chapter twenty-five ;; football game
jeongguk's perspective
°☆.。.:*・°☆

"Are you coming to my football game?" Taehyung asks before English class. He was squatting down next to my desk as usual, but there was no bubbly girl stopping our conversation, not today, at least. It made me feel more calmed and at peace if I were being honest to myself, which is something that I don't admit to often.

"Why wouldn't I go? I always do, don't I?" My head tilts to the side, staring down at Taehyung who's green highlights weren't as bright as they used to be. It was like an indicator of our time spent together. We met when it was bright and vibrant. I liked the dull version more. It was less distracting and allowed me to focus on Taehyung's face more.

We hadn't shared anymore kisses since the day I had my fever. A three day time period. Although, late at night or early in the morning, we have long and deep talks about the world and what must be beyond our own little universe we call home, and sometimes those conversations would leave in lips brushing and hands slowly sliding down arms.

Taehyung and I were very intimate but in a different kind of way. We didn't have to lock lips all throughout the night and secrete ungodly sounds from our mouths while rolling around and biting shoulders. All we had to do was talk and brush fingers over skin, primarily arms and backs, tracing intended lines on faces. We surely were more than friends, unless friends do what we do, but we definitely weren't a thing...I don't think. We weren't an official couple, but I somehow felt comfort within the concept of that.

"I just feel like you'll ditch one day and go home. You've already said you hate sports." Taehyung lightly explains, resting his head on the palms of his hands that were propped up onto my desk by elbows.

"I don't hate sports. They just aren't my forte. Like- for example -my forte is contemplating things that'd make some people shiver with fear and contemplate all that they've believed in their life. Your forte is...throwing a ball around while running."

Taehyung rolls his eyes and lets out a loud sigh of annoyance, "You sound like Yoongi right now."

"Your brother's correct. That's why," I respond, not realizing what I had said until Taehyung dumbly blinked multiple times, eyes wide in shock and mouth hanging open. I was about to correct myself and say sorry, but he quickly smiled, so brightly that my breath hitches for a moment, seeming to enjoy that I call Yoongi his brother. I happily made a mental note to do it more often, "but yes, I'll definitely be coming to the football game today. As long as I have a place where I can sit on the bleachers. I got really tired after standing for all that time at the last game."

Taehyung nods, "Definitely, I'll force Namjoon to stand up so you can sit down. Unless Seokjin forces you to sit on his lap like a child."

A soft giggle passes my cherry lips covered in the chapstick that made them slightly pink at Taehyung's comment, "Hey, I liked sitting on Seokjin's lap. His shoulders are very nice for head resting."

"Are you saying that mine aren't good enough?" Taehyung defensively asks in a joking tone, slightly taking me off guard at the comment. He didn't take notice even though I hesitated on answering, thankful for that. It was a very couple-esc type of joke to make. Maybe I was just overreacting like always? Doesn't matter. I had to just brush off the feeling in my stomach and play along.

"No, not at all." I smile, resting my own head lazily into the small palm of my hands that felt extra cold today. It's crazy to think that only three days ago I was on fire and felt like I was dying. The human body is such a miraculous thing.

Taehyung's eyes no longer held joking properties as the peppy mood between the two of us died down. We simply stared at each other, content with the cloaked silence while the other people surrounding us were shouting and animatedly talking. I was instead animatedly observing the boy who was staring right back. My eyes ran over his face. If I could draw, I'd draw Taehyung's form a hundred times in a hundred different emotions and styles, from realistic to abstract.

"Mr. Kim, you know the drill." Mrs. Ka loudly speaks, and Taehyung reluctantly leaves my side, heading over to his own desk.

----

Today was apparently a special game. It had to do with some kind of championship, and this was one of the few games spent at Home. Usually our team's going to other high schools to compete, but this time we were lucky to obtain the advantage of this being our own territory and having our own classmates as supporters.

The team we were going against was also quiet a big enemy, and my eyes stare over at Park Chanyeol with widened eyes at how tall he was. He must be at least six feet tall, and compared to me, I was a helpless munchkin standing next to him from the player's bench. There was a smaller boy at his side with messy brown hair, and Chanyeol's own blonde hair was quickly concealed when he put his helmet on after earning a quick kiss to the cheek. Would Taehyung be mad if I gave him a kiss on the cheek?

Speaking of the boy filling my mind, Taehyung comes jogging over with a jersey clinging tightly to his padded body. He gleamed at me, helmet still off unlike Chanyeol who was out onto the field, "You came." He states with a pleased tone, wrapping a quick arm around my waist.

"I did." My respond came, weakly putting my arm over his broad shoulders. It was hard to as the padding was extremely large, and he chuckled at my attempt to even bother trying.

"Good, I need moral support today. I'm absolutely terrified over who we're going against. Chanyeol got a new boyfriend or something, and he feels more into it that usual. Number sixty-one is gonna whoop my fucking ass." Taehyung complains with a worried tone, his grip around my small waist tightening with each word.

"Hey, stop worrying, you'll do fine." I reassure the elder, turning so I'm facing him, "I know that you're one of the best quarterbacks I've ever seen. I mean, I haven't watched much football, but I can continue to say m you're very talented and know what you're doing, so stop acting so scared. Fear will only make you perform poorly, alright?" Taehyung nods along with a serious face, fumbling with the plastic helmet in his hands that felt clammy when I grabbed onto the empty one, "Don't think, just do."

He sighs, "You make it sound so easy." Taehyung looks out onto the field, getting a perfect view of Park Chanyeol and Oh Sehun ramming into a football dummy with a flinch at the sight, "I don't think you understand how scary it is."

"I've never seen you so scared before. You're always so confident about your skill, why are you so scared now?" I worriedly ask, lifting up and placing my hands onto his bicep.

"Because you're- you're here, and I'm scared to fuck up in front of you." My cheeks turn pink at the comment, taken aback by how bluntly he said it.

There was no way to mask what Taehyung said, and it made me feel giddy in a way, happy that I controlled him just like he did me. It was only fair he could also become so nervous and for once make me feel like I was in control. Taehyung doesn't even looked phased, observing the players on the opposing team practice before the game begins.

Coach blows the whistle, signaling all of the players to join together for a huddle before starting. You could see the sweat on his brow that he quickly wiped away after signaling the team. I was only reminded on how much pressure Taehyung must be under right now.

"H-Hey." I say, stopping Taehyung from putting his helmet on last second. He looks down at me with a curious stare and awaits for my words to continue but none came out. Instead, a soft kiss was placed against Taehyung's mouth as a way to fire him up for the game. My tip toes were used as a step ladder since he wasn't bending down to help me at the moment, "You'll do fine."

A soft smile forms onto his pretty face I'd gotten used to. It had turned into a sign of safety, a warmth spreading throughout my cold and bruised body. I'd fallen earlier due to my shoelaces being untied, and my knees were scuffed up enough to bleed, and my palms, along with my arms, were currently bruised from the impact of stopping myself.

"Thanks." Taehyung mumbles before quickly putting his tight helmet on and mouth guard in before rushing over to the group of football players.

Even Namjoon was in the group today, slightly surprising me. I could practically hear my pulse pounding into my head as everyone got into their strict and set positions. It was nerve wracking to watch it unfold. It's always different when you have someone you care for on the field. There's a constant fear they could get hurt, break an arm, or even worse, get a concussion.

The injury wasn't uncommon, and it was one of the fears I had while Taehyung was playing. Another fear was that he wouldn't win and end up being gloomy for the rest of the day. Gloomy Taehyung was only a good thing when it was late at night and I was also gloomy. Nighttime is always a good time for sadness.

"You're scared." Seokjin says from behind.

I jolt, "Jesus Christ, Seokjin, you scared the hell out of me, of course I'm fucking scared now." I run my hand over my chest, listening to Taehyung aggressively shout out words I didn't know the meaning behind before the play started.

"No cursing, you're not eighteen yet." Seokjin says with a stern tone, but he looked on the brink of laughing.

"Okay, sorry." I mumble and almost shout out when someone pulls Taehyung down to the ground. The player's fingers had gripped around the front of his helmet and harshly tugged, causing Taehyung to fall, "Tae!" I shout at the top of my lungs and prepared to sprint forward before hands pulled me back.

"No need to worry, see? He's up and walking." Seokjin softly says while my hectic eyes scan around and intently watch Taehyung angrily get up from the ground. He began to loudly shout with hands moving around to emphasize things.

There was definitely going to be a penalty against the other team for their player's recklessness. Even Chanyeol was shouting at him for causing them a huge drawback of twenty yards.

"He could still be hurt." I sadly say, not wanting to watch Taehyung be knocked down again.

"Trust me, Taehyung's received much more brutal things while out there. This is nothing for him, and you shouldn't worry so much or else you're going to make yourself sick." I nod, trusting Seokjin and his word.

----

Yoongi nudges me as I sat next to him on the bleacher, quickly gaining my attention with eyes peeling away from Taehyung sprinting with all his might. He was one of the fastest players, and it was mesmerizing to watch him gracefully outrun others and jump around to avoid hurtling people, twisting his body and flicking about, "Hm?" I hum to let Yoongi know that I was paying attention.

"Shout his name during the next play. He hates it." Yoongi orders with a playful smirk.

"No, that's rude." I quickly say, looking back as Taehyung finally gets pulled down by Chanyeol slamming into his side. My whole body jerks at the sight, but I have to remind myself of Seokjin's words. This was by far the most aggressive game I've seen.

"It may be different. Since you're the one shouting it." Both his tone and face were smug, instantly persuading me into the idea.

"Fine." I say in defeat, finding nothing harmful in the action and loving the idea of people knowing who I supported most. It's not like it would shock anyone anyways.

Once all of them like up, Taehyung's about to shout out the words once again but quickly cut off by my voice screeching out, "Kim Taehyung!" I shout at the top of my lungs in a sing song manner, earning a approving laugh from Yoongi.

From here, you could see Taehyung's eyes widen, and I feel bad for embarrassing him. For only a moment. Most people only harmlessly chuckled, and after a moment, Taehyung lets a smile grace his sweaty face, shaking his head slightly before refocusing once more.

Yoongi nudges my arm once I sit down again, "I told you he wouldn't mind." He smiles over at me, even Hoseok popping his head out of a daze to snicker too.

----

"You won!" I happily say with a wide smile and bright eyes.

Taehyung rushes over towards me, and I meet him half way, not expecting to feel firm hands around my waist, lifting me off of the ground and into the air. Taehyung laughs loudly while I yell in protest. Nonetheless, he spins around before dropping me back down to the ground, and I only had time to relish in the feeling of firm dirt under my feet before being tugged into a tight hug.

Taehyung was extremely sweaty and smelt of the ground, his whole uniform covered in dirt. I didn't mind the musk. My nose could stand the stench, but I had to force myself to not cringe at the feeling of Taehyung's sweaty arms holding me tightly, "We did win." He says into my hair and slowly lets go after a moment, only to be greated by Park Chanyeol.

The smaller boy was at his side again, although he was trained on staring at me. I had the urge to hide behind Taehyung even with him looking agile. His face was very cute and baby-ish, lips thin and eyes matching his hair. He was skinny too with pretty looking hands. I slightly envied the person standing in front of me.

"Taehyung," Chanyeol announces with a kind grin and outstretches his hand as the boy by his side stayed silent just like I, "nice game today. Well done, you deserve the win."

"I- Thanks, Yeol, I respect your sportsmanship." Taehyung happily speaks and grabs onto his hand for a quick and kind shake. My eyes were still fixed on the smaller who was also gazing back at me. It was a stare down between the two of us, the small boys more than likely belonging to the much taller.

"Oh- uh, this is Baekhyun." Chanyeol says after a moment of somewhat awkward silence, "He wanted to watch a game today, so I allowed him to tag along for once."

"Hello." Baekhyun greets shyly. His voice was surprisingly low and made my ears perk up at the sound, quickly realizing that I wanted to hear it even more.

"H-Hi." My own voice stumbles in return after Taehyung kindly greets Baekyun, who was only two inches taller than me.

"Who's this?" Chanyeol signals towards me with a gesture of his hand.

"Jeongguk." Taehyung says for me.

I almost forget to talk for a moment, giving a delayed and nearly inaudible greeting. My mind had distinctly picked up on how Taehyung didn't bother to give me any formalities. It confirmed my hypothesis of us not saying anything publicly about what we might be. He had a good reputation to keep, and the knowledge of him dating me may not be the best. It saddened me to understand but instead decided to brush it off desperately.

----

"Hey, Guk?" Taehyung says into the car's silence while at a red light. The stars shined in a gentle greeting, heat from the vents blowing harshly. We were on the way to my place, and he was going to spend the night as usual, but the current route we were going didn't seem all too familiar, "I want to take you to a place I found back when I was little."

"R-Right now?" I felt uncertain while the car picks up speed again.

"Yes, right now,"

"O-...Okay,"

----

lmao lame filler w an annoying ending soz

also i'm all abt that baekyeol life like damnn that shit's more cannon than vkook

as i'm revising this, pretty boy just got 6k thANK YO U