Note: Highly unedited. Sorry for the long wait! I hope you'll enjoy this simple chapter :)

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It was there.

The bold letters of the four letter word.

Seulgi traced it with the pad of her thumb, skimming through each letter with wide eyes.

She had heard about it, fantasized about it even but in her twenty three years of living, she was never given the chance to actually experience it.

It was familiar- the word. The feeling of it, however, was not.

"Jeju?"

Seulgi looked skeptical at the plane ticket on her hands. Infront of her, Irene was sipping her milktea while casually scrolling through her phone.

"Jeju?" She repeated, louder this time. Irene, who was visibly shocked, jumped a little and turned her head. She cocked a brow and put her phone and drink down.

"Did you say something?"

"We're going to Jeju?"

"No."

It was Seulgi's turn to blink.

"I just wanted to show you that and leave you here while I board the plane." Then, Irene rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course, we're going to Jeju! Isn't that why we're waiting to here inside the airport?"

Yes, Seulgi finally remembered. Irene asked her to pack light and to bring anything that's important. She also mentioned about flying but Seulgi was too swept with the image of Irene on her doorstep. Flabbergasted to the point that everything seemed blurry and crystal clear at the same time that she only focused on Irene's features and her loud heartbeat.

After complying with Irene's request while still processing what was happening, Seulgi found herself inside the airport, hands on a ticket Irene gave her.

Now that everything was sinking in, she stared at the piece of paper in her hands. A ticket to Jeju, a paper worth hundred of dollars.

"Have you planned this long ago?" Seulgi couldn't help but ask as she glanced at the ticket again.

"Is that why you... disappeared?" The last part was meant to be spoken lowly, muffled by the chatter of the people around them but Irene suddenly leaned closer and heard it.

Something passed on Irene's dark orbs before it was gone. However, it didn't escape Seulgi's eyes when Irene's feature morphed to something weird before being blank after she took a breath.

Did she say something wrong?

When Seulgi's eyes flitted back to Irene, she was smiling again.

"I just thought about it while I was driving. Told myself that we- you deserve to rest since you just finished your finals."

"But isn't this too much?"

Seulgi didn't want to think about what she noticed. She pretended not to see them or that she didn't mind why Irene never answered her question about her disappearance.

Hand reaching for her own, Irene squeezed it before shaking her head. "Nothing's too much when it comes to you."

Then she curled her fingers and shuddered. "Ugh. That was kinda too cheesy!"

Seulgi remained quiet and the older realized it. Her grin fell off her face, replaced by worry.

"Are you second guessing if we should continue?" Irene asked lowly.

"It isn't that..." Seulgi whispered as she placed the ticket between her phone and wallet.

Irene sighed before standing up. Seulgi looked at her quizically before she saw her moving next to her. The chatter of the people around them became louder as announcements for other flights blasted through the speakers.

Irene scooted closer and sighed again. "I know I didn't properly ask you but Seulgi, do you want to go to Jeju with me?"

There were doubts and questions inside her head which made her silent for awhile. Irene was waiting for her answer while tapping her nails on the table. It was evident that she was anxious but Seulgi, despite already being inside the airport, has a hard time giving an answer.

Something cold made her look down on her hands. Irene's hand was making its way to her own, her pale hands were cold. Seulgi wasn't sure if it was because of her drink, or the aircon or because she was scared that Seulgi will say no.

Slowly but firmly, Irene first hooked her smallest finger with hers before tugging Seulgi's whole hand to be able to intertwine them together. When Seulgi looked up, Irene's eyes met her own.

Brown orbs on darker ones, speaking of love and adoration and hope and something in between fear and apprehension.

And when Irene spoke, Seulgi was sure that she couldn't say no.

"In Jeju, I want to explore new things with you. Let's make memories that's just ours, Seulgi."

With her heart beating fast, Seulgi repeated Irene's words inside her head. 

Let's make memories that's just ours.

Despite everything that has happened and the questions still lurking inside her head, Seulgi squeezed Irene's hand as a silent answer.

She also wants to spend time with Irene, away from prying eyes and people who know them. She wants to experience what it feels like to have Irene beside her while sleeping and waking up to the face she loves so much.

She wants to experience being normal- as normal as they could get without the fear of being caught or judged.

Seulgi wants to be happy with Irene. After her absence for a few days, it felt like a chunk of her was taken away and the only way to mend it is by spending more time and not think of anything else.

So yes, it might be stupid on her part. Yes, it was reckless and scary and Seulgi has no idea what it could mean or what it will lead to.

But today, now, with Irene's hand on her own, her heart screaming and her mind in shambles, she couldn't help but say yes.

Yes, I'll spend my days with you. I'll help you make memories you'll cherish. I'll show you how much I love you. I'll be here for you.

Seulgi wanted to scream those words inside the airport but she knew she didn't need to because Irene already heard it loud and clear. The thinly pressed lips started to stretch into a grin and so Irene stood up again. She reached for their bags and pulled her to stand up. 

The slight fear she saw awhile ago disappeared. It was replaced by the softest gaze from Irene and her former pale complexion was starting to regain its color.

"Let's go?"

Seulgi returned the smile while relishing the feeling of the warmth being exuded by the older. She felt like she was dreaming. She still couldn't believe that Irene was back.

During her absence, Seulgi felt like there wasn't anything holding her down. Minutes ticked and days passed without her realizing because all she wanted was for her phone to ring, eyes never leaving the device while hoping that she'll receive any message or call from the latter.

The crippling fear of being left behind also entered her mind but the words Jisoo told her comforted her. It held a lot of strength and power since Jisoo, as someone who used to hate Irene, was convincing Seulgi to believe in her.

So she did.

Not only because of Irene but because she knows Jisoo only wants the best for her. She knows that Jisoo wouldn't sugar coat her words when it comes to Irene and that she trusts her with her life. She knows that Jisoo will always have her best interest in mind, no matter how weird or unconventional she might show it. She knows because Jisoo has been there for her, the person she could trust her whole life to.

Thank goodness she believed... or else, she wouldn't be here with Irene.

Seulgi unconsciously squeezed the hand she was holding as they walked.

"Something wrong?"

"H-Huh?"

Irene slowed down and looked at her, eyes inquisitive. "Your hands... They're squeezing too tight. Are you okay?"

"Oh. Oh!" She loosened her grip and apologetically smiled. "I- Uh... I was just thinking of something."

"What is it? Doubts?"

Seulgi shook her head and grabbed Irene's hand again. "That I'm just glad you're here."

"Me too." Irene quietly said as they resumed walking. "I'm glad I'm here with you."

Seulgi was about to speak when she was interrupted by the sound of the speaker. She jumped a little, being too consumed by Irene's presence and they both chuckled when they realized what happened.

"Let's go or else we'll be late."

Once inside the plane, despite being a lot taller than Irene, Seulgi had difficulty reading the seat number on the aisle. Realizing that Seulgi was practically blind, Irene clicked her tongue and tugged her arm to lead her to their seats.

Seulgi shrugged since she wasn't a frequent flyer. It's been so long since she rode a plane so she trusted Irene's decision. 

"Here," Irene said as she tiptoed to put her bag inside the overhead cabin. "The window's yours."

Seulgi clicked her tongue when she saw the older struggling. She placed her hands on Irene's waist to balance her and chuckled when she heard her sigh of relief after placing it properly.

Seulgi stayed standing while eyeing her ticket. She frowned when the seat number matched the one on her ticket.

"Just in time for the sunset," she heard Irene muttered.

"Hyun..."

"Give me your bag and please don't argue anymore."

When Irene was about to grab her bag, she pulled it away and slung it over her shoulder again. She grinned playfully and pushed Irene using her hip. The older released a small yelp before her knee hit the seat and she fell backwards.

"Yaaaaah!" Irene whined. "This seat is yours!"