(no) Strings Attached

Red Flag, Red Face

"Not even a thank you?" San teased. "That lecture was boring as hell until I showed up. Admit it."

"Admit what?" Wooyoung snapped, spinning on his heel so fast he almost whacked San in the chest with his notebook. "That you're obnoxious?"

San grinned. "That I made it more fun."

"Fun?" Wooyoung nearly scoffed. "You mean being a complete pain in the ass?"

San tilted his head, as if considering. "I prefer 'charismatic'."

Wooyoung groaned, rubbing his temples.

"God, you are so full of yourself."

"And you are so adorable when you're angry," San said, voice dropping to something almost fond.

Wooyoung's breath hitched.

Why did he say it like that?

Why did he say it like he meant it?

No. No, he wouldn't let this get to him.

So, he squared his shoulders and glared. "And you are so out of your damn mind if you think I'm ever going to give you the time of day."

San let out a slow whistle, eyes flicking over Wooyoung, up and down. "Now I just wanna try harder."

Wooyoung's throat closed. "W-What?"

San leaned in. Not too close. But close enough.

Close enough that Wooyoung could see the flecks of gold in his irises, close enough that his breath grazed his cheek.

Close enough to be dangerous.

"You're the stubborn type, huh?" San smirked.

"I like that."

Wooyoung hated his heart for tripping over itself.

With a sharp exhale, he took two steps back.

"Well, I don't," he bit out. "So, if you could leave me alone—"

"But we sit next to each other now," San said, tilting his head. "Might as well get to know each other, right?"

Wooyoung's fingers dug into the edge of his notebook.

He was so not doing this.

He took another step back. "You know what? I have somewhere to be. With people I actually like."

"Aw, harsh," San pouted. "That's no way to talk to your seatmate, Woo."

He said it so casually—Woo—like they had been friends for years.

Wooyoung spun on his heel, not bothering to argue, fully intending to walk away.

"Hey."

He didn't have to stop.

He should've kept going.

But for some reason, his feet betrayed him.

He turned his head.

San wasn't smirking anymore. His hands were still in his pockets, shoulders loose, but his voice was just serious enough to make Wooyoung pause.

"Since we're stuck together, you should let me show you around."

Wooyoung narrowed his eyes.

San let out an amused breath at his obvious suspicion. "I swear I'm not that bad."

Wooyoung snorted, unimpressed. "You're the absolute worst person I've ever met in my life. I'd rather lose myself for three hours than have you be my guide."