Krystal POV

“Krystal, stop it.” Victoria requested in her firm motherly tone. I sat next to her on the couch, the two of us the only ones currently present in the dorm. Sulli was busy with filming and Luna and Amber had gone off for some photo shoots that I couldn’t be bothered to ask about. I was much more interested in the fact that I would be able to have some alone time with my girlfriend. However, with her swiftly batting my hand away from her thigh, I had to assume she hadn’t been thinking the same.

I gave the best pout I could manage, only for Victoria to continue staring forward at the television. “I’m a growing girl; it’s only natural for me to have such a healthy drive, right?” I had meant that to come out in a more authoritative tone only to have it sound as though it was a desperate plea for attention. Really it was debatable whether it actually was or not.

“You’re eighteen in America now too, Krystal. You’re not a girl. You’re a woman.” She said pointedly.

“A woman with needs.” I added.

“And it’s making you be such a man right now.” I was sure to put on the best crestfallen face I could but only got a quick apologetic squeeze to my thigh and a smile. “Maybe some other time, ok?”

Thoroughly frustrated, I stood up and trudged into the kitchen. I really couldn’t stand to be around her right now. Not in this condition.

I sighed and concluded that my time would be much better spent if I just occupied myself with some food instead. (Read as: This was me drowning my ually frustrated sorrows in junk food.) Opening the freezer, I realized that there was something much better I could do instead.

~ * ~

I stood between Victoria and the TV, staring down at her and her adorable confused expression. I was sure to be quick and act before she could ask any questions.

I straddled her, pressing her firmly against the back of the couch and giving her a few quick pecks behind and below her ear. I could feel her writhe beneath me; exactly the reaction I had predicted. Just one of the many benefits of knowing her body so thoroughly.

She groaned (Which I’ll admit kind of made me just a touch woozy), “Krystal, I already said no…” Though her words were firm in their protest, her tone and her body seemed to disagree.

With a knowing smirk, I ran my fingers with a feather-light touch down her sides, eliciting a high pitched “mmm” from her and causing her to shudder deliciously under me. “Do you mean no?” I purred into her ear before pulling back. I gazed into her eyes that were examining my face for the meaning of my words. In her eyes was genuine anticipation and upon seeing it, I had a whole new burst of confidence.

Not wanting to keep her (or myself) waiting any longer, I half-turned and grabbed a cup from the table behind me, filled to the brim with ice cubes. Upon seeing them, I could hear Victoria gulp. “So, is it still a no? Or are you going to be a good girl and—“

“Pick up pick up pick up!” My cellphone, which I left in the kitchen, began to ring. I kind of regretted getting jealous over Sulli’s ringtone and asking Victoria to record one for me as well. If the fact my phone was ringing wasn’t enough to kill the mood, the ringtone sure was.

I felt for a moment, as though whatever type of god we had in this world didn’t want anyone getting laid.

Victoria’s hands were playing with the button and zipper on my jeans as she gazed up at me with her pleading eyes that I had so hoped I would get. Still, the phone didn’t stop ringing.

I let out a sigh of resignation. Whoever was calling wasn’t going to stop until I answered. Reluctantly, I removed myself from Victoria’s lap. When she let out a whine, I pulled my shirt over my head and threw it to her, as though it would make it up to her. I could still feel her watching my bra with disdain, but she’d have to deal with that much.

I snatched my phone up from the counter and growled, “Hello?” I glanced back at the couch to see my girlfriend still watching me so intently, holding my shirt close to her face as she squirmed. “Oh, Jessica.” Victoria’s lips tugged down into a frown, already seeing where this was going, “Christmas shopping…? Now?” I gave Victoria the most apologetic look I could muster, but judging by how she had fallen dramatically over onto her side, burying her face into the couch cushion, she still didn’t seem like she’d forgive me for quite a while. “… Yeah, I’m free.”

~ * ~

Jessica POV

“Look, I’m sorry! I didn’t know I was blocking you.”

“That doesn’t mean that I have to forgive you.” Krystal spat, “What’s so important that you had to call me out here anyway? And don’t say shopping. I’m not an idiot.”

Wonderful. Had I really become this transparent as of late? What if Tiffany could see through me this easily? Or worse, Jay? I really didn’t want to think about it, but it was entirely plausible and if it was the case I would need to take care of it.

I let out an exaggerated sigh, “You sure don’t waste any time, do you, sis?” I began just a bit apprehensively. Her lack of response was answer enough. She surely didn’t. Such should’ve been expected of my own flesh and blood, though. The power of being a Jung.

“It’s about Tiffany.” And Jay, I guess.

~ * ~

Krystal still stared, slack-jawed and silently at me. We had decided it would be best not to talk about it all in the open street, so we opted to chat in a nearby café. Not where the paparazzi would notice us or be close enough to listen in; that would be a sure-fire way to destroy all four of our careers. Probably, anyways. It seemed like something you could count on netizens to take care of.

“Well?” I raised an eyebrow, still waiting for a response. I was sure this would’ve been enough time to process all of the information, but maybe I was wrong. I also had thought Krystal was onto Jay and I. But I obviously was wrong about that as well.

With a deep inhale and exhale, Krystal lowered her head and began rubbing her temples. “How is someone this stupid related to me?”

“Hey! I’m your big sister!”
“I disown you!”

I gasped and covered my mouth, not quite believing the words coming from . I thought she was supposed to be the nicer of the two of us. I even remember little Soojung playing with my make-up, saying she wanted to be as pretty as her big sis.

“So not only are you gay, but the whole thing with Jay was an accident?” Krystal asked carefully. I wasn’t sure if she was speaking in English in case someone could overhear us or if it was her defaulting to her first language in anger.

“You already knew I was gay.” I hissed back defensively. It was true. Somewhere around the time that I was sixteen, I dropped the news on my family. I figured that if they wanted to get upset about it, it would be better sooner rather than later; time heals all wounds, after all. As it turned out though, there were no wounds to heal. To my parents, it had been obvious from day one that I fancied the more delicate and they had long since been waiting for me to let them know that I knew. To Krystal, I was an example of bravery and her big sister regardless of ual orientation.

“I thought you found out you weren’t or something. This whole time, I thought you were on Jay’s !”

“Krystal!” My face reddened almost instantaneously.

“Well I did!”

We took a look around and took note that we were drawing some serious attention to ourselves. Both of us tucked our heads down and mouthed and apology to no one in particular. It took a minute or so of silence before we dared to peek back up at each other and began gathering the words to carry on our conversation.

“So then,” Krystal was the first to start, “Tiffany?” I was relieved to find no malice in her tone. She really did want some affirmance of what she had just heard, which I suppose I could understand.

“Yeah. What do you think?”

“She’s a bit peppy.”

“So is your girlfriend.” I mumbled back.

A pause, “Fair enough, I guess.” Krystal stared past me, seemingly spacing out a bit. “I don’t dislike her, but are you sure she’s gay? I’m pretty sure she’s religious.” My sister was right. Tiffany had chosen wording that advocated her religious nature on more than one occasion. It was a reasonable concern, I supposed.

I shrugged, “It doesn’t really matter, does it?” She furrowed her brow, obviously not following me. I let out a sigh before deciding it would be best if I elaborated rather than wait for her to understand. Maybe I wasn’t as transparent as I had thought. “I don’t plan on telling her. I was only thinking about Jay. He is my friend.”

“But isn’t that unfair to her? Isn’t she supposed to be your best friend?” She raised a fair point. I took a moment to think it over and it didn’t take more than ten seconds to concede her point. Tiffany most certainly was my best friend. But was telling her really the friendliest option?

I played out a hypothetical scenario in my head, in which I told Tiffany how I felt about her. I played it out again with a different reaction and again with another I found logical. None of them ended with she and I continuing on as happy as we were. There was no way I could do that to her or myself. We needed each other. Maybe talking to Krystal about it wasn’t the best idea. So I lied.

“I’ll think about it.”

~ * ~

The three of us sat around the Christmas tree, Jay reclined on the couch, Tiffany on the floor with her arms slung over my shoulders as I sat in her lap. We had spent the last twenty minutes arguing over whose fault it was that we started opening presents at - in the morning and concluded that it was definitely Jay’s fault. Mostly due to me smacking the side of his head enough times that he stopped blaming Tiffany for it, but nonetheless, it was Jay’s fault.

Had he not made a big deal about spending Christmas morning with me, he wouldn’t have to wake up when Tiffany and I did. It was as simple as that. There was absolutely no way that I would spend Christmas without my Tiffany. And there was absolutely no way that I’d wake up before noon without my Tiffany.

“Jessi, open mine next!” Tiffany requested in her usual overly energetic tone as she reached forward for it. I leaned forward with her to allow her some room to reach further, biting back a groan from the electric current that shot through my body as her s pressed against my back.

Once my overly comfortable friend had successfully slid the present in front of me, she wrapped her arms back around my waist and buried her face into the hollow of my neck. “Merry Christmas, Jess.” I could feel Tiffany smile against my skin and couldn’t help but smile myself. It really was great to have both of my closest friends with me. I would’ve expected them to have strangled each other by then.

~ * ~

Tiffany POV

I really wanted to strangle him. All I had wanted was to spend a nice Christmas morning with my best friend, but no, he had to invite himself and ruin everything. And as if coming in uninvited wasn’t enough, he needed to have a hissy fit over waking up early. Jay would probably have Jessica all day and maybe even all night. But I didn’t want to think about that. Why couldn’t I just have her to myself for the morning? I tried my best to keep a smile on my face for Jessi. It was Christmas. I wouldn’t be the one to ruin the mood.

As Jessi examined the box, I noticed Jay raise an eyebrow out of the corner of my eye and took a moment to shoot him the coldest look I could manage while maintaining a smile. He recoiled. Since their date, Jay and I had made an effort to make each other aware that our truce had been temporary. I had wished that I could get some time alone to speak to him, though, to let him know that I wouldn’t deal well with him if he tried to monopolize Jessica again. Until I got the chance though, I would have to make due with body language and tone of voice to get my message across.

If he touched her in front of me again, I would rip him to shreds.

Jessica took a moment to do a little half turn in my arms, “You really didn’t have to—“

“Just open it, silly.” I snatched up her hand and held it firmly within both of my own, savoring the warmth. Jessica’s apartment was always just a bit too cold for my comfort, yet the woman herself always managed to be nice and warm.

I fought back a frown as I had to return her hand immediately after so she could unwrap her gift. Naturally, the cold only bit at me for just a little while before Jessi pulled me into a tight embrace. It was sudden, really, and we both ended up falling over on the floor with her on top of me. She placed sweet kisses all over my face, taking short breaks to mumble thank you’s. I only managed to catch a glimpse, but was incredibly satisfied to see Jay’s displeased expression.

After a minute or so that felt more like a sweet, delicious hour, Jessica released me and picked her new stuffed arctic fox out from the box and held it close to her body. “Steph, it’s so cute and perfect!” She nearly squealed as she leaned down to give me one last peck on the cheek.

In all honesty, it seemed a bit out of character for her to be acting this way over a stuffed animal. However, from our random chats on random subjects, she made it clear that the arctic fox was by far her favorite animal. She nearly gave me an entire speech on why the arctic fox is superior to all other animals. From the time I spent at Jessica’s apartment I had discovered that in her collection of stuffed animals, she didn’t have a single fox, let alone a white one. She did, however, have a polar bear that Jay won her. And that was more than enough to set off my competitive side.

Jay may have been dating her, but I was the one who knew her best.

No one knew her better than I did.

~ * ~

Jay POV

I cleared my throat, intending to get Jessica's attention but only receiving a sidelong glare from Tiffany. I didn't particularly mind at this point. Tiffany could get as upset as she liked, but it's not as though she'd actually do anything about it. The worse she seemed able to do was make faces.

“Jessica,” I said and she finally looked up, “You should open mine next.” She answered with an affirmative hum and held out her hand. Pity, really, I had really wanted to see her confused expression as she would look under the tree and not find anything. There wasn't much I could do about it, though. The romantic gesture would already be tainted as is by Tiffany's presence.

I carefully pulled a poorly wrapped gift the size of a shoe box-- made of a shoebox-- from behind me and placed it in her hand. She raised an eyebrow without hesitation. The wrapping paper was something I picked up from the dollar store and she had no doubt heard the rumbling around as it had shifted.

Still, Jessica didn't ask and merely opted to unwrap it and figure it out instead. After removing the wrapping as well as the lid, she couldn't help but giggle just a bit. Who wouldn't after seeing their box filled with quarter machine toys and packing peanuts? “Really, Jay? I know I haven't been the best girlfriend, but--”

“Dig a bit deeper.” Jessica gave a smirk, no doubt expecting another joke. Instead, she found a small rectangular box and opened it without a second thought.

She gasped. “Oh my god. Jay.” Tiffany tilted her head, lips pursed, but no doubt curious as to what Jessica had found. She didn't, however, seem amused when Jessica held her new necklace up.

“Merry Christmas, Sica.” I gave her a warm smile, hoping to convey at least a fraction of the affection I held for her. It must've worked, since it didn't feel like a second had passed before she was in my arms, trapping me in her warm embrace. Then her lips were on mine.

Tiffany stood and left the room without a word. I probably would've been fine with it, if it hadn't completely ruined the moment. Jessica released me and stared towards the hallway. “Is she alright?”

My conscience bit at me.

~ * ~

It felt like Tiffany’s stare would burn right through me as she unrelentingly gazed at me with pursed lips. I wondered to myself what it was with me that attracted such cold-hearted women into my life. Most would be overly kind to me even if they were complete es on a normal day, but I had never had such luck with any girls that spent more than a night with me. Not that I had ever expected Tiffany to be nice to me.

“Can we hurry this up? Jessi is waiting for me,” she spat.

I crossed my arms and dropped any intentions I had of being nice about things, “I’ll be quick then. Jessica and I aren’t dating.” Her face immediately faltered, but she quickly recovered.

“What do you mean?” She whispered harshly, glare intensifying. Tiffany kept on like that for a moment before taking a peek around the corner of the hallway, presumably to make sure Jessica wasn’t listening. She turned back to me, “What do you mean you and Jessica aren’t dating?”

Her eyes were completely serious, searching my face for any hint that I might be lying. “Just that. She and I aren’t dating. So you don’t gotta be so passive aggressive about me. If you’re into her, that’s fine with me and whatever.” The girl grimaced as soon as I finished my last sentence.

“Don’t joke about that, Jay. That’s gross.” It took all my effort to keep my face in check to make sure my thoughts didn’t play out on my face. Tiffany didn’t know that Jessica was gay? They’d been friends for so long and with Tiffany’s over the top jealousy, I had assumed that their feelings were mutual. “I get that you’re a guy and all,” she continued, frown still firm on her face, “But that’s really gross.”

I came to a decision point. I could very easily knock out my biggest competition if I just would tell her the truth. Jessica was a… a lesbian. If I were lucky, Tiffany would take that information and charge out the door right away without even telling Jessi what happened. I really did consider this option for a moment, but even if I were that cruel, Jessica’s situation was even moreso.

Tiffany wasn’t my competition in the slightest. Jessica definitely was into her, that much was apparent. But just as apparent, staring us right in the nose the whole time was that Tiffany was straight. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t taken her talk about being a Christian to heart and why I hadn’t already figured out that she probably was at least a touch homophobic, but it was in front of me now.

Should I tell Sica, then?, I wondered. I could clearly see in my head the result. Jessica would be completely heartbroken and probably lock herself away for a few weeks again. I would come out on top, most likely, but was it really worth it?

No. This was Tiffany’s thing, not mine. She would have to be the one who would break Jessica’s heart. It wasn’t my place to do so for her. But now really wasn’t the time. “Whaaaatever. Run along, now. I said what I had to.” I honestly felt a bit sick to my stomach. I had meant to be doing the right thing, but it turned out a lot differently than how I had planned. Why the hell did girls have to be so complicated?

~ * ~

Jessica's POV

More than just one part of me was worried about what Jay was talking to Tiffany about. He was so insistent that it was completely obvious something was going on. And with so much Tiffany was left in the dark about, my stomach turned just thinking of the possibilities. My chest felt as though it was about to explode with anxiety as they both came out from the hallway, Tiffany storming towards me. I played with the necklace that Jay had given me nervously, as though I could get back some of that happiness from a few minutes ago and summon it now.

Tiffany kept her head ducked down and I was unable to read her expression as she snatched up my hand and began to lead me back into my bedroom. Helplessly, I turned my head back to Jay only to see him shrug. That ing bastard.

After we both were in the room, Tiffany slammed the door shut and turned the lock with such swiftness that I had clearly heard it set from where I had been standing. There was a brief pause, the air heavy before Tiffany's sniffles broke the silence. I could feel my heart breaking with each breath she struggled to take in.

“Tiffany...”

“Why didn't you,” an involuntary gasp, “tell me?” She turned to face me, her gorgeous face already becoming red and stained with her makeup and tears. “I”, gasp, “thought we were alright now.” She rubbed the back of her hand to one cheek, then the other, “What did I do to make it so you can't trust me?”

I tried to reach out to her, even though I wasn't quite sure what I'd do once my hand met her cheek, but she hastily turned her head and took a step back. Unsure whether to press further or not, I retreated a half-step back myself, sure it showed how much her reaction wounded me.

“You couldn't tell me why you ignored me before and you lied to me this whole time. Why, Jessi?” Tiffany's eyes pleaded with mine, for some kind of answer. After a moment of silence, she knew she wouldn't find one. Her tone was firm now, “Jessi, I need to know why.”

I knew that I needed to be honest at this point. My heart couldn't take seeing her like this. Not now and not ever again. “I'm not sure what exactly you mean by this whole time,” I ventured carefully, “I don't think I ever outright lied to you--”

“You did!” She screamed before her sobs started picking up again, “And you're lying again! I know you're not actually dating Jay, so why are you like this all the time?”

Oh.

Oh.

“I'll be honest, since it seems like I'm the only one who can be. It hurts seeing you with him all the time. Seeing you kiss him,” Tiffany looked away now, “Seeing you give him all of your attention.”

I couldn't help but an eyebrow, “You're... jealous?”

Even with her cheeks already a rosy red from her crying, I could see her blush as she snapped her gaze up to me. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights “I- I've been single for a long time, ok?!” She immediately looked away again. Too adorable.

“Fine, I'm not dating Jay,” I admitted as I took a step forward, regaining my confidence, “It's a long story that I should've let you in on by now. I'm sorry I haven't.” I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and Tiffany dared to look back up at me now. “But there's no reason for you to be jealous. I promise I won't do that kind of stuff in front of you again.”

Tiffany leaned into me then and we stood there, taking a moment to calm each other before she spoke a quiet, “Oh”. I answered with a “Hm?” that was just as quiet.

“So that's why you kept kissing me.” She pulled away from me and smirked, “You weren't actually getting any this whole time. How long has it been? Over a year, right?”

I tried my best not to look too flabbergasted, “You... knew?”

“You weren't exactly discreet. I'm a pretty light sleeper, y'know.” Inside, the anxiety was back and tearing me apart. The only thing keeping me from bursting into tears and apologies on the spot was the smile that was plastered across Tiffany's face.

“It's alright, sweetie,” She said, leaning back into me again, arms wrapped tightly around my waist. “I don't really mind a few innocent kisses here and there. And maybe a few... not so innocent. I mean, we are adults here.” She giggled sheepishly. “It's just girl friends helping girl friends out, right?”

This was the point where I was completely positive that if there was a God, they were trying their very best to tempt me. And it was working. What level of hell was reserved for the kinds of people who took advantage of cute, trusting girls such as this one?

Whichever it was, I supposed, it would be the one I would end up living in.

“Right,” I agreed quickly, as though afraid she would take it back. Tiffany smiled up at me, her cheeks and nose still a bit red from her tears, shut her eyes and puckered her lips. I wondered for a moment when I would wake up, but only for a second. Even if it was a dream, I didn't want to wake up until this was done.

I glanced back at the door, making sure it was locked. I shut my eyes and our lips met.

~ * ~

Tiffany POV

I couldn't seem to wipe the smile off of my face as I watched Jessi's sleeping form. The rise and fall of her chest was almost hypnotizing. We hadn't done anything further than kiss. That'd be gross. And I was so glad I had a friend who could respect those boundaries like I did. I knew Taeyeon was wrong. I knew people like Jessi existed out there.

It's not wrong to share some love through a few kisses and Jessi and I sure had a lot of love between us. She was no doubt the best friend I ever had, even if we were on different pages sometimes. Just never when it mattered.

Having Jessi next to me like this made me unbelievably happy. The only thing that seemed to make me happier was knowing that we were fine now. That and seeing Jay's necklace cast aside on the floor, anyways. Now I really did know Jessi best.

A/N- Somehow, it seems as though I've managed to put everyone into a very awkward position in this latest chapter. I like it, though. I've been waiting to do it for waaaay too long. This story needs to get going or I'll strangle something. I mean, this chapter is so old it's Christmas ffs. orz  And if you're confused about how Tiffany feels about gays, you should be! All you really need to know is that she's really possessive of Jessica. Really really possessive.

Let that sink in. (And forgive me on the promise that there'll be KryToria ) -cough-

o/ -Goes back to playing Defiance-