Chapter 17
Gahyeon had no idea why everyone around her was trying to fix her. She lay on the floor of Handong’s apartment, staring up at the ceiling fan that was above her. In the back of her mind, she could see it ripping from the ceiling and ultimately falling on her and maybe crushing her or severely harming her… something that was just absolutely painful and horrendous.
But it was just there, slowly spinning while she stared up at it.
“She’s been on the floor for three hours…”
She knew they were talking about her, but honestly, she was so calm on the floor. It felt so much better than sitting on the couch. So much better than laying in bed actually.
“She did get her diagnosis today… just let her be…”
Therapy had been ass. She switched to a new therapist, a woman and she was able to connect with her just a little bit better. She was actually quite happy to have a label on her that helped guide her through life.
She was able to work with the therapist and explained the whole fireplace situation and how she felt better. Her therapist explained that it was metaphorical but helped my brain process a few traumas in one shot.
She did like to think about how she explained Handong and Siyeon to the therapist, how their relationship was, and everything. The therapist was entirely confused and shocked, but she was happy that Gahyeon was delighted. It wasn’t a false sense of happiness. It was an actual happy feeling of being safe and loved.
“Gahyeon, will you ever get up from the floor?” Handong was standing over her, a smile on her lips.
“Do I have to?” Gahyeon pouted.
Handong rolled her eyes and held out her hands, helping her stand up to join them.
It wasn’t as if her life went right back to normal. She couldn’t just go back to her old life. She couldn’t just work at the type of job she had before everything. They would say she was psychotic and she would never get another job again after that. So she stayed home.
“My legs are so tired,” Siyeon muttered as she walked down the hall with Handong.
“Well, life is most consistent with work… And work makes us be on our feet all day,” Handong chuckled quietly. “Just be happy that we’ll be coming home to our little Gahyeonie,” She whispered, pulling at Siyeon’s hand.
“I’m happy that she’s getting the help she needs… But I still have a horrible nightmare that we come home after a long day and find…” Siyeon’s voice trailed off, not wanting to think of what would happen if that nightmare came to life.
All of the prior times they had been home. Someone had been able to get to her in time. Saving her with just enough time to spare. But with them being gone all day made life worse. It made their anxiety spike. They knew they could just call and check in on her, and sometimes they did. But they also didn’t want to make it seem like they didn’t trust her.
The front door was pushed open after the code was inputted. Both women stepped inside, gazes fixed on the floor as they swapped their shoes. Handong moved her head up to call for their little one when her eyes landed on the short-haired woman kneeling on a pillow near the couch.
“Well, well…” Handong whispered with a faint smile on her lips.
“What?” Siyeon muttered. “Oh…” Her gaze was fixed on the younger who had now straightened her back at the sight and sound of the two.
Handong stepped lightly, watching as Gahyeon’s gaze never broke from the older woman. Her hand dropped to cup Gahyeon’s chin, gently forcing her to look up before seeing the velvet collar around her neck. There was no doubt in her mind that the collar wasn’t locked. She knew the younger needed someone to lock it for her to allow it to stay.
“And what do we owe the pleasure?” Handong smiled softly.
“I trust you,” Gahyeon whispered.
It was more than enough. These three little words meant everything to the older women.
“What does this mean?” Siyeon asked with a slight frown.
“Are you cashing in?” Handong asked as she crouched down in front of the younger sub.
“Yes, mistress,” Gahyeon nodded.
“I promised Gahyeon a long time ago… That if she let me help her… I would let her cash in… And be my full-time submissive… Circumstances have changed clearly… Which would be the only modification…” Handong explained while tracing her finger over the bell that was attached to the collar. “Would you accept her as a role above you as well?” She raised an eyebrow, questioning the bargain they had made a long time prior.
“Of course,” Gahyeon whispered.
“So… Do I stay in this… domme role forever?” Siyeon frowned.
“Not at all. We can still train her,” Handong smiled while cupping Gahyeon’s cheek. She felt the younger lean into the gesture, allowing her to feel relaxed again.
Her mind felt relaxed. Much more relaxed than it had ever been. Her Gahyeon was getting help and was now wanting to spend more time with them. Be there for them at all times… She reached next to the table that sat behind the couch, opened a drawer, and pulled out a small key. Siyeon watched with wide eyes as Handong moved over a few bits of hair before locking the collar in place.
“Now, Kitten…” Handong whispered. “You belong to both of us…” She smiled. “But most importantly… Me,” she added.
“Yes, mistress,” Gahyeon spoke softly.
“You trust both of us?” Siyeon asked, watching the younger woman turn to give her full eye contact rather than a sideways look with a vague answer. She needed to hear it. Needed to hear it for herself. “Do you trust me?” She whispered.
“Yes, ma’am,” Gahyeon answered truthfully. “I trust you and I trust mistress.” Her eyes went back to Handong before back to Siyeon. It was more than enough for them.
Trust was something that had to be earned and worked with. Not something that was just given.
And they had earned it.
-END