~~Yuqi POV~~

The world had changed since the spread of the pandemic. Tactile affection was no longer allowed, only in the safety of your own home with your parents and siblings, but even then it was limited. The world had grown cold, people were bitter. Society was no longer friendly and welcoming.

The pandemic had been the cause of the separation in society. Cities were created with walls keeping citizens safe from the rebels. The outcasts they were officially named, people who refused to follow the laws of the Council. The Outcasts were sent out of the city, but citizens knew they roamed the city at night stealing supplies when the city went to sleep. There were patrol officers at night to keep them safe and make sure no one was out past curfew.

Yes, that's right. Curfew. The laws restricted the citizens in many ways, one of them being that the people were not supposed to be out after ten o'clock in the evening.

One of the laws included that final year high school students would receive a test that would place them in society, to where they belonged. After they were placed they were partnered with their life partner that they would marry a year after being introduced. Afterward their wedding they would move into an apartment and then they would no longer be allowed to touch their family, as they no longer live in the same space.

Yuqi knew she was lucky. Her family held a high status in the system, and she would receive a similar job as well as a very well-paid for apartment. She had a feeling at who she would be paired with as well. Her mother may have let it slip after finding out, after all her mother was the lead CEO of the company that processed the pairings and matched the most compatible girls and boys.

Song Yuqi knew how privileged she was, but she hated it. She hated all of it. She did not enjoy being under the constraints of a society that made her feel as if she could not breathe. She couldn't be herself. She was too loud, too mischievous for them. Her parents made her act in a way that was not her true self. She knows they just wanted what was best for her, well her mother at least but she understood why her father was so strict. He was the President after all. He ran the city and if he can't keep his child in check; how could he control the whole city? So Yuqi played by his rules and hid her true self away especially after her father punished her when she was sixteen.

God, she remembers that day. She was so ashamed of herself. He made her feel so ashamed of something that was not disgusting in any way. He caught her with her best friend, Shuhua. They knew they were different from the other girls as they had never had crushes on boys or died when they saw them in gym class. So that day Shuhua kissed Yuqi and forget that they were not even supposed to touch but kissing a girl. Her father said it was unforgivable. He banned her from the city with the excuse that the girl had tried to kiss his daughter but luckily she had not been able to as his daughter would never let such a disgusting act happen to her. It was similar to the truth, but Yuqi had let Shuhua kiss her, and she had enjoyed it, much more than she should have.
Yuqi hated watching Shuhua walk out the gates into the abandoned land as she stood safe and comfortable next to the protection of her family. Even Shuhua's family had disowned their daughter completely erasing her from their family tree. Yuqi cried hard that day. She lost her best friend, but she also lost part of her soul.

After her father had led Shuhua away he had taken Yuqi to the basement where he stripped her of her shirt and whipped three long gashes into her back. They had scarred but she knew she could never tell what happened. People would say she deserved it, even her mother said she deserved it. Her mother was always so kind and loving but she stood with a cold gaze as she watched her child crying from the pain before she helped her to her room and bandaged her back.
She hated this life, but she could never be released from it. Only death could take the pain away. This is why the girl stood on a bridge far enough away for the patrol cars not to find her seeing that it was past curfew. Luckily, her parents were not home. They had a meeting with another city a few days travel away. So here she was ready to jump. She just hoped her mother could forgive her for this.

~~Shuhua POV~~
Yeh Shuhua did not resent Yuqi after what had happened. She was upset but she also knew the girl would bever speak against her father. She was a follower; she always had been and Shuhua knew she should have been more careful than to let her feelings control her actions. Although she can't say she was unhappy in her situation.

I-DLE found her after she had been kicked out. They were a small group of outcasts that helped do supply runs for the Outcasts. Shuhua discovered they had created their little paradise. Well, those who didn't try to fend for themselves at least. The outcast paradise was placed in the abandoned underground railways. The people who started it had dug further tunnels and created a safe environment for those turned away from the Cities. They called the place Neverland, and it was now Shuhua's new home.

Neverland was run by a leader, but they were more excepting and the rules in place were purely to keep them safe and not just to control them. The original leader had passed from old age and her grandchild, who had been turned away from the city for being born out of wedlock, has taken her place. Jeon Soyeon. At first, Shuhua had been terrified when she came face to face with the short girl but soon learned she was as kind and excepting as she was cold and fierce.

Soyeon wanted to lead the outcasts to bring down the city and its laws and although many wanted the same thing, they had to be careful. They had been planning for years and never had they been given a chance to infiltrate and get information from the inside. Soyeon always says that if they are going to invade and take the city down, it would be in a way that the leaders will never be able to recover. The outcasts did not want to kill or hurt innocent people they just wanted to break the binds that held them from being free to love. They wanted to take civilization back to before the after-effects of the disease.

Shuhua had joined I-DLE soon after she had been found because she knew the city much better as she had only been taken away recently. Due to her friendship with Yuqi, she was also well aware of patrol times and the few citizens who stayed out after curfew. Yuqi had always complained about how unfair it was that the other kids in similar positions to her could stay out after curfew without getting punished while she was stuck at home playing the perfect daughter. Shuhua smiled as she remembered the conversation they had at lunch. They were seated 1.5 meters apart as always, but the girl had tried to be as close to Shuhua as she could without being scolded by the guards at every door.

Shuhua still loved Yuqi, of course, she did. Song Yuqi was her first love after all but above that, she had moved on. Shuhua was undeniably in complete love with her girlfriend. Seo Soojin. Soojin lead I-DLE on runs and was Soyeon's right hand for anything that was needed. The other members Minnie and Miyeon were also a couple although they bickered quite a lot. On most runs, Soyeon would join them as she wanted to gain more insight into the city herself and she wanted to prove herself to the outcasts that she was not just a leader who let others do the dirty work. She was not like The leaders in the city. She protected her people.
The girls of I-DLE were aware of the truth behind Shuhua's banishment. They were surprised to hear Shuhua speak so well of the person who had betrayed her, but they were also aware of the kind heart the girl had, and when she told them that Yuqi was not to blame they believed her. No one could imagine what life the girl was living behind closed doors anyway.

Tonight they were on a run and not just for supplies, since the Leaders had left they would have more chance to find the weak points of the city as well as maybe break into the leader's house for more information, well Soyeon wanted to, but Shuhua refused.

"No, Soyeon it's not a good idea. If Yuqi did not go with them as you assume then she will wake, and we'll get caught. If they catch we're dead. Remember?" Shuhua never said no to Soyeon but this time she would not allow it. They were whispering as they were inside the walls already they just had to pass over the bridge to get to the center of the city.

"We may not get another opportunity like this again!" Soyeon nearly shouted out of frustration, but she pulled herself together as she needed the younger to understand the situation. They had to take the opportunity. The two continued to argue while the other three rolled their eyes and made their way ahead of them. But Minnie realized something as she took a step closer, there on the edge of the bridge was someone climbing onto the side.

"Oh my god! Are they going to jump?" Minnie practically screamed while the others shushed her before following where she pointed.

The commotion brought the bickering two back to reality as they saw the commotion. They caught up to the others to see what was happening. Shuhua felt her heart drop as she squinted her eyes to see the familiar figure. The girl had not changed at all in the last three years. Before she realized what she was doing she was running towards the figure while the others called her name in whisper-shouts before running after her. When Shuhua reached the girl she saw how the girl was so lost in her thoughts she had not seen the outcasts approach her. Upon a closer look, the girls realized why Shuhua had taken off. The girl was without a doubt Song Yuqi, the president's daughter.

The girl was still in her evening wear. A long white dress that flowed with the wind. Shuhua knew Yuqi loved wearing more comfortable clothes, but her mother still bought and forced her into more feminine clothes. The nightgowns were the only part of her wardrobe that Yuqi enjoyed as the nighties were long and although they had spaghetti straps they were also not itchy or uncomfortable as her other dresses or skirts her mother would force her into. Shuhua saw Yuqi was crying, tears were rolling down her cheeks as she stood in the soft breeze ready to jump. There was no way anyone could survive that fall, the girls knew that.

"Yuqi, what are you doing? Please get down from there." Shuhua spoke softly but still loud enough for Yuqi to hear her. She was not surprised by the shock in Yuqi's eyes when she turned her head to see who had spoken to her. The girl's head moved so fast Shuhua was sure the girl would get whiplash.

~~Yuqi~~

"W-what?" Yuqi spoke in a whisper she was surprised by the voice. It can't be? She had spoken too soon. When she looked at the girl there she stood. Yeh Shuhua. She was still as beautiful as the day they had met.

"I know you're surprised but please just come down and we will talk about this," Shuhua spoke softly as if she thought Yuqi would leap at any moment.

She was not wrong though. This had not changed Yuqi's mind in any way. She was not going to get down. She turned her head away after glancing at the girls behind Shuhua. She knew they were outcasts as well judging from their clothing and appearance.

"No," Yuqi replied, "This changes nothing for me Shuhua. I am glad I could see you one last time though. I wished I had fought harder for you. I was too scared of him, and I regret it. I should have left with you that day, maybe then I wouldn't be here." Yuqi spoke the last part to herself.

"You don't have to do this Yuqi. I forgave you long ago. I know what your father is like!" Shuhua was growing desperate the girl was still standing at the edge and the breeze had started to pick up. If Yuqi let go of the pole she was holding onto with her right hand she would fall without anyone being able to help her.

"You don't get it Shuhua. I don't blame you; you haven't been here. Do you know my father plans to marry me early? I don't even get the year of adjustment. He will marry me off to Lucas as soon as he returns."

Shuhua was not very surprised. She knew that Yuqi's father would do what he had to, to keep up his image and he was doing this to make sure that Yuqi would not be given the chance to defy the marriage and be banished for her uality.

Shuhua was quiet so Yuqi continued, " I can't do it anymore Shu. And I refuse to marry someone I could never love, much less a man. The patrols aren't happening tonight the policemen are taking the leader's absence as free time. My jacket is over there," Yuqi nodded to her right at the blazer on the ground, " You and you're friends will find the key to my house there. My father keeps his secret folders in a safe that is in a secret room. If you go into my bathroom there is a flower tile that is out of place move it to the side it will lead you there. You already know the code."

Yuqi looked at the other girls she only recognized Minnie and Miyeon, they were senior's when she was in her second year of high school. They looked happy, Yuqi was glad they could get away from this mess and be happy together.

"Jumping won't solve your problems, you know," Shuhua said as she moved to sit on the ledge beside Yuqi. The other girls grew weary and moved closer to be able to grab the girls if they were to fall accidentally.

Yuqi sighed and sat beside Shuhua, " I know what you're doing. It will not work. You can leave this place and go back to freedom. I am forever bound to these walls."

"Why don't you leave with us? Isn't it simpler than ending your life?" Shuhua looked at the girl.

Yuqi laughed with her head thrown back before she smiled a grin so bright that Shuhua knew the sun must be jealous, "I did think about it. My father placed a tracker in me, and I thought of taking it out and leaving. But then I thought that I would never truly be free anyway. I feel as if I have lost a part of me anyway Shuhua. So I thought why not end all the suffering. Death will be my freedom." Yuqi slowly lowered her head onto Shuhua's shoulder as she spoke. Ignoring the death glares she could feel from behind her.

"I am happy to know you have moved on though," Yuqi said as she turned in the direction of a beautiful brunette who had a beauty mark under her eye. When she turned back to Shuhua she held a serious gaze, "You don't have much time the sun will rise in a few hours. You have to go if you want time to grab some supplies." Before Shuhua could process it Yuqi was standing. She let go of the pillar on her right ready to fall into her freedom but before she could a hand grabbed the back of her dress causing her to fall back onto the safety of the ground again. Shuhua had never been more grateful for Jeon Soyeon in her life before.

Yuqi rolled off the figure before she looked to the side to see probably the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. Now is seriously not the time to gay panic Yuqi! Yuqi shook her thoughts away before she stood at the same time as the other girl.

"What the hell is your problem?" Yuqi shouted at the girl.

Shuhua sighed out of relief before she got down and turned to Soyeon, "Thank you."

Soyeon just nodded her head towards her still wary of Yuqi.

Shuhua then looked at Yuqi before she started hitting her, "What the hell is your problem! HUH! I thought I was going to have to watch you DIE! You ! That would have traumatized me you know! You're my BEST FRIEND!" Shuhua had started to cry as she hit Yuqi repeatedly until the girl took a hold of her hands and wrapped Shuhua in a hug. They both fell to the floor as Yuqi held the younger as they both shed tears.

Yuqi had not even processed that she was holding the girl. Touching her. The girls were also very surprised by how easily Yuqi had welcomed the touch of another person so easily. Soojin was not though. She knew from the stories Shuhua used to tell her that Yuqi was a tactile person, but her father had beaten that out of her and made her fear another's touch. Except for Shuhua, when the two were alone Yuqi was herself and would cling to the younger if they were truly alone.

Yuqi ran her fingers through Shuhua's hair to console her the way she used to when they were younger and Shuhua had gotten into a fight with her parents. "I'm sorry Shu. I'm just sick of it. I don't think I can handle it much longer. And Lucas he's sweet but he deserves better. He should be matched with someone who will genuinely fall in love with him. I can't do that. I can't handle being a perfect daughter and a perfect wife for them. If I refuse my father will probably have me killed anyway and then blame it on the outcasts."

The girls were watching them in silence, but Minnie knew they couldn't do this all night. "We have to go otherwise we won't get out in time." She reminded them.

Yuqi looked up at the girls who were watching them and blushed out of embarrassment, "I'm sorry for slowing you down. You better get going before it's too late."

"No, you're coming with us," Shuhua said it matter-of-factly she was not leaving any room for arguing.

"Shuhua-" Yuqi was cut off by the girl she recognized as Shuhua's possible new lover.

"She's right we won't leave you here after this. God knows what you will do to yourself if we don't take you with us." Soojin said it as if she was bored but Shuhua knew her better than that. So she smiled at her amazing girlfriend before she turned to Yuqi again.

"I will not leave without you. So come on. We will make a pitstop at your house and grab those files before we head to the mall." Shuhua told Yuqi.

Yuqi sighed before she turned to pick up her blazer. As she was putting it back on the girls could see the tips of two gashes in the moonlight that were running diagonally down the girl's back. Shuhua made a low gasp as she knew those were not there before. The other girls silently looked at one another before Yuqi turned around letting them know she was ready to go, still unaware of the fact that they had seen.

~~Time Skip~~

The girls were standing in the backyard of Yuqi's house. They had come through the way she used to sneak out. Just in case the neighbors were feeling nosy. Yuqi made her way into the door that led to the kitchen.

"Come in, but just be quiet. Lucas is a pretty heavy sleeper but now and then he wakes up rather easily." The girls trailed behind her rather quietly and Shuhua shot Yuqi a confused look, "My father's doing." That is all Yuqi responded with hoping the younger would understand and she did. They had not been in a place like this for a long time and well, Soyeon, she'd never seen the inside of a citizen's house, so the girls were all amazed.

Yuqi quietly walked them through to the front entrance then up the stairs to her room. Upon entering Shuhua smiled at the fact that the room had barely changed in the last three years. There were still different giraffe plushies covering the bed including the giant one Shuhua had given her for her birthday one year. The walls were white with family pictures as well as all Yuqi's medals and trophies for the different sports she did. Her laptop was sitting open on her desk where a few books were scattered and probably have been left untouched since the end of her exams. Being here again reminded Shuhua of the last time she'd been here. When she was thrown out and exiled from the city.

"Are you all going to come with me or?" Yuqi asked the girls while pointing to her bathroom.

"No," Shuhua replied. She figured it would be best if only one person stuck with Yuqi while the rest got supplies, "We'll go get supplies and Soyeon will stay with you. We will meet you guys at the exit point." Shuhua said it quickly completely ignoring the confused looks thrown at her and the very obvious glare from Soyeon.

"Wait, I didn't " Soyeon was cut off by Shuhua as she grabbed Soojin's hand and bid them goodbye. Minnie and Miyeon only offered the younger a quick look of sympathy before they were gone, "-agree." Soyeon just shook her head before she turned to Yuqi.

Before Soyeon was so stressed about the situation taking place that she had not had time to admire the girl. Yuqi was hiding a blush while she looked at her shoes. Soyeon wanted to pinch the girls' cheeks because she was adorable. She would never though, she did not know this girl, but she could tell she had no bad intentions.

Yuqi cleared at the girl who was staring at her, "So let's go?"

Soyeon just nodded her head as she followed Yuqi into the bathroom. Yuqi moved into the tub where the flower tile sat before she pressed on it. Soyeon was shocked when a small part of the wall moved back and Yuqi pushed it open.

"We'll have to climb through, but be careful the small hole is only about a meter long before it opens into a passageway," Yuqi told Soyeon before she hoisted herself up and shone a torch to light the way.
Soyeon climbed into the bathtub before she climbed into the hole. The crawl space was lit up from the torch Yuqi was shining into the small space for her. Yuqi was right the hole did not stretch so far before you could climb into a passageway. Yuqi helped Soyeon down from the crawl space and led her through to a steel door.

"My dad had this place built to hold secret meetings. He also had us start using it as a safe room after some people broke in a few years ago and tried to kill him," Yuqi was explaining as she keyed in a code for the door and opened it letting Soyeon step in first. She heard Yuqi close the door behind her before switching on the lights. Soyeon marveled at the room that held a meeting table in the center as well as shelves stocked with preserved foods and a small bathroom attached. Yuqi smiled at the girl, "The safe is over there. By the way, what's you're name?"

"It's Soyeon," Soyeon replied as she watched the girl bend down at the safe before keying in another code. The safe opened and Yuqi grabbed some files and passed the rest to Soyeon.

"This is all the important stuff, let's get out of here." Yuqi nodded at Soyeon and led her out of the room. They again made their way back to her room and Yuqi closed the entrance door to the saferoom. Just as they were about to leave the bathroom Yuqi heard a knock on her door. . He's supposed to be asleep. Yuqi was stressing especially when he called for her.

"Hey, Yuqi? Are you ok? I got up to get some water and I saw your light was on." It was Lucas. He was quarantined in their house so when Yuqi's father returned they could get married and stay with Yuqi's parents until they were assigned housing.

Without thinking Yuqi grabbed Soyeon and pulled her into the tub when she heard Lucas's steps heading in their direction. She'd pushed the girl against the shower wall holding a hand over and turned the water on completely drenching them in water.

"Umm, I'm sorry to wake you. I had a period accident and needed to shower." Yuqi was still stressing but sighed a breath of relief when she heard Lucas' footsteps pause.

"I-it's alright. Goodnight." Lucas said quickly before making his way out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Yuqi sighed out of relief and placed her head on the girl's shoulder. She was stressed and worried about what could have happened if they'd been caught. She was so lost in trying to calm her racing heart she barely noticed the girl she pressed to under the running water. Soyeon didn't know what to do she was in shock at the whole situation. Yuqi was touching her. It was weird, but she figured the girl would come to her senses and realize soon. She looked down at the younger girl and smiled a bit when noticing the stress and exhaustion in Yuqi's expression. Soyeon brought her hand up and turned the water off before she ran her hand through the girl's hair. Yuqi relaxed even more into Soyeon before Soyeon spoke up, "We have to get going and now we'll need a change of clothes."

At the feeling of Soyeon's hand combing through her hair, Yuqi woke from her little moment and flinched out of the girl's hold, "I'm so sorry. I-it's j-just he was going to come in and I freaked, and I am so incredibly sorry." Yuqi was blushing while trying to stutter out her speech to Soyeon.

She was surprised that she was so quick to touch the girl but blamed it on her shock at trying to get Lucas to disappear. She quickly realized she'd enjoyed Soyeon's touch. She did not fear it the way she was taught to. She knew she was wrong, and she felt disgusted with herself that she'd liked the small show of affection. Yuqi knew her thinking was also beyond wrong, but she couldn't help it, it had been beaten into her. She was confused as she did not want to feel it again, but she also wanted more of it. She craved to feel that touch more it was not like when she was with Shuhua, at least not from what she remembered. With Shuhua they had been friends and the two were used to sneaking tactile affection in whenever they could, but this. This touch felt different to Yuqi, it was freeing. It felt right.

"It's alright," Soyeon spoke softly, she could see the girl was going through a whirlwind of emotions, "Let's change and get out of here."

Yuqi felt grateful the older did not mention her miniature freak out and led her out of the bathroom and gave her a spare change of clothes. While Soyeon was changing in the bathroom Yuqi also changed and packed a small duffel bag of clothes for herself and grabbed the last thing she had from Shuhua the giant giraffe plushie. Then she remembered the tracker. She had to get it out before she left. Soyeon stepped out of the bathroom in Yuqi's clothes and the girl's jaw dropped at how adorable she looked.

Yuqi cleared before she turned away so the girl would not see her blush, "Can you help me get the tracker out?"

"Is it ok? If I touch you I mean…" Soyeon remembered the incident earlier and wanted to make sure it was ok, "Otherwise Shuhua can do it before we leave the walls."

"No, no it's ok. She doesn't like blood anyway and I don't want my surgeon to pass out while I'm practically bleeding out." Soyeon chuckled at Yuqi's response. She was aware of Shuhua's hate of blood.

"Ok, do you have anything to…" Soyeon trailed off when Yuqi sped past her and grabbed a medical kit as well as a razor blade before putting it out on the bed and sitting down facing away from the girl.

Soyeon sat behind Yuqi carefully before holding the girl's hair up. Yuqi took her hair and shivered when Soyeon's hands brushed with hers. She was enjoying this too much, she knew that, but she also didn't want it to stop. Soyeon placed some disinfectant on a swab before cleaning the blade, tweezers, and needle with it.

"Can you show me exactly where it is?" Soyeon asked Yuqi.

Yuqi turned her body slightly before taking Soyeons hand a little hesitantly and placing it in the center of her neck, "You should be able to feel it there." Soyeon could feel it, a little bump under the skin. She took the swab and rubbed it on the spot. She could see the hairs rise on the girl's neck and her breathing got a bit heavier. Whether she was nervous from Soyeon's touch or from the fear of being cut she did not know. She took the blade and pierced through the skin lightly. She saw the tracker and grabbed the tweezers to pull it out. As soon as she did she placed the swab over the wound to clean it. She tried to do the process as quickly as possible. She saw the younger's face scrunched up.

"It's almost over I just have to stitch it back up ok," Soyeon told the girl who just hummed to let her know she had been heard. Soyeon got to work and sighed out of relief as soon as she had finished.
They had to get out of there quickly to meet the others before it was too late. So she got up from the bed with Yuqi as they grabbed an extra bag to hold the files as well as Yuqi's laptop, the girl convinced her it may come in handy later on. The two silently made their way out of the house after Yuqi checked if Lucas was sleeping.

Once they were out Yuqi looked back before smiling at the realization she would never have to see this place again. She had left a note for her parents, a suicide note knowing even if they tried they would never be able to find her body even if she'd jumped from the bridge. It was better if they thought she was dead rather than try to find her before the City finds out. It was easier as well; her mother could move on instead of feeling ashamed of her. Her father would be embarrassed but honestly, Yuqi could care less. And honestly, as she walked away into the dark with this mysterious new girl she could not have been any happier.

~~Time Skip~~

"Where have you guys been? You were almost late! And why is Soyeon in different clothes? Why is your hair soaked? What the hell happened?" It was Shuhua who was whisper-yelling at them frustrated.

"Sorry, it's a long story can we just go?" Yuqi felt rather embarrassed by all the eyes on her and so she tried to hide behind the giant plushie she insisted to bring even after Soyeon told her it was unreasonable.

"Whatever happened let's get going," Soojin spoke when she saw the Yuqi and Soyeon's obvious blush.

They all stood and started making their way to the part of the wall that they could get in and out through. Shuhua then realized something, "Wait, Yuqi's tracker."

"It's all good, Soyeon took it out," Yuqi spoke quickly before ducking her head down and walking to stand by Minnie who was currently leading them.

Shuhua was in shock at Yuqi's words, "You let her touch you?" The other girls also froze realizing the situation.

"It was nothing Shuhua. Please can we just go before we get caught?" Yuqi was feeling horribly embarrassed and was grateful when Soyeon stepped up, "Come on. Let's go. We don't have all night." Soyeon made her way in front and when she passed by Yuqi she entwined their hands together to let her know it was alright. She was hoping the girl would not flinch and she was relieved when Yuqi took a shaky breath but still applied some pressure to their hands letting her know it was ok. She figured apart from all Shuhua's questions Yuqi was nervous about leaving the place she had always been reasonably safe in. She was guarded here and when she left that safety would be gone. Soyeon turned away from the girls whose jaws were currently touching the ground before leading Yuqi away. Hands still intertwined.

Shuhua had no words and felt like her brain was short-circuiting. Even Soojin could not defend that action and stood speechless. Minnie and Miyeon were just as in shock but looked at one another before moving forward after them. Soojin dragged Shuhua behind her while processing everything. They heard Minnie speak up, "Soyeon must have been one hell of a nurse." Miyeon just laughed before Shuhua broke from her daze and hit Minnie lightly.

"It's not funny. Yuqi's afraid of touch how the hell has she adjusted after one night?" Shuhua was being serious, and the older girls were not used to it, it made them realize why Shuhua was so confused and shocked by the information.

"We'll ask Soyeon when we arrive. Ok?" Soojin said to Shuhua while placing an arm around her shoulders to assure her it would all be just fine.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to touch you. I just figured you wanted them to stop asking questions." Soyeon said and tried to let go of Yuqi's hand when they were out of earshot. Keyword TRIED.

Yuqi held her hand even harder, "It's ok. It's nice. I'm not used to touching at least not with anyone other than Shuhua or my parents and even my parents were not tactile at all." Yuqi was relieved when Soyeon stopped trying to let go and held onto her hand a little harder.

"You're parents never hugged you?" Soyeon was confused she never knew what it was like to live without touch, but she was surprised that Yuqi lived with only the slightest affection from even her parents.

"They did, only on special occasions though. My dad believed in setting an example for the people." Yuqi hated the society they lived in as she believed in human affection and love. She thought the lack of touch is what turned the citizens so cruel.

"Don't worry about it. I'm here if you ever need anything a hug or…" Soyeon broke off while blushing. She was about to say love but realized that may have been too far.
Yuqi laughed at the girl who had grown shy, "Thank you, I will."

The two continued to walk in peace before they made it to the exit. Yuqi held onto Soyeons hand a little tighter when she figured this was it. There was no turning back now. By now the others had managed to catch up and Shuhua had grown excited. Until she saw Yuqi's face.

"It'll be ok you know. You'll love where we're going. You can even start painting again! I know your father doesn't allow it anymore." Shuhua went through with Soojin first then Minnie and Miyeon.
Soyeon squeezed her hand one last time before leading the girl through the hole as well and sealing it behind them.

 

They had made it to Neverland and as soon as they walked through the entrance Shuhua grabbed Yuqi's giraffe before taking her other hand and stealing her from Soyeon. Soyeon had not been pleased and glared as the two girls bounded away to presumably visit Shuhua and Soojin's room. Soyeon just made her way to her office a little upset she couldn't show Yuqi around first. She heard laughter come from Soojin, Minnie, and Miyeon as the three entered the office to discuss the files they found.

"You know we're going to discuss what happened eventually, right?" Soojin said with a slight smirk.

"I know." Soyeon sighed before explaining the events that had taken place earlier before retreating to bed before her annoying friends could ask her any more questions.
Meanwhile, Yuqi had explained everything to Shuhua and then asked her to lead her to where she would stay. She was way too tired to answer any questions when she was also confused by the turn of events tonight.

Yuqi was now in her room which was right next to Soyeon's and Shuhua was on the other side. She was exhausted but couldn't stop thinking why she had let Soyeon touch her so easily. She thought it was wrong and felt disgusting at first but then she wanted more of it. She didn't quite get it. She still wanted more of it, and she hated how eager she was to go to Soyeon's room and ask for that hug she'd been offered before. But she wouldn't she was too scared to. That night both girls couldn't sleep with the thoughts of each other running through their minds.

~~Three Weeks Later~~

It had been nearly a month since Yuqi arrived and people were still being cautious of her. They all knew who she was, and they feared she would 'out' them to her father. She stuck mostly to Shuhua and steered clear of Soyeon while she was still figuring out why she seemed so drawn to her. Shuhua had helped set Yuqi up in her new room and helping her feel comfortable even with all the looks she was receiving. The council knew what happened from Soyeon and thought Yuqi would be a good way to bring the City down once and for all. They tried to explain this to the outcasts but still, they did not fully trust her and Yuqi didn't blame them. She understood why.

Every night she had to fight the thought of visiting the silver-haired girl's room. She still didn't like it when someone would brush past her or would touch her accidentally. She hated it, but still, she wanted Soyeon to hold her hand again. She wanted more than that, but she didn't understand what she wanted. She figured she had a crush and as soon as she told Shuhua, the girl went crazy and nearly hurt herself with how hard she fell from the bed. Still, Yuqi avoided Soyeon afraid of these new feelings especially after the last time Yuqi expressed her feelings for another girl.

Soyeon was the same she wanted to spend more time with Yuqi, but she felt like the girl was ignoring her. She tried to ignore it though and keep her mind on the files she was sorting through. That was exactly what she was doing right now. At twelve when she should be in bed sleeping the rest left her room earlier to get some much-needed sleep, but Soyeon needed to figure out how she could use the information she had. It was incredibly late so Soyeon was surprised by the knock on her door. She sighed as she stood from her floor where she had been surrounded by all the paperwork and moved to see who it was. She assumed it would be Soojin checking to make sure she would go to bed before she turned into a grouch the next day.

To her surprise when she opened the door, it was the person she'd been wanting to speak to since they got back from the city. Soyeon was surprised so she didn't do much but look at the girl who was standing in front of her. Yuqi looked like a deer caught in the headlights with her eyes wide as she tried to come up with an explanation as to why she was there.

"I-I wanted to apologize for ignoring you the past few weeks." Yuqi was nervous, she was shifting her weight and fiddling with her hands in front of her.

Soyeon sighed before she moved aside letting the girl know it's okay to enter her room. When Yuqi had made her way into the room she looked at the files and figured out why Soyeon was also awake so late.

Soyeon closed her door before she approached Yuqi, "Why are you up so late?"

"Oh, I couldn't sleep and then I saw your light was still on from under your door,' Yuqi paused before taking a deep breath and continuing under Soyeon's soft but intense gaze, "I wanted to tell you why I've been avoiding you. Shuhua said that you mentioned it to Soojin so…"

Soyeon knew she should not have complained about it to Soojin after all the girls told her girlfriend everything.

"The reason I have been avoiding you is… I'm confused," Soyeon furrowed her brows at that, but let the girl continue, "I don't understand why you're touch does not scare me as others do. In fact, I miss it and I don't get why. I mean my whole life I had been secluded from it and taught how wrong it was. Those feelings still fill me but when you held my hand those voices were muted, and it just felt right. I can't sleep without thinking of asking you for a hug and it sounds so stupid because Shuhua explained all these things to me that I don't understand. After all, I was never taught about it. And some of the stuff she said kind of freaked me out but then she mentioned that kiss we had when we were younger, you know before she was banished, and then asked me if I wanted to do that with you and the truth is I kind of do but I still don't understand it. I mean I met you once and I barely know you…" Yuqi continued to ramble unaware of the girl approaching her.

Soyeon had kind of gotten lost in Yuqi's ramble, but she heard key points and when she heard the girl wanted to kiss her she lost all sense of control. Soyeon moved forward before she pulled Yuqi's face to her height and kissed her. Completely silencing the surprised girl. Yuqi froze at first still in shock by the older who had moved towards her without Yuqi even noticing. She melted when she felt Soyeon's soft lips touch hers. She felt her eyelids close as she kissed back letting her instinct set in, considering she'd only ever kissed Shuhua and that was interrupted rather abruptly.

Yuqi placed her hands on Soyeons waist as the other moved closer still caressing Yuqi's face. The kiss felt so much better than either one could ever imagine and Yuqi felt as if she was on cloud nine, so when Soyeon moved back she chuckled at the girl who chased after her lips. Yuqi still had her eyes closed as she leaned her head into Soyeon's palm that was still placed on her cheek.
Yuqi ignored Soyeon's laughing at her dazed state, but she truly felt as if she was drunk. She slowly opened her eyes to see Soyeon smiling at her rather smugly. Yuqi felt embarrassment wash over her as she squealed and hid her face in Soyeon's neck. Soyeon wrapped her arm around her waist while the other came up to run her fingers through the girl's short hair. Yuqi melted into Soyeon's arms once again as she let the older hold her. Yuqi felt so much happiness she thought she could burst.

"Would you like to stay with me tonight?" Soyeon asked wearily. She didn't want to push the girl especially when she was still afraid of other people's touch. But she also wanted to hold Yuqi exactly like this tonight. Soyeon felt that she would have a much better sleep feeling the younger in her arms. After that kiss, she knew she would struggle to watch the puppy leave.

As smug as she acted towards Yuqi after she felt the same. She was also in a daze at the feeling of the younger's lips against hers. She'd never met anyone who had riled her up as much as Yuqi and she loved it. The outcasts had always been scared of her or respected her to the point that she never really got the chance to gain romantic feelings. After that night with Yuqi, she found that she would think of the girl constantly and her eyes were always looking for her. She liked the girl, and she knew that but to find out the feelings were mutual was enough to make her heart gleam from joy.

When the girl didn't reply to her Soyeon glanced down to see the worry in her eyes, "hey you don't have to, we will still see one another in the morning. I don't want to force you into anything too soon." Soyeon was worried she did not want the girl to feel pressured into staying with her.

"NO! I want to. I just… it's strange is all," Yuqi replied while pulling from Soyeon a bit, "I-I've never been able to touch anyone other than Shuhua and my mother. So to freely stand here with you, like this. It's just, I'm so happy but I'm also worried that I'm going to wake up in the morning and this would have all been a dream or my father will storm in and rip me from all of you. I don't want that. I know it hasn't been long, but I love it here." Yuqi looked at Soyeon to see the older looking at her with understanding. It made Yuqi feel relieved that she was understood, and she felt like she could talk to Soyeon about anything.

"Come on," Soyeon led Yuqi to the bed as she pulled the sheets away and started to tuck the girl in. She knew Yuqi wanted to be with her just as much as Soyeon wanted it. Soyeon moved to the other side before she opened her arms under the blanket for Yuqi to cuddle against her and the younger did. Yuqi laid her head on Soyeons arm as she snuggled her face into her neck feeling complete calm take over her body.

"I know how you feel, but you are safe here and I will make sure that nothing happens to any of us. Your father will never rip you apart from us. I promise." And it was a promise that Soyeon would keep. The two fell asleep shortly after, bodies intertwined and smiles on their faces as they slept peacefully for the first time in a while.

~~The Next Morning~~

The next morning Shuhua had gone to wake Yuqi up for breakfast but when she did not see her in her room she checked where breakfast was being served. where breakfast was being served. Yuqi was nowhere Shuhua looked, and she felt worried, she knew Yuqi had some trouble sleeping but she didn't think Yuqi would wander off, right? In a panicked state Shuhua rushed to find Soojin. Upon approaching her room she saw that Soojin was just leaving Soyeon's.

"Hey, have you seen Yuqi? I can't find her anywhere and it's kind of stressing me out." Shuhua said breathlessly after running around in a frenzy.

Soojin just smiled at Shuhua before smirking, "take a look for yourself." Soojin quietly opened Soyeon's door again and made the younger peek inside. There on Soyeon's bed laid Yuqi and Soyeon wrapped in each other's arms completely unaware of the two girls watching them. Shuhua had to hold in a squeal after what may have happened last night. The two moved out of the room and walked quietly down the hall to breakfast, leaving the two to rest peacefully.