Nine times
Title: Nine Times
Rating: G
Pairing: Luna-centric broken!Lunew
Type/Length: One-shot; 1300w
Summary: It was never easy to fall in and out of love nine times for the same person.
Author's Note: And this is the second part of my prompt challenge. Check it out here.
i.
It wasn’t love at first sight; Sunyoung couldn’t even remember when she first saw him. Was it when he first introduced himself as a new trainee? Or maybe, in a competition she barely remembers? She doesn’t know because it wasn’t important.
It was when he asked her name-nothing special, to be honest. He just flashed his prettiest smile and a shy bow, baffled if he should also hold a hand out or not but that was more than enough to make her fluster and smile back. She wasn’t sure if Jonghyun noticed her flustered face.
He offered the same treatment on the other trainees too, a million dollar smile and shy introduction. She met a lot of people, encountered a lot of introductions but why was his so special?
That night she couldn’t stop thinking about the boy.
ii.
The second time followed fast. He was alone in the music room, practicing for a ballad song that came out approximately ten years ago. It was faintly familiar, it wasn’t even among her preference but when Jinki appended his voice through the music, it became a different song. Jinki owned it, at least during that moment.
Her heart fluttered for the older, it was uncontrollable. And her feelings were independent.
iii.
Third was where she sunk deeply, completely in love. She was fourteen and it was her first time but she felt happy to have him by her side.
“You’re great at singing, Sunyoung-ah.” He complimented her once, like an older brother. He always encouraged her when he has the chance. Starting then, they became friends maybe more than that, maybe less but Sunyoung didn’t want to put a label or level in their relationship.
She liked the way they harmonized, eat on their way home or simply do things together. For a fourteen year-old girl, she felt inevitable by his side. Foolish, it was for many but for all that Sunyoung cares, she was happy.
iv.
Fourth is where she noticed how she fell in and out of love.
Sunyoung thought that her feelings for Jinki were just momentary. She thought it was just child’s play wherein she can easily get off and look for another playmate. But she realized it wasn’t when they started to drift apart.
He became really busy, preparing for his debut and Sunyoung didn’t want to be a bother so she just stood along the sidelines and watched. She too, became busy with other things which contributed a lot on their separation.
At first, she was fine with it, focused on her own business. And then she started missing him, remembering his very own melody. Everything reminds her of him, kind of.
We’ve really spent so much time on each other, she thought.
v.
The fifth was when Jinki became Onew, a distant star. She was about to lost hope about debuting when Jinki made his. She always wished for his success, of course, but she can’t help but feel jealous.
But when she congratulated him, it was sincere. Fortunately, somehow, their paths crossed inside the SM building. It was half past nine, time for Sunyoung to leave the building and rest while he just returned from schedule for another round of practice.
When they bumped into each other, Sunyoung knew for sure that it was Jinki, not Onew. The timid bow and I’m sorry was so Jinki. She missed Jinki, even if she saw Onew all the time.
“Sunyoung-ah.” God, she longed for his voice, his honey-like voice that only Lee Jinki possesses.
“Jinki-oppa” her voice was hoarse, almost inaudible. She wondered if it was because of all her inner screams. “Long time no see.” She faked a smile because she actually wanted to bawl her eyes out and hold him into her arms, scream out how much she missed him.
“Yeah, I missed you. I hope you’re doing well.” His eyes met hers, confirming genuineness.
“I missed you too. Oppa, I have to go. I still have to leave for review classes.” And with that, they went departed on their own ways.
She regretted leaving him-she wanted to stay by his side, like the old times but that’s the only way for her to suppress her feelings. Everything was simple but it complicates her. Making decisions was never easy for Sunyoung so she just wanted to leave everything open, without plan.
But that night, she definitely cried a lot.
vi.
Months after becoming Luna, the sixth time came. It was their first joint performance, official and on-stage.
The practice was a night before the show. It’s live and they’re going to sing in English so Luna tried her best not to fail, especially in front of her industry sunbae.
But focus was hard to maintain particularly in front of someone who she thought about for years. She sometimes forgets, she sometimes remembers but the bottom line was his presence was something undeniably significant to her. When he’s around her, when she feels him, everything goes out of control. Her knees would start feeling literally weak that she could barely stand properly.
She mentally squealed when Onew asked for another round of practice before the performance. They decided to meet on their common free time in the afternoon, even if it wasn’t too long.
It felt forever, having him by her side. But it lasted, she can’t keep him.
vii.
The seventh time was when she dreamt of him for several consecutive days. Was it five nights? Or seven? She lost count but she is sure it was him. The dreams weren’t identical, they showcased different moments, fictional and non-fictional but she felt his company. He was definitely there, in front of her, sharing warm smiles, holding her hand and running to wonderland.
She wished to stay in those dreams, where ‘they’ existed, together.
But reality never stopped to show her that there’s no ‘they’ and it’s just her being pathetic.
viii.
Eight was when he had a dating scandal. She found herself trembling in fear about him after a long time. She prayed inwardly, only to herself that it is not true.
She’s afraid that it might be true, especially when she knew that artists will never reveal their dating status even to their colleagues. Being cautious is a trait needed to stay longer in the industry. Jinki is a man, a normal person; he can fall in love too.
The company denied the rumors, everyone believed but Luna knows better. He dated her.
She felt the disappointment she should never have felt. But she couldn’t control her emotions. She definitely felt bad, she’s a mess and she doesn’t know how to fix herself.
ix.
The last one was when she tried for the first and last time.
Years have passed and she finally found the answer, more specifically, the courage to break this seemingly endless process of falling in and out of love.
She pulled the words, without practice, without someone telling her what to do. It was just her and her heart pouring onto him. No sugar coated words, just straight forward.
He said he understands and that he appreciates her feelings but he said he was sorry and that he can’t reciprocate her feelings.
Maybe she was too late, or maybe it was just not bound to happen. But all is good, everything is better. Because she thought that if they dated, there’s a big chance that it won’t work out. And it’ll be more painful that way. She’s better after the proper rejection she received. She smiled more genuinely and she was happier than when he was with her.
They became friends again and she stopped trying. Sunyoung finally fell out of love and she’s sure she’ll fall again, but not with Lee Jinki.
Rating: G
Pairing: Luna-centric broken!Lunew
Type/Length: One-shot; 1300w
Summary: It was never easy to fall in and out of love nine times for the same person.
Author's Note: And this is the second part of my prompt challenge. Check it out here.
i.
It wasn’t love at first sight; Sunyoung couldn’t even remember when she first saw him. Was it when he first introduced himself as a new trainee? Or maybe, in a competition she barely remembers? She doesn’t know because it wasn’t important.
It was when he asked her name-nothing special, to be honest. He just flashed his prettiest smile and a shy bow, baffled if he should also hold a hand out or not but that was more than enough to make her fluster and smile back. She wasn’t sure if Jonghyun noticed her flustered face.
He offered the same treatment on the other trainees too, a million dollar smile and shy introduction. She met a lot of people, encountered a lot of introductions but why was his so special?
That night she couldn’t stop thinking about the boy.
ii.
The second time followed fast. He was alone in the music room, practicing for a ballad song that came out approximately ten years ago. It was faintly familiar, it wasn’t even among her preference but when Jinki appended his voice through the music, it became a different song. Jinki owned it, at least during that moment.
Her heart fluttered for the older, it was uncontrollable. And her feelings were independent.
iii.
Third was where she sunk deeply, completely in love. She was fourteen and it was her first time but she felt happy to have him by her side.
“You’re great at singing, Sunyoung-ah.” He complimented her once, like an older brother. He always encouraged her when he has the chance. Starting then, they became friends maybe more than that, maybe less but Sunyoung didn’t want to put a label or level in their relationship.
She liked the way they harmonized, eat on their way home or simply do things together. For a fourteen year-old girl, she felt inevitable by his side. Foolish, it was for many but for all that Sunyoung cares, she was happy.
iv.
Fourth is where she noticed how she fell in and out of love.
Sunyoung thought that her feelings for Jinki were just momentary. She thought it was just child’s play wherein she can easily get off and look for another playmate. But she realized it wasn’t when they started to drift apart.
He became really busy, preparing for his debut and Sunyoung didn’t want to be a bother so she just stood along the sidelines and watched. She too, became busy with other things which contributed a lot on their separation.
At first, she was fine with it, focused on her own business. And then she started missing him, remembering his very own melody. Everything reminds her of him, kind of.
We’ve really spent so much time on each other, she thought.
v.
The fifth was when Jinki became Onew, a distant star. She was about to lost hope about debuting when Jinki made his. She always wished for his success, of course, but she can’t help but feel jealous.
But when she congratulated him, it was sincere. Fortunately, somehow, their paths crossed inside the SM building. It was half past nine, time for Sunyoung to leave the building and rest while he just returned from schedule for another round of practice.
When they bumped into each other, Sunyoung knew for sure that it was Jinki, not Onew. The timid bow and I’m sorry was so Jinki. She missed Jinki, even if she saw Onew all the time.
“Sunyoung-ah.” God, she longed for his voice, his honey-like voice that only Lee Jinki possesses.
“Jinki-oppa” her voice was hoarse, almost inaudible. She wondered if it was because of all her inner screams. “Long time no see.” She faked a smile because she actually wanted to bawl her eyes out and hold him into her arms, scream out how much she missed him.
“Yeah, I missed you. I hope you’re doing well.” His eyes met hers, confirming genuineness.
“I missed you too. Oppa, I have to go. I still have to leave for review classes.” And with that, they went departed on their own ways.
She regretted leaving him-she wanted to stay by his side, like the old times but that’s the only way for her to suppress her feelings. Everything was simple but it complicates her. Making decisions was never easy for Sunyoung so she just wanted to leave everything open, without plan.
But that night, she definitely cried a lot.
vi.
Months after becoming Luna, the sixth time came. It was their first joint performance, official and on-stage.
The practice was a night before the show. It’s live and they’re going to sing in English so Luna tried her best not to fail, especially in front of her industry sunbae.
But focus was hard to maintain particularly in front of someone who she thought about for years. She sometimes forgets, she sometimes remembers but the bottom line was his presence was something undeniably significant to her. When he’s around her, when she feels him, everything goes out of control. Her knees would start feeling literally weak that she could barely stand properly.
She mentally squealed when Onew asked for another round of practice before the performance. They decided to meet on their common free time in the afternoon, even if it wasn’t too long.
It felt forever, having him by her side. But it lasted, she can’t keep him.
vii.
The seventh time was when she dreamt of him for several consecutive days. Was it five nights? Or seven? She lost count but she is sure it was him. The dreams weren’t identical, they showcased different moments, fictional and non-fictional but she felt his company. He was definitely there, in front of her, sharing warm smiles, holding her hand and running to wonderland.
She wished to stay in those dreams, where ‘they’ existed, together.
But reality never stopped to show her that there’s no ‘they’ and it’s just her being pathetic.
viii.
Eight was when he had a dating scandal. She found herself trembling in fear about him after a long time. She prayed inwardly, only to herself that it is not true.
She’s afraid that it might be true, especially when she knew that artists will never reveal their dating status even to their colleagues. Being cautious is a trait needed to stay longer in the industry. Jinki is a man, a normal person; he can fall in love too.
The company denied the rumors, everyone believed but Luna knows better. He dated her.
She felt the disappointment she should never have felt. But she couldn’t control her emotions. She definitely felt bad, she’s a mess and she doesn’t know how to fix herself.
ix.
The last one was when she tried for the first and last time.
Years have passed and she finally found the answer, more specifically, the courage to break this seemingly endless process of falling in and out of love.
She pulled the words, without practice, without someone telling her what to do. It was just her and her heart pouring onto him. No sugar coated words, just straight forward.
He said he understands and that he appreciates her feelings but he said he was sorry and that he can’t reciprocate her feelings.
Maybe she was too late, or maybe it was just not bound to happen. But all is good, everything is better. Because she thought that if they dated, there’s a big chance that it won’t work out. And it’ll be more painful that way. She’s better after the proper rejection she received. She smiled more genuinely and she was happier than when he was with her.
They became friends again and she stopped trying. Sunyoung finally fell out of love and she’s sure she’ll fall again, but not with Lee Jinki.