With school officially out for the summer and cheer practice on a break until August, Jimin feels like she has all the time in the world again. At least, she did for the last two weeks and what a whirlwind that's been. 

It's no surprise that she spends most of her time with Minjeong. It isn't intentional, they just happen to always be free at the exact same time. They go out together for coffee and do lunch and sometimes Jimin will end up at Minjeong's place late at night for a movie that they don't actually end up watching but she makes a point to never sleep over though.

And the sex has been great, it's been wonderful.

It makes the months-long dry spell beforehand seem like a tiny blip in time. But, the steps Jimin's taken to get to where she is haven't been the smartest. She's fallen into her usual routine of avoidance and denial but what makes it worse is that she isn't caught in this loop with a different girl every weekend like before.

It's the same girl, it's Minjeong.

For weeks, Jimin has been wrapped up in a blissful sex dream orchestrated by her and Minjeong's newly formed bad habit of not talking about the obvious. It's easy and fun and spontaneous but her conscience grows weary. Jimin shying away from something serious is one thing but Minjeong doing the same? It doesn't feel right and that's what has become part of their new normal.

The longer Jimin keeps up the charade, the louder her conscience begs for there to be change. No matter how much fun they have together, she can't continue to be complacent. She can't string her along, have her thinking that the fooling around could turn into something more.

Girls like Minjeong do better in relationships and girls like Jimin – they don't.

If they were to continue down the path they're currently on, then what? Jimin doesn't want to find out. She doesn't want to be the one to ruin Minjeong by instilling all these false hopes just as someone once ruined her.

Jimin has to be better.

Things left unsaid become the monsters under Jimin's bed and they're starting to get restless the closer it gets to returning to Lima for the wedding. There's something about that final trip home that feels foreboding when it used to feel like the finish line.

Jimin hates it, but that's probably because she knows she will soon have to face everything she's been running from. This carefree and spontaneous new thing between her and Minjeong? It's only a matter of time now before it all comes to an end.

─

Flights are booked, outfits planned, suitcases are nearly packed but Jimin spends her last day on campus walking around the city alone to clear her head. If anything, being alone only makes her head feel even more crowded. She knows what's coming even if her and Minjeong haven't spoken about it in awhile – the break up.

Sometimes she lets herself daydream about what would happen if they didn't end up going through with it, but she always finds a way to burst her own bubble. She tries reminding herself that it's what's best for the both of them but it doesn't make it any easier.

It seems comical now, having plans knowing how off-track they've become, but Jimin supposes it's never too late to course correct. Deep down, she believes it's the right thing to do she just needs to get a little weight off her chest before she goes through with it. If her secret isn't so heavy then maybe she'll have an easier time in Lima?

─

As Jimin enters her and Jaemin's apartment, she finds Jaemin lounging on the couch playing some video game with the entire coffee table covered in snacks.

"Oh good. You're here," Jimin says as she closes the door behind her. "Do you have a sec?"

"Uhh," Jaemin hums followed by the sound of buttons being rapidly pressed before he jumps up and shouts. "Fuck yeah! Let's go!"

Jimin grabs a beer from the fridge and watches as he celebrates. If only her life was as simple as Jaemin's, she'd probably have less headaches for starters.

"Okay, I'm done," Jaemin says in a normal tone as he pauses the game and turns to her. "What's up? Pass me one of those, will you? I'm empty."

Jimin nods and reaches back into the fridge for another beer before tossing the can to him. She follows him over to the couch and sits on the opposite end. She had it all figured out on her walk over, but now that the moment has come her memory gets a little foggy.

"Good walk?" Jaemin asks as he cracks open the can. "I'm surprised Minjeong's not with you."

"I went alone," Jimin rolls her eyes as he smirks into the first sip. "That's kind of what I wanted to talk about..."

"Being alone? Can't help you there."

"No," Jimin groans. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all? Whatever, just rip off the band aid. "I want to talk about Minjeong."

Jaemin gives her a questioning look, "Okay?"

"So...you remember how I said nothing was there?"

"Yeah?"

"And how we're only friends and nothing will ever happen?"

"Yeah?"

"Well," Jimin bites her lip. "I might've lied."

Jaemin jumps out of his seat again, "I fucking knew it! Man, you had me questioning myself too – but I know you!"

Jimin nods, letting him get out all his 'I told you's' before delving in deeper.

"See, I knew something was going on. You'd always get that look in your eye whenever you talked about her. Not very subtle, Yu. I thought you were cooler than that."

"Alright, what is this look?" Jimin grumbles. "And why can everyone in the entire world see it but me?"

Jaemin laughs, "Probably because you're an oblivious dumbass when it comes to this shit."

"Excuse me?" Jimin lifts a brow. "Who was it again that thought they stood a chance with Minju when she so clearly wanted you for only one thing?"

Jaemin starts to frown, "Not cool, you know I'm still recovering from that one. I really did think we had something special. I'll try again in the Fall. Besides, that's a different kind of oblivious dumbass. You're like...way worse."

"How?"

"Because you're also a lesbian," Jaemin explains.

Jimin begins to glare, "So?"

"So you already have a higher chance of being even more of a dumbass because apparently none of you can take a hint," Jaemin jokes. "At least I shoot my shot, you don't even know you've got the ball until Coach is in your face telling you to shoot."

"Not the sports references again..."

Jaemin smirks, "Look it up, dumbass lesbian – you'll probably see a picture of yourself."

Jimin scoffs, "That's not a thing."

"It definitely is," Jaemin chuckles. "Anyway, how long have you and Minjeong been official and why didn't you guys let me in on it? You know I would've been all for it!"

"Well...technically we're not."

"What?" Jaemin laughs. "What do you mean you're not?"

Jimin's palms start to sweat, "It's not official because she doesn't know."

"That you two have been actually dating this whole time or– "

"She doesn't know how I feel about her," Jimin admits. "Because I haven't told her."

"Seriously?" Jaemin looks exasperated as he shakes his head, "And you say dumbass lesbians don't exist..."

"Look, it's complicated okay?" Jimin suddenly snaps. "You know I don't do the feelings thing and you know why I don't. None of this was supposed to happen."

"I get it," Jaemin replies. "But you have to let that stuff go at some point."

Jimin softens, "I don't know how to do that. I guess that's my problem. I don't know how to do any of this without feeling like it's all only temporary."

As the words leave her, an indescribable ache lodges itself in her chest. She feels her throat tighten uncomfortably. It's like her secret is this sleeping beast and she's just poked it with a stick.

"How do I know Minjeong isn't going to wake up one day and realize she deserves more?" Jimin questions aloud. "That she deserves someone better than me? How do I know that I won't hurt her? How am I supposed to just let go and see what happens? The last time I put my faith into the universe, I lost my scholarship to Harvard and got my heart broken."

Jaemin's reluctant to reply. He just stares down at his beer in deep thought while Jimin tries to recover from voicing her fears aloud for the first time.

"I'm not really an expert at this," Jaemin mentions quietly before chuckling. "I've got the same battle scars as you do. From the same girl who left them too."

"Yeah," Jimin sighs.

"Minjeong's different though," Jaemin adds. "You know that, right?"

Jimin nods; deep down she knows that, but that doesn't keep her from building impenetrable walls. Minjeong might've been able to knock a couple bricks down in the time that they've spent together, but walls are still walls.

"I guess that's what makes this even harder," Jimin mentions. "It's been so long since I've felt this way about someone but it's fucking scary. I don't want to mess it up and lose her. I just— I don't know if I can put myself out there like that. I don't want to get hurt again either. "

"Does she know about any of this?" Jaemin asks.

Jimin shakes her head, "This is a relatively new development. I've spent most of the time wondering what parts of our relationship were real and what weren't. Fake dating someone really messes with figuring that out so for the longest time I thought I might've been developing feelings because Minjeong's such a great actress. It wasn't until recently that I realized that maybe not all of it was acting. That's when lines started to get blurry and now we're just...stuck."

"Shit," Jaemin curses. "Looks like you're going to have to face some shit if you want anything to happen."

Jimin lets out a bitter laugh before sipping her beer. Facing her demons? Not something she loves doing, hence why she reverts to avoidance and denial. Is it healthy? No, but it's effective in short bursts. She knows when it comes to Minjeong though, Jaemin's right.

"Have you guys talked about what happens after this is over?" Jaemin wonders. "Is the breakup happening still? Do you even want to break up anymore?"

"I don't know," Jimin shrugs. "We agreed that the wedding would be it for us. I thought Minjeong would be away for her internship so I figured the time apart would make it easier to go through with the plan but I don't know now. Things...changed in Philly."

"You slept with her, didn't you?"

Jimin stiffens, "Like I'd tell you."

"That's a yes," Jaemin smirks. "Dude, that's not helping your case! You can't think with Lady Yu."

"Did you just call my – nevermind, I'm not thinking with it," Jimin brushes off. "Things just...happened naturally. Believe me, not sleeping with Minjeong was a rule I never thought I'd break."

Jaemin gives her a look, "And how many times have you broken it now?"

Jimin looks away guiltily, "That's not important."

Jaemin shakes his head, "Any other time I'd be high fiving you, because Minjeong is awesome and smoking hot but you know sex doesn't help when it comes to having actual feelings. If anything, it's like your kiss of death."

"No it's not."

"It is," Jaemin assures. "I know you. You're all about the chase. Me and you, we love the challenge and we love the reward at the end even better but when it starts getting serious you don't stick around which is fine, whatever – but you can't do that to Minjeong."

Jimin averts her gaze and Jaemin notices right away.

"No, Jimin," Jaemin groans. "Is that why you're so pressed? You're trying to figure out a way to let her down easy?"

"I don't know!" Jimin admits. "I thought talking to you might help but – "

"You're realizing I'm not the one you should be talking to?" Jaemin interrupts. "Because I'm not. The person you should really be talking to is Minjeong. Maybe she's the one who could knock some sense into you, because letting her go might be your dumbest idea yet."

Jimin gives him a look before softening, "I'm a lot and I know I'm a lot and Minjeong deserves better. I wish there was a way that we could both get what we want but I don't think I can give her that."

Jaemin shakes his head, "I can't believe you're thinking of backing off because you're too chicken shit to admit you've got feelings for her to her."

"I need to protect myself too!"

"From what?" Jaemin asks loudly. He relaxes when he sees Jimin's really conflicted about this. "You already know what it feels like when it doesn't work out so why are you so afraid of trying?"

Jimin lets out a tired sigh, "Just because I know what it's like doesn't mean I want to experience it for a second time."

"You've got to talk to her, Jimin," Jaemin replies. "If I'm the one telling you that, you know you're in some deep shit."

"Yeah. I know," Jimin presses at her temple and takes a long drink.

Jaemin nods and rests back against the couch, sipping his beer slow as he stares at the tv screen. Jimin does the same, wondering why she doesn't feel lighter after talking with Jaemin about all the things she's been harboring. It's probably because she's in no better place than she was before. All she knows is that she needs to talk to Minjeong, maybe even before the wedding so they know where they stand.

"Man, I'd love to come to this wedding. I feel like it's going to be eventful," Jaemin jokes lightly, trying to lift the mood. "Think Yunjin would mind if I crash?"

Jimin snickers, "Don't even think about it. Not unless you want the mob on your ass."

"You told me that was just a rumor!"

"Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't," Jimin jokes. "You can be the one to find out."

"I'm not going to be your guinea pig," Jaemin laughs before dipping back into a more serious tone. "You'll figure this thing out with Minjeong. Just don't be a dumbass and you'll be fine."

Jimin sighs, "Yeah...apparently that's easier said than done."

─

Once Jimin and Minjeong get to Lima, there isn't really time to focus on anything else but the wedding. Yunjin sent through an itinerary and it's full of wedding preparations that she and sometimes Minjeong will have to help with. The couple went over the schedule during their flight; Jimin groaned at all the ridiculous tasks while Minjeong tried being optimistic.

Really, she shouldn't be complaining. It's good to be kept so busy, but what Jimin struggles the most with is keeping up with the act of being in a fake relationship while knowing what's in store for them. It all feels bittersweet and as much as Jimin wants to savor these fleeting moments, it's hard to. It's hard to see herself going through these same motions in the future without Minjeong by her side. It's hard to imagine not having Minjeong around at all.

As the couple arrives to Jessica's, they find that the formal living room has been turned into storage space for Yunjin to keep her reception décor.

"She didn't have anywhere else to store this stuff?" Jimin asks Jessica as she and Minjeong carry their luggage inside. It's difficult to move around with so many boxes everywhere and they struggle to keep from knocking into anything with their suitcases.

"I wasn't going to let her pay for a storage unit," Jessica waves off. "They're so expensive."

"It's not like she's hurting for cash," Jimin jokes. She can hear Minjeong snickering behind her too.

"I know, but still. I was only being nice," Jessica replies. "Besides, I barely use this room so it's fine. Anyway, are you two hungry? Grandma saved plates for you both from dinner earlier."

"Did she?" Minjeong beams. "I've been missing her cooking lately."

Jimin looks back at Minjeong and sees the excited grin she wears. They've joked about how homecooked meals always taste different compared to what they have around campus, but she didn't expect to hear Minjeong saying she missed Grandma's cooking. It makes it all the more difficult for Jimin to think about when things change.

"I'll warm it up for you," Jessica smiles as she pats Minjeong's head before looking to Jimin. "What about you? Are you hungry?"

Jimin nods, "Sure. I'll have a plate too."

"Okay good," Jessica says before waving them off. "Go on and get settled. I'll get your dinner ready."

"Thanks," Jimin replies. Minjeong gives her thanks too before they're both heading up to Jimin's room.

As always, nothing seems to have changed. Before, Jimin kind of hated how it was like walking into a time capsule. With her framed baby pictures decorating the hallway, Minjeong always stopping to point out a different one each time. She coos over how cute Jimin was and Jimin would make the same joke about how she's still cute twenty years later. Minjeong wouldn't disagree and Jimin would feel warm all over because of it.

Now though, Minjeong admires the pictures in silence.

When they get to Jimin's bedroom, Jimin finds that Jessica has changed the sheets over to a lighter color and it seems so misplaced considering Jimin has only ever kept dark bedding. They move their suitcases to their usual spots on the far side of the room and start to unpack a little.

Jimin can see Jessica has replaced her cheerleading uniform that used to hang off of the back of her closet door with their dresses for the wedding. Seeing them only reminds Jimin of her and Minjeong's time in Miami and what took place in Ronaldo's boutique. She has to look away before those memories get the best of her.

When she opens the closet door to hang a couple of her outfits, she notices right away that something's missing. The closest is a lot emptier than usual – all of the extra blankets and sheets are gone, ones that Minjeong usually uses to build her bed.

Jimin pauses to think, she could probably find where Jessica's put them but knowing her, they've probably all been stored away for the summer. She's sure there might be extras lying around somewhere, but does she really want to go looking for them? Does she really want to give Minjeong another option other than having to share with her?

"You okay?" Minjeong chuckles from her suitcase. "You've been standing in there for awhile."

Jimin jolts and tries laughing off the embarrassment, "I'm good. Just looking for something."

"Oh okay," Minjeong rises and walks over to steal a hanger. "I thought you were trying to remember what it felt like to be...you know, in the closet."

Jimin rolls her eyes at the lame joke, "No thanks. I'd rather not live through that twice."

Minjeong chuckles as she agrees. Together, they stand there putting clothes on hangers and it feels weirdly domestic even if they're only hanging a couple dresses. It makes Jimin think about sharing spaces like this with Minjeong which a thought she never thought she'd have about anyone.

First of all, she doesn't like to share. Secondly, she's got a lot of clothes and she needs all the space she can get so sharing with someone seems so ridiculous. But, maybe if that someone was Minjeong she wouldn't mind all that much – which reminds her...

"My mom packed away all the extra blankets," Jimin mentions. She can feel her heart beginning to race.

Minjeong looks up at the closet shelves, "Oh. I didn't even notice."

"Yeah," Jimin busiest herself with sliding a dress onto the last hanger. "She does that during the warmer months. I could look around for more?"

Minjeong glances to her with that same unreadable expression on her face. Jimin remembers the last time she saw it was back when they had a similar conversation about sleeping arrangements in Miami. They played it safe and kept their distance, but she's not sure if she wants to do that this time. If this is their last trip together, then why not make the best of it while it lasts?

"But I don't think I'll find much," Jimin adds. Her nerves are rattling but she keeps a brave face on as she asks, "Are you okay with sharing?"

Minjeong watches Jimin with this soft look on her face, "Are you sure?"

Jimin tries to play it cool, "I mean, we've shared a bed before..."

"Yeah, in Philly," Minjeong points out. She glances over to Jimin's bed and Jimin swears the younger begins to blush, "This is different."

"Different, how?"

"Because it's your bed," Minjeong explains.

"I know," Jimin chuckles, still missing the point. "I've been trying to get you into it for months."

Minjeong shakes her head and sighs through a smile, "You're right, you have."

Jimin softens for a moment though, starting to feel unsure.

"If you don't want to though, I can– "

"What do you want, Jimin?" Minjeong interrupts causing Jimin's breath to hitch. There's something about her tone that makes Jimin feel like they might not be talking about their sleeping arrangements.

"Well," Jimin hesitates for a second. "I don't really want to go looking for extra blankets and sheets."

Telling the truth for once relieves a little of that pressure harbored inside, but it also makes her feel on edge at the same time. Still, Minjeong stares at her like she's waiting for more to be said.

"And I don't want you sleeping on the floor," Jimin answers. She surprises herself by how resolute she sounds despite the way her rattling nerves intensify. "Not when there is a perfectly good bed right there. I don't want you sleeping anywhere else but next to me."

When Minjeong starts to smile, Jimin thinks she might've given the right answer.

"Okay then," Minjeong replies through her sweet smile. "Then that's where I'll be."

"Okay cool," Jimin nods before putting a little distance between them because being that close to Minjeong was starting to make her feel antsy. It had her wanting to reach out and touch her, to kiss her, but there are more important things that need to be discussed first and if Jimin opens up that avenue she doubts she'll be getting anywhere productive.

"We should probably head downstairs," Jimin adds to fill the silence. "Our dinner should be ready by now."

Minjeong only nods and follows after Jimin as she leads the way downstairs.

─

Jimin tries to keep from rushing through their late dinner while Jessica sits with her and Minjeong. Jessica and Minjeong catch up like they normally would while Jimin listens and waits for her cue to chime in, only this time their conversation takes a different turn.

"With everyone coming to town for Yunjin's wedding, Grandma was worried that the family wouldn't want to come around again in August," Jessica explains.

"What's happening in August?" Minjeong asks innocently.

When Jessica turns to Jimin and looks at her expectantly, Jimin wishes the floor would just open up and swallow her whole.

"You didn't tell Minjeong about the family reunion?" Jessica asks.

Jimin glances to Minjeong and watches how the blonde seems to deflate. If the plan is still the plan then Minjeong won't be around in August because they won't be a couple any longer. Jessica doesn't know that though and Jimin tries to keep her reaction from alerting her of that small detail.

"Must've slipped my mind," Jimin recovers smoothly. "Yunjin's been a handful with these wedding things. I guess I forgot."

Jessica shakes her head but she isn't angry. Instead she goes on to explain the family reunion to Minjeong herself. They talk about how it's really a big gathering for Grandma's birthday and how she loves getting as much of the family together as she can.

Jimin watches and listens for Minjeong's reactions, wondering how she must really feel. She knows that Minjeong loves how Jimin's family is so big and they always find a reason to gather and it's so unlike her own family. She knows how Minjeong loves being a part of the festivities even if it's been pretend all this time. She loves getting to experience something she's always wanted and Jimin hates how she won't be around for the biggest family event of the year.

"That sounds like it'll be a lot of fun," Minjeong responds kindly. She glances to Jimin and it's like she's trying to ask what she's meant to do.

"Minjeong might be away though," Jimin interjects and she hates how Minjeong's face falls just a little. "You have that internship, remember?"

"That's right, I do," Minjeong nods. She sits taller as she looks to Jessica but Jimin can tell she's forcing her smile. "I honestly didn't think I was going to get in, it's highly competitive."

"But when you have one of the most gifted minds in our generation, why worry?" Jimin teases and loves the way Minjeong begins to blush.

Jessica looks between the two and smiles, "That's amazing, Minjeong. Congratulations. I'm sad you won't be able to make it to the reunion, but I understand. What a wonderful opportunity for you."

"Thank you," Minjeong bows her head bashfully.

"Speaking of opportunities," Jessica hums as she glances Jimin's way. "I recently spoke to a former colleague of mine who started up her own firm last year. She's based in New York now and she's looking for a little help over the summer."

Jimin perks up while Jessica continues to explain.

"She's looking for someone who is responsible, punctual, passionate about law," Jessica lists. "Anyway, she was wondering if I had anyone in mind."

Jimin's jaw drops, "You mentioned me, right?"

Jessica chuckles, "Of course I did. I have her card in my purse. She said to give her a call once you're back."

"Oh my God!" Jimin gasps and bounds around the table to hug her mom. "Thank you, I don't even know what she'll have me doing but thank you! Just to be able to get my foot in the door is so awesome."

Jessica gives her daughter a hug back, "That's okay. You know, you've really grown up over the past year. I'm proud to recommend you to anyone because I know you'll be mature about whatever the opportunity might be."

Jimin pulls away and smiles but she can't help but glance over at Minjeong who is smiling just as proudly. It makes her think, if it wasn't for Minjeong and agreeing to do this fake relationship then Jimin doubts she'd be where she is now.

"You know," Jimin finds herself mentioning aloud. "I realized I wasn't surrounding myself with the right kind of people before, people who inspire me to grow and push me to challenge myself. I was okay with where I was because I didn't realize I could be any better." Jimin pauses as she glances to Minjeong, "But Minjeong, she isn't like anyone else. She challenges me. She's shown me that just because I was at the top, it didn't mean I was at my best. She pushes me to be better, so really all the growing up I did is thanks to her."

"Jimin," Minjeong breathes out so softly she nearly missed it. Her lips part, but the words don't come.

Jimin looks to her and smiles, "It's true."

And when she says that, she hopes that Minjeong can hear that it really is and that it isn't a part of their act.

Jessica grins at the pair and reaches out to squeeze both of their hands from around the dining table. She doesn't say anything, she only smiles adoringly.

Jimin hadn't planned on being so open, it sort of just spilled out of her, but she wonders if that was the right thing to do. It sure doesn't help when she knows she's meant to be steering Minjeong away from her, but she also didn't want to let Minjeong go without knowing how much she has changed her.

─

Once they finish dinner, they continue to sit around the table talking until their eyes grow weary and bed calls their names. Jessica heads up first while Jimin and Minjeong stick around to clean up. The house is so quiet, it seems that if they were to speak now then everyone would be able to hear them.

So they don't.

They stand side by side washing and drying the last few dishes in the sink as if they were on autopilot. The only thing that lets Jimin know that they aren't is the way Minjeong meets her gaze anytime she hands over another dish for Jimin to dry.

It's a striking look like that that makes Jimin wish she could read minds. Most of the time Minjeong's an open book, but the few times that she isn't has Jimin's curiosity piqued. She wants to know what Minjeong thinks, but at the same time she isn't sure if she's genuinely ready to hear those thoughts.

So, she doesn't let the gaze linger longer than it should. Soon after the last dish is dried and put away, Jimin and Minjeong head upstairs.

The tension follows as they walk along the narrow hallway lined with Jimin's baby pictures. It follows them to the bathroom as they get their teeth brushed. It follows them as they strip down and change into their pajamas.

Where it settles is the moment Jimin stands before her side of the bed and pulls back the covers. Minjeong follows suit and wordlessly, they slide beneath the sheets. Jimin's never felt so tense, but she rolls onto her side to turn out the light hoping that the darkness might settle nerves.

It doesn't. If anything, it makes them even more restless.

As Jimin lies still beside Minjeong, she grows increasingly aware of how fast her heart is beating and how shallow her breaths become.

She wonders if Minjeong notices too. God, she hopes she doesn't because how embarrassing would that be? She tries to mimic a normal breathing pattern in hopes of throwing Minjeong off but she can't really remember what normal feels like – fuck, she's starting to panic.

"Jimin?" Minjeong whispers.

Jimin gulps, "Yeah?"

"What you said earlier," Minjeong mentions softly and Jimin's heart plummets to her stomach. "About how I'm not like anyone else – was that you or my fake girlfriend?"

Jimin wonders if she lied right now if it would make any of this easier. She considers it, she really does, but she can't find it in her to lie anymore. Maybe after months of doing so, she's tapped out? Maybe all of her energy is into concealing her biggest lie of all so all the little ones go unfiltered.

"It was me," Jimin answers. She can feel Minjeong shuffling onto her side, her knees brushing the side of Jimin's leg and it makes her heart pound.

"Why'd you say it?" Minjeong asks.

Jimin can feel Minjeong's eyes scanning the side of her face but she doubts she'll be able to pick up anything under the veil of darkness. Knowing that, Jimin feels a little more relaxed as she answers.

"Because it's true," Jimin says.

It's a sudden burst of courage, but Jimin turns to meet Minjeong's gaze if only to check how well she can be seen. Surprisingly, she can make Minjeong's features easily even if the only light in the room is that of her old alarm clock. She wonders if she can really see or if she's filling in the blanks by memory, knowing the curve of her cheeks.

"Just because it's true," Minjeong whispers. "Doesn't mean you have to say it."

"I wanted to," Jimin assures her but Minjeong's forehead creases in thought.

"Why?"

"Because," Jimin mumbles nervously. "Because I've never told you. I didn't want to miss the opportunity, I don't know how many we have left."

Minjeong doesn't waste any time leaning in for a kiss. It's soft and the way Minjeong's hands come up to cradle Jimin's jaw makes it all feel so tender. Jimin knows this doesn't help anything, but she can't pull away even as the kiss deepens.

"You've changed me too," Minjeong whispers against Jimin's lips. She pulls away long enough to make sure Jimin heard her, "You made me brave."

Jimin shakes her head, "That was already there."

"Maybe," Minjeong hums. "But I didn't notice it until I met you."

Jimin wonders if it's because she's so goddamn afraid all the time and that's what has pushed Minjeong to be brave – she's doing it for the both of them. She doesn't ask though, all Jimin can do is capture Minjeong's lips again for a deep kiss. She might not know the right thing to say, but at least actions speak louder.

But, what was only meant to be a kiss begins to take form of something else as Minjeong's pulled on top. Jimin tried telling herself that it would be in their best interest that sex was off limits because it would only make things even more confusing, but when Minjeong's hands start to wander Jimin struggles to think clearly.

"Minjeong," Jimin whispers but her fingers curl into the waistband of Minjeong's shorts. She holds on tight, trying to will herself to stop this from going any further knowing how easily things escalate. "We shouldn't do this..."

"Probably not," Minjeong answers breathlessly. Brown eyes are dark with want and her hair curtains them, but even hidden in darkness they still find a moment of clarity.

"We need to revisit the plan," Jimin blurts.

Minjeong eyes her skeptically, "Revisit?"

Jimin swallows thickly and nods, "I've been thinking about it and I haven't said but we should do that...soon."

"Good idea," Minjeong replies. Her eyes are still zoned in on Jimin's lips, "I don't want you to stop though."

Jimin's heart races, "I don't want to either."

"But you're right," Minjeong adds. "We should talk."

"Yeah," Jimin begins to loosen her grip but Minjeong stops her.

"Can we still make out?" She asks innocently.

Jimin can only smirk before she's pulling Minjeong in for a searing kiss. Red flags are flying, but Jimin's too content to care about what they mean. They hold each other close like that, lips moving languidly until they grow tired and fall asleep to the feeling of lazy kisses being exchanged.

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