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Seulgi had always admired the quiet strength of Jaeyi. She was everything Seulgi had ever wanted to be: controlled, poised, the epitome of calm under pressure. As someone who had mastered the art of discipline through a harrowing bring up, Jaeyi succeeded in everything she did. Even under her unusual life conditions, she had excelled at her studies, graduating with a specialization in playing violin, following with a Doctoral Program in composition as a Doctor of Musical Arts, and majoring on the side in audio engineering. She had a charm that could command an audience with a single note, earning a great reputation among the New York community of musicians, and in person, few precise words were needed for her to obtain what she wanted.
Seulgi always knew Jaeyi would shine wherever she’d go, even struggling to keep her brightness under the radar. Fortunately, Jay knew exactly what to do, how to reject offerings without closing doors, how to access to the opportunities that interested her opening windows if needed.
Even in their private life, Seulgi was nothing but thankful every day to be able to share her life with Jaeyi. While a master of navigating the social scene, Jaeyi was somewhat reserved and her incognito situation didn’t allow for much socialization, and so their every day was spend either at work or in each other’s company. Far from falling into the monotony of routine, over time, their relationship had evolved beautifully, offering a balance to the other. Of course, from time to time, their personalities could clash — Jaeyi would say it was due to Seulgi’s short temper and every time Seulgi would argue her temper wouldn’t be a problem if she actually spoke up instead of acting on her own and expecting her to just understand — but, thankfully, those situations weren’t frequent at all. Overall, Seulgi appreciated Jaeyi’s calming nature, finding it grounding in her stressing daily life, and with time, she had also learned to strip herself from her traumas and lower her walls to show her a quiet vulnerability and need for affection.
They both had always shared a need for connection that they seemed always able to fulfill for the other — age only seemed to upgrade that to perfection.
While they had never been one of those couples who need to be together and over each other at all times, boisterously exhibiting their feelings, they had always managed to spend some quality time together. No, to the outside world, none of them would seem like the classical kind of lovers — especially Jaeyi, always a statue of grace, untouchable. But Seulgi saw the cracks in that armor, cracks that only she had the privilege to see.
In the safety of their apartment, when the weight of the day lifted, Jaeyi would snuggle to Seulgi on the couch or the bed, or even hug her while she was cooking or studying. At those times, she would finally show a glimpse of the woman beneath: tired, vulnerable, full of longing and in need of a bit of love. It was the one time Seulgi could feel the true depth of Jaeyi’s emotions, the time of the day she would see Jaeyi drop her guard completely.
But lately, even those moments seemed scarce. Jaeyi had started arriving later from her rehearsals and performances. Her violin case was often the only thing Seulgi would hear clattering to the floor when Jaeyi finally returned, the cool silence of the apartment hanging in the air. There was a gnawing feeling, a discomfort that kept buzzing behind Seulgi’s ear. It wasn’t that she suspected Jaeyi of infidelity or dishonesty — Seulgi knew that Jaeyi would never let anything like that come between them. But it was the distance .
Tonight was no different.
Seulgi sat on the couch after the whole day on call, her eyes flicking to the clock every few minutes. It was nearly midnight and, technically, she didn’t have any gigs that week. Jaeyi was supposed to be home hours ago. She could feel the familiar pang of jealousy starting to build up in her chest. Not jealousy in the way most people felt it, not in a sense of competition with another person, but in the fear that Jaeyi was growing further away from her. And the worst part was that she didn’t know why.
It was already one o’clock in the morning when Jaeyi walked through the door with the same stoic expression as always, her long fingers brushing through her dark hair as she took off her coat. Seulgi barely registered her presence at first, lost in her thoughts and the Netflix show she was barely listening to in the TV. But as Jaeyi set her violin case down and met her gaze, Seulgi felt a cold knot settle in her stomach.
“You’re still up,” Jaeyi said, her voice flat, like a note held too long without any change in pitch. “Even on call, you should still rest."
The girl walked towards her while unbuttoning her white shirt and kissed her forehead in her way to the bedroom, like there was nothing odd about the situation.
Seulgi nodded, forcing a smile. “It’s okay.” But she could hear the sharp edge in her own voice, and she hated it. Why was she always on the edge, always doubting herself as if what they had lived wasn’t proof enough she was someone important to Jaeyi? As if she could never be sure if she was the person Jaeyi needed or just another one of her countless obligations.
After a few beats of silence, Jaeyi’s head peeped through the doorway, shoulders bare in the process of stripping off her clothes. She observed her girlfriend for a moment, quietly, a brow slightly arching at reading the sudden tension in the room.
Once changed into her shorts and silky shirt, she stepped toward the couch and sat beside Seulgi, the familiar scent of her perfume mingling with the sterile air of the apartment. Jaeyi’s gaze softened for just a second, but then it returned to its usual unreadable state.
“Seulgi-ah,” she called in an almost childish tone that made the other girl look at her immediately. She always did that when she meant to lift the mood and enchant her out of whatever lingering argument that might be on the verge of arousing. “Are you mad at me because I was late?”
For a second, Seulgi was struck by a déjà vu. This wasn’t the first time Jaeyi had asked that question in the same teasing, soft voice — the voice that seemed to melt Seulgi's irritation the instant it reached her ears. That always made her be so mad at herself afterwards but in the moment, she couldn’t help herself.
“I’m not mad,” Seulgi replied, her voice quieter than she intended, betraying the storm of emotions beneath the surface. “But you’ve been coming home so late…”
Jaeyi tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing just enough to show her curiosity. There were many questions hanging between them that didn’t need to be asked. Are you jealous? Are you worried? What are you doing out so late? Is there anything you’re not telling me? Even if they did put them out, they both know how the conversation would go. Jaeyi would be teasing, playfully probing Seulgi’s patience with her her half-assed answers, twisting her words and never providing a strict response if she didn’t see fit. Seulgi, on the other hand, would never admit to be insecure about Jaeyi’s whereabouts and, instead, she’d ask seriously and get quietly mad — for a bit at least — if she didn’t get a satisfying answer. And if the topic got too intense, she would try to stop it kindly and sadness would settle between them both.
So to save themselves the silly argument, Jaeyi made a teasing pout before entwining their fingers and snuggling next to her. Seulgi didn’t respond immediately but Jaeyi was patient, encouraging her by tenderly squeezing her hand until Seulgi’s shoulders slumped and she put her arm around her in a proper embrace.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so late,” she said, lips grazing against her neck. When her girlfriend didn’t say a word, she exhaled and rested her head on her shoulder. “I miss you too.”
Those words, exactly the ones that had been running in Seulgi’s mind. The girl sighed quietly, almost relieved — thankful whatever happened between them, they always understood the other.
Seulgi kissed the top of her girfriend’s head, turning a bit to grab the remote and turn off the TV, a moment that Jaeyi used to change her uncomfortable position. Instead of closing the hug with her own, Jeayi moved to straddle Seulgi’s lap. Only then she put her mane over one shoulder and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend’s neck. Seulgi put her closer, enjoying the warmth and weight on Jaeyi’s body on her.
They stood like that, finding comfort in the other’s embrace for a long time until Seulgi felt Jaeyi’s breathing slow down.
“Jay-ah, are you falling asleep?” A heavy breathing in her ear told her she had probably dozed off for a moment and just woke up. “Come on, let’s go to bed.” Seulgi squeezed her bottom for her to stand up but instead of obeying, Jaeyi began to nibble on her neck. “Yoo Jaeyi…”
“I played at a wedding today,” she pressed a kiss on her pulse point, then grazed her skin with the tip of her nose and placed another one on her jaw. “That’s why I was so late.”
Seulgi’s heart thudded uncomfortably inside her chest, a slow, anxious rhythm that only seemed to grow louder as Jaeyi’s lips lingered on her neck. It was leaking — her uncertainty and suspicion, a feeling not even the soft touch of Jaeyi’s lips seemed to shake. And she had noticed.
Her body stiffened as Jaeyi’s lips moved against her neck, the familiar sensation only heightening the unease building inside her. Jaeyi’s soft kisses should have been a comfort, a reassurance, but instead, they only made the knot of suspicion in Seulgi’s chest tighten further. There was something in the way Jaeyi lingered, as if she were stalling, as if her kisses were a way to cover up for something.
“Aren’t you tired?” Was all Seulgi could bring herself to ask, unable to tell her to stop.
The lips worshiping her skin paused for a moment, Jaeyi’s warm exhalation caressing her neck, and for a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold its breath. The girl didn’t answer immediately. Instead, her fingers traced the trajectory of her chest, to her neck and the contour of her jawline.
Seulgi swallowed hard to try to pass down the knot that had formed in her throat. When Jaeyi finally pulled back slightly to look at her in the eye, the softness in her gaze felt almost forced, like the relaxed and even lively social smiles and behavior she used to exhibit in front of other people.
"I’m not tired," she murmured, but Seulgi could hear the strain in her voice, the slight tremor that betrayed the calm front she was trying to put on. She was getting annoyed. “Seulgi,” she called, the sudden rigidness in her voice surprising her girlfriend. “ I was working in a long event and came home late.”
Seulgi blinked twice, lost in the process of understanding.
“Yeah, you said that.”
The violinist waited for another couple of seconds before her eyes finally squinted, showing her irritation at last.
“Just tell me why you’re mad at me, please.”
Seulgi felt a sharp jolt run through her at the edge in Jaeyi's voice, something she hadn’t heard in a long time. The tension that had been building in the room suddenly felt heavier, a sudden shift in the air between them, like a storm brewing right beneath the surface.
“I’m not mad,” Seulgi replied, though the words felt hollow even as they left her mouth. Her chest tightened, but she couldn't tell if it was from the emotions bubbling up inside her or from the weight of Jaeyi’s gaze —i ntense, searching, almost demanding something Seulgi couldn’t quite give.
Jaeyi’s gaze softened just slightly, but there was still a sharpness in the set of her jaw, a tightness in her posture that made Seulgi’s posture remain still with unease.
“If that’s true,” she said, her voice light but tinted with a ghostly frustration, finally showing at the reach of the edge of her patience. Her eyes flicked down before they bore back into her girlfriend’s. “Why?”
The silence that followed was heavy. Why aren’t you hugging me? Why are you not responding to my affection? She knew that was what Jay meant but she didn’t have a satisfactory answer herself. Seulgi had seen that look many times before but the one ingrafted in her mind happened so many years back, during their first meeting, when she had decided not to sit beside her in class — if there was something that irked Yoo Jaeyi that was being rejected. However, with time Jay had learned to be somewhat vocal about it instead of swallowing her pride and anger and then getting back at Seulgi in a creative way.
That had always been their dynamic, after all. Jaeyi would consistently take care of reminding Seulgi she was loved with small actions and acts of service while Seulgi would mostly — but not only — show her affection when Jaeyi asked for it. In truth, she was aware she was being irrational. She was certain that whatever was going on with Jaeyi had nothing to do with them. Nothing to do with their bond. It wasn’t about their relationship. Jaeyi couldn’t be seeing someone else. She wouldn’t be tired of her. It was always them against the world. Always. And Seulgi believed that, even if the doubt gnawing at her heart made her question everything else.
After a long, lingering moment, she moved gently, leaning into Jaeyi’s body, letting her face settle in the crook of her neck. She wrapped her arms around Jaeyi’s waist, pulling her close, needing to feel her warmth and presence, even if the confusion and frustration still clung to her heart. They stayed like that for a few minutes — quiet, a comforting silence, before Seulgi spoke, her voice muffled against Jaeyi’s shoulder.
“You stink.”
A dramatic groan escaped Jaeyi’s lips. “Yaaa, Woo Seulgi,” she complained, but the words had little force behind them, barely a protest as she leaned into Seulgi’s embrace. “I might fall asleep if I take a bath now.” Her body felt heavy with exhaustion, but right there, in Seulgi’s arms, all she wanted was spending a while before the start of another exhausting day apart. “Take a shower with me?”
Her fingers crawled between Seulgi’s soft locks, each movement slow and careful as they made their way to the back of their neck. She traced the curve of Seulgi’s scalp with gentle strokes, grazing slightly with her fingernails. Seulgi’s eyes fluttered closed, a soft breath escaping her lips as she leaned into the touch. Jaeyi’s fingers continued their delicate path, moving with an almost rhythmic precision that soothed Seulgi’s anxious thoughts. She felt her shoulders relax, tension she hadn’t realized she was carrying slowly melting away.
When she felt her girlfriend’s hands sliding under her s ilk pajama shirt to feel her skin, Jaeyi cupped her face and kissed her, slow at first, almost tentative. T he intensity grew quickly, their lips tugging and teeth biting . Seulgi responded instantly, her fingers grabbing at Jaeyi ’s waist as she pressed her body closer, deepening the kiss. It was slow and orderly yet hungry , like they were both trying to prove something — to themselves, to each other.
Seulgi’s hands roamed down Jaeyi’s back, drawing random shapes on her skin, feeling the warmth of her body under their clothes. Jaeyi’s fingers tangled in Seulgi’s hair, pulling her closer as their lips parted briefly, breaths shallow, before they came together again. Jaeyi’s hands slid down to Seulgi’s chest, pressing her fingers into the fabric of her shirt, while Seulgi let out a soft moan against her lips, pou ting into her, into that moment, all her confusion, her desire, her need for reassurance.
Jaeyi’s breath hitched as Seulgi’s lips moved to her neck, placing soft kisses along her pulse point before sucking gently. A soft gasp left her mouth, her body reacting with a shiver as Seulgi’s hands slid down to her hips.
A sudden buzz startled them, shooting both their heads towards Seulgi’s phone resting on the coffee table. It was too brief to be an incoming call so it was Seulgi the one to resume their shenanigans, kissing her again, deeper this time, her tongue asking for permission to join as her hands wandered to the hem of Jaeyi’s shirt, pushing it up ever so slightly.
A nother buzz , the familiar ping echoing in the quiet of the room.
The kiss slowed just for a moment, their lips barely apart as they both breathed deeply, their foreheads resting together. Jaeyi’s chest rose and fell against Seulgi’s, her hands trembling as they rested on Seulgi’s shoulders.
“Ah, how annoying…” Jay commented softly, her voice low.
Seulgi smiled faintly, a soft, tender look in her eyes as she leaned to grab and check her phone. She was on call duty after all. She glanced down at the screen, seeing another notification from the hospital about a shift change, and some not-at-all-urgent request about a case. It was a constant rhythm in her life now — the job, she loved it, but the disposition of people to believe she would be available for them at any moment of the day, even when it wasn’t her shift, that unnerved her.
Jaeyi, noticing Seulgi’s distracted expression as she scrolled down the conversation, reached out gently, cupping her cheek and guiding her face toward hers. “You’re too easily distracted,” she said softly, a hint of teasing in her voice, her thumb brushing over Seulgi’s skin as she pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
A sheepish smile curled Seulgi’s lips, her eyes softening as she leaned into Jaeyi’s touch. “ Just a moment ,” she replied, her voice light but with an edge of exhaustion. She quickly leaned in, giving Jaeyi a distracted peck on the lips before looking back down at her phone, her brow furrowing slightly. “I told you I’d behave,” she added with a small smile, though Jaeyi could see the conflict in her eyes. She didn’t want to be pulled away by work again, but it was becoming a pattern.
Wa tching her with a fond, knowing look in her eyes, Jaeyi chuckled . Then, she l eaned in again, this time letting her lips linger just slightly longer on Seulgi’s lower lip, the kiss soft but deep enough to yank her away from whatever was going on with her phone . As anybody would understand, Seulgi melted into the touch, her body res ponding with a small, contented sigh.
Jaeyi’s hand moved to rest gently on Seulgi’s neck, fingertips brushing her skin as her lips moved slowly, deliberately, against Seulgi’s before her teeth pulled sligthy from her lower lip. At that point, the phone buzzed again, but this time, Seulgi let it go unnoticed, the device forgotten somewhere on the couch, lost to the chemistry building in the quiet space around them.
It was a brisk evening in New York, the kind where the air nips at your skin but the city’s pulse still manages to make you feel alive. The streets were busy as always, buzzing with the energy of late-night workers and early risers. Woo Jaeyi walked quickly, her heels clicking rhythmically on the sidewalk, her mind occupied by the same thought that had been with her all day.
Since they had finally become a couple, life felt like a whirlwind, one she was sure she wanted to spend with Seulgi. But even in the USA, things weren’t that easy — in order to have a somewhat proper celebration, money was required. That was the reason why Jaeyi had yielded and agreed of taking different gigs apart from her usual job s at the music academy and the orchestra — weddings and other venues, private parties that led to recording with some musicians and even composing for the m. Those were a few of the things that had kept her busy till late at night and although she felt exhausted she was still fa lling short from what she needed to give her girlfriend a celebration to remember . But Seulgi deserved it and Jay felt all her efforts paid and worth it only by being able to see her smile, to spend some time with her, to see the warmth in her eyes when they talked, or feel the softness of Seulgi’s hand in hers, the security in her presence. She knew Seulgi had been worrying about her late work hours and although she couldn’t say a word in order not to spoil the surprise, tonight she wanted to show her she cared just as deeply.
Jaeyi had decided she would visit Seulgi at work tonight and bring her favorite dish with her — bought in their favorite restaurant, of course. She wouldn’t punish Seulgi with her cooking during a busy night.
The idea made her giddy. She couldn't wait to see the woman she had come to love and to wrap her arms around her when they were finally alone. No distractions, just the two of them. And probably a corpse or two.
Of course that night Seulgi had been claimed by another murder case. As a forensic pathologist that worked for the Government, she was due to be ready for work at any time when she was on call, often disappearing into her world of autopsies and cold cases. This job came with many advantages like the fact that deep down Seulgi loved it, or the pay. Actually , one of the things Jaeyi had to get used to was to surrender her role as the provider since there was no comparison between Seulgi’s salary and hers, which took a lot of self-reflect and many conversations and arrangements between them. The disadvantages, however, often weighted on Seulgi and their relationship — the lack of planning because of Seulgi’s schedule was something Jaeyi had to learn to live with but she couldn’t help the slight pang of loneliness she sometimes felt in the quiet moments between their rare dates.
When she arrived at the hospital’s medical examiner's office, the building stood tall in front of her, its cold exterior hiding the warmth of the work that happened inside. Jaeyi entered through the familiar back entrance, knowing the maze of hallways all too well after visiting Seulgi on a few previous occasions. She stepped lightly, her heart beating faster, her anticipation growing as she neared Seulgi's office. But when she arrived, the scene in front of her made her stop dead in her tracks.
Through the glass window of the office, she could see Seulgi sitting at her desk, surrounded by papers and files. But there was a man standing too close to her. A policeman. And he was leaning against her desk in a way that looked a little too… familiar.
Jaeyi's breath hitched.
The policeman was speaking to Seulgi with a lazy smile, and he had an unmistakable flirtatious tone in his voice. Seulgi, as always, looked calm, poised, and professional, but Jaeyi could tell that the conversation was far from related to work. Jaeyi’s gaze hardened.
No. This wasn’t happening.
Seulgi was talking about a recent stabbing murder case, detailing the evidence she’d uncovered, but the policeman seemed far more interested in the curve of Seulgi's lips than in any details of the investigation. Jaeyi watched the man laugh, and his hand casually landed on her head, patting it softly. Her blood boiled at the sight and her knuckles turned white around the bag she was carrying.
Seulgi shifted in her seat, shaking his hand away, her focus still on the case, but Jaeyi noticed the subtle tension in her posture. She didn’t like this. Not one bit.
As if on cue, the policeman laughed again and leaned in even closer, his gaze fixed on Seulgi’s face. The musician gulped, trying to swallow the knot in her throat, the jealousy rising in her chest. She took a steady breath, composing herself before entering. No outburst. She wasn’t the type to make a scene. Instead, she’d handle this quietly, with her usual poise.
She pushed the door open softly, the soft creak of the hinge enough to draw Seulgi's attention. Her gaze flicked up from the papers in front of her, and her face lit up, clearly surprised but pleased to see her girlfriend.
Jaeyi entered slowly, her eyes scanning the room, deliberately avoiding the policeman’s gaze. She wasn’t going to let him think for a second that she was intimidated by his presence. Instead, she gave Seulgi a smile — subtle, cool, controlled, with just a hint of something playful.
“Yaa, Seulgi-ah, I brought you something to eat,” Jaeyi greeted, her voice smooth, though with an unmistakable, almost sweet tone. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had company.”
The policeman, who had been standing far too close, immediately stiffened and took a step to the side, caught off guard by the girl’s presence. He straightened up awkwardly, but Jaeyi didn't give him the chance to speak.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Jaeyi continued, her eyes finally darting to the man standing next to her girlfriend, observing every single detail of his miserable existence — from the broadness of his shoulders, to the hanging button on his uniform to the polished shave he wore. He tried to impress but was too clumsy to pay attention to the details. Lame.
Seulgi, who was quick into noticing the subtle tension, released a soft, almost imperceptible sigh and looked at the policeman with an unreadable expression. “No, it’s nothing. We were just going over some details for the case,” she explained, her tone polite but firm.
The policeman, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, cleared his throat and nodded. “Right, of course. I should... I’ll wait for the report, Dr. Woo .” He shot Jaeyi a glance, trying to gauge her mood, but Jaeyi didn’t give him the satisfaction of even acknowledging him further.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Jaeyi turned to her girlfriend, her expression a mystery, for anybody but Seulgi.
The doctor looked at her for a long moment, her expression softening as she took in Jaeyi’s tense posture. “You’re angry,” she observed, standing up from her chair and walking toward Jaeyi. “ Why?”
She didn’t get an answer right away, however. Jaeyi just stood there, her jaw clenched as she carefully observed her girlfriend’s every move. “I’m not.”
“Jay-ah...”
“He seems nice,” Jaeyi spat, her voice quieter now, but still with an obvious edge to it that chilled Seulgi’s skin. “Is he a friend of yours?”
The doctor blinked, clearly surprised. Assessing the situation, she decided to approach it by downplaying it. “He’s just an ass that likes to annoy me.”
“So this happens often?” Jaeyi challenged, a slight yet present accusation shimmering in her tone.
Seulgi sighed, stepping closer until there was only a few inches between them. Her gaze softened, as she reached out to gently take Jaeyi's hands.
“He was just trying to be friendly. And even if he wasn’t, I wasn’t paying attention to whatever he thinks he’s doing,” she said, her voice calm but filled with sincerity. “I was trying to explain the case.”
Though Jaeyi wasn’t convinced. “And you were explaining it so well to your oppa,” she muttered, her jealousy eating away at her.
Seulgi chuckled softly, her thumb brushing over Jaeyi’s knuckles in a calming motion. “I’m actually pretty sure he’s younger.” Her voice was soft but full of a provocative mockery Jaeyi knew all too well.
The response she got was an un impressed look and a heavy and quiet exhalation. Entertained by her girlfriend’s attitude, Seulgi smiled, a tender, affectionate smile. She cupped Jaeyi’s cheek, tilting her head slightly. “ Jay-ah, don’t even think of it. ”
“Hmm?” The girl hummed in surprise, eyes wide as if she had been caught red-handed.
“He’s a cop, don’t get in trouble, please.” Seulgi looked around and pressed her lips together, holding back from touching her girlfriend like she wanted. It was her workplace after all...
Although there was nobody there. Literally no other living being.
While Jaeyi’s breath evened out, her gaze remained steely hard. With a swift move, s he released Seulgi’s hands and silently took a seat on a chair close to the desk, leaving the bag with the dinner on top . The doctor shook her head lightly and closed the door of her office before walking back to her girlfriend. Even though she would never admit it, Jaeyi was sulking — it didn’t happen often , at least not to the point Seulgi would notice, but when it did, Jay could be really stubborn. So much that she wouldn’t acknowledge her. Instead, Jaeyi turned towards the piles of documents sprawled in Seulgi’s desk. She knew she wasn’t allowed to look but she rarely gave a damn about those technicalities, in spite of how much that might bother her girlfriend.
Patiently, Seulgi stood there, waiting for a few seconds for her girlfriend to behave like the adult she was supposed to be. When the girl began to pry on the photos of her last case, she exhaled deeply and stopped her mischief, cupping her cheeks and pressing a kiss to her lips.
Like a spell, the tension that had been building between them seemed to melt, even if it was just for a moment. Jaeyi, with her usual quiet strength, broke the silence between them, her hands gently cradling Seulgi's neck as she basked in the kiss. It was soft, almost reverent, a stark contrast to the sharp edge of the jealousy still simmering underneath. But in that brief exchange, Seulgi could feel the girl’s resolve falter.
When they finally pulled apart, Seulgi took a breath, her forehead resting against Jaeyi’s for a moment as the stillness that stretched between them began to crumble.
“Promise you won’t do anything reckless,” Seulgi demanded once her breathing evened.
Jaeyi laughed softly, pulling from her until she sat on her lap. “Who do you think I am?” Jaeyi murmured, her voice low and unyielding, but without the usual bite. She was softer now, but her stance remained firm — protective, even if she knew, deep down, there was no real threat.
Seulgi tilted her head, her hands resting lightly on Jaeyi’s shoulders , holding her close but not too tightly. “ Precisely because I know you, Woo Jaeyi ,” she replied, her voice low and steady.
That was statement enough to earn a glare from Jaeyi, a small smirk playing on her lips as she shifted slightly. " What are you saying ? Are you really worried about me? " Her words were teasing, but there was a certain softness in her eyes now, a vulnerability that only Seulgi could only understand.
“Of course I’m worried about you.” Seulgi murmured, her fingers tracing small circles on Jaeyi’s nape, her touch gentle, reassuring. “I don’t want to lose you.”
Jaeyi's expression softened at the quiet intensity in Seulgi’s voice, her teasing smirk faltering just enough to let the truth of her feelings show through.
The weight of those words fell upon them. All they’d lived, the threats they kept facing and that weren’t likely to fade away despite of the years. She had seen Jaeyi at her strongest and her weakest, and now, in this moment, she could feel the sincerity in her girlfriend’s voice, her efforts to shield her most vulnerable and true side long dropped.
"You don’t have to worry about me," she said softly, but there was a trace of something else in her tone — something almost fragile. “ I swore to never leave your side again when you came to New York, didn’t I?” Seulgi nodded lightly. “You know I always stand by my word.”
Seulgi’s hand continued its slow, soothing motion along Jaeyi’s nape, her touch a steady rhythm meant to ground them both. “ I know.”