FIVE SENSES (TaeNy)

TOUCH

Her thumb brushed the soft skin on the back of the hand she was holding. "Fany?"

"Hm?"

"Have you considered what I asked?"

"About what?"

Her fingers moved and fit themselves between the other set.

Warm. Snuggly. Safe.

"About quitting your job?"

A sigh. "What would I be doing then? Waiting for you to come home everyday?"

"You can go shop or go to the gym or hang out with your friends..."

"So unproductive and boring."

"Set up a business?"

"With what money?"

"Mine. Ours."

A tightened grip. "I told you, I don't want your money."

"It's going to be our money."

"Why? What are you talking about?"

Her other hand went into her pocket.

Velvety and hard.

"Because..." She pulled it out, letting go of the warmth. "You'll be my wife." She opened the box.

"W-what?!"

She smiled and took out the ring – one hand taking hold of the same smooth and warm hand. "Say yes? Please?"

"I-I..." A gulp and a squeeze. "Yes."

"Yes!" A wide grin and the soft slide of metal on skin. "Thank you."

Soft warm lips. Wet.

Arms around her neck and a pull. Fingers running through her hair and the feel of the other body pressed against hers.

She closed her eyes.

Soft fabric. Rough texture of jeans.

A squeeze and a laugh.

"Byuntae."

A light slap on her back.

Warm tongue.

—-

She held her cheek.

Hot searing pain. Warm tears.

"I can't believe you!"

"I didn't do anything!"

"Your hand was practically up her shirt!"

"I was just helping her up!"

"Yeah, right."

A cold small object hit her chest and fell with a small clatter to the floor.

"Goodbye, Taeyeon."

She gulped. "Fany, wait!" She grabbed her wrist.

Soft and warm and yet...

She yanked her hand free and kept walking.

Warm tears.

"Fany!" She quickly reached down.

Her fingertips hit the hard cold floor a bit too hard and she grimaced for a split second. She grabbed the metal object and ran after her, slipping it on her own finger.

"Wait!" She put an arm between the closing doors.

Cold rough metal pressing against arm. She involuntarily flinched.

The doors slid open.

"Fany..."

Arms and hands hit each other as she tried to hug the woman struggling to avoid her touch.

"There's nothing going on!" She grabbed her arms.

Soft fabric and warm skin under it.

"Then why have you been spending so many nights working here with her? Alone?!"

"What? Who told you that?"

"Everyone!"

A tired sigh. "What did we agree about listening to gossip?"

"You're denying that you've been spending every night this week here with her?"

"No but-..."

Another yank of the arms.

"Will you please just listen to me?!" She yelled and it echoed in the small space, surprising them both.

She took a step forward and held her face.

Wet warm tears.

She brushed them away.

Soft flushed cheeks.

She looked into the teary eyes. "Nothing happened. She slipped and fell and I helped her up."

"Your hand-..."

"She couldn't find her footing and slipped again. I tried to catch her. It was an accident. I wasn't trying to do anything." A sigh. "I love you. Only you. I thought you know that. There's nothing going on."

A gulp. More warmth flowing on her hands.

A gentle touch on her still throbbing cheek. "I'm sorry I slapped you."

"It's fine." She kissed her forehead.

Such tender skin.

"I don't know if I could do this..."

"What? Why?"

"I'm afraid..." A gulp.

"Of what?" She heard the ding and quickly jabbed the button to close the doors again. She pressed the button for her floor.

"Of you leaving me for someone else. Of you being with someone else."

More warm tears.

She pulled her close, feeling the wet tears seeping through her shirt and onto the skin on her shoulder. Her palm grazed the long hair.

"I will never leave you. I will never cheat on you."

Hands grabbed the back of her shirt, nails digging into her back.

She sighed. "I love you. Please don't listen to anyone saying otherwise? Please?"

The grip tightened and she almost flinched.

"Please? Fany?"

No reply.

"Please?" She choked in her own fear.

The grip loosened and the warm wetness on her shoulder turned cold as she moved away.

Her hands slid down to her arms.

"I'm sorry, Taetae." She looked down.

A ding and the doors slid open.

She pulled her forward. "Let's go to my office, calm down for a bit."

She shook her head and slowly pulled her arms free. "I'm sorry, Taetae. I think... I need time..."

She gulped. "How much time?"

Another shake of the head.

The sound of metal doors closing startled her. She quickly pressed the button, keeping the doors open. "Sigh... okay then. Take your time."

She took a step forward and kissed her forehead again.

The soft skin was now damp with a bit of sweat.

"I love you. Please don't forget that?"