mean it - winrina

special chapter : 0.1

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, the kind where the sun's rays filtered gently through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. The city outside hummed with the distant sound of traffic, but inside their apartment, a comfortable silence prevailed. Karina stretched out on the couch, her legs crossed as she scrolled through her laptop. She was trying to get some work done, but her mind kept wandering, distracted by the warmth of the sun and the gentle hum of the air conditioning.

Karina sighed, adjusting her position to get more comfortable. She glanced over at the other end of the couch, where Winter lay sprawled out, her head resting on a cushion. Winter had been dozing on and off, taking advantage of the lazy day to catch up on some much-needed rest. Her hair was slightly messy, falling over her face, and her breathing was slow and even.

Karina couldn't help but smile at the sight. There was something incredibly peaceful about watching Winter sleep. It was a rare moment of tranquility in their often hectic lives. But as much as Karina loved these quiet moments, she had a task to complete, and the couch was the best spot for her to work on her laptop.

"Hey, Minjeong," Karina called softly, not wanting to startle her too much. Winter stirred, opening her eyes slowly and blinking up at Karina.

"Mmm?" Winter mumbled, still half-asleep.

"Can I use your lap as a desk?" Karina asked, half-joking. "I need to get some work done, and the couch is the best place for it."

Winter sat up, stretching and rubbing her eyes. She looked at Karina with a sleepy smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Sure, but you know the rules," she said, her voice still thick with sleep.

Karina chuckled, already knowing what was coming. Winter had a habit of making herself comfortable in Karina's lap whenever she worked on the couch. It had become a sort of unspoken rule between them. Winter would claim Karina's lap as her resting place, and in return, Karina would get to use the couch as her workspace.

"Of course," Karina replied, shifting to make room. Winter moved over, positioning herself so that her head was in Karina's lap. She snuggled in, adjusting a throw pillow under her head and draping her arm over Karina's legs.

Karina smiled down at Winter, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Comfortable?"

"Mm-hmm," Winter murmured, closing her eyes again. "Perfect."

Karina opened her laptop, resting it on the armrest of the couch so she could work while Winter lay in her lap. She started typing, her fingers moving quickly over the keys as she focused on her task. But every so often, she found herself glancing down at Winter, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.

Time seemed to pass slowly in the cozy warmth of their apartment. Karina worked diligently, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. There was something incredibly intimate about these moments—just the two of them, quietly enjoying each other's company.

After a while, Winter shifted, her eyes fluttering open. She looked up at Karina, her gaze soft and affectionate. "What are you working on?" she asked, her voice a little clearer now that she was more awake.

Karina smiled, reaching down to gently stroke Winter's hair. "Just some emails and a bit of writing. Nothing too exciting."

Winter nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. She reached up, resting her hand on Karina's arm. "I like it when you work here," she said softly. "It's nice."

Karina felt a warm flush spread through her chest at Winter's words. There was a sincerity in her voice that made Karina's heart swell with affection. "I like it too," Karina admitted, her voice equally soft. "It's... peaceful."

Winter smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners again. "Yeah," she agreed. "It's like... I don't know, like everything else just fades away."

Karina nodded, understanding exactly what Winter meant. In these quiet moments, it was easy to forget about the stresses of the outside world. It was just the two of them, sharing a simple, quiet intimacy that felt more precious than anything else.

For a while, they just stayed like that—Karina working on her laptop, Winter resting in her lap. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with the quiet hum of their apartment and the soft rustling of Winter's movements.

After some time, Winter sat up, stretching her arms above her head. She yawned, then looked at Karina with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You know, I could get used to this," she said, her tone playful. "Being your personal laptop stand."

Karina laughed, closing her laptop and setting it aside. "You already are," she teased. "And you're doing a great job."

Winter grinned, clearly pleased with herself. She leaned in, planting a soft kiss on Karina's cheek. "Good to know I'm appreciated," she said with a chuckle.

Karina felt a flutter in her chest at the kiss, a familiar warmth spreading through her. She reached up, cupping Winter's cheek and looking into her eyes. "You're always appreciated," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity.

Winter's smile softened, and she leaned in for another kiss, this one lingering a little longer. When they pulled away, Karina felt her heart beating a little faster, her skin tingling with the warmth of Winter's touch.

They settled back into the couch, Winter curling up against Karina's side. Karina wrapped an arm around her, holding her close. The warmth of their bodies, the softness of the couch, and the gentle hum of the city outside created a perfect cocoon of comfort.

As they sat there, Karina felt a deep sense of gratitude wash over her. In the grand scheme of things, moments like these might seem insignificant, but to her, they were everything. They were the little pieces of happiness that made up the bigger picture of their lives together.

Winter looked up at Karina, her eyes shining with affection. "You know," she said softly, "I think this might be my favorite place in the world."

Karina smiled, her heart swelling with love. "Mine too," she replied, pressing a soft kiss to Winter's forehead. "As long as you're here, it always will be."

And with that, they settled into the quiet, comfortable silence once more, content in the knowledge that they had found something truly special in each other—a place to rest, a place to call home.