There is mentions of anxiety throughout this chapter as well as non-explicit sexual content and a excessive heavy drinking in this chapter. Please avoid reading any further if these topics are sensitive to you.

⸻⸻ .·:*¨༺ ♛ ♡ ∞ ♡ ♛ ༻¨*:·. ⸻⸻

"Need help?" Seonghwa asks quietly as he approaches behind Wooyoung.

"Uh, I don't think so." Wooyoung eyes the desk he was currently busy building, tools scattered around the floor with pieces askew. "Is Sannie back home yet?"

"Not yet. Should be back any minute now with Joong, though." Seonghwa leans against the wall nearby, eyeing the mess Wooyoung had created in the new bedroom.

Their term at college had finally ended, leading into the warm temperatures of summer break. San stayed true to his word, finding a house for rent within campus grounds, one that fit their needs perfectly. There were three bedrooms, two upstairs and one downstairs with adjoined bathrooms. The kitchen was relatively large, as was the living space, leaving the concept of the home open. There was a small yard out back, but most of the front yard was taken up by the double-wide driveway, making room for Hongjoong and San's cars. Rent was relatively cheap, but San wasn't worried about the price of anything. They searched for weeks until they had settled upon the nicest home that was built to their needs, signing the lease almost immediately after stumbling across it.

San and Wooyoung had claimed one of the larger rooms upstairs, giving Hongjoong and Seonghwa the room that was downstairs with the agreement that the spare room could hold an extra bed if they needed it, but it would otherwise be used for Hongjoong's music equipment. San and Wooyoung's room was big enough to account for two desks that they've mutually agreed to place close together, so the need for an office space was minimal. Now, Wooyoung was painstakingly building their new desks, struggling to put the pieces together.

"What did they go to get?" Wooyoung glances back at Seonghwa, holding a small wrench in his hand.

"Uh, I think Sannie mentioned something about needing something for your shower. A curtain, maybe?"

"Oh, yeah. That's right. We don't have a liner, just a decorative curtain." Wooyoung turns back to the desk, a huff of breath leaving his lungs.

"This isn't weird. . . is it?" Seonghwa murmurs, watching Wooyoung turn to face him with concern laced in his eyes.

"No? What do you mean?"

"I feel like we're imposing." Seonghwa frowns, still a little insecure about moving in with the other couple. "You guys have moved mountains for us in recent weeks, and I just feel so useless sometimes."

"Hwa–" Wooyoung smiles at him empathetically. "Sannie likes to do this stuff. It took me awhile to get used to his gestures like this, but trust me. . . it's stuff like this that makes him happy. He really enjoys doing this, and I think he would've missed seeing the both of you."

"Really?" Seonghwa says, almost a bit shocked. Wooyoung laughs quietly in response.

"Yes really." Wooyoung turns his body around slightly, leaning back into his palms as they press behind him into the carpet. "He has such a big heart."

"I know he does." Seonghwa huffs. "I can see how he looks at you."

Wooyoung raises a brow. "How he looks at me?"

"Don't act oblivious, Woo." Seonghwa rolls his eyes. "He has that look, the one where you'd think he was looking at his entire universe when he sees you. It's endearing to see, especially since I've known you for so long. You deserve to be looked at like that, Wooyoung. You can just tell how much he loves you by how he acts and how he watches you."

"Joong looks at you like that too, I'm sure." Wooyoung tries to argue, but Seonghwa simply looks down and smiles, biting his tongue.

"Yeah. I love the way he looks at me, only because I feel like he sees me. He isn't just looking at me and taking what I say at face value, he's looking into me. It's almost like he can see my soul or something."

"He's whipped." Wooyoung shrugs. "What do you want him to do?"

"Not to the extent Sannie is." Seonghwa laughs quietly, earning subtle giggles from Wooyoung.

"I'd like to think that San's my other half–" Wooyoung's brows pinch in the middle, eyes trained to the carpet. "Is that weird? Is that. . . like too, I dunno– obsessive?"

"No. I get what you mean."

"We haven't been together long. . maybe, almost six months at this point? But he just makes me want to be selfish all the time. Like, I wish I could've met him sooner so I could've had more time with him. He's everything I've ever wanted, even if I didn't know what I needed. I've never felt unsafe with him, and being with him just makes living so much easier."

"Now you sound whipped, Woo." Seonghwa chuckles, earning a playful glare from the younger.

"No!" Wooyoung wants to protest, but the longer he lets himself simmer in the thought of that being slightly possible, he knows he really can't argue. "Maybe. So what? He's whipped for me too."

"Who's whipped for who?" Hongjoong asks as he peeks into the room, hand grazing over Seonghwa's shoulder.

"We were talking about you and Sannie," Seonghwa hums, turning to face Hongjoong with a faint blush rising over his cheeks.

"Oh? What about us?"

"Just that Wooyoung is whipped for Sannie, and how you're whipped for me, too." Seonghwa's lips curve into a smile as Hongjoong absorbs the words that fell from his partner's tongue, and Wooyoung can't help but laugh.

"Yeah. I guess you're right." Hongjoong shrugs, not even bothering to argue their points. "I'll send Sannie up here, Woo. I've gotta steal Hwa for a second." Hongjoong smiles at the younger, grabbing his partner by the hand and leading him out of the room. Wooyoung takes a breath, tossing the wrench onto the floor as he stands up, examining how little work he had gotten done. He knew San would be able to build it all himself, given that doing stuff like this was never Wooyoung's strong suit to begin with, even though he wanted to lessen the burden on San's shoulders.

San was doing a majority of the lifting, the building and the shopping, so Wooyoung couldn't help but feel a little guilty, even if San had tried to reassure him with kisses and endearing words.

"I was told you wanted me." San says as he enters into the room, pulling the hood of his hoodie down.

"I mean–" Wooyoung avoids his gaze for a second, smirking lightly. "I always want you, but y'know."

San closes the distance between them, engulfing the younger into a hug, feeling Wooyoung's arms wrap around him with ease. "I see that you didn't make much progress with the desks."

"I'm sorry." Wooyoung buries his face into the crook of San's neck, nearly embarrassed by his lack of building skills.

"Don't be. I'll help you."

"I really wanted to build them for you so you didn't feel like you were doing everything."

"That's okay, Young'ah. I really like doing all of this and building our home together. I'm serious. I truly, honestly don't mind."

"Why are you so good to me?" Wooyoung mumbles, nosing into the male's neck, breathing him in, eyes lulling shut.

"I think you know the answer to that, love." San smiles, pressing a kiss into the younger's hair.

"Hmm, I don't know. I might need you to remind me." Wooyoung teases, pressing a kiss to San's neck.

"If you insist." San sighs dramatically, pulling away from Wooyoung to eye him fondly. "In case you've forgotten, somehow, I love you a lot. You're everything to me."

Wooyoung smiles at him, teeth sinking into his bottom lip as his hands reach for San's, lacing their fingers together. Wooyoung swears he could never grow tired of hearing San say that. "I love you most, you simp."

"That's funny–" San muses, pulling the male closer. "Because I just heard Seonghwa and Hongjoong muttering something about you being whipped?"

"Oh god," Wooyoung giggles, blush coating his cheeks.

"We're weak for one another, how about that instead? Hm?"

"Okay." Wooyoung nods, hands squeezing San's. "We're two weak idiots in love with each other, then."

"Obviously." San smiles at him, leaning a little bit closer. Wooyoung's eyes blink down to glance at San's lips, only inches away, wondering why the space between them felt so comfortable, yet not even remotely close enough. San answers his question quickly by kissing the breath from his lungs as he traps their lips together, kissing into the male lovingly. It's chaste, and Wooyoung has to will himself to not chase after the elder's lips, otherwise they'd have to close the bedroom door and make a mess of their newly built bed, risking their new roommates hearing their intimate activities.

"Now, be the whipped boyfriend I know you are and help me build these desks, hmm?"

"Fine." San dramatically sighs again, turning to face the mess Wooyoung had made on the floor of their bedroom. "But you're helping me put clothes away later."

"Yeah, yeah, San'ah. Fine." Wooyoung smiles at him and waves him off, feeling his heart flutter against his chest.

The afternoon melts into the evening, the sun setting with warm pastels, the moon rising with the surging waves of dark navy. Stars dot the skyline prettily, shining brightly in their millions of miles away, only partially hidden behind the threat of lingering clouds that travel overhead. Wooyoung was settled on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, phone in his hands as he listened to Seonghwa and Hongjoong bicker playfully over what to watch on the television.

"Scoot." San mutters, holding his phone and two bottles of water. Wooyoung glances up, moving over slightly and closer to Seonghwa, leaving the elder enough room to settle down near the arm of their new couch. San hands off one of the bottles to Wooyoung, which he happily takes with a soft smile. San opens his arm as Wooyoung leans forward slightly and to the left, gently colliding into San's body warmth, head instinctually leaning into the male's shoulder.

"Since Joong and I can't agree on what to watch, do either of you have a preference?" Seonghwa asks, looking at both San and Wooyoung.

"You like Star Wars, don't you, Hwa?" Wooyoung mutters, shutting his phone off and placing it down on his lap.

"I do." Seonghwa's lips curl into a smile as anticipation rises on his tongue, waiting for Wooyoung to usher the words he wants to hear.

"So put on anything but that." Wooyoung deadpans, but quickly falters as he laughs. Seonghwa's smile twists into a frown, eye nearly twitching with irritation as he leans over to playfully smack Wooyoung in the shoulder. "I'm kidding! You can put it on."

"Are you sure?" Seonghwa raises a brow, leaning back into Hongjoong's side. "Because if you start complaining, I'll strangle you."

"Yes, I'm serious. Put on your favorite one." Wooyoung tries to reassure, but Seonghwa doesn't seem convinced. "Hyung. Please. I'm bored and I need something on the TV."

"Fine, fine." Seonghwa takes the remote from Hongjoong and messes around on the desired application, scrolling and scrolling continuously until he finds his favorite movie of the Star Wars franchise.

Wooyoung takes a drink out of his water bottle before handing it off to San, then leans back down into his hold to try and focus on the movie.

Near the hour mark of sitting on the couch, Wooyoung feels himself grow tired. After a day spent building desks, putting clothes away and furnishing his bedroom, the weight of everything finally came crashing through. Even if he felt exhausted like this, there's nothing else he'd rather be doing.

The living space was mostly furnished, complete with a new gray sofa, two side tables, Seonghwa's television from their old dorm, and an unbuilt coffee table. The space was filled enough for it to feel comfortable, but even still, Wooyoung finds the need to decorate the space with unnecessary things like pictures and books, maybe a rug or an absurd amount of pillows. Having the freedom to make his new home feel like a home was inspiring and incredibly motivating. He knew Seonghwa would find the same interest in decorating the space to their desired style, and that in itself makes Wooyoung's heart warm.

Wooyoung didn't want to overwhelm San with his sudden change in demeanor. There were so many things he wanted to do and wanted to try now, left with a feeling of overwhelming freedom to just do whatever he pleases. Wooyouing knew San might not mind any of the changes, but Wooyoung wills himself to be calm and try to enjoy the time away from classes, basking in the moments spent without worry and without responsibility.

Even still, regardless of how excited he was to finally be free of his imaginary chains, he could still feel himself tilt into a bout of sleep. He wasn't sure how long he had briefly fallen asleep, or if anyone had noticed, but the sound at the credits rolling through, Wooyoung's eyes slowly blinked open. Wooyoung glances around the room, noticing that Seonghwa and Hongjoong were nowhere to be found. He takes a breath, leaning away from San's shoulder, reaching down to grab his phone that still rested on his thigh. Tapping his screen awake, his eyes warily read the time. 11:06.

"Sannie," Wooyoung mutters softly, turning around to see that San had fallen asleep too.

"Hmm?" San hums, taking a deep inhale, eyes blinking awake as Wooyoung smiles at him.

"Let's go to bed."

"Time's it?"

"It's past eleven." Wooyoung murmurs, hands toying with the blanket that covered his waist. "Hwa and Joong are already in bed."

"Oh." San takes in the surroundings momentarily before noticing that the television was still on.

"C'mon." Wooyoung leans further away, dragging himself to the other end of the couch where the remote was laying. "D'you wanna go to bed?"

"Mhm." San nods, rubbing at his eyes tiredly. Wooyoung turns off the television, rising off of the couch with his hands extended out to his partner. San takes his hands and moves to the edge of the couch, rising to his feet sleepily. Wooyoung laces their fingers together before heading up the staircase, San not too far behind him.

Wooyoung carefully leads the elder into their bedroom, closing the door behind them as he feels San let go of his hand. They both move towards the bed, untucking the comforter and sliding beneath it tiredly. San lays down on his back, arm open and waiting for Wooyoung as the younger slides over, resting his head down on his chest.

The room was dark, only slightly illuminated by the fans of San's computer as they danced against the dark paneled wall behind it. Wooyoung's eyes close, taking in a comforting breath as he rests, tugging the blanket closer as a chill sweeps up his back.

This was their fourth night in the house, but Wooyoung was already comfortable. Even with blank walls and a nearly empty room, Wooyoung could already feel this house growing into a home. San had always felt like home to him, but now something stronger grows. A sense of comfort; yet it almost felt foreign. But as he lays there, sinking into a deeper state of peace with San's arm around him, listening to his breaths and every thump of his heart, it's only then that Wooyoung realizes home will always be wherever San was.

Wooyoung wakes groggily. He isn't sure what time it was, eyes peeling open to spot barely any light shining through lazily closed curtains. San was not in bed next to him, most likely in the shower or at the gym, which leaves his lips curling into a frown. There was the possibility that he overslept and crashed hard after their movie night, but Wooyoung wasn't necessarily a deep sleeper. He's usually always woken up when San has moved out of bed. Or. . . maybe he just doesn't remember waking up. He'd just have to ask San.

Wooyoung sits upright, rubbing at his eyes as he reaches for his phone, spotting no new notifications. Maybe San didn't leave?

With a huff, Wooyoung pulls himself out of bed, tossing the comforter away and planting his feet on the carpet. He holds onto his phone tightly as he strolls towards the door, exiting the room, hand reaching for the balustrade, slowly walking down the staircase with a muffled yawn. Once he reaches the last step, it's only then that he realizes that the television was on in the living space just beyond the dividing wall. Wooyoung walks through the small entry way to peek into the living space, spotting Hongjoong and San both sitting on the couch. Hongjoong was typing away on his laptop while San rested on the opposite end, holding a cup of coffee in his hands. Wooyoung saunters over, leaning over the back of the couch with his hand resting on the left side of San's face, pressing a few soft kisses to his right cheek.

San leans back slightly, turning his head to face Wooyoung, trapping the younger in a languid kiss. "Morning to you, too."

"Why'd you get out of bed?" Wooyoung mutters as he leans against the back of the couch.

"I went for a run this morning. It's nearly eleven, Young'ah." San raises a brow. "Did you not know that you slept so late?"

"No. . . now that I think about it, I didn't even check the time." Wooyoung glances over at Hongjoong, realizing that Seonghwa was not downstairs. "Where's Hwa?"

"He was sleeping, and then he showered. Could still be in our room." Hongjoong mutters, eyes scanning over whatever was on his laptop. He didn't seem concerned, so Wooyoung decided it was best to not pry. Wooyoung's attention was drawn back to San as the elder's phone began to buzz with consistent text messages, which churned a curious jealousy in Wooyoung's stomach.

"Who's that?" Wooyoung asks quietly, pointing to San's phone. San puts down his mug on the nearby table, reaching for his phone as he holds it up enough for both Wooyoung and himself to see.

"It's Mingi. He's been bugging me about going to this end of term college party he's hosting at his parent's house."

"Do you wanna go?" Wooyoung eyes the elder eagerly, unsure of how San even felt about parties or large groups of people dancing around drunkenly.

"I mean. . . I haven't seen Mingi and Yunho in a long time, so I kind of want to, but I don't want to drag you along if you don't want to go. I'm perfectly okay with not going if you don't want me to."

Wooyoung smiles at him, melting at how thoughtful San could be. Wooyoung's head tilts slightly, pondering internally. "If you want to go, then we should."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." Wooyoung assures quietly, leaning closer again, lips brushing over San's teasingly. "I'll do whatever as long as I have you with me."

San leans his head back, Wooyoung hovering him with a devilish smile, humming contently when San's hand graces the back of his neck and pulls him downwards, crashing their lips together softly. For the sake of poor Hongjoong, Wooyoung pulls away from the elder, knowing fully well how lost he could get in the taste of San's lips.

"D'you wanna go, Joong'ah?" San asks as he tilts his head forwards again, Wooyoung leaning upright as he also gazes at the elder.

"To see Mingi and Yunho?" Hongjoong scoffs. "Yeah. Why the fuck not?"

"Guess that leaves Hwa, then." Wooyoung shifts the weight between his feet, biting his tongue.

"He'll go if you go." Hongjoong insists. "I would bet on it."

"I've told San'ah that before–" Wooyoung cuts himself off as he hears footsteps rustling about in the kitchen behind him. "Hyung?"

"Yes, Woo?" Seonghwa returns, walking closer to step into the living space.

"We have plans tonight." Wooyoung turns around against the couch, palms resting into the back of it, fingers curling around the hem of fabric.

"Oh. What kind of plans?"

"I'm sure Joong has told you about Mingi, yeah?"

"I've met with Yunho and Mingi before, actually." Seonghwa smiles acutely, before his eyes narrow slightly. "Why?"

"They're having a party, and I think we should all go. I've yet to meet Mingi and Yunho, plus. . . might do us some good to get away from the house for a bit so we don't get sick of it before we've barely lived in it."

Seonghwa ponders for a moment, gaze moving towards Hongjoong who continues to mindlessly type away on his laptop before nodding and shamelessly agreeing. "Yeah. Sure. I'm doing your hair though."

"Fine by me." Wooyoung smiles, listening to Seonghwa quietly laugh as he turns heel back into the kitchen. Wooyoung rolls his eyes playfully, turning back around to face San and Hongjoong. Wooyoung leans down, head tilted towards San, teeth scraping past the edge of his tongue as he hovers his lips against San's ear, voice a near-murmur.

"I'm gonna go shower. Wait for me, jagi." San hums at him in response, hand reaching to wrap around the younger's neck just barely, tapping the skin he makes contact with. Wooyoung smiles down at him, kissing the side of his head before disappearing back up the stairs, true to his word as he sinks into the shower.

The morning tumbles into the evening quickly, and before Wooyoung knows it, he'd been beckoned into Seonghwa's room, sitting at the male's desk with his eyes closed as Seonghwa fixed his hair.

"Tilt your chin down for a second," Seonghwa says quietly, narrowing his eyes as he looks at Wooyoung's hair, smiling to himself as he eyes his own work. "Okay. I think I'm done."

"Let's see it," Wooyoung takes a breath, eyes opening slowly as he holds out his hand for Seonghwa's mirror, taking hold of it carefully. Wooyoung holds it upright, mouth falling open as he views his hair in a look of pure shock. Seonghwa had mostly kept it natural, but somehow managed to accentuate Wooyoung's features in the way each strand of hair was styled. Longer pieces rounded his face, smaller strands curled back and wavy, while the rest had been pulled back, but not too tightly. Wooyoung's hair was fairly long, well, long enough for him to put it into a small pony if he wanted to. It looked as if Seonghwa didn't even touch his hair, even if he spent a pain-staking thirty-ish minutes styling it, but Wooyoung loved that about it the most.

Now, he had to get his clothes to match his seemingly effortless hair. "Hwa, I love this. It's not too over the top and not too flashy, it's just. . . I dunno– my vibe?"

"I wanted to highlight your annoyingly handsome face," Seonghwa scoffs, earning a tint of blush over the younger's cheeks.

"Stop it."

"Do you want to try something new?" Seonghwa asks curiously as Wooyoung lowers the mirror.

"Like what?"

"Well, you've never let me try it before, not that you or I have ever gone out to try it, and you can say no, but if you want to surprise Sannie, you should let me add depth to your eyes."

"Depth how? Like. . . makeup?" Wooyoung raises a brow as Seonghwa nods. He's hesitant, but he finds himself growing curious. To be fair, he had never given himself the chance to try anything while his parents still had a mental chokehold over him, but now that he could breathe, he suddenly became more willing to try the more he thinks about it.

"Just a little bit. Nothing like I'd do to myself, but. . . might surprise Sannie and I think it'll look really good on you."

"Well, why not? We can always take it off if I hate it, right?"

"Right." Seonghwa smiles softly, pulling his chair slightly closer. "Close your eyes for me again."

Wooyoung does as he's told, listening as Seonghwa rummages around on his desk for a moment before clicking open a container of some kind, followed by some mumbles of quiet deliberation just as Seonghwa gently holds Wooyong's chin, fingers moving strands of hair out of the younger's face. "I'm gonna apply some of this to the corner of your eye, okay? Don't flinch or anything so I don't poke you."

"Thanks for warning me, at least." Wooyoung smiles.

Seonghwa carefully taps his brush around the outside corner of Wooyoung's right eye, dragging in small circles, gently applying the product in the desired areas dotingly. Wooyoung smiles through it, allowing the elder to work his magic as he sits there, doing his best to remain still. Seonghwa leans away for a moment before tapping another color to his brush before leaning back in, deepening the color contrast near the corner of Wooyoung's eye. "One more side."

Seonghwa does the same routine to Wooyoung's other eye, careful and gentle, trying his best to make it as even as possible. Wooyoung sits still through it all, muffling a quiet giggle when Seonghwa mutters something that sounded similar to shit.

"Okay. It's really subtle, but just look and see what you think, hm?" Seonghwa leans back into his seat, setting down the two brushes in his hands as Wooyoung's eyes open again. He was still holding onto the mirror, raising it back up to his line of sight. Nearly astounded, Wooyoung blinks rapidly as he takes in how different he had looked. It was subtle, Seonghwa wasn't wrong, but it added a level of depth and warmth to his face that he found difficult to describe.

"San isn't going to be able to contain himself." Wooyoung mutters, tilting his head left and right, eyeing Seonghwa's work with an awed version of admiration.

"Joong likes it when I wear eyeshadow and stuff." Seonghwa sighs happily, watching Wooyoung continue to look at himself within the handheld mirror.

"I don't honestly know how San is going to react." Wooyoung takes one last look before lowering the mirror. "But I have a feeling he's going to love it."

"It looks good on you, Woo." Seonghwa assures, smiling as he does so.

"I'm glad you convinced me to try it." Wooyoung hands Seonghwa the mirror back, reaching to grab his phone that rested face down on the desk nearby. "I'm gonna go get dressed. I'll meet you in the living room, yeah?"

"Yeah." Seonghwa smiles at his friend as Wooyoung rises from his chair, sneaking through the kitchen to avoid San seeing him, beelining for the stairs and rushing into his room. San was on the couch, mindlessly watching TikTok or something, seemingly none the wiser.

Wooyoung leaves the door slightly ajar as he heads for the built-in closet, sliding the doors open and immediately reaching for the shirt he had in mind. It was loose fit, and would hang like a low V-neck if he chose to leave a few buttons open. It was dark gray and black, subtly striped horizontally with a slight shine to it. He reaches for a pair of black jeans and his usual laced boots, changing his clothes quickly before reaching for his jewelry drawer. Two long silver necklaces are his first choice, one sitting right between his collarbones and the other falling a few inches lower, snug between the open folds of his shirt. Then he grabs small silver earrings, ones that would hoop around the edge of his ear and another that would hang lower from his earlobe. He didn't want to overdo it, but after Seonghwa had changed his view of himself for the night, his goal was to make it difficult for San to focus on anything else but him.

After inspecting himself in the bathroom mirror for a few minutes, Wooyoung shoves his phone into his back pocket and heads down the stairs, strolling through the entryway until he spots Hongjoong resting against the back of the couch, Seonghwa inches away from him with hands on his hips. San was also resting on the back of the couch, eyes fixed onto his phone for a moment before he looked up and spotted Wooyoung, nearly dropping his phone out of his hand.

"Woo–" Wooyoung approaches San, eyes trailing down the elder's choice of clothing before leaning close and wrapping his fingers gently around the male's collar. San was in a tighter-fit black tee, a few necklaces hanging from his neck, a watch stuck to his wrist, finished with ripped jeans and converse. Wooyoung bites his lower lip, pressing closer, smiling fondly as San searches his gaze adoringly. "You look really fucking good."

"So do you, jagi." Wooyoung kisses him, feeling San's hands grip into his waist. Wooyoung pulls them apart with a hum, grabbing the elder's hand and lacing their fingers together. San continues to look at him endearingly, almost unable to look away.

"Ready?" Hongjoong asks, an arm wrapped around Seonghwa's waist.

"Let's go." Wooyoung replies, still looking at San for a moment before pulling his gaze away. San gripped the younger's hand tighter.

They all pile into Hongjoong's small sedan, letting the music fill the voided quiet that they ride in, muffling their worries of entering into a scene none of them were used to. San held onto Wooyoung's hand the entire ride there, their hold settled on the younger's lap.

Upon arrival, Wooyoung observes the rather large home already filled to the brim with people and loud music. Hongjoong parked the car, turning the engine off, leaving everyone to get out and head towards the front door. The music was louder now, almost as if Mingi had planted speakers outside and inside, engulfing nearly this half of the street in loud pop music. How the home hadn't received a noise complaint yet was beyond Wooyoung's understanding.

San grabs onto Wooyoung's hand again, tugging the male closer, looking at him worriedly. "Feel okay about all of this?"

"Mhm." Wooyoung smiles at him, continuing to follow behind Seonghwa and Hongjoong as they walk past the threshold of the front door. There were even more people inside, all stacked in certain corners or leaning on pieces of furniture, the marble floor littered with solo cups and soju bottles. Wooyoung took a breath, examining his surroundings before settling on the thought of realizing that this was exactly how he had pictured a frat party to be.

"Choi San!" A voice bellows from ahead of the small group, and San immediately tugs Wooyoung around the pair ahead of them, hand leaving Wooyoung's momentarily as an unfamiliar male approaches with a large smile and a beer in his grasp.

"Mingi'ah," San greets back, arms open as Mingi pulls the male into a hug warmly.

"It's so damn good to see you." Mingi smiles at his friend before glancing up to eye the other three. "Nice to see you again, Joong. You as well, Hwa."

"Mingi, I want to introduce you to the most important person in my life." San points to Wooyoung, watching as Mingi's eyes light up. "This is Wooyoung. He's my boyfriend."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Wooyoung." Mingi smiles at the male before pointing his finger at San. "Does he treat you right? Is he being an ass to you?"

Wooyoung laughs at Mingi, already won over by the male's overwhelming personality. "He's fine. He treats me well."

"I'll beat his ass for you any day, any time. Just let me know." Mingi offers, looking at San with a teasingly playful glare. "Don't hurt him. Yunho and I will collectively beat your ass."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about it." San gently places his hands on Mingi's shoulders as he turns the male around, then pushes him forward towards the direction of the kitchen. "Lead me to Yunho!"

Mingi laughs at his friend as he walks forward, the trio following in tow as they trudge further into the lavish home. Wooyoung takes in the scenery as openly as he could, observing the expensive paintings on the wall, lit up by portrait lighting securely hung just barely above the canvas. Tables are scattered about the home, accented with some sort of sculpture, fake plant, a row of books or even an empty vase. Wooyoung would never understand luxurious taste, especially when it came to interior decorating, but he had to admit, the home felt cohesive and inviting despite his otherwise opposite design taste.

"There's the man in question!" San exclaims, nearly rushing over to Yunho as he pulls the tall male into a hug.

"I've missed seeing you around, Sannie." Yunho smiles, hugging the male back. "Ah! Joong and Seonghwa too?! And you brought Wooyoung?"

Ah, Wooyoung thinks. This was the friend Seonghwa had mentioned that was in the medical field that was sending him pictures for me to use. "It's nice to finally meet you, Yunho." Wooyoung says, trying to hide the timid tone to his voice.

"It's nice to meet the man that San never shuts up about." Yunho scoffs, leaning away from San as the younger tries to gently punch his chest. "Seriously though, you're all he ever talks about."

"He's a bit of a simp, isn't he?" Hongjoong throws out wildly, earning a bout of laughter from Mingi and Wooyoung both.

"I can attest. He very much is." Wooyoung smiles teasingly, watching San glance at him with a playfully threatening smirk.

"Feel free to grab yourselves whatever. There's a lot of booze and snacks and stuff," Yunho announces lightly as he points to various spots on the countertops within the kitchen.

"Hey, Mingi!" A voice calls from behind the group as the male strides into the kitchen, a solo cup held within his palm as he approaches Mingi and Yunho. Wooyoung's eyes narrow, inspecting the male ahead of him. He was not as tall but he was incredibly fit, longer black hair covering parts of his face with a birthmark near his eye. He was insanely beautiful, there was no denying that.

"Ah, Yeosang–" Mingi smiles before pointing to the group of four. "You remember San and Hongjoong, no?"

"Yes! Sorry, I didn't recognize you at first." Yeosang apologizes humbly, nearly embarrassed.

"Well," Mingi points to Wooyoung. "That's San's boyfriend,Wooyoung, and the other is Seonghwa, Hongjoong's boyfriend."

"I've heard a lot about everyone, and I'm almost sad that this is our first time meeting." Yeosang shares quietly, setting down his cup. "We should play a game, get to know one another better."

"I'm down for that," Yunho agrees, looking towards Mingi with a fond gaze.

"Let's go, then. We can head outside. There should be way more room out there rather than in here." Mingi suggests, grabbing a bottle of soju from an ice bucket that was nestled into the pocket of a corner on top of the counter. San follows suit, grabbing a bottle of soju before glancing back at Wooyoung and pointing, wordlessly asking the male if he wanted one. Wooyoung readily nods, teeth sinking into his bottom lip.

Everyone huddles outside, bottles and cups in hand, quietly laughing as the music fades quieter the moment they leave the threshold of the home. The outside patio was enormous, decorated with pavers and freshly trimmed grass, flowers neatly packed against the home in a luxurious garden that Wooyoung can barely draw his eyes away from. Beneath a large gazebo, strung with several hanging bulbs that shined in opaque yellow, lay a large array of chairs and outdoor sofas, almost perfectly counted for their group size. Yeosang settles into a chair by himself, leaving Yunho and Mingi to sit opposite Yeosang in their own chairs also. Seonghwa and Hongjoong occupy one of the sofas, Wooyoung and San occupying the other. A coffee table made of glass lay between them, serving as a resting place for their drinks and one of Mingi's card games.

"Truth or drink, everyone knows the rules, yeah?" Mingi asks around the small group collectively, earning a hum or a nod in acknowledgement. "Good. Yunho's turn first."

Yunho leans forwards, grabbing a card out of the freshly mixed deck, leaning back into his seat as he reads the card openly. "Explain how your last relationship ended or take two drinks."

Yunho sighs, but continues anyway. "He cheated on me and I caught him in the act."

"That's awful," Seonghwa frowns, but Yunho smiles at him and waves off his worry.

"It's alright. It was two years ago, I'm more than over it now." Yunho assures, trying to lighten the mood anyway he could.

"My turn," San hums, leaning forward to take a card. "Name the last time you've had sex or take a drink."

Wooyoung's face instantly flushes, hiding his smile with his hand held up. San leans back into his seat, glancing at his partner before setting the card down on his thigh. "God, uh. . . probably a week ago?"

Wooyoung continues to hide, listening to the group around them mutter different praises and vows of shock, even if it wasn't all that shocking. Wooyoung tries to change the subject as he leans forward and takes his own card. "Okay, okay– my turn."

"Kiss your best friend on the lips or take three drinks." Wooyoung turns to look at San, who shrugs, completely unbothered. Wooyoung feels more heat rising to his cheeks as he glances at Seonghwa, who watches him with a curious gaze. "Alright, Hwa. C'mere."

The crowd erupts in a chant of oohs as the males close in on one another. Wooyoung's hands find Seonghwa's jaw as he smiles at him timidly, but he shuts his eyes and presses close, kissing the male chastely. They both back away in a fit of laughter, listening to their own partners cheer them on louder than the rest of the group. Wooyoung stumbles back to his seat with his cheeks beat red, hiding his face in the crook of San's neck with hushed laughter.

Yeosang reaches for the card pile, drawing his own once the group settles down. "Confide your biggest insecurity to the person on your right or take a drink."

Wooyoung instantly raises his head back upright with wide eyes, watching Yeosang look at him with the same expression. Only after a moment of looking at one another does Yeosang take a long drink, setting the card back down defeatedly. Seonghwa draws a card next, leaning back into his seat comfortably.

"Name the weirdest place you've had sex or take two drinks." Seonghwa groans, glancing at Hongjoong who holds his hands up, leaving the decision to discuss the whereabouts of their intimate relations to his partner. "Ah, fuck it." Seonghwa sighs. "Movie theater parking lot."

"HWA!" Wooyoung leans forwards in his seat at Seonghwa's mumbled confession, expression completely incredulous. Seonghwa hides his face with soft laughter, listening to the group laugh collectively at Wooyoung's sudden outburst.

The group's dynamic was incredibly light-hearted, earning a sense of comfort to instill within Wooyoung's veins. He's never been able to settle down so easily, to be so carefree and aloof to his surroundings. He's always usually a bit paranoid and timid, but he instead leans into San, cuddling him close on the outdoor sofa, listening to Hongjoong read his card off without a care in the world.

Wooyoung really could get used to this new sense of life.

Three hours and a plethora of drinks later, Wooyoung was in the midst of a crowd with Seonghwa, dancing and giggling, listening to the music completely drown out all of his senses. Wooyoung wasn't sure how many drinks he had had, but he was drunk, and he was completely aware of that. San had wandered off around ten minutes ago with Hongjoong, looking for a bathroom or something else, Wooyoung just hadn't been paying attention. He was too enthralled in dancing to the loud music, swaying his hips and laughing with his best friend, letting himself feel completely blissed out for the first time in a long time.

Two warm hands are placed on Wooyoung's waist as he dances. They're familiar, curling into the fabric of his jeans, holding him delicately. Wooyoung leans back, instantly trapped in the scent of familiar cologne.

"Are you dancing for me, jagi?" San's voice is low, lips near his ear as he talks, pulling the male closer to him.

Wooyoung's back meets San's chest, and his teeth sink into his lower lip. San places a hand on Wooyoung's stomach, feeling the male's abdominal muscles rise and contract as he moves, swaying his hips and pressing backwards teasingly. San bites his tongue, holding in his noises, pressing his lips to Wooyoung's ear and jaw.

The lights were low, the floor littered with cups and other random garbage, the air tinged with an overwhelming scent of vodka and soju; but Wooyoung is living for all of it. San's hands curl around his waist tighter, encouraging the younger's grinding, and Wooyoung turns his head to the side slightly, giggling quietly. He didn't care about how many people were around him or who was watching, not when it felt like it was only the two of them in this drunk and feverish moment. Everything else is drowned out, mind numb and silent, all of Wooyoung's focus drifting onto his partner with no intentions of ever leaving.

San forcibly turns Wooyoung around, pulling the male close, barely hesitating as he presses their lips together. Wooyoung sighs into the kiss happily, hands raising to rest behind the base of San's neck, fingers gently curling through the male's hair. San continues to hold Wooyoung's waist, fingers curled around the hem of the male's jeans, keeping him close.

"We should go home," San mutters almost under his breath and against Wooyoung's lips.

"Ask Joong to drive us." Wooyoung responds breathily, eyes red and looking at his partner fondly. San nods, lacing his hand together with Wooyoung's as he pulls the male a couple of feet towards the other couple, tapping Hongjoong on the shoulder.

Wooyoung isn't sure what they talk about, eyes casted down at the floor before he blinks back to life, music flooding back into his brain as it soaks into his core, now suddenly reminding him of where he was. His brows furrow, but he shrugs, somehow unbothered by all of it.

In a drunken haze of actions that Wooyoung barely remembers, they end up back at the house nearly twenty minutes later. Hongjoong had remained sober enough to drive everyone home, tugging his drunken lover towards their bedroom after making sure San and Wooyoung had followed him inside. San locks the front door and grabs Wooyoung's hands, encouraging the male to climb the stairs with him.

It all felt like a blur, but now that he was home, reality began to sink back into his skin. One moment he was dancing, the next he was in a car, and now he was finally home. Time is flying past him, but he can't find it in himself to care too much as he stumbles into his shared bedroom. San closes the door behind them, grabbing Wooyoung's hand and turning the male around. Wooyoung eyes him curiously, tilting his head to the side just barely. San presses close again, hand raising to gently tilt the male's head back, colliding their lips in a gentle, but aching kiss.

Wooyoung could feel the intent hidden within the flame of the kiss, slowly taking a few steps backwards until the backs of his legs collided with the edge of the bed.

San gently pushes the male down, following him onto the bed as they move towards the pillows. Wooyoung busies himself with undoing San's belt, pulling the leather through the loops as he tosses it to the side, hands then moving to undo the button and unzip them.

"Baby–" San hums quietly, legs situated between Wooyoung's parted thighs. His hand reaches down to grab Wooyoung's wrist, halting his movements. "We're both drunk and I just wanna make sure that you're okay with this."

Wooyoung eyes him for a moment, gaze flicking between their hands and San's lips timidly, but he's as sure as he'd ever been. "I want you, Sannie."

San's hand falls away from Wooyoung's wrist, a silent manner of consent as Wooyoung hooks his fingers around San's jeans and starts tugging them down with the band of his boxers. Wooyoung feels San's hands begin to unbutton his shirt, slowly; carefully. Wooyoung realizes that there's no rush, no need to hurry through the motions of anything anymore. He finally has all that he wants, but he feels the need to voice these sudden wants and desires so San knows just how much Wooyoung needs him. "I jus' want you forever and ever. You're mine and only mine."

San reaches the last button on Wooyoung's shirt before he pulls his pants off completely, helping the younger shrug off his shirt as he tosses their discarded clothing to the floor. San pulls off his own shirt, tossing that away too. "You will always have every bit of me, jagi."

San leans down and kisses Wooyoung, hands undoing the male's jeans and tugging them off along with his boxers. San reaches into the nightstand, pulling free a familiar bottle and golden packet before setting them both off to the side.

Wooyoung threads his hands into San's hair, pulling the male back into him, kissing him languidly, breathing in his air and nipping at his lips, enamored by the way the male had tasted. Wooyoung has tasted San a million times, but he would never grow tired of it.

San spreads the cool liquid over his fingers before planting himself between Wooyoung's thighs, pressing into him carefully. Wooyoung's head presses back into the pillow, groaning with his eyes tightly shut. San leans down and begins kissing the male's chest, sucking bites across his collarbones and his throat, loving the way the bruises blossom across the younger's skin.

San adds another, continuing his trail of kisses towards Wooyoung's hip bones, leaving marks of his love for the male around the parts of his body that only he could see, only to serve as a reminder of this night.

"Please, just–" Wooyoung breathes, feeling San add another again. Wooyoung groans, struggling to remain still as the elder bites down on his thigh, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses and bruises in his wake. "God, San'ah, please."

San trails his kisses back upwards, delicately placing kiss after kiss along the male's skin as he moves from his pelvis and back towards his chest, kissing over darkening hickeys splayed over his collarbones and throat. After a moment of teasing, San pulls his hand away, listening to the incoherent babbles of lust stutter from Wooyoung's tongue.

Wooyoung watches San lean away for a moment then lean back down, lips automatically crashing into him delicately. The kiss is tender and warm, cut off by an abrupt gasp leaving Wooyoung's lips as San moves into him. San stills for a moment after bottoming out, feeling Wooyoung's once hitched breaths begin to even out.

"Okay, jagi?"

"'M okay." Wooyoung reassures, kissing up San's neck and jaw.

San starts to move into him, slow and deep, listening to the noises flee from Wooyoung's tongue. Wooyoung is a mess beneath him, one hand curled into the elder's hair, the other struggling to remain complacent on San's shoulder, already tumbling towards a familiar curling feeling. San takes Wooyoung's hand that was on his shoulder and pins it to the bed, lacing their fingers together as he snaps his hips, chasing the building feeling that begins to lick through his veins and coil in his stomach.

Wooyoung was being incredibly loud, but San couldn't find it in himself to care, knowing Seonghwa and Hongjoong were likely up to the same thing downstairs. So he encourages the noises, biting down on Wooyoung's throat and earlobe, moving faster, harder; doing everything he can to make his partner unravel.

Wooyoung's hips press back into San's with every forward movement, driving him deeper, stirring them both seemingly crazy in the rush of it all.

"Look at you–" San muses, biting Wooyoung's neck for the nth time. "You're so pretty, Young'ah. You're all mine."

Wooyoung hikes his legs around San's waist, squeezing the male's hand tighter. "All yours. Always yours."

A drunken snap finally overwhelms San as he continues to rut into Wooyoung, an inescapable desire to drown in Wooyoung and his noises sinking into his skin. San wanted Wooyoung just as much as Wooyoung wanted him. There was no mistaking that, not now, not ever.

Wooyoung's back arches, struggling to remain still as he hurdles towards his end, the bound coil in his stomach finally snapping taut. San isn't too far after, chasing the stimulation to the very end, lips in a hurried search to seek refuge with Wooyoung's immediately afterwards. They kiss tiredly for several minutes, completely infatuated and unwilling to part, only being forced to when the ache to breathe overcomes them.

"I'll be right back," San assures, carefully pulling his hips away after Wooyoung's legs unwrap from around his waist.

It takes all of two minutes before San comes back, reaching for his boxers and Wooyoung's boxers, pulling his own on before settling back down onto the bed. San carefully cleans Wooyoung's stomach with a warm rag, carelessly tossing it into the bathroom afterwards, leaving it as tomorrow's problem. He hands Wooyoung his boxers, watching as the male tugs them over his legs with a tired sigh.

San moves back into bed, instantly pulling Wooyoung into him, feeling the younger's head greet his chest carefully. "I love you."

"I love you most." Wooyoung mutters in a near-mumbled response, eyes lulled shut as he tugs the comforter over his legs and waist. After a moment of silence, Wooyoung smiles against San's skin, pressing a kiss to the male's chest. "You make me so happy. D'you know that?"

"I do know that. You make me happy too."

"I don't ever want to leave." Wooyoung snuggles closer into San, face now buried into the crook of San's neck, leg tossed over San's waist.

"I'm not going anywhere, jagi. You have me forever." San tries to assure, feeling Wooyoung press another kiss to his skin.

"I'm g'na marry you." Wooyoung says matter-of-factly, smiling against San's skin, still.

San laughs tiredly, eyes lulling shut as he holds the male closer, hand curled around his hip, listening to Wooyoung's breaths deepen. He wanted Wooyoung forever and a day, here and now and well beyond the future, but knowing that Wooyoung wanted that too set his heart aflame. So, he holds him even closer, turning onto his side to press kisses into Wooyoung's hair. He wasn't sure if Wooyoung was still awake or not, but they both knew how badly they wanted one another and how hopelessly in love they were.

"Whatever you want, Wooyoung." San affirms quietly into the male's hair, listening to the quiet hum that rolls through Wooyoung's lungs before he falls into the peaceful cusp of sleep.

Thank you for reading and supporting this fic to the very end <3 please remember to vote for it if you did enjoy it :)

AN: HMC!Woosan will have a place in my heart for forever. Their relationship and their story means so much to me as I've spent countless hours thinking about their dynamic and the changes that would affect them. I hope you love their story just as much as I do, and find some sort of peace in knowing that Wooyoung is finally safe with San and can begin to enjoy his life as he was meant to.

As of 2/15/24; there is a planned sequel that is in the planning phase! <3 Thank you, thank you, and thank you again for reading this and sticking around for the updates. I love you all so much, and I hope to see you around for my next Woosan fic. :)