Lines Crossed (SanSang)

24

San met up with Wooyoung later that afternoon at their usual café. Wooyoung was already sitting at a corner table, scrolling through his phone when San walked in. He glanced up and gave San a quick wave before going back to his screen.

San grabbed a coffee and made his way over, dropping into the seat across from Wooyoung. He couldn't shake the tightness in his chest from earlier, the way Yeosang had so easily ditched their plans to be with Jongho. It shouldn't have bothered him, but it did.

Wooyoung set his phone down, looking at San with a raised eyebrow. "Alright, spill. What's going on with you?"

San hesitated for a second, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's... nothing, really."

Wooyoung shot him an unimpressed look. "Don't pull that 'nothing' crap with me, San. You've been weird all day. Is this about Yeosang?"

San blinked in surprise, his throat tightening at the directness of Wooyoung's question. "What? Why would it be about Yeosang?"

Wooyoung leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Come on, you've been tense every time he's around. And today? You looked like you were about to punch someone when Jongho walked up to him."

San shifted uncomfortably, trying to keep his expression neutral. "I just don't get why Yeosang is spending so much time with Jongho. Like... we're friends, right? I thought he'd want to hang out more."

Wooyoung squinted at him, clearly skeptical. "San, people can have more than one friend. Yeosang and Jongho go way back, you know? And you're acting like you're jealous or something."

San scoffed, though the word hit a little too close to home. "Jealous? I'm not jealous. I just... I don't know. It's weird seeing them so close. Jongho looks at him like—like he's still got feelings for him or something."

Wooyoung raised an eyebrow. "Maybe he does. So what?"

San blinked. "What do you mean, 'so what'? Doesn't that bother you? Yeosang doesn't even like him that way, but Jongho's always around."

Wooyoung studied San carefully for a moment before leaning in, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "San... you do realize you sound like a jealous boyfriend right now, right?"

San froze, heat creeping up his neck. "That's not it. I'm just worried about Yeosang. I mean, what if Jongho tries something, and Yeosang feels awkward? He shouldn't have to deal with that."

Wooyoung chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh my god, you're so dense."

San frowned, confused and a little irritated. "What are you talking about?"

"San, look," Wooyoung said, leaning forward on the table. "You've been acting weird ever since Yeosang started hanging out with Jongho again. You're more than just worried about him as a friend—you're jealous. And don't even try to deny it."

San opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out. He couldn't deny it, not really. The truth was, every time he saw Yeosang with Jongho, something twisted inside him. It was more than just frustration or concern—it was something deeper, something he didn't want to admit to himself.

Wooyoung's eyes softened, seeing the conflict on San's face. "You've never thought about why it bothers you so much, have you?"

San hesitated, his thoughts spinning. He had tried to brush off the growing discomfort he felt, the way his chest tightened whenever Jongho was with Yeosang, the way his heart sank when Yeosang canceled their plans. It was easier to pretend it was just about friendship.

But now, with Wooyoung looking at him like that, it was harder to ignore.

"I don't know," San muttered, finally speaking. "I guess... I didn't realize it would bother me this much."