Jisoo opened her eyes only to be forced to close them again by the harsh morning light peeking through the window. She grunted and moved, or tried to. An arm rested around her waist, and a body pressed against her back.  

Jennie. 

She didn’t remember falling asleep like that. Jisoo should have panicked, and she did, but for only a second.  

Carefully, she turned around, just to be able to face Jennie. Jisoo hadn't imagined how it would be like to wake up next to her, but now that she was experiencing it, she let the warmth of the moment being her calm and peace. 

Jennie looked like she was dreaming of rainbows and unicorns. Her breath so steady, her lips slightly apart... when Jisoo realized, she had been staring at them for way too long. What if Jennie woke up, and found her staring at her from so up close? Jisoo grabbed Jennie’s arm on her waist and slowly moved it away, so she could get up. But as soon as she raised her arm an inch from her body, Jennie shifted closer, burying her face on Jisoo’s chest and pulling her closer with her hand on her back. 

Jisoo’s held on her breath. Was... she dreaming? 

After a few minutes of silence, Jennie moved. As she pulled away, Jisoo retreated her hand in a split second.  

“Good morning.” Jennie said with her just-woke-up voice, yawning and scratching her eyes. 

“G-Good morning.”  

Did Jisoo’s heartbeat wake her up? Must have been. 

“I-I’m going to prepare us breakfast. You can rest a bit more.” Jisoo said, getting up from the bed. 

“No, I’ll go too! I’ll help you.” Jennie rushed up. 

Jisoo didn’t oppose, and she must admit the thought of cooking together with Jennie made her insides tingle. 

Kuma and Dalgom were still snuggling against each other on the couch. Jisoo shook off the thought of how much their dogs resembled their owners and walked to the kitchen, followed by Jennie. 

“Since I lost my wallet, I need to take care of my documents.” Jennie sighed, as she took a bite of her toast.  

“Oh, that’s right. I’ll go with you.”  

Knowing Jennie, Jisoo expected a ‘Oh, you don’t need to’, but it seems she was wrong. 

“Your company would be great.”  

And if she was not seeing things, Jennie did actually blush, as she looked down at her coffee and took a sip.  

--- 

“Do you like this one?” Jisoo held a fluffy pink sweater up, but Jennie was looking at something else - Jisoo’s guitar, at the corner to the room. “Jennie?” 

“Yes,” She jerked her head towards Jisoo. “Yes. It’s super cute. Thank you, Jisoo.” Jennie accepted the sweater.  

After getting ready, they walked their dogs together. It was a chill morning, but the winter sun made it bearable. They walked side by side, without a word spoken. Then, their hands brushed against each other. Jisoo tried to ignore it, but how could she, when Jennie looked at her and said – “Your hands are cold.”  

Jisoo could just hum in response.  

“Mine are warm.” 

Jisoo couldn’t not look at her when Jennie’s hand, slowly, as if asking for permission, cupped hers. Jennie kept facing down at Kuma, a hint of a smile on her lips. Jisoo held her hand back, wrapping her fingers around the back of her hand. It was, indeed, warm.  

Would she hold hands with one of her friends when walking their dogs? Was that... normal? 

Well, with Jennie, if felt right. 

--- 

The morning went by slowly after that. Taking care of documents was something that would always take time, but it wasn't so bad when in good company.  

Jisoo suggested they should grab some takeaway on their way home, so they could have lunch and decide what they wanted to do for the afternoon. 

There was a weird silence as they ate. Jennie was too focused on her food, and didn’t say a word, even though it seemed like she wanted to start a conversation. 

“Something wrong?” Jisoo asked. 

“Hm?” Jennie looked up. “N-Nope.” 

“I was wondering if you'd like to say something.”  

Jennie’s eyes widened, as she quickly looked down at her food again. 

“Come on, spit it out.” Jisoo encouraged. 

“It’s just that... I saw a guitar in your room.” 

Jisoo nodded, telling her to go on. 

“I used to play when I was younger. I had to sell it.” Jennie confessed. 

“Do you miss it?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then you can use mine. I think it will be a bit out of tune, though.” Jisoo chuckled. 

Jennie’s eyes lit up, just like the corners of her lips rose. 

“I-I can tune it!” 

“Thank you, Jennie. I’ve been lazy, and haven’t really practiced lately.” Jisoo giggled at herself. 

Jennie grinned. She ate faster now, like a little kid wanting to finish her dinner so she could go watch tv.  

She sat on the couch, Jisoo’s guitar on her lap. In a mere minute, it was perfectly tuned. But then, Jennie hesitated. Her fingers moved along the chords, unsure, and her expression turned somber.  

“What is it?” Jisoo asked, sitting on a chair. 

“I... I don’t know, it's like I don’t remember anything.”  

“Playing the guitar is like riding a bike, you never actually forget it. You’re just rusty, but you’ll remember as soon as you start. It will come out instinctively.”  

They stared at each other’s eyes until Jennie smiled at her. 

Jisoo watched in awe as Jennie played. How could she be afraid when she did it so well? After a few seconds, Jennie opened . Jisoo didn’t know Jennie could sing, and she never imagined it would be that good. Her voice was so... how would Jisoo describe it? 

When Jisoo thought she couldn’t get more surprises from Jennie, she started rapping. Now, her voice sounded stronger, full of power and confidence.  

When she finished the song, she looked at Jisoo, the first time since she started playing.  

“W-What?” Jennie asked, her cheeks turning a brighter shade of red. 

“You’re amazing! Oh my god Jennie, why were you hiding so much talent?” 

“I-It's just a hobby. I'm only average.”  

“You kidding, you play the guitar, you sing, and you rap! How is that average?!” 

Jennie looked down at her hands. 

“I don't like singing in front of people.”  

“But you just did.” 

“Because it’s you.” Jennie blurted. 

“And what does that mean?” 

Jennie met her eyes. 

“That I feel comfortable with you.”  

“I’m glad you do.”  

They smiled and allowed silence to take over.  

“You know what,” Jisoo blurted, making Jennie raise her head. “We should go outside.” 

Jennie frowned. 

“Let’s take Dalgom and Kuma, the guitar, and let’s play.” 

--- 

The street was busy with people walking in every direction. Even though it was always busy, Jisoo loved to walk downtown. A large street, closed to traffic. There was only people, restaurants, coffeeshops and shops selling just about anything one could think of.  

It was also a popular spot for street artists to perform.  

Jisoo carried her guitar on her shoulder, holding Dalgom’s leash and looking around with a smile on her lips.  

“What’s exactly your idea, Jisoo?” Jennie asked, also looking around, but there wasn’t any smile on her face. 

“Play and sing.” Jisoo explained. 

“But there’s tons of people!” 

“Exactly! Come on.”  

Jisoo grabbed Jennie’s hand and pulled her to one side of the street. She sat on a small ladder in front of a closed shop and took off her guitar. 

“J-Jisoo, I can't... This is a terrible idea.” Jennie sat beside her, calling Kuma near her. 

“Of course you can. You just did it for me. I’m still here, so you can do it.” Jisoo reasoned, the smile on her lips never disappearing.  

Jennie wasn’t convinced. Her expression showed only worry. 

“I’ll start.” Jisoo said, crossing her legs and preparing herself.  

She took a deep breath and strummed the guitar, just as she let her voice come out. People passing by started looking at her. 

After a minute, Jisoo heard another voice. She looked at her right side and found Jennie staring at her, singing along. Jisoo grinned.  

Their voices matched like black and pink – Jennie’s strong, deep tone, with Jisoo’s sweet and soft voice. It was the first time they sang together, yet, it seemed that they had rehearsed it a thousand times.  

A tingling sound made them look forward. People stood a few meters from them, watching with smiles, sparkling eyes, and approval nods. A little boy ran back to her mother, after petting Dalgom and leaving some coins on the floor in front of them. Jisoo smiled and peeked at Jennie. As she expected, her eyes widened after such action.  

The people waited for the song to finish so they could applaud. Some more people approached to leave some coins and bills, some giving them encouraging words, to which Jisoo thanked with a grin and Jennie with an embarrassed nod. 

Jisoo grabbed her guitar case and opened it, setting it on the ground and putting the money they already gathered inside it. 

Some people walked away, others stood waiting for another song.  

“Your turn now.” Jisoo handed her guitar to Jennie. 

She hesitated, but after looking at Jisoo’s encouraging smile, Jennie accepted it.  

Time flew as they performed song after song. They decided to take a break, while Jisoo volunteered to get them some drinks to hydrate their throats. 

When Jisoo came back, drinks on her hands, she witnessed one of the cutest things in the whole world. Jennie was still sitting, now with a young girl beside her with Jisoo’s guitar on her lap, while Jennie taught her some chords.  

Instead of joining then, Jisoo hid in the crowd and observed them. How Jennie smiled as she helped the girl, how she laughed along when she messed up and encouraged her right after. 

Noticing she was taking too long, Jisoo decided she should go back. As she approached, the girl bid goodbye to Jennie and pet both Kuma and Dalgom’s head. Jennie waved to the girl before noticing Jisoo sitting next to her. 

“Hey.” Jisoo extended her arm with Jennie’s drink. 

Jennie smiled and thanked her, taking a large sip.  

“I didn’t know you could teach too.” Jisoo said. 

“Oh, it was nothing.” Jennie gave her a shy smile. 

Kuma jumped to Jennie’s lap and laid down, as she scratched the back of his ears. 

“How were you so comfortable with playing and singing for people?” Jennie asked, keeping her head down. 

“I’m used to it.” Jisoo shrugged, and Jennie met her eyes. “Almost every weekend, me and two other friends come here to play, sing, and dance for people. I don’t even remember how we started doing it, but it’s a lot of fun, and a few extra money is always welcome. They have been busy lately, so there’s been a few weeks since we last did it. I’m glad I can do it with you.” 

“That’s amazing.” Jennie’s eyes sparkled, and her eyebrows went high on her forehead. “I think I haven’t told you yet, but you sing really well, and your voice is beautiful.” 

Jisoo wished she could click her finger and disappear, so Jennie wouldn’t see how stupid her smile was after receiving such compliment. She had heard it many times, but never reacted to it like that. 

“T-Thank you, Jennie. I think our voices sound really good together.”  

“They do. We could... maybe we could do this more often.” Jennie suggested, dropping her head once more, but then rushed to add – “I-I don’t want to bother you and your friends, but if they’re busy and you still wanna come here, you can count on me.” 

“Of course, Jennie. You should actually come with us too! The more, the merrier, right? And I’m sure they’ll like you.” 

“And why is that?” Jennie returned her look to Jisoo.  

“Why is what?” 

“Why do you think they’ll like me?”  

Jisoo blinked, one corner of her lips raised. Was there any way of answering it without being completely straightforward?  

“There’s no way anyone would dislike you, because... I like you.”  

Their eyes locked, until Jennie shook her head. 

“Let’s play?” She asked. Jisoo nodded, pretending she didn’t see how red Jennie’s face had become.  

--- 

The day was a success. They were tired, but it totally paid off. 

“We made more today than I normally make in a whole week.” Jennie said as she finished counting the money on Jisoo’s guitar case. She looked at the money in such disbelief she had to count it twice to make sure she got it right.  

“That’s amazing.”  

“It is! I’ll save some money and get a guitar for myself, so I don’t need to beg for money.” 

“Don't worry about that. Everything you make right now should go to your mother's treatments. You can use mine in the meanwhile.”  

“Jisoo... I don’t wanna be a bother-" 

“I told you already, you’re not bothering. I spend all day at work, I don’t use it on weekdays.” 

Jennie stood quiet for a few seconds. 

“Okay. Thank you, Jisoo. For real.”  

Jisoo stood up, and extended her hand. Jennie looked up and held her hand, standing up as well. 

“We still need to split the money.” Jennie said, starting to count it again. 

“No, keep it.” 

“No, Jisoo! We did this together, we’ll split.” 

Jisoo rested her hand on Jennie’s, making her stop and raise her head. 

“You need it more than me. Use it to go see your mother.”  

“Come with me, then.” 

Jisoo cocked her head. 

“Come see my mother with me, Jisoo. I want you to meet her.” 

--- 

After dropping Dalgom and Kuma home, and stopping to eat a burger (“Hadn’t had this since forever...” Jennie said, taking a bite the size of half the burger.”), they hopped on the train to the hospital. 

Jennie rested her head on Jisoo’s shoulder. Jisoo only wished the trip was longer, because this time, she couldn’t make her hand move to hold Jennie’s. 

At the hospital, they reached floor three and walked over to the room Jennie’s mother was in. 

Jisoo slowed down and Jennie was about to open the door when she looked back. 

“What’s wrong?” Jennie asked. 

“Nothing! Go inside, I’ll wait for you here.”  

“You’re coming with me.”  

“I don’t want to bother, Jennie. You should cherish your time with her.” 

Jennie glared at her. 

“Aren’t you the one always telling me I’m not a bother? You’re not a bother, Jisoo. I didn’t just ask for your company here. I want my mom to meet you.”  

Jisoo kept silent as she approached. 

After knocking twice, Jennie opened the door and slid inside. Not even a second later, Jisoo heard a voice, tired and hoarse, but still radiating with happiness, calling for Jennie’s name. Jisoo followed and watched Jennie hug the woman on the bed. She wore white hospital robes and tubes connected to her veins. Her head was a clean slate, not a hair left on it. Jisoo couldn't help but think of how could such a bright smile come from a face so sunken and dark.   

“How are you, mom?” Jennie asked, holding her hands. 

“I’ve been feeling better, gladly. You’re looking good, Jennie!” She scanned Jennie from head to toe, and then, finally, she noticed Jisoo. “Oh, and who’s this beautiful young lady?” 

Jisoo froze when that radiating smile faced her. 

“Oh, mom, this is Jisoo.” Jennie said, as Jisoo approached and bowed. 

“Hi, Mrs. Kim, nice to meet you.” 

“So, you are Kim Jisoo. Nice too finally meet you too, dear. Thank you so much for taking care of Jennie. I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done to help her.” 

“O-Oh, that’s okay. It makes me really happy I could make a difference.” Jisoo mumbled. 

“Jennie has been talking a lot about the angel that you are! That you are really nice and swee-" 

“S-So, mom, tell me,” Jennie cut off her mother, sitting on the bed next to her. “H-have you been resting well? How are the treatments?”  

Her mother giggled and started explaining things Jisoo didn’t really understand.  

Time flew after that. Jennie told her mother about the happenings of the day before, but reassured her she and Kuma were okay, and that she had taken care of everything. Once again, her mother thanked Jisoo for being there for Jennie.  

Then Jisoo decided to step in and tell Mrs. Kim about their day, which left her with a big, proud grin. Jisoo couldn’t help but beam along, while Jennie hid her face on her hands.  

After a knock on the door, a petite woman, with a tender smile and short hair stepped inside. 

“Hi Jennie, good to see you!” She said, and then turned to Jisoo. “Oh, another visit today?” 

“Hi, nurse Luda. Yes, this is Jisoo.” 

“Oh, the Jisoo! Nice to meet you, I’m Luda, the nurse.” 

“L-Likewise.” Jisoo bowed awkwardly.  

The Jisoo?! Even the nurse knew who she was?  

“I’m sorry to be a party pooper, but visit is over for today, ladies.”  

“Oh, nurse Luda, can I stay the night?” Jennie asked. 

“Yes, Jennie, of course.” 

“Jisoo? Are you okay?” Jennie asked as soon as she noticed the change in her expression. 

“Y-Yes. I was just wondering if you wanted to stay with me again, but that’s okay.”  

“I-It’s not that I don’t want to, Jisoo, I just didn’t want to-" 

“Be a bother, I know.” Jisoo completed the sentence for her, looking away. 

It sounded bitter, but it wasn’t Jisoo’s intention. It was only natural that Jennie wanted to spend more time with her mother, right? She couldn’t be that selfish. 

“Jennie.” Her mother called. “You don’t need to stay because of me! I’m feeling better, you should go and stay with Jisoo.”  

Jisoo returned her look to Jennie, as she met her stare.  

“Thank you mom, I’ll go with Jisoo, then.” 

Now, Jisoo was the one feeling bad about what she said. The last thing she wanted was for Jennie to think of her as selfish. But could she really feel bad when at the same time Jennie looked so willing to stay? 

--- 

When they got home, Dalgom and Kuma welcomed them, running towards the door as soon as Jisoo inserted the key. 

"Want some noodles? I'm hungry." Jisoo said, opening the cupboard and grabbing two noodle packages. 

"Yes, thank you." 

Dinner was as quiet as their ride home had been. It seemed that something was off, but maybe she was imagining things.  

"Jennie."  

She looked up and met Jisoo's eyes. Even though Jisoo was the one calling her, she didn't know what she wanted to say. 

"You... You know you can stay here whenever you want. It wasn't just for tonight. You can... always stay. So, you don't need to worry about finding a place to sleep every night. O-Of course you're free to do whatever you want! I'm not saying you need to stay here, I mean-" 

"I want to stay." Jennie gulped, looking away. "I was just... embarrassed to ask you if I could, even though you assured me I'm not a bother. It's been so long since I'm constantly staying in friends' houses that I know I always end up being a hassle for them." 

Jisoo stared at her for a bit before grabbing her hand, making Jennie look back at her. 

"You will never be a bother to me, Jennie. If you want to stay, then stay. I want you to stay. It gets lonely sometimes, I could use a roommate. Besides, I'm pretty sure Dalgom would love to have his friend Kuma keep him company during the day!" 

Jennie smiled, as she rubbed the back of Jisoo's hand, melting her heart. 

"Then, I'll stay." 

---

A/N: And here's another large dose of fluff! ♥