The soft glittering rays of the sun that filtered through the partially opened blinds gently nudged her awake. Well, the warm rays and the coldness of the room. Despite being underneath heavy blankets without another body next to her Wheein still felt the cold from the outside reach her bones. 

WIthout opening her eyes, she reached about the bed in a desperate search for the body that is supposed to be next to her. The body that is meant to be next to her. But all she found was the soft fabric of the blankets and the hint of a lingering warm spot of where a body once was. Hyejin must’ve gotten up long ago.

But, where is Hyejin now? 

WIth a disgruntled huff, Wheein sat up and opened her eyes. After slowly blinking and finally starting to regain her senses, Wheein looked for signs. Signs of where Hyejin could be or could’ve gone. But there was nothing except eerie silence and the smell of the cold air. 

Where was Hyejin? 

Worry started to set in. Worry and a flood of thoughts. Questions swarmed her mind and she didn’t have the strength to oppose them. Even when said questions and thoughts started to pull from her deepest fear.

Did Hyejin leave? Why? Did something happen? Is something wrong? Did she have to step out for a moment? Did she go out to get something? Is she coming back? Will she come back? Is she ever coming back?

Those final questions shook her core to the point of becoming frozen in the middle of the living room. As much as she tells herself that she trusts Hyejin, there is still that doubt. That doubt, worry and fear that Hyejin will leave her once again, and possibly, never return. As much as she knows that Hyejin will never leave her again unless there’s a good reason for it, it doesn’t stop her demons from milking that doubt. Doubt that is always lingering in the back of her mind.

But what she said last night was true. 

Shaking her head to get out of her stupor, Wheein saw the sticky note that was placed on the small table between the couch and loveseat. A note with Hyejin’s handwriting. 

Rubbing her eyes to remove the extra fog that lingered in her vision and mind, Wheein read the note with clarity. 

In case you didn’t get my text and are now searching the apartment for where I am, lemme tell you. I wanted waffles and fried chicken but you had neither nor were there ingredients to make it so I’m on the journey of a lifetime. I’ll text you when I’m on my way back.
                                
P.s I won’t make any promises in not bringing home another stray 

Taking a moment to admire how Hyejin was able to fit all of that on one tiny sticky note, Wheein finally let out a chuckle and shook her head. Was she so predictable? No, Hyejin just knew her well enough to figure out what she’ll be doing.

Gently tucking the note between her fingers, Wheein made her way back to the bedroom. In her mild panic, she completely forgot about her phone. Hopefully she can find her phone in a timely manner and that it didn’t get lost amongst the covers. Then after finding her phone she can help set up the kitchen and table for the breakfast meal. It’s the least she can do. 

Luckily for her, her phone was nestled nicely on the nightstand undisturbed. With a small sigh of relief, Wheein looked at her messages. True to the note, the first thing she saw was a text message from Hyejin. It wasn’t that long ago either so there is still plenty of time for Wheein to prepare.

Since ya didn’t wake up after my numerous attempts, I decided to go get stuff for some fried chicken and waffles since SOMEONE doesn’t have anything

Wheein chuckled again. She could see the disgruntled look Hyejin must’ve had on her face when she raided Wheein’s pantry and fridge and found nothing to satisfy her craving. Out of all the things to crave, why chicken and waffles? With that mental question in her mind, Wheein continued to read.

I’ll try to be quick but that’s dependent on if there are no animals in need of rescue :p

A smile remained on Wheein’s face as she wrote a simple reply and finally went to set up the kitchen and table. Maybe she should make some coffee as well. She may not be a big fan of coffee but Hyejin is. Besides, a nice breakfast with some coffee with Hyejin sounds perfect. So, with a broad smile on her face still, and a gentle spring in her step, Wheein grabbed the first bag of coffee she saw and began to brew it without a second thought. 

As the smell of coffee hit her nostrils and filled the apartment, her phone dinged twice. With an excited hum, Wheein eagerly looked and saw who texted her. One was from Hyejin, it was the confirmation text that she was coming back. The other was from her mom.

The smile on her face fell as she read her mom’s message. It wasn’t anything terrible nor anything worrisome.

Besides the fact that her parents were coming just as Hyejin was on her way.

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

“Did she actually read and respond to the message this time, Yong?” Byul questioned her wife as they made their way to their daughter’s apartment. They wanted to spend some time with Wheein before she gets swamped with finals. They know their daughter’s tendency to become a recluse during times of stress. 

“She did! I checked twice too,” Yong proudly grinned. 

“Well, as long as we don’t walk into anything weird then that’s a victory,” Byul softly chuckled as she recalled the last time they gave their daughter a surprise visit like this one. The itty bitty titty committee has been a phrase that’s been engraved in her mind ever since.

“Honestly, I’m surprised we haven’t walked into anything weirder than that one time. Oh, and the first beach vacation,” Yong smiled at the fond memory. 

“It’s comforting to know that out of all the traits she inherited from us that that trait wasn’t one of them. I swear your parents still want to secretly murder me,” Byul chuckled as the elevator finally dinged and they stepped out. 

“After having Wheein I can understand why they would want to murder you.”

“Wh-- Yong! What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“I’m just saying that I’m glad that Wheein is into vanilla things. Imagine if she took more after us. You know how we were when we were her age.”

A strangled yelp stopped them in their tracks. Turning to look at the source of such a surprised sound, they found the culprit. Coming out of another apartment, with a couple bags of groceries and a plate wrapped in foil in hand, was a wide eyed Hyejin.

All three stared at each other for a good minute before blinking. Neither party said a word till Yong broke the silence with a graceful smile. But behind that smile, was the fury of the dragon. No, more like the ominous undertone of a threatening dragon that spoke of how nothing that was just heard needs to be repeated.

“Hyej--” Yong started.

The moment Yong began to speak, Hyejin ran for it. Whether it was out of fear or instinct, she’ll never know. But what she does know is that she must run lest she hears anything else. Besides, she doesn’t know if she can face Wheein’s parents so soon. Sure, they are understanding and they won’t pry into their business, but there’s still that sense of obligation to also make it up to them too. Afterall, they did adopt her into their family with open arms and they did all that they could in order to help her. It’s the least she can do. 

But that’s after she’s mentally prepared herself for a sit down with them. Not when she just walked in on them talking about how glad they are that Wheein is into vanilla things. Out of all the things to hear them talk about….

“Wait!!” Yong cried after all and gave chase. 

Byul blankly stared after the two. Wondering why Hyejin was coming out of a different apartment and why her wife is chasing the youngster down the hallway. Although she did internally groan as she realised what Hyejin just heard. Poor thing can’t catch a break.

With a sigh, she calmly followed the two. It was supposed to be a calm morning. A nice breakfast with their daughter and a chance to catch up before they won’t hear from her for weeks as she becomes a recluse in order to fulfill her final projects. But nothing ever goes as planned. 

“Wheeiniiiiiieee!! Open the doooooor!!” Hyejin’s cries bounced along the hallway.

Byul barely turned the corner as she saw the door open and her wife and Hyejin fly through the opening. She didn’t see the aftermath, but she did hear it. A yelp here, a yell there, and loud bang.

“Hyejin-ah?! Mom?! What are you two doing???”

“Well you see--” Yong started.

“Worst timing ever,” Byul answered in the most simple way possible as to not delve into the truth of what just occurred. She closed the door behind her and took in the scene in front of her. Wheein was currently helping Hyejin up and tenderly kissed a spot on her forehead while Yong picked up the groceries that fell out of the bags that Hyejin was carrying. Miraculously, the plate that Hyejin was holding remained intact and unharmed. 

“I figured it was going to be weird if all three of you met at the same time but I didn’t think it would be that weird that Mom and Hyejin had to come running in here,” Wheein said as she grabbed the grocery bags and went to put them in the kitchen.

“I heard things that I shouldn’t have. The implications of those words had left scarring images in my mind,” Hyejin muttered as her gaze turned distant and haunted.

“It was one thing and now we are going to move on from that moment and pretend it never happened and never acknowledge its existence,” Yong said as she got up with a satisfied nod. 

“So, we’re never going to acknowledge that--” Byul started with a eating grin.

“Never. Happened,” Yong glared at her wife. 

Wheein poked her head out to look at her parents. She thought about questioning them further but knew better. Whatever happened that left Hyejin somewhat scared is not worth bringing up again.

“How are you two my parents again?? Like, how are you guys functioning adults?” Wheein asked as she beckoned Hyejin into the kitchen. 

“Well, it all started the day we babysat your mom’s friend’s kid. And from there, I knew I wanted a kid of our own so through trials and tribulations we got you,” Byul answered with pride as she shuffled Yong into the dining room. 

“Huh, so that’s your origin story,” Hyejin said as her senses began to return. The moments prior long forgotten and locked away deep within the recess of her unconscious. 

“Hyejin-ah, you already knew that!” Wheein exclaimed as she got all the ingredients in place. 

“I always wondered if we should change that story a bit to make it a little more exciting besides your mother getting baby fever,” Yong mused.

“You can make the story on how you found Wheeinie a bit more exciting?” Hyejin suggested as she started to gather the pans and utensils. 

“Wh--Excuse you I think my origin story is plenty fine by itself!” Wheein huffed.

“Hyejin has a point. The love at first sight version is getting a bit dull,” Byul said as she scratched her chin and thought about other ways to tell the story in a more exciting manner.

“We can exaggerate the struggle of getting Wheeinie out of that adoption center?” Yong suggested.

“Why are you three trying to change my origin story like it’s fictional!?”

“Because we’re bored and hungry! What’s for breakfast?” Yong asked. While initially her plan was for them to eat at a nice cafe, it was clear that Hyejin was going to make something. There were plenty of things that Yong missed about having the young cub around, but one of the things she missed most was the cub’s cooking. 

“Well, it was going to be fried chicken and waffles but, uhm,” Hyejin reevaluated the amount of ingredients she had gotten.

“Chicken and waffles??? Why that?” Byul asked as her head tilted. 

“Curiosity and craving, but there’s a problem….”

Wheein and her parents remained silent for Hyejin to continue.

“I only got enough chicken for two people.”

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

“Are you sure they’ll make it back alive??” Wheein asked as she clasped her hands around the warm cup of coffee in  front of her. Her mother suggested they sit at the table while they wait for their significant others. 

“They’ll be fine,” Byul gently patted her daughter’s shoulder, “I don’t know about their surroundings though.”

“Don’t you have some faith in your wife??” Wheein questioned as her mind raced with all the possible ways her mom and Hyejin could cause chaos during their simple errand to fetch more chicken.

“I have faith in my wife to cause chaos, yes,” Byul nodded sagely as she sipped her coffee.

“Oh god, Hyejin is gonna die,” Wheein stared at the table, “For real too. God, why did I let her go with mom when she just recovered??”

“It’ll be fine. They’re just going to get chicken,” Byul chuckled, “And before you go spiraling into a semi existential crisis, let me ask you something now that we are alone.”

Wheein looked at her mother with confusion in her eyes. What was there to talk about? WHat can they talk about now? Her future? What she wants to do now that there is only one more semester left? 

“How are you and Hyejin doing?”

Such a simple question. Yet her mother’s undertone implied so much more.

“I-- We’re doing fine…” Wheein couldn’t look her mother in the eye. 

Byul raised a questioning eyebrow, “Fine? Only fine? What about that reevaluation?”

“I--Wait, how do you know that?” Wheein’s turn to question.

“I’m a mother. We hear things,” Came Byul’s simple reply, “And personal experience also helps.”

“Personal experience?” Wheein’s curiosity was piqued. She thought she knew her parents by now, but the older she becomes, the more she finds out the truth.

“Yong and I broke up once,” Byul’s eyes became somber as she recalled the memory, “She didn’t give an explanation either. All she did was leave in the middle of the night without bothering to wake me up.”

Wheein remained silent. Unsure in how to take this new information. Her mom leaving without explanation? How? Why? That isn’t the mom she knows. Her mom always explains herself, albeit at times it may be after the fact, but there’s always an explanation. Unless….

“I’m telling you this because I know…..I know it doesn’t get easier, Wheein-ah,” Byul admitted.

Wheein felt her heart twist. Surely it does. Afterall, her parents are better now, right?

“What...what do you mean??” Wheein was fearful to ask. But she needed to know. She needed that insight.

“It’ll take a lifetime to prove herself,” Byul finally looked at Wheein, “No matter what happens, no matter what she does, that doubt will always be there.”

The words struck her heart and soul. She knew what her mother was saying was true, but it didn't hurt any less. But if her parents are better now, then surely that’s indicative of the outcome her and Hyejin can have. 

“Even if you know better, Wheein-ah, that doubt will remain with you,” Byul continued.

“But you and mom are better now, right?” Wheein felt desperation. She wanted that reassurance that everything will be fine in the end. That the scar in her relationship with Hyejin will fade away in time. 

“Wheeinie….” Byul couldn’t face her daughter. Instead she stared into the coffee in front of her.

“Mother, you guys are--” 

“I still have that doubt…” Byul admitted. 

Shock coursed through Wheein’s body. Everything she had ever known about her parents seemed to falter right in front of her. 

“Doubt?”

“I know better, I know she will never leave again, but…..” Byul’s brows furrowed as she fought her emotions. Finally admitting this to her daughter was something she never thought she had to do. If anything, she wanted to keep this knowledge away from her daughter. But life isn’t kind.

“But?” Wheein softly coaxed. 

“Even to this day, I will wake up in the middle of the night scared that your mom is gone again. Gone and will never return.”

“But mom--”

“I know. I know she won’t do that. And she has gone above and beyond to prove to me, and to herself, that she’ll never do it again,” Byul gave a small smile. A sign of hope. 

“Then….” Wheein’s mind raced with words. Question upon question built up in her mind, “Then how did…??”

“How did we move on? How did we get better? How are we still together?” Byul provided.

“Yea….” Wheein felt uneasy. 

“Simple. We admitted the issue,” Byul shrugged. 

“What?” Wheein could only speak in simple words. Her mind was digesting everything her mother was saying. 

“I admitted how that doubt will be there, for the rest of our life, and she admitted how she will forever feel….what did she say?” Byul scrunched her face in thought as she recalled Yong’s words, “Oh, she admitted how she will forever feel unworthy.”

The pain in Wheein’s heart was becoming unbearable.

“But that’s not….that’s not…” Wheein’s words were having a difficult time forming and coming out. But luckily her mother understands her well enough that no words need to be spoken.

“It’s not the ideal, but nothing is ideal. For something to be ideal means it must not be human. Being ideal means being the fabrication of something else by someone else. To be ideal means all struggles are for not as nothing is truly resolved, just conveniently removed. But we’re human.”

Wheein chewed her lip. She knows there’s something deeper to her mother’s words but her brain couldn’t focus right now. Her mind could only focus on keeping her emotions in check.

“We’re human. Everyone has scars. Every relationship will have it’s scars,” Byul sighed, “It would be wonderful to one day wake up without the fear that your mom is gone again. It would be wonderful for your mom to feel like she’s worthy. It would be wonderful if we could put such feelings behind us, but we can’t.”

Wheein felt despair and desperation sink it’s claws into her. 

“But it doesn’t matter, ultimately,” Byul gave her daughter a bright smile.

“Doesn’t matter?” Wheein’s mind was reeling. Absorbing all that her mother was saying, digesting every detail in order to come to her own conclusion. A conclusion that was becoming more dreary every passing minute.

“Those feelings…..they don’t matter in the end. It was in the past, afterall. The only way they matter is if you let them dictate your actions,” Byul’s eyes became bright.

“My actions??”

“If you let that fear control you, and if Hyejin let’s that feeling control her, then it’s all for naught. By acknowledging those feelings means not giving them power,” Byul looked at her daughter with such intensity that for a moment, just a moment, Wheein saw the tiger and not the hamster.

Wheein stared for a moment before a gentle chuckle escaped .

“Don’t worry, mother,” Wheein gave her mother a soft smile, “We’re going to talk more about it later. I love Hyejin just as much as she loves me, but we do need to talk things out. She’s been doing her best in improving herself and I--”

Before Wheein could finish her thought, her mom and Hyejin barged in. Both came in looking disheveled and both were panting like they just ran a 100 meter dash. Hyejin had the grey bag from the grocery store and her mom was clutching onto something close to her chest.

“Oh my god…..Don’t tell me you two found--” Byul began as she looked over the two.

“We found a dog!” Yong exclaimed as she held out the bundle in front of her.

Byul could only blink as Wheein looked between Hyejin and her mom. They were not even gone for fifteen minutes. How the hell did they find a dog? The grocery store is at the bottom of the apartment too.

“Hyejin-ah….” Wheein started.

“Y-yea??” Hyejin said after she caught her breath.

“How the hell do you keep attracting animals like this??”

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

Hyejin’s fingers danced lightly along her back. Fingertips gently grazing along the sensitive skin. Stopping only to move back to the top and begin the trail again. Wheein could only hum in contentment at the sensation.

The pair laid in bed with only one lamp casting illumination throughout the bedroom. After the day of dealing with Wheein’s parents, and then finding a stray dog, the pair needed a rest. It didn’t help that Hyejin was cooking all day as Wheein entertained her parents and helped them in deciding what to do with the dog. What started out as a breakfast of fried chicken and waffles ended with a Moraccan dinner. All cooked by Hyejin herself. Well, except for desert. The desert was the plate of cookies that Hyejin got from that elderly woman. She and her grandson made the cookies in celebration of Hyejin finally getting out of those casts.

“I never want to step foot in a kitchen ever again,” Hyejin drawled. She felt sleep tugging at her from all sides, but it was only the sensation of Wheein’s skin under her fingertips keeping her awake. It’s been so long since she’d last felt Wheein’s bare skin. Deep inside her core, she wanted more. She wanted Wheein to be utterly exposed in front of her and she wanted her hands to explore Wheein’s body once again. But now wasn’t the time. 

“And here I thought by keeping you in one location meant that no more stray animals will pop up,” Wheein said. She laid on top of Hyejin and felt Hyejin’s chuckle vibrate through her chest. Like Ggomo’s purrs, Hyejin’s chuckle and laughter will always put her soul at ease. Especially when she can feel them. 

“I swear, I didn’t know I had that super power!” Hyejin exclaimed as she removed her right hand from behind her head and began to Wheein’s hair. Letting her left hand come to a rest at the base of Wheein’s back. Comfortable as if her hand was made for that spot. 

“I figured but I never thought it could expand to others,” Wheein nuzzled her face into the crook of Hyejin’s neck. Taking in the sensation of Hyejin’s skin and scent. 

“How was I supposed to know that your mom will pick up on it? Maybe she just had latent abilities and it’s just now coming out,” Hyejin mused. “Huh…..latent abilities in picking up strays….”

“Hyejin-ah, I swear to god if you go to my parents with a new idea on how to spin my ‘origin story’ then I’m gonna have you sleep on the couch for a week,” Wheein huffed.

“Hah? For a week? Don’t you mean like, weekend?” Hyejin asked, “Or……”

They fell into a silence as the implication hit them both.

“Are you sure you want me back, Wheein-ah?” Hyejin finally asked the question she didn’t want to ask. 

“Of course I do,” Came Wheein’s immediate response.

“But why? How have I proven myself??” Hyejin asked the same question from last night.

“By remaining true to yourself,” Wheein gave the same answer. But this time she was prepared to explain herself more.

“How is that proving myself?”

“Simple. You’re not letting that feeling of being unworthy dictate how you should act. Instead, you’re letting things be. Only changing minor things that weren’t really an issue before but would instead enhance.You’re not forcing yourself to go above and beyond.”

Hyejin blinked. How did Wheein know about her feeling unworthy? Or was she just that obvious? Maybe Ji yeon mentioned something.

“But….does that erase your doubt? Does that even change your worry that I may leave again?” Hyejin pressed. She needed to know that Wheein thought this through. That Wheein wasn’t just letting her back in her life because it’s all she’s ever known. Nay, she needs to know that Wheein has considered all the options before letting her back in. 

“Hyejin-ah…..” Wheein whispered before getting off of Hyejin’s chest and sitting up to look down at the questioning lion.

Hyejin stared at Wheein for a moment in amazement. The lighting made Wheein look ethereal and sublime. After a moment, she regained her senses and sat up to meet Wheein eye to eye.

“Hyejin-ah…..I don’t know if that doubt or worry will ever leave….” Wheein admitted.

Hyejin’s face contorted in pain. She never wanted Wheein to have such doubts. She wanted Wheein to trust her. But now…

“It’s like a scar,” Wheein continued to talk. Distracting Hyejin before her mind could spiral into despair.

“A scar??” 

“Better to have scars than to live in fear of getting them,” Wheein’s hands found Hyejin’s, “And like all scars, you live with them and sometimes they’ll fade away with time. And you learn from them.”

Wheein moved one hand to cup Hyejin’s face. Her thumb gently traced the still pink scar that found its home over Hyejin’s left eye and down her face. She has to admit, she’s already forgotten that Hyejin has an eye scar now.

“But then how can you trust me if you’re always going to have that doubt? Isn’t getting back together painful if you’re always going to worry?” Hyejin asked. As much as she wanted to reach out and touch Wheein, she stopped herself. 

“I trust that you’ll never do it again.”

“But that doubt….”

“That doubt will be there whether I want it to or not. The subconscious is cruel that way…” Wheein admitted. She does trust Hyejin. She trusts Hyejin with her entire being. But she knows her demons. 

“Then why bother then?”

“I can ask the same of you. Will you ever feel worthy?”

“I--” Hyejin froze. Realisation hitting her piece by piece.

“It’s the same, isn’t it? You’ll never feel worthy and I'll have that doubt. Our demons are cruel, aren’t they?”

“Our demons….”

“No matter what we do, our demons will forever pick at our deepest, most hidden fears and worries.”

“Huh, when did you get so philosophical?” Hyejin joked. She knew what Wheein was saying, and as much as it was painful to admit, it was true. Like all scars, there will always be something to remind one of its existence. There will always be something that will cause association. There will always be something that brings up that memory. But like Wheein said, scars are lessons. And it’s up to them if they will let that scar control them or take the lesson in stride.

“Hmm. Good question. Maybe suddenly getting an info drop of your parents' true history has that effect on a person?” Wheein said as she climbed onto Hyejin’s lap. Quickly finding comfort against Hyejin and making herself as comfortable as possible. As skeptical as she was  about admitting the lingering doubt, it felt good to say it outloud. Now there’s no room for misunderstanding. With everything out and spoken, true understanding and acceptance can be achieved. 

Hyejin waited for Wheein to get comfortable before finally allowing herself to wrap her arms around Wheein’s frame. Her arms and hands finding their place, Hyejin leaned back on the bed again. Back to their original position. 

“So that’s it huh?” Hyejin asked as she stared up at the ceiling. Her left hand found itself underneath Wheein’s shirt again while her right hand began to Wheein’s hair. Comforting both herself and Wheein.

“Hm?” Wheein’s voice was on the edge of sleep. Being in Hyejin’s arms always had that effect on her. The world’s most comfortable blanket had nothing on Hyejin’s arms. 

“Just take it one day at a time, huh?” Hyejin continued to talk.

“What else can we do? We both want to be together....” Wheein yawned and looked up at Hyejin. The light from the lamp made dramatic shadows across Hyejin’s face. It was alluring, but also haunting. 

“Won’t it be painful?” Hyejin asked as she continued to stare at the ceiling. Her heart and soul were rejoicing but her mind was hesitant.

“It’s either excruciating pain or a mild inconvenience,” Wheein reached up to caress Hyejin’s face. She could see the turmoil in Hyejin’s eyes. 

Hyejin only wanted to hit herself. She wanted to give Wheein a near perfect, and best, relationship, but now that’s impossible. So-yoon’s words echoed throughout her mind. Did she ruin her? Did she unknowingly ruin Wheein’s chance at happiness? But, what is Wheein’s happiness?

“Hyejin-aaaah,” Wheein drawled. Her voice and touch brought Hyejin out of her questioning mind, “It’s alright.”

“Is it though? Isn’t it--” Hyejin began. 

“It’s like you said. One day at a time,” Wheein gave Hyejin a tender smile, “If we think too much about it then nothing would be accomplished and we’ll be stuck in a constant loop of doubt and uncertainty.”

Hyejin’s mind went still the moment she felt Wheein’s touch. She finally looked down to see Wheein’s smile and the soft look in her eye. Hyejin’s heart melted at the sight and she let out a dreamy sight. Wheein was right. What more can they do? They can talk all they want but it’s meaningless if there isn’t action taken. And the only way for action to be done is through the passage of time. 

“Heh. My question still stands, when did you get so philosophical?” Hyejin grinned and turned her head to kiss Wheein’s palm. 

“And my answer still stands,” Wheein beamed. Her lion was back.

“That reminds me. What exactly did you find out?” Hyejin questioned as she shifted in order to get the blanket out from under her and began to cover them both. 

“They have a more complicated history than I thought and I’m starting to wonder if any of my theories have merit now,” Wheein answered.

“Theories?” Hyejin held Wheein close with one arm as the other reached out to turn off the lamp. 

“One theory I have is that either both or one of my parents were involved in gang related activities,” Wheein said as she cuddled closer to Hyejin. Her body begged for Hyejin’s touch, to be as close as possible, now wasn’t the time. 

“Hm? You didn’t know your mom was part of a gang back in the day?” 

Silence filled the air around them as Hyejin realised her mistake and Wheein absorbed the information. 

“, you weren’t--” Hyejin couldn’t help but try to backpedal. She promised Yong that she wouldn’t say anything but alas. 

“Hyejin-ah….” Wheein’s voice was low as she moved to sit up, effectively straddling Hyejin in the process, “What the do you MEAN MY MOM WAS PART OF A GANG???”

“Ah, a duck….”

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

It was over. 

Their last fall semester was done and what a better way to celebrate than going to a couple of local bars? So, the moment the sun began to set, they began to prepare. 

“So, where shall we start first?” Sujeong asked.

All four of them walked down the sparsely populated sidewalk. It was agreed that they’ll all stay the night at the apartment for safety and ease. Sujeong and Ji Yeon walked in front while Hyejin and Wheein walked behind them, arms linked and with Hyejin leaning against Wheein. 

“We can start with that rooftop patio bar. It’s a nice night anyway,” Hyejin suggested. 

“Then maybe hit up that place that’s basically a giant porch,” Ji Yeon said as she turned her head to look at Hyejin and Wheein. 

“How bout the saloon place after that?” Sujeong asked as she stopped the group the moment they were at the crosswalk. Making sure that no one accidentally kept walking as they talked. 

“If we’re all suggesting a place then I suggest the gay bar as the final stop,” Wheein said with a nod.

“Wanna bet how many people would offer to buy us drinks? As a group and individually?” Hyejin chuckled. Her grip around Wheein tightened just for a moment. Despite the nice night, it was still a bit chilly. 

“You hoe. I’m already at a disadvantage because the gay bar is the last stop,” Ji Yeon griped. 

“That’s right. You have the straightest energies I’ve ever seen despite not being straight.”

“Sujeong!!” Ji Yeon yelled as she proceeded to hit Sujeong in the shoulder. Sujeong could only laugh.

“What? Isn’t it true?” Sujeong said after her fit of laughter.

“I always thought you were straight for the longest time, Ji Yeon,” Hyejin admitted. 

“Hyej-- No, you know what? I’m going to get the most offers EVEN at the gay bar,” Ji Yeon huffed, “out of sheer SPITE.”

“Ji Yeon…...are you sure you want to take that bet?” Wheein questioned. She knows Ji Yeon is unstoppable once she sets her mind to something, but she had to agree with Sujeong and Hyejin. Out of the group, Ji Yeon seemed to be their token straight man, literally.

“Do you doubt me, Wheein-ah?” Ji Yeon’s eyes and tone were fire. And for a brief moment, Wheein thought it was achievable for Ji yeon.

 Wheein opened to continue to question but Hyejin’s finger found its way in front of her lips. The sudden touch silenced her as Hyejin began to speak. 

“I’m willing to bet 5 dollars that Ji Yeon won’t get more than 3 offers at the gay bar!” Hyejin gave a cheshire grin to Sujeong and Ji Yeon. 

“I’m willing to bet the same except I think Ji Yeon won’t get more than 1!” Sujeong followed suit. 

Ji Yeon growled but accepted those terms, “ And I’m willing to bet 25 dollars that I’ll get more than 5!”

“So who gets the money if you get 4?” Sujeong questioned.

“We can spend that money on a round of shots for all,” Hyejin’s mischievous grin never left her face and Wheein couldn’t help but feel pity for Ji Yeon. 

“Deal. Shake on it?” Ji Yeon held out her hand.

Sujeong and Hyejin exchanged a knowing glance before responding at the same time.

“Deal.”

Wheein could only sigh. 

This was going to be a long night.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: HEWWOW HAPPY NEW YEAR, take this basically unedited chatper cuz I needed to get it out lest it becomes like 30 pages long cuz I have no chill T^T
Anyway, I'm still alive but given my schedule & things to come/possibly come, I'm facing a conundrum. 
Do I do:

a) Shorter chapters, but more frequent updates
b) Longer chapters, less frequent updates

I'll also put a poll on my profile as well for those that don't wanna say anythin' in a comment and just wanna click~

Also, because the story is coming to an end here soon(ish), please don't hesitate to drop em prompts ;~;   I still got a couple of them but I wanna build up a good list cuz the muse is fickle  and it will run with any idea if it suits the fancy. Even minor, small prompts will do hngK

Anyway, hope ya enjoyed! Nothing too terrible is gonna happen :3c