When Sparks Fly

Banter and Boundaries

Jeonghan and Seungcheol were assigned to plan a team-building retreat for their department, an initiative designed to foster camaraderie. If the irony wasn't obvious enough, Jeonghan made it painfully clear during their first brainstorming session.

"So," Jeonghan began, tapping his pen against the table in rhythmic defiance, "a team-building retreat. Should I bring a tent, or is this more of a 'trust fall in a conference room' vibe?"

Seungcheol barely glanced up from his laptop. "Neither. We're aiming for something productive, not a camping trip or a circus act."

Jeonghan gasped dramatically. "No circus? But that's my natural habitat!"

Seungcheol shot him a look—part annoyance, part resignation. "If you're done entertaining yourself, maybe we can focus?"

Jeonghan leaned back in his chair, twirling the pen like a drumstick. "Sure, but only because you said 'please.' Oh wait, you didn't."

Seungcheol's jaw tightened, but instead of rising to the bait, he calmly turned his screen to face Jeonghan. "These are the proposed locations. Let me know if you can manage to focus long enough to have an opinion."

Jeonghan squinted at the screen. "These are all in the middle of nowhere. What are we, hikers? Do I look like someone who owns boots?"

Mingyu, who was sitting off to the side pretending to work but clearly listening, piped up. "I think Jeonghan would look cute in boots."

Jeonghan smirked. "See? Finally, someone with taste."

Seungcheol sighed. "Mingyu, you're not helping."

The dynamic only got more ridiculous as the planning progressed.

"I think we should have an escape room challenge," Jeonghan suggested one afternoon, scrolling through his phone. "It's trendy, interactive, and minimal walking. A win for everyone."

"Escape rooms are overdone," Seungcheol replied, flipping through his notebook. "We need something that encourages teamwork, not just individual problem-solving."

"Teamwork?" Jeonghan repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You mean like sitting through this meeting without strangling each other? Because we're nailing that."

Mingyu snorted from his corner, earning a sharp look from Seungcheol.

"Do you actually have a useful suggestion, or are you just here for commentary?" Seungcheol asked, turning back to Jeonghan.

Jeonghan placed a hand over his heart, feigning hurt. "Wow, way to crush my creativity. But fine. How about a cooking challenge? Teams have to make a dish together. It's messy, chaotic, and full of potential for hilarious disasters."

Seungcheol considered it for a moment, his pen tapping against the table. "Not the worst idea you've had."

Jeonghan grinned. "I'll take that as a glowing endorsement."

Later that day, Wonwoo and Jeonghan were sitting in the break room when Seungcheol walked in.

"Your idea for the cooking challenge is in the proposal," Seungcheol said, setting a folder on the table. "Review it and let me know if you think anything needs adjusting."

Jeonghan picked up the folder and flipped through it absentmindedly. "Wow, Seungcheol, is this your way of saying I had a good idea? Should I frame this moment?"

Seungcheol crossed his arms, his expression unchanging. "Don't get used to it."

Wonwoo watched the exchange with mild amusement. "You two have an... interesting working relationship."

Seungcheol glanced at Wonwoo. "It's not a relationship. It's survival."

Jeonghan gasped. "Seungcheol, you wound me!"

Wonwoo chuckled, shaking his head. "If you say so."

The next morning, Jeonghan and Seungcheol were supposed to visit one of the proposed locations for the retreat. Jeonghan showed up in ripped jeans, a loose sweater, and sneakers that looked like they hadn't touched dirt in years.

"Are you serious?" Seungcheol asked, looking him up and down. "This is what you're wearing to walk through a nature lodge?"

Jeonghan shrugged. "What? I'm versatile. Fashionable and functional."

"You look like you're going to a café, not a lodge."

"Well, maybe the lodge has coffee. If not, that's a dealbreaker."

Seungcheol stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "Let's just go."

The drive to the lodge was a quiet one at first, with Seungcheol focused on the road and Jeonghan scrolling through his phone. But the silence didn't last.

"Do you always drive like this?" Jeonghan asked, glancing over.

"Like what?"

"Like you're in a presidential motorcade. Loosen up a little."

"I'm driving safely. That's what normal people do."

Jeonghan smirked. "You're no fun."

"And you're exhausting."

"Yet you're still stuck with me. Funny how life works."

Seungcheol didn't respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched ever so slightly. Jeonghan caught it and filed it away for later.

When they arrived at the lodge, Jeonghan was less than impressed.

"This is it?" he asked, stepping out of the car. "It looks... rustic."

"That's the point," Seungcheol replied, locking the car. "It's supposed to be a break from the usual."

Jeonghan wrinkled his nose. "Break? More like punishment."

As they toured the lodge, Jeonghan's commentary was relentless.

"These beds are like planks of wood."

"They are planks of wood," Seungcheol replied without missing a beat.

"Charming."

By the time they finished, Seungcheol looked ready to snap.

"Well?" he asked, turning to Jeonghan. "Any constructive feedback, or are you just here to complain?"

Jeonghan tapped his chin, pretending to think. "I'd say it's... quaint. But if you're expecting me to sleep here, I'll need at least three extra pillows."

Seungcheol shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

By the time they got back to the office, Mingyu and Wonwoo were waiting for them.

"How was the lodge?" Mingyu asked, grinning.

"Delightful," Jeonghan said with a saccharine smile. "Seungcheol loved every minute of my commentary."

Seungcheol sat down heavily at his desk, running a hand through his hair. "It was... educational."

Wonwoo raised an eyebrow. "Educational?"

"I learned that Jeonghan has a critique for everything."

Jeonghan winked. "And you secretly enjoy it."

Seungcheol didn't dignify that with a response, but the faintest hint of a smile betrayed him. Mingyu elbowed Wonwoo, whispering, "I told you. Rom-com vibes."

Wonwoo just shook his head, but even he couldn't deny the chemistry.