Fifty-Sixth
:Chapter Fifty-Six:

     Top of the ninth inning, Panthers back on defense. The score currently was nine to six, Panthers holding the lead.

Though the Panthers had a huge start, getting three outs immediately, they weren't the only one who could hold a team without score.

It was only until the bottom of the third inning where points really started rolling in, Panthers' getting the first run from Minji who got it through being in a pickle.

     Back to the game, Taehyung felt a bit of pain in his left arm. He's been pitching so much and he was getting a bit exhausted. It's been a long game, both teams really putting up a fight.

The Spartan's would need to score to play the final inning. If no score, then by default, Panthers would win.

     Currently, there was a Spartan player on every base and the Panthers had two outs as of now, anyone's game really.

Everyone was hot and tired, the sun really beating down on them as the spring humidity really engulfed all of their bodies. This only made the game harder to play.

     Taehyung wiped away his forehead sweat, tossing the ball lightly into his mitt to prepare himself for the next batter to get to the plate.

He looked at the upcoming batter, watching as there was pure confidence that radiated off of this player. He was prideful of himself and Taehyung could read such.

It was intimidating to say the least if you asked Taehyung.

He tried not to show it though, that's the last thing he wanted to do. He pulled the ball from his mitt, keeping eye contact with the batter.

Without another second of prolonging the anxious play, Taehyung threw one hell of a pitch. It was one of the prettiest pitches he's made yet it was so perfect for the batter.

The player swung with all his might, swinging straight with no curve up or downward. The ball hit directly in the middle of the bat, flying straight out into a line drive.

The line drive was flying towards Taehyung, it dead in the center.

The captain reacted quick, flinching while holding his glove in front of his head, his nerve and anxiety through the roof as he thought he was about to be the next Jeongguk with a huge concussion.

     His glove was squeezed as tight as his eyes were, mouth pinched tight and face scrunched. His adrenaline was pumping throughout his entire body.

     Yells of glee erupted, cheers of joy and clapping all around. Taehyung opened his eyes and looked onto the floor immediately, looking for the baseball. He then turned his glove towards himself and opened it, revealing the baseball.

Panthers got their final out. The Panthers just won the championship with a backup pitcher.

     Taehyung's teammates rushed all around Taehyung, players from the dugout making their way onto the field and surrounding their captain. They all were patting his back and chanting his name, nudging him from all directions.

     Taehyung thought it was almost too good to be true, no way he caught that line drive and won the game. It felt too surreal.

He looked around all of his teammates, seeing all the smiling faces. His eyes fixated on one particular player who couldn't look any prouder than he was right now.

     Jeongguk was standing almost directly in front of Taehyung, wanting to run up and hug him but they weren't necessarily out of that 'Taehyung wants to keep things undercover' phase so he withheld.

Taehyung took a step forward, eyes locked on the boy ahead of him. He even began to reach his hand out to touch Jeongguk but before he could, Hoseok wrapped his arms around the captain, lifting him into the air.

     "Hell yeah, dude! Oh my god- that was beautiful!" He congratulated, setting the younger back down and patting his back a bit too roughly.

It was honestly all a very wholesome moment shared between all Panther players, everyone smiling, cheering, and applauding.

***

     Taehyung was laying back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling with a joyous heart. He had the trophy right on his desk, covered in hundreds of fingerprints due to all the players taking photos and holding it.

He still couldn't believe he made the winning catch. He couldn't even believe he was able to be the starting pitcher for the championship. Everything was almost perfect, almost because there still was something unresolved.

Taehyung and Jeongguk's relationship.

They last saw one another at the school but, believe it or not, they didn't share a word to one another. Everyone was chatting and cheering on one another and they just didn't get the time to really speak.

Plus, out of respect for Taehyung, Jeongguk didn't want to surround Taehyung more than the boy already was by his other players. So, they had left without any words shared amongst each other.

Taehyung wanted to talk to him but part of him felt like he needed to 'stand his ground' but also give Jeongguk space. It was only right, right?

     "Taehyung, sweetie," Called up Taehyung's mom. "Come down here for a moment." She added, the boy immediately responding by getting up.

His parents congratulated him once he returned home, offering to go on an ice cream date sometime his week. It was a little late by the time Taehyung got home for the dairy treat so they opted for another time.

     The blond-haired teen hustled down the steps, entering the living room. He was about to speak to ask what was needed but before he could, he saw Jeongguk standing in his living room holding a small bouquet of daisies. It was very small and probably retrieved from their small local garden shop but, nevertheless, it was really pretty.

     "Hey, Cap," Jeongguk smiled and handed over the flowers, his cheeks tinted red with assumably embarrassment and shyness. How cute. "This is for you, y'know, for winning . . ." He cleared his throat awkwardly. He felt like Taehyung's parents were watching him. Jeongguk didn't even know if Taehyung's parents knew, first of all, Taehyung wasn't with Jihyun anymore, and second of all, he was bisexual. He tried to play it off, really.

     "Awe, that's sweet of you, Newbie." Taehyung said, coming closer and pulling the flowers from the younger. "It was a team effort so I assume you got the rest of the team flowers."

Jeongguk frowned, side-eyeing Taehyung's parents who were looking back at him silently. Talk about nerve-wracking. "Um . . . Yeah . . ." He stumbled a bit over his words, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah," he said to try to put more value behind his words but he only sounded more unsure.

Taehyung just chuckled, nodding. He hummed before looking straight ahead at Jeongguk. "Want to hangout in my room? We can talk about the game." Taehyung suggested they do, smiling warmly.

Jeongguk nodded a bit quicker than he meant for it to come off, following Taehyung immediately up to his bedroom.

He hated feeling awkward, and, to be completely honest, Taehyung never really recalled seeing the boy so nervous like such before. It was kind of adorable if you were to ask Taehyung.

     "Daisies?" Taehyung wondered after he closed the door behind him, walking towards his desk and gently setting the daisies by his trophy. The team all voted Taehyung to receive it considering his amazing last out. Not only that but they would receive another one to be kept at the school.

     "They're nice," Jeongguk shrugged, still standing only four steps in front of the now shut door. "I like daisies and figured you might appreciate a nice bouquet of daisies."

"Me and everyone else?"

"No, just you. I didn't really get everyone daisies, I just didn't know your situation with your parents." Jeongguk admitted.

"Situation?"

"Like, with Jihyun . . . Or your sexuality." He shrugged, looking down at his feet.

"Well," Taehyung sat at the foot of his bed. "They know I'm bisexual and, well, I think they figured me and Jihyun were done but they haven't asked and I haven't announced it aloud." He hummed, keeping his eyes on the younger. It was cute when he was flustered. "But, besides the point,"

"What if that was my point?" Jeongguk questioned. It didn't really make sense but nerves did that to you.

"Your point . . . To see if my parents-"

"No, um, not that." Jeongguk cut his off, shaking his head. "Um, yeah, besides the point." He crossed his arms across his chest.

"Good game today, right? Sorry you couldn't play." Taehyung tried to break how awkward it felt, the tension drowning them.

"It's whatever really," Jeongguk uttered. "Felt nice to watch someone win." He shared.

"You can sit with me, you're acting like this is our first encounter ever." Taehyung told, chuckling softly.

"Yeah, no, I know." Jeongguk said and went over, taking a seat beside Taehyung who watched him.

With that being said and done, Taehyung laid back and continued to stare at the ceiling, hands clasped over his abdomen, Jeongguk following suit.

     Both boys were laid back, each taking in the silent peacefully and staring ahead of them at the empty ceiling.

There's was so much to be said yet neither one of them knew where to start. Each of them, however, could agree that the silence was comforting. Though no words were being shared through word-of-mouth, it was like each of them knew what they wanted to say and do.

It was that type of silence where it wasn't awkward; the type of silence that had the two enjoying the overall atmosphere and presence of one another.

     Jeongguk felt his cheeks get warm as he snuck his hand over, slowly snaking his hand between Taehyung's and grabbing a hold of it, intertwining their fingers.

It was the perfect mold, their hands together in place on Taehyung's abdomen.

Jeongguk thought his hand would've been a bit more sweatier but it wasn't, it was warmly held by Taehyung's, the silent still relevant.

     That was until Taehyung spoke up, breaking it after only a few moments.

     "You know, I am sorry . . . For mostly everything." Taehyung uttered, not a quiver in his vowels or a sense of hesitation.

"Everything being?" Jeongguk responded, not entirely sure where this was going.

"Everything. From hating you, to rubbing it in your face, to making things just way too difficult." Taehyung said softly. "I'm sorry."

"We both were in the wrong. Kind of cancels each other out, like math." Jeongguk replied. "But I'm sorry too. I did just as bad as you did, whether I started it or you did." He mentioned, both their eyes still forward. "But why mostly? Shouldn't you be fully sorry?"

Taehyung chuckled, shaking his head. He then finally looked over, Jeongguk doing the same and each of them meeting the other's gaze.

     "I'm only mostly sorry because I'm sure if it weren't for our constant bickering and fighting, we wouldn't be— uh, well, be whatever we're being." Taehyung squeezed at Jeongguk's hand to indicate what he meant. "That and Hoseok. I feel as Hoseok played a pretty huge role in our get together."

"If huge role you mean making inappropriate remarks and forcing us to hangout beyond our wills, then, yes, I concur." Jeongguk grinned, each sharing a laugh.

     The two turned and laid on their sides, facing each other now. It was dark enough to set the mood of peace and harmony but light enough where each of them could still see the beauty in one another.

     "Say," Jeongguk began. "I don't want to rush anyone into anything but to be honest, Tae, I would love to take you out on an official date. I want to get to know you in that sort of way."

"I think you know quite a bit of me." He responded.

"Yes and no," Jeongguk replied. "But nothing too fancy, unless you want fancy . . . But something we can enjoy together. A date."

"I think I would be a moron if I declined." Taehyung hummed, moving his free hand to lay on Jeongguk's hip, pulling him close.

     "Is that a yes?"

"It's a yes." Taehyung confirmed.

Jeongguk leaned forward and placed a peck on the elder's nose, backing away but Taehyung pulled him back, the two of them sharing an endearing kiss.

It was romantic and there was no tension, no anger, no nothing. It was just all so enjoyable.