Kisses were something Jeongyeon did not like getting.

          She could stomach it every once in a while, if she had to. Like the way she would grimace in displeasure, but obediently lean in so her mother and father could peck her cheek or smother her whenever she goes to visit home. Or occasionally, she would hesitantly allow her sister to plant one on her brow, because she knows that they rarely get to see and be with one another.

          But in general, kisses were a no-no for Jeongyeon.

          She just didn’t see the appeal of having something soft, and wet, and coated with saliva touch one’s face.

          Nayeon and Jihyo once, and asked her how she’d get a husband.

          She had scowled and stuck her tongue out at them. Then ran away as they attempted to kiss her.

          The others definitely did not have a problem with that. And Jeongyeon remembered feeling utterly surprised, during the first few weeks of living together, at how touchy and blatant the girls were in showing affection.

          So often would they regularly hug and kiss each other that Jeongyeon soon learned that a kiss wasn’t just a smack from the lips. It was a sign of friendship, love, and so much more.

          Maybe that was why Sana and Tzuyu liked it so much.

--

Initially, Jeongyeon thought she wasn’t alone in her dislike of it.

           “Ack!”

          She watched Tzuyu haplessly try to evade Nayeon, before the latter successfully landed a kiss on her cheek. The elder smiled in triumph and proceeded to announce (in a voice that made Jeongyeon cringe) how much she loved the maknae.

          Tzuyu smiled helplessly, and patted Nayeon’s head.

          Jeongyeon felt sorry for her, and made a silent vow to protect her from anyone’s (be it Nayeon’s or someone else’s) kiss attacks.

          That was why she was more than surprised when later on, Tzuyu asked for kisses on her birthday.

          She watched the others gather around the girl, and shower her with kisses (all while the fans gave out whoops and cheers of approval). Jeongyeon had declared that Tzuyu wouldn’t be getting any kisses from her, though she supposed she could give her something else- a hug or a home-cooked meal perhaps (she felt a bit doubtful in her cooking skills, but perhaps Tzuyu wouldn’t mind eating egg rolls in the evening).

          She watched the girl’s reactions to the kisses. Her barely-suppressed giddiness and smiles. And when she bounced up right after Sana was done giving her one, it had Jeongyeon thinking.

          Perhaps kisses could be gifts after all.

--

As much as kisses could trigger happiness, Jeongyeon soon found out that the opposite could come from it too.

          Tzuyu huffed in annoyance. So soft was it that if Jeongyeon hadn’t been seated beside her, she wouldn’t have heard it. She knew the cause of her troubles though, as she spotted Sana across the room.

          “You’re so pretty, Jihyo!”

          Sana giggled and teased the others, all the while touching and hugging them. Occasionally, she gently pecked them on the cheek, while they all laughed at her antics. This was regular behavior for the girl, who was easily the most affectionate member in the group.

          If there was a way to die from too much love, Sana could kill every person she encounters.

          However, it didn’t seem to sit well with the girl beside Jeongyeon, who chose to focus her attention on her phone, even when Sana came over.

          ”Jeongyeonnie!” She puckered up her lips and Jeongyeon grimaced and pushed Sana gently away.

          “Ah, don’t be like that Sana,” she pleaded, referring to her dislike for smooches. Sana laughed and turned to Tzuyu.

          “Chewy!”

          “Unnie.” Tzuyu acknowledged her with barely a glance, before her eyes went back to the game she was playing on her phone. Jeongyeon could tell that if she weren’t here, Tzuyu would have outright ignored Sana,