pairing/s: stormchaser! park woojin x oc
genre: angst, drama, fluff
prompt : I can’t help but be attracted to catastrophe. Dating Park Woojin is like dating a storm - destructive.
She sat on the purple sofa of their apartment, a hot cup of coffee placed between her hands. The steam fogged her glasses, so she removed it only to find her vision blurring that caused her to not see the news.
It was a constant dilemma.
Glasses, coffee, storms and news don’t mix well with one another. It irritated her because these were the days she badly needed to watch the news. She sets the coffee on the table opting to bear the coldness of the weather.
“This is Park Woojin, your resident meteorologist. Behind me, you can see the magnitude of damage caused by the intense wind speed of the cyclone. The typhoon is expected to…” the connection went awry and cuts Woojin’s report off, and from the news headquarters, she saw how his colleagues tried to re establish the line but to no avail.
She gripped her cellphone, lines of worry sculpted on her forehead. It didn’t help that she hasn’t received any message from Woojin since yesterday, but she was used to it. His job entailed being sent to far-off places and situations cutting off all forms of communication.
But she will never be used to the danger Woojin had to face every time he gets deployed. Nor will she be used to all the days where her mind would play their own tricks on her and she’d assume the worst. And it was unfair how Woojin would text her or call her during the stormy days to remind her that she should not leave their apartment because of the raging thunders, or the flown debris or increased risk in road accidents because of slippery roads.
And at days like these, when there would be storms with record-breaking intensity, Seulri begins to hate the rain more and more.
“Woojinie, how are you?” Seulri paced back and forth in the kitchen after the call finally went through. She bit the tip of her finger with anxiousness when she was met with idle connection.
“Hey, you good there?” Woojin seemed to not hear her from the bad connection, or even if he did, that was just how he was. Always concerned about her own safety even if he was in an environment more dangerous than hers. She noticed the light strain in his voice and sniffling.
“I’m fine, and you’re not. Are you sick?” Her voice rose and Woojin imagined the oncoming nagging that Seulri was good at every time she called to check up on him. “I’m worried about you, Woojin.” He heard the faintest crack on her voice, and that was enough for him to miss her.
If there’s something that Woojin could never do for Seulri, it was tightly embracing her during the stormy weather. It hurt him to imagine her alone in their apartment, cradled by the army of pillows and fur blankets as she watched the news, eyes narrowed on the bright tv screen, lips pressed on a thin line.
His job has been the subject of many of their arguments. One that he always loses and one that she always understands despite the frustration building up. She wasn’t the type to hinder his interest, so he always made sure to keep his promise of leaving a message when the signal allows. One that he religiously follows, but not always granted by mother nature.
“I miss you too. Don’t worry about me. The flights been cancelled because the path of the storm coincides with the flight track, but the weather’s better here now. Keep safe there, it might make a second land fall in Seoul.” He reminded her. The storm chasing team were still busy arranging the heavy equipments amidst the fallen trees, swept away cars and mud. Woojin’s superior motions for him to help them. “I need to go now. I love you,” he bids goodbye in a rush before producing smooching sound and he heard Seulri giggle over the line and reply with an ‘I love you too'
The light in the doorway lights up, and he removed his shoes, stepping lightly on the floorboards, careful not to wake her up. Seulri has always been a heavy sleeper, and he always loved surprising her whenever he returned by casually taking the empty space on the bed beside her and cradling her to amend for the days he didn’t sleep beside her.
She loved cuddling. Her body would subconsciously react to his touch and make her arms wrap around him without her knowing, and she would wake up in the morning only to find him smiling softly beside her. She’d hit his arms repetitively, her hair a mess and her smile from ear to ear. "You didn’t wake me up!“ She would whine to him and he’d use that chance to snuggle closer, rubbing his head on her stomach.
But today, he found her restlessly shifting on the bed with bloodshot eyes. She immediately rose when she heard the doorknob turning. "Woojinie?” She rubbed her eyes and he smiles before he noticed the wetness of her pillow and the dampness of her eyes.
He cupped her cheeks and she buried her head into his chest, taking in the smell that began to fade from their bed. “Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked her worriedly and rubbed her back. Woojin never found Seulri like that, or maybe he just always miss the right timing to see her like that. Maybe she was always in tears when he was away and that broke his heart.
“I just missed you so much,” she sniffles and Woojin hushed her tenderly. He was weak to her tears. It made him remember how she was before - a catastrophe. “How was the trip?” She pulls away from his hold and the only light that filled the room was the small ray coming from the opening in the doorway, but he could perfectly imagine her forced smile and swollen eyes.
“Watery and windy.” He described which earned him a chuckle from Seulri. “Smarty pants.” He pulls her back into his hold and they laid down on the bed, her head on his chest, and he gently dabbed her forearm.
A few minutes after, she dozed off, her warm breath grazing his hand. He stared at the ceiling, and closes his eyes, wanting the morning to come faster so he could pamper her and make her feel happier.
He wasn’t able to surprise her today.
But there was always a next time
Going on dates after Woojin’s return was their routine. It started when they had a huge argument about his career which caused them to almost break up. Sometimes, it would fill Seulri with guilt because Woojin would never fail to take her out somewhere and spend the day with her instead of resting in the apartment.
“The best day to go out is after a storm,” Woojin would say and pull her out of the apartment.
“Let me carry your things.” Woojin walked towards her luggage. She looked at him, a little confused with his gesture because Woojin knew that she wanted to be independent in those little things. "You’re being so…“
"I want to pamper my girl today.” He took away her luggage while she was dumbfounded. After 2 years of dating and 2 years of living together, they were used to displays of affection. Kisses and hugs don’t really make them swoon like adolescents anymore, but Woojin somehow always finds a way to surprise her. "Let’s go?“ Woojin turned back and extends his hand, Seulri pouted and took it.
"I hate how you could do it.” She leaned on the window and crossed her arms as Woojin busily maneuvered the car and double checked their luggage. “The what?”
“Make me feel like we just started dating again, and make me become a blushing idiot.” Seulri confessed. Woojin laughed, his eyes crinkling and free hand trailing towards her left hand. He held onto it while the traffic halted the cars.
The radio played another song and Woojin swayed their hands together as he sang along and Seulri can’t help but be embarrassed to Woojin’s clumsy, erratic dance steps hindered by his seat belt. She looked around the other cars and the drivers who were waiting seriously for the traffic to subside.
“You’re like a five year old.”
“You love this five year old.”
“Are we going to where I think we’re going? Seulri excitedly shifted on her chair. Woojin chuckled and nods and her eyes glistened with joy and she drummed her hands on Woojin’s arm.
“A.. Aaaa. Yah ! I’m driving!”
“That won’t stop me. I love you so muchhh” She kissed him on his cheeks, and unrolled the window taking in the scenery. Seulri quickly pulled her phone and dialed.
“Omma! I’m visiting with Woojin. I missed you ! ” She gushed over the telephone. Due to the busyness of their schedules both of them can’t return to Busan, and it has been 2 and a half years since she last saw her family. 6 months for Woojin because he got deployed to chase a storm in Busan.
Seulri’s father greeted them on the side of the road, and she immediately sprung out to hug her father. Meanwhile, Woojin parked the car and tended to their belongings. Seulri’s mother came rushing out to greet the two of them, planting so many kisses on Woojin’s face whom she liked to call as 'son-in-law’ even if they weren’t engaged or anything.
“You should have told me sooner! Yah, Woojin-ah, why didn’t you call me. Now, I still need to go to the market to prepare a feast for all of us.” She scolded while cupping the cheeks of Woojin and pinching it. Woojin then offered to drive her to the market.
“So, are you here to finally tell us the day of the wedding?” Seulri spat out her food, and Woojin immediately patted her back. “Omma!”
“Oh please. You’re already both 25. I want to see a grandchild soon, you know,” she babbled shamelessly while her father silently nodded. “Also, Woojin-ah. You’re so handsome on T.V. . Continue taking care of my daughter, okay?” She pointed her chopsticks to Seulri who wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Ahh, you’re making me embarrassed, eomeoni,” he scratched his neck, and Seulri interjected, “Yeah, and then you’ll gush to me later about how handsome you are.”
“Don’t bully my son-in-law. Anyway, go and get the dessert already.”
Seulri stood up and went to the kitchen whereas her mother moved closer to ask Woojin. “When do you plan to propose, my boy?”
He smiled, and answers. “ I don’t have a ring yet, auntie, but soon. It’s a busy period specially since it’s the rainy season, but once it’s summer. Surely.” Seulri’s parents gave him a thumbs up, and quickly returned to normal as she arrived.
Three days passed by quickly while staying in Busan, and they both needed to return to their jobs. Woojin was about to get deployed again because there was another coming storm, so early in the morning they left and returned to Seoul.
“Let’s go again there sometime?” Woojin asked her, and she nodded as they interlaced their hands. "You’re leaving right after we arrive in Seoul right?“ This time he nodded, and she pouted. He pulled her seatbelt and helped her buckle it before kissing her forehead. "It’s gonna be fine.”
“It’s in Ulsan. Be careful of the seaside, okay?”
“I’m always careful."
“Ah.. Ahh, Seulri-ah? Oh good, take care okay? It’s very cold out here. Don’t drink too much coffee, or too much sweets. Can you hear me? I can’t wait to go home. I love you.” Seulri heard the rushing of the waves over the distance and the heavy blowing of wind towards his direction. Before she even managed to reply, a voice called out to Woojin and he apologized immediately.
It has been 3 days, and the storm was terrorizing Ulsan. She wanted to ask so much questions, but she didn’t have the chance. The news reported how their own communications team were having trouble staying safe in the area. Roads were blocked and flights were cancelled.
But that was normal. She reminded herself. Woojin faced more dangerous calamities before and he returned perfectly fine. There was no use in becoming plagued with worries. She returned to her normal routine, and sent a text instead hoping that he gets to see it soon.
“I love you too. Keep safe there, and I’m waiting for you at home.”
Ten in the evening, Seulri received a reply.
“Seul” and she didn’t understand. Woojin probably accidentally clicked the send button, so she waited and waited.
But the next text never arrived.
Nor will it ever.
Twelve in the morning, a breaking news flashed on the screen about an accident in Ulsan.
She sat on the chair in front of the window, a hot cup of coffee placed between her hands with the blanket wrapped around her body. She watched the raindrops land on the window, and darkness engulfing the sky. The tv was turned off, her eyeglasses sitting beside her.
The blurriness of her vision didn’t hide the rain, nor did it cloud the deathly sorrow. She unlocked her phone, scrolling through her piled sent messages to him.
“Have you eaten?” May 29 . 7:28 p.m.
“Hope you’re not sick there,” June 7. 8:57 a.m.
“I had a good day. It’s very sunny today. Where are we going next time?” June 17. 9:28 p.m
So on.
She sent a new one today.
“I’m safe here. I’ll go out when the rain subsides. I need to take the laundry out soon. Hope you go home soon. I love you,”
She took into heart every bit of his reminder every rainy day. She could hear his tone of urgency every time he calls because the signal might be cut, or that his superior might call him back soon.
“Ah.. Ahh, Seulri-ah? Oh good, take care okay? It’s very cold out here. Don’t drink too much coffee, or too much sweets. Can you hear me? I can’t wait to go home. I love you,”
His last call.
It has been a year since.
She has formed a habit of watching the rain pour every time it was storming. She was used to the loneliness every storm . After all, during their relationship, he was never there during the rainy days.
Now, it gave her a sense of peace. A sense of normalcy on her spiraling life. Park Woojin doesn’t exist during rainy days.
She noticed the rain dwindling, and the sun peeking from the clouds.
But what she hated was what came after – the sunny weather.
Because they did everything together after the rain. Dates, chores, everything. The warmth of after rain reminded her of his departure, and how he will never come back home. How she will never be surprised to see him filling up the empty space beside her again. How she will wake up with a false hope that probably he would be there and smile at her.
So during those days when she badly missed him, she would drop a call to his number where she’d be answered by his voice mail.
“Hey, this is Park Woojin. I can’t answer your call now, but I’ll get back to you soon !”
Although she didn’t make it a habit to call his number because it never failed to make her miss him more. She excused herself today.
After all, he deserved to hear how she was doing.
She wanted to tell him a lot of things. How the past year without him has gone. How she hasn’t forgotten about him. How she tries her best to be healthy for him. How she made sure to enjoy the sunny days even without him.
She pressed his contact information, and the phone beeped and beeped until it connected.
“Woojinie –“ she started but .
“The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”
a/n: honestly, I hate myself for writing this, but this is what happens when you’re thinking about too much sad things >.> I wrote this like a few months ago and just never got the heart to post it, but I’m letting it go now. also because school is taking up too much of my time and tiring me out that I don’t have the chance to write anything new.
I have no song inspiration for this because I wrote this without listening to any song, but if you have any suggestion feel free to drop me a message ^O^
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