#012: player

"pinky promises are overrated anyway."

Sehun was already on the helipad when it touched down, and the first thing he did when the girl hopped off was to give her a tight hug. “Lisa showed me the photos. I’m so glad you’re ok.” Sehun breathed into her hair as he cupped her head lightly. Sejeong could only wrap trembling arms around his waist as she blew out a long breath. This was the comfort that she needed.

Pulling away from him slightly she glanced up into his eyes, concern still swimming in them. Jaehyun and Wonwoo had long left the helipad, and it was just the two of them, standing in each other’s arms under the setting sun.

“What are we?” Sejeong murmured, holding onto Sehun’s gaze steadily. She knew that he cared for her deeply, but nothing was ever said. Did he like her? Or was she just a little sister to him? Those thoughts had swirled in her head the moment she realized she was this close to death a mere 20 minutes ago. She was sure that she liked him, but the lack of confirmation from him was the only thing holding her back. She just needed to hear it from him, and she would let herself fall over the edge completely.

Sehun’s tongue darted out, wetting his lips as he looked towards the setting sun, his hand slipping from the back of her head.

“I don’t know.” He breathed, swallowing hard as he looked back to Sejeong who was trying extremely hard not to let any despondence show. She knew she had to be fair toward him – it did take a life or death situation for her to finally realize the feelings that she had for him. Still, disappointment coursed through her and she couldn’t help but step back and out of his arms.

Keeping her eyes trained on his shoes, she nodded her head slightly. “I got it,” she had muttered simply before turning on her heel, trying to get off that damn roof as fast as she could.

𝛃

Wonwoo had emerged from the shower to see Sehun lying on his back, forearm shielding his eyes and letting out a deep sigh. 

“What’s up man?” Wonwoo asked, drying his hair with a towel as he sat on his bed and faced his roommate. He did have some inkling as to what was going on, but didn’t want to push too much, especially when his roommate looked visibly upset.

Sehun had let out another sigh before pushing himself up and leaning against the headboard. “I think I messed up, but I couldn’t think of any other way.”

Wonwoo’s brows furrowed. “Any other way?”

“Any other way to answer Sejeong’s question.” Sehun ran his fingers through his hair. “She asked me what we were, and I said I didn’t know.” Wonwoo could only frown as Sehun continued. “It’s not that I’m not interested; I just feel like I’m not ready.”

“So, you were just playing.” Wonwoo deadpanned, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Sehun’s head whipped towards him. “No, I’m just unsure.”

“No man, you clearly are playing, you little .” Wonwoo then proceeded to smack Sehun with the towel in his hand before heading into the shared walk-in wardrobe to get dressed. Poking his head out, he added, “You better get your head on straight and grow up, you player.”

𝛃

Sehun could feel that the air between them had shifted when Sejeong exited the lift in a pair of black leggings and white sports bra. She looked absolutely stunning to him, yet the shadow on her face and mild glare she was giving him told him to keep that thought to himself. They hadn’t spoken in two days, and he thought better to not start a conversation until she did.

“Alright! Let’s see what you guys remember!” Shownu stepped into the boxing ring and threw each of them a pair of boxing gloves. It was either the awkwardness between the two weren’t palpable enough or Shownu completely chose to ignore it.

Sehun saw that Sejeong was struggling with her gloves slightly, and he was the one who usually helped fasten them around her wrists, yet today, the girl had pivoted on her heels and turned to Shownu for help instead. Sehun could only purse his lips and sigh as the girl returned to face him with a steely glance.

“First one who pins their opponent on the ground wins.” Shownu had announced before hopping out of the ring towards the small bell at the corner. “Ready, let’s go!” Shownu rang the bell and their sparring began.

The two circled around the ring, sizing each other up. Months of working and training together allowed Sehun to predict some of Sejeong’s movements, and he knew that she was more of a defensive rather than offensive fighter. It therefore came as a shock to him when the girl darted forward, effectively landing a low, hard punch on his belly. He lurched backward and hid is groan through gritted teeth. Albeit surprised, he still didn’t let his guard down and managed to block another punch that was aimed at his face.

That didn’t deter Sejeong at all as she aimed another punch at his belly once again, making Sehun remove his arms shielding his face before dealing a heavy blow to his jaw. The male stumbled back, finally unable to hide his shock as he stared at the angry girl with wide eyes. He didn’t want to play dirty, but if he continued letting her land blow after blow he was bound to end up in the hospital. Yet he knew that would royally piss her off, and he could forget about talking to her forever.

Weighing his options quickly, he decided the latter couldn’t be that bad and charged towards the girl that was coming to him at full speed. He blocked her arms and pushed back on her shoulders all in one quick movement, before landing a high kick on her shoulder, making her lose her balance and fall onto her back. The girl grunted and tried to get up yet wasn’t fast enough as Sehun pounced onto her and straddled her hips before pulling his right arm back, officially declaring her loss. The girl had flinched at