Fifty-Fourth
:Chapter Fifty-Four:

"I'm all for you pursuing a relationship with Jeongguk but chasing him down during practice isn't exactly what I was going with." Hoseok said to his captain as the said boy did jumping jacks.

Coach had told Hoseok to make sure Taehyung did a hundred and fifty jumping jacks as punishment for running off. He said it thirty jumping jacks for every minute Taehyung spent away from the team during practice.

Something like that anyway.

"What did he even say to you? You don't exactly seem too happy, especially with how off your pitches—"

"Shut up . . . Seok." Taehyung breathlessly told. For being an athlete, he wasn't the most in shape boy. That and after doing mild conditioning following an already pretty heavy practice.

Hoseok shrugged. "I'm just saying, you came back pretty salty."

"Because," Taehyung grabbed his water bottle once finally finished, taking a huge gulp before shaking his head, brows forever narrowed. "He's confusing."

"How so?" Hoseok questioned.

"Do you always ask so many questions? He just is, 'kay? Doesn't know how to make up his mind." Taehyung got out the moment he caught his breath, his heart still beating pretty fast.

The older of the two frowned, tilting his head ever so slightly. He was silently asking Taehyung to elaborate on whatever it was he was talking about.

This didn't go unnoticed.

"He keeps saying he wants to talk about it later and just pushing it away. Dude also said how he just felt some type of way about it all." Taehyung repeated what he was told earlier.

"I mean, I do think you guys need more time. You both were pretty heated—" Taehyung cut him off again. He really wasn't in the mood to hear a third party opinion.

"I didn't ask, Seok, therefore I don't care." He sourly told. Taehyung began to grab his belongings, just ready to go home at this point.

"You ever think you might be the problem?" Hoseok squinted, swinging his bag over his shoulder as he walked past his best friend.

"What does that mean?" Taehyung scoffed.

"It means that you should really learn to reconsider yourself here and there. You just come off like a dick sometimes." Hoseok said without looking back, proceeding forward.

The pitcher huffed and rolled his eyes. "Come on, I don't need this shit right now."

Hoseok looked back, continuing ahead. "I didn't ask, therefore I don't care." He only repeated what Taehyung said to him earlier. "Just go home and sleep on everything, seriously." And then he looked away.

Taehyung caught himself staring at his friend's backside, feeling rage just build in his chest. It really felt like he was being tested today. Not even his own best friend wanted to stay by his side.

Maybe he was the problem but that didn't even sound right.

The boy huffed, shaking his head to himself before he retrieved his own belongings. He was going to do what everyone wanted and just sleep on it. Maybe he seriously needed space.

Or just seriously needed a nap.

***

     Jeongguk readjusted his glasses, staring over his English homework. It seemed right and he followed what was instructed to him but something told him it was off.

It was times like this where he wish he would invest in a tutor to just help him with minor problems like these.

Or where he could call up Taehyung for extra assistance.

     As if on cue, his phone dinged the same time that thought crossed his mind. Jeongguk wasn't exactly expecting himself to rush over to his phone the way he did, picking it up and looking at the new notification.

However, it was just one of those subscription texts; scam messages. He felt the corners of his lips then downward.

He wasn't even sure why he was getting hopefully that it was Taehyung, he told the boy off earlier. Taehyung was too pissed and prideful to try to reach out once again and Jeongguk told him to not even. It only made sense that it wasn't Taehyung texting him.

Don't get Jeongguk wrong, he was pleased to hear that they had finally broke off. Something about staying in a relationship while trying to pursue yet another one didn't rub the teenager the right way.

First off, Jihyun didn't deserve that. Secondly, he didn't deserve it. And third of all, Taehyung didn't deserve it. If Taehyung didn't had his heart set on Jihyun anymore, he shouldn't waste hers or his time.

Not only that, if Taehyung was serious about him and Jeongguk, he shouldn't be stuck in a relationship to begin with.

The raven-haired teenager wasn't mad at Taehyung, just sick and tired of the back and forth and circle games. It seemed to be a never ending loop if you were to ask Jeongguk.

"Gooie?" The nickname pulled Jeongguk's attention, glancing over at his door that was wide open with his brother standing, hand still on knob.

"Yes, Bubby?"

"We go see Taerung?" He asked, big doe eyes looking hopeful.

Jeongguk slowly looked away at his phone before returning his gaze. He then proceeded to shake his head, signaling no as his answer. "Not today, Bubby."

"Why not?" Kids these days, can't accept a simple answer. But nor could Taehyung.

"Because . . . We can't. Kim is busy and I'm busy with homework." Jeongguk showed his unanswered worksheet. "Maybe some other time."

Jaeyong frowned, wanting to argue it and beg his older brother to let him go see his best friend. "We go later? After your homework?" He asked.

The older Jeon sighed, leaning back in his chair and laying his head back, staring at the ceiling above him. "No, Jaeyong." He said with a bit more of a stern tone. "Not today. Not tomorrow. Some other time."

". . . Okay." Jaeyong responded softly, saddened by the answer he received. He turned and pulled the door shut behind him, his footsteps light and going away.

If that wasn't a sign to go see Taehyung, Jeongguk wasn't too sure what was. He knew it needed to be talked about and he probably could've came across it in a better way but this was stressful. Teenage love was no joke.

Jeongguk huffed, running his hands over his face and then through his hair. Why things had to be so difficult was beyond him.

Without further wait, Jeongguk pushed to his feet and went to gather his light jacket and put his phone in his pocket, setting his glasses on his desk.

He would have to make a sneaky getaway so Jaeyong wouldn't interrogate him about where he was going.

Jeongguk went out of his way, getting out the door smoothly and beginning his journey down to Kim's house where they would finally come to terms with whatever they were figuring out.

Hopefully it was for the better.

Jeongguk arrived at Taehyung's doorstep, his hand held up ready to knock but he couldn't create the actual motion to do such.

He looked like a statue, breath held and hand frozen in place. It was like doubt fulfilled his entire system, some sort of regretful, doubtful barrier holding his hand back from ever meeting the oak of the door.

All doubt rushed away and turned into instant surprise when the door was swung open, Taehyung standing right on the other side with the same amount of surprise as Jeongguk.

"Jeon?"

"Tae,"

"What? What are you doing here?" Wondered the blond teenager, brow cocked and lips downturned. His shock contorted into subtle anger. "And why? Thought you wanted to be away."

"Listen," Jeongguk hardened his voice. "It was never me trying to get away from you so stop twisting this into something it isn't. Pull the stick out of your ass for one moment, 'kay?"

The elder gave a lame look, brows remaining narrowed. "If you came here to argue, just leave."

"I came here to talk."

"Then talk," Taehyung urged.

"Taehyung, look . . ." Jeongguk began but there was a halt. He felt like he had everything he wanted to talk about lines up yet he wasn't even sure what to say.

It was just an awkward silence with Jeongguk's mouth slightly parted.

This seemed to have bored Taehyung, considering the long sigh and him taking a few steps forward, pulling the door behind him. He then walked past Jeongguk but not without brushing his shoulder with his own.

"Where are you going?" Jeongguk inquired, turning and following close behind.

"Well, I originally was leaving my house to get fresh air and clear my head. If you ever find out what you came here for, I guess you can follow and tell me as I let nature unwind me."

Jeongguk sighed but kept up anyway.

"Don't get me wrong, Kim, I'm happy you're not cheating on your girlfriend anymore. That was first. I just don't want to rush into things. I'm sure the breakup wasn't easy on you and I'm sure hopping into another relationship after the old isn't exactly what you want to do." Jeongguk got out in one go.

Taehyung paused mid step and turned to him, making Jeongguk hold. "That's what you wanted to say? For all that, you could've just texted that." He commented. "I wasn't trying to rush into a relationship with you. We can't even go an entire day without some sort of argument or miscommunication, Newbie. There was a lot more than just that."

The younger nodded, not daring to speak.

"And yes, the breakup hurts everyone involved. She didn't deserve that. She deserved better. I wish you and Seok would really stop throwing that in my face. I'm a fucking jerk and I get it, I can't apologize enough to anyone." Taehyung angrily told, shaking his head with annoyance. "No matter what I do, what I say, someone is getting hurt or mad at me. It really feels like there's no win to this."

"Now wait a minute—"

"No," Taehyung cut. "You get mad at me for not breaking up with her - which, to be fair, I understood that part. Not only that, though, Hoseok takes your side for every encounter we have. I don't think there's been a single time he's agreed with me when it came to you. You refuse to see my side of things and only look at how you would've handled it. Guess what, Jeongguk, you're not me, I'm not you. Shit doesn't work that way." Taehyung raged, only feeling his anger boil but he kept a pretty calm tone.

     The elder huffed, shaking his head again and taking a few steps backwards. "I don't know, I guess I'm just sick of being the uptight asshole every single chapter. I'm not the friendliest person, nor the most logical, but oh well." He shrugged. "I like you, Jeongguk, a lot. Just now after having a moment to myself, all I want is a moment. We have the championship game approaching, and, to be honest, I don't need the added stress. I don't think any of us do. Let's just wait until after the game, yeah?"

What mature words coming from someone who was immature and too prideful for his own good. Jeongguk almost didn't know what to respond to that. It wasn't like he could argue it and force Taehyung to change whatever he just said.

     "If you think that's what's best." Jeongguk spoke softly, standing in place. "For the record, I never doubted your capabilities or— or you." He added hesitantly.

"Okay," Taehyung replied. "I appreciate that."

"And, uh, I like you too . . . A lot as well." Jeongguk nodded to solidify his given answer. It was pretty awkward coming from him but it didn't sound unsure whatsoever. He just sounded nervous is all.

The comment did bring a smile to Taehyung's face, a light chuckle following such. He looked down at his feet, his blond locks falling in front of his eyes. His cheeks grew a gentle shade of pink to them, he actually blushing at the remark Jeongguk made.

     "Cool, I'm glad you do. At least we can agree on that, huh?" Taehyung said, bringing his attention back to meet Jeongguk who's expression he couldn't pinpoint.

The younger nodded and took a small step forward, wanting to say more because ultimately, this is what he wanted.

Taehyung's warm smile fell into a flat line gracefully, his eyes becoming doe-like as they stared back at Jeongguk's.

He didn't step back or appear to be hesitant, just accepting more or less.

That's when Jeongguk raised his hand and cupped the side of Taehyung's face, slightly moving him closer.

     "Is this alright?" He wondered.

"A little contradictory to everything I just said but . . . Yeah, it's okay," He breathed out, eyes flicking to look at the raven's pretty pink lips. He gulped and moved closer, placing his hands at Jeongguk's hips and holding him cautiously.

The raven-haired smiled, leaning in and slowly placing a feathery kiss right onto his team captain's.

It was brief and only lasted for a mere moment before both opted on pulling away. Not from fear or regret, just a mutual decision.

"You know, Jaeyong is always looking for his best friend to come back for a play date." Jeongguk spoke, voice barely audible and too sexy for what he just said. He kept his hand gently resting on Taehyung's cheek, a smile tugging at his lips.

The elder laughed, finally pulling back and creating space between the two of them. "Is that an invitation over?"

"Depends how you perceive it."

Taehyung hummed, actually considering it. He kept his pretty smile but his words took Jeongguk's away. "I would, but I'm actually going to opt out. Maybe later, just think we should definitely have the night to sleep on things. I feel like a lot was discussed and time is something we both need."

Though Jeongguk didn't necessarily want that answer, he accepted and supported it. He just forced a flash smile, taking another step back.

     The boys didn't say goodbye, they each just turned away and went separate. It was a silent 'see you later', one where neither of them wanted to say but it was there; it was intended.

For being such a rough start, it sure did feel a lot lighter now than it did way earlier. Taehyung didn't seem as angry and Jeongguk had let the other speak. It seemed like that's what Taehyung wanted most anyway, to be heard.

All that was in the way was the championship game coming up this Friday. The big game.

Neither one of them were prepared.