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𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 — 𝟒:𝟓𝟖 𝐩𝐦
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they only spent about thirty minutes talking about it, the tips coming quick once namjoon was told everything that had been going on. he was excited for this competition, to finally put his training to the test and see how well he was. cheating never appealed to him, or whatever you would consider using someone's weakness against them that only their trainer knew. however, once knowing what's been going on with his little brother, namjoon was on board.

jungkook had been sharing seojoons secrets, the little hints learned over lessons and watching matches that exposed what the guy would do next. "he goes right every time, no matter who he's going against, i guarantee he starts with going right." jungkook said. he's seen the way seojoon is more dominant on his right leg, probably from an injury to his left ankle or lack of confidence. either way, the guy was predictable when seeing him fight so many times.

"sometimes he'll take a step." jungkook was facing namjoon, both in a stance and the tattooed male taking a step forward with his left to demonstrate, "he might fake it, but watch his right arm and aim for that side to block."

namjoon nodded, and took mental notes, knowing people typically started with their more dominant side to seem intimidating at first attempts to attack.

they continued on like that, jungkook demonstrating moves and scenarios that he's always seen seojoon use or attempt. namjoon would copy and counter the attack with what he thought was a good approach, and his coach would praise or constructively criticize that.

jimin went to sit beside his friend on the floor by the wall where he hasn't moved yet. he bumped their shoulders, and smiled small, "you seem down." he said to his friend.

taehyung just shrugged again and kept watching the practice going on. "i don't want any of this anymore." he said.

"what do you mean?" jimin asked, his eyebrows punching together in confusion. he knows they probably wouldn't talk about this if the other two weren't so busy. the start of this conversation seemed to be like one they'd have at night when they were alone, too tired to really think about what they were saying.

"remember in middle school when your mom would pick us up," taehyung started to say, and his friend stayed quietly. he only nodded along to show he was listening. "and we knew that when she didn't turn right to my house and went straight instead we knew we were having a sleepover at your house."

jimin smiled thinking back to times like that, when sleepovers and after school snacks were the highlight of days and not the stress from college prep classes and breakups. taehyung had a small smile on his face too, "it was so easy back then." he said, "we didn't know how mean life was."

they sat in silence then, barely hearing the other pair practicing as they zoned out almost, lost in pretty memories and dreams of sleepovers where they stayed up playing video games and thought 10 pm was late. jimin laid his head on his friends shoulder, "don't worry tae," he said quietly, "those boys are going to grow up and be okay one day."

taehyung hummed, "one day." he said as well.

those memories seemed to dance in and out of focus, not in any particular fashion, but taehyung knew he wasn't completely focusing on anything right now. he didn't want to watch this practice anymore, it just reminded him what was to come later tonight. he also didn't want to think back to those sleepovers, because it reminded him that he wasn't there, but here instead.

all those thoughts may have made the time pass quick, but jungkook and namjoon had apparently stopped playing out scenarios. "we should get going." the one with tattoos said.

taehyung looked at the time on his phone and saw there had about an hour before the actual match start. that didn't include time to get there as well as the prep time before the first whistle blow. time didn't really care, not when there were nerves or excitement or any other emotion that willed the clock to either speed up or slow down. time was only on its own side.

the group of boys made their way down the back stairs to behind the building. at this point most people left the gym since everyone would be at the competition. namjoon had his car, and jungkook said he'd drive his. that left the two others to choose where they'd go. jimin knew where he wanted to sit, and he gave his best friend a little smile before walking to namjoons car.

taehyung didn't blame him or his crush on his big brother. feelings made you do things always. that's why he was looking over at a tattooed male waiting expectantly by his own car, one hand resting on top of the car while the other held the drivers door open. jungkook watched the boy, and he felt the little warmth in his chest when taehyung came walking over and opened the passenger side of his door.

he sat as well, resting his hands on the steering wheel as they sat in silence. taehyung chose to ride with him, but that didn't mean he was choosing to speak. jungkook sighed softly, "we're going to talk this time. i promise." he looked over at the younger, who just nodded a bit and then continued to look out the window. the noodle shop was open tonight.

jungkook just sighed again and started the car, following the other one out from behind jeon-kali fitness center and towards the warehouse. it was a shorter ride, a lot shorter than taehyung remembered since they walked last time. he kind of hoped it would last longer, he could sit with jungkook for a little more time before all this went down and tonight would be over too soon. time was never on his side.

the older might have had the same thoughts, because when he parked he made no moves to shut the car off or even take his eyes off the space in front of him.

"jungkook." taehyung said it softly, and he only got a quiet hum in return.

"we should go inside." the younger added, seeing the way jungkook just sat and stared off at nothing in particular, or maybe there was something there. something no one else could see and only the things in his head making him perceive images.

jungkook looked away, and then at his boy sitting there in his car. "we should." he copied what the younger had said. neither made a move to get out of the car, and they kind of just looked at each other for one more moment.

"we could drive away." taehyung said this time, just above a whisper. the corner of the olders lip twitched up into a small smile, soon their hands touching and fingers intertwining. "one day we can." jungkook promised.

a small smile threatened to show on taehyungs lips, but the nerves and worry still showed as well. he knew he could always count on jungkook to make him feel better, no matter what was going on whether it was between them or coming from some other source. he always made things better.

taehyung squeezed his hand a little tighter, a little light shining between those gray clouds wanting to hang over their days recently.
"one day."

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let me know what you think so far ♡
i'm excited for what's to come and for
what's to be revealed.