Exhaustion
Yongsun arrived home late one Friday night, having been stuck in meetings and grading papers. She had been at the university since 8 in the morning and didn't leave her last staff meeting until 7 PM, not to mention she was stuck in her office grading assignments until 9. All of that being said, she was certainly feeling overworked and just wanted to go home and collapse into bed; forgetting about all the troubles of work.
She expected to find Byulyi on the couch editing photos, as she often was during the later hours of the evenings. Especially when she was home alone, Byul liked to keep busy and finish work so she could spend all their free time together focusing on Yongsun. As she unlocked the door to their small home, Yongsun heard the soft mumble of the TV; which led her to believe that her girlfriend was indeed still up. Stepping inside, she was immediately greeted by three excited corgis who jumped up in attempts to grab her attention.
Yongsun kicked off her heels, stopping to set them neatly on the mat. She slipped on her soft blue slippers, more than happy to be rid of her uncomfortable shoes for the day. Brushing her messy hair from her eyes, she crouched down a bit to pet her dogs, as they kept jumping excitedly and scrabbling at her legs.
"Byul?" She called out quietly when no gentle call of greeting proceeded her entry into the house. Usually, when she didn’t have a late shoot, Byulyi was there when she arrived home, to welcome her back with a warm hug and questions about her day.
When there was still no reply, Yongsun stood up properly and made her way to the living room; stopping momentarily to adjust the slightly crooked pink sweater on Haengwoon’s back. The middle corgi was the least happy about being put in sweaters and tended to roll around in an attempt to get it off. Yongsun shook her head with a smile at Haengwoon when she huffed and immediately sat down to scratch at her sweater. After that Yongsun made her way to the living room in search of Byulyi. As she previously assumed, she found the television playing some drama rerun, and she also found her girlfriend.
Byulyi was sprawled out on the couch, her laptop balanced precariously on her lap; any movement threatening to have it sliding off her sharp hipbones. Her head was propped up awkwardly against the arm of the couch in a clearly uncomfortable position. Yet despite her uncomfortable looking state, Byulyi was fast asleep, and she looked rather adorable. With her hands curled into her too big sweater sleeves and pulled close to her chest, she looked even more tiny and soft than usual. Her lips were slightly parted, tiny noises that could barely pass as snores escaping her as she dozed soundly.
With a fond shake of her head, Yongsun came up to the couch and reached down to move her laptop away. She placed it on the coffee table, quickly saving the progress Byulyi had on a picture she was editing and then shutting the computer. The last thing they needed was for her computer and all her work to be lost if it were to fall onto the hardwood floor. Grabbing a throw pillow from the chair, Yongsun carefully lifting her girlfriend's head to place the pillow under her in an attempt to make her position more comfortable. Byulyi stirred a little at that, whining incoherently about being moved.
Yongsun shushed her gently, brushing her hair back from her face carefully. When Byulyi fell still again, Yongsun assumed she was still asleep and decided to let her rest some more on the couch while she got ready for bed. Just as she was about to turn away and head to their bedroom, a hand sluggishly wrapped around her wrist, stopping her movement.
Yongsun smiled at Byulyi's raspy voice, heavy with sleep, "Hey, baby. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. You looked uncomfortable and I didn't want you to drop your computer."
Byulyi hummed, her fingers still holding Yongsun's arm loosely, "It's okay, didn’t mean to fall asleep."
"I'm just going to get changed and then we can go to bed, alright?"
A small sound of protest escaped Byulyi, "No, c'mere," she tugged on Yongsun's hand in an attempt to pull her down onto the couch with her. It wasn't a strong enough pull to really move the older woman though and she just shook her head fondly at Byulyi's antics.
"Byul, we can cuddle later," Yongsun tried to reason with her. If she caved she risked the both of them falling asleep and sleeping on their well worn couch for long periods of time was rather unenjoyable for all parties involved.
Byulyi shook her head, "Nuh-uh, I wanna cuddle now. I missed you today." Her words were followed by a pointed pout, making Yongsun sigh. Those impossibly soft puppy eyes were something she really couldn't say no to, no matter how hard she tried. Really though she wasn’t going to put up much of a fight on the matter, because she too just wanted to cuddle with her girlfriend.
"Please, Ddun?" Byulyi laced their fingers together and smiled at her, "Just for a couple minutes?"
The use of that soft nickname made Yongsun cave, which Byulyi was clearly aware would work. She finally let Byulyi pull her down onto the couch, settling down so she laid flush against her girlfriend's warm body.
Byulyi grinned at her cheekily, wrapping her arms tightly around Yongsun's waist. She hummed, content with how easily she got what she wanted.
"Happy now?" Yongsun asked, snuggling closer into Byulyi's arms. She was still rather warm from her earlier nap and Yongsun relaxed against her solid body, feeling the full weight of her long day hit her quickly. She always found so much comfort in Byulyi’s embrace and she found herself surrendering to her exhaustion much quicker than expected.
Byulyi nodded happily, smoothing Yongsun's long blonde hair down her back, "Very much so." She leaned down slightly, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head, "How was your day?"
"Long," Yongsun replied, her answer was slightly muffled as she hid her face in Byulyi’s shirt, "Exhausting. Just a day, I suppose."
"That bad?" Byulyi questioned, frowning when Yongsun nodded against her. She rubbed her hand over her back gently, hoping to ease Yongsun's tired muscles a bit. She'd thrown her back out earlier in that year and spent a while recovering, so Byulyi was well aware of how much pain a long day could cause her girlfriend. She felt Yongsun relax against her even more with her soft touch and it made Byulyi smile when she so easily surrendered to the comfort.
"Did you want to take a bath and relax a bit? Or just go to bed?"
"Just bed," Yongsun replied softly, "I’m tired and I really need some time to just... not worry about work."
Byulyi didn't cease her gentle ministrations as she spoke, continuing to ease the knots out of Yongsun's back, "Alright, love. You deserve a rest, I don't want you getting sick because you're overworked, okay?"
Receiving another nod from her exhausted girlfriend, Byulyi dropped her hands to instead squeeze her abdomen in a gentle hug, "Wanna go to bed, then?"
Yongsun shrugged, wiggling a bit so she could tuck her face in the crook of Byulyi's neck. Her earlier adamance about going to their room had vanished as she let herself be vulnerable and accept the comfort, "Just a couple more minutes. You're warm and I don't wanna get up."
Byulyi chuckled, "Am I just a space heater to you?" Her voice was teasing and she knew for a fact that Yongsun rolled her tired eyes at that remark even if her face was hidden.
"Oh, most definitely," the blonde shot back, nuzzling into her skin. Byulyi could hear the smile in her voice and it was reassuring to hear that amused tone from her exhausted girlfriend.
Byulyi leaned down until her lips were level with Yongsun’s ear, "I love you," she pressed a kiss to the side of her head, "I did miss you a lot today."
Yongsun smiled against her skin, "I missed you too, Byul-ah. I love you so much."
The next morning was a Saturday, much to Yongsun's delight, and neither she nor Byulyi had work. As tired as she was. Yongsun had planned to use that free time to do a bit of cleaning around the house, since she hadn't had much chance to do so as of late.
However, while Yongsun had cleaning in mind, Byulyi did not want to do any such thing. She was instead following Yongsun around like a lost puppy, as she so often did. She had been babbling on about some movie they had to go see and trying her hardest to distract Yongsun from the task at hand.
"Byulyi, I'm busy. If you're not going to make yourself useful, please go be constructive in the other room."
This led to an all too familiar pout, puppy eyes in full effect, “You're trying to get rid of me."
Yongsun rolled her eyes at the accusation, "I assure you I could never do that even if I wanted to. I'm just trying to clean right now. Don't you have pictures to edit?"
Byulyi shrugged and followed Yongsun towards the laundry room, "I don't wanna edit them right now; that's so tedious, Yong. I wanna go do something, we should go to something."
"I can't right now," Yongsun sighed, "I'm doing the laundry that you promised you'd finish and put away yesterday."
A furrowed brow accompanied an apologetic look, "I was gonna... I swear, I just got distracted. Then I forgot."
The blonde merely shook her head and opened the dryer, taking a shirt out and folding it neatly. As she folded the clothing and put them into the appropriate baskets, she paid no mind to Byulyi’s hovering. She begun just actively ignoring her insistent whining, knowing full well she'd eventually get bored and give up.
Byulyi jumped up to perch herself on top of the short washing machine, pout still in full effect. She didn’t mean to piss Yongsun off, she just wanted her to slow down and rest. It was clear that the older woman was exhausted and her persistence on cleaning that day seemed to be out of stress. Byulyi watched her girlfriend quietly, swinging her legs back and forth as she did so. Every so often her heel would hit the machine, making a loud noise and earning her a glare from her irritated girlfriend.
Byulyi shrugged and didn't reply, silently accepting the pile of socks Yongsun shoved into her hands. She sorted them, finding pairs and folding them together. She split them into piles of their respective owners, even though at that point is was hard to tell which socks belonged to whom.
"Ddunnie," Byulyi singsonged softly as she passed the folded socks to the blonde. She didn't answered as she put them in the laundry basket, shutting the dryer door a bit forcefully.
"Yongsun-ah," Byulyi tried again, reaching out to catch her thin wrist and pull her a bit closer. This anger seemed displaced, just frustration rather than directly aimed at Byulyi, and she wanted to understand what was wrong. She didn’t like when Yongsun was upset, especially not with her, and she certainly didn’t mean to upset her further.
Byulyi ignored the hint of venom in her voice, knowing from her tired eyes that she wasn’t as angry as she wanted to seem, "Don't be like that, please."
Surprisingly, the older woman let Byulyi tug her closer without complaint. Soon enough she was standing in front of the washing machine, one of byulyi's legs on either side of her, facing her girlfriend. The brunette had a concerned glint in her eyes as she brought her hand up, brushing her fingers gently over Yongsun's cheekbone. Yongsun leaned into the touch in spite of herself, wanting to surrender to her girlfriend’s comfort once again.
"What's wrong?" Byulyi asked carefully, “Why are you so angry this morning?"
Yongsun exhaled shakily, realizing just how irrational she had been acting, "I'm sorry. I'm just tired."
"Is that really it? I think there's more to it than that, love."
Yongsun evaded her gaze and shrugged, feeling guilty for the way she’d been treating Byulyi, "Just overworked I guess. It's not anything you've done, I'm sorry I've been taking my anger out on you."
"Don't apologize, Ddun," Byulyi insisted, "If you need more rest, please take it. If you need space, tell me. I know you've been working rather hard lately and I understand if you need time alone to rest and clear your head. Just tell me when something's wrong, okay?"
Nodding, Yongsun accepted the hug Byulyi offered. She leaned into her comforting warmth, a small smile finally escaping she as Byulyi kissed her forehead. She met those soft eyes laced with concern when her girlfriend lifted her chin up gently.
"I love you and I'm always here for you. I know I can get annoying with my clinginess but I promise I mean well. If you ever need space or want me to leave you be, please be firm and serious with me. I want you to be happy and well, Yong, you shouldn’t bottle up your feelings or exhaustion."
Yongsun sighed and wrapped her arms around Byulyi's waist, pulling her a bit closer as she slid to the edge of the washing machine to acomdate her embrace. She held tightly onto Byulyi for a moment, completely silent as pressed her face into her shoulder. Byulyi was patient with her, stroking Yongsun's hair and whispering the occasional reassurance. This was a good sign and she saw how the older woman relaxed against her, watching as her displaced anger evaporated.
After a bit, Yongsun pulled back, "I'm sorry. I love you so endlessly and I regret taking my stress out on you. I don't like to burden you with work stuff and I guess I hold onto it for too long. You're not annoying in the slightest, Byulyi, I'm just a bit grumpy."
Byulyi chuckled and brushed her thumb over Yongsun's jutted lower lip, "But I love you all the same, my grumpy sunshine."
"Thank you for putting up with me so patiently."
"Everything for you, love," Byulyi insisted, "Besides, you do the same for me.” She leaned down to kiss her girlfriend chastely, “Why don't you go take a nap? I'll put the laundry away and then stay in the living room while you rest. You deserve some alone time."
Yongsun shook her head, arms tightening around her thin torso, "I'd rather be with you."
"Yong, I understand if you need space. I won't be upset."
"Nap with me? Please?" It was Yongsun's turn to lay on the puppy eyes as she stared at Byulyi, "I'll rest better in my favourite girl's arms."
Byulyi rolled her eyes playfully at the cheesy statement, "Everything for you, Yong," she repeated her earlier words with a smile. The smile was returned with a familiar softness and it was nice to see, happy she could make Yongsun feel a bit better.
The younger was surprised when she was suddenly hoisted off the washer, squeaking in surprise as she locked her legs tightly around Yongsun's waist. Byulyi's arms snaked around her neck, holding onto her securely as she was suddenly carried out of the laundry room. Yongsun had always been able to lift Byulyi with ease, considering how thin the willowy woman was, though the younger disliked being carried.
"Ddun," Byulyi whined into the crook of her neck, "I can walk."
Yongsun laughed lowly as she nudged their bedroom door open with her foot, "But I like this more. You're like a baby koala, it's rather endearing.”
Approaching their bed, she set Byulyi down gently on her side of the mattress.. She didn't even have time to stand up straight before Byulyi yanked her down beside her. With a little yelp of surprise, Yongsun let her girlfriend partially manhandle her into a comfortable position.
"I'll show you baby koala," Byulyi muttered in mock irritation, "I'll never let you go now."
Yongsun laughed as Byulyi rolled half on top of her, tangling their legs together as her long arms snaked around her abdomen. The younger woman snuggled against her chest with a grin, making sure Yongsun was wrapped tightly in her embrace. Yongsun didn’t mind at all, just pulled a blanket over them and let herself relax against Byulyi’s body.
"I love you," Yongsun mumbled, leaning down to press her lips against Byulyi's briefly. She felt her smile into the kiss, humming contently. Yongsun couldn't help the slight blush that dusted her cheeks when Byulyi replied with something Yongsun herself said almost daily.
"I love you so endlessly."
