A Place to Belong - Woosan

{16 - Sanctuary}

The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across Wooyoung's backyard. It wasn't the neat, manicured garden San had grown up with, but that only made it more charming. It was wild and sprawling, with overgrown patches of grass and clusters of flowers that seemed to bloom wherever they pleased. Small wooden birdhouses hung from the trees, and a worn stone path wound its way through the unruly greenery. It was, in a word, chaotic.

But it was the kind of chaos that felt alive, full of purpose.

"I know it looks a little... disorganized," Wooyoung said with a sheepish grin as they stepped outside. "But there's a method to the madness, I promise."

San smiled, already charmed by the untamed beauty of the space. He wasn't used to seeing this side of Wooyoung—the side that embraced imperfection and let nature take its course. There was something calming about it, something that felt like Wooyoung himself—unpretentious and full of life.

"It's beautiful," San said softly, his eyes drifting over the garden as they walked. "I like it."

Wooyoung's grin widened, clearly pleased. "Thanks. I've been working on it for a while. I'm not much of a gardener, but I wanted to create a space where birds and other creatures could find a little sanctuary, you know? Somewhere they could come and feel safe."

San looked at him, his heart swelling with affection at the thought. Of course Wooyoung would do something like this—creating a haven, not just for San, but in all areas of his life, for the wild things that passed through, and the people he cared for. It was such a small, quiet act of kindness, but it said so much about who Wooyoung was.

They walked slowly through the garden, Wooyoung pointing out the different plants and flowers he'd planted, explaining how some of them were chosen specifically because they attracted certain birds or provided food for small creatures, or that a specific caterpillar that turned into a beautiful butterfly. San listened, but his mind was elsewhere, turning over the deeper meaning behind Wooyoung's words.

This wasn't just a garden. It was a metaphor. It was a tangible demonstrations of the goodness, the thoughtfulness, the intention that Wooyoung put into every part of his life. 

Wooyoung was creating spaces for others to feel safe, just like he had been doing for San all this time. Without demanding anything in return, without asking for anything he wasn't ready to give, Wooyoung had quietly, patiently been building a sanctuary around San. He had been offering him a place to heal, to feel secure, to be himself without fear of judgment or hurt.

San's heart tightened as the realization hit him—Wooyoung's kindness wasn't just an act. It wasn't done to get something in return. It wasn't something he did to earn favor or to manipulate. It was truly who he was. He was the kind of person who cared, deeply and genuinely, without expecting anything in return.

And that... that was something San wasn't sure he deserved. Didn't understand how this incredible man had come into his life. But the more time he spent with Wooyoung, the more he began to believe that fate, the universe, something had brought Wooyoung to him, and he was going to hold on to him as long as possible. 

They stopped in front of a small wooden bench tucked beneath an old oak tree, the shade providing a cool respite from the afternoon sun. Wooyoung sat down, patting the spot beside him with a grin. San joined him, their shoulders brushing as they settled into the quiet of the garden.

For a while, they just sat there, listening to the birds chirping in the trees, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. It was peaceful, the kind of peace San hadn't felt in a long time, and as he glanced at Wooyoung, he felt a swell of gratitude that this man had come into his life.

"This place," San said quietly, his voice soft but full of meaning. "It's special. Like you."

Wooyoung blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. He turned to San, his eyes searching his face for a moment before a small, sincere smile tugged at his lips. "Thanks, San. That means a lot."

San's gaze lingered on Wooyoung, and for a moment, he considered saying more—about how much Wooyoung meant to him, about how grateful he was for everything. But the words caught in his throat, the fear still too strong, too raw.

Wooyoung didn't push. He never did.

Instead, he reached out, his hand brushing against San's as he spoke, his voice steady but laced with something deeper. "You know, I've been thinking about this garden a lot. How it's kind of like life, I guess. Messy, imperfect, but if you let things grow at their own pace, they turn out okay. Sometimes even better than you expected."

San glanced down at their hands, his heart beating a little faster as Wooyoung's fingers curled around his. He knew what Wooyoung was saying, even if he didn't say it outright. This was Wooyoung's way of telling him that it was okay to take his time, to let things grow slowly, without pressure.

That was exactly why San had fallen for him. Wooyoung wasn't just patient—he was kind. He was the type of person who made you believe that you could heal, that you could trust again, even when everything in your past told you otherwise.

Yet Wooyoung didn't know. San had never told him. Though the words lingered on the tip of his tongue, San still wasn't sure if he could say them out loud—not yet. He just hoped he could convey the depth of his feelings through his actions, his attentiveness, his initiation of skinship between them. 

For Wooyoung's part, the urge to tell San he adored him, loved him even, was always there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment. Every time they were together, every time San let him in just a little more, Wooyoung felt it building inside him—a quiet, persistent longing that made him want to say the words out loud.

But he didn't. Not yet.

Wooyoung knew San wasn't ready. He knew San was still fighting his own battles, still healing from the hurt his ex had left behind. And the last thing Wooyoung wanted was to make San feel pressured, to make him feel like he had to give more than he was ready for. So, instead of saying the words, Wooyoung kept showing him.

He brought San deeper into his life, little by little, hoping that San could feel the love that Wooyoung hadn't yet put into words. He wasn't in a rush. He would wait, as long as it took, because he knew that San was worth it.

As they sat there in the garden, the warmth of Wooyoung's hand wrapped around his, San felt a quiet certainty settle over him. He wasn't ready to say everything he felt, but he knew, deep down, that Wooyoung wasn't going anywhere. He was here—steady, patient, and full of love that San could feel, even if it hadn't been spoken.

And maybe, one day soon, San would be ready to say the words too.

But for now, this was enough. This sanctuary they had created together, this space where San could grow at his own pace, was more than enough.