Spinning Out || w o o s a n ||

❄9❄

The cool air from inside the rink hugs his arms and legs, it embraces him completely as he skates backwards with speed. He pushes his blade forward and jumps, spinning one, two, three, four, four and a half times, them landing perfectly on the opposite leg backwards. He's been getting the hang of it after two weeks of constantly practicing, after his last interaction with his mom from that day, after he told San what had happened two years ago... And things have started to get a little bit better, in a way, if he can call it like that. Wooyoung doesn't even know it himself, he's stopped being himself after so long, so he doesn't even recall how he was before. He remembers being happy, but being happy, feeling happiness inside his veins is a very strange concept.

Someone claps loudly in the background, the sound echoing inside the empty large space. Wooyoung slows down and looks at the person.

Yeosang owns that proud smile of his and for some reason, Wooyoung smiles back. He's a little bit proud of himself, because he has finally mastered this hard jump. He still fails it sometimes, but compared with a month ago or with two weeks ago, right now he does it so much better. But he cannot be fully proud of himself for now, these failures are still a reminder to him that he is far from perfection.

"It's already nine?" He skates towards his best friend and jumps off the ice. The rink is closed already, all afternoon practices are over, including Yeosang's class for today, but he insisted to wait for him until he was done at nine. Wooyoung wanted to practice more today, he had the energy for the first time in weeks, and there was no way he would have missed such opportunity. Wooyoung's desire is to be better, to get better at everything he's doing. He's so tired of always falling apart.

"Almost." Yeosang hands him the blade protectors once he's reached him. "We have to pick up Jongho. San is already waiting outside."

"Mhm..." Wooyoung grabs the protectors and slides them over quickly.

He doesn't know how to feel about the whole San thing. Somewhat, they are friends again, somewhat, after that evening, after he told him about what happened two years ago, after they hugged, after all those tears, they kind of drifted back towards each other without even meaning to or realizing it. It's a weird feeling, that keeps growing inside his chest by each day that passes by, and he really does not know what to think of it. They're friends again, still on awkward terms, but they are indeed friends. He still does not know why he deserves to have San back in his life, but maybe if he keeps on questioning it all he'll do is so much worse. He should accept it, he should make peace with the idea, he should be glad that San is back for good, that he is not leaving again.

"I'm happy." Yeosang breaks the silence as they make their way towards the locker rooms. Wooyoung glances at him. He is a smiling mess, eyes glimmering with happiness. He looks beautiful, like an angel, and for the first time in years, Wooyoung realizes he hasn't seen this smile on Yeosang's face at all in so long. He should smile more often.

"Of what?" He asks as he pushes the metal door open.

"This." He gestures lightly. "It's been so long, since you know, we spent time together as friends. I missed it."

Wooyoung nods and unlocks his locker. He grabs his bag and boots, sits down on the bench and proceeds to take off his skates. It really has been a lot of time since they hung out like this, since he spent time with his friends, especially with his best friend who has been by his side all these years. Wooyoung is a jerk, he hates himself for not being a better friend, for constantly hurting Yeosang and as much as the older keeps on telling him he was never mad about it, or that he was forgiven of everything he has done until now, Wooyoung finds it hard to believe him.

He's been a bad friend, he still is a bad friend, yet... They all stick to him like superglue for some reason.

"Why are you pouting?" A warm finger pokes his cheek, making Wooyoung flinch and jump out of his thoughts. Apparently, he's been staring at the floor, with his boot being held between his fingers. But hearing Yeosang giggle makes him chuckle as well.