Roses for tomorrow

At first, she thought it was just “curiosity.” That explanation didn’t hold up for long. Sure, the younger girl made her feel curious, but Fahlada had to admit it: Earn was attractive. Very attractive.
It wasn’t a problem—Fahlada had plenty of attractive friends. That wasn’t the issue.

So why was she standing here, flustered and anxious, frozen like a fool in front of her dorm?

It wasn’t curiosity anymore. She didn’t know what to call this feeling.
Earn had slipped into her life in a way that was both comfortable and strange. Comfortable, because she felt at ease and peaceful when Earn was around. Strange, because Earn was everything Fahlada wasn’t.
The blonde was intense, affectionate to a fault, and hopelessly clingy. She never missed a chance to cuddle, hug, or casually kiss Fahlada. She was always touching—running her fingers through her hair, brushing her face, holding her hand, or just finding some excuse to stay close.
And she talked. Constantly. Words spilling out before she could think them through.
These were all things Fahlada normally couldn’t stand. But for some reason, with Earn, she let it slide. More than that—she let this blonde whirlwind have her way.

Her friends, Bow and Tan, weren’t letting any of this slide. Their dearest Lada, who usually avoided physical touch like the plague, was now letting this girl do just about anything to her. Thankfully, Earn wasn’t the kind of person with bad intentions.
“You’re spoiling her way too much,” Bow teased.
“Exactly,” Tan chimed in. “If this girl asked you to find strawberries in the middle of winter, you’d go without a second thought.”
But Lada didn’t think she was spoiling Earn that much. “I’m not reckless like that,” she muttered to herself. “Come on, Lada, you’re rational. You’re in control.”
Deep down, though, she wasn’t so sure. Maybe she was making a fool of herself. Even her parents seemed to agree with her friends.
Her parents, who lived in Thailand, made a point to call their precious daughter at least once a week—sometimes two or three times. One afternoon, while Lada was lying on her bed, diligently reading and completing her notes, her mother FaceTimed her.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. While Lada was working hard, Earn was sound asleep beside her. And not just sleeping—she had her face buried in the crook of Lada’s neck, clinging to her as if trying to fuse them together.
Lada attempted to wiggle free, but it was impossible. Sighing, she resigned herself to the situation and adjusted the angle of the phone. She made sure her parents wouldn’t see Earn by pulling the cover up over the blonde’s face and positioning the camera just right. Satisfied, she finally answered the call.
“Ah, Lada, how are y—” her mother began, only to stop mid-sentence. Earn shifted in her sleep, stretching as she pressed herself impossibly closer.
“I’m doomed,” was all Lada could think as her mother stared in shock.
“Wait, is that—”
Lada didn’t even have time to explain before her mother called her father over to see
“Lada’s cute girlfriend!” her mom exclaimed gleefully.
“You didn’t tell us you were dating,” her dad said, his voice full of pride. “She’s really pretty!”
Lada gaped at the screen, too stunned to respond.
“We were starting to worry about you,” her mother added. “We thought you’d never let love into your life.”

“Your mom’s right—you were always all about work. We know you’re serious about the hospital, but—”

“Mom! Dad!” Lada couldn’t believe it. In less than two minutes, her parents were already on the verge of asking Earn about the dowry for a marriage. She had to put a stop to it.
“You’re right, we didn’t ask about your lover,” her father continued. “Is she Thai? What’s her name? And how old is she?”
The commotion made Earn stir, and Lada wasn’t about to let this spiral out of control. Abruptly, she hung up and sent her parents a quick message claiming her phone battery was about to die. As she tucked her phone away, she felt a soft smile against her neck.
“Did you sleep well, love? Did I wake you?” Lada murmured while pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before running her fingers through the younger woman’s hair.
“Yes, you did,” Earn replied with a grin, “but it’s a shame your parents didn’t get to meet your cute girlfriend.”
Lada’s cheeks grew hot, and she huffed as she tried to pull away from Earn’s grasp.
“Oh no, no, no,” Earn teased, climbing on top of the older woman to pin her down. “Where do you think you’re going, P’Mor?”
That nickname. And that tone. Lada knew the blonde was doing this on purpose. But thanks to her gym routine, Lada quickly flipped their positions, earning a squeal from Earn.
“You love trouble too much,” Lada scolded, her face softening despite herself.
“Only with you, P’Mor,” Earn shot back, still grinning as though she’d somehow won their playful argument. “By the way, you didn’t tell me—when is your cute girlfriend finally going to meet your parents?”
Lada rolled her eyes as she got off the bed, brushing off Earn’s taunts. “I’m going to cook. Are you staying for dinner?”
“Ooh, can you make son-in-law eggs? Or maybe we can have omakase? Oh! We could grab takeout from that new local restaurant—the one I told you about last time on Line. I sent you all the info!”
Lada glanced back at Earn, who was now smiling so sweetly it was hard to resist. With a small sigh, she turned toward the kitchen. If Earn was throwing out suggestions, it meant she expected action. That was just how they worked.
And just like that, with a stiff neck and a full heart, Lada began to cook Earn’s favorite meal.

Earn seemed to have decided that the neck of the soon-to-be doctor was her new favorite habitat. “It’s because you smell so good,” she explained one day, her face nestled against Lada’s skin. Being sensitive in that area, Lada had to summon all her willpower to endure it. And she did—until Earn began testing boundaries, planting soft kisses or, worse, sneaking in light bites on the sensitive spot.
It all began one morning when Fahlada was getting ready to meet some friends for a study session. She stood in the kitchen, quietly munching on a plate of freshly cut peaches. Earn had crashed at her place the previous night because her roommate’s boyfriend had been staying over at her dorm. Staying there wasn’t an option.

As Lada enjoyed her snack, she suddenly felt two arms wrap around her waist from behind.
“Do you want me to drop you off near your faculty?” she asked, even as Earn’s face found its way to her neck once again.
“I don’t want to go, P’Mor,” Earn murmured, her voice low and warm against Lada’s skin.
Lada shivered, feeling Earn’s nose tracing a path along her neck, teasing one of her most sensitive spots. Quickly deciding she needed to escape this trap, she moved to set the plate aside, intending to gently pry herself free. That was the plan, at least.
But the moment her hands left the plate, she felt Earn’s teeth graze that exact spot. Slowly. Deliberately.
Lada’s knees weakened, and she choked on a whimper.
“Did that hurt, P’Mor? I’m sorry,” Earn whispered, her voice brimming with mock innocence. “Let me make it up to you.”
Before Lada could respond, Earn’s lips pressed a kiss to the spot she’d bitten—and she didn’t stop there.
A trail of kisses followed, each deliberate and teasing, as Earn explored every sensitive spot she could find, alternating between soft nibbles and soothing caresses with her lips. Lada’s breath hitched, her head tilting involuntarily to grant more access. She couldn’t talk, couldn’t think—only whimper, sigh, and occasionally try to stifle moans by biting her lips.
It was overwhelming.
When she finally snapped back to herself, Lada grabbed Earn’s wrist, spinning her around and lifting her onto the counter in one swift motion.
The sight before her made her pause.
Earn was a mess—her pupils blown wide, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath, her lips smudged bare of any lipstick.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Lada demanded, her voice lower than she expected.
Earn visibly shivered at the tone, goosebumps trailing down her arms. With a coy smile, she wrapped her legs around Lada’s waist, pulling her closer.
“I told you—I just wanted to make it up to you,” she said, her voice dripping with confidence, her eyes daring.
That cockiness sent a thrill through Lada, one she hadn’t expected to feel. A fire burned in her chest, a sharp desire to turn the tables.
No. She didn’t just want Earn to feel what she had felt. She wanted her to feel worse.

“You really love to play games, don’t you?” Fahlada asked, stepping closer. Her hands slid to Earn’s waist, pulling her in until their faces were mere centimeters apart.
“I don’t play, P’Mor,” Earn replied, wrapping her arms around Lada’s neck. Her cocky smirk returned, taunting and daring. “I’m winning.”
That was all it took. Without hesitation, Fahlada closed the gap.
Her lips was on Earn’s neck, kisses turning into teasing bites along her jawline and collarbone. She held nothing back, though she barely managed to restrain herself from leaving marks on the blonde’s delicate skin.
Earn, however, was unraveling beneath her touch. Whimpers and strangled moans escaped her lips, her composure crumbling.
“You—you can’t—” Earn tried to speak, her breaths shallow, her words faltering as cries and whimpers overtook them.
“You think you can keep pushing your luck without consequences?” Lada growled lowly, her lips brushing against Earn’s jaw before trailing down.
For a moment, Earn seemed completely undone. But then, through a breathless laugh, she managed to say, “You’re all bark, but no bite.”
That was it.
Lada’s patience snapped. Her kisses turned sloppier, her bites deeper, leaving visible marks this time. She didn’t stop there—her hands, which had been drawing slow, deliberate circles on Earn’s waist, began to travel higher. Beneath the blonde’s skirt, her fingers grazed bare skin, making Earn shiver and arch into her touch.
“L-Lada, please…” Earn’s voice was barely a whisper, her pleas laced with a breathless desperation that sent Lada’s pulse racing.
The sounds Earn was making—soft, pleading, intoxicating—pushed Lada closer to the edge. She was completely consumed, her lips and teeth grazing over every spot that made Earn melt.
But when she bit down gently on Earn’s shoulder, the blonde’s reaction was immediate. Her back arched, her head tipping back as her fingers threaded into Lada’s hair, gripping tightly enough to make the older woman’s toes curl.
For a brief moment, Fahlada paused, her breath coming in short gasps as she processed the way Earn’s body responded to her every touch.
It was almost too much.

When Fahlada stepped back, Earn’s grip didn’t ease. Her leg was still wrapped around Lada’s waist, and her hands were tangled in the brunette’s hair.
“Let me go,” Lada said firmly, though her voice betrayed a tremor.
Earn smirked, her breath still uneven. “So you’re just going to end it there? Like this?”
“You play too much,” Lada muttered, pulling away the moment Earn loosened her hold. But as she stepped back and took in the younger woman’s state, her resolve wavered.
Earn looked utterly undone. Her blonde hair was a wild mess, bite marks peppered her neck and collarbones, and a faint purple bruise was already forming—a glaring reminder of Fahlada’s lack of restraint. Her shirt hung loose, nearly slipping off one shoulder, and her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. She even twisted slightly, trying to ease the warmth pooling in her center.
Lada swallowed hard and averted her gaze. She had to leave the room before the tension snapped again.
“Go… tidy yourself up,” she said, her voice low and strained. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Without waiting for a response, Fahlada left, heading straight for her car. Once inside, she gripped the steering wheel tightly and stared at her reflection in the rearview mirror.
“What the heck was that? Get it together, Lada,” she muttered to herself. “You can’t act like this.”
Minutes stretched into twenty before Earn finally emerged from the house, dressed in one of Lada’s shirts and a jacket. She approached the car with a casual stride, but her smile was still as teasing as ever.
“I borrowed one of your shirts and jackets,” Earn announced, sliding into the passenger seat. “I didn’t have anything else left.”
The car ride wasn’t awkward, surprisingly. They laughed, sang along to the radio, and joked as if nothing had happened.
As they neared Earn’s destination, she casually retouched her lipstick, only to turn and plant several playful kisses across Lada’s face.
“Earn!” Lada protested, her cheeks tingling.
“I’m going to be late if you don’t get out!” Earn teased. “Tan said some of his friends are going to be there, and I don’t want to make them wait.”

“When do you think you’ll be done?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll text you when I know.” After dropping Earn she finally, reached the cafe where Tan and Bow were already waiting. Fortunately, Tan’s other friends hadn’t arrived yet. As Lada hurried toward their table, she noticed their wide eyes tracking her every move.
“Do I have something on my face?” she asked, pausing mid-step.
Tan gripped his lemon cake tightly, as if willing himself not to throw it at her. Bow, however, had a different approach.
“Lada,” Bow started, motioning her friend closer. “Come here, darling.”
She gently pulled Lada into a seat and reached for her phone. “I’m going to pull up the camera, and you’re going to look at yourself. But promise me you’ll stay calm, okay?”

Without asking more questions, Fahlada did as Bow instructed.
The moment her reflection appeared on the screen, she froze. Her cheeks flushed as she took in the evidence. Kissing marks were scattered all over her neck, faint but visible, and a few smudges lingered on her cheeks and the edge of her camisole.
“Way to go, Lada,” she hissed under her breath, frantically trying to wipe away the marks. “I told you, she’s a menace,” Tan teased, patting her back.
Fahlada shot him a death glare.

“Hey, no need to look at me like that! At least you’ve got taste. Your girlfriend is damn attractive.”
“She really is,” Bow chimed in without hesitation.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Fahlada snapped, her tone defensive. “We’re just friends.”
The two exchanged a knowing glance before the conversation shifted into more familiar territory. They knew how their friend was when it came to emotions—hesitant, guarded—and they didn’t want to push too hard. But it was obvious to them that Fahlada was falling hard, even if she hadn’t admitted it yet.
Tan leaned forward. “Okay, so can you at least tell your friend to wipe her lipstick before kissing you all over your face next time?”
“And maybe,” Bow added, “ask her to stop blowing up your phone with pictures and emojis?”
“What?” Fahlada frowned, confused. Bow gestured subtly to her phone, which had been lighting up with Earn’s name on the screen.
“I—”
Before she could form an excuse, Tan’s friends arrived at the table.
Two tall Italian men stood before them, smiling warmly.
“Ah, you’re here!” Tan exclaimed, standing to greet them. “Lada, Bow, these are my friends. This is Giovani,” he said, gesturing to the curly-haired man with piercing blue eyes and a neatly trimmed beard, “and Toni,” a slightly taller man with deep brown eyes, sharp features, and a well-groomed appearance.
“Hi, ladies,” one of them said with a charming accent. Lada couldn’t tell which—she was too distracted by the files Earn had just sent her.
It was a video.
Earn appeared on screen, applying her lipstick slowly, methodically, until her lips gleamed with the same shade she’d used earlier. She capped the tube, turned to the camera, and flashed an innocent, angelic smile. The video was followed by a text:
“Study well, P’Mor 💄😘💋.”
“What the…” Lada whispered under her breath, her cheeks heating as her thumb hovered over her screen.
“Everything okay?” Bow asked, noticing her reaction.
Lada’s head shot up, realizing all her friends—and Tan’s acquaintances—were now staring at her. She felt her face burn as she fumbled to shove her phone into her bag.
“Yeah! Totally fine,” she lied, plastering on a smile that barely reached her eyes.
It was anything but fine.
With new acquaintances to entertain, a study session to attend, and countless lectures piling up, Lada had no time to be thinking about Earn. But despite her best efforts, her thoughts kept drifting back to the blonde.
By the time she realized what was happening, she was still found herself standing in front of Earn’s dorm room.
“What am I doing?” she muttered to herself, shaking her head. This wasn’t like her at all. She wasn’t someone who acted impulsively. She wasn’t physical, or playful, or prone to jealousy.
And yet…
She wasn’t the type to dance, but Earn had her dancing to her rhythm effortlessly.
She wasn’t the type to laugh loudly, but Earn’s antics brought it out of her, every time.
She wasn’t possessive, but—
“She’s going to be the end of me,” Lada whispered aloud, finally admitting what she had been avoiding.

The first episode of the green monster was during the summer course.

“Hey, have you seen this?” Giovani muttered in Italian, nudging Toni. His voice lowered, but his tone was anything but subtle. “Damn, she’s an eye candy.”
The two men openly stared at someone across the room, their interest in the lecture long gone.
“I saw her first,” Toni shot back in Italian, a grin tugging at his lips.
“Focus on the notes,” Fahlada interjected in perfect Italian, her voice firm but tinged with amusement.
The entire table turned to her in unison.
“Wait, you speak Italian?” Toni blurted out, looking utterly dumbfounded.
Fahlada raised an eyebrow. “Of course I do. We’re in Italy.”
“But you never spoke it with us!” Giovani exclaimed, almost offended.
She laughed, shaking her head. “That’s because you never spoke it to me. We’ve always talked in English. Anyway, what’s caught your—”
“P’Mor!”
Oh, Earn. Beautiful Earn.
The blonde was breathtaking, and it was starting to feel unfair to the rest of the world.
Before Fahlada could process what was happening, Earn practically launched herself into the brunette’s arms, nearly settling herself on her lap. The group was stunned—well, except for Bow and Tan, who were far too entertained by their friend’s flustered reaction.
“I missed you, baby,” Earn murmured, nuzzling into Fahlada’s neck with the sweetest smile, her voice soft and affectionate. She looked at the older woman like a child seeing their favorite candy.
And Fahlada? She folded. Hard.
Earn turned her head, suddenly noticing the others at the table. “Oh! Hi! P’Bow, P’Tan, I didn’t see you there!”
“Sure you didn’t,” Tan replied, grinning. “Hello there, Nong.”
Honestly, Tan liked Earn. She brought a warmth to his otherwise reserved, rational friend. And he especially enjoyed how Earn’s obvious affection for Fahlada shook up her composed demeanor.
Not that he hadn’t warned Earn at first. Fahlada was notoriously oblivious to people’s advances, and Tan had initially advised her not to bother. But the very next day, he walked into the university café to find Earn feeding Fahlada cake. He still didn’t understand how the blonde had managed it.
Earn smiled brightly and turned to the unfamiliar faces. “And who are these lovely people?”
“These are my friends, Toni and Giovani,” Tan explained. “They don’t speak Thai, so you’ll have to practice your English with them.”
Earn didn’t miss a beat. She introduced herself with perfect poise and soon had the two Italian men laughing and joking along with her.
Meanwhile, Fahlada wasn’t having it. Not. At. All.
She knew Earn was a social butterfly. She understood. But the way Toni and Giovani were openly eyeing the blonde was making her blood simmer.
“All the girls in Thailand this lovely?” Toni asked Earn, flashing a flirty grin. “Or is it just you?”
Earn didn’t even blink. Instead, she grabbed Fahlada’s hands, turning her attention fully toward her. She began playing with the older woman’s fingers as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.
“All the girls in Thailand have this pretty smile?” Earn teased, her voice honeyed and playful. “Or is it only you, P’Mor?”
Bow and Tan exchanged a look before collectively facepalming. Earn always found a way to make a move on Fahlada, even when two men were blatantly interested in her.
Fahlada, on the other hand, was a mess. Her cheeks flushed, and she stuttered, unable to form a coherent response.
Giovani chuckled at the scene, shaking his head. “C’mon! You’re being way too nice to your friend.”
Earn turned her gaze to him, her expression calm but purposeful. “Too nice?” she echoed, smirking. Then, without breaking eye contact, she laced her fingers with Fahlada’s and leaned closer to her, her voice dropping just enough for the table to hear.
“Trust me, I’m not being nice. I’m just being honest.”

It was clear now. Only fools could miss it. Only fools could fail to notice that Earn’s eyes were entirely for Fahlada.
Surprisingly, Toni and Giovani were those fools.
But that was only the beginning. It was bearable, for the most part. But the last straw? That was something else.
“Calm down, Lada,” Tan said, draping his arm around her shoulders. “Stop staring at them. Plus, your girlfriend is way too into you to—”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Fahlada snapped, her voice tinged with frustration.
It was one of those summer parties the university was hosting, down on the Mediterranean coast. The sun was setting, the salty air brushed past them, the perfect party vibe. But all Fahlada could focus on was Earn. The blonde seemed to be the center of attention for half the people there.
Fahlada couldn’t help it. She understood the attraction—Earn, in her white dress that was just a little too revealing, was radiant. But it still stung.
“Let it go,” Tan said, watching her closely. “She’s just having fun. You’re so into her that you didn’t even notice the poor guy who’s been trying to talk to you.”
Fahlada did try. She made an effort to talk to the guy who had been hanging around her, but her gaze kept drifting back to Earn. There she was, dancing with someone—Fahlada didn’t even know her name, and honestly, she didn’t care. The other girl’s hands were all over Earn, gripping her by the waist, making her twist and turn.
“Stop with the long face,” Tan added, nudging her. “If you want her attention, go for it. Talk to her.”
Fahlada sighed. She couldn’t shake the feeling building up inside her, the frustration gnawing at her. She didn’t even know how she found herself getting up and walking toward Earn. But before she could stop herself, she was already calling her name.
“Lada, hiii!” Earn’s voice rang out as she pulled the brunette into a tight, almost possessive hug. Fahlada barely had time to process before Earn’s eyes flicked to the girl standing beside her.
“You know my friend, right? Paola? I talked about her before,” Earn said, oblivious to the storm brewing in Fahlada’s chest.
Fahlada’s emotions took over. Without thinking, she snapped, “I don’t remember you talking about her.” The words came out sharp, laced with jealousy.
Earn caught the shift immediately. She felt the air change—the possessiveness that now radiated off Fahlada was unmistakable. A shiver ran down her spine.
Without hesitation, Earn took Fahlada’s hand in hers, guiding them both toward a quieter spot away from the crowd. “Come back fast, bae. I don’t want to miss you too much!” Paola said.
Earn’s eyes opened as the words come out of her friend’s mouth. Fahlada wanted to spit out something, of course she didn’t, but her grip tightened on the blonde’s hand as they made their way through the party. The firm pressure of her fingers told Earn everything she needed to know.
Once they reached the balcony, overlooking the beach, Earn finally stopped. The noise from the party was distant now, leaving only the sound of the waves crashing below. She sat them both on a nearby bench and turned to face Fahlada.
She could see the emotions swirling behind those eyes—hurt, possessiveness, and something deeper that Earn couldn’t quite name. Fahlada didn’t speak right away, but the tension in the air was palpable.
The moment felt charged, as if everything could change depending on what was said next. Earn stayed silent, waiting for the words that Fahlada couldn’t quite bring herself to say.

“Why the long face?” Earn asked, gently teasing.
“I don’t have a long face,” Fahlada replied, her voice betraying her mood. She was sulking, clearly feeling sensitive.
Earn smiled softly, her thumb brushing over Fahlada’s hand. “Baby,” she started, her tone soothing, “I don’t need you to justify your feelings. I just want you to be honest with yourself.”
She kissed Fahlada’s hand tenderly before pulling her into a gentle embrace. “I just want us to be okay, so tell me, why are you moody?”
Fahlada pulled back, a sigh escaping her lips as she struggled to find the words. “I don’t know how to put it into words…”
Earn’s gaze softened. “Just say it how it is. I’ll help you sort it out. Tonight, you look too beautiful for your own good,” she said with a playful grin, her eyes locking with Fahlada’s. The compliment made Fahlada blush, weakening her resolve.
“Nong…” Fahlada began, but Earn interrupted her with a smile.
“No, no, no. Talk about your feelings. Every time you open up, I’ll reward you. Let’s go!”
With a deep breath, Fahlada finally started to open up.
“Firstly, you look beautiful. I mean, you're attractive, you know?” The moment she said it, Earn leaned in and kissed her cheek, leaving Fahlada with a rosy tint.
“Your first reward,” Earn said, smiling warmly. “Keep going.”
“I don’t like seeing you give attention to other people… It sounds so lame, I know, but—” Before she could finish, Earn kissed the tip of her nose gently, making her stop mid-sentence.
“Nong…”
“Don’t mind me, baby. Keep going,” Earn encouraged, her nose pressed against Fahlada’s cheek, waiting for her to continue.
Fahlada swallowed hard, her heart pounding. “I wanted to spend time with you here… maybe, you know, dance with you?”
Earn pulled back slightly, eyes wide with disbelief. “I thought you didn’t like to dance?”
Fahlada sighed, meeting her gaze. “I don’t, but I wanted to do it with you. I wanted to spend time with you.”
Earn didn’t waste another second. She leaned in, kissing Fahlada softly on the cheekbone, then trailing kisses down her jaw, behind her ear, and on her forehead. Fahlada’s mind went blank, overwhelmed by the feeling of Earn’s lips against her skin.
Earn pulled back, looking a little flustered, clearly needing to sort out her own feelings. Kissing seemed to be the only thing helping. She continued to kiss Fahlada’s face, her lips leaving light traces of warmth all over.
“Wait, love,” Fahlada said, her voice raspy from the intensity of the moment. She wasn’t the only one with something to say. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her eyes drinking in the sight of Earn, her hand caressing her cheek. Earn looked like an angel in that moment.
“Nothing,” Earn replied softly, her smile tender. “I just love when you express how you feel. I love when you share your feelings with me.”
“I’ll do it more.”
Earn’s smile faltered slightly. “I don’t want to force you.”
“I just love doing the things you love me doing,” Fahlada whispered, her voice full of affection.
The two locked eyes, their gazes soft and full of warmth. Slowly, they leaned their foreheads against each other, savoring the simple comfort of being close.
“I love when you call me love,” Earn whispered, her voice quiet but filled with sincerity.
Fahlada couldn’t resist. She kissed Earn’s cheekbone gently, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “Is that so, love?”

“Please do it more,” Fahlada chuckled, her heart melting at the sight of the younger pouting. “The kiss or the nickname?”

“Both.”

Fahlada leaned in and kissed Earn’s cheek again, her lips lingering for a moment before she straightened her posture. “You know, I’m sorry. I feel like I messed up your night.”
“You didn’t. Plus, the night’s still young,” Earn reassured her with a smile.
“Do you want to go back?” Fahlada asked, her voice soft, almost uncertain.
Earn looked at her with such determination, Fahlada could feel her heart skip a beat. “Honestly, I want to go back. I want to dance with you, to give you all my attention, and to look at only you.”
Fahlada felt herself melting, her resolve weakening. She couldn’t say no to the blonde. Earn took her hand, guiding her toward the crowd.
Just before they reached the dance floor, Fahlada stopped and turned toward Earn one last time. “And the dress suits you, but it’s too revealing.”
Earn couldn’t help but laugh, leaning her face against Fahlada’s neck. “I wore it for you, baby,” she whispered, her teeth lightly sinking into the soft skin.
Fahlada was too stunned to reply, the sensation of Earn’s bite sending a jolt of warmth through her. Before she could even process her thoughts, Earn had already started guiding her toward the dance floor.
The night passed in a blur of dancing, laughing, hugging, and sweet kisses. Fahlada’s neck, cheeks, and jawline were covered in lipstick marks, each kiss leaving a trace of the love she couldn’t yet fully admit to herself.
Tan, watching from the sidelines with Bow, turned toward her with a smirk. “I’ll give her two weeks.”
Bow raised an eyebrow. “You’re nice. I’ll give her two months. She’s too dense. Maybe she knows what she feels, but she’s unsure about Earn’s feelings.”
The two watched the pair, unable to hide their amusement. Fahlada’s face was covered in lipstick marks, and Earn was gazing at her with such tenderness, leaning in to kiss her shoulder.
“Yeah, you must be right,” Tan agreed with a chuckle. “She’s too slow. Nong could tell her straight that she’s in love with her, and she’d still be wondering.”
Meanwhile, Fahlada found herself lost in her own thoughts, overthinking every detail of her relationship with Earn—the words, the touches, the feelings. She was feeling a little lost, unsure of where things were going. As she daydreamed, she didn’t realize the door in front of her had suddenly opened.

“You’re here! I thought you couldn’t make it. I sent you messages but you didn’t reply. I know we already had this discussion, but you really need to—”
The beautiful woman standing on the porch began talking without pausing for breath.

“Earn!”

“Oh, right, sorry. We should go.”
And just like that, Earn casually linked their arms, clinging a little closer as they started walking together.
For Earn, it wasn’t complicated. The first time she saw the brunette, she was struck by how beautiful she was.
It was obvious to anyone with eyes: Fahlada was gorgeous. And Earn, well, she was only human.
They met, gradually spent more time together, and one day, as Earn was talking about… what exactly? She didn’t remember, and it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she saw Fahlada listening intently. Then, without warning, the brunette laughed.
It was the sweetest sound Earn had ever heard—her eyes crinkled, her head tilted back, and the way her laugh rang out made Earn’s heart skip a beat. She wanted to see that again, every day for the rest of her life.
It wasn’t complicated. She was in love. Love was simple. So from that day forward, Earn made sure to spend as much time as possible with her, hoping to make her laugh again and again.
Everything was fine at first. But little by little, Earn grew bolder—flirty, teasing, pushing Fahlada’s buttons in the slowest, most painful ways.
She’d noticed that Fahlada was a little… slow when it came to feelings. Don’t get her wrong, the doctor was incredibly intelligent, but when it came to her own emotions? Not so much.
Earn was starting to realize that she needed to be more serious about her feelings if she wanted anything to happen between them.
Today, Fahlada had suggested they grab some ice cream before heading off to their respective universities—hers for medicine, Earn’s for management.

“P’Mor, look! He’s soooo cute! When I get my own place, I’ll adopt a puppy just like him!”
Fahlada’s eyes lit up towards the side of the park the little dog was,running after his toy, yapping happily.
“He looks just like you.”
Earn’s grin widened as she turned to the brunette. “So, you find me cute?”
The playful tone in her voice made Fahlada flush pink. She quickly looked away, trying to brush it off. “Let’s just get the ice cream,” she muttered, not wanting to fall into the younger woman’s teasing trap. She knew how this started: a comment or a question, followed by Earn’s flirty games that always left her feeling flustered.

“I want us to do a Disney marathon or something,” Earn said, grinning as they walked toward their favorite ice cream shop. “We could eat, watch fun movies all night, and cuddle!” As she spoke, she linked their hands together, playfully toying with the brunette's fingers. Fahlada couldn’t deny how much she loved the simple affection—Earn had a way of making everything feel so natural.
“We can do it tonight after our classes! I’ll go to my dorm to grab some face masks, and we can watch Lilo & Stitch!” Earn flashed her a hopeful look, one that Fahlada knew she could never resist. “But... you mentioned plans with your friends for karaoke.”
“I’ll skip it,” Earn said, her voice soft but firm. “I really want to do this movie night with you.”
And just like that, the plan was set. Before they knew it, they were at Fahlada's place, settling in for their cozy evening. Fahlada was preparing snacks, while Earn had already made herself comfortable on the couch, buried under a blanket.
“Love? Did you finish choosing?” Fahlada called as she entered the living room. She found Earn curled up in the blanket, wearing her clothes, already snuggled in.
“Well, I see you’re set,” Fahlada teased with a smile.
“You know I love wearing your clothes. They smell just like you,” Earn said, patting the space beside her. “Now come cuddle. There’s enough snacks.”
Fahlada placed a plate of strawberries on the table, then sat down behind Earn, wrapping her arms around the blonde and pulling her close, positioning her so that the younger woman was nestled between her legs, her back resting against Fahlada’s chest.
As the movie played on, Earn fed Fahlada a strawberry just as Stitch threw another tantrum. It was in that moment that Fahlada realized something. She looked at Earn, her heart full.

I love spending time with her. We’re always talking, always together... I love the way she holds my hand, her smile, her laugh…

“Wait, am I in love?” Fahlada blurted out, her voice more a whisper of realization than a question.
Earn didn’t even glance up from the TV. “Well, yes, you are. I’m happy you finally noticed.”
“What?!” Fahlada froze, her attention shifting from the movie to Earn, who seemed completely unfazed by the revelation.
“You’re in love with me,” Earn said, still nonchalantly watching the screen. “I’ve been hitting on you for the past four months, thanks for noticing it.”
“So... you love me too?? Wait, does this mean we’re a couple now?” Fahlada’s heart was racing, not sure what to make of the sudden admission.
Earn paused the movie, looking at Fahlada with a teasing smile. “Of course, dummy. Do you really think I act like this with all my friends? But no, we’re not together yet. You haven’t asked me out, and you haven’t properly courted me. So, for now, we’re just two people watching Disney movies.”
Fahlada blinked, utterly confused. “Wait, so when I ask you, we’ll be together?”
Earn leaned back, grinning. “Well, you’ll have to court me first. But not now—I can’t believe you made me stop the movie at the best part! You can start courting me tomorrow. After Lilo & Stitch, I’ve got 101 Dalmatians queued up next. So, let’s go. We’ve got five more movies to watch tonight.”
Fahlada, still processing everything, gave a long, defeated sigh. “So... I’ll need to get a bouquet of roses for tomorrow, then?”
Earn just laughed, leaning her head back against Fahlada’s chest. “That’s a good start.”