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Jinsol felt like she might be the unluckiest person in the entire world.
Not because she had to pull an all-nighter at work, or because her favorite shirt got splashed with water and ruined, or because the egg tarts were already sold out by the time she reached the bakery.
No. It was because her roommate, the one who looked like a perfect porcelain doll on display, was standing right at the bathroom door right now, hair still dripping wet, a towel wrapped loosely around her, speaking in that low and indifferent voice.
“Bae Jinsol, the hairdryer’s broken.”
Yoona was always like this. She was clearly asking for a favor, but the way she said it sounded more like an order.
Jinsol jumped up from the sofa, nearly spilling the bag of snacks in her lap. “Want me to go next door and borrow theirs?”
“That would be too much trouble for them.”
“Or I could run down to the convenience store and buy a new one.”
Their dryer had broken several times already anyway. Instead of keep fixing the same old thing, it was probably time to just replace it.
“It’s ten at night.” Yoona looked at her, her eyes practically screaming the words: Are you stupid?
“Then what do we do?” Jinsol scratched her head.
“You can blow it dry with your mouth.”
Jinsol frowned, blinked, then realized Yoona was teasing her and shot her a glare. “Can you stop acting like a kid?”
Yoona ignored her, turned around, and walked into the room. The towel slipped a little with the movement, revealing a smooth stretch of shoulder blade. Jinsol’s eyes followed it unconsciously, lingering on that patch of skin until Yoona disappeared into the bedroom.
After knowing Yoona for four years and living together for two, Jinsol thought she had grown used to everything: the faint floral scent of Yoona’s body wash after a shower, the slight furrow of her brows when she played games or read, the random little hums she made when a song popped into her head, the soft, whiny voice she had right after waking up — that was the moment when she looked the least like her usual Yoona.
But some things, it seemed, she would never get used to.
Like right now.
Yoona came back out wearing an oversized shirt, her hair falling over her shoulders and leaving small drops of water that trailed down. She walked straight over to Jinsol, dropped down beside her, and tossed a dry towel onto her lap.
“Dry it for me.”
Jinsol looked at the towel then at Yoona, and let out a small sigh. She picked it up, scooted closer, let Yoona turn her back to her. Yoona’s hair was black and straight, falling just past her shoulders, carrying the light scent of shampoo and that silky, cool softness that felt like expensive fabric. Jinsol carefully gathered a section, wrapped it in the towel, and gently pressed the water out.
“Be gentle.” Yoona murmured.
“I’m being gentle.”
“You are pulling my hair.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
Jinsol rolled her eyes and lightened her touch a little. The living room was quiet, save for the background laughter from a variety show on TV and the soft rustle of the towel against her hair. Yoona’s shoulders slowly relaxed, and she leaned back nearly sinking into Jinsol’s arms.
Jinsol was used to this. Yoona loved leaning on her. Even if she tried to move away, Yoona would just follow until she got what she wanted, so she had learned to let her. This level of casual physical closeness had become normal between them. When they curled up on the sofa watching movies, Yoona would casually drape her legs over Jinsol’s. Jinsol could climb into Yoona’s bed whenever she felt like it, ignoring all of Yoona’s complaints, and Yoona never actually kicked her out. Sometimes they would talk until they fell asleep without realizing it. When Yoona was in a bad mood, she would simply walk over and bury her face in the crook of Jinsol’s neck for a long time without saying a word.
Jinsol used to think all of this was normal. Just what best friends did.
Until the night she had a dream she definitely shouldn’t have had — full of images of Yoona that would probably get her killed if Yoona ever found out. After waking up and staring at the ceiling for half an hour, the realization finally hit her: Maybe, just maybe, normal best friends didn’t do things like this.
Still, she never said anything. Once some things are spoken, there is no going back. She didn’t want to lose what they had. She didn’t want to lose Yoona.
“Are you daydreaming?” Yoona’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“No I’m not.”
“Liar. You have been rubbing the same spot for ages.”
Only then did Jinsol notice. She cleared her throat softly and moved to another section. Yoona’s ear peeked out from behind her hair. It was beautifully shaped, with a small earlobe and a tiny mole tucked behind it. For some reason, Jinsol’s throat suddenly felt parched.
“Is the dryer really broken?” She asked randomly just to fill the silence.
“Yeah. I tried it for a while but it wouldn’t turn on. Probably can’t be fixed anymore.”
“I’ll go buy a new one tomorrow.”
“Uh huhh.”
“Do you have a meeting tomorrow? Want me to iron your clothes for you?”
Yoona tilted her head slightly and looked at her, suspicion clear in her eyes at this sudden helpfulness. “No. What’s gotten into you today?”
“Nothing.” Jinsol blinked innocently.
“You only get this extra nice when you feel guilty about something.”
“I don’t feel guilty!”
“Then you must have done something wrong to me.”
Jinsol’s throat tightened. She did feel guilty, but there was no way in hell she could tell the real reason. What was she supposed to say? I had a dirty dream about you last night and now I can’t even look at you properly?
She put the towel down and slipped her fingers into Yoona’s still slightly damp hair, pretending to check if it was dry. The strands wrapped around her fingers so naturally, while Yoona stayed leaning back against her, turning her head just enough to look at her from up close. Yoona’s breath brushed against her face. The closeness was so intimate that Jinsol’s heartbeat started racing out of control, but she didn’t pull her hand away.
Yoona didn’t move away either. They stayed like that, neither saying another word. The laughter from the TV faded into the background, and something thick and charged filled the air, making everything feel a little dizzy.
“Sol.” Yoona suddenly spoke.
“What?” Jinsol was still dazed.
“Your heart’s beating really fast.”
Jinsol’s hand froze.
Yoona turned around to face her fully. Her cheeks still carried a faint flush, probably from the hot shower. She stared at Jinsol like she wanted to peel back every layer. Those naturally pink, plump lips pressed together slightly. Jinsol could see the exact curve of her lashes, the tiny mole on the side of her nose and another on her cheek, and feel the warm breath hitting her own chin.
“You’re too close.” Jinsol startled, trying to lean back only to realize the sofa was behind her. She couldn’t escape to the side either because Yoona had already caged her in with both arms.
“Is that so?” Yoona didn’t pull back. Instead, she tilted her head a little, her gaze dropping to Jinsol’s lips for a moment before returning to her eyes.
Jinsol’s brain flatlined. She wanted to say something to break the suffocating tension, maybe laugh it off with “You’re acting weird today” or “Are you running a fever?”, but the words died in her throat.
And then, in the middle of her panic, Yoona smiled and kissed her.
It was dry and soft, carrying the faint fruity taste of toothpaste that made Yoona’s lips feel like sweet jelly. Jinsol went stiff. She turned into a complete fool, her only awareness being the heat and the sensation radiating from their lips.
A few seconds passed before Yoona pulled back slightly, looking at her dazed expression and raising an eyebrow arrogantly. “What, you forgot how to breathe?”
Only then did Jinsol realize she had been holding her breath the whole time. She let out a long exhale, her face burning red, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. Yoona kept watching her calmly, but the tips of her ears had turned red at some point too.
“You—” Jinsol’s voice came out hoarse, nothing like her own, “Do you even know what you’re doing?”
“Of course I do.” Yoona let out a soft chuckle, leaning in closer, her voice dropping into something low and seductive. “I’m kissing you.”
“Why?”
Yoona looked at her like she had just asked the dumbest question in the world. “What do you think?”
Jinsol opened her mouth, then shut it again.
She had never dared to confirm if those ambiguous signals were just her own wishful thinking. She never dared to ask if Yoona’s seemingly accidental moments of closeness meant something more. Yoona was a puzzle; she could be kind to someone down to her very marrow, but her mouth never had anything nice to say. She could stay up all night taking care of Jinsol when she was sick, then the next day scold her for half an hour straight just because she forgot to take out the trash.
But that kiss had just shattered every doubt. Jinsol knew Yoona wasn’t the type to do things lightly. Yoona had once said that kissing on the lips was important, something she would never give away casually to someone she didn’t have feelings for.
“Yoona…” Jinsol’s brain finally started working again, though in a slightly off direction. “Didn’t you say I was an idiot?”
“You are an idiot.” Yoona laughed, giving Jinsol’s round nose a playful squeeze. “But you’re an idiot I’m willing to take.”
The words hit so hard that Jinsol’s eyes suddenly stung.
She cupped Yoona’s face, gently stroking her cheekbones, then kissed her back. She tried pressing a little harder. When Yoona didn’t resist, she grew bolder and kissed her more fiercely. She caught Yoona’s lower lip and sucked on it a few times. The moment those lips parted slightly, she slipped her tongue inside. The fruity taste of the toothpaste suddenly became addictive. Jinsol chased that flavor, savoring Yoona’s mouth like she was biting into a juicy strawberry.
She only stopped when she heard Yoona make a tiny sound.
Their heavy breathing mixed together, the TV noise still playing faintly in the background. Yoona’s eyes were downcast, her lashes trembling, and the blush on her cheeks had spread all the way to her ears.
“How long have you liked me?” Jinsol asked, also breathing hard.
“I don’t know. A long time.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
“I have been showing you for ages, but you’re just too slow to get it.” Yoona pouted, sounding a little sulky.
Jinsol wanted to defend herself, but when she opened her mouth, she realized she had no right to argue. She really was slow. Yoona had deliberately made her dry her hair even though she could have done it herself, deliberately worn Jinsol’s clothes, deliberately bit her lip in front of her, deliberately leaned into her … All those hints, and Jinsol had been too afraid of reading too much into them.
“So what are we now?” She asked.
“What do you think we are?”
Jinsol burst out laughing, her whole face lighting up like a kid. Yoona watched her smile, the corner of her own mouth curving up unconsciously before she quickly pressed her lips together, as if scared someone would catch her looking happy.
“What are you laughing at?” She demanded.
“Laughing at you.” Jinsol pinched her cheek. “You’re obviously dying of happiness but still trying to act cool.”
“Not me.”
“Your ears are all red.”
Yoona reached up to touch her own ear, then swatted Jinsol’s hand.
“So violent.” Jinsol rubbed her hand, still grinning ear to ear.
“You deserved it.” Yoona lunged forward and nipped at her lips.
Jinsol was kissed until she was winded. She pulled back just an inch, her lips still ghosting over Yoona’s, and whispered. “Gosh, you’re so aggressive.”
“Shut up.”
“Aggressive even when we’re just kissing.”
Yoona nipped at her lower lip again, not hard, but enough to make Jinsol hiss. “I said shut up.”
Jinsol looked at the faint red at the corner of Yoona’s eyes and the way she was trying to look composed. Her heart suddenly turned to mush. She tightened her arms, pulling Yoona fully against her chest, resting her chin on Yoona’s shoulder and nuzzling like a big dog.
Yoona stiffened for a second, then slowly relaxed. Her fingers slid into the hair at the back of Jinsol’s neck and stroked gently. “Your hair’s really short.”
“Don’t you like short hair?”
“Who said that?”
“You told me last time that I looked good with it.”
“I was just stating a fact.”
Jinsol lifted her head, looking at Yoona’s face from inches away. “Is it that hard for you to just say you like me?”
Yoona’s palm covered the top of Jinsol’s head, fingers threading through her hair and rubbing in slow, steady strokes. She didn’t answer.
Jinsol unconsciously closed her eyes. She absolutely loved having her head rubbed. Every time Yoona did this, she would become incredibly quiet, her breathing evening out.
“You really are like a dog.” Yoona declared, her hand never stopping.
“What kind?”
“Golden Retriever.”
“Why not Border Collie? Border Collies are smart.”
“Border Collies know how to read people. You just let people read you.”
Seeing Yoona laugh until she shook, Jinsol was defeated, but she just gave a goofy smile in return.
Fine. Being silly was fine.
The TV was still on, but neither of them cared. Jinsol leaned back against the cushions to get comfortable, and Yoona curled into her chest. Yoona’s fingers continued to weave through her hair. Jinsol’s breathing had stabilized, but she couldn’t help the fluttering in her chest as she felt how soft Yoona was in her arms.
“Do you play basketball?” Yoona suddenly asked.
“No. I don’t really like sports.” Jinsol replied honestly, though she had no idea why the topic had changed. “Why?”
“Just suddenly realized we’ve never played any sport together.”
“We could go jogging. Though I figured you wouldn’t like it since you have to wake up early.”
Yoona was the type who slept in late. If Jinsol didn’t go to her room to wake her up, it took at least three alarms to get her moving.
Still, hearing Jinsol say that clearly hurt her pride. She shot her a look. “Six o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Huh?”
“Jogging.”
Jinsol’s face showed clear disbelief at Yoona’s terrible sleeping habits, but seeing her serious and slightly annoyed expression, Jinsol still nodded. She hugged her roommate tight and closed her eyes, savoring the pleasant tingles on her scalp.
Neither of them wanted to leave the other’s warmth, but they couldn’t exactly sleep on the sofa. Yoona’s room became the designated spot for their cuddling tonight. Well, it wasn’t exactly new because they had done this many times before. The only difference was the new label between them.
They lay facing each other, their noses nearly touching. The curtains weren’t fully closed, allowing the moonlight to trace a thin line of silver across Yoona’s face. Jinsol’s fingers followed that line, tracing from her brow to the bridge of her nose, then down to her cupid’s bow. Every part of Yoona was so beautiful it could make someone fall just from a single glance. Jinsol wasn’t joking. She was living proof.
Yoona watched her quietly, her breathing slow and gentle. “Your hands are cold.”
“That’s because your face is too hot.”
Yoona glared at her, but there was no real threat in it.
Jinsol smiled at the sight, leaned in, and placed a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth. “Good night.”
Yoona looked at her, lips moving as if she wanted to say more, but in the end only whispered, “Good night.”
After the lights were switched off, the only thing left in the darkness was the sound of each other’s breathing.
Jinsol thought Yoona had already fallen asleep. She was about to turn over when a hand suddenly touched the top of her head.
“Didn’t we already say good night?” She giggled, feeling the person holding her press even closer.
“Can’t sleep.”
“Want me to tell you a story?”
“No need.”
“Then what do you want?”
Yoona’s voice came through the dark, low and a little reluctant, carrying a rare softness. “Turn around.”
Jinsol turned to face her. Even if she couldn’t see her expression clearly, she knew Yoona was staring. That gaze felt heavy, making Jinsol’s skin feel hot wherever it landed. Yoona’s hand slid from her hair to her cheek, caressing it bit by bit. It was so gentle, so unlike Yoona’s usual self. Jinsol’s heart started racing again. The hand continued its path from her cheekbone to her chin, then to her earlobe, finally stopping at the small patch of skin behind her ear, pressing lightly.
“Here.” Yoona’s voice sounded a little hesitant. “Is it sensitive?”
Jinsol was sure her ears were burning red. “What do you think?”
Yoona pressed again, then leaned in and placed her lips right there.
Jinsol’s breathing hitched as the heat of Yoona’s breath hit her skin. Her hand found Yoona’s waist that was slim and fit perfectly in her grip, making it impossible not to want to linger there.
Yoona’s lips moved from behind her ear to the corner of her mouth, pausing as if she were hesitating.
“What’s wrong?” Jinsol asked.
“Nothing.” Yoona said and kissed her.
Jinsol’s palm slid from Yoona’s hip to her back, pulling her even closer. Yoona’s shirt rode up a little, exposing a strip of skin at her lower back. The direct contact made everything feel more intense, and Jinsol couldn’t help getting distracted.
Yoona arched slightly, her lips leaving Jinsol’s. “Your hand…” She said, voice trembling a little.
Jinsol pulled her hand back instantly like a kid caught doing something wrong. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“What are you apologizing for?” She heard Yoona laugh softly.
“I… I touched you.”
“So?”
“You’re clearly messing with me.”
Jinsol could only glare at her through the darkness. Yoona’s fingers continued threading through her hair, gentle and patient, as if she knew exactly how to calm her down.
Jinsol’s annoyance melted away quickly. She sighed and buried her face in the crook of Yoona’s neck, mumbling. “You’re bullying me.”
“Yeah.”
“Can you please not bully me forever?”
“No. I know you love it too.”
Jinsol lifted her head, looking at the sharp line of Yoona’s jaw right beside her. Suddenly she thought that being bullied by this person for the rest of her life didn’t sound so bad.
“Can I kiss you?”
Yoona lowered her gaze to her. Moonlight slipped through the gap in the curtains and lit up half of her face. “Since when did you become so polite?”
Jinsol didn’t ask again.
She propped herself up, one hand beside Yoona’s head, and leaned down to kiss her.
Yoona’s hands slid from her hair to her back, fingers gripping her shirt tightly.
They kissed for a long time. Jinsol’s lips started to go numb. Yoona’s breathing grew ragged and uneven. Eventually they had to stop, both panting.
“Your lips are so soft.” Yoona’s voice had gone noticeably hoarse.
Jinsol felt like she was about to explode.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, but Yoona’s fingers started drawing slow circles on her back — casual yet so intimate that the little bit of self-control she had just rebuilt crumbled instantly.
“Yoona.” Her voice shook slightly. “If you keep doing this, I might not be able to hold back anymore.”
“Then don’t hold back.” Yoona didn’t even need a second to think.
Jinsol’s brain short-circuited again. She looked into those eyes still shining in the dark, at that delicate face that looked perfect even without makeup, at the lips that had just said those words, and felt her reason slipping away at a visible speed.
“Are you sure?” Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible.
Yoona didn’t answer with words. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Jinsol’s neck, pulled her down, and answered with a kiss.
Jinsol’s hands were no longer resting politely on Yoona’s hips. She pushed Yoona’s shirt up, pressing her palms against the warm skin of her stomach, sliding higher inch by inch.
Yoona shivered slightly under her touch but didn’t stop her. Instead, she kissed Jinsol harder, as if encouraging her.
Jinsol stopped at her ribs, feeling every quick breath Yoona took, then continued upward. She leaned down and kissed the corner of Yoona’s jaw, then moved lower to her neck.
“Want me to stop?”
Yoona stayed silent for a few seconds. Then her hands gripped Jinsol’s shoulders, not to push her away, but to hold her there.
“No.”
Jinsol kissed that spot, feeling Yoona’s broken breaths against her scalp. Her hands kept exploring, careful and attentive, memorizing every small reaction Yoona gave.
Yoona didn’t talk much, but her body was far more honest than her mouth, and Jinsol learned fast. At one point Yoona clutched her arm tightly, chin tilting up, eyes squeezed shut. Jinsol looked at that face and felt her heart squeezed by something too big to name.
“You’re so beautiful.” She said earnestly.
The lashes trembled. The eyes beneath were misty as they looked up at her. Yoona didn’t say anything. She simply pulled Jinsol down, mouth seeking mouth.
And Jinsol understood that was the answer to everything she hadn’t yet asked.
That night, neither of them slept.
The next morning, they woke up late wrapped in each other’s arms. Not a single word was said about jogging.