wooprince

[wooprince]

you forgot to break up with me...

Jungwon thought that your smile was only meant for him.

He thought wrong.

inspired by day6's congratulations

pairing: jungwon x fem!reader

a/n: english isn't my first language, excuse any errors lol

Now you don’t even answer the phone. Jungwon chuckled bitterly, the bright screen displaying the missed call reminding him once again of the growing distance between you. His thumb hovered over the screen for a couple of seconds, debating whether to call you again. Should I? Should I not? What’s there to lose?

Screw it. Against his better judgment, his heart guided his actions as he tapped your number once more. Nothing. He followed up with a text: “Are you free? Let’s talk this out.” Still nothing. Jungwon sighed—a little too loudly—but he was past the point of caring. There was no one else in the subway coach with him anyway. It was almost one in the morning on a weekday, and he was just heading back to the dorm after band practice. Funny how he’d been all laughter and giggles just minutes ago, and now he was back to his miserable self the moment he was alone. This was a side he knew better than to show anyone else... except maybe you.

But now you weren’t there to witness him in this state—to comfort him, to soothe his aching heart. You were the only one who could ever get him to loosen up. And now, you were also the reason he was falling apart, in shambles. You were both the breaker and the healer of his heart.

Jungwon stared at his phone, his face blank, though a thousand thoughts ran through his mind. He was confused and hurt. For weeks now, he’d been replaying the moments you shared, trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Did I not pay enough attention to her? Was it because Jay kept asking me to hang out with the guys after band practice? Was it because I was late to our date that one time? Wait… did I miss a week of giving her flowers? But she never said anything… So what was it..?

Letting out another tired sigh, Jungwon brushed his bangs back in frustration, locked his phone, and shoved it into his hoodie pocket. He leaned his head against the coach mirror, feeling the vibrations with every turn the bullet train took. City lights swerved past him as his eyes mindlessly stared ahead—at the energy drink ad on the wall, and at the way the mirror opposite him reflected his miserable, blank face whenever the outside scenery went dark.

It wasn’t until two minutes later that the loud yet robotic voice blared through the speaker above his head. “The next station is Seoul Station. Transfer is available to KTX, AREX, and Line 4. The doors are on the right.”

Just two more stations until he reached the dorm.

Jungwon decided he would just rest until he made it to his station. He was about to close his eyes when he heard it—that faint laugh. He could recognise that sound anywhere: the melodic, breathy laugh, like a whisper carried on the wind. There was no mistaking it—the giggling belonged to you. It was one of the reasons he’d fallen for you, after all. He loved seeing how cheerful you became when you laughed, or how your eyes crinkled in joy at his lame jokes. But most of all, he loved being the reason behind your laughter. Jungwon’s eyes snapped open as the realisation dawned on him. Wait a minute…

The faint giggle grew clearer with each passing second, inching closer, until it was finally inside the same coach as him.

He looked to his side, towards where the giggles were coming from. And there you were, standing inside the coach just a short distance away, your back still turned against him as you searched for a place to sit. Under normal circumstances, Jungwon would’ve been giddy to see you. But not this time… His eyes quickly noticed that your arm was linked with another guy’s hand—someone he’d never seen before. Who’s this guy? What are you doing with him? Why are you holding his hand?

You seemed happy, Jungwon noted. It lasted only a few seconds, yet to him it felt like slow motion, as you and the new guy took your seats in front of him, still unaware of the way he was staring. You still had that same smile on your face, giggling at whatever funny thing the new guy had said.

He recognised that smile. It was the same one you used to flash at him when you first started dating. The same grin you wore whenever he showed up with flowers on your usual weekend dates—and it was always red tulips, because you’d once mentioned that red roses were overrated. He remembered. And he adjusted. The original rose bouquet was immediately swapped for tulips the following weekend, and every date after that.

It was the same smile you’d unknowingly wear whenever he visited your campus, just to drop off the warm lunchbox he had carefully picked from a nearby takeaway spot, because you’d once mentioned liking their rolled omelette. The same smile you’d flash when he sang you to sleep, humming whatever ballad came to mind and somehow turning it into a lullaby as he gently caressed your cheek.

Jungwon thought that your smile was only meant for him.

He thought wrong.

He stared at the two of you, now seated in front of him and still unaware of his gaze. The guy whispered something to you and earned another one of your breathy giggles—your hand quickly swatting his arm as he chuckled. Then, a beat.

Your eyes wandered absently around the bullet train coach before finally landing on the figure across from you, locking eyes with the brokenhearted boy you knew all too well. Your body froze. Then, slowly, your gaze dropped to your lap. You shifted away from the guy—barely an inch, but enough for Jungwon to notice.

Jungwon saw it—the way your smile slowly faltered at the sight of him, how his presence alone was enough to silence you. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. Because the way his gaze pierced into yours was enough to convey everything he had been keeping inside. His confusion, disbelief, uncertainty. He frowned, though it wasn’t out of anger. It was more in search of clarity, some kind of explanation for this moment. Why were you there with him—and not with me?

Your eyes blinked rapidly without you realising, almost as if hoping he might disappear if you just blinked one more time. But he was there. Jungwon, your long-time boyfriend. The boyfriend you’d asked for “some time apart” from just three weeks ago, so you could rethink your relationship.

That wasn’t the truth, was it?

Excuses. Your detachment had started months before the so-called break. It began small—opting out of weekend dates, citing exhaustion from university assignments. Jungwon understood, and instead sent over snacks and chocolates. “To help you stay awake when I’m not there,” he’d say.

At times, he’d call you. You still picked up, just with less enthusiasm in your voice, and your replies grew shorter and shorter. He didn’t mind it much at first. Maybe you were just worn out from uni. He tried to understand, tried to justify each action you took that pulled you further away from him. But every time he reached out, it only seemed to push you farther still, until it felt like there was no way to reach you at all.

Things escalated last month—just three weeks ago—when he finally showed up at your house after three days of being ignored. You hadn’t answered a single call or text from him.

“Tell me what I did wrong. I’ll fix it for us,” he demanded, still maintaining his composure despite the growing impatience inside him.

“Jungwon… It’s… It’s not you. It’s me,” you muttered, refusing to look up at him.

“...Right. The oldest line in the book. I can’t understand you.”

“I mean it… You did nothing wrong. I just…”

Jungwon let out a disbelieving chuckle. “You’re saying it’s all on you, but you’re walking away like I’m the one who did something wrong. You sure it’s not me?”

“Jungwon—listen. I don’t want us to fight—”

“Don’t I deserve the truth? Are you sick of me now?” His voice rose slightly, his accusations spilling out.

“Just listen—”

“Is there someone else? Is that it? Is that why you’ve been ignoring me? Because you’ve found someone new—”

“LET’S TAKE A BREAK.” You cut him off. Silence. Jungwon had to collect himself, unsure if he’d heard you correctly.

“A break…?” His voice wavered as he repeated it. You nodded, tears threatening to spill from the frustration.

“But… but why? I thought we were doing just fine… right?”

“...Lately, I’ve been questioning where this relationship is going.”

“I don’t get it… I thought we were happy. Was I wrong this whole time?”

“That’s why I need some time away from you… I just need to be sure. Of my feelings. Of us.” 

Your words left Jungwon stunned. As hurt as he was, he was the type to put your feelings above his own. So of course, he agreed. Some time away from each other might be what you needed to come back to him… or so he convinced himself.

Clearly, that wasn’t the case when he saw you sitting next to this new dude. His replacement. The one you’d rather spend your time with. It was obvious all along… Jungwon was the fool in this relationship. The break in the relationship was simply so you could date someone else in the meantime? What a joke.

The new guy whispered something in your ear again, and you giggled, avoiding Jungwon’s gaze. But for a split second, your fingers tensed around the new guy’s sleeve. Your smile twitched. Almost faltered, before it returned, brighter than ever, as if you were overcompensating.

He smirked bitterly, not in mockery, but more out of disbelief. His eyes lingered on the two of you as his mind became wrecked with thoughts. How could I even move forward knowing what you’ve been doing behind my back? Should I hold a grudge? What was the point of all the time we spent together? Is that new guy so much better than me? Did you have to do that to me?

The bullet train ride felt longer than usual. When the speaker finally blared, announcing his station, he felt a small burden lift off his shoulders. Wordlessly, he stood up, slung his guitar bag across his body, and made his way to the door.

Jungwon’s deadpan stare lingered for one last second on the sight of you clinging to the new guy, before he stepped off the train and walked away from you, both literally and figuratively.

You forgot to break up with me...