Happenstance

Chasing the Sun

Korn blamed Wai for his inability to focus during rugby practice. The other man was minding his own business, to the point Korn thought Wai was ignoring him. Korn wouldn't care, while Wai's attitude made sense. Korn was sure he should be at ease with Wai's behaviour. Nevertheless, Korn was getting increasingly irritated, and he didn't understand why.

For now, he could hardly look away from Wai. He felt like he had to follow each other's movements. He definitely wasn't admiring him. Not at all. Why would he? But then, Wai looked particularly exquisite today, despite the sweat and the mud. Korn's cheeks were flushed pink with effort, and he had noticed that Wai's short was tight in all the right places. It had been even harder to keep his eyes off Wai's outfit.

Something was wrong with him, he decided. His heart kept hammering against his ribs, and he felt too hot for the kind of weather they were playing in.

Pat had left earlier; Pran was apparently waiting for him. Korn thought he was the only one left on the field, and he decided to go for another lap, hoping it would calm him. So, he ran.

After completing one lap, Wai's legs and arse kept occupying his thoughts, so he ran another. He noticed a lonely silhouette standing by the cooler when he finished the second lap. Korn thought it was Pat at first, but the shape was too short.

It was Wai, he realised. Wai was standing by the cooler with two bottles, staring at him. Korn suddenly felt hot and breathless, but that could have been because he just ran like a madman. Not because Wai was still wearing those damned shorts.

As an alternative to greeting, he said, "I thought everyone had left." Because, for one, how does one greet an enemy? And were they still enemies? All of this was so confusing.

Wai shrugged, silently handing him the second bottle.

"I wanted to practice too," he said as he eyed Korn accepting the drink. He took a long sip under Wai's watchful eyes.

"If you want, we can do it together," Korn said once he had finished drinking. Wai agreed, and the two ran toward the field.

For the next half hour, everything went smoothly. The two were too focused on their games to try anything else until Wai shot the ball too hard, and Korn could not catch it.

"Man, watch how you pass the ball!" He exclaimed, his head still in the game and a tad frustrated he didn't catch the ball.

Immediately, Wai had his guard up and was ready to retaliate.

"Maybe you just suck at catching," he declared mockingly before he could stop himself.

The ball was forgotten, and Korn glared at the other. His blood was boiling, and the warmth in his stomach was becoming a burning fire.

"You shut the fuck up before I make you," he threatened, his body tensed and ready to attack. They were back to their old habits. It was so much easier to fight than to process their mixed feelings.

They were on each other before they knew it, fists raised. Luckily, they never found their target as Korn suddenly froze, realising how close to Wai he suddenly was. He was just a hairbreadth away from the other's body.

Korn was hot, and Wai was pretty. Even with his features frowning and his usually bright eyes darkened by his anger. He was still lovely, ready to punch Korn even as he raised his hand above his head. Wai's warmth was enveloping Korn, and it made him sweet things.

Korn realised at that exact moment that he did not hate Wai, far from it. After Wai's fist collided with his jaw, he realised he might even like him. If the punch hurt, it wasn't physically. It broke something deep within him, something hidden in his chest.

Korn did not try to defend himself when Wai finally punched him. Instead, he stood there, inches away from Wai's body. Immediately, Wai stared at his hand with wide eyes and his mouth slightly open in shock.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered, his eyes now on Korn's bruising face. "I'm sorry," he said again, his fingertips stroking Korn's face as Wai's eyes started swelling with tears.

"It's okay," Korn replied softly, then, surprising himself and Wai, he gently embraced the other. Korn held tight to Wai's hand for a few seconds before he was shoved away. Korn could do nothing but watch Wai run away from him and the field.

He sat heavily on the ground, his head hanging between his knees. His heart was pounding painfully in his chest, and his jaw was burning. He sniffed pitifully, realising that he was crying.

"Fuck..." he swore quietly, whipping the tears away from his face.

Fuck everything. Why did he have to like Wai of all peoples? The one person that hated his guts. It explained why he had been bothered lately and why Wai's face wouldn't leave his mind.

Korn was tired. He was exhausted even. And his heart was hurting.

It took him a while to move from his place and go home. After reaching his apartment and looking through his cupboards for snacks, he quickly showered. Knocks echoed throughout the flat. Korn wondered who was at the door. Grabbing a pack of frozen peas, he pressed it against his bruising jaw before going to answer the door.

"Wai?"