Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Morning came too early.

Not fully, not with sunlight spilling into the room or alarms ringing loudly through the dorm yet, but with that quiet, in-between feeling where the world was still asleep and the body started waking before the mind was ready.

Wonyoung stirred slowly.

At first, she did not open her eyes.

Her head felt heavy, a dull ache sitting behind her forehead. Not painful enough to make her groan, but enough to remind her that drinking somaek the night before had definitely been a mistake. Her mouth felt a little dry too, and her body was warmer than usual under the blanket.

She shifted slightly, still half-asleep, ready to turn onto her other side.

Then she felt it.

An arm. Wrapped around her waist.

Wonyoung froze.

The sleepiness in her body disappeared almost instantly, but she kept her eyes closed for a few more seconds, as if pretending not to notice would somehow make the situation less real.

There was someone behind her.

Not just lying beside her, hugging her from behind.

Close enough that Wonyoung could feel the steady warmth of another body pressed against her back. 

Close enough that she could feel soft breathing near the back of her head. 

Close enough that whoever it was had their arm tucked securely around her waist, hand resting against the front of her sweater like they had been holding her for a while.

For one sleepy second, Wonyoung thought it had to be Leeseo.

Leeseo was one of the only two people in the dorm who usually came into her room and cuddled with her without making a big deal out of it.

Well, used to be two people.

Leeseo and Yujin.

The thought made something small twist inside Wonyoung’s chest.

Because nowadays, it was only Leeseo.

Leeseo still slipped into her room sometimes when she wanted attention or comfort. She still curled beside Wonyoung like she was the older sister instead of the younger one, whining about schedules, scary movies, or whatever random thing had bothered her that day.

But Yujin?

Wonyoung could not even remember the last time Yujin had entered her room just to be with her.

She could not remember the last time Yujin had crawled into her bed after a tiring schedule, complaining about being exhausted but still refusing to sleep in her own room. 

She could not remember the last time Yujin had hugged her from behind like this, like it was natural, like it was allowed, like they had not spent months carefully stepping around each other.

So it had to be Leeseo.

Wonyoung convinced herself of that.

It was easier, less dangerous.

She was about to turn her head slightly, ready to confirm it, when she stopped.

A familiar scent reached her.

Warm.

Clean.

Woody.

A perfume she knew too well.

Her eyes opened immediately.

Yujin.

Wonyoung did not move. She did not breathe properly either.

Her whole body went still under Yujin’s arm as her mind tried to catch up with what her body already knew.

That was Yujin behind her.

Yujin was in her room.

Yujin was in her bed.

Yujin was hugging her from behind.

Wonyoung stared at the wall in front of her, eyes wide, heart suddenly beating so loudly she was scared Yujin might feel it through her back.

Why is Yujin in my room?

The question flashed through her mind once.

Then again.

And why is she hugging me?

She tried to think back.

The night before came to her in pieces.

The dorm. 

Liz in the kitchen. 

The soju and beer. 

Sitting at the dining table. Talking too much. Saying too much. 

Her head getting warm. Liz telling her to lie down. Her room. Her bed.

Then someone entering. Water on the side table.

Wonyoung’s stomach dropped.

Oh no.

She remembered talking.

She remembered thinking Liz was there.

She remembered saying things she should not have said out loud. Things she had only allowed herself to think when she was alone. 

About Yujin. 

About missing the way they used to be.

Wonyoung shut her eyes tightly.

No.

No, no, no.

It was Liz.

It had to be Liz.

But then why was Yujin here?

Wonyoung opened her eyes again and looked down.

Yujin’s arm was still there.

Definitely real.

The hand resting near her stomach was long and familiar, with fingers Wonyoung had held too many times on stage and missed too many times off stage. Yujin’s sleeve was bunched slightly at her wrist, and Wonyoung could see the bracelet she had been wearing since Tokyo.

This was not a dream.

Or maybe it was.

Maybe her heart had finally become dramatic enough to make up a whole situation just to torture her.

Am I dreaming?

Very carefully, Wonyoung lifted one hand from under the blanket.

She moved slowly, trying not to disturb the arm around her waist.

Then she gently smacked her own cheek.

It made a quiet sound.

Barely anything.

But she felt it.

She frowned.

Still not convinced, she pinched her cheek next.

“Ow,” she whispered under her breath.

Spoiler alert: She was not dreaming. 

Yujin was very much real and she was very much hugging her from behind.

Before Wonyoung could decide what to do with that information, Yujin stirred.

Wonyoung froze again.

Yujin made a soft, sleepy sound behind her and shifted closer. Her arm tightened slightly around Wonyoung’s waist, not enough to hurt, just enough to pull Wonyoung back more firmly against her.

Wonyoung’s breath caught.

Her back met Yujin’s front completely now, the space between them disappearing like it had never existed in the first place.

Yujin’s face pressed somewhere near the back of Wonyoung’s hair, her breathing warm and steady. Her hand relaxed again after pulling Wonyoung close, fingers resting gently like she had no intention of letting go.

Wonyoung stared at the wall like it held every answer in the universe.

It did not.

Her mind, already too awake, started panicking properly now.

What was she supposed to do?

Turn around?

Pretend to sleep?

Ask Yujin why she was there?

Act normal?

How was she supposed to act normal when Yujin, the same Yujin who could barely look at her outside of schedules lately, was suddenly lying in her bed and holding her like she still belonged there?

Wonyoung’s heart ached at that.

Because for a moment, despite the panic, despite the confusion, despite the fear of what this would mean when Yujin woke up, her body wanted to melt into it.

She had missed this, so much. More than she wanted to admit, even to herself.

She had missed Yujin’s warmth. 

Missed the way Yujin held her like it was easy. 

Missed feeling small and safe in a way she rarely allowed herself to feel around anyone else. 

Missed being close enough to hear Yujin breathe. 

Missed being touched because Yujin wanted to touch her, not because a choreographer placed them beside each other.

But wanting it made it more dangerous.

Because what if Yujin woke up and regretted it?

What if Yujin had only come here because Liz told her Wonyoung drank and she was being responsible? 

What if she had been tired from the flight, sat down to check on her, and accidentally fell asleep? 

What if this meant nothing to her?

Wonyoung carefully turned her eyes toward the side table.

The digital clock glowed softly in the dark.

4:20 a.m.

She swallowed. They did not have to get up until six.

That meant she had a little more than an hour and a half before the dorm would start moving again.

Wonyoung could survive that.

Maybe.

She could stay still. She could wait for Yujin to wake up first. Yujin would probably realize where she was, panic silently in that very Yujin way, and leave the room before Wonyoung “woke up.”

Then Wonyoung could pretend none of it happened.

That was probably best.

Yes. That was definitely best.

Or maybe Wonyoung could fall asleep again and wake up alone.

That would be even better.

Less awkward.

Less painful.

Easier to explain away as a strange, half-remembered dream.

But who was she kidding?

She was not going back to sleep.

Not with Yujin this close.

Not with Yujin’s arm around her.

Not with Yujin’s scent surrounding her and making her remember every version of them she missed.

The trainee version of them, whispering in practice rooms after everyone else had left.

The IZ*ONE version of them, clinging to each other in waiting rooms, finding comfort in the chaos of being young and busy and watched.

The early IVE version of them, when Yujin was still learning how to carry the leader title and Wonyoung was always there, quietly checking if she had eaten or slept enough.

Back then, Yujin used to reach for her.

Back then, Wonyoung never had to wonder if she was wanted.

Now she was lying completely still, afraid that breathing too deeply would ruin the first real closeness they had shared in months.

It was almost funny.

Almost.

Wonyoung stared at the wall until her eyes started to sting.

She was being ridiculous.

She knew she was.

Yujin was right there. All she had to do was turn around and ask. Just say her name. Just face her. Just be honest for once.

But honesty felt too big for 4:20 in the morning.

Especially when she did not know how much Yujin had heard.

The thought returned suddenly, colder than before.

What if Yujin heard everything?

Wonyoung’s stomach twisted.

She replayed the night again, desperately trying to remember details.

Maybe Yujin came in later.

Maybe Liz told her Wonyoung was sleeping and Yujin checked on her after that.

Maybe Yujin had not heard anything.

Please let her not have heard anything.

Wonyoung closed her eyes, her heart was still beating too fast.

Behind her, Yujin’s breathing stayed calm and even. Her body was warm, her hold gentle. She felt peaceful, like she had no idea Wonyoung was wide awake and fighting for her life in complete silence.

Wonyoung slowly released a breath.

She would wait, that was the safest plan.

She would stay exactly like this until Yujin woke up. 

She would let Yujin move first. 

She would not accidentally show how much she wanted to stay like this forever.

Because that was the problem, wasn’t it?

She did not just want this moment.

She wanted all the moments they used to have.

She wanted Yujin to come to her room because she missed her. 

Wanted Yujin to sit next to her because she chose her. 

Wanted Yujin to hold her hand even when there were no cameras, no choreography, no reason except wanting to.

She wanted Yujin back.

Not as a leader. Not as someone who checked on her because it was her responsibility.

As Yujin.

Her Yujin.

The thought made her chest hurt.

Wonyoung carefully moved one hand down to rest over Yujin’s arm.

She did not mean to, or maybe she did.

Her fingers barely touched Yujin’s sleeve, light enough that she could pretend it was an accident if Yujin woke up. But once she felt the warmth underneath, she could not bring herself to pull away.

Just for a little while, she thought.

Just until reality came back.

Yujin shifted again behind her, but this time it was smaller. A slow breath. A slight tightening of her arm. Her face nuzzled a little closer into Wonyoung’s hair, and Wonyoung had to bite her lip to stop herself from making any sound.

She stayed still. Painfully still.

Minutes passed.

The clock changed from 4:20 to 4:21.

Then 4:22.

It was going to be a very long morning.

Wonyoung tried to count her breaths. Tried to think about schedules. Tried to remind herself that she needed to drink the water beside her, that she should probably take medicine if her headache got worse.

But every thought circled back to the same thing.

Yujin was holding her.

Yujin was here.

And Wonyoung did not know why.

Behind her, Yujin’s eyes were already open.

She had woken up when Wonyoung first stirred.

At first, she had kept still because she did not want to scare her. Then because Wonyoung had frozen so completely that Yujin knew she had realized who was behind her. Then because Yujin herself did not know what to do.

She had felt Wonyoung’s small panic.

Felt the way her body went stiff under her arm. Felt her hand settle hesitantly over Yujin’s arm like she wanted to hold on but was too afraid to admit it.

Yujin stared quietly at the back of Wonyoung’s head.

Her heart was beating just as fast.

She should say something.

She should whisper Wonyoung’s name. 

She should apologize. 

She should explain everything she had heard the night before. 

She should tell Wonyoung that she missed her too, that the distance was her fault, that she had been a coward, that she had thought pulling away would protect them but instead hurt the person she cared about most.

But the words stayed stuck.

Because what if Wonyoung pulled away?

What if she became embarrassed?

What if she pretended not to know what Yujin was talking about?

What if Yujin ruined the first quiet moment they had shared in so long by asking for more than Wonyoung was ready to give?

Yujin looked down at her arm around Wonyoung’s waist.

Wonyoung’s hand was still resting there.

Soft.

Careful.

Not pushing her away.

That tiny thing made Yujin’s chest ache.

She was afraid to move but she knew she had to do it first.

Not because she was used to being the one who stepped forward when things became difficult.

This was different.

This was not something she could fix by quietly taking care of everyone from the back, by watching and adjusting, by pretending she was fine so the members could lean on her.

This was Wonyoung.

And Wonyoung deserved to know.

She deserved to know why Yujin had been distant. 

She deserved to know that it was never because Yujin had stopped caring. 

She deserved to know that every step Yujin had taken back had hurt her too.

Yujin stayed still behind her for a little longer. She stared at the faint glow of the clock on the side table.

4:29 a.m.

Less than two hours before they had to get up.

Then they would all move again, six girls in one practiced rhythm, smiling like they knew exactly where to stand.

And this moment would disappear.

If Yujin did not speak now it might never come back, or worse, it would come back as another almost.

Another silence.

Another memory both of them would carry but never talk about.

Yujin closed her eyes for a second because they did not have time to be careful forever.

Yujin slowly opened her eyes. Then she moved.

Just a little at first.

She shifted as if she had only just woken up, letting out a small breath and loosening her arm around Wonyoung’s waist. Wonyoung immediately went even more still.

Yujin noticed.

A small, sad smile tugged at her lips.

Even now, Wonyoung was pretending.

Even now, she was trying to protect herself from embarrassment, from awkwardness, from whatever she thought Yujin might say or feel once she realized they had been cuddling.

Yujin wanted to stay like that longer.

She wanted to close her eyes again, pull Wonyoung closer, and pretend they still had all the time in the world. 

She wanted to enjoy the warmth, the familiar shape of Wonyoung fitting against her, the quiet comfort of knowing Wonyoung had not pulled away.

But wanting had been the reason she had run away in the first place.

And she was tired of running.

So Yujin gently pulled her arm back.

She did it slowly, careful not to startle Wonyoung even though she knew Wonyoung was awake. Her fingers brushed lightly against Wonyoung’s sweater before she finally moved away.

The moment her arm left Wonyoung’s waist, the space between them felt cold.

Yujin pushed herself up and sat on the edge of the bed.

For a few seconds, she did not stand.

She only looked at Wonyoung.

Wonyoung remained on her side, back still facing her, pretending to be asleep with the kind of determination that would have been funny if Yujin’s heart did not feel so full.

Her hair was slightly messy against the pillow. The blanket had slipped down from one shoulder. Her hand, the same hand that had been resting on Yujin’s arm, was now curled near her chest.

Yujin’s chest ached again.

She had missed seeing Wonyoung like this.

Not styled. Not perfectly prepared. Not standing under lights with her perfect smile.

Just Wonyoung.

Soft, tired, stubborn, and trying very badly to act like she was not awake.

Yujin should have stood up.

She should have left quietly, given Wonyoung a moment, then come back properly.

But before she could stop herself, she leaned down.

Her lips touched Wonyoung’s temple.

Soft. Brief. Careful.

Wonyoung did not move, but Yujin felt the smallest change in her breathing.

Yujin smiled faintly, then she stood up.

She glanced once more at the water bottle on the side table, untouched from last night, before quietly walking to the door.

She opened it slowly, stepped out, then closed it behind her.

The second the door clicked shut, Wonyoung finally released the breath she had been holding.

It left her chest shakily, like she had been underwater and only just remembered how to breathe.

For a few seconds, she stayed exactly where she was.

She listened.

No footsteps coming back.

No movement outside the door.

Just silence.

Slowly, Wonyoung rolled onto her back.

Her eyes moved to the door first, then to the ceiling.

The room felt different now.

Colder without Yujin behind her, even though the blanket was still wrapped around her body. The space at her back felt too empty, and Wonyoung hated how quickly she missed the warmth that had just left.

She lifted a hand and placed it lightly over her own waist, right where Yujin’s arm had been.

Her heart was still beating too fast.

“Time’s up, Jang Wonyoung,” she whispered to herself. The words sounded braver than she felt.

Her eyes stayed on the ceiling.

Yujin had been here.

Yujin had held her.

Yujin had kissed her temple before leaving.

A small smile appeared on Wonyoung’s lips before she could stop it. “She kissed me,” she whispered.

The smile grew for half a second, soft and almost shy.

Then reality rushed back in.

Wonyoung quickly shook her head, as if trying to shake the thought out before it could become too dangerous.

“Don’t be greedy,” she muttered to herself. “That’s your Yujin fix for now. She swallowed. “Or maybe ever.”

The words made the smile fade.

Wonyoung turned her head slightly, looking at the empty side of the bed where Yujin had been. The blanket was still faintly wrinkled there. Proof that it had happened. Proof that she had not made it up.

She should have felt happy.

Part of her did.

A very stupid, hopeful part of her wanted to hug the pillow and kick her feet under the blanket like a teenager with a crush.

But the rest of her was too scared.

Because what did it mean?

Yujin could be affectionate. 

Yujin could be caring. 

Yujin could kiss her temple and still not mean it the way Wonyoung wanted her to mean it.

Maybe she had only been worried.

Maybe this was just Yujin falling back into an old habit for one night before remembering why she had stopped.

Wonyoung pressed both hands over her face and let out a quiet groan.

She hated her brain.

She hated that one kiss could make her so happy and so miserable at the same time.

She was still lying there, staring at nothing and thinking about Yujin’s arm around her waist, when her door suddenly opened again.

Wonyoung panicked, her eyes shut immediately.

Too quickly.

Too tightly.

She turned her face slightly toward the pillow and pretended to sleep.

Yujin stepped into the room and stopped near the door.

For a second, she only looked at Wonyoung, then she smiled.

She could not help it.

Wonyoung’s eyes were squeezed shut with the most unnatural sleeping expression Yujin had ever seen. Her body was too stiff. Her breathing was too controlled. Even her fingers were curled tensely against the blanket, like she was preparing for a difficult mission instead of pretending to be asleep.

Yujin shook her head in quiet amusement.

“Wonyoung-ah,” she said softly, “I know you’re awake.”

Wonyoung did not move. Her eyes stayed closed. Even tighter this time.

Yujin pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing. “Your acting is usually better than this.”

Still nothing.

Yujin walked farther inside and closed the door behind her. She moved slowly, not wanting to make Wonyoung feel cornered. Then she sat on the edge of the bed, leaving a careful distance between them.

Not too close. Not like earlier. This time, she wanted Wonyoung to choose whether to look at her.

For a moment, she simply sat there.

Wonyoung could feel the mattress dip slightly under Yujin’s weight. She could feel her presence, warm and familiar even without being touched. She could smell the same woody perfume again, faint now but still enough to make her heart react.

She kept her eyes closed.

Maybe if she stayed still long enough, Yujin would give up.

Maybe Yujin would leave.

Maybe they could pretend.

Again.

“Wony,” Yujin said.

The nickname was gentle. Too gentle.

Wonyoung’s chest tightened.

“Open your eyes, please,” Yujin continued. “I have something for you.”

Wonyoung’s brows pulled together slightly despite herself.

Something for her?

Curiosity betrayed her before pride could stop it.

Slowly, she opened one eye.

Yujin was watching her with a soft expression.

Wonyoung immediately opened both eyes, pretending like she had not just been caught. “What?” she asked, voice still rough from sleep.

Yujin lifted her hands.

In one hand, she held the bottled water from the side table. In the other, a pill rested on her palm. “Take this for your headache.”

Because apparently embarrassment made Wonyoung stupid, she said, “I don’t have a headache.”

Yujin raised an eyebrow. It was not stern exactly, more like challenging.

More like she already knew Wonyoung was lying and was waiting for her to realize how pointless it was.

Wonyoung stared back for two seconds.

Then three.

Then she sighed and pushed herself up slowly against the pillows.

“Fine,” she mumbled.

Yujin handed her the pill first, then opened the water bottle for her before passing it over.

Wonyoung tried not to think about that small gesture.

Failed.

Then took the medicine and drank a few long sips of water.

Yujin watched quietly, eyes following every movement with the same focused concern that used to make Wonyoung feel loved and now made her feel confused.

Wonyoung lowered the bottle onto her lap.

“Thank you,” she said in a small voice.

Yujin nodded.

The room became quiet.

Wonyoung looked at the bottle, picking at the label with her thumb. “How did you know?” she asked after a moment. “Did Jiwon tell you?”

Yujin did not answer right away. She looked away for a second.

A small smile appeared on her lips, but it was not the kind of smile that came from amusement. It looked like she was remembering something from far away.

Then she looked back at Wonyoung.

“Do you remember that one time during our trainee days when you sprained your ankle?”

Wonyoung blinked, not expecting that.

Of course she remembered. She remembered everything from those days too clearly sometimes.

The small practice room. The mirrors fogged slightly from hours of dancing. The ache in her ankle that she had tried to hide because evaluation week had been coming up and she did not want anyone to think she was falling behind.

And Yujin.

Younger, but already too observant.

Already watching her like it was her job.

Wonyoung nodded slowly.

Yujin’s smile became softer.

“You were so worried about the evaluation that you overpracticed,” she said. “I asked you if that was the reason, and you said no.”

Wonyoung looked at her, curiosity replacing some of her panic.

She did not know where Yujin was going with this.

Yujin chuckled quietly. “But I knew it was.”

Wonyoung’s lips parted slightly. “You did?”

Yujin nodded. “You always have this look on your face,” she said. “When you’re hiding something or not being truthful.”

Wonyoung stared at her.

Yujin lifted one hand slightly, gesturing toward her own mouth.

“Your lower lip pushes forward a little,” she continued. “Not a lot. Just enough.”

Wonyoung’s hand immediately flew to her mouth.

Yujin smiled.

Wonyoung quickly lowered her hand, feeling warmth rise to her cheeks.

“It does not.”

“It does.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Wonyoung.”

The way Yujin said her name made Wonyoung stop. Like she had known this detail about her for years and had kept it somewhere safe.

Wonyoung looked down at the water bottle again.

She did not confirm it but did not deny it either.

Yujin took a quiet breath. She knew this was the opening.

A small one. Maybe not the best one, but enough.

They could not jump straight into everything. 

Not when Wonyoung still looked like she might run if Yujin moved too fast. 

Not when Yujin herself was one wrong word away from spilling too much at once.

So she chose something familiar.

Something they used to do when they were younger.

Questions.

Honest ones.

Yujin looked at her carefully. “How about we play a little game?”

Wonyoung’s eyes lifted back to hers. “A game?”

Yujin nodded. “Both of us get to ask one question to each other,” she explained. “Any question. No limitation.”

Wonyoung’s expression became guarded almost immediately.

Yujin noticed, so she added softly, “But we have to answer truthfully.”

The silence after that felt heavy.

Wonyoung held the water bottle with both hands.

Her headache was still there, dull and annoying, but suddenly it felt less important than the way Yujin was looking at her.

Like she was serious and this was not just some random morning conversation.

“Right now?” Wonyoung asked, her voice was quiet.

Yujin nodded. “Right now.”

Wonyoung looked toward the clock.

4:37 a.m.

Still too early. Still too dark outside.

Still not enough time for whatever this was about to become.

But maybe that was why they had to do it now.

Before schedules.

Before excuses.

Before either of them lost courage.

Yujin sat at the edge of the bed, still keeping that careful distance. Close enough that Wonyoung could reach for her if she wanted to. Far enough that Wonyoung could choose not to.

That almost made it harder.

Wonyoung swallowed.

Yujin’s eyes stayed gentle. “Do you want to go first?”

Wonyoung stared at Yujin for a few seconds after hearing the question.

“Do you want to go first?”

It sounded simple. Too simple for something that made Wonyoung’s heart start beating faster.

Because technically, she could ask anything.

She could ask what time Yujin and Rei arrived last night. She could ask something small and safe and completely unrelated to the heavy air sitting between them.

Anything.

Anything except the one question that had been sitting in her chest for months.

Wonyoung looked down at the water bottle in her lap.

Her fingers tightened around it.

This was dangerous. If she asked, then she would have to hear the answer. 

And once Yujin answered, Wonyoung would not be able to pretend anymore. 

She would not be able to hide behind assumptions or excuses. 

She would not be able to tell herself that maybe it was nothing, maybe she was just overthinking, maybe things would go back to normal if she waited long enough.

But then again, when had waiting ever helped?

Waiting had only made her lonelier.

Waiting had made her drink with Liz in the kitchen at night just so she could finally say Yujin’s name without feeling like she was falling apart.

Wonyoung slowly lifted her eyes back to Yujin.

Yujin was still sitting at the edge of her bed, patient and quiet, giving her space even though her whole expression looked like she was bracing herself too.

That made Wonyoung’s chest hurt.

Maybe an opportunity like this would never come again.

Maybe she had to be brave now, even if her voice shook.

She swallowed. “Okay,” Wonyoung said softly. “I’ll ask first.”

Yujin nodded once.

Wonyoung held the water bottle tighter.

“Why did you start distancing yourself from me?” she asked.

Yujin’s face changed slightly.

Wonyoung forced herself to continue before she lost courage. “Did I do something?”

The question came out smaller than she wanted.

Too honest. Too vulnerable.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Yujin looked at her, and Wonyoung hated how badly she wanted to look away. But she did not. She kept her eyes on Yujin, even if every second of silence made her feel like she had made a mistake.

Then Yujin let out a small breath. “Those are two questions,” she said. “That’s cheating.”

“Is it cheating if they correlate though?”

Yujin stared at her for a second. Then she playfully shook her head, the corner of her lips lifting.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll allow it since it’s you.”

Wonyoung’s lips parted slightly.

Since it’s you.

The words were so small. So simple. And still, they made something warm spread quietly through Wonyoung’s chest.

She looked down for half a second, trying to hide the small smile that appeared before she could stop it.

Yujin noticed anyway but the softness between them only lasted for a moment because then Wonyoung remembered what she had asked.

Her smile faded. She looked back at Yujin, nervous all over again.

For months, this question had kept her awake on nights when she should have been resting. 

It had followed her through schedules, airports, concerts, and dressing rooms. 

It had sat beside her whenever Yujin laughed with someone else, whenever Yujin moved around the dorm but did not come to her room, whenever Yujin acted normal in front of cameras and careful when they were alone.

Now she was finally going to know.

Yujin looked down at her own hands.

For the first time that morning, she looked unsure.

Not because she did not know the answer but because she knew it too well.

“To be completely honest,” Yujin began slowly, “it kind of just happened.”

Wonyoung’s stomach tightened.

Yujin lifted her head again. “And it’s my fault for allowing it.”

Wonyoung stayed quiet.

Yujin’s eyes held hers.

“It was never my intention to hurt your feelings,” she continued. “Or make you feel like I didn’t want anything to do with you.”

Wonyoung’s fingers curled around the bottle again.

“But when it first started,” Yujin said, voice softer now, “distancing myself from you was the only option I could think of at the time.”

Wonyoung frowned slightly. “When what started?”

Yujin inhaled quietly.

The room felt even smaller now.

The clock on the side table glowed faintly, but Wonyoung had stopped paying attention to time. All she could focus on was Yujin’s face, on the way Yujin looked like she was finally standing in front of something she had avoided for too long.

“When I started recognizing that my feelings for you were more than what they should be.”

Wonyoung stopped breathing. For a moment, she was sure she had heard wrong. Her mind repeated the words slowly.

My feelings for you.

More than what they should be.

Yujin did not look away. Maybe because if she looked away now, she would lose the courage to continue.

“We’ve been by each other’s side for a long time,” Yujin said. “Longer than the other members.”

Wonyoung’s grip on the bottle loosened.

“At first, I thought it was just a crush,” Yujin admitted. “An admiration for someone like you. Someone already pretty and kind to begin with.”

Wonyoung blinked, still frozen.

“But then I got to know you more,” Yujin continued. “I learned your habits. Learned what you liked and what you didn’t. Learned how you act when you’re tired, how you act when you’re pretending you’re not tired, how you smile differently when you’re actually happy.”

Wonyoung’s chest tightened.

Yujin gave a small, almost helpless smile.

“And back then, I remember thinking, ‘Whoa. She could literally be best friends with anyone, but she chose to be close to me.’”

Wonyoung’s eyes softened. She remembered that too.

Maybe not that exact thought, but the feeling around it.

Back then, it had always been easy to choose Yujin. In crowded rooms, in practice rooms, in waiting areas, in cars, her body naturally moved toward Yujin before her mind could think about it. Yujin felt familiar even when everything else was new and overwhelming.

Yujin had been comfort.

Yujin had been safety.

Yujin had been the person Wonyoung wanted beside her.

“And eventually,” Yujin said, “that small admiration turned into something more.”

Wonyoung’s heart started beating harder.

Yujin’s voice grew quieter. “Then I started to want more as we got older.”

The words hung between them.

Wonyoung could not speak.

Yujin swallowed and looked down for a second, as if saying it out loud was harder than she expected.

“But then we debuted again,” she continued. “And I became the leader.”

Wonyoung watched her carefully.

“It’s a huge responsibility,” Yujin said. “And I don’t regret it. I never regretted being trusted with that role. I love our members. I love IVE. I wanted to do well.”

“I know,” Wonyoung whispered before she could stop herself.

Yujin looked at her.

Wonyoung pressed her lips together, but she did not take it back.

Because she did know.

She had seen it from the beginning. 

The way Yujin carried pressure quietly. 

The way she took care of the members. 

The way she worried over every detail but still smiled like everything was fine. 

The way she pushed herself because she thought that was what a leader should do.

Yujin’s expression softened, but only for a moment. “The only part I regret,” Yujin said, “is that I felt like I couldn’t act on my feelings.”

Wonyoung’s chest felt tight again.

“Because if I did, I was scared it would show favoritism,” Yujin continued. “I was scared it would show that I only cared about you.”

Her voice cracked slightly on the last part, and Wonyoung’s heart twisted.

“So to prevent myself from falling deeper,” Yujin said, “I distanced myself from you.”

Wonyoung looked down. 

There it was.

The answer.

The thing she had been waiting for.

And somehow, it hurt and healed at the same time.

Yujin continued, slower now.

“I limited our interactions on and off camera. I told myself it was responsible. I told myself it was better that way. I thought if I gave everyone the same attention and stopped letting myself reach for you all the time, then things would be easier.”

Wonyoung swallowed.

“But I took it too far,” Yujin admitted. “To the point where I didn’t even realize that protecting you and protecting myself meant I was hurting you.”

The room went quiet.

Wonyoung looked at Yujin, and she could see the guilt sitting plainly on her face now.

Not leader guilt.

Not the kind Yujin carried when something went wrong in rehearsal or when a member got sick.

This was personal.

This was about them.

Yujin took another breath. “And yeah,” she said quietly, “you did something.”

Wonyoung’s eyes widened slightly.

Yujin looked straight at her.

“You grew up beautifully,” she said. “With a strong mindset. With this confidence that made it harder and harder for me to be alone around you.”

Wonyoung’s face warmed.

Yujin’s gaze softened, but there was no teasing in it now.

“Because otherwise,” Yujin said, voice low and honest, “I wouldn’t be able to control myself.”

Wonyoung stared at her, completely stunned.

She had imagined so many answers.

That Yujin was busy.

That Yujin was tired.

That Yujin had changed.

That being leader had forced her to divide her attention differently.

That Wonyoung had somehow become too clingy, too obvious, too much.

She had imagined hearing something painful. Something gentle but devastating. Something like, ‘I just thought we grew apart.’ Or, ‘I didn’t realize.’ Or, ‘I’m sorry you felt that way.’

But not this.

Never this.

Never in a million years would Wonyoung have thought that Yujin felt the same way.

That Yujin had also carried something more than friendship.

That Yujin had also been fighting feelings that started long before IVE, long before the distance, long before Wonyoung started feeling like she had been quietly replaced.

Wonyoung’s mind went back without warning.

IZ*ONE days.

When she had clung to Yujin without shame because back then, it felt normal. Because Yujin was hers in the simple way young hearts believed people could be theirs. She remembered holding Yujin’s arm, leaning into her side, searching for her in rooms without even noticing she was doing it.

Then the others had started clinging to Yujin too.

Wonyoung had noticed.

But Yujin had allowed it, because that was who Yujin was. Warm, friendly, easy to love. Wonyoung had tried not to mind. She had told herself Yujin was not only hers. That it was selfish to feel anything about it.

Then IVE happened.

A new start.

A new group.

A new set of responsibilities.

At first, everything between them had still been fine. They were together constantly. Training, schedules, waiting rooms, car rides, late-night talks. Wonyoung had held onto the small advantage that she knew Yujin first. Longer. Deeper. In ways the others could not fully understand.

But then Yujin changed. Not all at once.

That was what made it hurt.

It happened slowly enough that Wonyoung could excuse every single moment.

Yujin did not sit beside her? She was busy.

Yujin laughed more with Rei? They were bonding.

Yujin stopped coming into her room? She was tired.

Yujin kept the same calm distance off camera that she showed on camera? She was being a leader.

Wonyoung understood. She always tried to understand.

Yujin had responsibilities. Yujin had to care for everyone. Yujin could not be only Wonyoung’s comfort, even if Wonyoung wanted her to be.

So Wonyoung stopped chasing. Not because she wanted to but because she thought Yujin wanted her to.

She stopped asking Yujin to stay.

Stopped reaching first. 

Stopped letting herself expect things that were not offered anymore. 

She smiled through it and told herself that this was maturity, that this was how they grew up.

But deep down, she had felt replaced.

And she had hated herself for it.

Because none of the members had done anything wrong.

Yujin was allowed to love them.

Yujin was allowed to care for them.

Wonyoung just wished it had not felt like Yujin had taken all the softness away from her and given it somewhere else.

Now, hearing Yujin’s answer, Wonyoung did not know what to feel first.

Relief.

Shock.

Hurt.

Hope.

All of it mixed together until she could only sit there, staring at Yujin like she was afraid blinking would make the moment disappear.

Yujin’s confession kept replaying in her head.

‘My feelings for you were more than what they should be.’

‘I started to want more.’

‘I distanced myself from you.’

‘I wouldn’t be able to control myself.’

Wonyoung had spent months thinking Yujin no longer wanted to be close to her.

Only to find out Yujin had wanted it too much.

Her throat tightened.

She wanted to say something.

She wanted to ask another question.

She wanted to tell Yujin that she was stupid, that she was kind, that she had hurt her, that Wonyoung missed her so badly it made her feel pathetic sometimes. 

She wanted to ask if Yujin still felt that way and if the feelings were still there.

But before Wonyoung could find her voice, Yujin spoke again.

“My turn.”

Wonyoung blinked, pulled out of her thoughts.

Yujin’s voice was gentle, but there was something steady underneath it.

She was not running anymore, not this time.

Wonyoung looked at her.

Yujin’s eyes lowered briefly to the water bottle in Wonyoung’s hands, then returned to her face.

“You never usually drink soju and beer,” Yujin said softly.

Wonyoung’s heart skipped.

Yujin held her gaze. “So why did you?”

Wonyoung knew it was her turn to answer truthfully.

But now that Yujin had asked why she drank, Wonyoung wished she had chosen something easier. Something that did not force her to open the part of herself she had spent months hiding.

Because how could she lie now? Yujin had just confessed.

Not in some perfect, dramatic way Wonyoung had secretly imagined before, but here, in Wonyoung’s dim bedroom before sunrise, with her head aching from mixed alcohol and Yujin sitting on the edge of her bed like she had finally run out of places to hide.

Yujin had feelings for her.

Yujin had feelings for her for a long time.

And the distance that hurt Wonyoung so badly had not come from indifference. It had come from fear, responsibility, and Yujin thinking that stepping back would protect them both.

Wonyoung still had so many questions.

How did I miss it?

How did I not know?

Was Yujin really better at pretending than me?

How long did she feel this way?

Was I not alone this whole time?

The questions pressed against her chest, but Yujin was waiting. Not rushing her. Not pushing. Just watching her with those steady, gentle eyes that made it impossible for Wonyoung to hide completely.

So Wonyoung lowered her gaze to the water bottle in her lap.

Her fingers moved nervously over the label, picking at the corner until it started to peel.

Then she whispered, “Because I was jealous.”

The room went quiet.

Yujin already knew that. She had heard Wonyoung say it the night before, when Wonyoung thought only Liz was listening. But hearing Wonyoung say it now, awake and aware, felt different.

This time, it was a choice.

Yujin kept her expression soft. “Please elaborate,” she said gently.

Wonyoung let out a breath that sounded almost like a tired laugh.

Of course she would not let her hide behind one small answer.

Wonyoung slowly lifted her eyes. “I was jealous because you went on a Disneyland date with Rei,” she admitted.

Yujin’s lips parted slightly, but she did not interrupt.

Wonyoung looked away again.

“But it was also my fault,” she continued. “Because I waited too long to ask you to spend our days off together.”

Yujin’s expression softened. “You wanted to ask me?”

Wonyoung nodded. “I really wanted to,” she said quietly. “and I kept thinking maybe we could do something. Just the two of us. Even if it was just eating together or staying here.”

Her voice became smaller. “But I guess I was scared.”

“Scared?” Yujin asked. “Of what?”

“That you’d say no.”

The answer came out quickly, like it hurt too much to hold.

“And that it would make things weirder between us after that,” Wonyoung added. “Not that it isn’t already, but I didn’t want to make it worse.”

Yujin’s face fell.

Wonyoung finally looked at her again.

“I didn’t want to add more stress on you,” she said. “I know you’re already carrying a lot.”

For a second, Yujin could not speak.

Even while hurting, Wonyoung had still been thinking of her. Still worrying about her pressure. Still trying not to become another weight on her shoulders.

Yujin hated that she had made Wonyoung feel like asking for her time would be a burden.

Wonyoung looked back down, her voice quiet but steadier now.

“It wasn’t only Rei,” she said. “It was anyone you gave that kind of attention to.”

Yujin stilled.

Wonyoung swallowed. “Because you used to give that to me.”

The words landed between them.

Wonyoung’s lower lip pushed forward slightly, the way it always did when she was trying too hard not to cry.

“When you started pulling away, I got confused,” she admitted. “And every time I saw you do the things you used to do with me with someone else, it hurt.”

Her voice dropped.

“It hurt in a way a friend shouldn’t hurt.”

Yujin stared at her. For a moment, she forgot what she had planned to say.

Was Wonyoung saying what Yujin thought she was saying?

Had her feelings not been one-sided after all?

Yujin surveyed the younger’s face, looking for that lower lip that pushes forward a little when Wonyoung was lying but all she found was genuine, soft eyes, almost yearning.

“So yeah,” Wonyoung said, giving a small, helpless shrug. “I asked Jiwon to drink with me because I wanted to forget. Even just for a little bit.”

She looked down at the water bottle again.

“Forget how I feel. Forget how ridiculous I was being. Forget how much I missed you.” Her voice softened. “Missed us.”

Yujin looked down.

That part hurt the most. Not because Wonyoung blamed her, but because she did not. She said it quietly, almost like she was embarrassed to admit it, and that made Yujin feel worse.

“I’m guessing drinking didn’t work, huh?” Yujin asked softly.

Wonyoung looked up.

There was guilt in Yujin’s voice, but she was trying to keep the room from sinking too deep. Wonyoung noticed it, so she let out a small laugh.

“No,” she said. “It didn’t.”

Yujin’s lips twitched faintly.

“If anything, it just made me get things off my chest.” Wonyoung touched her temple with a small wince. “But the headache that came with the drinking? Absolutely worked.”

Yujin huffed out a quiet laugh despite herself.

For a tiny moment, it felt familiar.

Easy.

Like the old days, when they could sit close and say something stupid just to make the other smile.

Yujin held on to that feeling carefully. Then she shook her head. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad you drank.”

“What?”

Yujin smiled softly. “Because here we are now,” she said. “Talking about it. Finally.”

Wonyoung stared at her.

There was still space between them on the bed. Not a huge space, but enough to show that Yujin was being careful.

Yujin looked at her, then she decided to be brave.

She opened her arms.

Wonyoung’s breath caught.

Yujin’s voice was soft when she said, “Come here.”

That was all it took.

Wonyoung did not hesitate.

She placed the water bottle on the side table, shifted across the bed, and leaned into Yujin’s arms.

Yujin wrapped her up immediately.

Tightly.

Not enough to hurt, but enough to make Wonyoung feel surrounded by her. Warmth, perfume, familiar arms, steady heartbeat. Everything she had missed came back so suddenly that Wonyoung almost could not breathe.

For a second, neither of them said anything.

Wonyoung’s face tucked against Yujin’s shoulder. Her fingers gripped the back of Yujin’s shirt, not caring if it wrinkled.

“I missed you too, Wony,” Yujin whispered.

Wonyoung’s eyes burned.

Yujin closed her eyes and pressed her cheek lightly against Wonyoung’s hair.

“I missed you every day,” she admitted. “Especially when we were around each other and I still kept stopping myself.”

Wonyoung’s grip tightened.

Yujin kissed the top of her head before resting her chin there. One hand rubbed slow circles against Wonyoung’s back, gentle and comforting.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” Yujin said. “And I’m sorry I made you feel like I replaced you.”

Wonyoung let out a shaky breath against Yujin’s shoulder.

She had never said those exact words out loud.

Replaced.

It sounded too selfish. Too childish. Too ugly. But that was what it had felt like.

Like the space that used to be hers in Yujin’s life had been given away.

Yujin pulled back slightly, just enough to see her face.

Wonyoung tried to lower her head, but Yujin gently cupped her cheeks before she could hide.

Her hands were warm.

Careful.

Familiar.

Wonyoung looked at her, eyes glossy with tears she was trying hard to hold back.

Yujin’s thumbs brushed gently over her cheeks. “No one can ever replace you, Wony,” Yujin said.

Wonyoung’s breath hitched.

Yujin held her gaze. “Not even close.”

The words were steady. No hesitation. No doubt.

“I’m saying this so you won’t ever forget,” Yujin continued. “So please don’t forget.”

Wonyoung stared at her, unable to look away.

Yujin lowered one hand from Wonyoung’s cheek and reached for Wonyoung’s hand.

Wonyoung let her take it.

Their fingers touched first, then Yujin gently wrapped her hand around Wonyoung’s. For a second, she only held it between them, looking down like she was gathering courage for one more truth.

Then she brought Wonyoung’s hand to her chest.

Wonyoung’s palm pressed over the left side, right where Yujin’s heart was beating.

Fast.

Hard.

Real.

Yujin covered Wonyoung’s hand with her own and kept it there.

“This,” Yujin whispered.

Wonyoung’s lips parted.

Yujin looked back into her eyes. “This already belonged to you the moment we met back then.”

Wonyoung’s tears finally slipped down.

Yujin’s thumb moved automatically, catching one before it reached her jaw.

“My mind was late to realize,” Yujin said softly. “But this…” She pressed Wonyoung’s palm a little closer against her chest. “It already knew.”

Wonyoung’s voice came out barely above a whisper. “Yujinnie…”

Yujin smiled at the nickname, but her eyes were wet too. “And it’s still yours,” she said.

Wonyoung’s hand trembled under hers.

Yujin leaned closer, forehead almost touching hers, voice gentle but certain.

“Forever yours,” she whispered, “if you still want it.”

Wonyoung stared at Yujin for a few seconds.

She did not answer right away.

She could not.

Not when Yujin was looking at her like that, with hopeful eyes and a nervous smile that barely held itself together. Yujin was still holding Wonyoung’s hand against her chest, still letting her feel how fast her heart was beating.

Forever yours, if you still want it.

The words kept repeating in Wonyoung’s head.

For months, she had wondered if Yujin still wanted to be close to her at all. She had wondered if she had imagined the way things used to be, if maybe she had been the only one holding on too tightly to old memories.

But now Yujin was right in front of her, offering her heart like it had always belonged to Wonyoung anyway.

And suddenly, all the fear in Wonyoung’s chest became quieter.

Not gone completely, but quieter.

Yujin waited.

She did not push. Did not ask again. Did not rush Wonyoung to say something just because silence made her nervous.

Wonyoung loved that about her.

Even now, even after everything, Yujin was still careful with her.

A small smile slowly appeared on Wonyoung’s lips.

Yujin’s eyes softened at the sight of it.

Then Wonyoung reached for Yujin’s other free hand.

Yujin let her take it.

Wonyoung brought Yujin’s hand toward her own chest and placed it there, right over her heart, just like Yujin had done with hers.

Yujin’s breath caught.

Under her palm, Wonyoung’s heart was beating fast too.

Wonyoung looked down at their hands for a moment, then back into Yujin’s eyes.

“It’s funny because this,” she whispered, gently pressing Yujin’s palm closer to her chest, “this only recognizes you.”

Yujin’s eyes widened slightly.

Wonyoung’s smile became softer. “It doesn’t know how to love anyone who isn’t you,” she continued. “It doesn’t beat madly around anyone but you.”

Yujin’s face turned pink almost immediately.

She tried to control it.

Failed.

A wide grin spread across her face, deep dimples appearing on both cheeks.

Wonyoung’s heart squeezed. She had missed that smile.

Not the stage smile. Not the leader smile. Not the polite smile Yujin gave when staff asked if she was okay.

This one. The real one.

The one that made Yujin look a little younger, a little softer, a little too happy to hide anything.

Wonyoung looked at her dimples and smiled even more.

“So of course I still want it,” Wonyoung said.

Yujin’s grin softened into something more emotional.

Wonyoung squeezed her hand. “Want you,” she added, voice quiet but sure. “As long as you’ll have mine too.”

Yujin nodded immediately.

Too eagerly. So eagerly that Wonyoung almost laughed.

Yujin said quickly. “I do.”

Her voice cracked a little, and that made Wonyoung’s eyes soften.

Yujin gathered both of Wonyoung’s hands between hers. She lifted them to her lips and kissed Wonyoung’s knuckles, once, then again, gentle and lingering.

Wonyoung watched her quietly, feeling warmth rush through her chest.

Yujin lowered their hands but did not let go.

“I know this one conversation won’t erase all the hurting I caused you,” Yujin said. “I know that.”

Wonyoung’s smile faded a little, but she kept listening.

Yujin’s thumbs brushed over her fingers.

“But I promise,” Yujin continued, looking straight at her, “from now on, it won’t be like that anymore.”

Wonyoung’s chest tightened.

Not painfully this time.

Just full.

“Yujin…”

“I mean it,” Yujin said softly. “I won’t make you feel like you have to wait for my attention. I won’t make you feel like you’re asking for too much just because you want time with me.”

Wonyoung swallowed.

Yujin’s gaze dropped briefly to their joined hands.

“And I won’t run away from you just because I’m scared of how much I feel.”

That one hit deeper.

Wonyoung moved closer without thinking.

“Hey,” she whispered. “It’s okay.”

Yujin looked up.

Wonyoung squeezed her hands. “We’re okay,” she said. “At least now we know.”

Yujin let out a shaky breath, like she had been holding it since the conversation began.

Wonyoung gave her a small smile. “We just have a lot of making up to do, I guess.”

Yujin blinked, then she noticed it.

Wonyoung’s eyes dropped to her lips.

Only for a second.

Then again.

Yujin’s heart jumped.

Wonyoung realized she had been caught and quickly looked back into Yujin’s eyes, but it was too late.

Yujin’s lips curved.

The air between them changed.

Not heavy in a bad way.

Just warmer.

Closer.

Wonyoung lifted her chin slightly, still holding Yujin’s hands.

“You go first this time,” she whispered.

Yujin’s smile grew. “Fair enough.”

She leaned forward slowly.

Slow enough for Wonyoung to move away if she wanted to. 

Slow enough to ask without words. 

Slow enough to make Wonyoung’s heart race before their lips even touched.

But Wonyoung did not move away, she stayed right there.

Waiting.

Their eyes closed at the same time.

Then Yujin kissed her.

Soft.

Careful.

So gentle it almost hurt.

It was supposed to be simple. Quick. A first kiss they could both breathe through before the emotions became too much.

But the moment their lips met, Wonyoung felt everything inside her go still.

No overthinking.

No jealousy.

No distance.

Just Yujin.

Yujin’s lips were warm against hers, hesitant at first, like she was still afraid this might be too much. Her hands stayed wrapped around Wonyoung’s, holding on but not trapping her.

Wonyoung kissed her back.

Just as softly.

And Yujin’s breath trembled.

When Yujin pulled back, it was only by a few inches. She opened her eyes first, searching Wonyoung’s face like she needed to make sure she had not made a mistake.

Wonyoung stared back at her.

Her cheeks were warm. Her lips parted slightly. Her eyes were shining.

Yujin looked nervous again. “Was that…”

Wonyoung did not let her finish.

She reached up, grabbed Yujin gently by the collar, and pulled her back in.

“Again,” Wonyoung whispered.

Then she kissed her.

This time, it was not as careful.

Still soft, still sweet, but longer. Fuller. Like Wonyoung was tired of pretending she had not wanted this for years.

Yujin made a small surprised sound against her lips before melting completely.

One of her hands came up to cup Wonyoung’s cheek while the other settled lightly at her waist. Wonyoung’s fingers stayed curled in Yujin’s collar, keeping her close as if Yujin had any plan of leaving.

She did not, not anymore.

Yujin kissed her like she was apologizing, lke she was promising, like she was finally allowing herself to want what she had been denying for too long.

Wonyoung kissed her like she had been waiting.

Because she had.

When they pulled away again, their foreheads rested together.

Both of them were breathing a little unevenly.

For a few seconds, neither spoke.

Then Yujin glanced toward the side table.

The digital clock glowed back at her.

5:30 a.m.

Yujin let out a quiet laugh.

Wonyoung opened her eyes. “What?”

Yujin looked back at her, still smiling. “It’s 5:30.”

Wonyoung looked at the clock too. Then she groaned softly and dropped her forehead against Yujin’s shoulder.

“We have schedule.”

“In less than an hour,” Yujin said.

“That’s terrible.”

“It is.”

Neither of them moved.

Wonyoung’s arms slid around Yujin’s neck, and Yujin’s hand stayed at her waist.

They should have been responsible. 

They should have gotten up, washed their faces, gotten ready before anyone came knocking. 

They should have acted like the morning had started normally.

But nothing about this morning was normal.

And neither of them wanted to waste even a second of it.

Yujin carefully guided Wonyoung back down until her back touched the bed. Wonyoung let herself be laid down, eyes never leaving Yujin’s face.

Yujin hovered over her, one hand planted beside Wonyoung’s shoulder to hold herself up, the other brushing hair away from Wonyoung’s face.

Wonyoung smiled, then pulled her closer by the back of her neck.

Yujin kissed her again.

Wonyoung’s eyes closed immediately.

This kiss was slower than the last one. Less desperate, but deeper in a way that made Wonyoung’s fingers tighten around the back of Yujin’s shirt. Yujin kept herself careful above her, but Wonyoung did not want careful distance anymore.

Not from Yujin, not after everything they had just said.

So she wrapped both arms around Yujin’s neck and held her there.

Yujin smiled against her lips.

Wonyoung felt it and smiled too. “Don’t laugh,” She mumbled.

“I’m not laughing.”

“You are.”

“I’m happy.”

That made Wonyoung open her eyes.

Yujin pulled back just enough to look at her.

“I’m really happy,” Yujin said softly.

Wonyoung stared at her, then her expression melted. “You’re so unfair.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.” Wonyoung’s hands moved to Yujin’s shoulders. “You say things like that with your dimples showing and expect me to survive?”

Yujin laughed quietly, the sound low and warm in the early morning silence.

Wonyoung smiled despite herself.

There it was again.

That feeling.

Easy.

Like they had found their way back to something they thought they had lost.

Yujin leaned down and kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then the corner of her mouth.

Wonyoung turned her face and caught her lips again.

Yujin did not complain.

The minutes slipped by quietly.

Just the two of them.

Any other morning, they would have been grumpy from the lack of sleep. Yujin would have dragged herself out of bed with a complaint. Wonyoung would have reminded everyone to hurry while secretly wanting five more minutes.

But not this time.

This time, neither of them felt tired.

This time, they took every quiet second they could get.

Because after months of distance, months of pretending, and one long night full of things neither of them meant to confess yet, Yujin and Wonyoung were finally alone together.

And neither of them wanted to let go first.

-- -- -- Short part for Couplez-- -- --  

Rei could barely wait until the door closed behind them.

The moment she and Liz entered her room, Rei dropped her luggage near the closet and grabbed one of the Disneyland tote bags from the top. The bag crinkled loudly in the quiet room, colorful and full, the Disneyland logo printed across the front.

Liz stayed near the closed door, watching her.

There was something very Rei about it. 

The way exhaustion disappeared the second she became excited. 

The way her eyes brightened despite the long flight, the rain, and the late hour. 

The way she handled the bag carefully, like everything inside mattered.

“Jiwon-ah,” Rei called brightly.

Liz blinked out of her thoughts.

Rei sat on the edge of her bed with the tote bag on her lap and patted the space beside her.

“Come. I got these for you.”

Liz walked over and sat beside her. “Rei-yah, you didn’t have to buy me anything.”

“I know,” Rei said. “That’s why it’s better. I wanted to.”

Liz tried not to smile too hard.

She failed immediately.

Rei looked pleased with herself and reached into the bag. “Okay, first.”

She pulled out a small Minnie Mouse keychain, dressed in a pink outfit with a tiny bow.

“This reminded me of you.”

Liz tilted her head. “Me?”

“Yes.” Rei nodded seriously. “Cute. Pretty. Soft-looking, but actually strong.”

Liz stared at her, then laughed quietly, cheeks warming.

“Soft-looking but strong?”

“That is very you.” Rei placed the keychain carefully into Liz’s hands.

Liz looked down at it, thumb brushing over the tiny charm.

Before she could say anything, Rei reached into the bag again.

“And this.”

She pulled out a fluffy bag charm with a small bow attached to it.

“I thought this would look cute on your travel bag,” Rei explained. “You always use that plain one.”

Liz laughed.

Next came a small Minnie Mouse plush, soft enough to fit in one hand.

Liz’s eyes widened. “This is so cute.”

“I know,” Rei said happily. “I saw it and thought, Jiwon needs this.”

“I need it?”

“Yes. Emotionally.”

Liz pressed the plush gently against her chest. “Okay, maybe I do.”

Rei smiled and pulled out a Minnie ears headband next.

Liz immediately covered her mouth. “Oh my gosh.”

“You have to wear it.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

“Rei…”

“Please.”

There was no winning against that face.

With a small sigh, Liz took the headband and placed it on her head. The ears sat slightly crooked, so Rei leaned closer and fixed them with careful fingers.

Liz held still.

Rei’s face was close enough for Jiwon to notice the tiredness under her eyes, the loose strands of hair near her cheeks, and the small smile she was trying to hide.

“There,” Rei said softly. “Cute.”

Liz’s breath caught.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Then Rei pulled back first, pretending she had not just made Liz forget how to act normal.

Liz touched one of the Minnie ears. “Do I look silly?”

“You look pretty.”

The answer came too easily.

Liz looked at her again.

Rei was already digging through the bag.

“There’s one more.”

“One more?” Liz asked. “Rei, this is already a lot.”

“I know, but this one is important.”

Rei pulled out a neatly folded pair of pajamas, soft-looking, with a cute Disney pattern printed all over them.

Liz blinked. “Pajamas?”

Rei nodded happily. “I bought one for myself too.”

Liz’s heart did something embarrassing.

Rei looked at her, cheeks a little pink but smile still bright.

“So we can match,” she said. “Couple things, you know?”

Liz stared at her.

Couple things.

Rei said it so casually, like she had not just taken every jealous thought Liz had tried to bury and replaced it with something warm instead.

Liz looked down because she was smiling too much now, and Rei noticed right away.

“You like them?”

Liz hugged the pajamas to her chest. “I love them,” she said honestly. “Rei-yah, there’s so many. Thank you so much.”

Rei’s whole face lit up. “I’m glad! I couldn’t pick just one. Yujin-unnie had to stop me from buying half the store.”

Liz laughed softly.

She could picture it clearly. Rei walking around the store, picking up everything cute, and Yujin following behind like a tired older sister trying to control the damage.

The thought still pricked a little, but not as much now.

Not with Rei sitting beside her, watching her reaction like it mattered more than the trip itself.

Liz placed the souvenirs carefully beside her on the bed.

After a moment, she asked, “So, how was your Disneyland date with Yujin-unnie?”

She tried to say it casually, but the word date came out a little different.

Rei noticed immediately. Instead of answering right away, she reached for Liz’s hand and intertwined their fingers.

“It was fun,” Rei said softly. “But it would’ve been better if you were there.”

Liz looked up quickly.

“It rained, which sucked,” Rei continued. “But even with the rain, I would’ve enjoyed it more with you.”

Liz’s eyes widened. “But I thought you wanted to go with Yujin-unnie.”

Rei shook her head.

“I had fun with Yujin-unnie, of course. But I wanted to go with you.” She squeezed Liz’s hand. “I was planning it for us.”

“You were?”

Rei nodded, suddenly a little shy.

“It was supposed to be a surprise date,” she admitted. “I was checking what time we should go, what rides you might like, where we could eat, everything.”

“Rei…”

“But then we found out about our days off, and you told me your parents were coming from Jeju.” Rei looked down at their hands. “You looked so happy, and I know how much you miss them, so I didn’t bring it up.”

Liz’s expression softened.

“I didn’t want to make you feel bad,” Rei said. “Or make you feel like you had to choose between me and your family.”

Liz stared at her for a few seconds, then let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh.

“What?” Rei asked.

Liz shook her head. “I was going to ask you something too.”

Rei’s eyebrows lifted. “Ask me what?”

“To come back to here with me,” Liz said. “And spend time with me and my parents during the break.”

Rei froze.

Liz smiled softly.

“My mom asked if you were coming, she said she missed you. But I didn’t ask because you were already in Japan, and I know you miss your family too. I didn’t want you to feel bad or feel like you had to choose either.”

Rei stared at her, then she let out a small sigh and leaned their joined hands against her knee.

“I wanted to fly home with you guys,” Rei said gently. “But I don’t see my family all the time either, so I decided to stay behind. I think Yujin-unnie noticed I was sad, so she stayed with me.”

“Oh.” Liz looked down at their hands. “We really thought you guys planned the date together.”

Rei tilted her head. “We?”

Liz paused, then sighed. “Me and Wonyoung.”

Rei’s eyebrows lifted.

“You already know the whole thing with her and Yujin-unnie,” Liz said quietly.

“I know,” Rei said. “And it’s unbearable to watch those two suffer in silence.”

“I can’t blame Wonyoung. Yujin-unnie did distance herself, and Wonyoung didn’t want to burden her.”

Rei glanced toward her closed door, like she was thinking about the room across the hall.

“I feel bad sometimes,” she admitted. “I can see Wonyoung pretending she’s okay whenever Yujin-unnie is playful with me. I hope she doesn’t think I’m taking unnie away from her.”

Liz squeezed Rei’s hand.

“She doesn’t think that. Won loves you. All of us. If anything, she feels bad for feeling jealous.”

Rei nodded slowly. “I know. Our nyongie isn’t like that.”

They went quiet for a moment.

Outside Rei’s room, the dorm was calm. They could not hear anything from Wonyoung’s room, but both of them knew Yujin was there.

“I hope they talk,” Liz said.

“Me too,” Rei replied. “Actually, I hope Yujin-unnie talks first.”

Liz looked at her.

Rei shrugged. “She is the one who ran away first.”

Liz laughed. “That’s true.”

“It is. Unnie is brave on stage, brave with work, brave when protecting us, but with Wonyoung?” Rei shook her head. “Hopeless.”

Liz smiled. “And Wonyoung acts like she’s not hopeless too.”

“They match.”

“They really do.”

Rei looked at Liz then, her expression turning quieter.

“Jiwon-ah.”

“Mhm?”

“You know I only like you, right?”

Liz blinked.

Rei’s thumb brushed over the back of her hand.

“I’m not assuming you were jealous,” Rei continued quickly, cheeks turning a little pink. “I just want you to know.”

Liz smiled. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I know. And I only like you too,”

Rei’s eyes brightened immediately. “Really?”

Liz laughed softly. “You’re asking like you didn’t already know.”

“I know, but I like hearing it.”

“Then yes, really.”

Rei’s fingers squeezed hers. “Okay. Just checking.”

Liz looked down at their hands.

“I knew why you stayed. I knew Yujin-unnie was just keeping you company. I wasn’t mad.” She looked at the souvenirs beside her. “I just wanted to be the one wearing matching headbands with you,” Liz added. “Or walk around with you. Taking pictures. Stupid things like that.”

“They’re not stupid,” Rei said firmly. “I wanted those things with you too.”

Liz looked at her.

“If you ever feel jealous again,” Rei said, “you can tell me. I don’t want you to sit with it alone.”

Liz’s lips pressed together. “I’m not good at that.”

“I know.”

“I don’t like making people uncomfortable.”

“I know that too.”

“And you already had your family and your own feelings…”

“Jiwon-ah.”

Liz stopped.

Rei smiled softly.

“You don’t have to make your feelings smaller just because I have mine.”

Liz’s chest tightened.

Rei’s words were simple, but they hit hard.

“I only want to be this close with you,”

She glanced at their joined hands.

Liz smiled, small and shy. “Me too.”

Rei smiled back, then leaned forward and kissed Liz on the cheek.

It was quick.

Light.

But Liz still froze like Rei had done something much bigger.

Rei pulled back, looking very pleased with herself.

She leaned her shoulder lightly against Liz’s, and for a while they simply sat like that on the edge of the bed. Their hands stayed linked between them, the souvenirs scattered beside Liz like proof that Rei had thought of her the whole time she was away.

Then Rei’s eyes moved to the pajamas. “We should wear them tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes. Matching pajamas.”

“What if the members tease us?”

“They will.”

“You’re okay with that?”

Rei shrugged. “They tease us anyway.”

That was true.

Liz smiled down at the pajamas.

“Okay,” she said. “We can wear them tonight.”

Rei beamed.

“And,” Rei said, suddenly sitting up straighter, “on our next day off, we’ll go on a date.”

Liz looked at her. “A date?”

“Yeah. Maybe Universal Studios. We can go to the Harry Potter ride.”

Liz’s eyes widened, excitement appearing before she could hide it.

“Really?”

“Really, I promise.”

Rei lifted their joined hands and squeezed. “We’ll go together,” she promised. “Just you and me. We’ll ride everything you want, take pictures, eat snacks, and I’ll buy you all the merch you like.”

Liz’s eyes shined. “Everything?”

Rei laughed. “Within reason.”

“Okay.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Liz looked at her, heart full in a way that made her almost forget how tired she was.

“Universal Studios date,” she said.

“Universal Studios date,” Rei confirmed.

They smiled at each other, still holding hands, the unopened luggage forgotten by the closet and the souvenirs spread between them.

Outside Rei’s room, the dorm was still quiet.

Maybe Yujin and Wonyoung were finally talking.

Maybe the morning would become messy once schedules started and everyone had to pretend they had slept enough.

But inside Rei’s room, things felt clear.

Rei only liked JLiz.

Liz only liked Rei.

And on their next day off, they would stop waiting for perfect timing and go on the date they both wanted from the start.

-- -- --