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

Chapter 25: Regionals | Day 1

The sun was barely cresting over the stadium's edge when the KNSU Track & Field team stepped onto the grounds... and time, for a moment, seemed to pause.

Nine of them, walking side by side in matching navy-blue warmups. All sharp angles, long limbs, and effortless swagger. It should have been intimidating. It was intimidating. They looked like the final boss level of a sports anime -- one that required an entire season arc just to challenge.

JL walked near the center, head slightly ducked, hair still slightly damp from his morning shower, an anticipatory look on his elfin face. Han walked a step behind him, hands in his pockets, eyes sweeping the layout of the track with practiced focus, but every now and then, his gaze lingered. JL could feel it even without looking.

Steven, meanwhile, walked on JL's other side, arms crossed, sunglasses on. The tension between the three of them wasn't obvious at first glance, but anyone paying attention would feel it like the charged air before a lightning strike. Three bodies drawn to each other, orbiting close, never touching.

The crowd was already loud, but the volume noticeably surged as soon as the KNSU team passed the gates.

@cr8zy_maisie: THEY'RE HERE THEY'RE HERE /HYPERVENTILATES #KNSU9 #TrackKings

@janeee_9: someone get me an oxygen tank. who gave them permission to look like that in the morning

@jjangviz: han looking like a bodyguard. jl looking like he needs a bodyguard. steven looking like he is the bodyguard. help #Haneulz #SteJay

@stejaynation: no no NO because steven is always beside jl. it's giving protector boyfriend. it's giving rivals to lovers. #stejay

@shipwarscentral: #Haneulz vs #Stejay fandoms fighting already. popcorn?

The team stopped at their assigned tent, setting down their bags and stretching out. Jeongwoo immediately pulled off his warmup jacket, revealing a sleeveless top clinging to his defined arms. A collective gasp from the bleachers followed.

"Still got it," Juwon said proudly, slapping Jeongwoo's back. "You just existing is half our media mileage."

"Don't start," Jeongwoo muttered, but didn't bother putting the jacket back on.

From across the tent, JL leaned down to retie his spikes. Han's eyes flicked toward him again -- quick, measured -- but JL felt it. Every time. His fingers fumbled slightly with the laces.

Steven, arms crossed, tilted his head and muttered under his breath, "He's watching you."

JL blinked. "What?"

"Han. You noticed, right?"

JL paused. "I... I don't know."

"Mm." Steven didn't press further, but his jaw tightened slightly. "Well. I notice."

Kyungho clapped loudly to break the tension. "Alright, let's go gods. Jeongwoo, hurdles. Chih En, you're up after that. Shuaibo, warm up that arm. Juwon, don't wear out your legs before your long jump. Woongki--" 

Before he could finish, Woongki announced dramatically, "Pole vault rotation starts in an hour, so I'll be off doing that before any of you steal my thunder."