Chapter Text
It had been a week since Seungcheol’s confession. Soonyoung was still too shocked about knowing the basketball player’s feelings for him whilst the latter seemed to have simply forgotten about it.
He still acted his normal self in class, with his teammates, and with their friends. But to Soonyoung? He clearly changed.
Seungcheol hadn’t bothered him like he used to everyday. He hadn’t dropped into their dance studio with drinks or sweets like he used to. He hadn’t even smiled at Soonyoung like he used to. They still talked, normal teenage conversations like homeworks and college, but it was different. Coldy different.
It honestly irked Soonyoung how emotionally, mentally, and physically it has affected him. He shouldn’t care about Seungcheol ignoring him but he cares. He seriously and deeply cares. But more frustratingly, he couldn’t do anything about their situation. Or rather, he didn’t know what to do.
Their friends have surely noticed the change in their interactions too but thankfully refrained from asking them about it.
As days passed and things seemed to be on a standstill, he then decided to put Seungcheol’s confession and cold treatment at the back of his mind, burying it deep into his subconscious. He then concentrated all of his energy to their practice. He trained hard, almost forcing to overexert himself. It was his last competition in his high school career after all; he wanted it to be flawless, perfect.
He’d perform with all of his heart and celebrate no matter the outcome. His final stage would be his swan song. He’d give it his all to perform the performance of his lifetime.
With or without Seungcheol by his side, he’d perform with his heart on his sleeve and won’t ever regret it.
**
Soonyoung stared at his reflection. He was in their dressing room, alone. His members were outside, watching the other contestants perform, leaving Soonyoung to his own devices. He was desperately trying to calm down his nerves but his attempts were all futile. He closed his eyes again and tried to count backwards.
“Knock knock.” He then heard Jihoon’s voice. He opened his eyes and saw through the mirror his best friend. He was standing by door, smiling at Soonyoung. The dancer instantly returned it.
“Hey,” he said, waving over Jihoon. The small lad walked towards him and pushed a bouquet of sunflowers onto his face. Soonyoung scrunched up his face. “Shouldn’t you give this to me after we perform?” he asked but still took the bouquet in his hands, a smile playing on his lips.
He stared at the bright yellow flowers, his nerves somehow calming. “Thanks,” he said, smiling at his best friend gratefully. “It’s not from me,” Jihoon replied with a huff. Soonyoung raised an eyebrow. “Then from whom?” he asked. Jihoon stared at him, unamused. The dancer just furrowed his brows and frowned.
“We knew, you know,” Jihoon told him, suddenly serious. He leaned on the dresser, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared meaningfully at Soonyoung. “We knew Cheol has feelings for you-” Soonyoung’s brows shot up in surprise “-and that he has finally confessed to you.”
Soonyoung suddenly looked down, unable to meet his best friend’s gaze. “Did he tell you?” he timidly asked. Jihoon scoffed. “He didn’t. It was just plain as day how much he adores you,” he said, rolling his eyes. The dancer stared at him, bewildered. “It was?” he dumbly asked. This was the first time he’d heard of it. His best friend nodded his head. “Everyone knew,” he replied but then frowned. He stared at Soonyoung, brows knitted. “Everyone knew except for you so it seems.”
Soonyoung started to caress the flower petals, his thoughts in a daze. “I-I just… You know…” He tried to explain or whatever it was he was trying to do. He honestly didn’t know.
He groaned out in frustration. “I just wasn’t expecting it,” he admitted.
Jihoon squeezed his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. “Things will be alright,” he told him. Soonyoung nodded his head, smiling slightly. “I hope so,” the dancer replied. “I honestly hope so.”
**
Soonyoung ran, pushing his tired legs to go faster and faster. He pushed open the doors and rushed into the almost empty gym. A lone figure stood at the center of the basketball court. He dashed for the figure and pounced on him as he was about to turn, completely and successfully trapping him under Soonyoung.
“You’re a jerk,” the dancer fumed, glaring down at the bane of his existence. Seungcheol knitted his brows together. “What did I do?” he asked, clearly confused. “You didn’t watch our competition!” Soonyoung seethed. The basketball player tentatively sat up. “I did,” he told him, his lips pursing. The dancer squinted, doubtful. “But I didn’t see you,” he argued, pouting a little. Seungcheol shrugged. “I was at the back,” he answered. “And I only watched your performance. After that I left.”
The dancer crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Seungcheol. They were now face to face, Soonyoung straddling the other. “You’re still a jerk,” he persistently insisted.
Seungcheol chuckled. “Okay, okay,” he conceded. “I’m sorry for not staying,” he tried to appease the dancer but Soonyoung was still mad at him.
He ran a hand through his hair and then sighed. “Did you win though?” he curiously asked. The dancer shook his head. Seungcheol instantly deflated. “Oh,” he lamely replied. He didn’t know what to say.
Soonyoung then reached for his jacket pocket and pulled out a medal. “We didn’t get first place but we still got a medal for placing third,” he beamed, grinning from ear to ear as he showed Seungcheol the bronze medal they had received.
Seungcheol stared at the medal and then back at the dancer, the tips of his lips lifting. “Congratulations!” he said, now smiling his stupid lopsided smile. “You certainly earned it,” he added, voice proud and earnest. Soonyoung nodded his head. “Of course, I do,” he replied haughtily. “I’ve worked my ass off just to get where I am now.” Seungcheol merely chuckled.
The dancer glared at him again. “You’re still a jerk though,” he repeated, still persistent. The basketball player seemed totally confused. “What did I do exactly for you to be this mad at me?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.
Soonyoung raised an eyebrow at him and then looked away, a blush slightly dusting his cheeks. “Why didn’t you personally give me the flowers?” he mumbled, his blush reddening further.
The basketball player stared at him, surprised; his own cheeks turning red too. “I-I just thought you didn’t want to see me there,” he stuttered, a little bit uncertain. Soonyoung gazed at him, his stare challenging. “And why do you think I’d want that?” he demanded, eyes squinting.
Seungcheol stammered unintelligibly before clearing his throat. He looked away from Soonyoung’s gaze, jaw clicking. He found himself unable to answer.
The dancer then sighed. He grabbed for Seungcheol’s cheeks and made the basketball player look at him. Their gazes met again and Soonyoung couldn’t hold back a smile from spreading across his face. “I wanted you to be there,” Soonyoung admitted, caressing the other’s cheeks. He leaned into the other, eyes closed and their foreheads lightly touching.
“I wanted you to be there to calm my nerves with flowers and encourage me with your lopsided smile. I wanted you to be there in the audience, preferably on the front row, and cheer for me. I wanted you to be there to give me a warm hug after my performance.” Seungcheol listened to him, completely entranced. “I wanted you to be there when the results would be announced because whatever the outcome may be, I know things would be alright because I’d glance in your direction and you’d reassure me with your eyes.”
Soonyoung opened his eyes and pulled away. He anxiously bit his lip, trying to contain his emotions. His heart was hammering inside his chest.
He then chuckled, tears starting to pool at the corner of his eyes. Seungcheol was now staring back at him, eyes brimming with emotions. He smiled fondly at the infuriating chunk of muscle in front of him.
“I wanted you to be there so I could tell you that I danced for you tonight,” Soonyoung told him, his beady almond eyes boring into Seungcheol’s beautiful doe ones. “I danced with my heart on my sleeve,” he continued. “I danced,” he paused, exhaling a shaky breath. “I danced my swan song tonight and it was all just for you.”
Seungcheol brushed a stray tear from his cheeks. Soonyoung leaned into his touch and closed his eyes, sighing contentedly. “I wanted you to be there, Cheol,” he whispered. He then opened his eyes. “I just wanted you to be there because I wanted the person I love to be there,” he said, smiling shyly.
The basketball player’s eyes then widened dramatically. Soonyoung scowled at him, slightly annoyed. “Don’t be so surprised,” he scolded, slapping his arm. “Is it so hard to believe?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Seungcheol answered with a nod, still clearly shocked by his confession.
Soonyoung sighed and rolled his eyes. He then grabbed for Seungcheol’s cheeks again and glared. He reined in his irritation.
“I. Love. You. Choi. Seung. Cheol,” he said in between kisses on the lips, surprising the basketball player even more. “My heart is yours. All yours.”
He then wrapped his arms around Seungcheol, burying his face on the crook of the latter’s neck. He was utterly embarrassed and surprised with what he did.
Seungcheol seemed to have snapped out of his daze as he had wrapped his arms around the dancer’s waist, pulling Soonyoung impossibly closer.
“God,” he breathed. “I love you so much,” he mumbled, a happy smile appearing on his face. The dancer chuckled. “I know,” he teased. He gave Seungcheol a quick kiss on the cheek. “And I love you too,” he shyly mumbled. Seungcheol kissed the top of his head, a happy sigh leaving his lips.
He might’ve been a pain in the ass, a frustrating chunk of muscle, the bane of Soonyoung’s existence, pure annoyance in a nutshell, and owner of that stupid lopsided grin the dancer absolutely loathes; but falling in love with Kwon Soonyoung and being loved in return? Choi Seungcheol definitely wouldn’t have it any other way.