San stood looking at himself in the mirror. It had been a while since he'd cared about his appearance. After all, he was the only one he'd spent any time with lately.

So he'd felt hesitant putting on a button-down and jeans, but he wanted to dress nice for his day with his Hyungs. He tried loosening the top button but felt like the shirt sat too low. He tried buttoning it all the way up but that just looked wrong.

Sighing, he left just the one undone and walked back to the closet to pick out a pair of shoes. He knelt down reaching towards the back of the closet for his dress shoes. He'd let Wooyoung store his sneaker collection in the front of the closet so he could make sure they didn't get damaged, so San's few pairs of shoes had gotten squished to the back row.

Just as he had grabbed them the door opened, surprising him and causing him to bump his head on the shelf above him.

"Oh—sorry! Are you okay?"

Hongjoong rushed over to him and San waved him away.

"Yeah, I didn't hit my head that hard. Don't worry, hyung. What are you doing here? Are you guys waiting for me??"

San started rushing to put his shoes on but Hongjoong placed a hand on him to stop him.

"No, no, you've still got time. Don't rush."

"Oh. Okay. Then...why are you here?"

Hongjoong seemed to hesitate and San looked him in the eyes.

"Hyung...what is it?"

"Seonghwa and I weren't completely honest with you. There's someone else joining us at dinner tonight."

San waited for an answer but he'd already guessed it.

"Wooyoung," they said at the same time.

San set his shoes down, pulling his knees to his chest. Hongjoong sat fidgeting with his hands.

"So this is a set-up."

"I wouldn't call it that. More of...an arranged reconciliation."

"That's the same thing."

"Yeah. I know. But I wanted to tell you before you go. I have more information about what Wooyoung was talking about the other night."

San looked away.

"You don't need to defend him. I think we both heard what we heard."

"San, just hear me out."

San didn't turn back but also didn't say anything else. So Hongjoong continued.

"We both know Felix and Woo have grown close pretty quickly. Well, recently Felix had some pretty rough relationship issues and he hasn't been taking it very well. So Woo just felt bad and wanted to help his friend out. I promise you, Sannie. He doesn't have any romantic feelings for Felix. He just wants to help a friend in need. And you know how warm-hearted Wooyoung is. He's always the first to lend a hand."

San turned back to Hongjoong, surprising him.

"What kind of relationship issues?"

"What?"

"What happened to Felix? Who was he dating?"

"I don't know if I should say, for his privacy..."

"Hyung, I swear I won't tell anyone. I just need all of the information before I can accept your words. So, what happened?"

Hongjoong hesitated but San was very serious.

"Changbin. He decided to prioritize their careers and ended things with Felix until their contract ends. He was worried about what it was doing to them and he didn't like forcing Felix to live in fear of getting found out and losing everything."

"So, Felix didn't want to break up?"

"No...why?"

"So Felix was in the same situation as Wooyoung. When I tried to end things before we joined together. And when I told him I'd rather break up than keep dating in secret."

"San, I don't understand. What are you getting at?"

"They understand each other. They both probably hate me."

"San, that's not true! That was different from you two. You didn't break up out of fear, you were both just so worn out from hiding it every day. And it was my fault. And Seonghwa's. We should have seen it sooner. That wasn't your fault at all."

"Wooyoung was willing to keep making it work. I was the weak link. I was the one that gave up."

"San you never gave up. You still came around in the end. You never really left him. I was there, San. I saw how much it hurt you. You didn't want to end it anymore than Wooyoung. You were trying to protect him. If anything, that makes you strong. Doing something hard to protect the one you love."

"Maybe that's how you see it. But not me. There's no way Wooyoung wants to forgive me. I've hurt him twice now."

"Can I tell you a secret?" Hongjoong asked, scooting next to San and putting an arm over his shoulders.

San looked at him in confusion. Hongjoong leaned in.

"Wooyoung actually asked us if he could join. He wants to talk to you, San. He misses you."

San looked down at his hands.

"He shouldn't."

"Too bad. He does," Hongjoong smiled sticking his tongue out.

San cracked a slight smile.

"He really wants to talk to me?"

"Yes, dummy. So, are you ready to talk to him?"

San laid his head on Hongjoong's shoulder and Hongjoong let his arm wrap around San's side, pulling him close.

"You and Seonghwa hyung will both be there, right?"

"Of course. Only if you want us there."

"I do. I don't know if I can face him on my own."

"You can. But I'll be there anyways," Hongjoong smiled and San smiled back.

They sat for a moment, as San gained the courage to finally put his shoes on. After he'd finished getting dressed, Hongjoong gave his his elbow and the two headed out of the room to the living room.

But when the got there, there was only one person. Wooyoung.

Where was Seonghwa?