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Minjeong is one to pay attention to details.
She remembers being a trainee and watching their dance instructor run them down with their next choreography. Minjeong learnt a whole choreo in one day simply from just watching. Their dance instructor complimented her ability to pick up and memorize moves faster than everyone else.
Now an idol, 5 years into her career, she’s only noticed things on an intense level.
Just like how she notices things about Jimin, Aespa’s leader, Minjeong’s best friend (and a little bit more.)
They’ve known eachother for a decade, so it’s natural that she would pick up little habits and behaviors. Even better than their other members, not to brag.
Minjeong loves and cares too much. She loves quietly loud. She loves Yu Jimin so much that sometimes, it feels like her chest will combust. It hasn’t ever happened yet, but her heart catches light of every flame that loving Jimin comes with gladly.
Their new song recently came out and all of them have been preparing and tirelessly for it. Minjeong has to be up in a few hours for the music show recording. She’s tired, exhausted from last night’s music performance and practice.
Regardless of that, her attention piques at her member, Jimin, who’s sitting in the corner in silence. She rewatches their prerecord with sharp eyes, ready to critique any mistakes that may pop up. Her hair is soaked with sweat after finishing prerecording for WDA. It’s unusual to say at least.
But Jimin is human, the strong facade she puts on all the time fades occasionally. Her engine needs recharging after expelling so much energy.
She notices, because she knows Jimin. She isn’t doing a good job hiding it either.
After finishing up with their schedules from the day, Minjeong showers, wanting to get into bed as soon as possible. The shower’s warm water runs down her back, causing the woman to let out a contented sigh.
It isn’t until she hears a few things fall behind the curtains that she lifts her head up. “Who’s there?” Minjeong asks, flipping her hair over her back.
The curtain is pushed back, and Jimin’s head pops in. In a way, it doesn’t startle Minjeong, but draws curiosity.
“Can I shower with you? I think if I did it by myself, I’d fall asleep right then and there.” Jimin’s voice is small, almost soft. Her brown eyes gleam under the bathroom light and Minjeong mentally traces the expressions of tiredness on her face.
Instead of answering, Minjeong extends her hand, a silent invitation. She helps Jimin in so she won’t slip and backs up to give the older spaces. Suddenly, the warm shower becomes hotter but not due to the heat.
It’s not the first time Minjeong’s seen Yu Jimin bare and in her natural beauty. However, it still wows her everytime just how beautiful the older truly is. From her ethereal soft face features, to her toned body. Minjeong can’t help but quietly gasp, not enough for Jimin to hear.
But her body is exhausted, the younger can tell. Jimin steps forward, rests her head on top of Minjeong’s shoulders, her small hands making its way around her back. A moment past, and Jimin tightens her hold around Minjeong.
The older sighs, seemingly finding comfort in her embrace. “I’m tired, Minjeong.” She admits into her skin. The words tickle her skin.
Yu Jimin is the epitome of hard work, and the glue that holds Aespa together as a leader. She looks out for the others and sets an example. Minjeong’s always looked up to her since they were merely teenagers. A bright endearing soul that radiates evidently, enough to light up Minjeong’s quiet one.
Lifting up her hand, Minjeong ran her fingers through the older’s hair gently, her other hand coming up to rub circles against Jimin’s back. She proceeds with the motion, while leaning down to press kisses into her hair. The movements make Jimin shake in her embrace, tears mixing with the shower water. It only makes Minjeong hug her even tighter.
To see her strong leader who always out her members' feelings and corner first—cry? Minjeong would ruin the earth for Jimin if it meant making her feel better.
Jimin lifts her head up, sniffling. Minjeong waits with patience, wiping her tears gently. “To think that it’s no where near over.” The older woman laughs.
Her hands move up the younger’s body, all the up until they’re latched around Minjeong’s neck. Fingers stroke at her baby hair, and the younger almost melts into her hands.
“Yeah, it’s been rough. But, atleast we have eachother, and the members?” Minjeong reminds her, earning a nod from the older.
Jimin leans forward until their noses bump, and they both let out a giggle. “Yes, we do. I’ll always have you, right?” Her eyes meet Minjeong’s, with a gaze of love.
So Minjeong listens to her heart and leans forward to connect their lips in a reassuring kiss. It lasts a few beats before she pulls away with a smile.
“Always, my love.”
This time, Jimin’s eyes gleam, and her chest rises more steadily.
-
Their shower lasted a little longer than expected, but it was very much needed.
They opt to share Jimin’s bed. Minjeong sighs as soon as her back hit the mattress, scooting close to the older next to her. Jimin lifts her head, a sign for Minjeong to lay her arm under. She agrees willingly, finally having an excuse to pull Jimin into her arms. The older fits into her like a missing puzzle piece, her head finding its way in Minjeong’s neck.
The motion reminds Minjeomg of a cat, as Jimin exerts a sound too close to a cat’s contented meow. She thinks it releases a chain for Minjeong to somehow get cuteness aggression and pepper kisses all over Jimin’s face.
In response, Jimin squeals, her body tensing up with giggles. “Hey, it tickles- Jeong-ah!” She twists and turns and the sounds of her laughter fills Minjeong’s heart with warmth and joy.
Eventually, she stops, because she’s not that cruel and they have to be up in a few hours. They take time to calm down by staring up at the ceiling, chests heaving.
Minjeong’s thumb strokes shapes over Jimin’s waist in habit, really attempting to bring her to rest. She knows that the older is need of sleep, so she settles Jimin’s heart and mind, a reminder that she wasn’t going anywhere.
These types of nights don’t happen all the time, with constant traveling and schedules. Although, when it does, Minjeong cherishes it with her whole heart. She loves spending time with Jimin and being able to be the one she relies on when she admits that she’s struggling. Jimin isn’t necessarily stubborn, but she likes to think she can handle things in her own, which most times she can.
But when she simply lets herself be taken care of, Minjeong feels thankful and honored of the opportunity to love on Jimin. She gets to explain to her that she’s someone Jimin can truly rely on. Just like how Minjeong can rely on Jimin.
They don’t talk for the rest of the time, soft snores filling the air after a few minutes. Jimin falls asleep on Minjeong’s chest with a hand clutching her shirt. It’s one of the most adorable things Minjeong has ever seen and she wants to take a mental screenshot of it.
Instead, the younger woman kisses Jimin’s forehead and then pulls the covers up properly, settling back into her pillow.
Her eyes flutter close, exhaustion finally taking over. She doesn’t fully fall asleep until she whispers, ‘I love you.’, to Jimin.
It may have been a hard day, week even, but moments like this, reminds Minjeong why it’s all worth it.