Work Text:
“There’s gotta be someone for Yeosang.” Wooyoung says, busying his hands with the laundry basket in front of him, pulling out various pieces of clothing to sort through.
San sighs as he sits on the bed across from Wooyoung, grabbing for the socks to pair together. Wooyoung knows it’s the only part of laundry San will help with, so every time he comes across a lone sock, he picks it out to place in front of San.
“Is this because of what he said the other night? About you guys never hanging out?” San grumbles, wrapping a pair of matching socks together.
“No.” Wooyoung protests defiantly, voice clear, unlike San’s. The accusation still causes Wooyoung to shift uncomfortably, refusing to return San’s unbelieving stare.
Okay, so maybe it is because of that exact reason.
Yeosang hadn’t meant it as though he doesn’t like San, in fact they get along too well. Wooyoung often has to remind Yeosang that he was friends with Wooyoung first, and as such should take Wooyoung’s side when he bickers with San. And vice versa when San agrees with Yeosang, but all Wooyoung has to do is glare at his good-hearted, and stupidly handsome, boyfriend to remind him who he should be taking arms with. Yeosang is not as vulnerable to Wooyoung’s ways.
But one night, just like any other night the three of them spent together at Wooyoung and San’s apartment, Yeosang had entered and Wooyoung could tell something was off right away. Yeosang acting a little more odd than usual after he scanned the apartment.
“For such a good friend of eight years, we never hang out anymore.” Yeosang says, short, finding that it wasn’t just him and Wooyoung for the night. San, sequestered away at his gaming PC, wearing large headphones blocking out the argument brewing.
“What do you mean? I am a great friend. I see you all the time.”
“I see you and San all the time.”
“And? San lives here too. And he is my boyfriend. And your friend!” Wooyoung all but shouts, offended on San’s behalf.
“Okay, and? San and I do stuff without you.” Wooyoung huffs at this, more annoyed that they would leave him out, but Yeosang presses forward before Wooyoung can divert the conversation. “Tell me the last time we hung out alone. Quickly.”
Wooyoung thinks for a moment, but is ultimately stumped. Each example he can come up with includes San, right next to his side, making Yeosang a third wheel. Or other times meeting up with Seonghwa and Hongjoong, making Yeosang a dreaded fifth wheel.
But Yeosang’s first mistake was leaving time for Wooyoung to think, an opportunity for Wooyoung to instead find a way to pivot the conversation. He wouldn’t have facts to prove himself right, so Wooyoung would have to change the subject entirely.
“Am I supposed to feel better knowing you two do stuff without me? You’re my best friend, right? Maybe it's you who isn't making enough effort to hang out with me if you have all this time to hang out with San. Besides, maybe if you weren’t perpetually single then you wouldn’t have to be a third wheel all the time.”
Yeosang guffaws at this, eliciting a louder guffaw from Wooyoung, challenging Yeosang. “Maybe I’m not single. Maybe I just don’t want anyone I like to have to meet the worst best friend in the world.” Yeosang says, an eerie calmness to his tone and volume.
Wooyoung knows Yeosang isn’t the type to blow up or make a huge fuss when he’s truly upset, and seeing Yeosang like this worries Wooyoung briefly. Yeosang lets the silence hang for a moment, giving Wooyoung a chance to take back his words, but Wooyoung maintains, too fired up to back down. Yeosang rolls his eyes, having had enough apparently. He takes his things and leaves the apartment, slamming the door on the way out.
With the absolute worst timing, San spins around in his chair having just won a match and looking for the fanfare he deserves for his hard fought victory. San immediately senses the shift in the atmosphere, it’s palpable and able to ruin any celebratory mood. Wooyoung’s arms are stiffly crossed, back turned to the door, and San, who was also expecting, Yeosang quickly pieces together that he will not be seeing Yeosang tonight. Yeosang’s presence lingers the rest of the night, ruining Wooyoung’s mood, despite San trying his best to cheer him up.
“What about Mingi?” Wooyoung asks, trying to get San back to the task at hand, Wooyoung not ready to admit defeat.
San’s laugh comes out in a short burst, “Mingi? With Yeosang? They’re so awkward together!”
This time Wooyoung does look at San, who is still laughing to himself at the thought. Wooyoung does not appreciate San’s giggles, who continues to find Wooyoung’s suggestion so bad that it’s just that fucking funny. “What would they even talk about?”
Yeosang and Mingi have met a handful of times, mostly at parties at Wooyoung and San’s apartment, Mingi being one of San’s oldest friends, but Mingi and Yeosang never really connected. Wooyoung had watched the two bump into each other one too many times, both unaware that the other was in their path, then exchange painfully awkward apologies. The memory alone is almost convincing enough for Wooyoung to give up on his whole scheme.
But there aren’t a lot of other options within their friend circle. Hongjoong and Seonghwa are spoken for, by each other. Wooyoung finds the pair unbearable some nights, specifically the way they act like an old married couple, refusing to stay out past 10PM.
Jongho is in his own on-and-off situation, too private to share many details with Wooyoung. Wooyoung isn’t going to jam Yeosang in the middle of whatever that’s about.
And Yunho is too busy with work, so even if Wooyoung could set him up with Yeosang, Yeosang would still often be left alone, defeating the whole purpose of Wooyoung getting involved in Yeosang’s affairs.
Which leaves Mingi.
“Yeosang is my best friend, and Mingi is your best friend. And, look how well we get along. They just need a little help from me. You know, I’m very good at making connections.” Wooyoung says, folding up one of San’s favorite pairs of jeans that hug his waist just right, still half trying to convince himself of his own skills for the awkward duo.
San fiddles with a thread on one of Wooyoung’s black work socks, Wooyoung able to see the gears turning in San’s head as he thinks through ways to stop Wooyoung. But Wooyoung is decided and prepared, ready to outsmart each one of San’s counterpoints.
“I don’t think Mingi will go for it.” San finally utters, the only challenge he can offer.
He’s not wrong. If Mingi is at all aware of what they are trying to do, he would protest against being a pawn in Wooyoung’s scheme, always needing to be so rebellious. Even if Wooyoung could get Mingi to go with his plan, there would still be the risk of Mingi saying too much. Mingi’s uncalculating manner and directness are a liability to expose Wooyoung’s ulterior motives to Yeosang.
“Then we won’t tell him.” Wooyoung states firmly, still working on the fly to craft his plan.
Wooyoung grabs his newest oversized shirt from the clothing pile, “Then you won’t have to do anything, well, maybe just plant some seeds with Mingi, but that’s easy. Other than that, just bring Mingi wherever I tell you to bring him and I’ll do the rest.”
San sighs defeatedly, knowing it’s no use to try to stop Wooyoung once he sets his mind to something. “I wouldn’t care if you hung out with Yeosang without me.” San pauses, hoping Wooyoung will come to his senses. Wooyoung now focused on folding his tight, black tank top that he only brings out for parties, like he didn’t hear San.
“You know this won’t actually fix the problem, right?” San tries again, almost pleading with Wooyoung. “Setting Yeosang up with someone won’t make up for you not hanging out with him, tell me you know that before I agree to this.”
Maybe it would be easier to admit his wrongdoings, just apologize to Yeosang and promise to do better. And he would.. But for now Wooyoung’s pride is wounded. Yeosang’s sharp tongue cut Wooyoung, and the only appropriate punitive measure is to turn the tables on Yeosang. To get him so blindsided and distracted with a new boyfriend that he would see how difficult it is to balance a social life and love.
And in Wooyoung’s defense (since not even San seemed to be willing to do that right now), Wooyoung has never loved anyone the way he loves San. Doesn’t Yeosang see that? Doesn’t the whole world see that? So sue him if he wants to be with San every minute of every day and also spend time with his friends, San at his side. The more the merrier. If Yeosang wants to see Wooyoung he’ll have to get used to San being there too.
Moreover, Wooyoung has a point to prove now. Wooyoung, a man relentless once tasked with an impossible challenge, especially when the other option is admitting his own faults. He’d prove to San that he possesses the charismatic charm to get any two people to fall in love, even a pairing as awkward as their two respective best friends.
“I know this, San.” Wooyoung lets out harshly, but switches his tone to something softer before he finishes his thought. “But can you blame me for wanting to find Yeosang something that’s even a fraction as good as what we have?”
Although true, Wooyoung knows a cheesy line like this would hook his sappy, romantic San. San murmurs contently, adding “Well, when you put it like that...”
Soon enough, Yeosang and Mingi would be the new thing, and Yeosang would understand the torture of choosing between seeing your friends or being away from the person you love. Because that’s what a good friend would do, and Wooyoung is a great friend.
✕
Wooyoung
can i interest you in all you can eat bbq?
Yeosang
…
you and san seem like you can handle that without me
Wooyoung
🙄
san won’t be there
Yeosang
oh, is your perfect boyfriend busy?
what an honor to be considered as the next best option
Wooyoung
think of it as a peace offering
Yeosang
i’m busy.
for the next 6 months.
Wooyoung
my treat
Yeosang
…
my schedule suddenly cleared up for saturday
Wooyoung
…
dummy
✕
It wasn’t as awkward as Wooyoung was anticipating when he met Yeosang at their local coffee shop. They caffeinated before walking through the downtown area, wandering in and out of the various shops to look over clothes and trinkets and things they did not need.
Yeosang is always kind of quiet, even in a one-on-one setting. It used to bother Wooyoung that Yeosang wouldn’t speak up, knowing that underneath Yeosang’s statuesque facade is a funny, charming personality. But Wooyoung realized long ago that Yeosang’s quiet, reserved nature paired well with his rough, gregarious tendencies. Yeosang acts as a soothing presence while Wooyoung brings (what he considers) a fun chaos to any situation.
Yeosang’s silence today is different; strained rather than reserved. Wooyoung can sense when Yeosang has something to say but doesn’t, instead physically turning himself away from Wooyoung in most moments.
They play this game when they fight; giving the cold shoulder to the offender until inevitably thawing out, deciding that their friendship isn’t worth the price of icing each other out of their lives. But Wooyoung doesn’t have time for this. He’s running out of time, their path leading them to the restaurant for their reservation, like a timer on Wooyoung’s plan, forcing his hand.
“I haven’t been here since - ”
“Since we graduated.” Wooyoung finishes Yeosang’s thought, walking ahead of Yeosang, pushing the door a little firmer so it would stay open long enough for Yeosang.
The small family-owned restaurant in the city had hosted Yeosang and Wooyoung throughout the years of their friendship. The last time they’d visited was when their families had combined their college graduation dinner celebrations, reserving out the large private room in back to accommodate their parents, siblings, and older sibling’s partners. Wooyoung’s younger brother, just finishing up preschool at the time, had been the life of the party, eating up all the attention from the adults, even though they’d gathered for the two college graduates.
After that night, Wooyoung and Yeosang had promised each other to visit the restaurant more frequently, just the two of them, since they’d obtained their first adult jobs (and incomes) to begin shortly after graduation. But that promise was made just before San entered Wooyoung’s world, shifting every priority Wooyoung held, now finding his entire center of gravity shifted with San.
Wooyoung led Yeosang to the hostess podium, still a few paces ahead of Yeosang. Wooyoung is warmly greeted by the same older woman that had been working at their graduation dinner.
“We have a reservation.” Wooyoung says, keeping his voice low. “It’s under Wooyoung.”
The woman looks down at the paper on the stand, “Ah - ”, she starts loudly, almost like she recognizes Wooyoung after all this time, “Wooyoung for four?”
“Yup! That’s the one!” Wooyoung tries to talk over the woman, hoping Yeosang didn’t catch any of it. He looks back and Yeosang seems distracted enough, looking over the decor for any changes since the last time.
“They’ll, uh, be joining us later.” Wooyoung whispers and nods to the woman, and she just smiles sweetly.
With some reflection, and a time constraint, Wooyoung is able to pacify his spite, deciding that it would be better to apologize to Yeosang now. Although Wooyoung still doesn’t think he’d done anything wrong to begin with (he hadn’t said anything untrue), if Yeosang needed to hear an apology, then he would give this precious gift to his friend. Besides, an apology didn’t necessarily mean that Wooyoung is wrong, just that he’d gone about it too roughly.
The woman leads them back through the restaurant, not too crowded since Wooyoung had opted for a time in-between lunch and dinner. Good, he thinks, the less people around to overhear this, the better.
The woman takes them to a table against a window facing out onto the quiet side street the restaurant is located on, a built-in grill taking up most of the room in the center of the table. Once seated across from each other, the woman leaves them with menus to look over. Not long after, they’re greeted by their waiter for drink orders while they look over the menu. Wooyoung orders a bottle of soju for the table, served in a larger pouring container with a strawberry popsicle dunked in, adding some sweetness to the strong liquor.
The waiter is quick to bring the beverage back to the table with two shot glasses. Wooyoung pours a glass for Yeosang and himself, knowing the liquor will help the apology slip through his lips and help Yeosang be a little less awkward once his real plan goes into motion.
“Thank you for coming out with me.” Wooyoung, quiet, tapping the edge of his glass to Yeosang’s before they both take their shots back.
“Always happy to fill in when San’s not available.” Yeosang says curtly, making Wooyoung question why he should even apologize if Yeosang is going to make it more difficult than it needs to be.
“Look, your message was received loud and clear.” Wooyoung pauses, avoiding Yeosang’s eyes, pouring another shot for both of them. “And I’m sorry, okay? I’ll make more of an effort from now on.”
Yeosang glares at Wooyoung, “And?”
Wooyoung groans internally, “And I’m sorry about what I said. It was unkind.” Wooyoung adds stiffly and gulps back his shot quickly. He pushes Yeosang’s glass towards Yeosang, encouraging him to take the second shot. Yeosang complies swiftly.
“I appreciate that,” Yeosang starts, still grimacing slightly from the drink, “But you know I enjoy giving you a hard time too much to let you off that easily.”
They both laugh at this, dispelling the heavy mood that had been clinging on to the air since their fight.
As much as Wooyoung hates to admit fault, Yeosang likes to tease tenfold. Sometimes they take it too far, evidenced by the earlier night, but their friendship comes with a base of trust that won’t be so easily broken by a pointed insult, knowing that only a true friend would have the knowledge to read the other so precisely.
“I know you won’t. But I said I would pay, didn’t I?” Wooyoung confirms proudly, his ego somehow inflated from apologizing, even though the process had been nothing short of arduous. “Isn’t that enough to cut me some slack?”
“Ask me again after a couple rounds.” Yeosang teases, setting his menu down, signaling that he’s ready to begin the endless rounds of meat platters.
To any outsiders watching, they would’ve never known that the two men had been fighting for a period of time. As they worked their way through their first round of meat they moved smoothly between conversations and comfortable silence, the kind that only came with a friendship that had persevered as long as theirs. Wooyoung periodically checked his phone for updates from San, who’d been told to conveniently arrive with Mingi at the same restaurant about twenty minutes after their reservation time, leaving enough time for Wooyoung to butter Yeosang up.
“So, about that night…” Wooyoung starts, adding another layer of meat to cook on the grill. He glances up at Yeosang, happily chewing through a bite of japchae. “Are you hiding a secret boyfriend?” Wooyoung’s inflection goes up with each word.
Yeosang hiccups, well it kind of sounds like a hiccup, but also sounds like a cough? Like Yeosang had forced it out, forgetting that there was food in his mouth. After taking a few healthy gulps of water, Yeosang follows the sound up with an unnatural laugh, “Wooyoung, do you really think I could hide something like that from you?”
Wooyoung pauses for a moment, watching over Yeosang closely. It’s not lost on Wooyoung how Yeosang didn’t actually answer the question. And sure, Yeosang is private, but he wouldn’t be so private as to not tell Wooyoung that he was seeing someone, right? For safety at least? Like, in case Yeosang goes missing and Wooyoung has to provide the police with some sort of lead? All he’d have is a bucket hat of Yeosang’s for the search dogs to use for his scent.
But Wooyoung knows his best friend too well. Yeosang’s right, Wooyoung of all people would be able to tell when he’s lying. Plus, Yeosang’s just not that good at lying, having crumbled under other Wooyoung interrogations.
“So if there’s no secret boyfriend…” Wooyoung eyes Yeosang for a microexpression that might give away Yeosang’s double life. If there was one, it was too fast for Wooyoung to catch. “Then let me set you up.”
Yeosang makes that wretched cough-hiccup sound again. “And why should I let you pick for me?” Yeosang says, after clearing his airways again with a few more gulps of water.
Wooyoung is physically taken aback, “Um, why wouldn’t you?” Yeosang laughs at this, and the sound offends Wooyoung. “Okay, now I’m going to get pissed off. I picked out San, didn’t I?” A half truth. He played hard-to-get so San would pursue him, but it was still his plan all along.
“And you two are perfect for each other.” Wooyoung’s temper is appeased. “But that’s you. How do you know what’s good for me?”
“Did you miss the part where I’m your best friend? I know you like the back of my hand.” Wooyoung proclaims, flipping over the browning meat.
“When’s my birthday?”
“June 15th,” Wooyoung quips back. He looks up to Yeosang, “Right?”
Yeosang scoffs, “You’ve finally memorized it.” Yeosang leans back in the booth, crossing his arms.
Wooyoung hadn’t exactly worked through how he’d act when San and Mingi walked in, how he’d pretend to be so surprised that San and Mingi just happened to pick the same restaurant as them. The pressure is lifted when San and Mingi walk past the window, facing Yeosang, who takes notice of them before Wooyoung does.
“Uh - isn’t that San? And Mingi?” Yeosang asks, head turning to watch the two walk down the street towards the entrance.
Even if this wasn’t all part of his master plan, Wooyoung would’ve easily been able to pick out the back of San’s head, his tight beanie outlining his head, ass framed perfectly in those damn jeans.
“Oh - I think it is!” Wooyoung feigns surprise, “Wonder what they’re doing in this area…”
Wooyoung should’ve practiced his lines before coming out with Yeosang, the stiffness in his voice unable to masquerade his pre-meditation.
Yeosang whips his head back to Wooyoung, blankly staring until understanding washes over his face. “What is going on? What are you doing?” He asks accusingly.
“What are you talking about? I’m just as surprised to see them.” Wooyoung lies, avoiding Yeosang’s gaze, instead watching San and Mingi walk in through the doors behind their table.
“Oh, they’re eating here too?” Wooyoung continues his charade, ignoring the way Yeosang is completely covering his face now, embarrassed.
“I knew something was off when the hostess gave us four menus.” Yeosang says, shaking his head now, unimpressed by Wooyoung’s acting.
“It would be rude if we didn’t invite them to join us.” Wooyoung presses on with his one-man-show, waving over San and Mingi, Mingi spotting the pair at the table first since San is intentionally not looking at Wooyoung (part of the plan).
“What were you thinking? Is this some kind of blind double dat- ” Yeosang starts, but stops as soon as San and Mingi are close enough to the table, turning his head from the two to cover the blush on his cheeks.
Wooyoung lets out an exaggerated gasp, “What are you guys doing here? I’m supposed to be hanging out with Yeosang today.” Wooyoung adds animatedly.
“I didn’t know you two were going to be here.” San responds flatly. Wooyoung nimbly kicks his foot against San’s, irked with San’s lack of commitment to the bit. San grumbles, eyeing Wooyoung reproachfully. Admittedly, the only person they’re putting this show on for now is Mingi, Yeosang having caught on already, and Mingi isn’t even paying that much attention, practically drooling over the meat on the grill.
“Come join us.” Wooyoung roughly grabs at San’s arm, pulling him down to the booth seat to share, waving his hand at Mingi to sit next to Yeosang.
Mingi doesn’t even glance at Yeosang as he sits down, taking off his jacket and unknowingly shoving Yeosang further into the window.
Wooyoung has his work cut out for him.
Wooyoung spends the rest of the meal using every tactic in his matchmaking playbook. First, he talks up Yeosang, touting how many pull-ups he can do in a minute, how his sense of humor is so unique, and how he thinks it’s crazy that Yeosang is still single. But all Mingi ever does in response to these accolades is ask Wooyoung to pass the kimchi.
So, Wooyoung pivots, deciding to get Mingi to talk more about himself, hoping that maybe Yeosang will find something compelling in Mingi’s words. It should be easy enough since Mingi loves to talk about himself. Mingi’s responses to Wooyoung’s prompts, however, are… short. He’s too focused on getting through as much meat as he can before the waiter comes back to ask if they want another round.
By the end of their second bottle of soju, third on its way, Wooyoung is becoming desperate, needing to call in reinforcements.
“San-ah, get me a nice piece of meat.” Wooyoung says, his tone going up an octave, playing up his naturally flirty demeanor. It's easy to turn on with San, and the alcohol doesn't hurt. It doesn’t catch either Mingi or Yeosang’s attention, both too familiar with how corny Wooyoung and San can act around each other, regardless of who is around. But it does catch San’s attention, happy to get Wooyoung the biggest, juiciest piece, blissfully unaware that this is part of Wooyoung’s game, San another pawn in Wooyoung’s manipulation.
When San delicately places the meat on Wooyoung’s rice, he looks to Wooyoung, expectant, thinking he deserves a reward for all his hard work. Instead he is met with a glare, Wooyoung’s eyes shifting from the tongs to Mingi, back to San, mumbling words about getting Mingi to offer Yeosang meat. San grumbles back, shifting his eyes to Yeosang, then to Mingi, then back to Wooyoung, communicating that it’s hopeless. Truly an unintelligible conversation to anyone beyond the two.
Hadn’t San done any of the groundwork with Mingi before they arrived? Wooyoung had given him plenty of tips and conversation starters to plant the “Yeosang seeds”, as he’d called them. San had completely dropped the ball on this one. Wooyoung would have to reprimand him later.
With a loud huff from Yeosang, Wooyoung and San are pulled out of their indecipherable spat, both men turning to Yeosang, who had watched the whole thing. “I have to use the restroom.” Yeosang states.
All three look to Mingi, unmoving and distracted by something on his phone. Sensing the attention, Mingi looks up, puzzled by the stares. Yeosang repeats his statement, nodding past Mingi, Mingi finally understanding that he would need to get up for Yeosang to get out of the booth.
With Yeosang out of sight and Mingi back in his seat, glued to his phone, Wooyoung takes the chance to do what San had not, or had done so poorly.
“So, Mingi,” Wooyoung starts, flipping over the remaining meat pieces, “You and Yeosang look good.” It’s a little on the nose, Wooyoung knows this, but that’s what it’ll take to get Mingi’s attention, and Wooyoung is so good at being a little on the nose.
Wooyoung ignores the way San rolls his eyes.
“Yeah, sure, thanks,” Mingi mumbles, only half paying attention to Wooyoung, still focused on his phone as he takes back another shot of soju, “Yeosang and I have been working out together. I think it’s finally paying off.”
“No, Mingi. I meant - wait - when did you two start working out together?” Wooyoung asks, momentarily distracted.
Mingi eyes search around as he thinks on his answer, like he’s literally counting the days, “A couple months ago? I don’t remember exactly.” His eyes fall back to his phone, no further elaboration provided.
Wooyoung sighs, frustrated by Mingi’s obtuseness. “Whatever, that wasn’t what I meant. What I meant is you and Yeosang look- ”, Wooyoung is about to rip Mingi’s phone out of his hands, but Mingi startles, tapping at his phone screen before bringing the phone to his ear, followed by a quiet “Hello?”
Mingi glances at Wooyoung and San before holding up a hand, excusing himself from the table, disappearing behind San and Wooyoung.
“I told you this wouldn’t work.” San says before shoveling a mouthful of rice in his mouth, his tone a melodic sing-song of “I told you so”, proud of himself for the rare instance of besting Wooyoung.
“Yeah, no thanks to you.” Wooyoung spits back, placing a piece of meat on San’s rice.
San huffs in disbelief, “Why are you mad at me? It’s not my fault they’re like that. That’s just how they are.”
He’s not wrong, again. Wooyoung knew the task he set himself up for would be challenging. He probably would’ve given up, now having made up with Yeosang. But with San’s watchful eyes, knowing that Wooyoung had failed, and even worse that Wooyoung was wrong...
No, he wouldn’t allow it. He just needs to spin it, control the narrative.
“I told you,” Wooyoung starts, dividing up the last pieces of meat between the two of them, “Mingi needs to be primed so that he’ll be open to all the possibilities. He’s a thinker, a processor. He’s not going to jump Yeosang just because I say so.”
“It’s not like Yeosang is all that interested either,” San interjects, further pointing out Wooyoung’s failings, “He’s barely said two words to Mingi. Seems like you couldn’t get him interested either.” San adds, annoyed, and Wooyoung’s not sure why. It’s not like San has his matchmaking reputation riding on this.
“What? You think you know my best friend better than me just because you two hang out together without me sometimes? Like you could've done a better job with him than you did with Mingi?” Wooyoung contests, still chewing his food uncivilly. “No, how about you worry about your best friend and I’ll worry about mine.”
San opens his mouth, about to say something, but he holds back, head dropping slightly, pushing his food around with his chopsticks. His demeanor saddens immediately, Wooyoung can see the little rain cloud forming above San as the seconds pass.
Maybe that was too harsh for San, who is more sensitive than Wooyoung can ever understand. Even if there was a million dollars on the line, proving a point is not worth fighting with San, or at least not in this case. His San, who had gotten Mingi here, and although not helping as much as Wooyoung desired, certainly wasn’t working against Wooyoung.
Wooyoung turns into San, reaching his hand up to rest at the base of San’s neck, rubbing his thumb in small circles just behind San’s ear. “San-ah,” San looks up at Wooyoung, eyes big yet apprehensive, “Let’s just get through the rest of the meal and we’ll regroup on this later.”
San laughs, Wooyoung hears it, feels it vibrate in San’s throat and against his hand. “You really won’t give up on this, huh?”
“Nope.” Wooyoung asserts, leaning in to place a soft kiss into the side of San’s mouth. “Now get up, I have to pee too.” His hand gently pats against San’s neck, loud enough to make a smack sound on impact.
A love smack as Wooyoung likes to call them, much like San’s love smacks that typically land on Wooyoung’s backside, an opportunity San doesn’t miss when Wooyoung walks away from the table.
✕
“Hello?”
“Leave the table and come to the bathroom.” Yeosang whispers into his phone, from the restaurant bathroom. “But don’t be obvious about it, okay?”
Apart from the background noise of the restaurant, there’s silence from Mingi’s end, and Yeosang can only assume Mingi is following his directions. Yeosang remains quiet though, too worried to say more in case Wooyoung is able to pick up on Yeosang’s voice through Mingi’s phone.
Yeosang has escaped to the bathroom, unable to bear another minute of Wooyoung’s horrendous attempt at matchmaking. Even another second longer and Wooyoung would have embarrassed Yeosang to sheer nothingness. He isn’t sure what Wooyoung’s end goal is with today’s disaster, but he can only assume it would end up benefiting Wooyoung somehow.
Once alone, and able to collect his thoughts, he worried about Mingi, alone, at the table with the ever sly Wooyoung. Although Mingi has been good at keeping their secret just that, a secret, Yeosang’s not sure Mingi would maintain under Wooyoung’s tactics without Yeosang at the table to step in if needed.
The restaurant noises die down on Yeosang’s receiver, and Yeosang presses his phone closer, like he’ll be able to hear where Mingi is exactly. He’s distracted when he hears the door to the bathroom open, unable to discern if he heard it on the phone or just from inside the stall.
“Do I have to do a special knock or something?” Mingi’s voice echos between the phone and inside the bathroom, confirming his location.
Yeosang ends the call, shoving his phone into his pocket as he opens the stall door. He grabs at Mingi’s nearest arm, pulling them both back into the stall together.
Mingi still has the phone at his ear, dumbfounded at Yeosang’s speed to get him into the tight stall. Yeosang’s shoulder blades are gentle against the stall wall, he can feel the back of his hair brushing the wall with every move of his head, his knees bumping clumsily with Mingi’s as they settle into a manageable position.
Yeosang can feel Mingi’s breath, and despite eating so much spicy bulgogi already, his breath smells of the sweet strawberry soju. Mingi’s face is flush, whether that’s from the alcohol or the nearness, Yeosang’s not sure. Yeosang’s fingers curl tighter around Mingi’s wrist as he watches Mingi’s eyes scan his face, looking for an answer as to why Yeosang has pulled him into the bathroom stall, finally landing on Yeosang’s lips. Yeosang’s eyes match Mingi’s, dragging down Mingi’s face to his lips, plump and red and deliciously inviting.
In a flash, Mingi’s large hand envelopes his phone completely, his other hand locking onto the base of Yeosang’s skull, pulling Yeosang’s lips forward into a kiss. Their lips connect with such force that Yeosang’s back is pushed flush against the wall now. Mingi finds his way in between Yeosang’s legs as their lips melt into each other, his hand holding the phone uncomfortably pressed into Yeosang’s side.
Yeosang’s hands grab onto Mingi’s hips for stability, trailing back and down onto Mingi’s plump rear as he gets reacquainted with Mingi’s shape, pulling him in closer. Mingi’s lips are sticky from the sugar infused into the soju, but they are as delicious as they look, Yeosang unable to stop his tongue from lapping into Mingi’s mouth.
“Why can’t we just tell them now?” Mingi says in fragments, Yeosang chasing Mingi’s lips with his own, making it difficult for Mingi to get his words out.
Yeosang had planned to tell Wooyoung earlier, actually much earlier than today, and he had plenty of chances. He just wasn’t sure what exactly he’d tell Wooyoung each time. What started as a one-time drunk hook-up had turned into multiple drunk hook-ups, which then turned into sober hook-ups, which then turned into a date or two, or five. Now Mingi is calling Yeosang “babe” and Yeosang updated Mingi’s contact in his phone to “Boyfriend 💘”, heavily debating the emoji, but Mingi insisted. It had all happened so fast, and Yeosang hadn’t realized that he was falling into something serious until it was too late.
It’d been hard for Yeosang watching Wooyoung and San be so open about their relationship, and all the PDA. Not because Yeosang is jealous or annoyed, but because he could never be like that. So private and guarded about the things he cares about most, Yeosang often waits, and waits, until he is absolutely sure it won’t blow up in his face or get him into messy conversations about feelings. Yuck.
And Mingi had been so patient, something Yeosang hadn’t expected. Every time Yeosang asked for one more day of secrecy, which turned into weeks, which turned into months, Mingi agreed coolly, citing that he didn’t want to make life harder for Yeosang. Yeosang didn’t have the courage yet to tell Mingi that falling in love had been the easiest thing he’d ever done.
But now, with how long this has been going on with Mingi, Yeosang knows Wooyoung will lose it, and understandably so. It has been kind of shitty to not tell his best friend. He knows Wooyoung would support him through any decision, even if he doesn’t agree. But what Yeosang fears more is how intolerable Wooyoung will be, torturing Yeosang for not sharing this exciting life development and trusting him with the information sooner.
“Soon,” Yeosang whispers, moving his lips along Mingi’s jaw.
Mingi tilts his head up, accentuating his sharp jaw and giving Yeosang better access. He quietly giggles at the way Yeosang’s lips tickle against his skin. “You say that every time I ask.”
His tone isn’t harsh, but light, mostly from his giggles, but Yeosang understands Mingi’s sentiment. Mingi doesn’t want to hide forever, they’ve discussed Mingi’s conflicted feelings about not being honest with his closest friends, Yunho and San.
“I promise.” Yeosang murmurs, just before latching his lips onto Mingi’s neck. He has to remind himself to be careful though, it’d be awfully suspicious if Mingi came back to the table with a hickey that wasn’t there before.
As Yeosang contemplates just how far he can pull down the collar on Mingi’s shirt, hoping to leave a mark on his skin that would be covered by fabric, he freezes at the sound of the bathroom door being flung open.
Yeosang knows it's Wooyoung. Wooyoung’s entrances always have a way to grab all the attention in the room. Even if Yeosang can’t see it with his eyes, the air changes with Wooyoung’s presence. That, and no one flings doors open quite like Wooyoung.
Mingi pulls back, stealthily holding his finger up to his mouth, silently shushing Yeosang, who wouldn’t have said anything anyway. Although Mingi wants to share with his friends, he does still seem to get a kick out of playing spy, like it’s a game each and every time they are invited to the same place, hiding their glances and subtle touches.
Their ears are hanging off every sound Wooyoung makes, uncomfortably shifting as they have to listen to Wooyoung use the space for its intended purpose at the urinal. Wooyoung finishes, walking to the sink on the other side of the stall wall, Yeosang and Mingi are offered an opportunity to breathe more freely as the water runs.
But when the faucet turns off, Wooyoung’s feet turn to where Yeosang remembers the paper towel dispenser is, and it goes eerily quiet.
“Yeosang?” Wooyoung’s tone is incredulous.
Mingi’s eyes go wide, looking to Yeosang for whatever he plans to do next, and Yeosang clamps a hand over Mingi’s mouth before any stray sounds can escape. Yeosang clears his throat nervously, “Yeah?”
“Who’s in there with you?” As per usual, Wooyoung skips the niceties.
“Um, no one.” Yeosang adds, unconvincingly.
“Is that so?" Wooyoung pauses, Yeosang hears the rustle of Wooyoung’s clothes, able to easily imagine Wooyoung standing with his arms crossed now. "So then when did you grow an extra pair of feet?”
Yeosang looks down at their feet. Mingi’s chunky sneakers clash with Yeosang’s black combat boots. The position they’re in, Mingi’s feet facing towards Yeosang, in between Yeosang’s feet, only adds to their predicament.
“Yeosang.” Wooyoung says deliberately, “If you don’t open the door right now I’m going to assume you’re being held hostage and this is your way of telling me you need help.” Wooyoung pauses, starting again when he doesn’t get a response out of Yeosang, “And then I’m going to break down the door.”
Yeosang sighs; it's pointless. There’s no lie spectacular enough that would convince Wooyoung to leave the bathroom and allow Yeosang to finish sucking his boyfriend’s neck, no questions asked.
Yeosang lowers his hand from Mingi’s mouth, unlocking the cheap stall lock, body bumping into Mingi as the door swings in, and Yeosang sheepishly grins at Wooyoung. Wooyoung’s eyes go wide, as the two shuffle out of the stall, Wooyoung slowly piecing it all together.
“What were- How did you- How long has this-” Wooyoung sputters out many unfinished questions.
“In the bathroom?” Disbelief laces the only question Wooyoung can finish.
Yeosang isn’t sure how to start, how to build up to the whole truth, his ears burning bright red with embarrassment and anxiousness. He knows Wooyoung knows what they were doing in there, Yeosang and Mingi’s faces give that away, but their expressions don’t explain any of the context.
Yeosang opens his mouth, not even sure what will come out, but Wooyoung stops him, holding up a finger. “Don’t. Say. Anything.” With that, Wooyoung walks out of the bathroom.
“He’s been acting really weird today.” Mingi interrupts the silence. Yeosang looks at Mingi, and Yeosang now understands that Mingi hasn’t figured it out yet. Although Yeosang only has a basic understanding of Wooyoung’s plan, San must not have been as blaringly deceitful, if at all. Yeosang can only imagine that poor San was pulled into whatever half-baked plot Wooyoung had devised.
Yeosang considers explaining what’s going on, but ultimately decides against it for now, he’ll save it for afterwards. Maybe. It would only upset Mingi if he found out his trust in San had been used to play into Wooyoung’s plans. As much as Yeosang would love to be front row for the drama between San and Mingi, his drama with Wooyoung is already center stage today, and Yeosang is uneasy about what waits for him back at the table.
“Yeah, so weird.” Yeosang agrees simply, slowly making his way to the door, a death march for whatever he’s about to get into with Wooyoung.
But Mingi grabs Yeosang’s wrist, this time Yeosang is shocked by Mingi’s speed and grip. He looks down at Mingi’s hand, then up to Mingi's eyes.
“Can we get ice cream after this? Without them?” Mingi asks quietly, like someone else might be hiding in the small bathroom. “We don’t have to make something up about going in the same direction now.”
Yeosang laughs, enjoying the way Mingi is still so oblivious to all that’s going on around him. A gentle reminder to Yeosang that no matter what happens back at the table, he’ll still have Mingi at the end of it all.
“Sure, Mingi.” Yeosang wrist curls around to capture Mingi’s hand in his, fingers interlacing. “As long as you don’t eat most of mine again.”
✕
Wooyoung gets to the table before the other two traitors, leaving enough time to tell San what he witnessed, hardly enough time to even process what he saw with his own two eyes. When Yeosang and Mingi return to the table, Wooyoung is eager to press for more information, as gently as possible, in his own way.
“So, when did this all begin?” Wooyoung starts, looking directly at Yeosang.
San and Mingi can only watch, knowing they shouldn’t interfere, and couldn’t even if they wanted to try. Yeosang and Wooyoung are shielded by an impenetrable barrier, like two rival mafia bosses bartering for goods, San and Mingi just the two right hand men who watch idly.
“A while ago.” Yeosang answers.
Wooyoung’s thankful that Yeosang doesn’t try to come up with some cover story about what happened in the bathroom as it would only demean Wooyoung’s intelligence, infuriating him further. Wooyoung scoffs regardless.
“A while ago’? I catch you two doing god knows what in a public bathroom and all you want to share is ‘a while ago?”. Yeosang should know by now there is no privacy in this friendship, and when Wooyoung asks a question he wants details.
“Wooyoung.” Yeosang sighs out his name, and then lets the silence hang in the air, similar to the night of their fight after Wooyoung had been too abrasive, only making things worse.
Wooyoung recognizes that although he has every right to be upset for being lied to, he also just got back to a good place with Yeosang. He’s not ready to take two steps back, at least not without more information, then he’ll decide how dramatic to make this.
“Fine.” Wooyoung lets out quickly, holding up a hand apologetically. “I just want to know more specifically how this -” Wooyoung waves the same hand across Yeosang and Mingi’s space, “started, okay? So, please, share some more of the timeline.”
Yeosang sighs again, looking at Mingi for relief or support or maybe to take him away from this conversation. But Mingi quietly reaches his hand over, resting on Yeosang’s hand. With this touch, Yeosang opens up.
He explains that, specifically, six months ago (Wooyoung holds back his shocked gasp), when both men drunkenly stumbled out of one of San and Wooyoung’s gatherings, and heading in the same direction, they’d felt an unexplainable pull to each other. Yeosang tries to describe this pull, but trips over his words, laughing nervously from all the attention.
After a brief pause, Yeosang goes on, explaining how that one night led to more (sparing the group explicit details) and the nights led to days spent together. It happened to turn into something more, adding that neither of them expected this, Mingi nodding in agreement.
“No one knows, or knew until today. And I know that doesn’t make it better. But now you two are the first to know at least.” Yeosang finishes, going quiet and avoiding eye contact with everyone at the table.
Wooyoung is angry and hurt, but above all else he’s annoyed. Wooyoung knows Yeosang is private. They wouldn’t have even become friends if Wooyoung hadn’t been so nosy when they first met. But why would Yeosang continue to hide something like this from Wooyoung? Friends support each other, no matter what the situation is, whether they agree or disagree. Hadn’t Wooyoung shown Yeosang he’d always be there for him? Yeosang frequently joked that he couldn’t shake Wooyoung, so why did he think Wooyoung would leave him now?
Wooyoung feels the urge to get mad, make Yeosang grovel and earn an apology with a nice meal and quality time like he just had. But maybe this is a chance for Wooyoung to prove Yeosang wrong, show Yeosang that he can turn right, not following the same track their friendship has been on, looping around in the same cycle they always go through.
“Ah,” Wooyoung lets out roughly, leaning back into the booth, not missing the way Yeosang tenses, preparing for Wooyoung to lose it. “All this time we could’ve been double dating with you two instead of the two old geezers.”
The table laughs, now that Wooyoung has given his stamp of approval, it releases the tension in the air. San is no longer worried he’ll have to hold Wooyoung back and Mingi won’t have to shield Yeosang from whatever physical attack Wooyoung might attempt from across the table.
Wooyoung has more questions, so many more questions. What do the two of them talk about alone? When Mingi said they started “working out together” was that code for sex? Maybe Yeosang avoided the explicit details at the table, but Wooyoung will be more intrusive when it’s just the two of them revisiting this conversation another day. And, most importantly, just how serious is it? Yeosang called it “something more”, but what does that even mean?
Wooyoung stews on the last question a little longer as they wrap up their meal. The time they spent working through the new revelation gave their stomachs enough time to tell their brains that they’re too full for more food.
Wooyoung watches Yeosang and Mingi a little more closely, now that they are free to act like a couple. They’re still clumsy around each other, knocking hands as they reach for the water jug at the same time, or when Mingi accidentally elbows Yeosang’s side. But, different from other times with awkward apologies, Mingi grabs onto Yeosang’s thigh with both hands, laughing, leaning in to whisper an apology and a kiss on his cheek.
It must be pretty serious, Wooyoung decides, especially if Yeosang was so protective as to keep it hidden from everyone, sheltered away from judgements that threatened to deflate their happiness. Wooyoung understands what it’s like having someone who makes you so happy that you would risk every other relationship in your life just to keep the most important one. Wooyoung looks at San, who is still picking over the sides, humming to himself happily, not at all upset the way Wooyoung is, or he’s not showing it at least.
After they pay, Wooyoung holding true to his promise and paying for Yeosang’s portion, they set up a proper double date. Wooyoung’s been wanting to take a day trip to the beach, but Seonghwa and Hongjoong hadn’t been too keen on the idea (“There will be so many people” and “I don’t really like being outside with nature” as their excuses). But Mingi and Yeosang are more interested, as long as they don’t have to drive. Wooyoung volunteers San to drive, and they confirm for the Saturday after next.
Yeosang and Mingi leave the table first, and if Wooyoung hadn’t just interrupted whatever they were doing in the bathroom he would think it was a crazy notion to consider the two are in a serious relationship. But he knows better now, so he watches the pair a second longer, noticing the way Mingi holds the door open for Yeosang, and Yeosang who waits for Mingi on the other side. It’s subtle, and nothing like how Wooyoung is with San, but maybe that’s what works for them.
Weird. Wooyoung thinks, wrapping both his arms around San’s waist, San wrapping his arm tight around Wooyoung’s shoulders, exchanging a quick peck as they make their exit a few moments after the other two.
✕
On the trip home, Wooyoung remains fairly quiet, still processing the events of the afternoon. He’s becoming okay with the fact that Yeosang lied to him for so long, well, as okay as he’ll be about the betrayal. He’ll fully forgive Yeosang one day, but he’s still annoyed for the time being, and he can’t help that he still wants to complain, that’s just his nature.
“Did Mingi ever say anything to you?” Wooyoung finally speaks, asking San who is joining him on the couch as they camp out for a movie night, their food coma taking over.
San laughs, “No, Mingi never told me he is dating Yeosang because if he had I would’ve stopped you from doing something this stupid.” Wooyoung rolls his eyes.
San lifts Wooyoung’s head, taking a seat underneath, resting Wooyoung’s head back in his lap. “We just don’t talk about that kind of stuff I guess.”
“Yeah, but, like, you guys talk about other stuff, right?” San nods, smiling gently at Wooyoung. “And you can’t think of anything that seems odd now?” San pauses, makes that cute thinking face he does when he’s thinking really hard, and then shakes his head no.
Wooyoung doesn’t believe him. There must have been something, Mingi can’t be that good at lying. San must’ve just not noticed, too trusting to a fault.
Wooyoung moves on, “And you’re not annoyed that your best friend didn’t tell you he’s been dating your boyfriend’s best friend for, like, half a year?”
“Stop saying that.” San responds quickly, quiet yet firm, his tone much more serious than the playful banter Wooyoung is expecting.
Wooyoung, who can usually anticipate San’s next move, is lost as to what he’s said to offend San. “Stop saying what?”
San grumbles, unintelligibly, fingers fiddling with Wooyoung’s hair.
San does this incoherent grumbling from time-to-time, mostly when he disagrees with Wooyoung. Sometimes Wooyoung pretends he doesn’t hear it, not having time to delve into San’s layered emotions, but it’s hard to ignore it this time, what with his head in San’s lap.
Wooyoung twists his head to more directly look at San. “San-ah, if you have something to say you should say it clearly.”
San doesn’t meet Wooyoung’s eyes, still playing with Wooyoung’s hair, brushing it back with his fingers gently. “He’s not my best friend.” San says, barely a whisper.
“What are you talking about? You guys hang out all the time. When I first met him you introduced him to me as your best friend.” Wooyoung’s brows furrow, unsure why San is saying this, forcing Wooyoung to investigate this claim. Wooyoung hadn’t even gotten a chance to lament about Yeosang lying.
San’s lips pucker into his all too familiar pout, “Yeah, but…” His words are trailing and Wooyoung’s patience is running thin. Is San about to reveal some life-altering secret too? Did he fuck Mingi at some point too?
San meets Wooyoung’s eyes now, soft and sweet, bigger than Wooyoung’s ever seen them. “You’re my best friend now, Wooyoung. I thought I was your best friend too, not Yeosang.”
Wooyoung manages to put out one small fire with Yeosang only to find that a whole forest fire has engulfed his San. Wooyoung’s been so focused on Yeosang, managing their friendship and snooping into his love life that he didn’t see that his gentle, sensitive San is hurting for affection. What Wooyoung had taken as begrudging compliance, not prepping Mingi better or playing along more convincingly at the restaurant, was actually San crying for help. Begging Wooyoung to match his feelings with the same intensity that live inside San’s big heart. But Wooyoung had only fanned the flames of the fire, thinking of every time he's called Yeosang his "best friend" in conversation with San, each offense acting like a lit match to the dry brush surrounding San.
Wooyoung breathes out a chuckle as he sits up, one hand across San’s lap, holding himself up on the couch. His other hand finds its place at the edge of San’s jaw, fingers delicately placed around San’s ear.
“You are my best friend,” San preens immediately at this, hearing exactly what he wanted Wooyoung to say.
“I should also mention that I’m in love with you, so calling you my ‘best friend’ doesn’t even come close to what you actually mean to me.” San’s face melts into Wooyoung’s hand, like he was actually worried that he wasn’t on the highest tier in Wooyoung’s ranking of favorite people in the world.
This confuses and worries Wooyoung the most. How can San, of all people, not see how Wooyoung’s life revolves around San? The weight San carries in Wooyoung’s heart is heavy enough to send Wooyoung through the ground he stands on, straight through the Earth’s core, and out to the other side of the planet.
They stay gazing at each other for a moment, Wooyoung watching the familiar glimmer of romance passing over San’s eyes, like he’s falling in love with Wooyoung all over again. Wooyoung is able to easily recognize this in his eyes now, but never forgets the first time he caught it. Wooyoung thought San was going to be physically ill.
Wooyoung’s eyes fall to San’s lips, pink and slightly taut, pulled back into a smile. Wooyoung leans forward, placing a gentle kiss on San’s lips. San reaches for Wooyoung’s sides, holding him as San deepens the kiss, paying special attention to Wooyoung’s bottom lip, sucking and tugging at it gently.
Wooyoung cherishes San’s grip on him; when they’re on the couch like this, when they’re taking a mental health day to stay in bed all day, or when he holds onto him in front of all their friends and Wooyoung wears him proudly. San’s tight grasp must be what keeps him from falling through the ground, Wooyoung decides. The best decision he’s made in the past few days, he notes.
San’s fingers crawl down Wooyoung’s oversized shirt, edges pooled at Wooyoung’s hips, his fingers finding their way under, making direct contact with Wooyoung’s skin. His fingers are warm, like always, as they brush along, burning a trail along Wooyoung’s soft skin. Wooyoung lifts his hand off the couch, San catching him promptly to cradle Wooyoung as he wraps his arm around San’s neck to pull himself in tighter.
“You know,” Wooyoung starts, moving his lips to press gentle kisses along San’s face, “Technically, I did still get them together.”
San laughs at this, Wooyoung hears it, and now gets to feel it vibrate against his lips that are on San’s throat. “And how’s that?” San asks, still giggling, his hands rubbing up against Wooyoung’s toned back.
Wooyoung pulls his head back slightly, meeting San’s tender gaze, “They said it started after a party here. If they’d never come to the party they might still be floating around out there, two ships passing in the night.”
San kisses Wooyoung, seemingly just because he’s missing the physical contact despite being wrapped around Wooyoung. “Do I get any credit in all this?” He asks against Wooyoung’s lips.
“Sure,” Wooyoung presses a kiss on San’s lips, and another for good measure, “I’ll give you a footnote in my book that I write for others trying to get their friends to date.” Wooyoung’s careful not to say best friend. It’s silly, but hopefully over time he’ll show San that there is no title that could ever top what San means to him.
San giggles, always laughing at Wooyoung’s dumb jokes. “Is that all I am to you? A footnote?”
Wooyoung hums a yes, looking over San’s face, wondering how he got so lucky to exist at the same time as San. How he earned San’s trust and patience through any terrible idea, and how San sticks by him even if they blow up in his face. How lucky he is to have San as his person to introduce to all his friends, and all the friends he’ll ever make. His San.
“A footnote, a best friend, and the love of my life.”