cherrygyusworld

please don’t copy or rewrite/post as your own. none of the following images are mine; copyright goes to owner! if you’d like to take this idea and use it, that’s fine, but I’d ask that you don’t make the scenario exactly the same and use a different layout. enjoy!

summary | you’re mentally exhausted of dating jaemin, but he just can’t seem to accept the fact that you two need to let go of each other. 

 category | nonidol!au, angst, sad, breakup!au

warnings | breakup, mentions of cheating, crying, broken promises, leaving, arguments 

 word count | 960

pairing | njm x fem reader

You sighed as you folded away the last of your clothes, staring into the empty wooden bottom of the closet drawer. You and Jaemin had build it yourselves the moment you'd decided to move in together. It was a huge step, but at the time, you couldn't have been happier.

Now, the emotions were dull and barely alive. It felt like your relationship was broken, almost suffocating. You didn't know when it began to fall apart. All you knew was that one day, the spark was just lost. Maybe it was when he decided to start going out more often and hitting on other girls. Maybe it was when you had accepted a promotion, causing you to be out of the house more often. Maybe it was just because you two weren't meant for each other at all.

You'd tried numerous times to leave. But in the end, it just wasn't possible.

The familiar sound of distant footsteps and jangling keys grew closer to  your apartment door. Closing your eyes softly, you felt tired of the upcoming argument already. Jaemin was stubborn and would never agree to simply let you go, but it was the only option left. You bent down, heart heavy, and zipped up the suitcase.

"Y/n, I'm home!" Jaemin's sweet voice filled your ears, sing-songy and happy. Was he truly happy, though? You shook your head out of your thoughts just as the bedroom door opened and Jaemin walked in with a marvelous smile. His eyes first went to you, looking distraught, and then down at the bags and the messy floor. His smile dropped.

"W-What are you doing, baby?" He hurriedly walked into the room, eyes already glossy. He looked down at the suitcase. "Y/n?"

"I'm leaving." You whispered, voice hoarse.

Jaemin shook his head, tears dripping down his cheeks. "No, no you're not." He muttered to himself, and quickly took the suitcase and shoved it into the corner of the closet. He scooped up all the remaining clothes off the floor and threw them on the bed, then shut the door immediately, as though you were going to bolt off into the distance while he was distracted.

You let out a burdened sigh. "Jaemin, we can't do this anymore. I'm tired of all of it." You said, rubbing your eyes.

Jaemin shook his head even more furiously, only keeping his teary eyes on you. He walked to the door and stood in front of it, arms spread out. "You can't leave. No. We're meant to be with each other, remember?"

You started to silently cry, remembering all the broken promises he'd made. How he would stay by your side forever, take your hand in marriage someday. How beautiful your family would look, how people would stare at you two enviously. You were tempted to run into his arms and just stay there forever, but those thoughts died when reality hit you again.

How you two had stayed up late at night on each side of the bed, facing the other direction and feeling uneasy. Knowing that he was texting another chick as he smiled to himself giddily in the living room, or how he made up quick excuses about hanging out with the boys to walk out. Arguing for hours when you two were together, not knowing the last time you'd peacefully and lovingly gone out on a date with him. You'd had your fair shares of beautiful memories, yes, but it was simply time to move on.

Jaemin, on the other hand, couldn't seem to understand. He desperately took your hands, looking into your hollow eyes. "Y/n, remember that time when we first met? You looked so pretty in your white shirt and jeans, but I accidentally spilled coffee all over you. And we met again later at the hospital, and I had no idea you worked there. We began to hang out more, and a few days after your college graduation, I asked you to be my girlfriend under our oak tree in the park."

That oak tree had died a week ago, too old and beaten down to hold on any longer. Just like your love.

Jaemin didn't let go of your hands. "Remember when we went on our first official date? The carnival. You said you wanted your first date to be special, not some boring movie dinner date thing. And afterwards, you said it was the best thing you'd ever been to. I had sugar all over my face and you even convinced me to buy you strawberry cake." You couldn't meet his eyes.

"Y-Y/n, remember when you met my parents for the first time? They loved you--they still do. They were impressed that you were all alone by yourself with barely any family, yet struggling and making a living off of working numerous jobs a-and doing well as a medical trainee. They were so supportive and so happy when you made it through."

You slowly looked into his eyes, about to start breaking down. Jaemin, shook his head, pleading. "Y/n, remember how much I love you? I'll stay by your side forever. I promise. I'll do whatever you ask of me. Please. I need you."

But Jaemin just stared into your eyes, heart sinking as he saw how bleakly they stared back into his. Hollow, emotionless, faded and worn out. You were gone. You'd given up on him.

Jaemin collapsed to the ground, shaking with quiet sobs. He knew. He knew that he'd messed up and it was time for him to let go.

The only thing he heard was the soft cry you let out before covering your mouth, then the heavy footsteps walking out the door, followed by the sad rolling of suitcase wheels.