black cat | woosan ✔

35

Out of nowhere, Wooyoung stormed into the living room, determination blazing in his eyes. San, who was lazily scrolling on his phone, raised an eyebrow as Wooyoung marched right up to him.

"We need to talk about the cat."

San blinked, lowering his phone. "Okay...what about it?"

"We both want to adopt it. You know it. I know it," Wooyoung said, crossing his arms. "But we can't keep switching places like this. It's not good for the cat. And—" He hesitated, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "You and Mingi are gonna have to move back eventually."

San's gaze softened, but he didn't say anything.

"But Mingi...he's not coming back. He doesn't want to. He's happy with Yunho, and he probably likes it there more," Wooyoung mumbled, looking away. "And I get it, I really do."

San let out a slow breath, leaning forward on his knees. "Yeah. I get it too."

The silence between them felt heavy, thick with unspoken things.

"I don't want to move," San finally admitted, the words coming out quietly but with weight.

"And I don't want you to go," Wooyoung whispered, his voice barely audible.

They sat there, both unwilling to say it out loud, both knowing that staying like this—together—was what they really wanted. Wooyoung forced a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's go to the park. Maybe the cat will help us decide."

San chuckled. "That's your big plan?"

"Yep." Wooyoung grinned. "Got a better idea?"

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They strolled to the park with the black cat following close behind, its tail flicking lazily. Once they reached a quiet spot, they plopped down on the grass.

"Alright," Wooyoung said, rubbing his hands together. "First test. Feeding it random stuff."

They pulled out a mix of snacks—bits of bread, cheese, even a piece of lettuce San found in his pocket from God knows when. The cat sniffed at everything and, to their dismay, devoured all of it without preference.

San tilted his head. "Well, that was useless."

Wooyoung nodded, unfazed. "Okay. New idea. Hide-and-seek."

They spent the next twenty minutes hiding behind random park benches, trees, and bushes, giggling like children. But every time, the cat would sniff them both out equally, hopping between Wooyoung's hiding spots and San's like it was a game.

"Not working," San muttered, flopping down on the grass as the cat trotted up to him.

"Yeah," Wooyoung huffed, plopping down beside him. "What else can we do?"

They tried racing each other across the park to see who the cat would follow (it followed both). They tried calling its name from opposite ends, hoping it would pick a side (it ran straight to the middle). By the end, they were fucking exhausted, sprawled out on the grass and watching the orange autumn sky turn to a dusky shade of gray.

"It's 6 PM," San muttered, rubbing his eyes. "We should head back."

Wooyoung groaned. "Not yet. We still haven't decided."

San gave him a side-eye. "You're really not gonna let this go, huh?"

"Nope." Wooyoung grinned, sitting up. "Last idea. We stretch our arms out and see who the cat runs to first."

San gave an amused chuckle but followed along, both of them sitting cross-legged as they extended their arms toward the cat.

"Okay," Wooyoung said dramatically, "Moment of truth."

The black cat blinked at them both, seemingly bored with their antics. Then, slowly, it trotted toward them. Wooyoung's heart raced as he waited—was it going to pick him?

But instead of choosing a side, the cat stepped forward and gently placed one paw on Wooyoung's left thigh...and the other on San's right thigh.

They both froze, staring down at the little creature.

San smirked. "You know what that means."

Wooyoung looked at him, a fond smile spreading across his face. "Guess we're still stuck with each other?"

San shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "Mm. Could be worse."

The cat settled between them, purring softly, as if pleased with its decision. And, really, they were too.

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The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time Wooyoung and San got home, the cool autumn breeze trailing behind them as they stepped inside. Wooyoung held the door open with his foot while balancing the cat in one arm and several of their stuff in the other.

"You think this cat realizes it just scammed two grown men into adopting it?" San teased, kicking off his shoes.

Wooyoung scoffed but smiled, gently setting the cat down. "We were always gonna adopt it. We just had to figure out how we were gonna deal with...well, us."

The cat stretched luxuriously on the rug, as if claiming the space already. It purred and rubbed itself against San's ankle, and then, not to be outdone, trotted over to Wooyoung and bumped its head into his shin.

"See? It's already using both of us. Smart creature, aren't you?" San muttered.

Wooyoung laughed, setting down their stuff. "And now it's officially home."

After getting ready for sleep, they fell into their usual routine—one that felt comfortable, familiar, and strangely complete. San flicked on a lamp in the corner, filling the room with a warm golden glow. Meanwhile, Wooyoung set up a small blanket and pillow on the couch.

"There." Wooyoung beamed, placing a new, dark purple collar with a tiny bell on the cat. "Now you really belong here."

The cat gave a soft meow, seemingly approving, and Wooyoung couldn't resist ruffling its fur.

San leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So, where's it sleeping?"

Wooyoung shrugged. "Couch for now? Unless..."

San raised an eyebrow. "Unless what?"

Wooyoung's grin turned mischievous. "Unless you let it sleep in the bed. Atleast until it gets its own."

San rolled his eyes. "Sure, but only if you're sleeping there too."

Wooyoung's heart skipped a beat at the casual statement, but he quickly masked it with playful bravado. "I always knew you liked me."

San gave him a lazy smirk. "And yet here you are, acting surprised."

The night slipped into quiet comfort, the three of them settling into their new rhythm. Wooyoung curled up on one side of the couch, the cat nestled comfortably between him and San, who had stretched out beside them.

"Feels right, doesn't it?" Wooyoung whispered, his voice soft as he rested his head on San's shoulder.

San gave a small hum of agreement, draping an arm over Wooyoung's side and pulling him closer. The cat let out a soft purr, seemingly content with the warmth surrounding it.

"Looks like the cat made the decision," San murmured.

Wooyoung chuckled sleepily. "Mm...I guess it did."

And as the soft hum of purring filled the room, the three of them drifted into a peaceful slumber, right where they belonged.