โWait for Me, Okay?โ
A Wonwoo x Reader One-Shot
Summary:
Wonwoo receives his enlistment date, and reality sets in, itโs only a matter of time before he has to leave. Over coffee, you both navigate the quiet sadness of an impending goodbye, holding onto unspoken promises and the hope that time will pass quickly. No matter how long the wait, heโll always come back to you.
It wasnโt like you didnโt know this day was coming.
Wonwoo had mentioned it a few times before, in passing, never lingering on the topic for too long. He was never the type to dwell on things he couldnโt control, and military service was one of them. Still, there was something about today, about the way he kept checking his phone, the way he stirred his iced Americano more than necessary, that made your chest feel tight.
You glanced at him from across the table, watching as he stared out the cafรฉ window, his jaw resting on his hand. Even in moments like this, he was effortlessly cool, dark sweater sleeves pushed up to his elbows, silver rings glinting against his pale fingers. He looked calm, but you knew him better than that.
โWonwoo,โ you called softly.
His eyes flickered toward you, and for a second, it was as if the weight of the world was sitting on his shoulders. Then, just as quickly, he smiled, a small, familiar curve of his lips that made your heart ache.
โWhat is it?โ he asked, voice as quiet as ever.
You hesitated before setting your cup down. โSomethingโs on your mind.โ
Wonwoo let out a slow exhale, his fingers playing with the rim of his glass. He looked down for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully, then finally met your gaze again.
โI got my enlistment date.โ
You had expected it, prepared yourself for it, but hearing it out loud made it real in a way that nothing else had.
โWhen?โ you asked, though you werenโt sure if you were ready for the answer.
You gripped the edge of the table, trying to keep your expression neutral, trying not to let the sadness seep through. Wonwoo was watching you carefully, his sharp eyes catching every small movement, every flicker of emotion you failed to hide.
โI see,โ you said, forcing a smile. โThatโsโฆ soon.โ
He nodded, his fingers tightening around his cup. โYeah.โ
Neither of you spoke for a moment. The world outside carried on, cars passing by, strangers walking along the sidewalk, conversations blending into the hum of the cafรฉ, but in your little corner, everything had come to a standstill.
Wonwoo shifted in his seat, then reached for your hand across the table. His grip was warm, firm. Comforting.
โIโll be fine,โ he assured you.
You swallowed the lump in your throat. โI know.โ
He tilted his head slightly, his thumb tracing light circles on the back of your hand. โAre you?โ
And that was the thing about Wonwoo, he never talked more than necessary, but he always knew exactly what to say. He never pushed, never forced you to speak before you were ready, but his quiet presence alone made you want to be honest.
You took a shaky breath. โI donโt know,โ you admitted.
His fingers tightened around yours. โI donโt want you to be sad.โ
You laughed, though it came out weaker than you intended. โKind of impossible, donโt you think?โ
Wonwoo didnโt argue. Instead, he just held your hand a little longer, like he was trying to make up for all the moments he wouldnโt be able to in the coming months.
โIโll be back before you know it,โ he finally said, his voice steady. โYouโll be so busy that you wonโt even notice the time passing.โ
You knew he was trying to make you feel better, but it only made your heart ache more.
โIโll notice,โ you whispered. โEvery single day.โ
Wonwoo exhaled through his nose, a soft smile playing at his lips. โMe too.โ
The conversation drifted after that. You talked about things that didnโt matter, what you wanted to eat later, the book he was reading, the new game he wanted to play before leaving but there was an unspoken understanding between you.
No matter how casual your words were, they all carried the same meaning: Iโm going to miss you.
As the sun began to set, you walked home together, side by side. Wonwoo didnโt let go of your hand the entire time.
When you finally reached your door, you turned to him, unsure of what to say. It wasnโt goodbye yet, not really, but it felt like a countdown had already begun.
Wonwoo studied your face for a moment before reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. His touch lingered, fingers brushing against your skin.
โWait for me, okay?โ he murmured.
You nodded, blinking away the tears threatening to fall. โOf course.โ
His lips quirked into a small smile before he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead.
โIโll come back to you,โ he promised.
Even if it took days, months, or years, he would always find his way back to you.
๐โโฌ๐ฅ๐โโฌ๐ฅ๐โโฌ๐ฅ๐โโฌ๐ฅ๐โโฌ๐ฅ๐โโฌ๐ฅ๐โโฌ๐ฅ๐โโฌ๐ฅ
Authorโs Note:
I can't still believe the day of his enlistment is slowly approaching๐ฅน. For the next two years, weโll miss Wonwooโs warmth, his voice, and the quiet comfort he brings. The wait wonโt be easy, but heโs strong, and we know heโll be okay. No matter how long it takes, heโll always come back to us, Carats.๐ซถ๐ฉต