Chapter Text
The chattering of staff and muffled shouts from the director outside floated around the room.
Wonyoung sat back straight on a couch, absentmindedly tapping along to the melody of the current song on the radio. She watched as Liz and Rei let out another laugh. Those two seriously..She was still impressed that Liz had managed to have 10 hours of screen time on her phone. Rei was no better, but at least it wasn’t in the double digits. Yet. Wonyoung thought to herself, amused.
Across the room sat Gaeul and Leeseo. Gaeul’s knuckles were white, her expression tense, eyes moving quickly across the pages of her novel. A stark contrast from their youngest who lay dead to the world catching up on some much needed sleep.
Wonyoung hummed as she fiddled with the hem of her top. The shoot today was on the more casual side, with every member wearing a similar outfit to the one they wore in their Be Alright MV. She felt especially pretty today with her top being her favorite color and her hair coming down in waves that perfectly framed her face.
As Wonyoung tilted her phone to check herself in the reflection, she spotted the makeup artists packing up. She turned around. They must be done. Without thinking, Wonyoung got up and walked to Yujin’s seat. Unnie looks really pretty today. Gosh I want to squish her.
Following a restraint she sometimes wished she didn’t need to have, Wonyoung settled instead for placing her hands against the back of Yujin’s chair.
“Unnie, are you done now?” Wonyoung whined.
Wonyoung watched as Yujin leaned back, internally preening. Wait, did she just breathe in? Am I being delusional? It tingled where Yujin’s hair brushed her arm, Wonyoung hyper aware of their proximity. The warmth radiating from Yujin was no joke.
Her unnie hummed, “I don't know, maybe?"
"Stop lying unnie, I saw the makeup artists leave," Wonyoung pouted, her chin resting on the crown of Yujin's head. Maybe I don’t have the greatest self-control…
Wonyoung felt more than heard the chuckle that left Yujin. She wanted to get used to the feeling. If only.
"Yah you caught me, what do you need princess-nim?" Yujin teased.
Wonyoung puffed out her cheeks in annoyance while leaning back and lifting up her phone.
"Can you help me take pictures?" Wonyoung asked, shy despite having asked Yujin to do this for her hundreds of times before.
"How do you know I won't say no?" Yujin retorted jokingly, turning around in the chair. Wonyoung scoffed while moving past the seated girl.
"You're already standing up reaching for my phone Yujin unnie," Wonyoung pointed out smugly, leaning back to hide her shaking hands.
"Fine, fine," Yujin rolled her eyes while smiling, "I can never say no to you, huh?" she joked.
"Nope! You can't!" Wonyoung said cheerfully, her hair falling forward as Wonyoung tilted her head to the side. She paused as she saw Yujin’s smile falter before Yujin lifted her phone.
What was that? Wonyoung gripped the table underneath her, suddenly much less cheerful than before. She's been acting weird lately, let’s just ignore it for now. She thought as she plastered a smile on her face, lifting her hand to her signature elegant pose. She moved through one pose after the other, her leader cheering her on.
After a couple minutes of photo taking, the director called all of IVE to the main shooting area.
"Thanks unnie!" Wonyoung beamed as Yujin handed her phone back.
"Anytime Wonyoungie," Yujin smiled.
The two girls split, Wonyoung quickly making her way over to where Gaeul was waking Leeseo and Yujin to the two resident screenagers.
While listening to the director’s instructions, Wonyoung felt a prickle. She looked up, catching the eyes of Yujin.
The second they made eye contact Yujin looked away.
Aw Wonyoung huffed, fiddling with hair. She watched through the corner of her eyes as Yujin shook her head before turning her attention back to the director.
-a couple hours later-
"Thank you for the hard work!" all the members yelled in unison, bowing. The members and staff made their way to the changing room, finally free to move on to other things.
Wonyoung moved quickly, wanting to get some more reading in before she had to get to her next schedule.
Already half way done with changing out, Wonyoung looked up as Yujin announced to the room that the members would be cramming into a single van together.
The other members let out sounds of acknowledgement after Yujin finished, Liz and Rei excitedly talking about the reels they would show each other.
After Wonyoung finished changing she made her way to the car with her manager. He told her about Yujin's schedule and how he told the driver to drop off the other members first.
“They have nothing else today,” the man explained.
Wonyoung nodded in understanding before climbing inside to the back. She opened up a pdf of her book and scrolled to where she left off.
Sensing movement outside, Wonyoung looked out the door windows of the find Yujin standing there with a hand on the handle. She leaned forward in her seat.
"Unnie, what are you doing?" Wonyoung called.
Yujin’s outline flinched before the door opened revealing Yujin’s face.
"Wonyounie!" Yujin exclaimed as soon as she spotted the girl, "I didn't know you were already in here."
"I change pretty fast you know! I'm an expert at it now," Wonyoung insisted.
"I'm sure you are," Yujin agreed warmly. "Are there any seating arrangements I should be aware of?" she asked. Her head moved side to side as she scanned the interior.
"Not really, but since you and I both had another event later, manager-nim said we should sit in the back. He wanted to drop the others off at the dorm since that was on the way to our next solo schedules." Wonyoung informed, patting the seat beside her.
"If that's the case, don't mind if I do," Yujin replied, sliding in beside Wonyoung.
Wonyoung felt a bit of warmth already creeping up her neck at the proximity. She lifted her phone to distract herself, switching back and forth between the group’s chat to the pdf of her book, Schopenhauer Read at Forty. It was a recent discovery she made, the words inside often giving her comfort.
At some point, Yujin’s head started bobbing. Wonyoung watched through her peripherals as her unnie’s hand fell forward. Next came her head, nodding forward once, twice, and then staying down the third time.
Yujin’s body shifted, her head falling to the crook of Wonyoung’s shoulder.
Her shoulder, her thigh, her head!! Is my heart still beating-?? Wonyoung thought, posture stiffening. Gosh how did she fall asleep that quickly, her phone is going to fall, Wonyoung wondered worriedly while carefully grabbing Yujin’s phone.
After a couple more minutes, the other members started piling in. Rowdily at first, but they quieted down when they realized their beloved leader was asleep.
As soon as Rei saw she wiggled her eyebrows at Wonyoung, smirking.
“What’s this?” Rei asked, eyes darting back and forth between the two.
Wonyoung could feel her ears heating up.
“She’s just tired,” the blushing girl insisted.
“If you say so~” Rei sang, turning back to the front, laughing as Liz hit her shoulder.
Gaeul unnie turned back from her spot in the passenger seat, “Is she alright? She knows she has a schedule later, right?” she asked.
Wonyoung nodded in affirmation, “I’ll wake her up if need be,” smiling at Leeseo as the girl climbed into the back, plopping down next to Yujin.
All the older members except the asleep Yujin cooed as their youngest yawned.
“Is our Leeseo tired too?” Liz asked.
The girl in question let out a small noise in confirmation before snuggling into Yujin’s side.
Leeseo had been practicing a lot late into the night outside of group schedules, feeling the need to improve as the youngest. She only took breaks on days where her schedule ran long, opting instead to sleep during the day or in car rides. She knew her own limits, but it didn’t stop the others from worrying.
The rest of them quieted down, not wanting to wake the two resting members.
“We’ve arrived,” the driver quietly called out after half an hour of driving.
Gaeul made her way out to the back, opening the door for Liz and Rei. The two thanked the driver before hurrying inside. The eldest folded the seat back before nudging Leeseo awake. She thanked the driver on the behalf of the sleepy maknae before ushering the groggy girl back into the dorm.
After making sure the girls made it inside, the driver set off to Yujin’s shoot.
Minutes into the drive Wonyoung switched her phone to her other hand, gingerly placing her head on top of Yujin’s. She started on chapter 20, where Schopenhauer talks about managing one’s mind.
It was chapter 23 when they arrived at Yujin’s stop, the driver pausing the music and calling to the back.
Wonyoung nudged Yujin’s thigh. "Yujin unnie wake up."
Yujin groaned before burying her head into Wonyoung’s shoulder.
SHE?? ASDHKF???
Wonyoung sped up her tapping, her ears growing redder by the second. "Yujin unnie you have to get off, we're at your stop!"
Wonyoung felt Yujin freeze before the girl shot up, nearly hitting Wonyoung’s chin in the process. Wonyoung flinched back.
Yujin turned back to Wonyoung, apologies spilling from her lips.
"It's fine unnie," Wonyoung interrupted with a small smile, ears a bit red. "Are you alright? You've been off today." She asked.
"I'm fine," Yujin insisted while rubbing her eyes lightly. "Just tired I think." She looked around. "Where are the others?" she asked.
"They're all at the dorm already, you fell asleep before they came in." Wonyoung replied gently.
Wonyoung eyes followed Yujin’s movements as she quickly gathered her stuff, apologizing to the driver before running off, her brow furrowed. She peered out the window as the driver started the car once again, watching as Yujin greeted the staff already waiting for her.
-
Somehow – Wonyoung discovers – she gets back home first. I guess my shoot ended earlier. She decides to eat a little, heading towards the kitchen. She hums happily when she spots the leftovers that Rei left, a sticker with a doodle labeling the box as Wonyoung’s.
After she ate, she cleaned up and went into the restroom, the need to wash suddenly overtaking all other priorities.
Putting on a show to play in the background, Wonyoung heads inside the restroom. Afterwards she sits at the foot of her bed, squeezing her hair dry.
A little while later, as she was applying the last of her skincare routine, Woyoung hears Yujin's door open.
Yujin unnie is back?? Since when? Wonyoung thought excitedly as she stood up from her bed. Right as she was about to open her door she hears Yujin calling to Gaeul.
Right.
Those two are closer now.
Wonyoung’s hand drifted down; she listened as Yujin gets invited in and dejectedly walks bad to her bed. Not quite slumping, she’s too committed to her posture to do that, but certainly not her normal upright posture.
There used to be a time when Wonyoung was the one Yujin would go to. Whenever they had problems they would always confide in each other. When IVE first started out, that was what Yujin would do. She’d crawl next to Wonyoung above her covers and they’d talk from dusk till dawn. After a while, Gaeul and Rei were the ones Yujin started to rely on the most.
Wonyoung lay under her covers listening to the sounds of Yujin, Gaeul, and Rei talking. She watches the clock as the minute hand goes from 1 to 2. She was still lying awake when she hears Yujin bid the others goodnight
When Yujin’s door clicks shut, Wonyoung turns over and goes to sleep.
-
Scrunching her nose, Wonyoung let out a small ‘mm’ sound as she stretched, arms reaching up. She goes through a couple more stretches, her shoulders and back popping before she stands up to check her appearance in a mirror. After deeming her appearance acceptable, she heads to the restroom to wash her mouth and face.
Only after all that does Wonyoung check her phone. She scrolls past the many social media notifications, pausing only to see the mentions from Tommy Hilfiger. Looks like the posts are being received. Wonyoung hums. She then checks the weather. Sunny, slightly chilly, and a chance of rain at noon. Not too bad, I should probably go on a walk before the rain hits.
Hearing the blender go off Yujin unnie must be making smoothies right now, Wonyoung threw on grey sweats, a white tank top, and a matching hoodie before heading out the door.
"Good morning unnie," Wonyoung greeted, taking a seat at the counter. "Is one of those for me?" She kept her gaze down, preoccupied with tying a knot on her sweatpants.
Wonyoung absentmindedly took a cup, gazing unseeing out the window. Where should I go tod- Ooh this is good. Wonyoung let out a pleased hum at the taste.
"Wonyoungie," Yujin started.
Wonyoung hummed again, this time in question. Maybe the river? No, too many people.
"Do you have any plans for today?" Yujin asked, tone slightly hesitant.
Wonyoung shook her head before saying, "No, just going out for a walk and then reading a bit more of my book, I got to a really interesting point last night!" she replied, finally turning to look at her leader. "What about you?" Wonyoung asked, eyeing Yujin's fit. "We match!" she pointed out cheerfully.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go explore this cafe with me." Yujin ventured face slightly flushed. "It's a small one that just opened up recently, and it's within walking distance."
"I'm down for that!" Wonyoung replied, finishing her drink before taking Yujin's empty cup to put in the sink. "Let me wash these, get my things, and then we can head out!" sliding off her seat.
Wonyoung was more of a consumer than creator, so whenever other members made food she vowed to wash the dishes. At some point she even enjoyed it.
After a couple minutes, the two of them reconvened in the common room.
"Do you have everything? A mask? Hat?" Yujin checked with Wonyoung.
The girl in question replied in affirmation, pulling up her mask and pushing her hat further down her face. Behind the mask Wonyoung was grinning from ear to ear.
Yujin unnie is so cute when she’s in leader mode. She’s truly the best fit for the leader position in IVE.
Unable to resist, Wonyoung’s hands wrap around Yujin’s. I have her all to myself today. She thought gleefully. "So Yujin unnie, where are we going today?" Wonyoung sang, squeezing just a little bit.
Yujin stammered before pulling Wonyoung to the right.
"Yujin unnie," Wonyoung whined, poking at Yujin's side. "Did you memorize the route or something?" she asked.
Yujin nodded, still not saying anything.
"Woww, so dependable." Wonyoung teased with a grin. Is she shy or something?
"It wasn't much," Yujin replied before pulling Wonyoung closer. asjfd- "Just a couple turns and we'll get there to be honest."
Wonyoung faltered before regaining her senses and falling into step with Yujin.
True to her word, after a couple minutes, the entrance of a cafe appeared in front of them. There were only three other people when they entered the establishment, one the cashier and the others a pair of older women talking at the window table.
Wonyoung gasped in delight. The cafe was so cute!! She looked around as Yujin ushered her further in. Honestly it really was to her taste, the place was even pink!
"Unnie this place is so cutee," Wonyoung gushed, sliding into the booth against the wall. "How did you even know about this place?"
Yujin huffed in amusement before replying, "I was talking with Young ji after we finished filming and she told me about it."
Wonyoung nodded in understanding, looking around the place again. Was that IVE playing in the background? Maybe the cashier is a fan..She turned back to Yujin when she heard her continue talking.
"And plus," Yujin added absentmindedly, "it's been a while since we have been able to go out together."
Her face grew warm as Wonyoung took in the girl in front of her. How can this girl say something like that so casually?? She bowed down, hiding her face from view as she tried to contain her squeals.
"Wonyoung?" Yuiljin called softly, tucking Wonyoung's hair back. HOLY- "Are you alright?"
Mind? Blank. Ears? Red. Hotel? Trivago.
“This girl seriously,” Wonyoung mumbled under her breath, bracing herself before she had to lift her head and face the girl who torments her days and dreams.
“What did you say?” Yujin asks, probably clueless.
"Unnie you are so unfair." Wonyoung said louder, her hands going up to grab Yujin's still hovering arm. I am literally going to cry because of this girl. How is she so sweet?
"Oh wait sorry what did I do? Are you ok?" Yujin panics, leaning closer.
Wonyoung’s grip tightened. Too close.
"You're just so-" Wonyoung started, leaning back before shaking her head. "Nevermind," she sighed. The hand gripping Yujin's arm loosened and slid down so they were holding hands.
"Ok," Yujin stammered, "Let me order something for us and then we can talk, yeah?" she asked, hand squeezing Wonyoung's.
Wonyoung nodded before releasing her hold on Yujin's hand.
While Yujin was ordering, Wonyoung took the time to attempt to calm herself. She leaned her head against the wall behind her, sighing. After taking a few deep breaths, she glances at the pair of old women that they passed on the way in.
The women were talking and laughing over cups of coffee. One of them, the woman with wavy hair, was animatedly telling a story to the other, short haired woman. They both laughed at what Wonyoung assumed was an inside joke, based on their expressions. Their feet were tapping each other under the table, and they looked like they had no care in the world except for each other.
I hope Yujin and I can have something like that in the future. Wonyoung thought. After what feels like a decade of pining though, Wonyoung wouldn’t mind just being in Yujin’s life down the line. She hopes they can stay close forever.
Seeing Yujin walking back, Wonyoung quickly picks up her phone, not wanting to be caught watching other people. She checks her reflection. Not bad for someone was just had the panic of a lifetime, she thought.
Yujin slid back into her seat, hand reaching out for Wonyoung’s.
Her hand her hand her hand-
"Are you sure you're alright? Do you want to talk about it?" Yujin asked.
"You first unnie, you've been off since a few weeks ago." Wonyoung retorted, her ears back to their bright shade of red.
Right as Yujin was about to answer, the server came over. That was fast.
“Oh my gosh you are my ult!! I’m your biggest fan,” the girl gushed. She hastily pulled Wonyoung’s photocard from her carabiner and a marker from her pocket. “Do you mind?” She held both items up questioningly.
Wonyoung let go of Yujin’s hand before smiling and nodding at the girl. Aw, she was a fan. “Not at all,” Wonyoung replied, taking both items.
After bowing deeply to the both of them, the server left them to enjoy their food.
“I still expect an answer, unnie.” Wonyoung pointed at Yujin threateningly.
Yujin nodded in defeat. “I’ll tell you after for sure.”
The two of them pulled out their phones to take photos of the food. After a mini impromptu photoshoot they picked up their utensils.
Wonyoung would not let uncertain futures interrupt her love for eating. For now, food.
She knows what I like, that’s for sure. Wonyoung thought, cutting another slice of strawberry cream pastry. She hummed in delight. I never knew there was a cafe that had dubai chocolate cake, I didn’t even know that was a thing!
After they finished eating, the two waved goodbye to the still starstruck worker before walking out the cafe.
Goodbye cafe, I will come back here. Wonyoung thought as they crossed the threshold.
A rush of nostalgia ran through Wonyoung as they walked the street. Wait, this leads to- she picked up her pace.
At some point Yujin started swinging their hands.
Wonyoung let her hand go limp, following Yujin’s flow.
“What is this?” Wonyoung asked, “What’s got you so happy, unnie?”
“We’re walking together!” Yujin replied cheerfully.
“Jeez, you really,” Wonyoung shook her head, hand squeezing Yujin’s.
Once they reached the park they made their way to their tree and sat underneath it, fingers still intertwined but bodies facing away from each other.
“So,” Wonyoung started, she’d be darned if she spilled first, “What’s the deal with you unnie?”
The clouds were starting to roll in now, but Wonyoung didn’t want to rush Yujin. Her hands were always so warm.
It was funny. The members told them time and time again that they had an opposites attract type of dynamic. Wonyoung’s hands were always cold and Yujin’s were always warm. Wonyoung is the calm one when they are apart while Yujin is the loud, rowdy one. And when they were together? Yujin was soft and Wonyoung was louder than usual. That’s how they worked.
“I always did like your hands, they are so pretty,” Yujin murmured, her larger hands enveloping Wonyoung’s.
Wonyoung’s hands clutched Yujin’s.
“Crap, did I say that outloud?” Yujin let out.
“You did unnie. And you shouldn’t say bad words.” Wonyoung scolded.
Yujin groaned. “I did not want to start my confession like this.”
“Confession?” Wonyoung squeaked, turning to look at Yujin, “You like me too?!” This cannot be happening right now.
A dull thunk was heard as Yujin hit her head against the tree behind them. The girl sat up with a start.
“Too?” Yujin shrieked, turning towards Wonyoung.
They both looked at each other before bursting out in laughter.
“We’re such idiots aren’t we?” Wonyoung asked, wiping a tear from her eye. A droplet hit Wonyoung’s hand. Wait a droplet?!-
“We really are,” Yujin agreed as Wonyoung looked up in alarm.
Right as Yujin finished speaking, the rain started pouring.
The two girls cried out before hurrying back in the direction of their dorm. They ran down the streets laughing, Yujin pulling Wonyoung behind her.
Wonyoung gazed at the girl in front of her as Yujin turned back with a wide smile. Despite the rain and her most likely ruined clothes, Wonyoung would remember this day as one of her happiest.
-
The two got back to their dorm soaking wet, but still high on laughter.
“Do you want to take a shower first while I order something?” Yujin offered, already pulling out her phone to order.
After Wonyoung took a quick shower she walked out drying her hair, calling out to Yujin. “Yujinnie your turn!”
While Yujin was taking a shower, Wonyoung sat herself on the couch with her phone, fully intending to continue reading her book like she planned to in the morning. Instead, she found herself scrolling through the photo gallery dedicated to just her and Yujin. We really used to spend nearly all our time together. Wonyoung thought. There used to be multiple pictures of Yujin from each day. Now there were gaps in the dates of each photo.
Now that we’re- what are we? Wonyoung’s thumb paused. Yes the two of them confessed and reciprocated each other’s feelings, but where do they go now? Were they together? Dating? Girlfriends? Talking? I’m sure we’re past the talking stage at least.
“Wonyoung is the food out?” a voice calls out.
Wonyoung startles then freezes. In front of her is Yujin, drying her damp hair, dressed in nothing but her sweater and a pair of shorts. Wow I’m going insane.
“You look amazing, unnie,” Wonyoung let out in a dazed voice. “Is that my sweater?”
Yujin looked down, shy. “Maybe? I don’t remember buying it, but it’s super comfy.”
“Come here,” Wonyoung beckons, hands reaching out unconsciously.
Yujin obeys, hovering over the seated girl uncertainly. “What am I-?”
Wonyoung pulls at Yujin until the girl falls against her side, letting out a small oomph. She buries her face into Yujin’s shoulder, arms wrapped around the older's neck and sitting halfway on top of her. She smells good.
“Wonyoung?” Yujin squeaks out right next to Wonyoung’s ear, the girl shivered.
“Yujin unnie, what are we now?” Wonyoung asks, playing with Yujin’s hair.
“I don’t know,” Yujin starts, leaning back against the sofa. Her eyes scanned Wonyoung’s before crinkling. “Can I take you on a movie date as your date? Right here right now? I’ll even let you pick.”
“Yah unnie you’re so lame,” Wonyoung laughed before sliding off Yujin completely. She grabbed the remote and a blanket before squeezing into Yujin’s side again.
-
The other members returned to their dorms in the evening to find the two of them cuddling on the couch. Yujin hugging Wonyoung’s midriff while watching TV and Wonyoung leaning against her side.
“Did you guys order earlier?” Liz held up the now cold delivery food.
“So, should we wear noise cancelling headphones after 10 or?” Rei smirked.
“REI!”