neaera | huh yunjin ✔

vii. before anyone else

Yunjin bit her lip as she sat next to Chaewon. Her leg was bouncing up and down incessantly, a clear sign of her nerves. This is the first time she's ever felt nervous about something. She didn't think she would ever feel it. In all honesty, she's also pretty confident in this, if that even makes sense. Chaewon did a pretty good job of hyping her up in the process of preparing this. She just doesn't want anything to go wrong.

She came back to her senses when she felt a hand over her own. Chaewon. Yunjin lifted her head to look over at the younger, whose gaze was full of concern.

"Is something wrong? Are you nervous?"

Yunjin simply nodded.

Chaewon smiled softly. "Don't be. I'm sure Jayoung is gonna love it! Even if something goes wrong, she'll probably just ignore it and focus on you anyway," she assured the older. She pulled Yunjin into a side hug. "Now, you should drink some water. You'll be singing in a few minutes and-"

She paused as the both of them averted their gaze to the entrance of the restaurant as the door opened. You walked in with a smile on your face as the waiter escorted you to where Yunjin and Chaewon were seated.

Yunjin shamelessly let her eyes rake over your figure. You were clad in a simple black dress and matching heels, and a thin silver necklace, but to her, you stood out amongst the crowd of well-dressed diners. To her, you had an aura surrounding you that just wouldn't allow her to look away, even for a second.

Yunjin and Chaewon stood up as you approached them. Chaewon hugged you, and Yunjin bent down to kiss your hand. You couldn't help the blush that painted your cheeks due to her actions.

After making sure that you were seated, Chaewon took a seat next to you with an excited grin plastered on her face, which had you curious. What is she so happy about?

Your thoughts were interrupted, however, as you watched Yunjin walk away to stand in the middle of the restaurant, where a space was cleared for her.

You raised an eyebrow, confused. That is, until a familiar melody began to resonate throughout the establishment.

Before Anyone Else by Choi Yena, a song you played often a few years back. You remember telling Yunjin about it.

Your eyes widened when Yunjin began to sing, never once breaking eye contact with you.

"Love is forever, just for you, bae
I'm by your side, always
Why don't you know me?
If it's for you, you can always remember me
Baby, before anyone else"

Is she singing to you, or is she just putting on a show for the diners in the restaurant?

You were startled when she suddenly began to walk towards you. Small twinkles of light trailed after her—a part of her abilities, you assume.

Once she was standing in front of you, after you stood up as well, she sang the next lines.

"Where are you?
I'm here over there
Let's start a journey slowly again
It somehow started by chance
Let's build up a relationship"

She stood close to you. There was little space in between you, and that's something that you've grown used to, but tonight, it feels different. Her gestures seem rather romantic to you, which admittedly has you confused.

Does she like you the same way you like her?

"Just like before, call my name
Your voice drives me insane, bae
I'll always be by your side
May it last forever in your memory"

She gently tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, but kept her hand on your neck to pull you flush against her as the two of you swayed back and forth. You carefully wrapped your arms around her waist, and the two of you were now hugging.

In this moment, you're reminded of all of the fun memories you've made with Yunjin. From the very first night you met her (ignoring the death threat), to the time when you all went ice skating, the time you and Yunjin went stargazing, and all the way to now, with her serenading you (which was probably Chaewon's idea). You cherish all of it because every moment with your two favorite people in the world is precious to you. You enjoy having weekly reading nights with your girls, baking with them, playing games with them, going out with them (although it sometimes results in Yunjin growling at people), and having cuddle parties.

But with Yunjin alone, it's different. The butterflies you feel around her, especially at this moment, are overwhelming. You love playing with her hair, kissing her, and getting to sleep in the same bed.

Chaewon once commented on the fact that you and Yunjin act like a married couple, and honestly, you can't deny that.

But you wouldn't have anything any other way.

"I'm still standing there (In my seat)
I'm so lonely without you
Come back to me, babe
I know you feel the same way (Same way)
I'll sing a song only for you
Baby, don't wait, come back to me"

You closed your eyes and rested your head on her shoulder.

You were so caught up in the comfort of being in her arms, that you jumped when the entire restaurant broke out into a round of applause and cheers and whistles. Yunjin patted your head to comfort you. Your cheeks flushed pink as you were reminded that there are people surrounding you.

Yunjin, however, ignored them. Chaewon came up to you both and quickly took Yunjin's microphone before scurrying back to her seat.

When Yunjin looked back at you, you blushed and lowered your head, feeling slightly embarrassed. You heard Yunjin chuckle. Then you felt a finger under your chin, lifting your head up to look her in the eyes.

Your eyes watered when you heard her next words.

"I love you," she whispered, taking your hands into her own and caressing them with her thumb.

You pulled one of your hands away to clasp a hand over your mouth as tears streamed down your face. You leaned forward and hugged Yunjin tightly.

"I love- I l-love you too. I love you."

Yunjin giggled. The sound was refreshing in your ears, and you found yourself wanting to hear it again.

Once again, she lifted your head up, but this time, it was so that she could do something else. She slowly leaned forward to capture your lips.

All of the times that she's kissed you before this couldn't compare to how you feel with this one, because now you know that she feels the same way that you do.

The kiss was gentle, which was a huge contrast to how she usually does it. Usually she's either pinning you to something and kissing with a lot more fervor, or she's giving you a quick peck. There was no in between. But right now, she's kissing you and holding you as if you were a delicacy. Like fragile glass that she doesn't want to break.

She pulled you closer by the hips, and you cupped her cheeks. You only pulled away when you heard more applause and cheers from everyone surrounding you, and smiled brightly at Yunjin, who returned the gesture.

After a few moments passed, another melody, a slower one, began to play. Yunjin smiled and placed a hand on your waist, taking one of yours into her other and holding it up. You caught on and placed your free hand on her shoulder.

Now joined by other couples, the two of you were now slow dancing around the restaurant.

Eventually, Yunjin parted her lips to speak. "You're nervous," she stated.

You released a breathy chuckle. "Are you reading my mind again?"

"I can't help it!" She giggled.

"I like hearing you laugh. It's cute," you whispered, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.

She stayed silent after that, and the two of you spent the next few minutes enjoying the moment.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Aera."