Work Text:
The store doorbell chimes and Kieu My pauses her writing and looks up from her homework to see the customer who had just arrived.
It was a Saturday, her usual working day for her parents' store, and the store was unusually empty today.
Well, not until now.
When Kieu My notices the familiar tall boy with his usual green beanie on giving her a short smile as they make eye contact, Kieu My politely greets him with a smile back. The tall boy was a regular customer who, Kieu My had known from their small talks, just lived closeby.
Kieu My looks back down to her homework and continues the essay she had been writing, not giving the boy another second glance.
Kieu My doesn't notice the time pass quickly when a few bags of chips slide over to her on the table. Like routine, Kieu My swiftly takes each and swipes both over the barcode scanner. She then taps a few keys on the cashing machine then says, "That would be 2.50 euros."
The tall boy hands over the cash and Kieu My tries to ignore the guy's blatant staring, avoiding eye contact with him as much as possible. Kieu My hands over his change. She notices the boy purposely brushing their hands together as he takes it.
"Cute braids," he comments and Kieu My gives him a blank look in return. It wasn't the first time he had complimented Kieu My and she appreciated the compliments the first few days, but now they’re starting to make her uncomfortable.
It was obvious the guy took interest in her, and Kieu My gathered all her patience to avoid asking him to stop.
"Thanks," she says, while hoping he would already leave the store.
Unfortunately, he had other plans. He stays standing on the other side of the counter and notices Kieu My's notebook and ballpen stacked to the side, "Busy day?"
"Just homework."
The tall guy nods then asks, "Which university do you go to?"
"Uhh," Kieu My looks at him, hoping the guy would take a hint of her disinterest. She definitely didn't want to give any of her personal information away, especially to a stranger.
"Sorry," the guy chuckles. "Too invasive?"
Kieu My forces out an awkward laugh.
He nods then confesses, "Sorry. It's just... I think you're really beautiful and I honestly just come here and buy just to see you. I would love to get to know you more if you'd give me the chance?"
"I'm sorry. I have a girlfriend," Kieu My says.
The guy raises an eyebrow, not believing what he'd just heard, "Girlfriend?"
Kieu My nods and gives him a polite tight-lipped smile.
"You're a lesbian?" He asks, still in disbelief.
"Bi, actually."
A relieved grin spreads on the tall boy's face as he nods. Meanwhile, there is a displeased expression on Kieu My's, and her nose scrunches up in annoyance. As if I'd ever give you a chance.
"Okay, cool," The tall boy says with a huff. A smirk forms on his lips before turning around to leave the store.
---
"He said that?" Fatou pauses her munching as Kieu My takes another wafer biscuit from the bowl between them. They were both squatted on the bed, facing each other, and Kieu My had just told Fatou about the incident at the store.
Kieu My nods in response.
"And what'd you say?" Fatou says, appearing nonchalant, as she finishes the food in her mouth before taking another.
"Of course I said I had a girlfriend," Kieu My says before placing the small wafer in her mouth.
A smile forms on Fatou's face hearing that.
"But then he found out I was bi and he gave me this relieved look which annoyed the hell out of me."
"How annoying," Fatou simply comments.
"Right?" Kieu My rolls her eyes.
Fatou slowly munches on her wafer, staring in space.
Kieu My breaks the short silence between them when she suddenly asks, "Why do you never get jealous?"
"Hm?" Fatou looks up from being deep in thought.
"I don't know. If it was the other way around, and a random girl had just hit on you or asked you out, I'd be fuming right now," Kieu My shared with a chuckle.
Fatou smiles at her girlfriend, "I think I just trust you enough to not be jealous by those little things."
"I mean, I trust you too, but I still get extremely jealous."
"Aww, babe," Fatou finding the thought of Kieu My being that jealous girlfriend, cute. She pokes at her girlfriend's scrunched up nose, "That's okay. I guess sometimes, we can't just help what we feel. And that's okay. And anyway, being jealous isn't always a bad thing. I actually think it's cute."
"Should I be jealous all the time then?"
Fatou chuckles at that, "No need, babe. You're always cute to me." She leans in to give her girlfriend a quick kiss.
---
Having spent the day with each other, Kieu My decides to stay the night.
The couple are cuddled up by each other. Fatou has an arm around Kieu My as her eyes focus on her laptop screen which was playing another episode of Attack on Titan, meanwhile Kieu My is busy scrolling on her Instagram, her head comfortably lying on Fatou's shoulder.
Kieu My flinches when Fatou pokes her side.
"Babe, you said you're going to watch this episode with me," Fatou whines in complaint when she notices Kieu My's attention on her phone for the second time.
Kieu My giggles, "Okay, okay! Fine. I'm sorry." She locks her phone and places it on her lap, facing the screen down to avoid any more distractions. "So, what's happening here?"
Fatou gladly explains to Kieu My what has happened so far.
"So, this is Eren?" Kieu My asks, pointing to one of the characters on the screen.
"No, babe. That's Levi," Fatou corrects with a laugh. She was definitely excited that Kieu My's taking interest in one of her favorite shows. She had even rewatched some previous episodes with her, much to her satisfaction.
"Got it," Kieu My hums as she continues watching the show. When she feels her phone vibrate, Kieu My holds herself back from checking the notifications.
When Fatou hears Kieu My phone vibrate for the second time, she rolls her eyes, "You can check it if you want, babe."
"No, no. I don't want to miss what's happening here," Kieu My says, eyes not leaving the laptop screen.
Fatou smiles contently then gives Kieu My's temple a quick kiss.
After a few seconds, Kieu My's phone buzzes once more.
"Let me just turn off my vibrate," Kieu My says as she pulls her phone from her lap. When she sees the new notifications, she scrunches her eyebrows in curiosity, "Who's this?"
The question catches Fatou's attention and her eyes flit to Kieu My's phone.
(q.meeee): lance88 liked your photo.
(q.meeee): lance88 liked your photo.
(q.meeee): Lance Eaden (lance88) started following you.
Kieu My swipes her lockscreen up to unlock her phone and opens Instagram. When she sees the user's display picture, she rolls her eyes, "Did he not understand when I said I have a girlfriend?"
"Oh. He's the guy you were talking about?" Fatou asks, leaning over at the screen for a better look.
"Yep," Kieu My doesn't bother opening his profile. She closes the app and proceeds to her settings to turn the option off for vibrate.
"Well, you did say you're bi," Fatou jokes.
Kieu My locks her phone and sets it aside, bringing her arm back over Fatou's stomach. "Ha ha," she gives Fatou a fake smile before pecking her cheek and lying back down on her chest. "Come on. Let's finish this episode. This is actually getting kind of interesting."
Fatou smiles at Kieu My's last statement, but her girlfriend's recent notifs still somehow linger in her mind. She can't help but feel bothered by it.
The couple continue watching the show and when a new episode starts, Fatou can feel Kieu My's weight on her side, her girlfriend about to drift asleep.
"I wonder how he found your profile," Fatou suddenly lets out one of the thoughts that had been occupying her mind.
Kieu My's eyes stay closed when she groggily replies, "Hm. Well, I think I might've dropped my name to him once, and I don't think there are a lot of Kieu Mys in town."
Fatou doesn't say anything after that. And only the low volume of the anime show fills up the quiet of the dimly lit room.
"Don't worry, babe. I don't care about him," Kieu My murmurs after a while, her thumb caressing Fatou's torso.
When Kieu My falls asleep and Fatou has kept her laptop, Fatou opens Instagram and looks up "lance88." She internally groans when she sees that he has set his profile to private. She can't help but feel curious of how he looks. All she has is his Instagram display photo which is a selfie of him wearing a green beanie and a black face mask, showing only his dark green eyes.
Fatou shuts off her phone and turns to face her girlfriend whose back was now facing her. She slides an arm around Kieu My's waist and buries her face in the crook of her neck, giving it a kiss before drifting off to dreamland.
---
Fatou and Kieu My decide to spend the day together the next day, the skate park being first on the list, at Fatou's request.
Kieu My stays seated at a corner, squatting on the smooth gravel by the edge of the skating area.
While Fatou enjoys herself skating, Kieu My busies herself with her phone and decides to take an Instagram story to post. She swipes left to turn on camera mode on Instagram, and starts recording Fatou skating around. When Fatou notices her filming, Kieu My zooms in on her and Fatou gives her a cute wave before skating down the curve below her.
Kieu My adds the text "my skater girl 🛹💞" on the video before posting it on her story.
Wanting to post another story, Kieu My brings up her phone once more to record another one. This time, she pans her camera around the skate park. She records the pretty summer view and even pans across Fatou and a few other skaters.
Panning even more to the left, she captures three girls on the other side of the park giggling together, bringing an unconscious smile to Kieu My lips. But when Kieu My notices the two of them teasing their one friend and pointing at one of the skaters, the tall girl's smile quickly turns into a frown.
Kieu My stops recording and observes the three girls. She realizes that they have been teasing their friend to her girlfriend all along. All the other skaters have dispersed the area where Fatou was skating.
Kieu My grits her teeth and doesn't notice her eyebrows furrowing together as she continues to observe the three girls. When she brings her eyes back to her girlfriend, Fatou was already looking at her.
'You okay?' Fatou mouths from the distance.
Kieu My relaxes her brows and nods in response, giving Fatou a short smile.
'A few more minutes,' Fatou mouths clearly and Kieu My nods, stretching her legs outward to relax her sitting position.
Kieu My's eyes turn back to the three girls who continue to watch her girlfriend skate.
When Fatou finally finishes skating, she picks up her skateboard and starts walking over to Kieu My.
"My friend says you're cute!!" Someone shouts from the side.
Fatou turns to the voice and notices the three girls watching her from a distance. Fatou politely smiles in response, earning more giggling from the group of friends. Fatou ignores them and proceeds to her girlfriend.
When she reaches Kieu My, there's a displeased look on her face but she still manages to give Fatou a smile. Fatou crouches to give her girlfriend a sweet back hug with one arm, the other carrying her skateboard. "Thanks for waiting, babe."
Kieu My tilts her head up and smiles, receiving a chaste kiss from Fatou who was standing above her.
"Let's go?"
Kieu My gets up and takes Fatou's extended hand. Before they get farther away from the skate park, Kieu My says, "Her friend says you're cute."
Fatou bursts in laughter, as if she had expected Kieu My to say something about it one way or another.
Kieu My continues, "Are you not going to say hi to her or-?"
Fatou rolls her eyes, chuckling, "Baby." She tilts her head at her girlfriend and gives her a squinted look, asking her to stop.
"Just saying, you might be missing an opportunity here. Their friend actually looked kind of cute, don't you think?" Kieu My goes on with a casual, nonchalant tone that makes Fatou laugh even more, their intertwined hands lightly sway between them. Fatou knows this was only one of the many moments of Kieu My acting jealous, nothing serious and all just amusement for the short girl.
Fatou plays along, "Unfortunately for her, I'm already taken by someone way cuter and prettier and breathtakingly beautiful."
"Oh, really?" Kieu My feigns surprise. "Too bad for her."
Fatou chuckles once more, "Yeah, too bad."
---
Saturday comes again and Kieu My finds herself back at the cashier counter of her parents' store, another work day for her.
While waiting for more customers to tend to, Kieu My exchanges texts with Fatou.
from: Axolotl-girl 💞
i'll see you tonight?
to: Axolotl-girl 💞
yespleasee 🥰
from: Axolotl-girl 💞
ok baby. dont forget to hang up the sign "NO LANCEs ALLOWED"
The recent text makes Kieu My laugh out loud, and she does not notice the customer standing across from her.
The customer clears their throat, gaining Kieu My's attention. It was - speaking of the devil - Lance.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she quickly keeps her phone and takes the chips at the counter to scan them.
Lance chuckles, "Texting the girlfriend?"
Kieu My only glances up at him as she continues her work. She remains silent.
"Your girlfriend's cute," Lance suddenly says.
"Sorry?"
"I saw her on your Instagram," Lance says, sliding his payment at the counter. Kieu My takes it and starts hitting buttons on the cashing machine.
"So, you're lurking my social media now?"
Lance lets out a not-so-nervous chuckle. "It wasn't hard to find you. I just had to type in your name and find a pretty face."
Kieu My fakes a smile, and hands him his paper bag. Lance doesn't leave right away as usual.
"I actually followed you, if you didn't notice?"
Kieu My pauses before saying, "I'm sorry. I'm really not interested. I hope you understand that."
Lance nods then shrugs, "Just taking my chances."
"I'm actually in a really happy relationship," Kieu My adds, hoping Lance would finally get the message.
"Damn. Okay. Well, I'll see you next Saturday," he gives her a tiny smirk, showing he hasn't given up on her yet.
Lance leaves, and Kieu My groans.
---
"He's never going to stop bothering you, is he?" Fatou asks looking up at Kieu My. She is currently lying in between the taller girl's legs, her chin comfortably propped on her hands over Kieu My's stomach while Kieu My plays with the loose curls left by Fatou's bun.
Kieu My sighs, "Seems like it."
"Do I have to come over and ask him to stop?"
Kieu My laughs while she soothes Fatou's brow with her thumb. "I'm sure he'll stop eventually. Whatever. Let's stop talking about him."
"Okay. What should we do?" Fatou asks, watching Kieu My intently.
"What do you want to do?"
"Hmm," Fatou looks up, thinking. She proceeds to push herself up from Kieu My, giving space between them. Her eyes look down between her girlfriend's open legs and back to Kieu My with a mischievous look on her face. She brings her tongue out and bobs her head up and down, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively.
Kieu My gasps and laughs. "Why are you always so nasty?" she says while pulling Fatou up from below her.
Fatou giggles as she leans towards Kieu My, "What? I thought you like that?"
Kieu My laughs again and wraps her arms around Fatou's neck. "I do, but let's not start there," she says before closing the gap between them.
Fatou smiles through the kiss and extends an arm to turn off the lamp on the bedside table, giving the couple the privacy they need for the night.
---
They don't mention Lance for the next few weeks, although he still comes to buy in the store every Saturday. He isn't as persistent as before anymore, to Kieu My's relief. But he did ask her once -- Kieu My thinks he just wanted to get a more interesting reaction rather than receive her dry replies -- "Still have a girlfriend?"
Kieu My let out a frustrated laugh in response, tired of his endless attempts to woo her. "I thought you follow me on Instagram?" She remembered she had posted stories with Fatou the other day, and noticed Lance view them.
Lance nodded, getting what she had meant. "Things can happen in a day," he shrugged.
Kieu My only gave him a small, forced smile and watched him leave.
She doesn't mention the conversation to Fatou, thinking it wouldn't be necessary anymore. She didn't want Fatou to be bothered by something unimportant.
She doesn't mention it even when Fatou talks about this one customer of hers at the animal shelter while they eat dinner together at their go-to restaurant.
"She was like an Axolotl pro. She had like five pet Axolotls, and even showed me a pic!" Fatou shares excitedly about, according to her, a very interesting and informative conversation with a customer who apparently loves Axolotls as much as she does. "They were so cute and pretty!"
'Was she cute and pretty? Do you think she'll come back to visit and talk to you more?' Kieu My wanted to ask, but she decides not to voice those questions out. She was starting to feel insecure of her lack of knowledge about her girlfriend's favorite animal. "Wow, that's really great, babe. When are you planning to pet one yourself though?"
"I wish I had the time and money to give it its best life, but I don't think I'm ready to be an Axo-mother," Fatou says with a short laugh, taking a french fry and dipping it in her vanilla milkshake then munching on it right after.
Kieu My thinks of surprising Fatou with an Axolotl someday. "Is she a regular?" she finally asks, wanting to calm her uneasy thoughts.
"No. If she was, I would've mentioned her a long time ago," Fatou replies, easily.
"Do you think...she'll keep coming back?" Kieu My asks while avoiding eye contact, afraid Fatou might see the insecurity in her eyes.
It didn't help because Fatou asks with a chuckle, already seeing right through her, "Babe? What is this about?"
Kieu My shrugs, poking her food, "Nothing. I'm just curious."
Fatou sees beyond the half-lie, taking Kieu My's hand on the table, "Babe, she was with her husband and two kids."
"Oh," Kieu My smiles in relief. And although she felt reassured, Kieu My decides to do more Axolotl research that night anyway.
---
The following weekend, Kieu My and Fatou decide to go to a friend’s party together.
Music pumps throughout the mansion as the couple dance together with their drinks in hand, both already feeling slightly intoxicated. Kieu My snakes a hand over to Fatou's neck, the other holding her drink up in the air as she sways her hips to the music. Fatou rests her hand on Kieu My's waist as she dances along, a satisfied grin plastered on her face. The couple share kisses from time to time as they enjoy their night together.
Fatou takes one last sip of her drink before leaning over to Kieu My and asking, "I'll get us more drinks?"
Kieu My nods and hands over her cup to Fatou. She presses a quick kiss on her lips. "Thanks, babe."
Fatou leaves while Kieu My stays on the dance floor. Kieu My head spins a little but it felt more of a stress relief, rather than a headache. She dances with the other people around her when a deep voice suddenly fills her ear from behind.
"Hey."
Kieu My jumps and turns to see an unfamiliar face. It was a man who appeared to be older than her with the stubble around his mouth. She holds her head, feeling dizzy by the alcohol.
"Woah," The stranger holds her by the arm when she tips forward drunkenly, and Kieu My is quick to pull away.
"Sorry. I have to go," Kieu My says, not wanting more conversation with him. She was about to turn around to look for Fatou when he stops her by the arm.
"Hey, wait. I'm not planning to do anything with you. Don't worry. A light conversation wouldn't hurt, right?" The stranger says over the loud music, his smirk never leaving his face.
Kieu My doesn't say anything, already feeling uncomfortable.
"Your girlfriend's pretty cute. The height difference is adorable," The stranger chuckles from his tall frame, looking down at Kieu My while she looks up at him. It was clear that he had been watching them for a while.
Kieu My feels more sober the more the tall man speaks, and she thinks if she had consumed a little more alcohol, maybe then she'd have the courage to push him away and leave.
The stranger doesn't stop. He leans over to Kieu My, to make sure she hears him clearly when he says, "And, I'm not gonna lie, what you were doing with her was pretty hot."
Kieu My felt a shiver through her bones hearing the words, and she wishes she could slap him right then and there. "Please piss off," she sternly says as she takes a step back.
The man only chuckles, then looks at a distance, "That's her with that girl over there, right?"
"What?" Kieu My whips her head to the direction of his eyes, and her heart drops at the sight, suddenly feeling more sober than ever.
Fatou was talking to some random girl, fresh new drinks in hand, and a smile on her face. The girl was standing a little too close to Fatou to Kieu My's liking, and Kieu My watches their happy exchange.
When the girl plants a quick kiss on Fatou's cheek, taking the latter by surprise, Kieu My's nose flares and she storms over to them.
"...I actually have a girlfriend," is what Kieu My hears from Fatou the moment she arrives.
"Oh, I'm sorry-"
"Girlfriend present," Kieu My gives the girl a short, fake smile before taking Fatou away from her, not giving her a chance to speak.
---
"I was fucking terrified then I see a girl rubbing herself all over you!" Kieu My exclaims in frustration, her voice filling the quiet in Fatou's car.
"She wasn't rubbing herself all over me-"
"Oh, you get what I fucking mean," Kieu My mutters with gritted teeth, her eyebrows glued together.
"Babe, I'm sorry," Fatou turns her body to fully face her upset girlfriend. "I really didn't see her intentions. She didn't seem like she was flirting with me. If I would have known-"
"That's always the problem with you! You're always so fucking oblivious when girls are hitting on you!"
"I'm sorry, okay?! I didn't know. I wish I knew, then I would have left in an instant!"
"She fucking kissed your cheek right in front of me!"
Fatou lets out a sigh and takes her girlfriend's hand, intertwining her fingers with hers. "I know, babe. I'm sorry. I didn't expect it too." Fatou kisses Kieu My's hand which seemed to calm her down. "I'm sorry," she says once more.
Kieu My continues, her face still clearly upset, "Imagine if it was the other way around. Imagine how that would make you feel."
Fatou leans her head back to her car seat with a sigh, and looks at Kieu My who never bothered facing her, her eyes set straight since the moment their conversation started.
"Oh, right. You never get jealous," Kieu My says with a scoff, starting to feel a lump on her throat.
"I wouldn't like it too, babe," Fatou replies a little too late.
Kieu My finally turns her head to face Fatou, letting Fatou see her glossy eyes, "What? Are you not scared of losing me?"
"Baby, of course I am." Fatou watches a tear fall down on her girlfriend's cheek and she quickly wipes it away with her thumb. "Come here," she pulls Kieu My in her arms, and the taller girl allows herself to be wrapped in the hug, her face buried in Fatou's neck.
Kieu My feels Fatou kiss her head before she says in a muffled and weak voice, "I wish I wasn't the jealous type, like you."
"No, babe. I honestly would feel the same way. I'd hate to imagine someone kiss you. I'd be upset about it too."
Kieu My sniffles as she continues to listen to Fatou.
"I don't easily get jealous because I know you wouldn't allow things like that to happen. And I trust you. And I hope you know that I never want those things to happen too. I only want your kisses and your hugs and your attention. No one else's, okay?"
Kieu My stays quiet, her fingers gripping the hem of Fatou’s hoodie.
"That girl wasn't even cute," Fatou adds.
"She shouldn't be," Kieu My says with a sniffle that makes Fatou laugh.
Fatou releases from the hug and wipes Kieu My's tears. "Hey. I love you," she gives her girlfriend a peck on the lips.
"I love you too. Sorry for being like this. I was just overwhelmed with that creep and then I see you with that girl..."
"I wish I was there to punch him in the face."
Kieu My finally laughs and says, "Babe, he's like 6 feet tall and you're like 5 foot."
"Hey, I'm 5 foot 4!" Fatou states defensively, and Kieu My's laughter fills her ears.
---
Another Saturday comes.
Kieu My is back working, exchanging texts with Fatou as she helps her dad restock items at the store.
"Kieu My, it's going to take forever for us to get this done if you keep using your phone," her dad warns while dropping another box of items beside them.
"Sorry," Kieu My keeps her phone in her pocket then proceeds to pick up the juice bottles from one of the boxes to store them in the fridge.
"Is Fatou picking you up later?"
"Yep. She says she's coming here in half an hour."
"Okay, great. Your mother and I..." her dad checks his wristwatch, "...will be leaving in a while."
"Alright. I can handle these," Kieu My says, pointing to the boxes.
"You sure?"
Kieu My nods at her dad with a smile.
"Thanks, dear." He gives his daughter a kiss on the temple and before he walks to leave, he pauses to say, "Hey, why don't you invite Fatou to dinner tomorrow? It's been a while since your mum and I last saw her."
Kieu My's face lights up at the suggestion, "Yeah, sure. I'll let her know."
"Perfect," her dad proceeds to the counter to settle some paperwork.
The store doorbell rings at the entrance of a new customer, and Kieu My turns to see a familiar tall frame enter the store. It was Lance.
She lets him roam around the store while she continues setting some more bottles in the fridge.
---
Already parked near the Asian mart where her girlfriend is at, Fatou gets out of the car, locks it with a click and walks to the store.
As she was about to enter, Fatou pauses from outside when she notices a tall guy, wearing a beanie, talking to her girlfriend at the counter with Mr. Vu right beside her.
Fatou backs a little to get a better view through the store's window and watches the exchange. Fatou had an inkling. Could it be that Lance guy?
Kieu My seems to be enjoying their little conversation, her face too bright as she talks to the guy. Fatou feels herself start to frown. She watches Kieu My laugh at something her father says to the guy, and Fatou feels her heart sink at the thought of Mr. Vu liking this dude.
Insecure thoughts start to fill her mind. What if Kieu My's dad would wish his daughter would date him instead? Fatou can't deny that this guy had desirable features. He's tall, a bit muscular that would make it seem like he could protect you, and from the angle where Fatou can see him, he has a really nice side profile too.
If she and Kieu My weren't together, would Kieu My give him a chance? Most girls most likely would. Kieu My probably would. Fatou's heart breaks at the thought. She brings her head down, tearing her eyes away from the scene. She fumbles with the car keys in her hand for a moment before returning to her car.
---
from: Zombiewoman 🧟💗
babe, where are u? u said you'll be here in 30 mins 🙁
to: Zombiewoman 🧟💗
im actually already parked outside. do u need help closing up?
from: Zombiewoman 🧟💗
oh yay! and no, it's fine. ill be right there 🥰
After 10 minutes, Kieu My arrives and enters the passenger seat of Fatou's car and greets her girlfriend with a kiss. Fatou's mouth lift up with a short smile at the greeting.
"Where do you want to eat dinner?" Fatou asks, trying to appear as jolly as she can.
"Didn't you say there was a new ramen place you wanted to try?"
The ride to the new restaurant was a peaceful one. Kieu My doesn't notice anything off about Fatou's mood. They talk through dinner and during the car ride home after, with mostly Kieu My carrying the conversation, until she slowly notices that Fatou wasn't replying how she normally does. There were no funny side comments or little side jokes. Her responses appeared to be just...for the sake of having a response.
The couple were already in Fatou's bedroom, dressed in sleepwear. Kieu My was staying over for the night. Fatou was abnormally quiet as she types an essay due tomorrow on her laptop. She was squatted at the edge of the bed, whereas Kieu My watched her from behind, her head lying on the pillows.
Unable to take the boring silence anymore, Kieu My scoots over to Fatou and snakes her arms around her girlfriend's torso, giving her a backhug. Kieu My leans a cheek on Fatou's shoulder and then asks, "You okay, babe?"
"Yeah, why?" Fatou replies with a serious face, eyes focused on her laptop as she continued typing. Her nose was cutely scrunched to hold her glasses from sliding down the bridge of her nose.
Kieu My's face moves from Fatou's shoulder. She softly kisses the base of Fatou's neck before laying her chin on the latter's shoulder and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek right after.
Fatou places a hand on Kieu My's arms on her waist as she receives the sweet kisses. "You just seem...off," she hears her girlfriend say.
Fatou chuckles, tipping her reading glasses back up, "I'm not off."
"Well, you're quieter than usual," Kieu My points out as she gives Fatou another kiss on the cheek.
"I am writing an essay due tomorrow."
"You're not this quiet when doing homework though. You always look for distractions."
"Might just be my mood," Fatou says before going back to focusing on her essay while Kieu My continues to snuggle her from behind.
"Give me a kiss," Kieu My suddenly says, facing her from her shoulder. Fatou gladly kisses her as told, giving her girlfriend a peck on the lips. Her eyes fall back to her laptop right after.
"How was work today?" Kieu My asks.
"Just the usual," Fatou shortly says. She pauses before asking, "What about you? How was work?" She pauses her typing, expectantly waiting for Kieu My to tell her what she had witnessed earlier today.
"Hmm... nothing interesting. It was just another boring work day."
Fatou's eyes look down, in deep thought. She wonders why Kieu My's hiding whatever happened at the store with Lance, from her -- if the guy was even Lance. "Did that annoying Lance guy visit you again?" she asks to confirm.
Kieu My chuckles for some reason and says, "Yeah, he actually did come to the store." She leans to give Fatou another kiss on the cheek but Fatou moves her face away. Kieu My frowns.
"Why didn't you tell me about it?" Fatou asks with a disgruntled look. She shifts from the bed, giving a little space between them.
"I...didn't think it was necessary. It was nothing important," Kieu My explains, confusion painted on her face. "Why are you acting like this, babe?"
"You tell me," Fatou scoffs, not having any of it. She faces Kieu My, "You seemed incredibly happy talking to him today."
Kieu My's brows furrow even more, "Wait, what? What are you talking about?"
Fatou replies in a hesitant small voice, "I saw you guys talk at the store with your dad, and..." Fatou looks away when she continues, "you seemed to have enjoyed every bit of the conversation."
Kieu My raises an eyebrow, and the corner of her lips tug up in a small smile. She now fully understands what was going on here.
Fatou was jealous.
Kieu My holds back her smile to avoid upsetting Fatou more. Her girlfriend's face looked too unusually serious that it makes Kieu My want to laugh. Fatou was clearly, and adorably, upset apparently. "Babe, are you jealous?"
Fatou avoids Kieu My's eyes, her eyebrows still glued together. "No..."
Kieu My lets out a small laugh. She can't help but find jealous Fatou extremely cute. "Aww, baby. I think you are."
"I-I'm not," Fatou frustratingly says, looking away in denial. "Are you not going to tell me what happened?"
"Well..." Kieu My starts. She takes Fatou's laptop to shut it close and sets it aside. Fatou looks at her to listen and she continues, "He was shamelessly flirting with me right in front of my dad." Kieu My watches Fatou's face twitch in annoyance.
"And you didn't think this was something you needed to tell me?"
Kieu My shoots her a look, "Babe, why would I want to ruin our dinner date by bringing him up? I already felt he's starting to upset you that one night we talked about him."
"So, you think hiding whatever happens between you two from me would make me feel better?" Fatou scoffs in disbelief.
"I just didn't think they'd be something you'd want to hear," Kieu My explains. "And it's not like anything actually happened."
"I still deserve to hear them!"
Kieu My tries her hold back her smile once more. Jealous Fatou was definitely something new and amusing to watch. Kieu My found it adorable.
"What? You think this is funny?"
"No, babe. I just find it cute that you're actually jealous," Kieu My can't help but giggle. She brings a hand over to Fatou's cheek, planning to give it a squish but Fatou's swats it away with her hand.
"Whatever. I'm going to bed," Fatou grunts and crawls over to her side of the bed.
Kieu My giggles even more, "Babyyy. I'm sorry."
Fatou lies down on her side of the bed. And before she could turn to face away from her girlfriend, Kieu My holds her down and starts straddling her.
Fatou lets out a frustrated sigh, but allows Kieu My to sit on top of her. She closes her eyes.
"What about your essay?"
"I don't want to write it anymore,” Fatou says, eyes still closed.
Kieu My laughs, "Babe! You didn't even let me finish what happened."
Fatou doesn't say anything.
"I was all smiley and laughing because my dad actually turned him down for me. It was funny 'cause he actually looked really flustered and I don't think he's coming back after my dad told him that he wouldn't stand a chance."
Fatou peeks an eye open, ears waiting for more.
"My dad mentioned you and told him how you're perfect for me. He said that if he tries to get in between us, he has to get past him first."
Fatou softly looks at Kieu My, "Your dad actually said that?"
Kieu My nods, smiling, "My parents love you, babe."
Fatou looks away from Kieu My's eyes, and ponders for a moment, her hands unconsciously settling on her girlfriend's thighs.
Kieu My lifts her chin up to let her look at her again, "And, I love you. There's literally nothing to be jealous about."
The corner of Fatou's mouth tug up in a small smile, and Kieu My leans down to kiss her.
When they release from the kiss, Fatou asks, "You don't find him even slightly attractive?"
Kieu My scowls, cringing, "No. He's far from my type. I prefer short, cute girls who skateboard and love anime...and axolotls, and pretend they're brave enough to watch horror films, when in fact, they're actually a scaredy cat."
Kieu My earns a slap on the thigh for that, and they both laugh.
"Okay," Fatou smiles as her laughter fades. "Good."
"You feel better?"
"A little."
Kieu My raises an eyebrow, smirking. She teasingly gives Fatou a roll of her hips, grinding on her. "Would this make you feel better?"
Fatou doesn't hold back her laugh anymore, "Well..."
Kieu My rolls her hips once more and Fatou releases a sigh. Kieu My watches Fatou look up at her with hooded eyes. She then leans down to bring their lips together.
Fatou groans when Kieu My grinds on her again, and it doesn't take a minute for things to get heated between them.
When Kieu My breaks the kiss, she is smiling and her hair is slightly disheveled. Out of breath, she asks, "What about your essay?"
"Forget the damn essay," Fatou says before pulling a giggling Kieu My back down for another kiss.