slowly subsiding as she registered the sudden shift in the air between them. The playful banter had melted into something a little more... charged. She felt her breath catch in her throat, her heart racing for a completely different reason now.
Momo’s hand paused, her expression softening as she noticed the change in Nayeon’s gaze. Their faces were so close that the only thing separating them was the thumping of their hearts.
Momo's heart raced in her chest, and she found herself momentarily lost in Nayeon's gaze. It was like the world outside the cottage had faded away, leaving only the two of them in this small, intimate bubble. The weight of the silence between them felt heavier now, filled with unspoken words and the electricity of the moment.
For a brief second, Momo wondered if Nayeon felt the same thing, this sudden shift that made everything feel more... significant. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she just watched Nayeon, waiting for her to say something, anything.
Nayeon’s breath caught in her throat, her fingers still hovering in the air between them as she tried to make sense of the confusing mix of emotions swirling inside her. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat, her skin buzzing with awareness of Momo's closeness. It was as if her mind had frozen, unsure of what to do next. She’d never imagined that something so simple as a tickle fight could end up leading to... this.
"Uh, Momo..." Nayeon finally whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Are we...?"
Momo blinked, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. "I don’t know," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual, as if she were thinking aloud. "I didn’t expect this... I mean, not like this."
Nayeon nodded slowly, her face turning a little warmer as she processed the moment. "Yeah... neither did I."
For a long beat, they both just stared at each other, unsure of how to proceed. The warmth from the fire and the quiet around them seemed to stretch on, making the moment feel both endless and fragile.
Momo broke the silence first, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she leaned back a little. "I guess we just got a little carried away, huh?" She tried to lighten the mood, but her voice had a softness to it, betraying the tension that still hung between them.
Nayeon let out a quiet laugh, nodding in agreement, but there was an underlying softness in her smile too. "Yeah, but I... I don’t mind."
Momo’s gaze softened, and she shifted slightly, her expression unreadable for a moment before she finally spoke again. "Me neither."
The unspoken words lingered in the air for a moment before Nayeon, still feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, decided to shift the atmosphere. "Well," she said, standing up and brushing herself off, her voice returning to its usual playful tone, "I guess we better get those hot chocolates, huh? Before Jeongyeon and Jihyo drink it all."
Momo blinked, as if she had just been pulled out of a trance. A small laugh escaped her lips, and she nodded. "Yeah, you're right. We should hurry before they drink it all."
They both moved toward the kitchen, the quiet tension between them not completely gone, but somehow lighter. The air felt warmer now, not just from the fire, but from the understanding that had passed between them. The night outside was still as cold as ever, but inside, the cottage felt just a little cozier, a little more alive.
As they entered the kitchen, the sound of Jeongyeon and Jihyo's laughter filled the room, and for a moment, the world seemed normal again. But inside Nayeon and Momo, something had shifted, something unspoken but understood.
Later that night, the soft hush of the cottage settled around Nayeon like a blanket. Despite the comfort of the bed and the warmth of the fire still crackling in the living room, sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned, her mind racing with thoughts that wouldn’t settle. Her heart still echoed the feeling from earlier, the closeness, the unspoken words.
Unable to stay still, she threw the covers back. Nayeon padded across the floor in her socks, making her way downstairs to the kitchen. She figured a glass of water would help calm her down, clear her head.
The house was still, save for the faint crackling from the fire. As she reached the kitchen doorway, she froze. There, at the counter, was Momo, sitting on one of the stools, a half-empty bar of chocolate in her hand, nibbling on it absentmindedly.
Momo’s eyes flicked up at the sound of Nayeon’s footsteps. She froze for a moment, chocolate halfway to her mouth. "Oh, hey," she said, her voice low, as if not wanting to disturb the stillness of the night. "Didn’t expect you up."
Nayeon blinked, taken by surprise for a moment. She hadn’t expected anyone to be awake at this hour either. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted softly, walking into the kitchen and leaning against the counter. She glanced at the chocolate bar in Momo’s hand. "I see you’re dealing with the same issue."
Momo shrugged, her eyes bright despite the late hour. "Yeah, I guess... Chocolate helps me think, you know?" She offered the bar to Nayeon. "Want some? It’s really good. I swear, it’s better than any bedtime story."
Nayeon raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Chocolate before bed? You’re gonna give yourself a sugar rush."
Momo grinned. "Maybe, but I don’t mind."
Nayeon chuckled lightly, pulling out a stool and sitting across from Momo. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. "What are you thinking about? You seemed pretty content when I walked in."
Momo paused, looking down at the chocolate in her hands, as if considering her next words carefully. After a beat, she looked up at Nayeon, her smile softening a little. "I don’t know. Just... everything, I guess. I’ve been feeling kind of... off tonight. You know, ever since we were outside. It was so quiet, and I just kept thinking about how things felt different."
Nayeon’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t show it. Instead, she tilted her head, looking at Momo curiously. "Different how?"
Momo shrugged again, fiddling with the chocolate wrapper. "I don’t know how to explain it... Like, after all that happened today, I just kept thinking about us, about the things we said, and... how easy it was to be with you. It's like I couldn’t stop thinking about it."
Nayeon’s gaze softened as she watched Momo, her own thoughts racing. Her chest tightened, but she remained quiet, letting Momo continue.
Momo sighed, her eyes flicking up to meet Nayeon’s. "I guess I’ve been overthinking it... I just, sometimes I get scared. Like, am I reading too much into it? Or maybe... maybe I’m just..." She trailed off, unsure of how to finish her sentence.
Nayeon felt a warmth spread through her chest. She didn’t know what had come over her, but the vulnerability in Momo’s words was too real, too raw for her not to acknowledge. "You’re not alone in that, you know," Nayeon said softly. "Sometimes I overthink things too."
Momo looked at her, her expression softening. "Yeah?" she asked, a little hope in her voice.
"Yeah," Nayeon said, nodding slowly. "And I’m not saying everything is simple or easy, but... we can figure it out. Together."
Momo smiled softly, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at Nayeon’s words. For a brief moment, the world felt still, like everything was falling into place. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something, the faintest glow coming from the window. It wasn’t the soft light of the fire or the glow of the streetlights from the nearby village. It was something different.
She jumped up, suddenly excited, and rushed to the window, pressing her hand against the cold glass. "Wait, Nayeon! Look!"
Nayeon turned quickly, slightly startled by the sudden shift in Momo’s energy. She walked over and peeked over Momo’s shoulder, following her gaze out into the night. The sight that greeted them took her breath away.
The sky, which had been a blanket of dark blue, was now streaked with vibrant colors. Green, purple, and pinks swirling and dancing across the heavens. The Northern Lights.
Momo’s eyes were wide with wonder as she took in the sight, her breath visible in the cold air. "It’s… it’s beautiful," she whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from the spectacle above.
Nayeon stood beside her, her own heart racing at the sight, but it was something more than just the lights that made her pulse quicken. It was the way Momo looked in that moment, completely captivated, vulnerable in a way she hadn’t seen before.
"It’s incredible," Nayeon agreed, her voice soft. "I didn’t think we’d get to see them."
Momo nodded, still mesmerized. "Neither did I."
There was a quiet moment between them, both of them lost in the natural beauty unfolding before their eyes. But then Momo glanced over at Nayeon, her expression a mix of awe and something else, something unspoken. She looked at Nayeon for a beat longer than necessary, as if she was seeing her in a new light, the soft glow of the Northern Lights reflecting in her eyes.
Nayeon caught the look, her breath catching in her throat. The air between them felt thick with possibility, as if everything they hadn’t said yet was suspended in the space around them.
Momo’s gaze flickered back to the lights, but not before she noticed the way Nayeon was looking at her, her lips curving into a shy, almost nervous smile.
"I’m glad we’re here," Momo said softly, turning back to face the window, though her voice had a warmth to it that went beyond the cold night. "I’m glad I’m here with you."
Nayeon gently touched Momo’s arm, her fingers brushing against her sleeve. "Me too, Momo. Me too."
Momo felt her heart race at the soft contact of Nayeon’s fingers brushing against her arm. She glanced over at Nayeon, their faces still illuminated by the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights outside the window. For a moment, she forgot to breathe, lost in the intensity of the moment, in the quiet connection between them.
Nayeon noticed the shift in Momo’s expression, the way her eyes fluttered nervously, the subtle tension in her posture. Nayeon’s brow furrowed with concern. "Momo?" she asked gently, her voice soft. "Are you okay?"
Momo’s gaze dropped to the floor, her cheeks flushing a deep pink. She swallowed, unsure of what to say, but something inside her urged her to ask. To take a leap of faith, no matter how small. "Nayeon... can I..." Her voice faltered slightly, and she cleared her throat, trying again. "Can I... kiss you?"
The words hung in the air, her heart pounding loudly in her ears as she waited for Nayeon’s response. Her stomach twisted in nervousness, and she couldn’t bring herself to look up, her eyes remaining fixed on the floor beneath them. She had never been this bold before, never so vulnerable, and it felt like a huge risk.
Nayeon’s eyes widened in surprise, her pulse quickening at the softness of Momo’s voice, at the vulnerability in her expression. For a moment, she simply stared at Momo, her heart swelling with warmth. This was Momo, the person she had shared so many moments with, the person who had always been by her side. And now, standing here in the quiet of the night, with the Northern Lights illuminating the world around them, Momo was asking for something deeper. Something she hadn’t expected but now realized she wanted too.
Nayeon gently cupped Momo’s chin, lifting her face so their gazes locked. Her voice was steady, but there was an undeniable tenderness in it. "You don’t have to ask," she said softly. "You can always kiss me."
Momo’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes meeting Nayeon’s, searching for any sign that she wasn’t just imagining this, that this moment was real. Nayeon’s smile, warm and genuine, reassured her. Slowly, Momo closed the gap between them, her movements hesitant but filled with a quiet yearning.
When their lips finally met, it was gentle at first, like a question and an answer, an unspoken confirmation that they both had been waiting for this. The world outside, with its snow and silence, seemed to disappear as Nayeon and Momo kissed in the soft glow of the kitchen, their hearts speaking the words they hadn’t yet said aloud.
It was only a brief moment, but it felt like time had stopped, leaving them suspended in that quiet, perfect instant. When they pulled away, their foreheads rested together, and the breath between them was shared, soft and warm.
Nayeon let out a soft laugh, her fingers brushing gently along Momo's cheek as she pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "You know, this is better than the Northern Lights," she said, her voice low and sincere, filled with warmth and affection.
"Yeah," Momo replied, her voice just above a whisper, "I think you're right."
Momo took a deep breath, her hand resting over Nayeon’s, still holding her face. "I don’t think I ever want to be anywhere else," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Not when I’m with you."
Nayeon’s heart fluttered at Momo's words. She gently cupped Momo’s face in both of her hands, her thumb tracing the outline of her cheek. "Same here," she said softly, her forehead resting against Momo’s once more. "I don’t think I ever want to leave either."
They stood there in the kitchen, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the Northern Lights forgotten in the background. For Nayeon and Momo, this moment, this simple, quiet moment, was more than enough. It was everything they needed.