Every Step of the Way

She’s on top of you, eyes staring into yours as her hands caress your face. She plants a kiss on your forehead. You close your eyes, surrendering your body as her lips trace lower, allowing your mind to forget everything else until there is only her.

You cannot remember the first time you talked to her. She was your classmate in high school, but you didn’t strike up a conversation with her back then. 

It was when you were queuing up for an audition at LOEN entertainment when you felt a tap on your shoulder. You turned around and were greeted by the most radiant smile in the world.

“Hi! I thought I found you familiar. You’re Yeseul, right? I’m Jieun. We’re in the same class!”

“Hi, Jieun. Yes, I know you. Are you also here for the audition?”

“Let me know if I’m too rough, okay? I don’t want to hurt you.” Jieun whispers as she envelops your nipple with her mouth, sucking and drawing circles. 

“Uhh.. that feels so good. You will never hurt me, Jieun-ah.” You reply breathlessly as you weave your fingers into her hair.

“Yeseul-ah!” Jieun raced across the practice room and interweaved her fingers into yours, jumping for joy.

“I… I did it! I’m going to be a singer!” She enveloped you into a tight hug, and you could feel the happiness radiating off her.

“I’m so proud of you, Jieun-ah! All your hard work has finally paid off!” You returned her hug, smiling just as brightly, even as disappointment settled quietly inside you. 

“Don’t be disappointed! I’m sure you’ll make your debut soon. You’re so pretty and so talented! You’ll also get a better stage name for sure.” She made a face as she said that. “Mine’s IU. ‘I and You become one through music’, whatever that means.” 

“It’s not the worst. Go wow the world with your voice and be remembered for that! I’d be here cheering for you every step of the way.”

“Ahhh—”

“Are you hurting anywhere?” Jieun asks hurriedly, climbing up to meet you at eye-level, her mouth glistening. 

“No, don’t worry. It just feels so good.”

“Okay, you scared me for a while. If I’m hurting you, just tell me to stop, okay?” Jieun says as she lowers herself and resumes her ministrations, licking your nether lips thoroughly, before devouring the sensitive bud.

“Don’t stop, Jieun-ah…”

The cheers of the crowd subsided as the stage lights dimmed, bathing the arena in darkness before the main lights came on. You shuffled out with the throngs of people, overwhelmed with happiness and pride.

지은이❤️

You did so well today Jieun-ah. Congratulations on your first concert! 💜 I am so so proud of you! 😘 And I’ll be there for each and every one of your future concerts.

Thank you Yeseul-ah 🩷 This concert means so much more to me because you were here 🥰 

Let’s hang out tomorrow? My place. I’ll prepare your favourite waffles.

Alright. See you tomorrow. I have something important to tell you too.

Before you start worrying, it’s not about us. We’re good 🤣

Oooo, ominous. I’m dying to know but I want to hear it in person and with a fresh mind.

Goodnight babe 🩷

⋯⧖⋯

 “I’ve decided to quit LOEN.”

Jieun put down her fork and gave you her full attention, waiting for you to continue.

“I don’t think the company has plans for me to debut, and I’m not young anymore. I think I’ll just continue with my studies and get a boring office job.”

“Hey, whatever you decide, know that you’ll have my support right. You’ve been with me every step of the way, I’ll be there for you too. We’ll figure this out together.”

“Jieun-ah, are you close? Let’s come together.” You say as you bury your face in her heat, inhaling her scent and imprinting it to memory.

Jieun hums in response, her face between your thighs as her fingers scissor into you with an urgency, giving her all as if this was the last time. 

“Come for me, Yeseul-ah.”

“Jieun-ah, Jieun, Ji—” 

Her fingers gently caress you as you come down from your high. She licks her lips thoroughly with a satisfied expression as she rearranges herself and lays beside you.

You opened your eyes groggily and noticed that you were lying on an unfamiliar bed. You heard a voice calling out to you softly.

“Yeseul-ah? Can you hear me? Can you see me?”

Jieun was beside you, holding your hand, squeezing it tightly. Your gaze drifted across the sterile white room. 

“What happened to me?”

“You fainted. We thought it might have been due to stress and overworking, but they ran tests on you, and the results are…” Jieun trailed off, lips quivering. You could see tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“Jieun-ah, I’m scared.” You whispered as dread settled in with the realisation. 

“We’ve survived everything else in the past 20 years. We’ll survive this too.” Jieun moved closer and embraced you. “Don’t worry. I’m here.”

“I’m so happy we’re here, Jieun-ah.” You say as you struggle to turn to face her. “So happy we’re able to be on this vacation.”

She gives you a soft smile and wraps her arm around your waist, securing you. “Yeah, the doctors trust me enough to leave you in my care! And there’s nowhere else I’d want to be on my birthday except right next to you.”

Silence settles between the two of you, heavy with unspoken fear, before you finally gather the courage to voice the thoughts trembling inside you. 

“Do you still love me, Jieun-ah? Even though I barely look like myself? Even though I can’t attend your concerts anymore? Even though I don’t have the strength to make love to you like how we used to?”

She leans in, kissing your nose and claiming your lips in a soft kiss. 

“You are beautiful the way you are, Yeseul-ah. I love you, every step of the way.”