Jason Hwang (Reader as OC), a Korean-Canadian, is currently working as the Assistant Editor for politics in the Korean office of an international news organization. When he gets a message from his ex, Nayeon, wanting to meet up two years after they broke up, he finds himself an opportunity to correct a dire mistake he never should have made, along with the chance to win back a love he never should have lost.
“You can’t go out there.” Nayeon tries to plead with you.
“I have to, Nayeon. I don’t have a choice.”
“You’re an assistant editor. Just send one of your beat reporters to cover it.”
“They’re gonna be like lost sheep out there. I can’t just leave them to fend for themselves.”
“Why does it have to be you? It’s dangerous. You could get caught in the crossfire. Hell you could get arrested just from standing by the sidelines.”
“People need to know what’s happening, Nayeon. I can’t just stand by and let misinformation about the protests run wild.”
“I… I don’t want to lose you, Jay. Not again.”
“You won’t lose me. I’ll come back. I promise.”
Nayeon’s phone rings and she answers the call. After a few moments she ends it.
“It was my manager. They’re coming to pick me up and take me to the company.”
“Good. You’ll be safer there. Just stay here until they come, okay?”
You try to pack your go bag in a hurry. You scramble to get paraphernalia that you prayed you never had to wear in your career. A helmet and bullet-proof vest, both with the word MEDIA labeled on them. You didn’t think you would ever have to wear this set up. You hoped you never had to.
With all the essentials you managed to get on short notice, you’re about to leave before you remember one last important thing. You drop your bag at the door step and rush towards Nayeon. You grab her by the hips, hoist her up, and pull her into a kiss. She welcomes you, arms wrapping around your neck, as if trying to keep you from actually leaving. It almost works. It lasts for a few moments, though you wished it lasted forever. You eventually have to pull away.
“Stay safe, okay?” you whisper to her.
“I should be the one telling you that.” She manages to joke back. It gets a light chuckle from both of you, some semblance of happiness in this dark moment in history. Your forehead rests on hers, your warm breaths crashing on each other’s skin. Silence fills the room as the weight of the situation starts to settle in even more. If things go wrong out there, this could be the last moment you would ever share with her. You want to make sure she knows.
“Nayeon… I—”
“No.” She cuts you off. “Save it for when you come back to me. Okay?”
“Okay. I will come back to you. Always.”
Both of your grips finally relent. She lets go of you as you move back towards the door. When you close the door, you can hear her faint sobs as the two of you face the uncertainty of the situation. It’s about to be your first time in a high-alert situation, with so many unknown threats that might pop up. The only thing you’re certain of? You plan on keeping your promise to Nayeon.
You will come back to her.
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