Winter Hearts

One On One

Siana was just feeling like she was getting into the morning's activity when Panos said he was hungry and was going to grab a bite to eat.

"What? We just got here!" Siana said, checking her watch.

"You guys just got here. I've been here since ten. I want food."

"Me too!" said Ken, his hand up high in the air. Hongbin looked at him, then at Siana.

"Umm..."

"Let's go, brother!" Panos said, high-fiving Ken and walking off the court.

Siana bounced the ball on the spot, sulking. Hongbin looked helplessly back at Ken, who scrunched up his face and held his tummy as if he was starving, then turned quickly to follow Panos.

"Are you hungry too?" Siana asked Hongbin, squinting up at him under the approaching noonday sun.

"Yes, we didn't have breakfast." Hongbin said, hoping that Siana would let him leave instead of holding him there with so much... expectation. She looked like she really wanted to continue playing and he didn't feel like he could abandon her. But... food.

"Well, you don't have to wait here with me," she said, holding the ball against her belly with her arms. She blew her cheeks out, held her breath and pouted.

Hongbin did a double-take.

"A-are... Are you trying to be... cute?" He asked in surprise. "Stop it."

Siana let the air out of her cheeks and smiled up at him.

"Is it as irritating as I think it is?" she asked.

Hongbin laughed. "Almost as irritating as being asked to do it."

"Oh really? You guys don't live for doing that on camera? Huh. And I always thought you were okay with it," she said sarcastically.

"No. Not okay. Ken is okay. And Hyuk will do it as a joke. But the rest of us hate it."

"I think Ken will do it til he's 80."

"Yes, and that will be his punishment to everyone for making him do it in the first place."

Siana laughed.

"So you're all bitter about it then? Even Ken?"

Hongbin nodded, smiling. Siana giggled, her initial disappointment at having to stop, fading.

"You okay to just shoot some hoops? I'll buy you a snack!" she said, her eyes shining.

Hongbin laughed, "Gosh, you're so cheap. Okay!"

"Awww, just for me? You're so kind!" Siana turned and lopped the ball straight into the hoop. Hongbin's jaw dropped open. She whooped, happy with her easy score, and ran to retrieve the ball.

"I see we have started," Hongbin said, drily.

"One Nil to Siana," she snickered.

Hongbin watched her turn excitedly to come back to shoot again as he walked out of the way.

"But if I faint from hunger I expect you will carry me home out of the goodness of your heart."

Siana laughed, pausing to put her hand on her heart and making an oath.

"If I have to tie your leg to my bike and drag you home, I'll do it Hongbin-ssi!"

It was Hongbin's turn to laugh now, and he watched her concentrate as she took another shot. Her clear brown eyes took on a serious cast as she bent her knees before shooting. He could see a little wrinkle at the top of her nose. She shot, and the ball ran around the rim of the hoop before falling out to the side. Hongbin caught it before it bounced and went to take her spot as she moved out of the way.