☾︎✿︎☽︎
Abby opened the apartment door, ushering Zoey inside, and took her straight to the bedroom. He gently sat her down on the edge of the bed and kneeled before her.
She still had the same numb expression she had worn since they hopped in the Uber, staring down at her lap, but she was calm.
That had to count for something.
“Zoey,” Abby gently shook her shoulder. “You okay?”
There was a beat of silence before she slowly nodded her head and let out a soft ‘Yeah.’
Abby sighed in relief, the tension leaving his shoulders. “You gave me quite the scare back there.”
“Sorry,” she sighed, slumping her shoulders. “I just… when I saw my parents… I mean, I knew I was going to have to see them eventually, but…”
“You weren’t mentally and emotionally prepared,” he finished for her.
She went quiet but managed to nod, her gaze still fixed on her lap.
“You’d think that I’d be happy to see them again, but I froze. I panicked. I hid. I ran away,” she threw her face in her hands. “I’m the worst.”
Abby sighed and sat next to her. “Zoey, you shouldn’t be hard on yourself for how you reacted seeing your parents again.”
“Yeah, but it shouldn’t be like that,” she finally looked at him, her expression a mixture of guilt and shame. “What kind of daughter fears her own parents more than she loves them?”
Abby opened his mouth to retaliate but closed it soon after. For the first time, he had nothing to say. What could he say?
“Okay, how about this?” He said, putting his hand on her knee. “You stay here, take a shower just to unwind and relax. I go out and get us some snacks, and we can watch some crappy rom-coms when I get back.”
Zoey blinked, taken aback by the suggestion. “How is that going to help?"
"What? You can never go wrong with some good food and some TV," he shrugged. “Unless you want to have another meltdown on how you're going to hide all incriminating evidence of your double life. I'd be happy to be your freak-out partner.”
Zoey laughed for the first time since they came back. Abby grinned. "There she is.”
Zoey rolled her eyes, shoving his shoulder. “Wait, are you sure you should be going alone?”
"I can manage. I'm just going to the store."
“Do you even know where any of the stores are around here?”
"I can use GPS.”
"Right. As if GPS has ever been that reliable.”
“Come on, geobug-i. Trust me a little," he bumped his shoulder against hers.
She rolled her eyes. "You're so stubborn.”
"So are you. But who's complaining?” he booped her nose before getting up and heading towards the door. "You better behave while I'm gone, Missy.”
Zoey flipped him off with both fingers, and he just laughed before he exited the room
☾︎✿︎☽︎
“Z, what the hell? How could you leave like that?" Gigi said over the phone.
Zoey had already changed out of her clothes and had a towel wrapped around her as she ran her bath.
"What are you talking about?" Zoey furrowed her eyebrows.
“Don't play dumb. Your boy toy suddenly announced that both of y'all were leaving because you got sick, conveniently when your parents showed up.”
"I don't see where the problem is. We can leave whenever we want.”
"Riiiight. You can leave whenever you want to avoid facing your parents."
Zoey was silent, the grip on her phone tightening.
“Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was lying to your parents that you weren't able to make it after I assured them that you were going to be at Tati’s brunch?"
“Wait? You told my parents?” Zoey replied.
“Yeah? And?"
"And you didn't think to tell me that you told them that I came back?”
"If I was going to tell you, you were going to chicken out and avoid them.”
"Okay, but a heads up would have been nice, Gigi. And it wasn't your place to tell my parents without allowing me to do so myself.”
"And when were you going to tell them, huh? You haven't spoken to them in the last two years, and you didn't even bother to tell them that you were coming back home. I did you a favour.”
"Going behind my back and blindsiding me is anything but doing me a favour, Gigi. I would have never done this to you!" Zoey argued.
"You know I could have told them about you dropping out of uni, right. The only reason why I didn't is because I didn't want to break your mum's heart and disown after all she's done for you.”
That shut her up. Zoey felt her chest tighten and a lump form in her throat.
"Next time, take a good look at yourself before you come at me with your ungrateful ass. You're not the victim here.”
"Gigi-"
Gigi hung up the phone before Zoey could say anything. Zoey stared at her phone with a mixture of disbelief and bewilderment.
She sighed, put her phone on the nightstand and headed straight to the bathroom.
I need to clear my head.
☾︎✿︎☽︎
Zoey let out a sigh, and she sank down into the tub filled with soap form. Abby still hadn't come back from the store (she already suspected that he was lost).
Zoey leaned her head back against the tub, staring at the ceiling, letting her mind wander back to the conversation she had with Gigi.
You know I could have told them about you dropping out of uni, right?
The words echoed, heavy at first, then softer the longer she sat with them. Gigi could have told her parents. She had every reason to, since she considered Zoey's mother her second mum. And yet—she hadn’t.
Zoey swallowed, the tightness in her throat easing just a little.
She should be grateful that Gigi had protected her. Protected her secret. Yet it felt more like she was holding it against her.
Gigi sure has a weird way of showing she cares. Zoey almost laughed sardonically.
Before she could stop herself, her mind slid somewhere else entirely—back to the brunch, to the way Abby had noticed her distress when she spotted her parents walking in Tati’s backyard before she'd even said a word. The way he stood in front of her, concealing her from seeing her parents while keeping her hidden. The way his strong arms wrapped around her like a blanket, pressing her against his broad chest.
Her thoughts shifted to the practice kiss. The practice kiss that hadn’t stayed a practice. The way it had deepened, unplanned and unguarded, like something they’d both pretended not to want until it was already happening. The feeling of his lips against her neck, the pads of his fingers against the curve of her breasts, his darkened eyes that bore into her wide orbs.
Zoey shifted in the tub as she felt a familiar warmth spread between her legs. It unsettled her—how easily those moments returned. How her body responded before her mind could catch up, a quiet awareness blooming low and unfamiliar, as if it had been waiting for permission she’d never known how to give.
Zoey's fingers dipped underneath the warm water, finding that sensitive spot between her legs. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the tub's edge as she began to rub herself slowly in small circles. The steamy water and her own imagination provided the perfect backdrop for her thoughts to wander back to Abby...
Zoey's breathing grew heavier as she continued to pleasure herself, thinking about Abby's hands on her body. She imagined it was Abby's fingers touching her instead of her own, Abby's mouth kissing her neck while she did this... The thought made her wetter, and she increased the pace slightly.
She spread her legs a little wider in the tub; the water lapped gently against her inner thighs. She let out a soft moan, her mind completely focused on Abby now. She wondered what it would feel like if Abby were in the tub with her, both of them naked and wet... Her hips lifted slightly out of the water as she sought more friction.
"Mmmph..." Zoey moaned softly, her face flushed. She bit her lip to stifle any louder noises. She knew Abby would be back any moment, and the thought of being caught like this only turned her on more. Her fingers moved faster, pressing harder against her clit.
Zoey was so close now, her body tense and desperate for release. She thought about Abby's mouth on hers during their practice kiss, then imagined that mouth moving lower... Her fingers moved frantically now under the water, chasing her orgasm. Suddenly, she heard a knock.
Zoey gasped, nearly slipping, the water splashing out of the tub to the white tiles.
"Y-yeah?" She called.
"Everything alright in here?"
It was Abby.
"Yeah. Everything is fine." Zoey answered
"You sure? You sound... different," Abby noted. "Need any help in there?"
"No, it's okay. I'll be out soon"
"Alright, take your time," Abby replied. “I'll prepare the snacks to scroll through Netflix for what to watch."
"Okay,” she called out.
Once she heard the sound of his feet fade, she stifled a groan and covered her face with her hands, sliding down in the tub.
What. The. Actually. Fuck.
☾︎✿︎☽︎
Zoey sat on the couch like she was waiting for an interrogation. Her back was too straight. Her hands were folded too neatly in her lap. Normal people didn’t sit like this, she knew—but if she relaxed even a fraction, her brain would replay the last ten minutes on loop.
She had been this close.
One knock. One “Zo?” through the door. One ill-timed handle jiggle.
She swallowed hard.
I almost got caught masturbating. By my fake boyfriend. Who is also my real best friend. Who I made out with earlier. And liked it. Now I’m over here seated on the couch while he’s snack prepping trying to look normal. Fantastic. Incredible. Oscar-winning composure, Zoey.
“Okay, question. Why is milk so expensive but cereal still tastes like cardboard?” Abby asked.
She nodded immediately. Too immediately. “Capitalism. Definitely Capitalism. That’s what this is.”
He paused, squinting at her. “Why are you sitting like you’re about to be arrested?”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Your eyes are always wide open when you’re caught doing something either suspicious or trying to hide something.”
She forced herself to exhale, unclenching her hands and slouching just enough to seem human. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
He walked over to the couch and sat next to her, eyes flicking to her damp hair. “How was your bath?”
She cleared her throat. “Very relaxing. Lots of bubbles. Very… innocent.”
“Innocent,” he repeated slowly, like he was testing the word.
Her spine screamed.
Abby tilted his head. “Your face is red.”
“I’m always red.”
“No, you’re blushing.”
“It’s hot in here. Leave me alone.”
He hummed nonbelieving. "You know you suck as a liar, right?"
"And you suck at Fortnite. Your point?" she fired back.
He feigned offence. "I’m not that bad."
She scoffed. “You die five minutes into the game every single match."
"Everyone starts somewhere," Abby grumbled defensively.
She rolled her eyes. “You’ve been playing that damn game since it came out. If my calculations are correct, and they very much are, you’re at a record low of zero wins.”
"Really feeling the love, geobug-i."
"Truth hurts." She said smugly.
Abby huffed. "I hate you."
"Aww. And here I thought you loved me."
"I do love you. But when it comes to gaming, you’re public enemy number one."
Zoey scoffed playfully, nudging him. "Bitch, don't hate me cause I'm beautiful. You're just salty because I'm much better than you and you know it."
Abby clicked his tongue with fake annoyance. "Oh, please, you’re just jealous cause I'm hotter."
“In your dreams, Abs-for-brains.”
“Excuse you. I won third place at Mr. Yonsei University.”
“You owned that bronze medal.”
“It’s something.”
“Yeah. A pity medal.”
Abby’s mouth hung open, dumbfounded. “You take that back!”
Zoey snickered at his offended dramatics.
"But for real though. Are you okay?" Abby asked, his tone now soft and sincere.
"You asked me that already. And I told you I'm fine," Zoey chuckled.
"I know, I know. But it doesn't hurt to check in every now and then," he replied.
Zoey’s gaze drifted to the blank TV screen, fingers fidgeting with her hoodie strings. “I’m… not exactly fine.”
Abby's playful demeanour was replaced by genuine concern. “Your parents?”
"Yes?" She nodded her head side to side. "Kinda. I just found out that Gigi told my parents that I'm back without giving me a heads up."
"Oh, that is a bit of a dick move."
"Abby,"
"What? I'm just saying it like it is." He put his hands up in surrender.
Zoey rolled her eyes. "I know, but still—"
Abby interrupted her. "No buts. That was an actual dick move."
"She just told them I'm back. She didn't tell them about me dropping out, at least," Zoey said.
"Okay. Good that she has a sliver of common decency. Still a dick move." Abby pointed out.
"Come on. That's progress."
"It is still a dick move. Period."
Zoey chuckled at his persistence. "You're never letting this go, are you?"
"Never," he smirked.
Zoey rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "You're impossible, you know that."
"At least I'm not boring."
They both laughed before falling into comfortable silence.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Zoey asked.
Abby turned to her curiously. "Yeah, sure. What's up?"
"Have you dated anyone before?"
His eyebrows shot up. “Wow. Direct.”
“It’s just… You seem to know your way around a relationship. Even when we were practising kissing—”
"Are you saying I’m a good kisser?” he smirked, earning a shove.
"You know what I mean, doofus," she huffed.
He chuckled. "Well... I've never really dated anyone."
Zoey's jaw dropped. "Not even in high school?"
He shook his head. "I was the scrawny class clown and mood maker. So, I wasn't really on the roster of hot bachelors," he said. "Plus, I never really had a crush until Mira. But now she's with Roobin. It is what it is."
Zoey couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You’re kidding me. In all your twenty-four years of living, you've never had a crush besides Mira."
Abby shrugged, a hint of a smirk on his face. "I guess I'm just picky."
Zoey scoffed. "Or maybe you just have high standards."
"I mean, there was this one girl from when I was a freshman, but it wasn't anything serious. She just needed a hot guy for her OnlyFans content." He shrugged.
Zoey gaped at him, both appalled and amused at the information. “You did OF back in freshman?”
“Yeah, but like only for a couple of months. No biggie.”
"No, no, no. You can't just drop that bombshell and pretend like it's nothing."
"It does make an interesting story to tell my future kids. I can imagine myself saying, 'Back in my day, I lost my virginity doing OnlyFans.'" He said, putting on an old man's voice.
"The way that sentence made my insides twist..." She cringed. "I cannot believe you."
Abby chuckled. "Hey, she offered half of her earnings, and you want me to refuse free money? In this economy?"
"Oh my God," She pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. ”You're a literal idiot."
"An idiot who got paid to do the do." He smirked smugly.
"That is so not the flex you think it is."
"At least I got paid."
"Yeah, but at what price?"
"Free money."
Zoey sighed in defeat. "You're hopeless."
"But you love me," he pursed his lips, leaning in and making kissing sounds.
"Oh my God." Zoey leaned back, pushing him away from her. “Can you not?”
"Come on. You said you love me." He leaned in closer, getting into her personal space. “Gimme some sugar.”
"I love my personal space more," she pushed his face back.
"Aww, are you shy now?" he teased.
She rolled her eyes, trying to push his face away from her. "I'm not shy. I just—don't want you all up in my face."
His face only got closer. "Are you suuure that's the real reason why?"
"Yes, now get off before I shove my foot in your face."
"Ouu~ kinky." He purred and moved even closer.
"You're depraved."
"You love it," he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Zoey wrinkled her nose in fake disgust. "You wish."
He chuckled, pulling away. "But to answer your question about how I seem to know my way around this, I just act how I always do with you."
"So, you always act like a complete dork?" she quipped, but there was a fondness in her eyes.
"At least people are finding us disgustingly cute," he pointed out.
"You're making it sound as if that's a good thing," Zoey scoffed, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips.
He looked at her, his gaze steady and serious. “At least we don’t have to pretend. We can just be… Abby and Zoey.”
The air stilled. For a moment, it was just them—no act, no audience, no wedding looming.
Then Abby booped her nose.
“Abby!” she yelled, swatting his hand away.
He laughed, the tension dissolving. “You should’ve seen your face! You looked like a pufferfish.”
“Why, you—”
She pounced, whacking him with a cushion. He yelped, laughing as he shielded himself. “Stop! I’m going to pee!”
She didn’t let up, chasing him around the coffee table, cushion raised like a weapon. Abby darted around the couch, a playful smirk on his face.
“You’ll never catch me!”He zigzagged, narrowly avoiding her swings, laughter filling the room.
“Stop running like a coward and face me like a man!”
“Uh-uh. I choose life. I’m too young and sexy to die.”
She lunged—and missed by a hair. “You coward! Get back here!”
3 likes from Antares, TheReturnofTheBlueBird, and kryphtot.