traffic light
pairing: lee sangyeon x female reader
genre: angst, slight fluff, lovers to exes
word count: 1.6k
a/n: this is my first fic, it’s inspired by the song, ‘traffic light’ by sara kays, and any feedback is very greatly appreciated ^^ (there might be some grammatical errors as english is not my first language.)
*2 years ago* "sangyeon-ah!"
a loud, cherry voice erupted through the crowd of students, that voice belongs to byeol areum.
just like the meaning of her name, 별=star, 아름= beautiful, areum is an incredibly gorgeous girl. she's absolutely stunning. her long luscious locks flowing oh so elegantly, her lashes fluttering open and shut, her pink plump lips, slender figure fitting perfectly into any outfit she wears. not to mention her personality is an excellent addition to her already alluring looks.
areum is the definition of a perfect girl.
she crashes into the arms of her boyfriend, lee sangyeon, as he engulfed her in a big teddy hug with everyone cooing them.
they were the highschool sweetheart.
there may be some jealousy here and there for sangyeon or for areum, but there are many that adores them.
"hey, did you finish your class?" sangyeon asked areym as he gently grab her chin from his chest, pushing a few strands of hair away from her face.
areum nodded and gave him an eye smile that melted his heart.
the two interlocked their arms and walked to sangyeons car.
it was 5:00Pm, and it was like a daily schedule for them to end the day together by spending time together in his car, driving slowly through the evening, listening to areum's beautiful songs that she self-composed.
"babe, we're here" sangyeon gently tapped areum on her arm, who fell asleep on the way when sangyeon decided to sing for them.
she subtly groaned and clenched her eyes shut, opening them slowly to see the one and only handsome face - in her opinion - smiling fondly at her.
"already?" she asked for confirmation, hands rubbing her eyes. he nodded with an even brighter smile, seeing her in a very adorable state just feels like someone is squeezing his heart in utter adoration.
her lips slowly formed into a sad pout - upset about leaving too soon - and gave him a feather like peck on his lips.
"i'll see you tomorrow." he told her and she nodded, slowly shutting the car door, not wanting to leave him.
he waited until she got inside before he drove off.
areum locked her door, her back immediately pressed against the door as she slid down, squealing and giggling like a maniac while touching her lips.no matter how many hugs they shared, or kissed they've given each other, she could never get used to the feeling of butterfly explosion in the stomach.
"I wish... I wish that we'll be together... forever..." she thought, staring at the moonlight that was shining brightly through her living room window.*fast forward, present*currently working as a songwriter, areum produces her own songs, with her own instruments in her own studio, and no company to support or gave a boost for her career path.
her looks gave a hue boost to her songs, which she wasn't quite fond of - she was glad that people found her attractive, but she's ecstatic when she staring posting songs, anonymously and people still showing love and support.
the comments made her day, though it was only short lived.
her relationship with sangyeon stayed even after they graduated and found what they want to pursue in the future.
they still take evening and night rides.
the ride was once filled with joy, peace, happiness, and pure love.it once filled their stomachs with butterflies, as their smile etching wider and wider every second they spend together.it used to...until sometimes later, no one really knows what happened.
not even areum, not even sangyeon himself.
sure they do take rides, but the once ride that usually filled with chatter and whispers of adoration with each other is now filled with...silence.an uncomfortable silence that none of them were familiar with.
areum is still in love with him, as far as she knows herself, but is he?
she snapped out of her thoughts when a car honked outside her studio, meaning her boyfriend came to pick her up.
she quickly grabbed her stuff and locked her studio, before approaching his car.
he still uses the old car that they rode in high school for some reason.to others, it's an old- crappy car, making areum and sangyeon look cheap, despite both being successful in their careers.
but to them, this car was the one they created most memories in, the one that is their safe place so they could never let it go.
reaching for the door handle, she exchange a small smile with sangyeon, but he quickly broke it and turned to the front.
she took a seat without a word, silence once again filled the car
.she decided to put her new song, which was releasing today, and listened to it inside the car.
the melodies of guitar ringing in both their ears as she looked outside of the window.
I-65 Your hand on my leg while your other hand drives You glance to the side I'd tell you to focus, you'd swerve to the right,
areum and sangyeon laughed at sangyeon's dumb joke, his hand subtly found, his way to areum's leg, reaching for her hand, as he took them, giving them kisses ever so softly with stars and galaxies filling in his orbs as he glanced at her.
That's how it used to be You'd look at me before you'd turn the key But now I can't help but think That maybe you fell out of love with me,
areum reached sangyeon's dance studeio, intending to surprise him and his members with food she made herself. she took a step inside and found herself frozen.the sight of her boyfriend smiling and laughing with another girl, she felt a pang to her heart, 'maybe they're just friends right? ...right?'
'Cause you keep your eyes on the road Both hands on the wheel, you never let go,
sangyeon left the dance studio with areum waiting for him in the car. she waited for him to glance at her, waiting for his warm and soft hand to hold hers as he always did, waiting for him to kiss her knuckles as he cracked up some really bad jokes in the midst of it all.
but it never came
You don't like to talk to me when Your foot's on the gas, say you're focusing
"babe, i tried sending my song samples to SM, and they rejected me. but i dont know why, i dont feel bad like at all-" she tried starting a conversation with him but she got cut off with something he said.
those words hit her aching heart so bad it felt like someone was repeatedly stabbing holes into her.
"can you quiet down a bit? i'm trying to focus.”
I wish we would stop at a red And you'd turn to say you love me again But you keep your eyes on the road the
red light shone angrily at the couple. none of them utter a word.
she hoped and hoped that he would at least glance at her.at least start a conversation with her.at least try to interlock and apologize.
only for her expectation to fall down when he never did anything according to her expectations and drove off when the light turned green again.
No matter what color the traffic lights glow
areum let her thought take over her mind while reminiscing the past, listening to the lyrics.
it broke her down tremendously, she didn't even notice the tears trickling down her cheeks.
she took a deep quiet breathe as she tried to control herself from breaking down.
anywhere but in front of him.
they never talked, and already arrived at her house.
she reached to open the door when something he said that made her froze.
"let's break up." he said in a monotoned voice, no emotion on his face as he kept looking forward, avoiding her.
areum expected this to happen.
but not so early.
"okay, thank you for the ride." she said her final words - not even trying to fight or argue back- and stepped outside the car, gently closing it.
walking to the door and unlocking it, she tried to keep her composure, but it broke down the moment she stepped inside.
her lips trembling as she slid down the exact door that she used to squealed in happiness and tried to keep quiet.
but instead, the hand of hers that's covering her mouth, was blocking the sound of sobs and whimpering.
her knees buckled down, she can't keep acting strong. at least not when she's alone.
'what did i ever do wrong?' she asked herself, wanted to sprint out of the door and asked him, what imperfections that she have to make him end their 8 years of relationship.
but she know she couldn't.
what's done is done, she has to pick herself up and move on.she can live her life, with or without him.
but what she didn't know, was that sangyeon is also mad, sad, and equally frustrated at himself.
yet, he can't do anything about it.'i'm sorry my love, i'm so so so sorry. i hope you never forgive me, because i don't deserve your forgiveness at all.' quietly, he whispered to himself, glancing at the closed door of your house one last time, before driving off with tears pouring down uncontrollably.
it's either the career that is very dear to him, something that he wanted to achieve since he was young, or her - the love of his life, his lover of 8 years.
he knows it's dumb that he chose his career, the path that he wanted and desired to do, over someone he would love and desired to spend the rest of his life with.
but the moment he signed that contract, he had to do it.
'thank you for the best 8 years of my life. byeol areum.' 'thank you for the best 8 years of my life. lee sangyeon.'












