If there was a disadvantage to being married to Yuri this was it.

 

 Her gorgeous wife was the very definition of a workaholic, willing to sacrifice nights for work.  Workaholic also meant sleeping alone for Yoona, and after being with Yuri almost her entire life, the idea of sleep without her wife was simply impossible.

 

Yoona had lost count on how many times she sighed that night, it was closer to 1 am and Yuri is still in her home office working on her cases. It was quite a sight really, to see Im Yoona, an Executive for a company, tossing and turning in her sheets, trying to figure out a way to fall asleep.

 

What made her situation worse, much worse is how exhausted she is. Her mind and body were begging her for sleep. But just like always, her heart was keeping her awake.

 

It was almost around two am when she heard their bedroom door creaking open, and even with only slivers of light that slip through the blinds shines, Yoona could trace Yuri’s figure as she walks in.

 

“You’re still awake?”  Yuri mumbles, brushing Yoona’s hair off her face, before pressing a kiss on Yoona’s temple.

 

 “No.” Yoona’s answer was muffled as she quickly burrowed herself in Yuri, succumbing to the strawberry scent of her wife’s shampoo. “I just came from the bathroom.”

 

After all these years, Yoona would never admit to such a weakness.

 

“Oh okay,” Yuri giggles, after all these years, Yoona could never admit to such a weakness. “Good night, baby.”

 

She turns to her wife, their lips automatically seal in for a kiss.

 

“Good night love.”

 

Tonight there won’t be any small talks, tonight there won’t be any mini make out sessions. Tonight it would just be this. A kiss good night and her wife falling asleep in her embrace.

 

And for Yoona, that was more than enough to lull her to sleep.

 

*

 

After 53 minutes…

 

Yoona was in a midst of a dream when the sound of her phone alarm ripped her off from her fantasy straight back to reality.

 

Noooo, she mumbled begrudgingly, it can’t be 5:30 am already.

 

It wasn’t.

 

“What the hell?” Yoona snapped, as there it was, glaring at her in bright red numbers.

 

3:30 am.

 

“Yoong,” Yuri mumbles sleepily, giving Yoona a weak slap on the arm.

 

“Sorry babe.” Yoona kisses Yuri on the temple before swiping her alarm off. She wraps her arm around Yuri again, drifting off to sleep.

 

3:35 am.

 

She was seconds away from throwing the vibrating contraption when her wife’s fury stunned her like a deer in the headlights.

 

“Yoong! Seriously?!”

 

“It wasn’t me!”

 

“You didn’t set your phone alarm? Then, who did?”

 

Yoona is wondering the same thing too, until it dawn on her that only one could be responsible for this.

 

Why that little …

 

“Let’s just go back to sleep, okay babe?”

 

Yuri plopped down with a frustrated huff in the mattress and Yoona soon followed. Yoona was ready to wrap Yuri in an embrace, when she froze midway, wondering if it was even a smart idea to get all lovey dovey with her wife right now.

 

It was Yuri who silence all of Yoona’s doubts by seeking for affection and pulling Yoona’s arm around her.

 

“I’m sorry, baby.” Yoona apologized with a kiss.

 

“If your phone rings again, I’ll divorce you.”

 

“It won’t. I already turned it off, okay love?”

 

Although Yoona knows better than to take Yuri’s threats seriously, still here she is, scrambling to appease her.

 

“Good.”

 

*

 

After 20 minutes…

 

Yoona’s doe eyes started fluttering when she felt someone poking her cheek. She swipes it away, swipes it once, twice but the poking didn’t stop.

 

 “Wakey wakey…” Poke, prod, poke some more.

 

But Yoona just turned to her side with her back facing Yerim, figuring out the way to defeat her daughter was to ignore her. This was a losing cause for Yerim, her mom will never get up unless she has to push it.

 

But Yerim is smart. Too smart for her own good.

Seeing how her mommy Yoona refused to move, Yerim decided to go for the kill. She reached across her mommy Yoona and started to poke her mommy Yuri on the cheek instead.

 

“Hey mom!”

 

Yuri bolted up in upright position, eyes narrowed in a sharp glare that would have everyone shivering. But unfortunately, it was futile against her youngest child.

 

“Yerim?!”

 

“Go back to sleep, love.” Yoona coos Yuri, hurriedly dragging her daughter out before they both feel the wrath of Kwon Yuri. “I’ll take care of her.”

 

*

 

“You are so whipped,” Yerim said as soon as Yoona shoved her out of the door.

 

“You know your mommy Yuri has a case she’s working on these days?”

 

“But you’re still whipped though.”

 

“I just want your mom to rest.”

 

“That’s why I set up your phone alarm because I’m a good daughter and I want my mommy Yuri to rest too.”

 

“Did you forget we are in the same room?”

 

“Did you forget I have a field trip today?”

 

Yoona pursed her lips, trying to think of a PG version of what to yell at her daughter. Her daughter could be quite a little sometimes. Don’t get her wrong, she loves her girls to death, but there are often times where this thought just crosses her mind. She blames it on herself, or maybe more on Yuri that she ended up raising a little , but she guesses she could take it, better having a kid with a sarcastic mouth, than raise a little iljin. At least, they’re the one their kid is bullying not some helpless student.

 

But Yerim despite driving her nuts most of the time will always be her little buddy. They love video games, fast food and things that make Yuri homicidal.  Even as a baby, Yerim always has a knack of making Yoona and Yuri burst out in laughter or drove them to tears.

 

“Oh… oh yeah.” Yoona woke up from her trance, her youngest looking at her with a very displeased look on her face. “Of course, I didn’t forget.”

 

“I have to be at school at seven!” Yerim throwing her arms in a dramatic fashion, a trait she clearly inherits from her wife.

 

“It’s 4:00 in the morning!”

 

“Duh mom… what about rush hour?!”

 

 “It won’t take me more than 20 minutes to drive you there.”

 

“Yeah but…but…but…but…but..but!”

 

“Just go back to sleep Yerim.” Yoona has already started maneuvering Yerim back to her room. “We’ll leave later at 5:30 if that will make you happy.”

 

“But I can’t sleep!” Yerim squealed a little too high pitch and a little too excitedly this early. “I’m too excited!”

 

Yoona hangs her head low in defeat. What Yerim wants, Yerim will clearly get.

 

*

 

Not even blood, gore and the undead gnashing his teeth on the screen could keep Yoona awake. But her ears peered up as she heard bedroom slippers making its way down the stairs.

 

“.” She cursed under her breath. She tossed around the couch as she tries to come up with a logical explanation to why she’s playing videogames with Yerim this early.

 

But it was too late, her wife was already standing there with a scowl looking like she’s ready to condemn her to hell.

 

 “Really Yoong?”

 

“Ummm…what?” Playing dumb never works with Yuri, but she could try. But the way Yuri’s face twisted in an “are you kidding me” look, confirmed to Yoona that her plan didn’t work.

 

“But she can’t sleep!”
 

“And playing a videogame is your answer?”

 

“But mom, didn’t you forget? I have a field trip. I wouldn’t be able to play at all for three days.”

 

“If you used this much dedication with your studies, Yerim. You could have all straight A’s.”

 

“But I’m your daughter, you should love me for my imperfections.”

 

Yoona let out a snort which earned her a smack on the back of her head.

 

 “It’s too early for this. What would you like for breakfast, baby?”

 

“Bacon and eggs!”

 

“Bacon and waffles!”

 

The doe eyed mother and daughter face each other, their usual meek gazes turned fiery in a strong competition for Yuri’s number one affection.

 

“She was talking to me.” Yerim points out.

 

Yoona let out a snort, she’s going to let the little win this time.

 

She barely had any good amount of sleep, yet all it took was seeing her wife to wake every sleeping bone in her. And as she stares at Yuri making her way to the kitchen, Yoona couldn’t help but wonder…

 

Why does she have to look so good in a bathrobe?

 

When Yuri ties her hair up in a messy bun, exposing her neck, why is she intentionally trying to seduce her?

 

“Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!” Yerim calls out her mom, poking her in the cheek to steal her attention.

 

“Wha-what?”

 

“Focus… We’re dying in there.”

 

Yoona did as she was told, the sight of the blood and gore and being swarmed by the undead was something she couldn’t stomach this early in the morning.

 

“It’s just a game, Yerim.”

 

“Is it, mom?” Yerim sounded serious for once that it unnerved Yoona.

 

“W-what?”

 

“When the time comes in a zombie apocalypse, could I count on you?”

 

And once again, Yerim just cornered her with her endless sarcasm and was throwing the punches. Yoona should have known that there was no way to defeat this adorable monster she and Yuri created.

 

“Mom!” Irene skips down the stairs. Too cheerful and too beautiful on a school day.  “Wendy is here.”

 

“Isn’t she too early?”

 

“Oh, she wanted to go grab some breakfast today.”

 

Yerim leans closer to Yoona before whispering, “That’s a code word for .”

 

“Be quiet.” Yoona shuts her youngest.

 

“Oh okay. Why don’t you guys eat breakfast here, save both of you some money?”

 

“Mom…” Yerim says in an exasperated tone, “Wendy unnie is so rich, banks go to her to ask for money.”

 

Irene just answers her sister with a stern frown, that didn’t even effect the little devil one bit.

 

“No it’s okay, maybe next time Mom.”

 

“I’m going to be gone for three days!” Yerim pops up from the couch. “Are you gonna miss me?!”

 

“Hmmm… probably not. Bye dork!”

 

“YAH!” Yerim screams out at her sister. “You will! You totally will!”

 

As soon as Irene walks out of the house, Yuri and Yoona glances knowingly at each other before running to the window. Even from a distance, they could tell how much the two are in love. Wendy so gentle and loving with their daughter, taking her bag in one hand and her hand in the other.

 

“Isn’t it funny?”

 

The two parents spun their heads to check on their youngest, who’s armed with a lopsided grin.

 

“Wendy unnie’s car is worth than both of yours combine.”

 

*

 

If there was a disadvantage to being Irene, this was it.

 

As beautiful and perfect as people imagined her to be, her random bouts of forgetfulness can make even the most loyal of fans smack their foreheads in frustration.

 

That’s one of the million reasons why she and Wendy complimented each other so well. Wendy no matter how many forgotten dates and reminders that Irene is guilty of, Wendy still remains patient and understanding with her girl. She had become Irene’s human reminder, telling her about exams, dates and deadlines.

 

That’s why when Irene woke up today with a strange sensation bubbling in her stomach, she hurriedly flips through her purple organizer, checking what her gut is trying to remind her off.

 

She has a quiz on Trigonometry, a book report to finish, a group meeting for her History, and practice in the afternoon, but it was something else, something she felt was bigger than all these things combined.

 

“Good Morning, Hyunnie.”

 

And judging from Wendy’s humongous, cheeky grin it probably has something to do with her girlfriend.

 

It wasn’t like Wendy never greeted her with a smile, but there is something that she couldn’t put a finger on it. And it was driving Irene insane.

 

Is it Wendy’s birthday?

 

No… that was on February, that she knows for sure.

 

Their monthsary? No… that was a few weeks ago.

 

“Here I’ll get this.” Wendy takes Irene’s backpack, placing it on the backseat. “Oh yeah, Hyunnie, I completely forgot something, can you get my Geography notebook inside the trunk please?”

 

Hold on… now let’s backtrack that a bit.

 

It wasn’t like Irene wasn’t willing to do anything for Wendy. In fact, she would gladly do things to spoil Wendy. But knowing Wendy, it is so unlike her to ask Irene to do anything. No matter how much endless teasing Wendy gets from Joy about being a slave to Irene, Wendy dismissed it. And there she would be once again, heeding to Irene’s every need and want. So asking Irene for her notebook is really quite questionable. Too questionable.

 

“Ummm okay.”

 

Irene slowly made her way to the back of the white BMW, still trying to rack her brain on what day it is, that it caught her off guard when she opens the trunk and Heart shape balloons flew out.

 

HAPPY 100th day anniversary, Hyunnie.

 

And there it was screaming at her in a blinding neon pink letters, the special moment that she completely forgot about. It wasn’t just the poster that Wendy prepared, her trunk was filled to the brim with chocolates, and teddy bears that could rival build a bear workshop.

 

“100^th day?” Oh crap! Oh Crap! Oh Crap! Irene froze on her track.

 

“Hyun?” Wendy most probably sensed her uneasiness as she asked nervously. “It wasn’t too much, right? Did the balloons scare you? I can pop them off if you like…”

 

“No, no, no, no, no…”

 

Irene turned to face Wendy, smoothing those fidgety brows with her thumb.

 

“I love it!” Irene wraps her arms around Wendy, and she could feel Wendy’s tensed shoulders slack off in ease. “It’s just that my gift is nothing compared to this.”

 

Her gift- her nonexistent gift.

 

Wendy pulled herself away from the hug, just to see Irene eye to eye.

 

“Are you kidding me, right now, Hyun? You know you’re like my best gift.”

 

“Cheesy.”

 

Irene pinches her girlfriend on the nose.

 

Wendy intertwined their fingers together, before leading Irene to the passenger seat. When the car door shut behind her, Irene let out a frustrated groan. How on Earth could she buy a gift in such a short amount period of time?

 

“You okay?” Wendy asked before she straps Irene’s seatbelt back on.

 

“Wan… You know you don’t have to do this.”

 

 “Nonsense.” Wendy waves her off. “Only the best for my girl.”

 

Irene chuckles nervously, trying to look at her organizer. There was no chance in hell she wouldn’t make a note of such an important date. She skims through and visibly cringe at what she found, add this to her list of fails too, being horrible in math that she miscalculated their 100 days to this Saturday than today. She’s a few days off, how completely stupid in math is she?

 

It wasn’t just that. Senior has been hell for her. She had been flanked nonstop with homework, tests, dance practices that this date completely flew above her head. But that wasn’t even a legit excuse cause Wendy who’s 100 times busier than her, not only had the time to remember but at the same time, prepare and plan for this entire day.

 

 “So, ummm, you don’t want to just save up for dinner?”

 

This would hopefully buy her some time to figure out a gift.

 

“Well I,” Irene could tell from Wendy face as she searches for an answer. “I sort of planned it as an all day event. I mean I really wanted to make up for the horrible first kiss we have, so ummm… I’m sorry if it’s a bit too out there, I know you would like to have it simple.”

 

Irene pulls out Wendy’s hand to her lips, pressing a kiss to hopefully silence Wendy’s doubts.

 

“I would love whatever you do, Wen.”

 

The expressionless expression in Wendy’s face turned bright as she heard this. And the entire ride, Irene quietly wonders if she had save an entire nation in her past life to deserve someone like Wendy.

 

*

 

“Your phone charger Yerim, did you bring your phone charger?”

 

“I did mom, I did.”

 

Yerim answered her mom for the seventh time in 30 minutes. She and Yoona shared a glance at the rearview mirror, Yerim throwing her mom a “please talk to your wife” look, while Yoona just answered with a “Not a chance in hell, you brat.” Gaze.

 

“How about your sunblock? Don’t forget your-“

 

“Babe-“ Yoona squeezes Yuri’s hand, hoping to reassure her wife. “Yerim is just gonna be out for 3 days, I’m pretty sure she’ll live without sunblock.”

 

“Yoong!” Yuri looked so appalled, you would think Yoona suggested that they sacrifice their child to a Golden calf.  “You know how badly Yerim gets a sunburn-“

 

“WERE HERE!!!!” Yerim broke out happily.

 

“Yerim!” The worried mother lets out a screech, as Yerim, without any hesitation, hopped off the moving car (Okay, Yoona was parking but still).  “Don’t forget to call when you get there!”

 

Yerim spun back around to her parents, giving her moms a gigantic smile that will hopefully reassure them.

 

“SIR YES SIR!!!” Yerim answers with a hand salute. “I’ll be okay, mom!!! See you in three days!!!”

 

“Yer-“ This time Yuri stops herself from calling out her daughter, as she saw her youngest skipping happily over to her group of equally giggly students.

 

“See? She’s okay.”

 

Yuri pulls her gaze away from Yerim and back at her wife. Yoona, her Yoona still had the magic to calm her with words even after all these years.

 

“Yes but- knowing her, she probably forgot something.”

 

“Didn’t you pack her things for her?”

 

“Well… ummm… yes.” Yuri let out a shaky breath, her attention back at her daughter who is talking so animatedly that had her friends laughing. “She’s just so immature, it terrifies me what she’ll do when were 6 hours away.”

 

“That right there,” Yoona pointed out at their girl laughing so happily. “That’s the best parts of high school, so let her have it. I mean look at us now? we weren’t such angels in high school, but we turned out all right.”

 

Yuri gently pats Yoona’s cheek in appreciation.

 

“What are you going to do when Irene goes to college?”

 

“Oh don’t even remind me.” Yuri slumps down on the seat at the thought. “It’s already freaking me out every time she says she’s going out with Wendy, what more if she leaves for college?”

 

Yoona chuckles, before laying her lips on Yuri’s hair.

 

“She’ll do fine. Just like Yerim is going to be fine.”

 

She turned to her youngest daughter one last time, who was now waving like a maniac at them. Yuri had to contemplate a second whether Yerim was waving goodbye or shooing them off.

 

Yoona chuckles, “I think that’s our cue to go.”

 

She sneaks out one last glance at their baby, before smiling back at her wife. “Let’s go home.”

 

*

 

“Oh, it’s still close.”

 

Irene couldn’t help but be a disappointed to find their café close. It wasn’t literally theirs, but somehow this quaint shop at the corner of their high school, which sells the most mouthwatering pastries has become their special place. It gave Irene some bragging rights for being the first one who brought Wendy there. Their first date that completely happened by accident when Joy and Seulgi bailed on them (which she learned recently was on purpose). It started out awkward at first, with Wendy talking at a 100 words per second and Irene not saying anything at all. It was a horrible first date now that she thought about it.

 

“Well, actually-“

 

There goes that cheeky grin again as Wendy took her hand and leads her to the café.

 

“Whoah- wait!” Irene stopped them both at their tracks, demanding an explanation. “Did you-“

 

“Did I what?” Wendy’s brow bobbed up in question.

 

“Omo Wan! You didn’t!”

 

“Didn’t what?”

 

“Did you have this entire place close?”

 

“Well…” Wendy scratches her head, her brows knitted together as she tries to come up with an explanation. “not for the entire day, just for breakfast. You’re not mad, are you?”

 

Who could get mad at that adorable puppy dog frown?

 

“Of course not.”

 

“It’s just that our first date kinda , you know?” Wendy couldn’t hold her gaze at the confession.

 

So, she wasn’t the only one who thought that?

 

“But it’s totally not on you, I’m like a freaking nervous wreck, I’m surprise you even want to go out on a second date.”

 

As horrible as their first date was, Irene had to admit that she finds Wendy’s endless stammering and bobbing brows kind of adorable.

“So, you’re trying to make up for it?”

 

“Kinda, but it’s more than that. Look, I ummm… I would rather have you feel it than for you to hear it. But ummm, maybe it’s more reassuring for you if I say it.”

 

Wendy took a step closer, her heart palpitating in an uneven beat as she a confession about to slip off her tongue.

 

“Eversince we started dating, I swore to myself that I will give you the kind of love story you deserve. The kind you read in novels and see in dramas, well not Kdramas, you know… none of that evil stepmom and conniving ex kind of crap- but you know, the love story you have always dreamed of.”

 

Why does her girlfriend had to be the sweetest, most adorable girlfriend in the world? And why is she such an awkward little turtle?

 

“So, let me spoil you today, okay?”

 

“Okay, but let me spoil you today too.”

 

“You don’t have too, Hyun!” Wendy’s tone pitching in panic “No don’t worry bout me, this is good, this is-“

 

Irene silence Wendy with a kiss, a sweet chaste kiss on the lips.  And that sort of did the trick.

 

“You need to make me feel like you need me too.”

 

“I do…” Wendy weakly confessed. “You don’t know how happy you make me.”

 

Irene cups those squishy cheeks, motioning Wendy to look up.

 

“I’m dating you, so how about we just spoil each other?”

 

“I would love that.” Wendy tugs her girlfriend, leading her back inside their place.

 

“Now how about we get some breakfast?”

 

*

 

“Let’s go back upstairs.”

 

Yoona’s keys hasn’t drop in the kitchen counter yet and here was Yuri, already making a bold declaration. This was quite a rare feat, Yuri usually doesn’t demand in words but more of in caresses in her thighs, and adorable, little whines. But maybe it’s the lack of sleep that made Yuri so bold not that Yoona was complaining at all.

 

“Really Yoong? An ice cream?”

 

The urgency in Yuri’s voice turned into an are you kidding me tone.

 

“.”

 

Yoona was really in the mood for ice cream, but now that Yuri announce what she wants that easily, Yoona was about to place the ice cream back in the freezer. She knows her priorities and its Yuri and her girls first, and everything else is a distant second. Even ice cream.

 

“And you’re even trying to hide it.”

 

“No I wasn’t.” Yoona defended herself. “I was just you know, rearranging the freezer.”

 

“And you’re lying too?”

 

Yoona just shrugs, what’s the point of arguing?

 

“Isn’t ice cream made out of milk?”

 

“Are you serious?”

 

“Yes I am. You want me to grab you a bowl?”

 

“No. What have I been telling you, Yoong? You’re not getting any younger. You need to fix your diet, do you want me to raise our girls alone?”

 

Yoona who has her back against her, let out a groan.

 

“How about if I put some strawberries and berries in it? Will that make my wife happy?”

 

“No, I need to go back to bed, I’m tired.”

 

“Think about it, Yul. Just you and me in our pj’s, with ice cream, watching-“

 

She could tell from Yuri’s sullen expression that her wife is bracing herself for whatever smooth line that she’s about to say.

 

“Watching what?”

 

“My love from another star?”

 

There it was! It wasn’t huge, heck, it’s not even noticeable but she saw Yuri’s lip break out in a tiny grin before returning to her signature scowl. She saw it and she’s going to make this work.

 

“That show is over like years ago.”

 

“But you love Do Min Joon. Isn’t he the man you’re willing to leave your wife and kids for?”

 

“You’re lucky I love you so much.”

 

Yoona turns to her ice cream sitting so seductively on the kitchen counter. A sigh of frustration spilled out of her at her decision. Her wife first before ice cream.

 

“Can I eat ice cream during lunch?”

 

But she saw another rare moment today, usually Yuri delights on her little victories but right now, Yuri looks contemplative before finally surrendering.

 

“Fine. Bring two bowls upstairs.”

 

*

 

“What can you get someone who owns everything?”

 

This was one of the rare moments that she’s glad that Wendy is an overachiever. In class, Wendy sits at the very front, ready to wow their teachers and fellow students with her brains, while Irene is right in the middle. The perfect spot for a non overachieving and non slacking student like her.

 

The entire period all Irene was doing was trying to come up with a list of gifts she could give Wendy tonight. But the task was harder than she thought, as she loses her senses every time Wendy turns back at her with a smile and a loving gaze.

 

She was thankful that the Gods was on her side. Their teacher shooed them off to the library to review for college entrance exams. And Wendy was summoned to the faculty room to help.

 

“What can you get someone who is basically rich as ?”

 

Irene barely gaze Joy a glance as her neighbor/ classmate/BFF sat next to her, but Irene did a double take when she saw what was Joy has in her hand.

 

A Book?

 

Irene follows Joy’s hand, at awe at the sight in front of her.

 

“Oops.” Joy bends down as she picks up the manga that slips out from her book.

 

Shame on Irene for being fooled more than once, twice, a hundred times.

 

“Let me see your list.”

 

Joy’s expression changed from nonchalant to ready to roast her with how terrible her gift giving skills are. 

 

 “A hoodie? A phone case? Baking supplies? Wait- what’s this- vitamin supplements?! You should work for Santa with the amazing skills you have in gift giving.”

 

Irene yanks her list back, she should have known better than to seek Joy’s advice.

 

“My girlfriend is a health nut, okay?” Irene admits, before eventually just crossing out vitamin supplements.

 

“You know what you should give her, Hyun? You- you should give her yourself.”

 

“What is that supposed to mean?!”

 

“I mean... You should wrap yourself in some gift wrapper and let her unwrap you.”Joy bobs her brow at Irene, Irene is not the slightest bit amused. “I bet even Wendy would like that.”

 

“What the hell kind of fanfics are you reading?!”

 

“What?! I’m trying to help you out here.”

 

“Thanks! But no thanks…” Irene sunk on her seat, her frustration starting to settle in. Usually, she runs to Wendy for comfort, her girl always knows the right things to say to ease her.

 

“I should just ask Seulgi what Wendy would like.”

 

“Why would you ask Seulgi, when you have me? My Jackson and OC fic made it to the most upvoted story in AFF, I’m a freaking big deal.”

 

Why is Irene even friends with Joy? She would never know.

 

“You suggested earlier that I should wrap myself in a gift wrapper?”

 

Joy responded with a shrug, some people just can’t take a good advice even if it’s staring right in their face.

 

“Hi guys!”

 

Seulgi joins them, placing her bag on the table before laying her head, using this spare time for sleep.

 

Irene heard Joy scoff at the thought of Seulgi. “Let’s see if she could give you any better suggestion.”

 

“Suggestion on what?”

 

“You’re Wendy’s bestfriend, can you please help me what to get her? Here’s my list.”

 

Seulgi’s slanted eyes narrowed even more as she ponders thoughtfully on the list.

 

“Well, she got tons of hoodies, she doesn’t really need a phone case, and her body spray is what her mom brought from France, which cost as much as all our tuition fees combined. And vitamin supplements?”

 

“I cross that out.”

 

“Well, Wendy always say you’re her happy pill. Maybe if we can bottle you up, I’m pretty sure she would like that.”

 

“See?! Bottle? wrap… Oh wait… how about you put yourself inside a box, ship yourself to Wendy and when she opens it- TADA!”

 

Irene shakes her head in disappointment, after today, she’ll use her list making skills to find a better group of friends.

 

“Why don’t we ask Siri?” Of course it was Seulgi who suggested that.

 

“I should know my girlfriend better than an automated machine.” Irene says in frustration.  “I can’t believe this, I’m a horrible girlfriend.”

 

“Don’t say that.” Joy sounds comforting for once. “You’re not horrible, you are just bad.”

 

“Gee thanks.” Irene answered sarcastically, and Joy responded with a smirk. It always makes her day when she wins against Irene.

 

Irene lightly pounds her head on the table, hoping it will shake her brain for some good gift ideas. Then, she stopped, she’s the best gift that she could give Wendy, even Wendy said that this morning.

 

“Joy, you said I should give myself, right?”

 

“Omo!” Joy gasped, a look of excitement brightening her face. “Are you thinking of doing it? Omo… you’ll be my first non friend.”

 

“No, you .” Irene said before taking out a pen and paper. Judging from her wide grin, she looked like she found the perfect solution. She had to admit that her friends help her with the idea, but they’ll never hear that. Not in this lifetime anyway.

 

*

 

“Hyun?”

 

Irene was standing a good few feet away from Wendy, but she could still see how much Wendy’s throat jut as she saw her. She didn’t really meant to do it on purpose, coming up here in the stairwell with her cheerleading uniform on. But she was rushed from her practice to make sure, she had the place to her and Wendy without any distraction.

 

“Hey,” Irene smiles brightly before sitting down the steps, and Wendy looked like she did on their first date, just with a stunned look on her face. “I just finished dance practice, but I want to give my gift to you before we go home.”

 

“Here?”

 

Wendy suddenly developed a trauma at hanging out at the staircase after what happened.

 

“Don’t worry, I have a look out.” It’s more of she promised Seulgi and Joy dinner to play as look outs.  “I want to give my gift here because no matter how much trouble we got in, still, this will forever be a special place too.”

 

“You know you don’t have to give me a gift.”

 

Irene raised a brow, and turned to Wendy with a stern look.

 

“What have we been talking about earlier?”

 

“Oh sorry, sorry, yes! Yes!” Wendy takes a deep breath, before turning to Irene with a huge smile. “Anything from you, Hyun, I’ll treasure.”

 

“Well then, ummm here it is.” Irene hands Wendy a pastel pink paper bag. Wendy pursed her quivering lips, just looking at the pink paper bag in awe. And Irene could swear that Wendy, her adorable cinnamon roll is seconds away from bursting into tears.

 

“I love it!” Wendy exclaims loudly.

 

“You haven’t even open it yet, silly.”

 

“But still… I already know I’m gonna love it.”

 

Irene chuckles as she sees Wendy opening her present like an excited kid on Christmas morning.

 

“Oh!” Wendy stares intently at the mason jar filled with tiny rolls of colorful paper. “Is it ummm… ahhh… what is it?”

 

A smile played on Irene’s lips as she enjoys the look of wonder in Wendy’s face. There had always been this air of innocence on Wendy’s face that until now Irene couldn’t hesitate but coo over.

 

“You know how you always say that I’m your happy pill?”

 

Wendy answered her with an enthusiastic nod and a smile.

 

“It’s whenever you feel down, just take one and I’ll do it for you.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yup, here.” Irene started it off, digging into the jar and pulling out a sky blue piece of paper and showing it to Wendy.

 

A coffee date for two.

 

“I’m loving this already.” Wendy said with glee in her tone.

 

“Let’s get another one,” Irene took another one, this time a pastel pink and read it.

 

“Oh I like this!” Irene says gleefully.

 

Free laundry and ironing.

 

“Now you get one.”

 

“Okay,” Wendy picks out a lime green one and her brows shot up, her cheeks burning red. “Ahhhh… I’ll save it for next time.”

 

“No, Don’t be silly, Wan, I could do it.”

 

“No, no, no.” Wendy insisted, trying to pull the paper away from Irene. “it’s okay, really? Are you hungry? Let’s go grab some dinner?”

 

“Wendy?”

 

“But…but…”

 

“C’mon, what is it?” Irene pulls the note away, her smile turning into a look of pure horror, her ears burning red in embarrassment.

 

Damn you, Joy. Damn you to hell and back!

 

There it is, written in a lime green roll of paper.

 

A for my Wan and only.

 

Irene rips the jar out of Wendy’s grip, and started shaking the jar with all her might, the little rolls of paper spilling all over the stairs. Wendy took a step back, pursing her lips as she sees how adorable a frantic Irene looks, rolling and unrolling every piece of paper.

 

“Do you want me to help?”

 

“No… no… just stay there and chill.”

 

Irene points at Wendy warningly, as she continues to check every paper.

 

“Here, let me help.”

 

“I’m so sorry Wan,” Irene apologized, stepping back to let Wendy help “I… I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

 

“No worries, I doubt Joy has the energy to write a lot.”

 

Wendy leans closer and her gentle kiss on Irene’s hair was enough to calm down Irene’s steaming nerves.

 

“I still love it.”

 

“You do?”

 

“Of course.”

 

It took around 20 minutes to read each and every one of the paper, and Joy, that sneaky devil had managed to infiltrate in more notes than Irene had hoped for.

 

You take the top tonight, Wan.

 

Are you a car, Wendy?

Because I want to ride you all night long.

 

What should I wear tonight?

Chocolate syrup or whip cream?

 

Guess who’s on the bottom tonight?

 

I’m not good at math, so can you show me what’s 60 + 9 is?

 

“I think Joy has a talent for fanfics.” Wendy jokes, unfortunately Irene is too preoccupied thinking of ways of murdering Joy. “Hyun?”

 

“She ruined my gift.”

 

If there was a clear disadvantage to being with her, it’s this, her pettiness (which was caused by being with Joy). She knew better than behaving like rotten brat, but this gift as hurriedly as it was made, was out of her love for Wendy, and Joy just ruined it.

 

She’s gonna kill her, no, worse, she’s gonna send her food that will give her the s for days.

 

But Wendy, her Wendy looks so calm as always, looking at her with a gentle smile.

 

 “I love you.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Wendy clearly grimaced as the three words just slip out so carelessly from her lips. The two of them had been zigzagging around those words, this was both their first relationship and they were more than careful not to say it until the right time comes. They both say things about their feelings, but she and Wendy knew the weight of those three words can’t compare to the rest of her confessions.

 

Knowing Wendy, this probably wasn’t the I love you she had in mind. She probably wanted a scene straight out of a fairy tale love story. A romantic moment that will have both of them gushing for eternity.

 

But maybe Wendy forgot that this was their love story…

 

She tilted Wendy’s chin to face her, her girlfriend was absolutely beautiful. Both inside and out. 

 

100 days and it still feels like falling over and over again. It was Wendy who gave in first, brushing her lips against Irene’s. And it felt like the first time, their kiss transporting them back to that very moment, to the best day of their life. And as their kiss deepens, their tongues tasting their love, Irene softly whispers her answer.

 

“I love you too.”

 

*

 

 “It feels so quiet,” Yuri confesses and Yoona could hear the loneliness in Yuri’s voice as they walk inside and only have the quietness of the night to welcome them home. It was just one night, but it felt so lonely walking in without Irene and Yerim’s bickering.

 

“You always tell the girls that they’re too loud.”

 

“I do, don’t I?”

 

Yoona could only smile softly as she heard a tinge of regret in Yuri’s voice. That’s one of the disadvantages to marrying Yuri, how her every mood changes with how Yuri feels. They had become one now, they weren’t just Yuri and Yoona anymore, they had become each other, each feeling and emotion linked together in bonds that grow with each passing moment.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Hmmm?”

 

“Babe it’s okay, Irene will be back tonight at 12.”

 

“Is that even right? Letting Irene pass her curfew?”

 

“It’s their 100 day anniversary, so take it easy on her and you met Wendy, she’s not the conniving type.”

 

“Are we going to be okay, Yoong?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“When they both leave and it’s just the two of us, it’s going to be so quiet.”

 

Yuri laid her phone down on the counter and Yoona manage to catch a glimpse of Yuri’s wallpaper of their two girls. It was rare to find a picture of their girls where they weren’t making faces or putting horns on each other’s head.  Now that they think about it, as much as their daughter’s bickering drive both of them insane, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

They would rather come home to their noise rather than this silence.

 

“Then, we’ll move closer to their school.”

 

“Where’s your that’s part of them growing up line?”

 

Yoona turns to Yuri with a mischievous smile. “I’ll miss those brats too much. But let’s not think about that. We have our girls now.”

 

“I know, love.”

 

They share a quick peck on the lips before Yoona went to her favorite appliance, pulling out the one she’s been waiting for.

 

“Ice cream?”

 

Yoona watches Yuri’s expression, before the naughty glimmer in Yuri’s dark brown eyes returned.

 

“I’ll pick a movie!” Yuri squeals in glee as she walks to the living room.

 

“I’ll be there with two bowls!”

 

“Just one, Yoong. We’ll share.”

 

“How bout I just bring the whole gallon?”

 

Yuri’s head pop back in the kitchen, narrowing her eyes at Yoona before eventually nodding.

 

This was the disadvantage to being with each other, in the end, they would eventually give in.

 

Not that they complain about it.

 

“Good idea.”

 

Not at all.

 

TBC

 

So sorry about the delay. Hope you guys would enjoy the update. Thank you and enjoy the rest of the week.