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The best time to stargaze is during winter. The cold air holds far less moisture than the heavy summer air masses, so winter nights offer a pristine sky, brushed with an endless blanket of natural twinkling lights. Constellations can thus be seen with greater clarity, as if the Milky Way is gracefully dancing across the heavens, tracing paths with no beginning nor end.
Beyond the scientific explanations, winter compels any living being to seek shelter — warmth, refuge, comfort. As harsh and unyielding as the cold may be, with its sharp, gusty breaths, the solace found in braving it embodies the extraordinary paradox a simple natural phenomenon can offer.
While the biological aspects of it all may be intriguing, the pair share a silent, simple, new-found understanding: the best part of winter stargazing is how naturally their bodies become each other’s shelter under the adorned sky.
Minjeong sighs, watching as a tiny cloud forms before her mouth, her breath meeting the chilly air. She glances over at Jimin, noticing the pink tinge on her nose, her dark eyes reflecting the light from above. Her plump, rosy lips seem to offer countless silent invitations. For a moment, Minjeong looks away from the stars to take in the girl beside her, blushing softly as she’s caught in the act — though it wasn’t the first time tonight.
“Why are you blushing?” Jimin asks, a small smile playing on her lips.
Minjeong presses her own lips together, her gaze returning to the stars.
“Cold,” she quietly replies, though even she can’t convince herself.
“Is it?” Jimin’s smile grows. She leans in just enough to press a lingering kiss to Minjeong’s warm cheek, intensifying the blush. “Huh, I thought a kiss might make you warmer, but it seems the cold only got worse…”
“So funny,” Minjeong mutters, her eyes rolling subtly, not even attempting to hide her smile.
Her fingers tremble slightly as another gust of wind sweeps through.
“Are you sure you don’t want gloves?” Jimin asks, her brows furrowed in concern.
“No, I’m fine.”
With gloves, the fabric would keep Minjeong from feeling the warm touch of Jimin’s soft skin against hers. But no one needs to know that. Maybe just Jimin. Not really, no.
“Well, I can work some magic,” Jimin takes the younger girl’s hands in hers. Minjeong gives a small, expectant smile. Somehow, this ritual always feels brand new — like the first touch, the first fluttering of butterflies, the first magic.
As usual, Jimin rubs her palms together, creating enough friction to generate heat, then wraps them around Minjeong’s hands. Her fingers slide across the other’s skin, spreading the warmth and adding a few gentle caresses. She then guides Minjeong’s hands into the pockets of her own coat. After a few more warm rubs, Jimin lifts her hands to cup the girl’s cheeks. Minjeong’s round, puppy-like eyes meet hers. Shy, yet carrying the weight of the newly sparked atmosphere of delicate greediness.
Jimin carefully drags her thumb over Minjeong’s cheek, a gentle caress that soon drifts to her lower lip, which had been caught between her teeth. Her first kiss lands on the short-haired girl’s forehead, taking the opportunity to nuzzle her nose into the skin peeking out from under her fringe, breathing her in. She sighs at the delicate yet intoxicating scent. By now, both pairs of eyes are closed in sync, their lips finding each other in a kiss that brings a smile to both.
Without even noticing, Minjeong slips her hands from Jimin’s pockets, as though the kiss itself has created a magnetic pull that draws her touch to the other’s neck. Jimin lets out a soft sigh, smiling into the kiss as she feels Minjeong’s fingertips quietly anchoring onto her skin. The kiss is broken by a sudden gust of wind, sending a deeper chill through them.
Minjeong gasps, shivering visibly, rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm herself. Jimin quickly stands up, extending a hand to help her up.
“It’s way too cold now. Let’s enjoy the rest of the night under some warm blankets, shall we?” she says, entwining her fingers with Minjeong’s.
“You still want to sleep over?” the youngest asks, her now playful tone still laced with a hint of shyness.
Jimin can’t hide her smile at Minjeong’s slightly needy tone.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
⎯⎯ ❆ ⎯⎯
Minjeong takes the last sip from her mug, savoring the remnants of the hot chocolate she made herself. She leans over Jimin to set the mug on the nightstand by the bed, but before she can settle back down, long arms wrap around her waist, pulling her close. The girl lets out a surprised, playful squeal, surrendering to the embrace.
“Clingy,” she teases.
“And you don’t like it?” Jimin pouts, sticking out her lower lip. Minjeong chuckles, rolling her eyes.
“I do,” she murmurs in response, nestling into Jimin’s warm body.
Though the television is still on, neither of them pays attention to the animated show that had captured their interest until just moments ago. Minjeong practically melts as she snuggles closer, sliding her face into the crook of Jimin’s tempting, alluring neck.
Warm. So cozy. So good, so...
“Mm,” Jimin hums as Minjeong’s nose brushes softly against her neck.
Long, gentle fingers sneak their way to Jimin’s waist, slipping beneath her clothing with shy, hesitant grace, as if silently seeking permission. In response, Jimin tenderly tucks a stray strand of hair behind Minjeong’s ear, letting her touch her skin in search of warmth, almost unconsciously returning the affection.
Winter has always left Minjeong feeling more vulnerable in many ways. She feels drowsier, craves physical closeness with Jimin, even though they’ve only recently started exploring this newfound intimacy through touch. She also tends to show her more needy, sulky side — Jimin eagerly embraces that. The cold makes her seek warmth and comfort constantly, and no one is more fitting than Yu Jimin to fill that role. Although it hasn’t been long since they took that small step into a romantic dynamic, Minjeong has gradually let go of her shyness, feeling more at ease expressing her need for physical closeness with Jimin.
“Still cold?” Jimin asks softly.
“A little,” Minjeong sighs, her hand finding the side of Jimin’s neck, each touch sending a gentle warmth radiating through her. “So warm.”
Jimin notices how Minjeong’s voice is growing heavier, slower, and softer. Her body, too, has become more still. The first signs of sleepiness are settling over her, which likely means they’ll have to wrap up their plans for the night — watching movies and snacking — sooner than anticipated.
“Looks like someone’s starting to feel sleepy,” Jimin smiles, gently brushing her thumb across Minjeong’s cheek.
Minjeong shakes her head in denial, but a yawn slips out, betraying her resistance. Jimin chuckles softly. It’s almost impossible not to do something about the sleepy figure beside her, so she subtly pulls the girl’s face close, capturing her lower lip in a slow, lazy kiss. Minjeong lets out a soft, approving sound, one hand settling at the back of Jimin’s neck and the other resting on her waist. Now more than ever, the sensation of Jimin’s full, soft lips moving against hers is overwhelming, almost like an anesthetic. So much so that she forgets to breathe, and Jimin pulls back as soon as she notices Minjeong’s shallow, breathless gasp. The other protests at the interruption, a slight crease of irritation appearing between her brows as her lips begin to pout. Jimin just laughs, nudging her nose against Minjeong’s and brushing it gently, causing her to melt into a smile.
“There’s plenty of me left for you to kiss, you know; there’s no need to rush,” Jimin teases.
Minjeong rolls her eyes and looks away, a blush spreading across her cheeks. Jimin takes the chance to press another quick kiss to her lips, then another. And another, and another, and another... until the girl lets out one of the most genuine, adorable giggles Jimin has ever had the privilege of hearing.
“You’re silly, Yuji,” she murmurs, her breath still slightly uneven.
Jimin smiles, gazing deeply into her gentle, happy eyes. Despite the intensity, Minjeong holds her gaze, and this time it’s she who caresses the other’s cheek. With her dazzling face so close, Minjeong merges through a sudden moment of realization, as if the air has been stolen from her lungs. There’s so much she wants to say — an infinity in her chest, but no words feel quite right. And leaves her a bit frustrated.
However, unlike Minjeong’s impatience, Jimin is brimming with the opposite, needing no words to take in the depth of their shared emotions.
Jimin simply feels.
She feels it in Minjeong’s touch, in the timid yet warm smiles. She sees it in those puppy-like eyes — which, over time, Jimin has realized are unmatched in sincerity. Contrary to what people around them might think, Jimin finds the girl incredibly expressive. It just takes truly watching her to actually see it. Once it happens, it is quite easy to translate Minjeong’s nuances.
“Yuji, I-” the younger tries again to speak, but it’s as if an impenetrable wall blocks her throat. Her heart races, each beat sending waves of nervous energy coursing through her. “I… I-I…”
Jimin frowns slightly, concerned by Minjeong’s sudden change in expression. The girl even withdraws her hand from Jimin’s hip, her fingers fidgeting restlessly. A frustrated crease forms between her brows, partially hidden by her fringe, but Jimin notices it clearly.
“Is something wrong, Min?” she asks softly. “What happened?”
The answer comes as a reluctant shake of the head. Embarrassment keeps Minjeong from meeting Jimin’s gaze directly.
“I just… I-” She squeezes her eyes shut, fists clenched in frustration. “I wanted to tell you something, but…” Minjeong bites her lip, eyes darting restlessly.
Jimin’s expression softens, giving way to a look of gentle understanding. She quickly realizes it’s one of those moments when Minjeong grapples with both the urge and the difficulty of expressing herself. What she doesn’t realize, however, is the depth of the words that are fighting so hard to break free.
“It’s okay, love. Don’t pressure yourself,” Jimin assures her, making sure to look deeply into her eyes. Minjeong allows herself to be looked at, despite the raw vulnerability that grips her heart. Her pulse quickens at the affectionate nickname, caught between nervousness and exhilaration. “The best things happen when we’re patient and kind to ourselves.”
Jimin has always had a way with words. There have been times when she made Minjeong melt and feel as though she might explode from a few well-chosen phrases, each loaded with meaning. Minjeong can’t help but feel a bit self-conscious at the thought. Almost as if reading her mind, Jimin tilts her chin up slightly, moistening her lips before speaking with a more understanding tone.
“I know you push yourself to express yourself better with words, but that’s something to develop for yourself. You know? To make it easier when you need to communicate… But don’t feel pressured to do it just to please me. You express so much in so many ways… And I never doubt you. God, how could I?”
It’s true. Jimin thinks that no eloquence or trove of words could ever compare to the way Minjeong’s eyes communicate, expressing a vastness in complete silence.
“Whatever you feel like saying to me will come out at the right time. It’s happened before, hasn’t it? And it worked beautifully, too…” Jimin teases, lightly brushing her finger across the tip of Minjeong’s nose.
Minjeong blushes deeply, smiling. The vivid memory of her nervous, rambling confession of her feelings for Jimin comes rushing back. Driven by nerve-wracking anxiety and the pressure of the moment, but somehow... it had worked out.
Jimin reaches up, freeing Minjeong’s lower lip from her teeth, replacing the absent-minded, self-punishing bite with a gentle caress from her thumb. The touch makes the girl uneasy, a wave of cool nerves settling in her stomach and a shiver running up her neck. She’s sure her cheeks are burning. She fights the urge to bite her lip again — though, secretly, she’d like to, just so Jimin might repeat the gesture. It felt, admittedly, quite nice.
“You...” Minjeong begins, her voice soft and uncertain. “Did you call me love?”
Jimin’s mouth falls open slightly, and now it’s her turn to blush, the redness rising all the way to her ears. She rubs the back of her neck awkwardly, fumbling for words. Of all the things Minjeong could have picked up on… God.
“I… I guess I did,” Jimin admits, shrugging with a sheepish smile. Minjeong gives a small, but clearly satisfied, smile. “Was that… um, bad?”
Minjeong frowns, incredulous at Jimin’s absurd question. She even feels the urge to flick her forehead.
“How could that be bad?” she asks, exasperated.
“I-, uh, well, suddenly I thought it might be too much. Maybe, I don’t know, too soon, or- or uncomfortable for you. I swear, it just slipped out, and… if you’d rather, I’ll never say it again, I—”
Minjeong has no idea where the impulse comes from. She always thought she’d never be able to do something like this. But here she is, grabbing Jimin by the collar of her blue sweater and pressing their lips together in a kiss filled with urgency. The impact causes the taller girl to shift forward, leaning over her as her body fits naturally above Minjeong’s. Her hand still grips Jimin’s sweater, while her other hand finds its way to her waist again. She’s beginning to think she might be addicted to it — this perfect fit.
When they finally break for air, Jimin pulls away slowly, trailing soft, delicate kisses across Minjeong’s lips, cheeks, chin, and jaw. Minjeong nearly whimpers at the feeling, but before she can react further, Jimin pulls back just enough to meet her gaze.
“So… was that a yes?”
⎯⎯ ❆ ⎯⎯
When Jimin wakes up, the first thing she notices is the gentle warmth of Minjeong’s breath brushing softly against her neck. The girl’s hands rest lightly on her chest, clutching her sweater as if in a fragile hold. Jimin stretches carefully, trying not to disturb Minjeong’s peaceful slumber. She wishes she could see the girl’s sleeping face right now, but their positions don’t allow it. Still, just feeling Minjeong so comfortably nestled against her is more than enough.
Not long after, she senses Minjeong beginning to wake. She shifts a bit, stretching her arms slightly and adjusting her head, sliding down just enough to bring Jimin into her field of vision.
Minjeong feels like she might melt at the sight before her.
Jimin’s usually almond-shaped eyes are swollen with sleep, her long dark hair adorably tousled from the night’s rest. Her cheeks are faintly flushed, and even her lips look redder and fuller, carrying a lazy, radiant smile.
Minjeong can hardly believe it. It feels surreal. She can barely grasp the fact that they slept together — so close, so intimately, so... perfectly .
Yu Jimin doesn’t seem real.
But there she is, smiling so warmly that it tethers Minjeong firmly back to reality.
“Good morning, Min,” Jimin says, her voice slow and slightly raspy, sending a euphoric twinge through Minjeong’s stomach.
“Morning, Yuji,” Minjeong replies, feeling drowsy. She blinks, letting her gaze sweep over Jimin’s face once more. “You’re so beautiful.”
The unexpected comment makes Jimin’s heart skip a beat. She closes her eyes with a shy smile, shaking her head.
“You’re beautiful. I didn’t know I could get so much more enchanted by you until I woke up by your side,” Jimin says naturally.
So early in the morning, and Minjeong is already breathless for the first time that day.
Irrevocably affected and at a loss for words, she leans forward, burying her face in her favorite spot. Jimin chuckles softly, feeling the ticklish sensation of the girl’s nose brushing against her neck.
“Did you sleep well, love?” Jimin’s velvety, raspy voice, paired with that word, nearly makes Minjeong melt.
“It was the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had in my entire life,” Minjeong admits, smiling shyly, her voice muffled against Jimin’s skin.
“It was mine, too,” Jimin replies without hesitation.
It’s a good thing Minjeong’s face is practically fused to Jimin’s neck, because she suddenly feels so flushed that her face must look absolutely disastrous.
“What do you think we should do today? It’s Sunday, so, maybe… oh. Oh, my god. Oh, my god, Minjeong. Look! Look!”
Minjeong quickly pulls away from her hiding spot and looks around, searching for the source of Jimin’s sudden burst of excitement. A smile spreads across her face.
Outside the window, sparkling white flakes dance through the air, drifting gracefully and adorning everything in sight.
It’s snowing.
The first snow of winter.
“Oh,” Minjeong breathes, captivated by the sight, and even more by Jimin’s expression. It’s as if she’s witnessing a child’s first encounter with snow. “So beautiful.”
She isn’t entirely sure whom she’s complimenting.
Jimin stands up, utterly entranced, but she doesn’t forget to include Minjeong in her excitement. She takes Minjeong’s hand, their fingers intertwined, and leads her to the window.
It must have snowed through the night, as a thick, shimmering layer of snow blankets the ground outside. Jimin presses her hands against the glass, her forehead resting against it, trying to get as close as possible to admire the view. Minjeong watches the joy on Jimin’s face with devotion.
“It must be so cold out there. We need a warm, hearty breakfast and plenty of cozy layers. Please, Minjeongie, don’t be stubborn this time and wear your gloves, okay? You know you can get frostbite! We wouldn’t want that. God, it’s so beautiful this year!” Jimin chatters on, glancing back and forth between Minjeong and the snow outside. Like Jimin, Minjeong can’t stop smiling.
Following her purest and most unguarded instincts, Minjeong leans in and presses a gentle kiss to Jimin’s cheek.
“You’re so happy,” Minjeong notes, laughing.
“Of course. How could I not be?” Jimin asks, beaming. “It’s our first snow.”
Minjeong’s heart swells with affection, making her let out a deep sigh.
With haste but careful attention, they eat and bundle up in warm clothes. Before stepping outside, Minjeong turns to Jimin, adjusting her beanie and taking care not to mess up her perfectly tousled hair.
“Ready?” Jimin confirms.
Minjeong just nods, and they head out.
The first thing Jimin does is look up, catching a tiny snowflake in her hand. She stares at it with visible wonder.
“Smells like winter,” Jimin murmurs.
Minjeong laughs, tilting her head in confusion. “Winter has a scent?”
“It does,” Jimin replies, breathing in deeply as if to make her point. “That crisp, chilly scent. A touch of lavender. It’s light and fresh. Why don’t you close your eyes and try?”
Minjeong does as told, breathing in deeply, focusing her senses on the surroundings. The cold air fills her lungs. At first, she doesn’t notice much, but then the subtle notes Jimin described become distinct. It’s faintly citrusy, a bit herbal. Concentrating, she senses another aroma beneath it all — one that contrasts with the rest.
Cinnamon and honey. Yu Jimin.
She feels a warm pair of lips softly cover hers, along with the fuzzy texture of gloved hands on her cheeks. Her giggle is muffled by Jimin’s tender kiss.
Opening her eyes and pulling back just slightly, Minjeong is captivated by Jimin’s radiant smile. She loses herself for a few moments in the sparkle of Jimin’s gaze.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” Minjeong breathes out, nearly panting.
In response, Jimin kisses her on the forehead, then takes her hand and leads her excitedly across the soft carpet of snow.
“What do you want to do first? Snow angels? We can do anything, Min.”
“Um, I think we could start with a snowman,” Minjeong suggests.
Jimin nods eagerly, scouting for the perfect spot to begin. Already infected by Jimin’s enthusiasm, Minjeong laughs for no reason at all while Jimin nearly bounces with excitement at each step.
Both of them crouch down on the snowy ground, balancing on their heels. Jimin notices how Minjeong looks like a tiny bundled-up ball and smiles, leaving a quick kiss on her forehead without saying a word.
Minjeong patiently starts sculpting a small sphere, her hands feeling the bite of the cold even through the thick fabric of her gloves. So focused, she doesn’t notice Jimin moving until a delicate brush of snow lands on her nose. Jimin has placed a tiny flake there.
She laughs and does the same to Jimin, who scrunches up her nose, her dimples deepening as she grins.
At that moment, a boundless warmth swells in Minjeong’s chest. Gazing at Jimin’s angelic face, she just feels. She feels so much that the words slip out naturally.
“I love you.”
Jimin freezes, a small mound of snow falling clumsily from her hand. She gasps, her breath forming a tiny cloud in the frigid air. Then, her eyes light up with pure delight, and she can’t resist moving closer, brushing her nose affectionately against Minjeong’s.
“I love you, too.”