“I tried so hard to come back..”
Shattered
the future for you and wonyoung is abruptly torn apart when one partner must sacrifice everything to address a catastrophic crisis.
tags :: romance, angst, character death, tragedy
wc :: 1,250
cast :: y/n, wonyoung
song :: golden age - ethel cain
The city skyline shimmered beneath the dusky sky, the twilight painting the horizon in shades of pink and gold. You and Wonyoung were nestled together on the rooftop of her apartment building, your favorite escape from the clamor of everyday life. The cool evening breeze tousled your hair as you leaned into Wonyoung, the two of you savoring a rare moment of calm.
The rooftop had become your sanctuary—a place where you could escape the chaos of the world below and simply be with each other. It was here that you had first begun to explore the depths of your feelings, and it was here that you felt most at home. Wonyoung’s head rested lightly on your shoulder as you both watched the city lights flicker on one by one. She turned to you, her eyes reflecting the last rays of sunlight, and took your hand in hers. The warmth of her touch was a soothing comfort in the cool evening air.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” Wonyoung said softly, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness. “I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately.”
You squeezed her hand gently, urging her to continue. “What’s on your mind?”
Wonyoung took a deep breath, her eyes meeting yours with a mixture of vulnerability and resolve. “I love you,” she said, her voice steady despite the emotional weight of her words. “I’ve loved you for a long time.”
The confession hung in the air like a tender promise, and for a moment, you were overwhelmed by the depth of your feelings for her. Your heart raced as you looked into her eyes, seeing the love and sincerity that had grown between you over time.
“I love you too,” you said, your voice choked with emotion. “I’ve wanted to say it for so long, but I was afraid. Afraid that maybe you didn’t feel the same way.”
Wonyoung’s smile was a beacon of warmth as she leaned in to kiss you gently. The kiss was soft and tender, a reflection of the love that had blossomed between you. As you pulled away, you felt a profound sense of contentment and hope for the future.
But reality had a cruel way of upending dreams. The following day, news broke of a catastrophic chemical spill from a nearby industrial plant. The crisis was rapidly escalating, and the city was gripped with urgency. The authorities issued a call for all available hands to assist with the evacuation and containment efforts. Both you and Wonyoung found yourselves entangled in the whirlwind of emergency response.
Wonyoung’s phone buzzed with a series of urgent messages, her face growing increasingly pale as she scanned the details. “I have to go,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “They need me to lead the coordination on the ground. It’s a critical role.”
The gravity of the situation was clear. Lives were at stake, and Wonyoung’s expertise was needed. But as you both faced the reality of her impending departure, a heavy silence fell between you.
“What if you’re away for a long time?” you asked, your voice cracking. “What if something happens to you?”
Wonyoung’s eyes filled with tears as she took your hands in hers. “I don’t want to leave you, especially not now,” she said softly. “But if I don’t go, the consequences could be worse. People’s lives are at risk.”
Wonyoung hugged you tightly, her warmth a bittersweet comfort. “I promise I’ll do everything I can to come back,” she said, her voice resolute but tinged with sorrow. “But I need to do this. It’s part of who I am.”
The reality of her words hit hard. As the hours ticked by, you found yourself saying goodbye, the weight of impending separation heavy on your shoulders. You watched as she walked away, her figure growing smaller against the backdrop of the city lights. The promise of a future together now felt like a distant hope rather than an assured certainty.
Days turned into a blur of worry and heartache. You followed the news closely, each update a reminder of the crisis that continued to unfold. The reports were filled with harrowing details and the toll it was taking on those involved. Every day that passed without word from Wonyoung felt like an eternity.
The day finally came when the crisis was declared under control. You were filled with a mix of relief and dread as you awaited news of Wonyoung’s return. When the message arrived that she was coming back, you clung to the hope that you would be reunited.
But the message that followed was not the one you had hoped for. Wonyoung had been injured during the crisis. The chemical spill had caused severe damage, and despite her efforts to help, she had sustained life-threatening injuries. The reality of her situation was stark and brutal.
You rushed to the hospital, your heart pounding with fear. When you finally saw her, the sight of her in a hospital bed, bruised and unconscious, was almost too much to bear. Her injuries were severe, and the doctors’ faces were grave.
Hours turned into a blur of waiting and hoping, but the prognosis was not favorable. The damage was extensive, and despite the best efforts of the medical team, Wonyoung’s condition was critical. The reality that she might not recover was a crushing blow.
As you sat by her bedside, holding her hand, the tears flowed freely. “I’m so sorry,” you whispered, your voice choked with sorrow. “I didn’t want it to end like this. I wanted us to have a future together, to build a life. Please, just come back to me.”
Wonyoung’s fingers twitched slightly, and her eyes opened for a brief moment. She looked at you with a mixture of pain and love. “I’m sorry too,” she managed to say, her voice barely audible. “I tried so hard to come back..”
Her words were a piercing reminder of the dreams that had been so suddenly dashed. As the hours passed, her condition worsened. The hope that had once seemed so tangible now felt like a cruel mirage.
In the quiet solitude of the hospital room, with the machines beeping softly in the background, Wonyoung’s hand grew colder. The reality of her loss settled over you like a heavy shroud. The future you had imagined together, the life you had just begun to embrace, was slipping away.
Wonyoung’s final moments were filled with a profound sadness, but also a bittersweet sense of closure. As she took her last breath, you clung to the memory of her love and the promise of what might have been. The city lights you had once admired now seemed distant and indifferent to the profound loss you felt.
As you left the hospital, the weight of her absence was a physical ache. The future had been stolen away, and the dreams of a shared life lay in ruins. The love you had shared was a bright flame that had been extinguished far too soon, leaving behind a darkness that felt both overwhelming and final.
The sky had indeed fallen, and the storm had passed. The love that had once seemed like a guiding light was now a memory, a bittersweet echo of what could have been. And as you looked out over the city, the future that once held so much promise now felt like an empty void, filled with the echoes of a love that was lost too soon.
