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Wooyoung tapped his nails against the bar-top, his chin propped in his palm and his elbow on the surface. A sigh escaped his lips as he waited for the bartender to make his way over to his side, his cheeks puffing out in annoyance.
The after party for MAMA was always interesting — idols upon idols mingling with one another, dancing, laughing, and other things that Wooyoung won’t mention, can’t mention .
He’d been sent to the bar by Hongjoong, their leader telling him to get a round for everyone. San excused himself to the bathroom before telling Wooyoung he’d be there to help him carry all the drinks back. So, Wooyoung waited.
He enjoyed the atmosphere of the after party, usually. Even if you didn’t win, you could always rely on the dancing and drinking of the after party to cheer you up. Wooyoung turned his head and glanced at the dance floor, observing the mass crowd of people dancing with drinks in their hands and laughter on their lips.
“You order yet, beautiful?”
Wooyoung turned his head to the voice beside him, jumping a bit at the suddenness of it. He was met with a man he didn’t recognize. Not old, but definitely not anywhere near Wooyoung’s age. Well, he must be someone important if he’s here tonight. Wooyoung gave him a smile, shaking his head.
“No, still waiting. By the time I get my drink this thing’ll probably be over,” Wooyoung joked, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. He straightened up and stuck out his arm, offering a handshake. I’m—”
“Wooyoung, of ATEEZ. Trust me, I’m well aware of who you are.” The man said, bringing his own glass to his lips. Wooyoung could faintly smell alcohol on him, alcohol that lingered. He clearly got here a while before Wooyoung did.
The man grabbed his hand and shook it, but he didn’t let go — not immediately, at least. Wooyoung smile faltered as he moved to pull his hand away from his grip, a nervous laugh escaping him. “Ah, well— do you— did you see our stage tonight?”
The man hummed and let go of Wooyoung’s hand, only to step a bit further into Wooyoung’s space. Wooyoung could honest to god hear the warning sounds blaring in his head as he instinctively took a step back, only to knock into someone behind him. He quickly apologized and had no choice but to move forward again, right into the man’s space. Wooyoung turned his body to the front of the bar, hoping it would keep the man from coming any closer.
“Of course I saw it. You were wonderful, Wooyoung. You… You simply shine on the stage.” The man said, his body turned towards Wooyoung as he leaned against the bar.
Wooyoung felt bad for a moment. Here he was, acting as if this man was here to cause him any harm, and all this man had done was compliment him about his performance. Wooyoung internally scolded himself before turning his head to give the elder a smile, a small laugh escaping him.
“You’re very sweet, thank you for the kind words,” Wooyoung bowed his head ever so slightly and looked back to the bartender — who was still mixing someone else’s drink. He sighed and turned back to the man. “Feels like we’ve been waiting forever, huh?”
That’s when he felt it.
The hand on the small of his back felt like hot iron against his skin, because he knew that wasn’t San. Wooyoung knew what San’s touch felt like, he honestly knew what all of the member’s touch felt like. This wasn’t it. This hand was course and rough with age, too hot and sweaty against his cool skin. Wooyoung felt his own body grow stiff, his smile dropped instantly.
He slowly turned his head to the man, fixing his gaze onto him. “Sir, could you—” Wooyoung couldn’t help the yelp that left his lips when he felt the man’s hand travel lower. “Please get your hand off of me, sir.”
The man scoffed in his ear, “You’re gonna have to try harder than that, darling.”
Wooyoung felt his hand grow lower and he reached to grab it, to do anything , but the man stopped just as Wooyoung moved.
“You really want to cause a scene? In front of all of these people?”
Wooyoung grit his teeth and felt tears come to his eyes. No, he didn’t. He didn’t want to cause a scene in front of these big name idols, these big name companies. Fuck, there was no way this was happening. Wooyoung tried to think of a way to get out of this, a way to slip free without making it seem like he was in danger. He was gone for a long time, right? One of the members were going to come and see what was taking so long, wouldn’t they? Right?
“So here’s what I’m thinking,” The man slid his hand from Wooyoung’s back to his waist, pulling him closer. Wooyoung felt his side hit the man’s chest and he whimpered quietly, hanging his head as to not be closer to this man’s face. “I have a hotel only a couple of blocks away. What do you say you and I leave and continue the fun somewhere quieter?”
Wooyoung didn’t want that, God, he really didn’t want that. He couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over his cheeks, his eyes frantically looked over to the bartender, to anyone , but nobody was looking.
He felt the man start to pull him away from the bar-top and a scream bubbled up in his throat, because fuck it if he caused a scene, he needed help , he needed a way out , he needed— he needed—
“What the fuck are you doing?”
Wooyoung jumped at the booming voice in the room, his head whipping around to find the source, as did the others around him. A soft hush fell over the room, and Wooyoung felt embarrassment creep into his chest. The man still had him in his arms, he still had his hands on his skin.
Choi San stood a few feet from him with his eyes wide, his jaw slack and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, in anger . Wooyoung couldn’t help the tears that came full force, seeing San in front of him. The other man’s hands on his skin felt awful, and he wanted them off . He wanted San.
“Sannie,” Wooyoung started tearfully, but the man interrupted him with a forced laugh, his grip tightening on Wooyoung. The younger yelped at the feeling.
“Where are my manners? My apologies,” The man started, a chuckle leaving him. “Wooyoung and I were just leaving to go get some fresh air. Weren’t we, him?”
Wooyoung felt the grip on his waist tighten, his nails practically digging into his skin. He quickly looked over at San, who was staring at him with an intensity that honestly scared him a bit. Of course, Wooyoung didn’t have to say anything. San knew , because that’s just who San was. He knows whenever Wooyoung is sad, whenever he’s happy, whenever he’s mad. He knows, he just knows.
Don’t cause a scene, but please, help me.
San forced a smile, walking to the pair and stopping in front of Wooyoung. He placed a hand on Wooyoung’s elbow, a gentle tug.
“Ah, well, we just got here, you know? We haven’t even had a chance to enjoy the party yet. How about you and Wooyoung pick this up later, yeah?” San phrased it like a question, but his tone was commanding. Wooyoung shivered at the sound of it.
The man laughed, but there was no humor to it. “That’d be nice, but I just told you — we are leaving .” He grit out behind a forced smile.
“Right, right, but I just told you to get the fuck away from him .”
Wooyoung felt his breath get caught in his throat when San stepped closer. He was now sandwiched between the two men, and he instinctively leaned towards San. The other man clearly didn’t appreciate that and yanked him back, causing Wooyoung to cry out in surprise.
“And what, you’ll stop me? What are you going to do if I take him back to my room and f—”
“I’ll kill you, that’s what. I’ll fucking kill you .”
“San…” Wooyoung breathed, his voice quiet as he stared at his soulmate with wide eyes.
“You really want to play this game with me, boy?” The man asked lowly. “Your members and your band mean a lot to you, yes? It’d be a shame if a statement like that went public, don’t you think?”
“Ask me if I give a shit. Ask them if they give a shit,” San snapped back. “Let go of him, now.”
The man grinned, “No, I don’t think I will.”
Wooyoung felt his hand go lower, and he felt the bile rise in his throat when he felt him grip his ass, squeezing hard. He gasped out loud, his voice getting caught on his throat. Wooyoung didn’t even have a chance to get away because San was already on him.
Wooyoung didn’t even see San throw his arm back for the punch, but he saw it connect with the man’s nose. Wooyoung was close enough to hear the crack, jumping at the sound. The crowd around them made exclamations in shock, stepping away from the scene in front of them.
The man cried out in pain and brought both hands up to his face to stop the blood rushing from his nose already, stumbling back. The second his hand was off him, Wooyoung practically flew into San’s arms. The other held him tightly, and Wooyoung let himself cry.
He felt dirty, he could still feel his hands everywhere on him. Wooyoung sobbed into San’s neck, hiding his face into his collarbone as he gripped onto the back of his shirt like it was only the only thing tying him to this Earth. Security was quick to rush over, as were the other members. Wooyoung didn’t see any of this though, he was too busy crying into San’s neck, hiding from the rest of the world.
“What the fuck happened?” Jongho asked, his voice loud and stern, and Wooyoung could hear the worry that bled into his tone.
Wooyoung couldn’t speak, so he just shook his head rapidly into San’s skin. San quickly began to stroke Wooyoung’s hair gently, trying to soothe the younger. He turned to Jongho.
“That fucker ,” San motioned to the man nursing his nose, leaning against the bar top as he cursed in pain. “Was trying to— he was going to— Fuck, Jongho, don’t make me fucking say it .”
Jongho’s glare whipped over to the man, as did the gaze of the other members. Yeosang’s hands were quick to grab Jongho’s biceps to stop him, but nobody was fast enough to grab Mingi.
“Mingi, don’t —”
But, Mingi was already on the man. He had one hand in the man’s hair and the other twisted into his shirt. The taller all but swung the man on the ground like a rag doll, his body hitting the floor with a thud. Mingi was about to get on top of the man, fists raised, but Yunho was quick to grab both of his arms and press them down, holding him against his chest.
Jongho still fought against Yeosang’s grip, whilst Seonghwa and Hongjoong spoke rapidly to the security guard that had came running over earlier.
“ San ,” Wooyoung’s voice was muffled against his skin, the younger visibly shaking at the chaos around him. “Get me home, please, please— just— take me home, San, please.”
“I got you baby, I got you.” San wrapped his arm around Wooyoung’s shoulder and ducked the younger’s head, quickly moving him through the crowd and out the doors.
San had called for their driver once they got outside, but he didn’t take his hands off Wooyoung for a second. Even in the backseat, he had the younger in his lap, holding him close and caressing him gently where he could, trying to give him some semblance of comfort. San couldn’t stop going over the what ifs in his head — what if he hadn’t gone to the bathroom? What if he didn’t go to hell Wooyoung? What if he was too late? What if?
The younger was still silent even as they got back to the dorms, toeing off his shoes as he kept his arms around himself, hugging himself tightly. San gently closed the door behind him and began to toe off his own shoes, but Wooyoung all but threw himself on him.
San didn’t have time to process the feeling of his back hitting against the door, because a pair of warm lips were on his own. San’s eyes widened as his has remained suspended in the air, his brain currently working in overdrive to try and figure out what the fuck Wooyoung is doing.
“Kiss me back,” Wooyoung said against his lips, but San could hear the quiver, how his voice was so close to breaking. “San, kiss me back, please, please don’t just leave me like this—”
San heard Wooyoung’s voice crack and he instantly out his hands on the other’s shoulders, gently pushing him away just enough. His heart was beating out of his chest, and he knew his cheeks must be bright red, but this wasn’t right. Fuck, this wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
“Baby, don’t cry, God , please don’t cry…” San cupped his cheeks and brought his face up. Wooyoung looked devastating, and it made San want to go back to that party and strangle the life out of that man for hurting Wooyoung like this.
“You don’t— You don’t want me!” Wooyoung cried, pushing San away and walking deeper into their apartment. San followed, because wherever Wooyoung went, he went.
He’d always follow.
“Woo, just wait a second—”
“ No !”
Wooyoung whipped his body around, tears running down his face, his body shaking. “I can— I still feel him on me, San! I want it off! I want it off and you’re not— you don’t— why don’t you— I thought that you wanted me , so I— and I just ruined— I ruined everything —”
San saw Wooyoung’s knees buckle and was there to catch him before he hit the ground. San slowly sank to his knees with the younger, letting Wooyoung wail in his arms. San felt tears come to his own eyes, holding Wooyoung as tightly as possible. He wished he could squeeze the pain out of Wooyoung and take it himself. God, he’d do anything for Wooyoung.
“I want you, Wooyoung. God, I want you so bad,” San spoke into Wooyoung’s hair as the other cried into his chest, San gently rocking both of them. “If you could feel how much I want you, you’d never doubt it, baby. Woo, you’re everything to me. Do you hear me? You’re my everything , Wooyoung.” San pressed a kiss to his head, holding him impossibly closer.
“I wanted to do it right, baby. I want to do everything you deserve, I want to— I want to take you out or— or I could make you dinner, you know? Whatever you wanted, I’d make it. After we could— we would’ve watched a movie, or maybe we could’ve walked along the Han River, and I’d give you my coat because it’s— it’d be cold, you know? And then after I’d— I’d love you, Wooyoung. God, I’d love you the way you deserve to be loved. I’d worship you.”
When San finished his rambling, all that he could hear was Wooyoung sniffling and the sound of the city life outside the window. He could feel, though, his heart beating against his ribcage. When Wooyoung didn’t say anything, San kept going.
“That’s why I didn’t kiss you back, Woo. Don’t you ever say it’s because I don’t you, because I do .” He gently push Wooyoung back and lifted his face to meet his own. “Not when you’re like this, though, baby. Let me heal you first, okay? Let me take care of you.”
Wooyoung’s bottom lip was trembling and his eyes were sparkling as he stared up at San with a vulnerability that made the elder weak. He brushed some hair behind Wooyoung’s ear and leaned down, pressing one kiss to his cheek, and then another kiss to the other. San pulled back to gaze down at Wooyoung.
“I’m sorry, though. I hate seeing you cry.” San murmured softly, a frown on his lips.
Wooyoung brought his sleeve up and wiped his nose and his eyes, sniffling as he did so. “I thought you didn’t want me. I thought you— thought I was gross after… after he—” San was quick to stop him.
“Nothing he could have done would stop me from loving you, Wooyoung. And I promise you, he is going to pay for what he did. I’ll see to it myself that he gets what he deserves.” San said, the anger rising in his chest again. He quelled it down, only for Wooyoung’s sake. Besides, he knew the members were taking care of it now. Briefly, San wondered if Mingi ever got ahold of the bastard again.
He was kind of hoping he did.
“So,” Wooyoung sniffled again. “You love me?”
San couldn’t help the small smile that grew on his face. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to his cheek again. “More than you’ll ever know.”
Wooyoung pouted, “Then kiss my lips.”
San laughed at the bluntness and wrapped his arms around Wooyoung again, lifting him up as he stood. He got one arm under Wooyoung’s knees and lifted him up, the younger wrapping his arms around his neck. San walked them into the bathroom to wash up.
“No, we’re saving that, remember? I want to do this the right way.” San set Wooyoung on the sink, the other grabbing onto the edge of the counter and crossing his leg. San then began to discard of his clothes, tossing his shirt to the floor.
“I kinda already ruined that.” Wooyoung mumbled, and San stopped undressing, looking over at the younger. He could see the regret and frustration in his eyes, so he sighed and straightened up, shrugging his shoulders.
“What’re you talking about? What did you ruin?” San asked, tilting his head curiously. Wooyoung leveled him with an annoyed look.
“Seriously? You’re going to make me say it out loud?” Wooyoung asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I mean, all I remember is coming home and coming in here to take a shower. What, did something else happen that I missed?” San began unbuckling his belt, contorting his expression into one of genuine confusion.
When Wooyoung realized what he was doing, he brought his hand up to stifle the small laugh that he let out. Wooyoung shook his head with a grin as he watched San, “You’re unbelievable, you know that? So, what, we just get a new first kiss if you pretend it didn’t happen?”
San shrugged, “Pretend what didn’t happen?” He stepped out of his pants and looked up at Wooyoung with a grin.
The laugh Wooyoung gave him was worth it, and it honestly proved harder than San thought to keep his hands off Wooyoung in the shower. Wooyoung was especially clingy, which San expected completely. Still, he wanted to take care of the younger. So, he got Wooyoung cleaned up and dried off, carrying the younger into his room, despite Wooyoung’s cries that my bed is comfier!
San held Wooyoung tight and pressed kisses to his skin, and he could practically feel the way Wooyoung melted into the sheets, melted into him .
Wooyoung was fast asleep by the time the rest of the members came home, and when they didn’t find Wooyoung in his own bed, they were quick to open up San’s door, peeking their heads in.
“Everything okay?” Hongjoong whispered, stepping into the room with careful footsteps. He walked until he was on Wooyoung’s side of the bed, reaching a hand out and brushing some hair out of his face.
San nodded carefully, “Yeah, he’s finally asleep. Poor baby’s gonna sleep a while, I think.” San whispered back, looking over to the other members. He had to hold back his laughter at the sight of Mingi sporting an ice pack over his head, a sheepish expression on his face.
“You okay, buddy?” He teased quietly, and Mingi frowned deeper.
“S’From Yunho. He hit me upside the head for starting a fight.” Mingi pouted, and Yunho rolled his eyes as he gave the taller a pinch on the cheek.
“You deserved it. I love you, but you still deserved it.” Yunho stepped over by Hongjoong and peered down at Wooyoung, a sad expression on his face. “How was he coming home?”
San was quiet for a moment, processing the night’s events in his own mind before responding. “He’ll be okay, that’s all that matters.” He finally said.
Seonghwa leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms with a frown on his lips. “There were enough eye witnesses to testify for Wooyoung to security, so they brought him in. Just— If they saw it, why didn’t they… why didn’t anyone say anything?” He spoke softly, looking down at the floor and shaking his head.
The room was quiet as they processed that question. San couldn’t help but hold Wooyoung a little bit closer as if to keep him safe, keep him protected in his arms.
“Well,” Yeosang started. “He’s probably going to be locked up and kept away from us, so the only thing we can focus on right now is making sure Wooyoung is happy. Right?” He looked to his members, who nodded in agreement.
“Seems like San got a headstart, hm?” Yunho teased quietly, giving San a gentle smile. San rolled his eyes fondly and snuggled deeper into the mattress, holding Wooyoung tighter.
“I’ll always have a head start when it comes to Wooyoung,” San murmured softly. Jongho made a sound of a fake gag and stood up from his spot at the end of the bed.
“Okay, gross. See, that was cringy, so now I’m going to bed.” Jongho said, shaking his head.
“Love makes you do cringy things, my friend.” San replied, pressing a kiss to Wooyoung’s forehead.
“Glad you’re finally admitting you’re both in love. I can’t wait for you both to be more insufferable this you already are.” Jongho deadpanned, and San had to stifle the laugh in his throat so he didn’t wake up Wooyoung. The members snickered at the comment, because they all knew it rang true. However, he felt Wooyoung’s breathy giggle against his neck, and a fond smile graced his lips.
“You can bully me in the morning, okay? Close the door on your way out.” San called out to them softly. Mingi made a noise of confirmation.
“Goodnight, San.”
“Night,” San watched the door close and looked back down at Wooyoung. “You can open your eyes, you cheater.”
Wooyoung cracked open his eyes and he looked up at San with a smile, and San fell more in love. It was just so easy to love Wooyoung.
“I can’t sleep.”
“Well, that sucks, because you’re gonna sleep whether you like it or not.”
“I mean, I could be convinced.”
San smiled, “Yeah? How so?”
Wooyoung closed his eyes and puckered his lips, and San laughed, shaking his head fondly as he watched Wooyoung lean a bit closer. Well, San is only such a strong man.
He went to sleep that night kissing the man he loves, his hands gently cupping Wooyoung’s face as he kissed him like he was something precious — and he was. Wooyoung was so precious to him, and San planned on spending every day making Wooyoung realize just how much he meant to him.
That night he dreamt of soft lips against his own, and San couldn’t help but wonder how he possibly ever went without them — how he could ever live without Wooyoung?
That reality didn’t exist, however. Because when he woke in the morning, Wooyoung was safe in his arms, right where he was meant to be.