The first time Hyunjung made her a promise was at their wedding.
Hyunjung didn't utter it in private before the ceremony. Nor when they shared their vows and promised to be there for each other in sickness and health in front of everyone, or after everyone left and they were given a moment alone. She did it during the last moments of the event.
They're dancing and skillfully pretending to be deeply in love with one another when Hyunjung whispered something honest.
"I will be nothing but kind. To you and the baby."
Jiyeon's chest tightened, and she hid her face in Hyunjung's neck.
(Later, Juyeon would tell her about how that motion had looked adorable to the curious guests, clearly a sign of tremendous love. "I'm pretty sure I heard them going 'aw' at the two of you," Juyeon would inform her.)
Hyunjung was warm, her pulse-pounding.
"You better," Jiyeon mumbled into her skin, and out of tiredness, she leaned onto her.
A few days ago, she wouldn't have let herself do that, but now, she no longer had a reason to keep fighting with Hyunjung. Not after they desperately sought comfort and reassurance in each other's lustful touch. Four days before the wedding.
Now Hyunjung was her wife, and she would be her wife for a long time.
Jiyeon shut her eyes closed in hopes to prevent any tears from rushing toward escape.
Hyunjung nodded and kissed her head. "I promise."
The kiss was honest, too.
While waiting for Hyunjung to return from her morning jog, Jiyeon recalls that moment to steady herself.
That's been the last true interaction between them. Almost six weeks ago. They've only met and talked with each other a couple of times after that, to discuss their schedule and what show they'll be creating for the cameras to establish Hyunjung's mother's public image.
She doesn't need to be nervous about this, Jiyeon tells herself. They've already seen a little more of each other, and there's no way to unsee that.
Jiyeon isn't sure she even wants to unsee it.
When the front door opens and closes, Jiyeon reminds herself one more time; they're okay now, or a little closer to that at least.
Hyunjung flinches subtly upon seeing her in the living room.
Them seeing each other in the morning is very rare. Hyunjung goes out for her jog before Jiyeon wakes up for work, and returns after Jiyeon leaves.
Jiyeon doesn't know if Hyunjung does that for her sake or her own, but she appreciates it. She needs space to take all of this in.
The first thing Jiyeon notices about Hyunjung is that she trimmed her bangs.
"'Morning," Jiyeon says, straightening up on the couch.
The second is how tensed she is when she composes herself, and how the warmth in her eyes, present ever since the night they've slept together, is mannerly and fleeing and sincere all at once.
