The Real -A Woosan Fanfiction-

4

Today felt special; I was excited to introduce Wooyoung to my friends, Yunho and Mingi. They were my rock, and I knew they would embrace him just as warmly as I had. As I approached the sprawling mansion with them, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Would Wooyoung be as comfortable with them as he was with me?

"Are you sure he's going to be okay with this?" Mingi asked, his brows furrowed with concern.

"Absolutely," I replied confidently. "He's been wanting to connect with others, and I think this will help him feel even more at ease. Trust me, he's going to love you both."

As we stepped inside, the familiar scent of the place wrapped around me, reminding me of our shared moments. I spotted Wooyoung in the living room, his focus intent on a drawing he was working on. The way his brow furrowed in concentration made my heart swell, and I couldn't help but smile as I approached him.

"Hey, look who I brought!" I announced, gesturing for Yunho and Mingi to join me. Wooyoung looked up, surprise flickering across his face.

"San!" he exclaimed, a smile breaking through his initial shock. "And...?"

"This is Yunho and Mingi, my best friends. They're here to hang out!" I said, trying to infuse the moment with warmth.

"Hi, Wooyoung!" Yunho said, his voice friendly and inviting. Mingi added a cheerful wave, his infectious energy filling the room.

"Hey!" Wooyoung replied, his initial hesitance melting away as he took in their welcoming expressions. "It's nice to meet you both."

As we settled into the living room, the atmosphere shifted. The walls that had once felt heavy with isolation began to lift as laughter filled the space. Mingi wasted no time in cracking jokes, and soon enough, Wooyoung was laughing alongside us, the sound pure and infectious.

"San told us about your drawings," Yunho said, glancing at Wooyoung's work. "They're amazing! Can we see more?"

Wooyoung's cheeks flushed with a mix of pride and shyness. "Sure," he said, hesitating for just a moment before pulling out a few more sketches. "This one is about freedom," he explained, his voice growing steadier. "I imagined what it would be like to be outside, exploring without fear."

As he shared his art, I felt a surge of admiration for him. Watching him open up to my friends felt like witnessing a flower bloom in real time. They leaned in, genuinely interested in his vision, asking questions that encouraged him to delve deeper into his thoughts.

"You have a real talent, Wooyoung," Mingi said earnestly, his gaze unwavering. "These are incredible. You should showcase them someday."

The compliment seemed to light a fire within Wooyoung, and I could see him gaining confidence with each word of encouragement. "Maybe one day," he replied, a tentative smile blossoming on his face. "I've just always felt... hidden, you know?"

"You're not hidden anymore," I chimed in, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're here with us, and we want to support you."

The connection between us was palpable, like an invisible thread weaving our stories together. Wooyoung's laughter became more frequent, and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the bond we were nurturing.

As the afternoon wore on, we played games and shared stories, the camaraderie growing deeper. Wooyoung was no longer just the shy boy in a vast mansion; he was an integral part of our little circle, each moment chipping away at the isolation that had once defined him.

Eventually, we settled into a cozy corner of the living room, the sun casting a warm glow through the windows. I watched as Wooyoung animatedly recounted a story about his drawings, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. In that moment, surrounded by laughter and friendship, I knew we were all beginning to create something beautiful together—a tapestry of acceptance, freedom, and hope.

As we lingered in that moment, I felt a sense of certainty wash over me. Together, we would face the challenges ahead, supporting one another as we continued our journeys toward understanding and belonging.

The echoes of their laughter faded, leaving me in the hushed embrace of my own thoughts. I glanced around the room, taking in the art supplies scattered across the table and the sketches I had shared with them. Each piece held a fragment of my soul, a piece of the freedom I so desperately longed for.

With a sigh, I moved to the window, looking out at the sprawling garden beyond. The sunlight bathed everything in golden hues, but I felt a heaviness in my chest. It was a stark contrast to the warmth I had just experienced. Despite the joy of the day, the quiet of the house reminded me of the isolation I often faced.

I returned to the living room, my steps soft against the polished floor. The drawings I had shared with San and his friends lay before me, waiting to be acknowledged again. I picked one up, tracing the lines with my fingers—the image of a boy standing on a hill, arms outstretched toward a bright, open sky. In that moment, I imagined it was me, free from the confines of this house.

But the silence felt suffocating, and my thoughts began to spiral. What if this was just a fleeting moment of happiness? What if I returned to my old life tomorrow, where I felt unseen and unheard? I longed to hold onto the connection I had forged, but a flicker of doubt gnawed at me.

Determined to not let the day slip away, I decided to immerse myself in my art. I gathered my supplies and settled into a cozy corner of the room. With each stroke of my pencil, I tried to capture the emotions swirling inside me. I poured my heart into the drawings, sketching scenes of vibrant colors and places I dreamed of exploring.

Time slipped by as I lost myself in my creativity. The outside world faded, and all that existed were my drawings and the hopes they represented. I envisioned forests where I could wander freely, oceans where I could dive deep without fear, and cities bustling with life where I could find acceptance.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room, I felt a bittersweet pang in my chest. I knew I would see San again, but the thought of waiting for that moment felt heavy. I wanted to tell him everything—to share my fears and dreams without hesitation.

Eventually, I took a break, resting my head against the cool glass of the window. The stars began to twinkle, dotting the darkening sky. I couldn't help but think of the moments we had shared, the way San had looked at me with such kindness and understanding. It was a stark contrast to how I had felt for so long—lost and hidden away.

That evening, I wandered through the mansion, finding solace in the quiet rooms. I realized that while I had spent much of my life feeling alone, today had shown me that connection was possible. I was beginning to see that I didn't have to carry my burdens in silence.

As I prepared for bed, I tucked my sketches under my pillow, a promise to myself that I would keep pursuing my art and my dreams. I lay there in the darkness, replaying the laughter and warmth of the day in my mind.

With a newfound sense of hope, I closed my eyes, allowing the images of San, Yunho, and Mingi to fill my thoughts. I knew that tomorrow would be another opportunity to step closer to freedom, and with that thought, I drifted off to sleep, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.