wooyoung let out a short, humorless laugh, gripping the edge of his tray like it was a lifeline. âyeah, you could say that,â he muttered, shoulders slumping a little. the salt bread in his hand suddenly felt heavier than it should. he studied yeonjunâs profile for a beat, the way he was tucked into himself, like he was carrying his own invisible weight. it made wooyoung hesitateâshould he press, or just let the silence hang? âi didnât realize people actually notice the chewed-up part,â he added, trying for a smirk, but it faltered halfway. âiâm still⊠surviving, i guess.â
he shifted on his feet, unsure whether to step closer or retreat back into the safety of his exhaustion. âyou, uh⊠youâve been keeping busy?â he asked finally, voice softer, curious but cautious, like dipping a toe into cold water. the words felt foreign coming out, polite and tentative, the opposite of what he would have said back when things were easier between them. he caught yeonjunâs eyes for a moment, searching for somethingâanythingâthat might bridge the distance that had grown between them.