Chapter 117

The afternoon sun spilled softly across the backyard, warm but not overwhelming, the kind of day that felt like it was made just for doing nothing together.

Jennie sat on a picnic blanket, legs tucked to the side, lazily scrolling through her phone while occasionally glancing at Lisa—who was busy attempting (and failing) to assemble a small portable fan.

“Babe,” Jennie called, her voice light with amusement, “you’ve been turning that thing for five minutes.”

Lisa squinted at the instructions. “It’s… complicated.”

“It’s a fan.”

“It has three parts, Jennie. That’s already too much.”

Jennie laughed, the sound soft and fond. She leaned back on her hands, tilting her face up toward the sky, enjoying the breeze that didn’t need assembling.

That’s when it happened.

A tiny, uninvited guest buzzed its way into their peaceful afternoon.

Jennie barely noticed it at first—just a faint sound near her ear. She scrunched her nose, waving a hand lazily. “Shoo…”

Lisa looked up. “What is it?”

“Probably nothing—”

“Ow!”

Jennie jolted upright, hand flying to her cheek. “Ow—ow—ow!”

Lisa dropped the fan instantly. “What?! What happened?!”

Jennie’s eyes widened dramatically. “Something stabbed me!”

Lisa was already at her side in seconds. “Let me see—”

Jennie turned her face, revealing her already reddening cheek. Right in the softest, fluffiest part.

Lisa froze.

“…A bee.”

“A what?!” Jennie gasped, horrified.

“A bee sting,” Lisa repeated, her voice climbing into panic mode. “Oh my god—are you okay? Does it hurt? Of course it hurts—stupid question—wait, don’t move—no, actually, move—wait—”

“Lisa!” Jennie whined, clutching her cheek. “It hurts!”

That was it.

Lisa’s brain officially short-circuited.

“My baby got stung—my baby got stung!” she exclaimed, already cupping Jennie’s face like she might fall apart. “Who did this to you? Where is it? I will fight it.”

“It already left!” Jennie said, half-laughing despite the sting.

Lisa frowned deeply, inspecting her cheek like it was the most precious thing in the world. “It attacked the softest part of your face… that’s illegal.”

Jennie sniffled dramatically. “It targeted me…”

“I know,” Lisa said seriously, brushing her thumb gently near the sting. “It was jealous.”

Jennie blinked. “…Jealous?”

“Yeah,” Lisa nodded firmly. “Because your cheeks are cuter than anything else in this universe.”

Jennie tried to hold her pout, but her lips twitched.

Lisa gently blew on her cheek. “Does this help?”

“A little…” Jennie admitted, leaning into her touch.

“Okay, okay, wait here!” Lisa suddenly said, springing up like she had a mission. “Don’t move! Don’t do anything! Don’t even breathe too hard!”

Jennie watched her run inside the house, baffled. “…It’s just a sting…”

A few moments later, Lisa came rushing back out—armed with an ice pack, a small towel, a bottle of water, and what looked like… snacks?

“I brought everything,” Lisa declared proudly, kneeling beside her again.

“Everything?” Jennie repeated.

“Yes. Ice for your cheek, water because you might be dehydrated from the trauma, and snacks because emotional recovery is important.”

Jennie stared at her.

“…I got stung by a bee.”

Lisa gently pressed the wrapped ice pack to Jennie’s cheek. “Shh. You’re very brave.”

Jennie let out a soft laugh, her earlier pain already fading under Lisa’s overwhelming care.

“You’re overreacting,” she mumbled.

“I am reacting appropriately,” Lisa corrected. “My wife got injured.”

“Injured…” Jennie echoed, amused.

Lisa leaned closer, her expression softening as she studied Jennie’s face again. The redness was still there, but it wasn’t as bad now.

Still, Lisa’s thumb brushed carefully along the unhurt side of her cheek, as if making up for it.

“Does it still hurt?” she asked quietly.

“Not as much,” Jennie admitted.

Lisa pouted. “I wish I could take it away.”

Jennie smiled, her eyes soft. “You kind of did already.”

Lisa blinked. “I did?”

“Mhm,” Jennie nodded. “You panicked so much I forgot it hurt.”

Lisa huffed lightly. “Hey. That panic was valid.”

“I know,” Jennie teased. “Very dramatic. Very intense.”

“I will always be dramatic about you,” Lisa said without hesitation.

Jennie’s expression softened even more.

Lisa leaned in closer, hesitating for just a second before pressing the gentlest kiss beside the sting—careful, slow, like Jennie was made of glass.

“There,” she whispered. “Healing kiss.”

Jennie melted a little.

“…Do it again,” she murmured.

Lisa smiled, clearly pleased, and kissed her cheek again—this time lingering just a bit longer.

“Better?” she asked.

Jennie nodded, leaning her head against Lisa’s shoulder. “Much better.”

Lisa wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close like she needed to keep her safe from any more rogue bees.

“From now on,” Lisa declared, “I’m your official bee bodyguard.”

Jennie snorted. “Oh really?”

“Yes. Any bee comes within a five-meter radius, I will—” she paused, thinking— “strongly discourage it.”

“By screaming?” Jennie teased.

“…That’s one strategy.”

Jennie laughed softly, nuzzling closer into her.

The fan lay forgotten. The snacks were half-opened. The sun continued to shine like nothing had happened.

But in that moment, with Lisa still gently holding the ice pack to her cheek and occasionally pressing tiny kisses around it, Jennie felt like the most cared-for person in the world.

“Lisa?” she mumbled.

“Hmm?”

“If I get stung again…”

Lisa tensed immediately. “You won’t.”

“But if I do—”

“I’ll fight the entire bee population.”

Jennie giggled. “Good.”

Lisa smiled, pressing another soft kiss to her cheek.

“Anything for you.”