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Minjeong fucking loves Halloween.
It’s possibly her favorite holiday. The concept of dressing up in whatever costume or putting on whatever make up was so fun. Ever since she was a little kid, dressing up for Halloween was always a core memory.
It only got better with age. The wider variety of costume ideas was endless. She could be something completely dumb and get a laugh out of it. She could dress as something terrifying and scare everyone who saw her. She could be a princess, a chef, or a freaking sexy hotdog. The possibilities had no end.
This year Minjeong opted for something that would need some prior preparation. Which included going to the gym more often, lessening her impulsive purchases and putting that money aside for her costume.
Minjeong stared at the red mask with silver webbing. With great power comes great responsibility. Or in her case, with an almost authentic Spider-Man costume comes the best Halloween night in her life.
“Are you almost ready?” asks Aeri, dressed in tactical wear. “Someone should be arriving soon.”
“Never been more ready in my life.” Minjeong mumbles, holding the mask tighter in her hand.
“Dude, you know you’re not actually Spider-Man, right?”
Minjeong wails, “Don’t crush my dreams!”
“This is why Jimin isn’t your girlfriend yet because you're too nerdy.” Aeri proceeds to stick her tongue out and run out.
Minjeong merely flips her off then groans because Aeri might have a point. When Aeri had proclaimed that she–they–would be hosting a Halloween party at their shared apartment, Minjeong was more infatuated with the idea of getting to wear her costume rather than anything else. That was until Aeri had commented that maybe this would be a good opportunity for Minjeong to stop being such a wuss and finally do something about her very gigantic crush that was obvious to every other person on the planet except to the person that was the center of said affection.
Jimin was more than just a crush. They have been best friends since high school. In every part of growing from being an awkward teenager to an adult comfortable in her own skin, Jimin was there by her side. So Minjeong found it rather difficult to try and push for something more than friendship. Just being in Jimin’s orbit was enough for her.
But Aeri had been non stop pestering her lately about when she’d make a move because apparently there was gossip that some coworker of Jimin’s was very adamant and very forward with his interest in her. This was found out through Yizhuo who had found out from Jimin.
Maybe tonight would be the night.
“Minjeong! Get your ass out here!” shouts Aeri from their living room.
Minjeong gives herself a quick glance over, loving how well the costume fits her body. She inhales a big breath and blows it out slowly. She puts on the mask, adjusting until it looks perfect.
“It’s Spidey time,” she throws a quick Spider-Man gesture at the mirror. “Damn, maybe Aeri has a point.”
The party is well in motion. Minjeong knows most of the attendees. The ones she doesn’t know she assumes were more from Aeri’s circle or even friends of friends. It’s not entirely crowded but there's enough bodies that could potentially lead to a fire hazard.
Jimin arrived a while ago, face painted intricately with a skull design. Minjeong hadn’t stopped staring, thankful for her mask that obscured her line of vision.
She recently found herself between Yunjin and Kazuha, as they discussed their favorite slasher films. Minjeong wasn’t really paying attention, absentmindedly nodding along and humming in agreement when they'd ask ‘Right, Minjeong?’ .
Minjeong knew that drinking would prove to be a difficult task due to her face mask but she eventually got tired of lifting and lowering it and settled for it to be lifted above her lips just while she had a drink in her hand. It was easier that way and gave her breaks of being entirely covered and suffering muffled hot breaths from her nose.
Just now, as she lifts her cup to her lips to take a swig she found it completely gone. It was her fourth drink back to back, so maybe she’d take a pause and mingle around. Minjeong lowers her mask as she excuses herself from Kazuha and Yunjin, telling them to continue raiding the alcohol.
“Ayo Spider-Man or should I say…Spider-Min?”
A tipsy Yizhuo is a lot like a kitten that indulged itself in a huge bowl of milk that leads to a bulged belly and lots of waddling around. Minjeong however lets out a chuckle at Yizhuo’s play on her name, it was a good attempt.
“Enjoying the party, panda?”
Yizhuo was dressed in a panda onesie that suited her demeanor. Very chill, comfortable wherever, and was always found with a snack or drink in her hand.
“Aeri unnie has sent me on a side quest.”
“Oh? Which involves?”
Yizhuo grins silly then grabs Minjeong by the arm. “To retrieve our friendly neighborhood Spider-Min.”
Minjeong lets herself be pulled to wherever Yizhuo leads her. There’s not many areas they can travel to but she does question why Yizhuo leads her to the door and points at it.
“You want me to leave? My own party?”
Yizhuo nods drunkenly. “Aeri unnie is outside waiting for you. Off you go.”
Minjeong simply lets herself be pushed out the door and indeed finds Aeri waiting for her, arms crossed.
“Yes?”
Minjeong startles when Aeri clasps her hands on her shoulders and stares into her soul.
“Game plan. You’re gonna go back in there and find Jimin and do something.”
“That’s such a shitty game plan.”
“I have like 3 of my male friends already asking for her info.”
Somehow, Minjeong is sure Aeri can see behind the mask and knows there is a furrow of her brows and distaste in her eyes.
“What am I even supposed to do?”
Then Aeri grabs at her own hair, shouts with frustration. “You’re going be my leading cause of death, Minjeong! Okay, take a shot, walk up to Jimin, grab her hand, take her back to your room, profess all your pent up feelings. There you go, play by play.”
“But—“
Aeri shakes her head and spins her around. “Onward you go.”
Except she doesn’t even get a single second to attempt the plan because the moment they open the door, Jimin fumbles out and Minjeong with her quick senses catches her by the waist.
“Perfect!” Aeri shouts and then rushes past them.
“What was that about?” Jimin asks when she finds balance in her own feet.
Minjeong clears her throat, waving dismissively, “Aeri’s wasted.”
“As one becomes during a party this good.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Yeah but,” Jimin shrugs, carefully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m getting kind of tired of these random people coming up to me asking for my socials and not getting the hint.”
“Don’t worry, miss, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Min is here.”
Before Jimin could reply, Minjeong grabs her hand and leads her back inside, swiveling through the crowd and evading all the hazardous drunks. Momentarily she spots Aeri wearing a proud mom face.
Maybe the game plan was still a go.
Even with the chaos muffled by the closed door of her bedroom, Minjeong has no semblance of internal peace. She can’t tell if the strange feeling in her stomach is from all the alcohol and snacks she ingested or the fact that Jimin’s staring at her intently.
“What?” Minjeong finally asks.
“I realized I haven't seen your face all night.”
“Duh, I have to hide my identity.”
Jimin snorts a chuckle, pushing her gently. “You’re so dorky.”
“Yeah but you like me for it.”
Right after Minjeong says that, she stiffens. She panics because if this were any other occasion it would be less frightening but right now, as they’re alone in Minjeong’s room, away from the blasting crowd in her living room, it feels heavy.
Jimin is looking at her. This time a small smile playing on her lips. “I do.” She then asks, “Could I tell you something?”
Thank god for the mask because Minjeong’s face was on fire.
“Sure.”
“Yesterday after work, my coworker asked me out. I know he’d been wanting to for a while. He’s a nice guy, and has a nice face too.”
“Oh? What’d you say?” Her voice cracks slightly but she tries to shake it off by clearing her throat.
“I wasn’t interested.” Jimin throws a dismissive wave, with a nose scrunch. “He seemed too mature for my taste.”
“Is that a bad thing in your books?”
“Not exactly but I prefer somebody who can still have the heart of a kid. I want to be with someone who can still have fun and find joy in dorky things.”
“Like…?”
Jimin scoots closer, fixing herself until she's fully facing Minjeong. Her hand reaches out but Minjeong states rooted, uses all her strength to not tremble when Jimin starts rolling up the underside of her mask, letting it rest just on the bridge of her nose.
Then Minjeong feels the slightest caress of a finger along her bottom lip.
Holy shit.
“Do I have to say it or can I just kiss you instead?” Jimin whispers, her face suddenly close to hers.
Minjeong nods, shakily. Inhales through her nose just as shakily when Jimin kisses her. Her lips move slowly, like she’s letting Minjeong decide to stay or pull away. Not that the second option would cross her mind at all when Jimin tastes like a spring day.
Only because oxygen is a thing they need do they end their kissing. God damn oxygen ruined her first kiss with Jimin.
“Can I take your mask off now? I’d like to see the full face of the person who hasn’t left my mind and heart for the past few years.”
Damn. If Jimin was an ocean Minjeong didn’t mind drowning in it.
When her mask is fully removed Minjeong shakes her head in an attempt to fix her messy bangs but then she nearly topples when Jimin joins by brushing her fingers through her hair gently.
Is this what it feels like to win the lottery?
Minjeong is suddenly feeling more courageous. She grabs Jimin’s hands, halting her motions and tugs her forward until they’re centimeters apart.
“If I kiss you again I don’t know if I’ll have the strength to pull away.”
Jimin then pulls her hand free only to wrap her arms around Minjeong’s neck. She leans in, words brushing over Minjeong’s lips, “Then don't.”
The words ignite a huge flame inside Minjeong. She pushes their lips together, allowing Jimin to tug her down as they fall back against the bed. And the moment Jimin peers up at Minjeong with shiny eyes and an illuminating smile it’s more than enough to know she’d follow Jimin to the ends of the earth.
When they take a moment to recollect themselves from their heavy kissing, there's a silent question hanging between them as they stare into each other's eyes.
“Do you want me as much as I want you?”
Everything feels natural. Minjeong unbuttoning Jimin’s jeans and tugging them down her legs. Jimin helping Minjeong get out of her skin tight costume with a few giggles and kisses. Falling into each other free from any barriers, letting their bodies collide and fitting like two perfect puzzle pieces.
The first time Minjeong wakes up it’s to a face full of dark luscious hair, a few strands in her mouth too. The darkness and quietness lead her to believe it’s still not morning enough but also late enough that all the party goes have left the premises.
She shivers slightly and tugs her comforter higher up, making sure Jimin is well covered too before closing her eyes again.
The second time she awakens it's due to a ticklish feeling on her face. Her first instinct is to scrunch her nose and wiggle her head and then to try to slap away whatever it is. It’s the husky chuckle that makes her eyes open, blinking barely as she tries to adjust the warm glow of light in her room.
“Good morning sunshine,” Jimin whispers, laying a chaste kiss on her cheek after.
Minjeong hums sleepily, closing her eyes as she snuggles into Jimin's side. She wanted to be cocooned here forever. It was comfy next to Jimin, the warmth of her body was soothing.
“I have to go home and get ready for work.”
“I thought your shift was later.”
“They needed coverage a little earlier and asked if I wanted to trade times.”
Minjeong frowns, putting on her best display of puppy eyes. “But I don’t want you to leave.”
Jimin pokes her left cheek gently. “But that means I’ll get out earlier and we can go on a date.”
The frown turns upside down and if Minjeong had a tail it’d be wagging crazily. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
“Lovely.”
“I know I am.”
Jimin rolls her eyes playfully and sits up. Minjeong feels her face flush when the blanket falls and reveals Jimin's bare state.
“Don’t be so coy now,” Jimin smirks. “They’re sore because of you.”
Minjeong grins, watching Jimin get up and start picking up her discarded clothing. She observes how she dresses herself and cards her fingers through her long hair to brush out the tangles before tying it up. It’s a quick goodbye of almost a shy kiss then Minjeong waves from her bed as Jimin heads out.
The real time Minjeong wakes up, actually gets out of bed and tumbles out of her room, she’s not at all fazed by the mess that is usually her tidy apartment.
She shakes her head at Aeri who waves weakly from the couch, a pair of sunglasses on.
“You do realize all the blinds are shut, right?”
Aeri groans. “Still too bright.”
Minjeong plops down next to her. “I made out with Jimin last night.”
“I know.”
“How?”
Aeri points at her own face before groaning again. Minjeong takes out her phone, opens up her camera, and the evidence of Jimin’s black and white face paint stares right back at her. Minjeong grins, chuckling goofily before snapping a selfie and sending it to Jimin with a text asking why she didn’t let her know that her face was a mess.
“Is that all that transpired?”
Minjeong smirks proudly. “She was highly appreciative of my new gym bod.”
“Oh, god, why do I get the feeling you both are gonna be so unbearable with your newly developed relationship.”
“Because,” Minjeong poses with the iconic Spider-Man hands. “With great power comes–”
Aeri stuffs a throw pillow in her face. “Oh, shut up.”