Taehyung and Jeongguk meets that night at the usual gym. They started off by doing some stretching before proceeding into doing some of the basics, like push-ups and sit-ups. With all their pent-up stress and competitiveness, especially after not being able to see each other in the gym in a while to do their usual gym rivalry shenanigans. They glare at each other as they count up how many reps they could do in a certain amount of time.

As they were about to move on to use the other gym equipments, Namjoon suddenly interrupts them, informing them that the gym is about to close.

"Sorry to interrupt but you need to get your asses out of here. S'getting late and I have to close up," Namjoon informs them before disappearing once again towards his desk and starts gathering his stuff. Taehyung and Jeongguk looks at each other, sharing a look about how bad of a timing Namjoon is as they were just about to start doing some chin ups and they are also at a tie.

"Don't think it's over, Kim. I'll crush you," Jeongguk says as he picks up his water bottle and began gulping down its content. Taehyung rolls his eyes, mirroring Jeongguk's action as he also picks up his own bottle.

"Sure would be funny to see you try, Jeon," Taehyung says, flashing a smirk that he knows irritates Jeongguk to no end. This made Jeongguk clench his jaw.

"Guys, quit flirting and get out here or do I have to drag you guys out?" Namjoon says, appearing once again with his backpack slung on his one shoulder while holding his phone on one hand and a lanyard of keys on the other. Taehyung and Jeongguk gives him a nod before going to their lockers to get their stuff while Namjoon checks over the whole gym before he leaves.

Taehyung and Jeongguk gets their stuff in shared silence. Taehyung suddenly thinks about how much he'll dread the walk back to his apartment, all sweaty in his gym attire. But perhaps the cool night breeze would be good.

After finishing up, the three of them goes out at the same time. When Namjoon finished locking up, he turns towards Taehyung and Jeongguk and gives them a nod a wave.

"Alright, i'm off. You two be careful on your way home," Namjoon says before turning around to leave.

"You too!" Taehyung and Jeongguk choruses and Namjoon gives another wave at them with his back turned.

When Namjoon turns the corner and is finally out of their sight, Taehyung grabs his phone from his pocket, checking the time, it's past eleven at night, and saw that Jimin has sent him a text over an hour ago. Taehyung clicks to open the message when he suddenly sees a shadow moving beside him. He looks and sees that Jeongguk is still standing there, looking up at the night sky with his hands in his pockets. Taehyung raised his brows at him even though the other can't see him.

"Why are you still here?" Taehyung asks, his thumbs hovering over his keypad as he's about to send a reply to Jimin's text. Jimin asked if Taehyung could drop by the convenience store to get some ramyun because he's craving and they don't have any more stock left. Taehyung plans to tell him that he's not going to pick up anything as a punishment because Jimin did not go to the grocery store to buy their food when it's his turn already. Karma comes biting back. (But Taehyung is not that mean. He'll send that text but would still get him ramyun).

"Why are you still here?" Jeongguk says instead of answering, turning his gaze at Taehyung with raised brows and a bored look.

"Shut up," Taehyung retorts weakly, finally sending his reply to Jimin. There's silence again, Taehyung was thankful for it, until Jeongguk suddenly speaks up and breaks the silence which was admittedly becoming more awkward.

"Say, why do they always tell us to stop flirting?" Jeongguk blurts out. Taehyung glares at him.

"Shut up."

"Gather up, guys!"

The runners gets up from their sitting position on the ground, resting from today's running drills, and gathers up around their captain and their coach. The coach was looking through his clipboard before looking up. Taehyung dabs at the sweat on the side of his face and down to his neck. Hoseok heaves beside him while he drinks from his bottle.

"Here's a quick reminder that the next meet is this Friday here in our campus. Be sure to arrive on time and in good condition. All of you have improved your times so i'm confident to say that we all should be fine for the meet. Any questions or concerns?"

The crowd shakes their head and after some final words of encouragement from their captain, they're finally dismissed.

"Fuck, we got morning dance practice this Friday," Hoseok mutters as he and Taehyung head back to the locker room.

"You think you're gonna be fine? You probably won't even have time to rest in between," Taehyung says, his voice dripping with concern. They began to take off their clothes as they head towards the showers.

"I know but we have a dance showcase next week and we already canceled too many dance practices before. We can't afford to miss more this time," Hoseok explains, raising his voice over the sound of the water.

Taehyung worries his bottom lip, knowing that Hoseok always puts his best on everything and he's worried that the older is probably pushing himself to his limit. Hoseok has been more exhausted than usual.

"Hyung, take care alright?" is all that Taehyung can say and he hopes that Hoseok can hear the sincerity in his voice. He hears Hoseok turn off his shower and Taehyung follows after.

"Don't worry, Tae, I will," Hoseok says after he finishes wiping down himself and walking out of the shower to change. Taehyung quickly finishes in the shower as well and catches Hoseok right on time as the older is about to leave.

"Tae, i'll be fine. I just need to sleep this off," Hoseok reassures when he sees the concerned look in Taehyung's face. Taehyung nods.

"Alright, i'm gonna get going then. See you on Friday!" Hoseok waves his arms as he turns to leave and Taehyung shouts his farewell before Hoseok was out of earshot.

He finishes putting his clothes and gathers his stuff before heading out. Outside, the sun is still out, though barely, and the cool breeze was soothing against his skin. He breathes in the fresh air and momentarily closes his eyes which he opens again right away when he hears a whistle. He turns to his left and found an armful of Jimin.

"Oh, hey," Taehyung says, surprised.

"Hey," Jimin says, wrapping his arm around Taehyung's shoulder as they begin walking. Jimin doesn't have his backpack with him so he must've gone back to their apartment before coming here.

"To what do I owe this pleasure of you picking me up after practice?" Taehyung says, teasingly, earning a chuckle from the other.

"I'm feeling bold today and I really miss manager Min," Jimin begins to say and Taehyung rolls his eyes at his last statement. "You think I can get his digits by the end of the night?" Jimin wiggles his brows up and down as they continue down the path towards Grand Cafe.

"Is that why you're all dressed up?" Taehyung asks, just noticing the nice shirt that Jimin has on as well as the tight ripped jeans that hugs his legs well which shows just how big his thighs are. His ass looks spectacular.

"Hm, yeah. Like I said, bold."

They fell into a comfortable conversation about their day, with Jimin talking about how boring his day was but happy nonetheless because it means he doesn't have any work to do and Taehyung tells him about the track and field meet.

"Fuck, this Friday?" Jimin suddenly asks. They both reach the cafe and Jimin immediately stirs them towards a table and Taehyung knows Jimin plans to stay for a while.

"Yeah, why? Can you come?" Taehyung asks as they take their seats across from each other. Taehyung watches as Jimin gets momentarily distracted as he begins looking around the cafe, obviously looking for a certain someone who would be clad in a black suit.

Jimin finally returns his gaze on Taehyung, then slumps on his seat.

"Can't. I got an exam that afternoon and a paper due by the end of the night," Jimin explains, his tone apologetic. Taehyung just nods, understanding completely. But Jimin still feels bad.

"Sorry, I really wanted to come since I haven't watched any of your meets so far but bad timing I guess."

Taehyung stretches out his arm and pats Jimin on the crown of his head.

"It's really fine. We got more meets you can attend to," Taehyung says in reassurance and watches as the guilt finally leaves Jimin's face and then he's smiling.

"So, how are you gonna do this?" Taehyung asks, changing the subject. Jimin looks thoughtful.

"I really don't know. Sure would be easier if I get him to come and sweep him off of his feet here rather than in the counter where all the workers and customers can see. It'd be embarrassing if he ends up rejecting me or kicking me out."

Jimin is not completely wrong especially that Yoongi looks scary enough, being the manager and all, despite what he's been hearing about how nice the manager actually is. Taehyung would usually just joke around about Jimin wanting the other's number but Jimin looks pretty serious this time. He's not just flirting for the sake of flirting. It seems like Jimin genuinely wants to get to know more about Yoongi and hopefully grow closer to him. So Taehyung is not gonna be an ass and will actually try and help Jimin to land himself a man.

"Come on, let's go get something," Taehyung says and stands up, Jimin following after him, and they make their way towards the counter where Yoongi is currently working at.

"What can I get for you tonight?" Yoongi asks, his voice nice and raspy, probably from talking to customers all day. Taehyung can practically feel Jimin swooning beside him.

"Your number," Jimin suddenly blurts out and it looks like that wasn't what he was planning to say because he looks just as shocked as Taehyung and Yoongi.

"E-excuse me?" Yoongi stammers out, completely taken aback. Taehyung is sure that Yoongi is more surprised by how forward and bold Jimin is being right now rather than the fact that someone just asked his number.

Jimin looks absolutely terrified, his eyes wide and brows furrowed, while Yoongi looks more amused now. Taehyung watches the two, feeling entertained.

"My friend Jimin wants to get your number tonight is what he said," Taehyung says at the side, catching both of their gazes, and just shrugs. Jimin looks ready to murder him and it seems like he was really about to pounce on Taehyung when Yoongi suddenly speaks up.

"Okay."

Jimin's fist stops mid-air before it lands on Taehyung's face as Jimin turns his gaze back towards the manager who is now smiling softly.

"What," Jimin says, more than asks, his fist finally resting on his side and Taehyung breathes in relief.

"You want to get my number right? Here," Yoongi says as he grabs a random receipt that was lying around the counter and a pen, writing some digits on it, then handing it to Jimin who looks at it with wide eyes, looking like he couldn't believe it.

"Jimin!" Taehyung hisses under his breath, trying to snap his best friend out of it. Jimin jolts and widens his eyes even more.

"I- wow, um, thanks," Jimin says, gulping down a lump in his throat. If only Taehyung could pull out his phone right now and snap a picture of the look on Jimin's face. Priceless but he doesn't want to ruin the moment not when it's progressing better than both him and Jimin have hoped for.

"Thanks again, uh, mr. Min. Yeah, um, have a nice evening," Jimin says once again and Taehyung can only shake his head in fondness as he watches his best friend being so flustered over getting a phone number.

Yoongi laughs a little, and Taehyung gives it to him for trying to not scare Jimin. He's probably a keeper.

After a few more moments of silence and of Taehyung and Jimin awkwardly standing in front of the counter (thank goodness there are no new customers coming in), Yoongi clears his throat to get both of their attention once again.

"So, uh, are you guys gonna order anything?"

Days passed, and even more running drills passed, it's finally the meet. Not that it's any more special than the others but for some reason, Taehyung feels a tad bit anxious.

Hoseok is always bright and lively, it's one of the many things that Taehyung admires about him, but today the older seemed a bit off, his eyes glossed over with exhaustion and Taehyung knows it's all from the heavy school workload, intense dance and track practices.

"Hyung, you okay?" Taehyung asks, nudging Hoseok beside him with his shoulder. The competition has begun, Taehyung and Hoseok are sitting on the bench waiting for their events.

Hoseok looks up and meets Taehyung's gaze, giving his signature smile that is so bright it could probably rival the sun.

"Told you m'fine," Hoseok says, patting Taehyung at the back. "You know i'd tell coach if I think i'm not in a good condition. I'm really fine. Just wanna get this over with you know?" Taehyung nods. He knows. "Besides, I love running. Can't afford to miss this."

Taehyung finally smiles, a real one, and feels relieved. He just couldn't help feeling concerned for his friends, knowing it very well himself what it's like feeling exhausted and drained.

They turn their attention back on the field and watches the current events that are taking place. Taehyung's event is up next.

"Hey, Jung, have you seen Jeon around?"

Both Taehyung and Hoseok turns to their left and sees their coach with his clipboard wrapped around his arm and one of his hand on his hip.

"Jeon Jeongguk?" Hoseok asks and the coach nods in response.

Hoseok looks around, Taehyung does too, as they search for a hint of Jeongguk's black hair and his obnoxious neon orange shirt that he always wears during their meets. No sign at all. Hoseok turns back to their coach.

"No, I haven't. I'll go give him a call," Hoseok says and with another nod, their coach leaves.

Hoseok takes his drawstring bag from the ground and takes out his phone. He presses some buttons before putting the device against his right ear. No answer.

"Jesus, where the fuck is he? He's never late during our meets and practices, right?" Hoseok asks, looking concerned and frustrated after a few more unanswered calls.

"He probably thinks he could sleep in just because the meet is in our campus today," Taehyung says, not really feeling concerned about the other.

"Nah, I doubt that. But he has been really busy. You think he's skipping to do some work?" Hoseok asks again, finally giving up on calling Jeongguk as he begins typing to probably send him a text instead.

"Hm, dunno. Possibly, though. I heard his manager even gave him a day off cos Jeon's been real busy," Taehyung says, his eyes watching the runners getting in their position at the starting line. Hoseok puts his phone back inside his bag and turns to Taehyung with raised brows.

"How did you know that?"

"Jimin and I went to the Grand Cafe where Jeon works at a couple of days ago."

Hoseok nods.

"Oh yeah, Jeongguk mentioned something about working at a cafe. And doesn't Jimin have the hots for the manager there?"

Taehyung chuckles at that, remembering the events the last time they went to that cafe.

"Yeah, finally got his number too. I'd say they seem to be progressing well. Jimin has been ignoring me ever since he got Yoongi hyung's digits. Jimin's been glued to his phone," Taehyung says with a slow shake of his head and he hears Hoseok laugh at that.

"That's Jimin for you. Once he gets a crush, it's hard to pull him back out. Good for him though."

By the time they returned their attention back to the event in front of them, the event is already half-way done. Seeing this, Taehyung stands up and begins stretching.

"Are you up next?" Hoseok asks as Taehyung does some quad stretches.

"Yeah."

Hoseok gives him a firm pat on the back and flashes Taehyung a smile and a thumbs up.

"Gonna be great, Kim!"

The event finally ends, their school ending up as second place. Not bad.

Taehyung jogs towards the starting line as the 100 meter runners gets called. He does more stretching before crouching down into position.

This, running, never gets old. Taehyung would never get enough of the adrenaline that goes through his whole body as soon as he settles in position on the starting line. Taehyung gets tired, but never gets tired of running.

As soon as he hears the starting pistol, he pushes off of his position and he runs like he always have, fast. Taehyung may not be as good when doing some long runs but he's exceptional as a sprinter.

The event was over too fast, as it really should be, and Taehyung easily lands on the first place.

The crowd erupts in loud cheers, and if Taehyung focuses enough, he might hear Hoseok's very own obnoxious cheer. Taehyung can't help the grin that appears on his face.

"Now that was a fucking sprint! You killed it!" Hoseok exclaims as soon as Taehyung reaches the bench that they were both sitting on earlier. Taehyung still has the massive grin on his face which grew wider as soon as Hoseok engulfs him in a congratulatory hug.

"Thanks, man," Taehyung says, grabbing his water bottle and finishes it with three long gulps.

"Good job, Taehyung. New record too." Taehyung looks up and sees their coach approaching them. Taehyung gives him a smile and the coach easily returns it before his expression switches into a frown.

"Where's Jeongguk?" He begins to say. "Jung, were you able to call him?"

Hoseok shakes his head. "No, coach. Jeon wasn't answering his phone. Left him some messages too but no response."

The coach massages his temples, clearly worried and frustrated. Taehyung hears the next announcement and if he remembers correctly, it's Jeongguk's event.

"Jesus, where is h-"

"M'here, coach. Here!"

Taehyung, Hoseok, and the coach looks up and sees Jeongguk running towards them, indeed wearing his neon orange shirt. He's sweaty all over as if he just did his event.

"You got us all worried. It's your event now, get your ass over there," their coach says, loud but you can hear the relief in his tone. Jeongguk offers an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, coach," Jeongguk says before he drops all of his things on the ground, near the bench that Taehyung and Hoseok are sitting on, and jogs towards the starting line, joining his opponents.

"Jeon looks like shit," Taehyung mutters but it's loud enough so Hoseok could hear. Aside Jeongguk's sweaty figure, his hair is also unstyled like it usually is as if he just got up from a nap and never bothered fixing his hair at all, and during the few moments that their coach and Jeongguk were talking, Taehyung noticed the dark circles underneath the younger's eyes, which were not so prominent the last time Taehyung and Jeongguk saw each other, which was only a few days ago. He looks like he just went to hell and back. Definitely worse than Hoseok.

Hoseok nods in agreement. "I know he has it tough these past couple of days but he looks especially dead today. I don't think he's in a good condition to run."

Taehyung turns to look at Jeongguk then. Usually, Taehyung leaves to take a bathroom break or get some snack every time it's Jeongguk's event. This time though, he can't help but feel a bit worried for the younger, not when he looks like he's more ready to pass out rather than do a sprint event.

The runners get into their starting position, with Taehyung and Hoseok keeping a close eye on Jeongguk who keeps blinking his eyes as if he's trying to fight off sleep. Knowing Jeongguk though, Taehyung knows he's not going to lose but he also knows that he's not going to win either. Taehyung would be pleased if Jeongguk ends up getting a bad record for this meet but not this time because Jeongguk looks pitiful enough that Taehyung doesn't have the energy to wish the other some bad luck.

The starting pistol gets fired and one by one the runners pushes off of their position and begins running. As soon as Taehyung and Hoseok notices how Jeongguk wobbles a little as soon as he was on his feet, they both know this is going to end ugly. How ugly? They don't know just yet.

They watched the race closely and watches Jeongguk closer. Jeongguk is definitely slower than he usually is, so slow that Taehyung is almost tempted to get up from his seat to cheer the other on and tell him to run like hell is on his tails. Hoseok does exactly that.

"Jeon Jeongguk! You can do this! Go, go, go! Run!"

They're not sure if Jeongguk heard Hoseok but Jeongguk definitely picked up his pace, catching up and even passed two runners in the process. Just when they thought everything is going back to normal with Jeongguk, that's when it really gets ugly. Just like how they predicted it.

How ugly? Well by picking up his pace, Jeongguk has pushed himself way beyond his limit, causing his legs to buckle beneath him and then he begins falling, his right shoulder hitting the ground with so much force and twisting his ankle in the process. Jeongguk's body rolls on the ground before it finally comes into a stop by the benches.

The crowd holds their breath, watching Jeongguk's curled up body on the ground, injured and heavily bruised.

"Fuck," Taehyung mutters under his breath before everyone in their team goes running towards Jeongguk.