The older woman’s brows furrowed at the request paper set at her desk. She looks back at the doe eyed beauty sitting across from her. It’s a dime in a dozen to meet someone so young yet so hardworking, and she usually doesn’t take request but for this doe eyed beauty, she might reconsider it.

“So, you’re requesting to have your switch shifts from night duties to days?”

“Well, that would be ideal but even at least 3-11 shift.”

“For someone who just started working for 2 weeks, you adjusted faster than most and you’re doing a great job. So, what is your reason for wanting to change schedule?”

Because her lover can’t fall asleep that was Yoona’s only reason. But she knew no nursing manager in their right mind would take that as an excuse.

“I’m having a hard time balancing work with school.”

She hardly lies but for Yuri it’s not even a choice…

*

Flashback…

Yuri’s face turned into that of a kicked puppy when Yoona just walk in without giving her a kiss. The doe eyed girl quickly pulls of her clothes and quickly changes to her scrubs.

“I…I pack you some dinner from the restaurant.”

Yoona screeches to a halt when she realizes that she just walk in and ignored Yuri.

“Thank you baby…” Yoona sneakily tries to glance at her watch, making sure that Yuri won’t see or she might think that’s she’s being an inconvenience. She walks over to the girl and wraps her arms around Yuri’s shoulder. 

“It’s your first day, I meant night on the job. I don’t want you to go hungry.”

Yoona kisses Yuri thankfully. But the thankful smile turns into worry when she sees a bandage on Yuri’s palm. “Hey… what happen?”

“It’s no big deal, I just cut myself while chopping some vegetables. They make me cut veggies now… I guess it’s a promotion.”

“I don’t want you getting hurt.” Yoona kisses the bandage.

“It’s a little scratch…” 

“Ok… but next time you need to be careful. I’ll see you tomorrow.” It was supposed to be a goodbye kiss. but the moment Yuri presses her waist on Yoona’s entangling the girl in her kisses, Yoona knew that saying goodbye would be much harder than she thought. 

“I have to go…” Yoona pulls away hesitantly.

“I want to take you to work…”Yuri says almost pleadingly.

“It’s ok baby…” Yoona brushes Yuri’s cheek with her thumb “I don’t like you riding the metrorail by yourself especially at night.” 

Yuri stepped away defeated, what Yoona was saying is very true. There was no way she’s getting into public transportation especially metrorails if Yoona wasn’t with her. 

“Oh okay… I’ll wait for you…”

“I won’t be home until the morning, so just try to sleep ok? I’ll call you when I get to work…”

“Call me on your break too…”

“I will…”

Yuri seeks Yoona’s lips once again. One goodbye kiss turned into two, and two multiplying into more, Until Yoona got the strength to finally tear away from Yuri. 

“I have to go…” Yoona kisses Yuri for the last time on the forehead. 

“I love you…” Yuri calls out before Yoona steps out the door.

And as nervous as Yoona was on her first day, all of it just fades away at the three words that Yuri uttered.

“I love you too…”

Yuri sighs heavily as Yoona stepped out of the door. Her eyes remained lock at the door, unintentionally waiting for Yoona. Yuri sighs heavily again knowing that all this hopeless waiting will just turned into disappointment. She tears her eyes away from the door and just climbs lifelessly on the bed. Even if she tries to get some shut eye she knew it would be pointless.

This was the start of Yuri’s sleepless night.

*

She kept on tossing and turning, she even started counting sheep, anything that could help her go to sleep. None of it worked.

It wasn’t the mattress, or the humidity that was causing her to lose sleep, it was the empty spot beside her. She even swore that it won’t matter if she sleeps on the pavement if Yoona is there beside her.

Yuri didn’t know how long she was just staring at the empty space, as if she’s waiting for Yoona to magically appear.

It was 11 pm when her phone starts buzzing…

“Hello?”

“Hi baby…” 

Yuri never thought it was this crazy but she just missed Yoona so much 

“How come you’re not asleep yet?”

“I’m not sleepy” Yuri lies even if her exact reason was she can’t sleep without Yoona beside her. “So, how’s work?”

“It’s going good…” Yoona lies as well. She didn’t want Yuri to know how the others treat her there on her first day. No one tells her how to do things, but has no problem scolding her or worse snickering behind her back when she does something wrong. The nurses and even the other nursing aides were handing her their work and as much as Yoona wanted to say no, she knows she can’t. 

“That’s good. So did you eat the food I send? I chop those veggies myself.”

“Oh, that’s why it’s so good.” 

Yoona’s chuckle was just heavenly for Yuri.

“You liar…”

“No I’m not lying…”

Yuri presses the phone closer to her ear just so she could feel Yoona closer 

“This is the best Chinese food I ever tasted.”

“Then, you haven’t gone to a lot…”

“Good point… Maybe on my next pay we could go to a good chinese restaurant.”

“UGH! Just the thought of Chinese food makes me puke already… Can we go somewhere else?”

“Ok… Where would you want?”

“Let’s go Korean… bulgogi time…”

“Keke… Okay… Korean it is…” Yoona sighs heavily as she saw what time it was “Hey… I have to go back, go to sleep, okay?”

“Oh okay…” Just when Yuri stop feeling lonely, she starts missing Yoona again.

“I love you my baby, good night…”

“I love you too…”

“I’m putting the phone down… Go to sleep, okay?”

“Okay…” Yuri answers like an obedient child.

“Good night… I love you…”

But before Yuri could reply, Yoona had already put down her phone. And all of Yuri’s happiness just easily fizzled out. She laid back down on her bed and took a deep sigh…

This was the start of Yuri’s sleepless nights.

*

Yoona stares back at her phone screen, feeling a knot getting tied around her chest. Yuri is a grown woman, yet she couldn’t help but feel guilty leaving Yuri alone at night in their apartment.

“Was that your boyfriend?”

Yoona turns around to the husky yet playful voice. She don’t remember his name just the fact that all the older, married nurses were gushing about him. He was good looking, Yoona couldn’t deny that, but he’s not Yuri.

Yoona just smiles shyly and tries to excuse herself from the break room when he spoke up again.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to listen in to your conversation like that. I just think it’s sweet that’s all.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“You were smiling the whole time you were talking on the phone. He’s quite a lucky guy, making you smile like that.” His lips curve into a charming smile. “I’m Geun Suk… I work here as one of the nurses.”

“I’m Yoona…”

“I know…” He nods happily. 

“Well, I have to go back to work…”

“Nice to meet you Yoona…”

Yoona smiles politely and walks away, yet the smile in Geun Suk’s face stayed a bit longer even if Yoona was out of the room. He snickers at the thought, if he could get married woman to leave their husbands for him? How easy was it to steal a girl from her boyfriend?

*

Yuri felt like she was half dead from not sleeping at all the night before, yet the jingling sounds of keys followed by a twist of the door knob rob any sleep she had in her.

Yoona walks in their apartment, exhausted and ready to collapse in bed when the sight of Yuri patiently waiting for her like an adorable puppy manage to wake her up.

“You’re awake?” Yoona walks closer to Yuri, greeting Yuri with a kiss on the hair.

“I… I couldn’t sleep…” Yuri admits, nuzzling on Yoona and finally she was ready to go to dreamland. 

“Wait…” Yoona chuckles “Let me go take a shower first… You go to sleep, I’ll be right there, okay?”

“Okay.”

And as Yoona steps into the shower, Yuri have pondered how on Earth did she manage to sleep all her life without Yoona beside her? And how could one night without the girl have rendered her helpless? Yuri wished she could stay up longer to find out the answer, but the sound of the shower and Yoona humming was like a lullaby carrying her off to sleep.

*


Yoona knows that Yuri have already fallen asleep, but the tanned girl could hear a pin drop that Yoona have to turn the door knob carefully, wishing that it wouldn’t creak.

Yoona couldn’t help but feel guilty as she sees Yuri asleep. Even in her slumber, the scrunch look of Yuri’s brows and the light snore just shows how exhausted the girl is. Slowly, very slowly Yoona creeps to the space beside her, crawling underneath the sheets before pressing a light kiss on Yuri’s forehead. 

It was 5 am and while the world is slowly getting up on their feet, Yoona have her lover wrap in her embrace, ready to fall asleep.

*

Yoona covers to stifle the chuckle that was about to come out. She have seen Yuri countless of times sleeping with her tongue sticking out, but until now she couldn’t help but get amused by it. She tries to reach out for her phone at the bedside table but it just made Yuri pull her closer. 

“Yul? Are you asleep?”

Yuri fakes a loud snore before smiling still with her eyes closed. Yoona slaps the girl jokingly in the arms before yelping as Yuri tackles her in her embrace.

“You dare woke me up from my sleep? Hmmm?” Yuri says in her commander voice while tickling Yoona on her side.

“STOP!” Yoona screams between her fits of laughter as Yuri mercilessly tickles her.

“NEVER!!!”

Yoona’s phone starts beeping…

“Stop… Let me get my phone.”

Yuri gives Yoona a break and rolls off her. Her hand playing with Yoona’s as Yoona checks her phone with her free hand. Yuri’s playfulness disappeared when she sees the smile in yoona’s face fades.

“Who’s that?” 

“Ummm… Nobody…”

Yuri sits up and Yoona sputters a gulp when she saw the intense glare from Yuri.

“Who?” One word from Yuri and Yoona was already shaking

“Well… school stuff that’s why…”

“Oh okay…” Yuri shrugs it off and pulls Yoona on top of her. Yoona smiles while straddling on Yuri’s waist. Yuri matches Yoona’s smile with a more playful one, tugging Yoona to come closer, earning another yelp from the girl as she finishes where they left off. This time without any clothes on.

*

“Hey Yoona…”

Yoona turns around to see Geun Suk chasing after her.

“Oppa”

“You going home already?”

“Yeah… I still have classes in the afternoon… So, I needed to sleep a bit.”

“Well, how about getting some breakfast before-“

But Yoona’s mind already flew to the dark haired girl waiting at the step at her work. Yoona couldn’t help but think how adorable Yuri looks trying to keep those narrow eyes open.

“Yul?”

Tired as she was, Yuri woke up at the sound of Yoona’s voice. “Yoong?”

“You silly… did you come here by yourself?”

Yoona have been working for three days yet it didn’t get any easier for Yuri. Finally that third night, Yuri decided to brave the metrorail and ride to Yoona’s work just to pick her up after.

Yoona wasn’t really very showy when in public but that moment she couldn’t stop herself from giving Yuri a kiss on the hair. “C’mon let’s go home…”

“Yoona?”

Yuri’s face turn to a deep scowl at the sound of Geun Suk’s voice and when she saw the way he was looking at her girl. She hated him even more. 

“So, is this the special one that was making you smile earlier?”

“Ahhh yeah… She’s Yuri. Yul, this is Geun Suk oppa, one of the nurses here.”

The look on the man’s face woke Yuri up in an instant. Geun Suk is rarely intimidated but when Yuri took a step between him and Yoona, he couldn’t help but take a step back.

“Nice to meet you, Yuri…” He greets her trying to mask his uneasiness.

“You too…” Yuri lies in a low tone.

“Well, I was asking Yoona if she wants to go for breakfast, I was wondering if you two would like to go?”

It was a no.

“No.” Yuri replies coldly.

“Oh okay then… maybe next time?”

The two highly doubt it.

“Thanks…” But no thanks, Yoona smiles politely. 

Geun Suk can see Yuri tugging Yoona’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, Yuri.”

Yuri quickly turns around with her hand on Yoona’s, walking away with her girl. Not bothering if she replied or not.

*

“Don’t worry about him” Was the first words that Yoona said when they step inside their apartment.

“Was he the one that text you the night before?” Was the first words that Yuri uttered.

“I ummm… yes” Even if she knew that she didn’t cheat, Yoona couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“What did he text?”

“Nothing just hi…”

“And what did you say?” 

Yoona couldn’t help but feel like a convict with the way Yuri was interrogating her.

“N-nothing…I didn’t text back.”

“Here I am every night, trying to fall asleep without you yet you’re out there with someone”

“What?” Yoona spoke up after getting accused “I can’t believe you would think of it like that.”

“I don’t know…” Yuri shrugs “Maybe I shouldn’t, maybe it’s just my lack of sleep that’s making me pissed.”

“Well… I’m sorry” Yoona says in an almost sarcastic tone. “Sorry if you feel this way.”

“It’s okay… Yoona…” Yuri replied in the same sarcastic tone as Yoona. “Everything is fukcing ok!”

Yuri flips the sheet and angrily pounces in bed, leaving Yoona standing there wondering if she should even bother fixing things.

*

Yoona purposely walks faster at the sight of Geun Suk but the man proved to be more persistent than he looks.

“Hey Yoona…” He chased Yoona down the hallway, and Yoona becomes the victim of the malicious glares from the other nurses.

“You receive my text?”

“I did.”

“You didn’t reply”

“Sorry. I was busy…”

“Why? Your girlfriend guarding your phone?” Geun Suk said in a playful yet taunting tone.

That statement earned a glare from Yoona.

“Don’t you dare talk about Yuri that way…”

Geun Suk raises his hand in mock surrender. “Sorry, didn’t know you were sensitive about that matter.”

“I’m not. But when it comes to Yuri I become sensitive. So, please leave us alone.”

Yoona didn’t wait for an answer and hurriedly walks off, but Geun Suk is proving once again that he’s persistent.

“Have you ever been with a man, Yoona?”

That finally got Yoona’s attention as she turns around and faces him.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing… I just think it’s such a waste… That’s all.”

And this time Yoona walked away trying to erase the bitter aftertaste of Geun suk’s words.

*

It was the second night that the two didn’t share one word to each other. Unfortunately for Yoona, it was also her day off meaning she and she Yuri were stuck there in their cramp apartment trying to ease the nagging echoes of silence bouncing of the walls.

As usual Yuri climbs into bed first, and when Yoona was sure that Yuri have fallen asleep. She would slip in beside her, wrapping her arms around Yuri’s waist and making sure she wakes up before Yuri could catch her. But what Yoona doesn’t know is that Yuri never falls asleep until she could feel Yoona lying next to her. And the moment Yoona would pull away when she wakes up, Yuri wake up almost instantly. Knowing that without Yoona sleep won’t even be a possibility

End of flashback…

*

“So, who’s the lucky dog that gets to taste the Happy Chinese meal you just prepared?”

Yuri looks away from the box dinner she was making as a peace offering for Yoona and turns to the girl with those teasing smile.

“Ummm…” Yuri didn’t even know why she’s saying it “It’s for my girl.”

“Oh…” The mischievous smile quickly turns into a serious look. “I didn’t know you have a daughter.”

“Ummm… no…” Yuri shakes her head while putting the dinner aside. “It’s for my ummm… my girlfriend”

The naughty grin on the others girls face reappear quickly at Yuri’s answer.

“Oh…” It sounded like a teasing Oh rather than an awkward Oh… “I never thought you were interested in girls.”

“I’m not. Just one.” Yuri blushes at the thought of Yoona. “She’s ummm… mad at me right now, so I’m bringing her dinner.”

“Well, maybe that will work or maybe you should go with the traditional flowers.”

Flowers? Why didn’t Yuri thought of that?

*

Yuri peeks her head inside their apartment and sees Yoona on the table, maybe studying. Yuri tiptoes carefully, although she was pretty sure that their creaking door probably announces her arrival.

“Yoona?”

Yuri peeks and sees Yoona sound asleep, her head resting on her books as the girl fell asleep while studying.

And Yuri couldn’t be more in love than she is this very minute.

She presses a soft kiss on Yoona’s hair before slowly carrying the girl.

“Yul?”

Yoona woke up on Yuri’s embrace as the girl lift her up to their bed.

“What time is it?” Yoona asks groggily…

“Why? Do you have to work?” There was the obvious disappointment in Yuri’s tone.

Yoona shakes her head happily. “I work during days now”

“R-really?” Yuri couldn’t hide her excitement…

“Yes. It’s 12 hour shifts and the nursing manager work out a schedule with my classes so yeah…”

As the two were locked in their embrace, they simply wondered. What were they fighting about again?

And Yuri tackles Yoona again, making the girl erupt in laughter as Yuri tickles her with no mercy. But Yuri ending up quitting as Yoona starts to threaten her of breaking up if she doesn’t stop.

The two girls unconsciously sighs in relief at the same time, turning towards each other with a smile. Yuri was the one who wrap her arm around Yoona’s waist, pulling the girl closer. Yoona lays her head in Yuri’s chest, hearing those fast heartbeats slowing down in pace. Yoona looks up and sees Yuri already ahead of her in dream land and very carefully, Yoona presses a kiss on Yuri’s lips before snuggling closer on Yuri’s chest.

Yuri presses a kiss on Yoona’s hair, taking in with her every senses everything about Yoona. Her look, the sound of her laughter, the way her strawberry scent lingers, the taste of and of course just the way she made Yuri feel.

Yuri took everything, carrying her thoughts of Yoona to dreamland…

And with Yoona in her arms and present in her dreams, this was the end of Yuri’s sleepless nights.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

sorry couldn't reply all your comments now, but they're lovely... thank you very much for all the comments :))

I have stuff to do today but I'm still trying to post the update, like I said, one chap per day hehehe

hopefully you still enjoy the story and the roller coaster ride! :D