Pleasure Therapist || Ryeji ff

- Chapter 12 -

Only fifteen minutes out of bed and therefore still in her pajamas, Ryujin suffered what felt like a minor heart attack at a firm knock on her apartment door. She checked the time as she tiptoed suspiciously to the peephole. Who the hell drops by unannounced at nine o'clock on
Sunday morning?

Her question answered itself. Before she could take a peek at her mystery visitor, Yeji's voice filtered through the door. "It occurs to me that I should've texted first. If you're busy, or don't want company, you can tell me to leave. Or to come back later." Through the peephole, Ryujin watched Yeji fidget uncomfortably. "But if you're up for a short visit and another sincere apology...well, I brought breakfast."

Ryujin closed her eyes, wishing once more that she'd kept her mouth shut and their safe word unspoken. "Yeji.." Unwilling to have this conversation within earshot of a public hallway, she disengaged the deadbolt and swung open the door. She was stunned by the redness of Yeji's eyes and her somber, exhausted expression - neither of which hindered the polite smile she mustered when their gazes met.

With her own, reassuring smile, Ryujin said, "I don't need another apology. You didn't know, okay? Now you do." She worked up a broad grin she doubted would convince Yeji of anything, straining her facial muscles. "However, I do have a rule about never turning down breakfast.
Especially after a busy night."

Yeji hoisted three large canvas bags. "I brought a little of everything. I wasn't sure what you liked."

"Waffles?"

Yeji's face lit up. "Yes! I have Belgian waffles.
Pancakes, too. And a few slices of French toast."

Unsure whether to be impressed by her thorough effort or horrified by all the calories on offer, Ryujin ushered Yeji into her apartment. "It's clear you left nothing to chance." She took all three bags from Yeji once they reached the kitchen, depositing them on the counter to unpack container after container of breakfast fare. "I hope you're hungry, because we're about to eat."

"Not very, I'm afraid." Yeji's tone hinted at the guilt behind this visit - and no doubt her weary countenance as well. "I know you don't want another apology, but if you don't mind, I'd really like to give one anyway."

Ryujin folded her arms over her chest, then nodded for Yeji to proceed. "But only if you think you'll actually feel better afterward. Otherwise, I say we both move on." She arched a gently reproachful eyebrow. "Like I already have."

Yeji took a breath before launching into a seemingly prepared speech.

"Ryujin, I feel terrible about what happened last night. I should have read your body language, and listened to what you were telling me, long before you had to resort to using your safe word. You asked me to stop doing something, but I kept going. I repeated the word, even, just to see you squirm." She wetted her lips and swallowed. "I... I let my personal feelings cloud my judgment. By which I mean..." She shrank under what Ryujin suspected was a wave of brutal self-recrimination. "Despite having absolutely zero right...I was jealous. Or I guess...I was resenting the sex I slept on my couch last Wednesday night to avoid overhearing. The sex, along with whoever it was that showed you such a nice time."

Not sure what to say about that, Ryujin carried plates, utensils, and a stack of random food containers to the table and sank into her chair to process. After a lengthy silence, Yeji claimed the seat opposite hers. Cracking open two cardboard boxes, she served Ryujin a golden-brown waffle from the second without meeting her gaze. Painfully aware that Yeji was awaiting her response, yet clueless about how she was supposed to react, Ryujin pooled syrup inside every individual flavor compartment in her waffle before offering a tentative reply. "I'm sorry about the noise. I never wanted to upset you."