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“Yizhuo, hurry up, we're gonna miss the show!” Jimin screams from the floor below, ushering her younger sister. She hears a faint “I’m coming,”. Their mother awaits them, telling them to be safe and not do drugs. Jimin, being the good big sister that she is, promises to keep her younger (much wilder) sister in check.
Yizhuo turns on the radio as she pulls the car out of the driveway, and a CD (gifted by Aeri herself) plays through the speakers. “We’re on our way to go see them play. Why not just wait?” Jimin asks, a laugh in her voice. Yizhuo doesn’t reply; she sings along to ‘Stupid for You’, the song Aeri asked her out with almost two years ago. They play it at nearly every show. Jimin gives in, singing along to the lyrics she knows by heart.
They arrive at sunset, entering the small bar in between two towering buildings. Jimin catches Minjeong on stage, tuning her guitar. Ryujin is attaching a new strap to her bass, the one that Minjeong had gifted her for her birthday only weeks prior. Heejin is adjusting the height of her synth and mic stand while Aeri just taps on her cymbals lightly, waiting for her bandmates.
Yizhuo drags Jimin to their other friends standing in the corner. Yeji engulfs her in a tight hug as if she didn’t see her the previous weekend. “Jiminie!” she squeals, squeezing tighter.
“Calm down, you saw me five days ago” Jimin can barely get the words out, but she tries her best while laughing, along with trying to breathe. “Sorry Jiminie, I’m just so excited for the show, Ryujin said she wrote me something new!” She has to smile. Yeji was just the cutest. They order some drinks while they wait for the set to start.
Jimin sips away at her gin and tonic when she hears some chords being strung from centre stage, Minjeong’s call for the start of their set.
"Hi guys, thanks for coming tonight, we're Blue Flamingo and we hope you enjoy what we have to offer" The chords of Everybody Talks strum through the building, and the girls vocalise the fun intro.
Minjeong rasps out the lyrics in the way she always sings this specific song, making her voice extra hoarse. This was one of the first ones that Minjeong wrote for her all those years ago.
Jimin moves her head to the upbeat tune. Everyone's going wild, thrashing around in front of the stage, enjoying the music. She settles for the back; she’s seen plenty of their shows up close. Plus, she is the one going home with Minjeong tonight, so what’s there to it?
Minjeong drags out her guitar solo to almost twice its original length, making the crowd itch with anticipation for the bridge. Just as the first words of the bridge are slipping from her tongue, Minjeong looks up at the audience, her eyes scanning the room. Their eyes meet for a split second, and a smile appears on the guitarist's face. Not a moment later, and she's looking away again, finishing the last chorus.
The night continues like this, with Minjeong only looking at Jimin occasionally. Several song dedications have already been made, and currently, Ryujin is standing centre stage, playing the new song Yeji was talking about. If Jimin recalls correctly, the song's name is "she's kinda hot", and it definitely sounds like something Ryujin would sing to her girlfriend.
The song ends up being not as 'Ryujin' as Jimin thought it would be; it was (dare she say?) sweet.
The set was nearing its end, the second last song's chords fading. Numb has always been one of her favourites.
"Thank you, you guys have been a great crowd tonight", Minjeong says, slightly out of breath. "This last song is a new one, never heard before, and it's dedicated to someone very special to me" Jimin blushes (because who else would the song be for).
There's a sharp twang from Minjeong's guitar, and the song takes off. It's quite upbeat, much like their other songs. Minjeong makes eye contact, but this time, she doesn't break it like she has been doing the whole night.
It's not a walk in the park to love each other.
Jimin smiles at the lyrics; she and Minjeong have been through a lot together, and that statement is accurate, but despite all of their past dilemmas, Jimin still believes that Minjeong is truly her soulmate. She thinks a lot of her friends could relate to it, except Aeri and Yizhuo, of course; they've been stuck in the honeymoon stage since high school.
But when our fingers interlock, can't deny, can't deny you're worth it.
The song has just begun, and she shouldn't feel differently about this song than any of their others, but she does. Usually, the group write their songs to include all of their love interests, but Jimin can tell that this one is specific to her. The lyrics aren't just some random words being sung as a love mantra to multiple people; they're only meant for her. It might not sound that way to everyone else in the room, but she knows.
Cause after all this time, I'm still into you.
Even though this song's energy level is easily compared to "Everybody Talks", it means so much more. Jimin felt her eyes brimming with happy tears. It feels good to hear that Minjeong is still in love with her (though she didn't doubt it for a second). Hearing the emotions swimming in Minjeong's voice makes them pool more violently. The chorus and second verse feel like they last an eternity with Minjeong looking at her like that, like they're the only two people there.
Some things just, some things just make sense, and one of those is you and I.
Some things just, some things just make sense and even after all this time.
I'm into you
The song takes a greater emotional turn at the bridge, and Minjeong is smiling so hard that Jimin thinks that her face might be stuck that way forever. Jimin mirrors it. After a whole two minutes, Minjeong revokes her gaze in turn to close her eyes for the high note. The song ends shortly after the last repeat of the chorus. Jimin wipes at her face; her eyeliner must look terrible.
"Thank you and goodnight", Minjeong’s voice rings through the tiny bar. They all bow before the lights fade to black. People start leaving, their set being the last of the night. Jimin greets Ryujin as she steps out from backstage with her guitar case hanging on her shoulder. Ryujin greeted her, and she could see the younger girl trying to contain her laugh. She lets it slide. She looks a mess right now, so how could she blame her? She sees her exit with Yeji, to whom she had said her goodbyes earlier.
Someone links their arm with Jimin's, and she nearly jumps out of her skin. She's relieved when Yizhuo giggles and not some stranger.
"So, that last song was pretty good, hey?" Yizhuo wiggles her eyebrows; Jimin sighs, "So was that drum solo, so beautifully played in your honour" Jimin nudges her; she can't be the only one teasing.
"Say that to the artist, then" Yizhuo leaves Jimin behind when Aeri makes an appearance, practically jumping onto her girlfriend. "Also, you might wanna do something about that" Jimin knows what she's referencing, so she decides to clean up as best she can with the reflection of her phone screen.
Another body exits through the door: Heejin. She gives a simple wave before disappearing in the opposite direction; she and Hyunjin would probably be off to eat some pizza or something.
When she passes through the doorway, she's met with a familiar spread of shoulders, hastily throwing her things into a bag and closing her sticker-decorated guitar case.
Jimin wants to hug her and congratulate her on their performance, but she refrains; Minjeong doesn't like it when her clothes stick to her body with sweat. She vocalises instead.
"That set was great, one of your best shows in my opinion" Jimin leans her head on the doorframe. Minjeong smiles animatedly at the comment, her teeth on full display.
"You liked the song?" Minjeong asks, a light blush apparent on her cheeks. It's out of place; Minjeong is scarcely shy. She's always been the bold one in their relationship. It makes Jimin giddy that she gets to be the one to make her blush.
"Yeah", Jimin wants to say more; she wants to say so many things. She can't bring herself to say them now, or she might just burst into tears and make the black stains appear all over again.
Minjeong slings the bulky case over her shoulder, "Let's go, it's almost your bedtime" Minjeong places a hand on her back, gently. It calms her. They get into Jimin's car. Jimin felt a sudden wave of exhaustion hit her. Aeri had been so kind as to take her sister home, one less stress point for the evening. The bedazzled case takes up most of the backseat. Minjeong offers to drive.
Jimin lets her head sink into the headrest; she's been up since 4 this morning, and her body is failing her. With the way sleep wants to take her, she's not sure she and Minjeong will be able to have the conversation she craved. It's probably for the best, she says some interesting (sometimes nonsensical) gibberish when she's out of it.
She feels Minjeong's hand wrap around her own before intertwining the fingers. It's great when she does this, but Jimin's motherly side wants both of her hands on the wheel. She shrugs mentally; you win some, you lose some. Minjeong hums along to some pop songs on the radio. It surprises Jimin that her vocal chords are intact enough for such labour.
It's not long before she falls asleep holding Minjeong's hand.
"Wake up, baby, we're home", she hears from somewhere behind her closed eyes. She groans; the car seat is warm and comfortable now, and she doesn't want to get out.
Minjeong lets out a chuckle. She hears the girl getting out of the car, walking around and opening Jimin's door. She'd have fallen out if it weren't for her seatbelt.
She loosened her seatbelt before crouching in front of the door, her back facing Jimin. Jimin doesn't have to be asked twice; she attaches her limbs to Minjeong's body, embracing the free piggyback ride.
After locking the car, Minjeong goes straight to the elevator. Usually, they'd just climb the stairs together, but this was a different situation. Jimin almost falls asleep with her head resting on Minjeong's shoulder, but before she gets the chance, Minjeong drops her on the bed. She wonders how Minjeong managed to open the front door.
"You need to get dressed for bed, Jiminie", she leaves a kiss on her forehead before leaving the bedroom. Probably to go shower. Her suspicions are confirmed when she hears the water pitter-pattering against the tile of the shower.
Jimin doesn't feel like getting dressed, but it'd be way too uncomfortable to sleep in jeans, so she does it anyway.
After dressing in her favourite shark pyjamas (they're cute, ok?), she leaves the room to go brush her teeth. Minjeong's already finished her shower, currently patting her head dry with a towel. Jimin waits for her to finish; she doesn't want to fall asleep without her.
They brush their teeth together, Minjeong smiles at her through the mirror, and she tries her best to return it. Her eyes droop, and she has to shake her head to keep herself awake.
Minjeong turns off the bathroom light and follows Jimin into the bedroom; she switches that light off too.
Jimin sighs as her body hits the mat. Luckily, tomorrow was Sunday, and they could sleep in. Minjeong climbs under the sheets and cosies up to her back, arm slung around her midriff.
Although Jimin is sleepy, she still wants to tell Minjeong something she's been meaning to say since they were alone in the backstage area of her gig.
"It's good to hear," she mumbles, eyes closed, already well on her way to her REM cycle.
"What?" Minjeong sounds confused; Jimin did say that pretty out of context. She tries again, "It's good to hear that…" a yawn escapes her, "you're still into me". She knows it is cheesy, using the direct lyrics, but Minjeong makes her forget about the embarrassment that comes along with it.
Minjeong chuckles, "Well, I'm happy to hear that it's good to hear" Jimin can only assume there's this big ass smile on her face, knowing that Jimin is blind to the words she's saying.
"What?"This time, it's Jimin, not conscious enough to comprehend the sentence.
Minjeong lets out another chuckle, and Jimin pouts, "It's ok, we'll talk about it in the morning, just go to bed for now" Jimin hums and turns around so that their bodies are facing each other. She feels Minjeong's hands in her hair, gently combing through to lull her to sleep. It works, and she's out like a light in no time.
*****
The beams of sunlight disturb Jimin's peace; she was sleeping so soundly. She groans as she goes to check the time, 10:23. A reasonable hour to have both slept in and not feel like the day has passed her by yet.
She sees Minjeong still fast asleep, mouth wide open and a little bit of drool spilling over the side. She laughs and snuggles back up to her stupidly cute girlfriend. She hears small noises from above her head. Minjeong always makes them when waking up. She finds them adorable.
"Morning", Jimin mumbles into her chest. Minjeong manages to do the same, a yawn splitting her greeting in half.
Jimin just pulls Minjeong closer. After not being able to express her gratitude for the previous night's show, she feels guilty. Dumb, stupid body with its dumb, stupid needs.
She feels Minjeong pat her back, and she raises her head to lock their eyes in a lasting gaze. Minjeong speaks up, "Wanna have breakfast?" Jimin smiles, "It's too late for breakfast; brunch?" Minjeong nods, but Jimin does not attempt to let go of Minjeong's body.
"Y'know I'm gonna need this", she beckons to her body with her freed right hand, "to make brunch, right?" She has a teasing smirk on her face. How annoying.
Jimin whines, wrapping herself tighter around Minjeong's arm. "Ididn'tgetmygoodmorningkissyet" she mumbles into her shoulder. Minjeong chuckles at her girlfriend.
"What was that?" She asks, Jimin knows she's teasing, of course, Minjeong knows what she wants. "I said that I didn't get my good morning kiss yet", Jimin pouts and hides her face in the nook of Minjeong's neck; well, that was embarrassing.
"I can't kiss you if you're hiding" Minjeong's teasing is relentless, and Jimin wants nothing more than to roll her eyes. Well, maybe there's one thing she wants more.
She lifts her head from where it rested and finds Minjeong already staring at her. Their lips find each other under the beams of morning sun. Jimin pushes forward to make the kiss last longer, but Minjeong pulls away, tutting, blabbering about getting up to make brunch. Jimin can’t do anything but begrudgingly let her girlfriend go.
The day is serene. They eat brunch, lounge around for most of the day before taking a shower together. As the sun starts to sink lower in the sky, they head out for a casual stroll to shake away the day’s laziness by enjoying some fresh air. They walk side by side through the park as the sky gradually turns a pastel yellow, pink and blue.
On their way back home, Minjeong hums the song again, and Jimin asks, “Think you’ll still be into me when you’re a rockstar?” Minjeong grins, pulling her close. “Jiminie, I’ll be writing songs for you when we’re old and grey.”