The Silent Canvas (Catnipz)

|| 16 ||

Minji, still holding the bottle of soju, pointed up at the dark sky with a playful glint in her eyes. She signed, her hands moving clumsily but with enthusiasm, as she pointed out constellations to Haerin. Her gestures were a little more exaggerated than usual, her fingers tracing invisible lines in the air, forming shapes and patterns she could see in the stars above.

Haerin, watching with a faint smile, couldn't help but chuckle lightly at Minji's slightly drunken behavior. Minji's usual composure was gone, replaced by a carefree joy that was rare for her, and it made Haerin's heart soften.

She signed back, "You look like a child," her smile widening just a little as Minji paused to process the words.

Minji giggled, swaying a little as she pointed to a particularly bright star. "That one," she signed, "is the heart of the sky. You see it?" Her eyes were wide, sparkling with a mix of drunkenness and genuine wonder.

Haerin nodded, her eyes soft as she watched Minji, appreciating the small, unguarded moment between them. It was a side of Minji she didn't often get to see; vulnerable, free, and without the weight of everything pressing down on her.

"Yeah," Haerin signed, her gestures soft, "I see it."

Minji turned slowly, her gaze meeting Haerin's. The distance between them seemed to shrink, and they stood there for a moment, just the two of them, close enough that their breaths mingled. The silence was comfortable, yet filled with an unspoken tension. Minji's eyes softened, and without breaking the gaze, she signed, her movements slower now, a little more delicate.

"I wish I could hear your voice," she signed, her expression wistful. "It must be the most beautiful thing in the world."

Haerin's heart skipped a beat, her chest tightening as she watched Minji. The words caught her off guard, and she stood frozen for a moment, unsure how to respond. She hadn't expected that.

A soft blush tinted Haerin's cheeks, and she looked down for a moment, her hands trembling slightly. She wasn't used to being called beautiful in that way, not for something so personal, so intangible.

Her voice; something she had always felt disconnected from, had never been a source of pride for her, but hearing Minji say that... it made her feel like maybe it was, after all.

Haerin signed back, her hands steady but her expression soft. "You don't need to hear it to know it's for you."

Minji smiled warmly, her fingers moving with ease as she signed to Haerin, her eyes sparkling with affection. "You look cute in that hoodie," she signed, her smile growing wider.

Haerin's face flushed again, her heart fluttering at the compliment. She hadn't expected it, but the simple words made her feel seen in a way she hadn't quite experienced before. She glanced down at the oversized hoodie she wore, suddenly self-conscious.

Her hands moved slowly as she signed back, a playful spark in her eyes. "It's warm," she said, shrugging a little. "But thank you."

She looked up at Minji, the small, shy smile on her lips betraying how much the compliment had meant to her.

Haerin signed, her fingers moving with grace, but before she could finish, Minji's gaze softened, and before Haerin could fully comprehend what was happening, Minji leaned in close. The space between them disappeared as their lips met in a gentle, unexpected kiss.

Haerin's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in surprise. She was caught off guard, but instead of pulling away, something in her stirred, something warm and comforting that told her to stay in the moment. Her body relaxed into it, unsure yet trusting, as she allowed herself to feel the connection that had been slowly building between them.

For a long moment, they stayed there, just holding onto that quiet, intimate space, neither of them pulling back, both of them unsure what it meant, but willing to be there.

As the kiss lingered, time seemed to slow. Haerin's heart raced in her chest, but her mind felt strangely calm, as if everything that had been uncertain before had just found its place. Her hands, which had been hovering uncertainly, gently found their way to Minji's shoulders, holding onto her as if anchoring herself to the moment.

Minji, too, felt a wave of warmth spread through her as they stayed like that. She could feel the tension in her body melting away, replaced by something lighter, something that made her feel more alive. She gently pulled back, just enough to look at Haerin, her breath shaky but a soft smile on her lips.

Haerin looked at her, her face flushed but her eyes soft and vulnerable. It was clear that she hadn't expected this, yet in some strange way, neither had Minji. They were both in uncharted territory, yet there was a comfort in their closeness, in the silent understanding they shared.

Minji signed, her hands slow and deliberate, "I didn't mean to make things awkward... I just... wanted you to know how much you mean to me."

Haerin didn't immediately respond. Instead, she simply placed a hand over Minji's, her fingers brushing lightly against her skin, as if in reassurance. She then signed back, her movements gentle, "You didn't make anything awkward. I just... didn't know how to feel."

Minji's eyes softened as she watched Haerin, seeing the vulnerability that she rarely showed to anyone. With a tender smile, she reached out and gently cupped Haerin's cheek, her thumb brushing against her skin.

Minji smiled softly at Haerin's concern, though her fingers moved to sign back, "It feels nice to be with you like this." Her words were slow, but the sincerity behind them was clear, her gaze never leaving Haerin's.

Haerin's expression shifted slightly, a small frown of worry pulling at her features as she signed, "You're drunk. You should go home. It's late."

Minji shook her head lightly, a small chuckle escaping her despite herself. "I'm fine, Haerin. Just a little tipsy. I'm with you." She then looked at Haerin with a gentle, earnest smile, "I'm okay."

But Haerin's concern didn't waver. She stepped a little closer, placing a hand gently on Minji's arm, urging her to be careful. She signed again, more firmly this time, "Please, Minji. I'll walk you home if you want, but you need to rest."

Minji's eyes softened at the care Haerin was showing. "I'll be okay, really. I promise." She moved her hand to Haerin's shoulder, offering her a reassuring squeeze.

Haerin hesitated, still feeling protective, but then nodded, knowing Minji was strong in her own way. "Okay," she signed, her voice soft. "But call me if you need anything."

Minji grinned at her, grateful for her concern. "I will."