black cat | woosan ✔

34

LONG CHAPTER AHEAD

The afternoon light filtered softly through the window, casting a warm glow over the living room where Yunho and Mingi sat. Mingi's expression was serious, and Yunho could sense the storm brewing beneath his boyfriend's calm exterior.

"Mingi, are you sure about this?" Yunho asked, shifting in his seat. He felt a knot tightening in his stomach as he watched Mingi fidget with the hem of his shirt. "It's been a few days since everything went down. What if Wooyoung doesn't want to talk?"

Mingi's jaw set, determination shining in his eyes. "I can't keep ghosting him, Yunho. I don't want to lose him. I know he's been hurt, and I hate that I played a part in it. We both need to apologize."

Yunho sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're right, but I'm not sure how I fit into this. I still feel awkward about what happened between me and San."

Mingi shook his head. "Just talk to him. We can't keep letting this fucking eat away at us. We need to be adults about this." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm calling Wooyoung. I just hope he picks up."

As Mingi scrolled through his contacts, Yunho's heart raced. He felt guilty for letting things spiral so far, for not checking in with San. Mingi pressed the call button, and they both held their breath as the phone rang.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wooyoung lounged on the couch, a blanket draped lazily over his legs while San sat cross-legged beside him, immersed in a game on his phone. The atmosphere was easygoing, but Wooyoung's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of worry about Mingi.

"Do you think he's okay?" Wooyoung suddenly asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

San looked up, his brow furrowing slightly. "I don't know. He's been pretty quiet. You're still worried about him, huh?"

"I just...miss him, you know? He is my best friend," Wooyoung admitted, biting his lip. "But what if I never get to apologize? What if I messed things up beyond repair?" His voice grew dull, and he leaned back against the couch. 

He then turned to San and gave him a bittersweet smile, "October is said to be the month of friendship breakups. I never believed it. Is it getting back at me now?" he said, mockingly.

San's expression softened as he processed Wooyoung's words. Without hesitation, he pulled Wooyoung into the most comforting and warm hug he could muster. "Hey, it's okay. We'll figure this out together," he reassured, holding him tightly. "You're not losing Mingi. You both care about each other too much for that."

Just as Wooyoung began to feel a bit more at ease, his phone buzzed on the table, breaking the moment. He let go of San, his stomach dropping when he saw Mingi's name flashing on the screen. "W-Why is he calling?" he muttered, anxiety washing over him.

"Answer it," San urged, his eyes steady on Wooyoung.

With trembling hands, Wooyoung swiped to answer. "Mingi."

"Wooyoung," Mingi's voice was tentative but hopeful. "Can we talk? Like, in person?"

Wooyoung glanced at San, unsure of what to do. San only nodded, eager to know where this was going to go.

A mixture of excitement and anxiety flooded Wooyoung. "Um, okay. Where?"

"Meet me at the park in thirty?" Mingi suggested, his tone serious.

"Yeah, okay," Wooyoung replied, glancing at San, who nodded encouragingly. "I'll be there."

"Good. And if you can, bring San, too," Mingi added, his voice wavering slightly. "But if you can't...it doesn't matter." He hung up abruptly.