The week before that eventful hot summer’s night was whimsical. It was very easy to fall into a routine. A simple routine. A routine that developed due to how much of a homebody Hyejin surprisingly was. 

Yong did plan for activities, but once it was obvious that Hyejin would rather enjoy the beach and the ocean waters, those plans were easily tossed out. In fact, Yong didn’t even tell Hyejin that she planned activities. Moonbyul and Wheein knew, but the moment Hyejin mentioned the fact that it’s been years since she’s been to the beach and how excited she was to spend as much time as possible on the beach and in the waters, Yong immediately erased those plans. Why take away the enjoyment of others? Yong did spend a lot of time planning out activities, she is one of those people that would rather be busy, but she can’t bring it to herself to ruin this young cub’s happiness. Besides, maybe it’s a sign that Yong also needs a break. It’s good to be busy, but like anything, time is the greatest enemy so a tune up is needed every now and then. Maybe this is a good time to spend more with Moonbyul.

So they all became homebodies in the first week. 

They would get up early in the morning, eat breakfast, get ready, meet up, then finally head down to the beach. They would spend all morning at the beach. When lunch came around they would go back inside to enjoy a simple meal together before coming back out. The afternoon was much like the morning, just filled with more naps. Then they would end the day by packing up, and returning to their rooms before gathering for a big dinner then finally retire to their respective condos. 

On the first day they rented a couple of umbrellas and chairs and they made their own little comfy spot on the beach to relax on and take shelter from the watchful sun, that isn’t Yong for once. The minute they fully set up their spot, Hyejin made a beeline to the water. The only time she would come back out was for either a snack break, reapply sunscreen, or it was time to go back inside for lunch. In fact, she didn’t even wait for Wheein before running into the water. But she did give Wheein’s hand a quick squeeze before running off. Hyejin’s touch gives Wheein a clear message. A message of how Hyejin’s excitement is about ready to burst and that she needs to go into the water. 

Wheein maybe would have been a bit saddened by how Hyejin didn’t even wait for her in the past. But, she knows better now. She knows that even if Hyejin doesn’t say it out loud, or even touches Wheein somehow, that Hyejin will always care about her. Now is the time for trust. And Wheein trusts Hyejin. With her all of her heart. She trusts Hyejin to be true to her word and actions. So something trivial, such as being the first one in the water, doesn’t matter. All that matters is that Hyejin is having fun and is happy and enjoying herself. 

It also gave her plenty of time to calm down. Luckily her hat, shades, and being slightly flushed from the early sun, gave Wheein the perfect cover from her parents. They weren’t able to tell how often Wheein had to fight at not drooling at the sight of Hyejin. Or so she thought but she doesn’t have to know that. 

The moment Hyejin stepped out of the bathroom, ready for the beach for the first day, Wheein choked on her water. Choked and about ready to risk it all.

While they both wore bikinis, they both flaunted it differently. Wheein wore a simple bikin with a giant shirt over. It made her look like a small, adorable baby. Meanwhile, Hyejin was the opposite. Hyejin wore a red bikini with a black beach skirt. That color combo coupled with Hyejin’s natural tan, it was a glorious masterpiece. Wheein couldn’t help but stare. After she regained her composure from nearly choking. 

“Like what you see?” Hyejin said with a smirk as she stood in front of a frozen Wheein.

Wheein’s response was automatic.

“What a beautiful palette.” Wheein blurted. 

Hyejin just squinted while she tried to determine if that’s a compliment or not. Before a verdict could be made, a certain hamster burst through their door.

“Alrighty, who is ready for--” Moonbyul suddenly stopped.

Wheein and Hyejin only looked at Moonbyul with their heads tilted as Moonbyul just sort of froze mid step. She was frozen for a good second before immediately turning back around, back to where Yong waited in the hall. They could only look at each other in confusion while they heard Wheein’s parents fuss at each other. Before long Moonbyul rushed back in, straight towards Hyejin, and armed with a towel. 

Hyejin didn’t even have time to respond before Moonbyul quickly wrapped her up in the blanket and fussed over her. 

“What are you doing? It’s cold in here! Cover yourself, aren’t you cold?”

And so on and so forth. To be honest, neither of them listened to Moonbyul grumbling. And the moment Yong came in, she gave Moonbyul a tired stare.

“I wonder if it’s too late to get a refund on a marriage.”

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And so their routine developed. A routine developed around being homebodies. But they didn’t mind. They each had their own little things that they do that could still be done.

Moonbyul had her camera, ready to document these next two weeks for the little photo album for this vacation. She would mostly sit under the umbrellas, in the safety of the shade, and mostly take pictures from there. And of Yong too. Every now and then she would go walk around to take pictures of the ocean water. It was also the time she went to check on the girls, they were the ones that mostly spent their time in the water. Check on them and take nice, serene pictures of them and tease them about it later. So, basically collect evidence. 

Yong had her books and daily exercise requirements that kept her from going mad at being a homebody. And she also kept an eye on the girls to make sure that Hyejin was behaving herself. She just never thought she also had to make sure that Wheein was also behaving herself. Along with Moonbyul, she lounged underneath the umbrellas. Enjoying the ocean wind and smell as it came across her senses. When it was time for her turn to get up and walk around, she would join the girls in the water for a little bit. It was a bit strange though. They are both now seventeen years old, but upon joining them in the water, they turned five. They would playfully splash water at each other and try to chase each other as well. Their cries of laughter was music to Yong’s ears. Of course, once Yong got there, either one of them would seek shelter behind her from the other. There are times where they asked Yong to just drag them through the water as they clutched to Yong’s arms. Afterwards she would take a brief nap back under the shade. But every thought that crossed her mind before she dozed off was the same. The thought of the possibility of grandchildren and how they would probably ask her to drag them through the water as well.

Wheein and Hyejin both spent a majority of their time in the water. Floating around, bobbing up and down with the waves, fighting said waves, running from seaweed. Just enjoying their time in the water and with each other. Even if it was a bit awkward at first. Especially on the first day. 

After the initial whiplash of seeing Hyejin in her bikini, the next whiplash Wheein suffered was from something that she should have considered. Something that she should have predicted. Afterall, it’s their most important form of communication.

Touch.

When Wheein first ran into the water to follow Hyejin, she eagerly launched herself at the opened arm girl. Hyejin easily caught Wheein but the moment that they touched, a bolt coursed through Wheein’s whole body. A bolt and shiver so strong that she was glad that she was wearing the oversized t-shirt. If she wasn’t then she probably would have passed out just from the amount of skin on skin contact. 

Wheein knew she always wanted this in a way, to touch Hyejin’s bare skin, but she didn’t expect it to shock her. Their touches have mainly been on the arms, hands, and face. Anywhere else there was that protective layer of clothing that acted as the chauffeur in a middle school dance. The moment her hands touched Hyejin’s back she immediately felt the muscle underneath at work. Feeling the muscles move in an effort to keep balance in the water and in keeping a strong hold on her, Wheein couldn’t help but feel something in her stir. 

Another wave crashed into them, and broke them apart. Making Wheein forget the feeling she just had and refocused her mind onto having fun with her parents and Hyejin. 

That’s what the two young girls did. They enjoyed themselves with the ones they cared about most. But the seed had already been planted. The moment Wheein felt something stir within her, her touch changed subtly. Her touch became hungry. Taking every opportunity to touch the Hyejin’s skin that had been hidden before. And Hyejin gladly welcomed it. She isn’t a stranger to such a touch. But the fact that it was coming from Wheein? Well, she was ready to risk it all for Wheein.

So with the seeds planted on the first day. But, in order to grow, seeds need nutrients and the right environment. 

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Possessiveness.

Simple as that. 

Wheein knows that people would look at Hyejin. She knows that. She expected that. She also knows that some of those people will look at Hyejin in a way that is just wrong. They will look at her like she is nothing but an attractive body to be used. Those people are the scum of the earth. Especially if the look is coming from somebody that is significantly older. 

She knows that Hyejin’s attractiveness will always attract such wandering eyes, but it doesn’t calm her anger. Even though she wanted to fight the older adults, her parents took care of that in their own way. By either inserting themselves and glare at the offender to down right confronting them. So while her parents took care of that age range, Wheein tried her best to take care of their own age range. 

But she had no idea where to start, and her anger wasn’t making her thinking any clearer. So, when all else fails, the simplest answer is most likely the best answer. 

Holding hands, linking arms, and acting as a standard couple wasn’t going to cut it. Anyone would argue that they were just really good friends. It was time to step things up. Which to her meant taking the lead. 

Hyejin is usually that one to initiate all the kisses. From the gentle forehead smooch to the sneaky cheek kiss, all the way to a full on french kiss. All were initiated by Hyejin. But not this week. From the first forehead smooch to the first french kiss, all of them were initiated by Wheein, Hyejin was more than happy. But she also knew why Wheein was doing it. But, she isn’t going to complain. In a way, seeing Wheein being slightly possessive also stirred something within her. The small hint of anger in Wheein’s eyes as she caught another person checking Hyejin out. The tight grip Wheein had when she held Hyejin close in a crowd while waiting for dinner at a restaurant. The puppy has a bite and as much as Hyejin loves this attention, she also can’t let it get too far.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a hot summer night when Hyejin confronted Wheein about her possessiveness. They were in bed with the sliding door open so they could hear the calm ocean of night. Wheein was drawing in her sketchbook under the low haze of the night table lamp while Hyejin gazed at her. Seeing Wheein focused on her work while the soft lamp light illuminates her, truly that in of itself a work of art. 

“Hey, babe?”

Wheein didn’t even move, but she did let out a small humm to let Hyejin know she was listening.

“Do I need to cover myself in a blanket so you don’t have to glare at everyone who looks at me?”

Wheein froze. 

“As much as I love the attention, you can’t keep doing it every time someone looks at me. That’s going to get old, Wheein-ah.” Hyejin moved to sit in front of Wheein. 

Wheein finally sighed and put the sketchbook away, but didn’t even meet Hyejin’s eyes.

“I-I know. I just…...I just don’t like how they look at you sometimes. Like you're not a person but just another object to ogle ...or….” Wheein curled in on herself. Bringing her knees closer to her chest  as her shell began to close.

“Or?” As much as Hyejin wants to hold Wheein close, she also knows they need to talk this out. Cuddling can come later. 

A shaky sigh ran through Wheein’s body, “Or how they…….how they seem confident enough to walk up to you and ask you out.”

Wheein’s face became hidden behind hair and limbs. 

Hyejin contemplated. She knows that she would have acted the same if she were in Wheein’s position so why is she being all high and mighty about this? What possible confession could come from this conversation?

“Hmm. Wheein-ah?”

A small humm was the only response.

“How far will you go for me?”

Wheein’s head shot up at the question. How far will she go for Hyejin? How far? That answer is obvious.

“Wheein-ah, tell me.” Hyejin moved closer in order to caress Wheein’s face. 

“Until you tell me to stop. Well, unless there is a chance of possible bodily harm to you.”

There was a glint in Hyejin’s eye that made Wheein nervous and it made her talk in a small stream of consciousness. She’s seen the glint pop up once or twice but it quickly went away but this? Hyejin’s gaze was full of it. It stirred something within her again, but now she was hyper aware of it. It stirred something within her and it needed to be taken care of. Preferably by Hyejin.

Hyejin tenderly kissed Wheein. It was probably the most tender kiss since their first one and Wheein absolutely melted under it. The feelings that stirred within them both needed a release. 

The tender kiss soon turned passionate and hot. Wheein couldn’t help but moan as she kissed back. It was passionate. It was hot. It was hungry.

Hyejin’s right hand s its way onto Wheein’s back. She could only gasp at the sudden touch. But not a gasp of shock. But a gasp of yearning. In one fluid motion it unclasped Wheein’s bra. Instead of leaving, the hand stayed on Wheein’s back as Hyejin guided her down. All the while, Wheein squirmed and writhed underneath Hyejin and her touch. And once Hyejin removed Wheein’s top garments, she took a moment to marvel at the sight before her. Wheein’s panting, Wheein’s flushed face, Wheein’s eyes begging, desperate, for more, and one side of her body being illuminated by the soft lamp light and the other side being illuminated by the soft moonlight. A work of art that not even the great masterminds of old could recreate. She let out a moan before kissing Wheein again and began to move downwards.

Wheein’s soft little cries and whimpers echoed in the room as Hyejin made her way downwards. Every nerve on her body was on fire. Desperately crying out for release. But Hyejin took her time. Savoring each cry, whimper and moan that escaped Wheein’s mouth. Hyejin’s hand roamed Wheein’s bare torso, causing more whimpering and squirming. It was driving Wheein mad. 

But before Wheein could say anything, Hyejin finally stopped teasing. Her own hunger and nerves begging for a substance, Hyejin used her free hand as a guide. As the hand glided across Wheein’s sensitive torso, Hyejin’s mouth and tongue followed soon afterwards. 

The only thing Wheein could do in order to keep as quiet as possible was to bury her hands into Hyejin’s mane and mutter the only thing she could say. Hyejin’s name. 

Soon enough, Wheein felt a tug at the band of her pants. Tugging, asking for permission to enter. And even if Wheein desperately wanted, needed, to give that permission, she found out that she couldn’t. 

She couldn’t.

She’s scared.

Hyejin stopped and looked at Wheein.

“Wheein-ah?” Uttered so softly that Wheein could barely hear her.

“I….” Wheein couldn’t even look at Hyejin. She just turned and curled into a ball as best she could.

Hyejin paused for a moment. Contemplating if she should comfort Wheein. She knows she should but she’s also aware of how bare Wheein is right now compared to her fully clothed self. It feels like she should turn away to give Wheein some privacy at least. But she saw Wheein’s body shake and began to hear soft sniffles.

it.

“Wheein-ah.” Hyejin tenderly said as she gave Wheein a hug.

A simple hug. A supportive hug. No hidden intent behind this hug. Just a hug to let Wheein know that Hyejin’s here for her.

“I’m sorry…..” Wheein managed to utter out. 

She’s sorry but worst yet, she’s sorry that she can’t explain it.

“It’s alright. If you don’t want to then we don’t have to.” Hyejin laid down and pulled Wheein on top of her and began Wheein’s hair. 

“But you--”

“But nothin! If you don’t want to do it then that’s that. I don’t want you to force yourself to do something you don’t wanna do because of me.” Hyejin gave Wheein a squeeze hug,

It was the comforting squeeze that finally broke Wheein and she started to sob. Crying over how she couldn’t give Hyejin what she wanted. Crying over how she couldn’t even give herself what she wanted. Crying over realising why she’s scared.

Scared of Hyejin finally leaving her since what else is there to do.

As if sensing her thoughts, Hyejin spoke to Wheein’s unspoken fears.

“You know, I’m not going to leave you, right? I love you and I want to be with you and only you. The only way I’ll leave you is if you turned out to be an evil mastermind hellbent on destroying the earth.”

Still in a stupor, Wheein only caught the tail end of Hyejin’s words. She couldn’t help but chuckle at them.

“Only the earth?” Wheein asked as she began to calm down. Thanks to Hyejin’s ability to insert humor into the most unusual places, and to the soft stoking of her heart.

“I assume destroying the earth would mean actually ending people's lives so yea.”

Wheein felt the comforting vibrations of Hyejin’s laughter. She couldn’t help but smile and play along with Hyejin. The intimate moment from before was tucked away inside their memories. The raw moment from before has been addressed and resolved. Now was the time to enjoy the ocean of the night and it’s soft waves as they discuss the morals and ethics of one life over many lives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The clock ticked on and Wheein was on the verge of finally falling asleep. She briefly wonders how Hyejin was still breathing under her but the soft snores eased her worries. But there was one last thing to do. One thing to admit.

So, after getting comfortable on top of Hyejin, Wheein admitted something to Hyejin’s sleeping form. Admitted one thing before the darkness of sleep overtook her.

“I love you, Hyejin-ah”