Archive of Our Own

“So… you both like me?”

Soo-min giggles, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. Her eyes sparkle with amusement as they dart between the two boys in front of her. Her plump, glossy lips curl into a slow smile, one that says she’s enjoying every second of this. 

She’s casually leaning against a tree in her signature cheerleader outfit. The cropped t-shirt fits her perfectly, emphasizing her delicate curves. The pleated skirt reaches mid-thigh, swaying lightly with the breeze and revealing just enough of her slender legs to make it impossible to look away. A ribbon ties her ponytail in place, her bangs falling against her forehead. She’s effortless, stunning, and untouchable.

The prettiest girl Taehyung has ever seen.

And apparently, Jeon Jungkook thinks so too.

“I like you,” Jungkook says, insists, as if he needs to stake his claim before Taehyung can. He gives Taehyung a side-glance as he adds, “I wouldn't be so sure about Kim though, considering his reputation on campus.”

Taehyung’s lips twitch, his eyes narrowing at the jab. “Reputation? Being friendly is a crime now? At least I’m not a loner like you.”

“You’re so full of shit.”

“And you’re such a fucking loser,” Taehyung snaps. “You saw me call out to her, and you just had to follow.”

Jungkook’s jaw clenches. “I can’t trust you.”

Taehyung lets out a short, incredulous laugh. “I've known her longer than you!”

“Boys! Come on. Don’t fight for me like that,” Soo-min says, her voice light and cheeky as she pushes herself off the tree and saunters over to them. Her hips sway in a way that’s meant to hold their attention—meant to make them fight over her even more. She slowly, seductively trails a finger down Taehyung’s face, her nail pressing under his chin as she tilts his head up. Right after, she uses her other hand to bury her fingers in Jungkook's hair, fisting the strands and giving them a light tug to raise his head.

For a beat, it’s silent. 

She looks between them as if she’s actually trying to decide, enjoying the suspense she’s created. Taehyung’s jaw clenches under her touch, and Jungkook’s throat bobs as he swallows hard, but neither of them pulls away. And then, she sighs and her hands fall. “I can’t pick. You’re both so hot,” Soo-min whines. “So, I have an idea. End of the season—MVP takes the title, the trophy, and me.” 

Jungkook’s eyes snap to Taehyung.

Taehyung meets his stare head-on, his gaze sharp with a challenge. “Fine,” he says, cocky—confident like the win is already his.

“Okay,” Jungkook replies with a shrug. Like it’s a piece of cake. 

“Good,” Soo-min says, pulling away and taking a step back. She turns around and starts walking, her ponytail swishing and her hips swinging. She smirks as she looks back at them over her shoulder and winks, “May the best man win.” 

After that, she’s gone.

“Be ready to lose, Jeon,” Taehyung says.

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “In your fucking dreams, Kim.” 

+

The air is fresh.

The weather’s perfect, and the sun isn’t high up enough to scorch yet. The breeze feels nice against his skin. The campus is mostly empty at this hour, with just a few students rushing to finish whatever work they've been putting off. Taehyung heads straight to the court, bobbing his head to What’s Your Fantasy, each beat getting him more and more pumped up for the warm-up. They’ve got a practice match tonight before their game this weekend, and the tension has been high all week. The coach has been absolutely brutal; pushing, yelling, and drilling them harder than ever because nothing short of victory will do. 

Warm-ups don't start for another hour, but Taehyung has decided to arrive early to practice his dribbling and shooting. He’s got a reason to push even harder now. His goal isn’t just to win—it’s to beat Jungkook, take the MVP, and the girl he likes home.

The stakes are high.

As soon as Taehyung reaches the court, he freezes. 

Because there he is—

Jeon Jungkook.

Before Taehyung knew they were after the same girl, Jungkook was just another guy on the team. They never really got along, and their interactions were limited to curt exchanges during practice and the occasional competitive glare in games. But now, it’s like Jungkook is everywhere. He's all over campus: in class, in the gym, in the library, and even in Taehyung's favorite cafe. No matter where Taehyung goes, he ends up catching sight of him. 

At first, Taehyung told himself it was a coincidence. Maybe it still is. Maybe he’s just started noticing him more. He was a nobody to Taehyung before, but now he’s this guy Taehyung desperately wants to defeat.

“Fuck,” Taehyung mutters under his breath. The urge to leave, to avoid being in the same space alone with Jungkook gnaws at him—but he doesn’t move. He’s here to practice, and he’d be damned if he changed his routine because of Jungkook.

Jungkook is wearing a plain white t-shirt and shorts, and Taehyung can’t help but squint—those are ridiculously short shorts and some absurdly big thighs. It seems like he's been here for a while because he's all sweaty. His hair is damp, tiny droplets rolling down the side of his face and along the line of his throat. He’s panting, chest rising and falling hard as he moves around the court. He bounces the ball fast against the ground, and when he finally takes the shot, it arcs clean and sinks straight through the net.

Taehyung can’t help but notice how hard Jungkook is going at it. His shoulders flex, calves tighten when he jumps, the veins in his forearms popping as he grips the ball. It hits him that they’re on the same level—not only in their game but, annoyingly enough, in their looks as well. 

“Damn.” Taehyung whistles, stepping on the court. “Is it that serious?”

Jungkook glances at him. A flicker of irritation crosses his face, and his eyes roll. He continues to dribble the ball, and for a moment it seems that he's about to ignore him, but then his lips curl into a sneer. “Yes, it is. If I don’t win MVP, I lose more than just a title. But I don’t expect you to understand, since it’s just fun for you.”

Taehyung’s eyebrows screw up. “What do you mean it’s just fun for me?”

Jungkook turns to face him. “It means what I said,” he says slowly, as if he’s talking to a moron. “You don’t care about anything. You’re just in it for the kick. I see you with a different girl every day—I bet you don’t even like Soo-min. You just like the chase. You just like to show off.”

Taehyung scoffs. “It’s called having friends, dude. Not like I expect you to understand. You think you’ve got me all figured out, huh?”

Jungkook’s eyes blaze. “I know enough.”

“You don’t know shit. But you know what? I don’t give a fuck about what you think,” Taehyung says, crossing his arms and trying to hide the way Jungkook’s words hit a nerve.

“That’s why you’re everywhere, right? Always fucking looking at me? Sizing me up?” Jungkook shoots back, stepping closer.

Taehyung lets out a sharp laugh. “You’re fucking delusional. We’re in the same college so of course you’re gonna see me around. And I’m not sizing you up. You’re not even competition for me,” he says dismissively.

“You’re so fucking cocky. I’d love to see the look on your face when you lose,” Jungkook says.

“That’s never gonna happen.”

“We’ll see about that,” Jungkook smirks, turning around. He starts walking, and without even looking at the hoop, he tosses the ball. It surprisingly goes straight through the net. He doesn't even check to see if it went in before leaving.

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “And I’m the show-off, right.”

He stays back like he’d planned, ball in hand. The court is empty, quiet, so it should be easy for him to focus—yet he keeps fumbling. His dribbling is sloppy, and most of his throws just bounce off the rim. He clicks his tongue in frustration because his mind keeps wandering back to Jungkook. 

He doesn’t like to admit it but he thrives on attention. Loves being the one people can’t look away from. He’s easy on the eyes, has a good personality and his jokes never fail to land. So he can’t figure out why Jungkook is different—why he looks at Taehyung with nothing but disdain when he manages to be civil to everyone else.

“What the fuck did I do to him?” Taehyung mutters under his breath. “Fuck it. I don’t care.” 

He shakes his head, snatching up the ball and hurling it at the hoop from the three-point line. It bounces off the rim, almost. He curses under his breath, chasing it down, throwing it again, harder. Normally, the rhythm of the game clears his head, but today it refuses to work. Jungkook lingers. He hates it—hates how the guy can get under his skin with just a few words and a cocky smile. And still, there’s something about him that makes Taehyung push harder, run faster, like he’s got something to prove.

“Fuck,” he mutters after missing another shot. 

Time flies by. 

Taehyung is sprawled across the wooden bench near the court, watching his teammates trickle in one by one. His eyes narrow and he abruptly, almost unconsciously, straightens up when he sees him again. 

Jungkook.

He’s wearing a black tank top and shorts that thankfully cover more of his thighs this time. Their eyes meet for a fleeting moment before Jungkook quickly looks away. He starts stretching with the others, pretending like he does not notice Taehyung's eyes on him.

“Hah,” Taehyung huffs under his breath, pushing past him a little harder than necessary when the coach beckons them over with a whistle. He waits for Jungkook to shove him back, to snap, or to at least curse him—but there's no reaction. Jungkook’s lips just press into a thin, unimpressed line as he moves away, as if Taehyung is not worth his time at all.

It pisses Taehyung off even more. 

Warm-up begins. 

Jungkook keeps his distance the whole time. 

It’s intentional, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Every time Taehyung crosses the court, Jungkook moves out of his way. Every drill, every set, he’s unreachable. Even when the team groups together to stretch, Jungkook subtly angles his body away, shoulders stiff, refusing even the smallest brush of contact.

It isn’t just today, either—it’s always been this way with Jungkook.

He’s cold, aloof, and wrapped up in his own personal bubble. On the team, he’s undeniably one of the best players they’ve ever had. Off the court, though, he’s a ghost. He’s quiet, reserved, and almost untouchable in a way that annoys Taehyung. Makes him want to poke and prod to see just what’ll make him snap.

As Taehyung collapses after finishing his final lap around the court, he realizes that Jungkook may have been a little right about him. He plays for the rush, the crowd, and the fun of it all, but he still cares. Basketball isn't the only thing in his life; he's got plenty of things to keep him busy off the court. Just because he knows how to have fun—doesn’t mean he lacks focus. 

However, Jungkook plays as if the game is all he has. 

Like he’s got no life outside of it. 

“Okay, done!” The coach shouts, clapping his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Practice game’s at 6. If you’re not there in time, you’re out of the team.”

Everyone groans.

There’s chatter all around him.

Taehyung’s lips curl into a cocky grin. “I know someone who’ll be at least three hours early,” he says loudly, looking over to Jungkook to see if the jab lands. But his smile drops the second he spots him—already walking off the court with his bag hanging from his shoulder. “Damn, what’s his deal?”

Jimin looks up from where he’s tying his shoelaces. “Jungkook?”

“Yeah. He’s fucking…”

“What?”

“I don’t know. He’s just damn weird.”

Jimin scoffs, shaking his head. “Just because he’s not wired like you?”

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “You know I didn't mean it like that.”

Hoseok tosses a ball at Taehyung to get his attention. “I’ve heard rumours that you’re both after the same girl. Jung Soo-min.”

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. “Word travels fast.”

“So it’s true? You two are fighting for her?”

Taehyung tilts his head. “More like competing.”

“He’s good, you know. Jungkook,” Hoseok mutters. “It’s gonna be tough to beat him.”

Taehyung tucks his hands under his head and looks up at the sky. “He can be the best player in the world and I’m still not gonna let him win. No matter what.” 

+

“You know, you should mingle more.”

“I don’t have time for that.”

“You’re gonna regret not living your life once you’re older,” Yoongi says as they step into the gymnasium. Half the team’s already here, throwing shots and running drills even though it’s early. Everyone’s tense; two games down, eight to go. One win, one loss. Another slip-up and some of them are looking at permanent spots on the bench.

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “You sound like you’re on your deathbed.” 

“Will you listen to me if I’m dying?” Yoongi chuckles. 

“Perhaps.” 

Yoongi snorts, grabbing a ball as they square off to pass. The rhythm between them is easy, natural from years of playing together. “I know you’ve got me and Seokjin, and I know that’s all you think you need. But it wouldn’t kill you to make new friends.”

“You sound like my mom.” 

“Jungkook,” Yoongi sighs.

“What?” 

“You were being a little hostile to Taehyung this morning,” Yoongi points out, tossing him the ball. “I saw how he was trying to get your attention.” 

Jungkook catches the ball, and scoffs. “He wasn’t trying to get my attention—he was trying to piss me off. Did you not see how he fucking pushed me? He wanted me to snap, to start a fight. He’s trying to get me benched so he can take MVP. I don’t want a lot of things, hyung. Just one. Just this. And it’s—” he pauses, his voice falling small, almost bitter, “it’s unfair that someone who already has everything wants to take that too.”

“Is this about Jung Soo-min? You like her that much?” 

Jungkook swallows. “Yes. I do. And it’s not just about her, hyung. I’m here on a scholarship, I can’t just chill. I heard there’ll be international scouts at some of our games. If I’m good enough, I might get picked up for a summer program, maybe even a summer league in the U.S. That’s a real shot at going pro. I don’t need distractions right now—especially ones that’ll make me lose focus.” 

Yoongi’s eyes soften. “I get that. I really do. But if you push yourself too hard, you’re gonna burn out. You’ll wake up one day and the thing you love is gonna feel like a prison. It’ll start to suffocate you. That’s why you need balance. You can’t always win, Jungkook. You need to learn to accept defeat too.” 

Jungkook’s eyes flash. “I’m not gonna lose—not to Kim Taehyung at least.” 

“It’s not about him.” 

“I know.” 

“Won’t Soo-min be a distraction too?” Yoongi arches his brow. “Having a girlfriend is very time-consuming, y’know. A cheerleader at that. She’s very high maintenance.” 

Jungkook falters. “We’ll see.”

Yoongi smirks. “You haven’t thought that far, have you?” 

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “Let’s just focus on the practice match today, hyung. You can grill me about life lessons later.”

“Fine.” 

The game has him buzzing, sure. 

But deep down Jungkook knows he’s on edge because of Taehyung and the way things blew up between them earlier. He feels like he might have crossed a line, but Taehyung’s always so cocky, he doesn’t regret it. Just because Taehyung is popular, easy-going, and a little too charming, he thinks he can get away with anything. He thinks it's okay to call Jungkook a loser and look down on him.

Jungkook hates how laid-back he is. Effortlessly good at sports, at talking to people, at pulling everyone’s attention without even trying. Everything just falls into his lap, while Jungkook has to try so fucking hard. If there's one place he can prove himself, one place he knows he can beat him, it’s here. On this court.

So he’s not going to lose.

Whatever it takes.

He starts warming up by stretching, running a lap around the gym while dribbling the ball, and finally shooting. He silently tracks each miss. Pushes himself harder. By the time his sixth shot lands in a row, the rest of the team has arrived and the low buzz of conversation fills the space. They don’t have an audience this time.

His eyes meet Taehyung’s across the room. He’s staring, again. 

Jungkook wants to punch him. Hard. 

“Your guy’s here,” Yoongi snickers. 

“He’s not my guy,” Jungkook snaps. 

“See the way he’s looking at you. All heart eyes.” 

“He’s mentally strangling me. Let’s be serious. He hates me.” 

“I doubt it. I think he just wants to be your friend.” 

“Right,” Jungkook scoffs. 

The coach blows his whistle, and they all gather around.

“This game is less of a practice match for me to assess your skills and more for you to know your own strengths and weaknesses. Don’t slack. Give it your all, but keep it clean. I’ll be watching,” Coach Lim says, then splits them into two teams—and obviously, Taehyung and Jungkook end up on opposite sides.

Taehyung stands there, hands behind his back and a smug grin on his lips. He doesn't try to hide the way his eyes track Jungkook.

Jungkook tilts his chin up, puffs his chest out and smiles.

For a moment, Taehyung falters. His smile drops, and heat creeps up his neck as he swiftly looks away. Jungkook catches every bit of it; smiling wider. It’s small, barely a crack in his composure but it’s enough. It feels like a win already. 

“Let’s go!” 

The game begins. 

At first, they completely steer clear of each other, circling the court and refusing to give the other even an inch more. They avoid direct contact, but make their presence impossible to ignore by overpowering their respective teams. Taehyung sinks a three-pointer with a cocky flick of his wrist. He doesn’t look at Jungkook, but the smirk that tugs at his mouth.

Did you see that? 

Jungkook charges through Taehyung's defenders as if they don't exist, effortlessly dodging everyone who tries to block him or get the ball. He nails the shot so perfectly that his teammates gasp in surprise. He glances at Taehyung, flipping his hair with a cocky grin. 

That one’s for you.

As the game heats up, so does the tension between them. 

Taehyung begins cutting Jungkook aggressively, stepping into his space and brushing past him even when it’s completely unnecessary. Jungkook retaliates by blocking him, purposely keeping him far away from the ball because he’s the best player in his team. 

“Fucking move!” Taehyung hisses.

Jungkook glances at him. “Why’re you trying so hard? There’s no audience for you to impress.” 

“Fuck off.” 

“Why? Am I suddenly competition for you?” 

In the next round, Jungkook shuts everything else out and focuses only on the ball. For a split second, his eyes flick to Taehyung before snapping back to the flying pass. Taehyung’s eyes follow the ball too, almost mirroring Jungkook’s movements. In the next moment, they’re both lunging for the ball—pushing harder and faster. The sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished floor echoes loud as they sprint towards it, arms outstretched.

They touch the ball. 

And then—they crash.

Their bodies slam, momentarily knocking the air out of them. Taehyung’s hand instinctively shoots out to grab Jungkook’s waist—to push him away but he loses his balance. He starts to fall back, dragging Jungkook down with him so that Jungkook lands right on top of him. Taehyung lets out a sharp groan as his head smacks the floor, and Jungkook can’t help but grunt in response. They're too shocked to do anything for a moment.

Jungkook pulls up slightly, only to have his eyes meet Taehyung's wide ones.

They stare at each other. Blink. 

Jungkook feels Taehyung’s heart racing, each beat drumming in his own ears. 

From somewhere across the court, a guy snickers. “Too hard.”

Jungkook panics, jerking up too fast. His shoes squeak and slip, causing him to fall back down. His body collides with Taehyung’s in a way that leaves no space between them. In a way that has their lips pressing together.

Taehyung sucks in a sharp breath. 

Jungkook’s eyes widen. 

“Holy shit! Get a room!” 

“Fuck.” 

“Coach! Is kissing foul play?” 

The words snap them apart. 

Jungkook scrambles to his feet, cheeks red. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he hisses. 

Taehyung pushes himself up, his eyes narrowing into a glare. “Wrong with me? What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you have tunnel vision or something? Can’t you fucking look where you’re going?” 

Jungkook takes a step closer. “Putting the blame on me now? Classic.” 

“You know what?” Taehyung starts, “I don't like to read between lines, Jeon. So if you fucking have a problem with me, just say it. Right to my face.” He steps forward, closing the tiny space left between them. He’s trying to intimidate Jungkook; but his body’s radiating so much heat that it’s all Jungkook can feel. Their faces are inches apart—close enough for Jungkook to count his lashes and see all of the moles scattered across his skin. He feels this strange pull—but it’s accompanied by a much stronger sense of shock, embarrassment, and the need to regain control. So he lifts his hand, presses it against Taehyung's chest and pushes him away. He also absolutely hates confrontations. 

“I have nothing to say to you, Kim.” 

“Then shut the fuck up.” 

“Fuck off.” 

“You should fuck off—” 

“Boys!” The coach whistles. “Enough. Get back to the game!” 

+

“You’re coming?”

“Nah,” Jungkook mutters, dropping to the gym floor with a sigh. He stretches his limbs out, feeling the ache and strain of pushing himself too hard as he closes his eyes and throws an arm over them to block out the harsh lights. The hardwood feels cool against his flushed skin, and he enjoys the silence now that the game is over and the rest of the team has gone to the locker room to shower and change. “Not now. I’ll go when it’s a bit more empty.”

“Avoiding Taehyung, huh?” Yoongi snorts. “Whatever. I’m off, see you later?”

“Yeah.”

Jungkook waits. 

As soon as Yoongi’s out of the gym, he lets out a loud scream. “Fuck! What the fuck are you doing?” He drags his hands down his face, fingers digging in like he's trying to claw his skin out in frustration. The second half of the game was a disaster, and he knows exactly why. He couldn’t concentrate. Not when his mind kept replaying the kiss, his lips still tingling from the damn sensation. He kept unconsciously avoiding Taehyung to the point where he couldn't even go near the fucking ball.

Despite trying so hard, he can’t stop getting bothered by Taehyung. Every little thing about him gets on Jungkook's nerves: the way he dribbles, the way his muscles flex when he jumps for a shot, and the way his lips spread into a wide boxy grin when he scores. Even the sound of his laugh crawls under Jungkook’s skin. He carries himself like the whole damn game belongs to him, and it makes Jungkook’s blood boil.

Jungkook knows Taehyung is just trying to rile him up, but he just can’t ignore him.

It wasn’t always like this. Jungkook remembers when Taehyung barely even acknowledged his presence and treated him like any other teammate, maybe even less. Ignored him, in fact. Jungkook was barely a blip on his radar back then. But now—now that Jung Soo-min’s involved, everything’s changed. It’s like he’s the only one in Taehyung’s world. And his eyes—his fucking eyes never leave him.

“He probably likes her a lot,” Jungkook mumbles, staring up at the ceiling. “But I do too. I can’t back off. No matter how difficult things get, no matter how much he pisses me off, I just gotta hold on. If I let go now, it’s like admitting defeat and I’m not losing to him. Not in basketball. Not with her. Not in anything.” He's quiet for a beat before letting out a groan, feeling hot all over again. “I can’t believe I kissed him. No—wait, no, it wasn’t even a fucking kiss, right? Our lips just… touched. Gross. Ugh.”

He grabs his phone. 

Decides to send a quick text to Soo-min. 

Me
thinking about you

He doesn’t get a reply. 

He wonders if she texts Taehyung. 

Jungkook gets lost in his thoughts for a while before finally pushing himself off the ground. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he exits the gym and heads straight to the locker room. He's hoping it's empty now so he can shower in peace without all the noise.

He pushes the door open and freezes.

“—and Jungkook’s such a loser. It was probably his first kiss.”

“I’m gonna be honest, he does look like a virgin.”

Another voice cuts in. “He’s so uptight, y’know. Always acting like he’s the shit. He looks down on everyone around him. I mean—” there’s a scoff, then laughter, “I’m sorry my life doesn’t revolve around basketball. It’s not that serious.”

They’re familiar voices. His teammates.

“You should just stay away from him, Tae.”

Jungkook sucks in a sharp breath, his stomach flipping. He feels a sharp pang as he realises—oh. 

Taehyung’s there too. 

He has no idea why he's so surprised, why his throat is tight, and why this really stings because he already knows Taehyung hates him. Taehyung’s a rival. But still, maybe it’s just that he didn’t expect Taehyung to talk behind his back like this. 

“Man!” Taehyung sighs. “That’s a lot of yapping for people who played like ass today. Seriously, it’s pathetic. I don’t care whether it was Jungkook’s first kiss or if he’s a virgin—none of that’s our business. He’s good. He’s actually fucking amazing at the game. You’d be lucky to have half his drive.”

“What the hell?”

“Don’t you hate him?”

There’s a pause, and then Taehyung replies, “Of course not?”

Jungkook blinks, his heart skipping a beat.

“Anyway, I’m outta here. Just focus on playing a decent game next time guys,” Taehyung says flatly, and then Jungkook hears the scrape of sneakers against the floor as footsteps start getting closer. His brain just short-circuits. He knows he should thank Taehyung for defending him, but he instinctively hides in the shadow of a corner until Taehyung is out of the door.

“Asshole—” one of the guys mutters.

“What’s his fucking deal? Did he like the kiss or something?”

Jungkook lets out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding. He slumps back against the wall, and somehow feels defeated. It’s like the rivalry—the enmity was one-sided all along. They both want MVP and the girl, but perhaps it does not have to be ugly.

Taehyung doesn’t hate him.

“Well now I feel like shit.” 

Maybe he isn't such a bad guy.

Maybe they can be civil to each other. Or even become friends.

+

They won.

Their second win in three games. 

It wasn’t easy. Every quarter felt like a war, the scoreboard swinging back and forth so fast it made the crowd restless. Taehyung hates to admit it, but Jungkook deserved most of the credit for the victory because he was good. He was absolutely brutal on the court. He never missed a single shot, never let the ball leave his hands and pushed through anyone who tried to block him.

When he made the winning shot, the audience erupted into screams. Even those who’d been complaining about him behind his back started to hoot and cheer for him. Taehyung remembers how full of adrenaline he’d been at that moment, his whole body buzzing. And so, when his eyes met Jungkook’s across the court, he momentarily forgot all about their rivalry and flashed him a smile. A wide, blinding smile that made his cheeks ache.

And for the first time, Jungkook returned it.

At least, Taehyung thinks he did.

Maybe it wasn’t meant for him at all—maybe Jungkook had been looking past him, at the bench, at the coach, at the crowd still going wild in the stands. But Taehyung didn’t care. Nor did his heart. Not with the way it lurched in his chest. 

Taehyung thinks Jungkook doesn’t know just how attractive he is. 

Most of the girls who approach him aren’t just there to congratulate him, but to check him out and flirt with him. He doesn’t notice how they twirl their hair, give him sultry-sweet smiles, or find excuses to touch him. He doesn’t see how their eyes follow him when he runs a hand through his damp hair, or how they practically melt when he flashes them a small, nervous grin. He probably leaves them all on read.

And he could—god, he could have anyone he wanted. He could bask in the attention, let them line up and let them fight over him. But he doesn’t. Instead, he only ever looks for Soo-min in the crowd, only ever really smiles at her.

He’s got that face.

One that’s just magnetic. 

One that people can’t look away from. 

Jungkook gets overwhelmed easily, Taehyung realises. That’s why he’s quick to leave after the games, not because he thinks too highly of himself. That’s why he doesn’t mingle with the crowd, doesn’t linger for the after parties, and politely declines every invitation to hang out.

He’s just really fucking shy.

Also, his head’s mostly full of basketball and Soo-min. 

“What’re you thinking about?” Jimin suddenly asks, nudging him.

Taehyung blinks, snapping out of his thoughts. His heart skips a beat for no reason, and he fumbles a little, trying to come up with something because there’s absolutely no way he can admit he was just thinking about Jungkook. “Thinking about how Coach’s an asshole for taking us on a bonding trip right after our match.”

Jimin easily believes him. “Right? Literally what does he mean by needing more chemistry?”

Taehyung snorts. “He wants us to kiss.”

Hoseok smirks, jumping in like he'd been waiting for that exact moment. “You’ve already got that covered, haven’t you.”

Taehyung rolls his eyes, feeling his cheeks heat up. “Oh fuck off. It wasn’t even a kiss.”

“Your mouths touched.”

Jimin nods. “I saw a little tongue action too!”

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. “Now you’re just straight up lying.”

Jimin laughs. “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”

“Were his lips soft though? Or like, chapped?” Hoseok chimes in, wiggling his brows suggestively.

Taehyung’s face screws up. “That’s like fucking weird—”

“Just answer!”

“—they were soft!” Taehyung hisses.

“Oh.”

Jimin smiles. “Oh.”

Taehyung’s lips traitorously twitch. “Stop. Shut up. Fuck off.”

“Honestly, though, he’s kinda cool,” Hoseok says, finally leaning back in his seat. “Spoke to him for a bit yesterday. He even gave me some tips to get better.” He shrugs. “He also really likes Soo-min, so… like, if you’re not serious about her or if you’re just doing it for the chase, you should just back off.”

“Yeah.” Jimin nods. “He’s a good guy. Works hard, too. Don’t mess with him.” 

Taehyung frowns. “Why do you guys think I’m not serious about her?”

Hoseok and Jimin exchange glances.

“Cos’ you just don’t seem that interested in her,” Hoseok says.

“Yeah. You look at Jungkook more than you look at her,” Jimin laughs.

“I like her,” Taehyung says, almost insists. “Soo-min. I’m serious about her, and I’m not backing off. I work hard too.” 

“Alright.”

“That’s okay, dude.” 

Taehyung turns to look out the window again, closing his eyes and feeling the breeze against his skin. The air is fresh, and it’s a refreshing change from the usual stench of the locker room he’s used to. He tunes out the chatter on the bus and tries to focus on the sound of wind rustling the leaves and the birds chirping outside. They’re going to Gapyeong for a bonding trip (it’s really just a membership training in disguise), and even though he hated the idea at first, he doesn’t mind it so much anymore. There’s something calming about the winding roads and the open sky.

He doesn’t know what the Coach means by chemistry, but they certainly need a little more co-ordination and team building. Perhaps friendship. Not wanting his mind to wander to places he doesn’t want it to, he decides to put on some music. 

Soon, he drifts off to sleep.

+

The house is vintage. 

It looks like an old ancestral home that has been renovated and preserved through generations. Ivy grows along the walls, and wooden shutters frame the windows. The backyard is wide and open, perfect for games or a barbecue. 

However, when Taehyung steps inside, he notices that it’s just one large open space where everyone will have to sleep together. His face twists as he drops his bags with the rest of the team. 

He loves his friends, absolutely loves being around them but some of them have questionable sleeping habits. Still, he can make it work. If he grabs one of the mattresses in the very corner, he should be fine.

Just as they’re finally done unpacking, Coach Lim storms in and starts blowing his damn whistle again. “Alright, boys, no time to rest! We’ve got a few activities lined up. We’re not here to play. And we still need to buy groceries to feed your bottomless stomachs so get your asses up and let’s go!”

Everyone groans. 

“Give us a little time to rest, coach!” 

“We’re tired from the game!” 

“I just wanna sleep.” 

“I’m kinda hungry!” 

But Jungkook immediately nods, pushing himself up and walking out of the room. Seeing that, Coach Lim starts scolding the rest of them for being lazy and using Jungkook as an example of true dedication.

Taehyung chuckles under his breath, “I guess he’s just unintentionally annoying.” 

“Yeah,” Jimin huffs. “He could’ve given us a moment.” 

“Maybe he likes river rafting,” Hoseok says. 

Of course, he does. He will. 

Because Taehyung absolutely hates it. 

He’s adventurous—loves being in the water, and he’s an excellent swimmer. But there’s just something about the wildness of a river that makes him uneasy. Rafting's rocky enough but it gets even worse when the raft goes into the rapids. The water rushes too fast, splashes too much. Vision drops to zero. Taehyung hates the fact that there’s a very high probability of falling in and drowning even with a life jacket. 

He’s reluctant but he has to go. 

The entire bus ride, he’s panicking.

They get to the riverside faster than he can mentally prepare himself.

The roar of rushing water fills the air, almost drowning out the chatter and laughter of the other boys around him. The river foams white, spraying mist into the air and the current looks powerful enough to sweep away anything. Everyone else looks pumped. Taehyung’s the only one who looks like he’s seen a ghost when he’s asked to climb onto the raft. 

“Taehyung-ie, are you coming?” Jimin asks. 

Taehyung doesn’t move, his hands tightening on the straps of his life jacket. 

“You don’t have to do it if you’re scared,” Hoseok says, his voice loud enough to make another five pairs of eyes swivel towards him. Jungkook is looking at him too, and Taehyung can feel all the blood rush to his face. Even though Jungkook's face is blank, Taehyung just knows he's laughing on the inside. He'll probably bring it up later, and Taehyung can't have that. He can't be a joke. He can't be a fucking pussy.

“I’m fine. I’m coming,” Taehyung finally replies, forcing a smile to mask the slight crack in his voice. He steps onto the raft, and the guide tells him to sit beside Jungkook.

Just his luck. 

Seokjin is equally terrified, but he doesn’t hide it as he presses closer to Namjoon and clings to him for support. Jimin, Hoseok and Yoongi are vibrating with excitement, while Jungkook is just too calm. He's barely holding the handles that Taehyung is clutching onto for dear life. “Where are the paddles?” 

Jimin snorts. “You think you can do that right now?” 

“I’ll be the only one doing that. Just sit tight and follow my instructions,” the guide says.

“Uh, okay.” 

“Okay! Let’s go!”

Taehyung gulps. 

One of them will probably catch him if he falls right? 

Right? 

At first, it’s not that bad. Taehyung actually finds himself laughing and having fun with the others as the raft rocks gently over small waves. His friends start splashing water at each other, and he’s suddenly fine. His fear’s gone. The raft’s still bumpy, but not enough to lose his mind. 

But then—the guide shouts for everyone to hold tight since they’re about to hit the rough rapids soon. Taehyung glances ahead and freezes when he sees the raft in front of him almost tipping over. 

Panic surges in his chest, his breath quickening. 

Yoongi looks at him and snickers. “Taehyung’s about to shit his pants.” 

“Shut up!” Taehyung hisses. He can feel Jungkook's eyes on him, but he doesn't dare meet his gaze because he knows his fear will show; in his eyes, on his face. It's fucking embarrasing. 

But then—Jungkook shifts beside him, causing the raft to rock even more. Taehyung is about to yell at him to stay still when he notices that Jungkook has actually moved closer to him, causing their shoulders to brush. He stretches his legs out, looping one around Taehyung’s and effectively pinning him in place. At the same time, he reaches for the handle, his palm sliding over Taehyung’s hand and fingers curling until he’s holding Taehyung’s hand more and the handle less. 

Taehyung’s head snaps to him. 

His heart races in his chest. 

Jungkook doesn’t look at him, he keeps his eyes straight ahead. 

Taehyung swallows, the fear in his chest fading and the knots in his stomach unraveling. Somehow, he’s not so scared anymore. Somehow, he knows that if the raft tips, Jungkook won’t let him fall

The ride is over before Taehyung knows it. 

Even though there are a hundred different ways Jungkook can mock him and make a joke out of him, he doesn't. When they get to the shore, he simply thanks the guide and climbs out with the rest of the boys. 

For the first time, the rivalry between them feels hazy. 

Almost meaningless. 

+

“We need to go faster! We’ll miss the sunset.”

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Should’ve picked another group then.”

Jungkook cocks a brow. “This is my group. I’m the team captain. You picked me.”

“That’s because—” Taehyung sputters. “All my friends are here!”

“Aren’t you literally friends with the entire world?”

Taehyung scoffs. “Jealous?”

“Seriously, hurry up!”

Taehyung smirks, dragging his feet on purpose and slowing everyone down.

Jungkook groans. “You’re so fucking annoying.”

“I’m sorry, are you talking to me? I thought you were talking to the rocks.”

“Real mature,” Jungkook hisses.

“Definitely more than you—”

”Jesus, stop!” Jimin cries, picking up small rocks and chucking it at them. “You both should've been on a separate team. Give it a fucking rest or let us go ahead and then argue. We're on this semi-nice mountain, so just fucking look around instead of at each other. Jungkook, you need to chill. There’s still a lot of time for the sunset so we’re definitely not gonna miss it. It’s not a race.”

“Exactly,” Taehyung huffs, all smug. 

“And you,” Jimin says, turning to glare at him. “I know you can definitely go faster than this. Stop trying to annoy Jungkook. Grow up.”

“Oh, wow.” Yoongi laughs. “Jimin’s little but he’s intense.”

“We’re literally the same height,” Jimin deadpans.

“You know… that tree over there looks at least a hundred years old—” Namjoon begins.

Seokjin groans. “If you don’t shut up with the useless tree facts, I’m hanging myself from that very tree and haunting you forever.”

Hoseok grins. “I have a rope if you need it.”

They all burst out laughing.

Finally, Jungkook notices Taehyung picking up speed. He starts walking faster and faster, eventually overtaking Jungkook. He looks back over his shoulder and smirks, as if he knows exactly what he’s doing. The sunlight catches his face, highlighting all that mischievous glee that makes Jungkook's chest tighten in a way he can't quite describe.

His lips curl into a scowl, his eyes narrowing, challenge flaring in his chest. He pushes himself forward, matching Taehyung step for step, and suddenly, it’s no longer just a hike. 

They’re racing. 

Their group quickly falls behind, with voices fading as the two of them weave through the trees and overtake the other groups that’d been ahead.

“You think you can actually beat me?” Jungkook laughs, breathless but still cocky.

“Oh I will,” Taehyung says, but he’s evidently struggling. His legs ache and his muscles burn from the strain, and maybe it's his own damn fault for turning a relaxing hike into a race. But his ego's too big to accept defeat from Jungkook so he pushes himself even harder. But then—his foot suddenly slips, twisting painfully between two jagged rocks. “Ah! Fuck!” he yelps in pain. “I’m stuck!”

Jungkook snorts in the front. “Yeah, right.” He keeps walking.

Taehyung’s face twists. “Jungkook, seriously. I can’t move.”

Something in his voice makes Jungkook freeze. He swiftly turns around, his eyebrows shooting up when he sees Taehyung crouched awkwardly, foot jammed tight between two rocks and his hands braced on the ground for balance. Jungkook immediately drags a hand down his face, groaning in disbelief. “Are you serious? Do you also not know how to walk?”

Taehyung glares at him. “Shut up,” he snaps, but it’s weak.

“You’re like a fucking magnet for disaster.”

Taehyung frowns, jaw tight. “Just go. I’ll wait for the others. It’s not like I need your help,” he says, but his entire face twists into a wince the moment he tries to move his foot around a little.

“Yeah, right,” Jungkook huffs, making his way back to him. He comes to a stop in front of Taehyung, standing tall and looming over him as his lips curl into a slow smirk. “You kinda look nice down on your hands and knees for me like that.”

Taehyung blinks once, twice. For a second his brain goes completely blank, and then his entire face turns red. “Are you insane? You’re seriously cracking a sex joke right now?”

Jungkook’s smile drops. He blinks rapidly, sputtering like he’s short-circuiting. “Sex joke—what?!” His cheeks flush, ears going just as red. “I didn’t, no. I meant—” He fumbles as he waves a hand helplessly. “Like… I’m the master and you’re the slave.” 

“Um.” 

Jungkook blinks again, realizing what he’s said. “Wait, no, not like that.” He runs a hand through his hair in sheer panic, face burning hotter. “Fuck, I mean like—like I’ll always be on top and you below me.” 

Taehyung stares at him. “That’s—” 

“Shut up!” Jungkook screams, his voice squeaky from embarrassment. “Nothing about you is or will ever be even remotely sexual. Stop making it weird.” 

Taehyung snickers. “I’m making it weird?” 

Jungkook ignores him and drops into a crouch in front of him. “Show me,” he mutters, reaching towards Taehyung’s ankle.

Taehyung stiffens. “I said I’ll wait for the others—”

“Yeah, and then what? You’re just gonna sit here looking like a dumbass?” Jungkook snaps, brushing his fingers against Taehyung's sock as he checks the angle of his foot. The heat of his touch makes Taehyung flinch, but he doesn’t pull away.

“Don’t touch me if you’re going to be an asshole about it,” Taehyung hisses.

“I won’t if you just keep your mouth shut. Just tell me if it hurts,” Jungkook says as he steadies Taehyung’s ankle with one hand and works at his shoe with the other. He shifts it carefully in the narrow space between the rocks until the pressure finally eases. He glances up, and for a second their eyes lock—Taehyung’s lips part and his chest heaves. “I’m gonna pull now.”

Taehyung nods. “Okay.”

With one sharp tug, Jungkook yanks Taehyung’s foot free. Taehyung loses his balance and stumbles forward, his chest bumping into Jungkook’s shoulder. For a second, they're close enough for Jungkook to feel the heat of Taehyung's body and catch a whiff of his fabric softener under the sharp smell of sweat, grass, and soil.

“Watch it,” Jungkook grits out, catching him by the arm. He lingers for a second longer than necessary before pulling away. 

Taehyung huffs. “I was fine. I didn’t need your help.”

Jungkook scoffs, pushing back up to his feet. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”

They start walking again. 

Taehyung’s foot aches and even though he tries to hide it, he knows he’s slower than usual. He's not sure if Jungkook has slowed down to match his pace or if he's simply exhausted too. Either way, they fall into step beside each other, with only the sound of gravel crunching beneath their feet. When they’re nearly at the top, Taehyung clears his throat. “Thank you,” he says softly. 

Jungkook glances at him. “You’re welcome.”

The view at the cliff is breathtaking. They arrive just in time to see the sunset—to catch the streaks of orange, gold, and red painting the sky. The air is cool, crisp, and carries the addicting smell of earth. Taehyung watches as Jungkook drops his bag and walks up to the front to just look, feel the breeze on his skin, his hair ruffling slightly with the wind. The light catches the sharp line of his jaw as he tilts his head back and closes his eyes. 

Taehyung approaches him, hands in his pockets. “Do you want me to take a pic?”

Jungkook snorts. “I’m very well capable of doing that myself, thank you.” 

Taehyung stares at him for a moment, distracted by the way he looks golden in all the light. “No, I mean—of you, idiot. With that view.” 

“Nah.”

“Cool.” Taehyung shrugs, pulling out his phone. “Take one of me then. I’m gonna send it to Soo-min.”

There’s a pause before Jungkook mutters, “Fine. Take one of me too.”

“Loser.”

“Shut up.”

“Do you even text her? Have you exchanged more than a single word in person?” Taehyung snickers. 

Jungkook looks away. 

“Oh my god. You haven’t?” Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. “Why do you even like her? If it’s because of her looks, that’s really shallow. And lame.” 

“What about you? Why do you like her?” Jungkook asks. 

“Because she’s nice and pretty, and we have a lot in common. I think we’d be really compatible and have a lot of fun together,” Taehyung replies with a nonchalant shrug. He snatches Jungkook’s phone and lifts it up, pointing the camera at him at the angle where the sunset makes him glow. “You need to up your game, dude.” 

Jungkook rakes a hand through his hair. “You don’t always need a reason to like someone, do you? You just do. You’re attracted to them. You keep thinking about them. You can’t look away. And,” he pauses, “I just need to win MVP. It doesn’t matter how well you know her and how little I do—she said she’s gonna go with the one who gets the trophy. And it’s gonna be me. I can just get to know her better later.”

Taehyung hums. “Sure. Now smile for me.” 

Jungkook scowls instead. 

Taehyung laughs. 

+

“Guys! Dinner’s ready!”

“Finally,” Taehyung groans, taking a seat at the table. His stomach grumbles, and even though he’d had a full lunch, it feels like he hasn’t eaten in years. The rest of the boys are even worse; acting like wild animals waiting to be fed. “I thought I’d have to go to bed hungry.”

“You should've joined the cooking team and helped then,” Jungkook says as he approaches the table with a few other guys holding plates of barbecued meat, tteokbokki, and large steaming pots of kimchi jjigae and ramyeon. He drops into the seat right in front of Taehyung. “Stop whining.”

Taehyung’s mouth waters, but his eyes narrow. “I’m not whining. And I’m on cleaning duty, so I’ll do my part after this.”

“Just eat.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Don't fight in front of my food,” Seokjin says, setting down a tray full of side dishes (kimchi, stir-fried veggies, pickled radish) and a few bottles of soju. He shoots them a pointed glare. “Seriously. Just shut up and eat before I lose my appetite.”

Taehyung grunts. “Fine.” 

“Cool,” Jungkook mutters.

Comfortable chatter mixes with the steady sizzle of meat on the grill and the clinking of glasses. Taehyung notices how Jungkook looks more relaxed now, with his shoulders loose and expression soft—almost boyish in the moment. For once, the usual scowl is gone. They don’t argue anymore, though their chopsticks still occasionally clash as they try to pick up the same, juicier pieces of meat. It becomes a petty tug of war, ending only when one of them snatches it successfully while the other rolls his eyes and pretends not to care. 

When Taehyung finally scoops a spoonful of kimchi jjigae and takes a bite, he immediately chokes. His entire face turns red as soon as the spice hits. His mouth burns like fire, and he downs an entire bottle of water in one go.

Jimin chuckles. “Oh, shit.”

Yoongi blinks. “What’s up?”

“He’s not good with spice,” Hoseok explains.

Jungkook snorts. “Obviously.”

“You should’ve told us,” Seokjin says, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. “I told Jungkook to check if everyone could handle spicy food.”

Taehyung glares at Jungkook. “Well, he didn’t ask me.”

Jungkook shrugs. “My bad.”

Taehyung tries each dish one by one, only to find out that the meat, the side dishes, and white rice are the only things that he can actually eat. Everything else makes his lips sting and his throat burn. “Who the fuck decided to make Shin Ramyeon?” 

“Me,” Jungkook chirps.

“Fuck you.” 

“Do you want me to make you something else?” Seokjin asks. 

Taehyung shakes his head. “No—no, it’s fine. I’m kinda full anyway.”

Jungkook snickers. “Of course you are. What’d you eat though? Air?”

“Shut up,” Taehyung snaps.

“Um, I saw some mushrooms growing in the backyard. Maybe you can pluck and eat them,” Namjoon chimes in. 

Jungkook chokes. “Man, that’s brutal.”

Taehyung stares at Namjoon, unimpressed. “Really?”

Namjoon’s eyebrows raise. “What? I’m serious. They’re edible.”

Taehyung sputters. “What do I look like to you? Some fucking—” 

“Racoon?” Jungkook supplies. 

“You’re getting on my nerves.” 

“Guess you finally know what it feels like.”

Taehyung narrows his eyes. “Why are you even talking so much? Are you drunk?”

“Tipsy,” Yoongi corrects from the side, without looking up. “You don’t wanna see him drunk. And Jungkook, stop drinking. You’ve had enough.” 

Jungkook boos. “Okay, dad.” 

Taehyung rolls his eyes and pushes himself up. “I’m gonna go see if they have more rice.”

Turns out, there’s no rice.

They’d cooked just enough for each person, so taking more would leave someone else without it. And so, he eats some of the side dishes and snacks on some chips left open on a table before giving up on finding more food and going to sit by the fire. He watches it crackle with a blank face for some time before finally slipping his AirPods in.

Frank Ocean's Super Rich Kids picks up right where it left off. 

When he opens YouTube, the very first video that pops up is a mukbang. He clicks on it knowing it’ll only make him hungrier. His mouth waters as he watches the woman scarf down plate after plate of jajangmyeon. He could easily go into the kitchen and whip something up for himself but he’s lazy and reluctant because it's not his duty. The cooking team's got to feed him. However, he has to ask, and he doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone. 

Having a big ego and trying to be considerate is a really bad combination.

“Fuck my life,” Taehyung mumbles under his breath. “It’s fine. It’s not like I’m gonna die or something.” 

He isn’t sure how much time passes by before someone taps his shoulder. Blinking up from his phone, he turns around to find Jimin standing there with a big bowl of food. He hands it to Taehyung with a grin. “Here’s some kimchi fried rice for you.”

Taehyung eyes it warily.

Jimin laughs. “Don’t worry. It’s not spicy.”

Still unconvinced, Taehyung carefully takes a spoonful of it. His eyes immediately fly open in surprise because it’s not spicy at all—it’s absolutely delicious. Best kimchi fried rice he’s ever had. “Oh my god! Thank you Jimin-ie!”

Jimin’s eyes twinkle as he shakes his head. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“No, I do. I was lowkey starving.”

“I didn’t make it.”

Taehyung blinks. “Oh! Jin hyung is an angel!”

Jimin laughs. “It was actually Jungkook. So if you wanna thank someone, thank him.” With that, he pats Taehyung’s shoulder and walks off.

Taehyung’s lips curl into a small frown as his eyes shift to Jungkook. He’s still at the table with the others, laughing at something Hoseok’s showing him on his phone while occasionally taking a shot of soju. “He’s so,” Taehyung mumbles, scooping up more rice and aggressively shoving it into his mouth. “Annoying. Who does he think he is? Making pity food for me after making fun of me?” 

Still, that doesn’t stop him from eating. In fact, he devours the rest of the fried rice like he hasn’t had food in days. It’s so good that if he didn’t know Jungkook was the one behind it, he’d be tempted to kiss the chef’s hand out of sheer gratitude. He plans to thank Jungkook later when he’s not surrounded by people or caught up in noisy drinking games. Right now, Taehyung just—he feels shy. If it was anyone else, he’d squeeze right into the group and praise them without a second thought. But not Jungkook.

It’s different with him. 

He wanders over to chat with the other boys for a while before starting on his clean-up duty. He hadn’t realized washing the pots and dishes was part of the job so it takes longer than expected. By the time he's done, he assumes Jungkook has already gone to bed. 

But to his surprise, Jungkook is still there. 

Yoongi’s sitting next to him while the rest of the boys are huddled near the bonfire, laughing and playing games on their phones together. 

Taehyung slowly approaches them. 

“Jungkook—” He begins.

Jungkook’s head snaps up immediately. Taehyung braces for the usual scowl; the wall he’s grown used to slamming into every time he tries to talk to him. But instead, Jungkook beams. His lips spread into a big toothy grin as he lets out a giggle. “Oh! If it isn’t my love rival!”

The sight hits Taehyung like a sucker punch, and he completely forgets what he was going to say. His eyes widen, his heart skips a beat, and for a second he feels breathless. Jungkook has never smiled at him like this—hell, he’s barely ever looked at him with anything but irritation. Never fucking giggled. So it is not Taehyung's fault that his mind goes blank for a moment and all he can do is stare.

“He’s drunk,” Yoongi says, biting back a smile.

“Yeah,” Taehyung manages after a beat, blinking rapidly. He lets his gaze roam over Jungkook's face, taking in his flushed cheeks, half-lidded—bright eyes, and bitten pink lips. “I can see that. Holy shit, how much did he drink?”

Yoongi laughs. “Not a lot, but his alcohol tolerance is shit.” He looks over Taehyung’s shoulder, distracted by something in the distance. “Can you get him to bed? I think Jimin’s calling me.”

“Oh, um,” Taehyung starts, but Yoongi’s already getting up, jogging toward the group by the bonfire and leaving him completely alone with a very drunk Jungkook. He looks around, half-expecting someone else to step in but there’s no one. He swallows before hesitantly taking the seat in front of him. “Hey.”

Jungkook stares at him, eyes wide and glassy, catching the light and gleaming like there’s stars in them. His features somehow appear softer when he's not on edge, and he just looks so round. A circle. Yeah, that’s the word Taehyung’d use to describe him right now. 

“I hate you, you know.”

Taehyung freezes.

“Because I don’t actually hate you. It’s annoying.”

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. He places his elbows on the table, resting his chin in his hands as he nods. “Oh really? Tell me more.”

Jungkook squints. “I feel like I’m actually so unlucky to like the same girl as you. If it was anyone else, I’d barely fucking care,” he mumbles, words slurring together, “but you—you’re good. You’re probably the only guy on the team I consider competition… except Yoongi cos’ he’s my friend. And it’s unfair that you’re good looking too—with that stupid smile that takes on that weird shape. I hate that it’s not ugly. How’s your face so symmetrical? Did you get plastic surgery?”

“No,” Taehyung laughs, his heart racing. “Was born like this.”

“Ugh!” Jungkook groans, dropping his head on the table with a soft thud. 

Taehyung pauses. “What about Soo-min?”

Jungkook looks at him, cheek still pressed against his arm. “She’s perfect.”

“Yeah. But do you think she’s better looking than me?”

Jungkook’s lips curl into a small frown like he’s actually thinking about it. “Ion’ know. She’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen and you’re an idiot.”

Taehyung sputters. “Still didn’t answer my question.”

“It’s her. Ion’ look at you like that.”

“How do you look at me then?”

Jungkook pouts. “Don’t know. You piss me off.”

“I didn't even do anything to you!”

“Your existence is enough.”

“Why’d you make food for me then?” Taehyung inquires, tapping Jungkook’s hand to get his attention when he starts to drift.

“Cos’ you were hungry,” Jungkook simply replies.

Taehyung’s heart skips a beat. “Even though you hate me?”

“I don’t actually hate you. I just—I don’t know how to deal with you,” Jungkook hiccups. His arm stretches across the table, fingers drumming softly. “Sometimes I don’t know how to act round’ you. You make me angry, but you also make me nervous, so I act like a jerk to hide it.”

“Oh.”

“Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Shut up,” Jungkook mumbles.

“Hey, Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung says, prompting Jungkook to reluctantly lift his glassy eyes to meet his again. 

“What?” 

A wide, boxy grin spreads across Taehyung’s face. It's the same one that has Jungkook both annoyed and disarmed. “Thank you for the food. I loved it.”

“You—that smile again!” Jungkook cries, reaching over the table to cover Taehyung’s face with an angry scowl on his face. Taehyung laughs, easily dodging his flailing hands. Jungkook starts climbing onto the table, trying to catch him. “Stop smiling at me like that!” he hisses, wobbling dangerously. 

Taehyung grabs him instead. 

“That’s enough! You’re really fucking drunk. Let’s take you to bed,” Taehyung says, standing up and pulling Jungkook off the table. His arm slips instinctively around Jungkook, and he pauses. His fingers spread a little as he realizes just how fucking tiny Jungkook’s waist feels for a big guy like him. How it would fit perfectly into his hands if he held it properly.

Jungkook lets his entire weight slump against him, head tipping onto his shoulder as Taehyung drags him into the villa.

It's mostly empty, with only a few guys scattered across the room. They’re already out cold, snoring. Taehyung takes careful steps, leading Jungkook to the end of the row—to the mattress he’d set aside for himself. With a sigh, he drops Jungkook onto it. For a moment, he simply stands over him, debating whether to leave.

But then, Jungkook starts squirming restlessly. Taehyung watches as his fingers slip down his body, catching on the hem of his t-shirt. Before Taehyung can even process what’s happening, he yanks it over his head and tosses it aside.

Taehyung’s eyes widen, and he sucks in a sharp breath.

He can’t help the way his eyes rake over Jungkook’s body; drinking in every detail like he’s in a trance. He's flushed all over, a feverish pink that grows darker around his chest and neck. His nipples are stiff from the cool air, and the faint sheen of sweat makes his skin glow under the dim light. He’s breathing softly, and the faint ridges on his abdomen flex with each rise and fall. He’s not exactly ripped, but there’s some definition there — muscles stretched taut across his stomach before tapering into a waist that looks impossibly small for someone with shoulders that broad.

It’s like everything about him is built to draw attention. 

To tempt. 

And then—

Jungkook starts fumbling with the drawstrings of his sweatpants.

Taehyung gasps, immediately crouching down near him and reaching out to grab his wrists to stop him. “Are you fucking crazy? What’re you doing?”

“Hot,” Jungkook mumbles.

“So you get fucking naked?” Taehyung hisses, tightening his grip.

Jungkook scowls at him with his eyes barely open. He starts twisting his hands, trying to free himself from Taehyung's grip. It becomes a push and pull between them until Taehyung swings a leg over him and straddles his waist. He pins Jungkook's wrists to the mattress on either side of his head with a growl. It's the only way to get the upper hand because Jungkook is freakishly strong even when he's drunk.

“Let go of me!”

“I will when you stop stripping.”

“I’m hot!”

“You’re not.”

Taehyung realizes that this is why Yoongi didn’t want Jungkook to drink too much. Because not only does he turn into a blabber mouth, but he also immediately tries to get naked. And now, Taehyung’s stuck here trying to deal with him.

Jungkook goes quiet, his eyes fluttering close.

Taehyung thinks he's fallen asleep and slowly lets go of him.

But Jungkook starts squirming, restless. His eyes crack open and land on Taehyung still hovering above him. For a moment he just blinks up at him, brain still processing. And then, he suddenly lets out a scandalised gasp before crossing his arms over his bare chest. “What are you trying to do to me! I do not consent.”

Taehyung scoffs, hard. “Oh fuck off,” he says, swiftly getting off Jungkook. “Like I’d ever wanna do anything with you.”

Jungkook pouts. “You don’t?”

Taehyung stares at him, incredulous. “Do you want me to?”

Jungkook giggles. “No, I think I’m straight.”

Taehyung’s lips twitch in amusement. “You think?”

“Shut up,” Jungkook says.

“Go to sleep,” Taehyung says, draping a hand over Jungkook’s eyes. Surprisingly, it works like a charm because Jungkook stills almost instantly and falls asleep seconds later. Taehyung’s lips twitch into a smile as he mutters, “What is he? A baby?”

He’s about to get up when he catches a guy lingering nearby with a pillow in his hand. Taehyung notices how his eyes land on Jungkook, linger on his face, and then slowly drag down his body before eventually shifting to the empty mattress beside him.

“Can you move? I wanna sleep here,” Changmin says, words slurring. He looks drunk. 

Taehyung frowns.

The way Changmin’s looking at Jungkook feels off.

A strange, protective instinct flares to life within Taehyung. He can’t trust Changmin around Jungkook even though there’s hardly anything he can do in a room full of people. But still, Taehyung can’t let him sleep next to Jungkook. Not when Jungkook’s all vulnerable and defenceless.

“Sorry, man. I’m sleeping here,” Taehyung says.

Changmin frowns. “Don’t you hate him?”

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. “I don’t. I also don’t even see how that's any of your business?”

Changmin scoffs before walking away.

Taehyung throws a blanket over Jungkook and begins to stand up until he notices that Jungkook’s clutching the hem of his t-shirt in a tight fist. Like a baby. He glances at him, and Jungkook looks just so innocent that Taehyung doesn’t have the heart to pull away—not after everything he’s done for him today. With a soft sigh, Taehyung yanks the mattress closer and flops down beside him.

He drifts off with his stomach full, and his heart somehow even fuller.

+

Jungkook wakes up in a chokehold.

His head throbs, and the low buzzing in his skull causes his face to twist into a wince. He screws his eyes shut to block the morning light. For a second, he doesn’t know where he is. It's too warm. Too heavy. And his body—his body feels trapped.

It takes him a second to realise that he actually can’t move—that there’s something breathing down his neck, that there are limbs wrapped around him in every possible direction, like the tentacles of an octopus. There’s an arm tucked under his head, another wrapped tight around his waist. One leg’s thrown over his hips, while the other is tangled with his. He’s completely stuck. 

He tries to wriggle free, but the grip only tightens, pulling him closer, flush against something hard—solid, like a man's chest.

Jungkook freezes. 

He realizes that this isn't some strange dream he's having. 

This is a person.

Jungkook’s eyes snap open. 

Panic swiftly cuts through the haze of his hangover. He cranes his neck to look back and as soon as his gaze lands on the sleeping face beside him, his breath stutters. His eyes go wide in horror.

Of all people, it’s Taehyung.

His face is impossibly close—close enough for Jungkook to feel the warm puff of his breath against his cheek, the slow rise and fall of his chest pressed to his back, and the steady thrum of a heartbeat. Every inch of him tingles with warmth, radiating from where their bodies touch. His own heart is a complete mess; stopping, skipping, racing. 

What the fuck?

Taehyung shifts, and that’s when Jungkook feels it—the searing heat of his touch against bare skin. His stomach drops as he realises that he’s shirtless.

Oh my god.

“Don’t you two look lovely together,” A voice drawls. 

Jungkook’s head snaps up to find Yoongi and Jimin standing over them, identical smiles plastered on their faces. Jimin is holding his phone up, clearly recording them. Yoongi just looks very amused.

“Oh, fuck off,” Jungkook says, his face burning up in mortification. “Dont just stand there and watch. Get him off me.”

Jimin laughs. “You start stripping when you’re drunk, he cuddles in his sleep. That’s a match made in heaven.”

“Get him off,” Jungkook hisses, letting out a groan.

His heart’s too loud in his chest, it’s making his head hurt even more.

Finally, Jimin reaches down and carefully detangles Jungkook from Taehyung’s grip before nudging him away, Taehyung rolls over, grabs a spare pillow and curls around it. 

Jungkook immediately lets out a sigh in relief. “Why’s he sleeping beside me?”

“He took care of your drunk ass,” Yoongi says, crossing his arms. “You know how insufferable you are so you better thank him when he wakes up.”

Jungkook glances at Taehyung in disbelief. “He did?”

“Yeah.”

“Be a little nice to him.”

“I’ll try.” 

+

Jungkook is nice to him.

By that, he means that when the coach pairs them up for drills, his face doesn't twist in disgust. He doesn’t sigh or grumble under his breath. Doesn't act like he's being held at gunpoint or forced into some cruel punishment. Doesn’t immediately tell Taehyung to fuck off when he approaches him. He's nice to him. He's civil. 

They start with passing practice; Jungkook doesn’t throw the ball as hard as he can. He doesn't aim for Taehyung’s face or roll his eyes when he misses a catch. He's careful, taking it easy. They fall into an easy rhythm, the ball moving back and forth between them. Somewhere in between, they even manage to exchange a few words about random things. Jungkook’s answers are short and clipped, but not sharp anymore.

When they switch to defense practice, Jungkook isn't as aggressive as he'd like to be. He doesn't push or slam into Taehyung just to show that he's stronger and better than him. And when Taehyung stumbles and is about to fall, Jungkook catches his arm and saves him.

Taehyung flashes him a grateful smile.

Jungkook gives him a curt nod.

During the one-on-one drill, Jungkook lets Taehyung score. His defence isn’t as tight as it could be. He doesn’t press in, doesn’t snatch the ball the second Taehyung fumbles his dribble. Instead, he intentionally slows down, giving Taehyung enough room to spin past him and take the shot. 

Yoongi knows. 

He raises his eyebrows at him from across the court.

Jungkook shrugs.

Taehyung walks up to him, chest heaving and sweat dripping down his brow. “Why’d you let me take the shot?” His eyes narrow. “Is this your new tactic? Trying to kill me with kindness?”

Jungkook huffs. “More like pity.” 

“Fuck off.” 

After a quick water break, they move on to some basic exercises: skipping, jump squats, ladder drills, and zig-zag sprints. When it’s time to do sit-ups, Jungkook is paired with Taehyung again. He drops onto the mat, lacing his hands behind his head with a sigh as Taehyung plops down in front of him. His fingers curl around Jungkook’s ankles to hold him in place.

Coach Lim blows his whistle, and Jungkook begins. 

At first, Taehyung is quiet—just staring at him coming up and going down. There’s an unreadable expression on his face, and he looks like he wants to say something. Just as Jungkook thinks he’d better not, Taehyung finally blurts it out. “You’re nicer when you’re drunk.”

Jungkook freezes. His eyebrows shoot up and his lips curl in annoyance. Taehyung did not just say that, especially when Jungkook has been trying to be… nice, all this time. “Get lost.” 

Taehyung grins. “There it is.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "What do you want?"

Taehyung shrugs. "Nothing. Do you remember everything you said to me back then?"

Jungkook frowns. He doesn't remember shit. “I doubt I said anything to you.”

“Oh, you said a lot. You were yapping.”

Jungkook feels blood rush to his face. “You're lying.”

Taehyung smirks. "You accused me of having plastic surgery cos' I'm just that good looking."

“I did not,” Jungkook deadpans.

“You said my smile's weird.”

Jungkook blinks. “That might be true.”

“Then you said you hate that it’s not ugly.” Taehyung grins, his lips spreading into that same boxy shape that always gets under Jungkook’s skin. “And did you know you start stripping when you’re shitfaced? You should thank me cos’ if it weren’t for me, you’d be lying there naked.”

Jungkook’s face burns as he shoots up. “You're lying,” he says again. 

He’s not, Jungkook knows. But it’d kill him to admit it. 

Taehyung holds his arm, stopping him from going down again. He shifts closer, leaning in until their faces are inches apart. The corner of his lips tug up into a smirk and his voice drops low as he whispers, “Your skin gets all hot when you’re drunk. You turn pink everywhere. You have a mole on your waist… on the left, just below your ribs. Your nipples are—”

Jungkook lets out an embarrassed squeak, slapping his hand over Taehyung’s mouth before he can continue. He looks around in panic, afraid anyone’s heard them. “Are you crazy?” he hisses.

“Just proving I wasn’t lying.”

“Fine. I believe you.”

Coach Lim blows his whistle. “Now switch!”

Taehyung drops onto the mat. Jungkook takes his place in front, wrapping his hands around his ankles. Taehyung smirks up at him as he laces his fingers behind his head. “You’re also kinda cute when you’re drunk.”

Jungkook scoffs, looking away. "Shut up. You’re definitely not cute with how you cling to people in your sleep.”

Taehyung laughs. “Why didn’t you just push me away?”

“I didn’t even have space to move.”

Taehyung smirks, pushing himself up smoothly. He gets a little too close, and doesn’t move until Jungkook looks at him. “That sounds like a lie.”

Jungkook sputters, heat creeping up his neck. “It’s not.”

“A big guy like you didn’t have space to elbow me? Headbutt me? To kick me away?” Taehyung tilts his head, his eyes gleaming with mischief as they scan Jungkook's face.

Jungkook's eyes narrow and he pushes him back down. “What are you getting at? "

Taehyung hums. “That maybe you liked it.”

Jungkook’s heart skips. “I did not!” he cries, a little too fast, a little too defensive.

“Sure.”

“Sorry to interrupt all that flirting… or whatever that was,” Jimin says, making them both jump when they realise he’s been beside them all along, listening in. He gives Taehyung a pointed look as he asks, “But we’re still on for karaoke tonight, right?”

Taehyung hums. “Of course.”

Jimin’s eyes shift to Jungkook. “You wanna join? I think Yoongi’s coming too, though just to drink.”

Jungkook opens his mouth to reply, but Taehyung beats him to it. “He doesn’t,” he says, sitting up with a knowing grin. He doesn’t take his eyes off Jungkook as he tells Jimin, “Cos’ the only song he probably knows is the national anthem.”

Jimin chokes out a laugh.

Jungkook’s face burns hot with humiliation. “I’ll come,” he blurts out. “I’m definitely a better singer than you.”

Taehyung smiles. “We’ll see, golden boy.” 

+

They just click.

Things slowly start to change between them. 

The karaoke night starts it all. It turns out Jungkook not only knows a lot of songs but he’s also got a beautiful voice. It’s bright and steady and blends perfectly with Taehyung's deep, rich timbre so they’re forced to sing a duet together. Taehyung wraps an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder, pulls him close as he belts the high notes—and Jungkook doesn’t push him away. They still bicker all night, but the edge is gone. 

It’s light, teasing, and almost playful. 

Jungkook stops declining invitations to hang out and starts spending more time with Taehyung and his friends until he’s eventually added to the groupchat. At first, he’s awkward—missing the punchlines, unsure when to chime in, and fiddling with his phone just to keep his hands busy. 

But little by little, he loosens up—starts cracking jokes, laughs out loud, drops memes in the group chat and becomes an absolute menace to everyone. 

Suddenly, it feels natural. 

Like he’s been there all along. 

Taehyung breaks down Jungkook’s walls, brick by brick, and finds a place for himself in his life. He gets used to his occasional silence, the way he fidgets when he’s nervous, or how he pokes his tongue into his cheek when he’s angry. How he zones out when he’s bored, and sulks when he’s not getting attention. He learns the little quirks that make him unique and realises that Jungkook is fiercely competitive—someone who loves a good challenge and will do anything to win. 

Jungkook feels Taehyung is too loud at first. He’s clingy, touchy, and doesn’t seem to understand the concept of personal space at all. He loves being the center of attention and making people laugh with silly jokes. His energy is a bit overwhelming, impossible to ignore. But slowly, Jungkook starts to get used to it. He finds himself noticing when Taehyung isn’t there because without him, everything feels too quiet, too empty.

They get closer.

Sit together for meals, eat off each other’s plates and bicker all day. Jungkook remembers Taehyung can’t handle spice while ordering food, and Taehyung becomes Jungkook’s black knight during drinking games. They exchange memes, share random snippets from their day, and even make a playlist together. They pair up for drills and practice together after sessions.

Taehyung introduces Jungkook to all his friends, keeping a firm grip on his wrist as they stop to greet people along the way. He never lets Jungkook feel left out, always stepping in when he fumbles during small talk or zones out in conversations. Meanwhile, Jungkook sometimes picks Taehyung up after class, waiting with his favorite drink in hand. He reminds Taehyung to eat when he’s too caught up in something and always saves a seat for him when they’re out with friends.

They stop bringing up Soo-min altogether.

The rivalry is still there in the background, but the tension is gone. It becomes an unspoken agreement between them that whoever wins MVP gets Soo-min, while the other will back off.

They have a game tonight. 

Taehyung remembers how they barely spoke during the last one, and now they’ve trained together for this. It feels a little surreal. Sitting on his bed, he can’t stop thinking about how far they’ve come in just a span of a few weeks. 

“I wonder what he’s up to,” Taehyung mutters, clicking on Jungkook’s contact to text him.

Me
big game tonight
r u ready ??

Jungkook
i was born ready

Me
u’re so dumb

Jungkook
shut up

Me
i heard there r some imp people coming to watch tonight
we’re going against yonsei so it’s gonna be tough

Jungkook
i know
we have to win

Me
we will
r u wearing your lucky socks?

Jungkook
how tf do u know about that

Me
:P

Taehyung sees Jungkook an hour later at the court.

Coach Lim’s giving one of his signature lectures, likely tossing insults to get all pumped up. Jungkook is standing with the rest of the team, his expression blank as usual. Taehyung sneaks into the group quietly, throwing an arm around Jungkook's shoulder as if he'd been there all along. However, Coach Lim notices him, pauses for a split second to shoot him an icy glare before continuing. 

“You’re late,” Jungkook murmurs, eyes fixed ahead.

“Did you miss me,” Taehyung whispers, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Jungkook suppresses the urge to roll his eyes. “Seriously, where were you? Coach was asking about you. If you’d been a little late, you’d have been benched.”

Taehyung doesn’t reply right away. “Went to pick Soo-min up,” he finally says, casual but still careful. Almost immediately, he feels Jungkook tense under his touch. Before he has the chance to jump to conclusions, Taehyung adds, “Her friend called me up. She had to bail last minute because of some urgent work, and she knew I was in the area.”

Jungkook is quiet for a bit. “You don’t have to explain.”

Taehyung looks at him. “I do. I don’t want you to think I’m playing foul. I wouldn’t do that to you now—now that we’re friends.”

Friends.

It’s strange to say it out loud. 

Jungkook’s lips twitch. “So you’d do that if we weren’t?”

Taehyung grins. “Perhaps.”

Jungkook elbows him.

Taehyung laughs.

“Kim!” Coach Lim shouts, making him jump. “Do you want to share with us what important strategies you’re whispering to Jungkook? First you come in late, and now you’re not even paying attention to what I’m fucking saying. If you mess up and cost us the game, you’re getting benched for the entire season!”

Taehyung gasps. “That’s not fair.”

“Shut up,” Coach snaps, eyes narrowing. “I thought that being friends would make you two focus on the game. Clearly, I was wrong.”

Jungkook’s lips press into a thin line. “Sorry, coach.”

Taehyung frowns. “We’ll win. I’ll make sure of it.”

Coach grunts. “You better. If any of you want a real shot at playing basketball full-time, you gotta start taking this seriously. There are scouts in the crowd, and they’ll notice every mistake,” he says, jabbing a finger in their direction. “We’ve got some time before the match begins, so just relax and think about your game. I want to speak to the captain now!”

“Yes!” Yoongi steps forward, and the coach takes him away for a private talk.

Jungkook lets out a shaky breath before dropping onto the bench. He runs his hand through his hair, fingers tugging at the strands slightly before letting it fall. His eyes are darting around, unable to settle on one thing for more than a second. His leg bounces incessantly, and Taehyung can tell he’s nervous because of the pressure to perform well and the sheer size of the crowd here. 

They're at the Jamsil gymnasium because it's bigger than the ones at SNU or Yonsei and can accommodate a larger crowd. The stands are already packed with students from both universities, along with plenty who probably don’t even care about basketball and are just here for the noise and spectacle.

It's loud.

And the game has yet to begin.

Taehyung settles into the empty seat beside Jungkook, their shoulders brushing. He reaches out and wraps a hand around Jungkook's knee to stop the bouncing. Jungkook jerks at the touch, only to relax when he realises it’s Taehyung. “What?”

“You’re gonna burn out before tip-off if you keep shaking like that. I thought you were born ready?” Taehyung teases.

Jungkook lets out a groan. “You don’t get it.”

There it is, again.

Every time Jungkook says that, it feels like a door’s slamming into Taehyung’s face. He does get it—he understands nerves, pressure, expectations. And even if he doesn’t, he would if Jungkook just told him. But Jungkook never explains, never shares, and Taehyung resists the urge to bring it up right now. He knows it might start a fight, and they don’t need that right now. So instead, his hand stays put on Jungkook’s knee and  he gives it a light squeeze. “You know what’ll make you better?”

“What?” 

Taehyung grins. “A smoke,” he whispers. 

Jungkook huffs. “I don’t smoke.”

“Wanna try?”

Jungkook’s eyes widen. “Right now?”

“Yes.”

“You know I can’t.” 

“Sure, you can,” Taehyung shrugs. “There’s still time for the game to start, come on.” 

Jungkook doesn’t move. Taehyung rolls his eyes and reaches out to wrap his hand around Jungkook's wrist. He pulls him to his feet and begins dragging him across the court, snatching up his bag with his free hand and tossing Jimin a look that says — don’t ask questions, we’ll be back.

“Are you fucking crazy?” Jungkook whisper-shouts, stumbling to keep up. “This is a really bad idea. If we get caught, we could be blacklisted, benched or even thrown off the team.”

Taehyung kicks the washroom door open, drops his bag on the sink, and unzips it to rummage through his things. “Nothing’s gonna happen.”

“I have a really bad feeling about this—”

“Shut up,” Taehyung snaps, swiftly pulling Jungkook into a stall that’s far too small for the both of them. He locks the door, and suddenly there's absolutely no space left between them. There’s barely room to breathe, let alone move, and it forces their bodies close. Their legs tangle, knees knock, and thighs brush together. Jungkook shifts back a little, but it’s useless—Taehyung is still all over him. 

“Tae.” 

Taehyung’s eyes flick up. “We’ll share one stick. We’ve got less than ten minutes before coach gets suspicious and comes looking. So let’s spend less time whining and more time smoking.” With a crooked grin, he slips a cigarette between his lips. He flicks the lighter, cupping the flame and allowing it to burn until the tip turns amber.

Jungkook stares at him, his throat bobbing as Taehyung tips his head back for a long, lazy drag. He holds it in, then lets his lips part just enough to release the smoke. “What if we get caught?”

“We won't,” Taehyung assures, taking another drag, “and even if we do I’ll take all the blame and say I blackmailed you into doing this. I promise.” He holds the cigarette out, and Jungkook hesitates. Their fingers brush as he takes it. Taehyung lingers, long enough to feel Jungkook’s hand tremble slightly.

“Um,” Jungkook blinks, not knowing what to do.

Taehyung watches him. “Go on. Put it between your lips and inhale. Slow,” he coaxes. 

Jungkook swallows and brings it to his mouth, lips closing around the filter. At the same time, Taehyung stretches his legs, his thigh slipping between Jungkook's and almost brushing against his crotch. Jungkook jerks—accidentally inhaling too fast, too deep, and holds it in too long. The burn hits instantly, and he doubles over coughing, eyes squeezing shut as his face twists into a grimace.

Taehyung laughs, his eyes scrunching up as he plucks the cigarette from Jungkook’s shaky grip. He reaches out to affectionately ruffle his hair. "You're cute,” he says, then slides his palm down to pat his back. “I literally told you to take it slow.” 

“Shut up.” 

Once Jungkook recovers, Taehyung holds out the cigarette again. “Try again. Just like I did.”

Jungkook does.

It only results in another coughing fit. “I don’t think this is for me.”

Taehyung chuckles, tapping the ash into the toilet bowl. “You did good for a rookie.”

Jungkook flushes. “I don’t think so.”

“I have an idea which will… make it hurt less but have the same effect,” Taehyung says, pushing off the wall and stepping right into Jungkook’s space. 

Jungkook instinctively presses back but it doesn’t create any distance. Taehyung doesn’t stop—he keeps closing in until their bodies slot closer, hips aligning in a way that makes Jungkook’s breath catch. His eyes go wide, ears turning red. “What?” he manages, the word escaping like a gasp.

Now, Taehyung hesitates. A flicker of uncertainty crosses his face as he slowly lifts his hand and cups Jungkook’s jaw. His fingers slip into Jungkook’s hair, thumb brushing over the sharp line of his jaw. He’s not sure if it’s okay to do this when their friendship is still new, still raw. Like a house of cards that can easily collapse with another puff of smoke. But he doesn’t stop—because Jungkook isn’t pulling away, isn’t telling him to stop. 

That silence is louder than any warning in his head.

Jungkook sucks in a sharp breath as he watches Taehyung move closer. “W-What are you doing?” 

“Open your mouth.”

“No!” Jungkook cries but he doesn’t push Taehyung away. His hands twitch at his sides, fisting the fabric of his shorts as his chest rises and falls faster. Taehyung can feel the heat radiating off him, the rapid thump of his pulse under his fingertips. 

Taehyung tilts his head, his gaze dropping to Jungkook’s lips. “Trust me. Do it.”

Jungkook pauses, then swallows. Finally, his lips slowly part. His eyes roll. 

Taehyung hooks his thumb into his mouth. “More.”

Jungkook opens up wider.

Taehyung smirks, bringing the cigarette to his lips. He takes a long drag, his eyes never leaving Jungkook as his fingers tighten in his hair to keep his head perfectly still. And then—he leans in so that their lips are inches apart but never touch. Just ghost. The air between them turns electric, charged. Finally, Taehyung parts his lips and blows the smoke right into Jungkook’s mouth.

Jungkook’s eyes fall shut. His chest presses just a little closer as he swallows the smoke in. He doesn’t recoil—doesn’t start coughing like before. Instead, his hands fly up to curl into Taehyung's jersey, and he lets out a tiny sound that dangerously sounds like a moan. 

Taehyung stares at Jungkook’s mouth, at his lips that look ridiculously soft and pink for a guy. For a fleeting second, he unconsciously finds himself leaning even closer, only to snap out of it and quickly pull back. “How was that?”

Jungkook’s eyes open, his lips twitch. “You’re crazy.”

“You’re not nervous anymore.”

“But I’ll be high.”

Taehyung laughs, crossing his legs. “It’s a cigarette, Kook. Not weed. You’ll be fine. Now go! There's gum and perfume in my bag; use them to hide all traces.”

Jungkook snorts. “You’re sure experienced.” 

“That’s why I don’t walk around with a stick in my ass.” 

“Fuck you.” 

Taehyung grins. 

Jungkook pauses. “You’re not coming?”

Taehyung lifts the cigarette to his mouth. “I'll be right back after I finish this.”

“Okay!”

The door swings shut behind Jungkook, leaving only the heat and the haze of smoke behind. Taehyung exhales slowly, pretending the ache in his shorts is just from the nicotine.

+

The whistle blows.

The game begins.

Right from the start, Taehyung can tell the difference between Yonsei and the other teams they've played against. He understands why they’ve earned the reputation for being one of the hardest teams to beat—especially after winning the season last year. As compared to SNU, where some of the players are still raw, still learning, still struggling to find their rhythm, the Yonsei players seem flawless. Once the ball is in their hands, it’s almost impossible to get it.

One thing that immediately catches Taehyung’s attention is their ambidexterity. They dribble effortlessly with both hands, switching mid-play without losing speed or making a single foul. It's a difficult skill to master, and seeing it executed so smoothly makes him grit his teeth in frustration. 

The first quarter ends with them feeling absolutely frustrated, barely managing to score a few points.

Yonsei’s crowd is screaming at the top of their lungs.

The scoreboard shows

• SNU: 6
• Yonsei: 18

They utilize the two minute break to strategize. 

Coach Lim claps his hands, signaling for them to huddle around. “Listen here! Yonsei’s aggressive at driving in and shooting from close range. We need to stay tight on them, block their paths, and never let them get an easy shot. Help each other—keep your hands up, move your feet, and don’t let them settle.”

Taehyung doesn’t have time to talk to Jungkook in the midst of the chaos, so he simply gives him a comforting pat on the back as he passes by. He glances over at the cheerleaders, catching Soo-min's eye. She flashes him a warm smile while waving her pom-poms.

Taehyung grins.

Next, Soo-min waves at Jungkook.

She beams at him, and Taehyung feels a little pang in his chest as he watches Jungkook’s lips spread into a soft smile. He lifts a hand and gives her a tiny, almost shy wave back.

He quickly looks away.

The second quarter begins.

They switch it up by focusing on defense rather than offense, blocking all of Yonsei’s shooters and denying them space to move around freely. The pressure starts to work. Every time SNU steals the ball or grabs a rebound, they sprint down the court before Yonsei has time to set up defense.

Taehyung squares up, blocking Jungkook’s defender just long enough for Jungkook to slip past him. The other guys scramble to cover Jungkook, but he’s fast, reading the floor perfectly. At the last second; instead of forcing the shot, he tosses the ball back to Taehyung, who’s wide open. Taehyung shoots—and the ball goes right in.

The crowd roars, and the game changes. They repeat the same strategy, blocking their opponents, then racing down the court whenever they get the ball. 

The gap shrinks with every basket.

Bit by bit, they catch up, and by the end of the second quarter, the score is tied.

• SNU: 28
• Yonsei: 28

Their fifteen-minute break begins.

“Good game,” Taehyung says, tossing Jungkook a water bottle. 

Jungkook swiftly catches it, flashing him a grin as he uncaps it. “You too,” he says, tilting his head back to drink. Taehyung can’t help but notice the way his throat bobs, how some of the water slips past his lips and soaks into his damp jersey. 

They sit together on a bench to catch their breath. 

“Yonsei’s fuming,” Hoseok says, approaching them along with the rest of their friends.

“See that guy,” Jimin begins, nodding to the center of the team. “His name’s Choi Mujin. He’s the team captain, and he looks pissed, so you’d better watch out. He’s got a reputation. Not the kind where people respect him for playing well—more like the kind where he’ll shove you, elbow you, trash-talk until you snap. He’s… ruthless. The refs let a lot slide because he’s like a star player. His father’s a big deal, I’ve heard. Try to avoid him as much as you can. Especially you, Jungkook. He’s got his eyes on you.”

Taehyung’s eyebrows furrow as he glances over and realizes Jimin’s right. Mujin’s got his eyes on Jungkook, and there’s a calculating, almost predatory expression on his face that makes Taehyung uncomfortable. 

He grabs Jungkook’s arm to get his attention. “Watch out for him,” he warns.

Jungkook scoffs. “I can take him.”

“Still, be careful.”

“Yeah, fine.”

The third quarter begins.

Taehyung’s eyes keep flickering to Jungkook.

The game continues as usual, both teams scoring a few points.

As the minutes tick by, Yoongi takes charge—barking out orders and driving the play upon the coach's instructions. Taehyung sprints back into his position, muscles coiled tight from the pressure and sweat dripping down his brow. From the side, he sees Yoongi snatch the ball from one of the Yonsei’s guys and throw it towards Jungkook. 

Jungkook catches it and starts dribbling quickly, keeping his eyes on the hoop while dodging everyone in his path. 

And then—Taehyung suddenly notices Mujin. 

He’s charging at Jungkook from the side, a scowl on his face. He isn’t going for the ball. He’s going for Jungkook instead. Taehyung feels his stomach twist, a sharp jolt of panic surging through him. His heart races. 

Taehyung is too far, but still his lips part in desperation. “Jungkook!” he shouts, the sound ripping from his throat just as Mujin angles his body and slams into Jungkook with his shoulder. The hit is so hard and brutal that it completely knocks Jungkook off balance. He lets out a surprised cry as his feet skid on the polished floor, his ankle twists awkwardly under his weight before he crashes down.

The fall echoes. 

Taehyung’s breath catches.

He doesn’t know whether the crowd goes silent or if he’s simply gone deaf to everything but the sound of his own heart pounding in his ears. His breathing turns ragged, chest rising and falling too fast. He can't move for a second; he just stands there, hearing Jungkook cry out in pain and watching his entire face twist in agony.

And then—

He notices the way Mujin looks down at Jungkook. 

Catches the small smirk that tugs at the corner of his lips.

And Taehyung sees red.

Everything else blurs—the people, the noise, even the frantic voices of his teammates that call out for him as he storms towards Mujin with a deathly scowl on his face. It’s pure instinct and rage from that point on, his body moving before his mind can catch up. Mujin’s eyes meet his, and before he has a second to react, or even brace himself, Taehyung swings his arm back and slams his fist into his face. He hits Mujin so hard that his face whips to the side from the impact and he nearly falls.

“You fucker!” Taehyung grabs Mujin's jersey and yanks him close, snarling in his face. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

Mujin’s lips twist in rage. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about! It was an accident.”

“Accident?” Taehyung scoffs. “You don’t have the fucking balls to beat him straight so you’re using cheap tricks!”

The referee’s whistle pierces the air, as hands shove between them and force them apart. “That’s it! That’s a foul!” he says. “Number seven, you’re out of the game!”

Taehyung’s eyes widen. “I’m out? Did you not fucking see him push Jungkook? It was intentional—” Before he can finish, Coach Lim grabs his arm and pulls him back. 

“That’s enough, Kim. Back off. Don’t cause a scene.”

“But coach—” Taehyung starts, but the rest of the words die on his tongue the second his eyes land on Jungkook. His anger melts into something even heavier, making his chest tighten. 

Jungkook is on the floor, his chest rising and falling in shallow pants. The rest of the team hovers helplessly around him while the medic crouches at his side, carefully bracing his ankle with both hands. His face is screwed up in pain, his eyes barely open and his lips pressed tight as if he's trying to hold back another sound. His whole body trembles, and it makes Taehyung’s stomach drop.

“So?” Taehyung hears Coach ask. 

The medic looks at him and shakes his head. “I don’t think he’ll be able to play.”

Coach Lim sighs, running a hand down his face. “Fuck. Okay. Take him.” His gaze shifts to Taehyung. “You’re off the court too, Kim.”

“Fine,” Taehyung grits out.

He walks over to Jungkook and crouches down. “Are you okay? Can you stand?”

Jungkook grits his teeth and gives a small nod. But the moment Taehyung tries to pull him up and a little weight shifts onto his leg, a sharp cry escapes his lips. “Ngh.” 

“Fuck,” Taehyung mutters under his breath, immediately letting go. 

“Let me,” the medic murmurs, wrapping an arm around Jungkook's torso to pull him up, but the movement is jerky and rough—making things worse. Jungkook groans in pain, eyebrows screwing as his head drops forward. 

Taehyung grabs him. “I’ve got him,” he snaps.

The medic nods.

With Yoongi’s help, Taehyung manages to get Jungkook onto his back. Jungkook's arms slip around his neck while Taehyung hooks his hands under Jungkook’s thighs, carefully hoisting him up as he stands. 

“You’re okay?” Taehyung asks. 

Jungkook nods against his shoulder. 

The noise of the game fades into silence as Taehyung walks out. 

+

“Put him down here!”

Taehyung nods, gently lowering Jungkook on the narrow bed in the infirmary. Jungkook grunts in pain, his eyes screwing shut as the medic carefully stretches his leg out and places his ankle onto a cushion so it’s slightly elevated. Taehyung hovers, unsure what to do. “Is it a fracture?” he inquires.

The medic doesn’t answer him. Instead, he looks at Jungkook and asks, “Where does it hurt? Did you hear like a pop?”

“Hurts everywhere,” Jungkook mumbles, voice barely audible.

“I’m gonna touch your ankle now, it’s gonna hurt a bit but please bear with me,” the medic warns softly. But the moment his fingers brush against Jungkook’s skin, Taehyung stops him.

“Wait! Is that necessary?”

The medic pauses, glancing up. “Please let me do my job,” he says irritably. 

Taehyung’s mouth clamps shut. “Okay, sorry.”

The medic examines Jungkook’s foot, checking for any visible swelling or deformity. “Does it hurt a lot?” he asks, carefully pressing around the ankle joint, gauging Jungkook’s reaction. Jungkook lets out a sharp hiss of pain, his head tipping back against the pillow. 

“Yes.”

“Clearly,” Taehyung bites out before he can stop himself.

The medic sighs, ignoring him. “Can you move it around a bit, or is it unbearable?” He picks Jungkook’s foot up and gently moves it up and down first, then side to side. Jungkook clenches his teeth, his entire body going rigid as his chest heaves from ragged breathing.

“A little,” Jungkook grits out, trying to move his foot. “But—but it’s still very painful.”

“Alright. Thankfully, I don’t think it’s a fracture,” the medic says with a smile. “I’ll wrap a bandage around your ankle right now, but please be careful not to put any strain on it for some time.”

Jungkook stares at him blankly. “What? No–I have to go play.”

“That’s absolutely not possible. You’re not gonna be able to play today as well as for the next couple of weeks—”

Jungkook lets out a short, breathless laugh. “No. No, what? I’m fine,” he insists, abruptly pushing himself up. “I can even stand. I can walk and I definitely can play.” His voice pitches higher in frustartion as he swings his good leg off the bed with a grimace. “Thanks for all the help, I’m gonna go now.”

Taehyung grabs his arm. “What? Jungkook, are you fucking crazy?”

“Shut up!” Jungkook snaps, shooting him a glare as he tries to free himself from Taehyung’s grip. His eyes are wild; full of panic and desperation. “Let me fucking go.”

“No!” Taehyung yells, forcefully shoving him back onto the bed. Jungkook stubbornly fights against his hold, even though every little movement makes his injury worse. Taehyung can feel the tremors running through him, and can see his face screwing up in pain. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re gonna fuck up your ankle even more.”

“Let me go!”

“No.”

Jungkook’s lips twist. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” He snarls, his eyes narrowing. “To get me out of your way so you can win? So you can fucking get Soo-min? This is what you wanted all along, didn’t you?”

Taehyung sucks in a sharp breath, the words hitting him like a slap. His stomach drops, and hurt flashes across his face before he can stop it. But still, he doesn’t let Jungkook go. He knows Jungkook doesn’t mean it—he’s angry, hurt, and upset. He’s probably not thinking straight. And so, Taehyung steels himself. “Sure,” he hisses. “That’s what it is. You can fucking think what you want, but I’m not gonna let you leave.”

“Let me go—”

“Shut up!” Taehyung screams, his voice so sharp and loud that Jungkook jumps. He freezes for a second, and it’s like all the fight drains out of him at once; his eyes fall, pupils trembling. “I’ve had enough. Lie down now.” 

Jungkook does. Without any objection. 

He throws an arm over his face as the medic presses an ice pack against his ankle to reduce the swelling. He doesn't say anything, not even if he's hurting. After a minute, the medic places one hand under Jungkook's heel and lifts it slightly. He starts wrapping the bandage around Jungkook’s foot, winding it carefully up around his ankle. Every time he pulls it tighter, Jungkook flinches. When he’s done, the medic gives his toes a quick check for circulation before setting his foot down on the cushion again.

“Good? Is it comfortable?” the medic asks.

Jungkook doesn’t reply.

The medic's gaze shifts to Taehyung as he stands up. “I’ll be around. Call me if you need anything,” he says, closing the curtains behind him as he steps out.

It’s silent.

Jungkook doesn’t say a word. 

He won’t even look at Taehyung.

Taehyung keeps replaying Jungkook's words in his head. The more he thinks about it, the deeper it cuts into him. His chest tightens, and his heart aches. He knows Jungkook only said that to make him let go, but it still stings. He thought they were friends. He thought his feelings were mutual. He thought Jungkook knew he was sincere—about him, about their friendship, about everything. He’d never play dirty. 

He’d rather lose.

“Um,” Taehyung mumbles, “I’m gonna give you some space. Please don’t try to leave.” He sighs, turns, and starts walking. He doesn’t want to go, but he knows Jungkook probably doesn’t want him around. He reaches out to move the curtain, and then—he’s hears it.

A sound.

A choked sob. Soft, almost inaudible, but full of heart wrenching pain.

Taehyung quickly turns around to look at Jungkook, and that’s when he notices it—how Jungkook’s shaking, how his fists are clenched so tight that his knuckles have gone white, and how his chest rises and falls a little too fast. The sight makes Taehyung’s heart lurch. He swiftly walks back to him, wraps his hand around Jungkook’s arm and pulls it away from his face. “Are—are you crying?”

“No!” Jungkook exclaims.

He is.

His cheeks are flushed, nose red, and lashes wet. His eyes brim with tears, and he looks like he’s barely holding it together. He tries to cover his face again, desperately sinking his teeth into his lower lip to muffle any noises that threaten to escape him. Taehyung’s stomach twists; he’s never seen Jungkook like this—so fragile, so broken. It makes him panic.

“Jungkook—”

“I’m not crying!” Jungkook sobs, his entire face crumpling with anguish. “Fuck.”

“Oh. Jungkook-ie, come here,” Taehyung says softly, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. He reaches out, taking both of Jungkook’s wrists and gently pulling him upright. He doesn't waste a second before pulling him into a hug, one arm wrapping around his shoulders and the other around his waist as he presses closer. “It’s okay.” 

Jungkook goes rigid at first, staying almost limp in Taehyung’s hold. But Taehyung is persistent, patient, and he doesn't let go. Eventually, Jungkook lets out another broken sob before giving in and melting into him. He tucks his face in the crook of Taehyung’s neck and starts crying.

“Tae—”

“I know. I know. It’s okay,” Taehyung murmurs, one hand burying into Jungkook's hair, lightly stroking the scalp and raking his fingers through the soft strands. Another slides up and down Jungkook's back, comforting him as he trembles and shakes, his body wracking with sobs. “It’s not your fault. You’re gonna be okay. Don’t cry.”

“What do I do? I wanna play. I-I can’t afford to miss out like this. I’ve worked my ass off… and with scouts watching, I just fucked up. I should’ve been more careful. I—don’t know. What am I supposed to do if they don’t look at me again?” Jungkook babbles, his hands coming up to clutch the back of Taehyung’s jersey like a lifeline. “I’m gonna lose everything.”

“You’re not,” Taehyung says firmly, pulling back just enough to meet Jungkook’s eyes. He cups Jungkook’s face between his palms, tilting it slightly so he can’t escape his gaze. “It wasn’t your fault.” His thumbs swipe his tears away. “Anyone with eyes and a functioning brain knows Mujin pushed you. People saw, okay? Saw how good you were at the court, how much effort you put into the game. They won't care about this little incident, they'll care about your skills.” 

Jungkook sniffles, a fresh set of tears brimming in his eyes, lips quivering. “But I won't be able to play now.”

“It’s only temporary, baby—Jungkook. It’s just a little sprain.” 

“I made a fool outta myself.”

“You didn’t.”

“I should’ve been careful.”

“Not your fault.”

Jungkook breathes, wet lashes blinking. He stares at Taehyung’s face for a long moment before he finally says, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for saying all that earlier. I-I didn’t mean it. I was just—really upset and I know that’s no excuse. I know you were stopping me because…”

Taehyung watches him falter, hesitate, so he completes, “I care for you.”

Jungkook swallows. “Yeah.”

“If I wanted to use dirty tricks, I would’ve done it a long time ago.”

“I know.”

“You’re okay now?”

Jungkook nods, almost unconsciously nuzzling into Taehyung’s palm. “I am. Thank you for everything.”

Just as Taehyung is about to tell Jungkook he can make it up to him by taking him out for dinner, the door slams open. A voice calls — “Jungkook!”

It’s Jung Soo-min.

Taehyung immediately moves away from Jungkook and stands—straightening up as the curtain shifts and Soo-min walks in. She looks worried, and she’s panting as if she’d run straight from the court. Sweat lines her brow, but her makeup's still perfect. She’s at Jungkook’s side within seconds.

“Are you okay?” Soo-min asks softly, reaching out to brush Jungkook’s bangs from his face. Taehyung’s eyes track her hand, and he notices how it lingers for a moment before falling. His chest tightens. 

“Yeah,” Jungkook says, sounding a little breathless. He quickly wipes his face with the back of his hand. “Yeah, I’m okay. Did we win the game?”

Soo-min frowns. “We didn’t. Whatever happened completely threw everyone off their game." 

“Fuck,” Taehyung mutters.

Soo-min finally looks at him. “I wanna talk to Jungkook for a bit. Can you…” she trails off, her eyes flicking towards the exit.

Taehyung blinks. “Oh,” he says, glancing between the two. “Alright, I’ll go.” He's about to leave when he realizes Jungkook is holding his arm. Jungkook notices it at the same time, as if he's been doing it unconsciously, and lets out a startled, almost embarrassed noise before letting go.

“Sorry.”

Taehyung forces a smile. “It’s alright. I’ll see you later, yeah?”

Jungkook nods.

Taehyung closes the curtain behind him and exits the room. 

Outside, he hovers near the door, letting out a deep sigh as his hand works through his hair again and again until it’s a tangled mess. Just as he’s debating whether to wait or leave, he sees Yoongi approaching him. He's about to enter the infirmary, but Taehyung stops him. “Wait.” 

“What?”

“Soo-min’s in there. She wants to talk to Jungkook… in private.”

Yoongi’s eyebrows shoot up. “Why?”

Taehyung sounds a little too bitter as he says, “Who the fuck knows.”

“Is Jungkook okay?”

“Yeah. He had a little breakdown, but he’s okay now. Even better, I suppose, now that Soo-min’s here to comfort him.”

Yoongi smirks. “Do you have any idea how jealous you sound?”

Taehyung’s head snaps to him. “I’m not!”

“Sure. Did she tell you we lost?”

“Yeah. Fuck Yonsei.”

“Why’d you punch him? Mujin?” Yoongi asks.

Taehyung pauses. “I don’t know. I was looking at him—at Jungkook. Then I saw Mujin coming, and I know for a fact he crashed into him on purpose.”

Yoongi sighs, leaning against the wall. “So it’s just a sprain, right?”

Taehyung hums.

They fall silent after that.

“Jungkook…” Yoongi begins softly, “he’s really sensitive. He thinks basketball’s all he’s got. He has big dreams, and he thinks every little mistake can destroy them. He’s started living a little now, thanks to you, but I know he’s still hard on himself. He’s taking this harder than he should. I admit he’s great at basketball, probably the best player on our team,” his eyes flick up to meet Taehyung’s as he adds, “no offence.”

Taehyung snorts. “None taken.”

“But he needs to realize that there might be even better players around. He shouldn’t bet his whole life on it. He should have back-up plans, and needs to be realistic. Have other hobbies, more friends, a love life.”

Taehyung’s gaze drops. “He’d have that if I wasn’t in his way. A love life.”

“It’s good you are. He has you now.”

Taehyung looks up.

Yoongi smiles. 

+

Soo-min is talking.

Jungkook looks at her face; watching her glossy lips move, the words roll off her tongue, and her lashes flutter as she looks at him from beneath them. She's close enough for him to catch a whiff of her sweet, floral perfume. It should affect him, should make his heart race the way he always imagined it would if she were ever this close. But it doesn't because he’s distracted—he’s not even listening to her.

His mind starts to wander.

Circles right back to Taehyung.

Jungkook can’t shake the image of Taehyung’s face from earlier. He remembers how it fell, the hurt flashing across his features as if his words had cut straight through him. At the time, Jungkook was too upset, too agitated to care—but now, he regrets it. Taehyung didn’t deserve that. Not after throwing a punch for him on the court, not after getting himself out of the game in front of everyone just to defend him.

And now, Jungkook feels like shit.

Like the biggest asshole alive.

Even Soo-min can’t make him feel better when she’s all he’s really wanted.

He looks at her and feels no spark, no butterflies in his stomach. She keeps touching him while talking; brushing his hair back, squeezing his shoulder, and caressing his arm. Jungkook knows he’s supposed to feel the nerves, the rush, the dizzy excitement he’s dreamt about, but there’s absolutely nothing. He tells himself it’s probably because of what happened earlier, that he’s still too shaken. Or maybe it’s the ache in his leg, swallowing every other emotion whole.

“And Taehyung—”

That gets his attention immediately.

“—the way he punched that guy was crazy. You should’ve seen him. He looked murderous, like, he’s usually harmless. Can’t really hurt a fly. But holy shit, even I got a little scared earlier,” Soo-min says with a chuckle.

Jungkook laughs. “Man. I missed it.”

Soo-min stares at him. “So, you two are friends now?”

Jungkook blinks. “Yeah.”

Soo-min tilts his head, leaning in slightly. “So you don’t want me anymore?”

Jungkook feels his heart jump to his throat. “I—I do.”

“Why would you befriend your love rival then?” Soo-min’s eyes narrow.

Jungkook freezes for a second, his mind replaying all the times Taehyung’s been kind to him, made him laugh, and cared about him. Always brought him his favourite snacks, made sure he never felt left out, and even spoiled his own game just for him. “Because he’s a good person,” Jungkook finally replies.

Soo-min’s lips curl. “Do you want me to pick him then?”

Jungkook’s eyes widen. “No!”

“You then?” Soo-min asks, the corner of her lips lifting into a smirk. She gets closer, places her hand on Jungkook’s shoulder and gives it a light, inviting squeeze. Jungkook stiffens, his breath catching in his throat as he feels her palm slide down his arm to hold his hand, her manicured nails digging into his skin. “Should I just choose you?”

Jungkook gulps, panic sparking in his veins.

He should say yes. He should seize the moment and kiss her, but instead his body feels wired, tense, like he's caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Taehyung’s face flashes in his mind and all he can think about is how hurt he’s gonna be if he finds out about this. How it’ll affect their friendship. And yet, he wants this—wants her desperately. For months, he’s imagined what it’d feel like to be this close, to have her hand in his. 

So why does it feel so wrong?

Jungkook’s hand twitches under her grip. He wants to pull away. “You can’t do that.”

Soo-min’s eyebrows shoot up. “Why not?”

Jungkook blinks, searching for words. A faint sound causes his head to snap towards the curtain. His heart jumps. If Taehyung walks in and sees them like this, he'll misunderstand. He'll be hurt again. Jungkook swallows, dread clawing at his chest. “Because we had a deal, and—and it’d be unfair to him.”

“But if I like you and you like me, so what’s the problem?” Soo-min drawls. “He’ll understand."

No.

Jungkook’s face twists.

Soo-min’s eyes drop to his lips. “I kinda wanna kiss you right now. I think it’ll make you feel better. You’ll forget all about the pain.”

Jungkook stills.

A beat passes.

And then—

Soo-min suddenly bursts into laughter, pulling back. “Oh god, I’m just kidding! Look at your face,” she giggles. “Why do you look so guilty, Jungkook-ie? You’re not cheating on him. Relax—I’m sure he doesn’t care that much.”

Jungkook subtly removes his hand from her grip and takes a breath. “Still,” he mutters. “I want you fair and square.”

Soo-min pinches his cheeks. “You’re so cute. I can see why he’s so smitten with you.”

“Who?”

“Taehyung, obviously.”

“He’s not.”

Soo-min grins. “Sure. I have to go now so I’ll see you later?”

Jungkook smiles. “Yeah.” 

+

He misses a game.

Jungkook can’t bear the thought of watching his teammates play without him so he doesn’t go at all. Sitting out isn’t anything unusual, players rotate all the time, but it’s never him. He’s never on the bench. He’s always in the game, almost irreplaceable. He curls up in bed at home, wallowing in sadness. He eats a lot of junk food, puts on a ridiculous reality TV dating show to shut off his brain and ignores all of the messages from his friends. 

Late at night, his doorbell rings.

He limps his way to the door and opens it to see Taehyung standing there, a wide grin on his face. Behind him, the rest of his friends crowd the hallway; freshly showered, hair still damp and faces glowing with post-game energy. Jimin and Hoseok wave the bags of food before they all barge in like they own the place.

They start chatting about the game. 

Jungkook finds out they won.

The pang that shoots through him is sharp. He realises the world hasn't stopped; they're still playing and still winning without him. Perhaps he's not as important as he thinks he is. He swallows, forces a smile and congratulates them. “That–that’s amazing!” 

Taehyung drops down on the couch beside him. “It wasn't the same without you,” he says softly.

Jungkook’s heart jumps. “Really?”

Taehyung nods. “Yeah, obviously. You're one of the best players on the team. You're kinda important.”

At that, the knots in Jungkook’s chest begin to unravel. His anxiety fades. For the first time in days, he feels like himself again—feels good. He joins in on the conversation, smiling and laughing. They eat, play games, and chat about nothing until late at night.

Taehyung is the last one to leave. He lingers by the door and says, “Call me if you need anything.”

But Jungkook doesn’t actually have to call.

Because Taehyung just shows up anyways.

He’s by Jungkook’s side 24/7, sticking to him like a magnet. He walks him to class and picks him up as well, carrying his bag after a slight wince or tiny limp. They sit together in the cafeteria, and Taehyung brings him whatever he wants. He comes over almost every night to keep Jungkook from spiralling over not being able to practice and play. They watch movies and play video games together, or they just sit there doing nothing. Jungkook occasionally dozes off, not knowing how he ends up in bed or when Taehyung leaves.

It's been three weeks, and now—Jungkook can’t wait to get his bandage off.

It's a Sunday afternoon.

Jungkook is on his bed, debating what to do. Just as he opens Taehyung's chat to ask if he wants to hang out, his phone vibrates in his hand. Soo-min has sent him a message.

Soo-min
what's up?

Jungkook’s eyebrows furrow.

He's happy she's texting him, but he's also confused because she'd left him on seen the last time. Maybe he should flirt a little.

Me
thinking about you

Soo-min
me too
let's have dinner together

Jungkook's eyes widen. His fingers hover over the keypad for a few seconds before he types in a reply.

Me
today?

Soo-min
no, after we're 40
ofc today !!!!
we're thinking about e/o now so shouldn't we just meet?

Jungkook blinks.

He hadn't thought this far.

He was planning to meet Taehyung. Dinner, maybe a movie later, just the two of them.

What about him? Jungkook thinks. Should he tell him? What would he even say? That he’s going to dinner with Soo-min? That feels—weird. Braggy, almost. But then not telling him feels like lying. Cheating.

Jungkook's chest tightens.

There it is—that inexplicable feeling whenever he's talking or even thinking about Soo-min. It wasn’t like this before. Now it’s starting to feel wrong. Now he feels guilty, and he thinks more about Taehyung and his feelings than his own.

Soo-min
hello ????
for someone who likes me so much, you sure do play hard to get

Me
no!
it's not like that
i was just thinking where we should go

Soo-min
dw about that :)
i have a place in mind i'll send you the address
see you there @ 7

Me
can't wait to see you

Jungkook swallows, exits her chat and opens Taehyung’s.

He should tell him. He should at least give him a hint, because if Taehyung finds out later through someone else, he’s not going to take it well. His thumb hovers over the keyboard, nerves prickling under his skin. Sometimes he wishes their friendship had started out differently—that they hadn’t both liked the same girl. That this unspoken tension hadn't always loomed over their friendship like an elephant in the room that they pretended not to notice.

While they've grown a lot closer recently, their friendship is still fragile, and Jungkook really doesn't wanna lose Taehyung.

He types in a message.

Me
guess what

Taehyung's reply comes almost instantly.

Taehyung
What
if it's something dumb im blocking u

Jungkook snorts.

Me
im going out for dinner
with
drum rolls pls
soo-min :D

There's nothing for a full minute.

Jungkook’s heart starts racing.

Fuck.

And then, he sees three dots bubble up.

Taehyung
oh.

Jungkook stares.

That’s it. That’s the message. Taehyung says nothing more. Doesn’t crack a joke or say something like — have fun! Jungkook doesn’t want to ask for permission; he’s allowed to go, allowed to live his life. But at the same time, the thought of Taehyung being upset with him makes his stomach twist. He wants to go to dinner with Soo-min, but he also doesn't want Taehyung to be upset with him.

He's about to send in another message when—

Taehyung
wait
she's asked me too
lol i just checked her message
wtf

Jungkook finally breathes, his shoulders sagging.

Me
you fucking idiot
why do u have to come ugh

Taehyung
you don't want me there?

Jungkook chews on his lower lip.

He hesitates.

Me
ofc not
i thought it's a date

Taehyung
ok
i won't come

Jungkook's eyebrows shoot up. He doesn’t want him not to come. Not really.

Me
wait
r u serious?

Taehyung
u wish hehe
d'ya think she wants a threesome?

Jungkook feels his face heat up.

Me
shut up
bye
see you

He clicks his phone shut and tosses it aside, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling. He starts thinking about what he's going to wear. He wants to look good. He wants to impress them both. 

Jungkook takes his time getting ready.

First, he takes a hot shower. He grabs his favorite vanilla-scented body wash and lathers it over his skin until the scent clings to him. He shaves and goes through a long-forgotten skincare routine that leaves his skin smooth and glowing. He meticulously styles his hair so his bangs sit pretty on his forehead. He spends an absurd amount of time deciding what to wear, laying out different combinations on his bed and trying them on one by one. Finally, he picks a beige vest and blue jeans, topping it off with a black bomber jacket draped over his shoulders. He finishes the look with a simple silver chain necklace and a few silver rings.

He sprays a little cologne on his neck and wrists before doing a little twirl in front of the mirror. He smiles, finally satisfied with how he's looking.

His phone pings on the bed.

He grabs it. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise when he realises the text is from Taehyung.

Taehyung
open your door

Jungkook's heart thuds. He takes one last nervous glance in the mirror before rushing to the door. The second it swings open, his breath catches in his throat. 

There he is—

Taehyung. 

He’s got a lazy smile on his face. He’s wearing a white turtleneck that clings to him like second skin, the fabric lightly stretching over the broad lines of his shoulders and chest. Every little moment makes his muscles flex. It's neatly tucked into a pair of ripped, dark blue jeans and cinched with a wide black belt at his waist. It’s such a simple outfit, yet somehow Taehyung manages to look ridiculously good in it.

Jungkook can’t stop staring, completely taken by how good Taehyung looks. It’s only when his gaze drops that he finally notices the bouquet of flowers in Taehyung’s hand. For a fleeting second, Jungkook almost thinks they’re for him. His heart stutters at the thought. But then he realises it’s for Soo-min. Of course it’s for her.

“Hi,” Taehyung says, sounding a little breathless. His eyes sweep over him, from head to toe. And then, he clears his throat and adds, “you—you put in a lot of effort, huh?”

Jungkook flushes. “Too much?”

Taehyung shakes his head quickly. “No. No! It's good. You look good.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of getting flowers,” Jungkook blurts out, mostly to fill the silence. He has no idea how to thank him without stuttering and sounding like a fool. It’s ridiculous—the way he’s feeling, because it’s just Taehyung. His friend.

Taehyung blinks. “Oh, wait,” he chirps, before plucking a bunch of roses from his bouquet and holds them out to Jungkook with a dazzling smile. “There. Sorted.”

Jungkook's eyes widen, his heart skipping. "You don't have to! You got them for her."

“It's alright. Take them.”

Jungkook accepts them, their fingers brushing. “Why’d you come to pick me up?”

Taehyung gestures to his ankle.

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “I'm fine. I can walk. I'll be able to run soon too.”

“Still,” Taehyung says, watching him closely as he slips on his shoes and steps out. He offers Jungkook his arm with a smirk. “Shall we go on our date?”

Jungkook snorts, linking their arms together. “You mean our date with Soo-min?”

Taehyung huffs. “Yeah. Read between the lines, Kook-ah.” 

+

Soo-min has picked a cozy little Italian restaurant in the heart of Seoul. 

Jungkook notices how the place is small and intimate, with round tables and dim lights casting everything in a soft glow. Their shoulders brush together as they’re led to their table, and he’s suddenly glad Taehyung is there or else he might’ve puked from nerves. It's been a while since he went on a date.

“Oh, she’s already here,” Taehyung mutters under his breath. 

Jungkook lifts his gaze, his eyes finally landing on her.

She’s already at the table, effortlessly pulling everyone's attention in the room. Her hair catches the light, her face glows, and the smile that tugs on her lips the moment she sees them is breathtaking. She's wearing a soft, dusty pink dress with delicate sheer ruffles that fall off her shoulders. The fabric clings enough to accentuate her curves while the color gives her an ethereal look. Jungkook can't help but stare for a moment.

“Wow,” Taehyung says once they're at the table. “I love this place. And you look stunning.” He gives her the flowers, which she accepts with a grateful smile. 

Jungkook swallows hard. “I couldn’t agree more. You look beautiful,” he adds quickly, handing her the roses.

"Thank you so much, boys. Please sit," Soo-min says.

Taehyung pulls out a chair and motions for Jungkook to take it. "Here."

Jungkook's eyes widen, blood rushes to his cheeks and his stomach swoops. He has no idea why Taehyung's doing this for him but it feels strangely… good. He manages a quick thank you before draping his jacket over the back of the chair and taking a seat. Taehyung slips in next to him, and because the space is tight and the table is small, they're all pressed up against each other. Shoulders, thighs, all of it.

Jungkook can feel the heat radiating off Taehyung. He’s hyperaware of everywhere they’re touching because his skin tingles. He catches a whiff of his cologne as well—notes of cedarwood and musk mixed with his aftershave.

He's supposed to focus on Soo-min, he knows.

But Taehyung is too close for his brain to function well. 

He’s nervous; it’s been a while since he’s done this. The setting isn't casual either, so he feels the pressure to look good, not make mistakes, and be even more charming than Taehyung. He knows Taehyung is effortlessly good at it; at flirting, at carrying a conversation, and at making Soo-min laugh. Jungkook feels awkward compared to him. He couldn’t even hand her the flowers properly. His mind starts racing, legs start bouncing, and he can’t stop any of it.

“Shall we order?” Soo-min asks.

Taehyung grins. “Yeah, have you been here before? I hope the food’s good. I’m kinda starving.”

“Yeah, I have. The portions are pretty large, so order carefully,” Soo-min laughs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Jungkook wants to say something—anything, but his mind has gone blank. He opens and closes his mouth, but no words come out. His hands clench around the menu, the paper crinkling under his grip.

Fuck.

And then—

Taehyung places his hand on Jungkook’s knee. He gives it a light, reassuring squeeze, causing the bouncing to immediately stop. Heat spreads from the touch, crawling up Jungkook’s thigh, making his chest tighten and his breath hitch. Taehyung's thumb slips into the rip in Jungkook's jeans, making slow, soothing circles on his bare skin.

Miraculously, it works.

Jungkook takes a deep breath and feels himself relax slightly. The knots in his chest loosen. Finally, he looks at Soo-min and asks, "Do you have any recommendations?"

Taehyung pulls his hand away.

Soo-min hums. “Can you handle spice?”

Jungkook blinks. “I can… but Taehyung can’t.”

“Oh.”

Jungkook grins. “Yeah, one time he had it he almost cried.”

“Hey!” Taehyung says, elbowing him. He sounds offended but his smile is as wide as ever. “I didn’t cry!”

Jungkook looks at him. “Sure.”

“I wanna see Taehyung-ie cry too!” Soomin whines.

“I wasn’t crying!” Taehyung whisper-shouts. “Don’t bully me.”

“You’re cute,” Soo-min says.

“Yeah,” Jungkook agrees without thinking.

Instantly, he feels Taehyung’s eyes on him. 

Jungkook doesn’t dare meet his gaze, pretending to act all nonchalant. 

They finally settle on Spaghetti Carbonara, Lasagna Bolognese, and a Margarita pizza. While Soo-min orders, Jungkook feels Taehyung lean in and whisper, "You think I'm cute? On a scale of one to ten, how cute?

Jungkook bites the inside of his cheek. “Zero.”

“Liar.”

"I'm upset that neither  of you offered to pick me up," Soo-min says with a pout, crossing her  arms on the table and leaning forward as her gaze shifts between them. “While you two came together.”

Jungkook’s jaw drops. He has no idea what to say. 

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “You asked us out on a date, shouldn’t you be picking us up?” 

Jungkook gasps, nudging Taehyung to shut up.

Soo-min doesn’t look offended though. Her lips curl into a smile. “Who’s chasing who here? None of you even asked me out on a date.” 

“Cos’ we’re tryna play fair,” Jungkook says, insists. 

Taehyung hums. “You’re kinda off limits till one of us gets MVP.” 

“That’s boring,” Soo-min drawls. “You should try to impress me so I can change my mind and pick one of you before that. What's the fun in playing by the rules?”

Jungkook shifts uncomfortably. “That's not how it works,” he says, his voice void of any humor. “It’s already decided. The MVP gets you."

“So you’re treating me like an object?” 

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. He jumps to Jungkook’s defence. “You’re the one who wanted that,” he points out. 

Soo-min props her chin in her hand, eyes flicking between the two of them like she’s watching a game unfold. “So you’re just gonna sit there, side by side, pretending you’re not dying to prove who deserves me more?” 

Taehyung smirks, casually leaning back. “Who says I’m pretending?” 

Jungkook’s chest tightens. He refuses to look at him, staring down at his plate instead. “This isn’t about who begs harder. It’s about winning fair.”

“Winning fair,” Soo-min repeats slowly, lips curling with amusement, “or are you just afraid he’ll outshine you if you try?”

The words make Jungkook’s gaze snap up. His eyes widen slightly as he looks at Soo-min first, before turning to Taehyung. His eyebrows pinch together, and maybe his insecurity shows on his face because Taehyung’s smile fades. He reaches out and boops his nose with his finger as he says, “She’s kidding.”

Soo-min nods, catching on. “Yeah. Mm, fine. I’ll stop teasing.”

“Why’d you suddenly invite us out, though?” Jungkook asks as a waiter approaches their table, carefully pouring them each a glass of wine. He picks his up, brings it to his lips, and takes a small sip.

Soo-min shrugs. “To get to know the two of you better. I already know Taehyung a little, but you… not so much. And I knew you wouldn’t come if Taehyung didn’t.”

“Oh.” Taehyung tilts his head. “Guess I’m just here as bait then,” he says, voice a little too sharp. There's a bite to it, and Jungkook and Soo-min both catch it right away. Taehyung’s eyes dart between them like he’s daring them to disagree.

Jungkook squirms. “That’s not—” 

Soo-min rolls her eyes. “Don’t pout. You know I like you too.” 

Taehyung lets out a short laugh, swirling the wine in his glass before taking a sip. His eyes slowly shift to Jungkook as he says, “Guess I gotta start seeing you as competition again. Friends, less so.” 

Jungkook frowns. 

Suddenly, there’s tension in the air. 

Before either of them can say anything, their food arrives. 

Everything returns to normal once Soo-min starts talking about some drama in her friends' group. Taehyung listens intently, whereas Jungkook zones out and focuses on eating instead. When his plate is empty, he glances at the mound of pasta on the serving dish while licking the sauce off his fork. He can't reach for it without jostling the table, and he's not sure how to ask for it. Taehyung notices—he grabs the dish and empties the rest of the food onto Jungkook's plate without looking at him even once. 

“Thanks,” Jungkook mumbles, digging in. 

The conversation continues. 

Soo-min bounces from topic to topic. 

Jungkook can’t keep up. He wants to pay attention, but his leg suddenly cramps up. He tries to move it, but accidentally bumps his injured foot against something solid, eliciting a small gasp.

Taehyung looks at him. “Are you okay?” 

“Yeah. I’m just—it’s cramped in here.” 

Taehyung shifts slightly in his seat, moving his leg closer to Jungkook. He pats his thigh casually, motioning for him to lift his leg and rest it on his. “I think a little elevation might help,” he says.

Jungkook’s eyes widen. “No! Are you crazy?” 

“If you hurt yourself, you’ll have to sit out another game. Do you want that?” 

There’s some logic in that. Jungkook’s face twists in frustration, but he can’t deny it. Almost reluctantly, he shifts closer and drapes his leg over Taehyung’s thigh, slowly rotating his ankle until the cramp subsides. Taehyung casually rests his hand on Jungkook’s thigh, fingers curling. Holding. 

Jungkook swallows, unable to eat anymore. 

The conversation shifts to K-pop. 

Jungkook deflates. There’s not much he can contribute here either. They have so little in common, and he can’t help but wonder if this is how it’s going to be once he’s in a relationship with Soo-min. Will he naturally fall in love with everything she loves just because he likes her, or will he have to force himself to keep up?

This is kinda boring, he thinks. 

He’d rather go home and play games with Taehyung.

“You’re so quiet,” Soo-min suddenly says. 

Startled, Jungkook looks up and realises that she’s talking to him. He blinks rapidly, then freezes. He's not sure how to tell her he wasn't paying attention. “I'm not,” is all he says.

Soo-min chuckles. “You are, but I like it. I like to be the yapper in the relationship while the other person just stares at me with heart eyes.”

Taehyung snorts under his breath. “More like blank eyes cos they zone out.” 

Jungkook chokes, biting back a giggle.

Soo-min’s eyes narrow. “Did you say something?”

Taehyung blinks innocently. “Of course not, darling.” 

Jungkook’s stomach flips. 

Darling. 

He knows Taehyung isn’t talking to him, obviously. Still, the way the word rolled off Taehyung's tongue makes his stomach swoop and his heart race. It seems to have the same effect on Soo-min too, because she flushes—the anger leaving her in an instant. 

Jungkook wants to be like this. 

Confident, bold. He wants to be able to throw compliments at her, call her pet names that make her go red but he can’t. He just can’t. He’d die before anything like that ever left his lips. 

“I’ll let it  go this time,” Soo-min mumbles. 

Taehyung flashes her a charming smile. “Thanks.” 

Soon, they’re done with eating. Plates sit half-empty in front of them, crumbs of bread and flecks of sauce scattered across the table. Jungkook rubs his stomach, feeling full and sleepy. Taehyung’s shoulder is right there, looking solid. He wants to rest his head on it and close his eyes for a bit.

Soo-min’s eyebrows furrow as she looks at Jungkook. “Hey, you’re got something—” she begins, reaching across the table. 

“Look here,” Taehyung cuts in, and Jungkook just instinctively turns to him. 

Taehyung squints. He reaches out and swipes his thumb across the corner of Jungkook’s lips before bringing it to his own mouth and licking it clean. “Oh, it was sauce,” he says casually before calling the waiter to ask for the bill. 

Soo-min’s eyes dart between the two. 

Jungkook’s face feels like it’s on fire. His ears burn. 

What the fuck?

Taehyung ends up paying.

Jungkook insists on splitting the bill, but Taehyung waves him off. “You can treat me later,” he says with a small smirk as they stand up. They leave the restaurant together, stepping into the cool night air.

Soo-min stands on the curb, the wind fluttering her dress softly and ruffling her hair. She tucks a few loose strands behind her ear and coyly asks, “So who's gonna drop me home?”

Jungkook hesitates, looking at Taehyung. 

Taehyung flashes her a sheepish smile. “Actually, Jungkook has some work nearby so I’m gonna tag along with him.” 

Jungkook’s eyebrows shoot up. “I do?” 

“Yeah, remember what you told me earlier,” Taehyung says pointedly. 

Jungkook blinks. He has no idea what Taehyung is talking about, but he goes along anyway. “Oh! Yeah,” he says slowly, dragging the words. “That thing.” 

Taehyung’s lips twitch. “Yeah,” he says, turning to face Soo-min again. “So—” 

“I can come too!” Soo-min chirps. 

Jungkook gives Taehyung a look. Now what?

Taehyung shakes his head. “You can’t! It’s a really shady place.”

Soo-min raises her eyebrows at Jungkook. “What work do you have at a shady place?” 

Jungkook blanches. “Uh—it’s medicine.”

Soo-min gasps. “You take steroids?” 

Jungkook’s eyes widen in horror. “No! It’s… um, herbal. For stamina.” 

“Didn’t know you were weak like that,” Soo-min mutters. 

Jungkook blinks. “It’s not for me! It’s for… Jimin.” 

“Oh. Okay. Understandable,” Soo-min laughs. 

Taehyung lets out a quiet cough to cover a snort. "Alright," he says, waving down a taxi. He opens the door for Soo-min, and she slides in. She tosses them a quick goodbye before she’s gone.

Taehyung turns around with a grin on his face. “Jimin’s gonna kill you if he finds out about this.” 

“Shut up,” Jungkook squeaks. “I’ll put all the blame on you. Why’d you make me lie?” 

“I saw a retro arcade on the way here. Wanna play?” 

Jungkook grins. “Fuck yeah! Do you think they’ll have zombie games?” 

Taehyung throws an arm around his shoulder as they start walking. “I hope!” 

+

Suddenly, Soo-min is everywhere.

She’s in the cafeteria, squeezing between Jungkook and him to take a seat at their table. She laughs too loud at Jungkook’s jokes, touches his arm too easily, and pulls him into her orbit even when they’re surrounded by people. She is at every practice now too, somehow having convinced the coach to let the cheer squad share the court. The rest of the guys love it — it gives them the perfect opportunity to flex, to flirt, to woo the girls.

Taehyung doesn’t. 

Even their water breaks start overlapping, and it becomes a routine. She hands Jungkook his bottle before Taehyung can, flashing him that sultry, sweet smile that makes him flush. She doesn’t ignore Taehyung—but she doesn't give him as much attention as she gives Jungkook either.

She never stops texting them, coming up with excuses to hang out — dinner, movies, ice cream after practice, whatever she can think of. It’s not like they can refuse.

Taehyung wants to.

Jungkook doesn’t.

And Taehyung can’t let them be alone, so he ends up going too.

Soo-min starts taking up so much of their time that they almost stop spending time together alone. It’s never just the two of them anymore—always the two of them with Soo-min.

She steals Jungkook whenever she sees him on campus.

Once, Taehyung catches them outside a lecture hall. They’re talking; Jungkook is leaning against the wall while Soo-min is standing in front of him, close. Too close. Almost intimate. Jungkook’s cheeks are pink, and he’s fidgeting with the strap of his bag. There is a nervous smile playing on his lips as his eyes dart around. Soo-min is the picture of ease, chattering away.

It shouldn’t sting the way it does. 

But Taehyung feels it—a tight knot forming in his chest. He stands there just long enough to see Jungkook duck his head, smiling wider this time. Taehyung immediately turns away then, as if he never saw them in the first place. His pulse is loud in his ears, and he can’t tell if it’s anger or hurt.

He doesn’t answer Jungkook’s texts at all that day.

The next time they see each other, things feel almost normal. Almost. Jungkook continues to smile and talk to him as if nothing is wrong, but Taehyung can sense the hesitation beneath it. It sits quietly between them, waiting for one of them to bring it up. Neither does.

“Great job, boys!”

Cheers erupt throughout the court. Another win. The energy in the air is electric. Jungkook was finally allowed to play this time, and, like always, he was a star. Taehyung can’t help but stare at him—at how he beams with joy, the way his eyes crinkle at the corners, the way his damp hair sticks slightly to his forehead as he runs a hand through it. The other boys gather around him, clapping him on the back for making the winning shot. 

Their eyes meet across the court and Jungkook flashes him that wide, boyish smile that always knocks the air out of him. Taehyung grins, giving him a thumbs up. 

Tonight, there’s a plan for a surprise party to celebrate Jungkook’s comeback. Taehyung has been looking forward to it for days, imagining Jungkook's reaction when he realises what is going on.

They’re gathering their bags to head to the locker room when Soo-min approaches Jungkook.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

Taehyung tries not to look, to listen but he can’t help it.

“You were amazing on the court today,” Soo-min says, clasping her hands behind her back as she rocks on her feet. Her tone is sweet, somewhat flirty. “What a comeback, truly.”

Jungkook smiles, his eyes scrunching up. “Thanks! It felt good to be playing after a while especially when I thought I’d never be able to because of that fall.”

Soo-min laughs lightly, stepping closer. “Somehow, you’re even better than before.”

“Please, no way,” Jungkook mutters, rubbing the back of his neck shyly.

The boys around them exchange knowing looks, coughing pointedly and wiggling eyebrows at each other. Yoongi passes by Jungkook and nudges him closer to her.

Taehyung’s jaw tightens.

“So… do you have any plans after this?” Soo-min asks, voice low and eyes hopeful as she looks at him from beneath her lashes.

Jungkook blinks, looking around. “Not really.”

“Actually—” Taehyung starts, but Seokjin grabs his wrist and squeezes.

“Shut up! What are you doing? We can celebrate later or whatever. Let them.”

Taehyung glares.

Seokjin blinks. “Oh, right. I forgot you're… like love rivals.”

“Ah.” Soo-min tucks a few strands of loose hair behind her ear and smiles. “Do you wanna maybe drop me home? There’s this cute café near my place… I’ve been dying to try it. We could grab a coffee and maybe some desserts too?”

Taehyung’s heart jumps.

She’s only asking him.

She knows he’s right here too. 

Jungkook doesn’t immediately reply, instead his gaze shifts to Taehyung. For a heartbeat, their eyes meet, and Taehyung’s breath hitches. He looks away too fast, fiddling with the strap of his bag because he’s afraid Jungkook will see everything Taehyung’s trying to hide—the jealousy, the disappointment, the ache. He’ll know Taehyung absolutely hates seeing the two of them together. Taehyung feels Jungkook's eyes linger on him for a moment before moving away.

“Uh, sure. I’ll meet you in ten minutes? I should probably shower and change… unless you want to stick around with me like this.”

Soo-min giggles. “Well, I don’t mind completely.”

One of the boys snicker. “Get a room.”

That’s the last straw.

Taehyung grabs his bag and starts walking away before anyone can see the way his expression has twisted ugly with a mix of hurt, betrayal and rage. His pulse is loud in his ears, his throat tight with something that feels dangerously close to heartbreak. 

He goes straight home and switches off his phone.

Hours later, he’s still awake. The clock ticks midnight. He wonders what Jungkook is doing—whether he really went to that café with Soo-min, whether he ordered her favorite sweets, whether he’s shy or chatting away. Whether he dropped Soo-min off at her apartment building or went up for tea.

The thoughts spiral, consuming him until he’s forced to face his feelings.

That he’s not jealous of Jungkook.

He’s jealous of Soo-min. 

+

Taehyung wakes up the next day to a flood of messages from his friends.

None from Jungkook.

He takes a long shower, trying to cool his mind and collect his thoughts. He wants to end this rivalry, but he’s afraid he’ll lose their friendship, their connection, and Jungkook along with it. Their feelings for Soo-min is the thread tying them together and Taehyung is afraid that without it, they’ll fall apart. And if he backs out, Jungkook and Soo-min will definitely get together.

The thought of it makes his heart sink.

He arrives to practice later than usual.

Jungkook is already there.

Their eyes meet.

Taehyung quickly looks away just as Jungkook lifts his hand to wave at him. Instead, he makes his way straight to Jimin and Hoseok sitting by the bench and talking. “Hey!”

Jimin looks up. “Hey, you. Where’d you disappear last night?”

Hoseok nods. “We all went out to get some drinks together. I tried calling you but your phone was switched off.”

Taehyung drops his bag. “We were gonna celebrate Jungkook’s comeback. He wasn’t going to be there, so I figured I’d just go home and get some rest instead.”

Jimin stares. “You’re mad.”

Taehyung frowns. “I’m not.”

“You’re clearly not in a good mood,” Hoseok points out, head tilting in confusion. “You always go straight to Jungkook, but you’re here instead. And he’s looking like a kicked puppy so I’m assuming you completely ignored him, didn’t you?”

Taehyung clenches his teeth.

“He’s been waiting for you. He even asked me if you’re gonna come today or skip,” Jimin says.

“Well, I have a fully functioning phone. If he was that curious, he could’ve texted me or called me,” Taehyung snaps.

Hoseok frowns. “Why are you mad at him, dude? Soo-min is the one who asked him to drop her off. If you were in his place, would you have said no? I don’t think so. You two have been ignoring this elephant in the room for the longest time. Do you honestly think you two can go back to being buddies when one of you starts dating her? It’s gonna make things weird. It already is.”

“Unless you both give her up,” Jimin adds.

“He will not,” Taehyung huffs, running a hand through his hair. “He likes her a lot.”

“Don’t you?”

Taehyung looks away. “Perhaps not that much.”

Jimin’s eyebrows furrow. “Taehyung—”

“But I’m not gonna give her up,” Taehyung interrupts. 

“That’s really selfish.”

“I don’t care. It was obvious we’d have plans to celebrate but Jungkook didn’t care about any of that. He went off with Soo-min, knowing I like her too. Isn’t that selfish?” Taehyung cries.

“It’s Jungkook we’re talking about,” Hoseok points out, a frown on his face. “I’m sure he was just being nice and polite. He probably didn’t even touch her.”

Taehyung squeezes his eyes shut, fists clenching at his sides. “That’s not the fucking point!”

Coach Lim blows the whistle. “Gather around, boys! Let’s get this started.”

“Fuck it.” 

The drills begin. 

Taehyung avoids Jungkook like the plague because he isn't ready to face him yet. It's obvious to everyone else too—especially with the way Jungkook keeps trying to get his attention. He passes Taehyung the ball, nudges him during shooting practice, tries to get them to pair up, and even stares at him expectantly when the coach isn't looking. The other boys walk on eggshells around them, clearly aware that something is wrong.

Whenever Jungkook tries to approach him, Taehyung either walks away or pretends to be busy.

Jungkook is clearly hurt. It’s all over his face. Taehyung sees it in the quick glances he steals when Jungkook isn’t looking. Perhaps, he’s never been ignored before. Never known the frustration of wanting to talk to someone who won’t even meet your gaze. He’s never cared before, which is exactly why he’s being so obvious now—why everything he feels is written all over his face.

They move around each other like magnets forced apart — close enough to feel the pull, but never close enough to touch.

An hour later, they’re done with practice.

The team gathers around to chat for a few minutes before everyone starts to leave for classes. Taehyung grabs his bag and is about to take off when something stops him. A small tug. He looks over his shoulder and sees Jungkook fisting the back of his jersey tightly, pitifully, almost desperately. He's not looking at him; he's staring at the ground instead. 

His grip isn’t strong, but it's pleading.

This time, Taehyung doesn't have the heart to ignore him. 

And so, he sighs. “I'll see you guys later,” he says, waving off his friends to leave them alone. When it’s finally just the two of them on the court, Taehyung turns around to face Jungkook. He’s determined to keep his guard up, to not give in so easily.

But then, Jungkook looks up. 

And all fight drains right out of Taehyung—his traitorous heart skips a beat when he gets a good look at Jungkook’s face. 

Jungkook’s eyes are glassy with unshed tears, nose pink, and cheeks all flushed. His lower lip wobbles as he swallows hard and finally musters up the courage to ask, “Are you mad at me?”

And fuck.

Fuck.

Taehyung is mad at him. Was mad at him just seconds ago, but now all he wants to do is pull Jungkook into a hug and tell him he isn’t. That he could never really be mad at him. Still, he steels himself, crosses his arms tightly over his chest as he replies, “No.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows furrow. “You are. You were ignoring me.”

“I didn't feel like talking.”

“Just with me? You were fine with the others.”

Taehyung looks away.

“Is this because of yesterday?” Jungkook asks softly. “Because I went to drop Soo-min home?”

Now that Taehyung hears it out loud, he realizes how immature and petty it sounds—being mad over something so small. But he doesn’t try to hide it. “I thought we were gonna play fair. Unless you’ve changed your mind.”

“No!” Jungkook rushes, his voice full of desperation. “She asked me… in front of everyone. I couldn’t say no. I was—I was waiting for you to say something. I kept looking at you. I wanted you to join us, but you just left. If you’d told me not to go, I wouldn’t have.”

Taehyung glances at him. “Why would you do something I tell you to?”

“Because,” Jungkook pauses, scrambles for the right words, "we're friends. Because what I have with you is more important and precious to me than what I have with Soo-min right now."

Taehyung’s face screws up.

Friends.

Right.

“And nothing happened between us. She got a cupcake from the café she mentioned, and then I dropped her home. That’s it. Nothing happened, Taehyung. I promise.” Jungkook takes a breath. “Why are you still not even looking at me?”

Taehyung looks at him. “Because I feel like an asshole, okay?” he snaps, voice breaking slightly. “I don’t even know why I got so mad. We had a plan to surprise you and celebrate your comeback, and I was so excited for it. And you—you just left with her.” It comes out as an accusation. “I wanted us—all to spend some time together.”

Jungkook’s face falls. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be. You didn’t even know.”

“I won’t go with her anywhere alone anymore—”

“No,” Taehyung sighs, shaking his head. “Jungkook, I’m sorry. I’m being stupid. You don’t have to do that. You don’t have to do anything just because I’m acting like a little kid—”

“Can we go back to how we were before?” Jungkook cuts in, as if this is more important than anything Taehyung was about to say. “I don’t like when you’re not talking to me.”

The knot in Taehyung’s chest finally unravels, and a grin spreads across his face. He throws his arm around Jungkook's shoulder, pulling him closer before nuzzling into his cheek and whispering, "You like me that much?"

“Shut up! Obviously not.”

“Your ears are turning red.”

Jungkook pushes him. “Go away.”

And just like that, they’re back to normal again. 

+

Soo-min
Jungkook-ie !!!
Hey, wanna come over?
I’m making shrimp risotto for dinner
It’s gonna be delicious 😋

Me
hey, sorry
i’d love to but I’m feeling a bit under the weather :(
wouldn’t want you catching the flu

Soo-min
OMG
Are you okay?
Where are you?

Jungkook rings the doorbell.

Me
at home obv
i’m just gonna sleep through it
i’m fine, thank you!
i’ll hit you up later
bye

The door swings open.

Jungkook immediately slips his phone back into his pocket as he raises his head. “Hey!”

“Hey, you,” Taehyung says, lips spreading into a boxy grin. He reaches out and grabs Jungkook’s wrist before swiftly pulling him into the house. Jungkook barely has time to kick his shoes away before Taehyung drags him into the living room. Everything’s ready; the PlayStation is on, and two controllers are waiting on the table. “I’m so excited to play this game, Kook-ah! Also, I’ve ordered way too much food from Mom’s Touch. I heard from Yoongi that you’re weirdly obsessed with it.”

Jungkook plops down on the couch. “Why are you talking about me with Yoongi? Also, it’s nice and cheap. Better than KFC actually.”

Taehyung sits next to him, close enough that their arms and thighs press together even though there’s plenty of space. Jungkook can move, but he doesn't. Taehyung smells nice—fresh from the shower, a mix of soap and shampoo lingering on him, with the familiar hint of cologne he always wears. “It just came up. He also said you get drunk with beer, so we’re not having that tonight.”

“What’s wrong with me being a little drunk?” Jungkook pouts, reaching for the controller.

“Nothing, actually. I’m just not sure I’ll be able to concentrate on the game if you start getting naked beside me,” Taehyung smirks.

Jungkook feels all the blood rush to his cheeks. “So what? We’re both guys. I’m sure you’ve seen me naked in the locker room plenty of times.”

“I haven’t actually,” Taehyung mumbles. “No one has. You’re weirdly shy.”

Jungkook sinks his teeth into his lower lip. He’s right. He doesn’t like stripping or taking a shower in front of others. “Too bad. I know you want to.”

There’s a pause. “Perhaps.”

Jungkook’s head whips to look at him, eyes wide. 

Taehyung doesn’t meet his gaze. “Shall we begin?”

“Let’s go!”

They’re playing It Takes Two. It’s an action-adventure multiplayer game where they’re navigating a married couple on the verge of divorce. They have to overcome ridiculous obstacles and slowly learn to work together—and maybe fall in love again. "Wow, you're my girlfriend,” Taehyung says after they've taken on the assigned characters.

Jungkook snorts. “Your wife, actually. Behave yourself and I won’t divorce you.”

Taehyung smirks. “Okay, jagiya.”

Jungkook sputters. “Shut up.”

The game is interesting and fun; they’re so into it that the only break they take is to scarf down food before diving back in. At one point, Taehyung lies down on the couch, casually throwing his legs over Jungkook’s lap as he keeps playing. Their coordination is terrible at first, but they eventually get the hang of it—of each other. But that doesn't mean they don't bicker.

They get stuck at a puzzle that requires perfect timing.

“Wait—now!”

“You said now too late!”

“You’re supposed to trust me!”

“I would if you didn’t kill us every time!” 

Taehyung laughs, low, deep, and hearty. The sound comes from somewhere deep within his chest. Jungkook's cheeks ache from grinning too widely. His chest tightens slightly, and something tugs on his heartstrings. His character jumps too early and falls into a pit. 

“What a loser.” 

“Your loser.” 

Taehyung chokes. “What?” 

“You’re my husband.”

“Very convenient.” 

“Shut up.”

“You know… Soo-min asked me to hang out today,” Taehyung brings up casually.

Jungkook glances at him. “Me too!”

“Really?” Taehyung looks at him. “Why didn’t you go?”

“Because I wanted to play with you,” Jungkook mumbles.

Taehyung’s lips twitch. “What excuse did you give then?”

“That I'm sick,” Jungkook giggles. “What about you?”

“Food poisoning,” Taehyung snorts.

Jungkook raises his eyebrows. “And you just ate fried chicken.”

“It’s my wifey’s favourite food. I had to.” 

“You’re so fucking annoying.” 

When they finally reach the end of the game, their characters float in the air and share a kiss. Taehyung turns to Jungkook and makes kissy faces. “Should we kiss too?”

Jungkook pushes his face away, laughing. “Shut the fuck up!”

“Come here, wifey!”

“Get lost.”

Taehyung huffs. “I’m a phenomenal kisser. Your loss.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes, standing up and stretching his arms over his head. He cracks his neck as he yawns. “Anyway, it’s late. I should get going.”

“Kook-ah, it’s almost midnight,” Taehyung says, reaching out and wrapping his fingers around Jungkook’s wrist. “Why don’t you just crash here tonight?”

Jungkook hesitates. “I’m not sure.”

“Come on,” Taehyung gives his hand a tug. “It’s late. Stay. I’ll even make you breakfast tomorrow.”

Jungkook arches a brow. “So I get food poisoning? No thanks.”

“Hey!”

“Fine,” Jungkook sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll stay. Where’s your bathroom? I wanna take a shower.” 

Taehyung pushes himself up. “Bathroom’s down the hall. I’ll grab you a towel and something to wear. There’s a spare toothbrush in the drawer.”

“Okay.”

Jungkook takes a long shower. He’s not sure why he’s nervous—sleeping over at a guy friend’s house is the most normal thing ever. He’s crashed at Yoongi’s place countless times, but he’s never felt like this. Like his heart might beat right out of his chest. At this point, he thinks he’d be less nervous around Soo-min. 

There's something about Taehyung that puts him on edge, makes his pulse quicken and his palms a little sweaty for no reason he can explain. Every time Taehyung laughs or looks at him for too long, Jungkook’s stomach does this stupid flip he can’t control. He doesn’t even want to remember how sick he felt when Taehyung ignored him—the pain had been physical.

He brushes his teeth using the spare toothbrush and pulls on the clothes Taehyung left outside the door. The t-shirt is ridiculously big—so big it keeps slipping off his shoulder every time he moves. It doesn’t make sense because Taehyung’s build isn’t that different from his. Still, it smells nice—like him, so Jungkook lets it be.

At least the shorts fit him well.

Taehyung is sitting on the bed when Jungkook walks into the bedroom. He’s on his phone and when he looks up, his eyes widen at the sight of Jungkook. His lips part as his eyes sweep over him from head to toe, and Jungkook resists the urge to scratch the back of his neck because he’s embarrassed. Conscious.

“The t-shirt’s too big on you,” Taehyung says, staring at the way it’s slipping down his shoulder.

Jungkook quickly fixes it again. “Yeah, what the hell? Yours looks normal.”

“i remember you saying you like oversized clothes.”

“Yeah, well not maternity clothes."

Taehyung laughs. “I’m sorry. You should’ve been clear. But it looks cute on you.”

Jungkook flushes, his cheeks burning as he shoots Taehyung a glare. “Shut up,” he mutters, spinning on his heel to look around the room. It’s surprisingly normal, almost boy-ish, somehow really him. A few books are stacked haphazardly on the nightstand. The corkboard hanging above the desk is cluttered with photos and scribbled notes. 

There are photographs of Taehyung with his friends, people Jungkook doesn't recognise, and then—

He sees himself.

It’s a picture of him and Taehyung mid-laugh, with ice cream on their cheeks. He remembers that day vaguely: it was after a practice match, and Taehyung was teasing him about getting ice-cream on his face. In retaliation, he smeared some on Taehyung too.

Something twists in Jungkook’s chest. His heart warms at the thought that Taehyung considers him close enough to pin his face up on the board in his room.

A smaller photo catches his eye next. It’s of a pomeranian with big eyes and perpetually grumpy face. “Who’s dog is this?” 

“Mine. My parents take care of him. His name’s Yeontan.”

Jungkook smiles as he turns. “Frowny. Looks just like you.”

Taehyung snorts. “I can’t even say I’m offended. Anyway,” he says, grabbing his pillow and getting off the bed, “I’m gonna go now. Goodnight.” 

“Where are you going?” 

Taehyung looks at him. “To sleep on the couch?” 

Jungkook’s eyebrows furrow. “Why? The bed’s big enough to fit us both.”

“Well,” Taehyung pauses, averting his gaze, “that’s true, but I’m like a serial cuddler. I wouldn’t wanna make you uncomfortable.”

Jungkook scoffs. “It’s fine. Nothing I haven’t experienced before.”

Taehyung winces. “Sorry about that.”

“Come on.” 

They slip under the covers.

Jungkook rolls against the wall and Taehyung stays on the edge, leaving plenty of space between them. He pulls the blanket up to his chin, feeling his heart hammering in his chest like it wants to escape. Taehyung switches off the lights, letting the soft glow of moonlight fill the room. Jungkook feels his gaze on him, but for some reason, he can’t meet it. He stares up at the ceiling instead, chest rising and falling a little faster.

“Are you sleepy?” Taehyung asks, nudging him gently with his foot.

Jungkook flinches but doesn't pull away, allowing Taehyung to tangle their legs together. “Not really?”

“Are you nervous?”

“Why would I be nervous?”

“I am,” Taehyung mumbles. “I mean, it’s stupid, you know. I've had plenty of friends over, girls even. I’ve slept beside them, but I've never felt quite like this. Maybe it's because we're… like love rivals or whatever, that sleeping next to you feels strange.”

“I’ve only ever slept beside Yoongi.”

Taehyung chuckles, shifting closer. “Obviously.”

Jungkook swallows, the heat from Taehyung’s body seeping into his skin. “I’m nervous too,” he finally admits, voice barely above a whisper. He’s glad he’s not feeling this alone. The proximity between them is becoming overwhelming the more he notices it.

“Let’s talk about something then. What are your future plans?”

Jungkook takes a breath. “I wanna go pro. I wanna pursue basketball professionally. There’s a summer program… I wanna try to get into that. Or the summer league in the US. I feel like… basketball’s the only thing I’m really good at,” he says softly. “So I can’t lose that.”

“That’s not true,” Taehyung says immediately. “I feel like you’re good at everything you do.”

“Like?”

“Like cooking for starters.”

Jungkook snorts. “Yeah, right.”

“I’m not even kidding. That kimchi fried rice you made for me was the best thing I’ve ever had in my life. I would’ve kissed your hands if we were on better terms,” Taehyung laughs. “Also, you’re good at… a lot of things, actually. You’re good at remembering the little things about people, and you have this way of explaining things without making anyone feel stupid. You’re good at math, at every single class you’re taking in college. Your grades are phenomenal, Jungkook. You work hard for the things you want. So don’t say basketball’s the only thing you’ve got, because that’s not true. You’re… kind of good at life, Jungkook-ie.”

Jungkook finally looks at him, and the sincerity in his eyes really catches him off guard. He can’t breathe for a second. “Thank you, Tae.”

“Is that why you work so hard?”

Jungkook nods. “Yeah. I guess I’ve just always been scared of failing. I thought if I let myself get distracted, I’d lose everything I’ve worked for—my scholarship, my dreams. And somewhere in all that, I think I stopped living. Until you showed up.”

Taehyung smiles. “I’m glad I did. I really hope all your dreams come true. And even if they don’t, I know you’ll still go far. I hope you're still happy because you deserve it all.”

“So… Soo-min too?” Jungkook jokes.

But Taehyung’s face falls.

Something unreadable flashes in his eyes as he asks, “She’s your dream?”

“No. I was just kidding, silly.”

“Oh.”

Jungkook clears his throat, trying to change the subject. “What about you? What are your future plans?”

“I have no plans, actually,” Taehyung admits after a moment. “It’s kinda embarrassing, but I’m just going with the flow. I’ll go wherever life takes me.”

“You’re so charming, I’m sure you’ll be just fine,” Jungkook murmurs. “You’re effortlessly good at anything you do.”

“I’m charming?” Taehyung grins, shifting closer.

Jungkook rolls his eyes and looks away. There’s not much space to move anymore. “I’ve said it once, I won’t say it again. I’m not gonna stroke your ego.”

There’s a shift in the air, and the tension between them becomes undeniable. Jungkook can’t bring himself to look at Taehyung because he knows he’s close—too close. Instead, he rolls over to face the wall, his heart racing and his ears ringing with each beat. The room is cool due to the air conditioning, but he feels hot. His palms are damp, his skin tingling in a way that makes him acutely aware of every inch separating them.

“Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung mumbles.

“Hm?”

“Can I touch you?” 

Jungkook sucks in a sharp breath. “What?”

“I wanna cuddle.”

The words hang in the air.

Jungkook doesn’t reply immediately. His eyes squeeze shut, and his mind races. He should say no, play it safe. He can’t let things get awkward or complicated between them. But a part of him is curious—so fucking curious about what it’d feel like to have Taehyung pressed up against him now that he doesn’t hate him anymore. Whether he's solid and warm. Whether he fits perfectly against Taehyung's body and into his arms. Whether Taehyung’s heart is beating just as fast too.

He wants Taehyung to hold him, more than he’s willing to admit. More than he thought he ever would.

Maybe it’s because he’s so touch-starved. Or because Taehyung is the first person he’s ever truly felt connected to, in a way that goes deeper than words, deeper than friendship.

“Fine,” Jungkook whispers, barely audible.

He holds his breath as Taehyung shifts closer and closer, until his chest presses flush against his back. Their bodies fit together so perfectly that Jungkook's heart skips a beat. Taehyung's warm breath fans across his nape, raising goosebumps on his skin. The heat radiating from him is both comforting and electric. His arm snakes around Jungkook’s waist, hand splaying flat against his stomach as he pulls him back with a jerk, somehow even closer to him.

He finally feels Taehyung's heart, and it’s racing, beating just as fast and hard as his. Perhaps even more.

“Fuck. You feel nice,” Taehyung whispers, his voice low and gravelly, rumbling through him. Jungkook can feel it in his bones.

Jungkook hums.

He can’t bring himself to relax.

Taehyung's hand moves around until his fingers find the hem of Jungkook's t-shirt and easily slips under. His fingertips are cold, and the moment they come in contact with Jungkook’s bare skin, he flinches. 

“Taehyung!” Jungkook gasps.

Taehyung chuckles, pressing his nose against his nape. “Sorry. I’m kinda cold. You’re warm. And you smell like my shampoo but it’s somehow different,” he pauses, breathing him in, “better.”

“Am I your own personal heater?” Jungkook huffs.

“Maybe.”

Jungkook sinks his teeth into his lower lip as he feels Taehyung’s hand inch further up under his t-shirt. It’s slow, tentative, careful—like he’s waiting for Jungkook to tell him to stop or to push him away. But Jungkook doesn’t because it feels nice. He likes the way Taehyung’s fingers explore, tracing the dips and ridges of his stomach and caressing the slight curve of his ribs. 

Soon, his hand creeps higher. 

His fingers pause for a beat before brushing lightly against Jungkook’s nipple.

Jungkook jolts, sucking in a sharp breath. His hand flies up and curls around Taehyung's arm, but he doesn't push him away, he just holds on. 

Like he needs to ground himself.

Realising that Jungkook is not going to stop him, Taehyung grows bolder. He slowly circles his fingertip around the bud, flicking it repeatedly and scratching it with his blunt nail until it hardens beneath his touch. Electric heat sparks through the point of contact, and Jungkook finds himself pressing into the touch and arching instinctively.

And then, Taehyung pinches the nipple hard, rubbing and twisting it between his fingers. 

“Ngh.” 

Jungkook sinks his teeth into his lower lip, biting down to hold back a moan. Taehyung’s lips brush over his nape, pressing a few featherlight kisses before parting for an open-mouthed one. He feels his tongue licking, then teeth biting.

It’s gonna leave a mark.

He really should push Taehyung away but he likes this. He fucking likes this. He wants more. 

His toes curl, thighs press together and it’s then he realises that he’s hard. 

Oh fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. 

Just as Taehyung’s hand stops toying with his nipples and begins its slow descent down his torso, Jungkook abruptly sits up. “Uh, I need to go to the bathroom—” he begins, but Taehyung yanks him back down with a rough jerk.

Taehyung presses his hand against his chest, pinning him in place. “You’re hard, aren’t you?” 

Jungkook winces. 

“Do you want me to give you a hand?” 

Jungkook’s head whips to look at Taehyung, and he finds a lazy, mischievous smile playing on his lips and eyes glinting in the dark. “Are you crazy?” 

“It’s normal between friends.” 

They both know it’s not. 

If Jungkook ever offered to give Yoongi a hand, he’d kill him. Literally. 

“Kook-ah.” 

Jungkook swallows. 

“It happens all the time in the military. Everybody’s pent up there.” 

“You’re lying.” 

Taehyung pauses, then laughs. “Yeah, probably.” 

Jungkook’s lips twitch into a smile. “You wanna touch me that bad?” 

Taehyung hums. “So bad.” 

Jungkook hesitates. 

Taehyung lifts his hand. “But if you don't want me to, that's okay. You can go to the bathroom—” 

“Fine.” 

“What?” 

“You can… give me a hand.” 

“Really?”

“Yeah. But it’s only a one-time thing.” 

Taehyung nods quickly. “Of course, definitely.” 

“Okay.” 

“I’m gonna touch you now. Please let me know if you want to stop or if you feel uncomfortable. If you don't like anything—”

“I'll be fine," Jungkook says, interrupting Taehyung's rambling. “Just get to it, oh my God. You’re making me fucking nervous.” 

Taehyung lets out a small laugh before reaching out. He starts by teasing, his fingers tracing the outline of Jungkook’s cock through the fabric. Jungkook hisses, an impatient sound slipping past his lips. Taehyung smirks, then closes his hand over his clothed cock, squeezing around the length between his fingers and rubbing it up and down. 

Jungkook flinches as his breath gets caught in his throat. He’s only ever been the one to touch himself so this feels new—feels nice. Taehyung’s fingers are long and slender; they curl and press just right. The drag of his palm through the fabric makes Jungkook shiver, heat pooling low in his belly. He clenches his teeth to keep all of the sounds that are about to escape inside. Taehyung moves slow, as if he's learning what Jungkook likes, what makes him gasp and twitch his hips up for more.

“You okay?” 

“Mmhm.” Jungkook’s eyes flutter. 

“Can I…” 

“Yes.” 

Taehyung slips his hand into Jungkook’s shorts, curling his fingers around his cock before finally taking it out.

Jungkook’s hand flies up to clutch the pillow under his head. He can’t look at himself—he just feels so shy. His face burns hotter than his body. His heart races. He wants to look at Taehyung, to see how he’s looking at him, to know what he’s thinking, but he’s too scared. All he can do is hear Taehyung’s ragged breathing right against his ear. The chill in the air makes him shiver, his cock twitches, while the warmth of Taehyung’s touch sets sparks racing along every nerve in his body.

“Jungkook-ie,” Taehyung whispers, lips brushing against the shell of Jungkook’s ear. He momentarily lets go of Jungkook’s cock to lick a broad stripe of his palm before wrapping his hand around him again. He strokes him slowly, lazily, from the base to the tip and then back down. His fingers keep curling tighter and tighter. “You’re so cute.”

A breathy laugh escapes Jungkook’s lips immediately. “You’re not calling me cute with my dick in your hand.”

“But you are. You don’t even realise. Soo-min thinks so too.”

Jungkook's face twists. “Please… let's not talk about Soo-min.”

“She’d kill to see you like this,” Taehyung murmurs, catching his lobe between his teeth. He bites just enough to make Jungkook jerk, then sucks apologetically. “Your ears are red.” His thumb circles the tip relentlessly before digging into the slit.

“Ngh,” Jungkook moans, toes curling in pleasure.

He’s glad it’s dark. He’d die from embarrassment otherwise.

“I’m gonna make you bust the biggest nut ever,” Taehyung promises. 

Just as he starts stroking him faster, Jungkook’s hand shoots out to stop him. “Wait.” 

Taehyung freezes. 

Jungkook finally turns to look at him. His eyes widen slightly when he realizes their faces are inches apart—so close that he can count Taehyung's lashes. So close that if he leans in just a little, their lips will touch. 

“I wanna do it together with you.” 

Taehyung inhales. “What?” 

Jungkook’s lips twitch. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you’re hard too. And you’ve been pressing up against my thigh for a while now.”

Taehyung’s gaze drops, cheeks flushing. “Oh. Sorry.”

“So let's do it together. It’s normal between friends, right?” 

It’s not. 

It’s fucking not. 

“Yeah,” Taehyung replies, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Obviously.” 

They face each other. 

Jungkook swallows hard, his hand trembling slightly as his fingers skim down Taehyung’s body, stopping at the hem of his shorts. He pauses for a second there before tugging at the drawstrings. The knot loosens easily. He slips his hand inside and wraps his fingers around Taehyung’s cock, slowly taking it out.

He stares at it. 

Feels it throb in his touch, hot and heavy in his palm. He’s only touched himself so this—this feels new, strange. But he doesn’t hate it. In fact, he likes the way it makes Taehyung react. The way he flinches, his body going rigid as he sucks in a sharp breath.

“Fuck. Jungkook—shit.” 

“What?” 

Jungkook starts stroking him, building up to a pace that pulls low, breathy noises out of Taehyung that make his stomach tighten. He lets them fuel him, guide him, learning exactly what Taehyung likes—tighter grip near the base, slower drag up, the way his hips jerk when Jungkook’s thumb brushes the tip.

He pushes closer until his cock rubs against Taehyung’s, sparking friction with every movement. They moan in unison, fingers nearly intertwining as they wrap around themselves and move together in perfect sync.

“Have you done this before?” 

“No,” Taehyung replies. “Definitely not.” 

Their hands pick up the pace, moving faster and tighter. Their faces hover close, eyes locked, lips inches apart. Jungkook keeps finding his gaze drawn to Taehyung’s lips, and he has to force it up again and again. They moan into each other’s mouth as Jungkook feels Taehyung’s warm breath on his lips, mingling with his. The heat radiating from his body, as well as his fucking scent fills all of his senses. It's dizzying.

Jungkook only realizes he’s bucking his hips forward when he feels Taehyung doing the same. The friction builds, burns, sending jolts of pleasure straight to his core. It’s hot and wet, and the squelching noises that fill the room are downright obscene. 

“Fuck, Jungkook—” 

“Tae—” 

“Let’s come together.” 

And they do.

Their hips jerk, breaths stuttering as their hands get covered with thick, sticky white. It's messy and filthy, but they don't stop—keep stroking until the edge fades. Until their vision clears, and the fog lifts.

Jungkook feels a flicker of panic hit him immediately, rising as fast as he comes down from the high. Taehyung stares at him, face mostly blank, but his eyes pool with an emotion Jungkook can’t name. Before he can spiral under the weight of what they’ve just done and how it’ll affect their friendship, Taehyung moves. He grabs some tissues from the nightstand and cleans them up. 

“I’m gonna sleep now,” Jungkook says, turning to face the wall again. 

This time when Taehyung tangles their legs together, wraps an arm around his waist, and presses closer, he doesn’t ask. 

Jungkook doesn’t push him away either. 

+

“How’d they sneak a dog in?”

Taehyung laughs. “I don’t fucking know.”

Jimin huffs, taking a seat beside him on the bench. “How’s the progress with Soo-min?”

Taehyung hums absentmindedly, though he isn’t paying attention to Jimin at all. His entire focus is on Jungkook, who’s running around the court with the small white dog in tow, making it jump, spin, and run alongside him. The sound of Jungkook’s giggles carries all the way to Taehyung. It’s bright and infectious, and Taehyung can’t help but smile too. His chest feels light, warm, and full. He notices the way Jungkook’s hair falls into his face, and the grin that hasn’t left his lips since his eyes landed on the little white fluff-ball. Miri.

“Tae.”

Taehyung finally turns to look at Jimin. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Jimin’s lips press into a thin line. “Soo-min.”

“What about her?”

“How’s it going with her?”

Taehyung frowns. “Like it usually goes?”

“And with Jungkook?”

Taehyung doesn’t immediately reply, instead his eyes find Jungkook again. He’s lying on the ground now and Miri’s on top of him, licking his face as he laughs. He’s trying to get her off him, but not really. “It’s fine.”

“Mhhm. I noticed how you two came together today,” Jimin says.

“Uh-huh.”

“And I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that t-shirt on you before.”

Taehyung blinks. “Yeah. We were playing a game, and it got late so he slept over.”

His lips curl into a frown as he notices Soo-min walk onto the court. Her hair is tied into a high ponytail that bounces with each step and swishes against her back. She’s wearing casuals today—a black crop top and baggy jeans. Taehyung knows she has no cheerleading practice today, so she's come specifically to see Jungkook. And, sure enough, she heads straight to him.

“So, did you—” Jimin begins.

“Wait!” Taehyung shuts him up. Instead, he strains his ears to catch what Soo-min is saying.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” 

Jungkook pushes himself up, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “What—oh, um, yeah. I’m good. Sleeping helped.”

“That’s great,” Soo-min says. “Though I’m bummed you couldn’t make it though. You would’ve loved my shrimp risotto.”

Jungkook smiles. “Next time.”

Miri jumps on his lap, wriggling excitedly to get his attention. Jungkook laughs, leaning down to cup her face between his hands and nuzzle into her fur. “Yes, yes. I’ll play with you.” 

Soo-min’s eyes narrow. “Hey, what’s that on the back of your neck? It looks like a…” she trails off.

Jungkook’s hand immediately flies up, fingers brushing over his nape. It takes him a second to register what she’s seeing, and when he does, his eyes widen adorably.

Taehyung’s heart jumps.

Jungkook glances at him.

Their eyes meet.

The corner of Taehyung’s lips twitch into a smirk, and Jungkook quickly looks away. He fumbles. “Uh, I scratched it real bad. I should put a bandage over it.”

“Yeah, it looks like a bruise.”

“Oh.”

“Do you want me to?”

“Nah, I’ll do it later.”

Taehyung lets out a soft groan, dropping his head into his hands. “I’m fucked, Jimin.”

Jimin blinks in confusion. “What?” 

“I like him. I fucking like him. Jungkook.”

There’s a sharp gasp. “What? Dude—”

“Yeah. I’m so fucked.”

“Shit.”

“I’ve realised that I keep getting jealous of Soo-min. I want her to just… disappear. I’m really fucked.”

“Oh, you are. What’re you gonna do now?”

Taehyung huffs, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t even know.” He pauses, chewing on his lip, then sighs. “Well… I do have a small plan. I’m planning to win so Soo-min will be mine. I’ll date her for a few weeks, keep things casual, and then—well, I’ll break up with her. Jungkook definitely won’t go after her, like bro code or whatever. After that, I’ll shoot my shot on him, and pray it, um, lands.”

“That’s a horrible plan!” Jimin hisses. “There are so many things that can go wrong here.”

Taehyung winces. “I know it’s kinda messy and manipulative, but I don’t see another way.” 

“First of all, you don’t even know if Jungkook is even inclined that way.” 

“He might be.” 

“How do you know that?” 

Taehyung glances at him. “Well, something happened last night.” 

Jimin’s eyes pop. “You guys fucked?” He cries.

“No!” Taehyung groans, blood rushing to his face. “We just gave each other a hand.” 

“Oh my god.” 

“It’s not a big deal.” 

“Oh my god!”

“Do you think I have a chance?” Taehyung mumbles. 

“You might if you play your cards right.”

+

The days pass by in a blur.

Their routine becomes an endless cycle that none of them can escape. With every game they win, the expectations increase and practice becomes more intense. It becomes so difficult to juggle that with a full day of classes that by the end of the day, they have no energy left to do anything but get home and crash on their beds. Still, no one complains because the more they win, the more they have to lose.

The pressure to keep winning grows.

The practice sessions get longer, more gruelling, and punishing. The coach keeps pushing them harder and harder, and they let him because they’ve come too far to turn back now. Nobody wants to fall short after working so hard for so long.

Eventually, they get there—make it to the finals.

Against Yonsei.

Taehyung doesn’t make another move on Jungkook.

After that night, their relationship stays mostly the same—at least on the surface. But beneath it, something shifts. Sometimes, they’re painfully aware of each other’s presence, and it’s like every emotion between them has been amplified. Taehyung tries to act as if nothing’s changed, but he catches Jungkook getting unnecessarily flustered at things he never used to blink at. Taehyung can’t flirt as easily anymore either, because it sparks a kind of tension between them that neither of them is ready to acknowledge. 

Jungkook tries to play it cool, but his words trip over themselves when Taehyung gets too close. His ears go red, his eyes dart away, and his laugh comes out a beat too fast, too thin. Whenever their bodies accidentally touch—or even brush, Jungkook jolts away like an electric current hits him. He flinches. 

Taehyung catches him staring sometimes. Not openly. Just quick, stolen glances when Taehyung is busy with something else. A flash of wide eyes that look away the second he turns his head. And other times, Jungkook seems to avoid looking at him at all, like eye contact alone is too much.

Taehyung tries to act casual. Like he isn’t itching to touch Jungkook most of the time. Like he isn’t fighting the urge to bury his fingers in Jungkook’s hair and kiss him silly. Sometimes the want is so strong that he finds himself staring at Jungkook’s lips without even realizing it. Maybe Jungkook notices but pretends not to. Jimin definitely does—he has to literally snap Taehyung out of it.

He resists the instinct to hold Jungkook’s waist when he’s standing behind him or intertwine their fingers when they’re walking side by side. He keeps his hands to himself, and it’s definitely more difficult than winning a match. He sometimes slips; tucks a few strands of hair behind Jungkook’s ear, or places a hand on his thigh, or lets his fingers linger a beat too long when he passes him a water bottle. 

He’s only human after all.

Despite everything, they still spend a lot of time together.

They just skirt around each other. Never quite crossing the line again.

Jungkook gets closer to Soo-min, obviously. It's inevitable given how shamelessly she chases after him every chance she gets. Taehyung can’t help but get stupidly, unfairly jealous every single time—but he never lets it show. It’s easier because Jungkook always keeps him in the loop about everything they do. He’ll mention the places they go, the conversations they have, the food they eat, even the time he gets home. He doesn’t ignore Taehyung when he’s hanging out with her—always replies to his texts. 

Jungkook is so honest, earnest and open about everything that Taehyung has no room to doubt him—no space to spiral and wonder if they’re doing more than talking.

Whenever Taehyung hangs out with Soo-min, they naturally end up talking about Jungkook. Now that the season’s coming to an end, Taehyung’s pretty sure she’s realized he isn’t interested in her anymore. She knows it’s the two of them competing for Jungkook now, and she also knows she has the upper hand.

The tables have turned.

The stakes are high.

Taehyung only has two weeks to figure things out before he loses Jungkook forever.

"Drink?"

Taehyung snaps out of his thoughts and looks up to see Jimin standing in front of him, a grin on his face and a red Solo cup in his hand. He offers it to Taehyung, who accepts it with a grateful smile. “Thanks.”

“You can't be zoning out at a party, dude,” Jimin says, taking a seat beside him on the couch.

Taehyung takes a sip. It's a blend of soju and beer that doesn't burn as much. “I’m just a little tired. The last couple of weeks were hell, but… we made it to the finals. So I’m here.”

One of the players on the team is loaded, and he’s turned his father’s villa into a private club exclusively for them. He's not a great player and hasn't been on the court much this season, but he's a narcissist who still sees himself as an important part of the team. He's gone all out on food, drinks, music, and the overall vibe. The entire school’s invited, even people who don’t give two shits about basketball. They’re just here for the free alcohol. 

"Liar," Jimin quips. “You’re just here because Jungkook’s coming as well.”

Taehyung bites back a smile. “He was the driving factor, I admit.”

Jimin stares at him for a beat. “What’s gonna happen now? Between the two of you once the games are over?”

Taehyung feels his mood dim again. “I don’t fucking know. I’m too scared to talk to him about it. I honestly wish I didn’t like him that much so I could just… give up.” His fingers curl tightly around the cup. “But I do—I like him a lot. Definitely a lot more than I first admitted I do to you.”

“Are you still gonna go forward with your little plan?”

“Yeah. I don’t have another choice.”

“It’s messy.

“I know.”

“Can’t you just tell him how you feel?”

Taehyung scoffs. “Not unless I’m certain he likes me more than her. Even if he does, is he ready to be in a relationship with a guy? He has big plans, Jimin. He wants to go pro. He wants to join a summer program in the US. He’s got everything lined up. I just don’t know where I’d fit in all that.” Taehyung frowns, and he swallows hard. “I can’t see myself in his life after this, and it breaks me. Sometimes he feels like a dream I’ll eventually have to wake up from. Sometimes he feels like a star I can’t reach. It’s so complicated Jimin.”

Jimin bumps his shoulder gently. “You’re overthinking a lot of this.”

Taehyung lets out a helpless laugh. “I can’t help it. I just really want…” He trails off, eyes squeezing shut in frustration. Words scrape against the back of his teeth—want him. Want him to be mine so bad. But he can’t say it. 

Before Jimin can reply, Hoseok’s loud voice cuts in. 

“Oh! Jungkook—here!” 

Taehyung’s head snaps up so fast he feels the pull at the back of his neck, eyes darting—searching in a way he can’t control. 

And then they land on him.

Jungkook.

He’s dressed casually, but somehow that only makes it worse. Better. Impossible to look away from. A colour-blocked leather jacket with bold stripes of red, white, and dark gray hangs from his shoulders. Underneath, he’s wearing a plain white t-shirt tucked into light gray jeans. His hair is lightly curled at the tips, like he spent some time styling it. He doesn’t look striking, but he still manages to make Taehyung’s breath hitch.

And then—Jungkook smiles.

Small. Bright. Effortless.

The kind of smile that knocks the air right out of Taehyung’s lungs every damn time. Taehyung’s heart skips, slamming against his ribcage like it wants to escape and jump over to Jungkook.

“Hi, guys!”

Jungkook’s eyes meet his.

Taehyung almost unconsciously reaches his hand out, like he wants Jungkook to come to him. It’s only when his arm is already fully outstretched that he comes back to himself—far too late to pretend it wasn’t intentional.

Everybody’s looking.

Fuck.

He is about to drop his hand when Jungkook comes to him, making his way straight towards him until he is close enough for Taehyung to wrap his hand around his waist and pull him in. Guide him into the little space on the couch between the armrest and Taehyung himself. It’s tight—forcing Jungkook to end up more on his lap than on the couch. “What took you so long?”

Jungkook glances at him. “Had to pick up Soo-min on the way here. It was a detour.”

There it is again.

The jealousy. Rising up his throat and filling his mouth like bile. His stomach twists. His chest tightens. He forces his expression to stay neutral, even though his pulse kicks up angrily. “Oh.”

“Yeah, we came in together but I don’t know—she disappeared to find her friends.”

Taehyung hums, deciding not to say anything because he knows if he does, he's going to sound angry, bitter, and jealous. Perhaps even upset. Instead, he offers him the drink he's already had. “Drink?”

Jungkook accepts it. Takes a sip, then makes a face.

Taehyung laughs. “What?”

“I think I should stay away from alcohol tonight.”

“It’s okay. I won’t let you give these people a strip show.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “Shut up.”

“And I’m forgotten,” Jimin mumbles from beside him. He gets up, brushing imaginary dust off his pants. Louder, he says, “I’m gonna go find Yoongi.”

The space beside Taehyung is empty now, and he knows he can move to give Jungkook more room—but he doesn't. He likes how they’re pressed together, how he can smell Jungkook’s cologne with every breath he takes and feel the warmth of his body seeping into his. He likes the weight of Jungkook leaning into him as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

They talk about random things for what feels like forever, sharing a single cup between them. For a moment, Taehyung feels truly happy. He forgets all his worries and just basks in Jungkook’s presence. In the present. In the way Jungkook’s voice dips when he’s teasing, in the way he bumps his shoulder against Taehyung’s when he laughs, in the way he stays close.

At one point, Jungkook throws a leg over Taehyung’s thighs to get comfortable and Taehyung absentmindedly starts playing with Jungkook’s hair. They must look intimate, because the moment the music gets louder and people start moving to the dance floor, Soo-min shows up.

Taehyung suppresses a sigh.

She’s wearing a sparkly champagne colored mini dress with thin straps that has a soft, shimmer. It hugs her curves and flares slightly at the hem. She’s paired it with a silver necklace that catches light with every little movement. Her hair cascades down her shoulders in loose curls, and she’s easily the most beautiful girl at the party. 

But it doesn’t matter because she’s definitely not as easy to fall for as Jungkook is.

“Hi, Taehyung-ie!”

Taehyung forces a smile.

Soo-min’s eyes shift to Jungkook and she reaches a hand out to him. “Wanna dance?”

Finally, Taehyung shifts—moves away until their bodies are no longer touching. He’s suddenly cold, with the warmth gone now. He feels Jungkook hesitate and even glance at him, but he doesn’t meet his eyes. Even though he wants to swat Soo-min’s hand away, to wrap his arms around Jungkook and hide him from her. To hiss a “no!” 

He knows he can’t do that. 

If Jungkook wants to dance with her, he should. Taehyung wants him to stay because he wants to, not because he has to or because it’s the right thing.

When Jungkook still doesn’t reply, Soo-min laughs. “You’re the first guy who’s making me wait so long.”

Jungkook lets out a small laugh. “I suck at dancing.”

You don’t, Taehyung wants to say. You’re good at it, just like you’re good at everything you do.

Soo-min doesn’t let that faze her. Instead, she smirks. “I’ll teach you then. Just tell me what kind you wanna learn? Contemporary, ballroom, hip-hop… dirty?”

Taehyung grinds his teeth. He takes a sip of his drink and forces himself to swallow. He wishes it was stronger, that it could drown the burn in his chest. Then, from the corner of his eye, he sees Jungkook sliding his hand into hers and standing up.

It feels like a punch.

“I’ll be right back,” Jungkook murmurs.

Taehyung doesn’t reply. Instead, he downs the rest of his drink in one go, crushing the cup in his hand before tossing it onto the table. And then, he stands up and approaches the next prettiest girl he sees in the crowd, asking her to dance. And, of course, she agrees—everyone always does.

They like him, everyone except Jungkook.

Jungkook likes him too, perhaps just not in the way Taehyung wants him to. Not enough. Not fucking enough to turn down Soo-min because he'd rather spend time with him.

Fuck.

Taehyung takes the girl to the dance floor. She tells him her name, but he can’t remember it; it slips past him the second it reaches his ears. The music is too loud, his head’s somewhere else. The lights flash across the room, cutting across faces, over bodies, and he feels the thump of the beat deep in his chest. He doesn’t recognise the song playing but it’s fast, jumpy and momentarily it’s enough to make him forget. He doesn’t touch her, just dances with her—close enough for their bodies to occasionally brush. 

Sweat drips down his brow.

His heart pumps faster.

As the minutes tick by, he’s more and more tempted to look at Jungkook. To just glance in his direction to make sure Soo-min’s not touching Jungkook the way he wants to touch him. He doesn’t. He resists the urge until the music drops to something slower.

He steps closer to the girl he’s dancing with—loosely resting his hands on her waist and letting her loop her arms around his neck and pull him in, down and closer. He looks into her eyes; they’re not as wide as Jungkook’s. They don’t hold the stars and the galaxies in them. He moves his body along with hers to the beat of the music, but his mind isn’t here. Every brush of her hip, every sigh in his ear, only reminds him of what he really wants—and what he can’t have.

Die For You by The Weekend starts playing.

Finally, Taehyung lifts his gaze and his eyes meet Jungkook’s.

You know what I’m thinkin’ see it in your eyes.
You hate that you want me, hate it when you cry.

He realises Jungkook’s already looking at him. His hands are on Soo-min’s waist, their bodies flush, but he’s looking at him. Staring. Eyes wide, unblinking. Hazy. Like Taehyung is the only thing in the room that exists.

You're scared to be lonely, 'specially in the night.

Taehyung’s throat tightens, heat prickling beneath his skin.

I'm scared that I'll miss you, happens every time.
I don't want this feelin', I can't afford love.

Taehyung looks away. Looks back, like he can’t stop himself. And Jungkook’s still staring at him.

I try to find a reason to pull us apart.

Jungkook’s foot slips; he almost steps on Soo-min’s toes. He mutters a rushed apology, eyes tearing away from Taehyung for a second—barely a second before it’s back on him. Soo-min follows the direction of his stare, slowly turning her head. Her gaze locks onto Taehyung.

And her expression ices over.

Without a word, she flips their position, angling Jungkook so she’s facing Taehyung now. Her chin lifts, her eyes narrowing with something territorial. 

It ain't workin' 'cause you're perfect
And I know that you're worth it

Soo-min’s hands slowly slide up Jungkook’s shoulders to cup his face. She looks at Taehyung first, then at Jungkook, and then—

I can't walk away.

She kisses him.

Taehyung stops breathing. 

He stops hearing the music at all. His mind blanks, his head starts spinning and he just freezes on the dance floor. Hurt, anger, jealousy, confusion—all his emotions crash over each other so violently he can’t separate them.

Finally, he tears his gaze away from them.

He doesn’t want to see if Jungkook pushes her away or kisses her back. He can’t.

Taehyung steps away from the girl he’s with, barely managing a quick apology that comes out thin, a ghost of a sound. His legs move before he can think. Out, out, out. The air is suddenly too thick to breathe, like staying for one more second might actually kill him.

He shoves past people, desperate to get away. To calm the violent pounding in his chest. To quiet the ringing in his ears. To scrub the image of Soo-min’s mouth on Jungkook out of his head, because it loops, again and again, until he feels sick. Until he genuinely thinks he might throw up. 

He heads for the backdoor. He doesn’t want to run into any of his friends. Doesn’t want questions or pity from Jimin. Doesn’t want to talk to anybody.

The door swings shut behind him.

And suddenly—all the noise fades.

It’s silent. 

The cool air hits him, and his eyebrows screw, his face crumpling for a fraction of a second before he forces it flat again. Forces everything down.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. 

He leans against the wall, shoulders slumping in defeat as he drags one shaky hand through his hair. The other fumbles in his pocket, finally pulling out a box of cigarettes and his lighter. He slips a stick between his lips and wastes no time lighting it. The first inhale stings, though not as much as seeing Soo-min kiss Jungkook.

It’s not enough, but it’s something. Enough to keep him standing. Enough to keep him from going back in there and doing something stupid like ripping Jungkook away from her. He’s going to have to get used to it. If his plan fails, if Jungkook actually wins and starts dating her. 

He needs to get used to it or he needs to cut Jungkook off. 

The door swings open again. 

Taehyung startles. 

“Fuck,” Jungkook pants, all breatheless like he’d been running. “I was looking for you everywhere. You can’t just disappear like that.” 

Taehyung looks away, and can’t help the scoff that immediately escapes his lips at that as he takes another drag. “So what? Did you want me to stand there and watch her kiss you? You wanted an audience?” 

He knows he’s being mean. Unreasonable. A pretty shitty friend considering it wasn’t Jungkook who made the first move, who kissed her, but he feels like shit and he’s not gonna pretend he doesn’t. The jealousy is choking him, and he’s too wrecked to swallow it down.

Jungkook’s lips curl into a frown. “Why are you talking to me like that? I wasn’t the one who kissed her.” 

“But you let it happen,” Taehyung says, nearly snapping. “You let her get close enough to kiss you.” 

“Like you weren’t doing the literal same thing with another girl,” Jungkook hisses, eyebrows screwing. 

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up, and a humorless laugh escapes his lips. “What dancing? Neither of us had feelings for each other though. Neither of us kissed,” he points out. He feels like he’s being too obvious now, with how upset he is. For all the reasons he shouldn’t be. “But whatever. It was just a kiss.” 

“I pushed her away though, didn’t you see that?” 

Taehyung shrugs. 

Jungkook’s face twists. “Taehyung.” 

“What?” 

“I’m sorry.” 

Taehyung exhales smoke. “Was that your first kiss?”

Jeongguk stares. “It wasn’t.” 

Taehyung looks away. Of course. Of course Jungkook has been with other people. 

“My first kiss was… you.” 

Taehyung’s head snaps to look at him, his eyes widening. He’s confused for a second—before he realizes what Jungkook’s talking about. 

Oh. 

Oh. 

Taehyung’s lips twitch. “You call that a kiss?” 

Jungkook shrugs. “Well, since you’re calling this one a kiss.” 

Taehyung’s eyes momentarily flicker to Jungkook’s lips, where he notices a bit of gloss. He realises it’s probably left by her and a fire sparks in his belly. He drops his cigarette on the ground and crushes it beneath his shoe before pushing off the wall and taking a step closer to Jungkook. “So… you’ve never kissed anyone before?” 

“Depends on what you call a kiss,” Jungkook replies, pupils shaking.

“You’ve never had anyone bite your lips? Or hold your jaw, force your mouth open, and slip their tongue inside like they’re starving for you? You’ve never had anyone taste you, or eat you up until you can’t think straight? You don’t know how good that feels?” 

Jungkook’s breath stutters. “No.” 

Taehyung’s eyes drop to Jungkook’s lips again. 

That fucking gloss. 

Fuck. 

“Let’s say you get her—Soo-min. What’re you gonna do next?” 

Jungkook’s eyebrows furrow in confusion. “What do you mean?” 

“It’s just a simple question, Jungkook.” 

“I-I’m gonna take her out on dates—” 

Taehyung cuts him off with an eye roll so dramatic it borders on cruel. “Yeah, yeah. You’ll take her out. You’ll make her feel cherished. You’ll buy her cute shit, whatever she’s craving that day, bring her flowers, be the best boyfriend alive. I get it. I know how you are.”

Jungkook swallows, throat bobbing.

“After that? Are you gonna fuck her?” Taehyung scorns, grabbing Jungkook and pushing him against the wall.

Jungkook sucks in a sharp breath. “Why are you asking me that?” 

“I’m just curious. You’re competing for her, right? Isn’t that the whole point? You want her. So I’m asking—what do you want her for, Jungkook?” Taehyung closes the distance inch by inch, until Jungkook has no space to move. Until Jungkook can’t look anywhere else but at him. Finally, Taehyung lifts his hand and presses his thumb against the corner of Jungkook's mouth before dragging it over his lips to wipe the gloss off. 

Much better.

Even though it's dark here, Taehyung can see the flush slowly rising on Jungkook’s cheeks. The glaze in his eyes. His chest rising and falling a little faster. 

Jungkook doesn’t reply. 

“You know what I’d do?” 

Jungkook stares. 

“I’d put my hands on her,” Taehyung says, voice dropping low enough to be obscene. “Not shy. Not gentle. Not sweet like you would be. I’d really touch her—grab her, pull her close, kiss her until she can’t breathe, and then fuck her. Hard and fast until she can’t remember anything but my name.” He sees Jungkook’s breath stutter—fast, panicked, aroused. He wants to touch him so bad but he doesn’t. Not yet. “You think you can do that? Sweet, innocent Jungkook-ie. You think you can make her feel as good?” 

Taehyung looks right into Jungkook’s eyes. 

Jungkook blinks rapidly, breathes. “I can. I may be inexperienced but I’m not innocent.” 

The corner of Taehyung’s lips curl into a smirk. “No? Then look me in the eyes,” he says, leaning close enough that Jungkook can feel his breath. “And tell me how you’d kiss her. How you’d fuck her. How you’d make her moan.”

Jungkook’s pupils tremble. His lips part slightly, but nothing comes out. 

“You can’t even say it,” Taehyung whispers. “And you think you can do it?”

“I—” 

“How about you show me instead?” 

Jungkook’s eyes widen. “What?” he asks breathlessly.

“Show me how you’d kiss her. Kiss me.” 

The line they’d been drawing over and over again between them starts to blur. Taehyung’s not thinking about the consequences. He’s not thinking straight at all. His pulse is loud in his ears, drowning out every rational thought. The only thing in his head right now is Jungkook. If there’s a chance he’ll have to let him go in the future, he’d at least momentarily—fleetingly have him right now. 

He’s being selfish. 

He’s being so fucking selfish but he doesn’t care. 

Jungkook looks like he’s at a war with himself—torn between right and wrong. Between wanting and running. His eyes flicker down to Taehyung’s mouth and then away, like the sight is too dangerous.

His voice breaks when he finally speaks. “I—I can’t.”

It’s so soft it almost sounds like it pains him to say it.

For half a second, Taehyung’s face goes still. Blank. But then, the ache breaks through and twists tight in his chest. He huffs out a sharp laugh as he takes a step back. “Of course. Of course, you can’t.” 

He feels stupid. So fucking stupid for letting himself believe Jungkook might want him too. Even a little. 

Enough to kiss him back.

Taehyung takes another step back, the space between them widening now. “Alright,” he says, trying to play it cool but his voice cracks. “Makes sense. You probably suck at kissing anyway. And I guess I’m right.” He lifts his chin, meeting Jungkook’s eyes with forced indifference, even though he feels like he’s moments away from shattering. “Can’t kiss. Can’t say what you want. Can’t do anything unless someone else tells you first.”

Jungkook’s eyes narrow. 

Taehyung feels his lips curling into a sneer. “Go run home and practice on your pillow. At least that won’t scare you, and you’ll be perfect by the time you get Soo-min. If you get her.” 

He’s about to turn around when Jungkook’s grabs the front of his t-shirt, pulls him in and—

Crashes their lips together. 

Taehyung’s eyes snap wide open, his heart lurches, and he barely braces his hands against the wall so as to keep from falling on Jungkook. It happens too fast. Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut as his lips press and tremble adorably against Taehyung's for only a few seconds before he pulls away.

“There.” 

Taehyung blinks because how on earth is that a kiss? How is that enough now that he knows how Jungkook’s lips feel against his? How can he just be satisfied with this? 

A laugh escapes his lips before he can stop it. “You call that a kiss?” 

“What—” 

Taehyung's hands shoot up to cup Jungkook’s face, holding his jaw just like he’d described earlier. He’s desperate, a little rough, a little possessive as he drags Jungkook back in and kisses him again. Properly this time. His fingers slip into Jungkook’s hair, tugging just hard enough to make Jungkook gasp and tilt his head, letting Taehyung press in deeper. It’s messy and hot and like everything he’s imagined. It’s even better. 

Jungkook's hands instinctively fly up, bunching the front of Taehyung’s t-shirt like he needs something to hold onto. He completely forgets how to breathe through his nose, and his face turns redder and redder until he’s forced to part his lips for air. Taehyung takes advantage of it and slips his tongue into Jungkook’s mouth, licking him, devouring him like he’s been starving for him. He suckles on Jungkook’s tongue filthily—sloppy and hungry. He wants to ruin him for everyone else. He kisses Jungkook as if he wants him to forget the feeling of Soo-min's lips on his and just remember him.

He wants Jungkook to remember this—the taste of him, the heat of him, the desperation to the point that whenever he kisses someone else, he thinks about Taehyung instead. Imagines him. Wants him.

Craves him.

When Taaehyung finally pulls back to look at Jungkook, his heart stutters to a stop and heat coils low in his stomach because Jungkook looks absolutely wrecked already. His face is flushed, hair messy, lips slightly swollen and spit slicked, and eyes all dazed. 

Jungkook pants, eyebrows furrowing like he’s confused. And then, his gaze lifts to him and he blinks. “What?” 

Taehyung licks his lips. “How’d that feel—” 

“Good.” 

Jungkook doesn’t even let him complete the question. 

Taehyung beams. “See, I told you—” 

Jungkook steps closer. “I want more.” 

Taehyung freezes. 

Now, he was okay with just a kiss. Not satisfied, but okay. He could’ve survived on that. Barely. But Jungkook can’t say things like that. Not when Taehyung is hanging on by a thread and barely holding back. Not when Taehyung wants to do much more than just kiss him. When he wants to mark his skin with his teeth and break him open. Ruin him in ways he can’t even imagine. 

“Are you drunk?” 

“No. Just a little tipsy,” Jungkook laughs, leaning in again, but Taehyung swiftly dodges him.

“Uh.”

Jungkook’s face visibly falls. 

“Not here,” Taehyung murmurs, and his words bring the light back in his eyes. “Come with me.” He reaches out and wraps his hand around Jungkook’s wrist, dragging him back into the villa. The music is back, louder than it felt before. Taehyung weaves through the crowd, cutting across the dance floor and heading straight for the staircase.

He catches Soo-min’s eyes from across the room. 

And then, despite everything, he smirks. 

Because she might have started the game and kissed Jungkook, but he’s gonna do much—much more than that to him. The ball’s in his court now, and he’s gonna make the winning shot. 

+

They find a room. 

Taehyung opens the door and yanks Jungkook in with him. As soon as Jungkook steps inside, Taehyung turns around and pushes him against the door before kissing him again. This time, he doesn’t leave an inch of distance between them; pressing their bodies flush together. His hands clamp around Jungkook’s waist, fingers digging in hard enough to bruise while Jungkook’s fingers bury into his hair to bring him even closer.

Jungkook opens his mouth eagerly, allowing Taehyung to slip his tongue inside. He tastes like soju and something sweet, and smells like black vanilla and smoked citrus, and it seems like a combination he could get addicted to.

They devour each other. Lips dragging, tongues sliding, breaths mixing hot and desperate. Jungkook makes a low sound—something deep, something he probably didn’t mean to let slip, and Taehyung feels it straight down his spine.

He can’t help it, he grips Jungkook even harder and bucks his hips forward, grinding against Jungkook’s crotch to show him exactly how worked up he already is. How badly he wants him. Needs him. Jungkook’s breath stutters, his fingers tightening in Taehyung’s hair as he presses back, hips instinctively rolling up to meet the friction.

They’re both hard at this point.

Far too gone to think straight.

Jungkook’s heart is pounding loud enough that Taehyung can almost feel it under his own ribs. Or maybe it’s his own. He can’t tell.

Taehyung drags his lips from Jungkook’s mouth to his cheek, tracing the sharp line of his jaw before dipping lower to kiss his neck. Jungkook lets out a soft sound, a borderline moan as his eyes fall shut. He throws his head back against the door, exposing more skin for Taehyung like he can’t help himself. Taehyung’s fingers slide up Jungkook’s arms and along his shoulders to push his jacket off, and Jungkook lets it happen—lets Taehyung do whatever he wants.

Taking advantage of just how pliant Jungkook is, Taehyung starts pressing open-mouthed kisses along the column of his throat. He bites lightly at Jungkook’s Adam’s apple, and then soothes it with a slow drag of his tongue. His lips move again, sucking hard enough that Jungkook will feel the marks tomorrow, maybe even see them.

“Jungkook,” Taehyung murmurs, one hand slipping under the hem of his t-shirt while the other hovers over his belt buckle. He comes up to look into Jungkook’s eyes as he asks, “Do you want this?”

Jungkook’s reply is immediate. “Yes.”

Taehyung swallows. “This won’t change anything between us, right?”

Now, Jungkook hesitates.

But Taehyung looks at him like he wants him to lie, so Jungkook does. “No. It won’t.”

They hold each other’s gaze for a beat.

They both know.

This is a really bad idea.

It is.

“Come,” Taehyung drags Jungkook further into the room. They stumble in the dark, kicking off their shoes and using the faint moonlight from the window to guide them to the bed. He pushes Jungkook onto the mattress and climbs on top, straddling him. He holds Jungkook’s gaze as he shrugs off his jacket and slowly pulls his t-shirt over his head.

Jungkook stares. Wide-eyed. Almost fascinated.

And then—almost as if he’s in a trance he reaches out to touch him. His fingers skim over his waist first, tracing the hard lines of his stomach before his palms flatten almost greedily over warm skin as he starts dragging them up. He feels the heat of Taehyung’s skin, the faint flex of muscle beneath it, and then he stops over Taehyung’s heart just to feel how hard it’s beating.

Taehyung lets him.

Lets Jungkook make sure he’s touching him. 

Touching a man.

Jungkook’s eyes flick up to his face, and he looks at him like he wants Taehyung to come closer so he does. He leans down just enough for Jungkook to grab his shoulders and pull him in for yet another kiss. This one is different. Soft. Sweet. Unhurried. Their lips slide together slowly, like they have time now. Taehyung nips and suckles at Jungkook’s lower lip, pausing just long enough to draw a small gasp from him, before sliding his tongue inside, exploring him.

His hands slip under the hem of Jungkook’s t-shirt to touch him too. He’s not slow or exploratory or even experimental like Jungkook had been—they’re greedy, touching him everywhere, holding his thin waist and pressing against his ribs and then inching further up to his pecs. He drags the fabric of his t-shirt up until it’s bunched near his neck before pulling away from the kiss.

Jungkook almost whines at the loss.

Without breaking eye contact, Taehyung slowly lowers himself and wraps his lips around Jungkook’s nipple. 

Jungkook sucks in a sharp breath, his back arching against the bed as his hands press into Taehyung’s shoulders, not to push him away, but as if to ground himself against the overwhelming sensation. “Wait—” 

Taehyung smirks.

So he’s sensitive here, huh?

He relentlessly flicks his tongue over the bud and circles it with the wet tip until Jungkook’s squirming beneath him. When Taehyung finally takes the nipple back in his mouth and lightly grazes his teeth over the sensitive peak, Jungkook pushes his chest with a soft moan. And when he bites down just enough, Jungkook jolts, a full-bodied shudder rippling through him.

“What the fuck—”

Taehyung looks up. “Sorry. Did that hurt?”

Jungkook flushes. Sinks his teeth into his lower lip and shakes his head. “N-Not really.”

Taehyung smiles. 

His hand comes up to play with Jungkook’s other nipple, rubbing over the bud and rolling it between his fingers until it’s hard and pert. He pinches with just the right amount of pressure, all while toying with the nipple in his mouth. He licks, sucks, and bites it with his teeth just enough to drive Jungkook wild.

Jungkook’s body responds well—hips twitching, back arching, hands gripping at Taehyung’s shoulders and burying into his hair as if holding on for dear life. It’s almost too much for him. He’s rock hard in his jeans, and his hips are bucking instinctively against Taehyung’s stomach, seeking friction, needing more.

He’s so pretty, Taehyung thinks, heat pooling in his chest. Everything about him is addicting. The way his body feels under Taehyung’s mouth, the little noises that escape his lips that he tries so hard to hold back. The way he wants more but he’s just too fucking shy to ask. Now that Taehyung’s had a taste of him, now that Taehyung has him beneath him and he knows what he feels like—he doesn’t want to share. Doesn’t want anyone else to have him.

He doesn’t want Jung Soo-min to have him.

Taehyung trails his mouth down Jungkook’s body, tongue dragging and lips leaving open-mouthed kisses along the way. He reaches the waistband of Jungkook’s jeans and pauses, fingers brushing over the belt buckle, thumb teasing the skin beneath. When he looks up, Jungkook is already staring at him, eyes dark and hooded with arousal.

And perhaps a need he’s likely never felt before.

A dam has been broken.

“Can I suck you off?” Taehyung asks bluntly. He’s too horny to beat around the bush. He wants Jungkook, and he wants Jungkook to know exactly how badly. He looks painfully cute like this—round eyes blown wide, cheeks flushed, t-shirt bunched up near his neck, and nipples still red and swollen from all the abuse. Taehyung wants his mouth on them again, but perhaps not as much as he wants his mouth on Jungkook’s cock so he waits for his response.

Then, finally, Jungkook exhales. “Yes,” he says shyly. “You’re gonna—gonna be my first. Everything. I know you’re pretty experienced, but I’m not. I’ve never…”

There’s a vulnerability in his voice that makes Taehyung’s heart skip. He wants to reassure him immediately, so he smiles. “You’re gonna be my first too. First guy. I’ve never given a blowjob before, so I’m sure I’m gonna suck at it. Luckily you’ve got nothing to compare me to,” he jokes.

Jungkook breaks into a laugh. “You’re an idiot.”

“I’ll try to make you feel good.”

“You better.”

Taehyung laughs. “You try not to come the second I put my mouth on you,” he says, fingers already working at Jungkook’s belt. He pops the button open, and unzips his jeans before hooking his fingers in. He hesitates for only a heartbeat before pulling everything down in one go.

“No promises,” Jungkook says softly, sucking in a sharp breath when his cock springs free and twitches from the cold air. Taehyung helps him out of his jeans completely, then settles between his legs and just stares. 

There’s silence. 

It seems almost too much for Jungkook to bear because he whines. “Tae, come on,” he mumbles, throwing his arm over his eyes. 

“What?”

“Stop looking.”

“It’s dark, I can’t see anything.”

That’s a lie. His eyes adjusted long ago, and he can see everything.

He can see Jungkook’s entire body flushing pink with heat, the color blooming across his chest and up his throat. He can see his neatly trimmed pubic hair and just how hard he is—cockhead swollen and tip glistening with pre-cum. He can see the pulsing veins running down the shaft. He can see his stomach, his thighs flexing with the strain of holding it in.

He’s beautiful like this. Nervous. Completely bare. And trying so hard not to fall apart before Taehyung even touches him.

“Liar,” Jungkook mumbles, then peeks at him. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

Taehyung’s eyes flick up to him. “Why? “I’m not straight. You are. So if anyone’s gonna back out, it’s probably gonna be you. If you don’t want me to do this, you should tell me.”

Jungkook blinks. “You’re not straight?”

“I don’t label myself,” Taehyung says coolly. Then adds, “I’ve only been with girls though.”

Jungkook’s lips press into a thin, unimpressed line.

Taehyung laughs. “Okay, sorry. I’ll get to it before you go soft.”

He reaches out and wraps his hand around Jungkook’s cock, stroking him slowly with a loose fist. Jungkook’s breath stutters immediately—his chest rising and falling faster as his eyes glaze over in anticipation. He’s clearly never had anyone touch him. 

Taehyung can feel him throbbing into his palm, heat pulsing through every vein. It’s a little surprising; how different it feels from touching himself. He drags his fist up again, then brushes his thumb over the swollen head—smearing the bead of pre-cum there. 

Jungkook jerks instantly, a choked sound ripping out of him.

“Ngh.”

Taehyung smirks, thumb dragging lazily over the slick tip before pressing directly into the slit. Jungkook jolts like he’s been shocked—lips falling open, head tipping back and a strangled cry escapes his lips. 

“That was quite a reaction. You like that?” 

“I don’t know!” 

Finally, Taehyung leans down and closes his mouth over the flushed head. He swirls his tongue in slow circles around the tip, then flicks it relentlessly against the spot that makes Jungkook’s thighs tense under his hands. The taste of skin and pre-cum fills his mouth as he drags his tongue down the shaft, licking and tracing every ridge and vein like he’s learning the shape of him. Jungkook’s hips twitch, muscles tightening, fingers curling into the sheets as he gasps through clenched teeth.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing so he lets Jungkook’s reactions guide him.  The sharp breaths, the soft gasps, and the little whimpers that slip out. The way his thighs tense every time Taehyung’s tongue grazes a sensitive spot.

So far, Jungkook’s liking whatever he’s doing. He’s loving it. His whole body is trembling, stomach fluttering, chest heaving like he can’t get enough air fast enough. His hands keep clenching at the sheets like he doesn’t know what else to do with them. 

Taehyung keeps him still by holding Jungkook’s hips and pinning them down on the bed as he finally wraps his lips around his cock again. Fully. Properly this time. Lets him feel the moist, wet heat of his mouth.

“Fuck. Tae—fuck.”

Jungkook’s hips buck.

Taehyung raises his gaze, meeting Jungkook’s dark eyes as he sinks down further and takes up more of his length into his mouth. He keeps his teeth tucked away, flattening his tongue along the sensitive underside, letting him slide in smooth and wet. And then, he hollows his cheeks and starts sucking—and Jungkook completely loses it.

A brutal groan escapes Jungkook’s lips as his hands shoot up, fingers diving into Taehyung’s hair and gripping tight—not to push or pull, just to hold on in desperation. 

Jungkook feels thick, hot, and impossibly heavy on Taehyung’s tongue—solid enough to make Taehyung’s jaw ache as he tries to take him even deeper. He isn’t ridiculously big, but he’s big enough to stretch Taehyung’s mouth to its limit, enough that Taehyung has to breathe through his nose and focus on relaxing his throat. When the flushed tip brushes the back of his throat, his breath stutters. His eyes prickle, and for a second he thinks he’s going to choke.

But Jungkook is too far gone to notice—or care.

He’s only focused on the heat of Taehyung’s mouth wrapped all around him and just how good it makes him feel.

Taehyung might be inexperienced, might have no idea what he’s doing, but for Jungkook it doesn’t matter; it’s perfect. More than perfect. 

Soon, Jungkook’s grip tightens in his hair, and his pants get loud enough for Taehyung to hear over the wet squelching of his mouth on his cock. “I’m close—” Jungkook whispers, voice breaking, toes curling hard as his back arches off the bed. He tries to push Taehyung's head down and meet him halfway with shallow, helpless thrusts. He’s losing control—Taehyung can feel it in every twitch of his muscles, every shuddering breath. “Get off. I’m gonna come.”

But Taehyung doesn’t move.

Instead, his lips seal tight. He starts bobbing his head up and down faster and sucks harder. Taehyung feels every twitch, every tremor that runs through Jungkook's body, and he also hears the deep groan that escapes his lips as his hips spasm and he comes into his mouth. 

Taehyung pulls off with a wet pop and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. He then sits up and watches Jungkook tremble with the aftershocks of his orgasm—watches him try and fail to catch his breath. But then, suddenly, his eyes snap open in horror and fix on Taehyung. 

"Fuck," Jungkook cries, scrambling to grab tissues from the box on the nightstand before jerking up and holding them near Taehyung's mouth. “Spit it out! I told you to let go. Why would you—” He stops in mid-sentence, his cheeks flushing and his ears turning red again.

Taehyung smirks, holding his gaze as he spits out all the cum and saliva onto the tissue in Jungkook’s hands. “That was fast.”

“Shut up!”

“How was it?”

Jungkook bites back a smile. “Decent.”

Taehyung narrows his eyes. “Decent—as compared to what? All the mind-blowing blowjobs you’ve been getting since you hit puberty?”

Jungkook shoves him away. “Get lost!”

Taehyung clutches his chest dramatically. “You put your dick in my mouth… and now you’re telling me to get lost? Wow, what an asshole. Heartbreaker. Fuckboy.”

Jungkook chews on his lower lip. “Want me to do it for you too?” he asks, glancing at the noticeable tent in his jeans.

“Nah. You’d probably suck at it,” Taehyung teases, leaning back on his hands. “Might just bite my dick off.” 

“I will not—” Jungkook starts indignantly, but his voice falters when Taehyung suddenly leans in until their faces are inches apart. He stares at Jungkook for a beat before his lips curl into a slow, wicked smirk.

“But you can do something else.”

“What?”

Taehyung pauses. “Let me fuck you.”

Jungkook’s eyes go round. “What—”

“Oh, come on!” Taehyung insists, cutting him off. He presses a quick kiss to Jungkook’s lips, chasing him when he instinctively starts leaning back. His shoulders eventually hit the mattress again, and Taehyung ends up hovering over him with palms braced on either side of Jungkook’s head. “I’ll make you feel good. Better than I did with the blowjob.”

Jungkook doesn’t reply.

Hesitation flickers across his face. There’s uncertainty, want, or something in between. Taehyung sees the crack and slips right into it.

“Please, Jungkook-ie,” Taehyung murmurs, giving him wide, puppy dog eyes, “Aren’t you curious how I’ll hold you? How I’ll hold Soo-min if I get her?”

Jungkook sucks in a sharp breath.

“It’ll feel so good.”

“Why can’t I be the top?” Jungkook mumbles, cheeks pink, eyes darting away.

Next time, Taehyung wants to say. But he’s not sure if he can. He doesn’t know what this is—if it’ll ever happen again, if he’s allowed to want it that much, if saying it out loud will make it real or ruin it. He doesn’t know if this is a one-time thing or something he can make a habit out of. So instead he swallows it down and says, “Because right now… I wanna fuck you. And you want it too, don’t you?”

Jungkook’s face screws a little like he’s thinking hard.

Taehyung waits. His heart hammers in his chest as he looks down at Jungkook—at the fluff of his hair against the pillow, his glazed eyes, his flushed face, and pink lips. Oh, he wants to fuck him so bad.

Finally, Jungkook’s lips part with a little sigh. “Do you… have condoms or lube?”

Taehyung blinks, then colour drains from his face as he sits up. “No.”

Jungkook’s lips twist into a small smile. “How’re we gonna do it then?”

No. No. No. No. 

This cannot be happening.

Taehyung gets off the bed so fast he nearly falls. He starts yanking open the drawers one by one and rifles through them. Every single one turns out to be empty. Not even a stray packet of anything.

Jungkook slowly sits up. He pulls his knees to his chest as he watches Taehyung come to a halt in the middle of the room, bury his face in his hands, and let out a loud, miserable groan. “I swear I’m not usually this unprepared,” Taehyung insists, voice muffled and humiliated..

“Oh yeah?” Jungkook hums. “How prepared are you usually?”

Taehyung’s head snaps up. “That’s not what I meant! I—I obviously wasn’t expecting anything to happen today.”

Jungkook grins. “I think now’s the time I can tell you I have them.” 

“What?” 

“Condoms. And lube.” 

“What?” 

“Am I not coherent to you?” 

“Why the fuck do you have them?” 

“To have sex.” 

“With who?” 

“I don’t know!” Jungkook cries.

“Soo-min?” 

“No! I don’t know.” 

“You literally had your real first kiss today,” Taehyung deadpans. 

“I mean…” Jungkook rubs the back of his neck, cheeks tinting pink. “I didn’t buy them thinking I’d use them today or anything. I just… didn’t want my first time to be, you know…”

“Unprepared?” Taehyung supplies flatly.

“Exactly.”

“How long have you had them?”

“A year.”

Taehyung barks out a laugh. “Oh my god!” He immediately grabs Jungkook’s jeans and starts digging through the pockets until he finds his wallet. He flips it open—and there it is. One condom, and exactly one packet of lube. “Can’t believe a virgin’s more prepared than I am.” 

“We do our homework.” 

“Shut up. Go lie down.” 

Jungkook stares. “With that tone? No, I’m not gonna,” he shoots back.

“Please, sweetheart.” 

Jungkook huffs, lying down and nudging Taehyung with his foot. “If I don’t start feeling good in two seconds, I’m outta here.” 

Taehyung grins as he strips naked before moving to sit between Jungkook’s legs. “That’s a lot of expectations.”

“Well, I’m taking a dick up my ass, so you bet I’m gonna have them.”

“Straight shock.”  

“You’re such an idiot.” 

“An idiot who’s gonna fuck you,” Taehyung says, grinning wider as he squeezes half the lube onto his fingers and rubs them together to warm it.

“Don’t make me change my mind.” 

“I’m surprised you aren’t freaking out or running away.” 

“I am freaking out. And I’m trying not to run away.”  

“Good. It’s a learning experience.” 

“For me,” Jungkook points out. “You just wanna fuck someone.” 

“You,” Taehyung corrects. “I wanna fuck you.” 

Jungkook breathes. “Then get to it.” 

For someone who sounds so cocky, Jungkook folds embarrassingly fast. The second Taehyung hooks his hands under Jungkook’s knees, spreads his thighs and hikes his legs over his shoulders, Jungkook lets out an embarrassed yelp and swiftly hides his face with a pillow. 

Taehyung snorts. “Really?” 

“Yes.” 

Taehyung reaches out and rubs the tip of his finger against Jungkook’s hole, watching in instinctively flutter and clench. A soft laugh slips out of Taehyung’s mouth before he can stop it as he mutters, “Cute.” 

“Shut up!” Jungkook cries, voice muffled and mortified. 

“What?”

“Stop calling my—my asshole cute.” 

“Can’t hear you.” 

“I know you can.” 

“Can you stop hiding your face?” 

“No.” 

Taehyung sighs, tilting his head until his face brushes Jungkook’s calf. He presses a soft kiss to the skin there, feeling the way Jungkook’s leg twitches under his mouth. Then, using his other hand, he pushes a finger past his rim. The tight ring of muscle yields instantly, swallowing it inch by inch as Jungkook lets out a choked, muffled sound behind the pillow.

Fingering Jungkook is a whole new experience for him because of just how tight but soft Jungkook feels inside. He instinctively clenches around his finger, and Taehyung feels dizzy thinking about just how amazing he’ll feel around his cock. Jungkook’s chest heaves, his breath quickening—turning into breathy little grunts each time Taehyung pushes his finger deeper and pulls it out again.

But, he still doesn’t show his face. 

“Does it hurt?” 

Jungkook shakes his head, fingers digging into the pillow. His cock drools pre-cum where it’s curled on his stomach, twitching each time Taehyung brushes something sensitive inside him.

“Tell me when it does.” 

The second finger has Jungkook’s breath catching—his whole body tightening and trembling as Taehyung eases them in and begins to scissor him open. He starts biting at Jungkook’s thighs while fucking him with his fingers, thrusting them in deep in search for his sweet spot. And the moment he finds it, Jungkook breaks.

He lets out a loud moan, back arching and body almost lifting off the bed as he jolts. Taehyung freezes, entranced for a second—but then glares at the damn pillow for hiding Jungkook’s pretty face. He’s dying to see him, but he also wants Jungkook to be comfortable. He’ll let him hide himself now, but not when he fucks him. Absolutely not. He wants to see everything. Perhaps he’ll get off on that alone. 

“Felt good?” 

“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh my god. Do it again,” Jungkook pants.

Taehyung chuckles, obliging. He presses into that spot once, twice, watching Jungkook get addicted to the sensation. He swiftly adds a third finger while Jungkook’s distracted and feels him tightening even more. He shakes like the stretch and the burn is too much to handle, but still, he takes it well. He doesn’t tell Taeyung to stop or slow down. 

“I think that’s enough.” 

Jungkook almost whines when Taehyung slips his fingers out. 

“Show me your face now,” 

“No. Do you have any idea how embarrassing—”

“Please!” 

Jungkook shuts up. 

With a sigh, he slowly lifts the pillow off his face only to immediately get flustered when he realises that Taehyung is already staring at him. A tiny, strangled noise escapes his lips as he tries to cover his face with his hands instead.

Taehyung quickly stops him. “Come on! Stop hiding.” 

“I was not trying to!” 

“I wanna see you. I want you to look at me.” 

Jungkook does. 

Taehyung makes sure he’s looking when he rips the condom wrapper with his teeth before rolling the rubber down the length cock. Then—he holds Jungkook’s gaze while squeezing the rest of the lube from the packet onto his cock. He lets it drip down to his balls before wrapping a hand around himself and stroking. Giving it full pumps to coat his dick completely. 

Jungkook swallows. “On second thought, I don’t think it’s gonna fit,” he says, voice shaky.

Taehyung snorts, lining himself up to Jungkook’s hole. “It will. I took my time opening you up for it.” 

Jungkook's breath stutters, but Taehyung doesn’t immediately push in. Instead, he teases, dragging and rubbing the cockhead against Jungkook’s rim and making him tremble in anticipation.

When he finally presses the tip in, Jungkook goes rigid. 

“Fuck,” Taehyung hisses, teeth clenching as he tries to stop himself from coming immediately. He has to grab Jungkook’s thighs and squeeze to keep himself from shoving in all the way. “Please relax.” 

“I can’t. I can’t—” 

“Should I pull out? Does it hurt?” 

“No. No, give me some time. Go slow.” 

“Slow,” Taehyung barks out a laugh. “I’ll die.” 

But he listens. 

He forces himself to. He doesn’t rush, doesn’t ram his length in like he wants to. Instead, he goes slow—presses his cock in past the tight rim of Jungkook’s muscles inch by inch. Jungkook clenches around him, tight enough to punch a groan out of Taehyung’s chest, but he keeps going until he bottoms out, their hips finally flush. He grabs Jungkook’s waist to hold him still when he tries to arch away and starts shaking. 

Turns redder than before. 

Like he’s holding his breath. Like he can’t breathe. 

Like he’s too far gone to remember how.

“Jungkook-ie,” Taehyung says softly, even though he feels dizzy with the need to move. To start fucking Jungkook. “Are you okay?” 

Jungkook’s eyes snap up to his face, all glassy with tears. “Yeah.” 

“Does it hurt?” 

“Yes. But—but it also feels weird.” 

“Good?” 

Jungkook doesn’t reply, just sinks his teeth into his bottom lip and lets out a soft grunt. “Okay, you can start moving now.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yeah.” 

After that, things get a little blurry.

Taehyung starts slow, experimentally rolling his hips and grinding into Jungkook while holding his waist. He’s careful at first, testing how Jungkook reacts to it. He keeps his eyes on Jungkook’s face—loves the way his breath stutters, the way his lashes flutter at the sensation, the way his throat bobs as he swallows and his teeth clench like he’s trying to hold back a sound he can’t contain.

Taehyung pulls out to the tip, then snaps his hips forward and slams his cock back in, hitting Jungkook's sweet spot dead-on.

“Hngh!” Jungkook jolts, eyes flying open with a strangled groan. “Fuck, yes.” 

He loves it—Taehyung can see it. He can feel it in the way Jungkook unconsciously starts moving his hips, pushing back against his cock whenever Taehyung dares to slow down. Whenever he teases. Whenever he refuses to give Jungkook exactly what he’s begging for with his body.

“How many condoms do you have?”

It takes Jungkook a moment to process the words. “I had one. You saw.”

“What?” Taehyung cries. “You should’ve had more.”

“As opposed to you, who has zero? Yeah, right.”

Taehyung groans. “Fuck.”

He wants to drag this out as much as he can. If they had more condoms, he’d keep Jungkook here for hours—go for multiple rounds, flip him into every position he can think of, fuck him until he’s boneless and shaking and unable to look him in the eye without remembering exactly how this felt.

But he can’t.

He doesn’t know if there will ever be a second time.

“Go faster.”

Taehyung lets out a breath. 

He’ll give Jungkook exactly what he wants. He’ll make this the best fuck of his life. The kind that leaves him addicted to the feeling of being full, the kind he starts craving even when he’s out there fucking a woman.

As Taehyung starts properly fucking Jungkook, neither of them can keep their noises in check. Jungkook lets out a string of moans with every sharp snap of Taehyung’s hips, every deep thrust that knocks the air out of him. Taehyung can’t hold back either, groaning at how impossibly tight Jungkook feels, how he clenches around him like his body is desperate to keep him inside and just sucks him in. 

Taehyung grabs the backs of Jungkook’s thighs and pushes them up, folding him in half as he drives his cock in. He also kisses Jungkook, hot, wet, and messy. More tongue and spit than finesse. His hands roam everywhere: sliding up his chest, palming his pecs, pinching and rolling his nipples just to hear Jungkook break into another helpless sound, before moving down his stomach and finally wrapping around his cock.

He picks up the pace, fucking Jungkook hard and fast, almost mercilessly. His hands grip tight, leaving marks. His hips slam, balls smacking against Jungkook’s ass as obscene wet, squelching noises fill the air. There’s so much heat, and the pleasure that zips through him with every thrust feels electric. He starts jerking Jungkook off, fist squeezing tighter and tighter as he pumps him in sync. 

“I’m so close,” Jungkook gasps, one hand gripping Taehyung’s arm while the other wraps around his neck to bring him closer. His back arches, cock pressing into Taehyung’s hand, silently begging for more friction, for him to go faster.

“Me too,” Taehyung grits out, and even to his own ears, his voice sounds wrecked, strained.

It doesn’t take long for either of them to come after that. 

Jungkook comes first, his entire body locking up as a loud, breathless cry escapes him. Taehyung follows soon after, pleasure surging through every nerve, leaving him dizzy and gasping. He just collapses on top of Jungkook, hips still pressed into him, trying to catch his breath as Jungkook twitches beneath him, little aftershocks wracking his body.

They don’t speak. 

Taehyung doesn’t know how long they stay like that before he finally forces himself to pull back enough to look at Jungkook’s face. When he does, he realizes Jungkook is already fast asleep, breathing soft and even.

He’s completely oblivious to the mess of cum coating his stomach, to the way his hair sticks to his damp forehead, to the fact that if they don’t show up soon, people will notice and it’ll be problematic.

Fuck, he’s so cute. 

Taehyung has a fleeting, selfish thought to just stay buried inside him—but he can’t. With a sharp hiss, he pulls his cock out, ties the condom and tosses it in the bin. He grabs a towel from the cupboard, wets it slightly, and starts cleaning Jungkook up.

Jungkook sleeps through it all, making nothing but occasional soft noises when Taehyung’s hands move over his dick and between his legs. When he’s done, he carefully pulls the blanket over him and tucks him in. He double-checks the door is locked before collapsing onto the bed beside him.

He drapes his arm around Jungkook's waist and presses closer before letting sleep take over him. He hopes—he sincerely fucking hopes he doesn’t wake up to an empty bed tomorrow. 

+

Jungkook panicked.

He doesn’t know why. Maybe it was because he woke up naked, or because the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Taehyung's face—bathed in soft sunlight, looking absolutely ethereal. He saw his long lashes, the mole on the tip of his nose, and his pink lips. He remembered how he couldn’t get enough of them last night. How he’d felt them on every inch of his body. 

He couldn’t move at first. Taehyung’s arm was wrapped around his waist, their legs tangled together. Skin against skin. He could feel his warm breath and the steady rise and fall of his chest against his arm.

And—

Things just got too real for him.

His heart had started pounding, loud enough that he was almost afraid it would wake Taehyung. His emotions crashed over one another. For a second, his mind went blank. He couldn't think. But then—one thought rose above all the noise, growing louder and louder until it drowned out everything else. Until it was all he could hear.

I like you.

I like you.

I like you.

It echoed in his head, intensifying with every heartbeat.

His thoughts ran wild in his head, and the only thing they’d made him feel was terrified. Nothing made sense. All he knew was that the feeling in his chest was too big—too sudden, too dangerous. It threatened everything he thought he knew.

So before he knew it, he had pushed Taehyung away and gotten out of bed. He scrambled for his clothes, pulling them on hastily, not caring how disheveled he looked. He couldn’t face Taehyung—not right after finally facing his own feelings.

He had to go.

He had to sort his head out.

And so, he left. He panicked and he just left.

And now, he’s standing outside Yoongi’s door. He looks like a hot mess, but he doesn’t care. Yoongi has seen him at his worst, and he’s the only person Jungkook can turn to when things spiral out of control—when he’s losing his mind. He can only hope Yoongi is home as he rings the doorbell.

There’s no answer.

Impatiently, he rings it again and again.

Until finally, he hears footsteps padding toward the door. The latch clicks, and the door swings open. Yoongi stands there, disgruntled, eyes barely open and face puffy. His hair’s sticking in different directions, and he’s still in last night’s clothes. Despite everything, he still manages to glare at Jungkook.

It doesn’t faze Jungkook. He just pushes past Yoongi into the house. He shrugs off his jacket and tosses it somewhere on the floor before collapsing onto the couch. He buries his face in his hands and lets out a groan.

“It’s literally,” Yoongi starts, walking into the living room and glancing at the clock on the wall. “Seven in the fucking morning. Jesus. Let me catch a break, dude.”

“This is important,” Jungkook hisses, giving him a pointed look.

“If it’s not about you dying, I don’t think so,” Yoongi snaps.

“Really? I always help you out whenever you’re in need!”

Yoongi’s lips press into a thin unimpressed line. “The last time I called you for help, you were with Taehyung. You said you couldn’t come because you were playing a game.”

“It was the final battle,” Jungkook mutters defensively, cheeks flushing.

“Right. I had an accident.”

“You were hit by a bicycle. You just scraped your knee. You wanted me to carry your groceries!”

“Shut up,” Yoongi says, rolling his eyes. He takes a seat next to Jungkook on the couch and leans back. Head falling and eyes closing. It’s silent for a beat before he asks, “What is it? And where did you disappear last night? I didn't see Taehyung either.”

Jungkook swallows. “Soo-min kissed me.”

Yoongi’s eyes snap open. “What?”

“Taehyung got mad, and then we kinda fought.”

“What?”

“But then we kissed, and then we slept together.”

Yoongi blinks rapidly, flabbergasted. Jaw dropping in disbelief. “What?” he cries.

“Yeah.”

“When you say you slept together, you mean…”

Jungkook nods. “We fucked.”

“Who bottomed—”

“How is that important?”

“So you,” Yoongi says, lips curling.

Jungkook feels his cheeks burn. “Shut up.”

“Does Soo-min know?”

“God, I hope not. I don’t know. As soon as I woke up, I came here,” Jungkook says.

“Taehyung was there?”

“Yeah, he was still sleeping.”

Yoongi’s eyebrows shoot up. “And you just left? Without a note?”

“I panicked!”

“That is not an excuse.”

“I know. Fuck, I really know. But I just—” Jungkook pauses, sucking in a sharp breath. His face twists, and the words get stuck somewhere in his throat. He struggles. He fumbles really bad. 

Yoongi stares. “You really like him, huh.”

Jungkook’s head snaps up to look at him. There must be something on his face—surprise, fear, or maybe vulnerability because Yoongi’s eyes immediately soften. He reaches out and takes Jungkook’s hand, easing the tight fist. His fingers curl around it, grounding him.

“It’s okay,” Yoongi murmurs.

Jungkook feels his lower lip start to quiver, and he bites it down hard with his teeth. “Yeah. And I… I don’t know if he likes me too,” he admits. 

“What about Soo-min? Do you like her as well?”

Jungkook takes a moment to think, chewing on his lower lip. “I don’t know. Definitely not as much as I like him. I just like spending time with Taehyung a lot. And it’s not like how I feel with you. I know it’s not platonic. I don’t even know when my feelings changed. I… was in denial for so long. Even when I’d catch myself staring at his lips, or wanting to hold his hand, or just move closer to him. I wanted him to pay attention to me. Only me. I’d sulk when he didn’t. I’d get nervous whenever we were alone. I didn’t care how I looked when I went out with Soo-min, but I did with him. I’d stupidly get jealous when he hung out with his other friends. I thought it was just a phase.”

Yoongi snorts. “What made you realise it isn't?”

Jungkook takes a shaky breath. “I woke up, and the first thing I saw was his face. I thought… maybe I could get used to it. Waking up to him. I didn’t want anyone else to have that. Not even Soo-min.”

Yoongi hums. “Okay.”

“That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say? Congratulations on losing your virginity?”

“What the fuck!”

“Do you want me to give you some advice?”

“Yes.”

“About what?”

“About what I should do now?”

“I mean you don’t have much time—or that many choices,” Yoongi says softly. “All you can do is be honest. Tell him how you feel. That’s only if you’re really looking for a relationship with him, and if you think you can’t be friends anymore with all those… big feelings sitting on your chest.” 

Jungkook’s eyebrows furrow. 

“From what I see; if you confess, he either returns your feelings and you get your happily ever after. Or he doesn’t and you,” Yoongi pauses, lips twisting into a wince, “lose a friend.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen. “I-I don’t wanna lose him.”

“And if you don’t confess, you might not lose him right away—but you’d lose him eventually. If not to Soo-min, then to someone else.”

Jungkook’s stomach sinks, and he must be really looking troubled because Yoongi lets out a quiet chuckle. “Don’t overthink.”

“What’d you do?”

“I’d just tell him and deal with the consequences later,” Yoongi says simply. “I mean, losing someone outright is kinda better, in my perspective, than pining over them and watching them fall in love with someone else. That’d be more painful. I’d rather cut contact if I can’t date them.”

Jungkook frowns. “What if it’s someone you absolutely don’t wanna let go of?” 

Yoongi doesn’t answer right away. When he does, his voice is soft and quiet. “You still have to let go of people sometimes, Jungkook-ie. Things, too. And feelings. If you really wanna have him in your life either way, then… try to lose your feelings.”

Jungkook groans. “I liked when things were simple.”

“When you liked Soo-min,” Yoongi starts, “you got over her fast. I’m sure you can get over Taehyung too.”

“But—” Jungkook shakes his head. “Taehyung’s different. With Soo-min, there was this pressure. To impress her. To be cooler, better, smarter. To win. I was always performing, always thinking about what I should say, how I should act.” He laughs under his breath. “Like I had to earn being liked.”

Yoongi listens.

“With Taehyung,” Jungkook continues, voice dropping, “I don’t have to try so hard. I can be annoying. Loud. Stupid. I can zone out. I can lose and still feel okay.” His throat tightens. “I can be myself, and I know—he’ll still like me for it.”

Yoongi clicks his tongue. “Just tell him. You’re extremely transparent anyway. If he kisses someone else in front of you, you’ll just cry.”

“I will not!”

Yoongi stares.

“Okay, I might.”

“How’d you feel when Soo-min kissed you?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I was too focused on Taehyung to even feel it properly,” Jungkook admits. “The whole time I kept thinking he’d be mad. Or disappointed. Like I’d done something wrong.” He lets out a small, disbelieving laugh. “It wasn’t even a proper kiss.”

Yoongi hums. “Alright. How’d you feel when Taehyung kissed you.”

Jungkook pauses. “Felt like I wanted him to keep kissing me forever."

Yoongi groans. “Bro.”

“Fine! I’ll tell him how I feel. You’re right.” Jungkook’s shoulders drop. “’m losing something either way. I’d rather not look back and regret that I never told him. I don’t wanna spend years wondering what would’ve happened if I had.”

“Exactly,” Yoongi says, his lips spreading into a knowing smile. “Who knows. He might just like you too. Maybe even more than you do.”

“I hope.” 

+

It’s 9 a.m. by the time Jungkook reaches college.

He’d gone straight home from Yoongi’s place to take a shower and change his clothes. He tried to mentally prepare himself through all of it—told himself not to panic. Not to freak out. That it’s just Taehyung. His best friend. The guy who probably knows every embarrassing detail about him by now—his habits, his insecurities, the way he shuts down when he’s overwhelmed.

He keeps telling himself it’s going to be okay. That no matter how this confession goes—whether Taehyung returns his feelings or not—they’ll be okay. Maybe not immediately. Maybe it’ll be awkward, messy, and painful for a while. But eventually, it will be.

It’s scary because he’s never felt this way before. 

He can’t even compare it to what he’d felt for Soo-min. Whatever that was—nerves, crush, a competitive rush, it all feels flimsy now. Fleeting. Gone too quick, like it never had the chance to sink its teeth into him. Compared to the emotions clawing at him now, threatening to consume him and pull him under, those feelings were nothing more than a brief spark.

He thinks about texting Taehyung. 

Something casual. 

A hey, can we talk? Or maybe a joke to ease himself into it. 

But he doesn’t. He knows he’ll explain himself better in person; when he can look Taehyung in the eyes, read his expression, hear his voice instead of staring at a blinking cursor.

They don’t have practice until the afternoon, which means he has time. Too much time. Enough to track Taehyung down, at least. So that’s what he’s doing now.

He’s at Taehyung’s department floor, hovering near the corridor like he doesn’t belong there. He knows Taehyung has a class soon. He’s been missing way too many classes lately for no clear reason—enough to earn himself a warning about his attendance. He should be here.

He pretends to be busy on his phone, but he isn't really paying attention to anything on the screen, instead scrolling and swiping mindlessly. Every few seconds, he looks up the corridor, searching for Taehyung.

Finally, after what feels like forever, Jungkook sees him. 

He’s walking towards his class. 

Jungkook feels his lips spreading into a smile and he’s about to call out for Taehyung when someone behind him makes him pause. Soo-min.

Her eyes are on Taehyung.  She begins to walk faster and faster, weaving through the few students scattered in the hallway to catch up to him. Taehyung is looking at his phone when she suddenly reaches out and grabs his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

Jungkook’s chest tightens. 

He watches them talk.

He sees Taehyung roll his eyes, while Soo-min frowns before she tightens her grip on his wrist. She glances around nervously, scanning the hallway. Jungkook doesn’t know why, but he quickly ducks around the corner as she pulls Taehyung into an empty clubroom and slams the door shut behind them.

Jungkook’s heart lodges in his throat. 

He blinks rapidly, imagining what they might be doing. He doesn’t like the way his mind jumps to conclusions that make his stomach drop, leaving him feeling absolutely nauseous. 

And so, he decides to go check. 

At first, he just wants to confront them, but when he reaches the door, he realizes they’re standing right by it, close enough that he could hear everything without being seen. And despite himself, he decides to listen.

“—game are you playing at?” It’s Soo-min. 

“What do you mean?” Taehyung sighs. “Look, I have class in a few minutes. I don't have time for this.” 

“You know very well what I’m talking about. Jungkook.” 

Jungkook sucks in a sharp breath.

“What about him?” Taehyung snaps.

“Where did you two disappear off to last night?”

“I’m not sure how that’s any of your business,” Taehyung replies. 

“I know you fucked, Taehyung. Cut the crap.” 

Jungkook freezes, his eyes going wide. He stops breathing completely. 

“So?” 

“So, why? You’re not even fucking gay. Do you still like me?” 

There’s a pause before Taehyung answers, “Yes.” 

Jungkook's heart drops. 

His throat tightens, and a cold, sinking weight spreads through his chest. He can feel his hands clenching at his sides, knuckles white.

“Then why the fuck are you going after Jungkook? You don’t hang out with me anymore. You don’t even look at me. It’s like you’re not even trying!”

“Because I don’t need to,” Taehyung hisses. “I’m not gonna live my life trying to impress you like him. Like he does. I’m not that fucking desperate.”  

Jungkook goes cold. 

“Then—wait,” Soo-min gasps. “Is this a little plan of yours? You make him fall in love with you so he just backs off on his own?” 

“What the fuck? No!”

“You’re weirdly competitive, and I know you wanna to defeat him no matter what it takes,” Soo-min says. 

Jungkook feels dizzy. Feels his eyes prickle with tears. 

No, that can’t be it. Taehyung’s not like that. Taehyung wouldn’t do that to him.

“No!” Taehyung says quickly. “I wouldn’t do that to him. He’s my friend.” 

“So do you like him then?”

Jungkook stills. 

He strains his ears but there’s nothing but silence. 

Please. Please. Please. Say yes. 

“I don’t know how you came to that conclusion,” Taehyung mutters.

“Because you literally slept with him last night!” 

“It was just for fun, a one-time thing. Don’t make it weird.”

“Yeah, right. You still don’t sound convincing to me.” 

“I don’t care what you think. I hook-up with a lot of people, doesn’t mean I have feelings for all of them,” Taehyung sighs. “And I—” 

Jungkook doesn’t listen to the rest of it. He’s not sure he even can over the sound of his heart shattering in his chest. His face crumples with devastation as he hurries away from the door. By the time he rounds the corridor, hot tears are rolling down his cheeks. He wipes at them frantically with the back of his hand as he desperately tries to hold back the sobs that keep slipping out anyway.

He doesn’t know what to do now. 

So he does the only thing he knows; heads to the court, grabs a ball, and starts playing to distract himself. He plays until his legs give out and his heart races so fast his thoughts can’t keep up. He’s lying on the floor, sweat soaking his shirt, staring up at the hoop when he realizes what this has always been about.

Winning. 

And maybe, that’s exactly what he needs to do now.

+

Taehyung is having a shit day.

It started the moment he woke up to an empty bed. The spot beside him was cold, and Jungkook seemed to be long gone. The universe didn’t grant him his only wish. On top of that, there wasn’t a single message from Jungkook—no explanation, no excuse, not a single word. Before he could overthink it and spiral out of control, he left and went straight home.

And—as if things weren't bad enough, he had a class he couldn't miss because his attendance was bad and he needed to make up for it. He took a quick shower, changed his clothes, and left for college. He had nothing in his system but alcohol from last night, and his stomach was growling but he didn’t have time to eat. 

Just when he thought his day couldn’t get worse, Soo-min appeared in front of him out of nowhere.

Taehyung really wasn’t in the mood to talk to her but Soo-min didn’t give him much of a choice. She just dragged him into an empty clubroom to talk. Thankfully, she cut right to the chase. 

She asked him if he had feelings for Jungkook.

Why he’d been distant lately.

Why he didn’t seem as interested in her as he used to.

Taehyung soon realized there was no version of the truth he could afford to tell her. So he lied. About all of it. Because why should he explain what last night meant to him? Why should she be the first to hear him admit feelings he hadn’t even said out loud to Jungkook yet? 

He knows she suspected him of lying, but if he'd decided to be honest, she would've made things even more problematic.

She’s just as competitive as he is.

Taehyung can’t trust her to keep things to herself. The last thing he wants is the entire school knowing he likes Jungkook before Jungkook does himself. She can be manipulative when she wants. Taehyung’s seen it the way she smiles sweetly while pulling strings behind the scenes, in the way she plays situations to her advantage without ever getting her hands dirty. He knows exactly how she got her head cheerleader position, and it wasn’t just talent or luck.

She’s not a bad person, but she’s just used to getting what she wants. 

And this time, she wants Jungkook. 

So it’s safer this way. Easier. Pretending to be indifferent, nonchalant. Better that she believes he doesn’t like Jungkook all that much than find out about his moon-sized crush on him. One he wouldn’t even hesitate to call love.

Then, class was a drag.

Taehyung had to fight to keep himself from falling asleep.

Out of pure desperation, he sent Jungkook a few texts. They’re still unseen. He's nervous to see him again at practice in the afternoon. But—if Jungkook gives even the slightest hint that they’re on the same page, then Taehyung sees no reason not to confess. 

He wants Soo-min out of the picture as soon as possible.

Now that class is finally over, Taehyung’s heading to the small restaurant nearby to grab a bite. Jimin is already there by the time Taehyung arrives, and he’s ordered their usual. The moment Taehyung drops into the chair across from him, Jimin looks up. “You crazy bastard.”

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. “Unprovoked?”

“Where were you last night?”

“With Jungkook.”

“Where?”

“In a room.”

“Doing what?”

Taehyung’s lips press into a thin line. “Satanic rituals—”

“Oh, fuck off.”

“If you already know what we were doing, then why are you asking?” Taehyung shoots back.

Jimin’s eyes narrow, studying him. “You fucked.”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“And?” Taehyung repeats.

Jimin gasps dramatically. “Without confessing your feelings to him?”

Taehyung lets out a disbelieving laugh. “Do you think confessing to a guy who’s actively competing with you for a girl is easy?”

“It can’t be more difficult than putting your dick—” Jimin clamps his mouth shut when the waiter arrives with the food. They stare at each other as he slowly places the bowls on the table before leaving. Then, Jimin takes a deep breath. “Look, this is getting messy.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Taehyung snaps, picking up the spoon.

“Just tell him.”

“I’m planning to.”

“When?”

“Today. Before or after practice. I just need to make sure we’re on the same page because I can’t lose him.  Soo-min’s making me anxious as well. I feel like she might pull some dirty tricks. She’s kinda onto me.”

“I really think Jungkook likes you.”

“Me too. I hope it’s not just all in my head.”

“Let’s just eat.”

“Yeah.”

“We gotta focus on the finals too.”

Taehyung sighs. “Yeah. That’s there as well.”

+

Jungkook is already tired by the time the team starts trickling in for practice.

He catches Yoongi’s eyes across the room. He’s standing next to the coach, nodding along as the man barks out orders. He raises his eyebrows at Jungkook in a silent question. How’d it go?  

Jungkook’s throat tightens. He tries to keep his face from crumpling as he shakes his head. Yoongi gets it immediately. He flashes him a small, sad smile before looking away. 

Then—

Taehyung walks in.

He looks even better than he did last night, if that is even possible. Like he hasn’t been unraveling from inside out the way Jungkook has since this morning. Just the sight of him has Jungkook’s body tingling in places, heat spreading all over. 

Jungkook goes rigid, breath catching before he can stop it. All the memories rush in, vivid, and impossible to ignore. He can still feel the ghost of Taehyung’s lips on his, the scraping teeth on his neck, and hands on his waist. He can feel the pressure between his hips—the faint throb whenever he moves. Taehyung’s left a lot of marks on his body; some lying bare beneath his jersey, others he’s covered with a bit of concealer. 

Jungkook is scared that Taehyung has changed him in ways he can’t undo—made him softer, needier. His.

“Hey!”

Taehyung flashes him a wide grin, lifts his hand in a wave as he approaches him. 

Every muscle in Jungkook’s body locks up. He feels his heart pounding, his stomach twisting into a million knots as he forces himself to return the smile. He’s sure it falters halfway through. He’s sure his eyes give him away. He knows he’s doing a terrible job at looking normal but he can’t help it. Not when his whole world fell apart not that long ago. “Hi.” 

“What’s up?” 

Jungkook blinks. “Um, practice?” 

Taehyung nods. He wants to say something but he hesitates, his eyebrows knitting together briefly before smoothing over again. “Yeah, yeah of course. Um, so, we've got a little bit of time right now so I just wanted to quickly talk about…uh, last night. I—” 

“Yeah,” Jungkook cuts in too fast. He drops his gaze to the floor, then lets it drift to the guy shooting hoops at the other end of the court. Anything but Taehyung’s face. “Don’t worry about it.”

“No, I just wanted to make it clear that—” 

Jungkook can’t hear it. 

He fucking can’t.

“—it was fun, yeah,” Jungkook blurts out, finishing the sentence for him. “Honestly, we both were kinda drunk and weren’t thinking straight.” He forces out a laugh. Glances at Taehyung. “If you know what I mean.” 

He keeps going, words spilling out faster now, tripping over each other. Lies after lies. “Let’s just not think about it too much. Or talk about it. Really. It was just a one-time thing. What do we call it, uh, an experiment? Yeah. And, like—thanks,” he adds, voice pitching awkwardly. “For giving me some experience. Before I get together with Soo-min.” The words leave a sour taste in his mouth. “Now I know what to do.”

Jungkook’s hands curl into fists, his face almost twisting into a wince. He probably sounded nervous and unconvincing. His voice probably wavered enough for Taehyung to tell he’s full of shit.

But— 

“Oh.” 

It’s a soft noise, more disbelief than anything else. 

Jungkook finally turns to look at Taehyung again, and his expression is unreadable. Blank. But his eyes—they’re pooling with an emotion Jungkook can’t quite place. Like something’s been taken from him and he doesn’t quite know how to get it back. But then, he blinks rapidly and it’s gone. His lips curl into a frown so deep it steals some of his charm. Jungkook has no idea why he looks like that—like he’s lost a game he didn’t even get to play.

Taehyung lets out a dry laugh. “Good for you, dude. You’re welcome. Now that everything’s out of the way, you're gonna focus on the game, huh? Gonna get MVP?” 

“Yeah. And Soo-min,” Jungkook says, even though he’s fighting tears. 

“Okay then. Good luck. May the best man win.” 

“Yeah.” 

Taehyung walks away. 

Jungkook doesn’t see him again after practice. 

+

Two weeks drag by.

Taehyung feels himself drifting away from Jungkook. The distance between them grows slowly at first—so subtle he almost convinces himself he’s imagining it. But it just keeps stretching, day after day, until their relationship completely changes. The walls Taehyung had knocked down, brick by brick, are now back up around Jungkook. Taller. Thicker. Indestructible this time.

They’re back at point zero.

Jungkook starts to feel like a stranger again. His replies turn short, clipped. One-word answers. Formality. And then—nothing. They stop coming at all. Along with the song recommendations, memes, and the voice memos about his silly dreams. He makes up excuses not to hang out a few times, and eventually Taehyung stops asking.

They stop meeting outside of practice altogether. Jungkook is still there when they’re together as a group, but he’s distant in a way that’s harder to call out. He’s normal with Taehyung. Polite. Easy, even. He talks to him, jokes when someone else starts it, and laughs along like nothing’s changed. But something has changed. He’s careful. He’s drawn a line between them that Taehyung can feel, even if no one else seems to notice.

And then—

Jungkook starts hanging out with Soo-min more often.

Taehyung catches them everywhere. In the cafeteria, sitting a little too close. On the bleachers after practice, sharing a pair of earphones. At a café he sometimes stops for coffee, working together. He sees Jungkook in Soo-min’s Instagram stories; she never makes it obvious that they’re together, just leaves hints. A familiar laugh in the background. A cropped sleeve Taehyung recognizes instantly. His reflection caught in a mirror behind her. His phone sitting face-down on the table across from hers. His hand. His shoes. His fucking apartment.

They’re always together. Somehow.

Jungkook stops explaining things to Taehyung. Stops keeping him in the loop. Taehyung doesn’t know where they go, what they do. He doesn’t know anything anymore, and it keeps him awake at night. Eats him from the inside out.

Jungkook looks happy with her.

And it starts to feel like Taehyung was never part of the picture to begin with.

Like Taehyung was just something temporary along the way. Disposable.

Taehyung starts to wonder whether he hallucinated that night. If it ever really happened at all, or if his mind stitched it together out of want and desperation and hope. He starts to wonder if Jungkook only needed him for experience, if he was nothing more than a stepping stone to make himself better for someone else.

He questions everything.

If anything between them was ever real or not.

But still—despite the way Jungkook cut him off so abruptly, Taehyung doesn’t have it in him to resent him. There’s anger, but no bitterness sharp enough to cling to. His feelings don’t fade. Instead, they sink deeper, having nowhere to go.

It makes him feel pathetic.

It also makes him realise he’s really in love. 

His little plan seems hopeless too. Because at this point, with or without Soo-min in the picture, he knows Jungkook is never going to be his. Not in the way he wants. Still, Taehyung clings to it, because it’s the only thing he has left. His last shot at doing something—anything, instead of standing still and letting this pain eat him alive.

He misses Jungkook. So bad. 

He’s lost count of how many times he’s opened their chat and typed it all out. Almost confessed. Almost told Jungkook everything—how much he misses him, how much he still wants him, how that night never stopped meaning something to him.

How much he loves him.

He never hits send. 

And then, it’s game day.

They’re back at the Jamsil gymnasium, facing the same team that once made them eat dirt: Yonsei. And Taehyung’s back in the tiny toilet stall too—the one he’d squeezed into with Jungkook to share a cigarette. Only this time, he’s alone. The memories come rushing back, stinging harder than the nicotine burning his lungs.

There’s only an hour left until tip-off.

The gym is already buzzing with people. Scouts, alumni, sponsors—they’re all here tonight. He’s pretty sure the game’s being televised too. The pressure is suffocating. The stakes are high. Taehyung can’t help but wonder how Jungkook is holding up. If he’s wearing his lucky socks. If he’s nervous because this definitely means much more to Jungkook than it ever did to him.

Taehyung wants to find him. Wants to pull him into a hug, ground him, remind him how to breathe. Wants to kiss him. He wants to tell him it’s gonna be okay, that he’s gonna do good. That he’s gonna shine out there like a star because that’s what he is.

He finishes the cigarette down to the filter before dumping it into the toilet bowl. He flushes, the turns around and reaches for the door—

“Fuck!”

Taehyung jerks back the moment he opens it, heart lurching violently in his chest. Someone’s standing by the sink, hands braced on the counter, head down. For a split second, he panics. Thinks it’s the coach and he’s been caught. But then, he notices the jersey. The number 97. And broad shoulders he’s all too familiar with.

Jungkook.

“You scared me.”

Jungkook looks up at him through the mirror. “Smoking?”

Taehyung smiles. “You know me.”

“Old habits die hard.”

“They do,” Taehyung says, his eyes drifting down. “Lucky socks, huh?”

Jungkook’s lips twitch. “Had to. Even though they probably have a few holes in them by now.”

Taehyung laughs under his breath as he steps closer, coming to stand beside him at the sink. The space between them shrinks, intensifying his need to reach out and touch him. He turns on the tap and washes his hands instead. “You good?”

Jungkook glances at him. “Yeah.”

“Nervous?”

“Obviously.” Then, after a beat, “You?”

“Yeah.” Feels like I’ve already lost, though. “But you’ve got nothing to worry about. You’re gonna do well. You always have. Just be careful of Choi Mujin.”

“I will. Thank you.” Their eyes meet again, stay. Speak for them. Everything they’re hesitant to say. Finally, Jungkook lets out a soft sigh. “Well then,” he says, forcing a small smile, “I’ll see you on the court.”

He turns to leave.

Taehyung’s hand moves before his brain can catch up, fingers closing around Jungkook’s wrist. Jungkook stops and looks back at him. Eyes wide, round, somehow glassy. “I—” Taehyung starts. The words fill his mouth, fighting to escape. Desperate. I like you. I really like you. I think I’m in love with you. I can’t lose you. Please. Please, don’t leave me. His grip tightens for a heartbeat before he forces himself to let go. His face twists, then he eventually says, “Wish you all the best.”

Jungkook stares. Something dimming in his eyes. “You too.”

And then, he’s gone.

“Fuck,” Taehyung mutters under his breath, spritzing on perfume to mask the cigarette and popping a piece of gum into his mouth. He waits a minute or two before heading back to the court.

Outside, it’s loud.

There’s a lot of movement everywhere as the crowd settles in for the game. People start to fill into the stands, lifting and waving banners as voices rise and overlap one another to create too much noise. It all starts to feel too real. They’ve made it to the finals. They’re playing against Yonsei—tonight decides everything.

Taehyung makes his way straight to the team, only to find the coach still lecturing them. He’s trying to pump them up for the game as they stand in a loose circle around him; shoulders stiff, faces set tight with nerves. Taehyung slips in without a word, subtly taking his place.

For a split second, his gaze lifts.

Jungkook’s eyes meet his in a quick, instinctive glance, before he looks away.

It lasts less than a heartbeat, but it’s enough to leave a faint buzz under Taehyung’s skin.

The coach launches into the game plan for the final time. He speaks slowly, enunciating each point with hand gestures and poking some of them in the chest for emphasis. He assigns positions again—who guards who, when to switch, when to speed it up or slow it down. He seems to have decoded Yonsei’s game, so he gives out clear instructions and expects them to follow them. At least for the first half.

The announcer’s voice crackles to life over the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Are you ready for the finals?”

The crowd roars.

The referees take their place.

Both teams line up for the customary handshake. Taehyung grabs Mujin’s hand and squeezes it hard, holding on just a second longer than polite. Their eyes lock. Taehyung ducks in and hisses, “Watch out. I’m keeping an eye on you tonight.”

Mujin smirks.

They break apart and move to their positions.

At center court, the referee raises the ball. The whistle blows. And the game finally begins.

Taehyung plays to win in the first half.

From the moment the ball is in play, he wants it in his hands. He steals chances he shouldn’t and cuts in at places that give him an easy shot. He knows he’s supposed to pass. He knows the play, the spacing, the rhythm but he doesn’t care. Even as he hears the coach yelling at him from the sidelines, cursing him every time he ignores an open teammate.

His little plan’s in motion.

If he keeps going like this, he’s definitely going to win MVP.

He keeps an eye on Mujin, though he doesn’t have to do much. The coach has marked him as a priority, rotating defenders on him so he doesn’t get to really play in the first place. If Taehyung bumps into him purposely a few times, a little too hard, no one has to know. They’re just accidents.

Still, Yonsei’s not easy to beat.

The scoreboard swings back and forth, the lead changing often enough to keep everyone on edge.

By the end of the second quarter, the scoreboard reads:

• Yonsei: 28
• SNU: 26

Their fifteen minute break begins. 

Taehyung nearly gets slapped as the coach screams at him in front of the entire team. He’s also almost benched, but he apologizes profusely. He swears he’ll follow the plan and that it won’t happen again. The coach glares at him, but after a long pause, he waves him off. Since he’s one of the top players on the team, he’s let off.

The coach doesn’t lay out a detailed plan for the second half. Instead, he tells them to push harder, never let go of the ball once it’s in their hands, and keep fucking passing. And then, he lets them take whatever time they have left to catch their breath and relax.

Taehyung’s eyes immediately find Jungkook again. 

And Jungkook looks tense. Nervous. Scared. Like he’s freaking out—like he’s blaming himself for every little mistake, for not doing enough. His leg’s bouncing. His elbows are braced on his knees, hands trembling until he laces his fingers together to stop it. His eyebrows are drawn tight, and Taehyung feels a sharp urge to reach over and smooth them out. His lips are curled into a frown, and Taehyung wants nothing more than to make him smile. 

But—fuck. 

Fuck, he can’t do that. 

He sees one of the players nudge Jungkook lightly, murmuring something and nodding towards the right. Jungkook turns to look, and Taehyung follows his gaze to—

The cheerleaders. 

Soo-min catches Jungkook’s gaze immediately, lifting her pom-poms up and waving at him. She flashes him a big thumbs-up before making a silly face. And Taehyung watches Jungkook laugh. Watches as his face breaks into a grin and his eyes scrunches up into crescent moons. As all that tension melts away.

And Taehyung feels his heart drop.

Feels something inside him give away, quiet and final.

Feels absolutely defeated.

It’s of no use, he finally realises as he drops onto a bench. Head in his hands. Face crumpling. He lost. He doesn’t stand a chance. He never will. His little plan falls apart all at once. It hadn’t come from logic at all, only desperation. A last, ugly grasp at control—at something he was never meant to take anyway. Even if it works, even if he somehow pulls it off, it’ll make him feel like shit.

If he can’t have Jungkook, then maybe he shouldn’t stand in his way either. Jungkook has worked too hard for this, put too much of himself into it. For Taehyung, this is just a game. But maybe for Jungkook, it’s his whole life—so he deserves it: the win, the trophy, the girl, the dreams he’s been chasing for so long.

Taehyung realises that maybe the thing that’ll truly make him happy is just seeing Jungkook happy. 

Even from a distance. 

Even if it’s not with him. 

And so, he decides to back off.

The whistle blows, and he steps back onto the court.

The cheers get louder, but Taehyung slows down now. His body keeps up the pace, still working, still fighting, even as the fire in him burns out. His plan, his selfish little scheme, is gone. He focuses on defending, doing everything in his power to keep Yonsei from getting an easy shot. He blocks players from coming too close to Jungkook, and passes the ball to him as soon as it’s in his hands. He wants Jungkook to shine. Wants everyone’s eyes on him.

The scoreboard swings fast, teams clawing for the lead.

The clock ticks.

Adrenaline buzzes in his veins. His heart pounds,lungs burn and legs ache with the effort to keep going. His mind’s a mess, and he keeps dreading the end. The end of the game. Because it’ll be the end of Jungkook and him as well. But time doesn’t stop—

Not until the last thirty seconds. 

The scoreboard is tied. Both teams need just one point to win.

And somehow, the ball ends up in Taehyung’s hands. The noise fades, and all he can hear is his own pulse hammering in his ears. He freezes in place, gripping the ball so tightly no one can steal it. His eyes flick to the hoop—it’s a perfect shot, he could make it. But then his gaze drifts, searching for him. 

Jungkook. Jungkook. Jungkook. 

There he is. Already watching. Waiting.

Their eyes meet. 

Taehyung feels a spark of warmth, and his lips twitch into a smile as he throws the ball to him. 

Jungkook catches it. He spins, and shoots. 

It sinks clean. 

Barely a second later, the timer beeps, signalling the end of the game. 

The announcer’s voice comes through the speakers, half-drowned by the roar of the crowd erupting on the stands. “And that’s it! Seoul National University takes the win! An unforgettable game, an unforgettable victory!”

“Jungkook! Jungkook! Jungkook!” People scream.

Taehyung smiles wider.

His vision blurs with tears as he watches everyone run towards Jungkook. They swarm him completely, patting his back and ruffling his hair with wide grins. They throw themselves on him until he can’t see Jungkook anymore. Taehyung takes it all in, then takes a step back. 

And back and back. 

He turns around and runs straight towards the locker room because his smile starts to falter, his face starts to crumple, and his heart starts to breaks.

Because it’s all over. 

+

“Fuck!”

Taehyung slams his fist against a locker while passing by it. The pain barely registers. He sinks his teeth into his lower lip, jaw tightening as he fights the burn building behind his eyes. He looks up at the ceiling as he comes to an abrupt halt in the middle of the room. “Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t fucking cry. It’s not the end of the world.”  

But it feels like it.

He’s never felt like this before. Never wanted someone so badly, so desperately. Never had something slip through his fingers like this, and it all comes crashing down on him at once. It’s too much. Too overwhelming.

The tears spill anyway. 

Unwanted, unrestrained. 

Suddenly, the locker room door bursts open behind him and he hears footsteps charging towards him. He panics, curses under his breath, and quickly wipes his tears with the back of his hand. Just as he starts to turn around—a pair of hands grab him, and he’s slammed back into a locker. His eyes squeeze shut as pain shoots up his spine and all air’s knocked out of his lungs.  “Ah!” 

When they fly open again, wild with shock and anger, he freezes. 

Because it’s—

Jungkook.

He's covered in sweat, dark hair plastered over his forehead. His face is screwed up with rage, hurt, and something that looks dangerously close to betrayal. His brows are drawn tight, eyes wide and feral like he’s barely holding himself together. His lips are curled into a deathly scowl. Taehyung barely has time to register that he’s really here before Jungkook is all up in his face, hissing, “What is your fucking problem?”

Taehyung blinks. “What?” 

Jungkook shoves him harder. “Don’t you fucking dare play innocent. I’m sick of whatever twisted game you’re playing! You try so hard in the first half, and then you just quit?”

Taehyung sucks in a sharp breath. “I—I didn’t.” 

“Stop fucking lying!” Jungkook screams, chest rising and falling fast. His breathing turns ragged and eyes glaze over. “What the fuck are you trying to prove here? Tell me the fucking truth for once, you bastard!” 

Taehyung’s face twists. “I just… wanted you to win.” 

Jungkook’s expression turns icy. “Why? Because I try so hard?” 

Taehyung’s eyes widen. “No—” 

“Because I’m so desperate for this?” 

“Of course not!”  

“Because it’s the only thing I have? Because you think I’m pathetic and you should let me have this? Because—” 

“Because I fucking like you!” Taehyung shouts, pushing him away. “You idiot.”  

Jungkook freezes. “What?” 

Taehyung clenches his teeth, then sighs. He steps closer, hands lifting to cup Jungkook’s face between his palms. “You were right. Basketball for me is just a silly little hobby. I play for the thrill, for the rush. I never treated it like my whole life depends on it. I didn’t take it as seriously until Soo-min got involved. Until you got involved. And instead of trying to make her fall for me, I… fell for you.” 

Jungkook’s eyes widen. 

He sucks in a sharp breath.

“And I had this messed up plan,” Taehyung confesses, gaze dropping for a moment before forcing itself back up. “I wanted to win not because I liked her, but because you did. I didn’t want you two to be together. I wanted you for myself. I thought if I ruined things between you two, maybe I’d have a chance. But then I realised… it didn’t even matter whether she was in the picture or not, you were never going to feel the same way about me. And you don’t deserve to be used like that.”

Taehyung’s hands drop as he takes a step back. “You deserve to be happy. To get what you want. To see your dreams actually come true. To win.” His voice cracks on the next words. “You deserve her. So I didn’t stop playing, I just backed off. It didn’t matter if I won or not because I was already losing. Losing you either way.” 

Jungkook just stares at him for a moment before taking a step forward and closing the distance between them again. His lower lip quivers as he says, “But you said you slept with me for fun. You said it was a one-time thing. You said you hook-up with a lot of people and you don’t really care about any of them,” he says. 

“When did I—” Taehyung starts, then stops short when realization dawns on him. “Oh, you heard that?”

“Yeah.” 

“Fuck.” Taehyung drags a hand down his face. “Is that why you pushed me away?” 

“Yes.” 

“Fuck.”

Jungkook doesn’t say anything. 

Taehyung swallows. “I was lying. I lied to get Soo-min off my back. I didn’t think she’d back off unless I made it sound meaningless. And I didn’t want to tell her I—” He exhales sharply. “I didn’t want to tell her I’m in love with you before I’d even told you.”

Jungkook’s eyes well up with tears. 

“I didn’t want her in the middle of it. I didn’t want her fucking things up between us before I got a chance to confess. So I lied. About everything. How can I not care about you, Jungkook-ie. How can I ever be okay with it being a one-time thing when all I think about is you. It was fun for me, yeah, but it also meant the world to me.” 

“How was I supposed to know?” Jungkook cries, voice cracking despite the hint of anger in it. Tears roll down his cheeks and he wipes them away roughly, but more follow. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“Because of Soo-min! You like her. You want to be with her,” Taehyung says, his face twisting like he’s tasted something sour. “She makes you smile, and laugh, and happy in a way I couldn’t. I was just—” 

“I kissed her.” 

Taehyung’s stomach drops. “Oh.” 

Jungkook takes a shaky breath. “I kissed her properly. Hard. Just like you taught me.” 

Taehyung wants to cry. He can’t hear this. 

“But it didn’t,” Jungkook sobs, the fight draining out of him all at once. “It didn’t feel the same. I just kept thinking about you. I missed you. I wanted it to be you. I wanted to kiss you—” 

That’s all it takes.

Taehyung grabs Jungkook’s face and crashes their lips together. The kiss is messy, hard, and desperate. Like the world is ending and this is the only thing that matters. Like if he lets go for even a second, he’ll lose Jungkook all over again. He kisses him with all his suppressed feelings, with every bit of love he has for him. He tilts Jungkook’s head with one hand and buries the other into his slightly damp hair, fisting the strands. He deepens the kiss, slipping his tongue into Jungkook's mouth—chasing every broken sound Jungkook makes and swallowing each sob before it can fall apart between them.

Jungkook clutches the front of his jersey. “I—I like you. I love you. You don’t have any idea how much I’ve cried. Every day,” he mumbles against Taehyung's lips.

Taehyung tastes tears. 

Kisses him harder.

Jungkook pulls back just enough to breathe. “I pushed you away because I couldn’t pretend to be normal. Because you read me too easily. I was scared you’d look at me and know—how heartbroken I was. How much I liked you.”

“When did you realise you liked me?” 

Jungkoo flushes. “The morning after we spent the night together. I knew long before that but I let myself admit it then.” 

“Wow.” 

“What about you?”

“I knew too. I mean,” Taehyung chuckles, a little sheepish. “I don’t exactly give handjobs to any of my friends. It’s certainly not normal. But I actually said it out loud the day I saw you playing with that Miri.”

Jungkook blinks. “The dog? And you told someone?” 

Taehyung nods. “Jimin.” 

“He knows?” 

“Yup.” 

Jungkook lets out a shaky laugh. “Oh.”

Taehyung pecks his lips, then rests their foreheads together. “We’re so stupid,” he murmurs.

“I know right. We could’ve been together all this time—” 

“What about me?” A voice cuts in. 

Taehyung and Jungkook jerk apart, heads snapping towards the door. 

Soo-min stands there, arms crossed over her chest and one hip cocked as she leans against the frame. Her expression is flat. More annoyed than shocked, like she’s witnessed something mildly inconvenient rather than world-shattering. Her heels click against the tiled floor as she approaches them. 

“Not you again,” Taehyung sighs. 

“D-Did you hear all that?” Jungkook stutters, his ears turning red.

“Yes, I did,” Soo-min says flatly. “The whole heartfelt confession. I had to follow you—you ran out of the court chasing Cinderella here.” She points at Taehyung. “You’re both losers. You should thank me for getting you two together.”

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Right.” 

“Thank you,” Jungkook says shyly. 

Soo-min takes a step closer to Jungkook. “Just to be clear, you like him because of his dick, right? Not his personality.” Her eyes dart to Taehyung for a split second. “I can live with that. But if you think he’s smarter, funnier, more charming, or somehow better than me? That’s offensive.”

“Oh, fuck off,” Taehyung snaps, instantly wrapping an arm around Jungkook’s shoulders and tugging him back against his chest. “He likes me because I’m me, not because of my body. Right, Jungkook-ie?” 

Jungkook blinks. 

“Jungkook!” Taehyung cries, scandalized. 

Soo-min smirks. 

“I mean,” Jungkook grins, “you are really hot.” 

Taehyung’s jaw actually drops. For a second, he just stares, brain short-circuiting as heat rushes straight to his face and down his neck. “Oh. Um, thank you.” 

“Yuck!” Soo-min groans, pretending to gag. “Anyway, I have a reputation to uphold, and the entire school was invested in our love triangle. There were even bets. People are gonna lose real money here.”

“What—” 

“The fuck—” 

“Shut up. Listen. I’m gonna tell everyone I rejected the both of you so you’ll better play along. And Jungkook,” Soo-min pauses, “you’re officially uninvited to my house for Lasagna this weekend. I’d rather cook for someone I actually have a shot with.”

“Oh.” 

Taehyung presses his lips to Jungkook’s cheek as he says, “Don’t worry, I’ll make it for you.” 

Jungkook laughs. “Do you even know how to cook?” 

“I’ll learn for you, baby.” 

“Disgusting!” Soo-min shrieks, spinning around on her heel. “Please be cringe later and come out now. The award ceremony is about to begin and I refuse to be late over this rom-com nonsense.”

Outside, the noise hits all at once again. 

But it’s calm in Taehyung’s head. 

His heart settles into a steady beat, and the smile doesn’t leave his lips. He walks shoulder to shoulder with Jungkook, close enough to feel the warmth. To know it’s real. Their hands brush together, fingers almost intertwining before they pull apart to join the team at center court. 

The trophy is raised. Cameras flash, and the crowd screams their names.

Jungkook gets MVP. 

And Taehyung gets him.