Depths Of The Heart [WinTeam]

Chapter 5: Cracks in the Armor

After that night by the pool, things between Win and Team shifted, almost imperceptibly. They no longer traded biting comments during practice, and when they swam next to each other, the tension felt different—charged, yet softer, a silent acknowledgment of the vulnerabilities they had both revealed. They didn’t talk about that night, but the memory lingered in Win’s mind, resurfacing in the quiet moments between laps, in the glimpses he caught of Team’s focused expression, and in the steady rhythm of his own heartbeat.

As the weeks passed, Coach Taan continued to pair them together, pushing them to work as a team. At first, it had been difficult for Win to surrender his usual authority, to let someone else share the spotlight. But now, as he fell into a rhythm with Team, a strange satisfaction took its place. They moved together in perfect sync, understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses without the need for words. Their rivalry had become a partnership, and Win couldn’t deny the rush of pride he felt when he watched Team improve, knowing he had played a part in it.

But that partnership was soon put to the test when the news broke.

It was a Friday afternoon when the team gathered for practice, buzzing with the usual chatter. Win was stretching by the pool, his attention only half-focused, until Coach Taan walked in with a grim expression that immediately silenced the room.

“Everyone, listen up,” Coach said, his voice steady but tense. “I just received word from the university board. There have been doping allegations against our club.”

A ripple of shock went through the team. Win’s mind reeled, and he glanced around, his heart pounding as he tried to make sense of the news. Doping? The Chula University Swimming Club had always prided itself on integrity, on hard work and dedication. Win couldn’t believe anyone on the team would risk everything for a shortcut.

Coach continued, his gaze sweeping over them all. “We don’t know yet who made these allegations or who they’re directed at, but the board is conducting an investigation. Until it’s cleared, our funding and our ability to compete are at risk.”

The weight of those words settled heavily over them. Without funding, they couldn’t afford the equipment, the travel expenses, or even the coaching staff. And if they couldn’t compete, everything they’d worked for, every hour they’d spent training, would be for nothing.

Win’s jaw clenched as he looked around, catching the worried faces of his teammates. Dean was frowning, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Pharm looked pale, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with anxiety. But it was Team’s expression that caught Win’s attention most. There was a flicker of something dark, almost haunted, in his eyes, as if the news had struck a nerve Win didn’t fully understand.

After practice, Win found himself lingering by the locker room, waiting for Team. He didn’t know why; he just felt this need to talk to him, to understand what was going on beneath the calm facade that Team always wore.

Eventually, Team emerged, his dark hair still damp from the shower, his gaze distant. He almost didn’t notice Win until Win stepped into his path, blocking his way.

“You okay?” Win asked, keeping his voice low so the others couldn’t hear.

Team hesitated, his eyes flicking away before he nodded. “Yeah. Just… a lot to take in.”

Win could tell there was more to it than that, but he didn’t press. Instead, he gave Team a slight nudge with his shoulder, a gesture that had become oddly natural between them. “Hey. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it. The team has your back.”

Team looked at him, and for a brief moment, something unguarded flashed across his face, something vulnerable and raw. “Thanks, Win.”

It was a simple response, but the sincerity in Team’s eyes stirred something deep within Win, something that both scared and thrilled him. He wanted to reach out, to say more, but he held back, sensing that Team needed space.

As the investigation continued over the next few days, the atmosphere on the team grew strained. Everyone was on edge, wary of every interaction, every whispered conversation. Rumors began to spread, each one more outlandish than the last. Some speculated that it was a rival university trying to sabotage them, while others believed it was someone within the team looking for an edge. Trust was unraveling, and it became harder to focus on training when every lap felt like a step closer to an uncertain future.

One afternoon, as Win and Team were warming up in the pool, Team suddenly stopped mid-lap, his expression troubled. He pulled himself up onto the edge of the pool, breathing heavily, his gaze distant.

Win swam over, concerned. “Hey, what’s going on?”

Team didn’t look at him, staring instead at the rippling water. “I… I’m thinking about stepping back from the team.”

The words hit Win like a punch to the gut. “What? Why?”

Team finally met his gaze, his dark eyes filled with turmoil. “If the investigation drags on, it could ruin the team’s chances. Maybe it would be better if I left, just until everything clears up.”

Win’s chest tightened. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “That’s ridiculous. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Team’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, Win saw the same haunted look he’d noticed on the day the news broke. It was as if there was a secret lurking beneath Team’s calm exterior, something painful that he was trying to hide.

“I don’t want to risk the team’s future, Win,” Team said quietly. “They deserve better than this mess.”

Win couldn’t stand the thought of losing Team, not now, not after everything they’d shared. He reached out, his hand resting on Team’s shoulder. “We’re in this together, remember? You don’t have to do this alone.”

Team’s expression softened, and he looked at Win with a vulnerability that made Win’s heart ache. For a moment, they stayed like that, their gazes locked, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Finally, Team nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thanks, Win. I… I needed to hear that.”

They returned to their practice, but the weight of the scandal continued to hang over them, a shadow that followed them with every stroke, every lap. Win found himself constantly aware of Team’s presence beside him, the quiet strength he drew from knowing they were in this together.

As the days passed, the investigation dragged on, and the pressure began to take its toll. One night, after another exhausting practice, Win found himself alone in the locker room, replaying the events of the past few weeks in his mind. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear Team walk in until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He looked up, surprised to find Team standing there, his expression unreadable. Without a word, Team sat down beside him, their shoulders barely brushing. For a while, they just sat in silence, the weight of everything they’d been through settling between them.

Finally, Team spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “Do you ever feel like… like everything you’re fighting for could just disappear?”

Win swallowed, the truth of those words hitting him hard. He’d spent so much of his life in the water, striving to be the best, to live up to expectations that sometimes felt impossible. But now, with the future of the team in jeopardy, he felt that fear creeping in, the fear that everything he’d worked for could slip away in an instant.

“Yeah,” he admitted quietly. “But that’s why we can’t give up. We’ve come too far to let this beat us.”

Team looked at him, and in that moment, Win saw the same determination he felt reflected back at him. It was a silent promise, a shared resolve to keep fighting, no matter what.

And as they sat there, side by side, Win felt a strange sense of peace, a warmth that settled in his chest despite the uncertainty that lay ahead. It didn’t matter what obstacles they faced or how uncertain the future was. As long as they were together, they could face anything.

For the first time in weeks, Win allowed himself to hope.