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

Chapter 44: A Promise

It was the next evening. 

Zhang Shuaibo had been famous before, but being personally invited to the red carpet premiere of Crimson Fire: The Untold Warlord solidified his status in China's social upper crust.

The venue was packed with celebrities, brand ambassadors, fashion designers, and more stylists than JL had ever seen in one room. Cameras flashed constantly. There was an actual, honest-to-goodness champagne wall. 

And then, into this sea of diamonds and designer shoes, entered the KNSU track team.

Dressed in all-black fitted suits, with Shuaibo at the front like a conquering general, they looked like a boy group that had somehow been forged in Olympus.

JL, in particular, made a lot of heads turn.

Feifei Nation Report Log:

@LaoFeifeiJiejie: 他的脖子线条值两个 iPhone, 我算了 (His neck line is worth two iPhones. I did the math.)

@FeifeiBudgetTeam: Feifei is 3M tall in presence. Soft face, deadly expression. A pink dumpling with a dragon's soul.

@JingdongFeifeiClub: If Feifei is dating the tall foreigner, I will respect it. But I will also break into tears and take out a loan to look that handsome.

Steven was by JL's side the entire evening. Not hovering -- just steady. Solid. He handed him water when he needed it, deflected pushy influencers, and fielded questions with quiet confidence.

But every time he tried to lean in, every time he got too close --

Han was there.

He stole the seat beside JL. Again.

He intercepted a canape Steven was about to hand him. "He doesn't like mushrooms," Han said.

JL blinked. "Actually I do -- "

Han cut him off with a shrug. "You told me you didn't."

Steven's jaw tightened. "That was last semester."

Han just turned to JL and said, low enough for only him to hear: "You'll get your kiss from me too."

JL almost choked on his drink. "What?"

Han's voice was cold. Steady. Dead serious. "You heard me."

"You're not serious."

Han's mouth twitched. "Count on it."

The Team group chat exploded. 

[Team Chat]

Woongki: DID HAN JUST THREATEN TO KISS JL?
Juwon: That was not a threat. That was a stone-cold declaration of war
Kyungho: I saw it. I witnessed history.
Jeongwoo: I'm both concerned and invested.
Chih En: (sends three emojis: a bomb going off, an explosion, and a firework)

Back inside, JL tried to breathe.

He needed a break. He wandered over to the dessert table, trying to remember how to be a functioning person.

Steven found him there.

"You okay?" he asked, voice quieter now. He was always quiet when he meant it.

JL didn't know what to say. "I think Han is losing his mind."

Steven laughed. "Yeah, well. So am I."

JL looked up at him, heart pounding for a reason that had nothing to do with cardio.

Before either of them could speak again -- 

Han reappeared.

Again.

Pulled JL's chair out for him.

Again.

And sat down right beside him. Again.

Feifei Nation Commentary:

@FeifeiIntel: Korean lion keeps blocking Australian fox. We are watching a national drama unfold. Feifei, choose wisely.

@HotpotWithFeifei: Tall angry cold boy vs tall tender warm boy. Our son Feifei is the main character of every wuxia fantasy. 

@WuxiaFeifei: Every time they argue over Feifei, my heart rate spikes and the yuan strengthens.

@Feifei_br: This tension is worth ¥2.6 billion in box office revenue. Get them on screen and create good profit.