MOON RIVER (one shot)
ļ½„ļ¾ā
. when i was led to you, i knew you were the one for me. i swear the whole world could feel my heartbeat
summary: the moon is bright and so is your love for your boyfriend
pairing: tasm!peter parker x f!reader
word count: 2.6k
warnings: explicit content. minors dni (+18) insomnia. cigarette usage. fluffy smut aka swag (sex w andrew garfield xx)Ā
a/n: in honor of february and hump day... heheh xoxoĀ
curated vibes: kiss of life ā moon river
masterlist š©ā”šŖ read on ao3 š©ā”šŖ Ā kofi
MOON RIVER
The terrain on his back was something you adored greatly. The divots and curves of the flesh, the muscles taut with silver like the winter moon cascading down on the hills of your love. The fibers were like yarn connecting stars to one another, his joints blossoming with the shimmering matter. It was silly, really. The way that you wished to be one of his favorite shirts or a backpack so that you could kiss his spine for the rest of your inanimate life.
The moonlight had no regard for your heart, the shimmering cast making his back visible in the dead of night. It was your only weakness, his herculean build that made him look like a Grecian sculpture, and with the light reflecting off of him, he truly did look like he was made out of Parian marble.
You felt at peace like this. Propped up on an elbow, tenderly scratching Peterās back as a soft breeze entered the apartment. There was nothing but the sounds of his hums and the spinning of the ceiling fan. It felt like everyone in the city was asleep, but you.
At first, you couldnāt go back to sleep after using the bathroom. It was a common occurrence for you, the slow game of waiting for sleep to overcome you. But when your boyfriend looked like that, it kept you from trying, your thoughts racking with the white noise of adoration.
You dragged your nails against his shoulder blade before deciding to comb throw his thick, messy hair. You didnāt mean to wake him up, but when you see his eyes flicker open, your heart throbbed with delight.
āI dreamt of you,ā he said, his voice tired with grit.
āWhat was it about?ā
āForget already. I just remember your pretty face.ā
āYouāre silly,ā you stated.
āNo, Iām in love.āĀ
āAnd silly.ā
Thereās a precious smile that he gives you, one that warms up your chest. He reaches for your hand and brings it up to his mouth, pressing a delicate kiss to your knuckle.
For a moment you forget about the exhaustion embedded in your skin and all that occurs to you is how much you adore Peter. Itās like he erased all of your ailments and bad thoughts.
Your restlessness was something you originally categorized as a curse, but as you walked the streets of New York at two in the morning all those months ago, it suddenly turned into a blessing. There he was, a boy from Queens also cursed with the same fate as you. It started with sharing a cigarette on a bench, a block away from your apartment. You recall the way the moon was a lop-sided smile, one that said it was pleased with this encounter. It ended with you confessing your kleptomaniac phase as an adolescent and him admitting that he provokes fights just to feel something. His split bottom lip was a testament to that.
You donāt remember leaving because, in truth, you remember specifically thinking, I never want to leave. But eventually, you were in bed, thinking about the kind stranger as Apollo reeled in the morning sun. It was like you were whisked away by your very own feet, sleepwalking suddenly another problem you had been subjected to.
The night after you walked to the bench and didnāt go there with hopes of seeing him again, but rather reminisce on what a lovely time you had with him. Though you presumed a part of yourself truly did hope he would be there again but to preserve your hopes, you convinced yourself to be pragmatic.
Yet, when you saw him again, a wave of warmth and giddiness washed over you.
He gave you a cigarette upon your arrival and was gentleman enough to light it for youā one of the most intimate things you have experienced in your life. Then the confessions would bundle you two up like the blanket of smoke. It was like a sacred ritual between you two, the tobacco the partition that made it possible for the secrets to come undone.
What keeps you awake? He wondered.
Runs in the family. How about you?
Grief. The words came out in a puff of smoke, grey and bleak.
Does it hurt? You asked.
Itās like a splinter that you canāt get rid of. Always there and always aching.
The way he was able to be candid with you, sugarcoating nothing but his honey-glazed eyes, stuck with you whether his honesty stemmed from your relationship as strangers or he deemed you worthy.Ā
After eleven consecutive days of your unplanned therapy sessions, it was decided you would take your nightly affair to broad daylight. It made you feel nervous. You didnāt realize it, but the night brought you an unexpected comfort and without the inky veil of the night, you werenāt sure if he would like you still.
Though, the anxiety was soon after replaced with suffocation. You werenāt sure if Peter was in the right mind as the blistering June heat fermented on your back as you sat in Central Park with your sandwiches from Katzās. If it had been up to you, your platonic date would have been scheduled for a bookstore with AC, but you assumed that his poor scheduling was due to the lack of sleep. I didnāt realize it was going to be so hot, he said, swiping the sweat on his forehead. The night spoils us too much, you replied, after taking a sip of orange soda.Ā
Luckily, he liked you enough to earn you the title of friend. Graduating from stranger to friend was an easy feat in comparison to the long six months of pining over him.
He had caressed the underbelly of your heart and bewitched you. You would wake up as weary as always and prepare your breakfast without the slightest satisfaction when you had craved a spoonful of his love, but instead runny eggs on stale bread coated your throat.
You were infatuated, but you knew him well enough that it would be best to stay friends and swallow down your feelings. But when you were over at his place watching Fantastic Mr. Fox a day before Christmas Eve and he pressed a kiss to your cheekbone when you had closed your eyes for a minute too long, you confessed. Because thatās what you two did. A confession for a confession.Ā A truth for a truth.
You kissed me, you whispered with closed eyes, afraid that if you opened them, everything would reveal to be a dream.
He didnāt respond for a minute. You thought that maybe he didnāt hear you but eventually, his handsome voice invaded your senses. I thought you were asleep.
We donāt sleep.
How about I pretend youāre asleep, and I kiss you again? Is that okay?Ā
I like that idea, you said past the beating heart that sat in your throat.
A week later, it was New Yearās and you kissed the new year hello as boyfriend and girlfriend. Wait until my therapist hears about this, he laughed in your neck. It was a holiday miracle. Finally, after all these truths on the table and he was yours.
Well, most of them.
All that he had asked of you was to trust him. When he gets home at three in the morning and he has no explanation, you choose to trust him despite the bile in your throat, and when the lacerations on his body were so deep that blood pooled at your feet, you bathed his body in silence after he demanded you to not call medical help. If this is going to work, you need to trust me, he said with pleading eyes.
He was everything you wanted, your thoughts consumed with him for the past half a year. How could you say no to the man of your dreams?
So you let the love overweigh the worry and let the anxieties flush out with each bloodied kiss, and persuaded yourself that men with therapists canāt be so bad.Ā
Besides that, everything was sunshine and daisies. Your patience bore the sweetest of fruit each and every day, him proving himself with the most tender acts. His pretty face and loving hands were enough to swoon over, and his tender disposition and patient temperament were enough to ruin you. Now, youāre still as sleepless as you were back then, but this time you had someone to be sleepless with.Ā
You hopelessly gazed into Peterās eyes, counting each star in his midnight eyes. At number four, he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear and at five, he was holding your hand.
āHow long have you been awake?ā He asked, stroking your knuckles with his thumb.
āFor a while.ā
āIām sorry I left you alone.ā
āYou didnāt. I like watching you sleep,ā you assured him with a squeeze of your hand.
You took a second to memorize his face. Let it stain your sight. A pleased grin was plastered on his smug face, tugging at your heartstrings. You were completely enraptured by him and when he looked at you with those big warm eyes, it felt like he held you in the same regard.
A yawn came over you causing your eyes to swell. When the tears of exhaustion trickled down they didnāt burn. It bloomed and broke easily, trailing along your cheek like subtle fingers on a bare back. It was chilling.
āPretty girl, whatās wrong?ā His voice was like a sip of whisky, trickling through you, each drop sizzling in your belly.Ā
āJust sleepy,ā you said.
āCāmere.ā
Peter turned on his side and opened his arms to spoon you. He cocooned you like a chrysalis does to a caterpillar. His slender, yet strong arms took a hold of you and his chest felt like shelter. Peter made you feel born again, his touch transforming you into love personified.
His hand found a home on your hip. His grasp was tender, taking it upon himself to squeeze and knead the soft tissue. He began to shower you with kisses like ornaments on a Christmas tree. Shiny and bright and all too much, but in the most perfect way.
Peterās fingers trailed along your outer thigh, baring mercy in his barely-there touch. The gentleness of it made you shiver with need.Ā
Desire spread across each nerve in your body, begging to be touched by Peter and his calloused hands. You wanted his lips to adorn each surface of your body. In a way, this was worse than lust and greed. He showed you mercy by making you suffer.Ā
With your back flush to him, you could feel his member rising, the hardened length digging into your ass. He smeared lazy kisses across your neck, your eyes shutting at the overwhelming affection.
āI remember now,ā he muttered, encircling your hipbone with his palm.
āWhat?ā
āMy dream.ā
āOh really?ā You whispered, unconvinced by the suggestive way he delicately stroked your skin. You pushed against him, feeling the heat and pressure from his groin. āTell me bout it.āĀ
āNot much to sayā¦ Itās better if I show you,ā he murmured.Ā
You responded with a lazy hum, anticipation fluttering in your belly when you hear the rustling of fabric.
āStay just like that, baby,ā he whispered before parting your legs slightly and sliding his cock between your thighs.Ā
Your thighs were already wet with precum and his cock was wet with your arousal, a mutual exchange that made you feel exhilarated. The way that you make a mess out of each other within minutes.Ā
You shamelessly whined, knowing that Peter loved when you were vocal. You moaned as his cock glided against your thighs. Your throat vibrated with each mewl and hum, and you could feel the satisfaction radiate off of Peter.
āPeter,ā you purred. As he rolled into you, his tip would graze against your now sensitive bud. Your back arched in pleasure as he applied more and more pressure.
āJust relax, baby,ā he cooed, his thick cock waning in and out of you.
For a while, thatās all he does. Use your thighs and brush against your slit, a provocative taunt. Your heartbeat made a home in your throat as he slid in and out of your flesh. You were getting impatient, buckling your hips in hope to catch him. You wanted to please him and you wanted that pleasure yourself, to feel him just sink into you.Ā
āWant it so bad, Peter,ā you confessed, still attempting to suck in his glazed cock.
āMy sleepy girl,ā he said as you moaned. āLet me fuck you to sleep, sweetheart.ā
The ghost of his lips hovered over the peak of your shoulder for a moment, his breath kissing you before his flesh. His oxygen simmered into you and you could feel yourself fall deeper in love with him as if a spell had been cast onto you or his very own air was a potent drug.
āLet me show you how much I love you,ā he whispered.Ā
The intimacies you have shared were dear to you, each memory hidden in a mental shoebox. The evocation of each kiss to your eyelids because he supposed they needed more love than any other part of your body. The rinds of clementines for breakfast and cigarettes for dessert. A handful of receipts from Katzās and a pair of MetroCards. Polaroids from New Yearās. A handful of stars.
And now, it was the full moon that you wanted to lasso and place in your keepsakes. It watched as you shared that first cigarette and here it watched as you shared your bodies with each other.
He treated your body with the utmost care, his adoration clear as he gently warmed his head at your already wet entrance. You wondered what you looked like to him with this wash of moonlight on your face. You wondered if you looked as ethereal as he did.Ā
You could feel your cheeks blush as he slowly entered you, stretching you out as if he had all the time in the world. When you were finally filled with him, he kissed your forehead and then your cheeks in the shape of a cross. It felt like a blessing and a prayer in one.
āMy sweet girl, I love you,ā his breath was warm against your ear. The chill ran through you, your arch contorting at his own air. āI love how you wrap around me, baby.ā
He rolled into you with an unhurried pace, the tempo slow and guiding you to sleep as he wanted. His cock made you drunk and woozy with pleasure. His languid movements were lulling you into a peaceful state. It felt like you were a star among the planets, vibrating with luminescence and hopeful dreams.
There was an endless overflow of I love youās in the air, hanging beautifully like stars on a string. You echoed each other. Sang and professed. Cried and groaned. A confession for a confession.
Ā You let him take you, pull out the pieces of yourself you never knew existed. He wrapped his arms around your waist, nearly cutting off your oxygen supply, and buried his face into the crook of your neck as he pumped himself into you. As he pushed cosmos into your belly and his cock languidly grinded you into oblivion, you could feel the tears return.
There were solar systems bubbling up inside of you, the nightās sad song blooming in your limbs. Everything felt like a dance between the moon and his wife. Your sweet Peter guiding you through indigo with his gravity, letting the waves of pleasure and exhaustion rush through you. You swore you could almost touch the space between Earth and the moon.
āDo you feel my love?ā He asked, pressing his lips on your temple and you swore you could just taste it. It was cigarettes and orange soda. Stardust and fireworks. Desperation and worship.
āI do,ā you writhed beneath him.
You shut your eyes and let the love wash over you.
a/n:Ā happy hump day babiesss, almost done with the week!
im not sure if this really counts as fluff but i really tried lmfao. peter and reader have an easier time sleeping when theyāre together andd i imagine this is an au where peter gets therapy and has the emotional capacity to have a girlfriend. really couldn't have done it without his therapist (that mans got problems and is still working through them, clearly). he probably annoyed the shit out of his therapist, spending his whole sessions just talking about you, his trusted and beloved friend. luckily, reader is a simp and is willing to trust him. i wonder how long that will hold up! oops
+ shout out to sade for the utmost vibes and @secretaccountlolā for talking to me at three in the morning. we come alive in the night xoxo
newest fic here: have mercy (mcu! peter x silk! reader)
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Find Your Way Home (Ch š·/š¹)
š©ā”šŖSummary:
Wooyoung is a culinary student and he and two of his best friends have been brought along to Namhae to learn and study the farmers out in the countryside and disconnect a bit. Reluctant at first, he just wishes he could've been back in the city and close to his long-time crush Yeosang. Things change when he lays his eyes on the dimpled country boy staying with them that show them around and teach them more about Namhae's way of life, all with a spine-tingling Satoori.
Maybe things aren't so bad out here in the sticks, after all.
š©ā”šŖPairing: WooSan + Endgame WooSanSang
š©ā”šŖGenres/Aus: Non-Idolverse, Fluff, Romance, Humor, Smut, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family, Fish Out Of Water Tropes, Au, Mutual Pining, Country Boy San, Culinary Student Wooyoung, Poly Endgame (I promise ik Yeo literally isn't in this first part just trust me)
š©ā”šŖTws: Mentions of not-so-subtle Homophobia, Isolation, Prejudice, Anxiety, Swearing
š©ā”šŖSws: Sexual Exploration, Muscle Kink, Frottage, Groping, Body Worship, Dirty Talk, Dry Humping, Teasing, Praise,
š©ā”šŖRating: Explicit (18+)
š©ā”šŖWC: 12.7k+ (LMAO)
š©ā”šŖA/n: This is part one of two commissions by the lovely @schone-lie! I know I went...way over what you asked for *wheeze* But your prompt was just so good, I hope you and everyone else reading enjoys this little two-parter xoxo
š©ā”šŖNext Chapterš©ā”šŖ
š©ā”šŖAO3| Taglist Form (Please make sure your urls are updated and able to actually be tagged)Ā |Ā Commission Sheetš©ā”šŖ
š©ā”šŖNetwork Ping- @kwritersworld | @kdiarynet | @k-vanity š©ā”šŖ
š©ā”šŖĀ©atiny-piratequeen. do not repost, translate, or use my worksš©ā”šŖ
Trees roll by, one after the other, some with blossoms sprouting from them, some with cherub birds sitting upon the branches, singing a beautiful melody that carried with the wind. The road is bumpy and nearly non-existent, and the chatter in the car is interrupted every now and again by the sound of chuckles and the occasional startled;Ā āoof!āĀ that comes from someone mid-sentence.Ā
Wooyoung fucking hates it.Ā
āFix your face, I promise a little fresh air isnāt gonna kill you.ā Wooyoung looked up front, glaring at Kibum through the rearview mirror.Ā
āWhen you said weād be learning on location for the majority of the summer I expectedā¦more.ā He grumbled. Kibum narrowed his gaze right back at him, unimpressed.Ā
āAfter several hours of you bitching, I was hoping youād get tired. You could have, at any time, decided to not come.ā He reminded him, turning the steering wheel. Changbin hummed from his spot in the front seat and Yeonjun, who sat in the back with Wooyoung, looked equally displeased, though heād been primarily on his phone and had been keeping quiet for most of the drive.Ā
āAnd miss out on 80% of our summer course? Plus I couldnāt even opt in for the digital video courses because the internet connection in this place isĀ assĀ .āĀ
Key turned into a driveway and parked, turning around to look at Wooyoung as if he was his own misbehaved son.Ā
āRight, so youĀ wantedĀ to come. Shut up, quit ya bitching, and take a walk on the beach or something later. Maybe youāll pull that broomstick out of your ass. Iām your teacher and the three of you are my best students, but so far the only one whoĀ hasnātĀ made me want to throw him out of this vehicleĀ whileĀ it's moving is Changbin. Take some time and disconnect for fuckās sake.ā He leveled him with a stare, and while displeased, Wooyoung didnāt say another word, simply crossing his arms in annoyance. Yeonjunās brows furrowed as he failed to load something for the tenth time and put his phone away, muttering an annoyed curse under his breath.
āCity boys, I swear.ā Kibum grumbled, stepping out of the car and sliding a pair of sunglasses on his face.Ā
Heād pulled up to what looked to be a multifamily home, and if they werenāt so annoyed, Wooyoung and Yeonjun might have been impressed by the size of the home.Ā
āTag! Youāre it!āĀ
Four heads turn to the left as a little girl came bounding around the corner, her pigtails bouncing as she ran full speed down the street. She giggled and squealed until she ran into Kibum, bouncing off of the man and nearly falling, had he not reached out to grab her hand. Her lip wobbled for a moment before she looked up, staring at him.Ā
āOh!āĀ
He smiled, kneeling in an instant.Ā
āGoodness, youāve gotten big, Gahyeon. Are you okay?āĀ
āUNCLE KEY!ā She latched onto him in an instant, her arms and legs wrapping around his torso like a koala. The three men behind him blinked in surprise before they looked up, hearing laughter come from upfront.Ā
āBaby girl, what did mommy tell you about running out like that? It can be dangerous if there are cars or bikes.ā A short woman stood before them, her eyes catlike and intimidating as she sized up the three men. They all bowed without hesitation, and she smiled.Ā
āMy name is Chaerin. This is my home. You three boys will be staying here with me and my family this summer. To whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?ā She inquired.Ā
āMy name is Changbin, Noona.āĀ
āYeonjun, it's nice to meet you.āĀ
āWooyoung, thank you for sharing your home with us.ā
Chaerin smiled in approval, looking at Kibum as he stood to his full height.Ā
āLetās go inside, gentlemen. Iāll introduce you to my family and who youāll be staying with up on the top floor.āĀ
The men filtered into the home, toeing their shoes off at the door and standing back as two little boys also rushed by, looking no older than four or five. They spotted the strangers and ducked behind Chaerinās legs, peeking out after she laughed and placed her hands upon both of their heads.Ā
āEomma, who are they?ā they whispered. Chaerin smiled and ruffled their hair.Ā
āYour new hyungs.āĀ
Their eyes lit up, and in an instant, Wooyoung felt a pair of tiny arms wrap around his leg. He looked down, unsure of what to do as a wide-eyed boy looked at him, already missing one of his front teeth as he smiled up at him.Ā
āMy name is Eric! Youāre my Hyung? Are you going to stay? You can share my bed! Itās a racecar bed! Hyung do you like cars? Blue is my favorite color! I hear you're from the city! Do they have a lot of blue cars in the city?ā Eric spoke a mile a minute and Wooyoung looked up in mild distress at Chaerin. She laughed and offered no kind of help, amused at the situation, while her other son, a small boy in a bear onesie, didnāt move from his spot, staring at them with a guarded look.Ā
āJongho? My baby, wonāt you say hi?āĀ
Jongho shook his head and hid behind her leg.Ā
āNot until Sannie comes home. I donāt know them, Eomma.āĀ
Chaerin smiled and picked him up, sending a courteous smile to them.Ā
āDonāt mind my baby here. Heās a bit more guarded. His favorite boy in the whole world is out working today so heās in a cranky mood.ā She informed them.Ā
āWho is San? Is he another one of your sons?ā Changbin inquired, picking up Eric and laughing at his chatter before they followed Chaerin deeper into the house. She shook her head, setting Gahyeon on the counter before turning to them.Ā
āYes and no, heās a boy Jiyong and I took in. Heās a sweetheart, Iām sure you all will love him. Heās about the same age as you all.ā She leaned against the counter, taking in the men across from her once more.Ā
āNamhae is a lot different from where some of you are from, Iām sure. Iām from Gangnam-Gu. So I know full well that this may be an out-of-sorts experience for you all, but I ask that you approach this little town with an open mind and a sense of exploration.ā She sent them a smile, watching the three youngest and the way their eyes widened.Ā
āĀ YouāreĀ from Gangnam-Gu?!ā Wooyoung gasped in surprise. Chaerin nodded, crossing her ankles.Ā
āMy husband and I are fashion designers. We live in Gangnam for most of the year, but spend the summer months here in Namhae. San lives here full-time and takes care of the house while weāre gone, he's a good boy. Be nice to him, you hear?ā She pointed a painted nail at all of them, smiling when all of them nodded without hesitation.Ā
āMiss Sannieā¦ā Jongho quietly muttered from beside her, pointing at the stairs. Kibum smiled.Ā
āAre you gonna show us upstairs, Jongho?āĀ
He nodded and walked towards the stairs, occasionally looking behind him to make sure they were following. One by one, he toddled up the stairs before looking back. When he noticed them following, he sped up, guiding them to the upper floor.Ā
It was cleaned, not a speck of dust to be found, but one could tell that it definitely was lived in. Well-kept plants sat in the windowsill, with some of them beginning to flower. There were bowls lined up on the counter, seemingly in preparation for a meal for later. Three sleeping bags sat rolled up on the couch, with little cards attached to each of them.Ā
Jongho waddled all the way to the bags, grabbing the cards before he made his way back, looking up at the culinary boys.Ā
āOne for Changbin-hyungā¦.Yeonjun-hyungā¦Wooyoung-hyung.ā His pronunciation had been a bit off as he handed it correctly to each man, and Wooyoung felt a bit of his annoyance melt away. Jongho truly was a cute kid.Ā
Turning his attention back to the letter in his hand, he noticed it had been lightly scented, and brought it to his nose without a second thought. When he did, he was pleasantly surprised to find it had been misted with a cologne that had some amber and vanilla notes to it.Ā
His favorite.Ā
Opening the letter, he scanned over it with a curious tilt of his head.Ā
āHello and welcome to Namhae! Iām sorry I canāt be here as soon as you come in to greet you, and I probably wonāt be back until close to sundown. I believe this is your first time visiting this little village and Iāll be happy to show you around and help you get accustomed to a slower-paced way of living! Iāll cook dinner tonight so you all can rest, and we can start exploring the village and the forest just outside then, too. If thereās anything I can help you with, let me know and Iāll happily do my best!Ā
These sleeping bags are for camping nights, by the way. There are two rooms that have beds big enough to share. Kibum-hyung said Changbin and Yeonjun can take one and Wooyoung and I can take the other.Ā Ā
Letās make this summer one to remember!Ā
-SanāĀ
Wooyoung looked at the small mountain beside his name and smiled.Ā
At least everyone so far seemed nice.Ā
Jongho, satisfied with the small smiles on the menās faces, nodded and turned to waddle away, carefully taking the stairs one step at a time.Ā
āAlright boys, thatās enough daydreaming, come help me unload the car.ā Kibumās voice called from downstairs, snapping them out of their collective bubble of thought. Changbin looked at his other two friends and jabbed his thumb toward the stairs.Ā
āI donāt think itāll be that bad.ā He gave them an optimistic smile. Yeonjun checked his phone, sighing.Ā
āIt probably wonāt be but I wish the connection were better. Soobin-ā
āSoobin will be just fine without you blowing his damn phone up every two seconds. You can still send him messages, it just looks like itāll take longer for it to get through.ā Changbin lightly nudged hum, hardly flinching at the swat Yeonjun landed on his arms, both of them bickering as they headed down the stairs.Ā
Wooyoung tucked his note in his pocket and followed. If he were being honest, Yeosang wouldāve probably loved this place, even if it did limit his connection with the outside world.Ā
-Later-
Wooyoung had been drifting slightly on the couch, curled up beside Changbin when the door suddenly opened. There was a grunt from someone, and the undeniable scent of garlic instantly drifted into his nose.Ā
āIām home!āĀ
āOPPA!/HYUNG!āĀ
Wooyoung startled into a sitting position as a chorus of screams rang out. He watched Gahyeon, Eric, and Jongho go sliding across the floor, jumping up and latching themselves onto the person whoād just come in.Ā
Instantly, Wooyoung felt like heād been grabbed by the throat.Ā
Standing in the doorway, was a man standing about the same height as he did, his dimples deep and prominent as he smiled, spinning the three children around as they clung to him. His hat had fallen off in the process, revealing inky black hair that clung to his forehead from the presumed sweat of the summer heat outside. Wooyoung could hardly see his eyes as he smiled, laughing as the three children began to excitedly chatter about the day without pause.
āYah, let the poor man come inside and get comfy first!ā Chaerin scolded, sticking her head out of the master bedroom. Sanās laughter died down after another minute or two of cuddling, and it was then that he met Wooyoungās gaze.Ā
Wooyoung awkwardly moved his hand, sending him a quite pathetic wave.Ā
āHi.āĀ
The manās face lit up and he crossed the room in an instant, bowing without dropping any of the kids.Ā
āOh! Youāre here safely! Iām glad!ā He beamed. Wooyoung had been a bit taken aback by his energy, but nodded.Ā
"I'm guessing you're San?"
"The one and only~ I'll be your local guide 'round here. I'll take care of you all, don't worry." He beamed, hands on his hips. Changbin sent him a smile.Ā
"Thanks. Your letter said you'd make dinner. Did you want any help?" He inquired. San shook his head, lightly setting the trio of toddlers down.Ā
"No, no. First meal's always on me when it comes to friends and family. Do any of you have any allergies?" He looked at them with an almost doe like expression, and Wooyoung had no choice but to tease him.Ā
"Garlic." He responded, keeping his voice neutral. Namhae had been known for its production of garlic, amongst other things. San's eyes widened immediately, lips parting as a horrified noise left his lips.Ā
"OhĀ noĀ , wait hold on I have to look into a different meal I'm soĀ sorryĀ , oh god I almost killed him-"
Wooyoung covered his mouth, laughing behind his hand as he watched San fret. Kibum looked up from the book he had been reading across the room, glaring at him. He sent Wooyoung a look akin to a mother about to hurl her shoe, and Wooyoung tried to stifle his laughs.Ā
āIām kidding. I just wanted to tease you a bit. I donāt have any allergies.āĀ
San blinked owlishly, looking moments away from having a crisis, before his brows furrowed.Ā
āOh!...Oh.ā He crossed his arms, pouting as he looked at him.Ā
āOh,Ā haha. Iāll start cooking, Iāll call you all when itās ready.ā He set all three of Chaerinās children down, kissing their heads before making his way to the upper floor. Wooyoung watched him go, noticing the lines of his muscles after he pulled off his jean jacket.Ā
Changbin gently nudged him, sending him a knowing look.Ā
āYouāre so obvious about it.ā He teased. Wooyoung rolled his eyes and leaned against him, playing an offline game on his phone.Ā
āIf Iām gonna be stuck in the country, I might as well enjoy the view.ā He muttered. Changbin chuckled and went back to idly drawing.Ā
The sound of simmering meat soon drew Wooyoungās attention, alongside the scent of garlic and onions.Ā
Yeonjun lifted his head, sniffing a few times.Ā
āHmā¦Bulgogi. And-ā He sniffed once more. āSome kind of fried chicken andā¦soup? I smell broth.āĀ
Chaerin looked at him in interest before tilting her head.Ā
āYou got all of that from a few sniffs?ā She inquired. He smiled proudly and Kibum made a motion with his hand.Ā
āThese three are my top students. Yeonjun has a very sensitive nose, Changbin can tell each and every ingredient you use in any dish, and Wooyoung has quite a photographic memory, you show him once how to cook a meal and heāll never forget.āĀ
All three of Kibumās proteges smiled and Chaerin put her hands on her hips, holding out a glass to them.Ā
āAlright then. Tell me whatās here.āĀ
Changbin took a sip and smacked his lips together. Yeonjun sniffed once and sat back with a smile on his face, crossing his arms. Changbin nodded and smiled, handing the drink off to Wooyoung for him to enjoy the rest of it.
āOh, thatās good.āĀ
āTell me what you picked up on, then.ā She smiled, gesturing. Changbin wrote them down on a piece of paper she slid over to him from the counter and then passed it over to her, motioning for Yeonjun to tell her verbally. Wooyoung watched them, sipping the drink with a small smile on his face. Heād never had something like this before.Ā
āRice, surprisingly, water, almonds, cinnamon, almond milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, aaaand agave. Right?ā he inquired. Her lips quirked, sending him a thumbs up, showing them the paper and the identical list Changbin had written out for her.Ā
āThatās impressive, boys. It's called Horchata. I had a friend of mine overseas teach me to make it a few years back and now it's a personal favorite of mine and my husbandās.ā She noticed the glass that had been passed to Wooyoung had been nearly completely downed, a small cream colored moustache left at the top of his lip
ā-and apparently a favorite of Wooyoungās too.ā She smiled.Ā
Footsteps drew their attention to the stairs and San poked his head down, a towel around his shoulders as he smiled at them.Ā
āDinner is almost ready.āĀ
One by one, they all filed upstairs, sitting around the table. San served each of them, with garlic fried chicken, bulgogi, a side of rice, and miso soup.Ā
āI know itās probably nothing compared to city-style food, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. It's what my Grandma and Grandpa used to make whenever we had guests over.ā San set out glasses in front of everyone, letting them have their choice of what to drink while he moved to help the little ones settle into their chairs.Ā
Wooyoung took a bite and immediately felt warmth bloom inside of him. The meat was of good quality and had been marinated perfectly. It hadnāt been the most exquisite taste heād had in the world, but something about it made him feel like he had been welcomed home after a long journey.Ā
āWhat brings you all here, anyway?ā San inquired, breaking apart pieces of the unspicy chicken heād made to the side so Jongho could eat. Kibum pointed his chopsticks at his three students.Ā
āThese three want to join my restaurant team, and they certainly have the potential, but I want them to take the time to understand different types of cuisine, and sometimes that includes the difference in culture and region. Thereās a certain soul people put into their food thatās different from person to person.ā He explained. Yeonjun didnāt say a word, cheeks bulged with food. Changbin simply nodded while Wooyoungās head had been lost in the clouds.Ā
San glanced across the table at the men before he nodded, listening to the light conversation at the table and adding his two cents here and there.Ā
The rest of the dinner had been light-hearted and casual, with San helping carry the tired toddler trio downstairs before returning upstairs.Ā
āIf it helps, thereās some better connection in the southern part of the house. Not the strongest, but itās something.ā He offered, finding Yeonjun checking his phone once more. He perked in response to this, not-so-subtly excusing himself and jogging downstairs. Changbin yawned and retired for the nightĀ
Wooyoung sat by the window, staring out at the village. Most of the businesses had closed already for the day, and there wasnāt the familiar sense of business that he was used to. Instead, the night was still, with the crickets and owls replacing the birds from earlier with their own nocturnal songs.Ā
āI hope I can help you enjoy this a bit more.āĀ
Wooyoung looked over his shoulder, blinking in confusion as San sat beside him, one knee pulled up to his chest. He stared up at the moon through the window, humming for a moment as he looked for the words.Ā
āIāve only met Kibum-hyung once last year. His proteges ended up leaving before the end of a full week. I donāt know what happened to them after that, or if they even stayed with his culinary program, but Namhae is a lot more special than it seems at first.ā San spoke quietly, as if to not disturb Changbin as he rested just a few feet from them. Wooyoung sighed and rolled his tongue along his cheek.Ā
āIām sure Iāll get over it. Itās just a bummer. Yeosang and I had plans this summer and instead, I have to be here.ā the words sounded a bit more aggressive than he had meant it in his head and San pressed his lips into a line before the mildly offended look was gone a moment later.Ā
āYeosang, you mentioned him earlier too when you were eating. Is he your friend?ā He inquired, trying to steer the conversation a bit away from Wooyoungās offending tone a second ago. Wooyoung realized how heād come off and shook his head.Ā
āSorry I didnāt mean it like that, what I mean is-ugh sorry. Thatās really such a dick way of putting things.ā He apologized and San smiled softly, lightly patting his knee.Ā
āThank you. Continue.āĀ
Wooyoung looked down at his hand before he went back to answer the question.Ā
āYeosang is my best friend. He loves things like this, Iām sure he would have been perfect for this kind of trip, but he has studies to do so he couldnāt take any time off this summer to come with.ā Wooyoung sighed and San hummed, tilting his head ever so slightly.Ā
āI take it you two have been friends for a long time?āĀ
āSince childhood. I met Changbin and Yeonjun in high school and the four of us have been nearly inseparable. This is the first time since who knows how long we've been apart.ā He mumbled. San nodded, gently squeezing his knee.Ā
āHow bout I be your friend? You gotta see my pretty face every day for the next three months, anyway.ā He winked. Wooyoung looked back at him and sent him a smirk.Ā
āSince youāre offering, I think that sounds lovely.ā He shot back. San chuckled and removed his hand from his knee, standing to stretch. A sliver of his stomach drew Wooyoungās attention as his t-shirt rose with the motion, with a definable dip in his hips and a neatly trimmed trail leading down from his navel and disappearing into the waistband of his pants.Ā
The moment he dropped his arms, Wooyoung looked up as if he hadnāt been ogling.Ā
āIām gonna take a bath and head to bed. Will you follow me for a sec? I just wanna make sure you have the right room.ā he beckoned Wooyoung to follow him before making his way out of the room, yawning audibly.Ā
The room was cozy, with some more plants sitting upon a desk along with some messily arranged stationary that matched the letters the three of them received. A smile came to his face, and he found it cute how much San had seemingly fretted about their arrival. His wastebasket was half full of crumpled paper, the remnants of rejected letters, and as San cleared his throat, clearly flustered, Wooyoung sent him a smug smile.Ā
āYou really were excited to have us come, it seems.ā He teased. San rubbed the back of his neck, not denying it as a blush crept up to his cheeks.Ā
āI donāt have any friends my age, so it's nice to have these summers where new folks may come by. Plus, just like I can teach you all about this village and our way of life, Iād like to learn more about city life, too. Iāve never been outside of Namhae.āĀ
Wooyoungās smile fell, picking up on the lonely tone in his voice and the way he refused to meet his eyes. He opened his mouth, but nothing would come out, and an awkward pause stretched between the two of them.Ā
āErm. Iām gonna go take that shower now. Iāll try to come back quietly just in case youāre asleep before I get out.ā San bowed and made his way out hastily, leaving Wooyoung stunned by the revelation.Ā
Wooyoung shook himself out of it a moment later, shuffling over to his bag to get something comfortable to wear to bed. It was large, though with two of them, they probably would be a bit snug. He hummed quietly and shrugged, climbing into bed and resting on top of the sheets. Once he did, he felt himself drifting, nuzzling the pillow.Ā
He was already long asleep by the time San returned. The slightly older man looked at him, gently draping a light blanket over his shoulders before he carefully made his way into the bed, tucking himself under the covers and curling up ever so slightly, smiling to himself.Ā Ā
-6 am-
āOkay, time to wake up.āĀ
Wooyoung cracked his eyes open, a disgruntled noise leaving his lips as he looked up.Ā
āWha-ā
āIt's time to get up and at em, weāre actually late.āĀ
Wooyoung squinted at his phone screen and sent San a dirty look.Ā
āAre you out of your mind-āĀ
āNope~ Cmon, we gotta go!ā San smiled from ear to ear, already dressed and heading outside to wake Changbin and Yeonjun.Ā
Roughly twenty minutes later, all three of the city boys were trudging downstairs, where Kibum had already been waiting, offering them cups of convenience store coffee. He had a knowing smile on his face as he looked at them.Ā
āOh donāt worry, boys. Once you get the hang of it, your body will wake you up naturally.āĀ
Even Changbin sent him a dirty look as they took the coffee, following San outside to his car. It looked to be older than all of them if Wooyoung was being honest. San hopped up into the car, smiling from ear to ear as it started up.Ā
"I do a lot of work on ol' Atiny here. Don't worry your heads one bit. She'll get us there no problem." San winked. Wooyoung really did find himself liking the man's Satoori more than he should, climbing in the car without any further complaint.Ā
The drive to the garlic farm was a rather long one. San didn't put on the radio, keeping his voice down as he spoke quietly to Kibum up front, as if giving the city boys in the back the opportunity to fall asleep for the ride.Ā
Wooyoung appreciated the gesture, but he kept himself awake, listening quietly.Ā
"Have you been taking care of yourself?"
San smiled softly, looking forward.Ā
"I certainly have been trying. I just do what I can."
Kibum hummed, settled back in his chair.Ā
"You could always move to the city. Spend some time with some like-minded folks."
San drummed his fingers along the wheel. He didn't say a word for a while.Ā
"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered it after the festival incident. The years after that haven't been kind to me, honestly."
Wooyoung perked slightly at that, feigning disinterest as he listened quietly. San had such a sorrowful tone in his voice as he mentioned whatever this 'incident' was.Ā
Kibum shook his head and opened his mouth to say something before he thought better of it and simply closed his mouth and let out a small huff.Ā
"If you ever change your mind, you have my number. That or let Jiyong and Chaerin know and I'm positive you'll be able to get on your feet in the city."
San hummed a tune Wooyoung had never heard before, pulling up a winding dirt road toward a farm.Ā
"We'll see. I appreciate it, regardless." He parked the car and turned the engine off, sending Key a dazzling dimpled smile before turning to the back.Ā
"Alright, gentlemen! Time to get up and at em!" He rose his voice, startling the trio to attention. He smiled sweetly and pointed out to the fields.Ā
"First, is our lesson in farming. Today, we pick garlic bulbs to get them prepped for sale later down the line."Ā
The men piled out of the car, looking out into the field and finding some middle-aged and even senior-aged farmers already out and about, their baskets already a quarter of the way filled. San smiled and pointed to his left.Ā
āThis way.ā he guided them, smiling sweetly and waving and nodding in acknowledgment at some of the farmers that caught their eye. Wooyoung couldnāt help but notice some of them seemedā¦less than enthused to wave back, and some ignored him outright, watching the group pass with a small shake to their head once they believed they werenāt being watched by the group of young men.Ā
Wooyoung felt his lips purse in displeasure, looking at the back of Sanās head. If he noticed, he didnāt seem phased in the slightest, handing each of them a small, hand-held rake-like tool.Ā
"You're lookin' for the ones that have some browning in the lower leaves. These garden forks can loosen up the soil around them so you can get the bulbs out. Once you do, set it in your baskets." San instructed, moving aside and kneeling.Ā
Wooyoung watched as Kibum got right to it, with Changbin and Yeonjun exchanging a look and pairing off to begin their harvesting. Wooyoung lingered for a moment before he stepped a bit closer to San, kneeling and glancing at him.Ā
San was much faster than anyone he'd ever seen before, and Wooyoungās brow furrowed in no time. San noticed his lack of movement and glanced at him before sending him a charming smile, his eyes crinkling and his dimples deep as he slowly raked his fork over the soil, carefully softening it. He checked the stem, running his thumbs over the bottom leaves. Wooyoung followed the motion with his eyes, noticing the browning at the base. He burrowed his fingers into the softened soil, digging in slightly before he gently worked the bulb out, no longer trying to be subtle in his silent instruction.Ā
āLike this.ā He smiled, chuckling at the way Wooyoungās cheeks darkened ever so slightly in embarrassment. Wooyoung coughed ever so slightly and shied, looking down at the plants in front of him. He panicked, grabbing the first one and pulling, completely forgetting some of the steps. San opened his mouth to correct him gently, letting out a small āoop-ā when he watched Wooyoung rip the stalk clean apart from the rest of the bulb.Ā
He stared at the greenery in his hand before looking at the ground, an offended expression crossing his face. San snorted, a full-blown laugh leaving his lips as Wooyoung turned his gaze over to him.Ā
āYou- are youĀ laughingĀ at me?ā he inquired, letting out a scandalized gasp. San bit his lip, eyes drifting away from Wooyoungās betrayed expression as his shoulders bobbed.Ā
āIām sorry, Iām sorry. It was just very cute.ā he reached down, softening the soil and gently digging the bulb from the ground.Ā
āWhat you want to do is gently work it out of the soil by the bulb, not the stem. When we clean off the bulbs later, we actually secure the stems together in bundles and then let them dry, so we want to try to leave the bulbs and stems as intact as we can.ā San scooted closer, his knee brushing against Wooyoungās as he used the garlic stem beside the one Wooyoung had failed to harvest properly. Wooyoung watched him closely, copying him step by step and triumphantly wiggling his own garlic bulb free.Ā
āI did it!ā He grinned. San smiled and nodded.Ā
āYou did it. Iāll be right here to help you out if you need it. Please donāt hesitate to ask. Iām right beside you.ā San encouraged him with a gentle tone of voice that made Wooyoungās heart stutter. He smiled in thanks and got back to work.Ā
He wasnāt sure how much time had passed before he groaned, sweat rolling down his brow. San had stepped aside to check on Yeonjun and Changbin, laughing at something Wooyoungās ears couldnāt pick up on. The cicadas chirped loudly, the sound echoing through the fields as San turned his head, catching Wooyoungās gaze out of the corner of his eye.Ā
āYou look thirsty. I have some water bottles in the car, let me go bring them for ya.ā He jogged down the trail, heading back to the car. Wooyoung looked down at his basket, proud of what he had already done, when an old farmer made his way up to them.Ā
āGood morning!ā Kibum noticed him first, bowing in greeting. His three proteges followed suit, bowing in acknowledgment. The farmer sent them a pleased smile.Ā
āNew folks, huh? Itās nice to see some city folks out here gettinā their hands dirty. Here, Iāll share some with you all.ā He reached into his basket, handing over some of the bulbs he had harvested, not so subtly checking how many they had gotten in their time out in the field compared to his own. He made a small hum, grabbing a few extra bulbs for Wooyoung.Ā
āHere ya go. I hope you lot enjoy our little village while youāre here. I will say thoughā¦ā he lowered his voice, glancing in the direction San had left in.Ā
āIād be careful around that one. He aināt right.ā He whispered. Wooyoung felt his smile fall, the hospitality the man had given him a moment before now revealing itself to be a ruse. Kibum narrowed his gaze instantly behind the manās head.Ā
āWhat does that mean, exactly?ā he pressed, keeping his voice even, though his tone didnāt raise above a stiff, neutral volume.Ā
āHeās an odd one, is what Iām sayin. Iād just be careful, just a word of advice.ā He laughed at something none of them found humorous, making his way down the opposite path as San began to return, holding a cooler full of beverages for them.Ā
āSorry for taking so long-ā He paused, noticing the four men watching the farmer leave. Wooyoungās brows pulled together in concern, shifting his attention over to San. Before he could think to ask him what the man could possibly mean, he watched San fidget, his grip nearly white-knuckled on the coolerās handles before he shook his head and set it down, putting his dimpled smile back on.Ā
It didnāt reach his eyes this time.Ā
āCāmon, everyone. I packed some things to drink in here and Chae-noona made sandwiches and stuff for us. I think a break is in order.āĀ
Wooyoung shook off the bitter feeling that had manifested itself in his stomach and moved to sit beside San, sending him a smile.Ā
āYouāre prepared. Thanks so much for your hard work.ā He thanked him and took a seat in the dirt. Yeonjun and Changbin followed suit, all of them thanking San and sitting in a circle with him. San looked taken aback at first, eyes widening before he relaxed, sending them a thankful smile. Kibum smiled and nodded in approval, sitting with the younger men and enjoying their breaks together.Ā
-7pm-Ā
Wooyoung sat by the windowsill once again, sending messages back and forth to Yeosang, his mom, and some of his other friends at home.Ā
Or, trying to, anyway.Ā
He really did have to get used to being out in the sticks.Ā
San came in after a moment, yawning as he climbed into bed. Wooyoung followed the motion with his eyes. San layed down hugging his pillow, letting out a sigh as he put his head into it. Wooyoung tilted his head to the side.Ā
āThat was a pretty big sigh there. You alright?ā He inquired. San didnāt move for a moment or two, and Wooyoung almost thought he hadnāt heard him. He opened his mouth to ask again, but San shifted, looking at him.Ā
āCan I ask you a question? You donāt have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable.āĀ
Wooyoung unconsciously sat up straighter, looking at him with his undivided attention.Ā
āGo ahead, I doubt youāll make me uncomfortable.āĀ
San paused for a moment, letting out a small laugh that didnāt sound genuine as he fixed his gaze on Wooyoung.Ā
āWhat did that guy say out in the field? You all lookedā¦angry when you came back.āĀ
Wooyoungās expression immediately soured. San noticed but didnāt say anything else, waiting to see if he would let him in on what had made them respond like that.Ā
āHe came up to us and was really nice, but then he said some weird shit about you being āoddā and ānot rightā and it was really rude. Who does that?ā Wooyoung crossed his arms and San looked away for a moment, sighing.Ā
āA lot of the people in this village think Iām a bitā¦off. I understand if you donāt wanna sleep in the same room as me anymore. I can sleep on the couch or somethinā.ā He murmured. Wooyoung sent him an incredulous look, laughing.Ā
āWhy? Youāve been nothing but nice to me. Iām not gonna just listen to some random person whoās clearly speaking in bad faith over someone whoās been nothing but sweet and kind to me. Besides, even if something about you wasĀ differentĀ , that doesnāt give anyone the right to act like that with people accompanying you. Jiyong-hyung and Chaerin-noona wouldnāt just let anyone be around their kid without checking their background thoroughly and making sure they were safe. As far as I see it, if they trust you, and the old man trusts you, I do too.ā Wooyoung stood and made a point to come to the bed, plopping down beside San with a force that made them bounce for a moment before they settled in their respective places.Ā
San made a surprised noise and looked at him in surprise before blinking.Ā
ā....Just like that? Youāre not gonna ask?āĀ
āI think that may be the problem here. It's none of my business right now. If youĀ wantĀ to tell me what he could be talking about, thatās perfectly fine. If you donāt, thatās fine too. I just met you, I donāt expect you to pour your heart out to me and tell me your entire life story in 24 hours because some guy was trying to be a jerk out in a garlic field. Iām going to learn who you are from this experience and our time together. Youāre more than welcome to tell me whatever youād like whenever youād like, and Iāll be happy to listen if and/or when you do, but until that conversation comes, itās none of my business.ā Wooyoung spoke a mile a minute, and San just watched the side of his face in wide-eyed wonder, brows up in surprise. Once he was done, he smiled and the stress that had gathered in his shoulders melted away.Ā
āIāll work hard, then.ā He quietly responded. Wooyoung rolled his eyes and rolled to face him, their faces much closer and their hands brushing as he looked at San.Ā
āYou donāt have to work hard. You just have to be you.āĀ
San searched his eyes quietly before smiling and letting out a small nod.Ā
āI see. I understand. Thank you.āĀ
Satisfied, Wooyoung nodded and rolled over, his back to San.Ā
āNow get some rest. Iām tired as hell and I know youāll inevitably wake me up at ass crack o clock for more good olā farming.ā He playfully cooed, trying to mimic Sanās natural Satoori. San let out a hum and rolled over, as well.Ā
āFair enough. Good night, Wooyoung.āĀ
āMmm. Goodnight, San.āĀ
-The Next Week-
Wooyoung had woken up the moment San had begun stirring. The aches from the days before had settled in his bones, and he wasnāt in any real rush to get up. Heād been doing a myriad of different things since theyād started their work here in Namhae, and Wooyoung had long since stopped complaining about the manual labor. He actually found it quite enjoyable to be able to harvest some of his own food and then cook them later.Ā
The smile Kibum had let out when he admitted that one night during dinner prep made an embarrassed flush rush to his cheeks, but he simply huffed and continued cooking while explaining every step to his audience consisting of Jongho, Gahyeon, Eric, and San.Ā
Speaking of, in the present, San moved about the room quietly, scratching his head as he shook off his own tiredness. Each step was careful and deliberate, nearly cat-like in manner as he moved without a sound, navigating the room in the dark.Ā
Wooyoung watched him with half-lidded eyes, lifting his head slightly.Ā
Before he could open his mouth to greet him, San peeled his shirt off and over his head, tossing it into a basket situated near the door. Wooyoung felt his mouth go dry, watching the muscles ripple across the expanse of Sanās back as he shuffled about the drawer for a different shirt.Ā
Anything he had to say immediately went out of the window as he admired the man, transfixed on his form as San muttered to himself about ālooking goodā. It took everything in Wooyoung to not blow his cover and just blurt that he already did look good. San finally found one, plucking a black T-shirt from his drawer and putting it on in one fluid motion. He grabbed the waistband of his sleeping pants and Wooyoung feigned rolling over, deciding to give the man some privacy. Heād oggled enough as is, and heād feel like a creep looking at any more of San without permission.Ā
āHm?ā San notice his pseudo-rousing and paused in changing, looking over his shoulder. Wooyoung pretended to snuggle into the pillow, his heart thundering in his chest as he heard San shift somewhere behind him. He came closer, leaning down to gently push some of Wooyoungās bangs out of his face. Wooyoung nearly twitched, his fingers flexing against the pillow as he heard San quietly sigh.Ā
āDonāt ruin it, San.ā He quietly muttered to himself before he pulled away, clearing his throat and gently shaking Wooyoungās shoulder, leaning a respectable distance from him. Wooyoung opened his eyes, making a few mutters that made him seem like he was disoriented and only just now awakening. San sent him a smile, though he didnāt meet his eyes as enthusiastically as he usually did.Ā
āHey. Sorry, but we should probably get an early start today. Weāre going fishing and itās best to get out there before too many of the other villagers head out and we have to worry about the fish not biting from the crowd.ā he let him know in a gentle tone. Wooyoung looked up at him, feeling a conflicted emotion as San turned and headed out with the pair of pants he was going to change into, clearly intending to change elsewhere.Ā
He ran a hand through his hair, ruffled it about, and then pushed himself up off of the bed.Ā
-8am-
āSo you think heās hot? I personally think itās great.ā Yeonjun crossed his arms as he sat beside Wooyoung, slightly queasy from the boat ride. Wooyoung nearly threw his hands up to get him to be quiet, making a series of noises that were unintelligible.Ā
āShut the fuckĀ upĀ before he hears you!ā Wooyoung hissed, smacking him in the arm. Yeonjun let out aĀ yelp and shoved his shoulder, scowling at him.Ā
āWhatās the problem? Weāre gonna be stuck here for months anyway, might as well have fun if thatās what you wanna do. Besides, if it keeps you distracted from the trainwreck back home with Yeosang, maybe you do need a distraction.āĀ
Wooyoung nearly hit him again, frowning. Heād been infatuated with their mutual best friend for longer than he could remember, but it seemed like he would always kindly rebuff his advances or was just flat-out too oblivious to realize that they were, in fact, advances in the first place.Ā
He looked down at his shoes and Yeonjun caught the crestfallen look on his face, frowning.Ā
āLook, Iām not speaking bad on Yeosang, I never would, but I just think if youĀ finallyĀ have someone else in your sights that has caught your fancy, you should go for it. Besides, if it doesnāt work out well, who cares? Youāll be going back home after the summer is over and you can pretend you didnāt take an L if you do fumble.ā Yeonjun tried to tease, but his playful smile fell as he watched Wooyoungās gaze drift to the other side of the boat where San had been helping Changbin set up his rod.Ā
Wooyoung didnāt laugh along with his teasing and Yeonjun hummed, hugging him from the side.Ā
āChin up, bestie. Youāre not bagging anything with your eyes all puppy-dog-like and pouty.ā He told him before he stood and cleared his throat.Ā
āSan! Can you help Woo next? Heās really eager to learn!ā he called. Wooyoungās eyes widened and San looked over, smiling and nodding. He jogged over and stopped in front of the two of them, holding a rod in each hand.Ā
āOkay, Iāll be happy to help.ā
Yeonjun took one rod and smiled at him.Ā
āI actually know how to fish. My boyfriend taught me a while ago, Iāll head over there, you can teach Woo, though.ā He smiled and strode away, leaving San shell-shocked as he watched him go. Wooyoung let out an exasperated sigh, looking up at San, waiting for his usual eager instruction. Instead, he looked like his brain had shut down completely, blinking owlishly.Ā
āHis-ā He didnāt even finish, but Wooyoung could see the thoughts in his mind running a mile a minute as he opened and closed his mouth.Ā
Wooyoung tilted his head, ready to ask him if he was okay before everything clicked into place.Ā
-āYou could always move to the city, live with some like-minded folks.ā
āI canāt say I havenāt considered it after the festival incident.āĀ
āIād be careful around that one, he aināt right.ā
āHeās an odd one, is all Iām sayinā.ā -
Wooyoung reached and gently touched his wrist, startling his attention forward. San looked at him and he sent him a smile.Ā
āHe means Soobin. Theyāre really cute. I think youād love to meet him someday. Heās a pretty athletic type like you and Changbin. I think itād be nice if we all got to introduce you to some people in our circles, to be honest. Chan and Yeji would probably immediately adopt you to like, best friend status.ā He told him. San looked at him, then back at Yeonjun, watching him laugh and chatter with Changbin before he fixed his gaze on Wooyoung once more.Ā
āF-friends? All of these people are friends of yours?ā There was a slight shake to his voice, a temporary fumble before he caught himself. Wooyoung took the fishing rod and walked to the edge of the boat.Ā
āTeach me how to cast this and Iāll tell you more. Early bird gets the worm, right?ā he grinned. San nodded, clearing his throat and instructing him on how to safely cast his line after choosing his bait. Once their lines were all out, Wooyoung leaned on the rail, the sea salt twinged air blowing his bangs as he looked out at the ocean.Ā
āLetās see. Soobin is Yeonjunās boyfriend of like, three years? Chan and Changbin have been dating for like five, and Yeji joined their relationship like two years ago-āĀ
āWait.āSan looked at him, eyes widened in surprise. Wooyoung laughed.
āTheyāre polyamorous. Itās honestly so cute and mushy when the three of them are together, even if they do like to playfully bully Changbin, itās all in good fun.ā Wooyoung put his chin in his palm and looked out at the sea. San watched him for a while.Ā
āSoā¦is the Yeosang person you keep mentioning your boyfriend, then? Unless youāre not into that Iām sorry for assuming-ā San immediately began clumsily trying to backpedal before he even got a response. Wooyoung couldnāt help but to think he was cute.Ā
āYeosangā¦Iāve had a crush on him for as long as I can remember. I donāt think he knows, though. I don't have a boyfriend right now.ā He hummed, eyes looking at his line to make sure he wasnāt missing any potential fish biting.Ā
San looked at him, then fell into a comfortable silence, staring out with him.Ā
Wooyoung couldnāt help but to notice the smile that never left his lips as he enjoyed the lull of the boat and the ocean.Ā
-5pm-
āSan, come here, Iāll show you how we make this stew. My mom used to make it all the time.ā Wooyoung beckoned San over, smiling as he all but darted across the room, eyes wide like a childās as he looked over Wooyoungās shoulder.Ā
San watched his every move and soon stood beside him, copying him without a word, his eyes narrowed from his focus. Wooyoung laughed suddenly, drawing his attention up to his face instead of the fish he had been cleaning.Ā
āWhat?ā He inquired. Wooyoung sent him a teasing look.Ā
āYou look really handsome when you focus like that. You get this cute little furrow in your brow.ā He complimented. San paused, a blush creeping up to his ears.Ā
Wooyoung smiled devlishly, proud of himself as he turned his attention back to the fish.Ā
āSo then after you clean it-ā he continued on as normal, watching as San cleared his throat, trying-and failing-to hide the face he was caught off guard by Wooyoungās flirting.Ā
Chaerin poked her head into the kitchen a few hours later, smiling as she saw all of the young men working together, watching as Yeonjun taught San some of the fruity drink recipes and Changbin let him taste test the meat he had been searing on the other side of the kitchen. The four laughed like old friends, and it warmed her heart to hear San finally have some friends.Ā
She pushed herself off of the door frame and sat down at the table, kissing each of her babies on the head before they all got back to working on a puzzle to pass the time.Ā
When they finally sat down at the table to eat later, the sound of laughter filled the room, drifting throughout the home until late into the evening. It had been nice to see San laugh and talk with people his age. The light blush on his cheeks brought a smile to her face that she hid behind the rim of her wine glass.Ā
āāāą®ą¹ā”ą¹ą®āāā
The next month had beenā¦something. One of three down, and it seemed after that faithful day, something had shifted between San and Wooyoung. The two worked so well together, one would be easily fooled into thinking they had been close for years themselves.Ā
Wooyoung had gained more of a keen eye for some of the villagers looking at the four interact with each other. It was five including the times Kibum would come along, though he had begun to pull back and let them explore on their own time.Ā
They were never outwardly hostile, but some of them did make a point to not go near the quartet or would whisper behind their hands when they thought no one was looking after they would pass. Wooyoung wasnāt naive, he wasnāt a stranger to the concept of people being less than favorable when it came to another personās preferences and lifestyle, but something about the whole ordeal made himĀ especiallyĀ angry because San had been so isolated in the home town heād clearly loved so much over something so fuckingĀ stupidĀ .Ā
Wooyoung had stuck to him like glue because of it, choosing to go with him whenever San was out and about, be it for working out in the fields or out at sea or just for recreational exploration of the island. Yeonjun and Changbin would give them their alone time occasionally, thoughWooyoung never prompted either of them for it.Ā
He was grateful they did, however.Ā
San had gotten comfortable with him in their time together, brushing against him at nearly every possible opportunity, hugging him from behind, even playfully tilting his chin up here and there when he caught him off guard and spacing out.Ā
All of it made his heart thrum in anticipation, but heād always been left hanging, neither of them taking that extra step forward to commit toā¦whateverĀ this flirting had been.Ā
It had been driving him quite crazy, if Wooyoung was being honest.Ā
Today they stayed inside, sprawled out on the floor with a small fan circulating between the two of them. It was scorching outside, and today had been the first day all of them agreed to stay inside and not do any farming.Ā
Yeonjun made a point to grab Changbin, saying something about teaching the little ones how to make homemade ice cream before he tugged him downstairs, leaving Wooyoung alone with San. The Namhae native set down a glass of juice beside Wooyoung before he tugged at his shirt a few times, muttering something about needing a bigger fan or finally investing in a new aircon.Ā
Wooyoung watched him out of the corner of his eye, his lips curling up teasingly.Ā
āIf itās too hot, just take your shirt off.āĀ
San paused, looking at him with a brow arched. A month ago, he would have blushed up to his ears and probably would have declined with a flustered stammer, but now, Wooyoung found him not backing down from his teasing gaze. His own lips quirked as he tilted his head up, looking down at him with a look WooyoungĀ sworeĀ was more sultry than anything heād ever seen on the slightly older manās face.Ā
āI bet youād like it if I did, huh?āĀ
Wooyoung sat up himself, sizing him up and smiling back despite the furious ba thumps of his heart.Ā
āAnd if I say I would? Then what?āĀ
āThen prove it. You can take it off of me if youād be so inclined.āĀ
A beat of silence stretched between the two of them and Sanās expression almost broke, his words catching up to him and his heart nearly leaping out of his chest when he realized how forward he had been. Before he could apologize, Wooyoung pushed himself up off of the floor, standing in front of him and tugging him forward by his belt hoops.Ā
San nearly stumbled, a surprised look on his face as he looked at Wooyoung. Wooyoung swallowed down any nervousness he felt, his face dangerously close to Sanās as he ran his thumbs over the end of his shirt.Ā
āI really will take it off. If you donāt mind, that is.ā Wooyoung gave him a moment to reconsider. San held his gaze for a moment before he lifted his arms, nodding and breathing out a quiet; 'Ā Go ahead.ā
Wooyoung pulled it up and over his head, tossing it to the side. He didnāt immediately look down at his chest, instead fixing his gaze on Sanās face once more, taking in his expression to make sure he hadnāt been made uncomfortable.Ā
It was quite the contrary, actually, and instead, he looked at him with slightly parted lips, his chest rising and falling a bit quicker than normal. Neither of them spoke for what felt like forever, but once again, Wooyoung spoke up.Ā
āIf you want, you can take mine off, too.āĀ
Sanās jaw settled for a brief moment, and Wooyoung had a passing thought of how it would feel to cup it in his hands. San reached for his shirt, fingers hesitating.Ā
āYou donāt think this is weird? That Iām weird? āĀ
Wooyoung put his hands over his and closed them on his shirt.Ā
āI donāt know what the people in this village have said to you before, but no. This isnāt weird. San, you donāt have to walk on eggshells around me when it comes to this. I understand.ā He murmured. San grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head with a surprising gentleness, his hands hovering just off of Wooyoungās hips, unsure of where to place them. Wooyoung noticed and stepped closer into his space, feeling the heat radiate from his chest.Ā
āYouāre staring.ā Wooyoung purred. San nodded, clearing his throat and looking away bashfully.Ā
āSorry. Youāre really..uh.ā
āPretty? Attractive? Sexy as fuck?ā Wooyoung teased.Ā
āYeah. All of those. And then some.āĀ
Wooyoung felt his cheeks grow hotter, staring at Sanās honest expression before he finally took the time to drift his eyes down his body. Heād seen San in skin-tight tank tops and t-shirts before, even seen his back bare a few times, but this had been the first time San had faced him while shirtless.Ā
You, uh, could certainly tell he was a man who did extensive amounts of manual labor. Despite the fact that a month had passed of them working together, Wooyoung had never seen him from the front. And his ogling was a bit more than telling.Ā
San watched him with a quiet gaze, not saying anything. Wooyoung looked like he wanted to run his hands over his abdomen, touch and feel all of his defined muscles, but he simply bit his lip.Ā
āYāknow, this is the first time in a while Iāve been speechless like this.āĀ
San felt an excited flutter in his chest as he reached and lifted Wooyoungās chin, a gentle movement heād done countless times before in their recent time together. Wooyoung looked up instantly, staring into his eyes.Ā
āIā¦Iām pretty sure Iām just as caught off guard.ā He responded, his thumb idly running over Wooyoungās cheek. Wooyoung waited for a moment before he hummed, noticing San not making any other movements. He thought back to Yeonjun-and later Changbinās-encouragement for him to just let loose and have fun while here and spoke up.Ā
āYou look really kissable like this, you know.āĀ
Sanās thumb paused instantly, his eyes widening ever so slightly. He opened his mouth, a quiet, yet scrambled noise leaving his lips until Wooyoung put his hand on his own cheek, mirroring him.Ā
āDo I look kissable, San?ā He continued, turning his head ever slightly to kiss Sanās palm. Sanās hand twitched ever so slightly, but he didnāt back away from him, nodding. Wooyoung sent him a fake pout.Ā
āI canāt hear you, Sannie. Do I look kissable to you? Would you kiss me?ā He teased, pressing another chaste kiss to Sanās palm. Sanās fingers flexed and he turned his head back fully, staring into Wooyoungās eyes.Ā
āAre you teasing me?āĀ
āYes and no. I really want you to kiss me, but Iām trying to behave myself because I see youāre terrified.āĀ
Sanās expression was unreadable for a moment before he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips against Wooyoungās. The city boy hummed, pleased with the initiation, and kissed him back, his hand sliding from Sanās face to cup the back of his neck.Ā
San broke the kiss much sooner than Wooyoung would have preferred, looking at him in surprise. Wooyoung made a small ānuh uhā noise, pulling him back in for more, peppering his lips with small, chaste kisses that eventually lasted longer and longer until the two of them were making out in the middle of the living room.Ā
Wooyoung pushed him back gently making him sit on the couch as he sat down and straddled him.Ā
San panted, setting his hands on Wooyoungās waist, looking up at him with a blush on his cheeks and his eyes slightly blown. Wooyoung smiled, arching a brow as he cocked his head to the side.Ā
āYou could grab my ass, you know. I donāt think you have to be so polite with touching me, yknow.āĀ
San looked at him before he slowly lowered his grip, squeezing handfuls of Wooyoungās ass as he kissed his Adamās apple.Ā
āYou didnāt say you were comfortable with that, yet.āĀ
Wooyoung smiled, running his fingers through his hair and leaning into his ear.Ā
āIām comfortable for a lot more than this, but if I tell you all that entails, we might make a mess of this couch.ā He purred. Sanās fingers flexed as he let out a breathyĀ āholy fuck?āĀ followed by his usual boy next door laugh, though it was much airier than Wooyoung had ever heard it before.Ā
āYou city folk really are somethinā, huh?āĀ
Wooyoung shrugged his shoulder.Ā
āTrying to be subtle never got my message across before. I think Yeonjunās right and I should be a bit more forward with things I want.āĀ
San hummed and tilted his head to the side, gazing up at Wooyoung.Ā
āAnd what do you want?āĀ
āMore kisses. Your hands all over me. Your cock down my throat.āĀ
San blinked in surprise and Wooyoung laughed quietly, sitting directly on his cock.Ā
āYouāreĀ biiigĀ , you know that?ā Wooyoung purred, tilting his head as he rutted his ass back. San inhaled sharply through his teeth, hips bucking slightly as Wooyoung slowly rolled and rocked his hips back and forth. He smiled at the expression on his face, leaning close and kissing the shell of Sanās ear.Ā
āOf course, you know that. Are you pent-up? Itās been a month and Iām pretty sure you havenāt touched yourself. Does it ache, Sannie?ā He hummed, nipping his earlobe.Ā
āThatās-Ā fuck-Ā thatās unfair, Wooyoung.āĀ
āTell me what you want to do, San.āĀ
"I donāt-I donāt know- anyone could walk in on us.ā San panted, though his actions didnāt match his words, still grinding his cock against Wooyoungās ass. Wooyoung cupped his cheek and met his eye, his own half-lidded.Ā
āWe could always move, you know.Ā OurĀ bedroom is down the hall.ā He casually reminded him, running a finger down his chest. San swallowed dryly before he picked Wooyoung up effortlessly. Wooyoung yipped, eyes widening for a moment before he clung to him. San walked them directly to the aforementioned room.Ā
He set Wooyoung down with a gentle motion, making sure he held the back of his head before setting it in the center of his pillow. Wooyoung didnāt let go, however, pulling him down and wrapping one of his toned thighs around his waist. San grunted in surprise before kissing him, placing his palms by either side of his head to brace himself.Ā
Wooyoungās fingers ran up his back, kneading and lightly clawing at his muscles as they kissed, moaning into Sanās mouth as he rolled his hips down, their bulges grinding against one another. San swallowed the sound, moving one of his hands, running calloused fingers down Wooyoungās neck, collar, chest (stopping to trace the black ink adorning his ribs), and torso, hooking a finger in his waistband and tugging teasingly.Ā
āShould I take them off now, Woo? Hm?āĀ
Wooyoung narrowed his eyes at him, opening his mouth to tell him off for daring to turn and tease him, like that's not what he had been doing to San this whole time. Anything he had to say fell flat the moment Sanās hand disappeared into his shorts, grabbing his cock and arching a brow at the strangled gasp that tumbled out of Wooyoungās lips.Ā
Wooyoung moaned as San stroked him nice and slow, leaning into his ear,Ā
āYouāre talking about how hard I got, look at you. Do I get the treat of hearing more of those pretty moans, Wooyoung?ā He purred, twisting his wrist on every upstroke, watching Wooyoungās expressions like a hawk. Wooyoungās eyes slipped closed as he breathed out a shakyĀ āyes, please.āĀ San smiled to himself, whispering sweet nothings as he jerked him off, loving every small gasp and whine that came from Wooyoungās lips and the way he tried-and failed-to keep his voice down as San teased the underside of his cock with his thumb.Ā
āSan~ā
āYes, baby? Youāre singing for me, it sounds so good.ā Sanās satoori rattled around his head and Wooyoung shuddered, grabbing the waistband to his shorts and shoving them down to his knees, sighing at the relief he felt the moment he did.Ā
Sanās eyes drifted down to Wooyoungās flushed cock, smiling as he rolled his fingers over the tip, smearing precum all over the crown.Ā
āYouāre making a mess. You can cum whenever you want to, baby. Iām not going to stop you.ā He encouraged, placing encouraging kisses on Wooyoungās collar and neck as he watched his cock out of the corner of his eye.Ā
āSan-nnā¦fuck, San slow down I really will cum if you keep going.ā He shuddered, his hips bucking, thrusting into Sanās fist despite his pleas. San, however, listened without complaint, slowing his motions and kissing the corner of Wooyoungās eye as he looked at his expression.Ā
āI could cum just from looking at you like this.ā He hummed, leaning close. Wooyoung met him halfway, pawing at his pants, silently urging him to join him in his nudity. San obliged and reluctantly let him go, sitting up on his knees to unbutton his pants. Wooyoungās eyes immediately gravitated downwards, biting his lip at that neatly trimmed trail that disappeared into his boxers that heād only seen glimpses of. San tossed his pants and boxers into the hamper, turning to give his attention back to Wooyoung and smiling at the way Wooyoung stared at him, biting his thumbnail.Ā
āI want you back on top of me,ā San spoke, laying down on his side of the bed. Wooyoung laughed quietly and tossed a leg over his hip, straddling him and sliding down so their cocks were flush against one another.Ā
āMy, youāre awfully bossy.āĀ
San hummed, not denying the claim as he held Wooyoungās ass, grinding and rutting so their cocks once more slid against each other and each manās abs. Wooyoung sighed in pleasure, bucking his hips and closing his eyes as he let San match him below, feeling steadied by the country boyās firm grip on his ass. San moaned his name below him, making a mess as his precum smeared onto Wooyoungās abs cock.Ā
āKissā¦mm Wooyoung c'mere-āĀ
Wooyoung nearly fell forward as San pulled him down gently, hand cupped on the back of his neck. He adjusted himself, his chest against Sanās, their heartbeats both erratic and frantic as they kissed, groaning ever so slightly as they continued to grind and rut on each other. Wooyoung spread his legs wider, a needy hitch in his breath coming out then he felt San's rough fingers rolling over his rim. He shuddered, lifting his hips high, but San only squeezed his ass with his free hand and brought him back flush against his body with a firm tug.Ā
"I want you to cum like this, pretty boy. Make a mess of the abs you wanted to see so bad." He purred. Wooyoung gasped and bucked, clenching on nothing as he struggled between which he wanted more of, San's kisses, his voice, his fingers along his rim, or his cock between his legs.
"Ā SanĀ ." Wooyoung pleaded needily, his body quivering against Sanās.Ā
āCāmon, baby. I got you. Iāll take care of you.ā He urged, his own voice sounding strained as Woouyoung groaned in his arms. Wooyoung kissed him desperately to keep himself from possibly raising his voice to a level that would get them caught.Ā
San groaned back, inhaling sharply as Wooyoung tugged his hair, cumming messily against his abs as instructed. San purred, mumbling praises between kisses as he let out a sigh, cumming a minute or two after him.Ā
The two men sat in each otherās arms, panting as they reeled. Once heād gathered his bearings, Wooyoung looked down, cheeks darkening at the mess left behind.Ā
āShit, man, you really were pent up, huh?āĀ
San looked down at the mess splayed across his stomach and laughed airily, letting his head thump against the pillows.
āHahā¦yeah, I guess you can say that.āĀ
-8pm-
Wooyoung swung his feet as he sat on a bench outside a convenience store San and he had walked to. The night air had been a much-needed 180 from the temperature earlier. He held Sanās jean jacket over his shoulders as he waited for him, smiling up at him as San jogged outside, two bags full of snacks in either hand.Ā
āHey, you could have come inside.ā He told him, smiling as he fished out a Melona bar for Wooyoung. He shrugged a shoulder, looking up at the moon.Ā
āIt felt nice out here.ā was his response. San hummed and nodded, his eyes spotting an old couple across the way sending them a weird look before whispering amongst themselves.Ā
āIsnāt thatā¦ā
āMhm, I think it is. What a shame, he grew up to be such a handsome boy. What a waste.ā
Sanās jaw ticked ever so slightly and Wooyoung followed his gaze. He frowned when he noticed the duo as well and looked back at San. The countryman sent him a smile that didnāt meet his eyes and pointed behind him.Ā
āWe should head back. The little ones are waiting-oh!āHe let out a noise of surprise as Wooyoung stood and hooked arms with him, marching back inside the convenience store.Ā
āWooyoung? Whatās up-ā
āYou forgot something.ā He murmured, looking up and down the aisles. San stumbled a few times before he managed to match Wooyoungās steps.Ā
āI did? What is it? Why are you in such a rush-ā
Wooyoung didnāt answer him, smiling and letting out an āaha!ā as he finally found what he was looking for. San peeked over his shoulder, cheeks going beet red as Wooyoung plucked a box of condoms from the shelf and a bottle of lube. He looked at the label, nose scrunching before putting the bottle back and grabbing one beside it. San stared at him, his eyes the size of dinner plates as Wooyoung meticulously dragged him up and down the aisle, grabbing a few more things before he marched up to the counter, setting everything down.Ā
The cashier looked at everything before looking at the two of them over the rim of her glasses, arching a brow. San didnāt say a word, completely stun locked into place, while Wooyoung merely arched a brow back at her, waiting.Ā
āDid you want everything ermā¦in the same bag?āĀ
āYep, it's all going to the same place.āĀ
She nodded, clearing her throat and scanning each product. Wooyoung paid her without incident and pulled San out, making a point to make eye contact with the old couple that had been whispering about San before. Once they spotted him, he leaned in and planted a kiss on Sanās cheek, smiling at the way the dimpled man instantly blushed all the way down his neck, flustered babble leaving his mouth as Wooyoung proudly pulled him in the direction of Chaerinās house.
āWooyoung-ā
āThey made you uncomfortable. Fuck em. Besides, I wanted a kiss.ā
San looked at him, a vulnerable look crossing his face,Ā
āEven out here?āĀ
āEspeciallyĀ out here. Fuck 'em.ā Wooyoung repeated. San looked at him for a long moment before he reached down, holding Wooyoungās hand. He didnāt get the chance to ask if it was okay before he felt a reassuring squeeze. He smiled, turning his attention back in front of him.Ā
They walked about two blocks in comfortable silence before San spoke.Ā
āThis town has several festivals.ā He started, his footsteps matching Wooyoung. Wooyoung looked at him out of the corner of his eye, making a small sound to let him know he was listening. San took a deep breath, squeezing Wooyoungās hand.Ā
āItās kind of a tradition in this place to ask out someone of your fancy to accompany you to one of them. I asked a boy in my grade in my last year of high school. It didnāt go well.āĀ
Wooyoung frowned, rubbing his knuckles. Sanās voice didnāt waver as he spoke, his arm occasionally brushing against Wooyoungās as he walked with him.Ā
āNo one got violent or anything if youāre worried. Iāve heard someā¦unsavory stories about these kinds of things not going well in other places with people who see folks like meā¦āHe looked at their hands. āFolks likeĀ usĀ ā¦Iāve heard some scary things. I guess in the grand scheme of things, I can be grateful all that happened was some mockery and the village deciding I was āweirdā and ānot rightā and deciding to keep their distance from me unless absolutely necessary.ā he muttered.Ā
Wooyoung moved to stand in front of him.Ā
āNo. While Iām glad no one hurt youā¦physically, youāre hurt emotionally. And thatās just as important. They have no right to treat you like this. A whole village turning on someone? Trying to label you as some kind of freak for just loving someone differently?Ā Fuck. Them.ā Wooyoung hissed out, leaving no room for opposition. San looked down at him and smiled.Ā
āYāknow, Iām really grateful for people like Chaerin-noona and Jiyong-hyung. If it werenāt for them, I wouldnāt have even known there were people out there who donāt care. Who will stand beside me and see me for who I am. I wouldnāt have met you.ā He murmured the last bit quietly. Wooyoung smiled, opening his mouth to say he was grateful for being able to meet him when he noticed a sad look cross Sanās face.Ā
āI donāt know what Iām going to do when you leave.āĀ
Wooyoung felt like heād crashed through a windshield, that one sentence sobering him instantly.Ā
Thatās right. Heās only here one summer. And one-third of it was already gone.Ā
Wooyoung frowned, fidgeting. San noticed and panicked slightly.Ā
āOh, Iām so sorry, I really didnāt mean to bring the mood down like this. Please forgive me for runninā my mouth.ā He frantically apologized and Wooyoung looked at him, pressing his lips together in a line before he shook his head.Ā
āSan, are you a man who likes challenges?ā He inquired. San looked at him with a tilted head.Ā
āChallenges? Iā¦I donāt know? I mean I guess I do like challenging myself or something, but I donāt really get the opportunity to get competitive with others, if thatās what you mean.āĀ
āHow about this? If I can make this the best summer ever for you, you come back to the city with me.āĀ
San stared at him with his lips parted, completely speechless. Wooyoung nodded, rubbing Sanās knuckles.Ā
āItās just an option butā¦Chae-noona did say she has her home back in Gangnam that you could live inā¦and you can even stay with me, I donāt mind. My hyungs Hongjoong and Seonghwa hyungs own a shop in town that gets a lot of business, I can ask them to hire you. Ifā¦if you want.ā He stuttered through the sentence, fumbling his words in a way San had never seen him do since heād met him.Ā
āYouād let me live with you? Just like that?ā San inquired, his voice quiet, reserved. Wooyoung nodded, looking into his eyes, making sure he could see the truth shining in them.Ā
āIf itās not abundantly clear by now, I like you. Like, IĀ reallyĀ like you. And if I can be the selfish city boy for a bit, it would be devastating for me to leave this place and leave you behind, especially with all of these assholes treating you like an alien and the crunchiest internet connection and cell phone service known to man making it difficult to keep in contact with you if we do part.āĀ
San looked at him for a long time, his expression hard to read. Wooyoung felt anxiety creep up his spine the longer they went standing there, but he didnāt say a word, just waiting.Ā
After a while, San nodded.Ā
āOkay. Iāll take you up on that challenge.ā He smiled.Ā
Wooyoung let out a relieved sigh before he gave him a quick peck.Ā
āDonāt scare me like that, oh my god.ā He held his chest before moving from his spot in front of him, walking beside him once more. San smiled and his feet once again matched his pace.
āNo oneās ever challenged me like that.ā He chuckled. Wooyoung laughed, the nervousness still evident in his tone.Ā
āItās not something I just go around doing, I assure you.ā
San smiled as they walked through the front door, immediately having three little ones flying in his direction. He let Wooyoungās hand go, bending down to scoop them up, when he noticed Jongho gravitate to Wooyoung instead, hugging his leg. Wooyoung looked just as surprised, kneeling to pet the brunette toddler.Ā
āYou okay? Whatās wrong?āĀ
āMissed Hyung.āĀ
Wooyoungās gaze softened as he hugged him, picking him up and smiling as Jongho let out a āweeeeee!ā sound.Ā
āI missed you too, big guy!ā He smiled. San watched him and felt like a weight had been rolled off of his shoulders.Ā
Wooyoung had challenged him, that much was for sure, but he probably hadnāt realized heād already accepted the offer in his head.Ā
The real challenge, San decided, was to not make it completely obvious how infatuated heād become with the city boy.Ā
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T a g l i s t
āāĀ»ā¢Ā» šŗ Ā«ā¢Ā«āāāāāā
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