Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lim Jugyeong had tried to move on.

It had been six months since she ended things with Han Seojun, telling herself it was for the best. Seojun’s career as a popular idol was soaring, and the spotlight on him had only intensified. She hadn’t wanted to hold him back or feel like she was always playing catch-up. But no matter how much she tried to convince herself that she’d made the right decision, there wasn’t a single day when she didn’t think of him. Her mind constantly wandered back to him, catching her off guard with memories: the way his laugh would light up her world, the comforting warmth of his embrace, the gentle way he’d hold her face when he kissed her as if she was the only one that mattered.

Walking home from work one evening, Jugyeong pulled her coat tighter around herself, hoping the chilly wind would distract her from these thoughts. The streets were bustling, the evening lights glowing warmly against the night sky. She let out a long sigh, missing Seojun more than ever.

And then, as if the universe had heard her thoughts, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, expecting a message from one of her friends. But her heart stopped as she saw the name lighting up her screen: Seojun.

Her breath hitched. She hadn’t spoken to him since they parted ways, and seeing his name now sent a rush of emotions she’d tried so hard to bury. She almost let it ring out, but a stronger part of her pressed “answer” before she could second-guess herself.

“Hello?” she said, barely above a whisper.

There was a pause on the other end, and then his familiar voice, soft yet filled with emotion. “Hey… it’s been a while, Jugyeong.”

Hearing him again, Jugyeong felt her throat tighten. “Yeah… it has. How are you?”

“I’m… managing.” His tone was calm but had an edge of vulnerability. “Actually, I called because… I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

Jugyeong’s heart raced, her pulse thrumming in her ears. She closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. “I’ve been thinking about you too,” she admitted quietly.

She heard him take a shaky breath. “I can’t get you out of my mind, Jugyeong. I’ve tried, believe me, but it’s like everywhere I go, everything I do, it reminds me of you. And it hurts.”

Her fingers tightened around her phone. “Seojun… I thought breaking up was the right thing to do. You have such a bright future ahead, and I didn’t want to hold you back. I didn’t think I could handle all the attention, the constant spotlight on us…”

“Is that what you thought?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion. “Because all I ever wanted was you. Fame, the spotlight… none of it ever mattered without you by my side.”

She could feel tears prickling her eyes as she listened to him. “I missed you every single day,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but all I’ve felt since then is emptiness.”

Seojun’s voice softened, and she could hear the longing in it. “Where are you right now, Jugyeong?”

“I’m… on my way home,” she replied, her voice catching.

“Wait there,” he said, determination in his tone. “Don’t move. I’m coming to you.”

Jugyeong barely had time to process what he’d said before the call ended. She stood there in the middle of the street, her heart pounding, wondering if this was really happening. Minutes felt like hours as she waited, her gaze shifting nervously down the road.

Then, she saw him. Seojun, dressed in a black coat and a scarf wrapped loosely around his neck, walking toward her with a look in his eyes that made her feel like the world had stopped spinning. She took a step toward him, and without a second thought, he closed the distance between them, pulling her into a tight embrace.

“Seojun…” she whispered, burying her face in his shoulder, the familiar scent of him filling her senses.

He held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair. “Jugyeong… I’ve missed you so much.”

She pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes. “I missed you too. I tried to move on, but… no one could ever replace you, Seojun.”

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he looked deeply into her eyes. “Then don’t push me away again,” he murmured. “Stay with me. Let’s face everything together.”

Her eyes welled up with tears as she nodded, and before she could say another word, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that felt like coming home. His lips were soft and familiar, moving against hers with a tenderness that made her heart ache. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, savoring the warmth and comfort of being in his arms again.

They pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting against each other’s, breathing in each other’s presence.

“I was so afraid,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t think I was strong enough.”

Seojun gently lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. “You don’t have to be strong all the time. Let me be strong for you. We’ll face everything together, side by side. Okay?”

She nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. He brushed them away, leaning in to kiss her once more, this time with more passion, as if he were trying to make up for all the lost time. She melted into him, pouring all her unspoken words, her regrets, her longing, into that kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, Seojun held her close, his arms wrapped around her protectively. “From now on, we take things one day at a time. And if it ever feels too much, we’ll talk about it. I’m here for you, Jugyeong. Always.”

Jugyeong smiled up at him, her heart feeling light for the first time in months. “I don’t want to run away anymore, Seojun. I want us to be together, no matter what.”

Seojun grinned, his eyes shining with joy. “Then let’s make it happen, together.”

They stood there under the streetlights, holding each other as if they were the only two people in the world. And for that moment, they truly were.