Crescendo

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Description

When Hwa Soyoung finally gets the new page, the fresh start, the clean canvas she’s been looking for, she’s determined to do all in her power to keep it. For once, everything seems to be finally under her own control, life is better than it’s ever been, and it seems like there’s finally something she’s good at. The professors love her. While she doesn’t talk much, the students around her are nice enough, too.

 

An unlikely coincidence brings her to Byun Baekhyun—he's a year above her, has the reputation to be a bit of a playboy, and is basically the complete opposite of her—except he's also the one person who can match with her when it comes to music. Her professor tells her that he wants them to perform a duet for the upcoming concert in six months. Soyoung wants nothing to do with him.

 

Through practices together, through chats over cups of coffee, she realizes that maybe the key to healing isn’t forgetting. It’s healing together, it’s addressing the wounds she had always wanted to ignore and instead putting enough care to them to help them close up. Perhaps mostly, though, it’s realizing that the past doesn't chain her and being able to step into the future because of that.

 

Foreword

“You put too much effort into maintaining the present and fighting the past. What about the future?”

 

—————

 

Playlist

Lee Hi, Breathe

Shawn Mendes, In My Blood

Skott, Glitter and Gloss

EXO, Lights Out

EXO, Been Through

Chen, Suho, Beautiful Accident

Taeyeon, Rescue Me

Taeyeon, Feel So Fine

The Greatest Showman, This is Me

 

Entered into Universe Writing Contest, prompt #23: "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong in the broken places."

 

I told myself I'd publish this on Saturday, but I couldn't help myself, so here it is! A couple of notes.

 

> I wrote this fic because I realized just how much abuse, ual assault and possessiveness has been romanticized and glorified on AFF. Refer to this blog for more of my stand on this—but basically, I thought I'd have a go with it. The bottom line, however, is that these things should not be glorified but treated like how they would be in real life, and that's terible. Period. They are topics that can be explored in writing, and that's perfectly fine, but as an author, you do have the responsibility to do enough research so that you're portraying it right and staying far, far away from glorifying it.

>>I thought about tagging it M, but I don't think it needs that—there's mentions and hints of ual and physical abuse, but there's nothing that's written out at all and it's more of the process of healing. Lowkey player Byun is also a cliche I'd like to break because I've seen it done terribly so many times and stereotypes should always have reasons to why they're like that—you can't take a stereotype and expect yourself to have a perfect character—so yeah, that too.

>>>It's going to be a twoshot, and it's going to stay that because if it doesen't, my chapter titles won't make sense anymore. But each chapter is going to be like, 12k. I really do need to be slapped this time if I go over two chapters, but I don't THINK I will.

>>>>I shouldn't be writing more Baekhyun fics because I have like, what, 6 now? But he really fit this role, so...

>>>The first chapter will most likely be out sometime in April. I'll add to the foreword once a couple of things are finalized.

>>Please don't call me authornim! Emily will do.

>Comments and and upvotes are all very much appreciated!

Entered into Wildflower Writing Contest! Click the banner to be redirected.

Posters (click on poster for redirect to designer's profile):

 

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Other stories: 

 

Cutlass — Baekhyun x OC (pirate!au, romance, fantasy) 

Touch of Hades — Chen x OC (assassin!au, romance, fantasy, action)

Fearless — Baekhyun x OC (slice of life, romance, school life)

Darkest Hour — Baekhyun x OC (fantasy, adventure, romance, action)

On Angel’s Wings — Baekhyun x OC (angel!au, slice of life, romance, angst)

Sea of Flames — Baekhyun x OC (oneshot, romance, fluff, fantasy)

Prometheus — Kai x OC (action, romance, fantasy)

Windwalker — D.O. x OC (prince!au, fantasy, action, adventure)

 

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Reviewed by: Rainy Day Cafe Review Shop

 

Comments

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Galaxyboo_
#1
Chapter 4: This is so good
adreana97
#2
Chapter 5: Just finished reading this ff. i think you did a really great job on spreading awareness about toxic relationships and how sometimes people romantize it. It can be misleading to some readers as they might think those actions are okay.

The story though… i think its amazing how well you portrayed Soyoung’s emotions. Her character development is also nice to watch. But besides that, the way you describe something is also beautiful (the scenes and character’s thoughts). Like how it’s not too short to be called vague but also not too long to be redundant. Thank you for this story!
nickeyg #3
Chapter 3: I loved this story. It's different from what I usually read.
Nadnad98 #4
Chapter 1: It's very interesting topic angst 👌👍
eggsbeans
#5
Chapter 4: <span class='smalltext text--lighter'>Comment on <a href='/story/view/1332828/4'>Author's Note + Why I Wro...</a></span>

i just found this fic and absolutely loved it, it really warmed my heart :) OC’s relationship with her mother, her friends and baek had really wholesome and heartwarming (i keep saying that buts what comes to mind!) progression. Theres something about pianist baek that is so beautiful to read about when written well but its not done as a concept often enough on here! i also completely agree with your stance on romanticising, downplaying and sometimes even glorifying these topics and i cant stand reading fics that do that because i find it very disturbing.
Endzii22 #6
Chapter 5: <3
darkangle #7
Chapter 3: I am so happy that I reread this again the story it self is so good full of emotions and understanding between people like her friends or with baekhyun. They waited and they understood that it is hard for her and it shows also how we all need people like them in our lives someone who will support us and wait for us ... also I like the msg behind the story about normalising abuse and harassment... after like more than 7 years on the site I decided to reread the stories I thought are good back when I first started reading here but I was shock of how much harassment and abuse I read and thought "oh that is romantic" i am kinda disappointed in myself for likeing that kind of things back then though thank god I have matured alot since then I now I can see how much these things get normalised and fantasied which is totally wrog that is TOXIC ... soo thank u again for this beautiful soty ♡❤
__MyunHyun #8
Chapter 3: I don't have enough words to explain how good it is. Its a masterpiece. It felt nice. Baekhyun , I love him.
junztar
#9
Chapter 4: Oh gosh, I can't believe I put off reading this story. It's such a beautiful story of growth and acceptance. And finding the right people to love and support you no matter the circumstances and your background. It made me question my own self and the people I surround myself with. I'm glad she found her own circle of friends and her own support system and am so glad her relationship with her mom is getting better.
Thank u for the wonderful story!
Westwinds #10
Chapter 4: I absolutely LOVE this story. Soyoung's character growth is so beautifully portrayed. And I love that at it's heart it's a story of facing one's trauma and opening up. I wholeheartedly agree with you said about the general tendency to romanticize problematic issues like abuse or . This normalisation is extremely dangerous and I was always so uncomfortable with stories and and movies depicting that, even the ones that I have grown up with. I was so happy to see you address it, and take a step towards unlearning these these "tropes". I am really glad I found your story <3