Work Text:
You met her at a cafe where you frequently got your morning coffee. One morning she sat down across from you at your table. It was nice… not feeling as lonely as usual. As you left the cafe that morning you silently hoped she would return the next day.
And she did, but this time you attempted conversation. Though starting a conversation with her was harder, every question you asked she responded with a simple answer not bothering to elaborate or talk about herself more.
Day after day you tried to make conversation with her, but one day you finally succeeded in finding out something about her.
You smile sweetly and say, “You know even though I’ve been talking to you for months, but I’ve never gotten your name…” She looks at you before saying, “It’s Sae-byeok…” You feel your cheeks turn a light shade of pink. Sae-byeok… “That’s a beautiful name…” You mumble, Sae-byeok gives a small nod, “Thank you…”
You guys continued to talk more and more after that. Every morning you found out something new about her; her brother, moving to South Korea from North Korea, and her mother. You told her about things like your college debt, your inability to get a job with your degree, and your sexuality. Though you tried not to, you were falling hard for Sae-byeok, and it was scary. When you told her about your sexuality she didn’t react, no supportiveness but not disgust either.
Then one fateful day you decided to act on those feelings. As Sae-byeok was standing up to leave, stand up quickly and grabbed her hand, “Wait! Um- I know we’ve never hung out before, but my work is having a party tonight and we can invite someone! So I was wondering if you’d like to come with me!” The words tumbled out of your mouth at speeds you didn’t know were possible. You had squeezed your eyes shut afraid even to look Sae-byeok in the eyes. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I just ruined my only relationship outside of work- “A party?” You open your eyes and look at Sae-byeok. Her eyes widened ever so slightly, it was clear she was at least a bit in shock as if she’d thought no one would bother asking her to a party.
You look down at the floor fidgeting with the edge of your shirt.
“Y-yea it’s just for fun… I understand if you don’t want to go-”
“I do.”
You quickly look back up at Sae-byeok searching her face for any sign of emotion, but her face had already turned back to its unreadable expression.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
You smile nervously, “Ok, so I’ll send you details later then! See you tonight!” You wave at her as you walk out of the cafe, her following shortly behind you.
Later that night
You were outside the club waiting for Sae-byeok. You wore one of your party dresses from college, tugging on the ends of it. This dress is much shorter than I remember it being in college… Has it been that long or am I- Your thoughts are interrupted by approaching footsteps
“Were you waiting for me?”
You look over and see Sae-byeok wearing a nice pair of jeans with a white T-shirt and black flannel. Wow, Sae-byeok looks nice tonight…
You give a soft smile, “Yea… You were who I invited after all…”
You see the tiniest smile creep up on her face, “Yeah I am…”
“Should we head inside now?”
Sae-byeok nods and makes her way toward the entrance to the club. Once inside you're overcrowded by the overwhelming amount of people dancing, and drinking. You instinctively grab Sae-byeok's hand and yell in her ear, “Wanna get a drink?”
4 drinks later
You hiccup then laugh, “You know Sae-byeok you're like the most interesting person I've ever met…”
Sae-byeok, who'd only had 2 drinks and handled her alcohol better, smiled, “Really?”
You nod, “You're working so hard just to take care of your brother and get your mom to safety… and I'm stuck at a dead-end desk job struggling to pay back my college debts… And I haven't been in a relationship since college… I feel so lonely…”
Sae-byeok's smile fades, “Do you mean that?”
You shrug, “Yea… What about you? Have you ever been in a relationship?” More specifically have you ever dated a girl
Sae-byeok shakes her head, “I've never had the time… Always been busy with other stuff…” She downs the rest of her drink in one go. Looks like we're drinking for courage tonight. You down the rest of your drink.
You look away to avoid her gaze, saying, “If someone were… in love with you right now… would you give them a chance?”
Your eyes drift back to Sae-byeok as she speaks again, “It depends on who…” A smile creeps onto her face, “Do you perhaps know someone who is in love with me?”
Your cheeks burn red, “Yea…”
Sae-byeok leans in closer, “Do I know her ?”
You swallow, “Y-yea…”
Sae-byeok grabs your chin, lifting it towards her, “Well… maybe I like her too…”
Then she leans in and kisses you. It's the most amazing thing that's happened to you in years, your lips crashing against one another. You can taste the alcohol on her tongue. You both pull away from the kiss looking into each other's eyes before crashing back together. You're leaning over the table and you're hands have traveled up to her hair. I know I shouldn't be doing this… if my boss ever saw me I could lose my job… but your thoughts are drowned out by the taste and feeling of Sae-byeok. This time when you two pull away you feel a tear roll down your cheek. You and Sae-byeok sit back down in your seats across from each other.
You look into Sae-byeok’s eyes as tears glaze over your own, ”Do you think we can be… together?”
You take another sip of your drink, “I mean you're a defector from North Korea… and being queer still isn’t accepted here…”
Sae-byeok smiles slightly, “If we're going to support and trust each other then yes… but let's not get too emotional tonight hm? We’re supposed to be here to have fun and party remember?”
You wipe your eyes with the back of your hand and smile softly, “Yea you’re right… Care for another drink?”
Sae-byeok nods, “Yea I could go for another round.”
You glance over Sae-byeok's face one last time. She’s always had a cold resting face, but tonight it seemed softer. Maybe it was the lighting, maybe it was the liquor, or maybe it was the fact that she was in love.
1 year later
Only a couple months after you and Sae-byeok started dating you moved in together. Not only was it a good step in your relationship, but it was a good step financially for both of you. Sae-byeok got promoted to manager at one of her part-time jobs and it brought in a little bit more cash than you guys needed.
It was a Saturday and you sat in the living room of your small apartment folding laundry when Sae-byeok got home from work, only to inform you of some disheartening news.
“A business trip? Since when did your boss start sending you on work trips?”
Sae-byeok sighs, “I don’t know he says it’s something new or whatever… Something about checking out other businesses”
You nod, “Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”
Sae-byeok shrugs, “Maybe a week at most… You’ll go visit Cheol while I’m gone right?” Sae-byeok walked around the kitchen preparing you two dinner for the night.
You smile softly, “Of course… I think he’s starting to trust me…”
Sae-byeok leans over and kisses you on the cheek, “Who wouldn’t trust you?”
You giggle, “Do you know when you leave?”
“I leave tonight.”
“But tonight was supposed to be our date night!” You whine
Sae-byeok retorts, “I know, I know, I’m sorry! There’s nothing I can do about it unless you want me to risk losing my job!”
You grumble, “No no! I don’t want you to lose your job! We already struggle to pay all our bills!”
Sae-byeok teases, “That’s what I thought!”
“If you’re leaving tonight shouldn’t you go pack?” You inquire
Sae-byeok ponders, “My boss said not to pack anything and that the company would supply everything I need.”
You jab at Sae-byeok, “You’ll bring your phone though right?! Keep me updated daily?!” You try to hide the worryiness in your tone.
Sae-byeok relents, “Don’t worry I promise I will…”
You murmur, “Pinkie promise?”
Sae-byeok pulls you close, “Pinkie promise…”
Over 1 year later: January 8th, 2021
You sat next to Cheol on his bed in the orphanage. Your arm wrapped around his shoulders, and he wrapped his arms around you.
Sae-byeok had been missing for almost a year now. You had reported her missing a little after the week of the “business trip” passed. The police did the best they could to find her, but they didn't find her. The last time you heard anything from her was that night she left. At this point you knew whatever she left for wasn’t a business trip, but you didn’t know what it could be or why she didn’t tell you the truth.
You felt Betrayed. Abandoned. Alone. Why would she leave you?! Why would she abandon her little brother?! Why did she-
“Hello?”
You zone back into reality and find a man standing there. His hair is dyed a vibrant red wearing a nice suit.
“Are you Kang Cheol?”
You look at him confused, “Um- who are you?”
He smiles and holds out his hand for you to shake, “Seong Gi-hun. I’m assuming you’re Sae-byeok’s girlfriend.”
Your eyes widen and your face pales. Who is this guy and why does he know so much about us?! Does he know where Sae-byeok is?! You take a deep breath before breathing out, “Do you know where Sae-byeok is?”
Gi-hun looks away for a moment before looking back and saying, “Do you two need a place to stay? My friend’s mom could use the company of some younger folk around!”
The fact that he avoided answering your question is enough for you to guess what has happened, but you keep your face neutral to the best of your ability, “Well what do you say Cheol? Wanna get out of this place?”
Cheol looks up at you smiles slightly and nods his head, “Yea I do…”
“Ok then why don’t you start collecting your things while me and Gi-hun go out to the hall to talk.” You suggest. You stand up and make your way out into the hall Gi-hun following behind you. As soon as the door closes behind him your facade breaks immediately.
Your voice cracks as you choke out, “She's dead isn't she…” Gi-hun nods.
You look away, tears fill your eyes. Gi-hun replies, “I'd tell you what happened but I don't think you'd believe me-”
“I'd believe you. You're the first person to know anything about Sae-byeok, so I'll believe anything you have to say…” Your voice is desperate, you need answers even if it's not what you want to hear.
Gi-hun nods, “Well it started with…”
After the explanation
You're stunned, to say the least. Playing children's games for money, and dying if you lose sounds absurd… but he knew Sae-byeok… and he's desperate for anyone to believe his story.
“Do you know why she went?” You inquire, “We weren't in urgent need of the money… sure we struggled to get by sometimes, but we weren't in danger…”
“I remember she said she wanted the money to get her mother out from North Korea… to get Cheol out of the orphanage… and to help you pay off your debts and get a better life for all of you…” Gi-hun remarks.
Your throat starts to feel tight as if someone is choking you. The tears fall down your face in big globby drops. Your lip quivers as you croak out, “She probably thought she was being romantic leaving me safe and stranded…”