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

Chapter 26: Regionals | Day 2

During the second day of Regionals, everyone still showed up on time. Still tied their spikes with practiced rhythm. Still stretched, still checked their event schedules, still smiled when the cameras passed. But there was a tension hanging in the air, barely there but impossible to miss if you knew what to look for.

JL and Han hadn't had any chances to talk throughout the Regionals. Not really. Han had just given him a nod during warm-up. Radiating that unreadable energy he carried when something was bothering him but he hadn't decided if it was worth saying out loud.

Steven kept to himself too. Not in a cold way, just... measured. Controlled. JL knew what that meant.

JL had been like that for most of his life: calm on the outside, spiraling inward where no one could see.

Kyungho

The PA system crackled to life with an electronic whine. The High Jump was the first track event to start the day, and Kyungho's name was called. 

Even standing still, Kyungho looked like he belonged in a sculptor's studio -- tall, carved, immaculately built. He was all long lines and smooth muscle, the kind of proportions that seemed genetically engineered to break records. His hair, damp with sweat, fell perfectly in place, and his expression remained calm, focused, almost gentle -- as if he didn't realize he was currently melting half the stadium.

He was the reigning high jump champion across all university leagues, and it showed. Effortless control. Ridiculous height and build. Quiet confidence. Standing next to Woongki, who was lounging dramatically near the pole vault sector, the two looked like total opposites. 

Kyungho cleared his first bar perfectly. The crowd reacted like someone had fired a confetti cannon.

@kyunghology: kyungho's face says "soft," but his body says "can bench press your boyfriend" #hyunglineforever

@ksutrackcore: look at those ridiculous proportions. he isn't even trying to be hot and ITS RUINING MY LIFE #kyunghothings

@knsu_legends: every time kyungho jumps i feel like i'm being baptized

* * *

JL didn't even realize he was fidgeting. 

Until Steven reached out and touched the back of his hand -- barely. Just a brush. 

"You're fidgeting. You're making even me nervous. And my event is up next."

Steven kept his tone light and relaxed. He just left his hand there for a second longer than necessary.

JL's breath caught. The contact was brief, harmless to anyone watching -- but not to him. His skin tingled where Steven's fingers had grazed it. His whole body felt like it had narrowed to that single point of touch. His thoughts, scattered. Messy. Too aware. Too alive. There was a spark that shot down his spine, a ridiculous, involuntary jolt that left him staring blankly at the ground. Why did it feel like that? Why did he feel like this?

He bit the inside of his cheek and tried to steady his pulse. Not now. Not here.

Across the track, Han saw it. He had been adjusting the laces on his shoes, half-listening to the banter nearby, when his eyes lifted -- and caught the exact moment Steven's fingers brushed JL's.

It was nothing. But it wasn't nothing.

Han's eyes narrowed. He didn't react right away, just stared as JL blinked down at his hand like it had betrayed him. Steven leaned away with the ease of someone who knew exactly what kind of impact he left behind. It hit Han low in his chest -- that hot, slow twist of jealousy he didn't know how to name out loud.