Chapter Text
On a scorching summer day, Kim Chaewon lay sprawled across her king-sized bed, the air conditioner sputtering weakly in the corner. Sunlight poured through the curtains, casting bright beams that illuminated the dust motes dancing in the air. With a bored sigh, she scrolled through Instagram, her friends posting sun-soaked photos from beaches and adventurous hikes.
"Ugh, seriously?" she muttered, watching them live their best lives while she was stuck in her room, feeling like a prisoner in her own apartment.
She thought about messaging Sakura but hesitated. "Sakura's busy," she mumbled to herself, feeling that familiar tug of boredom creeping back in.
Then an idea sparked—why not get a job? A little part-time gig could be just the thing to shake off this suffocating boredom and give her something to focus on.
Chaewon quickly hopped online and stumbled upon a babysitting ad. The name of the woman caught her eye: Sarah Huh. "That sounds... American?" she thought. She shot off a quick message, excitement bubbling inside her, and then tossed her phone aside, eager to clear her mind. She decided to take a refreshing shower to shake off the heat.
As the water poured over her, she let the soothing streams wash away her thoughts. Closing her eyes, she savored the warmth, the scent of her vanilla body wash filling the air. She lathered her hair, letting the suds slide through her fingers, trying to imagine how a day with a little girl would go.
When she rinsed off, the water glistened on her skin. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror—damp hair clinging to her forehead, cheeks flushed from the heat. "At least I'll be out of this house," she mused, imagining meeting the little girl and hoping for a break from the tension in her life.
When she returned to her room, her phone buzzed with a response. "Hi Chaewon! I'd be so grateful if you could take the job. Would you like to meet my daughter, Eunchae?"
Chaewon felt a rush of excitement. "Guess I'm babysitting now," she said to herself, smirking as she texted back a confirmation.
Just as Chaewon hit send on her reply to Sarah Huh, her phone buzzed again—this time with an incoming call from Sakura. She stared at the screen for a second before picking up, lying back on her bed with a casual, "What's up?"
"Chaewon?" Sakura's familiar voice filled her ear, laced with confusion. "Why are you suddenly texting me about babysitting? Did I misread that, or have you lost your mind?"
Chaewon chuckled, twirling a strand of damp hair between her fingers. "You didn't misread anything. I signed up to babysit a little girl for the summer."
There was a long pause, and Chaewon could almost hear the disbelief radiating through the line. Then came the inevitable: "What?"
"Yeah, you heard me," Chaewon replied nonchalantly, holding back a laugh at Sakura's dramatic reaction.
"Wait, wait, wait," Sakura said quickly, her tone almost accusatory. "You—Kim Chaewon, who lives in a literal penthouse, with a dad who's richer than half of Seoul combined—decided to get a babysitting job? For money? Is this some kind of prank?"
"It's not about the money!" Chaewon protested, though she couldn't help but smirk. "I'm bored, Kkura. I need something to do this summer before I lose my mind staring at these four walls."
"You could've just gone on vacation with me or literally done anything else. Babysitting?" Sakura's voice was dripping with skepticism. "I can't even imagine you taking care of a kid. Do you even know how to interact with them?"
"Hey, I'm great with kids!" Chaewon shot back, sitting up on her bed defensively. "Besides, she's six. How hard could it be?"
"Famous last words," Sakura muttered dryly before sighing. "But seriously, Chaewon, this is so out of character for you. Are you sure this isn't some existential crisis thing?"
Chaewon hesitated for a moment, her fingers tracing the stitching on her comforter. "Maybe it is," she admitted softly. "I just... I want to get out of the house. Do something different. Babysitting seems... normal. Something that doesn't have to be complicated, you know?"
Sakura was silent for a beat before her voice softened. "Okay, I get that. But promise me you won't freak out when the kid inevitably outsmarts you."
"Ha, ha, very funny," Chaewon said dryly, though a small smile crept onto her lips. "I'll be fine, Kkura. You'll see."
"I better," Sakura teased. "But if you need backup or you get too overwhelmed, call me. I'm serious. I can't wait to hear how this little experiment of yours plays out."
"Noted," Chaewon said, rolling her eyes even as warmth spread in her chest. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Anytime," Sakura replied, and Chaewon could hear the grin in her voice. "Good luck, babysitter Chaewon. You're gonna need it."
As the call ended, Chaewon leaned back against her headboard, staring at the ceiling with a bemused smile.
Little did she know, this decision would change her summer—and her life—in ways she couldn't possibly anticipate.
___
A few days later, she found herself at a restaurant, nervously twirling her hair as she waited. The vibe was modern, with sleek lines and chill music floating in the air. When Sarah arrived with Eunchae, Chaewon's heart melted. The little girl, with big bright eyes and a shy smile, clung to her mother's hand, radiating innocence like sunlight.
"Chaewon, this is Eunchae," Sarah said, her voice warm and welcoming.
"Hi!" Eunchae exclaimed, staring up at Chaewon with wide-eyed admiration.
Chaewon knelt down, returning the smile. "Hi, Eunchae."
Eunchae giggled, her laughter pure and sweet. "You're pretty like a princess!"
Chaewon beamed. "That's all you, Eunchae," She said as she booped Eunchae's little nose.
Eunchae was so adorable, her round cheeks practically begging to be squished, and her innocent smile gave Chaewon severe baby fever.
As Sarah explained Eunchae's allergies and daily routines, Chaewon nodded, mentally taking notes.
Fast forward to the day of the job. Chaewon arrived at a stunning house that screamed wealth, everything sleek and polished. The expansive yard was meticulously manicured, bursting with flowers that looked like they belonged in a magazine.
Sarah greeted her at the door, looking equally polished in a tailored outfit. "Thanks for coming, Chaewon. I'll be back around six."
Chaewon smiled. "No problem! Just let me know what you need me to do."
"Oh, my older daughter will be home a little earlier than me, but don't mind her," Sarah added, waving it off. "Her number is written on the fridge in case of emergencies."
Chaewon nodded, feeling a flutter of nerves mixed with anticipation.
Eunchae tugged on her shirt, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can we play now?"
"Definitely!" Chaewon replied, her heart warming at the thought.
The day flew by. They built a pillow fort in the living room, laughter filling the air as they tossed cushions around. Chaewon watched as Eunchae's eyes lit up with joy, and it was infectious. They colored pictures together, creating a chaotic rainbow on the dining table. "Look, I made a picture of us!" Eunchae exclaimed, holding up a scribbled masterpiece with pride.
Chaewon laughed, leaning in closer. "It's so pretty! We look like idols!"
Eunchae giggled, her joy echoing in the room.
As the clock ticked closer to six, Chaewon settled on the couch with a cartoon playing, Eunchae snuggled on her lap, juice box in hand. The atmosphere felt cozy, laughter ringing through the living room like a sweet song. Chaewon couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so carefree, the worries of her life slipping away for a while.
Then, the sound of a key turning in the lock broke the moment. Chaewon glanced toward the door, curiosity piquing. It creaked open, revealing a girl with long orange hair.
A tall woman wearing black slacks and a white tank top came in. She had a serious look on her face and her lips were plump.
Chaewon blinked. Truly she doesn't think she's ever met someone so— attractive.
She was tall, well a lot taller than Chaewon. She was rather fair and her features were sharp yet soft. Something about her was alluring.
"What the—?" The girl blurted, her long orange hair cascading over her shoulders, big brown eyes wide with shock.
She looked like a puppy, big doe eyes and long lashes to pair them. She was just so—
Eunchae shot up, her arms wrapping around Yunjin's waist. "Yunjin!"
Yunjin.
Eunchae pointed over to where Chaewon was standing. "This is my new friend, Chaewon!"
Chaewon and Yunjin locked eyes, and the tension between them felt electric. Chaewon's heart raced.
Yunjin's brows furrowed, a mixture of stress and frustration contorting her features.
"Hi, i'm Eunchae's babysitter, Chaewon. The brunette said, breaking the silence.
"Oh."
Oh?
The air in the room grew heavy, the silence awkwardly stretching as Chaewon shifted on her feet, suddenly hyperaware of every inch of her being. She fiddled with the hem of her shirt, trying to appear casual, though her heart was doing somersaults in her chest.
Yunjin's expression remained unreadable, her gaze flickering briefly over Chaewon before she turned to ruffle Eunchae's hair. "Hey, kiddo. You've been good, right?"
Eunchae nodded enthusiastically. "The best! Chaewon-unnie and I built a fort and made art and—and she's soooo pretty!"
Chaewon felt her cheeks heat up, laughing softly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Eunchae's been an angel," she said, her voice a little too high-pitched for her liking.
"Hmm," Yunjin replied, her tone cool as she slung her bag onto a nearby chair. She leaned against the wall, arms crossing over her chest, looking effortlessly confident. Her long legs seemed to take up all the space in the room, and her casual posture made Chaewon feel oddly small.
"Nice fort," Yunjin said after a beat, her lips twitching in what might have been a smirk—or maybe Chaewon was imagining things.
"Oh, thanks," Chaewon replied, glancing over at the mess of blankets and cushions dominating the living room. "Eunchae's the real architect here. I just followed her orders."
Yunjin huffed a laugh, low and soft, and Chaewon caught herself staring. The sound was unexpectedly nice, like it belonged in a song you'd replay just to hear that one part again.
As Yunjin turned back to her, Chaewon felt the weight of her stare. "So, how'd you end up babysitting my sister?"
Chaewon shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Needed something to do for the summer. Eunchae's a lot more fun than I expected."
"Fun?" Yunjin raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth quirking up just slightly.
"I mean, Eunchae is adorable, so it's not exactly hard work," Chaewon said quickly, flashing a smile at the little girl, who was now busy trying to fit a juice box straw into the wrong hole.
Yunjin didn't respond immediately, her eyes lingering on Chaewon a moment too long before she shrugged. "Guess you got lucky, then. She can be a handful."
Eunchae gasped, clearly offended. "I'm not a handful! Tell her, Chaewon-unnie!"
Chaewon grinned, patting Eunchae's head. "She's been nothing but perfect," she said, shooting Yunjin a playful look.
For a split second, something in Yunjin's expression softened, her sharp features easing into something almost... fond? But then it was gone, replaced by that same aloof demeanor as she pushed off the wall and headed toward the kitchen.
"You want anything? Water? Juice?" Yunjin asked over her shoulder, her tone so casual it bordered on disinterested.
"Oh, no, I'm fine, thanks," Chaewon said, her voice a little too bright.
"Suit yourself," Yunjin replied, disappearing around the corner.
Chaewon exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her shoulders slumping slightly. What was it about Yunjin that had her so on edge? It wasn't just that she was ridiculously attractive—though, okay, that was a big part of it. But there was something else, something about the way Yunjin carried herself, so effortlessly confident and slightly intimidating.
"She likes you," Eunchae whispered conspiratorially, pulling Chaewon out of her thoughts.
Chaewon blinked, looking down at the little girl. "What?"
Eunchae giggled, her hands covering her mouth like she'd just shared the biggest secret in the world. "Yunjin-unnie thinks you're pretty!"
Chaewon's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly shook her head, laughing nervously. "Oh, I don't think so, Eunchae. She barely looked at me."
Eunchae's grin was mischievous, her eyes twinkling with a knowing look that made Chaewon feel strangely exposed. "You'll see," the little girl said sing-song, skipping off to grab another juice box.
Chaewon sighed, sinking onto the couch as her mind raced. She didn't know what to make of Yunjin, but one thing was certain—this babysitting gig was turning out to be anything but boring.
—
Chaewon's phone buzzed in her hand as she stepped out of her apartment, the familiar name flashing on the screen: Sakura.
"Hey, Saki." Chaewon greeted, trying to sound casual as she adjusted her bag, heading toward Eunchae's house.
"Hey, you on your way to babysit again?" Sakura's voice was upbeat, with a teasing tone.
"Yeah," Chaewon replied, her voice a little distracted. "But I gotta tell you about something... about Yunjin."
Sakura's ears immediately perked up. "Yunjin? Oooh, is this the older sister? The one who's so pretty?"
Chaewon huffed, trying to keep her cool, but there was no hiding the hint of nervousness in her voice. "I mean, yeah, she's pretty... but I'm not into her or anything. I just... I don't know, she's just, like, super nice and good-looking. That's all. Just... normal."
Sakura's tone turned playful. "Pretty? That's it? Girl, you can't just say someone's pretty and leave it at that. You barely know her, right?"
Chaewon's grip tightened on her phone as she tried to stay nonchalant. "I don't know much about her, but yeah, she's... I don't know. Just like, tall, kind of intense. She's got that whole vibe, you know? Pretty... but distant."
Sakura let out a loud laugh. "Okay, okay, Chaewon, but the way you're talking about her, it sounds like you're kind of... into her."
"What? No!" Chaewon said quickly, though she could hear her own voice betraying her. "I'm not into her. I mean, yeah, she's nice to look at or whatever, but we barely even talked. She was, like, kind of quiet, you know?"
Sakura teased, "Uh-huh. So she's tall, distant, and fine, and you're not into her? Sure, Chaewon. Keep telling yourself that."
"Says the one who's had a crush on the same girl for months but keeps saying she doesn't." Chaewon huffed, trying to stay defensive. Sakura stayed quiet.
"Yeah, don't think I forgot about that."
"Shut the fuck up."
Chaewon chuckled, she could feel Sakura's pout through the screen.
"I'm just saying, she has this... thing about her. But it's not like I'm interested or anything. I barely know her!"
Sakura let out a dramatic sigh. "I'm not convinced, but okay. I'll just be over here waiting for the day you admit it."
Chaewon groaned. "Sakura, I'm literally about to walk in. Can we not do this now?"
"Fine, fine," Sakura said, still chuckling. "But when you realize you're crushing on her, don't come crying to me. I told you."
"Crushing is silly, we're 22, Sakura." Chaewon exclaimed.
"You're never too old to crush on someone, especially when they're fine as f— freak."
Chaewon rolled her eyes, trying to suppress the smile creeping onto her face. "Yeah, yeah. Talk later."
She hung up before Sakura could add anything else, her mind already drifting back to the image of Yunjin. She barely knew her, but the thought of her wouldn't leave.
It was two days later when Chaewon found herself back at Sarah Huh's pristine, magazine-worthy house. She had arrived early, wanting to make a good impression after how smoothly her first day went. Eunchae greeted her at the door like an excited puppy, bounding into her arms with a squeal of delight.
"Chaewon-unnie! I missed you so much!"
Chaewon laughed, scooping her up. "I missed you too! What should we do today?"
Eunchae's eyes sparkled. "We have to finish the fort! And then you can be the queen, and I'll be the princess!"
"Deal," Chaewon said, setting her down and letting the little girl drag her into the living room.
They spent most of the afternoon building an even grander fort than the last one. Eunchae was determined to outdo herself, enlisting Chaewon to stack pillows higher, drape blankets more elegantly, and even incorporate a string of fairy lights she'd found in a drawer. By the time they were done, the living room looked like a chaotic yet magical wonderland.
Sarah had left instructions about dinner, and after a brief negotiation over vegetables versus chicken nuggets, Chaewon managed to get Eunchae to eat a somewhat balanced meal. By the time the clock neared six, Eunchae was sprawled on the couch, her head resting on Chaewon's lap as they watched a cartoon.
The soft click of the front door opening startled Chaewon. She glanced up just as Yunjin walked in, her expression stormy. Her usually relaxed demeanor was replaced by a sharp tension in her shoulders, her jaw set tight.
"Yunjin-unnie!" Eunchae chirped, sitting up instantly. She rushed over to her sister, wrapping her arms around Yunjin's legs.
Yunjin didn't immediately respond, her eyes briefly scanning the living room. Her gaze flicked to the blanket fort, the scattered crayons on the coffee table, and finally, to Chaewon, who was still sitting on the couch, awkwardly frozen under the intensity of Yunjin's glare.
"You're here again," Yunjin said flatly, addressing Chaewon.
Chaewon blinked, caught off guard by the statement. "Uh, yeah. Sarah asked me to babysit again. I'm babysitting every week day basically."
"Right." Yunjin crossed her arms over her chest. The tension in the room was palpable, and Chaewon couldn't tell if Yunjin was annoyed with her, with work, or just with life in general.
"I can clean up the mess," Chaewon offered, gesturing to the living room. "We kind of... got carried away."
Yunjin's eyes flicked to the mess, then back to Chaewon. "Don't bother. Eunchae's just going to drag it all out again tomorrow."
The comment was dismissive, but it wasn't biting. Chaewon nodded, unsure how to respond
She gently untangled the little girl's arms and walked toward the kitchen without so much as a glance back.
Chaewon's brows furrowed as she watched her go. Yunjin's usual nonchalant attitude was gone, replaced by an unmistakable edge. Even Eunchae seemed to pick up on it, her excited energy dimming as she returned to Chaewon's side.
Her long orange hair up in a bun today and a pair of glasses sitting low on her nose.
Damn.
She let out another slow breath, leaning back against the couch. Whatever tension she was feeling was just... nerves, right? Babysitting was new for her, and Yunjin's intense aura wasn't helping.
But before she could dwell on it further, Eunchae came bounding back, her juice box in hand and a mischievous smile on her face.
"Chaewon-unnie, do you think Yunjin-unnie is mad today?" the little girl asked, her tone curious but innocent.
"Mad?" Chaewon blinked. "What makes you say that?"
Eunchae shrugged, plopping down on the couch beside her. "She always looks like that when something bad happens at work. But she doesn't tell me stuff 'cause she says I'm too little."
Chaewon tilted her head, her gaze drifting toward the kitchen where she could faintly hear the sound of a fridge door shutting. A pang of concern flickered in her chest, but she quickly brushed it off. It wasn't her place to pry into Yunjin's life. She was here for Eunchae, and that was it.
Still, when Yunjin returned to the living room moments later, a water bottle in one hand and her phone in the other, her sharp features were set in a deeper scowl than before. She plopped onto the armchair across from them, her long legs sprawled out as she tapped furiously at her phone.
Chaewon felt the air grow heavier. Yunjin's energy was... something else.
Eunchae, unbothered by the shift in mood, scrambled over to Yunjin and draped herself across her lap. "Yunjin-unnie, you're squishing your face like this." Eunchae mimicked an exaggerated pout, earning a huff of amusement from Chaewon despite the tension.
Yunjin barely looked up, one hand absently ruffling Eunchae's hair while the other continued texting. "I'm fine," she muttered, though the tightness in her voice suggested otherwise.
Chaewon hesitated, unsure if she should say something or stay quiet. She wasn't exactly close enough to Yunjin to offer comfort, but the awkward silence stretching between them made her itch to fill the space.
"Bad day?" she finally asked, her tone casual but laced with tentative curiosity.
Yunjin's fingers paused over her phone screen. Her gaze flicked up to Chaewon, sharp and guarded. "What gave it away?" she said dryly, though the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
Chaewon bit back a smile, shrugging. "Just a guess."
For a moment, Yunjin seemed to study her, those big brown eyes unreadable but intense. Then she sighed, dropping her phone onto the side table with a thud. "Work's a mess," she admitted, leaning back in the chair. "Nothing new."
Eunchae wiggled in her lap, her small hands reaching up to cup Yunjin's cheeks. "Don't be mad, okay? Chaewon-unnie makes everything fun!"
Chaewon's cheeks burned as she waved her hands dismissively. "Eunchae, I'm really not that fun."
"Yes, you are!" Eunchae insisted, her pout now directed at Chaewon.
Yunjin let out a low chuckle, the sound softer than Chaewon expected. "She's got a point," Yunjin said, her tone lighter now. "Eunchae doesn't warm up to people this fast."
Chaewon blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. "Oh, well, she's easy to get along with," she said, flashing a smile at Eunchae, who beamed back at her.
The tension in the room eased slightly, though Yunjin's earlier frustration still lingered in the way she rubbed her temples. Chaewon wanted to say something, anything to help, but she didn't know how to navigate someone as complex as Yunjin.
Instead, she turned her attention back to Eunchae. "How about we finish that fort before your mom gets home?"
Eunchae's eyes lit up. "Yes! Yunjin-unnie, you can help too!"
Yunjin raised an eyebrow, clearly unamused by the suggestion. "Pass."
Eunchae pouted, crossing her arms. "You're no fun."
Chaewon laughed softly, rising from the couch and grabbing a few stray cushions. "It's okay, Eunchae. We've got this."
As they worked on the fort, Chaewon could feel Yunjin's gaze occasionally drifting toward them, though she remained quiet in her corner. It wasn't until Eunchae ran off to grab another blanket that Yunjin finally spoke.
"You're good with her," she said, her voice low but sincere.
Chaewon paused, surprised by the comment. She glanced over at Yunjin, who was leaning back in her chair, watching her with an expression that was difficult to read.
"Thanks," Chaewon said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "She's easy to love."
Yunjin's eyes flickered with something—approval? Amusement? Chaewon couldn't tell—but she didn't say anything else.
Eunchae returned moments later, dragging a giant blanket behind her, and the moment passed. But as the evening wore on and Sarah eventually returned, Chaewon couldn't help but feel like she'd gotten a glimpse of something deeper beneath Yunjin's guarded exterior.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to make her curious.
And maybe a little intrigued.
__
The next day the house was unusually quiet that evening. Sarah had texted Chaewon earlier, apologizing profusely.
"Work ran late. I won't be back until midnight," Sarah wrote. "Thank you so much for staying with Eunchae. Please let me know if you need anything."
Chaewon reassured her it was no problem, though she was starting to feel the weight of the silence around her. Eunchae had gone to bed easily after their usual bedtime routine, her soft snores filling the little room.
Chaewon sat on the couch, the hum of a drama playing in the background. But her mind wandered, settling on Yunjin.
Yunjin's guarded demeanor—and those annoyingly sharp features—kept surfacing in her thoughts. Chaewon found herself replaying their brief exchanges, her stomach twisting at how effortless Yunjin seemed.
It had been a week since her second encounter with Yunjin, and she still couldn't figure the girl out. Every time Chaewon thought about her, she felt a strange mix of curiosity and frustration. Yunjin was so closed-off, like there was a wall around her that Chaewon couldn't even begin to scale.
"Not that I care," Chaewon mumbled to herself, shaking her head.
A soft whimper broke the quiet, followed by a muffled cry. Chaewon jumped, her heart racing as she hurried to Eunchae's room.
The little girl was sitting up in bed, tears streaming down her face as she clutched her blanket.
"Eunchae? What's wrong?" Chaewon asked, kneeling beside her.
Eunchae flung herself into Chaewon's arms, sobbing into her shoulder. "I had a nightmare," she choked out, her voice trembling.
Chaewon hugged her tightly, rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles. "It's okay, Eunchae. It was just a bad dream. I'm here."
Eunchae shook her head, sniffling. "There were monsters, and you and Yunjin weren't there. I was all alone."
Chaewon's chest tightened. "Oh, sweetheart, you're never alone. I promise. Yunjin and I would never let anything happen to you."
Eunchae looked up at her, her tear-streaked face a heartbreaking sight. "Can you call Yunjin? She always makes me feel better."
"Of course," Chaewon said gently, though her stomach flipped at the thought.
She tucked Eunchae back into bed and stepped out of the room to make the call.
The phone rang twice before Yunjin's voice came through, low and a little groggy.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Chaewon," she said, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Sorry to bother you, but Eunchae had a nightmare. She asked for you."
There was a pause. "Is she okay?" Yunjin asked, her voice softening.
"She's fine, just scared. I thought you might want to talk to her."
Yunjin sighed, and Chaewon could hear rustling on the other end. "Yeah, put her on."
Chaewon handed the phone to Eunchae, watching as the little girl's face lit up.
"Yunjin! I had a scary dream," Eunchae said, her voice trembling but brighter. "Can you come home now?"
Chaewon couldn't hear Yunjin's response, but it must have been reassuring because Eunchae's shoulders relaxed.
When the call ended, Eunchae handed the phone back with a sleepy smile. "Yunjin said she's coming home soon."
Chaewon smiled. "See? Everything's okay now. Try to get some rest, okay?"
Eunchae nodded, her eyelids drooping as Chaewon tucked her in.
True to her word, Yunjin arrived not long after. The sound of the door unlocking pulled Chaewon's attention from the TV.
Yunjin stepped inside, her orange hair slightly damp from the misty night air. She looked tired but determined, her sharp gaze immediately scanning the room.
She immediately walked over to Eunchae's room.
Chaewon hesitated for a moment before following. She stood in the doorway, watching as Yunjin knelt by Eunchae's bed, her voice soft and soothing.
"You're okay, munchkin," Yunjin murmured, brushing a strand of hair from Eunchae's face. "I'm here now."
Eunchae mumbled something in response, and Yunjin chuckled quietly. "Yeah, no monsters. Just sleep, okay?"
Within minutes, Eunchae was fast asleep, her breathing even and peaceful. Yunjin stood and gestured for Chaewon to follow her back to the living room.
"You didn't have to call me," Yunjin said, slipping off her shoes.
"Eunchae wanted you," Chaewon replied, standing awkwardly. "I wasn't sure what else to do."
Yunjin nodded, her expression softening. "Thanks for being there for her."
"She's a sweet kid," Chaewon said, following Yunjin into the kitchen.
Yunjin grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and leaned against the counter, taking a long sip.
Chaewon found her eyes drifting don't towards Yunjin's neck. She could see it bobbing up and down as she drank the water. Little water droplets dribbled down her chin. Chaewon averted her gaze when Yunjin caught her.
"Another rough night?" Chaewon asked, hoping to cover her embarrassment.
Yunjin let out a humorless laugh. "You could say that."
"Want to talk about it?" Chaewon offered hesitantly.
Yunjin studied her for a moment before shrugging. "It's just... my ex. She's been texting me again."
"She?" Chaewon blurted, her eyes widening.
Yunjin raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly. "Yeah. Problem?"
"N-No! Of course not," Chaewon stammered, her face heating.
She tried to keep her face neutral, but her mind was already racing. She hadn't even considered that Yunjin might like girls. It wasn't something Yunjin had ever mentioned—not that they'd talked much.
Yunjin chuckled, her tired demeanor lightening a fraction. "Relax. I'm not going to bite."
Chaewon scowled, crossing her arms. "I'm not nervous."
"Sure," Yunjin said, her smirk widening.
God, that smirk made Chaewon go feral.
In a platonic way, of course.
They fell into a surprisingly easy rhythm after that, trading light banter as Yunjin made tea and Chaewon cleaned up Eunchae's coloring books from earlier.
"So," Yunjin said, breaking the quiet, "what's your deal?"
Chaewon blinked. "My deal?"
"Yeah. You don't seem like the babysitting type."
"Excuse me?" Chaewon shot back, feigning offense. "I'm amazing with kids."
Yunjin snorted. "Sure you are."
"I am! You said it a few days ago, didn't you?" She insisted, glaring at her.
Yunjin just grinned, and Chaewon hated how much it made her heart flutter.
"Fine," Chaewon muttered, turning away. "Believe whatever you want."
Yunjin's laughter followed her down the hall, soft but warm in a way that made Chaewon feel oddly at ease.