Work Text:
Minjeong’s in Thailand when she first sees it. A glimpse, a fleeting moment on a busy street. Two girls holding hands in a way that stirs her stomach. Nerves. Anticipation. Envy.
She glances to her right, wondering if Jimin had seen what she’d seen. By the blank stare on the older girl’s face, it seems like she had.
Minjeong frowns when Jimin’s warm hand slips out of hers. It’s imperceptible, the flicker of doubt that flashes across her eyes, but Minjeong catches it. She always does.
~
They’re in Australia now, having a day off from their tour to explore the city. Minjeong decides she wants to spend it with some of their back up dancers. Aeri tags along at the last minute.
After a week’s worth of exploring jam packed into a single day, Minjeong, Aeri, and their dancers find their way into a popular hot spot. A high end, aesthetic bar.
They take a seat in a circle booth in the far corner of the establishment. It’s busy, considering it was a Friday night. Aeri gushes over the bar’s visuals and snaps silly pictures of everyone around the table.
Two drinks in, a little buzz coursing through her body, Minjeong feels Aeri nudge her. “There’s a girl over there that has been staring at you this entire time.”
“Huh?” Minjeong blushes, thanking the heavens that she was already red from the alcohol for anyone to notice a difference. She sneaks a peek. A tall girl, long and flowing black hair, gorgeous. Stunning. Minjeong’s breath catches in her throat. “Stop kidding around, Aeri.”
“Are you going to say hi?”
Minjeong smacks her member. “Are you out of your mind?! Why would I do such a thing!”
Aeri shrugs, a smug grin spreads on her lips. “Because she’s hot.”
Minjeong stares at Aeri like she’s grown another head, incredulous. Why would she be under the impression that Minjeong would even be interested in this woman? “I-I’m not going to do anything.”
She jumps when her phone buzzes on her lap. The screen flashes Jimin. Minjeong lets out a breath she forgot she was holding. Aeri glances at the screen. “Tell her we’re busy finding you a girl to flirt with.”
Minjeong’s eyes bulge out of her sockets at this point. “What has gotten into you? You seriously cannot be this drunk off of a few drinks.”
“I’m not drunk.” Aeri says plainly. “Minjeong, come on. We’re in Australia! It’s okay.”
Aeri’s words echo in the space around her, the noise of the bar drowning out and being replaced by the beating thump of her heart. Her breath quickens. A revelation.
She mindlessly answers the call. “Where are you guys? Our flight leaves early tomorrow morning.”
“We’ll be back soon.” Aeri chirps into the receiver.
“Get to the hotel safely you two.”
Minjeong hangs up, not having said a word the whole interaction. She can sense Aeri’s curious gaze on her. “Just let it go, alright?”
They never talk about it again.
~
Minjeong buries the revelation.
Buries it every time she looks at Jimin. Buries it every time she catches Jimin looking her way. Buries it when they’re alone at home, in the peacefulness of their shared comfort in each other.
~
Just when Minjeong thinks she’s defeated the beast, buried the revelation so deep underground, it comes rearing its head with a vengeance.
It’s a dark cold afternoon, the first snow, Minjeong can see her breath swirl with Jimin’s while they sat beside each other. They stumbled upon this nearby park close to their dormitories.
“Minjeong.”
Her ears perk. She leans the other way to give Jimin her full attention.
“Have you— have you ever thought about what our lives would be like if we grew up someplace else?” There’s an edge to Jimin’s voice, something so rare and unfamiliar coming from the older girl. “Do you think that we could’ve had a chance?”
Minjeong can pretend all she wants, bury all she wants, keep a calm and collected expression all she wants but she knows. She knows she can’t hide from Jimin.
“Yes.”
Jimin faces her, gaze heavy with years worth of longing swimming in dark brown orbs. Minjeong gulps. All her hard work repressing these feelings, destroyed in mere seconds.