(for laotongs) heat of the moment
for: laotongs
title: heat of the moment
pairing(s): meanie
rating: PG-13
warnings: language
word count: 3,995
summary: In which Wonwoo has a lot of issues he needs to fix and Mingyu likes to catch balls.
author's note: hope you enjoy~ ^^ I apologize for any incorrect use of soccer terminology or mixing up the rules; I don't actually play
It’s easy to mistake Wonwoo and Mingyu’s competitiveness as hatred.
Their relationship at first was exactly that. The rivalry between their opposing schools was enough to create tension between them, despite the fact that both found the other to be very attractive. Even when both schools had each won a fair amount of games against each other, and the teams became friends, it took a long time before Wonwoo could throw away the rivalry and try to be get along with Mingyu.
Now, they’re each other’s best friends. Except during game time.
We’re definitely going to win tonight. Wonwoo thinks.
His steely gaze switches over from his team’s side of the field to Mingyu’s team, the Pledis Chargers. They look toned and fit, their skin glowing bronze and their muscles rippling under toughened flesh. Not a single player on the other team looks exhausted or dehydrated, as if they’ve just stepped out onto the field and haven’t been warming up for the past six minutes. Enviable, but expected. Wonwoo thinks. Our school’s too cheap to pay for training.
It’s an away game for Wonwoo’s team, but that doesn’t change anything for him. A game’s a game.
Like routine, Wonwoo scans the players. The first one he sees is Jihoon, captain of the Chargers varsity soccer team. Though pint-sized and (debatably) adorable, Jihoon’s legs blur together when he runs and he’s quick to react. No one can work the field like he does.
Next is his dribbling partner Seungkwan. Seungkwan is the loudest midfielder Wonwoo has ever met, and even though first impressions make it seem like Seungkwan can’t play for shit, he’s incredibly clever and excellent at reading the opponent. Sharp in the offensive and strong as a defensive player, Seungkwan has been on the starting lineup since his first year in high school.
Wonwoo skims past a few others that he knows, like the defenders Soonyoung and Seokmin and one of the strikers Jeonghan, until his eyes land on Mingyu, the star goalie.
Their eyes meet for a brief second after Mingyu effortlessly catches Jeonghan’s shot. A smirk creeps on Mingyu’s lips and it makes Wonwoo’s blood boil.
“Hey, cutie!” Mingyu cups his hands and yells, eyes glinting. Wonwoo stands up in shock.
“Fight me, you piece of--”
The whistle screams through the hot air. Warm up is over.
“Hustle up, kids!” Seungcheol yells, smiling. “Come on, ducklings!”
Wonwoo sends one last glare at an amused Mingyu before jogging over to the team captain.
“Seungcheol, please.” Chan cries out, embarrassed. “We’re not toddlers.”
Seungcheol winks. “Keep telling yourself that, Lee Chan.”
Everyone comes together and connects with arms thrown across backs. The atmosphere gets noticeably hotter from the close contact, and the gross smell of cleats and sweat surround the huddle. Everyone ignores it as Seungcheol licks his lips and flashes another smile.
“This is it, guys. The big game.”
Everyone nods in understanding, Wonwoo especially.
“The Chargers have been our rivals for years. This is war. We can’t lose tonight.”
A chorused yell erupts from the group; the agreement is unanimous. There’s no holding back this match.
“Let’s get out there and fight!”
Roars sound from the huddle as Seungcheol smiles and sticks his arm out into the air. The rest of the team joins in, their fists proudly raised.
“One, two, three-”
“Seoul Knights!”
The long whistle cuts through all conversations and the game begins.
The start is messy. The desire to win is mixed with traces of nerves and uncertainty, leaving Wonwoo with stolen passes and mouthed curses under his breath. Seungcheol came by a few times and slapped Wonwoo gently on the back of his head, a silent reminder to keep your head in the fucking game. The others gave him a weak high five.
Then. Seungkwan’s focused gaze softened for a split second at midfield and before he knew it, Wonwoo had the ball at his feet, sprinting with it down the springy turf like an animal. The ball was sent arching into the goal, where it landed with a soft swish, signaling the first point for the Knights.
Wonwoo didn’t have to look at Mingyu to know that he was pissed about the shot.
The game continued at a stuttering pace. There were a few moments where Jihoon nearly slipped past the defense, but Chan and Minghao made sure to keep him away. Wonwoo slipped and his feet stuck out in front of Jeonghan, nearly earning him a foul, but luckily he moved out of the way before the referee could blow the whistle.
Run it. Wonwoo licks his dry lips. The ball is at his feet. He can feel the sting of sweat in his eyes and his heaving chest. His breaths are harsh and shallow like the sounds of his straining lungs, which struggle to keep up with Wonwoo’s adrenaline.
He toes the ball before taking off down the field.
He can taste the sticky air in his mouth. His desperate breaths and blurbs of the cheering crowd resonate in his ears as his body automatically takes him to where he needs to go; where he’s been trained to go on instinct. He suddenly gets the feeling of being in a sports anime, with an opening theme song faintly playing in the background of his mind.
Flanking him are Jihoon and Seungkwan, their cleats making dull noises on the turf as they keep up with Wonwoo.
As if called by some invisible force, Wonwoo’s strong gaze focuses in on Mingyu. The details of the goalie’s symmetrically perfect features become crystal clear as the world slows down in Wonwoo’s eyes. The thick eyebrows, the teasing eyes, the long arms and even longer legs, the strong muscles flexed and waiting in anticipation for Wonwoo’s next kick; the rusting white goal, the ratty net, the emerald grass. A full view.
Something like a smirk graces Wonwoo’s face as he approaches one of the defenders Soonyoung and agilely twists himself with the ball. The crowd makes itself known with louder cries of excitement.
Mingyu is close now. So close.
The turf seems to launch Wonwoo forward with every step he grinds into the grass.
Two more feet and--
The ball goes flying, soaring, in Mingyu’s direction, like a bullet being shot from a handgun. The ball grazes Mingyu’s fingertips, but it’s enough to keep it out of the goal.
Shoot. Wonwoo curses under his breath as the crowd explodes at Mingyu’s lucky save.
Wonwoo jumps in surprise when Seungcheol claps a hand on his back and yells something along the lines of “nice try”. “Maybe you should’ve passed it?” The captain suggests.
It wasn’t really a suggestion; more like a criticism. “Okay.” Wonwoo mumbles before sprinting back down the field.
As he runs one way, Wonwoo turns his head to glance at Mingyu. The goalie has a wide smile on his face as he looks at Wonwoo. Wonwoo glares back.
***
A few saves and two goals later, the entire Pledis Chargers team is rushing onto the field to celebrate their victory.
Hands on his hips, Wonwoo grumpily watches as the opposing team hollers into the humid air. The bleachers start to empty as people head home. Running a hand through his sweaty hair, Wonwoo slumps onto the bench and throws his head back, soaking in the suffocating heat until Seungcheol throws a dry towel over his face and rubs his head.
“Come on, get over it. Pack. We’re gonna miss the bus because of you.”
Reluctantly, Wonwoo halfheartedly grabs his empty water bottle and throws it into his duffel bag. Swiping his face with his own towel, he flashes back to the shot Mingyu blocked. If I had just made that stupid goal, we could’ve--
Wonwoo shakes his head. There’s no time for beating himself up.
“Hey.”
Goddammit. Wonwoo whips around and comes face to face with a bronze god.
Mingyu offers a smile. “Good game tonight. You did well.”
“Thanks.” Wonwoo grabs his unzipped bag, chucks his towel over his shoulder, and edges past Mingyu without a second word.
Wonwoo steps off the field when he hears someone hollering his name.
“Hey!” Mingyu yells. “Don’t be so hard on yourself! And text me when you get home!”
Wonwoo turns around and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
Mingyu’s smile is genuine.
***
Wonwoo’s cleat flies off as he kicks the ball hard.
He curses under his breath. The ball curves prettily in the morning air until it lands in the outstretched hands of Mingyu.
Wonwoo grimaces before picking up his shoe and shoving his foot into the hole. Mingyu straightens himself, the soccer ball under his arm. “Try aiming instead of just kicking with everything you have.”
“I’m trying my best. Maybe you just have long arms.” Wonwoo grumbles.
Mingyu shrugs. “Maybe it’s both.”
Wonwoo shakes his head before putting his hands on his hips and looking up at the sky. It’s six in the morning on a Saturday, but Wonwoo can’t remember the last time he didn’t wake up this early on a weekend. Since Mingyu goes to a different school, they never see each other during the week, so weekends are the ideal time to meet up.
Mingyu walks towards Wonwoo with the ball in hand. “Hey.”
Wonwoo looks at the taller. “What?”
Mingyu fidgets with the ball in his hands. “Are you...still mad?”
This kid, I swear. “No.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.” Wonwoo grinds his cleat into the turf.
Mingyu stops. “It was a soccer game, Wonwoo.”
“...I know.”
“Remember, we got over this little rivalry thing years ago. We’re friends now.”
“I know, Mingyu.”
“Then why are you still--”
“I’m not mad at you!” Wonwoo yells, looking into Mingyu’s eyes.
Mingyu blinks, surprised at his friend’s outburst. Wonwoo feels just as shocked. “Sorry.”
“Uh,” Mingyu rubs the back of his neck. “It’s fine.”
The silence is awkward. Wonwoo wrings his fingers as Mingyu purses his lips. After standing still for a few minutes, Mingyu slowly drops the ball before dribbling it in a small circle around the other. Slightly confused, Wonwoo watches as Mingyu diligently runs around him, tongue poking out between his lips as he tries to stay on his circular path.
Suddenly, the ball is kicked from behind and it ricochets off the back of Wonwoo’s calves. Hard.
“What the hell?” Wonwoo shouts.
Mingyu whistles as he breaks the circle and jogs in front of Wonwoo with the ball. “That’s what you get for being so snappy!” He yells, smiling at Wonwoo.
Wonwoo rolls his eyes before chasing after Mingyu. Mingyu runs faster, slightly terrified.
***
A week into regionals, Wonwoo’s team loses to the SM Stars in the semifinals.
The game was close, with Wonwoo going head to head with the senior striker Minseok. The teams were tied and it seemed like either side could win, until Wonwoo committed a foul and Minseok fell face first onto the turf. The SM striker’s direct free kick ended the match with a win for the Stars.
The silver and white SM student section comes alive as they all leap to their feet and rush the field. Minseok stands proudly, watching as everyone comes towards him with cheers. On the bleachers, Mingyu observes Wonwoo with a worried expression, hoping his friend isn’t too devastated. Wonwoo watches with a blank stare as Minseok is hoisted onto shoulders and bounced in celebration. For Minseok, his senior year of soccer isn’t over yet. For Wonwoo, the season is done.
They chant the smiling senior’s name as they carry him towards the gates of the field. As Minseok passes by, he locks eyes with Wonwoo. He smiles and waves. “Good game, Wonwoo!”
“Thanks.” Wonwoo mumbles.
“Wonwoo!”
The rest of his team is huddled by their bench. Wonwoo looks at everyone’s mixed expressions and lets the guilt shake him hard. He failed his team.
Jogging over, Wonwoo looks down at the turf as arms loop around his shoulders. Seungcheol is spitting out some shit about how “great the season was” and “I
couldn’t have asked for a better senior season”. Wonwoo doesn’t believe any of that bull.
“--and I want everyone to know that, regardless of today’s outcome, I’m proud of all of you.”
Wonwoo almost scoffs.
“I hope you all enjoy next year’s season, and maybe I’ll come back to watch some games.”
The sadness is thick in the circle and soon, Chan starts to cry. Everyone would normally roll their eyes because Chan is such a baby, but today, he has a good reason; the season is over. The fact doesn’t hit anyone until Seungcheol starts to tear up, lips pursed and eyes moist. Minghao joins in when he sees Jun, another senior, look down and wipe his eyes. Almost everyone is crying and hugging each other. Wonwoo is the only senior who isn’t.
“Hey.”
Whipping around, Wonwoo sees Mingyu with a pitiful expression on his face. Oh, what the fuck.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Mingyu blinks.
Rolling his eyes, Wonwoo storms out of the huddle to the surprise of his team and Mingyu. Grabbing his bag and water bottle, he walks off the field, shoving the gate door aside with a clang. He thinks he can hear Mingyu shouting his name.
The air gets noticeably colder. Thin puffs leaves Wonwoo’s lips as he lifts his water bottle and chugs the contents. Mingyu walks up next to him, hands in his coat pockets.
“Wonwoo, it’s just a game.”
Wonwoo keeps drinking.
“Seriously, are you really going to throw a tantrum?”
His Adam’s apple keeps bobbing. The water rushes like rapids down his dry throat.
“Wonwoo, stop!”
Wonwoo finishes drinking and throws his bottle down onto the parking lot tar. It bounces with a loud, hollow noise. Mingyu’s mouth drops open. Wonwoo breathes heavily.
“Leave me alone.”
“Hyung--”
“Stop bothering me.”
“I don’t care if it’s your senior year and you lost--”
“Mingyu!”
Mingyu jumps in shock. Wonwoo doesn’t know where this argument is going, but he feels really pissed off.
“Won--”
“Shut up. Please.”
Mingyu’s hurt eyes make Wonwoo even more frustrated; at Mingyu and at himself.
Wonwoo feels his lips quiver. “Why are you bothering me about this?”
“Because I’m--”
“How I handle myself is my business. Don’t get so caught up in my shit.”
“But--”
“Who are you to tell me what to do? Do you think you have some kind of weight in my life?”
Mingyu clenches his jaw. His eyes harden into some emotion.
Wonwoo lets out a quiet breath before bending down to pick up his water bottle.
“You’re an asshole, Wonwoo. Really.”
Wonwoo pretends he doesn’t hear that.
***
Wonwoo is miserable the rest of the week.
As if Mingyu isn’t a big enough problem, his teammates don’t talk to him anymore. Wonwoo thinks it has something to do with Seungcheol telling them to leave him alone. Wonwoo sees them in the hallway a lot, but they never greet him or have a conversation with him. The only person who still goes up to him is Chan, but even Chan keeps his usual rants short. It’s bothering Wonwoo; the lack of conversations. The lack of friends.
Besides being a sore loser, Wonwoo is notorious on his team for dwelling on his mistakes. Usually, he didn’t handle it well; during his freshman year, he almost got benched the entire season for letting his frustration run wild. It’s normal for players to get upset with their mistakes, but Wonwoo never lets them go. He always strives to be the best, but he never lets go of his mistakes.
“Hey, Chan,” Wonwoo asks one day during lunch.
They’re laying on the roof, side by side, with sandwiches in their hands. It’s not as cold as it usually is, so they decided to have lunch outside.
Chan looks at Wonwoo.
“Do you think I’m a terrible person?”
“Uh, well,” Chan sits up, scratching his head. “You’re a jerk sometimes.”
“Oh.”
“But, you’re not the worst I’ve met.” Chan takes a bite of his sandwich. “You should
try to fix yourself though. No one likes an asshole.”
Wonwoo closes his eyes and sighs.
***
“I want to clock you in the face.”
Wonwoo looks up from his seat on the school bus. Seungcheol stands over him, eyes scarily clear despite the early morning.
“What the--”
“Get over yourself.”
“Can you just leave it?”
“No, I can’t. You’re probably the most embarrassing excuse for a human being I’ve ever met.”
Wonwoo’s gaze steels. “What?”
“Wake the hell up, Jeon. You’re playing a team sport and you’re not the only one on this fucking team.”
“The season’s over, Seungcheol. There is no more team.”
“That’s not the point.”
Wonwoo shakes his head and faces the window, shoving his earbuds into his ears. He can still feel Seungcheol standing next to him.
Seungcheol’s voice softens. “You can’t keep beating yourself up for everything and then getting mad at everyone. That one foul you made wasn’t the only mistake in the game. It just happened to be the last one.”
Wonwoo fidgets.
“Also, taking your shit out on other people isn’t the solution. Especially people who really care about you.”
“...I know.”
“Well, then go talk to Mingyu.”
Wonwoo turns to face Seungcheol. “How? He probably hates me.”
“If anybody hates you, it’s definitely not Mingyu.”
“Sure.” Wonwoo grumbles before slumping in his seat and staring outside.
***
A splash of red decorates the tip of Wonwoo’s nose as he drapes his scarf over the bottom half of his face.
The crowd starts to grow and spread out along the bleachers. An icy feeling numbs Wonwoo’s body as he sits on the cold metal bleachers, arms crossed. His plan is pretty simple: find Mingyu after the game, say good game, make up.
Hopefully Mingyu doesn’t run away or something. Wonwoo worries, shifting in his seat. His breath comes out as a hiss when a breeze slips through his wool coat.
Today’s region finals are between the Pledis Chargers and the JYP Jaguars. From what Mingyu has told him in the past, JYP is known for its impeccable soccer program because of the local league that trains kids in their childhood. Every player has been playing for a long time, which means they have more than enough experience with ball handling and strategizing.
Their midfielder Mark is heading to a Californian university to play soccer. Wonwoo thinks. And their junior defender Jackson already has colleges lined up waiting for him.
His eyes skim over all the players warming up until he sees Mingyu. They haven’t spoken for days, mainly because Wonwoo ruined their friendship and partly because the Pledis Chargers have added an extra hour to practices for finals.
Once the game starts, Wonwoo forgets about his issues and gets into the action. Mingyu is doing well, as per usual, and he finishes the first half with a smile because he made a solid block against Mark’s power kick. Unknowingly, Wonwoo smiles with Mingyu as he watches him talk to his teammates and laugh.
The Jaguars start off steady, but not as slick as expected. When the second half starts, the Chargers have one goal, the Jaguars have none.
Mingyu nearly catches one of the JYP strikers Jaebum’s hard balls, but it just slips past his fingers and into the net. The score is tied until Mark really gets warmed up and maneuvers around the defense like they’re poles in the ground. He scores two goals easily.
Before long, Wonwoo finds himself standing up and jumping anxiously. He’s shouting along with the crowd when Mingyu blocks a shot and cheering when Seungkwan beautifully twists his body to get around the defense.
The last thirty seconds are tense and the air is drenched in anticipation. It takes Wonwoo back to the last game he played, but he pushes the memory away.
The score is still two to three and Mark is on the hunt. Soonyoung twisted an ankle midway in the second half, so the Chargers were forced to put in a second string defender. Mark evades him like he isn’t even there. Twenty seconds.
Wonwoo swears Mingyu will crush his ribs when he leaps to save the ball across the goal. The leather grazes his fingers, but this time, it sinks into the net.
The cheers are deafening in the crowd as everyone storms down the bleachers like madmen. Wonwoo stays standing, breathing heavily with his scarf unraveled around his neck. Suddenly feeling nervous, Wonwoo takes his time walking down the stadium steps. He passes by a few happy JYP parents and says congratulations to stall time, but when his eyes meet Mingyu’s, he knows it’s all over.
Frozen, Wonwoo stops walking. Mingyu starts walking up the stairs.
“What are you doing here?” Mingyu says, annoyed.
Mingyu’s glistening golden skin distracts Wonwoo from the question, but he snaps out of it before Mingyu gets pissed.
“I love you.”
Wait. Oh.
“Oh.” Wonwoo’s eyes widen in disbelief.
“Oh?” Mingyu blinks.
There’s a part of Wonwoo who wants to laugh because who the hell starts an apology with I love you? The other part of him wants to curl up in a ball and die.
Wonwoo takes a step back. “Wait. Hold on. That’s not what I meant.”
“It’s...not?” Mingyu sounds disappointed.
“Are you upset about that?”
“I’m...not...upset? What are you talking about?”
“What I’m saying is,” Wonwoo sighs. “I’m an idiot.”
“Asshat.”
“Fine. But the point is, I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
Mingyu scoffs. “Damn right you shouldn’t have.”
“Can I finish? Thanks. Anyway, I really should control my emotions better. I’m working on it.”
Is this going well? Wonwoo asks himself. Probably not. Mingyu crosses his arms across his chest, waiting for the rest of Wonwoo’s apology. Wonwoo purses his lips before swaying from foot to foot. Finally, he lets out a breath and looks into Mingyu’s eyes. He feels woozy because wow, Mingyu has some really deep eyes.
“I’m really sorry, Mingyu.”
It’s Mingyu’s turn to be shy as the taller looks down at his cleats. He looks really sweaty and gross with his bangs sticking to his forehead and his hands calloused and muddy, but Wonwoo thinks he looks great.
Mingyu looks up with a cough. “I’m sorry too.”
“For wha--”
It really hurts when you fall onto metal bleachers in the dead middle of winter, but the only thing that registers in Wonwoo’s mind is Mingyu just pushed me. In the background, people start to notice the two of them. Pain shoots up Wonwoo’s back and he feels his rage bubbling inside as he looks up and sees Mingyu towering over him.
“What the hell was that--”
The next part makes Wonwoo confused and warm on the inside because Mingyu then gets down and kisses him square on the lips. It’s really weird and the sharp edges and corners of the bleacher steps press into Wonwoo’s body like knives and needles, but he tries to focus on kissing Mingyu back.
The cold air seeps back between them when Mingyu pulls away. Wonwoo wants to pull him back.
“That was. Really stupid.” Wonwoo says dazedly.
Mingyu shrugs. “You got a punishment and a reward.”
“Like kissing you is a reward.” He scoffs.
“You kissed back.”
Wonwoo rolls his eyes, cheeks flushed. Mingyu smiles.
title: heat of the moment
pairing(s): meanie
rating: PG-13
warnings: language
word count: 3,995
summary: In which Wonwoo has a lot of issues he needs to fix and Mingyu likes to catch balls.
author's note: hope you enjoy~ ^^ I apologize for any incorrect use of soccer terminology or mixing up the rules; I don't actually play
It’s easy to mistake Wonwoo and Mingyu’s competitiveness as hatred.
Their relationship at first was exactly that. The rivalry between their opposing schools was enough to create tension between them, despite the fact that both found the other to be very attractive. Even when both schools had each won a fair amount of games against each other, and the teams became friends, it took a long time before Wonwoo could throw away the rivalry and try to be get along with Mingyu.
Now, they’re each other’s best friends. Except during game time.
We’re definitely going to win tonight. Wonwoo thinks.
His steely gaze switches over from his team’s side of the field to Mingyu’s team, the Pledis Chargers. They look toned and fit, their skin glowing bronze and their muscles rippling under toughened flesh. Not a single player on the other team looks exhausted or dehydrated, as if they’ve just stepped out onto the field and haven’t been warming up for the past six minutes. Enviable, but expected. Wonwoo thinks. Our school’s too cheap to pay for training.
It’s an away game for Wonwoo’s team, but that doesn’t change anything for him. A game’s a game.
Like routine, Wonwoo scans the players. The first one he sees is Jihoon, captain of the Chargers varsity soccer team. Though pint-sized and (debatably) adorable, Jihoon’s legs blur together when he runs and he’s quick to react. No one can work the field like he does.
Next is his dribbling partner Seungkwan. Seungkwan is the loudest midfielder Wonwoo has ever met, and even though first impressions make it seem like Seungkwan can’t play for shit, he’s incredibly clever and excellent at reading the opponent. Sharp in the offensive and strong as a defensive player, Seungkwan has been on the starting lineup since his first year in high school.
Wonwoo skims past a few others that he knows, like the defenders Soonyoung and Seokmin and one of the strikers Jeonghan, until his eyes land on Mingyu, the star goalie.
Their eyes meet for a brief second after Mingyu effortlessly catches Jeonghan’s shot. A smirk creeps on Mingyu’s lips and it makes Wonwoo’s blood boil.
“Hey, cutie!” Mingyu cups his hands and yells, eyes glinting. Wonwoo stands up in shock.
“Fight me, you piece of--”
The whistle screams through the hot air. Warm up is over.
“Hustle up, kids!” Seungcheol yells, smiling. “Come on, ducklings!”
Wonwoo sends one last glare at an amused Mingyu before jogging over to the team captain.
“Seungcheol, please.” Chan cries out, embarrassed. “We’re not toddlers.”
Seungcheol winks. “Keep telling yourself that, Lee Chan.”
Everyone comes together and connects with arms thrown across backs. The atmosphere gets noticeably hotter from the close contact, and the gross smell of cleats and sweat surround the huddle. Everyone ignores it as Seungcheol licks his lips and flashes another smile.
“This is it, guys. The big game.”
Everyone nods in understanding, Wonwoo especially.
“The Chargers have been our rivals for years. This is war. We can’t lose tonight.”
A chorused yell erupts from the group; the agreement is unanimous. There’s no holding back this match.
“Let’s get out there and fight!”
Roars sound from the huddle as Seungcheol smiles and sticks his arm out into the air. The rest of the team joins in, their fists proudly raised.
“One, two, three-”
“Seoul Knights!”
The long whistle cuts through all conversations and the game begins.
The start is messy. The desire to win is mixed with traces of nerves and uncertainty, leaving Wonwoo with stolen passes and mouthed curses under his breath. Seungcheol came by a few times and slapped Wonwoo gently on the back of his head, a silent reminder to keep your head in the fucking game. The others gave him a weak high five.
Then. Seungkwan’s focused gaze softened for a split second at midfield and before he knew it, Wonwoo had the ball at his feet, sprinting with it down the springy turf like an animal. The ball was sent arching into the goal, where it landed with a soft swish, signaling the first point for the Knights.
Wonwoo didn’t have to look at Mingyu to know that he was pissed about the shot.
The game continued at a stuttering pace. There were a few moments where Jihoon nearly slipped past the defense, but Chan and Minghao made sure to keep him away. Wonwoo slipped and his feet stuck out in front of Jeonghan, nearly earning him a foul, but luckily he moved out of the way before the referee could blow the whistle.
Run it. Wonwoo licks his dry lips. The ball is at his feet. He can feel the sting of sweat in his eyes and his heaving chest. His breaths are harsh and shallow like the sounds of his straining lungs, which struggle to keep up with Wonwoo’s adrenaline.
He toes the ball before taking off down the field.
He can taste the sticky air in his mouth. His desperate breaths and blurbs of the cheering crowd resonate in his ears as his body automatically takes him to where he needs to go; where he’s been trained to go on instinct. He suddenly gets the feeling of being in a sports anime, with an opening theme song faintly playing in the background of his mind.
Flanking him are Jihoon and Seungkwan, their cleats making dull noises on the turf as they keep up with Wonwoo.
As if called by some invisible force, Wonwoo’s strong gaze focuses in on Mingyu. The details of the goalie’s symmetrically perfect features become crystal clear as the world slows down in Wonwoo’s eyes. The thick eyebrows, the teasing eyes, the long arms and even longer legs, the strong muscles flexed and waiting in anticipation for Wonwoo’s next kick; the rusting white goal, the ratty net, the emerald grass. A full view.
Something like a smirk graces Wonwoo’s face as he approaches one of the defenders Soonyoung and agilely twists himself with the ball. The crowd makes itself known with louder cries of excitement.
Mingyu is close now. So close.
The turf seems to launch Wonwoo forward with every step he grinds into the grass.
Two more feet and--
The ball goes flying, soaring, in Mingyu’s direction, like a bullet being shot from a handgun. The ball grazes Mingyu’s fingertips, but it’s enough to keep it out of the goal.
Shoot. Wonwoo curses under his breath as the crowd explodes at Mingyu’s lucky save.
Wonwoo jumps in surprise when Seungcheol claps a hand on his back and yells something along the lines of “nice try”. “Maybe you should’ve passed it?” The captain suggests.
It wasn’t really a suggestion; more like a criticism. “Okay.” Wonwoo mumbles before sprinting back down the field.
As he runs one way, Wonwoo turns his head to glance at Mingyu. The goalie has a wide smile on his face as he looks at Wonwoo. Wonwoo glares back.
***
A few saves and two goals later, the entire Pledis Chargers team is rushing onto the field to celebrate their victory.
Hands on his hips, Wonwoo grumpily watches as the opposing team hollers into the humid air. The bleachers start to empty as people head home. Running a hand through his sweaty hair, Wonwoo slumps onto the bench and throws his head back, soaking in the suffocating heat until Seungcheol throws a dry towel over his face and rubs his head.
“Come on, get over it. Pack. We’re gonna miss the bus because of you.”
Reluctantly, Wonwoo halfheartedly grabs his empty water bottle and throws it into his duffel bag. Swiping his face with his own towel, he flashes back to the shot Mingyu blocked. If I had just made that stupid goal, we could’ve--
Wonwoo shakes his head. There’s no time for beating himself up.
“Hey.”
Goddammit. Wonwoo whips around and comes face to face with a bronze god.
Mingyu offers a smile. “Good game tonight. You did well.”
“Thanks.” Wonwoo grabs his unzipped bag, chucks his towel over his shoulder, and edges past Mingyu without a second word.
Wonwoo steps off the field when he hears someone hollering his name.
“Hey!” Mingyu yells. “Don’t be so hard on yourself! And text me when you get home!”
Wonwoo turns around and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
Mingyu’s smile is genuine.
***
Wonwoo’s cleat flies off as he kicks the ball hard.
He curses under his breath. The ball curves prettily in the morning air until it lands in the outstretched hands of Mingyu.
Wonwoo grimaces before picking up his shoe and shoving his foot into the hole. Mingyu straightens himself, the soccer ball under his arm. “Try aiming instead of just kicking with everything you have.”
“I’m trying my best. Maybe you just have long arms.” Wonwoo grumbles.
Mingyu shrugs. “Maybe it’s both.”
Wonwoo shakes his head before putting his hands on his hips and looking up at the sky. It’s six in the morning on a Saturday, but Wonwoo can’t remember the last time he didn’t wake up this early on a weekend. Since Mingyu goes to a different school, they never see each other during the week, so weekends are the ideal time to meet up.
Mingyu walks towards Wonwoo with the ball in hand. “Hey.”
Wonwoo looks at the taller. “What?”
Mingyu fidgets with the ball in his hands. “Are you...still mad?”
This kid, I swear. “No.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.” Wonwoo grinds his cleat into the turf.
Mingyu stops. “It was a soccer game, Wonwoo.”
“...I know.”
“Remember, we got over this little rivalry thing years ago. We’re friends now.”
“I know, Mingyu.”
“Then why are you still--”
“I’m not mad at you!” Wonwoo yells, looking into Mingyu’s eyes.
Mingyu blinks, surprised at his friend’s outburst. Wonwoo feels just as shocked. “Sorry.”
“Uh,” Mingyu rubs the back of his neck. “It’s fine.”
The silence is awkward. Wonwoo wrings his fingers as Mingyu purses his lips. After standing still for a few minutes, Mingyu slowly drops the ball before dribbling it in a small circle around the other. Slightly confused, Wonwoo watches as Mingyu diligently runs around him, tongue poking out between his lips as he tries to stay on his circular path.
Suddenly, the ball is kicked from behind and it ricochets off the back of Wonwoo’s calves. Hard.
“What the hell?” Wonwoo shouts.
Mingyu whistles as he breaks the circle and jogs in front of Wonwoo with the ball. “That’s what you get for being so snappy!” He yells, smiling at Wonwoo.
Wonwoo rolls his eyes before chasing after Mingyu. Mingyu runs faster, slightly terrified.
***
A week into regionals, Wonwoo’s team loses to the SM Stars in the semifinals.
The game was close, with Wonwoo going head to head with the senior striker Minseok. The teams were tied and it seemed like either side could win, until Wonwoo committed a foul and Minseok fell face first onto the turf. The SM striker’s direct free kick ended the match with a win for the Stars.
The silver and white SM student section comes alive as they all leap to their feet and rush the field. Minseok stands proudly, watching as everyone comes towards him with cheers. On the bleachers, Mingyu observes Wonwoo with a worried expression, hoping his friend isn’t too devastated. Wonwoo watches with a blank stare as Minseok is hoisted onto shoulders and bounced in celebration. For Minseok, his senior year of soccer isn’t over yet. For Wonwoo, the season is done.
They chant the smiling senior’s name as they carry him towards the gates of the field. As Minseok passes by, he locks eyes with Wonwoo. He smiles and waves. “Good game, Wonwoo!”
“Thanks.” Wonwoo mumbles.
“Wonwoo!”
The rest of his team is huddled by their bench. Wonwoo looks at everyone’s mixed expressions and lets the guilt shake him hard. He failed his team.
Jogging over, Wonwoo looks down at the turf as arms loop around his shoulders. Seungcheol is spitting out some shit about how “great the season was” and “I
couldn’t have asked for a better senior season”. Wonwoo doesn’t believe any of that bull.
“--and I want everyone to know that, regardless of today’s outcome, I’m proud of all of you.”
Wonwoo almost scoffs.
“I hope you all enjoy next year’s season, and maybe I’ll come back to watch some games.”
The sadness is thick in the circle and soon, Chan starts to cry. Everyone would normally roll their eyes because Chan is such a baby, but today, he has a good reason; the season is over. The fact doesn’t hit anyone until Seungcheol starts to tear up, lips pursed and eyes moist. Minghao joins in when he sees Jun, another senior, look down and wipe his eyes. Almost everyone is crying and hugging each other. Wonwoo is the only senior who isn’t.
“Hey.”
Whipping around, Wonwoo sees Mingyu with a pitiful expression on his face. Oh, what the fuck.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Mingyu blinks.
Rolling his eyes, Wonwoo storms out of the huddle to the surprise of his team and Mingyu. Grabbing his bag and water bottle, he walks off the field, shoving the gate door aside with a clang. He thinks he can hear Mingyu shouting his name.
The air gets noticeably colder. Thin puffs leaves Wonwoo’s lips as he lifts his water bottle and chugs the contents. Mingyu walks up next to him, hands in his coat pockets.
“Wonwoo, it’s just a game.”
Wonwoo keeps drinking.
“Seriously, are you really going to throw a tantrum?”
His Adam’s apple keeps bobbing. The water rushes like rapids down his dry throat.
“Wonwoo, stop!”
Wonwoo finishes drinking and throws his bottle down onto the parking lot tar. It bounces with a loud, hollow noise. Mingyu’s mouth drops open. Wonwoo breathes heavily.
“Leave me alone.”
“Hyung--”
“Stop bothering me.”
“I don’t care if it’s your senior year and you lost--”
“Mingyu!”
Mingyu jumps in shock. Wonwoo doesn’t know where this argument is going, but he feels really pissed off.
“Won--”
“Shut up. Please.”
Mingyu’s hurt eyes make Wonwoo even more frustrated; at Mingyu and at himself.
Wonwoo feels his lips quiver. “Why are you bothering me about this?”
“Because I’m--”
“How I handle myself is my business. Don’t get so caught up in my shit.”
“But--”
“Who are you to tell me what to do? Do you think you have some kind of weight in my life?”
Mingyu clenches his jaw. His eyes harden into some emotion.
Wonwoo lets out a quiet breath before bending down to pick up his water bottle.
“You’re an asshole, Wonwoo. Really.”
Wonwoo pretends he doesn’t hear that.
***
Wonwoo is miserable the rest of the week.
As if Mingyu isn’t a big enough problem, his teammates don’t talk to him anymore. Wonwoo thinks it has something to do with Seungcheol telling them to leave him alone. Wonwoo sees them in the hallway a lot, but they never greet him or have a conversation with him. The only person who still goes up to him is Chan, but even Chan keeps his usual rants short. It’s bothering Wonwoo; the lack of conversations. The lack of friends.
Besides being a sore loser, Wonwoo is notorious on his team for dwelling on his mistakes. Usually, he didn’t handle it well; during his freshman year, he almost got benched the entire season for letting his frustration run wild. It’s normal for players to get upset with their mistakes, but Wonwoo never lets them go. He always strives to be the best, but he never lets go of his mistakes.
“Hey, Chan,” Wonwoo asks one day during lunch.
They’re laying on the roof, side by side, with sandwiches in their hands. It’s not as cold as it usually is, so they decided to have lunch outside.
Chan looks at Wonwoo.
“Do you think I’m a terrible person?”
“Uh, well,” Chan sits up, scratching his head. “You’re a jerk sometimes.”
“Oh.”
“But, you’re not the worst I’ve met.” Chan takes a bite of his sandwich. “You should
try to fix yourself though. No one likes an asshole.”
Wonwoo closes his eyes and sighs.
***
“I want to clock you in the face.”
Wonwoo looks up from his seat on the school bus. Seungcheol stands over him, eyes scarily clear despite the early morning.
“What the--”
“Get over yourself.”
“Can you just leave it?”
“No, I can’t. You’re probably the most embarrassing excuse for a human being I’ve ever met.”
Wonwoo’s gaze steels. “What?”
“Wake the hell up, Jeon. You’re playing a team sport and you’re not the only one on this fucking team.”
“The season’s over, Seungcheol. There is no more team.”
“That’s not the point.”
Wonwoo shakes his head and faces the window, shoving his earbuds into his ears. He can still feel Seungcheol standing next to him.
Seungcheol’s voice softens. “You can’t keep beating yourself up for everything and then getting mad at everyone. That one foul you made wasn’t the only mistake in the game. It just happened to be the last one.”
Wonwoo fidgets.
“Also, taking your shit out on other people isn’t the solution. Especially people who really care about you.”
“...I know.”
“Well, then go talk to Mingyu.”
Wonwoo turns to face Seungcheol. “How? He probably hates me.”
“If anybody hates you, it’s definitely not Mingyu.”
“Sure.” Wonwoo grumbles before slumping in his seat and staring outside.
***
A splash of red decorates the tip of Wonwoo’s nose as he drapes his scarf over the bottom half of his face.
The crowd starts to grow and spread out along the bleachers. An icy feeling numbs Wonwoo’s body as he sits on the cold metal bleachers, arms crossed. His plan is pretty simple: find Mingyu after the game, say good game, make up.
Hopefully Mingyu doesn’t run away or something. Wonwoo worries, shifting in his seat. His breath comes out as a hiss when a breeze slips through his wool coat.
Today’s region finals are between the Pledis Chargers and the JYP Jaguars. From what Mingyu has told him in the past, JYP is known for its impeccable soccer program because of the local league that trains kids in their childhood. Every player has been playing for a long time, which means they have more than enough experience with ball handling and strategizing.
Their midfielder Mark is heading to a Californian university to play soccer. Wonwoo thinks. And their junior defender Jackson already has colleges lined up waiting for him.
His eyes skim over all the players warming up until he sees Mingyu. They haven’t spoken for days, mainly because Wonwoo ruined their friendship and partly because the Pledis Chargers have added an extra hour to practices for finals.
Once the game starts, Wonwoo forgets about his issues and gets into the action. Mingyu is doing well, as per usual, and he finishes the first half with a smile because he made a solid block against Mark’s power kick. Unknowingly, Wonwoo smiles with Mingyu as he watches him talk to his teammates and laugh.
The Jaguars start off steady, but not as slick as expected. When the second half starts, the Chargers have one goal, the Jaguars have none.
Mingyu nearly catches one of the JYP strikers Jaebum’s hard balls, but it just slips past his fingers and into the net. The score is tied until Mark really gets warmed up and maneuvers around the defense like they’re poles in the ground. He scores two goals easily.
Before long, Wonwoo finds himself standing up and jumping anxiously. He’s shouting along with the crowd when Mingyu blocks a shot and cheering when Seungkwan beautifully twists his body to get around the defense.
The last thirty seconds are tense and the air is drenched in anticipation. It takes Wonwoo back to the last game he played, but he pushes the memory away.
The score is still two to three and Mark is on the hunt. Soonyoung twisted an ankle midway in the second half, so the Chargers were forced to put in a second string defender. Mark evades him like he isn’t even there. Twenty seconds.
Wonwoo swears Mingyu will crush his ribs when he leaps to save the ball across the goal. The leather grazes his fingers, but this time, it sinks into the net.
The cheers are deafening in the crowd as everyone storms down the bleachers like madmen. Wonwoo stays standing, breathing heavily with his scarf unraveled around his neck. Suddenly feeling nervous, Wonwoo takes his time walking down the stadium steps. He passes by a few happy JYP parents and says congratulations to stall time, but when his eyes meet Mingyu’s, he knows it’s all over.
Frozen, Wonwoo stops walking. Mingyu starts walking up the stairs.
“What are you doing here?” Mingyu says, annoyed.
Mingyu’s glistening golden skin distracts Wonwoo from the question, but he snaps out of it before Mingyu gets pissed.
“I love you.”
Wait. Oh.
“Oh.” Wonwoo’s eyes widen in disbelief.
“Oh?” Mingyu blinks.
There’s a part of Wonwoo who wants to laugh because who the hell starts an apology with I love you? The other part of him wants to curl up in a ball and die.
Wonwoo takes a step back. “Wait. Hold on. That’s not what I meant.”
“It’s...not?” Mingyu sounds disappointed.
“Are you upset about that?”
“I’m...not...upset? What are you talking about?”
“What I’m saying is,” Wonwoo sighs. “I’m an idiot.”
“Asshat.”
“Fine. But the point is, I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
Mingyu scoffs. “Damn right you shouldn’t have.”
“Can I finish? Thanks. Anyway, I really should control my emotions better. I’m working on it.”
Is this going well? Wonwoo asks himself. Probably not. Mingyu crosses his arms across his chest, waiting for the rest of Wonwoo’s apology. Wonwoo purses his lips before swaying from foot to foot. Finally, he lets out a breath and looks into Mingyu’s eyes. He feels woozy because wow, Mingyu has some really deep eyes.
“I’m really sorry, Mingyu.”
It’s Mingyu’s turn to be shy as the taller looks down at his cleats. He looks really sweaty and gross with his bangs sticking to his forehead and his hands calloused and muddy, but Wonwoo thinks he looks great.
Mingyu looks up with a cough. “I’m sorry too.”
“For wha--”
It really hurts when you fall onto metal bleachers in the dead middle of winter, but the only thing that registers in Wonwoo’s mind is Mingyu just pushed me. In the background, people start to notice the two of them. Pain shoots up Wonwoo’s back and he feels his rage bubbling inside as he looks up and sees Mingyu towering over him.
“What the hell was that--”
The next part makes Wonwoo confused and warm on the inside because Mingyu then gets down and kisses him square on the lips. It’s really weird and the sharp edges and corners of the bleacher steps press into Wonwoo’s body like knives and needles, but he tries to focus on kissing Mingyu back.
The cold air seeps back between them when Mingyu pulls away. Wonwoo wants to pull him back.
“That was. Really stupid.” Wonwoo says dazedly.
Mingyu shrugs. “You got a punishment and a reward.”
“Like kissing you is a reward.” He scoffs.
“You kissed back.”
Wonwoo rolls his eyes, cheeks flushed. Mingyu smiles.