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Not much ever bothered Win. He was known for his charm, his smile, his flirtatiousness. He was the calm in the storm. He was the Yang to Dean’s Yin , which is why they worked so well as leaders of the swim team. But just as with all things, there is a balance in the universe. No one is positive and happy all the time, just as no one is angry and negative all the time. Much like Dean found his softer side, Win could sometimes get angry. It just took a lot for him to get there.
Where some guys were quick to anger, Win was more likely to try and work things out. He was more likely to play the moderator and try to cool everyone’s tempers and calm things down. Win liked to float through life and enjoy himself rather than get caught up in anger or malice. Life was better when you didn’t waste time being angry, that was his belief.
So when something did push his buttons, when something did make him angry, it was a pretty big deal. Hurting someone he cared about? Someone he loved? That was the number one way to rile Win up.
~ ~ ~
Win and Team were meeting up for a lunch date off campus. Neither of them had class or swim practice, so they were free to goof off the whole afternoon if they wanted to. Win had been looking forward to it, because any free time spent with Team was a good time. What was not a good time, however, was the situation Win found himself approaching.
From a few yards away, he could tell that something was going on. A group of men were surrounding someone and it didn’t look like they were being very nice. Ever the peace-keeper, Win hurried along to see what was happening and hopefully help the situation. When he got closer, though, he noticed that the person being surrounded was Team. Team, who was now sporting a bloody lip, among other injuries.
The moment he realized just what was happening, the peaceful Win was gone, replaced by the defender. The older brother who wouldn’t let anyone mess with his younger siblings. The protective boyfriend to Team. He immediately grabbed the nearest man by the shoulder and yanked him away from Team. A scowl on his face, he laid a solid punch across the man’s jaw. Totally taken aback by the sudden attack, the man stumbled away and the other two guys in the group of bullies turned their attention to Win.
They were met with the same fierce, angry face the first guy was. Dropping Team, who slumped to the ground weakly, they approached Win and tried to beat him up instead. Team weakly grabbed at the pant leg of one, slowing him down while the other lunged for Win.
Quick on his feet, Win swiftly dodged the attack, grabbing the man’s arm and throwing him to the ground with his own forward momentum. He then kicked him in the gut to keep him down. The third guy, mad at Team for grabbing his leg, was about to kick the fallen swimmer. Win quickly grabbed him in a headlock and pulled him back, a safe distance from Team.
“Don’t even think about it,” he growled into the man’s ear, then tossed him aside. The third man tripped over the second one, who was still on the ground thanks to Win’s kick. The three of them decided it was no longer worth the fight, scrambled to their feet and ran away, cursing Win and Team as they went.
Win carried on glaring at them until they turned away completely and were leaving for sure. Then his scowl vanished, replaced by an expression of love and concern. He knelt down in front of Team and helped him to sit up, looking over the injuries. “Are you okay?”
Team’s clothes were disheveled, his lip split open on one side, and a bruise was forming on one cheek. He looked tired and sore and Win’s heart ached.
“I’m okay... thanks, hia.” Without a care about who saw them, Team let his head fall to rest on Win’s shoulder. His own shoulders slumped and he sighed.
Win immediately wrapped his arms around the other man, letting him catch his breath. He combed his fingers through Team’s hair and waited until it seemed like he might be ready to move. “Let’s get out of the street, come on...”
With Win’s help, Team stood back up again and wrapped an arm around Win’s back, holding onto his shoulder for support. Win wound his arm securely around Team’s waist and helped him walk to the nearest cafe. He sat him down at a table, then ordered a couple of cold drinks and asked for some ice and a towel from the cashier, who obliged.
Quickly returning to Team’s side, he got the younger man to drink some water, then gently cleaned him up. Team let Win do as he wanted, just closing his eyes and trying to relax on the chair Win had sat him down in. Win ran his fingers through Team’s bangs, straightening them out a little, then caressed his face.
“What happened?” His expression was soft, loving, but concern was still apparent on his face.
“I don’t know, hia. They just didn’t like the look of me, I guess? I bumped into one of them by accident... I apologized, but they ... I guess they were looking for a fight.”
Win let out a curse in Chinese under his breath, frowning. Then he softened and sighed. “Are you okay?”
Team nodded weakly, “Yeah, I am. I will be, anyway. Thanks for saving me, hia.”
Win leaned forward and kissed Team’s forehead and Team must be too exhausted from the fight to care, because he didn’t even look around or momentarily panic at the affection. Instead, he leaned forward to rest his head on Win’s chest.
“Oh, Team...” Win sighed and wrapped his arm around Team’s shoulders, hugging him loosely. “I’m always here for you.”
Team hugged Win’s waist and stayed hidden for a long while before speaking, “I want to go home.”
“How about we get some food from auntie’s stall by the dorm and eat in my room, then?”
“Okay, hia.” Team nodded against Win, then finally drew back. The bruise on his cheek was turning darker and it pulled at Win’s heart. He wished he had arrived sooner.
“Come on,” Win pulled Team to stand and handed him the plastic cup full of ice that the lady behind the counter gave him. “Put this on your cheek until we get back. I’ll patch you up in the room.”
Team nodded and held the cup to his face. Win carried the drinks and led them out of the small cafe. On the walk back home, he made Team take a few drinks, just to keep hydrated. Team didn’t argue, just did as Win said. When they got to the food stand, Team hung back while Win ordered and then they headed up to Win’s room. He got Team settled on the couch and took care of the food, setting it out for them to eat after he got Team cleaned up. He cleaned the wounds, found a towel for the ice to go in, then grabbed a brush to fix Team’s hair.
At first, Team looked up at Win like he was crazy, “Hia? What are you doing?”
“Brushing your hair.”
“....Why?” Team didn’t understand.
“It will feel nice,” Win said, expecting that to explain everything. Team didn’t question him further and just closed his eyes as Win began slowly running the brush through his hair. There were a couple of tangles, which Win expertly worked out, then carried on. He used slow, methodical motions, carefully easing the brush through Team’s hair. Even after it was straight and orderly again, Win kept working.
Team’s shoulders had slowly relaxed under Win’s hands, his breathing evened out, his eyes had long since fallen shut. The slow, easy, repeated motion had calmed him down and eased his body, just as Win had hoped it would.
“You’re really good at that, hia...” Team finally said after several minutes had passed. His voice was soft, almost sleepy.
Win smiled. “I have a little sister, she likes when I brush her hair.”
“Mm...” Team nodded ever so slightly. Win’s hands dropped away from Team’s hair and he gently pulled the young man back to lean against his chest.
“You should eat something, then we can lay down. Sound good?” He nuzzled the top of Team’s head after asking.
“Sure.” Although Team, agreed, he made no move to sit up from Win’s hold. So they took a few moments to just sit there, peacefully, until Win finally urged Team to sit up and eat.
Lunch didn’t last too long, once Team got to eating he realized how hungry he had been. They were supposed to have had food nearly an hour ago now and Team was starving, especially after getting beat up. Win cleaned the food up and Team walked over to the bed and flopped down on it. When Win approached the bed, Team reached out an arm to him, “Hia...”
Win couldn’t help but smile fondly at him. He took Team’s hand and let himself be pulled down onto the bed. Settling on his back, he let Team curl up against his side, head resting on his chest.
“I’ve got you,” Win said softly, wrapping his arms around the other man. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
Team nodded against Win’s chest and closed his eyes. He sighed softly and just let his hia take care of him for now, too tired to do anything else. Sometimes, Team just needed to be held and loved and to feel safe. Just like when he woke up from nightmares in Win’s arms and was comforted.
“Hia...?” He asked tentatively.
“Mm?” Win tipped his head down to look at Team’s face.
“Could you...” Team chewed his lip, couldn’t find the words, but instead reached for Win’s hand and brought it to his hair.
Win smiled, smitten. “Of course.” He began combing his fingers ever so gently through Team’s hair until the young man fell asleep in his arms.
Maybe today didn’t go as planned, but Win was perfectly content to just lay in bed with Team, just like this.