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Yu Haram, at the not-so-old age of 18, has been having trouble sleeping lately. After endless sleepless nights, she had finally mustered up the courage to have her manager take her to get it checked.
Now she sat in a small, sterile office that smelled faintly of disinfectant, her fingers twisting in the hem of her sleeve.
“I-insomnia?” Haram repeated, her voice barely above a whisper as the word settled heavily in her chest.
“Yes, acute insomnia.”
Haram felt her world crumbling, as she had thought everything was perfectly fine. Everything was, in fact, not fine.
“Make sure you’re sleeping early,” the doctor continued, handing a prescription slip to Manager Kim. “Limit screen time before bed. And take your medication regularly.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you,” Manager Kim replied politely, bowing her head.
Haram nodded too, though her thoughts were already racing ahead. Acute. Medication. Regularly.
Back in the car, city lights blurred past the window.
“Insomnia… I can’t believe it,” she murmured.
“Haram,” Manager Kim said gently, “you have to take care of yourself. We can’t afford for you to burn out before SMTOWN Bangkok.”
“I’ll try,” she answered softly.
At first, she did. She swallowed the pills every night, forced herself into bed earlier, closed her eyes, and waited for sleep to come.
It rarely did.
Days blurred into rehearsals. The choreography demanded precision and stamina. Every turn felt slightly off-balance. Her body was present, but her mind lagged behind.
The medication felt useless. After a week of barely any change, she stopped taking it without telling anyone.
She told herself it wasn’t a big deal.
But someone noticed.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
Dance practices only gotten tougher.
SMTOWN Bangkok was approaching fast, and the choreography demanded sharpness she didn’t feel. Her body moved, but half a second behind everyone else. She missed counts. Her stamina dipped. The mirror reflected someone pale and distant.
“You’re late on the turn again.”
Haram blinked. Yuna stood in front of her, hands on her hips. Her tone was light, but her eyes weren’t.
“I’m fine,” Haram said quickly.
Yuna didn’t respond right away. She stepped closer instead. Too close, maybe. Close enough for Haram to notice the faint scent of Yuna’s shampoo, the warmth radiating from her after hours of dancing.
“You don’t look fine,” Yuna said quietly.
The music restarted before Haram could answer.
At first, Haram took the medication every night.
It didn’t help.
She still lay awake, staring at the ceiling, thoughts looping endlessly. What if I mess up? What if I drag everyone down? What if I don’t have enough energy on stage?
After a week, she stopped taking the pills. She didn’t tell anyone.
But Yuna noticed.
During a break, Haram sat on the floor, elbows resting on her knees. Her hands trembled slightly. She hadn’t realized until another hand gently covered them.
“Your fingers are shaking,” Yuna murmured.
Haram’s breath hitched at the contact. “It’s just cold.”
“It’s not.”
Yuna’s thumb brushed lightly over Haram’s knuckles, almost absentmindedly. The gesture was simple. Casual. But Haram’s heart reacted in a way that didn’t feel casual at all.
“Are you taking the medicine?” Yuna asked.
Haram averted her gaze from Yuna.
“That’s a no.”
“It doesn’t work,” Haram said, frustration slipping through. “I’m still exhausted. I just lie there and think. About Bangkok. About disappointing everyone.”
“You won’t disappoint us.”
Haram let out a small, humorless laugh. “You don’t know that.”
Yuna’s expression softened. “I do.”
There was something in her voice that made Haram look up.
For a moment, the studio noise faded. The other members were talking across the room, music faint in the background, but it felt like just the two of them.
“You think we only care about perfect performances?” Yuna continued. “I care about you not collapsing halfway through practice.”
The words were direct. Almost too direct.
Haram’s pulse quickened. “You don’t have to worry that much.”
“I want to.”
The answer came out so naturally that Yuna seemed surprised by it herself. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked down, pretending to adjust her shoelaces.
Haram’s heart stumbled in her chest.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
That evening, Haram stayed late again.
She told herself she needed extra practice. Really, she just didn’t want to go back to another silent, sleepless night.
Halfway through the routine, her vision blurred. She misstepped and nearly fell, but strong hands caught her waist before she hit the floor.
“I knew you’d stay,” Yuna said, slightly out of breath.
Haram froze.
Yuna’s hands were still on her waist. Close. Steady. Warm.
Neither of them moved right away.
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” Yuna added more softly.
Haram became painfully aware of how close their faces were. Close enough to see the tiny crease between Yuna’s brows when she worried. Close enough to feel her breath.
“I’m fine,” Haram whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.
Yuna didn’t let go immediately. “You’re not.”
Their eyes locked.
For a second, something unspoken passed between them. Something fragile and electric. Haram’s chest tightened, not from anxiety this time, but from something unfamiliar and confusing.
Yuna seemed to feel it too. She slowly helped Haram sit down against the mirror, but her hand lingered just a moment longer than necessary before pulling away.
“You don’t have to carry everything alone,” Yuna said quietly, sitting beside her. Their shoulders touched.
Haram swallowed. “What if I don’t have enough energy on stage?”
“Then I’ll stand closer to you,” Yuna replied without hesitation. “If you’re off by half a step, I’ll match you.”
Haram turned to look at her. “You’d adjust for me?”
Yuna huffed softly. “Of course. That’s what friends do.”
Friends.
The word hung in the air, heavier than it should have been.
Their hands brushed again on the floor between them. This time, neither pulled away immediately.
Maybe the insomnia wouldn’t disappear overnight. Maybe SMTOWN Bangkok would still be exhausting and terrifying.
But sitting there with Yuna’s shoulder pressed against hers, Haram felt something steady beneath the chaos. Something warm.
Neither of them had the words for it yet.
They just knew that when one of them started to fall, the other was already there to catch her.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
February 12th, two days before SMTOWN Bangkok
The girls had just finished rehearsing their songs at the concert venue and were ready to crash back at the hotel.
“Okay, Haram and Yuna, you girls will be rooming together in room 808.” Manager Kim handed each of them a key card. “Get some rest. Dress rehearsal tomorrow.”
“Got it,” Haram replied automatically.
“I get to be with Haram unnie!” Yuna grinned, grabbing Haram's hand as they walked toward the elevator.
Haram tried to laugh it off, but something fluttered in her chest at the word unnie said like that. Yuna’s smile lingered a second too long, and for a brief moment, neither of them looked away.
The elevator doors closed.
“This is your first night outside of the dorms,” Yuna said, her voice softer now. “Will you be okay?”
Haram hesitated. Hotel rooms were unfamiliar. Too quiet. Too different. “I’ll be fine.”
Yuna didn’t look convinced.
Room 808 was warm and dimly lit, the city glowing beyond the curtains. Two beds sat side by side, close enough that the gap between them felt almost pointless.
“Roh Yuna,” Haram said, tossing her bag onto one of the chairs. “Let’s watch a movie.”
“What did you want to watch?” Yuna asked, already reaching for the remote.
“It’s Valentine’s Day,” Haram said, trying to sound casual. “Let’s watch The Notebook.”
Yuna paused, then smiled slowly. “Romantic, huh?”
“I just picked something popular!”
“Okay, okay,” Yuna laughed. “I’ll pull it up.”
They sat on Yuna’s bed, backs against the headboard, shoulders brushing as the opening scene played. At first, they kept a careful inch of space between them.
Halfway through the movie, that space disappeared.
“Hey, hey.” Yuna gently tapped Haram’s shoulder.
“Hmmm?” Haram’s eyes fluttered open halfway.
“You wanna sleep next to me this time?” Yuna teased softly. “You’re falling asleep.”
“No, I—I’m not!” Haram blinked rapidly, trying to focus on the screen. “I won’t fall asleep.”
Yuna’s smile softened. “Hey, it’s okay. You need sleep. Do you want to move over to your bed?”
“N-No, it’s fine. Let’s finish the movie.”
“Okay…”
But Haram’s head slowly tipped sideways until it rested against Yuna’s shoulder.
Yuna froze for a second.
Carefully, almost nervously, she shifted just enough to support Haram’s weight. Haram’s breathing deepened within minutes, steady and warm against her collarbone.
“She fell asleep already…” Yuna whispered to herself.
The movie continued playing, but Yuna barely watched it. Instead, she studied the way Haram’s brows finally relaxed, the way her chest slowly rose and fell from her steady breathing. The way she looked peaceful for once.
When the credits rolled, Yuna gently adjusted them both under the blanket. Haram instinctively curled closer, one arm wrapping around Yuna’s waist.
Yuna’s heart nearly stopped.
She didn’t move.
Yuna tucked a strand of Haram’s light brown hair behind her ear. “Beautiful,” she whispered.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains.
Haram stirred first.
Warmth. Steady breathing. Soft fabric beneath her cheek.
Her eyes opened slowly, and reality hit all at once. Her arms were wrapped around Yuna’s waist. Their legs tangled. Their faces inches apart.
Panic flared.
Should she move? What if she woke her? What if she already was awake?
“Mmm…” Yuna shifted slightly, blinking open her eyes. “Oh. You’re awake.”
“G-Good morning…” Haram squeaked. “How did I end up here?”
“You fell asleep before we even finished half of the movie,” Yuna said, glancing down at Haram’s arms still around her. “And, uh… You kind of hugged me like this the whole night.”
Haram immediately tried to pull away. “I’m sorry!”
Yuna caught her wrist gently before she could fully retreat. “Hey. It’s okay.” Her voice was warm, almost shy. “Did you sleep well, at least?”
Haram paused.
She searched her body for the usual heaviness. The fog. The tension.
It wasn’t there.
“Actually…” she murmured, surprised. “Yes.”
Yuna’s smile turned soft, almost glowing in the morning light. “That’s good.”
Haram’s heart raced at the sight.
Neither of them mentioned that neither had rushed to untangle themselves.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
After SMTOWN Bangkok, exhaustion hit them like a wave. The performance had gone perfectly, adrenaline carrying Haram through every step.
Back at the hotel, the relief settled in.
“Hey,” Haram said, setting her bag down. “Do you wanna watch another movie?”
“Yeah, sure,” Yuna replied, flopping onto the bed. “What’d you wanna watch?”
Haram scrolled absentmindedly. Yuna leaned closer, her shoulder pressing firmly against Haram’s.
“You smell good,” Yuna murmured suddenly, nose brushing lightly against Haram’s hair. “Your shampoo smells nice.”
Haram froze. “Need…to watch…movie…” she yawned.
“You’re tired,” Yuna said gently. “Let’s just sleep, okay?”
“O-Okay.”
Yuna turned off the TV and lay down, patting the space beside her without hesitation. “I’m sleeping here again?” Haram asked.
“We both know you sleep better when you’re next to me,” Yuna said, already closing her eyes. “Just lie down.”
Haram’s face burned, but she slid under the blanket anyway. The moment she settled, she felt Yuna’s arms slowly wrap around her waist.
“H-Hey…”
“Shhh,” Yuna whispered. “Let me hold you.”
Haram’s breath caught, but she didn’t protest. Instead, she turned carefully to face Yuna.
They were impossibly close.
Close enough to count Yuna’s eyelashes. Close enough to feel each other’s breath mingle in the quiet room.
“So warm,” Yuna murmured sleepily.
Haram couldn’t tell whose heartbeat was louder, hers or Yuna’s.
Maybe both.
Slowly, hesitantly, she gave in and nuzzled her face into the crook of Yuna’s neck. Yuna’s hold tightened instinctively.
“Good night, Yuna,” Haram whispered.
Yuna smiled against her hair, though Haram couldn’t see it.
“Good night, unnie.”
And for the second time, sleep came easily.
They cuddled the whole night.
Not the awkward, accidental kind.
The kind where neither of them tried to move away.
Haram’s back was pressed against Yuna’s chest, Yuna’s arm draped securely around her waist. At some point in the night, Haram had shifted closer without waking, fingers curling lightly into the fabric of Yuna’s shirt. Yuna only responded by tightening her hold, burying her face into Haram’s hair.
The room was quiet. Their breathing fell into the same rhythm.
For once, Haram didn’t wake up in the middle of the night.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
“Good morning, babe,” Yuna murmured sleepily, her voice rough from just waking up.
Haram stiffened instantly.
“W-What’d you just call me?” she muttered, still half buried in the pillow. “There aren’t fans for us to service here.”
Yuna let out a soft laugh, her breath warm against the back of Haram’s neck. “So? Do you not like it?”
Haram’s brain short-circuited.
“It’s…”
Yuna shifted slightly so she could see Haram’s face. Their noses were almost brushing.
“You like it?” She raised her eyebrow, tilting her head innocently.
“No!” Haram answered too quickly. “It’s—”
She faltered.
Yuna’s eyes were searching hers, not teasing now. Just curious. Soft. Hopeful, almost.
“It’s whatever,” Haram finished weakly, looking away.
“‘Whatever’ doesn’t sound very convincing,” Yuna hummed.
Haram could feel her heartbeat in her throat. “Why are you saying things like that first thing in the morning?”
“Because I woke up in a good mood,” Yuna replied easily. “I slept well.”
Haram hesitated.
“Me too,” she admitted quietly.
Yuna’s smile widened just a little. “Yeah? Wonder why.”
Haram rolled her eyes to hide the warmth creeping up her neck. “Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting anything,” Yuna said, though her arm tightened around Haram again, pulling her closer. “I just think it’s interesting.”
“What is?”
“You only sleep properly when you’re like this.”
Haram swallowed. They were still tangled together, faces inches apart. Close enough that if either of them leaned forward even slightly—
“It doesn’t mean anything,” Haram said quickly.
Yuna’s expression flickered for just a second.
“I know,” she replied, softer now.
Silence settled between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Just charged.
After a moment, Yuna brushed a loose strand of hair away from Haram’s face. The gesture was gentle, almost absentminded, but her fingers lingered near Haram’s cheek.
“Still,” Yuna added quietly, “I think ‘babe’ suits you.”
Haram’s breath caught.
“Roh Yuna,” she warned, though there was no real bite behind it.
“Hmm?”
“If you keep saying things like that…”
“Like what?”
Haram didn’t finish the sentence.
Because she didn’t know what would happen if Yuna leaned any closer.
And judging by the way Yuna wasn’t moving away either, maybe she didn’t know either.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
Yuna was sitting cross-legged on her bed, scrolling absentmindedly through her phone while Dahyun slept peacefully in the bed beside hers, blanket pulled up to her chin.
Her phone buzzed.
haramie: hey
haramie: are u still awake
Yuna’s lips curved instantly.
rohsoongi: yeah why
There was a small pause. Three dots. Gone. Three dots again.
haramie: can i come over
Yuna didn’t hesitate.
rohsoongi: sure
A couple minutes later, there was a soft knock.
Yuna opened the door to find Haram standing there in gray snowflake pajamas, hugging her pillow tightly against her chest. Her hair was slightly messy, eyes tired but wide.
“I can’t fall asleep…” Haram admitted quietly.
Yuna tried not to smile too obviously. “Seems you can only fall asleep next to me, huh?”
Haram shot her a look. “Don’t start.”
Yuna stepped aside to let her in. “Let me make you some tea. I don’t want to wake Dahyun unnie up.”
“Okay.”
The dorm was dim, lit only by the kitchen light. They moved quietly, careful not to make noise. Yuna poured hot water into two mugs, the soft clink of ceramic sounding louder than usual in the silence.
They settled onto the couch.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The silence felt heavy, but not uncomfortable. Just… aware.
“Um… thank you for letting me stay over,” Haram said, fingers wrapped around the warm mug. “Jeong Leean’s snoring definitely makes things harder for me. And my doctor told me not to sleep with my headphones on.”
“I understand,” Yuna replied gently. “You shouldn’t have to force yourself to deal with that.”
Haram nodded, staring down at the steam rising from her tea. “I tried. I really did.”
Yuna set her mug down. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”
Their eyes met.
Haram looked away first.
After finishing their tea, they both sat there a little longer than necessary.
“So…” Yuna said quietly. “Couch or bed?”
Haram hesitated. “I don’t want to bother Dahyunie.”
Yuna glanced toward the bedroom, then back at Haram.
“The couch is fine,” she said.
It started innocently.
Haram lay down first, facing the backrest. Yuna sat beside her for a second, unsure. Then Haram shifted slightly, creating space behind her without looking back.
An unspoken invitation.
Yuna swallowed and lay down behind her, careful at first. There was a small gap between them.
It lasted all of five seconds.
Haram shuffled backward until her back touched Yuna’s chest.
Yuna froze.
“…Is this okay?” Haram whispered.
“Yeah,” Yuna answered, softer than usual.
Her arm hovered awkwardly before finally settling around Haram’s waist. Haram’s breathing began to slow almost immediately.
Yuna felt it.
The way Haram relaxed. The way her shoulders loosened.
“You really can’t sleep without me, huh?” Yuna murmured under her breath.
Haram didn’t respond.
She was already asleep.
Yuna smiled faintly and rested her chin lightly on top of Haram’s head.
꒰𑁬 ♡ ໒꒱
When morning came, the bedroom door creaked open. Footsteps approached the living room.
Dahyun had stepped out, rubbing her eyes. “Yuna-ya, where are you? You better not be making Buldak without me agai— unnie?!”
She froze.
On the couch, Haram and Yuna were clearly spooning. Haram’s arms were tucked close to her chest, Yuna’s wrapped securely around her.
“What’s going on?” Carmen’s voice came from behind, followed by Jiwoo, both drawn out by Dahyun’s dramatic whisper-shout.
Carmen took one look and clutched Jiwoo’s arm. “Oh my go—”
Yuna, who had already been awake, lifted her head slightly and pressed a finger to her lips. “Shhh,” she mouthed urgently.
The three girls stared.
Haram shifted slightly in her sleep, nestling closer. Yuna instinctively tightened her hold, eyes soft as she looked down at her.
Dahyun’s jaw dropped even further.
Jiwoo covered her mouth to stop herself from squealing.
Carmen whispered, “Are we… witnessing something?”
Yuna shot them a warning look. “Later,” she mouthed.
The girls slowly backed away, though not without exchanging looks filled with unspoken questions and barely contained excitement.
Once they disappeared back into Jiwoo and Carmen’s bedroom, Yuna exhaled quietly.
Haram stirred.
“Yuna…?” she mumbled sleepily.
“I’m here,” Yuna whispered.
Haram’s hand instinctively reached back, gripping lightly onto Yuna’s sleeve. “Don’t go.”
Yuna’s heart did something dangerous in her chest. “I won’t.”
And even with the entire dorm now suspicious, Yuna didn’t loosen her hold.
The dorm had gone quiet again.
At least, that’s what Yuna thought.
Haram shifted in her arms, lashes fluttering before her eyes slowly opened. For a second, she looked disoriented. Then she realized exactly where she was.
On the couch.
Curled up against Yuna.
Very much still being held.
“…Why are you up so early?” Haram murmured softly.
Yuna hesitated. “Because Dahyun unnie almost screamed the dorm down five minutes ago.”
Haram’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Carmen and Jiwoo saw too.”
“…Saw what?” Haram asked, though the way her ears were turning red suggested she knew.
Yuna swallowed, eyes trailing their cuddled-up bodies. “This.”
Her arm was still wrapped securely around Haram’s waist.
Silence settled between them, thick and fragile.
Haram didn’t move away.
Instead, she slowly turned in Yuna’s arms so they were facing each other. The movement was careful, almost shy. Their legs tangled. Their foreheads nearly touched.
“Did you… hate it?” Yuna asked quietly.
“Hate what?”
“Sleeping like this.”
Haram blinked. “No.”
The answer came too fast to be fake.
Yuna searched her face. “Then why do you always act like it’s embarrassing?”
“Because it is,” Haram whispered. “If anyone finds out, they’ll tease us forever.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Haram’s breath hitched slightly. “Then what did you mean?”
Yuna’s heart was pounding so loud she was sure Haram could hear it.
“I meant…” She hesitated, then forced herself to continue. “I don’t just like holding you because you sleep better.”
Haram went completely still.
“What does that mean?” she asked, barely audible.
“It means…” Yuna’s fingers tightened slightly at Haram’s waist. “I look for you in every room. I wait for your messages. I pretend I’m joking when I call you ‘babe’ because I’m scared you’ll take it seriously.”
Haram’s lips parted.
“I get jealous when you cling to someone else,” Yuna admitted, voice shaking now. “And when you come to my room at night, it’s not just because I want you to sleep well.”
The air felt thin.
“Haram… I think I like you. Not in a fanservice way. Not in a joke way.”
Haram’s mind felt like it had stopped working.
“You… like me?” she repeated softly.
Yuna nodded once. “Yeah.”
Haram stared at her for a long moment. Then she let out a breath that sounded almost like a laugh, almost like a sob.
“You’re so slow,” Haram whispered.
Yuna blinked. “What?”
“I thought you’d never figure it out.”
Yuna’s brain short-circuited. “Figure what out?”
“That I like you too.”
Everything went quiet.
“You…” Yuna’s voice cracked slightly. “You do?”
Haram nodded, cheeks flushed. “I only sleep well when I’m next to you. I get nervous when you get too close. I overthink every little thing you say. Do you know how many times I replayed you calling me ‘babe’ in my head?”
Yuna stared at her like she was seeing her for the first time.
“So you don’t hate it?” Yuna asked weakly.
Haram shook her head.
“No. In fact, I really…like it.”
The confession hung between them, warm and fragile.
Neither of them moved for a second.
Then Yuna lifted her hand slowly, brushing her fingers against Haram’s cheek. “Can I…?”
Haram didn’t let her finish.
She closed the distance first.
The kiss was soft. Hesitant. More of a gentle press of lips than anything else. They both froze at the contact, as if confirming it was real.
Then Yuna tilted her head slightly, kissing her again—still tender, still careful, but no longer hesitant.
Haram’s hand slid up to clutch lightly at Yuna’s shirt.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, both of them breathless.
“Wow,” Yuna whispered.
“Shut up,” Haram murmured, though she was smiling.
Yuna laughed quietly, unable to stop herself. “So… you’re actually my babe now?”
Haram rolled her eyes, but her fingers hooked into Yuna’s sleeve to keep her close. “Only when we’re alone.”
Yuna grinned. “Deal.”
From down the hallway, a very obvious whisper echoed. “I KNEW IT—”
“Shut up!” another voice hissed.
Haram buried her face in Yuna’s shoulder in embarrassment.
Yuna just wrapped her arms around her tighter.
“Guess we’re not as subtle as we thought,” she murmured.
Haram peeked up at her. “Regret it?”
Yuna smiled softly. “Not even a little.”
And this time, when they kissed again, there was no hesitation at all.