(no) Strings Attached

Game Not Fun Anymore

Maybe it didn't mean anything to him.

But it meant something to Wooyoung.

His jaw tightened. His eyes darkened. He didn't like that thought.

Because it meant that, despite everything, despite all the walls San had carefully built up, he had managed to get under Wooyoung's skin.

And even worse Wooyoung had managed to get under his too.

San smirked, leaning in just slightly, voice low enough that only Wooyoung could hear.

"You're quiet today, professor."

Wooyoung flinched—just barely, just enough that anyone else wouldn't have noticed. But San did.

He did, and for the first time, it didn't make him feel triumphant.

It made him feel like shit.

Still, he didn't stop.

Because that was the thing about San.

He never stopped.

Even when he should.

Even when it wasn't a game anymore.

Even when it wasn't fun.

His smirk widened, though it felt a little hollow.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

Wooyoung turned to him then, finally, finally, but San wished he hadn't.

Because his eyes—god, his eyes—

They weren't angry. They weren't irritated.

They weren't playful.

They were tired.

Exhausted.

Like San had drained the last bit of fight out of him.

For some reason, it made his stomach twist.

But instead of acknowledging it, instead of sitting with the discomfort, he did what he always did.

He pushed.

"You didn't answer my question," he murmured, tilting his head, eyes glinting with something unreadable.

Wooyoung's lips parted, like he wanted to say something, like he had words sitting heavy on his tongue.

But instead, he just sighed shaking his head.

And that?

That was worse than anything else he could have done.

San hated that he felt guilty. Hated that something in him wanted to take it back.

But he didn't.

Because that wasn't who he was.

So, instead, he just leaned back in his chair, shrugged, and let the moment slip between his fingers.

It is what it is.

"So, we have 20 minutes before the class ends" his train of thought got halted by his professor's voice; eyes refocusing on the man.

"I'll give you this time to communicate with your project partners. I know as the semester goes further; it's difficult for most to meet outside of the class." He smiled.

Shit.

Wooyoung froze in his seat so abruptly San physically felt it.

"We really must be destined to be together all the time" San chuckled softly but the heavy air between them didn't let the humor thrive this time.