A/N: long chapter ahead :)

—

/THIRD PERSON POV/

It was their fourth day here, and tomorrow they're going back to Busan. Everything was going better than expected, Jennie's guilt had slowly drained out of her system, Lisa's charm continued to win over Chaerin and Ella's heart — especially when Lisa cooked dinner for them, a Thai food her mom taught her to make back in the old days (even Jennie was surprised).

Today, they decided to have a picnic (Chaerin gave Ella a permission to skip school for a day, and it was Friday, after all). Chaerin and Jennie were both sitting on the blanket, watching Lisa and Ella playing soccer. "I'm so happy it's her you bring home," Chaerin suddenly said, and when Jennie turned to face her, her gaze was fond and locked on Lisa.

"I'm happy it's her who brings me home," Jennie replied. "She... I'd never have the courage if it weren't for her."

Chaerin looked at her intently, then she asked. "I thought you wanted to come home?"

Jennie turned at her mom when she heard the tone the older Kim was using. "Mom, I want to be here, trust me on that. It's just... I was scared. I want to come home, but I was too afraid to even think about it. T-to think about what would happen once I'm here again with all the memories and feelings and... everything. And when I told Lisa about it, her first response was telling me I should come home," Jennie gulped before continuing. "That's what I need. For her to tell me that I — that nothing will happen because you and Ella will love me just the same. And I believe her. I... I need someone who's going to tell me I won't be alone... and she's that person, mom. She promises to be by my side through all this, and that's what I need. I need her to be my strength."

"Jennie," Chaerin sighed. "You're my daughter. I-I honestly don't understand why you'd think I — or Ella — would have a different response to you coming home?"

"Ella won't even look at me in the eyes the first days I'm here," Jennie scoffed.

"She's always been a shy girl, Jennie,"

"She has, but to me? I'm her sister!" Jennie hissed, glancing at Lisa and Ella who are fortunately still focused on the ball.

"And can you blame her? You... you —" Chaerin stalled, and Jennie felt a lump in her throat.

"I ran away from home. You can say it, mom. It's the truth," Jennie smiled sadly. "And exactly. I ran away from home, so the only acceptable response from you and Ella is — I don't know, anger? You should be angry at me. Hell, you should hate me, even. I left you, both of you. So where did I go wrong for expecting the worst? Because I know I deserve the worst outcome for what I did."

"You're out of your mind to think that I would even think about hating you, Jennie," Chaerin said with a low voice, trying to not attract the two's attention. "You're my daughter. I only have you and Ella. What good do you think will bring me from hating you? I'll only feel more empty, Jennie, that's why I couldn't — and won't ever — hate you. Because I love you. I love you and Ella because you're my daughters, my blood and flesh, my family, my pride — you're the only good things in my life, and you're the only ones I have left!" Chaerin stared at Jennie with wide eyes, as if it hurt her that Jennie would even consider that (it did). "Yes, I was hurt when you decided to leave us. But did I make it a reason to hate you? No! God, you hurt me and I love you more because I never, ever want to lose you."

"That's how much I love you, Jennie," Chaerin continued, even when Jennie's cheeks were wet and her sniffles were prickling Lisa's ears. "So, you keep that in mind. I love you. Ella loves you. We forgive you, and now it's your turn to forgive yourself. Because the only one who hates you right now is you. I see it in your eyes, honey. You're guilty, so, so guilty, but I need you to forgive yourself so you can finally be free. I don't want you flying back to Busan still carrying all this guilt."

"Mom..." Jennie sobbed. "I'm sorry." Her voice cracked, and it was the only thing she could say.

"I forgive you," Chaerin said instead. "Now stop apologizing and dry your tears before Lisa comes here and sue me for making her wife cry."

"Mom! I'm not her wife," Jennie protested, drying her tears with her cheeks burning hot.

"Well, not yet," Chaerin grinned but Jennie only glared at her. "Oh, come on, don't go all denial on me. You've always wanted to get married to a prince charming since you were a little girl, saying you want to be the princess and live happily ever after in a big castle with eleven dogs. Well, Lisa's not a prince, but she is charming. And you'll only need ten more dogs."

Jennie laughed at her mom. "She's won you over, hasn't she?"

"Maybe she has," Chaerin said softly. "But, all jokes aside, Jennie... the love you both share is rare. You don't want to lose that."

Jennie smiled, staring at Lisa who's laughing when Ella couldn't steal the ball away from her. "Yeah. I don't want to lose her either," Jennie said.

"But you have to be careful," Chaerin quickly said. "You're young, and you still have a long way ahead of you. And although Lisa might be your safe place... it's good to take a little breather here and then."

"What do you mean?" Jennie frowned, something inside her stirred up at the careful and impassive tone Chaerin was using.

"Don't get me wrong, honey, I love how happy Lisa makes you," Chaerin smiled at her, careful. "And I understand how much you love being around her, it's understandable to want to be close to your happiness. But... I don't want you to depend too much on Lisa. You said you rely on her to be your strength... but honey, you have to be strong on your own first." Chaerin sighed, and it wasn't for no reason, she knew how vulnerable Jennie was especially when it comes to Lisa, and this might be the pill that's the hardest to swallow.

"Lisa's not that kind of person, if that's what you're saying," Jennie said, and Chaerin held back another sigh.

This was why she's careful to approach Jennie about this topic — she knew Jennie will get all defensive on the behalf of Lisa, although that's very much unnecessary.

"I'm not accusing her of being any kind of person, Jennie. I know she's a good person, I can see that,"

"Then where are you going with this?"

"I don't want you to rely too much on her. You shouldn't be too dependent on each other, that's not how a healthy relationship works. You need to be your own person, find your own reasons of happiness, find your own strength, and then she'll be there along the line as her own person, too. You can't depend on her all the time, Jennie. Worst case scenario, if something happens between you two, I don't want you to lose your grounds. I don't want you to lose yourself because you lose her," Chaerin said, her eyes begging Jennie to listen, to understand, because she only had good intentions at heart.

Chaerin had been there before — been there, done that. She knew how it felt like to find so much comfort in someone that you're slowly losing control over yourself. It's always you and that person, it was like you're no longer yourself's. Your that person's and theirs only. And Chaerin didn't want Jennie to experience that, especially the excruciating pain she would feel when that person is no longer in the picture. That feeling of being empty, of lost and having nowhere to go, Chaerin didn't want her daughter to feel the way she did.

Because Chaerin could still vividly remember how lost Jennie was when Johnny passed away. She didn't and never want to see Jennie in that state again.

Or worse, because it's Lisa they're talking about.

"Even when you're in a relationship with Lisa, you can't always be Lisa's Jennie, just like she can't be your Lisa all the time. It's not just about you making her happy and her making you happy, Jennie. It's about you both being happy on your own, then come together to share that happiness with each other."

Jennie frowned, biting her lip, and then looked away without saying anything, so Chaerin only sighed and hoped her daughter would really take her words into consideration.

When Ella and Lisa came back, all wide smile and soft eyes, Jennie felt her heart ache. Lisa looked just perfect with her dark jeans, white v-neck, and red oversized flannel. Few drops of sweat were running down her temple and neck, and before Jennie could stop herself, she wiped them with some tissue. Lisa stared at her with those brilliant eyes of her and Jennie smiled.

They then decided to stay there a bit longer and Jennie pretended like the conversation with Chaerin didn't happen. Lisa laid down with her head on Jennie's lap, and Jennie continued to read her book all while playing with the ends of Lisa's hair.

—

/JENNIE/

"What do you think we should do tomorrow?" Lisa asked, sitting on the bed as I walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me. "It's our last day."

I shrugged, searching for some comfortable clothes to sleep in. I decided sweatpants and oversized t-shirts were the best choice, especially when they're Lisa's. Her scent lullabies me to sleep easier.

"You've been kinda quiet ever since we got back," Lisa said carefully, walking towards where I was standing. "A kiss for your thoughts?" Lisa put her hands on both side of my waist in top of the towel. She then placed a kiss on my bare shoulder, pulling me flush towards her strong chest.

My mom thinks our relationship isn't healthy, I thought to myself. And to think about it, I don't completely disagree with her.

"I'm just not ready to leave," I said instead, resting my head on her shoulder. I looked up and caressed her jaw.

"We can prolong our stay," Lisa mumbled nonchalantly, her head bent down to meet my lips in a kiss. "Whatever you need."

"Stop," I sighed, shaking my head and undressed myself from the towel.

"Stop what?"

I waited until I was completely dressed to face her, "Stop putting my needs on top of yours. You know I know you should get back as soon as possible. And you're not very good in pretending being away from home doesn't bother you,"

Lisa looked taken aback with my answer, her eyebrows raised slightly, but then she shrugged and followed me towards the bed. We both sat down, my back resting against the headboard and she sat in front of me.

"I'm just taking care of you, that's all," Lisa said softly.

"Then you should probably stop doing that, too,"

"What?"

I shook my head, "Just — look at you, Lisa. You shouldn't even be here in the first place, not when you have things to take care of back home,"

"I've told you, you're my priority —"

"I know!" I hissed and she leaned back slightly, frowning.

"Then why act like this?" Lisa asked, her tone no longer soft. "If you don't want me here, you should've just told me."

"It's not like that," I closed my eyes, sighing."Of course I want you here. It's just... I don't like how you're abandoning everything just for me. I'm not the only thing you should care about."

"I'm not abandoning anything," Lisa said sternly. "I frequently check up on the company, if that's what you're saying. And there's nothing to feel guilty about, Jennie. This was my call, you didn't force me to do it."

Exactly. You do this willingly, and that says so much about you putting me above everything. Stop doing that.

"Okay," I sighed, opening my eyes to stare at her. Not now, not tonight. Maybe later. We'll deal with this later. "Okay. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

Please stop looking at me like that. How am I supposed to say this to you?

Lisa smiled, taking my hand in hers. "It's okay," Lisa said. "But if there's anything that's bothering you, you can always talk to me. Don't keep things for yourself."

Would you even want to hear it?

"I will," I said, crawling to straddle her lap. "Same goes to you. You can tell me anything, I'll listen."

"I know, baby," Lisa smiled at me, her fingers caressing the small of my back.

"You still owe me a kiss," I said, twirling the baby hairs on the back of her neck with my pointer finger.

Lisa said none, but she pulled me closer by the neck and kissed me, her soft lips molding with mine as her tongue swept and she sucked on my bottom lip. I felt my insides stirred and heat shot right through my center. This isn't good.

"Lili," I whimpered, and her grip on my hip went tighter. "We need to stop."

Lisa raised her eyebrow at me, "Or, you just need to be quiet," she smirked, her voice low. "Can you be quiet, Jennie?"

I bit my lip, unconsciously pressing my center to her crotch to feel her member hardening under me. "Stop talking and we'll see," I said, rolling my hips onto her, searching for some frictions.

Lisa then stood up and I kissed her. She walked us towards the nearest wall, sandwiching me between her body and the wall. "The bed is too risky because I'm planning to go fast and hard on you," Lisa whispered, kissing my neck and I bit my lip to prevent me from moaning.

"What did I say about stop talking?" I said and Lisa's eyes darkened. The next thing I know was Lisa's lips pressed on mine, her member entering me without warning. She continued to kiss me, rolling her hips in such a delicious way that makes my toes curl and my head spin. I could feel her abdomen rubbing and pressing on my clit and I whimpered onto her mouth.

Lisa then sent her hand underneath my — her — t-shirt and palmed my breast, all while going faster and harder on me. She pinched my nipple and before I could get a noise out, she muted me by kissing my mouth. "Fuck, Jennie," Lisa said and I felt a swell of pride in my chest knowing she was holding herself back from moaning, too.

"I'm close," I said as I dug the heels of my feet onto her ass, encouraging her to go deeper. "Fuck me, Lisa. Don't hold back —" I gasped as she hit my spot so perfectly. "— right there, oh God."

"Quiet," Lisa hissed and God, did she go harder, deeper, and faster. Tears swelled in my eyes as she mercilessly pounded into me, biting my lip so I don't make any sound. I then cupped my mouth, biting my hand so I kept quiet because with the way Lisa was fucking me, it's hard to not scream her name out loud.

But then Lisa took my hand away from my mouth, taking the other from her shoulder, and put both my hands on top of my head. She intertwined our fingers and pressed her body harder onto mine, her hips rolling upward and I could only whisper, "Kiss me. I — oh fuck, Lili, right there. Kiss me so I, oh, don't... scream your name and — fuck,"

"What did I say about being quiet?" Lisa mocked, and soon enough her lips found mine. We kissed for what felt like seconds before I stilled, toes curling, my fingers squeezing Lisa's, and I came. Lisa caught up with me not long after that, her hips pressed onto mine giving the right pressure onto my clit, her member buried deeper inside me as she came, hard.

She pulled back, resting our foreheads together. "We're going to hell," Lisa grinned and I laughed.

"You're still hard," I pointed out, clenching my cunt to prove my point and Lisa groaned onto my neck.

"Shut up or I'll have to take you on the floor next," Lisa mumbled and I squeezed her hand again.

"I can be quiet," I whispered to her ear and I felt her member twitched.

"We really are going to hell," Lisa said and with the way she's kissing me again, I know we wouldn't stop at least until three rounds.

The next day, our last day, we decided to just stay home and bake some cookies. Lisa and I are leaving at 3 and we're trying not to talk about it. We finished baking around 9 and I told mom and Ella I wanted to see dad before flying back home. So Lisa and I went to the cemetery and I talked to dad for a while, Lisa too, before we went back to the house to find mom and Ella setting up the living room to a mini movie theater.

"What's this?"

"We're watching Zootopia," Ella grinned widely and mom's eyes twinkled with humor. "We have lots of cookies, pop corns, and lemonade. So let's have a seat!"

Lisa ruffled Ella's hair before she sat down on the far left, me and Ella in the middle, and mom on Ella's side. I never really enjoyed watching movies because sometimes I'm too bored to keep myself entertained, but with Ella's endless comments and Lisa trying to hold back her laugh at her comments every once in a while, watching movies weren't so bad, after all.

We finished the movie — and all the snacks and drink — about two hours later, then Lisa and I started getting ready for our flight. After taking a shower (together, but don't tell Ella or mom), we made sure nothing was left behind before taking our luggage downstairs. I could see mom comforting a sulking Ella and my heart broke at the sight.

"Hey, El," I greeted, sitting down on the couch beside her.

"Do you really have to go?" Ella asked with a small voice.

"Sadly, I do," I smiled apologetically at her. "But I'll call, I promise. I'll stay in touch."

"You better," Ella mumbled and I kissed her head. "You too."

Ella stared at Lisa and Lisa grinned at her, "Of course, kiddo."

—

/THIRD PERSON POV/

Chaerin offered to drive the both of them to the airport, and neither Jennie or Lisa could really refuse. Lisa called the workshop that rented her the car to let them know where they should pick up the rented sedan before they all took off to the airport.

The whole ride, Jennie was oddly quiet. Lisa understood if she were quiet because she's parting with her family again, but there's this strange air surrounding her that seems to block Lisa from reading her girlfriend. Not wanting to make a scene or make Jennie feel worse, Lisa did nothing.

They arrived at the airport thirty minutes later, and Ella had this frown etched on her face, her eyes glassy. Jennie then crouched down and held Ella's hands in her own, "This isn't goodbye, El. This is see you later," Jennie said with a soft tone which succeeded to make Ella's tears fall.

"Promise?" Ella squeaked out and Jennie felt her heart ache.

"Promise," Jennie sealed the promise with a kiss on Ella's hand and the latter crushed her sister with a hug.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?" Chaerin looked up at Lisa and the blonde nodded, although in surprise. They both walked away from the siblings until they could no longer hear Jennie's soothing sentences and Ella's muffled sobs. "Thank you for bringing Jennie here. I... it means a lot to both Ella and I, and I can't thank you enough for that, Lisa."

"No need to thank me," Lisa shrugged, smiling kindly. "I just want the best for Jennie."

Something in Chaerin's eyes shifted but it was gone before Lisa could decipher it. "I'm so glad she has you," Chaerin said instead. "Take care of her, okay?"

"I will," Lisa promised and Chaerin stepped forward to hug the taller woman.

"Hey, why does my girlfriend get the first hug from my mom?" Jennie voiced as the two parted. Jennie walked towards her mom with a sad smile and succumbed into her mother's arms almost immediately.

Lisa then stared at Ella, who was wiping her tears, and crouched down. "Hey,