The passage of time had brought about a profound change in their lives. Straight after graduation, Yeji received an internship at a prestigious photography studio that specialised in pictorials for Korean celebrities as well as A-list stars from the Western world. Her days were filled with the artistry of capturing her subjects' distinct features, freezing emotions in time and telling stories through her camera lenses.
At home, Ryujin found herself at a crossroads, uncertain of her path. She spent her days contemplating what she wanted to do with her life now that her hitman days were behind her. Her restless spirit longed for a purpose, an outlet for her energy and skills.
Each day, she would sit on the balcony, watching the world outside, searching for a sign, a spark of inspiration that would guide her toward a new beginning.
Cleaning the apartment and fixing cracks in the walls became Ryujin's way of coping with her restlessness. With each crevice she filled and every surface she scrubbed, she left her feeling the urge to crawl back into her old life.
Yeji's frustrations were evident as she walked through the door, her shoulders tense and her brows furrowed. The former hitman set her tools down and patted the kitten beside her before making her way to her exasperated girlfriend.
"Bad day?"
The photographer sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "My boss keeps limiting my creative input. It's like they don't trust me to bring my ideas to the table."
Ryujin reached out and gently wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, "Sounds like an asshole... Do you want me to kil-"
"Nope. I need to keep my job thank you." Yeji chuckled dryly before burying her face into her favourite spot on her neck.
They stayed standing for a moment, enjoying each other's embrace until Ryujin spoke up. "Why don't you take your own pictorials? Proof to him that your ideas are way better than his."
Yeji lifted her head for a moment, "You know, Ryujin? That's not a bad idea." She said, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. "And the studio happens to be free tomorrow."
Ryujin smiled, proud to see her girlfriend's determination. "Great. Do it."
"But you need to come with me."
"Wait, why?"
"You'll be my subject."
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Yeji had already left for work the next day, leaving behind a small handwritten message beside a plate of leftover pasta they had made for dinner the previous night. As Ryujin reheated the dish, she chuckled at her girlfriend's explanation for her disappearance.
[Hey, ODB!! Can't wait to take photos of you later. I need to run over to the studio before anyone else takes it. THAT STUDIO IS OURS!! Love you, your Yej <3]
After she washed up her plate, she walked over to her bedroom and got dressed. Ryujin stood in front of the mirror, the dim lighting in her room creating a soft glow around her. She wore a comfortable and stylish outfit for the day a snug, charcoal grey hoodie beneath a sleek black overcoat that ended just before her knees. The hoodie's hood was pushed back, revealing her tousled hair.
As she fixed her hair, she stared at her reflection in the mirror, she didn't recognise the person staring back at her; no longer was she the infamous hitman who had taken countless lives, the sociopath that everyone had feared.
She was just... Ryujin.
Beneath the scars and the seemingly impenetrable shell that she made, she was a newfound version of herself that she loved.
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Ryujin revved the engine of her motorcycle, the familiar roar of the bike echoing the streets. The wind tousled her hair as she weaved through the city streets, her mind filled with anticipation.
As she pulled up outside the studio, Ryujin couldn't help but smile. She locked her bike and walked into the studio, ready to see the love of her life.
Walking into the building, the brick walls were covered in greenery, exposed ceilings and framed prints of celebrities everywhere she looked. She made her way to the receptionist, greeting her with a soft smile.
"Is Yeji here?"
The receptionist nodded and pointed at one of the doors behind her. Ryujin nodded in acknowledgement and approached the studio.
Yeji was busy adjusting the backdrop in the studio when Ryujin walked in. She turned and her face lit up with a smile as she saw her girlfriend.
"Hey there, you're just in time," The photographer said, setting aside what she was doing. "And you look good."
Ryujin smirked and placed her hands around her waist, "Just good?"
Yeji chuckled, putting her hands on her subject's shoulders, "So fucking good."
She placed a peck on her lips before placing her in the centre of the frame. "Look natural, okay?"
The dark-haired woman nodded, watching Yeji walk back to the computer to pick up her camera. The photographer adjusted some settings before looking through the viewfinder.
"Ready?"
Ryujin felt a bit awkward standing in front of the camera. She wasn't used to being the subject of a photo shoot.
"How should I pose?"
"Confident!"
She followed Yeji's directions, trying her best to relax and pose as naturally as possible. The studio lights illuminated her, and Yeji's lens captured her essence, making her look even more beautiful in the photographs.
"Okay, a couple more!" The cat-eyed woman called out, her finger pressing on the shutter button. "Try leaning on that!"
As Yeji continued to compliment Ryujin and provide positive feedback on her poses, her confidence began to soar.
The photographer lowered her camera and walked over to the computer, "Come take a look, Ryu."
Yeji and Ryujin gathered around the computer to review the photos. As they scrolled through the images together, Ryujin was pleasantly surprised at how stunning she looked in each shot.
Ryujin couldn't help but smile as she saw herself in a whole new light.
"Pretty fucking hot if I say so myself." Yeji raised her eyebrows while scrolling through the photos.
"You're biased." Ryujin retorted, lightly punching her girlfriend's shoulder.
"Whatever."
Yeji playfully smacked Ryujin's arm as they chuckled together over one particular photo. In it, Ryujin had struck a pose, biting her lip, a cheeky and sultry expression that she hadn't intended but seemed to work well in the shot.
"Why did you do that?"
"It came to me in the moment!!" Ryujin chuckled, watching her girlfriend gawk over the photo.
"I definitely can't it my boss see this." Yeji mumbled into her hands, chuckling like a hormonal teenager.
Ryujin dramatically placed her hand over her chest, "Are you scared that he is going to fire you because your girlfriend is dripping with sex?"
She took her palms off her face and rolled her eyes, "Yes, precisely."
"Also, there are some outfits here. Wanna shoot some more photos?"
The dark-haired woman nodded, she was having the time of her life with being her girlfriend's subject. "Yeah, let's do it."
As the day rolled on, Ryujin and Yeji excitedly delved into their impromptu fashion shoot. They tried outfits that ranged from elegant dresses to edgy streetwear. Each click of the camera captured a different facet of Ryujin's evolving confidence and style.
Yeji would occasionally give Ryujin directions for different poses, and Ryujin, despite her initial awkwardness, quickly got the hang of it. They laughed, experimented, and discovered the beauty in every shot.
Yeji's smile widened as she came across her favourite shot of Ryujin. In that particular photo, Ryujin's eyes seemed to hold a glint of mystery, and her confident posture exuded a captivating allure. It was a moment frozen in time that beautifully encapsulated the transformation Ryujin had undergone.
"Wow," Yeji whispered, her admiration evident. "This one, Ryujin, it's absolutely stunning. You look incredible."
Ryujin couldn't help but blush at Yeji's compliment.
"I don't know her, who is she?" She joked, folding her arms as she looked at the photo. "She's your girlfriend?"
"Oh god, I wish. This woman right here. Divine, gorgeous. French kiss." Yeji immediately covered her mouth. "I meant chef's kiss."
"No, I think you meant a French kiss." Ryujin smirked before pulling her closer to her.
Ryujin leaned in, her eyes locking onto Yeji's. Without a word, she closed the gap between them, capturing Yeji's lips in a deep and passionate kiss. It was a kiss that spoke volumes, a silent affirmation of her undying love for her.
"Hey Yeji- Oh god, I'm sorry." One of her coworkers turned around in embarrassment. "Just letting you know that we are closing up soon."
Startled by the worker's interruption, Ryujin and Yeji reluctantly pulled away from their kiss. They exchanged a glance, smiles playing on their lips as they realized that the day had flown by.
"Thanks, we'll be out in a bit." Yeji chuckled at her co-worker as he shut the door behind him. "We should probably wrap up here."
Ryujin nodded and let go of her girlfriend as she went to gather her stuff. As Yeji was arranging the outfits, Ryujin used it as the opportunity for an unscripted moment to capture Yeji's beauty, lifted the camera and swiftly clicked the shutter.
The soft sound of the camera filled the room, and the image was frozen in time: Yeji, with a gentle smile on her face, her eyes shining with affection.
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Walking out of the studio hand in hand, Yeji turned to Ryujin as they reached the bike.
"Hey, I'll meet you at home."
The dark-haired woman frowned for a moment before asking where she was going.
"I'm just going to the bank for a moment, I'll be home straight after." Yeji smiled reassuringly. "I'll bring home some food too."
"Okay, I'll see you soon?" Ryujin pouted a little before placing a kiss on her dimple.
"See you soon."
As Yeji watched Ryujin ride away on her bike, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The sight of Ryujin on her motorcycle, her hair flowing in the wind, was always both exhilarating and slightly worrisome. She waved goodbye with a faint smile, before heading back into her car.
The photographer turned on the engine, preparing to drive to the bank. With her fingers wrapped in the handbrake, her lungs swelled up with pain as she began to cough violently. Her hands trembling as she tried to regain her composure after the violent coughing fit. She wiped the blood from her palms onto a tissue and stared at it for a moment, lost in thought.
The truth was, she had been hiding her declining health from Ryujin for a while now, not wanting to burden her girlfriend with the grim reality.
As Yeji drove, her mind was consumed by thoughts of her mortality. She could help but think that she would suffer the same fate as her mother and brother. Now, she found herself facing the same cruel adversary. The thought of how her illness might affect Ryujin, the woman she loved more than anything, was a heavy burden to bear. She knew she had to tell her the truth, but the fear of seeing that pain in Ryujin's eyes was paralyzing.
Yeji parked her car outside the bank, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Her visit to the bank was a necessary one, not just for everyday finances but for something much more important- payment for her chemo.
As she walked into the bank, Yeji approached the counter, loud bangs followed by screams were heard from behind her. Panic spread like wildfire as customers and employees alike dropped to the ground, seeking cover. She glanced around, her eyes widening with fear as she took in the chaotic scene unfolding before her.
A group of armed robbers had stormed into the bank, their faces concealed behind masks. They shouted demands at the terrified people, threatening violence if anyone dared to defy them.
Keeping her eyes fixed on the ground, her heart raced when a pair of bank combat boots stood beside her.
"Won't you be a dear and allow us into the vault?" The female robber as the teller politely with a gun pointed at her head. "Oh, don't do anything stupid."
The teller hesitantly nodded, allowing the robber to gain entry. As the robber was about to step through, she looked down at Yeji.
"Hey guys, come here!" She yelled, calling the other two members to her. "It's Yeji."
The cat-eyed woman's mind raced as she realized the gravity of the situation. Her jaw clenched as the robber kneeled in front of her, pulling down her mask.
"Hello, Yeji. It's nice to finally meet you." Her expression darkened with a menacing grin. "Not sure if you know me, but your precious girlfriend does."
As Yeji tried to maintain her composure, her eyes met with hers, and a chill ran down her spine.
Fuck, there's no way that's-
"The name's Karina."
Note:
heh heh heh heh