LEARN ME, woosan

07: yeah... 'help'

"I did," Wooyoung cuts in, leaning closer to his mother to whisper in her ear. "Please cut it out with the glares, mom. You're making my friend very uncomfortable."

"I apologize if you got put off by my stares San," Ms Jung clarifies, not wanting to upset Wooyoung. She doesn't like upsetting anyone in general, either. "Sometimes I can look a bit harsh when I have a stressful day at work."

San looks a little more relaxed, like he fully understands where the woman's coming from. "It's alright."

"I know it's getting a bit late, but would you like to stay for some dinner? With how much it rained earlier, you should eat something warm." Yet another glance at San's neck.

"A skin condition," he suddenly says.

"Oh dear," Ms Jung says, tone sympathetic. Wooyoung can't believe his ears. "Is it painful?"

"Not really, miss. But I'd love to stay for dinner," San walks up to her, a smile so sugary sweet on his face. "You just came home from work, so I'd like to help in any way I can."

"Really? That's wonderful," Wooyoung's mother answers, and Wooyoung isn't sure if he's just entered some alternate reality or not. "Let me just get changed and we'll make the food."

Before long, she's gone, and San heaves a gigantic sigh of relief.

"A skin condition," Wooyoung repeats. He bites his fist to subdue his laughter.

"What? Plus, your mom's a nurse but she believed me. Want it to be contagious?" San is amused too, and then to Wooyoung's utmost shock, hits his bum.

"Sorry!" San immediately apologizes, terrified by his own actions. "I um, have this friend I stay with and we pat each other's butts sometimes for like, reassurance and -- "

Wooyoung slaps his butt too, something compelling him to do it again. He grins at San's flabbergasted face, liking that for once, he's the one stunned to silence. "Don't mess with me, Choi."

San quickly corners him however. His hand tickles as it trails down Wooyoung's back, about to smack his behind for revenge when Wooyoung's mother asks for them.

They separate, but Wooyoung can't stop thinking about how much fun he's having. He hasn't even properly hugged his mom in years, yet he feels fine with San touching his butt.

It's like San becomes a totally different person around Ms Jung. The air of confidence he usually carries is still there, but how he looks much more... carefree. Vulnerable, even. He hangs on to her every word, flashing her award-winning dimpled smiles whenever she thanks him for his help.

Wooyoung never knew the day would come where he'd feel jealous of his own mother. He's on cleaning duty, and although he likes that his mom's starting to warm up to San (skin condition and all), he realizes he's a sucker for San's attention. In fact, he craves it.

"How are you getting home?" Ms Jung asks San as the baked mac and cheese, and chicken they prepared gradually gets ready in the oven. "Do you want me to drive you?"

"No, that's okay." San moves to stand beside Wooyoung. His hand falls on the shorter's back, shy at first. "I brought a motorbike."

"Isn't that a little dangerous for you?"

San's hand inches higher, and Wooyoung holds his breath, hoping his mother won't notice. "It's safe for me, ma'am. I'm very careful."

When Ms Jung turns to check the oven Wooyoung tries to pinch San but fails. Which leads to San slapping his ass again, to his horror.