Author's Pov:
Mingyu sat at his desk, surrounded by the hum of office. The world outside continued as normal but for him, time had slowed down. He glanced at the desk at the front, it was empty.
It's been 2 years since his break-up with Y/N, yet she still lingered in his heart like quiet melody. They barely spoke now, polite nods and occasionally words about work.
But even though the relationship ended, the love never faded.
Recently, something was different. He noticed she seemed to be more tired, her once bright eyes were dimming.
Everytime he asked if she was okay, she would brush him off with a tight smile, saying "I'm fine". But Mingyu was sure something was wrong, he had always been able to read her, even when she didn't speak.
And then she stopped coming to office entirely.
For days, the thought gnawed at him, leaving him restless, wondering what had happened. His mind coming up with the worst scenarios.
The worry consumed him until one day, while grabbing a cup of coffee, he overheard her friend, Hyeri, talking about Y/N.
"Ahh, why does it need to be Y/N", she sniffed, "Doctors say she doesn't have much time left...there's nothing that can be done now. It's too late".
His heart pounded as the world around him blurred. Without thinking anything, he rushed to Hyeri.
"What do you mean?", his voice desperate, "What happened to Y/N".
Hyeri hesitated, her eyes filled with pity. "Mingyu...Y/N's suffering from brain tumor, she didn't wanted anyone to worry, especially you. The doctors...they said she has less time to live".
The words shocked her, his breaths became heavy. "Message me the hospital name", he whispered. Without another word, he ran out of office, rushing to hospital.
His heart pounded with fear, each step bringing him closer to the reality he was terrified to face.
When he arrived, Y/N was lying on her hospital bed, her face pale and fragile. She was staring at the ceiling. "Y/N...", he whispered.
She smiled softly as her eyes met his, her warmth still there despite everything, "Mingyu".
He rushed to her side, softly taking her hands, "Why didn't you tell me?", his voice cracked, "Why didn't you let me be there for you?".
Y/N smiled weakly, squeezing his hand lightly, "I didn't want to hurt you more than I already had".
"But I never stopped caring", Mingyu choked out, "I never stopped loving you".
They spent next few days together, cherishing the time they had left. They reminisced about old memories, sharing quiet moments and unspoken words. But each day, Y/N grew weaker and Mingyu's heart sank deeper.
One evening, as the sun cast a soft glow through the window, Y/N turned to him with tired eyes, "I'm so tired Mingyu...", her voice came out as a whisper, "It's cold, will you just hold me?".
With tears streaming down his face, Mingyu gently pulled her in his arms. She rested her head against his chest, her hand brushing against his as she slowly traced patterns on his skin.
But then, her hand stopped moving and he felt her slip away.
"Y/N..", his voice trembled, panic seizing him, "Y/N!".
But she was gone.
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Mingyu jolted awake, gasping for breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He blinked rapidly, disoriented as he looked around. He was back in his office, slumped over his desk, papers scattered around him. It had all been a dream- a creul, vivid dream.
But the tears on his face were real.
"Mingyu?"
The familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. He looked up to see Y/N standing infront of him, her face etched with concern. She was alive, she was here.
"You were crying", she said softly, her brows furrowed, "Are you okay? You were talking in your sleep".
Without any thinking, Mingyu reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him while he remained seated. His head rested against her stomach, and his hands trembled as he held into her, afraid to let go.
"Mingyu-", she started, her voice full of surprise, but she stopped when she felt how tightly he clung to her. Gently she ran her fingers through his hair, soothing him, "What happened?".
Mingyu didn't respond at first, burying his face against her, trying to shake off the nightmare, "I...I thought I lost you", he whispered, his voice barely audible, "It felt so real. I couldn't.....I couldn't handle it".
Y/N stilled for a moment before gently cupping his face and lifting his gaze to her. "Mingyu", she said softly, her eyes warm, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here. It was just a bad dream".
He stared at her, his eyes still glistening, his heart racing as relief and love overwhelmed him. She was real. She was here, "It was really a bad dream. You were sick...dying, and I couldn't save you".
She leaned down slightly, wiping away the tears, "I'm here, Mingyu", she softly said, "It was just a bad dream. I'm not sick, okay".
"Just don't leave me, Y/N", he murmured, holding her a little tighter, "I don't want to lose you again".
Y/N looked at him with sad eyes, "Mingyu...", understanding what he meant.
"I never stopped caring for you, Y/N", he stared at her, searching for a hope, "Even after our break-up, my feelings for you never faded".
Y/N stood frozen, her heart racing at his words. "Mingyu..", she muttered, "I..".
His eyes looked vulnerable as he waited for her to speak. Y/N looked away, unsure of what to say. She had spent so long burying her emotions, convincing herself that their break up had been for best.
But seeing him now— so raw, so honest— it was as if every wall she had built had started to crumble.
Mingyu released her from his embrace, he spoke, "If you've moved on", he said softly, "then I won't stand in your way, won't hold you back from what makes you happy".
"But even if there's a smallest part of you that still feels the same....if you still care...then I'll be here, ready to fight for us".
His words hung in the air, his eyes never leaving hers. Y/N felt a lump form in her throat. She could see sincerity in his gaze, the hope he was clinging to.
For a moment, her mind raced with memories— moments of laughter, moments of love and the painful goodbye that shattered them both.
Y/N took a deep breath, her voice barely a whisper, "I-I never stopped caring either, Mingyu but it wasn't enough before. We gave up".
Mingyu shook his head, holding her hands softly, "Last time, we both walked away because we were scared. We let everything slip through our fingers. But this time", he said, his voice more determined, "I'm not walking away. I'm not giving up on us".
"But what if it's too late?", she murmured, her chest pounding.
"It's not too late", Mingyu answered, "Not if you still feel something. Not if we both try. One step at a time, Y/N. I'll be here, I'll fight for you— for us".
Y/N let out a small smile, "Okay. One step at a time".
Mingyu's eyes lit up, his heart finally easing. He gently squeezing her hand, knowing that this time, he wasn't going to let her go without a fight.
