last chance

It was 5:30 in the morning on a Saturday, with no classes, and the morning breeze hit differently than on weekdays. Everyone is still asleep, enjoying their slumber, taking a break. However, San—in eyeglasses—is currently typing, keyboard clacking, and his table is full of folders that contain thick sheets of paper. His windows were already open since 4:50 AM, and he just finished his coffee two minutes ago. The sun slowly rises, and its rays begin to shine through San's dimmed room.

His collection of figurines came to light, and the posters finally saw the light. Wind enters San's room, filling it with a coldness that brings comfort. The man breathes out, his body popping out from his black tight shirt.

San is under his mother's company. He's the one assigned to read the resumes and is sometimes the mentor of new employees, although he's only 20. He had experience working in the office before, but preferred working at home. It was a part-time job, though, so he could have extra allowance.

"I hope Eunji recovers immediately. I'm so tired of reading and sending emails." San sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose, lifting his eyeglass. He threads his palm on his hair and moves on to the other folder.

One hour later, the room that was filled with silence was engulfed with a loud ringing sound from San's phone. Surprisingly, it was Mingi calling him. He reached for his phone and called back.

"What's the reason for calling so early, Song Mingi?" He asked, voice serious, but was also making it obviously a joke. Mingi laughs, "Yuyu told me to invite you to a bar." The blonde from the other line answered. San thought for a minute, "What time? And where?" He asked, earning a gasp from Mingi on the other line. The elder chuckled, "Why are you surprised? Don't I give the impression that I drink?" He laughs. Mingi hums, "No! I know, I know that you drink, but I was surprised that you would agree quickly." He replied, making San nod. "Also, I was just joking! Yuyu don't know anything about this!" Mingi added, earning a chuckle from San. "We can go if you want. Just tell me the time." San suggested. It's not that he cannot drink. Usually, their department would celebrate little wins, and of course, it's a celebration.

Mingi sighed, "Still need to finish my activities. Mr. Park was in the seminar for two days, so he thought it was a good idea to dump activities that are good for two semesters." The younger one complained. San smiled; he could literally imagine Mingi throwing an attitude. "You'll do well, Gi," San responded, consoling the man from the other line. The younger person hums, "I'll update you later." He responded. When the elder was about to reply, he heard Mingi's mother shout, telling Mingi to take out the trash from last night, "Bye!" Mingi spoke, ending the call.

San laughed. Mingi's mother is sweet and caring, but there are just times that she's like that. He placed his phone down and continued reviewing the resumes.

"San, mi amor, come down. Let's eat." His mother called, voice laced with sweetness. "Okay!" San replied, turning off his laptop and going downstairs. There he found his mother and father, teasing and being lovey-dovey to each other. He's happy, so happy, he couldn't ask for more. However, he still feels guilty for lying to his mother.

"Mi amor! What happened?!" Haerin yelled, running towards his son. San came home limping, body covered in bandages, barely making it to their couch. The pain in his body roared up as he sat down. Haerin held him gently, trying not to pressure his body.

San smiled, "I'm fine, mom. These are just bruises and little wounds. They aren't that deep," He smiled, assuring his mother. Haerin knitted his eyebrows, "Tell me, mi amor. What's the cause of this?" She stated her voice was stern yet gentle. San doesn't want to bother his mother; he doesn't want to transfer universities again. Surely, he can endure this little pain.

"I... I fell down the stairs." San lied, pretending he was embarrassed to look more convincing. Haerin sighed, "Careful next time, mi amor. I'll get you something to eat, okay?" She says, smiling. Surprisingly, she fell for the lie-- at least that's what San thinks.

San relaxed his back and looked up at the ceiling. His body is throbbing in pain again. His head hurts so much. He hopes that the nurse didn't tell any of his parents.

On the other hand, Haerin sighed. It's unusual for San to fall downstairs. She knows for sure that her son is very careful, especially in public places.

"So, what's your today's agenda, mi amor?" Haerin asked, pouring water into her glass cup. San thought, "More readings, I guess? I have nothing to do today." The man replied, slicing his chicken tenders. Junhee, on the other hand, nodded. "How's your body?" His father asked, genuinely concerned. San smiled, "I'm fine, though some parts of my body still ache. But I'm good now." He responded, assuring both of his parents. Both of them nodded, "I'm surprised you still showed up to univ the next day after you were injured. If I were you, I'd skip school for a week." Junhee jokingly says, earning a glare--a joking one as well--from his mother. "He just hates univ, mi amor. Don't listen to him." His mother stated, making San laugh.

The three continued to eat and chatter, sharing what happened in their office, university, and workplace.

"Anyways, mi amor, you should chill. You can continue the readings tomorrow. Have fun today, okay?" Haerin suggested, earning an approving nod from his father. San smiled and shook his head, "Sure, mom." He replied and rinsed the last plate in the sink. Junhee and Haerin smiled, it's very rare to see San agree to have fun. Most of the time, San would lock himself in his room and do paperwork.

"San! San! San! San!" A voice from their house echoes, which made San open the door. His parents left earlier for work, and he was left alone in the living room. The black-haired person quickly stood up and opened the door.

When he opened the door, it revealed a tall figure, jumping like a puppy. "San! Finally!" Mingi breathes out, "What are you doing here?" San asked, confused. Mingi smirked, "I have a story. And no, you're not allowed to refuse. I came all the way here just to tell you!" The younger rolls his eyes, making San laugh. "Alright, fine. Come in." San tells him, making a way for the younger.

"What's your plan, Young?" Changbin asked, sitting on Wooyoung's swivel chair. Yeonjun lying flat on his stomach on Wooyoung's bed, Jongho and Yeosang contacting the same students that talked about the plan. Wooyoung, on the other hand, is pacing back and forth, thinking what could those bastards do.

Yeosang clicked his tongue, "Do you know any of San's plans today? These students told us that those men might attack him if they got a chance today." He informed all of them, the red-head beside him nodding. Wooyoung heavily sighed, "I'll text him." He answered, fishing out his phone from his pocket.

Choi San (pinned contact)

hi, sannie. how are you today? classes are so hectic.
sent
read 8:45am

what are your plans today? (thinking emoji)
sent
read 8:45am

Hi, Woo! Hmm, me and Mingi are currently thinking whether to go party of just watch movie. Why?
sent
read 8:47am

Oh, I get you. I have so much to do as well. Luckily, I finished my work last night. Actually, Mingi invites me to a bar.
sent
read 8:47am

really? me and my friends would like to tag along. they want to hangout as well. i'm with yeonjun, changbin, and the couple haha. (laughing emoji)
sent
read 8:47am

if you'd want us to be with you though.
sent
read 8:47am

Absolutely! Mingi is happy right now. He's excited to meet your friends. I'll send you the location later! (smiling emoji)
sent
read 8:50am

our* friends, sannie. they are our friends. (smiling cat emoji)
sent
read 8:50am

"They're going to a bar." Wooyoung stated, smiling subconsciously. Changbin, Yeonjun, and Yeosang looked at each other, confused as to why the man is smiling. Jongho, meanwhile, chuckles. He's very close to confirming Wooyoung's feelings.

Jongho laughed, "Why are you smiling?" He asked, earning a confused look from Wooyoung and the three looked at Wooyoung with anticipation. The black-haired man knitted his eyebrows, glaring at Jongho.

Well, Changbin, Yeonjun, and Yeosang don't want to assume, but Jongho gives them all the reason why they have to.

"Shut up, Jongho." He hissed, rolling his eyes. "I don't like him. He's just someone I want to protect and—" Wooyoung rambles, "Yeah, but no one says that you like him." Jongho interjected, raising one of his eyebrows. Changbin, Yeonjun, and Yeosang watches the two as they exchange words.

It was painfully obvious that Wooyoung likes San, not in a platonic way. Not in a way that he likes Jongho for being there for him. The three just held their giggles since Jongho was throwing truths like it's a dagger.

San's face turned red as he rereads Wooyoung's last message. "our* friends, sannie. they are our friends." Those words echoes in his mind like a pendulum swinging over and over. Mingi, on the other hand, was confused. San suddenly became quiet and beet red.

"Are you okay? Are you sick?" Mingi asked, concerned. San shook his head, "I'm fine! Don't worry!" San replied, smiling widely as if he won the lottery.

San covered his mouth, giggling so bad that it made him visibly red which made Mingi even more concerned.  The blonde just sighed, and continued to watch the movie.

It was nighttime. Yet, here's San, waiting for Mingi's invitation about them going to bar. He already prepared his attire. A minute had passed, his phone ringed.

"Mingi!" San yelled, "Yah! Lower! Anyways, Yuyu and I are going to the bar. Just down your street." Mingi replied, earning a hum from San. "You should've told me earlier!" The elder hissed, making the blonde from the other line, laugh.

San ended the call and went straight to his wardrobe. He quickly changes his outfit, panicking, as they were not matching like he imagined to be. Seven minutes of panicking yet organized searching of outfit, he finally got what he wanted. He grabbed his car keys and wallet and left.

30 minutes later, San arrived. His hair slicked back, though there are strands hanging on his forehead. He was wearing his eyeglasses. He walked inside, confident and looking around for the couple. He had already sent his location to Wooyoung.

San squeezed through the crowd, bumping him left and right, smelling strong alcohol, and walking by dancing couples. He tried contacting Mingi, however, the signal inside is weak, unable to make a call. He hissed but continues to squeeze forward.

As he was about to pass a table with a large familiar people gathered, he was pulled by a woman.

"Hi! You seem new to this setting?" She asked, San shakes his head. "Oh no, no. I'm just searching for a friend." He answered, smiling politely. The woman nodded, "Oh! Come, take a shot first." The woman insisted, pulling San to sit down.

Although it was against San's will, he sat down and drunk a glass full of strong alcohol. It is true that the company celebrates and drinks, but he has a low tolerance in alcohol. During celebrations, he would only drink 2-5 half-full glass of wine or alcohol.

As the liquid makes its way to his throat, it started burning. It's like ripping his throat as it slides down. San had a hard time recovering from that. His face starts to heat up like crazy, and he hates how the alcohol is already hitting him.

"What do you think? This drink alone costs a lot! Maybe 70,000 won? 90,000 won? I don't remember." The same lady asks, laughing, looking slightly drunk. The man beside him laughed, "Yeah! That costs a LOT!" He emphasizes, pouring another shot on San's glass. At this point, San doesn't want it anymore, but he was too scared to say no.

Two more drinks, and San was wobbling crazy. His eyes were becoming blurry. He cannot feel anything but his own stomach and throat burning like crazy. He wanted to call someone to fish him out of his current situation, but he cannot even lift his arms anymore.

Suddenly, San saw the blurry people leave the table. He was confused, he tried widening his eyes to see clearly, but blurry figures came to his vision. Without nothing in mind anymore, he thought that the previous people came back.

"You're here. What a coincidence." A man spoke; his voice laced with malice and intentions. He poured another shot, overflowing, in San's glass. The other couldn't take it anymore but still tried to drink it. After he does, the glass slipped from his hands, breaking it.

The man, standing sober, asked, "Want more drink? Don't worry about the broken glass, they will--", before finishing his sentence, he flew away. Wooyoung, hands curled in fists, hissed. "You fucker." He scowled; he was supposed to land another punch but was stopped by Changbin. "Not here!" The brown-haired whispered, holding Wooyoung back.

Wooyoung hissed, he pulled himself away from Changbin and landed two punches, both heavy and with anger in it. This scene wasn't noticed by people inside as the music and hypes were loud, succumbing the black-haired's heavy punches.

After accomplishing, he immediately went to San and carried him in a bridal style.

"Huh? W..wait! Yunho and Mingi!" San called, trying to break-free. Wooyoung's angry demeanor vanished. It changed to a glad and softer ones. "I've talked to them. It's me. This is Woo." Wooyoung informs, his voice soft and loving, yet loud for the other to hear. San opened his eyes widely, surprised that he was being carried by the man that makes his heartbeat unusually fast.

San felt his face heat up. His heart beating quickly, and his body feeling light as Wooyoung carries him to exit. "Where are we going, Woo?" San asked, feeling the cold breeze slapping his face. Wooyoung smiled, "Home." He replied, shortly, walking to San's car. "Mmmh, okay." The elder replied, resting his head on the younger's neck subconsciously.

The younger swallowed, lump appearing in his throat as San buries his face on his neck. He felt his heart racing. On the other hand, Yeonjun captures the moment of the two, as if they are college lovers. Changbin and Jongho laughed, watching Wooyoung panic.

As Wooyoung and San got into the car, and Yeosang fetching the three with Wooyoung's car, they want to the Jung's house to take a rest.

On the drive home, San kept on telling stories about his life and how his parents are godsent. Wooyoung smiled, listening to the elder's stories.

"Thank you sooooo much, Woo. I hope you never run out of patience for me..." San sadly states, frowning, fiddling with his eyeglasses. "I will never, Sannie. You know that." He replied, his eyes never leaving the road. San smiled, drowsy. "I... will.. always be here.. Woo.. if you need me..." The elder trailing off, sleepiness getting to him, "Always... always.. Wooyoungie..." He added, drifting to sleep, his hands wrapped tightly around his eyeglasses. Wooyoung's heart jumped, he felt his tears running to his eyes. Something heavy from his heart was lifted.

"Thank you, Sannie." He replied, tears slowly run down on his cheek.

-

a/n: sorryyy for not updating! college had started! anyways, just imagine how you want to imagine san's attire in bar! hahaha!