Sangwoo x Yoonbum: If Things Were Different

Goodmorning

Sangwoo woke up about a minute before his 9am alarm was to go off. He laid there on the mattress, staring at the ceiling, and trying to collect his thoughts.

The familiar beeping of his phone alarm sounded, breaking his train of thought. Reaching over, Sangwoo turned off the alarm and checked his notifications.

[Julia]: FUCK YOU ASSHOLE

[Julia]: I AM TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT YOU- NO GIRL WILL EVER SLEEP WITH YOU AGAIN.

Sangwoo chuckled to himself before scrolling on.

[English Professor via Email]: Reminder that the mid-term paper is due tomorrow.

[Min-seo]: Hey, could you cover my shift at the cafe tomorrow? I would totally owe you!

Min-seo was a girl who went to the same college and worked at the same cafe that Sangwoo did. They weren't exactly friends, but she wasn't annoying enough to get on Sangwoo's nerves.

[Sangwoo]: I sure can Min-Min. And I know ways you can pay me back ;)

[Min-seo]: How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Also, why do you gotta make everything dirty?

[Sangwoo]: I can't help myself, you're just so cute.

[Min-seo]: *eye roll emoji* Sure... well thanks for taking the shift anyway.

Sangwoo locked his phone before getting up out of bed. He threw on some boxer briefs, some grey joggers, and a black t-shirt. Slipped his feet into some socks, grabbed his phone and earbuds, and he just had to stop by the front door for his shoes.

He stepped out into the crisp morning air, taking a deep breath. He selected an upbeat playlist on his phone, dropped his phone into his pant pocket, and started into a run.

—————

Yoonbum groggily opened his eyes, taking in the streams of light sleeping through the blinds. The room was warm and stuffy, but that's how it always was.

He heard his uncle snore in the bed beside him, and then the events of the night before came to the forefront of his mind. Over the years, he had gotten good at blocking out things while they happened; thinking about a happy place, focusing on something else, whatever. But the memories always had to resurface at some point.

Yoonbum hesitantly began to move his legs, dreading the mixture of slimy and crusty he knew he would feel on his skin. Despite the bodily fluids trying to stick him to the blankets, Yoonbum forced himself out of bed. He threw on some shorts and gathered some clothes to change into before heading to the bathroom down the hall.

He let the hot water run over his body, and used a soapy rag to wash. He paid special attention was paid to his upper legs and genital area; scrubbing his skin until it turned red.

"Bum?!" His grandmothers voice came in from the other side of the bathroom door. "Don't be using all of the hot water!"

"Sorry! I'll get out!" Yoonbum quickly turned off the water, got out, and got dressed after quickly drying off. He quietly opened the door and peeped out into the hallway.

"He's still sleeping, Bum, stop looking like a frightened deer."

Yoonbum glanced at his grandmother and nodded. He stepped out of the bathroom with his dirty laundry in his arms.

"Throw those into the washer and start it. Then you should get out of here before your uncle wakes up."

Uncle was always in the worst mood for the first hour or so after waking up. He always drinks too much at night, is hungover in the morning, and it takes a little while for him to get drunk enough again. Midday and early afternoon are usually his best time, when he has drank away his hangover, but hasn't yet gotten so drunk that he begins yelling and throwing things. That usually happens around dinner time.

Yoonbum did as his grandmother asked and then made his way to the front entryway.

"Oh, and be a dear~ pick up some butter and green onions at the store on your way home."

"Alright." Was all Yoonbum said as he knelt down and tied his shoes.

—————

Yoonbum stood outside the gate to Sangwoo's house. He wasn't quite sure what he was doing there, he just, found himself there after leaving his own house.

Pulling up his sleeve, Yoonbum scratched at his bandages. He had been so focused on getting his uncle's semen off his body in the shower, he forgot to remove and replace his bandages. Now they were damp, itchy, and starting to peel off.

Would he be mad if I showed up at his door? He probably had enough of me yesterday... but... I don't think I could ever get enough of him. I wonder if he would kiss me again? That would be-

No... he shouldn't do that. He was just making fun of me the first time anyway. And if he asks more questions like last time... and finds out more about me... ugh. I should just leave.

"You really are a perverted stalker."

The voice made Yoonbum jump. He turned to his left to see Sangwoo standing next to him, sweaty, and pulling earbuds out of his ears. Yoonbum quickly shoved his sleeve down to hide the bandaging he had been absentmindedly peeling while he was deep in thought.

"Uh, sorry. I- I was just... walking." Yoonbum tried to look into Sangwoo's eyes, but it was extremely difficult. Strong shoulders and muscles contained by a thin, damp t-shirt caught Yoonbum's attention instead.

"You didn't move the whole time I was jogging down the road. I could see you, you know." Sangwoo's eyes glanced down at the sleeve Yoonbum was cusping with his hand.

"Even without your glasses?" Yoonbum nervously joked. He really didn't want Sangwoo to ask about his bandages again.

A small smile creeped at the edge of Sangwoo's mouth. "I'm farsighted, dipshit. And here I thought you were good at this stalking business."

Yoonbum picked at his fingernails, looking down on the ground as Sangwoo spoke.

"Well, I need to take a shower. But uh, I have some first aid stuff if you want to replace some of those bandages. Do you want to come in? Or is it only desirable if you have to break in?"

Yoonbum looked up at Sangwoo, meeting his eyes for a moment. "You- you want me in your house?"

"Well, I'm hungry after running, so I'm gonna need a nice breakfast." Sangwoo said with a smirk.