behind the stars // chaelisa + hints of jensoo

20

a.n. WAIT I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS THE LAST CHAPTER WAT I had no idea.  uhhhhhhh so happy last chapter i prob shoulda mentioned it

Los Angeles traffic has always driven Chaeyoung insane.

The mere thought of spending three hours in a stuffy car to get to somewhere that couldn't possibly be more than twenty minutes away was enough to make her want to quit her job and move to the middle of nowhere, pick up a job she could do from home, in pajamas and her hair in a bun.

(Lately, that middle of nowhere had a set address, somewhere in the deep of Colorado where the forest is as beautiful as a certain pair of eyes.)

But tonight, she revels in each and every red light, thanks her stars for whenever traffic keeps her moving maybe two yards in five minutes. Because every disastrous aspect of LA traffic that she loathes with every fiber of her being means another moment close to Lisa in the backseat of a very luxurious limo, sipping expensive champagne and watching each other under the amber city lights.

Chaeyoung treasures every minute she gets beside Lisa - because they're few and far in between, because the simple act of holding her girlfriend's hand makes lead pool in her stomach.

Between recording a couple new music videos and touring the whole country for two months straight, Chaeyoung hasn't had time to get another week off to go visit Lisa and lose herself in the nature sounds that filtered in as they read together in the hotel garden. And she missed Lisa, missed her skin pressed against hers in the early morning, the kisses in a poorly lit bar bathroom, spending hours in the water discovering new ways to make each other feel good, whispered conversations that went well into the night.

Phone calls and video chats only do so much when she's craving Lisa's warmth lulling her to sleep, her smell bringing her nothing but comfort and rose tinted dreams.

So, for once, Chaeyoung is glad for Los Angeles traffic and how absurdly long it takes to go anywhere, because she gets to soak Lisa in without sharing her with anyone.

It'd be better to be at home, wearing Lisa's sweater as her pajama and cooking together with soul music playing low in the background, but getting all dress up to go to the American Music Award show isn't half bad. And being nominated for three categories after hearing Suho say countless times that she wouldn't get anywhere without him is the cherry on top.

Chaeyoung peels her eyes from their joined hands in her lap - she's been playing with their intertwined fingers for a while now, enjoying the feel of their hands together - and looks up at Lisa, who's gone stiff beside her. "Hey," Chaeyoung says softly, squeezing her hand a little to get her attention, "You good?"

"Yes," Lisa answers automatically and Chaeyoung waits, runs her thumb over her knuckles to give Lisa something to focus on. She's been so used to having to be fine all the time and push past whatever emotion she was feeling to get ahead in life that it takes her a while to admit to herself she's not feeling so great. Chaeyoung noticed it a while ago, in one of their late night talks, and waiting usually brings Lisa out of her shell. "Yeah, I'm okay. Nervous, but okay."

Chaeyoung smiles at her, leaning closer, snuggling against her arm. "Kinda wishing you had taken that shot when I did, aren't you?"

The teasing brings a smile to Lisa, who rolls her eyes at Chaeyoung before leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head, "A little bit."

"You'll be fine," Chaeyoung assures her, standing a little straighter so she can look into Lisa's eyes. She wants to make sure it's just nerves she's fighting and not something deeper. "It's just a few hours, you'll be fine," Chaeyoung says again, waiting until Lisa nods at her, "Think about what's waiting for you at home."