heeseung and isa: is it over now?
aespa 5th member x heeseung enhypen
isa's masterlist
the dormr was dimly lit, the city skyline stretching out beyond the floor to-ceiling windows. heeseung sat on the couch, staring blankly at the beer bottle in his hands, fingers tracing over the condensation absentmindedly. across from him, jay leaned back in his chair, watching him carefully.
"You're thinking too much again."
Heeseung scoffed, tilting his head back. "When am I not?"
Jay took a sip of his drink before setting it down. "Wanna talk about it or just sit here pretending you're fine?"
"It's over," Heeseung muttered, voice barely above a whisper. "Like, really over."
Jay didn't need to ask who he was talking about.
The way Heeseung's jaw clenched at the name was answer enough.
"She said she's done with us," Heeseung continued, laughing bitterly. "And for the first time, I actually believe her."
Jay leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "And how do you feel about that?"
Heeseung exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "I don’t know, man. It’s like… I thought I had time. that maybe if we gave each other space, things would sort themselves out. but seeing her today...." He paused, running a hand through his hair. "she looked at me like a stranger, Jay."
Jay was quiet for a moment, letting the weight of those words settle. "Maybe she’s just trying to protect herself."
Heeseung let out a hollow laugh. "Or maybe she just doesn’t care anymore."
"You don’t believe that."
Heeseung wanted to argue, wanted to say that he did believe it. That she had moved on and he should too. But he couldn’t. Because when she looked at him in that café—beneath all the anger, the exhaustion, the walls she had built up—there was still something there.
"I don’t know what to do," Heeseung admitted finally, voice hoarse.
Jay sighed, grabbing another beer and tossing it to him. "You either fight for her, or you let her go."
Heeseung caught the bottle but didn’t open it. "What if she doesn’t want me to fight?"
Jay shrugged. "Then you respect that."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Jay spoke again, softer this time. "But Heeseung… if you still love her, don’t just let her slip away without a damn good reason."
Heeseung stared at the bottle in his hands, chest tightening.
She was his damn good reason.
The party is louder than isa expected. Music thrums through the apartment, glasses clink, and laughter rises above the noise. She hadn’t even wanted to come at first jet lag still clung to her bones after returning from canada. But it was herin’s birthday, and after weeks of her best friend nagging, isa finally caved.
"Where is she?" Haechan asked, already knowing the answer.
Mark just sighed and tilted his head toward the closed door.
Haechan ran a hand through his hair. "You’ve got to be kidding me."
Mark shook his head. "She drank too much. She’s not wasted, but she’s..." He hesitated. "Not okay."
Haechan groaned. "Ah, here we go again."
Mark gave him a look. "Be nice."
"I'm always nice," Haechan muttered, pushing the door open.
Inside, isa was sitting on the floor, knees pulled up to her chest, head down. The room was dimly lit, quiet except for her unsteady breathing.
Haechan sighed as he walked over, crouching in front of her. "isa."
"isa," he tried again, softer this time.
Haechan exchanged a glance with Mark, who just nodded slightly.
Taking a deep breath, he sat down beside her, close enough that their arms brushed.
"Okay," he said. "Let’s hear it."
isa sniffled, still not lifting her head. "It’s- It’s so stupid."
"Probably," Haechan agreed. "But go on."
She let out a shaky laugh, then exhaled. "Heeseung."
Haechan groaned dramatically, leaning his head back against the wall. "Of course."
Mark shot him a warning look.
Saeri finally lifted her head, eyes red and glassy. "I don’t- I don’t even know why I’m crying."
"Because you’re a mess?" Haechan offered.
She swatted his arm weakly.
He rolled his eyes. "isa. You just saw the guy for the first time since… you know."
She sniffled again. "He didn’t even stay."
Mark, who had been silent, finally spoke. "He had a schedule."
Isa let out a bitter laugh. "Right. A schedule."
Haechan studied her for a moment before leaning forward. "Be honest. Did you actually want to see him tonight?"
Isa opened her mouth, then closed it.
Mark sighed. "That’s a yes."
Haechan clicked his tongue. "And did you actually want to talk to him?"
Mark rubbed his temples. "isa."
Haechan clapped his hands once. "Okay! So what did we learn tonight?"
isa groaned. "Please don’t do this."
"We learned," Haechan continued, ignoring her, "that pretending you don’t care doesn’t actually mean you don’t care."
isa glared at him. "I hate you."
"I know." Haechan patted her head. "But I’m right."
She huffed, wiping her face with the sleeve of her hoodie. "It’s just… we didn’t even get to say anything to each other. And now it’s just weird."
Mark sighed. "Then fix it.' Saeri frowned. "Fix it?"
Haechan rolled his eyes. "Yes, fix it. Either talk to him or move on. No more of this half assed, staring from a distance, pretending you’re over-it bullshit."
She bit her lip, looking uncertain.
Mark nudged her lightly. "You’re not over it, isa. And neither is he."
Saeri let out a shaky breath, staring down at her hands.
Haechan softened, nudging her with his shoulder. "Just… think about it, okay?"
She didn’t respond, but she didn’t need to. The way her fingers curled slightly, the way her expression shifted Haechan knew.
