On Thin Ice

Chapter 5- bubbling tensions

JIMIN POV:

"This'll get the ice skaters laces in a knot. Coach's booked the main rink for extra group sessions in the upcoming fortnight." Bambam grins, eyes glinting with amusement before his gaze flits over the timetabled sheet, the central rink blocked off for hours. Scattered group practices across mornings and afternoon sessions to continue preparing and practicing for regional qualifiers.

The ante of the upcoming season looms closer and closer, growing larger with every practice and that electric anticipation of pushing past regionals to compete at a national level this season has a buzzing adrenaline coursing through everyone's bodies. Eyes sharp and alert, a new hardened focus carved from the excitement of an intense competitive season.

There's a hum of chatter, of assent as the other players surge closer to examine the sheet, my eyes flitting over the periods of space between practices, mentally cataloguing where to sort out individual practice and gym.

"We still have our weekly session." Jackson points out, head tilting towards the sheet.

A dismissive, scathing sound at the back of Lee's throat makes my eyes snap to him, catching the look of disappointment and dismay flit across Joon's features.

"Play nice Lee." Jackson retorts, eyes flashing with a mix of light amusement and reproach.

"With those talentless—"

"You'll be surprised how many of them are much more tolerable than you Lee. Some of them are better to look at that's for sure." JB grins good-naturedly but there's a bite to his words regardless, his comment draws a few jeers of appreciation and echoed agreement.

And despite myself I feel my lips quirk, twitching at the corners. A ghost of a grin before it can appear.

Some of them are better to look at—one specifically comes to mind. But it's not the image of her skimming swift and precisely on the ice that's conjured. It's those enthralling fire-blazing eyes rooting my gaze to hers and the phantom brief heat of her body pressed to mine.

"Not to mention—there's talent on that team Lee. It's why they hold their own repute at the uni." Namjoon says, words firm.

But there's no denying the unspoken words he doesn't say but everyone hears loud and clear too.

So earn your keep on the ice, on the team too.

There's a hard firm authority in his stare, silently challenging, daring and just like that Lee's lips thin. Clamp and his gaze hardens.

But he doesn't speak. Words swallowed whole by Joon's firm stance, by the way his eyes sweep over the rest of us. Gauging, searching, assessing.

"I don't care what reason this rivalry matters so much to you. But because it clearly does—earn your reputation so that when you do clash, you have proof to back your words when we win the regional qualifiers."

A strong assuredness in his words, a confidence in sharp eyes that rake over the team, over every single player.

He doesn't need to raise his voice to broadcast how easily he holds everyone's attention, he doesn't need to flaunt or boast his talent or merits when it's there clear as day for anyone and everyone to see.

And just like that he silences the talk about the figure skaters—turning attention back to the matter at hand, focus rooted to our captain as he speaks.

"You're responsible for your own additional training, try to get some smaller group practices in. Don't overwork and then beat yourself up over straining a muscle closer to qualifiers." Eyes flitting to me briefly, a ghost of a smile breaking through the levelled authority. Eyes briefly narrowing in warning before they skim away, scan the rest of the team.