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

Chapter 43: A Declaration of War

The Zhang family's limousine pulled up to the private rooftop ballroom of the Huánglóng Hotel like it was dropping off royalty. Because, well, it kind of was.

The KNSU track team spilled out one by one, dressed in the sleek black-on-black suits Shuaibo had arranged for them through a designer he claimed "owed him a favor." JL tugged at the collar of his fitted jacket. Steven rolled his neck to loosen his shoulders. Chih En, walking behind them, looked unbothered and pristine. 

"Do we know how to smile rich yet?" Woongki asked, tucking a silver chain beneath his collar. "Like, should I smirk or pout?"

Shuaibo didn't break stride. "Just remember the rule: stand like you own the room, even if you don't have money to pay rent."

The ballroom shimmered. Floor-to-ceiling glass. A skyline that looked like a sci-fi movie. Sponsors, journalists, and tech magnates all swirling around elegant buffets and gold-trimmed champagne.

The moment the team entered, cameras clicked.

"Is that the Korean national sprint team?" someone whispered in Mandarin.

"Is that the viral one?" someone else said. "The one with the duality king?"

JL flushed under the lights.

Within minutes, the team was scattered in small groups, each member surrounded by sponsors or reporters. Shuaibo floated through the room with a diplomat's ease, and Chih En, in a dark velvet suit, stunned the crowd into hushed reverence.

"Is he from a drama?" someone asked aloud, gawking at Jeongwoo.

Steven stayed close to JL, quiet but present, nodding politely when people asked questions or offered to exchange business cards.

Then Han appeared.

Not from across the room. No. From nowhere. Like a jealous shadow summoned by proximity.

He stepped between them and slid effortlessly into the seat beside JL just as Steven was reaching for it.

"Wasn't this seat open?" Steven said coolly.

"It was," Han replied without looking at him. "Now it's not."

JL blinked. "Um... hi?"

Han passed him a drink. "Ginger ale. You don't drink during public events, remember?"

Steven narrowed his eyes. "I already got him one."

Han smiled tightly. "Now he has two."

Woongki, across the room, noticed.

And immediately texted the group chat.

[Team Chat]

Woongki: oh my god is han trying to alpha-block steven rn
Jeongwoo: did you see how he just stole steven's seat? real smoooth
Kyungho: someone grab popcorn
Shuaibo: he's pulling out all the 'cold rich heir' tricks. honestly, props

Steven excused himself to talk to a sponsor. JL relaxed into his chair. Han did not.

When JL tried to get up for dessert, Han stood too. When JL smiled at a fan asking for a selfie, Han leaned in and also posed, jawline sharp, like they were a pre-existing couple.

When JL laughed at something Steven said later by the buffet, Han walked over and dropped a linen napkin onto JL's plate.

"You had sauce on your sleeve."

"I -- what?"

"It's gone now."

Steven stared at Han like he wanted to dropkick him off the rooftop.

Han looked back, completely unfazed.

* * * 

By the end of the night, the team was buzzing with theories.

Juwon clutched Chih En's sleeve. "I think we're watching a drama in real time."

Jeongwoo murmured, "There's so much tension. Like, actual romantic combat."

Woongki was already halfway through drafting a meme thread titled "Han's Cold War: An Analysis."

Online, the fans weren't faring any better.

@knsu_stalker: someone tell han this isn't a joseon drama where you can claim someone by cutting their fruit

@Stehanjay: #Haneulz are dead #SteJay is thriving but HAN IS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE

@fangirlmeli: i don't care what happens, i just want someone to look at me the way han watches jl 

JL, exhausted, stepped away from the crowd to get some air on the terrace.

Han followed. Of course he did.

"Why are you doing this?" JL asked.

Han shrugged. "Doing what?"

JL looked pointedly at him.

"I saw the video," Han said.

"I figured."

Silence.

"You kissed him," Han said, quiet now. "You let him."

JL didn't answer. Didn't deny it.

Han stepped closer. "Are you going to kiss him again?"

JL looked away. That was answer enough.

Han exhaled. He wasn't done fighting.

Not even close.