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Jongseong listens to the rush of waves travelling in his ears as he swims through the cold water. The lively cheers from the spectators disappear when his whole body glides in the water, cutting the waves with confident backstroke and elegant butterfly. Every move is precise, just as practised, and Jongseong needs to keep going without looking back.
He steals a glance to his right- Lee Heeseung, his number one opponent, is catching up fast, trailing only a few inches behind Jongseong. The desire to win this competition burns bright in his mind, the thrill and fear of messing up runs into his bloodstream and Jongseong feels somewhat alive. Jongseong has always been competitive, and entering this swimming competition will further challenge his capability and professionalism as a swimmer. He dreams of competing in the Olympics, alongside Heeseung and Sunghoon someday. Today, although Heeseung is his rival, he is still Jongseong's best friend and someone he cherishes dearly. They will support each other to reach their childhood dreams. That is their eternal promise.
"Park Jongseong is in the lead! One lap to go before he became Hybe University's top swimmer!"
Jongseong refocuses, pushing his body faster than he ever did. His feet meet the touchpad, the last lap for today's match, and he swims, now with breaststroke that his coach taught him. Jongseong never succeeded in that move, but Heeseung is an expert. He learned a lot from Heeseung. So, today, Jongseong challenges himself to perfect the skill, although risky. He accelerates, alternating from breaststroke to freestyle skillfully. Winning is the only notion in his mind as he moves forward; nothing can stop Jongseong once he put his utmost concentration on it.
"Lee Heeseung is catching up on Park Jongseong! These two rivals are trying their best to win that title today!"
Jongseong hears the cheers, the water gurgling in his ears, his heavy breathing and Heeseung's cheerful laughter echoing within him. He adds more force- almost there, Jongseong assures himself.
"Park Jongseong is getting closer to the finish line! And there we have it! Park Jongseong wins! Congratulations to Park Jongseong!"
He draws in deep breaths as only half of his body submerges in the water. Jongseong takes off his goggles and glances at the LED scoreboard. Lane 4, Place 1, Time 27.94 seconds.
"Park Jongseong broke his record with 27.94 seconds! What a day to witness such success from our talented swimmer!"
Jongseong has a hard time believing everything he sees and hears. Is this happening? Is this not another dream that he shared with Heeseung?
"Lee Heeseung comes in a close second with 28.05 seconds! Although he did not win today's competition, Lee also broke his last record! As expected from our ace!"
Jongseong turns to his right and sees Heeseung looking at the scoreboard with a beautiful sheen of crystal draping his sparkling doe-eyes. When their gazes meet, Heeseung flashes the most blinding smile Jongseong has ever seen, tender words of you did it, Park Jongseong graces his lips. Jongseong feels his heart flips, jumps and dives into the water.
We did it, Jongseong murmurs to Heeseung, still trying to catch his breath from the mixed feelings clawing in his heart. Somehow, despite the roar and energetic chants from the watchers, Jongseong can only hear the ragged breathing coming from Heeseung. Only from Heeseung. At this memorable moment, only Jongseong and Heeseung exist. Only Heeseung's joyful chuckle peals in his ears like the flickering fireflies swimming in his stomach, commencing a competition on their own.
Under the orange street light and glimmering stars, Jongseong and Heeseung cross the streets together. Their bodies are tired, drained from back-to-back training, strict diet and bubbling anxiety, but still content. Tonight, finally, they can sleep in peace and eat as many late-night snacks as they want.
Jongseong glances at Heeseung. The constant fizzy sensation resurfaces in his heart as he mirrors the smile; Heeseung grins at him, prettily, magnificently.
"Jongseong-ah," Heeseung calls, residues of fireworks prick his skin in a delicious tingle.
"Hm?" Jongseong answers, suddenly, his throat feels dry, and no words are forming in his mind. Jongseong is always good with words, and thoughts will never stop popping out of his head. But tonight, as he soaks in the warmth exuding from Heeseung's body, although a few inches separate them, he takes refuge in it. His head spins, and Jongseong realizes this only happens when he is with Heeseung.
"I am so proud of you," Heeseung says, showing a thumb up accompanied with his million won smile.
Someone pressed the stop button out of nowhere; Jongseong's heart is now in a screeching pause. Paralyzed, Jongseong involuntarily stops walking as he watches Heeseung's gleam outshine all the stars and crescent moon across the vast night sky. After all these years, Jongseong finally understands the reason behind his rapid heartbeat and clammy hands whenever Heeseung is close. It is funny to think about it, especially when he remembers Sunghoon's words; you look at Heeseung-hyung as if he means the world to you.
Perhaps, Heeseung does mean the world to Jongseong. Maybe more than just the world. Maybe Heeseung means the entire universe to Jongseong.
Aside from his parents, Heeseung is there throughout his entire journey of chasing his dreams to become a professional swimmer. Having Heeseung around during practices, after meals and evaluation tests is his start-up to success. Without Heeseung's support and motivation, Jongseong would have given up long ago.
It has always been Heeseung.
From the day Jongseong entered the swimming class and the day he won his first competition, Heeseung was there by his side, applauded his success and pulled him anew from his downfalls. Like a goggle, Jongseong was there for Heeseung without a miss. They are each other's lifeline, the light that shines their way in darkness or silent tears cascaded from swollen, tired eyes.
Jongseong breathes in the whirl of lemon from Heeseung's cologne and stands in front of the elder. He hears his heart pounding violently in his ears, ribs shattering as he looks into Heeseung's eyes, "Hyung, I am proud of you too. Always have, and always will."
Heeseung smiles, livelier than before, tenderer than ever was, "Thank you, Jongseong-ah."
Hesitantly, Jongseong reaches out for Heeseung's hands. When he takes the latter's hands into his, Jongseong waits for Heeseung to retreat, but he does not. Jongseong takes this as a sign to continue.
"Hyung," Jongseong glimpses at their interlocked hands, his heart crumbles at how perfect their fingers match with one another, "without you, I can never be here."
The cicadas are whistling their sonnet of love, and the wistful smile on Heeseung's face intoxicate Jongseong, driving him to the edge of a cliff, "You are important to me, Heeseung-hyung."
Jongseong holds onto Heeseung's gaze; the electrifying sensation connects them in a red knot of unspoken promises and expectant tomorrows.
"I," Jongseong exhales, a smile stretches across his face, all feelings finally freed, "I like you, Heeseung-hyung."
The world stops revolving, the cicadas stop singing, and the stars glitter solely on Heeseung, enhancing his handsome features against the coldness of night gust. Heeseung's radiance is the only evident spheroid in Jongseong's cosmos, a jewel that he cherishes the most.
And when Heeseung smiles, ardently, astoundingly, Jongseong forgets how to breathe.
Heeseung purses his lips. Euphoria is evident on his face- crimson brushes his cheeks in tandem, "Finally," he sucks in the snot-filled air, "it took you forever to confess. I thought this day would never come."
Jongseong is equally intelligent as Jaeyoon, but now, his brain has stopped working and processing data. He blinks rapidly, hoping to cease away the confusion jumbling in his mind.
"Huh?" He exclaims, more like a question.
Heeseung giggles, and it sounds like the water flowing in his ears whenever he starts swimming. It sounds like home and comfort.
The elder sways their entwined fingers to the air, rows of pearly-white teeth bedeck his view as Heeseung announces, "I like you too, Park Jongseong!"
Oh. Oh. So this is how love feels like, Jongseong ponders.
It is more than butterflies, rainbows, unicorns, all those pretty kinds of stuff. It is more than a pink and yellow explosion in Jongseong's life. Jongseong does not know how to explain the feeling coherently. But, the warmth spreading all over his body and the wide grin is enough of an explanation for now. He will figure it out along the way, and Heeseung might help him understand the mechanism of love too.
Maybe love is Lee Heeseung. As simple as breathing, as passionate as his love for swimming, maybe Heeseung is just like that too. Maybe lovelier.
Naturally, his body gravitates closer to Heeseung as he engulfs the elder in a tight hug. It feels different now their feelings are out in the open. They are on the giving and receiving end, ready to love and support each other until they reach the touchpad together.
Jongseong takes the chance to savour the citrus concoction, letting the scent soak into his bones, embroidering the arduous ripple in his mind. They fit so well with each other; Heeseung lightly noses the crown of his head, and Jongseong suavely pecks the expanse of Heeseung's collarbones.
As Heeseung chuckles blissfully, warm invitation of let's eat tteokbokki and fried chicken rings in his ears, Jongseong feels like a winner again. But this time, his prize is more meaningful than all the trophies he won before.
And when Jongseong replies, your treat! teasingly, Heeseung pinches his waist, and he yelps in surprise. But the feeling of having Heeseung in his arms is magical, a lasting, forevermore, hakanai.