thanks for sticking around with me (:
i look forward to you guys' comments hehe
thank you for making my day💛💛

♡♡♡

"Welcome to my sanctuary!" Jeongguk watched as the older pushed past the double doors to a kennel area filled with dogs of all sizes, and immediately, he watched him practically waddle-run over to a small black and tan dog jumping at the sight of him.

"You work at an animal shelter?" He followed after him, scanning the concrete room, wondering why he didn't expect this from Taehyung.

"I volunteer for free. I schedule days here when I'm not helping at homeless breakfasts, or food and clothes drives," Taehyung said, already kneeling on the ground and petting the little fluff balls that swarmed him.

"Is this for your resumee?" Jeongguk joined him inside of one of the kennels, making sure to shut the door behind him. He raised an eyebrow, noticing a little poodle sniff his shoe.

"Nope. Well, kinda, but playing with dogs who don't have forever owners and reminding them that they deserve love is better than leaving them alone," He said in a matter of fact way as he gently ran his fingers through the pomeranian's hair.

"Dogs aren't humans, Specs," He teased.

"But all of 'em feel just as strongly as you and I," Taehyung cooed at the little dog that hopped into his lap, his entire features lightening up as the smile he wore was enough to brighten an entire room.

Jeongguk realized he was staring too long and averted his gaze to the little poodle giving him sweet little puppy eyes. He decided to sit down next to him, guessing it would be weird to simply stand around for the next two hours they were going to be here.

It humored him, Taehyung's duality, that was what. At their dorm, he was shouting curses at him and throwing around smirks like candy, which didn't quite sit well with Jeongguk because since when did he learn how to utilize that.

Compared to then, the Taehyung he witnessed right now, shoving his glasses that fell off his nose and giggling when the dogs left dozens of kisses on the curves of his cheeks, was the complete opposite. He barely looked like a guy that would send threats, and more like the person he made fun of before the big makeover.

He didn't know how to feel about that, really.

His blue hair was a mess, falling over his eyes in wisps that the older carded his fingers through and pushed aside. Jeongguk noticed while he petted the poodle on his lap, how Taehyung cupped the dog's faces with his palms in the shape of tiny hearts. He never neglected any of them, showering them in his love.

There was too much love in Taehyung, and it was then did Jeongguk get this heavy sensation tugging in his stomach, his lips falling into a frown.

"Y'know I have a lot of pets back home. My dads felt bad about me being the only child, so they agreed to buy me whatever pet I want," Taehyung said, saving Jeongguk from spiraling into thoughts about him he didn't want to explore.

"Really? My dad refused to buy my sister a pet after she accidentally forgot about her hermit crab during the move after the divorce," Jeongguk snorted, only realizing that he said something personal when the older's gaze fixed on him.

Jaw tightening, Jeongguk was about to tell him to fuck off until Taehyung cleared his throat, looking away, "My dads didn't mind. They liked pets just as much as I did." He said, continuing like Jeongguk didn't say anything.

His shoulders relaxed, not quite expecting that and whether or not he should thank him. He swallowed, remembering those regular hook-ups who let it get to their head that Jeongguk might have felt a sliver of emotion for them (he didn't) and practically tried to force information about his private life.

They would get irritated when he denied to talk about his family, complaining that talking to him was like a wall, and that he put little to no effort into anything except his precious volleyball. He didn't care, for he kicked them out later, but this was a piece of himsef he refused to give away to others.

He wasn't ashamed, he loved his family to pieces, but it was just too personal. People didn't need to know about his backstory and pity him for the things he went through. He would rather they talk about his sexual history and his sport behind his back, instead of warping the details of his personal life to satisfy their insatiable greed for drama.

Not like Taehyung would do that, but just because he found one person that wasn't full of shit, didn't mean he told them his entire lifestory right away.

"How many did you have?" Jeongguk asked, chewing on the inner wall of his cheek, trying to act like nothing happened.

Taehyung grinned, scratching behind the ears of a beagle puppy. "I got a hamster, two cats, three fish, two goats at my grandparents' house, and a sassy little turtle named Mr. Sheldon Shells."

"Your house is a fucking zoo, Specs."

At that, the older let the out a laugh, the sound rumbling in his throat. "The perks of being the only child I guess. But I think my dads love them more than they love me."

"I can see why," Jeongguk snorted, earning a jab to the side from the older. "Hey I was just messing with you, Specs. You're an animal hoarder."

"No. I'm an animal lover," Taehyung corrected. "I give all of my endless love to little critters because I'm single and lonely."

"Sounds like the beginning of a crazy cat lady," He yelped, dodging Taehyung this time before he could smack him. He held his hands up in defense, a crooked grin sitting lazily on his lips.

"So," Jeongguk said, propping his leg up and draping his arm over his knee. "Is that dog right there your favorite?" He pointed at the fluff ball from earlier, the same one with the eyebrows and black and tan fur that Taehyung seemed attached to.

"This little dude is called Yeontan," Taehyung said, picking up the puppy, showing it to the younger with the proudest smile. "He's my baby. The shelter got him a couple months ago, and he had some health issues. I stuck right by his side up until now."

"You named it Yeontan?" He lifted an eyebrow. The older nodded, bringing the dog close to his chest.

"Yeah. Nobody here wants to adopt dogs with problems," His voice softened as he gently ran his fingers through Yeontan's fur, massaging the spot behind his ears. "So I try to come as often as I can because all his friends get adopted except for him."

"Oh," Jeongguk said quietly. "What happens if he doesn't get adopted?" He watched Taehyung stiffen, and he immediately regretted it, but the older shook his head, taking in a deep breath.

"Then they'll put him down," Taehyung whispered, words slightly breaking. "But I don't wanna talk about that. I wanna think that someone will adopt him and give him the love this little guy deserves."

"Someone will, but I think he looks pretty attached to you, Specs," Jeongguk gestured at the two, unable to help the fact that they simply looked perfect together.

Yeontan was falling asleep in Taehyung's arms, cuddling against his chest like it was the best place on earth. Taehyung continued to stroke the spot between his ears, which he supposed Yeontan liked a lot because the little dude was dozing off.

"Oh no, I can't. I'm not home as often as I was," He murmured. "I know my dads would be okay with it, but they're already taking the time out of their days to watch out for my pets there."

"Do you go home often?" Jeongguk asked, shifting uncomfortably watching Taehyung fall silent on him. "The school lets us go home every other weekend to see our families."

"They're in Daegu. I can't," Taehyung muttered. "I wish I could. I miss them, but I have stuff to do, and they understand college is the most important to me right now."

"I see," The younger's teeth captured his bottom lip, gently nibbling at the skin. "Isn't it funny? I kinda understand you for once, Specs." That was a little bit of a lie.

"What?" He raised a questioning eyebrow at him. "Was that supposed to be an insult?"

"Oh no, no," Jeongguk shook his head, shifting so that his legs were now crossed over one another, not realizing that his knee brushed against Taehyung's.

"I just get where you're coming from."

"You do?" Taehyung said, at which the younger nodded. "Wow, that's so cool that we can relate to one another." Sarcasm dripped from the older's words, but he knew he was kidding but that didn't stop Jeongguk from nudging his side.

"Yeah," He shrugged. "I don't know if this is a shocker, but I really miss my family too." His voice softened at the faintest memory of his sisters flashed in his head for a second too short for his own liking.

"Wow, you're displaying human emotions. So relatable. The flavor is immaculate."

"Okay stop," Jeongguk scowled, smacking the older's shoulder who was snickering to himself. "I'm trying to show you my innate relatability and awesomeness here."

"Why yes. If I were somebody else, I'd think you were trying to win me over," Taehyung teased, raising his hands up to defend himself when the younger shot him yet another death glare.

"Alright, I'm sorry," He said, patting the younger's knee. "I'll stop. I'm listening to you now."

"M'not trying to win you over," He grumbled. "I just didn't want you to think you were weird 'coz you miss your family. Mine live in Busan, and I can't go up because of volleyball. So bam, you're not weird 'coz I miss mine too."

"You really love volleyball, don't you?" The older hummed, gently putting Yeontan aside as he got up onto his feet. He held his hand out for Jeongguk, which the younger simply stared at.

"Volleyball is the entirety of my existence. It's the reason I wake up, but so are my family," Jeongguk nodded, slowly taking Taehyung's hand in his. It was fleeting, that exact moment. Their eyes met, neither one saying a word, and soon once their hands separated, the world resumed as per usual.

Funny how everything— his heart, time, their surroundings— seemed to stop around Taehyung. Jeongguk tried not to think too hard about that.

"Where are we going?" He asked, following the older to one of the walls were leashes dangled from pegs. He watched as Taehyung took off a harness for Yeontan and gave the same things to Jeongguk.

"Walking them. We pet, then we walk, play, feed, cuddle, and go," Taehyung said. He lead him to where Yeontan and another dog was, gesturing at the younger to crouch down.

He taught Jeongguk how to properly put on a dog harness and attach the leash, and soon Jeongguk was petting the soft head of a white maltese named Gureum. It yapped at him when he pulled his hand away, and when he went to pet the little guy, it nuzzled against his fingers.

"Looks like you charmed yet another one," Taehyung teased, getting back up to his feet, red leash in his hands. "Who else can you not charm?"

"You," Jeongguk teased, earning an eyeroll from the older as the two of them walked with their dogs out of the kennel area.

"In your dreams," Taehyung stuck his tongue at him. The two of them walked side by side, Yeontan and Guruem waddling ahead of them on their leashes: red, for Taehyung, and blue for Jeongguk.

They went outside of the building, and nearby was a little park for dogs, which was rather convenient so they didn't have to go too far and tire the little ones. Yeontan kept scaring poor Gureum with his barks every now and then when they see another dog.

"Awh he's like you, too, Specs," Jeongguk said when Taehyung bowed to an old woman walking her own dog after Yeontan brutally scarred her chihuahua for life.

"What do you mean?" Taehyung grumbled, cheeks slightly dusted with pink as he gently tugged Yeontan along.

"You think you're so intimidating and confident, until a big dog comes along," Jeongguk bit back a laugh, gesturing at the way Yeontan hid behind Taehyung's legs when a woman jogged by with her golden retriever.

"What?" He frowned, earning an eyeroll from him.

"I mean you suck literal ass at flirting."

"I beg your pardon," Taehyung frowned, "I can flirt."

"A pick-up line isn't flirting, young padawan," He said, leading Gureum away from Yeontan who was now growling at him. "Face it. Your skills can never beat mine."

"Really now?" He raised an eyebrow at him, "I want you to let you know I saw Jimin the other day."

"You did what now?" Jeongguk's lips crammed into a frown, eyebrows narrowing on his features. "When did you see him?"

"At Sunshine Sips. He came in before volleyball practice, and we talked! I approached him, and I thought I messed up, but we ended up flirting, and gosh he's so much prettier up close! He forgot who I was, though, but I don't blame him 'cause I changed my looks and I wasn't wearing glasses," Taehyung rambled, gushing about their meeting to a severely concerned Jeongguk.

"He forgot your name?" Jeongguk interrupted his ramble about how gorgeous Jimin's smile was. The older stopped talking to realize what he said and finally nodded.

"Well yeah, it doesn't matter to me. I wasn't that memorable anyways before I got a makeover," He shrugged like it was nothing, but to Jeongguk, every alarm in his head was setting off.

"Didn't you tell me that you spent most of summer together?" He asked, stopping in his tracks, not at all liking the sound of this. Taehyung nodded like he was being stupid.

"Jeongguk, it's okay. I'm used to people forgetting who I am," Taehyung rolled his eyes like it was nothing. Jeongguk bit his lip, unsure whether he was lying to him right now.

"What else did you talk about?" Jeongguk continued, trying not to sound too nosy. It was just that he didn't like what he was hearing, not because he had any feelings for Jimin (he didn't), but the fact that Jimin could be faking things.

"He talked about your volleyball game today, and he invited him to the lockers." Jeongguk choked.

Motherfucking Park Jimin did what?

"S-Specs don't go," Jeongguk waved him aside when he gained control of himself. Taehyung raised an eyebrow at him, but he was quick to explain, "Don't. Trust me. I've known Jimin for years. I'm not trying to ruin your hopes, but please don't go."

"Why not? You can't make my decisions for me, Jeon," Taehyung said, the skin between his brows creasing along with the corners of his lips.

"It's not a good idea. I don't think you're ready for it," He said, firmly. "Inviting people to the locker room isn't limited to just Park Jimin. Fuck, even I've done it before. Everybody does it if they're an ace."

"What do you mean?" The older frowned. Jeongguk sighed, shoving his fingers through his hair, unable to meet Taehyung's gaze. "Jeongguk."

"He's inviting you for sex, alright!"

"Oh," Taehyung whispered, and when Jeongguk did bring himself to look over at him, he noticed the boy's cheeks were flushed a bright hue of pink.

"I'm not proud of it, but we athletic stars do fuck in the lockers. Don't give me that look!" He snapped, though he immediately calmed himself down, not wanting to scare Specs. "I warned you. I know you wanted your first time to be...special."

"Jeongguk...," The older murmured, twisting the leash between his fingers. Jeongguk sighed, eyeing the older, silently shouting 'what' at him.

"Does he just want me for the sex?"

"What? No! If Jimin got to know you better, he wouldn't. He's a cool guy, I swear. Just keep talking to him and don't let him take things like that from you," Jeongguk said, his tone softening around the edges.

He wasn't so sure why he was painting his friend out to be some good person, but he just couldn't live with the way Taehyung's features dimmed when he told him that. He didn't regret telling him the truth, that was for sure. Who knew how easily he crumbled under pressure, especially when he saw Jimin like he was the most perfect thing on earth?

Taehyung didn't deserve to get played like that.

"You can still come to the game," Jeongguk said, hating the silence between them. "I'll be there to beat him if he tried anything."

"It's okay," Taehyung whispered, waving him off with a small smile as he turned to return back to the shelter. "We can try again some other time." And with that, he went back without waiting for him.

Fuck. What did he just do?

♡♡♡

"You," Jeongguk seethed, trying to keep himself calm as he approached Jimin by his locker. The game was going to start in thirty minutes, the coach wanting them out to warm up, but Jeongguk needed to do this. He just had to.

"He's not going to show up now or later," He said, hands on his hips when the older's gaze settled on him. He stood in front of him, jaw clenched tight.

"Who are you talking about?" Jimin asked, batting his eyelashes innocently, tilting his head up to meet his intense gaze.

"You know who I'm talking about," The younger snapped, keeping his expression calmed. "That Kim Taehyung guy isn't a toy."

"Oh. So you've been keeping tabs on me Jeonggukie? I didn't think you cared about me," The older merely frowned, turning to the mirror on his locker door to apply lipgloss across his lips. "But you got me. Guy's fucking hot as hell."

"Don't take this wrong, Chim. Taehyung's off limits for sex," He said, watching the older smack his lips, satisfied with his look for their game. Jimin adjusted his shorts, raising them higher over his ass.

"If you wanted to fuck him, I would have let you," Jimin simply shrugged, turning back around to face the younger. "You could've just asked, Ggukie."

"What? No," Jeongguk scowled, shaking his head. "I'm saying this because he's a decent guy."

"Bullshit. Everybody's fucked up here. Including you."

"Not Taehyung," He murmured, glancing over Jimin's shoulder to see Yugyeom and San gesturing at them to hurry up and get out. "Fuck with anyone you want, except Taehyung. He's the guy who you're looking for. Someone... who has commitment."

"I don't even know him," Jimin started, which the younger cut off with a bitter laugh.

"Hell yeah you do. He's the kid you worked with at the convenience store," Jeongguk said, watching realization ease its way onto Jimin's features. "You know him."

"Why are you even doing this? Are you his friend, or something?" At that, the younger stiffened, not quite expecting Jimin to say that. His adam's apple bobbed in the hollow of his throat.

"We're pals," He murmured, "and I want you to date someone who's actually interested in you." His brows furrowed when Jimin stepped closer, their faces meters apart from one another's.

"Are you even hearing yourself, Gguk?" Jimin scoffed, his hand reaching up to fix a wrinkle on Jeongguk's shirt. They were wearing the long sleeved ones today, the ones Jimin liked, ones he hated.

"Someone's lying here, and it isn't me. Hurts to think you'd lie to your only bestfriend who's been there for you for forever," He rested his hand on his shoulder, smirking up at him. Before Jeongguk could speak up, Jimin leaned forward, pressing his lips against his.

It was brief, and he could taste his sugary cherry lipgloss, burning on his skin along with his touch; it didn't feel right. He frowned, gaze narrowed while he wiped his mouth with the edge of his sleeve, eyes following Jimin as he patted the side of his cheek with the fakest of smiles. 

"I'll be careful with Taehyung just for you," Jimin hummed. "But one last thing." He said before pushing past him, massaging his fingers to get ready to set for their important game tonight.

"You still owe me for keeping your secrets, Ggukie."

Fucking snap out of it, Jeongguk shook his head, running a hand down his face. You have a game to play. He inhaled sharply, shutting Jimin's locker and leaving once the older was out of sight. 

"What were you doing?" Yugyeom jogged up to him,  handing his captain a volleyball to start warming up. Jeongguk immediately tossed the ball in front of him, sending it surging forward over the net in one second.

He grabbed another one, teeth gritted as he ignored Yugyeom's questions, the crowd screaming his name in the distance, and the warm-up music deafening his ears. He didn't hesitate to serve it over, slamming all of his power onto one ball, the ball bending at his will.

"Woah, woah, slow down you frustrated bunny before you break an opponent's face," Yugyeom patted Jeongguk's shoulder after he served another ball that almost knocked a player on the floor

"I'm warming up," Jeongguk deadpanned, grabbing another ball off the floor and spinning it in his palms effortlessly. On the otherside of the court, the opponents were shouting at him to chill out.

"Let me warm up. That's an order."

"You're gonna kill someone. Nobody serves like a machine gun except you," Yugyeom snatched the ball from his hands, earning a 'hey watch it' from the older as he held it above his head. Screw tall people.

"We all know you're aiming for their best players 'cuz they're annoying as fuck, but we need a team to play against," The younger said, lightly serving the ball underhand to another player waiting for one.

"Let me serve," Jeongguk snapped, trying to grab another ball just for it to be kicked away and given to somebody else.

"Cool down first. You solve your issues by hitting a ball or having sex. I solve mine by talking," Yugyeom grumbled, grabbing him by the wrist and pulling him off the court despite his protests.

"Gyeom, I'm the captain. I need to be out there," He argued, shoving his fingers through his damp hair, lips bunched into a scowl.

"Not when there's a fat vein throbbing on your neck that's aboutta burst," Yugyeom poked his collarbone. Jeongguk yelped, slapping his hand away as he tried to push past him but to no avail. Stupid middle blockers. They were literal walls.

"I'm fine," Jeongguk tried again, only to be grabbed the shoulders and be firmly held in place. "What do you want me to say? I'm currently stressing out from my shitty ass week, my shitty ass life, and my shitty ass emotions. Is that what you wanna hear?"

"Bingo," The older deflated, realizing that was exactly what he wanted to hear. "Is there anything I could do? Y'know help?" Yugyeom asked.

"Leave me alone," He forced a smile to his lips, finally prying the younger's hands off of him. "I got it. It's none of your business." He snapped, grabbing a ball rolling in his direction.

"Well you're our team captain. You're concerned about us all the time, so we should care about you," Yugyeom said, watching as Jeongguk settled into his stance, his arm bent with the ball centered on his palm.

"I'm fine," He said, gritting his teeth together as he spun the volleyball one last time. "I'll be fine."

And he was. Sort of.

There was something about volleyball that took the chaos of his life, crammed it together into a ball he could channel all of his frustration into, and slam it across the net. It made things make sense for a little while, and he supposed that's why he loved it so much because it cleared up his mind.

It was euphoric when the ball came into contact with his hand and all of his power centered on slamming it to the ground for the kill. It just made sense; it was like second nature.

They were winning, as always. With Jimin as their setter, Yugyeom and Soobin as the blockers, San as the libero, and Jeongguk as the ace, things were easy. Sure, the other team got a few rallies up, but they always made sure to shut them down. 

But near the end of the second set, while the team was gathered around for a time-out called by the other team (it was useless; they knew were losing to Jeongguk's team), he glanced around the crowd, a particular blue-haired someone catching his eye.

It was Specs and his friends, and Specs was waving at him from the stands, or well, at least he thought he was. He was about to wave his hand, but from the corner of his eye, he realized Specs wasn't waving at him, but at Jimin.

Oh.

Jeongguk took a swig of water, shutting out Specs from his thoughts. When Jimin brushed past him to get onto the court, he winked at him, and got onto his position by the net like nothing happened. It shouldn't have affected him like it did, but Jeongguk swallowed it back down to play.

They ended up winning both sets.

A whistle snapped through the silence once the ball bounced off the ground, rolling over to the other team's benches. Of course Jeongguk hit the last kill, knowing he beat his last record of 20 for 25, and of course it was Jimin who set it to him.

He knew deep down he was nothing without Jimin, and he made sure to remind him of that.

He landed back on his feet, swiping the sweat slicking his forehead with his wrist only to see Jimin's back facing him. He was getting his hair ruffled by San and Jackson, praising him for his amazing setting skills.

Eventually they all shook hands and bowed, though he knew neither one of their opponents were happy. Nobody liked Jeongguk— he had opportunities they didn't and skills they couldn't master, but it didn't really bother him when they gave him nasty looks.

All he cared about was reaching Specs when he noticed Jimin was gone from the circle.

"Where are you going?" Yugyeom called after him, but Jeongguk ignored him, thanking nature for giving him his height as he spotted Specs's blue hair by the stands. 

Jeongguk pushed past their school reporters, trying to get a word from him about the game. He ignored girls reaching out to him, his attention fixated on the only thing that mattered in that moment. When he finally emerged from the crowd, Jimin was already gone, leaving behind a flustered Specs.

"Where's Jimin?" He asked, grabbing Specs's by the shoulder to get him to face him. Taehyung seemed shocked to see him, but the older snapped out of it, blinking a couple times.

"He just left, why?" Taehyung questioned, his gaze drifting to where Jeongguk's hand was still on his shoulder. The younger swallowed thickly, recoiling his hand back.

"Did he try to invite you to the lockers?" Jeongguk said, unsure why he was so out of breath, but thankfully the older shook his head at him.

"Do I need to beat him, or anything?"

"You don't. He just asked me something that I might need your help with because I'm awfully bad at stuff like this." At that, he raised an eyebrow at him, urging him to continue. With a roll of his eyes, he said the last thing Jeongguk wanted to hear.

"He asked me out on a date!" What the fuck.

♡♡♡

for those who don't know volleyball well,
the setter (jimin's position) is considered
the leader on the court! they control the
flow of the offense (which is jeongguk) and set up attacks, which technically means they control the players' moves. jeongguk is useless if jimin doesn't set to him, which
makes him dependent on him

just some food for thought (; bc of
course, there's always a deeper meaning!
any thoughts on jikook or jimin?

and oh my daily reminder that i lub
you guys a lot hehe stay safe &
healthy out there !!💛💛💛💛
— mela