xoxo

HE DOESN’T MISS the sigh that she lets out , but he doesn’t bother to comment or prod — not when he knows she’ll tell him in due time . ares merely lets out a hum as he listens , eyes flickering from her profile and back on the road when traffic moves . he gives a nod of his head at her brief report . ‘ glad you got through with it . ’ he says , the lingering — glad you’re safe etched behind those words . ‘ give me a proper report tomorrow . ’

there’s a shrug of his shoulders when questioned about his day , lips pursed as he tries to settle on what to reply to her latter question . saying way too much would prompt her to press with more questions — and he didn’t need that right now . so he settles with a safe murmur of , ‘ future plans , mostly . ’

the hit woman looked ahead and watched as traffic kept creeping forward. she just wanted to see haeju already. guilt started eating away at her. if she had managed to finish her mission earlier then she would have had more time to spend with her son.

minji glances over at ares, more curious now. “future plans?” she wasn’t sure if he was talking about with the fraternity or with their son. minji found interest with both of them. she wanted to move up in the fraternity after all, and she had her obvious preferences with their son. “what kind of future are you talking about?”

HE MERELY HUMS but says nothing further as he waves away the female’s apology , mind entirely elsewhere as he pulls out off the driveway and into the streets . he lets the silence sit , nothing but the gentle purring of the electric car filling in the quiet space between them . 

it’s too quiet until heavy traffic pulls them to a stop . ares lets out a sigh , leaning back against the car seat as it slows down . he turns to look at the female next to him , finally giving her his full attention . 

‘ hey babe . ’ he greets , giving her a kiss on the cheek . they were already late so might as well just.. take advantage of it . ‘ sorry i just.. have a lot on my mind . how’d it go ? ’ he asks in one breath before leaning away , eyes darting back towards the overcrowded street before them . ‘ everything go okay with your target ? ’

minji couldn’t help but let out a little sigh as ares kissed her cheek and decided that he was willing to acknowledge her existence now. a younger, more spry minji would’ve made a comment about it. tonight’s minji was drained and exasperated. “yeah it was fine.” she lied. minji found herself not wanting to get too into the details now. while ares was probably the closest person in the world to her, she had to remember that he was also her boss in a sense. he’d hear more about it in the actual report tomorrow. broad stokes would work for now. “there was some miscommunication about locations, but we overcame it.” she quickly briefed. 

“what about you?” she glanced over to him and eyed his expression and posture. “how was your day? what’s on your mind?” 

An appreciative smile tugged at their lips as they noted how intently Minji studied their heavily inked body. To Jia the body was another canvas to be painted, whether by tattoos or scars it showed depth and personality in a way. What someone chooses to don their skin with is basically a lifeling choice unless willing enough to undergo painful removal. The smile fell though at the apology, their shirt tugged back on. “It…heh-” Brows furrowed they began rubbing the back of their neck unsure what to say. 

Maybe a part of them did resent her for it. Minji was their closest friend and in that time they felt alone, at least until the bond with their mom strengthened. “I made it eh? Mmm…it’s…it’s in the past so it shouldn’t be an issue.” It was clear on their face that it still hurt, yet there was a sort of stubborn refusal to talk on it, as if avoiding the whole thing would help instead of fester. Maybe it’d fade. Especially with her being here now. They’d make new memories.

“Oh thank fuck.” An audible deep sigh of relief escapes their lips, all the tension fading away in an instant. “I’m pro, I aid them with uh…well, I’m pretty well-off.” They wouldn’t mention donating to people in need nor other places, they didn’t do that to show off but to simply help out. It didn’t seem important to talk about. Now that Jia thinks on it though, just being a model wouldn’t pay for all the things they have and so they fumble with how to explain it. “Uh- I have two jobs. Heh. Yeah it’s high ranking, that’s all. Nothing big or special.” Just the fucking Matrix. Totally miniscule…good job Jia, they mentally kicked themselves.

minji found it honorable that jia felt so passionately pro-android. there was something powerful about passion and taking a stand and aiding them. there were very few things that minji could find herself fighting for. really it was just her son and the fraternity. 

“oh yeah, i like to keep more than one job too.” she added. minji obviously couldn’t divulge much further, but she felt comfortable saying that at least. her position with the fraternity was more than enough to keep her afloat as well as provide for her son. the only reason she kept the bartending gig was because it was nice to be at a hub of operation at night. even on days where she didn’t have hits to take out she had somewhere to be. 

“high ranking?” minji asked skeptically with an amused smirk and a raised brow. she took a step to the side, taking a seat on the couch. she glanced back to jia to make sure that they didn’t mind. despite how they used to be incredibly close, but she still didn’t want to overstep. “high ranking sounds quite big and special.” she countered with a bit of humor to her voice. minji wondered if jia had some kind of position that they were embarrassed about. “bring it on. i wanna know.” she smiled.

The reaction to that extra squeeze was probably a bit predictable, Jia finding comfort in it enough to calm their breathing. The raw emotions had sprung on them so abruptly. It startled them a bit because normally at least there was some small barrier of safety. Minji wasn’t a colleague though, not was she someone seeking them out for a job.

Once the woman steps into their place they close the door, locking it out of habit. The comment has the brunette freeze then let out a snort laugh. “Is that a compliment or an insult?” Finally they’re a bit more relaxed despite still being filled with confusion. In a way it’s helpful as Minji takes control of the conversation for now, the questions easy enough though maybe a few things would need to be left out…just in case.

“Well…a lot. Uh…so, to start off-“ Gaze shifting away they rub their arm then smile sadly, making eye contact. “I drifted away because my parents were going through divorce. It-it was a lot. I had no idea it was happening but it turns out they weren’t happy for several years…enough of that bull though.” Taking a deep breathe, they tug their top up then turn to start showing off various tattoos that litter their back, side, shoulder blades, and a full sleeve on her right arm. “That’s something that took a long while…I’m a model for Fuhen too. They mentioned liking how I’m androgynous, that I can appeal to people that might not feel like they fit in. I couldn’t pass that chance up!”

Jia opens their mouth again then shuts it abruptly. The Matrix…they can’t mention that. Something else though…maybe…”What is your stance on…androids, if you don’t mind me asking?” A wave of nerves flood their stomach. In a way this was going into political discussion, something they avoided like the plague. But it could be hard if they turn out to be opposites there…or maybe they could accept…the difference? A part of them might resent her for it. That realization has them regretting asking but it’s too late to take it back.

minji’s eyes gazed over the inked skin in fascination. tattoos were always something she found beautiful and creative, but never carried the courage to actually get one. the only thing that she would actually get tattooed to her skin would be something to do with haeju. minji knew that in the scary world that they lived in, putting out something so obviously precious could be used against her. it seemed safer to not.

minji listened intently as jia spoke. she stopped and felt her face fall when they had mentioned their parents divorce. it was pretty shocking. minji had been around jia’s family often as a kid and had never expected them to split. another wave of guilt hit her. she was realizing more and more that she had vanished in times of need. in a time where it was really crucial to have a friend by your side. the hitwoman could see the discomfort that jia had from speaking about it, and how they had tried to dance onto another topic fairly quickly. “i’m so sorry jia... i wish i was there for you.” she was sincere, but she knew that an apology now wouldn’t heal or wash away the hurt that she caused. she just hoped that she’d be around for whatever future hardships that there were. 

minji could see their demeanor change to be a bit stiff; leaving her feeling more intrigued about what they were going to ask. “androids?” minji asked before throwing a simple shrug. “i don’t think too much of it. i know it’s really polarizing topic but i guess i’d say i’m more neutral.” she was mostly ignorant of most of the chaos involving the pro and anti android agendas. digging into politics was stressful for her so she never bothered too much. “what about you? why do you ask?”

Jia wasn’t really sure what to expect. This wasn’t something they ever thought could happen, and for Minji of all people to be their neighbor felt like a weird dream. While the other smiled, they felt moisture sting at the corners of their eyes while hesitantly returning the hug. In a way it was bittersweet purely because of the sudden vanishing act but truly deep down, they knew it couldn’t have been their friend’s fault, something big had to have happened.

Once they could hide in the embrace and Minji spoke it just couldn’t be stopped, they started to cry silently. Just like way back when Jia still wore their heart on their sleeve around the now fully grown woman, the apology only making the sounds more audible. By the time they seperated several tear tracks streaked their cheeks, lower lip bitten into to keep quiet. “…” Jia gave a pleading look while gingerly tugging on her arms, gesturing for their friend to come inside. They don’t trust their voice to keep steady and truly there were very few people the model trusted in the city, so telling everything wouldn’t be an option in the doorway.

“In..c'mon. Please.” Rather than a question it’s a soft plea, Jia taking a step back to give space then waiting on a response. The inside of their place was expansive probably very similarly to Minji’s though their personal touch showed from the walls with posters of artists, to random plushies that compensate not having a pet…yet. The whole atmosphere would be welcoming, a soft lavender scent as well coming from one of those fake candles. Jia was still prone to knocking things over.

the second that minji felt jia’s shoulders heave with emotion, she felt pure guilt fill her gut. she never wanted to make jia hurt. she squeezed them back harder in attempt to console them, but felt some of her own composure falling. her eyes began to water, but she couldn’t let any tears fall. minji had always been too prideful to let that kind of hurt be on display. she had always been careful about what face she was putting up when it came to showing a more sensitive side, but this was hard. it had hit her so fast and unexpected.

minji stepped inside as she was asked. her eyes scanned her friend’s apartment. she sniffled and dabbed away some of the moisture in the corner of her eyes as she looked around. “this is so.... you.” it felt so truthful she let out a soft chuckle despite herself. everything felt so incredibly... jia. the decor, the scent. everything around her felt like the same jia that she had been so close with years ago. jia seemed so familiar from what minji had last known them as. it sent a pang of worry through the hitman; minji was not the same person she was in her teen years. at least it didn’t feel that way. mannerisms and personality were still there, but minji was insanely different now. she was a hitman, bartender, and a mother now. what if those were things that made jia and minji completely incompatible now? what if jia decided that they didn’t want to be minji’s friend anymore, despite the emotional reconnection. she wanted to explain to her right away why she vanished, but she found herself feeling scared.

“um, please, tell me more about what’s going on with you. what have a missed, how you got here, what you’re doing now,” she listed off as a way to pull some of the tension off of her circumstances for now.

Jia realized with embarrassment that they kept opening and closing their mouth like a fish gasping for air, forcing that to stop. More often than not the brunette was one who had no trouble speaking their mind. Whether to explain intricate details over a job or to warmly tell some asshole to kindly fuck off, it took a lot to render them literally speechless and yet Minji...Minji had managed the feat.

God. Memories flood through their mind, swing sets and jumping off at the highest point possible, playing tag while avoiding causing disruption around the middle layer. It was Minji that they’d first opened up to about being non-binary, how they couldn’t feel or see themself as a man nor a woman…how Minji held Jia then as they cried. The best memories from their teen years came from the mischief the two got into, always leaving some sort of mess but bringing with it a new special memory.

When Jia’s parents had stopped showing affection toward each other as well as their only kid…Jia had shut down, then their best friend vanished too. It was like everything fell apart, everyone left them behind to fend for themself. Well, their mom never left…but right now Minji of all people stood before them wearing a similar outfit as their own…basically pajamas. When the hell did she move in here?

“Uh…c-come in..” They couldn’t help it, while stepping aside they gingerly poked at one of Minji’s cheeks as if to be sure she was real then nodded to themself. “Make- make yourself at home.”

minji felt stuck in the space that she was taking up. words had left her until she felt a single poke to her cheek. it was weirdly grounding, and she couldn’t hide the smile that spread across her face immediately after. minji took a step in before pausing in the door way.

minji shook her head and reached her arms out instead. “come here,” she muttered as she squeezed her lost friend. somehow even after being apart for years they still had a similar scent. “oh my goodness… you’ve missed so, so much.” how could she explain the situation? she didn’t think that she really could without it sounding like she was lying. it was a lot to throw out there. “more than I can explain. i’m, um, i’m so sorry i vanished.”

she pulled away and looked over them. they had both grown into adults and it was weird to think about. “please, tell me everything i’ve missed.” she said sincerely. she wanted to know everything. 

Jia never used to be one to enjoy a hectic schedule, but ever since going into work at the Matrix along with their career at Fuhen as a model it simply made things hard. From childhood til moving out there was always a good schedule with breathing room, even after joining Fuhen it was stable. The agency booked time in advance, sometimes by months depending on many variables, but lately the crime world and beauty world clashed turning the flustered brunette into a…well, a night owl.

Except for this past week where the timing abruptly switched leaving them fatigued half the time, more makeup needed to hide the worsening bags beneath their eyes. Only in the warm safety of their home did they let it show. Decked out in a tank top with tattoos on display and baggy sweats they had a full blown air guitar show going, head bobbing to the beat. At some point the chord had gotten tugged loose and Jia hadn’t noticed thus the music blared. The knocking was just barely heard what with headphones still resting over their ears.

“Huh?” Voice gruff they clear their throat then blink in confusion when the music keeps going after the headphones come off, amber eyes wide as the power switch is nearly punched. “Oh shit shit sh- Coming!” Wow they felt like an asshole. The door was tugged open quickly, apologies already spilling through in a tired and raspy voice. “I am so sorry, the chord came loose. Oh god, it won’t happen again I’m sor-” Once their gaze actually fell on the woman before them the words stopped, a look of both shock and confusion very clear. “….no way…”

minji felt prepared to give the stranger a piece of her mind. to tear into them about how absolutely inconsiderate it was to be blasting music when people were sleeping in the middle of the... day. it felt stronger in theory, but she knew that she’d be able to deliver with enough passion that it wouldn’t be hard to convey.

she kept her brow furrowed as she watched the door swing open with a flurry of apologies. she was ready to knock them down and continue the well thought-out speech in her head. she opened her mouth and looked up to lock eyes with the neighbor and felt nothing leave her lungs. 

because this wasn’t a stranger. this was jia.

the person that she used to spend a few various weekends with drawing with crayons on the kitchen floor. one who had spent an entire summer trying to teach minji (who lacked much grace in her youth) how to swim. the one minji had vented and cried to after her first few failed attempts of love.

jia was there for so much. just looking at them had taken minji back six or seven years. just before she disappeared off the face of the planet for a year. jia wasn’t allowed to know about the baby then, no one was, so minji just kinda vanished. she used to be so silly and social before then. everything changed so suddenly that she used to often think back to how badly she wanted those times back. and now jia was... here? it felt so random. how long had she been living next door to the person she believed to be so long gone?

“jia... what...?”