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

Chapter 9: Embers Glowing

By the time the fire was roaring, the stars had fully come out. The team had dragged every bench, log, and snack cooler they could find into a circle around the pit. Flames crackled, casting golden light across flushed cheeks and reflecting in bright eyes.

JL was still in his apron, though he'd pushed the sleeves up. His hair was a little mussed from the heat of the kitchen, and his face was bright, but not flushed, not yet.

Woongki, however, had already descended into inebriation.

"I'm not drunk," he slurred, lying dramatically across a log like it was a fainting couch. "I'm just relaxed at a molecular level."

Shuaibo snorted. "You've had two drinks."

"Two strong drinks," Woongki countered. "My ancestors are watching me. They're embarrassed."

Kyungho leaned back, sipping from a tin cup. "Your ancestors are probably used to this by now."

Woongki wagged a finger at him. "Careful, or I'll propose again." 

Juwon nearly spit his drink out. "Again?"

"It's a recurring threat," Kyungho said dryly.

Jeongwoo offered Woongki a marshmallow on a stick. "Eat something before you start serenading the raccoons."

Woongki took the marshmallow and immediately tried to toast it over the flame with his bare hands.

"MITIGATE THAT IDIOT," Shuaibo yelled.

JL rushed forward with a dish towel and wrapped Woongki's fingers. "You good?"

"My prince," Woongki whispered.

Han, seated beside JL, rolled his eyes. But he didn't move.

Earlier: the drinks had appeared after Coach turned in for the night.

Chih En had disappeared sometime during cleanup, and no one had noticed until he returned, completely poker-faced, carrying a box from the trunk of the bus.

"Is that --   ?" Jeongwoo squinted.

Chih En set the box down. He opened it to reveal the gleam of aluminum cans and bottles. "Beer. Soju. Some fruit wine." 

Woongki stared. "You were holding out on us?"

"You never asked," Chih En said.

Juwon clapped him on the back. "You sneaky little legend." 

Chin En shrugged, saying quietly, "I like surprising people." He tossed Han a beer, who caught it.

"Consider me surprised." Kyungho was already opening a can, the little pop and fizz mixing with the sound of wood crackling.

 

***

Steven didn't drink much, just enough to feel warm. He sat across the fire from JL and Han, watching them more than watching the flames. Han, whose expression had softened. JL, whose laugh got quieter the more he drank.

Steven couldn't put his finger on what bothered him. Just that he noticed every time JL tilted toward Han to say something. Noticed every time Han didn't pull away.

He took another sip, letting the heat warm him on the way down.

Woongki eventually slipped sideways and curled into a blanket. "I'm not sleeping with Coach," he murmured. "He talks in his sleep. He says stats."

Kyungho, stretching beside him, yawned. "We can crash on the bus."

"You're my hero."

"You're drooling."

"Shhh. Let it happen."

They wandered off together, arm-in-arm like it was prom night.

One by one, the group thinned. Shuaibo went to shower. Juwon and Jeongwoo disappeared to check on gear. Steven retreated indoors with a muttered goodnight.

JL and Han were alone. The fire had died down to glowing embers. The world was quiet. JL leaned back on his palms, looking up at the stars. 

Han watched him for a long, long time.

"Still not tipsy?" Han asked finally. 

JL smiled. "Nah, I'm warm now from the alcohol though. You buzzed?" 

Han shrugged. "Maybe a little."

JL tilted his head, curious. "You loosen up when you drink." 

Han raised an eyebrow. "Is that bad?"

"No. It's... nice."

Han looked away, but not far. The firelight made JL look golden. 

The wind ruffled his hair and made the flames waver, and Han could still hear the echo of his laugh from earlier. Something in his chest began to flicker, like the flames in the bonfire.

[Your comments and votes each chapter mean the world and support this story. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter! ✩✩✩ - Martiné]