The first time happens on the trampoline in Naeun’s backyard, on her seventh birthday, while the others are inside munching on sweets. 

The birthday girl and Bomi are both panting heavily after a tiring jumping session, laying down on their backs to look up at the clouds in the sky. Well, Bomi is. Naeun is just looking at Bomi the entire time. It’s not her fault really — Bomi is just really pretty. Prettier than the sky. And much, much prettier than the clouds, she thinks.

It’s quiet for a couple moments, but the girl doesn’t mind. Silence with Bomi is never awkward or uncomfortable. But talking with Bomi is even better, so it’s no surprise that Naeun’s heart jumps when she suddenly gasps and grabs her hand, while pointing to the sky.

“That one looks like a dragon.” 

Naeun tears her gaze away from Bomi to look at the cloud, and she’s immediately amused by the accuracy. Her lips curl into a smile. “It does.”

Bomi’s face is really close and the reflection of the sun in her eyes is so happy that Naeun can’t help but lean in. She doesn’t quite understand why she has the sudden urge to press her lips against Bomi’s, but she does it anyway because she’s freshly seven years old and it feels sort of nice. It’s also somewhat gross, but the niceness definitely outweighs the grossness.

For two heartbeats, nothing happens. Neither of them move. Naeun’s eyes flutter close naturally. She wonders if this is how her parents feel whenever they’re “talking” super closely.

Then, Bomi pulls back, eyebrows furrowed as she frowns a little. “What was that?”

Naeun needs a moment to get herself together, and her eyes are still slightly closed, but Bomi’s voice grounds her a little. There’s a confused expression painted in her cute, brown eyes, but also something else that looks a little like the way Naeun’s heart is beating harshly against her chest. And the birthday girl doesn’t know why, but she’s relieved.

“I don’t know.”

Bomi doesn’t move. “You kissed me.”

“I guess,” Naeun says in a soft voice. “Was that okay?”

Bomi’s frown deepens, as if she’s deep in thought. Then, she shrugs, lips curling into a shy smile. “I guess. But why did you do that?”

Naeun blinks. She didn’t think that far ahead. “I don’t know. My mum and dad kiss all the time, and then they tell each other they love each other.”

“Oh.” Bomi pauses for a moment, frown completely disappearing.

Her eyes flicker down to Naeun’s mouth, and before the birthday girl even begins to realise what’s happening, Bomi softly pecks her lips and quickly draws back with a wide, satisfied smile on her face.

“I love you.”

Naeun isn’t given any time to process anything because soon after she can hear her mother calling from the kitchen window. Bomi’s eyes light up at the word ‘cake’ and she immediately gets up. She notices Naeun still in a daze, and nudges her. “Are you coming?”

Naeun nods, smiling even harder when she sees the girl’s hand held out for her. She reaches out and Bomi clasps on tightly.

It isn't until a couple days after Naeun's birthday, that the second time comes round. She'd dreamt of it the day before; and  yet when Bomi kisses all her dreams alive, Naeun still can't hide the blush rising to her cheeks after the older girl whispers the same three words after.

Then, the third time comes. Bomi invites Naeun over to watch The Lion King at her house because her parents are working late, and by the time Can You Feel The Love fills the bedroom, she keeps pretending she's Simba and kisses the lyrics right into the younger girl's face. Naeun finds herself a little too close to Bomi that night.

After that, the fourth and the fifth and the sixth and the–

Now, everytime Yoon Bomi and Son Naeun catch themselves alone together, they just let their lips do the talking.