"On Melancholy Hill" | Giselle x Male Reader

COMMISSIONED BY: @dav1233555

Today is your 25th birthday. There’s no party prepared as usual by your family or relatives. You don’t even have that much friends, which the ones you have were pretty busy in their life right now.

They’ve given you gifts to compensate their inability to celebrate with you though. Still, you appreciated their effort and at least a proof that they are being thoughtful of you. That’s why you reminded yourself after you have opened all of their gifts, you’ll be using them frequently to show how grateful you are.

However, that wasn’t enough to make your day complete. The freedom may be yours to do whatever you want, but you have grown to be joined back from years before. In short, you never have celebrated your birthday alone.

But it was a disheartening truth you have to accept. Sometimes, we never get what we want in life, because there are others that has has to be prioritized other than you. It wasn’t that much of a deal for you anyway, it’s just that it feels strange, knowing this will be the first time that your special day will be all yours to have.

You felt dismayed for a moment, remembering what happened in the past that is probably the reason why you are this so empty around you. Figured out that it is a shame that it has to end there, you couldn’t help but to absorb all the blame. She was once yours to keep, but you failed to do so.

A car beep jolted your senses awake. You thought at first that it was just some random car parked outside of your house that belonged to someone else, accidentally pushing the horn. Yet it didn’t, because when it honked again for the third time, you know something’s off with it.

You peeked out of the window, there’s a car indeed parked outside, but it was too close to your house. You went outside at the balcony that connects the stairs along to the gate. As you have shown yourself, the driver did as well, and it made your eyes squint to recognize who it may be until you did.

A familiar face with that smile that was almost everything about your story with her, except for that one particular night. The surprise gets into you, frozen at your spot, trying to process if you’re literally seeing her right now in front of your house.

Because you never thought this will never happened again. The sight of her on your humble abode, turning into a safe haven whenever you’re with her. Could this mean something? Man could only hope for what he thinks is the best for him.

“Giselle?” You pronounced her name in disbelief. Going downstairs, you approached the woman below, not wanting to make her wait longer. Eyes were on her, the way how your vision brightened when you captured her presence, it’s simply a natural occurrence to you; something she has done effect of because of this you’ve been carrying deep inside for her.

“Were you asleep? Sorry if I disturb your morning.” Giselle opens the door and exits her car. She was leaning on it while you reached the gate, serving as a temporary barrier between you two.

“N-no, I wasn’t. I just… git curious where was that loud beeping all about then, I find you here which…”

“Pretty shocking, yeah?” Giselle nodded, aware at your reaction. “Me as well. I never though after a year I’ll be here again. But I didn’t come here to stay.”

You let out a soft “oh.” It was expected, she wouldn’t leave if she doesn’t intend that. “I came here to fetch you.”

“Why? For what?”

“Stop being oblivious, birthday boy.” Giselle rolled her eyes. “It’s your day today, I came here to celebrate with you.” 

Your eyes flickered for a moment in confusion. How could she? You believed she wouldn’t be able to see anymore at first but now not only that, she’s here to spend some time with you, like the usual.

“That’s why you better get your ass moving and dress up nice because it’s gonna be my treat. You know me, I’m impatient, so hurry up before I change my mind.” She said that in a teasing tone. You rushed back into your house and searched for the most comfy attire you can wear.

It didn’t exceed to 5 minutes of you preparing. As you returned to her, she saw you, her expression shifted at first in which you didn’t noticed. “Hop in. We have the whole day among us.” 

The ride was very awkward, quiet, and a bit suffocating. Both of you were sitting side by side at the front and driver’s seat. You tried to sneak a glance of Giselle through the rearview mirror but you were almost caught, so you had to focus rather on the surroundings that the car passes along.

She has begun to get uncomfortable as well, turning on the radio and switched to the channel that plays a funky song while set in a low volume. “How have you been?” 

“Nice, I suppose.”

“Including today?”

“I was a bit lonely.” 

“You’re welcome for coming then.” She sniggered.

“How though?” You asked her curiously. “I mean, you aren’t an exception like them who are busy in their life right now. Especially that-”

“It’s my free time today. And I excused myself, don’t worry.” 

“Would you still go if my friends were there?”

Giselle glanced at me in a doubtful manner. “Them? YN, I knew they wouldn’t be able to. No one informed me, just my gut instinct telling me. So I took the perfect timing, I came here knowing surely you’ll be alone.

I mean, we both know I’m the only one you have that can be there at all.” Giselle timidly smiled, focusing back on the road while she drive. You went silent there as you understood what she’s pertaining at.

“We’re out of town now. Start listing anything you want to do today.”

“You sure this is gonna be all yours?”

“Yeah, I’m being generous here, cmon don’t be shy now” She chuckled. “I’m doing this for a friend, I don’t have to regret spending lots of money.” 

You were supposed to feel happy hearing that, but that one term that caught here struck an arrow into your heart. Not wanting to ruin the interaction and this fun time you’re going to have with her, you pretended there wasn’t something off. “Okay, what if I request for a ferrari?”

Giselle hissed at how ridiculous you are. “Who are you kidding? You couldn’t even drive by yourself.” 

“I can teach myself.”

“Hell no, I don’t trust you with that. We can’t have you disappear forever because of how stupid you are.” You laughed in response.

“Okay, fine. Can we go on a food trip first? At a heaven called Gwangjang Market?” You suggested.

“Now we’re talking.” Giselle liked that idea. “It’s not obvious you haven’t taken breakfast yet.” 

“Not a morning person.” 

“Aish. Making excuses again.” Giselle scolded you. “Stop mistreating yourself, eat lots like I told you for dozen of times.”

“My God, Gi. You sound exactly like my mom.”

“And I’ll whoop your ass as well just like how auntie do you so just shut up and stop complaining.” You retreated, not wanting any piece of her furious wrath.“Okay then, off to Gwangjang we go!”

She took a route that leads straight onto your destination. While on the road, you and her sang to some of her songs on your playlist that either she got from you or by her own taste. The ride exactly felt like the memories you’ve made with her, filled with chaotic joy, peacefulness, and content. 

The vibrant aroma of street food greeted you both the moment you stepped out of the car. Tteokbokki bubbling in red sauce, golden jeon sizzling on pans, and the unmistakable crunch of mung bean pancakes filling the air. Giselle tugged you toward a stall she swore had the best mayak gimbap in Seoul, grinning as she challenged you to finish a whole plate. Between bites and bursts of laughter, you realized that her presence, the simple joy of eating together already felt like the perfect birthday gift.

Yet sadly, it’s just temporary that you have to enjoy while it lasts.

After a satisfying meal, Giselle drove you to Bukchon Hanok Village, where the ancient houses stood proud amidst the modern city skyline. She made you pose beside a hanok gate, teasing that you looked too “touristy,” before insisting on a selfie with both of your faces half-hidden behind paper fans. As you walked through the quiet alleys, the echoes of your laughter bounced against the wooden walls that has a fragile harmony between nostalgia and something almost like peace.

The wind grew cooler as you both ascended Namsan Tower, Seoul sprawling like a living canvas beneath you. Giselle bought a lock from a nearby stall, scribbling something on it before clipping it onto the fence without letting you read it. You didn’t ask, you just stood beside her, the fading daylight brushing your faces, and felt that familiar ache of wanting to freeze time right there.

By afternoon, you ended up at Hangang River Park, the sun lazily dipping behind the bridge as couples cycled past. Giselle handed you a convenience store ice cream and sat beside you on the grass, her shoulder brushing against yours in quiet familiarity. The two of you didn’t need to speak much; the stillness between you was its own kind of comfort — one that words could only ruin.

Night had fallen softly over Dongdaemun: the last spot. The city was glittering below like a sea of stars. You and Giselle found yourselves walking up one of the quieter slopes in the Historical and Cultural Park, the hum of Seoul fading into distant echoes. The air was cool, the kind that carried both comfort and melancholy, and for a moment, the two of you stood side by side up on the hill as two silhouettes framed against the quiet glow of the skyline.

The air felt lighter, but beneath it was something unspoken. A weight that had lingered since a year ago.

You stopped walking, glancing at her as the city lights flickered against her face. She’ll be gone again after this, and so you took the opportunity. “Giselle… I never really asked but I wanted to,” you began, your voice low, hesitant. “Why did it have to end the way it did? We were fine, weren’t we?”

She let out a soft sigh, folding her arms as if to guard herself. “We were, YN. But then came the  burden of late-night study sessions, the exams, and I kept choosing everything else over us. I didn’t mean to, but the more time we lost, the more I felt like the spark… just fades the more I try to ease you on your struggles I couldn’t relate with.”

“So you stopped loving me, because our ambitions aren’t aligned?” you said quietly, not as an accusation but as a painful truth.

“I didn’t stop caring though,” she corrected, meeting your eyes. “I still think of you sometimes… like today.”

“You know what pains me? We were almost there.” You recalled preparing for the board exams with her, one step away from attempting to become successful in life. “We could’ve been free from what we were facing, then start building a bright future for us. But instead you left me, when I was needing your utmost support.”

Giselle looked down at her hands, her thumb nervously tracing the edge of her sleeve. “I know,” she whispered, her voice trembling with guilt. “And that’s what haunts me, YN. You were fighting so hard, and I… I ran away when things got heavy. I told myself it was because I needed to focus, but maybe I was just scared of falling behind…  or of not being enough for you anymore.”

You took a slow breath, the city lights flickering in your eyes like tiny shards of memory. “I didn’t need you to carry my weight,” you said softly. “I just needed you beside me. Even if we failed, at least we’d fail together. That’s what I thought we promised each other.”

“I know,” she said again, voice cracking as she hugged herself tighter. “But I was falling apart too. The pressure, the expectations…  it felt like I was drowning. When you started talking about the future, about what’s next for us, I realized I couldn’t even see mine clearly yet. So I let go.”

You let out a faint, broken laugh, shaking your head. “And now you’re with someone who already made it.” You swallowed, trying to steady your tone as emotions rising. “How is he? The guy you’re with now.”

Her lips twitched into a faint smile. “He’s kind. Both of you share the similarities, but with him, we understand each other’s struggles, we’re in the same field, after all. But I’m not working yet; he’s already there. It’s just ... different. Not like us.”

“Sorry if I asked about him, I was still wondering if anybody know about us right now looking out at this day.”

“I promise, I came here on my own. Something’s telling me I have to get you, I was right.”

“Then stay.” Your heart skipped.

“I can’t.”

You stared at her, the weight of her words pressing like cold air against your chest. “So that’s it?” you whispered. “We just stand here pretending we’re fine, when both of us are still looking back?”

She finally met your gaze, her expression soft but resolute. “I didn’t come to pretend, YN. I came because I missed you. It may not be as a lover, but as someone I once shared everything with. I wanted to see if we could still find each other, even just as friends. Because I don’t want to erase you in my life, okay?”

You inhaled shakily, forcing a small smile despite the ache crawling up your throat. “Then I’ll take that,” you said. “I’ll take whatever part of you you’re willing to give. I always accept everything from you, even if it means I can’t ask you to come back.”

Giselle’s eyes shimmered under the soft hill lights. “It’s gonna be fine, YN.” She whispered.

You nodded slowly, looking away toward the futuristic skyline. “But I’m happy for you,” you managed to say, though your chest tightened with every word. “It’s just… I never got over you, Gi. What we’re having right now, I thought these were all an illusion that you’re here with me.” You look at yourselves together, standing inches closer at one another. 

“Do you even realize you’re wearing the same clothes that night? It’s like I’m looking out on a day of another dream with you too, where I didn’t have to leave you.”

Checking yourself, it was indeed the same look that Giselle had her last moment with you before your relationship ended. You look at her in surprise, Giselle tightened her lip as she learned from your reaction that it was just a huge coincidence.

She stepped closer, her voice soft and uncertain. “Don’t do this to yourself, YN. I loved you. What we had was real, but we can’t go back to what it was. Not now.”

“I know,” you said, forcing a small smile. “But I can’t turn off what I feel. So I’ll just keep admiring you whenever I want to, as long as I can hold it.” She stared at you, it was clear to her, the man she’s facing never changed. His heart still belongs to her, the guilt she bears is urging her to apologize to you often that she made it look too easy.

“Thank you again for everything today, Giselle. You made me happy.”

“I’ve had fun too, and happy birthday to you also.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The silence wasn’t bitter this time, just heavy with the quiet understanding of two people whose hearts had once been perfectly in sync. As you both gazed up at the illuminated curves of the plaza, you knew this might be the last time for now that you’d walk side by side like this.

Still, you told yourself that maybe someday, if fate was decided differently; you’d be ready to meet her again.

And maybe, just maybe, hopefully she’d find her way back and never let you go.

=== END ===