There is discussions about mental health in this chapter relating to anxiety and depression, as well as mentions of neglectful parents/verbal or emotional abuse from parental figures. Please do not read any further if these topics are sensitive to you.

⸻⸻ .·:*¨༺ ♛ ♡ ∞ ♡ ♛ ༻¨*:·. ⸻⸻

Wooyoung can't breathe. His lips are pressed to San's in a flash, catching his entire body off-guard, anxiety looming like a hanging cloud over his heart. Timid hands reach for San's arms, jaw tilting slightly, pressing further into the kiss, accidentally making the warm connection deeper. Wooyoung didn't know what he was doing, this was basically his first kiss with anyone, but San never pulled away. He assumed he was doing alright by the slowly tightening grip on his waist, which in turn soon builds a burning feeling in his abdomen.

In a fit of shock, Wooyoung pulls away rapidly, a breath sinking into his lungs when he inhales quietly, blinking himself alive to look upwards at San, who is just as confused as he was.

"I'm sorry-" San blurts out, but Wooyoung is quick to shush him.

"No, don't apologize." Wooyoung's hands gently grip San's arms before they fall away back to his sides, eyes gazing down to think into their shared contact. Wooyoung definitely didn't hate the moment they had shared, he just hoped San didn't do that out of pure pity.

"Woo?" San's voice is low and quiet, barely a whisper. "Can I ask you something?"

Wooyoung's eyes blink back upwards, watching San's gaze turn loving. "Anything."

"What if I told you that I liked you back?"

The world stops. Wooyoung's breath leaves his lungs, heart seizing in his chest as he stares at San the moment he feels something click within his mind. Words he's been waiting to hear finally flow through San's lips, and it feels like the Earth tilted on its axis. He felt unreal, mystical, stuck in a haze of confusion and fantasy, words failing his tongue as he looked at San with his heart fluttering. "W-what?"

"I like you too, Wooyoung. You're not alone in feeling this."

"Wait." Wooyoung's eyes close, head shaking with what feels like ringing beginning in his ears. "No way, San'ah. You don't have to-"

"Woo." San's voice is calm, slightly stern, eyes waiting for the younger's gaze to return towards his own. "Please listen to me."

Wooyoung finally looks back up after his gaze drifted elsewhere, listening to his chaotic mind finally turn silent. "Okay."

"When you confessed your feelings to me, I wasn't really sure how to feel. The minute you said you needed space, I felt something inside of me shatter, almost like I was broken in half. I wasn't going to deny you needing some space, but I really felt like I was stuck in a pit of hell."

"I'm sorry I made you feel like that."

"No, Woo. I needed the time, too. It helped me think about everything."

"Please don't tell me you only like me because you don't want to reject me." Wooyoung pleads quietly, watching San's brow furrow and expression fall with sadness. Wooyoung hated that he said that, but his anxiety spoke for him. A truth, something nestled deeply within the roots of his frazzled mind, speaks freely before the one person he likes more than Seonghwa or himself, leaving very little room for anything else. Wooyoung needed to be sure, positive almost, that San was feeling this too on his own fruition and not out of pity.

"I would never-" San shakes his head slightly, hands reaching up to cup Wooyoung's face. Wooyoung doesn't flinch nor move, watching the elder inch closer. "Wooyoung, I don't pity you. I'm being so serious when I say this. I like you, Woo. I really do like you."

"You really do?" A tear shines its way down the younger's cheek, curling around his jaw and onto San's nearby finger.

"I do." San smiles reassuringly, thumbs gently stroking over Wooyoung's soft skin, wiping away the salty streaks that suddenly coat his cheeks. "Of course I do."

"San'ah?" Wooyoung's hands reach to settle on San's wrists, eyes wholeheartedly staring up into San's humbling and intoxicating gaze. San hums a gentle yes in question, and Wooyoung leans closer with a hushed plea. "Kiss me."

"Whatever you want, Woo." San smiles, pressing closer with a chaste promise. "Whatever you want."

The kiss is slow and calm, lips moving together and pressing into one another almost perfectly, slotting in between with gentle touches. San's thumb continues to swipe over his cheeks, kissing him lovingly.

"I can't believe this is real." Wooyoung mutters quietly between kisses, feeling San smile ever so slightly against him.

"This is very real," San hushes, hands making their way down Wooyoung's face and under his jaw, one hand sliding further to gently grab his chin. Wooyoung is moving with San, letting the elder move him in any way he wanted, following along pliantly. Wooyoung's hands drift down slowly, at first resting in wait at his own sides, but then eventually resting on the edge of San's hips. San hums happily, pressing one last languid kiss against his lips before pulling away to breathe, eyes hazy with adoration.

"I really like you," Wooyoung mutters under his breath, forehead tilting forwards to rest against San's.

"I'd hope so." San chuckles quietly. "I'd like to be able to keep kissing you."

"You can do that whenever you want to, San'ah." Wooyoung smiles, teeth grazing his bottom lip just barely.

"I really hate to stop kissing you, but Hwa is probably really worried about you." San leans away slowly, but not before pressing a soft, warm kiss against Wooyoung's forehead. "You should tell him you're okay."

"Okay." Wooyoung steps away, glancing very briefly at the time before looking towards his front door. "Can you wait here for a minute while I go talk to him?"

"I'll be right here." San affirms, watching the younger happily trek towards the door. San settled onto the bed, hands reaching for his phone almost immediately after the younger walked away. Wooyoung's cheeks were still warm with flush, hand reaching for the door knob just before turning to glance at the male on his bed, lips freshly kissed and cheeks red. God, Wooyoung thinks. I can't believe how much I like him.

Wooyoung exits the dorm, turning towards the right to the next door, fist raising to gently knock against the door three times. Wooyoung can hear footsteps on the other side, and not too long after, the door swings open with Seonghwa standing on the other side.

"Woo? Are you alright?"

"I'm okay, I promise." Wooyoung half-smiles at him, watching Seonghwa's expression slowly relax.

"What happened?" Seonghwa exits the dorm, door closing behind him.

"He confessed." The words that once felt heavy are now lighter, a weight suddenly lifting from his shoulders the moment the truth leaves his lips. "He likes me too."

"Oh my god-" Seonghwa smiles with a very hushed gasp, hands raising to rest on Wooyoung's shoulders. "So, wait! Are you guys like. . . together or?"

"Oh my god, Hwa." Wooyoung rolls his eyes, listening to the elder laugh happily.

"What? I gotta know!"

"We literally only kissed."

"YOU WHAT?" Seonghwa nearly yells, which sends Wooyoung into a laughing fit that is coated in embarrassment.

"Hyung! Keep your voice down!" Wooyoung laughs, watching Seonghwa's face light up with excitement.

"Let me in there! I gotta talk to him!" Seonghwa pushes Wooyoung towards their dorm door, rushing the door to swing open so he could push the younger into the room and follow not too far behind. The dorm door shuts and San immediately looks up to see Wooyoung standing by the closed door, both males watching as Seonghwa charges forward.

"YOU KISSED HIM?"

"Oh my GOD, Hwa!" Wooyoung hides his face, listening to San emit laughter that was slightly covered in equal parts nervousness and shock.

"It's about damn time." Seonghwa sighs calmingly, a smile still curled on his lips, hand reaching to pat San on the shoulder, then looking back to Wooyoung who was still hiding behind his hands. "I'm happy you guys finally figured it out. Watching you two pine over each other was seriously painful sometimes."

"Was it that obvious?" San asks, watching Seonghwa nod excessively.

"Wooyoung was in here every night talking about you."

"Hwa!"

"I'm not lying!" Seonghwa smiles, voice incredulous. "Seriously though, I'm glad. Really."

"Thank you." San smiles at him, listening as Wooyoung finally leaves the threshold of the door, face still slightly flushed either from embarrassment or rushed kisses, walking around Seonghwa and plopping himself down on his own mattress. He settled right next to San with barely any room between them, wordless and smiling like an idiot.

"I'm gonna stay over with Joong tonight, Woo. San'ah, if it's too weird that I'm in your dorm, feel free to sleep in my bed or sleep with him, I don't know-"

"Hwa, now is really the time to stop talking." Wooyoung groans, but San's hand finds the younger's thigh timidly to quiet him.

"It's okay. Go enjoy time with Joong before he dives into his projects again. You know how he gets when he's motivated to produce songs."

"Exactly why I'm going over there so I can force him to take a needed break." Seonghwa huffs lightly, turning back towards the front of the dorm. "See you in the morning."

Seonghwa leaves, the door closing behind tepid footsteps that leaves the pair sitting on Wooyoung's bed wordlessly, breathing in the silence that follows Seonghwa's leave.

"I don't have to sleep with you, Woo. I can go back-"

"We slept in the same bed by accident already. Why not do it on purpose?" Wooyoung shrugs shyly, listening to the smile that's tuned in San's tone.

"You're cheeky."

"We don't have to do anything-" Wooyoung's face flushes the moment San turns to look at him, gaze flicking away the moment they barely make eye contact.

"I wasn't planning on seducing you, Woo. We've got all the time in the world for that. We can just go at your pace." Wooyoung flinches slightly, stopping for a moment before turning back to look San in the eyes. "I know this is all new for you, so we don't have to rush into anything. Okay?"

"Okay." Wooyoung smiles at him, reaching over to take San's hand in his comfortably. San lets the touch happen, letting surprise fill his chest when he realizes that Wooyoung didn't ask and didn't hesitate, he just acted out of his own will to touch him.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" San asks, watching the younger glance at the time once more before turning back to face him.

"Why not? It's not that late yet."

"Put on whatever you want." San moves back into the bed, grabbing Wooyoung's pillow to prop it up against the headboard and wall, settling backwards comfortably, just propped up enough to see Seonghwa's television that was turned at the perfect angle.

"Whatever I want, huh?"

"Mhm." Wooyoung's tongue finds the corner of his mouth, teeth biting down on the flesh shortly after, catching a smirk forming on his lips easily as realization courses through his veins. He turns his head, rising from the mattress to grab Seonghwa's remote and his pillow before returning back to his own bed, settling down close to San, feeling a hand gently wrap around his right hip.

"How do you feel about Harry Potter, San'ah?"

"I love it." San hums and Wooyoung sighs.

"Thank god. I thought I might have to kick you out."

"You really would've gotten rid of me if I didn't like Harry Potter?" San watches Wooyoung turn to look at him, a smile curled on his lips still. San really wants to kiss the smile off of his lips.

"I dunno. Maybe." Wooyoung giggles, feeling San's hand gently squeeze the skin on his hip in a very unfearful, non-threatening kind of way. Wooyoung admittedly liked the feeling of San's hands on him, so the mere thought of San's hands on him in a different context, especially on his hips and waist, drove him slightly insane.

"According to Hwa, I think you like me too much to do that."

"Maybe you're right," Wooyoung leans backwards, his upper back colliding with San's chest. San watches him, barely resisting the new weight on his body as the younger rests against him warmly. Wooyoung's head tilts towards San's, eyes flicking from his eyes to his lips. "I do like you too much."

"Is that so?" San leans forward, hand preventatively settling behind Wooyoung's head, helping to avoid hurting the younger by accident as their lips come within inches of each other.

"It is so." Wooyoung smiles, feeling San's breath against his skin. This time the feeling of San's warm breath was real and not imaginary, something that didn't come from a figment of his dreamscape, but was instead coming straight from the person himself.

Wooyoung just can't believe that this was all real. Here he was, fawning over someone who was slowly becoming his best friend, and possibly his boyfriend. San just felt so comfortable. Everything about their friendship and blossoming relationship was turning Wooyoung's mind astray. The urge to please his parents was simmering, no longer at a high-pressure boil. For a long time he felt like he was drowning, head just above the surface of the ocean to breathe while his shackles tugged on him, trying to drag him into the depth of the sea. But here he was, floating, one by one removing his chains until he was free to drift to shore peacefully.

San was his peace now. He didn't know it at the time, searching for his own sense of peace by himself in a world that was throwing everything at him all at once. He thought he found it within the unique loneliness he forced upon himself, dealing with his own demons and forcing himself to learn how to survive alone.

But now, with San looking at him and inching closer, Wooyoung finally indulges to his heart's desires and presses his lips to San's languidly. There was nothing to fear anymore, nothing to run and hide from. San was all he needed. He felt comfortable and at peace; something he hasn't felt in a long, long time.

The kiss is broken before Wooyoung can melt into it any further. San smiles at him before Wooyoung looks away begrudgingly, pressing some buttons on the remote to enter into an app that held the entire Harry Potter movie collection. Wooyoung leans closer into San, feeling himself meld against him.

The movie starts soon after he finds the series through the app's selection, remote set off to the side, feeling San's arm raise and lower down in front of him, settling on his stomach gently. Wooyoung's hand subconsciously moves to rest atop the elder's, fingers soothing the skin on his hand. This was new, but completely comfortable. Wooyoung had no intruding thoughts, just a fluttering heart unable to settle the moment the movie begins playing and San's other hand threads through his hair.

"What time is it?" Wooyoung yawns, rolling over with his head tilting towards San.

"Just after ten." San looks down at the younger, hand raising upwards to rub at his tired eyes.

"Do you want to go to bed? Or do you want to watch the second movie?"

"You're crazy." San smiles, the hand that rested on his stomach nearly the entire movie reaching upwards to gently smack the side of Wooyoung's neck.

"So, sleep?"

"Yes, sleep." San affirms, leaning back into Wooyoung's pillow. "It's been a long day. Aren't you tired?"

"I am." Wooyoung sighs. "I'm just used to my mind keeping me awake all the time, so I think I might fall asleep without an issue tonight."

"Well, come on. Let's test that theory, hm?" San's eyes blink tiredly, arms outstretched and waiting for Wooyoung to collapse gently into him. Wooyoung rolls his eyes but obliges, turning the television off and tossing the remote over to Seonghwa's bed while nearly missing his target. He gently moves up to San, back pressed to the elder's chest as he adjusts Seonghwa's pillow below his head. San's arms wrap around Wooyoung in a cuddled bear hug, a comforting hold; one that Wooyoung swears makes his heart set aflame.

"San'ah?" Wooyoung's eyes blink awake for a moment, feeling the urge to be truthful suddenly.

"Hm?"

"Thank you for being patient with me." Wooyoung's voice is mellowed and quiet, but something about his tone held little hesitation. He wasn't scared to be truthful anymore, completely honest with what he was feeling and what his heart wanted.

"I would do it all over again if this is how we'd end up." San presses a gentle kiss to the back of Wooyoung's neck, timidly and hesitant, afraid to cross an unknown boundary. Wooyoung tenses as the contact, but San's kind words soothe him back to a relaxed state easily. "I'd do anything for you."

It was almost like it was all he needed to drift off, finally entering into the state of peace he chased after for so many months. He didn't wake a single time, wrapped in San's hold almost the entire night until they inevitably rolled and tossed around, but remained touching nonetheless.

The morning brings a finally sunny sky, riddled with colder weather. Sundays were meant for sleeping in, and somehow that's exactly what Wooyoung did. He was like a sleeping corpse, unmoving but breathing, dead asleep and dead to the world around him. He doesn't wake when his phone vibrates, nor when the sun peeks through unshut blinds, and not even when San rolls out of bed carefully. He avoided bumping into the younger completely, but not before pressing a soft kiss to the crown of his head. San had woken early on purpose, firstly going to the bathroom then sneaking off to the nearby convenience store, hoping to bring back a surprise breakfast before Wooyoung woke.

San's steps are quick and filled with purpose, anxiety looming on the edge of his tongue the moment he spots the store unveil itself around the corner. He eventually arrives, greeting the worker politely before walking towards the second aisle. The white lights are bright, enough to wake up his mind the longer he strides within the store. He glances around, deciding against certain brands of ramen before grabbing two different kinds, almost afraid Wooyoung would hate one that he chose. He checks out soon after, grocery bag in hand, steps trudging up the street and back towards campus, hoping that Wooyoung was still asleep.

To his surprise, the younger was still asleep somehow. It was barely a fifthteen minute trip, but Wooyoung had been sleeping for quite a long time as it was, catching up on lost hours spent awake worried about anxious thoughts he had no control over. San let him sleep, setting the bowls of ramen down on Wooyoung's desk, avoiding the urge to climb back into bed and hold the younger tightly to his chest. He decides on sending Wooyoung a text, one that he would see when he wakes, then leaves, heading into his own dorm to shower and change his clothes.

Almost twenty minutes later, Wooyoung finally rises from the dead. His eyes blink open slowly, taking in the light shining through the open blinds while wincing, adjusting to the change of time since he had last seen the dorm. He sits upright, hands rubbing at his eyes before finally noticing that San wasn't in bed with him. First he spots the grocery bag on his desk ahead of him, which he eyes with pure confusion, but somehow his tired brain reaches for his phone almost immediately, tapping the screen awake to a notification that makes his heart race.

San-ah

Taking a shower. Let me know when you're awake so I can make you breakfast.♡

Yeah. This was still real. Wooyoung had his doubts that he'd wake to some sort of unseen nightmare, alone and stuck in his previous predicament, but the fear melts away almost immediately. Wooyoung's hand raises, fingers touching his bottom lip curiously. Part of him can't believe San's lips had just pressed against his own hours before, yet something inside of him internally begs for more, fingers moving back towards his phone to text San back quickly.

I'm awake. Please come back.

Wooyoung watches the notification go unread for a minute, but his phone vibrates soon after. Wooyoung is quick to read the text, happiness stirring in his chest.

San-ah

One minute!

Surely enough, his dorm door opens a minute later and his eyes immediately light up with happiness dancing around his expression. San ruffles his hair the moment he enters back into the dorm, a smile curled on his lips the instant he sees Wooyoung awake.

"How'd you sleep?" San closes the door behind him, strolling over to Wooyoung with slightly damp hair and clean clothes.

"I think I'm still processing that." Wooyoung blinks twice, scooting over on his bed and patting the space next to him. San settles onto the mattress quickly and Wooyoung immediately feels intoxicated by San's cologne. He smelled fresh, husky almost, maybe a tad woodsy, but regardless; whatever the fuck he was wearing was dangerous.

"You looked dead." San chuckles at Wooyoung's slight scoff that came after his comment. "I was afraid to wake you, but it seems like nothing would have woken you."

"I really needed sleep I guess." Wooyoung's head tilts down, slowly and gently landing on San's shoulder. "I don't know if I can sleep without you anymore."

"What if you get tired of me?" San asks, stirring Wooyoung to rise from his rest against San's shoulder, looking the elder in the eyes with a smirk tinged to his lips.

"Yeah right, San'ah." Wooyoung pushes his chest lightly. "Never."

"Can I kiss you?" San's sudden question raises Wooyoung's brows simultaneously, expression shifting into something San can't read. Wooyoung shakes his head for a second, eyes drifting to look down San's lips for a second, just before blinking back up towards his eyes.

"You don't have to ask."

"Well we aren't like together or anything yet, so I-"

"Just shut up and kiss me, San'ah." Wooyoung watches the elder lean in, pressing his lips to his own in a chaste, hungry kiss. Wooyoung smiles against him, hands drifting to rest on the back of San's neck lovingly.

"By the way," Wooyoung breaks in between kisses. "I really want to be with you."

San kisses him again, leaning back for a second afterwards to gauge the expression held in Wooyoung's dark eyes. He was being truthful again, filled with longing and adoration, hoping San says the same thing.

"I want to be with you too, Young'ah." San expresses in a hushed mumble, pressing another kiss to the younger's lips happily. Wooyoung's hands thread through San's damp hair, pressing the male closer to him as he kisses the breaths away from him.

Wooyoung giggles quietly against San's lips, feeling the elder press against him, completely enamored with one another. Hands are less timid than before, touching new skin and familiarizing themselves with the shape and dips of a new body, leaving loving trails that strike fire in their wake. Wooyoung knew that this was all new, but something within him is begging for San in a way that he hasn't experienced yet. His nightmare, the one he saw for countless nights with San's breath against his neck, suddenly becomes a fantasy as he so wished it would become. The longing desire runs deeply embedded into his core, coming to a rushed realization that he wants San. Not in the way he wished to have him for days, but in a new way, a way that he could feel him and taste him. He just wanted to be close to him in every complete way possible.

Before Wooyoung can think too deeply into fast feelings, three sudden knocks ring out, causing both males to part and turn, looking in the direction of the dorm's front door with curiosity and confusion. Wooyoung hesitates for a second, rising from the bed with timid steps. Wooyoung knew Seonghwa wouldn't knock before coming in, so the sudden intrusion was abnormal. He approaches the door, hand grabbing the handle and turning it downwards, swinging the front door open to see a surprising figure standing on the other side.

"Wooyoung!" Wooyoung's heart drops into his stomach, a pit of guilt and rushed anxiety simmering into his core as he looks at his mother, who stands unannounced before him.

"Mom?" Wooyoung can feel his knees wanting to give out, body wanting to shrink and hide away, unable to find a reason for the surprise visit. "What are you doing here?"

"I missed you, of course! I also wanted to see the medical campus. Do you think you could give me a tour?"

"Oh, mom, I don't know-" Wooyoung's hand begins to point towards San, who sits on Wooyoung's bed idly, unknowing if he should move or stay put.

"Oh please, Wooyoung. Spend the day with your mother, would you?" Her tone is stern, and Wooyoung immediately submits with sinking shoulders.

"Yeah, mom. Sure." Wooyoung steps to the side, reaching his hand up again to point towards his bed. "Remember that friend I told you about? Choi San?"

"Of course. Do I get to meet him?"

"Well, he's here. Right now." Wooyoung watches San stand from the bed and peek around the corner, making himself known to Wooyoung's mother, who was still standing in the hall outside.

"It's nice to meet you." San bows his head politely, listening to Wooyoung's mother hum happily.

"Wooyoung has told me a lot about you, San. I've been told that you've been good to him."

"I consider him one of my closest friends, so I care a lot about him."

"It makes me happy to know that Wooyoung has good company around him so he isn't so lonely like he was in high school. I don't understand why he isolated himself so much." Wooyoung's mother slightly huffs, stepping inside the dorm and nearly ignoring Wooyoung's obvious discomfort. "Seeing him actually have friends is really nice to see."

San can't tell if his mother was being truthful or purposely throwing insults towards her own son, but he remains wordless and tries to smile through it, but carefully watches Wooyoung protectively any chance he could.

"Well, mom, you drove all the way out here. Did you need anything?"

"No, I'm okay. I just want to go see the campus." She smiles, eyeing Wooyoung sternly. "Can we go?"

"Yeah, just let me change. I haven't been awake too long." Wooyoung steps away, opening his closet to pull a hoodie free from its hanger. San stands quietly, eyes avoiding Wooyoung's mother's gaze, timidly turning to gauge Wooyoung's mood, but the younger was nearly expressionless.

Wooyoung quickly changes, listening to San answer one of his mother's questions, locking himself away in the bathroom and looking at his own depressed reflection in the mirror. He feels himself reverting to a previous version of his personality, suddenly shut down emotionally the moment his mother entered into his space. Wooyoung wanted to protect San, knowing fully well how inappropriate and degrading his mother could be, but there was no chance to warn him from how awful she could truly be.

After a few, long moments of looking at himself, he exits the bathroom and half-smiles at San, trying his best to build a facade that wouldn't lead his mother to believe anything other than faded excitement.

They leave the dorm, walking out of the dormitory and towards the bus depot, Wooyoung walking next to his mother with San to his left. This wasn't exactly how Wooyoung wanted to spend his day off from classes and studying, not to mention that his mother showed up unannounced, which only made Wooyoung that much more anxious. She wouldn't just show up because she missed her son. There was something hiding beneath the surface, a hidden intention lingering beyond her gaze that Wooyoung had yet to decipher. But he knew that she wasn't here to be mean or to berate him. As far as she knew, her devoted son wanted to pursue a medical career like she and her husband had planned for him, but Wooyoung's intentions were far from pure.

The bus depot is almost empty, leaving San to buy the bus tickets quickly so they could return to the bus stop only a few minutes later, just in time to catch the next bus. Wooyoung's mom sits down on a single seat across the aisle from San and Wooyoung, who sat together and struggled to remain indifferent about their change of plans. San knew his partner was incredibly nervous, sensing the anxiety radiating off of him like an electrical current. He wanted to hold his hand, but he knew better. San didn't know how Wooyoung's mother felt about her son being in a relationship, let alone a same-sex relationship, so he keeps to himself and watches Wooyoung struggle quietly.

Barely any words are shared between the awkward trio, and once the bus comes to a stop, Wooyoung's mother gets off first. San timidly reaches for Wooyoung's hand, out of sight from his mother and in secret, feeling the younger grab onto his hand tightly. He was scared. Wooyoung would never say it outright, but San could feel it. Before they can step off of the bus, San leans close, whispering calming words into Wooyoung's ears.

"I'm right here with you." Is all he says, feeling Wooyoung squeeze his hand one more time, then letting go, stepping off and into the world again, listening to his mother say something completely off topic. San follows, feet greeting the pavement as he hears the bus door close behind him. He wants to throw himself and Wooyoung back onto that bus, leaving his mother behind in fear that she would catch the lie they crafted together. But Wooyoung bravely continues, walking towards the medical building that they had been inside of just days prior, and San finds himself following closely, unable to keep himself focused as worry traps his heart.

The building is calm, as it was days ago, cooled with air conditioning and nearly quiet, light elevator-type music playing in the lobby. The seats nearby were all empty, magazines settled on a coffee table with what San assumed to be a fake plant resting nearby.

Wooyoung leads his mother towards the counter and to the unsuspecting worker, who was almost immediately berated with questions. San watches carefully, arms folded against his chest as he stands near the front door, eyes glancing out of the window the moment he hears another bus pass by. Wooyoung was still at the counter, trying his best to play along enthusiastically, listening to his mother ask question after question.

After what felt like a century of standing and listening, San watches Wooyoung and his mother turn away from the desk. Wooyoung was unreadable while his mother was happy, almost excited for her son to live and work within this part of campus. But Wooyoung was anything but those things.

"Are you hungry, San?" Wooyoung asks as they approach, voice deprived of any soul and emotion. San nods his head.

"Yeah, actually."

"Ah, well, I'll leave you boys be. I'm glad I got to see the campus, but I think I'll call a ride to go home. I've got business to attend to back home presently." Wooyoung's mother all of the sudden seems disinterested, tone stern and eyes avoiding. Wooyoung wasn't phased.

"Right. Did you need me to call an Uber for you?"

She shakes her head. "No, that's alright. I'll wait here for my ride to show. You two go eat and enjoy the day. But remember what I said, Wooyoung. I'll be calling you in a couple of days to check on you, alright?"

"Yeah." Wooyoung answers dismissively, which earns a certain stare from his mother that San can't help but think of as disappointment.

"It was nice to meet you, San. Take care of my boy, will you?"

"Of course, ma'am. I'll keep an eye on him." San smiles at her, watching her turn on her heel and walk away without bothering to say goodbye to Wooyoung. San's eyes trail towards the younger, watching him blink away what seemed like the remnants of tears rising over his lashes.

"Are you okay-?"

"Please take me home." Wooyoung begs silently, hands shaking, eyes closing preventatively.

"Okay, okay. Let's go." San reassures, hand pressing into Wooyoung's lower back to urge him outside and to the sidewalk, turning to the right and towards the bus stop quietly. Wooyoung is wordless, tears silently leaking from his eyes the moment he left the threshold of the medical center.

San reaches for Wooyoung's hand, letting the younger intertwine their fingers almost immediately and tightly hold San's hand without saying anything, his opposite hand reaching up to wipe away tears the moment they reach the bus stop.

They settle on the bench beneath the cover of the bus stop archway, blocking only a little of the sunlight that tried to reach their eyes intrusively. Wooyoung held onto his hand tightly, refusing to let go until the anxiety simmered into almost nothing.

San wants to pry, he wants to comfort his partner so badly, but he says nothing, waiting for Wooyoung to relax before the conversation is brought up again. He didn't realize how truly terrible his parents were besides the few phone calls he's heard and listened to or heard accounts of.

When the bus arrives, San gently tugs Wooyoung on board, sitting in a familiar seat with Wooyoung's hand tangled with his still. Wooyoung pulls San's hand to his lap, head tilting down to rest on San's shoulder, somewhat similar to their afternoon spent here days ago. But this time, Wooyoung is wide awake, burdened with tears and an unknown secret shared between him and his mother. San leans over, pressing a few warm and affirming kisses to the top of his head, then leaning his head on Wooyoung's too, comfortably nestled together for the next twenty minutes until they reach their stop. Even still, San tugs Wooyoung off the bus with a shared grasp, walking back towards their dorm in near silence.

They reach the hall that leads to their individual dorms, and upon arrival they notice Seonghwa and Hongjoong also coming out of the dorms the moment they are halfway through the hall.

"Hey," Seonghwa eyes them worriedly. "Where'd you go?"

Wooyoung doesn't know how to answer. Instead, he rushes to his door, opening it and heading inside, leaving his three friends alone in the hall filled with wordless surprise. San turns to look at Seonghwa, listening to the door finally close behind Wooyoung.

"His mom showed up."

"Oh shit." Seonghwa sighs. "She didn't tell him that she was coming, did she?"

"No, she didn't." San's brow raises curiously. "Has she done this before?"

"Once. A long, long time ago. Woo was really depressed back then, so she was checking on him to make sure he was okay, but I guess by the time she left they had an argument over something, which only strained their relationship further."

"She doesn't seem very supportive of him." San looks down. "She was really dismissive of him the entire time she was with us."

"His parents aren't the greatest, I'm sure he's told you that much." Seonghwa looks at Hongjoong for a moment before stepping closer to San, voice mumbled to a whisper. "Don't tell him I told you, but they've always been verbally abusive to him. They are very judgemental and very political about his entire life. He's only at this college because they forced him to apply here."

"So he didn't-?"

"No. Not of his own will. He can tell you something different all he wants, but he wants to dance more than anything. I'm glad that campus has a performing arts program, but his parents will never allow him to join."

"Well, she's been forcing him to research information about the medical campus. So, she showed up today wanting to go see it for herself."

"She's crazy." Seonghwa drawls, feeling Hongjoong smack his arm gently. "Look, I understand that it's his mother we're talking about, but they have not once let him be who he wants to be. I've had to watch him anxiously cry night after night because of how much they pressure him relentlessly. I just want him to finally be happy and free of their bullshit."

"Me too, Hwa." San looks towards the closed dorm door, sadness filling his stomach. "Me too."

"We're going out to eat, but we'll be back later. Keep an eye on him, alright? I worry about him."

"Of course. I don't have any intention of leaving." San assures, stepping backwards a couple of steps until his hand is able to land on the door knob. "Go eat. We'll be okay."

"Call me if you need me, okay?"

"Yes, Hwa. I will." San tries to push the couple away, opening the door and heading inside after his friends trek far enough down the hall.

The door closes and San sees Wooyoung sitting on his bed, head in his hands. "Young'ah?"

"I'm okay, San." Wooyoung's head lifts from his hands, eyes red and cheeks stained with tears.

"Hey," San quickly walks over, kneeling down in front of him and grabbing his hands, thumbs immediately soothing the younger's skin. "Look at me."

Wooyoung does exactly as he was asked, looking into San's eyes in search of comfort. "I'm always here for you. If you want to talk about it, we can. If you don't want to talk about it right now, then we don't have to."

"I don't know if I want to talk right now." Wooyoung mutters. "I just want you, San'ah."

"You-?"

"I don't want to think anymore." Wooyoung pleads quietly. "Please."

"You already have me, Woo. All of me." San smiles at him, but Wooyoung shakes his head.

"No." Wooyoung's hand breaks away from San's hold, pressing against his chest and slowly sinking down the line of his abs. "I want you."

San's heart is in his throat as he feels the line draw down his stomach with a trail of burning desire. He knows now what Wooyoung wants. Who was he to deny him of it? "Oh."

"We don't have to do anything." Wooyoung admits quietly. "I just want to feel something other than this right now. I'm sorry if that's selfish or too fast, but I-"

"I'd do anything for you." San's free hand reaches up to cup Wooyoung's jaw, soothing the skin there, too. "Whatever you want, Woo."

"Whatever I want?" Wooyoung leans forwards carefully, eyes hazy with drying tears.

"Anything."