flutedrum | woosan ✓

42

Wooyoung sat on the couch, hugging a pillow close to his chest, his mind wandering through the storm of emotions he'd been suppressing for days. The argument with San had left a deep scar, one he didn't know how to heal just yet. He had replayed the fight in his head a thousand times, feeling every hurt, every word thrown between them. The pain of being apart from San, the man who used to bring him so much comfort, was unbearable.

The dorm was quiet, but it didn't feel peaceful. Instead, it felt like everything was on the verge of breaking, like any little thing would send Wooyoung spiraling into frustration again. His thoughts were running in circles, the sadness heavy in his chest, when he heard the familiar sound of San's footsteps approaching.

San stood in the doorway, hesitating for a moment before stepping in fully. There was a look in his eyes that Wooyoung hadn't seen for a while—something vulnerable, maybe even hopeful.

"Wooyoung..." San started, his voice careful, as if testing the waters. "Can we talk for a second?"

Wooyoung kept his gaze on the pillow in his arms, unsure if he was ready for another conversation. The last time they talked, it hadn't ended well. His heart was still aching from the things that had been said, but there was a part of him, a small part, that wanted to hear what San had to say.

"Please?" San added, his tone soft but pleading.

Wooyoung glanced up, his expression unreadable. "About what?"

San stepped closer, though he kept a respectful distance, sensing Wooyoung's reluctance. "I know things between us have been rough, and I'm not expecting things to magically get better overnight. But...I've been thinking about how to make it up to you."

Wooyoung's eyebrows raised slightly, though he didn't say anything yet. He was waiting to see what San had planned.

"I want to take you somewhere," San continued, his words careful. "It's a place I think you'll like. I know I messed up, and I can't fix everything right away, but...I thought maybe we could start by spending some time together. Just us."

Wooyoung's lips pressed into a thin line. He wasn't sure how to feel. Part of him wanted to be angry, to keep his guard up after everything. But there was another part, the one that still loved San so much, that was tempted by the offer.

"Where exactly do you want to take me?" Wooyoung asked, his tone still guarded.

San's eyes brightened, though he kept his voice calm. "Japanese barbecue."

Wooyoung blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He fucking loved Japanese barbecue—San knew that. He's die for it. It was something Wooyoung had been craving for a while but hadn't allowed himself to indulge in since everything started falling apart.

"Seriously?" Wooyoung asked, his voice a little softer this time. "You...remembered?"

"Of course, I did," San replied, his gaze locked with Wooyoung's. "I know it's your favorite. I figured...it could be a way to start over. Or at least try."

Wooyoung stared at San for a moment, the anger and sadness still lingering in his chest, but the gesture touched him more than he wanted to admit. San had always been thoughtful, but this...this was something he didn't expect. After everything they'd been through, he didn't think San would make such an effort to mend things, and yet here he was, offering something that meant more than just a meal.

"You're lucky I can't say no to barbecue," Wooyoung muttered under his breath, his lips curving slightly into a small smile despite himself.

San's face lit up, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over him. "Does that mean you'll come?"

Wooyoung sighed, standing up and shaking his head a little, but the smile remained. "Yeah...I'll come. But don't think this means you're off the hook, San."

San chuckled softly, nodding. "I wouldn't dream of it."

They gathered their things and headed out the door, the silence between them a little less heavy than before. It wasn't completely resolved, but it was a step in the right direction.