↱SACCHARINE↲ ⇾woojoong⇽

forever

[ ଘ(੭ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ✩‧₊˚ ]

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It's not often that they get to have fun anymore.

Even despite living in the same apartment as one another, the three would sometimes be forced to go days without being able to have a genuine conversation, simply too busy and overwhelmed in their own responsibilities and roles to do anything more than mutter a slurring goodnight before trudging to bed.

It was hard at times, disheartening and lonely.

Wooyoung was working more hours than he ever had before now that Hongjoong wasn't there to help, and San was almost never able to leave the studio early enough to even witness the sun go down.

Hongjoong had managed to keep himself busy despite quitting all his demanding jobs, and came home more often than not drenched in sweat and aching with soreness, complaining endlessly even while sporting a tiring smile that Wooyoung was always eager to kiss away.

Hongjoong was happier though, perfectly content with spending his every moment either drooling in a classroom or dancing to the same meticulous beat in a mirage of foggy mirrors.

Wooyoung could see it without even trying, the easiness that came with each one of Hongjoong's doey eyed smiles.

He was finally able to stop worrying about the boy on his best days, but their conflicting schedules only made it that much harder for Wooyoung to keep up with San, make sure the older boy was eating, keeping his promise.

It hurt more than he liked to admit, scared him more than he believed to be reasonable.

Which is why when San's birthday finally creeped up slowly and with an almost startling importance, Wooyoung's tempting suggestion that they should visit Hangang Park in the outskirts of Seoul was hardly even considered.

Neither roommate even bothered trying to get out of going, and Woo's plan worked out, a surprising turn of events to nobody.

"There has to be some bigger plan here." San accused disapprovingly as they walked down the boardwalk built adjacent to the Han River, shaking his head with a menacing smile thrown Wooyoung's way.

"Something less civilized, you know? Before long you'll be peer pressuring us to skinny dip in the river or some shit like that."

"What?" Hongjoong gawked.

"Make us steal some little kids ice cream or purposefully trip going up the steps-"

"What's he talking about, Woo?" Hongjoong asked in bewilderment, suddenly looking a lot less willing to be anywhere in the tanned boy's presence.

Wooyoung gasped mockingly, pressing a hand to his chest in a painful gesture before wrapping an arm around Hongjoong's waist and pulling him in.

"Look, you're scaring him." Woo whined, pinching the boys cheek and throwing San a teasing look.

Hongjoong swatted Wooyoung's hands away, grumbling with flushing cheeks as he scrambled closer to San just to spite Wooyoung.