(Author's note: the video where the photo in the media is from and the bickering in it is exactly how I view the childish bickering this Ryeji does in this AU so I had to include that here)
Ryujin didn't know what to expect to encounter once she got back home.
Wait, not home.
That wasn't her home. Not yet. That house still felt very foreign to her. Despite the fact she was technically living there with Yeji and that's where she would be staying even after the marriage, it didn't feel like home. Not in the slightest.
When she walked through Yeji's front door, she noticed that there was music playing. Not too loudly but loud enough for her to be able to faintly hear it.
She quietly walked through the house to the living room, noticing how Yeji was focused on the screen of her phone before pausing the video and turning her head in her direction.
"I hope you didn't scratch my car." She muttered, looking at her with the same old cold stare.
Ryujin didn't expect a change in behavior and yet couldn't stop the disappointment from filling every particle in her body.
"Don't worry, Miss Hwang. Your Lamborghini is in perfect condition."
Yeji made a noise of satisfaction that seemed to mean something like 'okay, good'.
To which Ryujin only clicked her tongue, moving slowly to the living room. She didn't even mean to do that but something about seeing the other side of Yeji earlier had made her want to speak to her. Perhaps get a conversation going since she somehow was in a good mood.
"My sister really liked you."
Yeji hummed.
She supposed thinking Yeji would be nice was pretty foolish. And far too good to be true.
She sighed, dramatically flopping into the couch. Yeji looking at her with raised eyebrows, as if she didn't know why she was suddenly like that. As if she wasn't clearly the cause.
"Your sister is pretty."
Ew.
"She's too young for you."
The older girl shook her head, looking away from her. "I'm still straight. And I wouldn't go for her anyways."
She hummed, looking at Yeji curiously, the other looking out of the living room window, as if she was entranced by the sun coming through it.
Ryujin couldn't help but take in how good she looked with the sun hitting her face in a way that perfectly highlighted her features. Yeji was easily the most attractive person she had ever seen and in that department, she couldn't complain about her parents choice in partner for her.
"I'm getting my bike delivered here."
"Your what?"
Ryujin smiled, amused by the way Yeji snapped out of her thoughts and look at her immediately upon hearing the word that seemed to shock her.
"My bike."
"Your bike."
She couldn't help but chuckle. Why was she even that surprised? People drove bikes all the time. It was even more practical than a car if she wanted to escape traffic. And Ryujin was a pretty good driver anyways.
"Yes, Yeji. There's a thing called motorcycles and I happen to own one."
Yeji rolled her eyes at her remark, clearly annoyed by her attitude but what did she expect? She was the one being weird about it.
"Why must you do everything that might get you looked down upon?"
Ryujin smirked, brushing her hair back with her hand. She knew that Yeji was right about that however, the type of people who would look down on her for doing those things were exactly the ones she didn't care about impressing. Well, she didn't care about impressing anyone, really.
"People who look down on others aren't worth giving a shit about."
Yeji pursed her lips, sighing a moment later. "Do you have to curse?"
"It was necessary. For emphasis."
The older girl was looking at the window again, probably disinterested by her presence once more. By now it was her usual treatment and Ryujin still hadn't got used to it.
She had met many people during her life. Most of which had tried to get her attention in some way or were particularly interested in her. Some hated or disliked her for various reasons. But nobody had ever been indifferent to her presence. Let alone to her as a person.
"Chaeryeong wants to meet you."
"Who?" Ryujin questioned with a confused look on her face. Was she supposed to know who that was?
Yeji moved her lips around as if she was carefully considering her next words. "My best friend."
Right. She had a friend, apparently. One that was decent enough that Lia had judging by what she was told, had something with her.
She didn't want to be rude but how did Yeji have friends when she was like... that?
"Right." She clicked her tongue, thinking about it. Would it be okay for them to meet? She didn't really know what was up between Lia and this Chaeryeong but would the girl hold whatever had happened against Ryujin?
She hoped not because she already had a hard time dealing with Yeji in her normal state. There's no need to add another girl with a bad attitude to the mix.
"I'll tell her you're not interested." Her voice sounded extra harsh saying those words and she hated everything about that.
"I didn't say that." Ryujin took a deep breath. "I'm okay with it."
A moment of silence followed her words, with Yeji finally breaking it after a few seconds. "Okay."
Ryujin only hummed back.
Why were things always so tense between them?
"Do you have classes?"
"Yeah."
"At 1?"
Ryujin nodded.
"Same."
They both knew what this meant. Since Yeji had given her a ride from school that first day, she had done so multiple times since. Whenever their schedules matched or whenever the wait wouldn't be too long for one of them. The older girl never asked or offered, though. They'd only mention their schedules then Ryujin would find her waiting for her in the car. Or they would immediately get on it together since she caught on to what was happening.
It was probably the only nice thing Yeji had done for her. And yet, she couldn't really consider it something nice because Yeji was doing so out of not wanting others to think lowly of her.
"Can I ask something?"
Yeji rolled her eyes. "As if I could stop you."
"True."
Ryujin pursed her lips, thinking about how to ask this question. It was rather... well, it was inappropriate to say the least but they should discuss it, eventually. Even more so now that she knew Yeji was straight.
"Are you thinking of having someone else?"
"Like, having someone over?"
She couldn't help but start to laugh, stopping once she noticed how Yeji looked just a little too offended by her reaction.
"I meant having someone while we're married."
"Oh."
Yeji looked slightly taken back by her question, her eyes slightly widened. But it seemed like a normal thing to ask, if you ask her. Wasn't that what most people in their situation did? It's not like she expected Yeji to be a nun about it and have nobody for the rest of her life just because they got married. If she was straight, and even if she wasn't, Yeji wasn't interested at all in her so they had to figure something out. Better to be upfront about it rather than doing it behind each other's backs.
"I've given it much thought. It's always been my plan since I was a kid. Admittedly, I thought I'd be marrying a man though."
"Right."
"But since you're clearly not interested and you are straight. I suppose it still applies to our current situation."
"So you're giving me permission to be with other people? Or are you asking for mine?"
"Both?"
Yeji wasn't looking at her, she hadn't since the question had came out of her mouth. Instead, she was staring down at the floor in front of her. Noticeably deep in thought.
"I know I said I don't like to mention this for what it is but, it is business. Nothing else. I suppose giving each other freedom to pursue other people would be fair. As long as you are careful not to have anyone find out about your indiscretions."
Ryujin hummed. "Yeah, same."
She thought this would have taken a huge weight off of her but, surprisingly, it had done the opposite.
Why was her heart feeling heavy when she had just got permission from Yeji for them being able to be with other people? She could find someone who loved her and that she could love. Yeji could do the same. It was a good thing.
So why didn't it feel that way?
Yeji excused herself a moment later, going up to her third floor as per usual. She was surprised they had even spoken for so long that day.