Chapter Text
Flashes.
A crowd of fans swarmed around them at the airport, phones raised, voices blending into a mix of cheers and goodbyes.
“Jiu-unnie! Saranghae!”
“SuA-unnie, look over here!”
“Fighting for the last shows!”
Only three shows left. Three final moments on stage before everything changed. The end of the tour meant more than just closing a chapter—it meant the end of the routine she shared with Minji. Soon, their contracts would expire, and each of them would go their separate ways.
Minji would stay in Korea, continuing promotions with SuA and Yoohyeon. Handong would return to China to pursue acting. And for the first time in years, there was no guarantee they’d meet again. No more shared schedules, no more tours together, no more excuses to cross oceans when the longing became too much.
The thought made her heart ache in a way she couldn’t explain. She felt like time was slipping through her fingers.
It's been two years.
Two years since she and Jiu had become something more than just bandmates. Two years of stolen kisses, of quiet nights spent together, of whispered promises when no one was watching.
And now… three shows.
And the worst part? Jiu looked so calm.
Right there in front of her, her girlfriend smiled and waved at fans, making tiny heart signs with her fingers, handing out attention as if the world– their world wasn’t about to change.
Handong wished to know what was going on in her head. Was Jiu scared too? Did she ever think about whether they could survive the distance? Or did she trust their relationship so much that she didn’t even consider the possibility of losing it?
Minji has always been the most confident one. The one who believed in the best scenarios, who saw possibilities where Handong saw doubts. And maybe that’s what scared her the most—because if Minji didn’t see a problem, did that mean there wasn’t one? Or was Handong just alone in her fear?
The moment they got on the plane and the curtains closed for privacy, Handong slumped into her window seat with a deep sigh.
She could leave the fans outside, but she couldn’t escape her own thoughts.
Dami, sitting next to her, took off her headphones. “You’re way too quiet,” she said, breaking the silence. “And something tells me it’s not just exhaustion.”
Handong blinked, snapping back to the present. “I’m not quiet.”
Dami raised an eyebrow. “Dongie, you haven’t said a word since we left the dorms.”
Handong sighed, looking away. “I’m just… thinking.”
“About?”
Handong hesitated.
Then, she exhaled and muttered, “About what happens next.”
Dami stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.
Handong turned toward the window, watching the airport runway lights flicker past as the plane slowly began to take off. “Because after the last show, everything changes,” she murmured. “I’m going to China.” Handong’s voice was softer than she intended. “Minji is staying in Korea.”
The knot in her chest tightened.
She didn’t want to say it out loud. She didn’t want to make real what she already knew was inevitable. But here, inside this plane, with no cameras, no fans, no need to pretend she was okay—there was nowhere to hide.
“We won’t have a contract keeping us in the same place anymore.” Her gaze stayed fixed on the small screen in front of her, though she wasn’t really seeing anything. “We won’t have a shared schedule. We’ll each go our separate ways.” Finally, she looked at Dami, and there was something raw in her eyes. “And I don’t know what that’s going to do to us.”
The plane picked up speed. Dami sighed, resting her elbow on the armrest. “And that scares you.”
Handong closed her eyes for a second.
They had been apart before. Handong had spent about a year in China for some schedules while Minji continued promoting here with the group. But back then, they had just been bandmates—close friends, sure, but nothing more.
And even then, coming back had been hard.
Now… now they weren’t just part of the same group. They were part of each other. And there was no longer a guarantee of coming back.
Dami studied her. “So… what do you want to do about it? Have you talked to her?”
Handong let out a humorless laugh.
“I have.” She rubbed her face, exhausted. “And she told me everything was going to be fine. That we’d figure it out.”
Dami raised an eyebrow. “And you don’t believe that?”
Handong exhaled heavily.
“Minji always sees the best in everything. That’s just who she is.” She clasped her hands over her knees. “But she doesn’t know what’s going to happen. None of us do. And if I knew what to do, I wouldn’t be like this.”
For a moment, Dami just watched her.
Then, with the calmness of someone who already knew exactly where the conversation was headed, she asked, “You love Minji, right?”
Handong shot her an exasperated look. “Dami.”
“Just answer.”
Handong looked away. Sighed.
“Of course I do.”
“Then why are you letting the future be an uncertainty?”
“It sounds stupid, doesn’t it? I know we’ll see each other again, I know things will be fine. But…” She looked down at her hands, as if trying to translate the storm inside her. “This time feels different.”
Dami shook her head. “It’s not stupid. But you need something to hold on to.”
Handong frowned. “Like what?”
The plane lifted off the ground, and Dami reached into her pocket, pulling out a small silver ring. “This.”
Handong stared at the ring like it was going to jump her. “A ring?”
“A temporary one,” Dami corrected with a small smile. “A promise.”
Handong hesitated before taking it, feeling the cold metal against her palm.
“Dami…” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Are you suggesting I propose to Minji?”
“Do you want to propose to Jiu-unnie?”
Handong opened her mouth, but no words came out at first.
Dami chuckled. “Dong, I see the way you look at her. Like she’s everything. And I think you already know the answer.”
Handong pressed the ring between her fingers, her heart pounding.
“I do,” she admitted, breathless. “But… what if it’s too soon? What if she’s not ready?”
Dami rolled her eyes.
“Yoohyeonie thinks you’re dragging this out, and I agree with her.” She pointed at Handong. “Jiu-unnie would say yes in a heartbeat, without even thinking. But if you want to wait, that’s fine too. Just…” She nudged her friend’s hand. “Hold onto this. You never know.”
Handong looked at the ring, taking it from Dami’s hand, “Okay.” She said “but I think I’ll wait for these Melbourne shows, do it after. As soon as we land in Korea, I’ll go buy a real ring, and I’d propose the way she deserves.”
Dami nodded, “Okay, do what you think it’s right. But don’t wait too long to make her your woman.”
“She is already! Mine–”
Dami chuckled: “Well, make it even more official than.”
Handong looked at the ring again, her mind racing. The brunette closed her fingers around it, feeling her heart beat faster.
Outside, the plane had already broken through the clouds.
[...]
The screams outside were deafening, electric. Jiu closed her eyes for a moment, letting the energy wash over her. Her body was exhausted, her neck still throbbing, but none of that mattered now.
"Hey! The girls asked me–” She watched Minji massage her neck “I really think you shouldn't perform," Handong said, her voice heavy with concern. "It's still hurting, isn't it?"
"I can't, Dongie." The response came firm, almost automatic. “Is it time already?”
"Ji, your neck is killing you. You need your strength, your health—"
"I can't, Dongie. Not now, not for the last few shows." Minji took a deep breath and pointed toward the door. "Listen to that."
Silence filled the dressing room for a moment. Outside, the fans were chanting the group's name, singing their songs, their voices blending together, pulsing with an intense energy.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered, looking at Handong. A wide smile spread across her face, her eyes shining. "I do. My heart is racing. Every voice out there... the adrenaline. I can’t let them down, not now. The pain– She’ll disappear when I’m on stage. I need this. I need to be out there—"
"Kim Minji, will you marry me?" Handong interrupted.
Minji's smile froze, quickly turning into shock. "What?"
Handong took a deep breath, her eyes shimmering with a mix of nerves and determination. "I mean… we've been together for two years. I know it might seem like a short time, and now you have a future outside of here with Yooh and Sua-unnie, and I have my acting career, but…" Handong swallowed hard. "I don't want this to end like this, here, even though I know it won’t really end. I just… I need something to hold on to, something to look forward to. Not that you— we—aren’t enough, it's just—"
"I know." Minji whispered, bringing both hands to Handong's face. "I know, and I love you so much."
Handong let out a shaky breath, nodding repeatedly. "Me too, so much, Ji. And– And no pressure, okay? but—" Her voice faltered for a second. "Will you?"
Minji didn't answer with words. Instead, she simply leaned in and kissed her, deeply. Her hands slid around Handong’s waist, pulling her in as if it would never be enough. The space between them disappeared, yet they still tried to get closer, as if they needed to fuse together to make that moment last.
The door suddenly swung open, slamming against the wall and forcing them apart, breathless.
Beong, their manager, stood in the doorway with an air of disapproval.
"I told you two about public displays of affection," her voice was firm, but not unkind. "Someone could walk in and see. You know how important your careers are."
Handong, still catching her breath, nodded.
"Sorry, we just—" Minji started but didn't finish.
"Yeah, yeah, alright. I'm here because we’ll start in ten. I need you both in position."
Minji nodded, stealing a quick glance at Handong before turning back to Beong. "Can you give us just a minute? I need to do something."
"Unfortunately, no," Beong stepped forward, grabbing both their hands and pulling them toward the door. "Dong-ah, fix your hair on the way. Minji, grab your lipstick. You have five minutes to be stage-ready and in position."
With that, she dragged them out, leaving Handong’s question unanswered.
[...]
The show was incredible. The crowd sang along, the lights pulsed with the beat, and the stage buzzed with the energy of the group's final performances. But for Minji, everything felt muffled, distant. Her mind was still stuck on the moment from minutes ago.
"Kim Minji, will you marry me?"
Handong's voice echoed in her head like a broken record. The nervousness in her eyes, the hesitation in her words—Minji knew this wasn’t just about missing each other. It was fear. Fear of what the distance would do to them.
The older girl wanted to say that everything would be fine, like she always did. She wanted to promise they’d figure it out. But promises didn’t change reality. And Handong knew that.
The kiss Jiu had given in response—it was intense, passionate, but it lacked a real answer. She hadn’t said yes , nor no .
And now, under the spotlight, Minji knew she couldn’t hesitate anymore.
Her eyes found Handong on stage. The soft pink dress flowed with every move, her hair tied back revealing her delicate face, and the focused expression as she sang made Minji feel everything all over again—the nerves, the warmth, the overwhelming love.
The music paused for a moment.
"Wow. Amazing," Siyeon commented, breaking the momentary silence.
"Wow. So hot," Bora joked, mimicking a fan who had danced to the last drop.
The girls stayed silent for a few seconds, exchanging knowing looks, until Siyeon glanced around, as if analyzing something.
"Uh?" She looked from Sua to Yoohyeon, then to Dami, as if seeking confirmation.
Sua did the same, clearly intrigued. Then, with a mischievous smile, Siyeon pulled the mic closer and teased,
"Jiu unnie is looking at me like she wants to dance."
Minji’s eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to protest, but she had no chance. The audience erupted into cheers, excited by the possibility.
"But…" Siyeon paused dramatically, emphasizing the word. "I won’t ask her to, of course." The blonde placed a hand on her neck, highlighting the reason why.
The protests came immediately—whistles, shouts, even some please! could be heard through the noise. Minji sighed, pretending to be exasperated, but deep down, she already knew what she was about to do.
"Alright, alright, I’ll do it. Relax."
The crowd went wild.
"Are you sure?" Siyeon asked, this time more sincerely.
Minji nodded, but then glanced at Handong.
"But I’m not dancing." The crowd went silent for a second. "I’ll doing it with Dongie."
Handong’s brows furrowed, surprised, an uncertain smile on her face. Still, without hesitation, she stepped closer, accepting the challenge.
"Let’s go!" Minji signaled to the musician to drop the beat.
The drop hit. Minji stayed still for a moment, just moving her hands, letting the anticipation build. Then, in a dramatic gesture, she bent down, picked up a fallen flower from the stage, and placed it between her teeth. Step by step, she walked toward Handong, her gaze locked on hers, playing with the tension between them.
Handong raised an eyebrow, challenging her. Minji smirked.
The crowd held their breath as Handong joined the game, placing her hands on Minji’s waist and leaning in slowly. Their eyes stayed locked, and then, with gentle precision, Handong took the flower stem from Minji’s lips with her own.
Still feeling the faint brush of Handong’s lips against hers, Minji smiled and, softly, as if only they existed in that moment, whispered:
"Yes."
The music stopped.
Handong blinked once, twice. Her brain took a few seconds to process what had just happened. And when it finally did, her eyes shone.
Without thinking, without caring about what they were supposed to be doing, Handong held up the flower and, impulsively, dropped to one knee in front of Minji, offering it with a grin that only grew with every beat of her racing heart.
The crowd’s screams were deafening.
Minji, now blushing, took the flower from Handong’s hands, looking away, flustered. Before she could react, Siyeon was already pulling her to the side, laughing, while Yoohyeon whispered something excitedly in her ear.
Handong stayed there for a second, still processing, until she felt Sua’s hand squeeze her shoulder.
"Wow, isn’t she just the most charming thing? Damn, Dong Dong…" Sua teased, winking at her.
Handong took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and cast one last look at Minji. She was smiling, laughing with the girls, but for a brief moment, their eyes met. And in that silent exchange, everything was clear.
The answer had finally been given.
Handong's smile widened. The performance wasn’t over yet, but now, she knew exactly who she was singing for.
[...]
The dressing room door shut with a dull thud, and Minji felt the cold wood against her back as Handong closed the space between them, her lips tracing a warm path along her neck, jawline, and finally, her mouth.
The kiss was intense—a mix of desire and pure euphoria after Minji had said "yes" to the proposal just moments ago. Handong’s hands slid down to the older woman’s waist, exploring the thin fabric of her skirt as she deepened the kiss. But before things could go further, Minji pulled away, heart pounding, breath unsteady.
"Wait…" she panted between breaths, eyes shut as if she was fighting the urge to give in.
Handong didn’t slow down, though. She kept kissing along Minji’s jawline, lingering on the sensitive spot below her ear.
“Dongie… wait…” Minji whimpered softly before repeating, firmer this time, “Wait.”
She finally managed to put some distance between them, slipping out of Handong’s hold. With hurried steps, she made her way to the mirror, where both their bags were resting.
Handong groaned, whining playfully. “Minji… we’ve got, like, twenty minutes before the solo shoots.” Her words were almost a plea as she followed Minji, wrapping her arms around her waist again, lips trailing over her bare shoulders. “We have to be quick.”
“I know…” Minji sighed, gently pulling Handong’s hands away. Her eyes scanned the vanity. “But… where’s my ring?”
Handong frowned and glanced at Minji’s hand. She was wearing rings—one on her index finger, another on her pinky, and one on her thumb on her right hand. On her left, only one on her index finger.
“On your hand…?” Handong guessed, confused.
Minji blinked, looked down at her hands, then back at her fiancée, shaking her head. Slowly, she lifted her hands and cupped the younger woman’s face with a gentle touch.
“No, baby. Where’s my ring? My engagement ring.” Her voice dropped, almost like she was revealing a precious secret. “I want to have sex with you as your woman.”
Handong hesitated for a second before protesting, her voice soft, almost offended. “You already are!”
Minji smiled, her thumb tracing over Handong’s cheek.
“I want to be your fiancée,” she whispered, her eyes shining. “I want to feel the weight of the ring on my finger while we’re together. Even if no one else can know, I want that memory.”
Handong let out a long sigh, defeated by the tenderness in Minji’s voice.
“You and Dami with these ideas…” she muttered, but Minji heard it and let out a quiet laugh.
“Come on, I want to do this as your fiancée.” Minji grinned. “I want to show everyone I’m wearing the ring you chose, even if they don’t know what it means.”
Handong blinked a few times, then scratched the back of her head, looking sheepish.
“Oh… uhm… it’s in my bag.”
Before she could react, Minji was already moving, practically bouncing over to Handong’s bag. She rummaged through it quickly, and within seconds, she found a small red velvet box. Her heart raced.
With an eager smile, she opened it and picked up the ring, admiring it under the dim dressing room light.
“It’s beautiful, Dongie.”
Handong swallowed hard. “Yeah… I know, but…” She paused, hesitant. “I didn’t pick it.”
Minji frowned, surprised.
Handong stepped closer, carefully taking the ring from Minji’s fingers.
“This… isn’t really the ring I wanted to give you.” Her voice was uncertain, carrying something Minji couldn’t quite place.
The older woman studied her carefully. “What do you mean?”
Handong took a deep breath before answering.
“Dami gave me this ring.” She finally lifted her eyes to meet Minji’s.
Minji blinked in surprise.
“She noticed I was acting weird before the trip and pulled me aside to talk. I tried to dodge her, but you know Dami—she always knows when something’s up.”
A small smile played on Handong’s lips before vanishing just as quickly.
“I told her how much I hated the idea of being apart for so long. That I was scared… without group schedules, what would happen to us? When we’re on break, it’s fine, but what about when we’re not?” Handong swallowed hard before continuing. “She asked me if I loved you.”
Minji’s body tensed beside her.
“I said yes. Of course. How could I not?”
Handong dropped her gaze again, turning the ring between her fingers.
“And that’s when she pulled this ring out and put it in my hand. She said it wasn’t the real one, but I should keep it, just in case.”
Minji smiled softly, her eyes warm with affection.
“And what did you think?”
Handong let out a nervous chuckle. “That it was crazy.”
She finally looked up at Minji again, but this time, something was different—there was a raw vulnerability in her expression, completely unguarded.
“The truth is, in that moment, everything in me was screaming to do it. To propose right then and there, no ring, no plan, nothing. But then I started overthinking… ‘Two years isn’t enough time.’ ‘What if she says no?’”
Minji opened her mouth to respond, but Handong lifted a hand, stopping her.
“I know, I know,” she laughed, exhausted. “Dami told me the same thing you probably would—that you’d say yes without even thinking twice. But I needed it to be perfect.”
She looked down at the ring again, as if seeing it differently now.
“So I told Dami that I’d wait for these Melbourne’s shows. That we’d go back to Korea, I’d buy a real ring, and I’d propose the way you deserve.”
Handong took a deep breath, and that’s when her expression shifted. Her gaze grew distant, lost for a moment, like she was reliving something Minji didn’t yet understand.
“But then…” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “Today, here in the dressing room… everything changed.”
Minji blinked, surprised.
“I saw you here, saying you couldn’t let the fans down, I remembered all the times I saw you interacting with them. Smiling, holding their hands, giving back all the love they gave you. How your eyes lit up when you listened to them, how your whole face glowed when someone told you that you changed their life. How you danced like nothing else mattered, completely lost in the moment.”
Handong smiled without even realizing it.
“At that moment, Minji… you were the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Minji felt her heart clench.
“And I knew. I knew I couldn’t wait.”
Handong took Minji’s hand, intertwining their fingers tightly.
“It didn’t matter if it had been two years, four, or a lifetime. It didn’t matter if the ring wasn’t the one I planned. Because in that moment, watching your eyes shine like that, I realized I never wanted to spend another second without you.”
Silence settled between them.
Minji couldn’t hold back her tears anymore—they slipped down her cheeks freely.
Handong chuckled softly, wiping one away with her thumb.
“So, long story short…” Her voice was gentle, filled with love. “This isn’t the ring I picked.” With care, she slid the ring onto Minji’s finger. “But don’t worry, because tomorrow, I’m going on a mission to find the perfect ring for the incredible woman that you are.”
“Oh, Dongie…” Minji let out a soft sob before laughing, pulling Handong into a tight embrace. “You have no idea how much I love you.”
Handong smiled against her shoulder, feeling the warmth of the older woman’s body, the softness of her hair brushing against her skin. But then, Minji whispered something that made her pull away slightly. “Tomorrow, I’m going with you to buy the ring.”
Handong frowned, blinking a few times before replying. “You can’t.”
Minji tilted her head, confused. Drying the tears from her face, she asked, “Why not?”
“Because the ring is yours.”
“So what?”
“It’s supposed to be a surprise!”
Minji’s amused smile widened at the response. She cupped the younger woman’s face in her hands, her thumbs tracing gentle strokes over her skin. “The surprise was today, my love.” Her tone was sweet but firm. “Besides, I need to buy yours too. I don’t want my wife walking around without a ring.”
Handong opened her mouth to argue, but Minji pulled her by the waist, closing the space between them even more.
“But—”
“Alright, let’s do this.” Minji raised an eyebrow, as if she already knew she would win this discussion. “We go out together. When we get there, we separate. Each of us buys what we need to buy, and then we meet up for lunch. Deal?”
Handong huffed, already accepting it mentally. It was almost impossible to win against Minji in a discussion, and the worst part was that, deep down, she loved giving in to the older woman. “Fine.”
“Great!” Minji clapped her hands lightly, satisfied. Then, she leaned in closer, her lips mere inches from Handong’s. The younger woman immediately felt Minji’s hands sliding around her waist, holding her firmly. “Now…” Minji whispered, her tone intentionally seductive. “Where were we?”
Handong smirked, pulling her even closer. “I think we still have about five minutes.”
“Oh, that's plenty of time.”
And then, Handong kissed her.
The kiss was intense, hot and full of desire. Their hands explored each other’s body’s, finding zippers, sliding over sensitive spots. The heat between them was palpable, their breathless gasps filling the small dressing room.
Until—
The sound of the door opening made them both jump apart, like two teenagers caught in the act.
“What have I told you two about public displays of affection?” Beong’s serious voice echoed through the room.
“F uck. Unnie, you scared us.” Handong placed a hand on her chest, trying to catch her breath.
“Sorry, Unnie, but I couldn’t resist.” Minji grinned mischievously, and then, as if to tease even more, she raised her left hand, showing off the newly placed, gleaming ring.
Handong rolled her eyes, already predicting their manager’s reaction.
“But I already told you, you—” Beong stopped abruptly, her eyes locking onto the silver sparkle on Minji’s ring finger. The silence lasted only a second before she widened her eyes and rushed toward them. “No!”
“Yes!” Minji rocked on her heels, practically bursting with happiness.
In two quick steps, Beong was at their side, grabbing Minji’s hand and inspecting the ring as if she needed to confirm with her own eyes that it was real.
“Dong-ah…” Beong murmured before slapping Handong’s arm.
“Hey!” The younger woman protested, rubbing the spot.
“Finally! I thought you’d never propose!”
Handong crossed her arms, feigning irritation.
“I thought so too.”
“Minji!” Handong exclaimed in disbelief, while the older woman just laughed, her eyes still sparkling with happiness.
“Anyway!” Beong raised her voice, cutting off any chance of a new argument before it could begin. “We have to go. The girls are ready for the solo pictures.”
Minji sighed, still smiling, and began fixing her appearance—adjusting stray hairs and checking her makeup. Handong did the same, straightening her outfit and taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
Minji extended her hand to the younger woman, their fingers instinctively intertwining. The younger brunette squeezed back, her thumb gliding gently over Minji’s skin—a silent reminder that this moment was real.
They were about to walk through the door when Beong, who was ahead, suddenly stopped.
The manager looked at their joined hands and, for a moment, said nothing. She just smiled. A rare, sincere smile, filled with something Minji and Handong weren’t used to seeing from her—tenderness.
Then, lifting her eyes to meet theirs, she spoke in a softer tone than usual:
“Congratulations, girls. You deserve this.”
Minji felt a tightness in her chest—not from sadness, but from gratitude. “Thank you, B.” She replied, glancing at Handong, who simply nodded with a small but meaningful smile.
Beong clapped her hands, bringing them back to reality.
“Now let’s go—your fans are waiting.”
Minji and Handong shared one last look before stepping out the door, still hand in hand.
The night was only just beginning.