There is a lot of drinking/partying (nightclub vibe) through this chapter. Please do not read any further if the topic of relapsing and alcoholism is sensitive to you.

⸻✧ ༺ ∞ ༻ ✧⸻

Flood lights beam down on a darkened bar counter, riddled with empty bottles of soju and shot glasses, music lingering in the atmosphere while dancing bodies stumble next to one another, jumping around to the live DJ that rests behind the safety of a risen booth hidden away in the corner of the modern bar. Wooyoung's eyes scan the environment curiously, somehow unbothered, watching his friend order two drinks from the bartender.

They had been sitting in the nightclub for twenty minutes, acclimating themselves to the fast-paced atmosphere and drinking it all in, wondering why they felt so out of place in a scene they used to thrive in. Wooyoung seems oddly comfortable as he leans into the counter, elbow planted into the surface with his jaw resting in his palm. Yeosang, on the other hand, was an anxious mess.

Wooyoung had spent the past ten minutes convincing Yeosang to order a drink in hopes of settling his nerves before his boss arrived, but Yeosang was adamant on remaining coherent and sober. Somewhere in the lines of 'you need to relax' and 'what happened to drinking for the both of us' does Yeosang find the courage to finally get a bottle of soju, ordering some type of virgin cocktail for Wooyoung to sip on so he didn't feel alone.

Wooyoung taps his fingers along the bartop, listening to the thumping music cloud his mind absently, stuck in a haze of confusion as he waits and waits for whatever mocktail Yeosang had ordered.

"Here," Yeosang mutters, handing off some sort of clear mocktail with a lime on the edge, rim coated in what appeared to be sugar. Wooyoung raises his brow and Yeosang shrugs. "It's what he recommended, I don't know what it is. It's virgin, so drink up. I'm gonna text Soobin."

Wooyoung sighs, grabbing the drink with a curious gaze as he holds the glass to his lips and tilts it, letting the liquid smooth over his tongue. It wasn't awful, but Wooyoung could tell that the absence of alcohol made this drink taste more like soda than anything else.

"He said they're about to walk in." Yeosang shoves his phone into his pocket, moving to look Wooyoung directly in the eyes. "Do I look okay? Are you nervous? Or am I the only one nervous?"

"You look great, Yeosang'ah, and no, you're the only one nervous. Relax." Wooyoung smiles, lowering the drink back to the wooden bar top, watching his friend take a deep breath before turning around, standing on his tip-toes to see the front door. Wooyoung turns around, peering around passing parties of people to try and find Yeosang's coworkers, though he isn't exactly sure who he should be looking out for.

A taller male with short black hair emerges through the front door, trailed by a slightly shorter male with dark brown hair, both wearing black tees and ripped denim jeans, matched with sneakers of some sort. The shorter one wore a blazer, highlighting his broad shoulders as they strolled into the nightclub, clearly looking for Yeosang.

"Is that them?" Wooyoung points, and Yeosang immediately nods his head.

"I'll be back. Just stay here." Wooyoung barely has a chance to answer before Yeosang trots off with his drink in hand. Wooyoung reaches for his own again, taking another hefty sip, watching Yeosang with an unamused glare. He was honestly regretting being here, especially with how vulnerable he felt being around so much fucking booze, but he promised himself that he'd be abstinent. He didn't want to mess up any of his progress, let alone let San down. He would stay committed, doing everything in his power to just try and be nice to these random strangers while repairing his friendship with Yeosang.

"Wooyoung," Yeosang says as he comes back, leading the two taller males towards the bar. "This is my team leader, Soobin, and his assistant, Yeonjun."

"It's nice to meet you." Wooyoung smiles at both of the males, feeling his stomach drop the moment heat rises to his cheeks. His eyes graze over Yeonjun's, and for a second he finds himself struck by how attractive he was. Yeonjun was his type admittedly, but he turned his attention away, biting his tongue to look over at Yeosang, hoping that the flush to his cheeks never rose to the surface.

"Do you guys wanna get something to drink?" Yeosang points to the bartender helping another client down the line of the wooden bartop. Wooyoung watches Yeosang begin walking towards him, Soobin and Yeonjun following behind too. Wooyoung grabs his drink and follows suit, standing awkwardly behind Yeonjun as he listens to Yeosang and Soobin chat about something he knew nothing about.

"How long have you been friends with Yeosang?" Yeonjun asks over his shoulder, slightly turning to face Wooyoung enough to engage in conversation.

"Almost ten years, something like that." Wooyoung responds back, fingers tapping against the glass he held in his palm.

"Oh, so you've known him since high school?"

"We used to be next door neighbors," Wooyoung smiles. "He's like my best friend."

"So you guys grew up together?" Yeonjun smiles back. "That's cute. He's a really nice guy."

"He is. Nicer than he should be sometimes."

"Did it get him into trouble or something?" Yeonjun asks, now fully turning around, his right elbow leaning against the countertop, listening contently.

"Sometimes. He just got pushed over quite a bit by people who didn't deserve him. But we eventually found our friend group and it's been fine since."

"I see. He's got such an innocent heart, it seems."

"He does," Wooyoung laughs. "Too innocent sometimes."

"What's your group like? Chaotic? Calm? Partiers?"

"Eh, well-" Wooyoung tilts his head slightly in thought, jaw taut. "They're all a bunch of morons, sometimes. We like to hang out and drink and what not, but they're all silly and make dumb jokes. We all love each other a lot, so we tend to hang out really often."

"Sounds nice," Yeonjun nods. "Soobin and I have a small group, but we don't hang out as much as we used to. Soobin works a lot, so I work a lot, and the others work opposite schedules and such, but we try to see each other as frequently as we can."

"That's good. It's important to have good friendships, y'know?" Wooyoung's heart seizes the moment Yeonjun smiles at him again, afraid of the fluttering feeling sinking into his chest.

"I agree. We should combine groups one day. I'm sure we'd have a lot of fun."

"Oh, yeah, of course. You guys will get a crack out of Mingi when he's drunk. He's something else."

"Sounds like my kinda guy." Yeonjun laughs, teeth ever so slightly scraping over his bottom lip as he watches Wooyoung's lips pull into a smile.

"Did you want something?" Soobin asks behind Yeonjun, and Yeonjun shakes his head.

"Not right now. Maybe later." Yeonjun mutters to his friend, eyes leaving Wooyoung for a moment.

"Not much of a drinker?" Wooyoung asks, trying to change the conversation.

"Not as of late. I'll drink one or two bottles, but then I usually stop." Yeonjun turns his head back towards Wooyoung, brow raised curiously.

"I get it," Wooyoung nods. "I don't drink anymore."

"You're sober?" Yeonjun asks, almost surprised, but obviously trying not to overreact.

"Three months sober, yeah." Wooyoung eyes the bartender warily, tongue wetting his bottom lip tentatively. "I was an idiot when I was drunk. Did a lot of stupid shit and got into trouble almost every time, so it was just best that I stopped."

"I see. I can respect that." Yeonjun's gaze seems to look over Wooyoung's features, and suddenly Wooyoung feels self conscious. He's wanting to fold in on himself, regretting the top he was wearing, regretting the makeup smudged on the corner of his eyes, mostly regretting the jewelry hanging from his neck, accenting every dip and curve of his neck that Yeonjun eyes carefully.

"It's a little hard to be around all of this again," Wooyoung timidly breathes, trying to break Yeonjun's eyes away from his exposed skin.

"I can imagine." Yeonjun looks up, almost unphased and unbothered by the fact that he was nearly checking out his coworker's friend.

"I kind of want to just go dance. Do you think Soobin will want to? Because I can drag Yeosang to do anything."

"Soobin will follow me," Yeonjun scoffs. "He's like a puppy."

"Good." Wooyoung smiles at him, biting his bottom lip before looking around the male in front of him, spotting Yeosang downing a shot of something that was pink in color, and Wooyoung feels his heart drop. Oh no. "Yeosang'ah?"

The elder turns his attention towards his friend, setting down his shot glass and stepping closer, a smile beamed across his face. "What's up?"

"Come dance with me." Wooyoung pleads, watching Yeosang turn towards Yeonjun who simply shrugs and turns towards Soobin.

"Fine. Let's all go." Yeosang grabs Wooyoung's hand, dragging him away from the bar and into the messy crowd, listening to the music get louder the farther they mingle into the horde of drunken bodies. Soobin and Yeonjun follow without resistance, finally stopping once they nearly reach the middle of the crowd.

Yeosang and Wooyoung almost instantly start dancing with each other, swaying and laughing at one another, letting the music drown their senses into stupor. Wooyoung felt free, letting loose of everything that was plaguing his mind as the atmosphere pulled him into a state of hazed aloofness. He didn't care about his sobriety, he didn't care about the pressure of everything and he didn't care about the anxiety simmering in his stomach. He was just existing and living, dancing with his best friend and his two coworkers who shamelessly started dancing with them.

The music is intoxicating, pulling Wooyoung back into feeling like his old self. He was drunk on life, purely just living in the moment with his best friend, dancing and grinding on him as if he had no care in the world. Little did he know that Yeonjun was watching his every movement, nearly mesmerized by the way Wooyoung's hips swayed and how his body rolled so effortlessly. Wooyoung can feel Yeonjun's eyes on him, though, so his eyes trail towards him, and for a second, his heart sinks into the pit of hell. He's uncomfortable, unsure of how to express that to his best friend, but before he can even say anything, Yeosang interrupts him.

"I've gotta go to the bathroom," Yeosang says after the song ends, brushing strands of hair out of his eyes.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Wooyoung offers, but Soobin interrupts.

"I have to go too. I'll go with him." Soobin shoots a glance at Yeosang, and Yeosang follows without question, leaving Wooyoung and Yeonjun alone in the crowd of drunken dancers.

Wooyoung turns to face Yeonjun, listening as another song starts overhead. The bass is low, hums of vocal tones ringing through the speakers as Wooyoung lets the music drown him further.

Wooyoung can't help how crazy he feels, swept up in the loud music and the flood lights, overcasted in purples and blues, hints of white light sweeping overhead as they flash with the beat of the music. He feels like he's drunk, though he really isn't; but the atmosphere, the people and the music was intoxicating in itself. Yeonjun is watching him with a lingering smile, trying his best to keep a reasonable distance between them, but Wooyoung remains unsure of the male's intentions. Yeonjun was incredibly attractive, there was no denying that, but Wooyoung was sober, and he isn't sure why he suddenly feels uncomfortable. There was lingering guilt settled in his abdomen, and the sudden will to leave became presently urgent.

Bodies bump into one another, drunken slurs erupt when the song changes into something the entire crowd goes feral into, leaving Wooyoung to settle into standing still, eyes looking at Yeonjun as they wonder where their friends were.

"I think I need some air," Wooyoung breathes, leaning close to Yeonjun with his chest heaving from dancing.

"Let's go outside. I'll tell Soobin where we're at." Yeonjun grabs a hold of Wooyoung's hand, careful not to intertwine their fingers, leading the male through the crowd as they head towards the front door, breaking into calm nightlife. The sounds of cars driving nearby sends Wooyoung's attention towards the street, unaware of Yeonjun's hold on his hand.

It's comfortable outside, chilled by a calm breeze as the moon beams overhead, stars almost hidden by thin clouds that slowly move overhead. Neon signs tinge the street in paints of blues and pinks, flickering quietly as the bulbs burn brightly.

"Better?" Yeonjun asks, timidly letting go of Wooyoung's hand as he studies him, watching Wooyoung breathe calmingly.

"Yeah. I think I was getting a little overwhelmed."

"It's definitely overwhelming in there."

"It's been awhile since I've been inside of a club like this-" Wooyoung laughs at himself, slightly embarrassed. "It used to be my scene, but it just isn't anymore."

"Don't worry, I don't go out and do this all of the time either."

"Oh really?" Wooyoung teases innocently. "I thought you'd be the type to drag Soobin downtown."

"Nah, never," Yeonjun smiles, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I'd much rather sit at home."

"My couch is singing to me at this point," Wooyoung rolls his eyes. "We've barely been here two hours and I'm ready to go to sleep."

"I get it. It's been a long day."

"Did you work this morning?"

"Yeah." Yeonjun shrugs. "Soobin got called in, so I did too. We just had meetings for a few hours, nothing serious."

"I literally called off because of how nervous I was." Wooyoung chuckles, listening to Yeonjun start laughing too.

"You were nervous?"

"Mostly about coming to a club again." Wooyoung sighs. "Yeosang was really adamant about coming, so I couldn't let him go alone."

"I have a feeling that he was nervous too." Yeonjun turns to look at Wooyoung, who rolls his eyes at the comment.

"You should've heard the guy!" Wooyoung turns away with a smile. "He was looking at his phone every minute before you guys came."

"He's the type for that," Yeonjun mutters. "Soobin is just like that."

"He doesn't seem like the type for that." Wooyoung curiously says, which earns a hum from Yeonjun.

"Oh believe me, he is. If he feels really pressured about something, he stresses nonstop. Never seen him skip out on something though. He tends to just push through it."

"Now that sounds accurate." Wooyoung watches Yeonjun smile again, and his face grows warmer. "You seem like the type to just go with the flow. Am I right?"

"Close." Yeonjun raises a brow. "What's your type?"

Wooyoung's stomach twists. "My type?"

"More nervous or more laid back?"

Wooyoung feels like he would have fainted, trying to remain as oblivious as he could, regardless of how uncomfortable he felt. What kind of fucking question is that? "Oh. Well-"

Wooyoung laughs nervously again, gaze turning away from Yeonjun. "I'm more nervous than anything. I have pretty bad anxiety at times."

"Ah," Yeonjun nods his head.

"Hey," Yeosang and Soobin suddenly come out from the main door, thumping music erupting from inside as the door is opened. "You alright?"

"I'm okay, Yeo." Wooyoung turns and smiles at him. "Just got a bit overwhelmed."

"As long as you're okay." Yeosang smiles back.

"Hey, I'm sorry to cut this short, but I just got a text from my upper. Apparently I have a meeting I need to prepare for now early tomorrow morning."

"So we have to go to the office?" Yeonjun frowns, and Wooyoung breathes a sigh of relief.

"Unfortunately. But hey, it was great hanging out for a little bit. It was nice to relax for a little. I'll see you tomorrow morning, Yeosang. It was nice to meet you, Wooyoung."

"Yes, you too, Soobin. It was nice chatting with you, Yeonjun!" Wooyoung waves at him as they both turn to leave, Yeonjun offering a small wave back.

"Sorry our night got cut short." Yeosang sighs, turning back to face his friend.

"No, it's okay. I've gotta talk to you about something anyways."

"Oh boy. What did he do?"

"Ah, for once you're not assuming I did something wrong?"

"Have a little faith in me, Young'ah." Yeosang laughs. "I know Soobin and Yeonjun can be a bit eccentric and forward."

"Forward definitely describes him. I thought he was asking me what I found attractive in a guy."

"Did he seriously ask you that?" Yeosang mutters, reaching in his pockets to find his car keys.

"No, no. But it was the impression I was getting." Wooyoung watches Yeosang for a second, snatching the keys out of his hand the moment he pulls them free from his pocket. "You're not driving, by the way."

"I wasn't expecting to, mom."

"Alright-" Wooyoung laughs, reaching to playfully smack Yeosang on the shoulder. "Let's get home."

"Wait, how are you getting home?" Yeosang mumbles, following Wooyoung as he begins to walk towards the parking lot.

"I'll call San'ah to come get me. You've had like two and a half drinks. You aren't driving at all."

"Jongho would yell at me if I did," Yeosang chuckles, watching Wooyoung pull his phone free from his pocket.

"I would too. I think everyone would." Wooyoung rolls his eyes, dialing San's number, holding the phone up to his ear as he listens to the line ring.

"Seonghwa would kill me." Yeosang mutters quietly, earning a chuckle from Wooyoung as San finally picks up his phone.

"Young'ah!"

"Hi Sannie." Wooyoung hums. "Do you miss me? Why are you so excited?"

"I do miss you, actually."

"You guys are disgusting." Yeosang groans and Wooyoung gently elbows him, turning to his right as they stride into the parking lot.

"Tell Yeosang'ah I said hi!"

"Hi San'ah!" Yeosang says a little loud, leaning towards the phone, causing Wooyoung to wince in annoyance as he shoos him away.

"Sannie, I've gotta drive Yeo back to his house because he drank a bit, and Jongho would kill me if I let him drive home. Can you come get me from his house?"

"Of course. How long is it going to take you to get there?"

"Oh, I dunno-"

"Probably fifthteen minutes, San'ah!" Yeosang answers and Wooyoung hushes him.

"I'll leave in a little bit then. Drive safe. I'll see you soon."

"Mhm, love you, jagiya."

"Love you too."

"Yeah, you guys make me want to vomit." Yeosang admits, earning a glare from his best friend jokingly. "No! No! Do not hit me!"

"You're annoying me right now." Wooyoung laughs, looking ahead of them, finally spotting Yeosang's car ahead of them.

"It's what I'm here for, Wooyoung'ah! We're best friends, aren't we? You annoy me, I annoy you. . . it's just kind of how this works."

"I hate you." Wooyoung scoffs, and Yeosang giggles in response.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure you do. Now, drive me home like a good little chauffeur."

"God, you really are annoying." Wooyoung puts his phone away and unlocks the car, settling into the driver's seat as Yeosang makes his home in the passenger seat.

Yeosang takes control of the stereo, his car, his rules apparently, and Wooyoung started to back out of the parking space the moment the seat belts were buckled and the engine was warmed.

It takes just under fifthteen minutes to get to Yeosang and Jongho's shared apartment, which was located in an upper level of a modern apartment complex.

Jongho was sitting on the couch, beer in hand, eyes watching a soccer game as he listened to the door be rustled open.

"Yeosang'ah-" Jongho greets, setting down his drink and rising from the couch, turning to find Wooyoung also appearing through the door. "Oh. Hi, hyung."

"Hey," Wooyoung raises his brow, eyes glancing at the television. "Watching the game?"

"Yeah. I was waiting for Yeosang to come home before I went to bed."

"How chivalrous," Wooyoung rolls his eyes and pretends to gag, and Yeosang smacks him in the chest.

"San is going to come get him. He's probably not too far away." Yeosang sighs, kicking off his shoes, making his way towards their sectional. Wooyoung follows tiredly. "Go to bed, I'll be in soon."

"Do you need anything before I go?" Jongho asks and Yeosang shakes his head.

"I'm okay. I'll be in soon." Yeosang offers a small smile to him, and Jongho steps over, leaning down to press a kiss into the crown of Yeosang's head. Yeosang's smile grows and Wooyoung wants to gag again (jokingly).

Jongho walks away after turning the television off, leaving the two friends to sit in silence as they wait for San.

"What did Yeonjun say to you?" Yeosang breaks the comfortable quiet, head turning towards Wooyoung and he leans into the back of the couch.

"We were just talking about how everyone seemed, like our first impressions of people. I was saying how Yeonjun seemed like the type to 'go with the flow', and then he asked me what my type was? I don't think he meant it like that, but it came out that way and it made me kind of uncomfortable, I dunno."

"Oh, that is a little weird." Yeosang's brows pinch together in thought, blinking down to look at Wooyoung's lap. "He has only ever expressed to me that he's been interested in Soobin."

"How long has that been going on?"

"Months. I think." Yeosang sighs. "Yeonjun is a little frustrated because Soobin won't commit to a relationship. So now, there's a rumor that they're just fooling around in the office during work hours. Yeonjun has never told me if they have or haven't, I just know that they've kissed."

"Oh, they kissed?"

"Soobin is very good at hiding his emotions. Yeonjun isn't, really. Yeonjun is a lot more caring and considerate while Soobin tends to be more cold."

"I sensed that. I just wasn't sure if Yeonjun was outright hitting on me or if I was just overreacting."

"No, I think it's nothing to worry about. Besides, if he mentions anything to me, I'll tell him about Sannie for you."

"Thanks," Wooyoung smiles. "I didn't want to ruin the mood by being all 'I have a boyfriend, back off of me.'"

"I get it. Don't worry. Yeonjun is really nice, so, I doubt he would've cared anyway."

Buzz. Buzz.

Wooyoung's eyes darted towards his phone, tapping the screen awake to see a notification from his beloved. Thank god. He loved Yeosang dearly, but he was tired and his social battery was drained; he just wanted to be in San's arms.

"He's here." Wooyoung rises from the couch, holding out his arms towards Yeosang. "You're hugging me before I leave."

"God, you're so needy." Yeosang pokes and Wooyoung sticks his tongue out at him, but Yeosang gives in and rises to his feet, sluggishly reaching in for the hug that his friend begged for. Wooyoung hugs him tightly, rocking them back and forth to Yeosang's disdain, and to add fuel to their chaotic fire, Wooyoung kisses him on the cheek. "You're sick!"

Yeosang pulls away, wiping the wet kiss from his cheek as Wooyoung giggles and stumbles towards the door, one hand covering his mouth as he laughs and the other waving at his friend. "I love you! Goodnight!"

"Love you too, idiot! Get home safe!"

Wooyoung blows him a kiss before exiting the apartment, strolling to the elevator as he pushes a button and waits, texting his boyfriend back that he was on the way down. The elevator chimes as it reaches his floor, metal doors sliding open and Wooyoung raises his gaze from his phone, only for his heart to drop.

"Yeonjun?"

"Oh shit, hi. Sorry. Were you with Yeosang?" Yeonjun's hand is steady in the path of the doors, keeping the elevator complacent and open, watching Wooyoung blink at him confusingly.

"Yeah?" Wooyoung's curiosity grows. "How did you know?"

"He's my neighbor. It's kind of how I introduced him to the company. He said he needed a new job and Soobin had been looking for someone to fill the position he's in, so it just kind of worked out."

"I thought you were going to the office?"

"Ah, well we were, but Soobin offered to just take me home instead because I was tired and didn't want to stay awake for an ungodly amount of time preparing for the meeting."

"That's nice of him." Wooyoung watches Yeonjun smile.

"Sorry to keep you from leaving," Yeonjun shuffles out of the elevator, hand still placed over the sensors as Wooyoung walks inside, waving his hand to brush off Yeonjun's concern.

"No, it's okay. Have a good night, Yeonjun."

"I hope I can see you again, Wooyoung. Goodnight!" Yeonjun waves to him as he leaves.

The elevator closes and leaves Wooyoung in frazzled silence. He hated the way he was acting. This was unusual and completely unlike him, especially when he felt so strongly about San. He loved San completely, and couldn't imagine life without him in it. The last thing he'd ever want to do is trade his soulmate for someone he casually met through his best friend at a fucking nightclub of all places. Not to mention, the entire night felt incredibly unsettling. He didn't like the way Yeonjun looked at him, let alone the way he spoke to him so casually, as if they'd known each other for years. Yeosang was right, he was extremely forward. Wooyoung isn't sure if he's a fan of that.

The door chimes again, sliding open to reveal the apartment's lavish lobby. Wooyoung rolls his eyes at himself, muttering to get a grip as he strides to the front doors, spotting a familiar black car waiting for him at the curb. His hand reaches for the door handle, swinging the door open to reveal San waiting for him, hand on the gear shift and the other on the top of his steering wheel.

"God, I love you." Wooyoung breathes, rushing into the passenger seat and slinging the door closed behind him, hands greeting the sides of San's face as he presses close and kisses him, listening to San hum against his lips.

"I love you, too, but-" San kisses him again. "What spurred that reaction on?"

"Ugh," Wooyoung sighs, leaning back into his seat to click on his seat belt. "Some dude hit on me tonight. I think."

"You think?"

"I don't know. He didn't outright say anything suspicious, but it made me a bit uncomfortable."

"Did you tell him off?"

"No, I just changed the topic of conversation. I didn't want to stir trouble, San'ah."

"I get it." San checks his mirrors before he places his car into drive, pulling back out into the street carefully. "Did you have fun, though? I noticed that you didn't call me."

"Yeah, sorry. I was alright. I did get overwhelmed at one point, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle."

"As long as you were okay, that's all that matters." San assures, hand dropping away from the gear shift to land on Wooyoung's thigh, fingers curling towards the interior of his leg, thumb brushing against the fabric of his jeans on contact. Wooyoung smiles at him, appreciative and thankful to have such an understanding boyfriend with him, hand reaching down to gently rest atop San's.

The drive home is quiet. Wooyoung watches the world pass by him, listening to subtle music ring through the speakers as San hums along.

Home at last, Wooyoung kicks off his shoes and immediately heads for the bedroom, taking off his jewelry while standing next to the dresser, placing his rings down carefully before reaching for his ears to take his earrings out.

"Going straight to bed?" San asks as he walks into the bedroom, strolling towards the bed as he gently flops down onto it, lying on his stomach.

"Yeah. My body is over today."

"I can imagine. You spent a lot of time worrying about this entire day."

"I know. Now that it's over, I can breathe." Wooyoung smiles, rolling his eyes at himself. "I'm being dramatic. I definitely do feel a bit lighter, though."

"It was a lot for you. Don't downplay it, Young'ah."

"It's not that I'm downplaying it, I just. . . I dunno. Maybe I don't want to admit how scared I was to go to a fucking bar or something."

"Well, that's normal for people who've been sober for a bit, I'm sure. You're not the only one."

Wooyoung finishes taking off his silver jewelry pieces and strides towards their closet, opening the mirrored door carefully, searching through hanging clothes to grab out a random shirt. "I know I'm not, Sannie. It's just hard to admit."

"I know. But I'm proud of you for even saying it." San mutters softly, and Wooyoung's face brightens with flushness, reddening his cheeks hurriedly. Even after months together romantically, and friends for over a decade, San still knew how to fluster him in a new way every single time.

"Stop being so cute, San'ah." Wooyoung preens, fingers pulling his shirt off of his torso, reaching for the new shirt that lay to his left.

"Nope." San smiles. "You deserve to be complimented. I'm never gonna stop."

"Stop it!" Wooyoung giggles, pulling the shirt over his head, smoothing it down his chest as he walks back towards the dresser in search of new pants. San laughs at him, still resting on the bed, eyes completely fond.

"Never. Let me love you, Young'ah."

"You act like I'd refuse your love," Wooyoung pulls a drawer open, searching through its contents before pulling out an older pair of athletic shorts.

"You can be stubborn sometimes." San shrugs.

"Hey now-" Wooyoung turns to face him, a smirk rising on his lips. "For good reason, alright? I have my reasons."

"Stop it." San laughs. "Get changed already. Come to bed."

"I thought you weren't coming to bed." Wooyoung raises a brow and San faceplants into the mattress.

"I haven't seen you all day-" His voice is muffled by the comforter, but he continues talking anyway. "I just wanna hold you."

"Okay, okay. Go turn off all the lights, then. I can see the kitchen light on from here."

"Fine." San pouts, pushing himself up slowly from their bed, turning on his heel as he strolls out of the room in search of light switches. Wooyoung quickly changes his pants, tossing his jeans onto the floor near their dirty clothes corner that was decided the moment Wooyoung claimed stake to San's room, too.

Wooyoung crawls into bed, sinking beneath the covers with a heavy sigh. His mind is exhausted and confused simultaneously, unsure of how to feel about his encounter with Yeonjun. But, it was just a one time thing. He wasn't going to go out of his way to go hang out with Yeonjun again, especially alone. He just hoped Yeosang would understand that. He was good with his friend group and completely secure in his relationship; he didn't need anything more.

"Why are you staring at the ceiling like that?" San asks, crawling into bed too.

"Huh?" Wooyoung's gaze flicks away, head turning towards San as the elder lays down, head pressing into his cold pillow.

"You were staring pretty intently at the ceiling just now. Something on your mind?"

A lot, actually. "No, nothing. Just really tired. Zoned out, I think."

"You know you can tell me anything right?" San expresses quietly, and Wooyoung's brows pinch together with worry. The fact that San even had to say that made his heart hurt, and he almost instantly feels the urge to apologize. Maybe he's tired, or delusional, or something in between, but his eyes well with tears and he finds himself unable to keep composure.

"San'ah-"

"It's okay, hey-" San reaches his hands over, gently caressing Wooyoung's shoulders and he pulls him into his chest. Soft hands trail up his spine as San runs smooth lines over his back, calmly whispering quiet versions of it's okay laced with love and honey. Wooyoung cries harder.

He was overwhelmed still, released the built up tension lingering within his stomach the moment he could crash onto his bed. He's never attracted such attention to himself like that before, and now with the reintroduction of a social scene back into his life, he finds it hard to want to go back to it.

He wants to be normal and he wants to be with his friends again, but he never wanted to feel like that again.

"It's okay, Young'ah. It was a hard day."

"You have no idea," Wooyoung tries to laugh through his words, reaching a hand upwards to wipe away his tears. "I think I'm just tired."

"It's alright. I'd rather you cry it out instead of holding it in."

"I'm such a baby-"

"No you're not. Stop it." San kisses his forehead twice, holding him even tighter.

"You're not allowed to let go of me now." Wooyoung says between sniffles, earning a small bout of laughter from San as he holds him still.

"That's okay. I'm okay with that. I'll hold you until you're sick of me."

"I guess I'm dying here then."

San scoffs. "Me too. You die, I die."

Wooyoung chuckles quietly, swallowing the rest of his sadness as he allows peace to fill his mind. These feelings and these emotions were meant for another time. He didn't have to deal with them right now, or at all if he didn't want to. He could lay here against San's chest, breathing in his cologne and listening to his heart beat, falling asleep to the sound of his soulmate. He's happy here, and he focuses solely on that.

"I love you." Wooyoung says against San's chest, pressing a kiss to his lower neck.

"I love you, too." San mutters back. "More than anything."