𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 • 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠

Ensnared

Yeosang would be a fool to miss how San had seemed distracted ever since they'd settled in the car, and he'd have to be completely blind to not realise that as they approached the market, San got more quiet and more distant. Its why Yeosang had asked the younger if he was ok, he wanted to check in.

When San said he was "fine" though Yeosang tried to put his observations aside, maybe he was making something out of nothing, maybe he had read the situation wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. But just in case he placed his hand on San's thigh knowing that the simple touch would soothe San.

Once they reached the market, (which side note, in Yeosang's opinion is probably the coolest place he's ever been to and is secretly bothered that his parents never ever took him too) and San took more than what would be considered a reasonable amount of time to get out of his car, Yeosang knew something was up.

As soon as San finally left the car, had stopped stretching and opened his eyes Yeosang was determined to get San inside before he could change his mind hence why he had taken the boys hand and pulled him inside. But even despite managing to get San within the market San still looked lost. Something was indeed wrong.

It was as if San's mind was ensnared elsewhere and he was struggling to ground himself.

Although San did smile and laugh and joke, his eyes drifted off into nothingness every now and then as they made their way around the market. San was present, but his consciousness elsewhere. Yeosang knew San was not necessarily searching for something, it was just as if San was simply losing himself.

Yeosang soon figured out that if he wasn't engaging with San then that's when San looked most distant and maybe a little scared; although Yeosang had no idea what reason San had to be scared for.

Whatever was happening with San it did worry Yeosang. Had he done something to annoy San? Was asking San to take care of him too much in the end? Had San decided that he didn't like the market and maybe he was thinking about how they should go elsewhere or worse yet, home? Was San doubting their relationship?

About 3 aisles in Yeosang decided to do something about it, he needed to know, no matter what the answer may be, because he was starting to feel exactly how San looked.

Yeosang put down the book he had been flicking through back on the shelf he'd crouched down at, he then stood up, and sidled up beside San.

He wanted to lay a comforting hand on San's back, something was telling him in the back of his mind that he should, but he decided against it just in case whatever was going on with San was negative and his hand may only worsen things.

"You ok San-ah? You're zoning out on me. . .in fact you keep zoning out on me, what's up? Am I doing something wrong" he asked, he felt like he was pleading with San, and he desperately hoped he wasn't being shut out.

Thankfully San shook his head "No, No Yeosangie, you've done nothing wrong" San paused and Yeosang allowed him the time to formulate his words, not wanting to interrupt him "This place just reminds me of someone"

"Who?" Yeosang questioned, the single word spilling from his mouth before he'd even considered whether he truly wanted to know the answer or not in the first place. Was it a relative? A friend? An ex girlfriend?

San poked at some toy he'd picked up before tossing it away. Then San's body suddenly went ridged, as if he was being encapsulated in ice and Yeosang resisted the urge to touch him as best he could. But when tears started welling up in San's eyes Yeosang knew he was fighting a losing battle.

Why on earth was San crying?? Who was this someone that could make San look so lost and distant? Yeosang felt like he'd been given a page to book and without the other pages the story made no sense. It was incomplete. San was incomplete.

Yeosang watched on, practically frozen himself as San took a deep breath.

"This place reminds me of my mum. My birth mum"

Yeosang was completely motionless for a moment, sighing in relief that what was happening to San wasn't his fault, but then in literally a matter of milliseconds began to wonder why San's birth mother would make San so upset.

Yeosang recalled that San had no photos of his mum up in his home, only his step mother. Was she a bad women? Had she done something to hurt San? Yeosang was about 2 seconds away from preparing to fight for San's happiness or raise hell on earth. But the second that tears began to fall in waves from San's pretty eyes Yeosang realised that it was something else.

These tears weren't out of hatred or fear, they were tears of love, of longing. . .of loss.

With no hesitation Yeosang wrapped San in his arms cradling the younger's crying form within his embrace, and he gently rubbed circles into San's shaking back.

Of course Yeosang was curious to know more about San's mother and inevitably his past, but right now his main priority was to soothe San's heart that had appeared to shatter right before his very eyes.

Yeosang held San tighter wanting the younger to feel secure and safe, and he was prepared to stand all day and all night until San stopped crying.

The old lady from the front counter happened to pass by, and she seemed deeply concerned with what was happening. She didn't say anything though, as if knowing that her words would cause a hindrance. Instead she scurried away for a couple of moments before returning and wordlessly leaving a box of tissues and a glass of water nearby. She obviously had no idea what was happening but it was clear she wanted to help, so after a soft thank you from Yeosang she left the two.

Yeosang hummed gently, calming San as his tears slowed. He didn't really want to let San go but he knew the tissues and water would be of help, so he pulled back, picked up the box and water and then handed the water to San and pulled out a tissue to dry is eyes.

San's bottom lip quivered, and Yeosang was concerned that the younger's shaking hand would drop the cup, thankfully he didn't though and the water was soon gone. Yeosang placed the cup of to the side, which out of nowhere was collected by the old women, and then Yeosang began to blot the remaining tears from San's eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Yeosang questioned softly, terrified that his words may cause San to cry once more.

San remained silent.

Yeosang looked about, seeking for answers in the stalls around them, his eyes fell to the old woman, and as if she had read his mind she gestured down the aisle to what Yeosang soon realised was a door that would take them outside.

Yeosang nodded in thanks to the woman again, and without delay he laced San's fingers with his own and pulled the younger in the direction of the door that would take them outside.

Under other circumstances Yeosang would have squealed in delight at seeing the beautiful garden that was situated adjacent to the market shed.

There were beautiful sculptures and flowers of all shapes and colours, but right now Yeosang wasn't registering any of it. The world could be blowing up but Yeosang wouldn't notice because his complete and utter focus was on San.

Yeosang pulled San over to a concrete seat under the shade of a tree that was a little ways deeper into outdoor garden section, away from prying eyes, and he sat the younger down before sitting beside him and gently petting his back as his tears slowed.

San's focus fell to the ground and Yeosang looked off into the distance, giving San space by not staring, but still being present beside him.

They were quiet beside one another, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead but then San began to speak alerting Yeosang that he was ready to talk.

"Wooyoung knows" San said quietly. "About my mum. . .what happened,"

Yeosang stopped his hand and put it in his lap.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to"

San looked at Yeosang "But I want to. You make me feel like I can"

Yeosang nodded and gestured for San to continue, he was curious but he didn't want it to seem like he was prying, he wanted San to open up in his own time.

San took a deep breath and his story began.