Tiffany noticed that these past few days, Taeyeon has become a bit jumpy. She’s even more distracted and spaced out a lot than she could ever remember. And all that started after the call they received from Hyoyeon.

Hyoyeon’s event would be in two days and as the day come closer, the more Taeyeon seems to be at the edge and Tiffany couldn’t take it anymore.

As soon as they got home from work, she pulled Taeyeon to the couch; she crossed her arms across her chest and tilted her head as she studies Taeyeon’s reaction that was in a bit of a shock with the sudden act from Tiffany.

“What’s wrong, Fany ah?”

Tiffany’s eyes narrowed and she tilted her head to the other side. Taeyeon started fidgeting.

“Did I do something wrong, Fany? You haven’t been talking much since this morning. Please tell me if I did something wrong at all.”

Tiffany leaned forward, closer to Taeyeon’s face. They’re just a few inches away from each other.

“F-Fany ah…”

Tiffany sighed and moved back again, uncrossing her arms and reached for Taeyeon’s hands. “Taeyeon ah, what’s wrong? What’s going on? You’ve been so distracted lately and don’t even try to deny it. Is there a problem? In the company? Or with Hyoyeon? Her invitation? Tell me please. I want to help. I want to know.”

Upon Tiffany’s mention of Hyoyeon’s name, she felt Taeyeon suddenly tensed and she knew then what it is about. Her hunch was right.

When Taeyeon didn’t say anything at all for a while, Tiffany resigned and pats the hands that were in her hold. “Okay. Just tell me when you’re ready. I’ll just go wash up and get dinner ready. I’ll call you when I’m done so you can shower too.”

Tiffany stood up and was about to walk away when Taeyeon held her wrist and pulled her before burying her face on Tiffany’s tummy, wrapping her arms around her waist.

Taeyeon mumbled a sorry without lifting his face off of Tiffany’s body. Tiffany held Taeyeon’s head while running a hand through her hair.

“You don’t have to tell me anything, Taetae. But, I also don’t want you to forget that I’m here for you.”

“Mmmknow….” Taeyeon muttered.

Tiffany pried off Taeyeon’s arms and she knelt before her, cupping Taeyeon’s face. She could see how worried and scared Taeyeon is but she didn’t say anything about it. She caressed her face with her thumbs gently and the latter leaned on to her touches. She placed a light kiss on the corner of . “I’m here. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” And, she pulled her into a comforting hug and she felt her body finally totally relaxing.

After a while, she pulled back and smiled at her. “I’ll take a quick shower and prepare us dinner.”

Taeyeon was just looking at Tiffany with those sad puppy eyes making Tiffany smile wider. “I’ll be back.”

Tiffany could feel Taeyeon’s eyes following her until she disappeared through the hallway towards their bedroom.

Taeyeon leaned back and took a deep breath, resting an arm over her eyes. “Stupid Taeyeon. Stupid. Stupid.”

Frustrated, she ran her hands down her face as she kept repeating that mantra to herself.

-----

Tiffany didn’t take long and watched Taeyeon from afar. Whatever it is that is bothering the latter, she definitely wanted to know but she also didn’t want to force it out of her in fear that it might just make it worse for Taeyeon.

When Taeyeon seemed to have calmed down, Tiffany approached her. She stood behind that couch and gently massaged her shoulders.

“Relax. It’s all good.” She whispered to her.

Afterwards, she wrapped her arms around her neck and pressed kisses on Taeyeon’s neck, hair, cheek and temple. “Everything’s going to be alright, Taetae.”

Taeyeon held and ran her hands on Tiffany’s arms.

“I ran you a bath. You should go now before the water gets cold. Come on.”

Taeyeon complied and followed Tiffany’s pull on her. She just let Tiffany do what she wanted to do. And she needed that too – the attention, the care, the love…all from Tiffany.

Tiffany went on undressing Taeyeon then re-checked the water to make sure it is the right temperature before pulling Taeyeon towards it.

She took the bath sponge and put soap in it before washing Taeyeon’s back. She didn’t really care if she gets wet and have to change clothes again. She heard Taeyeon hummed in response.

“I’ll leave you now. I’ll call you when dinner is ready, okay?” She kissed the top of her head and felt Taeyeon nod.

“Don’t stay too long in here. I don’t want you to get sick.” She pats Taeyeon’s cheek before finally leaving the bathroom and went about preparing a quick dinner for the two of them.

---

Dinner was quiet with just the television being the main source of sound that surrounded the two. Tiffany was just glad that despite being in an odd and distracted behavior, Taeyeon was still eating well. She was trying to keep her focus on the television but couldn’t help but steal glances to the person who’s sitting next to her.

Taeyeon finished her food first and looked at Tiffany. “Thank you for dinner, Fany. It was good.” And there was a brief smile.

“It’s nothing. You still cook better than I do.”

Taeyeon chuckled. “But you can bake way better than I do. Way better.” She smiled cheekily.

“Maybe…” Tiffany giggled as she was reminded of the almost-disaster or maybe a total disaster that happened to their kitchen when she got home to a messy Taeyeon.

The kitchen floor was covered in flour and other somewhat mysterious and odd looking stuff. And so was Taeyeon. The mixer was left on as Taeyeon was pacing back and forth while holding a mixing spoon in one hand and a bag of chocolate chips on the other one. Her hair was so white with some candy sprinkles. Her face had traces of chocolate and dough. She was so focused and panicking that she didn’t notice Tiffany coming in and stepping into the kitchen; well, not until the familiar laughter.

Tiffany couldn’t help but laugh at the scene before her. “Oh my gosh, Taetae. I was only gone for a few hours and you managed to destroy our kitchen!”

Taeyeon jumped, turned around and pouted. “I didn’t destroy it, okay. I’m just trying your yummy cupcake recipe.”

Tiffany laughed harder and started clapping her hands when she saw the back of Taeyeon’s head. It has something dripping from its ends and it has like icing on it. How it got there, she doesn’t even know aside from the fact that it is one funny scene and an adorable Taeyeon looking like a kid in trouble who is standing in the middle of the kitchen with a pout.

“You’re a mess!” She continued to laugh at the latter.

“Go on. Keep laughing at me.” Taeyeon sulked.

“What were you trying to do again?” Tiffany asked when she finally calmed down a bit, walking towards the sulking Taeyeon. She tried to brush off some of the flour that was on her hair and face. She grabbed the tea towel from the counter and started wiping Taeyeon’s face with an amused smile.

“Your cupcakes…” She mumbled.

Tiffany shook her head. “You should’ve waited for me then. I was only gone for two hours, Taetae.”

“But I wanted to surprise you! It's not for me. It was supposed to be for you!”

“Awww. Thank you. That was so sweet of you but I think we need to clean up first. I'll help you bake it instead. What do you think? I can teach you so you can do it by yourself next time, okay?” Then, she smelled something. “What’s that smell?” She turned around and saw that the oven was on. Her jaw dropped.

Taeyeon’s eyes widened as she realized that she left the oven on and was baking something in there that was now burnt. She ran towards the oven, almost slipping thanks to all the ingredients that made its way on the floor and opened the oven only to let out a thick smoke coming from it. She groaned and coughed.

“Darn it. First, it was undercooked. Now, it’s all burnt. Ugh.”

“Why are you grinning like that? You’re being creepy.” Tiffany felt Taeyeon nudging her lightly bringing her back to the present.

“Nothing. Just your little kitchen adventure shenanigan.” She giggled.

“You’re not gonna let go of that at all huh?”

“Nope! Admit it. It was adorable and funny at the same time.”

 Taeyeon huffed and puffed her cheeks making Tiffany chuckle again. “Fine. Whatever. If it makes you that happy, then sure go ahead and tease and laugh at me all you want because of that.”

“Aww. My big baby is back, eh? Stop sulking. Like I said, it was adorable and sweet of you.”

Taeyeon blushed when she felt Tiffany’s lips on her cheek. Tiffany smiled widely when she saw the flushed Taeyeon.

"Are you done? I'm going to clean up now."

"I'll help you."

The two cleared the table and brought everything to the sink. Tiffany started washing all the dinnerware that they have used while Taeyeon dried them up before putting it back to where it all belong to.

As soon as Taeyeon put the last of the dishes away, she engulfed Tiffany who was drying her hands in a back hug and nuzzled her neck and inhaling her scent.

Taeyeon took a deep breath and rested her head on the back of Tiffany's head. "I'm sorry for worrying you, Fany."

"It's okay. I know you don't want to worry me, but I'll just be worried even more if you won't tell me what's wrong." She reached out and pats Taeyeon. "You must be tired. Let's go to bed."

While Tiffany was doing her nightly routine at the bathroom, Taeyeon sat at the edge of the bed and opened the drawer of the night stand on her side of the bed. She waited for Tiffany to come back as she sat and rested her back against the head board.

"What are you doing? You shouldn't have waited for me."

Taeyeon just pats the space next to her.

"You don't want to sleep yet?" Taeyeon just shook her head and repeatedly patted the space next to her.

Tiffany went to her side of the bed while looking at Taeyeon, confused. "What are you up to now?"

When Tiffany was already settled down next to Taeyeon, she moved closer to her and rested her head on her shoulder. Then, she passed on the post-it and pen that she was holding.

"What's this?"

Taeyeon shrugged and flipped t