Chapter Text
Maybe partying all night wasn’t the greatest idea as Minji sleepily journeyed to the pastry case to retrieve a blueberry scone for a waiting customer. Luckily it was a lazy Sunday at the cafe so she could take her time filling orders and keeping the baked goods stocked. She had managed to get a short power nap before her shift but she still needed sugar in her system to keep her a alert. She was munching on a comically large salted caramel macaron when she felt her phone buzz in her apron pocket.
Dong Dong: Morning lady ;)
Jiu: Good morning! <3
Dong Dong: Probably not the person you were hoping for huh?
Minji let out a slight laugh at her phone. Although she wouldn’t admit it Minji was disappointed a certain gray-haired woman wasn’t the one texting her.
Dong Dong: You two seemed to be getting along well :))
Jiu: yes lol it’s funny how she’s basically your neighbor and you didn’t even know
Dong Dong: You know how it is lol
If Handong didn’t need to a place to sleep or change clothes her apartment wouldn’t even exist, since she was constantly out and about navigating her business and social life.
Jiu: true but still, i might be stopping by your place more often :)
Dong Dong: O really~ well maybe I’ll make an effort to be there more and be a good neighbor lol
Minji thought she might be ahead of herself, but she couldn’t help but have a good feeling about the lucky coincidence that Yoohyeon lived only a couple doors down from one of her friends.
Dong Dong: Im also going to come by soon to get a latte before i go out to study
Jiu: Great! It’ll be waiting for you <3
Minji then went about busily preparing Handong’s usual order of a Masala Chai Latte with soy milk.
It wasn’t long before the little tinkling sound of the bell above the door signalled Handong’s arrival, her bright orange hair flowing freely over the shoulders of her crisp long black coat, and her face nestled behind the collar of a oversized gray turtleneck. The red lip and neat make-up emphasizing her generally looking fresh and well rested, not a single bit of evidence of the wild partying from the night before. As opposed to Minji’s appearance with her white button down half-tucked into her black work slacks, shielded by the slate gray apron embroidered with the simple design of a coffee cup, her blonde hair drawn up in a lazy ponytail and she decided to wear a pair of gold-rim glasses to cover up the bags under her eyes and because she was too tired to try shoving in contacts.
In familiar coordination Minji slid the travel cup to Handong while the younger girl slid over cash. The wealthy girl always insisting she pay with an additional generous tip even though Minji was fully willing to give it to her, and all their friends, drinks for free. The young heiress knew that wasn’t a good way to run a business and just liked supporting a local shop.
Handong pulled up a seat up to the counter.
“Not in a hurry?” Minji asked as she watched her friend get settled in.
“Nope, my study partner woke up late this morning so I have some time.” Handong said, taking a sip.
“So...have you tried calling her yet?” Handong asked slyly.
“No, not yet.” Minji pouted as she leaned on the counter, propping her chin on her hand.
“I figured I would let her rest a bit, and myself too, we’re not all crazy robots like you.” Minji chuckled as Handong scoffed and flipped her hair out in a mockingly haughty manner.
“I can’t help that I sleep well and drink lots of water.” Handong grinned.
“Of course, the true secret of success.” Minji said jokingly.
Handong took a sip and nodded.
“What happened the other night by the way? You know, race night. I didn’t get the full story clearly from the girls since we were like 10 drinks in.” Handong asked.
Minji thought for a moment. “Oh, you mean when Gahyeon and I almost died.” The older girl leaning forward for added effect
“A bit dramatic?” Handong quirked an eyebrow.
“You’re right, but it felt like we might have. Basically Gahyeon was going insanely fast into a turn and almost hit Yoobin, then we spun out.” Minji said as she mapped out the event on the counter with the cleaning rag in hand.
“We thought we were fine, but then—” She grabbed a pepper shaker sliding it in front of the rag that was acting as the car.
“This small black dog darted out in front of us and we had to swerve again. Then, we got followed by the cops but were able to shake them.” Minji said finally swiping the counter dramatically and knocking over the pepper shaker off the counter. She paused and then sulked at the mess she made.
Handong took a moment before she burst out laughing.
“You really should’ve been a theatre major.” The orange haired girl said once she could calm down.
“I know right? Not like this communication degree is helping me at the moment.” The older girl grumbled as she finished sweeping up the black pepper. She thought for a moment.
“But you know what was really strange about the whole thing...” Minji looked down hard at the counter as Handong leaned in with intrigue.
“Before we almost crashed there was like this big dark void that seemed like it was following us. It was like just an empty hole in my vision, but no one else seemed to notice it…” When the blonde girl looked up she noticed that Handong had paled, more than her already fair complexion.
“You saw...what exactly?” Handong said quietly after a moment.
“It was just this large black spot, but black doesn’t even describe how dark this thing was. I felt crazy when I described it to the girls. It was like as if it were just a void in reality...” Minji trailed off.
“Then you saw a black dog...after you saw it?” Handong said again in a tone that was barely above a whisper, the older girl seeing her friend thinking carefully about what she described.
Minji answered, “Yeah, not right afterwards but a maybe a little bit after it seemed to disappear.”
“You weren’t being dramatic, you really almost—” Both of their attention was drawn suddenly by the slight sound of the bell for a new customer.
The newly arrived woman was dressed in a long military green coat and was fixing her loose silver hair that that been slightly been blown by the wind.
“Yoohyeon!” Minji’s face lit up with excitement at the sight of the woman.
“Hi!” She responded shyly waving to the both of them.
She took her long and slightly bouncy strides up to the counter, “You mentioned how you worked here, so I figured I’d check it out.”
“Check me out? You shouldn’t hit on me while I’m working.” Minji teased, causing Handong to scoff and cough mid-sip of her latte. It was now Yoohyeon’s turn to blush deeply.
“No, I-that’s a good one, you’re good.” Yoohyeon said stumbling over her words, pointing finger guns at her awkwardly while laughing.
“Don’t encourage her.” Handong said after recovering from choking on her drink.
“Of course.” Yoohyeon said with a wink to Minji.
“What have you two been talking about?” Yoohyeon looking curiously at them.
The two girls shared a look.
Minji spoke up, “Oh you know...How lovely Handong looks this morning despite everything last night.” The orange-haired girl nodding enthusiastically.
“Though you look really good too, Yoohyeon.” Minji added, noting that she looked just as fresh and well-rested.
“It’s a miracle what a little sleep and drinking water will do.” Yoohyeon said slightly embarrassed at the compliment.
Handong gave Minji a pointed look.
“Not that you don’t look good too, Minji!” Yoohyeon added quickly.
Handong smirked having not heard people use Jiu’s given name in a while.
“Thank you, no need to lie though, I’m like 6 espresso shots and a whole dozen macarons down in order to stay alive right now.” Minji said slumping over the counter dramatically, causing Handong to pat her back and nod sadly in an equally melodramatic fashion.
Yoohyeon smiled, “Well, you still look beautiful.”
Minji looked up into the pale gray eyes full of sincerity, her heart leaping in her chest and her face feeling suddenly very warm.
Handong’s phone buzzed suddenly, “Oh well, would you look at that, I gotta get going.”
She quickly got up from her seat and gestured for Yoohyeon to sit down. Over the silver-haired girl’s shoulder she raised her eyebrows a couple times at Minji, a gesture that had come to mean “We’ll talk later”, as she made her way to leave. Yoohyeon turned to wave goodbye before turning her attention back to the blonde woman.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Minji gestured around to the nearly empty cafe, the only other customer being a young woman in the corner typing away at her laptop with her headphones in.
“It’s fine, I’ll see what I can manage since we are very busy.” Minji said dryly and smiled, but suddenly her face shifted to worry as it dawned on her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to call, I had a morning shift and—”
Yoohyeon slightly laughed, “Hey, it’s alright. I figured you wouldn’t call until later, but I’m here now.”
She then suddenly moved to tuck a strayed hair behind Minji’s ear.
Minji relaxed under the touch. “I—thank you.” The blonde woman now suddenly quiet, her feeling a guilt having passed.
“Since you’re so tired, would that be a raincheck on our night out?” Yoohyeon smiled though tinged with a bit of sadness.
The blonde woman straightened up suddenly, “Wha-What, no, of course not! I would be very much awake for that.”
“Don’t push yourself—” Yoohyeon laughed putting her hands on Minji’s shoulders to lower her down to a more calm position.
The older girl took Yoohyeon’s hands off her shoulder and held them, “No, really it’d be fine. I honestly want to go out tonight.”
“Awesome.” Yoohyeon said shyly as they played with their fingers.
Another tinkling of the bell caused Minji to hesitantly separate their hold as she went to greet and help the customer. After properly filling the order, she slid a Matcha green tea latte in front of Yoohyeon with a ginger biscuit and a mint and chocolate macaron.
“On the house.” Minji smiled.
“Oh, I couldn’t—” The silver haired girl started.
“Consider it a free sample.” The blonde girl winked.
“Okay.. thank you.” Yoohyeon blushed as she took a sip, relishing the earthy and creamy flavor.
“It’s good right?” The waitress giggled.
Yoohyeon hummed in delight as she took a longer drink.
“So I was thinking... I could pick you up at your place, around 8?” Minji smiled watching the other girl bite into the macaron with delight.
“Yes, sounds perfect.” Yoohyeon said around the small confection she was chewing.
Minji couldn’t help but let a giggle escape at the cute display in front of her. That was one perk of her job serving people, nothing brought her greater joy than seeing warm smiles on people’s faces.
They were about to continue to idly chat but business started to pick up in the later afternoon, more people were milling about outside as they were finishing their errands of the early morning, and an influx of people started to come in finding the cafe to be the perfect place to get their work done before monday rolled around. The tinkling of the bell suddenly increased with frequency begging for Minji’s attention.
“I think, I should go—” Yoohyeon smiled weakly.
“What? No, please stay.” Minji looking to the other woman with pleading eyes.
“Really I should, I’ve been meaning to grab some groceries and things for the apartment. Besides, things seem to be picking up in here wouldn’t want to get in the way...” Yoohyeon trailed off as Minji took both her hands in hers.
“You would never be a bother.” Minji said sternly and directly looking into the other woman’s steely gaze.
“But I understand getting your essentials especially for a new place.” Minji sighed and gently put down her hands before letting go.
“I’ll see you tonight anyways, yeah?” Yoohyeon said with a wink.
“Yeah.” A radiant smile blossomed on Minji’s face as she watched the taller woman walk away, before turning to work with customers now with a revived sense of cheer.
Though that feeling quickly fled, and it felt as though she was slogging her way through the hours after Yoohyeon left. Eventually getting to the end of her shift where she could go home and sleep a little before her date with Yoohyeon.
--
The moment Minji got home she slumped down her couch and immediately fell asleep. It had been a few hours and the incessant buzzing of her phone roused her from her slumber. It was Handong, it was also 7 o’clock, causing Minji to straighten up suddenly as she answered the phone.
“Handong! Hi!” Minji said trying to fight off the grogginess in her voice.
“Hey, did I wake you?” Handong said with concern.
“Yeah, but it’s good I’m taking Yoohyeon out tonight, thank you for calling.” Minji got up and made her way to the bathroom. She grimaced at the mirror as her exhaustion still was evident on her face. Eventually snapping out of her gaze.
“Hey Handong, sorry, can I call you back later? I really need to shower and get ready.” The older girl apologized.
“Yeah of course, I get it, but we really should talk later, especially about what you saw the other night.” Handong could hear the shower being turned on the other end.
“Yes of course!. Oh my god, I can’t believe I’m going on a date.” Minji said the giddiness blooming into her voice.
“Yes, I’m glad, it’s been a while right?” Handong laughed.
Minji groaned, “Don’t remind me.”
It had been a little over a year since Minji’s last serious relationship, and a few months since her last...less serious relationships.
“Well, have some fun tonight, you deserve it.” Handong said.
“Thank you, Handong.” Minji sighed fondly.
“Call me when you get home! Love you!” The young heiress said.
“Love you too!” Minji responded before hanging up.
After a quick shower, Minji quickly went to her closet swiftly swiping through her most reliable outfits on the rack. Throwing down a big soft pink sweater and a black skirt with leggings, and lastly a gray overcoat over top noting the need for warm was as important as the adorable factor. She then sprinted to the bathroom and ran the hairdryer through her blonde locks and put on some simple make-up. Yoohyeon had already seen her at her most ragged at work, might as well as go for something more simple and neat, anything would be a marked improvement from her morning shift look.
Getting dressed and drawing her half-dried hair up again in a simple ponytail, she shoved on some simple black ankle boots and she was out the door in record time. Luckily the apartment complex wasn’t that far away. Her aged, second-hand white sedan may not have the speed of her friends’ fancy cars but it was still able to get her where she needed to go and that’s all that really matters. She arrived with a few minutes to spare, sending a quick text to Yoohyeon before rushing into the building punching in the proper code and riding the elevator up. Her date texting her back that her apartment was at the end of the hall, Minji got out of the elevator and made her way down. Arriving at the door identical to Handong’s, neat black with little panel. A short buzz and Yoohyeon face lit up the screen, though filling up the entire frame as she pressed her face entirely too close.
“Minji! I see you, one second.” Minji could hear some jostling from behind the door before eventually it opened revealing Yoohyeon dressed in her long green coat from earlier over a bright yellow sweater and black skirt with leggings, her hair neatly braided into pigtails that hung over her shoulders. Both their eyes widened before they broke out into giggles over their identical outfits just in different colors.
They settled down a bit and Minji finally said “Well, I’ll take this as a good sign.”
“Oh really, shows that we match well?” Yoohyeon said curiously.
“Yes, I like couples items.” Minji smiled brightly causing Yoohyeon to break out into an equally bright expression.
Minji offered her arm to the taller woman, “Are you ready?”
“Yes, where are we going?” Yoohyeon clinging onto Minji.
“I’ll keep that a surprise.” The blonde woman said coyly.
The door shut behind Yoohyeon, Minji only catching a glimpse of what appeared to be a very sparse apartment.
“Settling in your place, okay?” Minji asked as they made their way to the elevator.
“It’s a work in progress.” Yoohyeon shrugged.
--
The evening air was cool, but not terribly frigid just cold enough that Yoohyeon held closer to Minji much to the blonde woman’s delight.
They walked up to the small white car and Minji unlocked and held the door open for her date before making her way into the driver’s seat. As they drove, Yoohyeon watched the amber colored street lights as they flashed by.
“Any hints at where we’re going?” Yoohyeon said breaking away her gaze from the lights passing to the driver.
Minji hummed for a moment in thought, “I figured since you’re new in town I would take you to one of my favorite spots.”
Yoohyeon perked up at this and shifted in her seat to face Minji, “Why is it your favorite?”
The older girl was in thought for a moment tapping at the steering wheel as they came to a stop, “I...I think when you see it you’ll get it.”
“Such a tease.” Yoohyeon pouted as she looked out at the road as they drove.
“It might be a bit chilly though.” After a moment the driver moved to turn up the heat in the car.
“I don’t mind the cold that much.” Yoohyeon almost distantly.
Minji quirked up an eyebrow, “Is it cold, where you’re from?” hoping to draw more from this mysterious woman.
“….yes, it’s been described as cold by some.” Yoohyeon said seeming to mull over the thought.
“Interesting…” Minji said, suddenly distracted from the questions in her mind as she saw the destination up ahead. In the distance a large ferris wheel could be seen surrounded by the sparkling lights of the pier that jutted out onto a lake.
Minji stole a quick glance at her passenger looking for a sign of disappointment but only finding Yoohyeon’s face lighting up with increasing glee the closer they got to the glimmering lights of the pier’s various restaurants and small amusement rides, much to the driver’s relief.
They found a parking spot and Minji quickly hopped out of the vehicle and opened the door for Yoohyeon helping her step out of the compact vehicle.
“Thank you.” Yoohyeon said holding her hand firmly, Minji could feel her hands were less cold then the night of the party though still somewhat chilled. The blonde woman stopping them before the walked on to the boardwalk, reaching into her pocket and finding a pair of black gloves.
“Here, it’ll get a bit colder closer to the water.” Minji said handing the gloves to her before momentarily breaking their hold to fish out another pair of gray gloves from her opposite pocket for herself.
Yoohyeon couldn’t suppress her giddy laugh, “Are you always this prepared?”
“Yep!” Minji chirped as she fished around the deep pockets of her coat procuring a pair of mittens, a blue beanie, and a granola bar much to the taller girl’s amusement.
“Gahyeon gets cold easily, Siyeon always forgets her hat, and I always need snacks.” Explaining each item as she distributed them back into her pockets.
Yoohyeon’s smiled softened, “That’s so thoughtful.”
Minji shrugged and she took her hand and they walked under the large wooden sign that read “Happy Face Pier” adorned with a large painted smiley face.
They listened to various pop songs that played out of the various restaurants and stalls, admiring the twinkling lights adoring the small planters of the wood and brick buildings. There were many families around with their small children bundled up holding balloons and various snack items. It was a brisk evening but it felt warm with amount of joy around them.
“I can see why you like it here.” Yoohyeon said adjusting her hold to cling onto her date’s arm.
Minji hummed in agreement, “Why’s that?”
“It’s nice and friendly, lots of people around enjoying themselves.” The slightly shorter girl nodded along with the assessment.
“Lot’s of good food too.” Yoohyeon continued pointedly looking at an inviting stall for crepes and big soft pretzels. The sweet smell causing an audible rumbling sound to be heard from Minji’s stomach, the affected girl jolting as she was a bit startled and even more embarrassed.
Yoohyeon just laughed, “Not a hard decision on what to eat.”
The pair almost skipping up to the stall looking at the various offerings.
“Order whatever, my treat.” Yoohyeon said already with her small brown leather wallet in hand.
“No, I couldn’t, I asked you—” Minji shaking her head moving to get her own wallet only to be stopped as Yoohyeon held her hand more firmly.
“Please, let me treat you a little.”
Yoohyeon leaning in closely to Minji’s ear, “Also you’re cute when your flustered.”
The blonde woman’s heart firing into a rapid pace.
They sat down at a bench underneath the warm golden lights, looking out at the dark calm waters of the lake. There was a slight trickle of moonlight sprinkling over the surface of the water with only a few clouds obscuring the stars that litter the blanket of sky. The salty and bread-y goodness of soft pretzels filling their stomachs, it was the first thing they bought and it was ravenously consumed. Minji was now cutting pieces of their strawberry crepe feeding one piece to Yoohyeon before one for herself. The silver-haired woman was leaning on Minji’s shoulder not many words passed between them, just quietly enjoying the sounds of the active nightlife. The crinkling of the paper wrapping signalled the last of the crepe being eaten, Minji stuffing the trash into her pocket not wanting to get up. Yoohyeon snuggled in closer.
“My parents used to take me and my siblings here when I was a kid for special occasions like when they had time off work in the summer, or for birthdays and graduations.” Minji started, leaning her head and pressing it gently to Yoohyeon’s.
“Those days were so fun, but when I moved out here for school I didn’t come here as much as I thought I would, because I got so busy.” Minji recounted thoughtfully.
“Does it make you miss them, coming here?” Yoohyeon asked.
The blonde woman leaned back looking down Yoohyeon, “A little, only when I come here alone though.”
“How often is that?” The silver-hair girl said looking up.
“Whenever I’m in the mood for a big soft pretzel.” Minji scrunched up her nose teasingly.
“Mostly, I come here with the other girls though. Because it really is fun…” Minji trailed off in thought of the summer days filled with ice cream and laughter with her friends as they ran around the pier gossiping and shopping.
“Come on let’s work off those carbs.” Minji said jokingly as she moved to get up, her date groaning in protest.
--
They walked along the boardwalk, the small amusements were pretty basic, the typical spinning rides, and a carousel, even a few game stalls set up which drew Yoohyeon’s interest. Though Minji had to steer her away from them.
“They are totally rigged” Minji grumbled.
She recounted one particular summer where she and Siyeon spent an ungodly amount of money vying for an oversized bear by pitching baseballs at milk bottles. They only got the giant stuffed animal because Yoobin was able to prove the bottles were unfairly weighted, also with some mild threatening to the manager. The bear currently takes up residence in Yoobin’s apartment.
The real attraction however was the large ferris wheel that soared overhead.
It was a towering framework of steel, the small carriages that hung from it were enclosed and sat two people, it’s lazy pace being lit up by rainbow colored lights.
The line wasn’t very long so they stood and waited along with the various families and other couples.Yoohyeon had the biggest brightest grin on her face as she watched the wheel make its various turns, Minji couldn’t help but wear a equally full smile as she watched the wonder and colorful lights play across her date’s features. Suddenly the sharp wail of a child sounded out nearby snapping the attention of the two and some others’ in the line.
A toddler was trying to wrestle out of the grip of his mother towards a large shiny silver heart-shaped balloon, that most likely slipped from his grip and was quickly blowing down the boardwalk.
Without hesitation Minji shrugged off her coat and handed it to Yoohyeon,
“Min—”, her date watched as the blonde woman sprinted down the planks of the pier towards this wayward balloon.
The wind started to pick up and with it the balloon, causing Minji a greater determination and to increase her pace. After taking a couple steps, she leapt up and was just able to get her hand on the very end of the string, brining it down in her firm grasp. A few claps could be heard at her display as she hurried back to the child and his mother.
“Thank you so much, I’m sorry—” The mother started wanting to apologize for the inconvenience.
“It’s really no problem!” Minji smiled greatly before she lowered down to level with the kid.
She carefully wrapped the string around the child’s wrist a couple times before securing it with a firm knot, “Now be careful, with this buddy. Don’t want it to escape again, do we?”
The kid crushed her into a big hug while mumbling various and sometimes incomprehensible thank you’s between sobs. She cooed and patted him on the back until he calmed down eventually breaking away and going back to Yoohyeon, who was staring at her in amazement in line.
“Sucks losing a balloon.” Minji said simply taking her coat back and putting it on. Yoohyeon just stared at her agape with fascination as the line moved quickly towards the giant attraction.
Minji handed cash over to the operator, enough for three rides around.
They climbed into the little carriage and sliding in next to each other. Yoohyeon put her arm around Minji, the blonde woman snuggling closer. They were the last one’s loaded on so their slow travel around started.
“That was really amazing.” Yoohyeon said after a moment looking down at her date securely tucked under her arm.
“Hmm?” Minji hummed looking up into her date’s soft and sincere features.
“You really helped that kid without a second thought.”
“I didn’t save his life or anything but yeah, why not?” she laughed.
After a moment she continued quietly, “The smallest gesture of kindness can go along way.”
Yoohyeon smiled sweetly and held on tightly to Minji, “You’re right…”
They were nearing the apex of the wheel and they look out to see the glitter of lights down below, the small dots of people moving about. The view over the lake being particularly beautiful as the clouds cleared revealing more of the dark blanket of sky. On the horizon they could even see the twinkling lights of the next city.
Minji watched as Yoohyeon looked out at the view, her look of thoughtful contemplation similar to the night before on the balcony. Her gray eyes wide with wonder, her lips with the hint of a smile across them as they were slightly parted in gentle admiration.
Minji felt that same moment of opportunity as she did the previous night, this time no interruptions, so she straightened up and leaned more forward about to speak. Yoohyeon turned quickly toward in oblivious glee causing the blonde girl to lean back a little and smile with a blush of embarrassment.
“I’m curious about something…” Yoohyeon said.
Minji quirked an eyebrow and nodded.
“What are your dreams?”
Minji was taken aback even more by the sudden question.
“Oh! Uhhh like the ones that I have when I sleep? Or…” The questioned girl trailed off.
“Not exactly like your hopes, like did you always want to work in a cafe?” Yoohyeon asked.
Minji couldn’t help but bark out a laugh, “Sorry,” she quickly said trying to suppress her laugh at her date’s genuine question.
She continued, “no, not really. I-I got my degree in communication thinking I could be like a broadcast reporter or something like that...”
She wrinkled her nose, “Then I just found that the field just wasn’t right for me. I’ve tried doing a lot of stuff but nothing really took, the cafe has been the job that’s kept me afloat at least…and I like it enough.” She didn’t feel like boring Yoohyeon with her many stories of her time in various PR and HR departments so she left it at that.
“Was there ever anything else you wanted to do?” Yoohyeon’s curiosity fully taken over as she adjusted herself to fully face Minji.
The blonde woman thought for a moment.
“I think I’ve always liked helping people, so when I was younger I thought I could be a cop. You know, protect and serve the people, that was really interesting to me.” Minji said carefully, as her childhood dream tucked back into the very recesses of her memory came forward.
“What stopped you?” Yoohyeon said with a pout.
“I-I’m not sure, my parents said it was too dangerous, I think.” Minji wouldn’t describe her parents as overly protective but they did watch over their young daughter with great love and care.
“I think...it would suit you.” Yoohyeon smiled and held her hand tightly.
“Why? Because I helped that kid?” Minji questioned, no one had really told her that before, not even her closest friends.
Yoohyeon shrugged, “You have a good heart, Kim Minji.”
Said good heart melted with those kind words, “thank you.” She said in a small voice.
The wheel was now on its second turn, a little slower as they unloaded some people off while loading new riders on.
Minji cleared her throat, “Well, I should ask you the same thing, what are you dreams, hopes, desires.” she raised a suggestive eyebrow at the last word, causing them both to giggle.
However, Yoohyeon’s face took on a tinge of sadness, Minji was learning that the other woman’s features were very easy to read. The corners of her mouth quirked down in a moment and she could see her eyes searching for a response in her head, it was almost as if Minji could see Yoohyeon fighting for her own thoughts through the slight movements around her various features. She gently, stroked her hand hoping it would put at ease whatever was going on in the other woman’s mind.
“I’m...not sure.” Yoohyeon said finally.
“I like helping people too, so I think I’d like to be better at that.” Yoohyeon said smiling again, though the sadness quite evident in how her lips were pressed in a firm line rather than the full smile that showed her teeth and blossomed across her features.
The wheel was once again was moving them towards the top again.
“So you like to travel and help people…” Minji said carefully, it was still vague and unclear as to what her date does but she didn’t want to press further because whatever it was weighed heavily on this other woman.
Yoohyeon nodded, “Traveling is what I like most because you never know who you’re gonna meet.” Her smile gaining a back a bit of the merriment it had before.
“I’ve been to all of the continents.” Yoohyeon said suddenly puffing up with pride.
“Even Antarctica!?” Minji straightened up in amazement.
“Even Antarctica.” the other woman, laughed.
“What’s the favorite place you’ve ever been?” Minji didn’t get the chance to travel a whole lot due to work and finances, so she settled in eager to hear of some extreme tale of Yoohyeon’s travels.
“Here.” Yoohyeon said with a smirk, causing her date to playfully shove her though not too hard so it didn’t jostle the carriage too much.
“Liar.” Minji said rolling her eyes.
“I’m being serious!” Yoohyeon’s voice climbed in pitch.
“That’s impossible, how is this city, heck this pier. Better than being to the literal bottom of the world!”
“Antarctica is very cold, for one.” Yoohyeon laughed.
“But, also because I’m here with you.” she smiled sweetly.
Minji groaned and shoved her again trying to not look at her loving gaze.
“You’re a liar, Kim Yoohyeon.”
The ride reached the bottom again and now was taking the uptick back for their third go-around.
The last turn seemed a bit faster than the previous ones, it was getting late so there were less people to ride this giant amusement in the brisk dead of night. Though also inside the carriage time didn’t seem to matter as the two enjoyed each other’s company softly exchanging loving glances and quiet observations of the night sky or of the ant-like people down below. Even spotting that kid joyously skipping away with his mother and balloon in tow as they left the pier for the evening. Like a clock striking midnight however, they had reached the top of the wheel once again and were realizing their evening on the ride was coming to a close.
There was a pause at the summit, Minji quietly thanking the operator and taking a mental note to tip him on the way out, generously. Yoohyeon was looking out the window at the shimmering lake as they were suspended there in the quiet evening. Minji gently touched her face, the warmth of Minji’s caress causing the girl to turn towards her.
Minji leaned forward, “Yoohyeon...may I—” she said it barely above a whisper, the words getting caught in throat.
Yoohyeon nodded and leaned in silent answer. The soft press of their lips was warm and gentle.
Minji felt as though fireworks were going off in her chest and every nerve was on fire in the best way. When they eventually parted, as if the wheel knew, the ride continued on it’s turn and the blonde woman felt slightly lightheaded and deliriously giddy, probably because she barely breathed but also because she never felt a kiss like that before.
“Was it...okay?” Yoohyeon said shyly and sounding equally breathless.
Minji just nodded enthusiastically, the rainbow colored lights illuminating the cabin of the carriage seeming almost brighter and more vivid as they played across Yoohyeon’s features. They held each other's glazes once more before leaning in again.
The kisses they shared were sweet and slow, holding onto each other tightly in soft warmth of wool and cotton sweaters and coats. The gentle of caress of Minji’s thumb on the taller woman’s cheek. The almost electrifying burst of delight with every brush of lips becoming almost addictive for Minji.
They felt the car stutter to a halt as the ride was nearing the bottom of the wheel once again, causing them to part and giggle as they rearranged themselves to a more casual position. Yoohyeon moving a stray hair out of Minji’s face and tucking it behind her ear.
Their carriage docked and they heard the click as the operator let them out, Minji helped Yoohyeon’s tall frame out of the carriage as they unloaded. The blonde woman sneaking a couple extra bills out of her pocket to slip to the ride conductor with a big grin as he just chuckled and gave her a knowing look. The look of young love is always apparent.
Yoohyeon wrapped her arms around Minji as they walked, clinging closely to her as the evening air had certainly taken on a greater chill.
Minji could hear her date’s teeth chattering quietly, “Cold?”, her breath making a slightly cloud in the air. The silver-haired girl nodded.
She stopped their walking to take took out the blue hat in her pocket “I don’t think Siyeon will mind.” Minji giggled, and put it on Yoohyeon’s head snuggly.
They walked hand-in-hand out of the pier to where the car was parked.
“Do you mind that I call you Minji instead of Jiu?” Yoohyeon ask suddenly.
“No not really, why?” Minji laughed.
“Just that...everyone else calls you Minji, so is it weird I don’t.” Yoohyeon said her free hand fidgeting with the borrowed hat.
“Jiu is just a nickname that has stuck from a long time ago, so it’s fine.” Minji waving the worry away.
“Why?” Yoohyeon said suddenly curiously.
“There are many Kim Minji’s in the world.” Minji rolled her eyes as they walked.
Yoohyeon swung their hands playfully, “Well, I only know you.”
“That’s not true, I’m sure you’ve met plenty of Minjis.” The blonde playfully said back.
“But none of them were pretty as me, right?” Minji quickly followed up, poking her cheek for added effect.
Yoohyeon stopped and turned so they faced each other, “Of course. I can definitely say none were as beautiful as you, Kim Minji.”
--
They got into Minji’s car, it was late into the evening and the blonde woman had another early shift the next day, so she need to drop off Yoohyeon back to her apartment before turning in for the night. Though the couple didn’t want this evening to end. Though they spent the car ride happily humming and singing along to the radio, finding that they both actually sing quite well together.
The drive felt suddenly short, as they arrived at the apartment complex and the two begrudgingly took the familiar route up to her apartment.
They lingered in the hallway outside of the black door at the end of the hall, Yoohyeon teetering back and forth on her heels nervously.
“I had a good night.” Yoohyeon said in a hushed tone mindful of the neighbors.
“I’m glad, I did too.” Minji said rubbing her thumb over the taller woman’s knuckles.
“So...we can go out again? Soon?” Yoohyeon said looking down at their hands before looking back up at Minji’s dark brown eyes.
“Yes of course, I’ll call you for real this time. Before I go into work even.” Minji giggled.
“Alright, I look forward to it, Kim Minji.” Yoohyeon quietly trailed off.
They smiled at each other, before Minji leaned in pressing their lips together softly, before taking Yoohyeon’s face in her hands and bringing her down to press a kiss to her forehead causing them both to giggle.
“Goodnight, Kim Yoohyeon.” She walked down the hallway, without looking back as Yoohyeon leaned against the door frame of her apartment watching her date leave.
--
The next morning Minji woke up on her couch still wearing the clothes from her date, having passed out the moment she stepped into her home. She went to grab her phone readying to call Yoohyeon when it lit up with a call from Handong.
“Hey, we need to talk.”