Endless chase [Woosan ff]

6 - Coffee

Things go smoother after that.

San and Wooyoung start texting each other again like they used to do before San moved away, and they're both feeling on sky nine because of it.

San feels like his life is back on track: he keeps his apartment tidy, cleans everything three times a week (which, according to Wooyoung, is maybe too much), and sleeps more than enough. His assignments aren't late anymore, and he's the happiest, because he knows Wooyoung is his star which helps him shine brighter.

Yet, Wooyoung isn't doing as great. Yes, he's grateful that San is back into his life like he was before, but without him next to him all the time it feels like San's comforting words are empty.

He needs San physically next to him to comfort him through his tough times.

Even though his breakup with Mingi was more than three months ago, Wooyoung still feels that sensation of emptiness inside him, because he's lacking his so-much treasured physical contact.

Hugs, snuggles, and cuddles are what the younger is missing the most.

But not just anybody's.

Not even Mingi's.

San's.

That's weird, if you ask him, because one wouldn't usually miss their best friend's touch this much, but Wooyoung blames it on San's perfume (which also happens to be Wooyoung's favorite) and on San's warmth.

It's not Wooyoung's fault that San is so addictive as a person overall either.

He blames it on San's warm personality and soft voice, on his lame jokes and ability to make everyone feel at ease around him.

- Yeah, I'm free this Sunday, why? - Wooyoung cocks his eyebrows, even though San can't obviously see him through the phone.

San just hums from the other line, his voice sounding like he has a smug smirk plastered on his lips at the moment.

- I might come back home, want to grab a coffee and then hang out? -

It takes nothing else for Wooyoung to be jumping all around his house, asking over and over again if San is for real.

It's been three months since the last time they've seen each other, and Wooyoung hasn't stopped thinking about it for a second.

The way San spoke softly to him and looked cute as ever. The way San's warmth comforted him through his breakdown before he was lulled to sleep by his heartbeat. The way San's body seemed to be perfectly molding with his.

San is just giggling on the other line, enjoying to the fullest Wooyoung's ecstatic noises with a wide smile on his face.

- So that's set? - Wooyoung asks

- Of fucking course it's set, I miss you so fucking much! -

And Wooyoung just bursts out laughing, falling on the bed with a relieved huff and a smile brighter than the sun.

So when Sunday finally comes, Wooyoung is all jittery and restless.

He's staring at the entrance of the cafe, already sitting at a table, and is eyeing every single person coming through the door.

- You're late. - Wooyoung scolds, but his toothy smile betrays his words.

- Yeah, of two fucking minutes. - San is quick in responding jokingly, taking a seat and getting comfortable.

They stare at each other for a few long seconds before smiling, eyes dropping to the untouched menu in front of them.

Suddenly there's this shy aura surrounding them, and neither of the two knows why.

They're both tense, afraid of saying the wrong thing, even though they know it's basically impossible for them to anger the other. They just know each other so well that they already know what to say and what topic to avoid.

It comes natural.

It's natural for San to have Wooyoung all smiley and jittery in front of him, sipping his usual caramel macchiato while spilling the tea about an old classmate of theirs (apparently, Hongjoong, the school's nerd, is already married with a kid).

And for Wooyoung it feels natural to have San silently looking at him with the most loving gaze, one that Wooyoung cherishes and is thankful for. It's natural for him to see the older nod every once in a while to Wooyoung's passionate storytelling, fingers fidgety and lips curving into smiles every time he nods.

- Do you think they'll divorce? - Wooyoung asks, and San shakes his head.

- Hongjoong's serious about relationships. I'm sure that if he got married it's because she's the right one. After all, haven't they known each other for ten years now? -

Wooyoung nods with an indecipherable smile, silence suddenly falling between the two of them, both lost in thought.

- Ten years is such a long time, if you think about it. - Wooyoung eventually notes feebly.

San chuckles, taking a sip from his drink.

- We've known each other for fifteen years Woo, yet it never feels enough. -

The younger lifts his gaze at these words, which have unexpectedly sparked a little flame in the back of his chest.

- It does. - He smiles back just as San meets his eyes, and suddenly it's the shortest staring contest to ever exist.

It's not even a second later and they're pulling their gazes away, chuckling and smiling, both pairs of cheeks of a deep shade of red.

- Have I ever told you? - San suddenly giggles, making Wooyoung look at him with a smile already.

- Told me what? - The younger tilts his head like a curious puppy.

- The first time we met I thought you were really annoying. -

They both snort out a laugh, Wooyoung's is an embarrassed one.

- Jeez, don't remind me. -

- You were so shy, yet you wanted to act all cool and tough... funny to see how you've changed. - San teases, and Wooyoung is burying his head in his arms to hide from the regret of his shameful past.

- Sometimes I wonder why you stuck with me. I was so weird back then. - Wooyoung remembers the times when he would spend hours nagging the older about his seemingly endless celebrity crushes, and the more he thinks, the shyer he gets.

- You still are. - San laughs, Wooyoung mouthing an unfelt insult while smiling.

They both spend the following minutes thinking about the past, yet not speaking a word about it. They like moments like these: comfortable silence and good memories to fill it.

That's all they need.

- I don't regret it, though. - San breaks the moment, but Wooyoung doesn't mind. He's just confused, because he has spent the past ten minutes reminiscing about the past, and their previous conversation is long forgotten.

- Don't regret what? - Again, he finds himself furrowing his eyebrows and tilting his head.

- Sticking with you, Woo. - San's smile is soft, and his eyes are speaking for his mouth.

All the care he feels for the younger is being poured out through this intense gaze, eyes sparkling under the sunlight coming into the cafe.

It's natural to have these kinds of stares from San, and it feels natural for Wooyoung to reciprocate them.

- I'm grateful you did. -