[TC07] Already One Year
Already One Year
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: HanChul
Genre: AU!Romance
Summary: The moment he’s most alive.
// War //
“Pick it up,” Kangin bellows to them all.
Hankyung does so and rams his fist repeatedly, working his hardest before Kangin finally yells for them to stop. They repeat this regime until they go on their regular training.
“You haven’t lost more weight, have you?”
Hankyung is ready to reply when the door opens and in walks the gym owner’s son. Hankyung was nailed in the face by the punching bag and quickly rubbed his nose.
“What are you doing?” Kangin scolds when he scoffs, not even having to look at the entrance. “Is he here again? Again?!”
“No,” Hankyung quickly interjects before the man could hear the clamor, his coach’s voice could really carry despite the on-going ruckus as the others trained. He waits until the session finally stops and reaches for his gym bag.
“Hankyung,”
He turns as Kangin looks up in the direction of the second floor, “Is this going to be a distraction for you?”
“No,” Hankyung says firmly. Kangin doesn’t seem ready to believe him but takes him at his word. Hankyung then heads up the stairs and swiftly enters the den-like room with its tossed magazines and ripped posters hanging from the walls from past fighters and looks up to see Heechul sitting sternly with his back turned.
“You’re bothered,” Hankyung comments.
Heechul scoffs, “That obvious?”
Heechul then stands up and walks from the couch and lightly holds Hankyung’s frame. Hankyung still has the towel around his neck and scrunches his eyes, “I still haven’t changed from practice.”
“I don’t care,” Heechul mumbles.
Hankyung lets his dear friend hold him as long as he wants. “Rant.” He urges, but Heechul maintains his silence.
“I don’t want to today, I’ve probably burned your ears with all my rants by now... I feel better anyhow.”
Hankyung’s reaction is as if it was the best news he’s heard all day and comments. “That’s what I’m good for.”
-
Hankyung bites into a bun when he glances to his right and sees the familiar frame along with his group of friends. He picks up his pace and hurriedly crossed the street within seconds of the light turning.
He walks the opposite direction with his head down, making sure not to make accidental eye contact.
“Hankyung-shii?”
It isn’t his voice, but Heechul then turns to notice as well. “Out of practice already?” Heechul asks as he checks his watch, realizing how late in the day it was.
Hankyung’s bombarded with questions by the friends and is courteous to each one.
“Why don’t you hang out with us?”
Hankyung glances at Heechul, if he crossed his arms then it meant he was thoughtful, likely that he didn’t want him to. If they were against his sides, then he could say yes. Heechul clearly has his arms crossed and Hankyung politely declines.
“Why not? Heechul, don’t you think he should?”
“I have errands to run,” Hankyung calmly excuses before they could put him in a spot. “Enjoy your day.”
He walks for a few when he hears his name called, he turned around and watched as Heechul spoke quickly with his friends and then head in his direction. “I think you’re heading my way. Let’s walk together,” he suggests.
“You’ve been running so many errands.”
“I know, at least my old man pays me.” Heechul huffs. “Noticed that I was coming around more often?”
Of course, Hankyung wants to say but chuckles as he reached for another bun.
Heechul looked uneasy, “Isn’t that your third?”
“If I keep losing, I’ll be out of my weight class.”
“You guys are worse than my classmates.”
“Is that why you didn’t want to hang out with them?” Hankyung finally asks, even he knew Heechul would rather spend time with them than do anything remotely related to the gym.
Heechul takes a while to answer, “I just don’t want to.” He side-eyes Hankyung who looks back, “Why does that look on your face bother me?”
Hankyung laughs as Heechul punches his shoulder to no effect, with the other actually waving his hurt fist and brings it to his lips to somehow soothe the pain.
For a second, Hankyung wishes he could soothe the other’s hand for him.
Stepping into the ring, preparing for the war between two, strength matched with strength, its what he’s always been trained for. For matters of the heart, he was as much a rookie as any.
“Let’s go eat.” Hankyung says as he scans the surrounding carts, tossing his paper bag to the trash.
“Let’s not.”
Another rookie mistake, leaving your heart vulnerable. It takes that simple rejection to do wonders to him, but still he maintains a poker face.
Heechul purses his lips and tries to explain, “Because you’ll pay for everything.”
“And?” Heechul doesn’t say. “I don’t mind,” Hankyung insists but that only irritates Heechul more.
“I don’t want anyone taking advantage of you, but you’re so clueless about it all that it just frustrates me.”
Hankyung smiles anyhow, and that just infuriates him. He knows it bothers him, he knows it drives him insane his selfless deeds, but truth be, Hankyung could care less how much it costs him. “I never minded.”
“Well, I do.” Heechul snaps.
“I’m sorry,” Hankyung apologizes as they wait for the next light. He can see the other from the corner of his eye visibly shift, knowing Heechul hated it more than anything when Hankyung apologized for anything and his scowl soon disappeared as they crossed the streets.
Hankyung helps pick up the order, carrying the heaviest as Heechul holds just a single bag.
“It’s already been one year since we’ve known one another.” Heechul laments, swinging the bag.
Five, Hankyung wordlessly corrects, but nods.
“Maybe two? When was your match with Taec?”
“August 5th.” Hankyung replies, it’s so instant that it startles Heechul.
“Do all fighters remember their matches so vividly?”
Maybe not all of them, but Hankyung had a reason for that date. It was the one where Hankyung was so badly knocked out that he wound up in the emergency room. A common site for most of the members in that gym, and since it wasn’t critical none of them had really stayed.
He opened his eyes, surprised to see Heechul standing in that room. Hankyung, like all the fighters, knew of Heechul as only the gym leader’s son. Heechul barely knew any of them. Hankyung knew he was there on his father’s orders, but it made him happy, even if his distorted face couldn’t show it.
He remembers him standing awkwardly to the side, shifting every so often, ”Doesn’t it hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Then why do it?”
Hankyung’s usually at a loss of how to answer when others ask, but with Heechul’s rounded eyes poring into his, he says it effortlessly.
“Because it’s when I’m most alive.”
Hankyung follows Heechul into the closed gym and dropped off the supplies by the side, but rather than heading back out, Heechul walks towards the raised platform.
“You know your father doesn’t like you in there.”
“There’s no one here, much less fighting. He shouldn’t mind.” Heechul stepped in front of one of the bags and nudges it but it barely makes a dent. Hankyung chuckles as the other glares slightly. “Just because I don’t work out daily doesn’t mean I’m weak.”
“I’m aware.”
Hankyung stands directly behind him, leaving little distance as he lightly grabs Heechul’s fist into his own, then mimics a stronger punch to the bag. Heechul tries again with his help and the bag moves forward just a few inches.
Heechul’s smug from the pretend practice and waits for Hankyung to let go, but the fighter doesn’t. The two remain standing there in close quarters, Heechul’s hand cradled in the other’s calloused hands.
Heechul nervously shifts around, just as Hankyung meets his gaze.
“The gym is closed!” They both let go as Kangin enters the gym and claps his hands for them to leave. “You’re not allowed to be here during after hours.”
Heechul fits his way through the parallel ropes. Hankyung can see the warning look in his coach’s eyes,
“I’m alright.”
Kangin keeps a tight lip and turns away, Hankyung gives a grateful nod of the head as he walks up those stairs. He enters the still untidy room and sees Heechul standing with his back turned to the door.
“Maybe we shouldn’t be here.”
Heechul doesn’t speak and it edges Hankyung slightly. He tries to laugh to raise the atmosphere. “Let’s leave, I don’t think you’ve eaten since-”
“I heard you liked me.”
Hankyung’s hand grips his gym bag’s strap. “From who?”
“You’re not trying to cover it up?” Heechul finally turns around, arms still crossed over.
The edges of Hankyung’s eyes crinkled, “I’d be lying to myself if I dared try.” He long bothered not to. He lowers his eyes to the floor, prepared for anything Heechul may say, preparing his heart in case. Just like another fight, another war, he feels his heart pumping, tensed and yet relaxed, a thousand thoughts racing past his mind.
Whatever result there was, he’d take it as best as he could.
“Why? I figured you’d like a nice girl, or maybe a strong man like yourself. You saw me out there, how I’m nothing like you guys.”
“You’re not,” Hankyung agrees. He seems composed, but his grip on the strap is so strong, it may snap at any moment. “I noticed that from the very beginning, but that doesn’t change just how much I noticed you. Coach finds you my biggest distraction, and no matter how many years it’s been, whether one or five, you’re the first in my thoughts.”
And just like a rookie, he revealed his unearthed thoughts, those insecurities.
“Around you, I have no confidence. Around you, I can be both myself and reserved, both relaxed and tensed. Around you, I don’t know the chances.”
“Of what?”
“Of being with you.”
Hankyung finally looks up, forced to meet whatever emotions may be there.
Heechul has his arms down by his side when the distance closes, with eyes calmly closed and embraces Hankyung just as before, and the fighter finally lets go of the strap.
“I hate coming to this place. That’s never changed.” He hears Heechul’s muffled voice confess. “But after we talked, after we continued meeting... My running more errands wasn’t because I was becoming more responsible, as much as my dad would wish.”
How hopeful had he became when he first heard the rumor? More than he wanted to admit. Only a year, and he’s sure his feelings have reached the fighter’s par, maybe more.
He was at ease, so unlike how he imagined this moment, and he’s even more thankful. He peers to see the other's grip loosen around the strap, still intertwined, he feels the tension leave the man.
“The members in this gym are worse than high schoolers, gossiping away.” Heechul explains after, looking up with those rounded eyes. “It’s this gym’s worst kept secret.”
He presses his lips against Hankyung’s for the first time, and they're both certain it isn't the last.
Their secret wouldn’t be kept for very long, but for now they took it in stride as they lived their next. This very moment when they were both truly alive.
rssj1314's Alright To Dream | Hankyung/Heechul
[ Previous: Eunhyuk/Junsu (Vines)] | [ Next: Eunhyuk/Donghae (Memories)]
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: HanChul
Genre: AU!Romance
Summary: The moment he’s most alive.
// War //
“Pick it up,” Kangin bellows to them all.
Hankyung does so and rams his fist repeatedly, working his hardest before Kangin finally yells for them to stop. They repeat this regime until they go on their regular training.
“You haven’t lost more weight, have you?”
Hankyung is ready to reply when the door opens and in walks the gym owner’s son. Hankyung was nailed in the face by the punching bag and quickly rubbed his nose.
“What are you doing?” Kangin scolds when he scoffs, not even having to look at the entrance. “Is he here again? Again?!”
“No,” Hankyung quickly interjects before the man could hear the clamor, his coach’s voice could really carry despite the on-going ruckus as the others trained. He waits until the session finally stops and reaches for his gym bag.
“Hankyung,”
He turns as Kangin looks up in the direction of the second floor, “Is this going to be a distraction for you?”
“No,” Hankyung says firmly. Kangin doesn’t seem ready to believe him but takes him at his word. Hankyung then heads up the stairs and swiftly enters the den-like room with its tossed magazines and ripped posters hanging from the walls from past fighters and looks up to see Heechul sitting sternly with his back turned.
“You’re bothered,” Hankyung comments.
Heechul scoffs, “That obvious?”
Heechul then stands up and walks from the couch and lightly holds Hankyung’s frame. Hankyung still has the towel around his neck and scrunches his eyes, “I still haven’t changed from practice.”
“I don’t care,” Heechul mumbles.
Hankyung lets his dear friend hold him as long as he wants. “Rant.” He urges, but Heechul maintains his silence.
“I don’t want to today, I’ve probably burned your ears with all my rants by now... I feel better anyhow.”
Hankyung’s reaction is as if it was the best news he’s heard all day and comments. “That’s what I’m good for.”
-
Hankyung bites into a bun when he glances to his right and sees the familiar frame along with his group of friends. He picks up his pace and hurriedly crossed the street within seconds of the light turning.
He walks the opposite direction with his head down, making sure not to make accidental eye contact.
“Hankyung-shii?”
It isn’t his voice, but Heechul then turns to notice as well. “Out of practice already?” Heechul asks as he checks his watch, realizing how late in the day it was.
Hankyung’s bombarded with questions by the friends and is courteous to each one.
“Why don’t you hang out with us?”
Hankyung glances at Heechul, if he crossed his arms then it meant he was thoughtful, likely that he didn’t want him to. If they were against his sides, then he could say yes. Heechul clearly has his arms crossed and Hankyung politely declines.
“Why not? Heechul, don’t you think he should?”
“I have errands to run,” Hankyung calmly excuses before they could put him in a spot. “Enjoy your day.”
He walks for a few when he hears his name called, he turned around and watched as Heechul spoke quickly with his friends and then head in his direction. “I think you’re heading my way. Let’s walk together,” he suggests.
“You’ve been running so many errands.”
“I know, at least my old man pays me.” Heechul huffs. “Noticed that I was coming around more often?”
Of course, Hankyung wants to say but chuckles as he reached for another bun.
Heechul looked uneasy, “Isn’t that your third?”
“If I keep losing, I’ll be out of my weight class.”
“You guys are worse than my classmates.”
“Is that why you didn’t want to hang out with them?” Hankyung finally asks, even he knew Heechul would rather spend time with them than do anything remotely related to the gym.
Heechul takes a while to answer, “I just don’t want to.” He side-eyes Hankyung who looks back, “Why does that look on your face bother me?”
Hankyung laughs as Heechul punches his shoulder to no effect, with the other actually waving his hurt fist and brings it to his lips to somehow soothe the pain.
For a second, Hankyung wishes he could soothe the other’s hand for him.
Stepping into the ring, preparing for the war between two, strength matched with strength, its what he’s always been trained for. For matters of the heart, he was as much a rookie as any.
“Let’s go eat.” Hankyung says as he scans the surrounding carts, tossing his paper bag to the trash.
“Let’s not.”
Another rookie mistake, leaving your heart vulnerable. It takes that simple rejection to do wonders to him, but still he maintains a poker face.
Heechul purses his lips and tries to explain, “Because you’ll pay for everything.”
“And?” Heechul doesn’t say. “I don’t mind,” Hankyung insists but that only irritates Heechul more.
“I don’t want anyone taking advantage of you, but you’re so clueless about it all that it just frustrates me.”
Hankyung smiles anyhow, and that just infuriates him. He knows it bothers him, he knows it drives him insane his selfless deeds, but truth be, Hankyung could care less how much it costs him. “I never minded.”
“Well, I do.” Heechul snaps.
“I’m sorry,” Hankyung apologizes as they wait for the next light. He can see the other from the corner of his eye visibly shift, knowing Heechul hated it more than anything when Hankyung apologized for anything and his scowl soon disappeared as they crossed the streets.
Hankyung helps pick up the order, carrying the heaviest as Heechul holds just a single bag.
“It’s already been one year since we’ve known one another.” Heechul laments, swinging the bag.
Five, Hankyung wordlessly corrects, but nods.
“Maybe two? When was your match with Taec?”
“August 5th.” Hankyung replies, it’s so instant that it startles Heechul.
“Do all fighters remember their matches so vividly?”
Maybe not all of them, but Hankyung had a reason for that date. It was the one where Hankyung was so badly knocked out that he wound up in the emergency room. A common site for most of the members in that gym, and since it wasn’t critical none of them had really stayed.
He opened his eyes, surprised to see Heechul standing in that room. Hankyung, like all the fighters, knew of Heechul as only the gym leader’s son. Heechul barely knew any of them. Hankyung knew he was there on his father’s orders, but it made him happy, even if his distorted face couldn’t show it.
He remembers him standing awkwardly to the side, shifting every so often, ”Doesn’t it hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Then why do it?”
Hankyung’s usually at a loss of how to answer when others ask, but with Heechul’s rounded eyes poring into his, he says it effortlessly.
“Because it’s when I’m most alive.”
Hankyung follows Heechul into the closed gym and dropped off the supplies by the side, but rather than heading back out, Heechul walks towards the raised platform.
“You know your father doesn’t like you in there.”
“There’s no one here, much less fighting. He shouldn’t mind.” Heechul stepped in front of one of the bags and nudges it but it barely makes a dent. Hankyung chuckles as the other glares slightly. “Just because I don’t work out daily doesn’t mean I’m weak.”
“I’m aware.”
Hankyung stands directly behind him, leaving little distance as he lightly grabs Heechul’s fist into his own, then mimics a stronger punch to the bag. Heechul tries again with his help and the bag moves forward just a few inches.
Heechul’s smug from the pretend practice and waits for Hankyung to let go, but the fighter doesn’t. The two remain standing there in close quarters, Heechul’s hand cradled in the other’s calloused hands.
Heechul nervously shifts around, just as Hankyung meets his gaze.
“The gym is closed!” They both let go as Kangin enters the gym and claps his hands for them to leave. “You’re not allowed to be here during after hours.”
Heechul fits his way through the parallel ropes. Hankyung can see the warning look in his coach’s eyes,
“I’m alright.”
Kangin keeps a tight lip and turns away, Hankyung gives a grateful nod of the head as he walks up those stairs. He enters the still untidy room and sees Heechul standing with his back turned to the door.
“Maybe we shouldn’t be here.”
Heechul doesn’t speak and it edges Hankyung slightly. He tries to laugh to raise the atmosphere. “Let’s leave, I don’t think you’ve eaten since-”
“I heard you liked me.”
Hankyung’s hand grips his gym bag’s strap. “From who?”
“You’re not trying to cover it up?” Heechul finally turns around, arms still crossed over.
The edges of Hankyung’s eyes crinkled, “I’d be lying to myself if I dared try.” He long bothered not to. He lowers his eyes to the floor, prepared for anything Heechul may say, preparing his heart in case. Just like another fight, another war, he feels his heart pumping, tensed and yet relaxed, a thousand thoughts racing past his mind.
Whatever result there was, he’d take it as best as he could.
“Why? I figured you’d like a nice girl, or maybe a strong man like yourself. You saw me out there, how I’m nothing like you guys.”
“You’re not,” Hankyung agrees. He seems composed, but his grip on the strap is so strong, it may snap at any moment. “I noticed that from the very beginning, but that doesn’t change just how much I noticed you. Coach finds you my biggest distraction, and no matter how many years it’s been, whether one or five, you’re the first in my thoughts.”
And just like a rookie, he revealed his unearthed thoughts, those insecurities.
“Around you, I have no confidence. Around you, I can be both myself and reserved, both relaxed and tensed. Around you, I don’t know the chances.”
“Of what?”
“Of being with you.”
Hankyung finally looks up, forced to meet whatever emotions may be there.
Heechul has his arms down by his side when the distance closes, with eyes calmly closed and embraces Hankyung just as before, and the fighter finally lets go of the strap.
“I hate coming to this place. That’s never changed.” He hears Heechul’s muffled voice confess. “But after we talked, after we continued meeting... My running more errands wasn’t because I was becoming more responsible, as much as my dad would wish.”
How hopeful had he became when he first heard the rumor? More than he wanted to admit. Only a year, and he’s sure his feelings have reached the fighter’s par, maybe more.
He was at ease, so unlike how he imagined this moment, and he’s even more thankful. He peers to see the other's grip loosen around the strap, still intertwined, he feels the tension leave the man.
“The members in this gym are worse than high schoolers, gossiping away.” Heechul explains after, looking up with those rounded eyes. “It’s this gym’s worst kept secret.”
He presses his lips against Hankyung’s for the first time, and they're both certain it isn't the last.
Their secret wouldn’t be kept for very long, but for now they took it in stride as they lived their next. This very moment when they were both truly alive.
rssj1314's Alright To Dream | Hankyung/Heechul
[ Previous: Eunhyuk/Junsu (Vines)] | [ Next: Eunhyuk/Donghae (Memories)]