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Wonpil is five when he gets swept out to sea.
It was his first time visiting the beach, his family had made a whole big deal about their beach trip. Wonpil, in particular, had been ecstatic. It was his first time going to a beach since he had recently learned how to swim.
The entire family was heading down to the Busan beaches since that was where Wonpil’s cousin wanted to celebrate her graduation. It was also Wonpil’s first time staying at a hotel, but he was more excited at the fact that he was going to the sea.
He had always wondered if the sea really was salty.
As he fought to stay above the water, his limbs flailing and his eyes stinging, he found that he hated salty water.
He knew how to swim as he had gone to the local pool with his family, but, that was nothing compared to the push and pull of the waves that were adamant about taking him.
His beloved egg floaty mocked him in the distance, out further in the sea, and the whole reason he had even gone so far out.
It was the last thing he saw before he submerged.
The salty water stung his eyes as he reached up towards the distorted sunlight.
He didn't want to die.
There were so many things he still wanted to do!
And he was so young!
But the salty water started to burn his lungs, pricking his mouth as he fell deeper and deeper, his vision blurring as his eyes burned.
As he drowned, Wonpil found that he couldn’t even cry for the end of his life.
He could only swallow more of the briny liquid.
As the salted water replaced his blood, pushing his heart closer to imploding, a sudden warmth brushed against his corpse cold fingers.
And then there was a hand pulling him up.
That was the day Wonpil saw a mermaid.
It had pulled him up, draping him over a foam swimming kickboard with ‘Busan Swimming Academy’ printed on it. It called out to the lifeguard who had been too busy making a pass at Wonpil’s cousin to notice the drowning boy.
And then, once Wonpil was on the lifeguard's back, it swam away with such elegance and control, it just had to be a mermaid.
Even if he was just a boy hardly older than him, with a boyish smile and two feet - not a tail fin - paddling back to join the rest of his swim team.
As Wonpil was carried back to land, his body shutting down from its desperate fight against death, he decided, he wanted to become a great swimmer so he could swim and meet the mermaid again.
~~~
The pungent smell of chlorine was suffocating.
It made his eyes sting differently than all those years ago when he had nearly drowned.
And this time, Wonpil was in control.
"Dude," Younghyun grumbled, hugging his towel as he waddled towards Wonpil, "It's too damn early to be swimming! I have a class in an hour! I should still be sleeping!"
Wonpil shrugged his friend off, adjusting his goggles as he stood up.
"I can't swim alone," Wonpil said. "What if I drown?"
And with that, he dived into the pool, the familiar water encasing his body. It pushed against him as he kicked his legs, straining against his arms as he propelled himself forward. He twisted his body, letting out a small gasp as he broke the surface of the water. He smiled as water droplets rolled down his face.
"You're basically a mermaid for crying out loud! You drowning is like me choking to death on air, not going to happen!"
Wonpil ignored the other, practicing his backstroke.
"Oh, honestly," Younghyun sat on the diving board, making no attempt to get in, "How can you be the ace of the team and be scared of water? The math isn't mathing!"
“I’m not scared of water,” Wonpil retorted.
“Then why am I here?” Younghyun sighed, “My younger cousins go swimming alone and they’re like, half your age!”
“I’m not scared of the water though!”
Younghyun pinched the bridge of his nose, “Right, my bad, you’re the little mermaid that’s scared of the sea. Big difference.”
“It is a big difference!” Wonpil shouted back.
“How the hell are you scared of water!?”
Wonpil pouted, “It’s not all water…”
“It’s not like you’re scared of the creatures in the sea,” Younghyun muttered, “I would get that but it’s literally the water you’re scared of. It makes no sense!”
“Come on, hyung,” Wonpil whined, trying to change the subject, “Why don’t you come in? The water is nice!”
He flapped his arms, making bits of water scatter.
“No thanks. I don’t want to go to class smelling like the pool,” Younghyun said, wrinkling his nose.
“But you’re wearing your swim team jacket?”
“Ah, this is different,” Younghyun said, pinching the shoulder fabric of his jacket. “This attracts the ladies and the gays.”
“It reeks of chlorine.”
“Yeah, well,” Younghyun shrugged, “I’m not washing it when we’re going to a competition tomorrow and I’ll have to wear it then. I’m on that college student budget.”
“Right…” Wonpil muttered.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he slipped under, turning and kicking off the end of the pool as he focused on his freestyle.
While he could do all of the forms, Wonpil was known for his freestyle stroke.
He had countless scholarship offers for his abilities but in the end, he chose the second-best. His parents and friends were all surprised when he rejected the full ride to the best university for swim, where almost all national team swimmers came from.
He claimed it was too far from home, but that wasn’t the reason he chose Seoul over Busan…
Wonpil gasped, standing in the water as he swiped his face, taking his goggles off as he rubbed his eyes.
“Wonpil?”
Wonpil opened his eyes, looking at Younghyun who looked at him worriedly from the diving board.
“You good man?”
Wonpil forced a smile as he stood in the middle of the pool.
“Yeah,” He lied. “Just a little cramp.”
“See, I told you it was too early for swimming!”
Wonpil chuckled nervously, waddling to the edge of the pool and gripping the edge as he closed his eyes, gulping softly.
Just thinking about Busan brought him back to that moment all those years ago.
He was suddenly his five-year-old self getting swept out to the vast sea.
Wonpil shook his head as he got control of himself.
He was in a pool, not the sea.
And he knew how to swim.
After nearly drowning, he had immediately enrolled in swimming lessons at the local pool. He thought that it would help him overcome his initial fear of water and help him meet the mermaid in the future since he was in a swimming academy too. His plan had worked, of course, but it never fully worked.
He had never dared step foot into the sea ever since the incident.
He couldn’t.
Well, he had , once , when he was in middle school and won medal after medal in a swimming competition.
His team went to the beach to celebrate, and Wonpil really did think he would be okay. He was older, stronger, and a much, much better swimmer. Plus, it wasn’t the same beach! It was a local one.
However, the moment he stepped foot in the sea, he was taken back to all those years prior to his five-year-old self. The strong sting of the salty air burned his eyes and lungs as his heart hammered. All his years of swimming seemed to go out the window as he stared in terror as a wave came crashing down, pulling him back into the sea's deathly grip.
Wonpil ran back to the umbrella and coolers, trembling as he sat down on the blanket, his ankles dotted with water droplets and sand as he gasped for breath.
He spent the rest of that day making crappy sand castles and avoiding looking at the sea.
And he had never tried to go into the sea ever again.
As much as he wanted to go to Busan, their swim team practiced exclusively in the sea.
Wonpil just couldn’t.
“Hey man.”
Wonpil looked up to see Younghyun crouching a bit in front of him, a look of concern on his face.
“Are you sure you’re really okay?”
Wonpil bit his lip, “Uh, maybe I’m a bit nervous?”
“The championships?”
Wonpil nodded, he was lying but the upcoming swimming championship also weighed heavily on his nerves.
“Come on,” Younghyun said, “We’ll win. We have you for the freestyle and me for the butterfly stroke. Saem-hyung is a powerhouse of a backstroke swimmer and Hakun recently beat his personal goal for his breaststroke. Our other teammates are good too. Who cares if it’s Busan? We’re rivals for a reason! Besides, you know their current team gets carried by their backstroke swimmer.”
Wonpil sighed, resting his chin on his arms as he lazily kicked the water.
“Park Sungjin,” Wonpil whispered.
“Yeah, that dude.”
Wonpil sighed, closing his eyes.
He knew of Sungjin, and Sungjin knew of him, although they had never formally met.
Everyone in the swimming community knew about them: Park Sungjin from the south and Kim Wonpil from the north.
Although they swam in different races, they were proclaimed to be rivals. Although, Wonpil had never thought of the other boy as his rival.
They just so happened to be gifted swimmers that happened to occur at roughly the same time. Wonpil knew Sungjin entered the swimming world earlier, so he had a few more awards and such but Wonpil wasn’t too far behind. They had both made names for themselves at young ages, hence why they were declared rivals.
Honestly, Wonpil had never even spoken to the boy in the handful of times they were at the same competition.
They were always on opposite ends and they had never been at the same competition except for major events during school. Now that they were in university, they competed a bit more but Wonpil suspected that the organizers were convinced they were mortal enemies and would fight if they saw one another.
Allegedly, Sungjin would be there but Wonpil never once saw the other, just heard his name called out when he would win his race.
He was starting to think Sungjin didn’t exist and everyone was gaslighting him to convince him he was a real person.
Wonpil sighed, opening his eyes and looking at Younghyun who was frowning slightly as he pulled out his buzzing phone.
“You’re positive we’re swimming in the pool for the championships, right?”
Younghyun looked up, “Yeah? They wouldn’t make us do it in the sea, it’s an unfair advantage to the Busan team since the majority of us only swim in pools.”
Wonpil nodded, humming, “Good.”
“Hold on,” Younghyun said, holding out a finger as he picked up the call. “Hello?”
Wonpil sighed, standing up in the pool, and grabbed his goggles. Right as he was about to lower them, Younghyun shouted.
“What?!”
Wonpil flinched, looking up at Younghyun who looked pale.
“What?” Wonpil said nervously, his stomach dropping in dread.
Younghyun clenched his phone, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, “Okay. We’ll be there shortly.”
Wonpil frowned, pulling himself out of the pool as Younghyun hung up.
“What’s happening?”
“Get changed,” Younghyun said, quickly, “Saem-hyung is in the hospital.”
“What?!”
Younghyun waved his hand, “Hurry up and change!”
Wonpil’s heart pounded as he ran, ignoring the ‘Do Not Run’ signs.
Saem was their swimming team captain who was going to be the one to participate in the 200-yard backstroke race.
He was the only one who really stood a chance at beating Sungjin from Busan in that race.
Wonpil’s stomach sank as he threw the changing room door open.
Something told him, he was diving into the sea head-first.
~~~
“Wonpil-ah, can I speak to you for a moment, in private?”
Wonpil looked up at his coach and then back at Saem in the hospital bed with the rest of their teammates surrounding him. His broken leg propped in the air.
“Oh, uh, sure,” Wonpil murmured.
Younghyun glanced at the two as they headed out, Wonpil grimly smiled at him.
As Wonpil stepped out, their coach slid the door to the room closed.
“What’s up?” Wonpil nervously asked, his heart pounding.
“Well, obviously Saem is in no condition to participate in the championships and he won’t be able to discharge until tomorrow, way after our bus to Busan has already departed. You’ll have to take his place in the 200-yard backstroke race.”
Wonpil froze, his face paling.
“But coach, I’m supposed to participate in the 200-yard freestyle-”
“I know,” His coach interrupted, “But no one else could possibly win against Sungjin of Busan aside from you now that Saem is out of the competition. Your times when you do the backstroke are nearly the same as Saem, I’m sure you can win tomorrow.”
Wonpil nervously clenched his hands, “But what about the freestyle 200? I can’t do five races, especially not two 200 that are back-to-back.”
“Kangae will do it.”
Wonpil frowned, Kangae was one of the freshman swimmers and his time was nowhere near as good as Wonpil’s.
“But-”
“Look, Wonpil-ah,” Wonpil frowned, “Us winning the 200-yard freestyle competition was a given with you since no one else measures up to you in that section. Kangae is nowhere as talented as you, but his times are good enough to win the race. Ideally, he would do the 50-yard instead and you would still do the 200 but as you said, even you can’t do that. We need you to win the 200-yard backstroke race to ensure our victory. Younghyun can’t win if he were to do it, and we have no one good enough to fill in his spot to ensure first place in the butterfly 200-yard.”
Wonpil’s stomach turned as his face paled.
If he were to switch to the 200-yard backstroke, then his events for the championship would be the 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke, 400 IM, and the freestyle relay.
“I-I don’t know,” Wonpil said, “I’ve been training for my specific lineup. I don’t know if I’ll have enough stamina or energy if I do the 200-yard backstroke instead.”
“Please,” His coach begged, “You’re the Kim Wonpil, you can do it. You’ll be the one to end Busan’s streak now that their old team captain graduated and went off to the Olympic team.”
Wonpil swallowed.
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
~~~
Wonpil woke up to the feeling of his head hitting the window a bit too hard.
He groaned, slipping his sleep mask off from over his eyes. He winced slightly at the morning sunrise and closed one eye as he looked to his side where Younghyun was about to snap his neck as he dangled over the side of his seat as he slept.
Wonpil blinked, his eyes adjusting to the light as he turned his head to look out the window.
His breath hitched as he saw the beach.
The water that went on and on…it came crashing down in a wave that lapped at the feet of the swim team running along the edge in their red and white swim jackets, navy blue words clear as daylight.
Wonpil stared as he saw one guy leading the two lines of men behind him. He shouted as he led them. His jacket fluttered in the wind as his black hair was slicked back by the sea wind.
Wonpil gulped.
It was Sungjin.
He quickly turned away, looking down at his lap as he dug out his phone.
He cursed his hands for shaking, but he needed a distraction from the sea and Sungjin.
He wasn’t sure which was scarier now.
Especially when he would have to see both of them soon enough. The sea because apparently his coach hated him and wanted them all to have a ‘nice’ beach-side view from their hotel. And Sungjin because they would be competing for the first time in their lives in just a few hours.
Even as Younghyun jolted awake and sat up, the smell of chlorine didn’t help ease Wonpil’s nerves.
~~~
“Kim Wonpil, is it?”
Wonpil’s heart races as he looks up from where he had been staring dead ahead at an empty wall, waiting for his next race to be called up.
He sees Sungjin up close for the first time.
“Park Sungjin,” Wonpil softly greeted, “Hi.” He manages to squeak out.
“Hello.” Sungjin lazily smiles, his Busan accent heavy and the smell of the sea breeze clinging off of him, and oh- oh that is not good for Wonpil’s heart. “I hear you’re the one competing in the 200 with me.”
“I am.”
Sungjin arches an eyebrow, a glint in his eyes.
Wonpil tries not to combust under his heavy gaze.
“Taking the whole rival thing to heart, finally, eh?”
Wonpil bites his bottom lip as he stands - hoping that he’s not as intimidated by the other once he’s standing. He’s wrong. Sungjin is taller and staring directly into his eyes and now Wonpil just wants to run away.
“I’ve never avoided you,” Wonpil replied. “But we’ve had no reason to be rivals since we don’t do the same events.”
Sungjin chuckles, “Oddly enough, we just so happen to be in three of the same events today.”
“Then, we are official rivals as of today.”
Sungjin grins, “I’ve always wanted to see which one of us was better.”
“Me too.”
Sungjin stuck out his hand.
“Let’s put an end to our shared first place and finally prove who’s the better swimmer.”
Wonpil smirked, taking his hand and shaking it.
“Of course, may the best win.”
The boys glared at one another, letting go of one another's hands and silently walking shoulder-to-shoulder as they hear the announcer call out for the 200-yard backstroke.
Everyone can feel the tension between the two swimmers as they march up to their lane. Sungjin took the fourth lane, which was reserved for the fastest. Wonpil took the one to his right, reserved for the second-fastest.
Wonpil ignored everyone as he made sure his swimming cap was on correctly before adjusting his goggles. He could hear his heart drumming in his ears as he got into position. He steals a glance at Sungjin, seeing him in position as well.
He could do this.
He could do this.
He could do this!
The buzzer went off and Wonpil began kicking with all of his might.
He hadn’t trained enough for this event. He knew it but, maybe, just maybe, he could win. He had always been good at the backstroke but his coaches had wanted him to focus on front crawl since he could break records without even having to sneeze.
He had been training so hard for the freestyle, that he was sure he could win the backstroke. He had the energy and stamina for it. The talent was there.
And he really wanted to beat Sungjin at his own game.
He’s making sure his breathing is steady as he races, making sure that not an ounce of strength went unused. His legs throbbed as he kicked.
If he thought about it, it was almost like doing an upside-down freestyle.
His arms start to sting a bit as he swam, his heart racing as he furrows his eyebrows. No! He would win even if his body gave him hell for it tomorrow.
His legs had become jello-like at his powerful kicks and his lungs start to burn a bit. He internally swears and wonders how the hell Sungjin was able to do this at every competition.
And then he was touching the wall and the buzzer was going off.
Wonpil gasped, turning around and looking through his water-dotted goggles to see Sungjin’s teammates cheering and his heart sinks.
He takes off the goggles, wiping at his face and squinting at the time scoreboard, his eyes focusing on the two top scores.
Park Sungjin: 1:55:87
Kim Wonpil: 1:56:57
Wonpil feels a lump in his throat as he clutches his goggles, his face burning.
His legs throb as he pulls himself out of the pool and he nearly falls at how exhausted his legs are.
Younghyun runs up to his side, helping him walk to the break room.
“Holy shit, you were amazing out there!”
“No,” Wonpil grits out, “I wasn’t.”
“Dude, you beat Sungjin’s old record on your first try!”
“I wasn’t amazing enough,” Wonpil says, his voice wavering as he ducks his head, shameful tears welling in his eyes.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Younghyun says softly.
“It’s not,” Wonpil croaks out, “I let the team down.”
“Hey,” Younghyun comforted, leading them back into their breakroom, away from the cheering crowd, “We’re a team. Our victory doesn’t revolve around just your race. I won the butterfly 200 and Hakun somehow managed to snag the victory for the breaststroke 200. Even if Kangae loses the freestyle, as long as we win the freestyle relay and 400 IM, we’re golden.”
Wonpil swallows the lump in his throat, heading into the locker room as he saw Sungjin heading in his direction.
“My legs feel like jelly.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Younghyun said, stretching his fingers, “I’ll make them good as new.”
Wonpil bit his lip, “No, hyung, I feel tired.”
Younghyun frowned, “Your nerves are probably making you a bit winded.”
Wonpil hugged his arms as he ducked into the room, “I don’t know.”
“Come on,” Younghyun said, “Drink some water and relax. I’ll get one of the others to massage your other leg.”
Wonpil hummed, sitting down as Younghyun sauntered off to get someone else. Wonpil closed his eyes, the only thing he could see was Sungjin.
Fuck.
~~~
“I’m so, sorry, hyung!” Kangae said.
Wonpil clenched his jaw, fixing his goggles as he stood.
“Leave him alone,” Younghyun snapped, gasping as he wiped the water droplets off his face, “It’s almost his turn! Don’t distract him!”
Wonpil ignored the two as he walked up to his spot, Hakun coming closer.
Wonpil gulped, glancing at Sungjin who stared dead ahead at his own teammate who was neck-and-neck with Hakun.
Why was Sungjin ending the relay for his team? Why didn’t he open it like usual? Why was he participating in the freestyle portion?
Wonpil pushed Sungjin out of his mind as he got into position.
He didn’t have to do the backstroke, he just had to focus on freestyle, which he excelled at. If Sungjin chose to beat Wonpil in his own game then Wonpil would win, no offense to Sungjin, but it was his specialty and he wasn’t about to let Sungjin beat him twice. Especially not in his swimming technique.
Wonpil didn’t have much more time to think as Hakun tagged out and Wonpil threw himself in.
Immediately, he started paddling, his legs kicking and his arms moving. He was blinded by the water dotting his goggles, a result of his arm's speed.
Fuck, he needed to win.
Kangae had come in third in the 200 freestyle and Wonpil had seen his coach about to snap his clipboard in half. As long as Wonpil won the freestyle relay and the 400 IM, they would win the championship.
Wonpil’s legs started to ache as he kicked. He internally cursed.
He shouldn’t be this tired by now.
The backstroke 200 was getting to him.
Fuck, if he had just practiced a bit more then he wouldn’t be getting tired.
He just had to be a bit better! For his team!
Wonpil gasped, reaching the end of the race and breaking the surface as a buzzer rang.
He wiped his goggles as he heard familiar cheering. Wonpil smiled as he looked at his teammates, Younghyun screaming in joy as he swung his towel in victory.
Wonpil grinned, looking at the scoreboard and his heart soared.
He had beat Sungjin by almost two full seconds.
Wonpil grinned, pulling himself out of the pool and getting smothered by his swim team. He giggled, getting twirled around by one of the older members.
As he was spun, Wonpil looked at Sungjin as the older boy walked off, an unreadable expression on his face.
Wonpil smiled.
Just one more race and he could put an end to Busan’s reigning win streak.
As his team simmered down and a few more races passed, Wonpil found himself back where he had been after his 50-yard race.
He closed his eyes as he rest his head against the wall.
“Yo, rival.”
Wonpil opened his eyes and turned to look at Sungjin.
“What?”
Sungjin smiled, holding out a water bottle to him.
“Don’t forget to hydrate.”
Wonpil blushed, turning to look away, “I already drank my water. Any more and I might just become water myself.”
Sungjin chuckled, “With the way you move, you might as well be.”
Wonpil glanced at Sungjin as the older sat down on the bench across from him.
The water bottle he had offered Wonpil sitting next to Wonpil.
Wonpil nervously looked down at his fingers, looking at how pruned they had gotten from his swimming.
He stole another glance at Sungjin, watching the older tilt his head back as he drank water.
Watching as his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
Wonpil blushed, looking away.
Why did Sungjin come to him anyway?
They had gone years without interacting and now Sungjin couldn’t seem to leave his side or his mind but that was neither here nor there.
“What’re ya thinking about?”
Wonpil flinched slightly, looking across the hall to see Sungjin looking at him in a way that made Wonpil’s stomach flip.
“The 400 IM.”
Wonpil couldn’t stand to look at Sungjin anymore, his stomach twisted nervously. He busied himself and picked up the water bottle, swiping his thumb against the beads of water rolling down the bottle.
Sungjin hummed.
Wonpil glanced at Sungjin, quickly looking back down at the water bottle as he saw Sungjin looking at him closely as though he was studying him.
“Um, what are you thinking about?”
“You’re a really talented swimmer.”
Wonpil blushed slightly, “You’re really talented too.”
“I guess whoever wins this race is the better swimmer.”
Wonpil rubbed his thumb against the ridges of the bottlecap.
Sungjin had won one and he had won the other. Whoever won the 400 would be the winner.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”
The duo fell silent.
Wonpil stole a glance at Sungjin, watching the other rub his thumb against the water bottle’s side. He dug his thumb slightly against the flimsy plastic where the water wasn’t high enough to fill, the plastic crinkling in response.
Wonpil’s eyes nervously darted to the veins of Sungjin’s arms. His arms looked so strong…
He gulped, quickly looking, pressing his legs together, and placing his hands on his lap. His hands curled slightly as he looked down the hall, hoping for anyone to come walking by.
No one did.
Wonpil’s traitorous eyes wandered back to Sungjin, his breath hitching when he saw Sungjin pressing his tongue against his cheek as he looked down the hall.
His mind flatlined and he nearly fell in his scramble to stand up when the announcer mercifully called out for the 400 IM. He gulped, clenching his fists and getting a hold of himself.
As the duo stood, they turned and stared at one another in the eyes before turning and walking down the hall.
“Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck.”
Sungjin smirked, “Just a formality.”
Wonpil hummed, tossing his water bottle to Younghyun who scrambled to catch it.
“I’m going to beat you with raw talent,” Wonpil murmured, feeling everyone watching them as they walked.
Sungjin chuckled darkly, “I’d like to see you try.”
The two pulled away, getting into their proper lanes and adjusting their goggles.
Wonpil swore the crowd grew silent as they did.
Wonpil let out a deep breath.
He could do this.
If he pulled ahead of Sungjin in the butterfly portion then he could have some wiggle room when they switched to the backstroke. He could lessen any potential gap in the breaststroke portion and he would drive it home in the last portion.
No matter what, Wonpil refused to come in second in the freestyle portion.
At the sound of the go signal, Wonpil was engulfed in water.
Of all the strokes, the butterfly was the one that gave him the hardest time.
Wonpil figured that Sungjin and everyone else were assuming that he would just have the last two portions to pass Sungjin but they didn’t know he had a secret card up his sleeve.
That card being none other than Younghyun.
While their friendship had started randomly - and Younghyun did confess one drunken night that he had intended on screwing him when they first met but he decided he would make a better friend than some one-time thing - they had been close since then.
As such, Younghyun somehow became Wonpil’s butterfly stoke swimming instructor when he saw what his time was compared to the other strokes.
He had worked him to the point of getting abs - which he lost after the winter season passed and he had spent most of the days huddled in his blankets eating snacks and watching dramas - but it had paid off.
Wonpil knew so because he was already starting the backstroke portion while Sungjin was barely reaching the two-hand touch turn.
Wonpil pushed Sungjin out of his mind as he focused on the backstroke.
He had to keep his lead.
As he moved, Wonpil noticed that his muscles were a bit sore.
His heart hammered as he tried not to panic.
He knew he would face problems after doing the 200 backstroke. He had felt it during the relay but Younghyun and Jinyoung had worked his muscles to the point where Wonpil felt like dough by the end of their massage.
Still, he could feel the slight ache as he threw his arms back. His legs were also a bit heavy as he moved them.
He focused on his breathing as the dull ache started to eat at his mind.
No, he would be fine!
Wonpil cursed, hearing Sungjin begin his turn as he arrived at the end too.
Wonpil hurriedly turned, beginning the breaststroke portion.
He internally cursed when he noticed Sungjin was pushing upwards again.
Wonpil was known for his speed and the breaststroke was known for being the slowest of the four strokes. Naturally, it should have been his mortal enemy but it came naturally to him.
He probably would have focused on it if he hadn’t discovered his love for speed.
As Wonpil cut down the bit of distance between him and Sungjin, he tried not to think about how heavy his limbs were starting to feel. His leg muscles burned slightly at the strain.
He was getting tired.
Wonpil blocked out all the thoughts of how tired he was as he and Sungjin turned.
Wonpil internally smiled as he entered the freestyle portion.
Even if he was tired, he would beat Sungjin and be able to rest all he wanted once he was out of the pool.
He had beat Sungjin in the freestyle portion of the relay, and he would do it again.
As he kicked, he became all too aware of the cold chill running down his body.
His stomach turned as his heart pounded.
Something was wrong.
Wonpil gulped down his air, pulling ahead of Sungjin.
He was close to the end of the pool.
To the end of the race.
To winning.
What could possibly go wrong?
His calf twitched slightly.
Wonpil’s world stopped.
Wonpil cursed, his calf throbbing as he kicked.
No! Not now! He couldn’t get a cramp!
Wonpil clenched his teeth as he kept going, he was so close to the end. If he could just-
Wonpil’s body trembled, pain engulfing his right leg as he swam. Tears gathered in his eyes as he tried to move his leg only for waves of pain to wash over him.
Fuck!
No!
Just a little-
The buzzer went off.
Wonpil’s heart dropped, his arms moving quickly despite his calf spazzing out. The pain was overwhelming and it hurt so much to move but he just had to-
Wonpil gasped, letting out a cry of pain as he clutched the end of the pool.
“Agh!” Wonpil cried out in pain, his hands gripping onto the pool edge as he tried to stay afloat.
“Hey, what’s wrong?!”
Wonpil cried out in pain, losing his flimsy hold on the pool and sinking into the water, unable to move; his calf felt like it had been set on fire. The pain only intensified if he tried to move his leg.
A pair of arms quickly wrapped around him, pushing him out of the water and Wonpil’s fingers dug into the tile as he screamed.
“Oi! Get a stretcher! His leg is cramping up!”
He wasn’t too sure what happened next, his mind busy being flooded with pain as he felt his leg muscles spazzing out, twitching and pulling at itself. He sobbed, clutching at whoever was by his side as tears rolled down his face - he wasn’t sure when his goggles had been taken off.
God, his leg felt like it was tearing itself apart.
The pain washed over him in waves, fuzzing up everything going on as all he could focus on was his leg trying to combust.
His vision went dark as the searing pain took over his world.
The next thing he knew, he was waking up in the clinic surrounded by a few of his teammates.
He groaned softly, sitting up, and everyone turned to look at him. Everyone had puffy red eyes and Wonpil’s stomach sank.
“Hey, buddy,” Younghyun said softly, trying to ease the obvious tension in the room. “You sure gave us a scare back there.”
“How badly did I fuck up?”
“You didn’t-”
“I lost us the championship,” Wonpil bit out, looking at the others who looked down to avoid his gaze. “By how much? I know I didn’t win that race.”
Younghyun swallowed, “Look, Wonpil, no one-”
“Just tell me already!”
“You got third,” His coach said softly.
Wonpil cursed, his eyes filling with tears as he fell back on the cot. His cheeks burned as he tried not to cry.
“Wonpil, I’m really sorry,” His coach said. “I shouldn’t have made you change one of your races all of a sudden. I know things would’ve been different if I didn’t change everyone's schedules all of a sudden.”
Wonpil covered his eyes with his arm as he cried.
He wanted to curse out his coach, Kangae, Saem, Sungjin, and anyone who tried to talk to him at the moment.
The others quickly tried to speak, to comfort him, but Wonpil drowned out all of their words.
He had lost not only to Sungjin but he had cost them first place at the championships.
No amount of comfort could heal his ego.
Hell, it was the first time he had even come in third place in years. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had come in third place!
Still, Wonpil cried.
And he didn’t stop until he ran out of tears.
~~~
Wonpil felt suffocated in his room.
He stared up at the dark ceiling as Younghyun’s soft breathing filled the hotel room.
He had to get out.
Wonpil sat up, glancing at Younghyun in the other bed to make sure he hadn’t woken him up. Younghyun was contorted in some position that told Wonpil he was toeing the line of the living and dead.
His back hurt at the thought of how Younghyun was arranged under his blanket.
Wonpil sighed softly, walking over to the window.
He looked out at the vast sea.
He didn’t know why he did what he did.
He was tired and sad.
So when he saw how the moonlight reflected off the sea, well…Wonpil found himself standing at the edge of the water before he came to his senses.
He jumped slightly when the water ran under his feet before pulling back into the sea.
Wonpil’s breath caught as he saw a wave form.
He stood frozen in his spot as it came crashing down, although, by the time it reached him, it did nothing but seep under his feet again before pulling back.
Huh, maybe the sea wasn’t as scary as he had feared for years.
Wonpil looked down at himself, he was already in swimming trunks.
He glanced back to where he had discarded his shirt and sandals.
Wonpil bit his bottom lip as he looked back out at the sea.
He had faced a crushing blow to his ego that day but maybe he could finally get over his fear of the sea.
As the water ran under his feet once more, Wonpil took a deep breath and walked into the sea.
He didn’t stop until the salty water reached his chest.
With one last breath, Wonpil closed his eyes and went under.
He skillfully moved his arms and legs, moving under the water as he began to swim.
After a few seconds, Wonpil broke the surface of the water, grinning widely as he laughed. He wiped the salty water out of his face and pushed his hair back as he happily bobbed in the water.
He did it!
He finally swam in the sea!
Wonpil grinned, twirling as his fingertips grazed the water.
“I did it!” Wonpil shouted, although, he knew no one would hear him.
Wonpil smiled, paddling around a bit more before he stood up, a wave crashing into him.
The wave wasn’t as scary as he remembered it to be.
In fact, it didn’t even knock him over as he stood in the sea.
He couldn’t even remember why he had been so scared of it as he dipped back under.
He just swam and swam to his heart's content, not worrying about running into the edge of the pool. He had never felt so free and alive before!
Wonpil grinned as he floated on his back, occasionally paddling as he looked up at the moon and stars.
It was so pretty.
Although, he had the creeping feeling of deja vu.
He shook out the thought, chills forming on his skin as he realized how cold the water really was as he drifted.
He should probably get out.
Wonpil hummed, flipping onto his stomach and that’s when he realized just how far out from the shore he was.
Huh, he had made sure not to go out past where his feet could touch the ground.
He shook off the thoughts as he took a deep breath and began to swim. He must have just drifted off a bit further than he realized when he had been drifting on his back.
However, as he swam, he couldn’t help but wonder why he wasn’t reaching the shore yet.
Wonpil gasped, breaking over the surface and his blood ran cold as he saw he was out even further from the shore.
Oh no.
His heart pounded as he swam harder, he knew he was swimming quickly and he should be getting closer, not further! But the water seemed to be pushing against him so when he checked again he was further away and the panic started to take over.
A sudden twitch of his calf made him all too aware of how exhausted his muscles were. And if he got a cramp that badly again…
“Help! Help!” Wonpil screamed, waves hitting him as he tried to stay afloat.
His heart pounded as he tried to get his head over the water to breathe but the waves only allowed him a few seconds before he was back under. His limbs were heavy and he was tired.
And holy shit this was a bad idea.
Wonpil gasped as he managed to break the surface, waving his arms for anyone to see him before he was dragged back under and farther.
Why was the water like this? It had been just fine earlier!
The realization that this might be how he died sent Wonpil fully over the edge. He swam as hard as he could, fear powering him but he got no closer to the shore.
As he managed to get another bit of air in, he heard someone shouting.
“Swim parallel! Swim parallel!”
Wonpil gasped, squinting through his wet eyelashes as he saw someone running down the shore.
“Help!” Wonpil managed to scream before he was pulled back under.
He was tired.
If he hadn’t swum the championships that day then he would be able to swim out but he just didn’t have the stamina or physical capabilities to keep going much longer.
Still, he tiredly swam but he didn’t get much further before his lungs were screaming at him to get air and he couldn’t get above the water.
He was taken back to his five-year-old self as his strength was sucked out.
He was just as helpless as back then as he drowned yet again.
As he sunk into the dark abyss, Wonpil couldn’t help but think how embarrassing it was going to be to die via drowning when he was such a talented swimmer.
As the water started to fill his lungs, Wonpil silently prayed that by some miracle, the mermaid from his childhood would save him.
He wondered if people would think he had purposefully drowned himself since he lost that day. Oh, he didn’t want that at all.
If only he was a better swimmer, then maybe he wouldn’t be drowning.
Suddenly, a pair of arms were wrapping around him.
They were brought to the surface and Wonpil immediately coughed out the water, gasping in the air as he clung to his savior.
“Hold on.”
Wonpil blinked the stinging water out of his eyes as his savior moved him onto his back.
Wonpil gulped, holding onto the other tightly.
He was warm.
“We’re going under, hold your breath!”
Wonpil did as told and his heart pounded with every second they spent under the water. What if he was the reason they both drowned?
He tried to stay positive as the other swam and he could feel whenever they went back into the normal waters as the water stopped trying to drag them out to sea. The other stopped swimming parallel to the shore and turned to swim towards the shore.
Wonpil held onto him tightly until they reached close enough to the shore where the other could stand.
“Are you okay?”
Wonpil gasped, his heart hammering.
It was Sungjin.
“Are you able to swim back or are you too tired?”
Wonpil’s mind spiraled.
“Are you a mermaid?”
“What?”
“Siren, maybe?”
Sungjin glanced back at him before looking back ahead.
Wonpil gulped as Sungjin walked, his arms now under the back of Wonpil’s knees as he started to carry him out of the water.
Sungjin didn’t say anything again until they were on the shore and he set down Wonpil.
Wonpil wobbled a bit once he was on the ground.
He turned to look up at Sungjin shyly. His heart pounding.
“Thank you for saving me,” Wonpil said softly.
Sungjin scowled.
“What were you thinking swimming in the sea at night!? Especially alone!” Sungjin roared.
Wonpil shrunk in on himself, his cheeks flushing as he looked down at the sand in shame.
“I-I,” Wonpil’s throat felt tight as tears filled his eyes. “I just wanted to…”
“You could have drowned! If you’re going to swim alone, at least know basic safety! You don’t swim against a rip current! You swim parallel!”
“I’m sorry,” Wonpil squeaked, his face burning. “I didn’t know…”
Sungjin let out a deep sigh before he engulfed Wonpil in a tight hug.
Wonpil’s eyes widened as he froze, his heart pounding.
“You could have died,” Sungjin whispered, hugging him tightly as he trembled.
“I’m sorry,” Wonpil whispered.
“Why the hell would you swim in the sea at night?”
“Because…” Wonpil’s cheeks burned. “I, uh…”
Sungjin let out a sigh, pulling away from Wonpil.
“You’re freezing.”
“I was in the water for a bit…”
“Come on,” Sungjin muttered as he grabbed Wonpil’s hand and pulled him along.
Wonpil glanced at Sungjin as they walked towards where Sungjin’s clothing was scattered. He was wearing black athletic shorts and he wasn’t wearing a shirt.
Wonpil had been clinging to his bare torso.
Wonpil’s face burned more as he looked down at the ground.
“Here.”
Wonpil looked up to see Sungjin holding out his swim team jacket.
Wonpil flushed, “Oh, my shirt is somewhere around here.”
“Well it’s not right here and you’re freezing. So here.”
Wonpil bit his lip, “Okay, thank you.”
He awkwardly pulled on the jacket. He watched as Sungjin pulled on his shirt.
Wonpil glanced at his shorts as they let out small trails of water.
They were old and worn and had faded lettering on them.
It read: Busan Swimming Academy.
Wonpil’s heart hammered as he looked up at Sungjin.
“You…did you save me before?”
“Huh?” Sungjin ran a hand through his wet hair, “I mean, I wouldn’t say save but I did push you out of the pool when your leg started cramping.” Sungjin paused, “You have a death grip, you know that?”
Wonpil blushed, the vague memory of himself clinging onto someone as he cried replaying in his mind.
“Oh, no, that wasn’t what I was- I’m sorry.” Wonpil sighed. He looked down as he played with the end of the jacket sleeve. “The event I’m talking about happened several years ago when I was five. I came to Busan for vacation and I almost drowned but some boy from the Busan Swimming Academy saved me.”
Wonpil flinched as Sungjin’s thumb rested under his chin, his forefinger pressing against his chin as he tilted his head up.
Wonpil’s face burned as he looked up at Sungjin, “What are you-”
Sungjin stared intently at his face and Wonpil’s chest barely moved as he held his breath.
Sungjin’s eyes were absolutely enchanting.
“I knew you looked familiar all these years,” Sungjin finally muttered as Wonpil’s eyes started to drift to his lips. Sungjin smiled at him, letting go of his chin but Wonpil still looked up at him with his flushed face and hammering heart. “I see you became a pretty amazing swimmer after that incident.”
Wonpil’s eyes gleamed as he smiled up at him, “You’re the reason I got into swimming! I wanted to meet you again!”
Sungjin grinned, “Funny how things turn out, huh?”
“Yes, it is, Mister mermaid.”
Sungjin blinked.
“What’s this about mermaids again? I thought you were delirious back there but now I’m not so sure.”
Wonpil giggled as rubbed the back of his neck, “Ah…back when you saved my life the first time, I thought you were a mermaid. I mean, you swam like one, and then just now, you swam to my rescue and I just…this is embarrassing.”
Sungjin laughed.
“You’re so cute.”
Wonpil blushed darker.
“So, why did you choose to swim alone tonight?”
Wonpil wrung his fingers, “Well, ever since I first nearly drowned, I’ve been terrified of going into the sea again. While you did make me want to become a swimmer, I also wanted to get over my fear of water when I signed up for swimming lessons. I got over my fear for the most part…except for the sea. This was the first time I’ve swum in the sea since the day I almost drowned.”
Sungjin let out a small whistle, “Wow, that is quite the feat. Good for you, Wonpil-ah.” Sungjin paused, “But please don’t do that again.”
Wonpil nodded, “Lesson learned.”
Sungjin smiled and Wonpil’s heart hammered.
Nothing about that day felt real to Wonpil.
He half wondered if he slipped and hit his head running to the changing rooms when he and Younghyun had first received the news of Saem being in the hospital.
The way Sungjin was making him feel didn’t help his spiraling thoughts.
“Why’d you suddenly talk to me?” Wonpil suddenly asked. “We’ve gone years without running into each other and suddenly you come to me and make me…” Wonpil trailed off, his cheeks heating as he had almost spilled something that was none of Sungjin’s business.
“Because this is the first time I’ve been able to reach ya. You know, it feels like the swim committee has been purposeful-”
“-Keeping us away from each other? Yeah, I picked up on that a while ago.” Wonpil sighed, “I mean honestly, did they think we would fight for something?”
“I knew I wasn’t crazy!” Sungjin exclaimed, grinning at Wonpil. “I mean honestly, they were the ones that pushed this whole rival narrative on us. Geez,” Sungjin sighed.
Wonpil smiled, “You know, one of my teammates actually asked me if we fought before and if that’s why the committee seems hell-bent on making sure we don’t meet.”
Sungjin’s eyes widened before he burst out laughing and Wonpil laughed as well.
Those were the very first words Younghyun had spoken to him and somehow Wonpil had decided to be his friend after that.
Sungjin’s laughter eased up, “Yeah, one of the first-year swimmers on my team asked me if it was true that we brawled after a competition when we were younger and that’s why we’re not allowed to meet at swim competitions.”
Wonpil burst out laughing, “What!? Where’d he get that from?”
“The uncle of a friend of his cousin’s swimming instructor's daughter.”
Wonpil groaned, “I wonder what other rumors there are about us.”
“Oh, here’s another one,” Sungjin chuckled, “Apparently we dated at some point and had a nasty break up hence why we’re never interacting.”
Wonpil’s face burned, “What!?”
Sungjin laughed, “Yeah, that one’s a newer one.”
Wonpil blushed.
Him…dating Sungjin?
His heart hammered.
“Actually, there’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while.”
Wonpil’s heart raced as he looked back up at Sungjin, “W-what would that be?”
“Why didn’t you choose Busan University?” Sungjin paused, “Ah, well, now that I know about your fear, I want to change that question.”
“To?”
“Would you have gone to Busan University if I had chosen to attend Seoul University?”
Wonpil blinked.
“I didn’t turn down the offer to avoid you, Sungjin- um, sunbae?”
“Hyung is fine.”
Wonpil nodded, “I didn’t base my decision on whether you were there or not. Really, I actually…” Wonpil bit his cheek, “I actually really wanted to go to Busan but the fear of the sea outweighed my want to meet you.”
Wonpil’s face burned.
“So…now that you’ve swum in the sea and met me…what do you think?”
Wonpil gulped, “Are you trying to…?”
Wonpil had never been one to catch onto flirting or anything of the sort - which Younghyun tried to give him a crash course in but he just didn’t get it.
But now as he stood in the middle of a beach with Sungjin, under the moon and stars with the sound of waves crashing?
A faint pink dusted Sungjin’s cheek as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“What do you think about me?”
Wonpil’s face burned, “I think…I should have chosen Busan over Seoul.”
Sungjin grinned as he cupped his face.
“May I?”
“Please.”
Their lips crashed together as waves do to the land.
If Wonpil was the land then Sungjin was the waves.
And Wonpil didn’t want Sungjin to pull away as the waves do.
Wonpil brought his hands up to clutch at Sungjin’s shirt, making sure he was really real and really right there, kissing him.
They don’t stop kissing until Wonpil’s lungs burn and he’s pulling away to gasp for air.
He hears Sungjin equally as winded and smiles to himself as he opens his eyes and looks up at Sungjin. His breath hitches as he sees the stars in Sungjin’s eyes.
“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to do that,” Sungjin breathed out.
Wonpil grinned like a madman, “That makes two of us.”
“So I wasn’t crazy earlier when I felt that tension?”
Wonpil giggled, looping his arms behind Sungjin’s neck as he pulled him down.
“Not in the slightest.”
Wonpil crashed their lips back together, running his fingers through the base of Sungjin’s wet hair.
Sungjin moved his hands to rest against his hips as he furthered the kiss.
Contrary to the salty scent that clung off of Sungjin, his mouth was sweet.
And he certainly knew how to use his tongue.
Wonpil was a breathless mess by the time Sungjin slipped his tongue out of his mouth.
Wonpil gasped for air, tugging Sungjin back down for another kiss.
Sungjin groaned, kissing him hard as he tugged Wonpil closer.
They tilted their heads, unable to stop kissing - only pausing for a few seconds to gasp for air.
At that moment, Wonpil had never been so thankful that they were both swimmers and could hold their breaths for a ridiculous amount of time.
Wonpil wasn’t sure how long they stood there kissing, but by the time Sungjin pulled away for good, Wonpil’s lips pulsated and his legs ached.
Wonpil whined, “Hyung…”
“Wait, Wonpil-ah,” Sungjin breathed, his cheeks tinted a heavy red. “We need to talk.”
Wonpil frowned, “About what?”
Sungjin licked his lips, “I don’t want this to be a one-time thing.”
Wonpil blinked.
“I didn’t think…” Wonpil bit his bottom lip, “Sungjin-hyung, I don’t want this to end.”
Sungjin smiled, “Then, will you be my boyfriend? I know long distance isn’t-”
Wonpil cut Sungjin off by tugging him back down for a soft kiss.
He grinned as he pulled away, “As long as I get to date you, I don’t care how far apart we are or aren’t.”
Sungjin blushed, cupping Wonpil’s cheek, “You’re really something, Wonpil-ah, you know that?”
“Your rival, your lover,” Wonpil shrugged, “I’m amazing, I know.”
Sungjin wrinkled his nose, leaning down, brushing their noses together as he closed his eyes.
“Need I remind you who got second place?”
Wonpil whined kissing Sungjin back before pulling away.
He tangled his fingers into Sungjin’s hair, staring into Sungjin’s playful eyes.
“Tch,” Wonpil playfully glared at Sungjin, “If I didn’t get that cramp I totally would’ve won.”
“Oh?”
Wonpil grinned, stealing a kiss before Sungjin pulled away.
“Sorry, darling, but I would’ve won, cramp or not,” Sungjin hugged Wonpil closer. “But that rivalry is behind us now.”
Wonpil pouted, letting go of Sungjin’s hair, sighing as he wrapped his arms around Sungjin’s torso.
“Mm, I totally would have won. I was ahead of you before I got that cramp.”
Sungjin chuckled, swaying them slightly to the beat of the crashing waves.
“No, I was pulling ahead. I was just letting you believe you were ahead. You know, steal the winning slot before you realized and tried to speed up.”
“Sounds like something a loser would say,” Wonpil giggled, closing his eyes and listening to Sungjin’s heartbeat. “It’s okay to lose, Sungjin-ah.”
Sungjin clicked his tongue, “Sungjin- ah?” He dug his fingers slightly into Wonpil’s side, “Calling me a loser and then calling me casually? You’ve got some guts for second place.”
Wonpil giggled, fisting Sungjin’s shirt as they swayed.
“As the rightful winner and your boyfriend, I get to do what I want.”
“Rightful winner? Maybe in the race for my affection but I won the IM and I would’ve won even if you hadn’t cramped.” Sungjin pressed a soft kiss to Wonpil’s hair, “You should lose gracefully, this isn’t the best look on you, darling.”
Wonpil sighed, “Damn cramp…you should be listening to me teasing you for getting second place right now.”
Sungjin snorted, “Please, I would’ve won either way.”
Wonpil scowled, “In your dreams.”
Sungjin glared down at Wonpil, “Then we’re in my dream right now. Especially with you in my arms like this.”
Wonpil blushed, “You’re a sap.”
“And you’re a sore loser.”
Wonpil pouted, “I would’ve won that race.”
“You can try and win the next one,” Sungjin hummed, ducking down and kissing him. Sungjin grinned as he pulled back, “But I’ll still win.”
Wonpil smirked, “Yeah right. I beat your old record today without properly training for that race. Just imagine what I’d be capable of if I actually trained.” Wonpil hummed, “But don’t worry, I’ll date you even if you’re not number one.”
Sungjin arched his eyebrow, his eyes glinting, “Oh? Your teammates didn’t tell you?”
Wonpil’s cocky smile wavered, “Tell me what?”
Sungjin smirked, “I beat your freestyle record in the 400 IM.” Sungjin brought his hand up to tilt Wonpil’s chin up, a cocky look on his face, “You’re just going to have to try harder next time, darling.”
Wonpil flushed, “Oh you’re on. I’ll wipe the floor with you and kiss you after so you’re not too sad.”
Sungjin’s eyes glimmered, “Mm, I don’t think so but I’ll take you up on that kiss. I’ve always fancied winning and having my lover kiss me at the podium.”
Wonpil grinned, “Yeah? Well then, you can kiss me on the podium as I get the medal for first place.”
Sungjin laughed kissing Wonpil senselessly as Wonpil broke out laughing as well. Their teeth clashed and the couple pulled away, groaning but laughter still spilling from them.
“Agh,” Wonpil covered his mouth with his hand. “Let’s not do that again, as much as I like kissing you, I also like having all my teeth intact.”
Sungjin chuckled, “Same here.”
Wonpil sighed, resting his head against Sungjin’s shoulder. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath of the salty sea air that was easily his new favorite scent.
“Hey, Wonpil?”
Wonpil hummed.
“Do you mind if we sit down? The competition is really getting to me.”
“Oh!” Wonpil blushed as he stopped leaning on Sungjin, “Sorry about that. My muscles feel tired from all the swimming too.”
Sungjin smiled, kissing his forehead before helping Wonpil down.
A soft grunt slipped from Sungjin’s lips as he sat down, he let out a sigh as he stretched out his legs and leaned back on his arms.
Wonpil smiled, as he looked at Sungjin, he couldn’t help it as he leaned into Sungjin’s side, resting his head on Sungjin’s shoulder.
“You were amazing out there,” Sungjin murmured. He wrapped an arm around Wonpil’s waist, his fingers curling to play with the fabric of his swim team jacket. “Like you always are.”
Wonpil blushed, “You were quite the sight too…and I guess you may or may not have won fair and square.”
Sungjin chuckled, tugging Wonpil closer, “I’ll take it.”
Wonpil hummed, hugging Sungjin, “Good. Enjoy it while it lasts because I will beat you next time and win that kiss.”
“Hm? Oh yeah, definitely,” Sungjin smirked, “I’ll make sure you have enough space when I tug you up from the second place podium.”
Wonpil wrinkled his nose before sighing.
“Keep this up and I won’t let you hear the end of it when I win,” Wonpil smiled. “For now I can settle for being the number one boyfriend.”
“Ah ah,” Sungjin grinned, “I’ll be taking the number one slot there too.”
Wonpil snorted, “Yeah right! That’s all on me, I’ll romance the hell out of you.”
“Oh please,” Sungjin wrinkled his nose, “I’m going to make sure your heart doesn’t get a break from racing because of me. Every day any day.”
“God you’re so sappy,” Wonpil giggled, “Kiss me.”
“Hm, I don’t kno-”
Sungjin let out a soft grunt as Wonpil pushed him down. Wonpil’s bubbly laughter rang out as he sat on top of Sungjin, his hands pressing into the sand on either side of Sungjin’s head.
“Then I’ll do it.”
Sungjin laughed, closing his eyes and kissing Wonpil back.
Wonpil let out a soft, content sigh as he laid down on Sungjin, closing his eyes and listening to his steady breathing mixing with the soft blows of the sea breeze and crashing of the waves.
“The moon looks beautiful,” Sungjin whispered, wrapping his arms around Wonpil.
“So do you,” Wonpil whispers back.
Sungjin blushed, sighing as he tightened his hold on Wonpil.
Wonpil let out a soft breath, humming as his eyelids suddenly felt a hundred times heavier.
“Mm, ‘m tired,” Wonpil murmured.
“Sleep,” Sungjin lifted his head, kissing the side of Wonpil’s head, “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“But what if-”
“It’s fine,” Sungjin rubbed his back, “If we fall asleep here then so what? Worst we’ll do is restart that rumor that we had sex on the beach and that’s why we’re kept apart.”
Wonpil groaned, “Whenever I catch whoever has been spreading these rumors, I swear I’m wringing their necks.”
Sungjin chuckled, the soft vibrations lulling Wonpil to sleep.
As the waves crashed mere feet from Wonpil, he didn’t fear them anymore as he lay with Sungjin.
The salty scent that used to sting his eyes and mouth now made him feel at ease as he nudged his nose into Sungjin’s chest.
Wonpil is twenty-one when he falls in love with the sea.
And he’s twenty-five when he gets swept off his feet by Sungjin, their golden bands glimmering in the sun as they seal their marriage with a kiss on the very spot they had had their first kiss many years prior.
(It’s at the toast that Wonpil and Sungjin finally find out who kept spreading the rumors of why they were kept away from one another in their youth. Younghyun thinks it’s the funniest thing ever when Sungjin struggles to keep Wonpil from chasing him down and wringing his neck. Dowoon apologizes profusely for his behavior but is ignored by Wonpil.
“Darling, it’s our wedding reception!”
“So?! He’s the reason people found out what we did behind the bleachers!”
“Oh yeah…wait, Wonpil! Darling, no!”)