Dive // Jaeyi x Seulgi

Chapter 8

"Take these."

Seulgi raised an eyebrow but swallowed the pills without complaint.

Jaeyi sat beside her, watching carefully. "You should sleep."

Seulgi let out a breathy chuckle. "You're really bossy, you know that?"

Jaeyi didn't deny it. Instead, she reached forward and pressed her palm lightly against Seulgi's forehead, checking her temperature again.

The touch was cool against Seulgi's warm skin.

She swallowed. "You're—"

Jaeyi pulled back before she could finish, standing abruptly. "Rest first. We'll talk later."

Seulgi wanted to argue, but the exhaustion was creeping up on her, dragging her down.

She sighed, settling back against the couch. "Fine."

Jaeyi watched her for a moment before turning away, heading toward the small balcony. She stood there, staring out at the town beyond, lost in thought.

Later, when the sun had dipped lower in the sky and Seulgi had finally gotten some rest, Jaeyi suggested they go out.

"You hungry?" Jaeyi asked, tossing her jacket over her shoulders.

Seulgi stretched, still groggy but feeling a little better. "Starving."

Jaeyi nodded toward the door. "Let's go, then."

They stepped outside, the cool evening air brushing against their skin. Seulgi followed Jaeyi through the quiet streets, her hands tucked into her pockets. It had been a while since she'd walked around her hometown like this—not just passing through, but really being here.

They ended up in a small, cozy restaurant nestled between old buildings, the kind of place locals favored. The smell of grilled meat and warm broth filled the air as they slid into a booth near the window.

Jaeyi didn't waste time ordering, listing off dishes like she knew the menu by heart.

Seulgi glanced at Jaeyi. "You order like a regular."

Jaeyi shrugged, flipping the menu shut. "I've been here a few times."

Seulgi leaned forward slightly. "Alone?"

Jaeyi didn't miss the curiosity in her tone. She just smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Seulgi narrowed her eyes. "That's not an answer."

Jaeyi simply picked up her glass of water, taking a slow sip like she had all the time in the world.

The conversation lulled as their food arrived, steam rising from the bowls. Seulgi poked at her rice absentmindedly before glancing at Jaeyi.

"I thought we were going to talk about what happened."

Jaeyi paused, chopsticks hovering midair.

Then, she exhaled softly. "Eat first."

Seulgi narrowed her eyes. "You're dodging."

Jaeyi didn't deny it, simply pushing a plate toward her. "You need food. Then we'll talk."

Seulgi sighed but relented, taking a bite. The warmth of the meal settled in her stomach, grounding her more than she expected. She was still exhausted, still had questions, but for now, she let herself focus on the food.

After dinner, instead of heading straight back, Jaeyi led her down a quieter street.

Seulgi frowned. "Where are we going?"

Jaeyi didn't answer right away. Then— "You need to relax."

Seulgi blinked as they stopped in front of a pottery studio.

"This is your idea of relaxing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jaeyi only hummed in response, stepping inside. "You'll see."

The studio was quiet, save for the soft hum of a song playing in the background—No One Told Me by Lucid.

Seulgi froze mid-step.

She knew this song.

Her gaze flickered toward Jaeyi, but the other woman was already settling in, rolling up her sleeves as if she hadn't just chosen that song—a song Seulgi used to play when she missed her.

Seulgi narrowed her eyes. Was this a coincidence?

Jaeyi must have sensed her staring because she finally looked up, tilting her head slightly. "What?"

Seulgi hesitated. She could call her out. Ask her outright. But instead, she exhaled through her nose and shook her head. Not now.

Jaeyi smirked like she knew exactly what was going on in Seulgi's head. "Just try it."

Seulgi scoffed but didn't argue, stepping forward and pressing her fingers into the clay.

It wobbled under her touch, nearly collapsing. Frustration flickered across her face.

Jaeyi sighed softly. "Here."

Before Seulgi could react, Jaeyi stepped closer, slipping behind her. Her hands found Seulgi's—warm, steady—as she guided her fingers along the clay.

Seulgi tensed.

The space between them had vanished, Jaeyi's chest almost brushing against her back. The air felt warmer, thicker. The slow, deliberate motion of their hands only amplified it, their fingers intertwined, molding the clay together.

Relax, Seulgi told herself.

Jaeyi's voice was lower now, quieter. "Relax."

Seulgi swallowed hard. She was relaxed—or at least, she had been, until Jaeyi's breath brushed past her neck. A slow shiver ran down her spine.

"You do this often?" Seulgi asked, trying to ground herself in conversation.

Jaeyi's hands didn't falter. "What, pottery?"

Seulgi tilted her head slightly. "No. Dragging people into doing random things with you."

Jaeyi hummed, considering. "Not people. Just you."

Seulgi's breath hitched.

Jaeyi didn't elaborate. She didn't need to.

Seulgi tried to focus on the clay, on the spinning wheel beneath their hands, but Jaeyi was too close. Too warm. And when she glanced up, Jaeyi was already watching her.

Their eyes met.

Seulgi felt her heartbeat in her throat. Jaeyi didn't move away. Instead, her gaze flickered downward—to Seulgi's lips—just for a second. But it was enough.

The music swelled around them, the wistful melody curling into the air.

Seulgi exhaled sharply. "Jaeyi—"

Jaeyi didn't let her finish.

Instead, she leaned in, the barest ghost of a touch against Seulgi's ear as she whispered, "Your ears are red."

Seulgi barely bit back a groan, tearing her gaze away. "Shut up."

Jaeyi chuckled, her breath warm against Seulgi's skin. But she didn't move back, letting the moment settle—just long enough for Seulgi to stay caught in it.

A near-miss. A promise.

Then, just as suddenly, Jaeyi exhaled and straightened, pulling away—but her fingers still rested lightly over Seulgi's, her touch staying like an afterthought.

The chorus threaded softly through the room, its quiet yearning settling between them—like a question neither dared to voice.

Seulgi clenched her jaw. She wanted to ask. Did you pick this on purpose?

But Jaeyi spoke first, voice softer now. "Let's finish this first. Then we'll talk."

Seulgi exhaled shakily, trying to ignore the way her skin still burned where Jaeyi had been.

Jaeyi had distracted her. Successfully.