It took her another couple of seconds of reading the text message over and over to finally get the hint. Whether it was from spending time with Hyejin for so long, or just from memorizing the city’s layout, she knew where Hyejin was. Without a second thought, and without dropping the funnel cake, Wheein bolted towards the alley.

Skidding to stop, Wheein scanned the narrow area. Ignoring all the strange glances and hush whispers of people passing by, Wheein squared her shoulders and strode in. Multiple dumpsters and piles of trash lined the walls and there was still no sign of Hyejin or an alley cat. Hyejin was small, but not that small. 

As she continued walking, she kept her ears on alert. Hyper aware of any little bump in the well lit alleyway. But, for a good solid minute or two, she only heard the sound of her echoing footsteps. And the sound of her own heartbeat increasing every second she goes without finding any sign of Hyejin. 

It was only halfway down the alley did panic finally start to creep into her heart again. Sure, it was like Hyejin to vanish when no one is looking, but, Hyejin would quickly pop back up again. This was the longest she had gone without Hyejin suddenly appearing out of nowhere. It also didn’t help that Hyejin was still physically handicapped. 

“Hyejin-ah!” Wheein finally gave in and started to cry out for her. 

Waiting a moment, she finally heard signs of life. 

One of the dumpsters ahead of her groaned forward just a little bit as she heard struggling.

“Hyejin-ah!” Wheein didn’t hesitate to run towards the sound. 

As she came to the dumpster, she saw Hyejin’s crutch that was haphazardly thrown onto a couple of trash bags. But still no sign of Hyejin herself. Only the grunting and groaning of a struggle. 

“Wheein-ah! Wait right there! I got the little critter!”

Wheein obeyed without question but that didn’t ease her heart. With no visual on Hyejin, only hearing her struggling, Wheein could only nervously shift her weight from foot to foot. She only became still as she saw the dumpster slowly make its way forward and saw Hyejin’s arm peeking out from behind with something in her hand.

“Got it!” 

After a brief wave of her arm in victory, Hyejin finally popped out behind the dumpster. She had a broad smile on her face as dirt and grime decorated her entire body. Her clothes were clearly ruined but it’s obvious that Hyejin didn’t care. As much as Wheein wanted to reprimand Hyejin for leaving without warning or any indication where she was doing, she couldn’t. She found herself melting at the sight of brightness in Hyejin’s eye. The fact that it glowed and sparkled with such vivid and powerful life, Wheein couldn’t help but give Hyejin a dorky smile.

“The alley cat?” Wheein asked as she finally joined Hyejin to wipe some dirt off her face as she looked at what Hyejin was holding.

As Wheein wiped Hyejin’s face with a napkin, Hyejin could only give a proud grin. She missed Wheein’s touch and felt herself give a sigh as soon as Wheein’s fingertips brushed against her bare cheek. Despite the brief touch, it felt like a million burdens were lifted from her shoulders. 

“Alley cat!” Hyejin brought the little bundle in front of her and in front of Wheein’s face.

Wheein blinked and examined the small creature in Hyejin’s grasp. Hyejin’s fingers wrapped around the squirming kitten like a protective cage. The poor creature was tiny but still so full of fire. It was mewling and trying it’s best to bite it’s way out of Hyejin’s hand. 

“How in the world did you find this little kitter kat?” Wheein asked as she continued to look at the entrapped creature. 

“I heard it’s cries,” Hyejin continued to proudly grin before realisation hit her and her grin fell, “Sorry for not telling you and just leaving…..”

“Hyejin-ah….” Wheein straightened up and Hyejin felt her heart skip a beat, “It’s alright.”

“But I--”

“You left to help a helpless creature. How could I be upset at you?”

“But--”

“Hyejin-ah, please,” Wheein chuckled as she started to lead Hyejin out of the alley and back to civilization, “Though, to be honest, if I found you all bloody again I would be a tad upset.”

Hyejin blinked as she carefully held the feisty creature close to her chest. As much as she wanted to ask why Wheein would be upset, she stopped herself. She wanted to enjoy Wheein’s touch for just a little bit longer.

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

She jerkingly ate the rest of the funnel cake as she waited for Wheein to return back from the store. The cool evening was starting to turn into a cold night as she waited. Wheein said they could take in the feisty kitty for the night and go to the vet in the morning. Hence why Wheein was at the store as Hyejin patiently waited for her on one of the benches just outside. Wheein was gathering supplies so it shouldn’t be long before she came back. For once she was glad that there was a store at the bottom of the apartments.

Hyejin excitedly swung her leg as she felt another grin make it’s way on her face as she thought about Wheein and her taking care of a small kitten. Said kitten currently snuggled itself into her palm and finally fell asleep. Maybe she can talk Ji Yeon into adopting the kitten once it was old enough and a bit stronger.

“Wow, even now you’re still causing problems.”

Hyejin’s grin immediately fell at the sound of the accusing voice. 

“What’s that supposed to mean, So-yoon?” Hyejin growled out.  She glared at So-yoon and saw how flushed So-yoon looked and the smell of alcohol easily made its way to Hyejin’s nostrils. Someone was bar hopping, that’s for sure. 

“You ruined her, you know?” So-yoon swayed as she aggressively pointed at Hyejin. 

As much as Hyejin wanted to bite back, she didn’t. Nothing was going to ruin her night with Wheein. So-yoon isn’t worth it.

“She would’ve been amazing to have,” So-yoon continued to slur as she continued to point at Hyejin. 

Hyejin gritted her teeth and glared. She just wanted a nice night with Wheein, but apparently not. Why is it that it seems like anyone else that had ever had an interest in Wheein was only interested like one is in collecting valuables? Wheein is a person, not a collection piece. Yes, Wheein is amazing and wonderful and the closest definition to perfect that a mere human can be, but that doesn’t mean anyone could just “have” her. It’s Wheein’s choice, no one elses.

“Why don’t you just leave?” Hyejin’s voice was ice. Mentally cursing at being unable to do nothing but sit. Why can’t she just heal already?

“How can I? You are the source of a majority of her problems!” So-yoon exclaimed as she leaned against the table. Dangerously coming close to squishing Hyejin’s hand that was covering that kitten. 

Hyejin’s focus was on keeping the kitten safe. Before she could even retaliate, So-yoon continued to talk. Never given Hyejin the chance to counter.

“Like I said, you ruined her. Her expectations and standard were set way damn high! As much as I looked forward to you leaving her, I never thought it would mean that I could never have a chance! I tried too!”

Hyejin bit her tongue. The kitten began to stir.

“I tried being a good girlfriend, but nothing was good enough. I tried to guide her to more normal standards but she didn’t get it! As gentle as I could, she would never let me touch her, and--”

“What the are you doing, So-yoon?” Wheein’s voice was cold as steel. 

So-yoon whipped around with such speed that she almost fell over. 

“Whee--” So-yoon began.

“Why are you bothering Hyejin-ah?” Wheein pressed. 

“I--” So-yoon started to sputter out an excuse. 

“Just go away, So-yoon. There’s no reason for you to be bothering us,” Wheein nodded towards Hyejin as an unspoken sign that it was time to go. 

As Wheein and Hyejin began to walk off, So-yoon was still blubbering. And in her desperate drunken stupor, she made the mistake of reaching out towards Wheein. A motion that Hyejin easily noticed and just as easily blocked by inserting herself between So-yoon and Wheein. 

“Don’t you in’ dare,” Hyejin growled. She may be handicapped but that won’t stop her from fighting if need be. A crutch would make for a fine blunt weapon and could easily keep the distance. 

“What--” So-yoon stumbled backwards in shock. 

“Don’t bother, Hyejin-ah. She isn’t worth it,” Wheein tugged at Hyejin’s sleeve to bring her back to attention. Although she had to admit, it made her heart squeeze when she saw the familiar lion that she loves. A familiar lion with a familiar fire in her eye. 

Hyejin nodded in acknowledgement and followed Wheein back to the apartment.

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

Despite how weak the kitten looked originally, it surprised the both of them with how active it was. If anything, this kitten was just the runt that was left behind. A kitten that was currently trapezing all over Hyejin’s body like it was exploring a playground. 

“You barely got clean and you already got little paw prints all over you,” Wheein said as she stood in the bathroom doorway and dried her hair. 

“I think we’ve bonded,” Hyejin said as she waved a finger tauntingly in front of the kitten, “I thought this little fella was on death’s door but apparently not.”

Wheein chuckled as she tossed the towel into the hamper before joining Hyejin on the bed. Both of their focus was on the kitten that was proudly stamping about on Hyejin’s stomach. Hyejin stifled a laugh as to not knock the kitten off balance, but Wheein did the laughing for her.

“And here I bought all of those supplies and this kitten has the audacity to turn their nose to it,” Wheein chuckled as she gently bopped the kitten on the head. 

The kitten let out a small defiant mew before stomping towards Wheein’s offending finger. Almost tumbling off if it were not for Hyejin’s and Wheein’s quick reaction. Both of their hands laid atop on one another as they provided a cushion for the stumbling kitten.

“You know, Hyejin-ah, I think this kitten is your soul cat,” Wheein said as she gently guided the kitten onto the impromptu bed that was nestled between her and Hyejin.

“Hm? Why ya say that?” Hyejin watched as the kitten proudly stomped around on the bed as it explored the new territory. 

“Reminds me of you,” Wheein lazily grinned as her focus remained on the trotting kitten. 

“Are you calling me a runt?!” Hyejin exaggerated her pout. 

“I was calling you cute and adorable but if that’s what you got then sure,” Wheein shrugged.  A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. How she missed Hyejin’s banter.

“So a cute, adorable, runt then?” Hyejin’s hurtful act cracked and a grin broke onto her face. 

“With the right amount of spice,” Wheein sleepily smiled at Hyejin. Her eyes slowly began to fall.

“Spice?” Hyejin softly asked as she saw Wheein begin to doze off.

“Yea, spice,” Wheein yawned and her hand ceased to tease the kitten. And as her hand laid still upon the kitten’s bed, said kitten took this opportunity to climb all over Wheein’s hand like conquered land. 

“Define spice.” Hyejin had to fight the urge to move some locks of hair from Wheein’s face. As much as her senses begged to feel Wheein’s skin, she denied herself the pleasure. She hasn’t earned that right back.

“Ya know, spice,” Wheein paused for a moment, “The way you fight for things that you believe in. And the fact that you aren’t afraid to fight. It’s nice.”

“Nice?” Hyejin asked with a smile on her face. It always made her heart flutter hearing any sort of compliment from Wheein. Any compliment, from the mundane to the ultra specific. A compliment from Wheein was the highest honour she could ever want. 

“It’s comforting to know that if something is wrong then you’ll say something. You know, standing your ground type of thing. And the fact that you’re strong enough to do it. So strong.”

Wheein yawned again and she did one last stretch before retracting back into place. 

“Is that why you like me?” Hyejin couldn’t help but tease as she beamed with pride. 

“It’s one of the many reasons why I love you, yes,” Wheein’s voice slowly began to fade as consciousness began to lose hold.

Hyejin remained motionless as she contemplated Wheein’s words. She knew already that Wheein still loves her, but to hear it out loud made it real. And as Wheein fell into a peaceful slumber, Hyejin could only argue with herself. 

Was there a hint of truth in So-yoon’s words? Is she proving herself like she said she would? Has there been any progress? She knows that she said to wait to reevaluate where they stand once she recovers but if Wheein can still freely admit to loving her then is there any purpose to it? Is this waiting to reevaluate more for her sake or for Wheein’s? Or is it just a ruse? Is this the right course of action? Will this change anything or is it just a poorly placed bandaged on something that deserves stitches? 

“The kitten can’t sleep if you’re here brooding,” Wheein’s voice cut through Hyejin’s hurricane of thoughts before any could fester.

“Ah, I’m sorry,” Hyejin directed her apology towards the kitten. The kitten that was currently trying to get comfortable and finally go asleep.

“What’s wrong?” Wheein asked with care. She noticed that Hyejin has been brooding more often. And as much as she wanted to ask about it, there was never a clear chance without risk of interruption. But now was her chance. She was getting Hyejin to talk, no matter what.

“Nothing, just thinkin’,” Hyejin turned her head to give Wheein a full grin, “Go back to sleep. Tomorrow may be hectic.”

“Not till you tell me what you’re thinking,” Wheein’s voice was soft but full of an unbending will that Hyejin couldn’t help but give in. 

“Just thinking of…..things,” Hyejin didn’t have the heart to tell Wheein how So-yoon’s words planted seeds of doubt for herself. She knows she shouldn’t let a drunk woman’s words of hate get to her but it touched something that she had long since avoided. Is she the main reason why Wheein won’t seek another relationship? Sure, she did have a brief stint with So-yoon, but it sounds like it was a terrible experience. Did she ruin any chance of Wheein ever being happy with anyone else? 

“What things?” Wheein continued to press. 

“Things like words,” Hyejin continued to avoid.

“Hyejin-ah….” Wheein muttered. She knew what Hyejin was doing, it was obvious. But, she also knew how to get Hyejin talking. 

“It’s nothing, just go--”

“Hyejin-ah,” Wheein’s voice was final as she reached over to cup Hyejin’s cheek. 

The warmth from Wheein’s touch brought a wave of relief. She immediately felt herself relax and sigh as she felt everything melt away. Her worries vanished and were soon replaced by Wheein. As the patch that covered her other eye slipped away, both eyes stared deep into Wheein’s own endless abyss. Eye to eye, soul to soul, such a simple touch brought them closer than anything these past couple of weeks. Hyejin felt a dam within herself finally open. A dam she didn’t know was even built. 

“I’m sorry, Wheein-ah,” Hyejin felt her inner truth begin to appear and escape without a filter, “I’m so sorry.”

Wheein felt her heart squeeze. All she wanted to do was wrap Hyejin in her arms and comfort her. She moved her hand to wipe the tears that were escaping from Hyejin’s eyes. Such an intimate touch made her soul scream. She wanted to touch Hyejin more and more. To let her touch do the talking. To let her touch tell Hyejin what she can’t verbalise. To let her touch take away Hyejin’s pain and remorse. To let her touch tell Hyejin that her love will always be there and it will never fade, no matter how much time passes and no matter how many other people she’ll meet. 

“Hyejin-ah,” Wheein whispered as Hyejin continued to cry. 

Hyejin wanted to say so much more, but all she could do was say that she was sorry over and over again. But Wheein knew. As Hyejin brought up her hand to grasp onto Wheein’s, Wheein knew everything Hyejin wanted to convey. 

Eventually Wheein couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t bear the pain of seeing Hyejin like this and so she brought Hyejin in as close as she could. Mindful of the still encased limbs and of the sleeping kitten in between them. Gently nestling Hyejin’s head under her chin, Wheein held Hyejin throughout the night as she repented. 

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

The week passed in a blur. She could only vividly remember them taking the kitten to the vet and leaving it there to recover with the promise that once the kitten is up to strength then they’ll get a call to see if they still want to adopt it. Everything after that, classes and friends, became nothing but a vague memory once her focus was towards the end of the week. She couldn’t wait to see Hyejin again. 

She sat on the same bench as always as she looked up and down the street. Anxious to spot Ji Yeon’s car. Nervous to see Hyejin again after that night of repentance. Eager to see where this weekend will take them. Not even the cold of the evening reached her bones as her focus was towards the future. 

It wasn’t until it was five minutes passed the usual drop off window did Wheein finally start to worry. Looking through her text messages again, to see if maybe she missed one saying that they’ll be late, and saw nothing. Not even the text message to announce that they were on their way. 

Her worry grew to the point that she couldn’t remain still. She got up to pace up and down the sidewalk, ever hopeful of finally spotting Ji Yeon’s car. A couple of times she got her hopes up but the cars were just of a similar model. None of them had the scratch on the passenger side nor did they have the mismatched rims. 

“Wheein-ah.”

Hyejin’s voice was soft but it stopped Wheein in her tracks. Eagerly turning around, she was met with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. A wonderful arrangement of aster, bluebell, red, white, and pink camellias and carnations, chamomile, red, yellow, and white chrysanthemum, purple columbine, daffodils, ferns, heliotrope, honeysuckle, magnolia, morning glory, myrtle, marjoram, a couple of red roses, red salvia, red and yellow tulips, violets, wallflowers, and yarrow. Wheein couldn’t help but stare in amazement at the colourful collection in front of her. 

“How do you get flowers that aren’t even in season??” Wheein asked as she gently caressed the bundle of flowers that were held in front of her face. Not noticing how Hyejin was hiding herself behind them. 

“It’s called knowing a good supplier,” There was a hint of mischief in Hyejin’s voice.

“Ah, so Ms. Manju?” Wheein finally took a hold of the bouquet. Her eyes never left the beautiful rainbow of colours that she now holds. Despite how cold everything was around her, to the point of being grey, the bouquet was vibrant and warm. Just like Hyejin. 

“Yup! That garden on the roof is really coming along.”

“Garden on the roo--” Wheein put the bouquet down to properly greet Hyejin and stopped the moment she saw what was standing in front of her. 

Hyejin let out a small laugh as she saw Wheein finally look at her. She’s been itching to tell Wheein all week but wanted to see the look on her face at the reveal proved to be too appealing. Her mischievous side won over.

“Surprise,” Hyejin gave Wheein a lopsided grin.

Wheein blinked a few more times. Standing in front of her was a fully recovered Hyejin. Her arm and leg were no longer in a cast and no crutch in sight. The patch that covered her eye was gone and in its place was a faint scar, but the sparkling eye overpowered such a disturbance of the skin. It was like seeing the rebirthed phoenix, although a more accurate account would be seeing the rebirthed lion. 

“Hyejin-ah…...you….” Wheein felt tears form at the edges of her eyes. 

Hyejin’s grin changed to a broad smile.

“I got ‘em off a few days ago. I would’ve texted you about it but I wanted to surprise you,” Hyejin admitted as she opened her arms. 

The moment Hyejin’s arms were open, Wheein immediately jumped into them. Careful to not squish the bouquet, Wheein nestled herself into Hyejin’s embrace. The second she felt Hyejin’s arms wrap themselves around her, her tears finally began to fall. A wave of comfort and relief came as she felt the familiar touch and warmth of Hyejin’s arms. Despite being in the recovery stage, Hyejin’s arms still felt as strong as ever. 

“Wheein-aaaaah, it’s getting cold,” Hyejin playfully whined as she tightened her grip around Wheein. How she missed the feeling of Wheein in her arms. The warmth, the softness, the scent, all combined into a sensation that Hyejin would forever treasure and love. 

“Then take us inside then,” Wheein said as she nuzzled her face into Hyejin’s neck. Desperate to keep Hyejin close. Not caring if she smeared Hyejin’s neck with tears.

“I just got the casts off, I’m not strong enough yet to bridal carry you,” Hyejin giggled as she felt Wheein’s hair tickle her sensitive skin, “But I can drag you inside.”

“Then drag me,” Came Wheein’s muffled reply. 

Hyejin softly chuckled as she obeyed Wheein’s order. She was weaker, but when it comes to Wheein, she can be as strong as a million suns. Wheein was, and is, the source of such strength.

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

The moment they made it back to the apartment, and put all of their stuff away, their hands were all over each other. But not in the sensual way. They maintained the regular routine but now with the added element of their touch.

As Wheein cooked dinner, Hyejin wrapped herself around Wheein like a koala. If she needed to reach for something, or do something minor, then Hyejin’s arm would find itself resting on Wheein’s waist as her other arm would complete the task. 

As they ate, their hands would find their way to each other, unknowingly or not. And as they talked about their week in detail, their hands would caress the other. Gently rubbing their thumb on the other or softly explore the other’s hand like new territory. It was here that they made quiet observations with their touch.

Wheein found Hyejin’s hands to be more callous and rougher than she previously remembered. But, it has been a year since she last felt Hyejin’s hands in depth like this. Hyejin found Wheein’s hands to be soft but also with a hint of roughness. As if Wheein had been working with her hands more often. Well, she did mention working with different types of mediums. 

They spent the rest of the night talking away. The only separation they had was when it was time for a shower, but even that was brief. Soon enough they found themselves next to each other in bed. And as they laid in silence, the topic they avoided all evening finally reached them.

The topic of where they stand now. The reevaluation.

“Hyejin-ah….” Wheein started as she laid a hand across Hyejin’s heart.

“Hm?” Hyejin hummed as she stared up at the ceiling. Knowing the inevitable was coming.

“You know I still love you, right?” 

“Wheein-ah…...”

“You know I still want to be with you.”

Hyejin turned her head to look at Wheein in the eye. She knew it was the truth, but there was still one problem. A problem that she will constantly battle herself with.

“But did I prove myself?” Hyejin said in a whisper. 

“Of course you did,” Wheein said as she moved her hand to caress Hyejin’s cheek.

“How?” Hyejin leaned her head against Wheein’s palm. Taking in the warmth that radiated from Wheein’s hand.

“By being the best person you could be given the circumstances,” Wheein answered honestly, “You were heavily injured, and you could’ve died, but you still took everything in stride. You didn’t let something like a few broken limbs and a gash across your eye stop you from being you.”

“But how is that proving myself to you?” Hyejin asked as she turned to her side to face Wheein with her full body. 

“By being yourself, despite everything, you still remained true,” Wheein said as her hand found itself intertwining with Hyejin’s. 

“True?” Hyejin’s eyebrows scrunched in confusion. 

“True. Despite everything, you still worried about me. Despite everything, you still considered me. Despite everything, you still went to get me gifts, even the smallest ones. Despite everything, I still remained in the forefront of your mind.”

“Of course, I--” Hyejin began to counter, but Wheein already knew what she was going to say.

“Yes, you were trying to prove yourself, but you were also in pain weren’t you?” Wheein stared straight into Hyejin’s soul. 

“I…..” Hyejin didn’t have the heart to admit it but it was true. The physical pain was minimal but the mental pain was excruciating. 

“I talked to Ji Yeon. She told me how you were when you weren’t around me,” Wheein smiled, “She told me how you rejected any sort of advances and how you were still you.”

“Being myself is enough to prove myself?” Hyejin couldn’t help but ask. She still feels like she needs to go through a million more years of repentance before she could ever be back together with Wheein.

“You didn’t force yourself to do something to get what you want.”

Hyejin continued to confusingly stare at Wheein. Unable to see the reasoning that Wheein had. Or maybe she was blind to it as she still thinks she’s unworthy. 

“Hyejin-aaaah,” Wheein drawled as she nestled herself into Hyejin’s torso. Hyejin’s arms naturally wrapped themselves around her and pulled her in closer, “I’m too sleepy to explain. I can tell you tomorrow, ok?”

“Alright, promise?” Hyejin rested her chin on top of Wheein’s head. 

“Promise,” Wheein placed a gentle kiss on Hyejin’s neck, “Oh, did you know I finally learned the language of flowers? So I know all of your secrets.”

Hyejin blinked before letting out a small chuckle.

“Oh? Secrets like what?” Hyejin felt her eyes fall as sleep tugged at her consciousness.

“That you will always love me.”