black cat | woosan ✔

20

Mingi stood in the dim light of their apartment, staring at the door he had firmly locked the night before. He felt a swell of conflicting emotions as he replayed the events of the previous day. The argument between Wooyoung and San had been explosive, leaving them both humiliated in front of their peers. Mingi had chosen to lock Wooyoung out, thinking it was for the best—he needed time to cool off, to think about how to handle the situation.

As he opened the door to finally let Wooyoung in, Mingi was met with a sight that tugged at his heart. Wooyoung was curled up on the couch, sound asleep, his face relaxed in a way that made Mingi's anger wane. The couch was small, and Wooyoung had somehow managed to occupy almost all of it, his arms and legs flopped in awkward positions. Mingi felt a twinge of guilt wash over him, realizing he hadn't just locked Wooyoung out of the room; he had locked him out of his heart too.

Quietly, he walked to the kitchen to refill his water bottle, trying to shake off the heavy weight of frustration that had settled in his chest. He knew he couldn't stay mad at Wooyoung forever. He had to figure out a way to help him understand just how serious their actions were—how they affected not only themselves but also those around them.

Mingi filled the bottle, watching the water swirl in the clear plastic as he contemplated what to say when Wooyoung woke up. Would he apologize? Would he express his anger? The lines were blurred, and the uncertainty made him feel restless.

After refilling his bottle, he returned to their room but hesitated at the door. He really didn't want to go to campus today, not after everything that had happened. Instead, he pulled out his phone and dialed Yunho's number. He needed advice, and he knew Yunho would have a more level-headed perspective on the situation.

"Mingi?" Yunho's voice came through, a mixture of concern and fatigue evident even over the phone.

"Hey," Mingi replied, sitting down on his bed. "Sorry for calling so early. But...I wanna talk to you. What should we do about Wooyoung and San? This whole thing...it got out of hand. Atleast for me it did."

Yunho paused for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. "Trust me, I bet it was way worse for San and I. But you know Wooyoung—he just gets fired up sometimes. Have you talked to him yet?"

Mingi rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the tension knotting up there. "He's sleeping on the couch right now. I don't know if I should wake him up. He looked exhausted."

"I locked San out aswell. He got mad again and decided to shout at my ass," Yunho laughed bitterly. "I locked him out completely. That'll teach him."

"I don't know why...but taking care of him let alone living with Wooyoung feels forced all of a sudden." Mingi admitted.

"I get it," Yunho calmed him down, "but maybe you should take some time off him."

That confused Mingi.

"W-What are you suggesting?" He asked, a bit afraid of what Yunho would reply.

"I'm saying...you move out. Temporarily if you want to." Yunho suggested.

Mingi's heart sank at Yunho's suggestion. Moving out? The idea felt like a slap in the face, especially after everything that had happened. He couldn't fathom being away from Wooyoung, even for a short time. They had always been inseparable, their friendship built on shared experiences and unwavering support. But now, with the weight of their recent argument hanging over them, the thought of taking a break felt like an admission of defeat.

"Yunho, I don't think that's the answer," Mingi said, his voice trembling slightly. "I love Wooyoung. More than anything. I can't just run away from our problems. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Face them head-on?"

"I get that, but sometimes stepping back can give you both the space to think," Yunho replied, trying to sound rational. "You need to be in a good place emotionally before you can really help him. If you're both too heated, things might just escalate again."

"But what if he thinks I'm abandoning him?" Mingi countered, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. "What if he ends up feeling more alone?"

"Maybe you're not abandoning him, but giving him the chance to miss you," Yunho suggested gently. "You'll still be there for him, just not under the same roof. He'll have to face his own feelings without you around, and maybe that'll lead to some growth for both of you."

Mingi paused, processing Yunho's words. It was a tough pill to swallow, but there was some merit to the idea. Wooyoung had always been impulsive and emotional, and Mingi often felt responsible for keeping him grounded. Perhaps a little distance would help Wooyoung see things from a different perspective.

"Okay, let's say I do it," Mingi said, finally relenting. "But...where would I go? I can't just crash at your place."

"Don't worry about that. You can." Yunho replied immediately after.

"W-What?" Mingi asked, astonished. "W-What about San?"

"I'll have to make him take a break from this place then."

What the fuck?

"Y-You're kicking him out? For how long?"

"However long it takes?"

"I-Isn't that...isn't that a bit extreme?" Mingi interjected, his mind racing. "What if they both freak out? I mean, San can be a handful when he's stressed, and Wooyoung...well, we both know how he can react."

"Trust me, Mingi," Yunho said, his voice firm but calm. "I'll handle it. It's just temporary. I can manage San, and you need this time to clear your head without Wooyoung hovering over you."

Mingi sighed, still feeling uneasy about the whole situation. "But what if it makes things worse? What if they don't want to be separated? You know how stubborn they are."

"Sometimes you have to force a little separation to see the bigger picture," Yunho explained. "And besides, I'll be there to help guide them through it. Just think of it as a reset. A little break might just be what both of you need to figure out how to move forward."

Mingi bit his lip, weighing the pros and cons. Yunho had a point. Both he and Wooyoung could benefit from a breather after their heated argument. But the thought of actively creating distance between them felt wrong.

"Okay, but how do I tell him?" Mingi asked hesitantly.

"Just be honest," Yunho suggested. "Tell him you need some space to think. He'll understand, even if it takes a little while for him to accept it. I'll talk to San and make sure he's okay, and then I can have you over for a couple of days."

"Right," Mingi replied, nodding slowly. "Thanks, Yunho. I guess it's worth a shot."

"Good. Just keep me posted, alright?"

After they hung up, Mingi felt a mix of apprehension and relief. He stood up and walked toward the living room, where Wooyoung was still asleep on the couch. The sight of his best friend, peaceful and serene, tugged at Mingi's heart.