Italics= Thoughts

Bold= English

It was a surprisingly unbusy day for Lia and Ryujin. Ever since they became idols, it has always been hard to have some free time to themselves. They always either practiced or were on schedules. And it was a lot of schedules. The girls were grateful that they were usually so busy, since that showed that they were popular, but of course they also wished for a little break every now and then. Today, all the members had individual schedules, except for the two of them, and they intended to make the most out of it.

”Ryujin, are you fine with kimchi stew?” Lia called from the kitchen.

”Of course unnie! Anything you make will be good for sure.” Ryujin said. The younger girl was seated on the floor in front of the TV. She was playing Mario Kart and focusing hard to keep her top spot.

Lia simply giggled at her girlfriend's reply. Yes, these two were indeed together. They have been a couple ever since their trainee days, just a few months before they were formed as ITZY. No one else knew, even their own members. Or at least, they hoped they kept it hidden enough from the other three. Yuna always seemed to have a knack for knowing things she isn’t supposed to.

Seeing as kimchi stew was quite a simple thing to make, she occasionally went to the living room to watch her girlfriend play. 

”As expected of you, Ryujin. You just keep winning first, don't you?”

”You flatter me unnie. I’m not that good really.” Ryujin replied bashfully. She paused the game and looked back at her lover and smiled.

”But thank you, Jisu.” she continued, adding a wider grin that showed her whisker-like dimples. It always made Lia’s heart beat faster when the blue-haired girl addressed her with her given name, especially when she shows that bright smile of hers.

’Damn that smile.’ Lia told herself internally. She simply blushed and headed back to the kitchen and finish the stew. Seeing her reaction, Ryujin simply laughed and continued her game. 

A few minutes later, Lia finished with her dish. While getting bowls to set up the table, she called for Ryujin so that they can eat together.

”I’m coming unnie! I’ll just finish this race.” That made Lia think. Maybe she could just bring the food so they could cuddle? Lia loved the idea, so she immediately called out her girlfriend again.

”Wait, Ryujin. I’ll just bring the food there!” she called out.

”Okay unnie!”

So that's what she did. Lia brought out two bowls and spoons for them and set it in front of the younger girl, and later brought the pot with the kimchi stew. Lia sat beside Ryujin and snuggled up to her. The younger girl put her arm around the other’s shoulder and finally ended the exhausting race around Rainbow Road.

”Wow, it smells good unnie. Thank you so much! You’re really the best! I’m so lucky to have you as my girlfriend.” Since Ryujin was no longer busy with the game, she softy kissed her lover’s lips, Lia immediately reciprocating. When they pulled apart, Lia looked at her girlfriend and smiled. She was happy that the two of them could spend this time together without anyone else around them. While it was quite simple, to Lia and Ryujin, this moment was special.

”Well, you must be exhausted after all that racing Ryuigi. Let's eat now, shall we?” The little play on her favorite character and her name made Ryujin grin.

”Of course! Here, let me help you with that.” Ryujin got a bowl and poured in the stew using a ladle. She gave the bowl to Lia and proceeded to get her own serving. 

”Thank you for the food, Princess.” she said playfully. Lia lightly slapped the younger’s shoulder since she couldn't say anything due to embarrassment.

The couple then ate in silence, but with Ryujin occasionally complimenting Lia for her cooking. The older girl couldn't help but blush with all of the things her girlfriend has been saying. It was just kimchi stew!

”Hey, stop complimenting me so much! It's embarrassing.” she finally said.

”What? Can’t I compliment my own girlfriend when she deserves it?” the younger asked, looking at her lover with an eyebrow raised.

”Besides, I know you love it, Julia.” Ryujin added, finally letting a smirk out. At that, Lia could do nothing but set her bowl down and hide her face in her girlfriend's shoulder, hitting her repeatedly. 

”Ow ow ow! Unnie! I’m sorry!” Ryujin apologized while laughing at Lia’s reaction. 

”Whatever! Let's just watch a movie while we eat. And I’m picking!” Lia huffed. She really couldn't handle all the teasing. Ryujin simply let her girlfriend do what she wanted, continuing to eat as Lia grabbed the remote and chose a movie.

”Avengers: Endgame?”

”Yeah, got a problem with that?” Lia asked playfully.

”Of course not! I love this movie!”  Ryujin said through a mouthful of kimchi.

The two sat in silence as they continued eating, with the movie now playing. Before they even reached halfway, they already finished their food and they opted to move to the couch and cuddle.

It was at the part where the Avengers were facing off against Thanos for the final time that Lia suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder. She looked at the girl beside her and giggled. Ryujin had fallen asleep.

”Well, we are all exhausted after all.” she muttered softly.

”Though, I can’t believe she fell asleep at the best part.” she added playfully. Lia reached up to Ryujin’s face and brushed the stray strands of hair from her face. Feeling the movement, Ryujin scrunched up her nose, but immediately fell back into a peaceful expression.

”You're too cute Ryujin.” she whispered softly. Lia looked back to the screen and did her best to focus on the movie. Although, she was distracted multiple times because of her girlfriend. Not even the dramatics and all the action could keep her away from Ryujin. Lia couldn't help but steal looks at her lover’s features.

Lia absolutely loved Ryujin’s expressions on stage, and the younger girl always looked so beautiful when she was all dolled up with makeup and the hairstyles their stylists came up with. However, to Lia, the best of all of Ryujin’s expressions was when she asleep without all the makeup painting her face. And she absolutely adored the fact that she is one of the few who can see it so often. She truly believed that Ryujin was one of the most beautiful people on Earth.

Before she knew it, she was nearing the end of the movie, and Lia was also feeling very sleepy. She decided to leave the television on and cuddled closer to her girlfriend. She left a soft peck on the sleeping girl’s forehead and wrapped her arms around her.

”Ryujin, I love you 3000.” she mumbled as she drifted off to sleep in the embrace of the girl she loved so much.

Bonus:

It was dark inside when the three members of ITZY entered their dorm. When Yeji the lights, they were welcomed by the sight of the couple sleeping on the couch. They noticed the screen playing a movie, which they guessed wasn't what the two were watching originally, and the cutlery laid out in front of them. Yeji, being the responsible leader that she is, got Ryujin’s blanket from her room and laid it on the sleeping couple.

”Those two sure had fun when we were gone. They didn't even bother to leave some for us!” Chaeryeong huffed quietly. 

”I wonder when they’ll finally tell us that they’re together. It has been a while after all. And we’ve known about it pretty early on” Yeji wondered softly while fixing the blanket. Then the two looked at their youngest member, who was silently taking pictures of Ryujin and Lia.

”Hey Yuna, what are you doing?” Chaeryeong asked.

”We got to keep all the memories of these two being so cute.” she replied simply, as she continued to snap more photos.

After three more snaps, she selected the best picture out of her gallery and showed it to her two unnies, and they could help but smile at the sight.

Lia’s head was buried in the crook of Ryujin’s neck. The younger girl’s arms wrapped around her protectively, while the older kept her arms around Ryujin’s waist, keeping her close. Their legs were entangled, emphasizing their closeness. The most content smiles painting both their faces.

Yuna was right. They really were cute.

If only they stopped being so secretive about their relationship. The three of them knew after all.