#saebyeok x fem!reader

[kiemiu]

' 𝓒𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝓨𝐨𝐮 ,

pairing kang sae-byeok x fem!reader | wc: 4.2k

synopsis your girlfriend comes home from work feeling a bit more clingier than usual, resulting in clips of her going viral for being handsy on stream.

genre pure fluff | requested by anon. | masterlist

Kang Sae-byeok had a way of entering a room like a quiet storm, carrying an energy that was both calming and commanding. You didn't need to look up to know it was her. The familiar chime of your home security as the front door opened, the muffled shuffle of her sneakers against the hardwood floor, and the almost imperceptible sigh she let out as if shedding the brunt of her day off once she stepped into the apartment were enough to signal her return. It was late—her long shifts often stretched into the night—but even exhaustion couldn't dull the magnetic presence she brought with her.

You were mid-stream, headphones snug over your ears as the glow of your screen illuminated the darkened room. The chat was buzzing with activity, viewers throwing suggestions and jokes your way as you tried your hardest to focus on the decision-based games storyline.

Then from the corner of your eye, you caught a glimpse of her feet padding towards your streaming room until the door slowly creaked open. her head slowly peeking in to try and not disrupt you. A glimpse of dark hair, tired eyes, and the faintest smile that tugged at her lips as she peeked into the room, the smallest smile tugging at her lips as she gazed at your relaxed figure. She stood there for a moment, her fingers curling around the edge of the door frame as if debating whether to disturb you. But then, as always, her desire to be near you won out. Fighting against her hesitance, she stepped inside with the quiet grace you adored, her presence like a soothing balm.

“Hey,” she whispered, her voice as soft and understated as her footsteps.

You glanced at her, your heart doing a little flip at the sight of her. “Hold on, guys,” you said quickly, ignoring the flurry of comments in the chat as you muted your mic. The viewers could wait—Sae-byeok never could, The influx of comments going unnoticed by the both of you as you stared up at her adoringly.

etrnalsunshine omg is that sae-byeok?

saiki.png OH! so you weren't lying about having a girlfriend

tharealmiumiu WHO THAT IN THE BAAAAAACK? WHO THAT IN THE BACK, WHO THAT IN THE BACK, WHO THAT-

catdog1967 i know that ain't who i think it is…

"You look tired," you said gently, your voice barely above a whisper.

"I am," she replied, her tone understated but warm. "But I needed to see you."

Without another word, she dipped down and kissed you. It wasn't a rushed kiss, but slow and full of emotion, her lips brushing against yours as though she were savoring the moment. One of her hands left her pocket to cradle your cheek, her thumb grazing your skin in a feather-light touch that sent shivers down your spine. She broke away for a brief moment only to kiss you again, this time lingering longer, her lips warm and soft, molding perfectly against yours.

“How’s it going?” she murmured quietly, barely breaking away from your lips as her voice carried the weight of her rough work day but still dripping with affection.

“It’s going,” you whisper slightly dazed. “You?” you quietly add on, tilting your head in question.

She lazily shrugged her shoulders before she closed the gap between you once again, her lips brushing against yours in a kiss that was as gentle as it was grounding.

Her fingers lightly grazed your cheek, her thumb tracing an invisible pattern along your jawline as she kissed you again—this one lingering, her lips soft and warm against yours as if she were a starved woman, seeking out your touch.

“What game are you playing?” she asked between soft pecks, her voice tinged with curiosity and a faint rasp from a long day as she held your chin in place to continue her flurry of soft pecks.

“Just—something for…for the stream,” you mumbled, unable to focus with her so close. You didn’t want to pull away, and judging by the way her thumb continued to gently stroke your chin, neither did she.

Finally, she smiled softly, her fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from your face. “I’m going to take a quick shower. Don’t miss me too much,” she teased, her words playful but her tone gentle. She pinched your cheek lightly before stepping away, her hand slipping from your face at the last moment as though reluctant to fully let go.

Her absence left a hollow ache in the air, but you pushed it aside. It was impossible to get your mind to focus entirely when the thought of her lingered in your mind-the softness of her lips, the warmth of her touch, the way her presence seemed to fill every corner of the apartment.

rilakkumagrl KISS, KISS, FALL IN LOVE ❤ (ɔˆз(ˆ⌣ˆc)

067.ksb WAIT OMGGG YALL ARE SO CUTE

xx.aerii.xx WHEN IS IT GONNA BE MY TURNNN (｡╯︵╰｡)

venus_sserena just called me single in 52 gestures and 38 languages

You turned back to your stream. Confusion etched on your face as the speed of the chat doubled seemingly out of nowhere, until the slow realization came to you that your camera was still on and your fans saw everything.

Your face instantly flushed, the feeling of warmth creeped up your neck slowly as you unmuted your mic. You cleared your throat softly before continuing on with game as if nothing happened, refusing to look at the chat as you typed away on your keyboard, adding in your own soft quips and lines of commentary but your voice was slightly weaker from before, still feeling the trace of Sae-Byeok on your lips.

It wasn’t long before she returned, interrupting your stream once again. This time, her hair was damp, framing her face in soft waves that clung to her cheeks. She wore an oversized sweater that hung loosely off one shoulder, paired with black shorts that revealed her long, toned legs. Her bare feet padded quietly across the floor as she approached, her movements unhurried, almost cat-like.

She leaned over the back of your chair, her arms draping around your shoulders as she rested her head lightly against yours. Her damp hair tickled your temple, and her scent—clean, earthy, and undeniably hers—enveloped you.

“Are you hungry?” she asked, her voice soft yet casual as she scrolled through a food delivery app on her phone. Her fingers moved with an absentminded grace, the light from the screen reflecting off her delicate features.

You muted your mic again, ignoring the flurry of comments in the chat. “Yeah, what are you in the mood for?” you asked, your tone playful.

She shrugged, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she scrolled. “Anything’s fine, as long as it’s with you,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Her body remained pressed against yours, her warmth grounding you in a way nothing else could even after she put the order in for your food.

You glanced up at her, your lips twitching into a smile. “Why are you still here?” you teased, reaching up to gently touch her arm.

She blinked, her eyes widening slightly as though just realizing how long she’d been standing there. With a soft chuckle, she straightened up, the hand holding her phone brushing against your shoulder briefly. “Right. You’re streaming. Sorry,” she murmured, the faintest blush coloring her cheeks as she reluctantly stepped away.

saccharinesulli need more content of sae-byeok and y/n on my desk by monday, 10pm sharp. preferably with audio

isafromcali not she came back for seconds 😛

onyyxx I NEED A LIP READER, WHERE ARE ALL OF THE LIP READERSSS

kittyuuuuhh this is the most we’ve ever seen of sae-byeok AND IM NOT COMPLAINING

Glancing at the chat you said nothing again, hiding the smile that fought its way onto your face with one of your sweater paws as you switched over to a video to watch instead. “You guys are having way too much fun,” you quietly murmur.

Once the food arrived, Sae-byeok reappeared, balancing two plates of takeout in her hands. She hesitated in the doorway, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as her gaze darted between you and your computer screen.

“Can I stay here?” she asked softly, her voice laced with hesitation. You watched as she continued to nervously shift from one to the other, her hands clutching the plates as though it might anchor her.

Without caring to mute yourself to your audience again, you simply nodded and beckoned her over. “Of course.”

She exhaled quietly, relief evident in the way her shoulders relaxed. Sinking to the floor beside you out of camera view, she crosses her legs and rests her head against your dangling leg. Her free arm wrapped loosely around it, anchoring herself to you in a way that felt natural and familiar, while her other hand busied itself on feeding her.

“You sure you don’t want to sit on the couch?” you asked, glancing down at her. “You’d be more comfortable.”

She shook her head, her cheek brushing against your leg as she continued eating. “I’m fine here,” she replied, her voice muffled but content. Her chewing was gentle, the faint vibrations of her jaw against your leg making you giggle softly. She glanced up at you, her lips curving into a small, amused smile before she returned to her food.

Even as you resumed your stream, her presence grounded you. Occasionally, you felt her gaze on you, quiet and thoughtful, but she never said a word. She simply stayed there, her head resting against you as though she belonged there.

After finishing your meals together, she gently tapped your leg, signaling her intention to get up. She collected the plates with practiced ease, her fingers brushing yours briefly as she took yours. Just before turning to leave, she leaned down, her lips brushing softly against your temple in a fleeting, tender kiss. “I’ll take care of these,” she said softly, her voice like a melody, the warmth of her kiss lingering on your skin as she disappeared into the kitchen.

Her absence was brief, only a minute or so, before she reappeared in the doorway. She stood there for a moment, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the hallway light, holding a small bowl of mochi ice cream in her hands. Her fingers curled delicately around the edge of the bowl as if she were cradling something fragile. “Do you want dessert?” she asked, her voice quiet and tinged with a tentative hopefulness that tugged at your heart.

You turned toward her, your smile widening at the sight. “Absolutely,” you said, nodding eagerly, the excitement in your voice making her lips twitch upward in the faintest of smiles. She stepped forward with her usual grace, placing the bowl gently into your hands, her fingertips grazing yours for a moment longer than necessary.

Instead of retreating, as you half-expected, Sae-byeok surprised you by lowering herself onto the floor beside your chair once again. She tucked her legs beneath her, her movements slow and deliberate, as she hooked her arm loosely around your dangling leg once again. Her body seemed to relax as she rested her head lightly against your knee, the familiar warmth of her touch grounded you in an instant.

She picked up her own share of mochi ice cream and began eating quietly, her gaze occasionally flitting toward you. Every now and then, you caught her watching you, her dark, expressive eyes filled with a quiet affection that made your heart tighten in your chest. The soft curve of her lips, the way her lashes cast shadows against her cheeks, and the tender way she lingered so close—it was as though she was trying to soak in every moment with you.

Sae-byeok wasn’t normally like this. She was always so cautious, so careful about avoiding the cameras and giving you space while you worked. She’d rarely even step foot in your streaming room, her natural shyness and private nature keeping her at a distance. But tonight felt different. Tonight, her usual restraint seemed to melt away, replaced by an uncharacteristic clinginess that was both endearing and heart-achingly sweet. Her need to be close to you outweighed her usual hesitations, and you couldn’t help but smile as the butterflies thrashed around in your stomach.

Once you finished your share of mochi ice cream, you absentmindedly rested your hand on your knee. Before you could even blink, Sae-byeok reached for it, her fingers wrapping gently around yours as she guided your hand to her head. The silky, yet damp strands of her hair slipped through your fingers as you began to massage her scalp, your movements soft and tender. She released a quiet, contented sigh, her entire body relaxing further into you. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, her long lashes brushing delicately against her cheeks, but then they opened again, gazing up at you with a vulnerable, unspoken longing that made your heart ache.

Her gaze immediately drew your attention back down to her, forgetting about the mic still being on as you leaned closer, your voice gentle and full of concern. “What’s wrong, baby?” you asked, your words as soft as a whisper meant only for her.

Sae-byeok hesitated, her lips parting slightly as if to speak, but instead, she buried her face into the fabric of your pants. Her breath was warm against your leg, and her hands fidgeted with the hem of your pant leg, her movements small, and nervous. Finally, she murmured, so quietly you almost didn’t hear her, “Can we cuddle?”

Your heart melted on the spot, a soft laugh escaping your lips. She was always so composed, so guarded, but moments like these—when she let her vulnerability peek through—left you utterly captivated. Before you could reassure her, she quickly added, her voice rushing out in a soft flurry, “You don’t have to end the stream. I just want you to sit on my lap.”

Your breath hitched at her shy but bold request, glancing over to your chat who unmistakably heard what she asked. Ignoring the flurry of messages coming in, you nodded immediately, unable to deny her anything. Sae-byeok stood with a fluid grace, her movements purposeful but quiet as she disappeared into the bedroom. Once she returned, she was holding a soft, familiar blanket in her hands. She motioned for you to stand, her fingers brushing lightly against your sides as she gently guided you out of your chair.

Once she was seated, she patted her lap, her lips curving into the faintest smile as she looked at you expectantly. Sae-byeok’s arms tightened around your waist, her body a grounding warmth beneath you as you settled into her lap. Her head rested against your shoulder, and her fingers absently traced small, soothing circles along your hip under the blanket. She nuzzled her face into the crook of your neck, her breath feather-light against your skin as she inhaled deeply, as though she was trying to commit your presence to memory.

The stream continued in the background, the faint sound of your chat bubbling with comments about the unexpected scene unfolding before them.

Despite her usual shyness around the camera, Sae-byeok seemed perfectly content, nestled close to you as if the world outside the two of you didn’t exist. You had almost forgotten about the viewers entirely until a particularly enthusiastic comment caught your attention.

yoondiaries she's hot omg

You laughed softly, unable to resist glancing at the chat. “They’re talking about you, baby,” you teased, turning your head slightly to meet Sae-byeok’s gaze.

Her reaction was immediate. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink as her eyes widened in surprise. “They can see me?” she whispered, her voice hushed but filled with quiet panic.

You nodded your head gently, resting a reassuring hand over hers. “Yes, they can see you.”

Her blush deepened as she buried her face into the curve of your neck, her warm breath tickling your skin. “I shouldn’t have stayed,” she murmured, her voice muffled against you.

“You’re fine,” you gently reassured, your free hand coming up to stroke her hair. The silky strands slipped easily through your fingers as you murmured, “They’re just excited to see you. Don’t let them get to you.”

She huffed softly, the sound halfway between amusement and exasperation, and burrowed deeper into your neck to hide her embarrassment. Her arms squeeze you tighter, her grip firm yet gentle, and the warmth of her shy affection makes your heart ache in the best way.

“I’m never doing this again,” she mumbled, though the way her lips brushed against your skin betrayed her growing comfort.

“Sure you won’t,” you teased, pressing a light kiss to her temple. “But if you happen to change your mind, I’ll make sure the chat behaves next time.”

Sae-byeok sighed, a small laugh escaping her as her tension melted away. “Fine,” she relented, her voice softer now. “But only for you.”

As the comments continued to roll in, filled with adoration for Sae-Byeok’s sudden appearance, Her hold on you tightened slightly, her arms drawing you closer as if she feared you might slip away. “I love you,” she whispered, her voice so soft and reverent that it sent a shiver down your spine.

“I love you too,” you replied, your voice just as tender as you leaned back into her embrace. Her warmth enveloped you completely, and the world beyond the two of you faded into insignificance. The stream, the comments, the video—they all dissolved into the background. In that moment, it was just you and Sae-byeok, your hearts beating in perfect sync as you held each other in a cocoon of quiet, unspoken love.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The next morning, you woke to the soft glow of sunlight streaming through the curtains and the faint sound of your phone buzzing incessantly on the nightstand. You groaned, shifting slightly, only to feel Sae-byeok’s arm tighten around your waist. Her face was pressed into your shoulder, her messy hair tickling your neck as she mumbled something incoherent and burrowed closer.

Your phone buzzed again—louder this time—and you reluctantly reached for it, careful not to disturb her too much. As you unlocked the screen, a flurry of notifications greeted you, more than usual: texts, tags, and countless mentions on social media. Your stomach twisted in curiosity as you opened one of the links, and your heart nearly stopped when you saw the title of the viral clip:

"@y/nstreamss and her girlfriend need to be protected at all costs 🥺”

“Oh no…” you muttered under your breath, scrolling through the endless comments and reposts. Clips of last night’s stream were everywhere—each one capturing Sae-byeok’s shy gestures, the way she clung to you, and her adorable attempt to hide her face from the chat. The internet was in love.

“Babe,” you whispered, turning to glance at Sae-byeok. She was still half-asleep, her breathing slow and steady, completely unaware of her newfound fame.

Deciding to let her rest a bit longer, you scrolled through the trending hashtags:

• #THEYRESOCUTE

• #Saebyeok

• #Y/NANDSAEBYEOK

The replies and tweets were even more dramatic than the hashtags:

oliviahyeee i don’t even know them, but i’d die for them.

sullisicecream the way they look at each other? GODD I LOVE WOMEN

y2katseye need a 12 episode reality show of them ASAP.

wonderofwinter wait, this is really fucking cute :((

One video in particular caught your attention. It had racked up millions of views overnight, featuring the exact moment Sae-byeok had buried her face into your neck after seeing the comments. Someone had edited the clip with soft music and sparkles, and the top comment read: “This is the purest thing I’ve ever seen. Protect her at all costs.”

You couldn’t help but laugh quietly, shaking your head. “They’re obsessed with you, Sae,” you murmured, glancing down at her sleeping form.

As if on cue, she stirred, her brows furrowing as she opened one eye groggily. “What time is it?” she mumbled, her voice raspy from sleep.

“10:15,” you replied softly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “Also, you went viral overnight.”

Her eyes opened fully at that, a look of confusion crossing her face. “What?”

You handed her your phone, showing her one of the clips. She blinked at it, still trying to wake up, but as the video played, her expression shifted from confusion to wide-eyed disbelief.

“Why… why are they all talking about me?” she asked, sitting up slightly.

“Because you’re cute,” you teased, grinning. “Apparently, the internet agrees.”

Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she handed the phone back to you after scrolling through a few comments. “This is your fault,” she muttered, burying her face in her hands.

“Mine? You’re the one who wanted to cuddle during the stream!”

She groaned, flopping back onto the bed and pulling the blanket over her head. “I didn’t think anyone would really notice or care…”

You laughed, tugging the blanket down just enough to reveal her eyes. “It’s not so bad. They all love you.”

Sae-byeok sighed, her lips twitching into a small, reluctant smile. “It’s still embarrassing.”

You leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Maybe, but you’re an internet sensation now.”

Sae-byeok groaned, burying her face in your shoulder. "You're impossible."

"And you love me for it," you quipped, pressing another playful kiss to her cheek this time.

She sighed dramatically but couldn't hide the quiet laugh that escaped her. "I do," she admitted, her voice soft as she tucked herself into your embrace.

Sae-byeok’s initial embarrassment began to fade, replaced by quiet amusement. And though she might never admit it, you could tell she secretly enjoyed the attention—especially when it came from being with you.

The two of you lifted yourselves up to sit cross-legged on your shared bed, your phone propped up between you as you scrolled through the never-ending flood of comments and clips. Sae-byeok rested her chin on your shoulder, her hair lightly brushing your cheek, trying to stay composed despite the way her ears were turning red.

“Look at this one,” you said, biting back a laugh as you pointed to a tweet:

hwrts4isa im not even mad the stream paused like 10 times. if my gf was THIS clingy and cute, i wouldn’t care about gaming either.

Sae-byeok groaned, burying her face into the crook of your neck. “Why do they keep calling me clingy?” she mumbled, though the way her arms wrapped tightly around your waist said she wasn’t exactly denying it.

“Because you are, babe,” you teased, turning to kiss the top of her head.

She lightly nudged you but didn’t let go, her eyes peeking out from behind her bangs. “Keep scrolling,” she said quietly, trying to sound unaffected, though her curiosity was clear.

You did as she asked, stopping on another comment, this one attached to a short clip of her kissing your cheek while the stream chat exploded in real time.

sugarina when she kissed her and then just stayed there like that??? EEEEEEEKK somebody find me a sae-byeok. o(≧▽≦)o

“See? You’re making people jealous of me now,” you teased, nudging her playfully.

Her lips twitched into a small smile despite herself. “Good. They should be,” she replied, her tone softer than her words.

Another clip caught your attention, showing the moment she hid her face in your neck after reading the comments live. The caption read:

pinkchae sae-byeok is the cutest fairy gumdrop princess kitten gummy bear ever. we need to protect her at all costs.

Sae-byeok let out a small huff, her face turning crimson as she pulled the blanket up to cover her head. “What the hell are t—Why are they calling me that?” she muttered, her voice muffled.

You burst out laughing, pulling the blanket down so you could see her flushed face. “Because you’re adorable, obviously,” you said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek.

She pouted, crossing her arms but not moving away from you. “Your fans are exhausting,” she said, though the corners of her mouth betrayed a small smile.

You kept scrolling, landing on a particularly bold comment under another clip:

fleurgrl if i can’t have this kind of love, i don’t want it at all. also, when is the wedding and can i come?

At that, Sae-byeok let out a surprised laugh, her eyes widening. “Wedding?!” she exclaimed, her voice cracking slightly.

You smirked, leaning closer. “Well, what do you think? Should I put a ring on it?”

She shoved you gently, though her blush deepened. “Stop teasing,” she murmured, but the shy smile on her lips said she didn’t entirely mind.

As you continued reading through the comments together, Sae-byeok’s initial embarrassment began to fade. Though she still hid her face every now and then, she couldn’t help but laugh at the way people adored her.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” she finally admitted, resting her head on your shoulder. “But I’m still never showing up on stream again.”

You chuckled, wrapping your arms around her. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say… until you get clingy again.”

Her groan of protest was muffled against your shoulder, but the way she tightened her hold on you spoke louder than any words ever could.

[teliphone]

oh em GEE I saw ur Kang noeul fic and I was literally shaking and that made me think of Sub! saebyeok headcannons PLEAee ILY AND UR WORKS

Warning(s): Smut, Oral, slight Fingering

-

Sub!Saebyeok would kinda get shy, but sparks of adrenaline will rush through her body when you gently spread her thighs. She bites her bottom lip to stop herself from grinning too hard. She examines under her lashes at how you kiss her inner thigh. A soft sigh will escape her lips when she notices you’re starting to lower your face to her core. 

Sub!Saebyeok is a total watcher. Her eyes never leave your face. She loves to watch you go completely drunk over her cunt. She focuses on the way your lips would wrap around her clit and suck. You roll your tongue against her core and back up to her clit. A blush forms on her cheeks when she sees her juice connect with your lips when you pull away to catch your breath. 

Sub!Saebyeok is usually quiet, but she’s the total opposite during these moments. She will cry and pant out loud. She would beg and grind her hips into your mouth. You have to hold her thighs apart as she squeals around. 

“Please please please,” She begs. Her voice turns a few notices up. You will suck harder and bring your fingers up to fill her cunt. She arches her back and chokes out a moan. She brings one hand down and accidentally grips your hair hard. Her eyebrows furrow as she continues watching you, so lost in her pleasure. 

Sub!Saebyeok would bring her other hand to cover her mouth. Her moans become muffled. You would pull away, and a trail of her juice connects from her core to your mouth. 

“Why did you stop?” She whines. You take her hand from her mouth and gentle held it, not letting go. 

“I want to hear you,” You explain before going back to licking her core. Her stomach tenses and she tilts her head back into the pillow. She cusses and jerks feverishly into your mouth. You close your eyes to focus on the feeling of her cunt, but she tugs your hair hard. You look up to her blushing and sweaty face. 

“Look at me when I come,” She grunts. 

Sub!Saebyeok would orgasm hard with a high-pitched moan. Her body would twitch uncontrollably. She will slowly stop moving her hips into your mouth. You lean away and gently kiss her hand. As she catches her breath, she smiles and lets out a soft giggle. She notices how hard you’re clenching your thighs together. 

[starredblood]

FADE INTO YOU

kang sae-byeok x fem!reader

synopsis: you live in a small secluded town in jeju where nothing ever happens until a girl with a face made of stone moved in. however, her disillusion about life makes your strange relationship with her complicated—further conflicting each others lives.

wc. 6.2k

warnings: situationship to ???, angst, little bit of fluff and comfort, use of alcohol and cigarettes, brief mentions of sexual intimacy, reader is very melancholic

(masterlist)

Living in a place that people dream of visiting is gloomier than you imagined it would be. Beautiful green scenery, pale blue skies, and waves crashing—it was paradise. The people, they were quieter and much more at peace with life than in the bustling cities back in the mainland. Unlike the corporate driven lifestyle you were surrounded with back in Seoul, it felt like time permanently stopped here in Jeju. You didn’t have to rush anything, especially living in a small tucked away town right beside the seashore.

The problem back in Seoul was that you were dissatisfied with your direction in life. But that ache in your chest still seeped into your new life here in Jeju. So, you think it’s not a location problem—it’s a you problem. There’s something wrong with you.

And you need something to get you going. Like now.

It might’ve been late afternoon by the time you heard several hard knocks coming from your bedroom. You let out irritated groans by the nonstop banging, still not intending to be awake at this hour in the day. To prevent the noise blaring through your eardrums you grab your unused pillow and press it to your face so your head could be sandwiched in between pillows.

But you heard a stern, equally as irritated muffle on the other end. “Hey? Are you awake?” you hear your older sister whine.

Her knocking was relentless and you knew she wasn’t going to stop until you reveal yourself from hibernating in your dark and depressed bedroom. “Coming.” you croak out.

You rub your eyes and lazily place your feet on the ground. It took all of your strength to get off your bed and walk over to your door. Stumbling in the process, you finally reach for the doorknob.

Your sister stood there with her arms crossed and forming a look of disgust at your current state. “Count Orlok, you live in a place with the most beautiful views maybe try opening your curtains.”

She comes inside your room and yanks open the dark curtains. Your eyes squint trying to adjust your irises to the blaring summer sunlight. The light gray sand behind your room made your room shine brighter thanks to the reflection of the sun bouncing off of the sand.

“What do you want? I don’t work today.” you ask her, watching peevishly as she picks up your dirty laundry off the ground—a habit of hers.

“Mom and dad are coming later tonight.” she explains and starts rummaging through your closet.

“You could’ve just sent me this over text instead of barging in here.” you retort, watching as she picked out clothes for you to wear. This is what your sister does, she loves control. And you just let her because you don’t want to move back to your parents.

“I came here because if I sent a text I knew you’d ignore it. You have to get ready now.” she says strictly. She sighs in disappointment when you let out another tired whine and flop on top of your bed. “Seriously are you depressed or something?”

“What? No—would you quit asking that?” you stammer and reach to hug your pillow, nuzzling into it and flutter your eyes closed. “I’m just…bored.”

“Bored?” she scoffs mockingly. “You’re the one that didn’t want to keep living with mom and dad. If you want to go back to by all means go. But if you’re staying then get ready.”

She tosses the clothes she wants you to wear straight to your face. When she storms out your room you began to incant quiet curses at her.

You used to have a great relationship with your family because you did everything they wanted you to do to the tea. It got ruined the moment you decided to navigate your own decisions about how you want to live life. Although you know dropping out of college and living with your sister isn’t the most ideal pathway, it was better than what you dealt with back home. But your parents don’t get it. They didn’t see the constant cries for help, instead they saw the dropping grades.

It didn’t help that your sister replaced you as their new golden child. She is a small business owner in Jeju and owns a house with her fiancée. And you’re staying in the room that is technically meant for their future baby—in the works.

“So, how’s your sister behaving?” your dad asks your sister about you. The only thing you could do was silently roll your eyes and keep eating.

Tonight the dining table was packed—even your sister’s fiancée was here who is known to be a workaholic. And of course, your parents couldn’t help themselves by trying to embarrass you the moment dinner was served.

“All she does is stay in her room.” she replies shaking her head while cutting her steak. “Whenever we want to have a meal all together she just prefers eating in her room.”

“Now, sweetie,” you mom sighs giving you a disapproving look. “why don’t you want to eat with them? It’s the least you could do after taking up one of their rooms.”

“And it’s their future baby’s room.” your dad adds with a mocking laugh.

“It’s fine, sir,” your sister’s fiancée claims calmly. “we aren’t in a rush to kick anyone out.”

You don’t wish to acknowledge them and continue to play with your food. There was a time where they used to praise you for your intelligence and grit. But ever since you gave up, you’ve become numb to their backhanded comments and criticism.

Yet deep down you know they’re right. When your sister finally has her baby you can’t live with them anymore so you need to start thinking about your future now or it’ll be too late. But it’s already late.

“You’re too kind, boy.” your mom says to the fiancée, dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “Maybe what she needs is a good man like you. Do you have any single, good men in your family that will be interested in my lazy daughter?”

“Mom.” you say to her warningly, throwing her a stern expression. You hear the fiancée chortle.

“What?” she asks innocently. “If you aren’t going to college then your future as an independent woman is over. You’ll need to find a man with a well established job if you want to live a good life. We’re all just looking out for you, honey.”

Exhaling a long dramatic sigh, you push your seat back and get up. You couldn’t stand it anymore—their never ending berating. When you walk away you hear all of them call out your name and telling you to come back down to eat. But you aren’t hungry, you’re tired. Tired of filling the space.

When you go up to your room you change out of the clothing your sister picked out for you and opt in for a lightweight sweater and sweats. You sneak back down the stairs and exit the house without being heard from your family, who you can hear still talking at the dining table.

The walk from the house to seashore was brief. It was nothing but you, your thoughts and the sound of waves crashing tonight because you don’t intend to go back until late in the night. And your family won’t get worried, they know that this is your way of throwing a tantrum.

Once you sat down on the soft part of the sand, you press your knees up to your chest then rest your chin on top of your kneecaps and stare at the salty water. This was your new favorite pastime. You used to have such a short attention span until coming here to Jeju. Everything about Jeju was slow and peaceful which is just what your tired body needs after putting yourself through twenty years of academic stress.

Unaware of how long you’ve been sitting in the sand and staring at the ocean, a silhouette emerges from the shadows. There is only one other person who would deliberately keep to themselves and use the beach as a form of refuge.

In routinely fashion, Sae-byeok approaches your lonely figure and sits down next to you without uttering a single word. Her long limbs stretch out in the sand and she also maintains her eyes on the ocean.

Your relationship with Kang Sae-byeok (if you couldn’t even call it that) was blurry. In the few months you’ve known her, it was easy to be around her. You never felt pressured to talk or to fake niceties with her. However, Sae-byeok’s guardedness and intimidation was ultimately the reason the two of you never got close. It’s hard to even consider the stoic girl a friend. And you think she’s fine with that.

Ever since she’s moved in this small town in Jeju, you felt a tad bit less lonely sharing the comfort of knowing there’s another girl your age living close by. But you still have so many questions to ask her. What do you do for a living to afford to live in one of the nicest house alone? Where are your parents? Are they wealthy? You don’t have a single clue about her and she wants to keep it that way.

And all Sae-byeok knows about you is that you don’t have a single clue about anything anymore—you just exist to fill the space. Or at least, that’s the way you explained your life to her.

The salty aroma, the sound of the waves sloshing and the cool breeze was enough to lull you to sleep. While slowly shutting your eyes, you almost forgot Sae-byeok’s silent presence was still there. Sleep was overtaking your body.

“What’re you doing here?” you hear her low hoarse ask you. You’re in a place where she speaks in full sentences now.

“Hiding.” you reply softly and open your eyes to look at her beautiful face. It was entrancing how the moonlight reflected onto her best features.

Her eyes start moving to stare down at her feet and she nods. “From?” she adds quietly.

“My parents. They’re here to visit my sister and her fiancée for the weekend.” you sigh.

When she glances up to face you, there is no longer the hesitation to avoid peering into your eyes like she did months ago. You know your strange bond with Sae-byeok is a little bizarre but you find her guarded presence a little comforting too.

“They aren’t here to see you?” she questions, her tone flat as usual but you paid attention to the way her eyebrows quirked for a second.

You hum in thought before shrugging. “I don’t know. They haven’t been happy with me recently.”

Maybe that little flicker in her eyes was pity because it made your heart clench. She must think about you like they do.

After you go back to observe the darkly illuminated ocean, you felt a warm hand softly grab the back of your head. You didn’t have time to react before feeling a soft pair of lips gently press yours.

This wasn’t going to be one of those typical nights of silence, that you’re sure of. Tonight is a rare moment in time where Sae-byeok is yearning for the affection of another and you’re always the one chosen to fill that void in her heart. But like everything Sae-byeok does, it’s a fleeting moment of affection that vanishes when morning comes.

And tonight, you weren’t having her push and pull antics after that disaster dinner with your family. You don’t initially react to the kiss and stiffly remain in the same position. The feeling lingered for a brief second before Sae-byeok pulled away. Her usual sharp gaze went completely soft as she slowly drew back after staring at your face centimeters close.

“Did I…?” she trails off unsurely.

You hesitate. “I feel like I don’t know you—“

“I told you that it’s better for us if you don’t know anything.” she sighs, sounding insecure and starts drawing shapes in the sand. “It’s easier this way.”

“…For you maybe.” you murmur quiet enough for her not to hear. You don’t need any more uncertainties in your life.

This was something new you both did—share stolen kisses. And if you’re both feeling extra lonely, then it would lead to something much deeper and vulnerable but that only occurred twice. Although it feels nice to be with her in the moment, you didn’t want her just for a brief period.

Without saying anything else, you feel her body shifting and the sound of shoes crunching on sand. You didn’t glance back at her when she started walking away. This was something she did when you tried getting close to her—she runs away.

⊹ ✿・・───・・✦・・───・・✿

The salty air stung your face as you rode your bike to the boutique. At first, the smell was burning your nostrils but like everything in life, the feeling subsides. By the time you make it to the shop, your skin is hot by the sun glaring underneath you and your legs sore from pedaling fast. You were a few minutes late.

Once you’re in front of the boutique, you stop pedaling and hop off your bike. You didn’t see your sister this morning but you’re crossing your fingers she’s running errands instead of working. She already gave you a warning a few days ago about your tardiness and you don’t want to face her wrath again.

When you roll your bike to the back of the store you heard two familiar voices that shouldn’t coincide in the same vicinity. You hold your breath when you turn the corner and duck your head low.

You don’t know why Sae-byeok was here. She was leaning against the wall next to your coworker Ji-yeong, sharing a cigarette and giggling amongst each other like drunken friends. But when they spotted you coming around the corner, they mellowed out. You pretend not to see them, turn up the music in your headphones and quickly rest your bike against the wall.

A strange feeling in your stomach brews seeing them together like that. You were never seen with Sae-byeok in broad daylight—all of your interactions were hidden underneath the moonlight. It was a conflict feeling but then again, you don’t know a thing about her. So, you should stop setting yourself up to get hurt for no good reason.

Throughout your shift, you try to interact with international tourists as best as you can while suggesting an item of clothing. It was hard to force a customer service smile when you could see the two girls from the corner of your eyes, chatting by the counter.

You force your mind to think you’re upset that Ji-yeong is making you do all the customer service work while she does nothing. But deep down, you might be jealous. You thought you had something special with Sae-byeok…she doesn’t even smile that widely with you.

After finishing helping the customers as best as you can with the language barrier, you hide in the corner of the store arranging a rack that didn’t need to be fixed. But you couldn’t go anywhere else in this small shop without looking at Ji-yeong and Sae-byeok, so this was the only spot where you couldn’t see them.

“What’re you doing here?” a voice asks demandingly. You jump and snap your eyes to look at your sister, whose arms were crossed. “Well?”

“Cleaning.” you reply with a straight face. Of course she isn’t buying it. “What do you want me to do? It’s practically empty here right now besides those two tourist still in the store.”

She rolls her eyes and fixates her eyes on something ahead. “Hey, isn’t that your friend? The weird quiet one with, Ji?”

“Shut up.” you hiss.

She blinks like she was studying your anxious demeanor until she heard the sound of the door ring. “Look, go help them—they look rich.”

After another thirty minutes, Sae-byeok finally left the shop without uttering a word to you. To be fair, you were just helping customers but she didn’t look at you either. You try to swallow back the pain of rejection.

“I’m going on break.” you mutter to Ji-yeong who was ringing a customer at the counter. She curtly nods, barely any acknowledgment to your being as well.

Outside the boutique your sister bought an expensive bench painted white to match the rest of the shops exterior. You like to sit outside it for your break and observe the passerby’s. This town is much busier than your small, boring one. It’s filled with tourists, bikers, photographers and clumsy kids.

Five minutes into your break you feel someone sit beside you.

“You’re ignoring me now?” Sae-byeok mutters, shoving her hands into the pocket of her hoodie.

You barely look at her before shaking your head. “What did you want me to do? Jump in joy?”

She snorts and starts observing the crowd walking up and down the sidewalk too. “Ji-yeong invited me to this party—you should come.”

You fight back the urge to ask her about Ji-yeong and their history together. “I’m alright.”

She doesn’t say anything for a moment to think. “Just come.” she says much quieter. You give her a skeptical look. She sighs at it. “It’s just in case I’m lonely there. I already said I’d go.”

“So, I’m just going to be there to fill the space?” you question, your voice shaking slightly by hurt. “No thanks.” you whisper.

“I didn’t mean it like that—I’m sorry.” she deadpans so you don’t believe she is.

You shake your head one last time and throw on your headphones. Since you only have a few minutes left to your break and you don’t want her to ruin it, you turn your body away to face her. It felt childish but you didn’t want her to see the pained expression on your face.

⊹ ✿・・───・・✦・・───・・✿

You press your back to the wall, drinking out of your plastic red cup awkwardly as you watch a crowd of people dance up against each other—the lights flickering with color like a kaleidoscope in the ceiling.

It never dawned on you that you would ever be at a party on the mansion located in the hills of Jeju. For most residents here, their life goal is to be invited to a mansion party in this island. To get their small taste of the Great Gatsby. Although this wasn’t nowhere near as luxurious, it was still a big place with high ceilings, marble columns, and illegal drugs. Everything a rich person party needs and it made you feel out of place. They definitely party different—but most of the people here look like people your age so how different can they be?

You arrived to this party all alone. Sae-byeok wasn’t responding to your texts so for the first thirty minutes, you just took sips from your alcoholic beverage and walked around the mansion like it was a museum. It basically was a museum seeing as there were large intricate paintings and portraits carefully hung on the walls.

When you made it to the second floor, you started to get lost and after minutes of trying to find your way down the stairs you end up in an open space that looked like a smaller living room. A group of people occupied this space and turned to look at you when you froze by the entrance.

“Hey! Come over—don’t be shy!” a drunken voice slurs when you turned your back to walk away.

You quietly wince—without much of a choice you drag yourself over to them. A few kept their glazed eyes on you, others were too busy brewing an alcohol beverage that looked strong enough to make someone pass out. The person who called you over pats to the last empty seat next to them. It was a girl, short hair and multiple facial piercings.

“Now we have a full house!” she cheers once you sat down but no one acknowledged it, or least ignored her.

You peer at anything but the group of people chatting amongst each other. It was awkward being the only person not engaging in small talk so you keep taking swigs out of your drink. Now, you have to figure out how to slip out of this room without anyone noticing.

“Smoke?” the girl next to you asks, offering an already lit up cigarette to you.

You hesitantly stare at it. Since your dad was a heavy smoker, you were always intrigued by it. Screw it, you think, what else do I have to lose? You already lost everything.

When you nod, she holds the cigarette for you as you inhale the toxic smoke. Of course, you began choking up on the smoke and start coughing it out, your mouth and nostrils blowing out the grey smoke like a train engine. The girl laughs and starts patting your back.

“First time?” she asks, laughing and you only respond with a beet red face. “You didn’t inhale right. Breathe it in a little bit more deeper so it actually goes to your lungs.” she says and observes you as you try again. This time you didn’t choke up. “There you go.”

You never got her name but she offered you the strange alcohol concoction some dudes that looked blacked out drunk made. And with your mind already buzzing, you just took the cup and began drinking it. By the time you finished it, you were too afraid to move out of this couch with your head already spinning. It didn’t help that the people gathered around were blasting their own music and hopping on the seats like a bouncy castle—it only made you even more dizzy. But you couldn’t help but drunkenly giggle along side the girl next to you when one of the guys fell backwards on the couch.

She offers you another puff from her cigarette and you take it. When you place it between your teeth you see someone snatch it from your mouth. You peer up and see a hazy vision of the girl who led you to this party in the first place.

“There you fucking are. I was calling you.” she snarls, but her voice seeps of worry. You didn’t catch it however, your mind was too buzzed to properly catch her subtle cues. “Are you drunk?”

“I’m so tired…” you slur, resting your head in her lap. “All the time.”

Sae-byeok sighs and rakes her fingers through your hair, watching as you start lulling to sleep on her lap. But you couldn’t fall asleep just yet. The thought of dragging you out of this party and to your house already is making her body tired.

Sae-byeok knows better than you just drop you off home, knowing how hot headed your sister can be. She’s seen the way she barks order at you in her boutique. But it made her nervous bringing you to her house to spend the night. Ever since she bought the house with the prize money, she never allowed anyone in—she always thought the first people who would step in would be Cheol and her mom. But that’s what she gets for bringing more people into her life.

She crinkles her nose in disgust as she holds up your hair while your face was stuck in the toilet bowl, throwing up all the alcohol in your system. Once you’re done hacking like your life depended on it, you groan in pain and press your body on the tile wall of Sae-byeok’s bathroom—still unable to grasp that you’re actually in her house. But your mind is still loopy you couldn’t think about it too hard unless you wanted to throw up again.

You could feel the weight of her stare on your sad sprawled figure as you recollect yourself. “I’m not that drunk. Just dizzy.” you grumble at her, hugging your sore stomach.

“Whatever you say.” she scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Stay here—I’ll bring you a change of clothes.”

After several minutes go by, she reappears with her worn out sweats and a band tee shirt. Her posture slumps when she sees you burying your crying face on your propped up knees. “Hey, why are you crying?” she asks in a softer tone, kneeling down to be at your level.

But you didn’t reply and maybe it wasn’t appropriate for her to ask you in your drunken state. So, she lifts you off the bathroom floor and guides you to her bedroom. When you lay on her bed, eyes already half lidded trying to fight back sleep, she chews on the inside of her cheek to think. You still have to change but you’re in a worn out state to physically be able to do it. It wouldn’t be weird for her to undress you and put on your clothes for you right? She’s seen you without any clothes twice before.

You don’t react when she starts pulling up your shirt, exposing your upper body to the cool air nipping your skin. And after she’s done putting on her sweats on you, you’re already asleep. She stares at your face, your mouth parted open slightly and cheeks tinted red from the alcohol. But she couldn’t help but worry about the tear marks across your face that didn’t dry up yet.

Once Sae-byeok finished doing her short nighttime routine she rolls next to you on her bed. She naturally spoons you, wrapping one of her arms around your waist and nestles her head into the crook of your neck. After inhaling the fresh scent of perfume and cigarettes on you she could feel her own sober self lull to slumber.

⊹ ✿・・───・・✦・・───・・✿

Head throbbing and limbs weak. That’s the first thing you felt when your eyes began to naturally flutter open. It took sometime to assess the place you woke up in and how you even got here in the first place. Your heart sunk when you remembered the hazy details. The sheer embarrassment of it all made you slam your face in the pillow and let out a groggily groan.

You are pathetic and an idiot. Sae-byeok saw the weakest form of you and you might never live it down. But surely you couldn’t have been that embarrassing? It’s not like you blacked out.

But now, you were afraid to leave the room feeling like you already trespassed enough. But Sae-byeok had to be somewhere in the house, she wouldn’t have left you here all by yourself you hope.

When you toss aside the sheets you gasp seeing the unfamiliar set of oversized clothes on your body. You’re conflicted whether to feel special or embarrassed with the fact she let you wear her clothes.

Sae-byeok’s room is…sad. She has no decorations that mark this room as hers except for her belongings mindlessly left on top of her night stand—her keys, wallet, and cigarette pack. It gets even stranger when you carefully step outside—the floor and walls were empty canvases.

You heard plates and silverware’s cluttering as you walked across the hallway. Naturally, you stiffen up and hug your body feeling exposed when you realized Ji-yeong was cooking something up in the kitchen and Sae-byeok leaning across the island counter, sipping from her mug. But only Ji-yeong turned to acknowledge you.

“Hey.” she greets casually. “I’m making breakfast, you want some? It’s not the best but probably will help if you eat something. Sae told me you got absolutely shitfaced last night—same here.” she snorts.

Your cheeks blaze up. When you glance over at Sae-byeok, your heart gets heavy seeing her act as if you were invisible to her. Did you piss her off last night thanks to your drunken stupor?

Feeling exposed and conflicted, you let out a low, “No, thank you.”

“Are you sure?” Ji-yeong asks. “I don’t mind making another plate.”

You softly shake your throbbing head. “I’m just…going home.”

She doesn’t argue with you, only purses her lips and nods. You look at Sae-byeok again, still nothing. So you awkwardly shuffle back to her room to gather your things. You hope all your belongings are here anyways.

When you find your clothes folded by the edge of Sae-byeok’s drawer you press them to your chest and smell the stench of alcohol and cigarettes on them. You peer down and contemplate changing or walking away with the clothes you have on. That’s when the door creaks open behind you.

“Why aren’t you going to eat?” is the first thing she says to you. She leans her body against the door, keeping you trapped here as she hardens her gaze on you.

“I just want to go home.” you mutter in defeat, feeling small underneath her stare. “I’ll eat there.”

“Fine.” she exhales. “And…why were you crying last night?”

You swallow thickly. “I didn’t know I was…”

“You do.” she says coolly. “You weren’t that drunk by the time we got home. We both know that.”

You know that last night, you cried about everything in your life. The fact that you completely disappointed your parents for good, your sister sees you as a nuisance in her home, and you can never have Sae-byeok the way you want her. And you let it spiral a little out of control last night. But she isn’t with you and she isn’t your friend, so she doesn’t need to know.

“My head is too foggy right now. Just let me go please.” you croak out. She still doesn’t move out of the way. “Do you want me to give you your clothes back?”

Her posture slouches in defeat. “No. But can we just…just meet me later tonight at our spot, okay? We should probably talk.”

You don’t say anything. Actually, you didn’t much all day leading up to the night you met up with Sae-byeok. Because the moment you got home, all you did was stay locked up in your room with a throbbing headache and anticipating the night. You kept replaying the last thing she said to you in your head over and over trying to figure out what possibly would she want to talk about with you.

When midnight rolled around you threw on your black jacket and tossed the hoodie over your head, carrying Sae-byeok’s clothes with you as you snuck out the house.

Once you made it to your designated spot at the seashore, she was already there. She also had a hoodie thrown over her head but you knew it was her furiously typing on her phone. You took a deep breath before heading to sit next to her. As you sat down, you saw her face contort with frustration thanks to her phone softly illuminating over her face. She turns it off when she sees you silently waiting for her.

“Thanks.” she grumbles when you pass over her clothes and rests them on her lap.

“So,” you began airily. “why did you want to meet?”

She presses her lips together and pulls her knees to her chest in a guarded position that made you more nervous. “I just wanted to tell you that it was great having you around…before you I was pretty lonely—in general…And you’re sort of the first person I’ve ever been intimate with. But I realize how unhappy we both are and I don’t think I’m what you’re looking for.”

For the first time, she finds herself struggling to look over her shoulder to see your face. You shut your eyes to stop your eyes from filling with tears and prepare yourself to listen to the rest of her explanation. Even if it left an achy feeling in your heart.

“I’m—broken, okay?” Sae-byeok trembles. “I can’t make you happy. Not when I can’t make myself happy.”

You start sniffling. It was so obvious, wasn’t it? You always thought that things would never work out with someone as closed off and cold as Sae-byeok but hearing her say it out loud stung more than the past thoughts. But she was right, neither of you were in the right state of mind. It still pissed you off though.

“Fuck you.” you whisper at her, your tone rough but heartbroken. All those stolen kisses and rare nights spent tangled underneath the sheets were turning into bittersweet memories in real time.

Just as you cursed at her, the waves came hurling down twice as big than they normally do. You gasp when the cold salty water soaked your pants. The two of you start scrambling backwards and the contact of the water. Sae-byeok stares at you wide eyed as you mumbled multiple curses while frowning down at your drenched pants.

After the fleeting cursing, you whip your hear up at the sky and see the full moon shining brightly underneath you.

“I—I’m going I can’t—“

“No. Please.” Sae-byeok silently begs, firmly wrapping her hand around your wrist to prevent you from moving. This was the first time you heard her speak in such a vulnerable tone. She walks around you to fully face you, breath hitching but looking deeply into your eyes. “If I ever get my shit together…do you think we could give this a chance maybe?”

You shake your head. “Sae-byeok, I can’t predict the future.”

“Okay but just—“

“What about me?!” you retort back louder than you expect to sound. She immediately closes her mouth, eyes rounding. “Have you ever thought about how I feel? About my life? Do you even care at all? Sae-byeok…I’m so lonely and confused! Did you know I dropped out of law school?” you ask pressing your finger to her chest causing her to stumble backwards without saying a word. “No, you didn’t! And you never cared to ask about why my parents never thought to see me because—I disappointed them! So…So that’s why I moved in with my sister because I couldn’t stand the ridicules anymore but she is losing patience with me by the day so I bet it’s only a matter of time before she kicks me out. But…you made me feel seen. I thought what we had was sacred and special—and I held onto the hope that maybe one day you’d realize that too. But you don’t really want me—you like the idea or probably because you’re even more lonely than I am that you’re desperate for affection.”

By the time you finished talking, she already dropped your hand. You didn’t dare to face her when your eyes were swimming with tears and your body shaken up from the cold and heartbreak. And when you finally turned around to walk away, deep down you wished that she would stop you and fight for you. But if she doesn’t have any fight left in her, then that was a sign enough for you to leave.

⊹ ✿・・───・・✦・・───・・✿

Sae-byeok began watching you from afar. The morning bike rides you took to your sister’s boutique, when you sat outside your porch and staring down at the ground in deep thought, and the nights you laid on the beach. She left you completely alone.

As the days gone by she wondered if she’d ever get the pieces of herself back together. But the nightmares never really leave, no matter how much money the world can offer—the horrors she endured and witnessed never got better like she hoped.

After the bus ride back from Cheol’s foster home, she checks the calendar on her phone. In just two months, if things go smoothly, she’ll finally reunite with her mother and she can finally get back her small family together.

When those two months turned into one month, Sae-byeok started to notice you weren’t around anymore. She knows how much you like secluding yourself in your room, but Ji-yeong hasn’t heard from you and she hasn’t seen you on your routinely biking ride in the mornings. One night, she waited by the seashore hoping you’d appear but obviously you never showed up. She felt stupid for even trying to hope.

She broke your heart—you had every right to disappear from her life. But you aren’t physically around.

So, the night before she had to go pick up her mother from the airport she decided to take matters into her own hand.

Her sweaty hands knock on the door to your sister’s house. After a few minutes someone finally answers and it was your sister. The first thing she noticed was her slightly round protruding belly.

“Oh, it’s you.” she hums sounding disappointed and leans against the door frame. “Is there something you need?”

Sae-byeok inhales deeply first. “Is she here?”

Your sister stares at her blankly before an uneasy expression started to form. “She didn’t tell you?” she asks and Sae-byeok remains frozen in place with her heart hammering out of her chest. “She went back to live with our parents to study law again. Left like…two months ago?”

“Oh.” she says lowly, trying not to make her face look readable. “Thanks.”

Your sister raises a brow, feeling skeptical of her odd appearance. But she just watches as she slumps in posture whilst slowly dragging her feet out of her property before closing the door behind her.

Sae-byeok chokes back tears and recalls the events of the last time you two spoken. It hits her—you never promised her anything. Of course you left without a trace.

Now she can only ever wonder, if she told you that night she wanted to be with you, would you have stayed?

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[ivoyzzz]

Could you do a Saebyeok x reader where the reader thinks that Saebyeok actually doesn't like them at first, but once they see how she is around other ppl, they realize she's actually really sweet with them?

synopsis: you felt silly for having a crush on a girl who only tolerated you, because you had a mutual friend. you didn’t notice the way saebyeok was different with you. not until, you see how she is with everyone but you.

warnings: none just fluff !

a/n: this is so cutie, it took me a while but i hope you like it ! xoxo ivy

you didn’t notice it as first, the way the hardened girl softened just slightly with you. every-time you went to see ji-yeong and saebyeok was there-she didn’t give you the feeling that she liked you. if anything, you assumed it was the opposite. when you greeted her and all she did was hum or nod, it was frustrating. but never, ever could you have expected her to more then tolerate you. it wasn’t enough to know. she’d never given you more, or so you thought.

not to mention, the fact that even with the little saebyeok gave you, it couldn’t help the bubbling feelings towards the stoic girl. the way her hair was always effortlessly messy and perfect, the way she listened-not just halfway paying attention, she listened. she was irritating that way. making you have feelings for her, just to disregard your presence, all the time.

when you called ji-yeong to see if she was free and she was-you agreed to meet at a cafe. when ji-yeong walked in, what you weren’t expecting was for saebyeok to be following right behind her. saebyeok loomed behind ji-yeong like she was reminding me of her, taunting you.

as the two of them sat down, you smiled at both of them-acting like you weren’t in love with the girl who barley acknowledges you. it’s pathetic really.

ji-yeong easily falls into conversation with you and you try to pay attention-you really do. it’s hard though when saebyeok sits there, looking so indifferent, so casual-but still stupidly attractive.

when the food gets called to the counter, saebyeok stands up to get it, letting ji-yeong finish whatever wild story she was telling. you nod and casually respond to ji-yeong, but thats not what your focused on. there is a girl, standing oddly close to saebyeok, too close. “excuse me?” the girl chirps out, looking at saebyeok, to which saebyeok glares at the girl and steps slightly farther. “could i get your number?” you overhear the girl ask saebyeok.

you can’t even pretend to be focused on ji-yeong anymore. “hold on a sec ji.” you mumble, trying to hear what saebyeok will say back.

“you don’t even know me. i don’t give my number to strangers, no. ” saebyeok glares, her tone remaining composed. saebyeok grabs the drinks, walking back over. saebyeok’s eyes meet yours, she knows you’ve been watching the whole time, and she’s enjoying it. her lips upturn in the slightest bit, she definitely was taunting you.

you have to physically pull your eyes away from the girl, sitting in dismay. saebyeok takes the cherry out of her drink, setting it down on the napkin next to you. her eyes are oddly soft-almost vulnerable.

“hey, everytime i ask for your cherry, you tell me no and eat it! that’s so not fair.” ji-yeong groans at saebyeok, but then ji-yeong gives her a knowing glance and smirk. oh my gosh, ji-yeong was never going to let this go. right as ji-yeong is about to say something else, saebyeok interrupts her staring down at her drink. “drink your drink.” which causes ji-yeong to let out a small laugh.

did saebyeok really never give ji-yeong her cherries? did saebyeok like them? why would she give them to you? i mean, she knows you like cherries but saebyoek barely tolerates you. unless, she more then tolerates you.

saebyeok watches you, as you begin to put the pieces together. the way she treated you differently. it was true, yes saebyeok wasn’t the best at expressing her emotions. especially speaking them, but what she could do was show them. she thought she had been pretty obvious, she let you borrow her favorite jacket one time. one time, ji-yeong touched it and she didn’t talk to her for 2 weeks. in saebyeok’s eyes, she couldn’t have been any clearer. but you, had thought she despised you. now, thinking about the little things she did it all started to make sense. maybe the cold girl melted just the tiniest for you, and even if it wasn’t much, it was a start.

[savannagonemad]

shelter in your arms

~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~

fluff ✨

kang sae-byeok x fem!reader

wordcount: 3.3k

author's note: my first post! i hope you like it! i had this idea a day or so ago and i think it all came together pretty well 💚 also this ended up being a lottt longer than i intended but i got kinda invested lol oops. not really proofread so sorry if there's mistakes!!

~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~

you had finally convinced sae-byeok to go on a camping trip with you. you weren't even sure where the idea came from, yourself - you've never been too interested in camping to begin with. the more you thought about it, though, the better of an idea it seemed like to you.

your lives had been stressful, to say the least. you had gotten evicted from your apartment and had to move in with sae-byeok or else you'd be homeless. she was skeptical at first, but you've known her long enough that she got used to it pretty quickly. the pressure of this, combined with the general crazyness of life, had been wearing you out, and you could tell it was dragging on sae-byeok as well, though she tried to hide it.

when you had first brought up the idea, she was surprised, to say the least.

"y/n, do you even own camping gear?" she said, not even looking up from her phone.

"do you really think i would suggest this if i didn't have the stuff for it?" you huffed, crossing your arms.

"knowing you, kind of," she said, glancing up at you for a moment.

"hey!" you said, pretending to be offended.

she didn't say anything in return, though you could see a slight smirk on her face.

over the next few days, you kept bringing it up and trying to convince her that it was a good idea, but she wasn't having it. eventually though, after a lot of convincing (and a fair share of whining at her), she agreed to go.

"fine," she said, looking up at you from where she was reading on the couch.

"really?" you said, surprised. you were beginning to think about giving up on the idea.

"something tells me you won't stop bothering me about it until i say yes," she said, setting her book off to the side. "and besides, it's just getting colder out, and i don't want to do it while it's freezing outside."

for the next few days, the two of you planned out where you would go. you settled on a two-day trip over the weekend at a site next to a river. as the day of your trip apprached, you found yourself strangely excited for it. before you knew it, the day arrived, and you and sae-byeok packed your gear and loaded it into the car. sae-byeok insisted on driving, mostly because she didn't trust your driving, especially not with her car.

"i can't believe i let you drag me into this," she said as she pulled out of her parking space.

"come on, it'll be fun! and it'll be nice to get away from... everything, i guess," you said, looking out the window as you begin driving down the road.

"i guess," sae-byeok said, glancing at you in the rearview mirror for a moment. you looked into the mirror at the same time and she quickly looked away, focusing on the road.

the two of you made small talk as you drove to your destination, most of the topics being of little interest to you both. it was more of an excuse to talk to her - something the two of you didn't do much, despite being roommates. occasionally you would catch her glancing at you in the mirror, and she would act like nothing was happening. after a couple more times of this, you got sick of it and decided to confront her.

"why do you keep looking at me?" you asked, fully looking over at her in the driver's seat.

"i need to look in the mirror to drive, y/n," she stated, pretending not to know what you were talking about.

"i didn't know staring at the passenger was part of driving," you contested, drawing a noise of complaint from sae-byeok.

"it's nothing," she said, dismissing the topic.

you huffed but let it go. after all, it's not like you wouldn't have time to talk to her about it later.

after a few silent minutes of driving, you decided to try something. you looked into the mirror directly at sae-byeok and stared her down, waiting to see if you could catch her looking at you again. as you looked at your roommate, you couldn't help notice her facial features that you hadn't paid much attention to before - her freckles, her haircut which was strangely cute despite being very fitting, and her eyes which you swore suddenly were a lot prettier than you remember them being.

"you can stop staring at me now," she said, interrupting your daze. apparently you were looking at her for longer than you thought.

"sorry," you mumbled, looking away as you blushed in mild embarrassment.

you tried not to look at her for the remainder of the drive, but you couldn't help yourself a few times, though fortunately she didn't catch you again.

eventually you both arrived at the campsite entrance and sae-byeok parked the car letting both of you out. the two of you grabbed your gear and sae-byeok locked the car, then you started walking towards the entrance.

"how far is it to where we're going?" sae-byeok asked as you started walking together.

"i think it's about a ten minute walk or so," you said, subconsciously matching her walking pace. "why, are you tired of me already?" you teased, grinning slightly.

"i might be if you keep talking like that," she replied. "i can always leave you here," she said, the joke being a nice break from her usual cold self.

just as you were going to reply, your foot got caught on a branch and you stumbled, tripping and just barely missing landing on sae-byeok. luckily for you, you managed to catch yourself with your hands before faceplanting directly into the ground.

"y/n, are you okay?" sae-byeok asked, barely hidden concern in her voice. she crouched down next to you and helped you up as you avoided looking at her out of complete embarrassment.

you meekly accepted her help and the two of you stood up. you wanted to brush it off and keep walking but sae-byeok grabbed you by the shoulder and didn't let you keep going.

"i'm fine," you said, wanting to move on.

"let me see your hands," sae-byeok said, but you ignored her request. "now," she added, her voice firm but gentle.

you shyly offered your hands to her, your cheeks burning with embarrassment. she grabbed your wrists, looking over your palms closely to make sure you didn't accidentally cut yourself.

"just a few light scratches, luckily," she said, letting your hands go. as soon as your hands were free, you started walking forward again, much to sae-byeok's dismay.

"you're welcome," she chided as she followed after you, quickly matching your pace again.

"i don't want to talk about it. it was just a fall. nothing serious." you kept walking, sae-byeok keeping up with you and staying a little closer than before. she made a noise of complaint as you brushed her off but otherwise dropped the topic.

at least that's what you thought, until you felt her wrap her hand around your wrist protectively.

"what are you doing?" you asked, though not trying to pull away.

"making sure you don't fall again," she stated simply, keeping her eyes trained on the path ahead.

you didn't say anything else, mostly because you didn't know what to say. the physical attention did feel nice, though you definitely weren't going to say that out loud.

the two of you kept walking forward, her gripping your wrist protectively all the while.

"if you wanted to hold my hand, you could just say so..." you mumbled after a few minutes, causing sae-byeok to falter slightly.

"what." she said after briefly composing herself, looking over at you.

"nothing, nevermind," you replied, looking away as her gaze took your sudden confidence away.

you kept walking in silence for another minute before you felt sae-byeok's hand not-so-discreetly slip into yours, her fingers interlocking with yours so she could have a better grip. you glanced at her in surprise and saw a faint blush on her face, and you then locked your own fingers with hers. neither of you spoke a word about it until you subconsciously ran your thumb over the back of her hand.

"don't do that," she said, keeping her hand in yours. you quickly stopped and went back to focusing on walking.

"sorry," you apologized, not getting a response.

you were content enough as it is, even if this was just to make sure you didn't fall over like a bowling pin again. sae-byeok's sudden protectiveness over you was adorable whether she liked it or not, though that's definitely not something you would be admitting to her anytime soon.

finally, after a few more eventless minutes of walking, you got to the place where you would be setting up camp. sae-byeok removed her hand from yours, drawing a sound of complaint from you which she ignored as she began to unpack her stuff. you figured you should do the same and you begin to unpack too.

as you begin to unpack your gear, you looked around at the campsite. admittedly it was a very beautiful place - there were vibrant trees all around you, and you could hear the soft rushing of water from the river nearby. maybe you could get used to this. especially if sae-byeok was with you.

"don't fall into the river," sae-byeok called out as she began setting up her tent nearby.

"shut up," you retorted playfully as you begin setting up your own tent, embracing the whole 'clumsy' thing. apparently it means sae-byeok holds your hand, which is plenty of motivation for you.

after you get your tent arranged, you go over to check on sae-byeok, partially because you want to see how she's setting up her tent so you can make sure you're doing it right yourself.

"pretty nice place, isn't it?" you comment as you walk over. birds chirp in the trees as the soft rustling of the wind creates a surprisingly peaceful environment for being in nature.

"i guess," sae-byeok responds, pausing to look around, though keeping her back to you. "maybe you were right for once."

you pout and go to make a response of your own when the wind suddenly picks up, shaking some leaves off of the trees nearby. you hold your hand up to your eyes to shield yourself from the wind and wait for it to pass.

"told you," you finally manage to respond once the wind dies back down. you turn to finish setting up your tent - after all, it'll be dark soon and you definitely don't want to have to do it by the light of a fire.

your tent is gone.

you quickly walk forward towards where it was, looking down at the ground and hoping it'll magically appear again from wherever it's hiding. it does not. however, you do see the stakes you got out still lying on the ground right where you put them. your heart sinks as you realize you forgot to stake the tent down. the wind must have blown it away. which means...

you trail your eyes to where the wind blew, and you catch sight of your tent which has found a nice new home in the river.

"you cannot be serious," you say to yourself, getting sae-byeok's attention. she gets up and walks over, noticing your sudden lack of a tent.

"y/n, where's your tent?" she asks, coming to a stop beside you. you dejectedly point towards where it's floating away down the river. sae-byeok immediately covers her mouth with her hand and turns away from you, though you can see her shoulders shaking as she tries to conceal her laugh.

"it's not funny!" you say, whining at her. "where am i going to sleep now? in the river?"

sae-byeok gathers herself and turns to you, though there's still a small smirk on her face. "i'm guessing that was your only tent?"

"who brings more than one tent to a camping trip??" you complain, causing sae-byeok to giggle which draws another whine from you.

sae-byeok looks at you, then to the tent which is floating its way down the river like a boat. "do you want to go home?" she asks. she might find this funny but she wants to make sure you're actually alright.

you sigh. "no..." you start, fidgeting with your hands nervously. "we came all this way. i don't want to have dragged you out here for nothing..."

"you can stay in my tent then," she decides, turning back to go finish setting it up. "unless you want to fish yours out of the river."

"really? you don't mind?" you ask, trailing after her. the offer is really nice of her, though you suppose there's not really another choice.

"i'm not going to leave you outside in the cold," she responds coolly. "unless you want to sleep outside."

"no!" you say quickly. "it's just... i don't know. thank you."

"don't mention it. can you start a fire while i finish setting this up? preferably on land," she teases, getting complaints from you, though you do end up making yourself useful and start a fire for the both of you.

as the day turns to night and more banter between the two of you passes over a simple dinner cooked on the fire, it's soon time to turn in for the night, unless you'd like to stay outside and both become mosquito food. you follow sae-byeok into her tent where there's a grand total of one sleeping bag - yours was swept into the river along with the tent, and it's probably halfway to the ocean by now.

"uhh, sae? there's just one sleeping bag here," you observe. "and... one pillow."

"i can see that," she responds, kneeling down to open the sleeping bag.

"so... what are we supposed to do?" you ask. you're not too thrilled with the idea of sleeping without anything to cover you.

"it's big enough, we can share." sae-byeok looks up at you, speaking again before you can ask more questions. "it's either that or you keep us both awake because i just know you'll be shivering all night, your choice."

you fake pout at her while she lies down, scooting over to give you room. "thanks for this," you say as you lie down next to her, leaving a bit a space between you.

"zip it up," sae-byeok says to you, looking on expectantly.

"are you serious? we won't fit," you object. sae-byeok wraps her arm around your shoulder and pulls you closer, zipping up the sleeping bag herself.

"yes we will," she says flatly, trying not to pay attention to how close the two of you are. it's a good thing she wasn't looking at you since you were busy trying to hide a blush yourself.

the two of you laid there for a few minutes, neither of you able to get comfortable due to the cramped space. it didn't help that you kept getting slightly closer to sae-byeok with each passing minute, which is something she very much noticed. she looked over at you, unimpressed, though her face had a bit of amusement on it.

"what are you doing, y/n?" she asked, causing you to freeze still.

"nothing," you replied, hoping that maybe she wouldn't notice that you're suddenly closer to her than you were before. sae-byeok waited in silence, trying to get you to speak more, but you remained silent which drew a huff from her.

"i know what you're doing, so just come here and get it over with," she said, half-teasing. she grinned when she saw you suddenly get flustered and look away. "sorry, but you aren't exactly subtle."

you glared at her for a moment, but obliged and cuddled up next to her. the space situation did not improve, which prompted sae-byeok to speak again. "that's not what i meant. come on, otherwise neither of us will get to sleep tonight."

you slowly turned over and tenatively wrapped an arm around sae-byeok. when she didn't complain, you more confidently rested your head on her chest and lightly held onto her shoulder, your other hand resting at your side.

"comfortable now?" she asked you, her hand gently finding yours as she held your hand again. your heart half-melted and you nodded, which was satisfactory to her. "good. now go to sleep."

you sighed contentedly, cuddling closer against sae-byeok. in response, her free hand went to your hair and she absent-mindedly played with it, which you liked a lot. you let her know this by gently squeezing her hand, causing her to smile slightly.

"thank you," you murmured. you didn't expect tonight to end up like this, but you're more than happy that it did. your train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the feeling of sae-byeok gently kissing the top of your head, causing you to freeze.

"you're welcome," she said simply, not acknowledging what she just did. you tilted your head up to look at her, and she looked down at you in response, neither of you bothering to hide the soft blushes on your faces.

"sae," you started, suddenly feeling anxious. "can... can i kiss you?" you looked away as soon as you said that, not wanting to ruin the moment. "sorry, forget i said that.."

"y/n." sae-byeok squeezed your hand to get your attention, and you sheepishly looked up at her. she nodded at you, giving you butterflies in your stomach.

"really..?" you asked, wanting to make sure she was sure.

"yes, now do it before i change my mind," she said, looking at you expectantly.

she could get you to do anything with that look.

you slowly moved forward and hovered above her, looking down at her while your lips were just inches away from each other's. you stayed like that for a moment too long and sae-byeok got impatient, using the hand that was still playing with your hair to pull you in.

you melt into her as your lips connect, closing your eyes. this felt good. she softly ran her hand through your hair as her grip on your hand tightened. after a few moments, you went to pull away, but sae-byeok pulled you back in by putting her hand on the back of your neck. you were happy to oblige, pressing your mouth back on hers. you forgot about everything besides sae-byeok, your lips moving in sync as you kissed one another. you felt truly safe here, not worrying about the stresses that made you come here in the first place, and definitely not worrying about your tent which was most likely on its way to antarctica. all you could think about was sae-byeok.

after a minute or so, she finally let you go. you pulled away with one last kiss, looking down at her, both of you blushing heavily but not caring. her hand rested on the side of your neck as you looked into each other's eyes.

"i liked that," you said, smiling. "we should do that more often." you settled back down onto her chest after stealing one last kiss before she could respond.

"i wouldn't be opposed," sae-byeok said, playing with your hair once again while rubbing your hand with her thumb. "good night, y/n."

"goodnight, sae-byeok."

nothing but the sound of crickets chirping and the sound of rushing water from the river filled the air as you both happily fell asleep in each other's arms.

~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~

[everyones-doormat]

STAY

PART TWO STAY MASTERLIST

kang sae-byeok x fem!reader

synopsis: sae-byeok never let people in—until she met you, ji-yeong’s roommate. You don’t ask for more, you just stay. And for someone who’s always been alone, that changes everything.

warnings: none

Sae-byeok started showing up more after that night.

Never with any warning. Never with an invitation, just… appearing. Sometimes she’d be waiting outside when you got home from work, leaning against the railing like she’d been there forever. Other times, she’d already be inside when you walked in—Ji-yeong’s doing, obviously.

You never questioned it.

Neither did she.

Tonight, you found her at your kitchen table, quietly scrolling on her phone. You barely blinked at the sight of her as you locked the door behind you.

“You know, normal people let their friends know when they’re coming over,” you said, setting your bag down.

Sae-byeok didn’t look up. “I’m not normal.”

You snorted, kicking off your shoes. “No argument there.”

She finally glanced at you, watching as you stretched, exhaustion weighing on your shoulders. “Long shift?”

“Like every other night.” You moved to the fridge, frowning at the sad contents. “We really need to go grocery shopping.”

“Or you could just bring home more takeout,” Ji-yeong called from her room.

“Or you could actually contribute for once,” you shot back.

Ji-yeong’s laugh was muffled, but you could picture her flipping you off from the other side of the wall.

You sighed and turned to Sae-byeok. “You hungry?”

She tilted her head slightly, like she wasn’t sure why you were asking. But then, after a beat, she nodded.

“Cool.” You grabbed your wallet from the counter. “Come with me.”

-

It was late enough that most places were closed, but there was a tiny convenience store a few blocks away that you frequented.

Sae-byeok walked beside you, hands in her pockets, hoodie pulled over her head. She didn’t say much, but that was normal. You’d gotten used to her quiet presence.

Still, something about tonight felt… different.

Maybe it was the way she stayed close. Close enough that your arms almost brushed. Close enough that, when you stepped off the curb, her hand instinctively hovered near your lower back.

You didn’t acknowledge it.

Neither did she.

When you reached the store, you grabbed a few instant meals and drinks, glancing at Sae-byeok. “Anything you want?”

She shook her head. “I’m good.”

“You sure?”

She hesitated, then grabbed a pack of gum and tossed it in the basket.

You smirked. “Living large, huh?”

She rolled her eyes, but you caught the tiny twitch at the corner of her lips.

At the register, you paid before she could argue. She gave you a look but didn’t say anything, just pocketed her gum and followed you out.

The walk back was quiet, but not in an awkward way. Just… easy.

At one point, she glanced at you. “You always this nice?”

You shrugged. “You always this guarded?”

Her lips pressed together. She looked ahead, hands tightening in her pockets.

For a second, you thought she wasn’t going to answer. But then—

“With most people.”

You slowed your steps, glancing at her again. “But not me?”

She didn’t look at you, but something in her posture shifted. Her shoulders weren’t as tense. Her hands weren’t clenched so tightly.

“…Not you,” she admitted.

Your chest tightened slightly, but you kept your voice light. “Guess I should be honored.”

She huffed, barely a laugh.

You didn’t need her to say more.

-

sorry it’s a shorter chapter but it felt like a good place to finish <3

[ikalyyy]

♡︎ㅤ! 𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָstray bunny pt. 01 ⋆⭒˚.⋆

Where Kang Saebyeok is chased by another girl after they were fired from the games.

𖹭.ᐟ Warnings: angst ; fluff ; no callback to the games ; fem! reader

Saebyeok felt the cold pavement against her almost naked body, she cursed the world for the cold night and those damn heartless pink guards; shaking her head and rubbing it a little against the ground, she managed to take off the blindfold. She recognized a little of her surroundings, she had visited that place to steal a few times. She sighed exhaustedly as she tried to untie her hands, the cold was freezing her, and when she finally let go, she smiled a little, untied her feet and before she could get up, a small but sharp squeal startled her.

"Ah, damn cold!" you screamed, feeling your bones suffer from the low temperature.

"Shut up, girl" a cold and somewhat hoarse voice made you shut up a little, still with distrust you raised your chin and managed to sit down.

"Who are you?" you asked in fear.

"Turn around" was an order, cold and clear, you didn't even complain as usual, you just turned around and raised your hands as much as you could. Other cold hands made some contact with your back, making you gasp, you finally felt free and you took off the blindfold, to look at your savior.

"God, thank you!" you smiled so big it hurt, the girl in front of you, with short wavy hair, a look colder than the pavement, beautiful features, full lips... and half naked, you blushed looking down. "Wow, I think I saw you... yes, I saw you!" you said in a shrill tone, you had recognized her by her brave attitude.

"Uhm..." she let out a simple sound.

"I saw how you pulled that man's hair while we were playing, it was amazing! I liked hearing him beg" you carefully untied your feet and started to get dressed, that girl remained silent, you turned around to change "I also saw how they beat you up when we first arrived, and I thought 'this girl is such a troublemaker' I wanted to talk to you but the game started and I couldn't become your friend anymore, I guess it's lucky we met here and-" when you turned around you noticed that that girl was already dressed and was walking a few meters away from you, literally leaving you talking to yourself. You finished getting dressed in a second, and ran after her.

"Stop following me" she muttered, her hands stuffed into her green jacket.

"Uh, I just don't have anywhere to go..." you muttered, running beside her.

"I'm not a fucking babysitter, find your way" her rude and abrupt tone made you reconsider the idea of following her.

"You're right, babysitters are nicer," you huffed as you followed behind her, your little skirt swaying prettily, though it was awful for the weather and you regretted choosing it, though your fuzzy sweater helped.

"Stop it, stop following me," she turned around to look at you, but you just smiled.

"I don't want to. What are you going to do to stop it?" you walked closer, barely reaching her neck. Your mischievous smile disappeared when she pulled a small pocket knife out of her pocket, making you gasp. "Okay, I get it."

The pretty girl kept walking while you sat on a cold bench. She barely walked a few feet before turning back.

"Do you really have nowhere to go?" she muttered, as if she felt obligated.

"No, before I went to the games, I got kicked out of the apartment I was renting," you said, as if it wasn't even a big deal.

"Do you promise to shut up the whole way?" She asked looking at you "I don't want a jumping bunny around me" her aggressive tone made you smile.

"Tsk, I'll try my best" you smiled, putting a hand on your chest, as an oath.

"You'll only stay tonight" she said before walking, without waiting you followed her, like a stray bunny.

Bah, easy promises to break. By the way, at no point along the way you stayed quiet, you were even twice as loud, Saebyeok could only sigh and count numbers in his mind to avoid leaving you abandoned in that place.

They won't be returning to the games. because I really don't want to add angst hhahah, don't worry about it...

Tell me if you want me to mention you in the next chapter! :D

with lots of love and sugar, ika (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

[darlinluxx]

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 | 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐞 𝐁𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐤 ౨ৎ

pairing : kang sae byeok x fem!reader

warnings : nsfw

warnings for sfw : tiniest mention of sickness

warnings for nsfw : dom!saebyeok, sub!reader, tiny mention of knife play, degradation, strap

a/n : just thought i’d start off with some headcannons <3 if you have requests, feel free to message me <3

- Saebyeok probably wouldn’t be the first one to say “i love you”

- when she did say those three words, she would feel relieved. after all, she has been holding it in since she laid eyes on you

- and she doesn’t say it much, instead, she shows her love through different ways

- like remembering the smallest details — like how you take your coffee (or if you don’t like coffee), which side of the bed you prefer, or your favorite movies

- she has a habit of “borrowing” things of yours and never returning them

- she absolutely loves seeing you in her clothes

- the first time Saebyeok fell asleep on the couch with your head on her chest, it’s a bigger milestone than your first kiss

- Saebyeok struggles with accepting help or care when she’s sick. she’s used to acting like she’s fine. the first time she calls you because she has a fever is a huge moment of trust

- gives you a spare key for her apartment

- she’s not big on pet names, but i think from time to time she would call you, “darling,” “baby,” or “princess”

- always saying things like “i missed you,” “did you eat?” or “are you warm enough?”

- she expresses worry more through actions since she’s not the most comfortable with saying things. she’ll fix the bow on the back of your hair when you’re walking ahead of her

- when she’s upset, she goes quiet rather than angry

- Saebyeok’s love language is 100% quality time

- i think we can call come to an agreement that she’s not a fan of pda

- she will hold hands with you while walking though

- in private, she would like physical contact though. she’s always finding small ways to touch you

- loves to give you hugs — her arms wrapped around you as she holds you in her embrace, resting her chin on your head as she murmurs sweet words to you

- her favorite form of physical affection is playing with your hair while you lay on her chest as you two watch movies

- we can also all come to an agreement that this woman is PROTECTIVE !!

- is always near you out in public like a personal bodyguard

- carries her pocket knife everywhere

- while walking together, Saebyeok always positions herself on the street side of the sidewalk

- and what if i said she memorizes your schedule (without meaning to) just to know you’re safe ??

- the first time you meet Cheol, she’s more nervous than either of you

- Saebyeok doesn’t even realize that she leaves things at your apartment

- the first time she calls your apartment “home,” she doesn’t even notice—it feels natural

- she has a specific spot on the couch in your living room that becomes “her spot”

- Saebyeok is always the first to wake up. she’ll make coffee for herself and attempt to make toast but burns it. so once you wake up you’ll have to help her with cooking

- she keeps track of important dates, she never needs a reminder for your anniversary or your birthday

- she’s surprisingly good at domestic tasks. years of self-reliance made her practical

- she stress cleans when anxious. you can tell when something’s bothering her

- she loves late night talks. whether it be sharing goals in life or random thoughts, she’ll always enjoy it

- Saebyeok’s protective but not possessive, having learned the difference between love and control

- has trouble accepting gifts but puts incredible thought into giving them. no matter how many people she has to pickpocket, she will get you something she knows you’ve been wanting for a long time

- never makes promises she’s not absolutely certain she can keep

- she always keeps her promises

- Saebyeok keeps a journal of things that make you smile (she won’t ever admit it)

- is secretly good at video games but pretends to be bad so you can “teach” her

- loves sharing airpods with you when you two are on the subway or walking

- has a (secret) playlist of songs that remind her of you

nsfw ౨ৎ

- she’s a top / dom !!! anyone who says different is a liar

- okay and what if i said she’s lowkey into knife play ?? then what

- Saebyeok really focuses on making you feel good. gets satisfaction on seeing you cum

- she’s usually more on the rougher side, but if you want her to be gentle, she will be no questions asked

- “don’t get all shy now. it’s just me.” when you’re getting shy or nervous with her

- mix of praise and degradation !! “you’re so dirty for me.” “you look so pretty cumming on my fingers.”

- could eat you out for the rest of her life

- loves when you wear dresses or skirts cause it gives her the opportunity to slide her hand closer and closer to where you need her. and she knows. but she can’t resist teasing you

- loves fucking you with a strap just because ?? especially in front of a mirror

- sweetest aftercare, so so gentle with you. as if you’re made out of glass

[mizusbabygirl]

they take turns ༉‧₊˚✧

(kang saebyeok and kang no eul take turns with fucking you) kang saebyeok x fem reader and kang no eul x fem reader ────୨ৎ──── cw: scissoring, car sex with no eul, reader is originally dating saebyeok but then she meets no eul, strap-on usage, saebyeok is gentle and sweet, no eul is rough and remorseless, fingering, vaginal fisting, shower sex with no eul, saebyeok cries during sex, fluff with saebyeok

you and saebyeok have been dating for a few months and she’s been nothing but the sweetest girlfriend you’ve ever had. y’all would always go on cute coffee shop dates, aquarium dates, beach dates, etc. you and her even thought about planning a trip to jeju island to celebrate your 1 year anniversary together.

you and saebyeok prioritize each other in everything and even your friends think your relationship with saebyeok is perfectly healthy. saebyeok enjoys giving you small pecks on the cheek and you enjoy cuddling with saebyeok during cold or rainy nights. your girlfriend has never thought about doing anything much more either than kissing and cuddling but you didn’t mind since you respected her boundaries.

one day in particular, it was a cold day and you and saebyeok were going on a date to a sushi restaurant to celebrate your 6 month anniversary with her. just then, a young woman with a cold expression on her face walked past you and your girlfriend whilst you were trying to reserve a table for the both of you. you didn’t think much about that woman but her cold expression really gave you the shivers.

moments after you and saebyeok got a table, the woman came up to saebyeok with a smile that didn’t seem genuine. “saebyeok, is it? kang saebyeok?” the woman spoke up with a deep tone that freaked you out a bit since you were so used to your girlfriend’s soft voice. saebyeok looked at her but she didn’t smile back, “why are you here, no-eul?” saebyeok’s tone didn’t sound as sweet as the tone she always used, it sounded bitter. no-eul leaned in to whisper into your girlfriend’s ear and left in a dash.

you didn’t try to ask saebyeok anything about the weird situation and instead tried to enjoy the moment by enjoying the special date at the sushi restaurant with her.

after the date, it was around 7 pm and saebyeok thought about spending the night at your apartment which you recently bought with your own money. once you got ready for bed and lended saebyeok a pair of comfy clothes she could wear, her phone started ringing. you got a glimpse of the name of the caller and it was no-eul. you got creeped out but also annoyed that this no-eul keeps getting in the way. saebyeok never mentioned she had a friend named no-eul. saebyeok coldly excused herself and went to take the call in the bathroom.

you didn’t want to eavesdrop but you did overhear something about no-eul being a horndog.

“what type of fucking conversation is this?”

you thought to yourself.

in the meantime, you decided to drift off to sleep, hoping your girlfriend would end that fuck ass call with no-eul talking about how she wants to talk someone through it.

it was around 2 am and saebyeok was sleeping soundly next to you, her arms wrapped around you. her soft breathing made you feel some sort of way, the way she gently ran her hands through your hardened nipples really made you wet. you’ve never had sex before nor masturbated, but in that hot moment, you wanted to feel everything. without your girlfriend noticing, you slowly ran your fingers around your clothed pussy, feeling it slowly get wet. you put your hand inside your panties and traced your fingers around your aroused clit, teasing your tight folds as your fingers made their way into your hole. you dipped them in and out, rubbed them in there until you were a soaking mess.

saebyeok, began to press small kisses on your neck from behind, her arms wrapped tightly around you, your soft moans from fingering yourself made it obvious to her that you wanted her in that moment. “honey, do you want to try it?” saebyeok asked you with the sweetest tone, making you turn around to face her. she put your hair behind your ear and went in to kiss you. surprisingly, she took the hand you used to finger yourself with and began sucking your fingers clean. you’ve never seen your girlfriend act like this before but it got you turned on, making you want to undress yourself right on the spot. she began tugging on your shirt, basically begging you to strip immediately. you pulled your shirt off, your tits in front of her face, your nipples immediately hardened to the thought of her sucking on them. saebyeok undressed herself as fast as she could, looking like an impatient sex addict.

her fingers went immediately to your crotch, she looked mesmerized by the sight of your virgin pussy. she dipped one of her fingers in your pussy, causing you to moan out, as you fully undressed yourself fully. saebyeok went further by dipping in another finger, slowly entering your untouched cervix. “fuck…” you moaned out as she fingered you slowly. you felt like your cervix was getting stretched open by her fingers and you were so close to the edge. “what’s wrong?” saebyeok whispered as she went faster and deeper. you couldn’t even talk, you just moaned as you came all over her hand. she slipped her fingers out of you and got on top of you to kiss you.

your right leg wrapped around her, making her pussy meet yours. her hips started moving back and forth against you, your pussy making wet squelching sounds with hers. her moans sounded like cries, but it was so hot, she was whimpering. her clit met yours which immediately caused you to scream out. her hip moving went faster and faster, making your pussy feel like it’s melting with hers. “hold my hand baby, i’m almost there” saebyeok made you hold her hand, her hand interlocking with your hand tightly as she released her squirt all over your pussy and lower tummy. she went in to kiss you again, but with much more passion.

this moment made your relationship with your girlfriend grow stronger and more intimate. intimacy was what you were both lacking.

that morning, you woke up alone, thinking saebyeok was still sleeping soundly, resting her head on your chest. you got up, your heart racing with fear. you thought saebyeok left you.

as you quickly put on a pair of panties and a random shirt on and made your way into the living room of your apartment, you found no-eul and your girlfriend standing near the doorway. you felt annoyed and rushed over to shoo no-eul out of your apartment, “how the fuck do you know my girlfriend?” no-eul smiled at you and calmly replied, “we grew up together in north korea,” you looked back at your girlfriend to see if she had any sort of reaction but she wasn’t even looking at the two of you. you face yourself back to no-eul, waiting to see who would break this awkward moment. “i’m sorry, i didn’t mean to talk to you that way. i just found it weird that i suddenly started finding you everywhere i went as if you were stalking me or my girlfriend,” no-eul just smiled at you, as a way of accepting your apology.

suddenly, saebyeok told you that she had to leave for a few hours to run some errands like usual. you let her leave and watched no-eul leave as well with her.

as you were preparing to take a warm shower, your apartment’s doorbell ringed. you opened the door and found no-eul again. instead of making that stirred up face you always made whenever you saw no-eul, you smiled back at her. you let her into your apartment and got to know her, even if you still had an iffy feeling about her.

“so that basically sums up how me and kang saebyeok got to get in touch with each other again,” no-eul finished her story that made you learn a bit about her. you had a weird feeling that your girlfriend and no-eul could possibly be related to each other since they both share the same surname but you thought it would make the moment between you and no-eul uncomfortable if you asked her about it.

but something about no-eul; you didn’t know if it was her sweet scent that reminded you of saebyeok or her dark eyes that sparkled but something definitely turned you on about her. you’re not a cheater, and you’re well known amongst your friend circle for being a loyal puppy when it comes to relationships.

all of a sudden, you suddenly found yourself kissing no-eul, you were completely drowned in your own thoughts that you didn’t get to remember how you even ended up kissing her in the first place. you felt no-eul’s tongue dart inside your mouth, both of your tongues dancing with each other, her taste reminded you so much of saebyeok it drove you insane.

when you finally came to your senses, you broke the kiss with her immediately and said, “no-eul, i have a girlfri-“ she interrupted you “oh i know,” no-eul smirked at you and she went in to kiss you again.

you felt like a monster in that moment. you felt as if you completely let down the only person who you promised you were going to cherish forever.

you left no-eul in the living room as you made your way to take the shower you were going to take after saebyeok left. as soon as you undressed yourself, the bathroom’s door swung open.

“what a fucking perv”

you thought to yourself.

no eul was seen only wearing a pair of panties, her tits were out. you completely froze in that moment, you knew things were going to take a turn for the worst after this encounter. you didn’t get to realize that she had some weird bulge in her panties and it really got you turned on? this situation got you turned on? cheating on your girlfriend with her childhood friend turned you on?

you were getting lost again into your thoughts as you saw no-eul pulling down her panties rapidly and saw her dark red 7 inch strap on spring out, slapping her tummy.

nothing mattered.

all that mattered was that you were now currently moaning, crying, pinned to the shower wall, you were moaning in ecstasy. no-eul had one hand on your hip and the other one pulling your hair as a handle. no-eul was in the shower with you, ramming her big cock in and out of your pussy that was once very tight, her hips worked like a jack hammer. “good fucking girl” she slammed her strap-on deeper inside your pussy “your pussy is so fucking tight—can’t even get used to this dick” she said as she jack hammered harder into you.

you eventually came on her strap-on and she gave your ass a sharp spank, leaving it stinging for a few minutes. the warm water from the shower falling on the both of you, your ass getting spanked repeatedly by no-eul made you hornier.

no-eul slapped your spread open cunt over and over again and you could even hear her giggle in satisfaction.

you thought this was over and you could just make her get out of your apartment and forget about everything and go back to how things were.

you were wrong.

saebyeok is sweet, nurturing, gentle, caring but no-eul is a savage beast, you would have thought having sex with no-eul would be similar to how you had sex with saebyeok since they both share similar personality traits but you were wrong.

no-eul turned off the running water from the shower and threw you out of the shower like a toy.

you found yourself getting pussy fucked in doggy style by her on the bathroom floor, your dripping wet hair and body made small puddles on the floor. no-eul pulled out in the middle of it and spat on your pussy and rubbed her hand aggressively against it and slipped her strap-on back inside again. “fucking saebyeok can’t do this good, can she?” no-eul said while giving you her last pounds.

you had no words after that.

the next week, you haven’t seen no-eul again but you didn’t tell anything to saebyeok. you and your girlfriend did the same things like going on dates, cuddling, etc. you seemed to forget what had happened between you and no-eul, as if it was just a bad dream. that following day, saebyeok decided to spend the night at your apartment again but something seemed weird about her.

when saebyeok entered your room, she had that same weird bulge in her pants like the one no-eul had in her panties before she fucked you relentlessly with her strap-on in the bathroom.

“babe, i wanted to try something more different with you. let’s not cuddle tonight, i don’t care about that anymore,” saebyeok said as she pulled down her pants and revealed the same fucking strap no-eul had used on you. you couldn’t even hide your shocked expression, but saebyeok had undressed herself completely before you could even say anything.

you gulped at the sight of your girlfriend who was once the most innocent and sweetest girl to being a horny animal like no-eul. “come ride it, don’t worry i’ll take care of you through it,” your girlfriend said to you as she signaled you to slip your pussy on her strap-on. you undressed yourself and to your surprise, your pussy was a soaking mess.

you gently got on top of saebyeok as she placed her cold hands on your hips, slowly sliding you down onto her strap.

oh fuck it felt real good and she could tell just by the moan you let out when her strap slipped perfectly into your cunt.

your hips moved side to side, back and forth and you did little bouncing moves that made your tits bounce up and down. you were riding her like a champ and her hands were now placed on your ass for support.

as soon as you were about to release, her eyes were getting watery and she began to whimper and cry. looks like her strap was hitting her swollen clit with every bounce you took when you were riding her.

poor girl.

fast forward to 4 months later, it was a hot sunny day in july and saebyeok thought it would be a great idea to go to the beach with you. saebyeok parked her car in a parking lot that was near the beach but she forgot to buy sunscreen. “fuck i forgot the sunscreen, please wait here or outside the car, i’ll be back,” saebyeok said as she got out of the vehicle to go to the nearest shop to buy sunscreen. you were left alone in the car, it was scorching hot so you rolled down the windows to let in some air even though it didn’t feel as refreshing as the ac.

a few minutes went by and she still hadn’t came back so you take off your shirt and shorts, revealing the new bikini you recently bought for this occasion. you were chilling in the backseat, listening to music as you heard someone run towards the car. you took off one of your ear buds to see no-eul? no-eul running towards you? you sat up and looked out the window to get a closer look.

“i got you ice cream, i’m sorry i didn’t text nor call you this whole time i was away,” no-eul apologized as she handed you a strawberry ice cream cone. you thanked her but then she demanded you to open the door for her. without a single thought, you opened the door for her and she made herself in.

as you were enjoying your ice cream, she kept eye fucking you; probably because you looked so hot in that bikini. too bad your girlfriend didn’t get a chance to see how you looked in it.

that didn’t matter now since no-eul was now on top of you, kissing you and touching you. no-eul broke the kiss and smashed the ice cream onto your tits.

“what the fuck!!!???”

you thought to yourself. she licked up the melting ice cream off your cleavage, undoing your bikini and dropping it aside. your body felt sticky and sweaty since you were left in the scorching hot car for so long.

no-eul dipped her fingers in your pussy, pumping them in and out. “fucking bitch,” she remarked as she made a fist and stuck her fist into your vagina causing you to scream out.

suddenly, you caught a glimpse of your girlfriend returning. you froze, but not fully since no-eul kept fisting your used up hole.

saebyeok opened the car’s door and caught you two in the action.

you were fucking done.

but saebyeok didn’t seem mad, she looked like she was trying to hold back her laughter.

what the fuck could this mean? could it be that your girlfriend was setting you up with no-eul this whole time?

[mayahawkesfirstwife]

can u do a fluff fic of saebyeok giving u after care after rough sex. Like shes washing ur hair in the shower and whispering sweet nothings in ur ear

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Aftercare

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Pairings: Kang Sae-byeok x Fem! Reader

Summary: After rough sex with your girlfriend, she runs a bath for you and gives you aftercare.

Warnings: Mention of smut, etc.

Author Note: I know you said a shower but taking a bath is just so soothing. Sorry if there’s any spelling mistakes or anything like that!

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

You pant, wiping the sweat off your forehead as your girlfriend lays down beside you, sweating and panting as well.

You two had just had very rough sex, you were exhausted and fucked out.

She looks over at you, “You did so well for me.” She kissed your cheek and you smile, wrapping your arms around her neck.

She sat up, you let go of your hold on her and she stood up, putting on her boxers.

“I’ll be right back.” She leans over and kisses your cheek, before going into the bathroom.

She runs some water while you fiddle with the blanket, you missed her already.

She comes back about two minutes later and she goes up to the edge of the bed, opening her arms.

“Come here, honey.”

You crawl up to her and wrap your arms around her neck again, she picks you up with ease and carries you to the bathroom.

She sets you down and you seen the bath running with bubbles inside, it looked so nice.

You got in and hum as you shut your eyes, she chuckles and took her boxers and bra off before getting in with you.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

You smile up at her and she kisses your forehead, “I’m so proud of you.”

“I love you Sae-byeok…” You kiss her forehead as well and she grabs the small blue cup after she stops the water.

She puts water in and starts to wet your hair, it felt great, the perfect temperature.

She put some shampoo on her hands and started to scrub your hair perfectly, it was like getting a massage.

“It feels nice…” You hum, she rubs your shoulders and you shut your eyes.

She had some magic hands, they were great at everything. She was here massaging your shoulders and you were moaning.

“I love you.” She kissed your shoulder once.

“My beautiful girl…” She fills the cup with water, “Cover your eyes.” She says, you cover your eyes and she pours the water over your head.

You push your hair back when she finishes, making sure not to splash her.

She puts conditioner on her hands and rubs it over the ends of your hair and you smile, turning to her.

“You’re so perfect, I’m so lucky.” She hums and you giggle while you blush.

She started washing her hair and you grab the cup and fill it with water and pour it for her like she did for you.

You put some conditionder in your palm and straddle her lap, putting it in her hair.

You look up at her and kiss her softly, she grabs your face and passionately kisses you back.

You pull away and she grabs the cup to pour more water over your hair and you do the same for her.

She grabbed your loofa and started washing your body for you, you giggle. “That tickles...”

She grabs your hip, “You’re so pretty.”

You peck her lips, “You’re so pretty, too.” You hum, she smiles.

You wash your body of the soap while she does the same to herself and got out before you, grabbing a towel.

She wraps it around her body and grabs another towel, holding it out for you.

“Here you go, honey.” She says as you got out and wrapped it around yourself.

You walked into your room, “Wanna wear one of my shirts?” She asks, you nod with a smile.

“It’s cold…” You shiver, she hands her T-shirt to you and goes to change the temperature.

You change while she’s gone and when she comes back she pecks your lips, “I turned the AC down, okay?”

“Mhm…” You smile up at her and crawled into bed, laying down.

“I’m so sleepy.” You hum, she changed quickly and got into bed with you.

“Me too, come here.” She opens her arm and you cuddle into her chest.

“Goodnight, baby…” She whispers and you kiss her cheek, “Goodnight, Sae.”

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

[kiemiu]

' 𝓜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝓜𝐞 ,

pairing kang sae-byeok x fem!reader | wc: 6.8k

synopsis sae-byeok and cheol plan to pull off the perfect proposal.

genre pure fluff | requested by anon. | masterlist

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 past week, Sae-byeok had been acting… different. It wasn’t her usual quiet intensity, that calm, razor-sharp focus she wore like armor. No, this was something else entirely. Her edges, once so defined and steady, seemed to blur, like a blade dulled just enough to lose its edge. Her sharp, composed demeanor had softened in ways you couldn’t quite name, leaving behind a restless energy that didn’t belong to her.

You first noticed it when she began fidgeting—a habit so foreign to her that it nearly startled you. She’d tap her fingers rhythmically against the counter, the soft drumming barely audible but endlessly distracting. At other times, she’d pull at the hem of her shirt, twisting it between her fingers as if she was trying to ground herself. Her eyes, usually steady and direct, had developed a habit of darting around the room, like her thoughts were too restless to stay in one place.

Once in the middle of the night, you’d caught her pacing in the living room, something you’d never seen her do. She moved back and forth in measured steps like a pendulum, her brow creased with such fierce concentration that you almost didn’t want to interrupt. The sight was so strange it nearly made you laugh—until you saw the tightness in her jaw, the way her lips pressed into a thin, troubled line. Whatever was running through her mind, it wasn’t something trivial.

“Are you okay?” you asked tentatively from the doorway, watching her movements still like she’d been caught in the act of something secret.

She turned to you, and for a split second, her expression softened, as if the weight she carried had been lifted by the sound of your voice. But then she shook her head, flashing you one of those small, practiced smiles that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice steady but betraying the pursuit of the storm you’d glimpsed moments before.

But you weren't convinced. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, and her shoulders remained tense, like she was bracing herself for something. You didn't push her—knowing Sae-byeok wasn't the type to open up easily, and you didn't want to force her—but as the days passed, the distance between you began to grow.

At night, when you lay beside her, you'd stare at the ceiling, your thoughts racing at a speed you couldn't fathom.

Had you done something wrong? Had something changed between you? The idea clawed at your mind, a quiet, insidious voice whispering that maybe she didn't want to be here anymore. Maybe she wanted to leave.

The possibility terrified you. You tried to ignore it, to push it away and tell yourself you were overthinking. But every time you caught her fidgeting, every time she hesitated to touch you, every time her eyes darted away when you looked at her, the doubt crept back in. A hopeless feeling clawing at your insides as you started to feel the reprieve of your relationship—almost as if time rewinded and you had become the same girl in highschool taking baby steps to try and bring Sae-byeok out of her shell. You'd ask her if she was okay, and every time she'd give you the Same answer—a small practiced smile, paired with a steady "I'm fine."

But she wasn't fine. You could see it. Feel it.

And yet, you couldn't figure out what it was.

It reminded you of the moments before a storm, when the air itself feels alive. You could sense it, that crackling energy just beneath the surface, as if the universe were holding its breath before the first flash of lightning split the sky. And at the center of it all was Sae-byeok, holding a secret so tightly that it seemed to weigh down her every movement.

You wanted to ask her, to reach out and demand to know what was wrong, but something in her eyes stopped you every time. They weren’t distant, exactly. If anything, they felt too close, like she was looking at you with a depth of emotion that threatened to spill over at any moment. It wasn’t sadness, or even fear—it was something far more complicated, something you couldn't quite understand.

So you waited. You gave her space, trusting that when she was ready, she’d let you in. But even as you told yourself that, you couldn’t shake the sense that something big was coming. Something that would change everything, for better or for worse.

The truth was, Sae-byeok did have a secret—one she wasn’t ready to share with you yet. She had won the games. Victory, if you could even call it that, had come at an unbearable cost. The horrors she had endured haunted her in the quiet hours of the night, creeping in like shadows that refused to stay hidden. She carried the weight of it all silently, the memories an ever-present ache in the corners of her mind.

But amidst the darkness, there was something else: hope. The prize money, blood-stained as it was, had given her something she hadn’t dared to believe in—a chance. A chance to rebuild, to create a life not just for her and Cheol but for you, the person who had been her anchor when everything around her had fallen apart. You had been the light she clung to, the reason she kept putting one foot in front of the other when everything seemed hopeless. And now, with the means to finally give you the life you deserved, she was determined to take the next step.

It was why, one crisp morning while you were at work, Sae-byeok turned to the only other person she could trust—Cheol. The two of them sat in the cramped but cozy apartment you all shared, the sunlight streaming through the window in golden patches. Sae-byeok fidgeted with her hands, her fingers tightening and loosening around each other as she tried to find the right words. For someone who could stand unwavering in the face of life-or-death stakes, this moment felt impossibly daunting.

Finally, she took a deep breath and blurted it out. “I’m going to propose.”

Cheol froze mid-bite of his breakfast, his wide eyes snapping to her face. “You’re really going to marry her?” he asked, his voice teetering on the edge of disbelief before quickly shifting into pure, uncontainable excitement.

Sae-byeok’s ears burned with the heat of her blush, but she nodded, her lips curving into a small, almost shy smile. “Yeah,” she said, her voice soft but steady. Saying the words aloud made her chest tighten and her heart race, the weight of the moment settling over her. It felt real now—terrifyingly, thrillingly real.

Cheol’s reaction was immediate and electric. He practically exploded out of his chair, his grin so wide it seemed like it might split his face in two. “This is amazing!” he exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over as he bounced on the balls of his feet. “Do you have a ring? When are you going to do it? Can I help? Please tell me I can help!” The questions spilled from him in a rapid-fire stream, his youthful energy contagious.

Sae-byeok couldn’t help but laugh, the sound light and genuine in a way it hadn’t been in so long. His enthusiasm eased some of the tension that had been coiled tight in her chest all week. “I’m picking out the ring today,” she told him, her smile softening as she leaned forward slightly. “And yes, you can help. But you have to promise me—no hints, no clues. You can’t say a single word to her. Not one.”

Cheol straightened like a soldier receiving orders, his small hands balling into determined fists at his sides. “I won’t say anything! I swear!” he said earnestly, his eyes wide with sincerity. “Not a single word!”

The sight of his resolve made Sae-byeok chuckle again, her lips twitching with amusement despite herself. “Good,” she said, reaching out to ruffle his hair gently. “Because if you do, I’ll know.”

Cheol’s face lit up with excitement, and he immediately started rattling off ideas, his words tumbling over each other in a blur of enthusiasm. Sae-byeok listened with a fond smile, her nerves easing just a bit more. As they talked, something warm unfurled in her chest—a flicker of hope she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in far too long.

Cheol was practically vibrating with energy, his enthusiasm spilling out in a flurry of ideas. “What if you propose at her favorite spot?” he suggested, his eyes wide with inspiration. “Oh! Or maybe you can cook her a fancy dinner at home first—like a whole three-course thingy!” He paused, frowning as he added, “Well, okay, maybe I should help with that part. You’re not really a good cook, Noona.”

Sae-byeok snorted, rolling her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitched upward in a reluctant smile. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she said dryly, but her tone was light, even playful—a stark contrast to her usual guarded demeanor.

As the conversation continued, something began to shift inside her. With each new idea Cheol threw out, with every little plan they sketched together, a warmth she hadn’t felt in years began to take root. It was a quiet, fragile thing at first, like the faint glow of a candle in a dark room. But as the minutes ticked by, it grew stronger, brighter, filling her chest with a sensation she could barely recognize.

It was hope.

Hope had been a stranger to Sae-byeok for so long. Life had taught her to survive, not to dream, and she’d long since learned not to look too far ahead. The future had always felt distant and unreachable, like a mirage shimmering just out of grasp. But now, as she imagined slipping a ring onto your finger, as she pictured the look on your face when she asked you to be hers forever, the future felt closer. It wasn’t some vague, impossible dream that kept her up at night as the glow of the prize money remained her only light source and the smell of iron infiltrated her nose—it was something real, something she could hold in her hands.

Her gaze drifted to Cheol, who was grinning at her with an expression so full of excitement and love that it almost made her chest ache. He deserved this, too—a life where he could be a kid again, where he didn’t have to carry the weight of things no child should ever bear. And then her thoughts circled back to you, the one constant in her life who had shown her kindness even when she had nothing to offer in return.

It was you who had stayed by her side through everything, who had seen her pain and never turned away. You had given her a reason to believe, a reason to fight, even when she didn’t think she had it in her anymore. And now, here she was, planning a future with you—a future that entailed the three of you as a family.

When the day finally arrived, Sae-byeok woke before the first light of dawn, her nerves a live wire buzzing beneath her skin. She lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling and trying to steady her breathing. Her mind replayed the words she had rehearsed countless times, but now, they felt heavier, more daunting. You were curled against her, your head resting on her shoulder, one hand splayed across her chest as though you couldn’t bear to let go of her even in the midst of sleep.

Your warmth against her side was comforting, grounding. It was mornings like this that reminded her of how far she’d come—of everything she had fought for. You were her safe place, the calm in the chaos, and today, she was going to make sure you knew that.

Finally, unable to resist the pull of her own thoughts, she turned her head to look at you. Her hand reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face, her touch impossibly gentle. You stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent, but didn’t wake. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she leaned in, pressing a feather-light kiss to your temple.

“Good morning,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, more to herself than to you.

You looked so peaceful in the soft glow of the morning light. Blinking awake slowly, your eyelids heavy with sleep. Once your gaze met hers, a small, sleepy smile curved your lips. “Morning,” you mumbled, your voice still thick with grogginess.

For a moment, the two of you simply stayed like that, your bodies tangled beneath the covers, the world outside still quiet and untouched by the bustle of the day. Sae-byeok’s hand found yours, her fingers intertwining with yours under the blanket.

“You’re up early,” you remarked softly, nuzzling closer to her.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted, her thumb brushing over the back of your hand. For a moment, Sae-byeok hesitated, as though she wanted to say more, but instead, she shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow. “I thought we could do something today. Just the two of us—and Cheol. Maybe breakfast?”

Your eyes blinked open slowly, still wrapped in the haze of sleep, you gave her a drowsy, lopsided smile. “Breakfast?” you murmured, your voice thick with grogginess.

You raised an eyebrow, still half-asleep but intrigued. “What’s the occasion?”

She hesitated, her gaze flickering away for the briefest of moments before settling back on you. “No occasion,” she said, her voice soft but steady. “I just… wanted to spend the day with you.”

There was something in her tone, a quiet vulnerability that made your chest tighten. You didn’t press her, though. Instead, you smiled, your hand reaching up to cup her cheek. “Okay,” you said simply, your thumb brushing over her skin. “Let’s do it.”

Relieved, Sae-byeok leaned down to press another kiss to your forehead before slipping out of bed. “Come on,” she said softly, her lips curving into a gentle smile as she held out her hand to help you up. “I’ll help you get ready.”

You allowed her to pull you upright, still half-asleep but already warmed by the tenderness in her touch. Sae-byeok hadn’t been as openly affectionate as of recent—so, her sudden declarations of tenderness made you feel that something special was waiting just ahead.

In the bedroom, Sae-byeok opened your shared closet, her brow furrowed in thought. “Wear this,” she said finally, pulling out an outfit she loved to see on you—a soft knit cardigan and her favorite dress to see you in. “It’s comfortable but cute.”

You chuckled as you took it from her hands. “You’re picking out my clothes now?”

She shrugged, but the faint pink on her cheeks betrayed her flustered pride. “I just want you to feel comfortable,” she mumbled, turning her attention to picking her own outfit.

Before long, the two of you were helping each other get dressed. Sae-byeok smoothing out the small wrinkles in your dress and buttoning the ends of your cardigan with meticulous care, her hands lingering just a second longer than necessary. You teased her lightly about her perfectionism, but she only responded with a quiet smile, smoothing her hands down your arms before placing a gentle smack on your butt, “Can you make sure Cheol’s getting ready?” She softly asked, a smirk still tugging on her lips at your sudden flustered demeanor. You nodded, biting back a grin as you left your shared bedroom. A quiet “Thank you, pretty,” being heard as you made your way into the living room.

You found Cheol waiting by the front door, his excitement practically radiating off him as he bounced on his toes. The second he saw you, his face lit up. “Finally! I’ve been waiting forever. Let’s go—I’m starving!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with dramatic urgency that made you laugh.

Before you could say a word, Sae-byeok appeared behind you, her presence calm yet unshakable as always. The moment Cheol spotted her, his energy doubled. He grabbed both of your hands, practically dragging you toward the car once you put your shoes on. “Come on, slowpokes!” he urged, skipping ahead with a grin so wide it was infectious.

Cheol’s enthusiasm was like a small tornado, pulling you and Sae-byeok along as he bounced down the path. You could feel Sae-byeok’s soft chuckle against your shoulder as her arm looped around your waist, holding you close as you followed behind him. Her fingers gently pressed into your side, her touch grounding even amid Cheol’s whirlwind excitement.

“He’s gonna eat the whole menu at this rate,” you joked, glancing up at her.

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips. The two of you shared a quiet laugh, her warmth pressed against you as Cheol skipped ahead, already chattering about what he was going to order.

The little café Sae-byeok had chosen was a charming spot tucked into a quiet corner of town. Morning light poured in through the windows, casting everything in warm, golden hues. The smell of fresh coffee and buttery pastries filled the air, and the soft hum of conversation made the space feel cozy and alive.

You slid into a booth by the window, stretching lazily as Sae-byeok sat across from you. Cheol plopped down beside her, his energy practically vibrating off of the seat as Sae-byeok sat quietly, fiddling with the edges of the menu to keep her hands busy.

“Do you want pancakes?” she asked suddenly, catching you off guard as you browsed the menu.

“I was thinking of getting an omelet,” you replied with a smile.

“Get pancakes too,” she urged softly, her gaze warm. “You deserve a treat—plus, you won't get full just off one omelet.”

You raised an eyebrow, amused by her unusually doting tone. “You’re really spoiling me today,” you teased.

Sae-byeok didn’t respond right away, her lips twitching in a small smile as she reached across the table to take your hand in hers. Her thumb brushed over your knuckles absentmindedly, a gesture so tender it made your chest tighten.

When the food arrived, Sae-byeok was quick to cut your pancakes into neat pieces, nudging the plate toward you before you could protest. “Here,” she said, her tone nonchalant, though her cheeks were faintly pink.

“You’re being awfully sweet,” you said, your voice teasing but soft.

She shrugged, avoiding your gaze. “You’re worth it,” she said simply.

Meanwhile, Cheol was trying—and failing—to hide his growing excitement. His legs swung under the table, and every few minutes, he’d glance at Sae-byeok with a grin that only grew wider as time went on. Further into the breakfast, she started to bounce her knee nervously under the table, her growing tension palpable.

Cheol, noticing, slightly leaning over to place his small hand firmly on her knee, whispering, “You’re gonna shake the table apart.”

Sae-byeok shot him a sharp look, but there was no real heat in it. Instead, she exhaled a slow breath and stilled her leg, muttering a quiet, “Thanks.”

As the meal went on, you couldn’t help but feel like there was something unspoken between the two of them. Sae-byeok kept casting you quick, almost shy glances, and Cheol seemed ready to burst with excitement. Still, whatever it was, they weren’t ready to share it just yet.

“Everything okay?” you asked Sae-byeok at one point, tilting your head curiously.

“Of course,” she said quickly, her voice steady, though her gaze lingered on your joined hands. “Just… thinking,” She murmured, her thumb softly grazing over your ring finger as if she was stuck in a daze.

Cheol snickered beside her, breaking her from her trance as she subtly elbowed him in the arm, Cheol’s grin only grew wider at the flush of Sae-Byeok’s cheeks.

The café hummed softly around you, the sunlight catching the edges of Sae-byeok’s dark hair as she smiled at you—small but genuine.

After breakfast, the three of you stepped out into the crisp morning air, the golden sunlight casting a soft glow over the quiet street. Sae-byeok lingered for a moment, her gaze shifting between you and the little shops nearby. There was something unusually tender in her expression as she turned to you, slipping her arm over your shoulder with an effortless familiarity.

“I was thinking,” she began, her voice quieter than usual. Her other hand slid into the pocket of her jeans, her fingers brushing the smooth velvet box hidden there. “You’ve been working so hard lately. You deserve a break.”

“A break?” you echoed, tilting your head in mild suspicion.

She nodded, motioning subtly toward a cozy nail salon just a few doors down. “Yeah. Go pick out a color you like,” she said, her lips curving into a rare, soft smile. “I already booked you an appointment.”

You blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. “You booked me an appointment?” you asked, the corners of your mouth lifting in a playful smile. “Are you sure there’s no special occasion?”

“No occasion,” she replied quickly—too quickly. Her arm gave a gentle squeeze around your shoulder as she nudged you toward the salon door. “Just thought you deserved something nice. Relax, enjoy yourself.”

Your curiosity deepened, but the sincerity in her eyes made your suspicion melt away. “This is… really sweet,” you murmured, your gaze lingering on her as if searching for some hidden clue.

Sae-byeok’s smile flickered for just a moment, her fingers still absentmindedly fiddling with the secret tucked in her pocket. “Just go,” she urged softly, her voice tinged with a nervous edge she couldn’t quite hide.

Before you could ask anything else, Cheol chimed in, practically bouncing on his toes. “Yeah, yeah, relax already! We’ll come back and get you after!”

Laughing softly, you gave Sae-byeok’s hand a squeeze before stepping inside. The warmth of the salon embraced you, the gentle hum of dryers and the faint, clean scent of nail polish instantly soothing your senses. As you sank into the plush chair, letting the world outside fade, your worried thoughts on why Sae-byeok had been so insistent—and so nervous, slowly drifted off as you succumbed to the warmth of the shop.

Meanwhile, Sae-byeok and Cheol were far from calm. The two of them wove through the bustling streets, the morning air alive with chatter and the occasional scent of roasted coffee from nearby vendors. Cheol, overflowed with energy, darting from shop to shop like an excited puppy. “Okay, what about—flowers! What kind does she like again, Noona? Oh! Should we get candles? Ohh, we need music, Noona—do you have a playlist?”

“Cheol,” Sae-byeok said, her voice low but steady, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. “It’s a proposal, not a wedding.”

Cheol spun on his heel to face her, arms thrown dramatically into the air. “Exactly! It’s the proposal! It has to be perfect!” His eyes gleamed with excitement, and for a moment, Sae-byeok wondered if he might actually combust from sheer enthusiasm.

His excitement was impossible to resist. Despite the knots in her stomach and the constant buzz of nerves just beneath her skin, Sae-byeok found herself laughing softly, shaking her head as she let him pull her into yet another store.

It was easier to focus on Cheol’s relentless chatter than to think too much about what was coming. Yet, no matter how much she tried to keep herself grounded, her mind kept wandering back to you. Her hands felt clammy, and every time the image of you—standing on the beach, looking at her with those eyes that always seemed to see right through her—flickered into her thoughts, her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might bruise her ribs.

Cheol interrupted her spiral with another wild idea, dragging her toward a display of fairy lights. “What if we set these up somewhere? Oh, or maybe we could put them in a jar—I saw my teacher do it one time.”

Sae-byeok sighed, though her voice held no real edge as she replied, “We’re not decorating for a festival, Cheol. It’s just… simple, okay?”

But he only grinned, unbothered by her attempt to rein him in. “Simple doesn’t mean boring! Come onnnn, a little extra never hurt anyone.”

Sae-byeok let out a breath, shaking her head again as a faint blush crept up her cheeks.

Cheol’s boundless optimism had a way of chipping through her stoic exterior, loosening the tension that had been coiling tighter with every passing hour. Still, the weight of the day pressed down on her, no matter how much she tried to let herself get swept up in his enthusiasm.

As they moved through another aisle, Sae-byeok’s fingers brushed against the velvet box hidden in her pocket. It was small, but it carried so much—the weight of her emotions, her fears, her hopes for the future. She pressed her thumb against the edge of the box, grounding herself in the reality of what she was about to do.

Cheol caught the movement and nudged her with his elbow, his grin softer this time. “Nervous, Noona?”

Sae-byeok shot him a sideways glance. “What do you think?”

“It’s okay,” he said, his tone unusually serious. “I don’t think you have to be…She loves you like mommy loved daddy…Which means she’s gonna say yes, I know it.”

His words struck something deep within her, and for a moment, she paused, her gaze drifting to the bustling street outside the shop window. You loved her—she knew that. But there was still that small, gnawing voice in the back of her mind that whispered doubts, planted seeds of what-ifs. What if she wasn’t enough? What if this moment wasn’t perfect enough, or her words stumbled, or—

Cheol grabbed her arm, yanking her back into the present. “Noona,” he said, his voice softer now. “This is gonna be a piece of cake, don’t worry…” He assured her, his hand falling from her arm to squeeze her hand.

She let out a shaky breath, nodding. “You’re right,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I know.” Cheol grinned, holding up a small jar of the fairy lights he’d been obsessing over. “Now, please can we get these and go back. You’ve got a proposal to crush, and I've got to make a beach look really romantic.”

Sae-byeok couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her. With Cheol at her side, the moment felt a little less daunting, a little more real. As they stepped out of the store, the late afternoon sunlight warming their faces as she tightened her grip on the box in her pocket.

By the time Sae-byeok and Cheol returned to pick you up, the sun was beginning its slow descent, draping the city in warm, golden light. Long rays danced across the car’s hood, catching the edges of Sae-byeok’s face as she stepped out, her expression unreadable but laced with an undeniable tension. She opened your door for you, her lips curling into a faint smile as her dark eyes met yours.

“I have one more place I want to take you,” she said softly, her voice low and steady but carrying a note of something deeper—something that made your heart skip a beat.

Her gaze lingered on yours, as if she were trying to convey something words couldn’t quite reach. The vulnerability hidden in those sharp, steady eyes sent a shiver down your spine, leaving you both curious and a little breathless. You nodded, your trust in her outweighing the rising questions in your mind.

Once inside the car, Sae-byeok slid into the driver’s seat, her movements purposeful but tinged with a subtle nervousness. Her left hand gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles pale, while her right hand found its way to your thigh. The warmth of her palm was grounding, her thumb brushing soft, absentminded strokes against the fabric of your dress. Cheol sat in the back, practically buzzing with energy.

He fidgeted endlessly, unable to sit still as his grin stretched so wide it seemed to consume his whole face. Every now and then, you caught his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror, the glimmer of excitement in them barely concealed. You raised a questioning brow at him, but he only shrugged and looked out the window, his lips twitching with suppressed laughter.

The drive was quiet, filled only with the soft hum of the engine and the faint sound of a radio station playing in the background. Sae-byeok’s focus remained on the road ahead, her thumb tapping lightly against the wheel in a rhythm that didn’t match the music. The tension in her posture was palpable, her jaw set but her brows pinched ever so slightly.

Your gaze shifted to the passing scenery, though you couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in your chest. The quiet between you wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy, charged with an energy that made you grip the seatbelt a little tighter.

When the car finally rolled to a stop, your breath caught in your throat. The sight before you stole the words from your lips.

The beach stretched out like a serene, untouched canvas, the sand glimmering faintly in the waning light. Waves rolled lazily to shore, their soft, rhythmic crashes the only sound against the hush of the evening. The sun hung low, spilling streaks of amber, rose, and lavender across the horizon, the colors blending seamlessly into the gentle sky. Its reflection danced on the waves, glimmering like molten gold scattered across the water.

When the car rolled to a stop near the edge of the beach parking lot, Sae-byeok turned off the engine and exhaled slowly, her hand still resting on your thigh. She glanced at you, her lips twitching into a soft, almost shy smile before she looked away.

“We’ll be right back,” she said, her voice calm but carrying an edge of nervousness. “Stay here for a little bit.”

Your brows furrowed in curiosity. “Where are you going?”

Cheol piped up before Sae-byeok could answer, his grin as wide as ever. “We need to check something out really quick. Don’t worry, no secrets!” he said, his tone overly casual, though the excitement dancing in his eyes was anything but subtle.

You gave Sae-byeok a skeptical look, but she just smiled softly and squeezed your hand. “We won’t be long. Promise.”

With that, the two of them stepped out of the car, closing the doors quietly behind them. You watched as they made their way to the trunk, quiet whispers shared as they hauled multiple bags over their shoulders and tread toward the shoreline, Cheol practically bouncing alongside his sister. Sae-byeok glanced back once, her dark eyes meeting yours through the glass before she turned away, disappearing down the beach path.

Alone in the car, you tried to piece together what they were up to. The way Cheol had been practically vibrating with excitement all day, paired with Sae-byeok’s uncharacteristic nervousness, left you more curious than ever.

Meanwhile, down at the beach, Sae-byeok and Cheol worked quickly, their earlier planning finally coming to life. Sae-byeok carried a small bag slung over her shoulder, its contents carefully chosen and packed earlier that morning. Cheol, as usual, was full of energy, darting ahead to scout out the perfect spot.

“Here!” he called, pointing to a secluded patch of sand nestled between two gentle dunes. The waves lapped softly just a few feet away, and the setting sun painted the spot in hues of amber and rose.

Sae-byeok nodded, setting the bag down and pulling out a small blanket. Together, they spread it over the sand, smoothing out the edges before Cheol began pulling out the other items: jars filled with strings of delicate fairy lights that were powered by a small battery pack, a handful of candles protected by glass holders, and a small bouquet of wildflowers wrapped in twine.

“Do you think it’s too much?” Sae-byeok asked, her voice low as she adjusted the candles, her hands moving with a nervous precision.

Cheol looked up from arranging the fairy lights, his grin unwavering. “No way. I think she’s gonna love it.”

Sae-byeok paused, her fingers lingering on the bouquet. Her heart was racing, her nerves catching up to her despite her outward calm. She glanced at Cheol, who was now testing the lights, his face glowing with excitement.

“You sure?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Cheol stopped what he was doing and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure,” he said, his tone surprisingly serious. “You got this, Noona”

Sae-byeok nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line as she exhaled deeply. “Okay,” she murmured, more to herself than to him.

They finished setting up just as the sun continued to dip closer to the horizon, casting the beach in it’s soft sunset glow. The fairy lights sparkled faintly in the fading light, the candles flickering gently as the ocean breeze swept through.

Stepping back to admire their work, Cheol clapped his hands together with a satisfied grin. “Okay, it’s perfect! Now go and get her!”

Sae-byeok shot him a small, grateful smile before turning and making her way back to the car. Her hands were clammy, her heart thundering in her chest, but she pushed it all aside. This was for you.

When she reached the car, she opened your door and extended her hand. “Come on,” she said softly, her voice steady but her gaze intense. “There’s something I want to show you.”

The weight in her tone sent your pulse racing, but you took her hand without hesitation, letting her guide you toward the beach. Behind you, Cheol followed at a respectable distance, a knowing grin plastered across his face.

As you reached the top of the dunes, your breath caught at the sight below. The soft glow of the candles and fairy lights danced against the golden sand, the waves glimmering in the last light of the setting sun. The blanket, the flowers, the way everything seemed so carefully placed—it all felt like a dream.

You turned to Sae-byeok, your lips parting to speak, but the words caught in your throat as she stepped closer, her fingers lacing through yours. Her dark eyes searched yours, steady but filled with an emotion so deep it made your chest tighten.

“I’ve been waiting for the right moment,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “to show you how much you mean to me.”

The trembling in Sae-byeok’s hand was subtle but unmistakable, a rare crack in her carefully composed demeanor that sent a rush of warmth through you. Vulnerability wasn’t something she wore often, and seeing it now made your heart ache with both tenderness and anticipation. She guided you down the gentle slope of the dunes, the soft glow of the fairy lights and flickering candles drawing you into a scene that felt almost otherworldly. The quiet rhythm of the waves filled the air, wrapping the moment in a serene, almost sacred stillness.

She stopped just shy of the blanket, her hand still holding yours, her fingers tightening ever so slightly as if drawing strength from your touch. For a moment, she stood there, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in a palette of amber and lavender. Then, she took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling in time with the steady crash of the surf.

“Do you remember the first time we came here?” she asked, her voice low, steady, yet carrying a weight that made the words linger in the air.

Your lips curved into a soft smile at the memory, your mind drifting back to a simpler time—a time when the world felt less heavy, though no less meaningful. You nodded, your eyes meeting hers, and the quiet understanding between you filled the space where words weren’t needed.

“That day,” she continued, her gaze softening, “it felt like everything stopped for a moment. The world, the noise, all of it… it was just you and me. I didn’t realize it then, but… that was the first time I felt like I could breathe again. Like I wasn’t just surviving anymore.”

Her eyes searched yours, and there was something in them—something raw and unguarded—that made your breath catch. “It was here,” she said, her voice dipping lower, “that I realized… you’re my home. No matter what’s happened, no matter where I go, my heart leads back to you."

The sheer honesty in her voice hit you like a wave, your chest tightening as emotion welled up inside you. Her words weren’t just a declaration—they were a promise, a truth she had carried with her through every storm.

You opened your mouth to respond, your heart so full it felt as though it might burst, but before you could speak, Sae-byeok’s free hand moved toward her pocket. The movement was slow, deliberate, and you could see the faintest tremor in her fingers as she slipped them inside.

Time seemed to slow as she pulled something small and delicate from her pocket, her dark eyes never leaving yours. The moment felt like it existed outside of time, suspended between the steady crash of the waves and the warm glow of the fading sun.

Your breath hitched as she gracefully dropped to one knee, the motion so deliberate, so unexpected, that it stole the air from your lungs and every word from your lips. There she was, kneeling in the sand, her dark hair catching the last golden hues of the setting sun. The sight of her—strong yet vulnerable, steady yet trembling—etched itself into your memory.

From her pocket, she pulled out a small velvet box, and as she opened it, the glint of the ring inside caught the fading light. It was simple yet breathtaking, its understated elegance mirroring everything about Sae-byeok: unadorned but profound, quiet but capable of stealing your heart.

Her gaze locked onto yours, unwavering despite the faint tremor in her hands. “I’ve spent my whole life searching,” she began, her voice steady but laced with emotion. “For something… someone to fight for. And it’s you. It’s always been you.”

The words hung in the air between you, fragile yet unbreakable, as if she’d just given you the most sacred piece of herself. Her voice softened, her eyes never leaving yours as she whispered, “Will you marry me?”

Tears blurred your vision, the world around you melting into soft hues of amber and rose, the only thing clear being the woman before you—the woman you loved more than you thought possible. The words tangled in your throat, caught between overwhelming joy and the sheer magnitude of what this moment meant. Instead, you nodded first, a shaky, fervent motion before finally finding your voice.

“Yes,” you whispered, your voice cracking with emotion. Then louder, as if the universe itself needed to hear it. “Yes!”

Relief and joy flooded Sae-byeok’s face, her lips curving into the softest smile you’d ever seen as she slipped the ring onto your finger. It fit perfectly, like it had always been meant to be there. Standing, she pulled you into her arms, holding you so tightly it felt as though she was trying to memorize every part of you, to make this moment last forever. Her embrace was warm, strong, and unshakable, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to shrink down to just the two of you.

From a few steps away, the sound of a loud cheer shattered the quiet intimacy of the moment. “Finally!” Cheol hollered, practically jumping in place. “I thought I was going to explode keeping this secret!”

You laughed through your tears, the sheer happiness of the moment spilling over as Sae-byeok shook her head in mock exasperation. Cheol darted over, grinning from ear to ear as he proclaimed, “Okay, now I’m officially the wedding planner. No arguments!”

The rest of the evening unfolded like a dream, each moment saturated with joy. Cheol couldn’t stop teasing you both, his endless enthusiasm drawing soft chuckles and affectionate glances from Sae-byeok, who seemed lighter than she had in weeks. The tension she’d carried with her had melted away, replaced by a quiet confidence as her fingers intertwined with yours.

As the three of you strolled along the shoreline, the waves brushed gently against your feet, the ocean stretching out endlessly before you. Overhead, the sky had deepened into a canvas of indigo and violet, the first stars twinkling faintly in the distance. You glanced over at Sae-byeok, her profile softened by the moonlight, as you felt your heart swell.

She had won more than a game. She had won her future—a future she had fought for, bled for, and had chosen to share with you.

[saebyeokbliss]

you should write about like, saebyeok being all stiff and awkward when she meets the in laws 😭😭 poor baby would be breaking out in a cold sweat on the drive to their house lolol, and then reader tries to comfort her saying things like "dont worry baby their gonna love you"

LIKE REAL PEOPLE DO

pairing: loser!kang sae-byeok x fem!wealthy!reader synopsis: after reluctantly agreeing to have dinner with your prestigious, business-owning parents on valentine’s day, sae-byeok finds herself spiraling into a pit of nerves. despite your reassurances that everything will be fine, she spends the entire car ride coming up with increasingly ridiculous excuses to turn back. but when she finally meets your parents—expecting judgment, skepticism, and disapproval—she’s instead met with something unfamiliar: acceptance. maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t have to fight this battle alone. warnings: mild anxiety, social class differences, sae-byeok being emotionally guarded, mentions of past struggles, nervous girlfriend behavior, fluff with a touch of angst, supportive but slightly intimidating parents, awkward dinner moments, eventual acceptance and soft feelings.

a/n: happy valentine's day!! hope your day went well! im so late but hope you enjoy this little fic loves <33

The soft hum of the heater filled the quiet apartment, the warmth of it wrapping around you like a blanket as you lounged on the couch, Sae-byeok's legs draped over your lap. It was a rare moment of peace—one where neither of you had anywhere to be, no obligations pulling you apart. The city outside was alive as ever, but in your little shared space, it was just the two of you.

Sae-byeok was half-focused on a random movie playing on the TV, her fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on your thigh. She wasn’t one for excessive displays of affection, but after months of being together, you had learned her love was in the little things: the way she always made sure your phone was charged, how she let you steal her hoodies without complaint, how she held your hand under the dinner table when she thought no one was looking.

You had met her in the most unexpected way. Your worlds couldn’t have been more different—your parents, prestigious business owners, had always imagined you settling down with someone from their carefully curated social circles. Someone with an impressive degree, a spotless reputation, and a future that aligned with their expectations.

Sae-byeok was none of that.

You had met her at a small café on a rainy evening, your usual order messed up beyond recognition. You had been about to complain when Sae-byeok, who had been standing behind you, raised a single eyebrow and muttered, “If you don’t want it, I’ll take it.”

Something about her intrigued you instantly—the sharpness in her eyes, the guarded way she carried herself. One sarcastic remark led to another, and somehow, you had ended up sitting across from her, talking for hours. One coffee meet-up turned to two, then three, until it became something neither of you could deny.

Dating her hadn’t been easy. Sae-byeok had walls built sky-high, trust not coming easily to her. But you had been patient, and slowly, she had let you in. And now, here you were, tangled together on the couch, her presence as familiar to you as breathing.

Then your phone rang.

You groaned, recognizing the contact immediately: Mom.

Sae-byeok glanced at you out of the corner of her eye. “You gonna answer that?”

You sighed but pressed accept anyway, putting the phone on speaker. “Hey, Mom.”

“Sweetheart! How are you?” Your mother’s voice was warm but laced with the usual undertone of expectation.

“I’m good. Just relaxing.”

“Good, good. Your father and I were just talking, and—well, Valentine’s Day is coming up.”

You felt Sae-byeok stiffen slightly beside you.

“Uh-huh?”

“We thought it would be nice to have you over for dinner! You and that lovely girlfriend of yours.”

Your stomach twisted slightly. Your parents knew about Sae-byeok, of course. You hadn’t hidden your relationship, but they had never met her in person. You had no idea how they would react to her—not just as your girlfriend, but as someone who came from a world so vastly different from theirs.

Sae-byeok was staring at the TV now, pretending not to listen—but you could see the way her fingers had stopped moving on your thigh.

“I—uh, yeah. That sounds nice,” you said hesitantly.

“Wonderful! We’ll expect you both at seven. Oh, and tell Sae-byeok not to be shy! We’re excited to finally meet her.”

You forced a small laugh. “I’ll let her know.”

After a few more pleasantries, your mother hung up. The room was silent for a beat.

Then you turned to Sae-byeok, who was still staring at the TV with the look of someone who had just been handed a death sentence.

“You okay?” you asked softly.

She blinked. “You just agreed to throw me to the wolves.”

You laughed, nudging her. “They’re not wolves.”

“They’re rich, important people who probably think I’m some kind of street rat.”

You frowned. “Hey, don’t say that. They’re going to love you.”

Sae-byeok scoffed but didn’t pull away when you reached for her hand. “You don’t know that.”

“I do,” you insisted. “Because I love you.”

Her eyes flickered with something unreadable, and for a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue. But then she sighed, squeezing your hand once before looking away.

“This is going to be a disaster,” she muttered.

You grinned. “We’ll see.”

The car ride to your parents’ house was… tense.

Sae-byeok sat in the driver’s seat, her hands gripping the wheel so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. She wasn’t saying much, but you could practically feel the nervous energy radiating off her.

She was trying to play it cool, of course—shoulders squared, expression blank, acting like this was no big deal. But you knew her too well. The way she kept adjusting the rearview mirror despite already having it perfectly positioned, the way she cleared her throat every few minutes, the way her foot hovered just a little too long over the brake pedal at every red light—yeah, she was freaking out.

You bit back a smile as she let out a slow exhale, eyes locked on the road ahead.

“You okay over there?” you asked, voice light.

“Fine,” she replied immediately. Too fast.

You hummed, amused. “You sure?”

“Yeah.” Again, too quick.

A pause. Then:

“…Maybe we should turn around.”

You snorted. “Sae—”

“I just remembered something,” she continued, completely deadpan. “I left the stove on.”

You raised an eyebrow. “We didn’t use the stove today.”

“Maybe I did. You don’t know.”

You laughed, reaching over to squeeze her thigh. “Nice try.”

She sighed dramatically, drumming her fingers on the wheel as she approached another red light. “Okay. What if… I got really, really sick right now?”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re not sick.”

“I could be.”

“You’re fine.”

She exhaled sharply through her nose. “Okay, well. What if the car just—broke down? Right here. Right now.”

You glanced at the dashboard. “Battery’s fine. No lights are on.”

She clicked her tongue. “Damn.”

“Sae.”

“What?”

You smiled at her. “You’re nervous.”

“I’m not nervous,” she shot back, but the way she was gripping the wheel told another story.

You reached over and gently pried one of her hands off the wheel, lacing your fingers together. “It’s okay if you are,” you murmured.

She didn’t respond right away, just stared at the road ahead. Then, finally, she muttered, “I don’t do well with… people like them.”

You squeezed her hand. “People like them?”

She sighed. “Rich. Powerful. Judgmental.”

You frowned. “They’re not that bad.”

“They’re your parents. Of course you think that.”

You hesitated. Okay, fine—your parents weren’t exactly the warmest, most down-to-earth people. They had expectations, high ones, and they had never exactly approved of the way you chose to live outside of their carefully curated world.

But they weren’t cruel. And they were trying.

“I know they can be… a lot,” you admitted. “But they want to meet you. That has to count for something, right?”

Sae-byeok didn’t look convinced.

“Hey.” You tugged on her hand, forcing her to glance at you. “They’re gonna love you.”

She scoffed. “Doubt it.”

You rolled your eyes. “How could they not? You’re smart, you’re funny—”

“Debatable.”

“—and you make me happy.”

That made her pause.

You softened. “That’s all that matters to them, Sae. That I’m happy. And I am.”

She let out a breath, glancing at you from the corner of her eye. “…You’re really annoying, you know that?”

You grinned. “And yet, you’re still in love with me.”

She groaned, but you caught the way the corner of her mouth twitched upward.

The car slowed as she pulled into your parents’ long, pristine driveway. The house loomed ahead—grand, elegant, intimidating as hell.

Sae-byeok stared at it like it was her worst nightmare.

“…Last chance to turn around,” she muttered.

You laughed, squeezing her hand one last time before letting go. “Come on, tough girl. Time to meet the in-laws.”

Sae-byeok exhaled sharply, muttered something under her breath in Korean, and put the car in park.

Then, with the stiffest posture you had ever seen, she stepped out of the car—looking as though she was walking straight into a battlefield.

Sae-byeok looked like she was walking into an execution.

Her shoulders were stiff, her hands shoved deep into the pockets of the blazer you had begged her to wear, and her usual tough, indifferent exterior was barely holding up against the sheer intimidation of your parents’ house. The place was massive—high ceilings, grand windows, and a front door so polished that she could see her own stressed-out reflection in it.

You reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze before ringing the doorbell.

“You’ve got this,” you whispered.

She exhaled sharply. “I really don’t.”

Before you could reassure her again, the door swung open, revealing your mother—graceful, elegant, and dressed in a designer outfit that probably cost more than Sae-byeok’s entire wardrobe combined.

“Sweetheart!” she greeted, pulling you into a hug. Then she turned to Sae-byeok, her smile still in place but a little more measured. “And you must be Sae-byeok.”

Sae-byeok, to her credit, managed to nod. “Uh, yeah. Hi.”

You could tell she was trying her best to stand tall, to act like she wasn’t completely overwhelmed, but her hand was clammy in yours.

Your mother stepped aside, motioning you both inside. “Come in, come in! Dinner’s almost ready.”

As you walked in, Sae-byeok subtly glanced around, taking in the lavish decor—the expensive artwork, the grand staircase, the ridiculously fancy chandelier hanging above the dining room. She looked like she was fighting the urge to whistle.

Your father was already at the dining table, standing as you both approached. He was just as intimidating—tall, serious, with the sharp gaze of a man used to being in control.

Sae-byeok was visibly trying not to shrink under it.

“So,” your father said, his voice firm. “This is the girl who’s stolen my daughter’s heart.”

Sae-byeok blinked. “Uh… yeah. That would be me.”

You nearly laughed at how robotic she sounded.

Your father hummed, giving her a once-over. “Sit, both of you.”

Sae-byeok hesitated for a fraction of a second before pulling out a chair stiffly, sitting with perfect posture like she was in a damn job interview. She looked like she was about to break into a cold sweat.

Your mother poured some wine, offering Sae-byeok a glass.

“Thank you,” Sae-byeok said, accepting it carefully, as if she was afraid one wrong move would shatter the expensive crystal.

“So, Sae-byeok,” your mother started as she took her seat. “Tell us about yourself.”

Sae-byeok cleared her throat. “Uh, well. I—” She hesitated, glancing at you quickly before continuing. “I was born in North Korea, but I left when I was young. It’s just me and my little brother now.”

Your parents exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable.

Your heart squeezed. You knew this wasn’t easy for her—she wasn’t used to talking about herself, especially not to people who made their judgments based on polished resumes and perfect backgrounds.

But before the silence could stretch too long, your father spoke.

“That must’ve been difficult,” he said, his tone surprisingly even. “I imagine you’ve been through a lot.”

Sae-byeok hesitated, as if she was waiting for some kind of condescending remark to follow. But when none came, she nodded slowly. “Yeah. I have.”

Your mother smiled, softer this time. “And what do you do now?”

Sae-byeok glanced at you again, visibly unsure of how much to say.

“She’s been working hard,” you cut in, sensing her discomfort. “She’s saving up to start her own business.”

That wasn’t exactly a lie—Sae-byeok had been talking about opening something small, maybe a clothing shop or a café. It was still just an idea, but it was hers.

Your father raised an eyebrow. “A business? Interesting. What kind?”

Sae-byeok hesitated again, then squared her shoulders. “Fashion, maybe. Or something in retail.”

Your mother’s eyes lit up. “Fashion? Well, that’s an exciting industry.”

Sae-byeok nodded stiffly, still unsure if this was going well or horribly.

The conversation continued through dinner, and little by little, you could see Sae-byeok starting to relax—just slightly. She was still guarded, still careful with her words, but she wasn’t as tense as she had been when you first walked in.

Then, at one point, your father leaned back in his chair and looked at her seriously.

“You know,” he said, “when we heard our daughter was dating someone, we weren’t sure what to expect.”

Sae-byeok tensed again.

“But,” he continued, “I can see why she chose you.”

Sae-byeok blinked. “You… can?”

Your father nodded. “You’re strong. Independent. You’ve been through things most people can’t even imagine, and yet, you’re still standing. That says a lot about your character.”

Sae-byeok stared at him like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Your mother smiled. “And most importantly, she’s happy with you.”

You turned to Sae-byeok, squeezing her hand under the table. She still looked stunned, like she had been bracing for rejection the entire night—only to be met with something she hadn’t expected.

Acceptance.

As you left that night, walking toward the car, Sae-byeok was quiet. But this time, it wasn’t the stiff, nervous silence from before.

You nudged her playfully. “See? Told you they’d love you.”

She scoffed, but there was no real annoyance behind it. “I still don’t trust rich people.”

You laughed. “Fair. But… they trust you.”

She glanced at you, something unreadable in her expression. Then, finally, she sighed, unlocking the car.

“I guess that’s a start.”

And as you drove home, her hand resting comfortably in yours, you knew that was more than enough.

[starredblood]

EMBRACE

kang sae-byeok x reader

synopsis: inspired by embrace by pastel ghost, after a heated argument with your best friend sae-byeok she is the first to approach you unexpectedly by knocking at your window. the only way two stubborn friends like you two can make up is by exchanging of touch deprived reconciliations.

wc. 1.7k

warnings: friends to lovers, hurt/comfort

(masterlist)

You called out of work today—lying that you were ill. But your behavior the entire day made it seem as if you were actually sick.

Curtains drawn shut, the air conditioning buzzing, and your room barely illuminated with the only light source being your phone which your eyes were glued to. You were trying to consume as much media as you could to forget. You were determined to erase the pain even if it meant doing it in an unhealthy way because you refuse to talk to her first. It was childish yes, but she too was giving you the cold shoulder so it is only right for you to do the same.

The reason why you and Sae-byeok became friends was because of your broad similarities with her—you both have a soft spot for the mundane and lack social skills. But your similarities is what ultimately brought conflict in your complex friendship with her.

She hurt you with words and you also wished to hurt her in the heat of the moment. It’s been a few days since you’ve heard from her.

You hate how recurring the vivid scenario of that night keeps boring into your head. It’s a blurred memory but you remember the malevolent look in her eyes. It went like this: you had her for dinner, well aware of her frugal lifestyle and she easily accepts your invitation as this was a frequent occurrence—you inviting Sae-byeok for dinner. But as you, your parents and her silently ate, your mom made the big mistake of bringing up her past. More specifically about her being a defector. Once dinner was awkwardly over, your best friend pulled you aside to confront you—and she was pissed, completely red in the face and eyes darkly intense. You get why she was upset that you told your parents about her personal life without her knowledge, you could own up to that but just as you were about to, Sae-byeok said harsh things about your character. So, you said harsher things. And you both stormed off with this heated tension and snappy thoughts. Maybe for a brief second, you two despised each other.

As you scrolled through your phone, you heard the rain gradually become louder as the raindrops became thicker and more intense. The wind sounded like it could fight back and you were just glad you didn’t go to work today and having to deal with this weather.

The sound of an upcoming thunderstorm was making you feel more lethargic. At some point, your phone slips off your hand and softly landed in your chest as you began to fall asleep. In your quest to fall into slumber, you focused on listening to the environmental noise outside as it soothed your anxious mind. It wasn’t until the sound of rain mixed with familiar banging noises that you felt an irregular presence lurking.

You spring up from your bed, your heartbeat racing as you try and figure out if the banging noise was real or all in your head.

It was real—and it’s coming from your window. Your heart sinks knowing the inevitable truth that will be revealed when you open up your curtains. You approach your window with caution and brace yourself for another intense moment.

As you expected, Sae-byeok was on the other end, crouching on the small ledge that barely supported someone as tall as her. She was hugging her middle, glancing down at her lap, and completely drenched.

It hurt you seeing her like this because it meant that she became so desperate to the point she had to bruise her ego and pride to come to you like this—weak and cold. And even if she hurt you, you couldn’t find it in yourself to close the curtain and pretend she wasn’t there.

You avoid looking in her direction after pulling up your window. The sound of her wet shoes squeaking against your bedroom floor and her shaky breath made you concerned. Like Sae-byeok, you weren’t much of an affectionate person and that’s one of the many things you have in common with her but in this moment you wished you knew the ways to console her—even after everything that went down. Instead, you just go back to hide underneath your blanket, cowering. While you heard her rustling in your drawer looking for a change in clothes, your thoughts travel back to the idea of giving her a warm embrace after she wrestled with the thunderstorm outside.

But the problem is, you and Sae-byeok never were physically affectionate. Sometimes your hands would brush against each other when you passed each other things and if you two were riding the subway or the bus, your thighs might touch—but that’s as far as it went. In movies and shows, you would always see female friendships be so touchy and connect with each other on a deeply emotional level. You didn’t have that with her but it was a mutual agreement. Neither of you craved for that—that’s what you convince yourself to believe.

You feel the weight of the mattress sink down, so you turn around so your back would be back her. Today, you don’t want to confront her about the argument and you’re sure she feels the same. So, you wanted to go to sleep and forget the fact that she slipped under your covers with you only a few inches away. But you kept imagining what it would be like to feel her—are her hands naturally warm or cold? You scold yourself for thinking this way and you’re frightened that you cannot stop these scenarios from popping up.

This conflict was starting to overwhelm you, her overall presence was suffocating. You shut your eyes, expecting this’ll be how you end your day—however, you feel her press against your chest slowly, waiting for you to silently approve of this unexpected touch. When you don’t move nor speak, she hovers her trembling cold hands on your waist. Goosebumps trickle your skin feeling her press her hand on top of your waist. You might actually be fever dreaming.

She freezes in this position for a few minutes before tucking her chin between the nape of your exposed neck. You could feel her erratic breathing fan the side of your face. It was strange, you didn’t know how to react so you remain solid.

She holds her breath when she gets the idea of tracing soothing circles—she couldn’t help herself your touch was magnetic. It was the missing puzzle to make this friendship work—physical touch. Her hesitant and slow touches became more needy when you kept being unresponsive, like you purposefully wanted to drive her insane.

“What are you doing?” you manage to whisper.

“I don’t know.” Sae-byeok quietly admits.

This bizarre exchange made you wonder if this was possibly her way to say she is sorry. And if it was, you wonder if it’s enough. Sae-byeok was never a woman of words, so this meant a magnitude of apologies. You really feel like you’re in a dream state now.

Her fingers began fiddling with the ends of your shirt, trying to figure out how to naturally touch your bare skin without frightening you. When she finally wraps her arm around your bare waist and pulled you closer, her intentions were pure. They were right from the beginning—and that’s when you figured it out: Sae-byeok was touch deprived.

“You aren’t stupid—I didn’t mean it.” Sae-byeok spoke up, making your heart skip a beat at the sudden drop.

“I didn’t mean it either.” you mumble. “You aren’t insensitive.”

You finally get the courage to turn around in your bed. When you look at her, you see it in her face—the hurt. Her disregarded chapped and slightly red lips, pale freckled face, and her heavy red gaze. You thought she wasn’t going to be affected by what happened—remembering that she said she was fine with letting you go for being to selfish.

This time, you’re the first one to reach out and touch her. You run your fingers through her slightly moist unruly hair and frame her loose strands away from her face. She observes the way your eyes flicker carefully and revels in this soft moment. Neither of you ever thought that each others touch would be so electrifying.

Sae-byeok’s true gesture of apology was when she pushed your hand away from her face to gain access to your lips after fighting an internal battle with herself to not do it. She kissed you briefly, barely hovering over your lips to not completely abrupt you. But you felt enough to want more. You grab her by the back of her head to make her collide her lips fully with yours.

It started off careful and guarded, both your minds still trapped in the thoughts of your argument. When you feverishly began trailing your hand down to the nape of her neck and rub gentle circles that’s her movements became needy and hungry. She moved her lips against yours like she was running out of time. She slowly starts hovering above you, you use it as an opportunity to explore her. You run your hands up to her face and down to her waist, pulling her even closer till she was basically laying on top of you—getting the full scent of rain off of her hair and skin.

Neither of you knew what possessed each other to kiss with such fervor and neediness, but it was clear you both were craving to connect with someone deeply like this.

After minutes of purely making out, the two of you pull away and stare at each other with half lidded eyes. Your breaths mingled with many things still left unsaid, yet it didn’t matter now.

She rolls off you and lays down next to you, staring at the ceiling deep in her thoughts now. Your eyes had a hard time looking away from her swollen lips.

“Thank you.” she mutters after silence overtook your room. You stare at her with concern. “For everything—not just…for not pushing me away. I know I’m not an easy person to deal with.”

“You don’t have to thank me—I would do it all again if…it leads up to this.” you timidly confess to her.

You see the pink bloom in her cheeks while she tries to avoid your eyes. “Me too.” she says gently.

Her hands reach out to grab yours and you easily intertwine your fingers with hers. Now that the tension is long gone, you two share the comfort of each other as you listened to the rainfall.

🏷️: @tyresedidujsfart @yourstalkergirlfriend @yenyu1s @we1rdth0ughts @asappywriter @lilylamps @am4lv0da @everly-summers-solace @peelover25 @saebyeokbliss @noaanotfound @jumpedthenfell-13 @tlouloser @lyzem @thisuserisxnangel @knfthxv @laurenkenss @ninistranaut @stellssxo @bitchybananaflower @gummyoonji @marfe816 @knvschau @monroesturnns

[ivoyzzz]

be my valentine

synopsis: saebyeok didn’t know that she had to ask to be your valentine. how was she supposed to know, didn’t you being her girlfriend automatically make you her valentine?

warnings: fluff !

a/n: happy valentines day everyone!! very short fic but please enjoy ! xoxo ivy

on february 13th, when saebyeok stepped into the tiny shared apartment, you actually managed to catch her off guard. there you were, flowers and chocolate neatly arranged on the table, balloons in hand, your smile brighter than ever.

“kang saebyeok, will you be my valentine?” you asked, your tone playful, your eyes sparkling.

saebyeok blinked at you, her expression a mix of bewilderment and amusement, and you couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at the look on her face.

“what’s wrong with you?” she asked, setting down her groceries. there was no irritation in her voice, just pure confusion.

“just answer the question, sae,” you teased, rolling your eyes while your smile never wavered. you extended the flowers toward her, your gesture earnest.

she paused for a beat, then mumbled, “i thought i was already your valentine. doesn’t being your girlfriend make me your valentine?” she stepped closer to you, her tone soft and questioning.

you chuckled, feeling your heart swell. “you are my girlfriend, but i wanted to ask anyway. so it’s official.” your smile widened as you felt her slip her hand into yours, the warmth of her touch grounding you. “this is sweet.” saebyeok mutters, her tone genuine and appreciative-as she buries her head in your neck, pressing her lips into your skin. you smile letting out a hum in response.

after you did this, saebyeok felt guilty she hadn’t even considered it. she was going to make sure you had the best valentines she could give you.

the next morning, when you woke up and walked into the living room, what you weren’t expecting was a giant teddy bear-and your girlfriend.

saebyeok stood next to the flowers, the bear and she was holding a box of chocolate. “happy valentines day baby.” saebyeok says, giving you that small shy smile. she did all this for you? it was something you could tell, was out of saebyeok’s comfort zone. but she didn’t care, she did it for you. the smile on your face, was more then enough for her to forget about the embarrassment.

you walked up to her, the biggest smile on your lips. when you pressed a soft kiss against her lips, she was quick to return in wrapping her hand around your waist. “you like it?” she muttered against your lips. “i love it.” you smiled softly up at her. “yeah?” saebyeok asked, voice low and raspy. “yeah. thank you.” you hummed.

the two of you enjoyed the rest of the day together, as official valentines.

[savannagonemad]

in the dark

~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~

angst 💔

kang sae-byeok x fem!reader

wordcount: 4.2k

author's note: i'm so sorry for my hiatus!! i wasn't feeling super motivated so writing was slow, but i'm back now! i hope you enjoy this story, i made it extra long as an apology to you all 💚💚 please send requests if you have them, it's super motivating!! ✨✨

backstory/context: sae-byeok went to the games, and the first vote ended with the majority voting to stay. after the second game, the vote was tied, and after the lights out special game, there was a successful vote to leave.

~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~

"the person you have called is currently unavailable. please leave a message after the tone."

you sighed and hung up before the tone could play. this was your seventeenth call to sae-byeok since she disappeared two days ago. you hadn't thought much of it at first, but when she didn't come home during the night, you had gotten worried. this wasn't like her.

"where are you, sae..." you whispered to yourself, turning your phone off.

sae-byeok wasn't a particularly open person, even though you two were close friends. regardless, she'd never disappeared without any communication before.

you tried to ignore the voice in the back of your mind telling you that something bad happened to her. you don't know what you would do if that was the case. you didn't have many other friends, especially not like sae-byeok. she was the only person you trusted enough in your life to live with, and having two people share an apartment is cheaper than the alternative.

a crack of thunder outside brought you back to the present. it was getting late now, and a storm was rolling in. you turned your phone on and opened your text messages with sae-byeok.

---

"text me"

delivered 10:07 pm

---

you closed your eyes and let your phone fall on the couch next to you. staying up all night wouldn't help your worrying. the best thing you could do is get some rest and hope that your friend reached out in the morning.

you resigned yourself to the call of sleep, grabbing your phone and heading to your bedroom. you put your phone on the charger and turned the notification volume up to the highest it could go in case sae-byeok texted. with one last call to sae-byeok which went unanswered, you turned off the lights and laid down on your bed. the gentle sound of rain hitting your window and the soft rolling of thunder in the distance was soothing, and you soon found yourself drifting off to sleep.

---

a violent crack of thunder and the strobe of lightning illuminating your room jolted you awake. your heart suddenly raced as your fight or flight instincts kicked in. the wind was howling outside, and the rain was assaulting the window. you took a deep breath, calming yourself. you peered out of your window, watching as somebody's track can rolled down the street, being pulled along by the wind.

suddenly, your phone blared with the sound of an incoming call. you flinched and looked towards it, reading the caller id and checking the time while you were at it.

"2:13 am"

"✨ sae-byeok ��� is calling"

before you knew it, you had basically flown across your bed to your phone. you hastily pressed the 'answer call' button. the sound of wind, rain, and thunder came through the other end.

"sae? are you there? where are you?"

"y/n-" sae-byeok's voice came through the other side. your connection wasn't great, and she was cutting out. "come- me up?"

there was an unusual fear in her voice which immediately undid all your hard work of calming yourself down.

"are you okay? i-"

a tone played through the phone, and the sounds of weather stopped. you looked down at your phone.

"call dropped"

"fuck," you muttered under your breath. the ping of a text came through, and the preview told you it was from sae-byeok. you hurriedly opened the messages.

---

✨ sae-byeok ✨

come pick me up please

im scared

i need you

please

---

your heart raced as you read the texts. she had never texted you anything like this before, something must be seriously wrong. you typed back as quickly as you could.

---

-y/n-

are you okay

where are you

---

the reply came back almost instantly.

---

✨ sae-byeok ✨

no

i made it to the gas station nearest to our apartment

i cant walk in the dark with the storm

please come get me

please

-y/n-

i'm on my way

✨ sae-byeok ✨

please hurry

---

every text she sent you made you panic more. what did she mean that she 'made it' to the gas station? and why did she seem so afraid?

staying here wasn't going to do anything to help. you quickly grabbed your car keys and put your shoes on, rushing outside to your car. the wind and rain screamed at you as you hurried to your car. it was dangerous to drive in these conditions, but right now sae-byeok was of much more importance to you.

your car hummed to life as the rain ran across the windshield, making it hard to see. an angry roar of thunder filled you with adrenaline as you pulled out of your apartment building's parking lot and begin speeding toward the gas station. you were absolutely breaking several traffic laws but right now you didn't care. your friend was scared and might be hurt, and it's not like there would be cops out in this weather at this hour.

the near-constant flashing of lightning illuminated the road as you drove. you watched as branches were pulled off of trees nearby. the wind seemed to be trying to push you off of the road, and the rain made it hard to see even with the windshield wipers running at full speed. it was a miracle you didn't crash into something with how fast you were going.

the gas station came into view in the distance. your eyes locked onto it, and you pressed down on the gas a little harder. you whipped around the turn of the road leading to it and pulled in, scanning for sae-byeok. there was no sign of her outside, which made sense with how bad this storm was. you parked the car and got out, hurrying inside.

as soon as you stepped out of the car, the wind pushed against your body, causing you to stumble. the torrential downpour functionally blinded you, and you instinctively held your hand up to shield your eyes. the thunder and wind roared overhead, and the lightning only seemed to be getting brighter. you made your way inside, fighting against the wind with every step.

eventually, you managed to rip the door to the gas station open and duck inside. the sudden lack of wind resistance almost made you trip, but you managed to catch yourself on a shelf before you fell. your clothes were soaked, and the building shook around you from the constant thunder.

"sae-byeok?" you called out, wiping the water off your face with your hands. there was no response to your call, and you blinked a few times, your vision now being restored.

you looked around for your friend, but she was nowhere to be seen. the cashier behind the counter got your attention by waving to you, and you ran up to him.

"have you seen a girl here? tall, black hair, freckles..." your voice trailed off as he nodded and pointed towards the corner of the store. without a second thought, you hurried over to where he was pointing, turning the corner to get around the shelves.

hunched down in the corner, with her eyes closed and her hands covering her eyes, was your friend sae-byeok. you approached her gently, not wanting to startle her. she looked uncharacteristically afraid when she was usually so confident and calm. her hair and clothes were also soaked, and her green jacket seemed to have bloodstains on it. the numbers "067" were printed on the jacket. you didn't remember her ever wearing that before. you kneeled down in front of her, slowly reaching for her hand.

"sae?" you asked softly, taking hold of her hand. she flinched and her eyes flew open, and she backed herself away from you further into the corner. "hey, hey, it's me. you're okay."

her eyes scanned over you, and only then did she recognize you. as soon as she figured out you weren't a threat, you found yourself pulled into a deep hug as she clung to you, burying her head in your shoulder.

"whoa, hey- sae, are you okay? what's wrong?" you asked, holding her. she had never acted like this before, and that scared you.

"y/n," she whimpered, her voice strained and full of pain. the sound broke your heart. "please. please take me home. i don't want to be here anymore."

"okay. let's go, okay?" you helped her stand up, and she clung to your arm. you had a lot of questions, but they could wait until she wasn't terrified.

you slowly led sae-byeok to the door while she held onto you like you were the only thing keeping her anchored to the world. before you pushed the door open and stepped back into the brutal weather, you grabbed sae-byeok's hand. she immediately held onto your hand, squeezing tightly.

you opened the door and the wind immediately intruded into the building, pushing back against both of you. you felt sae-byeok grab you tighter as you forced your way through the wind and the rain, taking her to your car. you unlocked it and opened the passenger door for sae-byeok while the rain poured down. she jumped as lightning cracked above you and got into the car as fast as she could, with you doing the same on the driver's side.

as you got in, sae-byeok reached for you and held onto you again. there were sheer terror in her eyes. you were concerned, and you needed to get her home. before you could start driving, sae-byeok suddenly buried her face against your neck. you closed your eyes and pulled her against you, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. she was trembling and on-edge, and every roll of thunder made her flinch.

"shh, you're okay now, i got you," you whispered to her. she nodded weakly as she held onto you. you could tell she was fighting to get her composure back, and staying in this parking lot in a glorified metal can wouldn't help much.

you started the car and gently moved your friend so her head was resting on your shoulder. she whined and held onto your arm, which was fine - you could drive one-handed.

as you started driving back to the apartment, you glanced down at her for a moment. it's not like you would lose much visibility with the rain making everything so hard to see anyway.

"do you want to talk to me?" you asked her. she nodded meekly, taking a deep breath to calm herself down.

"mhm," she managed before choking on her own words. she swallowed, taking another breath. a violent flash of lightning scared her and she clung to your arm, whimpering.

"honey," you started, desperately wishing you could hold her. "you're okay, it's just a storm, alright? we'll be home soon,"

"okay," she breathed, fear obviously taking hold of her. she gripped your hand and squeezed hard, taking another deep breath to calm her racing heart. each flash of the lightning reminded her of the flashing lights during the so-called "special game".

sae-byeok did her best to stabilize herself with the storm. she tried really hard to ignore her fear, but it didn't work. eventually she forced herself to just think about you and focus on you - the dampness of your clothes, the softness of your skin, the rise and fall of your chest as you breathed. sae-byeok found herself copying your breathing rhythm. slowly, her mind cleared, and her shaking stopped, though she still clung to you.

while you were driving, you had noticed what sae-byeok was doing, and you had begun breathing in a more exaggerated fashion so she would copy you. it seemed to help, and she seemed calmer now - she wasn't jumping with every flash of lightning.

"okay..." sae-byeok took one more deep breath, her fear taking the back of her mind for now. "i can talk."

"sae, where were you? i was so worried when you weren't picking up my calls-" you rushed out. she interrupted you.

"i was kidnapped," she said, quickly adding more before you could freak out. "they said it would just be playing games for money, but they killed everyone who lost. fortunately we managed to vote to leave before too many died."

a particularly loud roll of thunder made her flinch and lean closer against you.

"you were kidnapped?!" you shrieked, which made sae-byeok jump.

"don't yell please," she whined.

"sorry," you apologized, lowering your voice.

for the remainder of the drive, sae-byeok told you everything. she told you about the pink guards, the sleeping gas, red light green light, dalgona, the fight that broke out, the voting, the murders, everything. every word she spoke drove more and more fear into your heart. it all sounded so absurd, but she was speaking in that tone that meant whatever she was saying was true.

"sae, i-" you started as you pulled into the apartment's parking lot.

"don't," she said, interrupting you. "i don't... want to think about it. i just want to forget it happened."

you sighed. clearly what she had been through had terrified her, but you respected her wishes. you would have plenty of time to talk about it later. right now you needed to get her inside.

you popped the car door open and were immediately assaulted by the rain and wind. you grimaced and got out, walking around the car and opening sae-byeok's door. she immediately grabbed onto you and you held her close, both of you fighting the wind to get inside.

sae-byeok held onto you as you guided her inside and towards the door to your apartment. the lights in the hallway were off which was strange, you definitely remembered them being on when you left.

you took your apartment key out and inserted it into the keyhole, unlocking the door. sae-byeok quickly stepped inside, clearly relieved to be home.

you closed the door behind you as you entered as well. the next thing you knew, sae-byeok had collapsed into your arms and was hugging you tightly.

"thank you," she murmured, her arms wrapped around you. you returned the hug, rubbing her back softly.

"shh, it's okay. you're safe now," you whispered to her, stroking her hair.

the two of you held each other for a moment before sae-byeok pulled away. she turned and flipped the light switch nearest to the door so you wouldn't be shrouded in darkness.

nothing happened.

she flipped it off and on again. still nothing.

"uhh, y/n..." sae-byeok started. you tried the switch a few times yourself, and nothing happened for you either.

"i guess the storm took out the power," you said, thinking about how the wind was trying to rip trees right out of the ground. "do you know if we have any candles?"

"we have like one... maybe." sae-byeok said, taking out her phone and turning the flashlight on. she shivered. she didn't like this at all.

"sae, are you okay?" you asked, noticing her shaking. she repressed her fear and looked at you.

"yeah, i'm.. i'm okay," she affirmed, absolutely not sounding okay. before you could object, she spoke again. "i'm going to go check for candles."

she turned and started walking down the hallway, freezing when she saw how dark it was. she made sure her phone's flashlight was on the maximum brightness, then slowly crept down the hallway to the bathroom. the dark shadows gave her flashbacks to the special game and how all those people around her died. adrenaline flooded her mind as she made it into the bathroom and reached under the sink, grabbing three candles. she stuffed them into her arms and bolted back to you in the living room.

you looked at your friend with concern as she abruptly returned. her eyes betrayed her now; you could see the panic and fear in them as she was reliving her memories of being in the squid game.

"i'm fine," sae-byeok said, trying and failing to sound confident.

"you don't look it," you objected. "i'm gonna go grab a lighter. stay here, okay?"

sae-byeok nodded as she sat down on the couch. "they're in one of the drawers in the kitchen," she called after you as you turned to leave her. all traces of confidence in her voice were gone, and she was clearly pretty shaken. you gave her one last worried glance before setting off to find a lighter.

just like that, sae-byeok was alone. in the dark.

she tried not to let the darkness get to her. she knew none of the players were here. there was nothing to be afraid of. her instincts told her a different story; every shadow looked like a potential threat. she stared into the darkness, pulling her knees up to her chest to make herself smaller.

after a few moments, you returned with a lighter. sae-byeok flinched as you entered her field of vision but relaxed once she identified that you weren't a threat. you took a candle from her arms and lit it, placing it onto the table next to the couch. sae-byeok watched with fearful eyes as you did the same with the other two candles, bathing the room in a soft orange glow.

wordlessly, you sat down next to your friend and pulled her into a gentle side-hug. she leaned against you, closing her eyes. she felt safer with you. you held her for a minute before you spoke up.

"we should get changed, our clothes are soaked..." you said. sae-byeok nodded and you both stood up, heading back to your rooms to change into dry clothes. fear set in once again as sae-byeok was alone in the darkness. she grabbed the closest spare clothes she could find and hastily changed, wanting to get back to you as fast as possible. you were ahead of her, and you knocked on the wall outside of her room.

"am i good to come in?" you asked, not wanting to intrude.

"you're fine," she responded. you entered the room and shined your own phone flashlight towards her. you saw some small cuts on her skin and frowned.

"stay here for a second," you said, turning and leaving for the bathroom. sae-byeok whined at your absence but did as told.

you grabbed a few bandages from the bathroom closet and returned to your friend. she watched as you approached her, her fear and anxiety seeming to die down as you got closer.

"sit on the bed with me for a second," you told her. she sat down alongside you and you began tending to her wounds, applying the bandages to wherever she was nicked.

"thank you," sae-byeok said quietly while you tended to her.

"hm?" you asked, then you figured she must be talking about the bandages. "oh, it's nothing, these cuts should be tended to anyway-"

"no," sae-byeok interrupted. "thank you... for being there for me."

you applied a bandage to a nick on her neck, then grabbed her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. she tried to look confident, but you knew her better than that.

"i care about you, sae. i was so worried. i'm just glad you're okay," you told her. a small smile crept onto her face, and a tear formed in the corner of her eye, which made you panic a bit.

"i'm sorry, did i say something wrong, i-" you stumbled over your words, but she shushed you and pulled you into a hug.

"no," she said. "i'm just so grateful to have met you."

you smiled and let her hold you for a minute before pulling yourself away from her. you stood up and she followed suit.

"we should go back to the living room now that we've changed," you suggested. sae-byeok silently nodded in agreement, and you led her back to the living room while she followed close behind you. as you walked, you checked the time on your phone.

"3:13 am"

you sighed as you made it back to the living room, looking down at the candles. sae-byeok seemed to read your mind.

"we should sleep," she said. she was admitted exhausted and wasn't sure how much longer she could stay awake. "but- i want to sleep out here tonight. by the door. in case something happens. please," she said, thinking back to the special game again. she didn't feel comfortable at all with being alone in her room while the front door was unguarded.

"okay, that's fine," you assured her, wanting to make things as comfortable for her as possible. "you can stay out here if you want."

"um, do you think..." sae-byeok started, swallowing before continuing. "can you stay out here with me tonight? i don't want to be alone..." she whined, letting her fear show through a little which pulled at your heartstrings.

"sure," you smiled at her. "whatever makes you feel safe."

you turned and headed down the hallway, making it one step before sae-byeok grabbed your hand.

"w-wait, where are you going?" she asked, not wanting to be alone.

"i'm just going to get us some pillows and blankets. i'll be right back," you assured her, squeezing her hand reassuringly before padding down the hallway to fetch the items you mentioned.

sae-byeok blushed lightly as you squeezed her hand, but the darkness hid it. she sat down nervously and waited for you to return, feeling anxious by herself.

after a few minutes, you returned with your arms full of blankets and pillows. sae-byeok let out a sigh of relief as you returned. you handed her half of the supplies and began setting up your own area. sae-byeok began prepping her couch, looking over to see what you were doing to set up. she paused and whined when she realized she couldn't see you very well, and definitely wouldn't be able to after the candles were out.

"what is it, sae?" you asked, turning to face her when you heard her whine at you.

"don't wanna be alone..." she mumbled, a bit embarrassed that she was so anxious.

without another word, you grabbed your stuff and approached her, setting it next to her stuff.

"then i'll sleep here," you said, giving her a gentle smile.

"you're okay with that?" she asked, not wanting to make you uncomfortable. you had already done so much for her.

"of course," you said simply. you reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her over to you softly. the two of you sat down together and you began setting up the sleeping area with each other.

after a few minutes, the couch was prepared. you stood up and blew out two of the three candles, then turned to your friend before blowing out the third one.

"will you be okay in the dark?" you asked her.

"yeah," she said unconvincingly. "as long as i'm with you," she added under her breath so that you couldn't hear her.

"alright," you replied, blowing out the last candle. sae-byeok immediately whimpered as the room was plunged into darkness, and you made your way back over to her side as fast as you could, sitting down with her.

sae-byeok rested against you and you put your arm around her shoulder to comfort her. after a few minutes, the two of you laid down on the couch, and sae-byeok immediately cuddled up to you and buried her face in your shoulder.

"there was this one guy," she said suddenly. "his name was deok-su. he almost killed me. he would have if another guy named gi-hun didn't take me into his team," she whined as she remembered how he attacked her before the first game and during the special game.

"hey, hey, don't think about that right now," you whispered to her, running your fingers through her hair. "what matters right now is that you're safe with me. he can't get you here. nobody can."

sae-byeok took a deep breath and let it out slowly, cuddling even closer to you in the process.

"thank you, y/n. for everything," she said softly, forgetting about her fear of the dark now that she was with you. the wind howled by outside, thunder rolled overhead, lightning cracked, and she ignored all of it. in fact, she found an odd comfort in the sound of the rain hitting the exterior wall.

"don't mention it," you said. "you're my friend and i love you," you whispered, pausing when you realized what you said. sae-byeok, however, just smiled and nuzzled into your neck.

"i love you too," she breathed, closing her eyes.

for the first time since escaping from the games, she felt safe. neither of you said anything else, and you began to peacefully fell asleep together as the storm raged on outside, though it was beginning to weaken now. the rolling of thunder was getting quieter, and it was oddly comforting.

today showed you a side of sae-byeok you didn't know existed, and you were now aware that she was vulnerable. you made it your mission to protect her from whatever life dared to throw at her. you looked down at sae-byeok, who had already fallen fast asleep in your arms. you leaned forward and gently kissed the top of her head before you also let the call of sleep pull you in.

the last thing you heard before you fell unconscious was the peaceful breaths of sae-byeok while rain fell against the window outside.

~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~💚💚💚~~~

[everyones-doormat]

STAY

PART THREE STAY MASTERLIST kang sae-byeok x fem!reader

synopsis: sae-byeok never let people in—until she met you, ji-yeong’s roommate. You don’t ask for more, you just stay. And for someone who’s always been alone, that changes everything.

warnings: none

Sae-byeok started lingering.

Not just showing up more often, but actually staying.

At first, it was just for meals. A late dinner, a quick snack, sitting with you and Ji-yeong in the living room pretending she wasn’t interested in whatever ridiculous drama was playing on TV.

But then, she started staying longer.

You’d wake up in the morning and find her still there, curled up on the couch, using her hoodie like a makeshift blanket.

Ji-yeong had stopped questioning it after the third time, just tossing her an extra pillow and muttering, “You should just move in at this point.”

Sae-byeok never responded to that. But she never denied it either.

Tonight, you came home to find her alone in the apartment.

Ji-yeong was out—probably with some bad influence, doing something illegal. But Sae-byeok? She was sitting at the table, toying with the cuffs of her jacket.

You frowned, setting your bag down. “Where’s your shadow?”

She glanced up. “Out.”

No explanation. No details. Just out.

You huffed, moving to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. “And you? Just decided to break in again?”

She held up Ji-yeong’s spare key between her fingers. “Not breaking in if I have this.”

You rolled your eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, you leaned against the counter, taking a sip from your drink. “You eat yet?”

She paused before shaking her head.

You sighed. “Alright, sit tight.”

She watched as you grabbed ingredients from the fridge—what little you had left—and started putting together something edible. She never asked for food, but you knew she’d accept it if you gave it to her.

“You know,” you mused, stirring the pot, “most people would just text before showing up at someone’s place.”

She didn’t respond right away. Then—

“Would you want me to?”

The question made you pause. You turned, finding her watching you with that same unreadable expression.

It wasn’t teasing.

She was genuinely asking.

You tilted your head. “No. Not really.”

Something in her gaze shifted—softened, just a little.

You smirked, turning back to the stove. “Just means you’re stuck with me feeding you whenever you do show up.”

A pause. Then—

“…Guess I can live with that.”

You didn’t turn, but you swore you could hear the tiny smile in her voice.

-

Later that night, after you’d eaten and were both sitting on the couch, Sae-byeok spoke again.

“You never ask questions.”

You glanced at her. “What?”

She was leaning back, her arms crossed, gaze fixed on the ceiling. “You don’t ask about me. Where I go. What I do.”

You hummed, resting your head against the cushion. “Would you answer if I did?”

She didn’t respond.

“Exactly.” You sighed, shifting to get more comfortable. “You don’t owe people explanations just because you exist. You wanna tell me something, you will.”

For a while, she didn’t say anything.

Then, in a voice so quiet you almost missed it—

“I like that about you.”

You didn’t move, or say anything.

Just let the words settle.

—

It was getting harder to ignore.

The way she gravitated toward you. The way she never outright said she liked being around you, but never left either.

The way she continues to stay so late that she’d ended up falling asleep on your couch—small, quiet, curled into herself like she was trying to take up as little space as possible.

Ji-yeong had noticed too.

“You’re so obvious,” she muttered one night while Sae-byeok was in the bathroom.

You raised a brow. “Obvious about what?”

Ji-yeong gave you a knowing look. “You like her.”

You scoffed, leaning back into the couch. “No shit. I let her eat my food, don’t I?”

Ji-yeong rolled her eyes. “Not like that, dumbass.”

You didn’t respond.

Maybe she wasn’t wrong.

—

The next time you saw Sae-byeok, she was waiting outside your building.

It was past midnight, cold—the kind of night where most people would be inside, cuddled up in bed.

But she wasn’t.

She was leaning against the wall, hood pulled up, hands shoved into her pockets. She looked up when you approached, eyes scanning you—like she was making sure you were okay.

“You’ve been out here long?” you asked, unlocking the door.

She shrugged. “Not really.”

Which meant probably.

You sighed, pushing the door open. “Come on.”

She followed without hesitation.

Inside, you tossed her a blanket as you kicked off your shoes. She caught it easily, settling into her usual spot on the couch.

You didn’t ask why she was here, you never did.

But this time, she spoke first.

“You don’t care?”

You glanced at her. “About what?”

She shifted slightly. “That I never tell you things.”

You studied her for a moment. She wasn’t looking at you, but you could see the tension in her shoulders, like she was bracing herself for something.

For what, you weren’t sure.

“You tell me what matters,” you said simply.

That got her attention.

She finally met your gaze, something unreadable in her expression. “And if I never do?”

You shrugged. “Then you don’t.”

She blinked, like she hadn’t expected that answer.

You sighed, stretching your legs out. “Look, Sae, I don’t need your life story. I don’t need you to explain yourself, I just—”

You hesitated, then exhaled. “I just like having you around.”

She stared at you for a moment.

Then, without a word, she pulled the blanket tighter around herself and leaned back against the couch.

She didn’t say anything else that night.

But when you woke up the next morning, she was still there.

-

<3