kiss me downtown

Tattooed biker Jeongguk gets introduced to football quarterback Kim Taehyung.

It’s fine. Everything's fine.

Well, actually, it isn't because he has the biggest fucking crush on Taehyung.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

The roar of the East State Stadium is a pulsing throb that Jeongguk feels in the marrow of his bones. It’s too loud, too bright and far too much school spirit for a Friday night.

Jeongguk leans against the cold metal railing of the upper bleachers, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Intricate ink snakes down his tattooed forearm– a sharp contrast to the sea of blue and gold face paint surrounding him.

"This is too loud," Jeongguk complains, his voice barely carrying over the school’s fight song.

His eyes fix on the empty turf with a look of profound boredom. "Why are we even here? You don't even like football, Jimin. You can’t tell a touchdown from a home run."

Jimin, decked out in a comically oversized Panthers foam finger, grins and bounces on the balls of his feet.

"It’s not about the sport, Jeongguk! It’s about the vibe. East State opening night? It’s legendary. Plus, the afterparty is where the real memories are made."

"Or forgotten," Hoseok chimes in from Jeongguk’s other side, already halfway through a tub of overpriced popcorn. He nudges Jeongguk with an elbow. "Stop frowning, man. You’re gonna give the team bad juju!"

"Kill me now," Jeongguk mutters.

To the rest of the student body, he's the guy with the Kawasaki bike parked like a black blade in the lot, the man whose resting face tells everyone ‘don't talk to me.’

The lights flare.

The drumline vibrates through the floorboards as the East State Panthers burst onto the field. It’s a blur of movement, a choreographed explosion of adrenaline.

Jeongguk’s complaints die in his throat.

Coming out to the field is Number Seven.

But Number Seven doesn’t just run onto the field, he moves like he belongs there. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he carries himself with a relaxed grace. His helmet is off, tucked under one arm and his dark hair is a mess of curls.

The stadium erupts.

But for Jeongguk, the world goes sickeningly quiet.

Number Seven stops at the forty-yard line, raising a hand in a casual, understated wave. He stands there with a cool, playful smirk playing on his lips, nodding to the student section like he’s sharing an inside joke with ten thousand people.

Oh, fuck. He's hot.

The thought hits Jeongguk like a head-on collision. His internal operating system suffers a total catastrophic failure.

The guy turns around and Jeongguk sees the name on the jersey more clearly.

Kim.

Jeongguk remains perfectly still. On the outside, his jaw is set in a hard, indifferent line. On the inside though? He's combusting.

He pokes Jimin on his side. “Who's that? Number seven?”

“That's Taehyung. The one I told you about.”

“Oh.”

Taehyung. Right. The guy Jimin and Hoseok said they were coming to the game to cheer for.

What they didn't tell him, is that Taehyung is smoking hot.

Jeongguk tracks the way the jersey stretches across Taehyung’s shoulders, the easygoing way he claps a teammate on the back, the flash of white teeth as he laughs at something the cheerleader says.

What the fuck.

The game starts, and Taehyung is everywhere. A blur of blue and gold, cutting through the defensive line with an agility that makes the other players look slow. Every time he makes a play, he celebrates with a quick grin, a cool confidence that's more attractive than anything Jeongguk has ever seen.

Jeongguk swears he hasn't blinked in three minutes. His heart is performing a drum solo and the tips of his ears are beginning to burn.

"Jeongguk, man, you're staring," Jimin laughs, leaning in to nudge his shoulder.

Jeongguk snaps his head toward Jimin so fast his neck nearly cracks. His scowl deepens, trying to hide the fact that his heart is currently a runaway train.

"I’m not," Jeongguk says, his voice tight. He turns back to the field, gripping the railing so hard his knuckles turn white. "I’m analyzing their… game strategy."

"Sure, okay, 'Coach' Jeon," Hoseok teases, mouth full of popcorn. "That's why you haven't looked away from Number Seven since the kickoff."

Jeongguk doesn't answer. He can't. If he opens his mouth, his voice is gonna hit a frequency only dogs can hear.

The Panthers end up winning the game. With the way Taehyung was moving, Jeongguk would be surprised if they didn't win.

The stadium lights are still humming over the turf as the crowd begins to filter out. Jimin’s hand clamps onto his shoulder.

"Let’s go down there!" Jimin says, steering him toward the field.

"What–" Jeongguk startles.

"We gotta congratulate the man of the hour!” Hoseok insists, waving toward a cluster of jerseys.

Jeongguk sees him before they’re even close. Taehyung is leaning against an equipment trunk, his hair a chaotic, damp mess of curls that should look gross but instead looks like some high-end photoshoot.

He’s mid-laugh, a low, easy sound that cuts right through the chatter of the stadium.

"Tae! Hell of a game!" Hoseok shouts, closing the distance.

Taehyung turns around and offers a beaming grin. "Yooo! Thanks, Hobi! Glad you could make it out here."

Taehyung’s eyes– calm, pretty and far too bright– slide past Hoseok and Jimin, landing directly on Jeongguk.

Jeongguk’s spine turns into a steel rod. His face settles into a mask of such profound, icy boredom that a passerby might think he was witnessing a funeral rather than a victory.

Inside, his brain is screaming.

"Jeongguk, come here," Jimin says, oblivious to the fact that he’s dragging Jeongguk toward a sun that's about to incinerate him.

"Meet Taehyung. He’s the guy who made that crazy catch in the second quarter. The one you were staring at for ten minutes straight."

"I was not staring," Jeongguk responds. It comes out as a low rumble.

He hopes it sounds nonchalant.

"This is Jeongguk," Jimin continues, grinning, ignoring Jeongguk’s protests. "Just moved here from my hometown. He’s the one with the black bike that’s been waking up the dorms."

Taehyung steps forward.

"Oh, that black bike, huh?" Taehyung’s voice is a smooth baritone. He tilts his head, his gaze sweeping over Jeongguk curiously. "Sleek. I’ve seen it in the lot. Hard to miss a bike that clean."

Jeongguk realizes he's holding his breath. He needs to respond. He needs to say something about torque, or engines, or perhaps about how football is the best game that has ever been invented.

Taehyung’s eyes drop to Jeongguk’s arm, lingering on his tattoo sleeve. "Nice ink, too."

Jeongguk’s brain hits an error.

Ink. He said nice ink. He’s looking at me. Why is he so hot? Why are his eyes that pretty? Say something. Say anything.

"Yeah," Jeongguk croaks.

The reply is dry. Like sandpaper. Like the desert.

Like a piece of toast that’s been left in the toaster for three whole cycles and then forgotten about until it’s basically a charcoal brick.

It’s incredibly uncool.

Taehyung waits, his eyebrow raising slightly in an arch, as if waiting for the rest of the sentence.

Jeongguk stares at Taehyung’s nose. He feels a drop of cold sweat slide down his spine. He wants to explain that he actually designed the tattoos himself, that he appreciates the compliment on his bike, that he thinks Taehyung’s the most beautiful man he's ever seen.

Oh, and also he kinda likes football now.

"Yeah," Jeongguk repeats. He shuts his eyes for a microsecond, wanting to dissolve.

Taehyung lets out a soft huff– not a mock, but an amused sound. "Quiet type, I get it. Well, it’s good to meet you, Jeongguk."

Taehyung reaches out, his hand hovering for a second before he gives Jeongguk’s shoulder a firm, lingering pat. The contact sends a literal jolt of electricity through Jeongguk’s body.

"See ya around, guys," Taehyung says, flashing them one last wink before turning back to his teammates.

Jeongguk stands there frozen. He doesn't move until Taehyung is well out of earshot. His heart is hammering so hard he’s surprised his body isn't vibrating.

"Wow," Jimin says, looking at Jeongguk. "You really charmed him. 'Yeah'? That’s your move?"

"Shut up," Jeongguk grumbles as his neck burns a bright, humiliated pink. "I’m leaving."

He turns and stalks toward the parking lot, his stride long and aggressive. He gets to his bike, fumbles his keys twice– dropping them once with a loud clatter– and curses under his breath.

He feels like a fool. A massive, tattooed fool.

He puts on his helmet, the visor snapping down to hide his burning face. He bites his lip, thinking about the way Taehyung’s hand felt on his shoulder.

Oh, this is gonna be a disaster.

–

The morning sun glints off the matte-black finish of Jeongguk’s Kawasaki as he rolls into the lot behind the East State University building. He cuts the engine, then pulls off his helmet. He shakes out his hair and prepares to set his face into its usual expression of don't bother me for his 9 AM lecture.

Then he sees the truck. And the man leaning against it.

Kim Taehyung is standing right there, looking devastatingly hot in a grey East State Panthers hoodie with the sleeves pushed up.

He’s grinning– an expression that makes Jeongguk feel like he’s just walked into a high-voltage fence.

"Hey, Jeongguk," Taehyung calls out. "Nice timing. Mind if I snag this spot next to you? Coach kept us late for film and every other row is packed like a sardine can."

Jeongguk’s heart does a backflip. He stares at Taehyung. Say something. Don't just stand here like a statue.

"It’s fine," Jeongguk says. His voice is low, clipped.

To Taehyung, it sounds like the dismissive grunt of a guy who is too cool for small talk.

In Jeongguk’s head, he's practically screaming. Why are you so close to me? Why do you smell like lavender and laundry detergent?

Taehyung pushes off his truck and takes a step closer. He crosses his arms, his gaze dropping to the bike.

"I’ve been wanting to take a closer look at this," Taehyung says. "This a Ninja 650? My uncle used to ride, so I’ve got a soft spot for bikes. The blackout look is killer."

He knows about bikes.

A hot, prickly heat begins to climb up the back of Jeongguk’s neck.

"Yeah," Jeongguk replies. Then, realizing he’s used his favorite one-word response for the third time since the first time they've met each other. He forces himself to add more. "Changed the exhaust and the footpegs. Just simple stuff."

"Simple looks good on it," Taehyung says, leaning over to inspect the frame. "Everything about this bike looks cool. Matches you, I guess."

Jeongguk’s ears are now a vivid shade of pink. He fumbles with the zipper of his leather jacket, suddenly feeling like it's ten sizes too small and five hundred degrees too hot.

He watches Taehyung’s hand– large, steady– as it hovers near the bike.

"You mind?" Taehyung asks, looking up with a playful tilt of his head.

"Go ahead," Jeongguk grunts. He tries to look at a distant tree, but his peripheral vision is locked onto Taehyung.

Taehyung runs a hand along the black tank, his fingers trailing over the smooth surface.

"Bet she handles nice on the curves," Taehyung says softly, his eyes flicking up to meet Jeongguk’s.

Jeongguk’s brain short circuits. Handles nice on the curves. Curves. He’s talking about the bike. Only the bike.

Stop thinking about things that aren't the bike.

"It’s... responsive," Jeongguk manages to choke out.

He goes to put his keys in his pocket, but his fingers feel like overcooked noodles. The keychain slips, hitting the pavement with a loud, metallic clack.

Fucking kill me now, Jeongguk thinks, his face a mask of stone while his soul shrivels.

Before he can move, Taehyung is already crouching. He picks up the keys, standing back up and holding them out.

"Here ya go."

Jeongguk reaches for them quickly. He snatches the keys back and shoves them deep into his pocket. Luckily he doesn't drop them this time.

Taehyung smirks. "You good, man?"

"Fine," Jeongguk mumbles, his voice sounding like he’s swallowing glass. He turns toward the campus path, his movements stiff and robotic.

Taehyung laughs. "Thanks for the spot, dude."

“Yeah.” Jeongguk doesn't look back. He can't. He practically flees toward the building, his boots thumping aggressively on the pavement.

–

It’s stiflingly hot. Jeongguk is pressed against the car door, trying to minimize his whole existence.

Which is difficult because Taehyung is sitting right next to him.

The seven of them had split up. Jimin, Hoseok and another Panther named Namjoon were in the front car.

Jeongguk was assigned to the back of the second car with Taehyung, a quiet track star named Yoongi, and a loud-mouthed frat guy named Seokjin who was currently arguing with Yoongi about the best way to cook a steak.

Jeongguk’s acutely aware of the fact that Taehyung’s legs are stretched out on the seat. They're not touching, but every time the car takes a turn, Jeongguk braces his core and prays he won't accidentally slide into Taehyung’s side.

Taehyung leans over, his voice low and private, barely carrying over Seokjin’s shouting at Yoongi. "You came to the game again.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“To watch me, or just humoring our friends?"

Jeongguk stares straight ahead at the back of the driver's headrest.

"Friends," he croaks.

Taehyung chuckles softly. "I’ll take that as a win."

When they finally pull into the diner parking lot, Jeongguk is the first one out.

He’s so desperate for distance that he doesn't see the uneven curb. His boot catches and he stumbles forward, arms flailing for a split second– a total breach of his cool biker persona.

A hand clamps onto his elbow. "Whoa! Easy tiger," Taehyung says, his voice laced with concern.

Jeongguk yanks his arm away as if he’s been electrocuted.

"I’m good," he says, shoving his hands into his pockets and walking toward the diner with a stiff stride.

Behind him, he can feel Taehyung’s gaze.

Inside, the diner is a chaos of laughter and clinking silverware. They shove two tables together.

"I'm telling you, Namjoon, if you'd just held the line for three more seconds, that play would've been a touchdown," Seokjin says, sliding into a chair and immediately stealing the menu from Hoseok’s hands.

"If you'd spent less time talking, maybe you'd understand how physics works," Namjoon retorts.

"Three orders of animal style fries, seven cheeseburgers and whatever Jeongguk is drinking," Jimin tells the waitress.

Jeongguk sits next to him, sipping a bottle of blueberry yogurt juice he grabbed from the fridge at the front.

"Yogurt juice? Really, Jeongguk?" Hoseok asks. "You look like you should be drinking engine oil."

"It’s good for digestion," Jeongguk replies, looking down at his juice.

"Don't listen to him, Gguk," Seokjin chimes in, leaning across the table to take a napkin. "Hoseok drinks strawberry milkshakes through a curly straw when nobody's looking."

Jimin suddenly stands up, spotting a girl he knows at the counter. "Oh, hey, that's Sana! Save my spot!"

Before Jeongguk can even blink, Taehyung plops down on the stool Jimin just vacated. Right next to Jeongguk.

Jeongguk goes statue-still. He doesn't even move his straw.

"So, what’s your major, Jeongguk?" Taehyung asks, leaning in. He’s close enough that Jeongguk can see the long lashes at the bottom of his eyes.

"Engineering," Jeongguk says. It’s the shortest possible sentence.

Taehyung smiles. "Nice. You any good with your hands?"

Jeongguk is mid-sip. But he nearly chokes, his eyes watering as he frantically swallows the yogurt juice. He coughs into his hand, his face turning a shade of red that rivals the diner's ketchup bottles.

"I... yeah," Jeongguk manages to wheeze out once he regains his airway.

"Makes sense," Taehyung says, oblivious, his eyes roaming over the tattoos on Jeongguk’s forearm. "Building things, fixing bikes. It’s all about the details, right?"

"Sure," Jeongguk says, staring intensely at a salt shaker. He tries not to look at the way Taehyung’s shirt rides up at the waist when he leans forward to grab a fry, revealing a sliver of tan skin.

Don't look down. Look at the salt. The salt is interesting. Why is the salt so interesting?

"You always this quiet or am I just lucky?" Taehyung teases.

Jeongguk shrugs. "Sorry, just not much to say."

It’s a lie. He has a million things to say. He wants to ask about the game, about why Taehyung looks so effortlessly handsome, about the playlist he saw Taehyung listening to on his headphones earlier. But if he speaks, he’s probably gonna stutter and look like an idiot and then he’ll have to set his bike on fire and disappear.

"Man, Taehyung, quit bothering the new guy," Yoongi laughs from across the table. "Jeongguk doesn't look like he wants to talk to you."

"I think he's pretty cool. Maybe I'm just a lot to handle though," Taehyung says, winking at Jeongguk.

Jeongguk’s grip on his juice bottle tightens. A lot to handle. God. Yes. Yes, you are.

The rest of the night is a blur. Seokjin tells a long, rambling story about a failed attempt to assemble IKEA furniture while drunk, and the table erupts in laughter.

Jeongguk sits there, trying to pretend like he's listening but half of the time he's just staring at Taehyung.

–

Jeongguk is tucked at the back of the campus cafe, hiding behind his laptop screen. He looks like he’s deep in some kind of complicated coding assignment, with his brows furrowed in intense concentration.

Actually, he has a browser tab open to the East State Panthers official athletics Instagram page.

He clicks on a high-res photo from last night’s game. His cursor hovers over a photo of the team huddled up.

The caption reads: QB @thvkim leading the charge. #PantherPride #EastState.

Jeongguk’s heart does a little stutter. Tagged. He knows he shouldn't.

He really shouldn't.

His finger clicks the handle before his brain can veto the decision.

Taehyung’s profile isn't what Jeongguk expected. There are no shirtless gym selfies with stereotypical jock captions like "Grind Never Stops.” Instead, the feed is a muted palette of grain and light.

There are high-contrast black and white shots of campus architecture, a blurry but beautiful photo of a stray cat, and a series of vintage looking film captures of the city at night.

The most recent post is a selfie. Taehyung wearing a beanie, holding an old camera up to a mirror on his face.

He’s a film nerd, Jeongguk thinks, his chest tightening.

He’s perfect. This is a catastrophe.

Jeongguk is so busy scrolling down to a post from three months ago that he doesn't hear the chime of the door. He doesn't hear the low, baritone voice ordering an oat milk cold brew. He doesn't even notice the shadow falling over his table.

A finger taps him on the shoulder.

Jeongguk nearly launches his blueberry latte into the ceiling. His hand slaps the laptop lid shut with a sound like a gunshot. He turns around, eyes wide.

Taehyung is standing there. He’s wearing a simple black t-shirt that makes his shoulders look impossibly broad. And he’s looking at Jeongguk with an expression that is far too knowing.

"Hey," Taehyung greets him, his voice smooth and easy. "Didn't mean to give you a heart attack."

Jeongguk swallows hard, his throat feeling like it’s full of dry sand. "I... I was just... working."

Taehyung doesn't call him out. He doesn't mention the glimpse of his own face he definitely just saw on that screen. He just slides into the seat opposite Jeongguk.

"Is that the blueberry latte drink?" Taehyung asks, nodding toward the purple latte. "You like blueberries? You had that yogurt drink the other day too. At the diner."

"Yeah," Jeongguk replies. He tries to look at his closed laptop, but he can feel Taehyung’s gaze on him. "And um, latte. Yes, latte. It helps me focus."

"I get that," Taehyung says, leaning back. "I usually need a cold brew to keep my brain from stalling. Especially when I’m working on my film stuff." He gestures vaguely. "You into photography?"

He totally caught Jeongguk stalking his socials.

Might as well come clean.

Jeongguk’s ears turn pink. He stares at his drink. "I do. I like film."

"Yeah? Me too," Taehyung says, his eyes brightening. "There’s something about film. You can’t just take a thousand shots and delete the bad ones, you know? You have to be intentional. You have to wait for the right moment to capture the light," he rambles on.

The smile on Taehyung’s face widens. "I have a whole collection of vintage cameras. Mostly 70s stuff. Some of them are from my grandpa."

Jeongguk manages to look up. "Um, I saw the one on your page. The Pentax K1000?"

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up. "Yes! How do you know that?"

"I... read about it," Jeongguk mutters, quickly looking back down. “I like photography.”

A voice calls out from the counter. "Oat milk cold brew for Taehyung!"

Taehyung stands up, but he doesn't leave immediately. He lingers at the table, his shadow stretching over Jeongguk’s still closed laptop.

"I have to get to class," Taehyung says. He leans down slightly and points at the laptop. "I have a lot of my better collections– the stuff I don't put on the main feed. I’ll send them to you if you give me your number."

Jeongguk experiences a total system collapse.

He wants my number?!

He saw me stalking his Instagram and he’s giving me his number?!

"I... okay," Jeongguk says, stunned. He pulls his phone out and unlocks it.

Taehyung takes the phone, taps in his digits, calls himself for a second so he gets Jeongguk’s number as well. Then he saves himself as Taehyung (Panthers) and hands it back with a satisfied wink.

"See ya around, Jeongguk."

Taehyung walks away, picking up his drink and heading for the door.

Jeongguk lets out a slow, shaky breath and hides his face in his hands once he knows Taehyung is completely out of sight.

–

Taehyung shares some photos from his collection that he hadn't posted publicly on Instagram. They end up talking more about photography, texting back and forth for the next couple of days.

But then things get a little weird. Or at least, Jeongguk thinks they do. They text, yeah, but then Taehyung moves from sharing his art to sharing his observations, sending quick snaps of things that reminded him of Jeongguk.

He’s not really complaining though.

[Saturday - 11:24 PM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A grainy, black and white photo of a dark alleyway lit by a single neon sign.]

found this in my old roll from last winter. felt like ur vibe

Jeongguk:

what film?

Taehyung (Panthers):

tri-x 400 pushed to 1600

Jeongguk:

nice

Taehyung (Panthers):

u usually this dry over text too or am i special? 👀

Jeongguk:

sorry

just kinda busy

idk

assignments

theres one due soon

Taehyung (Panthers):

haha ok engineering genius

don't worryyy

i’ll let u get back to ur blueprints 🥸

[Sunday - 2:15 PM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A sleek, vintage black bike parked in front of a coffee shop.]

saw this and thought of the ninja

yours is cleaner tho 🔥

Jeongguk:

thats a harley

its a classic. mine’s kinda just a tool

Taehyung (Panthers):

a tool that u spend 3 hours detailing every weekend?

jimin told me u treat that thing like a child

Jeongguk:

jimin talks too much 🙄

[Tuesday - 8:40 PM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A black cat sitting on a stone wall, staring intensely at a bird with a look of pure judgment.]

saw this guy on the way to the gym

looks exactly like u when i try to talk to u in public 🐈‍⬛

Jeongguk:

i dont look like that 😑

Taehyung (Panthers):

u literally do

its cute tho

Jeongguk:

...

im not cute

Taehyung (Panthers):

agree to disagree 😌

[Wednesday - 1:12 AM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A close-up shot of a deer in the woods, eyes wide, looking soft and startled.]

reminded me of ur eyes🦌

Jeongguk:

what

Taehyung (Panthers):

u have big eyes

like a deer

like the deer in the photo

🦌🦌🦌

Jeongguk:

i think u have a fever or something. u should go to sleep

Taehyung (Panthers):

🦌

is it actually a good photo tho?

Jeongguk:

yeah

i like it

Taehyung (Panthers):

it's my favorite one yet

–

The circular booth at the sports bar was designed for six people. There are seven of them. This means Jeongguk is currently experiencing a level of proximity to Taehyung that should be illegal.

"I swear, if Namjoon worked at a bubble tea shop, the line would go a mile," Seokjin says over the music, gesturing with a fry. "He’s a disaster when he's in the kitchen."

"Excuse me, Jin, I'm a disaster with feelings," Namjoon grumbles, dipping a celery stick into cheese. "But you're not wrong. I'm not built for that. I think I'd accidentally press a button and someone's gonna get cheese in their boba.”

"You’re built for napping and eating celery sticks," Hoseok chimes in, dodging a playful smack from Namjoon.

Jeongguk is sitting so stiffly he might actually be mistaken for part of the booth’s structural integrity. Every time the table erupts in laughter, Taehyung’s shoulder brushes against Jeongguk’s, and his thigh presses against Jeongguk’s as well.

Taehyung stops laughing and leans in, his breath warm against the shell of Jeongguk’s ear. "You know, if you sit any straighter, your spine might actually snap. Relax, Bambi.”

Bambi?!

Jeongguk gulps. "I’m relaxed," he squeaks.

"Yeah?" Taehyung smiles, his eyes dancing with light. His arm rests on the back of the booth behind Jeongguk’s head. "What are you so worried about? I don't bite.”

A smirk. “Unless I'm asked to."

Jeongguk feels the heat ignite at the base of his neck and travel rapidly upward.

Unless I'm asked to?! What does that even mean?!

He takes a desperate, shaky sip of his drink– a blueberry soda– and stares at the TV across the room.

"I'm... not worried," Jeongguk manages to say, his voice cracking slightly at the end.

"Really?" Taehyung asks, a playful edge to his voice. He shifts, intentionally letting his arm linger against Jeongguk’s.

"The music is just loud," Jeongguk lies, his eyes wide and fixed on a hockey highlight reel.

"Taehyung," Yoongi calls out from the other side of the table. "You see the scouting report for next week? Their defensive line is fast."

Taehyung doesn't pull away from Jeongguk’s space. He just turns his head toward the group, his arm still heavy against Jeongguk’s. "Fast, yeah, but they bite on every fake," he adds, giving Jeongguk a pointed, side-eyed smirk that the rest of the table definitely notices.

"Ooh, quit scaring the poor dude, Taehyung," Jimin cackles.

"Don't listen to him,'" Taehyung says easily. He looks back at Jeongguk. "I'm a very gentle student of human nature."

Jeongguk, feeling the weight of six pairs of eyes, decides the only safe thing to do is drink. He tips the glass back, planning to take a large, grounding swallow of soda.

"Besides," Taehyung continues, "I’ll make sure to be careful. I don’t want to scare off those deer eyes before I get a chance to take pictures of them."

Jeongguk inhales– not swallows, inhales– half a cup of blueberry soda.

Then he bursts into a coughing fit. His eyes water and he nearly doubles over.

"Whoa, hey!" Taehyung is immediately on him, but not in a way that helps Jeongguk’s dignity. He wraps a large, heavy arm around Jeongguk’s shoulders to steady him and begins thumping him on the back. "Breathe, Jeongguk."

"I'm–” cough “–fine," Jeongguk wheezes, gasping for air while Taehyung’s hand continues to rub slow, soothing circles between his shoulder blades.

It’s not helping him. It's making it worse. Oh my god–

"Damn, Tae, you nearly killed him!" Seokjin says, laughing.

"I think the soda won this round," Taehyung says, his voice full of amusement. He looks up at the guys, who are all grinning or laughing. "Give him a second."

"Jeongguk, man, you look like you just saw a ghost," Hoseok adds, definitely not helping.

"He’s fine," Taehyung assures, his thumb catching the edge of Jeongguk’s shirt sleeve, pulling him just a fraction closer. "He just gets a little breathless sometimes. Don't you, Jeongguk?"

Jeongguk can't even speak. He just leans his forehead against his hand, his ears burning so hot he’s surprised they aren't smoking.

"Alright, enough choking," Namjoon says, standing up and stretching. "The pool table just opened up."

They set up the teams. Namjoon and Yoongi versus Taehyung and Jeongguk. Seokjin, Hoseok and Jimin have claimed the high-top chairs surrounding the table, acting as a peanut gallery of unhelpful commentary.

"Five bucks says Namjoon rips the felt before the game is over," Seokjin bets.

"Hell nah," Namjoon grunts, leaning over the table. He hits the cue ball with the force of a bullet train, scattering the balls in a chaotic explosion. Nothing goes in.

"Graceful," Yoongi sighs, stepping up to the table. He sinks two solids back-to-back. "Your turn, Jeongguk."

Jeongguk steps up. He leans over the green felt, his tattooed arm extended, and sinks a stripe into the corner pocket with a sharp thunk.

"Damn, Jeongguk! Okay!" Jimin cheers.

Jeongguk moves around the table and sinks a difficult bank shot. Hoseok whistles in appreciation.

"You're full of surprises," Taehyung says. He’s leaning against a nearby pillar, chalking his cue slowly.

Jeongguk lines up his next shot– an easy straight-in on the 12-ball. All he has to do is breathe and follow through.

But Taehyung moves and stands directly in his line of sight, leaning casually against the edge of the table.

He’s looking down at Jeongguk, his thumb slowly circling the blue chalk cube, a small smile playing on his lips. The light from the overhead lamp catches the brown in Taehyung's eyes.

Thwack.

The cue ball clips the 12-ball at a disastrous angle, sending it rattling uselessly against the rail. The cue ball itself wobbles toward the side pocket and drops in with a pathetic plink.

"What the hell? Jeongguk, you were killing it!" Seokjin howls, clutching his stomach. "The pressure finally got to him!"

"Man, that was supposed to be an easy shot," Hoseok adds, shaking his head.

Jeongguk stands up abruptly. "Shut up," he says.

Taehyung walks past him to take his turn, his shoulder brushing Jeongguk. "Tough break, Bambi. Maybe you're distracted?"

Taehyung follows it up with a wink that only Jeongguk can see before he turns to the table.

"Alright, clear the way," Taehyung announces to the group. "Since my partner decided to take a dive, I guess I have to carry us."

"In your dreams, Kim!" Yoongi chirps.

Jeongguk retreats to the shadows near the cue rack, his heart performing backflips. He watches Taehyung play. Taehyung isn't as good as Jeongguk, but he’s intuitive. Most importantly, he's having fun.

"You okay, Gguk?" Jimin asks, leaning over.

"Uh, yeah," Jeongguk mutters. “Just hot in here.”

He watches Taehyung lean over the table to take the final shot. Taehyung’s shirt pulls tight across his back and Jeongguk has to physically turn his head away to keep from staring.

The night goes on. And Jeongguk literally tries his best to not look obvious that he's stealing glances at the football player.

"Game over!" Taehyung shouts as the 8-ball disappears. He spins his cue like a baton and looks straight at Jeongguk. "We win! I think that deserves a celebration, don't you, partner?"

Before Jeongguk can even respond, Taehyung closes the distance in two strides and throws an arm around Jeongguk’s shoulders, pulling him into a firm side hug.

It’s like being hugged by a field of lavender and laundry-scented cotton.

"Yeah, yeah, stop gloating, Taehyung," Hoseok says, stepping up to the table and grabbing a cue. "Jeongguk carried you for the first half anyway. Time to switch up the teams. I want a piece of the action."

When the night ends, the guys are still loud, their voices echoing as they walk out of the bar and into the parking lot.

Jeongguk is headed for the dark silhouette of his Kawasaki.

"Jeongguk, hold up!"

Jeongguk stops, his shoulders hunching slightly before he turns. Taehyung is jogging to catch up, his breath puffing in the cool air, looking far too energized.

"Mind if I walk with you?" Taehyung asks, falling into step beside him.

Jeongguk blinks. "My bike’s that way."

"I know," Taehyung says. He gives a casual nod toward the far end of the lot. "My truck’s right next to it. We’re parking buddies now, remember?"

Right. "Oh. Yeah."

They walk side by side, the distance between them shrinking as the parking lot narrows. The silence isn't heavy, but for Jeongguk, it’s loud.

"So, Jimin said you're from his hometown, right?" Taehyung asks, looking at Jeongguk instead of where he's walking. "But he also said you moved around a bit before settling there."

Jeongguk shifts. "Lived a few places. My dad was military. So we moved around."

"I see," Taehyung nods, bumping his shoulder lightly against Jeongguk's. "You had to be the new kid a lot then?"

Jeongguk looks at Taehyung. Fuck, he's too pretty. He quickly looks away. "Something like that."

"That's okay, you're still really cool," Taehyung reassures. He stops walking as they reach a patch of light from a streetlamp. He gestures toward Jeongguk’s arm, the one with the tattoo sleeve.

"Which one’s your favorite? I’ve been trying to map them out all night, but I don't want to get caught staring."

Jeongguk looks down at his own arm, his fingers unconsciously trace a delicate floral design on the forearm. "This one," he says, his voice softer than usual. "The tiger lily."

Taehyung leans in to get a better look. The proximity is enough to make Jeongguk’s skin prickle. "Why the lily?"

"It’s... it's my birth flower," Jeongguk explains, feeling a strange vulnerability.

"That's really beautiful," Taehyung hums– low and thoughtful– it makes Jeongguk feel like he’s being disassembled.

Taehyung looks back up, locking eyes with Jeongguk. "I like it. Suits you."

They reach the bike and Taehyung whistles low in appreciation, running his eyes over the lines of the tank.

"Still not over how clean it looks," Taehyung says. "You’ll have to take me for a ride one day."

Jeongguk’s keys, which he had just pulled from his pocket, nearly slip through his numb fingers. He fumbles them, catching the ring at the last second.

"I... it’s a solo seat," Jeongguk says, then immediately wants to punch himself. A solo seat? That’s your response? "I mean– I can– I can swap it. For a backseat. If you wanted to, uh, ride."

Taehyung smirks, making Jeongguk’s knees feel like liquid. He holds Jeongguk’s gaze for a beat too long– long enough for Jeongguk to want to start counting the lashes on his eyes.

Taehyung finally pulls back and heads for his truck.

"I'll hold you to that," Taehyung says, opening his driver door. He looks over the roof of the truck. "Ride safe, okay?"

Jeongguk straddles his bike, helmet on, his hands gripping tight on the handlebars.

"You too," he says quickly. "I mean– drive. Drive safe. Not ride. Because you’re driving. A car. I mean– a truck. Drive. Yeah."

Taehyung lets out a short chuckle. He flashes a big smile that lights up his whole face. "Got it. I’ll drive safe. Catch you later, Tiger Lily."

He hops into the truck and the engine roars to life. Jeongguk sits there on his bike long after the taillights of Taehyung’s truck have disappeared.

"What the fuck," he whispers to the empty parking lot, his heart hammering a rhythm that has absolutely nothing to do with engines.

–

[Monday - 10:15 AM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A close-up of a cup of black coffee next to a dark chocolate treat on a plate.]

had this and thought of u ☕

bitter on the outside but kinda has a sweet center

Jeongguk:

i dont like sweets that much

Taehyung (Panthers):

liar 🤥

yoongi said u secretly love those blueberry muffins from the campus cafe

Jeongguk:

theyre really good tho

Taehyung (Panthers):

your secret love for muffins is safe with me 😉

[Tuesday - 12:45 AM]

Jeongguk:

[Image: The engine of the Kawasaki, illuminated by a harsh work lamp.]

finally fixed the idling issue

Taehyung (Panthers):

looks complicated

also ur hands look

nice

even with the grease

Jeongguk:

…

go to sleep tae

dont u have practice at 6?

Taehyung (Panthers):

fine fine

night, tiger lily

[Thursday - 3:30 PM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A photo of the campus fountain, the water catching the golden hour light.]

thinking about that talk we had at the parking lot

about the tiger lily

the sunset reminded me of it

it's a good flower for u. beautiful. hard to ignore once u see it

Jeongguk:

u talk like a poet

its weird for a football player

Taehyung (Panthers):

maybe i’m only a poet for u? 🤷‍♂️

anyway, hmu when ur done with class

i accidentally bought two of those blueberry muffins 🤔

Jeongguk:

okay

i’ll be done in twenty

Taehyung (Panthers):

counting down the minutes 😉

–

The sun is dipping low across the field after a Panthers practice. Seokjin and Hoseok are arguing with Jimin about a local wings place, their voices loud.

"I’m telling you, their 'Atomic' sauce is just like ketchup," Jimin says. "If you want real heat, you gotta go to the place on 4th street."

"The place on 4th street is a health hazard, Jimin," Yoongi argues. "You only like it because they give you a free t-shirt if you don't cry from the sauce."

Taehyung’s sitting on the end of a bench, his jersey pulled off, revealing a compression tank that clings to his frame. He has an ice pack pressed against his right shoulder.

He looks up and catches Jeongguk’s eye, a slow, tired smile spreading across his face.

"Hey, Tiger Lily," Taehyung calls out, patting the spot on the bench next to him. "Come over here before Jimin convinces everyone to eat poison for dinner."

Jeongguk pushes off the fence and walks over. He sits down, keeping a few inches of space between them.

But Taehyung has other plans. He stretches his long legs out, crossing his ankles and resting his shoe casually against Jeongguk’s black boot.

Jeongguk stares down at their touching ankles.

"Tae, you look wrecked," Namjoon chirps, walking past and flicking a stray blade of grass at Taehyung.

"Shut up before I make you do a hundred push ups after tomorrow's practice," Taehyung retorts, though there’s no heat in it, a big grin on his lips.

He turns back to Jeongguk, his expression softening. He holds out the dripping ice pack. "My hands are starting to cramp up. Do me a favor and hold this in place for a second?"

"I... sure."

Jeongguk takes the ice pack, his fingers brushing Taehyung’s warm, damp skin. He presses the cold compress against Taehyung’s shoulder.

Taehyung lets out a long sigh of relief and leans his head back, closing his eyes.

"God, that’s better," Taehyung murmurs, his voice a low hum. "You have steady hands."

Jeongguk doesn't answer. Doesn't really know what to say. Also he’s too busy looking right at the Adam's apple in Taehyung’s throat. Looking at how it moves as Taehyung talks.

"You've been coming to a lot of practices lately, huh?" Taehyung continues, his eyes still closed, a small smirk playing on his lips. "And every game. You finally a fan of the sport or is there something else you like watching?"

Jeongguk feels the heat climb into his cheeks. "It's pretty cool, I guess."

"Uh huh," Taehyung says, opening one eye to look at him. The attention of his gaze is overwhelming.

"Well, I'm glad you’re here. I’ve started looking for you in the stands before the kickoff. I like noticing you. It’s becoming my favorite part of the day."

Jeongguk swallows hard. "You should, um, focus on the ball, Tae."

"I do," Taehyung responds. "But when I see you, I really just want practice or the game to be over so we can hang out."

"Hey, we're heading to the wing place. Not the one on 4th street that would kill us," Namjoon interrupts their bubble. "You guys coming or what?"

Taehyung stands up, stretching his arms over his head. He looks down at Jeongguk and offers a hand. "Let's go, Tiger Lily. I parked next to you again in the lot."

Jeongguk takes the hand. Taehyung’s grip is firm and his thumb brushes over the back of Jeongguk’s hand before he lets go.

They walk toward the parking lot. Taehyung speaks again. "I’m starving. I hope the wings aren't that spicy. I'm not good with spice."

“I think they're fine,” Jeongguk answers. “But I’ll eat them for you if they're too spicy. Then you can order something else.”

"You'd do that for me?" Taehyung asks with a smile. "You're such a sweetheart, Jeongguk."

Jeongguk ducks his head. "It's just chicken."

Taehyung lets out a giggle. “My knight in shining armor! Except instead of a sword, you’re holding a chicken wing.”

Jeongguk can't help the smile on his face. He feels like he’s floating two inches off the grass.

–

[Saturday - 10:45 AM]

Jeongguk:

[Image: A photo of a small, yellow wildflower growing out of a crack in the concrete.]

reminded me of you

Taehyung (Panthers):

a weed in a parking lot?

wow jeongguk i’m touched 😂

Jeongguk:

its not a weed

its a wildflower

and it’s bright even when everything around it is grey

so yeah. you.

Taehyung (Panthers):

okay that was actually really smooth

thanks 🧡

[Monday - 11:30 PM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A blurry, artistic shot of the campus clock tower.]

missed u at dinner tonight

the wings weren't the same without my protector 🥺

Jeongguk:

sorry i couldn't make it

hobi said you cried at the medium sauce

Taehyung (Panthers):

hobi is a liar and a traitor!!!

ok maybe i teared up a bit

if u were there u would've taken the hit for me

Jeongguk:

next time

i promise

Taehyung (Panthers):

🤞

[Wednesday - 4:20 PM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A selfie of Taehyung in the locker room, holding up a blueberry muffin.]

im liking the muffins

but i accidentally bought two again

i’m keeping them in my locker so namjoon doesnt eat it

come find me after practice? i’ll share

Jeongguk:

u bought me a muffin just because?

Taehyung (Panthers):

don't you like them tho

Jeongguk:

i do

Taehyung (Panthers):

😉

see u in an hour?

Jeongguk:

okay

see you

–

Yoongi's apartment is pitch black, save for the flickering light of the TV screen. A horror movie is playing, but the real drama is happening on the furniture.

"She's gonna die if she goes into the basement. Why is she going into the basement?" Namjoon shouts, his voice muffled by a mouthful of pepperoni pizza.

"Because if she didn't, the movie would be five minutes long, stupid," Yoongi retorts from his beanbag chair on the floor.

Jeongguk is squeezed onto the far end of the couch. And Taehyung is right there next to him.

"Jeongguk, pass the popcorn," Seokjin calls out from the other side of Taehyung. "And don't spit your purple juice on me if a jumpscare happens."

"It's a blueberry latte, Jin. And I don't jump at jumpscares," Jeongguk rolls his eyes, handing over the bowl.

Taehyung chuckles. He drapes his arm along the back of the couch behind Jeongguk. They're not touching but Jeongguk can feel the heat of Taehyung’s arm like a sunlamp against his neck.

"Namjoon, if you don't stop kicking my chair, I'm gonna tell Taehyung to make you run laps tomorrow," Jimin warns from the recliner.

"You and what army, Jimin?" Namjoon scoffs.

Halfway through a particularly tense scene involving a creaky door, Jeongguk shifts his position to ease the cramp in his leg. As he moves, Taehyung’s fingers lightly graze the sensitive skin at the nape of Jeongguk’s neck.

Jeongguk jolts, his entire body tensing.

Taehyung quirks an eyebrow. He has that beautiful, devastatingly soft smile on his face. "You alright?" he whispers.

Jeongguk looks at Taehyung. Then turns his head. Stares at the TV.

Get it together, Jeongguk, he scolds himself mentally. It's just the most attractive man on campus. No. On Earth.

No. The whole universe.

"I'm fine. Just a cramp," Jeongguk gives a sharp, jerky nod.

Taehyung doesn't move his arm. If anything, he sinks a little deeper into the cushions, his shoulder now pressing firmly against Jeongguk’s. He looks down at the bowl of popcorn Jeongguk is clutching in his lap.

"You're hogging the goods, partner," Taehyung teases. Without waiting for a response, he reaches into the bowl and takes a handful.

But instead of eating it himself, Taehyung holds it up to Jeongguk’s lips, his eyes locked on Jeongguk’s with a playful glint.

The noise from the horror movie fades into the background. He looks at the popcorn, then at Taehyung’s steady fingers, then at the warmth in Taehyung’s eyes.

With his face burning a deep crimson in the dark, Jeongguk leans forward and eats the popcorn from Taehyung’s hand. His lips brush against Taehyung’s fingertips for a second.

Taehyung’s smile widens. "Good, right?"

He definitely does not mean the popcorn.

"Yeah," Jeongguk whispers back, his voice thick. "...Good."

"Oh my god!" Hoseok shrieks, pointing at the screen as the main character gets snatched. "That was brutal!"

"Not as brutal as your scream, Hoseok," Yoongi mutters, throwing a pillow at him.

The group continues to scream at the jumpscares and chatter with each other about the unrealistic plot.

But for Jeongguk, the movie is over. He’s barely watching. If someone asks him what the colour of the main character’s shirt was, he'd probably just answer ‘Taehyung’s smile.’

The movie night eventually ends, and the boys leave Yoongi's apartment to head back to their dorms or homes.

"We're out!" Hoseok yells, hanging out of Namjoon’s passenger window. "Drive safe, y’all!"

Jeongguk steps toward his Kawasaki. He reaches for his helmet, but he notices Taehyung isn't moving toward any of the cars. He’s just standing there, hands in his hoodie pockets.

"Where's your truck?" Jeongguk asks, pausing with his hand on the seat.

"Didn't bring it," Taehyung says, nodding toward the road. "Jimin picked me up earlier."

Jeongguk looks over his shoulder. Jimin’s car is already backing out of the space.

"But Jimin’s leaving," Jeongguk points out.

"Yeah," Taehyung says, a clever smirk spreading across his face. He takes a step closer, into the pool of light surrounding the bike. "Well... you know, I just thought…” he trails off.

“You never did take me for that ride we talked about. And I noticed you swapped the backseat in yesterday."

Oh. The backseat. Jeongguk had spent two hours in his garage making sure the passenger seat was perfectly installed.

"You… you actually want to ride?" Jeongguk asks, his ears are burning. He reaches into the side case and pulls out a spare helmet.

"Yes," Taehyung says softly.

Jeongguk beckons him closer. "Okay. Come here. You have to secure the helmet right or the wind will rip it off."

As Taehyung steps in, Jeongguk reaches to loop the strap under the football player’s chin. His fingers brush against the stubble on Taehyung’s jaw. Taehyung stays perfectly still, looking Jeongguk in the eyes.

Oh my god. Don't look at me like that with your incredibly criminally beautiful eyes.

"There," Jeongguk whispers, his fingers lingering on the buckle for a second too long. "Snug?"

"Perfect," Taehyung replies.

Jeongguk mounts the bike first, balancing the heavy machine. He looks back over his shoulder, reaching out a steady hand to help Taehyung find his footing on the pegs. "Careful. Put your weight on my shoulder while you get on."

Taehyung grips Jeongguk’s shoulder and swings a leg over. Once Taehyung is settled, Jeongguk feels the bike tilt slightly under the added weight. He reaches back, taking Taehyung’s hands and pulling them around his middle.

"You need to hold on tight," Jeongguk says.

Taehyung doesn't hesitate. He slides his arms around Jeongguk, locking his fingers together over Jeongguk’s stomach. He pulls himself flush against Jeongguk’s back, his chest a constant heat behind him.

"Whatever you say, Tiger Lily," Taehyung murmurs.

Jeongguk almost stalls the bike. Almost. Thankfully he doesn't.

He kicks the kickstand up and pulls out into the night.

The ride to the dorms is a blur of lights and cool wind. At a long red light on the edge of campus, the roar of the engine drops to a low idle.

Taehyung leans forward, his helmet clinking softly against Jeongguk’s.

"Feels good back here," he says. "You're a good pilot."

Jeongguk grips the handlebars, his heart racing faster than the RPMs. "You're heavy," he says, though there’s no bite in it.

"But I think you like having me back here," Taehyung grins, his grip on Jeongguk’s waist tightening.

Jeongguk doesn't argue. It's true. He likes the feeling of Taehyung’s arms around him. He likes that Taehyung knows a lil about bikes. He likes that Taehyung wants to ride with him.

He likes Taehyung. Period.

When they pull into the parking lot of their dorms, Taehyung dismounts, unbuckling the helmet and handing it back. His hair is a mess of wind blown curls and his eyes are bright.

"Thanks," Taehyung smiles, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity that catches Jeongguk off guard. "I liked that more than I thought I would. A lot more."

Jeongguk takes the helmet. "Anytime," he mutters. "I mean... if you need a lift. Or whatever. We could always do it again."

"I'll remember that," Taehyung says.

They walk toward the dorm entrance together, their shoulders bumping occasionally. They reach the junction where their halls diverge.

Taehyung stops, looking at Jeongguk for a long beat. "See you tomorrow? I’ll text you."

"Yeah," Jeongguk says, a smile on his lips. "See you tomorrow, Taehyung."

Jeongguk walks to his room, his footsteps feeling lighter than air. He touches his waist where Taehyung’s arms had been.

–

The stadium lights are already humming overhead. The Panthers are having another game today.

Taehyung is looking every bit the star quarterback. He’s already taped up, his cleats clicking on the concrete. He’s laughing at something a teammate said.

Jeongguk is leaned against a concrete pillar, wearing a Panthers hoodie that Jimin had practically forced him into.

Totally. Jimin forced him. Of course. He totally didn't ask Jimin if he had an extra hoodie.

"Alright, let's go! Kickoff in fifteen!" their coach yells.

"Crush 'em, boys!" Seokjin shouts, throwing a playful punch at Namjoon’s arm. "We’ll be the loudest ones in Section 10!"

"Good luck!" Hoseok adds, giving a thumbs up.

As the non-athletes begin to filter toward the stands, Taehyung lingers. He adjusts the strap of his helmet, then turns to Jeongguk with a small, private smile.

"You actually wearing Panthers’ colors?" Taehyung asks, his voice dropping below the roar of the crowd. "Hmm, I think it suits you well."

Jeongguk pulls at the drawstring of the hoodie, looking at his boots. "Jimin forced everyone to be in school colors. School spirit. I did it so he would stop bugging me."

"Right," Taehyung grins. He reaches out, his gloved hand finding Jeongguk’s. He gives it a quick, light squeeze.

"Come find me after the game?"

Jeongguk nods, his heart doing a ridiculous dance. "Um, okay."

"Good," Taehyung says, his thumb brushing over Jeongguk’s knuckles before he lets go. "I play better when I know you're here."

“I–” Did Taehyung really just say that?

“...Thanks?”

Fuck. Thanks? Really?

Taehyung giggles. “See ya, Tiger Lily.”

Jeongguk feels like he's floating as he watches him and Namjoon jog onto the field.

During the game, Jeongguk sits between Yoongi and Hoseok, his eyes tracking Number Seven through every play.

In the fourth quarter, the game is tied. Taehyung breaks through the line, catching a bullet pass and diving into the end zone. The audience cheers.

Instead of celebrating with his teammates and the cheerleaders, Taehyung turns toward the section where Jeongguk and the guys are sitting. He scans the rows until he finds them.

He raises the ball in a tiny salute, his eyes locking onto Jeongguk for a split second before his teammates swarm him.

"Did you see that?" Jimin yells, shaking Jeongguk’s shoulder. "He looked right at you!"

“He–” Jeongguk blushes. “He was looking at us. All of us. It's ‘cause we're cheering for him.”

Jimin shakes his shoulder again with a smirk. “Uh huh. Suuuure.”

After the final whistle– a Panthers win– Jeongguk fights his way down the stands. Taehyung emerges with dripping sweat, his hair matted to his forehead.

He walks straight to Jeongguk.

"We won," Taehyung pants, leaning his forearm against the rail.

"I saw," Jeongguk says softly. “Congrats.”

"Best game of my life," Taehyung grins and reaches out to flick Jeongguk’s chin. "I think it's ‘cause my lucky charm is here."

–

[Friday - 2:15 PM]

Jeongguk:

[Image: A shot of his laptop screen.]

brain is fried 😵‍💫

Taehyung (Panthers):

wow 🤯

but i bet your brain looks just as cool as your tattoos tho

Jeongguk:

i’ve been working on this assignment for the past two hours

i seriously need a break

Taehyung (Panthers):

and you thought of texting me? 😛

i like knowing that big brain of yours is thinking about me right now

Jeongguk:

...

i didn't say i was thinking about u

Taehyung (Panthers):

u didn't have to. u texted me first 😉🧡

[Sunday - 11:15 AM]

Jeongguk:

[Image: A vintage leather camera case with gold buckles.]

got this for you

thought u might like this for the nikon

its your style

like your bag with the buckles

Taehyung (Panthers):

jeongguk!! that’s perfect 📸✨

i can’t believe u actually noticed the buckles on my bag

Jeongguk:

u notice things about me too

i’m just returning the favor

Taehyung (Panthers):

i’m blushing in the middle of a team meeting 😖

[Tuesday - 12:30 AM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

thinking about that ride again 🏍️

really loved it

Jeongguk:

me too

Taehyung (Panthers):

i wish i was back on that bike right now

Jeongguk:

we could go again sometime

if you want to

Taehyung (Panthers):

i would love to

maybe after tomorrow’s game? 😁

Jeongguk:

okay

yeah

yes

that’d be really nice

Taehyung (Panthers):

wear a panthers hoodie again tomorrow!!!!

u look so cute in it

Jeongguk:

im not cute 😤

Taehyung (Panthers):

yes you are

wear it again pretty please 🥺

Jeongguk:

fineee

[Thursday - 5:10 PM]

Taehyung (Panthers):

[Image: A photo of Taehyung and Jeongguk after a Panthers game– Taehyung is looking at the field, but Jeongguk is looking at Taehyung with a big smile.]

look at what hoseok just sent me!

Jeongguk:

that's a nice photo

Taehyung (Panthers):

mhm

you look so good wearing panthers colors

especially when u pair it with ur leather jacket

love your cute smile too

btw there's a street fair this weekend

Jeongguk:

oh yeah

sounds fun

jin mentioned about going earlier

Taehyung (Panthers):

jeongguk?

Jeongguk:

yeah?

Taehyung (Panthers):

i love hanging out with the guys and all

but… i was wondering

do u wanna hang out on saturday?

we can go to that street fair

like just u and me

ok no

i wanna make it clear

i want to take u out on a date

if that's ok with you?

Jeongguk:

yeah

okay yeah yes sure

that's ok with me

a date yes that's okay

i mean it's more than ok

i mean yes i’d like to

go on a date i mean

yes

Taehyung (Panthers):

cool. cool.

(i’m literally doing a victory lap around my room right now) 🏃‍♂️💨

can’t wait to see u, tiger lily 🧡

–

The table between them feels smaller than it should. Jeongguk is hyper aware of everything. The way the light catches Taehyung’s eyes, the sound of his own heart and the fact that Taehyung looks absolutely fucking beautiful.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," Taehyung says, leaning his chin on his hand, "but you look even better in a button down than you do in a Panthers hoodie. And that’s saying something."

“Oh, thanks.” Jeongguk takes a sudden, aggressive sip of his blueberry smoothie.

When their orders arrive, Jeongguk begins to poke at the onions on his plate– but then Taehyung performs a smooth plate swap, pulling the burger toward him and sliding his own over to Jeongguk.

"You hate onions. Why did you even order the supreme?" Taehyung asks with a playful smirk.

Jeongguk is paralyzed, his fork hovering in mid-air. "I... I didn't know it would have onions.” He feels the heat rush up his cheeks. “And how did you know that?"

Taehyung shrugs, his eyes sparkling. "Oh, when we were with the guys two weeks ago at the pizza place. You spent ten minutes building a tiny fortress out of the onions you picked off your slice."

Jeongguk feels like his brain has turned into the same consistency as his smoothie. "You... you were watching me?"

"Yeah, Tiger Lily," Taehyung says casually.

Jeongguk, in a desperate attempt to look like a functioning human being, takes a large, clumsy bite of the burger. A small dot of sauce lands right on the corner of his lower lip.

He’s too busy trying to remember how to chew when Taehyung suddenly reaches across the table. "Hold on. You’ve got a little..."

His thumb is warm and steady as it brushes against the corner of Jeongguk’s mouth, wiping the sauce away.

Jeongguk swears he stops breathing. He is a statue.

Taehyung pulls his hand back, but he doesn't use a napkin. He brings his thumb to his own mouth, cleaning it with a lick which makes Jeongguk’s soul briefly leave his body.

"Good sauce," Taehyung murmurs, his eyes locked on Jeongguk’s.

Jeongguk tries to respond, but all that comes out is a strangled, "Yeah. Sauce."

Sauce?! he screams at himself internally. Your crush is flirting with you and the best you can do is 'sauce'?

Taehyung laughs. "You're really adorable, Gguk."

"I'm not adorable," Jeongguk huffs, though he’s smiling despite himself.

"You definitely are," Taehyung says, his smile widening.

They eventually finish their dinner and head toward the street fair downtown. Strands of LED lights stretch between the brick buildings, glowing like stars.

Taehyung and Jeongguk walk shoulder to shoulder, the energy of the crowd buzzing around them.

As they hit a particularly crowded patch of people near the game booths, Taehyung reaches back and catches Jeongguk’s hand, his fingers sliding between Jeongguk’s with a natural ease.

Jeongguk follows, his gaze fixed downward. He stares at their intertwined hands– Taehyung’s tanned, athletic fingers against his own tattooed skin.

"Look at that guy over there," Taehyung whispers, leaning back toward Jeongguk as they pass a booth where a man is trying to win a giant stuffed bear. "I think he's been throwing those rings for ten minutes."

Jeongguk looks, then looks back at Taehyung. "It’s a scam, Taehyung. The rings are literally smaller than the bottle necks."

"Don't be a buzzkill, Jeongguk," Taehyung laughs, the sound bright and clear over the music. "Some of us prefer to believe in the magic of the hustle."

"The only magic there is the magical vanishing act of that man's bank account," Jeongguk rolls his eyes.

Taehyung lets out a booming laugh that makes a few people turn their heads. He looks at Jeongguk, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Jeongguk watches Taehyung– the way the pink and blue lights dance across his features, the way he looks so completely, devastatingly pretty with that smile on his face.

"What?" Taehyung asks, his smile softening as he notices Jeongguk’s intense stare.

"Just..." Jeongguk says, his voice thick. "You're really handsome, Taehyung."

"Thanks, Tiger Lily," Taehyung grins, his thumb grazing Jeongguk’s knuckles.

They wander over to a food stand and end up with a massive, steaming funnel cake. They find a relatively quiet spot near the edge of the fair, leaning against a brick wall away from the main surge of the crowd.

Jeongguk is trying to navigate the tangled dough without getting sugar on his face. That's not really possible though with the absurd amount of powdered sugar piled high on the funnel cake.

Taehyung lets out a giggle. "You've got a little… something again," he says, gesturing to Jeongguk’s lip.

Jeongguk pouts. “Huh? Again?”

Taehyung reaches out, his hand moving as if to repeat the casual wipe from the restaurant.

But this time, his thumb stops an inch away. It hovers there. Jeongguk raises an eyebrow when Taehyung doesn't end up wiping it.

The air between them suddenly feels heavy, charged with an electric current that makes the hair on Jeongguk’s arms stand up.

Jeongguk looks up, his breath catching.

The sounds of the fair– the screams from the rides, the chatter, the music– all fade into a dull hum. Taehyung’s gaze drops to Jeongguk’s mouth, then back to his eyes.

Oh. Since when were they this close to each other? So close Jeongguk can see the pretty mole under Taehyung’s eye.

"Jeongguk," Taehyung whispers, his voice low.

“Yeah?”

"I really wanna kiss you."

He waits. He gives Jeongguk every second in the world to pull back, to walk away.

Jeongguk leans forward.

Taehyung’s mouth is warm and tastes like sugar. The kiss is slow at first– a soft, questioning press of lips that quickly deepens. Taehyung’s hand finally moves, cupping Jeongguk’s jaw, his thumb stroking the sensitive skin behind his ear, playing with the hoops of his earrings.

Jeongguk closes his eyes, his hands coming up to clutch the front of Taehyung’s hoodie. He kisses back with everything he’s been holding in– it tastes like the best thing Jeongguk has ever known.

When they finally pull apart, Jeongguk is dazed, his head spinning, his eyes slightly glazed as he tries to find his footing.

Taehyung on the other hand has a massive smile on his face. He looks like he just won the Super Bowl and found a million dollars on the sidewalk at the same time.

His fingers flick Jeongguk’s chin.

"Well," Taehyung says, his voice shaky but full of light. "No more powdered sugar on your lips."

Jeongguk lets out a breathy, startled laugh.

–

The campus is quiet as they ride back on Jeongguk’s bike, the streetlights casting golden pools over the asphalt. The air is cool and crisp, but Jeongguk doesn't feel the chill. Not with the solid warmth of Taehyung pressed against his back.

Taehyung’s hands are around Jeongguk’s waist, his thumbs tracing slow, absentminded circles against the leather of Jeongguk’s jacket. It’s a soothing, intimate gesture. Jeongguk finds himself leaning back into the contact, steering the bike with a gentle ease he’s never felt before.

When they finally pull into the dorm parking lot, Jeongguk kills the engine. The sudden silence is heavy with the tension of the night. Neither of them moves. Taehyung stays on the backseat for a moment longer, his arms still loosely wrapped around Jeongguk.

Finally, the spell breaks. Taehyung dismounts, followed by Jeongguk. They pull off their helmets, their hair messy and wind swept. The moon is high in the sky, reflecting the paint of the bike.

"That was..." Taehyung starts. "That was probably the best night I’ve ever had."

Jeongguk looks at his boots, a small, shy smile tugging at his lips. "Even when you had to swap with my burger full of onions?"

"Especially that," Taehyung chuckles.

He turns fully toward Jeongguk, his expression becoming serious, his eyes searching Jeongguk’s face.

"Jeongguk, I’ve been thinking about this a lot– us, I mean. Not just hanging out because our friends brought us together or being 'parking buddies' and all that.”

“...Yeah?”

“Yeah. I want more moments like tonight. With just us."

Jeongguk exhales a breath. "I want that too, Taehyung. A lot."

Taehyung steps closer, closing the distance until their toes are almost touching. He reaches out and takes both of Jeongguk’s hands in his.

For the first time, Jeongguk sees the star quarterback– the guy who handles high-pressure fourth quarters without blinking– gulp nervously.

"I like you, Jeongguk," Taehyung confesses softly, his voice dropping into a shy, quiet register. "More than friends. I have for a while."

"And, uh..." Taehyung lets go one hand to rub the back of his neck while keeping hold of Jeongguk’s with the other.

The cool confidence is replaced by a charming, stuttering awkwardness. "The night doesn't have to end yet. If you don't want it to. My room is a single– no roommates."

He pauses, his ears turning pink. "Not that I'm inviting you to... you know, I’m not implying we do anything... I just mean we could… like hang out? Talk more. No pressure. I just– don't want the night to end yet."

Jeongguk lets out a shaky laugh. The lack of confidence from Taehyung makes his heart swell. He looks down at their intertwined fingers, then back up at Taehyung’s hopeful face.

"Yeah," Jeongguk says, his voice small. "I like you too, Taehyung. I don't want the night to end yet either."

Taehyung’s entire face lights up– a grin so bright it rivaled the stadium lights.

He doesn't let go of Jeongguk’s hand as they walk the short distance from the bike to the dorm entrance.

The atmosphere inside Taehyung’s dorm room is a world away from the street fair or the parking lot. The air smells of fresh laundry and Taehyung’s cologne. A little bit like lavender fields.

He has LED strips around his room. They cast a soft glow in the lived-in comfort of the space. There's a stray football in the corner, a desk cluttered with notes and a wall of photos that look like they were taken with vintage cameras.

"Make yourself at home," Taehyung says as he kicks off his shoes and hops onto the bed, leaning back against a mountain of pillows.

Jeongguk kicks off his boots and shrugs off his leather jacket, tossing it onto the desk chair. In just the button down, he looks younger, the sharp edges of his biker look softening.

Taehyung pats the space beside him.

They settle against the wall, shoulders brushing as they lean against a pile of pillows. Taehyung reaches for a bag of chips on the nightstand and holds it out.

"Dinner was great, but I’m still a growing athlete. Want one?"

They spend the next hour in that hazy, post-date bubble. Taehyung pulls out his phone to show Jeongguk a 'secret' folder of team memes.

"Look at this," Taehyung chuckles, showing a photo of Namjoon asleep on the team bus with a single french fry stuck in his nose. "He’s going to kill me if he knows I still have this."

Jeongguk breaks out into a laugh, leaning closer to see the screen. "How did he not wake up?"

"He sleeps like a boulder," Taehyung says, then nudges Jeongguk. "Oh yeah, show me the new bike part you were talking about."

Jeongguk swipes his phone to a close-up of the Kawasaki’s internal wiring– a mess of colored lines and gleaming metal that he explains with a sudden, passionate intensity.

Taehyung looks at Jeongguk– watching the way his hands move as he gestures, the way his eyes light up when he talks about his bike.

"Jeongguk," Taehyung calls softly.

Jeongguk looks up. "What?"

"I don't think I understood a word of that," Taehyung admits with a lopsided, beautiful smile. He leans in and eats the chip from Jeongguk’s hand.

Jeongguk can feel the heat of Taehyung’s breath on his skin, then the fleeting, electric brush of Taehyung’s lips against his fingertips as he takes the chip. It makes Jeongguk’s entire body tingle.

Taehyung pulls back. "But I love the way you talk about it.”

He takes another chip. “You know, lately, I’ve been looking forward to seeing you more than I look forward to games."

Jeongguk feels his heart jump. “Um… really?”

Then he notices the hood of Taehyung's sweatshirt is twisted.

He pulls it straight, his touch lingering against the back of Taehyung’s neck. "Don't lie, Tae."

"I'm not," Taehyung whispers. He leans into the touch, his knee pressing firmly against Jeongguk’s.

The conversation dies out, replaced by a charged silence. Jeongguk’s gaze is on Taehyung’s mouth.

Taehyung’s eyes are so focused, and incredibly calm as he slowly closes the distance.

The kiss is gentle, tastes like the remnant of the night’s sweetness. But the moment Jeongguk pulls Taehyung closer, the heat flares.

Taehyung’s hands are steady and certain, one sliding to the small of Jeongguk’s back while the other cups his jaw, his thumb stroking Jeongguk’s cheekbone.

Jeongguk lets out a soft, shaky sound into the kiss as he shifts closer, trying to erase every millimeter of space between them.

Taehyung guides the pace, his tongue slicking against Jeongguk’s bottom lip before seeking entrance. When Jeongguk opens for him, the world tilts. The kiss becomes wet, deep and dizzying.

Suddenly, Taehyung’s hands grip Jeongguk’s waist with sudden strength. In one fluid motion, he pulls Jeongguk over his lap. Jeongguk gasps, his legs instinctively straddling Taehyung’s hips.

Before his brain can even process the change in position, Taehyung is pulling him back down into another kiss.

Everything is overwhelming. Their tongues tangle as Jeongguk’s fingers play with Taehyung’s hair.

Jeongguk feels completely untethered. Every time Taehyung’s hands slide up slightly under the hem of the button down, teasingly touching his waist, Jeongguk shudders against him.

The sound of their heavy breathing fills the small room until there's nothing left but the two of them, the LED lights and the feeling of belonging exactly where they are right now.

Taehyung’s mouth moves down to Jeongguk’s jaw, tracing the bone before dipping down to the sensitive skin of his neck. Jeongguk’s head falls back, a sharp gasp catching in his lungs as Taehyung begins to suck, not hard enough to bruise, but more than enough to send a jolt of heat straight to Jeongguk's gut.

Taehyung’s hands slide under the hem of the button down. He grips the bare skin of Jeongguk’s small waist, his fingers digging in possessively.

Jeongguk trembles, bracing his hands on Taehyung’s shoulders for balance, his fingers knotting into the fabric.

"Taehyung..." Jeongguk breathes out, a shaky sound.

Taehyung doesn't answer with words. He hooks a finger into the collar of the button down, tugging it aside to reveal more of Jeongguk's collarbone. He kisses the hollow there, his tongue darting out to taste the salt of Jeongguk's skin.

Jeongguk is a mess of raw nerves. He bites his lip, his hips moving unconsciously in Taehyung’s lap, a needy, back and forth grind. The friction is a slow burn torture.

Taehyung pulls back, his face flushed, eyes dark and hooded with hunger. He crashes their mouths together again, a messy make out filled with want.

As they grind together, the reality of their situation hits Jeongguk. He can feel Taehyung’s thick, pulsing erection straining against the fabric of his sweats, rubbing directly against Jeongguk’s own hardness. Every time their cocks brush through the layers of cotton, Jeongguk lets out a sound, his forehead thumping against Taehyung’s.

Taehyung’s hands get bolder, sliding down from Jeongguk's waist to cup his ass. He squeezes firmly, his fingers kneading the muscle over his pants, pulling Jeongguk flush against him so their cocks lock together.

Jeongguk gasps, pulling back to look down at the sight of them– their bodies tangled, their breath hitching in the quiet room.

How did they get here? Ten minutes ago they were laughing at silly photos of the Panthers and talking about bikes. Now, they’re dry humping like their lives depend on it.

Jeongguk’s face is a brilliant crimson, his eyes glassy as he meets Taehyung’s gaze.

Taehyung groans, his forehead dropping to Jeongguk’s shoulder. "Fuck, Jeongguk... you have no idea. You have no idea what you're doing to me."

He takes Jeongguk’s hand, his fingers interlacing with Jeongguk's as he guides it down. He moves it slowly down his own chest, over the frantic beat of his heart, down his stomach, until Jeongguk’s palm is pressed firmly against the heavy, rigid length of Taehyung’s cock through the sweats.

"Do you feel that?" Taehyung rasps, his voice a low, vibrating growl. "That’s all you."

Jeongguk’s eyes flutter shut. "Fuck..." he whispers.

Taehyung begins to guide Jeongguk’s hand in a slow, rhythmic stroke over the fabric. The sensation of Taehyung’s hand over his, guiding the strokes on his cock, is too much.

Jeongguk’s free hand instinctively reaches for his own crotch, jerking himself off through his pants as well.

"Baby... come here," Taehyung mutters.

In a blur of motion, their pants and boxers are pushed down. The air hits their bare skin, but the cold doesn't last long. Taehyung guides Jeongguk’s hand to wrap around both of their cocks, his own larger hand covering Jeongguk's as he begins to jerk them off together.

The wet, sliding friction of their skin against each other makes Jeongguk let out a loud moan.

He watches, mesmerized, as their dicks slide against one another, slick with the first drops of precome. It's incredibly hot.

He’s so turned on that he gets bolder. Jeongguk takes Taehyung’s free hand on his waist and guides it down to his own ass. Taehyung doesn't hesitate, he grabs a bare cheek, his thumb digging into the soft skin.

Jeongguk’s breath hitches as Taehyung’s fingers get more daring, sliding up and down the crack until a finger brushes over Jeongguk’s hole.

Jeongguk flinches, his body clenching as he lets out a high, needy sound. He ducks his head into Taehyung’s neck, hiding his face shyly as he moves his hips to chase that touch again.

Taehyung smirks, his breath hot against Jeongguk's ear. "You like that?"

"Yeah..." Jeongguk whimpers, his hips rolling.

Taehyung settles his fingers over Jeongguk’s opening, rubbing in slow circles. Jeongguk is a vibrating wire of need, his movements becoming frantic, his hand still working them both off as Taehyung’s fingers tease him.

"Such pretty sounds you make when I touch you here," Taehyung chuckles softly, a low rumble that makes Jeongguk's toes curl.

Jeongguk raises his head, his eyes blown wide, hair a complete mess. "Taehyung... I wanna..."

Taehyung quirks an eyebrow, his fingers still working. "You want what, Jeongguk? Tell me."

Jeongguk turns a deeper shade of red, the words sticking in his throat. He hides his face in Taehyung’s shoulder again, his voice muffled and small.

“C’mon, baby. You can tell me,” Taehyung coaxes.

"...I wanna fuck," Jeongguk mumbles, the bluntness of it making his heart race.

Taehyung pulls his hand back from Jeongguk’s ass and stops their hands from jerking. The sudden lack of touch is a physical ache. Their hard cocks are still bumping against each other, hot and wet.

Jeongguk looks up, his big eyes wide and pleading. "Why did you stop?"

Taehyung looks at him, his expression suddenly hesitant, a flash of protective concern crossing his features. "Jeongguk... wait, I’m sorry. I didn't bring you to my room just because of this.”

Jeongguk frowns. “You don't have to be sorry, Tae,” he reassures.

Taehyung looks nervous. “But tonight was supposed to be… Um, I just– please don't feel pressured to do anything."

“I’m not,” Jeongguk answers, brows furrowing.

Taehyung nods. “Okay. Okay. That's good. Sorry, I got nervous. We don't have to if you don't wanna–”

"But I wanna!" Jeongguk suddenly whines, his voice high and desperate. He shifts his weight, rubbing himself against Taehyung’s thigh.

“Oh–” Taehyung gasps, feeling their cocks brush.

"I’m horny, Taehyung… You can't just stop now,” Jeongguk says.

Taehyung lets out a breathless chuckle, his resolve crumbling at the sight of Jeongguk being so needy. "Okay– I just wanted to make sure you're okay.” Then he lets out a groan. "You're so cute, Ggukie, you're going to be the death of me."

Just when Jeongguk thinks everything is fine and Taehyung will touch him again, the football player freezes. Again.

Jeongguk pouts. “What now–”

Taehyung looks at his nightstand, then back at Jeongguk. "Um... I don't have any condoms.” He clears his throat. “Or lube.”

Jeongguk stares at him. He blinks once. Twice. Stare for a whole five seconds.

"How do you not have lube or condoms?" Jeongguk asks, his voice flat with genuine disbelief.

"Because... I don’t fuck?" Taehyung answers, his voice pitching up an octave in awkwardness. "And I didn't think... I didn't want to assume anything would happen tonight."

Jeongguk stares at him again. "Oh. Okay. That’s actually... kind of reassuring."

"Yeah?" Taehyung asks hopefully.

"Yeah. But..." Jeongguk tilts his head. "Then what do you do when you jerk off? Or do you just not do that at all?"

Taehyung looks away, staring intensely at a football poster on his wall. He looks sheepish, almost shy. "I use... spit."

"Oh," Jeongguk says. The silence returns, briefly.

Taehyung turns back to him, his expression suddenly turning serious and determined. "But I’m not using spit on you. I’m not gonna risk hurting you or... or it being uncomfortable just because I was unprepared. You deserve the good stuff."

Jeongguk nods, his heart melting a little at the sentiment.

“Do you have any?”

It’s Jeongguk’s turn to look away. "I have lube," he mumbles, blushing. "In my room. But no condoms."

Then, his eyes go wide as he realizes how that sounds. He starts to splutter, his hands flying up in a frantic, defensive gesture. "Wait! I don't mean– I'm not saying I don't use condoms! I’m a big fan of condoms. Huge fan. I promote safe sex. I’m all for it. It’s just that I don't have them right now because I’m not– I wasn't with anyone, so I didn't have a reason to buy them. And I didn't want to buy them just to have them because that just felt weird, which I'm not, and–"

Taehyung starts to giggle. Then he bursts out laughing. It's a deep, warm sound that vibrates through Jeongguk’s thighs. He reaches up and catches Jeongguk’s flailing hands. "Jeongguk. Breathe. I get it. I don't think you're anti-condom."

Then Taehyung perks up, a sudden spark of energy returning. "Okay. New plan. We take my truck. We go downtown to that 24/7 convenience store. We buy condoms. Lube too, I guess, so you don't have to use your private stash."

Jeongguk stills, his eyes wide. "...Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Like, right now?"

Taehyung looks hesitant again, his thumb brushing Jeongguk’s palm. "Uh, unless you don't want to? We could just... go to sleep?"

"I want to!" Jeongguk blurts out. He practically launches himself off Taehyung’s lap, stumbling to get his pants.

Taehyung let out a bright laugh, watching Jeongguk scramble. "Someone's eager."

"Shut up," Jeongguk huffs, finally yanking his pants up. "You’re the one who didn’t have the supplies, QB."

Taehyung grabs his own sweats– then gets his keys. He's still grinning when they head out the door.

–

Jeongguk has Taehyung’s hoodie on, the hood pulled up. His hands are shoved so deep into his pockets. He feels embarrassed. Entirely too embarrassed to be here, at the condoms and lube section, with his... boyfriend? Well, with Taehyung. At 12 AM.

It's so obvious what we're doing. Oh my god. It's so obvious. Buying condoms and lube at 12 AM?!

Taehyung, on the other hand, is walking through the aisle as if they're just buying milk, swinging a red plastic basket.

"Jeongguk, relax," Taehyung whispers, leaning in. "People are gonna think you’re here to rob the place."

"I'm relaxed," Jeongguk hisses, his face a shade of red that matches the basket. "But it’s midnight, Taehyung. And we’re here buying condoms and lube.”

They might as well be wearing gigantic neon signs above their heads that say WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SEX.

"Well, it just shows we're doing it safely," Taehyung corrects with a wink.

Jeongguk groans and reaches out blindly, grabbing a random gold-foiled box from the shelf and hurling it into the basket. "Okay! Done! Let’s go! Mission accomplished!"

Taehyung looks down into the basket, then catches Jeongguk’s wrist before he can bolt for the cashier. "As much as I’m flattered by your confidence in me, Tiger Lily... those are way too big."

Jeongguk glances down at the condom box.

XXXL - FOR THE ELITE.

"Oh," Jeongguk squeaks.

Taehyung chuckles, putting the gold box back and grabbing a more realistic size.

His eyes light up as he spots something on the bottom row of the shelf. "Oh, would you look at that."

He reaches out and pulls a bottle from the shelf, holding it up like a trophy.

BLUEBERRY BLAST - "STAIN THE NIGHT PURPLE" COMFORT GEL.

"It's blueberry flavored lube.” Taehyung drops it into the basket with a grin.

Jeongguk snatches the bottle out of the basket and puts it back onto the shelf. "We are not buying that. Absolutely not."

Taehyung frowns. "But you like blueberries.” He grabs it from the shelf and puts it inside the basket again.

Jeongguk takes the bottle again from the basket and puts it back on the shelf. "That doesn't mean I want to smell like them when we’re... you know!" Fucking.

He shoves the bottle behind a box of bandaids. "Just get a normal one!” he whispers, his voice cracking.

"It could be fun," Taehyung teases, reaching for it again. "I could give you a taste test."

Taste test?!

"Tae," Jeongguk whines, mortified.

"Alright, alright," Taehyung relents, laughing as he grabs a standard bottle. "Normal lube it is."

They walk to the register. The cashier is a middle-aged woman who looks like she hasn't slept for three days.

Jeongguk is an absolute wreck. He stares at the ceiling, then the floor, then a display of beef jerky.

She knows, he thinks.

She’s looking at the condoms. Now she’s looking at the lube.

Oh my god.

The cashier scans the items, then tells them the amount, her voice flat and uninterested.

Jeongguk glances at her as she waits for the card to beep.

"Does it look obvious?" Jeongguk whispers to Taehyung while the receipt prints. "She totally knows, doesn't she?"

Taehyung takes the bag, then takes Jeongguk’s hand, lacing their fingers together. "Jeongguk, I think she literally doesn't care. Also, yes, it’s incredibly obvious because we’re both glowing and you’re sweating in an air-conditioned store."

”Oh god.”

He leads Jeongguk out of the store and back toward the truck. "Now get in the truck. We have some very important things to continue."

–

When they get back to the dorm, Taehyung doesn't even let Jeongguk reach the bed before he’s crowding him against the door, his mouth crashing against Jeongguk’s in a desperate kiss.

Their tongues tangle, slick and hot, the sound of their panting the only thing filling the room.

Taehyung pulls back just enough to breathe, his eyes dark with a heat that makes Jeongguk’s knees weak.

He steers Jeongguk toward the bed, pushing him down until he’s sitting on the edge. Jeongguk watches, breathless, as Taehyung drops to his knees between his legs.

"Taehyung–" Jeongguk gasps, his heart hammering as he realizes what's happening.

Taehyung doesn't respond. Instead he reaches for the button of Jeongguk’s pants and pulls them down to his knees. Since they’d left in such a rush, Jeongguk had gone commando under his pants.

Taehyung leans in. He doesn't go all the way at first. He licks a slow stripe up the length of Jeongguk’s cock before taking the head into his mouth. He swirls his tongue around the crown, teasing and sucking until Jeongguk is arching his back, his hands fisting the bedsheets.

"Oh god, Taehyung..."

The sensation is overwhelming. Taehyung begins to bob his head, taking Jeongguk deep. The heat of Taehyung's mouth and the occasional graze of teeth have Jeongguk seeing white. He’s too hot, his clothes suddenly unbearable. He scrambles to peel off his hoodie, tossing it blindly onto the floor.

He scrambles to unbutton his button up, regretting the decision to wear it because it's way too hard to take it off now.

After finally shrugging it off, his hands fly to Taehyung’s hair, not to pull, but to balance himself. He spreads his legs wider, surrendering to Taehyung.

One of Taehyung’s hands drops to his own cock, jerking himself in a frantic pace that matches the movement of his head. Every time Taehyung moans around him, the vibration travels directly through Jeongguk’s dick, sending a fresh wave of fire through his veins.

Taehyung looks up at Jeongguk through his lashes, watching the way Jeongguk’s face contorts with pleasure. He sucks harder, his hand working himself faster.

Finally, he pulls off.

The sight of Taehyung– on his knees, his lips swollen, slick with a mix of saliva and precome has Jeongguk breathless. He looks absolutely wrecked– the star athlete reduced to a panting, desperate mess on the floor at Jeongguk’s feet.

Jeongguk stares down at him, his own vision blurry. This sight is the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. Taehyung’s hair is a disaster, his chest is heaving and his hand still strokes his own hard length.

"Fuck," Jeongguk rasps, his voice completely gone.

Taehyung stands up, his movements fluid despite his heavy breathing. He kicks his sweats the rest of the way off along with taking off his shirt. Jeongguk does the same to his own pants.

The mattress dips under their combined weight as Taehyung crowds Jeongguk back against the pillows. Jeongguk’s arms reach up instinctively, fingers curling into Taehyung’s hair, pulling him down for a kiss that's full of saliva and need.

When they pull back, a thin string of saliva connects their mouths for a heartbeat before it breaks.

"Fucking hell, look at you," Taehyung rasps, looking at Jeongguk’s flushed face and blown out pupils. "All that leather outside, and you’re this sweet for me? Such a doll, aren't you?"

Jeongguk lets out a frustrated, needy sound at the pet name, his face turning a deeper shade of crimson.

He tries to look away but Taehyung catches his chin gently, tilting his head back for another deep kiss while his free hand roams.

Fingers trail down Jeongguk’s chest, brushing over the hard peaks of his nipples. Taehyung pinches one lightly, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger until Jeongguk arches with a breathy whine.

“Aah…”

“Yeah? Feel good, babydoll?” Taehyung whispers against his lips. He breaks the kiss only to drag his mouth lower, sucking a wet path along Jeongguk’s throat.

He latches onto the sensitive skin just below Jeongguk’s jaw, sucking hard. Jeongguk gasps, hips jerking up helplessly, cock twitching against his stomach.

Taehyung moves lower, tongue flicking over one nipple before sealing his lips around it. He sucks greedily– wet, noisy pulls that have Jeongguk writhing. Teeth graze the sensitive bud, then soothe with slow, swirling licks.

Taehyung switches to the other nipple, giving it the same thorough treatment while his hand keeps playing with the first, pinching and tugging until both are glistening with spit. Jeongguk’s hands fly to Taehyung’s hair.

"Nnngh– TaeTae... please, I... fuck," Jeongguk stammers, his voice completely wrecked.

“Shh, I’ve got you, pretty,” Taehyung soothes, voice warm. He kisses down Jeongguk’s body, leaving a small mark on the curve of his ribs.

He sits back on his heels for a moment, drinking in the sight. Jeongguk flushed and marked, cock leaking against his abs, thighs trembling. “Flip over for me, baby. Want to taste you.”

Jeongguk blinks, dazed. “Wh– what?” he splutters, voice cracking with surprise.

But Taehyung is already moving, strong hands gripping Jeongguk’s hips gently.

“Taehyung, wait– what–”

Taehyung flips Jeongguk onto his stomach effortlessly, then he lays down on the bed and pulls Jeongguk up and over him so they end up in a 69 position.

What the fuck.

Jeongguk’s eyes widen in shock as Taehyung hooks his arms around Jeongguk’s thighs and yanks him down.

"Suck my cock, Ggukie, while I eat you out,” Taehyung murmurs against his skin.

“Huh? I didn’t– ah–” Jeongguk splutters again, caught completely off guard the moment Taehyung’s tongue finds his hole. The sensation hits him like a spark to gasoline.

Taehyung pulls back. “C’mon, baby. Didn't I tell you to suck me?”

Jeongguk manages to let out a wheeze. “O-Okay.”

The thick length of Taehyung’s cock fills his mouth. The position is filthy. Taehyung’s hands spread Jeongguk’s cheeks wide, tongue licking a slow, teasing stripe from his balls all the way up to his hole before circling the tight rim with wet pressure.

He sucks gently at the sensitive skin, then pushes the tip of his tongue inside, fucking shallowly while humming in satisfaction.

Jeongguk tries to suck Taehyung properly– messy, eager bobs of his head, tongue swirling around the head and licking up the steady drip of precome– but every time Taehyung’s tongue spears deeper or his lips seal around Jeongguk’s rim in a wet, sucking kiss, Jeongguk loses rhythm.

He whimpers around Taehyung’s cock, hips twitching helplessly, drool slipping down the shaft as he struggles to focus.

Taehyung eats him like he's starving. He alternates between flat licks that make Jeongguk’s thighs shake, to thrusting motions that have Jeongguk crying out around the dick in his mouth.

“Oh, listen to you,” Taehyung groans between licks, voice muffled against slick skin. “Such a pretty doll. Taking my tongue so good. Bet you’d look even better taking my fingers soon.”

Jeongguk pulls off Taehyung’s cock with a wet pop, panting harshly as spit glistens on his swollen lips. “Taehyungie– please… I can’t– feels too good–”

Taehyung is obsessed– every soft moan, every lazy roll of Jeongguk’s hips, every time the biker melts further into helpless pleasure makes the heat coil tighter in his gut.

He pulls back just enough to press one last wet, open-mouthed kiss to Jeongguk’s hole.

Then he gently eases Jeongguk off him, flipping the pliant man onto his back again. Taehyung hovers over him, both of them breathing hard, bodies slick with sweat.

“Still good?” Taehyung asks.

Jeongguk nods, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of Taehyung’s mouth.

“Want my fingers next?”

“Uh huh,” Jeongguk hums, cheeks flushed, eyes glassy.

Taehyung smiles, reaching for the lube on the nightstand.

He clicks open the bottle and pours a generous amount onto his fingers. Jeongguk watches, chest still heaving from what they've just done. His cock twitches against his stomach where it lies hard and leaking.

Taehyung settles between Jeongguk’s spread thighs, one hand gently pushing one of Jeongguk’s knees wider.

“Keep your legs open for me,” Taehyung murmurs, voice low and warm. “Let me see that pretty hole.”

Jeongguk lets out a shy, embarrassed sound, but he obeys instantly. His legs fall further apart, knees bent and trembling slightly as he lies back like the perfect pillow princess. The flush spreads down his neck and across his chest.

The first finger is just a tease– a slow circle around the rim that makes Jeongguk’s breath hitch and his toes curl.

Taehyung watches the way Jeongguk’s entrance flutters. With a steady push, he slides the first finger to the knuckle.

Jeongguk lets out a high keen whine, his back arching off the bed. "Oh– Hngh–"

"You're doing so good," Taehyung praises.

Jeongguk’s whines turn into melodic, breathless moans. He looks down, his vision blurred, watching the way Taehyung’s finger is disappearing into him.

Taehyung adds a second finger, the stretch making Jeongguk gasp and reach out to claw at the bedsheets. The lube squelches wetly as Taehyung sinks the finger to the second knuckle. Inside, Jeongguk is scorching hot and tight, clenching around the digits like he can't decide whether to push it out or pull it deeper.

“Ah… fuuuck,” Jeongguk whimpers, voice breathy and broken. He tries to hide his face in the crook of his arm, but Taehyung catches his wrist and pins it above his head.

“None of that. Want to see your pretty face while I open you up.” Taehyung pushes his fingers in and out slowly.

He curls the fingers experimentally, searching until he brushes that sensitive spot inside. Jeongguk arches off the bed with a loud moan, cock jerking hard and spilling another bead of precome onto his abs.

Taehyung starts fucking his fingers in and out with wet, filthy sounds. More lube drips from his hand, coating Jeongguk’s hole until it glistens obscenely, the rim turning puffy and slick.

“That’s it, Jeonggukie. Feel how easily you’re taking me?”

The stretch makes Jeongguk spread his legs even wider on instinct. The two fingers move together, curling and thrusting, the lube making everything sloppy and loud every time Taehyung pumps them deeper.

“Oh Taehyung, please,” Jeongguk’s voice cracks into a high, whiny plea. His hands clutch at the sheets, hips rolling lazily up to meet every thrust. “More, more. Feels so good.”

Taehyung’s eyes darken with lust as he watches his fingers disappear into Jeongguk’s stretched hole. He adds a third finger, twisting and scissoring as he works it alongside the first two.

The stretch burns deliciously, making Jeongguk moan louder, his head thrashing side to side.

"Yes... fuck, yes, Tae," Jeongguk sobs out, his face a brilliant pink, his hips rolling needily against Taehyung’s hand to chase his fingers.

Taehyung reaches down with his free hand and wraps it around Jeongguk’s leaking dick, jerking him off in strokes that match the rhythm of his fingers.

“You’re dripping everywhere. So fucking messy and perfect,” he says.

Jeongguk is a complete wreck– full of desperate little moans, hole clenching around the fingers inside him.

He grabs one of his legs and pulls it wider, higher. “Tae… Taehyung, I– ah, hngh– please don’t stop…”

“Of course not.” Taehyung leans down, pressing open-mouthed kisses along Jeongguk’s inner thigh, then sucks a possessive hickey on it.

Taehyung keeps the pace steady and deep, pumping the three fingers in and out.

When he finally eases his fingers out with satisfaction, Jeongguk’s hole flutters and clenches around nothing, glistening with lube.

"You're so ready," Taehyung groans, his own breath coming in ragged gasps.

Taehyung reaches for the box of condoms on the nightstand, his eyes never leaving Jeongguk’s wrecked, beautiful face. "You want it, baby? Think you can take my cock now?"

Jeongguk nods frantically. “Yes yes yes.”

Taehyung smiles, takes the condom and tears the wrapper with his teeth while his other hand lazily strokes Jeongguk’s thigh to keep him grounded.

He rolls the latex down his cock. Even well-prepped, the sheer size of him makes Jeongguk’s eyes go wide.

Oh fuck, he's so big.

Taehyung squeezes lube straight onto himself, stroking once, twice, until the entire length is slick and shiny.

“Okay?” Taehyung asks softly, voice filled with need but still gentle.

“Yeah…”

He hooks his hands under Jeongguk’s knees and pushes them back toward his chest, folding the biker open into an exposed position. Jeongguk blushes furiously as his hole is put on full display, puffy and fluttering.

Taehyung lines himself up, the fat, blunt head of his cock pressing against the loosened rim. He pushes in slowly, inch by inch, the lube making the slide smooth despite the obvious stretch.

Jeongguk’s mouth falls open, his jaw going slack, as he feels himself split open around Taehyung’s cock.

“Oh gosh…” Jeongguk gasps, his hands flying to Taehyung’s biceps. “TaeTae, you’re so fucking big.”

"I've got you," Taehyung breathes, pausing halfway to let Jeongguk's body adjust.

He leans down, capturing Jeongguk’s mouth in a saliva-heavy kiss, muffling Jeongguk’s noises. He waits until he feels the initial clench of Jeongguk’s muscles soften into a welcoming heat, then he sinks the rest of the way in with a single thrust.

The sound is a wet, heavy thud of hips meeting. Jeongguk’s eyes roll back, a long, high-pitched whimper escaping him as he feels Taehyung’s cock deep inside him.

Taehyung pulls out almost all the way, before sliding back in. He does it a couple of times. And eventually, he starts to thrust back and forth, slaps of skin on skin mixed with the constant squelch of lube.

Jeongguk is a complete mess beneath him. His hands clutch weakly at Taehyung’s shoulders, legs trembling in the air as he lets Taehyung do all the work. Soft, whiny moans spill from his lips with every thrust as his head lolls back against the pillow.

“Tae… feels so full… please, deeper–”

Taehyung kisses Jeongguk messily while he fucks him. He pushes Jeongguk’s legs higher, hooking them over his shoulders, driving even harder against that sweet spot with his big cock.

Jeongguk arches with a loud cry, a little bit of drool escaping as his mouth hangs open in overwhelming pleasure.

After several minutes, Taehyung pulls out. Jeongguk whines at the loss, hole already missing the stretch.

“What– I'm so close. Don’t stop!”

“I'm not stopping, babydoll.”

Taehyung flips him smoothly onto his side, manhandling him like he weighs nothing. He slots in behind Jeongguk in a sideways spoon position, lifting one of Jeongguk’s legs high with a strong arm and sliding back inside in one smooth thrust.

The angle is tighter this way. Taehyung fucks him with powerful rolls of his hips. The lube makes everything glide so easily– wet, messy sounds filling the room as Taehyung’s cock pistons in and out, occasionally slipping out completely only to push back in with a lewd squelch that leaves Jeongguk gasping and drooling.

“God, you feel incredible like this,” Taehyung murmurs against the back of Jeongguk’s neck, pressing open-mouthed kisses there. “So tight, even when you're taking every inch of my cock so sweetly.”

Jeongguk can only moan, pushing back lazily against every thrust. One hand reaches back to clutch at Taehyung’s hip, nails digging in just enough to leave little marks.

"Tae, I'm... I'm gonna–" Jeongguk gasps, his hand jerking himself with a desperate speed.

"Do it. Come for me," Taehyung commands.

Jeongguk lets out a loud cry as he spills over his own hand. His muscles clenches around the intrusion of Taehyung’s cock, milking him through the orgasm, fluttering and squeezing in waves.

Taehyung groans at the feeling, fucking Jeongguk through it, drawing out every last shudder. He keeps moving, chasing his own release while Jeongguk trembles and whimpers from the overstimulation, sensitive walls still spasming around the thick girth.

“Almost there… just a little more. You’re so good,” Taehyung praises, voice strained.

With a deep, guttural moan, Taehyung finally comes, hips stuttering as he fills the condom deep inside Jeongguk.

He stays buried for a long moment, both of them panting harshly, all sweaty.

When he finally pulls out to discard the condom, a thick trickle of lube drips out of Jeongguk’s hole– swollen and thoroughly used. It drips slowly down his crack and over his balls in a filthy, wet trail.

Jeongguk lets out a soft, embarrassed moan and reaches back with one shaky hand. His fingers press against his own rim, feeling how open and sloppy he is.

“Fuck, I’m so loose,” he mumbles into the pillow, voice hoarse and dazed. “Feels so empty now. Your cock was so big.”

Taehyung watches the sight with satisfied eyes before gently pulling Jeongguk’s hand away. He chuckles breathlessly, flopping down onto his back next to Jeongguk and pulling him into his side.

He’s dripping with sweat, but he has a big smile. "Don't worry, Tiger Lily. You just need a bit of a recovery period."

Jeongguk hides his face in Taehyung’s chest. "I'm tired."

"I know," Taehyung says, kissing the top of Jeongguk's head. "But at least now I know why Blueberry Blast would be a bad idea. We would’ve made my whole bed smell like an artificial bakery."

Jeongguk huffs a tired laugh as his arms wrap tighter around Taehyung. A smile blooms on his face. “I told you so.”

–

The roar of Jeongguk’s Kawasaki cuts through the parking lot. Seokjin, Yoongi, Jimin and Hoseok are already leaning against the stadium railing, decked out in blue and gold.

Jeongguk kills the engine and dismounts. He’s not wearing his leather jacket today. Instead, he’s in a Panthers jersey, with a '7' on the chest and back.

As he walks toward them, the scent of Taehyung’s lavender cologne follows him like a cloud.

"Hey, losers," Jeongguk says, trying to keep his voice flat and bored.

Seokjin’s jaw literally drops. Yoongi stops mid-sentence. Jimin let out a whistle so loud a nearby security guard looks over.

"Oh my god," Jimin squeals, pointing a finger. "Look at the number! Seven!"

“No way…” Yoongi says.

"Is that… Taehyung’s jersey?" Hoseok asks, circling Jeongguk like a shark. "Jeongguk, turn around. Turn around right now."

Jeongguk huffs, but he turns. In bold, block letters across his shoulder blades sits a name.

KIM.

"He’s actually wearing it!" Seokjin cackles, clapping his hands.

“Oh my god!”

“No fucking way!”

“Since when?!”

“You’re officially the First Lady of the Panthers!"

"Shut up, guys," Jeongguk groans, his ears turning a bright shade of red. "It's just a shirt."

"Uh huh. Totally. It’s totally not his official jersey that smells like his soul or something, Jeongguk," Yoongi teases, nudging him. "You’re a goner."

They head into the stadium, snagging front row seats right behind the team bench. The teasing continues until the team runs out for warm ups.

Namjoon, spotting the chaos, jogs over to the railing, his helmet tucked under his arm.

"Hey guys! Good to see y’all–"

Namjoon stops dead.

His eyes fixate on Jeongguk’s chest. His eyebrows shoot into his hairline. "No way.”

“Yes way!” Hoseok pipes up behind Jeongguk. Unhelpfully.

“He actually gave it to you? What the hell? He wouldn't even let me borrow his lucky socks for the finals and he gave you the jersey?"

"Well, duh, Namjoon," Jimin says, leaning back with a smug grin. "You’re not the boyfriend."

“Yeah, you don't get the boyfriend privileges,” Yoongi adds.

"Exactly," Seokjin agrees, poking Namjoon’s shoulder pad.

The commentary is very unnecessary, Jeongguk thinks.

“Okay, yeah, no, I'm not the boyfriend.” Namjoon looks between the group and a very flustered Jeongguk. He lets out a loud bark of a laugh. "I’m just the guy who catches his passes while he thinks about Tiger Lily."

"It’s just a shirt," Jeongguk says, pulling at the fabric.

"Sure," Namjoon grins, looking toward the field. "Hey, Seven! Your lucky charm is here!"

Taehyung turns, spotting them immediately. The moment his eyes land on Jeongguk– wearing his jersey– a massive, toothy grin breaks across his face. He jogs over to the railing.

"Hey, Tiger Lily," Taehyung says.

Jeongguk tries to look cool. He tries to look nonchalant.

He fails.

A stupidly big, helpless smile breaks across his face.

Seokjin and Jimin start howling and making kissing noises behind them.

"Oh, my dear Taehyung!" Yoongi shouts in a high-pitched tone, mimicking Jeongguk’s voice.

“Oh, Tae, you're so handsome!” Hoseok adds, sighing deeply and fanning his face. Also mimicking Jeongguk’s voice.

The commentary is seriously unnecessary, Jeongguk thinks.

Taehyung just winks at Jeongguk, leaning against the railing. "You know, I think the jersey looks better on you than it ever did on me."

Jeongguk hides his face in his hands. "Make them stop teasing me, Tae,” he whines.

"Hmm, but I like it when everyone knows you're mine," Taehyung grins.

Namjoon pats Taehyung on the back. "Alright, Romeo, the coach is looking. Don't stay too long or you'll be in trouble." He waves at the group and heads back.

"We’re gonna go grab some nachos before the anthem," Jimin says, dragging the rest of the boys away. "Give the lovebirds a second of peace!”

Once the guys are away, Taehyung reaches over the railing, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair behind Jeongguk’s ear.

"I’ve been thinking about you all day," Taehyung whispers, his eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and tenderness.

"Me too," Jeongguk admits. "I felt kind of weird wearing this out, but… you said you wanted to see your name on me."

"I did," Taehyung says. "And now that I've seen it, it's the best part of my day."

Without warning, Taehyung cups Jeongguk’s face and pulls him down into a kiss.

“Oh–” Jeongguk says in surprise.

He’s frozen for a second, then he melts, kissing back with a soft sigh. When they pull apart, Taehyung is beaming.

Jeongguk huffs, helpless smile tugging at his lips. "I think people are staring."

"Let them stare," Taehyung shrugs.

Jeongguk feels like he's ascending. "Okay, just don't get too distracted looking at the stands. You have a game to win, QB."

Taehyung laughs, the sound bright and confident.

"Cheer for me?" he asks, beginning to jog backward toward the team, his eyes never leaving Jeongguk.

Jeongguk grips the railing, his heart feeling like it's about to soar out of his chest.

"Always."

Notes:

in honor of taehyung saying jeongguk looks like a deer and kangaroo

but i love bambi doe eyes jeongguk

also you can pry the petnames from my cold dead hands. it's never a downpour fic without petnames alright

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