Fourteenth
:Chapter Fourteen:

     The Coach stepped into his office after a moment, getting all the information he needed from the rest of the team who were packing up and going home.

Jeongguk and Taehyung kept their eyes on the old man, neither one of them speaking more because they were afraid and knew anything they said without being spoken to would just hurt them in the end.

"I don't give a shit on what happened at summer camp or who fucked who's girl! I don't care and I don't want to hear it. All I know is that you two better stop the childish kitty fights or I will hold you both out for the rest of the year, I don't care if we lose it all." The Coach looked between Taehyung and Jeongguk who both held looks of guilt and shame.

"Sorry, Coach." The two said in sync, Taehyung looking down at his feet and Jeongguk clearing his throat.

"You two better be. I just know that the moment your asses get on that baseball field, for practice or for a game, you two are best friends and will both make calls together." Coach told them, having it with both of them. "Did you idiots know Hoseok got hit?"

Taehyung gasped, looking back up. "Wait, Seok? When did he get hit?" He inquired.

"So you guys didn't know that one of you punched him right in the face? He wanted to stop you two like a teammate should and he took the risk of getting hurt." Coach scolded. "Come tomorrow's practice, you both will hate me. You're lucky I don't make you boys sit out the next game. This is the last time I will talk to either of you about the arguing." He warned, a stern look on his face. He wasn't playing any of these games and he didn't want to deal with it anymore. 

"Yes, Coach." They said again in sync, both feeling pretty bad. There wasn't much more either one of them could say. They did this to themselves.

"You boys are apart of a team. You should work together, be there for one another." The Coach lowered his tone. "The reason you guys lost today was not because someone set you up and lost purposely, the reason was because there was no communication. And not only from you two." He added on. "I don't know what happened nor do I care, but I want a difference when you guys are on the field, okay? Do I make myself clear?"

Again, they answered together, making Coach nod his head. "Good. Since I don't like bringing these fights up to admin, neither one of you will be suspended." He informed, cleaning off his desk as he talked to the two rivals. He then pulled his chair out and sat down finally. "With all that being said, you morons can leave now. Not a single peep." He dismissed.

Taehyung stood up first, turning away and leaving the office. He went over to his bag and grabbed it, making sure all of his stuff was together. No one was in the locker room, they had left a bit ago when Newbie and himself were in the room alone.

He heard the creaking of the door again — since Taehyung didn't hold the door open — and Jeongguk left the office. He walked over to his locker, finishing getting undressed.

Neither one of them dared to speak because the only thing the two would do would go right back to arguing again simply because they were that stubborn.

     The captain of the Panthers walked out of the locker room and jogged down the steps. He made it to the gym, leaving through the big corridors to get outside.

He didn't want to waste another second being barricaded in a room where Newbie was. Taehyung was upset because he felt like he lost the fight but even then, like Newbie said, he held his.

It wasn't surprising Jeongguk had 'won', he was twice Taehyung's size when it came to body appearance. Everyone knew Jeongguk was strong but Taehyung was quick and he definitely knew how to pack a punch.

     "Need a ride?"

Taehyung snapped away from his thoughts once he heard the question, looking up to see Hoseok standing there with his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned on his car.

Right when Taehyung went to say yes, he saw someone in the passenger seat, recognizing her immediately.

Jihyun.

The aforementioned quickly got out of the car and walked over to Taehyung, throwing her arms over him within seconds. "Taehyungie! Why didn't you tell me you were getting into fights?" She asked. Hoseok had told her everything about Jeongguk and the physical altercations the two had gotten into on multiple occasions.

The youngest frowned. He wasn't angry that she was told, he actually felt a bit relieved but he didn't answer her. Instead, he just pulled her closer, feeling her head on his chest. He ran his hand on her back as if to soothe her; comfort her even though she didn't exactly need it in this exact moment.

"Are you okay?" Jihyun muttered against his chest, pulling away after a brief moment. She looked up at Taehyung with concern but he just smiled back at her.

"I'm fine, Ji." He assured and leaned close, pecking her lips. "Really." He added on, applying another kiss but onto her forehead this time.

"Now you guys look like a couple!" Smiled Hoseok, clapping his hands. He was acting as if he didn't get punched in the face just thirty minutes ago.

Taehyung chuckled, taking her hand in his own. "Can I still get that ride?" He asked his best friend, walking closer to the vehicle and ready to get in.

"Yeah but Jihyun is sitting in the front. Oh, and we're picking someone else up, too." Hoseok smiled but Taehyung swore it look mischievous. He decided not to look into it but he should've.

Jihyun got in the front while Taehyung got in the back, buckling up.

Hoseok stayed outside of his car, waiting for something. Or someone.

"Who are we picking up?" He called out once rolling down the window to look to his hyung who looked over for a second.

"Jeongguk." Hoseok said simply.

"You're kidding."

"Why would I joke around?"

"Damn it, Seok. You're lucky I need a ride home." Taehyung huffed, shaking his head in disappointment.

"You can always just walk, Taehyung." Hoseok snickered, looking back at the gym exit doors so he could pick up Jeongguk.

The raven-haired had came out just on cue, throwing his bag over his shoulders. He had his head down but it was picked up once he heard Hoseok, similar to Taehyung's reaction.

"Want a ride home?" The eldest asked, pulling open the door to the back seat, revealing Taehyung.

Jeongguk saw and shook his head. "Nah, I'll just walk." He shrugged, not really wanting to be by the person he had just fought.

"Nonsense. Get in the car." Hoseok called back, waving his arm over. "That's a horrible way to start off an apology."

"Apology?" Jeongguk questioned. "I'm not apologizing to anyone, Hoseok hyung."

"Not to him, to me. The one that got punched trying to help you guys out." Hoseok returned, his friendly smile still on his face but he didn't sound all that friendly. "I think I'm owed one, honestly."

The younger wanted to argue but he wasn't going to win it. He sighed, walking over to the car and hoping in right beside Taehyung in the back seat.

Hoseok then got into the car, pulling the seatbelt over his body. "Jihyun, this is Jeongguk." He introduced.

The little lady turned her head and looked at him. He had totally forgotten who she was but was quickly reminded of that when she opened her mouth.

"You don't ever lay your dirty hands on Taehyung. I don't care how big or strong you are, I'll personally hurt you. I might be small but I'll bruise your shins." Jihyun threatened, meaning her words truthfully.

Jeongguk's thin lips parted. He would say a comeback but he wasn't one to disrespect girls and she was only sticking up for her poor excuse of a boyfriend.

"And Taehyung, you better tell me if he ever makes an issue." She looked at her boyfriend who was feeling quite embarrassed to say the least.

"Jihyun, I can handle it." Taehyung answered but she wasn't taking that as an answer.

"Handle it my ass." She said back, shaking her head. "I said what I said." Jihyun seemed satisfied with her choice of words, turning back around.

Hoseok started the engine and began to drive. They would drop off Jihyun and Taehyung first since they were both going to Taehyung's house and since he didn't live too far.

Jihyun had made the executive decision on where she wanted to go and she had deemed it where Taehyung had no other choice but to accept her over for dinner tonight. It was the least he could do for being such a bad boy at school.

"She's feisty." Jeongguk uttered quietly.

"Shut up, Newbie. Don't talk to or about her. We'll jump you." Taehyung threatened.

***

     Jeongguk moved to the front after Jihyun got out with Taehyung and went to his house door. He didn't say anything to them as they didn't speak to him.

He pulled the seatbelt over his body, telling Hoseok his address so he could be dropped off at his own house.

"She's a sweet girl, isn't she?" Wondered Hoseok, a knowing smile on his face as his voice lingered with a hint of tease.

"Didn't you hear Cap? I'm not trying to get jump, she looks like she'll hurt me." Jeongguk said.

"Yeah, like Taehyung hasn't already."

"He barely touched me." Jeongguk rolled his eyes. "But her? She looks like she doesn't play."

Hoseok laughed. "Yeah because the bruises, busted lip, and black eye says he 'barely touched you.'" He chuckled, shaking his head. "You both have a lot of making up to do. Coach said you both were going to be stiff as hell after practice tomorrow and that's not even all of it. I'm still thinking about what I want."

"I got in your car with Kim, that seems enough." Jeongguk uttered.

"Yeah, because you getting in my car with your bestie makes up for me getting punch in the face." The elder rolled his eyes. "I'll tell you guys when I have it, until then, don't worry about it."

"Gee, thanks." Jeongguk huffed and rolled his eyes. "For what it's worth, I really am sorry you got hit. I didn't see you or hear you. All I knew is that he was there and all that mattered was hurting him." He explained basically. "You weren't supposed to get hurt."

"I don't think it was intentionally but it doesn't take away from the fat bruise on my cheek." Hoseok uttered with a shrug. "But I accept your apology. You still owe me a favor though. You're not getting out of it that easily."

________
A/N:

1. I love Jihyun! She's so protective and caring!
2. What's your favorite book right now?
3. How's quarantine? — or, if you're reading in the future when COVID-19 isn't such a huge pandemic, how was quarantine? (Write the month you answered this question) (EX. I wrote this September 29th, 2020 (published October 29th, 2020 — I want to see how long this pandemic extends from here to when it's over).