Running to You | Park Han + JL + Steven | Haneulz + Stejay AU

Chapter 8: Room for Trouble

The lodge had clearly been designed for function over luxury. It was clean, minimalist, and rustic in the way that said, "You're here to train, not relax and the wifi sucks." Twin beds, wood-paneled walls, one desk per room.

JL stood in the narrow hallway, clutching his duffel bag, blinking at the whiteboard where Coach Yang had scribbled out room assignments with a dying marker.

Room 1: Han & Kyungho
Room 2: Jeongwoo & Juwon
Room 3: Chih En & Shuaibo
Room 4: Woongki & Coach
Room 5: JL & Steven

"Wait," Woongki said dramatically, pointing a perfectly moisturized hand at the board. "Why do I get Coach?"

"Because you wouldn't stop singing for four hours and now no one wants to room with you," Juwon replied.

"And you threatened to interview everyone at 3AM," Jeongwoo added helpfully.

"I am a content creator," Woongki snapped. "My art is misunderstood."

JL looked at the board again. Room 5: JL & Steven.

Oh.

Steven, who was behind him, slung his bag over one shoulder. "Looks like you're stuck with me, rookie." 

JL turned, trying to keep his face neutral. "That's... cool! I mean, no problem! Looking forward to it!" 

Steven smirked. "You're a terrible liar."

From across the hall, Han had stopped moving. Just stood there, unreadable. 

Woongki noticed first. "Oooooh, Han looks like he wants to redraw that board himself."

"I think someone's jealous," Juwon sang. 

Jeongwoo chuckled. "Coach might've been trying to start drama." 

Han said nothing, picked up his bag, and walked into his assigned room with Kyungho.

"Say nothing," Woongki whispered. "Just let the tension feed us."

After an hour of unpacking and a snack break (where Woongki stole Shuaibo's chips and claimed diplomatic immunity), Coach clapped his hands together in the common room.

"Alright. Duty assignments for the weekend." Groans.

"No complaints," Coach said. "This is a team-building retreat, not a vacation." He flipped a page on his clipboard.

"Cooking crew: Han and JL."

JL blinked. Han looked up slowly from the corner, where he was sipping tea like it was his only lifeline.

Coach continued. "Both of you know how to cook. Don't even bother lying, it's on your university profiles. You'll handle all meals starting tonight. Woongki can assist with plating if he doesn't set anything on fire."

Woongki pouted. "Rude."

"Unloading team: Kyungho, Juwon, and Jeongwoo. There's still equipment in the back of the bus. You'll haul it up to the supply shed and you will set it up during scrims and sessions."

Kyungho nodded. Juwon muttered something about child labor laws.

"Firewood team: Woongki and Shuaibo. You two are in charge of gathering dry branches before sunset for the bonfire."

"I'm not touching bugs," Woongki declared.

"You will if you want s'mores," Shuaibo said flatly.

"Okay, fine. But if I get bitten by a spider, I'm haunting this forest."