ATEEZ imagines

J.W.Y | Starting from Across the Streets

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Jang Y/N and Jung Wooyoung grew up in a quaint town just outside of Seoul, where the streets were lined with cherry blossom trees, and every neighbor knew each other's names. Y/N lived in a cozy, two-story house with a small garden in the front, while Wooyoung's home was directly across the street, a mirror image of hers but with a slightly larger lawn where they often played together as children.

Their families were inseparable—both sets of parents had been friends since their own school days, sharing stories of their youthful adventures and the bond that had only grown stronger over the years. Naturally, this close-knit relationship extended to Y/N and Wooyoung, who, despite their two-year age difference, found themselves spending countless afternoons together.

Y/N was always the energetic, curious type, with her wide eyes taking in every detail of the world around her. Wooyoung, on the other hand, had a calm confidence about him, the kind that made him seem older than he was. He was the one who taught her how to ride a bike without training wheels, patiently guiding her until she finally found her balance.

"Come on, Y/N! You've got this," Wooyoung encouraged one sunny afternoon as he held the back of her wobbling bike. "Just keep pedaling. I won't let go until you're ready."

Y/N's face was scrunched in concentration, her hands gripping the handlebars tightly. "But what if I fall?" she asked, her voice tinged with fear.

"You won't," Wooyoung assured her with a smile. "And even if you do, I'm right here to catch you."

With that reassurance, Y/N pushed off, her legs pumping furiously as she tried to keep the bike steady. Wooyoung jogged alongside her, his hand steadying the bike until he felt her find her rhythm. Then, with a gentle push, he let go, watching with pride as she rode off on her own.

"I'm doing it! I'm really doing it!" Y/N exclaimed, her voice filled with triumph.

Wooyoung laughed, clapping his hands. "I knew you could! See? I told you there was nothing to worry about."

Moments like these were common in their childhood, with Wooyoung often taking on the role of the protective older brother. He was always there when Y/N needed help or when she got into one of her many scrapes. Whether it was bandaging her scraped knees after a tumble or helping her build a fort out of blankets, Wooyoung was her go-to person, and she admired him greatly for it.

But despite their close bond, they weren't what you'd call best friends. They didn't share secrets or spend every waking moment together, but there was an unspoken understanding between them, a comfort in knowing that the other was always there. Their friendship was easy, like slipping on a well-worn pair of shoes—familiar, reliable, and always fitting just right.

As they grew older, this dynamic didn't change much, even as Wooyoung moved on to high school. He was still the same dependable boy Y/N had always known, though now he had a busier schedule filled with new responsibilities and friends of his own. Y/N, still in middle school, would watch him from afar, always eager to catch up with him whenever their paths crossed.

"Hey, Wooyoung! Wait up!" Y/N would call out whenever she saw him in the hallway at school, her voice laced with excitement.

Wooyoung would turn, his face breaking into a grin as he spotted her. "Y/N! What are you doing here? Don't you have class?"

"I was just on my way," she'd reply, slightly out of breath from running. "I wanted to see you before you went off to your high school stuff."

He'd chuckle, ruffling her hair affectionately. "You're such a kid, you know that?"

"Hey, I'm not a kid!" she'd protest, pouting. "I'm almost in high school too, you know."

"Sure, sure," he'd tease, rolling his eyes. "Let me know when you catch up, okay?"