Chapter 2
The cafe was full of people, some ordering and staying while others were rushing in and then rushing out. Bags in tow as they hurried off to the next destination on their agenda. Handong let out a small sigh, content with her day off as she sipped her tea, just watching the many people. Many were tourists, all trying to navigate the horrors of a huge city full of people while some were usuals, able to walk in and out in under a few minutes without any confusion.
“You make it impossible to meet with you.”
Handong smirked at the familiar voice, turning her head to see a familiar face.
Her long-time best friend pulled up a chair, taking a seat across from her at the small table. She hadn’t seen her in a while, her entire focus was more on Gahyeon than anything else. But now Bora sat there, giving her a look that could kill thousands.
“I wasn’t aware my time was needed by you,” Handong chuckled.
“It isn’t needed, just much appreciated,” Bora scoffed. “Where have you been these days? The academy hasn’t been the same,” She frowned, pressing her elbows onto the table.
“I haven’t scheduled lessons this week. I’ve been rather… Busy,” Handong sighed, picking at the cardboard holder that wrapped around her to-go cup.
“Busy how?” Bora frowned, tilting her head slightly.
“You know… Busy.” She reiterated the same word, shrugging her shoulders. It wasn’t that Bora didn’t know about that side of her life, it was the entire idea of explaining why she was doing it again. “I have someone who needs my attention at the moment,” She whispered.
“Someone better be code for cat,” Bora glared.
“I do call her my pretty kitten,” Handong smirked before taking another sip of her tea.
Bora rolled her eyes at the remark, shaking her head slightly. She never looked down on that lifestyle, in fact, she had many questions at one point and had asked Handong to essentially lay all the cards on the table and show her what it was like. But, it ended up being something she didn’t want to fully partake in. She liked the push and pull of the dynamic, but nothing else had caught her interest and she didn’t want to harm those around her or be harmed in return.
She liked her freedom.
“I thought you were taking a break from that?” Bora whispered.
“I was… But… Gahyeon needed me.” Handong glanced up to see Bora’s eyes widen in surprise.
“Our Gahyeon?” She asked just above a whisper, watching the younger woman nod her head. “You and Gahyeon… How long?” She frowned.
“Just a few months now, nothing more than that,” Handong answered honestly. “She’s far beyond legal age.”
“Gahyeon’s twenty-three…”
“Old enough to make her own decisions.”
“Technically she isn’t if you’re the one in charge of her,” Bora raised an eyebrow, challenging the younger woman at this point.
“It isn’t like that,” Handong sighed. “I only make some of her decisions that are involved within the apartment. Never anything more than that,” She explained. “I don’t control her bathroom schedule or if she goes to work or anything,” She glared. “I don’t appreciate how you insinuated that,” She muttered.
“Dongdong, you have to understand… Gahyeon… is impressionable… She’s going to have a warped sense of reality…”
“She already has a warped sense of reality,” Handong frowned.
The dom thought back to the nights prior, how Gahyeon was in tears while sleeping before having more sleepless nights. Each dream slowly turned into a nightmare. How Gahyeon never truly knew how to handle basic situations due to the fear that was instilled deep in her. Apologizing for little things, expecting to be beaten and shouted at for simple things that were done out of order.
“You and I both saw it in the classes,” Handong whispered. “She needs this,” She sighed.
“And she came to you willing?” Bora asked. “No pressure?”
“She asked me about it. Asked me what it was like… I told her what it was like for me, and she asked what it was like for the receiving end… I told her it would be rewarding and satisfying just as it was for me… But that she would maybe be able to channel everything differently if she tried it… And now we’re trying it,” She explained in a quiet voice.
Handong wasn’t sure how safe it was to just out and say everything. She wanted to tell Bora everything, but she couldn’t just speak at a normal volume saying how she had a submissive in her possession. It was something that was rather looked down upon. Scandalous and absurd to essentially own someone in such ways.
“As long as she was willing…” Bora looked down at the table, her fingers occupied with the tiny crumbs that were leftover from another sitting in her place. “I just worry for her… She puts her all into everything… She’s going to burn out eventually…” She frowned.
“And I’ll be there to pick her up when she falls,” Handong spoke casually at this point, causing Bora to give her a reaction she wasn’t expecting.
“How long do you plan on staying with her?” She asked.
“As long as it takes,” The younger woman answered. “I’m training her, she’s mine.” She glared.
“Training her to be your little perfect? Or training her to be perfect for someone else?” Bora matched the glare, knowing that her best friend had trained submissives for others before.
“Training her for me. If she wants to go off and be someone else’s submissive then that’s fine, but she’ll have my mark of approval and she will always know me as her first.” Handong nearly growled, not liking that her best friend was shoving that concept onto the table for both of them to deal with. “She… She can’t go to anyone else…” She quickly added, her voice quiet.
“Why can’t she go to anyone else?” Bora frowned. “What did you do to her?” She glared.
“I didn’t do anything. She’s a lot of work unnie… I can’t just train her and then push her along,” Handong sighed. “She’s my submissive. I bought her collars, she wears my approval. She’ll never listen to anyone else,” She whispered, much more certain of her own words now. “Frown and glare at me all you want… Gahyeon is mine.” She didn’t want to keep playing any games. She needed her best friend to accept those words.
“There better not be a change in how you both act during class.” Was the only thing Bora said before standing up and walking to the counter.
Handong wasn’t sure if there would be a shift. She hoped there wouldn’t be since they were rather normal outside in public.
“I’ll talk to her,” Handong sighed. “Happy?” She asked.
“Not really, but if it makes you feel better,” Bora shrugged her shoulders.
Handong watched her best friend, seeing her avoid eye contact and look everywhere but at her. Nothing was making sense, but it was entirely clear that Bora was uncomfortable.
“Why did you come to find me today anyway?” Handong asked.
“Oh, I just haven’t seen you in a while,” Bora chuckled. “Didn’t think it would end in this kind of conversation, but if that’s why you’ve been avoiding the world, then, I won’t pry…” She explained.
Handong let out a content hum, taking a sip of her tea. Bora was someone who she trusted and didn’t mind everything she did. The only thing that bothered her was the fact that it was their Gahyeon.
“I haven’t been avoiding the world,” Handong sighed. “Just, busy.” She set her cup down on the table, shaking her head slightly.
“And exactly what does keep you busy?” Bora frowned.
“Are you sure you want the answer to that question?” Handong raised an eyebrow, watching Bora carefully before the older woman let out a small chuckle.
“Just be careful with her… She’s young and small,” Bora sighed before standing up. “I’ll see you around.”
“Sooner than you think,” Handong spoke before she left. “I have lessons this upcoming week.”
“I can’t wait,” Bora smiled. “See you then!” She waved before leaving.
Handong knew that Bora cared for Gahyeon. Everyone did. Gahyeon was the one who stood off to the side and stayed quiet for a very long time. Observing everyone before finally merging with everyone.
She loved Gahyeon. She was kind, smart, loving, and incredibly loyal. Everything about Gahyeon was different than anyone else she trained. She was everything people aspired to be. But she never saw it. Never saw just how great she was.
She could only hope that she would be able to see it eventually.
When Handong arrived home, she was greeted with the sight of Gahyeon on the couch, already home for the day. She watched her for a few brief moments, wondering exactly what went through her mind when she was unwinding. She was already changed into a long shirt and more than likely shorts underneath. She knew of Gahyeon’s strong distaste for pants if she was home. Her arm was resting on the couch arm rest, bent to hold her head up with her eyes closed.
“Rough day?” Handong spoke as she stepped closer to the younger woman.
She didn’t get an immediate response, but she did decide to let her eyes wander, landing on the small bruises the young woman still had. Some were recent and she knew where they came from. Despite the younger being extremely balanced and poised, sometimes she was in a rush, hitting corners of tables, chairs, even the bed. She smiled at the last memory, Gahyeon rushing to get ready for work and leave the apartment before she hit her thigh against the chair on her way out.
“Kitten,” Handong whispered, placing her palm on Gahyeon’s cheek. She rubbed her thumb against the bone, effectively stirring Gahyeon awake with a slight flinch before she saw who was touching her. “How long have you been home?” She asked.
“It was an early day… I got home around… four?” Gahyeon mumbled.
“So just over two hours,” Handong said.
“Yeah,” Gahyeon mumbled, moving her arms to stretch.
Handong heard the familiar ringing of the bell and glanced down to see Gahyeon already had her collar on.
“Were you expecting anything today?” Handong whispered.
“I don’t want to think,” Gahyeon frowned. “It’s all too much today,” She muttered.
“Do you trust me enough for that?” Handong knelt in front of her, seeing the exhaustion in the younger woman’s eyes. “It’s only been a few months… I don’t want you to completely submit if you can’t trust me enough,” She explained.
“I trust you more than yesterday,” Gahyeon whispered.
It was always her answer. Every single day trust was gained. Punishments were harsher if she disobeyed but Gahyeon was opening herself more to Handong.
“But is it enough?” Handong needed an answer. She didn’t want to do anything against her will or comfort.
“Mistress, please,” Gahyeon pleaded. “I just don't… want to think anymore…” She whimpered.
“Okay… Okay… you do need to remember your safe word okay?” Handong reminded. “You won’t have to think at all tonight okay? Just follow my command and everything will be okay.” She pressed her lips to Gahyeon’s knee before looking up at her. “Now… Go draw me a bath and have dinner ready in an hour.”
“What do you want to eat, Mistress?” Gahyeon asked, her voice quiet.
“Grill the meat in the fridge and make scallion pancakes. Just enough for us,” Handong instructed. “Okay?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Gahyeon was quick to stand, moving through the apartment to do exactly what was asked of her. Handong let out a sigh, wondering just exactly what happened today to make her not want to think anymore. She figured her job was already rough enough. She wouldn’t want to make her relive whatever happened today just to get answers.
Another time.