Work Text:
Weeks have passed since Jaeyi last spoke to Seulgi.
At first, Seulgi thought it was temporary, that Jaeyi just needed space. But space became silence, and silence became avoidance, until it felt like Jaeyi had erased her completely.
Even in class, they’re seats apart now. Jaeyi—who once leaned into her space like she belonged there—now sits across the room, unreadable, untouchable. The absence is a gaping wound, raw and unhealing.
When Seulgi tries to approach, Jaeyi doesn’t look at her. If Seulgi calls her name, Jaeyi walks away. And on the rare occasion she does respond, it’s with a cold, cutting remark that stings more than silence ever could.
“Why are you following me?”
“Did you need something? No? Then don’t waste my time.”
“Go find someone else to bother, Seulgi.”
That one— that one —was the worst. Seulgi remembers standing there, stunned, as Jaeyi turned her back on her like none of it ever mattered. Like she hadn’t once held her close. Like she hadn’t once looked at her like she was something worth holding on to.
Seulgi could handle fights, could handle Jaeyi’s teasing, her sharp tongue, even her jealousy—but this? This quiet, calculated shutting out? It was unbearable.
She can’t take it anymore.
Seulgi scours the places she knows Jaeyi haunts, chasing shadows and empty spaces, her frustration mounting with every dead end.
The café where Jaeyi pretends to study but mostly just people-watches? Empty.
The quiet hallway near the library where they used to linger between classes? Deserted.
In desperation, Seulgi even goes to J Medical Center, where there’s a private study room Jaeyi shares with Kyung and Yeri. It’s a restricted space, tucked away in a quiet wing, but Seulgi doesn’t care. She’s ready to break rules if it means finding her.
Except she’s not even let in.
“The hell are you doing here?” Kyung blocks the door, arms crossed.
Seulgi glares. “Is she in there?”
Kyung doesn’t move, doesn’t confirm or deny it. “Go home, Seulgi.”
That’s all it takes for the frustration to boil over. “Are you serious? She won’t talk to me, she won’t even look at me, and now you’re shutting me out too?”
Kyung sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose like this conversation physically pains her. “Just… let it go. She’s doing this for a reason.”
Seulgi scoffs. “Yeah? And what reason is that?”
Silence.
Kyung doesn’t answer, and Seulgi doesn’t wait. She turns on her heel and storms out, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
If Kyung won’t help, she’ll find someone who will.
---
It’s 9pm when Go Ara makes her way up to the rooftop of her cram school, the scrap of paper she found in her bag clutched tightly in one hand.
Police are on their way.
Unless you want a nice little chat with them, meet me on the rooftop. Now.
Ara’s always been quick, always been careful—but tonight, the note rattles her. So when she pushes the rooftop door open and hears the faint sound of a police siren in the distance, she doesn’t hesitate.
She drops to her knees. “I’m sorry, okay?” she blurts out, palms pressing to the cold concrete. “I’ll stop—just don’t—”
A soft tsk echoes from the shadows.
Seulgi steps forward, arms crossed, unimpressed. “Wow, ” she says dryly. “Didn’t expect you to fold that fast.”
Ara’s head jerks up, eyes flashing with anger. “You—”
“Me,” Seulgi confirms, tilting her head. “Now, since you’re already on your knees, let’s talk.”
Ara grits her teeth. “What do you want?”
Seulgi takes a step closer, looking down at her. “Jaeyi. Where is she?”
Ara raises an eyebrow. “And why would I tell you?”
Seulgi takes a slow step forward, closing the distance between them. “Because if you don’t, I might start talking.”
Ara gulps.
Seulgi tilts her head, voice dropping into something sharper, more dangerous. “I wonder how the admin would feel about one of their students selling drugs on campus. Or better yet, how the police would feel about it.”
Ara studies her for a long moment, lips pressing into a thin line. Then, with a sigh, she gives in. “Diving Pool. She goes there most nights.”
Seulgi’s stomach tightens. A new place. Somewhere Jaeyi hadn’t let her into.
Without another word, she turns and walks away, Ara’s knowing gaze burning into her back.
She doesn’t care.
She has somewhere to be.
---
The air inside the diving facility is thick with chlorine and the low hum of water sloshing against the pool walls. Overhead, harsh white lights cast sharp reflections on the surface, making the water look like fractured glass.
Seulgi's footsteps echo across the empty deck, but Jaeyi doesn’t look up.
She’s underwater.
Seulgi spots her at the bottom of the pool, motionless, arms loose by her sides, legs barely kicking. For a split second, panic flares in her chest. Then she realizes—Jaeyi is just holding her breath, training herself to stay under.
Even now, Jaeyi has the patience to wait her out.
Seulgi clenches her jaw.
A moment later, Jaeyi finally resurfaces, breaking through the water with an easy breath. Their eyes meet. Seulgi watches Jaeyi’s surprise flicker for a second before it vanishes, masked under a cold indifference. Without a word, Jaeyi swims to the edge, hoisting herself out.
Seulgi follows as Jaeyi walks to her things, watching as she towels off with lazy efficiency. The way she moves, calm and detached, only fuels the frustration clawing at Seulgi’s chest.
"Talk to me." Seulgi says, voice raw.
Jaeyi doesn’t stop drying her arms. “Go home, Seulgi.”
"No." A sharp inhale. "I know you have a reason for this. I know you , Jaeyi. You're planning something, protecting something— someone. But I don’t know unless you tell me."
Jaeyi’s grip on the towel tightens.
"You don’t know anything."
Seulgi’s jaw clenches. "Then tell me. Make me understand."
Jaeyi turns to her then, finally meeting her eyes, gaze cool and impassive. "I have nothing to say to you."
And maybe it’s the exhaustion, the ache that’s been lodged in her chest for weeks, the feeling of something slipping through her fingers before she even had the chance to hold it properly—
But something snaps in Seulgi.
She moves without thinking, storming toward the diving board ladder.
Jaeyi frowns. “What the hell are you doing?”
Seulgi doesn’t answer. She climbs. Step by step, heart hammering, hands gripping the railing so tightly her knuckles go white.
" Seulgi. " Jaeyi’s voice sharpens.
Seulgi doesn’t answer.
Jaeyi exhales through her nose and looks away, shaking her head. “Seulgi, get down.”
Seulgi steps onto the platform, heart hammering, adrenaline drowning out all rational thought.
“I’m not leaving unless you talk to me.” Seulgi glances down at her, eyes burning. "By the way, I can’t swim.”
Then, before Jaeyi can react—
She jumps.
And Jaeyi forgets how to breathe.
The sound of the impact barely registers before she’s moving—legs pushing off the slick tile, body cutting through the water like second nature. She reaches Seulgi in seconds, arms circling her waist, dragging her upward.
Seulgi isn’t moving.
Jaeyi breaks the surface, gasping, heart lurching violently against her ribs.
"Seulgi—"
No response.
Panic grips her. She tightens her hold, swimming toward the edge, toward safety.
Seulgi is unconscious in her arms.
Jaeyi drags Seulgi out of the water, heart pounding so violently she can hear it in her ears. The cool tiles press against her knees as she lays Seulgi down beside the pool, her hands shaking as they press against Seulgi’s shoulders.
" Seulgi, wake up."
Nothing.
" Seulgi. "
Jaeyi swallows hard, fingers trembling as she tilts Seulgi’s chin up, checks for breathing—too shallow, barely there.
Panic surges through her.
She presses down on Seulgi’s chest, counting under her breath, trying to ignore the way her own breaths are starting to come too fast, too sharp.
Still nothing.
Jaeyi doesn’t hesitate. She leans down, seals her lips over Seulgi’s, and breathes.
One breath.
Two.
Then—
A cough.
Seulgi jerks forward, choking, water spilling from her lips.
Jaeyi exhales sharply, relief crashing into her like a tidal wave. She sits Seulgi up, one hand bracing her back, the other rubbing slow, firm circles between her shoulder blades.
Seulgi wheezes, coughing until her breath evens out. Then, in the raw quiet, she rasps, " Finally got you to touch to me."
And—God—she laughs.
Jaeyi freezes, watching as Seulgi grins at her, soaked and breathless, like she hadn’t just nearly died.
Anger surges through her so fast it makes her dizzy.
"You—" Jaeyi sucks in a sharp breath, fingers clenching against Seulgi’s shirt. She yanks her hand away before she does something reckless, like shake her. She stands abruptly, every muscle in her body wound so tight she thinks she might explode. "You’re insane."
She turns to walk away.
She doesn't get far.
Seulgi's fingers wrap around her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. The grip is weak, trembling, but Jaeyi feels it.
"Just tell me, Jaeyi." Seulgi’s voice is raw, pleading. "Don’t leave me in the dark."
Jaeyi’s breath is ragged, chest rising and falling with the weight of everything she’s been trying to keep buried. "You’re an idiot," she spits, shaking off Seulgi’s grip but not stepping away. "You can’t keep risking yourself like this."
Seulgi clenches her jaw, eyes blazing with frustration. "I wouldn’t have to if you’d just tell me what’s going on!" Her voice cracks, but she doesn’t care. "Why are you doing this, Jaeyi? Why do you keep pushing me away? I—" Seulgi stops herself, voice trembling. "I don’t understand."
She exhales sharply and, with a determined movement, pushes herself off the floor.
Jaeyi stiffens as Seulgi stands, closing the distance between them in an instant. There’s something in Seulgi’s eyes—wild, desperate, pleading.
"Look at me," Seulgi says, voice softer but no less desperate. "Just tell me, Jaeyi. Please."
Jaeyi’s fists clench at her sides. She feels it building inside her, the thing she’s been swallowing down for weeks, pressing like knives against her ribs. And then—like floodgates breaking—it crashes out of her.
"Because my father will hurt you."
Silence.
Seulgi blinks, breath hitching. "What?"
Jaeyi’s throat burns. "If we stay together—if I keep letting myself want you—he’ll find out. And he’ll hurt you, Seulgi.” She swallows, voice breaking. "I can’t let that happen."
Seulgi stares at her, something shifting in her expression. Then, quieter this time, steady in a way that makes Jaeyi's breath catch—"I don’t care."
Jaeyi’s stomach twists. "You should."
"I’m not scared of him." Seulgi’s hand finds Jaeyi’s wrist again, fingers trembling but firm. "I’m scared of losing you.”
Jaeyi tries to pull away, but Seulgi grips tighter. "Seulgi—“
"No." Seulgi shakes her head, breathing hard. "No, you don’t get to do this. You don’t get to decide for me. If this is about keeping me safe, then fine. But do you really think I’d rather be safe than be with you?"
Jaeyi’s lips part, but no words come.
"You think you’re protecting me, but you’re just breaking me." Seulgi’s voice shakes, raw and unfiltered. "Do you know what it’s like to look for you every day? To wake up hoping maybe today you’ll talk to me? To wonder if I ever meant anything to you at all?"
Jaeyi’s face twists in anguish. "Of course you mean something—" She cuts herself off like she wasn’t supposed to say that.
"Then don’t lie to me," Seulgi says, voice barely above a whisper. "Don’t tell me we were nothing. Don’t tell me you don’t want me."
Jaeyi’s whole body is tense, fists shaking at her sides, like she’s holding something back with everything she has. But Seulgi doesn’t look away. Doesn’t let go.
Then, slowly, she lifts a trembling hand and presses it to Jaeyi’s face.
Jaeyi flinches. Just barely.
But she doesn’t pull away.
"Tell me you don’t want this," Seulgi murmurs. "Tell me, and I’ll walk away."
Jaeyi’s lips part. She sucks in a shaky breath, but nothing comes out.
" Jaeyi." Seulgi’s thumb brushes against her cheek, gentle despite everything. "Just say the words, and I swear, I’ll leave you alone."
Jaeyi’s throat tightens. She wants to say it. She has to say it.
But she can’t.
Seulgi exhales, something pained and knowing in her eyes. "That’s what I thought."
And then, slowly, she leans in.
Jaeyi doesn't move when Seulgi’s lips brush against hers—hesitant, testing, like giving her a chance to pull away.
She doesn’t.
So Seulgi kisses her again, deeper this time, pouring everything she can’t say into it.
Jaeyi makes a small, wounded sound—something between a sob and a gasp—and then she’s kissing Seulgi back, fierce and desperate, like she’s finally stopped fighting herself.
Seulgi’s hands grip Jaeyi’s waist, pulling her closer.
Jaeyi fists Seulgi’s soaked shirt, holding on like she’s afraid she’ll disappear.
The world quiets.
The only sound is the soft press of lips, the faint tremble in their breaths, the water dripping from their clothes onto the tiles.
Seulgi kisses her like she’s been waiting forever.
Jaeyi kisses her back like she’s finally, finally stopped running.
…
Their breaths are ragged when they pull away, foreheads pressed together, the warmth between them stark against the chill of their wet clothes. The world feels impossibly quiet. As if it, too, is waiting for what comes next.
A single tear slips down Jaeyi’s cheek, and Seulgi catches it with her thumb, wiping it away with a tenderness that makes Jaeyi’s chest ache.
"We’ll bring him down," Seulgi whispers, voice unwavering. "Together."
Jaeyi tenses. "Seulgi—"
"No more cold shoulders,” Seulgi cuts in, her grip tightening ever so slightly. "No more trying to protect me by pushing me away. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Jaeyi shakes her head, jaw tight. "You don’t understand. My father—he’s dangerous , Seulgi. He has people. Connections. He—" Her voice falters. "He ruins people. He makes them disappear."
"Then we expose him," Seulgi says, the conviction in her voice sending a shiver down Jaeyi’s spine. "We make sure the whole world sees who he really is. Everything he’s done—all the people he’s hurt. We bring it to light.”
Jaeyi exhales sharply, stepping back, wrapping her arms around herself as if she’s trying to hold everything in. "You don’t get it, do you? You don’t understand what you are to me. If anything happened to you because of me—if I lost you—" Her voice breaks. " I wouldn’t survive it, Seulgi."
Seulgi grips her tighter, like she’s holding Jaeyi’s entire world together. "You’re my everything, Jaeyi. You’re it for me. And I will burn the whole world down before I let anyone take you away from me."
Jaeyi exhales sharply, eyes flickering with something vulnerable, something dangerously close to hope. And then, finally, she lets herself lean into Seulgi, forehead pressed against hers, hands clutching at Seulgi’s shirt like she’s anchoring herself.
"Okay," Jaeyi whispers, the word barely there but carrying the weight of everything unspoken.
"He’s spent his whole life making you afraid," Seulgi murmurs, "but you’re not alone anymore. You have me, Jaeyi."
Jaeyi swallows, still trembling, but something in her gaze shifts—something almost fragile, like hope.
Seulgi squeezes her hand. "We’ll end this. Together.”
The bus rolls to a slow stop, its tires crunching over loose gravel. Seulgi barely registers the hiss of the doors opening—her heart is already racing, drowning out everything else. The air smells like salt and sun-warmed earth, thick with the scent of the sea, and when she steps off the bus, her legs feel unsteady.
She’s here. She’s finally here.
The small seaside town is exactly as she remembers—quiet, unhurried, untouched by the chaos of the world she left behind. It had been years since she’d last set foot in this place, back when she was just another orphan wandering the shorelines, chasing waves that never stayed. But now, she’s here for something more.
Someone more.
Seulgi grips the straps of her bag, forcing herself to move. The dock isn’t far, just a short walk past the rows of wooden houses and the path lined with wildflowers. Her fingers brush against the worn edges of the photograph in her pocket—the one she received in that box of shoes. The sea, endless and open. A silent message. A call.
" Run to me."
She does.
By the time she reaches the dock, her lungs burn, her breath ragged, but none of it matters because Jaeyi is there.
Standing at the very end of the wooden planks, backlit by the setting sun, Jaeyi waits. She’s dressed in white, hair tousled by the wind, looking both different and exactly the same. Six months have passed, but to Seulgi, it feels like another lifetime.
Her steps slow, the reality of it crashing into her. Jaeyi is alive. After six months of grief, of pretending to move on while carrying a ghost in her chest—she’s here. Breathing. Waiting.
Jaeyi turns. Their eyes meet.
Seulgi doesn't think. She runs.
The sound of her footsteps echoes against the wooden dock, and the second she reaches Jaeyi, she crashes into her, arms wrapping so tightly around her that it knocks the breath from her lungs. Jaeyi stumbles back, but her arms come around Seulgi just as fiercely, gripping her like she never wants to let go.
"You're alive," Seulgi chokes, voice breaking, fingers digging into the fabric of Jaeyi’s shirt. "You’re alive—Jaeyi, you—"
Jaeyi exhales against her shoulder, voice thick and uneven. "You found me Seulgi-yah."
Seulgi pulls back just enough to see her face, searching for any sign that this is a dream. That she’ll wake up back in her room, clutching Jaeyi’s Chaehwa’s nametag, still mourning a girl who doesn’t exist anymore.
But Jaeyi is real. Warm and solid and alive.
Seulgi cups her face, memorizing every inch—her sharp jawline, her dark, stormy eyes, the slight tremble in her lips.
"You asshole," she whispers, voice shaking. "Do you know what you put me through?"
Jaeyi swallows. "I had to."
Seulgi knows that. She’s always known. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
"You could’ve told me."
"And if I did, you would have followed me. You would’ve ruined everything just to be by my side."
Seulgi doesn’t deny it.
Jaeyi exhales, leaning into Seulgi’s touch. “I’m sorry, princess.”
"It’s over now. Your father—he’s gone. He’ll never hurt anyone again." Seulgi lets out a shaky breath.
Jaeyi smiles, small and tired but real. "Then I’m free."
Seulgi doesn’t realize she’s crying until Jaeyi reaches up, thumb brushing against the tears streaking down her cheek.
"Then let’s go home," Seulgi whispers, pressing her forehead against Jaeyi’s.
Jaeyi’s response is to kiss her.
The sea crashes behind them, the dock sways beneath their feet, but none of it matters. Jaeyi is warm and solid and real under Seulgi’s hands.
When they finally break apart, Jaeyi lets out a breathless little hum, leaning their foreheads together.
“Take me home, Seulgi.”
And Seulgi does.