Chapter Text
Jiyeon, Human (2052)
She remembered Jiyeon’s face when she glanced back at her as she stepped into the moving van. Sad smile as she stood feet away, eyes swimming with hurt. Hair pulled taut in a bun and just a dash of waterproof mascara. Claire's ever intrepid owner, now standing rudderless in the grass.
“Please know this isn’t your fault, Claire,” Jiyeon had told her moments before in front of the house, stone-faced as she tried not to feel. Her hands clenched Claire’s shoulders as she stared her straight in the eyes, tone emphatic. Unapologetic and firm.
“I know, Jiyeon.”
A flash of relief had crossed Jiyeon’s face, followed by a nod and a tight smile.
Claire didn’t smile back. She didn’t want to smile, and she didn’t need to anymore.
“It’s the way that it has to be. You’re practical. You know that.”
Claire nodded, matter-of-fact.
“Will you be needing anything else?” She asked, her voice professional as programmed.
“No, Claire.”
Movement caught Claire’s eye above Jiyeon’s shoulder from about five meters back, and she subtly adjusted her focus upward toward the door. Suhan in the doorway, watching them. Visibly regretful.
His eyes tried to meet Claire’s.
She didn’t let them.
Claire concentrated back on Jiyeon, the adjustment so minute that no human would have perceived the momentary shift in attention.
“Goodbye, Jiyeon.”
“Goodbye, Claire.”
Jiyeon released Claire’s shoulders and let her hands fall to her sides. She took two deliberate steps back, looking up at the moving van and then back down at Claire with a finality. A resolve to hold herself and her fractured life together. I can do this, Jiyeon would often tell herself when she was about to do something difficult. What would she do now?
Claire broke their eye contact and began to turn away, dropping her gaze to the ground with a slight frown as she processed.
It was over, and this was goodbye for good.
“Claire.”
Jiyeon.
Claire froze, and in the two seconds she stood frozen several questions crossed her mind. Would Jiyeon call her back? Would she thank her one last time? Would she apologize, even though it wasn’t truly her fault either? Claire turned back to Jiyeon and saw a stray tear streaming down her cheek.
“I still love him,” she said helplessly, her voice and heart quietly breaking. She looked like she had no idea what to do, and Claire knew Jiyeon well enough to know that was true.
Claire wasn’t in a position to help her figure it out, though.
After a final, neutral look, Claire silently turned away from Jiyeon. She held her head up high as she shook her hair out behind her and strode away and toward her second life.