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Wonyoung sighed, sinking onto the edge of her bed, fingers idly twisting the crumpled concert ticket in her hand. The inked print on its glossy surface was already starting to fade from where she’d been gripping it for hours. It was supposed to be a night of excitement, a concert by LANY, a night she’d marked on her calendar in anticipation months ago. But now, the ticket felt as hollow as the pit growing in her stomach. The memory of buying the tickets together with Danielle haunted her, tainting what should have been a thrilling event with the sharp sting of heartbreak.
She’d bought the tickets with Danielle when everything was still… them. Back when she didn’t have to imagine going alone. But now, she thought bitterly, I can barely stand to look at this without thinking of her. Danielle, who had once been the center of her world, now felt like an open wound that refused to heal.
At first, she thought about returning the ticket, hoping maybe the act of selling it would make it easier to let go. She’d even tried selling it to Yujin, thinking a friend might make the decision less painful. But Yujin had just raised an eyebrow, laughing as if Wonyoung had suggested something ridiculous.
“LANY? Really, Wony?” Yujin had chuckled, though her gaze held a note of seriousness. “Just go to the concert. What’s stopping you? It’s just Danielle. It’s not like you’re still in love with her, right?”
Wonyoung remembered scoffing, hiding the way Yujin’s words had sent a pang through her heart. Just Danielle. The words echoed in her mind, a cruel understatement. She let out a shaky breath, pressing her fingers to her temples as if she could physically push the ache out of her mind. It had been three months since their breakup, yet every memory of Danielle still felt like a fresh bruise, tender to the touch.
It wasn’t supposed to end this way, she thought, her mind drifting back to that night—the New Year’s Eve that had shattered her.
She’d planned to invite Danielle over, excited by the idea of celebrating together as they welcomed a new year, a fresh start. Wonyoung had been practically buzzing with anticipation, glancing at her phone every few minutes, counting down the hours until they’d finally be together. But when she’d tried calling, her heart skipped a beat as the line went straight to voicemail. It was strange. Danielle always answered, or at least texted if she couldn’t pick up. But this time, there was only silence.
Wonyoung’s concern grew with each unanswered call. She tried again, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed the number, only to hear that same empty voicemail greeting. Anxiety prickled at the edges of her mind, and she decided to reach out to Minji and Hanni. Their replies only deepened her worry.
“I thought she was with you,” Minji had said, her tone as surprised as Wonyoung felt. “She hasn’t been here since yesterday.”
The uncertainty gnawed at her, mixing with an ache of loneliness she couldn’t quite shake. She tried to reason with herself, tried to rationalize that maybe Danielle was simply resting. After all, Danielle loved to sleep, and Wonyoung would often find herself teasing her about her late mornings and mid-afternoon naps. She’s probably just asleep, Wonyoung told herself, though the reassurance felt hollow.
It was well past midnight when her phone screen finally lit up with Danielle’s contact name. Relief washed over her as she unlocked her phone, hoping to find some comforting explanation in the message. But instead, the words she read left her frozen.
From:Yeppeun Marsh ♥️
Happy New Year, Wony. I’m sorry if I didn’t answer your call. I just… had some things I needed to work out. Anyway, I need to apologize. I don’t think we can be together anymore. I just can’t do this.
I know this sounds cliché, but you deserve someone better, someone who can give you everything I can’t. I don’t even know what I feel anymore, Wony. I’m so sorry. Let's break up. I hope you’ll understand… and respect my decision.
Wonyoung had stared at her phone, numb, feeling the floor fall away beneath her. She read the message over and over, her mind struggling to make sense of it, to find a reason behind the words.
Who the hell are you to decide who deserves who? The thought crossed her mind bitterly, anger sparking in the emptiness left behind. She felt her lips press into a thin line, frustration building within her as she felt the sting of Danielle’s words settle in.
What a fucking joke.
Her fists clenched around the phone, white-knuckled as a mix of disbelief, anger, and betrayal bubbled up, overtaking the sadness. She wanted to scream, to throw her phone across the room, to cry until the ache subsided. But all she could do was sit there, frozen, feeling each word pierce her like tiny shards of glass.
She didn't realize that her tears spilled over, trailing down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, trying to keep her composure.
Get a grip, Wonyoung, she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the empty room. She took a shaky breath, swallowing the lump in her throat as she tried to force herself to move on. But it was impossible.
Every time she tried to muster anger, to resent Danielle for what she’d done, she found herself spiraling back into sadness, the heartbreak too raw, too fresh.
She remembers how Danielle would blush whenever she’d call her pretty, how her cheeks would flush a soft pink as she tried to hide her smile. Danielle had always been shy about it, casting her eyes down and fiddling with her hands. And Wonyoung couldn’t help but reach out, planting a kiss on Danielle’s cheek, watching the blush deepen in response.
She scrolled through her phone, thumb lingering on their photos together. The memories felt like a weight pressing down on her chest, a reminder of what she’d lost, of the love that had once filled her life and left her hollow.
Her gaze drifted back to the concert ticket in her hand, the physical proof of a future that would never be.
Wonyoung let out an exhale.
In the end, she decided to go to the concert.
It was already six in the evening when Wonyoung finished changing, the last of the daylight fading into dusk. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her fingers trembling slightly as they adjusted the cap she wore low over her forehead. The fabric of her jacket felt suffocating against her skin, but she couldn’t take it off. It was like armor—a thin layer of protection she hoped would shield her from everything she was feeling. Her gaze flickered down to her phone, where her unread messages still waited.
You need to face this, Wonyoung.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself. She could do this. It was just a concert, just a band she’d been dreaming of seeing for years.
But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, a heaviness lingered in her chest. A part of her still wondered, hoped even, that maybe Danielle would be there. Maybe she’d be sitting in the crowd, her face lighting up at the first strum of the guitar, just like old times.
Wonyoung swallowed the lump in her throat. No, it’s over. You need to stop thinking about her. But despite her efforts, the memories refused to stay buried.
Grabbing her phone, she shot a quick message to her manager, informing them she was going to the concert. Almost instantly, her phone buzzed with a reply. Do you want me to come with you?
The concern behind those words was almost palpable, but Wonyoung quickly typed back, her fingers moving faster than her thoughts. No, oppa. I’m fine. I can handle this.
Can you really? A quiet voice echoed in her mind, but she silenced it.
Outside, the evening air was cool, almost biting as she stepped into the street. The glow of city lights reflected off the wet pavement, creating a kaleidoscope of colors beneath her boots. The taxi ride to the venue was silent, the city’s hum distant, muffled by her racing thoughts. Every passing minute felt heavier than the last, like a countdown to something she couldn’t name. When the taxi finally stopped in front of the venue, she hesitated, her hand gripping the door handle a second longer than necessary.
Stepping out, the buzz of excitement hit her like a wave. The crowd gathered outside was alive with energy—people laughing, chattering, their voices rising in anticipation of the night ahead. Wonyoung pulled her cap lower, hoping to disappear into the anonymity of it all. The VIP section offered some solace, a small bubble of space away from the chaos, but as she settled into her seat, the familiar emptiness crept back in.
She scanned the faces in the crowd, her heart skipping a beat every time she thought she saw someone who resembled Danielle. But she was never there.
Why would she be here? Wonyoung chided herself. She doesn’t care anymore.
It wasn’t supposed to hurt like this. They were over—had been for months now. But the memories refused to fade, replaying themselves over and over in her mind like a broken record. She remembered how they used to talk about this moment, how they’d planned to see LANY together, laughing over their differing tastes in music. Danielle, with her playful teasing, always bringing up The 1975, as if to convince Wonyoung to switch sides.
“LANY’s songs are just… different,” Wonyoung had explained once, her voice soft, filled with conviction. “They make me feel things I can’t put into words. It’s like their music is speaking directly to me.” Danielle had only smiled in response, her eyes sparkling with something Wonyoung could never quite name.
That was then, though. Now, the emptiness that filled the space beside her was suffocating. She let out a soft sigh, trying to shake off the growing ache in her chest.
Focus on the music. That’s why you’re here.
But her resolve faltered the moment she sensed someone approaching. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, her body stiffening instinctively. She didn’t need to look to know who it was.
A familiar warmth settled beside her, so close that Wonyoung could feel the slight brush of their shoulders. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she turned her head, and there she was—Danielle.
She looked the same as always, though maybe a little softer tonight. Her brown hair fell loosely around her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made her eyes seem even brighter under the venue’s dim lighting. The faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, like she knew exactly what Wonyoung was thinking.
Wonyoung’s breath caught in her throat. Danielle was still too beautiful, too effortlessly captivating, and it was impossible not to notice how every single detail about her stood out—the curve of her lips, the softness in her eyes, the way her skin seemed to glow under the dim lights. She was too pretty, almost unbearably so, and Wonyoung hated that she still felt this way. Hated that, after all this time, the only thing she could think about was how badly she wanted to kiss her.
Stop. Wonyoung clenched her fists, trying to force the thought away. It was over, she reminded herself. She had no right to feel like this anymore, no right to crave that closeness. But the pull between them felt stronger than ever, her eyes lingering on Danielle’s lips a second too long.
"Hi," Danielle greeted, her voice carrying that familiar, easy warmth. "I’m not too late, am I?"
Wonyoung blinked, her pulse quickening as she tried to refocus. "I… I thought you wouldn’t come."
Danielle shrugged, her grin widening. "I remembered how badly you wanted to see them live. Plus, I didn’t want to waste my ticket." She said it so casually, like everything between them was perfectly fine. Like they hadn’t left so many things unsaid.
Wonyoung nodded stiffly, her fingers curling into fists in her lap as she turned her attention back to the stage. She tried to focus on the distant chatter of the crowd, the hum of excitement growing louder with each passing second. But it was impossible to ignore the way Danielle’s presence affected her. Every breath she took felt heavier, the air between them thick with unspoken words.
Then, the lights dimmed, and the concert began.
The first few songs washed over her, the music pounding through the speakers and vibrating in her chest. For a while, Wonyoung allowed herself to get lost in the sound, swaying with the crowd, her voice blending with theirs as they sang along to the familiar lyrics. It was almost enough to make her forget about the person sitting next to her.
Almost.
Toward the end if the song, the lead vocalist approached the mic with a somber expression, pausing to share a heartfelt moment with the audience.
“This next song,” he began, his voice soft yet steady, “is one I wrote during a really tough time. It’s about those moments when you don’t know what went wrong, but you feel everything slipping away.” Wonyoung’s heart clenched as the first chords of 13 began to play.
It could change, but this feels like
Like the calm before the storm
Not that I don't wanna try
But I've been here before.
Wonyoung sang along, her voice almost lost in the mass of fans around her. This was one of her favorite tracks, a song that always pulled at her heartstrings. But tonight, as the familiar lyrics rolled off her lips, they hit differently. Little did she know, Danielle was watching her closely, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Friend's in town, phone's at home
I tell myself it's fine
Can't remember how you taste
Slept alone too many nights.
The melody was haunting, and the words cut deeper than Wonyoung expected. She belted out the lyrics with the crowd, but something inside her shifted. When the chorus came, the realization struck her like a wave crashing over her heart.
Where did we go wrong? I know we started out alright
Where did we go wrong? I swear I knew we'd last this time
Where did we go wrong? Oh, did you, did you change your mind?
How could you change your mind? Who got inside your mind?
It was as if the song had been written about them—about her and Danielle. The weight of the lyrics sank in, and for the first time, Wonyoung couldn’t ignore the parallels. Each word felt like it was calling her out, forcing her to confront feelings she had been trying so hard to bury. Her throat tightened, and she swallowed hard, daring to glance at Danielle.
Their eyes met. The moment felt frozen in time. The crowd, the music, everything else seemed to fade into the background as they locked gazes. Danielle wasn’t singing anymore; she was just staring, her expression unreadable but clearly affected. Wonyoung could see the same pain reflected in her eyes, the kind that mirrored her own. They stared at each other longer than they should have, the song serving as the backdrop to the unspoken words hanging between them.
The smell of you is way too much
Not gonna put my heart through that
I don't know how much time we got
I don't know how much to say
I don't know, tell me what you want
I want you to want me to stay.
Wonyoung’s heart hammered in her chest. The music softened, but her emotions only intensified. All she could think about was how much she missed Danielle—the way she used to hold her, the way her laughter filled any room they entered, and the way she always made Wonyoung feel safe, like nothing in the world mattered except the two of them.
Danielle, just say the word, and I’ll do anything. Anything so we can be together again.
Her thoughts were chaotic, her emotions overwhelming. She couldn’t stand it—the closeness, the longing, the ache. Danielle was just too pretty tonight, too mesmerizing. The soft lighting of the concert illuminated her face, highlighting every detail Wonyoung had fallen in love with. Her heart twisted painfully as she realized just how much she wanted to kiss her, how badly she wanted to close the gap between them. But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow herself to be vulnerable again.
Wonyoung's eyes watered, and before Danielle could notice, she quickly turned her gaze back to the stage, forcing herself to remain composed. Damn it, Wonyoung! What the hell is wrong with you? She mentally scolded herself for letting her emotions get the best of her.
But she froze when she felt Danielle lean in closer, her breath warm against her ear.
"Are you okay?" Danielle whispered, her voice filled with genuine concern.
Wonyoung blinked, her heart leaping into her throat as she turned to face her. Danielle’s eyes were soft, full of worry, and it only made Wonyoung’s chest tighten more. She couldn’t take it—the closeness, the care, the way Danielle was looking at her like she still mattered.
“I... I need to go,” Wonyoung stammered, her voice barely audible, though loud enough for Danielle to hear.
Danielle’s eyes widened slightly, clearly caught off guard. “Wonyoung, where are you going?”
But Wonyoung didn’t answer. She couldn’t bear to explain. Without looking back, she hurried toward the exit, her footsteps quick and determined. She had to get out of there. Being near Danielle was too much. The concert that was supposed to bring her peace was only causing her more pain. The love she had tried so hard to suppress was flooding back, overwhelming her.
By the time she reached the sidewalk, tears had already started to fall. Wonyoung wiped them away furiously, cursing herself.
Why am I still in love with her?
The night felt colder now, the once-vibrant energy of the concert a distant memory. She just wanted to go home, to curl up in her bed and forget all of this.
As she stood there, waiting for a cab, a warm hand gently gripped her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. Wonyoung turned around, her breath catching in her throat when she saw Danielle standing there. Her expression shifted when she noticed the tear stains on Wonyoung’s face, her eyes softening with concern.
“Hey... are you okay?” Danielle asked softly, but before she could say more, Wonyoung shook her head and interrupted her.
“I’m fine. Just... go back inside. Enjoy the concert,” she mumbled, avoiding Danielle’s gaze, trying to keep her composure.
For a moment, silence hung between them, heavy and charged. Wonyoung could feel the tension building, the unsaid words swirling around them. She could sense Danielle’s hesitation, could almost hear the questions racing through her mind.
But instead of pressing further, Danielle sighed and let go of Wonyoung’s wrist, her eyes searching for understanding. “Wait here,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper as she stepped back, leaving Wonyoung confused.
Before she could ask what Danielle meant, she watched as Danielle walked away, her movements purposeful. Wonyoung's heart raced, a mixture of confusion and anticipation swirling inside her.
What was she doing?
As Danielle returned, Wonyoung's heart raced with a mix of confusion and anticipation. There stood Danielle, a striking silhouette against the backdrop of the concert's chaos, her presence demanding attention. She approached with a sleek black motorcycle, the bike gleaming under the streetlights.
Wonyoung's breath caught in her throat as Danielle held out a helmet, the gesture simple yet filled with unspoken intent. “Put this on,” Danielle instructed, her tone light but firm.
For a moment, Wonyoung just stood there, lost in a whirl of thoughts. What was happening? The emotions she had tried so hard to suppress surged back, intensifying the atmosphere around them. The proximity felt electric, charged with lingering feelings that both terrified and thrilled her.
When Wonyoung hesitated, Danielle stepped closer, closing the gap between them. Wonyoung's heart raced as she felt the warmth radiating from Danielle's body, and she couldn’t help but stare at her face, taking in every detail—the way the streetlights caught the shine in her eyes, the slight curve of her lips, the delicate line of her jaw. They were so close now, the world around them fading into a distant hum.
Danielle, sensing Wonyoung's hesitation, slightly tiptoed, her movements graceful as she reached up to place the helmet on Wonyoung’s head. The gesture was intimate, and Wonyoung's heart fluttered as she felt Danielle's fingers brush against her hair, the warmth of her touch sending a shiver down her spine.
As Danielle secured the helmet, their faces were mere inches apart. Wonyoung could see the concentration etched on Danielle's features, how her brow furrowed slightly in focus. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Wonyoung's breath caught again, a mix of awe and longing washing over her. She’s so pretty. The thought echoed in her mind, an undeniable truth that made her heart ache.
Once the helmet was on, Danielle stepped back slightly, that familiar smile returning to her lips—a smile that made Wonyoung’s heart skip.
“Let’s go somewhere else,”
Feeling a rush of adrenaline and a wild sense of abandon, Wonyoung climbed onto the motorcycle behind Danielle, wrapping her arms around her waist as she nestled in close. In that moment, all the confusion and heartache melted away, replaced by a sense of exhilaration. For now, she chose to follow her heart, no matter where this wild ride would take her.
As Wonyoung and Danielle rode through the city streets, the motorcycle's hum was the only thing keeping Wonyoung tethered to reality. The blur of passing buildings reflected the chaos in her mind. They reached a secluded spot, a higher ground overlooking the city, its lights twinkling like stars in the distance. A bench sat quietly beneath a lone streetlamp, inviting them to sit and take in the breathtaking view.
Wonyoung stepped off the motorcycle, her boots crunching against the gravel beneath her, she took in the view before her. The city lights stretched endlessly into the horizon, twinkling like scattered diamonds on velvet. It was the kind of view that should have calmed her, should have allowed her to lose herself in the beauty of the world. But inside her chest, there was only chaos, an unbearable weight pressing down on her heart.
She sat on the lone bench, the metal cold beneath her. Despite the mesmerizing view, Wonyoung couldn’t stop the questions swirling in her head. Why was she here? Why had things gone so terribly wrong between them? Every moment with Danielle was a reminder of the hurt, the confusion, and the love that had once felt so simple.
She sighed heavily, her breath misting in the cool night air. She could hear Danielle shuffling behind her, and when she glanced to her side, there she was—hands stuffed into her leather jacket pockets, standing there awkwardly. It wasn’t winter yet, but the night air had a bite to it. Danielle seemed smaller than usual, despite the aura she always carried. There was something fragile about her in this moment, and Wonyoung hated it. She hated seeing her like this, as if everything between them was broken beyond repair.
Wonyoung couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Why did you follow me earlier?” she asked. “You should’ve stayed inside, enjoyed the concert.”
Danielle’s eyes were soft, almost apologetic, as she pulled her hands free from her jacket. “I couldn’t,” she replied quietly. “Not when I saw you like that.”
Her words hung in the air, the unspoken emotions between them heavy like a storm cloud. Wonyoung swallowed hard, her throat tight. “I’m fine,” she lied, though the quiver in her voice betrayed her.
She wasn’t fine. She hadn’t been fine for a long time, not since Danielle walked away from her life and left her heart in pieces.
The silence between them grew thick, uncomfortable. Danielle hadn’t moved, and Wonyoung felt the weight of her presence like a pressure on her chest. She was here now, after all this time, after all the hurt—but why? Why was she standing here, making Wonyoung feel all the things she had tried so hard to bury?
“Why are you doing this, Danielle?” Wonyoung finally asked, her voice trembling with the frustration she’d kept bottled up. She turned her gaze toward Danielle, searching her face for answers, for anything that would make sense of the mess they were in.
Danielle looked down at the ground, her voice soft, almost breaking. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Wonyoung let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. Uncomfortable? Was that what Danielle thought this was? Uncomfortable didn’t even begin to describe the turmoil inside her. The pain, the anger, the confusion—it was all too much. But she didn’t speak. She couldn’t. There was a knot in her throat, choking her words before they could escape.
And then, before she could stop herself, the question that had been haunting her for months slipped out. “Why did you do that?” Her voice cracked. “Why did you leave me? Am I not enough for you, Dani?”
The words felt like knives, each one sharper than the last. Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes. She could feel Danielle’s gaze on her, could feel the shift in her body as the words hit her like a punch to the gut.
“No, no, no,” Danielle said hurriedly, shaking her head in disbelief. “Please, don’t say that. You’ve always been more than enough for me.”
But Wonyoung couldn’t believe her. How could she, when the woman she loved had left her with no explanation, no closure? She bowed her head, trying to hide the tears that were falling now, unstoppable. She hated herself for crying, for being so vulnerable in front of Danielle. She hated that, after all this time, Danielle still had the power to break her heart.
“I don’t know what I did wrong,” Wonyoung whispered, her voice shaky. “I’ve spent months trying to figure it out, but maybe… maybe you just fell out of love with me.”
The words hung heavy between them, and Wonyoung’s heart clenched painfully in her chest. She couldn’t look at Danielle. She didn’t want to see her face, didn’t want to see the truth reflected in her eyes. But before she could drown in her own sorrow, she felt Danielle’s hands on her cheeks, warm and gentle.
Wonyoung froze. Danielle’s thumbs brushed against her skin, wiping away the tears with a tenderness that felt foreign, and yet, so painfully familiar. Her touch sent a jolt through Wonyoung, and despite the pain, she found herself leaning into it.
Danielle’s voice was thick with emotion as she spoke, “Shh… I’m so sorry, my love. I never meant to hurt you like this. I just… I thought I wasn’t good enough for you. I thought maybe you’d be better off without me. And with how busy we both were… I didn’t want to hold you back.”
Wonyoung’s chest tightened, anger flaring up amidst the sadness. She slapped Danielle’s shoulder lightly, her voice trembling with frustration. “You idiot,” she spat, though her words were laced with hurt. “Who the hell are you to decide what’s best for me? You thought I was better off without you? Do I look like I’m doing better right now? You’re so stupid, Danielle Marsh.”
She hit her again, weakly, but the anger had dissolved into something more fragile, more heartbreaking. Danielle caught her hands, holding them tightly as she pulled Wonyoung into a fierce hug. The warmth of Danielle’s body against hers broke whatever walls Wonyoung had left. She collapsed into her, sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Danielle whispered into her hair. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Wonyoung clung to her, her tears soaking into Danielle’s jacket, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t stop the flood of emotions that had been building for so long. All the pain, the confusion, the longing—it all came pouring out as she held onto Danielle like she was her lifeline.
When she finally pulled away, Wonyoung’s voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Can we… can we try again? Please? I can’t keep pretending that I’m okay. I can’t keep pretending I’m over you when I’m still so in love with you–”
Her breath hitched as the words tumbled out, and before she could finish her plea, Danielle kissed her. The softness of her lips against Wonyoung’s stunned her into silence. Danielle pulled away slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Wonyoung’s heart raced as she met Danielle’s gaze, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Danielle’s eyes flicked down to her lips again before she leaned in, kissing her once more. This time, it was deeper, filled with longing and the ache of time spent apart. Danielle’s hand slid to the nape of Wonyoung’s neck, pulling her closer as their kiss grew more intense. Every unspoken word, every unshed tear was poured into that moment. It was like all the pieces that had been missing were falling into place.
When they finally broke apart, their foreheads pressed together, Wonyoung smiled through her tears, her heart racing.
“Is that a yes?” she whispered, her lips brushing against Danielle’s as she spoke.
Danielle smiled, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she nodded. “Yes, Wonyoung. Always yes.”
The relief that flooded Wonyoung’s chest was overwhelming. She wrapped her arms around Danielle and pulling her into a tight hug. She buried her face in Danielle’s neck, breathing in the familiar scent of her, her heart swelling with a warmth she hadn’t felt in so long.
This—this was home. Danielle was her home. Not the city lights, not the vast world spread out before her, but this moment, this woman in her arms. She was safe here, loved here. And Wonyoung knew, with every beat of her heart, that she wasn’t letting go this time. Danielle was her home, her safe place—and she was never letting her go again.