10 chapters until the epilogue (:

also let's play a little game called
"find all the red flags & yell at mela" lmao

♡♡♡

The morning after, neither one of them spoke.

It was heavy, the atmosphere. Taehyung considered it quite crushing, and to be honest, it felt odd since most of the time the spent around Jeongguk wasn't at all like this— in fact, it was the opposite.

Usually things were light. Care free. Stress-less.

But now, it was as if a flip switched ever since their argument, and instead of the mornings where they were all over one another, they were apart.

Taehyung guessed it wasn't just Jeongguk trying to avoid him. He was guilty of it too. After all, he got up first to shower, and he ate way before Jeongguk even woke up. He didn't wait for him, and when he was dressed and Jeongguk came out, hair messy and eyes squinty with sleep, he didn't dare flirt with him.

It made sense. Their argument was fresh, hanging in the air stiffly, not having departed just yet.

Feelings were probably hurt. He knew his were. It was a dull ache latching onto his heart, though it wasn't because of the fact Jeongguk was leaving— he prepared himself for that ages ago.

It was more because of them fighting. A fight that shouldn't have happened if he just listened, but of course, he didn't and let it become this way. Maybe he shouldn't have dropped the l-word so carelessly either— maybe he shouldn't have said anything at all.

Or mayhe he shouldn't have let his insecurities and his fears eat him alive because there wasn't a need for worrying. It was Jeongguk and him. Taehyung and Jeongguk. Together, they made the complicated make sense.

But suddenly, everything— his feelings, his mind, his insecurities — was so confusing.

It didn't make sense why this would even happen to them of all people. They rarely argued, and when they did, it was never this intense.

Usually Jeongguk would laugh it off or make some dick joke by now, and Taehyung would be smothering him with kisses and cuddles.

However, that clearly wasn't going to happen.

You see, Taehyung didn't often get into arguments like this where both parties ignored one another. With Jin and Hoseok, they bought boba to make things up. With his dads, they simply watched a movie.

But seeing as Jeongguk wouldn't even spare a look in his direction, buying boba or watching a movie didn't seem like a strong enough apology.

Occasionally he would glance up, eyes fixating on the back of Jeongguk's head, watching him shuffle about the kitchen, the pads of his bare feet creaking against the floorboards. When Jeongguk turned around, he switched his attention back to his shoelaces.

This was ridiculous. Taehyung knew that. They should probably talk things out now that he wasn't wallowing in his own self doubts and panic. Maybe if he just called out to him they could sort it out.

It was easy, he told himself, nibbling on his lips. Just say his name, and maybe you could fix things.

I don't know how much longer I can stand this.

"Taehyung," Jeongguk seemed to have read his mind, prompting the older to look up from his shoes, heart suddenly racing in his chest.

"Yes?" He replied, voice slightly cracking. He winced internally. God, he was an idiot.

"Can you come here?" The younger murmured, turning the other way, putting together what seemed like a bowl of cereal. Of course, it was always the cereal.

Taehyung pushed off the couch a little bit faster than he intended to. Did he want to seem desperate to fix things Jeongguk? Yes? No? He didn't know how he should act, or what he should say, and oh god, why were his hands shaking?

When he approached the younger, he gulped thickly, standing only a couple feet away from him just in case Jeongguk wasn't ready for that. He slid his damp palms into his pockets, pressing his lips into a tight thin line.

This was it. This was where he was going to tell him that all this fighting was useless, and that they should be talking it out! It was just another easy confrontation; Taehyung's done it before.

"What's up?" He asked, trying to sound casual, thinking maybe if he acted normal things would be better— or perhaps he was just stalling. Jeongguk, however, didn't look his way.

That was enough to drain the color from his skin and knocked down all of his confidence. Great.

"You don't have to wait for me tonight. I have another late practice." Oh. So that was it. Ouch.

"Alright," Taehyung bit the inside of his cheek, fingers squeezing into fists beneath his pockets. "I won't. I-Is that all?" Please say something.

"Yeah, I guess," Jeongguk nodded along, still not daring to meet his eye. It was then, did Taehyung's stomachs squeezed, the unbearable twist nagging him in the back of his mind — panic.

God, was this some sign that he was losing him? The other day, just for fun, he was scrolling through those stupid twitter self-care threads on instagram. By accident, he saw a post about signs a relationship is falling apart, and ever-so curiously he read it.

It wasn't that Jeongguk and he were falling apart— that wasn't the case at all. He was just curious, and the thread was right there, so of course he read it. Why did it pop into his mind now? He didn't know.

But by the way Jeongguk ignored him, focusing on pouring his cereal out rather than talking to him, he couldn't help but think about it.

Distance. When partners distanced themselves from one another it wasn't good at all. This had to be some sign, right? If it was, god, they couldn't fall apart already. They just got together.

They promised each other always. Jeongguk was his person, his best friend, and his boyfriend wrapped in one huge dork. He couldn't give up on him when they barely even started.

This wasn't how things were supposed to be.

"If you're not busy, do you wanna go out together again?" Taehyung cleared his throat, slightly inching closer to the younger to close the distance. "We haven't gone out in a while."

"We can try," Jeongguk shrugged, barely glancing at him. "But I can't promise being back early."

"Well I can always wait," Taehyung suggested, only to earn a sigh from the younger. He leaned back, the skin between his brows drawing together. "What?"

"I don't want you to wait around for me," He simply said, cooly. "You have other things to do, so do them instead of wasting time on me."

"But I'm not wasting time around you," The older's lips fell into a frown. "I'm saying I'm willing to wait for you, Jeongguk. It's what boyfriends do for one another." At that, Jeongguk snorted.

"Well your boyfriend's telling you that isn't a good idea, and it isn't necessary," Jeongguk said, spooing some cereal into his mouth. "You do your thing, and I do mine. We shouldn't hold each other back."

"Who said that?" Taehyung's jaw tightened, the uneasiness prickling at his skin as his stomach lurched.

"I said that," Jeongguk retorted. "C'mon, we have class," He dropped his spoon back into the bowl, picked it up and turned toward where the sink was but Taehyung grabbed him by the forearm.

"Jeongguk," He muttered, forcing the younger to face him as his throat seemed to swell and his confidence dwindled by the second.

"Are we okay?" Jeongguk merely blinked at him.

"Why wouldn't we be?" The younger said, like it was obvious.

And perhaps Taehyung could have been dwelling too hard on it, but he swore Jeongguk meant it like he was crazy or something. Crazy for even thinking something was wrong when maybe everything was probably okay.

Like nothing was even ruined in the first place.

"Right. You're right," He gulped, fingers releasing from Jeongguk's arm, hands now retreating to his side. He tried to step back, but before he could, the younger's arm coiled around his waist, pulling him close.

"What?" Taehyung said softly, mustering all the bits and pieces of his confidences to glance up at the younger, feeling his heart crack at the sadness clouding his usual starry eyes.

"I don't wanna fight with you anymore," Jeongguk murmured, running his hand up and down his side soothingly, his saddened gaze fixing onto his.

"Can we just forget... this?"

"Jeongguk," Taehyung murmured, brows drawing together as his hands settled on his chest, pushing him back. What he didn't expect, however, is to see the pain in Jeongguk's features. Oh.

"Please," He begged, desperation lingering in his tone. "Can we just drop the fighting?"

No, this wasn't a good idea, he wanted to grab him by the fricking collar and shake some sense into his head. Why don't you want to talk? Why can't we talk this out? Why are you just giving up?

But eventually, the older nodded numbly, chewing at his lip quietly.

"Of course," He whispered back, giving in. "We're okay." He said quietly, watching the stress building between the creases on the younger's face ease.

"We're okay," Jeongguk repeated half-heartedly, squeezing his hip. "And about the date, let's make it work, okay?"

"Sure," Taehyung nodded again, a little surprised at the force he used to wear a smile on his lips.

"If that's what you want." Is it what I want?

"Great. No more fighting. We're all good now," The younger declared, or rather, said to himsef in a daze as pressed a kiss to his temple before carrying on with the rest of his routine, leaving Taehyung all on his own.

As Taehyung stood there, gaze lingering on his lover, the smile on his lips slowly faded into nothing. It was when Jeongguk left the room did his shoulders sag, and his hands flew out and clutched the edge of the counter, trying to steady himself for his head felt like lead.

They were okay, he told himself repeatedly, sucking in a shaky breath. They weren't fighting anymore. Even Jeongguk said they were okay. In fact, they were going to go on a date!

And yet, why did nothing feel the same?

♡♡♡

"Is something off between Jeongguk and Tae?"

Jin pointed out, watching Taehyung and Jeongguk sit together in class at their usual desks in the front like the teacher's pets they were. But instead of being all over eachother like the disgusting, mushy gushy couple they were, they sat a couple inches apart.

"What?" Hoseok asked after Jin slammed the table, waking the younger up from his nap. He stretched his arms over the table, brows furrowed.

"I think something's wrong with them, or is it just me? I think it's just me," Jin murmured, staring at the couple not even exchange a few words.

By now, Jeongguk would have had an arm around Tae, but they barely even looked at one another. In fact, Taehyung was busy on his phone, while the other was chatting with some members of his team on the side. Weird.

"I think it's just you," Hoseok smacked his lips together, rubbing at his eyes.

"The honeymoon shit probably wore off."

Oh, how Jin wished he was right, but this just didn't feel too good in his gut. No matter what state those two idiots were in, they were always caught up in one another — as friends or boyfriends. Together, the room was always light, not suffocatingly stiff.

Wait. Did they fight?

For once, he wanted to be wrong, so wrong that he was never even close to being correct. It wasn't like him to want that, but it was Taehyung— this was different. The kid's happiness was his own, and all he ever wanted was somebody to make Taehyung happy in ways he couldn't.

Jeongguk was the right guy, no matter how stupid and infuriating he was. Taehyung's world spun for that son of a bitch, and yet, it was as if their worlds seemed to have come to a stop.

And it wasn't a good kind of stop.

"Don't worry, hyung," Hoseok yawned, "they could be tired from banging eachother's brain cells out last night."

"I hope so," Jin drummed his fingers over the table, averting his gaze aside when Jeongguk briefly glanced in his direction.

"Maybe we should check on him more. We've been working too many shifts lately," He suggested, but the red-head shook his head.

"Taehyung knows we need the money for college, hyung. He's smart, and whatever is going on with Jeongguk, they will solve it," Hoseok said.

"They're meant for each other. The world won't let them break up."

"Don't jinx it," Jin grumbled, "don't give the universe any stupid ideas." He said, crumpling up a piece of paper and yeeting at the younger.

"Okay, that was unnecessary," It bounced off Hoseok's head and onto the table. He grabbed the crumpled ball and threw it back, ultimately missing. "Damn it."

"C'mon Jin," Hoseok whined, realizing Jin wasn't paying attention to him. "They'll figure it out. They love each other too much to not."

"Well that's the thing," Jin sighed, "they love each other too much, I think it might kill them."

"That's kinda morbid," Hoseok snorted. "Stop staring, hyung. It's not our place to get involved with their stuff. This kind of thing is natural, remember that. Not all couples are disgustingly sweet all the time."

"But they're that couple— fine, I'll stop," He rolled his eyes, seeing Jeongguk lean over and flick the older's chin. "Maybe they are okay," He told himself.

"Yeah, they're Taehyung and Jeongguk. They'll always be okay," Hoseok's voice softened as he squeezed the older's shoulder. "Nothing could break them apart."

"I hope you're right," Jin murmured, forcing himself to focus on his work even though deep down, the idea that something was wrong still nagged at him.

♡♡♡

Jeongguk missed their date.

And he missed a couple more for the next few werks with the same excuse every single time: "I had volleyball."

It wasn't that Taehyung cared or well, he did, and with every apology text his heart cracked. The pieces slowly broke apart, crumbling into the bottom of his stomach, but of course, he put the fragments back together with a deep breath and a smile.

He tried to be understanding. This was Jeongguk's dream— the goal every moment in his life lead up to. Next to volleyball, Taehyung would forever be the second choice.

He didn't have a right to be selfish and tell Jeongguk to drop everything for him when there wasn't a reason why Jeongguk should stay for him anyways. 

He realized that maybe he was boring and dull, and those times where he rambled about his interests probably bore Jeongguk out, and the younger was just smiling and laughing along because he felt bad.

Or maybe, Jeongguk only kissed him like he felt he had to. The times Jeongguk called him beautiful or pretty were probably said because Jeongguk thought he should say it since he was his boyfriend.

Jeongguk probably didn't enjoy having sex with him, and maybe he did it because it was his obligation. Maybe he dated Taehyung out of pity, or maybe he just lost interest a long time ago.

God, all these thoughts ate him alive, devouring him until he was a pathetic crying, snotty mess hugging Jeongguk's hoodies to smell him since he rarely saw the younger nowadays.

All he wanted was Jeongguk, but now he wasn't so sure if he deserved him anymore. Or if he even should deserve Jeongguk's time.

Jeongguk tried to be nice, but Taehyung supposed he was doing 'cuz he felt bad. They would try to talk normally, but in the end it was just silence and awkward touches.

Sometimes they had sex, but it never really had the same 'wow factor' as it did before. Even the sex was embarassing and Taehyung went from being naked beneath to him to always wearing a shirt or a hoodie, or just flat out rejecting him so he could wallow in his own self hate.

Sometimes they did nothing.

The other day, Jeongguk asked if he wanted to hang out on a date while they were studying silence. He agreed, actually excited that it was the younger asking him since he rarely did so.

But he was a fool. Tonight wasn't any different.

He texted him a bit ago, apologizing that their practice was going to run later, and that Taehyung should probably stay home because he was going to crash over at Jae's dorm.

Of course, Taehyung told him it was all good, and he even wished him to have fun after wiping away all his stupid, idiotic tears.

What he didn't tell him, however, was that he invited Jimin over instead. He was his only option left, since his other friends were off working a late shift as per usual, and Jimin wasn't quite bad company.

But at this point, Taehyung didn't care who he was with. He just didn't want to be alone tonight.

And there was something Jeongguk wasn't telling him either, but at the same time, it was as if he knew what was going on. Pained him to think about it, and every second Jeongguk drifted off chipped away at his heart, but this was the reality.

Jeongguk chose volleyball.

He didn't have to say it outloud for the both of them to know. It was there, hanging in the air above their heads like a blade to a guillotine. 

Taehyung supposed he was okay with it, even if they weren't talking often and the only times Jeongguk had touched him where either a chaste kiss on the cheek or a loose arm wrapped around his arm.

Maybe things would get better, he told himself on the days he wasn't swamped with his thoughts.

Maybe one day all of this would just disappear and things would go back to normal. They could go back to being disgustingly clingy and sweet and they would never fight again because now, he knew what not to do.

Who was he fooling? Things sucked. Things weren't getting better. All that bullshit about them being Jeongguk and Taehyung, the couple that were always good in the end, didn't make sense.

Even that was becoming harder to believe.

So hard to believe, but Taehyung tried to anyways like the idiot he was.

"I brought food," Jimin declared, brushing past Taehyung and in his arms were paper bags wafting with the scent of fast food from the place a few blocks from campus.

"Shouldn't you be at practice?" Taehyung shut the door after him, wanting to know the answer since Jimin had been hanging out with him on the days Jeongguk was practicing late.

"Your boyfriend and his friends are just doing some extra training," Jimin set the bags on the coffee table.

"The school practices ended a bit ago."

"Oh, so he's practicing for Japan already?" Taehyung joined him on the couch, and in the back of his mind, he wondered if Jeongguk knew this was going to happen before they got together.

But before he could delve into the stupid what-ifs and the thoughts that made him realize how much of an idiot he was, Jimin clapped his hands together, snapping him out of his thoughts. Taehyung raised an eyebrow at him.

"We are not going to overthink," Jimin said, crossing his arms over his chest. "That is not what we're gonna do tonight."

"Then what are we going to do?" Taehyung leaned back into the couch, grabbing a pillow to cuddle as he rested his chin on the soft plush.

"Eat. Talk. Cry. I don't know," Jimin brushed his blonde fringe out of his eyes. "Everything but hate ourselves. Where's your confidence, Tae?"

"Gone," Taehyung chuckled dryly. "It flew out the window ages ago."

"Are you and Jeongguk still fighting?" The younger didn't answer, but it was enough for Jimin to let out a sigh.

"You guys seriously haven't talked it out by now?" Jimin muttered, rubbing a hand down his face.

"What's there to talk about?" Taehyung mumbled.

"Look at you. You're sulking and wearing one of his hoodies. Your eyes are red," The older pointed out. "It's obvious something is wrong, Tae."

"Nothing's wrong," He whispered, and he wasn't sure if he was lying or trying to convince himself like he had been doing for the last month or so.

"Bullshit. I know Jeongguk, and I know you now too. Jeongguk's better at hiding stuff and pushing the shit away when it gets complicated. You have it all out in the open," Jimin said.

"It's obvious you two need to talk, Tae."

"But Jeongguk already made his choice," His words were muffled against the pillow as he squeezed it closer to his chest. "He chose volleyball."

"Did he say that? Like did it come out of his stupid ass mouth?" Jimin asked. Taehyung shook his head.

"See, this is some misunderstanding," he cried out. "You see, Jeongguk loves volleyball, and he thought he would never find anything else to love as much as that sport. He's also a dumbass." At that, Taehyung chuckled a little.

"But you, Tae, that kid loves you." Now that, he didn't believe. Taehyung gulped, squeezing his eyelids shut feeling that familiar burn behind his retinas.

Jeongguk didn't love him, and he made it clear when he denied him the night of their argument.

"You did the impossible and became one of the few things he loves," Jimin stressed. "Jeongguk's just an idiot who sucks at talking but he listens. He will listen to what you have to say."

"Why are you saying these things?" He blurted out, the words slipping past his mouth before he could stop them.

"What?" Jimin raised an eyebrow at him. Taehyung simply shrugged, moving his head up a bit so the pillow wouldn't muffle his words.

"You always talked bad about him," Taehyung said, clearimg his throat. "Whenever we used to hang out in the past, you made sure to tell me how bad of a person he was."

"Oh," Jimin whispered, staring down at his lap. "Well, I guess you can say I was just mad. I was mad a lot back then actually, and I know it's late, but I didn't mean any of that." 

"You didn't?" The younger murmured, slightly shocked by the older's confession. Jimin shook his head.

"Back then, I was just... upset. You already know I had feelings for Jeongguk during the summer, and he turned me down. I was bitter, and I didn't handle it like I should have. I know an apology doesn't make up for what I did," He said, chuckling a little.

"But I didn't mean those things. Jeongguk's probably had the biggest heart ever, and it's meant for people who truly deserve it," Jimin said softly, his gaze fixing on Taehyung.

"Jimin," Taehyung's voice drifted off, the words breaking around the edges. Jimin shook his head, waving it off.

"Don't. Back to what I was saying, I'm telling you that you need to talk it out," Jimin swallowed. "Losing a friend like Jeongguk was the biggest mistake I ever made."

"I don't want you to lose someone like him."

"Thank you," Taehyung eventually said after some time, peering up at the older who seemed to be staring off at the wall. "I appreciate that."

"It's nothing," The older rolled his eyes. "I'm also hella tired of seeing you like this, and Jeongguk's an asshole at practice. All we've been doing is running."

"He's hurting too?" Confusion scrunched his brows together. Jimin nodded.

"He shows it differently. The guy works his ass off when he's upset, and I guess it could be healthy, but he pushes himself to the limit," Jimin said, rubbing the side of his neck with his palm. "I'm worried."

"What do you mean?" Taehyung sat up, his heart clenching in his chest. "Is he gonna hurt himself?"

"No? I don't think he's that much of an idiot. But anyways, you two need to talk," The blonde finally said. "Talk it out and get back to being gross."

"But—,"

"No buts. It's not hard, Tae. You're gonna regret it if you don't talk things out so do it before it's too late," He said, reaching over for the bags and grabbing a greasy fry before popping it into his mouth.

"What if it's already too late?" Taehyung bit his lip. Jimin rolled his eyes, wiping the grease on his jeans.

"It's not," Jimin told him, getting up from the couch.

"Where are you going?" He asked, and suddenly, the older was grabbing his hand and yanking him up off the couch. "What's going on?!"

"As much as I wanna stuff my face, you're just gonna be moping all night," Jimin said, tugging him along as he scooped his car keys off the table and shoved them into his jacket pocket.

"No harsh feelings but you're annoying me," He shoved a wave of blonde locks back over his head. "I don't like crying people."

"Fine I'll stop but tell—"

"We're gonna go see your Jeongguk."

"B-But he has practice," Taehyung shot back, brows knitted together and lips pressed into a frown as they approached the front door. Jimin shrugged, tossing him his shoes.

"And? We'll wait in the bleachers above until their stuff is done," Jimin said like it was no big deal. He watched, foot tapping impatiently on the ground as Taehyung shoved his slippers onto his socked feet.

"Can you tell me why we're doing this now?" The younger asked, wiping at his eyes while Jimin held the door open, gesturing at him to get out.

"Because," Jimin said, "you're the last friend I have, Tae. I know how it feels to lose Jeongguk, and you shouldn't have to go through that either."

"That's—," The shorter boy clamped his hand over his mouth, giving him quite the unamused stare.

"Don't mention it," Jimin removed his palm, now shoving Taehyung out the door. "C'mon, let's go fix your relationship, stupid."

♡♡♡

"This is Nakamura Yuta," Jeongguk draped his towel over his shoulder as he gestured to the boy beside him. "He goes to a highschool in Japan, and he's also one of my teammates on Team Japan."

"So you're the brilliant setter Jeonggukie keeps talking about?" San chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. At that, Jeongguk scoffed, pretending to hit the libero with his towel but of course, he dodged him.

"I didn't know he talks about me," Yuta let out a laugh, reaching over and patting Jeongguk's back. The younger glanced the other way, biting back the shy smile on his lips.

"Don't be flattered," Yugyeom said cooly, the way he seemed to nearly snap at Yuta catching Jeongguk off guard. He looked at him, raising an eyebrow at him, but the younger didn't say anything.

"Well, uh," San cleared his throat when nobody said anything for a while. He grabbed Yugyeom by the arm, pulling him back, "We'll see you on the court."

Jeongguk waved a little at his friends, finding it a bit weird that Yugyeom was acting different. Usually he was the friendliest out of the bunch next to San, but the second Yuta came to the gym and clung to Jeongguk's side, something switched in Yugyeom.

He wasn't all welcoming smiles, light jabs, and easy serves to ease new teammates into the game. Ever since Yuta started playing, Yugyeom made sure to slam the ball their way, spiking directly at the setter.

It was odd, and it wasn't like him, but that was something to talk about later for sure.

"Your friends are an interesting bunch," Yuta slipped back into Japanese effortlessly as he spun a ball in his hands.

"They're usually nicer. Especially Yugs," Part of Jeongguk appreciated it, knowing at least Yugyeom and San wouldn't eavesdrop on them like they have been doing so recently.

"It's fine. I'm used to it," Yuta waved it off, smirking at the younger. "But can I ask something?" He raised an eyebrow at Yuta, humming.

"You talk about me a lot?" He teased, nudging his side playfully. Jeongguk snorted, pushing him back.

"Don't let it feed your ego," Jeongguk grinned, clutching the towel around his shoulders tighter. "I appreciate a good player when I see one."

"Was that a compliment?" Yuta winked, making the younger roll his eyes at him, but the wide smile on his lips said otherwise.

"M'kidding Jeonggukie-chan. I know you like me."

"Gross. Go back to Japan," He joked, shoving his friend. Yuta raised his hands up in defense, and after a quick waterbreak they went back out to practice.

He met Yuta a couple weekends back in Japan, and to be honest, he was glad he did.

The entire team consisted of mostly adults or college students, so Jeongguk didn't really have anyone to talk to while he spent time in another country he rarely visited except for during summers back when he was younger. But even then, he wasn't alone.

He didn't have anybody besides his grandparents, but they weren't really around since they worked a lot of hours. And it wasn't like Taehyung was talking to him either, so in Japan, he was on his own.

But that changed when he met Yuta during one of the practices. He was the setter of the national Japan team, and when he learned the guy was his age, he guessed things didn't seem to be so bad after all.

It was Yuta who approached him after one practice where it was pouring , and he forgot to bring an umbrella until Yuta came by with one. They chatted in the rain for a bit, found out they liked some of the same things, and Yuta eventually invited him for yakisoba at his place.

It truly did feel nice to have somebody during the weekends where none of his friends, not even his own boyfriend, contacted him since they were all busy themselves.

Yuta was really enjoyable to be around, and he even offered to show him to all the cool tourist attractions in Tokyo. So, every weekend in Japan, they spent every second together, and around him, he didn't have to worry about much except about himself and what he wanted.

It was like he was stuck in this little world in Japan, and instead of being alone with volleyball, he had a friend to keep him company.

Last weekend, the captain suggested for Yuta go to Korea with him so they could work on their team chemistry since Yuta was going to be the one setting to him for their season.

Of course, Yuta and he agreed the second it was proposed, which brought them to what they were currently doing.

"You're a very good hitter, Yugyeom-san!" Yuta said cheerfully when Yugyeom finished his set. However, instead of saying thanks, the blonde rolled his eyes and went on to the other line.

"What's up with Gyeom?" Jeongguk asked San when he passed by, his fingers grabbing the sleeve of the younger's before he could go to the end.

"Yugyeom?" The older nodded. San's lips curved into an oval, "Well, I don't know. He's not in a good mood, but I'll ask later."

"Alright," He said quietly, glancing over at Yugyeom who was staring daggers at where Yuta was setting to another teammate. What was wrong?

Besides the fact Yugyeom was acting out and he was a little bit rougher than usual during their practice, everything went surprisingly smoothly. Thankfully, mostly everybody seemed to like Yuta, for the team was smiling and laughing more than usual.

They all worked together more efficiently than they did with Jimin, and after it took some time to synchronize Yuta's sets with the rest of the hitters, their team was practically unstoppable.

It was amazing really, and everytime Yuta finished a set, his gaze met Jeongguk's and the two of them exchanged the biggest smiles either one of them could muster.

It was working way better than it he expected.

"Ready to go back to the dorms, Jeonggukie-chan?" Yuta mused, throwing his arm over his shoulders as he joined the three of them. Jeongguk didn't fight the older off, instead smiling down at the clipboard in his hands showing their plays.

"In a second. We're reviewing this last formation," He said, feeling Yuta's chin leaning on his shoulder.

"When you're done, do you wanna go grab some food? I saw this barbecue place on the way here," Yuta said, pinching Jeongguk's cheek playfully.

"We'll see," Jeongguk replied, turning his head to the side before craning his neck back, eyebrows raised at their close proximity. He blinked rapidly, nose scrunching together as Yuta burst out laughing.

"Well hurry up," Yuta giggled, wrapping his arms around Jeongguk's waist. "M'really hungry, and I wanna tell you about my first day here."

"He can't go."

Jeongguk, Yuta, and San all glanced up from the clipboard, staring at Yugyeom who was fuming in front of them, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Yugyeom rolled his eyes.

"Are you Jeongguk?" Yuta asked, batting his eyelashes and cutting off Jeongguk before he could reply. "No, you're not. You can't answer for him, silly."

"Jeongguk, tell him you can't go," Yugyeom gestured at him, his jaw clenching. "You know why."

"I'm sure I can grab food with a friend," Jeongguk chuckled lightly, the skin between his brows creasing at the younger's weird behavior. Yugyeom scoffed.

"Are you really forgetting, Jeongguk?" He shook his head, bitterness lacing his words.

"Can you tell me what m'forgetting?" He asked, trying to keep his calm considering there were still other players in the gym. Yugyeom finally let out a sigh, shaking his head in disappointment.

"I can't believe you."

"You're really not telling me anything," Jeongguk frowned. "If you just told me—,"

"—I'm going back to the dorm," Yugyeom declared, rolling his eyes once more before brushing past the trio and heading straight toward the lockerrooms.

"What's his problem?" Yuta asked innocently, the three of them not saying a word as they watched their friend slam the door to the lockerroom shut.

"I— Y'know what, I'll go check on him," San swallowed, scratching the side of his neck. Jeongguk nodded, gaze following his friend as he ran after Yugyeom.

"I don't think he likes me," Yuta snorted, pulling away from Jeongguk but instead linking their arms together after taking his clipboard and setting it on the bench.

"He'll warm up eventually. They all do." He shrugged like it was nothing, to which Jeongguk merely replied with a nod of his head.

What did Yugyeom mean, though? He scanned through his mind, brows furrowed as he tried to remember what he was forgetting. Well, there wasn't really much— he did all his homework, he went to class this week, and he showered a bit ago.

He cancelled the date with Taehyung, so that wasn't what he was forgetting, right?

Fuck. Taehyung.

"So, you down for food?" Yuta pulled him along when Jeongguk was staring at the lockerroom door for too long. The younger blinked rapidly, snapping out of his thoughts, realizing they were moving.

"I don't think tonight's a good time," Jeongguk said, following Yuta outside the gym. He held the door out for him, not thinking much about the way Yuta wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"Why not? You're free, I'm free," He said, gently shaking him. "C'mon it's free food too. I'll pay for you, and we can chat before I gotta go back to my hotel."

"We shouldn't," Jeongguk flashed him a crooked smile, and with his free hand, he brushed Yuta off of him. "I gotta go back to my dorm."

"So? Nobody's there," Yuta snorted. Jeongguk, on the otherhand, gulped. "You live alone, right?"

"I actually don't," The younger said, trying to ignore the way Yuta's hand setted on his lowerback. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable, but if he focused hard enough, he could feel the pressure of it lingering.

"You don't? Is it a roommate? I'm sure they won't mind if I sweep you away for the night~," Yuta teased, his hand finding purchase on the dip of his hip. Jeongguk swallowed.

"They would mind," He said, prying Yuta's fingers off of him with a tight-lipped smile. Yuta raised an questioning eyebrow at him.

"Why? They're just a roommate. I don't like taking no for an answer, Jeonggukie-chan. Y'know me," The older flashed him a bright smile, even winking at him.

"I'm tired," Jeongguk tried, but the other didn't want to back down without a fight as per usual.

"No you're not. You have the best stamina out of the entire team," Yuta snorted, nudging his side. "It's just dinner."

"It's not just dinner," He whispered back. I need to see Taehyung. I need to apologize for being late even though I know he's probably tired of me at this point.

"In Japan, you never deny me," Yuta retorted. "I already told you. The more things you deny, the more fun in life you miss out on! Your roommate—,"

"—He's not just my roommate."

Jeongguk forced out, the two of them stopping at the exit. He turned to face the older, jaw setting tight as Yuta stepped closer, hand reaching out to settle on his hip again, ignoring the way Jeongguk flinched.

"Them who is he?" Yuta asked quietly.

"He's my boyfriend." At that, Yuta didn't back away like he expected. Instead, he stepped closer, the distance between them dwindling away.

"A boyfriend shouldn't hold you back from hanging out with friends. Who is the guy?" Yuta hummed, staring down at him, something unreadable flitting through his narrowed eyes.

"He's a good person," Jeongguk brought his hands up, resting his palms on his chest intending to push him back but he didn't. Fuck, he probably knew how weird this looked— he had to stop this.

"Then he wouldn't care if I take you out to dinner," The older shrugged. "C'mon, just say yes, and I'll do anything you want. Accompany me, Ggukie."

"No, I'm not falling for that again," Jeongguk rolled his eyes, pushing him back lightly. "I need to get back to my boyfriend."

"Fine," Yuta backed off, letting go of him. But before Jeongguk could leave and get back to the dorm, Yuta grabbed him by the wrist, tugging him close so that his lips brushed against his ear.

"I'll take you out some other time," Yuta chuckled lowly, "and treat you better than your boyfriend could."

"What?" Jeongggk pulled back, the skin between his brows creased in confusion as Yuta stepped away from, chuckling innocently.

"Nothing. See you tomorrow, Jeonggukie-Chan," Yuta said, waving goodbye before opening the door and slipping out into the night, glancing over his shoulder one more time before walking away.

Jeongguk gulped, rubbing the side of his neck before deciding to check his phone and hope Taehyung didn't text him. So he did, fumbling in his pocket, but something in the corner of his peripheral caught his attention.

He straightened up, holding his phone up to his ear after dialing Taehyung's number to ask him if he wanted to go eat. But as he glanced over at the empty corridor beside him for a split second, his stomach dropped.

There standing in the hallway was a person, and before Jeongguk could call out to them, his stomach plunged even further.

Their phone rang.

♡♡♡

i'm ready to have stones thrown
at me 😚 also, if you haven't already
checked it out, i dropped a new fic!!!
it's called "the chosen gays" & it's a
crack wizard au!

anyways i love you guys & i wanna
ask what do you think so far! 💛

ps, while areumgn may annoy the shit
out of me, i'd like to thank her for helping me lately djsksf she also writes so ig
check em out lmaooo love u pipes (: