Depths Of The Heart [WinTeam]

Chapter 3: Lines in the Water

The tension between Win and Team didn’t go unnoticed. By now, the whole team was aware of the rivalry brewing between their captain and the new freshman. There was an unspoken competition that simmered between them during every lap, every practice, and every glance. It was as if the two were locked in a silent battle, each refusing to be the first to look away.

For Win, it was about more than just swimming now. Every time he saw Team standing there with that calm expression and those deep black eyes, it ignited something in him. He felt challenged, irritated, and, if he were honest, a little captivated. Team’s quiet intensity was unlike anything he’d encountered before.

As Win sat in the locker room before practice, he tied his hair back, catching his reflection in the mirror. His bleached blonde hair, the inked wings and symbols curling down his shoulder blade, gave him a fierce look, one he’d carefully cultivated. He knew it set him apart, gave him an edge of intimidation that no one else dared to challenge. But Team… he seemed immune to it.

The locker room door swung open, and Win’s heart gave an unexpected jolt as Team walked in, towel slung over one shoulder, his black hair still slightly damp from an early warm-up swim. Their eyes met in the mirror’s reflection, and for a brief second, neither looked away. Win felt a surge of defiance and something else he couldn’t quite name. Something that felt uncomfortably close to intrigue.

“Early again, Captain?” Team’s voice was light, but there was a hint of challenge in it.

Win smirked, lifting his chin. “Someone has to make sure you don’t slack off, Freshman.”

Team rolled his eyes, setting his bag down on the bench. He was close enough now that Win could see the faint droplets of water clinging to his skin, his dark hair framing his face in a way that made him look intense and a little vulnerable at the same time.

Win tore his gaze away, annoyed at himself. He needed to get a grip. Team was just a rival, nothing more.

“I don’t need anyone checking up on me,” Team replied, his tone quiet but firm. “I’m here to win, just like you.”

“Then prove it,” Win shot back. He could feel the adrenaline sparking already, the instinct to challenge, to push Team until he cracked. “Show me you’re not just talk.”

Without waiting for a response, Win turned and headed toward the pool. He could hear Team’s footsteps behind him, each one steady and unhurried, as if he refused to be baited into Win’s pace.

When they reached the pool, the rest of the team was already gathering. Coach Taan raised an eyebrow as the two of them walked in, clearly sensing the charged atmosphere between them.

“Everyone, pair up,” Coach called out. “Today’s focus is endurance and form. I want you all pushing each other. No one slacks, got it?”

There was a murmur of agreement as the team members split into pairs. Win barely had to look before Dean stepped over, grinning as usual, ready to partner up. But before they could say a word, Coach’s voice cut in.

“Win. Team. You’re together today.”

Win’s eyes widened slightly, and he glanced over at Team, who looked equally surprised but quickly masked it with that infuriatingly calm expression of his. Win’s stomach tightened in protest, but he forced himself to nod, keeping his face impassive. He couldn’t let Team see that he was rattled.

Coach seemed oblivious to the tension as he continued, “Both of you are the fastest on the team. It’s time you learn to work together, not just compete against each other. Understood?”

Win clenched his jaw, then forced out, “Yes, Coach.”

Team echoed the sentiment, his gaze steady on Win. There was no animosity there, just a quiet determination that somehow made Win even more unsettled.

As they slipped into the water, Win took his place at the starting block next to Team, feeling the coolness of the pool spread up his body, calming his nerves just enough. He glanced over, noting the way Team’s shoulders tensed slightly as he prepared to dive in. For a moment, Win’s irritation softened. He could see the dedication in Team’s form, the way he seemed to focus his entire being on this one task.

But the softness was brief, replaced quickly by the familiar urge to dominate, to prove that he was the one in control here.

“Ready?” Win asked, his tone clipped.

Team didn’t answer verbally, just gave a sharp nod. And then they were off, cutting through the water side by side, each pushing harder with every stroke. The sound of their breathing, the feel of the water pushing back as they powered forward—it was like they were in their own world, bound together in this fierce, unrelenting dance.

Lap after lap, they swam neck-and-neck, neither willing to yield. Win’s arms began to burn, but he pushed through the pain, his focus narrowing to the sensation of Team just inches away, his presence like a magnetic force pulling them together and keeping them locked in this unending struggle.

Halfway through the set, Win caught sight of Team’s face out of the corner of his eye. There was a hint of strain there, a vulnerability he hadn’t seen before. For a split second, Win felt a pang of something he couldn’t identify. Sympathy? Respect? Whatever it was, he shoved it down, forcing himself to push even harder.

They hit the final lap, their movements synchronized in an almost eerie rhythm. By the time they touched the wall, both were gasping for air, their chests heaving as they clung to the edge of the pool. The silence was thick, and for a moment, neither spoke, the only sound their labored breaths echoing in the empty space.

Then, Team finally looked over, a small smirk playing at the edges of his lips. “Not bad, Captain.”

Win scoffed, though he couldn’t completely hide the grudging respect in his tone. “You kept up, Freshman. For once.”

They stared at each other, neither backing down, and Win felt that same strange, unsteady feeling bubbling up inside him. He knew he should be annoyed, furious even, but instead, he felt a flicker of something dangerously close to admiration.

Coach Taan’s voice broke the moment. “That’s enough for today. Good work, both of you.”

Win pulled himself out of the pool, quickly grabbing a towel to hide the slight shiver that ran through him. He hadn’t felt this alive, this challenged, in a long time, and he hated that it was because of Team.

But as he glanced back, he caught Team watching him, his expression unreadable. There was a strange intensity in those dark eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the rivalry, the unspoken bond forming between them with every stroke, every challenge, every breath.

---

Later, in the locker room, the tension lingered, hovering between them like an invisible thread. As they dressed, Win found himself glancing at Team, trying to decipher the mystery behind that calm exterior.

Finally, unable to hold back, Win spoke. “Why do you keep pushing like that?”

Team looked up, his eyes thoughtful, searching. “Because I want to be the best. Just like you.”

Win rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t deny the hint of respect that crept into his voice. “Well, you’ve got a long way to go, Freshman.”

Team’s mouth quirked up in a small smile. “Guess I’ll just have to keep up with you then.”

For a moment, they held each other’s gaze, and Win felt that strange, magnetic pull between them again. He knew this rivalry was dangerous, that it was making him feel things he wasn’t ready to face. But for now, he didn’t pull away.

As he shouldered his bag, Win gave a final, lingering look over his shoulder, catching sight of Team, still watching him, dark hair falling slightly over his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.

“See you tomorrow,” Win said, his tone softer than he’d intended.

Team nodded, his gaze steady. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”

And as Win walked out, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was diving into something far deeper and more complicated than he’d ever anticipated.