black cat | woosan ✔

16

The morning sun peeked timidly through the clouds, casting a soft, golden light over the quiet city streets. Wooyoung stood in front of their door, shifting on his feet. His hands were shoved deep into his hoodie pocket, knuckles white from gripping too hard.

Apologies weren't exactly his strong suit, especially when he knew how bad he had messed up. But there was no way he was letting this fight fester between them. Not with Mingi.

Taking a deep breath, he reached out and knocked softly.

A few seconds later, the door cracked open, revealing Mingi with tired eyes and messy blonde hair sticking in every direction. He adjusted his glasses and looked at Wooyoung like he was expecting him.

Wooyoung gave him a sheepish smile. "Hey..."

Mingi stared at him for a beat, then sighed heavily and opened the door wider. "Get in here."

The door clicked shut behind them, and the awkward silence hung heavy between them. Wooyoung shuffled to the center of the room, standing stiffly like a scolded child.

"I—uh..." Wooyoung started, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wanted to say I'm sorry."

Mingi raised an eyebrow but said nothing, arms crossed.

Wooyoung huffed, frustrated at himself. "Look, I know I've been... difficult. And I hate that I made you cry. I swear I didn't mean to—"

"You didn't mean to?" Mingi cut in, his tone sharp but not unkind. "Then what did you mean, Woo?"

Wooyoung's shoulders sagged under the weight of guilt. "I don't know, dude. I just...I was stupid, and I took it too far."

Mingi stayed quiet for a moment, watching Wooyoung squirm. And then, finally, he sighed again—quieter this time—and uncrossed his arms.

"You're a dumbass," Mingi muttered, his voice tired but fond.

Wooyoung's lips twitched upward. "Yeah...I know."

A tense pause stretched between them before Mingi gave in, stepping closer to pull Wooyoung into a tight hug. Wooyoung blinked in surprise but melted into it, wrapping his arms around his best friend like he never wanted to let go.

"Don't ever make me cry like that again," Mingi whispered, voice cracking slightly.

"Never," Wooyoung promised. "Not in a million years."

They stood there for a long time, saying everything through the silence that words couldn't convey. When they finally pulled away, Mingi gave him a small smile, and just like that, things between them began to feel right again.

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Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, San stood awkwardly in front of their apartment door, kicking at the ground. The cold breeze nipped at his neck, but it didn't bother him nearly as much as the anxiety bubbling in his chest.

He inhaled sharply, mustering every ounce of courage he had, and knocked.

The door swung open faster than he anticipated, revealing Yunho with his usual calm expression, arms crossed over his chest. His brown hair looked messier than usual, and he raised an eyebrow as if to say, What took you so long?

San cleared his throat. "Hey..."

Yunho leaned against the doorframe. "You here to make things right or make things worse?"

San winced but tried to play it off with a smirk. "Depends. Which one do you want?"

Yunho didn't laugh, and San's grin faltered. He bit his lip and shifted awkwardly. "Look, I know I was being...me. And I know you're tired of that. But I didn't mean to blow up like that. I just—"

"San," Yunho interrupted, his voice quiet. "Do you even know what you were angry about?"

San blinked, caught off-guard by the question. "I mean...the whole thing with the cat, and—"

"You were mad at Wooyoung," Yunho said, cutting him off. "Not at me. But I ended up in the crossfire anyway."

San opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out. Yunho wasn't wrong.

"I'm sorry," San muttered, voice low and rough. "I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Yunho gave him a long, unreadable look before stepping back from the doorway. "Get in here before you freeze to death."

San exhaled in relief and stepped inside. The warmth of the apartment wrapped around him instantly, but it was the weight lifting off his chest that truly made him feel lighter.

They sat on the couch in silence for a while, neither of them in any rush to fill the quiet. Then, without looking at San, Yunho spoke again. "You're an idiot."

San chuckled softly, the tension in his shoulders finally easing. "Yeah. I know."

Yunho rolled his eyes but didn't bother hiding the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Just...try not to be an idiot too often, okay?"

"No promises," San teased, nudging Yunho lightly.

Yunho snorted, shaking his head. "I figured."

And just like that, the rift between them began to close, stitched together with familiar banter and unspoken forgiveness.