The crisp morning heat bore down on her as she walked along the eastern wing for what felt like the hundredth time. Even though she had shed the blazer and had undone the upper two buttons of her uniform top, beads of sweat ran down her body like a light drizzle.

That is, until a cool breeze drifted toward her from behind.

"Don't you think you've punished yourself enough, Yuri-yah?"

Yuri turned around but only long enough to respond with a slight smile. She continued walking as scheduled, thinking Jessica would understand and let her be.

"Don't walk away from me!" Jessica grabbed Yuri by the wrist and forced a step forward so Yuri would step back, effectively pinning the latter to the nearby wall. "Now will you listen to me?"

Yuri could only nod as she diverted her eyes from Jessica's, admittedly a bit flustered due to the lack of distance between them. So much so that she felt the heat from her cheeks creep down her arms and toward her wrist which Jessica froze against the wall without her noticing. Not that it would stay frozen for long if the rise in her body temperature was any indication. Jessica didn't seem to notice as she continued to explain the purpose of this confrontation.

"You've been at this for almost a week now," she said, trying her best not to scream at Yuri in frustration. "You think I haven't noticed why you took almost every patrol shift? I'm not stupid. You're obviously still bothered about what happened with Sunny at Mountain Glenn. I told you that none of that was your fault. So stop trying to make up for the mistakes you think you made and don't be stubborn for once."

There was a brief pause as Jessica waited for Yuri to say or do something – anything – but the latter only sighed and rested her head on the wall behind her, making it more apparent that she was exhausted.

Despite that, Jessica felt the need to continue: "Look, Professor BoA told me all about your training with Professor Hyun Bin before. She said that he let you use your semblance on him over and over again. And no one got hurt. That means you can control it somehow."

"No, I can't," Yuri finally replied, though merely in a mumble, as she recalled the times that she almost fell over from exhaustion after using her semblance on Professor Hyun Bin. "No one got hurt because he knew when to dodge my attacks."

"Yes, he did. But there were still times when he took the blow and survived. What if I tell you that that was possible because to some extent you were controlling your semblance and you just didn't know it?"

"That was a long time ago! Why are you telling me this anyway? I told you that I don't want to use my semblance anymore."

"How can you say that?!" Jessica could no longer contain her frustration, unknowingly tightening her grip on Yuri's wrist and lessening the space between them even more. "When you double your speed and your strength, how do you do it?"

"I dunno! It just happens. As far as I can remember, I can just do those things."

"See? That can't be coming out of nowhere! You're controlling your semblance without even knowing it!"

"Why does it matter so much to you whether I can control it or not?!"

"Because it's obviously bothering you and I want to help!"

"If you want to help then leave me alone! I'm dealing with it in my own way!"

"By doing what? Tiring yourself out? What's that supposed to achieve, huh?" Jessica expected another outburst, another irrational argument that would justify the growing urge to slap her partner in the hopes of getting through to her. But there was no response. "See? You're just running away from the problem! This isn't like you. The Yuri I know would be the one doing what I'm doing now. The Yuri I know would do everything to encourage her partner to do the right thing. Even though it's this tiring. The next time you say things like that, make sure you follow your own advice. Otherwise, just don't say anything at all."

Jessica finally loosened her grip then took a step back. Her heart was pounding, she realized, but she ignored it. This wasn't the time to break down and be a mess. Yuri already had that covered. So there was nothing left to do but leave Yuri slumped against the wall with a puddle of melted ice water by her feet.

+

When Jessica got back to their dorm room, she almost hit Yoona with the door.

"Woah! Did something happen, unnie?"

"Ugh." Jessica headed straight for her bed, no longer caring that books were scattered on the surface when she let herself fall on it. "Why don't you ask that coward? I'm going to take a nap. I'm drained."

Yoona raised an eyebrow, honestly having no clue as to what could have caused Jessica to act this way. "Coward? Who are you talking about?" she asked. She only got a groan in response. "O-kay then. I was just leaving so I'll leave you to rest now. See you later, unnie."

She closed the door behind her and started walking toward the training rooms. It crossed her mind that Jessica could have been talking about Yuri but 'coward' wasn't really a word that she would use to describe their team leader. Whatever could have caused Jessica to think that way must have been serious. And just when she was about to make a list of possible scenarios, she passed Yuri by as she rounded a corner in the hallway.

"Hey. What happened to Sica unnie? She seems pissed off."

Yuri slowed down as she passed by her dongsaeng to reply: "Can we not talk about it right now?"

Neither of her teammates wanted to talk about it. That much was obvious to Yoona. She decided to leave them alone. "Okay. But whatever it is, I hope you guys work it out soon."

Yuri walked off without a word, which was no surprise to Yoona at all at this point. She continued on her way to the training rooms and heard familiar voices when she passed by the last one. It took another ten minutes before the door opened, and out came Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun after their practice match.

"Oh hi!" Tiffany was the first to greet her. "It's Yoona, isn't it?"

"Uh, yeah." Yoona thought that was acknowledgment enough of Tiffany's presence. She quickly turned to Seohyun. "Hey, do you have a minute?"

"Of course," answered Seohyun. She turned to her teammates and waved. "I'll see you later, unnies.

"Hey wait—"

"Let's just go." Taeyeon dragged Tiffany away before she could get another word out.

Once the two were out of hearing range, Yoona motioned for Seohyun to follow her inside the training room.

"Do you want to train today?"

"No," Yoona answered. That definitely wasn't on her mind. "I just wanted to know if she said anything. Tiffany-ssi that is. You know, about... her."

"Last time we talked, I thought you were uncomfy with the topic."

Of course Yoona was still hesitant to talk about Sunny but she couldn't help but be curious about what else Tiffany knew. She had repeatedly gone over what they heard when they eavesdropped using Seohyun's scout, about how Sunny wanted to see her friends. But none of that made sense to her.

"I'm just curious."

"Hm... Then maybe you can ask Tiffany unnie yourself."

"Why? If you know anything then why can't you just tell me?"

Seohyun took a second to reply, being careful not to frustrate Yoona because she knew the latter had developed a short fuse when it came to Sunny. "I don't think it's my place to talk about it. You should approach Tiffany unnie. She's a bit weird but she's pretty nice once you get to know her. Pink obsession aside, that is."

The first thing out of Yoona's mouth would've been 'no.' But this was Seohyun she was talking to and she rarely said no to Seohyun. "Okay. But if I do decide to talk to her, will you come with me?"

"Are you sure? I don't know if it's appropriate for me to be there since it's a private matter and all. What about Yuri unnie or Jessica unnie? Wouldn't it make more sense to ask them to accompany you?"

It had crossed Yoona's mind but judging from how her teammates were acting, they wouldn't have lasted five seconds in the same room without someone walking out. "I think they're learning to give me some space so I also want to try giving them theirs. Besides, they seem to be worried about something else. I think it might have something to do with Yuri unnie."

"Oh my! If that's the case, aren't you worried too?"

Yoona couldn't help but smile for some reason. She even felt like laughing. "Nah. If it's them, they can get through it. Whatever it is. So will you please go with me? I don't know what'll happen once I talk to Tiffany-ssi. And we both know you're the only one who can keep me in check."

"Well..."

"Please?"

"If you feel that it'll help if I go with you then okay, I'll accompany you. Do you want to go now? We can probably still catch up to them."

"Uh..." Yoona rubbed the back of her neck as she let out a nervous giggle. "Maybe we can go after lunch?"

Seohyun relaxed into a smile after seeing Yoona brighten up a bit. "Okay then. My treat."

"What? No, no. You don't have to do that. I'll pay for it. You know how much it tends to cost when I eat."

"I do. I still remember how much Sooyoung unnie spent when you two went on that food trip."

"See? So you don't have to go out of your way to pay for my food or anything."

"You always harass the others to treat you to food though."

"Yeah, but..." Yoona thought she could say it outright until she saw Seohyun waiting for her to continue with a smile that curved perfectly along soft lips and those eyes that seemed to expect nothing short of fireworks. But Yoona knew that she wasn't a poet. At this moment, the words that had formed in her head couldn't have possibly been worthy of reaching Seohyun's ears. So she turned her head slightly and muttered them to herself just because she knew they were true: "But you're different."

"Hm? What was that?" Seohyun asked, her smile growing brighter as she pretended not to hear what Yoona just said. "Can you say that again?"

Yoona's shoulders fell. Of course she still heard it. Now knowing that Seohyun was teasing her into repeating what might as well have been a confession, she grabbed Seohyun's hand and led her to the door. "Let's just go."

+

Half the day was gone.

While the cogs in the clock tower turned as they were made to do, giving life to the passage of time, Jessica let herself drown in the silence within the library. It almost felt like she had found where peace had been hidden – probably because the library no longer had a purpose, and with that came a false sense of contentment.

She spun her index finger just above the table, making a swirl of small crystals with a small wisp of air. It was a habit of hers, one that she unconsciously did whenever she was deep in thought. She thought back to her argument with Yuri earlier that morning, how her heart pounded against her chest and how she felt Yuri's heart beat just a second after. She didn't mean to get that close to her partner, or at least that's what she kept telling herself. But she couldn't deny that underneath the frustration was a part of her that longed for Yuri to just hold her. She didn't want to hear an explanation or an excuse. She didn't want to hear anything. Except maybe for their hearts beating one after the other, chasing each other like the ticking of clocks, second after second until the minutes turn into hours and hours turn into days. And it could probably go on like that for as long as Yuri still wanted to hold her. She wouldn't mind.

A cough from somewhere in the building woke her up from the fantasy.

She stared down at the book she was supposed to be reading only to realize that she hadn't turned the page since she opened it. Round and round went the small crystals above the table and on went her thoughts. They had never gotten into an argument like this. It would always just be about small, stupid things.

During the first month of classes, new students were assigned to battle with each other in pairs. Professor Psy oversaw the practice matches and gave the students their corresponding grades based on performance.

Yuri and Jessica represented their team first after Yuri insisted that she could end the fight in less than five minutes.

"Okay, I got this!"

"So I'm just supposed to stand here?!" Jessica called out to her partner who had already started running toward their opponents, who just happened to be Sooyoung and Hyoyeon of all people.

"YES!!" Yuri yelled back without looking over her shoulder.

Insulted, Jessica left her spot and drew her kotatsu, aiming to spar with Sooyoung because her axe made her move slower. "I'll take on Sooyoung! You go for Hyo!"

"What? I don't wanna!! Hyo always gets me with her weird claw thing! I have dibs on Soo! She's easier to hit!"

"You idiot! Don't say that out loud! Now they know that we know what their weakness is!"

"You're saying I'm weak?!!" Sooyoung rushed toward Jessica, dragging her axe along the arena floor in preparation for an upward slash.

"Sica, look out!!"

Yuri doubled her speed to reach her partner but Jessica had already dodged the attack and she collided with Yuri as the latter approached at top speed.

"I was handling it! I told you to go after Hyo!"

"I called dibs on Sooyoung!!"

"Dibs? What are you? Five? We're in a fight! There's some strategizing involved!"

"Of course I know that!! My strategy was obviously to beat Sooyoung up!"

Jessica screamed in frustration, dropping her weapon to the ground as she clutched her head with both hands. "If you just followed what I said then we would be done by now! Why is that so hard for you?!"

"I'm the team leader! I call the shots!!"

"You have no 'shots' to call! You just attack whatever's in front of you until you get hit then you just attack all over again!"

"Well, it works!"

"Ugh!!"

The match ended with their disqualification, much to their team's embarrassment. They were asked to remain in the audience for the duration of the class and by dismissal time they managed to agree on grabbing some lunch with Yoona and Sunny. Yuri laughed at the failing mark she got while Jessica moped over hers for three days straight until Yuri told her that, after some prodding, Professor Psy agreed to give them another chance.

Months later, they were sent on their first mission. Jessica suggested that she and Sunny should pair up because their semblances worked well with each other.

"She can shield me from heavy attacks and I can shoot ice at the enemies from behind her."

"But I'm your partner," said Yuri, pointing to herself.

"I know. But we're a team now. There are four of us. It doesn't matter who goes with who, okay?"

"Of course it matters! Partners are partners for a reason!"

Jessica could only sigh. This was ridiculous. "We don't have time for this. Once the Grimm start to attack we should be focused and ready."

"But—"

"I don't wanna hear it!"

The fight with the Grimm ended before they even got a chance to get into a fighting stance. They turned around and there Yoona and Sunny were, already dusting themselves off, saying they could return to the airship now that the mission had been accomplished. Jessica mumbled profanities to herself during the entire trip back to Beacon while Yuri kept ranting about how she psyched herself out for nothing. Yoona and Sunny gave up on trying to console them and slept for the remainder of the trip instead.

"Petty, stupid things," Jessica told herself, her memories swirling in her head like the small crystals that revolved in time with her index finger. Like the cogs in the clock tower.

Now, more than half the day was gone.

+

Beacon Academy seemed smaller now – smaller, darker, and lonelier.

Yuri took her scroll out again as she walked. She was getting farther and farther away from her assigned patrol area but she no longer cared. She just wanted Jessica to answer her calls and her messages. Still nothing. . I'm such an idiot.

After their argument that morning, she wanted so badly to run after Jessica and apologize. She knew that she was wrong. She just didn't want to admit it at the time. I got scared. Then I pushed her away because I was embarrassed. So she continued her patrol around campus, got rid of a few medium-sized beowolves near the courtyard then started looking for more. With every blow she dealt, she realized that she was lying to herself. She realized that she was capable of so much more than being scared and running away. If she could face creatures of darkness then she could probably face herself. And as long as she's with me, I can probably do anything.

She took a left turn at the end of the pathway, toward the next building, and gave up on using her scroll. They had never gone through anything like this before. With Yoona, yes, disappearing acts were highly probable. But when it came to her and Jessica, they always found some way to talk things out before the day ended.

She wasn't about to break that habit now.

She pushed the library doors open and passed the rows of shelves until she reached the center of the first floor where a lamp shone overhead, illuminating the space below it. And there Jessica was with an open book and a trail of small crystals revolving around her index finger.

Yuri heaved a sigh of relief. She must be really upset if she's hiding in the one place she knows I wouldn't be caught dead in. Yuri approached the table slowly then took a peek at what the book was about. Aura use?

"What're you doing here?"

"Uh, I was just—" Yuri stopped midsentence when she realized that she didn't know what she wanted to say. She thought of returning at a later time but it would probably be too late by then. For once, she wasn't going to run away. "Sica, please look at me."

Jessica lifted her gaze as requested and she brought her index finger down. The small crystals fell with it and disappeared before making contact with the table as if they were swallowed up by the silence that hovered about inside the building.

"I'm sorry, Sica. I know I was wrong but I still argued with you. You didn't deserve that."

Jessica leaned back on her seat then crossed her arms over her chest. "So what now? What are you going to do?"

"I've made up my mind. I'm willing to give training a try. You're right. I should stop putting it off because I have to learn how to control my semblance eventually. As long as you still believe in me, I'll do it." Yuri held a hand out for Jessica to take and smiled, hoping that she was off to a good start. "So what do you say we get out of here? This place really gives me the creeps."

Jessica returned the smile and took Yuri's hand without a second thought, their fingers intertwining out of habit. No more roundabout thoughts, no more going down memory lane. Side by side, they took a step forward and then another until they got past the library's entrance.

Still holding Jessica's hand, Yuri led the way. "Sica, thanks for not giving up on me," she said. She felt Jessica squeeze her hand in response and, just like that, it was easier to smile again. "Oh, and you really do look cute in those glasses."

Jessica knew she was blushing so she turned her head to the side, pretending to let out a cough. Yuri didn't seem to notice as they neared the main school building.

"So... should we go to a training room now? You know, to get started on training?"

"Woah. Wait a minute." Jessica tugged on Yuri's hand, signaling her disagreement. "If we're going to do this, you can't be your usual reckless self. You haven't even gotten a decent night's rest yet."

"But if we're not gonna train tonight then I'll just go back to finishing up my patrol—"

"Don't be stupid. I said you have to rest."

"Well, why don't we go out while it's not dark yet and grab something to eat? That'll help me feel rested for sure."

"Like a date?" Jessica remembered thinking the exact same thing weeks ago when Yuri asked her to have lunch. But this time she accidentally said it out loud. "Uh, wait. I didn't mean—"

"Yeah, like that. A date," Yuri replied with a smile. She noticed Jessica look away and she wondered if she had done something wrong again. Why am I such an idiot today?

Their hands were still clasped together, fingers shifting only ever so slightly as they started walking again. Even though Jessica didn't seem to have anything more to say, she led the way this time and Yuri followed.

+

On the other side of the campus, away from the path that Yuri and Jessica took, Yoona and Seohyun made their way up the dorm building.

"Don't tell me you're nervous, Yoona," said Seohyun as they reached the last step on the staircase. Yoona insisted on walking instead of using the elevator and Seohyun knew that it was probably to delay the meeting with Tiffany.

"Of course I am," answered Yoona. She didn't even bother to bluff her way out of this one. Trying not to sweat through her uniform was hard enough.

"There really is no need to be nervous around her. I meant it when I said that she's actually a nice person."

"You sound like you're trusting her already."

"Not fully but we're getting there. You know what they say about second chances after all."

Yoona knew one version and that was that people are capable of change so they deserve a second chance. She didn't know if she wanted to believe it. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks. Honestly, Hyunnie, what would I even do without you?"

Seohyun let out a slight chuckle, her cheeks a bit red because, for some reason, Yoona just knew how to make her blush. "You'd probably just keep eating your feelings."

"Ah. You know me so well."

"Probably better than you know yourself."

They exchanged smiles and stared into each other's eyes a bit longer than they intended to. Seohyun was the one who broke the silence. "Okay, we're here. Remember: just talk to her. She doesn't bite."

Seohyun opened the door and gestured for Yoona to enter the room. Tiffany was standing by her bed. She had been waiting for them to arrive ever since Seohyun sent her a message earlier.

It didn't look like either Yoona or Tiffany wanted to start the conversation so Seohyun had to take charge once more: "Tiffany unnie, Yoona has something to tell you." She stepped aside and gently nudged Yoona forward.

"I'm sorry for being rude earlier," said Yoona.

"It's okay. I understand." Tiffany flashed a smile, hoping that Yoona understood that she wasn't upset over what happened earlier that morning. "So what is it that you want to talk about?"

"Uh, when we were eavesdropping, I heard you say something about... about..." Yoona had to take a deep breath. It might seem like an exaggeration to some but she actually did feel her chest tighten at the thought of having to say: "Sunny unnie."

Tiffany knew she would have this talk with one of Sunny's friends here in Beacon sooner or later. "I did say something about her. Just some things that she told me. Like how she wanted to see you guys."

"That's what I don't understand. She left us. Now she's with the White Fang. You said so yourself! So what's going on? Was she forced to leave us? Why was she even here in the first place?"

Tiffany understood Yoona's frustration. She had been in the dark too and it hurt that her own parents left her in that state for so long. But this was different. Sunny wasn't Yoona's parent. Sunny was Yoona's friend – a part of her that wasn't supposed to belong, unlike how parents are bound to their children by blood. Sunny was a piece of Yoona that fit against all odds.

And now that piece was gone.

"I'm sorry but I don't know the answers to those questions," Tiffany told Yoona. "We didn't talk that much. The only thing I'm sure of is that she's been pretty lonely without you guys. I could hear it in her voice. She said you guys are her family. I dunno about you guys but I don't think it gets any more real than that. She didn't say why she had to leave but I think she has her own mission. Just like you guys."

"But she didn't even say anything when we met her. She just stood there with her shield and insulted us! If she really wanted to see us then she should've just said so!"

"How could that have been possible when you guys started attacking her and didn't stop? Did you ever ask yourself that?"

Admittedly, Yoona hadn't, but she didn't have to tell Tiffany that. So she just held her tongue.

"You know what she told me?" Tiffany continued. "She said you guys seemed to be doing fine without her. So maybe instead of blaming her for whatever she did and didn't say in the underground tunnel, you should also think of how your actions made her feel. She's hurting too."

Blaming her, Yoona echoed in her thoughts. Is that what I've been doing? The rest of Tiffany's words were muddled by that one question and it was enough to wear Yoona out. "Is that all she said, Tiffany-ssi?"

"Yes. That's honestly all I know. If you want to know more then you'll have to talk to her yourself. I actually think she'd like that too, Yoona."

"I'll think about. I'm sorry again for being rude and for ranting."

"No worries. I think I'm used to it by now."

"I'm sorry that we made you feel that way." Yoona hesitated to continue: "I'm not promising anything but I'll make an effort to get along with you from now on."

A smile appeared on Tiffany's face, one that wasn't out of courtesy or obligation. "Then maybe we can start hanging out? Little by little, of course. Maybe get some sweets? Seohyun told me that you like them a lot."

Yoona looked away for a second, admittedly a bit embarrassed. "Ah. She told you that, huh?"

"She talks about you a lot actually."

"Unnie!!" Seohyun reacted as she lightly slapped Tiffany's arm.

"What? Isn't it true? I think it's cute!"

"Anyway, I'll walk Yoona out now. We'll talk later when I get back."

"Awww... you're leaving me here? Then I have no choice but to hang out with TaeTae again."

Yoona's brows shot up. "Who now?"

"Ah. She started calling Taeyeon unnie that just to annoy her," Seohyun explained. "And it actually works."

They were already outside the dorm room at this point. Yoona couldn't hold it in much longer.

She burst out laughing. "'TaeTae?' Heh. She'll probably beat me up for saying it but I can't wait to see the look on her face when I do!"

Seohyun added a few giggles though secretly worried about Yoona's safety should she decide to push through with teasing Taeyeon with the new nickname.

+

Yuri and Jessica had arrived at the coffee shop in town a few moments ago. Neither of them had uttered a word to the other since they left the school and not even after they ordered flavored shaved ice with fruits.

Yuri shifted on her seat, unsure of what to do with her idle hands. She kept glancing at the counter, waiting for the signal that their order was ready to be claimed. When it finally was, she stood up to excuse herself. "I'll go get our orders—"

"No, I'll get them," Jessica said as she stood up as well. "I'm paying."

"What? You don't have to do that. I'll pay," Yuri insisted.

"Don't tell me we're going to fight again. I'm paying and that's that."

Yuri definitely didn't want to fight with Jessica again but she also didn't feel comfy about being treated to a meal. So she found a compromise. "Okay. But on our next date, I'm paying."

"Our next date?" Jessica mimicked, but it sounded more like a gasp than a question. She heard Yuri say "yeah" before she left to get their orders, using that as an excuse to distance herself from the awkwardness that she created for herself back at their table.

When she got back, she settled their bowls on the table and pretended that she didn't almost choke just a few moments ago.

"Hey, remember when we were last here?" Yuri asked, seemingly having forgotten Jessica's small meltdown. Or maybe she just didn't give it much thought. "Everyone kept saying that Yoona and Seohyun are so in love. You think it's true?"

Relieved that they had changed the topic, Jessica took a spoonful of her coffee-flavored shaved ice before answering: "I think they were just teasing those two. But it's not impossible that there could be something going on. Who knows?"

"Speaking of that, Yoong was on her way to the training rooms earlier. Most likely to meet with Seohyun again. Maybe we should corner Yoong and make her admit it!"

Jessica raised an eyebrow and blinked. "How would you like it if someone cornered you and asked you that?"

Yuri shrugged. "I'm not in the same position so I'm not worried about that."

"So..." Jessica thought that she should choose her words carefully at this point, but she had run out of patience with herself today. I just need to know. Somehow. "So you don't feel that way about anyone?"

"Hm..." Yuri pursed her lips then out went a smile a second after. "I promise you'll be the first to know once I do. What about you? Is there someone you like in that way?"

Of course Jessica expected the question to be thrown back at her. "I think so. I'm not sure yet."

"What's not to be sure about? It's either you do or you don't, right?"

"Well, then I hope I do."

The rest of the conversation ended up being about random little tidbits. Something about their families and how they missed home. There was something about Jessica's glasses again and how Yuri would probably get scolded for not finishing her patrol shift. Then they laughed it off, finished their orders, and went back to the academy.

Yuri fell asleep almost instantly once they got back to the dorm. She finally felt the exhaustion hit her. Jessica sat by her partner's bedside, contemplating whether she should wake her up for dinner, but Yuri was fast asleep. So much so that she didn't even flinch when Jessica ran her fingers through her hair then down to her cheek where they lingered and grew warmer from the slight touch. Jessica released a silent sigh. "I really hope I do."

__________________________________________________

A/N:

Happy Birthday to the fabulous Jessica Jung Sooyeon!! :D

PS: OMG have you seen Yuri's pics for Barrel?? I ASDQAWGYSDNMVRO *fans self* <3