Chapter Text
Hyejoo sat quietly in her corner of the couch, a plate of tteokbokki in her crossed legs, chewing slowly with her eyes glued on the tv screen. She would eventually catch, from the corner of her eye, Chaewon bending over to get to the center table and get more food for herself.
Hyejoo knew that what seemed like her roommate refilling her plate was actually an attempt to avoid the scarier parts of the movie they were watching together. But she wouldn't say anything. They ate in silence for most part of the movie, so when Chaewon decided to talk in a calmer part of it, it almost startled Hyejoo - it might've had, if her voice wasn't so tiny.
"You know, now I see why you like to order from this place so much, their food is actually great". Hyejoo only hmed and smiled in agreement, her mouth full. She liked that Chaewon liked her choice for the night. "We should make a list." Chaewon said, casually taking a bite of the chicken she held in two fingers. When Hyejoo lifted a confused eyebrow, she went on. "Of our favorite takeout orders, from our favorite places".
"Why?" Hyejoo fully frowned now.
"Why, so we can order for each other if we ever need it." Chaewon shrugged and turned back to the tv, matter of factly. "It's not like you want me in the kitchen again after I almost exploded it..."
Hyejoo didn't it take it too seriously, but later that night, when they were cleaning everything before going to bed, Chaewon convinced Hyejoo to voice her preferences, which she did, only to find that Chaewon had come to like some of the food she liked too.
After that night, they didn't speak of it again, until college became really overwhelming in a week full of exams, and Hyejoo's anxiety hit her hard. It happened fast - almost out of nowhere, everything was out of order, specially her sleep schedule, which then affected her eating, and by the third day locked in her room trying to study, when dinner time arrived, Hyejoo realized her last meal was the day before.
When she finally dragged herself out of her bedroom, she found a couple of bags on their small kitchen table, and beside them, a folded piece of paper. She was about to look for Chaewon when she remembered she had said she was going out that night for a friend's birthday. So, nothing left to do, Hyejoo opened the folded paper carefully, immediately recognizing Chaewon's handwriting.
Went out, don't know if I'm coming back tonight... So I got you some of that malatang you told me about for dinner! Please, have some. You need to eat and be well for your exam tomorrow. Btw, good luck with that! I know you're gonna do great!
Hyejoo reread the note a couple of times, unsure of what to do. She wanted to thank Chaewon personally for the kind gesture, she really did. However, there wasn't much she could do but to sit down and enjoy her meal. In fact, Hyejoo didn't get to talk to Chaeowon until after her exam, and she had to make an effort not to confess she almost got too unfocused during her exam because she kept thinking back of Chaewon's gesture. Regardless, she managed to express her gratitude in a more contained way, to which Chaewon responded with a toothy smile and a dismissive movement of her hand, assuring Hyejoo it was nothing.
But then it happened again a couple of weeks later when Hyejoo found herself in a funk with a lot of things due and her anxiety acting up again. One time Chaewon knocked on her door and peeped through a small opening, announcing there was some food for her on the table before running to get in the shower. Some fried chicken from a place Hyejoo remembered only talking about once.
Then, another day, Chaewon left early in the morning and Hyejoo stayed back. She woke up to a sweet encouraging message on her phone, wishing her well and hoping the food hadn't gotten cold by the time she got up, all followed by a bunch of cute emojis. A little bit of everything she liked having for breakfast, from the restaurant she pointed out the other day when they came home from college together.
When it happened for the fourth time, Chaewon tried locking herself in her bedroom before Hyejoo got to her food, but she caught up. Saying she would only eat if Chaewon did it with her, Hyejoo managed to get her roommate to keep her company.
"Thank you". Hyejoo said as she cautiously watched Chaewon serving herself. She saw the moment Chaewon smiled with her whole face and her shoulders shrinked.
"You're welcome".
"You don't have to keep doing this..."
Chaewon only shrugged dismissively, not paying much attention to Hyejoo, already putting some of the food in her mouth.
"You should at least let me split the bill with you, as we usually do, or let me order you some stuff too-"
"No". A quick frown passed through Chaewon's features before she looked up from her food to briefly meet Hyejoo's eyes. "Let me take care of you".
At that, Hyejoo immediately felt her face burn. Even though she wanted to insist, she didn't find it in her to keep eye contact, her eyes falling to her own plate right away. She felt her own lips pursing agaisnt her will, trying to hide a smile. Chaewon had just said she wanted to take care of her! Hyejoo couldn't say when did they get so close, when did Chaewon start to be so friendly with her, but she could get used to it.
"Really, don't bother with it". Chaewon said finally, putting an end to the matter, before going back to eating, and all Hyejoo could do was nod.
