↬ track field.

@⁰¹ seokwoo k. /its all over in a second, the "oof" that leaves me isnt from my back hitting the ground but instead from landing in a pair of arms that i dont recognize, but immediately i feel safe in them
/but its all a blur, im barely even aware of whats happening as everyone's asking me whats wrong and if im okay, eventually im back on my feet
/in the rush of everything, everyone asking me if im okay and im nodding so much that my ponytail comes loose, hair falling down in a bit of a mess, my hair tie lost somewhere in the grass
im fine!
im fine, i promise!
i think i did something wrong, im so sorry--
/in the midst of me apologizing, i hear murmurs about who caught me, and i realize it couldnt have been anyone here, so im left looking around, pushing my hair out of my eyes
/but there's no one left, just some people who were running track, including you, leaving the field and it makes me wonder who swooped in to save me
did anyone see who it was...?
i wanna thank whoever it was...
/trailing off, there's almost a little pout on my lips when the others are shaking their head, just as clueless as i am as to who saved me, so im just left looking off toward everyone's retreating figures
"come on felix, lets go to the nurse."
really, im okay, i dont wanna be the cause of us stopping--
"shush, we're a team. c'mon."
/and with that im ushered off the field and toward the nurse's office, all the while trying to think of a way to figure out who helped me, but the only thing i can think of is definitely not going to help me any time soon

@⁰¹ felix l. /catching bit of the cheer team's conversation each time i run around the race track i'm not listening all that much and instead focusing on just working on my stamina
/i can run fast but i prefer cross country style, its tiring just to watch or so i've been told, how many laps i can do i'm unsure since i always lose track and just enjoy myself
/i'm slightly distracted when i see you going up so high, even if you're just standing on hands and shoulders, its impressive
/slowing eventually when i finish up, using my shirt to wipe the sweat from my forehead and i tug at the material as it clings a bit
"rowoon! c'mon, showers are free, hurry!"
coming
/calls back to one of the other track teammates of mine, looking from them to the cheer squad again, only to see disaster unfolding slowing in front of my eyes
/without thinking i race forward and push past people, catching you in my arms and grunting a little as i take on your sudden weight, stumbling a bit but you're in no danger of hitting the ground now
"whoa where did he come from?"
"felix are you okay?!"
"someone take him to the nurse just in case!"
/i can't really hear the others as i find myself in a sudden situation like this, blinking before i set you down carefully and dip my head, pulling my hands back
/slipping away among the crowd as everyone worries about you i jog off without looking back, you're fine and it's all that matters honestly

@⁰¹ seokwoo k. /its just practice, so really i shouldnt be nervous over everything right now but i am new after all, especially to the cheer team, and i want to make a good impression
/my hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail, blonde locks long enough to be pulled back save for my bangs which fall prettily over my eyes
/at least until i nudge them out of my vision to focus on the drills and stretches we're supposed to be doing before actual practice
i swear im not usually this stiff.
im much better, promise!
/laughs as i pull myself into a stretch that most people cant do, im not even trying to brag about it either, it just feels natural to me
/today is one of the few days that i hadnt put makeup on to cover my freckles, a fact that im still on the fence about but i figured it would be better than sweating all the makeup off in the end
/but the sun is shining, and other than the cheer team there's a few people running on the track around the greens we're in, figuring some fresh air would be good for warming up and the like
"hey, felix is pretty small, maybe he could be a flyer?"
"yeah, or we can at least try to see how it goes?"
m-me?
/my eyes go wide and i point at myself, blinking as i look between everyone but they all seem eager, and i cant really argue with them, so i nod in agreement
/and honestly, all goes well, we do a few drills where im up in the air, nothing with me being thrown yet, but im partially glad for that
/but its another time i go up, firm grips on my ankles, that i feel my balance waver, and im slipping, the hands are slipping from around my ankles, and its terrifying because suddenly im going down
/losing my form, i try to grip at anyone i can, fully expecting to slam into the ground since everyone seems to be just as surprised as i am that im suddenly falling toward the ground

@⁰¹ taeyang c. "I'm not sure if I'm leaping at the thought of you seeing me plastered," He admitted with a grin, knowing all too well how he got when drinking. Clingy, chatty, all quite the opposite of the way in which he tried to conduct himself. If his new friend saw him like that all the while he was sober, it would certainly be the end of...whatever they were trying to foster here. "I don't want you running for the hills just yet." Inevitably, though, Seungcheol knew how things would end. People disappeared from his life like it was second nature, unwilling to take the time needed to break down his barriers. And yet with Taeyang, he couldn't help but want to keep him around. "Waters are fine, then. What kinds of meats did you want?"

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. It was weird to him to see Seungcheol wanting to cheer him up. It was not like the older was obligated to do so. They had a sort of companionship but he wasnt sure where it started and where it ended, so it made it more confusing in his head to figure out what was acceptable and what was not. Did cheering each other up a part of it? And the older didnt even know what was bothering him in the first place. Although he had to admit, he was touched by his thoughtfulness.

He took a seat across from the older and looked around. Seeing the place was filled, he figured the place must serve good food. "I am fine with just water. But you can go ahead and drink if you want to." He didnt know if the drink entailed alcohol but it was upto what the older preferred anyway.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. Such a gesture seemed to only have an opposite effect, genuine smile twitching up at the edges of his forced one. Taeyang already could see right through him, couldn't he? Perhaps that was the problem with having such a kinship with the boy before him, odd familiarity seeping into all they did. "Right," He responded simply, such a request only putting him more at ease as they walked to their table. "You just...to me... It would be nice, if I could cheer you up." Sure, Seungcheol's personality didn't scream sunshine and rainbows, and he often didn't even think about others while stuck in his own world... but once he chose to get close to someone, all he wanted was to do right by them. And Taeyang wasn't any different, only hoping that a night out would be enough to soothe his tired psyche. "Do you want any drinks?"

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. Taeyang simply followed the other's lead since it was Seungcheol who was treating him to food and it only made sense he would know where they were going. He nodded and walked inside with the other but stopped and tugged at the older's sleeves to stop him before fully entering inside. "Just be yourself. If you try too hard to be cheerful for my sake, i think it will make things more awkward for us. I prefer sincerity over everything else. And as long as you are, i will enjoy your company." Taeyang did not want the older trying too hard to cheer him up because it would show and he would be focusing on that too much which in turn would make him think about the thing he didnt want to. He let go of the older's sleeves and hoped he didnt get offended by his request. "Lets get food now. The smell of all the meat is making my stomach complain." He patted his tummy which was making weird noises now that the smell of food was taking over his senses.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. Not willing to push what seemed like such a sensitive subject Seungcheol simply nodded, hand reaching over to gently pat the smaller on the back in a small form of comfort. "Later," He promised, leading the other boy down the street a bit longer until reaching a korean barbeque place. "In here...some good food and a soju or two will ease a worried mind, I promise you that." As much as Seungcheol's natural curiosity plagued him he conceded for the time being, instead just making it his goal to cheer his newfound companion up. Easier said than done from a boy who never smiled, he thought, having to push himself a little harder to look happier around the other boy. "Anything you'd like, on me."

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. Taeyang could only blink for the first few seconds, his eyes wandering around to figure out where they had reached and quickly shook his head. "This isnt the right place" He had kept everything locked up till now, doing everything to stop himself from thinking about it but if he said it out now, he wasnt sure how good or bad he would handle it. And a public place certainly wasnt where he wanted to find out. "Lets just eat for now." He did want to talk to someone but he was afraid too. What if the older thought he was too childish and that he wasnt the nice and good person Seungcheol thought of Taeyang as. What if Seungcheol didnt like that version of him and walked away. Wasnt it better not to talk about it? The older didnt even know anything about him except for his name. Wouldnt telling him about his heartbreak be too much for a friendship(?) that just started? His mind was back to overthinking and he had to push it away before it consumed him. "Where are we going?" He decided to change the topic for now.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. The gentle ribbing of the other made Seungcheol let out a playful scoff, knowing all too well how he needed such things if he wanted to ever properly beat Taeyang in a race. And yet in the course of only a few days, his goal had shifted so far away from that goal. If he won, if he lost, it was all okay knowing that he'd have a friend rooting for him through it. "Please, everyone's more interesting than they say they are," He spoke up again, realizing just how little he knew about the boy in front of him. "We can start with something basic, like...your major?" In the space between conversation Seungcheol found himself all too at ease, something not common when around others. And yet, something about Taeyang made him relax...

He didn't even notice the empty time between the two until the smaller bumped into him, Seungcheol's face dropping a bit more as he looked at the other. Perhaps they were too similar in the way they expressed themselves, he thought, the worry plaguing the other boy so clearly seen in his eyes without any words exchanged. "Something on your mind?" He asked casually, as if he wasn't all too curious to know what was going on inside the other's head. "It does the heart good to air out your troubles, you know."

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. "You are the one who needs more energy than me. " He pointed out. "And there isnt much about me to know." He mumbled the part under his breath. Letting the silence envelop them, he walked beside Seungcheol. It was comfortable. Even with little words between them, there was no sense of awkwardness. Almost as if the silence itself was a conversation. But with the silence came the thoughts that he had been pushing aside. His luck really was the worst. He was pathetic. Who in the right mind even let his emotions dictate the choice of his education. It should have been a rational decision on his part and like a fool, he had simply chosen the path only for it to be a dead end and there was no going back. He was getting lost in his thoughts. He was sure people would find it quite pathetic if they ever found out how silly he was, how naive he was. His forehead scrunched up as thoughts kept running through his head. Now that he wasnt running or studying, his mind was quite free to go in the direction it wanted. It wasnt until he bumped into the older that he finally found his senses and blinked looking like a deer caught in headlights. It took a moment for him to realise what they were doing. "Sorry"

@⁰¹ taeyang c. "Call it whatever you'd like, if it means i get to learn about you." Seungcheol shrugged, trying to brush off the nerves that the idea of the word date even brought to the surface. This wasn't a date...people didn't go on dates with boys like Choi Seungcheol, boys who went out of their way to linger in the background shots of life. "Eat a lot, yeah? You have to get back your energy after our laps." With Seungcheol leading the way the two boys found themselves wandering into the downtown area, day turning to night before their eyes as the horizon turned a mesmerizing pink, moon already visible in the still-bright sky. "Good. It's hard when there's nothing to do on a day as nice as this," He found himself thinking aloud, enjoying the night sky and cool breeze paired with such nice company. If only most days could be more like this, more free from the worries that seemed to constantly plague him.

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. "You sound like you are taking me out on a date" Taeyang commented. It was a simple statement said without much thought. And besides he knew Seungcheol was being nice to him for helping him out. "Meat sounds nice." He did like meat quite more than the veggies. So it was a good thing for him.

"Thats fine by me. I dont have much to do anyway and having a company sounds nice." It helped him distract his thoughts. He added in his mind. So far the older's company was helping him out. Although a part of him was a little afraid that he might end up seeking Seungcheol out for the wrong reasons. He wasnt sure if the attachment would be a good thing or a bad.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. “Surprise you...” Seungcheol thought to himself as he changed, stretching out his tired muscles as he turned back to the smaller boy. “Let me take you out properly, then. I’ll buy some meat somewhere nice.” A bit bold, maybe. But the smaller did ask to be surprised...

Seungcheol smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt before looking over to the younger boy, walking out with him. “I’m done with classes, and luckily I don’t work today... I suppose you’re stuck with me for now, Taeyang. So long as that’s alright with you.”

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. "Not really. I came out only moments ago" He answered and tied his shoes before looking up but quickly averted his eyes seeing the towel drop and let the older change without him looking at him. "I am fine with anything. You can surprise me i guess." With his eyes still averted, he packed up his clothes and made sure he didnt forget anything pushing back his hair once in a while when it got in the way of his vision. It seemed it had grown a bit long and he needed to have a cut soon.

Once he was sure Seungcheol was dressed, he turned to face him. "Shall we leave? I hope you do not have any classes. If you do, we can eat together some other time" For him, studies were a priority and seeing the older was in his last year, he didnt want to be the reason he got distracted.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. Wrapping a towel around himself he soon exited the shower, beads of water dripping from his hair as he went to grab his spare clothes only to see the younger already done. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting." He spoke gently, averting his gaze so that more intrusive thoughts about the smaller's physique didn't once again leave him pink in the cheeks. "Have you decided what you want to eat?" His towel dropped to the floor as he put on his spare clothes, a simple t-shirt and shorts not unlike his gym uniform.

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. Taeyang was happy to have the hot water rain down on his sweaty skin washing it away to make him feel much cleaner and better. The stickiness leaving his body was very welcome. He took his sweet time to take the shower washing himself clean till he felt satisfied with it. It was only then that he turned off the shower and made his way outside with a towel wrapped around his waist.

He was glad he had carried extra sets of clothes today. He usually took shower back in the dorm. He let the older take his time as he slowly got dressed running his hands along his hair every once in a while. Now that he was showered, he was starting to feel a little hungry and was glad that Seungcheol had offered to buy food.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. Certainly it was normal for boys to undress in front of each other in the changing room, and yet he'd never caught a glimpse of the smaller boy before. He was more toned than Seungcheol expected, a physique perfect for a runner. And even in their tired state Taeyang was all too handsome in a way that made it hard for him to avert his eyes. "R...right..." He mumbled as he finally turned away, hoping he wasn't too shamelessly obvious with his previous leering as he stripped down himself. Shaking away his own thoughts he threw his clothes into his locker before heading to the showers, letting out a tired sigh when he felt the hot water run down his back and relieve some of the tension he didn't even know was there.

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. Taeyang gave a nod. It made sense to him that the older would want to look after him with him being the younger out of the two. He figured he would feel the same way with someone younger than him. Holding onto the bag with his free hand, he puller the older along with him and only let go of his hand once he reached the locker room. Placing the bag down on one of the benches, he didnt hesitate to pull off his shirt wanting to get rid of it as soon as possible unable to stand the way it clung to him any longer.

"I will try to be quick but i cant make any promises. You can take your time to clean up as well. " He told Seungcheol not wanting to rush the older if he was someone who took their sweet time in the shower. For someone who was known to make a mess of his room, he was quite clean when it came to his own body. With that being said, he rushed into one of the stalls.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. (ack sorry i was v much too sleepy to fix that when i wrote it aksjl-)

Seungcheol pursed his lips, a quiet contemplation before he dared speak up. "I don't mind looking after you, even if I win," He admitted candidly, not so used to speaking his mind. "Since I'm your senior and all... and well, I suppose I'm quite fond of you." Though his face didn't budge from its usual expression he hoped the smaller could still feel his sincerity. Despite what his looks may have portrayed he'd always found comfort in looking after those he cared about, even if they were few and far between.

Seungcheol took the smaller's hand graciously as he forced his tired body up again, hand finding itself all too natural when laced with his rival's own. "Right," He agreed without hesitation, letting his hand linger with the younger's as he was lead back into the gym and down to the locker room.

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. "I dont know about Taeyong but i definitely do get tired." Taeyang gave a light shrug. "You dont have to buy me food everyday. Just today is fine. I think you will win soon. You can run but your energy burns out faster than mine right now. But with enough practice, you will be able to keep up." Once he felt like his breathing had calmed down enough, he got up wanting to wash away the sweat as soon as possible. Walking to the older's side, he held out his hand for him. He figured Seungcheol must be more tired than him and could use some support.

"Come on lets go." He said with a tilt of his head watching down at the older. "The faster we get cleaned up, the better we will feel." Shower was very very tempting in that moment. It was a good thing he had no classes after so he could take his sweet time.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. Seungcheol barely stumbled out past the finish line before he keeled over, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. “Gods, Taeyong, do you never tire?” He ribbed gently, calming himself down before looking back up at the smaller. “At this rate I’ll be buying you food every day,” he thought aloud, something that oddly didn’t sound so horrible. Some nice chances to get to know the man before him sounded all too enticing.

“Just... tired.” He huffed out in response, moving a few feet to sit in the grass beside the track, soon falling to just lay down fully as his heart slowed. “Right, we should get cleaned up...”

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. Once he crossed the finish line, he stopped and bend down, his hand settling on his knees breathing hard from the run, he couldnt hear anything except the loud thudding of his heart, the burn in his lungs, his hair wet with his own sweat. If only his cheeks were capable of changing its shade, he would probably look flushed but he didnt. He tried to regulate his breathing before looking up and rubbed his hands on his chest as if in an attempt to soothe the burning sensation. It felt nice though, made him feel alive.

"Looks like you are buying me food." He managed to say to the older with his heaving breathing. He simply sat down on the track, his arms resting on his knees and wiped his hands on his forehead. "Lets rest for a while. I think we both need a shower." The way his shirt clung to his skin made him really uncomfortable at this point. "How do you feel?" He asked once his breathing felt in control.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. Another time that Seungcheol hoped that he would lose. If anyone would have told him before that the fiery determination for winning would be so greatly outnumbered by his determination to know the boy before him only a few days ago, he certainly wouldn't have believed it. And yet there he was, only thinking of questions that he'd need more courage to ask aloud. Did he have a lover? A job? A roommate? Pets? Things that he'd never even offer a response to when asked many times, and yet he felt a complete fascination with such answers now. It all made sense suddenly, the reason others liked keeping people around, the way they felt better with a twin flame by their side. Even if the younger wasn't so keen on him, he couldn't help but feel relaxed.

3. 2. 1. Seungcheol was barely focused as the other counted down, mind racing before his feet ever started along the track. His eyes closed as he rain the straights and hoped for more endurance that never came, keeping only a few paces behind the smaller despite the fatigue that he already seemed to feel. Why did he get into athletics again, he thought to himself, the burn of cool air inside his lungs only making his chest rise and fall faster.

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. "Sounds good to me" Taeyang agreed and made his way towards the start line once again, jumping on the spot a few times before readying himself. It was a nice change from running to get rid of his thoughts to running with someone else. He did realise at times that he didnt think much about the person who made his heart ache. Perhaps he did need companionship to move past all of that. He wasnt sure yet.

Getting into the position, he looked at the other making sure he was ready. "On the count of three." He said and then faced to the front before starting to count. As soon as three was said, he sprinted off. He wondered if the older could keep up considering the last time he had decided not to run when Taeyang had been doing runs. But seeing that Seungcheol happened to be passionate, maybe he could keep up. Pushing away rest of the thoughts, he focused on the finishing line that was within his reach

@⁰¹ taeyang c. Such a small glimpse into the younger's life already fascinated the other boy, cocking a brow as he thought over the other's words. They seemed to be more similar than even he first realized, he thought to himself, never being quite so great at friendships or romance even on the off occasions he tried to pursue such things. "It's easier for people to ignore what they don't understand," Seungcheol spoke up after a moment, looking over at the other boy. "Unfortunately for them, they lose out on good people like you because of it." His eyes shifted to the sky he enjoyed the perfect whether that graced them today, letting out a contented sigh. "It's refreshing that you're not like them, Taeyang."

At the risk of being too open he switched the subject, arms shaking out their jitters before eyeing the track again. "Let's go again then," a brief smile graced his stern features. "If you win, I'll buy you something good to eat. Deal?"

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. "I dont have many friends. Track is the only sport i have tried so far. And there's music club." He didnt have to think a lot considering how he didnt have much going on with his life. His love life was none and the one had wanted was all crushed and with that his want for romance in his life was no more. He decided to leave out that part. "People find it hard to approach me. And its fine by me. Never really bothered me." He gave a light shrug and took a gulp of water.

"That sounds good. And it would be nice to see your improvement first hand." It was one of those things that he wanted to see till the end, atleast to a point he could. "I will take up on that offer on food." His eyes shifted to the tint on the older's cheeks and assumed that maybe it would make him feel better if he accepted and it would save him the trouble of having think of what he wanted to eat or cook. "Let me know when and i will be there."

He looked around and placed the bottle down. "Lets race once again. It would be a good practice for you"

@⁰¹ taeyang c. "You seem like the kind that would have a lot of friends, lover, clubs, sports..." Seungcheol thought aloud, such things a far cry from himself. And as much as he wanted to selfishly take up some of that time, he couldn't help but wonder what things might take up the rest of his newfound kinship's day. The mention of graduation, though, seemed to make his face fall more that his usual resting face. It was so close, yet he still felt like he'd barely started all he wanted to do...it was just his luck though, that his senior year would be the only one that he felt close to those around him. But at least until then, it seemed he'd have Taeyang beside him... "You're always welcome to practice with me," He reassured, the other's smile starting to comfort him from his nervous thoughts as he continued. "It doesn't have to be just track either, if you want... maybe I could buy you food some time. Y-you know, as a thanks for all this..." His face felt so hot at such a suggestion, not used to reaching out to people even in such a small way.

@⁰⁴ seungcheol c. "Of course. You can't slack off after you win against me. There are many others you will have to compete with. I am your first hurdle in this." Letting his fingers run through his hair, he pushed his bangs away for some much needed breather for his forehead. "I am not really busy." He assured the older. "I did say i will help you so i will. Atleast till you graduate." He remembered that the other was in his senior year and it would not be long before he would graduate and go off and start a new chapter of his life with new people and Taeyang would have to stay behind and go on with his life. "Unless i have tests or some club activities, i will be here." He gave a small smile at the other, which he had to admit was a lot easier to show around him. Perhaps it was the feeling of comfort and ease he felt with him that the tug of his lips felt natural.
"Do you wanna race again then?" He asked before moving away to get his bottle of water from his bag.

@⁰¹ taeyang c. It was too close, Seungcheol thought to himself, his perspective already the opposite of what it was just moments prior. He had to keep loosing. But he had to keep improving, too... Certainly the situation he'd managed to get himself into, he thought with a huff. If only things were as simple with him as they were with others. If only he wasn't so terrified at the thought of showing his true thoughts. "I still have a lot to work on," He countered, taking a sip of his water. "Stamina, gaining speed at the turns, ah..." Suddenly he felt all too aware, shyly rubbing the back of his neck. "If you're busy, I can train myself. Just so long as you come back around to race me from time to time, okay?"