All she could do was nervously chew as the dragon stared. The calm orange rays of the sun turned into a subdued fire that bounced across her hospital room. The heat was lazy but she still felt cold. The intense gaze the dragon was giving her was endless and it shook her soul. 

“You want to strangle me, huh?” Hyejin finally broke the silence. She didn’t have an appetite and it was harder to eat with a non dominant hand than she thought. Maybe by the time she’s healed she’ll be ambidextrous. Besides, hospital food is the worst so she wasn’t missing much. Maybe she can get someone to sneak in a real meal later.

“Not strangle you,” The dragon cooly answered. 

“Shake me?” Hyejin nervously looked at the poised dragon.

“A little bit,” The dragon answered honestly.

Hyejin sighed and looked away. No doubt the dragon and the hamster had to deal with a distraught Wheein. She can’t blame the dragon for wanting to end her though. Afterall, she did make that vow, that resolve, and broke it. 

“But, as much as I want to shake sense into you,” The dragon continued, “I can’t bring myself to.”

Hyejin glanced at the dragon. Yong continued to stare at her but her look changed. Instead of the cool and calculating dragon it was now the look of a worried mother. 

“Huh?” Hyejin was confused. She expected to be scolded by the dragon, heavily. But this? What was this? 

“You learned something that took me three years to learn,” Yong’s voice sounded distant and soft. As if she wasn’t talking to Hyejin, but to someone else. 

“Three years??” Hyejin felt like she could step on a mine at any given moment. That any wrong move and the dragon would come back with a vengeance. But the dragon never came. 

“Long story short, I also ran from Byul once. Unlike you, I didn’t have the courage to face her so I just left in the middle of the night,” Yong’s gaze was distant as she recalled those memories.

“Why three years?” Hyejin wanted to know more but she didn’t want to push her luck. 

“Byul wanted commitment through marriage and I couldn’t see myself being married,” Yong chuckled, “So, like any dumb kid, I ran. And it took me three years to reach the conclusion that you had.”

“I thought you said you weren’t eavesdropping?”

“I’m a mom. We don’t eavesdrop, we just hear things,” Yong grinned before her worried look came back, “As much as you did hurt Wheein, I’m glad you two were able to reconcile and come to an understanding. But, like you said, seeing Wheein heartbroken once was enough for me and I won’t let her go through that again.”

The dragon’s gaze was back and filled with a fiery passion.

“I won’t control her, or micromanage her, but just know that I’m watching.” The dragon’s warning was ominous enough that it sent a shiver down Hyejin’s spine.

“And judging?”

“Only a little bit. I know you love her with all of your heart so I know you won’t hurt her, but that doesn’t matter,” The dragon rose, “You hurt her once, you’re capable of doing it again.”

“I won’t.” Hyejin met the dragon’s gaze with her own. She knows that Wheein will probably worry about her leaving again. Like Yong said, she did it once, she can do it again. But that’s why she needs to prove herself. As many times as she needs to. She’ll never leave Wheein ever again unless Wheein asks her to. 

“Is that your resolve?” The dragon stood tall over Hyejin that she was in the dragon’s shadow.

“My resolve is to make Wheein happy and support her in whatever does make her happy as long as she let’s me,” Hyejin looked up at Yong. Her own gaze not backing down from the intimidating dragon’s stare, “I don’t want her to force herself to let me back in either just because she thinks I’m the only choice….”

Hyejin trailed off. Midway she lost her train of thought and forgot where she was going with this.

“Don’t worry. I’ll gladly be that outside perspective as much as I can,” Yong reached over towards Hyejin, “But for now…”

Hyejin stilled. Yong’s shadow stretched over her and all she felt was fear as Yong’s hand came towards her. Closer and closer, inch by inch, Hyejin barely breathed. 

Once Yong’s hand got close enough, she reached down to grab a napkin.

“For now you need to focus on becoming less of a messy eater with your right hand. Look at you, got crumbs all over your face,” Yong chastised as she wiped off the mess from Hyejin’s mouth.

“H-hey!” Hyejin whined, “I need some time!”

“Are you killing the cub or what, Yong?” Byul popped into view.

“This cub is a messy eater.”

“I’m getting used to it!” Hyejin huffed as she tried to squirm away from Yong’s attempt at making her clean.

“Wow, the fact that you are so lively is a testament to your youth and strength,” Byul finally reached Yong’s side and she sagely nodded.

“What’s that supposed to mean??” Hyejin continued to whine as she accepted her fate as Yong wiped her face. 

“Nothing, just musing out loud,” Byul lazily wrapped an arm around Yong’s waist, “How are you doing?”

“Sleepy and I feel like lead,” Hyejin answered honestly.

“Then we’ll leave you to catch a few winks. We’ll be back later, ok?” Byul tugged at Yong to leave. 

“Can you bring a treat when you do?” Hyejin pouted.

“A treat or a real meal?” Byul grinned as she pushed Yong out before the dragon could object.

“Both!” Hyejin immediately beamed. She wanted something more sustaining than bare minimum nutrition. Can she have an outside meal? Probably not but that’s not stopping her.

“Hah! Alright, we’ll sneak in a meal for you,” Byul waved as she finally left the room and prevented Yong from coming back in.

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

With Ms. Manju finally settled, Wheein wandered through the hospital wing. She couldn’t exactly go back to Hyejin, her mom currently took that spot, so what else can she do besides wander?

She became a ghost in the hallways. Careful to avoid all the nurses and walking patients as much as possible. And as she walked, she contemplated. 

She said she would help Hyejin, but how? They aren’t living together nor do they have similar schedules. So, how can she effectively and efficiently be helpful? What can she do? Is there anything she can do?

Try as she might, no idea came to her. And as her mind remained empty, her heart cried. The time that Hyejin needed her the most and she can’t do anything. Useless, that’s what she thought. That’s the only thing she thought.  She clenched her fist as she fought off the tears that tinged her field of vision. 

“So, what are you going to do, Ji Yeon?” 

Wheein stopped herself from turning the corner once she heard the familiar voice. It was Min-ah.

“The week itself is fine, we have similar enough schedules and Sujeong can take care of the gaps as well as evenings….” Ji Yeon sounded tired. 

“What about the weekends? With both of you working then--” Min-ah began before Ji Yeon cut him off.

“Hyejin’s mom said they can take her…..” Despite how clear cut the answer was Ji Yeon sounded reluctant. As if the answer wasn’t her ideal.

“Ji Yeon…..” Min-ah muttered.

“Hyejin has no where else to go, and you know how she is. She has changed but her core has remained the same. Still the same headstrong Hwasa….” Ji Yeon gave a ghostly chuckle, “And it’s not like you can take her in on the weekends. She needs someone to look after her and make sure that--”

“But does Hyejin want to put that extra strain on her parents?” Min-ah’s voice shifted. Seems like he moved.

Wheein listened intently. She knows she shouldn’t but how else would she know about this? It’s not like she can ask if it wasn’t a problem she knew about. This is the best chance to get the full picture without any risk of information being withheld just because she’s Hyejin’s ex. 

Her heart lurched at the thought. Just thinking about being Hyejin’s ex left her heart in disarray. She had long accepted the fact but that doesn’t mean she feels less empty. 

“What else can we do, Min-ah? There’s only so much we can do to help her during this final fall semester,” Ji Yeon sighed as it was clear that she was at her wits end. 

“I can take her in on the weekends,”  Wheein finally stepped around the corner and walked towards them. 

Min-ah leaned against the wall, just across from the sitting Ji Yeon. He was still in his police uniform and Ji Yeon had the restaurant uniform on. It was obvious that Ji Yeon immediately left work in order to come here. 

“Wheein!” Min-ah looked at her with surprise and joy. Surprised to see her here since he knows about the break up, and joy since it’s been forever since he had last seen her in person. 

“Hey, how are you?” Wheein awkwardly said as she finally made it next to them. She came up to them full of resolve but that melted away as soon as she realised that this was an awkward reunion.

“I’m doing good. Never thought something like this would get us back all together,” Min-ah nervously chuckled. 

“Hyejin has the ability to bring people together no matter the circumstance,” Ji Yeon gave a small grin as she nodded at Wheein in greeting. 

“How are you feeling?” Min-ah tenderly asked.

“How she’s feeling?? What about you, Min-ah,” Ji Yeon spoke up, “You were one of the first officers on the scene.”

Wheein’s eyes widened in surprise. If Min-ah was the first one on the scene then that means he saw Hyejin in that disastrous state. He saw Hyejin bloodied and covered in debris.

“I’m at that level where things haven’t fully registered since I’ve been keeping myself busy,” Min-ah shuffled in place.

“I noticed,” Ji Yeon pointedly said.

“But no doubt I would be lying awake in bed later. It’s a miracle that she got away with the injuries she did,” Min-ah’s voice faded as he recalled the horrid scene. As much as he wanted to tell them, he couldn’t. He couldn’t tell them how he had to see Hyejin, who at times seemed bigger than the world, small and defenseless as she laid there covered in her own blood and debris. He couldn’t tell them about the giant shelf thing that trapped Hyejin’s leg or the light that crushed her arm or the shards of glass that gave a wicked gash on the left side of her face. He couldn’t tell them about the metal spike that came close to impaling her. No, he couldn’t tell them that imagery.  

Wheein opened to ask more about it but she stopped herself. If Min-ah told her the extent of what Hyejin had been through she knows that her soul and heart would shatter. She was already hurting due to Hyejin’s injuries but if she learned that Hyejin was close to death then she wouldn't know what to do or how to handle it. Better off not knowing less she let’s that knowledge fog her judgement. 

“Hyejin had always been a miracle worker,” Ji Yeon muttered before she straightened and looked at Wheein in the eyes, “Anyways, what do you mean you’ll take her in on the weekends?”

“As it means. I told her that I’ll help her and if that means taking her in for a little while then so be it,” Wheein shrugged. She saw the intense gaze Ji Yeon was giving her and she can’t blame Ji Yeon for being a little bit defensive. She doesn't know how Hyejin was during the break up but she does know that Ji Yeon had to deal with it. Her heart squeezed at the thought that Hyejin was just as distraught as she was during that time. 

“Really? Even though you guys aren’t a thing anymore?” Min-ah asked.

“Just because we aren’t a thing doesn’t mean I stopped caring about her as a person. My main concern right now is that Hyejin recovers,” Wheein answered honestly. 

“Are you sure it won’t be awkward?” Ji Yeon asked. Her gaze still intense as ever as she tried to get insight on what Wheein is thinking.

“It might be,” Wheein sighed, “But like I said, my main focus is helping Hyejin-ah, to the best of my abilities, as she recovers. Anything beyond that will be dealt with later.”

“Wow, I applaud your ability to be level headed about this,” Min-ah said as he gave a small clap, “Hyejin’s lucky to have you in her life.”

Ji Yeon opened to question Wheein more but was cut off by a new voice.

“Oh, there you--Wheein?”

Wheein turned to face the new voice and felt her lower lip tremble as she tried to keep face.

“Mrs. Ahn…..I--”

Before Wheein could utter another word, Mrs. Ahn enveloped her in a warm hug. Even if they didn’t exchange words, the hug was enough to convey a whole conversation. And Wheein finally let her tears fall freely.

As Mrs. Ahn held Wheein close, Ji Yeon and Min-ah quietly remained off to the side. Neither broke the tender moment between the two. As Wheein was finally reduced to sniffling, Mrs. Ahn held her out at arms length, her own eyes glistening with tears, and spoke.

“It’s been so long. How have you been, sweetie?” Mrs. Ahn spoke to her as if she was a long lost daughter. 

“I’ve been….” Wheein paused as she briefly contemplated just how much she should tell Mrs. Ahn, “I’ve been better…”

“Understandable. Today has been a long one…..” Mrs. Ahn’s voice shook as she sighed. 

“Here, sit down,” Wheein ushered Mrs. Ahn towards the empty seat next to Ji Yeon, “How are you?”

“Thank you. And I’ve been better too. I thought her going to Spain was dangerous and yet….” Mrs. Ahn sighed again, “And yet she got hurt here…..”

Mrs. Ahn’s lower lip quivered as she wiped her eyes clear.

“Anyway, did you figure anything for the weekend? It’s alright if you haven't,” Mrs. Ahn directed her question towards Ji Yeon. 

“Well, about that….” Ji Yeon gestured towards Wheein to fill in.

“I can take her in for the weekends,” Wheein stated.

“Wheein! You don’t have to, sweetie. No need to--” Mrs. Ahn started. 

“It’s fine, Mrs. Ahn! I told Hyejin-ah that I would help, and if that means taking her in on the weekends until she’s recovered then that’s fine with me,” Wheein grabbed Mrs. Ahn hand and held on tight. Letting her resolve transfer through her grip.

“But Wheein--” Mrs. Ahn tried to protest again.

“It’s fine, please. I don’t want you to stress about having to come all the way to campus to pick her up and drop her off, especially with traffic nowadays,” Wheein squeezed Mrs. Ahn hand to convey herself as much as possible. 

“You always were such a sweetheart,” Mrs. Ahn smiled at Wheein and reached up to pinch her cheek, “At least let us take her for a weekend or two. I’m sure school will have you being a busy beaver.”

“That sounds good,” Wheein grinned. It felt nice having her cheek pinched by Mrs. Ahn. Way better than having her cheeks being pinched by her parents that's for sure. 

“Well, at least we have option B settled,” Mrs. Ahn said as she slapped her knees and got up.

“Option B???” Wheein asked as she looked at Min-ah and Ji Yeon for clarification.

“Option A was what we were originally discussing. Hyejin stays at my place for the week and then she heads home for the weekend. But, given how bored she gets sometimes, and her need for nature, we were trying to come up with an alternative that easily bounced off A,” Ji Yeon explained. 

“But, it’s still up to Hyejin,” Mrs. Ahn added. 

Wheein nodded. Of course it will be up to Hyejin. But another thought crossed her mind. What if Hyejin doesn’t want to go with her on the weekends? What can she do then?

“Ms. Manju please!! Get back in your room!”

A nurse’s voice called out.

“Ah, she’s hellbent on breaking out of here,” Mrs. Ahn chuckled.

“Ms. Manju, wait!! Do--Ow!!”

It was Wheein’s mother.

“O-Oh my. Did someone give her a stick again?” Mrs. Ahn directed her question to all three of them.

“I took her stick away so I don’t know where she got another one,” Wheein answered with wide eyes. Where did Ms. Manju keep getting sticks from?

“I have a prevailing theory that Ms. Manju is actually a cryptid or a trickster god that’s here to keep us on our toes and push us in the right direction,” Min-ah said as he stared at the ground. 

“Min-ah…..What the ??” Ji Yeon said as she squinted her eyes at him.

“Aish, Min-ah, why are you still here? Go home already, it’s been a long day for you!” Mrs. Ahn chastised. 

“But Mrs. Ahn, I--” Min-ah’s voice sounded like a little boy.

“No buts! Hyejin’s fine and you need to be in tip top shape for whatever tomorrow may throw at you!” Mrs. Ahn began to push him towards the exit. Despite their size difference, Min-ah easily towered over the tiny Mrs. Ahn, he was no match for her. 

“Mrs.  Ahn I---” Min-ah began.

“Ms. Manju, please! I just--Ow! WHy are you only hitting me??” 

“You think any of my hits will have any effect on Yong? No!” Ms. Manju huffed.

A strained whine emanated through the halls as Wheein’s mother came to terms with the fact that she’s the target.

“Wheein, you think you can see to it that Min-ah leaves and takes rest? I’ll go see to Ms. Manju with Ji Yeon’s help,” Mrs. Ahn asked as she stopped pushing Min-ah out.

“Oh, uh, sure?” Wheein gave her uncertain answer.

“Good! Come along, Ji Yeon. We have a battle ahead of us.”

Ji Yeon got up with a sigh to follow.

 “I thought you took care of Ms. Manju, Wheein,” Ji Yeon said as she passed by.

“I took away her stick! I don’t know where she keeps getting more!” Wheein exclaimed at Ji Yeon and Mrs. Ahn’s retreating form.

After a moment, she was alone with Min-ah.

“I still think she’s a trickster deity,” Min-ah muttered.

“If she is then can’t she just speed up Hyejin’s healing process?” Wheein sighed as she turned towards Min-ah.

“I don’t think trickster deities work that way,” Min-ah grinned at her.

“Then maybe I need to have a chat with her again,” Wheein huffed as she started to Min-ah out.

They walked in silence. Easily finding comfort in the other’s presence. Both briefly reminisce about their times in highschool. But, as Wheein remembered the good times she had with Hyejin and friends, Min-ah remembered about his crush on Wheein. 

Seeing her again now, after all these years, brought those feelings back up. Try as he might, he couldn’t get rid of them. Especially since, by all accounts, Wheein’s single now. 

“Hey, Wheein….” Min-ah said in a whisper as the both stood outside the hospital.

“Yes?” Wheein looked at him expectantly.

“How have you really been since the break up?” Min-ah knew he probably shouldn’t ask but the pain in his own heart wouldn’t go away.

Wheein looked at him before turning her gaze to stare into the distance. 

“Numb. I tried to get over Hyejin, trust me I tried,” Wheein chuckled at herself. Like she was a fool for trying.

“Tried?” Min-ah felt his heart rise with hope. 

“With So-Yoon. We tried for a month or so before summer break but it just,” Wheein shrugged, “It didn’t feel right.”

“What do you mean?”

“I liked her well enough, and when she confessed I thought that maybe I should try to get over Hyejin. So, I tried.”

“It only lasted a month?” Min-ah felt like he was prying but his hopeful heart wouldn’t let him rest.

Wheein’s gaze stayed affix onto the field that was across the hospital. 

“Yea...I mean, she was nice and all but….But everything felt wrong. Her touch, her kiss….At first I thought I was just being weird since I was only used to Hyejin doing those things, but that feeling never went away. No matter how many times I forced myself to let it happen.”

“Wheein…”

“Don’t worry, it never got far. She caught on to the fact of how adverse I was to her touching me that she eventually stopped trying,” Wheein sighed. 

“Did she at least treat you well?” Min-ah softly asked. 

“She was amazing. She was nice and never went beyond what I was comfortable with but…” Wheein paused to gather herself, “It was the little things, you know?”

Min-ah shook his head, “What do you mean?”

“I mean the little things that she did was what bothered me the most. She was flirtatious to everyone and even led them on. Like, she always took into consideration my feelings but never considered others feelings. She would also just talk at me too. She would tell me things endlessly and never asked about my opinion. If she did then it was to only confirm what she felt to begin with. If I told her something that contradicted her then she would ignore what I said and move on,” Wheein clenched her fist as she felt frustration rise.

Min-ah stood silent to let Wheein vent her frustrations.

“She’s an amazing musician, but she never bothered to help others. She gave out critiques left and right but never gave pointers either. Sure, she pushed me to try new things in order to get me out of the apartment and off campus, but how could I enjoy myself when she never helped anyone that was struggling. I tried my best to help others but all she did was shake her head at me and question why I helped.”

Min-ah continued to stay silent. This was the most he’s ever heard Wheein talk. And he was beginning to see why it didn’t work out.

“If I got interested in something that she herself didn’t show me then she wouldn’t even ask about it. It….” Wheein paused, realising she was getting worked up again, “I thought I could try with her, even with my adverse reaction to her touch, but it didn’t matter anyway. She was the type of person I don’t want to be with.”

“What kind of person do you want to be with?” Min-ah asked before he could stop himself.

“There’s only one person I want to be with, Min-ah,” Wheein chuckled.

“Why not give someone else a chance? Someone that doesn’t have those little things that bothered you,” Min-ah knew this was stupid. He knows that now isn’t the time to shoot his shot but if not now, then when? If Wheein’s going to take in Hyejin on weekends then it’s only a matter of time before they get back together.

“What? Who?” Wheein asked as she looked at him again. Her confused puppy face fully on display.

Min-ah took a breath and straightened his shoulders. It was now or never. 

“Why not me?”

Wheein blinked.

And blinked again.

“Whee--”

“No.”

Wheein’s facial expression didn’t change as she stared at him. She didn’t let the immediate disgust she felt see the light of day. She likes Min-ah, but the thought of being anything more than friends sent a strong wave of disgust through her body that she almost gagged. 

“Why?” Min-ah didn’t feel rage or anger. Afterall, this was expected.

“Being with So-Yoon, even for a short while, showed me just how rare someone like Hyejin is. Yea, Hyejin and I had our arguments and fights, but it was mostly over superficial things and that was it. Never once did we have a clash of character or morals.  And besides, I don’t like guys.”

“Well , if I knew that then I would’ve never asked!” Min-ah smacked his forehead with a groan.

“You didn’t know??”

“No! Hyejin attracts all sorts of people so I just assumed that everyone she’s dated is either bi or pan. , I’m sorry, Wheein,” Min-ah apologised as his shoulders sagged. He made a mental note to check his assumptions.

Wheein giggled as she patted his shoulder.

“It’s alright. I don’t think I ever said it outloud before so it’s not your fault,” Wheein grinned at him.

“Well, I think that’s my cue to leave then. Tell Hyejin I’ll check in on her tomorrow, ok?” Min-ah started his way towards his car

“I’ll tell her,” Wheein waved goodbye until he was out of sight.

She stood there for a moment more. Enjoying the silence around her and in her mind. 

“Wow, Wheeinie, I’m glad your friends are mature.”

“Mother??”

Wheein turned to see her mother coming out of the bushes and hunched over with a bundle underneath her jacket. It was clear she was trying to hide something. 

“Wh--What are you doing??” 

“Hyejin wanted a real meal before we left so I got her one after escaping Ms. Manju’s wrath,” Her mother nonchalantly answered with a shrug.

“So you’re…..smuggling in food??” Wheein could only stare at her mother. She wanted to ask about the bush but she had enough whiplash for today.

“Yes, yes I am. Besides, it’s an easy enough smuggling job. Not like the other ones I’ve done.”

“Oh, ok,” Wheein nodded in acceptance before her mother’s words were truly processed in her mind, “Wait, WHAT??”

“Oh, there you are,” Her mom opened the door to see her daughter and wife.

“Mom, what does mother mean by ‘easy enough smuggling job’ ??” 

“You got it, Byul? Good, the next nurse doesn’t come by till another hour or so, and the ones that do pass by doing their routes go by rough set intervals.”

“Mom, what the ?” Wheein could only stare at her parents with wide worried eyes.

“It isn’t what you think, I think?” Yong said as she ushered Byul in and beckoned Wheein to do the same. 

“What do you mean?? It’s obvious what I think!” Wheein exclaimed as she went inside to follow her parents back to Hyejin’s room.

“Shh! Wheeinie, you’ll give away our position,” Byul chastised.

“Why are you guys my parents? Why must I be your offspring?” Wheein started to question her existence for the umpteenth time. 

“We’re your parents because it was destiny,” Yong grinned as Byul went on ahead. 

Wheein could hear the Mission Impossible theme song in her head as she witnessed her hamster of a mother try to sneak her way back to Hyejin’s room.

“I hope I’m not like you guys when I’m a parent….” Wheein muttered.

Wheein didn’t notice her mom stopped walking and bumped into her.

“M-mom??” Wheein asked with concern laced in her voice. She saw how frozen her mom was. Seeing her mom being still rang the alarms in her head.

“Wheein….” Yong whispered before whipping around to hug Wheein with such a force that Wheein only had time to let out a squeak. 

“M-mom, I can’t breathe,” Wheein strained to say.

Yong held Wheein out at arms length.

“Wheein! You want to be a parent one day?” Yong was beaming at the thought. Her smile was big and her eyes glistened with unshed happy tears.

“I--We can talk about this later!” Wheein’s face flushed as she realised she slipped. She tried to wiggle out of her way out of the dragon’s grasp but it was of no use.

“Alright, alright. I’ll ask again when we’re home~” Yong let her go and went ahead. All while smiling.

Wheein had a moment to gather herself. She felt drained and all she wanted to do was sleep. Now that everything was settled, she just wanted to get back to Hyejin.

Well, after her parents leave the room of course.