A shrill whistle resounded through the gymnasium shortly after Jeongguk fell to the floor, his face scrunched up as pain shot through Jeongguk's body. Jimin didn't have to be in his body to see the pain striking his face. Watching this made him swallow hard and almost run onto the court. Restlessness swept through him like a storm he couldn't handle. His omega awoke and whined.

Jimin had heard with half an ear during a conversation between his brother and Jeongguk that he wasn't feeling one hundred percent. However, he assured everyone that it was just excitement because it was his first game against another team. Did he lie or was the fall just bad luck?

Jimin sat on the bench with other students for the rest of the game and couldn't stop himself from giving Jeongguk a worried look as he sat a few rows before him. He never reciprocated it, causing nervousness to buzz in Jimin's chest. His leg bobbed up and down until the game was officially over and the players could go and change out of their tricots. They won, and yet Jimin barely acknowledged it.

He was about to follow them, but Jimin didn't get a chance to get to Jeongguk. Other students stood in his way. Considering the basketball players had to change out of their uniforms, it might be for the best and not the right time to talk to Jeongguk. Yet, he can't help it, and he doesn't understand why.

Taking a deep breath, he sits down again and smoothes his clothes. He watches as Jeongguk puts one arm around each of the other basketball players and pulls up his right leg as he walks. Jimin wonders if he has twisted or sprained his ankle. After all, the fall looked intense.

When they reach the gym hall's entrance, they stop unexpectedly. Jeongguk is engaged in conversation with a girl. Earlier, he noticed her sitting several rows behind him, her braided hair beautifully accented by a vibrant red ribbon. The distance and the numerous students around him make it impossible for Jimin to hear what they're talking about. But it's enough for Jeongguk to offer her a gentle smile and a soft shake of his head before they head to the changing rooms.

A bitter taste spreads through his mouth, swiftly followed by a gnawing tightness in his stomach he can't place. Unconsciously, he clutches the bench with his fingers and grits his teeth as he follows Jeongguk out of the hall with his eyes. For some reason, the way Jeongguk smiled at her irritates him. Couldn't he have just nodded? On top of that, she looked very pretty. Her school uniform is hardly different from the others, but she appeared more open and daring when she faced Jeongguk.

As the crowd of students slowly disperses, Jimin decides to follow them and find Jeongguk when he comes out of the changing room. It's already been a few weeks since Jeongguk came to his house to borrow manga. But since then, he has felt a closer bond with him. Even when a few weeks later, there was a small incident between him and a few other school leavers.

He is not sure how it happened. Jimin was standing in the corridor, leafing through a book, when someone bumped into him, and he was torn from his thoughts. He almost dropped the book on the floor. Usually, Jimin would have looked away and said nothing, but he pulled himself together and plucked up his courage when he recognised the smell of potent gunpowder and drew his toes together.

Jimin had acted too quickly, however, and only realised who was standing in front of him when it was already too late. Hanwool, the alpha who had thrust hard into him and shaken his equilibrium, laughed. Scornful and uplifting after, Jimin greeted him with a "hey" and a "watch where you're going", as if he didn't believe he had said that. The fake laughter disappeared as quickly as it came and Hanwool's companions behind him did the same.

He didn't want to let him get the better of him and took a deep breath to face him with an act of countering courage. Hanwool was known for his provocative remarks at school, but Jimin had managed to avoid him so far. Jimin wanted to growl on the spot and go for his neck when he dared to poke him provocatively with a finger in his shoulder. He tried to skilfully ignore the comments until he realised it was no good and turned the subject to omegas. He tried to back away, whereupon Hanwool cornered him.

Just as Jimin thought the situation was about to escalate, a loud voice cut through the tension. To Jimin's surprise, it was Jeongguk who approached with a grim look on his face and his rucksack over his shoulder. He pushed his way between them and Jimin, then threatened to get a teacher to report them to the headmaster. They thought Jeongguk was bluffing until he raised his hand with his phone and played a recording of his belittling words. 

As soon as they left, Jimin felt a wave of relief, and it showed as he threw his arms around Jeongguk's muscular, sweaty body. Despite the lingering sweat odor, the pleasant smell of coconut washed through him, and a comforting warmth blossomed in his chest. He wanted this moment to last. 

"Thank you."

Seeking a distraction from the rising heat in his cheeks, Jimin veers towards a vending machine to get Jeongguk some water, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. Coins jingle in the machine as the water bottle drops. Looking back down the now empty hallway, he realizes Jeongguk must have already vanished into the changing room. Humming happily, he follows.

He stops as he reaches the changing rooms, drawn by a muffled conversation and loud voices. Should he head back?

"...you seen her?"

"Totally... with the braid and bangs?"

"She was totally into him-"

Are they talking about the girl from earlier?

Jimin is still thinking about going back. But it holds him back when Jeongguk speaks up, heavy with exhaustion. "Guys..."

"The girl looked cute. It was sweet of her when she offered you a drink," someone comments and an uncomfortable tightness forms in Jimin's stomach.

"She did?" Another chimes in. "Did you accept it?"

"He didn't," the guy sighs and Jimin can practically picture him shaking his head after he pauses. "Why though? I mean, why didn't you use that opportunity to make a move on her?"

"He's right. She looked so dejected when you didn't accept her water and she's obviously been checking you out. Plus, she's your type, no? Why don't you talk to her tomorrow or perhaps she's still there if you go out."

"How about prom? Maybe she could become your prom date..." Another boy huffs.

The room falls silent and Jimin's heart begins to pound faster, blood pumping through his ears as he holds his breath. It feels like the world stands still, waiting for Jeongguk's answer. Jeongguk's sigh that follows makes his hands sweat. The water bottle threatens to slip from his grasp, just like his heart, as he leans closer to the door and hears Jeongguk's reply.

"Sure."

Jimin's mind races. A sudden surge of curiosity battles with the lingering hurt in his chest. Did Jeongguk genuinely not notice the girl's interest, or was he playing it cool? Confusion clouds his mind and his grip on the bottle tightens as the thought of Jeongguk asking her out becomes unsettling. For some reason, there's a storm of emotions chasing through him.

So does that mean he likes girls? Cool. That's awesome. He realises he hasn't considered Jeongguk might only be interested in girls. Why would he be interested in guys?

A strange sense of jealousy toward the girl churns in his chest, and he can't quite explain the possessiveness tugging at his heart. He feels overwhelmed and torn between standing there and going back. Should he pretend nothing happened?

He decides he has listened enough and waits for Jeongguk to give him the water. With a deep sigh, he lets himself fall against the opposite wall and lets his head drop on his chest. Jimin cannot put into words what is happening to him. He was aware that he was attracted to Jeongguk, but unlike his other classmates, Jimin can't ignore the idea of him asking someone out. In other words, he couldn't care less if one of them started dating but when it comes to the alpha, it makes his stomach queasy.

Time passes as he waits by the changing rooms. Eventually, the door cracks open and the first player exits. More students follow, one by one, most of them alphas and some with damp hair from the shower. Jimin takes in their attractiveness. Now back in their school uniforms, their eyes hold a newfound confidence, their postures straighter before they crack smiles. Having never really paid much attention to their looks, he's struck by their appearances. Yet, no one can compare to Jeongguk.

Just as he is about to push himself away from the wall and take a few steps, the door opens, and Jeongguk steps out of the changing room. He has one arm draped over a teammate's shoulder, and with his right hand, he grips the strap of the sports bag. He limps a few steps with his head hanging down. Jimin can only imagine how painful this must be for him, and he suppresses the urge to meet him.

In the background, Jaehyun has just stepped out of the door and calls his name in bewilderment, but Jimin barely notices him. Jeongguk's sharp stare pierces his very soul, sending a shiver down Jimin's spine. It feels like Jeongguk is getting closer, which triggers a surge of nervousness in Jimin, leaving his mouth parched and his tongue-tied. The tension must be evident to the other player.

His fingers drum softly against the plastic bottle, and he takes a step towards Jeongguk. His smile is forced, and his gaze is unfocused.

"What are you doing still waiting here?" Jeongguk blurts out, his eyes widening and his voice a touch too high-pitched, giving away that he's slightly surprised. How can Jimin explain the worry gnawing at him, the urge to check on him the moment he'd seen the fall, without letting it sound strange?

"I ehm- I wanted to check on you and see how you're doing," Jimin stammers, lacking eye contact, which causes Jeongguk to furrow his brows. A flush creeps up Jimin's cheeks when he snaps his head up. "The fall looked pretty dangerous."

Jeongguk's expression softens, a hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. He shrugs nonchalantly, trying to brush it off as nothing. "Oh, I'm fine... sorry, can you leave us alone for a moment?" Jeongguk clears his throat, his gaze flickering towards Jaehyun and the other teammate.

Jimin forces a wry smile, trying to keep his emotional turmoil in check. He wonders if Jeongguk would even take the water bottle after refusing the girl's. Maybe he wasn't thirsty then, or maybe... Jimin shoves the thought down.

"Here...This is for you," Jimin mumbles, hesitantly offering the bottle to Jeongguk while looking down, dreading the same rejection just like the girl got. He swallows around what feels like a big lump in his throat. "Y-you must be thirsty."

Jeongguk's fingertips brush gently over his hand, to Jimin's surprise, he puts the bottle to his lips. Jimin watches mesmerised as Jeongguk sighs gratefully and meets his gaze with genuine appreciation. The gesture causes his heart to flutter with a mix of confusion and... something else. Why didn't he accept the water bottle the girl had offered? Obviously he was feeling thirsty.

"Thanks, Jimin. You're a lifesaver. That's exactly what I needed," Jeongguk says, expressing his gratitude as he takes another refreshing swig. For some reason, Jimin finds himself fixated on the way Jeongguk's Adam's apple bobs with each swallow, his gaze drawn to the movement. "So... what did you think of the game?"

Jimin forces another smile. "Ehm, yes... the game was... intense," Jimin admits. It was his first time watching an official match with another team. "You did well despite your fall and fall out."

Jeongguk chuckles, wincing slightly as he shifts his body. "Yeah, the coach isn't happy about it. His stare pretty much said it all," he comments discontentedly, and purses his lips into a straight line. "You have to admit, though, that last shot was pretty good, right?"

Jimin snorts in horror. Seeing Jeongguk hurt made his heart drop. "It was risky. Just like the throw and the collision with another player you hurt yourself on."

"Hey..." Jeongguk pouts and nudges Jimin from the side, surprising him with this playful side. "Risky or not, it won us the game, didn't it? Besides, is it that hard for you to give a compliment or at least agree with me? Cut me some slack, I'm hurt..." Jeongguk crosses his arms over his chest, causing Jimin to cough awkwardly as he winks playfully at him. Jeongguk seems to be forgetting the pain momentarily.

Jimin's gaze lingers on Jeongguk before he hesitantly speaks up on the topic that's been on his mind since earlier. He has to ask, even though the question feels like a fist to the gut. "So, the girl from earlier... Did you know her?" Dismay must reflect in his eyes, Jimin is sure. Nonetheless, Jeongguk shows no sign of acknowledging it. His facial expression remains unreadable, his gaze sliding past Jimin as if he isn't there.

His chest unpleasantly tightens when Jeongguk doesn't answer. "I guess you must have, then, right? Since you said you'd talk to her."

"Oh, right. Her." Jeongguk replied. "Yeah, I know her, kind of. Same year, different class."

"Did you, uh, mean what you said?" A strange sense of possessiveness creeps into his chest; his words taste bitter on his tongue. Jeongguk tilts his head, gesturing for him to continue. "About, you know... asking her out?"

Perhaps they didn't say it word for word like that and Jeongguk didn't say it either, and yet frustration bubbles within him, seeing realisation dawning on Jeongguk. He seems to mentally battle with himself on what to say. "Oh, that. Yeah, maybe. We'll see." Jeongguk's casual shrug makes Jimin's stomach clench, the familiar scent of coconut suddenly becoming overwhelming.

The air thickens, heavy with unspoken words. Jimin breaks eye contact as a wave of disappointment washes through him, his lips pressing now in a tight line and a sullen look overshadowing his features. Does that mean he will ask her to be his prom date too? Why does this bother him so much? Why does it matter if Jeongguk asks her out? They're just friends, right? Why does this feel like a betrayal? He doesn't understand. If it were one of his other friends, he would feel happy for them.

He forces another smile, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards but it feels bitter and hollow this time. His eyes, however, remain fixed on the floor, avoiding Jeongguk's gaze. "Right. I see. Well, good luck with that," he mutters, turning to leave. "I should leave. Jaehyun must be waiting for me already."

"Wait...is everything fine?" Jeongguk must have picked up on his strange act.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Jimin mumbles, knowing he sounds unconvinced. "Just a bit tired, I guess. See you around. I hope you feel better soon."

He walks away, leaving Jeongguk with a frown etched on his face, and Jimin pretends it wouldn't twist his stomach.