Yes👺

the moment between us

best-friend!minji x fem!reader

synopsis: in a cozy night filled with cheesy romcoms and laughter, best friends yn and minji find themselves tangled in each other's arms, both oblivious to the feelings simmering beneath the surface. a spontaneous kiss breaks the tension, leading to a moment that changes everything. as they navigate the blurred lines between friendship and something more, they discover the warmth of connection and the promise of new beginnings.

warnings: mild sexual tension; very very very short; obv not proofread; intended lowercase.

a/n: in my productive writer era pt.2😼 this has been collecting dust in my draft tbh

it was one of those cozy nights—the kind where you and minji settled in for your weekly binge of cheesy romcoms, the air filled with the scent of popcorn and laughter. you snuggled into her arms on the couch, a warm blanket draped over your legs. glancing up at her, you were struck by how beautiful she looked, illuminated by the flickering screen. her hair framed her face perfectly, and the way her eyes sparkled made your heart flutter.

without thinking, you leaned in and pressed your lips against hers. the kiss surprised her at first, and a rush of panic coursed through you. but then she melted into it, returning the kiss with a sweetness that made everything else fade away. the movie continued to play, but you both lost yourselves in the moment, your lips moving together as the world outside disappeared.

when you finally pulled away, breathless, you noticed her glasses were fogged up. you gently pushed them up her nose and brushed a few damp strands of hair from her forehead. her cheeks were flushed, and you couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of your lipstick smudged across her lips.

“you’re so cute, you know that?” you said, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

minji grinned, her eyes sparkling. “you’re not so bad yourself,” she replied, her voice teasing.

the moment felt different now, filled with a warmth that had always been there but had never been fully acknowledged. as you both settled back into the couch, the tension shifted from uncertain to hopeful. maybe this was the start of something new, and you couldn’t help but feel that it was a step toward something deeper between you two.

i can finally read poems and listen to music in peace while thinking about minji omg🤓

you got the lucky dog!🍀

kim minji x fem!reader

synopsis: yn’s fear of dogs holds a painful secret—one she’s forced to face after rescuing an abandoned puppy. with the help of minji, a kindhearted vet, yn begins to heal, finding comfort, love, and a new beginning as they raise juntos together.

warnings: mention of violence and abusive parent; slight angst, they got a happy ending tho; yn’s kinda insecure; NOT proofread

a/n: cried a little bit while writing this😓 ngl this does feel kinda rushed but i'm eager to post atm💪

dogs, your nemesis.

for as long as you could remember, the sight of a dog triggered a quiet panic inside you, a swift, choking sensation you could never quite shake. the fear reached back to a single moment: a hot, blinding summer afternoon in your childhood when you’d been innocently clutching a sausage, nibbling on it between games in your backyard.

out of nowhere, a mangy, rabid-looking dog charged toward you, eyes wild and fixated on the piece of meat dangling from your fingers. your stomach clenched, and you bolted, heart hammering. behind you, the dog's growl tore through the air, relentless, growing louder with every pounding step. in a last-ditch effort to escape, you threw open the back door and stumbled into your house, the safety you expected replaced with the sound of your father’s yelling.

in your mother’s fearful eyes, you saw a reflection of your own—both of you trapped, just in different ways. the dog scratched furiously at the door, the sounds outside colliding with the shouts from inside, fusing into one. from that day on, the fear of dogs burrowed deep, layered atop memories of helplessness and chaos. a fear you never let anyone in on, because it wasn’t just about dogs. not really.

so when you found a shivering golden retriever puppy in an alley one night, the old terror resurfaced in full force. you froze, your first instinct screaming at you to turn back, to pretend you hadn’t seen anything. but its pitiful whimpers held you in place. it was helpless—abandoned, like you sometimes felt—and before you knew it, your legs moved you forward. you knelt, pulse thudding in your ears, and scooped it up with shaky arms, hardly able to breathe with the puppy pressed so close.

that’s how you met her—minji, the vet.

she barely glanced at you before reaching for the puppy, her voice soft as she murmured to it, hands working quickly and carefully, inspecting its wounds. her calmness unsettled you, made you feel more visible than you were used to. you tried to focus on anything but her, on the puppy’s gentle breathing, on the antiseptic smell of the clinic, until her voice cut through.

"you did the right thing, bringing him here," she said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "he’s lucky someone cared enough."

your throat tightened. lucky? you hadn’t felt lucky for a long time, but you managed a nod, murmuring, “i just... didn’t want to leave him behind.”

minji’s gaze lingered, something almost knowing in her eyes. “what’s his name?”

“he’s- i found him in an alley nearby,” you whispered, avoiding her gaze. “but, i... i wan’t to care for him. perhaps naming him juntos, it means ‘together.’” the name felt like a promise—a shaky one, but a promise nonetheless. one you weren’t even sure you could keep.

minji’s smile softened, and for a fleeting second, her hand brushed against yours as she took juntos back for bandaging. you flinched—too sharply. she noticed but didn’t say a word, just let her hand fall away. that simple gesture, her unspoken understanding, caught you off guard. you’d been expecting questions, pity, maybe even a push for you to “face your fear.” but she left it at that, moving about the clinic as if it were normal for someone to shake with fear over a puppy.

you didn’t expect to be back so soon.

the next day, juntos’ bandages seemed off, smeared with what looked like blood. an excuse to see her again? maybe. but you couldn’t bring yourself to admit it. you convinced yourself it was about juntos. so you showed up, fidgeting in the clinic’s waiting area, hoping she’d think you were here for the right reasons.

when she walked in, her eyes caught yours, a glimmer of something like amusement hidden behind her calm gaze. “betadine, not blood,” she said as if she could read the question in your mind. “the bandages are fine.” but she changed them anyway, her movements careful and precise.

“i don’t mind if you bring him here, though,” she murmured, a slight teasing edge to her voice. “but i have a feeling you’re looking for an excuse.” her fingers lingered on juntos’ fur, and you realized you’d been holding your breath.

she smiled, her expression softening when you finally met her gaze. “here,” she said, writing her number on the back of your hand in a quick, effortless scrawl. “in case you need to talk. or…if you need more excuses to come by.”

your fingers curled around the ink, something fragile swelling in your chest. you nodded, feeling a familiar tightness in your throat. but all you managed was a quiet, “okay.”

that night, you lay awake, heart pounding as you stared at the number on your hand. for the first time in a long while, you felt something other than the hollow echo of fear. instead, it was a pull—toward something unknown, terrifying, and yet…warm.

***

weekends with minji felt like a series of small discoveries.

she invited you over, and though you hesitated, the thought of being near her felt like a safe place to fall. her home was everything yours wasn’t: bright, open, brimming with life. the centerpiece of it all was her aquarium, an underwater world you could have stared at for hours.

“had a fish named darwin once,” she mused, watching a neon-blue fish dart through the coral. “he was my first, actually. still have him, though he’s in there somewhere.”

her words tugged at something inside you, memories of your own darwin—a small, loyal fish who hadn’t made it past the summer of his first year. the reminder stung, reminding you of all the broken things you’d tried to piece together but couldn’t. her tank was alive, flourishing, while yours had long since turned empty and forgotten.

you couldn’t hide the flash of pain in your eyes. minji noticed, and in her typical quiet way, didn’t press. instead, she let the silence settle, her fingers tapping gently on the glass as if the aquarium itself could tell you the words she left unsaid: “it’s okay if things don’t stay whole.”

but there were moments where the walls closed in again. one night, as you sat across from her at her kitchen table, memories crept back in unbidden—old, ragged shadows of barking dogs and slamming doors. you felt your hand tremble, and minji’s gaze shifted to you, her calm unwavering.

“sometimes, fear doesn’t just disappear,” she said quietly, her voice a soothing presence in the room. “it stays. but that doesn’t mean you’re not strong for feeling it.” she took your hand, squeezing it gently, grounding you.

for a moment, you wanted to pull back, to recoil from the comfort. comfort was a dangerous thing; you knew what it felt like to lose it. but her hand stayed steady, and gradually, so did you.

weeks turned into months, and in those countless moments between, you felt the slow but steady shift of something breaking open inside you, each barrier crumbling bit by bit. with juntos growing, his playfulness began filling the empty spaces of your days. there was something comforting in watching him bound around, carefree, tugging at loose socks and nuzzling against you when you’d lay on the couch, seeking comfort of his own.

one crisp evening, you found yourself in minji’s home again. juntos lay between you, sprawled out and gently snoring. minji was beside you on the couch, her warmth a steady presence, her hand softly resting near yours. you realized that each time she was near, the raw edges of your past felt less jagged, the fear that had once left you feeling trapped loosening its grip. in that quiet space, your guard started to wane.

“minji,” you whispered, looking down at juntos. she turned to you, her gaze steady but soft, the way it always was when she sensed you were holding something close to your heart.

“i… i don’t think i’ve ever told you why i’m so afraid of dogs,” you began, voice a little strained, almost uncertain. she nodded, giving you all the patience you needed. you took a shaky breath, “it wasn’t just the dog chasing me that day,” you explained, memories resurfacing with the weight they always carried. “it was my father. after i ran inside, he…” your words caught, but her hand was there, a quiet assurance resting gently over yours.

“he wasn’t a kind man,” you finished softly, voice barely above a whisper. “every time i see a dog, i… i can’t help but remember that day. all the yelling, the anger… i just, i get scared. and sometimes it feels like that fear will never leave me.”

minji’s thumb moved gently against the back of your hand, grounding you in that tender silence she always kept between you both. “fear doesn’t vanish overnight,” she murmured, her words like a warm balm. “but it doesn’t define you, either. it’s okay to carry it. and it’s okay to take your time with it.” she smiled, something knowing and gentle in her gaze. “you’re safe now. you have me, juntos, and maybe… maybe a chance to make peace with what happened.”

over time, it wasn’t just about juntos anymore. it became about building a new kind of life. together, you and minji nurtured him into adulthood, watching him grow into a big, playful bundle of loyalty, his devotion to you both a source of constant joy.

and, gradually, those fears began to fade, softened by the endless moments of safety and love that now filled your life.

years passed, and you found yourself with minji and juntos in a place you’d never thought possible—a modest home in the countryside, surrounded by a sweeping green field that stretched as far as the eye could see. juntos loved to roam here, his boundless energy set free across the vast, open land.

one evening, with the sunset painting the sky in shades of orange and lavender, you and minji stood side by side, watching juntos chase after a stray butterfly. her fingers intertwined with yours, a faint smile on her lips as she glanced at you.

“this,” she whispered, her eyes glimmering with something soft and steady, “this feels like home, doesn’t it?”

you looked at her, feeling the weight of every struggle, every ache, and every moment of growth that had brought you both here. there was peace now, an assurance that what you’d found together was real, solid. you nodded, smiling as you leaned your head against her shoulder. “it does. finally.”

together, you watched juntos play in the grass, his golden coat glowing under the fading light. the future felt boundless, the green fields around you symbolizing a fresh start, a life you’d both built from scratch—stronger, safer, and filled with love.

when minji slipped a simple silver band onto your finger one quiet afternoon, in the same green field that had become your sanctuary, you felt a warmth you hadn’t known was possible.

“we’re together,” she whispered, her voice steady, her gaze unwavering as she met your eyes.

“together,” you replied, a promise wrapped in that single word, as juntos circled around you both, tail wagging, bearing witness to the life you’d built—a life where you’d found peace, joy, and a love that felt like home.

after going silent for a good minute, you opened your mouth, “how does a daughter sound to you?”

have you ever love someone so much you forgot how you look like

bad things come at midnight

vampire!haerin x fem!reader x vampire!minji

synopsis: yn’s escape from a cruel orphanage leads her to the grand castle of two mysterious sisters, minji and haerin. as secrets unravel, yn discovers she is the reincarnation of minji’s past lover, a revelation that ignites dangerous desires and bitter jealousy. caught in a web of immortal love and betrayal, yn must decide if her new life is truly a blessing—or a curse that comes with the night.

warnings: mention of blood; mild violence; past character death(?); implied past trauma; slightly suggestive; intended lowercase; not proofread i ain't have time for that🤪

a/n: should've made this into a two part series but meh🤷‍♀️ i didn't have a lot of time to write so it may be great at some parts but shitty at some parts😔😔

it was a stormy night, the wind howling as the rain lashed against your body. cold seeped into your bones with each step, your hands trembling as you made the final delivery of the night—a warm meal from the restaurant downtown. you shivered as you fumbled with the heavy iron gate of the grand gothic castle, a place that looked like it had been frozen in time since the 16th century. the owner had been a regular for months now, ordering the same meal at the same time, always asking for it to be left on the table in the center of the lobby.

you knew the routine by heart: the towering arches, the dim lighting, a few candles flickering amidst weak bulbs, and that unsettling dust-covered tarp draped over a massive portrait you’d never dared to look under. tonight, however, something felt different. your instincts prickled, the hairs on your neck rising. you couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

as you set the mushroom soup down, the steam rising in comforting curls, you felt it—a pair of unseen eyes scrutinizing your every move. high above, hidden among the shadows of a grand chandelier, a bat stirred. its sharp gaze traced over the bruises and cuts littering your arms and legs, remnants of your life outside these walls. it noticed everything.

you flinched, your mind flashing back to the orphanage. the place you had called "home" for as long as you could remember. ever since the kindly former owner had fallen ill and her cruel sister had taken over, life had become unbearable. you and the other children had been turned into unpaid laborers, your meager earnings siphoned off to fund the new owner’s lavish lifestyle. as one of the older children, you took it upon yourself to steal bread from the restaurant where you worked, enough to share with the youngest in the orphanage, ensuring they didn’t starve.

but tonight, as you prepared to slip out and head back to the orphanage before curfew, you froze. a voice—a voice like silk draped in steel—cut through the air.

“you, child.” you whipped around, your heart leaping into your throat. standing before you were two women—no, not women. their pale skin gleamed in the dim light, their eyes too sharp, their bodies too still. one was tall, almost statuesque, her beauty cold and regal. the other, shorter, with an air of restless energy, her feline-like eyes gleaming in the shadows.

“sit,” the tall one commanded, her voice smooth yet laced with authority. instinctively, you took a step back, but her piercing gaze seemed to hold you in place, compelling you to obey. you felt the chair beneath you as if it were a trap, pulling you closer to them.

“good girl,” the shorter one smirked, her voice carrying a playful menace. “it’s much easier this way.”

you glanced at the table where you had left the soup, your mind racing. “what do you want?” you managed to stammer, your heart pounding like a drum in your chest.

“we want to know about you,” the tall one replied, her eyes studying the bruises on your arms. “i’m minji, and this is my sister haerin. we’ve been watching you.”

“watching me?” you echoed, disbelief mingling with fear. “why?”

“because you’re interesting,” haerin purred, tilting her head. “you’ve got spirit, and we admire that.”

“and you’re alone,” minji added, her tone softening slightly, though the chill in her eyes remained. “you don’t belong in that orphanage. it’s a wretched place, isn’t it? we can offer you something better—a life free from suffering.”

the weight of her words hung in the air, thick and suffocating. you recalled the nights spent huddled with the younger children, stealing bread to stave off hunger, and the feeling of despair that often settled in your chest. “what do you mean by ‘better’?” you asked cautiously, curiosity creeping into your voice.

“you’d be safe here,” minji said, taking a step closer, her presence both alluring and intimidating. “we have everything you could ever need. food, shelter, freedom. no more curfews, no more cruelty. just… comfort.”

“comfort?” you scoffed, still wary. “how can i trust you? you’re… different.”

haerin chuckled softly, her laughter echoing in the empty hall. “different, yes, but we are not monsters. we’re offering you a chance to escape a life filled with pain. think about it. the choice is yours.”

“i don’t want to be a prisoner in some castle,” you shot back, but doubt crept into your mind, nagging at you. “what’s the catch?”

“no catch,” minji reassured you, her voice almost hypnotic. “just the opportunity for a new beginning. you’ve survived alone for too long; let us show you what it’s like to be cared for.”

as the weight of her words settled, you felt a flicker of hope—a tantalizing possibility of belonging. it was so tempting, and yet…

“why me?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

“because you’re resilient,” haerin replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “and we like resilience. you’re not like the others, are you? you’ve got a fire in you that deserves to be nurtured.”

“imagine it,” minji urged, her gaze penetrating. “you could be part of something extraordinary, a life filled with adventure and mystery. we’ll teach you everything. you won’t have to hide anymore.”

you hesitated, feeling the storm outside rage on, a mirror to the turmoil within you. the allure of their offer was strong, yet fear held you back. “what if i regret it?”

“you won’t,” haerin said, a smile playing on her lips. “i promise you’ll never look back. we’ll protect you. besides, if you don’t like it, you can always leave.”

“but where would i go?” you replied, your voice barely audible as reality settled in.

“that’s the beauty of it,” minji said, a hint of a smile creeping onto her face. “you wouldn’t need to go anywhere else. this could be your home.”

the warmth in her words felt like a balm to your weary soul. you looked at them, their expectant gazes piercing through the darkness. the thought of escaping the orphanage, of finally finding a place to belong, was intoxicating.

“i… i don’t know,” you admitted, wrestling with your fears and hopes.

“take your time,” minji said gently, her demeanor shifting to one of patience. “but we’re here, waiting for your decision. whenever you’re ready.”

as you sat there, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on the walls, you realized that this might be the chance you had been yearning for—a chance to escape a life of pain, to embrace something unknown yet enticing. but as the thought settled in, doubt gnawed at the edges of your mind. was it really that simple? could you just walk away from everything—into the arms of two strangers who seemed far too perfect, too predatory?

your eyes darted to the chandelier, the bulbs dying to light the room. everything about this place screamed danger, from the eerie silence to the sisters’ unnervingly graceful movements. and yet, beneath that fear, a different emotion stirred. curiosity.

"how do i know you're not just trapping me here?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper, but the words heavy with the weight of your mistrust. "everyone promises something better, but it's never real. how are you any different from the people who made me promises before?"

minji’s expression softened, her gaze turning almost empathetic. "you’re right to be cautious," she said, her voice like velvet in the air, soothing but still sharp enough to cut. "the world has been unkind to you, but we’re not here to offer empty words. we offer something real, something tangible."

"and what is that, exactly?" you countered, your suspicion hardening again. "you talk about a better life, but what do you even want from me? people don't offer kindness for free."

haerin’s lips curved into a smirk, her sharp eyes gleaming in the dim light. "you're clever. i like that." she leaned forward, resting her arms on the table, her movements feline and calculated. "we’re not asking for much. just… loyalty. you’ll find that in time, it’ll be mutual."

"mutual?" you repeated, the word sounding foreign in your mouth. "and what happens if i decide i don't want to stay?"

"then you leave," minji answered smoothly, her voice a serene melody, though her eyes flickered with something darker, more possessive. "but trust me, after you’ve seen what we offer, you won’t want to."

their words draped over you like a fog, thick and seductive, but still, something nagged at you. you had learned the hard way that promises often concealed something sinister. every adult in your life had betrayed you in some way, from the orphanage owner who claimed to take care of you, only to bleed you dry, to the people who pretended to care, only to vanish when it mattered most.

"i'm not like the others who come through here, am i?" you asked, testing the waters. "you’ve had other people… visitors."

minji’s smile thinned slightly, but her composure remained flawless. "none like you."

"what makes me different?" you pressed, leaning forward. "why me?"

for a moment, silence stretched between you. haerin’s eyes narrowed, assessing you, while minji seemed to be weighing her next words carefully.

"because you're already part of our world," haerin finally said, her voice lower, more dangerous. "you just don’t know it yet."

the hairs on the back of your neck rose, a shiver running down your spine. "what do you mean?"

"you’ve been surviving on scraps and shadows your whole life," minji added, her tone delicate but firm. "the world you’ve known is just a sliver of what’s out there. you’re different because you’ve been forged by hardship. we see potential in you."

"potential for what?" you asked, your voice trembling slightly. "to become like you?"

"perhaps," minji said, her eyes glinting. "in time. if you choose to. but for now, all we offer is safety, shelter, and a way out of the life that’s been choking you."

you could feel your heartbeat in your throat, each thud echoing louder than the last. the weight of their offer pressed on you like a storm cloud, and yet… there was still a small voice inside, warning you, screaming at you to run. but run where? back to the orphanage where starvation and abuse awaited? back to a life where your only escape was through stolen bread and the brief, bitter moments of freedom when you were alone in the streets?

you stood, your legs shaky, but you didn’t back away. “i don’t want to be a pawn in someone else’s game,” you said, voice firm despite your pounding heart.

minji rose as well, graceful and composed. “you won’t be,” she promised, stepping closer, her hand reaching out but stopping just shy of touching you. “you’ll be a part of something greater, something far beyond what you can imagine.”

haerin stood, moving to the side like a shadow. "the question is, do you trust yourself enough to take that step?"

your breath caught in your throat. trust yourself? did you? every instinct in you screamed not to trust them, not to believe in the honeyed words of two ethereal creatures who barely blinked. but beneath that fear, there was a whisper, a tiny voice asking—what if this is real? what if you finally had a chance to escape?

you glanced from minji to haerin, their eyes fixed on you, waiting. the candlelight flickered, casting elongated shadows that danced on the stone walls, and you realized there was no clear answer, no certainty in either path. but the thought of going back to the orphanage, to that suffocating misery, was enough to make the decision for you.

with a slow, shaky breath, you nodded. “fine. i’ll stay.”

minji’s smile returned, soft and triumphant. “good choice,” she said softly.

haerin’s eyes gleamed, her smirk deepening as she let out a low, satisfied laugh. “you won’t regret it. welcome to your new life.”

after showing you around the house and talking about each of your backgrounds while sipping warm tea and nibbling on cookies, minji and haerin finally asked you to choose one of the rooms you liked. "just pick one, it doesn’t matter. i’ll ask someone to send you clothes and other things you need."

you frowned when minji mentioned 'someone,' but quickly brushed it off. while you were weighing which room suited you best, haerin excused herself to head to her own room.

"ah, don’t worry about her. she’s an introvert, probably ran out of energy for interaction," minji shrugged, gently placing a hand on your shoulder. "so, have you decided?"

you nodded, pointing to the room across from minji’s—not too large, but its window facing the garden stretched beautifully upwards. "aha! a good choice, i think we’ll make great partners."

though you had many questions about minji’s choice of words, you didn’t dare voice your curiosity. minji left you alone in the room after wishing you goodnight. "welcome to your new life, yn."

after cleaning yourself up—getting out of your rain-soaked clothes, taking a warm bath for the first time in years, you finally went to sleep. that night, you dreamt of a fragment of your past. your parents came to pick you up from the orphanage, taking you for a bike ride in the city park, and then sharing your favorite chocolate ice cream. you smiled in your sleep.

***

the next morning, your body's automatic alarm kicked in. just as the clock struck 4 a.m., you woke up. you turned to the window; the day was still dark—of course. rather than continuing to sleep and lazing around, you decided to get up, clean the dust and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, and maybe even make breakfast. minji and haerin hadn’t shown their faces yet; they were probably still deep in slumber in their respective rooms.

after the brief tour minji and haerin gave you last night, you were fairly familiar with the layout of the grand castle. ‘turn right, then go straight,’ you repeated in your mind as you walked toward the kitchen. upon arriving, just as you suspected, the kitchen was a mess—it seemed minji and haerin had never cooked before since there was only a lump of bread that looked like it had been made ages ago and a… dead rat? you jumped slightly as you mentally mapped out how to clean this cursed kitchen.

with nothing else to do, you decided to head to minji's reading room—she had allowed you to read any book you liked, except for one red leather-bound book protected by a glass case as clear as water.

as you entered the grand library, time seemed to stand still. the books in this library looked more extensive than those in the city library! wow, from one end to the other, all you could see were books! you cheered inwardly, the doubts that had lingered in your heart last night vanished. even without the luxury they offered, you would want to stay here, surrounded by your favorite things: books.

without you realizing it, the sun began to rise. its bright light made you squint. you hurriedly closed the book, returned it to its place, and rushed back to the kitchen—you needed to start tidying up; you couldn’t act like an unruly child.

“oh, so you’re up, I see? i was just sending haerin to wake you,” minji said, wearing a knee-length floral dress, her hair down, illuminated by the warm glow of the hanging lamp as she prepared an omelet in the once-messy kitchen. even the latest modern tools were neatly arranged.

“do you like it? haerin and i just ordered it, but it arrived so quickly, right?” you nodded at both questions, walking over to minji—her tall figure towering over you. “do you need help?”

“you can set the plates on the dining table.” her gentle gaze met yours, and it took just a moment for you to nod, promptly carrying out her request.

as you carefully placed the plates on the long, ornate dining table, the distant sound of minji humming from the kitchen filled the air, her soft voice weaving through the silence of the grand castle. there was something strangely comforting in the way she moved through the house, her presence always bringing a sense of calm. you finished arranging the silverware, trying to focus on the task, but the scent of freshly cooked eggs and the warmth of minji’s voice were hard to ignore.

minji emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray with practiced ease. her movements were graceful, almost too perfect for such a simple task. “you’ve set everything so beautifully,” she remarked, her dark eyes meeting yours briefly before she set the tray down. there was an intensity in her gaze that made your heart quicken, though her tone remained gentle.

you busied yourself with adjusting a plate, your fingers fidgeting under her watchful eyes. “thank you... you make everything look so easy,” you murmured, trying not to let your voice tremble. minji chuckled softly, her eyes never leaving you. “i’ve had a lot of time to perfect the little things,” she said with a cryptic smile, her words hanging in the air. time—what did she mean by that? the question lingered, but before you could ask, she gestured toward the chair beside her. “come, sit with me.”

as you sat down, your thoughts still swirling with uncertainty, haerin appeared at the entrance of the dining room, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the scene. “i was looking for you earlier,” she said, her voice low but pointed. you glanced at her. “sorry... haerin-unnie,” you mumbled, eyes downcast. she approached, her fingers brushing lightly over your shoulder, a fleeting touch that sent a shiver down your spine. “don’t do it again,” she whispered, her lips barely curving into a smile before she turned to join her sister at the table.

with both sisters seated on either side of you, the tension in the air was palpable. minji’s calm, steady presence contrasted sharply with haerin’s quiet intensity, leaving you caught between their different energies. as minji served the food, her movements so close you could feel the warmth of her arm, you couldn’t help but wonder—how long could you stay balanced between them?

you tried to steady your breath as minji poured tea into your cup, the delicate clink of porcelain breaking the silence between the three of you. her movements were elegant, precise, like everything she did was part of some silent performance. you found yourself staring at the way her fingers wrapped around the teapot handle—long, slender, but there was a quiet strength in them that both unsettled and intrigued you. she caught you looking and smiled faintly, a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“you don’t have to be so nervous, you know,” she said, her voice low and smooth. “you’re safe here, yn. as long as you follow the house rules.”

haerin, who had been quietly watching from across the table, let out a small huff, leaning back in her chair with an amused smirk playing on her lips. “minji, you always scare them with that ‘house rules’ speech.” her tone was light, but there was a sharpness behind it. “besides, it’s not like we bite… at least, not without permission.”

your eyes darted between them, unsure how to respond. minji shot haerin a brief glance, her expression unreadable, but you could feel the tension simmering just beneath the surface. haerin's teasing words lingered in the air, and though you laughed nervously, you couldn’t shake the feeling that there was truth hidden in her jest.

minji reached out, placing her hand lightly on your wrist. the touch was gentle, but it held you in place, drawing your attention back to her. “don’t mind her,” she said softly, her thumb brushing over your skin. “you’re our guest, and we’ll take care of you. isn’t that what you wanted?”

the question caught you off guard, pulling at the thoughts you had been trying to suppress since you arrived. was this what you wanted? the quiet luxury, the sense of safety, the promise of something more? your life had been nothing but chaos, a constant struggle to survive, and now here you were—caught in the orbit of these two enigmatic sisters, both offering something you hadn’t known you craved. and yet, the unease remained. could you really trust them?

before you could answer, haerin stood, her chair scraping softly against the floor. “i’m going for a walk,” she announced, casting a final glance at you. “if you decide you want some fresh air, come find me.” she didn’t wait for a response, disappearing down the hallway with her usual silent grace.

left alone with minji, the air felt heavier, more intimate. she still hadn’t let go of your wrist, her touch lingering longer than necessary. when she finally withdrew her hand, her gaze softened, as if she could sense the storm of emotions churning within you.

“take your time adjusting,” she said, standing and gathering the empty plates with practiced ease. “this place… it’s not for everyone, but i think you’ll come to appreciate it. and us.”

she smiled again, that same enigmatic curve of her lips, and with that, she disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

***

after a few days living there and wanders through all the rooms, you found yourself with nothing left to do. the silence of the house felt strange and a little unsettling after the business of the orphanage. you weren’t used to having free time, and you weren’t sure how to spend it. at first, you thought about going back to the library, where you felt comfortable, but the nice weather outside caught your attention.

a walk in the garden sounded nice.

then, a new idea came to you—flowers. the garden could use some color, and maybe minji would like that too. feeling excited, you decided to skip the library and instead made your way to minji’s room. you knocked on the door gently, a little nervous but hoping she’d agree.

"come in, i didn’t lock the door."

you stepped inside, and the sight before you took your breath away. minji was in her room, draped in soft fabrics that hugged her form in all the right places. her hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made your heart race. the dim light filtering through the curtains created a warm glow, emphasizing her delicate features. she looked ethereal, almost otherworldly, and you couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement at the sight of her.

“what brings you here so early?” minji asked, her voice smooth like velvet. there was a softness in her gaze that made you feel both comfortable and exhilarated, as if she could see right into your thoughts.

you hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. “i was thinking... the garden could use some flowers, and i thought you might want to come with me to pick some.”

minji’s expression shifted slightly, her playful demeanor softening. “oh, sweetie, that sounds lovely,” she replied, her tone warm. “but i really need to rest and i have to be ready for... other things.”

you felt a pang of disappointment, but you understood. “right, of course. you need your rest.”

“but,” she said, leaning closer, a teasing smile playing on her lips, “you’re welcome to go on your own. who knows, maybe you’ll find something beautiful out there.”

you swallowed hard, feeling a rush of warmth at the way she was looking at you. “maybe I will,” you replied, trying to sound casual even as your heart raced.

“just remember, if you find something special, you’ll have to show me when you get back.” her gaze held yours for a moment longer, a spark of something electric passing between you.

“i will,” you promised, your voice barely a whisper. as you turned to leave, you couldn’t shake the feeling of her eyes on you, a lingering warmth that stayed with you as you made your way to the garden.

stepping outside, the fresh air washed over you, but the image of minji lingered in your mind—her beauty, her laughter, and the way her presence made everything feel just a little more intense. you took a deep breath, determined to find the perfect flowers, even if it meant doing so alone.

***

the path to the market felt very familiar. back at the orphanage, you were often sent by the chef—who still had a conscience and didn’t report you when you stole some snacks from the kitchen—to shop. your mind wandered again. is this really okay? leaving them suffering in that orphanage alone? but you quickly pushed those thoughts away. when an opportunity arises, you must take full advantage of it.

you encountered a few acquaintances—the market vendors—who were taken aback by your appearance. “uh, yeah. someone rich adopted me!”

upon arriving at the flower shop, you spent a while selecting and inhaling the scents of the flowers. you approached the owner and asked them to send someone to plant flowers in the castle garden—with minji and haerin's permission, of course. you settled on white peonies and cherry blossoms for minji, and black dahlias with dark purple orchids for haerin.

you hummed softly on the way back, deciding to stop by the bakery you used to visit with your parents when you were little. ha… the interior of this bakery hadn’t changed at all, and the smell was exactly as you remembered. after ordering a pain au chocolat and a cup of cappuccino, you chose to sit by the window, watching people go by.

your family used to be very wealthy until a problem caused your parents to divorce, losing their fortune and abandoning you on the streets. you pushed those memories far away, even though you still lived in the same city as them—wondering if they still remembered you after the issue ended five years ago. maybe you could visit other places with minji and haerin later. this time, you went straight home after finishing your food and drink.

as you made your way back to the castle, your mind raced with thoughts of minji. the flowers in your hands felt like a bridge between you, a gesture of gratitude for the kindness she had shown you. but beneath that gratitude lay a hint of confusion. could it be that minji saw you differently than you intended? you shook your head, dismissing the notion. she was a figure of strength and beauty, almost like a maternal presence, someone who offered you solace in a world that had shown you little kindness.

when you entered the castle, you found haerin in the living room, her feline grace contrasting sharply with the imposing architecture. she looked up, her gaze assessing. “where were you?” she asked, an edge of concern lacing her tone.

“the market,” you replied, holding up the bouquet as if it would validate your actions. “i got flowers for you and minji.”

her expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face. “you didn’t tell me you were going out. you should have asked first.”

“i—”

“it’s not about that,” she cut you off, her voice softening. “just be careful. you never know what could happen out there.”

your mind raced as haerin’s words sank in, but something still didn’t add up. the timing, the way she spoke—there was more to her confession. you weren’t naive; it wasn’t just a warning. something darker, something bitter, lingered beneath the surface of her words. jealousy. you could feel it, even though she hadn’t said it outright. haerin wanted something—no, someone—that wasn’t hers.

you took a shaky breath. “why tell me all of this now, haerin? if you’re trying to protect me, why make it sound like you’re... bitter?”

she gave a small, sharp laugh, her eyes narrowing slightly. “you think i’m bitter?” her tone was mocking, but there was a flicker of something real behind it. “maybe you’re right. but it’s not because i’m jealous of you.”

a chill crept over you. “then what?”

haerin stepped closer, her voice low as she spoke. “it’s because you’re not who you think you are, yn. you’re playing a part you don’t even know about. this isn’t some fairytale where you get adopted by a rich woman and live happily ever after. you were brought here for a reason.”

“what reason?” your voice came out sharper than you expected, frustration edging into fear. “what are you talking about?”

she hesitated, her gaze hardening as if weighing her next words. then, with an almost dismissive shrug, she dropped the bombshell: “we’re vampires.”

the room seemed to tilt for a second, your breath caught in your throat. it couldn’t be. vampires? it sounded ridiculous, impossible—but the look in her eyes said she wasn’t lying. the blood drained from your face, your hands shaking slightly.

you backed up, trying to process the words, but before you could respond, the door swung open with a force that made your heart lurch. minji stood there, her usually calm face twisted in fury. “haerin,” she growled, voice sharp as ice, “what the hell did you just do?”

you saw it then—minji’s eyes, no longer just a deep brown, now gleaming with something unnatural. anger. hunger. her gaze flicked to you, and for the first time, you felt fear crawl up your spine. she was taller, more imposing in that moment, her presence dominating the room.

“you weren’t supposed to know yet,” minji hissed, stepping toward you, her movements too fluid, too quick. “you weren’t ready.” the rage in her eyes flickered with something else, something primal. you stepped back, your heart pounding in your ears.

“i—i didn’t—” you tried to form words, but they wouldn’t come. your back hit the wall, and suddenly, minji was inches away. her eyes darkened, and you could feel her breath on your neck, the air shifting as she leaned in closer, too close.

you froze, terror gripping your chest as you realized what she might do. her lips brushed your skin, cold and soft, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just her touch. then her teeth grazed your neck.

“minji!” haerin’s voice cut through the tension like a whip, snapping minji out of whatever trance she was in. she stepped back, blinking as if waking from a dream. for a second, her face softened—then the fury returned, but this time it wasn’t directed at you.

“you did this,” minji snarled, turning to haerin, her voice low and dangerous. “she wasn’t supposed to know yet.”

you gasped, stumbling away from them, your hand clutching your neck where you could still feel the ghost of her touch. the fear and confusion twisted inside you, but there was something else—a deep sadness, a realization that maybe this great opportunity wasn’t what it seemed. everything was unraveling so quickly.

as you backed away from them, memories of your past flooded back—your family, the life you had lost. it was all connected, somehow. the reason you’d ended up in the orphanage, the secrets your parents had kept from you. they hadn’t abandoned you because of money or misfortune. no, it was something more twisted. your parents had once been part of a world like this, a world of power and darkness. you were caught in the middle of something far older than you had known.

you clutched the side of your head, the memories flashing too quickly. your mother’s distant eyes, the arguments late at night when they thought you weren’t listening, the day they left you at the orphanage, telling you it was for your own safety. everything clicked into place.

“i should’ve known,” you muttered under your breath, looking back at minji with wide, terrified eyes. “this wasn’t a coincidence. i look like him, don’t i? your husband.”

minji’s gaze softened, but the sadness in her eyes was undeniable. she didn’t deny it.

and in that moment, you realized this was much bigger than you could have ever imagined. maybe you were just another piece in their long, immortal game—used to fill the void of their eternal loss.

as the warmth of minji's bite coursed through your veins, the world seemed to shift. a flood of memories that didn’t belong to you rushed into your mind—fragments of another life, another time. you staggered slightly, clutching minji’s arm as flashes of faces, voices, and emotions overwhelmed you. one face in particular stood out—a man’s, someone who felt strangely familiar. his voice echoed in your head, filled with love and devotion... for minji.

“i remember him,” you whispered, your voice barely audible. “i remember... being him.”

minji’s eyes widened in shock, her grip tightening around your arm. there was a flicker of recognition, of something deep and ancient between you. “it can’t be,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “you’re... you’re him, reincarnated.” her words were barely above a whisper, but the weight of them crushed you. the memories, the feelings—they weren’t just fragments; they were yours.

it made sense now. the pull you’d felt toward minji, the unexplainable connection, the way her face had felt so familiar, like something out of a dream. you had been her husband, a lifetime ago. the man who chose mortality over immortality.

“he didn’t want to live forever,” you muttered, piecing it together. “he refused to become what you are.” the revelation hit you hard, and you looked up at her, searching her eyes for answers. “that’s why he left, isn’t it?”

minji’s expression shifted, sorrow filling her eyes as she nodded. “he couldn’t bear the thought of eternity. he chose to live a normal life, to die. but he promised... he promised he would find me again, somehow.”

the air in the room thickened with the weight of those words. you had been brought back to her, against all odds, against time itself. and now, you were standing in front of her once more, caught in the web of fate.

haerin’s gaze flickered with a mix of emotions—jealousy, frustration, and something deeper, a bitterness that had built up over years. “you always win, don’t you, minji?” her voice cracked, the mask of coldness slipping away to reveal the hurt beneath. “even after all this time, even after everything... you still get what you want.”

minji looked at her, pain in her eyes, but there was nothing she could say to soothe her sister’s wounds. “haerin…”

“no, don’t,” haerin cut her off, her voice hollow now. “i need to go.” she turned away from the two of you, her steps deliberate but heavy. “i can’t stay here anymore.” she paused at the door, her silhouette framed by the dim light of the castle’s hallway. “take care of her,” she whispered, almost too softly to hear. then, without another word, she disappeared into the night, leaving the castle quieter than it had ever been.

you stood there, unsure of what to say, unsure if there was anything to be said. but minji’s hand found yours, squeezing gently, grounding you in that moment. her eyes, once filled with rage and hunger, now only held a quiet sorrow.

“i’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, the weight of her confession heavy in the air.

weeks passed, the castle settling into a new rhythm without haerin’s presence. and soon, everything started to fall into place—your memories, the truth of your past. you weren’t just some random girl caught in their world. you were the reincarnation of minji’s husband, the one who had chosen death over the curse of immortality. you had been given a second chance, a chance to live again, but fate had brought you back into the very world you had tried to escape.

and yet, this time, you didn’t run.

three months later, the castle felt more like a home. the cold, stone walls were softened by the warmth of life within them. the garden bloomed with the flowers you had planted, a mix of color and life that mirrored the changes in your own heart. the past no longer felt like a burden—it was part of you, and part of minji.

one evening, you sat at the long dining table, minji by your side, your parents across from you. the room was lit by soft, golden light, the warm glow of candles filling the space. laughter echoed through the halls as you shared stories and memories, the tension of your earlier days here forgotten.

minji’s hand rested on yours, her touch familiar and comforting. your parents, who had been lost to you for so long, had accepted this strange, new life you had found. the weight of the past had lifted, replaced by a new beginning.

you looked at minji, and she smiled—a smile that carried a hundred years of longing and love. and for the first time, you felt truly at peace. this was where you were meant to be, not just as minji’s eternal love but as part of a family once more.

and haerin? wherever she was, you hoped she found her own peace, away from the shadows of the past.

as the night went on, the warmth in the room grew, not just from the fire crackling in the hearth, but from the love shared around the table. for the first time in your life, you felt truly whole.

and in that moment, everything felt right.

maybe aquariums aren’t so bad after all

pt. 1 > pt. 2

kim minji x fem!reader x uchinaga aeri

synopsis: y/n thought she had moved on. but when aeri—her enigmatic first love, returns after five years of silence, old feelings resurface, threatening to disrupt the relationship she's built with minji—the person who now holds her heart. as y/n navigates an emotional storm of unresolved tension and buried memories, she is drawn back into aeri’s world, seeking the closure she’s always needed.

warnings: minji and reader kissed; not proofread; messy and cringe(?) at some parts.

a/n: there’s actually so much potential for this fic but i’m just in the mood to post somehow so, yeah.

after the lecture ends, you and minji stayed in the completely empty lecture hall in silence.

“what were you saying?” you asked minji again even though you heard her the first time, you were too frightened with the thought of telling her abour aeri. what would she say? what if she decided to stay away from you? you couldn’t risk it, she’s the most important person in your life.

“who really is ms. aeri? you look very angry when we meet her yesterday at the aquarium, and now you’re drooling all over her...” she played with the hem of your sweater, looking down.

“i’ll tell you when i’m ready okay? until then, stay by my side okay?” you give minji a reassuring smile though your mind panicked when you catch a glimpse of aeri outside the lecture hall.

you still have a few classes today so minji went home first—preparing the things to bake a cake. you didn’t meet aeri for the rest of the day and minji picks you up when all of your classes are done. linking arms together, you two walked to the parking lot while discussing your tasks for the baking session—yet again, you catch a glance with aeri, she was there with one of her old friend in her office that’s just by the parking lot.

***

“why are they suddenly so close?” aeri asked her friend, walking together to a nearby cafe.

“aeri honey, you were away for five years. what makes you think that y/n would wait for you that long?” karina’s confused voice answered her question with another question.

“i don’t know... perhaps, this promise ring?” aeri put up her left hand, a cartier ring perfectly coiled there.

“well, did you see she still wear her’s?” checkmate, she doesn’t know. aeri bit the insides of her cheeks in frustation, she’s anxious again, “you guys seriously need to talk aeri. resolve the old feelings y’know.”

“how?” aeri played with the ring on her finger, she thinks you must’ve hate her.

“i’ll tell you what, i’ll arrange a dinner with her family for opening. i still keep in touch with her mo–”

“deal!”

while aeri and karina talks about the plan to resolve the old feelings, you and minji were busy falling in love. well, at least the chemicals in your body produces lots of oxytocin when minji helps you decorate the cake and her lips were inches away from yours.

“minji,” she turned her face to look at you and you swear it almost give you a heart attack, your heart is beating so loud and your face started to get red you’re afraid minji might notice it.

“y-you, you’re too close...” you quickly focuses back to the cake to distract the fact that you can feel her breath against your lips.

“o-oh, sorry.” she pulled back from the kitchen counter, rubbing the back of her neck—internally screaming.

“yeah, i don’t mind.” you managed to keep your cool and flirty demeanor and slightly smirked towards her, the cake is almost done. after some finishing touches, a cake with a cute and pretty impressive decoration is placed on the dining table.

“who’s gonna have the first bite?” you asked, giving minji a fork.

“how about we just feed each other at the same time so we could have the first taste together?” minji suggest and idea that you quickly agreed to. you both laughed after tasting the chocolate cake, tasty.

“woah, we should probably open a bakery look how talented we are...” minji laughed so cutely, suddenly you don’t know what made the cake so sweet.

after some more eating and cleaning up the mess that were left, you and minji tucked in yourselves on the couch and turn on the good old classic romcom, The Notebook. you both stayed quiet and really pay attention to the movie despite this is the 17th time you watched it together until near the end of the movie. you snuggled closer to minji, resting your head on her arm. she looked down for a moment and thought, ‘she looks so good right now i can kiss her...’ then just out of sudden rush of courage and impulsive act, she tilts your chin up and before you can ask her what is she doing or calculate what might happen, she pressed her lips onto yours. you can almost taste the strawberry chapstick she always use while instinctively recipocrating her kiss, you both smile into the kiss, only pulling back when you two run out of breath.

“w-whaaat?” you sit back up on the couch, wiping the excess saliva left on your lips.

“i’m– i just did it out of impulsiveness and i’m sorry but,” minji paused to wipe her lips too, “i didn’t know that you’ll kiss me back.” she continued with a flirty tone.

“so, uh, you-you like me?” you don’t know what kind of expression you should put but you’re sure it must be so chaotic.

“since 8th grade...” she answered with a nod and you two just sit face to face on the couch, cheeks still red and lips still swollen.

“so are girlfriends now or what?” you finally break the silence, still trying to gain composure.

“if you’d like to.”

“oh please, i nearly couldn’t form a coherent sentence right now and you’re asking me if i want to be your girlfriend?” you hugged minji and you picked another movie to watch after—decided to do a marathon of ghibli films.

minji spend the night after—as you promised earlier. and almost like a routine, you wait for her to fall asleep, scutinizing every single movement of her breathing and traced her features before going to sleep. you’ve always put your phone on do not disturb mode whenever you’re with minji, so the next morning when you wake up, you’re quite surprised seeing dozens of texts from your mother inviting you to dinner with aeri and karina.

as you watch minji sleep last night, you’ve decided to let go of the past and choose to focus on your relationship with minji. you do want to hear an explanation from aeri though, you replied to your mother, asking is aeri spent the night there. she didn’t but your mother gave aeri your number. lucky for you, aeri messaged you first when you’re still contemplating on asking your mother for aeri’s number.

( aeri: hey

aeri: are you free today?

aeri: i hope we can resolve the things between us

aeri: say, let’s eat lunch together at the new restaurant that just opened downtown? )

***

as soon as minji wakes up, eat breakfast and shower, you explaines to her about aeri. her expression was... normal? but when you tell her you’re going to eat lunch with her and possibly resolve things, she pouts incredibly cute—clinging to your arm.

“do you have to meet her today?” you give a peck on her pouty lips, you rarely sees the clingy side of minji.

“the sooner the better, sweetheart.” you caress her hands, give her one more assuring words and lots of kisses before going out to the said restaurant.

you drive to where the restaurant is located—which turned out to be stone’s throw from the aquarium you visited yesterday. instead of playing your playlist and sing your lungs out like you used to did, you started to construct the conversation you’d possibly have with aeri. you take confident steps towards the entrance, but as soon as you see her wrapped in an elegant but casual black dress, red rosy lips, holding a glass of martini the memories flows back in. you gulped before walking up to her, cracking the best (awkward) smile.

“ms. aeri? have you been waiting long?” you take a seat in front of her, still using the honorific, “did you order yet?” your eyes darted across the room, unable to directly look into her eyes.

aeri hummed in response, “i ordered you a ceasar salad too.” you quitly say thank you, you both stayed quiet until your plates are empty and aeri orders another glass of martini.

you silently contemplate in your seat, heart beating faster than you’d like to admit. the memories of your relationship with her, the good times, and the heartbreak flood your mind, but you keep your composure. this isn't about falling back into old habits; it's about getting answers.

aeri takes a sip of her martini, her eyes scanning your face, as though gauging how much has changed in the time they’ve been apart. she begins to talk. “i know i owe you an explanation,” she begins, her voice calm but a little hesitant. “i didn’t come back because... i thought i could offer you more by staying away.”

“you thought leaving me for five years without a word would somehow be better?” you frowned, fingers clenching around the water glass in front of you. your gaze were still on the other side of the room though.

aeri sets down her drink, leaning forward. “at the time, yes. i wanted to become someone you could be proud of. someone who wasn’t just your father’s assistant. i thought if i could establish myself, we could finally be on equal ground.”

“that’s not what I wanted, aeri.” your voice shakes, “i didn’t need you to be something else. i needed you to be here.”

“i see that now. but back then, i thought i was doing the right thing. i worked hard, hoping that when i came back, we could pick up where we left off... but time passed. you grew up, and i was still stuck in the past, holding onto something i wasn’t sure you even wanted anymore.” a familiar chuckle flows through your ears as aeri’s expression softens, regret seeping into her features.

you felt the weight of those words. part of you had been waiting, even if you didn’t want to admit it, but the more time passed, the more you found yourself leaning on minji. the more minji filled the gaps aeri had left behind.

“you’re right,” you said quietly, finally meeting aeri’s gaze after so long, “i did grow up. i’m not the same person i was when you left. and i think… i needed you to come back sooner if we ever had a chance.” a familiar chuckle flows through your ears, a small smile tugging on her lips—though it’s bittersweet.

“i really missed my window didn’t i?” aeri sighs, running a hand through her hair, “i know. but i had to tell you, y/n. i couldn’t just let things end the way they did, without you knowing that i never meant to hurt you.”

“i appreciate that,” you replied with a softer tone, finally being able to relax, “i think i needed to hear it, too.”

for the first time in the conversation, there’s a sense of peace between you two. it’s not the kind of peace that rekindles a relationship but the kind that offers closure—a finality that allows both of you to move on.

“I’m glad you found someone like minji.” after a brief silence, aeri reaches across the table and squeezes your hand.

“i’m sorry for everything. i hope this gives you the closure you need.”

“it does,” you admit, “and i hope you find happiness too, with karina perhaps?” you laughed along with her.

you exchange a final, lingering look before stands up to leave, a weight lifted off your shoulders. you know that this chapter with aeri is finally closed, and as you stepped out of the restaurant and into the sunlight, you feel ready to fully embrace the future—with minji.

back at home, you returned to minji’s side, her heart lighter. you wrapped your arms around minji, pulling her close. when Minji looks up at you with those bright eyes, there’s no hesitation in your mind anymore. you know who you want to be with, and you’re ready to give minji all the love she deserves.

“so... how did it go?” minji asks, her voice a little shaky but curious.

“it’s over,” you replied softly, kissing minji’s forehead, “i’m with you now, and that’s all that matters.”

minji smiles, burying her face in your chest, and for the first time in a long while, you felt at peace, ready to build a future with the person who was there all along.

someone from twitter said this looks like a clitoris and it baffles me AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA😭😭😭

omg thanks🧜‍♀️🕺🤺

also i tried to draw winter but ended up with funny looking idk what that is

noooo it looks nice dont worry

i miss home (but this is home)

kim minjeong x fem!reader

synopsis: when you step into the house, the smell of your mother’s cooking greets you, as if reminding you of all the memories long buried. but behind your warm smile, there’s a voice in your heart whispering, ‘this isn't the home you wanted.’ even though you’re here, your soul longs for the place you left behind—a place where you felt free and full of hope.

warnings: implied cheating; angst; mention of food; i wrote this in 5 hrs and i’m sleep deprived so it may not make sense at some parts; the story is set in japan (mostly) but i didn’t know much japanese idols so please ignore my character selection🙏; i forgor abt amari at the end.

a/n: i actually proofread this one once yay👍 actually got this idea while listening to NIKI’s split a d reading tbhk comic volume 8. #i'm grindimg yoo🔥🔥🔥 forgot to say that the story is mostly taking place in japan😭

exactly four years ago during winter, after you’d finished your daily task of shoveling snow from the driveway, a silver sedan parked at the house across from yours. that house had been empty for a long time; its last residents were an elderly couple—mr. and mrs. jones. your family had become quite close to them after being neighbors since the day your parents moved into the house. by the time you and your sister were born, they were like a third set of grandparents, often inviting you over to play. unfortunately, they decided to spend their old age in europe when you were nine.

though you were curious about the new residents, you decided not to watch the movers unload boxes—or their child, gleefully carrying their own box—after hearing your mom call you for dinner. only after everyone had gathered—your parents, your older sister karina, and the family’s beloved doberman, amari—did you mention what you saw earlier. “hey, did you know someone moved into grandpa jones’ house?” everyone turned to you in confusion.

“yn, sweetheart, did you forget or were you not listening to what i told you yesterday, huh?” karina playfully pinched your cheek, which you allowed. after a moment of thinking, you slapped your forehead.

“ah! i totally forgot. it’s, uhh, mr. and mrs. jones’ son and daughter-in-law, right? when are we visiting them, dad? i want to give their kid a present!” without waiting for a reply, you said enthusiastically, “oh, they have a kid?” your dad replied in the same cheerful tone.

“yeah, looks to be about my age.”

and that’s how you found yourself in this situation, punching the face of a school bully notorious for picking on new kids—especially the ones who looked timid and helpless.

“wow, wow. looks like someone wants to be a hero…” yunjin, their leader, sneered at you, wiping the blood dripping from her lip. she ordered her twin, yujin, to fight back, but before she could swing, you grabbed the new kid’s wrist and took off running.

after escaping through the school gate—the guard was stupidly asleep—and stopping once you felt safe, you let go of her wrist. you went in search of the nearest convenience store for drinks, and she followed you quietly.

“pick anything you like, it’s on me!” your positive energy seemed to surprise her a little, but she didn’t say much after you both chose drinks and you paid.

“thank you..” she said softly after you both sat down on a swing in the park just a stone’s throw from your house.

“no problem! uh...”

“minjeong. my name’s kim minjeong..” her soft voice spoke again.

“ah! so you’re korean too! i’m yn, kang yn! nice to meet you, minjeong.” you switched to speaking korean, extending your hand. and in that split second, you both somehow knew you’d quickly become inseparable friends.

“don’t go anywhere without me, okay? yunjin’s gang is known to be… well, you saw, right?” you shrugged, making sure minjeong was safely inside her house before heading back home.

“whoa, dropping off your girlfriend, huh?” your nosy sister (who was about to leave for her evening class) teased when you got home.

“no! just a friend. besides, i’m old enough to get mom’s permission to date, right, mom? i’m fifteen this year.” your mom just hummed in agreement.

the next day, as you requested, minjeong waited for you in front of her house to walk to school together. “morning, minjeong!!” you waved your hand energetically with your full energy at the early hour.

at school, you didn’t run into yunjin’s gang; your classes were on completely different floors. they were in class F, while you were in class B—not bad for someone a little lazy. unfortunately, minjeong hadn’t taken her class placement test yet and was temporarily assigned to class F. when you learned this, you were worried to death, but minjeong assured you she’d be fine, so, reluctantly, you let go of her arm—and you swore you heard yunjin’s gang’s mocking laughter.

at lunch, you let your friends know not to wait for you in the cafeteria since you’d brought lunch from home, and then you sprinted to minjeong’s classroom. “minjeong-ah! let’s eat lunch together!” you yelled unashamedly, causing a teacher passing by to jump a little. you both picked a spot under a big tree near the soccer field to have lunch together. “how’s class? did yunjin’s gang bother you?”

“no, i threatened them. told them i’d make them pay if they messed with me. i told them i was actually a taekwondo expert, and they didn’t dare touch me.” you burst out laughing at minjeong’s story, “ha! oh my god! my stomach hurts! they’re so gullible?” wiping tears from your eyes.

and so went your high school days, with minjeong—who quickly became close to your group—you, ningning, and kazuha, though you ended up closer to minjeong because of how close you lived. sleepovers, movie nights, and study sessions filled your evenings—and your sister’s pranks. you didn’t realize it then, but your understanding of home started to change because of the person eating ice cream beside you.

winter passed by quickly, and summer came with all its love stories. minjeong, who was once calm and gentle, began to pick up some of your traits, cheerful and spirited. once again, you found yourself in minjeong’s room.

“got any plans for summer break?” you asked, lying on her bedroom floor while she sat on her bed, playing her nintendo.

“uhuh, spending it with you.” it happened again, your heart rate suddenly spiking, and your face flushing red, “i mean— to, uh… what are you planning to do?” you stopped fanning yourself.

“i dunno, whatever you wanna do, i’m in.”

turns out she wasn’t lying. you decided to help at a local eel farm for harvest season! minjeong, who absolutely hates eels, hesitantly dipped her feet into the muddy pond full of eels, and as soon as one coiled around her ankle, she screamed and fell right in (in the end, you were the only one helping with the harvest, but at least minjeong agreed to forgive you and keep you company under the shade of a tree after you bought her two handfuls of ice cream). with clothes full of mud, you two spend the rest of the day cycling through the entire village—with minjeong being your passanger princess. a few days later, you both visited some high school festivals with food stalls and arcades before attending the big event together with your families—the tanabata star festival.

“are you ready?” your dad's head popped in from the front door. he and your mom were wearing matching yukatas, as was your sister with her girlfriend giselle, and you...

“minjeong!!!” after getting out of your respective cars, you quickly returned to minjeong's side, linking arms with her.

“remember, you need to be back by 9 sharp if you don’t want to walk home alone,” your mom reminded you again.

and so began the great snacking adventure at the stalls with minjeong! you started with classic food, takoyaki. the steaming, round snacks tempted you to eat them, and you devoured them hot. minjeong reached out her hand, and you reflexively spit a round piece of takoyaki into her palm. she tossed it into the nearest trash can and washed her hands three times with soap before you both bought melon soda at the adjacent stall. after that, the tanabata star festival wouldn’t be complete without playing goldfish scooping and shooting games! you successfully got the teddy bear you wanted, but seeing minjeong's disappointed face when she couldn’t win the bunny plush she desired, you decided to trade yours for it.

“what did you write for your wish?” the night grew late, and the fireworks show was about to start. even though it was already 9:30, you and your sister agreed to go home together in your dad's car after your parents were too tired to continue and headed home first. “you better not turn on do not disturb!” your sister shouted before her girlfriend pulled them away for a photo.

“...it's a secret.” minjeong covered her tanzaku paper.

“hey, i gave you my red tanzaku!” ah, there it was; your childish side hadn’t fully faded yet.

“fine, but show me yours too.”

bingo. minjeong wrote, ‘i hope i can always be with yn,’ and you wrote, ‘i hope minjeong can always be with me.’ you quickly exchanged your papers and then laughed awkwardly—at least you got the green light. after hanging your tanzaku on the large bamboo tree, you climbed a hill a bit away from the crowd, spread out a blanket, and laid out the food.

you sat under the starry night sky, enjoying the scattered lantern lights around the festival. minjeong glanced at you, who was busy finishing the takoyaki you had earlier—both of you had agreed to eat while sitting. after a moment, minjeong smiled and began to tell a story.

“you know, yn?” minjeong started, her voice soft, almost like a whisper. “this tanabata festival actually has a really romantic story. it’s about two stars, ori-hime and hiki-boshi… they are a couple living in two different worlds, separated by a great river called ama-no-gawa—which we know as the milky way.”

you paused from putting food in your mouth and looked at minjeong; of course, she knew. your siater’s japanese girlfriend had told her about it at the tanabata star festival three years ago. but you tried to maintain a look of amazement.

“they can only meet once a year, on the night of the tanabata festival,” minjeong continued, gazing at the sky as if searching for the two stars. “that’s why people like to write their wishes on tanzaku, hoping their love can be as strong as ori-hime and hiki-boshi’s. even though they’re separated, they keep looking for each other… they believe that one day in a year is enough to strengthen their love.”

you smiled softly, a bit shy. “that sounds like an unforgettable love story.”

minjeong nodded slowly, then looked at you with a gentle gaze. “yeah… there’s something beautiful about people who are willing to wait, right? they both remain strong and faithful, even though they have to be apart for so long.” minjeong paused for a moment, as if savoring her own words. “maybe true love doesn’t always have to be together every day. sometimes, just waiting for each other and believing that in the end, they will meet again is enough.”

you felt your heart race at minjeong’s words. slowly, you smiled as if you understood the hidden meaning behind the story. you both looked up at the sky again, each with a wish tucked away in your hearts (which were actually the same).

as the moments leading up to the fireworks display drew closer, the atmosphere around you became increasingly tense and filled with anticipation. the sound of people whispering filled the air, while the lanterns flickered in the night breeze. minjeong looked at you with sparkling eyes, as if she wanted to express something that had long been buried.

“yn,” she said softly, her voice almost drowned out by the crowd around. “i… i feel like there’s something more between us. ever since the first time we met, my heart has raced whenever i’m with you.”

a gentle smile formed on your face, your heart beating faster. “i feel it too, minjeong. you make me feel comfortable and happy like never before.”

time seemed to stand still as minjeong leaned closer, the distance between you narrowing. the fireworks began to adorn the night sky, bursting forth in stunning colors. in that magical moment, you locked eyes, ignoring the commotion around you.

“do you want to share our wishes tonight?” minjeong asked, her face trembling with hope and tension.

“of course, i do,” you replied, feeling your heart race with excitement. before you realized it, the fireworks exploded above you, casting bright lights that made the night even more dazzling. amidst the cheers and awe surrounding you, minjeong leaned in and gently touched your face before her lips found yours in a soft, heartfelt kiss. as the fireworks erupted in the sky, their colorful lights created the perfect backdrop for that moment—the moment when two hopeful hearts finally united.

after that night, you officially became the subject of teasing in your household. returning home with slightly messy lip tint, both of you were immediately put on the spot by karina and giselle in the car. “did you just kiss?” checkmate. no one dared to speak, but your flushed cheeks answered their question. your parents of course knew right away because the first rule in the house was: ask for permission if you want to date! and it shouldn’t affect your grades.

but oh, it’s true that summer and seventeen are inconvenient times to fall in love. your dad was reassigned to the us after spending 19 years in japan. three months before your departure back to the us, he finally told you. it was the first major fight.

after hearing the news about your father's move to the us, you feel worry creeping into your heart. mixed emotions fill your mind—happy for newfound love, but also afraid of loss. that night, you decide to talk to your mother in the kitchen, a place that has always felt comfortable for you.

“mom,” you say, your voice soft. “what should i do? we're leaving, and i… i don’t know what will happen with minjeong.”

your mom pauses for a moment, looking at you gently. “honey, i know how you feel. love can be strong, even when separated by distance. i experienced something similar with your father back then.” she reminisces, a nostalgic look filling her eyes. “we had to communicate, trust each other, and do our best to stay connected. love won’t disappear just because of distance.”

her words offer a little relief, but the worry still lingers in your mind. after that conversation, you feel a bit calmer. and surprisingly, minjeong doesn’t even cry when you tell her about the news—or perhaps she’s just accustomed to staying calm in all situations.

the night before your departure, minjeong takes you to your favorite spot, where the night sky is filled with stars. there, she has a little surprise for you.

“yn, i want to give you something,” she says, pulling out a beautifully decorated tanzaku paper. “this is our hope for the future.” you open the paper and read: ‘may we always be together, no matter the distance that separates us.’

your heart races as you see it. “minjeong, this… means so much.”

minjeong then gives you a small bracelet made of colorful threads. “this is a reminder for you, so you know i’m always with you, no matter where we are.”

you both exchange warm hugs, feeling the emotional moment as the stars shine above.

“can we write letters to each other? even though we can also text every day...” you suggest, the idea making you feel more at ease.

“of course,” minjeong replies with a smile. “every month we’ll exchange letters. it’ll be our tradition.”

as you write down your hopes and dreams on the paper, the atmosphere feels full of warmth and love. when the letters are exchanged, you feel the bond between you grow stronger. even though distance will separate you, you believe this love can endure.

but oh, you are wrong again. in the early years, you and minjeong did exchange messages every day, writing to each other every month, but suddenly all that stopped. you both got busy with your respective studies, especially with graduation day approaching. you, studying law, were busy helping to handle cases at the firm where you interned.

time passed, and the messages that once filled your days began to dwindle. at first, you hoped everything would be okay, but without realizing it, distance and busyness gnawed at your relationship. the longing was there, but no words came out. one day, as you returned to the city where you first met during your semester break to visit your sister who continued her studies and lived with her girlfriend there, you decided to visit the famous tanabata festival again. the atmosphere felt nostalgic, reminding you of all the beautiful memories with minjeong. you almost wanted to call her but changed your mind, wanting to surprise her by picking her up on the bicycle you used to ride to the eel farm. even though your relationship over the past two years was unclear, your status was still girlfriends—or at least that’s what you thought, and you hoped to see her (hoping those feelings still existed).

upon arriving at the festival, the lively and festive atmosphere reminded you of the moments with minjeong. you strolled around, observing the lanterns shimmering in the night, hoping to feel her presence. suddenly, your ears caught sound of a familiar chuckle.

minjeong.

she stood near the bamboo tree, surrounded by a crowd, but something was different. as you approached closer, your heart raced. minjeong looked radiant in a beautiful dress, her face is still pretty as ever but the lines of her face have grown to be more... mature.

“i feel like i’ve known you forever! you’re so easy to be around.” she said as she laughed with someone standing beside her, your heart felt a deep ache. it felt like time stopped for a moment as you stared at her. however, as her gaze shifted to the person beside her, you felt something was off. when she reached out for the person’s cheeks, you finally noticed the sparkling ring on her finger. ah, you were too late, it seemed. you’re pretty sure that the tanzaku you and minjeong once wrote were still hanging at the tree because look, you are together right now. how funny, you should’ve been more specific. you turned around with a chuckle, decided to go home and pack for the earliest flight to US. unbeknownst to you, minjeong catch glimpses of you when you were stopping by the kiosks. she made a mental note to visit you after she’s done with her date.

as minjeong and her ‘date’ wrapped up their evening, her thoughts kept drifting back to that glimpse of you she'd caught at the kiosks. she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was left unsaid, unfinished. after parting ways, she decided she couldn’t wait any longer and headed straight to your place.

meanwhile, you’d already started packing (karina was at her girlfriend’s). the memories were overwhelming, and each item you placed in your suitcase felt like a little piece of the life you were leaving behind. just as you zipped up your suitcase, you heard a familiar knock on your door. surprised, you hesitated, debating whether you should ignore it. but then you remembered her smile, the tanzaku you’d both written, and the promises whispered under the stars. with a sigh, you opened the door.

there she stood, slightly out of breath, eyes searching yours. she seemed hesitant, almost as if she was second-guessing herself.

“are you…going somewhere?” she asked, her voice soft as usual.

you nodded, trying to keep your composure. “the earliest flight to the US,” you replied. a moment of silence passed between you, filled with all the things neither of you had said. her gaze dropped to the ring on her finger, then back to you.

“look, i…didn’t know how to tell you,” she whispered, the weight of the moment evident in her tone. “but when i saw you today, something just…clicked. i couldn’t stop thinking about us, and how we were—”

you cut her off gently, a bittersweet smile on your face. “you don’t owe me anything, minjeong. i’m happy for you. really, i am.”

but she stepped closer, not letting you finish. “maybe not, but i owe myself the truth. and the truth is…there’s been someone i’ve been seeing since you left-” she glanced down, biting her lip as if debating whether to say more.

“then why did you…” your voice faltered as you glanced down at her ring, a painful reminder of how things had turned out.

“i was- i love you yn, but it’s hard for me to consistently giving love to someone who’s not present.” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. her eyes searched yours, guilt and longing all wrapped into one.

frankly speaking, you wanted to beg for her to love you one more time, you want to throw that ring across the continents but you two remained silent. your gaze fell down as you told her, “i loved you too, kim.”

kim minjeong was your home after all.