It's funny how people associate her with being cold when feeling cold is the last thing she wants to feel. People have always thought of Irene as someone cold.

They tell her it's her face.

Truth is that she's shy, most of the time. Her facial expressions aren't always the best when she feels shy. Irene tries her best anyway.

Maybe that's just how it is. Irene tries hard and works hard and she only keeps getting better but people will still think she's cold. Unapproachable.

For sometime, it was also for the best.

It's hard to tear you down when everyone thinks you're a goddess.

The problem is that the very moment an unreachable person shows weakness, shows their vulnerable humanity, it becomes a free for all buffet for the hungry internet zombies just waiting to tear them down.

One mistake and she's no longer the revered goddess, a ridiculous title she didn't even want for herself.

Joohyun can feel the cold caress goosebumps on well covered skin and seep deep onto tired bones.

She had spent years trying to prove to herself and to everyone else that she's more than just a pretty face. She also knows that she didn't have to, she should know she's good enough.

The problem is that what you know doesn't always stick when you're surrounded by people who remind you what they think you are.

"It's hard to see yourself shine when you're surrounded by so much brightness, unnie," Wendy had told her before. "It doesn't make you lackluster. It just means you are where you're meant to be."

Irene called her a hypocrite back then. She then repeated the same words back to Wendy with a small quirk on her lips. They shared a laugh.

Wendy usually knew what to say, especially when it comes to Irene. To Joohyun. As she's said before, they're more similar than anyone thinks but they're also different where it matters.

Irene finds it hard to handle the cold and Wendy is always so good at making it go away.

So here she is, making the small familiar trip along memorized corridors to Wendy's room.

It's well past midnight. Irene quietly settles herself next to to sleeping girl, careful not to jostle the bed too much.

Then again, Wendy had always been a light sleeper.

"Unnie?" she calls out softly, groggily. Wendy turns to look at her and gives a sleepy smile.

"Hi."

That's all she had to say and Wendy's opening her arms, offering to give what she needs without her having to say it. Irene doesn't think twice to sink into the embrace, head comfortably nestled on calmly beating chest as she lets the cold slowly drain away.

"I just want to sleep," she says, knows that if she wanted to, Wendy would stay awake to talk.

"Okay," the younger girl says, understands.

It doesn't take long. Irene falls asleep to two hearts beating the same rhythm, restful and warm.