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It was a pretty normal day for Yeni. Her girlfriend Jisu was in the studio working on some new songs with her friends and Yeni stayed at home, reading peacefully by the window as she awaited her lover returning home.
The golden sunlight shimmered on her porcelain skin as she carefully tucked a loose strand of her long ginger hair behind her ear. Her romance novel rested on her thighs where she was curled up in the living room’s reading nook. It was what sold her on the apartment when her and Jisu had been looking for one, it looked so blissful and the thought of spending hours reading or talking with Jisu while sitting in their own little corner of the world sounded like heaven. Which is exactly why she put on her best pouty lips and begged Jisu to go with this place, even though the commute to their workplaces was a little longer and what was Jisu supposed to do? Say no? When the most beautiful woman in the world was staring at her with sparkling eyes?
They had been living in this apartment for around 6 months now and had been dating for two years before that. Their meeting had been a total coincidence, both tagging along to a concert with their respective friends, who they promptly ditched within ten minutes of meeting each other. Yeni had played hard to get at first, finding Jisu’s clumsy flirting endearing, but wasn’t going to give in so easily. However, she couldn’t keep that up for long once Jisu showed up to her apartment with two bouquets of flowers because she couldn’t choose which ones to get, saying she had gotten her address from her roommate who had been friends with one of her producing buddies. Sure, it was a little bit alarming, but at the same time it was the cutest, most romantic thing anyone had ever done for Yeni so she started to let her guard down bit by bit. Jisu took her on three dates before Yeni agreed to be her girlfriend, the first was a simple cafe date to get to know each other better followed by a walk along the beach where Jisu was too scared to reach for Yeni’s hand, the second was to an arcade where they spend hours and far too much money competing against each other in all of the games there, Yeni pretended she didn’t notice how Jisu let her win more than a couple times, and finally their third date was a romantic picnic in a flower field a little bit out of town, they had to get the bus out there but it was completely worth it, it was one of the most beautiful places Yeni had ever been. It was then that Jisu got down on one knee with a gummy candy ring and asked Yeni to be her girlfriend. Yeni almost exploded from how red and flustered she got but accepted without hesitation.
Well, and the rest is history.
Yeni heard the familiar jingle of Jisu’s keys turning in the door, her thousands of key rings clanking against each other. She placed her book aside and swung her legs around to stand up to greet her girlfriend, but when Jisu entered, she seemed to be a lot more frantic than usual, and this was Jisu we are talking about.
“Hey, honey.” Yeni spoke up, her voice cautious, furrowing her brow in confusion as her eyes zeroed in on the cardboard box in her hands. “Whatcha got there?”
Jisu visibly relaxed at the sweet sound of Yeni’s voice. “H—Hey!” she beamed, toeing her shoes. “Um, it’s a surprise!”
Yeni sauntered over to the dining table which Jisu was shrugging her backpack off on to, when Yeni stepped closer she quickly lifted the box above her head and out of Yeni’s sight.
“Jisu.”
“Yes, my sweet?” Jisu smiled, trying to act natural.
“What’s in the box?”
“Um,” Jisu swallowed. “So, there might be a lizard in the box.”
Yeni wasn’t sure if she was hearing this right. Surely not. “A lizard?”
“Yes.” Jisu just kept smiling. She lowered the box and lifted the makeshift lid for Yeni to see.
When she did she almost jumped out of her skin with a yelp. “What the—?!”
Jisu’s eyes widened and she quickly set the box on the table to place her hands on Yeni’s arms, rubbing up and down in a soothing matter. “I—I told you there was a lizard in there?”
“Yeah, I thought you were kidding!” Yeni exhaled. “Why do you have a lizard?”
“I found her by the beach on my way to the studio, I couldn’t just leave her there!” Jisu started to ramble, the words spilling out of her quicker than her brain could process them. “I didn’t know if she was hurt, or if I left her there she might get hurt or someone could take her and—”
“Hey, slow down.” Yeni placed her hands on Jisu’s cheeks, thumbs pressing into the soft, squishy skin there.
Jisu hummed softly at the contact, closing her eyes for a moment as she melted into the gentle touch. “And she’s cute.”
Yeni made a face. “Cute is an interesting choice of words.”
Jisu’s eyes shot open and she furrowed her brow. “What? Do you not like her?”
“Not really…” Yeni admitted sheepishly. “It kind of freaks me out.”
Jisu’s face fell and it made Yeni’s heart ache a little with guilt.
“Oh. I thought you’d like her.”
“I—” Yeni stopped, trying to tread carefully. “I’m just not huge on… reptiles and stuff.”
“Oh.”
“Honey, I’m—”
Jisu pressed a finger to her lips, shushing Yeni before she could even apologise “It’s okay. I didn’t really think…” she spoke sheepishly. “But I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable in our home.”
Yeni melted at how sweet and considerate Jisu was, maybe it was just the bare minimum but she wasn’t used to that before Jisu came into her life.
“I’ll look up if there’s any sanctuaries or something and we can go tomorrow morning.” Jisu smiled.
“That’s really lovely of you, honey.” Yeni smiled. “You did a good deed today.”
“For you or the lizard?”
“Both of us, silly.” Yeni giggled, leaning in to press a soft, sweet kiss to her girlfriend’s lips who happily returned it.
Yeni sat in Jisu’s lap that evening as they researched reptile sanctuaries and charities on Jisu’s laptop and found one around an hour away. They settled on that as the best option and Yeni would drive all three of them over there tomorrow. Maybe they could make a day of it while they are out that way, get lunch and go for a walk.
Later in the evening, Yeni had gone for a shower and when she came out of the bathroom, she spotted Jisu sitting cross legged on the living room floor with the little lizard in the palm of her hand.
“I think you’re a crested gecko, that’s what lines up with the website.” Jisu spoke in a soft voice as she examined the small creature. “You’re so cute, Richard.”
Yeni didn’t know if her heart was melting or breaking. She didn’t know that Jisu had already named the little guy.
“Y’know, sometimes your breed get called eyelash geckos.” Jisu spoke facts to the reptile like it was listening. “I think that fits, you do have very pretty lashes.” Jisu continued, leaning her head in closer to get a better look at the creatures face.
“It’s been an honour knowing you, Richard. Don’t forget about me in your new home, yeah?” Jisu smiled at the creature, her voice a little bittersweet. She pet the head of the gecko ever so gently with her finger tip, making little kissy noises.
Yeni felt like she could cry. Jisu looked so happy and she was about to take that all away the next morning. Yeah, she was scared of the thing and didn’t want to be near it, but the thought of seeing Jisu hand over that box tomorrow morning killed her even more.
She hadn’t realised how attached Jisu had grown to the little creature in such a short time. The thing had a name for Christ’s sake!
Yeni watched for another moment as Jisu gently stroked down the lizard’s back with her fingertip before turning away and disappeared into their bedroom before the guilt overtook her.
She got changed into her pink satin pyjamas before getting into bed, reaching for her book from earlier which had now moved to the nightstand and sat back against the pillows to read quietly in the dim light of the bedside lamp as she waited for Jisu to come to bed. They had always been a couple that went to bed pretty earlier. Jisu had been practically nocturnal before meeting Yeni, but she had completely flipped now. They would settle in to bed as soon as the sun went down, they didn’t always go to sleep straight away though, sometimes they would read or listen to music, watch something on Jisu’s laptop or just talk about life. They just liked to lay together in their own bubble of calm and serenity, limbs tangled and words whispered.
It didn’t take long for Jisu to join her. Already in her pyjamas, a grey tank top and plaid pyjama pants, her short hair sticking up in all sorts of strange ways. She climbed into bed next to Yeni with a content sigh, turning onto her side to watch Yeni.
“How’s your book? That’s the new one I got you, right?” Jisu murmured softly, hand reaching out to trace gentle circles on Yeni’s slender arm with her fingertip.
Yeni shivered pleasantly at the featherlight touch and smiled. “Yeah, it was a good choice.”
“That,” Jisu smiled wider as she poked Yeni’s nose, “is because I know you better than you know yourself.”
Yeni laughed, putting her bookmark in to set the book aside again.
“You don’t wanna keep reading?” Jisu tilted her head.
Yeni smiled as she wriggled under the covers to get comfy. “I don’t wanna finish it too soon. Plus, I have something much more interesting next to me.”
“You flatter me, darling.” Jisu grinned as she wrapped her arms around Yeni, pulling her closer until their breaths mingled together. “But by all means, don’t stop.”
Yeni grinned before leaning in to kiss her lover’s lips, a hand travelling to her cheek. Jisu’s lips were soft against her own, the fresh spearmint from her toothpaste still lingering on her tongue, sending a tingle to Yeni’s mouth which made her smile into the kiss.
“I love you.” Yeni murmured as she pressed a kiss to the corner of Jisu’s mouth.
“I love you more.” Jisu smiled back, kissing Yeni’s forehead before pulling her closer to cuddle properly. “You’re my world.”
Yeni’s heart fluttered, just like it always did when Jisu said such sweet words. She nuzzled her head into Jisu’s chest, letting out a happy sigh.
“You sleepy, baby?” Jisu murmured, kissing the top of Yeni’s head.
“A little,” Yeni whispered.
“Sleep, my love.” Jisu chuckled softly. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
Yeni smiled wide enough that Jisu could feel it against her chest. “Good night, baby…”
“Sweet dreams, darling.” Jisu whispered, reaching over as carefully as she could with her free hand to flick the lamp off.
Yeni felt completely at ease in Jisu’s arms, her body relaxing and melting into the mattress as she drifted off to sleep.
But there was something nagging at her.
You’re my world.
She was Jisu’s whole world. Jisu would do anything for her, give up anything for her. She proved that today. All that, and Yeni couldn’t make one sacrifice just to see her girlfriend as happy as she had seen her sat contently on their floor earlier.
This wasn’t right, she thought. But sleep took over her weary body before she could think on it too much.
The next morning, Jisu woke up to an empty bed. She had cracked her eyes open, arm reaching out and expecting to find her lover and jolting upright when she realised that she wasn’t there next to her.
“Yeni?” She called out, the slightest bit of anxiety lacing through her words.
“I’m through here!” Yeni called back from the living room and Jisu relaxed immediately knowing that she was around.
But something was off, it was a Sunday. Jisu doesn’t think she has ever seen Yeni out of bed on a Sunday before 11am. It’s their lazy day, they always have a lie in, take turns weekly to make breakfast in bed and watch whatever reruns are on TV that day. Yeni had never been an early riser, so it was strange to see her up and about before Jisu was.
Jisu rubbed her eyes, grabbing her glasses from the night stand and getting out of bed. She staggered towards the door, still feeling half asleep but what she saw when she opened the door knocked her wide awake.
Yeni was stood by the table, fully dressed. There was a big glass enclosure on the coffee table along with two bags from the pet store in town. Yeni had already started putting bedding down in the enclosure along with some little rocks and plants.
She smiled nervously at Jisu. “I thought Richard needed a proper home…”
Jisu stood opened mouthed, frozen in place. “But—”
“Jisu, she’s your baby.” She smiled. “We have to keep her.”
Jisu crossed the room in three strides almost knocked Yeni over with the force she hugged her, wrapping her arms tight around the other.
Yeni was a little surprised at first, letting out a little chuckle before hugging Jisu back just as tight.
“Are you sure?” Jisu mumbled softly.
“Yes. I’m so sure.” Yeni pulled back enough to smile at Jisu. “I’d do anything to make you happy, I’ll warm up to her. To be honest, I already am, she’s kind of cute… in her own special way.”
“Oh my god, I love you so much.” Jisu spoke quickly before grabbing Yeni’s face and kissing her passionately.
Yeni was caught off guard by Jisu’s intensity but was quick to wrap her arms around her neck, matching her rhythm and kissing her back with the same intensity, each movement filled with the overwhelming love they shared for each other. When Yeni tried to pull back to speak, Jisu just chased her lips, peppering little kisses all over the younger’s face.
Yeni giggled, trying to get away but Jisu wouldn’t let up, tackling her down onto the couch as she showered her in love and kissed. Yeni yelped and burst into laughter, body shaking with the intensity of it as she wriggled on the couch beneath Jisu.
Jisu eventually let up and flopped down on top of Yeni, pressing one last kiss to her lips as they lay there catching their breaths.
“You’re the best. How did I get so lucky?” Jisu whispered as she caressed Yeni’s cheek.
“I’m the lucky one.” Yeni smiled. “I just want to see you smile like that all the time. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”
Jisu’s cheeks flushed and she buried her face into Yeni’s neck. Yeni placed a hand on the back of Jisu’s head, threading her fingers through her hair to hold her there.
“I saw you last night. Talking to Richard.” Yeni murmured and Jisu groaned in embarrassment. “Don’t be embarrassed, it was adorable.” she chuckled.
“It was so sweet, seeing you so gentle with her. I could tell that even though it had been such a short time, that she meant a lot to you.” Yeni continued. “Love is about give and take, you taught me that. And I would give anything to see you that happy.”
“I love you.” Jisu sighed.
“I love you too.” Yeni replied, kissing the crown of Jisu’s head.
They spent the day getting everything together. Yeni had done a good job earlier that morning when she had done her pet shop run, waiting outside for the minute the shop opened. She had read enough articles to gather what the basics were and brought them back. Yeni watched happily as Jisu finished setting up the enclosure, she was surprisingly knowledgeable on the topic. She explained to Yeni how she had always had a love for reptiles since she was a kid, especially lizards which explained why she was so quick to save little Richard yesterday. It just made Yeni’s heart burst with love hearing her speak so excitedly and so passionately, it only solidified that Yeni had made the right decision.
When the enclosure was done, they introduced Richard to it and she seemed to be instantly at home, exploring the space. The couple sat on the floor in front of the table for what felt like hours, Yeni’s head resting on Jisu’s shoulder as they watched the little creature dart around the glass enclosure, stopping to sniff at new objects every now and then. Yeni would be lying if she said she didn’t still find it a little freaky… but she had to admit, Richard was cute. Like really cute.
They spent the rest of the day researching and reading articles together, Yeni writing down important information in a notepad as Jisu read it out so they could make the perfect little “Richard Care Guide”.
By the evening, they were tuckered out. They had put on a movie after dinner and were just relaxing. Yeni sat, curled up in a blanket on the couch, half watching the TV and half watching Jisu as she practised handling Richard.
“Do you wanna meet her properly?” Jisu asked softly.
Yeni was hesitant at first, still a little unsure about the scaly creature, no matter how cute she seemed.
“Okay… But if I don’t like her you gotta take her away straight away.”
Jisu’s face lit up and she nodded with certainty. She darted over to the couch and sat down next to her with Richard in her hand. “This is Yeni, Richard.”
Yeni couldn’t help but smile at Jisu’s adorable words. “Hello Richard.”
Jisu stayed patient, letting Yeni examine and watch Richard at her own pace. “You can stroke her if you want.”
Yeni bit her lip anxiously but remembered the hundred times today that Jisu had reminded her that geckos won’t bite her and she reached out her hand to gently touch the scales on Richard’s back. The feeling was rough from her scales, the creature stilled in Jisu’s hand as Yeni traced her fingertip down her back again like she had seen Jisu do before.
“She likes you.” Jisu smiled, leaning over to kiss Yeni’s cheek.
Yeni smiled, giving the gecko a little pat on the head. “She’s… nice. I like her too.”
Jisu absolutely beamed, her smile brighter than the sun itself. That was what made this all worth it. That beautiful, perfect smile.
As the evening progressed, Yeni got more comfortable with little Richard, to the point that she felt safe enough for Jisu to place her down to roam around a little. The gecko mostly stayed settled on Jisu’s knee as Jisu absentmindedly stroked her back. Jisu’s other arm was occupied, wrapped around Yeni’s shoulders to pull her into her side.
They watched the movie on the TV cuddled up like this, with the new addition to their little family seemingly watching along.
Soon, Richard started to move again, darting across Jisu’s lap and onto Yeni’s knee.
Jisu’s eyes widened. “I can grab her, sorry darling—”
“No, it’s okay…” Yeni spoke softly, surprising Jisu. “She can stay there.”
Jisu smiled from ear to ear. “You’ve got mama bear instincts, I knew it.” she spoke as she combed her fingers through Yeni’s long hair.
Yeni’s eyes stayed focused on little Richard.
“Yeah, maybe I do.”
They stayed quiet like that for a while until the movie ended.
“Mmm, I love you.” Jisu whispered.
“I love you too.” Yeni smiled sleepily up at her before turning her attention back to Richard.
“And I love you too Richard.”