Dive // Jaeyi x Seulgi

Chapter 5

Jaeyi blinked. Morning light spilled in through the curtains, tracing golden lines along the sheets. Seulgi lay beside her, dark hair tousled, lips slightly parted in sleep.

She couldn't help but watch her—how her lashes fluttered faintly, how the early morning light traced the soft curves of her face. It was unfair how effortlessly beautiful she was.

A stray strand of hair had fallen across Seulgi's cheek. Jaeyi reached out, brushing it away with careful fingers. Seulgi stirred slightly but didn't wake, just leaned unconsciously into the touch.

Jaeyi exhaled through her nose, a quiet, almost bitter amusement flickering in her chest. If only things were that simple.

She rose from the bed without a sound, stretching out the stiffness in her limbs before slipping out of the room.

The scent of oil and old leather filled the garage as Jaeyi crouched beside the brat-style motorcycle, fingers expertly twisting a wrench around a bolt. The bike was old, but she had kept it running—just barely.

She ran her hand along the handlebars, testing the grip before adjusting the brake lever. A small frown tugged at her lips as she twisted the throttle, listening to the way it snapped back. Satisfied, she gave the clutch a firm squeeze, making a mental note to fine-tune it later.

She felt Seulgi before she heard her.

"Didn't take you for a mechanic," came the low, sleep-rough voice from the doorway.

Jaeyi smirked, still focused on the bike. "Didn't think I was just a pretty face, did you?"

Seulgi scoffed, stepping inside. "I knew you were handy, but this? Unexpected."

Jaeyi patted the seat of the bike. "My mom used to ride this one. She left it here after the divorce, and, well... no one really came back for it." Her voice was light, but there was an underlying note of something unspoken. She wiped her hands on the rag, glancing around the garage. "Place has been pretty quiet ever since."

Seulgi swallowed, eyes flickering over Jaeyi—her toned arms, the soft sheen of sweat on her skin, the way her white tank top clung just enough to make warmth creep up her neck. She quickly looked away, arms crossing tighter over her chest. "You keep it running?"

Jaeyi shrugged, wiping her hands on a rag. "I like having options."

A pause. Then, "You're always thinking about escape routes, huh?"

Jaeyi stilled for half a second before setting the wrench down with a quiet clink. "Old habits. When you've spent enough time feeling trapped, you start planning your exits before you even walk through the door."

Seulgi let out a slow breath, shaking her head. "Jaeyi—"

But Jaeyi didn't give her time to linger on it.

Before she could finish, Jaeyi stood, tossing the rag onto the workbench. "Enough about that. You hungry?" She shot a smirk over her shoulder. "Or do you just like watching me work?"

Seulgi rolled her eyes, forcing a chuckle. "Come on, let's eat."

Later, as they walked outside, Seulgi slowed, gaze lingering on the shimmering expanse of water beyond the trees. The way the light danced on the surface, the gentle sway of the tide—it was mesmerizing.

Jaeyi caught the look and tilted her head. "Since when did you like the water?"

Seulgi glanced at her, then back at the view. "I've always liked it. Just never learned how to swim."

Jaeyi narrowed her eyes. "You like water?" she repeated, skeptical. "Bold of you to say, considering the last time you jumped in, you nearly drowned."