* * *

« in the sea of familiar strangers
i find your face the quickest »

Nothing in life is complete without the good and the bad moments. So when Wooyoung spends the entire night laughing his ass off, lightheaded with San so close and comfortable with him as they play Farmer's Universe well until past midnight, he should've expected he was going to crash and burn sometime later on. He really should've.

Like a high he chases until its final moments, he gets a decent sleep but wakes up early that morning in a cold sweat after a particularly graphic nightmare. It isn't new, but a recurring one he used have every other night after his parents' had their fallout with eachother.

His good mood is depleted, happiness withering into a faded, distant emotion as he weaves his fingers frustratedly through his messy hair. A headache begins to pound away at the back of his skull, and he just wants to throw something against the wall and watch it scatter into smithereens.

Wooyoung feels like he's sinking and he can't stop. He counts his heartbeat, only to realize it's too quick, and the large bedroom suddenly becomes so small that he feels claustrophobic.

He turns on his side so the light coming from the windows would stop hitting his eyes, and inhales huge gulps of oxygen so his lungs won't feel like they're scraping against his fucking chest anymore, but it isn't working. He tugs one of the pillows over his head and squeezes his eyes shut, rendering himself temporarily blind.

It doesn't work. He, instead, feels sick.

He doesn't hear the knock on his door, but perks up at the sound of it opening. A man stands there, kind of tall from this angle, excrutiatingly familiar.

Wooyoung stiffens with shame, even when more than half of the room's still drenched in darkness.

"Good morning," Jeong Yunho greets, tone polite. From what Wooyoung can see, he's dressed in a garnet red button-down, black slacks and loafers. And just like before, not a single strand of his brown hair is out of place on his head. It makes Wooyoung wonder what time he arrived. What time he got dressed, even.

"Good morning," Wooyoung answers. Compared to Yunho's, his voice sounds like he needs a drink. Multiple drinks, in fact.

He's suddenly reminded of Mingi when Jeong Yunho flashes a small smile at him, but unlike Mingi who'd initiate small talk, yet give him his space, Jeong Yunho is blunt; a little intimidating.

"Get up. We only have about an hour to get ready," the tall man says, and then he's leaving the bedroom.

Wooyoung drops off the bed and follows after him, more than self-conscious as a result of the man's much longer legs. "G-Get ready? Why?"

Yunho keeps walking, and it takes Wooyoung a hot minute to realize where they're heading.

Yunho doesn't even hesitate to open San's bedroom, doesn't bother to knock either, and Wooyoung stands by the doorway wide-eyed as Yunho strolls into the massively sized room, feeling like he's witnessing something he shouldn't.

"Rise and shine, Mountain!" Yunho drags all the blinds open, spilling early morning sunlight into the area. Wooyoung gapes at the flourishing hills and almost disappearing rivers he spots in the distance, as he hadn't seen those his first time here.

His attention snaps back to San when the man audibly groans, shuffling deeper into the baby blue duvet with printed tiny white birds that looks so out of place next to the modern antique decor of his bedroom.

"Wake up, Mountain," Yunho says again. His voice when addressing San is tender, taking Wooyoung aback. "I know you hate waking up early, but this time you gotta. You need to be present at work today."

So they're heading to Choi's Highlight?

San timidly slips his head out of the duvet, his long black and silver hair akin to a bird's nest. Wooyoung doesn't have time to ponder over that however, when San sits up right then, exposing his bare back.

It's just as broad as Wooyoung envisioned, a small, barely-there pink mark grazing just the top of his right shoulder.

Blood rushes to Wooyoung's cheeks as if he's some fucking horny, sex-deprived teenager.

Before San can realize he's there, Yunho walks up to Wooyoung, instinctively causing the shorter man to take a few steps back.

"Sorry, but you have to leave right now," Yunho relays, palms pressed over the edges of the doorway, effectively blocking Wooyoung's view. There's a ring on his left hand, the fourth finger. "Go get dressed too."

"I'm sorry," Wooyoung spatters, jolting when Yunho leaves the bedroom to shut the door. "But Hongjoong hyung -- he never told me anything about going anywhere today."

The look on Yunho's face is unreadable, but it makes Wooyoung feel like a dumb, whiny kid. "There's been a change of schedule. A boardroom meeting was suddenly requested only a few hours ago, that's why I came as soon as I can."

"...Oh," Wooyoung mumbles.

"You've got pretty eyes, by the way," Yunho says with a faint smile.

Fucking shit. Wooyoung freaks out and looks away, cursing at himself for being so negligent about his heterochromia.

Yunho closes the door again, only this time, he's nowhere in sight. Wooyoung finally feels like he can breathe.

He doesn't spend too long in his adjoined bathroom; he can't, anyways, with his tumbling, incongruent thoughts and ricocheting heartbeat.

When he leaves the bathroom, there's a pile of neatly stacked clothes on his bed. Wooyoung's neck flushes as he reads the small note beside it.

San's pick.

Wooyoung hardly feels like himself when he stands in front of the life-sized mirror, looking over his outfit. It's a lovely mint turtleneck tucked into white, cotton trousers, complete with a pair of Chelsea boots which are his exact size. He doesn't know how to feel at the possibility of San staring at his feet long enough to know what fits him.

His left eye shines brighter than ever, considering his turtleneck is similar in colour, which ruins some of Wooyoung's love for the material. He hastily puts on his contacts, styles his hair to part in the middle, and sprays on some cologne. When he's done with all this, he feels he doesn't look half bad.

Outside is cold, absent of much warmth as Wooyoung steps out. He hates how dark and empty it is, as it heightens just how little he belongs to this place. The spacious rooms, expensive decors and brand-name outfits aren't him, and normally he wouldn't have cared, but now...

"There you are," Yunho's voice interrupts Wooyoung's thoughts. He hums approvingly at the shorter's outfit. "Thank god you're already dressed. We still have some time left, come on."

Wooyoung spots San seated in the livingroom, falters in his movement once he takes in the way he's dressed.

The man's hair is slicked back, fair strands of silver falling on top his eyes. He's dressed in the classic black suit and tie, one that isn't supposed to look so good but it does. Wooyoung spots what looks like beige eyeshadow shimmering across his eyes, and his lips are glazed, the same colour as the faint blush on his cheeks.

There's no one else there except for the three of them. Wooyoung distractedly wonders if Yunho was the one who did his makeup, or if San did it himself.

San doesn't spare Wooyoung a single glance as Yunho bustles around him, tucking him into a winter coat and ushering him out the house with not a second to waste.

His behaviour has something heavy digging into Wooyoung's chest, that is until Yunho shows up, shoving something hard into his hand.

"Your badge," Yunho curtly explains. "If anyone sees you there they'd assume you're a new intern. Don't do anything suspicious."

Wooyoung nods, but his eyes trail down to the parked SUV a few feet away that San just entered. "Is...is San okay?"

"He's fine," Yunho assures, yet Wooyoung catches the way his gaze wavers. "Just isn't too happy about the recent turn of events, like I am. I bet those executives waited until Joong was out of the country to pull this shit. What a bunch of snakes."

His harsh tone startles Wooyoung, but he doesn't comment on it. It isn't his business, though he can't help but look San's way again.

"You won't leave the car when we arrive at the company, but will come in from the back for obvious reasons," Yunho continues to explain. He talks fast -- walks fast too -- and Wooyoung has to struggle to even keep up with him. "And like I said earlier, don't do anything that'll make the others think you don't belong. I'm sure Hongjoong has told you about keeping quiet?"

Wooyoung clears his throat, not allowing Yunho's brash way of speaking to get to him. "Yeah," he answers. "Made me sign a NDA and everything."

"Good," Yunho opens the car door to let Wooyoung in. "San wants you there with him, so that's why you aren't going to use a second car."

Wooyoung nods and enters, heartbeat thumping in his ears when his and San's eyes meet.

"Hey," Wooyoung begins, his voice hushed for some reason.

"Hi." San's gaze lingers on his clothing, and it's when he looks up that Wooyoung sees just how tired he is. He grins warmly, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "You look really nice, Wooyoung-ah."

"You look really nice too," Wooyoung replies, which he means. It's almost pathetic how his eyes keep darting over to San, because each time they do he just gets reminded of how otherworldly San's good looks are.

Stop staring at him so fucking much, a voice in his head yells. He busies himself with watching Yunho, who's seated at the front with the driver, a phone clutched in his grip.

"You alright?" Wooyoung's surprised to hear these words, as they don't come from him but San instead.

"Uh, yeah." Wooyoung notices the pale purple beads San fiddles about with on his wrist. He's nervous. "What about you?"

San tugs on one of them, knuckles white. He flattens his lips. "...Not really."

"Hey," Wooyoung finds himself saying, "where'd you get my outfit from? And the shoes? I don't remember telling you anything about my shoe size."

He's trying to change the subject, get San's mind on something else while the car starts to head out into the road.

San leans into the leather seats. It's stupid how Wooyoung's face heats up the second he sees San looking over his clothes again, just to stop on his face.

"The clothes are mine." San's now fumbling with his Cartier watch. He smiles at Wooyoung's stunned expression. "I just bought them, thought they'd fit you. I was right. The shoes...they're a lucky guess."

"I really like them."

"Of course you do," San brags. "I bought them."

Wooyoung laughs at this, but it disappears when he hears Jeong Yunho's voice from the front.

"What the hell? What do you mean they're going to be there? They already are? Can't you stop them?" Yunho barks out into his phone, jaw clenching. An unfamiliar, out of place frown plasters over his face as he takes out his glasses to rub his forehead. "It's too goddamn early for this."

"What's going on?" San questions.

Yunho turns to face both men, specifically San. "Reporters. They're gonna be there. Someone must've leaked about you returning after over a month of being absent."

Wooyoung sees how San's face falls into one of indifference, and he looks at Yunho. "What should I do?"

"Nothing. We'll park with just enough distance to separate us from the more desperate ones," Yunho explains. He sounds a little too calm. "I'll leave with San and the driver'll take off with you."

"Okay," Wooyoung nods. He stares at San, noting how he's starting to chew on his lower lip. "Hyung, that'll ruin your makeup."

San whines, a little like a kid. Wooyoung realizes the seriousness of the situation right then. San's so stressed out he's beginning to act all childlike again.

"Give me your hand," Wooyoung instructs.

"What're you gonna do with it?" San asks with a pout, shoving said hand into his suit jacket.

"I know you don't like what's happening -- "

"I hate it," San breathes.

" -- so I wanna make things easier," Wooyoung continues, scooting a bit closer. He rolls out the simple metal band adorning his wrist, smiling when San eyes it with interest. "We can switch bracelets. So when you're nervous or find it hard to concentrate, you can look at mine and feel better, although it doesn't look as nice as yours."

It's subtle, the smile on San's face. But then it blossoms into a full-blown grin. "Really? You don't mind?"

"Uh, no?" Wooyoung rubs his neck, feeling another set of eyes on him. "I mean, it's nothing special but -- "

Wooyoung nearly falls over, inhaling a whiff of fragrant, oriental cologne when a pair of arms suddenly engulf him. His heart rate skyrockets as he feels San's head on his shoulder, nestling into it. Oh my god.

"That's such a good idea! I love it," San utters, arms still tightly bound around Wooyoung's waist. Only now, he's fisting the fabric of his turtleneck. "I love it..."

Wooyoung casts a frenzied glance at Yunho, who just shakes his head at him.

"I love it too. But, uh -- " Wooyoung's breath hitches in his throat as San shifts even closer. "I'm kinda getting a little bit suffocated here. Just a lil' bit."

San mumbles something unintelligible.

"What?"

"Nothing." San pulls away, but Wooyoung's heart is still beating way too quickly, like he's about to fall off a cliff with nothing to hold on to. "I like your bracelet more than mine."

Wooyoung can't hide his smile as San wears his bracelet, which doesn't clash as much with his watch as his own colourful ones. The younger slides on the lilac bracelets San gifts him as well.

"You have your phone with you, right?" Wooyoung asks when he spots San looking out the window at the busy city streets.

"Mhm."

"Text me whenever you absolutely need to. Don't get caught though."

Yunho's brows furrow. "I genuinely do not advice that -- "

"I will!" San beams, far happier than he'd been before. "Thanks, Woo."

Wooyoung parts his lips to answer back, but freezes at the sight that greets him. By now, the sun is fully out, illuminating the pale blue sky and the congregation of people huddled in front of Choi's Highlight.

Yunho doesn't waste time, and neither does San. They leave the SUV at the nick of time, Yunho sticking to San's side like a bodyguard while San pulls on a pair of black shades, but that doesn't seem to matter when only a few seconds later, they're swarmed with reporters with cameras who don't know a single thing about personal space.

It alarms Wooyoung, because the concept of someone being that close to you without your consent is absolutely frightening.

"Don't worry," the driver states. "They're used to it."

That doesn't make Wooyoung feel any better. Hell, it just makes him all the more aware of just how different his and San's worlds are.

He remembers the time he thought San had everything. He still does, but at the cost of his losing the sole thing all humans desire: privacy.

* * *

Wooyoung abstains from wandering about the company like he has nothing to do, but he ends up strolling into the snack bar, which he should've expected the company would have, to be honest. It's nice surprise when he discovers the things there are free of charge (a perk of having an ID), and erases his father's disapproving glare off his mind as he helps himself to two slices of lemon cake and black coffee.

His fork sinks easily into the pretty cake, and he's about to take a bite when his phone rings. It's Hongjoong.

Wooyoung leans over the small table he secured for himself, and makes sure his phone's hidden as he picks up.

"Wooyoung, oh my god, I just heard about what happened from Yun. How are you? Where are you right now?"

Wooyoung takes a forkful of the spongy cake. It's just as tasty as he'd imagined. "I'm in the company. By the snack bar, since I'm now apparently an intern thanks to Yunho-ssi. And I'm good, thanks for asking."

"That's good. San's going to be there for a while. Hope you won't mind waiting?"

Wooyoung wonders why the blue haired man keeps asking for his opinion when he's the one who hired him in the first place.

"Well, I don't really mind. You're paying me for this, after all."

"Yeah -- I know," Hongjoong's voice sounds clipped, but he chuckles and it's gone. "But I'm glad you're there. And order whatever you want too while you're at it." He pauses. "I'm currently heading to a meeting, so I can't stay long, but I recommend the lemon cake. It's really good -- San's favourite."

Wooyoung stops eating. "Really?"

"Yeah. Wait -- are you eating it right now?"

"Uh, yeah."

Hongjoong laughs. "That's delightful. I'm sure San would love that if he heard."

"Please don't tell him anything," Wooyoung begs, panicking when Hongjoong laughs. "No, seriously, he's going to be a little tease about it."

"I can see you both are more comfortable with each other now," Hongjoong says. Fortunately, he's on the other line so he can't see the look on Wooyoung's face. "Alright, I won't say anything. Have a good day, Wooyoung."

"You too, hyung."

Just as Hongjoong hangs up, a message enters his phone.

- mr choi
get me out of here
i want to sleeeppp

A smile breaks through Wooyoung's face.

- wooyoung
hongjoong hyung just called
said you're gonna be there for a while longer
sucks to be you

- mr choi
how could you say that 😭

- wooyoung
i'm kidding oh my god

- wooyoung
you see the bracelet on your wrist?
think of that as me w you

- wooyoung
wait, no
thats weird

- mr choi
mission accepted 😚

- wooyoung
why the kissy face tho

- mr choi
i like it 😘😘😘

- wooyoung
arghhh pls go back to your boardroom meeting or whatever

- mr choi
call me hyung and i will

Wooyoung's chest squeezes.

- wooyoung
hyung

- mr choi
shit i smiled too wide and now some of them are staring at me
gtg 👋🏻👋🏻

Wooyoung sets his phone down, about to continue with his food when he notices the group of three seated not to far off from him. At first, he fears they'll see him and know he's not from here, but they're too busy discussing something with each other.

"I heard the CEO came back," one of them, a lady with long, pitch black hair and purple lipstick says. "Ooh, do you think he's gonna do one of those photoshoots he does every once in a while again?"

"There's no way he would, Subin," another woman says. "Don't you know how the last meeting he had went? People said he just ran off when one of the directors were giving a speech and disappeared."

"Oh my god, really?" 'Subin' says.

"Yes, really. That clearly isn't normal."

"But he's so hot though. What a shame."

Wooyoung ducks his head, hoping to seem as unsuspicious as possible.

"The guy honestly sounds like a nutcase," the only man in the group says. His voice is lowered, but Wooyoung can still hear him. "It's not his first time going off the grid, and I'm pretty sure he hates his position. Everyone knows Kim is a much better candidate for CEO. I mean, he pretty much runs the company anyways."

"You think he's only here to prove to everyone that he isn't crazy?" Subin asks.

"Exactly."

"I know right? He's only there because his dad -- hold on, I just got a text that we've gotta head back in five minutes."

"This is why I hate being a designer."

"You are such a shitty liar."

In another world, one without repercussions or consequences for one's actions -- or even if he was bolder -- Wooyoung would've stood up and thrown his coffee all over those designers right then. But he can't, and so he sits there, hand tightly clenched around his fork and appetite diminished.

He knows it isn't any of his business, but he can't stop himself from seething in his seat. These people are just strangers; they know nothing of how kind, of how playful, soft and endearing San is, instead choosing to badmouth him as soon as they get the chance.

It bothers Wooyoung more than it should've, because in the end, he'll have to leave, anyway.

In the end, he and Choi San will become what those designers are to him. Strangers.

* * *

a/n: thoughts?