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Hana Song's pc was turned off. The blinds were shut and the room was immersed in a peaceful dark, despite the sun struggling to filter through.
Hana was slowly typing in a number to dial. It was the only one she ever memorized as she didn't ever bother learning her own.
For some reason, she never properly saved Angela Ziegler's phone number in her contacts. Maybe it was sort of a limit she put on herself. A measure to avoid relying on the kind doctor for every little thing. It was a matter of pride.
Pride… Hana thought as she ultimately tapped on the green icon. I can see how far it took me. This stupid pride of mine.
She clutched the device in her hand as if her life depended on it. Hana was sitting on her bed, forehead pressed against her knees, toes crumpling the blanket underneath in a nervous effort. The call beeped for a while. The sun was setting and Angela was probably going through the last rounds at the hospital.
Hana thought about just letting it drop. Flopping back down on the mattress, she stared at the glow-in-the-dark stars stuck on the ceiling. It was dark enough in the room for them to shine a little, despite the dying light of the sun filtering through the shutters. She was about to end the call, when a familiar voice spoke.
"Hello? Hana, Liebling?" Angela spoke in a soft, tired tone. Her voice shook Hana from her sleepy state, the girl rapidly sitting back up on the mattress.
"Hey Angie." Hana managed to say, little more than a choked sound. "When…um, is your shift ending soon?" She blinked a tear away, waiting for the doctor's reply.
Angela paused briefly. Hana thought about ending the call once again, eyes wide open and alert. She didn't want to embarrass herself with the doctor. "In ten minutes. Are you alright, Hase? You sound distressed…" Hana could totally hear the worry in Angela's voice. She did not want to worry her. She could not mask what was going on either.
"Um, no. I'm fine." Liar. "Could you drop by when you get back?" Hana's heart leaped in her chest. "It's nothing important, I mean… just…"
"I'm coming right away." There. The urgency in Angela's voice. The clever woman, she didn't need much more to understand what was going on with the girl. She knew Hana too well. Secrets were hard to keep.
"Wait! Angela, don't-"
"Leave the lock open for me. See you in thirty minutes!"
With that, Angela ended the call. Hana knew the outcome would be exactly this. She flopped down on the bed once again, on her side this time, her phone soon forgotten on her nightstand.
She needed Angela. It made her feel ashamed, but she needed her more than anything else. Despite everything, Angela running home to save the day was the outcome Hana really wished for. She could not protest, not really.
But she felt so tired. Would she be able to stay awake until Angela arrived? Hana didn't know. She felt so sleepy…
…
A soft rapping of knocks hit Hana's door half an hour later. The girl did not hear it though, having fallen asleep from exhaustion just a minute after making the call. Angela suspected as much, so she just turned the handle after acknowledging there was no response from Hana.
The room was dark, but she could still see outlines enough to realize just how much of a mess there was on the floor. It looked like Hana didn't manage to clean in a while. Careful not to step on anything, Angela made her way towards the bed, a takeout bag in one hand. She could have cooked something for the girl in her own kitchen – the two lived on the same floor – but she had a specific something in mind. Something Hana liked. Angela hoped it would cheer her up.
Hana was curled up under the sheets, arms clutching her pillow, with the only company of Sungjoo, her favorite bunny plushie.
"Liebe?" Angela whispered, turning on the bed lamp and shaking the girl's shoulder lightly. "Hey… wake up, I got food."
Considering Hana was a light sleeper, Angela wasn't surprised to see her eyelids flutter after such a little effort. The girl slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes, blinking for a while before her gaze focused on the woman sitting in front of her bed.
"Angela? I'm sorry, I fell asleep, I didn't mean to…"
"Relax, Hana. You needed to rest. I'm here. I'm here." Angela sat closer and rubbed Hana's nape. Her expert fingers knew which spots to press to help Hana's stress melt away. Much to her satisfaction, Hana let out a small sigh. That was a good signal.
"Thank you for coming over." Hana yawned, clearly still sleepy and tired. Then she smelled the aroma coming from the bag Angela put down. "And for… wait, is that my favorite veggie burger?"
"Of course." Angela smiled hearing the spunk in Hana's voice. She knew perfectly Hana was making a tremendous effort to even speak, but if something as simple as a burger managed to bring some joy to the girl, she would have gladly bought every single one available in town. "I thought you could use being spoiled a little."
Suddenly, Hana threw herself in Angela's arms, so vehemently the woman almost lost balance and fell back.
"You're the best, doc. The absolute best. Thank you."
Angela giggled at the sudden display. This smiling, chipper Hana was the Hana she always hoped to see. She knew it was not easy, not at all, but she would have gone to hell and back if it meant helping her.
Seeing the way Hana had burrowed herself in her chest, Angela couldn't help but wrap her arms around her body as much as she could, like she was an extremely precious treasure to protect.
Well, she was .
"Ah, wait…" Hana muttered, her voice muffled by Angela's chest. The girl raised her head, golden brown eyes meeting Angela's ocean blue ones. "I stink."
"What?" Angela giggled, slightly taken aback by the sudden comment. "What do you mean?"
"I haven't… um, showered. In a while." Hana broke the hug and shifted away a little, eyes downcast. She was never good at admitting things like this.
"How many days?" Angela resumed the nape rubbing, this time even more feather light.
"Four."
Angela did quick math. Four days ago was a Sunday, which was also the day they went to the movies. So the last time Hana showered must have been right before their date.
"Why didn't you call me sooner, Liebe?" The doctor lowered the volume of her voice, as if not to startle a scared rabbit. She deflated as Hana retreated in her shell a bit.
"You know why, Angie."
There it was. The heart of the matter.
"You're busy. I don't want to be a burden."
Angela didn't reply to that, not verbally. Instead, she scooted closer once again to press a light kiss on Hana's nose. Then she nuzzled her own nose against hers. That always made Hana laugh and this time was no exception.
"Hey- not fair! Oh my god." Hana cackled, while Angela even picked up some speed. "Oh- Angie, stop! At this rate none of us will have a nose left!"
"If I need to sacrifice my own nose to make you laugh, so be it! Who needs it, anyway?"
"You do! Humans need a nose to breathe in my book, you even call yourself a doctor? Tsk!" Hana retorted, holding her stomach from laughter. "Give up your degree. You clearly don't deserve it."
"Humans can breathe with their mouths too. "
Hana took advantage of Angela's statement to press a quick kiss on her lips. The woman clearly didn't expect that but regained momentum right away, reciprocating softly. A slight blush bloomed on both their cheeks.
"Yours would be busy, I'm afraid." Hana whispered, sheepish. She went in for another kiss, but Angela placed her finger on her lips.
"The food's getting cold, Liebe."
Hana pouted, being denied one more kiss, and snatched the bag for herself. "Yes, and you're not getting any."
Angela smiled to herself. Hana being a gremlin was a good sign. She stared fondly as the girl carefully opened the packages to reveal her prize. A waft of mouth-watering smell came out and a loud growl surged from the girl's stomach. Hana blushed deeply.
"Did you have lunch today,Hana?"
Hana hesitated a second before replying. "Can't say that I have, doc."
As I thought. Angela wrapped her arm around Hana's shoulders and pulled her gently until the girl was basically cradled in her lap.
"Then it's time to get some nutrients in you."
Hana nodded, feeling a little self-conscious from all the attention. They've known each other for a long while, but her heart still ran fast whenever she was in such close proximity with Angela. Despite her current state, this was no exception.
Distracting herself with the burger was the best course of action, Hana decided. Her mood was horrible but she was so needy for warmth and human contact - just Angela's touch, really - that she'd drop everything to kiss her and melt in her arms. Which considering her growling stomach and her need to clean up, wasn't the best course of action at the moment. So she dug into the food just as she was asked and boy, was that burger amazing.
"You don't smell, by the way." Angela randomly stated as Hana was almost done with her food. The girl almost spat out her mouthful.
"Come on Angie. I'm pretty sure I do."
"You don't. But I can help you shower later if you want."
Angela didn't say it with particular intent, not even a hint of an innuendo really, but that was enough to make Hana combust. She gulped down the last burger bite and grabbed the fries, offering one to Angela.
"Y…you can help me with my hair. If you want."
Angela gracefully accepted the fry and winked. "Deal."
…
"You know…" Hana began as Angela and her were laying down on her bed, nose to nose. Showering made her sleepy again and Angela herself was exhausted, so they just snuggled into bed. She was so warm and cozy that she could fall asleep at any moment. "I think I might do it."
"Hm?" Angela hummed, her eyes barely open. "Do what, Hase?"
"Talk to a therapist."
Angela's arms wrapped tighter around her. "Really?"
"Yeah." Hana cupped Angela's face and wished the room wasn't dark right now. "I think I'm… ready. I am ready now."
Angela gently grabbed one of Hana's hands to kiss it. Her lips stayed still for a few moments to get the message across.
"I'm so proud of you, Liebe. So proud."
Hana scooted closer, loosely wrapping her arm around Angela's waist.
"Couldn't have managed without you." She confessed, nuzzling her face into Angela's chest.
"I think you would have anyway, but… I'm glad I was of help." Angela whispered, littering light kisses on the top of Hana's head.
"More than just that." Hana's eyes looked for Angela's in the dark, resolution written all over her face. She hoped Angela could see it in the moonlight. "I want to give you everything, Angie. Everything I am. And I want to be here to do that."
Upon hearing those words, Angela pulled Hana impossibly closer. She would've protected this girl with her life.
"I would give everything I have in exchange for your happiness, Hana." Angela tried not to let her voice break, not with much success.
"I love you. Do you know that?" The girl simply said, as a matter of fact, as the undeniable truth.
Oh, Angela knew. She knew indeed, but those words never failed to make her heart jump.
"I love you too, Liebe."