Chapter Text
Seonghwa didn’t know how long he stayed there like that. Eventually the tears dried and he stared at the portrait. Some time passed when he heard the sounds of soft footsteps, and he looked up to see a middle aged woman in a bright red sweater walking toward him with a soft smile on her face. Her long dark hair was piled onto her head, and her skin was on the tanner side.
Stopping next to Seonghwa, her hands in her pockets, she nudged his leg. “Come on baby, stand up. He wouldn’t want you crying like this.” She radiated motherly energy, and he did as he was told, standing and wiping his nose.
“Sorry, it’s been a really rough week.”
She nodded as if she knew, and looked down at the painting. “I haven’t seen that face in so long. You’ve really captured his smile perfectly.” Her smile warmed as she looked at it.
Seonghwa felt his heart jolt, and his head whipped to look at her. “Wait, did you know him?”
Laughing softly, she smiled. “Baby, I knew the both of you.” She must see him wracking memories because she shook her head. “We never got to speak but maybe once. I’ve volunteered at the church for a while, and you kids from the orphanage would come to visit, remember?” He nodded, still slightly confused, and she gave a happy sigh. “San, on the other hand, I spoke to quite a bit.”
He frowned at her, trying to think over conversations from the past. “I don’t remember him mentioning being close to anyone.”
She gave a smile to his portrait. “He would come and help sometimes when you were busy or working.”
There’s a part of his heart that ached a bit, realizing he didn’t know everything about his past lover. “Why don’t I know about this?”
Shrugging, she pulled a hand out of her pocket and placed it on his shoulder, consoling. “I don’t know why, but sometimes when two people are as attached at the hip as you two were, a person needs a place to be a singular person.” The hurt must show on his face, because she reached the arm around him and gave him a side hug. “Oh, baby, don’t think less of him or yourself. Y’all had some real deep love for being so young. But people need to have their own things in life. You had your art, and he had the church. Now he wasn’t a religious person, but he did like helping people.”
He felt his eyes start to well up at her kind memories of him. “I just wish I knew that part of him.”
Shaking her head, she squeezed him again. “Listen, none of us are perfect. Just because he didn’t tell you doesn’t mean he wasn’t thinking of you. You were his favorite topic.” Now he was crying again and he realized how wonderful it would’ve been to have had this woman around when San had gone. Seonghwa couldn’t stop himself, and he threw his arms around her and hugged her, crying over her shoulder. She doesn’t stop him, simply rubbing his back. “Shh, it’s okay. These better be happy tears you’re getting all over my favorite sweater.”
Choking on laughter, he pulled away, smile wide as he wiped his face for the millionth time that day. “God, where were you four years ago? I could’ve really used you.” Seonghwa’s tone was only half joking, mixed with sadness.
The woman patted his shoulder. “Things happen when they need to happen. Come on, let's get you some hot coffee and something sweet.”
She started to walk away and he realized he didn't know her name. “Ma’am, I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”
“Everyone calls me Auntie B.” She said over her shoulder as she kept walking. Seonghwa dutifully followed. As they were passing the entrance of the church, she paused. “I gotta let them know I’m leaving, hold on a moment.” She marched up the steps and leaned in the doorway. “Hey y’all, I’ve gotta leave early, but you all enjoy your dinner, alright?” There was a chorus of farewells before she rejoined him, a pleasant smile on her face. “Let’s go.”
They walk in silence for a while. Well, he’s walking silently beside her as nearly everyone they pass greeted Auntie B. She’s a bright warm sun walking through the streets as everyone she comes in contact with smiled back at her and she received dozens of hugs. Multiple times they are stopped for a few minutes so she can have a short conversation with someone, and then they move another few hundred feet and it happens again. It warmed him to see someone be so filled with joy.
Finally arriving at a small coffee shop, the young woman behind the counter beamed as she walked in. “Hey Auntie! The usual for you today?”
Auntie B gave her a smile and pointed a thumb at me. “And whatever he wants.”
Seonghwa was flustered and he sputtered a bit before speaking. “Just a black coffee.”
She frowned and shook her head. “Give him a piece of the cheesecake too.” The woman behind the corner smiled and began to prepare the items. “Alright baby, come on, I’ve got a special spot for quiet conversations.” She led him toward the back of the shop, only being stopped a couple times by patrons, where there was a staircase that she started to climb.
When they reached the top, he saw a small seating area with a couple comfy looking chairs and a table. At the edge was a railing that looked down into the shop. “Wow, this is nice.”
Nodding, she relaxed into one of the chairs. “This shop is mine. A lot of the shops around here are mine.” He gave her an impressed look and she smiled. “I don’t have much money myself, but my people are well paid, and my neighborhood is well taken care of. I make sure of that.”
She’s the direct opposite of Hongjoong. “That’s awesome.” The barista appeared with a tray carrying their drinks and food. She set it down in front of them and Auntie B gave her a smile and a nod, sending her away.
On the tray with a slice of cheesecake is a thick piece of red velvet cake. She picked it up with a smile. “All of this is homemade by an older lady who’s worked for me for years. She’s the best.” Seonghwa smiled, and picked up the coffee. It is perfect. She took a bite of her cake, and set it back down. “Alright, tell me what’s got you crying like you were.” He blushed, embarrassed. She pursed her lips knowingly. “It’s a boy.”
“Well, for the most part, it’s a boy.” She didn’t say anything, just took a drink of her coffee and waited for him to speak. “Well, I’ve only just met him like a week and a half ago and I already feel obsessed with him. It’s not in a good way either. He’s not exactly a good person, and he makes me feel confused about my own feelings most of the time.”
“Have you told this to him?”
The laugh that escapes him is bitter. “We’re almost too honest with each other. So much so that we’re back and forth between being at each other's throats and making each other happy. I mean, I feel happy sometimes with him, but it never lasts long. To be fair neither does the fighting.” Seonghwa sat up, feeling himself getting heated. “Like we honestly haven't even spent that much time together. We end up fighting within a couple hours of hanging out, and then he leaves.” He smiled sheepishly. “Which is usually because I send him away. The fights always happen when we talk about our feelings and end with-” Face turning red as he trailed off, her eyebrows raised, but her look is understanding and not judgmental. “We don’t-”
She held up a hand, silencing him. “So what I gather from this, is that you’re both being honest about what you want and it’s not matching up.”
Sigh. “Well, he says he feels similar in that he also can’t get me out of his head, but he’s pretty adamant that he’s never loved someone and never will.” Seonghwa paused for a moment. “And I’ve been up front about feeling like I want to keep my distance because of that. Also, he's the only person I’ve talked about San to since he’s past and we get into arguments about my obsession with San and how I can’t let go. A lot of our fights start with San.” Waving a hand in annoyance, he can’t hide his frustration.
She raised an eyebrow. “Is he wrong?” He paused before shaking his head. She sighed. “Well, no wonder you can’t move on, you don’t tell anyone about him.” Seonghwa gave her a confused look. “Baby, you’ve kept a whole part of your heart hidden away from the rest of the world. The love you had with that boy shaped you into who you are, and so did his death. But since you don’t talk about him you can’t grow and learn from that experience. There’s a lot of things we learn about ourselves while dealing with grief, and all you’ve done is hide from it by hiding San away.”
Seonghwa’s head lowered as she spoke. “I can’t speak on whether this other man can learn to love or is willing to love. As for his morality, I will not judge someone before I meet them. Though, he seems just as confused as you are, but if he’s willing to be honest with you, if not himself, then that’s a start. Now, what I do know is that you will never be happy if you hold on to San.”
Leaning forward, she grabbed his hand in hers, forcing Seonghwa to look into her eyes and he found himself caught off guard by her intense warmth and understanding look. “Listen, you need to feel his loss.” He tried to speak up, starting to say he did, but she shook her head. “No. You haven’t told anyone about him because if you don’t tell people he’s gone then in some part of your mind he’s not. You finally tell someone about him and now you’re being forced to deal with your grief and you’re probably taking it out on him without realizing it. I don’t know if dealing with it will make this relationship work out, but it will help you move on in life and be happy. Being happy or moving on from him does not mean you love him less, you just won’t hold yourself back for him anymore.”
Auntie B smacks Seonghwa’s hand. “You know full well he would be so upset to learn you’ve been using him as an excuse. Now when you go home, you open up to your friends, and you tell them about him. You tell them, and you feel all your emotions. Get mad, get sad, cry, but don’t take it out on them.”
He could feel himself tearing up, and he wiped his eyes with his free hand. “Auntie, I only have one friend. I’ve kind of cut off people after he died.”
Her eyes grew sad, and she shook her head with a sigh. “Then start making friends, and open up to people. If telling that one friend isn’t enough to get out your grief, start making art. No more hiding him, let people see him, tell his story.” The tears were fully flowing, and she reached out to pull him into a hug. “And be kind to that man. Just like you, he’s probably hiding something deep inside, okay? But that don’t mean let him walk all over you, alright?” He nodded, hugging her tighter.
After a few minutes Seonghwa pulled back and grabbed a napkin, wiping my face. “Shit.”
“Language!”
He dipped his head. “I apologize.” She gave a sly smile, rolling her eyes as she sat back with her cake, not looking at him as she gave him time to get himself together. When he had gathered himself back together he sat back with a sigh. “Thank you, I really needed that.”
“I know baby, I could read it on your face when I saw you pass the church.” She pointed her fork at the cheesecake. “Eat, you’ll feel better.”
The two spent the next couple hours together, talking about San and life since him. Seonghwa didn’t bring up Hongjoong very much. She’s the most wonderful person he’s met in a long time and he wondered if this is what it felt like to have a mother. There was this connection now between them that seemed to be there already, but now he could feel it. It felt so good to have another person to talk to, and by the time it was time for Seonghwa to leave, he realized she was right. He needed to stop hiding from people.
“Let me call you an uber, it’ll take you too long to get back home on the buses.” Smiling, he thanked her. “Also let me give you my number. If you ever need to cry or talk, or just need a hug, I’ll be here for you.”
Seonghwa pulled out his phone and realized it had still been turned off since he turned it off on the bus that morning. Oh shit. Almost dreading it, he turned it on and waited.
 
 
 
3 missed calls from Wooyoung
37 missed calls from Hongjoong
16 unread texts from Hongjoong
 
 
 
I open up the text messages.
 
 
 
Why wont you pick up
Hey
Are you okay, you still mad?
Seonghwa, please pick up
I’ll let you punch me again, just let me know youre okay
Dammit asshole pick up the phone
I swear to god, if you dont pick up the phone
Fine im coming over
Where are you?
Your work said you called in, where are you?
You're not even responding to Wooyoung, please call me
Seonghwa, please i just need to know youre okay
Seonghwa
Seonghwa
Please be okay
I'm on the roof, if youre not here by ten i swear to god
 
 
 
He didn’t realize Auntie B was reading over his shoulder until she spoke. “Never has never will, huh?” She pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, as if she knew something. “You should make it before ten.” She put her number in the phone and sent herself a text from it. “If I were you, I’d let him sweat until you arrive. But that’s just me.” She gave a shit-eating grin and he couldn’t help but laugh with her.
On the way home, Seonghwa reread the texts over and over. He cares. He might not want to, but he cares. His heart felt light as his eyes roamed over the words. He squeezed the phone tight. He’s waiting for me. The ride seemed to take forever and by the time he climbed out of the car he was shaking, nervous. Seonghwa couldn’t stop himself from running up the steps.
When he stepped out onto the roof, he checked his phone. 9:23. Seonghwa softly made his way around to where they were sitting the day before. He wasn’t sitting there. Hongjoong was over by the edge of the building, pacing back and forth. Though it’s almost dark, there was just enough sunlight left to see that the white shirt is rolled up at the sleeves and half unbuttoned. He’s got a cigarette to his lips as he ran a hand through his hair, which looked messy, like he’s done that alot. His face was scrunched and he looked worried.
Seonghwa smiled, watching him from a distance. Stupid asshole does care.
As if hearing his thoughts, Hongjoong turned to him. Their eyes met and Seonghwa relished the sight of his relief as he was seen. Then it’s overtaken by frustration and anger. The man started angrily walking over, lifting a finger to point at Seonghwa’s face. “Where the fuck have you been? I’ve been trying to call you all day. I thought you had done something to yourself. Why couldn’t you just send me a text back.” As he was talking, he was getting closer until he was right in front of him. He dropped his cig and grabbed onto Seonghwa’s shoulders, seemingly searching for signs of being hurt.
Not responding to him, Seonghwa simply grabbed his face and pulled it to him, pressing lips to his. For a few moments he was frozen, surprised. Then he relaxed and wrapped his arms up around his neck, pulling himself up onto his tip toes. Seonghwa’s mind swam as usual as their tongues met and they melted into each other. For the first time, he was strong enough to be the first one to pull away. He smiled down at Hongjoong and wrapped arms around his waist.
Hongjoong gave him a half hearted glare and hit his shoulder. “You’re an asshole.”
A kiss on the forehead, smirking at his narrowed eyes. “You seemed awfully worried about me.”
He grumbled, pouting. “Humans do stupid things all the time, why would I think you’re any different.”
Seonghwa could see he was trying to get his ‘whatever’ attitude back, so he leaned down to bite his cheek softly. “We’re so stupid.”
A smile softened his face, but he tried to hide it. He lay his head on his chest, neither talking for a moment, simply holding each other. “Where did you go?”
For a moment he thought about lying to him, but then Auntie’s words filled his head, and he sighed. “I went to see San.”
“Oh.” Hongjoong squeezed his arms tighter. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Pulling back, Seonghwa made eye contact with him, giving him a sad, but soft smile. “I don’t wanna talk about anything right now.” He frowned a bit, looking like he wanted to argue the issues, but nodded. “Will you stay with me tonight? I don’t want to see you leave.”
His face softened, and he reached up to give a soft kiss. “Of course.”
They head inside the apartment, moving toward the bedroom. Nothing happens that night, they simply held each other. Some kisses were exchanged, a lot of soft smiles, and of course Seonghwa shed more tears as the day’s emotions settled over him. They don’t speak. Before falling asleep, he couldn’t help but imagine what they could be together. Hongjoong’s eyes and hands were so kind throughout the night, but there was still distrust in Seonghwa’s gut that it wasn’t his real emotions.
 
 
 
The next morning he was awoken by a cool hand on his face, slapping it softly. “Seonghwa, time to wake up.” Grumbling, he rolled away, covering his head with an arm. There’s a sigh and Hongjoong grabbed him, rolling him back over against him. The breath on his ear sent shivers through him as he spoke. “If you don’t get up, I’ll drag you out of this bed.”
“Fine.” Seonghwa pouted, squinting open his eyes. The man was sitting on the side of the bed, fully dressed in different clothes, hair back to perfect. “You said you wouldn’t leave.” He accused.
An amused eye roll twisted his lips into a smile.. “I always have extra clothes in my car.” Seonghwa continued pouting, so he stood up. “Come on, I made some food with the appalling lack of things you have in your fridge.” Leaving him, he exited the room.
Rolling out of bed to follow, he entered the main room to find a plate of scrambled eggs and toast waiting for him. “That’s it?”
Looking at him incredulously, Hongjoong pointed at the fridge. “You’re lucky you had anything to make food with. How do you even keep yourself alive?”
Shrugging, he headed over, beginning to eat the food. “Usually I bring stuff home from work, or buy shit while I’m out.” He scoffed but didn't respond.
As he was eating, leaning over the kitchen counter, Hongjoong disappeared around him and Seonghwa felt arms wrap around his waist. There is also the obvious press against his ass. “You look really good in these sweatpants.”
Seonghwa rolled his eyes and removed his hands. Turning around, he pointed the fork at his chest. “Let me get ready for school in peace.” He motioned toward the door. “I’ll call you after work tonight.”
Grumbling, Hongjoong stepped away and collected his things. “Can’t we hang out before you go to work?”
“I’ve got to talk to Wooyoung. I’ve been a really bad friend and I need to clear some things up with him.” He took one more bite, and stepped away from the food.
Hongjoong cocked his head. “You seem really different today. I can feel your…” He seemed to struggle to find the right word. “Determination?” He still looked confused, but was lost to find a word that fit. “What happened yesterday?”
Walking over to him, Seonghwa wrapped a hand behind his neck and pulled him closer. “We can talk tonight. Don’t be nosy just yet.” Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to Hongjoong’s lips. After a few seconds he pulled back, the shorter man trying to chase after his lips, but he took a step back, giving him a sly smile. “Bye Hongjoong.”
He reached out, grabbing a fistful of shirt, pulling Seonghwa back to him. He let out a squeak of shock as Hongjoong pulled him back down. The eyes are stormy, but not in anger, and his face flushed. “Don’t dismiss me like that again.” He aggressively pressed himself against Seonghwa and he felt his erection against his thigh as they kissed again. When he lets go, their lips are swollen, and he was left with a hazy mind as he walked out the door. Fucking hell.
 
 
 
Sitting through a boring lecture, his mind was going over the conversation with Auntie B. After the class ended, Seonghwa pulled out his phone. The apprehension settled in and he stared at the phone. He had tried to call him before class but had gotten too nervous and told himself he’d do it after class. There he was again, struggling to press the button. Taking a deep breath, he finally pressed the call button.
“Hey, what’s up?” The voice didn’t have the normal joyfulness, and he bit his lip, concerned that it might not be a great time. It’ll never be a great time.
“Will you come over today, before work? I just left class but I’ll be home in about thirty minutes.”
The line was silent for a few moments. There was a deep sigh from the speaker. “Can you tell me why before I come over? I don’t want to deal with something like the other day, and your tone sounds like this won’t be a nice conversation.”
Closing his eyes, Seonghwa forced himself to talk. “I’ve been a bad friend, and there’s no good explanation for it. But, I’m trying to be better and there’s some things we need to talk about, specifically the man in my paintings.” He paused, the line silent. “I think it’ll make a lot of things clear.”
“Will I hate you after?”
Fuck. “I hope you won’t.”
Another deep sigh. “Fuck it. I’ll be there in an hour.” The line clicked. He was suddenly listening to dead air. Well shit.
Seonghwa rushed home and finally, after multiple days, began to clean up the apartment. The shredded portrait was still where it was left, and he finally threw it away. The normal mess was still there, but when there was a knock on the door thirty minutes later, it looked way better. Nervously, he headed over and opened the door. Wooyoung didn’t look at him as he walked past into the apartment. Feeling awkward, he closed the door, and followed. Sitting next to him on the couch, it was silent for a while.
Wooyoung was looking up at the paintings on the wall for a while before he spoke. “I figured he was a real person. The way you painted him made me really jealous. Whenever you were having a rough time you always ended up painting that figure. You would never open up to me, but you always seemed better after you finished a portrait of him.” His tone was dry. “Why did you guys break up?”
He’s not as astute as Hongjoong. Seonghwa swatted away that semi rude thought, and sighed. “We didn’t.” For a moment, there is a spike of hot jealousy and betrayal. “He passed when we were twenty. His name was San.” Seonghwa felt tears prickle at the corner of his eyes, but just as Auntie said it would, it has becomed easier to talk about him.
Finally looking over to face him, Wooyoung’s jealousy was replaced with pity and embarrassment as he finally realized his misunderstanding of the situation. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
Seonghwa tried to ignore the way that pity made him feel, moving on. “I thought he was the only person I would ever need in my life. So when he died it broke me, and I never spoke about him to anyone until recently.”
“Hongjoong.” He was trying to hide it as he looked away, but he could see the hint of jealousy return.
No more lying or lying by omission. “Yeah. It brought a lot of shit forward that I hadn’t realized I never dealt with. Which is why my emotions have been all over the place lately. I do want to apologize for the way I’ve treated you. Not just recently, but for most of our friendship. I knew how you felt about me for a while and I just ignored it.”
He looked uncomfortable, but he didn't run away from the conversation. Motioning toward the wall, he glanced over. “Is he why you never let me in?” Seonghwa gave him a sad look of confirmation, nodding. He grew bold and turned sad eyes on to him. “But why Hongjoong and not me?”
Seonghwa had to remind himself to speak the truth and not run away. “Because you remind me too much of San, and Hongjoong is nothing like him.” His mouth fell open, not knowing how to respond and so he rushed forward before losing what bravery he had left. “I never planned on having friends, but when I met you it hurt, but I couldn’t turn you away. You reminded me so much of him and I couldn’t let you go, but I couldn’t be with you either. I was so selfish, and I didn’t even realize it until recently. I’m so sorry.” Now his tears start to fall, and he had to turn away, because he can’t look at Wooyoung’s face that reminds him too much of San.
Neither of them spoke for a while. But when he finally did, his voice was thick with tears. “So I never had a chance?” Seonghwa couldn’t respond, so he shook his head. “You’re such an asshole.” Wooyoung was sniffling now, and Seonghwa finally turned to face him and his eyes were sad and angry at the same time. “But I’m also stupid. It was so clear the whole time you hadn’t moved on from someone and I still let myself believe all I had to do was wait.”
He slapped his shoulder weakly, tears flowing freely. “I can’t even hate you, you fucking asshole.” He hits him again. “I love you, you fuc-. And then fucking rich, pretty Hongjoong shows up and suddenly you open up and you care about him.” The hitting turns into pushing the shoulder weakly, but Seonghwa doesn't stop him. “He just shows up to your house now, and calls me to help HIM take care of you. And he gets to be the one you kiss.”
He was sobbing, and Seonghwa didn't know what to do, so he kept allowing himself to be hit. Let him get it out of his system. You can take it, and you deserve it. “I’ve waited for two fucking years. I’ve loved you for two fucking years you fucking asshole. You knew how I felt and you just fucking LET ME! You selfish fucking bastard. You fucking piece of shit.” Wooyoung stopped hitting him, falling against his shoulder, sobbing. “I fucking love you.”
Finally, Seonghwa moved, and wrapped arms around him, holding him as he cried. That was the first time in years that he had had to console someone. He was out of practice. He petted his hair, letting him cry, not saying anything. He was right, of course. Seonghwa has been an asshole to everyone that’s been around him since San died. Never letting anyone get close to him.
Now, he might truly be alone if Wooyoung decided to leave him behind, which he wouldn’t judge him if he did. Even Hongjoong, who seemed to care in some way, still seemed to be dubious in his reasoning for sticking around. Seonghwa felt like he was actually starting over again, four years after San’s death.
After a while the sobbing calmed, and he pulled away. Wooyoung wiped his face, and looked up at him, drained. “Do you even care about me?”
His face fell and he turned to face him straight on. “Of course I do. Honestly, if it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I could have continued working as hard as I have been. For me, you’re still my friend. This is all a mess, but I couldn’t continue on like we we’re. It wasn’t good for either of us. I’ve treated you poorly, and I’m being honest now to hold myself accountable for the way I’ve been.”
Wooyoung’s expression didn’t change, staring at him with eyes red and swollen. “I’m gonna leave now.”
Heart starting to race as he grew more worried, Seonghwa didn't try to stop him, even though he wanted to. It wasn’t his place, so he nodded. “Okay.”
Rising from the couch, he grabbed his bag and headed toward the door. Wooyoung stopped, but didn't turn around. “I’ll call you when I’m ready to talk to you again.” He didn’t wait for him to respond, leaving quickly.
Seonghwa fell back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling, feeling numb. He pulled out his phone and pressed call, putting the phone to his ear. It rung a couple times before he heard a cheerful greeting.
“I might have just lost my only friend.”
Auntie B sighs. “Baby, why do you think that?”
Eyes starting to water, he started to feel the emotions he was suppressing while they had been talking. “The one friend I told you about, I knew he’s liked me this whole time, but I obviously never let anything happen, but I also never was honest about not feeling anything back. So I did what you said, and I told him about San. Except I was also honest about how he reminds me of San and that’s why I became friends with him originally and why I can never be with him.”
She was silent for a moment. “Wow. You’re really going headfirst into this opening up thing. While I’m proud of you, I also feel real bad for that boy. On the bright side, now he can also finally move on. You might lose a friend, but that’s okay. It’s part of growth and healing, and growing up. You’ll still have me.”
Seonghwa wiped at his face, tears flowing freely. “Gosh, I’ve been crying so much lately, I think I’m dehydrating.” He let out a choked chuckle and felt better hearing her laughter as well.
“What about your bad boy, how did that go?”
That got him to smile. “I told him I went and saw San, but we didn’t talk much more than that. He stayed with me, but we didn’t talk, he just kept me company.”
“Well that’s sweet of him. Listen, I don’t mean to cut this short, but I’ve got a food drive to get to. What are you doing for dinner this Saturday?”
He grew quiet, feeling his heart ache. “I don’t work. That’s San’s birthday.”
“I know, honey.” He’s shocked at first. She said she knew him well. “I don’t want you to be alone. Bring your guy over for dinner, let me judge him and see if he’s good enough for you.”
She had that protective motherly tone again and he laughed. “Okay, I’ll force him to come.”
“Alright, baby, I got to go, but I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Alright, bye Auntie.”
Seonghwa hung up the phone and sighed. As rough as the situation was with Wooyoung, at least he had found her. She was the only person that he knew was doing all of this out of the pure kindness of her heart. He felt bad for feeling that way about Wooyoung, but both he and Hongjoong had their own reasons for being attached to Seonghwa, which are just as selfish as his own reasons in return.
We’re all fucking messes.