Work Text:
Dorm A was livelier than usual that afternoon.
Ian was already sprawled comfortably across the floor, her back resting against the sofa while her hand shamelessly picked through Stella's snacks.
The other members had gathered nearby. Snack wrappers and cans of non-alcoholic soda littered the floor, turning what was once a tidy living room into a mess.
Watching from the kitchen, Carmen could only sigh.
After wrapping up filming for Hearts Chase, every member had somehow ended up here without any prior agreement, secret group chats, or permission from the dorm's actual residents. It had become an unspoken tradition whenever they finished a schedule early enough to head home and relax.
Though in Hearts2Hearts' case, relaxing while they still had energy simply wasn't a thing.
"I asked PD-nim to send me the footage of Yuna Unnie running into the glass!"
"No way, seriously?"
"Wait, let me see!"
Everyone immediately crowded around Ian, leaving A-na munching on potato chips with visible annoyance.
"Why are you all so interested in the highlight of my worst day?"
Her protest was completely ignored.
Juun was already doubled over with laughter, clutching Ye-on's shoulder for support. Beside her, Ye-on was struggling not to laugh despite still looking genuinely concerned.
Yuha covered her mouth in disbelief. She was only now witnessing the entire incident through Ian's phone screen. Back at the filming site, she'd been too busy running for her life and had completely missed the now-legendary event amidst the chaos of fleeing from zombies.
"It really was scary, wasn't it?"
Carmen, who had been listening to her members rehash the day's filming, turned toward the familiar voice.
Choi Jiwoo, the group's leader, walked into the kitchen with damp hair and a freshly washed face. The familiar scent of soap and shampoo followed her, somehow easing the exhaustion that had been weighing on Carmen all day.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Carmen hurriedly stirred the two cups of ramen she'd promised Jiwoo earlier.
"This one's yours."
She handed one cup over while keeping the other for herself.
"Thanks, Sayang."
Carmen immediately elbowed her while the culprit merely chuckled.
Ever since they'd become roommates, Jiwoo had grown bolder, often calling her that whenever they were alone.
Even so, Carmen still wasn't used to it.
"Shh! What if the others hear it?"
"They won't." Jiwoo nodded toward the living room. "They're still busy bullying Yuna."
Instead, she set down her ramen and wrapped her arms around Carmen from behind.
"Jiwoo."
"What? I'm just hugging you."
"You can do it later in our room." Carmen wiggled in an attempt to escape. "I haven't showered yet."
"You still smell nice even when you haven't showered."
"That's just your excuse, Choi Jiwoo."
With obvious reluctance, Jiwoo loosened her hold. One hand lingered deliberately on Carmen's waist while the other reached for her ramen.
"You know you sound twice as scary when you call me by my full name?"
"I know."
Carmen answered without missing a beat as she headed for the living room, forcing Jiwoo's hand to slip away.
Stella's jaw dropped.
"Unnie! You made ramen and didn't invite me?"
"I offered earlier. You said no."
"Huh? When?"
Juun, who had been busy watching raw filming footage on Ian's phone, looked up to defend her oldest member from an impending sulk.
"Carmen Unnie asked if anyone wanted ramen. Jiwoo Unnie was the only one who raised her hand."
Carmen nodded as she sat down beside Stella, who was already pouting.
"We can share if you want."
Thankfully, the issue was quickly resolved.
Not long after, the conversation returned to discussing the day's filming once Jiwoo joined them.
The leader chose a spot beside A-na, though her eyes repeatedly drifted toward the empty space next to Carmen.
Much to her disappointment, their relationship was still a secret, even from the members.
"I think I need to get my cheekbone checked." That was A-na speaking.
"Wait, do cheeks even have bones?" And that was obviously Ian.
The conversation drifted from laughing about A-na's bad luck to Jiwoo's bizarre obsession with sofas, then to how surprisingly convincing Ye-on, Ian, and Stella had been as zombies. The room erupted into laughter once again when everyone remembered that Yuha had secretly been given an important role without any of them knowing.
Eventually, the discussion landed on Carmen, who had claimed that she would rather die than live in a zombie apocalypse.
Which, apparently, had been one hundred percent accurate.
"Honestly, I didn't expect Unnie to be that scared." Ye-on's comment earned nods from almost everyone.
Carmen only grinned.
She wanted to deny it. She wanted to maintain the cool older-sister image she'd built in front of the younger members. But at this rate, any excuse would sound fake and false.
Everyone knew it. Including herself.
She was genuinely terrified.
"I'm serious. I officially hate zombies now."
"Unnie can't even watch zombie movies without having nightmares. You must've been traumatized when the alarm went off." Stella, being Carmen's former roommate, immediately wrapped her arms around her older sister without hesitation.
"You kept sticking yourself to the walls. I actually felt bad." Ian added her comment while trying— and failing, not to laugh.
"She's more scared of PD-nim's hired zombies than ghosts." Hearing that, Carmen immediately shot Jiwoo a glare.
"At least I don't cling to people and hold their hand for dear life in a haunted house like a certain someone."
The room exploded.
"WOAH! WOAH!"
Especially Ian, who dramatically threw both hands into the air.
Yuha and Ye-on exchanged confused glances since they hadn't participated in the Escape Room mission. Though they had a vague idea of what the rest of the members had gone through.
Jiwoo awkwardly scratched the back of her neck, clearly remembering that particular Hearts Chase episode that had almost ended their friendship.
It seems that her attempt to tease her girlfriend had backfired spectacularly.
By evening, Dorm A had finally become somewhat quieter.
Somewhat. Because A-na's complaints still echoed through the apartment every few minutes.
"Next time we're not stocking this place with snacks! I'm so annoyed!"
Stella, equally displeased, chimed in. "This is your fault too, Unnie! Nayeon offered to help us, and you refused."
Carmen stood there holding a broom, her glasses perched on top of her nose.
"They're guests. It feels wrong to make them clean."
"But it's their trash too!"
"Then next time we'll invade their dorm instead," Jiwoo finally intervened.
She was dressed neatly now— cargo pants, a black leather jacket, matching mask and cap.
"You're only saying that because you don't have to clean!" A-na protests again.
Jiwoo stuck out her tongue before grabbing Carmen's hand and dragging her toward the front door before the younger members could continue complaining.
"Stop teasing them."
Carmen scolded her once they’re far from the living room
"Sorry, sorry."
Jiwoo grinned as she hooked her mask over one ear.
She had an individual schedule that evening, which was why she'd cleaned up earlier and escaped the rest of the mess.
"What time do you think you'll get back? Want me to make you something later?"
"No need, Reumen. I'll try to come home early."
"You have to. I don't think I can sleep alone tonight."
Jiwoo couldn't help but smile.
It was rare to see this side of Carmen. She's not really the clingy type. It's almost amusing.
"Why? Afraid zombies will sneak into our room?"
"Choi Jiwoo."
One look and the name was enough to shut the leader up.
"My girlfriend is scary today."
Carmen rolled her eyes. "Go already. Manager-nim is probably waiting."
"Huh? But I dragged you here because there's something only you can give me, Reumen."
One of Carmen's eyebrows rose slightly, already sensing where this is going.
"What now?"
Jiwoo pointed innocently at her lips.
"A kiss?"
Carmen wanted to act surprised, but they really hadn't had a moment alone all day.
So she understand.
"There. Happy?"
Their lips met briefly.
Not enough to satisfy Jiwoo, but enough to make her beam.
"If you stop by the store, can you buy some ingredients?" Carmen asked, adjusting her glasses as though doing so could somehow hide the blush creeping onto her face. "We're running low right now. I'll send the list on Kakao if you don't mind."
The taller girl was still smiling like an idiot.
"Reumen."
"What?"
"Reumen."
Carmen sighed. She had to physically stop herself from hitting Jiwoo with the broom.
"What do you want now?"
The smile on Jiwoo's face looked a little too innocent.
"I heard kisses longer than five minutes can significantly improve work performance."
Disgusted, Carmen grabbed Jiwoo by the shoulder, opened the door, and practically shoved the short-haired girl outside.
"Come back before I fall asleep, Leader-nim. Then we'll see."
She slammed the door shut before Jiwoo could respond.
"That girl is unbelievable," Carmen muttered to herself, unable to stop the blush spreading from her cheeks down to her neck.
"UNNIE!"
"STOP FLIRTING AND HELP US!"
Hearing Stella and A-na's screams, Carmen hurried back into the living room, unable to contain her laughter.
"I'm sorry, ping," She said. "Had to remind Jiwoo about the groceries."
"Sure. You're just making Dahyun Unnie and me do all the work."
"Exactly!" Stella pointed accusingly. "I'm not sleeping with you tonight. Stay lonely until Choi Jiwoo comes back."
Carmen laughed again.
"Consider this a valuable lesson in cleanliness and organization. You two clearly need it."
"Tell that to Ian!"
"And Yu Haram, too! She still leaves her water bottles everywhere!"
"Don't blame Haram Unnie for this."
"Roh Yuna, this is not the time for you to simp over her!"
Carmen could only shake her head in disbelief.
"Alright, alright. Nothing's getting done if we keep complaining."
If Carmen had known what was coming, she would've treated Stella much better.
Because the world's biggest sulker never actually had the heart to leave Carmen sleeping alone. Whenever Jiwoo wasn't around, Stella would inevitably invade their room.
Because apparently—
Good grief.
Carmen genuinely couldn't sleep.
Well, technically she could. For about ten minutes. Before her dreams dragged her into a half-destroyed city filled with crumbling buildings, creeping moss, and members who had all become zombies.
Carmen bolted upright in Jiwoo's bed— she slept better surrounded by that girl's familiar scent.
But apparently, scent alone wasn't enough.
Squinting through her blurry vision, she looked toward the digital clock.
9 PM.
Far too early for Jiwoo to be home.
Carmen sat up and wiped the sweat from her face.
The room was cold. Yet she'd awakened as though she'd just run a marathon.
The dream had felt too real.
The zombies. Choi Jiwoo holding her. Faces of her members she could barely recognize—
Carmen snatched her phone from the pillow.
Their private chat appeared. The last message was Jiwoo promising to buy everything on the grocery list, followed by a heart emoji and a teasing; Don't miss me too much.
Carmen bit her finger and began typing.
Where are you?
Will you be long?
Two minutes passed without a reply.
She typed again.
Hey.
Choi Jiwoo.
Answer me.
Restless, she climbed out of bed, pushed the window open and scanned the parking lot below with anxious eyes.
No manager's car.
Jiwoo wasn't home yet.
She closed the window and leaned against it. Then she laughed.
"This is ridiculous," Carmen muttered to herself. "Why am I panicking? It was just a dream."
She stood there for nearly a minute, only moving when her phone lit up.
What's wrong, love?
I'm still on the road.
Heading to the convenience store now.
Come home.
Jiwoo, just come home.
But, what about the groceries?
Forget it.
Just come home.
I want you to come home.
Carmen felt like she sounded desperate. She reread her messages, her fingers hovering, ready to delete the embarrassing request, But Jiwoo's reply come cut in first.
I'm coming home.
Wait for me.
I'll be there soon.
Twenty minutes later, Carmen sat silently in the room. Even endless TikTok scrolling and adorable fan edits couldn't distract her.
Normally, she'd laugh.
Normally, she'd secretly leave comments using a secret account.
Tonight, she couldn't.
Even if she was already wrapped in Jiwoo’s blanket, hugging Jiwoo’s pillow, and lying on Jiwoo’s bed.
The unease still remained.
Every time she drifted off, she saw blood-covered faces. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard Jiwoo's trembling voice.
She remembered losing control. Her arms moving on their own.
Biting.
Scratching.
Devouring—
While Jiwoo simply held her. Stroked her hair. Loved her anyway.
Carmen didn't realize she was crying until warm arms suddenly wrapped around her.
A frantic voice.
A door opening.
And the very real presence of Choi Jiwoo.
"Baby? Hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Carmen didn't know. She only buried her face deeper into Jiwoo's neck, where the familiar scent once again became a comfort that eased her restlessness.
"I'm scared." Her voice cracked. "I'm scared that if I close my eyes, it'll happen again."
The owner of the Choi surname was utterly confused.
Jiwoo had been practically urging Manager-nim to drive faster, thinking her girlfriend was mad at her.
But when she arrived and opened the bedroom door, she was instead met with Carmen’s trembling back beneath the blanket, crying.
"I dreamed you all turned into zombies," the Balinese girl said, her voice still broken and hiccuping between sobs.
Ah.
That explained everything.
Jiwoo smiled softly and continued rubbing circles across Carmen's back.
"I'm annoyed that it's affecting me this much even though I know it's just a dream."
Jiwoo understand.
She knew exactly why.
Carmen was always the strong one. The one who hid her feelings. The one who carried everything alone.
Something as silly as a dream shouldn't have been enough to make her cry.
This was Carmen. Strong, dependable Carmenita. The same Carmen who would mercilessly tease a crying A-na after a concert along with the rest of the members, but then secretly cry on her own once nobody was looking.
Sometimes Jiwoo felt Carmen was far more mature than she was.
So she understand why her girlfriend felt frustrated for crying over a mere dream—something that wasn’t real and wouldn’t happen in real life. At least, not anytime soon.
As for the zombies—
Jiwoo was definitely going to have a conversation with PD-nim.
Seeing how scared Carmen had been, even to the point of it invading her dreams, Jiwoo didn’t want the staff coming up with surprise content that could mess with the members’ mental state ever again.
She hated it when things went like this.
But putting her anger toward the production team aside, Jiwoo had her priorities.
"It must've felt very real, hm? It's okay."
Carmen pouted. "Don't make fun of me."
"I'm not."
Jiwoo wasn’t the type to comfort others with words, but she could do this.
Stay.
She adjusted their awkward position. Now she was sitting against the headboard while Carmen curled up in her lap, both legs wrapped around Jiwoo’s waist.
"It looked exactly like this."
Jiwoo glanced down.
"Hm?"
"The position." Carmen lifted her head. "In my dream."
They met each other's gaze. One soft with affection, the other overflowing with gratitude.
"In the dream, we were all police officers. A zombie virus spread across Seoul. One by one the members got infected, and every time someone turned, it became our job to put them down before they could bite anyone else."
She swallowed. As if recalling it alone was enough to feel fear. Jiwoo held her tighter.
"I remember you shooting them without hesitation. I got angry. We fought. Even though in the dream, we were engaged."
Jiwoo couldn't help but smile hearing the word engaged.
"So even in a zombie apocalypse, we're still in love?"
"Listen first."
"Yes, ma'am."
Carmen traced absent-minded patterns across Jiwoo's shirt.
"In my dream, you were mean. I think we're in an arranged relationship or something, we never hugged or complimented each other. You were cold. Distant. So when I got infected, I didn't tell you. Not until the symptoms became obvious."
Her voice softened.
"You were furious. Throwing things. Making a mess. But you didn't do what you did to everyone else. You had a gun. You knew exactly what your job was. But guess what you did instead?"
Jiwoo blinked.
"What?"
A small smile appeared on Carmen's lips.
"You got us a rope. You tied both of us up inside a storage room, locked the door, then you just… held me. Even though my eyes had already turned gray."
Jiwoo brushed away the remaining tears on Carmen’s cheeks.
"Good," she said. "That way, we wouldn't hurt anyone. And you wouldn't become a zombie alone."
Carmen smacked her chest lightly.
"You said exactly that in the dream."
"Then every version of Jiwoo must think the same." She kissed Carmen’s forehead affectionately. "We all love Carmenita."
Flustered by the confession, Carmen finally sat up straighter.
"Do you know the best cure for nightmares?" she asked, her mood brightening again.
Jiwoo immediately grinned, already knowing the answer in her head.
"Kisses longer than five minutes?"
Carmen let out a soft laugh, but she didn’t pull away when Jiwoo leaned in and pressed her lips against Carmen’s— still slightly salty from her tears.
Their kiss this time felt like a soothing touch. Gentle, careful, with the lingering sweetness of Jiwoo’s lip balm that she hadn’t wiped off yet, every bit as addictive as ever.
Every time Carmen pulled away to catch her breath, Choi Jiwoo would find her lips again.
Stealing another kiss.
And another.
Each one deeper than the last, lingering longer, playfully nibbling until the girl in her lap let out a soft whimper.
Like a rhythm they knew too well, Carmen’s hands wrapped around Jiwoo’s neck, playing with the strands of red hair at the nape of the leader’s neck. Meanwhile, Jiwoo’s hands had their own agenda— one gently cupping Carmen’s cheek, the other resting around her waist, pulling her closer as if there was still distance between them.
"Jiwoo..."
"Hm?"
Carmen pushed her girlfriend’s shoulder gently, breathless, her caramel-brown eyes softening into a daze.
"Do you want to kill me?"
Jiwoo only looked at her with complete adoration. Their cheeks were equally flushed. Their lips equally swollen.
"Reumen."
"What?"
"Did you know doing more than kissing can affect sleep quality?"
"OW! OW, Babe! I'm just kidding!"
Carmen immediately attacked her with a pillow.
"You're a pervert!"
Thump!
"You think that's funny?"
Thump!
"Where did you learn that from!?"
Thump!
"What happened to my rational Choi Jiwoo?!"
Jiwoo laughed helplessly, using her arms as a shield.
"Reumen. Reumen, I'm sorry."
As a final defense, she wrapped Carmen in another hug.
"It's Yuna's fault. She taught me a bunch of pickup lines."
Carmen’s face turned even more horrified than when she had encountered fake zombies.
"That kid? I need to warn Yu Haram."
Jiwoo let out a soft chuckle and playfully kissed her nose.
Their night ended with stories about zombie dreams, Jiwoo being far too happy about finally getting a kiss that lasted more than five minutes, and Carmen falling asleep with a face as red as a tomato.
But within Choi Jiwoo’s embrace, with sweet whispers and gentle fingers combing through her hair? Carmen wouldn’t complain. She could sleep like this every day. With or without zombie shenanigans.