Seventeenth
:Chapter Seventeen:

Hoseok didn't bring up to Taehyung how he left abruptly the next day when he saw him. He just decided to let the boy sulk in silent, he didn't want to hear Taehyung bitch about it to him how he had to watch the whole game from the bench while the team got their first win.

Hoseok definitely didn't blame Taehyung or was mad at the boy, not at all, but he didn't want to go over it and bring it up. It happened and there was nothing neither of them could do.

Hoseok just stuck to Taehyung's side and would talk about the most random things to get Taehyung's mind off of baseball. It didn't work.

But now, Taehyung wanted to let off some steam in the batting cage, work on his batting for a bit. It was the end of the day and he was ready to practice his swings. The last game he was in, the only game he was in, he had received all three strikes and got out. Quite embarrassing if you asked Taehyung since he was once known to be the best player the team had. Was.

Hoseok watched as Taehyung rolled his wrist with the bat in his hand, stretching his arm out. He stood a few yards back away from the machine, Hoseok managing it.

"Ya know," the elder began, waiting for Taehyung to get ready. "It sucks because the whole team admires you. Or, well, admired you before Jeon came along. I can't imagine how heartbreaking that must be." He commented, missing the look of distaste riddling Taehyung's angered features. Maybe it's what Taehyung needed to get his arm swinging.

"Just start the stupid machine, Seok." Taehyung's voice sounded cold, not hiding the way he was merely pissed off.

Hoseok obeyed, flipping a switch and the machine shooting a ball out. Taehyung swung and missed, cursing under his breath. He had swung way too early and missed the baseball entirely, it hitting the back of the net behind him.

Two second passed and another one came flying, coming in at the perfect angle.

He missed it once more, missing such a perfectly shot out ball. Taehyung sucked in a sharp breath, taking a practice swing as he waited for the next ball to come spiraling towards him which came sooner than later.

Taehyung shouted in frustration when he missed for the third time. Hoseok ultimately switching the machinery off. "Maybe you should take a breather." He commented, furrowed brows. He could sense the stress.

"Maybe you should shut up." Taehyung bit back, brows pulled in.

"Maybe you should learn to hit the ball and stop being a little bitch." The tease of a voice rang in Hoseok's and Taehyung's ears, making them look over to see Jeon himself. His tall and muscular figure standing there with his own bat in his palms, gloves covering his hands for a better grip.

"No one asked you." Taehyung said with venom lacing every single vowel. It wasn't his day.

Jeongguk let out a chuckle, pulling on his helmet. "Oh, really? Funny thing is that I don't need your permission, babes." He picked up his bat, a smirk on his face. "Why don't you let me have a swing, I can show you how it's done."

Taehyung didn't want to but he needed to get himself in order before he continued. He huffed, stepping out of the batting cage where Jeongguk took his spot but not before running his shoulder into Taehyung's, wearing his smirk proudly.

"Hobi, switch that bad boy on for me. And, please, make sure you duck, I don't want to hit you." Jeongguk spoke out with confidence covering his words, getting in his oh so professional stance.

Hoseok, once again, listened and turned it on, the first baseball shooting out.

Unlike Taehyung, Jeongguk sent it back, a loud pop ringing out when the ball connected with the bat. It was the perfect sound, denoting that Jeongguk had the perfect hit to match up with the baseball.

Soon, another ball went out and Jeongguk hit it again, sending it all the way to the other end of the batting cage. It rattled against the metal, making a thud when it fell to the ground.

Within seconds, the third one left the machine and to no surprise, Jeongguk hit it with all his might. He didn't miss a single beat. He had such a perfect stance, everything from the way his legs lined up to how his arm held the bat over his shoulder.

"Damn," Hoseok breathed out, turning the machine off once Jeongguk rocked three baseballs all perfectly without a single mistake. "Good hits." He complimented, watching the smug and teasing look play on Jeongguk's features.

The aforementioned exited the cage, taking off his helmet with his perfect hair still in tack. "Blondie, if you ever want batting lessons, I'll be sure to help." He wink at Taehyung, biting his bottom lip to really cause Taehyung anger — which he succeeded in. He was such a heartthrob but not to Taehyung. Not at all.

The slightly older didn't miss it, his cheeks flared red with anger and anger only. "I don't need lessons from you. I think you forget who's better out of us two."

"Really?" Jeongguk cocked a brow, walking over to his bag where he pulled a rag out, moving it along the thick part of his bat to clean any marks he made. "You're quite the comedian, Kim. You didn't hit a single ball in that cage — not even close. And, if my memory serves me correct, weren't you sitting out last game? Coach had you as a bench warmer. I remember playing and winning yesterday's game. The best part was you leaving with a shitty attitude, lips all pouted." Jeongguk teased and mocked the elder, pouting his own lips.

Those words played on repeat in Taehyung's ears. He couldn't come back with a witty remark, Jeongguk was right. He rolled his eyes, looking away from the cocky teenager who let out a raspy chuckle, deep and coated thickly with self-satisfaction.

"What? Cat got your tongue, babes?" Jeongguk inquired but it was nothing but sarcastic. He put on a fake frown, setting his bat down gently. "But, besides our differences, if you ever need those lessons, I'll be sure to help you with them. You got to learn to swing with your eyes and not just your arms, always keep that eye on the ball. The moment you're not focused on it or staring it down, you mess it all up. If you really want to shoot it up, think of me, won't you?"

Those words exited his thin lips as he was retrieving his bag and leaving the gym. Hoseok was silent, not too sure on what he could do or say to comfort his best friend after the incident with Jeongguk. Nothing he ever said helped or made them stop, why would it now?

Taehyung carded his fingers through his overgrown blond locks, pushing the fringe from his face. His brows were pinched and lips turned into a frown. His lungs filled heavily with air, huffing it all out.

"We can stop for-"

"Turn it back on." Taehyung cut Hoseok off, pulling his helmet back on and picking up his back. He walked into the batting cage. "I'm going again." He remarked, determination to get this right. He wasn't going to let Jeongguk's harmful words defeat him.

The senior shook his head, pressing the button and allowing Taehyung to go again on the machine. He understood but that didn't mean he agreed.

***

     "There you are!" Jihyun's voice was loud and clear. "Since when do you ignore my messages?"

Taehyung looked over and saw his girlfriend but she wasn't alone. Jimin was with her and right beside Jimin was Jeongguk who occupied himself on his phone, not bothering to look up.

Hoseok spoke before Taehyung could. "We were in the batting cage, he couldn't get to his phone. Jeongguk should've told you since he saw us in the batting cage."

Then the aforementioned picked his head up, cocking a brow. "What? What should I have done?" He wasn't listening entirely, he just heard his name and some added words.

Jihyun shook her head. "You still need to tell me so I know." She directed her comment to Taehyung even though the boy didn't speak. "Want to go back to my house again tonight?" She asked her boyfriend who took her hand in his own.

"No fair, you took him last night." Hoseok whined. "When do I get to have my date with him?" He crossed his arms over his chest.

Taehyung looked at the senior with a playful and weak smile, the first smile he's had all day. "Our date? We go on dates?" He asked his best friend.

Hoseok gasped, throwing his hand over his chest. "You know we have dates, Kim Taehyung!" He turned his head with the most sass he could produce. "Cannot believe you. So, all the times we've went out and gotten lunch or drinks, those weren't dates?"

Taehyung chuckled, sighing. "I'm sorry, Seok." He released his girlfriend's hand, walking over to his friend and wrapping his arms around him from behind. "Me and Jihyun are watching a drama and it's getting really good but don't worry," he said, patting his chest before letting him go. "We can go out for dinner tomorrow after practice."

"On one condition." Hoseok held a single digit up, turning his attention back at Taehyung who cocked his head to the side, waiting to hear what else they needed to do.

"What is it?" Taehyung asked, Jihyun finding her way back at Taehyung's side, picking his arm up and putting it around her shoulders.

"Jimin gets to come." Hoseok said, Jimin gasping. "I want to go on a date with you guys!" He clapped his hands. "I don't ever go on dates."

"Oh, that's all? Sure, why-" Taehyung was cut off before he could finish his sentence.

"No, that isn't all." Hoseok muttered, a smile growing on his face; a well knowing smile.

Taehyung's face paled but he soon pulled his brows in, knowing all too well where this was going. Sometimes he didn't know if Hoseok wanted them to argue or to stop arguing.

"No fucking way, Hoseok. Fuck that date then." Taehyung cursed.

Jihyun gasped and elbowed Taehyung's side. "Watch your mouth, you literally have no reason to curse."

"Sorry, Ji, but like I said, Seok, no freaking way!" Taehyung rephrased his sentence to make Jihyun happy - which worked. She just saw no need for bad words, such mean and hurtful words. She's always been like that.

Hoseok laughed, his smile never ending. "Why not?" He asked, turning back to look at Jeongguk who had found himself occupied back into his phone. "Jeongguk, want to go out for dinner with me, Jimin, and Taehyung tomorrow night?"

"No," Jeongguk said without looking up, tapping away on his glass screen.

"C'mon, you both owe me anyways." Hoseok brought up. "Remember me getting hit in the face? Well, you guys can come with me and Jimin for dinner tomorrow night and even pay for all of us."

The youngest picked his head up, looking at Hoseok who gave a pouty look. He could see Taehyung behind Hoseok shaking his head aggressively to try and tell Jeongguk no but as if the other would dare listen to what the captain of the baseball team had to say.

That finalized his decision. "I guess." He answered, though, he wasn't sure if this was the best idea now that he agreed.

Taehyung sucked his teeth and dropped his head, feeling Jihyun rub his back but she didn't mean it sympathetically, she thought this was hilarious.

"Great! I'll pick everyone up tomorrow! Jimin, meet me at Jeongguk's house so I don't have to make three stops." Hoseok said.

"You got it, big boy." Jimin winked. His winks were playful and flirty, Jeongguk's was just to be irritating.

Jeongguk regretted this all now but it was too late to take anything back now that he said it.

"Anyone want a ride?" Hoseok asked, his mood a lot more cheerful.

"No, I can walk." Jeongguk said but only because he thought Taehyung was getting a ride with Hoseok so he didn't want to be stuck there.

"Me and Jihyun were going to stop somewhere on the way to her house, I want to walk with her." Answered Taehyung.

"We were?" Jihyun questioned, not aware of these sudden plans.

"Yeah, I wanted to get some snacks." He looked down at her and she just nodded. Taehyung absolutely adored her big beautiful eyes.

"I'm definitely getting a ride." Jimin said, walking towards Hoseok who dangled his keys.

Jeongguk heard Taehyung's answer and walked over to Hoseok then, the eldest cocking a brow. "Thought you were walking," said Hoseok.

"I meant that I was walking to your car so you could give me a ride." Jeongguk said even though that wasn't what he meant.

"Sure," Hoseok chuckled.

_________
A/N:

1. Fun fact, this story was almost called 'Batting Cage'/'Batting Lessons'
2. Have you ever had a rival? Someone you didn't like? Why?
3. Hoseok is my favorite character in this, stamped