Chapter Text
"I swear, I only looked away for two seconds," Seonghwa said, dragging his hands down his face. "Two. And apparently, that's all it takes for a customer's kid to decide the ice cream machine is a personal climbing wall."
Wooyoung snorted from where he was sprawled across Seonghwa's couch, half-eaten bag of chips resting on his chest. "So, what you're saying is you got fired by a seven-year-old."
"Technically," Seonghwa muttered, "I got fired by my manager. But yes, because of the seven-year-old."
Wooyoung grinned. "Iconic."
"Tragic," Seonghwa corrected. "Rent's due in a week, tuition right after that, and my savings account currently contains... hang on." He pulled out his phone, tapped twice, and groaned. "Twelve dollars and a movie theater gift card."
"Rich man."
Seonghwa threw a pillow at him, which Wooyoung caught effortlessly. "I'm serious, Woo. I can't fall behind this semester. If I can't pay, they'll put a hold on my classes. Again."
Wooyoung's teasing softened into concern. He sat up, brushing crumbs from his shirt. "Okay, okay. Don't panic yet. You just need something quick, flexible, and not soul-crushing."
"That's a pretty short list," Seonghwa sighed.
Wooyoung grinned, suddenly proud of himself. "Babysitting."
Seonghwa blinked. "Babysitting?"
"Yeah. That's what I do," Wooyoung said, as if were the most obvious answer in the world. "It's easy, the pay's actually decent, and most of the parents are chill. Plus, you're responsible and look like someone's parents would trust with their children."
"I—thank you?"
Wooyoung leaned forward, already scrolling through his phone. "I can ask around. One of the moms I work for said her friend's looking for someone new. Big house, good pay, minimal chaos. Might be perfect for you."
Seonghwa hesitated. "I've never watched kids before."
"That's okay," Wooyoung said. "You've survived living with me for three years. That's basically advanced training."
Seonghwa laughed, despite himself. "That's not the comfort you think it is."
"Just trust me." Wooyoung tapped out a message and looked up. "There. I told her about you. You'll probably hear back tomorrow."
Seonghwa stared at him, both skeptical and grateful. "If this actually works, I'll buy you dinner for a week."
Wooyoung grinned wide. "I'll hold you to that," he said as he tossed the empty chip bag toward the trash can and missed by several feet. "Okay," he said, "so you're officially unemployed. But look on the bright side—you finally have time to finish that history paper."
Seonghwa groaned into the couch cushion. "Don't remind me. I'm still halfway thought the thesis section."
"Halfway is better than the zero percent I've written for my sociology essay," Wooyoung said proudly, stretching out across the carpet like a cat. "San keeps promising to quiz me on it, but every time he shows up, we end watching a movie instead."
"You two and your 'study sessions,'" Seonghwa teased, making air quotes. "Do you ever actually study?"
"Sometimes," Wooyoung said with mock seriousness. "Like once. Last semester."
Seonghwa smiled. "He seems good for you, though."
"He is," Wooyoung admitted, eyes softening. "He drives me crazy, but in the good way. He makes everything less boring."
"That's saying something coming from you."
"Exactly." Wooyoung grinned, then nudged Seonghwa's knee with his foot. "What about you? Any romantic disasters lately?"
"Not unless you count my GPA."
"That's tragic enough," Wooyoung said with a laugh. "Maybe your mysterious babysitting employer will have a cute single neighbor."
"Please don't jinx me," Seonghwa said, laughing. "I just need a job, not another reason to get distracted."
"fine, fine," Wooyoung said, pretending to zip his lips. "But when you end up in some rich guy's mansion with a perfect kitchen and his adorable kid drawing you pictures, I'm saying I told you so."
Seonghwa shook his head. "You really think everything turns into a rom-com."
"It's not my fault life imitates art," Wooyoung said with a dramatic sigh, then glanced at the clock on Seonghwa's microwave. "Oh, wow. It's almost one."
Seonghwa followed his gaze, surprised. The night had slipped away quietly, wrapped in laughter and the hum of small talk. "You staying over?"
"Obviously." Wooyoung grabbed the spare blanket from the armchair and kicked off his hsoes. "Your couch misses me."
Seonghwa smiled, leaning back. "Fine. But you're making breakfast."
"Deal."
The apartment fell into a comfortable hush, the kind only close friends could share. Outside, the city lights blinked through the blinds, soft and steady.
"Hey, Hwa?" Wooyoung murmured from the couch, already half-asleep.
"Yeah?"
"You're gonna be fine," he said, voice fading. "You always are."
Seonghwa watched him drift off, a small, grateful smile tugging at his lips. "I hope, you're right."
The clock ticked softly in the quiet apartment, marking the end of one day and the start of whatever came next.