Chapter Text
If you asked Minnie what her relationship with Miyeon was like, she’d say it was great.
The countless Polaroids decorating her bedroom were proof. One sat on her desk from the night Miyeon first said the L word. They’d been at the Christmas market, Yuqi had dragged Soyeon off to play a game, while Shuhua and Soojin were off getting hot chocolate for everyone.
She and Miyeon had been waiting in line for the boat rides, cuddling together to ward off the cold. Miyeon had her face buried in her chest, mumbling like a crazy person. The only words Minnie caught clearly were: “God, I love you.”
She’d pushed Miyeon back, asking her to repeat herself. Miyeon started babbling about how she meant Minnie’s warmth, but then admitted, in the end, that yes, she really did love her.
There was also a whole photo album from their trip to Thailand. It had been a somewhat spontaneous trip, her parents had been nagging her about finding a partner, and she’d let it slip she was seeing someone. A week later, they were on a flight.
Watching her parents welcome Miyeon so warmly had made her feel soft and fuzzy inside. They couldn’t stop gushing about what a pretty and kind woman Minnie had found. They showered Miyeon with gifts, most of which her girlfriend had tried to politely refuse.
When her parents pulled her aside, they told her they liked Miyeon, thought she was down-to-earth and level-headed. Minnie hadn’t expected that. Especially not with her track record in picking
partners.
She also remembered the time she was up for a promotion. All her friends had been supportive, but Miyeon had been the loudest cheerleader. When Minnie got it, Miyeon had screamed.
But that was just the surface.
Deep down, Minnie was angry and scared. Some of the things Miyeon did made her wonder if she was just like the others.
It all came to a head one evening.
They’d spent the night baking cookies, ordering takeout, and watching movies while cuddled on the couch. But Miyeon had been on her phone the whole time, messaging a friend from Incheon.
What started as a small spark of irritation slowly turned into a blaze. The final straw came when Miyeon giggled like a girl with a high school crush. Minnie rolled her eyes, got up, and stalked into the kitchen for some water. Miyeon followed moments later, concern written all over her face.
“What’s wrong, babe?” she asked, stepping up beside Minnie at the counter.
The answer came out sharper than intended. “I’m fine.”
Miyeon gently rested a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t sound fine,” she said softly, her voice meant to soothe, but it only made things worse.
Minnie’s hands clenched as she fought to keep her emotions in check.
“Minnie?”
She snapped.
Her hands slammed onto the table as the dam broke. Yuqi always said it was better to let things out than keep them in.
“You, Miyeon! You’re what’s wrong!” Her girlfriend flinched. “It’s like taking care of a toddler, the way you need constant attention! I feel like you don’t even care about me!”
Miyeon tried to speak, but Minnie cut her off.
“You don’t show me off like someone you love. Everyone else holds hands, kisses hello or goodbye, you just say ‘hi.’ Every ‘I love you’ feels empty, like it’s just to keep me hanging around. And don’t even get me started on Shuhua!”
Miyeon’s face hardened. “What about Shuhua? She’s got nothing to do with this.”
Minnie scoffed, throwing her head back. “It does when you can’t keep your hands off her. The second she walks in, you're all over her, hugging, kissing her cheek. ‘Nothing to do with Shuhua,’ my ass. You’re obsessed with her.”
“I am not obsessed with her, Minnie! My love for Shuhua isn’t like what I feel for you. If I wanted her, do you think I’d be here with you?”
“Maybe I’m just the one warming your bed while you wait for someone better.”
That was it. Miyeon turned, briskly grabbed her things, and made for the door.
Minnie followed, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. “You are not running away. Every time I try to talk to you, you run.”
Tears streamed down Miyeon’s face, washing away her earlier anger.
“Maybe I run because I’m scared of this! Of how you explode when things don’t go your way! You call me a toddler, but you’re the one throwing a tantrum! And when you do ask to talk, it’s always at the worst times, and then you never bring it up again. You want to talk? Fine. Come find me when you’ve pulled your head out of your ass, Nicha. And when you’re sitting in your own self-pity, remember this: you hurt me.”
The door slammed shut.
Miyeon never called her “Nicha” unless she was truly angry, or deeply hurt.
It was Miyeon’s fault anyway.
Minnie spent the next few days curled up in bed, replaying that night over and over. Miyeon hadn’t messaged her, and according to Soyeon, hadn’t even shown up to their weekly drinks.
She hoped her maybe-not-anymore-girlfriend was thinking over what she’d said.
A loud knock at the front door yanked her out of sleep. She groggily made her way over and opened it to find Yuqi standing there with a bag of takeout.
“God, you look like hell,” the blonde said, barging into the apartment and heading straight for the living room.
“I don’t want company, Yuqi. Not in the mood,” Minnie grumbled, trailing after her but making no effort to kick her out.
“Because of whatever happened between you and Miyeon? Trouble in paradise?” Yuqi settled on the couch, patting the seat beside her while unpacking the food. “Talk to me, dear friend. Therapist Song is in.”
Minnie rolled her eyes and slumped onto the couch. “There’s nothing to talk to a therapist about. We argued. Big deal.”
Yuqi chuckled. “Clearly it is a big deal. Neither of you have been seen in days, and you look like you got dragged through a thorn bush.”
“Thanks for the kind words, Song.”
“Most welcome, dude. Now spill.”
Minnie sighed. She knew she was going to cave eventually, might as well do it now and save herself the frustration.
“I don’t know, man. She confuses me. Her thing with Shuhua? It’s uncomfortable. Watching your girlfriend hang all over your taken friend isn’t fun.”
Yuqi nodded, genuinely listening.
“Then there’s the constant need for attention. Every time we go on a date, she invites the whole group. She’s always on her phone, texting friends from Incheon. Why move here if that’s all she’s going to do? She throws out ‘I love you’ like it’s candy at a kid’s birthday party, but her actions don’t back it up. I can’t even remember the last time we held hands in public.”
By the time she finished, Yuqi had set her food aside and was looking at her seriously.
“Okay. Your points are totally valid. I get why you feel that way. But honestly? I think Miyeon’s just lonely. Like, really lonely. Maybe she keeps people at a distance because she’s afraid we’ll turn on her.
Those words you think are empty might actually be hard for her to say. The constant attention thing? Could be a need for validation. Just to know someone cares.”
Yuqi had always been good at this kind of thing. She and Soyeon never had communication issues because Yuqi always opened the door to honest conversation.
“And the Shuhua thing, talk to Soojin. Get her perspective. You’re both dealing with the same awkwardness. Plus, you know Mom’s the best at reassurance.”
Minnie laughed at the nickname, feeling the weight on her chest begin to lift. For the first time in days, she could breathe again.
“Thanks, Qi. I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Now, help me eat all this food.” She handed Minnie a container and some chopsticks. “Oh, and one more thing. When you talk to Miyeon, watch your tone. You get really loud when you’re mad.”
Yuqi never beat around the bush.
But she was right. Maybe Minnie had gone a little too hard on Miyeon.
“I think I’ll take a page out of your book. I’ll talk to her. Without shouting this time.”
Yuqi nodded, patting her on the back. She picked up a piece of chicken and held it out.
“Open wide!”
The rest of the night was spent laughing, just like old times, no girlfriends, no drama, just the two of them being kids again.
The next morning, Minnie woke up feeling lighter. More clearheaded. During her morning routine, she decided she wanted to talk to Miyeon sooner rather than later, rip off the bandage and get it over with.
Yuqi offered to walk with her and then head to Soyeon’s. They chatted along the way, the blonde occasionally reminding her to stay calm and let Miyeon speak.
But as they reached Riverside, Minnie froze.
Through the window, she saw Miyeon, smiling, laughing, and sharing a blanket with Shuhua.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” she growled, eyes locked on the scene inside.
“Don’t always believe what you- Minnie!” Yuqi shouted as Minnie turned and stormed off. The sound of hurried footsteps followed. “Where are you going?”
“To talk to Soojin!” Minnie shouted, not once turning to face the other as she stormed off.
She knew Soojin would be home, Sundays were her day off. She arrived in record time and rang the doorbell, heart pounding. From inside, she heard movement before the door finally swung open.
Soojin looked effortlessly composed, freshly showered after her usual morning pilates.
“Minnie?” she said, stepping aside. “Come in.”
Without waiting, she led the way to the kitchen. “Before I ask what’s wrong, do you want coffee?”
Minnie shook her head, settling onto one of the counter stools. Soojin poured herself a cup, then joined her at the island, expression warm but concerned.
“Okay,” she said softly, “what’s on your mind, Min?”
Minnie paused, emotions shifting from anger to something more vulnerable. Her eyes brimmed with stinging tears.
“I think Miyeon is cheating on me,” she whispered, eyes meeting Soojin’s with regret. “With Shuhua.”
Soojin’s expression softened, like someone who already knew the truth.
“They’re not cheating,” she said gently. “Miyeon called us after your fight. Said she didn’t know what to do. Shuhua and I have been taking turns checking in on her. I went yesterday. Shuhua should be there now.”
Minnie shook her head.
“No, Jin. That’s not what I mean. Miyeon’s all over her. Doesn’t it bother you?”
Soojin smiled. “Miyeon does it to get a rise out of Shuhua. You know how dramatic Shu can be, Miyeon thinks it’s hilarious. Neither of them sees the other that way. It’s like... siblings bickering.”
She sipped her coffee. “I actually asked Shuhua a while back if she had feelings for Miyeon. She looked horrified. Wouldn’t stop ranting for days about how gross and annoying Miyeon was. And when I
asked Miyeon? She laughed. Said she just loves how Shuhua reacts. But then she reassured me, told me she only has eyes for you.”
Minnie nodded slowly, processing, wanting to believe, but still needing to hear it from Miyeon herself.
“I trust Shuhua,” Soojin continued. “She’s young but not stupid. She comes to me for everything, from serious stuff to total nonsense. One time she thought she was dying, it was just constipation.
Another night she went out with Yuqi and texted me the second she escaped some creep. She's too much of an open book to lie.”
Minnie chuckled weakly, recalling the infamous ‘update my will’ incident. Shuhua, curled up dramatically on the bed, convinced she was dying. Only to find out Soyeon had slipped her a laxative and she spent the afternoon bonding with the bathroom spider.
Soojin could see some of the tension melt from Minnie’s face, but not all.
“There’s more, isn’t there?” she asked gently. “You don’t have to tell me, but just remember... sometimes we miss the little things our partners do. And sometimes, we only see the bad. Don’t let your
past dictate your future, Min. Everyone loves differently. Some... don’t love at all.”
She reached out, gently taking Minnie’s hand.
Minnie nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I think I could use that coffee, if the offer still stands.”
Soojin smiled and rose to get her a cup.
Back home, Minnie sat with a notebook in her lap, pouring her thoughts onto the page. Things she wanted to talk to Miyeon about. What Yuqi and Soojin had said. The difference between Miyeon... and Jae-won.
Jae-won had been her first love, her longest relationship. Two years of love that had slowly curdled. He’d seemed perfect: sweet, kind, handsome. The total package. They started with flowers, dates,
surprise visits.
But after their two-year anniversary, everything changed.
Flowers became apology notes. Dates became “working late” texts. Surprise visits? Replaced by surprise belongings that weren’t hers.
She remembered finding lipstick in his car, same brand as hers, but the shade was off. A pale pink that didn’t suit her skin tone. It suited someone fairer... cooler. That was the first red flag.
From there, it spiraled.
He hid his phone. He spent less time with her. They stopped talking about anything real. He changed his passwords. Their once-vibrant sex life? Gone. He started to smell like women’s perfume.
The final blow came when he accused her of cheating, yelling, red-faced and furious. Days later, he moved in with the girl he had been seeing behind her back. They were now expecting a child.
But it wasn’t like that with Miyeon.
Miyeon never hid her phone. She’d hand it to Minnie without a second thought, even ask her to reply to messages. She didn’t change her passwords. She didn’t keep secrets. She didn’t smell like perfume, only like Minnie’s shampoo, after a night spent together.
And they hadn’t even had sex. Miyeon had never rushed it. She always said it would happen when they were ready. No pressure. No expectations.
Miyeon never demanded anything.
As Minnie wrote, it hit her, Miyeon had always shown love. Just in different ways.
Acts of service.
The dishes done. The bed made. Her shoes turned to face the door when she was in a rush. A perfectly brewed coffee in the morning. All the things she hated doing, Miyeon had done without ever being asked.
Miyeon’s love wasn’t loud. It was quiet. Steady. Everyday.
By Wednesday, Minnie was ready.
She felt ashamed. She’d hurt someone she loved because of her own insecurities. Standing outside Riverside, it felt like preparing to apologize for breaking a neighbor’s window, except much worse.
She hesitated before knocking.
When Miyeon finally opened the door, Minnie’s breath caught in her throat.
God, she missed her.
Miyeon looked exhausted. Her hair wild and tangled. Eyes red and swollen. Still in the same pajamas from Sunday.
Minnie’s heart cracked. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. Miyeon held her just as tightly. Neither moved until a breeze made the brunette shiver.
They pulled apart, eyes locked.
“Hi,” Minnie whispered, brushing a tear from Miyeon’s cheek.
“Hello,” Miyeon said softly, stepping back to close the door. “Living room?”
Minnie followed.
They sat next to each other on the couch, silence stretching between them, searching for what came next.
“I’m sorry,” Minnie began. “I shouldn’t have yelled. It was cruel. And... I want to explain what was going on before I let you speak. I need to say it all.”
Miyeon nodded, listening.
“I don’t think you’re needy or childish. I think you’re strong and independent. You just show love differently, and I didn’t understand that. I know now that your love language is acts of service, not
touch or words. And that’s okay.
The things I got angry about like you not holding my hand or saying something romantic weren’t fair.
And Shuhua... I know now there’s nothing between you. I was projecting my past, what happened with Jae-won, onto us. And that’s not fair to you. I’m so sorry, Miyeon.”
When she finished, the room felt lighter.
Miyeon’s eyes didn’t hold judgment, only something tender. Something that looked a lot like love.
She motioned to Miyeon that she was done. That it was her turn.
Her girlfriend took a deep breath.
“I’m going to be honest. I’ve never felt like I belonged. Even when I made friends, there were always ulterior motives. My parents are big shots in Incheon, rich and powerful. Most people just wanted connections. Friendships were a means to an end.”
She paused, her voice shaking slightly.
“I’ve had my fair share of bad relationships too. Cheating, stealing, emotional manipulation, all of it. They always looked perfect, acted like gentlemen, but they were the monsters I used to imagine living under my childhood bed.”
Minnie felt like she was finally reading the hidden pages of Miyeon’s story, the ones she never let anyone see. She had always known Miyeon was placed on a pedestal, admired for her beauty, expected to be flawless. But behind all of that was a girl who had never been allowed to just be.
“My parents were worse than the men,” Miyeon continued, her voice quieter now. “They had my whole life mapped out, from birth to death. A perfect education to attract a perfect man. They had surgeons on speed dial in case I didn’t meet their beauty standards. I was supposed to marry by twenty-five, like my mother. I’m three years late. Supposed to have a child by thirty, that’s coming fast too. They judged everything I did.”
She let out a humorless laugh. “I hated dolls growing up. They always felt like they were watching me. And then I realized it wasn’t them, I was them. A doll for my parents, and someday, a doll for my husband.”
Tears streamed down Miyeon’s cheeks as her walls came crashing down. Minnie felt her heart ache. She should have asked sooner. Should have listened better. Miyeon wasn’t distant, she was wounded. Like her.
She had spent her life learning how to survive, not how to trust.
Miyeon sniffled and added, “The only thing that never judged me or tried to hurt me were flowers. They just existed to be admired. That’s it.”
She trailed off, but she didn’t need to say more.
Minnie reached for her hand. “Yeon… I love you. Not how you look. I thought you were beautiful when you face-planted in the mud during that downpour. When you tried those spicy chips Yuqi brought and immediately regretted it. When you threw up from drinking too much and still insisted you were fine. Your heart, your mind, those are the most beautiful parts of you.”
She smiled, brushing Miyeon’s cheek gently.
“I love your kindness, your humor, the way you snort when you laugh too hard. I want the world to see what I see. I want them to know the weird, funny, perfectly imperfect woman I’ve fallen in love with.”
Miyeon let out a teary laugh and wiped her cheeks with her sleeve. “I love you too, Min. You mean so much to me. You’re the first person who’s seen me, not the mask, not the idea, me.”
She stood up nervously, walking over to the fireplace. From the dish she kept there, she picked up a small item and returned to the couch. “I was going to wait until your birthday,” she said, “Over a year together… but now feels right.”
She sat beside Minnie again, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out. “I want to let you in, all the way. I want us to share our stories, our pasts, and learn how to laugh about them together. Here. In Riverside. It’s always meant something to us and…”
Her voice faltered as she placed something in Minnie’s hand.
Minnie looked down.
It was a key.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Miyeon pulled her hand back, eyes shining with hope and vulnerability. “I want to share Riverside with you, to make it our home.”
Minnie looked at the key, then back at Miyeon, overwhelmed with joy. Her heart swelled, tears gathering again, this time not from pain, but from certainty.
She had her dream home in her hands. And her dream woman sitting beside her.
Pain and suffering be damned.
“Move in with me, Minnie.”