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absentcaryatid · 2 years

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Always at Your Side

An ATEEZ fanfic by AbsentCaryatid

Wooyoung has been your assistant for years and it is difficult for him to see you regularly going out with your fellow idol Jongho. While it is true you are in love, happily Wooyoung discovers not everything is what it seems.

2.7K words, Content note: gender neutral reader, suggestive but safe for all tumblr using ages

The day had started out like any other with a workout, then songwriting, and a little recording studio time. Differing from other days however, was your assistant prepping you for an upcoming interview with the news your social media was blowing up and to expect questions about the topic.

“This better not be dating rumors again.” You sighed and would have rubbed your forehead if not for the freshly applied makeup. “I wish speculation would stop about me and other idols. You know you are the closest thing to a man in my life.” Gazing warmly at Wooyoung, your best friend since nursery school, you reached to put a hand on his.

Quicker than you, he withdrew it from the table. Wooyoung's mock indignation was strong as he went over your word choice. Voice rising, he quoted, “The closest thing to a man in your life?”

“You know I meant romantically, not questioning your manhood, Wooyoung.”

He huffed, “If you ever stopped paying me far more than I am worth, I might have to seek out better working conditions one day.”

In a rare serious turn, it occurred to you to ask, “You wouldn't leave me, would you?”

“I think we are stuck with each other for life,” Wooyoung admitted wistfully, which brought a smile to your face. “Back to business though. Everybody is talking because your name was on the lips of the one and only Choi Jongho as the star he would most like to collaborate with.”

“Really?” Your eyes went wide at the thought. Jongho was your favorite ballad singer and his career-making OST contributions were constant plays on your phone when you were relaxing or drifting to sleep. To think Jongho wanted to work together had your head spinning. “When did he say this?”

Wooyoung loaded a celebrity news article on his tablet and played the clip from 'Kim Young Chul's Power FM' SBC radio show that morning. You recognized the host's voice immediately. Most mornings you listened to the broadcast during your workout but today had been a rare miss after the radio had finally died after many years of faithful service. What a time to have lost out on the exciting news live.

Before the day was out you had heard from Jongho's agency and when your reaction to the offer was positive, a call later came from the idol. Despite his fame, you were already impressed he was not too full of himself to handle some of the business on his own. Within a week you were meeting for lunch, and even after years in the industry, you were not jaded enough to be unimpressed by his presence. Every bit of the charisma he exhibited on stage was magnified up close and you were entranced. It helped that Jongho did seem as professional and grounded as his image suggested and you got along well from the start.

When time came to record together, it only seemed natural to have a celebratory dinner together afterward. It felt like a date the way Jongho opened the car door and you could easily see falling for the well-mannered man if you gave it a chance. A visible closeness developed over your time working alongside each other and it was remarked upon by many who had seen you in the studio huddled over work, talking, whispering, and laughing. It also did not go unnoticed by the celebrity sites as each duet taping appearance was followed by a meal out and a willingness to pose for cameras as a couple.

Those pictures were becoming a source of friction with Wooyoung. Lately your assistant and friend did seem more affectionate than usual as if overcompensating for the attention you were receiving elsewhere. Wooyoung was always on the touchy side, but this was a new level. It almost felt competitive and you noticed it happened particularly after you would catch him glowering at his phone, scanning news items about you and Jongho, often depicted with arms around each other.

His motivation bewildered you. If Wooyoung had ever shown interest the way you had always hoped it would have made a little sense to seem jealous. You could not figure him out but was not about to turn down the extra cuddliness feeding your soul.

Wooyoung also found new reasons to be together outside work hours in addition to the usual friend activities. When you mentioned wanting to up your fitness routine, Wooyoung had taken it upon himself to join you in jogs around the city on weekends. The bonus time with him as you ran or talked on a bench together during breaks made you appreciate your best friend all the more.

After one afternoon's activity, you were hot and sticky by the time you returned to his apartment for a rest before heading home. Impulsively you rinsed your chest while you were in the bathroom then fessed up once back on the couch together. “I hope you don't mind but I used your bath towel to dry.”

“That's fine, was the hand towel too wet for your hands?”

“No,” you sheepishly admitted. “I splashed some water then dabbed my chest a little because I felt just so sweaty and gross.”

“I will never look at that towel the same again.”

You struggled to catch his meaning but you hoped you had not lost your friend. “Sorry, that was wrong of me to treat your things as my own.”

“No, no. I was thinking I don't ever want to wash it because every time I look at it I will think of your body pressed up against it.” A dreamy look overtook his features.

Okay. You were stunned by his honesty. Wooyoung had always been like this with his mouth running far ahead of his judgement but it still could take you by surprise sometimes. “When I use your bathroom and see your bath towel I don't think about all the places on your body it has been.”

“I would not mind if you did,” he offered with a hinting grin.

Of course! It was not truth but teasing. How could you have thought it was anything else? Wishful thinking on your part. Playfully swatting at his shoulder, you could not help but call him names. “You jokester!”

“But I am your jokester.”

You wished he would not say things like that, especially when it was delivered so believably. It was not that you were offended, but the teasing made your heart long for it to be true that Wooyoung was yours. Needing to get out of there before the tears in your eyes fell, you quickly announced, “I have to go.”

Ignorant of your pain, he wanted to remain in your presence a while longer. “There is nothing on the schedule tonight. Stay for a movie? I'll order in, whatever you like.” He really was too good to you. Boyfriend material. If only.

Back to him, hiding your face, you hurriedly slipped into your shoes, ready to head out the door. “No, I have another date tonight with Jongho.”

“You have been seeing a lot of him.” The tone was abrupt.

“Yes, I like him very much. He is teaching me golf tomorrow too.” Thankfully you avoided the sniffle that threatened to betray your emotional state.

“Ah.” If only you had turned you could have seen the way Wooyoung deflated at the thought of Jongho's arms around you on the golf course helping teach the sport. It was a move right out of the dramas he filmed. “Okay, have fun.” The words said one thing but his tepid attitude disagreed.

The regular outings with Jongho continued up until his tour kicked off. You were now on the final leg and at each stop you were appearing as a special guest for the encore. One of the benefits of being an independent artist under your own management was there was nobody to reign you in when you chose to save money and share a hotel room with your manager. Wooyoung did not have to be there but he had insisted and of course you had no complaint. There were two beds of course, but sharing a room itself felt very intimate.

As you unpacked on your bed Wooyoung declared he was going to get a feel for the building and locate the fitness center and pool. You finished the work easily while he was out then settled in on the bed you had chosen. Picking up the phone you answered the latest text from Jongho, an in-joke making you laugh. You were about to send him a selfie in return when Wooyoung called out from the other side of the door.

“Let me in, my hands are full.”

“I'm coming, I'm coming. Did you lose your keycard already?”

Upon opening the door you were met with a hopping Wooyoung who looked miserable with both hands cupped under a small mountain of ice. “I need to cool the soda I have in my bag and once I spotted the ice machine I didn't want to make a return trip.”

“Wait, you just grabbed ice because the idea popped into your head? Get in here and let me get the bucket for you. What were you thinking?” Shaking your head you added, “I know, you weren't. You are so impulsive, Wooyoung.”

“But you love that about me, right?”

He was completely correct, but you were not about to let on and have him lord it over you any more than he already did. Once the bucket was filled you commented, “Your hands must be frozen. Here, I learned learned this trick in camping class.”

Wooyoung's eyes watched in disbelief as you hiked up your shirt partway, showing you could be impulsive yourself. He was even more confused when you reached for his hands, delivering them to your stomach. Scandalized, Wooyoung yelped, “I can't do that.”

“Quiet. You can. I want to do this for you and it is one of the best ways to warm up.” It was hard not to jump at the chilly sensation as he turned his hands back and forth to regain heat.

“Your skin is so soft,” he marveled. You felt his now returning to normal hands meandering up your chest. Catching himself, he withdrew from under the shirt and began to apologize. “I let my feelings get the better of me. You belong to another. He's a star and I cannot compete with that.”

“Belong? That is a strong word.” Gently you turned Wooyoung back to you as he shrunk back in shame. “He is an idol, it is true, but he is not you.” The warmth of your smile made Wooyoung melt as he listened. “Jongho and I aren't dating. It started out that way when he showed an interest. A few of the dates were real but I decided we were better as friends. We do get along great but being seen together lately has only been for the sake of promotion. The dinners out are great publicity. I mean he should be right for me in every way with the manners of a gentleman, perfect voice, and dreamy looks....”

“You don't have to go on, I get it.” There was a hesitant sound of relief in his usually exuberant voice. Wooyoung wanted explicit clarification. “But, you said you are not dating?”

“Yeah, even the golf lesson was in aid of my career. I told him the trouble I was having getting permission to cover a song from another agency so he shared his best tip. Apparently most of the executives love golf and playing with them is a great opportunity to charm them into lending song rights.” Now it was your turn to think over what you had heard. “And you said feelings, what exactly do you mean?”

Wooyoung looked at you questioningly then firmly as he stated, “I love you, I always have.” The earnest way he said it made your heart jump. “I never hid that, but you haven't ever shown you wanted me back. Yet here I am because I could not stay away.”

Stunned, some clarification was needed because you thought you would have recalled something as life-altering as previous declarations of undying love from the man you had been hopelessly crushing on for years so you said as much.

“Every time you downplayed my feelings. I asked you to prom as my date and you shot me down with, 'I did not know people went as friends.' Saying we should move in together was met with the idea for a house big enough for two families.” Years of frustration was evident in his voice. He ended on a plea, “All the times you heard me say, 'I love you,' you never really believed. Please listen to me now.”

His confession was exactly what you wanted to hear, but it was difficult to go from surprise to joy. “Everybody loves their friends. You never used the words to let me know you really liked me that way. You could have clarified when I had it all wrong protecting my heart.” An involuntary step closer brought you in arm's range of Wooyoung who gave you the reassuring hug needed in the moment. “I did not want to make a fool of myself assuming it was a romantic offer, could not imagine you saw me that way no matter how much I longed for it. We could have been together for years if you had just corrected me.” The way he stroked your head helped you calm down from the sense of missed opportunities.

“And chance losing my best friend? Our platonic relationship has been the best thing in my life and I was not about to press, then or now. How was I supposed to know you were dense rather than disinterested?” Now that jab sounded more like the bold Wooyoung you knew and loved.

You slid your hands around his shoulders. “Well I would like to ask for a change. May I kiss you?”

Wooyoung lit up with a smile brighter than you had ever seen and drew his lips close. For all the years of yearning on both sides he still managed a sweet first kiss over a hungry one. The second held the promise of more. Drawing back to gauge your reaction, he was pleased by your pleasantly dazed look.

“I could do with more of that,” was all you could manage to say.

Before Wooyoung reached your lips again you halted him. “There is something we must do first.”

“I already have condoms if you want to go that far,” Wooyoung hopefully offered.

“Good, because yes, we will be needing them. I do want you with years' worth of built-up desire. But, actually, something else is on my mind.”

“Anything for you, just ask. I am yours to command.”

You almost swooned. Wooyoung at your beck and call was heady stuff. “As much as I want to go further with you more than anything else at this moment, there is something nagging at me. Your hands were bare in the ice machine, I take it? You came back with a double handful so it doesn't seem like you used the scoop. That was so unsanitary.”

Wooyoung's mouth hung open. “So, if I go back with the ice bucket this time and take out the ice around where I grabbed, will that satisfy your complaint?”

“Would you, please? Then my mind can get back to us.”

He let out a pent-up breath while running a hand through his hair. “I said I am yours to command and if this is the knight's quest you have set for me to win your heart I will meet the challenge.” Bucket still in hand, he dumped the current contents into the sink ready to fulfill the challenge.

You laughed, “You have my heart unreservedly already. Just fix your mistake then come back and ravish me.”

“That I can do, I will indeed.” With a peck to your cheek he was off leaving you to run around the hotel room, flop on one of the beds, and yell into the pillow, “He loves me back!” On his return, the night proceeded as you both had hoped. In time, Jongho even became a good friend to Wooyoung as well and was happy to sing for your wedding, just as you did for him in return when the time came.

Wooyoung Masterlist

General Masterlist

#ATEEZ #ATEEZ Fanfic #Kpop Fanfic #Jung Wooyoung #ATEEZ Wooyoung #Wooyoung #Gender Neutral Reader #friends to lovers #cross posted on ao3 #mutual pining #It was a rare day off #Wooyoung x reader #Wooyoung x you #diverseinsertknet

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