Credit & Great Thanks To: seulsthetics (twicevelvet) 🙌🏻

She knew that was the taste of her future, her happiness, her everything.

***

The deafening silence woke the elder girl up, eyes blinking repeatedly at the first ray of light shining into their room. It took her a moment before her mind began to register everything, including how it was the first day of a new year. 

A face dawdled on her chest and she smiled even though she could only see the top of Seulgi’s nose. Her human bear was still soundly asleep, cradled in her arms and the sight only made her felt like the year couldn’t start off any better. 

With every love they made through the night, the more they felt emotionally connected and there was nothing more reassuring that they were the one for each other. 

Irene merely took her time to run her fingers through Seulgi’s hair, recalling every bit from their intimacy, recalling the way they kissed after officially branding their relationship. 

Their lips moulded perfectly in every angle, every way and with every interval in between, Seulgi would be declaring her love for Irene.

Each time she said it, Irene fell deeper, and kissed harder. 

Looking at Seulgi made her realised that blissfulness can be really simple, and holding Seulgi, was her greatest contentment. 

She quietly laid the younger girl onto the bed as she sat up, watching the latter stirred with a frown, as if aware that her warmth had slipped away. 

It wasn’t till another few more minutes of watching Seulgi before Irene could peel her sight away after kissing the bare shoulder, then did she leave to freshen up and start her day. 

As if she was a lunatic, her lips couldn’t help but to gravitate upwards, regardless of what chore she was doing. She had always been happy with Seulgi, but this time, it was more than just being joyful. 

There was comfort, there was stability, there was certainty. 

Everything was finally fixed and that, drew the biggest smile on Irene’s face. 

Maybe it was the lack of another’s company in bed, Seulgi who would grab at any chance to sleep in had awoke to an empty room.

Her pout didn’t last when she realised she was still undressed, events of the night rushing into her head as she giggled into Irene’s pillow, legs kicking under the blanket.

The love bites right above her collarbones made her blush as she freshened up, because she was sure that she marked Irene more than she herself had been marked. 

Aroma of the traditional Korean New Year breakfast of rice cake soup greeted her as she left the room but she could only focused on Irene who was on the phone with Mrs Bae. Raising her brows, Irene pointed at the dining table filled with food for two, gesturing for Seulgi to eat. 

Before she met Irene, Seulgi never really believed that a heart can still flutter uncontrollably at a lover of a long time. 

But her heart was then racing at the sight of Irene who had her back leaning against the kitchen counter, dressed in Seulgi’s oversized white, translucent button-up that rested on her mid thighs with black undergarments beneath and hair up in a high ponytail. 

Irene was still on the phone, hand reaching out to caress Seulgi’s face as Seulgi stood before her, greeting with a warm smile. Seulgi returned the affection by snaking her arms around the waist, pulling their bodies closer and rested their foreheads together when Irene soothed her on the back. 

Unaware of what got into her, Seulgi began to make moves against Irene’s lips despite the phone call, teasing her with fast pecks instead of giving her a full one. 

Dodging Irene’s attempt for a proper kiss annoyed Irene to no end, resulting in a fierce stare and a heavy sigh which Seulgi smirked playfully to.

“Yeah Mum, I’m listening.” 

The pecks eventually ended up on the cheek, trailing its way to the ear before Seulgi nibbled on the ear shell and breathed lowly.

“Are you really listening..?”

Irene quickly pressed her lips tightly to prevent herself from gasping, just lightly hitting Seulgi on the shoulder with her face red. 

“I really like you in my shirt.” Seulgi down the neck. “But I like you even more without it.”

Her hands were fiddling with the buttons, slowly exposing the chest, taking advantage of the fact that Irene couldn’t retaliate while being on the phone. 

Instead of removing the shirt completing, she left it ed, just pushing the fabric slightly away and free herself to taste the soft skin again, like she did last night. 

“I’m on the phone with my mum, baby..” 

Irene shut her eyes, voice trembling but not rejecting Seulgi’s advance. Seulgi knew Mrs Bae heard Irene’s words and snickered at the reply.

“No- No Mum, she was just asking me something.” 

Steadily, Seulgi lifted Irene by the waist, seating her on the kitchen top and with a thumb, she pressed on Irene’s lower lips to create a small gap in between before sliding her tongue in between. 

Irene turned away from her phone when she moaned into their kiss, brows creased at the thought of how close it was to letting her mother hear her private matters. 

“Joohyun? Are you still there?” 

After much effort, Irene finally detached for a minute from the latter who continued peppering kisses on her. 

“Sorry, Seulgi needs my help for something so I got to go.”

She stamped her lips on Seulgi’s.

“We will see you later Mum!”

Irene didn’t even wait for any replies and put her phone away, equally eager to return to the taste of her love as she wrapped her arms around Seulgi’s neck to resume their heated engagement. 

Perhaps it was the previous teasing that got her fired up, Irene was the one powering over Seulgi, moving away whenever one was riled up for more. 

Laughing aloud at Seulgi’s reaction, Irene hopped off the counter and drew her in for a tight, tight hug, swaying their bodies from side to side.

“Good morning.” 

“That was an aggressive way to start the day, baby.” 

Bodies still pressed together, Seulgi only moved back enough to look Irene in the eyes.

“You can’t blame me for being seduced by you if you are dressed like that.”

“How is it seductive when it’s just a shirt that you ordered wrongly online?”

Seulgi’s eyes thinned as she grinned.

“It doesn’t seem like a mistake anymore, now that you are pulling it off so well.” 

Irene ghosted a smile at how silly Seulgi seemed, hands cupping the cheeks and pecked on the nose. 

“Why do I have such an adorable girlfriend?” 

Seulgi’s heart melted into a puddle of warmth, butterflies knotting on her inside. 

“I thought I cannot love anything else besides being called your baby but I’m so wrong.”

Her fluttering feelings were mirrored when Irene understood her unspoken emotions.

“Why is my girlfriend such an adorable baby?” 

Giggling into the neck of Irene, Seulgi thought her heart was going to burst.

“I’m liking this too much I think my blood pressure is rising!”

Irene chuckled and whispered into her ear.

“You are mine, Seulgi. Officially and solely mine.”

Seulgi had never admitted out loud, but it had came across her mind occasionally throughout the years that besides being afraid, Irene could be ashamed of her, contributing to the reluctance of officiating their relationship. 

But in Irene’s declaration, she heard the unconditional love, pride, dominance and yearn to claim Seulgi only for herself. 

She was touched, and guilty; she should have never doubt Irene’s sincerity. A lump formed in as her vision blurred with stinging, warm tears. 

The arms around her tightened.

“I held you back unfairly for so many times, when all you wanted was to have me for your own and yet I denied you that right.” 

“It doesn’t matter.” Seulgi shook her head. “Not anymore.”

“Remember when you said you want to broadcast to the world that I’m yours?” 

It was a bittersweet time back at the Bae’s residence, a time when Seulgi thought it was too much to ask for, that it was a near impossible request which became possible months later, exchanged by the physical pain Irene had to endure.

“You can do that now, baby.”

There was a time when Irene never dared to think that a day like this would come. 

“You can tell everyone that I’m your girlfriend, that I’m crazily in love with you, that I don’t care what they have to say about us because nothing matters more than you.” 

Irene may have had history in denying Seulgi for the longest time ever previously, but ever since she was out, she had been drowning the younger one in all the recognition she owed.

The tables had even turned a 180 degrees when Irene became the one who was eager to announce to their closest friends, proposing for a meet-up between both families. It was as if the terrible beating from Mr Bae had only refined Irene’s personality, granting her courage. 

It had always been a tradition to return home to greet their parents individually on the start of a new year, but it was slightly different this time. 

There was no way Irene could go home, not after her father “disowned” her over a text message. It wasn’t like Seulgi would have allowed either, afraid that her girlfriend would go fine and return wounded again. 

So, soon after their much delayed breakfast and hot shower together, they were at Irene’s cafe, waiting for their parents to show up. 

Mrs Bae was the first among all to arrive at the cafe, eyes moistened at the sight of her daughter who was still bed ridden a few days ago. Seulgi was first to greet before Mrs Bae approached Irene, embracing her fully. 

No words were exchanged but both had their lips lifted against gravity to form the same smile and Seulgi too, felt warm at the gesture. 

Irene left to get them some drinks, leaving the two at the table but opposite to the awkwardness like what Seulgi thought it would be, there was only a comfortable silence. 

“So Seulgi, remember what you promised me?”

She had yet to reply when footsteps approached from behind.

“What promise?” 

Irene served the drinks with her brows furrowed, heart couldn’t help but to harbour doubts. Her expression was the definition of paranoiac when there was no answer to her question, hands resting on Seulgi’s shoulders and refused to take a seat. 

“She promised me that she would give you up if your dad still doesn’t accept the both of you by the end of this year.” 

Seulgi pulled Irene to the front to settle down once she felt the nails sank into her flesh, about to laugh aloud at the prank Mrs Bae cracked but upon seeing the expression, the desire to mock diminished. 

The face lost its colour, eyes darkened within the short span of time. 

Seulgi recognised that expression; one that signifies the soon-to-come tears. 

“How can you-”

“Your mum was kidding!” Seulgi cupped Irene’s face. “I would never agree to giving you up, baby.” 

Irene inhaled deeply through , lips suddenly dry at the clarification. Mrs Bae’s chuckles shook her away from her daze as her mind finally managed to process the entire happening. 

“How can you spoil my fun, Seulgi?”

“Mum! That wasn’t fun! You almost gave me a heart attack!” 

The huff and puff from her daughter only made Mrs Bae laughed louder while the younger girl had to take care of the aftermath. 

“I said I will stay with you, didn’t I?” Seulgi kissed Irene on the side. “I really will, okay?” 

With that, the laugh subsided, replaced by a comforted sigh of a mother who knew her child was in good hands.

“Your dad is in fault for his actions, that I can’t defend him.”

Mrs Bae fixed her daughter’s messed up hair, caressing the face that she was so proud of creating.

“But imagine his surprise when he found out that the daughter he raised for so many years was not who he thought she was.” 

Indeed, Irene grew up just like every other kids in the neighbourhood, showing no signs of rebellious, showing no signs of being any different than others. Even if she knew she was not the same like she appeared to be, she had never approached the topic, not in a typical conservative household. 

“Imagine my surprise when you are acceptive after raising me for equally long.” 

Mrs Bae snickered. 

“I’m just welcoming a new piece of information.”

She reached out to hold both of the girls’ hands, squeezing them lightly. 

“Accepting something means there is a chance of rejecting. Why reject love?” 

If Irene was upset about the prank her mother pulled before, she had then long forgotten about it, only feeling warmth and unconditional love. Before they could continue busking in the cosy atmosphere, more arrivals turned up at the doorstep. 

“Oh my princess!”

Mrs Kang could only laugh in embarrassment at her husband’s action. The couple stood up to welcome the new figures with Seulgi stepping forward, expecting her dad to come towards her, only to be dumbfounded when he reached for Irene first. 

“And I thought I was your princess?”

“Sorry, I have a new favourite now and that’s Irene.”

Irene hid her reddened cheeks behind her hand as she bowed to greet, Seulgi scoffing.

“Happy New Year to you too, Dad.” 

Once everyone was settled down with their drinks served, Irene looked into Seulgi’s eyes, wordlessly preparing themselves for the announcement that they had to make, the main purpose of the meeting between both families. 

Seulgi’s heart was at peace, different from the anxiety and nervousness that she thought she would have felt. Gazing back at Irene lovingly, she realised there was nothing more to be worried about. 

They were together in it. 

Irene would be there with her, to guide her through. If she was a wrecked ship facing a storm, Irene would be her anchor, holding her down. 

Irene wasn’t just her best friend, or her girlfriend. 

Irene was her stabiliser. 

“So,” Irene initiated, Seulgi’s hand in hers. “We are officially together as a couple.”

Mr Kang elbowed his daughter on the arm, winking at her with a fist pumped, bringing huge grins to everyone’s faces. 

“I’m glad it’s you who she chose, Irene.” 

Mrs Kang pat Mrs Bae lightly on the shoulder as a form of friendly exchange, grateful that at least there was one parent of Irene who was supportive of such unconventional relationship. 

“Thank you for taking good care of our princess all these while and I know under your care, she would become a better person who knows how to love better.” 

Unlike his usual self, Mr Kang’s seriousness sent chills down Irene’s spine. His sincere words of appreciation only made her feel more obligated to be the one leading in their future days of relationship and it was a responsible that she would be more than willing to bear. 

“Alright alright, enough of the sappy words. I made some food so let’s eat!” 

The folks began to engage in their own conversation, getting to know about each other as they ate the food which both mothers made and it was an amusing sight to watch for the youngsters. 

It was only the first meeting between the three parents but there was one instant similarity; they just want happiness for their daughters. 

Irene leaned into Seulgi’s arm around her shoulders, smile plastered on their faces. Softly soothing her hand on the cheek of her girlfriend, she whispered.

“So, what did you promise my mum?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Come on, curiosity kills the cat.”

“You are more of a rabbit to me though.”

“Silly bear.” 

Irene pouted, then playfully punched Seulgi in the stomach. The latter feigned her pain, groaning lowly into Irene’s neck like a child, only to be ignored. Unwary of others’ existence, she stamped kisses repeatedly on Irene’s smooth side profile, all the way to the ear.

“I promised her to always protect and love you.” 

The perky lips flattened into a thin line, one obviously trying to hide her blissfulness upon the dedication. Seulgi’s smirk was getting out of control as her fingers went to the chin, making Irene  turn to face her. 

“I love you.” 

Their teeth bumped into each other’s as they both grinned into the kiss and with every taste of Seulgi, Irene knew. 

“I love you too.”

She knew that was the taste of her future, her happiness, her everything.

***

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

HAPPY SEULRENE DAY~! 💖💛

This is the final one; how was it? 😊

I'm sorry this took almost a month, I'm currently on a trip & I'm not getting a lot time to edit the chapter.

I was trying to write it as perfect as possible as a way to repay all your support! ❤️

But I'm not sure if it actually met your expectation, so I just hope you all know I did my best~

Any comments or critics will be welcomed, so do drop me your thoughts! 

Maybe there will be an epilogue, let's see how this goes because sometimes it's better to leave things as they are, right?

I have so many thanks that I can't convey through just words but I will be writing more in the time to come!

As one journey ends, another would start.

Do continue to support me and my writings if you are willing to stay. 🙆🏻

Till the next time, love Red Velvet, stay happy and may your OTPs sail smoothly 💖💛💙💚💜