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Jihoon takes off his glasses ruffling his hair the moment he leaves the airport, a few managers show him ahead toward one of the Korean busses and he nods respectfully climbing the few steps ahead, the minute he looks ahead noise hits him right away and he winces taken aback with how loud these people were, it was not like he was not used to them but he had a strong headache. He spent the night before being berated by his coach and then he couldn't even fall asleep to end up getting nauseous on the plane and not sleeping a wink in the past 30 hours, so really Jihoon had no energy to deal with this at all adding to it that it has been a while since he has seen most of them, especially the athletes from sports that usually they don't play competitions around the same time as him so really it's been about 4 years for him to be subjected to them since the Tokyo Olympics.  He shakes his head and instead sits at one of the front seats ignoring them and putting his headphones on his head to try to block the noise. he could still ignore them for a while more, he knows how they get and he needs a moment of silence for his headache before the chaos starts.

  A hand taps his shoulder and Jihoon groans internally and looks to the side only to see a soft smile directed at him, ah Jeon Wonwoo, despite the fact he does not get to see Wonwoo a lot but he's a close friend and honestly a breath of fresh air for when it gets hectic, the young shooting athlete too is so good at his job he surprises Jihoon every time he gets to see him play. Wonwoo can shoot without even using protective gear, while he wears his glasses, no one expects him to do well as a short-sighted person but that's his biggest strength, people underestimate him.

  "Jihoon, it's been a while since I last saw you, I honestly was half expecting you to get here a day late, you're not the type to like the festivities." Jihoon sighs and signs for the other to sit next to him.

  "Believe me I tried, I didn't want to be here for the opening ceremony but I couldn't find a flight since I was late and they were like, either fly with your country or pay yourself in a normal flight." Wonwoo bursts into laughter and pats the other's shoulder.

  "It will be okay, honestly I think the more rowdy athletes are in the other bus, be thankful we don't have to go with any of the group sports or the younger solo athletes." Jihoon gives him a deadpan look. 

  "Wonwoo, the individual sports are way worse, have you seen Lee Seokmin or Boo Seungkwan? They're louder than a whole football team." 

  "I heard my name." A head pops up in front of Jihoon accidentally hits his head in the seat in front of him as he jumps in surprise almost screaming but he instead hits the other's head away from in front of him.

  "Damn Seungkwan you scared the hell out of me." Seungkwan cackles in between the seats trying to reach for Jihoon that was until more people got in and then the actual chaos hit when Seungkwan screamed and hugged another person and said person hugged him back in similar enthusiasm. "God please give me strength to pass today we are still at the airport." Wonwoo chuckles from next to him but gives him his own greetings as well handing Jihoon back his headphones. Jihoon takes them gratefully as he puts his beanie back on his head then his hoodie and decides that sleep would be the best thing to do now to save him from his headache. He should ask one of the medics once they get there for a painkiller before the event later on.

  By the time they get to the Olympic Village, they gather all the buses into the same lobby of the building that is supposedly given to their country as they wait to be sorted for their living situations. Most of the group athletes wander a little far leaving only their leaders as representatives meanwhile the individual sports get ushered in a group together as one of the organizers asks them that they are free to pick roommates through the same apartment.

  Most of them gravitate to someone either from the same sport or a close friend and Jihoon sighs, he hates these sorts of things, he'll just wait and see who is left but he hopes it is not someone so noisy, he will need his concentration especially that his own competition is next day, he wouldn't care after that what happens even though he knew either way which group he will end up with, after taking that painkiller, he greeted the rest of his usual friend group laughing to a few of their jokes. He just needed two hours of sleep to adapt.

  He watches as the athletes separate themselves in pairs until a person taps him and Jihoon turns around to a really bright smile this time facing him. Jihoon blinks in confusion and furrows his head to the side in question. "Hey Jihoon I was wondering if you want to room together, I know you do not like too much noise but actually so do I even if you might think the opposite from your point of view but I swear I'm not, I like my quiet time alone usually and for competitions I wouldn't want a distraction." 

  Jihoon blinks and blinks and blinks even further, he never thought Kwon Soonyoung himself would ask him to room with him. And yet he didn't know what to say, it's not like he had a choice and he could have a worst choice so he nods albeit reluctantly feeling a little happy when he saw the other's smile widen drastically as he beamed in place. 

  "Ah thank you, you won't regret this." Would he though? Jihoon narrows his eyes but doesn't voice his suspicions, In all the years he knew the latter he would categorize him along with the other two rowdy athletes he mentioned earlier, not that he observed him any closer but there wasn't a lot of constant individual sports athletes for Jihoon to remember from his age, of course, other than the people from the athletics team but those gets considered as one big team even though they do different sports and Jihoon usually doesn't associate with them. Soonyoung was more of an acquaintance than a friend if he had to categorize him. A familiar figure he'll see around the hallways and nod to in respect in passing.

  His roommate latches onto his arm the moment they get their apartment number and Jihoon doesn't have the heart to tell him off as they travel to their floor, of course, most of the other are on the same floor, and to Jihoon's horror in the same apartment, Jihoon could already hear their voices screaming and he shakes his head, he'll get used to this like he does every time. Truth be told, he gets here all annoyed and upset on the first day and then he gets used to it and almost misses it by the time they have to leave, it's just a question of familiarity, and being on the national team is a family in its own at this point having participated himself in 3 Olympics already, he met most of them when he was just 16 so it's nice seeing them all again. He sees these people more often than his own family, so it feels like a huge reunion to him.

  He ignores the few of them in the lounge and picks the first empty room he finds, Soonyoung on his heels, the room wasn't that small, with two cardboard beds to each side of the room and Jihoon drops his bag on the bed, stopping his suitcase next to the end of the bed as he sits on it, not that bad, probably better than the last Olympic.  Soonyoung, however, decides to jump on the bed startling Jihoon. "Sorry I just wanted to test the beds, I heard they're sturdy enough to hold three people on it, I guess it's working." Jihoon facepalms and dreads the moment he hears from one of the managers that someone broke one of the beds for funsies, they will absolutely do it for the hell of it. Jihoon can already imagine it. He refuses to be responsible for helping them get out of trouble once more, they did try this last time too, and broke a few rules on the village and then got the whole apartment banned from entering a few grounds. That's a story Jihoon wants to forget and never talk about once again because of the still sheer presence of the embarrassment he got that day.

  Soonyoung opens his suitcase on the floor and pulls on what Jihoon thinks is their uniform. "Come on we need to get ready for the ceremony, they asked us all to be dressed in the uniforms."

  Jihoon nods opening his own suitcase and slipping out of the room to the bathroom before any of the others actually start moving around. 

  Once dressed Jihoon migrates outside and sits on the sofa in the lounge watching as the rest of the athletes jump between the bathroom and the rooms, there are a total of 7 of them and he knows the others that he didn't see yet were in the next-door apartment. Wonwoo sits back on the sofa next to him already dressed and he grins at him. "I got the single bedroom." Jihoon gasps and hits his shoulder.

  "You lucky bastard." Wonwoo laughs putting his feet on the table making jihoon crinkle his nose and hit them away. Wonwoo makes a disgruntled noise at almost slipping down the sofa. "Sit properly this is a shared place, not your house," Wonwoo grumbles but still sits properly in place with a roll of his eyes.

  It doesn't take long before the rest of them file up together in the lounge to head out. "Please do not forget your keys, I need to know at least one of you is responsible enough to have a key on him." Choi Seungcheol also known as their wrestling three-time world gold medal winner says from ahead, that he had volunteered to act as leader to their small unit which Jihoon does not understand why would anyone in their right mind willingly do this? But if someone got to do it he's at least glad it's him and none of the younger ones. God knows they'll be homeless sleeping in the downstairs reception lounge from the first night.

  "Hyung, You're the representative in charge shouldn't you at least have a key," Chan says cheekily from behind making said guy splutter and glare at him.

  "I do have a key for your information, I'm just saying just in case, some of you wander away from where I'll tragically lose it." Seungcheol lets his hands move around in exasperation and the younger ones laugh so hard.

  "By tragically you mean Jeonghan Hyung?" Chan adds egging him on but Seungcheol rolls his eyes deciding not to even get into a losing fight.

  "I have a key hyung," Both Jihoon and Soonyoung say at the same time and they share an awkward look before looking away.

  "Ooooooooh" Seungkwan winks at them from behind making Jihoon roll his eyes. 

  "Okay?" Seungcheol says awkwardly.

  "If you lose the key or anyone needs it, you're welcome to come hang by me" Soonyoung adds trying to diffuse their attention and Jihoon smiles at him in thanks, children that they are.

  They get ushered back onto their bus and Soonyoung takes the place next to him in silence and honestly, Jihoon should start being annoyed, the other was sticking to him like glue this time but he also was trying so hard to be extremely quiet next to him even stopping himself from screaming whenever Any of the younger ones try to get a reaction of him. 

  Jihoon stifles a laugh as he watches him ALMOST feeling bad and shakes his head, who is he to ruin his inner peace anyway? If Soonyoung wants to be extra he wouldn't stop him. He wouldn't mind anyway if he wants to join the others or sit still in place, but he's grateful for the gesture.

  The ceremony was truly boring and Jihoon hated every second of it, they had to wait for a while in the sun to be able to board their boat, it was too stuffed with that many people on it, not even just their country but three others as well, that and a few of the athletes apparently have motion sickness and threw up right in front of him making him get nauseous as well and then he had to deal with that long celebration of people he doesn't care about because what on earth was happening? truly Jihoon just wanted to dip out of this the moment they stepped a foot out of that boat but Soonyoung's presence helped him cope, the guy kept walking near him and even tried to make him feel better once he saw him get nauseoutous bringing him downstairs to sit instead on one of the chairs after they were sure they passed by their spotlight by the cameras for the live streaming, because Jihoon might be annoyed from all of this but he knew he had to be present and when time calls for it of course he will but other than that it's really pointless. Soonyoung kept trying to make him laugh after he saw Jihoon get so down and sick gaining a few chuckles from the other despite how much Jihoon just wanted to throw himself off the moving boat at one point in time but Soonyoung had a tight grip on his arm every time Jihoon gets even close to the edge as if reading his mind. Dammit, he can't now swim his way back to Seoul.

  They sit by the back once everyone descends the boats and gather in the middle of an open place where some people are giving speeches, honestly, Jihoon couldn't care less since he didn't even understand them so they found the farthest area to rest from people and somehow Jihoon ended up with his head on the other's shoulder as they watch the firework and the light event from the Eiffel tower, that was nice he could admit it getting lulled to sleep with the sound of people around him and the soft sound of the water from the river behind them.

   By the time they were allowed to leave Jihoon was ready to pass out, their unit gathered by where the two were sitting and Jihoon groaned at the sight of a few of the others, not that they lingered anyway, especially Kim Mingyu and Yoon Jeonghan, both of them were in the basketball team and yet Jeonghan was ready to fall asleep right there and then making poor Mingyu pull him away, and Jihoon does not envy them at all, they had a game early this morning, he really does not envy the teams that had to start competing two days before the opening it must be exhausting for them today to even be present, but they all had to represent their country either way. Mingyu waves at them and Jihoon waves back with a smile, he'll wish them luck later, he knows they don't have a game the next day anyway.

  When they get back to their room Jihoon takes back the uniform vest and throws his shirt over his open suitcase, all tired and forgetting that he was not alone in the room. He hears a curse behind him turning around to see Soonyoung holding into his foot in pain "Are you alright?"

  Jihoon walks closer to the older touching his arm but Soonyoung backs out managing to stumble once again this time on the night stand falling over his own bed. Jihoon could swear the other's face was deep red but the room was dark and he couldn't see clearly.

  "I'm okay, eh are you sleeping like that?" Jihoon looks down at his own torso getting a little embarrassed reaching a hand to hide himself.

  "Do you mind? I sleep better like this and I have a game tomorrow." At Soonyoung's unchanged expression, he rushes to say. "I can get a shirt if you do, it's okay."

  "NO!" Soonyoung screams then puts a hand over his mouth with a wide-eyed expression. "Sleep comfortably please don't mind me, pretend I'm not here."

  Soonyoung somehow manages to jump under his own covers after that, not even changing his clothes. Jihoon looks weirdly at him but heads back to his bed only to hear a muffled scream coming from the other.

  "You do know I can hear you right?" Another screams come of him and Jihoon smirks shaking his head. "Alright, then I'll sleep like this the whole two weeks." 

  Jihoon settles in his own bed waiting until he hears another thud of something falling and he peeks to see a pillow close to him and he picks it up throwing it back at the other so that it falls right over his covered head.

  "I'm a fencer Soonyoung believe me I know how well to aim to get something I want." Jihoon shakes his head at his own suggestive remark deciding not to think too much of it and just sleep.  

He crashes right away into sleep the moment his head hits the pillow, he is so tired after all and sleep-deprived that he opts out of dinner and Makes sure to remind everyone that his first match the next day will be at 10 am and they need to wake him up extra early if he can't wake on his own. Soonyoung seems to take that extra seriously running around the apartment putting alarms in every phone he could get his hands on and truly Jihoon thinks it's endearing.

   ************

  Jihoon wakes to a finger poking into his cheek, he groans and turns away toward the wall, the finger disappears for a second then follows once again poking now more insistently. Jihoon turns his head to the pillow burying it fully in it and for a moment he thinks he won, that was until the person decided it would be nice to pull away his covers. Jihoon thankfully wasn't naked, he wasn't dumb enough to sleep like that when he had rowdy roommates he could not trust to not try some sort of weird prank but he was still shirtless shrieking at losing the warmth turning around and glaring at his offender.

  Soonyoung stands in front of his bed hands on his hips as he looks expectantly at the other "Honestly Jihoon it's 30 degrees outside I don't know how you sleep under a blanket."

  "I get cold," Jihoon whines at him and Soonyoung shakes his head

  "Don't give me that look, I don't care if you're shirtless or naked that will not affect me anymore, now get out of bed before I decide to throw you into the lounge like this and let the kids deal with you." Jihoon groans and reaches toward him trying to pull back the blanket from the older but only managing to stumble to the floor tripping Soonyoung along with him once again. Neither of them hopefully got hurt but they still fell tangled on the floor and Jihoon just stayed there refusing to move or let the older move as well who was head first over his chest.

  "Okay, I lied why is your chest so soft." Jihoon's neck turns red as he tries to push the other away from him.

  "Can you stop touching my chest?" Jihoon's voice comes higher than he expected and the other raises his head letting his chin rest on the juncture right between both of his boobs and he smiles.

  "Well you let us fall like this, what am I supposed to do? pretend they're not there? I'm just a weak man Jihoonie" Jihoon grumbles rolling his eyes when Soonyoung's head just rests over his chest neither of them even bothering to try to get up anymore. It wasn't that much of a bad feeling actually, Jihoon rather liked having the other close to him even if he wouldn't admit it.

  The door opens and in peeks Wonwoo, both of their heads turn to him slowly not even bothering to move an inch. "I heard a crash are you guys okay?" He doesn't say more once he sees them all tangled on the floor in that position but just gives them a pointed look and then looks at the clock. "I would not judge you two whatever you do in your free time but it's 8.30 am and Jihoon you need to be in the arena by 9.30 for registration. You can finish this after that." He points his hand around in a circle toward them at whatever they are doing and then he turns around and leaves.

  Jihoon face palms, face all red as he tries to hide his face away. "Great now he thinks we were doing something and he'll spread it in the whole apartment in no time, this is all your fault."

  "How is this my fault?" Soonyoung argues. "I was being a good roommate. Just waking you up and making sure you won't be late like you asked all of us to do if I do remember clearly last night." Jihoon could hear the pout in his voice and he only shakes his head.

  "Well if you want me to not miss my own competition you got to get off me buddy." Soonyoung slowly but surely untangles himself with a sad look toward the other's chest managing to slip in the process and Jihoon curses the damn carpet, who thought it would be a good idea to put a carpet easy to trip on in an apartment full of athletes? That's a disaster waiting to happen and neither he nor soonyoung can afford to get hurt the slightest, they need to be at their best.

   And so Jihoon eats, gets ready, and heads out, a few of the others accompany him meanwhile Seokmin decides to stay in since his own match is at around 12 and he wants to practice, and they all promise to go watch him once Jihoon's match ends since the venues are close to each other and Seokmin gives them a happy smile at that, Jihoon could only hope said guy to win, last Olympic he missed his target a couple of times in the last round and ended up with a silver medal and he spent the rest of the two weeks all sad and depressed and as much as his energy is too much for Jihoon occasionally he hated to see him like that, archery goes in his blood and he was sure this time he will get that gold medal, he totally believes in him.

     Jihoon sees the others sitting on the top of the stairs watching him once he walks into the arena in his white uniform tight clothes, helmet in hand, and sword in the other, he shakes his head when the announcer calls his name and they all whoop screaming making him feel embarrassed, he could tell the camera was showing them as well the commenter saying something about how some of the other athletes were present and going wild for their friend.

  Jihoon shakes his head and climbs the podium nodding at his opponent then putting the helmet on his head, it feels like a transformation the minute he does, it is almost quite magical how he can feel the spark go through all of his body as he takes his stance eyes sharply looking ahead of him blocking everything else and searching for any weakness he could find, he was smart he knew that he knew where to strike well to win, his opponent was also taller than Jihoon and it brought a smirk to his face height would only be a disadvantage in fencing when your opponent is around 20 cm shorter, really it was ridiculous for Jihoon how easy it was for him to figure quickly where he needs to strike. It took less than 5 minutes for him to win with barely any hits and then it was done. Jihoon slowly pulls off his helmet, his hair's tie comes undone in the process and his hair flies around as he flips it and smiles at the camera, he knew that would make his fans usually go crazy and there was no harm in doing it right now. No one would fault him for flaunting a little after a win.

  And just like that he qualified to the next round, getting told that his next match will be around 2 pm. Jihoon after that climbs down the podium going backstage and somehow his friends bound down toward him getting carried by a wild Kim Mingyu, where did he even come from? Jihoon had no idea, hell the guy did not even share their apartment in the first place to be there. 

  "Hey Hey easy on him he still has a few more games today to play be careful." Jeonghan chastises him from behind and Mingyu reluctantly puts him down. Really Jihoon sometimes wonders how two team sport members ended up in their circle through the years but even he can't remember how it all started but here they are now stuck to them. He stiffens however when he feels someone hug him from behind only to find an over-excited Soonyoung behind him with a full sunshiny smile. "I'm so proud of you Jihoonie." Jihoon tries to hide his reddened cheeks but everyone else notices how shy he suddenly got at the compliment.

  "It's just the first match what are you saying I didn't win anything yet." Soonyoung only shakes his head hugging him tighter and shaking him around.

  "A win is a win no matter what it is." And jihoon felt a little light, a bit of his nervousness seeping away, it was always nice knowing he had people cheering for him, he knew he had too many people from Korea cheering for him but this felt more personal, more for his own person than the country and it made him feel a bit better about himself.

   "Okay let's go if we need to catch up to Seokmin's game before we get back here, damn I'm so happy none of you lot have also a game today or we wouldn't be able to keep up with everyone." Seungcheol ushers everyone outside with that.

  "And that is why my competition is in the second week so you all get to get done before focusing on me." Soonyoung smiles widely and Mingyu snorts.

  "We have games through though the whole two weeks you idiot."

  "That is if you win every single match, let's see if you can win against the US team," Chan says from the side, and Mingyu gasps.

  "WE WILL WIN, Can you all believe the kid's audacity?" Everyone laughs as they start walking outside to the open-air venue next door where the archery games are being held, upon entering they could see Seokming pacing around, a girl trying her best to talk to him, once she notices their presence she sighs in relief rushing toward them."Thank god you all are here, please someone talk to him, he's so stressed about this and I don't know what to do. The girls' tournament will start in a while and I need to go to my station, please talk some sense into him. If coach sees him like this it might get worse." 

  "I'll talk to him." Wonwoo sighs. "At best I might understand him the most, good luck Jihyo." The girl nods back at him running away and Wonwoo leaves them to talk to Seokmin in private.

  "Do you think he'll be okay?" Seungkwan asks from next to him and Jihoon shrugs, Seokmin is unpredictable, anything could happen.

  "He will be okay plus Wonwoo knows what he's doing he's in the shooting team after all, they're not that different from each other to not know how the other must be thinking right now, and Seokmin needs calmness, anyone else from us might stress him up further so let's just sit down and cheer for him, I'm sure that will make him happy." Everyone nods to Seungcheol's words watching the two silently for a while until they are told to take their seats for the start of the competition.

  The minute they sit down Jihoon finds a sandwich in front of him and he blinks in confusion to see a grinning Soonyoung moving the sandwich in front of him to get his attention. "You got to eat to keep your energy for your next match, you didn't eat last night too." Jihoon smiles softly and takes the food with a quiet thank you at the other.

  "Man if I have to watch those two flirting and dancing around each other for one more day, I think I might throw up," Chan whispers from the back and Seungkwan nods back in agreement making Jihoon choke for a second on his food, he will kill those two if he didn't know the whole nation will haunt him for killing two-star athletes, they're lucky for that... Soonyoung instead rubs his back drawing his attention back to him as he pulls more the wrapper down for Jihoon. Jihoon ignores the snickers from behind him feeling thankful toward the other, he might be a little embarrassed but still, Soonyoung has been taking care of him better than anyone else has done in so long so of course he appreciates it.

  Wonwoo doesn't take long before sliding to their row, Jihoon raises an eyebrow at him and he just shakes his head back in return."He's too much into his head, I tried my best but I hope he won't let it get to him and how he plays, he trained so much for this day to lose just because he wasn't that focused." Jihoon pursed his lips as he watched quietly that match, he didn't know a lot about archery but he knew a few of them had to play per two and the tournament happened in a row unlike his where they take a break between rounds.

  It gets close to his match and Jihoon has to excuse himself to leave. Soonyoung and Mingyu decided to accompany him the rest however promising to come back to that arena once the tournament was over. Jihoon waves them off not bothered, truly Seokmin needs more support than Jihoon right now.

  Jihoon climbs down the seats and stands close to the barrier where he was a little close to where Seokmin is standing, once he sees him he jogs toward them since he is not playing at the moment. "Hyung are you going?" Jihoon gives him an apologetic look. 

  "Sorry min, my match is starting soon but win this for me okay? I do believe in you plus I do think that guy is a little too full of himself to win, he's been also standing weirdly over the grass be careful of that, it might distort your posture to shoot worse, use that to your advantage okay?" Jihoon winks slightly and Seokmin's eyes lighten up as if he suddenly figured a way to actually win over the guy. "Intimidate him with your game." Seokmin nods and salutes the other. 

  "Good luck to you too hyung, I"ll stop by when I'm done and I'll have the medal with me." Jihoon smiles and pats the other on the shoulder and watches as Seokmin jogs away.

  "Wonwoo spoke to him for like 10 minutes and got nothing from him and you said like a sentence and he's running around smiling," Mingyu complains while Jihoon just laughs.

  "Seokmin doesn't need reassurances, he needs facts to win, talk will always be just talk after all." Jihoon states as they head out the other two looking at him in confusion for a while. "That and I've known Seokmin since we were kids, I can tell what drives his competitive side." 

  "Kids?" Soonyoung questions and Jihoon nods.

  "Seokmin is my cousin." The two stops walking staying rooted in place making jihoon break into laughter.

  "How... Seokmin never mentioned this." Soonyoung stutters through his words and Jihoon shrugs.

  "There is a lot you don't know about me after all and you guys never asked either. Seokmin also doesn't like sharing personal things unless warranted plus we did talk before about how we do not want us being family to affect our professional life, the media would get annoyed about it every time they have the chance to bring it up."

  Jihoon ignores the two after that knowing eventually they'll catch up to him once again.

  The second match was a little harder on Jihoon but it wasn't something he was not expecting it's the Olympics after all, but he did end up winning either way qualifying for the semi-finals, the others took a while to join him but by the time he changes off his uniform a figure skips toward him and Jihoon could only blinks before he was being picked and turned around in circles. "HYUNG I WON." 

  Jihoon blinks once he gets put down but his expressions soften at the sight of a happy Seokmin with the gold medal on his neck. "Ah, you did well Seokmin I knew you could do it." The other's smile widened even more than it was, and that's a lot seeing that the younger always keeps a smile on his face. 

  "My next match is in an hour, actually I don't feel like leaving the venue." Jihoon scratches his head and Seungcheol shakes his head. 

  "It's fine let's just sit in one of the lounges or we can watch the current match." They end up splitting to do whatever they want, Jihoon just lays down resting his head on Soonyoung's lap since he volunteered himself and who was Jihoon to refuse a comfy place instead of the rough chair? He ignores everyone around him until the time comes keeping his eyes shut being aware of the hand patting through his hair but not telling him off either, just enjoying the comfort.

  Jihoon was more nervous this round, the semi-finals always take more toll on him than the other rounds, he was also against the fencer who he played against at the finale of the last Olympics and he knew everyone was anticipating this particular game, their last encounter wasn't pretty and the game was a little long then the normal average and Jihoon got so tired though he managed to win it at the end, now he's worried how much this will tire him and if last time he barely won, would he now be able to? And if he did what is he going to do then on the finals? His energy was already dwindling down and he was worried about that.

  Walking back into the arena back felt like a walk of shame than anything for him, he looked once at the camera for the sake of being polite then looked away refusing to make eye contact with anyone or anything else, he needed to concentrate and close his mind and focus on nothing but this, the other fencer nods at Jihoon who bows a little in respect before grabbing his helmet and putting it on, relaxing slightly at the familiar feeling, he has spent most of his life behind this mask that putting it on felt more like himself than anything else, putting it on felt like he was getting back home after a long tiring day, he will never hate the feeling of feeling all covered up from the world to see, the slight illusion that he is all alone and hiding from the world, sure he could still see but it feels different once he puts on the helmet, it's another feeling of belonging Jihoon adores and would never give up, and of course, Jihoon loves this game otherwise he wouldn't work tirelessly all those years to get to where he is today and stands on this stage representing his country, and Jihoon refuses to let anyone down. He will win this no matter what.

   Jihoon gathers all the confidence he momentarily has and narrows his eyes at his target, he already knows the other's weaknesses since they played against each other before but the problem is that so does the other. This will be a game of smartness, Jihoon needs to play differently than last time, he has to take on the element of surprise this time to throw the other's guard off.

  Jihoon closes his eyes once more taking a deep breath just as hears the sound going off for the start of the match. Jihoon strikes before the other has even time to raise his sword up.

   It took a while and a lot of energy for the match to finish crowning Jihoon as he winner, Jihoon fell into his knees at that taking off his mask and there was nothing about it attractive this time like the other time as he just lay there for a few seconds hair sticking to his face out of its bun breathing heavily until a medic rush toward him and Jihoon assures them that he was well. They help him out off the stage to backstage where the others are waiting for him. "Sir you need to rest your next match is at 11 pm you have a few hours of rest till then please gather your energy and make sure you eat." The medic more or else was talking to the others than him knowing how the others were always around the young fencer and everyone gathers around him at once fussing until Jihoon pushes them away in annoyance.

  "I'm fine, just tired, god. I need to do an interview then we can go eat." Jeonghan gives him a disapproving stare but lets him go as Jihoon trudges to the side to go talk to the waiting journalist, Soonyoung trails away after him like a lost puppy close and yet away from the camera's sight, the moment Jihoon finishes he bounds toward the other and leans in front of him.

  Jihoon gives him a look of confusion and pokes his back. "Get up you idiot." Soonyoung however doesn't budge.

  "Get on, you need rest, and walking to the cafeteria will take us a while and you need all of your energy, come on. I did nothing but just sit today this is the least I can do." Jihoon watches him skeptically but eventually relents, his knees were killing him after he got a few hits toward them and he just wanted to lay down somewhere so he climbs on the other's back who effortlessly holds him steady and stands up, Jihoon yelps for a second then leans his head on the other's shoulder. They ignore the other's suggestive looks and whispers and Jihoon closes his eyes as he sticks his nose to the other's neck, Soonyoung was strangely so warm and so comfortable that Jihoon could just fall asleep just like this.

  And somehow he does end up falling asleep being awoken in the cafeteria by a plate in front of him full of food and a smiling Soonyoung staring at him fondly and handing him his chopsticks and really Jihoon should feel embarrassed at being babied but for once he enjoyed this act of kindness from the other, Soonyoung knows how exhausting physical sports tournaments could get, it's a crime that they have to go through everything in one day, to be honest.

  He manages to eat as much as he can knowing that any more will make him throw up right there on tv mid the match and Jihoon does not want to face the horrors of that.

  He ends up dozing once again when Soonyoung prompts him to lay his head on his lap again and promises to wake him just enough before they have to head out again for the finale. He dreams about swords and knights and a blinding smile and Jihoon doesn't mind it one bit.

  Jihoon noticed much more of his country's team present for the last game. He knew this was the last event of the day and everything else already finished and he felt more determined to win, if not for him, it was for them, he needs to win this, and he knew he'll give his country a medal either way but this is a fight for gold right now, and he will get that damn medal tonight. The others were all huddled together in the same place they had been all day and Jihoon felt strangely emotional at seeing all of them watching him all hope on their face, they believed in him to win and Jihoon gave them a salute with his sword right before wearing his helmet getting a roar from the crowd in return, Jihoon smirks at the response cracking his head to both sides then getting in his pose. This guy is new, Jihoon watches him for a few seconds then he really grins relaxing once he notices a fault with the other's stance right at the beginning, this guy is either too distracted or too tired to be in the right mindset to play right now and Jihoon sure will take that to his advantage, he will do mistakes and Jihoon will play right on those mistakes to win.

  Jihoon shakes his head at the other once he strikes the air once again giving jihoon an opening to hit him on the torso, really what's wrong with him? One of the first things they ever learn is to always keep your mind in the game, this guy is in the finals and yet is playing a game that looks like it couldn't even be in the Olympics in the first place and Jihoon hates this, sure he could win easily like this but he does not want a pity win, so the next time he gets closer to the other he whispers at him in English. "I do not know what is wrong with you but get your mind in the game, I refuse to win an already decided game, fight like you came here to fight and get your shit together. This is unacceptable remember where you are standing today." Jihoon easily got back in stance after that to the back, he wanted to see the other's expression but their masks hid their faces and that's a shame however something about the other changed, and Jihoon smiled, yes thank you now fight like you are an actual Olympic athlete because where's the fun in it if your opponent is not capable enough to make it a worth it game, isn't this supposed after all to be the game of their lives?

  The other guy puts on a good fight for the second half of the game but Jihoon was already leading off from the start and it was easy for him to win. 

  Jihoon takes his helmet off pulling out a necklace from his neck that he got as a present during his first games, kissing it as he jumps waving to the crowd and his friends who were cheering so loud for him. Jihoon turns toward the other player and he bows thanking him for the game, the other looks defeated and Jihoon pats his back. "You did well, just don't let anything get to your mind the next time, I will look forward to seeing you at the next Olympic." He was young Jihoon knew that and he gives him one last smile in acknowledgment as he descendes the podium his friends jumping from the stands to the arena surprising a few people who shriek in surprise and run to hug him and he just laughs so hard getting spined so many times around. A wild Soonyoung wraps him in a Korean flag and Jihoon just holds it giggling letting himself go for the first time in months, it's like the work he has been doing all this time to get here, from training and injuries and competitions and games is finally over, it was all worth it to get to here and bring pride to his country.

  They had to wait for another match to pass between the two losers from the semi-finals to know who would get the third medal and Jihoon didn't mind the wait, he was buzzing in place, the others laughing at him the whole time trying to keep him sitting down as much as they could to not bother people or the game still going on until they gave up and just dumped him over Soonyoung's lap.

  Only then does Jihoon's adrenaline start to waver away as he blinks in confusion at the position he ended up within, Soonyoung albeit ears red he still settles down with the other in his hold as he circles his arms around him and Jihoon has to fight the urge not to scream right there and then when his heart started racing so hard as he blinked furiously ahead of him trying to understand any strand of his current emotions.

  Soonyoung does not let him go until he gets called for the ceremony and he stands startled, he must look so weird to the cameras and Jihoon tries to hide the blush forming on his cheeks as he climbs to the first-place podium getting handled the flowers and his medal. This was a good day and Jihoon was happy either way. 

  Jihoon crashes into his bed that night with a full smile on his face, instantly sleeping. It was a long day for him, a tiring yet happy one. He won and that was all he wanted after all.

  *************

  The next few days pass by quickly, Jihoon would spends them alternating watching the other's games, Wonwoo managed to get a silver medal in his own shooting tournament, Seungcheol once again grabbed the gold medal and no one was surprised about it as he maintained his title as now a 4-time gold medal Olympic winner. Seungkwan's tournament was also going well, but the games were far off each other. They did end up watching as well Minghao's and Jun's performances in the gymnastics team. It was not something Jihoon would usually enjoy but he was happy for his friends when each of them won a medal.

  By the start of the second week, most sports were done except for a few still going on, one late evening Soonyoung bounds to him with a grin on his face and Jihoon gives him a suspicious look, that does not look like he's up to anything good.

  "Come with me." Jihoon bites the side of his mouth but still complies as he gets dragged toward the rooftop of their building where there is a lounge pre-installed for everyone to enjoy. Jihoon raises an eyebrow at the already put food on one of the tables near the edge but Soonyoung doesn't pay that mind as he drags him to the side of the rooftop so they can sit with a view of the city. "Look up."

  Jihoon looks ahead mouth open in surprise once he realizes the timing of the other, it was almost sundown, and the sun was slowly descending, her light shining over the Seine River and making the water shine, Jihoon feels a shiver go through his body as he watches the scenery with a smile on his face. "It's pretty." the other doesn't respond as he keeps staring at Jihoon with a lopsided smile that Jihoon wanted to somehow wip off his face.

   "mhm," that's all the other reply as he opens the food containers. "I wanted some quiet time from the others before my games start, really the apartment has been so crowded lately, it's nice to be here on our own for a while." Jihoon startles at the confession and he nods absentmindedly reaching toward the food.

   "You're right, believe me, I do love them, but it's been over a week of this and I'm growing tired of the chaos and loudness, I miss my apartment." 

  Soonyoung sits cross-legged, container in hand and he leans to the railing behind him eyes boring into the other. "How is it for you back home?"

  Jihoon raises an eyebrow not knowing what the other was going for. "That is such a vague question you know? you got to specify."

  "Well, are you seeing someone?" Jihoon chokes on his mouthful of rice with how much the other is forward with his words, what the hell? Soonyoung jumps to open a bottle of water handing it to him and Jihoon nods in thanks drinking slowly, eyes wide.

  He manages to slowly calm his heart seeing the other's expecting look toward him. "Well no?" It sounded more like a question and when soonyoung raised an eyebrow at him he nodded. "No, I am not seeing anyone, eh what about you?"

  Soonyoung grins as he leans over the cushion next to him looking straight into his eyes. "Well, I was hoping to ask someone soon. You see we've spent the past week all together and I really like him a lot, I would spoil him rotten if he does let me take him out. I don't know though how he feels about it."

  Jihoon's whole face burns red as he looks down at his food lost for words. "well... Did you try telling him? You never know what he could tell you." 

  At the rustling next to him Jihoon raises his head to see Soonyoung closer to him eyes glinting. "Then what do you think?" Jihoon chokes the minute he starts hearing a French song playing in the background probably the sound reaching them from one of the open windows and he squirms in place at how much the vibe changed so quickly. Soonyoung was staring at him so seriously, eyes digging right through his soul with such tension he felt warm all over his body.

  "I think... It might be too early to ask?" Soonyoung's smile doesn't fall like he expected it to be instead he nods, in acceptance, like he was expecting such a response.

  "Don't worry about that I just wanted to see your reaction darling." Jihoon's mouth opens wide and he throws a pillow at him.

  "YAH! Don't joke about things like that. THE HELL?" Soonyoung explodes in laughter hugging the pillow the other threw at him close to his chest and Jihoon can only shake his head trying to make sense of his heart. Was Soonyoung just testing him right now? Or was it a joke? He couldn't tell and he couldn't figure out which one was worse than the other at this point.

  "Back home, it gets lonely." Jihoon's head turns quickly around him in confusion waiting for the older to keep going. "It's nice here, where everyone is together. It's so quiet back home, so lonely, so harsh. That's why I get loud around the others because it's the one time I can be really happy and more like myself." 

  Jihoon holds himself from asking what the other means, it's not like he knows a lot about Soonyoung's personal life, their circles don't usually intertwine that much back in Seoul. He have always been just an acquaintance at most until the other took it upon himself to befriend him this olympic. But the tone of the other's sound was overly concerning for him, what was Soonyoung holding so close to his heart, yet far from everyone's reach to make him say such sad things?

  "It's not an opportunity anyone gets to experience," Jihoon mutters finally putting his container down and deciding to lie down as well looking at the sky, the night had already fallen upon them and the stars were decorating the sky. It was nice to be able to see them, living in a bustling city usually you can rarely have the chance to look at the sky and see the stars this clearly. But it's so different here.

  "One-time opportunity indeed, you're right." Soonyoung hums his voice a little tight with emotion and Jihoon wonders what is wrong, what was the other thinking about? It was so unlike him, but again Jihoon had only known him personally for a week to really say how he would usually be outside of this place.

  "Soonyoung are you alright?" Jihoon asks hesitantly and the other sighs then turns his head toward him and smiles.

  "Don't worry about me, it's just nerves, tomorrow I start my games. I guess I have a lot to think about." Jihoon frowns then sits up and stares at the other who is looking at him with a question from his place.

  "You will do great." Soonyoung shakes his head.

  "You don't know that." Jihoon furrows his brows not understanding.

  "You're an Olympic athlete, you are bound to be good if you are here." That felt like the wrong thing to say because Soonyoung looked away from him with a tight forced smile on his face, one Jihoon could easily tell was fake.

  "Yeah, it's late. we should get to bed." Soonyoung gets up after that, walking quickly one step away from running inside the building and Jihoon's eyebrow raises so fast.

  What the hell? What did he even say for the other to get upset? And the sun just set down what do you mean late Kwon Fucking Soonyoung? Jihoon glares at the open door as he walks back inside after he cleans up the table of their food, it's not like the other could run, they literally share a room together.

  Jihoon walks inside their apartment, a few of the others are sitting in the lounge watching one of the handball matches and Jihoon greets them in passing absentmindedly as he makes a beeline toward his room.

  He opens the door to a dark room and stares in disbelief at the figure of Soonyoung who is fully wrapped in his blanket from head to toe still and unmoving. "Soonyoung are you seriously doing this? You know I'm not a child. "The other doesn't respond making Jihoon roll his eyes. "Fine be childish as much you want but at least don't sleep like that and choke on your sleep before your game, you literally were complaining about how I could sleep with a blanket a few days ago, I won't bother you anyway."

  Jihoon closes the door behind him as he strides out anger rolling out of him. What on earth is wrong with him? Jihoon did not say anything wrong to get such an abnormal reaction especially since they were having so much fun together.

  *************

  The next morning Jihoon wakes to an empty room and he rolls his eyes looking at the time, it is still early but he still swallows the annoyance as he gets dressed and walks outside the apartment toward the cafeteria to eat something.

  A lot of the others were sitting at one table eating quietly and Jihoon joined them. "Have any of you all seen Soonyoung?"

  Wonwoo and Jun share a look giving him an odd look. "I thought you would've known better than us hyung, you two been looking chummy together, wherever you find one of you there is the other." Seungkwan mutters from the side and Jihoon shrugs not even having the energy to scold him.

  "He wasn't in our room when I woke up."

  "Ooooh, already anxious about not seeing lover boy by your side?" Chan snickers at his words which sounded more like a whine than anything. Jihoon glares at him then throws a roll of bread at his head aiming it perfectly at his nose. "Ouch, this is why I hate you athletes, you always have a perfect aim."

  "Of course, we do, how else will we torment our youngest," Jeonghan says sitting down next to a squirming Chan with a smile. "How else will we show you our love?"

  "By not hitting me in the face with bread?" Chan gives them an incredulous look when everyone laughs.

  "Oh, Chan-ah it's cute how you think we would." Chan starts complaining about the obvious bullying but Jihoon doesn't follow along more with the conversation as he looks toward a quiet Wonwoo.

  "What is it?" Wonwoo sighs in place putting his chopsticks down.

  "He's in the training room." 

  "What? Now? But it's too early. and he has matches today! Is he crazy?" Jihoon exclaims standing up at once, everyone quietens looking at them and Wonwoo shrugs.

  "I saw him leave when I woke up, he said he's worried."

  "But exerting himself is not the solution to this what if he gets injured," Jihoon argues back at that.

  "Soonyoung has always been like that, plus after the last Olympics he must be feeling so much pressure, I get how he must be," Seokmin adds from next to him and Jihoon looks at all the understanding looks on the table in utter confusion.

  "What on earth are you all talking about, what happened last Olympics?"

  "Soonyoung lost in the first round, were you not around then when he played?" Seungcheol says quietly and all blood disappears from Jihoon's face at the revelation.

  Oh... That makes more sense also now... If Jihoon's memory serves him right, the taekwondo competition happened around the same time as the fencing one last time so Jihoon wasn't even there, and it makes sense why he remembers clearly seeing Soonyoung in the stands cheering for him... His attitude toward the whole thing, his reaction last night... Did he think Jihoon was making fun out of him? Oh, this is bad, Jihoon needs to clear the misunderstanding right now. He can't have the other think like that.

  Jihoon looks away from the table and then turns around leaving without a second word ignoring the others' calls, he was on a mission to find Soonyoung. Striding through the hallways to their building's training room. Jihoon was not surprised that no one was in it except for a figure in white at the side.

  Jihoon slows down as he gets closer to him suddenly hesitant about what to say. "Soonyoung?" The other does not respond as he settles in position kicking around and Jihoon sighs. "Soonyoung come on." The other still does not respond to him or even look his way as if he was blocking everything and everyone around him.

  Jihoon rolls his eyes and steps onto the mattress and holds the other's arm before he could kick once more. "I am not afraid to get hit you know, I can fight and hold my own." Soonyoung only gives him a deadly look trying to shake them off only to flip both of them and fall to the floor.

  Jihoon struggles under the other but then tangles his leg into his, holding the back of Soonyoung's knee with his foot before he could get up so he would tumble once again on the floor. Jihoon scurry to sit on his lap holding his arms above his head, eyes glaring, hair falling to both sides of his head hiding both of them. "JUST STOP, Soonyoung please stop this." Soonyoung doesn't struggle at that he just lays there immobile watching Jihoon. "You're going to hurt yourself please..."

  Jihoon trails off voice shaky and Soonyoung's limbs all go lax in his hold at once eyes tearing up. "You don't understand Jihoon, you don't... I need to be good, I need to win this."

  "Soonie, we all want to win, of course, I understand."

  "No, you DO NOT," Soonyoung screams at him making him flinch nevertheless not letting his hold lessen. "Jihoon you're a 2-time gold medalist winner, you don't know how this feels, I lost so early last time, do you know how humiliating it is to lose that fast and quick from the start, do you? Do you know how I have been the laughingstock of everybody for the past 4 years? Do you even have any idea of what I went through? The intense training? The bullying? My coach hates my guts Jihoon. My family thinks I'm worthless. A failure, and I'm one loss away from being kicked off the national team. Do you know what happens after that? Of course, you don't. I lose my job, without funding, without a team. I'm nothing, I'm off to the streets. DO YOU GET IT NOW? DO YOU GET HOW MUCH AT STAKE IS FOR ME? Jihoon this is my last chance, my last chance to prove myself to everyone that I am not weak, that I am not that stupid kid they saw last time, that I've grown. That I can do better."

  Jihoon's hold on him slowly weakens as he stares in shock at the other's crying face pulling away. Soonyoung sits in a ball on the floor sighing. "I'm sorry about yesterday, I'm truly sorry, I just felt horrible. it's too easy for you to say such things, to be a natural medalist, to be this country's pride but it's not for me. I have not won any Olympic medal yet to get anyone's approval, to make anyone proud. We're not all natural like you are. This could be my last Olympics."

  "You don't need other people's approval to show how good you are." Jihoon tries to reason with a small voice but the other laughs dryly.

  "Of course I do, I'm an athlete, without approval I'm nothing." Jihoon winces at the words, not really knowing what to even say, he didn't think it was this bad with the other, didn't think some athletes were really like this, he really was living in his own world not paying attention to anyone else.

  "And you know the funniest of it all? I thought this might be my last chance to finally get close to you." Soonyoung gets up off the floor slowly refusing to look at Jihoon. "I had a crush on you since our first Olympics together in London 8 years ago, but I was always too afraid to approach you. You were like this sturdy wall that no one could cross over or argue with you. I never had enough courage but I was thinking, if this was going to be my last time here, I would risk it and grow closer to you. If this would be my last chance to see you, what will I lose to ask you?"

  "Ask me what?" Jihoon's voice was shakey as Soonyoung gave him a lazy sad smile with dried tears on his face. 

  "I wanted to ask you out, take you somewhere nice here before the games end, I wanted to kiss you when I win a medal in front of everybody so they would know that I managed to win the heart of Korea's beloved Lee Jihoon, to celebrate together afterward and to hold you close under the moon as we fall asleep together under the sky, I wanted to ask you to be mine, to let me take care of you and be yours for as long as you'll take me." 

  Jihoon's heart starts beating so hard, as he stares at Soonyoung's dreamy face. it was not like he didn't think about this or imagine it, Soonyoung is nice and he was totally his type of person, after all this time they spent together, they could coexist together and Jihoon loved the other's presence, and with the way his heart flutter every time the other is in his sight should speak for itself and yet Jihoon couldn't say anything in retort to that. couldn't express himself, couldn't be as brave as the other was.

  "It's fine though Jihoon, it's okay. I just wanted you to know, that no matter what will end up happening to me, at least I'm not a coward anymore and I told you what I had been dying to tell you for years." Soonyoung grabs his phone from the floor then he walks away from the training room leaving Jihoon alone to his thoughts.

  *************

  Jihoon was stressed sitting on those bleachers watching the game, Soonyoung didn't lose his first game, on the contrary, he won it easily, matches passing in a blur but Jihoon couldn't sit still in place, he wasn't ready to lose Soonyoung. It's a stupid thought, they both live in Seoul, and they could find their way to each other but he has a slight feeling the other won't stay around if he loses and Jihoon couldn't have that, not when he finally figured out his feelings, not when he wanted to give it a chance, not when Jihoon finally for once in his life wanted to do something out of character, something out of his comfort zone. He could not lose the other before he tells him before he could give soonyoung everything he had been dreaming of. Soonyoung had to win somehow.

  Watching the quarter-final match was so hard, that Wonwoo had to forcefully sit him down a few times, Soonyoung was distracted, he could tell and that would only be a recipe for disaster in such games. Jihoon shrugged off Wonwoo's hands and climbed down toward the barrier trying not to cut anyone's view. Soonyoung was trying, he could say that. He could do better than that though, Jihoon saw him practice, he wasn't that clumsy.

  With sheer dumb luck by the other opponent, Soonyoung manages to qualify and Jihoon takes a deep breath, okay it's okay, this is okay. Another quarter-final match is set to start before they move to the semi-finals and Jihoon waits patiently as Soonyoung greets people before he follows him backstage and toward the changing room.

  Jihoon burst inside the room startling both of Soonyoung and his coach, he glares at said man who was scolding Soonyoung as the other was staring down at the floor. "Sir, can you give us a minute?" The coach grumbles then sighs letting his hands fly around.

  "Oh well fine, it's not like this idiot is even listening to a word I'm saying." Jihoon's eyes narrow down and he fists his hands in anger.

  "I would suggest not to call him such words sir, you are insulting a Korean national Olympic athlete, I do not care who you think you are but any insult to him is an insult to the country. Would you like me to go out there and tell people what you just said hmm? I will dare say a lot of fans outside will have a lot to tell you." The coach splutters in place but just shakes his head leaving without a word. "Just as I thought." He mumbles as the other leaves then shakes his head. First thing first when they get back to Korea, he's going to file a complaint against this guy and get him fired, no wonder Soonyoung was even more down. He moves toward the bench the other was sitting at and kneels in front of him.

  Jihoon holds his hands in between his and stares at the crestfallen look he had on his face. "You're distracted, and I'm not saying this to scold you or anything, you are still doing well and you won, I need you to remember that you have not lost yet Soonyoung. you haven't lost in the first round, or the second, or the quarter-finals. You qualified."

  "It doesn't mean I won't lose, my coach said..." Jihoon jumps to interrupt him when he mentions the older man.

  "Forget about what that old man said and listen to me, a fellow athlete. I watched the other matches, I know who you are playing against. I know you have the potential to win if you focus. Soonyoung whatever is distracting you, you need to put it in a box and forget about it, it's what makes your moves predictable and your kicks rushed."  Soonyoung seems to listen to him better and Jihoon sighs then he decides to say something crazy. If soonyoung was brave enough to spill all of his heart's content to him earlier, to take such a risk, why couldn't he be that brave as well? Soonyoung deserves everything in this world, happiness ... reassurance, and love.

  Jihoon puts both his palms on the other's cheek and he smiles cheekily at him. "Win that medal Soonyoung, I know you can. Win that medal for me, for yourself. Win that medal for us and maybe then you can ask me again."

  Soonyoung's mouth opens and closes like a fish and Jihoon only giggles. "You mean..." He trails off and Jihoon nods with a grin then he grabs both hands from the other's lap and brings them to his mouth kissing his knuckles one by one.

  "Show me who you are Kwon Soonyoung. Show me that I am not wrong with my decision. Show me what you can do. Because inside of you I believe lays a winner, a phenomenal athlete. And today is the day for him to prove to the world who he really is. You are more than just a random athlete. You are a national Olympic athlete, remember that with pride Kwon Soonyoung, and today everyone will know your name and say it with pride just as I do."

   Jihoon could see a new glint in the other's eyes growing slowly with each word he was saying. Had no one before been there for him like this? It's quite sad. Not he was going to focus on that right now, it wasn't the time, and either way, he was here now to not leave his side ever again.

  "Focus on this game, I do not care about the finals or the gold medal win this next one, and everything will be okay." Soonyoung nods slowly, a new determination growing in his eyes as he stands up with Jihoon in tow hands still intertwined.

  "And when I do, you'll let me ask you?" Jihoon's face softens as he nods.

  "You can ask me and do everything you ever wanted." Soonyoung inhales sharply at that shoulders squaring up and he nods to himself tagging on Jihoon's hand to head back to the arena.

  "Dude, where were you? We were looking for you everywhere." Mingyu's voice greets them when they reach the hallway and Soonyoung smiles genuinely. 

  "I just needed a moment, thank you guys for being here, it's appreciated."

  "Of course we are, we're one big family at this point, how can we not be here for you to support you." Jeonghan pats his shoulder softly and Soonyoung looks one minute away from tearing up at that sentence.

  "Hey hey now you're going to make him cry," Seungcheol grumbles from behind pulling Jeonghan away as they start bickering earning a chuckle from Soonyoung.

  "I'm okay, I'm just so happy right now, I'm just happy to have you all around me, to not be so alone anymore, I'm grateful for every one of you for believing in me." 

  "aww hyung I'm going to cry now." Seungkwan mumbles but then another voice makes them all laugh at once.

  "What do you mean going, I'm already crying." The figure of Seokmin already trying to wipe his tears made the whole group cackle. 

  Soonyoung smiles then he holds both arms up for everyone to gather in a circle for a hug. "No matter what happens now everyone, I just want you all to know that I was honored to be here and be part of this family okay?"

  "Shut up stop making me cry." Seokmin hits the back of Soonyoung's head but even with that the smile doesn't leave his face as he pulls away, giving one last glance toward Jihoon who was nodding reassuringly at him then starts heading toward the entrance he will be called from. 

  "Wish me luck." He turns around midway with a wink at Jihoon then runs away to the arena. Jihoon hopes what he said lifted the other's spirits enough to give him something to put his focus on. Because he refuses to let soonyoung lose and leave them. It shouldn't be how it is, Jihoon was so sure of it, that he trusted the other blindly to actually win. Soonyoung won't let himself lose, he won't let himself be lost once again by looking at his expressions. And Jihoon could only pray he was right.

  *************

  Soonyoung was more focused, anyone could tell this round, he looked more in his element, moves fluid and calculated. the opponent was strong, he will admit that but soonyoung was smarter. winning the first set easily. He drinks from a bottle to the side in the small break ignoring everything his coach tells him to instead look toward the crowd searching until his eyes meet Jihoon, memorizing where he and the others were all sitting. 

  Soonyoung goes back toward the second setting, he needs to win this, winning two sets means winning the game and he was not about to lose, not today, not anymore. He cracks his neck and then goes back in position striking the minute the alarm goes on. 

  Soonyoung lost count of the score, the two minutes set felt so long, but he managed to hit the other a quick kick in the head earning a 3 points score then risking a look toward the prompter as they took positions back, eyes bugging when he saw he was winning with 5 points difference with just 10 seconds left before the game finishes. 

  A huge smile gets drawn on his face as he decides to just jump and kick meaninglessly to let the time end after all there was nothing either of them could do at such at a short time.

  Once the alarm goes off again soonyoung screams so loud throwing away his helmet and falling on his knees to the floor. He could tell all cameras were on him but he didn't care at all, adrenaline running through him. He won, he won. he won.... and just like that his mind settled on one thing, on one person, on one promise and he gets up in a flash ignoring his tiredness as he jumps out of the arena and takes off running with every power he have toward where he memorized the others are at. He could tell most of them were surprised seeing him running toward them. Wonwoo pushes a dazzled Jihoon off his seat and he climbs down toward the barrier eyes wide but twinkling and smiling and full of pride.

  Soonyoung reaches him in no time grabbing his face with both his palms and he whispers. "I won, I won Jihoon." Jihoon chuckles yet nods eyes watery, hands trying to reach anything of the other from between the barrier clutching into his white uniform and trying to hide his face in his chest.

  "You won, you won us that medal." Soonyoung hiccups at the confirmation that he did indeed win and wasn't just imagining it.

  "Can I ask now?" his voice wobbles but Jihoon nods once again his own tears starting to fall.

  "Will you, will you..." Soonyoung starts sniffling both of them crying not able to finish the sentence and even though Jihoon was nodding to him, Soonyong felt like he had to finish it, he had to ask him like he always wanted to, he had to say it right there for this moment to be as perfect as he always imagined it to be, so he clears his throat slightly willing the words to leave him. "Will you be mine?"

  Jihoon gives him a bright smile through his tears and nods. "Yes, now kiss me and show everyone who I belong to like you always wanted to do because I cannot hold it anymore and I think the cameramen's arms are starting to hurt them." Soonyoung starts laughing so hard and then he leans toward him crashing their lips together at once. Jihoon sneaked his arms around his neck grumbling because of the barrier separating them making Soonyoung laugh mid-kiss at how cute the other was acting.

  The loud screams around them were almost deafening but they did not care about people, it was just them there in that huge arena, and no one else mattered. Soonyoung pulled away, hands still holding onto Jihoon's face and a huge smile broke onto his face as he wipes the other's tears leaning down once again to kiss his forehead and then pull his head to his chest in a loose hug. Soonyoung will stay, he will come back and he will be respected. Soonyoung won, more than just a stupid medal, he won his place, and his pride and he won Jihoon as well. Even if he was just a side prize to it. 

  Soonyoung couldn't believe he got everything he wanted. He didn't win the finals, but who cares, standing on that podium at the ceremony holding into that silver medal felt like he had the world between his palms. 

  This was just the beginning, of a new journey, of an actual successful career, of a new chance, and for an opportunity to love and be loved. Closing his eyes and listening to the loud cheers he had only one thought in mind. what could he even ask for more? He is happy, utterly and completely happy.