selfish• woosan (book 1)

14: family

San found himself in the midst of Felix's family, laughing along with their animated chatter and jokes. The room was filled with an infectious warmth that came from the sisters and girl cousins, who playfully teased him, "Please tell me you have a brother." The laughter that followed was like a welcoming symphony, making him feel a part of this vibrant family tapestry.

When Felix's mother requested a trip to the market, San and Felix volunteered. This was more than just a chore; it was a chance for Felix to spend some alone time with his boyfriend, away from the merry chaos of his relatives after spending 2 days with them.

As they roamed the market aisles, Felix excused himself, leaving San alone to find the required items. It was then that San found himself reaching for the same seasoning as an elderly woman. Startled, he quickly withdrew his hand and bowed, "Sorry, ma'am."

"San?" The voice was familiar, a ghost from his past. As he turned, he winced at the sight of Wooyoung's mother, a woman who once held a special place in his life. He muttered a quick apology and tried to give her the seasoning, but she refused and instead, apologized for her past actions.

San nodded, acknowledging the past without delving into it. He politely declined her offer for the seasoning again and, after another bow, retreated down the aisle. The interaction left him with a bittersweet feeling, a mix of awkwardness and regret. It was unfortunate that his relationship with this woman, who was once like a second mother, was now tarnished.

As San glanced over, he noticed Felix engaged in conversation with someone. His smile, however, quickly faded when he recognized the figure as Wooyoung.

"What are you doing?" San demanded, pulling Felix protectively to his side. He ignored Felix's surprised yelp, his gaze fiercely locked on his ex, "Why are you talking to him?"

Wooyoung stuttered, clearly taken aback by San's hostility. Felix tried to intervene, but San cut him off, "Just can't leave me alone, huh?"

"Hey San, chill babe," Felix attempted to divert his attention, but San's eyes were still fixed on Wooyoung, who was visibly struggling under the weight of guilt. "I talked to him...I thought I knew him..."

Wooyoung nodded, confirming Felix's words. After a tense pause, he whispered, "I don't know you," before quickly retreating, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Felix nudged San, confusion marring his features. "What the hell was that? I can't talk to-"

"That was my ex-husband." San cut him off, leaving Felix with the shopping cart, as he made his way out of the aisle, a whirl of emotions churning within him.

The silence in the car was as thick as a fog, a stark contrast to the usual lively banter that filled their drives. It was only when San heard a soft sniffling that he glanced over to Felix, his heart clenching at the sight of his boyfriend wiping away tears.

"Felix...babe, don't cry," San's voice, gentle and low, broke the silence, "I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry...I didn't know that was him," Felix replied, emphasizing the last word in a way that made San's heart ache. He hadn't expected Felix to apologize.

"Don't, please. I'm sorry for causing a scene." San sighed, the weight of his actions settling heavily on him. He hadn't meant to unleash that level of anger in front of Felix. It was out of character, driven by a sudden surge of fear when he saw Felix with Wooyoung. "When I saw you two together, I was just triggered and scared."

Felix's sobs grew louder. "I'm sorry for crying, but my heart hurts so much for you," he hiccupped between sobs, "You've been through a lot."

As the red light blinked into life, San found himself staring out the window, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. He was done crying over Wooyoung, done letting his past control him. "I'm fine now that I'm with you," he reassured Felix, reaching over to gently stroke his cheek before the light turned green and he started driving again, "I promise."

"I love you, San," Felix whispered. The words hung in the air, a soft mantra that eased the tension in the car. "I love you too," San echoed as he turned into the street where a local ice cream shop was nestled. They remained there until Felix's sobs subsided, the sweet aroma of ice cream offering a comforting presence.

As they walked back to the car, Felix reached out, his hand gently wrapping around San's arm. "San," he spoke softly, nuzzling against him like a kitten seeking comfort, "don't keep things to yourself." The tension might have dissipated, but Felix could sense San's lingering thoughts.

It had been nine long months since San had last seen Wooyoung in the hospital, and six since their divorce was finalized. San hummed in response, a non-committal noise that tried to convey his reluctance to dwell in the past. He opened the car door for Felix, a silent apology, before making his way to the driver's seat.

Arriving back at Felix's mother's home, they were met with a barrage of complaints about their sudden disappearance. The family quickly separated them, Felix being ushered into the kitchen while San was left in the living room with Felix's cousins.

"I don't know why I'm convinced you guys went on a date," one cousin mused, earning a round of laughter. "I see ice cream on his shirt," another pointed out, noticing the small droplet of strawberry ice cream.

San chuckled nervously under the intense scrutiny of the women. "He's sweating," the youngest one declared, earning a chorus of laughter.

"Okay, get away." Felix appeared from the kitchen, swatting the girls away from San with a protective air. He cleared a spot on the couch and sat down next to San. "So what, we had ice cream. It was good too."

"You're sick!" a woman with hair the same shade of blonde as Felix's exclaimed, earning a round of laughter.

"I want ice cream," a girl with braces pouted.

"Boohoo, now go give San some space," Felix retorted, earning a few eye rolls and mumbles from his cousins who eventually dispersed.

"Sorry, you might be the first boyfriend in a while," Felix blurted out, his cheeks burning a bright red.

"How long?" San asked, curiosity not caring about the answer. Despite him being fresh out of a divorce, he realized he knew little about Felix's dating history. Felix offered a small smile, his eyes distant. "On and off with one asshole five years ago."

San hummed in approval, earning a wide-eyed stare from Felix. "Whaa?"

"Nothing, I'm just happy y'all broke up," San joked, a playful grin tugging at his lips. This elicited a gasp from Felix, his eyes wide with surprise.

"I'd be in the wrong if I said the same about you," Felix shot back, a teasing glint in his eyes. San merely shook his head, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Felix's lips. As their lips met, they heard a unison sound of cooing from the room.

Breaking apart, they found Felix's family watching with awe-struck expressions on their faces. Felix turned to San, a smirk playing on his lips. "And you see why I moved far away?" he asked, earning a chuckle from San. Despite the embarrassment, there was a sense of warmth that filled the room, a stark contrast to the earlier tension. It was clear that Felix's family cared deeply for both of them, and that thought alone was enough to put a smile on both their faces.