A Place to Belong - A Woosan Novel

{ 21 - What Comes After }

The drive home from the grocery store was quiet, the weight of San's words still lingering in the air between them. They didn't talk much—both San and Wooyoung seemed lost in thought, each turning over the events of the past hour in their minds.

Once they reached San's apartment, they put away the groceries, a comforting silence settling around them. It wasn't an awkward silence, but a shared, contemplative one. They were both processing, letting the new reality sink in. San, still feeling the rush of relief and pride from standing up to his ex, couldn't quite believe he'd confessed his love so openly—yet, here they were.

Finally, Wooyoung broke the silence, his voice soft but steady. "So... do you want to talk about it?" he asked, leaning against the kitchen counter, watching San's every move with gentle curiosity.

San hesitated, glancing at Wooyoung before looking down. "I didn't mean to say it like that," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't regret it, if that's what you're worried about."

Wooyoung's expression softened, a quiet smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Good," he said, crossing the space between them. "Because I don't regret hearing it, or saying it back."

They stood in the middle of the kitchen, the warm glow of the overhead lights casting soft shadows around them. San took a deep breath, letting himself feel the safety of Wooyoung's presence. It felt like home—something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"I didn't think I'd ever say those words again," San admitted, his voice low. "Not after... everything that happened."

Wooyoung nodded, reaching out to take San's hand. He didn't press, didn't ask for details. He just waited, offering the silent reassurance that he was there, fully present, and ready to listen if San needed to talk.

San squeezed his hand, grateful for the quiet understanding. "I don't think I realized how much of me was still stuck in the past," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Seeing him today, though... It was like I was finally able to let it go. To let him go."

Wooyoung's hand tightened around San's, his thumb tracing gentle circles against his skin. "You were strong today, jagi," he said softly. "Stronger than you know."

San looked up, meeting Wooyoung's steady gaze. "I don't think I could have ever done it without you," he admitted. "You make me feel... safe. Like I can finally be myself, that I'm worth defending myself, you helped me see that. ."

A soft smile spread across Wooyoung's face, and he pulled San into a gentle embrace, holding him close. They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in the quiet warmth of each other's presence. San closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the comfort of Wooyoung's arms, feeling the tension and lingering hurt from his past begin to fade away.

"Thank you," San murmured, his voice muffled against Wooyoung's shoulder. "For being here. For being... you."

Wooyoung chuckled softly, pulling back just enough to look San in the eyes. "I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "Whatever happens, I'm here. For you."

San felt a lump form in his throat, his heart swelling with emotion. He hadn't expected this—hadn't expected Wooyoung to come into his life and make him feel so deeply, so completely. But now that he was here, San couldn't imagine his life any other way.

They moved to the couch, settling into the familiar comfort of their routine. Wooyoung threw an arm around San's shoulders, pulling him close, and San leaned into him, feeling the steady beat of Wooyoung's heart against his own.

For the first time, San felt the weight of his past truly lifting, replaced by the steady, comforting presence of the person beside him. And as they sat there in the quiet, he knew that he didn't just love Wooyoung—he was finally ready to let himself be loved, too.

He softly reached up to pull Wooyoung's mouth down to his, shifting to slide Wooyoung on to his lap to access his mouth better. Wooyoung didn't hesitate, understanding immediately that San needed the closeness, the intimacy of their bond together renewed.

Wooyoung deepened the kiss, opening his mouth to allow San to sweep his tongue in, tasting him, sucking on him, nipping his lips. Basically driving Wooyoung to the edge of his restraint. He began to gently rock himself on San's lap needing the additional stimulation to his groin. He could feel San's heavy and hot under him.

He pulled away slightly to begin unbuttoning San's shirt, but after a few thwarted attempts, San just grabbed the front and ripped the shirt open, buttons scattering to the floor. Wooyoung wasted no time running his hands down his chest to his abdomen, stroking his six pack, then trailing his hand back up to San's shoulders to press himself even closer. He could now feel San's fully erect cock right under his ass. He teased San by pushing down a bit, teasingly, earning a low groan from the man under him.

"Careful princess, don't start something you don't plan on finishing." San said in his sexy low voice.

Wooyoung smirked back at him, "Who says I don't plan on finishing?" he said with a laugh.