Chapter Text
The first time Wooseok hears him talk about it, he didn't give it a single thought. They were out with Seungyoun's friends from his college organization, having some drinks on a Friday night.
Wooseok knows them well. They go out like this from time to time but he isn't particularly close to them. They're used to him sitting beside Seungyoun quietly, sometimes chiming in while they tell stories.
Sungjoo was telling a story how his ex who kept calling him for days only for him to find out that she just needed him to recommend her to her aunt's company. "The nerve, right? After what she did?"
Wenhan laughed and said, "That's on you, though. Why'd you assume she wants anything else?"
Sungjoo flattens at that. "Why else would you call an ex? Honestly, why didn't she just call you or... or... anyone else but me, actually." he says
Seungyoun speaks up, "To be honest, it should be an unspoken rule that you are not allowed to contact your ex for whatever reason after the break up." and they all agree.
Sungjoo asks for a toast and they all raise their glasses. They down their drinks and Seungyoun tightens the arm around Wooseok's waist to pull him closer while he talks to his friends. They spent the rest of the night beside each other talking to their friends about the upcoming holidays.
***
The second time it happens, they have a sulking Eunsang on their couch who isn't talking or crying which is definitely more difficult to console.
"Hyung." he says with a straight face when Seungyoun open's the door. "Can I stay here for the weekend?" he asks. There's no Junho tailing behind him and that's their indicator that something is not right. Wooseok caught on so he just led him on the couch.
"He's leaving." he says, half way the first episode of the cooking show they put on.
Wooseok surprised couldn't say anything but "Huh?"
"He's leaving the country for 2 years." he says quietly.
"What? Why?" Seungyoun asks.
Eunsang sighs in frustration. "Hyung, I am such a shit boyfriend." he put his head on his hans and explains, "Junho got into this exchange program that some people can only dream of and here I am sulking and upset instead of celebrating with him."
"Eunsang, it's okay to feel upset because he's going to be away from you for so long." Wooseok says as he rubs his back.
When he doesn't say anything, Wooseok asks. "Is there any other reason why you're here?"
"I didn't know." he says, his voice getting smaller. "He didn't tell me he was applying for this program or that he qualified in the initial assessment but guess who was there the whole time helping him out? Dongyun."
"Dongyun?" Wooseok could not say that he was not surprised. He's pretty close to the kids and he didn't know Junho was still in touch with him.
"Yes, his ex. He says he's part of the organization so, he knows about the process and he didn't know how to tell me. He was even the one who brought the letter to their house. If he can keep things like this from me while he's here, what more when he's in another country?" Eunsang asks to noone in particular, his voice rising and his eyes already watery.
Wooseok just lets him talk until he cries, and until he falls asleep crying.
Wooseok and Seungyoun are in the dining room when they hear a knock on the door. Seungyoun opens the door, and to noone's surprise, it's Junho outside.
"Hyung." he says, craning his neck to look for Eunsang.
"Took you long enough." Seungyoun says.
"Can I talk to him?" he asks, sounding hopeful.
"Junho, listen to me." Seungyoun says blocking the way, which surprises Wooseok. He's been a bit quiet while he was talking to Eunsang and just brough them drinks before he fell asleep.
"I know you thought what you did was a little white lie but it's not. Keeping things from him and talking to your ex behind his back. That was not very nice." he continues.
Junho's frown deepens, "I know, hyung. I'm sorry."
"Eunsang loves you even before you got together and he's seen you cry because of that person. Now, you let him watch you go run back to your ex."
"It wasn't like that. I love him, you know that." Junho says, with desperation laced in his voice.
"We know but you got him doubting that." They both look towards the living room. "Let him rest tonight and just talk tomorrow." Junho couldn't do anything but to nod his head and hold his tears back while he walks away.
When Seungyoun closes the door. They hear a sniffle coming from the living room.
***
The third time he hears about it, he was with Seungwoo at the lobby as they wait for Hangyul to get out of class. They're both listening to session on a local radio channel and he is nothing but proud. So, even when he's in university, he makes sure he never miss it.
"...and that was Tide by WOODZ. I love that song, really." Seungyoun says after the song.
"We have a message here from.. oh they want to stay anonymous. They said, "Why did you play that song? It made me message my ex." Oh no!" Seungyoun exclaims which puts a smile in Wooseok's face. He can just imagine the shocked, round eyes full of worry.
"No, no no! Please don't do that. I will not play any more sad songs today." he tells the listener.
"We got another message. "Seungyounie, don't worry I blocked my ex so, I'm safe."" he reads. "That's more like it. Good job! Seriously, guys. Do not waste your time, energy and feelings on your exes! Just move forward and enjoy what you have now." he says and he sounds so serious and pained.
He hears Seungwoo snickers, "Oh no. He's still at it." is all he says and he knows he's also listening to Seungyoun right now. These two go way back so, he must know the whole story. Wooseok knows he was in a long term relationship before they met but he doesn't know the details, he didn't know he'd need it until, well, today.
He comes back to his senses when he hears Seungyoun try to lighten up the mood again, "Also, I'm sorry, WOODZ, I love you but I might not be playing Tide anymore after this."
After they eat lunch, he sends a message to Seungyoun saying he's ditching his last class cause he's not feeling well. He offers to come home with him but he refuses.
That afternoon, he falls asleep listening to Tide wondering if Seungyoun feels this way.
***
"Younie." Wooseok calls in his sleep, and a pair of arms pulls him in which woke him up from his sleep. He hears Seungyoun snicker before he even opens his eyes.
"Did my Wooseokie miss me?" he asks in a cute voice.
Seungyoun expects him to huff and hit him on the chest or playfully push him away. What he didn't expect is Wooseok burying his face to his chest and crying.
"Baby? Why are you crying?" He tries to look at his face but Wooseok wouldn't lift his head so Seungyoun just holds him and makes sure to him tightly make him feel that he's there.
When Wooseok doesn't stop crying, Seungyoun speaks again. "Baby, I'm getting worried here." and Wooseok does hear it in his voice which only makes the guilt worse. "Can you just tell me if you're hurt?"
Wooseok doesn't trust his voice so, he just shakes his head. Seungyoun moves so he can rub his back. "Okay, that's good. You're not hurt, that's good."
They lie there in silence for an hour. When Seungyoun feels Wooseok's breathing calm down, tears long gone. He pulls away a little to look at Wooseok's face. "Do you need anything, baby? Anything to make you feel better." he says as he wipes the tears on his face.
"Just you." Wooseok says in a small voice which breaks Seungyoun's heart a little.
"Well, you have me. You already know that. You have all of me, all the time." Seungyoun assures him with a smile. "I love you."
Wooseok hugs him again before responding, "I love you too."
And they fall asleep like that, tangled together.