Chapter Text
One week after promotions ended, all members were still busy. Minnie and Miyeon were shooting tv shows they couldn’t talk about, while the both of them kept appearing on other shows. Yuqi was busy with all her survival and variety shows, the members couldn’t even keep up with everything she was appearing in. Between shooting a new show with Minnie, Soojin had some much needed family time she had to focus on, and Soyeon was constantly in her studio, writing songs for their next comeback and for other artists as well.
That left Shuhua alone most days and nights, alone with the dogs.
She did practice almost everyday, and had korean classes a couple of days a week, but she still came home first. The other dorm barely visited anymore, and Soojin slept at her parents’ house most nights. Miyeon came home around midnight, but went to sleep the second she entered the apartment. Then she left the next morning, just when Shuhua had gone to sleep.
That’s why, when Soojin came home one sunday night, Shuhua ran around like her shadow, as if she was one of the puppies.
“JinJin!” she exclaimed happily when she heard the bags being put down in the hallway.
Shuhua rose quickly from her seat on the couch, making the dogs become startled. Without any hesitation, she ran straight into Soojin’s arms who giggled as she did so.
Shuhua buried her head in Soojin’s neck and took in her sweet scent of cherries.
“Hi Shu.” she giggled and pulled her a little closer. ”Did you miss me?”
Shuhua didn’t even have to answer, her smile did the work. It was only when Soojin begged to take her shoes off, that Shuhua let go of her, but not completely. Shuhua’s hand rested on Soojin’s arm, even when the older was unpacking her bags.
Shuhua stared at her with a smile that wouldn’t disappear in a couple of days, and Soojin occasionally looked back at her with the same, heart-warming smile.
She cooked dinner for the two of them, and they ate together on the couch. Shuhua rested her entire body weight at Soojin, who was too immersed in a drama to push her away. At least that’s the reason she wanted the younger to think.
When there were multiple hours left of Shuhua’s day, Soojin started talking about getting ready for bed.
“But it’s only eleven?” Shuhua complained and tried holding onto her arm.
“Yeah, which means I have to wake up in six hours.” Soojin explained and was able to pull her arm away. “I have a schedule tomorrow, if you didn’t know.”
Shuhua had known all of Soojin’s schedules in the past, but she couldn’t say she had them all memorised now. There was just too much going on for all of them, Shuhua barely knew her own.
The younger decided that she hadn’t gotten enough attention yet, so she got ready for bed too and laid down in her ‘honey’’s bed.
Soojin wasn’t surprised when she saw Shuhua buried underneath her covers, and both dogs spread across the duvet.
Without saying anything, she laid down and was instantly wrapped in Shuhua’s protective arm. Mata had been able to snuggle herself between their hips, but they laid as closely as they could. Their breaths danced together melodically, while Shuhua tried to squeeze her even closer.
“You missed me that much?” Soojin said with a giggle.
“Yes.” Shuhua said in a raspy voice, seems like she actually was tired. “I’ve been so lonely, Jin-ah.”
Her voice came out rather desperate, almost sounding like she was holding in a tear or two. Soojin knew that wasn’t the case, because it was Shuhua and Shuhua’s not the type to cry easily. Nonetheless, Soojin’s instinct got to her.
“It’s okay. I’m here now.” she whispered and shifted to let Shuhua be the one protected.
Shuhua was laying on her arm, while their faces looked back at each other. Shuhua wasn’t crying, no, but Soojin could see something in her eyes that wasn’t usual for her younger friend. Maybe it was her instincts again, but suddenly she found her hand wrapped around Shuhua’s cheek. Her thumb brushed against the skin, making a smile appear on Shuhua’s lips.
“I missed you too.” Soojin whispered.
Shuhua’s smile widened, as she buried her face in Soojin’s hold. She let out a sigh, and Mata moved away. Shuhua squeezed closer, until their faces were inches apart. Was that dog-telepathy Soojin just witnessed?
One of the younger girl’s legs made itself comfortable on top of Soojin, as one of her arms spread across the older’s chest. Soojin’s arm was being squeezed under Shuhua’s head, slowly loosing all life it had, but Soojin didn’t really care.
None of them knew when it happened, but they both trailed of into neverland, keeping each other close for the rest of the night. Shuhua wasn’t alone anymore.