"Beyond the Bathroom Door"

As they stepped out of the bathroom together, the soft hum of the TV and the occasional flicker of the screen were the only sounds that broke the silence. The apartment was still dim, with the others passed out around the TV, oblivious to the world around them. The air was thick with the scent of stale popcorn and sweat. Yeji and Ryujin's footsteps were hushed on the linoleum as they moved slowly, their eyes locked on each other. The clock on the wall seemed to tick away with a newfound significance, the sound echoing through the quiet apartment. Ryujin gently tilted her head toward the back of the dorm, a silent question in her eyes. Yeji nodded back, her face still flushed from their earlier encounter. They exchanged a glance, and without a word, they moved quietly to their shared room. The door clicked softly shut behind them, enveloping them in a warm, cozy space. The room was lit by a single lamp, casting a golden glow over the messy bed and scattered posters and notebooks on the shelves. A sweatshirt was tossed over a chair, and the faint hum of a fan provided a soothing background noise. Perfume lingered in the air, a subtle reminder of Ryujin's presence. They both sat on the bed, close but not touching, the space between them charged with a newfound intimacy. Ryujin took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on her lap as she began to speak in a quiet, vulnerable tone. "I... I didn't realize it took me so long to be honest with myself," Ryujin said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was scared, I guess. I didn't know how to process it." She paused, her eyes flicking up to meet Yeji's, before quickly looking away. Yeji listened intently, hugging a pillow to her chest. "What made you realize it?" she asked gently, her eyes filled with genuine interest. Ryujin fidgeted with her sleeve, her voice laced with emotion. "I don't know... I just started noticing things, I guess. Little things about people that I... admired." She smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with memories. Yeji's face was a picture of gentle curiosity, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "And what made you feel comfortable enough to explore those feelings?" she asked, her voice soft. Ryujin's eyes met Yeji's, a small smile playing on her lips. "You," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I started noticing little things about you... like how you tuck your hair behind your ear when you're nervous, or how you always help the others without being asked." Yeji blushed, her face growing hot as she hid her face in the pillow for a moment. "You noticed those things?" she asked, her voice muffled. Ryujin nodded, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled. "Yeah... I have been for a while now." She laughed softly, a memory clearly playing in her mind. "I remember that time we went on a hike, and you helped that lost tourist find their way back." Yeji's face slowly emerged from the pillow, a soft, awkward smile on her face. "Oh... yeah," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The conversation flowed easily, like a middle-of-the-night sleepover, honest and warm and unguarded. Yeji opened up about her childhood, about writing poems she never showed anyone. Ryujin shared her favorite color, her dream vacation, and they laughed quietly, their voices hushed. As they talked, Yeji finally murmured, "Do you... wanna braid my hair?" Ryujin's face lit up with a surprised but moved expression. Ryujin sat behind Yeji, gently separating her hair as she began to braid. Her fingers grazed Yeji's neck, careful not to tug. Yeji closed her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips. As they braided, they talked in hushed voices, their conversation playful and intimate. Ryujin teased Yeji about her favorite TV show, and Yeji playfully rolled her eyes. When Ryujin finished the braid, she gently tied the end and rested her chin on Yeji's shoulder. "I'm really glad we talked," she said, her voice soft. Yeji leaned her head back against Ryujin's, her voice barely above a whisper. "Me too. I feel like I really know you now." They stayed like that, quiet, pressed together, the weight of their closeness palpable. It felt like a soft exhale after everything. Eventually, they lay side by side on the bed, fully clothed, just under a single blanket. Their fingers slowly linked together between them. As they drifted off to sleep, the sound of each other's breath was the only thing that filled the space. Yeji's last thought was about how she didn't feel scared anymore. Ryujin's last thought was that she was exactly where she wanted to be.