Chapter Text
_Unnie do you remember I said I was cold and you hugged me instead of turning on the electric pad? That's why I don't turn on the heater even in midwinter, thinking of that memory keeps me warm_
Moonbyul's first impression of Jung Wheein was that she acted like a cat.
She was such a tiny girl and she seemed to want to occupy the least space she could in whatever room she was in. She was young and reserved but Byul had heard her sing and she had seen her dance. The girl was so talented she could put many affirmed idols to shame.
So when she was chosen as the leader of their group she promised herself that she would take care of the maknae. If there was one thing Byul knew well it was how to be a big sister.
She approached her after practice, feeling a bit shy but still wanting to do her best to take care of and get to know the younger girl.
"Hi, Wheein-ssi? I was wondering if you'd like to go eat something together?"
The younger girl looked at her with an unreadable expression. Almost studying her, while she thought of her answer.
"I'm sorry... I have to go home" She said in a polite tone, an almost guarded expression on her young face.
"Oh... It's okay.” Byul tried to shrug it off like it was nothing. “Maybe another time"
The whole exchange left her feeling a little embarrassed but she didn't take it too personally. She probably had something to do after practice. So she just said her goodbyes and decided to go on her own.
She didn't think anything of it until she took her order and went to sit at a table. Her eyes meeting Wheein's across the room.
Oh. I guess she wasn't busy after all.
Wheein appeared frozen. Like a cat that got spooked and was about to run. Then she just sat down at another table like nothing happened.
Cute, Byul thought.
~~~
Wheein felt really embarrassed.
It wasn’t like she didn't like the older trainee. In fact she thought that Byul was a really nice and reliable unnie. The braces even looked cute on her. It wasn't her fault that she was just incredibly shy.
Wheein biggest struggle was getting to know people. The first stage of starting a relationship of any kind was honestly terrifying. There was a reason why only one person really managed to break through her walls and she stuck to her from then til now.
Her best friend Hyejin was someone special though. There was no one else like her so Wheein was sure that she would just spend her life with only her by her side as a real friend.
When they met again after the cafe incident, Wheein was sure that the older girl would just stop trying with her.
She was wrong.
"Hi Wheein ssi.” Byul asked with a warm and kind voice “Are you ready for practice ?"
She looked up at her from her sitting position on the floor. Wheein felt a sudden warmth inside her chest. She was probably blushing a little but she hoped that the light of the practice room would be able to hide it from the other girl's sight.
"Oh… mmh yeah… what about you mmh-" She stammered.
"You can call me unnie! It's okay.” Byul said, still smiling, “No need for formalities. We are in the same boat, we should try to help each other out. If you want to, I mean.. ?"
Byul's smile was small but kind and comforting. Wheein felt drawn to it, drawn to her, but her traitorous brain still tried to convince her that the other girl couldn't possibly be interested in getting to know her and was just trying to be polite.
Not wanting to leave the other hanging though, she decided to cautiously accept.
"Okay… unnie. You can talk comfortably with me then"
The moment she heard those words, Byul's smile became bigger and brighter. Wheein noticed the little whisker dimples on the other girl's face.
For the second time that day, she felt herself blush, but not out of embarrassment.
When their newly formed group was unfortunately disbanded a week later and things didn't work out with the company, Wheein felt sad not only for the lost career opportunity but also because of the possible friendship she could have developed.
I guess it wasn't meant to be...
~~~
Wheein joined RBW with Hyejin by her side and in that moment she let herself be hopeful for the first time in a while.
She still couldn't believe that the company had picked both of them, together. Debuting with Hyejin felt too good to be true so she didn't let herself be too enthusiastic but she couldn't help feeling happy about it.
They weren't the only trainees, of course, many others joined them. Some left, others stayed.
One of them particularly stood out to both of them for her peculiar personality. Kim Yongsun was indeed an interesting existence in her eyes, but with Hyejin by her side, always burning bright like a flame that couldn't be snuffed, she felt comfortable just keeping to herself.
"Ya wheein-ah! Did you hear that a new trainee joined? I think we are going to meet her today." Hyejin said at practice one morning.
"Oh? I didn't know."
"I wonder if she will join our group or the others." Her friend said, musingly.
Byulyi wasn't a loud presence. She was pretty shy and didn't speak much usually. She entered the practice room silently, looking around from under her bangs and fixing the strap of the bag on her shoulder.
She didn't plan on attracting any attention really, especially on her first day. Her gaze went around the room without really focusing on anyone, until another trainee, busy warming up on the other side of the room with another girl, met her eyes.
Byul knew that the moment the other girl had met her gaze she had immediately recognized her. An involuntary smile appeared on her lips and without realizing it, she felt herself call out to her with a surprising amount of enthusiasm.
"Wheein-ah!"
Wheein looked at her and felt immediately caught off guard by the happiness she felt in seeing her again.
They had not seen each other since their failed group disbanded. They hadn't even spent that much time together, actually getting to know each other without her shyness getting in the way of it. But while she walked to the other girl, Wheein felt a sense of rightness and a sense of comfort take over.
Byul looked a little less chubby than when she first met her. She still had her heavy bangs and the same jacket she always wore but the moment her smile grew bigger, she immediately noticed the lack of braces and felt an equal smile appear on her face.
"Byulyi unnie!"
When Wheein introduced Hyejin to Byulyi, a piece she didn't know was missing finally slotted itself into place.
Maybe it was meant to be after all.
~~~
"Wheein-ah! Wheein-ah! Wheein-ah!"
Byul's insistent voice immediately reached her ears the moment she entered the waiting room.
"Come look at this Wheein-ah!"
"You are so annoying unnie" Her voice betrayed the incredible amount of affection she felt for the other woman.
Byul's grin grew bigger at the fake annoyed answer, whisker dimples in full display, and the moment she got close enough she immediately hugged the smaller girl."Oh my Wheein-ie is so cranky"
"I am not cranky! You are just annoying!!" She tried to hold back a smile but failed spectacularly.
"Oh don't be mean wheein-ah. You love me."
Still holding onto the younger girl, Moonbyul went to jab at her sides, a mischievous smile on her face while Wheein shrieked in laughter at being tickled.
"Yaa! Byul-ah!"
"Respect your elders baby" , the teasing in her tone was still evident and dripping with affection.
"Don't be gross. You are always so greasy, unnie"
"It's in my blood"
When they calmed down a bit after the laughter and playing, they sat on the couch of the waiting room, still cuddling close, two perfect pieces of a puzzle made of four.
Hyejin was resting on the other couch, recharging before the performance. Yongsun was sitting next to her, phone in hand, busy editing something for her YouTube channel.
Wheein snuggled closer to Byul, face in her neck in a way that she knew would make her whine and screech a bit because of how sensitive she was there, a content smile on her face.
Moonbyul was a lot thinner than when they first met over 13 years ago. Her teeth were free of braces even before they met again under RBW. She still had her bangs and the same comforting smile though. And most of all she was still a solid presence. An anchor and a safe harbor. Her playmate and comfort.
Wheein held her close and rested her chin on Byul's shoulder, eyes focused on the phone screen in the other woman's hands, listening to her talk about whatever she wanted to show her.
Once again, she felt at home.