Sohyeon had always been protective and loving of you. Ever since you were little, she naturally took on the role of the older sister who watched over everything you did. If you fell, she was the first one there to help you up. If you were scared at night, you would quietly shuffle into her room, clutching your blanket and asking if you could sleep beside her. She never refused. In fact, she liked being someone you depended on. As the years passed, you both grew older, but some habits refused to disappear.

One of those habits was the way you slept. Whenever the two of you ended up sharing a bed—whether it was after a long night of talking, watching shows together, or simply dozing off while hanging out—you would unconsciously drift closer to her. Sometimes your arm would wrap loosely around her waist, or you would tuck yourself against her back as if it were the most natural place in the world.

Sohyeon noticed it every time.

At first, she thought it was a little funny. You were getting taller every year, your shoulders broader, your presence less like a little kid and more like someone steadily growing into adulthood. Yet when you slept, that old instinct returned. You would cling to her the same way you used to when you were small.

But lately, the feeling had started to change. She couldn’t quite explain why. Maybe it was simply the realization that you weren’t a child anymore. When your arm rested around her now, it felt heavier than before. When you leaned close in your sleep, she could feel the warmth of your breathing against her neck. And... she noticed something poking behind her at night. And while you slept peacefully without a care in the world, Sohyeon sometimes found herself lying awake longer than she meant to.

More than once, she quietly turned her head just enough to glance behind her. Every single time, you were fast asleep. Your face looked calm and relaxed, completely unaware of anything happening around you. There was no teasing smile, no sign that you were doing any of it intentionally.

Tonight was no different. The room was dark except for the faint glow of streetlights slipping through the curtains. Outside, the world was quiet. Behind her, you were holding onto her again, your arm loosely wrapped around her as if it belonged there. Sohyeon slowly opened her eyes, already knowing she wasn’t going to fall asleep right away. Carefully, she turned her head just enough to look at you.

Of course, you were completely asleep. Your breathing was slow and steady, your face peaceful in a way that made it obvious you had no idea what you were doing. She stared at you for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

“You really don’t notice anything, do you…” she murmured under her breath.