and she feels like home (if the shoe fits walk in it everywhere you go)

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/32322184.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: F/F
Fandom: Aespa (Band)
Relationship: Kim Minjeong | Winter/Yoo Jimin | Karina, Ning Yizhuo |
Ningning/Uchinaga Eri | Giselle
Character: Yoo Jimin | Karina, Kim Minjeong | Winter, Uchinaga Eri | Giselle, Ning
Yizhuo | Ningning
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - College/University, Alternate Universe -
Roommates/Housemates, Fluff, Romance, Idiots in Love, like super
idiots, they were rommates oh my god they were roommates
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2021-07-02 Words: 9870

and she feels like home (if the shoe fits walk in it everywhere
you go)
by rokkuhato

Summary

She regarded Jimin behind those rimmed glasses with her head tilted to the side before a
slow smile took over her lips and Jimin knows she’s fucked. She’s so, so fucked because
apparently, Minjeong was not an axe wielding murderer. Minjeong was a beautiful girl with
eyes that seems to take up the shape of cute little crescent moons when she’s smiling.

Or the one where Yizhuo asked Jimin to exchange dorm rooms with Aeri so Jimin’s stuck
spending two weeks with Aeri’s roommate.

Notes

See the end of the work for notes

“No.”

“Come on, Jimin.”

“No way, Yizhuo.”

“It’ll be just for a couple of weeks!”

“A couple of weeks? As if that makes it any better.”

“It’s not that bad, I swear her roommate’s really nice and freakishly clean.”

“That’s not even the point. How is this even allowed? They prohibit exchanging dorms—“ Jimin
cuts herself off and held up a hand, “Better question, how did you even manage to make Aeri agree
to this?”

Yizhuo blinks at that, “Well, yes. But I have my ways and she really missed me too, you know and
I really miss having her on my—“

“Oookay, I’m gonna have to cut you off right there, Romeo.”

“Sorry,” Yizhuo mimes zipping her mouth, “Please, Jimin?”

“You do realize that you‘re basically asking me to live with a stranger. For a few weeks. You
know how much I hate dealing with strangers, Ning.“ Jimin sighs as she runs an exasperated palm
across her hair.

“I know but I promise you, you’d like Minjeong. We have a couple of classes together and she’s
super nice and when we proposed this idea to her, she was really cool about it.” Yizhuo insists,
hanging off Jimin’s arm for dramatic effect, “You won’t even get to see her, Aeri told me she does
a bunch of extra-curricular. She’s volunteering to help at the school library so she usually comes
home super late. You’ll be living with a ghost. Don’t you want that? Some nice and quiet. After
years and years of dealing with a roommate like me?”

Well, when you put it that way. It does kind of sound nice. Jimin shots her bestfriend a weak glare
as she she can feel her resolve slowly chipping away, “What if Minjeong’s an axe wielding
murderer and she kills me in my sleep?”

“Then we’re going to throw you the nicest funeral for being the sacrifice in helping her bestfriend
get laid.”
Jimin pulls her face in disgust, swatting at Yizhuo’s face, “I hate you.”

“You know you love me. So is that a yes?”

“Not really, but do I have a choice here?”

Yizhuo’s grin turned sheepish and Jimin could only roll her eyes. “Why can’t Minjeong move here
instead?”

Yizhuo puffs her chest out at that, as if already prepared to answer this question, “I told you, she
does a bunch of extra curricular including the library volunteer and their dorm is nearer there.”

Jimin sighs heavily. “Okay. Fine.”

Yizhuo squealed and does a little victory dance until Jimin held up a hand, “But if Minjeong turns
out to be some freaky weirdo, the deal is immediately off, okay?”

Yizhuo’s grin turned bright and—something impish. As if she knows in herself that that wouldn’t
be a problem at all, “Trust me. You’ll like Minjeong.”

She doesn’t know if she likes Minjeong. Well, not in a way someone would think.

Because she haven’t seen Minjeong. At all. It’s been exactly four days days since she moved and
she was fairly certain that maybe Yizhuo was right. Maybe she is living with a ghost. The only
indicator that Minjeong is an actual human being living in the same dorm as her is when she’d see
little bits of pieces of reminder; like that one morning their shared bathroom was warm and still
smelled of fruity shampoo and vanilla scented body wash— or that one time Jimin was running
late for practice and there was already a pot of coffee waiting for her. There wasn’t a note or
anything like that. It’s just—there. A reminder that hey! I was here too! Sometimes she’d see
coloring pencils and paper scattered on their coffee table. And she would be vaguely reminded of
Yizhuo telling her that Minjeong was an Art Major.

She’s always tired when she gets home after practice so she immediately passes out the moment
she stepped in and when she’d wake up the next morning, the girl was already gone. Jimin doesn’t
have classes until the afternoon.

It’s been quiet and Jimin wasn’t used to this kind of quiet when she’s been rooming with someone
like Yizhuo.

It’s kind of… lonely.

“She’s never home. I don’t think she even sleeps.” Jimin tells Yizhuo one morning, a little glumly
before popping a fry in her mouth.

“I told you. And why do you sound so sad? Don’t you like it?”

Jimin threw her a weak glare, “I’m not sad. It’s just a little weird when I’ve been living with a
literal boombox my whole life and then suddenly it’s all quiet.”

Yizhuo rolled her eyes, “I will ignore that blatant slander in favor of sympathising with angsty
brooding Jimin.”

“Who’s angsty and what are we talking about?” Aeri slides in the conversation, she drops her tray
on the table before placing a quick peck on Yizhuo’s cheeks.

“Jimin’s sad, lonely and getting homesick and says she misses my beautiful strong voice.”

Aeri snorts but there was a friendly smile on her face, “I take it you haven’t seen Minjeong yet?”

“No.” Jimin sighs heavily, “I’m not sad or anything. It’s just—has she always been like that? Are
you sure she was fine with this? Maybe she’s uncomfortable with it that’s why she’s avoiding me.”

Aeri’s smile turned mischievous, “I wouldn’t say it’s like that. But trust me. You’ll meet her soon.”

Jimin sighs for the umpteenth time that day. No point in dwelling on it anyway.
Soon turned out to be quite sooner than Jimin was prepared for.

Jimin hoisted the gym bag on her shoulder, the movement causing the aching muscles to protest as
she blindly fished for (Aeri’s) keys in her pockets. Fully expecting the dorm room to be empty
again, she absently kicks her shoes off not even caring the slightest as the dull thud echoed around
the room so you could just imagine her shock when her head snapped up and the space at the
usually empty couch was occupied by a mop of dark hair with ash blonde highlights.

She was chewing on the end of her pen as another pen was holding her hair up in a lazy bun and
Jimin froze rooted to her spot when the woman looked up from the scattered books and papers on
the coffee table upon hearing the noise. She regarded Jimin behind those rimmed glasses with her
head tilted to the side before a slow smile took over her lips and Jimin knows she’s fucked.

She’s so, so fucked because apparently, Minjeong was not an axe wielding murderer. Minjeong
was a beautiful girl with eyes that seems to take up the shape of cute little crescent moons when
she’s smiling.

“You must be Jimin.”

Jimin’s throat felt parched, tongue seemed stuck on the roof of her mouth and could only manage a
breathless, “Yeah, that’s uh, me.”

Minjeong’s smile widened, she removes her glasses and padded towards the dumbstruck Jimin and
when she’s close enough, Jimin can smell the faint scent of vanilla. Suddenly feeling self-
conscious in her sweat clad shirt that probably reeks of grass and mud, Jimin tugs her collar. A
bead of sweat beginning to form on her forehead. The woman stuck her hand out, “I’m Minjeong.”

Jimin manages to catch herself at the last minute. She wipes her sweaty palms against her shorts
before she took the offered hand, “I know. Nice to finally put a face to the name.”

Minjeong’s grin turned sheepish, “Yeah, sorry I haven’t been around to welcome you properly.
Finals are coming up and they needed the extra hand at the library hence the—,” Minjeong jerked
her thumb back, pertaining to the haphazardly thrown papers and books on the table. “Hope you
don’t mind the mess.”
“Oh, it’s fine. This is your dorm, after all.” Jimin switches her bag to another shoulder, just so
she’d have something to do with her jittery hands, “What exactly are you doing?”

Minjeong fidgets with the glasses in her grip before slipping it back on. Such a mundane gesture
that Jimin can’t help but find endearing, “Just cataloguing the books.”

“Do you need some help?” Jimin asked out of courtesy. But really, all she wanted to do was hop in
the shower, sleep and forget this slightly humiliating meeting. She was so unprepared for this and
she’s feeling super gross in her sweaty jersey.

Minjeong scrunches her nose, frowning slightly and when she speaks, her voice was soft, “Not in
that state, no. You look like you could pass out any minute now.”

“Yeah. Coach was hell today,” Jimin rubbed the back of her neck, “I’m in the soccer team. Don’t
know if Yizhuo mentioned that but, uhm. Yeah.”

God. She’s rambling. Why is she rambling?

“I know you’re in the soccer team with Yizhuo. Aeri would always drag me to your games. You
guys are great.”

Jimin perked up at that, “Really? How come I’ve never seen you before?”

Minjeong shrugs, her grin turning impish, “You were probably too busy to notice, you’re always
swarmed by your fans.”

Heat rose to Jimin’s cheeks but she tries to mask it with an incredulous scoff, “I am not.”

Minjeong giggled, a melodious tinkle that tickles her ears, rivalling Jimin’s own thundering pulse
rushing in as the sounds clashed heavily against her ears. Kind of like a wind chime amidst a storm.
And all Jimin could do was stare, stare, and stare until she heard a faint, “What?” from the girl
and Jimin had to flinch back to reality when a palm waved over her face.
“Sorry, I just...”

“Hm?” Minjeong cocked her head to the side, a small frown encasing her features.

“You were not what I expected.”

Jimin groaned internally. Mouth, meet Foot.

But Minjeong just seemed more amused than ever as she arched an eyebrow, brown eyes glinting
behind those glasses that Jimin wants to snatch off her face just because she looks so damn
attractive in it and that shouldn’t be allowed, “What? Disappointed that I’m not an actual axe
wielding murderer who’s going to kill you in your sleep?”

Jimin’s eyes widened. She’s so going to kill Yizhuo.

Ning Yizhuo you’re dead, I hope you’re telepathically hearing this because you’re so dead.

“No. God, whatever Yizhuo told you, she’s exaggerating and I am so going to kill her for it.” Jimin
said, face-palming herself. This meeting couldn’t get more embarrassing.

“Please don’t. Jail food is terrible and I heard they don’t have cable in there.”

Jimin laughs despite herself, “I’m sorry I just—wasn’t exactly into rooming with a total stranger.
No, offense.”

“None taken,” Minjeong waved her off, “I understand. I wasn’t exactly keen on this whole
swapping thing at first too but...” Minjeong trailed off and seems to catch herself at the last minute
as she bit her lip, “Anyway, did you have dinner? We got some frozen pizzas in the fridge.”

“I already did but thank you.” Jimin cleared her throat jerking her thumb towards her own room,
“I’ll just crash and get out of your hair.”

“Okay, but tell me if you need anything alright? I’ve been such a bad host already.” Minjeong
flashed her one of those megawatt smiles and Jimin might’ve died a little inside, “Goodnight,
Jimin.”

“Night, Minjeong.”

When she was in the safe space of Aeri’s room, Jimin thunked her head back against the door.
Closing her eyes as she slowly chase the erroneous beating against her ribcage. She fishes for her
phone in her pockets and with practiced ease, she seeks out Yizhuo’s name in her contacts to shoot
off a text.

fuck you. you didn’t tell me she was gorgeous.

An hour later, once she’s done showering and getting ready for bed, her phone pinged on the
bedside table. Jimin could only scoff at the content of the message.

ah, jiminnie, but where would be the fun in that? ;)

“Sooo,” Yizhuo starts, playfully nudging Jimin’s shoulder, “Gorgeous, huh?”

“Don’t start.” Jimin chides, adding pressure against Yizhuo’s back as she helped her stretch and
reach the point of her toes. Then she suddenly remembered Minjeong’s comment of axe wielding
murderer so she presses a little harder.

“Ow! What was that for?”

“For snitching on me.”

“I didn’t snitch! I was just being honest. So, how was Minjeong? Told you you’d like her.”

Jimin scoffs, dangerously leaning her weight on Yizhuo’s back again, “She’s okay. We didn’t
really talk much. It was late.”
“What about tonight, then? Are you going to talk to her tonight?”

“I don’t know? Maybe? I mean, that’s kind of inevitable since we’re living under the same roof.”

“Are you going to tell her that you think she’s gorgeous?”

“If you say that one more time, I’m going to break your back.”

Yizhuo’s laugh rang through the field, “Okay. Fine. Fine.”

Their coach whistles, immediately silencing the quiet murmur around the whole soccer team. She
stands, offers a hand to Yizhuo, “And don’t even think about snitching on me with this.”

Yizhuo rolled her eyes, “I won’t, gosh, what do you think of me?”

Jimin narrowed her eyes, “Not even to Aeri, got it?”

Yizhuo mimes zipping her mouth shut.

She doesn’t see Minjeong for the rest of the day, but she bumps into her on the hallway when she’s
on her way to the gym showers after practice. It's kind of weird, she hadn't met Minjeong. Ever.
The campus was huge. And maybe Jimin just doesn't really put in the effort in meeting new
people. She just knew Minjeong as Aeri's roommate and that was enough. But then suddenly, it
seems like she's taking up space in Jimin's life and she's everywhere. She was glad Yizhuo wasn’t
with her because if she was, she would’ve laughed at the blatant ogling Jimin was doing right now.
She wasn’t sure if she’s going to greet her. Or if she’s even allowed to. They just met each other
last night.

Minjeong hadn’t noticed her yet as she was talking to one of her friends, animatedly waving a hand
while clutching books to her chest with the other. She was about to turn away, fully intent on just
avoiding Minjeong altogether when the other girl’s gaze darted up, as if sensing Jimin’s stare a
miles away. She waves a hand, then turns to her companion, before jogging up to Jimin.

“Hey, roomie.” Minjeong chirps, a slight bounce to her step.

Not for the first time in her life, Jimin’s embarrassed that she’s meeting Minjeong reeking of sweat
and muddy cleats. Again.

“Hi.”

“You done for the day?”

Jimin runs a sweaty palm across her hair, “I still have one class after this.”

Minjeong bit her lip, the apprehension in her next words was palpable, “Will you come straight to
the dorms after that?”

Jimin gulped. “Yes? Why?”

“Oh, great. I’m making you dinner. Any requests?”

Oh. “You don’t have to do that. Don’t you have geometry after this? And what about your library
duties?” Jimin frowned, genuinely concerned.

Minjeong tilted her head to the side, “You know my schedule?”

Jimin slaps her face internally before she held up a hand, “I swear I’m not a stalker I just know
because of Yizhuo. She says she’s in the same class as you.”

Minjeong’s eyes turned into crescent moons, “I’m just teasing. But I skipped library duties today in
favor of roommate duties.”
“That’s really nice, Minjeong. But you don’t have to do that. I understand that you’re very busy.”

Minjeong waves her off, “Just consider it as me making it up to you for being such a ghosty
roommate.”

Jimin hesitates. And then Minjeong pouted. Like full on jutting out her bottom lip and that’s just
not fair, isn’t it? “Please?” She adds as if for good measure.

“O—okay.” Jimin relents. “But you don’t have to make anything special, anything would do.”

“Okay. See you later then.” Minjeong’s lips quirk up at Jimin’s stuttered words, she grips the
athlete’s bicep lightly on her way, the phantom of a touch that sends Jimin’s thoughts slightly
reeling and only when the shorter girl’s out of sight did Jimin allowed herself to breathe again.

What the hell, Minjeong?

It kind of became a thing.

Minjeong would cook her dinner if she’s not busy, and well, Jimin was Jimin. Awkward, tall and
lanky with her lame jokes.

But Minjeong doesn’t seem to mind. Sometimes she would roll her eyes with only a quirk of the
lips. Most of the time, it would actually earn a genuine laugh from her and those are Jimin’s
favorite. Unguarded and candid Minjeong.

Minjeong was all warmth, puppies and rainbows all wrapped up into one. She’s very easy to get
along with. Jimin often wonders why she was so worried in the first place.

It’s like the whole damn universe was just waiting for it to happen.
Jimin doesn’t often get sick. She’s a very healthy person, she takes her vitamins regularly and
exercises a lot.

So when she wakes up with a high fever and cold, she was at loss of what to do. The last time she
got sick, it was probably back in sixth grade when she’s still living with her parents so it was no
problem. She had her mom to take care of her, coddling her. The thing is, Jimin turns into an
affectionate cuddle monster when she’s sick. She gets touchy, especially when she’s feeling
vulnerable. She liked to be babied. She could call Yizhuo. But it’s highly unlikely the girl would be
up for some cuddling.

So she sighs, and shuts her eyes instead, opting to get some more sleep, and hopes that the fever
would break out by the time she wakes up.

It doesn’t go down. She wakes up to the soft rapping of knuckles against the door. Her whole body
felt like it was on fire, and she’s sweating a lot. The insides of her head was pounding, and she
forces herself to sit upright, groaning as she drags her feet across the room to throw open the door.

Minjeong’s worried face was the one who greeted her, “Hey, are you okay? Yizhuo told me you
skipped practice and not answering your phone.”

Jimin leans heavily against the door, “Yeah, sorry. M’not feeling well.” Her nose was stuffed so
her voice sounds nasally. Gross.

“Oh, that explains that.” Minjeong fusses worriedly as she places a cold palm on her sweaty
forehead, had she been in the right mind, she would’ve pulled back. Because ugh she’s so gross and
sweaty and she doesn’t want to subject Minjeong into this. But Minjeong’s palm feels nice. Hm.
“You’re burning up, Jimin. Did you take something already?”

“Some dayquill. Then figured I could just sleep it off.”

Minjeong’s frown deepened, “Have you eaten anything all day?”

Jimin shrugs.

Minjeong sighs, “I’m going to make you some soup then after that, you take your meds, okay? You
want to move to the couch? It’s far too hot in here. You might want some fresh air. You’ve been
stuck in your room all day.”

“Don’t want to get you sick.”

Minjeong rolled her eyes fondly, “Jimin, we literally live in the same roof. It doesn’t matter if you
stay in your room or not. Besides, I don’t mind. You can just wait for me in the couch until I finish
dinner.”

“Okay.”

Jimin slumps her way to the couch. Falling face first on it. Her eyes felt heavy and her whole body
was aching. Minjeong comes back later with fresh blankets and a pillowcase that smells a lot like
Minjeong’s flowery scented shampoo. Jimin nuzzles into it before she finally lets the darkness
creep in.

She was gently nudged awake not more than an hour later. Minjeong helps her up, spoons the soup
before bringing it to Jimin’s lips. It was exactly what Jimin had needed. Wanted. She’s just not
expecting to get it from Minjeong, of all people.

Once she’s finished eating, Minjeong makes her drink the medicine and Jimin finds herself asking
before she could stop herself, “Can you hold me? If that wouldn’t be too uhm, weird.”

Minjeong’s gaze softened as she leans back on the couch and opens her arms. Jimin immediately
settles between them, placing the side of her cheek upon Minjeong’s chest, and when she feels
Minjeong’s fingers combing through her sweaty hair, she closes her eyes.

“Your shirt’s soaked.” Minjeong slides a cool palm across the plane of Jimin’s back a minute after,
bare skin to bare skin, and Jimin doesn’t mind the touch. It was cold against her burning skin.
Wants more of it. Figures if she should ask, “You want to change into a new shirt?”

But Jimin finds herself comfortable already, eyes dozing off, “Nah. M’good. Stay. Your hand’s
cold. Feels nice.”

She hears Minjeong snorting, “You turn into a big baby when you’re sick, you know that?”
“Yeah. Shut up.” Jimin grumbles but there wasn’t a bite to it. “How was your day?”

“Uneventful. I got into an argument with one of my group-mates in class.”

“About what?”

“About pineapples belonging on pizza or not.”

Jimin snorts, eyes still closed, “Very riveting.”

“Yeah, they don’t, by the way. And then Yizhuo came up to me before class, panicking, when she
asked me quote did you finally axed Jimin to death because she’s been missing since first period
and not answering my calls unquote.”

Jimin groans, “I’m sorry. My head was killing me when I woke up this morning I couldn’t do
anything but sleep.”

“That’s okay, I already texted her.”

“Thank you.” Jimin opens her eyes to meet Minjeong’s soft ones.

“It’s no problem, roomie.” Minjeong pokes at the bottom corner of her lower lip, “Did I ever tell
you that I find this super cute?”

Jimin scrunches her brows, realizes then that Minjeong was talking about her mole, “Ah. No. But
you’re not the first one to tell me.”

Minjeong giggles, and Jimin feels the rumbling that comes with her face pressed against the girl’s
chest, “And she’s super confident too when she’s sick, apparently.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“I like it. Don’t get me wrong, the adorably awkward that you have going on, I’m super into it. But
like, confidence is sexy. And you’re crazy attractive.”

If Jimin wasn’t feeling like she could pass out any minute, she was pretty sure she would die of
blushing, “Is it compliment Jimin day? Or just some pity party because I’m sick? If so, then I’d
better get sick more often.”

“Please don’t.” Minjeong sighs softly, fingers still carding through her locks, “I’d like to keep
healthy Jimin around.”

Jimin falls asleep to the sound of Minjeong’s heartbeat against her ears, and the soft humming
voice of the girl.

“Your hair’s really cool.” Jimin internally winced at the awkwardness of it all. It was a weekend,
one of those rare days where both of them doesn’t have any classes. Well, Minjeong’s classes were
cancelled this morning and Jimin purposefully doesn’t take weekend classes because she’s a firm
believer that weekends are for day offs. So. Here they were, lazing around the couch and the first
thing she says is that.

But Minjeong just smiles, twirls a lock with one of her finger as she puts her phone face down on
the coffee table, “You like it? My first choice was blonde. But I figured that’s too boring so this
happened. Aeri helped me with it.”

“Yeah. You look like a husky.” It was out of her mouth before she could stop herself. And Jimin
wants the ground to swallow her whole. She blames the compilation Youtube video of puppies
she’d watched last night before drifting off to sleep.

Minjeong raises a brow, “Yoo Jimin are you implying that I look like a dog?”

“No! I mean, yes? Kind of? Not the full grown ones. But like—the puppies. Puppies are cute?”
Jimin floundered with her words. Oh god. She just wants to die.

But then Minjeong was laughing, her eyes shone with amusement as she threw her head back,
revealing the pale column of her neck. The thin straps of her tank top fell off one shoulder and
Jimin was tempted to reach for it. The thought caught her off guard and she was torn between
berating herself for it or admiring the girl because Minjeong’s just so pretty like this.

“Okay. I’ll let that one slide. Just because you look so adorable all flustered right now.” Minjeong
pokes her cheek then reaches for the remote, “Wanna watch a movie?”

Jimin’s shoulders sagged at the change of subject, “You don’t have any plans for today?”

“No.” Minjeong scrunches her nose as she flips through the Netflix variety, “Aeri invited me to
some party tonight.”

“Oh. Do you wanna go?”

“I told her I would think about it.” Minjeong stops, chewing on her bottom lip, “Do you want to go
with me?”

“Is that alright? I’m not invited.”

“It’s a college party, babe.” Minjeong said casually. That’s new. The pet names. And Jimin’s still
trying to get used to it. At least she doesn’t turn red as a fucking tomato this time—Minjeong’s
words, not hers—when she said it. “There are probably going to be some random people invited
too. So it’s cool. I’m down, if you are.”

“Okay.”

Minjeong’s smile was bright and it reminds Jimin of sunshines, rainbows after a long torrential
downpour and all those stupid fucking clichés, “Great! So, movie, dinner then we head out.”

“Hm.” Jimin hums absently, “Sounds like a plan.”

The party was already in full swing when they stepped in. They were late because Minjeong insists
that they do so, and she wants to put make up on Jimin’s face. Which turned into a long ass
argument because Jimin’s not really into that stuff until Minjeong pouted. So Jimin didn’t have any
choice but to sit, allow Minjeong to fix her eye shadow, and lip gloss until the shorter girl was
satisfied.

She lost Minjeong about halfway through the party so Jimin ambles towards the fridge, aims for a
soda, she never really did like drinking and just the thought of being inebriated in a stranger’s
home, filled with drunk people doesn’t sit well with her.

“Hey, you came!” Aeri found her sitting at one of the couch, the one tucked at a corner with less
people.

“Yes. Minjeong invited me.”

Aeri smiled, running a palm under her skirt before sitting beside her, “I’m glad she asked. I didn’t
think she was actually going to pull through.”

Jimin raised an eyebrow at that but Aeri didn’t seemed intent on clarifying so Jimin lets it go.

“Where’s Yizhuo?”

Aeri rolled her eyes although there was a fond smile on her lips when she spoke, “She’s
challenging the whole damn crowd to Mario Kart. Where is Minjeong?” Aeri craned her neck.

“I don’t know. I kind of lost her.”

“Oh no.” Aeri seems to sober up at that as she stood from her seat, “She’s a lightweight. Let me go
find her.”

“Oh. Let me help.”

Aeri gave a grateful nod, “You take downstairs, I’ll take upstairs.”

Jimin weaved through the crowd, effectively dodging a couple grinding together. She was taller
than most people so it was easier for her to literally swat at the crowd. Her eyes scanned the room,
and a fleeting flash of familiar ash blonde highlights caught her peripheral vision. She immediately
shoots off a text to Aeri.

There was a guy, Jimin didn’t recognize him but he was too close for comfort. He’s laughing and
he has an arm slung over Minjeong’s shoulder. Minjeong was short in nature, and she looked so out
of sorts being waifed down by the bulky guy it made Jimin slightly uncomfortable. Especially
when Minjeong’s vulnerable and drunk like that.

Aeri was right. Minjeong was drunk as hell. Her eyes were glassy and she’s laughing at something
the guy and his peers around him had said. Another telling that Minjeong was really drunk if she
thought whatever those oaf had said was funny. Jimin rolled her eyes and sauntered her way over
the group.

Minjeong’s eyes immediately lit up the moment she sees Jimin approaching, “Heeey, Jimin!”

“Hey, are you okay? Aeri’s looking for you.” Jimin told her softly, ignoring the other guys leering.

Minjeong immediately made a move to go but the man’s arm tightened around Minjeong’s
shoulder and Jimin clenched her fists as she cuts a glare towards the man, “I don’t think so. We’re
still talking.” He said, breath stinking of alcohol.

Minjeong passed a look between them, her eyes half-lidded and Jimin wants nothing more than to
break his jaw with her bare knuckles, “Minjeong you’re drunk, come here, please?”

Minjeong made a move to shrug his arm again but the man moved it around Minjeong’s waist
instead and—that’s it. Jimin rushes forward as she deftly pushes the guy, hard, against his chest
before gently grabbing Minjeong’s arm. Minjeong swayed a little at the sudden movement but she
did curl around Jimin’s side, tucking her face into the crook of her neck. The guy stumbled a few
steps back in shock and Jimin kept him at arms length. Her other arm caging protectively around
Minjeong’s shoulders. She was still a few inches taller than him so she straightened her back, leans
to her full height and seethed with every ounce of venom she could put in her tone, “Back. Off.”

Jimin doesn’t wait for an answer as she dragged Minjeong with her. She takes her to the kitchen,
thankfully, it was mostly deserted and quiet. She sat Minjeong upon the counter, gripping her by
the waist as she hauled her up like she weighed nothing. Minjeong let out a surprised gasp but
Jimin ignored it as she grabbed a water bottle from the fridge before pressing it in Minjeong’s
hand, “You need to drink this, okay? And once you can walk, I’m going to take you home. Is that
okay? Can you walk?” Jimin kept her voice soft as she searched for Minjeong’s hazy eyes. Jesus.
Aeri wasn’t kidding when she told her she was a lightweight. Minjeong looked blitzed as hell.
Minjeong bit her lip, but she did nod her head. Jimin stayed by her side, doesn’t leave her,
occasionally checking if Minjeong was still awake. She was. And she was looking slightly sober
by the second. Though her movements were still sluggish. “M’sorry.”

The voice was so sudden Jimin had to double check if she heard it right, “What are you
apologizing for?”

Minjeong snorts, gesturing towards her body with a vague flourish of her hand, “This. And for that
guy earlier.”

“That stupid douchebag was not your fault, okay? He was a moronic dick.”

Minjeong bursts into a fit of giggles that Jimin can’t help but release a laugh of her own too. Jimin
felt a nail grazing her chin, and then a pair of soft lips was being pressed against her cheek.

“Thank you. I’m ready.” Minjeong hops off the counter, she wobbles slightly before intertwining
her fingers with Jimin, “Take me home?”

“Yeah.” Jimin’s voice cracked at the end, “Let’s go.”

Minjeong was almost passed out the moment they stepped in their dorms that Jimin had to
piggyback her halfway through it. Not a problem on Jimin’s case though because Minjeong was
just very tiny.

She settles Minjeong on the bed and brings fresh wet towel to gently wipe at Minjeong’s make up.
Once she’s done, she nudges Minjeong awake to make her change into some fresh clothes.
Minjeong starts unbuttoning her shirt without preamble and Jimin was quick to turn around and
busy herself to get an advil, and a bottle of water. She sets it down on her bedside table, pointedly
ignoring the still struggling very naked Minjeong in changing into her clothes.

“Hey, uhm, Jimin?”

“Yeah?” Jimin finally lets her gaze wander, Minjeong was drowning in the oversized shirt, she’s so
small, she also notices that Minjeong had forgo the shorts as the shirt hangs past her legs anyway.
“I don’t know how much I’m going to remember tomorrow, but thank you.”

Jimin swallowed a lump in her throat, “No problem. Goodnight, Minjeong.”

Minjeong was already snoring and Jimin smiled to herself, turns off the lights and closes the door
softly behind her.

Something shifted after that night. Jimin wasn’t sure, she couldn’t quite put her finger into it.

They were still Jimin and Minjeong.

But Minjeong’s gotten a little more… physical? Cuddly? She knows Minjeong’s affectionate by
nature. But their movie nights turned into Minjeong cuddling by her side throughout the whole
movie, tracing absent patterns against the inside of her wrist. Jimin would be too distracted to pay
attention that Minjeong would playfully pinch at her sides when she’d notice Jimin’s eyes glazing
over. Sometimes, she would press a lingering touch against Jimin’s bicep when they’d pass each
other by the hallways. She even offered massages to Jimin after a one particularly hard day at
practice.

Jimin’s not complaining. Opposite of that, actually. She’s just worried one of these days she’s
going to have a coronary or something and Minjeong’s going to be the cause of it.

Like, right now, apparently. Minjeong’s sharp eyes were peering up her sketchpad, glasses atop her
nose as she raised an eyebrow with a teasing lilt to her tone, “See something you like?”

Fuck. Fuck. She’s been staring and she’d been caught.

“What are you drawing?” Jimin counters back. Phew.

Minjeong sets the sketchpad down, a frown encasing her features as she stretched her arms above
her head, the sweater she’s wearing riding up, revealing a glimpse of pale stomach. Jimin snapped
her gaze away. Dangerous. Minjeong was a dangerous woman, “Just some project. Hey, what do
you want for dinner tonight?”

“Want to go out instead?” Jimin said before she could stop herself and she realized how that
must’ve sounded judging by Minjeong’s curious gaze so she adds, “We can invite Aeri and Yizhuo,
too.”

“Oh.” Minjeong’s face fell but in a flash of emotions, it was replaced by a blinding smile as she
grabs her phone, “Sure. Sounds fun. I’m going to ring Aeri right now. Excuse me.”

And then she was gone in her room.

Huh.

They lost Yizhuo and Aeri after dinner so they were left to their own devices as they strolled
through Gangnam district. Minjeong’s mood had significantly improved after Jimin bought her ice
cream.

Minjeong stops them by a suspicious looking black tent, she’s tugs at Jimin’s hand to catch her
attention, “Hey Jimin, do you believe in soulmates?”

Jimin could only raise a lone brow upon the sudden question, “Uh, not really.”

“Boo.” Minjeong crowed playfully, “I do, by the way. And I think I found mine.”

Jimin humors her, “Hm. Who? Aeri?”

Minjeong scrunches her nose adorably, “No. She’s Yizhuo’s and she’s my bestfriend.”

“So? Your bestfriend can be your soulmate too. Like, platonic soulmates. Or something like that.”
“For a non-believer, you sure are adamant about this.” Minjeong boops her nose, “Anyway,
where’s the fun in that? I’m talking about romantic soulmates.” She waggles her brows
suggestively.

Jimin scoffs, though not unkindly, “Okay, then. Fine. Teach me your ways, Obi-wan Kenobi.”

“Cute. But okay, young padawan.” Minjeong counters back, playing along as she led Jimin inside.

Turns out the suspicious looking tent was actually a tarot reading shop. Jimin doesn’t believe in
destiny, or soulmates or other superstitious stuff like that.

But she would follow Minjeong anywhere.

“My regular reading costs 2000 won.” The woman told them without preamble. The space was
dark, only illuminated by a few scented candles that frankly makes Jimin nauseous more than
anything. There’s a table, and two seats. The woman doesn’t introduce herself but there are beads
and jewelries hanging off her that makes Jimin want to laugh. She doesn’t. Because that would be
rude.

Minjeong huffs, haughty and she momentarily drops Jimin’s hand, “Oh, come on.”

“But.” The woman raised a palm, “I give couple discounts.” The woman finishes talking. And
Jimin stiffens, a shy protest already at the tip of her tongue but Minjeong’s smile only widens and
twines her fingers with Jimin’s, effectively silencing whatever was going to come out of her mouth.

“Now that’s more like it, unnie!” Minjeong says too sweetly for her own good. Minjeong was such
a charmer. And Jimin's pretty sure she's well aware of it too. Seriously, the girl could just bat her
lashes and she would pretty much get everything at her beck.

The woman spread the deck of cards in front of them, closing her eyes, humming and buzzing and
Jimin tried to stifle a laugh again. Minjeong notices it this time, and throws her a glare so Jimin
immediately clamps her mouth shut.

It went on for a few seconds, the woman was asking them mundane questions, their date of birth,
their star signs, how they met and Jimin was just about ready to drag Minjeong out of the tent
when—
“You are meant to be a married couple.” The woman blurts out. So sudden. And it rang through
Jimin’s ears, alarm bells going off as the blood rushes to her face.

“That’s—“

“Is she going to be a good wife?” Minjeong cuts her off, leaning forward with an exuberant glint in
her eyes.

The woman hummed, “That’s above my pay grade, girl. Time’s up.”

Minjeong pulls back, aghast, “Time’s up? Well, that's just not good enough, ahjumma! You just
hmmd and ahhd—“

“That’s quite enough. Thank you.” Jimin politely bows her head, dropping a few bills on the table
before leading a sulking Minjeong outside.

“Well, that was something.” Jimin awkwardly scratches the back of her neck.

“We were just getting to the good part.”

“You can’t possibly buy into that.”

“And if I do?” Minjeong crosses her arms, a challenge clear in her tone.

Jimin averts her eyes, tone deadpanned, “I’m going to be the worst wife. I’ll be one of those
spouses where I’d just watch soccer games all day on TV and occasionally yell for you to make me
a sandwich.”

Minjeong’s jaw drop, and then she’s laughing in the middle of the bustling streets that earned a
few odd looks from people, and Jimin finds that she doesn’t care at all. Not when Minjeong has the
stars in her eyes and shining like a goddamn comet in the sky.
“If you’re going to subject me into that horror, then I want the most expensive, obnoxious looking
diamond ring to ever exist.”

Jimin grins, feeling silly as she leads them towards a vendor that’s selling shiny plastic, and clearly
fake rings. She picks out the ugliest and most deformed looking diamond and brings it to
Minjeong’s face, “Like this?”

Minjeong offers her hand, mirroring a smile of her own, “Oh, that’s just perfect.”

“Can we stop by a grocery store later?”

Yizhuo frowned, “Huh? Why?”

Jimin shrugs, haphazardly pushing things inside her messenger bag, “We ran out of milk this
morning and Minjeong doesn’t take her coffee without milk.”

Yizhuo was deathly quiet after that. In fact, it was so quiet that Jimin had to check if Yizhuo was
still there. She was. But she was staring at Jimin like maybe she’d grown two heads. “What?”
Jimin snipped, slightly annoyed.

“You never do grocery shopping.”

“What? That’s ridiculous. I do.”

“No, you never do. I had to bribe you lunch for the rest of the week just to make you do grocery
shopping when I couldn’t because I sprained my ankle during practice.”

Okay. That was a blatant lie. Yizhuo was being dramatic. She did sprain her ankle but it was
nothing serious, she could motherfucking run ten laps the next day.

“Oh my god.” Yizhuo says between gasps when Jimin doesn’t dignify her with an answer, “You
have a fucking crush on Minjeong.”
“What? I don’t.”

“You so are. Oh god, this is gonna be good. I gotta tell Aeri—“

Jimin snatches the phone from Yizhuo’s fumbling grip with lightning speed, “You are not telling
anyone.”

Yizhuo blinks, “So you admit it? You really do have a crush on Minjeong?”

Jimin pulls at her hair, “I’m not— it’s—ugh I don’t know, okay? I find her really pretty and nice
that’s all.”

“You find her really pretty and nice so you’re turning into this domesticated married couple. That’s
so gay.”

“We’re not married, Jesus, why does everybody seem to think that?”

“What do you mean?”

Jimin glared, a flush pinking her cheeks, “We went to a tarot reading and the results said we were
meant to be married. It’s stupid but Minjeong wouldn’t let it go. She keeps calling me wife after I
bought her a ring.”

Yizhuo’s grin widened as she brought a hand to her mouth, “You bought her a ring? What’s next,
the U-Haul? Are you moving in for real?”

“Shut up. It’s fake ring, and no I’m not.”

Yizhuo wipes a fake tear, “I’m so proud of you. Did you tell her?”

Over her dead body.

“No. Just drop it, please. I mean it, Ning. And even if I am, hypothetically speaking, Minjeong is
not interested.”

“How would you know?”

“I just know, okay?”

Yizhuo gave her an incredulous look but she does drop it. But she doesn’t stop making fun of her
until they parted ways.

But it’s worth it. Especially when she steps inside their shared space, and Minjeong was waiting
for her with a spatula in hand, their kitchen emanating with scents of various herbs and spices. “Oh,
you’re back. Good. Can you try this?” Minjeong blew on the wooden spoon before bringing it to
Jimin’s lips. Jimin obediently opens her mouth.

“It’s good. A little more sugar, maybe?”

“Huh. I was so sure I did it right.” Minjeong swiped a finger across the her phone screen, Jimin
saw a glimpse of a cooking website, “What have you got there? Did you go shopping?”

Jimin sets the milk, almond flavoured (Minjeong’s preference) on the counter and Minjeong just
blinks.

Jimin shrugs, tone casual, “You were complaining about it this morning.”

Minjeong grabs the front of her shirt, surges up and plants a quick peck on her cheek, her tone
dancing with mirth, “Careful, Jimin. Keep doing this and I might actually marry you.”

Oh, it’s you. Jimin thought. It’s always going to be you, isn’t it?
Jimin thought she’d been in love once.

Back in high school, she dated this guy. He was older than her, a senior while she’s in her junior
year. He was nice and dreamy and the perfect prince charming until he’s not.

They broke it off. It wasn’t pretty. Jimin cried like hell but she was fine after a week.

Come senior year, she started finding girls attractive. It was nice. It’s a new experience but Jimin
knew in herself that it wasn’t a phase. She met this girl in one of her classes and it just clicked.
They dated for a while but graduation came and when they broke it off, it was mutual. She didn’t
cry.

Jimin knew she wasn’t in love then.

This, this one with Minjeong was different. It’s the fresh pot of coffee in the morning. It’s the cold
breeze caressing your sticky skin after a humid rain. The sharp intake of breath after being
submerged underwater for far too long. It’s the high you would chase. Can’t seem to get enough of.
That high when she’s scoring a goal, and the first thing Jimin searches for in the crowd are the pair
of brown eyes that she knows will be looking back at her.

So yeah, she doesn’t have a crush on Minjeong. It’s a lot more than that.

Jimin wasn’t sure yet, but she knows Minjeong could break her heart. Even more so that Jimin
would allow her. She’s afraid. Knowing the power Minjeong has over her, but she’s not quite sure
where she stands with Minjeong.

It’s scary. All these new feelings. In just a span of few days, Minjeong was able to unravel it all.

“The weirdest thing happened today.”

“Hm?” Jimin drawls lazily, eyes-closed, head upon Minjeong’s lap as the fingers of the girl trails
carefully across her locks. It’s kind of… intimate. They’re sitting by the field, a few students in the
same position as them so Jimin doesn’t really give it much thought.
Minjeong was quiet for a moment, serene, but then the next thing out of her mouth will shatter it
immediately, a stray rock being thrown over a glass, breaking it to pieces. “Ryujin asked me out.”

Jimin stiffened. Her whole body went cold, for a moment, nothing comes out of her mouth. Her
tongue felt heavy. “As in Shin Ryujin from the basketball team?”

Minjeong made a disbelieving face as if to say I know, crazy right? But Jimin does know. Oh she
knows why. She wishes she could make Minjeong see why. How it’s so easy to fall in love with
her.

The thought startles her.

Love? Is that what this is?

Does she love Minjeong? Is she in love? And not just some mere crush? Panic bubbled up Jimin’s
throat, a swirl of emotions clouding her mind, and it’s enough to make her stutter her words.

“What did you tell her?”

“Of course I told her no. I already have a wife, remember?” Minjeong teases, lightly nudging her
shoulder.

The thought should pacify her, but it didn’t. Was this all just a joke to Minjeong? Some stupid tarot
witchcraft that she’s stringing along because she finds it fun? Is she aware of Jimin’s feelings, and
purposefully doing this?

What she wants to say is: I want this to be real.

What comes out of her mouth in a panic haze instead is: “You should’ve said yes. She’s nice. It’s
not like—we’re not really married, you know. We’re not like—a thing. It’s nothing like that.”

It sounds defensive. Wrong. Even to her own ears but it was already too late to take it back.
Minjeong must’ve sense it because she pulls her hand back, and Jimin immediately misses the
warmth. It’s enough to make Jimin stand up, opting instead to sit beside the girl. “Hey, it’s okay.
I’m just kidding.”

Jimin forces out a laugh, and it’s ugly, pierces through her throat like jagged pieces of mirrors,
“Couldn’t even imagine me and you being together.”

Minjeong flinches at that. The smile dropping. “Do you really think so?” Her voice was small,
quite earnest. As if she’s searching something on Jimin’s face. But Jimin had no idea what.

“Yeah. We’re not—we will never be like that.”

And Jimin thought, oh, so this is where it all goes wrong.

“Yeah. Got that the first time.” She thinks Minjeong’s voice wavered slightly but she’s not entirely
sure. Her frown deepened, and Jimin hates that she’s probably the one causing it. She wants to
reach out, smooth that adorable crease between her brows but she just—can’t. And then
Minjeong’s gaze drops, she shakes her head and laughs to herself and it’s not the usual chipper
tone that Jimin is fond of, it’s forced, disbelieving. Defeated. But then just as fast, any traces of the
expression from before was gone and she’s once again smiling and a lot like the Minjeong she first
met.

“Come on. We’ll be late for class.”

Minjeong offers her hand to Jimin. She takes it easily. Like it’s second nature. But Minjeong drops
it halfway through, doesn’t intertwine their fingers like she used to.

Jimin can’t seem to shake the feeling that she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life as they
parted ways to their classes.

Minjeong was avoiding her.

That or she’d just gotten exceptionally good at not breathing the same air as her. She tells this
much to Yizhuo and Aeri one afternoon.

Yizhuo was at least sympathetic. But Aeri was silent through it all, amiably forking on her salad.
Aeri’s silence was unnerving until she fixes her gaze on Jimin and pins her with a look, “I think
that you should be honest with yourself, Jimin.”

Jimin doesn’t sleep well and ponders that thought for the rest of the night.

It’s like they were back to the first few days of their arrangement. She doesn’t see Minjeong. At all.
It’s like Minjeong had pulled back from her shell. Closed the lid off and plastered on a big neon
sign: No Jimin Allowed. She doesn’t even answer Jimin’s texts so she decides to corner her one
afternoon. She skipped practice, which earned her extra schedules on the weekends but Jimin
would take it. If it meant she could get to talk to the girl.

She finds her at the kitchen, idly stirring the coffee in her grip, she looks so tiny in her too big
sweatshirt, falling off one shoulder and god, Jimin missed her so much.

“Hey.” Jimin tries not to be hurt at the apparent distress in the girl’s posture upon hearing her
voice. She was clearly not expecting Jimin to be there. It stung.

Minjeong cleared her throat, her voice was croaky and hoarse and—had she been crying? “Hey.
You’re here?”

“Yes. I skipped practice.”

“Why? Are you sick again?” Minjeong frowned, and for a moment, Jimin thinks she’s going to
reach out, bridge the gap between them but nothing happens. Minjeong just starts fidgeting with
the mug in her grip.

“No, I’m not. I was hoping I would catch you actually.”

Minjeong tilts her head, fixes her with a curious gaze. She looks almost hopeful.
“Me, Aeri and Yizhuo are going to check out that new café around the block. You want to go with
us?”

“Oh.” Minjeong tucks a stray hair behind her ear. Takes a subtle step back, “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve
taken shifts to the library again. But, uhm, you guys have fun.”

Minjeong turns to flee but Jimin’s hand encases around the shorter girl’s wrist, effectively stopping
her. Her grip was light so Minjeong could pull back if she wanted to. She didn’t. Jimin relaxed at
that.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jimin’s voice was soft like Minjeong’s a wounded animal that she’s trying
not to spook.

Minjeong halts, nibbling on her lower lip as she clutches an arm against her chest. “I’ve had better
days.”

Jimin licks her lips, Minjeong was talking to her. So she grasps at something, anything, trying to
keep the conversation going, “H—how was your date?”

She knows it’s the wrong thing to say when something vicious and dark flashed across Minjeong’s
face, “Why do you care? Why are you so hell bent on that?”

Jimin opens her mouth. Then closes it again. Like a fish out of water, “I’m not. It’s nothing like—
I’m just worried.”

Minjeong heaves a long sigh, shaking her head. She looks like she wanted to say more but decides
to rein it in. This is going all wrong. “I didn’t go, okay? I meant it when I said no to her that time.”

Jimin’s heart soared, barely stops herself from leaping across the room to fist pump the air, “O-oh?
Why?”

Minjeong was chewing on her bottom lip before lifting her gaze towards Jimin. Her brown eyes
seems impossibly darker as she held Jimin’s gaze, a somewhat somber smile on her face when she
lifted a shoulder, “I don’t know. But Aeri told me I was stupid.”
“What? Why? You’re allowed to refuse if you don’t want to.”

"No. I know. She knows. But it's not that. It's--nothing. It's nothing." Minjeong made a move to
walkp past her, "Just tell Yizhuo and Aeri I said hi."

"Then what is it?" Jimin presses on, blocking Minjeong's way.

“God, Jimin, really?”

Jimin furrowed her brows, she doesn’t like bitchy Minjeong very much, “Yeah, really. Why are
you so mad?”

“Jimin, I turned Ryujin down because of you!”

Jimin’s hackles rose. Not this again. “What? Because of that marriage reading? That’s stupid,
Minjeong. You can’t let something like that dictate your feelings.” The bitterness in her tone slips
through the cracks.

Something snaps in Minjeong. She sees it, the flicker of emotion flitting across her face, the calm
before the storm and then—

“No, screw that fucking tarot reading, I’m actually in love with you, dumbass!”

Oh.

“Oh.” Jimin’s whole body deflated.

“Yeah. Oh. And I’m sorry but god, Jimin, you were just there. What was I supposed to do?”
Minjeong’s tone turned into a helpless anguish that twists into Jimin’s heart, “And stupid me
thought you might actually like me back but the one time I give some semblance of us being
together, you shut it down. It hurt me way more than it should. A—and that’s when I knew I’m
already in too far but I wasn’t planning on this so I’m sorry, okay?” Minjeong wipes furiously at
her tears, she tries to sidestep past Jimin but the taller girl blocked her, immediately using her
height to her advantage. Minjeong looks up at her, frustration evident on her tear clad face and
Jimin just wants to—

“Can I kiss you?” Jimin blurts out.

Minjeong’s whole body went rigid, her eyes flashing with hurt, “No, what the fuck, Jimin? I don’t
want your pity kisses.”

“I’m in love with you.” Jimin says instead.

“What?” Minjeong stops struggling at that, pulls back, stunned.

Just be honest with yourself.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I was stupid. And scared. You—you made me feel things,
things I haven’t felt before, and it scared me, Minjeong. I’ve only known you for a couple of days
and you’re already carving your space in my life that I know would leave a permanent scar once
this would all inevitably blow over. At least that’s what I thought. And you don’t know this about
me but I’ve never really had a good track record when it comes to relationships and I didn’t want to
mess this up.” Jimin shakes her head, a bitter smile overtaking her features, “But I still did,
anyway. So, I’m sorry, Minjeong. But I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. T—that is if you’d
still have me.”

“You—you jerk.”

That was all Minjeong could let out because suddenly, she’s grabbing the front of her shirt and
crashing their lips together.

Oh, so this is where it all goes right. Jimin thought as a missing puzzle piece finally slots itself into
place.

Jimin helps her up the counter, distinctly remembering that one night at the party when they were
in the same position, and Minjeong was blitzed as hell. But Jimin doesn’t stay away for too long
this time. Instead, she slots herself between the space where Minjeong spread her legs. Minjeong
tugs at her bottom lip between her teeth, earning a groan from Jimin. Her right palm was daintily
placed against her chest, and Jimin was fully aware of the thunderous clap of her heart. Wonders if
Minjeong can feel it too. Yes. She wants to say. This is how you make me feel.

Jimin starts trailing kisses down her jaw, neck and Minjeong indulges her for a bit, tilts her head
back to give more access but when Jimin starts sucking, Minjeong pushes her shoulders weakly,
whining, “J—Jimin. Wait. Wait.”

Jimin pulled back, voice heavy and panting hard, “I love you.”

Minjeong’s eyes widened, “Okay. Wow. Uhm, wow. Let’s just—breathe first, hm? Here. Follow
this. In. Out.”

Jimin was kind of hyperventilating. It was the first time she said it out loud. Admitted it to herself.
It made it all real. Minjeong guides Jimin’s palm, places it against her own chest. She feels the dull
sensation. Thump, thump, thump.

“It’s so fast.” Jimin notes, but it’s helping, she can feel her slowly evening breaths, “Why is it
beating so fast?”

Minjeong quirked a smile, “Because you’re here.”

Jimin meets her gaze, and sees nothing but love and adoration and it just—takes her goddamn
breath away. And oh, she sees it now. How come she’d never notice how Minjeong looks at her
like Jimin had hung the stars and skies only for her? She was so stupid. Clouded by her own fear
that she almost lets this beautiful, beautiful girl pass by.

“Baby, it’s okay. Breathe.” Minjeong was cradling her cheeks, humming softly. “We’re okay.”

And Jimin believes it. This time, she’s ready.

“It’s done?”
The school registrar threw her a flat stare, not even giving Jimin the slightest inkling that she’s
interested for more conversation as she starts typing in her computer again, “Not yet. You still need
Ms. Uchinaga’s sign, then we’re going to process the papers. Usually would take three to four days
then you can move in.”

That won’t be a problem, Jimin thought. In fact, it was actually Aeri who suggested that they just
officially switch roommates after she started dating Minjeong. She can still remember that one
afternoon. Minjeong was casually sipping on her Starbucks tumbler when she blurts it out. And
Jimin was thrown for a loop. She was actually already thinking about it. She just doesn’t know
how she would bring it up. Wasn’t sure if Minjeong even wanted to so she bides her time with it.

(Minjeong peers up her lashes, hiding a grin behind the rim of her cup as she teases and shrugs,
“Aeri says she’s tired of being sexiled so.”

Jimin chokes on her own coffee and Minjeong just pats her back, a laugh tearing through her
throat.)

She was still smiling to herself, still thinking of that day when Jimin felt arms snaking around her
midriff, and the familiar warm sensation of another body pressing behind her. “Hey, dreamer.”

Jimin didn’t need to turn around to know who she’s speaking to, “Hi.”

Minjeong drops her chin on her shoulder, rolling her eyes at the school registrar who gave them a
disapproving glare, “Watcha’ doing here?”

Jimin spins in her arms, jostling Minjeong as she slightly pulled back, opting instead to wound her
arms around Jimin’s shoulder. Jimin presses a kiss on her temple before holding up the piece of
paper in her grip, “It’s done.”

Minjeong’s eyes lit up, plucking the paper from Jimin’s grip, “Really?”

“Yes. We just need Aeri’s sign then I can move in probably a week after.”

“Perfect. Move in tonight. What do you want for dinner, wife?”

 Jimin shakes her head fondly, a soft smile taking over her lips, “We’re not married.”

“Semantics.” Minjeong waves a dismissive hand, standing on her tallest tiptoes to plant a quick but
firm peck on Jimin’s lips.

“Ahem.”

Jimin blushes furiously when she sees the older woman behind the counter outright glaring at
them.

“Ugh. Boomer.” Minjeong huffs under her breath, untangles herself on Jimin’s embrace and spins
on her heels.

Jimin offers a silent apology as she watches Minjeong go.

Minjeong stops when she sees Jimin not following her, raising an eyebrow when she looks over her
shoulder and offers a hand, “You coming?”

Jimin smiles, takes Minjeong’s hand and intertwines it together. “Yeah, I’m coming.”

End Notes

i was listening to long story short by taylor swift on loop while writing this so it might've
bled some words into it lmaooo so this is really just an excuse for me to write domestic
jiminjeong bye

come say hi on twt @yyuujim

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