Chapter Text
Wooyoung felt like he was melting into the floor. His head weighed heavily on his hand, his cheek smooshed on his palm. He was not prepared for whatever Yunho was about to ask him.
“Wooyoung please come out to the Summer Blowout tonight” Yunho begged, pouting in an attempt to get his best friend to join him.
The Summer Blowout was an annual festival that welcomed guests to the beachside attractions on Jeju Island. Wooyoung’s parents happened to run the Seaside Resort, which was one of the many resorts that were a part of this beachfront collective that held ridiculous beach-themed events throughout the summer. Wooyoung tried his best to avoid the crowds of stuck-up VIPs that liked to judge everything from the quality of silverware to the amount of ice in their blended margaritas.
“No amount of puppy dog eyes will convince me to go out tonight. I just got back this morning and my parents already have me working at the front desk to deal with the crowd of college students that want to get wasted tonight,” Wooyoung turned to the computer to check the never-ending list of guests that plan on checking in that afternoon.
“But it’s Hongjoong’s first gig as the DJ, even Yeosang wants to come! Besides getting drunk and dancing with a bunch of other students is the best way to relieve all that stress from finals,” Yunho smiled brightly.
Wooyoung grumbled, the exhaustion from a week of pulling all-nighters to study was clouding his judgment. The phone rang, saving him from giving into his friend's request. Wooyoung cleared his throat and used his best customer service voice to answer the call. “Hello this is the front desk of the Seaside Resort, my name is Wooyoung. How can I help you?”
Yunho continued to obnoxiously pout as a guest talked on the other line.
“No problem Mrs. Kim, I’ll send housekeeping right up with some new towels. Have a great day.” Wooyoung slammed the phone down and turned to look at Yunho. “Fine,” he rolled his eyes, “I will go with you guys.”
Yunho pumped his fists in the air. “I’ll come get you at 8.”
---
Wooyoung was winging out his smokey eyeliner when he heard a knock on his bedroom door. During the summer break, his parents let him and Yeosang share one of the smaller apartment styled suites that was located near the other on-site staff quarters. He straightened his posture and smirked in the mirror. He looked hot all dolled up in a caramel short sleeve button down, light blue jeans, and a thin black choker. Another loud knock at his door, interrupted his thoughts of self-praise. He huffed and yelled “coming!” at the direction of the door.
Wooyoung opened his door to see Yunho with his arm thrown around Yeosang. Yunho’s other arm reached out to pull Wooyoung through the threshold.
“Let’s get drunk!” Yunho began chanting as the trio headed out of the suite towards the beach, dragging the younger two with him.
Wooyoung couldn’t help but smile as he joined in. “Yeah! Let’s get drunk!”
Four shots and two mixed drinks later Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Yunho were dancing in the VIP section closest to the stage(perks of having your friend DJ the party.) Normally Wooyoung would have avoided any close interaction with the regulars of the VIP section, all stuck-up rich kids who waste their parents money on designer brands and fast cars, but he couldn’t resist the chance to tease Hongjoong by holloring obnoxiously. The drinks were also half-off.
Yunho slung one of his arms around Wooyoung’s shoulders, nearly causing him to spill his Mai Tai on the ground. Yunho spun around him and dropped to the floor, playful rolling his body against Wooyoung’s own. Wooyoung laughed loudly and pulled Yeosang by his waist so that he could join in on their playful antics. Yeosang covered his face in embarrassment but swayed with his friends regardless. The trio jumped in time with the bass and sang their hearts out despite the volume of the music.
Yeosang leaned over closer to Wooyoung’s ear. “There’s a hottie at 12 o’clock starring directly at your ass,” Yeosang yelled so that he could be heard over the music.
Wooyoung rolled his eyes. “You know I don’t go for VIPs,” he yelled back but he couldn’t resist a quick glance over his shoulder. His eyes scanned the crowd before landing on charming eyes and devilish grin. He turned around and found Yeosang giving him a knowing smile. The attractive face wasn’t one that he recognized but if it belonged to someone in the VIP section it meant trouble.
When Wooyoung turned around for another quick glance, the face disappeared into the crowd. Wooyoung shrugged and turned to continue dancing with his friends, who were trying their best to twerk in their semi-drunken state. Before Wooyoung could join them in the mini contest that they were having(Yunho was winning at the moment), a body slammed into him, knocking him onto the floor. Wooyoung took a moment to process that the collision had caused someone’s Blue Hawaiian to spill all over his clothes, leaving a vibrant blue sticky trail. Shocked at the sudden end to his fun, Wooyoung’s eyes slowly tracked the alluring set of legs in front of him. His eyes continued up and landed on a face he’d seen before. Wooyoung felt stuck to the ground, frozen with the realisation that it was the same guy from earlier. Yunho broke the intense eye contact between the pair and helped Wooyoung to his feet. Wooyoung groaned, realizing that the sticky feeling had seeped through his clothes.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going.” The stranger’s voice was as enticing as his appearance.
“Is that because you were staring at my ass instead?” Wooyoung retorted, clearly displeased that his evening was ruined.
“No- I just knocked into my friend.” The stranger gestures to the tall red-headed guy next to him, who looked apologetic.
“I’m sorry bro, I got long limbs that do whatever they want.”
Wooyoung rolled his eyes and looked back at his friends. “I’m going to head back to change out of this mess, I’ll try and come back in time for the fireworks.”
Yeosang nodded, “text us if you can’t find us later.”
Wooyoung weaved back through the crowd eager to get out of his drenched clothes. Just before he reached the edge of the make-shift venue he heard a voice call after him.
“Wait, hey you!” the stranger called out and reached out to grab his shoulder.
“What do you want?” Wooyoung snapped.
The guy retreated his hand. “I’m sorry, but could you help me? My shirt also got ruined.”
Wooyoung looked down and noticed that the guy’s thin white tank top tucked under an open button down was also covered in the Blue Hawaiian drink.
“Saint Laurent shouldn’t be ruined by cheap cocktails.” The stranger smiled awkwardly hoping that Wooyoung would help him.
“Just,” Wooyoung paused at a loss for words. “Follow me.” Wooyoung grabbed the stranger’s wrist and pulled him towards his room at the Seaside Resort.
“Oh hey, you’re staying at the Seaside Resort too?” the stranger commented as they neared the buildings.
“Not quite. I work there.”
“Oh.” The stranger paused. “Umm I’m San by the way.”
Wooyoung dung his keys out of his pocket and unlocked his door. “Wooyoung; now give me your shirt so that I can put some stain remover on it and hope that your precious luxury goods aren't ruined.”
San wasted no time, removing both of his shirts, exposing leagues of tanned skin and rippling abs. Wooyoung had to turn away, trying not to get affected by the exposed skin(it’s been a long time since he got laid.) He snatched the garments and walked farther into his suite to the tiny closet in his kitchen that had his washing and drying machines. Wooyoung removed his button down and realized that his jeans were also ruined by the blue drink. He inhaled deeply and tried not to scream.
He realized that he would have to pass in front of San nearly naked to get to his other clothes in his bedroom, he cringed at the awkwardness of that situation. Acting quickly before his confidence faded, Wooyoung shut the laundry machine and started a load. He walked as fast as possible without looking like he was bolting through his suite. He felt San’s intense stare check him out again. When he safely made it to his bedroom, Wooyoung hastily grabbed another pair of jeans and a floral button down to wear. He paused and dug out an old oversized t-shirt for San(so that his abs wouldn’t distract him).
Wooyoung returned to his living room and found San leaning against the back of his couch, trying not to be invasive in Wooyoung’s space. Wooyoung shoved the extra shirt he grabbed in San’s general direction. “Here you can wear this.”
San stood up, invading Wooyoung’s personal space. Wooyoung could feel the heat coming from his skin and averted his eyes.
“Thank you,” San smirked and slid the shirt over his head. The fabric hung elegantly from San’s frame, like the shirt was his own.
“No problem, I’ll have housekeeping swap the shirts tomorrow.”
“How old are you?” San asked.
“W-what?”
“How old are you?” San leaned closer, not hesitating for a second. San’s awkwardness shifted to something more compelling, something that made Wooyoung’s knees weak.
“21.” Wooyoung tried his best to stop his face from turning red. He wondered if his apartment was stuffy from the summer heat.
“Hmm me too. Do you go to college?” San adorned a face that left no room to question his intentions, he was getting closer to what he wanted.
“Yeah, I’m a business dance double major at Seoul National.” Wooyoung felt like his tongue was moving against his brain’s wishes. He should be staying away from the VIP guest, not falling into this trap.
“What a surprise. I go there too, I’m a Communications major. I’m shocked that I didn’t notice such a cutie around campus.” San’s eyes scan over Wooyoung’s body and his tongue darts out to wet his lip.
Wooyoung took a step back, clarity washing over him. “I think you’re getting the wrong impression from me. I do not sleep with guests, especially VIPs. So you can keep your half-assed pick up lines, charming eyes, and flirty smiles for the next hot body you see. Okay Casanova?”
“You think my eyes are charming?” San laughed.
“Urghhh you are so infuriating,” Wooyoung huffed.
Suddenly, San got a hold of Wooyoung’s wrists and pulled Wooyoung’s body against his own. Their faces were close enough that Wooyoung could feel San’s warm breath. Wooyoung felt locked in place, his desire to pull away conflicted with his curiosity to know how San’s lips would feel against his own.
BRRING! BRRING!(insert Filter by Park Jimin as Wooyoung’s ringtone)
Wooyoung jumped away from San’s grasp, the sound of his phone ringtone pulled him away from San’s spell.
“Hello?”
“ Youngie~ why aren’t you at the beach yet? The fireworks are about to start!” Yeosang sang on the phone.
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
“ Wait, are you still with that hot guy from VIP?” Yunho’s voice chimed in on the other line.
“No, we’ll talk about it later.”
San playfully raised an eyebrow at his mention.
“ Woo, can you bring another blanket, it’s so cold, ” Yeosang requested.
“Sure Sangie, I'll meet you at our spot.” Wooyoung ended his call.
He turned his attention back to San. “Out!” Wooyoung pointed at the door.
San put his hands up in surrender. As he exited the room, he turned over his shoulder. “I hope to see you again, Wooyoung.” He winked and headed off towards the party.
Wooyoung closed the door and fell against the frame. He shook his head, hoping that whoever this San person was, he wouldn’t cause Wooyoung any more problems. He took a moment to recuperate before tracking down a blanket to bring to his friends.
---
Wooyoung went on with his life trying to forget about the Summer Blowout and settled into a routine for the summer. Working shifts at the front desk with Yeosang, distracting Yunho during his bartending shifts, spending his free hours enjoying the beach or dancing in the resort’s multipurpose room attached to the gym, and forgetting about returning a certain guest’s shirt(and his dumb abs.)
It took three days before Wooyoung ran into San again. Wooyoung and Yeosang loved to people-watch under a large sun umbrella on the beach. The pair claimed a couple of lounge chairs and observed the guests enjoying the sand and water.
“Mrs. Kim from floor 4 definitely got jaw reduction surgery.” Wooyoung sipped on his Mai Tai, enjoying his free happy hour drink of the day.
“Her jawline looks the same as last summer, you’re crazy,” Yeosang slapped Wooyoung’s shoulder in disbelief.
“Alright, maybe it’s just the sunlight, but she should break up with her new boyfriend. He’s way too upright for her sense of humor.” Wooyoung rolled onto his stomach and rested his head on his arms. He was so content with the tranquil atmosphere, he felt like he could fall asleep.
“Hey, aren’t those the guys from the Summer Blowout party?” Yeosang pointed to a group of three guys aggressively splashing water at each other.
Wooyoung lifted his shades and sure enough it was San and his red-head friend. “No,” Wooyoung spoke too quickly, making him sound suspicious.
“Are you sure? I think Jungho is with them, let’s go say hi,” Yeosang moved to get up.
“No!” Wooyoung sat up violently, reaching for his best friend not to leave him. “I mean let’s finish our drinks and join them later. Yunho’s supposed to meet us here, anyways.”
Yeosang looked at his best friend before shrugging and relaxing in his chair.
“You never said what happened with that guy at the fireworks.”
Wooyoung looked at the guys on the beach and watched them leave the water to pick up a volleyball. “Nothing happened. He was an asshole, just like the rest of the VIPs.”
“Why do you hate all VIPs, they’re not all like he who must not be named. Yunho’s technically a VIP too.”
“Fine, I don’t hate all VIPs, but most of them are rich assholes who just piss me off because they think they’re better than everyone else who-” Wooyoung was cut off, something knocked him forward. He whipped around and saw that said object was a volleyball. Wooyoung bolted to his feet, picked up the volleyball, and marched over to the group of boys.
“You’ve got some nerve, hitting me!” Wooyoung chucked the ball at San, hitting him in the stomach. Wooyoung tore his sunglasses off so that San could see his glaring eyes better.
“Wooyoung, it's a pleasure to see you again,” San smirked. Unfortunately for Wooyoung, San had decided to leave his shirt a few too many buttons undone and wear swimming shorts that sat low on his hips. The afternoon sun illuminated San’s sharp features and Wooyoung noticed that his hair was tinted a dark purple in the daylight.
“What kind of an idiot has that bad aim? Did your daddy not give you enough attention so you decided to bother me instead?”
San’s friends stopped pushing each other and hovered closer to the commotion.
“Wooyoung, baby, please-”
“Baby!? Who the fuck are you calling baby?” Wooyoung fumed.
Yeosang caught up with Wooyoung and wrapped an arm around his shoulder trying to ground him. “Hey Jungho, when did you get here?”
Jungho was a regular guest every summer, so Yeosang and Wooyoung knew him well. He tentatively took a step forward to answer Yeosang. “I arrived today. These are my friends Mingi and San, we used to play volleyball together.” Jungho’s eyes flicked towards Wooyoung and San, the pair caught up in a staring contest.
“I’m Yeosang and this is Wooyoung.”
The tallest of the bunch smiled. “I’m Mingi.”
“San.” San stopped staring at Wooyoung to flash his dimples and cute smile at Yeosang. Wooyoung scoffed at the innocent act.
“We’re looking for more people to join our team for the upcoming volleyball tournament, would you guys be interested?” Jungho continued, wary of the tension growing between Wooyoung and San. The volleyball tournament was another one of the absurd activities that was hosted on the beach each summer.
Yeosang offered a small smile, “we’ll think about it. I’ll let Yunho know that you’re back. We should all meet up sometime to catch up.”
“Whatever. Count me out, I’m going back to my room,” Wooyoung shoved Yeosang off of his shoulders and headed back to the resort.
“I better go with him. I’ll see you around, it was nice meeting you guys.” Yeosang called out, following Wooyoung.
Just as Wooyoung thought he was in the clear, he heard San call out. “You still have my shirt Wooyoung!”
Wooyoung groaned and walked faster, rushing to leave the beach before he punched San and his stupidly cute dimples.
---
It didn’t take long for San to figure out that Wooyoung worked at the front desk of the resort. He had made it his personal agenda to bother Wooyoung by calling and complaining about ‘problems’ that seemed to be magically fixed by the time Wooyoung threatened to call someone else.
At first it was “can I get someone to help me fix the air conditioning, I think it’s broken?”
Then it was “the shower’s not hot enough, can you come up and check it out?”
And finally, “would you recommend something on the menu, something that’s as delicious as you?”
“I’m not your personal servant!” Wooyoung yelled into the phone after it rang for the fourth time that day. “My apologies Mr. Park, I thought you were a prank caller. No, I’ll have someone bring your dry cleaning up to your room.” Wooyoung stuttered on the phone after lashing out at an innocent guest.
Yeosang snickered at Wooyoung’s embarrassment and continued to organize paperwork.
“That’s it! Can you pick up the phone for the rest of today?” Wooyoung pouted at his friend.
Yeosang took a moment to think about it before he said, “no.”
“Why not? Can’t you see that this guy is being an ass?”
“This is way too entertaining for me,” Yeosang laughed and pinched Wooyoung’s check.
Wooyoung swatted his hand away and frowned as he continued his work. Twenty minutes later Wooyoung and Yeosang’s cell phones vibrated at the same time, alerting them that Yunho had texted them in their group chat.
Yunho: I got our table outside, come find me when you guys clock off :)
“And that’s our cue to clock off and say goodbye to annoying VIPs.” Wooyoung cheered and got ready to leave the lobby.
Wooyoung and Yesang entered the attached restaurant and found Yunho waving at them. After getting settled and ordering their food, Wooyoung noticed his best friends sharing glances at each other, communicating telepathically.
“Just spit it out, what’s going on with you guys?” Wooyoung sighed.
Yunho shared one more worried glance at Yeosang before speaking. “Well, I texted Jungho and we met up this morning. I’m really glad that he was able to come out this summer. Anyways, we got to talking about the volleyball tournament and Sangie and I were thinking about joining his team.”
“Seriously?” Wooyoung asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, I think Hongjoong and Seonghwa are planning on joining this year. All seven of us are meeting up tomorrow for lunch.” Yunho paused, “you should come with us.”
“Absolutely not!”
“It’d be good to catch up with everyone, we’re not asking you to join the team,” Yunho pleaded.
“-but you’re more than welcome to join if it will mean you’ll work out all that sexual tension between you and San,” Yeosang added on.
“We do not have sexual tension! That guy is just a complete ass, you literally heard him bother me at work all day today!”
Yeosang ignored Wooyoung’s protests. “So the fact that he looks like he was sculpted by the gods and looks exactly like your ideal type has nothing to do with why you’re avoiding him?”
“Don’t you think you could put whatever issues you guys have aside for an hour or two and have lunch with us?” Yunho tried to disrupt the argument between Wooyoung and Yeosang.
Wooyoung frowned. If this had been any other year, Wooyoung would have cheered at the chance to have lunch with his friends and support them playing in the tournament.
“I’ll pay for your lunch.” Yunho offered as a last resort knowing that Wooyoung is a stubborn person.
Wooyoung raised his eyebrow, debating his options. A free meal and a chance to see his friends was quite tempting, why did San have to ruin everything? “Just don’t expect me to be friendly with San, cause that will never happen.”
Yeosang and Yunho shared one more amused look between each other, but they continued the conversation, moving past the San issue.