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Until your light returns

Contains: Affection, teasing, playful banter, light intensity, dependency, subtle romantic tension. Pairing: Sieun x reader Word Count: ~560 TW: Playful teasing, dependency, non-stop talking

• She had always been persistent, sweet, with that spark that could brighten any room. Every day, she tried to get closer to Yeon Sieun: notes in his locker, small gifts, jokes, smiles meant to catch his attention.

• Sieun noticed, of course. He knew she liked him, but he didn’t feel the same. Calm and serious, he kept a certain distance, though his limits weren’t always clear to her.

• Until one day, everything changed. She surprised him with another small gift and a note, full of her usual optimism. For the first time, Sieun’s patience broke.

—Enough! —he snapped—. I don’t like you! I never will! Why can’t you just understand?

• His words hit like a punch. She, always cheerful and optimistic, froze. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she tried to smile but couldn’t.

—Sieun… —she whispered, voice trembling, barely audible.

—Do you want the truth? —he continued, cold—. I’m tired of your nonsense. Everything you do… it annoys me. You’ll never change that!

• And he walked away. She stayed there, heart heavy, for the first time feeling her light dim. She stopped leaving notes, joking, approaching him. Her laughter grew quieter, and sadness started creeping in.

• Weeks passed. Sieun noticed the change, but he didn’t know how to react. He saw her laughing with other boys, interacting, enjoying herself… and a feeling he hadn’t expected consumed him: he missed her more than he wanted to admit. Every gesture of hers that didn’t include him hurt.

• One day, he finally decided to act. He found her alone under a tree, reading, looking distant. He sat down in front of her, unsure how to start.

—…Hi —he said, low—. Can we… talk for a moment?

• She looked at him warily. Still hurt by his words, she couldn’t ignore that his tone felt different, less cold, more genuine.

—Yes —she said, with a sigh.

—I know I hurt you —he began, avoiding her eyes—. What I said… it was too much. It wasn’t fair, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things.

• He paused, swallowing his words before continuing:

—I’ve noticed… it affects me to see you happy with others, and I realize something I didn’t want to admit… I miss you. I didn’t know how much until you stepped away.

• Her chest tightened hearing him. His words weren’t a rushed “I love you,” but they were sincere, filled with the honesty he usually avoided.

—…I miss you too —she whispered, barely admitting it.

• From that moment, things slowly started to rebuild. Sieun didn’t make exaggerated love declarations, but he began showing affection through small, real gestures:

Walking together, hands brushing occasionally.

Helping with everyday things: grabbing something she couldn’t reach, opening doors, offering his jacket if it was cold.

Small jokes, shared smiles, comfortable silences just being together.

Glances that lingered slightly longer than necessary, saying more than words could.

• Every encounter was slow and careful. She remained cautious but started noticing that he cared, that he paid attention, and even if he didn’t say “I love you,” his actions spoke volumes.

• One day, after a long practice, he came over and rested a hand on her shoulder, simple but meaningful.

—I don’t want this to happen again —he said seriously—. I don’t want you to step away like that again.

• She nodded, a mix of relief and caution:

—I know… but I need to see that things really change.

—I will —he replied—. Not just with words. I’ll show you, in my own way.

• Over time, they grew closer. Sieun stayed serious and reserved, but there were real gestures of closeness: walking silently together, looking at each other without needing words, supporting each other during hard times, sharing small laughs naturally.

• Finally, after weeks of rebuilding, they met in the park at sunset. They sat on a bench quietly. He glanced at her with his usual seriousness:

—No, I don’t want to lose this again —he said, voice low but firm, measured, not forced.

—Nor do I —she replied, letting out a soft sigh and leaning her head slightly on his shoulder—. Being next to you… even in silence, it feels right.

• They stayed like that for a while, listening to the wind, the distant sounds of the park. There were no big declarations, no exaggerated gestures. The silence between them held meaning, full of trust and understanding. Every small touch, every subtle movement spoke louder than words.

• Slowly, he slid his hand over hers, just barely, and she intertwined her fingers with his. It wasn’t a dramatic moment—it was simply a quiet reminder that they were there for each other.

• She smiled, not like before with exaggerated excitement, but with calm reassurance. He returned a slight, almost imperceptible smile, loaded with significance.

• That evening, they left the bench, walking together naturally, step by step, letting time guide them. No grand promises, only tiny moments: shared glances, comfortable silences, soft laughter, and the quiet certainty of mutual trust.

• Over time, their relationship continued to grow in this way: slowly, realistically, full of care and small acts of thoughtfulness. They supported each other through tough days, celebrated small victories, teased gently, and learned that true connection doesn’t need to be loud—it only needs to be present, patient, and steady.

• And so, after misunderstandings and hurt, distance and remorse, they found their balance. A safe space where they could just be themselves, where they could laugh, cry, or simply exist together.

• It wasn’t overly sweet, it wasn’t exaggerated—but it was enough. Real, tender, true. Their relationship flourished, step by step, day by day, like everything worth keeping: with patience, care, and the quiet reassurance that, finally, they were together—without fear, without rush, just the two of them.

Something like (many options):

“Once upon a time I left a kudos here. Maybe even a comment. But I’m doing it again because I can — and AO3 doesn’t let me double-kudos.”

“Apparently I’ve been here before. Past me had taste. Present me agrees.”

“Me again. Still obsessed.”

“Kudos squared.”

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