Archive of Our Own

Determined not to leave this facility without a puppy today, Wooyoung steps through the door of the pet shelter at the edge of town. He's not from around here, but an appointment at the dentist had brought him out to the outskirts of Seoul. On his way through the adjacent park, he'd noticed all those happy people playing with or walking their dogs, and it had stirred something in him once again: the wish for a little companion in his life.

Wooyoung rings the bell at the counter and waits until a young woman appears through a back door. "Good morning." He puts on his most charming smile. "I'd like to look at some puppies, please."

"Are you here to adopt, sir?"

"Exactly." He hadn't known there was a specific term for that, but he liked it.

"Then why don't you follow me to the back." She waves him along. He follows her through a door and can already hear the animals barking, squealing, and meowing.

"You mentioned a puppy, sir?"

Wooyoung nods as they turn a corner and stop in front of spacious cages arranged on what looks like a giant shelf. "Sadly, or gladly, I suppose, we placed all our puppies last month, but we did receive a new arrival just a few days ago."

Wooyoung crouches in front of the lowest cage, only a few square feet large, as he notices a tiny puppy with its tail tucked between its legs, whimpering in the corner, ears flat against its head. Wooyoung carefully pushes a finger through the wire mesh and wiggles it.

"Sir, please don't put your hands near the cages. It's for your own safety." He reluctantly pulls back and frowns. This little white ball of fluff does not look like it could ever hurt anyone. "I'll leave you alone for a bit," she says as the phone rings out front. "Please don't touch anything!"

The moment she's gone, Wooyoung puts his fingers through the mesh again. The puppy raises its little head, then, hesitantly sniffing, begins wobbling toward him on tiny unsteady legs, and Wooyoung's heart threatens to explode. He had never felt love like that in his entire life. Which was, admittedly, a little concerning.

The tiny thing sniffs his fingers and licks them like they're some kind of sausage. It tickles, and Wooyoung giggles in delight. He has to have this puppy. "So, how does this work?" he asks as he notices someone stepping up beside him. "Do you just open the cage and I take her home to live happily ever after?"

A man crouches next to him, and Wooyoung glances up, a little startled. "Well, first you'll need to fill out an application form. Then we run a background check on your financial situation and living conditions to make sure you're suited to keeping a pet."

The young man smiles down at him, because even crouching, he's taller than Wooyoung — and so handsome that he has to swallow twice.

"If everything checks out, you can come back and take her home."

Wooyoung glances back at the puppy, who is watching him with little black button eyes, and his heart goes out all over again.

"Why all the hassle? Don't you need to place these animals as quickly as possible?"

"That's true. But they're living, breathing, and feeling beings. They're not toys. We just want to make sure they're safe and well cared for." He says it with a smile, and it seems genuine.

"Right, right!" Wooyoung nods, a little embarrassed. "What breed is she, exactly?"

"She's a Maltese. A rescue from Incheon. We found her mother badly injured. Sadly, she didn't survive the transport. But before she passed, she gave birth to three adorable little puppies. Two of them have already been placed."

Wooyoung's shoulders drop slightly as he eyes the little fur ball. "She must be so sad. No wonder she was hiding in the corner." He pauses. "Poor thing. And yes, I do believe dogs have feelings. Just look at how excited she got when she saw me. What's her name?"

"We call her Minnie. She just looks like one." A smile crosses the staff member's face as he stands back up. "She seems to have taken a liking to you. Would you like to fill out the application form so we can get the background check started?"

"Yes, please. I have a feeling we'd be very happy together."

The man smiles to himself and nods. "Yes, you do look like it."

Wooyoung says goodbye to the puppy and follows the staff back to the front area. Behind the counter, the man turns to a computer and starts typing. "Name and phone number, please, so I can pull up the form."

"Jung Wooyoung," he says slowly, then glances around before leaning over the desk. He's not particularly comfortable saying his number out loud, so he whispers it instead.

A moment later, the printer behind them starts humming, and the man hands him a form. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Wooyoung looks around for a seat, but both chairs are occupied, so he starts filling out the form at the counter.

"Sir, would you mind taking a seat so I can keep working?"

"Everything's taken, but I promise I'll be as quiet as a fish!" Wooyoung assures him with a smile and returns to the form. He grins a little as he fills in the puppy's name. "This is funny, my best friend is also a Maltese. I'm sure they'll get along great."

The staff member eyes him with mild concern but says nothing and continues typing. "He wants to be a Doberman, though. I really don't see it." Wooyoung chuckles to himself. "Except maybe the muscles, he's gotten quite buff lately."

He hesitates at the social security number, then starts rummaging through his phone; he must have it saved somewhere in the cloud. He finds it on an old job application and fills it in. 

The staff takes the form when it's handed to him. He scans it and nods again. "Alright, sir, we'll be in touch once we've verified your information. Please let us know your schedule so we can arrange a visit."

Wooyoung laughs, then stops abruptly. "Oh, that wasn't a joke?"

"No, sir." The young man smiles politely. "We like to get a sense of everyday life at home."

"Right, of course. I'll get back to you on that as soon as I'm home." He glances at the man's name tag and beams. "You're a Jung too, how If this isn't fate, huh?" He takes his hand and shakes it with a litte too much enthusiasm. "I'll see you then, Mr. Jung."

Wooyoung turns on his heel and leaves the shelter with a little bounce in his step, still feeling the man's eyes on his back. He feels good about this. The puppy will be his — he's sure of it. He turns around and waves through the front window before heading off toward the bus stop.

It's a whole week before the shelter calls to arrange a visit, and the wait makes Wooyoung increasingly nervous. His apartment has never been this clean, even with the stacked boxes still sitting in the hallway, the ones his former roommate keeps promising to pick up any day now.

San moving out is a big part of why Wooyoung feels the need to fill the silence. But after San, he's not interested in finding another roommate.

The place isn't big, and the neighbourhood isn't particularly fancy, but he likes it here and has no real desire to move. Maybe one day. For now, he just wants to fill the emptiness in his chest — the one that greets him every time he comes home to an vacant apartment.

San had been reluctant to go, and only after Wooyoung promised him he'd be fine did his friend finally say yes to his better half. They seem happy together, and he hadn't wanted to hold them back. It had been a big step for both of them, after two years of dating.

The doorbell rang on Wednesday afternoon. Wooyoung shoved the pan off the stove and hurried to the door, not without knocking one of the boxes over and nearly falling flat on his face. He catches himself on the door frame and pulls it open. His excitement fades into a slight frown as the postman hands him a package.

Wooyoung signs the confirmation slip and says goodbye. Just as he's turning back inside, he spots another man stepping through the gate, and he recognises the turquoise shirt immediately. Somehow it suits him, even if his lightly tanned skin is a bit at odds with the bright colour.

"Good afternoon, sir!" Wooyoung breaks into a wide smile, though sadly the man arrives without the puppy in tow. "Please, come in, Mr. Jung. Can I get you something? Coffee, or a glass of water, perhaps." He hurries to add.

"Hello. I'm glad to see you're still so enthusiastic about this." He seems to be in a good mood, and Wooyoung takes it as a sign from the universe — though he's not exactly a believer.

He could work on that, he muses, if it meant getting this puppy. His eyes catch the glint of a small silver cross at the man's neck before it disappears back under the collar.

"Coffee would be lovely, thank you."

He follows Wooyoung into the small kitchen as he waves him along and turns on the portafilter machine — a Christmas gift from last year that has served him very well ever since.

The staff starts with a few light questions while Wooyoung prepares the coffee, then sets milk and sugar on the counter. The room isn't very spacious, but it's more than enough for testing and perfecting new recipes.

"So, you're living alone at the moment?"

"I do. My former roommate is in the middle of moving in with his partner. About time, if you ask me. I introduced them a few years ago." He's already drifting off-topic. "And they thank me by stabbing me in the back like that." He laughs nervously. "I'm joking. I'm happy for them." He sighs and places the cup in front of his guest.

"Are you currently in a relationship?"

"Well, aren't you nosy." Wooyoung grins. The other man blushes slightly and clears his throat, setting his mug down.

"I apologise, it's part of the evaluation. I need to assess your living situation and whether someone would be available to look after the pet while you're at work. I didn't mean to overstep." He stares down at his notes, ears still faintly pink.

"Well, I'm happy to say I'm fully independent. Which means I can bring the little bundle of joy to work with me." Wooyoung studies his guest as he writes down the information. He really is handsome. How handsome would he be without that shirt? The man looks up, and Wooyoung feels slightly caught as he pushes the thought aside.

It had simply been far too long since he'd been intimate with anyone, and the athletic build visible beneath the fabric wasn't helping. He really needed to start dating again. But first, he needed to get through this. Puppies were a nice conversation starter anyway.

Wooyoung is smiling to himself when he notices the other man watching him with a questioning look. "Sorry, did you say something?"

"I asked if you could show me around a little. Do you have a garden, or a park nearby?"

Wooyoung lips form a thin line. There's more to consider than he'd anticipated. "I don't have a garden, unfortunately, but there's a nice walking trail nearby that leads out to some open fields. I could show you, if you'd like."

"That would be nice, yes."

They walk side by side, and Wooyoung tells him a little about the area and his daily routine, being careful not to give away too much. He knows himself, he's too trusting, always sharing personal things far too early. It's probably why he rarely makes it to a second date.

People get freaked out easily these days. And who could blame them?

About half an hour later they return, and Wooyoung sees Mr. Jung off at his car, quietly pleased with how little he'd overshared this time.

"It was a pleasure showing you around. I hope you have everything you need to make a decision." He wasn't even exaggerating, he had genuinely enjoyed the walk. This man was easy to be around. And easy on the eyes as well.

"Thank you for showing me around and being so cooperative, Mr. Jung."

"Wooyoung is fine."

"Thank you, but I'd prefer to keep things professional."

Wooyoung blinks, a little caught off guard.

"Alright then, Mr. Jung." Wooyoung chuckles softly. "I hope to hear from you soon." He gives a small bow and steps back as the man gets into his car and drives off.

It's one of those days where Wooyoung feels no motivation to do anything on his to-do list. It's not that he's particularly unhappy, he's just not in the mood sometimes. The fact that this 'sometimes' has been coming around more often lately doesn't concern him, though.

Not yet.

He has friends who appreciate him, a family that loves him, a decent job, and a place to live. There's no major issue in his life right now, and yet he can't shake the feeling that something is missing.

So he's already feeling a little down when another day passes without a word from the pet shelter. He heads to work where he took an extra shift to add more to his savings. If there's even the slightest chance of adopting this puppy, he needs to save every last won. Pets can be expensive, though not necessarily to the degree that Seonghwa's are, quietly consuming a sizeable portion of a household income while their owner dotes on them with every fiber of his being, and his husband is out earning it.

Wooyoung steps into the café a few blocks from home, the same one he used to get his treat growing up. He ties on his apron, greets his colleagues, and takes his place behind the counter. It's a quiet day, which means plenty of opportunities to check his phone almost every hour of the shift.

He's just back from his lunch break, stepping in to swap with his colleague, when he spots a familiar face in the queue by the cake display. His stomach drops. His first instinct is to duck. He has absolutely no desire to talk to him. Why is he even here? He doesn't live around here. 

"Hi, what can I get you?" Ignorance it is. This man has no power over him anymore, and he is eager to prove it.

"Youngie, I didn't know you were working today?"

"How would you? What can I get you?"

"Word on the street is your loneliness is getting the better of you. You're adopting a flea carpet?" The young man smiles, all mock concern. "You can barely take care of yourself, and you want to drag an innocent creature into this?"

"I'd like to take your order now, you're holding up the queue."

His ex turns around, and Wooyoung goes pale. Standing just behind him is the one person he'd been eager to hear from. This was absolutely not the time or place.

"What queue? There are two people behind me."

"Every customer matters to us, so please keep it moving or I'll have to ask you to leave."

The man who had once been his whole world — less than a year ago — huffed and blew a strand of hair from his face. "Fine. Just give me a cappuccino and one of those chocolate chip cookies."

To Wooyoung's relief, he pays and leaves without further incidents. He exhales slowly and turns to the next customer.

"Good morning, what can I get you today?"

Maybe Mr. Jung doesn't recognise him. For the first time in his life, Wooyoung finds himself hoping his face is forgettable.

"Good morning." Polite, that's a good sign. Less good is the faint furrow between his brows. "An iced caramel macchiato, please. No extra sugar."

Wooyoung turns away to prepare the order, his hands trembling slightly.

"I'm a little surprised to see you here. I'd got the impression you were self-employed."

Wooyoung swallows.

"I'm working on it. Saving every last won." He clears his throat. It's not a lie, but he's afraid Mr. Jung might not see it that way. The man just nods and takes out his card.

"What brings you to this neighbourhood? Isn't the shelter up in Jungnan?" He tries to steer the conversation, hoping to give the man something else to think about.

"I was running a background check on another applicant."

Wooyoung nods and scans the card. "I wasn't trying to deceive you, sir," he hears himself say, handing the card back. "I really am working on it. I'm planning to launch my business before the end of the year. I have a website, business cards, everything — I just need another investor. The last one pulled out a few weeks ago, but that was just a setback. I'm back on track now, I promise."

He stops himself. Presses his lips together before the verbal flood can do any more damage.

"I'm not your bank, sir, I'm not sure why you're telling me this." The other man looks mildly taken aback. "Could I have my card back, please? I have another errand and I'm running late."

"Of course, yes, sorry. I just wanted you to know I'm serious about this. I wasn't lying!"

Wooyoung, please shut your mouth.

"Alright..."

"And please don't mind that man just now. He's just..." He pauses. "Not important anymore."

The shelter staff offers a small, apologetic smile and picks up his order. "It was good to see you again, Mr. Jung," says Mr. Jung, and with a polite nod, he's gone.

Wooyoung stares after him, jaw tight. He can feel his breathing go shallow, and the urge to sink behind the counter is overwhelming, but there's already another customer waiting, and he has to read the order back twice to be sure he got it right. This day could not get any worse.

But it did.

Wooyoung kicks off his shoes at the door and flips through the post, and his heart sinks straight through the floor. The bank has declined his loan. He drops onto the couch and starts crying, quietly, in that exhausted way where there isn't much left to do but let it happen. It's not even about the puppy anymore. How is he supposed to build anything when every door keeps closing in his face?

Seonghwa had offered to help months ago, his own savings, everything, handed over without hesitation. But Wooyoung had said no. Friends and money don't mix, and his hyung is far too important to risk over something like this.

"I could ask Hongjoong," Seonghwa offers that evening over the phone. "He's always looking for a good investment. And his money is just sitting there."

"You know what I think about mixing friends and money."

"Technically, I'm your friend, not him. Let me put in a good word. He'd benefit from it too, he loves good food and practically lives at work. Catering could be exactly what he needs."

"I'm not a delivery service, Seonghwa. I do high-end catering. I'm not building a career around instant noodles and greasy rice."

There's a sigh on the other end, then a murmur of voices in the background.

"I'm talking to Wooyoung, his loan got declined..." Another voice responds, and Wooyoung bites his lip. He doesn't want Hongjoong's money. They might not be close, but through Seonghwa, he's kind off family.

"He says to send him your website link. He'll ask around, someone in his circle is always looking for somewhere to put their money."

"He'd trust me with that?" Wooyoung asks, quietly stunned. Something that might be hope flickers in his chest.

"I married rich for a reason," Seonghwa hums, and Wooyoung can hear the smile in his voice.

"Yeah, to drink champagne on private jets and get railed in every capital city on earth."

"Those are just nice benefits." Theres a  pause. "I have to go, Hongjoong is taking me out to make up for forgetting my half-birthday last week. Thanks for the pet blanket, by the way, my babies love it."

"Stop calling them that!" Hongjoong shouts from somewhere in the background.

"Then give me a real one!"

"I'm trying, it's somehow not working!"

Wooyoung laughs despite himself and says goodbye. Maybe today wasn't entirely cursed. He just had to hold on a little longer.

His phone buzzes. A text from San: Sorry, can't make it to game night. Baby got sick and needs cuddles.

Wooyoung lets out a frustrated huff and tosses his phone onto the cushion beside him before going to find something to eat. The only one who ever needs cuddles in that relationship is San himself, and Yeosang, unable to escape, is probably a very convenient excuse.

Another buzz. This time it's an invoice notification. Jungnan Pet Shelter. Wooyoung holds his breath. How had he missed a call? Right — Seonghwa. Time ceases to exist when those two are on the phone. He checks his watch. After working hours. He curses. He'll have to wait until tomorrow. Luckily, he's free.

He turns up at the shelter around noon the next day, having decided not to bother calling ahead. He never liked talking to strangers on the phone, and honestly, showing up in person felt better anyway.

"Hi," he greets as soon as he enters, and a young man behind the counter looks up from a stack of papers and smiles.

"Welcome back." The weight in Wooyoung's chest lifts a little. He's isn't annoyed. That's a good start.

"Are you here to fill in the missing section?" Mr. Jung turns his full attention to him now.

"Uhm..."

"We called because you left part of the application blank. I'm sorry, I should have caught it sooner." He pulls open a drawer and hands Wooyoung the form. "I've marked the section for you." He says it with a warm smile, and somehow he feels different from their run-in at the café.

"Didn't notice, huh?" Wooyoung asks with a small grin, filling in the rest. "Or was it just an excuse to see me again?"

He's not sure where the boldness comes from. He doesn't usually get nervous around people, but there's something about this man. Maybe the smile. Maybe the way he looks. Or maybe the way he cares for the animals in his charge. He catches the faint flush rising in the man's cheeks and watches him search for a response.

"There you go." Wooyoung slides the form back across the counter and leans against it. "I was kidding. I'm not questioning your professionalism... sir." The word felt strange in his mouth. The man looked barely older than him.

"Thank you," he replies quietly, checking the form before filing it away.

"I'm not flirting with you just to save my application," Wooyoung adds, though that's not entirely true. It's not entirely false either. Why not mix business with a little fun? "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." He didn't even know if this man played for the same team — or a similar one, at least.

"It's fine. You're not the first person to try and charm their way through the adoption process." The smile stays on his face, and it looks genuine. If he really thought Wooyoung was just playing games, why was he being so warm about it?

"I'm rooting for you," he adds , as though reading his thoughts. "I can tell when someone genuinely means it. I appreciate your efforts." He glances over his shoulder. "Would you... would you like to see her for a minute?"

Wooyoung's heart stumbles. He nods, maybe a bit too eagerly.

Mr. Jung unclips the key from his belt and beckons him through. They go back to the cages and crouch in front of the one Wooyoung remembers. "She actually needs a walk," he says, opening the door.

"Would you mind taking her?"

"Don't I need to be a registered dog walker for that?"

"Don't worry about it, I trust you." He lifts the puppy out and places her in Wooyoung's arms. She immediately starts licking his face, and he dissolves into giggles.

"Besides," Mr. Jung adds, handing over the leash with a perfectly solemn expression, "we have your social security number. So if you decide to run, your ass is mine."

"Why do I suddenly have the urge to do exactly that?" Wooyoung smiles, his fingers brushing the man's hand as he takes the leash. Nice hands, he notices. Bigger than his, but somehow delicate. He turns to leave before his brain can follow that thought any further, already flushing to the tips of his ears.

Outside, he takes a selfie with the little furball and sends it to San with the caption: Also cuddling a Maltese now.

He puts Minnie down on the warm pavement and she immediately trots alongside him on her tiny wobbly legs. He can't remember the last time he felt this giddy. They walk to the park nearby, where he gets an ice cream and watches Minnie bark with great conviction at a group of deeply unimpressed ducks — until they turn around and chase her back to him.

He laughs, shoos them off, and they carry on strolling. Two hours pass without him noticing, watching her tumble around with other dogs on the grass. Eventually, the guilt sets in. He really needs to get her back before someone calls the police and he loses his last shot at adopting her.

Wooyoung returns to the shelter looking for Mr. Jung, but he's nowhere to be seen.

"Can I help you, sir?", a woman's voice comes from behind the counter.

"Yes. I'm looking for Mr. Jung. I took the dog for a walk and completely lost track of time. I hope he doesn't think I stole her." The woman smiles and takes Minnie from his arms. He lets go reluctantly.

"Yunho's shift ended half an hour ago. But I'll make sure she gets back safely. Thank you for your help." She disappears through the back door, the puppy yapping all the way.

Wooyoung stands in the empty front room for a moment, then turns and leaves. At least he had a name now. And what a lovely name it was.

Radio silence follows for just over a week, and Wooyoung grows so anxious he picks up an old habit of chewing his nails, one that Seonghwa spent years training out of him.

"Are you not using the nail polish I recommended?" Seonghwa asks, grabbing Wooyoung's hands to rescue them from his teeth. "I did not put all that work into you just to watch you eat yourself alive."

They'd met up for brunch that weekend, just the two of them since no one else could make it, at a little café around the corner. Wooyoung is sliding back and forth in his metal chair, fidgeting, when he suddenly goes pale.

"Oh God, what are we doing here?" He half-rises from his seat. "They could show up at my house any day now."

"I'm sure they'll call ahead first. They're not just going to appear out of nowhere — relax!"

Wooyoung frantically checks his phone. No missed calls. He takes a breath and is just about to put it away when it starts buzzing in his hand. He nearly drops it. He recognises the number immediately. He's called it at least ten times over the past few weeks.

"Yes, hello?!"

"Mr. Jung? This is the Jungnan Pet Shelter, calling regarding your application." A woman's voice. Wooyoung goes hot and cold all at once, his breath catching. "I'm so sorry to inform you that your request has been denied." Whatever she says next is swallowed by white noise. His heart drops through the floor, and he feels tears prick at his eyes.

Seonghwa watches him carefully and touches his arm. Wooyoung gently shrugs him off and turns back to the phone. "Thank you for letting me know," he manages, and stands up. He hasn't felt this hollow in a long time.

"Everything okay?" His friend rises too, waving the waitress over for the bill. "Should I walk you home?"

"No," Wooyoung says quietly. "I'm fine. I'll be fine. I just have to get used to living alone from now on." He blinks back the tears and starts walking. Seonghwa pays and hurries after him.

"Maybe this is a sign. Maybe a dog isn't the answer to your loneliness."

"Please don't preach to me, hyung. I'm really not in the mood." Wooyoung kicks an empty can on the pavement and picks up the pace.

"I'm just saying, the source of healing might not lie in the paws of a puppy. My mother always says it has to come from within, and she's not wrong."

"Stop it, hyung!" Wooyoung shoots him a look. He doesn't want to hear it. He wants to go home and hide under his duvet. "That man got my hopes up just to kick them out from under me. I hope... I hope his sleeves get wet every time he washes his hands."

Seonghwa draws a sharp breath. "Wow. You're genuinely evil." And somehow, he coaxes a small smile out of him.

They reach his building, and the moment they're inside, Wooyoung kicks off his shoes and lies down flat on the carpet. Then the whimpering starts.

Seonghwa stays with him, patting his head and feeding him homemade cookies. Ever since getting married, he'd somehow settled happily into the role of housewife, baking and cooking for his handsome, wealthy husband in an uptown apartment and arriving at every social occasion bearing homemade treats, his friends benefitting from it. Wooyoung especially, given that Seonghwa had taken him under his wing years ago when he first arrived in the city.

Wooyoung is chewing on a sugar cookie without really tasting it when the doorbell rings. His guest gets up to answer it. Voices in the hallway. Then Seonghwa's face appears above him, looking down with a very particular expression.

"So," he drawls, "there's a handsome man at the door who wants to talk to you."

"I don't know any handsome men. It's probably a sales rep or a cult leader. Send him away."

Seonghwa frowns, he takes that sort of comment personally. But then his face lights up. "He has a puppy with him."

Wooyoung is on his feet before the sentence is finished. He shoves Seonghwa aside and speed-runs to the hallway, coming to a dead stop in the doorway.

Mr. Jung is standing outside with a small transport box. "Good evening." He gives a slight bow. "I'm glad you're home. I've been trying to reach you."

Wooyoung stares at him, then at the box.

"If I'm not mistaken, you received a call from my colleague this morning."

He nods, eyes still on the box.

"Is that... is that her?" His voice comes out embarrassingly croaky.

"It is. I couldn't get through on the phone, so I thought I'd try my luck and drop by on my way home."

His way home? The shelter was on the other side of the city.

Wooyoung stares at him, not quite following. "Why?"

"Right, I'm sorry, let me explain. Your application was approved. There was a mix-up with another applicant who shares your family name. As I said, I tried to call..." He smiles, a little apologetic. "I'm very sorry if we caused you any distress."

"No, no — not at all," Wooyoung says quickly, already crouching in front of the box. He opens the latch, and a white fur ball launches itself directly into his arms. He catches her, and the tears come before he can stop them, running freely down his flushed cheeks.

"Not at all, hm?" Mr. Jung crouches beside him and scratches the little Maltese on the head. She's busy licking the salt from Wooyoung's face. "Again, I'm sorry for the confusion. I'm sure Minnie will have a very loving home." He stands, and Wooyoung follows.

He passes the puppy to Seonghwa, who has been watching the entire scene from the hallway with barely concealed delight, and turns to shake Mr. Jung's hand.

Seonghwa immediately melts. "She really does look like Yeosang, it's uncanny."

"Do not tell him that," Wooyoung says, wiping his face. "He'll throw you out a window and make it look like an accident."

"Like a suicide, at minimum," his friend agrees pleasantly.

Mr. Jung is holding out a sheet of paper. "One last form and I'll be out of your way." He offers a pen.

"Wait." Seonghwa materialises over Wooyoung's shoulder. "Don't just sign things. Read it first." He takes it, scans it, and hands it back.

"Hongjoong has made you paranoid," he sighs, signing his name.

"Hongjoong has made me aware of the dangers of bureaucracy. It cost him a great deal of money to get me out of a very shady contract. I nearly lost a kidney."

Wooyoung rolls his eyes but lets it go. He's far too happy to argue.

"Alright then," Mr. Jung says, folding the form away. "Thank you for giving this little one a new home. I wish you all the best."

"Thank you, sir." Wooyoung feels warmth rise in his face as their eyes meet. Had he just been checking him out?

The man turns and heads down the path. Wooyoung closes the door, already somewhere else entirely, absorbed in the small warm weight in his friend's arms.

"You're really just letting him walk away like that?" Seonghwa stares at him. "You told me how handsome he is, how lovely he is, and then he drives across the entire city during rush hour to bring you that sickeningly adorbs puppy in person. And you're just standing there."

"It was the least he could do, after the mix-up. I thought my life was over!"

"That is complete nonsense and you know it." He thrusts the puppy back into Wooyoung's arms and steers him firmly toward the door. "If San hears I let this happen he will skin both of us alive. Go. Now. He's getting into his car."

But Wooyoung is already out the door. He runs and catches the car just before it pulls out of the street. It stops, and the driver gets out with a look of concern.

"Is everything alright? Did something happen?"

"No, no." Wooyoung bends forward, one hand on his knees, puppy in the other, catching his breath. He really should exercise more. Maybe take San up on that gym invitation. Or start running, now that he'd have a reason to leave the house regularly.

"I just wanted to thank you. For coming by. For making all of this happen." He straightens up, his sides still stinging.

"Are you sure you're alright?" The man is watching him with something between worry and amusement, and somehow he's even more handsome when he looks concerned.

Wooyoung feels his face heat up again.

"Yes, and I would really like to, well, I was wondering if maybe we could —" Was this even appropriate? "Now that everything is sorted, I thought perhaps..."

"I'm free next Tuesday," Mr. Jung says, with a knowing smile. "I could pick you up at noon and take you for brunch."

Wooyoung laughs, the tension dissolving out of him all at once. "Yes. I'd really like that."

A puppy and a date on the same day. Things were looking up.

"Great. I'll be there." Wooyoung nods, then gestures vaguely in the direction of his house.

"Right, yes. You know where I live. I'll also be there."

Mr. Jung laughs and gets back into the car. He pauses before pulling the door shut. "I'm Yunho, by the way."

The door closes and shortly after the car disappears around the corner.

Wooyoung stands on the pavement and grins to himself. A handsome name for a handsome man.

He's standing in front of the bedroom mirror, scrutinising his reflection. His last date was ages ago. Years even. After he'd kicked his ex out following a two-year relationship, he hadn't really put himself back out there.

'You'll never find someone better than me. You don't deserve someone better than me.'

"Ugh, shut up." He pulls the shirt off and throws it into the corner. He needs backup. Someone with an eye for this sort of thing. He wants to look good, to compensate, at least partially, for his mouth. Not that he's short on attention; his face is pretty enough and his charm just about sufficient to get asked out occasionally. But looks and charm only carry a person so far.

'Someday someone will come along and love your heart and soul… and your laugh!'

Wooyoung chuckles softly and turns back to his wardrobe. Easy for Seonghwa to say. Men had been lining up for him until he settled down with the wealthiest one he could find: old money, practically royalty, as his friends never tired of pointing out. The fact that there are nearly a million other Gwangsan-Kims doesn't seem to diminish the romance of it at all.

The doorbell saves him. Wooyoung is halfway down the stairs before he remembers he's still missing the top half of his outfit. He makes a U-turn, stumbles back into the wardrobe, and settles on a polo shirt that must have ended up in his laundry when San moved out. Not really his style, but it'll do. He runs back downstairs and pulls the door open just as the bell rings a second time.

"Here I am!" he announces, slightly breathless. "Do you want to come in or should we head off?"

"Well, I've already seen how you live, which tells me more about you than you could say in a day."

"Is that a challenge?" Wooyoung grins, and crouches to put his shoes on. He scoops up the puppy before stepping outside.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Yunho holds out a bouquet. Wooyoung blinks. Wildflowers, wrapped in soft coloured paper, smelling absolutely divine.

"Thank you!" His whole face opens up. He can't remember the last time someone got him flowers. "That's very... sweet." He buries his face in it. Why did this suit him so perfectly?

"I thought it might be a little early for roses," Yunho says. His ears have gone pink, which is extra endearing. "They might send the wrong signal."

"Like what?" Wooyoung presses the bouquet against his chest, heart picking up slightly, watching Yunho search for the right words.

"Well... like... uhm."

Wooyoung tilts his head and pulls a thoughtful pout.

"You've got two minutes. I'm gonna go put these in water, would you mind?" He passes over the leash and goes back inside.

"So?" he asks when returning.

"Like I want to get into your pants," Yunho says, still blushing.

"So you don't?" Wooyoung puts on a look of mild disappointment, then grins. "No sex on the first date, a man of class. Not that I've never —" He stops himself just in time. "Never mind," he says sweetly, and takes the leash back. There's something oddly nice about that, actually. "Where did you say this café was?"

"I thought we'd skip the place you work at, so I found a French café a few miles from here. I hope you don't mind walking."

"Not at all, Minnie and I could use the excercise." He glances sideways. The shirt fits well on Yunho. A little snug across the shoulders, if anything. He's well-built, something Wooyoung had suspected from the uniform. "You clearly keep active. Is that the job, or is it a saint thing?"

"A saint?" Yunho laughs, and Wooyoung's chest does something small and inconvenient. "I'm just doing my job."

"Stockbrokers are just doing their jobs too. Doesn't make them good people." They turn into the next street. It's mid-September but still warm enough to leave the jacket at home.

"Fair point," Yunho concedes. "I just followed what I cared about. I wasn't the strongest student, so veterinary school didn't happen. But it's the next best thing, I suppose."

"Don't say that." Wooyoung frowns. "Don't sell yourself short. The work you do matters. Think about all those kittens and puppies that would have nowhere to go without people like you."

"That's kind of you. I appreciate it." Yunho glances over at him, and there's something warm in his expression, briefly, at the corner of his eye.

"Just doing my job," Wooyoung says, and winks.

"So, what made you say yes back then?" Wooyoung asks over a bowl of rice soup.

"I don't often get chased down by men. Literally." He chuckles, and Wooyoung buries his face in his soup. "I think you have a good heart. I'm not oblivious," Yunho continues, watching him for a moment. Somehow it doesn't feel uncomfortable. "And you? What made you ask?" He returns the question, and Wooyoung finds himself unexpectedly unprepared for it.

"Hm." He keeps slurping his soup and thinks it over. "You seem like a good person. Handsome. A little cheeky, maybe. I like that."

"The handsome part or the cheeky part?"

"Both." Wooyoung studies him. "I feel like we have a lot in common."

"I dance," Yunho says, out of nowhere. "You said I looked sporty— I do street dance. Good way to burn off energy."

"You're an E-type, aren't you." It's not really a question.

"ENTP. So think carefully before you start an argument. The odds are not in your favour."

Wooyoung laughs and waves a hand. "I already have Yeosang for that." He pauses. "What about your zodiac sign? Do you follow your horoscope?"

Maybe they were compatible. That would make things easier. He could use a little easy right now.

"I'm an Aries."

"A fellow fire sign, nice." Fire and fire. It goes well, sometimes. Other times it just burns everything down. He'd had it both ways. Maybe zodiac signs were overrated anyway.

"Let me guess yours." Yunho sets down his chopsticks and rests his chin on his palm. "Energetic, talkative, open-minded. You give off Leo energy, but there's something else." Wooyoung's attention sharpens. "You seem very observant. The first day you came into the shelter, there were plenty of animals. Pretty ones, loud ones, all clamouring for attention. And you went straight for the one hiding in the corner. You had her trust within seconds."

"Were you watching me?"

"I watch everyone who gets close to the animals. It's my job." He takes a sip of his coffee, the same one he'd ordered from Wooyoung.

"She was afraid," Wooyoung says, after a moment. "I just gave her the kind of trust I wanted back."

Yunho studies him for a while. Then a slow smile spreads across his face, and he finds himself wondering how those lips would feel. Would they taste like caramel macchiato?

"You're a Sagittarius." It's not a question either. "How did I do?"

"Who's the observant one now?" Wooyoung says, and feels the warmth rising in his face. No one had read him that quickly in a very long time.

The rest of the date goes well. More than well. They take a long walk after brunch, and it's only when the sun starts to dip low that they finally make their way back to his street.

When Yunho walks him to the door, Wooyoung finds it genuinely hard to say goodbye. So he does something he hasn't done in a long time: "Would you like to come in? Just for a coffee. It's getting chilly. No ulterior motives." He means it, even as part of him wants to climb him like a tree.

The silver cross flashes briefly in his memory, and he holds back. Though Yunho hadn't seemed rigid or guarded at any point during the day. Wooyoung thinks about the small ways their hands had found each other throughout the afternoon. The looks he'd caught Yunho stealing when he thought Wooyoung wasn't paying attention. The memory alone makes him warm.

"Isn't it a bit late for coffee?" Yunho replies, and Wooyoung blinks back to the present.

"Tea, then. Hot chocolate. Any warm beverage, I'm not fussy." He keeps his smile easy, and watches the one he'd been chasing all day settle back onto Yunho's face.

"Alright. That sounds nice."

Wooyoung turns to the door and exhales quietly as he fits the key into the lock. His evenings had usually ended after a drink, a good conversation, and the occasional hookup. But tonight he doesn't want it to end at all. He wants to stretch every last minute of it.

They're about to step inside when a phone buzzes. Yunho apologises and checks the screen.

"It's my mother— do you mind if I just..."

"Of course not. Familycomes first." Wooyoung nudges the door open and steps inside to give him a moment.

That's when he notices the shoes by the door.

He stares at them. A smile flickers across his face, and then vanishes. One advantage of not having a roommate was the freedom to bring someone home without prior warning. A rule established after San had once stumbled into the living room to find a very naked, very surprised stranger making himself at home. The memory was funny now. At the time, less so.

What is he doing here?

Before Wooyoung can finish the thought, the door opens a little wider and Yunho's face appears in the gap. "Hey." His smile is apologetic, and it's Wooyoung's least favourite kind. "I had a really good time today, but my mother's sprained her ankle, I have to go." He gestures behind him, already half-turned to leave.

Wooyoung goes very still for a moment. His throat closes. He knows this kind of apology — he's used it himself. "Yeah, sure," he manages, and has to clear his throat. "Family first, right?"

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Yunho touches his arm briefly and heads down the path. Wooyoung watches him get into his car and pull away. There's a tight feeling in his chest. And here he'd been, thinking it had actually gone well.

He closes the door and sinks back against it.

"Being observant, my ass. Reads the room like a librarian, except when it actually matters."

"Rough day?" San comes downstairs carrying a cardboard box.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too, bestie." He sets the box down and looks at him. "Coming back from a date?"

"Mh."

"That bad?"

"No!" Wooyoung starts. "That's the thing. We had a really good time, or at least I thought we did. Then he gets a call from his supposed mum and suddenly has to leave, says he had a 'nice time.' Nice time. There's no such thing as a nice time!"

San studies him and sighs.

"I don't envy you. Dating is terrible. It took me months to get Yeosang to commit — you can imagine how happy I was when he suggested we move in together." His face softens into that particular expression it gets whenever Yeosang comes up. He's so far gone it's almost painful to witness. Right now even a teaspoon of it is too much.

"Oh, get your head out of your ass, San. Who do you think spent weeks wearing him down until he finally asked you?"

"If you're trying to drag me down to your mood level, save it. Yeosang's cooking tonight and it's going to be terrible, so I need to save my polite smiles for later." He picks the box back up and carries it out to his car. When he returns, Wooyoung is face-down on the carpet.

San crouches beside him and pats his back.

"I just don't know where I stand with this guy," Wooyoung whines into the floor.

"Do you actually not know, or are you reading into his behaviour because your ex was a nightmare?"

"He wasn't a nightmare... not the whole time," Wooyoung says, voice muffled. He pulls himself up and crawls onto the couch.

"Does this new one seem like a good guy?"

"Picture perfect."

"Then maybe it really was his mum," San tries. "Good guys look after their mums. You look after your mum, right?"

"My mum doesn't need looking after."

San chuckles. "Yeah, bad example. But you know what I mean." Wooyoung concedes with a nod.

"Alright, I have an idea, because I'm a great friend, and I'm going to help you with this."

"The charitable Choi San..."

"Shut up and listen." San grabs a receipt from the grocery bag on the counter and starts scribbling. "You are going to draw yourself a nice bath and enjoy the rest of the evening. I left you the lavender bath bomb."

"Thank you...?"

"Shush. Tomorrow morning, you call this guy—"

"Yunho."

San glances up. Wooyoung braces for another shush, but his friend just grins. "Yunho. Strong name. Good for him." He turns back to the receipt. "You call Yunho, ask about his mum, and you listen properly and respond like a human being. Then you tell him you had a great time and you ask him for a second date. Our housewarming is coming up, invite him."

Wooyoung scans the instructions and frowns. "Isn't it a bit soon to be meeting everyone?"

"Nonsense," San waves off. "The sooner we can properly assess him, the better. I don't want you falling for someone and then discovering he's a complete..."

"Gaslighting fuck-face?"

"I see we understand each other." He stands up.

"And what if I chicken out?"

"I'm up early tomorrow... early-ish. Call me and I'll talk you through it."

"Thanks, bro. I mean it. I really don't want to mess this up."

San looks him over slowly. "That's what you wore?" Wooyoung glances down at himself, confused. "Then I have good news, he probably likes you. You made it this far in that?"

"It's literally your shirt!"

"For a reason!"

Wooyoung pulls it off and throws it directly at San's face before shoving him toward the door. "Go get your boxes and enjoy lying to your poor boyfriend."

"It's not lying, it's a white lie. To make him happy."

"Instead of lying to him you could buy him a cookbook, or book a cooking class. You can easily afford it. I'd bet he'd love doing a course together with you. You two have more in common than just the gym."

"Get a boyfriend first, then lecture me about my relationship."

"I just don't want my best friend to get hurt."

"Aw, that's sweet." San coos.

"I meant the other one. I couldn't care less about you." He shoves him out the door.

"I love you too, Wooyo!" San makes an exaggerated kissy face and dodges sideways before he can do anything about it. "And I really hope this goes well. You're miserable on your own. You need someoneby your side, especially right now. Starting a business is no joke, Wooyoung. I was lucky, finding my soulmate this young—"

"I'm your soulmate!" Wooyoung objects. He would not let them take that away from him too.

"Who says there can only be one?" San replies, with a look that lands somewhere between teasing and genuine. He waves over his shoulder as he walks to his car. "Don't tuck your tail just yet, baby." He laughs, and then he's gone.

Wooyoung stands in the doorway for a moment, then closes it.

The bath isn't a bad idea. He scoops up the puppy and heads upstairs, and a few minutes later he's sunk into the hot water in a cloud of lavender, a drama playing on his laptop propped against the tiles. Minnie paddles around the tub, deeply pleased with herself.

Wooyoung has been staring at his phone for a solid ten minutes. He can do this. He pulls up Yunho's contact, saved the moment his date had called to confirm the time, and keeps staring. Then his phone buzzes in his hand and he flinches so hard he nearly bites through the pillow he's clutching.

It's him. Why is he calling? Wooyoung panics. The puppy keeps tears at his sock.

He picks up just before the last ring and tries to sound as casually as humanly possible.

"Yeah, hello?" His mind goes completely blank the moment he hears Yunho's voice. Is it the phone, or has it always been that warm? What was he even supposed to say? He scrambles for the receipt on the coffee table.

"Hi, it's me. Your name twin."

"Name twin?" He pretends to think about it. "Oh, Mr. Jung, hi." Shit, shit, shit.

"I wanted to apologise for last night. I feel bad about it. I feel like I missed out on a nice evening."

There was that word again.

"You could say that. I ended up taking the lavender bath with my dog instead." He's oversharing again. There's a quiet laugh on the other end, and Wooyoung feels about a hundred pounds lighter. How does he keep doing that?

"What a shame. I like lavender."

"Yeah, you look like the type." He finally finds the receipt and scans it:

1. Ask about his mum!

2. Listen and react properly.

3. Tell him you had a great time!

4. ASK FOR A SECOND DATE!!! (housewarming)

He has to do it now or he'll lose his nerve entirely. He takes a breath and hears himself say: "I had a great time with your mum last night — would you like to bring her to my house party?"

Silence follows annd he cringes so hard he almost bites his tongue off.

Then Yunho bursts out laughing.

It takes long enough that Wooyoung has time to bury his face in his palm. This moment will haunt him until he dies. He waits it out, and by the end he can't help but laugh a little himself.

"I'm sorry." He clears his throat. "What I meant was: how's your mum doing?" Eyes on the note. No more freestyle.

"You're a delight, Wooyoung. I haven't laughed like that in a week."

"You seem like a happy person," Wooyoung says, and he's smiling now too. All the frustration from last night has evaporated. How is he supposed to stay annoyed at someone like this?

"I try my best." There's a warmth in his voice that comes through even over the phone. "My mum is okay. It wasn't serious. She gets anxious since both her sons moved out."

"You have a brother?" Wooyoung brightens. Another thing in common.

"You too?"

"Two, actually. One older, one younger."

"A middle child. That explains a lot," Yunho says, amused. Wooyoung could absolutely follow up on that, but his eyes are back on the receipt. He needs to press forward before he loses his nerve again.

"Yeah, probably," he grins. "Look, I had a really good time last night, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to—"

"Yes, I'd love that."

"Really?" He exhales. "Even though it was just nice?"

"Just nice?" Yunho repeats, then laughs. "Ah, I see. That's just how I talk. My mother raised a modest boy. No, I had a genuinely great time, and I would love to go out again."

Wooyoung has to take a breath to get his heart under control. Why is this man so unreasonably nice? "Cool, cool. So, my former roommate and his boyfriend are having a housewarming this Saturday."

"Saturday, let me check." A brief silence follows and Wooyoung immediately starts to spiral.

"Any other day is totally fine too—"

"As much as I'd appreciate that, I can't really ask them to reschedule just for me."

"I — no, that's not what I—"

"I'm teasing, Wooyoung." He laugh again. "We're in luck. I'm working Saturday but only until three. Why don't you send me your address. Actually, I'll send you mine and you come pick me up. Gives me time to get all the fur off. And the sweat. Fair warning, it gets intense on the training course, especially in summer."

"Mm, noted." Wooyoung grins. Why does he suddenly have opinions about what Yunho looks like after a workout? "Alright, sweaty boy. I'll see you Saturday. Look nice, my friends are judgmental bitches."

"Wouldn't expect anything less. And I'm glad you have people around you like that, Wooyoung. I'll see you soon... And I will look better than you."

"Is that a challenge?"

"You bet." He laughs, and hangs up.

Wooyoung has been toying with the idea of enrolling Minnie in obedience school. She's been testing boundaries lately, and he suspects Seonghwa's babysitting isn't helping. His two Japanese Spitz ladies are spoiled beyond reason, and bad habits are contagious. She's still young enough to be shaped, though, so he decides to consult the one person whose opinion on dogs he actually trusts.

Which is certainly not Seonghwa.

This time getting dressed doesn't take an hour. He'd consulted every friend he had, and Seonghwa had gone ahead and sent a full mood board with a colour palette matched his skin tone. It was genuinely useful. The perks of knowing a model.

Freshly showered and cologned up, Wooyoung rings the buzzer of the apartment building. The neighbourhood isn't fancy but he likes the artsy flair. Wooyoung waits a little until he hears a soft voice answering.

"Sorry, I didn't book a stripper for tonight. Must be the wrong door."

Wooyoung grins, takes the compliment, and pushes through as the door clicks open. He takes the stairs to the fifth floor and finds the apartment door already ajar. As he steps inside, he is immediately ambushed.

It is not Yunho.

A Golden Retriever launches itself at him and he has to get Minnie out of harm's way before she gets bulldozed, tucks her under one arm, and turns to face her attacker. He starts cooing instantly.

"Aren't you a good boy. What are we so excited about, hm?" He starts scratching it behind the ears and quickly gives up avoiding the long wet tongue."If your dad's even half as good a kisser as you are, I see a very bright future for us."

"Up to now, they've all picked the dog," Yunho says from the doorway, grinning. "Kakashi, down!" he says calmly and the Retriever retreats behind his legs with visible reluctance.

"Impressively trained. Which, actually, do you know a good obedience school? Minnie is slowly but surely becoming a diva. I don't want her ending up like IU and Chungha."

"Sorry?" Yunho hands him a towel for his face.

"My friend's Spitzes. Absolute divas." Kakashi edges forward again, tail going.

"Ah, I could ask about a spot at the school I work with. Or, given that you're saving up right now, I could handle it myself. In exchange, you could cook for me sometime. I'd love to try your food."

That explained the sweat and the training course. Wooyoung blinks, slightly overwhelmed by the offer. "A man of many talents. Let me think about it." The fact that Yunho is already thinking ahead does something warm to his chest.

"I like to try different things. Keeps life interesting."

Wooyoung carefully sets Minnie down and watches the two dogs sniffing each other out while Yunho finishes getting ready.

"Kakashi,  do you like anime?" he asks, keeping his voice casual. Too many shared interests would start to feel suspicious. But the universe, apparently, was not done with him.

"Everything Japanese, really," Yunho calls from the other room.

Wooyoung stares at the ceiling for a moment. Maybe he shouldn't introduce him to his friends just yet. What if they like him too much and he can't back out later? What if they don't like him at all? The second scenario is unlikely, but not impossible.

"Ready?" Yunho appears with his jacket, holding the door open. "Oh, I forgot to ask, is it alright if Kakashi comes?"

"You did ask, and yes. Yeosang's a dog person, he's been looking forward to it."

"The other Maltese!" He seems genuinely pleased to have remembered.

"Yes. And if you want his approval immediately, call him a Dobermann."

"It would be a shame if I didn't, he's your family, after all."

"True," Wooyoung says, and smiles. They step out into the warm September evening. "You have to pass the friend test before you get anywhere near my actual family, by the way."

"The final boss."

"Exactly. Do you want to walk? Their new place is only about twenty minutes from here."

"Sure." Yunho nods at the Retriever, who is already bouncing ahead down the pavement. "He could use it."

They fall into a comfortable silence, and for once Wooyoung doesn't feel the need to fill it. After a while, he works up the courage to do what he's been wanting to since they left the building. He reaches out and tugs lightly at Yunho's sleeve. He knows how to use his charm, and right now all he wants is to be a little closer.

Yunho glances down at him, and links their arms. They walk like that the rest of the way, until Wooyoung rings the doorbell.

The lift is out of order, so they take the stairs and arrive at the sixth floor slightly winded. The door opens before they even have a chance to knock, and San's face appears. "You made it!" He pulls Wooyoung into a hug, the kind that tells you someone has been nervous for days. Hosting his first proper event in his first real home with his significant other.

Being an adult, as he calls it.

"Come in, come in!" He waves them through, but not before intercepting the puppy. "There she is, my little bean!" He crouches down, entirely absorbed. Then he clocks the Golden Retriever and completely loses the plot. "And who is this beautiful potato-head?" He is now managing two dogs at once while the guests see themselves in.

"You must be San," Yunho says, with a small grin, as their host finally surfaces and extends a hand.

"The guy with the strong name who turns knees to water. Great to finally meet you in person!" San shakes his hand with considerable enthusiasm.

Wooyoung goes red to the roots. Yunho turns to give him a very deliberate look. "I suppose that's me," he says, and clears his throat.

"Jackets off, then join the others in the living room, Yeosang's doing the rounds with appetisers." They hand over their coats and follow the sound of a fairly heated debate into the living room. It cuts off the moment they appear.

All heads turn.

Yeosang's face opens up. He's the first to move, sets down the plate, crosses the room, hugs Wooyoung properly, and then turns. 

"There's something about you I can't quite put my finger on," Yunho says, studying him with genuine thought. "Ah — yes. A Dobermann. The whole energy." He gestures loosely. Wooyoung covers his grin with a hand. Yeosang stands up a little straighter, ears faintly pink, and clears his throat.

"...Thank you. Welcome, please make yourself at home." He turns back to his other guests, visibly pleased.

"I see exactly what you meant," Yunho murmurs. "It's uncanny."

"Right?!" Wooyoung whispers back, before someone across the room calls out.

"Yunho, old boy!"

"Mingi? What are you doing here?"

"Believe it or not, I have other friends." They laugh and pull each other into a hug.

"Small world," Wooyoung says, looking between them. "How do you know each other?"

"High school," Mingi says. "Oh, do you remember Choi Jongho? Year below us. He's a singer now. A really good one too." He claps a hand on Jongho's shoulder. Jongho accepts this like someone who prefers not to be announced.

Wooyoung scans the room. "Where are Seonghwa and his trophy husband?"

San arrives with both dogs in tow. "They went to find a bottle of champagne. Haven't come back yet."

"Maybe they couldn't find it," Yeosang offers, not looking up from the appetiser platter.

"Sure," says Jongho, and pushes another gimbap into his mouth. Wooyoung makes a silent prayer that it's store-bought.

“Pantry,” San says with a telling smile as Yeosang, smitten with the puppy, takes It away from him and starts fluffing its fur. He quickly zones out, crouching down on the sofa and dognaps Minnie to their own little world.

"Speaking of the devil—" The heads turn again as Seonghwa walks in.

"Wooyoung!" He pulls him into a tight hug. He looks relaxed. At peace. The specific kind of at peace that confirms he was absolutely not looking for champagne just now.

"I forgot to mop the pantry floor," San says, studying Seonghwa's knees, and the room erupts.

Seonghwa brushes the dust from his dress pants and doesn't dignify it with a response. He's long past that. He turns instead to Yunho, who now has the full weight of his attention.

"You must be the one everyone's been talking about lately."

Yunho blinks at him. "Am I?"

"You've been the main topic of conversation ever since Wooyoung walked into that shelter." Wooyoung goes pink. But rather than looking uncomfortable, Yunho seems quietly amused by it.

"I'd expect nothing less," he says, and pulls Wooyoung in against his side, arm settling around his shoulder.

Then Hongjoong appears from the hallway, champagne bottle in hand. "Found it!" He holds it out to San and turns toward the kitchen, then stops. His eyes land on Yunho. The arm around Wooyoung's shoulder goes very slightly stiff.

"Hi," Hongjoong says. A beat too measured.

"Hi. Good to see you're still alive," Yunho replies.

Jongho straightens up with the expression of someone who has just been handed a gift. "This is about to get interesting." He receives a deeply uncertain look from Seonghwa.

"There's nothing to it," Hongjoong says, waving a hand. He pivots immediately to Wooyoung. "One of my colleagues expressed interest in your start-up. I'll send you his number. Give him a call, and don't make me look bad." He disappears into the kitchen. Wooyoung stands there for a moment, trying to catch up, while his friends break into excited chatter.

Later that evening, Yunho finds him at the fridge. It's the first time they've been alone in hours, somewhere between charades and karaoke, the night had run away from them. 

"What's wrong? Did I do something?"

Wooyoung just shrugs. They're not close enough yet for this conversation. It's not really his place. But Yunho reads it quickly.

"Hongjoong and I go way back. Like he said, it's nothing to worry about."

"Then why do I?"

"Because worrying is your default setting." Yunho says it gently, and reaches over to brush a strand of hair from Wooyoung's face. "If it would help, I'll tell you." He watches him, and Wooyoung shakes his head. He doesn't want to come across as nosy and scare him off before anything has even properly started.

But Yunho smiles like he already knows, and tells him anyway.

"I wanted to be an idol, around nineteen. Hongjoong was a producer at the company I signed with. He took me under his wing for a bit, and at some point it became something else. Then a month later he ended it, didn't want to risk his job. Someone found out regardless, and we both got dropped. That's the whole story."

"Why are you telling me this? I said I didn't want to know," Wooyoung pouts. He is, however, considerably relieved.

Yunho laughs softly.

"While we're on the subject of history." Wooyoung hesitates. "I kissed San once. At a party, two years ago, both of us single, both of us drunk. When he met Yeosang shortly after, we agreed to never mention it again."

Yunho's expression doesn't shift much, just a small, barely-there furrow. Then he laughs. "Bros being bros," he says.

Wooyoung exhales. Then Yunho says: "Save the next one for me, then."

His mouth goes dry. He nods, and he's not entirely sure when he decided to do that.

Yunho ruffles his hair, smiles, and walks back to the living room. Wooyoung stands at the fridge for a moment, slightly dazed. Then he follows.

Around midnight they take their leave and walk the dogs home. It's quiet, they're both tired, and at some point Wooyoung's hand finds its way to Yunho's arm and he rests his head on his shoulder. It's exactly the right height.

"It was a really nice evening," he murmurs, sparing himself a future embarrassing phone call.

"Just nice?" He can feel Yunho's eyes on him. He looks up and finds him smiling. Wooyoung grins and lets his head drop back.

"That's just how I talk," he says, and they walk on through the quiet, and somewhere far off, cars pass.

"I like your friends," Yunho says after a while. "I could see myself spending time with them. Especially since Mingi's part of the group anyway."

"Even with Hongjoong in the picture?"

"I don't have a problem with Mr. Kim— With Hongjoong," he corrects himself, catching Wooyoung's gaze. "He seems like a good person. It was a complicated situation. I understand now why he did what he did, and it's not like we were in love. No grudges."

"Good. And thank you for bringing it up, for noticing something was off. I wasn't going to say anything. It wasn't my place."

"I appreciate that."

They reach Yunho's building, and Kakashi surges ahead, Minnie scrambling after him on her short legs. Yunho crouches to scratch behind the Retriever's ears. Wooyoung watches him and does the math. He's barely made it past a second date before. He really wants a third.

As Yunho reaches for his key card, Wooyoung makes a bold decision.

"So, yeah..." He slides a hand casually through his hair, one of his better moves, and he knows it works. "There we are."

Yunho grins. Of course he sees through it. "Did you want to come up? I'm not ready to sleep yet."

The sensible thing would be to say goodnight and stay in touch. But Wooyoung wants to stay in touch in a different sense. He angles a small, coy smile.

"I can take you home, if you'd prefer," Yunho offers, politely, though there's something in his eyes that says he already knows the answer.

"I'd love to stay."

The door opens, and they step inside. The lift doors close, and the ride up feels longer than usual. "So," Wooyoung starts, "about that kiss —" He feels Yunho's gaze shift toward him and smiles to himself. He wants him to be the one to start it.

"Yes." Yunho's fingers find his and interlace. He pulls him in, and their eyes hold. The doors open and close again without either of them moving. Wooyoung's breathing slows, then stops, as he feels the warmth of him close.

He rises onto his toes, buries a hand in his hair, and pulls him down. A quiet sound leaves Yunho's throat.

The kiss is softer than expected. Whatever Wooyoung had been imagining doesn't come close. Tender and unhurried, and somehow more intense for it. They only come back when Kakashi starts scratching at the lift doors.

Wooyoung settles back onto his heels, a little breathless, hand still caught in dark hair. Yunho takes a moment to collect himself before pressing the button. They step out into the hallway, slightly unsteady.

"A drink?" Yunho offers, unlocking the apartment.

"I'd rather eat," Wooyoung says, and glances sideways at him. Yunho understands, and something shifts in his eyes.

"Would you be upset if we held off on dinner a little?" Yunho asks, and something in his tone makes him go still.

"Are you not hungry, or do you just not want to eat with me?"

"Oh, I am hungry, and I do want to eat with you. I just think we should take our time."

Wooyoung reaches up and touches the necklace at Yunho's throat, turns the small cross over in his fingers.

"It has nothing to do with that." Yunho gently takes his hand from the necklace, and then presses a kiss to his knuckles. "It's just... when you mentioned barely making it to second dates, I thought about it. Maybe this is the reason."

"Are you saying I suck at sucking?"

"I'm not saying anything. I just don't want you to feel like I'm using you, only to disappear." He keeps Wooyoung's hands, his breath warm against his skin. "That's not what this is."

Wooyoung shakes his head softly. "You don't." He holds his gaze. "But I respect it."

Something in his chest does a small flutter as he watches Yunho smile. He still wants him, more than before, actually, but he finds that he doesn't mind the waiting. He wants this to work. He really does.

"We could just cuddle and watch something," Yunho says. "And if we feel like it in the morning... breakfast in bed as a third date. Maybe dessert after." His finger traces a line down Wooyoung's chest, and then it's gone.

Wooyoung opens his mouth to answer. He doesn't get the chance.

Wooyoung looks at him in anticipation, but instead of replying, Yunho just pulls him into his arms and holds him tight. He holds him so long and so close, that Wooyoung feels the little broken pieces inside him slowly drifting towards each other. He feels so comfortable in his arms that he feels the tears welling up, hoping Yunho wouldn't let go just yet.

And he doesn't.

Wooyoung knows this feeling, something he barely feels around other people. He can't quite put a finger on it, yet savours every moment of it. “Sounds like a plan,” he mutters before feels a kiss on his temple and suddenly he remembers: It feels like home.