Momo closes her eyes at the sting of a sharp nail on her cheek, followed by a whispered apology from the woman in front of her. Dahyun continues spreading moisturizer on Momo's face, more carefully this time in order to not hurt her. It's not easy to apply skincare on someone else, after all. Momo runs her fingers along Dahyun's hipbone, trying to get rid of the frown she just knows is etched on Dahyun's face because of how focused she is.
Dahyun's bathroom feels like a safe place as Momo sits on the counter just beside the sink, with Dahyun between her legs. It's funny how mere hours ago, Momo was crying on the couch in her own apartment. Now, she's happy to be in control of Dahyun's gentle and healing hands.
Momo and her mother had an argument over the phone. The tension between them had started a few weeks prior when her mother complained about them not communicating enough. Her mother got frustrated that Momo doesn't take enough time to talk with her parents, considering how the group is on a break right now. Momo tried to explain to her that she still has a lot of things to deal with despite being on break, but her mother didn't want to listen at all. She said that she is disappointed in Momo and ended the call.
Momo couldn't keep her tears in. Her mother had brought up this topic a few times before, but this time she was way more serious and harsh. Momo broke down in the living room of her empty apartment, letting the silence listen to her cries. As if Dahyun felt the sadness of her girlfriend, she called minutes after. She knew that something was wrong by Momo's voice, so she quickly drove over and picked her up.
Tender fingers closing around Momo's hand made her realize that Dahyun is done. Dahyun brings Momo's hand to her lips, planting a soft kiss over her knuckles. Momo opens her eyes and sees Dahyun's gaze fixed on her nails. She has been biting at them for some weeks. Neither of them speaks up about it, but Dahyun brushes her thumb over the nails and that makes Momo's guilt fade a little.
"How are you feeling?" Dahyun asks as she ducks her head, trying to catch Momo's gaze. "What can I do for you?"
Momo purses her lips so Dahyun doesn't see them tremble. The sob in her throat gets stuck, so she tries words instead. "Actually, I think I need a shower."
Momo finally looks up at Dahyun and Dahyun frowns at the pain she sees in her eyes. Everything will get better, though. It always does. Dahyun cups her cheeks and pecks her lips, but Momo leans in for a proper kiss. After a sweet moment, Dahyun helps Momo down from the counter.
"Okay, I'll be waiting outside," she says before leaving the room.
Ten minutes pass with Dahyun sitting on her bed and listening to the shower water noise, and another thirty pass when it's still not getting turned off. She wants to give Momo space, but the worry clawing at her chest gets the best of her. She gets up and walks to the bathroom door.
She opens it slowly and spots the unmoving silhouette behind the shower curtain, under the layer of steam. "Momo? I just wanted to check on you."
Several seconds pass and all Dahyun can hear is water hitting the tiles.
"You can join me if you want," Momo eventually says.
The tightness in her voice makes Dahyun undress as fast as possible. She opens the curtain and sees Momo's back turned to her. Momo is leaning a hand on the wall, the water falling right onto her. Dahyun reaches out a hand under the water and feels that it's almost burning hot. She immediately changes it to a comfortable temperature and then places a hand on Momo's shoulder.
Momo's shoulders tense before she turns to look at Dahyun, making the girl's throat close at the sight. Momo's eyes are bloodshot and swimming in tears that glide down her cheeks along the water droplets. Her breathing is coming in short intakes, not being able to hold back the trembling of her lips this time. Dahyun has never seen her like this.
