#loona cheorry

Chuu was definitely used to it.

In an unexpected turn of events, Hyejoo was the one that asked for her help when her very obvious crush on Gowon spiraled out of her hands. Or how about the time she lent a hand and shoulder for her conflicted best friend, Kim Lip, dealing with a confusing infatuation for her other bandmate, Jinsoul.

Or she could tell you about the hundred of times any of her friends have asked for her advice on the subject of crushes, on dating, on love. Everyone expected her to be some kind of expert on the matter. 

Where did that come from anyway? It’s not as if she had the resume for it. 

Chuu convinced herself she was the perfect sidekick, the ultimate wingwoman. And it was something she took pride in, it really didn’t bother her. It was never about her

That was, until one day you came into her life.

Music blasted through the speakers of the venue, and everyone backstage was frantically looking for you. The next number was your turn to go up the stage with your group, in what was your third week of promotions for your comeback.

The music came to an end and you were still nowhere to be found.

LOONA’s comeback showcase had just finished and the girls were leaving the stage with huge smiles on their faces. Excited to be starting a new era, their grins full of pride and rejoice for the new songs and awesome choreography that they just gifted their Orbits. 

The loud noises of the audience in the theater doomed you from the very first moment. Rushing to your place from the dressing room, you came too late to the realization that there was no way of stopping your speeding feet before colliding with the girl in front of you.

“Watch out!” You screamed, but she couldn’t hear through the cheers and her earpiece. 

Her smiling eyes were too fixated on her bandmates, with a grin that could light a whole room adorning her face from ear to ear, she fixed her bangs with her hand, in a sign of relief. But one of the girls talking with her caught a glimpse of you rapidly approaching the group. That’s when something divine saved you from the embarrassment of rolling into the group of girls as a bowling ball. Instead you swung yourself to a clothing rack near them, hoping the impact could lessen your speed and hopefully saving everyone, except you, from getting hurt. 

A loud crash filled the room, making everyone snap their heads to the noise. The clothes worked just fine, and really the only harsh factor ended up being the commotion of the metal and the hanging hooks. You surveilled yourself affirming you lived, with no visible wounds or bruises.

The area was filled with managers and guards, but the first rushing to your side offering their aid, were the girls you almost crashed upon. 

The girls looked perplexed at you, two of them extending their hand to help you back to your feet, which you gratefully took. The thought of your group waiting for you to start the performance, and the disaster you caused for your lateness didn’t give you enough time to be embarrassed in front of them.

Seeing you could still walk with no major problem, you bowed before them in apologies, before rushing up the stage, facing the disapproving looks of your bandmates.

Even with a sore ankle and wrist, your group’s performance went on with no mishaps. But you still couldn’t wait for it to be over, you could get yourself checked and hopefully not miss your last week of promotions. 

The music finally came to a stop, but the instant you turned to face the stage’s exit, all of the other featuring artists of the show were already walking towards you. Your number was the last in the roster, and the MC’s were handling that week’s price before wrapping the week’s show for good. Your leader quickly reached you and took you by the sore wrist, a gesture that made you flinch.

“You think you can endure the encore y/n?” Her caring eyes surveilled you from head to toe.

You nodded. You were thankful to be behind two very tall boy groups, so you wouldn’t have to maintain total composure. Your entire focus was on keeping yourself on your feet, smiling. That, until you felt a tender hand land on your shoulder, your head turned around to face the owner of this hand, only to find the girls you almost smashed against, all looking at you full of worry in their eyes.

“Are you okay? It was a really heavy fall you took down there.” One of the girls, with a mole on her cheek, and the other by her left eye whispered.

“We saw you limp a little in your performance, you want us to help you out?” Another one of them, with black hair and little triangle shaped lips offered.

“No- Thank you. Re… Really. I’m O… okay.” You stuttered. The heat was rising to your cheeks as now you had time to recall absolutely everything that just happened.

The MC’s announced the week’s winner, making pyrotechnics blow and confetti fall all over everyone. Even if startling you at first, it marked the cue to go backstage again. 

Your leader and another of your members, discreetly carried you out of the stage, with the girls of the other group following close.

You wanted to stop and apologize, maybe even ask them their name. But your members kept pushing you towards the dressing room to get you checked in as little time as possible. You turned your head around wishing to catch a glimpse of the beautiful girls that helped you out, remembering their faces in hopes of formally apologizing to them if you ever saw them again. The only thing you captured was one of them, the one girl you were going to crash against, talking to your manager. You squint your eyes in hopes of understanding the conversation between those two, as if that helped in any way. But just one second later, your bandmates pushed you into the dressing room, slamming the door behind.

Thankfully and unfortunately, there was nothing broken or severely damaged. You laid in a hospital bed in total rest and observation, so your ankle and wrist could heal and move perfectly for your last week of promotions. The doctors mandated a two-day rest that thankfully only made you miss out on a music show and some international interviews. On your second day, your manager opened the hospital door carrying a huge bouquet of flowers with a card attached to it. She handed the gift to you, to your dumbfounded expression surveying it, the card read ‘From Loona, to y/n’, so you opened it, curious.

Hope you get well soon! Kim Lip signed. Thanks for not crashing into us! Gowon wrote out. The card was filled with beautiful get-well messages from all 12 girls. Heard your group will be on Idol Room next week! We’ll be there too! Get well soon, we’re looking forward to meeting you in not so unfortunate circumstances! Haseul words made a smile appear wide on your face. A weight was lifted off your shoulders, the girls were incredibly understanding and sweet, and you at least now had the opportunity to formally apologize to them. 

One of the written messages on the card pulled your attention, a phone number, followed by Take care of yourself! Let me know how you’re feeling! Thanks for sparing my life! ;) signed Chuu. 

- ❣ ❣ ❣ ❣ ❣ -

“So that’s the story of how we meet!” Yeojin exclaimed. The MCs chuckled at the eventful story, and probably at the idea of your unusual friendship. 

A year had passed and LOONA and your group found themselves once again promoting together. The public loved your chemistry, even jokingly referring to the combination of you two as a huge united group when together. Some ships already sparkled around between your members and LOONA’s, even special stages on some award shows. A great friendship started in between all of you, all thanks to you almost crashing against them.

The story time got to an end after the introduction and the directors gave you a short ten-minute break from filming while they prepared the next game. Everyone stood from their places to greet each other, and as usual, Chuu slammed her whole self against you, wrapping her arms around your neck. She was one of the greatest hug givers you had ever met in your life, since no one ever made your heart flutter with only an embrace from them, but her.

“Y/n-unnie!” She rejoiced in her familiar, loud voice, refusing to let you go.  “I thought we wouldn’t be able to meet because of promotions! I was super excited when I knew you would be here!”

“She could seriously not shut up about it.” Hyunjin passed beside you, making you break the embrace to face her. She fashioned her characteristic smirk plastered on her face. “Didn’t let us forget we were going to see you today.”

Chuu’s face lit up on fire, red from her chin to her ears. She hid her face behind her hands, giggling like a little girl. You admitted to yourself that the sight of a flustered Chuu before you made you cackle, with a huge grin appearing on your face, and butterflies fluttering in your stomach. It was now your turn to surround her, with your arms around her waist you pulled her closer to yourself. 

“Jiwoo-yah, it’s okay. I was really excited to see you today too!” You exclaimed. Her hands once again surrounded your neck, and refusing to let each other go, you swung side-to-side on your place for a minute or so.

“By the way, I’m free after this schedule,” Chuu took a step back, anchoring her eyes on yours. “I was wondering if you would like to come buy a coffee with me? I would love to talk with you, and our manager can drop us close to…”

“I’d love it! I’m free after this schedule too.” You interrupted, knowing a nervous Chuu could keep talking forever. “What do you want to talk about?”

“I-” She stuttered. 

“Y/n-yah!” Yves's voice cut your conversation, approaching rapidly. Her eyes pierced through Jiwoo as her arm rested on your shoulder. “Can I get a second with her to at least say hello? Thank you.”

I nodded to the girl in front of me, in a silent agreement, to go and greet the rest of our groups before the break finished. As your group was smaller than hers, Chuu finished greeting your bandmates and didn’t hesitate to run back again to your side, interlocking her arm with yours as you laughed about past encounters with the rest of the LOONA girls. The director called everyone back to their places to start filming again, so you sat down in your place, between your leader and your maknae. Action, the director called again and the MCs got in character, already hyping up the cameras. 

“... We know you love them together, but we’re going to test their real closeness in a game we call ‘Compliment Battle’!” You all reacted to the first MC, as the second explained the game.

“From these boxes filled with each of your names we’ll draw one from each group. The chosen ones will stand here in the middle and will take turns complimenting each other. The first one too flustered to continue will lose and give a point to the other group!”

“Let’s choose out our first participants!” The MCs both reached into a box each, and the first one raised a little piece of paper in his hand, he signaled your side of the room as he excitedly read. “Our first participant, from this side of the room, is…”

“Y/n!” Your entire group gasped as you removed the blanquet off your legs, confidently walking towards the center. “You look a little too confident!” 

“She could be our star player!” One of your members remarked, you knew her so well, that only the members could get the little hint of sarcasm below her tone. “I think she really needs to like someone to get flustered by them.”

You nodded, secure of your own abilities. You idol persona was characterized by being a bit tsundere, you knew how to take compliments well. But in reality, all of your group knew you were a really big softie on the inside. Now all that was left was praying that the LOONA member chosen was not the one you knew was capable of breaking that wall of yours…

“And going against Y/n is…” You halted your breath, hoping for Jinsoul, Hyunjin, Haseul, or Lip, which you knew were either too bad at taking compliments, or too awkward to make you blush. The second MC turned the piece of paper around, calling the name. “Choerry! Step forward, please!”

You had a soft spot for the girl, but at least she was not Chuu. With her only presence you were already nervous, so a game against Chuu was a guaranteed loss. The MC positioned you two face to face, barely 15 inches apart, and covered your face from each other with a cue card. 

"You can touch each other, and do everything to make the other flustered enough to win. Try not to break eye contact! We'll let Y/n start this game." The MC explained. "Okay, 1, 2, 3. START!" 

The card was lifted and you were met with a hesitant Yerim, already shaking of nerves. Your hands instinctively went to the pockets of your leather jacket, and as you cleared your throat, your characteristic smirk was drawn across your face. 

"It's too bad you don't see what I see…" You started, the tension in the entire room crushing your shoulders and the expression in Yerim's face urging you to continue "... If you did you'd smile and never stop looking". 

The collective Oohs and Ahhs from the girls surrounding you filled the air. A light tint of red appeared on Yerim's face, but she licked her lips in preparation to return the compliment.

"You could never be Ice Cream!" She started. "Cause you're too hot!" 

The commotion in the room exploded as Choerry managed to stay with a poker face, and you felt blush appearing in your cheeks, a clear crack in your tsundere mask. You knew your members were already pointing at you, surprised. 

"Well, you are so hot, I think you might be the primary reason for global warming!" You let your hand tenderly place one loose hair behind her ear. Her face lowered in embarrassment, but you raised her chin back to meet her eyes once again. 

The rest of the LOONA girls were covering her eyes, with Haseul and Yves ready to jump for her little sister in case any one of you crossed a line. 

But Choerry refused to give up. 

"I thought I didn't have a favorite color, until I saw your eyes" Her hands grabbed the hem of your open jacket and adjusted it, taking half a step forward. 

A move you definitely didn't see coming, especially from one of the most cheerful, and young of the group. Nothing came to your mind that could be said on live television, or made you cross a line you didn't feel comfortable crossing. 

"Well I-" You stuttered, your body couldn't hold it in. You exploded in laughter, bringing your hands up to your face. "Choerry-Yah!" 

The room erupted in cheers, your group amazed at someone that made your facade fall down, and LOONA because of the point won. 

Yerim hugged you tight, apologizing only for you in between your shared laughter. 

"Really? Was Y/n your star player?" The MC referred to your group. 

"So we thought!" Your leader explained. "They literally never break!" 

"Uhh! It seems Y/n has something for Choerry!" 

The room howled in excitement, and the red in your cheeks refused to dissipate, on the contrary, you only felt your face burn even hotter of embarrassment. 

"We were about to step in, we weren't sure you could continue being television friendly!" The other MC joked. “That was more a ‘Pick-Up Line Battle’ than ‘Compliment Battle’!”

You both returned to your places among your groups, still laughing about the events. After sitting in your stool, your eyes searched on the other side of the room for Chuu, just to share your usual glance of unspoken good times. 

Instead, you found her serious, with only a faint smile resting on her face. A truly bewildering sight to behold, since Jiwoo was always the one with the biggest smile, reacting, shouting and participating in stuff. 

The shooting continued, but in every game, the MCs kept pushing you and Choerry together, since they seemed to like the pair the two of you made. It was sure to rattle the audiences, who were always thirsty for that kind interaction. 

As the second break arrived, you searched everywhere for Chuu, who was nowhere to be found. The girls told you she went backstage to fix her makeup or something like that. Heejin, Vivi and Yeojin surrounded you to talk and before you could even say something, the break finished. You went back to your seat, and Chuu was already on hers. She was smiling again, talking with her bandmates, but you knew her enough to know that that wasn't her most genuine smile. And it stayed that way for the rest of the schedule, and you couldn’t stop wondering, what bothered your best friend so much?

- ❣ ❣ ❣ ❣ ❣ -

At the end of the shoot, everyone said their goodbyes for the MCs and the crew working, thanking them for their hard work. You rushed into the dressing room to fit yourself into more comfortable clothes and then raced to LOONA’s green room entrance, waiting for Chuu. You were kind of ready to face a not so bright Jiwoo, already thinking of a lot of ways to cheer her up.

“I’m ready!” She jumped out, with her hands extended to the air. Your head tilted in confusion, receiving an entire different Jiwoo from the one you thought was going to appear through that door. A warm shiver traveled through your body at the sight before your eyes, you were positive there wasn’t anyone as pretty as her. “Shall we go?”

She broke your thought train, you shook your head to put your feet back on the floor, and quickly offered your arm for her to take. You said your farewells to each other’s groups, and a manager escorted you both out of the building, where various fansites for all the girls waited. You both took advantage of the situation and posed for some very silly photos. Your fans already knew you two were very close friends, and they would surely enjoy this sight. 

Then, you both entered the back seat of a company car, as your manager closed the door behind you and entered the front seat, asking where you guys wanted to go.

Jiwoo searched for something on her phone and then handed it to her manager, and in less time that you knew, the car was already moving towards a trendy new cafe, in a perfect middle point from both your dorms. You looked back and realized you were already far enough for the cameras to get a glimpse of you, so you relaxed in your seat. Jiwoo followed soon, resting her head on your shoulder.

“Hey Jiwoo…” You heard a hum exit her mouth as you tried to break through the awkward silence in the car. “Are you okay?”

She raised her head to face you, perplexed.

“I mean,” You continued. “You seemed kind of upset for half of the filming, I just wanted to know if you were okay.”

“Oh,” Her eyes averted yours, as they searched somewhere to rest. “Just… some weird, not-so-pleasant thoughts that invaded my mind. But I’m used to it, nothing to worry about.”

You nodded, still worried about her, but she saw right through you and jumped in her place.

“Y/n-unnie! Tonight we should just relax, and enjoy each other, promise?” She raised her pinky up to your face, and you met it with yours, a growing smile plastered on your face. You couldn’t help it. Jiwoo once again rested her head on your shoulder, now snuggling closer to you. 

You two spend the rest of the way in silence, with the sound of just your synchronized breathing and the warm feeling of being safe and free with each other. Maybe the road ended too quickly or you were enjoying the calm of the moment a bit too much, but the car pulled over and the manager told you the cafe was just a block into the alley.

He also mentioned he would be around the block in case any of you needed something and he opened the door, letting you get out before leaving you behind. You appreciated the trust of the manager of actually letting you two have some privacy after all. They know how stressful promotion weeks can get, after all, it must be hard for them too.

The windows from the store in front the alley were glowing with beautiful clothes, but especially one that captured Jiwoo’s attention at first sight. She raced towards it, slamming her hands against the display window. Dyed in white and mint colors, with a circle shaped skirt, perfect for twirling and dancing. The top resembled a sleeveless button-up shirt, with an included teal ribbon to fasten around the neck.

“You know, I would die to see you in that dress someday.” You couldn’t contain yourself at the created image of that, your heart fluttering with only the images created by your imagination.

“I’m coming back for you someday!” She commanded the dress. “Maybe you don’t understand what I’m saying, but the universe already knows you’re mine!”

You couldn’t help but grin at the quirkness of your best friend, your hand searched for hers as you intertwined your fingers, heading into the ally to reach the cafe. 

You passed by more apparel stores, a flower shop that prompted a conversation about flower’s meanings, and finally even an arcade you promised to visit next time, before stopping in front of a rustic looking building, emanating nature vibes all over its front. Only one couple and a lonely person could be seen through its windows, understandable, as it was a Thursday afternoon, and the typical world was working. 

“It looks so pretty!” Jiwoo leaped in excitement, shaking your hand and hurrying you up inside. “Let’s go!”

You had absolutely no say, but still never complained. Everywhere, anywhere was a great adventure by her side, you just had to let yourself go to have a great time together.

You opened the door and let her inside first, following her steps closely. Filled with a warm light, as if a fireplace illuminated the whole place, adding the calm acoustic guitar in the background transported you to a campfire in the middle of the forest surrounded with friends. A cinnamon-like essence filled the air. It was a great place to chill for a while and forget everything happening on the outside, but the only thing that made it perfect was the girl beside you.

You both shared a huge grin as you approached the counter for your orders. You decided to give coffee a break and order something different and new this time, to make the memory last even longer. Jiwoo ordered a hot cocoa with cinnamon-vanilla marshmallows on top, and for you, a hot tea with a blueberry and raspberry infusion.

After the barista called your made up names (An inside joke between you two), you decided to check out the floor above you. While the floor below had some tables and high stools around, the second floor was filled with a few comfortable white lounges and a fireplace setting up a warm and home-y atmosphere in the room. With just a shared glance you agreed on staying up there. You chose one away from the windows, close to the fireplace for the cold night was setting as the sun was already hiding behind on the horizon.

“Y/n-” She sat by your side on the couch. “Have you ever wondered what could have happened if you crashed against me that night a year ago?”

“All the time!” You chuckled back. “You and your members would hate me so much, and I wouldn’t be able to look at you in the face, probably for the rest of my life.”

“Yah! Don’t say that. We wouldn’t hate you!” She giggled back before stopping abruptly. “Well, maybe just Sooyoung, and Hyejoo, and maybe Jungeun, and… Well, I wouldn’t hate you!”

“Really? You do know you were going to get the entire impact first right?”

“So what? I know Taekwondo, I know how to take a blow.” She smirked back at you, raising her cup up to her lips. Her eyes widened as the hot liquid made contact with her lips, followed by a satisfied sigh. “This is so good! You have to try it!”

She turned her body to face you, handling her cup to you. Your eyes anchored on hers, and you couldn’t deny her pleads when you saw how bright they were shining. As the liquid visited your mouth, an unconscious gasp invaded your body. It was indeed incredibly tasty. 

“You have some-” Jiwoo pointed at her lips, before inadvertently grabbing a napkin herself and helping you clean your foam mustache. Maybe it was your imagination, or your desires blinding you to reality, but you were sure she stared a little too long at your lips, before yanking her eyes up to meet yours. A light tint of red peeped on her cheeks as her mouth grasped enough courage to get words out.

“I- I need to tell you something…” She whispered, a light shiver escaping her lips.

“I need to tell you something too.” You answered, equally nervous.

“Really?” Her voice went up, she sipped her drink again as if anxious, “You go first.” 

“Are you sure?” You trembled. 

“Be my guest!” She nodded as she rested her chin on her hands, her eyes refusing to get away from you and her undying smile that just showed how unconditional her friendship was. It all lifted a weight off your shoulders, because you didn’t want to lose her. 

“Okay… I-” But you weren’t brave enough. You couldn’t bring yourself to say her name, and between stutters, you spluttered the first words that came to your mind, and even if they were not false, they did not convey the entire truth either. “I really like, like... someone.”

You resisted facepalming yourself right then and there. Jiwoo’s gummy smile faded, now replaced with a comprehensive, dare you could even say nostalgic smirk. Her glossy eyes looked directly at yours, and before you could say anything, she laid her hand on top of yours, rubbing her thumb against it.

“Don’t worry, you’ve come with the right person.” Some of the words sounded choked, struggling to get past her throat. “I’m gonna help you get her.”

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