* * *

Wooyoung wakes up on Saturday, takes one look at his messy hair that sticks in all directions as a result of sleep, and decides he needs a freaking change.

Like right now.

The strands are long, messing with his vision whenever he doesn't have his glasses on, but Wooyoung isn't keen on cutting them. Yes, they can use a little trim so they don't turn matted and limp, but what he wants most is a new hair colour. He wants to see his reflection and actually feel like a new person. Like he's just begun a fresh chapter of his life, no matter how cheesy that may sound.

San said he'll look good blond, so with satisfied, cheerful hums, Wooyoung yanks off his clothes and waltzes under the shower head. But before he flicks on the faucet he realizes if he plans on dyeing his hair today, he can't wash it. So he skips out on that and cleans himself with speed a cheetah would be envious of, and steps out of the shower to dry himself, steam cloaking him like smoke.

Ms Jung is making quick toast and bacon after Wooyoung's done dressing up, the woman's brows rising at the fact that he isn't wearing pyjamas this time around.

"Going out with Yunho and Mingi?" She questions, then pauses a little. "Or San?"

That pause draws out an anxious chuckle from Wooyoung, and he rushes towards her side to help with the plates.

"Not sure, actually," he answers, avoiding her eyes. He knows it's just him being overly paranoid, but he can't shake the possibility of his mom discovering his deepest secrets by taking just one look at his face.

"I mean, I want to go out with S -- err," Wooyoung bites his tongue, placing the utensils on the tablecloth with more force than needed. "I mean -- Can I ask you something?"

Puzzled by her son's behaviour, Ms Jung sets the juice cartons on the table and turns to face him. "Of course. What is it?"

"What if...I decided I wanted to dye my hair today?" Wooyoung inhales. "What would you say to that?"

His mom shrugs, to his utmost surprise. "I mean...do whatever you feel like doing, Wooyoung. As long as it's not some urine-coloured green, I'm fine with your choice."

Wooyoung releases the breath he'd been holding captive. "Really?"

"Yes, son," the woman answers, playfully exasperated. She stills when Wooyoung jumps into her arms with a smothering hug, the first they've had in a long while.

Wooyoung realizes this too, and sombers up. "Thanks, mom. You're the best."

Ms Jung smiles, though her slight confusion with this entire ordeal is still present. She rubs his back nevertheless. "Anything for you, dear. But are you really sure you're turning eighteen? You're like a big baby."

This gets a huge reaction out of Wooyoung, predictably. He tumbles backwards, ready to defend his honour. "No I am not. I am a man. A very strong man."

Ms Jung laughs, and after she says a small prayer they start digging in, the tradition like second nature to Wooyoung by now. Pulling out his phone under the table, he swipes over to San's contact, enthusiasm gushing through his veins.

- wooyoung
good morning sanieee 🥰
hope u had a very good night's sleep
uh,, remember when u told me u got ur hair dyed by this person that helped u gain more confidence???

- wooyoung
weeelll if u arent busy today maybe i can go get my hair dyed by them too xoxo

- wooyoung
but only if u want
i dont want to be a bother

Wooyoung's mom is carrying her plates to the sink when his phone vibrates with a text. He nearly drops it on the ground when he sees who it's from.

- san 🌻
hey sunshine :)
sorry but im at work rn,, until 12

- san 🌻
but we'll go get ur hair dyed after im done, ok?

Wooyoung nods, but wants to hit himself because he forgot he's texting San, not conversing with him face to face.

- wooyoung
perfect :D
and i hope everythings going smoothly at work

- san 🌻
yeah

Dots squiggle at the bottom left of the screen, and then --

- san 🌻
if u want u could come to where i work?
but u gotta bring cash though, cant grant u any favours unfortunately :(

- san 🌻
but i can serve some rad sushi rolls for u if you'd like 👀

- wooyoung
is this a type of flirting i didnt know about??

- san 🌻
lol wooyoung
just get ur cute ass over here
i'll send the address in a sec

If Wooyoung was in a cartoon, he would've been out the roof in seconds screeching with delight. But alas, this is real life, and real life brings him this close to tripping over his chair and knocking his face on the floor.

His large toe throbs with pain, but he bites the tears back and hops into his room to not worry his mother even more.

Phone fully charged and wallet filled with extra change, Wooyoung hugs his mom goodbye again and rushes for the nearest bus stop.

He doesn't eat fish a lot, especially raw fish, but that doesn't dissuade him from bursting into the sushi restaurant San sent the address of, a variety of tantalizing smells invading his nostrils at every corner.

What's even more tantalizing is the sight of San in a dark grey shirt and apron at the counter, arm muscles flexing as he serves a plethora of rolled sushi and condiments over to a few of the seated customers. Behind him three other waiters are scattered around, Yeosang's bright pink hair recognizable from the kitchen area.

San spots him in no time, and Wooyoung waves, unable to dial down the smile splitting his face in half.

San smiles back, radiant as hell before pouring something for another customer. Not wanting San's attention diverted any longer, Wooyoung drags out a seat for himself and settles in it, body buzzing with excitement.

His excitement reduces however when a guy that isn't San slides in front of him, a practiced grin on his face.

"What can I get you?"

San shows up right then, saying something to the guy that sends him scurrying off to the kitchens.

"Told him he made a grave mistake with one of the orders," San explains, sly as his dimples peek through. A woman definitely old enough to be his mother stares him down like he's a piece of meat, and while Wooyoung is absolutely horrified, San pays her no mind.

"I'm used to it," San says way too easily for Wooyoung's liking. "What do you want?"

"You said you served awesome sushi rolls," Wooyoung tells him, his newly-found possessive side making sure their fingers graze as he says this. He also squares his shoulders, forming a barrier between the creepy woman's line of sight and San. "I wanna be wowed. I want the taste to leave me weak in the knees."

"This is venturing very quickly into erotic territory," San makes a point to comment, but he's happy Wooyoung is now here to keep him company. They both know it.

"I'm a teenage boy; it's in my blood," Wooyoung jokes.

"You just admitted that you're horny like, all the time," San replies, scribbling down his order on a small notepad.

Wooyoung smacks his arm, letting his touch linger. "Shut up."

San makes a zipping motion over his lips, and then hurries to go get his order made.

San makes sure he's the one who serves Wooyoung's sushi, and the shorter male can't help but marvel at how neatly positioned the rolls are, the colours pretty and urging him to have a taste.

Grabbing chopsticks, Wooyoung takes one and puts it in his mouth, each ingredient adding a new layer of flavour to the dish. San watches with intent as Wooyoung eats the second, undoubtedly immersed by his actions.

When Wooyoung swallows down the third roll of sushi, in love with how its mild fishy taste compliments the soy sauce he'd lightly dipped it in, he finally decides to speak. "They're good. Really good."

San beams, appearing very much like an over-excited puppy with its tail wagging and all. "I'm glad you like them. Here -- try this one at the very end with the sauce. Amazing stuff."

Wooyoung nods, admittedly not too enthused with San being called to serve something else that very second. But he knows San is working after all, and the guy seems to be in his element, skin golden beneath the restaurant's amber lights and his pleasant smiles brightening his face as he addresses customer after customer.

San never leaves him unattended for long, however. When he's done serving or someone else is taking the orders, he stations himself in front of Wooyoung and they chat about anything and everything, their bond blossoming after every comment and laughter they share.

I'm probably falling for you, Wooyoung thinks when San listens in as a boy gives his order, smile as delicate as a daisy. Screw that -- I've most likely already fallen.

And this time, the realization doesn't scare Wooyoung as much as it used to.

* * *

Wooyoung's hastily made hypothesis about San only knowing gorgeous people continues to be proven true when Wooyoung steps past a beaded curtain and into a hair salon, a guy turning to them while a couple clients are getting their hair shampooed.

His hair's as dark as the floor tiles, and he has a couple inches on both him and San. His gothic-styled clothing works extremely well with his sculpted features and tan skin, and when his rounded eyes fall on San, a shockingly friendly smirk breaks through his face. It nearly shatters the intimidating aura surrounding him.

"Hey, Santa," he greets with a grin, flashing a set of straight teeth. Unmindful of the stares on him, he heads towards them, rag in hand. "How come you've never paid me a visit for months? Am I that scary?"

It's then Wooyoung notices the guy's tongue piercing, and a shiver rakes down his spine.

"It's nothing like that, Seonghwa," San answers, sounding at home with the taller. He's even smiling a little. "I've been busy with school, work and my mom, you know this."

"Of course, Santa." Seonghwa's dark eyes take in Wooyoung. "And who might you be?"

Wooyoung would be a huge liar if he says Seonghwa doesn't unnerve him -- as well as this cavernous salon to be honest -- but he also doesn't want to cower under the man's stare. He wants to be seen as cool, too.

"I'm Jung Wooyoung," he introduces himself, keeping his voice firm and composed. "San and I are really close."

"Santa, where'd you get this boy from? He's way too cute for you."

Wooyoung wants to riot at being called cute again, but decides against it. Why? Because he's a totally cool human being. "Excuse me, but why do you call San 'Santa'?"

At this, San turns rigid. "Wooyoung I think we should discuss possible hair colours -- "

"San had a very unfortunate incident with a can of fanta when we first met," Seonghwa reveals, his tongue accessory twinkling like diamonds in his mouth. "Want to hear all about it?"

"Wooyoung," San presses, hand on the small of his back. "Please just choose a colour."

His adamance about keeping the whole Santa thing on lockdown is a stark difference to Seonghwa's devilish demeanor, and being stuck between them both makes Wooyoung want to tear out his hair in frustration.

"Okay. I'll like to hear about it." Before Seonghwa can celebrate, Wooyoung adds, "But only when San fully agrees to it."

San's relief is palpable, and though Wooyoung is curious, he's decent enough to know when not to pry. He also likes how taken aback Seonghwa gets for a minute.

"Alright, you're a fiesty one," Seonghwa comments, eyes softening as he chuckles. "I like you already."

And I like San, Wooyoung nearly blurts, but he'd like to keep his dignity thank you very much.

"This is why you're my favourite person," San relays to him, glad he's won over Seonghwa this time.

Seonghwa, in the meantime, just shakes his head. He clasps his hands. "So, Jung Wooyoung, San's really close friend, what colour would you like?"

"Blond...?" Wooyoung locks eyes with San, unsure.

Seonghwa nods. "Blond will suit you, yes. But I'm thinking of a way to make it interesting."

"Interesting?" Wooyoung doesn't quite like the sound of that.

"Don't worry," San assures, his voice loosening Wooyoung's nerves somewhat. "Seonghwa knows what he's doing."

San...turns out to be correct (as he almost always is), because when his hair's done and dry, Wooyoung barely recognizes himself in the mirror. Yes, he's blond, but he's also kept his upper scalp free of bleaching, creating this half and half look he freaking adores. His hair has a sort of pattern now, and like everything else that's similar, Wooyoung digs it a lot.

"Your hair's long enough for a ponytail. It'll look really good on you," Seonghwa comments, gently pulling back some strands and oh, Wooyoung can basically see it now.

He's so ecstatic Seonghwa compares him to a soda bottle just waiting to explode, and as he's explaining the do's and don't's of taking care of newly dyed hair, San leaves the bathroom.

"How does he look?" Seonghwa asks him, and San displays an enthusiastic thumbs up, his smile making Wooyoung's heart do somersaults.

Wooyoung, overwhelmed with happiness, pats his cheeks and does the cutest, most adorable and sweetest smile he can possibly muster, hoping San likes it.

San's smile grows endeared, charmed. Seonghwa on the other hand, has noticed something is going on.

"What are you two doing?"

San looks at him. "Communicating telepathically about how great the weather looks."

The weather can't be any more bland with the overcast sky. Seonghwa doesn't even bother meddling further.

Wooyoung and San soon have to leave, and Wooyoung doesn't resist the urge to stare at every car window he passes, enamored by his new hair.

"You like it this much?" San questions, too fond of the shorter to not crack a smile at his antics.

"I'm in love with it," Wooyoung gushes, shyly avoiding San's eyes whenever they meet. He even observes his reflection on the taller's parked motorbike, giddy at the image even though it's distorted.

San helps him get on the bike despite Wooyoung being positive he's got the whole art down.

"Want to meet Byeol?" San asks, clearly eager to get Wooyoung hanging out with his cat again.

Wooyoung grins at this. "Sure! I really, really like her -- "

His phone rings right then, snatching his attention. He pulls it out, and when he sees Mingi's contact name on the screen, quickly answers the call.

"Mingi?" Wooyoung speaks, only to be bombarded by varying forms of indiscernible chatter and other background noises.

"W-Wooyoung," Mingi begins, sounding so shaken. "Can you come to Seoul university hospital right now?"

Wooyoung's eyes widen, while San's eyebrows furrow at his expression. "Seoul university hospital? Mingi, what happened?"

Mingi inhales a sharp breath. "It's Yunho. He -- he just had a heart attack."

* * *

Entering the hospital is like being stranded in a foreign country, because while everyone's moving around, busy with a problem of their own, you have no idea of where to look or go, too anxiety-ridden to concentrate on finding a way out.

San's hand in his grounds Wooyoung in reality, his touch keeping him focused and preventing him from having a total breakdown.

"Mingi's over there," San says, and although he's much, much calmer than Wooyoung is, his voice falters at the end with worry.

Sure enough, seated on one of the waiting benches is Mingi, hair messy and cheeks streaked with tears. With the way he's dressed, he most likely was with Yunho before everything happened.

Wooyoung rushes over to him, wetness stinging the back of his eyes as Mingi clings to him, head buried into the curve of his shoulder.

"I was so fucking scared, Wooyoung," Mingi admits. "We -- we'd been watching something and then Yunho said he didn't feel good, and that his arm hurt. And then -- then he fell, Wooyoung. Didn't even look like he was breathing. I-I had to call the ambulance. Thought I was gonna lose him."

Wooyoung's shock at Yunho nearly dying hasn't left him yet, and he doesn't think it ever will. He's so freaking terrified too as he remembers all the times Yunho got sick or didn't feel well, and he just wants to kick himself for thinking so casually of it until it got to this point.

"It's going to be alright, Mingi. Yunho will be alright. He's strong," Wooyoung says, and as a way to convince himself too. He doesn't know what he'll do with himself if something happened to his friend. "Is Yunho's dad around?"

"He's with the doctors right now." Mingi catches sight of San lingering at the back, a bit awkward. A relieved smile softens the anxious edges of his face. "Hey, San. Thanks for bringing Wooyoung over."

San nods, drifting towards Wooyoung's side. "It's no problem, Mingi. I know how hard it is waiting to see if the person you care so much about is okay."

Mingi's lips quiver, and he hurriedly wipes his eyes. Wooyoung squeezes his hand, feeling close to tears.

"Thank you, San," Mingi replies. His glossy eyes take in Wooyoung's hair. "Do I finally need glasses, or is the lower half of your hair actually blond?"

"Oh, this?" Wooyoung touches the strands, sniffing a little. "Just dyed my hair today. San took me to the place."

Mingi's about to get a word in when a man steps into the corridor, his features so distinctly like Yunho's.

"Mr Jeong?" Wooyoung speaks up, never before in his life seeing the man look so spent. It highly worries him. "Is Yunho okay?"

Fortunately, the man nods, breathless as he comes to a stop in front of them. "The surgery went well, so he's fine." He certainly doesn't expect seeing San there, but he doesn't question it.

"Can we see him?" Mingi asks.

Mr Jeong nods, and as they follow after him and into the elevator, he comments, "Yunho has something called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It means his heart thickened to the point that it couldn't pump blood adequately."

Yunho's in a bed donned in hospital wear when they enter his assigned room, tubes attached into his arm. An oxygen mask is strapped over his face, and he barely looks alive, so pale and frail like this.

Mingi turns and sobs in his hands, and when Wooyoung hugs him to provide support, San exits the room, breaths shallow and a hand pressed on the wall. And Wooyoung understands fully.

* * *

a/n: thoughts?

me: this fic is so ! fun ! guyyss, so fun and fun n y with sum 🤏 angst

also me: