Chapter Text
It had been a few weeks since Momo and Dahyun had taken the next step in their relationship. They had grown closer, but things were still delicate — their friendship intertwined with new, raw emotions. Though they were navigating their new dynamic, Dahyun found herself facing something she hadn’t anticipated: jealousy.
It began one evening during a recording session. Momo and Sana had been laughing together, exchanging playful jabs and inside jokes. Their bond was obvious to everyone — years of friendship making them comfortable with each other in a way that Dahyun couldn’t ignore. But tonight, it felt different. Momo’s laugh seemed just a little too loud, her touch on Sana’s arm lingering a bit too long.
Dahyun found herself sitting in the corner of the room, watching them, the weight of her emotions building in her chest. The laughter between Momo and Sana felt like an echo in her ears, and Dahyun couldn’t help the tightening in her stomach. Why does it bother me so much? she thought, her breath catching. I should trust Momo. I should trust her.
But it wasn’t about trust. It was something deeper — a nagging sense of inadequacy. Momo and Sana shared a bond that Dahyun couldn’t touch, one forged in years of friendship. Why can’t I make Momo laugh like that? Dahyun thought. Why can’t I be that comfortable with her?
By the end of the session, Dahyun had barely spoken to Momo. She withdrew into herself, her thoughts spiraling with jealousy and doubt. The feeling of being an outsider in her relationship with Momo left her heart aching.
Later that night, Momo found Dahyun sitting alone in the practice room, her eyes distant. She had sensed the tension between them all day, but now that they were finally alone, she knew it was time to confront it.
"Dahyun, can we talk for a sec?" Momo asked, her voice light, yet filled with concern.
Dahyun stiffened, not meeting Momo’s gaze. "I don’t really feel like talking right now," she muttered.
Momo’s heart sank at the coldness in Dahyun’s voice. This wasn’t how she had imagined the evening going. "What’s wrong?" Momo pressed, taking a step closer. "You’ve been distant all evening. Did I do something?"
Dahyun hesitated, her eyes flickering with frustration and something deeper — hurt. Finally, she spoke, her voice tight. "I just… I don’t like how you act around Sana. You two are always so close. It feels like you don’t need me at all."
Momo blinked, taken aback by Dahyun’s words. "What do you mean? Sana’s my friend. She’s been my friend for years," Momo said, her voice soft and careful.
"I know," Dahyun snapped, a bitter edge creeping into her voice. "But the way you talk to her, the way you touch her — it’s like she’s the one who can give you everything you want. I can’t do that."
Momo’s chest tightened at the sharpness of Dahyun’s words. "Dahyun…" she began, but Dahyun interrupted.
"Don’t you see it, Momo?" Dahyun’s voice broke as her insecurities spilled out. "I’m not like Sana. I’m not as confident, I’m not as outgoing, and sometimes it feels like I can’t give you the same things she can."
Momo stepped forward, cupping Dahyun’s face gently. "Listen to me," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "Sana is my friend. She will always be a part of my life, but I’m in love with you. Not her. You."
Dahyun’s breath hitched, but she pulled away slightly, her insecurities still looming over her. "But—"
"No buts," Momo interrupted, her voice firm yet soft. "I want you, Dahyun. Only you. Please stop comparing yourself to Sana. You’re perfect just the way you are."
Dahyun’s heart softened at Momo’s words, but the vulnerability inside her remained. She felt foolish for letting jealousy cloud her judgment.
"I’m sorry," Dahyun whispered, her voice small, her eyes filled with regret. "I shouldn’t have said that. I trust you, Momo. I do. I just… I get scared sometimes."
Momo pulled Dahyun into her arms, holding her tightly. "I know, baby. I know," she whispered, kissing the top of Dahyun’s head. "I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. Just trust me."
Dahyun buried her face into Momo’s shoulder, finally feeling the weight of her insecurities begin to lift. "I trust you," she repeated, her voice muffled, "I just don’t want to lose you."
"You won’t," Momo reassured her softly, holding her even tighter. "Not ever."
The days after their conversation felt different. Dahyun was slowly learning to trust Momo’s words, but her insecurities still crept up when she least expected it. The bond between them was strong, but fear and self-doubt were powerful forces to reckon with.
One afternoon, after another long day of rehearsals, Dahyun found herself sitting alone, her thoughts once again clouded with doubt. Momo had been patient, but Dahyun still felt like something was missing. She just couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t enough, that she might one day lose Momo to someone more outgoing, someone more confident.
It was during this moment of self-reflection that Chaeyoung walked in, noticing her friend sitting in silence.
"Hey, you’ve been quiet today. What’s going on? Still thinking about Momo and Sana?" Chaeyoung asked, settling beside Dahyun.
Dahyun nodded, her lips pressed together in a tight line. "I don’t know why it bothers me so much. I trust Momo, but… sometimes I feel like I’m just not enough. Like she needs something from someone else, something I can’t give her."
Chaeyoung looked at her thoughtfully, then smiled softly. "You’re not perfect, Dahyun. Neither is Momo. But what matters is that you two are figuring this out together. You don’t have to be anyone else — you just need to be you. That’s what Momo loves."
Dahyun looked at her friend, feeling a weight lift off her chest. Chaeyoung’s words didn’t solve everything, but they reminded her that Momo had chosen her. She didn’t have to compete with anyone else.
"I just wish I could believe that," Dahyun murmured. "Sometimes, I still feel like I’m not enough for her."
Chaeyoung placed a hand on her shoulder, her expression soft and understanding. "Momo loves you, Dahyun. Trust that."
Dahyun smiled faintly, feeling the heaviness in her heart begin to lighten. She didn’t have all the answers, but with Momo by her side, she knew they could figure it out — together.
****************************
The days following Dahyun’s emotional outburst had been a mix of progress and lingering tension. Momo had been patient, doing her best to reassure Dahyun whenever she could, but inside, she was struggling with her own doubts.
Momo loved Dahyun — there was no question about that. But the path they were walking together, figuring out how to balance their friendship and newfound relationship, wasn’t as easy as she had hoped. There were moments of joy, but also moments of uncertainty, both for her and Dahyun. She couldn’t help but feel the weight of her partner’s insecurities, and it hurt her to see Dahyun so vulnerable.
Tonight, Momo found herself alone in the living room, sitting by the window. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her face as she stared out, lost in thought.
What more can I do for her? Momo wondered, a soft frown settling on her face. She’s been so distant lately, like I’m losing her. I keep telling her that I’m here, that I love her. Why doesn’t she believe me?
Her thoughts were interrupted when Nayeon entered the room, looking her usual cheerful self. But even Nayeon couldn’t hide the concern in her eyes as she approached Momo.
"You’re quiet tonight," Nayeon said lightly, though her voice carried an undertone of concern. "Is everything okay with you and Dahyun?"
Momo sighed deeply, leaning back against the chair. "I don’t know. Things have been… complicated." She paused, looking out the window again as if searching for answers. "I know Dahyun’s struggling with her insecurities. She’s been pushing me away, and I don’t know how to fix it. I just want her to know that I’m not going anywhere, that she doesn’t have to be afraid. But it’s like… no matter how much I reassure her, she still doubts me."
Nayeon sat down next to her, her eyes softening with understanding. "Momo, you can’t fix everything on your own. Dahyun’s going through a lot inside her head, and you can’t solve that for her. What you can do is keep being there, keep showing her that you love her, and be patient. She has to find a way to trust you — and trust herself."
Momo’s shoulders slumped. "I just feel like I’m not doing enough. I don’t want to lose her, Nayeon. She’s everything to me."
Nayeon placed a reassuring hand on Momo’s arm. "It’s not about doing enough. You can’t carry all of her burdens, no matter how much you love her. You’re already doing everything you can by being supportive. But you also need to take care of yourself, Momo. If you keep holding on so tightly, you might end up suffocating her, even with the best of intentions."
Momo looked at Nayeon, processing her words. "I know. It’s just hard to let go sometimes, even when I know I need to. I want to be her everything, you know? But I can’t be. She has to be her own person too."
"Exactly," Nayeon nodded. "And it’s okay to take a step back, give her some space. But don’t distance yourself entirely. Let her come to you when she’s ready. Let her know that you’re there, no matter what."
Momo smiled softly, though there was still worry in her eyes. "I just hope she doesn’t think I’m giving up on her."
Nayeon gave her a knowing look. "Trust me, Momo. Dahyun knows you’re not giving up on her. You just have to give her the time she needs to figure things out."
Before Momo could respond, they heard footsteps approaching. Sana entered the room, her usual bright energy lighting up the space.
"You two look serious," she said, raising an eyebrow. "What’s going on?"
Nayeon glanced at Momo before speaking. "Momo’s just been feeling a little stuck in her relationship with Dahyun. She’s worried about her, but also feeling like she’s not doing enough."
Sana’s expression softened as she sat down next to them. "I get it. Relationships are complicated, especially when there are insecurities involved. It’s not easy to see the person you love go through something like that."
Momo looked at Sana, her eyes searching for understanding. "What if I’m not enough? What if Dahyun needs someone more confident, more outgoing… like Sana, maybe? I just… I don’t know what to do. I keep telling her that I love her, that I want to be with her, but I can’t change how she feels about herself."
Sana’s eyes widened, and she reached out to gently take Momo’s hand. "Momo, listen to me. You’re already enough. You’re everything Dahyun needs. She just needs time to understand that about herself. You can’t be her savior, but you can show her the love and care she deserves. Don’t compare yourself to others, and don’t let Dahyun’s insecurities make you feel like you’re failing. You’re not."
Momo took a deep breath, trying to take in everything her friends were saying. "I know," she whispered. "But I don’t want to push her away by not being enough."
"Being enough isn’t about fixing her insecurities," Nayeon said softly. "It’s about showing her that you’ll stand by her through them. You’re not responsible for making her feel whole, Momo. She has to believe in herself, but you can help her see how beautiful she already is."
Momo nodded, the weight of Nayeon and Sana’s words settling into her heart. "I want to help her, not make her feel more insecure. I just want her to know she doesn’t have to do this alone."
Sana smiled warmly. "And that’s what matters most. Keep loving her, Momo. The rest will follow in time."
Momo smiled back, feeling a sense of relief she hadn’t realized she needed. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."
As Nayeon and Sana stood up to leave, Momo felt a renewed sense of clarity. She didn’t have all the answers, and she knew Dahyun still had her own journey to take. But she was ready to be there, to support her partner in the way she deserved, even if it meant giving her space to figure things out.
The path ahead wouldn’t always be smooth, but Momo had learned something important tonight: love wasn’t about fixing everything. It was about being there through the messy, imperfect moments. And that was enough.