Kang Woo-young | I love you, don't act so surprised
Summary: A broken ankle changed Woo-young’s life, but it also changed the way you felt about him.
Warning: +18, smut, friends to lovers, possessiveness, underage (high school), alcohol consumption, mention of injuries, mutual pining, shy!reader, annoying!Yeong-bin, takes place after Si-eun breaks his ankle.
Now playing: Birds of a Feather — Billie Eilish
Note: English is not my first language so feel free to tell me if there are any mistakes.
A group of seniors sat in that crowded restaurant packed with students, arguing about their future careers. The table was overflowing and the atmosphere was rowdy, but you felt like a puzzle piece that only fit because it had been forced into place.
Woo-young had brought you into this circle from your very first day at school, claiming you "looked like a drowned puppy" because of your shyness. Seriously, you were eternally grateful to him… you knew that without his help, you never would have made any friends.
Tae-hoon, a friend from another school, yawned while watching the girls in the group debate which university was better. Yeong-bin, the guy you’d had a crush on for months but barely saw you as more than "his friend’s friend", looked at the two of you with curiosity.
You were sitting side by side. Woo-young’s arm had settled on the back of your chair the moment you arrived and he hadn't moved it, not even to eat. You could barely look up from your plate, your flushed cheeks betraying the fact that there was something in the air making you uncomfortable... or maybe, making you crave more.
Yes, something had definitely happened between you.
"What about you, Woo-young?" Yeong-bin asked with his mouth full. "Now that your ankle’s healed up, are you gonna get back in the ring?"
Woo-young fell silent, looking at the guy he considered a friend with a hint of annoyance. His ankle was fully healed, but it would take years to fight at the same level he used to. Yeong-bin knew that, they’d talked about it dozens of times. Why ask again? Was he mocking him?
He let out a weary sigh as he watched Yeong-bin turn his attention back to Tae-hoon. He stretched the arm resting on your chair, moving his hand to graze your collarbone. A smirk tugged at his lips when he caught your eye, watching you turn an even deeper shade of crimson as you looked down, overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze. He couldn't help it, his mind kept drifting back to last night.
The club had been packed. Woo-young traced the rim of his glass, noting that all his friends were out on the dance floor… except for you and him. He stole a glance at you, your face was a roadmap of the sadness you felt watching Yeong-bin flirt with another girl. His gaze dropped, taking in the dress you were wearing… the fabric clung to your body, highlighting every curve.
How could Yeong-bin be so blind? Why was he giving his attention to any random girl when you were right there? He smirked, realizing that his friend's desperate need to be the center of attention blinded him to everything else and that only played in Woo-young's favor.
With concern, you watched Woo-young take another sip of soju. You bit your lip, realizing he was about to finish the entire bottle by himself.
He shouldn't be drinking this much, you thought.
You were well aware that Woo-young’s drinking was becoming more frequent. No matter how much he tried to keep up appearances, the ankle injury had clearly affected more than just his body. If the others had paid any real attention, they would have known too, instead of just making shallow comments about his bitter attitude.
You smiled, thinking about how much closer you’d become after his injury. You visited him at home, walked him to the clinic and even helped him with his physical therapy sessions. You were there when he had surgery and you were the one he hugged the moment he could walk again without crutches. The proud Woo-young had shut himself off from almost everyone, but he let you in and that made you feel special.
You saw him pour another glass and looked down, finally admitting to yourself that it wasn't just friendship you were feeling. By looking out for him so much, you’d fallen, just like so many other girls, for his charm. You were in love with Woo-young, but you were terrified of ruining the beautiful friendship you had.
"Come on, have a drink" he said, leaning in and putting the glass right in your face. He nearly spilled it on your dress, but you were quick enough to open your mouth and take the shot.
When you finished the soju, he gave you a sweet and playful smile. Your blush deepened, you felt hypnotized as you watched him pour more into the glass you now held.
"I... I really shouldn't" you whispered, but he insisted, leaning in close to your ear.
"Drink with me. That idiot Yeong-bin isn't going to pay attention to you today either" he said, pouring more into his own glass.
Your eyes widened in surprise and you immediately got flustered. He knew about your interest in his friend, but he didn't know you didn't feel the same way anymore... and maybe it was better that way. You figured Woo-young just wanted company, so you slowly sipped your drink.
As soon as your glass was empty, your friend filled it again. This time you drank with hesitation, starting to feel a strange heat spreading through your body. You weren't a heavy drinker and the alcohol was clearly starting to hit.
"Here, let me give you some more" Woo-young said, but your hands stopped him.
"I... I can't drink any more" you replied, unable to meet his eyes. That simple gesture brought a smile to the fighter’s face.
"Drink... maybe it'll help you find the balls to actually stand up to Yeong-bin" he said dryly, feeling a surge of annoyance at the thought of you kissing his idiot friend.
He liked you. A lot. He’d been attracted to you from the first day he saw you and that was the only reason he’d always included you in his circle, a group that had little in common with you, but accepted you nonetheless.
Everything changed the day Yeong-bin transferred in mid-year. His presence stole all your attention and Woo-young had to watch as your eyes took on a special spark just for him. Fortunately for him, his friend never noticed your feelings, which was why you were still single.
"I don't want to do that" you murmured shyly.
He smirked when he heard you, he was certain you were lying. For months, all you’d done was pine over Yeong-bin and get upset whenever you saw him with someone else. Shit, why did it bother him so much that you liked his friend? Especially when you were the one suffering for it.
"Fine, whatever" he replied shortly, seeing you shrink into your seat.
You lifted your head and looked at him intently, your hands trembling from the nerves his proximity caused. Woo-young held your gaze, feeling himself get lost in your eyes until he noticed one detail: your gaze dropped to his mouth, your lips parting slightly.
To his alcohol-hazed mind, that look was an invitation. He didn't hesitate for a second, lunging for your lips and claiming them with a certain roughness. He took advantage of the space to slide his tongue in and pulled you closer, pressing your bodies together and sparking a current of electricity between you both.
You were paralyzed. You brought your hands to his chest, unsure of what you wanted… to push him away or pull him closer? You were terrified one of your friends would see you like this, but the sensations Woo-young was giving you made you forget everything else. You tried to clumsily return the kiss, venturing to bite his bottom lip, which made him smile against your mouth.
His hand started to wander up your leg, but you stopped him, regaining a shred of clarity. You pulled away, completely embarrassed, while Woo-young shamelessly licked his lips to savor the taste you’d left behind.
Then he arched an eyebrow, realizing what had just happened. Why had you kissed him back? Could it be that you liked him too? You looked completely flushed, as if you wanted to disappear into the dark booth.
"Do you want me too?" he asked, leaning toward your ear and kissing the sensitive skin just below it.
You were frozen by the question, you couldn't even answer it for yourself. You liked your friend, sure... but wanting him? You remembered Woo-young’s well-built body, which you knew from watching him at the gym. You bit your lip as his hand found your leg again and something clicked in your head. Did he want you? Your heart hammered at the thought, and his wandering hand stopped.
Woo-young had decided to go for it. It was a risky move that could ruin your friendship, but if it worked, it could be the start of something beautiful. He stood up abruptly under your watchful gaze.
"Don't overthink it. Let's go" he said, taking your hand and pulling you up from your seat.
You quickly glanced over at where your friends were dancing. Apparently, no one had noticed what had just gone down. You felt his grip loosen and he was about to let you go, so without a second thought, you stood up and followed him toward the exit.
Fate had provided an empty taxi and soon you were at Woo-young’s house. Now you were in his bedroom, a place you’d visited many times when he was stuck in bed with a broken ankle. You were sitting in his lap, kissing him desperately while you felt his hands roam over your bare body. He’d stripped you of your clothes a while ago, pressing your chest against his bare torso. The only thing separating you was his pants, which were becoming far too tight for his growing erection.
Woo-young broke the kiss and held you, shifting your weight and laying you down in the center of the bed. He braced himself over you with one hand, while the other began to stroke your breast, teasing the nipple between his fingers. He leaned down again to taste you. You were so intoxicating, he could hear your gasps and feel your clumsy caresses. He couldn't take it anymore… he had to make you his.
"You're so beautiful" he said, pulling away just long enough to kick off his pants.
As soon as he was bare and the protection was on, he moved back between your legs, making you both gasp as he pressed his dick against you.
"Woo-young... wait" you stopped him, trying to sit up, but his hand was firm on your hip while the other laced his fingers with yours.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm scared" you confessed, tears stinging your eyes. "We're friends. You're the person I'm closest to. If we do this and we ruin it..."
"Relax" he interrupted roughly, shifting his hips so you could feel him against your entrance. You tried to hide your face from the sensation. "I like you a lot and I can't go on being just your friend anymore. Do you want me?"
He asked the question while forcing you to look at him. Your eyes didn't know how to lie, and Woo-young could see that special spark in them… the one he’d envied Yeong-bin for. He smirked and positioned himself.
You watched him intently, feeling him slowly push inside you until he was buried deep. Your hands gripped his arms and you heard the moan your friend let out as he felt himself trapped within you.
"God, you're so tight" he rasped, using every ounce of self-control not to move too fast, giving you a chance to get used to his size. "Does it hurt?"
"No, I'm okay" you replied, but he could still feel how tense you were.
Woo-young grazed your bottom lip with his, trying to get you to stop thinking about whatever was keeping you so stiff.
"Come on, babe... relax" he said as he began to pull back slowly. "We can talk tomorrow. For now, let's just enjoy this."
You nodded and sighed, letting your body relax as you returned his kiss. Woo-young thrust into you again and you moved your hands to his back, feeling yourself being claimed by him, gasping and moaning softly.
"Woo-young..." you whispered against his lips.
Little by little, he began to pick up the pace. He moved with more force, and with every thrust, your doubts started to fade, replaced by the sheer need to be his. Woo-young buried his face in your neck, leaving kisses there that sent shivers through your entire body.
Feeling you tighten around him, he shifted his weight, propping himself up on his knees to find a deeper angle.
"Yeah, that's it... come for me, babe" he gasped out.
He couldn't hold out much longer and, in his current state, he knew he wouldn't be getting a round two. He cursed himself for drinking so much while simultaneously trying to make the moment last. He knew his climax would leave him completely spent.
He could feel you starting to shake, anticipating your own peak. So, with one last thrust, he let himself go. He kept moving a few more times until he felt your body go rigid as you hit your own ecstasy.
Woo-young’s eyes lifted from his plate to meet yours, a playful glint in them as he saw the blush that had taken over your cheeks. You felt exposed, gripping the fabric of your brand-new jeans under the table, trying to hide the fact that you could still feel the echo of his touch on your skin.
"Are you okay?" he whispered, lowering his voice so only you could hear.
His hand, still resting on the back of your chair, dropped to graze the nape of your neck… a gesture that might have seemed protective once, but now felt purely possessive.
Suddenly, the noisy chatter of the restaurant faded away as Yeong-bin leaned forward.
"Hey Y/N, I looked for you at the bar last night and you weren't there. Did you leave early?" he blurted out, his gaze flickering between you and Woo-young. "I wanted to tell you something important, but we can go out today and talk about it. What do you think?"
Immediately, the other guys started teasing him. You looked at Woo-young and remembered his words from this morning, when the alcohol had worn off but his intensity hadn't.
"You're mine now” he’d said while he had you pinned against his shower wall, his fingers tracing your skin. "I like you so much. I can't believe this actually happened."
"But promise me we won't stop being friends" you’d said, cupping his face.
"I promise" he’d replied with a kiss.
Your boyfriend’s expression hardened, shooting Yeong-bin a dirty look. His fingers gripped the back of your chair tightly. Yeah, the son of a bitch was trying to get a rise out of him.
"You can tell me here..." you said with determination, surprising Woo-young.
"Ah, but it's kind of private" Yeong-bin excused himself, scratching the back of his neck.
"You can still say it, we're all friends here" you replied, gesturing to the whole table. A smirk began to form on your boyfriend's lips.
"Just say it already, man!" Tae-hoon shouted. "Just ask her out!"
The whole table went quiet, waiting to see what he’d say, but the conversation was cut short by Woo-young’s voice.
"If that’s the case, she’s not going anywhere" he declared coldly, grabbing everyone’s attention as he placed a hand firmly on your shoulder. "We’re dating."
The reactions varied. Yeong-bin and Tae-hoon laughed, punching Woo-young on the shoulder; the girls congratulated you like you’d won the lottery… and the rest of the school didn't believe the rumor at first.
But as the days went by, everyone at school realized Woo-young wasn't joking: you weren't just the shy girl in the group anymore… you were his.
